JPH0421226Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an illuminated switch, and particularly to a structure that prevents a terminal plate from floating when an elastic socket is attached to a valve terminal by pressure contact.

[Prior Art] Illuminated switches are used in a wide range of fields such as vehicles, and their main purpose is to light up a bulb built into the switch when the switch is activated to inform the user of the operating status of the switch. An example of an illuminated switch structure includes a switch case containing a switch mechanism, a valve terminal provided in a part of the switch case, an elastic socket supported by the valve terminal, and an electrode section attached to the elastic socket. A bulb with a light emitting part protruding into the switch case from a bulb hole provided in the valve terminal when fitted together, and a part of the conductor connecting this bulb and the switch mechanism are arranged inside the switch case along the valve terminal. A terminal plate provided thereon, a valve terminal extending from a part of the terminal plate and projecting outwardly through the valve terminal, and a resilient socket formed to a size that allows the valve terminal to be press-fitted. Some valve terminals are provided with a through hole, and the valve terminal is press-fitted into the through hole of the elastic body socket to electrically connect the terminal wire extending from the bulb.

The elastic socket used here is used to prevent poor contact between the valve terminal and the valve terminal wire due to vibrations of the vehicle body when used in items with large vibrations such as automobiles and motorcycles. It is important to

[Problems to be solved by the invention] By the way, the valve terminal is press-fitted into the through hole of the elastic socket, and due to the elasticity of the elastic socket within the through hole, it is possible to make good contact with the terminal wire extending from the electrode part of the bulb. The hole is smaller than the valve terminal in order to maintain good contact.

For this reason, when pressing the elastic socket so that the valve terminal is press-fitted, if the valve terminal is pushed and moved, the press-fit of the valve terminal into the through hole will be insufficient, and the connection between the valve terminal and the valve terminal wire will be insufficient. Poor contact may occur, which poses a problem in terms of improving yield in the switch assembly process.

In addition, in order to improve workability by making assembly work easier and faster, and to improve maintenance by making it easier to replace bulbs during use, the light switch can be installed and installed from the outside of the switch case without taking the trouble of disassembling it. It is also hoped that they can be replaced.

Therefore, the present invention provides an illuminated switch that solves the above problems.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the illuminated switch according to the present invention differs from the structure of the above-mentioned conventional example in that the electrode part of the bulb is fitted into an elastic socket, and By wiring the extending terminal wire into the through hole, a small assembly consisting of a valve and an elastic socket is formed,
This small assembly is removably attached to the valve terminal by fitting into the valve hole from the outside of the switch case, and the mounting direction of the small assembly and the axial direction of the through hole are parallel to the protruding direction of the valve terminal, and the switch A protrusion is provided inside the case to hold the terminal plate between the valve terminals, so that when attaching the subassembly to the valve terminal, the valve terminal can be inserted through the elastic socket without the terminal plate floating above the valve terminal inside the switch case. It is characterized by being press-fitted into the hole.

[Operation of the invention] The electrode part of the bulb is fitted into the elastic socket, and the terminal wire extending from the electrode part of the bulb is wired into the through hole, thereby forming a small assembly in which both are integrated.
Insert the tip of the light emitting part of the bulb into the valve hole of the valve terminal, align the through hole with the tip of the valve terminal, and then press the small assembly against the valve terminal from the outside of the switch case.The small assembly will fit into the valve hole. Once fitted, the light emitting part of the bulb will protrude into the switch case.

At the same time, since the axial direction of the through hole formed in the elastic socket is parallel to the protruding direction of the valve terminal, the valve terminal is press-fitted into the through hole of the elastic socket and electrically connected to the terminal wire of the valve.

As a result, the subassembly is detachably attached at two locations: the valve terminal and the valve terminal.

At this time, since the protruding direction of the valve terminal is parallel to the mounting direction of the subassembly, the valve terminal receives a force in the direction of being pushed back into the switch case by the pressing of the elastic socket, and the valve terminal is pushed into the switch case. At the same time, the terminal plate integrated with the valve terminal tries to levitate from the valve terminal.

However, the terminal board is prevented from floating by a protrusion provided inside the switch case. Therefore, the valve terminal is not pushed into the switch case and does not move, so the valve terminal is reliably and quickly press-fitted into the through hole and electrically connected to the terminal wire of the valve.

In addition, when removing the subassembly to replace a bulb, etc., pull the subassembly in the opposite direction, that is, along the valve terminal, to the outside of the switch case, and the valve terminal will come out of the through hole and the elastic socket will move away from the valve terminal. Since it separates and the subassembly slips out of the valve hole, it is easily removed from the valve terminal.

[Example] An example of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.
Fig. 1 shows a partially cutaway external appearance of a switch to which the present invention is applied, Fig. 2 shows an assembled view of the valve portion, and Fig. 3 shows the state in which the valve is installed.

As shown in FIG. 1, this switch is provided with a knob portion 3 at the top of a switch case 1, one end of which rotates up and down about a rotation shaft 2. As shown in FIG. Although not shown in the drawings, inside the switch case 1, a switch mechanism is provided which uses a knob portion 3 to turn on or off a bulb 7, which will be described later. At the bottom of the switch case 1, a coupler 5 is provided with a power supply side terminal 4 and the like projecting inward. Further, a valve chamber 6 is provided in a side portion of the switch case 1 so as to pass vertically through the inside of the switch case 1. A valve 7 is disposed on the lower end side of the valve chamber 6. In the bulb 7, the electrode part which cannot be seen in the figure is housed in the elastic socket 8, and the light emitting part projects from the elastic socket 8, so that the bulb 7 and the elastic socket 8 form a small assembly. .

On the other hand, below the elastic socket 8, a valve terminal 9 is provided which is integrally formed and extends laterally from the coupler 5, and is attached to the main body of the switch case 1 together with the coupler 5 by fitting into the main body of the switch case 1. It forms the bottom of 1. A terminal plate 10 is disposed on the valve terminal 9, which is continuous and integral with the power supply side terminal 4 and is also part of a conductor connecting the valve 7 and the switch mechanism.
Further, a window 11 is formed in a portion where the valve chamber 6 extends upward and intersects with the knob portion 3.

Therefore, when the knob part 3 is rotated downward to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, a contact (not shown) of the switch mechanism provided in the switch case 1 closes, and a current flows from the power supply side terminal 4 to the terminal board 10. The light passes through the bulb chamber 6 and can be irradiated to the outside through the window 11.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the valve 7 portion of the illuminated switch of the present invention, and the valve terminal 9.
A valve hole 12 is provided for passing the valve 7 through, and a pair of predetermined shapes (+ part, -
The terminal plate 10 of the section) is loosely fitted. A valve terminal 13 that extends continuously and integrally from this terminal plate 10 passes through the valve terminal 9 and projects to the opposite side (outward). Note that the portion of the valve terminal 13 that passes through the valve terminal 9 is the valve terminal 9.
Since the valve terminal 13 is loosely fitted into the through hole formed in the figure, when the valve terminal 13 is pushed upward in the figure, if the valve terminal 13 and the pair of terminal plates 10 are in the state shown in the figure, the valve terminal It is slightly raised from the surface of 9. In this figure,
The valve terminal 13 projects downward and outward from the valve terminal 9. Therefore, the direction of protrusion of the valve terminal 13 is parallel to the mounting direction of the subassembly consisting of the valve 7 and the elastic socket 8 (that is, the direction from the bottom to the top in this figure).

Further, a predetermined number of pawls 14 (others are omitted) are provided on the side surface of the valve terminal 9 for engagement when the valve terminal 9 is fitted into the switch case 1.

A predetermined number of engagement holes 15 (others are omitted) are formed in the side surface of the lower end of the switch case 1 in correspondence with the claws 14 so that the claws 14 can be engaged when the valve terminal 9 is fitted. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a pair of protrusions 17 are provided at the lower end of the wall 16 of the valve chamber 6 provided in the switch case 1 so as to abut on the terminal plate 10 of the valve terminal 9. ing. Since this protrusion 17 protrudes toward the terminal plate 10 from other parts by a dimension l, it is designed to sandwich the terminal plate 10 between it and the inner surface of the valve terminal 9.

On the other hand, the elastic socket 8 is formed into a substantially T-shape using an elastic member such as synthetic rubber, and the valve 7 is fitted into a cylindrical portion at one end. A pair of through holes 20 are formed in the base portion 18 at the other end of the elastic socket 8, through which each end of a terminal wire 19 extending from the electrode portion of the bulb 7 is wired. This through hole 2
0 is formed to be slightly smaller than the valve terminal 13 so that the valve terminal 13 of the valve terminal 9 can be press-fitted. Furthermore, the axial direction of the through hole 20 when attaching the subassembly is parallel to the protruding direction of the valve terminal 13.

To assemble a switch with such a configuration, first, the electrode part of the bulb 7 is fitted into the elastic socket 8, and the terminal wire 19 extending from the electrode part of the bulb 7 is connected.
The end of the valve 7 is wired into the through hole 20 to form a small assembly in which the valve 7 and the elastic socket 8 are integrated.
On the other hand, when the valve terminal 9 is fitted into the switch case 1 and the pawl 14 is engaged with the engagement hole 15, the valve terminal 9 is attached to the end of the switch case 1.

Next, put the tip of the light emitting part of the bulb 7 fitted into the elastic socket 8 into the inside 12, and then align the through hole 20 of the base part 18 with the bulb terminal 13 of the terminal board 10, and attach the small assembly to the valve terminal 9. Push towards. Then, most of the subassembly protrudes into the valve chamber 6 and is accommodated therein, and the portion of the elastic socket 8 near the base 18 fits into the inside 12 and is supported by the valve terminal 9. At the same time, each valve terminal 13
are press-fitted into the through-holes 20 of the elastic socket 8, and are pressed against the valve terminal 9 by the elasticity of the elastic socket 8 within the through-holes 20 to establish a strong electrical connection and form a conductive circuit for the valve.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, when the valve terminal 9 is attached to the switch case 1, the protrusion 17 inside the switch case 1 is connected to the terminal plate 10.
Since the terminal plate 10 is held between the protrusions 17, in order to press fit the valve terminal 13 into the through hole 20, the base part 18 of the elastic socket 8 is pressed against the valve terminal 13, and the valve terminal 13 is pressed into the through hole 20. Even if a force is applied in the direction of pushing it back into the switch case 1, the terminal board 10 is not lifted and remains stationary. therefore,
The valve terminal 13 is also immovable and press-fitted into the through hole 20 quickly and reliably. For this reason, valve terminal 1
3 and the terminal wire 19 (Fig. 2) are securely in contact,
Ensure good electrical contact.

Moreover, the valve 7 and the elastic socket 8 can be treated as a small assembly, and the protruding direction of the valve terminal 13, the mounting direction of the small assembly consisting of the valve 7 and the elastic socket 8, and the axial direction of the through hole 20 are parallel to each other. Therefore, when installing this small assembly, it is sufficient to simply push it from the outside of the switch case 1 toward the valve terminal 9. therefore,
Attachment and electrical connection between the valve terminal 13 and the valve 7 can be performed at the same time, and workability in the assembly process is significantly improved.

Furthermore, since the subassembly is supported at two locations, the valve terminal 9 and the valve terminal 13, the attachment of the subassembly becomes more reliable.

Furthermore, even when the valve needs to be replaced,
It can be attached and detached from the outside of the switch case 1 as a small assembly together with an elastic socket, and there is no need to take the trouble to disassemble the switch case 1, so that work can be done easily and quickly, and maintainability is improved.

[Effects of the invention] According to the invention, the valve and the elastic socket can be attached and removed from the outside of the switch case as a small assembly. Therefore, it is possible to easily assemble the switch, improve workability in the assembly process, and significantly improve maintainability in replacing the valve.

Moreover, since the subassembly is supported by a total of two locations, the valve hole of the valve terminal and the valve terminal, when installed, the installed state is ensured.

Furthermore, since the installation direction of the subassembly and the axis of the through hole are parallel to the direction in which the valve terminal protrudes, the terminal board is lifted from the switchcase even though the valve terminal is pushed inward when installing the subassembly. Since this is prevented by the protrusion provided inside, the valve terminal can be quickly press-fitted into the through hole without moving, and the electrical connection with the terminal wire of the valve can be ensured.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 3 show embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway external view of the illuminated switch of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts, and FIG. The figure is a sectional view of the main parts in an assembled state. Explanation of symbols, 1...Switch case, 5...Coupler, 7...Valve, 8...Elastic socket, 9...
...Valve terminal, 10...Terminal board, 13...
Valve terminal, 17... protrusion, 20... through hole.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A switch case 1 with a built-in switch mechanism,
A valve terminal 9 is provided in a part of the switch case 1, an elastic socket 8 is supported by the valve terminal 9, an electrode part is fitted into the elastic socket 8, and a light emitting part is provided on the valve terminal 9. The valve 7 protrudes into the switch case 1 from the valve hole 12 and the valve 7.
A terminal plate 10 is disposed inside the switch case 1 along the valve terminal 9 as a part of the conductor connecting between the switch mechanism and the terminal plate 10, and a terminal plate 10 extends from a part of the terminal plate 10 and penetrates the valve terminal 9. The valve terminal 13 is provided with a valve terminal 13 projecting outward from the elastic body socket 8, and a through hole 20 formed in the elastic body socket 8 to a size that allows the valve terminal 13 to be press-fitted. A terminal wire 19 extending from the valve 7 by being press-fitted into the
In the lighted switch electrically connected to the elastic body, the electrode part of the bulb 7 is fitted into the elastic body socket 8, and the terminal wire 19 extending from the electrode part is wired into the through hole 20, thereby connecting the bulb 7 and the elastic body. A small assembly consisting of the socket 8 is formed, and this small assembly is removably attached to the valve terminal 9 by fitting into the valve hole 12 from the outside of the switch case 1. The axial direction is parallel to the protruding direction of the valve terminal 13, and a protrusion 17 is provided inside the switch case 1 to sandwich the terminal plate 10 between the valve terminals 9. When the subassembly is attached to the valve terminal 9, the switch case 1. An illuminated switch characterized in that a valve terminal 13 is press-fitted into a through hole 20 of an elastic body socket 8 without lifting a terminal plate 10 from a valve terminal 9 in the lighted switch.