JP2024065523A - Switching Device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a switching device with high handle operability. [Solution] The device comprises a housing 2 and a handle 4 attached to the housing 2, the handle 4 has a grip portion 40 that can reciprocate outside the housing 2, and a central portion 400 in a stationary direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction in which the grip portion 40 reciprocates is a thick portion that is thicker in the reciprocating direction than both ends in the stationary direction. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a switching device equipped with a handle for manually switching the state of an electrical circuit within a housing.

As an example of the switching device, a changeover switch that switches between two three-wire circuits is known (see Patent Document 1).

The changeover switch has a movable contact arranged in a case, a changeover source terminal connected to the movable contact, a first system terminal to which one of the two circuits is connected, a second system terminal to which the other of the two circuits is connected, and an operating handle (handle) for performing a changeover operation to switch the connection destination of the circuit connected to the changeover source terminal to the circuit connected to the first system terminal or the circuit connected to the second system terminal.

JP 2015-207563 A

However, the conventional changeover switch described above has an operating handle that is thin and difficult to handle. This problem can also occur in other types of switching devices other than the changeover switch described above.

In view of this situation, the present invention aims to provide a switching device that provides high handle operability.

The switching device of the present invention comprises:
A housing and
a handle attached to the housing;
The handle has a gripping portion that is reciprocatable outside the housing,
The central portion in a stationary direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction in which the gripping portion reciprocates is a thick-walled portion that is thicker in the reciprocating direction than both end portions in the stationary direction.

With the switching device configured as above, the center of the grip in the fixed direction is a thicker portion that is thicker in the reciprocating direction, which is the direction in which the grip moves, than both ends, making the grip more comfortable in the hand of the person operating the handle, thereby improving the operability of the handle.

In addition, in the switching device of the present invention,
The thick portion may be configured to be curved such that the thickness in the reciprocating direction gradually decreases from a center in the immobility direction toward an outer side in the immobility direction.

This makes the thicker parts more gently sloping, creating a soft feel, which makes it easier for the handle to fit comfortably in the hand of the person operating the handle.

In addition, in the switching device of the present invention,
The thick portion may be configured to be curved so that its thickness in the reciprocating direction gradually decreases from the center in a direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction and the stationary direction toward the outside in the perpendicular direction.

Even in this case, the smooth shape of the thick portion creates a soft feel, making the grip more comfortable for the hand of the person operating the handle.

In addition, in the switching device of the present invention,
A protrusion extending in the stationary direction may be formed on an outer surface of the thick portion in the reciprocating direction.

By doing this, the fingers gripping the gripping portion are placed against the ridges, preventing the fingers from slipping on the thick portion.

In addition, in the switching device of the present invention,
The gripping portion is
The movable member is configured by a plurality of divided bodies arranged in the immovable direction and connected to each other,
The plurality of divided bodies include:
a divided body including a center portion of the thick-walled portion in the stationary direction and one end portion of the thick-walled portion;
and a divided body including a portion from a center of the thick-walled portion in the immovable direction to the other end thereof.

This way, the handle splits at the thicker part, which helps to maintain the rigidity of the grip.

As described above, the switching device of the present invention has the excellent effect of providing high handle operability.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the switching device according to the embodiment, with a terminal cover removed. FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the switching device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a top surface of a housing in the switching device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side view of one side of the switching device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is the other side view of the switching device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a handle in the switching device according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a handle in the switching device according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a top view of the switching device according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram for explaining the movement of the handle in the switching device according to the embodiment.

The following describes a switching device according to one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the attached drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the switching device 1 according to this embodiment includes a housing 2, a plurality of external terminals 3 attached to the outside of the housing 2, a handle 4 attached to the housing 2 in a reciprocating manner, and a display unit 5 formed on the outer surface of the housing 2.

In addition, the switching device 1 of this embodiment also includes a terminal cover 6 that is placed on the external terminal 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 has a terminal arrangement section 20 in which the external terminal 3 is arranged, a handle insertion section 21 through which the handle 4 is inserted so that it can reciprocate, and a retained section 22 formed on the outer surface of the housing 2.

The housing 2 includes a mounting surface F10 that is arranged toward the mounting location of the switching device 1, and an exposed surface F11 on the opposite side to the mounting surface (see FIG. 5). The direction in which the mounting surface F10 and the exposed surface F11 are aligned is referred to as the height direction.

The housing 2 has a dimension in one direction perpendicular to the height direction that is longer than the dimension in the other direction perpendicular to the height direction. Therefore, in the following description, one of the directions perpendicular to the height direction is referred to as the length direction, and the other direction perpendicular to the height direction (the direction perpendicular to the height direction and the length direction) is referred to as the width direction.

Furthermore, one side of the housing 2 in the width direction is referred to as one side F20, and the other side is referred to as the other side F21 (see Figure 9).

The housing 2 in this embodiment has multiple terminal arrangement sections 20.

The housing 2 of this embodiment has two terminal arrangement sections 20 located at one end in the length direction and one terminal arrangement section 20 located at the other end in the length direction.

The two terminal arrangement sections 20 located at one end in the length direction are formed at different positions in the height direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal arrangement section 20 has a mounting section 200 on which the external terminals 3 (conductive plate section 30 described later) are mounted, and a fixing section 201 that fixes the external terminals 3 mounted on the mounting section 200.

The fixing portion 201 is constituted by a recess formed in the vertical walls 202 (see FIG. 1) erected on both ends of the mounting portion 200 in the width direction.

The protruding piece 301 (described later) of the external terminal 3 is inserted into the recess that constitutes the fixing part 201. Therefore, the fixing part 201 can position the external terminal 3 (the external terminal 3 when the conductive plate part 300 is placed on the placement part 200) by covering the side and top of the protruding piece 301.

Note that the number of mounting parts 200 in one terminal arrangement section 20 may be one or more, but the terminal arrangement section 20 in this embodiment is configured to have two mounting parts 200. In addition, two fixing parts 201 are formed for each mounting part 200.

As shown in FIG. 4, the handle insertion portion 21 constitutes a part of the exposed surface F11 of the housing 2. The handle insertion portion 21 also has a plurality of curved portions 210 that are curved so as to be convex toward the outside of the housing 2 (the front of the exposed surface F11), and the curved portions 210 are arranged at intervals from each other in the width direction. Therefore, slits 211 extending in the length direction are formed between adjacent curved portions 210.

The held portion 22 is the part that is grasped with the fingers of a person holding the switching device 1.

In the switching device 1 of this embodiment, one held portion 22 is formed on one side F20 (see FIG. 5) and one on the other side F21 (see FIG. 6) of the housing 2.

The held portion 22 has a circular shape when viewed straight in the width direction. The part inside the outer peripheral edge 220 of the held portion 22 is formed by a concave surface 221 that curves inward in the width direction as it approaches the center.

As shown in FIG. 3, the external terminal 3 has a conductive plate portion 300 and a protruding piece portion 301 that protrudes outward from the end of the conductive plate portion 300 in the width direction.

The multiple external terminals 3 include one regular terminal 3 and a switching terminal 3 that can be switched between a state in which it is electrically connected to the regular terminal 3 and a state in which it is electrically disconnected from the regular terminal 3. In the switching device 1 of this embodiment, the multiple external terminals 3 are composed of one regular terminal 3 and two switching terminals 3.

Specifically, the regular terminal 3 is a load terminal that is electrically connected to a load, one of the two switching terminals 3 is a commercial terminal that is electrically connected to a commercial power source, and the other of the two switching terminals 3 is a distributed terminal that is electrically connected to a distributed power source.

The regular terminal 3, which is the load terminal, is arranged in the terminal arrangement section 20 located on the mounting surface side of the two terminal arrangement sections 20 located at one end in the length direction, the switching terminal 3, which is the commercial terminal, is arranged in the terminal arrangement section 20 located on the exposed surface side of the two terminal arrangement sections 20 located at one end in the length direction, and the switching terminal 3, which is the distributed terminal, is arranged in the terminal arrangement section 20 located at the other end in the length direction.

In addition, in Figs. 1 and 2, the regular terminals 3 are marked with the reference symbol "3A", and the terminal arrangement section 20 for the regular terminals 3 is marked with the reference symbol "20A". The switching terminals 3 that serve as commercial terminals are marked with the reference symbol "3B", and the terminal arrangement section 20 for such switching terminals 3 is marked with the reference symbol "20B". Furthermore, the switching terminals 3 that serve as distributed terminals are marked with the reference symbol "3C", and the terminal arrangement section 20 for such switching terminals 3 is marked with the reference symbol "20C".

As shown in FIG. 1, the handle 4 has a grip portion 40 disposed on the outside of the housing 2, a non-slip portion 41 formed on the outer surface of the grip portion 40, and a leg portion 42 extending from the grip portion 40 and inserted into the housing 2.

The handle 4 is attached so that the legs 42 can rotate about a rotation axis that extends in the width direction inside the housing 2. Therefore, when the switching device 1 is viewed from the exposed surface side of the housing 2, the gripping portion 40 reciprocates in the length direction, and when the switching device 1 is viewed from one side or the other side, the gripping portion 40 moves along an arc-shaped trajectory centered on the rotation axis (see FIG. 10).

In addition, in the switching device 1 of this embodiment, the upper end of the held portion 22 is curved to match the trajectory of the gripping portion 40, making it easier for the person using the switching device 1 to visualize the trajectory of the gripping portion 40 (the direction in which the gripping portion 40 is moved).

The gripping portion 40 does not move in a direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction, so this direction is called the stationary direction. In the switching device 1 of this embodiment, the reciprocating direction and the length direction coincide with each other, and the stationary direction and the width direction coincide with each other.

As shown in FIG. 9, the grip portion 40 includes a central portion 400 in the immobility direction and a pair of outer end portions 401 located outside the central portion 400 in the immobility direction.

The central portion 400 is a thick portion 400 whose thickness in the reciprocating direction is greater than the thickness in the reciprocating direction of the outer end portion 401. Hereinafter, the central portion 400 will be referred to as the thick portion 400. It is sufficient that the thick portion 400 includes at least a portion whose thickness in the reciprocating direction is greater than that of the outer end portion 401.

The thick portion 400 is formed so that its thickness in the reciprocating direction gradually decreases from the center in the stationary direction toward the outside in the stationary direction. Therefore, when the thick portion 400 is viewed from the exposed surface F11 side of the housing 2, both side surfaces of the thick portion 400 in the reciprocating direction bulge outward in the reciprocating direction.

The thick portion 400 is formed so that its thickness in the reciprocating direction gradually decreases from the center in the orthogonal direction (the direction in which the legs 42 of the handle 4 extend from the mounting surface F10 of the housing 2) perpendicular to the reciprocating direction and the stationary direction toward the outside in the orthogonal direction. Therefore, when the thick portion 400 is viewed from one side surface F20 or the other side surface F21 of the housing 2, both side surfaces of the thick portion 400 in the reciprocating direction bulge outward in the reciprocating direction.

The outer end 401 is formed so that its thickness in the reciprocating direction gradually decreases from the base end in the stationary direction to the tip.

The outer end 401 is formed so that its thickness in the reciprocating direction gradually decreases from the center in the orthogonal direction toward the outside in the orthogonal direction. Therefore, when the outer end 401 is viewed from one side F20 or the other side F21 of the housing 2, both sides in the reciprocating direction bulge outward in the reciprocating direction.

In this way, the gripping portion 40 has a curved shape on both sides in the reciprocating direction when viewed from the exposed surface side of the housing 2, or when viewed from one side F20 side or the other side F21 side of the housing 2.

The anti-slip portion 41 has multiple ridges 410 formed on the side of the grip portion 40. The ridges 410 extend in the immobile direction along the shape of the side of the grip portion 40.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a plurality of ridges 410 are formed on one side of the side of the gripping portion 40 in the immovable direction and aligned in the orthogonal direction, and a plurality of ridges 410 are formed on the other side of the side of the gripping portion 40 in the immovable direction and aligned in the orthogonal direction. That is, the plurality of ridges 410 are aligned in the orthogonal direction and the immovable direction.

When the gripping portion 40 is viewed from one side F20 or the other side F21, as described above, the gripping portion 40 has a curved shape that bulges outward, but the tips of each of the multiple protrusions 410 are aligned in a straight line.

Here, the grip portion 40 of this embodiment is composed of multiple divided bodies 43 that are connected to each other while being aligned in a stationary direction, as shown in FIG. 7.

The partition 43 has an opposing surface 430 that faces another adjacent partition 43 in the stationary direction, and a connecting portion 431 that serves as a connecting portion between the partitions 43 adjacent to each other in the stationary direction.

In this embodiment, the gripping portion 40 is composed of two divided bodies 43, and these two divided bodies 43 have the same shape. In addition, each divided body 43 is formed with one leg portion 42.

The opposing surface 430 constitutes one end surface of the partition 43 in the stationary direction.

In this embodiment, the division 43 is configured so that the connecting portion 431 can be fitted with the connecting portion 431 of another adjacent division 43.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the connecting portion 431 has a connecting protrusion 4310 that protrudes outward from the opposing surface 430 in the immobility direction, and a connecting recess 4311 that is formed on the opposing surface 430 and into which the connecting protrusion 4310 can be inserted.

When the opposing surfaces 430 of the two divided bodies 43 are opposed to each other, the connecting protrusion 4310 of one divided body 43 faces the connecting recess 4311 of the other divided body 43, and the connecting protrusion 4310 of the other divided body 43 faces the connecting recess 4311 of the one divided body 43.

Then, the connecting protrusion 4310 of one divided body 43 is inserted into the connecting recess 4311 of the other divided body 43, and the connecting protrusion 4310 of the other divided body 43 is inserted into the connecting recess 4311 of the one divided body 43, so that the divided bodies 43 are connected to each other.

In this manner, when the gripping portion 40 is assembled by connecting the two divided bodies 43, the joint between the two divided bodies 43 is formed in the center portion 400 of the gripping portion 40 in the stationary direction.

As shown in FIG. 9, the display unit 5 has multiple cutout areas 50 formed in the exposed surface F11 of the housing 2. The multiple cutout areas 50 are formed on the exposed surface F11 that faces the front side when the mounting surface is placed at the mounting location of the switching device 1, making them easy to see for the person using the switching device 1.

Furthermore, the multiple cutout regions 50 include a placement section side cutout region 50 formed in the terminal placement section 20 where the switching terminal 3 is placed, and an exposed surface side cutout region 50 formed in a position on the exposed surface F11 adjacent to the placement section side cutout region 50 when the housing 2 is viewed from the exposed surface F11 side.

If a mark is formed on the exposed surface side cutout region 50 or on the region of the exposed surface F11 adjacent to the exposed surface side cutout region 50 to indicate the type or use of the terminal arrangement section 20 in which the exposed surface side cutout region 50 is formed, then by checking the exposed surface side cutout region 50 with the mark, the arrangement section side cutout region 50 adjacent to the exposed surface side cutout region 50, and the inclination of the handle 4, it becomes easier to identify the switching terminal 3 connected to the regular terminal 3, or the switching terminal 3 for which wiring work will be performed.

For example, if a mark indicating a commercial power source is formed in the exposed surface side cutout area 50 (or the area adjacent to the exposed surface side cutout area 50) adjacent to the placement section side cutout area 50 formed in the terminal placement section 20B for commercial terminals, and a mark indicating a distributed power source is formed in the exposed surface side cutout area 50 (or the area adjacent to the exposed surface side cutout area 50) adjacent to the placement section side cutout area 50 formed in the terminal placement section 20C for distributed terminals, it becomes easier to check whether the regular terminal is connected to a commercial terminal or a distributed terminal based on the exposed surface side cutout area 50, the placement section side cutout area 50, and the inclination of the handle 4, and it becomes easier to distinguish whether the switching terminal 3 is a commercial terminal or a distributed terminal based on the exposed surface side cutout area 50 and the placement section side cutout area 50.

The configuration of the switching device 1 of this embodiment is as described above. The gripping portion 40 of the handle 4 is gripped by the operator from both sides in the direction in which the gripping portion 40 itself moves (the reciprocating direction in the switching device 1 of this embodiment). In the gripping portion 40 of this embodiment, the thickness of the thick portion 400 in the reciprocating direction is greater than the thickness of each outer end portion 401 in the reciprocating direction, so that the gripping portion 40 fits easily in the hand of the person operating the handle 4, which can provide the excellent effect of improving the operability of the handle 4.

In addition, the thick portion 400 is curved so that the thickness in the reciprocating direction gradually decreases from the center in the immobile direction toward the outside in the immobile direction, so that the shape of the thick portion 400 is smoothed to create a soft feel without any snags, which makes the grip portion 40 more comfortable in the hand of the person operating the handle 4.

In addition, in the grip portion 40 of this embodiment, the side of the thick portion 400 and the side of the outer end portion 401 are connected together, so the entire side of the grip portion 40 has a curved shape in the entire immobility direction, which makes it even more pleasant to the touch.

Furthermore, the thick portion 400 is configured to be curved so that the thickness in the reciprocating direction gradually decreases from the central portion 400 in the perpendicular direction toward the outside in the perpendicular direction, so that the grip portion 40 fits more comfortably in the hand of the person operating the handle 4.

In addition, in the grip portion 40 of this embodiment, as described above, the side of the thick portion 400 and the side of the outer end portion 401 are connected together, so the entire side of the grip portion 40 has a curved shape all the way around in the perpendicular direction, which makes it even more pleasant to the touch.

In this way, the grip portion 40 of this embodiment has a curved shape on the entire side, making it easier for the operator to grasp the grip portion 40 by wrapping their fingers around it.

Furthermore, in the switching device 1 of this embodiment, a convex rib 410 is formed on the side surface of the thick portion 400 in the reciprocating direction, extending in a stationary direction, so that the convex rib 410 catches the fingers gripping the grip portion 40, thereby preventing the fingers from slipping on the thick portion 400.

In addition, the grip portion 40 is formed with multiple protrusions 410 aligned in the orthogonal direction and the immobile direction, and is formed to extend across the thick portion 400 and the outer end portion 401, making it easier to prevent fingers from slipping on the thick portion 400.

Furthermore, in the switching device 1 of this embodiment, the housing 2 has a retaining portion 22 formed on one side and the other side with a concave surface 221 that curves inward in the width direction as it approaches the center, making it easier for a person using the switching device 1 to grasp the housing 2.

In addition, the upper end side of the held portion 22 (outer peripheral edge portion 220) is curved to match the trajectory of the gripping portion 40, making it easier for the person using the switching device 1 to visualize the trajectory of the gripping portion 40 (the direction in which the gripping portion 40 is moved).

Furthermore, in the switching device 1 of this embodiment, the gripping portion 40 is composed of two divided bodies 43, but the joint between these two divided bodies 43 is formed in the thick-walled portion 400, so the rigidity of the gripping portion 40 is less likely to be impaired.

In addition, since the two divided bodies 43 each have the same shape, there is no need to prepare different types of parts when assembling the gripping portion 40, which increases the efficiency of the assembly work.

Furthermore, in the switching device 1 of this embodiment, when the conductive plate portion 300 is placed on the mounting portion 200, the protruding piece portion 301 protruding from the conductive plate portion 300 can be inserted into the fixed portion 201, so that it is possible to suppress positional deviation and rattling of the external terminal 3 placed in the terminal placement portion 20.

The switching device according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Although not specifically mentioned in the description of the switching device 1 of the above embodiment, the handle may be configured to operate automatically in addition to being manually operated.

The switching device 1 in the above embodiment switches the connection state of two switching terminals 3 to one normal terminal 3, but may also switch the connection state of one switching terminal 3 to one normal terminal 3, for example. To be more specific, the switching device 1 in the above embodiment may be a so-called switching switch, or may be a device such as a breaker or switch.

In the above embodiment, the side of the thick portion 400 is curved so as to gradually bulge outward in the reciprocating direction from the outside in the stationary direction to the center, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the side of the thick portion 400 may be formed in a stepped shape as long as the thickness of the center is greater than the outside in the stationary direction.

In addition, the side of the thick portion 400 in the above embodiment is curved so as to gradually bulge outward in the reciprocating direction from the outside to the center in the perpendicular direction, but may be formed in a stepped shape, for example, as long as the thickness of the center is greater than the outside in the perpendicular direction.

In addition, the side surface of the thick portion 400 in the above embodiment may be formed straight from the outside to the center in the perpendicular direction.

In the above embodiment, the gripping portion 40 is configured with two divided bodies 43, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the gripping portion 40 may be configured with three or more divided bodies 43.

In the gripping portion 40 of the above embodiment, the tips of the multiple ridges 410 are aligned along a straight line, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the tips of the multiple ridges 410 may be aligned along a curve or in a zigzag pattern.

1...switching device, 2...housing, 3...external terminal, 4...handle, 5...display section, 6...terminal cover, 20...terminal arrangement section, 21...handle insertion section, 22...held section, 30...contact plate section, 40...grip section, 41...anti-slip section, 42...leg section, 43...divided body, 200...placement section, 201...fixed section, 202...vertical wall, 210...curved section, 211...slit, 220...outer periphery, 221...concave surface, 300...contact plate section, 301...projecting piece section, 400...center section (thick section), 401...outer end section, 410...ridge, 430...opposing surface, 431...connecting section, 4310...connecting convex section, 4311...connecting concave section, F10...mounting surface, F11...exposed surface, F20...one side, F21...other side

Claims (5)

A housing and
a handle attached to the housing;
The handle has a gripping portion that is reciprocatable outside the housing,
The central portion in a stationary direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction in which the gripping portion reciprocates is a thick-walled portion having a larger thickness in the reciprocating direction than both ends in the stationary direction.
Switching device. The thick-walled portion is configured to be curved such that the thickness in the reciprocating direction gradually decreases from the center in the immobility direction toward the outside in the immobility direction.
The switching device according to claim 1 . The thick-walled portion is configured to be curved such that the thickness in the reciprocating direction gradually decreases from a center in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction and the stationary direction toward an outer side in the orthogonal direction.
The switching device according to claim 1 or 2. A protrusion extending in the stationary direction is formed on an outer surface of the thick-walled portion in the reciprocating direction.
The switching device according to claim 1 . The gripping portion is
The movable member is configured by a plurality of divided bodies arranged in the immovable direction and connected to each other,
The plurality of divided bodies include:
a divided body including a center portion of the thick-walled portion in the immobility direction and one end portion of the thick-walled portion;
The switching device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a divided body including a portion from a center of the thick-walled portion in the stationary direction to the other end thereof.