PUSHBUTTON SWITCH

Abstract

Push button switch (1), comprising: a housing (10) having an operating surface (12) provided with an operating hole (13) and a housing portion (11) provided therein and connected to the operating hole (13); an operating unit (20) extending along a movable direction intersecting the operating surface (12) from an outside of the housing (10) through the operating hole (13) to an inside of the housing portion (11) and having a pressing surface (21) provided on the outside of the housing (10) and arranged to face the operating surface (12), the pressing surface (21) being capable of approaching the operating surface (12) along the movable direction; a locking lever unit (30) comprising a lever body (31) provided at an end portion of the housing (10) on the side of the operating surface (12) and movable in a direction intersecting the movable direction between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2), a lever support portion (34) provided in the inside of the housing portion (11) and connected to the lever body (31) so as to be movable together with the lever body (31), and a holding unit (33) capable of holding the lever body (31) in the second position (P2) by pressing the lever body (31) from a direction of approach of the pressing surface (21) to the operating surface (12); and a biasing portion (71) provided within the housing portion (11) and biasing the lever body (31) from the second position (P2) toward the first position (P1), wherein the lever support portion (34) is connected to the operating unit (20) to be movable together with the operating unit (20) in the movable direction when the lever body (31) is positioned in the second position (P2), and wherein the housing (10) has a deformation portion (17) which, when the operation unit (20) is pulled from the operation surface (12) toward the pressure surface (21) along the movable direction and the lever body (31) is positioned in the second position (P2), contacts the lever support portion (34) to move the lever body (31) in the approach direction and deforms the lever body (31) to be able to release the pressing on the lever body (31) by the holding unit (33).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to push button switches. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Patent Document 1 (JP 4 147 049 B2) discloses an operation switch including a contact portion having a contact B, an operation unit for opening and closing the contact B of the contact portion, and a locking mechanism having a locking lever capable of fixing the operation unit and the contact portion to each other.

[0003] The operation switch is configured such that when the locking lever is in an unlocking position in which the operation unit and the contact portion are not locked by the locking mechanism, the contact B is in an off state, and when the locking lever is in a locking position in which the operation unit and the contact portion are locked by the locking mechanism, the contact B is in an on state.

[0004] Patent Document 2 (US 2015 / 0 303 658 A1) discloses a sound assembly structure for a switching device comprising a connecting part provided with a mounting hole for rotatably connecting to a main body. The connecting part is provided with a locking mechanism to ensure a secure connection between the connecting part and the main body. RELATED PRIOR ART PATENT DOCUMENTS: Patent document 1: JP 4 147 049 B2 Patent document 2: US 2015 / 0 303 658 A1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0005] For example, in the operation switch in a locked state in which the operation unit and the contact portion are fixed to each other by the locking mechanism, there is a possibility that if the operation unit is pulled in one direction away from the contact portion, the operation unit and the locking lever become inoperable while the contact B remains on, and the safety of the switch cannot be ensured.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a push button switch that can easily ensure safety. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0007] A push button switch according to an example of the present disclosure includes: a housing having an operating surface provided with an operating hole and a housing portion provided therein and connected to the operating hole; an operating unit extending along a movable direction intersecting the operating surface from an outside of the housing through the operating hole to an inside of the housing portion and having a pressing surface provided on the outside of the housing and arranged to face the operating surface, the pressing surface being capable of approaching the operating surface along the movable direction; a locking lever unit comprising a lever body provided at an end portion on the operating surface side of the housing and movable in a direction intersecting the movable direction between a first position and a second position, a lever support portion provided in the inside of the housing portion and connected to the lever body to be movable together with the lever body, and a holding unit capable of holding the lever body in the second position by pressing the lever body from an approach direction of the pressing surface to the operating surface, and a biasing portion provided within the housing portion and biasing the lever body from the second position toward the first position in which the lever support portion is connected to the operating unit to be movable together with the operating unit in the movable direction and the lever body is positioned in the second position, and the housing has a deformation portion provided on an inner surface constituting the housing portion and contacting the lever support portion to move the lever body in the approach direction, and deforms the lever body to be able to release the pressing by the holding unit on the lever body when the operation unit is pulled in an opening direction with respect to the housing of the operation surface along the movable direction while the lever body is positioned in the second position. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to the push button switch, the housing has a deformation portion that contacts the lever support portion to move the lever body, and deforms the lever body to be able to release the pressing by the holding unit on the lever body when the operation unit is pulled in the opening direction in which the operation unit is separated from the housing while the lever body is positioned in the second position.Due to this deformation portion, when the lever body is held by the holding unit in a state where the lever body is positioned at the second position and the movable contact portion is in contact with the fixed contact portion, even if the operation unit is pulled in the opening direction to be separated from the housing, since the holding of the lever body by the holding unit can be released and the movable contact portion can be separated from the fixed contact portion, it is possible to realize a push button switch capable of ensuring safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a push button switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the push button switch of Fig. 1, which is viewed from a direction different from that Fig. 1 differs. Fig. 3 is a front view of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a right side view of the push button switch in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a left side view of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along a line VIII-VIII in Fig. 1 is taken. Fig. 9 is a front view of an operating unit of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the operating unit and a locking lever unit of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing an outer portion of the push button switch of Fig. 1 shows. Fig. 12 is a plan view of a lever portion of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the push button switch of Fig. 1 with a part of the housing and an operating unit made transparent. Fig. 14 is a right side view of the lever portion of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a plunger of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a first plunger of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a second plunger of the pushbutton switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the lever portion and plunger of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 19 is a first plan view for explaining the operation of a transmission mechanism of the push button switch of Fig. 1, as seen from the direction of an arrow A in Fig. 18 considered. Fig. 20 is a second plan view for explaining the operation of the transmission mechanism of the push button switch of Fig. 1, as seen from the direction of arrow A in Fig. 18 considered. Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing a second plunger, a contact mechanism and a terminal connection mechanism of the push button switch of Fig. 1 shows. Fig. 22 is a first plan view for explaining the operation of the contact mechanism of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 23 is a second plan view for explaining the operation of the contact mechanism of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 24 is a sectional view taken along a line XXIV-XXIV in Fig. 1 is taken. Fig. 25 is a first front view for explaining the operation of a lever body using a tool chuck of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 26 is a second front view for explaining the operation of the lever body using the tool clamping device of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 27 is a view for explaining a first modification of a fulcrum projection of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 28 is a view for explaining a second modification of the fulcrum projection of the push button switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 29 is a view for explaining a third modification of the fulcrum projection of the push button switch of Fig. 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an example of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, terms indicating a specific direction or position (for example, terms such as "up", "down", "right", "left") are used as necessary. However, they are used to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings, and the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the meaning of these terms. It should be noted that the following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or its uses. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic, and the relationships of dimensions do not always correspond to actual ones.

[0010] As in the Fig. 1 to 7, a push button switch 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a substantially cubic housing 10, an operation unit 20 attached to the housing 10, and a locking lever unit 30 provided to be exposed to an outside of the housing 10.

[0011] The housing 10 has an operating surface 12 on which an operating hole 13 is provided. The operating hole 13 has, for example, a substantially circular shape. The operating unit 20 extends from the outside to the inside through the operating hole 13 in a movable direction (hereinafter simply referred to as a movable direction) that intersects (for example, perpendicularly) with the operating surface 12, and one end thereof is positioned inside the housing 10 in the extending direction and attached to the housing 10 in a movable state along the movable direction. Further, the lock lever unit 30 is arranged on an edge of the operating surface 12 of the housing 10.

[0012] As in Fig. 8, a housing portion 11 connected to the operating hole 13 is provided within the housing 10. That is, one end of the operating unit 20 in the extension direction is arranged within the housing portion 11. Within the housing portion 11, a piston 40 having a first piston 41 and a second piston 42, a transmission mechanism 50 (in the Fig. 19 and Fig. 20), a contact mechanism 60 and a biasing portion 70.

[0013] The piston 40 is disposed at one end of the housing portion 11 on the side of the operating surface 12 in the movable direction, and the biasing portion 70 is disposed at one end of the housing portion 11 on the side of the terminal connection surface 14 facing the operating surface 12 in the movable direction. In addition, the transmission mechanism 50 and the contact mechanism 60 are disposed between the piston 40 and the biasing portion 70.

[0014] Each configuration of pushbutton switch 1 is then described.

[0015] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the housing 10 has the terminal connection surface 14 facing the operating surface 12 and four side surfaces extending in a direction intersecting the operating surface 12 and the terminal connection surface 14 (e.g., in a perpendicular direction), and one of the four side surfaces forms a pivot point forming surface 15.

[0016] The fulcrum forming surface 15 is provided with a fulcrum projection 151 that projects from the fulcrum forming surface 15 to the outside of the housing 10 in a direction intersecting the fulcrum forming surface 15 (for example, in a perpendicular direction). As shown in Fig. 3, the fulcrum projection 151 has an oval shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the movable direction when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the fulcrum forming surface 15, and is arranged midway between the operating surface 12 and the terminal connecting surface 14 and on one side of the center of the fulcrum forming surface 15 in a direction perpendicular to the movable direction.

[0017] Specifically, the fulcrum projection 151, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the fulcrum formation surface 15, is located closer to a first position P1 than a center line CL (see Fig. 25 and Fig. 26) extending in the moving direction of the operating unit 20 and passing through the center between the first position P1 and a second position P2 in a moving direction of the lever body 31.

[0018] The fulcrum projection 151 is configured such that a curved surface 152 in an extending direction thereof when the lever body 31 of the locking lever unit 30 described later is moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2 using a long tool clamping device 100 (see Fig. 25 and Fig. 26), in which a distal end 101, which is one end of the tool clamping device 100, is locked with a locking portion 312 of the locking lever unit 30 described later, and serves as a fulcrum of the tool clamping device 100. That is, the curved surface 152 is provided at a portion that comes into contact with the intermediate portion 102 of the tool clamping device 100 and protrudes from the fulcrum projection 151 toward the tool clamping device 100.

[0019] As in Fig. 7, the terminal connection surface 14 is provided with a plurality of openings 141. Each of the openings 141 is configured such that, for example, a conductor portion of an electric wire (not shown) can be inserted therein and is connected to a terminal connection mechanism 16 provided in the housing portion 11, as shown in Fig. 8. As an example, the terminal connection mechanism 16 uses a so-called plug-in connection type and is configured such that the conductor of the electric wire can be connected to the push-button switch 1 simply by inserting the conductor of the electric wire from the opening 141.

[0020] As in Fig. 1, the operating unit 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a pressure surface 21 provided outside the housing 10 and arranged to face the operating surface 12. The operating unit 20 is configured to be able to perform an approach operation in which the pressure surface 21 approaches the operating surface 12 along the movable direction, and is configured such that the piston 40 is positioned at a later-described return position P3 by this approach operation (see Fig. 19). In particular, when the piston 40 is in the return position instead of the return position P3 (in particular, when the second piston 42 is in a return position instead of the return position P32), one end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the side of the housing section 11 moves from an initial position (in Fig. 8) to a printing position, and the operation unit 20 moves the piston 40 along the movable direction to the return position P3 (specifically, moves the second piston 42 along the movable direction to the return position P32).

[0021] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, the pressure surface 21 is provided with an indicator portion 25 that indicates the rotation direction of the operation unit 20 when the operation unit 20 is attached to the housing 10. The indicator portion 25 is configured by a clockwise arrow when viewed from an approach direction in which the pressure surface 21 approaches the operation surface 12 in the movable direction (hereinafter simply referred to as an approach direction).

[0022] As in Fig. 9, a first groove 23 extending in the movable direction and a second groove 24 connected to an end 231 of the first groove 23 on the side of the pressure surface 21 in the movable direction and extending in the circumferential direction of an end 22 of the operation unit 20 on the side of the housing portion 11 are provided on an outer peripheral surface of the end 22 of the operation unit 20 on the side of the housing portion 11. The first groove 23 and the second groove 24 are configured to be able to receive a locking projection 342 provided on the locking lever unit 30 described later. Further, when the lever body 31 is positioned in the first position P1, the first groove 23 is able to receive the locking projection 342, and the second groove 24 is, as shown in Fig. 10, configured to be capable of locking the locking projection 342 in the movable direction when the lever body 31 is in the second position P2.

[0023] The locking projection 342 of the locking lever unit 30 and the first groove 23 and the second groove 24 of the operating unit 20 form a movement regulating portion 80. When the lever body 31 is positioned in the first position P1, the movement regulating portion 80 enables the movement of the lever body 31 to the second position P2 when the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the side of the housing portion 11 is positioned at the initial position (ie, as shown in Fig. 9, a position of the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the housing portion 11 side when the locking projection 342 is positioned at the end 231 of the first groove 23 on the pressure surface 21 side in the movable direction), but disables the movement by regulating the movement of the lever body 31 to the second position P2 when the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the housing portion 11 side is positioned closer to the operating surface 12 than the initial position in the movable direction. When the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the housing portion 11 side is positioned in the initial position, the first groove 23 and the second groove 24 are connected such that the operating unit 20 can only be rotated in one direction (in this embodiment, the arrow direction of the indicator portion 25).That is, the movement regulating portion 80 is provided between the operation unit 20 and the locking lever unit 30 within the housing portion 11 and can confirm whether the operation unit 20 is securely attached to the housing 10 or not depending on whether the lever body 31 can be moved to the second position P2 or not.

[0024] In addition, on the outer peripheral surface of the end 22 of the operation unit 20 on the side of the housing portion 11, an indication portion 25 (in this embodiment, an arrow in a direction from the pressure surface 21 toward the end 22 of the housing portion 11 in the movable direction) is provided, which indicates the mounting direction of the operation unit 20 to the housing 10.

[0025] As in Fig. 1, the locking lever unit 30 includes a lever portion 301 and an outer portion 32 which are fixed to the housing 10 to cover the lever portion 301. As shown in Fig. 13, the lever portion 301 includes the lever body 31 exposed to the outside of the housing 10 and a lever support portion 34 disposed in the housing portion 11.

[0026] As in Fig. 7, the lever body 31 intersects (e.g., perpendicularly) with the fulcrum forming surface 15 from the fulcrum forming surface 15 and protrudes in one direction from the fulcrum forming surface 15 and is, as shown in Fig. 3, arranged between the pressure surface 21 and the operating surface 12 in the movable direction. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the fulcrum forming surface 15, the lever body 31 is configured to be movable in a direction (for example, the perpendicular direction) that defines the movable direction between the first position P1 (see Fig. 24) and the second position P2 (see Fig. 25) cuts.

[0027] As in the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the outer portion 32 includes a first wall portion 321 corresponding to an upper surface (i.e., a surface on the opposite side in the movable direction of a facing surface 311 (only in Fig. 7) facing the operating surface 12 of the lever body 31 in the movable direction of the lever body 31 and extending in the moving direction of the lever body 31, and a second wall portion 322 and a third wall portion 323, each on both sides of the lever body 31 in a direction perpendicular to the movable direction (i.e., the moving direction of the lever body 31) and each connected to the first wall portion 321 and the operating surface 12 of the housing 10. The moving range of the lever body 31 is defined by the outer portion 32.

[0028] As in Fig. 6, a holding unit 33 capable of holding the lever body 31 in the second position P2 is provided at one end (ie, the right end in Fig. 6) of the first wall section 321 in the direction of extension. In particular, as shown in Fig. 11, the holding unit 33 has an elastic holding portion 331 capable of rotating the lever body 31 by pressing the lever body 31 from one side to the other side (ie, from a top side to a bottom side in Fig. 11) in the movable direction at the second position P2. The elastic holding portion 331 extends in the extending direction of the first wall portion 321, with one end 332 on the other end side (ie, the left side in Fig. 11) thereof in the extending direction of the first wall portion 321 is connected to the first wall portion 321 and one end 333 on one end side thereof in the extending direction of the first wall portion 321 is arranged between the first wall portion 321 and the operating surface 12 and is configured to be elastically deformable in a direction away from the operating surface 12 in the movable direction.

[0029] Furthermore, as in Fig. 11, a display section 37 on the side of the first position P1 (ie, the left side in Fig. 11) is provided on the surface of the first wall portion 321 facing the operating surface 12. The indicator portion 37 consists of the characters "UNLOCK" and arrows indicating the direction from the second position P2 toward the first position P1.

[0030] As in Fig. 7, a locking portion 312 and a holding release portion 313 are provided on the facing surface 311 of the lever body 31. The locking portion 312 is configured to be capable of engaging a distal end 101 (see Fig. 25 and Fig. 26), which is one end in the extending direction of the long tool clamping device 100 used for moving the lever body 31 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. Further, the holding releasing portion 313 is configured to be able to release the holding of the lever body 31 by the elastic holding portion 331 by pressing the lever body 31 from the other side to one side (ie, from the near side to the rear in the paper penetration direction in Fig. 7) in the movable direction at the second position P2.

[0031] Furthermore, the lever body 31 is provided with a protective wall 314 which is arranged on the opposite side (ie on the top side in Fig. 7) the fulcrum forming surface 15 is arranged with respect to the holding release portion 313 in a direction intersecting the fulcrum forming surface 15 and protects the holding release portion 313 in the direction intersecting the fulcrum forming surface 15.

[0032] Furthermore, as in Fig. 12, the locking lever unit 30 has the lever support portion 34 connected to the lever body 31 to be movable together with the lever body 31. As shown in Fig. 13, the fulcrum portion 34 is provided inside the housing portion 11 so as to surround the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the side of the housing portion 11 in the circumferential direction (ie, around the movable direction), and is arranged such that an inner peripheral surface 341 of the fulcrum portion 34 faces the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the side of the housing portion 11.

[0033] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 12, the fulcrum portion 34 is provided with the locking protrusion 342 projecting from the inner peripheral surface 341 toward the operating unit 20 (i.e., toward the radially inner side of the fulcrum portion 34). In this embodiment, as an example, four locking protrusions 342 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 341 of the fulcrum portion 34.

[0034] Additionally, as in Fig. 14, the lever support portion 34 includes a lever connecting portion 345, which is an example of a connecting portion, and an inclined portion 346.

[0035] The lever connecting portion 345 has a substantially annular shape, extends along the operating surface 12, and receives the end 22 of the housing portion 11 of the operating unit 20 in a substantially circular through-hole 344 at the center thereof. That is, the lever body 31 rotates about a rotation axis passing through the center of the lever connecting portion 345 and extending in the movable direction. Furthermore, the lever connecting portion 345 is connected to the operating unit 20 in a movable state in the movable direction when the lever body 31 is in the second position P2.The inclined portion 346 is connected to the lever connecting portion 345 and the lever body 31, and is inclined from the lever connecting portion 345 in an opening direction from the operating surface 12 toward the pressure surface 21 (hereinafter simply referred to as an opening direction) toward the lever body 31 along the movable direction.

[0036] The lever connecting portion 345 is provided with a plurality of cam protrusions 343 (in this embodiment, as an example, two cam protrusions 343) that project radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the lever support portion 34. Specifically, the cam protrusions 343 are respectively provided on the outer peripheral surfaces 351 of a pair of legs 35 that extend from the edge of the through-hole 344 of the lever connecting portion 345 along the movable direction in the direction away from the operating surface 12. Further, each cam protrusion 343 has a quadrangular shape in which all corners are chamfered when viewed from the projecting direction. Each leg 35 is arranged on the same straight line passing through a central CP (in Fig. 12) of the through hole 344, and each cam projection 343 is configured to engage with each of a plurality of cam grooves 412 of the piston 41 described later.

[0037] Note that the transmission mechanism 50 is configured by the lever support portion 34, the plurality of cam protrusions 343, and the plurality of cam grooves 412. That is, the transmission mechanism 50 is disposed between the locking lever unit 30 and the piston 40.

[0038] As in Fig. 3, the lever body 31 is provided with an indicator portion 36 on an exposed side surface that is not covered by the outer portion 32 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the fulcrum forming surface 15. The indicator portion 36 consists of the characters "LOCK" and arrows indicating the direction from the first position P1 to the second position P2.

[0039] As in Fig. 8, the piston 40 is arranged at the end on the side of the operating surface 12 within the housing portion 11 and is configured to move along the movable direction between a return position P3 (see Fig. 19) from the operating surface 12 and an operating position (see Fig. 20) in the middle of the operating surface 12 and the return position P3. In particular, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 15, the piston 40 includes the first piston 41 in a substantially rectangular plate shape and the second piston 42 arranged in series with the first piston 41 along the movable direction and disposed away from the operating surface 12. The first piston 41 and the second piston 42 are not connected and are configured to be movable independently of each other.

[0040] As in Fig. 16, the first piston 41 has a substantially circular through hole 411 provided at a substantially central portion and penetrating in a movable direction, and a plurality of cam grooves (in this embodiment, two cam grooves as an example) 412 provided on an inner peripheral surface 414 and mutually arranged at intervals (for example, at 180 degrees) in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 414. In the through hole 411, as shown in Fig. 13, the end 22 of the operating unit 20 is housed on the side of the housing portion 11 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction (ie, around the movable direction) of the inner peripheral surface 414.

[0041] Each cam groove 412 is inclined, when viewed from the approach direction, in a direction approaching the operating surface 12 (in other words, to be away from the operating surface 12 along the moving direction from the first position P1 toward the second position P2 of the lever body 31) as it advances in a clockwise direction along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 414 of the through hole 411 and is arranged to be engageable with each cam projection 343 of the lever support portion 34 of the lock lever unit 30. In other words, the inner peripheral surface 414 of the through hole 411 faces the outer peripheral surface 351 of each leg 35 of the lever support portion 34, and each cam groove 412 corresponds to each cam projection 343. Further, a circular recess 413 is provided at each corner of the first piston 41. As shown in Fig. 13, a coil spring 71 is accommodated in each recess 413.

[0042] As in Fig. 17, the second piston 42 is provided with an annular main body 421 having a through hole 423 provided in the center and a plurality of piston connecting portions 422 (in this embodiment, four piston connecting portions as an example) provided radially outside the main body 421.

[0043] The main body 421 is provided with an annular wall 424 projecting in a direction extending from the operating surface 12 from the peripheral portion of the through hole 423 in the center thereof along the movable direction (ie, in Fig. 17 upwards). The annular wall 424 is configured to be insertable into the through hole 411 of the first piston 41. A partially annular recess 425 for accommodating the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the housing portion 11 side is formed radially outwardly of the annular wall 424 of the main body 421.

[0044] The piston connecting portions 422 are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the main body 421. Each piston connecting portion 422 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape extending from the main body 421 along the movable direction in a direction away from the operating surface 12 (ie, in Fig. 17 downwards) and is connected to the contact mechanism 60.

[0045] An LED unit 90 is arranged in the through hole 423 of the second piston 42, as shown in Fig. 13 shown.

[0046] Fig. 18 to 20 show a state in which the locking lever unit 30 and the piston 40 are connected. Fig. Fig. 19 is a plan view showing a state in which the lever body 31 is in the first position P1 and the piston 40 is in the return position P3, as shown by the arrow A in Fig. 18 direction shown, and Fig. Fig. 20 is a plan view showing a state in which the lever body 31 is in the second position P2 and the piston 40 is in the operating position P4, as shown by the arrow A in Fig. 18 direction shown.

[0047] As in the Fig. 19 and Fig. 20, the first piston 41 is configured to move from the return position P31 to the operating position P41 when the lever body 31 is moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2 by the transmission mechanism 50, and to move from the operating position P41 to the return position P31 when the lever body 31 is moved from the second position P2 to the first position P1. The second piston 42 is biased by a coil spring 72 described later in a direction approaching the operating surface 12 along the movable direction. Therefore, the second piston 42 moves from the return position P32 to the operating position P42 with the movement of the first piston 41 from the return position P3 to the operating position P4, and moves from the operating position P42 to the return position P32 with the movement of the first piston 41 from the operating position P4 to the return position P3.When the second piston 42 is not positioned at the return position P32, the second piston 42 is configured to be movable to the return position P32 along the movable direction by the approaching operation of the operating unit 20. That is, the second piston 42 is configured to be positioned at the return position P32 by the approaching operation of the operating unit 20. Note that when the second piston 42 has moved to the return position P32 due to the approaching operation of the operating unit 20, it is held in the return position P32 by the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the housing portion 11 side.

[0048] That is, the transmission mechanism 50 moves the piston 40 from the return position P3 to the operating position P4 along the movable direction when the lever body 31 moves from the first position P1 toward the second position P2, but moves the piston 40 from the operating position P4 to the return position P3 along the movable direction when the lever body 31 moves from the second position P2 toward the first position P1. In other words, the transmission mechanism 50 has a function of transmitting the movement of the lever body 31 to the piston 40.

[0049] As in Fig. 21, the contact mechanism 60 includes a plurality of fixed contact portions 61 provided inside the housing portion 11, and a plurality of movable contact portions 62 each provided to face the fixed contact portions 61 in the movable direction inside the housing portion 11. The fixed contact portions 61 are respectively connected to the terminal connecting mechanisms 16. Each movable contact portion 62 is connected to one of the four piston connecting portions 422 of the second piston 42 and is configured to contact the facing fixed contact portion 61 by the movement of the second piston 42 from the return position P32 to the operating position P42 and to separate from the fixed contact portion 61 in contact by the movement of the second piston 42 from the operating position P42 to the return position P32.In other words, the contact mechanism 60 is configured to be opened and closed by the movement of the second piston 42 along the movable direction.

[0050] In more detail, the terminal connection mechanisms 16 are arranged in a line along the fulcrum formation surface 15 and the surface facing the fulcrum formation surface 15. The fixed contact portion 61 connected to the terminal connection mechanism 16 (hereinafter referred to as the first terminal connection mechanism 161) arranged along the fulcrum formation surface 15 and the facing movable contact portion 62 form a normally open contact 63, and the fixed contact portion 61 connected to the terminal connection mechanism 16 (hereinafter referred to as the second terminal connection mechanism 162) arranged along the surface facing the fulcrum formation surface 15 and the facing movable contact portion 62 form a normally closed contact 64. That is, when the lever body 31 is in the first position P1, as shown in Fig. 22, the make contact 63 is closed and the break contact 64 is opened, while when the lever body 31 is in the second position P2, as shown in Fig. 23, the make contact 63 is open and the break contact 64 is closed.

[0051] The preload section 70 has a coil spring 71 (in Fig. 13) as an example of a first preload portion and a coil spring 72 (in Fig. 8) as an example of a second biasing section.

[0052] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 13, the coil springs 71 are respectively disposed in the recesses 413 provided at the four corners of the first piston 41 within the housing portion 11, and bias the piston 40 from the operating position P4 along the movable direction toward the return position P3. Specifically, the respective coil springs 71 are disposed in a state of being sandwiched between a bottom surface of the recess 413 of the first piston 41 and an inner surface 111 (see Fig. 24) forming the housing portion 11 of the housing 10 facing the bottom surface, push the first piston 41 in a direction away from the operating surface 12 along the movable direction, and bias the first piston 41 from the operating position P41 toward the return position P31. That is, the respective coil springs 71 are arranged such that the pressing on the first piston 41 is uniform, and bias the lever body 31 of the locking lever unit 30 from the second position P2 toward the first position P1 via the first piston 41.

[0053] As in Fig. 8, the coil spring 72 is disposed between the terminal connection surface 14 and the contact mechanism 60 along the movable direction within the housing portion 11, and biases the piston 40 along the movable direction from the return position P3 toward the operating position P4. Specifically, the coil spring 72 is disposed on a center line CL extending in the movable direction of the operating unit 20, and is arranged in a state of urging a portion of the contact mechanism 60 facing the terminal connection surface 14 toward the operating surface 12 and biasing the second piston 42 along the movable direction from the return position P32 toward the operating position P42 via the contact mechanism 60.

[0054] The coil spring 71 is configured such that the biasing force thereof is larger than the biasing force of the coil spring 72. As a result, the piston 40 is always positioned in the return position P3 as long as the lever body 31 is not operated, and maintains a state in which the movable contact portion 62 of the normally closed contact 64 is separated from the fixed contact portion 61, and thus the safety of the push button switch 1 is ensured.

[0055] Next, with reference to Fig. 24, when the lever body 31 of the locking lever unit 30 is positioned in the second position P2, the operation of the push button switch 1 when the operation unit 20 is pulled from the operation surface 12 toward the pressure surface 21 along the movable direction (ie, in the direction indicated by the arrow B in Fig. 24 shown opening direction).

[0056] As in Fig. 24, a deformation portion 17 connected to the outer portion 32 of the locking lever unit 30 and extending along the inclined portion 346 of the lever support portion 34 is provided on a wall 18 on the side of the operating surface 12 of the housing 10.

[0057] When the lever body 31 of the locking lever unit 30 is positioned in the second position P2, the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the housing portion 11 side and the lever support portion 34 of the locking lever unit 30 are movably connected to each other in the movable direction. Therefore, when the operating unit 20 is pulled in the opening direction, the lever support portion 34 is also contracted in the opening direction.

[0058] When the lever support portion 34 is pulled in the opening direction, the inclined portion 346 of the lever support portion 34 moves toward the operating unit 20 and comes into contact with the deformation portion 17 of the housing 10. The inclined portion 346, which is in contact with the deformation portion 17, is deformed in the approaching direction, moves the lever body 31 in the approaching direction, and releases the pressing of the lever body 31 by the holding unit 33. When the pressing of the lever body 31 by the holding unit 33 is released, the lever body 31 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1 by the coil spring 71, and the movable contact portion 62 of the normally closed contact 64 is separated from the corresponding fixed contact portion 61.

[0059] Next, the operation of the lever body 31 using the tool clamping device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 25 and Fig. 26 described.

[0060] First, as in Fig. 25, the distal end 101 of the tool clamp 100 is locked at the first position P1 with the locking portion 312 of the lever body 31. At this time, the tool clamp 100 is arranged such that the intermediate portion 102 thereof contacts the curved surface 152 of the fulcrum projection 151.

[0061] Then the tool clamping device 100 is Fig. 25 is rotated clockwise while the distal end 101 is locked with the locking portion 312, with the curved surface 152 of the fulcrum projection 151 contacting the intermediate portion 102 of the tool clamping device 100 as a fulcrum. As a result, the lever body 31 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, as shown in Fig. 26 shown.

[0062] As described above, in the push button switch 1, it is possible to move the lever body 31 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 using the tool clamping device 100.

[0063] As described above, according to the push-button switch 1, the plunger 40 includes the first plunger 41, which can move between the return position P3 and the operating position P4 through the transmission mechanism 50 of the lock lever unit 30, and the second plunger 42, which is arranged in series with the first plunger 41 and is located farther from the operating surface 12 than the first plunger 41 and can move to the return position P3 through the operating unit 20. The first plunger 41 and the second plunger 42 can move independently of each other and are configured such that the movable contact portion 62 contacts or separates from the fixed contact portion 61 through the movement of the second plunger 42.That is, in the push-button switch 1, it is possible to ensure the contact reliability of the movable contact portion 62 with respect to the fixed contact portion 61 by only ensuring the positional accuracy of the second plunger 42 and the contact mechanism 50, without being affected by ensuring the positional accuracy of the lock lever unit 30. For this reason, for example, the contact reliability of the fixed contact portion 61 and the movable contact portion 62 can be more easily ensured than that of the operation switch of PTL 1, in which the positional accuracy of the lock lever, the cam, the holder, and the contact B must be ensured.

[0064] Further, the first piston 41 has the through hole 411 penetrating in the movable direction, and a plurality of cam grooves 412 provided on the inner peripheral surface 414 of the through hole 411 and arranged at a distance from each other in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 414, and each inclined to be away from the operating surface 12 along the moving direction of the lever body 31 from the first position P1 toward the second position P2, and the lock lever unit 30 has the lever support portion 34 arranged in the through hole 411 and extending along the inner peripheral surface 414 of the through hole 411, and a plurality of cam projections 343 provided to respectively correspond to the plurality of cam grooves 412 and projecting from the outer peripheral surface 351 facing the inner peripheral surface 414 of the lever support portion 34. is,protrude and each engages with the corresponding plurality of cam grooves 412. The transmission mechanism 50 includes a plurality of cam grooves 412, a lever support portion 34, and a plurality of cam protrusions 343. The transmission mechanism 50 can move the entire piston 40 more reliably along the movable direction, so that the contact reliability of the fixed contact portion 61 and the movable contact portion 62 can be ensured.

[0065] According to the push button switch 1, the lever body 31 of the locking lever unit 30 has the locking portion 312 that can lock the one end 101 of the long tool clamp 100 in the extending direction thereof, and the housing 10 has a fulcrum projection 151 that contacts the intermediate portion 102 of the tool clamp 100, in which one end 101 is locked with the locking portion 312 when the lever body 31 of the locking lever unit 30 is moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2 using the tool clamp 100 and serves as a fulcrum of the tool clamp 100.Due to the locking portion 312 and the fulcrum projection 151, even when, for example, a large force is required for the rotating operation of the lever body 31 of the locking lever unit 30 using the tool clamping device 100, the lever principle is generated, and the lever body 31 of the locking lever unit 30 can be easily rotated with a smaller force.

[0066] The holding unit 33 includes an elastic holding portion 331 capable of holding the lever body 31 at the second position P2 by pushing the lever body 31 from one side to the other in the movable direction, and a holding release portion 313 capable of releasing the holding of the lever body 31 by the elastic holding portion 331 by pushing the lever body 31 from the other side to one side in the movable direction at the second position P2. With the elastic holding portion 331 and the holding release portion 313, the lever body 31 can be held at the second position P2, and the holding of the lever body 31 by the elastic holding portion 331 can be released with a simpler configuration.

[0067] Furthermore, the lever body 31 includes a protective wall 314 disposed on the opposite side of the fulcrum formation surface 15 with respect to the holding release portion 313 in the direction intersecting the fulcrum formation surface 15 and protecting the holding release portion 313 in the direction intersecting the fulcrum formation surface 15. The protective wall 314 can reduce erroneous operation of the holding release portion 313.

[0068] The pivot protrusion 151 has a curved surface 152 provided at a portion that contacts the intermediate portion 102 of the tool clamp 100 and protrudes from the pivot protrusion 151 toward the tool clamp 100. Due to the curved surface 152, the pivot point of the tool clamp 100 becomes constant, and the lever body 31 can be operated more easily using the tool clamp 100.

[0069] Furthermore, the fulcrum protrusion 151 is located closer to the first position P1 than the center between the first position P1 and the second position P2 in the moving direction of the lever body 31 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the fulcrum forming surface 15. Thus, the lever body 31 can be operated more easily using the tool clamping device 100.

[0070] According to the push button switch 1, the housing 10 has a deformation portion 17 which, when the operation unit 20 is pulled in the opening direction in which it is separated from the housing 10 when the lever body 31 is positioned at the second position P2, contacts the lever support portion 34 to move the lever body 31 and deforms the lever body 31 to be able to release the pressing on the lever body 31 by the holding unit 33.Due to this deformation portion 17, when the lever body 31 is held by the holding unit 33 in a state where the lever body 31 is located at the second position P2 and the movable contact portion 62 is in contact with the fixed contact portion 61, even if the operation unit 20 is pulled in the opening direction in which it is separated from the housing 10, since the holding of the lever body 31 by the holding unit 33 can be released and the movable contact portion 62 can be separated from the fixed contact portion 61, it is possible to realize the push button switch 1 capable of ensuring safety.

[0071] Further, the lever body 31 is arranged in the movable direction between the pressure surface 21 and the operation surface 12, and the lever support portion 34 includes the lever connecting portion 345 extending along the operation surface 12 and connected to the operation unit 20 so as to be movable together with the operation unit 20 in the movable direction when the lever body 31 is in the second position P2, and the inclined portion 346 connected to the lever connecting portion 345 and the lever body 31 and inclined in the opening direction from the lever connecting portion 345 toward the lever body 31.In addition, the deformation portion 17 is arranged facing the inclined portion 346 and is capable of contacting the inclined portion 346, and when the operation unit 20 is pulled in the opening direction, the deformation portion 17 contacts the inclined portion 346 to move the lever body 31 in the approaching direction and deforms the lever body 31 to be capable of releasing the pressing on the lever body 31 by the holding unit 33.Accordingly, when the lever body 31 is held by the holding unit 33 in a state where the lever body 31 is located at the second position P2 and the movable contact portion 62 is in contact with the fixed contact portion 61, even if the operation unit 20 is pulled in the opening direction in which it is separated from the housing 10, the holding of the lever body 31 by the holding unit 33 can be released more reliably and the movable contact portion 62 can be separated from the fixed contact portion 61.

[0072] According to the push-button switch 1, it includes a locking lever unit 30 having a lever body 31 movable between a first position P1 and a second position P2, and a holding unit 33 capable of holding the lever body 31 in the second position P2; a transmission mechanism 50 that moves the piston 40 from the return position P3 to the operating position P4 when the lever body 31 moves from the first position P1 toward the second position P2, but moves the piston 40 from the operating position P4 to the return position P3 when the lever body 31 moves from the second position P2 toward the first position P1; a movement regulating portion 80 that, when the lever body 31 is positioned in the first position P1, allows movement of the lever body 31 to the second position P2;when the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the side of the housing section 11 is positioned in an initial position, but disables the movement of the lever body 31 to the second position P2 when the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the side of the housing section 11 is positioned closer to the operating surface 12 than the initial position, and a coil spring 71 that biases the piston 40 from the operating position P4 toward the return position P3. That is, in the push-button switch 1, for example, when the operating unit 20 is attached to the housing 10 after being removed for maintenance or the like, when the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the side of the housing section 11 is positioned in the initial position, the lever body 31 can be moved to the second position P2 and held by the holding unit 33.However, when the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the side of the housing portion 11 is positioned closer to the operating surface 12 than the initial position in the movable direction, the lever body 31 cannot be moved to the second position P2, and the lever body 31 is biased by the first biasing portion 71 via the piston 40 to move to the first position P1. This makes it possible to realize a push-button switch 1 to which the operating unit 20 can be reliably attached in a complete state.

[0073] Further, a coil spring 72 is provided within the housing portion 11 and biases the piston 40 from the return position P3 toward the operating position P4 along the movable direction, and is configured such that the biasing force of the coil spring 71 is greater than the biasing force of the coil spring 72.The piston 40 includes a first piston 41 arranged to be biased by the coil spring 71 and movable by the transmission mechanism 50 along the movable direction between the return position P31 and the operating position P41 when the lever body 31 moves between the first position P1 and the second position P2, and a second piston 42 arranged farther away from the operating surface 12 along the movable direction than the first piston 41 in a state capable of being biased by the coil spring 72, arranged in series with the first piston 41 along the movable direction, and positioned at the return position P32 by the approach operation of the operating unit 20.Furthermore, the first piston 41 and the second piston 42 can move independently of each other along the movable direction and are configured such that the movable contact portion 62 contacts or separates from the fixed contact portion 61 by the movement of the second piston 42 along the movable direction. This makes it possible to ensure the contact reliability of the movable contact portion 62 with respect to the fixed contact portion 61 by only ensuring the positional accuracy of the second piston 42 and the contact mechanism 50, without being affected by ensuring the positional accuracy of the lock lever unit 30.

[0074] Further, the first piston 41 has a through hole 411 penetrating in the movable direction and a plurality of cam grooves 412 provided on the inner peripheral surface 414 of the through hole 411 and arranged at a distance from each other in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 414, each inclined away from the operating surface 12 along the moving direction of the lever body 31 from the first position P1 toward the second position P2. The lever support portion 34 has a plurality of cam projections 343 arranged in the through hole 411 and extending along the inner peripheral surface 414 of the through hole 411, each provided to correspond to the plurality of cam grooves 412, from the outer peripheral surface 351 facing the inner peripheral surface 414 of the lever support portion 34.toward the inner peripheral surface 414 and engage with the corresponding plurality of cam grooves 412, respectively. The transmission mechanism 50 includes a plurality of cam grooves 412, a lever support portion 34, and a plurality of cam protrusions 343. The transmission mechanism 50 can move the entire piston 40 more reliably along the movable direction, so that the contact reliability of the fixed contact portion 61 and the movable contact portion 62 can be ensured.

[0075] Further, the lever support portion 34 surrounds the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the side of the housing portion 11 in the circumferential direction (ie, around the movable direction) and has an inner peripheral surface 341 arranged to face the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the side of the housing portion 11, and has a locking projection 342 protruding from the inner peripheral surface 341 toward the operating unit 20, and the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the side of the housing portion 11 has a first groove 23 extending in the movable direction and capable of accommodating the locking projection 342 when the lever body 31 is in the first position P1 and a second groove 24,which is connected to the end 231 of the first groove 23 on the side of the pressing surface 21 in the movable direction and extends along the circumferential direction of the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the side of the housing section 11 so as to be able to receive the locking projection 342, and which locks the locking projection 342 in the movable direction when the lever body 31 is in the second position P2. The movement regulating section 80 includes the locking projection 342, the first groove 23, and the second groove 24. Accordingly, the movement of the lever body 31 to the second position can be regulated with a simple configuration, making it possible to easily realize the push-button switch 1 to which the operating unit 20 can be reliably attached in a complete state.

[0076] Furthermore, the first preloading portion is configured by a plurality of coil springs 71. Thus, with a simple configuration, the piston 40 can be preloaded from the operating position P4 toward the return position P3 along the movable direction.

[0077] Furthermore, the second biasing portion is configured by at least one coil spring 72. Thus, with a simple configuration, the piston 40 can be biased from the return position P3 toward the operating position P4 along the movable direction.

[0078] Note that the configuration other than the housing 10, the operating unit 20, the locking lever unit 30, and the first biasing portion 71 may be omitted if possible, or replaced with a configuration other than the push button switch 1. For example, the fulcrum projection 151 of the housing 10 may be omitted.

[0079] The transmission mechanism 50 is not limited to the case where it includes the lever support portion 34, the plurality of cam protrusions 343, and the plurality of cam cams 412. The transmission mechanism 50 may adopt any configuration that can move the piston 40 from the return position P3 to the operating position P4 when the lever body 31 moves from the first position P1 toward the second position P2, but can move the piston 40 from the operating position P4 to the return position P3 when the lever body 31 moves from the second position P2 toward the first position P1.

[0080] The contact mechanism 60 may adopt a contact mechanism having any configuration as long as it includes a fixed contact portion 61 and a movable contact portion 62 which is provided to face the fixed contact portion 61 in the movable direction, contacts the fixed contact portion 61 when the piston 40 moves from the return position P3 to the operating position P4, and separates from the fixed contact portion 61 when the piston 40 moves from the operating position P4 to the return position P3.

[0081] The lever connecting portion 345 of the lever support portion 34 is not limited to a substantially annular shape and may have, for example, a semicircular shape.

[0082] The holding unit 33 is not limited to the case where it is configured by the elastic holding portion 331, and any configuration can be adopted as long as the lever body 31 can be held in the second position P2. Furthermore, the holding release portion 313 can be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the holding unit 33.

[0083] The protective wall 314 is not limited to the case where it is provided on the lever body 31, but may be provided on the outer portion 32, for example.

[0084] The pivot projection 151 is not limited to a case with an oval shape. For example, as shown in Fig. 27, a pivot projection 151 having a curved surface 152 which is in contact with the intermediate portion 102 of the tool clamping device 100 on only one side in its extending direction when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the pivot forming surface 15. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 28, a fulcrum projection 151 may be provided with a curved surface 152 projecting in a direction away from the tool clamping device 100 on a side that contacts the intermediate portion 102 of the tool clamping device 100 in its extending direction when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the fulcrum forming surface 15. Further, as shown in Fig.29, a pivot protrusion 151 having a through hole 153 penetrating in the movable direction may be provided. In this case, the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 153 contacts the intermediate portion 102 of the tool clamp 100 and serves as a pivot point of the tool clamp 100.

[0085] The first biasing portion is not limited to a case where it is configured by a plurality of coil springs 71, and may adopt a biasing portion having any configuration capable of biasing the piston 40 from the operating position P4 toward the return position P3 along the movable direction. For example, the first biasing portion may be configured by a single coil spring 71 or three or more.

[0086] The second biasing portion is not limited to a case where it is configured by a single coil spring 72, and may adopt a biasing portion having any configuration capable of biasing the piston 40 from the return position P3 toward the operating position P4 along the movable direction. For example, the second biasing portion may be configured by a plurality of coil springs 72.

[0087] It is sufficient that the piston 40 has a first piston 41 and a second piston 42 and is movable between the return position P3 and the operating position P4 along the movable direction, and its shape and the like can be changed depending on the design and the like of the push button switch 1.

[0088] It is sufficient that the deformation portion 17 is configured such that, when the operation unit 20 is pulled in the opening direction in which the operation unit 20 is separated from the housing 10 while the lever body 31 is positioned at the second position P2, the deformation portion 17 contacts the lever support portion 34 to move the lever body 31 and deforms the lever body 31 to be able to release the pressing on the lever body 31 by the holding unit 33. That is, the shape and the like of the deformation portion 17 can be appropriately changed according to the shape and the like of the lever body 31 and the lever support portion 34.

[0089] The movement regulating portion 80 is not limited to the case where it includes the locking protrusion 342, the first groove 23, and the second groove 24. The movement regulating portion 80 may adopt any configuration that, when the lever body 31 is positioned in the first position P1, allows the movement of the lever body 31 to the second position P2 when the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the housing portion 11 side is positioned in the initial position, but disables the movement of the lever body 31 to the second position P2 when the end 22 of the operating unit 20 on the housing portion 11 side is positioned closer to the operating surface 12 than the initial position.

[0090] As described above, various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, and finally, various aspects of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, the description is provided with reference numerals attached thereto by way of example.

[0091] The push button switch 1 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a housing 10 having an operating surface 12 provided with an operating hole 13 and a housing portion 11 provided therein and connected to the operating hole 13; an operating unit 20 extending along a movable direction intersecting the operating surface 12 from an outside of the housing 10 through the operating hole 13 to an inside of the housing portion 11 and having a pressing surface 21 provided on the outside of the housing 10 and arranged to face the operating surface 12, the pressing surface 21 being capable of approaching the operating surface 12 along the movable direction; a locking lever unit 30 comprising a lever body 31 provided at an end portion of the housing 10 on the side of the operating surface 12 and movable in a direction intersecting the movable direction between a first position P1 and a second position P2, a lever support portion 34 provided in the inside of the housing portion 11 and connected to the lever body 31 to be movable together with the lever body 31, and a holding unit 33 capable of holding the lever body 31 in the second position P2 by pressing the lever body 31 from an approach direction of the pressing surface 21 to the operating surface 12, and a biasing portion 71 provided within the housing portion 11 and biasing the lever body 31 from the second position P2 toward the first position P1, in which the lever support portion 34 is connected to the operating unit 20 to be movable together with the operating unit 20 in the movable direction when the lever body 31 is positioned in the second position P2, and the housing 10 has a deformation portion 17 which, when the operation unit 20 is pulled from the operation surface 12 toward the pressure surface 21 along the movable direction when the lever body 31 is positioned in the second position P2, contacts the lever support portion 34 to move the lever body 31 in the approaching direction and deforms the lever body 31 to be able to release the pressing on the lever body 31 by the holding unit 33.

[0092] According to the push-button switch 1 of the first aspect, when the lever body 31 is held by the holding unit 33 in a state where the lever body 31 is in the second position P2 and the movable contact portion 62 is in contact with the fixed contact portion 61, even if the operation unit 20 is pulled in the opening direction in which the operation unit 20 is separated from the housing 10, since the deformation portion 17 can release the holding of the lever body 31 by the holding unit 33 and separate the movable contact portion 62 from the fixed contact portion 61, it is possible to realize the push-button switch 1 capable of easily ensuring safety.

[0093] The push button switch 1 according to the second aspect of the present disclosure includes: the lever body 31 arranged between the pressure surface 21 and the operating surface 12 in the movable direction; the lever support portion 34 having a connecting portion extending along the operating surface 12 and connected to the operating unit 20 to be movable in the movable direction together with the operating unit 20 when the lever body 31 is in the second position P2; an inclined portion 346 connected to the connecting portion 345 and the lever body 31 and inclined in the opening direction from the connecting portion 345 toward the lever body 31; and the deformation portion 17 which is arranged to face the inclined portion 346 and to be able to contact the inclined portion 346, and when the operation unit 20 is pulled in the opening direction, contacts the inclined portion 346 to move the lever body 31 in the approaching direction and deforms the lever body 31 to be able to release the pressing on the lever body 31 by the holding unit 33.

[0094] According to the push button switch 1 of the second aspect, when the lever body 31 is held by the holding unit 33 in a state where the lever body 31 is in the second position P2 and the movable contact portion 62 is in contact with the fixed contact portion 61, even if the operation unit 20 is pulled in the opening direction in which the operation unit 20 is separated from the housing 10, the holding of the lever body 31 by the holding unit 33 can be released more reliably and the movable contact portion 62 can be separated from the fixed contact portion 61.

[0095] In the push button switch 1 according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the preload section is configured by several coil springs 71.

[0096] According to the push button switch 1 of the third aspect, the piston 40 can be biased from the operating position P4 toward the return position P3 along the movable direction with a simple configuration. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS: 1 push button switch 10 housings 11 Housing section 12 Operating interface 13 operating hole 14 Terminal connection surface 141 Opening 15 Pivot point formation surface 151 Pivot point projection 152 curved surface 16 Terminal connection mechanism 161 first terminal connection mechanism 162 second terminal connection mechanism 17 Deformation section 18 Wall 20 operating units 21 Printing surface 22 End 23 first groove 231 End 24 second groove 25, 26 Display section 30 Locking lever unit 301 lever section 31 lever body 311 facing surface 312 locking section 313 Holding release section 314 protective wall 32 outer section 321 first wall section 322 second wall section 323 third wall section 33 Holding unit 331 elastic holding section 332, 333 End 34 Lever support section 341 inner peripheral surface 342 locking projection 343 cam projection 344 through hole 345 Lever connection section 346 inclined section 35 legs 351 Outer peripheral surface 36, 37 Display section 40 pistons 41 first piston 411 Through hole 412 Curve groove 413 recess 414 inner peripheral surface 42 second piston 421 main body 422 Piston connecting section 423 through hole 424 annular wall 50 Transmission mechanism 60 Contact mechanism 61 fixed contact section 62 movable contact section 63 Work contact 64 Rest contact 70 Prestressing section 71, 72 coil spring 80 Movement regulation section 90 LED unit 100 tool clamping device 101 distal end 102 Intermediate section P1 first position P2 second position P3, P31, P32 return position P4, P41, P42 operating position A, B arrow CP Mitte CL center line

Claims

[1] Push button switch (1), comprising: a housing (10) having an operating surface (12) provided with an operating hole (13) and a housing portion (11) provided therein and connected to the operating hole (13); an operating unit (20) extending along a movable direction intersecting the operating surface (12) from an outside of the housing (10) through the operating hole (13) to an inside of the housing portion (11) and having a pressing surface (21) provided on the outside of the housing (10) and arranged to face the operating surface (12), the pressing surface (21) being capable of approaching the operating surface (12) along the movable direction; a locking lever unit (30) comprising a lever body (31) provided at an end portion of the housing (10) on the side of the operating surface (12) and movable in a direction intersecting the movable direction between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2), a lever support portion (34) provided in the inside of the housing portion (11) and connected to the lever body (31) so as to be movable together with the lever body (31), and a holding unit (33) capable of holding the lever body (31) in the second position (P2) by pressing the lever body (31) from a direction of approach of the pressing surface (21) to the operating surface (12); and a biasing portion (71) provided within the housing portion (11) and biasing the lever body (31) from the second position (P2) toward the first position (P1), wherein the lever support portion (34) is connected to the operating unit (20) to be movable together with the operating unit (20) in the movable direction when the lever body (31) is positioned in the second position (P2), and wherein the housing (10) has a deformation portion (17) which, when the operation unit (20) is pulled from the operation surface (12) toward the pressure surface (21) along the movable direction and the lever body (31) is positioned in the second position (P2), contacts the lever support portion (34) to move the lever body (31) in the approach direction and deforms the lever body (31) to be able to release the pressing on the lever body (31) by the holding unit (33). [2] Push button switch (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lever body (31) is arranged between the pressure surface (21) and the operating surface (12) in the movable direction, wherein the lever support section (34) contains a connecting portion (345) extending along the operating surface (12) and connected to the operating unit (20) to be movable together with the operating unit (20) in the movable direction when the lever body (31) is in the second position (P2); and an inclined portion (346) connected to the connecting portion (345) and the lever body (31) and inclined in the opening direction from the connecting portion (345) toward the lever body (31), and the deformation portion (17) arranged to face the inclined portion (346) and capable of contacting the inclined portion (346), and when the operation unit (20) is pulled in the opening direction, contacts the inclined portion (346) to move the lever body (31) in the approaching direction and deforms the lever body (31) to be capable of releasing the pressing on the lever body (31) by the holding unit (33). [3] The push button switch (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the biasing portion (71) is configured by a plurality of coil springs (71).

Images