JPH02174029A - Time switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform both rough setting and correct setting by allowing two types or setting including the setting of the optional desired time when a main shaft is rotated and the time limit setting of a fixed time when an operation piece is operated. CONSTITUTION:When a main shaft 10 is rotated to perform the time limit setting, the first operating means 15 is moved to the switch operational position by a cam 11, a switch is operated, and the cam 11 is rotated by a clock system. When the set time limit elapses, the first operating means 15 is returned to the switch nonoperational position, and the switch is returned. When the second operating means 40 is moved to the switch operational position by the operation of an operation piece, the switch B is operated, its state is held by a holding means, holding is released by a releasing means after a fixed time limit elapses, and the switch is returned as a result. Not only the setting of the rough and optionally desired time limit can be performed but also the setting operation of the fixed correct time limit can be simply and quickly performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a time switch used for time-controlled operation of microwave ovens and other electrical equipment.

[Conventional technology]

There is a time switch in which a time limit can be set by rotating a main shaft by an angle corresponding to a desired time limit.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

This conventional time switch is easy to use when setting a rough and arbitrary time limit, such as when setting a time limit for boiling, but it is easy to use when setting a desired time limit, such as when setting a time limit for boiling food. When trying to make settings, there is a problem that it is time consuming and tends to be inaccurate.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to not only allow the user to easily and arbitrarily set a desired time limit, but also to easily set a fixed and accurate time limit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a time switch which can be operated quickly.

[Means to solve problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the measures as described in the claims above, and its effects are as follows.

[Effect]

When the main shaft is rotated to set the time, the cam causes the first
The actuation means reaches the switch actuation position and the switch is actuated. The cam is rotated by a clock mechanism, and when the set time period has elapsed, the first actuating means returns to the switch non-operating position and the switch returns. When the second actuating means is brought to the switch actuating position by operating the operating piece, the switch is actuated. The state is maintained by a holding means. When a certain period of time has elapsed, the above-mentioned holding is released by the release means. As a result, the switch returns to normal.

〔Example〕 The drawings showing the embodiments of the present application will be described below.

A is the case, B is the switch attached to case A, C, D
1 and 2 are switch operating mechanisms, respectively. C indicates an operating mechanism that allows arbitrary time setting, and D indicates an operating mechanism that allows one-touch setting operation. E is a notification device.

The above case A is made of a synthetic resin material.
．． It is constructed by joining three case elements 1, 2, and 3 together.

For example, a microswitch is used as the switch B, and FIG. 4 schematically shows its fixed contact plate 4 and the movable contact plate 5 that comes into contact with and separates from it. (A switch having the structure as shown in FIG. 4 may also be used.) Reference numeral 6 is a driven part of the switch, which is a member connected to the movable contact plate 5.

Next, the operation mechanism C will be explained. 10 is case A
The main shaft is rotatably attached to the main shaft, and a knob for operation is attached to one end (not shown). A cam 11 is driven by a cam drive piece 12 fixed to the main shaft 10, and has a low step portion 11a and a high step portion 11b on its outer periphery. 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a driven lever, which is pivotally connected to the case A at its shaft portion 14, and has a cam contact portion 15, which is illustrated as a first actuating means, and a switch operation portion 16. Reference numeral 17 denotes a clock mechanism for timed rotation of the cam, which is composed of a well-known timer motor Ill and a gear train 19 for decelerating the rotation and transmitting the rotation to the main shaft IO.

Next, the above operating mechanism will be explained. This mechanism consists of two setting button mechanisms 22 and 23 and a release button [11
There are 24. First, the button mechanism 22 will be explained. This mechanism includes a reciprocating operating body 26, a linking mechanism 27 for transmitting the movement to the switch, a holding means 28 for holding the operating body 26 in the forward movement position, and a mechanism for releasing the holding. It has a release means 29 and a clock mechanism 30 for operating the release means at a fixed time period.

In this example, the operating body 26 is configured with an advancing/retracting rod that is attached to the case A so as to be able to move forward and backward, and a button 31, which is illustrated as an example of an operating piece for setting operations, is attached to one end of the lever. The operating piece may be a lever, and 32 is a return spring for reciprocating the forward and backward movement lever 2G.

Next, the linkage mechanism 27 will be explained. 34 is advance/retreat lever 2G
A pressing piece 35 integrally formed with the case A is a transverse moving body, and arrows 35a and 3 are perpendicular to the direction of movement of the movement rod 2G with respect to the case A.
It allows for free lateral movement in the 5b direction. This lateral moving body 35 is provided with a receiving surface 36 formed on an inclined surface for engaging with the pressing piece 34 at one end, and a lever connecting portion 37 at the other end. The lever series connection part 37 includes a drive piece for driving the lever. Reference numeral 40 denotes a linking lever exemplified as a second actuating means, which is formed integrally with the driven member 13.

Next, the holding means 28 will be explained. Reference numeral 43 denotes an engaging body integrally formed with the advancing/retracting rod 26. The surface of the advancing/retracting rod on the forward direction (forward direction) side is a slope-shaped pushing surface 44, and the surface on the backward direction (returning direction) side is an engaging body. The joint surface is 45. 46
is a horizontal movement piece, and arrow 4 is perpendicular to the forward and backward direction of the forward and backward movement rod 26.
It is attached to case A so that it can be freely moved forward and backward in directions 6a and 46b. Reference numeral 47 denotes a through hole through which the reciprocating rod 26 passes, and a locking portion 48 for locking the engaging body 43 is provided on the edge of the hole. 49
A tension spring is illustrated as a biasing member, and is interposed between the case A and the lateral movement piece 46 to urge the lateral movement piece 46 in the direction of the arrow 46b.

Next, the release means 29 will be explained. Reference numeral 53 denotes a release body, which has a release piece 54 in a part thereof, and is mounted so as to be rotatable and integrally movable with respect to the advance/retreat rod 26. Reference numeral 55 denotes a regulating piece provided on the advancing/retracting rod 26 for regulating the axial movement of the release body 53 with respect to the advancing/retracting rod.

56 is a driven piece integrally formed with the lateral moving piece 46. 57
is a return spring of the release body, one end 58 is a spring hook 59 provided on the release body 53, and the other end 60 is a spring hook 61 provided on the advancing/retracting lever 26.
Each one has a hook. Reference numeral 62 shown in FIG. 3.5 is a stopper for receiving and stopping the release piece 54 to define the return position of the release body 53.

The angle θ1 formed by the stopper 62 and the driven piece 56 with respect to the advancing/retracting rod 26 corresponds to a certain period of time (for example, 2 minutes) preset in the button mechanism 22.

Next, the clock mechanism 30 is linked to a release means via a clutch 65. The mechanism 30 commonly uses the clock mechanism 17 and is constructed with a gear train 69 for connection used to transmit its operation.

The clutch 65 is a clutch integrally formed with the release body 53.
It is constituted by a clutch element 66 and a clutch element 67 provided opposite to the clutch element 66, and a gear 68 integrally formed with the clutch element 67 is connected to the gear train 69. The clutch 65 is used to selectively operate only one of the two button mechanisms 22, 23. Further, the clock mechanism 30 may be an independent clock mechanism different from the clock mechanism 17.

Next, since the button mechanism 23 has the same structure as the button mechanism 22, illustrations and explanations of overlapping parts will be omitted.

In the mechanism 23, the lateral movement body 35 and the lateral movement piece 46 of the mechanism 22 are commonly used.

Further, the stopper of the release piece in this mechanism 23 is provided at a position indicated by the reference numeral 62'' in FIG.

Next, the release button mechanism 24 will be explained. Reference numeral 71 denotes a forward and backward lever, which can move freely in a direction parallel to the forward and backward rod 26, and a button 72 is attached to one end. 73
is a return spring. Reference numeral 74 denotes a release piece provided in the middle part of the advancing/retracting rod, and the surface on the forward direction side is a push surface 75 formed on a slope. 46 and is adapted to engage with the driven portion 76 .

Next, the notification mechanism will be explained. 78 is the bell, second
A set screw 80 is attached to a strut 79 integrally formed with the case element 2.
It is fixed. Reference numeral 81 is a hammer, the base of which is fixed to the shaft portion 14 of the driven member with a set screw 82.

Next, the operation of the time switch having the above configuration will be explained.

+Time setting by the al spindle 10 and subsequent operation spindle 1
0 is rotated by an arbitrary angle corresponding to a desired time period (for example, several minutes to several tens of minutes). Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 (A1), the cam contacting portion 15 of the driven lever 13
The switch is lifted up to the high stage part 11b and reaches the switch operating position, and the switch operation part 16 pushes the driven part 6 of the switch.

As a result, the switch B is in an operating state, for example, a closed state as in this example. Then, the timer motor 18 rotates, and the gear train 1
9, the main shaft 10 and the cam 11 start rotating clockwise in FIG. 6 (A1). When the set time period elapses, the cam contacting part 15 falls to the low step part 11a of the cam as shown in FIG. 1 due to the return force of the driven part 5 of the switch B, and reaches the switch non-operating position, and the switch B becomes the return state, for example, the open state as in this example. Also, the hammer 81 swings and strikes the bell 28.

(When setting a time limit by pressing the bl button 31, press the button 31 to move the advancing/retracting rod 26 forward. In the forward movement process, the pressing piece 34 presses the receiving surface 36, so the lateral moving body 35
moves in the direction of arrow 35a in FIG. Then, drive piece 3
8 pushes the lever 40 as shown in FIG. 6 (B2). As a result, the lever 40 reaches the switch operating position, and the switch operation part 16 of the driven lever 13 pushes the driven part 6 of the switch B, so that the switch B is in the closed state.

In addition, in the process of the advancing/retracting rod 26 moving forward, the pressing surface 44 of the engaging body 43 touches the locking portion 4 of the lateral movement piece 46 from the state shown in FIG. 5 ta+.
8, the lateral movement piece 46 moves in the direction of the arrow 46a, and then when the engaging body 43 passes the locking part 48, the lateral movement piece 46 moves as shown in FIG. Returns in the direction of the arrow 46b.As a result, the return of the retractable rod 26 is prevented by the retaining surface 45 coming into contact with the locking portion 4B, and the retractable rod 26 is held in the forward movement position. Lever 40 is held in the switch actuation position.

When the advancing/retracting lever 26 reaches the forward movement position as described above, the clutch element 66 is connected to the clutch element 67. In this state, the rotational force of the motor 18, which starts rotating when the switch B is closed, is transmitted to the clutch element 67 via the gear train 19.69, and moves the release body 53 via the clutch element 66 as shown in FIG. C1 and fdl are rotated as shown by the arrow 53a.As the release body 53 is rotated, the release piece 54 is rotated.
contacts the driven piece 56 and pushes it in the direction of the arrow 56a as shown in FIG. Therefore, the lateral movement piece 46 moves in the direction of the arrow 46a, and when the locking portion 48 is disengaged from the engagement surface 45, the advancing/retracting rod 26 is returned to its original position by the biasing force of the spring 32. This return causes the pressing piece 34 to separate from the receiving surface 36. Therefore, the transverse moving body 35 can freely move forward and backward. Then, in switch B, the movable contact plate 5 separates from the fixed contact plate 4 due to its own return force, and switch B becomes open. The above movement of the movable contact plate 5 causes the driven portion 6 to return to the protruding state as shown in FIG. This return force causes the lever 13 to return. As a result of the return, the hammer 81 is swung and the bell 78 is struck, and the drive piece 3 of the lateral moving body 35 is pushed via the lever 40, and the lateral moving body 35 returns in the direction of the arrow 35b.

Further, the clutch element 66 is separated from the clutch element 67 due to the return of the forward/retractable lever 26. Then, the release body 53 is rotated back in the direction of the arrow 53b in FIG.

After setting the time limit by operating the above button 31,
That is, if the user wants to release the forward/backward movement lever 26 after it has reached the forward movement position, the button 72 is pressed to move the forward/backward movement rod 71 forward. Then, since the pushing surface 75 pushes the driven part 76, the horizontal moving piece 46 moves in the direction of the arrow 46a, and the locking part 48 moves against the locking surface 4.
5, and the advance/retreat lever 26 moves back.

(When a time limit is set by pressing the Cl button 31 and a longer time limit is set by rotating the main shaft 10 than by the above button. In this case, the cam 11, cam contact portion 15, and lever 40 are AI). From this state, when the time limit set by the button has elapsed, the advancing/retracting rod 26 returns to its original state by the same operation as in the above case, and the transverse moving body 35 is in a state where it can freely advance and retreat. Become.

However, as shown in FIG. 6 (A2), since the cam contacting portion 15 of the driven lever remains in contact with the high step portion 11b, the switch B remains closed. When the time limit set by the main shaft has elapsed, the cam contact portion 15 falls to the lower step portion 11a, and the switch B is opened and the bell 78 is struck in the same manner as described above.

[When a short time limit is set by the dl main shaft 10, and a longer time limit is set by pressing the button 31, the cam 11, cam contact portion 15, and lever 40 are set as shown in FIG. 6 (B1). The state is shown in . From this state, when the time limit set by the main axis has elapsed, the sixth
As shown in Figure (B2), the cam contact portion 15
It is separated from b and faces the low step portion 11a. However, the drive piece 38
However, the lever 40 remains in the switch operating position as shown. Therefore, switch B remains closed. Then, when the time limit set by the push button elapses, the lever 40 is released from the drive piece 38 as in the case described above, the switch B is opened, and the bell 78 is struck.

Next, FIGS. 7 to 9 show different embodiments of the present application, and show different examples of the related structure of the cam and the switch and the structure of the holding means. In the figure, the first actuating means is comprised of a driven piece 91 (a separately formed piece may be provided) integrally formed with the movable contact plate 5e of the switch Be. The second actuating means is constituted by a follower 92 (which may be formed as a negative body) attached to the contact plate 5e, and is operated by a pushing piece 93 attached (integrally formed) to the advance/retreat rod 26e. It is intended to be done. Holding means 2
8e is well known and its structure is as follows. A cam body 94 is integrally formed with the reciprocating rod 266, and is provided with a cam groove 95 as shown. 96 is an arrow 96a for case Ae.

It is an arm body that can be freely moved forward and backward in the direction 96b and tilted in the direction of arrow 96G, and the tip of the retaining piece 97 provided at the free end is cam il! It is located within 95. A spring 98 is used to bias the arm body 96 in the direction of the arrow 96a.

In the structure described above, when the retractable lever 26e is in the return position, the retaining piece 97 is in the position shown in FIG. 8A. When the advancing/retracting rod 26e is moved forward, the retaining piece 97 follows the path shown by the arrow to reach the position C. When the advancing/retracting lever 26e is returned slightly, it reaches the second position and engages with the retaining portion 99, causing the retaining piece 97 to move forward and backward. When the zero-order advance/retreat lever 26e that holds the forward movement lever 26e is slightly advanced, the retaining piece 97 reaches the position E, and then the advance/retreat lever 26e is moved forward.
When e is moved back to the return position, the retaining piece 97 returns to the position a through the path indicated by the arrow.

The release of the above-mentioned holding by the release means 29e is as follows. When the release piece 54e pushes the driven piece 56e in the direction of arrow 96b, the engagement piece 97 is pulled off from the engagement portion 99.

For this reason, the reciprocating rod 26e moves back, and the retaining piece 97 returns to the position A in FIG. 8 via the positions indicated by H and I in FIG. 9 along the path indicated by the arrow G in FIG.

It should be noted that parts that are functionally the same or equivalent to those in the previous figure are given the same reference numerals as in the previous figure with an alpha bent e, and redundant explanations are omitted.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, in the present invention, when setting a time limit roughly and in terms of percentages, such as when boiling food in a microwave oven, the desired time can be set by turning the main shaft IO. Of course, if you want to set a strict time limit, such as when heating sake, you can accurately and quickly set a predetermined time limit by operating the operation piece 31. There is some usefulness that can be done.

Moreover, as mentioned above, it is possible to set the time limit in two ways, so even if you mistakenly set a short time limit on one side and then set a longer desired time limit on the other side, the short time limit will still be set. When , the actuating means 15 on the side where the long time limit has been set is in the switch operating position, so switch B will not return erroneously and the desired longer time limit will be correct.

There is a practical effect in that switch B can be reset after a certain amount of time has elapsed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present application, and Fig. 1 is a plan view of the timesinch with the case open, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the release piece and the stopper in the one-touch operation mechanism. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts, Figure 5 is a perspective view for explaining the operation, Figure 6 is a plan view showing the relationship between the actuating means and the switch, and Figure 7 is the setting button mechanism. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the holding means, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 8. B...Switch, 10...Main shaft, 11...Cam,
15... first switch actuation means, 2nd/holding mechanism,
29...Release mechanism, 40...Second switch actuation means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] The case includes a cam that is rotatably operated by a main shaft, a clock mechanism for rotating the cam in a timed manner, and a cam that can be freely changed between a switch operation position and a switch non-operation position. A time switch comprising: a first actuating means that is moved to the switch actuating position; and a switch that is actuated when the actuating means is placed in the switch actuating position. Separately from the actuating means, there is provided a second actuating means for actuating the switch, an operating piece for repositioning the second actuating means to the switch actuating position, and an actuating piece for moving the second actuating means to the switch actuating position. a holding means for holding in position;
A time switch comprising: a release means for releasing the second actuation means from the hold by the holding means; and a clock mechanism for operating the release means at a predetermined time period.