Switchgear

Abstract

The present invention provides a switch device that suppresses poor electrical contact caused by the intrusion of foreign matter. The switch device includes: a housing having a storage portion that is recessed in the thickness direction from an opening formed on a first surface; a metal component that is insert-molded in the housing, and the metal component has: a terminal that protrudes from the first end of the housing to the outside; a fixed contact that is exposed inside the storage portion; and a connecting portion that connects the terminal to the fixed contact; and a movable contact component that is stored in the storage portion and can be in contact with and separated from the fixed contact, and a sealing portion is provided in the gap between the connecting portion and the housing, and the sealing portion is formed by curing a sealant supplied from a second surface of the housing opposite to the first surface through a hole connected to the connecting portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a switch device. Background Art

[0002] In the past, there is a push switch, which comprises: a movable contact member; a housing having a housing space capable of housing the movable contact member and having an opening on one side, and a fixed contact portion capable of contacting the movable contact member is integrally formed in the housing space by insert molding; and a covering member mounted on the upper surface of the housing in a manner covering the opening, characterized in that in the push switch, the housing has a concave retention portion on the lower surface, the retention portion has a bottom portion formed facing downward, the bottom portion has a protrusion protruding downward, and has a pressing hole that exposes a part of the fixed contact portion at a position along the inner side wall of the retention portion and at a position higher than the protrusion, an inclined portion being inclined from the protrusion toward the pressing hole between the protrusion and the pressing hole, and the pressing hole is sealed by a sealing resin filled in the retention portion and cured (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-222660 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, in the conventional push switch (switch device), the push hole is sealed with a sealing resin to prevent foreign matter from entering the fixed contact portion from the push hole, but it is difficult to prevent foreign matter from entering the fixed contact portion from the gap between the terminal connected to the fixed contact portion and protruding to the outside of the housing and the housing. If foreign matter adheres to the fixed contact portion, there is a risk of poor electrical contact.

[0008] Therefore, an object is to provide a switch device that suppresses poor electrical contact caused by the intrusion of foreign matter.

[0009] Means used to solve problems

[0010] A switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a shell having a storage portion that is recessed in a thickness direction from an opening portion formed on a first surface; a metal component that is insert-molded in the shell, the metal component having: a terminal that protrudes outward from a first end portion of the shell; a fixed contact that is exposed inside the storage portion; and a connecting portion that connects the terminal to the fixed contact; and a movable contact component that is stored in the storage portion and can be in contact with and separated from the fixed contact, a sealing portion being provided in a gap between the connecting portion and the shell, the sealing portion being formed by curing a sealant supplied from a second surface of the shell on the opposite side of the first surface via a hole portion connected to the connecting portion.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] A switch device that suppresses poor electrical contact caused by the intrusion of foreign matter can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the switch device 100 according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the lower surface (bottom surface) side of the switch device 100 .

[0015] Figure 3 This is a view showing the positional relationship between the housing 110 and the metal plate 120 in a perspective manner from the bottom side.

[0016] Figure 4A It is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the sealing portion 160 .

[0017] Figure 4B It is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the sealing portion 160 .

[0018] Figure 4C It is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the sealing portion 160 .

[0019] Figure 4D It is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the sealing portion 160 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of a switch device to which the present invention is applied will be described.

[0021] <Implementation Method>

[0022] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the switch device 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 21 is a diagram showing the lower surface (bottom surface) side of the switch device 100. The following description uses the XYZ coordinate system. In addition, in the following description, for the convenience of explanation, the negative Z-axis side is referred to as the lower side or lower, and the positive Z-axis side is referred to as the upper side or upper, but this does not represent a general up-down relationship. In addition, the top view refers to the XY plane view.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the switch device 100 includes a housing 110, metal plates 120A and 120B, a metal contact 130, a rod 140, and an insulating member 150. The switch device 100 is a push button switch.

[0024] exist Figure 1 In the figure, the insulating member 150 is shown in perspective, and the metal plates 120A, 120B, the metal contact member 130, and the stem 140 located under the insulating member 150 are shown in perspective in whole or in part. In addition, the insulating member 150 may be transparent or translucent, but may also be opaque. In addition, in the following, Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 Use on the basis of Figure 3 Provide explanation. Figure 3 This is a view showing the positional relationship between the housing 110 and the metal plate 120 in a perspective manner from the bottom side.

[0025] The housing 110 is made of resin and is a plate-shaped member (frame) having a length in the Y-axis direction longer than in the X-axis direction and a thickness in the Z-axis direction. The upper surface of the housing 110 is an example of a first surface, and the lower surface is an example of a second surface.

[0026] The housing 110 has a housing portion 111 that is recessed in the thickness direction from an opening 111A on the upper surface. An insulating member 150 is bonded to the upper surface of the housing 110. The housing 110 is integrally manufactured with the metal plates 120A and 120B by insert molding.

[0027] In the housing portion 111, the central fixed contact 122A of the metal plate 120A and the peripheral fixed contacts 122B of the metal plate 120B are exposed on the bottom surface, and the metal contact 130 and a part of the rod 140 are housed. In the space surrounded by the housing portion 111 and the insulating member 150, the central fixed contact 122A of the metal plate 120A, the peripheral fixed contacts 122B of the metal plate 120B, the metal contact 130, and the rod 140 are held in an overlapping state.

[0028] In addition, the housing 110 has openings 112 , 113A, and 113B formed on the lower surface in addition to the storage portion 111 , which will be described later.

[0029] The metal plate 120A has a terminal 121A, a central fixed contact 122A, and a connecting portion 123A. The terminal 121A protrudes from the end of the housing 110 on the positive side of the Y axis to the positive side of the Y axis, and is connected to an external circuit or device. The central fixed contact 122A is provided inside the storage portion 111, and is a portion that contacts the dome portion 131 of the metal contact 130 when the dome portion 131 performs a reverse action. The connecting portion 123A is an arm-shaped portion that connects the terminal 121A and the central fixed contact 122A, and is a portion covered by the resin of the housing 110 manufactured by insert molding.

[0030] The metal plate 120A is an example of a metal component formed by processing a sheet metal made of copper or other metal by punching, etc., and the upper surface and the lower surface parallel to the XY plane are smooth, but the side surface (the surface parallel to the Z axis) is a fracture surface broken by punching, etc. Therefore, the side surface of the metal plate 120A has unevenness compared with the upper surface and the lower surface.

[0031] The metal plate 120B has a terminal 121B, a peripheral fixed contact 122B, and a connecting portion 123B.

[0032] There are two peripheral fixed contacts 122B and two connecting parts 123B. The terminal 121B protrudes from the end of the housing 110 on the negative side of the Y axis to the negative side of the Y axis and is connected to an external circuit or device. The peripheral fixed contact 122B is provided inside the storage part 111 and is a part that is always in contact with the peripheral part 132 of the metal contact 130. The connecting part 123B is an arm-shaped part that connects the terminal 121B and the peripheral fixed contact 122B, and is a part covered by the resin of the housing 110 manufactured by insert molding.

[0033] Metal plate 120B is the same as metal plate 120A and is an example of a metal component made by punching a metal sheet such as copper, so the upper and lower surfaces parallel to the XY plane are smooth, but the side surfaces are uneven compared to the upper and lower surfaces.

[0034] The metal contact 130 is formed of a metal leaf spring having elasticity and conductivity, and is disposed in the housing portion 111. The metal contact 130 has a dome portion 131 having a bulging shape and a peripheral portion 132 around the dome portion 131.

[0035] The dome portion 131 has a dome-like shape that bulges in the positive direction of the Z axis and is circular in the XY plane view. The dome portion 131 has a shape that can perform a reversal action, and the reversal action is that the dome portion 131 is reversed relative to the bulging direction of the peripheral portion 132 by a pressing operation performed from the bulging direction (Z axis positive direction). In addition, it has elasticity to return to the original bulging direction when released from the pressing.

[0036] The peripheral portion 132 is in contact with the peripheral fixed contact 122B of the metal plate 120B in both the state where the dome portion 131 is not inverted and the state where the dome portion 131 is inverted, thereby achieving electrical conduction with the peripheral fixed contact 122B.

[0037] When the protrusion 151 is pressed to bring the dome portion 131 into an inverted state, the dome portion 131 comes into contact with the central fixed contact 122A of the metal plate 120A, and the central fixed contact 122A and the peripheral fixed contacts 122B are electrically connected.

[0038] The rod 140 is made of resin as an example, and is an example of a pressing member. The rod 140 is circular in the XY plane view, and has a dome-shaped protrusion toward the positive direction of the Z axis. The top 141 of the rod 140 is aligned with the dome portion 131 of the metal contact 130 and the protrusion 151 of the insulating member 150 in the XY plane view, and the lower surface is in contact with the dome portion 131, and the top 141 is in contact with the protrusion 151.

[0039] By disposing such a rod 140 between the metal contact 130 and the insulator 150 and adopting a configuration in which the metal contact 130 is pressed via the rod 140 when the protrusion 151 of the insulator 150 is pressed, the center of the metal contact 130 can be reliably pressed.

[0040] The insulating member 150 is made of a resin sheet and is bonded to the upper surface of the housing 110 to seal the storage portion 111. In this way, the insulating member 150 is fixed to the upper surface of the housing 110. The seal between the housing 110 and the insulating member 150 is a seal that satisfies a prescribed waterproof grade. The insulating member 150 is an example of a cover sheet.

[0041] Insulator 150 has protrusion 151 at a position overlapping upper portion 131A of rod 140 in a plan view. Protrusion 151 is formed by heating a resin sheet.

[0042] The insulating member 150 is bonded to the housing 110 in a state where the central fixed contact 122A, the peripheral fixed contact 122B, the metal contact 130, and the rod 140 are housed in the housing portion 111 of the housing 110. By bonding the insulating member 150 to the housing 110, the metal contact 130 is slightly pressed, so that the metal contact 130 and the rod 140 are held in the housing portion 111 by the reaction force thereof so as not to shake.

[0043] The protrusion 151 is arranged at a position overlapping with the upper surface of the top 141 of the rod 140 in a plan view, and contacts the upper surface of the top 141. The protrusion 151 can be bent and deformed in the negative direction of the Z axis by being pressed in the negative direction of the Z axis, and contacts the upper surface of the top 141 when not bent and deformed.

[0044] Next, use Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 , the opening portions 112 , 113A, and 113B of the housing 110 are described.

[0045] The opening 112 is a hole through which a jig for holding the metal plates 120A and 120B passes when the housing 110 and the metal plates 120A and 120B are integrally manufactured by insert molding. When the jig is removed after insert molding, the opening 112 is sealed with a sealing resin.

[0046] The openings 113A and 113B are arranged at positions overlapping the connection parts 123A and 123B, respectively. In addition, the insert blocks of the mold used when forming the openings 113A and 113B by insert molding may also function as a jig for holding the metal plates 120A and 120B.

[0047] The openings 113A and 113B have opening sizes that allow both ends of the connecting portions 123A and 123B in the width direction to be exposed (exposed). Here, the both ends of the connecting portion 123A in the width direction refer to both ends in the direction having an angle (an angle greater than 0 degree) in the XY plane view relative to the direction in which the connecting portion 123A extends in order to connect the terminal 121A and the central fixed contact 122A.

[0048] That is, both ends of the connecting portion 123A in the width direction are not limited to both ends in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the connecting portion 123A in the XY plane view, but also include both ends in the direction inclined with respect to the extending direction.

[0049] When the housing 110 and the metal plates 120A and 120B are integrally manufactured by insert molding, the shrinkage rates of the resin and the metal are different, so a small gap is generated between the housing 110 and the metal plates 120A and 120B. In particular, the side surfaces of the metal plates 120A and 120B are fracture surfaces and have low smoothness, so the gap is likely to become larger.

[0050] Terminals 121A and 121B are connected to other circuits and devices through solder, so there is a risk that flux, which serves as a solder accelerator, invades the gap between terminals 121A and 121B and shell 110, and spreads along the gap between connecting parts 123A and 123B and shell 110 to invade the central fixed contact 122A and peripheral fixed contacts 122B.

[0051] Therefore, the switch device 100 injects a sealant from the openings 113A and 113B to fill the gap between the connecting parts 123A and 123B exposed from the openings 113A and 113B and the surrounding parts and the housing 110. The openings 113A and 113B have an opening size that allows both ends of the connecting parts 123A and 123B in the width direction to be exposed. The injected sealant is cured (hardened) to become Figure 3 The seal portion 160 is shown.

[0052] As the sealant, a potting liquid with excellent permeability for waterproofing can be used. If the amount of the potting liquid is adjusted in such a way that it penetrates from the lower surface of the connecting parts 123A and 123B to the side surface and the upper surface, the sealing part 160 can cover the gap between the lower surface, both side surfaces and the entire upper surface of the connecting parts 123A and 123B and the housing 110 at the connecting parts 123A and 123B and the surrounding parts thereof exposed from the openings 113A and 113B. That is, the sealing part 160 can be made on the entire circumference of the connecting parts 123A and 123B and the surrounding parts thereof exposed from the openings 113A and 113B, and the gap between the connecting parts 123A and 123B and the housing 110 can be buried.

[0053] In addition, as an example, the viscosity of the potting liquid is about 100 mPa·S to 2000 mPa·S. In addition, as an example, the gap between the connecting parts 123A and 123B and the housing 110 is 10 μm or less.

[0054] This prevents flux from entering toward central fixed contact 122A and peripheral fixed contact 122B sides relative to connecting portions 123A and 123B and their surrounding portions exposed from openings 113A and 113B.

[0055] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D 11 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the sealing portion 160. Here, the connection portion 123A exposed through the opening 113A is described, but the same also applies to the connection portion 123B exposed through the opening 113B.

[0056] exist Figure 4A In Figure 3The BB section in the figure. The surface (lower surface) of the connecting portion 123A is exposed through the opening portion 113A. The opening 113A is wider than the width of the connecting portion 123A. Therefore, there are flat portions of the housing 110 on both sides of the connecting portion 123A that are at the same height as the upper surface of the connecting portion 123A. In this way, by making the width of the opening portion 113A wider than the width of the connecting portion 123A, even if there is a deviation in the position of the insert of the mold used when manufacturing the opening portion 113A by insert molding in the width direction, the two ends of the connecting portion 123A in the width direction can be reliably exposed in the opening portion 113A, and the potting liquid can reliably penetrate into the two side surfaces in the width direction of the connecting portion 123A.

[0057] When the potting liquid is injected from the opening 113A, Figure 4B As shown in FIG. 1 , sealing portion 160 is formed on the entire circumference of connecting portion 123A. This can prevent flux from entering the portion covered by sealing portion 160 toward central fixed contact 122A.

[0058] In addition, even if the sealing portion 160 is not formed to the upper surface of the connecting portion 123A, the sealing portion 160 may be formed from the lower surface to the two side surfaces. This is because the upper surface is smoother than the two side surfaces, so the gap between the upper surface and the housing 110 is narrower than the gap between the two side surfaces and the housing 110, and the flux is difficult to penetrate.

[0059] In addition, even if the sealing portion 160 is not formed on both side surfaces of the connecting portion 123A, the sealing portion 160 may be formed on the lower surface. This is because even if the sealing portion 160 is formed only on the lower surface, the flux is less likely to penetrate than when there is no sealing portion 160.

[0060] in addition, Figure 4C As shown in FIG. 1 , the opening 113A may be formed to expose the side surfaces 123A1 on both sides of the connecting portion 123A. That is, the opening 113A may also reach between the side surfaces 123A1 on both sides of the connecting portion 123A and the housing 110. This is because, in this way, Figure 4D As shown, the sealing portion 160 can be more reliably formed in the gap between the side surfaces 123A1 on both sides of the connection portion 123A and the housing 110 , and the sealing agent can easily penetrate into the gap between the upper surface and the housing 110 .

[0061] As described above, the switch device 100 is provided with the openings 113A and 113B for exposing the connecting parts 123A and 123B of the metal plates 120A and 120B on the lower surface of the housing 110, and the sealing part 160 is formed by solidifying the sealant injected from the openings 113A and 113B, so that the flux can be suppressed from entering the central fixed contact 122A and the peripheral fixed contact 122B side relative to the portion where the sealing part 160 is formed. In addition, the entry of foreign matter such as moisture and dust can be suppressed.

[0062] By suppressing the intrusion of foreign matter into the central fixed contact 122A and the peripheral fixed contacts 122B, it is possible to suppress poor contact between the central fixed contact 122A, the peripheral fixed contacts 122B and the metal contact 130 .

[0063] Therefore, it is possible to provide the switch device 100 in which electrical contact failure caused by the intrusion of foreign matter is suppressed.

[0064] In addition, the above Figure 3 The method of setting the openings 113A and 113B at the positions shown in the figure is described, but the positions of the openings 113A and 113B can be any positions as long as the connecting portions 123A and 123B between the terminals 121A and 121B and the central fixed contacts 122A and the peripheral fixed contacts 122B are exposed.

[0065] In addition, the above description has been given of a mode in which the openings 113A and 113B also serve as holes through which a jig for holding the metal plates 120A and 120B passes when the housing 110 and the metal plates 120A and 120B are integrally manufactured by insert molding. However, the openings 113A and 113B may not also serve as holes through which a jig passes but may be dedicated openings for forming the sealing portion 160.

[0066] In addition, the above describes a method of providing the opening portions 113A and 113B on both the metal plates 120A and 120B, but when solder is not used in one of the terminals 121A and 121B, the opening portion (113A or 113B) may be provided only in the metal plate (120A or 120B) including the terminal (121A or 121B) using solder.

[0067] In addition, the above description has been given of the mode in which the openings 113A and 113B are provided so as to expose the entire width of the connecting portions 123A and 123B of the metal plates 120A and 120B. However, the opening 113A may be divided into two so as to expose only the side surfaces (fracture surfaces) on both sides of the connecting portion 123A in the width direction without exposing the central portion in the width direction of the connecting portion 123A. The same is true for the opening 113B.

[0068] As mentioned above, the switch device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0069] In addition, the present international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-205096, filed on October 31, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0070] Description of Reference Numerals

[0071] 100 Switchgear

[0072] 110 Housing

[0073] 111 Storage Department

[0074] 111A Opening

[0075] 120A, 120B Metal Plate

[0076] 121A, 121B terminals

[0077] 122A Central fixed contact

[0078] 122B Peripheral fixed contacts

[0079] 123A, 123B connection part

[0080] 130 Metal contact

Claims

1. A switch device, comprising: A housing having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface is formed on a side of the housing opposite to the first surface, and the housing has a recessed portion recessed in a thickness direction from an opening formed on the first surface; A metal component is insert-molded in the housing, and the metal component has: a terminal protruding from a first end portion of the housing to the outside; a fixed contact exposed inside the recess; and a connecting portion connecting the terminal and the fixed contact; and a movable contact component housed in the recess and capable of contacting and separating with the fixed contact, a hole portion being formed on the second surface of the shell, the hole portion being connected to the connecting portion and having a size that exposes both ends of the connecting portion in a width direction, a sealing portion being provided in a gap between the connecting portion and the shell, the sealing portion completely sealing the entire periphery of the connecting portion surrounded by the hole portion, the entire periphery including a lower surface facing the hole portion, an upper surface opposite to the lower surface, and a side surface between the upper surface and the lower surface, the sealing portion being formed by curing a sealant supplied through the hole portion.

2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing portion is also provided inside the hole portion.

3. The switch device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The sealing portion is provided in a gap between a first surface of the connecting portion facing the hole portion and the housing.

4. The switch device according to claim 3, wherein: The sealing portion is further provided in a gap between side surfaces at both ends of the connecting portion in the width direction and the housing.

5. The switch device according to claim 4, wherein: The sealing portion is further provided in a gap between a second surface of the connecting portion on the opposite side to the first surface and the housing.

6. The switch device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The hole portion exposes the first surface of the connecting portion and side surfaces on both sides of the connecting portion in a width direction.

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