WO2015049751A1

WO2015049751A1 - Coupling structure for coupling adjacent electrical devices, and signal display light

Info

Publication number: WO2015049751A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/076880
Authority: WO
Inventors: 大輔重松
Original assignee: 株式会社パトライト
Priority date: 2013-10-02
Filing date: 2013-10-02
Publication date: 2015-04-09
Also published as: JPWO2015049751A1; JP5967458B2; TW201514421A; TWI577930B

Abstract

Provided is a coupling structure (70) for coupling, via an outer top (11) and a waterproof cap (12), connection end sections (73) of a pair of adjacent electrical devices (1) lined up upon a reference axis (71), said connection end sections (73) having openings (72) formed therein. The outer top (11) includes: a connection section (75) for one side, fixed on the connection end section (73) of an electrical device (1X) on one side, so as to be relatively rotatable around the reference axis (71); a connection section (76) for the other side, connected to a connection end section (73) of an electrical device (1Y) on another side, so as to be detachable by relatively rotating around the reference axis (71); and a blocking section (11A) that blocks the openings (72). The blocking section (11A) has an exposure hole (11D) formed therein that exposes a connection terminal (77) of the electrical device (1X) on one side to the electrical device (1Y) on another side. The waterproof cap (12) seals between the electrical device (1X) on one side and the connection section (75) for one side.

Description

Connection structure and signal indicator for connecting adjacent electrical devices

The present invention relates to a connection structure for connecting adjacent electrical devices, and a signal indicator lamp to which the connection structure is applied.

The optical display device proposed in Patent Document 1 below as an example of an electric device and a signal indicator lamp includes a light emitting diode substrate and a case for housing the substrate. A plurality of light source portions made of LEDs are disposed on the substrate. The case includes a bottomed cylindrical base portion and three covers having a translucent cylindrical shape. These covers are stacked and connected to the base portion in three stages. Each cover has a ring-shaped top wall on the inner peripheral side, and the top wall has a pair of protruding portions facing each other. Slits are formed at the tip portions facing each other in the pair of overhang portions. The substrate housed in the case is fitted in the respective slits of the pair of overhang portions inside each cover. The light emitted from each light source part of the substrate is emitted to the outside through a cover around the light source part.

Utility Model Registration No. 3169445

Suppose that a plurality of electric devices are connected in a connection structure and used in various environments, it is desired to improve the waterproof property of the connection structure in order to prevent failure of the electric device due to water immersion. It is also desirable to improve the ease of connection and separation between electrical devices via the connection structure.

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure that can improve waterproofness in a connection structure for connecting adjacent electrical devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure that can improve the ease of connection and separation between electrical devices.

Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a signal indicator lamp to which such a connection structure is applied.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 has a plurality of connecting end portions (73) each having an opening (72) formed therein and arranged on a common reference axis (71). It is a connection structure (70) for connecting the connection ends of a pair of adjacent electric devices among the electric devices (1) via a connection member (11) and a seal member (12), The connecting member is relatively non-rotatable around the reference axis with respect to the connecting end portion of the one-side electric device (1X) on one side of the connecting member of the pair of electric devices to be connected. One side connection part (75) fixed so that it may become with respect to the connection end part of the other side electric equipment (1Y) which is on the other side with respect to the connection member among a pair of the electric equipment to be connected Detachable by relative rotation around the reference axis The other-side connecting portion (76) connected so as to function, and a blocking portion (11A) for closing the opening of each of the one-side electric device and the other-side electric device, A closing portion formed with an exposure hole (11D) that exposes a connection terminal (77) that is electrically connected to the other-side electric device to the other-side electric device side, and the sealing member includes the one side It is interposed between the one-side electric device and the one-side connection portion along the peripheral edge of the opening of the side electric device, and seals between the one-side electric device and the one-side connection portion. It is the connection structure for connecting the adjacent electric equipment.

In this section, the alphanumeric characters in parentheses indicate reference numerals of corresponding components in the embodiments described later, but the invention is not intended to be limited by these reference numerals.

According to this configuration, in the connection structure for connecting the connection end portions in which the opening portions are formed in the pair of electric devices, in the connection member, the one side connection portion is connected to the connection end portion of the one side electric device. And fixed so that relative rotation is impossible. Here, “fixed so that relative rotation is impossible” means that the one-side connection portion cannot be rotated relative to the connection end with a force less than a certain value, and the one-side connection portion cannot be rotated with a certain force or more. When trying to rotate relative to the connection end, it means that the one side connection and the connection end are joined so that at least one of the one side connection and the connection end is broken. ing. Since the one side connection portion is fixed to the connection end so as not to be relatively rotatable, the connecting member is integrated with the one side electric device.

Further, in the connecting member, the other side connection portion is connected to the connection end portion of the other side electric device so as to be detachable by relative rotation.

As described above, when the one-side electric device and the other-side electric device are relatively rotated, the other-side electric device can be easily attached to and detached from the connecting member in a state where the connecting member is integrated with the one-side electric device ( It is possible to add the other side electric device to the one side electric device or cancel the addition). That is, it is possible to improve the ease of connection and separation between electrical devices.

Further, in the connecting member, the closing portion closes the respective opening portions of the one-side electric device and the other-side electric device. Therefore, in the connection structure, it is possible to improve waterproofness in a state where the one-side electric device and the other-side electric device are connected.

Further, in the connection structure, the seal member seals between the one-side electric device and the one-side connection portion of the connection member, and the closed portion has the minimum necessary exposure hole for exposing the connection terminal of the one-side electric device. Therefore, it is possible to improve the waterproof property around the connection end portion of the one-side electric device in a state where the other-side electric device is separated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the one side connection portion is engaged with the connection end portion of the one side electric device, and the one side connection portion is relative to the connection end portion of the one side electric device. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein an engagement portion (55) for restricting rotation is provided.

According to this configuration, the one-side connecting portion of the connecting member can be reliably fixed to the connecting end portion of the one-side electric device by the engaging portion so as not to be relatively rotatable.

The invention according to claim 3 is the connection structure according to

claim

1 or 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of electric devices is a signal indicator lamp.

The invention according to claim 4 is a signal indicator lamp characterized in that it is connected to another electrical device by the connecting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

That is, as in

claims

3 and 4, any one of the plurality of electrical devices connected by the connection structure may be a signal indicator lamp.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an electrical apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side central longitudinal sectional view of the electric device 1 in the posture of FIG. FIG. 3A is a front view of individual components constituting the electric device 1. FIG. 3B is a front view of individual parts (parts not shown in FIG. 3A) constituting the electrical device 1. FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of the electric device 1. FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view of the electric device 1 and shows parts not shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of the electric device 1 when viewed from a direction different from that in FIG. 4A. FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view of the electric device 1 and shows parts not shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lens 3 constituting the electric device 1. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the lens 3. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the lens 3. FIG. 9 is a left side view of the lens 3. FIG. 10 is a rear view of the lens 3. FIG. 11 is an AA arrow view of FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a main part of the lens 3 partially shown in cross section. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a main part of the lens 3 partially shown in cross section. FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of two lenses 3 to be coupled. FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of the three lenses 3 connected to each other. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a plurality of electrical devices 1 to be connected. FIG. 16 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a plurality of connected electrical devices 1. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the lens 3 in the modification. FIG. 18 is a plan view of the lens 3 in the modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an electrical apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side central longitudinal sectional view of the electric device 1 in the posture of FIG. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are front views of individual components constituting the electric device 1. 4A and 4B are exploded perspective views of the electric device 1. 5A and 5B are exploded perspective views of the electric device 1 when viewed from a direction different from that in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electric device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a signal indicator lamp used at a factory manufacturing site, for example, and has an elongated cylindrical shape. The posture of the electric device 1 at the time of use can be arbitrarily set according to use conditions. However, for the sake of convenience, the following description will be made with reference to the electric device 1 arranged vertically so that the vertical direction of the drawing in each of FIGS. 1 to 5B coincides with the longitudinal direction of the electric device 1. Specifically, in each of FIGS. 1 to 5B, the upper side of the paper is described as the upper side of the electric device 1, and the lower side of the paper is described as the lower side of the electric device 1.

Referring to FIGS. 3A to 5B, the electrical device 1 includes an LED mounting substrate 2, a lens 3, a body 4 (lower closing member), a plate 5, a bracket 6, a waterproof ring 7, and a waterproof sheet. 8, a waterproof ring 9 (lower elastic member), an outer lens 10 (hollow member), an outer top 11 (upper closing member, connecting member), a waterproof cap 12 (upper elastic member, seal member), and a head cover. 13 and a waterproof ring 18. Below, each component is demonstrated separately.

4B and 5B, the LED mounting substrate 2 has a substantially rectangular thin plate shape that is long in the vertical direction. A symbol L is attached to the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the LED mounting substrate 2, a symbol S is attached to the short direction of the LED mounting substrate 2, and a symbol T is attached to the thickness direction of the LED mounting substrate 2. The dimension of the LED mounting substrate 2 in the longitudinal direction L is slightly smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the electrical device 1 (see FIG. 2). The LED mounting substrate 2 has a front surface 2A and a back surface 2B forming both side surfaces in the thickness direction T. For convenience, the most visible surface in FIG. 4B is the front surface 2A, and the most visible surface in FIG. 5B is the back surface 2B. The longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction S are orthogonal to each other on the same plane parallel to the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B. The thickness direction T is orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction L and the short direction S. The thickness direction T is also the depth direction F of the electric device 1 (see FIG. 2), and the short direction S is also the left-right direction G of the electric device 1 (see FIG. 1).

On each of the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B, an LED (light emitting diode) 14 that is a light emitting element is mounted at a position deviated from the central position 2C in the short direction S toward the one end 2D. The LED 14 mounted on the front surface 2A and the LED 14 mounted on the back surface 2B are in the same position in the short-side direction S (a position slightly on the center position 2C side from the edge 2E in the end 2D) (FIG. 4B and FIG. 5B).

A plurality of LEDs 14 are mounted in a line along the longitudinal direction L on each of the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B. Specifically, four LEDs 14 arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction L form one set 15, and five sets 15 are arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction L. That is, on the LED mounting substrate 2, a plurality of sets of LEDs 14 are mounted in the longitudinal direction L at a predetermined interval. In addition, the space | interval K1 of LED14 adjacent in each group 15 is narrower than the space | interval K2 of adjacent groups 15 (refer FIG. 4B). Each LED 14 has a small piece shape. In each set 15, the LED 14 on the front surface 2 A and the LED 14 on the back surface 2 B are arranged one by one at the same position in the longitudinal direction L.

The five sets 15 are arranged in approximately three-quarters of one side (upper side) in the longitudinal direction L on each of the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B. In each of the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B, when the five groups 15 are distinguished in order from the top, such as the first group 15A, the second group 15B, the third group 15C, the fourth group 15D, and the fifth group 15E, One set 15A is arranged at the upper end of the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B.

In the front surface 2A and the back surface 2B, the LED 14 is not disposed in the substantially quarter region on the other side (lower side) in the longitudinal direction L, and the terminal 16 is mounted in the region of the front surface 2A. Yes. The terminal 16 is connected with a cable 17 for supplying control signals and power. The terminal 16 and each LED 14 are electrically connected. Each LED 14 emits light when a control signal or power is supplied from the cable 17 via the terminal 16.

Next, the lens 3 will be described. In the description of the lens 3, the posture of the lens 3 when assembled to the electric device 1 in each of FIGS. 1 to 5 is used as a reference.

Referring to FIG. 2, the lenses 3 are provided in the same number (that is, five) as the sets 15 of LEDs 14 described above, and the form (shape and size) of each lens 3 is the same. These five lenses 3 are used by being connected in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction L of the LED mounting substrate 2). That is, each lens 3 is used by connecting another lens 3 having the same shape as the self in the longitudinal direction L. In the electric device 1, a plurality (5) of lenses 3 are connected in series. Yes. The five lenses 3 may be distinguished from the top in the order of the first lens 3A, the second lens 3B, the third lens 3C, the fourth lens 3D, and the fifth lens 3E. Each lens 3 has the same form, but may be colored with a different color. For example, the first lens 3A may be red, the second lens 3B may be orange, the third lens 3C may be green, the fourth lens 3D may be blue, and the fifth lens 3E may be white. Alternatively, the light emission colors of the LEDs 14 that emit light toward each lens 3 may be different for each lens 3 while the lenses 3 have the same color.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lens 3. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the lens 3. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the lens 3. FIG. 9 is a left side view of the lens 3. FIG. 10 is a rear view of the lens 3. FIG. 11 is an AA arrow view of FIG. 12 and 13 are perspective views of the main part of the lens 3 partially shown in cross section.

Hereinafter, the individual lenses 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 13 other than FIG. 7, the LED mounting substrate 2 is not shown for convenience.

The lens 3 has a substantially cylindrical shape. A direction in which a central axis (not shown) extending through the circle center of the lens 3 extends is referred to as an axial direction X of the lens 3. The lens 3 has a predetermined length in the axial direction X. As shown in FIG. 7, the outer contour 3R of the lens 3 when viewed from the axial direction X is substantially circular. Below, it demonstrates using the circumferential direction P and the radial direction R of the lens 3. FIG.

The entire lens 3 is made of a transparent resin (including translucent and colored transparent, the same applies hereinafter), and is molded using a mold by injection molding or the like. Each part (to be described) in the lens 3 is integrated. An acrylic resin is mentioned as resin here.

The lens 3 mainly includes a light guide radiation part 20, an auxiliary lens part 21, and a support part 22 (see the part filled with dots in FIG. 7).

The light guide radiation part 20 has a cylindrical shape (in detail, a substantially cylindrical shape) that forms most of the outer contour 3R of the lens 3. Therefore, the circumferential direction of the light guide radiation part 20 is the same as the circumferential direction P described above, and the radial direction of the light guide radiation part 20 is the same as the radial direction R described above. A slit portion 23 is formed at one place on the circumference of the light guide radiation portion 20. The slit part 23 cuts out the light guide radiation part 20 in the axial direction X, and cuts one place on the circumference of the light guide radiation part 20 along the axial direction X. Therefore, strictly speaking, the cross section of the light guide radiation portion 20 when cut by a cut surface orthogonal to the axial direction X has a substantially C-shape that is interrupted at the slit portion 23. The light guide radiation part 20 is formed with a pair of opposed end faces that divide the slit part 23, and these opposed end faces will be referred to as incident surfaces 24. Of the pair of incident surfaces 24, one (right side in FIG. 7) is referred to as an incident surface 24A, and the other (left side in FIG. 7) is referred to as an incident surface 24B. These incident surfaces 24 are opposed to each other with the slit portion 23 interposed therebetween. These incident surfaces 24 may be flat surfaces extending in parallel, or may swell in a substantially arc shape in a direction approaching each other as shown in FIG.

In the light guide radiation part 20, the part on the side of each incident surface 24 A (referred to as the incident part 28) is located inside the outer contour 3 R of the lens 3 (on the circle center side of the lens 3) Not configured. In the outer peripheral surface 20A of the light guide radiation part 20, the region other than each incident part 28 constitutes most of the outer contour 3R.

A plurality of convex portions 25 are integrally provided on the inner peripheral surface 20B of the light guide radiation portion 20. These convex portions 25 are streaks extending linearly along the axial direction X while projecting toward the center of the circle of the lens 3 (inner side in the radial direction R). The cross-sectional shape of each convex portion 25 when cut by a cut surface orthogonal to the axial direction X differs depending on the position in the circumferential direction P on the inner peripheral surface 20B. Specifically, in the light guide radiation part 20, a position shifted by 180 degrees from the slit part 23 in the circumferential direction P is referred to as an opposite position 20C, and an area from each incident surface 24 to the opposite position 20C is from the order close to the incident surface 24. The first area 20D, the second area 20E, and the third area 20F are divided into three. The cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 25 in the first region 20D is substantially triangular. The cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 25 in the third region 20F is a substantially semicircular shape. The cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 25 in the second region 20E is similar to both the convex portion 25 in the first region 20D and the convex portion 25 in the third region 20F.

The auxiliary lens portion 21 is provided so as to cover the slit portion 23 from the outside in the radial direction R. The auxiliary lens portion 21 is flat in the radial direction R and extends in a strip shape in the axial direction X (see FIG. 10). The dimension of the auxiliary lens part 21 in the axial direction X is slightly smaller than the dimension of the light guide radiation part 20 in the axial direction X (see FIGS. 9 and 10). In the auxiliary lens portion 21, the outer side surface 21A in the radial direction R and the inner side surface 21B in the radial direction R bulge in an arc shape in directions away from each other. For this reason, the cross section of the auxiliary lens portion 21 when cut by a cutting plane orthogonal to the axial direction X is gradually reduced in thickness in the radial direction R toward both outer sides in the circumferential direction P. The end surfaces 21C on both sides in the circumferential direction P in the auxiliary lens portion 21 are flat surfaces extending along the axial direction X while intersecting the outer surface 21A and the inner surface 21B. The outer side surface 21 A constitutes a part of the outer contour 3 R of the lens 3.

In the inner surface 21B, a pair of rail portions 26 extending in parallel along the axial direction X are integrally provided at the center in the circumferential direction P. The dimension of each rail part 26 in the axial direction X is smaller than the dimension of the inner surface 21B in the axial direction X (see FIG. 11). The distance between the pair of rail portions 26 is substantially the same as the thickness (dimension in the thickness direction T) of the LED mounting substrate 2. A movement restraining portion 27 is provided between the pair of rail portions 26. The movement restraining portion 27 has a groove shape opened to the inside in the radial direction R on the inner side surface 21 B of the auxiliary lens portion 21, and extends in the axial direction X.

The lens 3 includes a connecting portion 29 that connects the light guide radiation portion 20 and the auxiliary lens portion 21. The connection part 29 is thin plate shape in the axial direction X (refer FIG. 9). The connecting portion 29 is disposed at a position slightly deviated upward from the center of the light guide / radiating portion 20 in the axial direction X (also the center of the entire lens 3) (see FIGS. 9 and 10). In the lens 3, the position of the connecting portion 29 in the axial direction X is an alignment position (boundary) Y between the two molds when the lens 3 is molded in the two molds (illustrated) (FIG. 10). reference). Since the alignment position Y is deviated from the center of the lens 3, if the two molds are separated after the lens 3 is molded, the lens 3 is always located in one of the determined molds. This is convenient in terms of handling the lens 3.

The connection part 29 is seen from the axial direction X, on both outer sides of the slit part 23 and the movement restraining part 27 in the circumferential direction P, the outer peripheral surface 20A of the light guide radiation part 20, the inner side face 21B and the end face of the auxiliary lens part 21. It is erected between each of 21C. The outer peripheral surface 29A of the connecting portion 29 in the radial direction R forms a part of the outer contour 3R of the lens 3, and the outer peripheral surface 20A of the light guide radiating portion 20 and the outer surface 21A of the auxiliary lens portion 21 are smooth. Connected.

The support part 22 is accommodated inside the light guide radiation part 20. The support part 22 is cylindrical. Strictly speaking, the support portion 22 has a substantially cylindrical shape having a smaller diameter than the light guide / radiation portion 20, and its central axis extends along the axial direction X. Further, the central axis (circular center) of the support portion 22 does not coincide with the central axis of the light guide radiation portion 20 (strictly speaking, the outer contour 3R of the lens 3). Is slightly shifted to the opposite position 20C side. The dimension of the support part 22 in the axial direction X is larger than the dimension of the light guide radiation part 20 in the axial direction X. Therefore, one end portion (upper end portion) 22C of the support portion 22 in the axial direction X protrudes outside (upper side) from the light guide radiation portion 20, and the other end portion (lower end portion) of the support portion 22 in the axial direction X. 22D protrudes to the outer side (lower side) of the light guide radiation unit 20 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The upper end surface of the support portion 22 is referred to as one end side contact end surface 22E provided on one end side in the axial direction X in the lens 3, and the lower end surface of the support portion 22 is provided on the other end side in the axial direction X in the lens 3. The other end side contact end surface 22F is referred to (see FIGS. 9 and 10). Both the one end side contact end surface 22E and the other end side contact end surface 22F are flat along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction X.

The slit part 30 is formed in one place on the periphery of the support part 22. The slit portion 30 cuts out the support portion 22 in the axial direction X, and cuts one place on the circumference of the support portion 22 along the axial direction X. Therefore, strictly speaking, the cross section of the support portion 22 when cut by a cutting plane orthogonal to the axial direction X has a substantially C-shape that is broken at the slit portion 30. In the circumferential direction P, the slit part 30 and the slit part 23 of the light guide radiation part 20 are at the same position. Therefore, the slit part 30 and the slit part 23 are located on the same straight line (specifically, a straight line along a flat surface M described later) extending in the radial direction R.

The support portion 22 has an outer peripheral surface 22A and an inner peripheral surface 22B.

The outer peripheral surface 22A is light-shielded over the entire circumference. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface 22A is provided with streak-like convex portions 31 extending along the axial direction X, and the outer peripheral surface is arranged such that a large number of convex portions 31 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface 22A. It is arranged over the entire circumferential direction of 22A. The cross section of each convex part 31 when it cut | disconnects by the cut surface orthogonal to the axial direction X has comprised the substantially triangular shape which sharpens toward the outer side. In addition, as another example of the light shielding process on the outer peripheral surface 22A, the outer peripheral surface 22A may be embossed.

A plurality (four in this case) of positioning ribs 32 are provided on the inner peripheral surface 22B. The four positioning ribs 32 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 22B. The nearest positioning rib 32 with respect to the slit portion 30 is located at a position away from the slit portion 30 by about 45 degrees in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 22B. Each positioning rib 32 is a rectangular column extending in the axial direction X, and its distal end portion 32A is provided on one end side of the lens 3 in the axial direction X (the above-described one end side contact end face 22E). Protrudes outward (upper side) from the one end side contact end face 22E (see FIG. 6).

Note that the above-described light shielding treatment may be performed not on the outer peripheral surface 22A but on the inner peripheral surface 22B, or may be performed on both the outer peripheral surface 22A and the inner peripheral surface 22B.

The lens 3 includes a connecting portion 33 that connects the light guide radiation portion 20 and the support portion 22. The connecting portion 33 is a thin plate having the same thickness as the connecting portion 29 described above, and is in the same position as the connecting portion 29 in the axial direction X. The connecting portion 33 has a substantially U shape opened to the slit portion 23 side of the light guide radiation portion 20 when viewed from the axial direction X. Such a connecting portion 33 includes an inner peripheral surface 20B of the light guide / radiating portion 20 (strictly speaking, an inner peripheral surface 20B in the second region 20E and the third region 20F described above), and an outer peripheral surface 22A of the support portion 22. It is constructed between the inner peripheral surface 20B and the outer peripheral surface 22A so as to close the gap. Since the connecting portion 33 is not connected to the inner peripheral surface 20B in the first region 20D, the gap 34 is formed between the connecting portion 33 and the inner peripheral surface 20B in the first region 20D when viewed from the axial direction X. Is partitioned. The gap 34 is exposed to the outside from both sides of the lens 3 in the axial direction X (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

Further, the inner peripheral surface 22B of the support portion 22 is provided with a substantially circular blocking portion 35 that closes most of the region in the hollow portion of the support portion 22 when viewed from the axial direction X. The blocking portion 35 is a thin plate having the same thickness as each of the connecting portion 29 and the connecting portion 33, and is in the same position as each of the connecting portion 29 and the connecting portion 33 in the axial direction X. The base portion of each positioning rib 32 (the lower end portion opposite to the tip portion 32A) is connected to the upper surface of the blocking portion 35 (see FIGS. 12 and 13).

In the closing portion 35, a notch groove 36 extending linearly along the radial direction of the support portion 22 is formed continuously from the slit portion 30 of the support portion 22. The cutout groove 36 penetrates the closing portion 35 in the thickness direction, and is located farther from the slit portion 30 than the circle center of the closing portion 35 (on the opposite side of the slit portion 30 with respect to the circle center of the closing portion 35). To the position). Of the portions defining the notch groove 36 in the closing portion 35, the portion farthest from the slit portion 23 (the groove bottom of the notch groove 36) is referred to as a bottom surface 36A. A direction in which the cutout groove 36 extends from the slit portion 30 toward the bottom surface 36A when viewed from the axial direction X is referred to as a depth direction D, and a direction orthogonal to the depth direction D is referred to as a width direction W. The bottom surface 36A is flat along the width direction W. The bottom surface 36A is provided on the side opposite to the auxiliary lens unit 21 in the depth direction D (on the side opposite to the position 20C of the light guide radiation unit 20). The slit portion 23, the slit portion 30, and the cutout groove 36 are located on the same straight line (a straight line along the flat surface M) described above.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the lens 3 includes a pair of insertion space forming members 40 in the closing portion 35. In FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, for the sake of convenience, portions corresponding to the cross section and the end face (not the cross section) are filled with dots.

The pair of insertion space forming members 40 has a lever shape extending along the axial direction X, and a substantially central portion in each axial direction X is connected to the closing portion 35.

Referring to FIG. 7, the pair of insertion space forming members 40 sandwich a portion on the bottom surface 36 A side of the notch groove 36 (strictly, the circle center of the closing portion 35) from the width direction W when viewed from the axial direction X. As described above, they are arranged to face each other in the width direction W. The pair of insertion space forming members 40 are arranged to face each other in a non-contact state. The closing portion 35 and the connecting portion 33 (including the portion connected to the closing portion 35 and the connecting portion 33 in the support portion 22) connect the pair of insertion space forming members 40 and the light guide radiation portion 20 (FIG. 11). Each insertion space forming member 40 when viewed from the axial direction X has a rectangular shape that is long in the depth direction D (flat in the width direction W).

The pair of insertion space forming members 40 divide a gap called the insertion space 41 between the opposing surfaces 40A. The insertion space 41 is exposed to the outside from both sides of the lens 3 in the axial direction X (see FIGS. 7 and 8). When viewed from the axial direction X, the insertion space 41 is formed inside the support portion 22. The cross section of the insertion space 41 when cut along a cutting plane orthogonal to the axial direction X is flat in the width direction W.

With reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, the one end portion 40B (upper end portion) in the axial direction X of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 is more in the axial direction X than the one end side contact end surface 22E that is the upper surface of the support portion 22. Projects outward (upward). The other end portion 40C (lower end portion) in the axial direction X of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 is slightly more outward (lower side) in the axial direction X than the other end side contact end surface 22F which is the lower surface of the support portion 22. It protrudes. That is, the one end portion 40B protrudes outside the support portion 22 from the other end portion 40C.

Referring to FIG. 11, an inclined surface 40 D that extends so as to incline in the axial direction X and chamfers the end portion is formed on the end portion on the other end portion 40 C side in the facing surface 40 A of each insertion space forming member 40. Has been. A flat surface 40E along the axial direction X is formed at the end on the one end 40B side of the facing surface 40A of each insertion space forming member 40. At the upper end of the flat surface 40E, a convex portion 40F that slightly protrudes toward the mating insertion space forming member 40 is provided. The dimension in the width direction W of the insertion space 41 is substantially the same as the dimension in the thickness direction T of the LED mounting substrate 2 (see FIG. 7). However, strictly speaking, the dimension in the width direction W of the insertion space 41 in a state where the lens 3 exists alone (not connected to another lens 3) is larger than the dimension in the thickness direction T of the LED mounting substrate 2. Somewhat big. Further, the dimension in the width direction W of the insertion space 41 is narrower on the one end 40B side than on the other end 40C side. On the outer surface (the surface on the side opposite to the facing surface 40A) of the one end portion 40B of each insertion space forming member 40, a recess 40G is formed that narrows the one end portion 40B (the portion on the convex portion 40F side) stepwise. .

Referring to FIG. 8, the lens 3 includes a reinforcing portion 42 in relation to each insertion space forming member 40. One reinforcing portion 42 is provided for each insertion space forming member 40. Each reinforcing portion 42 is a thin plate shape in the longitudinal direction (depth direction D) of the insertion space forming member 40 when viewed from the axial direction X, and extends in the axial direction X (see FIG. 5A). For convenience, there is a diagram in which the illustration of the reinforcing portion 42 is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 11, each reinforcing portion 42 is provided at the other end portion 40 C of the corresponding insertion space forming member 40 (strictly, in the center in the depth direction D in the portion on the other end portion 40 C side from the closing portion 35. It is a position and has a triangular shape connected to both the closed portion 35 and the closed portion 35 (see FIG. 8). The other end portion 40 C in the axial direction X of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 is reinforced by the reinforcing portion 42. Therefore, the other end portion 40 C of each insertion space forming member 40 is less likely to be bent (is less likely to swing) around a connection position (sometimes referred to as a fulcrum position Q) with the closing portion 35. On the other hand, since the one end portion 40B in the axial direction X of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 is not reinforced, it can be elastically deformed so as to swing around the fulcrum position Q (connection position with the closing portion 35). .

The lens 3 as described above is based on the flat surface M passing through the slit portion 23, the slit portion 30, the notch groove 36, and the circle center of the lens 3 when viewed from the axial direction X as shown in FIGS. As a symmetrical shape.

When the lens 3 is assembled, a plurality (here, five) of the lenses 3 are arranged along the vertical direction with the respective axial directions X being parallel (see FIGS. 3A, 4A, and 5A). ).

The connection of the adjacent lenses 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B.

In two adjacent lenses 3 as shown in FIG. 14A, as an example, the other lens 3 in which the one end side contact end surface 22E of the support portion 22 of the lower second lens 3B in FIG. 14A is on the upper side in FIG. 14A. It faces the contact end surface 22F on the other end side of the support portion 22 of the (first lens 3A) from the axial direction X. From this state, as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 14A, the second lens 3B is moved closer to the first lens 3A. Conversely, the first lens 3A may be brought closer to the second lens 3B.

In any case, as the first lens 3A and the second lens 3B approach each other, as shown in FIG. 14B, the one end portion 40B of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 in the second lens 3B becomes a pair in the first lens 3A. The insertion space forming member 40 enters between the other end portions 40C in the axial direction X. Thereby, the said one end parts 40B approach. 14B, the one end side contact end surface 22E of the support portion 22 of the second lens 3B is in contact with the other end side (the other end contact end surface 22F of the support portion 22) of the first lens 3A. Then, the connection between these lenses 3 is completed. At this time, the distal end portion 32A of each positioning rib 32 inside the support portion 22 of the second lens 3B is engaged with the other end side (the inner peripheral surface 22B of the support portion 22) of the first lens 3A to be connected. Yes. Similarly, when the second lens 3B and the third lens C are connected, as shown in FIG. 14B, the other end-side contact end surface 22F of the second lens 3B becomes the third lens 3C (the other lens 3 to be connected). It makes contact (surface contact) with one end side (one end side contact end surface 22E). In addition, the tip 32A of each positioning rib 32 of the third lens 3C is engaged with the other end of the second lens 3B. Therefore, the adjacent lenses 3 can be connected by the tip end portion 32A of the positioning rib 32 in a state where the relative position is constant. Further, the flat one end side abutting end surface 22E and the other end side abutting end surface 22F are the support portions 22 of the counterpart lens 3 (one of the one end side abutting end surface 22E and the other end side abutting end surface 22F). Abut. Thereby, the support part 22 of each lens 3 is supporting (positioning) the other lens 3 connected from the axial direction X. That is, the support portion 22 can stabilize the relative positions of the lenses 3 that are adjacently connected to each other. At this time, the adjacent lenses 3 are coaxial and parallel.

Finally, the adjacent lenses 3 in the first lens 3A to the fifth lens 3E are connected in the same procedure, and as shown in FIG. In the integrated five lenses 3, the insertion spaces 41 (five exist according to the five lenses 3) partitioned between the pair of insertion space forming members 40 are the same straight line extending in the axial direction X. They are lined up and in communication.

In this state, the LED mounting substrate 2 is inserted into the insertion space 41 of each lens 3 in a state where the longitudinal direction L thereof coincides with the axial direction X (in a parallel state), and at least a part of the LED mounting substrate 2 Is contained (accommodated) in the insertion space 41 of each lens 3. When the relative position between the LED mounting substrate 2 and each lens 3 is appropriate (finally determined), as shown in FIG. 7, the LED mounting substrate 2 is in a posture along the flat surface M described above, The slit portion 23, the slit portion 30, and the cutout groove 36 are inserted. At this time, not only the longitudinal direction L and the axial direction X coincide with each other, but also the lateral direction S of the LED mounting substrate 2 included in each lens 3 coincides with the depth direction D described above. The thickness direction T of the LED mounting substrate 2 coincides with the width direction W described above.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 2, in the longitudinal direction L, the first set 15A of the LEDs 14 and the first lens 3A are in the same position. In the longitudinal direction L, the second set 15B of the LED 14 and the second lens 3B are at the same position, the third set 15C and the third lens 3C are at the same position, and the fourth set 15D and the fourth lens 3D. Are in the same position, and the fifth group 15E and the fifth lens 3E are in the same position.

As shown in FIG. 7, all the LEDs 14 in each set 15 are arranged in the slit portion 23 of the light guide radiation portion 20 in the corresponding lens 3 (in the same position in the longitudinal direction L). In the LED mounting substrate 2, each LED 14 on the front surface 2 A is disposed to face one of the pair of incident surfaces 24 described above (here, the incident surface 24 A) with a gap, and each LED 14 on the rear surface 2 B is a pair. Is opposed to the other of the incident surface 24 (here, the incident surface 24B) with a gap therebetween.

Further, in this state, the end portion 2D (in the lateral direction S) on the LED mounting substrate 2 where the LED 14 is located protrudes from the support portion 22 and the light guide radiation portion 20 in each lens 3 and the auxiliary lens portion. 21 is fitted in the movement restraining portion 27 (a groove between the pair of rail portions 26) and is sandwiched between the pair of rail portions 26. In addition, the end 2 D is in contact with the auxiliary lens unit 21 from the short direction S in the movement suppressing unit 27. Thereby, the movement of the LED mounting substrate 2 in the short direction S (strictly, on the auxiliary lens portion 21 side) and the thickness direction T is suppressed. Thereby, the relative position of each lens 3 and LED14 in the corresponding position in the LED mounting board 2 can be stabilized.

On the other hand, the end portion 2F opposite to the end portion 2D in the short side direction S in the LED mounting substrate 2 is in contact with the bottom surface 36A of the notch groove 36 in the closing portion 35 of the lens 3 from the short side direction S. ing. Thereby, the movement of the LED mounting substrate 2 in the short direction S (strictly speaking, the side opposite to the auxiliary lens unit 21 side) is suppressed. Therefore, the relative position between each lens 3 and the LED 14 at the corresponding position on the LED mounting substrate 2 can be further stabilized. Note that, in the LED mounting substrate 2, a portion on the end 2 F side with respect to the end 2 D in the short direction S is included in the support portion 22.

When each LED 14 on the LED mounting substrate 2 emits light, light emitted from each LED 14 (LED radiated light) enters the light guide and radiating portion 20 of the lens 3 from the incident surface 24 arranged to face the LED 14. Specifically, in the LED mounting substrate 2, light from each LED 14 on the front surface 2A is incident into the light guide radiation unit 20 from the incident surface 24A, and light from each LED 14 on the back surface 2B is guided from the incident surface 24B. It enters the light emitting unit 20. The light that has entered the light guide radiation part 20 from each incident surface 24 travels in the light guide radiation part 20 along the circumferential direction P. At this time, the light is guided in the entire region of the light guide radiation part 20 in the circumferential direction P. The light is emitted from the light emitting unit 20 outward (outside in the radial direction R). That is, the light incident from the incident surface 24 into the light guide / radiation unit 20 is guided by the light guide / radiation unit 20 and is emitted outward in the entire circumferential direction of the light guide / radiation unit 20 (the entire region in the circumferential direction P). The

Describing in detail the movement of the light within the light guide and radiating section 20, the light is radiated relatively outward in the first region 20D by the convex portion 25 of the first region 20D. In the second region 20E, a part of the light may be radiated to the inside of the light guide radiation unit 20, but the part of the light is irregularly reflected by the convex portion 25 of the third region 20F, and finally Radiated outward.

On the other hand, the light leaking from the slit portion 23 of the light guide radiation portion 20 is delivered to the auxiliary lens portion 21 and is emitted outward by the auxiliary lens portion 21. Moreover, the light which was not incident on the light guide radiation | emission part 20 via the incident surface 24 among the direct irradiation lights of LED14 is irradiated to the auxiliary lens part 21 and its inner surface 21B. The auxiliary lens unit 21 and the inner side surface 21B reflect the direct irradiation light from the LED 14 so as to be incident on the light guide radiation unit 20 from the outer peripheral surface 20A. Further, the auxiliary lens portion 21 and the inner side surface 21B radiate the direct radiated light from the LED 14 from the outer side surface 21A and the end surface 21C thereof. Thereby, in each lens 3, it is possible to perform signal notification in which the visibility in the circumferential direction P hardly changes over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction P.

As a result of the above, each lens 3 emits light almost uniformly in the entire region in the circumferential direction P.

Incidentally, light from outside may enter each lens 3. When the light passes through the light guide radiation part 20 and travels to the inside of the light guide radiation part 20, this light is irregularly reflected by the outer peripheral surface 22 A (convex part 31) subjected to the light shielding process in the support part 22. Thereby, the light from the outside is weakened. In addition, the light leaking inside the light guide radiation part 20 is transmitted through the support part 22 and then incident on the light guide radiation part 20, thereby adversely affecting the light emission characteristics of the light guide radiation part 20. Occurrence can also be prevented by the convex portion 31. As a result, the light radiated from the light guide radiation unit 20 to the outside can be made to stand out. In addition, the support part 22 by which the light shielding process was performed to 22 A of outer peripheral surfaces can also function as a blindfold with respect to the LED mounting board | substrate 2 inside it. Similarly, the auxiliary lens portion 21 also plays a role of blinding a portion (end portion 2D) exposed from the slit portion 23 of the light guide radiation portion 20 in the LED mounting substrate 2.

14B, in each lens 3 other than the first lens 3A, as described above, the pair of insertions in the other lens 3 in which the one end portions 40B of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 are connected to each other. By approaching between the other end portions 40C of the space forming member 40, the space forming member 40 approaches by elastic deformation. The dimension (in the width direction W) of the insertion space 41 between the one end portions 40B is smaller than the dimension in the thickness direction T of the LED mounting substrate 2. Therefore, the one end portion 40B (in particular, the flat surface 40E and the convex portion 40F described above, refer to FIG. 11) is configured such that the LED mounting substrates 2 (the portion on the end portion 2F side avoiding the LED 14) are pressed at a predetermined pressure or more. And sandwiched from the thickness direction T (see also FIG. 7).

Further, the other end portion 40C of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 is reinforced by the reinforcing portion 42 so that it is difficult to bend. In this case, when the one end portion 40B enters between the other end portions 40C in the axial direction X of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 of the other lenses 3 to be connected, the other end portion reinforced by the reinforcing portion 42. Enter between 40C. Therefore, the one end portions 40B can be reliably elastically deformed to approach each other, and the LED mounting substrate 2 can be sandwiched from the thickness direction T.

As described above, in the electrical apparatus 1, when the plurality of lenses 3 are connected in the axial direction X, in each lens 3, the one end portion 40 B of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 connects the LED mounting substrate 2 in the thickness direction T. Hold firmly. Thereby, the relative position of each lens 3 and the LED 14 in the corresponding position (the same position in the longitudinal direction L) on the LED mounting substrate 2 is stabilized. Further, the relative positions of the lenses 3 and the LEDs 14 at the corresponding positions on the LED mounting substrate 2 are further stabilized by the movement restraining portion 27 and the bottom surface 36A of the notch groove 36 shown in FIG. Therefore, as a result, the electric device 1 can stably guide and irradiate the light from the LED 14 to the lens 3 even when there is vibration.

Further, as described above, in each lens 3, the LED 14 mounted at a position biased toward the end 2 D side in the short-side direction S of the LED mounting substrate 2 is disposed in the slit portion 23 of the light guide radiation unit 20. . A pair of opposing end surfaces of the slit portion 23 in the light guide radiation portion 20 is an incident surface 24, and the light incident into the lens 3 from the incident surface 24 is guided by the light guide radiation portion 20 and the entire circumferential direction thereof. Is emitted outward. If it is such a structure, in the electric equipment 1, the LED mounting board 2 and the lens 3 can be collectively put together compactly so that it may mutually approach as much as possible. That is, it is possible to provide the electric device 1 having a new structure that leads to miniaturization and simplification.

In the following, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 14B, the lens 3 is sandwiched between a plurality of (finally five) connected lenses 3 and one end 40 B of a pair of insertion space forming members 40 of each lens 3. The LED mounting board 2 is referred to as an internal unit 100. In the assembly procedure of the internal unit 100 described above, the LED 3 is inserted into the insertion space 41 of each lens 3 after the lenses 3 are connected first. Instead of this procedure, the internal unit 100 can be assembled by connecting the adjacent lenses 3 after inserting the LED mounting substrate 2 in advance into the insertion space 41 of the plurality of lenses 3 arranged in a disconnected state. Good.

Next, configurations other than the LED mounting substrate 2 and the lens 3 will be described. In addition, since the circular (cylindrical) component described below is arranged substantially coaxially with the lens 3 in a state of being incorporated in the electric device 1, the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface, the inner peripheral surface, and the like of the component is concerned. May be described as a circumferential direction P (of the lens 3) and a radial direction of the component as a radial direction R (of the lens 3).

4B and 5B, the body 4 has a hollow cylindrical shape that accommodates the lower portion of the LED mounting board 2 where the LEDs 14 are not mounted, and its central axis is in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction L and (Same as the axial direction X). Therefore, the upper end edge 4A and the lower end edge 4B of the body 4 are both annular. And the hollow part of the body 4 is exposed from both upper and lower sides. A plurality (two in this case) of boss portions 50 extending vertically are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the body 4. These boss portions 50 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction P of the inner peripheral surface of the body 4. Each boss portion 50 is formed with a screw hole 50A extending vertically.

The outer peripheral surface 4C of the body 4 is continuous with the upper end edge 4A at the upper end. The outer peripheral surface 4C is reduced in diameter by one step on the upper end edge 4A side (upper end portion of the body 4), and in the upper region of the reduced diameter portion (upper end portion) in the outer peripheral surface 4C, the circumferential direction P of the outer peripheral surface 4C. An annular groove 4 D extending along is formed. In addition, a rib 4E that extends along the circumferential direction P while projecting from the outer peripheral surface 4C is formed in a lower region (below the annular groove 4D) of the portion whose diameter is reduced on the outer peripheral surface 4C. A plurality of ribs 4E are provided, and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction P.

As shown in FIG. 5B, a plurality of locking grooves 4F are provided at the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the body 4. These locking grooves 4 F are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction P of the inner peripheral surface of the body 4. Each locking groove 4F extends upward from the lower end edge 4B of the inner peripheral surface of the body 4 and then bends substantially at a right angle in a predetermined direction in the circumferential direction P (in the case of FIG. 5B, the clockwise direction when viewed from below). It has an extending L shape.

The plate 5 has a substantially disk shape that is thin in the vertical direction, and an insertion hole 5A that penetrates the plate 5 in the thickness direction is formed at a position on the upper side of the circle center side as shown in FIG. 4B. As shown in FIG. 5B, a plurality (two in this case) of through-holes 5B are formed at positions where the plate 5 avoids the insertion holes 5A. These through holes 5 B are round holes that penetrate the plate 5 in the thickness direction, and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction P of the plate 5. The insertion hole 5A is located between these through holes 5B. As shown in FIG. 4B, on the upper surface of the plate 5, one circular boss 5 C that extends upward while surrounding the through hole 5 B is provided at a position that coincides with each through hole 5 B (two in total). ing. As shown in FIG. 3B, a support portion 51 is attached to a position on the upper surface of the plate 5 where the through hole 5B is avoided. The support portion 51 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped block shape. In the support part 51, at least one part contains elastic members, such as rubber | gum and sponge, and the support part 51 is elastically deformable. 4B and 5B, illustration of the support part 51 is abbreviate | omitted for convenience of explanation.

The plate 5 is accommodated from below in the body 4 with the plate 5 itself horizontal and the boss 5C and the support portion 51 facing upward. As shown in FIG. 2, screws 56 are inserted from below into the hollow portions of the through holes 5 B and the bosses 5 C of the plate 5, and are assembled into the screw holes 50 A of the corresponding bosses 50 in the body 4. Thereby, the plate 5 is fixed to the body 4.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the bracket 6 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and its central axis extends in the vertical direction. A disc-shaped bottom wall 6A is integrally provided at the lower end of the bracket 6, and the hollow portion of the bracket 6 is closed from below by the bottom wall 6A. As shown in FIG. 5B, a plurality of (here, three) through holes 6B are formed in the bottom wall 6A. These through-holes 6B are round holes that penetrate the bottom wall 6A in the thickness direction, and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction P of the bottom wall 6A. As shown in FIG. 4B, one nut 52 is fixed to the portion of the upper surface of the bottom wall 6A that overlaps each through hole 6B. The hollow part (part in which the screw is formed) of the nut 52 and the through hole 6B below the hole 52 communicate with each other. A through hole 6C that penetrates the bottom wall 6A in the thickness direction is formed at a position in the bottom wall 6A that avoids the through hole 6B. The through hole 6C has a substantially rectangular shape larger than the through hole 6B (see FIG. 5B).

The outer peripheral surface of the bracket 6 is reduced in diameter by one step at the upper end portion, and an annular groove 6D extending along the circumferential direction P of the outer peripheral surface is formed in the upper region of the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion. . Further, a rib 6E that extends along the circumferential direction P while protruding from the outer peripheral surface is formed in the lower region (lower than the annular groove 6D) of the outer peripheral surface at the upper end portion (the reduced diameter portion) of the bracket 6. Has been. A plurality of ribs 6E (the same number as the locking grooves 4F of the bracket 6) are provided, and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction P.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the upper portion of bracket 6 is fitted into body 4 from below and is opposed to plate 5 in body 4 from below, and each rib 6E of bracket 6 is connected to the inner periphery of body 4. It is locked one by one in the locking groove 4F on the surface. Specifically, after each rib 6E is moved to the upper end of the portion extending vertically in the corresponding locking groove 4F, the bracket 6 is rotated relative to the body 4 (twisting), and each rib 6E is moved. The locking groove 4F is locked to a portion extending in the circumferential direction P. That is, the rib 6E and the locking groove 4F are coupled. Thereby, the bracket 6 is fixed to the body 4. In this state, the rib 6E is hooked from above on the portion of the locking groove 4F extending in the circumferential direction P, so that the bracket 6 cannot be pulled downward from the body 4. However, the bracket 6 can be removed from the body 4 by following the procedure opposite to the procedure described above in order to fix the bracket 6 to the body 4.

When the electric device 1 is fixed to a pedestal (not shown) or the like, if the screw (not shown) on the pedestal side is passed through each through hole 6B and assembled to the nut 52 (see FIG. 4B), the entire electric device 1 becomes the pedestal. Fixed against.

The waterproof ring 7 is a rubber packing formed in a ring shape, and is fitted on the upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the bracket 6. Strictly speaking, the waterproof ring 7 is set in the annular groove 6 D in the upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the bracket 6. In this embodiment, a plurality (two) of waterproof rings 7 are present, and are set in the annular groove 6D in a state of being vertically aligned. In a state where the bracket 6 is fixed to the body 4, each waterproof ring 7 seals between the upper end portion of the bracket 6 and the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the body 4 over the entire region in the circumferential direction P. (See FIG. 2). This prevents water from entering the bracket 6 and the body 4 through the space between the upper end of the bracket 6 and the inner peripheral surface of the body 4.

The waterproof sheet 8 has a disk shape formed of an elastic sheet such as rubber. The waterproof sheet 8 is formed with a through hole 8A and a through hole 8B that penetrate the waterproof sheet 8 in the thickness direction. The through hole 8B has a substantially semicircular shape and is larger than the through hole 8A. The waterproof sheet 8 is attached to the lower surface of the bottom wall 6 A of the bracket 6. Strictly speaking, a recess 6F is formed on the lower surface of the bottom wall 6A so as to surround each through-hole 6B and the through-hole 6C and is shallowly recessed upward, and a part of the waterproof sheet 8 is accommodated in the recess 6F. At least the lower end protrudes downward from the recess 6F (see FIGS. 1 and 2). One through hole 6B in the bottom wall 6A of the bracket 6 is exposed downward from the through hole 8A, and the remaining two through

holes

6B and 6C are exposed downward from the through hole 8B. The waterproof sheet 8 serves to seal between the pedestal (not shown) and the bottom wall 6 A of the bracket 6. This prevents water from entering the electrical device 1 through the space between the base and the bottom wall 6A.

The waterproof ring 9 is a ring-shaped waterproof packing made of rubber or the like. Specifically, the waterproof ring 9 integrally includes an annular main body portion 9A extending vertically and a flange portion 9B projecting in an annular shape from the upper end edge of the main body portion 9A toward the center of the circle of the main body portion 9A. The lower portion of the main body 9A is reduced in diameter by one step compared to the upper portion, and the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion has an annular shape extending along the circumferential direction P of the outer peripheral surface while protruding from the outer peripheral surface. A plurality (two in this case) of ribs 9C are provided side by side (see also FIG. 3B). These ribs 9C are provided integrally with the waterproof ring 9, and are provided below the central portion in the axial direction of the main body 9A (same as the axial direction X and the longitudinal direction L described above). .

Such a waterproof ring 9 is externally fitted to the upper end of the outer peripheral surface 4C of the body 4 from above. Strictly speaking, as shown in FIG. 2, the flange portion 9B of the waterproof ring 9 is caught from above on the entire circumferential direction of the annular upper edge 4A of the body 4 (the entire region in the circumferential direction P, the same applies hereinafter). Thus, the waterproof ring 9 is supported from below by the body 4. Further, the main body portion 9A of the waterproof ring 9 is a state in which the lower portion (the portion whose diameter is reduced) is fitted from the outside into the entire circumferential direction of the annular groove 4D at the upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface 4C of the body 4. Thus, the entire circumferential direction of the upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface 4C of the body 4 is covered from the outside. That is, the waterproof ring 9 covers the upper end edge 4A of the body 4 and the outer surface (outer peripheral surface 4C) continuous with the upper end edge 4A in the body 4 along the circumferential direction P of the upper end edge 4A.

The body 4, the plate 5, the bracket 6, the waterproof ring 7, the waterproof sheet 8, and the waterproof ring 9 described above constitute a base portion 60.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the outer lens 10 has a hollow cylindrical shape having a hollow portion 10A for accommodating the internal unit 100 described above, and its central axis extends in the vertical direction. The outer lens 10 is formed of a transparent resin (for example, polycarbonate) having impact resistance and translucency. The hollow portion 10A of the outer lens 10 is exposed from both the upper and lower sides (that is, opened up and down).

Further, the upper end portion 10B of the outer lens 10 is reduced in diameter by one step. On the outer peripheral surface 10C of the outer lens 10, one annular rib 10D that extends along the circumferential direction P of the outer peripheral surface 10C while protruding from the outer peripheral surface 10C is formed on the entire circumferential direction of the upper end portion 10B. Further, in the outer peripheral surface 10C of the outer lens 10, a notch groove 10E extending downward is formed in a region adjacent to the upper end portion 10B from below. A plurality (two in this case) of the notch grooves 10E are formed and arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction P. In addition, a concave portion 10G that is slightly recessed outward in the radial direction R of the outer lens 10 and exposed downward from the outer lens 10 is formed at the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface 10F of the outer lens 10. A plurality of the recesses 10G (the same number as the ribs 4E of the body 4) are formed, and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction P of the inner peripheral surface 10F. One locking groove 10H extending in the circumferential direction P is formed on the bottom surface of each recess 10G (inner peripheral surface 10F in the recess 10G).

As shown in FIG. 2, in the completed electric device 1, the upper end portion of the body 4 to which the waterproof ring 9 is attached is fitted into the hollow portion 10 A of the outer lens 10 from below, so that the body 4 is attached to the outer lens 10. It is fixed against. At this time, each rib 4E (see FIG. 5B) of the body 4 is fitted into the corresponding locking groove 10H (see FIG. 5A) in the outer lens 10 (at the same position in the circumferential direction P). Each rib 4E is hooked from above on the portion of the inner peripheral surface 10F of the outer lens 10 where the locking groove 10H is formed. Therefore, once the body 4 is assembled to the outer lens 10, it cannot be pulled out from the outer lens 10. That is, the body 4 is connected to the outer lens 10 so as not to be separated from the lower side (in a so-called fitted state), and closes the hollow portion 10A of the outer lens 10 from the lower side. Incidentally, the term “inseparably connected” here means that the body 4 is connected to the outer lens 10 so that it cannot be separated from the outer lens 10 at least without using a tool (that is, cannot be separated with bare hands). (The same applies to the outer top 11 described below). In addition, as another example of the configuration in which the body 4 is connected to the outer lens 10 in an inseparable manner, the body 4 is fixed to the outer lens 10 using a screw (preferably a specially shaped screw that requires a dedicated tool). The structure etc. (screwing) are mentioned.

As described above, the outer lens 10 is supported by the body 4 (that is, the base portion 60 described above).

Further, in a state where the body 4 and the outer lens 10 are coupled, the waterproof ring 9 is located at the lower end portion of the hollow portion 10 A of the outer lens 10 and is provided at the coupling portion 63 between the body 4 and the outer lens 10. . The connecting portion 63 is configured by the upper end portion (including the upper end edge 4 A) of the body 4 and the lower end portion of the outer lens 10. In the waterproof ring 9, the main body 9 A is sandwiched and supported between the upper end of the body 4 and the lower end of the outer lens 10, and each rib 9 C is connected to the upper end of the body 4 and the lower end of the outer lens 10. Is sealed over the entire circumferential direction. This prevents water from entering the body 4 and the outer lens 10 through the body 4 and the outer lens 10. Further, the flange portion 9B of the waterproof ring 9 projects from the inner peripheral surface 10F of the outer lens 10 toward the circle center side (inner side in the radial direction R) of the outer lens 10 at the lower end portion of the hollow portion 10A of the outer lens 10. .

Referring to FIG. 4A, the outer top 11 includes a disc-shaped blocking portion 11A and a ring-shaped (cylindrical) flange portion 11B that protrudes up and down from the blocking portion 11A while fringing the outer peripheral edge of the blocking portion 11A. It includes integrally.

A concave portion 11C that is recessed downward is formed at a substantially circular center position on the upper surface of the closing portion 11A. The recess 11C has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. On the bottom surface of the recess 11C, an elongated slit-like exposure hole 11D is formed. The exposure hole 11D penetrates the blocking portion 11A vertically. A setting button 78 is provided at a position adjacent to the exposure hole 11D on the upper surface of the blocking portion 11A. The setting button 78 is electrically connected to the LED mounting board 2 (see FIG. 4B). When the user operates the setting button 78, the light emission pattern of each LED 14 can be set to a desired pattern.

Referring to FIG. 5A, a pair of sandwiching projections 53 projecting downward are provided at a substantially circular center position on the lower surface of the blocking portion 11A. The pair of clamping protrusions 53 has substantially the same configuration as the other end portion 40 C of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 in each lens 3. Moreover, the reinforcement part 54 may be provided in the lower surface of 11 A of obstruction | occlusion parts. The reinforcing part 54 has the same configuration as the reinforcing part 42 described above, and is provided for each holding protrusion 53 to reinforce the corresponding holding protrusion 53.

Referring to FIG. 4A, an engaging portion 55 that protrudes downward is integrally provided at the lower end edge of the flange portion 11B. A plurality of the engaging portions 55 (the same number as the notch grooves 10E of the outer lens 10) are provided, and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction P of the flange portion 11B. The upper portion of the flange portion 11B is reduced in diameter by one step than the lower portion. A rib 11E is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 11B in the upper portion so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface along the circumferential direction P of the outer peripheral surface. A plurality of the ribs 11 E are provided, and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction P. An annular groove 11F extending along the circumferential direction P is formed in a region above the rib 11E on the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 11B in the upper portion.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, one locking groove 11G extending in the circumferential direction P of the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 11B is formed at the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 11B. In the flange portion 11B, the reference numeral “11H” is attached to the boundary portion between the upper portion and the lower portion that are reduced in diameter by one step as described above. The boundary portion 11H is below the blocking portion 11A (see also FIG. 2).

In the completed electrical device 1, the outer top 11 is assembled to the upper end portion 10B of the outer lens 10 so that the flange portion 11B is fitted over the upper end portion 10B of the outer lens 10 from above. In this state, as shown in FIG. 2, the closed portion 11A of the outer top 11 blocks the hollow portion 10A of the outer lens 10 from above, and the rib 10D formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion 10B of the outer lens 10 The hook is hooked over the entire circumferential direction with respect to the locking groove 11G on the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 11B (see also FIG. 5A). The rib 10D is hooked from above on the portion where the locking groove 11G is formed in the flange portion 11B. Therefore, the outer top 11 cannot be pulled upward from the outer lens 10 once it is assembled to the outer lens 10. That is, the outer top 11 is connected to the outer lens 10 so as not to be separated from the bottom (in a fitted state). Further, each engaging portion 55 of the flange portion 11B is fitted into the corresponding cutout groove 10E (located at the same position in the circumferential direction P) at the upper end portion 10B of the outer lens 10 (see FIG. 1), and the outer The lens 10 is caught from the circumferential direction P with respect to the upper end portion 10B of the lens 10. Therefore, the outer top 11 cannot move relative to the outer lens 10 in the circumferential direction P.

As described above, the outer top 11 is connected to the outer lens 10 in an inseparable manner from above. Further, in the outer top 11 in this state, the pair of clamping protrusions 53 have advanced into the hollow portion 10 A of the outer lens 10 from above.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the waterproof cap 12 is a ring-shaped waterproof packing made of rubber or the like. Specifically, the waterproof cap 12 is formed by integrating an annular inner portion 12A, an outer portion 12B having a larger diameter than the inner portion 12A, and a connecting portion 12C that connects the upper end edges of the inner portion 12A and the outer portion 12B. Is included. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the cut surface when the waterproof cap 12 is cut at any one position in the circumferential direction P has a concave shape opened downward.

In the completed electrical device 1, the waterproof cap 12 is provided at the connecting portion 64 between the outer lens 10 and the outer top 11. The connecting portion 64 is configured by an upper end portion 10B of the outer lens 10 (including an upper end edge 10J having an annular shape at the tip of the upper end portion 10B) and a lower end portion of the flange portion 11B of the outer top 11. Specifically, the waterproof cap 12 is attached so as to be hooked from above with respect to an upper end edge 10 J having an annular shape in the outer lens 10 while being internally fitted to the lower end portion of the flange portion 11 B of the outer top 11.

In the waterproof cap 12 in this state, the connecting portion 12C is in contact with the upper end edge 10J of the outer lens 10 from above over the entire circumferential direction, while surrounding the boundary portion 11H in the middle of the flange portion 11B in the vertical direction. It abuts from below over the entire direction. Further, in the waterproof cap 12, the outer portion 12B is press-fitted into a portion below the boundary portion 11H in the flange portion 11B of the outer top 11, and the outer peripheral surface 10C of the upper end portion 10B of the outer lens 10 and the outer It is sandwiched between the flange portion 11B of the top 11 and the inner peripheral surface. Therefore, the waterproof cap 12 is supported (positioned) by the outer lens 10 and the outer top 11. In the waterproof cap 12, the inner portion 12 A is positioned on the inner peripheral surface 10 F side of the outer lens 10 so as to be along the inner peripheral surface 10 F of the upper end portion 10 B of the outer lens 10.

That is, the waterproof cap 12 straddles the outer surface (outer peripheral surface 10C) continuous with the upper end edge 10J in the outer lens 10 and the inner side surface (inner peripheral surface 10F) continuous with the upper end edge 10J in the outer lens 10 from above. The outer lens 10 and the outer top 11 are sandwiched and supported. In this state, in the waterproof cap 12, the outer portion 12B seals between the flange portion 11B of the outer top 11 and the upper end portion 10B of the outer lens 10 over the entire circumferential direction. This prevents water from entering the outer lens 10 and the outer top 11 through the space between the outer top 11 and the upper end portion 10 B of the outer lens 10.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the head cover 13 has a circular cap shape. The head cover 13 integrally includes a disc-shaped blocking portion 13A and a ring-shaped flange portion 13B that protrudes downward from the blocking portion 13A while fringing the outer peripheral edge of the blocking portion 13A. A plurality of locking grooves 13C (the same number as the ribs 11E of the outer top 11) are provided at the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 13B. These locking grooves 13C are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction P of the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 13B. Each locking groove 13C extends upward from the lower end edge of the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 13B, and then bends substantially at a right angle in a predetermined direction in the circumferential direction P (in the case of FIG. 5A, the clockwise direction when viewed from below). It has an extending L shape.

The head cover 13 is assembled to the outer top 11 from above so as to cover the upper surface of the outer top 11. At that time, the ribs 11 E of the outer top 11 are locked one by one in the locking grooves 13 C on the inner peripheral surface of the head cover 13. Specifically, after moving each rib 11E to the upper end of the portion extending vertically in the corresponding locking groove 13C, the head cover 13 is rotated relative to the outer top 11 (twisting), and each rib 11E. Is locked to a portion extending in the circumferential direction P in the locking groove 13C. That is, the rib 11E and the locking groove 13C are coupled. Thereby, the head cover 13 is fixed to the outer top 11. In this state, since the rib 11E is hooked from above on the portion extending in the circumferential direction P in the locking groove 13C, the head cover 13 is not pulled upward from the outer top 11. However, the head cover 13 can be removed from the outer top 11 by taking a procedure opposite to the procedure described above for fixing the head cover 13 to the outer top 11.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the waterproof ring 18 is a rubber packing formed in a ring shape, and two annular ribs 18 A extending along the circumferential direction P are provided on the outer peripheral surface side by side. It has been. As shown in FIG. 2, the waterproof ring 18 is externally fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the outer top 11. Strictly speaking, the waterproof ring 18 is set in the annular groove 11 F at the upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the outer top 11. Each rib 18A in the waterproof ring 18 seals between the upper end portion of the outer top 11 and the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 13B of the head cover 13 over the entire circumferential direction. This prevents water from entering the outer top 11 through the space between the upper end portion of the outer top 11 and the flange portion 13B.

The internal unit 100 (the five lenses 3 connected in the axial direction X and the LED mounting substrate 2) described above is accommodated in the hollow portion 10A of the outer lens 10. In the uppermost first lens 3 A, the one end portions 40 B of the pair of insertion space forming members 40 approach each other by entering between the pair of sandwiching protrusions 53 of the outer top 11, and the upper end portion ( (One end portion in the longitudinal direction) 2G is sandwiched from the thickness direction T. At this time, the pair of sandwiching protrusions 53 directly or indirectly support the first lens 3A (connected to the other lens 3) or the upper end 2G of the LED mounting substrate 2 via the one end 40B. is doing.

The lower portion of the LED mounting substrate 2 where the LEDs 14 are not mounted is accommodated in the body 4 as described above, and is in contact with the support portion 51 of the plate 5 in the body 4 from above. Since the support portion 51 is elastically deformable as described above, the support portion 51 supports the lower end portion 2H (the other end portion in the longitudinal direction L) of the LED mounting substrate 2 so as to urge upward. As a result, the five lenses 3 and the LED mounting substrate 2 (that is, the entire internal unit 100) are pressed against the clamping protrusion 53 of the outer top 11 from below. Therefore, the entire LED mounting substrate 2 and the plurality of lenses 3 (that is, the internal unit 100) can be elastically held by the sandwiching protrusions 53 and the support portions 51 so that rattling does not occur.

Moreover, in the waterproof ring 9 in the state supported by the body 4 as described above, the flange portion 9B is viewed from below with respect to the entire circumferential direction of the light guide radiation portion 20 of the lowest lens 5E in the internal unit 100. It is in contact. In other words, the annular upper end edge 4A of the body 4 is connected to the internal unit 100 (the fifth lens 3E) via the flange portion 9B of the waterproof ring 9 attached to the upper end edge 4A. Is elastically supported from below.

In the waterproof cap 12 supported by the outer top 11 as described above, the inner portion 12A is located above the entire circumferential direction of the light guide radiation portion 20 of the uppermost first lens 3A in the internal unit 100. Abut. Accordingly, the waterproof ring 9 and the waterproof cap 12 that are in contact with the internal unit 100 elastically sandwich the internal unit 100 (the entire first lens 3A to the fifth lens 3E) from above and below. is doing.

As described above, in the electrical apparatus 1, the body 4 is connected to the outer lens 10 in which the internal unit 100 is housed in the hollow portion 10A so as not to be separated from the bottom, and the outer top 11 is connected to the outer top 11 so as not to be separated from the top. Yes.

By connecting each of the body 4 and the outer top 11 to the outer lens 10, the shape of the entire electric device 1 is maintained. Further, since the hollow portion 10A of the outer lens 10 is closed from above and below by the body 4 and the outer top 11, the internal unit 100 in the outer lens 10 is accessed by a user or the like, or an external impact is applied to the internal unit 100. Can be prevented from acting directly on.

And the waterproof ring 9 provided in the connection part 63 of the outer lens 10 and the body 4 contacts the internal unit 100 from below, and the waterproof cap 12 provided in the connection part 64 of the outer lens 10 and the outer top 11. Is in contact with the internal unit 100 from above. Thereby, the internal unit 100 is elastically clamped from above and below between the waterproof cap 12 and the waterproof ring 9 so as to be positioned vertically. In this case, even if vibration or impact is applied to the electrical device 1, the waterproof cap 12 and the waterproof ring 9 reduce the vibration and impact so that the vibration and impact are not transmitted to the internal unit 100. be able to.

As a result, the electrical device 1 can reliably support the housed internal unit 100 and can be protected from vibration and impact.

Further, since the waterproof ring 9 is supported by the body 4 and the waterproof cap 12 is supported by the outer top 11, the positions of the waterproof ring 9 and the waterproof cap 12 are shifted when the electric device 1 is assembled. Can be prevented. Therefore, assembly of the electric device 1 is easy.

Specifically, the waterproof ring 9 is vertically positioned by being caught by the upper end edge 4 A of the body 4. Therefore, when the body 4 is attached to the outer lens 10 from below at the manufacturing stage of the electrical device 1, it is possible to prevent the waterproof ring 9 from being pulled up and down (specifically, falling downward) by the outer lens 10. Moreover, since the annular upper edge 4A of the body 4 supports the internal unit 100 along the circumferential direction P via the waterproof ring 9, the position of the internal unit 100 is stabilized, and the internal unit 100 is wobbled. Can be prevented.

Further, when the electrical device 1 is assembled, the waterproof cap 12 is vertically moved by being hooked from above so as to straddle the outer peripheral surface 10C and the inner peripheral surface 10F of the outer lens 10 with respect to the upper end edge 10J of the outer lens 10. May be positioned. In that case, when the outer top 11 is attached to the outer lens 10 from above at the manufacturing stage of the electric device 1, it is possible to prevent the waterproof cap 12 from being pulled up and down (in detail, falling downward) by the outer top 11.

Further, the waterproof ring 9 and the waterproof cap 12 serve not only as a cushioning material against vibration and shock to the internal unit 100 but also assure the waterproof property of the electrical device 1. Reduction can be achieved. In addition, since the waterproof ring 9 is sandwiched and supported by the outer lens 10 and the body 4 and the waterproof cap 12 is sandwiched and supported by the outer lens 10 and the outer top 11, the waterproof ring 9 is provided in the electric device 1. And each of the waterproof cap 12 can be supported reliably.

And in the electric equipment 1 having the above configuration, even if there is vibration, the light from the LED 14 can be guided to the lens 3 and irradiated more stably.

Further, one end side in the longitudinal direction L of the LED mounting substrate 2 (the lens 3 on the one end side or one end portion (upper end portion 2G) of the LED mounting substrate 2) is supported by the pinching protrusion 53 on the outer lens 10 side, and LED mounting The other end portion (lower end portion 2H) in the longitudinal direction L of the substrate 2 is supported by the support portion 51 of the base portion 60. Then, by connecting the outer lens 10 to the base portion 60, the entire five lenses 3 are fixed to both the outer lens 10 and the base portion 60. Thereby, each of the lens 3 and the LED mounting substrate 2 can be held in the electrical apparatus 1. Therefore, in the electric device 1, even if there is vibration, the light from the LED 14 can be guided to the lens 3 and irradiated more stably. Specifically, the light emitted from the LED 14 is emitted by each lens 3, passes through the outer lens 10, and is emitted from the entire circumferential direction of the electrical device 1 to the outside of the outer lens 10.

4B, the cable 17 connected to the terminal 16 of the LED mounting substrate 2 passes through the insertion hole 5A of the plate 5, the through hole 6C of the bracket 6, and the through hole 8B of the waterproof sheet 8, and It is pulled out and connected to a power supply or control device.

Further, another electrical device 1 (not limited to the signal indicator lamp described above) can be connected to the electrical device 1.

Hereinafter, a connection structure 70 for connecting the adjacent electrical devices 1 will be described.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a plurality of electrical devices 1 to be connected. FIG. 16 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a plurality of connected electrical devices 1. In FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, as an example, a case where two different electric devices 1 are connected in a stacked state from the top to the electric device 1 that is the signal indicator described above is shown. For convenience of explanation, these three electric devices 1 may be distinguished from the electric devices 1A, 1B, and 1C in order from the bottom. In the case of FIGS. 15 and 16, at least one of the three electrical devices 1 (here, the electrical device 1A) is a signal indicator lamp. Of course, all the electric devices 1 to be connected may be signal indicators. Examples of the electric device 1 other than the signal indicator lamp include a device that emits a warning sound, a device that transmits various types of information to an external computer or the like wirelessly or by wire, and a device that records a log of operation status.

A plurality (three in this case) of electrical devices 1 are connected in a state of being arranged on a common reference shaft 71 extending in the vertical direction.

Further, each of the plurality of electric devices 1 has a connection end 73 in which an opening 72 is formed.

Referring to FIG. 16, in the case of electrical apparatus 1 A, the portion exposed upward in hollow portion 10 A of outer lens 10 described above is opening 72, and upper end portion 10 B of outer lens 10 is a connection end portion. 73.

Each of the electric devices 1B and 1C has a cylindrical (here cylindrical) main body 74 extending along the reference axis 71. In the main body 74, the above-described internal unit 100 (which may be composed of a component different from the lens 3 and the LED mounting substrate 2) is incorporated.

The circular (cylindrical) component (including the main body 74) described below is substantially coaxial with the lens 3 of the electric device 1A when integrated with the electric device 1A. Therefore, for convenience of explanation, each component will be described with the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of the component as the circumferential direction P (of the lens 3) and the radial direction of the component as the radial direction R (of the lens 3). Sometimes. The reference axis 71 described above passes through the circle center of each component or lens 3.

At the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the main body 74, an annular flange 74A projecting inward in the radial direction of the main body 74 is integrally provided. A space surrounded by the flange 74A in the main body 74 is a lower opening 72 (referred to as a “lower opening 72L”) in each of the electric devices 1B and 1C. The lower end portion of the main body 74 (the annular portion below the flange portion 74A) is a lower connection end portion 73 (referred to as a “lower connection end portion 73L”) in each of the electric devices 1B and 1C. .

On the inner peripheral surface of the lower connection end portion 73L, the same number of locking grooves 74B as the locking grooves 13C (see FIG. 5A) of the head cover 13 described above (see FIG. 5A) are provided in the same number as the locking grooves 13C. ing. Further, the portion exposed upward in the hollow portion of the main body 74 is an upper opening 72 (hereinafter referred to as “upper opening 72U”) in each of the electric devices 1B and 1C. The annular portion is the upper connection end 73 (referred to as “upper connection end 73U”) in each of the electric devices 1B and 1C.

The upper connection end 73U in each of the electric devices 1B and 1C is reduced in diameter by one step in the same manner as the upper end portion 10B of the outer lens 10 of the electric device 1A, and the outer peripheral surface of the upper connection end 73U is as described above. A rib 73A having the same shape as the rib 10D (see FIG. 5A) is formed. The rib 73A protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the upper connection end 73U and extends in an annular shape over the entire circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface. Further, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the main bodies 74 of the electric devices 1B and 1C, a notch 74C extending downward is formed in a region adjacent to the upper connection end 73U from below, similarly to the notch groove 10E of the outer lens 10. (See FIG. 15). The cutouts 74 C are formed in the same number (two in this case) as the cutout grooves 10 E, and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction P of the main body 74.

The connecting structure 70 includes the outer top 11, the waterproof cap 12, the waterproof ring 18, and the connection end 73 of each electrical device 1 described above. The connection structure 70 includes the outer top 11, the waterproof cap 12, and the waterproof ring 18 that connect the connection end portions 73 of a pair of adjacent electrical devices 1 among the plurality of electrical devices 1 arranged on the common reference shaft 71. It is for connecting via. Therefore, one connection structure 70 is provided between a pair of adjacent electrical devices 1. In the following description, each electrical device 1 refers to a configuration in which the outer top 11, the waterproof cap 12, and the waterproof ring 18 are removed from the electrical device 1.

Here, of the pair of electric devices 1 connected by the connection structure 70, the electric device 1 on one side (here, the lower side) with respect to the outer top 11 of the connection structure 70 is referred to as the one-side electric device 1X. The electric device 1 on the other side (here, the upper side) with respect to the outer top 11 is referred to as the other-side electric device 1Y. In the case of the electric devices 1A to 1C of FIGS. 15 and 16, when the outer top 11 of the connection structure 70 between the electric device 1A and the electric device 1B is used as a reference, the electric device 1A becomes the one-side electric device 1X. 1B becomes the other-side electric device 1Y. Further, when the outer top 11 of the connection structure 70 between the electric device 1B and the electric device 1C is used as a reference, the electric device 1B becomes the one-side electric device 1X, and the electric device 1C becomes the other-side electric device 1Y.

In the flange portion 11B of the outer top 11 of each coupling structure 70, the lower side portion provided with the engaging portion 55 and the locking groove 11G is a one-side connecting portion 75, and the rib 11E and the annular groove 11F are formed. The upper side portion is the other side connecting portion 76 (see also FIG. 5A). In the outer top 11, the above-described blocking portion 11 A is located between the lower end of the one side connection portion 75 and the upper end of the other side connection portion 76.

Referring to FIG. 16, in a state where electric device 1 A (one-side electric device 1 X) and electric device 1 B (the other-side electric device 1 Y) are connected by connecting structure 70, one of outer tops 11 of connecting structure 70 is connected. The side connection portion 75 is externally fitted to the connection end portion 73 of the electrical apparatus 1A from above. In this state, since the rib 10D of the connection end 73 of the electric device 1A is fitted in the locking groove 11G of the one side connection 75, the one side connection 75 is connected to the connection end 73 of the electric device 1A. On the other hand, it is in a slaughtered state and cannot be pulled upward from the connection end 73. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 15, each engaging part 55 of the one side connection part 75 fits into the notch groove 10E in the connection end part 73 of the electric equipment 1A one by one from above, so that the connection end The portion 73 is engaged. Thereby, the relative rotation (around the reference axis 71) of the one-side connection portion 75 with respect to the connection end portion 73 of the electrical apparatus 1A is restricted. As described above, the one-side connection portion 75 is fixed so as not to be relatively rotatable around the reference shaft 71 with respect to the connection end portion 73 of the electrical apparatus 1A. Incidentally, “fixed so that relative rotation is impossible” here means that the one-side connecting portion 75 cannot be rotated relative to the connecting end portion 73 with a force less than a certain value, but one with a force exceeding a certain value. When the side connection portion 75 is rotated relative to the connection end portion 73, the one side connection is performed such that at least one of the one side connection portion 75 and the connection end portion 73 (for example, the engagement portion 55) is broken. This means that the portion 75 and the connecting end portion 73 are coupled. Therefore, as a means for fixing the one-side connection portion 75 to the connection end portion 73 so as not to rotate relative to the connection end portion 73, in addition to the configuration in which the engagement portion 55 is engaged (fitted) with the notch groove 10E, a screw is used. A configuration in which the one-side connection portion 75 is fixed (screwed) to the connection end portion 73 and a configuration in which the one-side connection portion 75 is bonded to the connection end portion 73 with an adhesive can be used as an example.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, the other side connection portion 76 of the outer top 11 of the connection structure 70 that connects the electric device 1A and the electric device 1B is connected to the connection end 73 (lower connection end 73L of the electric device 1B). ) From below. In this state, each rib 11E in the other side connection portion 76 is fitted and joined to the locking groove 74B of the lower connection end portion 73L one by one, so that the other side connection portion 76 is electrically connected. It cannot be pulled out from the lower connection end 73L of the device 1B. However, the locking groove 74B has the same L shape as the locking groove 13C (see FIG. 5A) of the head cover 13 and extends upward from the lower end edge of the inner peripheral surface of the lower connection end 73L. It bends at a substantially right angle and extends in the circumferential direction P of the inner peripheral surface. Therefore, the other side connection portion 76 is rotated around the reference axis 71 with respect to the lower connection end portion 73L of the electric device 1B, and each rib 11E is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the lower connection end portion 73L in the locking groove 74B. When the ribs 11E are made to coincide with the portions extending upward from the lower end edges of the ribs 11E, the ribs 11E can be detached downward from the locking grooves 74B. Therefore, the other side connection part 76 can be pulled out from the lower side connection end part 73L of the electric device 1B. If the procedure reverse to the drawing here is performed, the other side connection portion 76 can be connected again to the lower connection end portion 73L of the electric device 1B. That is, the other side connection part 76 is connected to the connection end part 73 (lower side connection end part 73L) of the electric device 1B so as to be detachable by rotating around the reference axis 71.

Further, the closing portion 11A in the outer top 11 of the connection structure 70 that connects the electric device 1A and the electric device 1B is an opening 72 of the electric device 1A and the electric device 1B (in the case of the electric device 1B, a lower opening). 72L) is closed at once. However, the openings 72 of the electrical equipment 1A and the electrical equipment 1B communicate with each other through the exposure hole 11D (described above) formed in the blocking part 11A.

Here, as shown in FIG. 15, each electrical device 1 is provided with a connection terminal 77 that is electrically connected to another electrical device 1 to be coupled. In the case of the electrical apparatus 1A that is a signal indicator lamp, the connection terminal 77 is electrically connected to the LED mounting substrate 2 described above, and is exposed upward from the blocking portion 11A. The exposure hole 11D exposes the connection terminal 77 of the electric device 1A to the electric device 1B side. As shown in FIG. 16, by connecting a cable 79 connected to the internal unit 100 in the electric device 1B to the connection terminal 77, the electric device 1A and the electric device 1B can be electrically connected.

Moreover, in the waterproof cap 12 in the connection structure 70 that connects the electric device 1A and the electric device 1B, the inner portion 12A described above is around the upper edge 10J of the outer lens 10 (periphery of the opening 72 of the electric device 1A). The outer portion 12 B described above is disposed on the inner peripheral surface 10 F side and is interposed between the outer peripheral surface 10 C around the upper end edge 10 J of the outer lens 10 and the one-side connecting portion 75 of the outer top 11. The connecting portion 12C of the waterproof cap 12 is interposed between the upper end edge 10J of the outer lens 10 and the one side connecting portion 75 (specifically, the boundary portion 11H) of the outer top 11. That is, the waterproof cap 12 is interposed between the electric device 1A and the one side connecting portion 75 along the periphery of the opening 72 of the electric device 1A, and between the electric device 1A and the one side connecting portion 75. It is sealed over the entire circumferential direction.

In addition, the waterproof ring 18 in the connection structure 70 that connects the electric device 1A and the electric device 1B is set in the annular groove 11F in the other side connection portion 76 of the outer top 11, and the connection between the other side connection portion 76 and the electric device 1B is performed. The space between the end portion 73 (the lower connection end portion 73L) and the inner peripheral surface is sealed over the entire circumferential direction.

Similarly, also in the connection structure 70 that connects the electric device 1B (becomes the one-side electric device 1X) and the electric device 1C (becomes the other-side electric device 1Y), the one-side connecting portion 75 of the outer top 11 is electrically It is fixed to the connection end 73 (upper connection end 73U) of the device 1B so as not to be relatively rotatable around the reference axis 71. Further, the other side connection portion 76 of the outer top 11 is connected to the connection end portion 73 (lower side connection end portion 73L) of the electric device 1C so as to be detachable by rotating around the reference shaft 71. Has been. Further, the waterproof cap 12 is interposed between the electric device 1B and the one-side connecting portion 75 along the periphery of the opening 72 (upper opening 72U) of the electric device 1B, so that the electric device 1B and the one-side connecting portion are interposed. 75 is sealed over the whole circumferential direction. Further, the waterproof ring 18 is set in the annular groove 11F in the other side connection portion 76 of the outer top 11, and the inner peripheral surface of the other side connection portion 76 and the connection end portion 73 (lower side connection end portion 73L) of the electric device 1C. Is sealed over the entire circumferential direction.

On the other hand, the above-described head cover 13 is attached to the upper connection end portion 73U of the electrical apparatus 1C via the connection structure 70. Also in this connection structure 70, the one side connection portion 75 of the outer top 11 is fixed so as not to be relatively rotatable around the reference shaft 71 with respect to the upper connection end portion 73U of the electric device 1C. Each rib 11E of the outer top 11 is locked by being locked in a locking groove 13C (a portion extending in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 13B) on the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 13B of the head cover 13. It is coupled to the groove 13C. Thus, the other side connecting portion 76 of the outer top 11 is connected to the head cover 13 so as to be detachable by relative rotation around the reference axis 71. Further, the waterproof cap 12 is interposed between the electric device 1C and the one-side connecting portion 75 along the periphery of the opening 72 (upper opening 72U) of the electric device 1C, and the electric device 1C and the one-side connecting portion. 75 is sealed over the whole circumferential direction. Further, the waterproof ring 18 is set in the annular groove 11F in the other side connection portion 76 of the outer top 11, and seals between the other side connection portion 76 and the inner peripheral surface of the head cover 13 over the entire circumferential direction. .

As described above, in the outer top 11 of each connection structure 70, the one side connection portion 75 is fixed so as not to be relatively rotatable with respect to the connection end portion 73 of the one side electric device 1X. In particular, the first connecting portion 75 of the outer top 11 is fixed to the connecting end portion 73 of the one-side electric device 1 X so as not to be relatively rotatable by the engaging portion 55 of the one-side connecting portion 75. (See FIG. 15). Thus, since the one side connection part 75 is being fixed to the connection end part 73 so that relative rotation is impossible, the outer top 11 is integrated with the one side electric equipment 1X.

Moreover, in the outer top 11 of each connection structure 70, the other side connection part 76 is connected so that it can be attached or detached by rotating relatively with respect to the connection end part 73 of the other side electric equipment 1Y.

As described above, when the one-side electric device 1X and the other-side electric device 1Y are relatively rotated, the other-side electric device 1Y is attached to the outer top 11 with the outer top 11 being integrated with the one-side electric device 1X. It is possible to easily attach and detach (add the other side electric device 1Y to the one side electric device 1X or eliminate the addition). That is, it is possible to improve the ease of connection and separation between the electric devices 1. Therefore, it is possible to add another electrical device 1 to the electrical device 1 and expand the function of the entire electrical device 1. It is also possible to recombine an already connected electric device 1 with another electric device 1. Moreover, if this connection structure 70 is used, any number of electrical devices 1 (which may have the same or different functions or types) can be stacked and connected.

Further, in the outer top 11 of each connection structure 70, the closing portion 11A closes the respective opening portions 72 of the one-side electric device 1X and the other-side electric device 1Y. Therefore, in the connection structure 70, it is possible to improve waterproofness in a state where the one-side electric device 1X and the other-side electric device 1Y are connected.

Further, in the connection structure 70, the waterproof cap 12 seals between the one-side electric device 1X and the one-side connection portion 75 of the outer top 11, and the closing portion 11A connects the connection terminal 77 of the one-side electric device 1X. The exposure hole 11D to be exposed is formed with the minimum necessary (see FIG. 15). Therefore, it is possible to improve the waterproofness around the connection end 73 in the one-side electric device 1X (see FIG. 15) in a state where the other-side electric device 1Y is separated. In addition, since the exposure hole 11D is formed in the closed portion 11A with the minimum necessary as described above, and the outer top 11 is fixed to the one-side electric device 1X in a non-removable manner, the user can It is possible to prevent unexpected contact with the inside of the one-side electric device 1X from the opening 72 of the device 1X.

In the above configuration, in the configuration in which the plurality of electric devices 1 are connected, when at least one of the plurality of electric devices 1 (electric device 1A) is a signal indicator lamp (in other words, another electric device is connected by the connection structure 70 described above). Although the signal indicator lamp connected to the device 1 has been described, all the electric appliances 1 to be connected may be electric devices other than the signal indicator lamp. For example, when one of the connected electrical devices 1 is a device that emits a warning sound, the internal unit 100 of the device can be a speaker unit or an electronic component.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, referring to FIG. 14B, in the connected two lenses 3 (see the second lens 3B and the third lens 3C), the leading end portions 32A of the positioning ribs 32 in the one lens 3 (third lens 3C). Is engaged with the other end side (the inner peripheral surface 22B on the other end side contact end surface 22F side) of the support portion 22 in the other lens 3 (second lens 3B). Here, on the other end side in the axial direction X of the other lens 3, the same number of recesses 90 (second connection guide portions) as the positioning ribs 32 (four in this case) for receiving the tip portions 32 A of the positioning ribs 32 are provided. (See FIG. 13). Each of the lenses 3 (each of the two connected lenses 3) centering on the rotation axis (the reference axis 71 described above) along the axial direction X is obtained by engaging the tip portions 32A one by one with each recess 90. Rotation (twisting adjacent lenses 3) can be suppressed. Thereby, it can suppress that the load by the said twist with respect to the LED mounting substrate 2 included in the insertion space 41 of each lens 3 is applied. In addition, such a recessed part 90 may be provided also in the lower surface of the obstruction | occlusion part 11A of the outer top 11, as shown in FIG.

As described above, if the waterproof packing is provided separately from the waterproof ring 9 and the waterproof cap 12 that sandwich the internal unit 100 from above and below, the waterproof ring 9 and the waterproof cap 12 are not waterproof, It may function as a simple cushioning material for protecting and supporting the unit 100.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the lens 3 in a modified example. FIG. 18 is a plan view of the lens 3 in the modification.

The lens 3 of the modification shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 includes an inner irradiation unit 80 inside the light guide radiation unit 20 and outside the support unit 22 (that is, between the light guide radiation unit 20 and the support unit 22). It is out. A pair of the inner irradiation parts 80 is provided so as to be arranged on both sides of the support part 22 in the width direction W described above. Each inner irradiation unit 80 is arranged at a position shifted by about +90 degrees or about −90 degrees from the slit part 23 in the circumferential direction P. Each inner irradiation part 80 has a columnar shape extending along the axial direction X from the connecting part 33. The cross section of each inner irradiation unit 80 when cut along a plane orthogonal to the axial direction X has a substantially triangular shape that narrows toward the opposite position 20C of the light guide radiation unit 20. Therefore, the end surface 80A on the slit portion 23 side in each inner irradiation unit 80 is a flat surface along both the width direction W and the axial direction X. In addition, although each inner side irradiation part 80 is constructed between the light guide radiation | emission part 20 and the support part 22 (refer FIG. 18), not only this but both the light guide radiation | emission part 20 and the support part 22 or It does not have to be connected to one side.

When light leaks to the inside of the light guide / radiation unit 20 due to the light emission of the LED 14, a part of this light is transmitted from the end surface 80 A to the slit portion 23 side (strictly, the light guide / radiation unit 20 of the light guide / radiation unit 20. Irradiation is performed on the first region 20D side and in the case of FIG. 18, the region directly above the end face 80A. Of the light thus irradiated, the light that has reached the first region 20D is radiated outward from the light guide radiation unit 20 in the first region 20D. The light that has been irradiated by the inner irradiation unit 80 and has reached the slit unit 23 side is radiated outward by the auxiliary lens unit 21 of the slit unit 23. Thereby, in the electric equipment 1, the light quantity of the light radiated outward from the light guide radiation unit 20 can be made uniform in the circumferential direction P.

In the embodiment described above, the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 25 on the inner peripheral surface 20B of the light guide radiation portion 20 is different in the first region 20D, the second region 20E, and the third region 20F (FIGS. 6 to 6). 8), as in the modification, the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 25 may be the same throughout the first region 20D to the third region 20F. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of each convex portion 25 is similar to the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 25 (see FIGS. 6 to 8) in the initial second region 20E. Therefore, the basic cross-sectional form of each convex part 25 when it cut | disconnects by the cut surface orthogonal to the axial direction X is the same regardless of the position of the circumferential direction P in the internal peripheral surface 20B.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electric equipment 1X ... One side electric equipment 1Y ... Other side electric equipment 11 ... Outer top 11A ... Closure part 11D ... Exposed hole 12 ... Waterproof cap 55 ... Engagement part 70 ... Connection structure 71 ... Reference | standard shaft 72 ... Opening part 73 ... Connection end part 75 ... One side connection part 76 ... The other side connection part 77 ... Connection terminal

Claims

Each of the connection end portions of a pair of adjacent electrical devices among a plurality of electrical devices that each have a connection end portion in which an opening is formed and is arranged on a common reference axis. A connecting structure for connecting via
The connecting member is
One side of the pair of electric devices to be connected is fixed so as to be relatively unrotatable around the reference axis with respect to the connection end portion of one electric device on one side with respect to the connecting member. A connection,
It connects so that it can be attached or detached by rotating around the reference axis relative to the connection end of the other electric device on the other side with respect to the connecting member of the pair of electric devices to be connected. The other side connection part,
A closing portion for closing the opening of each of the one-side electric device and the other-side electric device, wherein a connection terminal electrically connected to the other-side electric device in the one-side electric device is connected to the other-side electric device A closed portion formed with an exposed hole to be exposed to the side;
Including
The seal member is interposed between the one-side electric device and the one-side connection portion along a peripheral edge of the opening of the one-side electric device, so that the one-side electric device and the one-side connection portion A connection structure for connecting adjacent electrical devices, characterized by sealing between the two.
The one side connection portion has an engagement portion that engages with the connection end portion of the one side electric device and restricts relative rotation of the one side connection portion with respect to the connection end portion of the one side electric device. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the connection structure is provided.
The connection structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of electric devices is a signal indicator lamp.
A signal indicator lamp connected to another electrical device by the connecting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.