JPS60877Y2 - push button device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a push button device, which is used, for example, in a steam iron to switch between steam and dry mode, between concentrated and dispersed steam, and for switching other electrical appliances.

Conventionally, switching between steam and dry mode and between concentrated and dispersed steam in a steam iron is performed by pressing a push button, and the switching state is visually indicated by the height of the push button.

That is, for example, in the relationship between steam and dry, if the height of the push button is high, a switch to steam is displayed, and if the height of the push button is low, a switch to dry is clearly displayed.

However, in this type of push button, although it is attached to the switching mechanism so that it can slide up and down, the push button is not supported in its pushed position, and its height is lowered by the push button due to its own weight. It is designed to display the switching to.

Therefore, if the steam iron body is set dry and the push button is turned upside down so that it is tilted downward, the push button will automatically protrude due to its own weight and move to a height that indicates the steam state, and therefore the switching mechanism Even if the iron remains set to dry, only the push button that indicates this height will display steam, and this mismatch between the switching mechanism and the push button may cause an unexpected situation, and the iron This has problems such as decreased usability.

This invention was created in consideration of these points, and the push button and
The switching mechanism, which is switched via a drive body driven by this push button, is operated in a relatively linked manner (1), and is visually displayed at all times in an accurate interlocking manner. To provide a push button device that can reliably display and hold the steam or dry status of an iron without being affected by the manner in which the iron is handled.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on an example in which it is applied to a steam iron.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a base in which a heating element 2 is embedded, a cover 3 covering the base 1 is provided on the upper surface of the base 1, and a handle 5 is provided on the upper part of the cover 3 with a water storage tank 4 interposed therebetween.

Further, a vaporizing chamber 6 is formed in the upper part of the base 1, and a first outlet path 9 is formed in the front part of the vaporizing chamber 6, which communicates with an ejection hole 8 bored in the hanging surface 7 of the base 1. At the same time, a second outlet path 10 is formed at the rear of the vaporization chamber 6, and this second outlet path 10 is communicated with a dispersion path 11 opened in the hanging surface 7 of the base 1.

Further, a steam chamber 12 is formed in the upper part of the vaporization chamber 6, and a communication port 14 communicating with the vaporization chamber 6 is formed in the bottom plate 13 of the vaporization chamber 12, and at the front and rear of the communication port 14. A first outlet 15 that communicates the first outlet path 9 with the steam chamber 12 and a second outlet 16 that communicates the second outlet path 10 with the steam chamber 12 are formed, respectively.

Next, a cap-shaped support 1 is attached to the front part of the handle body 5.
7 is formed, and a water inlet 1.8 is formed at the front end of this support 17.
A front cover 19 having a
A conduit 20 formed in communication with the water inlet 18 is inserted into a communication port 21 opened at the front upper part of the water storage tank 4 and connected in a watertight manner.

Further, guide holes 22 and 23 are formed at the front and rear of the support body 17, and cylindrical storage bodies 24 and 25 are integrally formed on the inner opening periphery of the front and rear guide holes 22 and 23. Cam bodies 26 and 27 are formed within 24 and 25.

The cam body 26, 27 has a plurality of cam pieces 28 projecting integrally at equal intervals along the inner walls of the storage bodies 24, 25, and a long groove-like shape with a predetermined interval between each cam piece 28. A locking portion 29 is formed, and each cam piece 28
A tapered guide surface 30 that is inclined to one side and a locking stepped portion as a locking portion are formed next to the guide surface 30 at the tip thereof.

Next, the front and rear push buttons 32 are inserted into the cam bodies 26, 27 and into the front and rear guide holes 22, 23 so as to be freely forward and backward, and the drive body 33 is installed in the front and rear push buttons 32 so as to be rotatable and forward and backward. has been done.

The front and rear push buttons 32 have a main body 3 formed in a hollow cylindrical shape.
A pushing part 35 is formed on the outer surface of the pushing part 4, and a guide shaft 36 is provided inwardly at the center of the pushing part.
A large diameter locking portion 37 is formed at the tip of the main body 34, and a plurality of claw-shaped protrusions 38 are integrally formed at predetermined intervals on the outer periphery of the opening edge of the inner end of the main body 34. Each protrusion 38 has a triangular tapered pressing surface 39 formed at its inner end.

Further, the driving body 33 engages with the locking portions 29 and the locking stepped portions 31 of the cam bodies 26 and 27 at the inner end of a main body 40 formed in a cylindrical shape from a synthetic resin material having appropriate elasticity. A plurality of protrusions 41, that is, the same number as the protrusions 38 of the push button 32, are protruded radially, and each protrusion 41 has a tapered shape in which the pushing surface 39 of each protrusion 38 of the push button 32 engages with the outer surface of the protrusion 41. The pressure receiving surface 42 is the guide surface 3 of each cam piece 28.
It is formed in the same inclination direction as 0.

Further, an insertion hole 4 is provided in the center of the outer surface of the main body 40 of this drive body 33.
3 is bored, and the locking part 37 formed on the guide shaft 36 of the push button 32 is press-fitted into this insertion hole 43, and the driver 33 is rotated relative to the push button 32 via the guide shaft 36. It is installed so that it can move and move forward and backward.

Therefore, the forward and backward movements of the push button 32 are restricted within the range of the dimension C between the locking portion 37 of the guide shaft 36 and the inner opening edge of the insertion hole 43 of the driver 33, and this dimension C is 33
is set to be slightly larger than the forward and backward movement stroke d required for rotation inside the push button 32.

That is, the push button 32 is restricted from being pulled out from the drive body 33 within a range that does not prevent the drive body 33 from rotating inside the push button 32.

Next, an advancing/retracting rod 44 is attached to the front part of the water storage tank 4 so as to be freely advanced and retractable, and the outer end of this advancing/retracting rod 44 is provided so as to face the driving body 33 at the front part.
An opening/closing element 45 formed at the inner end of the advancing/retracting rod 44 is removably installed opposite to a drip hole 47 formed in a drip valve 46 as a switching mechanism so as to open and close the drip hole 47.
The drip hole 47 is formed in communication with the vaporization chamber 6, and the drip valve 46 is formed in communication with the water storage tank 4.

Also, a stopper 4 formed on the upper part of the advance/retreat rod 44 is provided.
A coil spring 49 is wound around the advancing/retracting rod 44 between the switch 8 and the water storage tank 4, and the coil spring 49 always urges the advancing/retracting rod 44 outward.
is adapted to open the drip hole 47.

Further, a coil spring 50 is interposed between the stopper 48 of the advancing/retracting rod 44 and the driving body 33, and the coil spring 50 urges the push button 32 outward via the driving body 33. always protrudes outward from the guide hole 22 of the support body 17.

In addition, at the rear of the water storage tank 4, that is, the advance/retreat lever 4 is provided.
4, an opening/closing rod 51 serving as an advancing/retracting rod is attached so as to be able to move forward and backward. A disk 52 fixed to the inner end of the rod 51 is formed to open and close the second outlet 16 of the steam chamber 12.

Further, a coil spring 54 is wound around the opening/closing rod 51 between a stopper 53 attached to the middle of the opening/closing rod 51 and the bottom of the water storage tank 4, and the coil spring 54 holds the opening/closing rod 51 in position. The disk 52 and the wall surface 12 of the steam chamber 12 are
A coil spring 5 is attached to the opening/closing rod 51 between
Further, a coil spring 57 is interposed between a stopper 56 attached to the outer end of the opening/closing rod 51 and the driver 33 at the rear. Rear push button 3 through
2 outward, the waist push button 32 always presses the guide hole 2 of the support body 17.
It protrudes outward from 3.

The rear push button 32 and the front push button 32 are held at the same height.

Thus, the front push button 32 is used to display steam and dry, and the rear push button 32 is used to display steam concentration and dispersion.

In addition, 58 in the figure is a guide cylinder provided in the water storage tank 4.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the front and rear push buttons 32 are not pressed, so each protrusion 41 of the drive body 33 is engaged between each cam piece 28 of the cam bodies 26 and 27. located within the stop portion 29 and each protrusion 38 of the push button 32
The horizontal engagement surface 38a is press-fitted to the inner opening periphery of the guide holes 22, 23 by coil springs 50, 57.

Therefore, since the drip hole 47 and the second outlet 16 are open, the water in the water storage tank 4 is released from the drip valve 46.
The water is dripped into the vaporization chamber 6 through the drip hole 47 and turned into steam, and this flows into the steam chamber 12 through the communication port 14.
2 through the first and second outlet ports 15, 16 and the first and second outlet paths 9, 10 to the jet hole 8 and the dispersion path 11.
The water is dispersed and ejected onto the hanging surface 7 of the base 1.

Next, when the front push button 32 is pushed down by pressing its pushing part 35 against the coil springs 49 and 50, each protrusion 38 of this push button 32 engages with each protrusion 41 of the drive body 33. At the same time, the drive body 33 is pushed down around the guide shaft 36 due to the pressing engagement between the tapered pushing surface 39 of each protrusion 38 and the tapered pressure receiving surface 42 of each protrusion 41. The protrusions 41 of the drive body 33 are rotated in one direction, so that each protrusion 41 of the driving body 33 is rotated in one direction, so that each cam piece 28 of the cam body 26 is
The lever 44 is lowered, and the opening/closing element 45 of the lever 44 connects to the drip hole 47 of the drip valve 46 through the tapered guide surface 30 from the locking portion 29 between the two. Insert it inside and close it.

Then, when the push button 32 is released, the coil spring 5
Due to the return force of 0, each projecting piece 41 of the driving body 33 rises slightly and presses into engagement with the locking step 31 of each cam piece 28, and the push button 32 descends by an amount approximately equal to the amount pushed. Supported.

Therefore, when the push button 32 is lowered, a dry indication that the drip hole 47 of the drip valve 46 is closed is made, and the switching mechanism is also switched to the dry state.

When the iron main body is tilted from a used state with the base 1 facing downward to a non-use state such as with the base 1 facing sideways, the locking portion 37 of the guide shaft 36 is engaged with the insertion hole 43 of the drive body 33. Since the stop guide shaft 36 does not come out any further, the set position of the push button 32 is maintained and the push button 32 does not move to the height of the steam display.

Next, the push button 32 that has been lowered is moved by the coil spring 4.
9 and 50, each protrusion 38 of the push button 32 engages with each protrusion 41 of the drive body 33, and the drive body 3
3 is pushed down, and the pushing surface 39 of each protrusion 38 and the pressure receiving surface 42 of each protrusion 41 press and engage, thereby pushing the drive body 33
is further rotated in one direction around the guide shaft 36, and each projecting piece 41 of the driving body 33 is disengaged from the locking step 31 and positioned between the locking parts 29 between the respective cam pieces 28, so that When the push button 32 is released, the driving body 33, the push button 32, and the advancement/retraction rod 44 return and rise due to the return force of the coil springs 49, 50, and the engaging surface 38a of the push button 32 is brought into contact with the guide hole 2.
The push button 32 is pressed into contact with the periphery of the lower opening of the drive body 33, and the push button 32 protrudes high to display a mesh, and each protrusion 41 of the drive body 33 is positioned within each locking part 29.
When the drip hole 47 is opened, the switching mechanism is switched to the state where steam is ejected again.

By pressing the push button 32 in this way, the driver 33
are sequentially rotated, and each protrusion 4 of this drive body 33
1 switches the switching mechanism by sequentially and alternately moving and engaging each locking part 29 and the locking step 31 of each cam piece 28, and the steam or dry state of this switching mechanism is indicated by the height difference of the push button 32. The push button 32 can be held at the set position.

In this case, since the positions of the locking portion 29 and the locking step portion 31 are different, this stroke difference becomes the stroke of the vertical movement of the advancing/retracting rod 44.

Furthermore, when the rear push button 32 is pressed down, the driver 33 operates in the same manner as described above, and the opening/closing rod 51 moves up and down to open and close the second outlet 16 with its disk 52.
When the switching mechanism is switched to a state in which the disc 52 opens the second outlet 16 to disperse and eject steam, the push button 32 projects high upward to indicate this, and the disc 52 When the switching mechanism is switched to a state where the steam is concentrated and is ejected by blocking the second outlet 16, the push button 32 protrudes low to indicate this, and therefore,
: Dispersion and concentration of steam can be displayed by the height difference of the push button 32.

In this case as well, the push button 32 is always held at the set position as described above.

According to the present invention, the push button is inserted into the guide hole of the support body so as to be freely advanced and retracted, and the drive body is advanced and retracted through the insertion hole through the guide shaft having a locking part at the tip which is protruded from the inside center of the push button. In addition to being freely mounted, the switching mechanism is switched and driven by the forward and backward movement of this driver, so that the push button and the driver are always interlocked and connected by the guide shaft that has a large diameter locking part, and this guide shaft The forward and backward movements of the push button are regulated, and therefore, the push button, the driver driven by the push button, and the switching mechanism switched via this driver are operated in a relatively interlocked manner, and the switching state of the switching mechanism is controlled by the push button. Accurate interlocking display can be achieved depending on the degree of protrusion of the push button, and there is no risk that only the push button will protrude and the display will differ from the switching state of the switching mechanism.Therefore, this push button device
For example, when applied to a steam iron, the push button can accurately display the steam or dry status regardless of how the steam iron is handled, and the set position can be reliably maintained. can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a part of the steam eye and iron, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the push button device as above, Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the same as above, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a part of the steam eye. This figure and FIG. 5 are partially cutaway front views showing the relationship between the push button and the driving body. 17... Support body, 22, 23... Guide hole, 28...
・Cam piece, 29, 31...locking part, 32...push button,
33... Drive body, 3'6... Guide shaft, 37... Locking part, 38... Protrusion, 39... Push surface, 41... =...
Projection piece, 42...Pressure receiving surface, 43...Insertion hole, 44,5
1...Advancing/retracting rod, 46...Switching mechanism.

Claims (6)

[Scope of utility model registration request] (1) A support body having a guide hole, a push button which is inserted into the guide hole of the support body so as to be freely retractable and has a guide shaft protruding from the inside center thereof and which has a large diameter locking portion at the tip, and a guide for this push button. It is characterized by having an insertion hole into which a shaft is inserted, and a drive body that moves forward and backward in conjunction with the pushing of a push button through this insertion hole around a guide shaft, and that switches and drives a switching mechanism by this forward and backward movement. Push button device. (2) The push button includes a plurality of projections having a pressing surface on the outer periphery of the inner end, and the driver has a plurality of projections having a pressure receiving surface that is pushed and rotated by the pressing surfaces of the plurality of projections. A push button device according to claim 1, characterized in that the push button device is provided with radial pieces. (3) Utility model registration claim 2, characterized in that the support body is provided with a plurality of locking portions at different positions for locking the plurality of protrusions of the drive body on the opening periphery of the guide hole. The described push button device. (4) A request for registration of a utility model characterized in that the plurality of locking portions at different positions are formed by a plurality of cam pieces having locking step portions at their tips protruding from the periphery of the opening of the guide hole at intervals. The push button device according to item 2 or 3 of the range. (5) The push button device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the pressure receiving surface formed on the protruding piece of the driving body is formed in a tapered shape. (6) The push button device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the switching mechanism switched by the driving body includes an advance/retract lever that opens and closes the valve.