JP4933341B2 - Push-button switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a push-lock type push button switch intended for an emergency stop push button switch and the like, and more particularly to a display mechanism for switching and displaying a switch contact state display in conjunction with a push button push / reset operation.

  The emergency stop pushbutton switch mentioned above is used to forcibly disconnect the power supply circuit of the load (machinery equipment) by pressing the pushbutton during emergency and maintenance inspections of machinery and equipment, and after pressing the pushbutton. This is a push-lock command switch with a safety lock function that keeps the contact mechanism in the open position even when the button is released.

  Also, as a push button switch, in order to visually check the ON / OFF operation state of the switch contact, an illumination light source such as an LED or an incandescent lamp is incorporated inside the push button, and the light source is turned on by pushing / resetting the push button. There is known an illuminated pushbutton switch that controls lighting and displays an operation state of a switch contact (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Next, FIG. 5 shows a general assembly structure of a push-lock / turn-reset type emergency stop push button switch as an example. In FIG. 5, 1 is a push button unit, 2 is an operation unit connected to the push button unit 1, 3 is connected to the rear part of the operation unit 2, and is a contact that opens and closes in response to a push / reset operation of the push button unit 1. Part.

  Here, the push button portion 1 includes a button 1A made of a resin molded product having a hollow structure, and an illumination glove 1a is attached to the center of the front surface thereof, and a reset arrow 1b for displaying the reset operation direction of the switch in the outer peripheral area. Is marked. Although not shown, the operation unit 2 includes a lock mechanism for holding the push button unit 1 in the pushed position when the push button unit 1 is pushed, and a socket for a light source such as an illumination LED and an incandescent lamp. 2a is a cylindrical frame that guides and supports the push button portion 1 so that the push button portion 1 is slidable, and 2b is a cylindrical operation rod that connects the push button portion 1 and the contact portion 3. The rear end of 2b faces the actuator rod 3a of the contact mechanism incorporated in the contact part 3.

  The operation of the emergency stop pushbutton switch configured as described above is well known, and the pushbutton portion 1 normally protrudes to the normal position by the return spring incorporated in the operation portion 2, and the switch contact of the contact portion 3 is ON. Held in a state. Here, when the push button unit 1 is pushed in an emergency, the operation rod 2a is pushed in, the contact (normally closed contact) of the contact unit 3 is switched OFF, and the operation of the load (mechanical equipment) is stopped at the same time. The lock mechanism of the operating rod 2a built in the part 2 causes the push button part 1 to be held in the pushed position. Further, in this state, a contact (normally open contact) different from the load contact is turned on, the illumination light source is turned on, and the contact OFF state is forwarded through the illumination globe 1a of the push button 1A of the push button portion 1. To display.

In order to reset the push button switch from the contact OFF operation state, the push button unit 1 is twisted in the direction of the reset arrow 1b. As a result, the lock mechanism built in the operation unit 2 is released to return the push button unit 1 to the original normal position, and the contact of the contact unit 3 is returned to turn off the illumination light source.
JP-A-9-213161

  By the way, in the illumination type push button switch in which the illumination light source is incorporated in the switch as described above and the light source is controlled to be turned on by push / reset operation of the push button portion, it is caused by the life of the LED, the incandescent lamp or the malfunction of the lighting circuit. It may not light during emergency operation. If such a failure occurs unexpectedly, maintenance and inspection personnel may misunderstand the operating state of the switch and may cause a personal injury by operating the mechanical equipment. In addition, since the above-mentioned illumination light source and its lighting circuit are attached to the switch body, the product cost becomes high, and maintenance costs are also incurred for replacement of the light source and inspection of the lighting circuit after the switch is installed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to provide a simple display that can visually confirm the operation state of the switch from the front of the switch without requiring an illumination light source such as an LED or an incandescent lamp and its lighting circuit. The object is to provide a push button switch with means.

In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the present invention, the switch contact portion is composed of an assembly of a push button portion, an operation portion, and a contact portion, and the switch contact is switched via the operation portion when the push button portion is pushed in. At the same time, in the push-lock type pushbutton switch that self-holds the pushbutton part in the push-in position,
In addition to providing a display window in front of the button in the push button section and the “normal display section” installed behind the display window and inside the button, it always stands by at a position retracted from the display window. Provided with a display switching mechanism that switches and displays the `` motion display part '' that moves to the position facing the display window in conjunction with the push operation of the button part, and the `` normal display part '' is placed inside the button of the push button part It is formed on the front end collar of the provided inner cylinder, and the "operation display section" is guided and supported in the radial direction via a return spring on the front end collar of the inner cylinder, and the operation unit is operated by pushing the push button. The cam member is pressed against the frame to form an indicator member that moves from the standby position to the display position (claim 1).
The display window can be formed at a reset arrow marked on the front surface of the push button portion of the push lock / turn reset push button switch.

  According to the above configuration, the switch operating state at that time is accurately determined from the display unit (color-coded “normal display unit”, “operation display unit”) facing behind the display window formed in front of the button of the push button unit. It can be visually confirmed. Therefore, there is no possibility of misidentifying the switch operation state due to the life and failure of the illumination light source as in the conventional illumination type push button switch, and the safety and reliability are improved.

  In addition, there is no need to mount light sources such as LEDs and incandescent lamps on the switch body, and lighting circuits for the light sources, which can reduce product costs and incur maintenance costs such as periodically replacing the illumination light source. do not do.

  In addition, the display switching mechanism has a simple structure, and the display window is additionally formed on the button having the same shape as the button of the push button unit provided in the existing push button switch, and then the inside thereof is formed. This can be handled by incorporating a display switching mechanism.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the examples shown in FIGS. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the push button unit, the assembly structure of the operation unit and the operation thereof, FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlarged views of part A in FIGS. 1 (b) and 1 (c), and FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a part structure of a display window and a display switching mechanism provided in FIG. 5, and members corresponding to those in FIG.

  First, the internal structure of the operation unit 2 connected to the push button unit 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. That is, the operation unit 2 has a cylindrical frame 2a protruding toward the push button unit 1, and a cylindrical operation rod 2b incorporated on the inner peripheral side thereof has a lock pin 2c, an engagement protrusion 2d, It is engaged and supported in the case of the operating portion 2 via a self-holding lock mechanism 2f comprising a biasing spring 2e. In addition, a return spring (compression coil spring) 2g is inserted between the button 1A of the push button portion 1 fitted to the upper end of the operation rod 2b and slidably guided and supported with the frame 2a of the operation portion 2. The spring is biased so that it protrudes forward.

  On the other hand, with respect to the push button unit 1 coupled to the front end of the operation unit 2 as described above, a display window 4 is formed on the front surface of the button 1A, facing the back of the display window 4, and the inside of the button. Is equipped with a display switching mechanism which will be described in detail later.

  Here, the display windows 4 are formed in a distributed manner at three locations on the outer periphery of the button 1A in alignment with the reset arrow 1b marked on the front surface of the button 1A of the push button unit 1, and specifically, as shown in FIG. The arcuate segment 4a of transparent resin is fitted into a window hole opened on the front surface of the button 1A and joined, or formed by double molding with the button 1A.

  In addition, the display switching mechanism waits at the “normal display portion” that is placed behind the display window 4 and fixed to the inside of the button 1A, as described later, and the position retracted from the display window 4 at all times. It consists of an “motion display section” that moves to a position facing the display window in conjunction with the push operation of the button 1A of the button section 1.

  Here, the “normal display portion” is formed by coloring the front end flange portion 5a of the inner cylinder 5 fitted inside the button 1A, for example, “green”. Reference numeral 5 c denotes a locking claw for fixing the inner cylinder 5 to the button 1 </ b> A of the push button unit 1. On the other hand, the “motion display section” is distributed and arranged in three places on the circumference of the collar portion 5a of the inner cylinder 5 corresponding to the display window 4, and is slidable in the radial direction of the button 1A as described later. For example, the surface of the supported indicator 6 is colored “red”. As shown in FIG. 4, the indicator 6 is guided and supported so as to be slidable in the radial direction along a rail 5b formed on the circumference of the flange portion 5a of the inner cylinder 5, and a return spring (compression coil spring) 6a is supported. And is pressed toward the center of the button 1A. The indicator 6 has an inner peripheral end protruding downward in an L shape, and a tapered cam portion 6b is formed at the tip of the indicator 6 so as to oppose the tip of the cylindrical frame 2a of the operation portion 2. .

  With the above configuration, in the normal state of the push button switch (the state in which the button 1A of the push button portion 1 protrudes in front of the operation portion 2), the indicator 6 has a return spring as shown in FIGS. Receiving the spring force of 6a, it retreats to the inner peripheral side from the position facing the display window 4. Therefore, in this state, the “green” “normal display portion” formed on the flange portion 5a of the inner cylinder 5 through the display window 4 is displayed forward. Thereby, it can be visually confirmed that the push button switch is in a normal state (contact ON).

  On the other hand, when the button 1A of the push button unit 1 is pushed and the button 1A is pushed into the position shown in FIGS. 1C and 3, the operation rod 2b of the operation unit 2 moves to the illustrated position. The lock pin 2c gets over the engagement protrusion 2d and is self-held in the pushed-in position. Thereby, the contact of the contact portion 3 (see FIG. 5) connected to the rear portion of the operation portion 2 is switched from ON to OFF, and at the same time, the taper cam portion 6b of the indicator 6 incorporated in the push button portion 1 is changed to the operation portion 2. 3 and the indicator 6 is pushed out to the position shown in FIG. 3 against the return spring 6a. Therefore, in this state, the “red” “motion display section” formed on the surface of the indicator 6 through the display window 4 is displayed forward. Thereby, it can be visually confirmed that the push button switch is in the operating state (contact OFF).

  Further, when the push button unit 1 is twisted in the direction of the reset arrow 1b from the above operation state and the reset operation is performed, the lock mechanism 2f of the operation unit 2 described above is released (the lock pin 2c is rotated around the engagement protrusion 2d). The push button portion 1 receives the spring force of the return spring 2g and returns to the normal position (return reset). As a result, the contact of the contact portion 3 returns from OFF to ON, and at the same time, the indicator 6 that has faced the display window 4 so far receives the spring force of the return spring 6a and moves back to the standby position. The display is switched to the normal display shown in FIGS.

  The push button unit 1 with the mechanical display switching mechanism described in the illustrated embodiment is basically the same as the button shape of the push button unit equipped in the existing illuminated push button switch. Therefore, by removing the push button part 1 from the existing illuminated push button switch and replacing it with the push button part of the illustrated embodiment, a dimming display by a light source such as an LED or an incandescent lamp and a mechanical state display are used in combination. It is also possible to use it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is explanatory drawing of the structure and operation | movement of a pushbutton part of a pushbutton switch by the Example of this invention, an operation part, (a) is a front view, (b), (c) is an internal state showing a normal state and a push operation state, respectively. Cross-sectional view of structure Enlarged view of part A in FIG. Enlarged view of part A in FIG. The disassembled perspective view of the components showing the display switching mechanism of the push button part in FIG. An exploded perspective view showing the overall structure of a push-lock / turn-reset pushbutton switch

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Push button part 1A Button 1a Globe 1b Reset arrow 2 Operation part 2a Frame 2b Operation rod 2c Lock pin 2d Engagement protrusion 2e Energizing spring 2f Lock mechanism for self-holding of a push button part 2g Return spring 3 Contact part 3a Actuator rod 4 Display window 4a Arc-shaped segment of transparent resin 5 Inner cylinder of push button part 5a Hook part (normal display part)
5b Rail 5c Locking claw 6 Indicator (operation display part)
6a Return spring 6b Taper cam

Claims (2)

It consists of an assembly of a push button part, an operation part, and a contact part. When the push button part is pushed in, the switch contact is switched through the operation part, and at the same time, the push button part is held at the pushing position. In push-lock type push button switches,
In addition to providing a display window in front of the button in the push button section and the “normal display section” installed behind the display window and inside the button, it always stands by at a position retracted from the display window. Provided with a display switching mechanism that switches and displays the `` motion display part '' that moves to the position facing the display window in conjunction with the push operation of the button part, and the `` normal display part '' is placed inside the button of the push button part It is formed on the front end collar of the provided inner cylinder, and the "operation display section" is guided and supported in the radial direction via a return spring on the front end collar of the inner cylinder, and the operation unit is operated by pushing the push button. A push button switch formed on an indicator member that moves from a standby position to a display position by pressing a cam portion against the frame . 2. The push button switch according to claim 1 , wherein the display window is formed at a reset arrow portion marked on a front surface of the push button of the push button portion of the push lock / turn reset type push button switch. Button switch.

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