Switch device

Abstract

This switch device comprises: a case that has an opening at the upper part thereof; a switch that is housed in the internal space of the case; and a cover member that is supported by the case so as to cover the opening and is capable of oscillating in a direction in which the switch is pressed according to a pressing operation. The switching device further comprises: a first snap coupling part that is provided to a first lateral surface and that couples the case and the cover member; a rotation support that is provided to a second lateral surface facing opposite the first lateral surface; and a second snap coupling part that is provided to a third lateral surface intersecting with the first lateral surface and that couples the case and the cover member. After the cover member rotates about the rotation support and a snap coupling of the first snap coupling part farther to the rotation support is released, a snap coupling of the second snap coupling part closer to the rotation support is released.

Description

Switching device

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

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for an in-vehicle steering switch having a case configured to connect a front case member and a rear case member with a plurality of snap connecting portions, in which the shape of the snap claws and the shape of the engagement portion of the snap connecting portions are set so that the snap connection of the snap connecting portions is released when an external force of a predetermined magnitude or greater acts on the case.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-142553

[0004] However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, in order to separate the cases, it is necessary to simultaneously release the snap connections of a plurality of snap connection portions, which requires the application of a relatively large force to the cases.

[0005] A switch device according to one embodiment includes a case having at least a first side, a second side, and a third side, and an opening at the top of the case, a switch housed in an internal space of the case, and a cover member supported by the case so as to cover the opening and capable of swinging in a direction to press down the switch when pressed down. The switch device includes a first snap coupling portion provided on the first side to couple the case and the cover member, a pivot point provided on a second side opposite the first side, and a pivot point provided on a third side intersecting the first side. and further includes a second snap coupling portion that couples the case and the cover member, and when the cover member is removed from the case, the remover pulls up the end portion of the cover member that is close to the first side surface, causing the cover member to rotate around the pivot point, and the rotation of the cover member releases the snap coupling of the first snap coupling portion that is farther from the pivot point than the second snap coupling portion, and then releases the snap coupling of the second snap coupling portion that is closer to the pivot point than the first snap coupling portion.

[0006] According to the switch device of one embodiment, the cover can be separated from the case without applying a large force by sequentially releasing the snap connections of the plurality of snap connection portions.

[0007] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a switch device according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of a switch device according to one embodiment (in a state in which the case and the cover member are separated); FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a switch device according to one embodiment; FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a switch device according to one embodiment (in a state in which the cover member is removed); FIG. 5 is a sectional perspective view taken along the A-A sectional line of a switch device according to one embodiment; FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a cross-sectional position taken along the B-B sectional line of a switch device according to one embodiment; FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the B-B sectional line of a switch device according to one embodiment;

[0008] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, in the following description, the X-axis direction in the drawings will be referred to as the front-to-rear direction, the Y-axis direction in the drawings will be referred to as the left-to-right direction, and the Z-axis direction in the drawings will be referred to as the up-to-down direction. The positive X-axis direction will be referred to as the forward direction, the positive Y-axis direction will be referred to as the rightward direction, and the positive Z-axis direction will be referred to as the upward direction. These directions indicate relative positional relationships within the device and do not limit the installation direction or operation direction of the device. Any devices that have the same relative positional relationships within the device, even if they have different installation directions or operation directions, are all within the scope of the present invention.

[0009] (Outline of Switch Device 100) Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a switch device 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment (in a state where a case 110 and a cover member 120 are separated).

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the switch device 100 has a case 110 and a cover member 120 that is swingably attached to the case 110 so as to cover the upper side (positive side of the Z axis) of the case 110, and the cover member 120 is configured to be detachable from the case 110.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , when viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction), the case 110 has an outer peripheral wall 111 with an opening 110B at its upper portion, located rearward (negative X-axis side) from the center of the top surface of the main body 115. The outer peripheral wall 111 is a vertical wall-like portion that surrounds the internal space 110A of the case 110. A cover member 120 is attached to the outer peripheral wall 111. The outer peripheral wall 111 has a first side surface 111A on the rear side (negative X-axis side). The outer peripheral wall 111 also has a second side surface 111B on the front side (positive X-axis side). The outer peripheral wall 111 also has a third side surface 111C on the right side (positive Y-axis side).

[0012] A first engaging protrusion 141A that constitutes the first snap coupling portion 141 is provided on the first side surface 111A of the case 110. In addition, a second engaging protrusion 142A that constitutes the second snap coupling portion 142 is provided on the third side surface 111C of the case 110.

[0013] Meanwhile, cover member 120 is provided with an elastically deformable plate-like hook 141B (an example of a "first engaged portion") that constitutes first snap coupling portion 141 at a position overlapping the outside of first side surface 111A of case 110. Cover member 120 is also provided with an elastically deformable plate-like hook 142B (an example of a "second engaged portion") that constitutes second snap coupling portion 142 at a position overlapping the outside of third side surface 111C of case 110.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the first engaging protrusion 141A of the case 110 is fitted into the rectangular first opening 141Ba of the hook 141B of the cover member 120, and the first snap coupling portion 141 is brought into a snap-coupled state.

[0015] Furthermore, the second snap coupling portion 142 is snapped together by fitting the second engaging protrusion 142A of the case 110 into the rectangular second opening 142Ba of the hook 142B of the cover member 120. Note that no snap coupling portion for engaging the cover member 120 and the case 110 is provided on the outer peripheral wall portion 111 other than the first side surface 111A and the third side surface 111C.

[0016] As a result, the cover member 120 is held by the case 110 while attached to the case 110 .

[0017] (Configuration for pressing down switch 130) Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment (with the cover member 120 removed). Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment taken along the line A-A (see Fig. 3).

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, the case 110 is a substantially box-shaped member made of resin, having an opening 110B at the top and an internal space 110A.

[0019] Three switches 130 (switches 130-1, 130-2, and 130-3) that are switched to the switch-on state when pressed are housed in the internal space 110A of the case 110. The three switches 130 are arranged to form a triangle when viewed from above (positive direction of the Z axis).

[0020] Furthermore, three third engagement protrusions 143A are provided in the internal space 110A of the case 110, facing the three switches 130, respectively. Each of the three third engagement protrusions 143A, together with an engagement claw 143B of the cover member 120, constitutes a third snap coupling 143 (see FIG. 5). Each of the three third engagement protrusions 143A is provided so as to face a corresponding one of the switches 130, with the center of gravity G of the three switches 130 sandwiched therebetween. Each of the three third engagement protrusions 143A is snap-coupled to the cover member 120 as the third snap coupling 143.

[0021] The cover member 120 is a generally flat plate-shaped member made of resin that is provided on the upper side of the case 110 to cover the opening 110B of the case 110. The cover member 120 is snap-coupled to the case 110, and is supported by the case 110 so as to be able to swing.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cover member 120 has a horizontal, flat top plate portion 121 at the top, and when the operator presses any one of three press positions P1 to P3 on the upper surface of the top plate portion 121, the one press position swings downward, and any one of three switches 130 that are provided in contact with the surface below the one press position (negative side of the Z axis) can be pressed.

[0023] The three switches 130 bias the cover member 120 upward, and when one of the three switches 130 is pressed down, as shown in Figure 5, the snap connection portion (AX) between the cover member 120 and one of the third engagement protrusions 143A located opposite that switch 130 becomes a virtual rotation center axis, and the cover member 120 can swing to press down that one switch 130.

[0024] 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment taken along the line A-A (see FIG. 3). FIG. 5 shows a cross section taken along the line A-A that passes through the switch 130-1, the pressed position P1, the center of gravity G, and the third snap coupling 143.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 5, the third snap connection portion 143 has a third engaging protrusion 143A of the case 110 and an engaging claw 143B of the cover member 120, and the third engaging protrusion 143A and the engaging claw 143B are snap-connected together.

[0026] The switch device 100 according to one embodiment has three such third snap couplings 143, and the three third snap couplings 143 restrict upward movement of the cover member 120, which is biased upward by the three switches 130, and determine the height of the cover member 120 in its normal state (unoperated initial state). The first snap couplings 141 and the second snap couplings 142 are arranged such that the rectangular openings (first opening 141Ba, second opening 142Ba) of the cover member 120 and the engaging protrusions (first engaging protrusion 141A, second engaging protrusion 142A) of the case 110 are spaced apart at a predetermined gap in both the vertical direction so that the cover member 120 is always snap-coupled only by the third snap couplings when the cover member 120 is in its normal state (unoperated state). Therefore, although the first snap coupling portion 141 and the second snap coupling portion 142 are not involved in determining the height of the initial position of the cover member 120, when a strong impact is applied from the outside in a direction that would cause it to come off, such as when it is dropped, the specified gap is filled and the snap coupling state is established, thereby preventing the cover member 120 from unintentionally falling off the case 110.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, when the operator presses down position P1 of the cover member 120, the third snap coupling portion 143, which is provided to face the switch 130 at the press down position P1, becomes the virtual rotation center axis AX, causing the cover member 120 to swing down so that the press down position P1 moves downward, thereby pressing down switch 130-1, which is provided below the press down position P1 (negative side of the Z axis).

[0028] Similarly, when the operator presses down position P2 or P3 of cover member 120, the third snap coupling portion 143 located diagonally from press position P2 or P3 becomes the virtual rotation center axis AX, causing cover member 120 to swing down so that press position P2 or P3 moves downward, thereby pressing down switch 130-2 or switch 130-3 located below press position P2 or P3 (negative side of the Z axis).

[0029] 5, each of the three switches 130 has an actuator 131 supported by the case 110 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and a switch element 132 provided on a circuit board 140 provided inside the case 110 and below the actuator 131 (Z-axis negative side). When the actuator 131 is pressed down by the cover member 120, the actuator 131 presses down the switch element 132, switching each of the three switches 130 to a switch-on state.

[0030] (Procedure for Removing Cover Member 120) Hereinafter, a procedure for removing the cover member 120 in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a cross-sectional position along the line B-B of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6 , along the line B-B, a first section S1 is a section parallel to the X-axis that passes through the first snap coupling 141. A second section S2 is a section parallel to the X-axis that passes through one third snap coupling 143. A third section S3 is a section parallel to the X-axis that passes through the second snap coupling 142. A fourth section S4 is a section parallel to the X-axis that passes through a pivot point f described below. As shown in FIG. 4 , the pivot point f is one of multiple protrusions 112 that protrude upward (in the positive direction of the Z-axis) and are provided on the upper end of the outer peripheral wall 111 of the case 110. As described below, the pivot point f is the protrusion 112 that is provided on the upper end of the second side surface 111B of the case 110. This protrusion 112 functions as a pivot point for the cover member 120 when the cover member 120 is removed.

[0032] <Normal State (Initial State)> FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB showing the normal state of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 7 , in the normal state (initial state) of the cover member 120 of the switch device 100, as described above, the third snap coupling portion 143 is snap-coupled, thereby defining the height position of the cover member 120 relative to the case 110, and even if the cover member 120 receives a strong impact from the case 110, the first snap coupling portion 141 and the second snap coupling portion 142 are each snap-coupled, preventing the cover member 120 from easily falling off upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis).

[0034] 7, in the first snap coupling portion 141, the first engaging protrusion 141A of the case 110 is provided so as to be snap-coupled to the first opening 141Ba of the hook 141B of the cover member 120. Here, as described above, there is a predetermined gap between the first engaging protrusion 141A and the upper and lower edges of the first opening 141Ba, and therefore the hook 141B of the cover member 120 can move in the vertical direction (positive and negative directions of the Z axis) by this gap, thereby enabling the switch 130 to be switched to the on state.

[0035] 7, in the second snap connection portion 142, the second engagement protrusion 142A of the case 110 is provided so as to be snap-connectable to the second opening 142Ba of the hook 142B of the cover member 120. As described above, there is a predetermined gap between the second engagement protrusion 142A and the upper and lower edges of the second opening 142Ba (see also FIG. 8), allowing the hook 142B of the cover member 120 to move up and down (in the positive and negative Z-axis directions) by this gap. Note that in FIGS. 7 and 9, the second opening 142Ba is not depicted as a hole with a closed perimeter for convenience of illustration, but in reality, it is a hole with a closed perimeter, as in FIGS. 8 and 10 to 13.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in section S2 of Figure 7, in the third snap connection portion 143, the lower surface of the protrusion shape extending toward the positive direction of the X-axis of the third engagement protrusion portion 143A of the case 110 abuts against the upper surface of the protrusion shape extending toward the negative direction of the X-axis of the engagement claw 143B of the cover member 120. Therefore, the upward movement of the engagement claw 143B (in the positive direction of the Z-axis) is prevented, but the movement of the engagement claw 143B in the rotational direction and downward movement (in the negative direction of the Z-axis) is possible.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in section S4 of Figure 7, the cover member 120 has a gap between the underside of the top plate portion 121 and the multiple protrusions 112 provided on the upper end of the outer wall portion 111, so that the cover member 120 can move downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis) as a whole by this gap.

[0038] In this way, in the switch device 100's normal state (initial state) before the removal operation, the cover member 120 is configured to be able to move and rotate downward (negative direction of the Z axis) as a whole, so that regardless of which of the pressing positions P1 to P3 on the cover member 120 is pressed, the cover member 120 can swing downward (negative direction of the Z axis) so that one switch 130 corresponding to that pressing position can be pressed.

[0039] The cover member 120 is biased upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis) by each of the three switches 130. As a result, when no pressing force is applied by the operator, the cover member 120 can maintain a horizontal position at the highest position in the normal state (initial state) shown in Fig. 7 .

[0040] <First State> FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB showing a first state in the process of removing the cover member 120 of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment in a normal state (initial state).

[0041] As shown in section S1 of Figure 7, in the first snap connection portion 141, there is a gap C between the lower surface 141Aa of the first engagement protrusion portion 141A and the lower edge portion 141Bb of the first opening 141Ba of the hook 141B, so that the cover member 120 can rotate upward (clockwise) around the virtual rotation center axis AX by the amount of this gap C.

[0042] When the removal operator lifts end 122 on the rear side (negative side of the X-axis) adjacent to first side surface 111A in the direction of arrow F (positive direction of the Z-axis) and rotates cover member 120 upward (positive direction of the Z-axis) by a predetermined angle from the normal state shown in Fig. 7, cover member 120 assumes the first state shown in Fig. 8. End 122 of cover member 120 may be lifted directly with the operator's fingers, or may be lifted by inserting a tool such as a flathead screwdriver between case 110 and cover member 120.

[0043] At this time, as shown in section S1 of Figure 8, in the first snap coupling portion 141, the lower edge portion 141Bb of the first opening 141Ba of the hook 141B is not in contact with the lower surface 141Aa of the first engaging protrusion portion 141A, or even if it is in contact, the tip does not ride up onto it, and in this state, no load is generated on the first snap coupling portion 141 when it is removed.

[0044] Also, at this time, as shown in section S4 of Figure 8, near the end of the front side (positive side of the X axis) of the cover member 120, the underside of the top plate portion 121 of the cover member 120 rotates downward (negative direction of the Z axis) by a predetermined angle and abuts against the rotation fulcrum f.

[0045] Also, at this time, as shown in section S2 of Figure 8, in the third snap connection portion 143, the lower surface of the third engagement protrusion portion 143A of the case 110 abuts against the upper surface of the engagement claw 143B of the cover member 120 and functions as a virtual rotation center axis AX, and the upward movement of the engagement claw 143B (positive direction of the Z axis) is locked.

[0046] <Second State> FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB showing a second state subsequent to the first state in the process of removing the cover member 120 of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0047] When the remover further slightly lifts the rear end 122 (negative side of the X-axis) of the cover member 120 in the direction of arrow F (positive direction of the Z-axis) from the first state shown in Fig. 8 , the cover member 120 rotates upward about the tip of the rotation fulcrum f, and the snap connection of the third snap connection 143 is released as shown in section S2 of Fig. 9 , thereby entering the second state shown in Fig. 9. Note that although the inclination of the cover member 120 appears to be approximately the same in appearance in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 , in actual operation, the cover member 120 transitions from a rotation about the virtual rotation central axis AX to a rotation about the tip of the rotation fulcrum f, and a state change occurs at this timing such that a force acts to separate the snap connection of the third snap connection 143; Fig. 9 exaggerates the state in which the snap connection portions (143A, 143B) are unable to withstand the separating force and are repelled away from each other. Incidentally, the snap coupling force of the third snap coupling part is set to be weak enough to be able to resist the biasing force of the switch 130, and is therefore weaker than the first snap coupling part 141 and the second snap coupling part 142, so the load during removal is also small. Therefore, the operator can easily release the third snap coupling part during removal.

[0048] At this time, as shown in section S1 of Figure 9, in the first snap coupling portion 141, the lower edge portion 141Bb of the first opening 141Ba of the hook 141B remains in contact with the lower surface 141Aa of the first engaging protrusion 141A, and the tip does not ride up onto it. In other words, the first snap coupling portion 141 remains in a snap-coupled state, and therefore, in this state, no load is generated on the first snap coupling portion 141 when it is removed.

[0049] 9 , the second engaging projection 142A remains fitted into the second opening 142Ba of the hook 142B in the second snap coupling 142, i.e., the second snap coupling 142 remains in a snap-coupled state, and therefore, in this state, no load is generated at the time of removal on the second snap coupling 142. That is, in the operation in the second state, no load is generated at the time of removal on the first snap coupling 141 and the second snap coupling 142, and only the third snap coupling 143, which generates a small load, is removed alone, making the removal operation easy.

[0050] <Third State> FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB showing a third state subsequent to the second state in the process of removing the cover member 120 of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0051] When the removal operator further lifts the rear end 122 (negative side of the X-axis) of the cover member 120 in the direction of arrow F (positive direction of the Z-axis) from the second state shown in Figure 9, the cover member 120 rotates upward around the tip of the pivot point f, and as shown in section S1 of Figure 10, the snap connection of the first snap connection portion 141, which is located farther from the pivot point f than the second snap connection portion 142, is released, thereby entering the third state shown in Figure 10.

[0052] 10 , in the second snap coupling 142, which is located closer to the pivot point f than the first snap coupling 141, the second engaging protrusion 142A remains fitted into the second opening 142Ba of the hook 142B, i.e., the second snap coupling 142 remains in a snap-coupled state. For the same amount of rotation of the cover member 120, the second snap coupling 142, which is closer to the pivot point f and has a smaller radius of rotation, moves less upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis) than the first snap coupling 141. Therefore, in the operation in the third state, no load is generated when the second snap coupling 142 is released, and only the first snap coupling 141 can be released independently, facilitating the removal operation.

[0053] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the release structure of the second snap coupling 142 in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 11A shows an enlarged view of a portion of the second snap coupling 142 shown in section S3 of Fig. 10. Fig. 11B is a CC cross-sectional view of the second snap coupling 142 shown in Fig. 11A.

[0054] 11 , second engaging protrusion 142A has a flank 142Aa that is curved in a plan view from the Y-axis positive side on a part of the outer circumferential surface that engages with the inner wall of second opening 142Ba of hook 142B. Note that flank 142Aa is curved along the trajectory of movement of the inner wall of second opening 142Ba of hook 142B that moves in conjunction with the rotation of cover member 120.

[0055] As a result, the inner wall of the second opening 142Ba of the hook 142B moves along the relief surface 142Aa as the cover member 120 rotates upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis) around the tip of the rotation fulcrum f until the cover member 120 reaches the third state shown in Figure 10 (i.e., until the snap connection of the first snap connection portion 141 is released), without interfering with the rotation of the cover member 120 or riding over the surface on the positive side of the Y axis of the second engaging protrusion portion 142A.

[0056] The second engagement protrusion 142A has a tapered surface 142Ab at a corner on the rear side (negative side of the X axis) and lower side (negative side of the Z axis) that is cut diagonally. The tapered surface 142Ab is inclined so that the amount of engagement between the second engagement protrusion 142A and the inner wall of the second opening 142Ba gradually decreases (making it easier to ride up) as it approaches the tip (positive direction of the Y axis) of the second engagement protrusion 142A.

[0057] <Fourth State> FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB showing a fourth state subsequent to the third state in the process of removing the cover member 120 of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0058] When the removal operator lifts the rear end 122 (negative side of the X-axis) of the cover member 120 from the third state shown in FIG. 10 in the direction of arrow F (positive direction of the Z-axis), the second snap connection portion 142 is released from the snap connection as shown in FIG. 11.

[0059] 10 (i.e., after the snap connection of first snap connection portion 141 has been released), the inner wall of second opening 142Ba of hook 142B moves from relief surface 142Aa of second engaging protrusion 142A onto tapered surface 142Ab of second engaging protrusion 142A. Thereafter, as cover member 120 rotates upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis), the inner wall of second opening 142Ba of hook 142B gradually moves in a direction away from second engaging protrusion 142A (in the positive direction of the Y axis) while sliding on tapered surface 142Ab, and finally, when it moves to the tip of second engaging protrusion 142A on the positive side of the Y axis, it is disengaged from second engaging protrusion 142A. This releases the snap connection of the second snap connection part 142. In the fourth state operation, once the load applied when releasing the connection of the first snap connection part 141 has ceased to be generated, only the release of the second snap connection part 142 can be performed independently, making the removal operation easy.

[0060] As a result of the above, as shown in Figure 12, all of the snap connections of the first snap connection portion 141, the second snap connection portion 142, and the third snap connection portion 143 of the cover member 120 are individually released, and the cover member 120 is in the fourth state shown in Figure 12.

[0061] <Fifth State> FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB showing a fifth state subsequent to the fourth state in the process of removing the cover member 120 of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0062] The cover member 120 is pulled entirely upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis) by the removal operator from the fourth state in which all snap connections shown in Figure 12 are released, to the fifth state in which it is completely separated from the case 110 as shown in Figure 13.

[0063] As described above, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment includes a case 110 having at least a first side surface 111A, a second side surface 111B, and a third side surface 111C and having an opening 110B at the top thereof, a switch 130 housed in an internal space 110A of the case 110, and a cover member 120 supported by the case 110 so as to cover the opening 110B and capable of swinging in a direction to press down the switch 130 in response to a pressing operation. The switch device 100 includes a first snap coupling portion 141 provided on the first side surface 111A and coupling the case 110 and the cover member 120 together, a pivot point f provided on a second side surface 111B opposite to the first side surface 111A, and a pivot point f provided on the first side surface 111B. The cover member 120 further includes a second snap coupling portion 142 that is provided on a third side surface 111C that intersects with side surface 111A and that couples the case 110 and the cover member 120 together. When the cover member 120 is removed from the case 110, the remover pulls up the end portion 122 of the cover member 120 that is close to the first side surface 111A, causing the cover member 120 to rotate around the pivot point f. As the cover member 120 rotates, the snap coupling of the first snap coupling portion 141, which is farther from the pivot point f than the second snap coupling portion 142, is released, and then the snap coupling of the second snap coupling portion 142, which is closer to the pivot point f than the first snap coupling portion 141, is released.

[0064] As a result, in the switch device 100 of one embodiment, when the cover member 120 rotates around the pivot point f, the first snap coupling portion 141, which is farther from the pivot point f, is released from the snap coupling before the second snap coupling portion 142, and therefore, the snap coupling of the two snap coupling portions 141, 142 can be released with a relatively small force compared to a configuration in which the snap coupling of the two snap coupling portions 141, 142 is released simultaneously.

[0065] In addition, the switch device 100 of one embodiment further includes a third snap connection portion 143 that is provided in the internal space 110A, connects the case 110 and the cover member 120, and restricts upward movement of the cover member 120 relative to the case 110, and the cover member 120 is forced upward by the switch 130.

[0066] As a result, in one embodiment of the switch device 100, the cover member 120 can maintain its initial state (a state in which it is positioned at the highest position in a horizontal position) when no pressing force is applied to the cover member 120 by the operator.

[0067] Furthermore, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the cover member 120 pivots in a direction to press down the switch 130 with the third snap coupling portion 143 as the virtual rotation center axis AX.

[0068] As a result, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, when the cover member 120 is pressed down by an operator, the cover member 120 swings, thereby enabling the switch 130 to be pressed down.

[0069] In addition, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the third snap coupling portion 143 is provided between the first snap coupling portion 141 and the pivot point f, as shown in Figures 7 to 10 and Figures 12 to 13.

[0070] As a result, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, when the end 122 on the rear side (negative side of the X-axis) of the cover member 120 is lifted by the operator performing removal, the cover member 120 can rotate with the third snap coupling portion 143 acting as the virtual rotation center axis AX from the normal state (see FIG. 7 ) to the first state (see FIG. 8 ) in which it abuts against the rotation fulcrum f.

[0071] The load capacity of the snap connection of the third snap connection portion 143 is greater than the load urged upward by the switch 130 and greater than the load applied when a pressing operation is performed on the cover member 120. As a result, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment can prevent the snap connection of the third snap connection portion 143 from being released when the cover member 120 is in the normal state shown in FIG. 7 and when a pressing operation is performed on the cover member 120.

[0072] However, because the connecting force that prevents the cover member 120 from easily and unintentionally detaching is borne by the first snap coupling portion 141 and the second snap coupling portion 142, the load capacity of the snap coupling of the third snap coupling portion 143 can be made significantly smaller than the load capacity of the snap coupling of the first snap coupling portion 141 and the second snap coupling portion 142. As a result, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment can prevent the connecting force of the third snap coupling portion 143 from interfering with the removal operator's intentional removal of the cover member 120.

[0073] Therefore, in this embodiment, the snap connection of the third snap connection portion 143 is released before the snap connection of the first snap connection portion 141 is released, but the snap connection of the third snap connection portion 143 may be released at some other timing.

[0074] In addition, in one embodiment of the switch device 100, the first snap coupling portion 141 has a first engaging protrusion portion 141A protruding from the first side surface 111A, and an elastically deformable plate-shaped hook 141B provided on the cover member 120 and having a first opening 141Ba into which the first engaging protrusion portion 141A is fitted.

[0075] As a result, in the switch device 100 of one embodiment, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the hook 141B, the first snap coupling portion 141 can be easily snapped together by the assembly worker simply applying a downward force to the cover member 120, and the snap coupling of the first snap coupling portion 141 can be easily released by the removal worker simply applying an upward force to the cover member 120.

[0076] In addition, in one embodiment of the switch device 100, the second snap coupling portion 142 has a second engaging protrusion portion 142A protruding from the third side surface 111C, and an elastically deformable plate-shaped hook 142B provided on the cover member 120 and having a first opening 141Ba into which the second engaging protrusion portion 142A is fitted.

[0077] As a result, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the hook 142B, the assembly worker can easily snap the second snap coupling portion 142 together simply by applying a downward force to the cover member 120, and the removal worker can easily release the snap coupling of the second snap coupling portion 142 together simply by applying an upward force to the cover member 120.

[0078] In addition, in one embodiment of the switch device 100, the second engaging protrusion 142A has a curved escape surface 142Aa on a part of its outer surface that engages with the hook 142B, which follows the movement trajectory of the inner wall of the second opening 142Ba of the hook 142B, which moves in conjunction with the rotation of the cover member 120.

[0079] As a result, the switch device 100 of one embodiment can prevent the snap connection of the second engaging protrusion portion 142A from being released before the snap connection of the first snap connection portion 141 is released as the cover member 120 rotates.

[0080] In the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the second engaging protrusion 142A has a tapered surface 142Ab onto which the hook 142B rides, thereby moving the hook 142B in the disengaging direction as the cover member 120 rotates.

[0081] As a result, in one embodiment of the switch device 100, after the snap connection of the first snap connection portion 141 is released as the cover member 120 is rotated, the snap connection of the second engagement protrusion portion 142A can be released simply by further rotating the cover member 120.

[0082] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0083] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, an engaging protrusion is provided on the side of the case 110 and an opening is provided on the side of the cover member 120 to form a snap connection portion, but this is not limited to this, and the snap connection portion may also be formed by providing an opening on the side of the case 110 and an engaging protrusion on the side of the cover member 120.

[0084] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-111462, filed on July 11, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0085] 100 Switch device 110 Case 110A Internal space 110B Opening 111 Outer peripheral wall portion 111A First side surface 111B Second side surface 111C Third side surface 112 Projection 115 Main body portion 120 Cover member 121 Top plate portion 122 End portion (cover member) 130, 130-1, 130-2, 130-3 Switch 131 Actuator 132 Switch element 141 First snap coupling portion 141A First engaging protrusion portion 142Aa Relief surface 142Ab Tapered surface 141B Hook 141Ba First opening portion 142 Second snap coupling portion 142A Second engaging protrusion portion 142B Hook 142Ba Second opening portion 143 Third snap coupling portion 143A Third engaging protrusion 143B Engaging claw AX Virtual rotation center axis G Center of gravity P1 to P3 Pressed position S1 to S4 Section f Rotation fulcrum

Claims

1. A switch device comprising: a case having at least a first side, a second side, and a third side, and having openings at the tops of the switch; a switch housed in the internal space of the case; and a cover member supported by the case so as to cover the opening, and capable of swinging in a direction that presses down the switch when pressed down; wherein the switch device further comprises: a first snap coupling part provided on the first side, which joins the case and the cover member; a pivot point provided on the second side opposite the first side; and a second snap coupling part provided on a third side intersecting the first side, which joins the case and the cover member; and when the cover member is to be removed from the case, an operator removing the cover member pulls up the end of the cover member that is close to the first side, causing the cover member to rotate around the pivot point, the rotation of the cover member releases the snap connection of the first snap connection portion, which is farther from the pivot point than the second snap connection portion, and then releases the snap connection of the second snap connection portion, which is closer to the pivot point than the first snap connection portion.

2. The switch device according to claim 1, further comprising a third snap connection provided in the internal space, connecting the case and the cover member and restricting upward movement of the cover member relative to the case, wherein the cover member is biased upward by the switch.

3. The switch device according to claim 2, wherein the cover member pivots in the direction of pressing down the switch, with the third snap connection portion acting as a virtual central axis of rotation.

4. The switch device according to claim 3, wherein the third snap coupling portion is provided between the first snap coupling portion and the pivot point.

5. A switch device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first snap coupling portion has: a first engaging protrusion portion protruding from the first side surface; and a first engaged portion in the form of an elastically deformable plate that is provided on the cover member and has a first opening into which the first engaging protrusion portion is fitted.

6. The switch device described in claim 1, characterized in that the second snap coupling portion has: a second engaging protrusion portion protruding from the third side surface; and a second engaged portion in the form of an elastically deformable plate that is provided on the cover member and has a second opening into which the second engaging protrusion portion is fitted.

7. A switch device as described in claim 6, characterized in that the second engaging protrusion has a curved relief surface on a part of its outer surface that engages with the second engaged portion, the relief surface following the movement trajectory of the inner wall of the second opening that moves in conjunction with the rotation of the cover member.

8. A switch device as described in claim 7, characterized in that the second engaging protrusion has a tapered surface onto which the second engaged portion rides, causing the second engaged portion to move in the disengaging direction as the cover member rotates.

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