EP1037224B1 - Interrupteur à bouton poussoir - Google Patents

Interrupteur à bouton poussoir Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1037224B1
EP1037224B1 EP00105078A EP00105078A EP1037224B1 EP 1037224 B1 EP1037224 B1 EP 1037224B1 EP 00105078 A EP00105078 A EP 00105078A EP 00105078 A EP00105078 A EP 00105078A EP 1037224 B1 EP1037224 B1 EP 1037224B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
portions
stem
housing
rubber spring
push switch
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00105078A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1037224A2 (fr
EP1037224A3 (fr
Inventor
Kazuki c/o Alps Electric Co. Ltd. Hayakawa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Alps Electric Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=13291627&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP1037224(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Alps Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Alps Electric Co Ltd
Publication of EP1037224A2 publication Critical patent/EP1037224A2/fr
Publication of EP1037224A3 publication Critical patent/EP1037224A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1037224B1 publication Critical patent/EP1037224B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H13/14—Operating parts, e.g. push-button
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2207/00—Connections
    • H01H2207/032—Surface mounted component
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
    • H01H2215/004—Collapsible dome or bubble
    • H01H2215/006—Only mechanical function

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a structure of a push switch to be used as an operating switch for various electronic devices.
  • the invention is concerned with a structure of a stem which is held slidably within a housing.
  • a push switch according to the preamble of claim 1 is described in document US-A-5 895 901.
  • Fig. 11 is a plan view of a stem and Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12-12 in Fig. 11.
  • a stem 15 is formed in a generally square shape using a molding material such as a synthetic resin.
  • An upper surface of the stem 15 is formed with a planar pressing portion 15a which is operated with a human finger or the like.
  • a pressing projection 15b On a lower surface side opposed to the pressing portion 15a is formed a pressing projection 15b for abutment against an upper surface of a rubber spring (not shown).
  • a pair of opposed side face portions of the stem 15 are formed a pair of hook portions 15d having retaining projections 15c respectively, the retaining projections 15c being brought into engagement with retaining grooves formed in inner side faces of a housing (not shown) to restrict the position of the stem 15 within the housing during movement and return of the stem 15.
  • a rubber spring (not shown) for restoring the stem 15 to its initial position.
  • the hook portions 15d are formed projectingly from the stem 15 at a position where they do not strike against the outside of the rubber spring when the rubber spring is deflected.
  • the hook portions 15d are formed so as to be equal in their wall thickness throughout the whole thereof in order to ensure a sufficient strength in their engagement with the housing (not shown). For ensuring such a wall thickness, an external form of the stem 15 is determined in conformity with the hook portions 15d.
  • leg portions 15f respectively for sliding motion along inner side faces of the housing (not shown). Through the leg portions 15f and the hook portions 15d the stem 15 is received slidably within the housing.
  • a known movable contact and a known rubber spring are housed within an opening of the housing and the stem 15 is mounted thereon to complete a push switch of an existing type.
  • the hook portions 15d are formed so as to be equal in wall thickness throughout the whole thereof for the purpose of ensuring a sufficient strength of engagement thereof with the housing and an external form of the stem 15 is determined in conformity with the thickness of each hook portion 15d, so the larger the thickness of each hook portion 15d, the larger the external form of the stem 15, thus giving rise to the problem of increase in size of the stem 15.
  • a push switch comprising a box-shaped housing, a pair of fixed terminals fixed within the housing, a stem held slidably by inner side faces of the housing, a movable contact disposed above the fixed terminals so as to be operable in interlock with movement of the stem, and a rubber spring which causes the movable contact to move into contact with and away from the fixed terminals and which causes the stem to return, the stem being formed with hook portions having retaining projections respectively for engagement with retaining grooves formed in the inner side faces of the housing, the hook portions being respectively formed with relief portions on sides thereof opposed to the rubber spring to receive therein bent portions of the rubber spring.
  • a push switch wherein the relief portions of the hook portions are formed in an arcuate shape conforming to an external form of the rubber spring.
  • a push switch wherein the hook portions are each formed so as to be thicker at both side portions thereof than at a central portion thereof in the extending direction thereof.
  • a push switch wherein the movable contact disposed above the fixed terminals is formed using a resilient metallic plate and is disposed between the rubber spring and the fixed terminals.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of the push switch
  • Fig. 2 is a front view thereof
  • Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 1
  • Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 1
  • Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a stem has been moved from an initial state thereof shown in Fig. 4 to bend a rubber spring
  • Fig. 6 is a plan view of a housing
  • Fig. 7 is a plan view of a movable contact
  • Fig. 8 is a front view thereof
  • Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the stem
  • Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10-10 in Fig. 9.
  • a housing 1 is formed in the shape of a box having a bottom and an upper opening, using a molding material such as a synthetic resin.
  • a molding material such as a synthetic resin.
  • fixed terminals 2 by molding, say, insert molding, integrally with the housing 1 using an electrically conductive metallic material such as brass.
  • the fixed terminals 2 are embedded in the bottom of the housing 1 and are each provided intermediate the embedded portion with a base portion 2b having a plurality of bent portions 2a, a terminal portion 2c integrated with the base portion 2b and extending outwards of the housing 1, and a contact portion 2d.
  • the contact portions 2d of both fixed terminals 2 are formed in a pair while being spaced a predetermined distance from each other.
  • the paired contact portions 2d are bent and opposed to each other on a line perpendicular to the arranged direction of the base portion 2b of both fixed terminals.
  • the contact portion 2d of each fixed terminal is formed so that the width thereof in a direction perpendicular to the arranged direction of the base portion 2b is smaller than the width of the base portion 2b. Further, on a line perpendicular to a center line L in the arranged direction of the base portions 2b of both fixed terminals the contact portions 2d are opposed to each other while being displaced in opposite directions with the center line L therebetween.
  • the base portions 2b of the fixed terminals are each formed with plural bent portions 2a within the housing 1, whereby the terminal portions 2c extending outwards of the housing 1 are formed so as to be flush with a bottom surface of the housing 1.
  • a front end of each terminal portion 2c is formed in a J bent shape raised along an outer side face of the housing 1. Since the front end of each terminal portion 2c is formed in such a J bent shape, the push switch using the housing 1 can be surface-mounted onto a circuit board.
  • the paired contact portions 2d are disposed opposedly to each other in a direction in which the base portions 2b are not distorted by machining of the plural bent portions 2a, that is, on a line perpendicular to the arranged direction of the base portions 2b.
  • the spacing between the contacts can be set highly accurately without being influenced by variations in machining of the bent portions 2a. Further, it becomes possible to reduce the size of the housing 1.
  • each sliding surface portion 1b formed in the housing 1 is not limited to a planar shape, but may be an arcuate shape.
  • a movable contact 3 is formed using a resilient phosphor bronze plate or stainless steel plate.
  • An external shape thereof is generally circular, with a ring-like frame portion 3a being formed outside and an arcuate hole 3b formed centrally of the frame portion 3a.
  • a contact piece 3d connected at one end thereof to the frame portion 3a through a connecting portion 3c, an opposite end of the contact piece 3d being cut and raised integrally.
  • the contact piece 3d is connected rockably to the frame portion 3a through the connecting portion 3c and a front end side thereof is bent at a certain angle so as to tilt somewhat upward.
  • the contact piece 3d is formed in an elliptic shape so that a major axis of the ellipse is aligned with the arranged direction of the contact portions 2d of the paired fixed terminals 2.
  • a protuberance 3e for abutment with a rubber spring to be described later is formed on the contact piece 3d on the side opposed to the rubber spring, that is, on the raised, inclined, bent, upper side of the contact piece.
  • the number of the protuberance 3e is not limited to one, but a plurality of such protuberances may be formed. Also as to the shape thereof, it is not limited to one shape. Various shapes of such protuberances may be formed, including arcuate and annular shapes. Since the protuberance 3e is formed, sticking of the rubber spring to be described later and the contact piece 3d is prevented and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a metallic noise when both are disengaged from each other in operation. In addition, there is attained a stable state of contact because the contact piece 3d is pushed at a nearly central part thereof.
  • a rubber spring 4 is formed in a dome shape having a lower opening as an external shape using a flexible elastomer or silicone rubber.
  • the rubber spring 4 comprises a skirt portion 4a which is bent and is given an elastic force at the time of movement and return of the stem as will be described later and an operating portion 4b formed above the skirt portion 4a.
  • On a lower surface side of the operating portion 4b is formed an operating projection 4c, whose lower end comes into abutment with the protuberance 3e formed on the contact piece 3d of the movable contact 3.
  • the movable contact 3 is formed using a resilient metallic plate and is disposed between the fixed terminals 2 and the rubber spring 4, a known carbon ink contact for example may be formed integrally on the underside of the operating projection 4c of the rubber spring 4. In this case, the movable contact 3 becomes unnecessary and therefore the number of components is reduced.
  • a stem 5 is formed in a generally square shape using a molding material such as a synthetic resin and an upper surface thereof is provided with a planar pressing portion 5a which is operated with a human finger or the like.
  • a pressing projection 5b projecting downward, which projection 5b comes into abutment with an upper surface of the operating portion 4b of the rubber spring 4 to bend the rubber spring 4 toward the movable contact 3.
  • a pair of opposed side faces of the stem 5 are formed with a pair of hook portions 5d having retaining projections 5c engaged with the retaining grooves 1a formed in inner side faces of the housing 1 to restrict the position of the stem 5 within the housing 1.
  • relief portions 5e which are arcuately concaved along the external form of the skirt portion 4a to receive bending portions 4d, the bending portions 4d being adapted to bend when the skirt portion 4a is pressed.
  • the provision of the relief portions 5e permits the reduction in size of the stem 5.
  • the hook portions 5d are each reduced in the thickness of a central part thereof in its extending direction, that is, in the thickness of each relief portion 5e, so that the strength of the hook portions 5d decreases.
  • both side portions are formed thick relative to the relief portions 5e, a sufficient bending strength of the whole of the hook portions 5d is ensured even if the relief portions 5e of the hook portions are formed thin, and it is not necessary to make the whole of each hook portion 5d large (thick), so it becomes possible to reduce the size of the stem 5.
  • the relief portions 5e are each formed in an arcuate shape along the external form of the skirt portion 4a of the rubber spring 4, the shape of each relief portion 5e is not limited thereto.
  • the relief portions 5e may be each formed in the shape of a square recess capable of receiving the associated bending portion 4d of the skirt portion 4a.
  • leg portions 5f At the four corners of the square shape of the stem 5 are provided leg portions 5f extending toward the inside bottom of the housing 1. Outer corners of the leg portions 5f are chamfered to form planar sliding surface portions 5g, which are adapted to slide relative to the sliding surface portions 1b formed at the four corners of the inner side faces of the housing 1.
  • the provision of the leg portions 5f at the four corners of the square stem 5 is advantageous in that the sliding motion between the inner side faces of the housing 1 and the outer side faces of the stem 5 becomes stable and the sliding motion of the stem 5 within the housing 1 is ensured.
  • the sliding surface portions 5g are formed at outer corners of the leg portions 5f of the stem 5, even when the stem 5 is pushed obliquely at a corner thereof, a sliding motion of the stem is ensured relative to the sliding surface portions 1b formed at the four corners of the inner side faces of the housing 1, whereby it becomes possible for the stem 5 to slide in a more stable manner and hence possible to improve the operation feeling of the stem 5.
  • the shape of the sliding surface portions 5g of the stem 5 is not limited to a planar shape, but it may be an arcuate shape.
  • the hook portions of the stem having retaining projections are respectively formed with relief portions for receiving bent portions of the rubber spring therein on the side opposed to the rubber spring, the whole of each hook portion can be made small in thickness by an amount corresponding to the thickness of each relief portion. Consequently, it becomes possible to attain the reduction in size of the stem, of the housing, and hence of the entire push switch.
  • the relief portions of the hook portions are each formed in an arcuate shape conforming to the external form of the rubber spring, there is no fear that the rubber spring may strike against the hook portions even when the rubber spring is bent by being pressed with the stem, thus ensuring a stable sliding motion of the stem.
  • the hook portions are each formed thicker at both side portions thereof than at a central portion thereof in its extending direction, and thus although their central portions are thin, their strength is fully covered up by their both side portions, so a simple shape suffices to ensure a sufficient bending strength (engaging strength) of the entire hook portions.
  • the movable contact disposed above the fixed terminals is formed using a resilient metallic plate and is disposed between the rubber spring and the paired fixed terminals, it can be surely brought into contact with contact portions of the fixed terminals and thus the contact reliability of the contact portions is improved.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)

Claims (4)

  1. Interrupteur à bouton-poussoir comprenant :
    un boítier en forme de boíte (1) ;
    une paire de bornes fixes (2) fixées dans ledit boítier (1) ;
    un bouton (5) maintenu à coulissement par les faces latérales intérieures dudit boítier (1) ;
    un contact mobile (3) placé au-dessus desdites bornes fixes (2) de façon à être actionnable en coopération avec le mouvement dudit bouton (5), et
    un ressort en caoutchouc (4) qui met en contact et éloigne ledit contact mobile (3) avec/des bornes fixes (2) en coopération avec le mouvement du bouton (5) et qui fait revenir ledit bouton (5),
       caractérisé en ce que ledit bouton (5) est muni de parties crochet (5d) comportant des saillies de retenue (5c) respectivement pour se mettre en prise avec des rainures de retenue (1a) formées dans les faces latérales intérieures dudit boítier (1), lesdites parties crochet (5d) étant munies respectivement de parties de dégagement (5e) sur leurs côtés opposés audit ressort en caoutchouc (4) pour y recevoir les parties courbées du ressort en caoutchouc.
  2. Interrupteur à bouton-poussoir selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdites parties de dégagement (5e) desdites parties crochet (5d) ont une forme arquée qui se conforme à une forme extérieure dudit ressort en caoutchouc (4)
  3. Interrupteur à bouton-poussoir selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel lesdites parties crochet (5d) sont formées de manière à être chacune plus épaisse sur les deux parties latérales que dans une partie centrale dans leur direction d'extension.
  4. Interrupteur à bouton-poussoir selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel ledit contact mobile (3) placé au-dessus desdites bornes fixes (2) est formé en utilisant une plaquette métallique résiliente et est placé entre ledit ressort en caoutchouc (4) et lesdites bornes fixes (2).
EP00105078A 1999-03-11 2000-03-10 Interrupteur à bouton poussoir Expired - Lifetime EP1037224B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP06559899A JP3762564B2 (ja) 1999-03-11 1999-03-11 プッシュスイッチ
JP6559899 1999-03-11

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1037224A2 EP1037224A2 (fr) 2000-09-20
EP1037224A3 EP1037224A3 (fr) 2001-08-29
EP1037224B1 true EP1037224B1 (fr) 2005-05-25

Family

ID=13291627

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00105078A Expired - Lifetime EP1037224B1 (fr) 1999-03-11 2000-03-10 Interrupteur à bouton poussoir

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1037224B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP3762564B2 (fr)
KR (1) KR100363468B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN1129156C (fr)
DE (1) DE60020284T2 (fr)
TW (1) TW436831B (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11167624B2 (en) 2018-07-30 2021-11-09 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Back door handle device and method for manufacturing same

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101415304B (zh) * 2007-10-15 2012-07-04 鸿富锦精密工业（深圳）有限公司 闭锁结构
CN102142332A (zh) * 2010-12-29 2011-08-03 东莞市凯华电子有限公司 无声开关
KR101283625B1 (ko) * 2012-03-26 2013-07-08 주식회사 대동 자동차의 스위치 노브
JP2016134658A (ja) * 2015-01-15 2016-07-25 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 押釦スイッチ装置、電波発信器及び照明制御システム
CN110690067B (zh) * 2018-07-06 2023-08-01 阿尔派株式会社 按压式开关装置
KR102634397B1 (ko) * 2018-12-05 2024-02-06 현대자동차주식회사 통합형 테일게이트의 아웃사이드 핸들 스위치 어셈블리

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3794068B2 (ja) * 1996-09-17 2006-07-05 松下電器産業株式会社 プッシュオンスイッチ

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11167624B2 (en) 2018-07-30 2021-11-09 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Back door handle device and method for manufacturing same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2000260257A (ja) 2000-09-22
KR20000062626A (ko) 2000-10-25
EP1037224A2 (fr) 2000-09-20
EP1037224A3 (fr) 2001-08-29
CN1267070A (zh) 2000-09-20
DE60020284T2 (de) 2005-11-24
KR100363468B1 (ko) 2002-11-30
DE60020284D1 (de) 2005-06-30
JP3762564B2 (ja) 2006-04-05
TW436831B (en) 2001-05-28
CN1129156C (zh) 2003-11-26

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