Rotary Switch Device

Abstract

To improve reliability.SOLUTION: In a rotary switch device 10, an upper movable contact part 61 of a first movable contact 60A (a second movable contact 60B) is exposed to the upper side from a rotor 50, and a lower movable contact part 62 is exposed to the lower side from the rotor 50. On its radially outer side, the rotor 50 has a first fixed contact 80. The first fixed contact 80 has: an upper fixed contact part 90D which can be brought into contact from the upper side with the upper movable contact part 61; and a lower fixed contact part 92D which can be brought into contact from the lower side with the lower movable contact part 62. With this configuration, the first movable contact 60A or the second movable contact 60B is sandwiched by the upper fixed contact part 90D and the lower fixed contact part 92D from both sides in the vertical direction. As a result, it is possible to stabilize a contact state between the first fixed contact 80 and the first movable contact 60A or the second movable contact 60B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary switch device. [Background technology]

[0002] The power switch described in Patent Document 1 below includes a pair of fixed terminals (fixed contacts) and a rotating terminal (movable contact) disposed between the pair of fixed terminals. The fixed terminals have a plurality of contact portions arranged in a circumferential direction, and the rotating terminal has a contacted portion configured to be able to come into contact with the contact portions. When the rotating terminal rotates, the contacted portion comes into contact with the contact portions of the pair of fixed terminals, bringing the pair of fixed terminals and the rotating terminal into an electrically conductive state, and when the contacted portion and the contact portions of the pair of fixed terminals are no longer in contact with each other, the pair of fixed terminals and the rotating terminal into an electrically non-conductive state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-200635 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, in the power switch, when a pair of fixed terminals and a rotating terminal are in a conducting state, a contact portion of one fixed terminal contacts a contacted portion from one side in the plate thickness direction of the rotating terminal, and a contact portion of the other fixed terminal contacts a contacted portion from the other side in the plate thickness direction of the rotating terminal. That is, in the fixed terminal, a contact portion contacts a contacted portion of the rotating terminal from one side in the plate thickness direction of the rotating terminal. For this reason, for example, when an external force due to an impact or vibration is applied to the power switch, the fixed terminal or the rotating terminal may bend, and the contact state between the fixed terminal and the rotating terminal may be released. In this case, there is a risk of reducing the reliability of the power switch.

[0005] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary switch device capable of improving reliability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One or more embodiments of the present invention include an operating shaft, a rotor formed in a plate shape with its thickness direction in the axial direction of the operating shaft and rotating integrally with the operating shaft, a movable contact provided on the rotor and having a pair of movable contact portions exposed on both sides in the thickness direction of the rotor, and a fixed contact provided radially outward of the operating shaft with respect to the rotor and having a first fixed contact portion configured to be able to come into contact with one of the pair of movable contact portions from one side in the thickness direction of the rotor, and a second fixed contact portion configured to be able to come into contact with the other of the pair of movable contact portions from the other side in the thickness direction of the rotor. The fixed contact includes a first contact member that constitutes one axial side portion of the fixed contact of the operating shaft and has the first fixed contact portion, and a second contact member that constitutes the other axial side portion of the fixed contact of the operating shaft and has the second fixed contact portion, the first contact member has a first extension portion that extends radially inward of the operating shaft and has a tip portion configured as the first fixed contact portion, the second contact member has a second extension portion that extends radially inward of the operating shaft and has a tip portion configured as the second fixed contact portion, and an extension length of the first extension portion and an extension length of the second extension portion are set to different lengths. It is.

[0007] One or more embodiments of the present invention include the rotor is formed in a plate shape with its thickness direction in the axial direction of the operating shaft and rotates integrally with the operating shaft; a movable contact provided on the rotor and having a pair of movable contact parts exposed on both sides in the thickness direction of the rotor; and a fixed contact provided on the rotor in the radial direction outside the operating shaft and having a first fixed contact part configured to be able to come into contact with one of the pair of movable contact parts from one side in the thickness direction of the rotor and a second fixed contact part configured to be able to come into contact with the other of the pair of movable contact parts from the other side in the thickness direction of the rotor, the fixed contact forming one axial side portion of the fixed contact of the operating shaft, a first contact member having the first fixed contact part, and a second fixed contact part configured to be able to come into contact with the other of the pair of movable contact parts from the other side in the thickness direction of the rotor. a second contact member constituting a second axial side portion of the operating shaft and having the second fixed contact portion, a first base member is provided on the radially outer side of the operating shaft with respect to the rotor, and a second base member is provided on the other axial side of the operating shaft with respect to the first base member, the first contact member is formed integrally with the first base member, and has a first extension portion that extends from the first base member to the radially inner side of the operating shaft and has a tip portion configured as the first fixed contact portion, and the second contact member is formed integrally with the second base member, and has a second extension portion that extends from the second base member to the radially inner side of the operating shaft and has a tip portion configured as the second fixed contact portion. This is a rotary switch device.

[0009] One or more embodiments of the present invention are directed to a rotary switch device in which an extension length of the first extension portion and an extension length of the second extension portion are set to different lengths.

[0010] One or more embodiments of the present invention are a rotary switch device in which the first contact member has a first connection portion protruding from the first base member radially outward of the operating shaft, and the second contact member has a second connection portion protruding from the second base member radially outward of the operating shaft, and the first base member and the second base member are overlapped in the axial direction of the operating shaft, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected.

[0011] One or more embodiments of the present invention are a rotary switch device in which a pair of fixing members are provided on both axial sides of the operating shaft for the first base member and the second base member, and the first base member and the second base member are fastened to the pair of fixing members by fastening members.

[0012] One or more embodiments of the present invention are a rotary switch device in which the first base member and the second base member are formed in a ring shape, the rotor is arranged radially inside the first base member and the second base member, and a plurality of the fixed contacts are arranged in a row circumferentially of the first base member and the second base member.

[0013] One or more embodiments of the present invention are a rotary switch device in which a switch assembly is formed by the fixed contact, the movable contact, the first base member, and the second base member, and a plurality of the switch assemblies are arranged between the pair of fixed members. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, reliability can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a rotary switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary switch device shown in FIG. 1 (a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1). [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary switch device shown in FIG. 1 (a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1). [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first switch assembly shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is an exploded perspective view of the first switch assembly shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first switch assembly illustrated in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a current-carrying state of a first switch assembly and a second switch assembly shown in FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 8]1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a current-carrying state of a third switch assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a current-carrying state of a fourth switch assembly shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] A rotary switch device 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the rotary switch device 10 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape as a whole. In the following description, one axial side of the rotary switch device 10 (the side indicated by the arrow A in Fig. 1) is referred to as the upper side of the rotary switch device 10, and the other axial side of the rotary switch device 10 (the side indicated by the arrow B in Fig. 1) is referred to as the lower side of the rotary switch device 10.

[0017] 1 to 3, the rotary switch device 10 includes an upper fixed member 20 as a fixed member, a lower fixed member 24 as a fixed member, and an operating shaft 30. The rotary switch device 10 also has a first switch assembly 40, a second switch assembly 42, a third switch assembly 44, and a fourth switch assembly 46 as a plurality of switch assemblies (four in this embodiment). The configuration of the rotary switch device 10 will be described below.

[0018] (Regarding the upper fixing member 20) The upper fixing member 20 constitutes the upper end of the rotary switch device 10. The upper fixing member 20 is formed in a generally cross-shaped block shape with the thickness direction being the up-down direction. Specifically, the upper fixing member 20 includes a generally cylindrical support tube portion 20A that constitutes the approximate center of the upper fixing member 20 and has an axial direction in the up-down direction, and four arm portions 20B that extend radially outward from the support tube portion 20A. The arm portions 20B are arranged in a line at equal intervals (every 90 degrees) in the circumferential direction of the support tube portion 20A.

[0019] The tip of the arm portion 20B is configured as a fixed portion 20C, and the fixed portion 20C protrudes downward from the arm portion 20B. A fixed screw portion 20D is formed through the fixed portion 20C, and a female screw is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fixed screw portion 20D.

[0020] A plunger attachment portion 20E is formed on the upper surface of one of the arm portions 20B. The plunger attachment portion 20E is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 20B as the axial direction, and is formed integrally with the arm portion 20B. A female screw is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the plunger attachment portion 20E. A plunger 22 is provided inside the plunger attachment portion 20E, and the plunger 22 is formed in a substantially stepped cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction of the plunger attachment portion 20E. A male screw is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the plunger 22, and the male screw is screwed into the female screw of the plunger attachment portion 20E.

[0021] (Regarding the lower fixing member 24) The lower fixing member 24 constitutes the lower end of the rotary switch device 10. The lower fixing member 24 is configured similarly to the upper fixing member 20, except for the plunger attachment portion 20E and the fixing screw portion 20D of the upper fixing member 20. That is, the lower fixing member 24 includes a substantially cylindrical support tube portion 24A with the axial direction being the up-down direction, and four arm portions 24B extending radially outward from the support tube portion 24A, and the arm portions 24B are arranged at equal intervals (every 90 degrees) in the circumferential direction of the support tube portion 24A.

[0022] The tip of the arm portion 24B is configured as a fixed portion 24C, and the fixed portion 24C protrudes upward from the arm portion 24B. A fixing hole 24D is formed through the fixed portion 24C. Then, in a state in which first to fourth switch assemblies 40, 42, 44, 46 described below are disposed between the upper fixing member 20 and the lower fixing member 24, a fixing screw 26 as a fastening member is inserted from below into the fixing hole 24D and screwed into the fixing screw portion 20D of the upper fixing member 20, thereby fixing the first to fourth switch assemblies 40, 42, 44, 46 to the upper fixing member 20 and the lower fixing member 24.

[0023] (Regarding the operating axis 30) The operating shaft 30 is formed in a stepped cylindrical shape with the vertical axis as the axial direction. The upper end portion of the operating shaft 30 is rotatably supported by the support cylinder portion 20A of the upper fixed member 20, and the lower end portion of the operating shaft 30 is rotatably supported by the support cylinder portion 24A of the lower fixed member 24.

[0024] The upper end of the operating shaft 30 is configured as a knob attachment portion 30A. The knob attachment portion 30A protrudes upward from the upper fixing member 20 and is formed in a D-shaped cross section. An operating knob (not shown) is attached to the knob attachment portion 30A, and the operating shaft 30 rotates around its own axis when the operating knob is rotated by an operator. Specifically, the operating shaft 30 is configured to rotate between a first position shown in FIG. 1 and a second position rotated 90 degrees from the first position to one side in the rotation direction (the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 1) in a plan view seen from above.

[0025] At the upper end portion of the operating shaft 30, a large diameter portion 30B having a larger diameter than the operating shaft 30 is formed at a position adjacent to one axial side of the upper fixed member 20. A recess 30C (see FIG. 3) that is open radially outward is formed in the large diameter portion 30B. When assembling the rotary switch device 10, the tip of the plunger 22 engages with the recess 30C to prevent the operating shaft 30 from rotating. On the other hand, after the assembly of the rotary switch device 10 is completed, the engagement between the plunger 22 and the recess 30C is released, allowing the operating shaft 30 to rotate. In addition, a longitudinal intermediate portion (a portion between the upper fixed member 20 and the lower fixed member 24) of the operating shaft 30 is configured as a rotor attachment portion 30D for attaching a rotor 50 described later, and the rotor attachment portion 30D is formed in a substantially track shape in a plan cross-sectional view.

[0026] (Regarding the first switch assembly 40, the second switch assembly 42, the third switch assembly 44, and the fourth switch assembly 46) The first switch assembly 40, the second switch assembly 42, the third switch assembly 44, and the fourth switch assembly 46 are each configured as an independent switch. The first to fourth switch assemblies 40, 42, 44, 46 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction between the upper fixing member 20 and the lower fixing member 24. In the following explanation, the components of the first to fourth switch assemblies 40, 42, 44, 46 will be explained using the first switch assembly 40.

[0027] As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the first switch assembly 40 includes a rotor 50, a first movable contact 60A and a second movable contact 60B as movable contacts, an upper ring base 70 as a first base member, and a lower ring base 72 as a second base member. The first switch assembly 40 also includes a first fixed contact 80, a second fixed contact 82, a third fixed contact 84, and a fourth fixed contact 86 as fixed contacts. That is, the first switch assembly 40 has two movable contacts and four fixed contacts. When the operating shaft 30 (operation knob) is rotated, the energized state of the four fixed contacts is switched, and the first switch assembly 40 is operated.

[0028] (About rotor 50) The rotor 50 is made of an insulating material such as resin and is formed in a generally circular plate shape with the plate thickness direction being the up-down direction. A rotor hole 50A is formed through the center of the rotor 50, and the rotor hole 50A is formed in a generally track shape similar to the rotor attachment part 30D of the operating shaft 30. The rotor attachment part 30D of the operating shaft 30 is inserted into the rotor hole 50A, and the rotor 50 is connected to the operating shaft 30 so as to be rotatable together with the operating shaft 30.

[0029] (Regarding the first movable contact 60A and the second movable contact 60B) The first movable contact 60A and the second movable contact 60B are made of a metal plate and are integrally formed with the rotor 50 by insert molding or the like. The first movable contact 60A and the second movable contact 60B are configured in the same manner. Therefore, in the following description, the configuration of the first movable contact 60A will be described, and the description of the configuration of the second movable contact 60B will be omitted as appropriate.

[0030] The first movable contact 60A is formed in a substantially U-shape when viewed from the radial direction of the rotor 50. Specifically, the first movable contact 60A has an upper movable contact portion 61 as a movable contact portion constituting the upper end portion of the first movable contact 60A, a lower movable contact portion 62 as a movable contact portion constituting the lower end portion of the first movable contact 60A, and a connecting portion 63 connecting the upper movable contact portion 61 and the lower movable contact portion 62. The upper movable contact portion 61 and the lower movable contact portion 62 are formed in a substantially arc-shaped plate shape with the plate thickness direction being the up-down direction and extending in the circumferential direction of the rotor 50, and are arranged opposite each other in the up-down direction. The connecting portion 63 connects one end portion of the upper movable contact portion 61 and the lower movable contact portion 62 in the longitudinal direction to each other.

[0031] The upper surface of the upper movable contact portion 61 is disposed flush with the upper surface of the rotor 50 and is exposed upward from the rotor 50. On the other hand, the lower surface of the lower movable contact portion 62 is disposed flush with the lower surface of the rotor 50 and is exposed downward from the rotor 50. The first movable contact 60A and the second movable contact 60B are disposed side by side in the circumferential direction of the rotor 50. As a result, on the upper surface of the rotor 50, the upper movable contact portions 61 of the first movable contact 60A and the second movable contact 60B are disposed side by side in the circumferential direction of the rotor 50, and on the lower surface of the rotor 50, the lower movable contact portions 62 of the first movable contact 60A and the second movable contact 60B are disposed side by side in the circumferential direction of the rotor 50.

[0032] (Regarding the upper ring base 70) The upper ring base 70 is made of an insulating material such as resin and is formed in a substantially annular plate shape (ring shape) with the plate thickness direction being in the vertical direction. That is, the upper ring base 70 has a base hole 70A penetrating in the vertical direction at the center. The upper ring base 70 has four insertion holes 70B penetrating at positions corresponding to the fixing screw parts 20D of the upper fixing member 20. In the assembled state of the rotary switch device 10, the fixing screws 26 are inserted through the insertion holes 70B of the upper ring base 70, and the upper part of the rotor 50 is disposed inside the base holes 70A (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0033] Four protrusions 70C (see FIG. 5) protruding radially inward are formed on the inner periphery of the base hole 70A, and the protrusions 70C are arranged at equal intervals (every 90 degrees) around the periphery of the upper ring base 70 (only two protrusions 70C are formed in FIG. 5). A stopper 70D protruding radially inward is formed on the upper portion of the protrusions 70C, and the stopper 70D is arranged adjacent to the upper side of the outer periphery of the rotor 50 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). This limits the upward movement of the rotor 50.

[0034] An engagement portion 70E (see FIG. 5) extending downward is formed on two protrusions 70C spaced 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction of the upper ring base 70. An engagement protrusion 70F (see FIG. 3) protruding radially outward from the upper ring base 70 is formed on the engagement portion 70E.

[0035] (Regarding the lower ring base 72) The lower ring base 72 is disposed adjacent to the lower side of the upper ring base 70 and assembled to the upper ring base 70. The lower ring base 72 is made of an insulating material such as a resin material, similar to the upper ring base 70, and is formed in a substantially annular plate shape (ring shape) with the plate thickness direction being the up-down direction. A base hole 72A is formed in the center of the lower ring base 72. The outer shape of the lower ring base 72 and the outer shape of the upper ring base 70 are substantially the same. The lower ring base 72 is formed with four insertion holes 72B at positions corresponding to the insertion holes 70B of the upper ring base 70. In the assembled state of the rotary switch device 10, the fixing screws 26 are inserted through the insertion holes 72B of the lower ring base 72, and the lower part of the rotor 50 is disposed inside the base hole 72A (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0036] Two protruding portions 72C (see FIG. 5) protruding radially inward are formed on the inner periphery of the base hole 72A, and the protruding portions 72C are arranged 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction of the lower ring base 72. A stopper portion 72D protruding radially inward is formed at the lower portion of the protruding portion 72C. The stopper portion 72D is arranged adjacent to the lower side of the outer periphery of the rotor 50, and restricts downward movement of the rotor 50 (see FIG. 2).

[0037] In addition, two engagement recesses 72E are formed in the inner periphery of the base hole 72A at positions corresponding to the engagement portions 70E of the upper ring base 70, and the engagement recesses 72E are formed in a concave shape that is open toward the radial inside of the lower ring base 72 in a plan view. An engaged protrusion 72F that protrudes toward the radial inside is formed in the engagement recess 72E. In the assembled state of the upper ring base 70 and the lower ring base 72, the engagement portion 70E is disposed in the engagement recess 72E, and the engagement protrusion 70F of the upper ring base 70 and the engaged protrusion 72F are engaged in the vertical direction (see FIG. 3). This limits the relative movement between the upper ring base 70 and the lower ring base 72 in the vertical direction.

[0038] (Regarding the first fixed contact 80, the second fixed contact 82, the third fixed contact 84, and the fourth fixed contact 86) The first fixed contact 80, the second fixed contact 82, the third fixed contact 84, and the fourth fixed contact 86 have the same configuration. For this reason, hereinafter, the configuration of the first fixed contact 80 will be described, and descriptions of the configurations of the second to fourth fixed contacts 82, 84, 86 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0039] 4 to 7, the first fixed contact 80 is composed of a contact member divided into two in the vertical direction. Specifically, the first fixed contact 80 is composed of an upper fixed contact member 90 as a first contact member constituting the upper part of the first fixed contact 80, and a lower fixed contact member 92 as a second contact member constituting the lower part of the first fixed contact 80. The first fixed contact 80 is formed by overlapping the upper fixed contact member 90 and the lower fixed contact member 92 in the vertical direction.

[0040] The upper fixed contact member 90 is made of a metal plate and extends along the upper and lower surfaces of the upper ring base 70 with the vertical direction being the plate thickness direction. That is, the upper fixed contact member 90 extends along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the operating shaft 30. The upper fixed contact member 90 is also formed integrally with the upper ring base 70 by insert molding or the like. Specifically, a middle portion of the upper fixed contact member 90 is embedded in the upper ring base 70, one end of the upper fixed contact member 90 extends radially inward from the upper ring base 70, and the other end of the upper fixed contact member 90 protrudes radially outward from the upper ring base 70.

[0041] The portion of the upper fixed contact member 90 extending radially inward from the upper ring base 70 is configured as an upper extending portion 90A as a first extending portion, and the other end of the upper fixed contact member 90 is configured as an upper connecting portion 90B as a first connecting portion. The lower surface of the upper connecting portion 90B is disposed flush with the lower surface of the upper ring base 70 and is exposed downward from the upper ring base 70. A bent portion 90C (see FIG. 6) is formed at the other end portion of the upper fixed contact member 90, and the bent portion 90C is bent downward and extends in the axial direction of the upper ring base 70. As a result, the upper extending portion 90A is disposed above the upper connecting portion 90B. Specifically, the upper extending portion 90A extends radially inward from the vertical middle portion of the upper ring base 70 and is disposed above the rotor 50.

[0042] An upper fixed contact portion 90D is formed at the tip of the upper extension portion 90A as a first fixed contact portion. The upper fixed contact portion 90D is formed in a substantially hemispherical concave shape raised downward. The upper fixed contact portion 90D is disposed adjacent to the upper side of the rotor 50 and configured to be able to abut against the upper movable contact portion 61 of the first movable contact 60A and the second movable contact 60B. That is, the upper fixed contact portion 90D abuts against the upper surface of the rotor 50 including the upper movable contact portion 61, and in the abutting state of the upper fixed contact portion 90D, the upper extension portion 90A is elastically deformed upward. As a result, the upper fixed contact portion 90D is in pressure contact with the upper surface of the rotor 50.

[0043] The lower fixed contact member 92 is made of a metal plate material, similar to the upper fixed contact member 90. The lower fixed contact member 92 is formed to have a symmetrical structure with the upper fixed contact member 90 in the vertical direction, and is formed integrally with the lower ring base 72 by insert molding or the like. That is, the lower fixed contact member 92 has a plate thickness direction in the vertical direction and extends along the upper and lower surfaces of the lower ring base 72. An intermediate portion of the lower fixed contact member 92 is embedded in the lower ring base 72, one end portion of the lower fixed contact member 92 extends radially inward from the lower ring base 72, and the other end portion of the lower fixed contact member 92 protrudes radially outward from the lower ring base 72.

[0044] The portion of the lower fixed contact member 92 extending radially inward from the lower ring base 72 is configured as a lower extending portion 92A as a second extending portion, and the other end of the lower fixed contact member 92 is configured as a lower connecting portion 92B as a second connecting portion. The upper surface of the lower connecting portion 92B is disposed flush with the upper surface of the lower ring base 72 and is exposed upward from the lower ring base 72. A bent portion 92C is formed at the other end portion of the lower fixed contact member 92, and the bent portion 92C is bent so as to extend upward and in the axial direction of the lower ring base 72. As a result, the lower extending portion 92A is disposed below the lower connecting portion 92B and extends radially inward from the vertical middle portion of the lower ring base 72.

[0045] In addition, a lower fixed contact portion 92D is formed at the tip of the lower extension portion 92A as a second fixed contact portion, and the lower fixed contact portion 92D is formed in a substantially hemispherical concave shape raised upward. The lower fixed contact portion 92D is disposed adjacent to the lower side of the rotor 50 and configured to be able to abut against the lower movable contact portion 62 of the first movable contact 60A and the second movable contact 60B. That is, the lower fixed contact portion 92D abuts against the lower surface of the rotor 50 including the lower movable contact portion 62, and in the abutting state of the lower fixed contact portion 92D, the upper extension portion 90A is elastically deformed downward. As a result, the upper fixed contact portion 90D and the lower fixed contact portion 92D sandwich the rotor 50 in the vertical direction while pressing the upper and lower surfaces of the rotor 50.

[0046] In addition, in the assembled state of the upper ring base 70 and the lower ring base 72, the lower surface of the upper connection portion 90B of the upper fixed contact member 90 and the upper surface of the lower connection portion 92B of the lower fixed contact member 92 are in contact with each other. This connects the upper fixed contact member 90 and the lower fixed contact member 92. That is, by assembling the upper ring base 70 and the lower ring base 72, the first fixed contact 80 is formed into a shape that is bifurcated in the vertical direction as a whole. The upper connection portion 90B and the lower connection portion 92B of the first fixed contact 80 are configured as external terminals, and external components (not shown) are electrically connected to the upper connection portion 90B and the lower connection portion 92B.

[0047] Furthermore, in the first fixed contact 80, the extension length of the upper extension portion 90A and the extension length of the lower extension portion 92A are set to different lengths (see FIG. 6). In detail, the extension length of the upper extension portion 90A is set as L1, and the extension length of the lower extension portion 92A is set as L2, with L1 being set longer than L2.

[0048] 7, in the first switch assembly 40, the first fixed contact 80 to the fourth fixed contact 86 are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the upper ring base 70 and the lower ring base 72. Specifically, the first fixed contact 80 to the fourth fixed contact 86 are arranged side by side in this order on the other side in the rotation direction of the operating shaft 30 in a plan view.

[0049] Furthermore, in the first switch assembly 40, the extension length of the upper extension portion 90A of the first fixed contact 80 and the third fixed contact 84 is set to L1, and the extension length of the upper extension portion 90A of the second fixed contact 82 and the fourth fixed contact 86 is set to L2. On the other hand, the extension length of the lower extension portion 92A of the first fixed contact 80 and the third fixed contact 84 is set to L2, and the extension length of the lower extension portion 92A of the second fixed contact 82 and the fourth fixed contact 86 is set to L1. That is, in the second fixed contact 82 to the fourth fixed contact 86 as well, the extension length of the upper extension portion 90A and the extension length of the lower extension portion 92A that face each other in the vertical direction are set to different lengths.

[0050] In the first switch assembly 40, the first fixed contact 80 to the fourth fixed contact 86 are configured such that the fourth fixed contact 86 is line-symmetrical to the first fixed contact 80 and the third fixed contact 84 is line-symmetrical to the second fixed contact 82 with respect to an overhead line LN (see FIG. 7) that passes through the axis of the operating shaft 30 and extends in the radial direction of the operating shaft 30 when viewed from the top-bottom direction. As described above, the upper extension portions 90A of the second fixed contact 82 and the third fixed contact 84, which are positioned line-symmetrically, are set to have different extension lengths. In addition, the upper extension portions 90A of the first fixed contact 80 and the fourth fixed contact 86, which are positioned line-symmetrically, are set to have different extension lengths.

[0051] Therefore, by inverting the upper fixed contact members 90 of the first fixed contact 80 to the fourth fixed contact 86, the lower fixed contact members 92 of the first fixed contact 80 to the fourth fixed contact 86 can be configured. That is, for example, the upper fixed contact member 90 of the first fixed contact 80 and the lower fixed contact member 92 of the fourth fixed contact 86 can be configured as a common part, and the upper fixed contact member 90 of the fourth fixed contact 86 and the lower fixed contact member 92 of the first fixed contact 80 can be configured as a common part. In addition, the upper fixed contact members 90 of the first fixed contact 80 to the fourth fixed contact 86 are formed by punching out a single metal plate material into shapes corresponding to the respective upper fixed contact members 90. Therefore, the first fixed contact 80 to the fourth fixed contact 86 are configured to be able to share parts and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0052] When the rotor 50 (operating shaft 30) is in the first position, the upper fixed contact portion 90D and the lower fixed contact portion 92D of the first fixed contact 80 and the fourth fixed contact 86 are in contact with the upper movable contact portion 61 and the lower movable contact portion 62 of the first movable contact 60A, respectively. As a result, when the rotor 50 is in the first position, the first fixed contact 80 and the fourth fixed contact 86 are in an electrically conductive state.

[0053] On the other hand, in the second position of the rotor 50, the upper fixed contact portion 90D and the lower fixed contact portion 92D of the first fixed contact 80 and the second fixed contact 82 are in contact with the upper movable contact portion 61 and the lower movable contact portion 62 of the second movable contact 60B, respectively. As a result, the first fixed contact 80 and the second fixed contact 82 are in a conducting state. Furthermore, in the second position of the rotor 50, the upper fixed contact portion 90D and the lower fixed contact portion 92D of the third fixed contact 84 and the fourth fixed contact 86 are in contact with the upper movable contact portion 61 and the lower movable contact portion 62 of the first movable contact 60A, respectively. As a result, the third fixed contact 84 and the fourth fixed contact 86 are in a conducting state.

[0054] As described above, the upper fixed contact members 90 of the first fixed contact 80 and the second fixed contact 82 and the upper fixed contact members 90 of the third fixed contact 84 and the fourth fixed contact 86 are line-symmetrical with respect to the overhead line LN, but it is not necessary for the overall shape of the upper fixed contact member 90 to be line-symmetrical; it is sufficient that at least the upper connection portions 90B and the upper fixed contact portions 90D of the first fixed contact 80 to the fourth fixed contact 86 are positioned line-symmetrical with respect to the overhead line LN.

[0055] Furthermore, the corresponding upper fixed contact portion 90D and the corresponding lower fixed contact portion 92D may be shifted in the circumferential or radial direction within a range where they are connected to the same first movable contact 60A or the same second movable contact 60B at the first position and the second position, respectively. That is, the corresponding upper fixed contact portions 90D on the left and right sides of the line of symmetry may be shifted within the range of the above condition.

[0056] Next, the second switch assembly 42 will be described. The second switch assembly 42 has the same structure as the first switch assembly 40. That is, the second switch assembly 42 includes a rotor 50, a first movable contact 60A and a second movable contact 60B as movable contacts, an upper ring base 70, and a lower ring base 72. The second switch assembly 42 also includes a first fixed contact 80, a second fixed contact 82, a third fixed contact 84, and a fourth fixed contact 86 as fixed contacts.

[0057] When the rotor 50 is in the first position, the first fixed contact 80 and the fourth fixed contact 86 are electrically connected. When the rotor 50 is in the second position, the first fixed contact 80 and the second fixed contact 82 are electrically connected, and the third fixed contact 84 and the fourth fixed contact 86 are electrically connected.

[0058] Next, the third switch assembly 44 will be described. The third switch assembly 44 has a rotor 50, an upper ring base 70, and a lower ring base 72, similar to the first switch assembly 40. As shown in FIG. 8, the third switch assembly 44 has one movable contact. That is, the third switch assembly 44 has the first movable contact 60A used in the first switch assembly 40. Furthermore, the third switch assembly 44 has a configuration in which the second fixed contact 82 and the third fixed contact 84 used in the first switch assembly 40 are integrally formed. That is, the second fixed contact 82 and the third fixed contact 84 are formed by one upper fixed contact member 90 and one lower fixed contact member 92, and both are always in a conductive state.

[0059] When the rotor 50 is in the first position, the upper fixed contact portion 90D and the lower fixed contact portion 92D of the third fixed contact 84 and the fourth fixed contact 86 are in contact with the upper movable contact portion 61 and the lower movable contact portion 62 of the first movable contact 60A. As a result, when the rotor 50 is in the first position, the second fixed contact 82, the third fixed contact 84, and the fourth fixed contact 86 are in an electrically conductive state.

[0060] On the other hand, when the rotor 50 is in the second position, the upper fixed contact portion 90D and the lower fixed contact portion 92D of the first fixed contact 80 and the second fixed contact 82 are in contact with the upper movable contact portion 61 and the lower movable contact portion 62 of the first movable contact 60A, respectively. As a result, when the rotor 50 is in the second position, the first fixed contact 80, the second fixed contact 82, and the third fixed contact 84 are in an electrically conductive state.

[0061] Next, the fourth switch assembly 46 will be described. The fourth switch assembly 46, like the first switch assembly 40, has a rotor 50, a first movable contact 60A, a second movable contact 60B, an upper ring base 70, and a lower ring base 72. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9, the fourth switch assembly 46, like the third switch assembly 44, has a configuration in which the second fixed contact 82 and the third fixed contact 84 used in the first switch assembly 40 are integrally formed. In other words, the second fixed contact 82 and the third fixed contact 84 are always in a conducting state.

[0062] When the rotor 50 is in the first position, the upper fixed contact portion 90D and the lower fixed contact portion 92D of the third fixed contact 84 and the fourth fixed contact 86 are in contact with the upper movable contact portion 61 and the lower movable contact portion 62 of the first movable contact 60A. As a result, when the rotor 50 is in the first position, the second fixed contact 82, the third fixed contact 84, and the fourth fixed contact 86 are in an electrically conductive state.

[0063] On the other hand, when the rotor 50 is in the second position, the upper fixed contact portion 90D and the lower fixed contact portion 92D of the first fixed contact 80 and the second fixed contact 82 are in contact with the upper movable contact portion 61 and the lower movable contact portion 62 of the second movable contact 60B, respectively. As a result, when the rotor 50 is in the second position, the first fixed contact 80, the second fixed contact 82, and the third fixed contact 84 are in an electrically conductive state.

[0064] In this way, by rotating the operating shaft 30 to the first position or the second position, the electrical conduction states of the first to fourth fixed contacts 80, 82, 84, 86 in the first to fourth switch assemblies 40, 42, 44, 46 are switched, and the first to fourth switch assemblies 40, 42, 44, 46 operate independently.

[0065] Here, in the first to fourth switch assemblies 40, 42, 44, 46 of the rotary switch device 10, at least one of the first movable contact 60A and the second movable contact 60B is provided on the rotor 50, and an upper movable contact portion 61 of the first movable contact 60A (second movable contact 60B) is exposed to the upper side from the rotor 50, and a lower movable contact portion 62 of the first movable contact 60A (second movable contact 60B) is exposed to the lower side from the rotor 50. In addition, first to fourth fixed contacts 80, 82, 84, 86 are provided on the radial outer side of the rotor 50, and the first to fourth fixed contacts 80, 82, 84, 86 have an upper fixed contact portion 90D configured to be able to abut against the upper movable contact portion 61 from above, and a lower fixed contact portion 92D configured to be able to abut against the lower movable contact portion 62 from below. As a result, when the first to fourth fixed contacts 80, 82, 84, 86 come into contact with the first movable contact 60A or the second movable contact 60B, the upper fixed contact portion 90D and the lower fixed contact portion 92D sandwich the first movable contact 60A or the second movable contact 60B from both vertical sides (both sides in the plate thickness direction of the rotor 50). Therefore, the contact state between the first to fourth fixed contacts 80, 82, 84, 86 and the first movable contact 60A or the second movable contact 60B can be stabilized compared to a configuration in which the first to fourth fixed contacts 80, 82, 84, 86 come into contact with the first movable contact 60A or the second movable contact 60B from one vertical side. For example, when an axial impact force acts on the rotary switch device 10, an inertial force acts on one side of the upper fixed contact portion 90D and the lower fixed contact portion 92D in a direction away from the first movable contact 60A or the second movable contact 60B, but on the other side, an inertial force acts in a direction approaching the first movable contact 60A or the second movable contact 60B, so that the upper fixed contact portion 90D and the lower fixed contact portion 92D do not simultaneously move away from the first movable contact 60A or the second movable contact 60B. As a result, the electrical connection between the first to fourth fixed contacts 80, 82, 84, 86 and the first movable contact 60A or the second movable contact 60B can be maintained in a good state. Therefore, the reliability of the rotary switch device 10 can be improved.

[0066] The first to fourth fixed contacts 80, 82, 84, 86 have an upper fixed contact member 90 constituting the upper parts of the first to fourth fixed contacts 80, 82, 84, 86, and a lower fixed contact member 92 constituting the lower parts of the first to fourth fixed contacts 80, 82, 84, 86. That is, the first to fourth fixed contacts 80, 82, 84, 86 are constituted by a contact member divided into two parts in the vertical direction. The upper fixed contact member 90 is provided with an upper fixed contact portion 90D, and the lower fixed contact member 92 is provided with a lower fixed contact portion 92D. Therefore, the upper fixed contact portion 90D and the lower fixed contact portion 92D that sandwich the first movable contact 60A or the second movable contact 60B from both sides in the vertical direction can be easily formed in the first to fourth fixed contacts 80, 82, 84, 86.

[0067] Further, an upper ring base 70 is provided on the radially outer side of the rotor 50, and an upper fixed contact member 90 is formed integrally with the upper ring base 70. The upper fixed contact member 90 has an upper extension portion 90A extending radially inward from the upper ring base 70, and a tip portion of the upper extension portion 90A is configured as an upper fixed contact portion 90D. Further, a lower ring base 72 is provided below the upper ring base 70, and a lower fixed contact member 92 is formed integrally with the lower ring base 72. The lower fixed contact member 92 has a lower extension portion 92A extending radially inward from the lower ring base 72, and a tip portion of the lower extension portion 92A is configured as a lower fixed contact portion 92D. Therefore, by stacking the upper ring base 70 and the lower ring base 72 one on top of the other and assembling them, the first movable contact 60A or the second movable contact 60B can be sandwiched in the vertical direction by the upper extension portion 90A and the lower extension portion 92A. Therefore, with a simple configuration, the first to fourth fixed contacts 80, 82, 84, 86 can be brought into contact with the first movable contact 60A or the second movable contact 60B from both the vertical sides.

[0068] In addition, the extension length of the upper extension portion 90A and the extension length of the lower extension portion 92A are set to different lengths. For example, in the first fixed contact 80, the extension length of the upper extension portion 90A is set to L1, and the extension length of the lower extension portion 92A is set to L2, and L1 is set to be longer than L2. Therefore, the resonance frequency of the upper extension portion 90A and the resonance frequency of the lower extension portion 92A can be shifted. As a result, even if vibration of a frequency that matches the resonance frequency of one of the upper extension portion 90A and the lower extension portion 92A is input to the rotary switch device 10, the other of the upper extension portion 90A and the lower extension portion 92A can be suppressed from resonating. As a result, the abutment state between the other of the upper extension portion 90A and the lower extension portion 92A and the first movable contact 60A or the second movable contact 60B can be well maintained. Therefore, the reliability of the rotary switch device 10 can be further improved.

[0069] Moreover, the upper fixed contact member 90 has an upper connection portion 90B protruding radially outward from the upper ring base 70, and the lower fixed contact member 92 has a lower connection portion 92B protruding radially outward from the lower ring base 72. The upper ring base 70 and the lower ring base 72 are overlapped in the vertical direction, whereby the upper connection portion 90B and the lower connection portion 92B are connected. As a result, the upper fixed contact member 90 and the lower fixed contact member 92 can be connected by the upper connection portion 90B and the lower connection portion 92B, and the upper connection portion 90B and the lower connection portion 92B can be configured as external terminals electrically connected to external components.

[0070] In addition, an upper fixing member 20 is provided above the first to fourth switch assemblies 40, 42, 44, 46, and a lower fixing member 24 is provided below the first to fourth switch assemblies 40, 42, 44, 46. As a result, the first to fourth switch assemblies 40, 42, 44, 46 can be fixed to the upper fixing member 20 and the lower fixing member 24 by inserting the fixing screws 26 from below into the fixing holes 24D and screwing them into the fixing screw portions 20D of the upper fixing member 20.

[0071] Moreover, the upper ring base 70 and the lower ring base 72 are formed in a ring shape, and the rotor 50 is disposed inside the base hole 70A of the upper ring base 70 and the base hole 72A of the lower ring base 72. The first to fourth fixed contacts 80, 82, 84, 86 are disposed side by side along the circumferential direction of the upper ring base 70 and the lower ring base 72. This makes it possible to provide the first to fourth switch assemblies 40, 42, 44, 46 with a plurality of fixed contacts while making the first to fourth switch assemblies 40, 42, 44, 46 more compact.

[0072] Furthermore, the rotary switch device 10 has first to fourth switch assemblies 40, 42, 44, 46 which operate independently, thereby enabling the rotary switch device 10 to simultaneously switch the states of a plurality of external components.

[0073] The first to fourth switch assemblies 40, 42, 44, 46 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and are sandwiched between the upper fixing member 20 and the lower fixing member 24. This allows the rotary switch device 10 to be made more compact.

[0074] In this embodiment, an operation knob is attached to the knob attachment portion 30A of the operation shaft 30, and the operation shaft 30 is rotated manually, but the operation shaft 30 may be rotated electrically. For example, a gear may be attached to the knob attachment portion 30A, and the operation shaft 30 may be rotated by driving a motor connected to the gear. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10 Rotary switch device 20 Upper fixing member (fixing member) 24 Lower fixing member (fixing member) 26 Fixing screw (fastening member) 30 Operation axis 40 First switch assembly (switch assembly) 42 Second switch assembly (switch assembly) 44 3rd switch assembly (switch assembly) 46 4th switch assembly (switch assembly) 50 rotors 60A 1st movable contact (movable contact) 60B 2nd movable contact (movable contact) 61 Upper movable contact part (movable contact part) 62 Lower movable contact section (movable contact section) 70 Upper ring base (first base member) 72 Lower ring base (second base member) 80 1st fixed contact (fixed contact) 82 2nd fixed contact (fixed contact) 84 3rd fixed contact (fixed contact) 86 4th fixed contact (fixed contact) 90 Upper fixed contact member (first contact member) 90A Upper extension part (1st extension part) 90B Upper connection part (first connection part) 90D Upper fixed contact part (1st fixed contact part) 92 Lower fixed contact member (second contact member) 92A Lower extension part (second extension part) 92B Lower connection part (second connection part) 92D Lower fixed contact part (second fixed contact part) L1: Extension length of the first extension part L2: Extension length of the second extension part

Claims

1. An operating axis; a rotor formed in a plate shape with its thickness direction being in the axial direction of the operation shaft and rotating integrally with the operation shaft; a movable contact provided on the rotor and having a pair of movable contact portions exposed on both sides in a plate thickness direction of the rotor; a fixed contact including a first fixed contact portion provided radially outward of the operating shaft with respect to the rotor, the first fixed contact portion being configured to be able to come into contact with one of the pair of movable contact portions from one side in the thickness direction of the rotor, and a second fixed contact portion being configured to be able to come into contact with the other of the pair of movable contact portions from the other side in the thickness direction of the rotor; Equipped with The fixed contact is a first contact member that constitutes one axial side portion of the fixed contact with respect to the operating shaft and has the first fixed contact portion; a second contact member that constitutes a portion of the fixed contact on the other axial side of the operating shaft and has the second fixed contact portion; The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a computer-implemented ... the first contact member has a first extending portion that extends radially inward of the operating shaft and has a tip portion that is configured as the first fixed contact portion, the second contact member has a second extending portion that extends radially inward of the operating shaft and has a tip portion that is configured as the second fixed contact portion, A rotary switch device in which the extension length of the first extension portion and the extension length of the second extension portion are set to different lengths.

2. An operating shaft, a rotor formed in a plate shape with its thickness direction being in the axial direction of the operation shaft and rotating integrally with the operation shaft; a movable contact provided on the rotor and having a pair of movable contact portions exposed on both sides in a plate thickness direction of the rotor; a fixed contact including a first fixed contact portion provided radially outward of the operating shaft with respect to the rotor, the first fixed contact portion being configured to be able to come into contact with one of the pair of movable contact portions from one side in the thickness direction of the rotor, and a second fixed contact portion being configured to be able to come into contact with the other of the pair of movable contact portions from the other side in the thickness direction of the rotor; Equipped with The fixed contact is a first contact member that constitutes one axial side portion of the fixed contact with respect to the operating shaft and has the first fixed contact portion; a second contact member that constitutes a portion of the fixed contact on the other axial side of the operating shaft and has the second fixed contact portion; The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a computer-implemented ... a first base member is provided on a radially outer side of the operating shaft with respect to the rotor, and a second base member is provided on the other axial side of the operating shaft with respect to the first base member, the first contact member has a first extension portion that is integrally formed with the first base member, extends from the first base member toward an inner side in a radial direction of the operating shaft, and has a tip portion that is configured as the first fixed contact portion; The second contact member is integrally formed with the second base member and has a second extension portion extending from the second base member radially inward of the operating shaft and having a tip portion configured as the second fixed contact portion.

3. A rotary switch device as described in claim 2, wherein the extension length of the first extension portion and the extension length of the second extension portion are set to different lengths.

4. The first contact member has a first connection portion protruding from the first base member radially outward of the operating shaft, and the second contact member has a second connection portion protruding from the second base member radially outward of the operating shaft, 4. The rotary switch device according to claim 2, wherein the first base member and the second base member are overlapped in the axial direction of the operating shaft, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected to each other.

5. A pair of fixing members is provided on both axial sides of the operating shaft with respect to the first base member and the second base member, The rotary switch device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first base member and the second base member are fastened to a pair of fixing members by fastening members.

6. The first base member and the second base member are formed in a ring shape, and the rotor is disposed radially inside the first base member and the second base member, 6. The rotary switch device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the fixed contacts are arranged side by side in a circumferential direction of the first base member and the second base member.

7. A switch assembly is formed by the fixed contact, the movable contact, the first base member, and the second base member, 7. The rotary switch device according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the switch assemblies are disposed between the pair of fixing members.

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