JP2012159258A - Switch structure and air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switch structure which does not damage the function of a switch even if the structure receives a shock.SOLUTION: The switch structure is provided with a switch 25 fixed to a base member, an operating body 26 for operating the switch 25 and a front surface cover 22 with which the switch 25 is covered. The operating body 26 is attached to the base member 27. The operating body 26 is arranged opposite to the switch 25. A part of the operating body 26 is protruded to the outside through the front surface cover 22 with which the operating body 26 is covered so as to make operation from the external part attainable. A connecting part which connects the operating body 26 and the front cover 22 is disposed. The connecting part is composed of a part 40 to be engaged disposed on the operating body 26 and an engaging part 41 disposed on the front surface cover 22. When the front surface cover 22 is attached to the base member 27, the engaging part 41 is engaged with the part 40 to be engaged. When an impact is received, the movement of the operating body 26 and the movement of the front cover 22 are synchronized by the connecting part and the operating body 26 is not offset with respect to the switch 25.

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch structure of an operation switch provided in a cabinet such as an air conditioner.

  An air conditioner indoor unit is provided with operation switches for emergency operation and trial operation. When the front panel of the indoor unit cabinet is opened, an operation switch button appears. When the user presses the button, the operation switch is turned on and a predetermined operation is executed.

  Here, as a switch structure of the operation switch, the switch is provided inside the cabinet, and an operation body for operating this switch is exposed to the outside from the cabinet. The switch is a tact switch (registered trademark), which is one of contact type switches that are energized while the operating body is pressed and de-energized when released. The switch is fixed to the control board. The control board is mounted on the base member. The base member is attached to the cabinet frame. The control board is covered with a base member and a front cover that is detachably attached to the cabinet. The operation body is movably attached to the base member so as to be in contact with the actuator of the switch. A part of the operating body passes through an operation hole formed in the front cover and protrudes outside the front cover.

  In a switch structure in which the operating body and front cover as described above are separately attached to the base member, and a part of the operating body protrudes outward from the front cover, the cabinet is subjected to shocks during transportation or installation of the cabinet. May join. At this time, the front cover or the operating body is fitted or screwed to the base member, but if the fixing is insufficient, the front cover and the operating body may come into contact with each other. Then, the operating body may come off from the actuator of the switch, or the switch may be damaged. In particular, if the impact is strong, the possibility increases.

  Therefore, as countermeasures against shock and vibration, for example, in Patent Document 1, a convex part that fits into a hole formed in a cover is formed on a printed circuit board on which an operation switch is mounted. It is described that the gap between them is set smaller than the gap between the operating body and the cover. Thereby, when an impact is applied, even if the cover is shaken, the cover does not contact the operating body.

JP 2000-184753 A

  In the above switch structure, both the cover and the operating body move when receiving an impact. By the way, the operating body is arranged so as to contact the switch. The switch is turned on / off according to the movement of the operated operating body. Thus, the switch and the operating body are separate members. Therefore, when an impact is applied, the operating body moves relative to the switch. There arises a problem that the operating body is detached from the switch and the switch does not function.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a switch structure capable of preventing the function of the switch from being impaired even when subjected to an impact.

  The switch structure of the present invention includes a switch fixed to a base member, an operating body for operating the switch, and a cover that covers the switch. The operating body is attached to the base member, and the cover covers the operating body. The operating body is arranged so as to face the switch, and a part of the operating body protrudes outside through the cover so that it can be operated from the outside. And the connection part which connects an operation body and a cover is provided.

  With such a structure, it is possible to prevent only the operating body from moving by synchronizing the movement of the operating body and the movement of the cover by the linkage portion. Further, the linkage unit may be configured such that the operating body and the cover are brought into contact with each other in a direction different from the moving direction when the operating body is operated, so that both can be moved integrally. Thereby, an impact is also applied to the base member through the cover and the switch is shaken. However, since the operating body and the cover are also shaken together with the base member, the positional relationship between the operating body and the switch does not change. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the state where the operating body faces the switch.

  The linkage portion includes an engaged portion provided on the operating body and an engaging portion provided on the cover. When the cover is installed so as to cover the operating body, the engaging portion is the engaged portion. You may make it engage with. If it does in this way, an operation body and a cover will be connected integrally by this engagement, and both movements when receiving an impact synchronize.

  The switch may be a contact type switch, and the operation body may be configured to be able to contact the actuator of the switch, and may include a button that contacts the actuator of the switch and a holding body that holds the button movably in the moving direction. . Further, the holding body may be attached to the base member, the engaged portion may be formed on the holding body toward the cover, and the engaging portion may be formed on the cover toward the holding body. Furthermore, when the cover is attached to the base member, the engaged portion may be fitted into the engaging portion.

  The engaged portion may be formed in a convex shape, and the engaging portion may be formed in a concave shape. The engaged portion may be formed in a concave shape and the engaging portion may be formed in a convex shape. Further, the engaging portion is slidable with respect to the engaged portion with respect to the moving direction, and the engaging portion is in contact with the engaged portion with respect to a direction different from the moving direction, and The movement of the joint may be restricted.

  When the cover is attached to or detached from the base member, the cover is slid in the moving direction. When the cover receives an impact, the button does not come off from the actuator of the switch even if the cover and the operating body swing in the moving direction. When only the button swings separately from the other members when it swings in a direction different from the direction of movement, the button will disengage from the actuator of the switch, but the button will swing in sync with the other members, so the button will move away from the switch actuator. The button does not come off and the state where the button faces the switch can be maintained.

  The button protrudes outside through the operation hole formed in the cover, and when the cover is installed so as to cover the operation body, the engaged portion and the engagement portion are positioned before the button enters the operation hole. The heights of the engaged portion and the engaging portion are set so as to contact each other. If it does in this way, when a to-be-engaged part enters an engaging part previously, position alignment of the cover with respect to an operation body is performed, and a button will enter an operation hole smoothly.

  The operation switch having the above switch structure is provided in the cabinet of the indoor unit. Indoor units may be shocked during transportation or installation. Even if the cabinet is shaken in response to an impact, the operating body and the switch swing in synchronism, so that the operating body does not deviate from the position facing the actuator of the switch.

  According to the present invention, since the operating body attached to the base member and the cover provided so as to cover the operating body move in synchronization with each other, the cover and the operating body come into contact with each other even when an impact is applied. Can be prevented from facing the switch.

The perspective view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of this invention Cross section of indoor unit Perspective view of indoor unit with front panel removed Cross section of the operating body Perspective view of front cover attached to base member The perspective view of the base member to which the operation body was attached Perspective view of the front cover as seen from the rear side Front view of the base member to which the operating body is attached AA sectional view of FIG. Front view of the front cover attached to the base member BB sectional view of FIG. Enlarged sectional view of the linkage

  The indoor unit of the air conditioner of this embodiment is shown in FIGS. The indoor unit includes a heat exchanger 1 and an indoor fan 2, which are housed in a cabinet 3. A curved surface is formed from the front surface to the bottom surface of the cabinet 3. A suction port 4 is formed on the upper surface of the cabinet 3, and an outlet 5 is formed on the curved surface.

  An air passage 6 extending from the suction port 4 to the blowout port 5 is formed inside the cabinet 3, and the heat exchanger 1 and the indoor fan 2 are disposed in the air passage 6. A filter 7 is disposed between the suction port 4 and the heat exchanger 1, and dust is removed from indoor air sucked from the suction port 4. There are two filters 7 on the left and right.

  A panel 10 that opens and closes the air outlet 5 is provided on the curved surface of the cabinet 3. The panel 10 is supported by the cabinet 3 so as to be openable and closable, and an opening and closing part for opening and closing the panel 10 is provided.

  The panel 10 opens when the air conditioner is in operation. During the cooling operation, the panel 10 guides the cool air obliquely upward, and the cool air blows out along the ceiling. At the time of heating operation, the panel 10 presses the warm air blown forward and guides the warm air toward the floor surface. Even in the initial stage of the cooling operation, the cool air is blown out toward the floor surface, and rapid cooling is performed. The panel 10 is in a closed posture when the operation is stopped, covers the air outlet 5, and is integrated with the cabinet 3. Thus, the panel 10 functions as a wind direction changing plate (louver).

  In the cabinet 3, a drain pan 11 is provided below the heat exchanger 1 and receives dew that flows down through the heat exchanger 1. The drain pan 11 is integrally formed with the drain pan unit 12 that forms the air outlet 5. An ion generating unit 13 that generates ions is attached to the drain pan unit 12.

  The indoor unit is provided with a filter cleaning device for cleaning while moving the filter 7. The filter cleaning device includes a rotating brush 14 that removes dust from the filter 7 and a dust box 15 that collects the removed dust. The filter 7 moves along a guide path 16 formed in the cabinet 3.

  In the air conditioner, an outdoor unit (not shown) is installed outside the indoor unit. The outdoor unit includes a compressor, a heat exchanger, a four-way valve, an outdoor fan, and the like, and these and the indoor heat exchanger 1 form a refrigeration cycle. And the control apparatus which controls a refrigerating cycle is provided in an indoor unit. A control device including a microcomputer controls the refrigeration cycle based on a user instruction and detection signals of various sensors such as a temperature sensor that detects a room temperature and an outside temperature, and performs an air conditioning operation. At this time, the control device controls the opening / closing unit according to the cooling / heating operation to open / close the panel 10. Further, the control device controls the filter cleaning device periodically or in accordance with an instruction from the user to clean the filter 7 while moving it.

  The indoor unit also includes an operation switch 20 for executing emergency operation and self-diagnosis. As shown in FIG. 3, when the front panel 21 provided in the cabinet 3 is opened or removed, the operation switch 20 appears. When the user operates the operation switch 20, the control device performs a predetermined operation according to the operation content such as a single press or a long press.

  The operation switch 20 is disposed on one side of the cabinet 3 in the left-right direction. An accommodation space for accommodating electrical components such as a power supply device and a display unit is formed on one side of the cabinet 3, and a front cover 22 that covers the accommodation space is detachably provided on the cabinet 3. The operation switch 20 is provided in the accommodation space.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the operation switch 20 includes a switch 25 that operates by an external operation, and an operation body 26 for operating the switch 25. The operating body 26 is movable with respect to the switch 25 and is disposed to face the switch 25. The front cover 22 is installed in the cabinet 3 so as to cover the switch 25 and the operation body 26. A part of the operating body 26 protrudes from the front cover 22 to enable the operation switch 20 to be operated. The switch 25 is a contact-type switch and has an actuator 25a with which the operating body 26 comes into contact.

  Here, as a switch structure of the operation switch 20, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 12, the switch 25, the operation body 26, and the front cover 22 are separately attached to the base member 27. The actuator 25a can be contacted, and a part of the operation body 26 protrudes from the front cover 22 to the outside. The base member 27 is attached to the cabinet 3 with screws, and electrical components such as a power supply device and a display unit are mounted on the base member 27. The front cover 22 covers the base member 27, is detachably attached to the base member 27 by screwing, and is fitted and attached to the cabinet 3.

  The switch 25 is a tact switch (registered trademark), which is one of contact type switches that are energized (ON) while the actuator 25a is being pressed and de-energized (OFF) when the actuator 25a is not being pressed. . As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the control board 28 is fixed by soldering. The control board 28 is attached to the base member 27 by being fitted along the side wall 27 a of the base member 27. Accordingly, the switch 25 is fixed to the base member 27. As shown in FIG. 8, the control board 28 is covered with an electrical cover 29. The electrical cover 29 is attached to the base member 27 with screws. An opening for the operation switch 20 is formed in the electrical cover 29 so that the switch 25 can be contacted from the outside through the opening.

  The operating body 26 includes a button 30 that contacts the actuator 25a of the switch 25, and a holding body 31 that holds the button 30 in a movable manner. The rod-shaped button 30 is disposed in the front-rear direction and is positioned in front of the switch 25. The rear side of the button 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the actuator 25 a of the switch 25 is fitted on the rear side of the button 30, and the button 30 contacts the actuator 25 a of the switch 25. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the front side of the button 30 protrudes from the front cover 22 to the outside. An operation hole 32 is formed in the front cover 22, and the front side of the button 30 penetrates the operation hole 32, and a part of the button 30 protrudes to be operable. The operation hole 32 is formed larger than the button 30, and the button 30 does not contact the front cover 22.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the button 30 is provided integrally with the holding body 31 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The holding body 31 has a flat plate portion 33 formed in the vertical direction, and the buttons 30 are provided on the flat plate portion 33 so as to protrude toward the front side and the rear side. By cutting the flat plate portion 33 around the button 30, a support portion 34 that supports the button 30 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction is formed. The button 30 is connected to the holding body 31 through the support portion 34, and the button 30 is integrally held by the holding body 31. Due to the elastic deformation of the pair of support portions 34, the button 30 can be moved in the front-rear direction. When the button 30 is pressed, the button 30 moves toward the rear side, and the switch 25 is pressed. When the operation of the button 30 is released, the button 30 moves toward the front side by the elastic force of the support portion 34, and the button 30 returns to the original state.

  The holding body 31 is attached to the outer surface side of the side wall 27 a of the base member 27. A claw 35 is formed on the inner surface in the left-right direction facing the side wall 27a of the flat plate portion 33, and the claw 35 is hooked in a hole 36 formed in the side wall 27a. Further, a screw hole 37 is formed on the outer surface side of the holding body 31, and the holding body 31 is screwed to the electrical cover 29. Thereby, the operating body 26 is fixed to the base member 27.

  In the above switch structure, if the base member 27 and the operation body 26 are not sufficiently fixed, or if the whole surface cover 22 is not sufficiently fixed, the front cover 22 and the operation body when the external impact is received. 26 may come into contact. As a countermeasure against this, a linking portion that connects the operating body 26 and the front cover 22 is provided. The linking portion is capable of moving the operating body 26 and the front cover 22 together by moving the operating body 26 and the front cover 22 in the left-right direction and the vertical direction, which are different from the moving direction when the operating body 26 is operated. And By doing so, it is possible to synchronize the movement of the operation body 26 and the movement of the front cover 22 when receiving an impact. That is, both can be moved together at the same time.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the linkage part includes an engaged part 40 provided on the operating body 26 and an engaging part 41 provided on the front cover 22. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the engaged portion 40 is located on the outer surface side in the left-right direction with respect to the button 30 of the flat plate portion 33. The engaged portion 40 is formed in a cross shape extending vertically and horizontally, and is convex toward the front. The front side of the engaged portion 40 is tapered.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the engaging portion 41 is formed in a concave shape and is a square frame. A frame is formed on the rear surface side of the front cover 22 toward the rear. In a state where the front cover 22 is attached to the base member 27 so as to cover the operating body 26, the engaging portion 41 and the engaged portion 40 face each other.

  When the cabinet 3 is assembled, the base member 27 is fixed to the cabinet 3 by screws. Next, the front cover 22 is fitted into the base member 27 so as to cover the operation body 26 and is fixed with screws. When the front cover 22 is fitted into the base member 27, the front cover 22 is connected to the operation body 26 fixed to the base member 27. That is, the engaging portion 41 of the front cover 22 covers the engaged portion 40 of the operating body 26. Since the front side of the engaged portion 40 is tapered, even if the front cover 22 is displaced with respect to the operating body 26, the engaging portion 41 is guided by the engaged portion 40 and the front cover 22 is It is aligned with the operating body 26. The engaged portion 40 fits smoothly into the engaging portion 41.

  Here, the heights of the engaging portion 41 and the engaged portion 40 are substantially the same as the distance between the surface of the front cover 22 where the operation hole 32 is formed and the flat plate portion 33 of the operating body 26. . Therefore, the front cover 22 is fixed to the base member 27 when the rear end of the engaging portion 41 contacts the flat plate portion 33 and the front end of the engaged portion 40 contacts the front cover 22. As shown in FIG. 12, the height of the engaging portion 41 and the engaged portion 40 is determined from the distance between the surface of the front cover 22 where the operation hole 32 is formed and the flat plate portion 33 of the operating body 26. May be slightly smaller. In this case, the engaged portion 40 and the engaging portion 40 have a gap between the opposing surfaces, and the front cover 22 can play up and down with respect to the operating body 26. Even if the front cover moves rearward due to vibration or the like, the switch 25 is prevented from being erroneously operated by the button 30 without moving to the operating body 26.

  Further, the total value of the height of the engaging portion 41 and the height of the engaged portion 40 is set to be larger than the height of the button 30 from the flat plate portion 33. The height of the engaging portion 41 and the height of the engaged portion 40 are preferably the same, but only the engaged portion 40 abuts against the front cover 22 or only the engaging portion 40 is a flat plate portion. The height of the engaging portion 41 and the height of the engaged portion 40 may be set so as to be in contact with each other.

  When the front cover 22 is attached to the base member 27, the button 30 of the operation body 26 is inserted into the operation hole 32. As described above, when the heights of the engaged portion 40 and the engaging portion 41 are set, the engaged portion 40 enters the engaging portion 41 before the button 30 enters the operation hole 32. . Therefore, the front cover 22 is positioned in the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the operating body 26. When the front cover 22 moves so as to approach the base member 27 in this state, the button 30 penetrates the operation hole 32 without contacting the front cover 22. When the front cover 22 is attached, it is possible to prevent the button 30 from being detached from the actuator 25a by contacting the front cover 22 and the button 30. Further, the switch 25 can be prevented from being damaged. As described above, the linkage portion can easily align the front cover 22 with the base member 27 and can also easily attach the front cover 22.

  In a state where the front cover 22 and the operation body 26 are fixed to the base member 27, the engaged portion 40 contacts the engaging portion 41 in the vertical and horizontal directions. Movement of the engaged portion 40 in the vertical and horizontal directions is restricted with respect to the engaging portion 41. The engaging part 41 and the engaged part 40 are movable in the front-rear direction. In addition, when the front cover 22 is screwed, the engagement portion 41 and the engaged portion 40 are restricted from moving in the front-rear direction.

  In the switch structure described above, the front cover 22, the operation body 26, and the control board 28 on which the switch 25 is mounted are independently attached to the base member 27, and the front cover 22 and the operation body 26 are connected by the linkage portion. When an impact is applied to the indoor unit during transportation, installation or after installation of the indoor unit, the impact is transmitted to the base member 27 through the front cover 22. At the same time, an impact is transmitted from the engaging portion 41 of the front cover 22 to the operating body 26 through the engaged portion 40. In synchronization with the shaking of the front cover 22, the operating body 26 is also shaken. Therefore, the button 30 and the front cover 22 move in the same manner, and the button 30 does not contact the front cover 22 even if the front cover 22 or the operation body 26 is not sufficiently fixed to the base member 22.

  Further, the base member 27 also swings according to the swing of the front cover 22. Since the switch 25 fixed to the base member 27 swings in the same manner, the switch 25 and the button 30 move in synchronization. Therefore, the positional relationship between the button 30 and the switch 25 does not change, and the button 30 does not come off from the actuator 25a of the switch 25. Therefore, even if an impact is applied to the operation switch 20, the positional deviation of the button 30 with respect to the switch 25 can be prevented, the positional relationship between the switch 25 and the button 30 can be kept normal, and the switch function can be maintained.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Of course, many corrections and changes can be added to the said embodiment within the scope of the present invention. You may use the operation switch which has said switch structure for air cleaners, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers other than an air conditioner. Note that the switch is not limited to a tact switch, and may be a contact switch such as a limit switch or a touch switch that operates in response to contact of a moving operating body. Further, although the button is formed in a cylindrical shape on the switch side, the button may be formed in a bar shape and the end surface on the switch side may be flat.

  Furthermore, the switch may be a non-contact switch. For example, a photoelectric sensor such as a photo interrupter is used as a switch, and the operating body enters and exits between the light receiving and emitting units. Alternatively, the switch is a magnetic sensor, the operation body is a magnetic body, the switch is a capacitance sensor, and the operation body is a conductor. When the switch is a non-contact type switch, the operation body is arranged so as to face the switch. When the operating body approaches the switch, the switch is turned on, and when the operating body leaves, the switch is turned off.

  The engaged portion may be formed in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the button, and the engaging portion may be formed in a cylindrical shape covering the outer surface of the engaged portion. When the front cover is removed, the button is exposed to the outside, but the button can be protected by the engaged portion, and it can be prevented that a foreign object hits the button from around and the button is damaged. Further, the engaged portion may be integrated with the front cover of the engaged portion. That is, the operating body is a button that can move so as to come into contact with the switch, the button is movably held by the holding body, and the holding body is provided on the front cover. Therefore, the button is provided integrally with the front cover, and the holding body serves as a link portion that connects the operating body and the front cover.

  The operating body may be integrated with the front cover. That is, the operating body is a button that can move so as to come into contact with the switch, the button is movably held by the holding body, and the holding body is provided on the front cover. Therefore, the button is provided integrally with the front cover, and the holding body serves as a link portion that connects the operating body and the front cover. The switch may be directly attached to the base member or the frame of the cabinet without using the control board. Further, the base member may be a cabinet frame.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Cabinet 10 Front panel 20 Operation switch 22 Front cover 25 Switch 25a Actuator 26 Operation body 27 Base member 27a Side wall 28 Control board 30 Button 31 Holding body 32 Operation hole 33 Flat plate part 34 Support part 40 Engagement part 41 Engagement part

The switch structure of the present invention includes a switch fixed to a base member, an operating body for operating the switch, and a cover that covers the switch. The operating body and the cover are attached to the base member, and the cover is the operating body. The operating body is disposed to face the switch, and a part of the operating body projects through the cover so that it can be operated from the outside. And the connection part which connects an operation body and a cover is provided.

With such a structure, it is possible to prevent only the operating body from moving by synchronizing the movement of the operating body and the movement of the cover by the linkage portion. In addition, the linkage unit may be configured such that the operating body and the cover are brought into contact with each other in a direction different from the moving direction and the moving direction when the operating body is operated, so that both can be moved integrally. . Thereby, an impact is also applied to the base member through the cover and the switch is shaken. However, since the operating body and the cover are also shaken together with the base member, the positional relationship between the operating body and the switch does not change. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the state where the operating body faces the switch.

Claims (7)

A switch fixed to the base member; an operating body for operating the switch; and a cover that covers the switch. The operating body is attached to the base member, and the cover is provided to cover the operating body. Is disposed opposite to the switch, and is provided with a linkage portion that protrudes outside through the cover so that a part of the manipulation body can be operated from the outside, and connects the manipulation body and the cover. A switch structure characterized by synchronizing the movement of the operating body with the movement of the cover. 2. The link unit according to claim 1, wherein the operating body and the cover are brought into contact with each other in a direction different from a moving direction when the operating body is operated, so that the two can be moved integrally. Switch structure. The linkage portion includes an engaged portion provided on the operating body and an engaging portion provided on the cover. When the cover is installed so as to cover the operating body, the engaging portion is the engaged portion. The switch structure according to claim 1, wherein the switch structure is engaged with the switch structure. The switch is a contact type switch, and the operation body can be brought into contact with the actuator of the switch, and includes a button that comes into contact with the actuator of the switch and a holding body that holds the button movably in the moving direction. It is attached to the member, the engaged portion is formed on the holding body toward the cover, the engaging portion is formed on the cover toward the holding body, and the engaged portion is fitted into the engaging portion. 4. The switch structure according to claim 3, wherein The engaged portion is formed in a convex shape, the engaging portion is formed in a concave shape, and the engaging portion is slidable with respect to the engaged portion with respect to the moving direction, and in a direction different from the moving direction. The switch structure according to claim 3, wherein the engaging portion abuts on the engaged portion to restrict movement of the engaged portion. The button protrudes outside through the operation hole formed in the cover, and when the cover is installed so as to cover the operation body, the engaged portion and the engagement portion are positioned before the button enters the operation hole. 6. The switch structure according to claim 4, wherein heights of the engaged portion and the engaging portion are set so as to contact each other. An air conditioner characterized in that an operation switch is provided in the cabinet of the indoor unit, and the operation switch has the switch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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