JP2021009117A - Switch structure - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a switch structure which can be miniaturized.SOLUTION: A switch structure 1 comprises: a switch 3; a housing 2 for accommodating the switch; and a switch drive part 4 which is inserted and supported in the housing, and capable of contacting the switch by being displaced in an insertion direction. The switch drive part includes: an operation part 41; a rod-like part 42 which is formed extending from the operation part toward the switch. The housing includes: a base part 215 in which a hole 214 is formed for allowing the rod-like part to penetrate; and a cylindrical part 216 cylindrically erected from an outer edge of the base part and accommodating the operation part. An elastic body 5 for pushing back the operation part in an insertion reversal direction is provided between the operation part and the base part. The operation part includes lips 411-413 which are formed into a protrusion directed toward the cylindrical part, and are capable of abutting on the cylindrical part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a switch structure.

Conventionally, a gas meter is provided with a push button portion as an operation portion in order to perform a return operation when the gas flow path is cut off (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The conventional push button portion disclosed in Patent Document 1 is inserted and supported by a through hole formed in the bottom of a recessed portion that opens on the front surface of the case, and is configured to be able to press a switch housed inside the case. ing. The push button portion includes a button key capable of pressing the switch, a button rubber that urges the button key in the direction opposite to the switch pressing, and a button cover that covers the button rubber. The button key has a tubular portion on which the switch can be pressed, and two flange portions that project outward in the radial direction of the tubular portion in the recessed portion. The button rubber is provided with a support piece that enters between the two collars of the button key and elastically supports the collar.

In such a conventional push button portion, when the button key is pressed, the support piece of the button rubber is pressed in the pressing direction by the collar portion of the button key, so that the button key is displaced and the switch is pressed. ing.

JP-A-2000-205919

By the way, although the gas meter is required to be miniaturized, the conventional push button portion is configured by inserting a support piece of a button rubber between two flange portions of the button key. That is, the button key is pressed, and the support piece of the button rubber is pushed by the flange to be elastically deformed, so that the button key is displaced in the pressing direction and is in a pressed state, and the button key is pushed back by the elastic restoration force of the button rubber. It will be restored. The structure of such a push button portion has hindered miniaturization.

An object of the present invention is to provide a switch structure for miniaturization.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises a switch, a housing for accommodating the switch, being inserted and supported in the housing, and displaced in the insertion direction. A switch structure including a switch drive unit capable of contacting a switch, wherein the switch drive unit has an operation unit and a rod-shaped portion formed extending from the operation unit toward the switch. The housing has a base portion in which a hole portion through which the rod-shaped portion is formed is formed, and a tubular portion that is erected in a tubular shape from the outer edge of the base portion and accommodates the operation portion. An elastic body for pushing back the operating portion in the opposite direction of insertion is provided between the portion and the base portion, and the operating portion is formed to be convex toward the tubular portion and hits the tubular portion. It is a switch structure characterized by having a contactable lip.

The invention according to claim 2 has, in the invention according to claim 1, a pull-out preventive tool fixed to the rod-shaped portion, and the pull-out preventive tool is on the opposite side of the elastic body with the base portion interposed therebetween. It is provided so as to be in contact with the base portion.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein each surface of the elastic body is in close contact with the operation portion and the base portion in a state where the removal prevention tool is in contact with the base portion. It is provided.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion is located at a position facing the operation portion in the insertion direction. It is characterized by having a tapered portion that inclines in a direction approaching the operating portion as it goes toward it.

According to the invention of claim 1, the switch structure includes a switch, a housing, a switch drive unit, and an elastic body. The switch drive unit has an operation unit and a rod-shaped portion that is inserted into a hole formed in the base of the housing and is formed so as to extend toward the switch, and the housing has a hole through which the rod-shaped portion is penetrated. It has a base on which a portion is formed and a tubular portion that is erected in a tubular shape from the outer edge of the base and accommodates the operation portion, and an elastic body is provided between the operation portion and the base to operate. The portion is formed to be convex toward the tubular portion and has a lip capable of contacting the tubular portion. According to this, it is possible to elastically restore the operation part without having a structure in which the button key is pressed and the support piece of the button rubber is pushed by the collar part to elastically deform like the conventional push button part. Switch structure can be obtained. That is, by adopting a structure in which an elastic body is sandwiched between the operation portion and the base portion instead of the collar portion and the support piece, the structure in which the operation portion is elastically restored by the elastic body can be simplified. Further, since the operating portion has a lip that can come into contact with the tubular portion, it is possible to suppress the shaft runout of the operating portion and suppress the infiltration of liquid from the lip toward the insertion direction. Even if each component constituting the switch structure is made compact, it is possible to reduce the size without impairing the operability of the switch structure while maintaining the rigidity of each component.

It is a front view which shows the gas meter to which the switch structure which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the said switch structure, and is the schematic which shows the initial state which is not in contact with a switch. It is a figure which shows the main part of the switch structure in an enlarged manner. It is a figure which shows the said switch structure, and is the schematic which shows the pressing state in contact with a switch. It is the schematic which shows the switch structure which concerns on the modification of this invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a gas meter to which the switch structure according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the switch structure 1 of the present embodiment is a part of the gas meter 10 that outputs according to the gas flow rate in the gas flow path that flows in from the gas inlet 11 and flows out from the gas outlet 12. Therefore, the return operation is performed when the shutoff valve of the gas flow path is closed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the gas meter 10 includes a flow path measurement unit (not shown) and a flow path measurement unit that output according to the flow rate of the gas flowing in from the gas inlet 11 and flowing out from the gas outlet 12. A box-shaped housing 2 for the gas flow rate, a switch 3 for performing a return operation when the shutoff valve of the gas flow path is closed, and the switch 3 which is inserted and supported by the housing 2 and displaced in the insertion direction. A switch drive unit 4 that can be contacted with the switch drive unit 4 and an elastic body 5 for pushing the switch drive unit 4 back in the opposite direction of insertion are provided. The housing 2, the switch 3, the switch drive unit 4, and the elastic body 5 constitute the switch structure 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface 20 of the housing 2 is provided with a gas inlet 11 into which gas flows in from the LP gas container and a gas outlet 12 in which gas flows out to the combustor. The gas inlet 11 and the gas outlet 12 are formed in a tubular shape so as to communicate with the outside and the inside of the housing 2, respectively. A flow path measuring unit for the gas flow path is provided between the gas inflow port 11 and the gas outflow port 12.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an opening 210 is provided on the front surface 21 of the housing 2, and a windshield 211 is provided so as to cover the opening 210 from the inside. Inside the windshield 211, a display unit 212 composed of a liquid crystal display or the like and capable of displaying an integrated value of gas usage is provided so as to overlap the windshield 211. By displaying the integrated value of the gas usage amount on the display screen of the display unit 212, the display screen can be visually recognized through the windshield 211. Further, the front surface 21 of the housing 2 is provided with a support recess 213 for inserting and supporting the switch drive unit 4 in the vicinity of the opening 210. In the following, the insertion direction of the switch drive unit 4 into the support recess 213 is described as "rear (shown in FIG. 2 and the like)", and the opposite direction (opposite direction of insertion) is described as "front (shown in FIG. 2 and the like)". In some cases.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support recess 213 stands in a tubular shape from the outer peripheral edge of the hole 214 to the bottom wall 215 (base) in which the hole 214 for passing the switch drive 4 is formed. It is configured to have a peripheral wall 216 provided. The bottom wall portion 215 is formed so as to be located behind the front surface 21 of the housing 2, and the front end of the peripheral wall 216 and the front end 21 of the housing 2 are formed to be at the same position in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 216 is continuously expanded in front of the inclined surface main body 216A (tapered portion) and the inclined surface main body 216A so that the diameter dimension gradually decreases toward the rear. It is configured to have a diameter portion 216B. The inclined surface main body 216A is continuously formed from the rear end 216b of the peripheral wall 216 to a predetermined position 216a (described later). The diameter-expanded portion 216B is formed so that the diameter dimension increases toward the front, and is formed to have a steeper slope than the inclined surface main body 216A. The predetermined position 216a is located at the boundary between the inclined surface main body 216A and the enlarged diameter portion 216B, and is located slightly behind the front end surface 41A which is in the operating portion 41 and can be pressed by the user.

As shown in FIG. 2, the switch 3 is provided at a position facing the hole 214 behind the hole 214 formed in the support recess 213.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the switch drive unit 4 has an operation unit 41 that can be pressed by the user, and a rod shape that extends from the center of the operation unit 41 toward the switch 3 and can press the switch 3. It is configured to include a portion 42 and a pull-out prevention tool 43 (shown in FIG. 2) fixed to the rod-shaped portion 42. The operation unit 41 and the rod-shaped unit 42 are integrally formed. In the following, the operation unit 41 and the rod-shaped unit 42 may be referred to as “switch drive unit main body 40”.

The operation unit 41 includes a substantially disk-shaped operation unit main body 410, and three (plural) lips 411, 421, and 413 formed convexly from the peripheral surface of the operation unit main body 410 toward the peripheral wall 216 of the support recess 213. , And are configured.

The operation unit main body 410 is configured to have a columnar portion 414 and a detail 415 continuous in front of the columnar portion 414. The columnar portion 414 is formed so as to be larger than the diameter dimension of the hole portion 214 of the support recess 213, and is formed so that all the positions in the axial direction have substantially the same dimensions. The operation unit main body 410 is configured such that the boundary portion 410a between the columnar portion 414 and the tip detail 415 is arranged to face the predetermined position 216a of the support recess 213 when the elastic body 5 is in the initial state described later. ing.

The lips 411, 421, and 413 are formed in the columnar portion 414 of the operation unit main body 410 at intervals in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the lips 411, 412, and 413 are formed so that the convex height dimensions are substantially the same. The lips 411, 421, and 413 are continuously formed on the entire circumference of the columnar portion 414. The lips 411, 421, and 413 are arranged to face the inclined surface main body 216A of the support recess 213 in a non-contact manner when the elastic body 5 is in the initial state, and the elastic body 5 is compressed to form the lips 411, 421, and 413. Is configured to come into contact with the inclined surface main body 216A in the order of lips 413, 421, and 411 when the lips are displaced rearward. As a result, the shaft runout of the operation unit main body 410 is suppressed. Further, when the lips 411, 421, and 413 come into contact with the inclined surface main body 216A, the infiltration of the liquid from the lips 411, 421, and 413 to the insertion direction side (rear) is suppressed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the rod-shaped portion 42 is formed so as to be insertable into the hole portion 214 of the support recess 213, and is not in contact with the switch 3 when the elastic body 5 is in the initial state. When the elastic body 5 is compressed, it is configured to contact and press the switch 3. The pull-out prevention tool 43 is fixed to the rod-shaped portion 42 at a fixed position 42a separated rearward from the operation portion 41 by the total dimension of the front-rear dimension of the elastic body 5 in the initial state and the front-rear dimension of the bottom wall portion 215 of the support recess 213. Has been done.

The pull-out prevention tool 43 is formed in a C shape that can be inserted into the rod-shaped portion 42. The pull-out prevention tool 43 is fixed to the fixed position 42a of the rod-shaped portion 42 so as to abut the bottom wall portion 215 of the support recess 213 when the elastic body 5 is in the initial state. Further, the elastic body 5 is sandwiched between the operation portion 41 and the bottom wall portion 215 and slightly compressed (initial state) in a state where the pull-out prevention tool 43 is in contact with the bottom wall portion 215. .. The pull-out preventer 43 comes into contact with the bottom wall portion 215 of the support recess 213 to prevent the rod-shaped portion 42 from coming off forward. In the present embodiment, the pull-out prevention tool 43 is formed in a C shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. The pull-out preventer may be ring-shaped or may be a well-known E-ring.

The elastic body 5 is made of a porous body. The elastic body 5 is formed in a ring shape, and is configured so that the rod-shaped portion 42 of the operation portion 41 can be press-fitted into the central hole 50. That is, the inner diameter of the central hole 50 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the rod-shaped portion 42. The elastic body 5 is located between the operation portion 41 and the bottom wall portion 215 of the support recess 213. Then, the switch drive unit 4 is in contact with the switch 3 in a compressed state in which the elastic body 5 is compressed between the two, and the switch drive unit 4 is not in contact with the switch 3 in the initial state. .. Here, the "initial state" of the elastic body 5 is a state in which the retaining tool 43 is in contact with the bottom wall portion 215, and the elastic body 5 is sandwiched between the operation portion 41 and the bottom wall portion 215. It is in a slightly compressed state. In the initial state, the front and rear surfaces of the elastic body 5 are in close contact with the operation portion 41 and the bottom wall portion 215. Further, since the central hole 50 is press-fitted into the rod-shaped portion 42 and the inner surface of the central hole 50 is in close contact with the rod-shaped portion 42, the three surfaces of the elastic body 5 suppress the infiltration of liquid into the housing 2. Will be done. Such an elastic body 5 has both a waterproof function of suppressing the intrusion of liquid into the housing 2 and a spring function of pushing the switch drive unit 4 back in the direction opposite to the insertion (forward).

Such a switch structure 1 is assembled by the following procedure. That is, the elastic body 5 is installed in front of the bottom wall portion 215 of the support recess 213, and the rod-shaped portion 42 of the switch drive portion main body 40 is inserted into the hole portion 214 of the bottom wall portion 215 from the front to operate the elastic body 5. It is sandwiched between the portion 41 and the bottom wall portion 215. The pull-out preventer 43 is inserted close to the rear end of the rod-shaped portion 42, and the pull-out preventive tool 43 is fixed at the fixed position 42a of the rod-shaped portion 42. As a result, the switch drive unit main body 40 is prevented from coming off by the pull-out prevention tool 43. In this way, the switch structure 1 is assembled.

In the switch structure 1 assembled in this way, as shown in FIG. 2, the switch drive unit main body 40 is in non-contact with the switch 3 when the elastic body 5 is in the initial state. Here, when the user presses the front end surface 41A of the operation unit 41, the elastic body 5 is in a compressed state, and the switch drive unit main body 40 including the operation unit 41 is displaced rearward, as shown in FIG. Along with this, the lips 413, 412, and 411 come into contact with the inclined surface main body 216A of the peripheral wall 216 in this order. In this way, by abutting the inclined surface main body 216A in the order of the lips 413, 412, and 411, the axial runout of the operation unit main body 410 is reduced. Further, when the lips 411, 421, and 413 come into contact with the inclined surface main body 216A, the infiltration of the liquid from the lips 411, 421, and 413 to the insertion direction side (rear) is suppressed. By further rearranging, the switch drive unit main body 40 comes into contact with the switch 3 and presses the switch 3. The switch 3 is turned on, and the return operation of the shutoff valve of the gas flow path is performed.

According to the above-described embodiment, by adopting a structure in which the elastic body 5 is sandwiched between the operation portion 41 and the bottom wall portion 215 (base portion), the structure in which the operation portion 41 is elastically restored by the elastic body 5 is simply formed. Therefore, even if each component (housing 2, switch drive unit 4, elastic body 5) constituting the switch structure 1 is made compact, the switch structure can be maintained while maintaining the rigidity of the components 2, 4, and 5. It is possible to reduce the size without impairing the operability of 1.

Further, the housing 2 has a peripheral wall 216 (cylindrical portion) that is vertically erected from the outer edge of the bottom wall portion 215 (base portion) and accommodates the operation portion 41, and the operation portion 41 faces the peripheral wall 216. It has lips 411, 412, and 413 that are formed to be convex and fill the gap between the peripheral wall 216 and the operating portion 41. According to this, since each lip 411, 412, 413 is formed, the axial runout of the operation unit main body 410 can be suppressed. Further, when the lips 411, 421, and 413 are brought into contact with the inclined surface main body 216A, it is possible to suppress the infiltration of the liquid from the lips 411, 421, and 413 to the insertion direction side (rear).

Further, it has a pull-out preventive tool 43 fixed to the rod-shaped portion 42, and the pull-out preventive tool 43 is on the opposite side (rear side) of the elastic body 5 with the bottom wall portion 215 (base portion) interposed therebetween. It is provided so that it can be contacted. That is, since the pull-out prevention tool 43 is provided, a structure in which the operation portion 41 is elastically restored by the elastic body 5 can be assembled with good workability. Further, by simplifying the shape of each component constituting the switch structure 1, the cost can be reduced.

Further, each surface of the elastic body 5 is provided in close contact with the operation portion 41 and the bottom wall portion 215 in the initial state in which the pull-out prevention tool 43 is in contact with the bottom wall portion 215 (base portion). According to this, the elastic body 5 can suppress the infiltration of the liquid into the inside of the housing 2 in both the initial state and the compressed state (always).

Further, the housing 2 has a peripheral wall 216 (cylindrical portion) that is vertically erected from the outer edge of the bottom wall portion 215 (base portion) and accommodates the operation portion 41, and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 216 is operated. At a position facing the portion 41, there is an inclined surface main body 216A (tapered portion) that inclines in a direction approaching the operating portion 41 toward the insertion direction. When such an inclined surface main body 216A (tapered portion) is provided on the front surface 21 (substantially vertical surface) of the housing 2, the liquid that has entered the peripheral wall 216 is allowed to flow to the outside by the inclined surface main body 216A. can do.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but includes other configurations that can achieve the object of the present invention, and modifications as shown below are also included in the present invention.

In the above embodiment, on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 216, the inclined surface main body 216A (tapered portion) is continuously formed from the rear end 216b of the peripheral wall 216 to the predetermined position 216a, but the present invention is limited thereto. is not it. As shown in FIG. 5, the tapered portion may be continuously formed from the predetermined position 216a to the position 216c where the lip 413 is displaced when the elastic body 5 is in the compressed state. In this case, the boundary position 216c to the rear end 216b of the peripheral wall 216 may be composed of cylindrical surfaces 216C having the same diameter. According to this, substantially the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment is obtained.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the switch drive unit 4 includes an operation unit 41, a rod-shaped portion 42, and a pull-out prevention tool 43, and the operation unit 41 and the rod-shaped portion are in a state before assembly. Although 42 is integrally configured, the present invention is not limited thereto. The switch drive unit may be configured such that the rod-shaped portion and the pull-out preventer are integrally configured in the state before assembly, and the operation portion is fixed to the rod-shaped portion later.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the elastic body 5 is composed of a porous body, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The elastic body may be composed of a coil spring. Alternatively, the elastic body may be composed of both a porous body and a coil spring.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the support recess 213 is provided on the front surface 21 of the housing 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The support recess 213 is preferably provided on any of the front surface 21, the rear surface, and the left and right side surfaces of the housing 2. That is, the support recess 213 is preferably provided on a substantially vertical surface. According to this, the liquid that has penetrated into the tubular portion can be made to flow to the outside by the tapered portion.

In addition, the best configuration, method, and the like for carrying out the present invention are disclosed in the above description, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, although the present invention is particularly illustrated and described primarily with respect to a particular embodiment, it does not deviate from the scope of the technical idea and purpose of the present invention and has a shape relative to the embodiments described above. , Materials, quantities, and other detailed configurations can be modified by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the description limiting the shapes, materials, etc. disclosed above is merely an example for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, those shapes, materials, etc. The description by the name of the member which removes a part or all of the limitation such as is included in the present invention.

1 Switch structure 2 Housing 3 Switch 4 Switch drive part 5 Elastic body 41 Operation part 42 Rod-shaped part 43 Detachment preventive tool 214 Hole part 215 Bottom wall part (base)
216 Peripheral wall (cylindrical part)
216A Inclined surface body (tapered part)
411, 412, 413 lips

Claims (4)

Switch and
A housing that houses the switch and
A switch structure including a switch drive unit that is inserted and supported in the housing and can be displaced in the insertion direction to come into contact with the switch.
The switch drive unit has an operation unit and a rod-shaped portion formed extending from the operation unit toward the switch.
The housing has a base portion in which a hole portion through which the rod-shaped portion is formed is formed, and a tubular portion that is erected in a tubular shape from the outer edge of the base portion and accommodates the operation portion.
An elastic body for pushing back the operating portion in the opposite direction of insertion is provided between the operating portion and the base portion.
The switch structure is characterized in that the operating portion is formed to be convex toward the tubular portion and has a lip capable of contacting the tubular portion. It has a pull-out preventer fixed to the rod-shaped part
The switch structure according to claim 1, wherein the pull-out prevention tool is provided on the opposite side of the elastic body with the base portion in between so as to be in contact with the base portion. The switch structure according to claim 2, wherein each surface of the elastic body is provided in close contact with the operation portion and the base portion in a state where the removal prevention tool is in contact with the base portion. The claim is characterized in that the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion has a tapered portion at a position facing the operating portion, which is inclined in a direction approaching the operating portion toward the insertion direction. The switch structure according to any one of 1 to 3.

Images