JPH0561934U - Round foot switch - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a round switch which can be operated by a light pressing operation while preventing the cover from returning badly and which has good operability. [Structure] Three locking claws 51 are provided on the inner circumference of the cylindrical side wall portion 5a of the crown-shaped cover 5 at intervals of 120 degrees, and on the outer circumference of the side wall 13 of the main body 3, the locking claws 51 are provided. Corresponding to, three J-shaped grooves 55 are provided at intervals of 120 degrees. These three J-shaped grooves 55 are arranged in the longitudinal direction with respect to the side wall 13, and the three J-shaped grooves 55 are arranged in the same direction and have substantially the same “J” shape. A locking wall 55d facing the direction of the base 11 is provided at the end of the J-shape, and the locking claw 51 locks to prevent the cover 5 from moving in a direction away from the base 11. The locking claw 51 is configured to move away from the locking wall 55d in the 11-base direction when is pressed.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention comprises a main body in which a cylindrical side wall is erected, a switch is arranged inside, and a cover formed in a crown shape so as to cover the main body, and by biasing the cover with a foot or the like, The present invention relates to a round foot switch that operates a switch.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 Conventionally, a foot switch as shown in FIG. 9 is known. First, as shown in FIG. 9 (A), the upper surface of a foot pedal 151 for stepping on with a foot or the like is simply circular. The switch operating mechanism is similar to a normal foot switch for stepping operation in which the foot pedal 151 is swung around the support shaft 153 to operate the switch 155 and the return spring 157 returns the foot pedal 151. It is a thing. When he / she needs to operate with a foot switch, he or she often uses both hands for work, and rarely operates by looking at the switch itself, which is placed under or on the side of a workbench or machine. Therefore, it is effective from the viewpoint of improving workability that the foot pedal 151 or a member corresponding thereto can be operated regardless of the direction in which the foot pedal 151 is urged toward the base 159.

FIG. 9B shows a so-called round foot switch which can be operated regardless of the direction of pressing. In this round foot switch, a micro switch 207 is arranged on the base 203 of the main body 201. A tray-shaped inner lid 211 is placed on a return spring 209 erected from the base 203, and a rubber cover 213 is attached so as to cover the tray-shaped inner lid 211 and the micro switch 207.

When the switch 207 is operated, the inner lid 211 is moved toward the base 203 by pressing the cover 213 with a foot or the like, and the inner lid 211 urges the switch 207. Then, when there is no pressing by the foot or the like, the return force of the return spring 209 pushes up the inner lid 211 and pushes back the cover 213.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 In the conventional round foot switch shown in FIG. 9B, the cover 213 needs to be flexible because the inner lid 211 is moved to operate the switch, and rubber or the like is used. The cover 213 needs to be thick to some extent due to wear due to repeated stepping motions, cracking due to secular change, and the like. Then, if the thickness of the cover 213 is increased, it becomes difficult to return to the original state after the switch 207 is actuated. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the return spring 209 in order to prevent return failure.

However, if the return spring 209 is made stronger, it becomes necessary to urge it with a stronger force than the return spring 209 when pressing it. These round switches may be attached to the side of a workbench, etc., of course, not only to the feet but also to be used by the knees or hands. This is also important in reducing body fatigue in the work that requires frequent switching operations over time.

Therefore, the present invention has an object to solve the above problems, and provides a round foot switch with good operability, which enables a switch operation by a light pressing operation while preventing a return failure of a cover. To do.

[0008]

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems]

 The round foot switch of the present invention made to achieve the above object includes a main body in which a cylindrical side wall is erected on a base, and a switch is arranged therein, and a crown-shaped foot switch covering the side wall. A cover and a spring member for urging the crown-shaped cover in a direction to separate the crown-shaped cover from the base, and the crown-shaped cover is pressed against the base member against the spring member to operate the switch. In the mold foot switch, the locking claws protruding from the inner circumference of the coronal cover at intervals of 120 degrees, and the outer periphery of the side wall of the main body at positions corresponding to the respective locking claws when covered with the coronal cover. A locking wall which is provided to prevent the movement of the coronal cover in a direction in which the locking claw is locked and moves away from the base, and the locking claw is engaged when the coronal cover is pressed. Away from the stop wall The main point is that it is configured to be movable in the above base direction.

Therefore, in the round foot switch of the present invention, when the switch is operated, for example, the user steps on the foot and pushes the crown-shaped cover against the spring member toward the base side. Then, the locking claw moves away from the locking wall toward the base, and the switch operates when it moves to a predetermined position. At this time, for example, if you step on the inner periphery of the coronal cover from near the opposite side of the locking claws that are provided at intervals of 120 degrees, the locking claws act as fulcrums to swing the coronal cover and move toward the base. To move the switch. When the user depresses from any other position, the line connecting the two adjacent locking claws on the opposite side of the depressed position serves as a swing axis to swing the coronal cover and activate the switch. In this way, it is possible to operate from any direction around the coronal cover.

On the other hand, after the switch is actuated, when the force pressed by the foot is removed, the coronal cover moves in the direction in which it is urged by the spring member to separate from the base, and the locking claw moves to the locking wall. Locking to prevent movement of the coronal cover in the direction away from the base. Only the coronal cover is moved by the spring member in this returning operation. Therefore, the spring member only needs to have an urging force enough to move the coronal cover, and the switch operation can be performed by a light pressing operation, and the operability is very good.

Further, a substantially J-shaped groove is bored at a position on the outer periphery of the side wall of the main body corresponding to each locking claw when covered with a coronal cover, and a concave portion where the J-shape starts is formed on the end surface of the side wall. And the end of the J-shape may be used as the locking wall. By providing the J-shaped groove in this manner, the work at the time of mounting becomes easy. For example, if the coronal cover is pressed against the spring member, the locking claw is moved toward the base from the J-shaped groove's J-shaped recessed part, and after a slight rotation, the locking claw is removed. Is locked to the locking wall formed at the end of the J-shape to complete the installation. In this way, the locking claw can be moved to the predetermined position by tracing the J-shaped groove. In addition, since it is a groove, the locking claws are also prevented from rotating in the circumferential direction in the so-called non-operating state where the locking claws are locked to the locking wall and the mounting is completed, so that the position shift occurs. Absent.

[0012]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a round foot switch 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the round foot switch 1 of this embodiment includes a main body 3, a cover 5 and a bottom plate 7.

A substantially cylindrical side wall 13 is erected on a base 11 of the main body 3, and a housing portion 15 is provided inside the side wall 13. An automatic return type micro switch (not shown) is built in the housing portion 15, and an operating rod 17 for turning on / off the micro switch extends laterally. A switch operating unit 21 for operating the operating rod 17 is arranged on the side where the operating rod 17 extends.

FIG. 2A shows a view of the switch operating portion 21 in FIG. 1 taken along the arrow A, and FIG. 2B shows a view of the same taken along arrow B. A circular hole 23a is formed at one end of the operating plate 23 and is loosely fitted in a cylindrical projection 25 having a smaller diameter than the circular hole 23a. The screw 27 and the washer 28 are attached to the cylindrical projection 25, and the motion plate 23 has a vertical play, but the movement thereof is restricted by the screw 27 and the washer 28. A movement restricting plate 29 is erected on the left and right of the cylindrical projection 25, and the operation plate 23 can be slightly moved in the left and right directions, but the movement restricting plate 29 restricts movement to a certain extent or more. ing.

On the other hand, the other end portion 23b of the operating plate 23 is in contact with a cylindrical roller 31 made of resin. The roller 31 is mounted on the support base 33, and also abuts on the operating rod 17. When no force is applied to the operating plate 23, the roller 31 is urged downward by the other end portion 23b and laterally urged by the operating rod 17 to be in contact with the slope portion 33a of the support base 33. Supported.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the other end 23b of the operating plate 23 is moved in the direction of arrow C, the roller 31 moves in the direction of arrow D while contacting the slope 33a of the support base 33. Then, the operating rod 17 is biased in the direction of the arrow E, and is lowered to the bottom surface portion 33b and stopped. At this time, the arrangement of the support base 33, the shape of the roller 31 and the like are set so that the roller 31 that has descended to the bottom surface portion 33b does not bias the operating rod 17 too much. The micro switch can be turned on and off via the operating rod 17 before the roller 31 reaches the bottom surface portion 33b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, three columnar return spring fixing seats 41 are provided upright on the base 11 inside the main body 3 at intervals of approximately 120 degrees. One end side of a return spring 43 is externally fitted and fixed to each of the three return spring fixing seats 41. Then, inside the main body 3, the electric wire 47 connected to the housing portion 15 is swirled so as to avoid the switch operating portion 21, the return spring 43, etc., and is guided by the electric wire positioning member 49 so that the first cut portion of the side wall 13 is formed. It is extended from 13a to the outside. As shown in FIG. 3 which is a bottom view of the main body 3, a second cut 11a is formed on the base 11 side following the first cut 13a.

On the other hand, three locking claws 51 are provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical side wall portion 5 a of the crown-shaped cover 5 at 120 ° intervals, and on the outer periphery of the side wall 13 of the main body 3, this locking claw 51 is provided. Corresponding to the claws 51, three J-shaped grooves 55 are provided at 120-degree intervals. These three J-shaped grooves 55 are arranged in the vertical direction with respect to the side wall 13 so that the three J-shaped grooves 55 have the same "J" shape in the same direction.

A first linear recess 55a formed linearly downward from the J-shaped starting portion continues to the upper end surface of the side wall 13, and a second linear recess connected to the J-shaped ending portion. 55b is provided, and a locking wall 55d facing the direction of the base 11 is provided at the terminal end thereof, that is, the end of the J-shape. By forming the groove in a substantially J shape, a protrusion 55c is formed between the first linear recess 55a and the second linear recess 55b. The first linear recess 55a of the J-shaped groove 55 has a width that allows the locking claw 51 to pass therethrough, and the locking wall 55d also has a width that allows the locking claw 51 to abut and lock. There is. Further, the second linear recess has a width larger than that of the locking claw 51, so that the locking claw 51 can freely move up and down, and there is a sufficient margin for the inclination of the locking claw 51. is there.

In the state where the three locking claws 51 of the cover 5 are in contact with the locking wall 55d, the cylindrical side wall portion 5a of the cover 5 corresponding to the first cut 13a of the side wall 13 has an electric wire. A third cut 53 for leading out 47 is provided. Next, how to assemble the above-mentioned main body 3, cover 5 and bottom plate 7 will be described. First, the electric wire 47 is taken out from the second cut 11a of the base 11 and is bent substantially at a right angle as shown by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. In this state, the locking claw 51 of the cover 5 is guided to the first linear recess 55a of the J-shaped groove 55, and the cover 5 is moved to the base 11 side while compressing the return spring 43. When the locking claw 51 is guided to the first straight recess 55a of the J-shaped groove 55, the first straight recess 55a continues to the upper end surface of the side wall 13, so that the locking claw 51 does not spread outward. , Just move it downwards.

Then, the cover 5 itself is rotated so that the locking claw 51 rides over the projection 55c of the J-shaped groove 55, and the locking claw 51 is moved to the second linear recess 55b side. When the force applied to the cover 5 is loosened, the cover 5 is urged in the direction away from the base 11 by the repulsive force of the compressed return spring 43, and the locking claw 51 moves in the second linear recess 55b. And contacts the locking wall 55d. In this state, the movement of the cover 5 in the direction away from the base 11 is restricted. In this way, it is possible to dispose the locking claw 51 at a predetermined position simply by moving it along the J-shaped groove 55, and the assembly can be carried out very easily.

In the state where the locking claw 51 is in contact with the locking wall 55d, the first cut 13a of the side wall 13 and the third cut 53 of the cover 5 are aligned with each other, and thus the second cut 11a of the base 11 is formed. The electric wire 47 that has been bent at a more right angle is extended to the outside from the third cut 53 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4, and is returned to the original state. Then, the positioning projection 61 projecting from the bottom surface of the base 11 is fitted into the through hole 7a of the bottom plate 7 made of an iron plate or the like, and the flat head screw 63 is screwed into the mounting holes 64 of the bottom plate 7 and the base 11 so that both are fitted. To fix.

The positioning protrusion 61 is provided with a blind hole 61a, and when the circular switch 1 is fixed from the back side through the bottom plate 7, it is fitted to a protrusion provided on the fixed side. It is used to make it or screw it to the fixed side. Moreover, if a rubber plate (not shown) or the like is attached to the bottom plate 7, it can be easily fixed and can be easily removed.

When the bottom plate 7 is fixed to the base 11, the electric wire 47 is fixed at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. Therefore, the locking claw 51 can move up and down the second linear recess 55b, but cannot move to the first linear recess 55a side.

The round-shaped switch 1 of the first embodiment having the above-described structure can be turned on / off regardless of the direction of the entire circumference of the switch 1. Next, the operation at this time will be explained. First, the operation when the center of the cover 5 is stepped on will be described with reference to FIG. The distance between the bottom plate 7 and the lower end of the cylindrical side wall portion 5a of the cover 5 in the state where the locking claw 51 of the cover 5 is in contact with the locking wall 55d of the main body 3 is S. The symbol P in the figure indicates the stepping point.

When the cover 5 is moved in the direction of the base 11 (which is also the direction of the bottom plate 7 in this case), the inner surface of the cover 5 comes into contact with the operating plate 23 to move the operating plate 23 downward, and the other end thereof. The operation rod 17 is moved in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 2B via the roller 23b and the roller 31 to operate the micro switch. In the present embodiment, if the center of the cover 5 moves in the direction of the base 11 by about a quarter of the distance S, the microswitch is turned on / off.

The cover 5 is in contact with the operating plate 23 at the center thereof, and in this case, the cover 5 approaches the base 11 while maintaining a substantially parallel state, so that the cover 5 is shown in FIG. In this way, the microswitch can be turned on and off by stepping on about 1/4 of the distance S. It should be noted that the roller 31 reaches the bottom surface portion 33b before the depression of the distance S is completed, and further depression is restricted.

Next, two examples of operation when stepping on the periphery of the cover 5 will be shown. First, FIG. 6 shows a case in which one of the positions on the opposite side of the three locking claws 51 is depressed with respect to the center C of the cover 5. In this case, the locking claw 51 on the opposite side of the stepping point P becomes the fulcrum M and swings.

As can be seen from FIG. 6A, when the radius of the cover is R, the radius from the center of the cover to the stepping point P and the locking claw 51 serving as a fulcrum is equal to the radius R, respectively. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, if the depression point P is moved to the base 11 side by the stroke S1, the center C of the cover 5 can be moved by half the stroke S1. Therefore, when the stepping point P moves by a half of the distance S, the center C of the cover 5 moves by a quarter of the distance S, and the microswitch can be turned on and off.

Further, FIG. 7 shows a case where the upper side of the three locking claws 51 is depressed. In this case, the line connecting the two locking claws 51 other than the locking claw 51 located at the depression point P serves as the swing axis N and the cover 5 swings. As can be seen from FIG. 7A, the distance from the cover center to the step-in point P is equal to the radius R, and the distance from the cover center C to the swing axis N is one half of the radius R. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, if the depression point P is moved to the base 11 side by the stroke S2, the center C of the cover 5 can be moved by a third of the stroke S2. Therefore, when the stepping point P moves by 3/4 of the distance S, the center C of the cover 5 moves by ¼ of the distance S, and the microswitch can be turned on / off.

Even when the position other than the positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is depressed, the cover 5 swings with one locking claw 51 as the fulcrum M or a line connecting the two locking claws 51. Since it swings as the swing axis N 1, the switch can be turned on / off even if the pedal is depressed from any direction around the entire circumference.

Further, unlike the conventional case, the cover is made of rubber or the like and the deformed cover is not returned by the return spring. Therefore, even if the return spring 43 is not strengthened, if the stepping force is removed, Smoothly returns to the original state. Therefore, the force applied when pressing may be small. Therefore, it is possible to operate the switch with a light pressing action when it is attached to the side of the workbench as well as the foot and used with the knee or hand.For example, it is necessary to frequently perform the switching operation for a long time. It is also very effective in reducing physical fatigue in work that does not occur.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. The first embodiment described above is particularly effective as a small / flat switch, but a slightly large switch may be constructed as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 8A is a top view of the round switch 101 of the second embodiment with the cover 5 removed, and FIG. 8B is a partial cross-sectional side view of the round switch 101. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

In the second embodiment, a housing portion 15 having a built-in micro switch (not shown) is arranged near the center of the inside of the main body 3, and an operating rod 17 extends upward at approximately the center. There is. A protrusion 103 is also provided in the center of the ceiling 5b of the cover 5, and the protrusion 103 is directly contacted with the operating rod 17 when the cover 5 is stepped on. Therefore, if the cover 5 is moved downward, the micro switch can be turned on / off via the protrusion 103 and the operating rod 17.

By arranging the housing portion 15 at the substantially central portion of the main body 3, the electric wire 47 can be linearly extended to the outside without going around the inside of the main body 3. The method of assembling is the same as in the first embodiment, the electric wire 47 extends from the second cut 11a of the base 11 and is bent at a substantially right angle, and the locking claw 51 of the cover 5 is made into the first straight line of the J-shaped groove 55. The cover 5 itself is rotated so that the locking claw 51 rides over the protrusion 55c of the J-shaped groove 55 while being guided to the recess 55a and compressing the return spring 43. Then, when the locking claw 51 is moved to the second linear recess 55b side and the force applied to the cover 5 is relaxed, the locking claw 51 moves the second linear recess 55b by the repulsive force of the compressed return spring 43. It moves and contacts the locking wall 55d. After that, if the electric wire 47 bent at a right angle is returned to the original state, it is completed.

The second embodiment also operates similarly to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, and if the center of the cover 5 is stepped on, it approaches the base 11 while maintaining a substantially parallel state. To go. Then, no matter which position is depressed, the cover 5 either swings with one locking claw 51 as a fulcrum or swings with a line connecting the two locking claws 51 as a swing axis. Therefore, the switch can be turned on / off from any direction on the entire circumference.

Further, even if the return spring 43 is not strengthened, if the stepping force is removed, the original state is smoothly restored, the force applied when pressing is small, and the switch switching operation is frequently performed for a long time. It is also very effective in reducing physical fatigue in the work performed.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments as described above, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although three locking claws 51 are provided at 120-degree intervals in this embodiment, four locking claws 51 may be provided at 90-degree intervals, or more than five locking claws 51 may be provided. If at least three locking claws 51 are provided, it is possible to obtain an effect that the operation can be performed from any direction around the coronal cover 5.

[0039]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above in detail, in the round switch of the present invention, the locking claw independently serves as a fulcrum to swing the crown-shaped cover, or the line connecting the two locking claws serves as the swing axis to form the crown-shaped cover. The switch can be actuated by rocking, and it can be operated from any direction around the coronal cover. Further, the spring member has only to have an urging force enough to move the coronal cover, and the switch operation can be performed by a light pressing operation, and the operability is very good.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a round foot switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2A is a view of the switch operating portion in FIG. 1 as seen from the direction of arrow A, and FIG.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the main body.

FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining how to assemble the first embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a top view for explaining the operation when the center of the cover is stepped on, and FIG. 5B is a side view of the same.

FIG. 6A is a top view for explaining the operation when the other side of the locking claw is stepped on, and FIG. 6B is a side view of the same.

7A is a top view for explaining the operation when the upper part of the locking claw is stepped on, and FIG. 7B is a side view of the same.

FIG. 8A is a top view of the round switch of the second embodiment with a cover removed, and FIG. 8B is a partial cross-sectional side view of the round switch.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

C ... center, M ... fulcrum, N ... swing axis,
P ... Stepping point, 1 ... Round foot switch, 5 ... Cover, 5a ... Cylindrical side wall part, 7 ... Bottom plate, 11
... base, 13 ... side wall, 15 ... housing part, 17
… Operation rod, 21… Switch operation part, 23
... Operating plate, 31 ... Roller, 33 ... Supporting base, 33a ...
Slope part, 33b ... bottom part, 47 ... electric wire, 51 ... locking claw, 55 ... J-shaped groove, 55a ... first linear recessed part, 5
5b ... 2nd linear recessed part, 55c ... Projection part, 5
5d ... Locking wall

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A main body in which a cylindrical side wall is erected on a base and a switch is arranged therein, a coronal cover formed in a coronal shape to cover the side wall, and a direction for separating the coronal cover from the base. In a round foot switch for operating the switch by pressing the crown-shaped cover against the spring member against the spring member, a 120-degree inner circumference of the crown-shaped cover is provided. The locking claws protruding at intervals are provided on the outer periphery of the side wall of the main body at positions corresponding to the respective locking claws when covered with the coronal cover. A locking wall that prohibits movement of the coronal cover in a direction away from the locking member, and the locking claw is configured to be movable in the base direction away from the locking wall when the crown cover is pressed. Maru featuring Type foot switch. 2. A substantially J-shaped groove is formed on the outer periphery of the side wall of the main body at a position corresponding to each locking claw when covered with the crown-shaped cover, and the recess where the J-shape starts is formed in the side wall. The round foot switch according to claim 1, wherein the end surface of the J-shape is the engaging wall while continuing to the end face of the.