JPH1070374A - Switch structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to make a switch structure obtain a click feeling while a full waterproofness is ensured in the switch structure by a method wherein a sheetlike sealing member for sealing a switch main body side is made to interpose between an operating part and a switching main body in the switch structure. SOLUTION: As an open part 15 for switch use, which is formed in a base member 17 on the front surface of a digital panel meter, us sealed with a waterproof sheet 19 and an open part for display is sealed by a cover member 21, which is subjected to ultrasonic deposition, water, oil and the like can be prevented from intruding into the interior of the panel meter through the front surface of the panel meter. Moreover, as a key switch 11 is actuated by operating a key top 20, a switch structure ran ensure a key stroke and can obtain a full click feeling. Moreover, as the key top 20, the base member 17 and the cover member 21 can be constituted of a molded item consisting of a synthetic resin, the switch structure can obtain a high-class feeling in a design manner.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switch structure suitable for protecting various devices such as a digital panel meter, an electronic counter and a timer from ingress of water, oil or dust.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some conventional electronic devices, such as digital panel meters, are used for applications requiring washing with water in food lines and the like. It is attached to the control panel so that its front surface faces, and waterproofness from the front surface is required. For example, NEMA4 (IP-
66 equivalent).

For this reason, in the conventional digital panel meter, as shown in FIG. 7, the display unit 51 and the switch unit 52 on the front surface of the digital panel meter 50 facing the mounting hole of the control panel (not shown). , Waterproof sheet 53
Or, as shown in the digital panel meter 54 of FIG. 8, the switch unit 55 is constituted by an O-ring 56 for sealing and a key top 57,
Further, the switch unit is formed of a so-called rubber switch.

[0004]

However, as shown in FIG. 7, in a conventional example in which a waterproof sheet 53 is adhered to the entire surface of the display section 51 and the switch section 52, the switch section 52 is not provided.
, There is a problem that the touch of pressing the key switch, that is, the so-called click feeling is small, and the front surface of the device is flat, and a high-quality feeling cannot be obtained sufficiently in terms of design.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
In a conventional example in which waterproofing is performed by using the key 6 and the key top 57,
Although a sufficient click feeling can be obtained, there is a drawback that the number of parts is increased and the assembly cost is increased.In addition, in the conventional example in which the switch portion is configured by a rubber switch, it is weak to oil, and in a rubber switch, However, compared to a switch made of a synthetic resin, there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain a sense of quality.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has a switch structure which can obtain a click feeling while ensuring sufficient waterproofness and can be configured at a relatively low cost. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is configured as follows.

That is, the present invention relates to a switch structure including an operation unit such as a key top directly operated and a switch body such as a key switch operated by operating the operation unit, wherein the operation unit and the switch body are provided. And a sheet-shaped sealing member for sealing the switch body side.

[0009] The switch body is incorporated inside the device, and faces the outside from an opening of the device. The sealing member is attached to the device so as to seal the switch body and the opening. The unit may be provided on the device so that the switch body can be operated via the sealing member.

The device includes a base member in which the opening and the display opening are formed, and a cover member that seals the display opening. While being engaged with the engaging portion of the member,
The other end may be engaged with the engaging portion of the cover member.

Further, the cover member may be attached to the base member with the other end of the operation portion engaged.

[0012] Further, the operation unit is configured to respond to a pressing operation.
The pressing portion may operate the switch body via the sealing member by swinging the other end side with the engagement portion of the one end side with the base member as a fulcrum.

According to the switch structure of the present invention, a sheet-like sealing member for sealing the switch body side is interposed between the operation part directly operated and the switch body operated by the operation of the operation part. As a result, it is possible to prevent water or oil from entering the switch body by the sealing member, and to operate the switch body by operating the operation unit, thereby securing a key stroke and obtaining a sufficient click feeling. be able to.

Further, since the sealing member is attached to the device so as to seal the switch body facing the opening of the device, it is possible to prevent water or oil from entering the inside of the device.

Further, since the operating section is attached by being engaged with each of the engaging sections of the base member and the cover member of the device, assembly is easy, and the operating section, the cover member and the base member are made of synthetic resin. , And it is possible to obtain a sense of quality in terms of design.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a digital panel meter according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, a 5-digit main display unit 1 for displaying a current value and a set value is provided on the front of the digital panel meter of this embodiment, and a comparison between the current value and the set value is performed. A comparative output display section 2 for displaying the output HH, PASS, LL, etc .; and M which lights when the value displayed on the main display section 1 is a bottom value or a peak value.
A status display unit 3 such as “in” and “Max” is provided. Five operation keys 4 such as a shift key and an up key are provided below the display units 1 to 3.

In this digital panel meter, as shown in FIG. 2, a power supply board 6, a CPU board 7, an input board 8 and an output unit 9 are housed in a main body case 5, and a chip LED 10 and five A display substrate 12 on which the key switch 11 is mounted, an LED case 13 in which a hole such as a Japanese character is formed, and a diffusion sheet 14 attached to the surface of the LED case 13 are stored.

Further, on the front side of the main body case 5,
A base member 17 having five switch openings 15 and a display opening 16 facing the plunger part of the key switch 11 is mounted via a waterproof rubber 18, and the base member 17 has a switch opening 15. As will be described later, a waterproof sheet 19 as a sealing member is adhered, and each key top 20 of the operation keys 4 is attached, and a cover member 21 that seals the display opening 16 is attached. The cover member 21 is made of a transparent material or a translucent material so that the displayed contents can be viewed.

A finger protector 22 is mounted on the rear side of the main body case 5.

In this digital panel meter, a waterproof packing 23 is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the main body case 5 and the digital panel meter is inserted into the mounting hole of the control panel from the front side of the panel, as in the prior art. Mounting bracket 2 from the back side
4 attaches to the control panel.

The front surface of the digital panel meter of this embodiment has a waterproof structure satisfying the NEMA4 standard so that it can be suitably used in a food line or the like that requires washing with water. Will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of FIG. 2 in an enlarged manner, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of a front part.

On the display substrate 12, a display chip L
Along with the ED 10, five key switches 11 as a switch body constituting the above-mentioned operation keys 4 are mounted, and a base member 17 made of synthetic resin has a rectangular shape facing each plunger portion of each of the five key switches 11. The switch openings 15 are arranged side by side.

In this embodiment, the key switch 11 and the key switch 11 are provided in the switch opening 15 of the base member 17 in order to prevent water or oil or the like from entering the inside of the device from the switch opening 15. A rectangular waterproof sheet 19 is attached so as to seal the switch opening 15. The waterproof sheet 19 is made of a transparent synthetic resin and has an elliptical portion 1 corresponding to a plunger portion of each key switch 11.
9a is formed to be curved toward the front surface (to the left in FIG. 4).

In order to operate the key switches 11 hermetically sealed inside the device by the waterproof sheet 19 in this manner, the key switches 11 are moved to positions corresponding to the respective key switches 11.
A key top 20 as an operation unit is provided.

This key top 20 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the plan view, side view and bottom view of (B) and (C), the operation surface 2 whose upper surface is directly pressed by a finger.
0a, and three hemispherical projections 20b indicating the pressed position are formed on the operation surface 20a. At a substantially central position on the lower surface side of the key top 20, a key switch 11 is provided via a waterproof sheet 19 in response to a pressing operation.
A pressing portion 20c for pressing the plunger portion to operate the key switch 11 is provided in a protruding manner.

At the end of the key top 20 on the side of the cover member 21, an engagement projection 20d that engages with the engagement recess 21a of the cover member 21 shown in FIG. An engagement protrusion 20e that engages with the engagement recess 17a of the base member 17 is provided at a lower portion of the other end at two locations along the width direction. The end 17f of the base member 17 is mounted between the engagement protrusion 20e and the end 20j of the key top 20.

Further, on both sides of the other end of the key top 20, there are formed fitting projections 20f to be fitted into cutouts 17b formed on the edge of the base member 17 shown in FIG.

The key top 20 has a fitting projection 20f fitted in the notch 17b of the base member 17, an engagement projection 20e engaged with the engagement recess 17a, and a cover member made of a transparent synthetic resin. 21 with the engagement protrusion 20d engaged with the engagement recess 21a of the cover member 21.
Is attached to the base member 21 so as to seal the display opening 16 of the base member 17 by, for example, ultrasonic vapor deposition.

When the operation surface 20a of the key top 20 thus mounted is pressed, the base member 17 is pressed.
Swinging about the engagement portion with the fulcrum, whereby the pressing portion 20c on the lower surface side of the key top 20 presses the plunger portion of the key switch 11 via the waterproof sheet 19, whereby the key switch 11 It works.

As described above, the switch opening 15 of the base member 17 on the front face of the digital panel meter is sealed by the waterproof sheet 19, and the display opening 16 is formed by the cover member 21 being subjected to ultrasonic deposition. Since the digital panel meter is sealed, it is possible to prevent water or oil from entering the digital panel meter from the front.

Further, since the key switch 11 is operated by operating the key top 20, a key stroke can be secured and a sufficient click feeling can be obtained.

Further, since the key top 20, the base member 17, and the cover member 21 can be made of a synthetic resin molded product, a sense of quality can be obtained.

Further, the key top 20 is connected to the base member 1.
Since it is a so-called one-touch fitting type that is engaged with the engaging portion of the cover member 21 and the cover member 21, the assembly is easy, and the cost is reduced as compared with the conventional example in which an O-ring is attached to the key top to waterproof. Can be achieved.

In the above-described embodiment, the set values are displayed on the main display unit. However, as another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
The digit set value display section 30 may be provided separately.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital panel meter. However, the present invention is not limited to a digital panel meter, but can be applied to various kinds of equipment requiring waterproofness, such as an electronic counter or a timer. Of course,

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, the switch body side is sealed between an operation unit such as a key top directly operated and a switch body such as a key switch operated by operating the operation unit. A sheet-shaped sealing member is interposed for preventing water or oil from entering the inside of the device on the switch body side by the sealing member, thereby achieving waterproofing, and operating the operation unit. As a result, the switch body is operated, so that a key stroke can be secured and a sufficient click feeling can be obtained.

Further, since the operation section is attached by being engaged with the respective engagement sections of the base member and the cover member of the device, assembly is easy, and the operation section, the cover member and the base member are made of synthetic resin. , And it is possible to obtain a sense of quality in terms of design.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a digital panel meter according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the digital panel meter of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of a front part of the digital panel meter.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a key top.

FIG. 6 is a front view according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of a conventional example.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part of another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Operation Key 11 Key Switch 15 Switch Opening 16 Display Opening 17 Base Member 19 Waterproof Sheet 20 Key Top 21 Cover Member

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A switch structure comprising an operation unit and a switch main body operated by operation of the operation unit, wherein a sheet-like member for sealing the switch main body side is provided between the operation unit and the switch main body. A switch structure characterized in that a sealing member is interposed. 2. The switch body is incorporated into a device and faces outside from an opening of the device. The sealing member is attached to the device so as to seal the switch body and the opening. 2. The switch structure according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is provided on the device so that the switch body can be operated via the sealing member. 3. 3. The device comprises: a base member having the opening and a display opening formed therein; and a cover member for sealing the display opening. The switch structure according to claim 2, wherein the other end is engaged with the engaging portion of the cover member while being engaged with the engaging portion of the member. 4. The switch structure according to claim 3, wherein the cover member is attached to the base member in a state where the other end of the operation unit is engaged. 5. The operating unit has an operating surface on which a pressing operation is performed, and a pressing unit facing the switch body protrudes from a surface opposite to the operating surface, and the operating unit includes the pressing unit. In response to an operation, the other end side swings around an engagement portion of the operation portion with the base member at the one end side, whereby the pressing portion operates the switch body via the sealing member. The switch structure according to claim 4, wherein the switch structure is used. 6. The switch structure according to claim 2, wherein the operation unit is a key top, and the switch body is a key switch arranged on a substrate inside the device.