JP4323283B2 - Time switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a time switch that uses an electric motor to turn ON / OFF an electrical intermittent contact at an appropriate time interval, for example, as a defrost timer that periodically switches between a cooling operation and a defrosting operation of an electric refrigerator. The present invention relates to a time switch that can be suitably employed.

  Conventionally, as a type of time switch that periodically opens and closes electrical contacts, for example, as described in Patent Document 1 and the like, a plurality of contact pieces constituting an electrical intermittent contact are rotated by an electric motor. One that is opened and closed by a swung cycle cam is known, and is used as a defrost timer for an electric refrigerator, for example.

  By the way, since such a time switch requires a stable operation over a long period of many years, in general, an intermittent contact constituted by a plurality of contact pieces, a cycle cam, an electric motor, etc. The intermittent contacts, cycle cams, electric motors, and the like are prevented from being adversely affected by dust or micro-organisms.

  However, even if intermittent contacts, cycle cams, electric motors, etc. are accommodated in the case, if there are gaps in the case, dust and micro-organisms will enter through the gaps, which will adversely affect the operation of the time switch. There is a problem of affecting.

  In particular, as in the case of a time switch having a conventional structure described in Patent Document 1 or the like, when a power supply terminal is formed by projecting one end portion of each contact section outward from the case, it is inserted into the case wall portion. It is necessary to provide a hole and insert the contact piece through the insertion hole. In such a case, if there is an error in the size of the contact piece or the insertion hole, there is a gap between the contact piece and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole in a state where the contact piece is inserted into the insertion hole. As a result, dust and micro-organisms may enter the case through the gap and adversely affect the operation of the time switch.

  It is also possible to inject a sealing material into the gap formed between the contact piece and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole from the outside of the case after the contact piece is inserted into the insertion hole. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the time switch is increased, and the work is troublesome and not realistic.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-8037

  Here, the present invention has been made in the background as described above, and the problem to be solved is an insertion hole formed in the outer wall of the case and a contact for fitting through the insertion hole. A new structure time that can effectively prevent the invasion of dust and micro-organisms so that no gap is formed between the section and the stabilization of operation over a long period of time. To provide a switch.

  Hereinafter, the aspect of this invention made | formed in order to solve such a subject is described. In addition, the component employ | adopted in each aspect as described below is employable by arbitrary combinations as much as possible. Further, aspects or technical features of the present invention are not limited to those described below, but are described in the entire specification and drawings, or an invention that can be understood by those skilled in the art from those descriptions. It should be understood that it is recognized based on thought.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of contact pieces constituting an electrical intermittent contact, a cycle cam for opening and closing the intermittent contact, an electric motor for driving the cycle cam, A gear train for transmitting rotational driving force to the cycle cam is incorporated in the case, and the plurality of contact pieces are respectively fitted into the plurality of insertion holes provided in the outer wall of the case. Accordingly, in the time switch in which one end portions of the plurality of contact pieces are respectively protruded to the outside of the case, the contact pieces are fixed to the plurality of contact pieces and fixedly connected to each other. A rigid connecting member disposed along the inner surface of the outer wall of the case and positioned so as to cover the insertion hole from the inside is formed, while a plurality of through holes are formed in the sheet-like main body portion. The plurality of contact pieces are fitted into the through-holes so as to be overlapped and attached to the connecting member, and are sandwiched and assembled between the connecting member and the outer wall of the case. By providing an elastic seal member that covers all of the insertion holes formed on the outer wall of the case from the inside, and protruding to the outer surface side around the through hole of the seal member, the elastic seal member is provided on the outer wall of the case. In addition, a fitting projection portion that fits into the insertion hole is formed integrally with the seal member, and an outer peripheral surface of the proximal end portion of the fitting projection portion has an inclined surface that gradually spreads toward the outer peripheral side as it goes to the proximal end side. An annular seal portion continuously extending over the entire circumference of the fitting protrusion is integrally formed with the fitting protrusion and the seal member, and is provided on the outer wall of the case with respect to the inclined surface of the annular seal. Of the inserted through hole That is brought into contact over the entire circumference of the peripheral part, characterized.

  In the time switch having the structure according to this aspect, the fitting protrusion formed integrally with the seal member is formed between the inner peripheral edge of the insertion hole provided in the case and the contact piece inserted therethrough. It is assembled to be filled in between. And the inner peripheral edge part of the insertion hole provided in the outer wall of the case is in contact with the inclined surface of the annular seal part formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base end part of the fitting protrusion part over the entire circumference. Therefore, the inner peripheral edge portion of each insertion hole is pressed against each annular seal portion so as to bite over the entire circumference, and the adhesion of the seal member to the outer wall of the case is improved by the insertion holes provided in the case. In the inner peripheral edge portion, it is ensured advantageously over the entire circumference. Moreover, when the inner peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole is pressed against the inclined surface of the annular seal portion, the annular seal portion is deformed in the direction of constricting toward the inner peripheral side due to the action of the component force by the inclined surface. As a result, the annular seal portion is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the contact piece inserted therethrough.

  Therefore, in the time switch of this aspect, the gap between the inner peripheral edge portion of each insertion hole provided in the case and the seal member, and the gap between the contact piece inserted through the insertion hole and the seal member However, each is effectively prevented, and the space between the inner peripheral edge of the insertion hole and the contact piece is closed with a high degree of sealing performance by the sealing member, and the sealing performance of the case can be ensured to a high degree. Accordingly, it becomes possible to prevent dust and micro-organisms from entering the case from between the contact piece and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole, and time caused by the dust and micro-organisms entering the case. It is possible to prevent malfunction of the switch and stabilize the operation of the time switch over a long period of time.

  The material for forming the seal member in the present embodiment is not particularly limited as long as the sealing property can be ensured. For example, the seal member is deformed by a small external force, and is substantially original when the external force is removed. A so-called rubber-like elastic elastomer that promptly returns to this shape is preferably employed. Such elastomers include, for example, various synthetic resin materials exhibiting rubber-like elasticity, as well as crosslinked natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the time switch according to the first aspect, the case is provided with a through hole, and a rotation shaft is inserted into the through hole, and the inside of the case on the rotation shaft is arranged. A rotating member is integrally provided in the portion, and the rotating member is arranged on the same central axis with respect to the driving gear rotated by the electric motor, and the rotating member and the driving gear are arranged. A plurality of serrated inner surface locking teeth on the circumference, and an elastic locking piece extending in the circumferential direction around the central axis on the other of the rotating member and the drive gear, Due to the elastic locking action of the elastic locking pieces to the inner surface locking teeth, relative rotation of the drive gear and the rotating member is permitted in one circumferential direction and the driving is performed in the other circumferential direction. While the gear and the rotating member are rotated together, the elastic locking piece A protruding tip portion in the direction is brought into contact with one of the rotating member and the driving gear in the axial direction, and the axial direction from the driving gear to the rotating member is based on the elasticity of the elastic locking piece. The rotating member is overlapped in the axial direction in close contact with the inner opening end surface of the through hole of the case by always exerting an urging force in the direction of separating at .

  In the time switch having a structure according to this aspect, it is provided with a rotating shaft that is inserted through a through-hole provided in the case and disposed across the inside and outside of the case, and through the rotating shaft, For example, it becomes possible to extract the rotational driving force of the electric motor to the outside, or to set the operating state of the cycle cam from the outside. Therefore, the rotation shaft is not required to incorporate a special coil spring or the like by skillfully using a one-way clutch mechanism provided on the transmission path of the driving force from the electric motor, and is directed outward in the axial direction. The rotating member that is always urged and is provided integrally with the rotating shaft is brought into contact with the periphery of the through hole in the case over the entire circumference.

  Therefore, in this aspect, while securing a sufficient gap between the inner peripheral surface of the through hole and the outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft so as not to inhibit the rotation of the rotation shaft, It is possible to ensure excellent sealing performance at the peripheral edge of the opening. In particular, since the contact state of the rotating member with respect to the peripheral edge of the opening inside the case of the through hole is elastically maintained, a stable sealing property is realized over a long period of time. As a result, it is possible to take out the rotating shaft as described above while preventing the entry of dust and micro-organisms into the case and ensuring the stability of the operation of the time switch over a long period of time. Thus, the design flexibility of the time switch is greatly expanded.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the time switch according to the first or second aspect, the contact piece has a flat plate shape, and the fitting protrusion has a rectangular shape. , Feature.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the time switch according to any one of the first to third aspects, the case is overlapped with the opening box body and the opening portion of the opening box body. A cover body that covers the open box body, and an engagement portion is formed in each of the open box body and the cover body, and the open box body is covered with the open body. And each engaging part formed in the cover body is engaged, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. In the time switch having the structure according to this embodiment, the engaging portion is formed in each of the opening box body and the lid body constituting the case, and the opening portion of the opening box body is covered with the lid body. Since the engaging portions formed on the opening box body and the lid body can be engaged with each other, the lid body is simply overlaid on the opening portion of the opening box body and is attached to the opening box body with screws or the like. Compared to the case where the lid is fixed, the sealing performance of the case is improved. Therefore, in this aspect, it is possible to advantageously realize a time switch in which a gap is hardly formed over the entire circumference of the case.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the time switch according to the fourth aspect, wherein the opening on the opening end side of the opening box body with respect to the outer peripheral wall portion of the opening box body and the inner side of the outer peripheral wall portion. And the insertion hole is formed by covering the opening on the opening end side of the opening box body in the insertion groove with the lid body. To do. According to this aspect, it is possible to easily manufacture the target time switch.

  As is apparent from the above description, in the time switch having the structure according to the present invention, the inner peripheral edge portion of each insertion hole is pressed against each annular seal portion so as to bite over the entire circumference. The stress is concentrated on the portion where the inner peripheral edge of each insertion hole in the seal portion is pressed, and thereby the adhesion of the seal member to the outer wall of the case is within the insertion hole provided in the case. As a result, it is possible to prevent a gap from being formed between the sealing member and the outer wall of the case at the inner peripheral edge portion of each insertion hole. Can be secured. Accordingly, it becomes possible to prevent dust and micro-organisms from entering the case from between the contact piece and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole, thereby allowing dust and micro-organisms to enter the case. It is possible to prevent the malfunction of the time switch due to this, and to stabilize the operation of the time switch over a long period of time.

  Hereinafter, in order to clarify the present invention more specifically, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a defrost timer 10 for a refrigerator as an embodiment of the present invention. The defrosting timer 10 has a case 12 having a hollow box structure attached to the refrigerator body, and includes a reduction gear train 14 as a gear train, a cycle cam 16, and three contacts as a plurality of contact pieces. The plates 18 a to 18 c are assembled in a state of being accommodated in the case 12. Then, the rotational driving force of the plate motor 20 as an electric motor is transmitted to the cycle cam 16 via the reduction gear train 14 and the cycle cam 16 is rotated to select the three contact plates 18a to 18c. The connection is made by switching between them so that a defrosting mechanism such as a compressor and a heater of a refrigerator (not shown) can be operated.

  More specifically, the case 12 includes a case main body 22 as an open box, a partition plate 24 incorporated in the case main body 22, and a lid 26 that covers the opening of the case main body 22 (see FIG. 4). It is constituted by. The case main body 22 has an open box shape as a whole. Further, on the inner surface side of the outer peripheral wall portion 28 of the case main body 22, welding rivets 30 protruding toward the opening side are integrally formed at a plurality of locations on the periphery (in this embodiment, three locations), A fitting step 32 that extends continuously in the circumferential direction is formed on the inner peripheral edge of the outer peripheral wall 28 on the protruding front end side. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a portion of the outer peripheral wall portion 28 positioned in one longitudinal direction of the case body 22 (right direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) has a width dimension as compared with other portions. However, the fitting step 32 is not formed on the inner peripheral edge of the protruding tip side. That is, in the present embodiment, the fitting step 32 is not formed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral wall portion 28 of the case main body 22, and is positioned on one side of the outer peripheral wall portion 28 in the longitudinal direction of the case main body 22. It is divided by part. In addition, the inner peripheral edge portion of the outer peripheral wall portion 28 positioned at one side in the longitudinal direction is not formed with the fitting step 32, but has a notch shape having a larger depth than the fitting step 32. The recess 34 is formed so as to open on the inner peripheral surface and the upper end surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 28. Further, a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) insertion grooves 36 are formed in the thick wall portion positioned in one longitudinal direction of the outer peripheral wall portion 28 at a location where the recess 34 is not formed. Has been. Further, a step is provided on the bottom wall portion of the case main body 22, whereby the case main body 22 is formed with a shallow bottom portion 38 and a deep bottom portion 40 that opens in a substantially L-shaped cross section.

  On the other hand, the partition plate 24 has a flat plate shape having a substantially constant thickness as a whole, and has a planar shape substantially corresponding to the opening shape of the deep bottom portion 40 of the case body 22, that is, a substantially L shape. Has been. The partition plate 24 is assembled to the case body 22 so as to cover the deep bottom portion 40 of the case body 22 by being supported by a plurality of support portions 42 provided on the case body 22.

  On the other hand, the lid body 26 has a thin flat plate structure having a planar shape corresponding to the opening shape of the case body 22 as a whole, and a fitting height projecting at a slight height on the outer peripheral edge thereof. A peripheral wall 44 (see FIG. 3) is integrally formed. In addition, a fitting protrusion 46 (see FIG. 3) fitted into the fitting step 32 formed in the opening of the case main body 22 is formed on the protruding front end side of the peripheral wall portion 44. It is integrally formed corresponding to the position. Furthermore, a rivet insertion hole (not shown) is formed on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall portion 44 of the lid 26 so as to correspond to the position of the welding rivet 30 provided in the case body 22.

  Then, the lid body 26 is overlaid on the opening of the case body 22 so that the rivet insertion hole of the lid body 26 is inserted into the welding rivet 30 of the case body 22, and the welding rivet 30 is fixed to the lid body 26. The opening of the case body 22 is covered with a lid body 26. In the state where the opening portion of the case body 22 is covered with the lid body 26 as described above, the fitting protrusion 46 of the lid body 26 has the fitting step 32 of the case body 22 as shown in FIG. Thus, the opening of the case body 22 is closed in a sealed manner. As is clear from this, in the present embodiment, the engaging step on the opening box (case body 22) side is constituted by the fitting step 32, and the engagement on the lid 26 side by the fitting protrusion 46. A joint is formed. Further, the peripheral wall portion 44 of the lid body 26 is superimposed on the outer peripheral wall portion 28 formed with the plurality of insertion grooves 36 in the case main body 22, thereby opening in a rectangular cross section so that the inside and the outside of the case 12 communicate with each other. A plurality of insertion holes 48 (see FIG. 10) are formed in the case 12.

  In addition, each member 22, 24, 26 which comprises the case 12 is formed with hard synthetic resin materials, such as ABS resin, for example.

  The plate motor 20 is accommodated between the partition plate 24 and the deep bottom portion 40. The plate motor 20 includes a stator 52 on which a coil 50 is mounted, and a rotor 58 including a permanent magnet 56 is rotatable about one axis between opposed magnetic pole portions 54 formed on the stator 52. It is arranged. When the coil 50 is energized, a magnetic pole is generated in the magnetic pole portion 54 of the stator 52, and the rotor 58 is rotated by the action of magnetic force between the magnetic pole and the magnetic pole set on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 58. ing. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-186692 and the like, a plate having a specific structure in which the stator 52 is configured by assembling two flat plate-shaped divided plates 60 and 60. A motor 20 is employed.

  More specifically, the coil 50 has a structure in which a wire is wound around a bobbin-shaped coil bobbin 62. The coil bobbin 62 is formed of a resin-based insulating material, and rectangular plate-shaped end plate portions 64 and 64 extending in a flange shape are integrally formed at both axial ends of a cylindrical portion having a central hole extending in a rectangular cross section. ing. The end plates 64 and 64 of the coil bobbin 62 are provided with power supply lead materials 66a and 66b having small diameter rods, and both ends of the wire are connected to each power supply lead material 66. In addition, power is supplied to the coil 50 from the power supply lead members 66a and 66b.

  Further, the stator 52 includes a pair of divided plates 60 and 60. Each of the pair of divided plates 60, 60 is formed of a magnetic material such as a silicon steel plate and has a straight plate-shaped straight portion 68 that extends linearly with a constant width. In addition, a rectangular plate-shaped protruding portion that protrudes in the plate width direction is integrally formed at one end of the straight portion 68 in the longitudinal direction. And the protrusion part of both the division plates 60 and 60 is inserted and fixed to the center hole of the coil bobbin 62 from both axial directions, and these both protrusion parts are overlapped and assembled in close contact with each other. . Thereby, the iron core part formed by the both projecting parts being fixed and integrated with each other is inserted and arranged in the central hole of the coil bobbin 62.

  Furthermore, a magnetic pole forming portion 70 that opens in an arc shape toward the plate width direction is integrally formed at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the pair of divided plates 60, 60. 70 are opposed to each other. And both magnetic pole formation parts 70 and 70 cooperate, and comprise a circular frame, The rotor accommodating area | region is formed in this circular frame. In addition, the magnetic pole forming portion 70 is formed with a plurality of (two in this embodiment) cutout portions 72 that are separated in the circumferential direction. A plurality of convex magnetic pole portions 54 extending in the direction by a predetermined length are formed (three in each magnetic pole forming portion 70 in the present embodiment). A magnetic flux is exerted on the magnetic pole portion 54 formed in this manner through the iron core portion and the straight portion 68 by energization of the coil 50 so that the magnetic pole appears.

  The rotor 58 includes a thick annular plate-shaped permanent magnet 56, and a plurality of magnetic poles (a plurality of pairs of N magnetic poles and S magnetic poles) are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the permanent magnet 56. Is set. Further, an output shaft 76 is coaxially inserted and fixed in the center hole of the permanent magnet 56 so as to protrude on both sides in the axial direction of the permanent magnet 56. In this way, an output pinion (not shown) is formed with respect to one projecting portion of the output shaft 76 projecting on both sides of the permanent magnet 56 in the axial direction. Thus, a locking pin 78 is formed.

  The rotor 58 is rotatably disposed around the rotor support shaft 80 supported by the deep bottom portion 40 and the partition plate 24 in the case main body 22 in the central portion in the rotor accommodating region. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the rotor 58 is disposed such that the side on which the output pinion is formed is positioned on the deep bottom portion 40 side of the case body 22. In the state in which the rotor 58 is arranged in this manner, the plurality of magnetic poles set on the outer peripheral surface of the permanent magnet 56 are spaced apart and opposed to the inner peripheral surface of the magnetic pole portion 54 in the stator 52 in the radial direction. It has been.

  As described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-140878, etc., as known, the relative positions of the magnetic pole portion 54 and the magnetic pole of the rotor 58 in the circumferential direction are appropriately adjusted to be nonuniform in the circumferential direction. . As a result, a magnetic force is applied between the magnetic pole generated in the magnetic pole portion 54 and the magnetic pole of the rotor 58 in accordance with the energization of the alternating current to the coil 50, and the alternating current in which the rotor 58 is energized to the coil 50. It is rotated at a rotational speed corresponding to the frequency of. Further, when the alternating current is no longer supplied to the coil 50, the rotor 58 is driven to rotate based on the magnetic force action between the magnetic pole generated in the magnetic pole portion 54 and the magnetic pole of the rotor 58 when the coil 50 is energized next time. It stops at a position where force can be obtained.

  A reduction gear train 14 is disposed near the plate motor 20. The reduction gear train 14 includes a first wheel 82, a second wheel 84, a third wheel (not shown), a fourth wheel 86, a fifth wheel 88, and a transmission wheel 90 as a drive gear. . The first wheel 82 has a first pinion 82a and a first gear 82b that are integrally formed on the same axis, and the first gear 82b is meshed with the output pinion. Although not clearly shown in the drawing, a locking member is disposed on the top of the first wheel 82 in the axial direction so as to be locked with respect to the locking pin 78. The reverse rotation of the rotor 58 is prevented based on the locking action to the locking pin 78. The second wheel 84 has a second pinion (not shown) and a second gear 84a that are integrally formed on the same axis, and the second gear 84a is engaged with the first pinion 82a. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first pinion 82a and the second gear 84a are intermittent gears. The second wheel 84 is superimposed on the lower side in the axial direction of the fourth wheel 86 and is rotated about the same support shaft 95 b as the fourth wheel 86. The third wheel has a third pinion and a third gear integrally formed on the same axis, and is not clearly shown in the drawing, but is positioned below the fifth wheel 88 in the axial direction. The third gear is meshed with the second pinion while rotating about the same support shaft 95c as the wheel 88. In the present embodiment, the third gear and the second pinion are also intermittent gears. The fourth wheel 86 has a fourth pinion 86a and a fourth gear 86b that are integrally formed on the same axis, and the fourth gear 86b is engaged with the third pinion. The fifth wheel 88 has a fifth pinion 88a and a fifth gear 88b that are integrally formed on the same axis, and the fifth gear 88b is engaged with the fourth pinion 86a.

  The transmission wheel 90 has a structure in which a boss portion 90b disposed coaxially with an annular gear portion 90a is integrally connected by a plurality of connecting portions 90c, and is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the gear portion 90a. The engaged locking teeth are meshed with the fifth pinion 88a. Further, a plurality (three in this embodiment) of elastic locking pieces 90d are formed on the upper surface of the boss portion 90b so as to protrude upward, radially outward, and then extend in the circumferential direction. Has been. Furthermore, an abutting protrusion 90e protruding upward in the axial direction is formed at the end of the elastic locking piece 90d in the circumferential direction. In particular, in this embodiment, the abutting protrusion 90e is formed. The projecting height gradually increases in the extending direction of the elastic locking piece 90d.

  The cycle cam 16 is disposed above the transmission wheel 90 in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the cycle cam 16 is placed on the upper surface of the transmission wheel 90 so as to be rotatable relative to the transmission wheel 90. The cycle cam 16 has a small-diameter small-diameter cam surface 16a formed on the outer peripheral portion on the upper side in the axial direction, and a large-diameter cam surface 16b formed on the outer peripheral portion on the lower side in the axial direction. Each of the small-diameter cam surface 16a and the large-diameter cam surface 16b is formed to extend in the circumferential direction while gradually increasing in diameter, and has radial step portions 16c and 16d at substantially the same circumferential position. is doing.

  Further, the cycle cam 16 is formed with a circular recess 16e that opens to the lower surface, and a plurality of inner surface locking teeth 16f are circumferentially provided around the rotation center axis with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the circular recess 16e. Is formed.

  Further, the cycle cam 16 is integrally formed with an upper projection 16g protruding upward in the axial direction on the central axis on the upper surface of the portion where the small-diameter cam surface 16a is formed, while the upper part of the circular recess 16e. In the center of the bottom portion, a lower protrusion 16h is provided integrally with the upper protrusion 16g and protrudes downward in the axial direction.

  The cycle cam 16 having such a structure is superimposed on the upper surface of the transmission wheel 90, and its lower protrusion 16h is accommodated so as to be rotatable with respect to a recess 92 formed on the support shaft of the transmission wheel 90. In addition, the upper projection 16g is rotatably inserted into a through hole 94 as a through hole provided in the lid body 26. Then, the elastic locking piece 90d of the transmission wheel 90 is elastically locked to the inner surface locking teeth 16f of the cycle cam 16, so that the transmission wheel 90 and the cycle cam 16 are rotated relative to each other in one circumferential direction. On the other hand, it is rotated integrally in the other direction in the circumferential direction. Further, the upper protrusion 16g is exposed to the outside in a state where the upper protrusion 16g is inserted through the through hole 94 of the lid body 26. For the upper protrusion 16g thus exposed to the outside, for example, an operation dial or an operation lever Etc. can be attached. As is clear from this, in the present embodiment, the cycle cam 16 constitutes a rotating member.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the circular recess in the cycle cam 16 with respect to the contact protrusion 90e provided on each elastic locking piece 90d in a state where the cycle cam 16 is superimposed on the upper surface of the transmission wheel 90. In a state in which the upper bottom portion of 16e is in contact with the transmission cam 90 and the cycle cam 16 is merely overlaid, that is, in a state in which the opening of the case body 22 is not covered with the lid 26, the cycle cam A gap is formed between the lower surface of 16 and the upper surface of the gear portion 90 a of the transmission wheel 90.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the opening of the case body 22 is covered with the lid body 26, the elasticity that is brought into contact with the upper bottom portion of the circular recess 16 e in the cycle cam 16. The locking pieces 90d are elastically deformed downward based on the fixing force of the lid body 26 to the case main body 22, and each elastic locking piece 90d thus elastically deformed tries to return to its original state. An annular stepped surface 126 formed on the upper surface of the cycle cam 16 based on the force to be generated, particularly in the present embodiment on the outer peripheral surface of the axially intermediate portion of the upper projection 16g, is the opening peripheral edge of the through hole 94 in the lid 26. Are superimposed in close contact with each other. The step surface 126 is positioned above the cam surface 16a, 16b in the protruding direction of the upper protrusion 16g, and is an annular flat surface having a predetermined width and extending in the direction perpendicular to the axis. Further, in this embodiment, in a state where each elastic locking piece 90d is elastically deformed downward in the axial direction, the lower surface of the cycle cam 16 overlaps with the upper surface of the gear portion 90a in the transmission wheel 90 in close contact. The gap is not formed, so that a gap is formed between the lower surface of the cycle cam 16 and the gear portion 90a of the transmission wheel 90. However, the gap may not be formed.

  The first car 82, the second car 84, the third car, the fourth car 86, the fifth car 88, the transmission wheel 90, and the cycle cam 16 are all made of a hard synthetic resin material such as ABS. Yes. Further, the support wheel 95a of the first wheel 82 and the locking member, the support shaft 95b of the second wheel 84 and the fourth wheel 86, and the support shaft 95c of the third wheel and the fifth wheel 88 are respectively in the depth of the case body 22. The bottom portion 40 is disposed across the bottom wall and the partition plate 24 and is disposed in parallel with the rotor support shaft 80. Further, the support shaft 95 d of the transmission wheel 90 protrudes from the bottom wall of the shallow bottom portion 38 of the case body 22 so as to be parallel to the rotor support shaft 80.

  A plurality of contact plates 18 a to 18 c are disposed near the cycle cam 16. Each of the plurality of contact plates 18a to 18c includes a contact plate 96 formed of a copper elastic plate having a long flat plate shape and a terminal plate 98 formed of a copper plate member having a long flat plate shape. It is comprised by overlapping and adhering in the edge part. In addition, a contact 99 is provided at the end of each contact plate opposite to the side where the terminal plate 98 is superimposed. Furthermore, a power feeding plate 100 that is formed of a copper plate material having a longitudinal flat plate shape and constitutes a power feeding terminal to the plate motor 20 is disposed near the plurality of contact plates 18a to 18c. Yes.

  The plurality of contact plates 18a to 18c and the power feeding plate 100 are integrally connected by a connecting body 102 as a connecting member, as shown in FIGS. The coupling body 102 is made of a hard synthetic resin material such as polyacetal and is made of a non-conductive material, and includes a main body 102a having a thick rectangular plate shape as a whole. The main body 102a is integrally formed with a plurality of (three in this embodiment) protrusions 102b so as to protrude to one side in the plate thickness direction. A portion where the plate 96 and the terminal plate 98 are overlapped is covered over the entire circumference. In addition, a concave groove 102c extending in a substantially constant rectangular cross section in a direction orthogonal to the protruding direction is formed in the central portion of the protruding portion 102b in the protruding direction, thereby being positioned in the concave groove 102c in the contact plate 96. The part to be fastened is exposed to the outside. Furthermore, the connecting body 102 has a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) upper concave portions 104 that open in one width direction (upward in FIG. 5) and the other in the width direction (downward in FIG. 5). A plurality of (in this embodiment, two) lower concave portions 106 are provided. In particular, in the present embodiment, the upper concave portion 104 and the lower concave portion 106 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the coupling body 102 (FIG. 6). (In the middle up and down direction), they are provided at the same position. In addition, a pair of the upper concave portion 104 and the lower concave portion 106 provided at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the connecting body 102 are positioned so as to be sandwiched between the contact plate 18a and the contact plate 18b, while the other one The upper concave portion 104 and the lower concave portion 106 of the set are positioned so as to be sandwiched between the contact plate 18 c and the power feeding plate 100.

  In the connection body 102 having such a structure, the contact plates 96a to 96c, the terminal plates 98a to 98c, and the power supply plate 100 that constitute the contact plates 18a to 18c are mounted in the mold in advance, and the molding material is injected. The contact plates 96a to 96c, the terminal plates 98a to 98c, and the power feeding plate 100 are formed by insert molding. In this case, the contact plate 96 and the terminal plate 98 may be fixed by welding or the like in a state of being overlaid in advance, or the connecting body 102 may be insert-molded in a state of being simply overlaid. The close contact state may be maintained based on this.

  Further, the seal member 108 is assembled to the plurality of contact plates 18 a to 18 c and the power feeding plate 100 that are integrally connected by the connecting body 102 in this way. The seal member 108 is formed of, for example, an elastomer typified by crosslinked natural rubber or synthetic rubber, and has a substantially constant thickness as a whole as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. It is configured to include a seal coupling body 108a as a main body portion having a vertical dimension. In particular, in the present embodiment, the dimension in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 8) of the seal coupling body 108a is made smaller than the dimension in the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 6) of the main body 102a in the coupling body 102. In addition, the dimension in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 8) of the coupling body 108a for sealing is smaller than the dimension in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 5) of the main body 102a in the coupling body 102.

  Further, a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) fitting protrusions 108b as sealing protrusions 108b are integrated with the sealing connector 108a so as to protrude in one thickness direction with a substantially constant cross-sectional shape. Is formed. Furthermore, the sealing member 108 has an assembly hole 108c as a through hole that penetrates the sealing protrusion 108b and the sealing connector 108a in a substantially constant rectangular cross section at a position where the sealing protrusion 108b is formed. Is formed. In other words, in the present embodiment, the sealing protrusion 108b is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape having an assembly hole 108c extending as an inner hole with a substantially constant rectangular cross section, and its peripheral wall portion has a substantially constant thickness. It is said that. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cross section of each assembly hole 108 c is made slightly smaller than the cross section of the terminal plate 98 or the power feeding plate 100 constituting each contact piece 18. Further, the outer cross-section of the sealing protrusion 108 b is made slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of the insertion hole 48 formed in the case 12.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the outer peripheral surface on the proximal end side of the sealing protrusion 108b has an inclined surface 109 that gradually spreads toward the outer peripheral side from the protruding side to the proximal end side. A seal portion 108d as an annular seal portion continuously extending over the entire circumference of 108b is integrally formed with the seal protrusion 108b and the seal connector 108a. Here, although not necessarily clear on the drawing, the inclined surface 109 of the seal portion 108d is formed with a substantially constant inclination angle over the entire circumference, and the height dimension of the seal portion 108d (FIG. 9). The vertical dimension in the middle) and the width dimension (the horizontal dimension in FIG. 9) are also substantially constant over the entire circumference, whereby the volume of the seal portion 108d is set to the entire circumference of the seal projection 108b. Over the entire range. Further, in the seal portion 108d, the inclined surface 109 of the portion positioned on the outer periphery of the short side portion in the cross-sectional shape of the seal protrusion 108b and the outer periphery of the long side portion in the cross-sectional shape of the seal protrusion 108b are positioned. The inclined surfaces 109 of the portions intersect each other at the outer periphery of the four corners in the cross-sectional shape of the sealing protrusion 108b, so that a ridgeline appears at the position where the inclined surfaces 109 intersect on the seal portion 108d. It has become.

  In the sealing member 108 having such a structure, the terminal plate 98 or the power feeding plate 100 constituting each contact section 18 is press-fitted into each assembly hole 108c from the opposite side to the projecting direction of the seal projecting body 108d. As a result, the plurality of contact pieces 18 a to 18 c and the power feeding plate 100 are assembled.

  In the plurality of contact plates 18a to 18c and the power feeding plate 100 assembled with the seal member 108 as described above, the seal protrusions 108b in the seal member 108 are fitted into the insertion grooves 36 from the opening side of the case main body 22. In this manner, the plurality of contact plates 18 a to 18 c and the power feeding plate 100 are assembled to the case body 22 in this state, and the opening of the case body 22 is the lid body 26. It is designed to be covered. Thus, each contact plate 18 and power feeding plate 100 are arranged so as to enter the inside from the outside of the case 12 through the respective insertion holes 48 formed in the case 12. In addition, in a state where the contact plates 18 and the power supply plate 100 are assembled to the case 12 in this manner, the connecting body 102 that connects the plurality of contact plates 18a to 18c and the power supply plate 100 to each other has a lower concave portion. A protrusion 110 provided in the recess 34 of the case main body 22 is inserted through 106, and a protrusion (not shown) provided in the lid body 26 is inserted through the upper recess 104. Thereby, it is positioned with respect to the case 12 and fixedly assembled. Furthermore, a plurality of (in this embodiment, three) contact portions 112 provided on the partition plate 24 are brought into contact with the connecting body 102 assembled to the case 12 in this way. Further, the partition plate 24 protrudes from the groove 102c of the protrusion 102b provided so as to cover the contact plate 18b and the groove 102c of the protrusion 102b provided so as to cover the contact plate 18c, respectively. The convex portion 114 is accommodated.

  In the state in which the contact plates 18a to 18c and the power supply plate 100 are arranged in this manner, the seal protrusions 108b in the seal member 108 are disposed in the insertion holes 48 as shown in FIG. Between the peripheral surface and the terminal plate 98 or the power feeding plate 100 constituting each contact plate 18, it is interposed in a compressed state, and the sealing connector 108 a in the seal member 108 is an outer peripheral wall portion 28 of the case main body 22. In addition, the outer wall of the case 12 which is constituted by the peripheral wall portion 44 of the lid body 26 and the coupling body 102 are interposed in a compressed state. That is, the seal member 108 covers all of the plurality of insertion holes 48 formed in the case 12 from the inside of the case 12. Furthermore, the inner peripheral edge of the inner side of the case of each insertion hole 48 is in contact with the inclined surface 109 of each seal part 108d over the entire circumference. The peripheral edge is pressed against each seal 108d so as to bite over the entire circumference.

  Further, a lead insertion hole (not shown) penetrating in the plate thickness direction is formed in the partition plate 24, and a lead member 66 a for feeding power of the coil 50 in the plate motor 20 is inserted into the lead insertion hole. The power supply lead member 66a is in pressure contact with the contact plate 18b by the protruding portion 102b of the connector 102 and the convex portion 114 of the partition plate 24. Thereby, the contact plate 18b and the lead material 66a for electric power feeding are electrically connected.

  The plurality of contact plates 18a to 18c arranged as described above are so arranged that the tip portions protruding from the internal space of the case 12, particularly the portions provided with the contacts 99, are elastically overlapped with each other. Thus, it is elastically brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cycle cam 16. In this embodiment, the contact plate 18b and the contact plate 18c are brought into contact with and slide on the large-diameter cam surface 16b, and the contact plate 18a is arranged on the small-diameter cam surface 16a. It comes into contact with and slides. Further, the contact plate 18c is made longer than the contact plate 18b in the circumferential direction of the cycle cam 16, and the contact plate 18b passes through the step portion 16c of the small diameter cam surface 16a by the rotation of the cycle cam 16 to the small diameter side. Then, while the cycle cam 16 is further rotated by a predetermined amount, the contact plate 18c does not fall into the stepped portion 16d of the large diameter cam surface 16b. In short, in the present embodiment, the contact plate 18b that is superposed on the contact plate 18c on the large-diameter cam surface 16b of the cycle cam 16 and maintained in an electrically connected state is replaced with the contact plate 18b that is the large-diameter cam surface 16b. The contact plate 18c is separated from the contact plate 18c and overlapped with the contact plate 18a for a short time from the passage of the step portion 16d until the contact plate 18c passes the step portion 16d of the large-diameter cam surface 16b. To be connected to.

  Further, the partition plate 24 is formed with a recess 116 opened on the upper surface, and the capacitor 118 is accommodated in the recess 116. One lead portion 120 a of the capacitor 118 is electrically connected to the power feeding plate 100. Further, the partition plate 24 is formed with a substantially box-shaped connection space 122 that opens toward the lid 26. The other lead 120b of the capacitor 118 is inserted in a state extending in the depth direction from the opening of the connection space 122, and the bottom wall (partition plate 24) of the connection space 122 is inserted. Through a through hole (not shown) formed in the plate motor 20, a power supply lead material 66 b of the coil 50 of the plate motor 20 protrudes toward the opening side. The lead portion 120b of the capacitor 118 and the lead member 66b for feeding the coil 50 are fixed to the connection plate 124 assembled in the connection space 122, whereby the lead portion 120b of the capacitor 118 is fixed. And the lead material 66b for power feeding are electrically connected.

  Next, the operation of the defrost timer 10 having the above-described structure will be described. First, when a power source is connected to the defrost timer 10, power is supplied to the coil 50 of the plate motor 20, and the rotor 58 rotates forward. The rotational driving force of the plate motor 20 is transmitted to the cycle cam 16 via the first car 82, the second car 84, the third car, the fourth car 86, the fifth car 88, and the transmission wheel 90. It has become.

  Here, before the contact plate 18b passes through the stepped portion of the large-diameter cam surface 16b, that is, when the contact plate 18a is not connected to the contact plate 18b, the compressor of the refrigerator (not shown) is in an operating state. The defrosting mechanism is in a stopped state. When the cycle cam 16 is rotated so that the contact plate 18b passes through the step portion of the large-diameter cam surface 16b and the contact plate 18b is connected to the contact plate 18a, the compressor is in a stopped state. On the other hand, the defrosting mechanism is in an operating state. Here, from the state in which the contact plate 18b is connected to the contact plate 18a, the cycle cam 16 is further rotated by a predetermined amount, and the contact plate 18c passes through the step portion of the large-diameter cam surface 16b, and again. When connected to the contact plate 18b, the compressor is again in the operating state, while the defrosting mechanism is again stopped.

  In the defrost timer 10 having such a structure, an inclined surface that gradually spreads toward the outer peripheral side toward the base end side in the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion of the seal projecting body 108b integrally formed with the seal connecting body 108a. 109, a seal portion 108d continuously extending over the entire circumference of the seal protrusion 108b is integrally formed with the seal protrusion 108b and the seal connector 108a, and is formed on the inclined surface 109 of the seal portion 108d. On the other hand, since the inner peripheral edge of the insertion hole 48 is pressed so as to bite over the entire periphery, stress is concentrated on the portion of the seal portion 108d where the inner peripheral edge of the insertion hole 48 is pressed. Thus, the adhesion of the seal member 108 to the outer wall (the peripheral wall portion 44 and the outer peripheral wall portion 28) of the case 12 is at the inner peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole 48. It will be induced to increase you are, thereby, it is possible to prevent a gap from being formed between the outer wall of the seal member 108 and the case 12 at the inner periphery of the insertion hole 48. As a result, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the defrost timer 10 due to dust and minute organisms entering the case 12, and to stabilize the operation of the defrost timer 10 over a long period of time.

  In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral edge of the insertion hole 48 is pressed against the seal portion 108d so that the seal member 108d and the seal member 108 It is possible to increase the adhesion between the terminal plate 98 and the power feeding plate so that no gap is formed between the seal member 108 and the terminal plate 98 and the power feeding plate 100.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the seal member 108 is an integrally molded product, the sealing performance by the seal member 108 is improved as compared with the case where the seal member 108 can be divided into a plurality of parts. It becomes possible.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the volume of the seal portion 108d is substantially constant over the entire circumference, the seal can be enhanced by pressing the inner peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole 48 against the seal portion 108d. The adhesion of the member 108 to the outer wall of the case 12 and the adhesion of the seal member 108 to the terminal plate 98 and the power supply plate 100 can be made substantially constant over the entire circumference of each insertion hole 48.

  Further, in this embodiment, the dimension in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction in FIG. 8) of the coupling body for sealing 108a is made smaller than the dimension in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in FIG. 6) of the main body portion 102a in the coupling body 102. At the same time, the dimension in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 8) of the coupling body 108a for sealing is made smaller than the dimension in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 5) of the main body 102a in the coupling body 102. The seal member 108 can be pressed substantially uniformly over the entire outer wall of the case 12, thereby enhancing the seal by pressing the inner peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole 48 into the seal portion 108 d. The adhesion of the member 108 to the outer wall of the case 12 and the adhesion of the seal member 108 to the terminal plate 98 and the power feeding plate 100 are inserted. It is possible to substantially constant over the entire circumference of the hole 48.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the pair of the upper concave portion 104 and the lower concave portion 106 provided at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the coupling body 102 are positioned so as to be sandwiched between the contact plate 18a and the contact plate 18b. On the other hand, the other set of the upper concave portion 104 and the lower concave portion 106 is positioned so as to be sandwiched between the contact plate 18 c and the power feeding plate 100, so that the seal member 108 is entirely disposed with respect to the outer wall of the case 12. It becomes possible to press almost uniformly over.

  In the present embodiment, the upper protrusion 16g as a rotation shaft that is driven to rotate by the plate motor 20 as an electric motor with respect to the through hole 94 formed in the case 12 ensures good rotation performance. However, it is assembled with excellent sealing properties.

  That is, such a rotation shaft (upper protrusion 16g) is formed so that a clearance is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the through hole (through hole 94) so that the rotation is not hindered. In general, it is designed to be inserted into the hole, and for this reason, a gap is inevitably formed between the rotating shaft and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole. According to the above, even if a gap is formed between the rotating shaft and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole, a gap is formed between the rotating member and the case at the peripheral edge of the opening of the through hole into the case. In this case, it is possible to prevent dust and micro-organisms from entering the case while avoiding adverse effects on the rotational performance of the rotational shaft.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, based on the elastic locking action to the plurality of serrated inner surface locking teeth 16f formed on the inner peripheral surface of the circular recess 16e of the cycle cam 16 as the rotating member. An elastic member that allows relative rotation of the rotating member (16) and the drive gear (90) in one circumferential direction while integrally rotating the rotating member and the drive gear in the other circumferential direction. By skillfully utilizing the stop piece 90d, the annular stepped surface 126 of the axially intermediate portion provided in the cycle cam 16 as the rotating member is completely moved with respect to the opening peripheral portion of the through hole (94) in the case. Since it is designed to be continuously adhered over the circumference, it is possible to ensure the adhesion of the rotating member to the opening peripheral edge of the through hole in the case without using any other special parts. Become.

  Further, since the elastic locking piece 90d is formed so as to extend in the circumferential direction, the free length of the elastic locking piece 90d is advantageously secured while efficiently utilizing the arrangement space, and the desired elasticity is achieved. The contact protrusion 90e can be effectively obtained, and the contact protrusion 90e is formed on the end of the elastic locking piece 90d in the circumferential direction. When an external force is exerted on the elastic locking piece, the elastic locking piece is efficiently deformed over its entire length. Therefore, a force (restoring force) for returning the elastic locking piece to the original state can be set with a sufficient degree of freedom. In addition, by skillfully utilizing such restoring force, the adhesion of the rotating member to the peripheral edge of the opening of the through hole in the case of the rotating member is highly advanced while avoiding adverse effects on the rotation of the rotating member. It becomes possible to keep.

  Moreover, in the defrost timer of this embodiment, since the plate motor 20 was employ | adopted, it is possible to reduce the size of the defrost timer 10 whole.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail, this is an illustration to the last, Comprising: This invention is not limited at all by the specific description in this Embodiment.

  For example, although the three contact plates 18a to 18c are employed in the embodiment, the number of contact plates employed is not limited to that of the embodiment.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the plate motor 20 of the specific structure was employ | adopted as an electric motor, the employ | adopted electric motor is not limited to a plate motor.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a specific example of applying the present invention to the defrost timer of the refrigerator is shown, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to other various time switches. Yes.

  In addition, although not listed one by one, the present invention can be carried out in a mode to which various changes, modifications, improvements and the like are added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. It goes without saying that all are included in the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is a top view of the defrost timer of the refrigerator as one Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The state which removed the cover body is shown. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the defrost timer shown in FIG. 1 and shows a state in which a plate motor and a reduction gear train are accommodated. It is sectional drawing of the III-III direction in FIG. 1, Comprising: The fitting state of a fitting protrusion and a fitting level | step difference is shown. It is sectional drawing of the IV-IV direction in FIG. 1, Comprising: The arrangement | positioning state of a cycle cam and a transmission wheel is shown. FIG. 7 is an end view of a plurality of contact plates and a power feeding plate to which a coupling body is fixed, and is an end view from the lower side in FIG. 6. It is a top view of the some contact plate and electric power feeding plate to which the coupling body was fixed. It is a top view of a sealing member. It is a front view of a sealing member. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of a sealing member. It is sectional drawing explaining the state by which the contact plate was assembled | attached to the case.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Defrost timer 12 Case 14 Reduction gear train 16 Cycle cam 18 Contact plate 20 Plate motor 28 Outer peripheral wall 44 Peripheral wall 48 Insertion hole 102 Connection body 108 Seal member 108a Seal connection body 108b Seal projection body 108c Assembly hole 108d Seal Part

Claims (5)

A plurality of contact pieces constituting an electrical intermittent contact, a cycle cam for opening and closing the intermittent contact, an electric motor for driving the cycle cam, and a rotational driving force of the electric motor are transmitted to the cycle cam A plurality of contact sections are fitted into the plurality of insertion holes provided in the outer wall of the case, and the plurality of contact sections are respectively fitted into the case. In the time switch in which one end is protruded to the outside of the case,
The plurality of contact pieces are fixedly connected to each other and fixed to each other, and are arranged along the inner surface of the outer wall of the case so as to cover the insertion hole from the inside. While providing a rigid connecting member, a plurality of through holes are formed in the sheet-like main body portion, and the plurality of contact pieces are fitted into the through holes so that they are superimposed on the connecting member and mounted. Then, by being sandwiched and assembled between the connecting member and the outer wall of the case, an elastic sealing member that covers all of the insertion holes formed in the outer wall of the case from the inside is provided, A fitting projection that protrudes outwardly around the through hole of the seal member and fits into the insertion hole provided in the outer wall of the case is integrally formed with the seal member, and the base end of the fitting projection Peripheral surface of the part In this case, an annular seal portion continuously extending over the entire circumference of the fitting projection with an inclined surface that gradually spreads toward the outer peripheral side as going to the base end side is integrally formed with the fitting projection and the seal member. A time switch characterized in that the inner peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole provided in the outer wall of the case is brought into contact with the inclined surface of the annular seal portion over the entire circumference.   A through-hole is provided in the case, and a rotation shaft is inserted into the through-hole. A rotation member is integrally provided on the inner side of the case on the rotation shaft, and can be rotated by the electric motor. The rotating member is arranged on the same central axis with respect to the driving gear, and a plurality of saw-toothed inner surface locking teeth are formed on the circumference of either the rotating member or the driving gear. An elastic locking piece extending in the circumferential direction around the central axis is formed on the other of the rotating member and the drive gear, and the elastic locking piece is rotated by an elastic locking action on the inner surface locking teeth. The drive gear and the rotation member are allowed to rotate relative to each other in one direction, and the drive gear and the rotation member can be rotated integrally in the other direction in the circumferential direction. The projecting tip of the elastic locking piece in the circumferential direction is axial with respect to one of the rotating member and the drive gear. The rotating member is always applied with an urging force in an axial direction away from the drive gear on the rotating member based on the elasticity of the elastic locking piece, thereby allowing the rotating member to pass through the case. The time switch according to claim 1, wherein the time switch is overlapped in the axial direction in a close state over the entire circumference with respect to the inner opening end face.   The time switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact piece has a flat plate shape and the fitting protrusion has a rectangular shape.   The case includes an opening box and a lid that covers the opening by being overlapped with the opening of the opening box, and an engaging portion is provided on each of the opening box and the lid. 4. Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the engaging portions formed on the opening box body and the lid body are engaged with each other in a state where the opening portion of the opening box body is covered with the lid body. The time switch described in By forming a notch-shaped insertion groove that opens on the opening end side of the opening box body with respect to the outer peripheral wall portion of the opening box body, and covering the opening on the opening end side of the insertion groove with the lid body, The time switch according to claim 4, wherein the insertion hole is formed.

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