Switch assembly and ice maker including the same

Abstract

A switch assembly and an ice maker including the same can suppress the number of components and can simultaneously implement pressing of only one of two switches and pressing of both of the two switches. The switch assembly of the present invention includes a support body, a first button movable in a first direction with respect to the support body, a second button arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction with the first button, movable in the first direction with respect to the support body, a first switch for pressing of the first button from one side in the first direction, and a second switch for pressing of the second button from one side in the first direction, the first button being connected with the second button via a connection portion so as to move integrally with the second button, the first button and the second button being swingable by a predetermined angle with respect to the support body about an axis extending in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, located between the first button and the second button, and movable in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch assembly and an ice maker including the switch assembly. Background Technology

[0002] A conventional ice maker includes: a support body; a first button movable relative to the support body along a first direction; a second button arranged with the first button in a second direction intersecting the first direction and movable relative to the support body along the first direction; a first switch for pressing the first button from one side in the first direction; and a second switch for pressing the second button from one side in the first direction.

[0003] In the ice maker described above, the first button and the second button are independent of each other. Therefore, different functions can be selected by pressing the first button or the second button (for example, the power can be switched on and off by pressing the first button, and the test mode can be selected by pressing the second button). However, the independent first button and the second button can easily lead to an increase in the number of parts, which is not economical. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a switch assembly and an ice maker including the switch assembly, which can reduce the number of parts and simultaneously realize pressing only one of the two switches and pressing both of the two switches.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a switch assembly, comprising: a support body; a first button movable relative to the support body along a first direction; a second button arranged with the first button in a second direction intersecting the first direction and movable relative to the support body along the first direction; a first switch pressable by the first button from one side in the first direction; and a second switch pressable by the second button from one side in the first direction, wherein the first button is connected to the second button via a connecting portion, thereby moving integrally with the second button, and the first button and the second button are oscillating about an axis relative to the support body at a predetermined angle, the axis extending along a third direction intersecting the first and second directions, located between the first button and the second button, and movable in the first direction.

[0006] According to the switch assembly of the present invention, the first button is connected to the second button via a connecting portion, thereby moving integrally with the second button. Therefore, the first button, the connecting portion, and the second button can be formed into a single component, reducing the number of components. Furthermore, the first button and the second button can swing about an axis relative to the support body at a predetermined angle. This axis extends along a third direction intersecting the first and second directions, is located between the first button and the second button, and can move in the first direction. Therefore, when force is applied to only one of the first button and the second button on the other side toward the first direction, the first button and the second button will rotate together about the axis, and one of the first button and the second button will move toward the corresponding switch to press the switch, while the other of the first button and the second button will move away from the corresponding switch. On the other hand, when force is applied to both the first button and the second button simultaneously on the other side toward the first direction, the first button and the second button will move together toward the corresponding switch to press the corresponding switch. Thus, it is possible to simultaneously press only one of the two switches and press both of the two switches.

[0007] Furthermore, in the switch assembly of the present invention, the connecting portion preferably has a shaft portion that can swing about the axis, and the support body includes a first limiting portion disposed around the shaft portion to restrict the shaft portion from moving in the second direction, but to allow the shaft portion to move in the first direction.

[0008] According to the switch assembly of the present invention, the connecting part has a shaft that can swing about an axis, and the support body includes a first limiting part disposed around the shaft to restrict the shaft from moving in a second direction but allow the shaft to move in the first direction. Therefore, the swinging of the first button and the second button about the axis and the movement along the first direction can be realized simultaneously with a simple structure.

[0009] Furthermore, in the switch assembly of the present invention, the connecting portion preferably has a rod-shaped portion that extends along the second direction and is connected at both ends to the first button and the second button, respectively, and the shaft portion protrudes from both sides of the rod-shaped portion toward the third direction.

[0010] According to the switch assembly of the present invention, the connecting portion has a rod-shaped portion that extends along a second direction and is connected at both ends to a first button and a second button, respectively. A shaft portion protrudes from both sides of the rod-shaped portion toward a third direction. Therefore, the shaft portion protruding from both sides of the rod-shaped portion toward a third direction can be limited, thereby stabilizing the swing of the first button and the second button around the axis.

[0011] Furthermore, in the switch assembly of the present invention, the first limiting portion is preferably a groove portion, which opens toward one side in the first direction and has sidewalls that abut against the shaft portion from both sides in the second direction and a bottom wall that is spaced apart from the shaft portion on the other side in the first direction.

[0012] Furthermore, in the switch assembly of the present invention, the support preferably includes a second limiting portion disposed around at least one of the first button and the second button, and the second limiting portion defines the swing range of the first button and the second button about the axis based on the gap between the first button and the at least one in the second direction.

[0013] According to the switch assembly of the present invention, the support body includes a second limiting portion disposed around at least one of the first button and the second button, and the second limiting portion defines the swing range of the first button and the second button about the axis based on the gap between the second button and at least one of the first button and the second button in a second direction. Therefore, the range of swing of the first button and the second button about the axis relative to the support body can be conveniently set.

[0014] Furthermore, in the switch assembly of the present invention, it is preferable that the length of the first button in the first direction and the length of the second button in the first direction are different.

[0015] Furthermore, in the switch assembly of the present invention, the connecting portion is preferably disposed midway between the first button and the second button in the first direction.

[0016] Furthermore, the switch assembly of the present invention preferably also includes a circuit board that extends in a plane intersecting the third direction and is provided with the first button and the second button.

[0017] Furthermore, in the switch assembly of the present invention, it is preferable that the first button, the second button, and the connecting portion are integrally formed resin parts.

[0018] According to the switch assembly of the present invention, the first button, the second button, and the connecting part are integrally molded resin parts, thus saving assembly time and improving assembly efficiency.

[0019] Furthermore, in the switch assembly of the present invention, it is preferable that, when neither the first button nor the second button is pressed, the front end of the first button is in contact with the first switch, and the front end of the second button is in contact with the second switch.

[0020] According to the switch assembly of the present invention, when neither the first button nor the second button is pressed, the front end of the first button is in contact with the first switch, and the front end of the second button is in contact with the second switch. That is, when neither button is pressed (in the initial state in which no external force is applied to the two buttons), the front end of the first button is in contact with the first switch, and the front end of the second button is in contact with the second switch. Therefore, even a slight movement of the buttons can be sensed by the switch.

[0021] In addition, to achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an ice maker that includes the switching assembly of any of the above-mentioned components.

[0022] (Invention Effects)

[0023] According to the present invention, the first button is connected to the second button via a connecting part, thereby moving integrally with the second button. Therefore, the first button, the connecting part, and the second button can be formed into a single component, reducing the number of components. Furthermore, the first button and the second button can swing about an axis relative to the support body at a preset angle. This axis extends along a third direction intersecting the first and second directions, is located between the first button and the second button, and can move in the first direction. Therefore, when force is applied to only one of the first button and the second button on the other side toward the first direction, the first button and the second button will rotate together about the axis, and one of the first button and the second button will move toward the corresponding switch to press the switch, while the other of the first button and the second button will move away from the corresponding switch. On the other hand, when force is applied to both the first button and the second button simultaneously on the other side toward the first direction, the first button and the second button will move together toward the corresponding switch to press the corresponding switch respectively. Thus, it is possible to simultaneously press only one of the two switches and press both of the two switches. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a portion of the housing of the drive control unit has been removed.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a partial side sectional view schematically illustrating an embodiment of the ice maker of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional perspective view schematically illustrating an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] (Symbol Explanation)

[0029] 1. Ice maker

[0030] 10 Switching Components

[0031] 110 Support body

[0032] 111 First button

[0033] 112 Second button

[0034] 113 Connecting part

[0035] 1131 Rod-shaped part

[0036] 1132 Shaft

[0037] 114 First Switch

[0038] 115 Second Switch

[0039] 20 Framework

[0040] IM Ice Making Tray

[0041] CT drive control unit

[0042] BX Open Box Section

[0043] CV cover

[0044] CV1 cover wall section

[0045] CV11 First Through Hole

[0046] CV12 Second Through Hole

[0047] HD Holder

[0048] HD1 retains the seat wall

[0049] HD11 First Through Hole

[0050] HD12 Second Through Hole

[0051] LM1 First Limiting Section

[0052] LM2 Second Limiting Section

[0053] O-axis Detailed Implementation

[0054] Below, in conjunction with Figures 1 to 4 An ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0055] For ease of explanation, the three mutually orthogonal directions are designated as X, Y, and Z. One side of the X direction is designated as X1, and the other side as X2. One side of the Y direction is designated as Y1, and the other side as Y2. One side of the Z direction is designated as Z1, and the other side as Z2.

[0056] (The overall structure of an ice maker)

[0057] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the ice maker 1 includes a switch assembly 10, which is used to switch and control the power supply, operating mode, etc. of the ice maker 1.

[0058] Here, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the ice maker 1 includes a frame 20, on which an ice-making tray IM and a drive control unit CT are arranged. The ice-making tray IM is rotatable about an axis extending along the arrangement direction of the ice-making tray IM and the drive control unit CT (the X direction in the illustrated example). The drive control unit CT includes a switch assembly 10 and a drive source (not shown) such as a motor, which can control the rotation of the ice-making tray IM.

[0059] In addition, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the drive control unit CT includes an open box portion BX and a cover portion CV. The open box portion BX is an open box shaped with an opening facing the X1 direction. The cover portion CV covers the opening of the open box portion BX.

[0060] (Structure of the switch assembly)

[0061] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the switch assembly 10 includes: a support body 110; a first button 111 movable relative to the support body 110 in the X direction (corresponding to the first direction in this invention); a second button 112 arranged with the first button 111 in the Z direction (corresponding to the second direction in this invention) and movable relative to the support body 110 in the X direction; a first switch 114 pressed by the first button 111 from the X1 direction side; and a second switch 115 pressed by the second button 112 from the X1 direction side. The first button 111 is connected to the second button 112 via a connecting portion 113, thereby moving integrally with the second button 112. The first button 111 and the second button 112 can swing about an axis O relative to the support body 110 by a preset angle (e.g., less than 5°), the axis O extending along the Y direction (corresponding to the third direction in this invention) and located between the first button 111 and the second button 112.

[0062] Here, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the support body 110 includes a retainer HD and a cover CV. The retainer HD is generally rectangular box-shaped. A circuit board (not shown) and a first switch 114 and a second switch 115 are housed within the retainer HD. The circuit board extends in a plane perpendicular to the Y direction (i.e., the thickness direction of the circuit board is aligned with the Y direction). The first switch 114 and the second switch 115 are disposed on the circuit board (e.g., on one side of the circuit board in the thickness direction). The first switch 114 is positioned closer to the Z1 direction side than the second switch 115. The X1 direction side end faces of the first switch 114 and the second switch 115 are for contact and pressing of the first button 111 and the second button 112. The cover CV is spaced apart from the retainer HD on the X1 direction side. The body of the first button 111, the body of the second button 112, and a connecting portion 113 are disposed between the retainer HD and the cover CV. The connecting portion 113 has a shaft portion 1132, which can swing about an axis O. The retainer HD includes a first limiting portion LM1 disposed around the shaft portion 1132, which restricts the movement of the shaft portion 1132 in the Z direction but allows the shaft portion 1132 to move in the X direction. The cover portion CV includes a second limiting portion LM2 disposed around at least one of the first button 111 and the second button 112, and defines the swing range of the first button 111 and the second button 112 about the axis O based on the gap between the second button 111 and the second button 112 in the Z direction.

[0063] Specifically, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the retainer HD has a retainer wall portion HD1 adjacent to the first switch 114 and the second switch 115 in the X1 direction. The retainer wall portion HD1 has a first through hole HD11 and a second through hole HD12 extending through in the X direction. The first through hole HD11 corresponds to the first switch 114 (overlapping with the first switch 114 in the X direction), and the second through hole HD12 corresponds to the second switch 115 (overlapping with the second switch 115 in the X direction). The X2 end of the first button 111 passes through the first through hole HD11 and abuts against the first switch 114. The X2 end of the second button 112 passes through the second through hole HD12 and abuts against the second switch 115. The cover portion CV has a cover wall portion CV1 adjacent to the first button 111 in the X1 direction. The cover wall portion CV1 has a first through hole CV11 and a second through hole CV12 extending through in the X direction. The first through hole CV11 corresponds to the first button 111 (overlapping with the first button 111 in the X direction). The second through hole CV12 corresponds to the second button 112 (overlapping with the second button 112 in the X direction), and the diameter of the second through hole CV12 is smaller than the diameter of the first through hole CV11. The end of the first button 111 in the X1 direction passes through the first through hole CV11. The end of the second button 112 in the X1 direction is closer to the X2 direction side than the cover wall portion CV1. The connecting portion 113 is disposed midway between the first button 111 and the second button 112 in the X direction. The connecting portion 113 is located between the retaining seat wall portion HD1 and the cover wall portion CV1 in the X direction. The connecting portion 113 has a rod-shaped portion 1131, which extends in the Z direction and is connected at both ends to the first button 111 and the second button 112, respectively. The shaft portion 1132 protrudes from both sides of the rod-shaped portion 1131 in the Y direction. The first limiting part LM1 is a recessed part that opens towards the X1 direction and has sidewalls that abut against the shaft part 1132 from both sides in the Z direction and a bottom wall that is spaced apart from the shaft part 1132 in the X2 direction (in the illustrated example, the retaining seat wall part HD1 has a pair of bosses that clamp the rod-shaped part 1131 in the Y direction and protrude towards the X1 direction, and the pair of bosses have recessed parts for the shaft parts 1132 protruding from both sides of the rod-shaped part 1131 in the Y direction to be inserted respectively). The second limiting part LM2 is constituted by a first through hole CV11. That is, the range of swing of the first button 111 and the second button 112 around the axis O is limited by the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the first through hole CV11 and the outer peripheral surface of the first button 111.

[0064] In addition, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the first button 111, the second button 112, and the connecting part 113 are integrally formed resin parts. The length of the first button 111 in the X direction and the length of the second button 112 in the X direction are different (in the example shown, the length of the first button 111 is greater than the length of the second button 112).

[0065] Furthermore, the first switch 114 is used to switch the power supply of the ice maker 1 on and off, and can usually be pressed directly by hand. The second switch 115 is used to switch the operating mode of the ice maker 1 (e.g., normal mode and test mode), and usually requires a tool to press. The first switch 114 and the second switch 115 are, for example, tactile switches.

[0066] Furthermore, preferably, when neither the first button 111 nor the second button 112 is pressed, the front end of the first button 111 is in contact with the first switch 114, and the front end of the second button 112 is in contact with the second switch 115.

[0067] (Main effects of this implementation method)

[0068] According to the ice maker 1 of this embodiment, the first button 111 is connected to the second button 112 via the connecting part 113, thereby moving integrally with the second button 112. Therefore, the first button 111, the connecting part 113, and the second button 112 can be formed into a single component, reducing the number of components. Furthermore, the first button 111 and the second button 112 can swing about an axis O relative to the support body at a predetermined angle. The axis O extends along the Y direction, is located between the first button 111 and the second button 112, and can move in the X direction. Therefore, only one of the first button 111 and the second button 112 is applied in the X2 direction. When force is applied, the first button 111 and the second button 112 will rotate together around axis O. One of the first button 111 and the second button 112 will move toward the corresponding switch and press the switch, while the other of the first button 111 and the second button 112 will move away from the corresponding switch. On the other hand, when force is applied to the first button 111 and the second button 112 simultaneously toward the X2 direction, the first button 111 and the second button 112 will move together toward the corresponding switch and press the corresponding switch respectively. Thus, it is possible to simultaneously press only one of the two switches and press both of the two switches.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the ice maker 1 of this embodiment, the connecting part 113 has a shaft part 1132, which can swing about the axis O. The support body 110 includes a first limiting part LM1, which is disposed around the shaft part 1132 and restricts the shaft part 1132 from moving in the Z direction, but allows the shaft part 1132 to move in the X direction. Therefore, the first button 111 and the second button 112 can be swung about the axis O and moved in the X direction at the same time with a simple structure.

[0070] The present invention has been described above by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0071] For example, in the above embodiment, the switch assembly 10 is applied to an ice maker, but it is not limited thereto; the switch assembly 10 can also be applied to other applications.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the length of the first button 111 in the X direction and the length of the second button 112 in the X direction are different, but it is not limited to this, and it is also possible to form that the length of the first button 111 in the X direction and the length of the second button 112 in the X direction are the same.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the first button 111, the second button 112, and the connecting part 113 are made of resin, but are not limited to this and may also be made of other materials such as metal.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the shaft portion 1132 protrudes from both sides of the rod-shaped portion 1131 in the Y direction, but it is not limited to this. The shaft portion 1132 may also protrude from only one side of the rod-shaped portion 1131 in the Y direction.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first limiting part LM1 is a groove, but it is not limited to this. The first limiting part LM1 may also be composed of only a pair of wall parts that clamp the shaft part 1132 in the Z direction.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the second limiting part LM2 is formed by the first through hole CV11, but it is not limited to this. The second limiting part LM2 may also be formed by other parts, such as providing a wall portion protruding towards the X2 direction on the cover wall portion CV1 or providing a wall portion protruding towards the X1 direction on the retaining seat wall portion HD1, and forming the second limiting part LM2 by the wall portion.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the circuit board extends in a plane perpendicular to the Y direction, but it is not limited to this and can also extend in a plane perpendicular to the X direction.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are orthogonal to each other, that is, they intersect at an angle of 90 degrees, but are not limited to this, and may also intersect each other at an angle other than 90 degrees.

[0079] It should be understood that within the scope of this invention, the various parts of the embodiments can be freely combined, or the various parts of the embodiments can be appropriately modified or omitted.

Claims

1. A switching assembly, comprising: Support body; A first button, which is movable relative to the support body along a first direction; A second button, arranged with the first button in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and movable relative to the support along the first direction; a first switch, pressable by the first button from one side in the first direction; and a second switch, pressable by the second button from one side in the first direction, characterized in that... The first button is connected to the second button via a connecting part, so that they move together as a unit. The first button and the second button can swing about an axis relative to the support body at a preset angle. The axis extends along a third direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction, is located between the first button and the second button, and can move in the first direction.

2. The switching assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting part has a shaft that can swing about the axis. The support includes a first limiting portion disposed around the shaft portion, which restricts the shaft portion from moving in the second direction but allows the shaft portion to move in the first direction.

3. The switching assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting portion has a rod-shaped portion that extends along the second direction, and its two ends are respectively connected to the first button and the second button. The shaft portion protrudes from the rod-shaped portion on both sides in the direction of the third direction.

4. The switching assembly as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The first limiting portion is a groove portion, which opens to one side in the first direction and has sidewalls that abut against the shaft portion from both sides in the second direction and a bottom wall that is spaced apart from the shaft portion on the other side in the first direction.

5. The switching assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The support includes a second limiting portion disposed around at least one of the first button and the second button, and defining the swing range of the first button and the second button about the axis based on the gap between the second button and the at least one in the second direction.

6. The switching assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the first button in the first direction is different from the length of the second button in the first direction.

7. The switching assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting part is located midway between the first button and the second button in the first direction.

8. The switching assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes circuit boards, The circuit board extends in a plane intersecting the third direction and is provided with the first button and the second button.

9. The switching assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The first button, the second button, and the connecting part are integrally molded resin parts.

10. The switching assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, When neither the first button nor the second button is pressed, the front end of the first button is in contact with the first switch, and the front end of the second button is in contact with the second switch.

11. An ice maker, characterized in that, Includes the switching assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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