JPH01258329A - Switch mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a contact in a switch from being over-loaded when the switch is over-loaded by providing therein a member which restricts pressure applied to the switch in the specified amount. CONSTITUTION:A push button 1 is operated by the pressure of its actuater 1a. In the distance b and c shown in the figure from a wall to which the actuater 1a is attached to its end, the push button 1 is normally operated, so that if the pressure is continually applied beyond the distance c, the mechanism in the push button 1 is over-loaded. The push button 1 is fixed by a switch supporting board 3 and pressed with 1 pressing board 8 which revolves by external force as a shaft 2 is a supporting point. By arranging the dimension of a restricting member 10 provided at the end of the pressing board B in m<1<n, the end of the restricting member 10 touches the switch supporting board 3 so that the push button 1 is prevented from being applied with excessive force therein.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field 1] The present invention relates to a switch mechanism, particularly a switch mechanism used as a switch that turns on and off (or turns off and on) when a door, cover, lid, etc. are opened and closed. It is something.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in a device such as a copying machine, in which a user may open and close a cover to perform recovery work due to trouble such as a jam, the power is turned off and on as the cover is opened and closed. A switch is provided. Such a switch, a so-called door switch, is controlled so that when the cover is opened, the power is turned off, and when the cover is opened, the power is turned on.

This is to prevent accidents such as the machine somehow starting to move when the user is working with the cover open, or the user touching live electrical parts and receiving an electric shock. Such mechanisms also help save power consumption.

FIG. 6 shows the structure of this type of mechanism, the device 1 of FIG.
1 (for example, a copying machine), a door switch 12 is provided at the edge of an opening by a door 13, and a pressing member 14 is provided at a position on the door 13 opposite to the door switch 12. The door 13 can be opened and closed around a hinge 15, and when it is in a closed state, it is locked by a magnet (not shown) or the like. The door switch 12 is wired to control a main power supply or a part of the power supply circuit.

In such a configuration, when the door 13 is closed, the door 13
The pressing member 14 provided above presses the door switch 12, and the door switch 12 is turned on. Also, door 1
When 3 is opened, the pressing member 14 is separated from the door switch 12,
The door switch 12 is turned off.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the door switch 12 may be closed due to the user accidentally pressing the switch, for example.
Due to some mechanical overload, the door switch 12
There was a risk that the door switch would not operate properly due to poor contact or damage.

In order to prevent such switch overload, a switch safety mechanism as shown in FIG. 7 has been devised.

In FIG. 7, the push button switch 16 is fixed to a switch support plate 18 that can rotate about a shaft 17. This switch support plate 18 is connected to a stopper 19 and a stopper 2.
0 restricts clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. The actuator (push button) 16a of the push button switch 16 receives a pressing force from the pressing member 14 when the door 13 is closed.

Further, a spring 21 whose other end is fixed to a pin 21a is attached to the switch support plate 18, and this spring 21 applies a clockwise moment to the switch support plate 18 around the shaft 17. Under normal conditions, the stopper 19 restricts the clockwise rotation of the switch support plate 18, and the switch support plate 18 is held in the state shown in FIG.

The elastic force of the spring 21 and A fixed end position is selected.

Here, it is assumed that the force exerted by the spring 21 is the operating force of the FO1 push button switch 16, and the force that presses the push button switch 16 is F. The force FO exerted by the spring is a linear function proportional to the extension of the spring, that is, the amount of rotation of the switch support.

When the switch pressing force F is smaller than the switch operating force f, the push button switch 16 and the switch support plate 18
remains in the state shown in Figure 7 and the switch is not turned on. At this time, the force applied to the contact part (not shown) inside the switch is 0.
It is.

On the other hand, when the force F for pressing the switch is larger than the operating force f of the switch and smaller than the force FO caused by the spring 21,
The switch support plate 18 remains in the state shown in FIG. 7, and the switch is turned on. At this time, the force applied to the contact portion inside the push button switch 16 becomes F−f.

Next, when the force F for pressing the switch is greater than the operating force f of the switch and further greater than the force exerted by the spring 21 (
When the switch is overloaded), the switch support and the pushbutton switch 16 together begin to rotate counterclockwise about the axis 17.

However, since the force FO caused by the spring 21 is proportional to the amount of rotation of the switch support plate 18, it increases as the switch support plate rotates, and when FO=F2−f (F2 is the force for pressing the switch), the force increases. Due to balance, the rotation stops at the position where the switch support plate 18 comes into contact with the stopper 20 as shown in FIG. At this time, the force applied to the contact portion inside the switch becomes F2-f (=FO).

According to the above configuration, even if some overload is applied to the pushbutton switch 16, the force applied to the contact portion of the pushbutton switch 16 is at most FOmax (switch support plate 18 is restricted from rotating counterclockwise by the stopper 20, the force exerted by the spring 21 is as follows.

Therefore, the contact portion inside the switch support plate 18 is affected by this force FO.
If the one that withstands max is selected, the push button switch 16 can be used safely as long as the push button switch 16 is pressed within the range in which the switch support plate 18 can rotate.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned conventional safety mechanism, if the amount of depression of the switch exceeds the rotatable range of the switch support, a mechanical overload is applied to the contact part in the push button switch 16. , the push button switch 16 may be damaged.

Further, even if the switch depression amount is within the rotatable range of the switch support plate 18, there is a drawback that the contact portion inside the switch must withstand FOmax, that is, an expensive switch must be used.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional structure, and provides a switch mechanism in which the contacts within the switch are not overloaded even if an overload is applied to the switch.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes at least one push button switch and movably supporting the push button switch in a direction substantially corresponding to the operating direction of the push button switch. A mechanism, a member that is movably supported in a direction substantially corresponding to the operating direction of the push button switch and presses the push button of the push button switch, and a member that regulates the pressing needle of the pressing member to a predetermined value. Adopted.

[Function] According to the above configuration, since the amount of pressing of the push button of the push button switch is regulated by the regulating member, it is possible to prevent an excessive mechanical load from being applied to the internal mechanism of the push button switch.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the example shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a switch mechanism according to the present invention. The switch mechanism shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the conventional switch mechanism shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. It can be used as a door switch.

In the figure, a pushbutton switch 1 is fixed to a switch support plate 3 that can rotate about a shaft 2.

The push button switch l has an operating range depending on the amount of pressure on its actuator (push button) la.For example, the position a in FIG. 2 is the free position. If the actuator la is pushed in in this state, it will reach the operating position.

At this point, the internal contacts (not shown) of the switch are turned on for the first time. If it is pushed in further, the actuator la will reach the maximum pushing position C while remaining in the on state, and it will no longer be possible to push in any further.

The stroke from this operating position to the maximum pushing position Mc is the operating range, and if the amount of depression of the switch is within this operating range, the switch is turned on.

The rotation of the switch support plate 3 is restricted by a stopper 4 and a stopper 5.

Further, a spring 6 whose other end is fixed to a pin 7 is attached to the switch support plate 3, and this spring 6 applies a clockwise moment about the shaft 2 to the switch support plate 3. However, the clockwise rotation of the switch support plate 3 is restricted by the stopper 4,
The state shown in FIG. 1 is maintained.

This clockwise moment due to the spring 6 is generated by the spring so that the switch support plate 3 presses the stopper 4 with a force greater than the operating force of the push button switch l (the force required to turn on the push button switch l). The shape of 6 and the position of bin 7 have been selected.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the press plate 8 is supported rotatably around the shaft 2. The pressure plate 8 is restricted from rotating clockwise by a stopper 9, and is on standby in the state shown in FIG. Further, the pressing plate 8 is provided with a regulating member 10, and this regulating member 10 is located at a position where it abuts against the switch support when the pressing plate 8 rotates counterclockwise. The length of this regulating member 10 is assumed to be 1 as shown in FIG.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the regulating member lO of the switch support plate 3
If the distance from the abutment surface to the operating position of the push button switch l is n, and the distance to the maximum pressing position C of the push button switch l is m, then the length 1 of the regulating member 10 is m.
The length l of the regulating member IO is selected so that < l < n.

In this embodiment, the actuator 1a of the pushbutton switch l is not directly subjected to a pressing force, but a predetermined portion of the pressing plate 8 (for example, the center of a straight section) is subjected to a pressing force by a closing mechanism such as a door (not shown). .

Next, the operation of the switch safety mechanism will be explained.

When the press plate 8 receives a force in the direction d in FIG. 1 due to the door opening of the door mechanism to which the press plate 8 is attached, the press plate 8 rotates counterclockwise and presses down the actuator 1a of the push button switch 1. , the actuator la of the pushbutton switch l reaches the free position a of FIG.

When pushed in further, actuator la moves to operating position i.
b is reached, and the push button switch l is turned on (
(not shown).

As the button is pushed in further, as shown in FIG. There is no movement, and the two rotate as one.

At this time, the actuator la position of the push button switch l is between the maximum push position (C in Figure 2) and the operating position (B in Figure 2), so the switch is not overloaded and is can be kept on.

When the switch is further pushed in with a force greater than the load applied by the spring 6, it begins to rotate counterclockwise around the shaft 2 while maintaining this state, and finally the switch support plate 3 reaches the stopper as shown in FIG. 3(B). I hit number 5.

The load applied at this time is entirely borne by the regulating member 10 provided on the pressing plate 8.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by providing the press plate 8 having the regulating member 10, it is possible to prevent a large mechanical load from being applied to the internal mechanism of the push button switch 1. Therefore, it is not necessary to use expensive parts that can withstand large mechanical loads in the push button switch l, and there is an advantage that the durability of the switch mechanism can be greatly improved.

In the above, the configuration in which the regulating member 10 is provided on the press plate 8 has been exemplified, but as shown in FIG. It is possible to obtain the following effects.

Moreover, although the structure in which the switch support plate 3 and the press plate 8 supporting the push button switch 1 are swingably supported via the shaft 2 has been described above, the structure is not a swing structure, but a structure as shown in FIG. switch support plate 3 so as to slide in a linear direction;
A press plate 8 can also be configured.

In FIG. 5, a switch support plate 3' supporting a push button switch 1 is slidably supported on pins 3a and 3b provided on the chassis of the device through a long hole 3C13d. In addition, the switch support plate 3' receives a biasing force to the right in the figure due to springs 6a and 6b loaded between both ends of the switch support plate 3' and pins 7' and 7' provided on the chassis. , during normal operation, the long hole 3 is open as shown in the figure.
Pins 3a and 3b are locked to the left end of C13d.

On the other hand, the press plate 8' is formed in a U-shape so as to surround the actuator 1a of the push button switch 1, and is connected to two wooden blocks provided on the chassis etc. through a long hole 8c provided in the rear flat plate part 8d. It is slidably supported on pins 8a and 8b.

The force when closing members such as the door of the device (not shown) is applied to the pressing plate 8.
', and the U-shaped bottom of the press plate 8' depresses the actuator 1a of the switch l, thereby depressing the push button switch l to the operating position.

If the pressing continues further, the arm portion 8e of the pressing plate 8',
8f comes into contact with the switch support plate 3', and the switch support plate 3
', the pressing plate 8' simultaneously moves to the left in the figure. During this period, a load is applied to the arms 8e and 8f, but no load is applied to the actuator 1a.

The final position is where the right end of the long hole 3C13d of the switch support plate 3' engages with the pins 3a and 3b.

The above movement stops at the position where the right end of the elongated hole 8C of the pressing plate 8' engages with the pin 8b.

In the above configuration, by forming the arm portions 8e, 8f of the pressing plate 8' to have a length corresponding to the regulating member 10 of the embodiment described above, the same effects as described above can be expected. It goes without saying that the engagement structure of the elongated hole 3C13d and the pins 3a, 3b, and the elongated hole 8C and the pins 8a, 8b has a locking function equivalent to the stopper 4.5.9 of the above embodiment. do not have.

Although the number of operated switches is one in the above description, a similar configuration can be implemented in a mechanism that operates two or more switches.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above, according to the present invention, at least one push button switch, a mechanism for movably supporting the push button switch in a direction substantially corresponding to the operating direction of the push button switch, and a push button switch are provided. A configuration is adopted in which a member is movably supported in a direction substantially corresponding to the operating direction of the button switch and presses the push button of the push button switch, and a member that regulates the pressing force of the pressing member to a predetermined value. Therefore, since the amount of pressure on the push button of the push button switch is regulated by the regulating member, it is possible to prevent an excessive mechanical load from being applied to the internal mechanism of the push button switch, and for this reason, it is acceptable as a push button switch. It is possible to reduce costs by using inexpensive products with low mechanical load, and it is also possible to prevent damage to the switch mechanism.
It has the excellent effect of being able to

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a side view showing the structure of a switch mechanism adopting the present invention, Fig. 2 is a side view showing the operating range of a push button switch, and Figs. 3 (A) and (B) are respectively similar to Fig. 1. FIGS. 4 and 5 are side views showing different structures of the switch mechanism, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device in which the switch mechanism according to the present invention is installed, and FIG. 7 is a side view of the mechanism in operation. , FIG. 8 is a side view showing the operation of a conventional switch mechanism. 1...Push button switch 2...Shaft 3...Switch support plate 4...Stopper 5...Stopper
6...Spring 7...Pin
8...Press plate 9...Stopper l
O...Restriction member 12...Door switch 13...Door 14...Pushing member mouth 2 hands)b7, L4: Dou Sai Q mouth Figure 6 Zui...Senho Seikai 1st page, 1st page, 2nd page, 8th page, 7th page, 1st page

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) at least one pushbutton switch, a mechanism movably supporting the pushbutton switch in a direction substantially corresponding to the operating direction of the pushbutton switch, and a mechanism movably supporting the pushbutton switch in a direction substantially corresponding to the operating direction of the pushbutton switch; A switch mechanism comprising: a member for pressing a push button of a button switch; and a member for regulating the amount of pressure of the pressing member to a predetermined value.