limit switch

Abstract

The present application provides a limit switch capable of stable operation. The limit switch has a switch main body capable of on-off switching and an operation portion connected to the switch main body. The operation portion has a housing, a shaft member, a force applying member and a plunger. The shaft member has a shaft main body supported to the housing in a state capable of rotating around a rotation axis from a reset position to an operation position, and a cam portion. The plunger has a plunger main body and at least one contact portion. The at least one contact portion has a recessed portion provided on an opposite surface opposite to at least one protruding portion, and recessed toward a direction approaching the switch main body. The recessed portion has a first end portion, a second end portion and an inclined surface. The inclined surface is inclined along a direction approaching the switch main body from the second end portion toward the first end portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a limit switch. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a limit switch having a housing that internally houses a built-in switch. This limit switch includes: a rotatable shaft with a cam portion; and a switch-operating plunger that moves with the rotation of the shaft. The cam portion tilts with the rotation of the shaft, causing the switch-operating plunger to move in a direction separate from the shaft, thereby turning the built-in switch on / off.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-204223

[0006] In the aforementioned limit switch, the cam portion is configured to be radially separated from the central axis of the shaft. Therefore, when the shaft is rotated to move the switch actuating plunger, there is a possibility that the contact portion of the cam portion that contacts the switch actuating plunger may move from the bottom dead center towards the shaft. In this case, the switch actuating plunger also moves from the bottom dead center towards the shaft along with the contact portion of the cam portion. Consequently, it becomes impossible to maintain the switch actuating plunger at the bottom dead center, and the operation of the limit switch may become unstable. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a limit switch that can operate stably.

[0008] One example of the limit switch disclosed herein has the following features:

[0009] The main body of the switch, which is capable of switching on and off; and

[0010] The operating part is connected to the switch body.

[0011] The operating unit has:

[0012] case;

[0013] A shaft component having a shaft body and a cam portion, the shaft body extending from the outside of the housing to the inside of the housing along a first direction and supported on the housing in a state capable of rotating about a rotation axis extending along the first direction from a reset position to an operating position, the cam portion being disposed on the shaft body located inside the housing and rotating together with the shaft body;

[0014] A force-applying component, disposed inside the housing, applies force to the cam portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction, toward the switch body, thereby resetting the shaft body to the reset position; and

[0015] A plunger, disposed inside the housing opposite the cam portion in the second direction, between the switch body and the cam portion, moves in the second direction by means of the rotation of the cam portion to switch the switch body on and off.

[0016] The cam portion has:

[0017] The cam body, which contacts the force-applying component; and

[0018] At least one protrusion is configured to project from the cam body in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation toward a direction separate from the cam body, the end of the protrusion that is separated from the cam body in the radial direction being capable of contacting the plunger.

[0019] The plunger has:

[0020] A plunger body, which is opposed to the cam portion in the second direction; and

[0021] At least one contact portion is configured to protrude from the plunger body toward the cam portion along the second direction, and is capable of contacting the at least one protrusion.

[0022] The at least one contact portion has a recess disposed on an opposing surface opposite to the at least one protrusion, extending along a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and recessed in the second direction toward the switch body.

[0023] The recess has:

[0024] The first end is configured to be farther from the imaginary straight line in the third direction than the end point when the shaft body is in the reset position, wherein the imaginary straight line passes through the axis of rotation and extends along the second direction;

[0025] The second end is configured such that the imaginary straight line lies between the second end and the first end in the third direction, and when the shaft body is in the operating position, the second end is farther from the imaginary straight line in the third direction than the end end; and

[0026] An inclined surface extends from the second end toward the first end in the third direction and is inclined in the direction that it approaches the switch body in the second direction as it moves from the second end toward the first end in the third direction.

[0027] According to the aforementioned limit switch, a limit switch capable of stable operation can be achieved. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a limit switch according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 A perspective view of the operating part of the limit switch.

[0030] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0031] Figure 4 It means Figure 2 A top view of the cam section and plunger of the operating part.

[0032] Figure 5 It means Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the plunger in the operating section.

[0033] Figure 6 It is used for explanation Figure 1 The first figure shows the relationship between the rotation of the shaft body of the limit switch and the position of the plunger.

[0034] Figure 7 It is used for explanation Figure 1 The second figure shows the relationship between the rotation of the shaft body of the limit switch and the position of the plunger.

[0035] Figure 8 It is used for explanation Figure 1 The third figure shows the relationship between the rotation of the limit switch shaft and the position of the plunger.

[0036] Figure 9 It means Figure 1 A top view of the first modified example of the limit switch.

[0037] Figure 10 It means Figure 1 A top view of a second variation of the limit switch.

[0038] Figure 11 This is the first diagram used to illustrate the relationship between the rotation of the shaft body of a limit switch without a recess and the position of the plunger.

[0039] Figure 12This is the second figure used to illustrate the relationship between the rotation of the shaft body of a limit switch without a recess and the position of the plunger.

[0040] Figure 13 This is the third figure used to illustrate the relationship between the rotation of the shaft body and the position of the plunger in a limit switch without a recess.

[0041] Label Explanation

[0042] 1 limit switch

[0043] 2 Switch Body

[0044] 3 Operations Section

[0045] 10 housing

[0046] 11. Shell Body

[0047] 12-week wall

[0048] 13 bearings

[0049] 14 Storage Department

[0050] 15 recesses

[0051] 20-axis components

[0052] 21-axis main body

[0053] 211 Rotation axis

[0054] 212 end

[0055] 22 Cam section

[0056] 221 Cam Body

[0057] 222 First Protrusion

[0058] 223 Second Protrusion

[0059] 224 First Gap

[0060] 225 Second Gap

[0061] 226 contact surface

[0062] 227, 228 end

[0063] 30 force-applying components

[0064] 31 helical spring

[0065] 32 reset plunger

[0066] 321 Transfer Plate Section

[0067] 322 guide plate section

[0068] 40 plunger

[0069] 41 Plunger Body

[0070] 411 First side

[0071] 412 Second side

[0072] 413 Third side

[0073] 414 Fourth side

[0074] 42 First Contact Section

[0075] 43 Second Contact Section

[0076] 44 Third Contact Section

[0077] 45 non-contact part

[0078] 46 recess

[0079] 461, 462 end

[0080] 463 inclined plane

[0081] 47 Opposite surfaces

[0082] 50 control lever Detailed Implementation

[0083] Hereinafter, an example of this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the following description, terms indicating specific directions or positions (e.g., terms including "up," "down," "right," and "left") are used as needed, but these terms are used to facilitate understanding of this disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings and are not intended to limit the technical scope of this disclosure by their meaning. Additionally, the following description is essentially illustrative and is not intended to limit this disclosure, its applications, or its uses. Moreover, the accompanying drawings are schematic, and the proportions of the dimensions may not necessarily correspond to reality.

[0084] like Figure 1 As shown, a limit switch 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a switch body 2 capable of switching on and off and an operation part 3 connected to the switch body 2.

[0085] As an example, such as Figure 1 As shown, the switch body 2 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The operating part 3 is detachably connected to one side of the switch body 2.

[0086] The operating unit 3 includes a housing 10, a shaft component 20, a force-applying component 30, and a plunger 40. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the shaft component 20 extends from the outside of the housing 10 to the inside of the housing 10 along a first direction (e.g., the X direction). The force-applying component 30 and the plunger 40 are disposed inside the housing 10.

[0087] like Figure 2 As shown, as an example, the housing 10 has a hollow, generally cubic housing body 11 and a generally cylindrical peripheral wall portion 12. The peripheral wall portion 12 is disposed on one of the side surfaces 111 of the housing body 11 adjacent to the surface opposite to the switch body 2.

[0088] The housing body 11 is connected to the switch body 2, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the shaft assembly 20 has a bearing 13 and a housing 14 inside. The bearing 13 is disposed in the through hole 122 described later, supporting the shaft assembly 20 so that it can rotate. The housing 14 houses the force-applying component 30 and the plunger 40.

[0089] The housing body 11 has a recess 15 provided on the inner wall constituting the storage portion 14. The recess 15 is configured to face the through hole 122 in a first direction (e.g., the X direction) and to be recessed from the storage portion 14 toward the direction separating from the peripheral wall portion 12 in the first direction X.

[0090] The peripheral wall portion 12 extends from the side 111 of the housing body 11 in a direction intersecting the side 111 (e.g., Figure 3 The peripheral wall portion 12 extends in the X direction. It has an opening 121 on the side of the housing body 11 that is farther away in the X direction; and a through hole 122 that extends in the X direction inside the peripheral wall portion 12 and is connected to the receiving portion 14 and the opening 121.

[0091] like Figure 3 As shown, the shaft component 20 has a shaft body 21 and a cam portion 22. The cam portion 22 is disposed inside the shaft body 21 located within the housing 10, and rotates together with the shaft body 21 about a rotation axis 211 extending along a first direction X. In this embodiment, an operating lever 50 is connected to the end of the shaft body 21 located outside the housing 10. As an example, such as Figure 1 As shown, the operating lever 50 is configured to extend in a direction intersecting (e.g., orthogonal) with the shaft component 20 and is capable of rotating together with the shaft body 21.

[0092] The shaft body 21 is, for example, generally cylindrical in shape, extending along a first direction X from the outside of the housing 10 to the inside of the housing 10. The shaft body 21 is capable of rotating about an axis 211 from a reset position P1 (see reference 211). Figure 2 To the first action position P2 (reference) Figure 2 ) and the second action position P3 (refer to Figure 2 The shaft body 21 is supported in a rotating state by the housing 10. The end 212 of the shaft body 21 located inside the housing 10 is housed in the recess 15 of the housing body 11.

[0093] In this embodiment, as an example, the shaft body 21 is configured to rotate in both directions. Figure 2 As shown, rotation about the rotation axis 211 from the reset position P1 toward the first operating position P2 (i.e., in the direction of arrow A) is defined as clockwise rotation, and rotation from the reset position P1 toward the second operating position P3 (i.e., in the direction of arrow B) which is opposite to the first operating position P2 relative to the reset position P1 is defined as counterclockwise rotation. Figure 2 In the diagram, the center line of the operating lever 50 at each position is indicated by a dashed line.

[0094] like Figure 4 As shown, the cam portion 22 has a cam body 221, a first protrusion 222, a second protrusion 223, a first notch 224, and a second notch 225. The first protrusion 222 and the second protrusion 223 are examples of at least one protrusion.

[0095] The cam body 221 is configured to contact the force-applying component 30. In this embodiment, as... Figure 4 As shown, the cam body 221 is a generally rectangular plate-shaped structure arranged with the X direction as its length direction, and has a contact surface 226 extending along the XY plane when the shaft body 21 is in the reset position P1. Figure 3 As shown, the contact surface 226 is configured to face the force-applying member 30 in a second direction (e.g., the Z direction) intersecting the first direction X, and is capable of contacting the force-applying member 30. When the shaft body 21 is in the reset position P1, most of the cam body 221 is configured in the second direction (e.g., the Z direction) intersecting the first direction X to be closer to the switch body 2 than the rotation axis 211.

[0096] like Figure 4 As shown, when viewed along the second direction Z, the first protrusion 222 protrudes from one of the cam body 221 in a third direction (e.g., the Y direction) intersecting the first direction X and the second direction Z, in a radial direction (hereinafter referred to as radial) relative to the axis of rotation 211, in a direction separate from the cam body 221. The first protrusion 222 is configured such that its end 227 (an example of the first end) which is separated from the cam body 221 in the radial direction can contact the plunger 40. In this embodiment, the first protrusion 222 has a pointed shape from the end closer to one of the two ends in the third direction Y of the cam body 221 toward the plunger 40 (in Figure 4 The middle part (the upper part) protrudes radially.

[0097] like Figure 4As shown, the second protrusion 223 protrudes radially from the third side of the cam body 221 toward the other side in a direction separating from the cam body 221. The second protrusion 223 is configured such that its radially separated end 228 (an example of the second end) can contact the plunger 40. In this embodiment, the second protrusion 223 has a pointed shape at the closer end of one of the two ends of the cam body 221 toward the plunger 40 in a direction toward the Y. Figure 4 The lower part (the middle part) protrudes radially.

[0098] like Figure 4 As shown, the first notch 224 is disposed at one end of the first protrusion 222 in the first direction X, extending radially from the end 227 of the first protrusion 222 toward the rotation axis 211. In this embodiment, the first notch 224 is provided at the end of the first protrusion 222 on the side closer to the peripheral wall portion 12 in the first direction X. Figure 4 As shown, the second notch 225 is provided at the other end in the first direction X and extends from the end 228 of the second protrusion 223 toward the rotation axis 211. In this embodiment, the second notch 225 is provided at the end of the second protrusion 223 on the side farther from the peripheral wall portion 12 in the first direction X.

[0099] like Figure 3 As shown, the force-applying component 30 is configured inside the housing 10 to be further away from the switch body 2 than the cam portion 22 in the second direction Z. The force-applying component 30 has a coil spring 31 and a reset plunger 32 disposed between the coil spring 31 and the cam portion 22. The coil spring 31 applies force to the cam portion 22 in the second direction Z toward the switch body 2, causing the shaft body 21 to reset to the reset position P1. As an example, the reset plunger 32 is composed of a transmission plate portion 321 that contacts the cam body 221 to transmit the force of the coil spring 31 to the cam portion 22, and a guide plate portion 322 that guides the movement of the transmission plate portion 321 in the second direction Z.

[0100] like Figure 3 As shown, the plunger 40 is disposed inside the housing 10, between the switch body 2 and the cam portion 22, in the second direction Z. The plunger 40 is disposed opposite to the cam portion 22 in the second direction Z, and moves in the second direction Z by means of the rotation of the cam portion 22 to switch the switch body 2 on and off.

[0101] In this embodiment, such as Figure 4As shown, the plunger 40 is configured to have a plunger body 41, a first contact portion 42, a second contact portion 43, a third contact portion 44, and a non-contact portion 45, and to perform a unilateral operation in which it contacts the cam portion 22 at the first operating position P2, but does not contact the cam portion 22 at the second operating position P3. The first contact portion 42, the second contact portion 43, and the third contact portion 44 are examples of at least one contact portion.

[0102] As an example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the plunger body 41 has a generally square plate shape, and one side of its thickness direction is opposite to the cam portion 22 in the second direction Z.

[0103] like Figure 5 As shown, the first contact portion 42, the second contact portion 43, and the third contact portion 44 protrude from the plunger body 41 along the second direction Z toward the cam portion 22. The first contact portion 42, the second contact portion 43, and the third contact portion 44 are configured to contact the first protrusion 222 and the second protrusion 223, respectively. The non-contact portion 45 is configured not to contact the first protrusion 222 and the second protrusion 223. In this embodiment, as... Figure 5 As shown, the non-contact portion 45 is composed of a recess, which is surrounded by the first contact portion 42, the second contact portion 43 and the plunger body 41, and can accommodate the first protrusion 222 and the second protrusion 223.

[0104] In this embodiment, the first contact portion 42 and the second contact portion 43 are configured to be spaced apart from each other in the third direction Y. The third contact portion 44 and the non-contact portion 45 are configured to be spaced apart from each other in the first direction X. Specifically, as Figure 4 As shown, the plunger body 41 has a quadrilateral shape, which is composed of a first side 411, which is one of the sides facing each other in the third direction Y; a second side 412, which faces the first side 411 in the third direction Y; a third side 413, which intersects the first side 411 and the second side 412; and a fourth side 414, which faces the third side 413. A first contact portion 42 is a plate with a generally rectangular cross-section and is disposed on the first side 411 of the plunger body 41. A second contact portion 43 is a plate with a generally rectangular cross-section and is disposed on the second side 412 of the plunger body 41. A third contact portion 44 is a plate with a generally rectangular cross-section and is disposed on the third side 413 of the plunger body 41. A non-contact portion 45 is disposed on the fourth side 414 of the plunger body 41. One end of the first contact portion 42 in the first direction X is connected to one end of the third contact portion 44 in the third direction Y, and one end of the second contact portion 43 in the first direction X is connected to the other end of the third contact portion 44 in the third direction Y.

[0105] When the shaft body 21 is rotated from the reset position P1 toward the first operating position P2 (i.e., in the direction of arrow A), the first protrusion 222 contacts the third contact portion 44, causing the plunger 40 to move in the second direction Z toward the direction of approaching the switch body 2 (hereinafter referred to as the operating direction). Thus, the switch body 2 switches from open to closed. Furthermore, when the shaft body 21 is rotated from the reset position P1 toward the second operating position P3 (i.e., in the direction of arrow B), the third contact portion 44 is housed in the second notch 225, and the second protrusion 223 is housed in the non-contact portion 45. Even when the shaft body 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow B, the plunger 40 does not move in the operating direction, and the switch body 2 does not switch from the open state to the closed state.

[0106] like Figure 6 As shown, the first contact portion 42, the second contact portion 43, and the third contact portion 44 each have a recess 46. The recess 46 is disposed in the second direction Z on the opposing surface 47 opposite to the first protrusion 222 and the second protrusion 223, and is recessed in the second direction Z toward the proximity switch body 2. The recess 46 extends in the respective directions in which the first contact portion 42, the second contact portion 43, and the third contact portion 44 extend.

[0107] For example, the recess 46 of the third contact portion 44 extends in the third direction Y. Figure 5 As shown, the recess 46 of the third contact portion 44 has a first end portion 461, a second end portion 462 and an inclined surface 463.

[0108] like Figure 6 As shown, the first end 461 is configured to be farther from the imaginary line L1 in the third direction Y than the end 227, when the shaft body 21 is in the reset position P1, wherein the imaginary line L1 extends through the rotation axis 211 and in the second direction Z. The second end 462 is configured such that the imaginary line L1 lies between the second end 462 and the first end 461 in the third direction Y. In other words, the imaginary line L1 lies between the first end 461 and the second end 462. Figure 8 As shown, the second end 462 is configured to be farther from the imaginary straight line L1 in the third direction Y than the end 227 when the shaft body 21 is in the first operating position P2.

[0109] like Figure 6 As shown, the inclined surface 463 extends from the second end 462 toward the first end 461 in the third direction Y. The inclined surface 463 is inclined in a direction that approaches the switch body 2 from the second end 462 toward the first end 461 in the second direction Z. In this embodiment, as an example, the inclined surface 463 is a curved surface that protrudes in the second direction Z toward the switch body 2, forming part of the bottom surface of the recess 46.

[0110] When the shaft body 21 is rotated from the reset position P1 toward the first operating position P2, the end 227 of the first protrusion 222 moves from the first end 461 to the second end 462 via the inclined surface 463 while in contact with the bottom surface of the recess 46.

[0111] The inclined surface 463 is configured such that the height H of the second direction Z (in other words, the straight-line distance from the bottom surface of the recess 46 to the opening) is such that it is the same as the end point 227 when it is located on the imaginary straight line L1 (refer to...). Figure 7 The distance between the shaft body 21 and its end 227 in the second direction Z when the shaft body 21 is in the first operating position P2 is the same. Figures 6-8 The diagram shows an imaginary line L2 representing the position of the bottom surface of the plunger 40 when the shaft body 21 is in the reset position P2, and an imaginary line L3 representing the position of the bottom surface of the plunger 40 when the end 227 of the first protrusion 222 is located on the imaginary line L1. Figure 7 As shown, when the end 227 of the first protrusion 222 and the plunger 40 are located on the imaginary straight line L1, they are closest to the switch body 2 in the second direction Z. Figure 8 As shown, when the shaft body 21 is in the first operating position P2, the bottom surface of the plunger 40 is located on the imaginary straight line L3.

[0112] The limit switch 1 in this embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0113] The limit switch 1 includes a switch body 2 capable of switching on and off, and an operating part 3 connected to the switch body. The operating part 3 includes a housing 10, a shaft component 20, a force-applying component 30, and a plunger 40. The shaft component 20 includes: a shaft body 21 extending from the outside of the housing 10 to the inside of the housing 10 along a first direction, supported on the housing 10 in a state capable of rotating about a rotation axis 211 extending along the first direction from a reset position P1 to a first operating position P2; and a cam portion 22 disposed inside the housing 10, rotating together with the shaft body 21. The force-applying component 30 is disposed inside the housing 10, applying force to the cam portion 22 in a second direction toward the switch body 2, causing the shaft body 21 to reset to the reset position P1. The plunger 40 is disposed opposite the cam portion 22 inside the housing 10 in a second direction, between the switch body 2 and the cam portion 22, and moves in the second direction by means of the rotation of the cam portion 22 to switch the on and off states of the switch body 2. The cam portion 22 has a cam body 221 that contacts the force-applying member 30 and at least one protrusion. The at least one protrusion is configured to protrude from the cam body 221 radially relative to the axis of rotation in a direction separate from the cam body 221, and the radially separated end of the protrusion can contact the plunger 40. The plunger 40 has: a plunger body 41, which faces the cam portion 22 in a second direction; and at least one contact portion, configured to protrude from the plunger body 41 toward the cam portion 22 along the second direction and be able to contact the at least one protrusion. The at least one contact portion has a recess 46 disposed on an opposing surface opposite the at least one protrusion, extending in a third direction and recessed in the second direction toward the switch body 2. The recess 46 has a first end 461, a second end 462, and an inclined surface 463. The first end 461 is configured such that, when the shaft body 21 is in the reset position P1, it is farther from the end of at least one protrusion in the third direction than the end of the imaginary straight line L1, which passes through the rotation axis 211 and extends in the second direction. The second end 462 is configured such that, when the imaginary straight line L1 is in the third direction, it is located between the second end 462 and the first end 461, and when the shaft body 21 is in the first operating position P2, it is farther from the end of at least one protrusion in the third direction than the end of the imaginary straight line L1. The inclined surface 463 extends from the second end 462 toward the first end 461 in the third direction and is inclined in a direction that approaches the switch body 2 in the second direction as it moves from the second end 462 toward the first end 461 in the third direction. With this structure, when the shaft body 21 is moved from the reset position P1 to the first operating position P2, even if the end of at least one protrusion in contact with the plunger 40 moves from the lower dead center toward the direction approaching the rotation axis 211, the plunger 40 can be maintained at the lower dead center. The result is a limit switch that can operate stably.

[0114] For example, in a limit switch having a plunger 40 on the opposing surface 47 without a recess 46, such as Figures 11-13 As shown, when the shaft body 21 is in the first operating position P2, the bottom surface of the plunger 40 is located closer to the rotation axis 211 than the imaginary straight line L3, making it impossible to maintain the plunger 40 at the bottom dead center.

[0115] The inclined surface 463 is a curved surface that protrudes in the direction of proximity to the switch body 2 in the second direction. This structure allows the shaft body 21 to rotate smoothly.

[0116] The inclined surface 463 is configured such that the height H in the second direction is the same as the distance in the second direction between the end of at least one protrusion when it is located on the imaginary straight line L1 and the end of at least one protrusion when the shaft body 21 is located in the first operating position P2. With this structure, the plunger 40 can be maintained more reliably at the bottom dead center.

[0117] Limit switch 1 can also be configured as follows.

[0118] The shaft body 21 is not limited to being configured to rotate in both directions around the rotation axis 211. For example, it may be configured such that the shaft body 21 can rotate around the rotation axis 211 from the reset position P1 to the first operating position P2, but cannot rotate from the reset position P1 to the second operating position P3. In this case, the second protrusion 223, the first notch 224, and the second notch 225 can be omitted.

[0119] The plunger 40 is not limited to the case where it contacts the cam portion 22 in the first operating position P2 but does not contact the cam portion 22 in the second operating position P3. For example, as Figure 9 As shown, the third contact portion 44 can also be disposed on the fourth side 414 of the plunger body 41, and the non-contact portion 45 can be disposed on the first side 411 of the plunger body 41. In this case, when the shaft body 21 is rotated from the reset position P1 toward the second operating position P3 (i.e., in the direction of arrow B), the second protrusion 223 contacts the third contact portion 44, causing the plunger 40 to move in the second direction Z toward the direction of approaching the switch body 2 (hereinafter referred to as the operating direction). In addition, when the shaft body 21 is rotated from the reset position P1 toward the first operating position P2 (i.e., in the direction of arrow A), the third contact portion 44 is housed in the first notch 224, and the first protrusion 222 is housed in the non-contact portion 45. Even when the shaft body 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow A, the plunger 40 will not move in the operating direction, and the switch body 2 will not switch to the on state when it is off.

[0120] That is, as shown below, with the plunger 40 configured, the operating mode of the limit switch 1 is set to unilateral operation. When the limit switch 1 is configured to operate only on one side, the first contact portion 42 and the second contact portion 43 can be omitted.

[0121] • The plunger 40 is configured such that, in the second direction Z, the third contact portion 44 is opposite to the first notch 224 and the second protrusion 223, and the non-contact portion 45 is opposite to the second notch 225 and the first protrusion 222.

[0122] • The plunger 40 is configured such that, in the second direction Z, the third contact portion 44 is opposite to the second notch 225 and the first protrusion 222, and the non-contact portion 45 is opposite to the first notch 224 and the second protrusion 223.

[0123] For example, such as Figure 10 As shown, the first contact portion 42 can also be positioned on the third side 413, the second contact portion 43 on the fourth side 414, and the third contact portion 44 on the second side 412. In this case, when the shaft body 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow A, the first protrusion 222 contacts the first contact portion 42, causing the plunger 40 to move in the operating direction. Furthermore, when the shaft body 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow B, the second protrusion 223 contacts the second contact portion 43, causing the plunger 40 to move in the operating direction.

[0124] That is, as shown below, with the plunger 40 configured, the operating mode of the limit switch 1 is set to operate on both sides. When the limit switch 1 is configured to only operate on both sides, the third contact part 44 and the non-contact part 45 can be omitted.

[0125] • The plunger 40 is configured such that, in the second direction Z, the first contact portion 42 is opposite to the second notch 225 and the first protrusion 222, and the second contact portion 43 is opposite to the first notch 224 and the second protrusion 223.

[0126] • The plunger 40 is configured such that, in the second direction Z, the first contact portion 42 is opposite to the first notch 224 and the second protrusion 223, and the second contact portion 43 is opposite to the second notch 225 and the first protrusion 222.

[0127] Based on the above, the plunger 40 can be configured to set the action pattern according to either unilateral action or bilateral action.

[0128] Inclined surface 463 is not limited to curved surfaces; for example, it can also be a plane.

[0129] The switch body 2 can adopt any structure that allows switching on and off via the plunger 40 by means of the rotation of the shaft body 21.

[0130] The operating part 3 can also be connected to the switch body 2 in a non-detachable manner.

[0131] The peripheral wall portion 12 is not limited to being integral with the housing body 11; it can also be provided separately. In this case, the peripheral wall portion 12 can be made of the same material as the housing body 11, or it can be made of a different material.

[0132] The shape and structure of each component constituting the limit switch 1 in the above embodiment is one example, and other arbitrary shapes and structures can also be used.

[0133] For example, the plunger body 41 is not limited to having a quadrilateral shape when viewed along the second direction Z. The shape of the plunger body 41 when viewed along the second direction Z can be polygonal or circular.

[0134] For example, the non-contact portion 45 is not limited to being surrounded by the first contact portion 42, the second contact portion 43, and the plunger body 41. The non-contact portion 45 can adopt any structure that does not contact the first protrusion 222 and the second protrusion 223 when the shaft body 21 rotates.

[0135] The various embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, and finally, various aspects of the present invention will be described. Furthermore, in the following description, reference numerals will be used as examples.

[0136] The limit switch 1 of the first embodiment of this disclosure includes:

[0137] Switch body 2, which is capable of switching on and off; and

[0138] Operating unit 3, which is connected to the switch body,

[0139] The operation unit 3 has:

[0140] Casing 10;

[0141] A shaft component 20 has a shaft body 21 and a cam portion 22. The shaft body 21 extends from the outside of the housing 10 to the inside of the housing 10 along a first direction and is supported on the housing 10 in a state that allows it to rotate about a rotation axis 211 extending along the first direction from a reset position to an operating position. The cam portion 22 is disposed on the shaft body 21 located inside the housing 10 and rotates together with the shaft body 21.

[0142] A force-applying component 30, disposed inside the housing 10, applies force to the cam portion 22 in a second direction intersecting the first direction, toward the switch body 2, thereby resetting the shaft body 21 to the reset position; and

[0143] A plunger 40 is disposed inside the housing 10, opposite to the cam portion 22, in the second direction, between the switch body 2 and the cam portion 22. The plunger 40 moves in the second direction by means of the rotation of the cam portion 22 to switch the switch body 2 on and off.

[0144] The cam portion 22 has:

[0145] Cam body 221, which contacts the force-applying component 30; and

[0146] At least one protrusion is configured to protrude from the cam body 221 in a radial direction relative to the rotation axis 211 in a direction separate from the cam body 221, and the end of the protrusion that is separated from the cam body 221 in the radial direction can contact the plunger 40.

[0147] The plunger 40 has:

[0148] The plunger body 41 is opposite the cam portion 22 in the second direction; and

[0149] At least one contact portion is configured to protrude from the plunger body 41 toward the cam portion 22 along the second direction, and is capable of contacting the at least one protrusion.

[0150] The at least one contact portion has a recess 46 disposed on an opposing surface 47 opposite to the at least one protrusion, extending along a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and recessed in the second direction toward the switch body 2.

[0151] The recess 46 has:

[0152] The first end 461 is configured to be farther from the imaginary line L1 in the third direction than the end when the shaft body 21 is in the reset position, wherein the imaginary line L1 passes through the rotation axis 211 and extends along the second direction;

[0153] The second end portion 462 is configured such that the imaginary straight line L1 lies between the second end portion 462 and the first end portion 461 in the third direction, and when the shaft body 21 is in the operating position, the second end portion 462 is farther from the imaginary straight line L1 in the third direction than the end portion; and

[0154] An inclined surface 463 extends from the second end 462 toward the first end 461 in the third direction and is inclined in the direction that it approaches the switch body 2 in the second direction as it extends from the second end 462 toward the first end 461 in the third direction.

[0155] In the second embodiment of the limit switch 1 disclosed herein, the inclined surface 463 is a curved surface that protrudes in the second direction toward the switch body 2.

[0156] In the third-party limit switch 1 disclosed herein, the inclined surface 463 is configured such that the height H in the second direction is the same as the distance in the second direction between the end point when it is located on the imaginary straight line L1 and the end point when the shaft body 21 is located in the operating position.

[0157] In the fourth type of limit switch 1 disclosed herein,

[0158] The shaft body 21 is supported on the housing 10 in a state that allows it to rotate clockwise about the rotation axis 211 from the reset position toward the first operating position and to rotate counterclockwise from the reset position toward the second operating position. The second operating position is located on the opposite side of the first operating position relative to the reset position.

[0159] The cam portion 22 has:

[0160] The first protrusion 222 is configured to protrude radially from one of the third directions of the cam body 221 in a direction separate from the cam body 221 when viewed along the second direction, and the first end 227 of the first protrusion 222, which is separated from the cam body 221 in the radial direction, can contact the plunger 40.

[0161] The second protrusion 223 is configured to protrude from the third direction of the cam body 221 in a radial direction in a direction separate from the cam body 221, and the second end 228 of the second protrusion 223, which is separated from the cam body 221 in the radial direction, can contact the plunger 40.

[0162] A first notch 224 is disposed at one end of the first protrusion 222 in the first direction, extending from the first end 227 of the first protrusion 222 toward the rotation axis 211; and

[0163] A second notch 225 is disposed at the other end of the second protrusion 223 in the first direction, extending from the second end 228 of the second protrusion 223 toward the axis of rotation 211.

[0164] The plunger 40 has:

[0165] Contact portion 44, configured to protrude from the plunger body 41 toward the cam portion 22 along the second direction, is receptable to the first notch 224 and is receptable to the second protrusion 223, or is receptable to the second notch 225 and is receptable to the first protrusion 222; and

[0166] The non-contact portion 45 is disposed at a distance from the contact portion 44 in the first direction and does not contact the first protrusion 222 and the second protrusion 223.

[0167] In the second direction, the contact portion 44 is opposite to the first notch 224 and the second protrusion 223, and the non-contact portion 45 is opposite to the second notch 225 and the first protrusion 222, or the contact portion 44 is opposite to the second notch 225 and the first protrusion 222, and the non-contact portion 45 is opposite to the first notch 224 and the second protrusion 223.

[0168] In the fifth method of the limit switch 1 disclosed herein,

[0169] The shaft body 21 is supported on the housing 10 in a state that allows it to rotate clockwise about the rotation axis 211 from the reset position toward the first operating position and to rotate counterclockwise from the reset position toward the second operating position. The second operating position is located on the opposite side of the first operating position relative to the reset position.

[0170] The cam portion 22 has:

[0171] The first protrusion 222 is configured to protrude radially from one of the third directions of the cam body 221 in a direction separate from the cam body 221 when viewed along the second direction, and the first end 227 of the first protrusion 222, which is separated from the cam body 221 in the radial direction, can contact the plunger 40.

[0172] The second protrusion 223 is configured to protrude from the third direction of the cam body 221 in a radial direction in a direction separate from the cam body 221, and the second end 228 of the second protrusion 223, which is separated from the cam body 221 in the radial direction, can contact the plunger 40.

[0173] A first notch 224 is disposed at one end of the first protrusion 222 in the first direction, extending from the first end 227 of the first protrusion 222 toward the rotation axis 211; and

[0174] A second notch 225 is disposed at the other end of the second protrusion 223 in the first direction, extending from the second end 228 of the second protrusion 223 toward the axis of rotation 211.

[0175] The plunger 40 has:

[0176] A first contact portion 42 is configured to protrude from the plunger body 41 toward the cam portion 22 along the second direction, be received in the first notch 224 and be able to contact the second protrusion 223; and

[0177] The second contact portion 43, which is spaced apart from the first contact portion 42 in the first direction, is configured to protrude from the plunger body 41 toward the cam portion 22 along the second direction, and can be received in the second notch 225 and can contact the first protrusion 222.

[0178] By appropriately combining any of the above-described embodiments or variations, their respective effects can be achieved. Furthermore, it is possible to combine embodiments with each other, or to combine different embodiments with different examples, and it is also possible to combine features from different embodiments with each other.

[0179] This disclosure has been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, but various modifications and alterations can be made by those skilled in the art. It should be understood that such modifications and alterations are included therein as long as they do not depart from the scope of this disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

[0180] Industrial availability

[0181] The limit switch disclosed herein can be applied, for example, to assembly lines for automobiles.

Claims

1. A limit switch, comprising: The main body of the switch, which is capable of switching on and off; and The operating part is connected to the switch body. The operating unit has: case; A shaft component having a shaft body and a cam portion, the shaft body extending from the outside of the housing to the inside of the housing along a first direction and supported on the housing in a state capable of rotating about a rotation axis extending along the first direction from a reset position to an operating position, the cam portion being disposed on the shaft body located inside the housing and rotating together with the shaft body; A force-applying component, disposed inside the housing, applies force to the cam portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction toward the switch body, thereby resetting the shaft body to the reset position. as well as A plunger, disposed inside the housing opposite the cam portion in the second direction, between the switch body and the cam portion, moves in the second direction by means of the rotation of the cam portion to switch the switch body on and off. The cam portion has: The cam body, which contacts the force-applying component; and At least one protrusion is configured to project from the cam body in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation toward a direction separate from the cam body, the end of the protrusion that is separated from the cam body in the radial direction being capable of contacting the plunger. The plunger has: A plunger body, which is opposed to the cam portion in the second direction; and At least one contact portion is configured to protrude from the plunger body toward the cam portion along the second direction, and is capable of contacting the at least one protrusion. The at least one contact portion has a recess disposed on an opposing surface opposite to the at least one protrusion, extending along a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and recessed in the second direction toward the switch body. The recess has: The first end is configured to be farther from the imaginary straight line in the third direction than the end point when the shaft body is in the reset position, wherein the imaginary straight line passes through the axis of rotation and extends along the second direction; The second end is configured such that the imaginary straight line lies between the second end and the first end in the third direction, and when the shaft body is in the operating position, the second end is farther from the imaginary straight line in the third direction than the end end; and An inclined surface extends from the second end toward the first end in the third direction and is inclined in the direction that it approaches the switch body in the second direction as it moves from the second end toward the first end in the third direction.

2. The limit switch according to claim 1, wherein, The inclined surface is a curved surface that protrudes in the second direction toward the switch body.

3. The limit switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The inclined surface is configured such that the height in the second direction is the same as the distance in the second direction between the end point when it is located on the imaginary straight line and the end point when the shaft body is located in the operating position.

4. The limit switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The shaft body is supported on the housing in a state where it can rotate clockwise about the axis of rotation from the reset position toward the first operating position and counterclockwise from the reset position toward the second operating position, wherein the second operating position is on the opposite side of the first operating position relative to the reset position. The cam portion has: A first protrusion is configured to protrude radially from one of the third directions of the cam body in a direction separate from the cam body when viewed along the second direction, and a first end of the first protrusion that is separated from the cam body in the radial direction can contact the plunger. The second protrusion is configured to protrude radially from the third side of the cam body in a direction separate from the cam body, and the second end of the second protrusion, which is separated from the cam body in the radial direction, is capable of contacting the plunger; A first notch is disposed at one end of the first protrusion in the first direction and extends from the first end of the first protrusion toward the axis of rotation; as well as A second notch is disposed at the other end of the second protrusion in the first direction, extending from the second end of the second protrusion toward the axis of rotation. The plunger has: A contact portion, configured to protrude from the plunger body toward the cam portion along the second direction, is receptable to the first notch and can contact the second protrusion, or is receptable to the second notch and can contact the first protrusion; as well as The non-contact portion, which is spaced apart from the contact portion in the first direction, does not contact the first protrusion or the second protrusion. In the second direction, the contact portion is opposite to the first notch and the second protrusion, and the non-contact portion is opposite to the second notch and the first protrusion, or the contact portion is opposite to the second notch and the first protrusion, and the non-contact portion is opposite to the first notch and the second protrusion.

5. The limit switch according to claim 3, wherein, The shaft body is supported on the housing in a state where it can rotate clockwise about the axis of rotation from the reset position toward the first operating position and counterclockwise from the reset position toward the second operating position, wherein the second operating position is on the opposite side of the first operating position relative to the reset position. The cam portion has: A first protrusion is configured to protrude radially from one of the third directions of the cam body in a direction separate from the cam body when viewed along the second direction, and a first end of the first protrusion that is separated from the cam body in the radial direction can contact the plunger. The second protrusion is configured to protrude radially from the third side of the cam body in a direction separate from the cam body, and the second end of the second protrusion, which is separated from the cam body in the radial direction, is capable of contacting the plunger; A first notch is disposed at one end of the first protrusion in the first direction and extends from the first end of the first protrusion toward the axis of rotation; as well as A second notch is disposed at the other end of the second protrusion in the first direction, extending from the second end of the second protrusion toward the axis of rotation. The plunger has: A contact portion, configured to protrude from the plunger body toward the cam portion along the second direction, is receptable to the first notch and can contact the second protrusion, or is receptable to the second notch and can contact the first protrusion; as well as The non-contact portion, which is spaced apart from the contact portion in the first direction, does not contact the first protrusion or the second protrusion. In the second direction, the contact portion is opposite to the first notch and the second protrusion, and the non-contact portion is opposite to the second notch and the first protrusion, or the contact portion is opposite to the second notch and the first protrusion, and the non-contact portion is opposite to the first notch and the second protrusion.

6. The limit switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The shaft body is supported on the housing in a state where it can rotate clockwise about the axis of rotation from the reset position toward the first operating position and counterclockwise from the reset position toward the second operating position, wherein the second operating position is on the opposite side of the first operating position relative to the reset position. The cam portion has: A first protrusion is configured to protrude radially from one of the third directions of the cam body in a direction separate from the cam body when viewed along the second direction, and a first end of the first protrusion that is separated from the cam body in the radial direction can contact the plunger. The second protrusion is configured to protrude radially from the third side of the cam body in a direction separate from the cam body, and the second end of the second protrusion, which is separated from the cam body in the radial direction, is capable of contacting the plunger; A first notch is disposed at one end of the first protrusion in the first direction and extends from the first end of the first protrusion toward the axis of rotation; as well as A second notch is disposed at the other end of the second protrusion in the first direction, extending from the second end of the second protrusion toward the axis of rotation. The plunger has: A first contact portion is configured to protrude from the plunger body toward the cam portion along the second direction, and is receptive to the first notch and capable of contacting the second protrusion. as well as The second contact portion, which is spaced apart from the first contact portion in the first direction, is configured to protrude from the plunger body toward the cam portion along the second direction, and can be received in the second notch and can contact the first protrusion.

7. The limit switch according to claim 3, wherein, The shaft body is supported on the housing in a state where it can rotate clockwise about the axis of rotation from the reset position toward the first operating position and counterclockwise from the reset position toward the second operating position, wherein the second operating position is on the opposite side of the first operating position relative to the reset position. The cam portion has: A first protrusion is configured to protrude radially from one of the third directions of the cam body in a direction separate from the cam body when viewed along the second direction, and a first end of the first protrusion that is separated from the cam body in the radial direction can contact the plunger. The second protrusion is configured to protrude radially from the third side of the cam body in a direction separate from the cam body, and the second end of the second protrusion, which is separated from the cam body in the radial direction, is capable of contacting the plunger; A first notch is disposed at one end of the first protrusion in the first direction and extends from the first end of the first protrusion toward the axis of rotation; as well as A second notch is disposed at the other end of the second protrusion in the first direction, extending from the second end of the second protrusion toward the axis of rotation. The plunger has: A first contact portion is configured to protrude from the plunger body toward the cam portion along the second direction, and is receptive to the first notch and capable of contacting the second protrusion. as well as The second contact portion, which is spaced apart from the first contact portion in the first direction, is configured to protrude from the plunger body toward the cam portion along the second direction, and can be received in the second notch and can contact the first protrusion.

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