JP4247829B2 - Switch device and alarm clock using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch device using a push-type switch element.

The alarm clock generates a predetermined alarm signal at a preset scheduled time. The alarm signal is stopped by an alarm signal stop device (commonly called a ring stop switch) provided at a key point of the alarm clock. In general, the wake-up signal stop device is configured using a push-type switch element having a movable part that moves linearly. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of alarm clock, and Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration for providing a button on a movable portion of a switch element. Specific configurations of the switch elements are also disclosed in Patent Documents 3 to 6, respectively. The switch elements disclosed in these patent documents are configured such that when the next operating force is applied to the movable portion, the contact point returns to the initial state. The movable part is biased to one side by a biasing means such as a coil spring, and is alternately moved at a predetermined stop position by a locking means using a cam or the like. In particular, such a switch element is called a push-and-push switch.
JP 7-248386 A JP-A-9-292475 JP-A-9-29347 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-67006 JP 2000-314780 A JP 2000-315438 A

  In recent years, the designs of watches have become more and more diversified, and the above-described alarm signal stop device for an alarm clock is also required to be devised for more convenient and enjoyable use. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a switch device that is more attractive.

The invention described in claim 1 of the present application includes a push-type switch element, an operating body connected to a movable portion of the switch element, the switch element and the operating body, and a distal end portion of the operating body. By including an exposed housing, a decorative body provided in the housing, and a drive transmission mechanism provided between the operating body and the decorative body, by operating the tip of the operating body, In the switch device in which the switch element is switched and the decorative body is driven , the operation body is provided with a rack portion, and the drive transmission mechanism includes a gear meshing with the rack portion and a tooth portion meshing with the gear. A first link member provided; and a torsion coil spring attached to the first link member; and the decorative body is a shaft body rotatably held by a bearing portion provided in the housing; Fixed to the shaft Two link members, the shaft member being rotatable about the shaft body, the first link member being freely fitted on the shaft member to be rotatable, and the second link member being attached to the torsion coil spring. The rotating position of the decorative body is positioned by the torsion coil spring supporting the boss, the movable part of the operating body and the switch element move linearly, and the decorative body has a rotating boss. When an external load in a predetermined direction is applied to the decorative body, the decorative body rotates while the torsion coil spring is elastically deformed, and further, the external load is released. The switch device is configured to return the decorative body to a predetermined position by the elastic force of the torsion coil spring . That is, the switch device of the present invention is rich in preference that the decorative body provided in the housing is driven according to the operation of the switch element. The decorative body is driven by transmitting power for operating the distal end portion of the operating body via a drive transmission mechanism provided between the operating body and the decorative body.

As in the present invention, by engaging the gear of the drive transmission mechanism with the rack portion provided in the operating body, the decorative body can be rotated by converting the linear motion of the operating body into a rotational motion.

Further , when a load is forcibly applied to the decorative body by the user moving the decorative body, etc., this may cause damage to the switch device. According to the present invention, the torsion coil spring is Such elastic breakage can be prevented beforehand by elastic deformation.

The operating body includes a tip member that constitutes the tip portion and an elastic member that supports the tip member. When an external load is applied to the tip member in a direction in which the tip member is to be pulled out, the elastic member When the elastic deformation is performed and the external load is released, the tip member may be returned to a predetermined position by the elastic force of the elastic member . That is, when the user grasps and pulls the tip of the operating body, a load is applied to the operating body in a direction in which the operating body is pulled out from the housing. When the distal end portion of the operating body such load is applied, and the like movable part of the switching element is forcibly pull, but this may become a cause leading to damage to the switching device, according to such a configuration, the elastic member Such elastic breakage can be prevented beforehand by elastic deformation.

The invention described in claim 2 of the present application is an alarm clock configured to use the switch device according to claim 1 as an alarm signal stop device. That is, the switch device of the present invention can be suitably used particularly as an alarm signal stop device for an alarm clock.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a switch device that is more attractive. This switch device can be suitably used as an alarm signal stop device for an alarm clock.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The alarm clock 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a time display unit 30 at a key point of a case 20 imitating a doll. When a scheduled time arbitrarily set by a user is reached, an alarm clock (not shown) wakes up. It is configured to generate a notification sound as a signal. The alarm signal is stopped by an alarm signal stop device, which is a switch device 100 provided at an important point of the alarm clock 1.

  The switch device 100 operates the movable portion 111 of the switch element 110 shown in FIG. 2 by pressing the tip of the operation body 120 exposed on the upper portion of the housing 20 downward. Further, when the distal end portion of the operation body 120 is operated in this way, the decoration body 130 provided at the main part of the housing 20 is driven.

  FIG. 1A shows a first state in which a wake-up signal can be generated, FIG. 1B shows a second state when the operation body 120 is pushed downward, and FIG. 1C shows a wake-up signal. The stopped third state is shown. That is, when the operating body 120 is pushed downward in the first state (arrow A direction), the decorative body 130 imitating the arm of the doll is lifted (arrow B direction) to enter the second state. When the force that pushes the operating body 120 is released from the second state, the operating body 120 is pushed back slightly (in the direction of arrow C) and stops when the decorative body 130 is lowered to some extent (in the direction of arrow D) to enter the third state. . In addition, when the operating body 120 is pushed downward in the third state, the second state is established, and when the force pushing the operating body 120 is released from the second state, the first state is established.

  The switch element 110 of this example is a so-called push-and-push switch, and the movable portion 111 is configured to alternately move at a predetermined stop position whenever it is biased upward and an operating force is applied thereto. . That is, the operating body 120 and the movable portion 111 of the switch element 110 are depressed when the user pushes the tip of the operating body 120 downward, and are further pushed back to a predetermined stop position when the force pushing the operating body 120 is released. 2A shows the position of the movable unit 111 in the first state, FIG. 2B shows the second state, and FIG. 2C shows the third state. The movable part 111 stops in the first state and the third state, respectively. 2 indicates the moving direction of the movable portion 111 corresponding to the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, and the arrow F in FIG. 2 indicates the moving direction of the movable portion 111 corresponding to the direction of arrow C in FIG. Show.

  Hereinafter, a specific structure of the switch device 100 of this example will be described with reference to FIGS. The switch device 100 includes a switch element 110, an operation body 120 connected to the movable portion 111 of the switch element 110, and the casing that houses the switch element 110 and the operation body 120 and exposes the distal end portion of the operation body 120. 20, a decorative body 130 provided in the housing 20, and a drive transmission mechanism 140 provided between the operating body 120 and the decorative body 130. The contact of the switch element 110 is switched by operating the tip of the operating body 120, and the decorative body 130 is driven in conjunction with this. The terminal of the switch element 110 is connected to the control unit of the alarm clock 1, and the control unit generates an alarm signal according to the output from the switch element 110 and the output from the timing means of the alarm clock 1. To control.

  The operating body 120 includes an operating body main body member 121 that surrounds the switch element 110 and has a movable portion 111 fixed thereto, a distal end member 122 that constitutes a distal end portion exposed from the housing 20, and the distal end member 122 as an operating body main body member. And a tension coil spring 123 which is an elastic member supported by 121. The operating body main body member 121 is held so as to be movable in the vertical direction inside the housing 20, and a rack portion 121 a extending in the vertical direction is provided at the main point. The switch element 110 is fixed to the inside of the housing 20 by screwing. The tip member 122 protrudes from the opening 21 provided in the upper part of the housing 20.

  The drive transmission mechanism 140 includes a gear 141 that meshes with the rack portion 121 a, a first link member 142 that includes a tooth portion 142 a that meshes with the gear 141, and a torsion coil that is an elastic member attached to the first link member 142. And a spring 143. The gear 141 is rotatably supported by the housing 20. The decorative body 130 includes a decorative body body member 131 that imitates an arm, a shaft body 132 that is fixed to the decoration body body member 131, and a second link member 133 that is press-fitted and fixed to the shaft body 132. .

  The shaft body 132 of the decorative body 130 is inserted into the housing 20 and is rotatably held by a bearing portion 22 provided at a main point of the housing 20. The first link member 142 of the drive transmission mechanism 140 is loosely fitted to the shaft body 132 and is rotatable with respect to the shaft body 132. The first link member 142 is a member having a holding portion 142 b that holds the torsion coil spring 143 and a pair of protrusions 142 c that respectively support both ends of the torsion coil spring 143. The torsion coil spring 143 is attached to the first link member 142 while being compressed to some extent while being inserted through the shaft body 132. The second link member 133 fixed to the shaft body 132 is provided with a boss 133 a that abuts on one end of the torsion coil spring 143. The decorative body 130 is rotatable around the shaft body 132, and the rotational position of the decorative body 130 is positioned by the torsion coil spring 143 supporting the boss 133a.

  When the operating body 120 moves in the vertical direction, the gear 141 meshed with the rack part 121a rotates, and the first link member 142 meshed with the gear 141 and the torsion coil spring 143 attached to the first link member 142 It rotates about the shaft body 132. When the torsion coil spring 143 rotates, the boss 133a of the second link member 133 in contact therewith moves, and the decorative body 130 rotates. That is, the operating body 120 and the movable portion 111 of the switch element 110 move linearly in the vertical direction, and the decorative body 130 rotates about the shaft body 132.

  In this example, when the operating body 120 is pushed down, the torsion coil spring 143 pushes up the boss 133a of the second link member 133, so that the decorative body 130 is lifted. On the other hand, when the operating body 120 is pushed up by the urging force of the movable portion 111, the support position of the boss 133a by the torsion coil spring 143 is lowered, and the decorative body 130 is dropped. As described above, the operation body 120 and the decorative body 130 may be configured such that when one is lowered, the other is raised, and when one is raised, the other is lowered. According to such a configuration, those weight distributions are set in a well-balanced manner, and a more stable driving of the decorative body 130 can be obtained.

  In addition, a locking piece 131 a and a locking groove 23 that are engaged with each other are provided at the opposing portions of the decorative body main body member 131 and the housing 20, respectively. It is regulated by the stop piece 131 a and the locking groove 23. Such a rotatable range is set to be larger than the rotation range of the decorative body 130 accompanying the rotation of the torsion coil spring 143. 7A shows the positional relationship between the locking piece 131a and the locking groove 23 in the first state, FIG. 7B shows the second state, and FIG. 7C shows the third state.

  The decorative body 130 of the present example can be rotated by applying an external load as long as it is within a rotatable range restricted by the locking piece 131a and the locking groove 23. When the user picks up the decorative body 130 and rotates it in the direction of lifting it, the boss 133a of the second link member 133 is torsionally lifted from the coil spring 143. Similarly, when rotating the decorative body 130 in the lowering direction, the torsion coil spring 143 is pressed by the boss 133a and compressed. That is, when an external load in a predetermined direction is applied to the decorative body 130, the decorative body 130 moves while the torsion coil spring 143 is elastically deformed, and when the external load is released, the torsion coil spring 143 is released. The decorative body 130 is returned to a predetermined position by the elastic force. When the user forcibly applies a load to the decorative body 130 by moving the decorative body 130 or the like, this may cause damage to the switch device 100. According to this example, the torsion coil spring is used. Such damage can be prevented in advance by the elastic deformation of 143.

  Further, the distal end portion of the operation body 120 protrudes to some extent on the upper portion of the housing 20, and it is conceivable that the user pulls it by pulling it. When such a load is applied to the distal end portion of the operation body 120, the movable portion 111 of the switch element 110 may be forcibly pulled, and this may cause damage to the switch device 100. Such damage can be prevented beforehand by the elastic deformation of the coil spring 123. That is, when an external load is applied to the distal end member 122 constituting the distal end portion of the operating body 120 in a direction in which the distal end member 122 is pulled out from the housing 20, the tension coil spring 123 is elastically deformed and the external load is released. Then, the tip member 122 returns to a predetermined position by the elastic force of the tension coil spring 123. 8A shows a normal state, and FIG. 8B shows a state in which the tip member 122 is pulled in the direction of arrow G. When such an external load is applied to the distal end member 122, the distal end member 122 moves away from the operating body main body member 121, and the length Δd of the tension coil spring 123 becomes longer than the normal length d.

  As described above, the switch device 100 of the present example has a preference that the decorative body 130 provided on the housing 20 is driven via the drive transmission mechanism 140 when the distal end portion of the operation body 120 is operated. It is excellent and can be suitably used as an alarm signal stop device for the alarm clock 1. There is also an advantage that the ON / OFF state of the switch element 110 can be determined from the position of the decorative body 130. In addition, the configuration of each part in this example can be appropriately changed in design within the technical scope described in the claims, and is of course not limited to the illustrated example.

  The switch device of the present invention can be suitably used as an alarm signal stop device for an alarm clock.

It is explanatory drawing which concerns on the Example of this invention and shows an alarm clock. It is explanatory drawing which concerns on the Example of this invention and shows a switch element. 1 is a front perspective sectional view showing a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a side see-through sectional view showing an important part of a switch device concerning an example of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which concerns on the Example of this invention and shows the positional relationship of a locking piece and a locking groove. It is explanatory drawing which concerns on the Example of this invention and shows an operation body.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Alarm clock 20 Case 21 Opening part 22 Bearing part 23 Locking groove 30 Time display part 100 Switch apparatus 110 Switch element 111 Movable part 120 Operation body 121 Operation body main body member 121a Rack part 122 Tip member 123 Pulling coil spring 130 Decoration body 131 Decorative body member 131a Locking piece 132 Shaft body 133 Second link member 133a Boss 140 Drive transmission mechanism 141 Gear 142 First link member 142a Tooth part 142b Holding part 142c Protruding part 143 Torsion coil spring

Claims (2)

A push-type switch element; an operating body coupled to the movable portion of the switch element; a housing that houses the switch element and the operating body and exposes a distal end portion of the operating body; and provided in the housing And a drive transmission mechanism provided between the operation body and the decoration body,
In the switch device in which the decorative element is driven while the switch element is switched by operating the tip of the operating body .
The operating body is provided with a rack portion,
The drive transmission mechanism includes a gear meshing with the rack portion, a first link member provided with a tooth portion meshing with the gear, and a torsion coil spring attached to the first link member,
The decorative body includes a shaft body rotatably held by a bearing portion provided in the housing, and a second link member fixed to the shaft body, and is rotatable about the shaft body.
The first link member is loosely fitted to the shaft and is rotatable.
The second link member includes a boss that abuts on the torsion coil spring, and the rotational position of the decorative body is determined by the torsion coil spring supporting the boss,
The operating body and the movable part of the switch element move linearly, and the decorative body rotates.
When an external load in a predetermined direction is applied to the decorative body, the torsion coil spring rotates while the torsion coil spring is elastically deformed, and when the external load is released, the torsion coil spring A switch device, wherein the decorative body is returned to a predetermined position by an elastic force . An alarm clock using the switch device according to claim 1 as an alarm signal stop device.

Images