JP2018067415A - Switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switch device which can cancel electrical connection between a fixed contact and a movable contact even when a contact failure has occurred between both contacts.SOLUTION: A movable contact 21 may be located at a position separated from a first fixed contact 11 as well as at a position making contact with the first fixed contact 11. An operation member 32 displaces the movable contact 21. A biasing member 40 applies, to the movable contact 21, biasing force for displacing the movable contact 21 so that it is separated from the first fixed contact 11. The biasing member 40 is configured such that the biasing force may exceed force for holding the movable contact 21 by the operation member 32 at the position making contact with the first fixed contact 11 if a contact failure occurs between the first fixed contact 11 and the movable contact 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch device.

  A seesaw switch as an example of a switch device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a fixed contact, a movable contact, and a pressing pin that functions as an operation member. The pressing pin displaces the movable contact between a position that is electrically insulated from the fixed contact and a position that is electrically connected to the fixed contact in accordance with a user operation.

JP 2012-198993 A

  In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when a contact abnormality between the fixed contact and the movable contact occurs, the electrical connection state between the movable contact and the fixed contact by the pressing pin may not be released.

  An object of this invention is to provide the switch apparatus which can cancel | release the electrical connection state of both contacts, even when the contact abnormality of a fixed contact and a movable contact generate | occur | produces.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a switch device,
A fixed contact;
A movable contact capable of taking at least a first position electrically insulated from the fixed contact and a second position electrically connected to the fixed contact;
An operation member for displacing the movable contact;
An urging member for applying an urging force to the movable contact to displace the movable contact from the second position to the first position;
With
The biasing member is configured such that when a contact abnormality occurs between the fixed contact and the movable contact, the biasing force exceeds a force by which the movable contact is held at the second position by the operation member. ing.

  According to such a configuration, even when a contact abnormality occurs between the fixed contact and the movable contact, the urging force applied to the movable contact by the urging member can release the electrical connection state of both contacts. . That is, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the electrical connection state between the fixed contact and the movable contact is left untouched while the contact abnormality occurs.

The switch device described above can be configured as follows.
The movable contact is displaceable between the first position and the second position by rotating about a rotation axis.
The location where the urging member applies the urging force to the movable contact is offset in the direction in which the rotation axis extends from the location where the movable contact contacts the fixed contact.

  According to such a configuration, the influence of heat caused by the contact abnormality between the fixed contact and the movable contact can hardly be applied to the biasing member without hindering the operation of the movable contact by the operation member.

The switch device described above can be configured as follows.
The biasing member is a spring member.

  By configuring the urging member with a spring member, the above-described function of the urging member can be realized with an inexpensive and simple configuration.

In this case, the switch device described above can be configured as follows.
The spring member is a leaf spring member.

  In this case, it is easy to integrally form the urging member, which contributes to a reduction in the number of parts.

The switch device described above can be configured as follows.
The operation member is made of resin.

  According to such a configuration, the operation member can be actively melted by the heat generated by the contact abnormality between the fixed contact and the movable contact. Thus, when heat is generated due to a contact abnormality between the fixed contact and the movable contact, the urging member can quickly displace the movable contact to the first position.

The switch device described above can be configured as follows.
The fixed contact includes a first fixed contact and a second fixed contact,
The rotation axis of the movable contact is disposed so as to be positioned between the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact,
The biasing member biases the first part of the movable contact toward the first fixed contact with a first force, and the second part of the movable contact to the second fixed contact with a second force. Energizing towards,
The first force and the second force are generated when the contact abnormality occurs between any one of the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact and the movable contact. Both of the second portions are set so as to be electrically insulated from the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact.

  According to such a configuration, when a contact abnormality occurs between one of the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact and the movable contact, the movable contact is not electrically connected to any fixed contact. Can be established.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even when a contact abnormality generate | occur | produces between a fixed contact and a movable contact, the switch apparatus which can cancel | release the electrical connection state of both contacts can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the switch apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the said switch apparatus.

  Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings used for the following description, the scale is appropriately changed to make each member a recognizable size. The expressions “upper” and “lower” in the following description are used for convenience of description, and are not intended to limit the direction when the apparatus is used.

  FIG. 1A schematically shows the internal configuration of the switch device 1 according to an embodiment. The switch device 1 is a so-called seesaw switch. The switch device 1 includes a housing 10, a first fixed contact 11, and a second fixed contact 12. The first fixed contact 11 and the second fixed contact 12 are fixed in the housing 10.

  The first fixed contact 11 and the second fixed contact 12 are each made of a conductive material. The first fixed contact 11 and the second fixed contact 12 can be electrically connected to a switch circuit (not shown) provided in the switch device 1. Alternatively, the first fixed contact 11 and the second fixed contact 12 can be electrically connected to external connection terminals (not shown). In this case, the switch device 1 can be connected to an external switch circuit (not shown) via the external connection terminal.

  The switch device 1 includes a movable contact 21 and a fulcrum member 22. The movable contact 21 is made of a conductive material. FIG. 1B shows the external appearance of the movable contact 21 and the fulcrum member 22 as viewed from above in FIG. The movable contact 21 is supported by the housing 10 via a support structure (not shown) so as to be able to swing on the fulcrum member 22 about the swing axis A. The first fixed contact 11 and the second fixed contact 12 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the swing axis A.

  The switch device 1 includes a knob member 31, an operation member 32, and a coil spring 33. The knob member 31 is disposed outside the housing 10 and is directly or indirectly operated by the user. The operation member 32 is supported by the knob member 31 via a coil spring 33. The operation member 32 is slidable with respect to the knob member 31 so as to compress the coil spring 33. The tip of the operation member 32 is in contact with the movable contact 21. The distal end of the operation member 32 is pressed against the movable contact 21 by the urging force of the coil spring 33.

  FIG. 1A shows a neutral state of the switch device 1. In this state, the first fixed contact 11 and the movable contact 21 are separated from each other, and both are electrically insulated. Similarly, the second fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 21 are separated from each other, and both are electrically insulated.

  2A shows a state in which the knob member 31 is operated from the neutral state shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the knob member 31 is turnable clockwise and counterclockwise in the figure around a turning shaft (not shown). In the example shown in the figure, the knob member 31 is operated so as to rotate counterclockwise about the rotation axis.

  By the above operation, the operation member 32 rotates the movable contact 21 about the swing axis A in the clockwise direction in FIG. Thereby, the 1st end part 211 of the movable contact 21 contacts the 1st fixed contact 11, and both are electrically connected. The switch device 1 performs an operation associated with the electrical connection between the movable contact 21 and the first fixed contact 11.

  Although illustration is omitted, when the knob member 31 is operated clockwise in FIG. 2A about the rotation axis, the operation member 32 is centered on the swing axis A in FIG. The movable contact 21 is rotated counterclockwise. Thereby, the 2nd end part 212 of the movable contact 21 contacts the 2nd stationary contact 12, and both are electrically connected. The switch device 1 performs an operation associated with the electrical connection between the movable contact 21 and the second fixed contact 12.

  The “swing axis A” may be a substantial shaft body, or may be a virtual axis that substantially coincides with the swing fulcrum of the movable contact 21.

  That is, the movable contact 21 has a position (an example of the first position) that is electrically insulated from the first fixed contact 11 and a position (an example of the second position) that is electrically connected to the first fixed contact 11. It can be displaced to take either one. Similarly, the movable contact 21 is electrically insulated from the second fixed contact 12 (an example of the first position), and is electrically connected to the second fixed contact 12 (an example of the second position). It can be displaced to take either of the following. The operation member 32 is displaced so that the movable contact 21 takes one of these positions.

  The switch device 1 includes an urging member 40. The biasing member 40 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the inner wall of the housing 10 and the movable contact 21. The urging member 40 is configured to be elastically deformable. The urging member 40 is made of a material having an elastic restoring force or formed so as to have a shape that exhibits the elastic restoring force.

  In the neutral state of the knob member 31 shown in FIG. 1A, the urging member 40 is maintained so as to be separated from both the first fixed contact 11 and the second fixed contact 12. Is given an urging force.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, when the movable contact 21 is in a position in contact with the first fixed contact 11, the biasing member 40 displaces the movable contact 21 to a position away from the first fixed contact 11. An urging force is configured to be applied to the movable contact 21.

  The length of each arrow shown in the figure corresponds to the strength of the force. That is, by the clockwise rotation of the movable contact 21 around the swing axis A, a larger elastic restoring force is generated in the portion of the biasing member 40 near the second fixed contact 12, and the movable contact 21 is moved to the first position. An urging force is generated to be separated from the one fixed contact 11.

  However, the biasing force is weaker than the force that holds the movable contact 21 at a position where it is in contact with the first fixed contact 11. Therefore, the state where the movable contact 21 and the first fixed contact 11 are in contact with each other is maintained.

  Although not shown, when the movable contact 21 is in a position where it comes into contact with the second fixed contact 12, the biasing member 40 moves the biasing force that displaces the movable contact 21 to a position away from the second fixed contact 12. It is configured to be applied to the contact 21.

  In this case, due to the counterclockwise rotation of the movable contact 21 around the swing axis A, a larger elastic restoring force is generated in the portion of the biasing member 40 closer to the second fixed contact 12, and the movable contact 21. An urging force is generated to cause the second fixed contact 12 to be separated from the second fixed contact 12.

  However, the biasing force is weaker than the force that holds the movable contact 21 at a position where it is in contact with the second fixed contact 12. Therefore, the state where the movable contact 21 and the second fixed contact 12 are in contact with each other is maintained.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram for explaining the operation of the switch device 1 when a contact abnormality occurs between the first fixed contact 11 and the movable contact 21. As an example of the contact abnormality, there is heat generation due to a large current flowing when the movable contact 21 comes into contact with the first fixed contact 11 to which dust or carbide adheres.

  When the temperature of the movable contact 21 exceeds the allowable value due to heat generation, the tip of the operation member 32 is melted by heat, and the force that is held at the position where the movable contact 21 is in contact with the first fixed contact 11 decreases. As a result, the urging force that causes the urging member 40 to move the movable contact 21 away from the first fixed contact 11 exceeds the holding force, and the movable contact 21 returns to the neutral position.

  Although illustration is omitted, the operation of the switch device 1 when the contact abnormality between the second fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 21 occurs is the same. When the movable contact 21 comes into contact with the second fixed contact 12 to which dust or carbide adheres and a large current flows, heat is generated. When the temperature of the movable contact 21 exceeds an allowable value, the tip of the operation member 32 is heated. The force that is melted and held at the position where the movable contact 21 is in contact with the second fixed contact 12 decreases. As a result, the urging force by which the urging member 40 tries to separate the movable contact 21 from the second fixed contact 12 exceeds the holding force, and the movable contact 21 returns to the neutral position.

  According to such a configuration, even when a contact abnormality occurs between the first fixed contact 11 or the second fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 21, the biasing force that the biasing member 40 applies to the movable contact 21. Thus, the electrical connection state of both contacts can be released. That is, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the electrical connection state between the first fixed contact 11 or the second fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 21 is left untouched while the contact abnormality occurs.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the movable contact 21 includes a first convex portion 213 and a second convex portion 214. The first convex portion 213 extends in parallel with the swing axis A at a position closer to the first end portion 211 than the swing axis A. The second convex part 214 extends in parallel with the swing axis A at a position closer to the second end 212 than the swing axis A.

  As described above, the movable contact 21 rotates about the swing axis A (an example of the rotation axis), thereby being separated from the first fixed contact 11 and a position in contact with the first fixed contact 11. Between the position spaced apart from the second fixed contact 12 and the position in contact with the second fixed contact 12.

  The urging member 40 has the urging force that maintains the posture in which the movable contact 21 in the neutral position is separated from the first fixed contact 11 and the second fixed contact 12. 214. That is, the location where the biasing member 40 applies the biasing force to the movable contact 21 is offset in the direction in which the swing axis A extends from the first end 211 and the second end 212 of the movable contact 21.

  According to such a configuration, the influence of the heat generated by the contact abnormality between the first fixed contact 11 or the second fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 21 without hindering the operation of the movable contact 21 by the operation member 32. The biasing member 40 can be made difficult.

  In the present embodiment, the urging member 40 is formed by a leaf spring. The material of the leaf spring has higher heat resistance than the material forming the operation member 32. Examples of the material include a metal or a heat resistant resin.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the urging member 40 has a first bent portion 41 and a second bent portion 42. The first bent portion 41 applies a biasing force to the side closer to the first end portion 211 than the swing axis A of the movable contact 21. The second bent portion 42 applies a biasing force to the side closer to the second end 212 than the swing axis A of the movable contact 21.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, when the movable contact 21 is in contact with the first fixed contact 11, the degree of bending of the second bent portion 42 is greater than when the movable contact 21 is in a neutral state. The biasing member 40 is deformed. Therefore, the second bent portion 42 generates a larger elastic restoring force than the first bent portion 41, and biases the movable contact 21 so as to rotate counterclockwise about the swing axis A.

  Similarly, when the movable contact 21 is in contact with the second fixed contact 12, the biasing member 40 is deformed so that the degree of bending of the first bent portion 41 is greater than when the movable contact 21 is in a neutral state. The Accordingly, the first bent portion 41 generates a larger elastic restoring force than the second bent portion 42 and biases the movable contact 21 so as to rotate clockwise around the swing axis A.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the urging member 40 has a pair of portions 43 each extending in a direction crossing the swing axis A at the side of the movable contact 21 and connected by a connecting portion 44. It has a different shape. Each of the pair of portions 43 has the first bent portion 41 and the second bent portion 42 described above. That is, the urging member 40 is an integrally molded product obtained through metal processing or resin processing.

  By configuring the urging member 40 with a spring member, the above-described function can be realized with an inexpensive and simple configuration. That is, the urging member 40 can be configured by a coil spring member as long as it can perform the above-described function.

  In particular, when the urging member 40 is configured by a leaf spring member as in the present embodiment, integral molding as shown in FIG. 1B is easy, which contributes to a reduction in the number of parts.

  In the present embodiment, the operation member 32 is made of resin. More specifically, it is made of a resin having lower heat resistance than the material forming the biasing member 40.

  According to such a configuration, the operation member 32 can be actively melted by the heat generated by the contact abnormality between the first fixed contact 11 or the second fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 21. Thereby, when the contact abnormality between the first fixed contact 11 or the second fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 21 occurs, the urging member 40 can promptly return the movable contact 21 to the neutral state. it can.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the movable contact 21 is arranged so that the swing axis A is located between the first fixed contact 11 and the second fixed contact 12. . The urging member 40 urges the first end portion 211 (an example of the first portion of the movable contact) of the movable contact 21 toward the first fixed contact 11 with the first force, and the second end of the movable contact 21. The part 212 (an example of the second part of the movable contact) is biased toward the second fixed contact 12 by the second force. The first force and the second force indicated by the arrows in FIG. 5 indicate that when a contact abnormality occurs between one of the first fixed contact 11 and the second fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 21, Both the first end 211 and the second end 212 are set so as to be electrically insulated from the first fixed contact 11 and the second fixed contact 12.

  According to such a configuration, when a contact abnormality occurs between one of the first fixed contact 11 and the second fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 21, the movable contact 21 is electrically connected to any fixed contact. It is possible to establish a state that is not performed.

  The above embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention. The configuration according to the above embodiment can be changed or improved as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, it is obvious that equivalents are included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the switch device 1 includes the first fixed contact 11 and the second fixed contact 12 that are symmetrically arranged with respect to the swing axis A, and the knob member 31 rotates clockwise around a rotation axis (not shown). This is a seesaw switch that rotates counterclockwise. However, the switch device 1 can be configured as a slide switch that swings the movable contact 21 about the swing axis A when the knob member 31 is linearly slid.

  Alternatively, in the switch device 1, only one of the first fixed contact 11 and the second fixed contact 12 is provided, and the movable contact is brought into and out of contact with the fixed contact by sliding the knob member 31 linearly. It can be configured as a slide switch.

  The fulcrum member 22 may be a third fixed contact formed of a conductive material. In this case, when the movable contact 21 comes into contact with the first fixed contact 11, the fulcrum member 22 and the first fixed contact 11 are electrically connected, and the switch device 1 performs an operation corresponding to the electrical connection. Similarly, when the movable contact 21 comes into contact with the second fixed contact 12, the fulcrum member 22 and the second fixed contact 12 are electrically connected, and the switch device 1 performs an operation according to the electrical connection.

  1: switch device, 11: first fixed contact, 12: second fixed contact, 21: movable contact, 211: first end, 212: second end, 213: first convex, 214: second convex Part, 32: operation member, 40: biasing member, A: swing shaft

Claims (6)

A fixed contact;
A movable contact capable of taking at least a first position electrically insulated from the fixed contact and a second position electrically connected to the fixed contact;
An operation member for displacing the movable contact;
An urging member for applying an urging force to the movable contact to displace the movable contact from the second position to the first position;
With
The biasing member is configured such that when a contact abnormality occurs between the fixed contact and the movable contact, the biasing force exceeds a force by which the movable contact is held at the second position by the operation member. ing,
Switch device. The movable contact is displaceable between the first position and the second position by rotating about a rotation axis.
The location where the urging member applies the urging force to the movable contact is offset in the direction in which the rotational axis extends than the location where the movable contact contacts the fixed contact.
The switch device according to claim 1. The biasing member is a spring member.
The switch device according to claim 1 or 2. The spring member is a leaf spring member.
The switch device according to claim 3. The operation member is made of resin.
The switch apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 to 4. The fixed contact includes a first fixed contact and a second fixed contact,
The rotation axis of the movable contact is disposed so as to be positioned between the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact,
The biasing member biases the first part of the movable contact toward the first fixed contact with a first force, and the second part of the movable contact to the second fixed contact with a second force. Energizing towards,
The first force and the second force are generated when the contact abnormality occurs between any one of the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact and the movable contact. Both of the second parts are set to be electrically insulated from the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact,
The switch apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 to 5.

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