JP6370654B2 - Multi-contact switch and electric junction box having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-contact switch including a plurality of fixed contacts and movable contacts, and an electric junction box including the same.

  There are various types of electric junction boxes for vehicles, for example, there are those shown in FIG. 23 (see Patent Document 1). In an electrical connection box 350 shown in FIG. 23, a connector block 352, a power bus bar 353, a fuse block 354, a number of relays 360, and the like are mounted on a substrate 351. A large number of relays 360 are mounted because the energization capacity is limited due to the low current of the ignition key. As shown in FIG. 24, each relay 360 includes a fixed contact 361, a movable contact 362, and an excitation coil 363 that applies an electromagnetic force to the movable contact 362. When the exciting coil 363 is energized, the bending deformation part 362a of the movable contact 362 is deformed and the movable contact 362 comes into contact with the fixed contact 361 (refer to Patent Document 2 as a similar technique).

JP 2013-17295 A JP-A-10-92285

  However, in each relay 360 of the conventional example, a single exciting coil 363 turns on and off between one fixed contact 361 and the movable contact 362. Therefore, in a device in which a large number of relays 360 are mounted, such as the electrical connection box 350, there is a problem that the total heat generation amount becomes large and the device becomes large.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a multi-contact switch that can be mounted on a device having a large number of contact structures and that can suppress the amount of heat generated from the device and can be reduced in size, and an electrical junction box including the multi-contact switch. For the purpose.

The invention described in claim 1 is a plurality of movable contacts provided movably between a plurality of fixed contacts, a contact off position that does not contact each of the fixed contacts, and a contact on position that contacts each of the fixed contacts. A single actuator capable of simultaneously moving the plurality of movable contacts and controlling the amount of movement of the plurality of movable contacts , each of the movable contacts and the fixed contacts being 3 or more, The multi-contact switch is characterized in that all the movable contacts are connected to each other and electrically connected .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of movable contacts are provided slidably between the contact-off position and the contact-on position. It is what.

  The invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 2, wherein the fixed contact holding part holding the plurality of fixed contacts, the plurality of movable contacts are held, and the fixed contact holding part is A movable contact holding part that is slidable, and the movable contact holding part and the fixed contact holding part are located at positions where they overlap each other at the contact ON position and the contact OFF position of all the movable contacts. It is what.

  The invention described in claim 4 is the invention described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the actuator is a rotary actuator having a rotation center, and the plurality of movable contacts are on a straight line passing through the rotation center. It is characterized by being arranged.

  The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 4, the plurality of movable contacts are arranged on both sides of the rotation center.

  The invention described in claim 6 is the invention described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of movable contacts are provided rotatably between the contact-off position and the contact-on position. A movable contact component having a columnar shape or a cylindrical shape provided on the outer peripheral surface of the movable contact, and a bearing portion rotatably holding the movable contact component, and the plurality of fixed contacts are movable It is characterized by being arranged in the axial direction of the contact component.

  The invention described in claim 7 is the invention described in claim 6, wherein the actuator includes a gear provided coaxially with the movable contact component, a drive core that moves linearly, and the drive core. And a meshing portion that meshes with the gear.

  The invention described in claim 8 is the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein there are three or more contact states of the plurality of fixed contacts and the plurality of movable contacts, and the plurality of movable contacts. The contact state can be controlled by the amount of movement of the contact.

The invention described in claim 9 is an electrical junction box comprising the multi-contact switch according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .

According to the first, second, and sixth aspects of the invention, it is movable between a plurality of fixed contacts, a contact-off position that does not contact the fixed contacts, and a contact-on position that contacts the fixed contacts. A plurality of movable contacts provided, and a single actuator that can simultaneously move the plurality of movable contacts and control the amount of movement of the plurality of movable contacts. Between fixed and movable contacts. Therefore, when the multi-contact switch is mounted on a device having a large number of contact structures, the total heat generation amount of the device can be reduced and the size can be reduced.
Further, the movable contact and the fixed contact are each 3 or more, and all the movable contacts are connected to each other and electrically connected, so that the multi-contact switch can constitute a branch circuit.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, the fixed contact holding part that holds the plurality of fixed contacts, the movable contact holding part that holds the plurality of movable contacts and is slidable with respect to the fixed contact holding part, The movable contact holding part and the fixed contact holding part are located at positions where all of the movable contacts are overlapped at the contact ON position and the contact OFF position. The multi-contact switch can be reduced in size as compared with the case where is placed at a position where the movable contacts do not overlap at the contact-off position.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, since the actuator is a rotary actuator having a rotation center, and the plurality of movable contacts are arranged on a straight line passing through the rotation center, the rotation in the rotary actuator is performed. The contact state of the plurality of fixed contacts and the plurality of movable contacts can be controlled by the rotation angle of the shaft, and the layout of the multi-contact switch can be simplified.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the plurality of movable contacts are arranged on both sides of the rotation center, the layout of the multi-contact switch can be further simplified.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the above-described effects, the movable contact component having a columnar or cylindrical shape in which the plurality of movable contacts are provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the movable contact component is rotated. A plurality of fixed contacts are arranged in the axial direction of the movable contact component, so that the installation space for the plurality of movable contacts and the movable contact component can be reduced. The multi-contact switch can be further downsized.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the actuator includes a gear provided coaxially with the movable contact component, a drive core that moves linearly, and a gear connected to the drive core and meshing with the gear. Since the engagement portion is provided, the drive control of the drive core can be simplified and the energy required for the drive can be reduced.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, there are three or more contact states of the plurality of fixed contacts and the plurality of movable contacts, and the contact state can be controlled by a movement amount of the plurality of movable contacts. Only the circuit can be turned on and off.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the multi-contact switch according to any one of the first to eighth aspects is provided, a large number of relays used in the conventional product can be eliminated. Therefore, the total heat generation amount of the electrical junction box can be reduced and the size can be reduced.

The multi-contact switch concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is a perspective view of four sets of contacts in an OFF state, (b) is sectional drawing of (a). 1 shows another contact state of the multi-contact switch shown in FIG. 1, wherein (a) is a perspective view of three sets of contacts in an on state and one set of contacts in an off state, and (b) is a diagram of (a). It is sectional drawing. FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the multi-contact switch shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of the multi-contact switch shown by FIG. 1, (a) is principal part sectional drawing which shows the middle state which a movable contact transfers to a contact ON position from a contact OFF position, (b ) Is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing a state where the movable contact has been transferred from the contact on position to the contact off position, and (c) is a side view of the main part showing a foreign matter interposition state between the contacts in the case of a contact type contact. is there. It is a perspective view of the multi-contact switch concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and is a perspective view of four sets of contacts in an OFF state. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another contact state of the multi-contact switch shown in FIG. 5, in which two sets of contacts are in an on state and two sets of contacts are in an off state. It is a perspective view of the multi-contact switch concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the rotary actuator and the movable contact holder shown in FIG. 7. It is a perspective view of the contact member attached to the movable contact holding | maintenance part shown by FIG. FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram of the multi-contact switch shown in FIG. 7, (a) is a plan view of two sets of contacts in an on state and two sets of contacts in an off state, and (b) is a perspective view of (a). FIG. FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram of the multi-contact switch shown in FIG. 7, wherein (a) is a plan view of three sets of contacts in an on state and one set of contacts in an off state, and (b) is a perspective view of (a). FIG. 8A and 8B are operation explanatory views of the multi-contact switch shown in FIG. 7, in which FIG. 7A is a plan view of four contact points in an ON state, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view of FIG. It is an exploded view of the multi-contact switch concerning 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the rotary actuator and the movable contact holder shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the movable contact holding part and the contact member shown in FIG. 14. It is a perspective view of the multi-contact switch concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the multi-contact switch shown in FIG. 16 from the opposite side. FIG. 17 is an operation explanatory diagram of the multi-contact switch shown in FIG. 16, in which one set of contacts is in an on state and four sets of contacts are in an off state. FIG. 17 is an operation explanatory diagram of the multi-contact switch shown in FIG. 16, in which two sets of contacts are in an on state and three sets of contacts are in an off state. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a rotating structure in which a movable contact component is rotated by the actuator shown in FIG. 16, and a state in which no voltage is applied to the solenoid body and the drive core is submerged on the solenoid body side. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a rotating structure in which a movable contact component is rotated by the actuator shown in FIG. 16, and a state where a voltage is applied to the solenoid body and the drive core of FIG. 20 protrudes from the solenoid body. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a rotating structure in which a movable contact component is rotated by the actuator shown in FIG. 16, in which voltage application to the solenoid body is stopped and the drive core of FIG. 21 is submerged on the solenoid body side. It is a disassembled perspective view of the electrical junction box for vehicles which shows a prior art example. A prior art is shown, (a) is a perspective view of a relay, (b) is a perspective view which extracted only the movable contact and fixed contact in a relay.

(First embodiment)
A multi-contact switch and an electrical junction box according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the multi-contact switch 1 </ b> A is mounted on the substrate 20. The multi-contact switch 1 </ b> A is slidable in a linear direction on the fixed contact holding unit 2, a plurality of fixed contacts 3 a to 3 d held on the fixed contact holding unit 2, and the fixed contact holding unit 2. The movable contact holding part 4 disposed on the movable contact holding part 4, a plurality of movable contact points 5 a to 5 d held by the movable contact holding part 4, and an actuator 10 that slides the movable contact holding part 4.

  The fixed contact holding part 2 is formed in a rectangular plate shape by an insulating material. A pair of slide guide grooves 2 a is provided on both side surfaces forming the long side of the fixed contact holding portion 2.

  The plurality of fixed contacts 3a to 3d are obtained by pressing a metal plate and are formed in a belt shape. These fixed contacts 3 a to 3 d are press-fitted or insert-molded into the fixed contact holding portion 2 so that the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the upper surface of the fixed contact holding portion 2. The plurality of fixed contacts 3 a to 3 d extend in parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction of the fixed contact holding part 2 and are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the fixed contact holding part 2. The plurality of fixed contacts 3a to 3d are four in this embodiment. One (3a) of the four fixed contacts 3a to 3d is an input side contact, and the other three (3b to 3d) are output side contacts. One end sides of the plurality of fixed contacts 3 a to 3 d are bent at a right angle and connected to a circuit wiring portion (not shown) of the substrate 20.

  The fixed contact 3a and the fixed contact 3b have the same upper surface length, and the fixed contacts 3b to 3d have different upper surface lengths. One end (bent portion) of the upper surfaces of the fixed contacts 3a and 3b is located on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the fixed contact holding portion 2 with respect to one end (bent portion) of the upper surfaces of the fixed contacts 3c and 3d. One end (bent part) of the upper surface of the fixed contact 3c is located on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the fixed contact holding part 2 with respect to one end (bent part) of the upper surface of the fixed contact 3d.

  The movable contact holding part 4 is formed of an insulating material. The movable contact holding unit 4 is disposed on the fixed contact holding unit 2. A pair of slide protrusions 4 a are provided on the inner surfaces of both side portions of the movable contact holding portion 4. The pair of slide convex portions 4 a is inserted into the pair of slide guide grooves 2 a of the fixed contact holding portion 2. Thereby, the movable contact holding part 4 is slidable in the linear direction (longitudinal direction of the fixed contact holding part 2) with respect to the fixed contact holding part 2, and the plurality of movable contacts 5a to 5d with respect to the plurality of fixed contacts 3a to 3d. Is provided.

  There are four movable contacts 5a to 5d in this embodiment. The plurality of movable contacts 5 a to 5 d are press-fitted or insert-molded at the rear end side thereof into the movable contact holding portion 4, and the front end side thereof protrudes from the front end surface of the movable contact holding portion 4. The plurality of movable contacts 5 a to 5 d extend in parallel with each other along the longitudinal direction of the fixed contact holding part 2 and are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the fixed contact holding part 2. The front end sides of the movable contacts 5a to 5d are inclined downward and are in elastic contact with the fixed contacts 3a to 3d. The rear end sides of the movable contacts 5a to 5d are connected and electrically connected to each other by a connecting portion 5e. These four movable contacts 5a to 5d and the connecting portion 5e are integrally formed by being die-cut from a single metal plate.

  The actuator 10 is fixed on the fixed contact holding part 2 so as to be sandwiched between the pair of fixed walls 15. The actuator 10 includes an actuator body 11 and a drive core 12 that protrudes from the tip of the actuator body 11 and moves in the axial direction. The tip of the drive core 12 is connected to the movable contact holding part 4. As the drive core 12 of the actuator 10 moves, the movable contact holder 4 slides on the fixed contact holder 2 in the linear direction (longitudinal direction of the fixed contact holder 2). That is, the four movable contacts 5 a to 5 d are simultaneously slid in the linear direction by the movement of the drive core 12.

  Next, the operation of the multi-contact switch 1A will be described. In the multi-contact switch 1A, the contact states of the fixed contacts 3a to 3d and the movable contacts 5a to 5d are four states described below. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first state is a state where all the movable contacts 5a to 5d are not in contact with the fixed contacts 3a to 3d. The second state is a state in which the movable contact 5a is in contact with the fixed contact 3a and the movable contact 5b is in contact with the fixed contact 3b. In this second state, the movable contact 5c is not in contact with the fixed contact 3c, and the movable contact 5d is not in contact with the fixed contact 3d. In the third state, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the movable contact 5a is in contact with the fixed contact 3a, the movable contact 5b is in contact with the fixed contact 3b, and the movable contact 5c is in the fixed contact 3c. Is in contact with In this third state, the movable contact 5d is not in contact with the fixed contact 3d. The fourth state is a state in which all the movable contacts 5a to 5d are in contact with the fixed contacts 3a to 3d.

  In the first embodiment, the movable contact 5a and the fixed contact 3a are not in contact with each other in the first state, but the fixed contact 3a is a contact on the input side. 3a may be contacted. However, in this modified example, the movable contact 5a is always in the on position and not in the off position, so the movable contacts 5b to 5d correspond to the “movable contact” in the claims.

  The multi-contact switch 1A is in the first state when the coil of the actuator 10 is not energized. In this first state, the movable contacts 5a to 5d are located at one end in the longitudinal direction of the fixed contact holding portion 2 (“contact off position” in the claims). When the coil of the actuator 10 is energized, the drive core 12 moves in the direction of the arrow b and the movable contacts 5a to 5d move in conjunction with the drive core 12, and according to the amount of movement of the drive core 12. The second state, the third state, and the fourth state are sequentially changed. Moreover, the movable contact holding part 4 and the fixed contact holding part 2 are always located at positions where they overlap each other from the first state to the fourth state (in all states).

  As described above, the multi-contact switch 1A includes the fixed contact holding unit 2, the plurality of fixed contacts 3a to 3d held by the fixed contact holding unit 2, and the movable contact slidably disposed on the fixed contact holding unit 2. A contact holding unit 4; a contact off position that is held by the movable contact holding unit 4 and does not contact the plurality of fixed contacts 3a to 3d on the fixed contact holding unit 2; and a contact on position that contacts the plurality of fixed contacts 3a to 3d. A plurality of movable contacts 5 a to 5 d slidably disposed between the actuators 10 and an actuator 10 that moves the plurality of movable contacts 5 a to 5 d by movement of the drive core 12. The plurality of fixed contacts 3a to 3d and the movable contacts 5a to 5d can be turned on and off. Therefore, when this multi-contact switch 1A is mounted on a device having a large number of contact structures, the total heat generation amount of the device can be reduced and the size can be reduced.

  In the multi-contact switch 1A, the movable contacts 5a to 5d slide on the fixed contacts 3a to 3d by sliding movement. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when there is a foreign substance 21 on the fixed contacts 3 a to 3 d, it slides while removing the foreign substance 21. Thereby, the electrical contact defect by the foreign material 21 interposing between the movable contacts 5a-5d and the fixed contacts 3a-3d can be prevented. In the structure of the conventional example (contact type contact structure), as shown in FIG. 4C, when the foreign matter 21 exists on the fixed contact 361, the foreign matter 21 cannot be removed. Although the foreign matter 21 is interposed and an electrical contact failure occurs, such a problem can be prevented in the structure of the present invention. The same applies to the second to fifth embodiments.

  The multi-contact switch 1A is electrically connected by connecting all four movable contacts 5a to 5d. Therefore, as shown in the equivalent circuit of FIG. 3, the multi-contact switch 1A can constitute a branch circuit. In this embodiment, there are four movable contacts 5a to 5d, but the number of movable contacts 5a to 5d may be two, three, or five or more. When there are three or more movable contacts 5a to 5d, a branching function can be provided by electrically connecting at least three of them.

  Further, in the multi-contact switch 1A, the movable contact holding part 4 and the fixed contact holding part 2 are located at positions where all the movable contacts 5a to 5d are overlapped at the contact ON position and the contact OFF position. That is, the movable contact holding part 4 and the fixed contact holding part 2 are located at positions where they always overlap each other from the first state to the fourth state. Therefore, the multi-contact switch 1A can be downsized as compared with the case where the movable contact holding part 4 and the fixed contact holding part 2 are positioned at positions where they do not overlap at the contact-off positions of all the movable contacts 5a to 5d.

  The fixed contact holding part 2 is provided with a pair of slide guide grooves 2a, and the movable contact holding part 4 is provided with a pair of slide convex parts 4a inserted into the pair of slide guide grooves 2a. Therefore, the movable contact holding part 4 can slide reliably and smoothly with respect to the fixed contact holding part 2.

  Further, since the movable contacts 5a to 5d are not displaced by the deformation between the contact-off position and the contact-on position as in the conventional example, even if the driving force of the actuator 10 is small, the distance between the contact-off position and the contact-on position is small. It can be moved and satisfies the requirement for low current.

  Further, since the fixed contacts 3a to 3d and the movable contacts 5a to 5d are made of metal plates, they can withstand application of a large current. Moreover, the thickness and width of the metal plate can be changed according to the required specifications, and the versatility is high.

  The multi-contact switch 1A and the substrate 20 are used in an electric junction box for automobiles. The multi-contact switch 1A constitutes a power distribution circuit for the electrical junction box. Specifically, the fixed contact 3a is connected to the power source of the automobile, the fixed contact 3b constitutes a constant power circuit of the automobile, the fixed contact 3c constitutes an accessory circuit of the automobile, and the fixed contact 3d is the automobile. The ignition circuit is configured.

  In the conventional power distribution circuit of the electrical junction box, a large number of contacts are turned on and off by a large number of relays. However, in the electrical junction box using the multi-contact switch 1A, the number of relays used can be reduced. it can. Therefore, the total heat generation amount of the electrical junction box can be reduced and the size can be reduced.

  Further, in the conventional electrical junction box using the relay, moisture contained in the relay coil may freeze on the contact of the relay, resulting in contact conduction failure. However, the electrical connection using the multi-contact switch 1A In the junction box, there is a low possibility that icing will occur in the fixed contacts 3a to 3d and the movable contacts 5a to 5d, and the above-mentioned problems can be prevented. Furthermore, in the conventional electrical junction box using a relay, the operation sound when the relay contact is turned on and off may give the passenger an unpleasant feeling. However, in the electrical junction box using the multi-contact switch 1A, Since the movable contacts 5a to 5d slide on the fixed contacts 3a to 3d by sliding movement, there is almost no operation sound due to switching of the contacts. The same applies to the second to fifth embodiments.

(Second Embodiment)
A multi-contact switch and an electrical junction box according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5-6, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as 1st Embodiment mentioned above, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the multi-contact switch 1 </ b> B is mounted on the substrate 20. The multi-contact switch 1 </ b> B is slidable on the fixed contact holding unit 2, on the fixed contact holding unit 2, on the fixed contact holding unit 2, on the fixed contact holding unit 2, and on the fixed contact holding unit 2. The movable contact holding part 14 disposed on the movable contact holding part 14, a plurality of movable contact points 5a to 5d held by the movable contact holding part 14, and the actuator 10 for slidingly moving the movable contact holding part 14 are provided.

  The plurality of fixed contacts 13a to 13d are obtained by pressing a metal plate and are formed in a strip shape. These fixed contacts 13 a to 13 d are press-fitted or insert-molded into the fixed contact holding portion 2 so that the upper surfaces thereof are substantially flush with the upper surface of the fixed contact holding portion 2. The plurality of fixed contacts 13a to 13d are arranged in parallel with each other at intervals. The plurality of fixed contacts 13a to 13d have different upper surface lengths, and one end position of the upper surface is set at a position intersecting with a radial direction centering on the rotation fulcrum portion 22 described below. The plurality of fixed contacts 13a to 13d are four in this embodiment. One of the four fixed contacts 13a to 13d (13a) is an input side contact, and the other three (13b to 13d) are output side contacts. The other ends of the plurality of fixed contacts 13a to 13d are connected to circuit wiring portions (not shown) of the substrate 20, respectively.

  The movable contact holding part 14 is formed of an insulating material. The movable contact holder 14 is disposed on the fixed contact holder 2. One end side of the movable contact holding part 14 is rotatably supported by a rotation fulcrum part 22 fixed to the substrate 20. Thereby, the movable contact holding part 14 is slidable in the rotation direction with the rotation fulcrum part 22 as the rotation center with respect to the fixed contact holding part 2, and the plurality of movable contacts 5a to 5d with respect to the plurality of fixed contacts 13a to 13d. Is provided.

  There are four movable contacts 5a to 5d in this embodiment. The plurality of movable contacts 5 a to 5 d are press-fitted or insert-molded at the rear end side thereof into the movable contact holding portion 14, and the front end side thereof protrudes from the front end surface of the movable contact holding portion 14. The plurality of movable contacts 5a to 5d are arranged in parallel with each other at intervals. The distal end sides of the movable contacts 5a to 5d are inclined toward the substrate 20 and are in elastic contact with the fixed contacts 13a to 13d. The rear end sides of the movable contacts 5a to 5d are connected and electrically connected to each other by a connecting portion 5e. These four movable contacts 5a to 5d and the connecting portion 5e are integrally formed by being die-cut from a single metal plate.

  The actuator 10 is fixed on the substrate 20 so as to be sandwiched between the pair of fixed walls 15. The actuator 10 includes an actuator body 11 and a drive core 12 that protrudes from the tip of the actuator body 11 and moves in the axial direction. The front end of the drive core 12 is connected to the other end side of the movable contact holding portion 14 (the side opposite to the rotation fulcrum portion 22). By the movement of the drive core 12 of the actuator 10, the movable contact holding part 14 slides on the fixed contact holding part 2 around the rotation fulcrum part 22 along the rotation locus. That is, the four movable contacts 5a to 5d are simultaneously slid along the rotation locus by the movement of the drive core 12.

  Next, the operation of the multi-contact switch 1B will be described. In the multi-contact switch 1B, the contact states of the fixed contacts 13a to 13d and the movable contacts 5a to 5d are four states described below. As shown in FIG. 5, the first state is a state in which all the movable contacts 5a to 5d are not in contact with the fixed contacts 13a to 13d. As shown in FIG. 6, the second state is a state in which the movable contact 5a is in contact with the fixed contact 13a and the movable contact 5b is in contact with the fixed contact 13b. In this second state, the movable contact 5c is not in contact with the fixed contact 13c, and the movable contact 5d is not in contact with the fixed contact 13d. The third state is a state in which the movable contact 5a is in contact with the fixed contact 13a, the movable contact 5b is in contact with the fixed contact 13b, and the movable contact 5c is in contact with the fixed contact 13c. In this third state, the movable contact 5d is not in contact with the fixed contact 13d. The fourth state is a state in which all the movable contacts 5a to 5d are in contact with the fixed contacts 13a to 13d.

  The multi-contact switch 1B is in the first state when the coil of the actuator 10 is not energized. When the coil of the actuator 10 is energized, the drive core 12 moves in the direction of the arrow a, and the movable contacts 5a to 5d move in conjunction with the drive core 12, depending on the amount of movement of the drive core 12. The second state, the third state, and the fourth state are sequentially changed.

  As described above, the multi-contact switch 1B of the second embodiment also reduces the total heat generation amount of the device when mounted on a device having a large number of contact structures for the same reason as the first embodiment. Can also be reduced in size.

  The multi-contact switch 1B and the substrate 20 are used for an electric junction box for automobiles as in the first embodiment. The multi-contact switch 1B constitutes a power distribution circuit for the electrical junction box.

(Third embodiment)
A multi-contact switch and an electrical junction box according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the multi-contact switch 1 </ b> C is rotatable on the fixed contact holding unit 6, the plurality of fixed contacts 7 a to 7 d held on the fixed contact holding unit 6, and the fixed contact holding unit 6. The arranged movable contact holding part 8, the contact member 9 held by the movable contact holding part 8, the actuator 16 for rotating the movable contact holding part 8, and the fixing for fixing the actuator 16 to the fixed contact holding part 6. And a member 17.

  The fixed contact holding portion 6 is made of a synthetic resin, and integrally includes a flat plate portion 61 and two connector housings 62 formed in a cylindrical shape. One of the two connector housings 62 is connected to one end of the flat plate portion 61. The other of the two connector housings 62 is connected to the other end portion of the flat plate portion 61.

  The plurality of fixed contacts 7a to 7d are obtained by pressing a metal plate and are formed in a belt shape. These fixed contacts 7 a to 7 d are press-fitted or insert-molded into the fixed contact holding portion 6 so that the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the upper surface of the flat plate portion 61. The plurality of fixed contacts 7a to 7d are four in this embodiment. One of the four fixed contacts 7a to 7d (7a) is an input side contact, and the other three (7b to 7d) are output side contacts.

  The fixed contact 7 a and the fixed contact 7 b extend in parallel to the center side of the flat plate portion 61 from one connector housing 62. One end side of the fixed contacts 7 a and 7 b is positioned inside one connector housing 62. One end side of these fixed contacts 7a and 7b and one connector housing 62 constitute a connector. A mating connector (not shown) is fitted to this connector.

  The fixed contact 7 c and the fixed contact 7 d extend in parallel to the center side of the flat plate portion 61 from the other connector housing 62. One end side of the fixed contacts 7 c and 7 d is positioned inside the other connector housing 62. One end side of these fixed contacts 7c and 7d and the other connector housing 62 constitute a connector. A mating connector (not shown) is fitted to this connector.

  The movable contact holding portion 8 is made of synthetic resin, and integrally includes a bottomed cylindrical cylindrical portion 81 and a plate portion 82 as shown in FIG. The plate portion 82 is continuous with the lower end side of the cylindrical portion 81 and extends in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 81.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the contact member 9 includes a contact 9a that elastically contacts the fixed contact 7a, a contact 9b that elastically contacts the fixed contact 7b, a contact 9c that elastically contacts the fixed contact 7c, and a fixed contact 7d. A contact 9d that is elastically contacted with each other, and a plate-like connecting portion 9e that connects and electrically connects the contacts 9a to 9d. The contacts 9a to 9d and the connecting portion 9e are integrally formed by being die-cut from a single metal plate. The contacts 9a to 9d extend in a band shape from the outer edge portion of the connecting portion 9e and are bent in a U shape near the outer edge portion of the connecting portion 9e. The contacts 9a to 9d are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion 9e.

  In such a contact member 9, the connecting portion 9 e is embedded in the plate portion 82 of the movable contact holding portion 8 by insert molding. The contacts 9 a to 9 d are positioned below the plate portion 82. The contact 9 a is positioned below the cylindrical portion 81. The contact 9b is positioned on one side of the cylindrical portion 81. The contacts 9 c and 9 d are positioned on the other side of the cylindrical portion 81.

  The actuator 16 is a rotary actuator having a rotation shaft 16a (rotation center) and an actuator body 16b that controls the rotation angle and rotation direction of the rotation shaft 16a. The actuator 16 is a latching solenoid actuator that rotates the rotating shaft 16a by a predetermined angle by applying a pulse voltage and does not require electric power when the rotating shaft 16a is stationary. The distal end of the rotation shaft 16 a is inserted into the cylindrical portion 81. The movable contact holder 8 rotates on the fixed contact holder 6 around the rotary shaft 16a and the cylindrical portion 81 by the rotation of the rotary shaft 16a. That is, by the rotation of the rotating shaft 16a, the contact 9a positioned at the rotation center of the actuator 16 rotates at the same position, and the three contacts 9b to 9d arranged on a straight line passing through the rotation center of the actuator 16 simultaneously have a rotation locus. Move the slide.

  The three contacts 9b to 9d correspond to “movable contacts” in the claims. Since the contact 9a always rotates at the same position while being in elastic contact with the fixed contact 7a, it is not included in the “movable contact” in the claims. However, the contact 9a may be disposed at a position deviated from the rotation center of the actuator 16, and in that case, the contact 9a is included in the “movable contact” in the claims.

  The fixed member 17 fixes the actuator body 16b to the fixed contact holding part 6 so that the rotating shaft 16a and the movable contact holding part 8 can rotate.

  Next, the operation of the multi-contact switch 1C will be described. In the multi-contact switch 1C, the contact states of the fixed contacts 7a to 7d and the contacts 9a to 9d are three states described below. As shown in FIG. 10, the first state is a state in which the contact 9a is in contact with the fixed contact 7a and the contact 9b is in contact with the fixed contact 7b. In this first state, the contact 9c is not in contact with the fixed contact 7c, and the contact 9d is not in contact with the fixed contact 7d. As shown in FIG. 11, the second state is a state in which the contact 9a contacts the fixed contact 7a, the contact 9b contacts the fixed contact 7b, and the contact 9c contacts the fixed contact 7c. In this second state, the contact 9d is not in contact with the fixed contact 7d. As shown in FIG. 12, the third state is a state in which all the contacts 9a to 9d are in contact with the fixed contacts 7a to 7d.

  In the multi-contact switch 1C, when the coil of the actuator body 16b is energized, the rotating shaft 16a rotates and the contacts 9b to 9d move in conjunction with the rotating shaft 16a, and according to the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 16a, Changes to any of the first to third states.

  As described above, when the multi-contact switch 1C of the third embodiment is mounted on a device having a large number of contact structures for the same reason as in the first and second embodiments, the total calorific value of the device. Can be reduced and the size can be reduced. Furthermore, since the multi-contact switch 1C of the third embodiment uses the latching type actuator 16 instead of the always energized type, it saves energy and generates a smaller amount of heat.

  In the multi-contact switch 1C, the contact 9a is disposed at the rotation center of the actuator 16, and the contacts 9b to 9d are disposed on a straight line passing through the rotation center. The contact states of the contacts 7a to 7d and the plurality of contacts 9a to 9d can be controlled, and the layout of the multi-contact switch 1C can be simplified. Furthermore, since the contacts 9b to 9d are arranged on both sides of the rotation center, the layout of the multi-contact switch 1C can be further simplified.

  Moreover, since the fixed contacts 7a to 7d and the contacts 9a to 9d are made of metal plates, they can withstand application of a large current. Moreover, the thickness and width of the metal plate can be changed according to the required specifications, and the versatility is high. Further, in the first and second embodiments, the fixed contacts 3a to 3d are connected to the circuit wiring portion of the substrate 20. However, in the multi-contact switch 1C of the third embodiment, the fixed contacts 7a to 7d are fixed contacts. Since the connector is configured together with the connector housing 62 of the holding portion 6 and the connector is directly fitted to the mating connector, that is, not connected to the circuit wiring portion of the substrate 20, it is very suitable for application of a large current.

  The multi-contact switch 1C is used in an electric junction box for automobiles as in the first and second embodiments. The multi-contact switch 1C constitutes a power distribution circuit for the electrical junction box. Specifically, the fixed contact 7a is connected to the power source of the automobile, the fixed contact 7b constitutes a constant power circuit of the automobile, the fixed contact 7c constitutes an accessory circuit of the automobile, and the fixed contact 7d The ignition circuit is configured.

  In the third embodiment, the fixed contacts 7a and 7b and the contacts 9a and 9b are always in contact with each other. However, the fixed contact 7b and the contacts 9b may be in a non-contact state.

(Fourth embodiment)
A multi-contact switch and an electrical junction box according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13-15, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as 3rd Embodiment mentioned above, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the multi-contact switch 1D includes five fixed contacts 7a to 7e and five contacts 109a to 109e. The contacts 109b to 109e correspond to “movable contacts” in the claims. Thus, in the present invention, the number of fixed contacts and movable contacts can be changed to an arbitrary number.

  Moreover, the movable contact holding part 108 of the multi-contact switch 1D holds the contacts 109a to 109e with bolts 18 and nuts 19 as shown in FIGS.

  The movable contact holding part 108 is made of a synthetic resin and integrally includes a cylindrical part 81 and a plate part 83. The plate portion 83 is continuous with the lower end side of the cylindrical portion 81 and extends in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 81. The plate portion 83 is provided with a plurality of bolt insertion holes 84 through which the bolts 18 are passed.

  The contacts 109a to 109e are configured separately from each other, and are connected to each other and electrically connected by being bolted to a connecting portion 109f configured separately. The contacts 109a to 109e are provided with bolt insertion holes 92, and the connecting portion 109f is provided with a plurality of bolt insertion holes 91. Further, the movable contact holding part 108, the connecting part 109f, and the contacts 109a to 109e are fastened together.

  The multi-contact switch 1D is used for an electric junction box for automobiles as in the first to third embodiments. The multi-contact switch 1D constitutes a power distribution circuit for the electrical junction box.

(Fifth embodiment)
A multi-contact switch and an electrical junction box according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, the multi-contact switch 1 </ b> E includes a fixed contact holding unit 206, a plurality of fixed contacts 207 a to 207 e held by the fixed contact holding unit 206, and a bearing provided in the fixed contact holding unit 206. Part 204, a cylindrical movable contact component 205 that is rotatably held by bearing unit 204, an actuator 210 that rotates movable contact component 205, and linear solenoid 211 that is a component of actuator 210 are fixed contacts. And a fixing member (not shown) that is fixed to the holding unit 206.

  The fixed contact holding part 206 is formed in a flat plate shape from a synthetic resin.

  The plurality of fixed contacts 207 a to 207 e are obtained by pressing a band-shaped metal plate, and are arranged in the axial direction of the movable contact component 205. As shown in FIG. 17, these fixed contacts 207 a to 207 e include a routing portion 271 press-fitted or insert-molded into the fixed contact holding portion 206 so that the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the upper surface of the fixed contact holding portion 206. The upright portion 272 erected at a right angle from the routing portion 271 and the elastic contact portion 273 formed by bending the tip of the upright portion 272 into a U shape. There are five fixed contacts 207a to 207e in this embodiment. One of the five fixed contacts 207a to 207e (207a) is an input side contact, and the other four (207b to 207e) are output side contacts.

  The movable contact component 205 is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole, and a plurality of contacts 209a to 209e are provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The contact 209 a is a contact with which the elastic contact portion 273 of the fixed contact 207 a comes into elastic contact, and is provided over the entire circumference of the movable contact constituting portion 205. The contact 209b is a contact with which the elastic contact portion 273 of the fixed contact 207b comes into elastic contact, and is provided in a part of the movable contact constituting portion 205 (a range of a predetermined angle rather than the entire circumference). The contact 209c is a contact with which the elastic contact portion 273 of the fixed contact 207c comes into elastic contact, and is provided in a part of the movable contact constituting portion 205 (a range of a predetermined angle rather than the entire circumference). The contact 209d is a contact with which the elastic contact portion 273 of the fixed contact 207d is elastically contacted, and is provided in a part of the movable contact constituting portion 205 (a range of a predetermined angle rather than the entire circumference). The contact 209e is a contact with which the elastic contact portion 273 of the fixed contact 207e is elastically contacted, and is provided in a part of the movable contact constituting portion 205 (a range of a predetermined angle rather than the entire circumference).

  The plurality of contacts 209a to 209e are arranged in the axial direction of the movable contact component 205 corresponding to the plurality of fixed contacts 207a to 207e. In addition, adjacent contacts 209a to 209e are connected to each other. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the contacts 209 b to 209 e are arranged stepwise at different positions in the circumferential direction. That is, the contact 209 a provided over the entire circumference of the movable contact component 205 is always in elastic contact with the fixed contact 207 a regardless of the rotation angle of the movable contact component 205. The other contacts 209 b to 209 e are in elastic contact with the fixed contacts 207 b to 207 e according to the rotation angle of the movable contact component 205. That is, the contacts 209b to 209e are rotatably provided between a contact-off position that does not contact the fixed contacts 207b to 207e and a contact-on position that contacts the fixed contacts 207b to 207e. These contacts 209b to 209e correspond to “movable contacts” in the claims.

  Such a movable contact component 205 is configured such that a portion other than the portions to be the contacts 209a to 209e of the cylindrical body 209 formed in a cylindrical shape by a metal material is covered with an insulating sheet 208.

  The actuator 210 includes a linear motion solenoid 211 having a linear motion drive core 211a and a solenoid body 211b for controlling the motion of the drive core 211a, a gear 213 provided coaxially with the movable contact component 205, and a drive core 211a. And the meshing portion 212 that meshes with the gear 213, and the gear 213 is allowed to rotate forward (meaning rotation in one direction) and restrict reverse rotation (meaning rotation in the opposite direction to normal rotation). And a reverse rotation prevention unit 214.

  As shown in FIG. 20, in the direct acting solenoid 211, the drive core 211a is immersed on the solenoid body 211b side when no voltage is applied to the coil built in the solenoid body 211b. When a voltage is applied to the coil, the drive core 211a protrudes from the solenoid body 211b as shown in FIG. Further, when the voltage application to the coil is stopped, as shown in FIG. 22, the drive core 211a is submerged on the solenoid body 211b side.

  The gear 213 rotates the movable contact component 205 by being rotated by the linear solenoid 211 and the meshing portion 212. In the present embodiment, the gear 213 is provided with eight teeth 213a to 213h at equal intervals.

  The meshing part 212 is made of an elastically deformable member such as a metal piece.

  The reverse rotation prevention unit 214 is made of synthetic resin or the like, and is erected from the fixed contact holding unit 206 so as to be in contact with any one of the teeth 213a to 213h of the gear 213. Further, the reverse rotation prevention unit 214 is flexible, and allows the gear 213 to rotate when the gear 213 rotates forward. And when the gear 213 tries to reversely rotate, it is regulated.

  As shown in FIG. 20, in the actuator 210, when the voltage is not applied to the coil of the solenoid body 211b, the tip of the meshing portion 212 is in elastic contact with the recess between the teeth 213a and 213b. Then, as shown in FIG. 21, when a voltage is applied to the coil of the solenoid body 211b, the drive core 211a protrudes from the solenoid body 211b, the tip of the meshing portion 212 pushes the teeth 213b, and the gear 213 and the movable contact configuration The part 205 is rotated (forward rotation) by one tooth (45 degrees). In this state, the tip of the meshing portion 212 is in elastic contact with the recess between the teeth 213a and 213b. Then, as shown in FIG. 22, when the voltage application to the coil of the solenoid body 211b is stopped, the drive core 211a sinks to the solenoid body 211b side, and the tip of the meshing portion 212 is elastically deformed while the teeth 213a are deformed. It gets over and is positioned in the recess between the teeth 213a and 213h. When the tip of the meshing portion 212 gets over the tooth 213a in this way, the reverse rotation of the gear 213 is restricted because the reverse rotation prevention portion 214 is in contact with the tooth 213e. By repeating the projecting and retracting operation of the drive core 211a eight times, the gear 213 and the movable contact component 205 are rotated once (360 degrees).

  Next, the operation of the multi-contact switch 1E will be described. In the multi-contact switch 1E, the contact states of the fixed contacts 207a to 207e and the contacts 209a to 209e are five states described below. As shown in FIG. 18, the first state is a state in which the contact 209a is in contact with the fixed contact 207a and the other contacts 209b to 209e are not in contact with the fixed contacts 207b to 207e. In the second state, as shown in FIG. 19, the contact 209a is in contact with the fixed contact 207a, the contact 209b is in contact with the fixed contact 207b, and the other contacts 209c to 209e are in contact with the fixed contacts 207c to 207e. There is no state. In the third state, the contact 209a contacts the fixed contact 207a, the contact 209b contacts the fixed contact 207b, the contact 209c contacts the fixed contact 207c, and the other contacts 209d to 209e become the fixed contacts 207d to 207e. There is no contact. In the fourth state, the contact 209a contacts the fixed contact 207a, the contact 209b contacts the fixed contact 207b, the contact 209c contacts the fixed contact 207c, the contact 209d contacts the fixed contact 207d, and the remaining contacts 209e is not in contact with the fixed contact 207e. The fifth state is a state in which all the contacts 209a to 209e are in contact with the fixed contacts 207a to 207e.

  The multi-contact switch 1E is sequentially changed to the first to fifth states by the projecting and retracting operation of the drive core 211a by the actuator 210 described above. In this multi-contact switch 1E, there are five contact states of the fixed contacts 207a to 207e and the contacts 209a to 209e. Therefore, the number of teeth of the gear 213 is not limited to eight but any number of five or more. Good.

  As described above, also in the multi-contact switch 1E of the fifth embodiment, for the same reason as in the first to fourth embodiments (because a plurality of fixed and movable contacts can be turned on and off by a single actuator), When mounted on a device having a large number of contact structures, the total heat generation amount of the device can be reduced and the size can be reduced.

  In addition, the multi-contact switch 1E is not always energized, and uses an actuator 210 that turns on and off the solenoid body 211b each time the gear 213 and the movable contact component 205 are rotated by one tooth. There is less calorific value.

  Further, since the multi-contact switch 1E employs the movable movable contact component 205 having a plurality of contacts 209a to 209e provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof, the multiple contacts 209a to 209e and the movable contact component 205 The installation space can be reduced, and further downsizing is possible as compared with the first to fourth embodiments.

  Further, in the multi-contact switch 1E, the actuator 210 includes a direct acting solenoid 211 and a gear 213 that converts the projecting and retracting operation of the driving core 211a of the direct acting solenoid 211 into a rotating operation. The drive control can be simplified and the energy required for driving can be reduced.

  The multi-contact switch 1E is used for an electric junction box for automobiles as in the first to fourth embodiments. The multi-contact switch 1E constitutes a power distribution circuit for the electrical junction box.

  In addition, embodiment mentioned above only showed the typical form of this invention, and this invention is not limited to embodiment. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E Multi-contact switch 2, 6, 206 Fixed contact holder 3a-3d, 13a-13d, 7a-7e, 207a-207e Fixed contact 4, 14, 8, 108 Movable contact holder 5a -5d movable contact 9b-9d, 109b-109e, 209b-209e contact (movable contact)
10, 16, 210 Actuator

Claims (9)

Multiple fixed contacts;
A plurality of movable contacts provided movably between a contact-off position that does not contact each of the fixed contacts and a contact-on position that contacts each of the fixed contacts;
A single actuator capable of simultaneously moving the plurality of movable contacts and controlling the amount of movement of the plurality of movable contacts ;
The movable contact and the fixed contact are each 3 or more, and all the movable contacts are connected to each other and electrically connected . The multi-contact switch according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of movable contacts are slidably provided between the contact-off position and the contact-on position. A fixed contact holding unit that holds the plurality of fixed contacts, and a movable contact holding unit that holds the plurality of movable contacts and is slidable with respect to the fixed contact holding unit,
The multi-contact switch according to claim 2, wherein the movable contact holding part and the fixed contact holding part are located at positions where both the contact ON position and the contact OFF position of all the movable contacts overlap. The actuator is a rotary actuator having a rotation center;
The multi-contact switch according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of movable contacts are arranged on a straight line passing through the rotation center. The multi-contact switch according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of movable contacts are arranged on both sides of the rotation center. The plurality of movable contacts are provided rotatably between the contact off position and the contact on position,
A columnar or cylindrical movable contact component having the plurality of movable contacts provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and a bearing unit that rotatably holds the movable contact component.
The multi-contact switch according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of fixed contacts are arranged in the axial direction of the movable contact component. The actuator includes a gear provided coaxially with the movable contact component, a drive core that moves linearly, and a meshing portion that is coupled to the drive core and meshes with the gear. The multi-contact switch according to claim 6. 8. The contact state of the plurality of fixed contacts and the plurality of movable contacts is three or more, and the contact state can be controlled by a moving amount of the plurality of movable contacts. The multi-contact switch described. An electrical junction box comprising the multi-contact switch according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .

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