JP2593146Y2 - Switch device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a waterproof switch device used for a courtesy switch of an automobile, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a courtesy switch for automatically turning on and off a lamp in response to opening and closing of a door of an automobile is a so-called plunger type in which a movable member is movably provided in a main body case and a contact mechanism is operated by the movement. The switch is configured so that the front surface of the switch is covered with a rubber waterproof cap together with the movable element, and the back surface is also covered with a rubber waterproof cover. As a result, the inside of the main body case is sealed, and the contact mechanism is waterproofed.

[0003] In this case, if the inside of the main body case is completely closed, the movement of the mover may not be performed smoothly due to a change in temperature or a change in the pressure in the main body case due to the movement of the mover. When the inside becomes a negative pressure, there is a possibility that water or the like may enter from the outside through the joint portion between the main body case and the waterproof cover and adversely affect the contact mechanism and the like. For this reason, a ventilation hole for communicating the inside of the main body case with the outside is provided, and a Gore-Tex film having air permeability and water impermeability is provided in the ventilation hole, thereby preventing invasion of moisture and preventing air from entering. In order to prevent the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the main body case from occurring, the flow is prevented.

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, even if it is attempted to secure the air permeability while trying to waterproof with the Gore-Tex film as described above, the time required to eliminate the pressure difference is small because the amount of ventilation of the Gore-Tex film is small. Take
It is not possible to quickly follow the pressure change due to the movement of the mover, and after all, when the inside of the body case becomes a negative pressure, the intrusion of moisture from the junction between the body case and the waterproof cover is surely prevented. Did not reach.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a switch device in which a main body case is covered with a waterproof cover, and which can quickly eliminate a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the main body case.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a switch device comprising: a main body case having a contact mechanism; a movable member provided in the main body case so as to be movable in a retracting direction to operate the contact mechanism; a waterproof cover covering airtightly said comprises a vent hole for communicating the inside and outside of the main body case, a film having air permeability and liquid-impermeable provided so as to close the vent, the waterproof cover, the waterproof cover
With over a partially thin-walled, said inflation in response to pressure changes in the body case accompanying the movement of the moving element, the pressure change absorbing portion is elastically deformed in the shrinking direction provided Rutotomoni,
Absorbs the pressure change between the body case and the waterproof cover
The present invention is characterized in that a space portion that allows contraction deformation of the portion is provided .

[0007]

According to the above-mentioned means, the waterproof cover which covers the main body case in an airtight manner and the water-impermeable film provided so as to close the ventilation hole can prevent water from entering the main body case. In addition, since the film has air permeability, a constant flow of air inside and outside the main body case is achieved.

When the pressure inside the main body case becomes positive due to the movement of the moving element, the pressure change absorbing portion provided on the waterproof cover is elastically deformed in the expansion direction, so that the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the main body case is quickly increased. Will be resolved. Further, when the inside of the main body case becomes negative pressure due to the movement of the moving element, the pressure change absorbing portion elastically deforms in the contraction direction, so that the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the main body case is also quickly eliminated. At this time, the pressure change absorbing part
Because it is formed by making it thin, it is waterproof
While maintaining a certain rigidity for the entire cover,
The change absorbing part is easily elastically deformed, and pressure fluctuation
Responsiveness. Moreover, the main body
Between the pressure change absorber and the waterproof cover.
The space inside the case is negative because
When pressure is reached, the pressure difference is effectively eliminated.
Swell.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a courtesy switch of an automobile will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1 and 3 show the entire configuration of a courtesy switch 1 as a switch device. Here, a plastic main body case 2 has a substantially cylindrical shape and has a tip surface (left end surface in FIG. 1) described later. It has an opening 2a through which the mover passes. In addition, a flange portion 3 extending substantially in a rhombus shape (see FIG. 4) in the outer peripheral direction and having two mounting holes 3a is integrally formed at a distal end portion of the main body case 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, an insulator 6 having a pair of fixed contact plates 4 and 5 on its inner surface is fixed in the main body case 2. The fixed contact plates 4 and 5 extend through the right end face of the insulator 6 in the drawing and are connected to lead wires 8 and 9 via a cable tie 7.

In the main body case 2 (inside the insulator 6), a plastic movable member 10 extending in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 and having the shape of an elongated cylindrical cap that opens rightward passes through the opening 2a. And appearing direction (left and right direction)
Is provided so as to be movable. In this mover 10,
A movable contact 11 made of a leaf spring is provided. The movable contact 11 includes a contact portion 11a protruding upward in FIG. 1 from an opening 10a formed in a peripheral wall portion of the movable member 10 to come into contact with and separate from the fixed contact plate 4;
The contact portion 11b projects downward from the opening 10b formed in the peripheral wall portion of FIG.

The movable element 10 is formed by a coil spring 12 having both ends inserted between a projection 10c formed in the hollow portion and a projection 6a provided on the insulator 6. It is always urged in the protruding direction (to the left in FIG. 1). As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, in a state in which no operating force is received from the outside, the movable element 10 has a distal end largely protruding from the main body case 2 and
Is in contact with the fixed contact plate 4 to make the two fixed contact plates 4 and 5 conductive.

On the other hand, when the moving element 10 receives a pressing force from the left in FIG. 1, it moves in the immersion direction against the spring force. Then, the contact portion 11a is separated from the fixed contact plate 4, and the electrical connection between the fixed contact plates 4 and 5 is cut off. When the pressing force is released, the movable element 10 moves in the protruding direction by the spring force of the coil spring 12, and the fixed contact plates 4 and 5 are again brought into a conductive state.

Then, on the front surface of the main body case 2,
For example, a waterproof cap 13 made of rubber is provided. The waterproof cap 13 has a cylindrical bag shape with a large diameter at an intermediate portion, and has a shape having a flange-like portion 13a around an opening thereof. It is attached to the flange portion 3 of the main body case 2 by the attachment plate 14 so as to cover the whole. Accordingly, the pressing of the movable element 10 is performed together with the waterproof cap 13,
The waterproof cap 13 is deformed so as to increase or decrease the internal volume in accordance with the movement of the movable element 10.

Further, a waterproof cover 1 made of an elastic material such as rubber is provided on the right side of the main body case 2 in FIG.
5 are provided. The waterproof cover 15 has a substantially cylindrical shape that is open to the left in FIG. 1, and the left half thereof is fitted and attached to the main body case 2 in an airtight state. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lead wires 8 and 9 are led out through a lead-out portion 16 protruding below the waterproof cover 15 in an airtight state.

A through hole 15a is formed at the right end face of the waterproof cover 15 in FIG. 1, and a plastic bush 17 is provided in the through hole 15a so as to be fitted in an airtight state. . As shown in FIG. 5, the bush 17 has a ventilation hole 17a for communicating the inside and the outside of the waterproof cover 15 (the main body case 2).
A film 18 having air permeability and water impermeability, such as a Gore-Tex film, is provided so as to close the space. Thus, a constant flow of air through the film 18 can be achieved while preventing the intrusion of moisture into the main body case 2 including the waterproof cover 15.

The waterproof cover 15 has a pressure change absorbing portion 19 which elastically deforms in the expansion and contraction directions in accordance with a pressure change in the main body case 1 due to the movement of the moving element 10.
Is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the pressure change absorbing portion 19 is provided with the waterproof cover 15 shown in FIG.
The both side surfaces of in the right half portion is formed by thin-walled and to <br/> Rukoto than other portions. This allows the waterproof cover
While maintaining a certain rigidity as a whole, when the pressure inside the main body case 2 becomes negative, the pressure change absorbing portion 19
However, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, it easily undergoes elastic deformation in the contracting direction, thereby absorbing internal pressure changes,
As the negative pressure state is eliminated, the pressure change absorbing portion 19 returns in the expansion direction and deforms. Also, with this
Between the main body case 2 and the waterproof cover 15.
A space portion 20 for allowing the contraction deformation of the force change absorbing portion 19 is provided.
And the elasticity of the pressure change absorbing portion 19 in the compression direction.
The deformation is easily and quickly performed.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. The courtesy switch 1 configured as described above is incorporated into the body of an automobile as a switch for detecting, for example, the opening and closing of the door of the automobile and the mounting state of a spare tire of an RV car. For example, in the case of a door switch, the door lamp is inserted in series in a current path of the door lamp, and when the door is closed, the contact is turned off by pressing the movable element 10 by the door to turn off the door lamp. Mover 10
The pressing force is released and the contact turns on, turning on the door lamp.

In this case, the main body case 2 having the contact mechanism and the moving element 10 are provided with a waterproof cap 13 and a waterproof cover.
Since it is covered with the cover 15 , it is possible to prevent moisture such as rainwater from entering the main body case 2 and adversely affecting the contact mechanism and the like even when exposed to the outdoors. At this time, the air inside and outside the main body case 2 is circulated by the film 18 provided so as to close the ventilation hole 17a while preventing the invasion of moisture. It can be kept at the same pressure.

In the case of a film 18 such as Gore-Tex, the amount of ventilation is small. Therefore, if a large pressure change occurs rapidly, it takes time to eliminate the pressure difference between the inside and outside. In particular, when the inside of the main body case 2 becomes a negative pressure due to the movement of the movable element 10, if the negative pressure state is not immediately eliminated, moisture from the outside passes through a fitting portion between the main body case 2 and the waterproof cover 15 and the like. May invade.

However, in this embodiment, the moving element 1
When the pressure inside the main body case 2 becomes negative due to the movement of 0, the thin pressure change absorbing portion 19 provided on the waterproof cover 15 is easily elastically deformed in the contraction direction. The difference is quickly resolved.
At this time, the pressure change absorbing portion 19 is provided inside the pressure change absorbing portion 19.
A sufficient space 20 is provided for the housing 19 to shrink and deform.
Therefore, the elastic deformation is easily and quickly performed. Then, after that, the air slowly flows in through the air holes 17a (film 18), so that the pressure change absorbing portion 1
8 will gradually return. Also, body case 2
Even when the pressure inside the chamber suddenly becomes positive, the pressure change absorbing section 19
Is easily elastically deformed in the expansion direction, so that the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the main body case 2 is quickly eliminated.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the waterproof cover 15 is integrally provided with the pressure change absorbing portion 19 which elastically deforms in the directions of expansion and contraction to absorb the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the main body case 2. Unlike the case, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the main body case 2 can be quickly eliminated, and as a result,
It is possible to reliably prevent adverse effects such as poor movement of 0 and intrusion of moisture.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0024]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the switch device of the present invention, the main body case is covered with the waterproof cover, and the waterproof cover is provided with the waterproof cover.
By the cover partially thin-walled, expanded in response to pressure changes in the body case accompanying the movement of the movable element, Rutotomoni provided a pressure change absorbing portion is elastically deformed in the shrinking direction, the main body
Shrinkage of the pressure change absorbing portion between the case and the waterproof cover
Since the space portion that allows deformation is provided , an excellent practical effect that the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the main body case can be quickly eliminated can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a waterproof cover.

FIG. 3 is an overall side view.

FIG. 4 is an overall rear view.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal side view of a bush.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 1 is a courtesy switch, 2 is a main body case, 4,
5 is a fixed contact plate, 10 is a movable element, 11 is a movable contact, 13 is a waterproof cap, 15 is a waterproof cover, 17 is a bush, 17a is a vent, 18 is a film, 19 is a pressure change absorbing part , and 20 is a space part. Is shown.

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A main body case having a contact mechanism, a mover provided in the main body case so as to be movable in a retracting direction to operate the contact mechanism, a waterproof cover for hermetically covering the main body case, The waterproof cover is provided with a ventilation hole communicating between the inside and the outside, and a film provided to close the ventilation hole and having air permeability and water impermeability, wherein the waterproof cover is partially thinned.
The Rukoto, said inflation in response to pressure changes in the body case accompanying the movement of the moving element, the pressure change absorbing portion is elastically deformed in the shrinking direction provided Rutotomoni, waterproof mosquito and the main body case
Allow the contraction deformation of the pressure change absorbing portion between the bar and the bar
A switch device comprising a space .