Switch device

Abstract

This switch device is attached to a panel in a state where an elastic body is interposed between the switch device and an opening of the panel. The panel includes a pair of bosses provided on both outer sides in the longitudinal direction of the opening and extending toward the switch device. The switch device includes: a case having a housing part; a switch switching part housed in the housing part; an operation member provided in the housing part in an operable manner and capable of switching the switch switching part by being operated via the elastic body by an operator; a pair of receiving parts provided on both outer sides of the housing part in the longitudinal direction of the case, receiving end parts of the bosses, and fastened to the bosses by a fastening member; and a contact part provided on at least one of the pair of receiving parts and biasing the end part of the corresponding boss in a direction away from the housing part in association with the fastening of the boss.

Description

Switch device

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a technology related to a switch device fixed to a back door panel of a vehicle by screwing, and providing a waterproof cover so as to cover the front side of the flange portion to waterproof the peripheral portion of the opening of the pack door panel.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-110867

[0004] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, due to the reaction force when the waterproof cover is strongly compressed, the pack door panel may bend, the adhesion between the waterproof cover and the pack door panel may decrease, and the waterproof property at the peripheral portion of the opening of the pack door panel may decrease.

[0005] A switch device according to an embodiment is a switch device attached to a panel with an elastic body interposed between the switch device and an opening of the panel. The panel is provided with a pair of bosses provided on both outer sides in the longitudinal direction of the opening and extending toward the switch device side. The switch device includes a case having a housing portion, a switch switching portion housed in the housing portion, an operation member provided operably in the housing portion and operable to switch the switch switching portion by an operation by an operator via the elastic body, a pair of receiving portions provided on both outer sides of the housing portion in the longitudinal direction of the case, receiving the end portions of the bosses, and fastened to the bosses by fastening members, and an abutting portion provided on at least one of the pair of receiving portions and biasing the end portions of the bosses in a direction away from the housing portion as the bosses are fastened.

[0006] According to the switch device according to an embodiment, the waterproof effect at the peripheral portion of the opening of the panel can be enhanced.

[0007] External perspective view of a switch device and panel according to one embodiment (without the switch device attached to the panel) Cross-sectional view of a switch device and panel according to one embodiment (with the switch device attached to the panel) Exploded perspective view of a switch device according to one embodiment Enlarged view of the receiving portion of a switch device according to one embodiment Cross-sectional view illustrating the method of attaching a switch device according to one embodiment to a panel Cross-sectional view illustrating the method of attaching a switch device according to one embodiment to a panel Partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the switch device and panel shown in Figure 6 Cross-sectional view illustrating the method of attaching a switch device according to one embodiment to a panel Partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the switch device and panel shown in Figure 8 Cross-sectional view illustrating the method of attaching a switch device according to one embodiment to a panel Partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the switch device and panel shown in Figure 10 Switch according to one embodiment Figure 1 shows a first modified example of the receiving portion of the device. Figure 1 shows a second modified example of the receiving portion of the switch device according to the embodiment. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the switch device and panel (with the switch device attached to the panel) which is a first modified example of the switch device according to the embodiment. Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the switch device, which is a first modified example of the switch device according to the embodiment. Figure 1 shows an external perspective view of the switch device and panel, which is a second modified example of the switch device according to the embodiment - modified panel (with the switch device not attached to the panel). Figure 1 shows an external perspective view of the switch device and panel, which is a second modified example of the switch device according to the embodiment - modified panel (with the switch device not attached to the panel). Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the switch device and panel, which is a second modified example of the switch device according to the embodiment - modified panel (with the switch device attached to the panel).

[0008] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, in the following description, the Z-axis direction in the drawings will be considered as the vertical direction, the Y-axis direction as the left-right direction, and the X-axis direction as the front-back direction. However, the positive Z-axis direction will be considered upward, the positive Y-axis direction as the rightward direction, and the positive X-axis direction as the forward direction.

[0009] (Configuration of the switch device 100) Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the switch device 100 and panel 10 (without the switch device 100 attached to the panel 10) according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 100 and panel 10 (with the switch device 100 attached to the panel 10) according to one embodiment. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the switch device 100 is mounted on the back side (negative Z-axis side) of the panel 10 with an elastic body 140 interposed between it and the opening 11 of the panel 10. In this case, the convex portion 141 of the elastic body 140 is exposed from the opening 11 of the panel 10. This allows the switch device 100 to be pressed by an operator via the convex portion 141 of the elastic body 140.

[0011] Panel 10 is a flat, plate-shaped member made of resin and horizontal (i.e., parallel to the XY plane). Panel 10 has a rectangular opening 11 with its longitudinal direction in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). Panel 10 also has a pair of left and right bosses 12 on its back surface and on both outer sides of the opening 11 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). Each of the left and right bosses 12 has a cylindrical shape that extends linearly downward (negative Z-axis direction). Each of the left and right bosses 12 has a screw hole 12A formed therein, drilled upward (positive Z-axis direction) from the center of the lower end surface of the boss 12.

[0012] Note that in Figures 1 and 2, only a portion of the panel 10 around the opening 11 is shown. As the panel 10, for example, the panel of a vehicle's back door can be used. In this case, for example, the latch of the vehicle's back door can be released by pressing the switch device 100 attached to the panel 10 via the convex portion 141 of the elastic body 140 with the operator's hand.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the switch device 100 comprises a case 110, a circuit board 120, a slider 130, and an elastic body 140.

[0014] The case 110 is a hollow, box-shaped (generally rectangular) resin component. The case 110 is divisible into a cover 112 and a case body 111. The cover 112 has a box shape (generally rectangular) with an opening on the bottom (negative Z-axis side). The case body 111 is a box-shaped (generally rectangular) component with a rectangular upper opening 111A on the top (positive Z-axis side). The internal space of the case body 111 is a housing section 110A capable of accommodating the substrate 120 and the slider 130.

[0015] The cover 112 is attached to the top of the case body 111 by fitting the top of the case body 111 into the lower opening of the cover 112, thereby covering the upper opening 111A of the case body 111. At this time, each of the four sides of the cover 112 overlaps with the outside of each of the four sides of the case body 111. The cover 112 is then fixed to the case body 111 by fitting each of the multiple engagement holes 112C formed on the front side (positive X-axis side) and rear side (positive X-axis side) of the cover 112 into each of the multiple engagement protrusions 111B formed on the front side (positive X-axis side) and rear side (negative X-axis side) of the case body 111.

[0016] A rectangular opening 112B is formed on the upper surface 112A of the cover 112, with the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) as its longitudinal direction. The opening 112B is provided to allow the operating part 131 of the slider 130 to protrude upward (in the positive Z-axis direction), enabling the operator to press the operating part 131 from above (in the positive Z-axis direction).

[0017] Furthermore, a rectangular groove 111C is formed around the upper opening 111A of the case body 111, surrounding the upper opening 111A. A rectangular packing 113 made of an elastic material (rubber, elastomer, etc.) is fitted into the groove 111C. The packing 113 is pressed from above (in the positive Z-axis direction) by the upper surface 112A of the cover 112, sealing the area around the upper opening 111A and preventing water from entering the storage section 110A through the upper opening 111A from the gap between the side surface of the case body 111 and the side surface of the cover 112.

[0018] Furthermore, the case body 111 has a pair of left and right receiving portions 114 that protrude outward in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) from a pair of left and right sides. Each receiving portion 114 has a horizontal flat portion 114A that receives the lower end surface of the boss 12 of the panel 10, at a position facing the lower end surface of the boss 12. In addition, each receiving portion 114 has a circular through hole 114B that penetrates the flat portion 114A in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0019] Each of the left and right receiving portions 114 receives the lower end surface of the corresponding boss 12 with its flat portion 114A, and fastens to the corresponding boss 12 by screwing a screw 20 (an example of a "fastening member") that passes through the through hole 114B from below (negative Z-axis side) into the screw hole 12A of the corresponding boss 12. The switch device 100 is fixed to the panel 10, that is, the switch device 100 is attached to the panel 10, by fastening each of the left and right receiving portions 114 to each of the left and right bosses 12 with the screw 20. Note that the "fastening member" is not limited to a screw, but may be a rivet or the like that can fasten the receiving portion 114 to the boss 12.

[0020] The circuit board 120 is a flat, plate-shaped component made of resin, positioned horizontally in the center of the inner bottom surface of the housing section 110A of the case 110. A push switch 121 (an example of a "switch switching section") is provided in the center of the upper surface 120A of the circuit board 120. The circuit board 120 is also provided with two rod-shaped metal terminals 122 that extend linearly in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Each metal terminal 122 is electrically connected to the push switch 121 and extends through the circuit board 120 and the bottom surface 111D of the case body 111, into a connector 111E that protrudes downward (negative Z-axis direction) from the bottom surface 111D. An external connector (not shown) is fitted into the connector 111E. As a result, the push switch 121 is electrically connected to the outside via the two metal terminals 122 and the external connector. The "switch switching unit" is not limited to a push switch; it may also be a magnetic sensor, optical sensor, or other device capable of detecting a press by the operator.

[0021] The slider 130 is an example of an "operating member". The slider 130 is a resin, block-shaped member that is arranged in the housing portion 110A of the case 110 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The slider 130 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is slightly smaller than the housing portion 110A of the case 110. The slider 130 has an operating portion 131 in the center of the upper surface portion 130A that is rectangular in shape with the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) as its longitudinal direction when viewed from above, and protrudes upward (positive Z-axis direction). The operating portion 131 is the part that receives a pressing operation by the operator via an elastic body 140.

[0022] The slider 130 has a hollow structure with an opening on the lower side (negative Z-axis side). Inside the internal space of the slider 130, there is a columnar pressing portion 132 that is suspended downward from the center of the back surface of the upper surface portion 130A (i.e., the ceiling surface of the internal space). The lower end surface of the pressing portion 132 faces the top of the push switch 121. As a result, when the slider 130 is pressed by the operator, it moves downward and the pressing portion 132 presses the top of the push switch 121, thereby turning on the push switch 121.

[0023] The elastic body 140 is a sheet-like member made of an elastic material (for example, rubber, elastomer, etc.). When viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction) in a plan view, the elastic body 140 has the same shape (i.e., a rectangular shape with the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) as its longitudinal direction) and the same size as the upper surface portion 112A of the cover 112. The elastic body 140 is placed on top of the upper surface portion 112A of the cover 112, thereby covering the opening 112B formed in the upper surface portion 112A of the cover 112, and the upper surface portion 130A of the slider 130 which is placed inside the opening 112B. The elastic body 140 adheres tightly to the upper surface portion 112A of the cover 112, sealing the area around the opening 112B and preventing water from entering the housing portion 110A from the opening 112B. The elastic body 140 may also be integrally formed by bonding it to the cover 112 using two-color molding, in which case the adhesion with the cover 112 can be further improved.

[0024] The elastic body 140 has a convex portion 141 that protrudes upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) and has the same shape as the operating portion 131 of the slider 130 (i.e., a rectangle with the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) as its longitudinal direction) when viewed from above in a plan view, at a position that overlaps with the operating portion 131 of the slider 130. The convex portion 141 is the part that receives a press operation by the operator. The convex portion 141 forms a recess 141A on the back side (negative Z-axis side) of the elastic body 140, and the operating portion 131 of the slider 130 is fitted into the recess 141A, thereby covering the operating portion 131. As a result, when the convex portion 141 receives a press operation by the operator, it can move up and down together with the operating portion 131 of the slider 130.

[0025] The elastic body 140 has a rib 142 that protrudes upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) from its upper surface. In a plan view from above, the rib 142 has a rectangular frame shape along the outer circumference of the elastic body 140 and surrounds the convex portion 141. When the switch device 100 is attached to the panel 10, the rib 142 is pressed by the panel 10, thereby increasing the degree of contact between the elastic body 140 and the upper surface portion 112A of the cover 112, that is, it can enhance the waterproofing effect to prevent water from entering the housing portion 110A from the opening 112B. In addition, when the switch device 100 is attached to the panel 10, the rib 142 is pressed by the panel 10 and adheres tightly to the panel 10, thereby preventing water that has entered through the opening 11 of the panel 10 from entering the back side (negative Z-axis side) of the panel 10 through the gap between the panel 10 and the elastic body 140.

[0026] In this embodiment, the elastic body 140 is included in the switch device 100, but the elastic body 140 may not be included in the switch device 100 (i.e., it may be provided separately from the switch device 100). Also, the elastic body 140 may be integrally molded with the panel 10. Alternatively, the elastic body 140 may be integrally molded with the slider 130.

[0027] (Detailed configuration of the receiving portion 114) Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the receiving portion 114 provided in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment. Although Figure 4 shows the configuration of the receiving portion 114 on the left side (negative Y-axis side), the receiving portion 114 on the right side (positive Y-axis side) has a similar configuration.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the receiving portion 114 on the left side (negative Y-axis side) is provided so as to protrude to the left (negative Y-axis direction) of the left side of the cover 112, passing through the notch portion 112D formed at the lower end of the left side surface of the cover 112.

[0029] The receiving portion 114 has a horizontal planar portion 114A that receives the lower end surface of the boss 12. When viewed from above, the planar portion 114A has a linear portion 114Ad that extends linearly to the left (negative Y-axis direction) with a constant front-to-back width (width in the X-axis direction), and a semicircular tip portion 114Ab provided at the tip (left end) of the linear portion 114Ad.

[0030] The receiving portion 114 has a circular through-hole 114B formed at the boundary between the straight portion 114Ad and the tip portion 114A in the flat portion 114A, which penetrates the flat portion 114A in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0031] The outer periphery of the receiving portion 114 is provided with a vertical wall portion 114C having a certain height along the outer periphery. In other words, the flat portion 114A is surrounded by the wall portion 114C.

[0032] At the end portion (right end) of the receiving portion 114, a projection 114D is provided in the center in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction), projecting upward from the flat portion 114A (straight portion 114Ad). Viewed from above, the projection 114D has a constant front-to-back width (width in the X-axis direction) and extends linearly from the wall portion 114C to the left (negative Y-axis direction). The left side (negative Y-axis side) of the projection 114D is a contact portion 114Da, which is an upward-sloping surface that slopes downward toward the left (negative Y-axis direction). The contact portion 114D is provided to contact the lower end of the boss 12 when the boss 12 is fastened, and to bias the lower end of the boss 12 away from the housing portion 110A of the case 110 (negative Y-axis direction).

[0033] In the flat portion 114A, the circular region centered on the through hole 114B on the tip side (negative Y-axis side) of the projection 114D is a receiving region 114Ac that receives the lower end surface of the boss 12.

[0034] (Method of attaching the switch device 100 to the panel 10) Figures 5, 6, 8, and 10 are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of attaching a switch device 100 to the panel 10 according to one embodiment. Figure 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the switch device 100 and panel 10 shown in Figure 6. Figure 9 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the switch device 100 and panel 10 shown in Figure 8. Figure 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the switch device 100 and panel 10 shown in Figure 10.

[0035] When the switch device 100 is attached to the panel 10, first, as shown in Figure 5, the switch device 100 is positioned on the back side (negative Z-axis side) of the panel 10. At this time, each of the pair of receiving parts 114 of the switch device 100 is positioned below each of the pair of bosses 12 of the panel 10. Also, the convex part 141 of the elastic body 140 is positioned below the opening 11 of the panel 10.

[0036] Then, as shown in Figure 6, by bringing the switch device 100 closer to the panel 10, the convex portion 141 of the elastic body 140 is positioned inside the opening 11 of the panel 10, and the lower ends of the pair of bosses 12 of the panel 10 are positioned inside the respective wall portions 114C of the pair of receiving portions 114 of the switch device 100.

[0037] At this time, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the outer peripheral edge of the lower end surface of the boss 12 abuts against the contact portion 114Da of the receiving portion 114 before the lower end surface of the boss 12 abuts against the flat portion 114A of the receiving portion 114. This is because, as shown in Figure 6, the distance A between the pair of left and right bosses 12 is narrower than the maximum distance B between the pair of left and right contact portions 114Da.

[0038] In this state, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the screws 20 are screwed into the respective screw holes 12A of the left and right bosses 12, with the through hole 114B of the receiving portion 114 passing through from the bottom (negative Z-axis side).

[0039] From the state shown in Figures 6 and 7, when the screw 20 is screwed into the boss 12, the lower end of the boss 12 is biased outward (away from the housing portion 110A of the case 110) by the contact portion 114Da of the receiving portion 114. As a result, the lower end of the boss 12 slides downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) on the contact portion 114Da of the receiving portion 114, moving outward (away from the housing portion 110A of the case 110) and approaching the flat portion 114A of the receiving portion 114.

[0040] Then, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, when the lower end of the boss 12 falls outward from the contact portion 114Da of the receiving portion 114, the lower end surface of the boss 12 comes into contact with the flat portion 114A (receiving area 114Ac) of the receiving portion 114 and is received by the flat portion 114A.

[0041] At this time, the lower end of the boss 12 moves to its outermost position. Since the upper end of the boss 12 is fixed to the panel 10, the boss 12 tilts so that its upper end is closest to the innermost part (closer to the housing section 110A of the case 110) and its lower end is furthest out (farther from the housing section 110A of the case 110).

[0042] As a result, as shown in Figure 8, the panel 10 bends downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) due to elastic deformation caused by the inclination of the pair of bosses 12 (the inclination at which the distance between the upper ends is narrowest and the distance between the lower ends is widest). Therefore, the peripheral portion of the opening 11 of the panel 10, which is the connection side of the bosses 12 to the panel 10, is pressed against the elastic body 140 in a direction that reduces the gap with the elastic body 140, improving the degree of adhesion with the elastic body 140, and thus enhancing the waterproofing effect around the opening 11 of the panel 10.

[0043] From the states shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, by further screwing the screw 20 into the boss 12, the flat portion 114A of the receiving portion 114 is firmly fastened to the lower surface of the boss 12. At this time, the peripheral portion of the opening 11 of the panel 10 is pressed from below (the negative Z-axis side) by the elastic body 140, so that the downward convex warp of the panel 10 is offset, the inclination of the boss 12 is eliminated, and as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the panel 10 becomes horizontal.

[0044] At this time, since the panel 10 is horizontal, the pressing force of the panel 10 by the rib 142 of the elastic body 140 does not escape upward (the positive Z-axis direction), and the peripheral portion of the opening 11 of the panel 10 is pressed by the rib 142 of the elastic body 140 with a strong pressing force. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to more firmly maintain the state in which the waterproof effect at the peripheral portion of the opening 11 of the panel 10 is enhanced.

[0045] As described above, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment is provided on both outer sides of the accommodating portion 110A in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the case 110, receives the lower end portion of the boss 12, and is fastened to the boss 12 by the screw 20 (fastening member). A pair of receiving portions 114, and a contact portion 114Da provided on at least one of the pair of receiving portions 114, and when the boss 12 is fastened, the contact portion 114Da biases the end portion of the boss 12 in a direction away from the accommodating portion 110A.

[0046] Thereby, when the receiving portion 114 is fastened to the boss 12 by the screw 20, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment biases the lower end portion of the boss 12 in a direction away from the accommodating portion 110A by the contact portion 114Da, so as to tilt the boss 12 and make the panel 10 connected to the upper end portion of the boss 12 in a downward convex warped state.

[0047] Therefore, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the peripheral portion of the opening 11 of the panel 10 can reduce the gap with the elastic body 140 and increase the adhesion with the elastic body 140. Thus, the waterproof effect at the peripheral portion of the opening 11 of the panel 10 can be enhanced. Further, when pressed from below (negative Z-axis side) by the elastic body 140, the downward convex warp of the panel 10 can be offset by the pressing force, and the panel 10 can be made horizontal. Therefore, according to the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the adhesion between the peripheral portion of the opening 11 of the panel 10 and the elastic body 140 can be increased, and the state with enhanced waterproof effect at the peripheral portion of the opening 11 of the panel 10 can be maintained more firmly.

[0048] Particularly, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, since the contact portion 114Da is a slope, as the screw 20 is screwed into the boss 12, the lower end portion of the boss 12 can be smoothly slid on the contact portion 114Da.

[0049] In addition, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the contact portion 114Da is provided on each of the pair of left and right receiving portions 114. For this reason, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment can tilt the pair of left and right bosses 12 symmetrically left and right. Therefore, the shape of the downward convex warp of the panel 10 can be made symmetrical left and right.

[0050] Moreover, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the receiving portion 114 has a flat portion 114A outside the contact portion 114Da for receiving the lower end surface of the boss 12. For this reason, in the switch device 100 of the present embodiment, after the lower end portion of the boss 12 drops outward from the contact portion 114Da, the lower end surface of the boss 12 can be stably supported by the flat portion 114A.

[0051] Furthermore, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, as shown in Figures 7, 9, and 11, the receiving portion 114 has a vertical wall-shaped stepped portion 114E between the contact portion 114Da and the flat portion 114A. As a result, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, when the lower end surface of the boss 12 is received by the flat portion 114A, the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the boss 12 comes into contact with the stepped portion 114E, thereby preventing the lower end of the boss 12 from returning from the flat portion 114A to the contact portion 114Da.

[0052] Furthermore, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the receiving portion 114 has a wall portion 114C surrounding the contact portion 114Da and the flat portion 114A. As a result, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the boss 12 can be easily aligned with the receiving portion 114, and the wall portion 114C can easily prevent the boss 12 from deviating from the contact portion 114Da and the flat portion 114A.

[0053] Furthermore, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the inner diameter in the Y-axis direction, which is the direction in which the boss 12 moves in the through hole 114B, is larger than the diameter of the screw 20. As a result, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the screw 20 can be moved outward within the through hole 114B as the boss 12 moves outward.

[0054] Furthermore, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the case 110 has a rigidity that is less prone to bending than the panel 10. As a result, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment can allow the panel 10 to bend in accordance with the tilt of the boss 12, while preventing the case 110 from bending.

[0055] (First modified example of the receiving portion 114) Figure 12 shows a first modified example of the receiving portion 114 provided in a switch device 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the receiving portion 114 may have a shape in which the projection 114D does not have a stepped portion 114E, and the contact portion 114D of the projection 114D extends to the flat portion 114A.

[0056] (Second Modification of Receiving Part 114) Figure 13 shows a second modification of the receiving part 114 provided in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 13, the receiving part 114 may have a curved surface that curves outward on the outer circumference of the cylindrical boss 12, with the contact part 114Da and the stepped part 114E of the projection 114D being the contact part 114Da. ​​As a result, the contact part 114D can more reliably guide the lower end of the boss 12 outward with the downward recessed portion (central part in the X-axis direction). In addition, the stepped part 114E can more reliably prevent the boss 12 from returning from the flat part 114A to the contact part 114D by increasing the contact area with the outer surface of the boss 12.

[0057] (First Modified Example of Switch Device 100) Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a switch device 100-2 and panel 10 (with the switch device 100-2 attached to the panel 10), which is a first modified example of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device 100-2, which is a first modified example of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0058] Switch device 100-2 differs from switch device 100 in that it includes an elastic body 140-2 instead of the elastic body 140. Furthermore, switch device 100-2 differs from switch device 100 in that it does not include a packing 113.

[0059] In the switch device 100-2, the case 110 does not have a cover 112, and the elastic body 140-2 is provided overlapping the upper part of the case body 111 of the case 110 and the slider 130. As a result, in the switch device 100-2, the upper opening 111A of the case body 111 is covered by the elastic body 140-2.

[0060] The elastic body 140-2 differs from the elastic body 140 in that it further comprises a second rib 143. The second rib 143 is provided projecting downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) from the lower surface of the elastic body 140-2. In a plan view from below, the second rib 143 has a rectangular frame shape along the outer circumference of the elastic body 140. The second rib 143 functions similarly to the packing 113 by fitting into the groove 111C formed around the upper opening 111A of the case body 111.

[0061] In other words, the second rib 143 seals the area around the upper opening 111A of the case body 111, thereby preventing water from entering the storage section 110A from the side of the case body 111 through the upper opening 111A.

[0062] Thus, the switch device 100-2 has a configuration in which the rib 142 of the elastic body 140-2 is in close contact with the lower surface of the panel 10 (around the opening 11), and the second rib 143 of the elastic body 140-2 is in close contact with the upper surface of the case body 111 (around the upper opening 111A).

[0063] The switch device 100-2, like the switch device 100, has a pair of left and right receiving parts 114, so that when the receiving parts 114 are fastened to the boss 12 with screws 20, the panel 10 can be bent downward in a convex shape. Then, when the peripheral part of the opening 11 of the panel 10 is pressed from below (negative Z-axis side) by the elastic body 140, the pressing force cancels out the downward convex curve of the panel 10, and the panel 10 can be made horizontal. Therefore, the switch device 100-2 can increase the degree of contact between the peripheral part of the opening 11 of the panel 10 and the elastic body 140, and can improve the waterproofing effect around the opening 11 of the panel 10.

[0064] (Second Modification of Switch Device 100) Figures 16 and 17 are external perspective views of a switch device 100-3, which is a second modification of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, and a panel 10-2, which is a modification of the panel 10 (without the switch device 100-3 attached to the panel 10-2). Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of a switch device 100-3, which is a second modification of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, and a panel 10-2, which is a modification of the panel 10 (with the switch device 100-3 attached to the panel 10-2).

[0065] Switch device 100-3 differs from switch device 100 in that it has an elastic body 140-3 instead of an elastic body 140. Also, panel 10-2 differs from panel 10 in that it has a second elastic body 13.

[0066] The elastic body 140-3 differs from the elastic body 140 in that it does not have ribs 142 (i.e., the area around the convex portion 141 is simply flat). Furthermore, the elastic body 140-3 is mounted on top of the slider 130 and fitted into the opening 112B of the cover 112. The elastic body 140-3 may also be integrally formed with the cover 112 by two-color molding, in which case the adhesion with the cover 112 can be further improved.

[0067] The second elastic body 13 is made of a separate component, such as sponge rubber, and is attached to the lower surface of the panel 10-2 with adhesive, thereby integrating it with the panel 10-2. When viewed from below in a plan view, the second elastic body 13 has a rectangular frame shape that surrounds the opening 11 of the panel 10-2. The second elastic body 13 functions similarly to the rib 142 by being sandwiched between the lower surface of the panel 10-2 (the periphery of the opening 11) and the upper surface portion 112A of the cover 112 (the periphery of the opening 112B).

[0068] In other words, the second elastic body 13 can waterproof the area around the opening 112B of the cover 112, preventing water from entering the housing 110A from the opening 112B. Furthermore, the elastic body 140-3 can prevent water that has entered through the opening 11 of the panel 10-2 from entering the back side (negative Z-axis side) of the panel 10 through the gap between the panel 10-2 and the upper surface portion 112A of the cover 112.

[0069] Thus, the switch device 100-3 has a configuration in which the second elastic body 13 is in close contact between the lower surface of the panel 10-2 (around the opening 11) and the upper surface portion 112A of the cover 112 (around the opening 112B).

[0070] The switch device 100-3, like the switch device 100, has a pair of left and right receiving parts 114, so that when the receiving parts 114 are fastened to the boss 12 with screws 20, the panel 10-2 can be bent downward in a convex shape. Then, when the peripheral part of the opening 11 of the panel 10-2 is pressed from below (negative Z-axis side) by the elastic body 140, the pressing force cancels out the downward convex curve of the panel 10-2, and the panel 10-2 can be made horizontal. Therefore, the switch device 100-3 can increase the degree of contact between the peripheral part of the opening 11 of the panel 10-2 and the elastic body 140, and can improve the waterproofing effect around the opening 11 of the panel 10-2.

[0071] 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 or changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims.

[0072] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-221751, filed on 18 December 2024, and the entire contents of said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0073] 10, 10-2 Panel 11 Opening 12 Boss 12A Screw hole 13 Second elastic body 20 Screw (fastening member) 100, 100-2, 100-3 Switch device 110 Case 110A Housing section 111 Case body 111A Upper opening 111B Engaging projection 111C Groove 111D Bottom surface 111E Connector 112 Cover 112A Top surface 112B Opening 112C Engaging hole 112D Notch 113 Packing 114 Receiving section 114A Flat section 114Ad Straight section 114Ab Tip section 114B Through hole 114C Wall section 114D Projection 114D Contact section 114E Stepped section 120 Substrate 120A Top surface 121 Push switch (switch switching section) 122 Metal terminal 130 Slider (operating member) 130A Top surface section 131 Operating section 132 Pressing section 140, 140-2, 140-3 Elastic body 141 Convex section 141A Recessed section 142 Rib 143 Second rib

Claims

1. A switch device attached to a panel with an elastic body interposed between the panel and an opening, wherein the panel is provided with a pair of bosses on both outer sides in the longitudinal direction of the opening and extending toward the switch device, and the switch device is characterized by comprising: a case having a housing portion; a switch switching portion housed in the housing portion; an operating member operably provided in the housing portion and capable of switching the switch switching portion by operation via the elastic body by an operator; a pair of receiving portions provided on both outer sides of the housing portion in the longitudinal direction of the case, receiving the ends of the bosses and fastening to the bosses by a fastening member; and a contact portion provided on at least one of the pair of receiving portions, which biases the end of the bosses toward the housing portion when the bosses are fastened.

2. The switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact portion is an inclined surface.

3. The switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the pair of receiving parts is provided with the contact part.

4. The switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving portion has a flat portion on the outside of the contact portion that receives the end of the boss.

5. The switch device according to claim 4, characterized in that the receiving portion has a stepped portion between the contact portion and the flat portion.

6. The switch device according to claim 5, characterized in that the boss has a cylindrical shape, and the flat portion and the stepped portion have a curved shape along the outer circumference of the boss.

7. The switch device according to claim 4, characterized in that the receiving portion has a wall portion surrounding the contact portion and the flat portion.

8. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion has a through hole through which the fastening member passes, and the longitudinal inner diameter of the through hole is larger than the diameter of the fastening member.

9. The switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the case has a rigidity that is less prone to bending than the panel.

Images