Microswitch

Abstract

To provide a microswitch of a duel type, in which terminal arrays are aligned as an entire switch, while suppressing enlargement.SOLUTION: A microswitch 1 is a switch of a duel type comprising a case 10 and a pair of switch portions 1a configured by storing terminal installation faces 80 side by side in the same direction inside of the case 10. Each of the pair of switch portions 1a is configured by arraying a plurality of terminals 81 in an L shape on the terminal installation face 80. The pair of switch portions 1a is stored in the case 10 in a state where one switch portion is inverted with respect to the other in such a manner that all the terminals 81 of the pair of switch portions 1a are lattice-arranged in a planar view with respect to the terminal installation faces 80.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dual-type microswitch in which a pair of switch portions are housed side by side in a case. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, microswitches used in devices and the like of equipment have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The microswitch described in Patent Document 1 is a dual-type microswitch in which a pair of switch parts are housed side by side in a case. In this microswitch, the terminal mounting surfaces of the switch parts are arranged side by side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 106708117 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the dual-type microswitch described in Patent Document 1, the terminal mounting surfaces of each switch section are simply arranged side by side, which poses a problem in that the terminal arrangement of the switch as a whole is difficult to understand and is difficult to use. On the other hand, simply aligning the terminal arrangement on the terminal mounting surfaces of each switch section to make the terminal arrangement easier to understand could result in the overall size of the switch increasing.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a dual-type microswitch in which the terminals of the entire switch are arranged in an aligned manner while preventing the switch from becoming too large. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the microswitch comprises a case andLocated on the outer surface of the case where the terminals are installed a pair of switch parts housed side by side in the case with their terminal installation surfaces facing the same direction, and The aforementioned The terminals are arranged in an L-shape, and the pair of switch parts are housed in the case with one part inverted relative to the other so that, when viewed in a plane relative to the terminal installation surface, all of the terminals of the pair of switch parts are arranged in a lattice pattern.

[0007] In the microswitch described above, the terminal arrangement on the terminal installation surface of each of the pair of switch sections is L-shaped, and the pair of switch sections are housed in a case with one switch section inverted relative to the other so that all terminals are arranged in a grid pattern. By inverting one switch section relative to the other, a grid pattern is formed in which the convex arrangement in one L-shape fits into the concave arrangement in the other L-shape, and this combination also prevents the overall size of the switch from increasing. In other words, the above configuration makes it possible to obtain a dual-type microswitch in which the terminal arrangement of the entire switch is aligned while preventing the switch from becoming too large.

[0008] The microswitch is a dual-type switch having a case and a pair of switch parts housed side by side in the case with their terminal installation surfaces facing the same direction, and each of the pair of switch parts has a plurality of terminals arranged in an L-shape on the terminal installation surface, and the pair of switch parts are housed in the case in a state where one is inverted relative to the other so that all of the terminals of the pair of switch parts are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view of the terminal installation surface. Each of the pair of switch parts comprises an operating shaft that moves in a direction perpendicular to the terminal installation surface to switch the conduction state of the contacts of each switch part, and an operating lever that extends in a strip shape along a direction intersecting the operating shaft, is provided rotatably with one end side as a rotation axis, and moves the operating shaft by receiving an external force on the other end side and pressing one end of the operating shaft at a midpoint, and the pair of switch parts are housed in the case so that the operating shafts are lined up in a row along either the vertical or horizontal axis in the lattice arrangement between the pair of switch parts, and the operating levers extend in the same direction with the same side as the rotation axis. It is characterized by:

[0009] With this configuration, the actuating shafts of the pair of switch parts are aligned in a row, and the actuating levers extend in the same direction with the same side as the rotation axis, so the actuating levers of the two lined-up switch parts do not simply face in opposite directions, but are lined up facing the same direction, which improves ease of use as a microswitch. Also, because the pair of actuating shafts are aligned in a row, the microswitch can be made smaller in size in the direction intersecting the alignment direction.

[0010] Also, The microswitch is a dual-type switch including a case and a pair of switch parts housed side by side in the case with their terminal installation surfaces facing the same direction, and each of the pair of switch parts has a plurality of terminals arranged in an L-shape on the terminal installation surface, and the pair of switch parts are housed in the case in an inverted state with respect to the other so that all of the terminals of the pair of switch parts are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view of the terminal installation surface. The terminal installation surface of each of the pair of switch parts is a stepped installation surface with the terminals arranged on each step. It is characterized by: The microswitch is a dual-type switch including a case and a pair of switch parts housed side by side in the case with their terminal installation surfaces facing the same direction, wherein each of the pair of switch parts has a plurality of terminals arranged in an L-shape on the terminal installation surface, and the pair of switch parts are housed in the case in an inverted state with respect to the other so that all of the terminals of the pair of switch parts are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view of the terminal installation surface, and the terminal installation surface of one of the pair of switch parts is surface-treated so that it can be visually distinguished from the terminal installation surface of the other switch part.

[0011] According to this configuration, the work of fixing the electric wire terminal to the terminal of each stage can be carried out unhindered at a position shifted in the step direction from the electric wire terminal fixed to the terminal of another stage, thereby improving the workability of the terminal fixing work.

[0012] It is also preferable that the switch further comprises an insulating partition wall disposed inside the case so as to isolate at least the closest portions of the current-carrying portions of the pair of switch portions from each other.

[0013] With this configuration, even if the conductive parts of the pair of switch parts come close to each other due to the inverted arrangement, the partition will block the closest part at least. This blocking allows the pair of switch parts to be arranged even closer together, which means that the size of the microswitch can be further reduced.

[0014] Also, As mentioned above, It is preferable that the terminal mounting surface of one of the pair of switch portions is subjected to a surface treatment that allows it to be distinguished in appearance from the terminal mounting surface of the other switch portion.

[0015] According to this configuration, the surface treatment on one of the terminal mounting surfaces makes it clear at a glance which switch part each terminal belongs to, thereby improving the workability of the terminal fixing work. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a dual-type microswitch in which the terminals of the entire switch are arranged in an aligned manner while preventing an increase in size. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view showing a microswitch according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the microswitch shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the microswitch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as viewed from the terminal installation surface side of a pair of switch portions. [Figure 4] 4 is a plan view of a pair of terminal installation surfaces shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a schematic diagram showing a terminal arrangement on a pair of terminal installation surfaces shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the microswitch shown in FIG. 1 with the cover removed together with its top surface structure so that the internal switch portion can be seen. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of a structure for improving the insulation between the pair of switch portions shown in FIG. 6 inside the case, as viewed in the width direction of the microswitch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0019] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a microswitch according to one embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the microswitch shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line AA in FIG.

[0020] The microswitch 1 according to this embodiment constitutes, for example, a part of a pressure switch that detects the pressure of a refrigerant in a compressor of a refrigeration cycle. The microswitch 1 is a dual-type switch in which a pair of switch portions 1a are housed side by side inside a box-shaped case 10. The pair of switch portions 1a are housed side by side inside the case 10 with a terminal mounting surface 80 (described later) facing in the same direction. The pair of switch portions 1a have the same structure, and the following description will focus on the structure of one of the switch portions 1a and refer to Figures 1 and 2.

[0021] The switch portion 1a includes an actuating unit 20 provided on the upper portion of the case 10 and a micro actuating shaft 30 that is moved back and forth by the actuating unit 20 in an axial direction perpendicular to a terminal installation surface 80 (described below). The actuating unit 20 extends in a strip-like shape along a direction intersecting the micro actuating shaft 30, and is rotatable around a rotation axis 21 at one end. The other end includes a lever 22 (described below) that receives an external force and presses one end of the micro actuating shaft 30 at its midpoint to move the micro actuating shaft 30. The switch portion 1a also includes the micro actuating shaft 30, a switching means 50 to which a force acts when the micro actuating shaft 30 is displaced in the axial direction, and a contact 60 whose electrical connection is switched by the switching means 50. The switch portion 1a also includes a plurality of terminals 81 electrically connected to the contacts 60, and the terminal 81 of each switch portion 1a is fixed to a terminal portion 11a at the bottom of the case 10. In this terminal section 11a, the terminals 81 are arranged together for each switch portion 1a, and terminal section 11a is formed with a terminal installation surface 80 corresponding to each switch portion 1a. In other words, a pair of switch portions 1a are housed in case 10 so as to form terminal section 11a with the terminal installation surfaces 80 facing in the same direction. In addition, each terminal 81 is a plate-shaped metal terminal to which a target electric wire terminal or the like is connected by a screw 81a.

[0022] In the following description, arrows X, Y, and Z in the drawings represent directions perpendicular to one another. The axial direction of a micro-actuation shaft 30 (described later) is indicated by arrow Z and will be referred to as the "axial direction Z." One side of the axial direction Z is referred to as the "upper side Z1," and the other side is referred to as the "lower side Z2." Horizontal directions are indicated by arrows X and Y and will be referred to as the "front-rear direction X" and the "width direction Y," respectively. One side of the front-rear direction X is referred to as the "front side X1," and the other side is referred to as the "rear side X2." This is for the sake of convenience, and does not necessarily correspond to the directions in the actual usage state of the microswitch 1, nor does it limit the directions in the actual usage state of the microswitch 1. According to these directions, the pair of switch portions 1a in the microswitch 1 are aligned in the width direction Y.

[0023] The case 10 includes a box portion 11 having a substantially rectangular box shape and a lid portion 12 provided on an upper side Z1 of the box portion 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the box portion 11 includes an internal storage space 13. Components such as the switching means 50 and contacts 60 are housed in the storage space 13. A protrusion 14 that protrudes toward the rear side X2 is formed on one of the side walls of the box portion 11 on the rear side X2. The protrusion 14 is a portion for fixing the box portion 11 to a device in which the microswitch 1 is mounted (e.g., a device such as the pressure switch described above), and together with a base portion 15 described below, forms a connection portion that connects the box portion 11 to the device. The lid portion 12 includes a base portion 15 that is located above the protrusion 14 and extends toward the upper side Z1, and a lid main body 16 that is continuous with the base portion 15 and extends in the front-rear direction X perpendicular to the base portion 15. The base portion 15 is formed in a thick plate shape, and together with the above-mentioned protrusion portion 14, constitutes a connecting portion that connects the box portion 11 to the device. On the outer surface of the bottom wall of the box portion 11, a terminal portion 11a is formed, on which terminal installation surfaces 80 of a pair of switch portions 1a are aligned.

[0024] On the surface of the base portion 15 facing the front side X1, a total of two pairs of protrusions 15a are formed side by side in the width direction Y, each protruding toward the front side X1 and spaced apart in the width direction Y. A rectangular parallelepiped pedestal 17 is formed between the pair of protrusions 15a, protruding toward the front side X1 from the surface of the base portion 15 facing the front side X1. A fixing portion 18 for fixing a lever 22 (described later) is fixed to the pedestal 17 by a fastening member 19. The fixing portion 18 is formed by bending a metal plate material or the like, covers the surface of the upper side Z1 and both side surfaces of the pedestal 17 in the width direction Y, and protrudes toward the front side X1 beyond the end of the pedestal 17 on the front side X1. The lid main body 16 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate extending in the front-rear direction X and the width direction Y, and has an insertion hole 16a penetrating in the axial direction Z at its center.

[0025] The actuating unit 20 is a part that moves the micro actuating shaft 30 back and forth in the axial direction by being displaced by an external force. An example of the external force is a force generated and transmitted when a bellows, serving as a sensitive member, is displaced in response to a change in refrigerant pressure when the microswitch 1 is used as a pressure switch that detects the pressure of the refrigerant. In this case, the actuating unit 20 functions as a displacement transmission member that transmits the displacement of the bellows to the micro actuating shaft 30. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the actuating unit 20 includes a rotating shaft 21 fixed to the fixed portion 18 and penetrating both side walls in the width direction Y, and a lever 22 rotatably supported by the rotating shaft 21. The lever 22 is configured to rotate around the axis of the rotating shaft 21 (counterclockwise as viewed from the direction shown in FIG. 2 in this embodiment) based on the force generated by the displacement of the bellows and transmitted to the lever 22. The lever 22 includes a plate-shaped portion 23 extending in the front-rear direction X, and a conical bearing portion 24 protruding upward Z1 is formed on the plate-shaped portion 23. The inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion 24 constitutes a sliding contact surface that comes into sliding contact with one end portion 31 of the micro-actuating shaft 30, which will be described later.

[0026] The micro-actuation shaft 30 is a shaft member that moves back and forth in the axial direction Z in response to the rotational movement of the lever 22 in the actuation unit 20. It is inserted through the insertion hole 16a of the lid body 16, extends in the axial direction Z, and is fixed to the case 10 so as to be displaceable in the axial direction Z. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the micro-actuation shaft 30 has one end 31 located outside the case 10 and constituting an end on the upper side Z1, and an engagement portion 33 located inside the case 10 and constituting an end on the lower side Z2. The one end 31 is a portion that slides against the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion 24 of the lever 22, and its outer surface is formed in a hemispherical shape. The engagement portion 33 is a portion that engages with the switching means 50. By engaging this engagement portion 33 with the switching means 50, a force in the axial direction Z (axial) is applied to the switching means 50 when the micro-actuation shaft 30 moves back and forth.

[0027] 2, the switching means 50 includes a movable piece 51 that engages with the engaging portion 33 of the micro-actuation shaft 30, a snap piece 52 that abuts against the tip of the movable piece 51 and biases a movable contact 63 (described later) toward the first fixed contact 61 or the second fixed contact 62, and a conductive piece 53 that has the movable contact 63 at its end on the front side X1. The contacts 60 are conductive members that are respectively connected to a plurality of terminals 81 provided in the case 10, and include the first fixed contact 61, the second fixed contact 62, and the movable contact 63 fixed to the end on the front side X1 of the conductive piece 53. The first fixed contact 61 is fixed to the case 10 within the accommodation space 13. The second fixed contact 62 is located above the first fixed contact 61 (Z1) and is fixed to the case 10 within the accommodation space 13, facing the first fixed contact 61 in the axial direction Z. The movable contact 63 is disposed between the first fixed contact 61 and the second fixed contact 62, and is capable of coming into contact with each of the first fixed contact 61 and the second fixed contact 62, thereby enabling switching of electrical connection. The terminals 81 are connected one-to-one to the first fixed contact 61, the second fixed contact 62, and the movable contact 63 for each switch portion 1a, and six terminals in total are provided, three on each terminal mounting surface 80 of the terminal portion 11a at the bottom of the case 10.

[0028] Next, the operation of each switch portion 1a in the microswitch 1 will be described. First, in Fig. 2, the actuation portion 20 does not press the micro actuation shaft 30 downward Z2, and the movable contact 63, which is biased downward Z2 by the snap piece 52, abuts on the first fixed contact 61 and is conductive. Next, an external force is transmitted to the actuation portion 20, and when the external force causes the lever 22 of the actuation portion 20 to rotate counterclockwise around the axis of the rotation shaft 21, the micro actuation shaft 30 is displaced downward Z2 following the rotation of the lever 22. Due to this displacement, a load toward the downward Z2 acts on the switching means 50, deforming the movable piece 51, and the snap piece 52 is deformed in conjunction with the deformation of the movable piece 51. When the deformation of the snap piece 52 exceeds a certain amount, the biasing force on the conductive piece 53 is reversed, and the conductive piece 53 is biased upward Z1, thereby releasing the conductive state between the movable contact 63 and the first fixed contact 61 and bringing the movable contact 63 into contact with the second fixed contact 62 and establishing electrical continuity. That is, the switching means 50 switches the conductive destination of the contact 60. With this switching of the conductive destination of the contact 60, the conductive state of the terminal 81 on the terminal installation surface 80 also switches.

[0029] 3 is an external perspective view of the microswitch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, seen from the terminal installation surface side of a pair of switch portions; FIG. 4 is a plan view of the pair of terminal installation surfaces shown in FIG. 3; and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the terminal arrangement on the pair of terminal installation surfaces shown in FIG. 4.

[0030] Each of the pair of switch portions 1a constituting the microswitch 1 has three terminals 81 arranged in an L-shape on its respective terminal installation surface 80. As described above, these three terminals 81 are connected to the first fixed contact 61, the second fixed contact 62, and the movable contact 63 in a one-to-one relationship, and serve as the first terminal 811, the second terminal 812, and the common terminal 813, respectively. In this embodiment, one of the pair of switch portions 1a is the first switch portion 1-1 and the other is the second switch portion 1-2; particularly, when the microswitch 1 is used as a pressure switch, the first switch portion 1-1 of the pair of switch portions 1a is used to detect low pressure, and the other, the second switch portion 1-2, is used to detect high pressure.

[0031] In the microswitch 1, the pair of switch portions 1a are housed in the case 10 with one of them inverted 180° relative to the other so that all of the terminals 81 are arranged in a 2-row, 3-column grid when viewed from above with respect to the terminal installation surface 80. This inverted arrangement forms a grid arrangement in which the convex arrangement in one L-shape fits into the concave arrangement in the other L-shape. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the grid arrangement is formed by combining a first terminal 811 in one L-shape so as to be adjacent to a common terminal 813 in the other L-shape. The terminal portion 11a on the outer surface of the bottom wall of the box portion 11 in the case 10 of the microswitch 1 is configured by combining a pair of terminal installation surfaces 80 to form such a grid arrangement.

[0032] In this embodiment, the terminal installation surface 80 of each of the pair of switch portions 1a is a stepped installation surface with terminals 81 arranged on each step. However, the terminals 81 arranged on each step of each terminal installation surface 80 differ between the pair of switch portions 1a so that the entire terminal section 11a of the microswitch 1 has a two-step structure with upper and lower steps due to the inverted arrangement as described above. That is, on the terminal installation surface 80 of the first switch portion 1-1 shown in FIG. 5, a common terminal 813 is arranged on the lower step, and two terminals 81, a first terminal 811 and a second terminal 812, are arranged on the upper step. On the other hand, on the terminal installation surface 80 of the second switch portion 1-2, two terminals 81, a first terminal 811 and a second terminal 812, are arranged on the lower step, and the common terminal 813 is arranged on the upper step.

[0033] Furthermore, on each terminal installation surface 80, the upper terminals 81 are installed on a surface one step lower than the outermost surface in the axial direction Z, and the lower terminals 81 are installed on a surface one step lower than the installation surface of the upper terminals 81 and directly reaching the side surface of the rear side X2 of the box portion 11. Furthermore, on each of the upper and lower stages, adjacent terminals 81 in the width direction Y are separated by ribs 82, and at both ends in the width direction Y, side wall ribs 83 extending from the side walls of the box portion 11 in the axial direction Z are provided so as to face the ribs 82. Due to the stepped structure of each terminal installation surface 80, the ribs 82 between the terminals 81, and the side wall ribs 83, each terminal 81 is surrounded on three sides by walls, with the lower side Z2 in the axial direction Z and the rear side X2 in the front-rear direction X being open. To each terminal 81, an electric wire terminal or the like to be connected is connected from the two open sides.

[0034] 4 and 5, one of the pair of terminal installation surfaces 80, that is, the terminal installation surface 80 of the second switch portion 1a, is subjected to a surface treatment that makes it possible to distinguish it from the other terminal installation surface 80 of the first switch portion 1-1. Specifically, the terminal installation surface 80 of the second switch portion 1-2 is subjected to a embossing treatment that gives it a wrinkled pattern.

[0035] The inverted arrangement of the pair of switch portions 1a is such that the micro operating shaft 30 and the lever 22 of the operating portion 20 are arranged as follows.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a view showing the microswitch shown in FIG. 1 with the cover removed together with its upper surface structure so that the internal switch portion can be seen.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 6, the pair of switch portions 1a are arranged in a 180° inverted manner, so that the switching means 50 and contacts 60 are arranged in opposite directions in the front-to-rear direction X inside the case 10, constituting a dual-type microswitch 1. Meanwhile, between the pair of switch portions 1a, a pair of micro-operating shafts 30 are aligned in a row along either the vertical or horizontal axis (the width direction Y, which corresponds to the horizontal axis in this embodiment) of the lattice arrangement of the terminals 81. Also, as shown in Fig. 1, the levers 22 of the operating part 20 extend in the same direction with the rotation axis 21 on the same side.

[0038] In this embodiment, the insulation between the pair of switch portions 1a inside the case 10 is improved by the following structure.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a side view of a structure for improving the insulation between the pair of switch portions shown in FIG. 6 inside the case, as viewed in the width direction of the microswitch.

[0040] In this embodiment, an insulating partition wall 90 is disposed inside the case 10 to enhance the insulation. The partition wall 90 is disposed inside the case 10 so as to isolate the closest portions 1a-2 of the current-carrying portions 1a-1 (hatched portions in FIG. 6 ), which include the switching means 50, contacts 60, and connection bus bars of each of the pair of switch portions 1a. Because most of the current-carrying portions 1a-1 are disposed on the upper side Z1 of the case 10 inside the microswitch 1, the partition wall 90 is disposed so as to protrude in a rib-like manner from the underside of the lid portion 12 of the case 10, as shown in FIG. 7 . The rib-like partition wall 90 is inserted between the pair of current-carrying portions 1a-1 and extends in the front-rear direction X. Furthermore, the center portion of the partition wall 90 protrudes in a tongue-like manner to reliably isolate the closest portions 1a-2 of the current-carrying portions 1a-1, and this protruding portion 91 is inserted between the closest portions 1a-2.

[0041] According to the microswitch 1 of the embodiment described above, the terminal arrangement on the terminal installation surface 80 of each of the pair of switch portions 1a is L-shaped. The pair of switch portions 1a are housed in the case 10 with one inverted relative to the other so that all of the terminals 81 are arranged in a grid pattern. By inverting one relative to the other, a grid pattern is formed in which the convex arrangement in one L-shape fits into the concave arrangement in the other L-shape, and this combination also prevents the overall size of the switch from increasing. In other words, the above configuration makes it possible to obtain a dual-type microswitch 1 in which the terminals of the entire switch are arranged in an aligned pattern while preventing an increase in size.

[0042] In this embodiment, each of the pair of switch portions 1a includes a micro-actuating shaft 30 that switches the conduction state of the contacts 60 and a lever 22 of the actuating unit 20 that moves the micro-actuating shaft 30. Between the pair of switch portions 1a, the micro-actuating shafts 30 are aligned along the horizontal axis (axis in the width direction Y) of the lattice arrangement of the terminals 81. Furthermore, the levers 22 of the actuating unit 20 extend in the same direction with the same side serving as the rotation axis 21. With this configuration, the pair of micro-actuating shafts 30 are aligned in a row, and the levers 22 of the pair of actuating units 20 extend in the same direction with the same side serving as the rotation axis 21. Therefore, the levers 22 of the two side-by-side switch portions 1a do not simply face in opposite directions, but face the same direction, improving ease of use of the microswitch 1. Furthermore, because the pair of micro-actuating shafts 30 are aligned in a row, the microswitch 1 can be made smaller in size in a direction intersecting the alignment direction. In this embodiment, the micro-actuating shafts 30 are arranged in the width direction Y, and the microswitch 1 is miniaturized in the front-rear direction X.

[0043] In this embodiment, the terminal installation surface 80 of each of the pair of switch parts 1a is a stepped installation surface with terminals 81 arranged on each step. With this configuration, the work of fixing the electric wire terminal to the terminal 81 on each step can be performed without being obstructed at a position shifted in the step direction from the electric wire terminal fixed to the terminal 81 on the other step, thereby improving the workability of the terminal fixing work.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an insulating partition 90 is disposed inside the case 10 so as to isolate at least the closest portion 1a-2 of the current-carrying portions 1a-1 of the pair of switch portions 1a from each other. With this configuration, even if the current-carrying portions 1a-1 of the pair of switch portions 1a are brought close to each other due to the inverted arrangement, the partition 90 isolates the mutual contact, including the closest portion 1a-2. This isolation allows the pair of switch portions 1a to be arranged even closer together, which means that the size of the microswitch 1 can be further reduced.

[0045] In this embodiment, of the terminal installation surfaces 80 of the pair of switch parts 1a, the high-voltage terminal installation surface 80 is textured to enable it to be distinguished visually from the low-voltage terminal installation surface 80. With this configuration, the surface treatment on one of the terminal installation surfaces 80 makes it clear at a glance which switch part 1a each terminal 81 belongs to, thereby improving the workability of the terminal fixing operation.

[0046] The above-described embodiments merely show typical aspects of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these. In other words, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. As long as such modifications still have the configuration of the microswitch of the present invention, they are of course included in the scope of the present invention.

[0047] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the microswitch 1 used as a pressure switch is exemplified as an example of a microswitch. However, the microswitch is not limited to this, and may be used as various switches other than a pressure switch as long as it switches the conductive state of a switch portion when subjected to some external force.

[0048] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the switch portion 1a in which three terminals 81 are arranged in an L-shape on the terminal installation surface 80 is exemplified as an example of the switch portion. However, the switch portion is not limited to this, and the number of terminals on the terminal installation surface is not limited to a specific number as long as the L-shape arrangement is possible.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of a microswitch, a microswitch 1 in which the micro actuating shafts 30 are aligned in a row and the pair of switch portions 1a are arranged in an inverted manner so that the levers 22 of the actuating unit 20 extend in the same direction is exemplified. However, the microswitch is not limited to this, and the actuating shafts may be arranged offset from each other and the actuating levers may extend in opposite directions as long as all terminals of the pair of switch portions are arranged in a grid pattern. However, as described above, arranging the micro actuating shafts 30 in a row and the levers 22 of the actuating unit 20 extending in the same direction can improve the operability of the pair of micro actuating shafts 30 via the pair of levers 22.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, a stepped terminal installation surface 80 with terminals 81 arranged on each step is exemplified as an example of the terminal installation surface. However, the terminal installation surface is not limited to this and may be a simple flat surface. However, as described above, forming the terminal installation surface 80 in a stepped shape can improve the workability of the terminal fixing operation.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of a microswitch, the microswitch 1 is provided with an insulating partition 90 that separates at least the closest portions 1a-2 of the current-carrying portions 1a-1 of the pair of switch portions 1a. However, the microswitch is not limited to this, and the current-carrying portions of the pair of switch portions may be spaced apart without any structure. However, as described above, by providing the insulating partition 90, the pair of switch portions 1a can be arranged closer together, which means that the size of the microswitch 1 can be further reduced.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of a microswitch, a microswitch 1 is exemplified in which the high-voltage terminal mounting surface 80 is textured as a surface treatment that allows it to be distinguished visually from the low-voltage terminal mounting surface 80. However, the microswitch is not limited to this, and the pair of terminal mounting surfaces may be made uniform surfaces with the same surface condition. However, as described above, the surface treatment of one terminal mounting surface 80 can improve the workability of the terminal fixing work. Note that the surface treatment for distinguishing one terminal mounting surface is not limited to textured, and any surface treatment can be used as long as it allows it to be distinguished visually from the other terminal mounting surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 microswitch 1a Switch part 1a-1 Current-carrying part 1a-2 Closest part 1-1 First switch part 1-2 Second switch part 10 cases 11 Hakobe 11a Terminal section 12 Lid 13 Containment Space 14 Protrusion 15 Base 15a Protrusion 16 Lid body 16a Insertion hole 17 Pedestal 18 Fixed part 19 Fastening members 20 Operating unit 21 Rotation axis 22 Lever 23 Plate-shaped part 24 Bearing section 30 Micro Actuating Axis 31 One end 33 Engagement part 50 Switching Method 51 Movable piece 52 snap piece 53 Continuity piece 60 contacts 61 First fixed contact 62 Second fixed contact 63 Movable contact 70 Fixing member 80 Terminal installation surface 81 terminals 81a screw 82 Ribs 83 Sidewall rib 90 Bulkhead 91 Protruding part 811 1st terminal 812 2nd terminal 813 Common terminal X Anteroposterior direction X1 Front X2 rear Y width direction Z axis direction Z1 upper side Z2 lower side

Claims

1. Case and a pair of switch parts housed side by side in the case, with terminal installation surfaces located on portions of the outer surface of the case where terminals are installed facing the same direction; Each of the pair of switch portions has a plurality of terminals arranged in an L-shape on the terminal installation surface, A microswitch characterized in that the pair of switch portions are housed in the case in an inverted state with one of them inverted relative to the other so that all of the terminals of the pair of switch portions are arranged in a lattice pattern when viewed in a plan view relative to the terminal installation surface.

2. A case, A dual-type switch having a pair of switch parts housed side by side in the case with their terminal installation surfaces facing the same direction, Each of the pair of switch portions has a plurality of terminals arranged in an L-shape on the terminal installation surface, the pair of switch portions are accommodated in the case in a state in which one is inverted relative to the other so that all of the terminals of the pair of switch portions are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view with respect to the terminal installation surface, Each of the pair of switch portions is an operating shaft that moves in a direction perpendicular to the terminal installation surface to switch the conduction state of the contacts of each switch portion; an operating lever extending in a strip shape along a direction intersecting the operating shaft, rotatable about one end side of the operating shaft, and receiving an external force on the other end side thereof, which presses one end of the operating shaft at a midpoint thereof to move the operating shaft; A microswitch characterized in that the pair of switch parts are housed in the case so that the operating axes are aligned in a row along either the vertical or horizontal axis of the lattice arrangement between the pair of switch parts, and the operating levers extend in the same direction with the same side as the rotation axis.

3. A case, A dual-type switch having a pair of switch parts housed side by side in the case with their terminal installation surfaces facing the same direction, Each of the pair of switch portions has a plurality of terminals arranged in an L-shape on the terminal installation surface, the pair of switch portions are accommodated in the case in a state in which one is inverted relative to the other so that all of the terminals of the pair of switch portions are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view with respect to the terminal installation surface, A microswitch characterized in that the terminal installation surface of each of the pair of switch portions is a stepped installation surface with the terminals arranged on each step.

4. A case, A dual-type switch having a pair of switch parts housed side by side in the case with their terminal installation surfaces facing the same direction, Each of the pair of switch portions has a plurality of terminals arranged in an L-shape on the terminal installation surface, the pair of switch portions are accommodated in the case in a state in which one is inverted relative to the other so that all of the terminals of the pair of switch portions are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view with respect to the terminal installation surface, A microswitch characterized in that the terminal installation surface of one of the pair of switch portions is surface-treated so as to be visually distinguishable from the terminal installation surface of the other switch portion.

5. The microswitch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an insulating partition disposed inside the case so as to isolate at least the closest portions of the conductive portions of each of the pair of switch portions from each other.

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