JP2000322972A - Connection structure of switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection structure of a switch capable of easily and securely connecting the switch composed so as to have flexibility as a whole to a circuit board at a low cost. SOLUTION: This connection structure of a switch is used to connect the switch 2 comprising a conductor tube 21 having flexibility, a conductor shaft 22 and insulating members 23, 23, 23 to a board 4, and a central electrode 31 provided with a contact part 31a in its upper part and a peripheral electrode 32 provided with contact plates 33, 33, 33 are erected on the board 4. By inserting the switch 2 into a guide 11, the contact part 31a is inserted into an electrode connection hole 24 of the conductor shaft 22, and the contact plates 33, 33, 33 are inserted into fan-like hollow parts 25, 25, 25, so that the switch 2 is connected. In this state, projections 35, 35, 35 engage with the inside surface of the conductor tube 21, and the pressing ring 11a of the guide 11 presses the conductor tube 21 toward the inside, so that the switch 2 is securely retained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a switch connection structure for connecting a flexible switch to a circuit board.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a switch for detecting a pressure applied from the outside has been incorporated in order to enhance the interest of a toy such as a stuffed toy. If a switch is incorporated in the toy, an operation such as outputting a sound can be performed according to a user operation detected by the switch.

As a switch for detecting a pressure applicable to a toy, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 63-194449, a cylindrical rigid member and a rubber elastic member separated from the rigid member by a spacer are disclosed. A switch formed by a cover is exemplified. In this switch, the rubber elastic cover is bent in response to a force applied from the outside and comes into contact with the rigid member to be in a conductive state,
Since the rubber elastic cover is easily bent, it conducts even when a weak force is applied.

[0004] Such a switch is connected to a control unit for controlling the operation of the toy. The control unit is generally configured by mounting a semiconductor storage device and a microcomputer on a circuit board. Therefore, the switch built in the toy needs to be connected to the circuit board. However, as a method of connecting a switch to a circuit board, a method using a lead wire and a connector has been most commonly performed. In this method, if the force applied from the outside is too large, the switch may be disconnected, and the process of connecting the switch to the circuit board is complicated, and the work load is large.

For this reason, methods for connecting various devices to the circuit board more easily have been devised. For example, actual fairness 7-
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 54940, a coaxial connection device for attaching a coaxial cable to a circuit board has been devised. According to this coaxial connection device, a plug is connected to the end of the coaxial cable, and this plug is inserted into a connector provided on the circuit board, thereby connecting the coaxial cable and the circuit board. In addition, Jiko 64-35673
As in the electric connector disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H10-209, there has been a method of connecting a shaft-shaped member to a base by attaching a plug to the tip of a shaft-shaped member and inserting the plug into a split sleeve on the base side. .

[0006]

However, the above method has a problem that it is difficult to apply the method to a switch applied to a toy. When a switch is built in a toy such as a stuffed toy, if the presence of the switch is clearly understood by touching the toy, the amusement will be lost. Therefore, a switch as soft as possible is desired.

However, when connecting a flexible switch to a circuit board, it has been difficult to apply the above-described conventional connection method. That is, it is difficult to reliably fix the connector, the plug, the split sleeve, and the like to the flexible switch, and there is a problem that a complicated operation is required.

[0008] For this reason, the only way to connect a flexible switch to a circuit board is to use a lead wire or a connector, which requires a fine operation such as fixing the lead wire to the switch, which is extremely troublesome. , Which led to higher costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing a switch which can be securely connected to a circuit board easily and at low cost. It is to realize a connection structure.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an invention according to claim 1 is provided with a conductor tube made of a flexible skin and disposed through a hollow portion of the conductor tube, and has a shaft center. Connecting a switch to a substrate, the switch including a flexible conductor bar having a through hole penetrating the portion, and a flexible insulating member holding the conductor bar and the conductor tube in a separated state. In the structure, a first electrode member inserted into the through-hole of the conductor rod on the substrate, and a first electrode member inserted into a hollow portion of the conductor tube and pressing an inner skin surface of the conductor tube outward. And a second electrode member.

Here, the conductor tube may be formed by forming a conductor material such as conductive rubber into a cylindrical shape, but any material may be used as long as it is flexible and has conductivity. Similarly, the material of the conductive rod may be any material having flexibility and conductivity, such as conductive rubber. The insulating member may be in the form of a rod or an elongated flat plate joined to the inner surface of the skin of the conductor tube and the conductor rod, and the shape and number thereof are arbitrary. The material may be flexible such as resin or synthetic rubber. Any insulator can be used. Further, as the first electrode member, a configuration in which a metal plate provided on a substrate is provided with a wire-like portion inserted into the through hole is exemplified, but any shape may be used. Further, as the second electrode member, a plate-shaped member formed along the inner surface of the skin of the conductor tube may be mentioned, but any shape may be used, and the material may be a conductor.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a conductor tube made of a flexible skin and a through-hole provided through the hollow portion of the conductor tube and penetrating through the center of the shaft. When connecting a switch comprising a flexible conductor rod having: and a flexible insulating member for holding the conductor rod and the conductor tube apart from each other to a substrate, a through hole provided in the conductor rod The first electrode member is inserted into the
Is pressed outward by the electrode member. For this reason, a switch having flexibility throughout can be connected to the board by a simple operation without performing a complicated operation. In addition, because it is composed of a few simple members,
Significant cost reduction can be achieved along with shortening of the work process. In addition, it is possible to prevent the switch from coming off due to the inner surface of the skin of the conductor tube being pressed by the second electrode member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the switch connection structure according to the first aspect, a plurality of the second electrode members are provided on the substrate.

Here, as the second electrode member, a metal plate-like member arranged on the circumference so as to push the inner surface of the skin of the conductor tube can be cited, but its shape and arrangement are arbitrary. .

As described above, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the inner surface of the skin of the conductor tube is pressed outward by the plurality of second electrode members, so that the flexible switch can be held more reliably. The switch can be prevented from falling off.
In addition, since the switch can be held without significantly deforming the conductor tube, it is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which the conductor tube and the conductor bar conduct when the switch is connected and cause a malfunction.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
In the switch connection structure described above, the second electrode member includes a projection that engages with an inner skin surface of the conductor tube.

As described above, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the projection of the second electrode member is engaged with the inner surface of the skin of the conductor tube.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the switch connection structure of the third aspect, the switch further comprises a locking member for pressing an outer surface of the skin of the conductor tube inward.

Thus, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the skin of the conductor tube is pressed outward by the second electrode member and simultaneously pressed inward by the locking member. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the switch connection structure of the fourth aspect, the locking member includes the second connection structure.
And pressing the outer surface of the skin of the conductor tube at a position facing the projection provided on the electrode member.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the skin of the conductor tube is pressed inward by the locking member at the position pressed outward by the protrusion of the second electrode member. Is done.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the switch connection structure of the fourth aspect, the locking member comprises the second
The outer surface of the skin of the conductor tube is pressed on the substrate side with respect to the protrusion of the electrode member.

As described above, according to the invention, the skin of the conductor tube is pressed by the projection of the second electrode member, and further pressed by the locking member at a position closer to the substrate side. .

Therefore, according to the third, fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, the state in which the switch is connected to the substrate can be more firmly held, and the situation in which the switch falls off can be more reliably achieved. Can be prevented.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a control device 1 to which the switch connection structure of the present invention is applied, and a switch 2 connected to the control device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a case accommodating the control device 1 is provided with a hollow guide 11 having an open end, and the switch 2 is inserted into the control device 1 from the opening of the guide 11. Connected by

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the switch 2 in more detail, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the switch 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the switch 2 includes a hollow cylindrical conductor tube 21 and a conductor rod 2 disposed in the conductor tube 21.
2 and insulating members 23, 23, 23.
Here, the conductor tube 21 and the conductor rod 22 are formed of a flexible conductor such as conductive rubber or the like.
23, 23 are made of a flexible insulator such as synthetic rubber or resin.

A conductor rod 22 is provided on the conductor tube 21 so as to pass through the center of the axis along the axial direction, and the conductor bar 22 is supported by insulating members 23, 23, 23 so as to be separated from the conductor tube 21. Have been. The insulating members 23, 23, 23
It is a plate-like member extending along the longitudinal direction of the conductor tube 21, one end of which is joined to the inner surface of the conductor tube 21, and the other end of which is joined to the surface of the conductor rod 22. Therefore, inside the switch 2, the inner surface of the conductor tube 21, the conductor bar 22, and the insulating member 2
3, 23, 23, a hollow portion having a fan-shaped cross section
5, 25, 25 are formed.

Further, the conductor rod 22 is provided with an electrode connection hole 24 as a through hole penetrating the center of the shaft. The electrode connection hole 24 has a board-side connection portion 3 to be described later.
Is inserted.

Therefore, the switch 2 is in an insulated state in which the conductor tube 21 and the conductor rod 22 are separated from each other in a no-load state where no external force is applied. When a force is applied from the outside, the conductor tube 21, the conductor bar 22, and the insulating member 2
Each of the conductors 3, 23, 23 is bent and deformed, and the conductor tube 21 and the conductor bar 22 are brought into contact with each other to conduct, thereby functioning as a switch for detecting external pressure.

The conductor tubes 21 constituting the switch 2
The conductor rod 22 and the insulating members 23, 23, 23 can be formed simultaneously by extrusion. For this reason,
Even if the switch 2 is configured to be very long, it can be easily manufactured and can be easily cut, so that the length can be freely determined according to the use situation. Note that the switch 2 has no effect on the function as a switch even when it is disconnected.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the guide 11. As shown in FIG. 4, on the inner surface of the guide 11,
A pressing ring 11a as a locking member is provided along the circumference of the cross section. The holding ring 11 a is
1 is an annular member having an inside diameter slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the conductor tube 1, and presses the outer surface of the conductor tube 21 when the switch 2 is connected to the board-side connection portion 3. The holding ring 11a is configured such that protrusions 35, 35,
1 is located closer to the substrate 4 than the position where it engages with the inner surface.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the board side connection part 3 and the board 4, and FIG. 6 is a front view of the board side connection part 3 and the board 4 as viewed from the guide 11 side. The substrate 4 is a printed circuit board on which various elements such as semiconductor devices can be mounted.
A center electrode 31 and a peripheral electrode 32 are provided upright. A control circuit (not shown) for performing various operations according to the conduction state of the switch 2 is formed on the substrate 4. The central electrode 31 and the peripheral electrode 32 are respectively provided by the control circuit (not shown). It is connected to the.

The center electrode 31 is made of a conductor such as a metal plate.
A contact rod 31a is formed as an electrode member. The cross section of the contact rod 31a is formed larger than the inner diameter of the electrode connection hole 24 of the switch 2, and the contact rod 31a is
Is inserted into the side surface of the contact rod 31a and the electrode connection hole 24.
Is pressed against.

The peripheral electrode 32 is formed of a conductor such as a metal plate, and forms a substantially cylindrical arch so as to cover the contact rod 31a. The lower two legs stand on the substrate 4 so as to sandwich the center electrode 31. Is established. The substantially cylindrical arch formed by the peripheral electrode 32 is formed larger than the cross section of the conductor tube 21 and is fixed to the substrate 4 so as to face the switch 2 inserted through the guide 11.

The peripheral electrode 32 is integrally provided with contact plates 33, 33, 33 as second electrode members extending toward the guide 11 at portions forming a substantially cylindrical arch. The contact plates 33, 33, 33 are respectively
When the switch 2 is inserted through the guide 11, the switch 2 is arranged to be inserted into the hollow portions 25, 25, 25 of the switch 2. As described above, since the arch formed by the peripheral electrode 32 is formed larger than the conductor tube 21, the contact plate 3 is formed.
When the members 3, 33, 33 are inserted into the hollow portions 25, 25, 25, a force is applied to the conductor tube 21 in a direction spreading outward by the contact plates 33, 33, 33. For this reason, the contact plate 3
By inserting 3, 33, 33 into hollow portions 25, 25, 25, switch 2 in control circuit 1 can be prevented from falling off.

The distal ends of the contact plates 33, 33, 33 are bent toward the inside of the substantially cylindrical arch formed by the peripheral electrode 32, and are bent first.
34 are formed. That is, the bent parts 34, 34, 34
The tip of the contact plate 33, 33, 33 has a hollow portion 25, 2
It is bent inward so that it can be inserted into 5, 25. As described above, since the arch formed by the peripheral electrode 32 is formed to be larger than the conductor tube 21, the arched portion 3
4, 34, 34, the contact plates 33, 3
3, 33 can be easily inserted into the hollow portions 25, 25, 25.

Further, projections 35, 35, 35 are provided at substantially the center of the contact plates 33, 33, 33, respectively. The contact plates 33, 33, 33 can be easily formed by making cuts in the surfaces of the contact plates 33, 33, 33 so as to open on the side opposite to the guide 11, and projecting outward. The projections 35, 35, 35 are engaged with the inner surface of the conductor tube 21 of the switch 2 inserted from the guide 11 to prevent the switch 2 from falling off in the control circuit 1.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the switch 2 is connected to the board-side connection portion 3. As shown in FIG. 7, when the switch 2 is inserted through the guide 11 and is connected to the board-side connection portion 3, the conductor tube 21 is pressed from the outside by the holding ring 11a. The contact portions 33, 3 are provided in the hollow portions 25, 25, 25.
3 and 33 are inserted, and the contact plates 33, 33, 33 press the conductor tube 21 outward, and the projections 35, 35, 35
Penetrates into the inner surface of the conductor tube 21. The pressing ring 11a presses the conductor tube 21 on the substrate 4 side from the position where the protrusions 35, 35, 35 bite. For this reason, even when a force is applied in a direction in which the switch 2 comes off, the switch 2 is securely fixed to the board-side connection portion 3.

Further, the contact rod 31a of the center electrode 31 is inserted into the electrode connection hole 24 of the conductor rod 22. For this reason, the conductor tube 21 and the conductor rod 22 of the switch 2
Are connected to the peripheral electrode 32 and the center electrode 31, respectively, so that the control circuit (not shown) formed on the substrate 4
Thus, the conduction state of the switch 2 can be detected.

Therefore, the switch 2 can be easily and reliably connected to the board 4 by a simple operation of inserting the switch 2 from the guide 11 without performing complicated processing such as connecting a lead wire or a connector to the switch 2. Can be connected to Further, even when a stronger force than expected is applied from the outside, there is no risk of the switch 2 falling out or the substrate 4 being damaged. Furthermore, both the switch 2 and the board-side connection unit 3 can be easily configured, and can be realized at lower cost.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a toy 10 to which the above-mentioned board side connection part 3 is applied. In FIG. 8,
The control device 6 is a control device having a built-in circuit board having a plurality of board-side connection portions 3 and having the same number (five in the illustrated example) of guides 11 as the board-side connection portions 3.

The control device 6 shown in FIG.
Various operations are executed in response to a change in the conduction state of the switch. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a speaker is built in and the switch 2 conducts and outputs sound.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the toy 10, a plurality of switches 2 (5
And these switches 2 are all connected to the control device 6. These switches 2 are connected to the board-side connection unit 3 in the control device 6 and are fixed so as not to fall off. Therefore, since the switch 2 has a soft tactile feel throughout, the toy that reliably detects a user's operation and performs various operations without impairing the tactile feel of the toy 10 or causing a sense of incongruity is provided. Can be.

Since the switch 2 is connected to the board-side connection portion 3 by providing the board-side connection portion 3 having the above-described configuration, the contact bar 31 is inserted into the electrode connection hole 24 of the conductor bar 22.
a is inserted, and the conductor tube 21 is
a, and the projections 35, 3
Since the switches 5 and 35 are engaged, the switch 2 can be easily and securely connected. Further, even when a force in the direction in which the switch 2 falls off is applied, the switch 2 can be securely held, and there is no risk of falling off or damage to the substrate 4. Further, the switch 2 and the board-side connection unit 3 can be easily realized by a simple configuration, and can be provided at lower cost.

In the above embodiment, the number of the insulating members 23, 23, 23 in the switch 2 is three, and the number of the contact plates 33, 33, 33 in the board side connection part 3 is three. The present invention is not limited to this number, and a larger number may be used.
The number of 3, 23, 23 and the number of contact plates 33, 33, 33 need not necessarily be the same. For example, when the contact plate 33 is
In the case where only the contact portion 31a and the contact plate 3
By applying a force in the opposite direction to switch 2 with switch 3,
It is possible to connect the switch 2 to the substrate 4. However, since the switch 2 has flexibility, it is preferable that the number of the insulating members 23, 23, 23 and the contact plates 33, 33, 33 be two or more in order to obtain a more reliable effect.

The pressing ring 11a is provided with a projection 35,
Although the configuration is such that the conductor tube 21 is pressed on the substrate 4 side from the position where 35 and 35 bulge into the inner surface of the conductor tube 21, the holding ring 11 a and the protrusions 35, 35 and 35 are opposed to each other with the conductor tube 21 interposed therebetween. A configuration may be adopted in which the outer surface and the inner surface of the conductor tube 21 are pressed at the same position. In this case, it is possible to more reliably prevent the switch 2 from falling off.

The shape of the portion of the center electrode 31 other than the contact rod 31a is arbitrary. For example, the whole of the center electrode 31 may be formed of a wire-like metal.
It is needless to say that the shape can be arbitrarily changed, and that the specific detailed structure can be appropriately changed.

[0049]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a switch having flexibility throughout can be connected to a substrate by a simple operation without performing complicated operations. Furthermore, since it is composed of a small number of simple members, the cost can be significantly reduced along with the shortening of the working process. In addition, it is possible to prevent the switch from coming off due to the inner surface of the skin of the conductor tube being pressed by the second electrode member.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of second
Since the inner surface of the skin of the conductor tube is pressed outward by the electrode member, the flexible switch can be more reliably held and the switch can be prevented from falling off. Also, since the switch can be held without significantly deforming the conductor tube,
When the switch is connected, it is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which the conductor tube and the conductor bar conduct and cause a malfunction.

According to the third, fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, the state in which the switch is connected to the substrate can be more firmly held, and the switch can be more securely prevented from falling off. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a control device 1 and a switch 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the switch 2 shown in FIG. 1 in more detail.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the switch 2 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the guide 11 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a circuit board side connection part 3 built in the control device 1 of FIG. 1;
FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the board-side connection section 3 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the switch 2 is connected to the board-side connection section 3 of FIG. 5;

8 is a schematic perspective view showing a toy 10 to which the board-side connection section 3 of FIG. 5 is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 6 Control device 11 Guide 11a Pressing ring (locking member) 2 Switch 21 Conductor tube 22 Conductor rod 23, 23, 23 Insulating member 24 Electrode connection hole (through hole) 3 Substrate side connection part 31 Center electrode 31a Contact rod ( (First electrode member) 32 peripheral electrode 33 contact plate (second electrode member) 34 bent end portion 35 protrusion 10 toy 5 main body

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C150 BC06 CA02 CA04 DF02 DF04 DF06 DF08 EF23 EF26 EF27 FA01 FA42 FB04 FB12 FB13 FB14 FB26 FB27 FB28 FB33 FB43 5G006 AA01 FB03 LD01 LG02 5G052 AA12B01 HA04

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A conductor tube made of a flexible skin, a flexible conductor bar provided through a hollow portion of the conductor tube and having a through-hole penetrating a central portion of the shaft, And a flexible insulating member that holds the conductor tube in a separated state,
A switch connecting structure for connecting a switch comprising: a first electrode member to be inserted into the through hole of the conductor bar, a conductor electrode being inserted into a hollow portion of the conductor tube, And a second electrode member for pressing the inner surface of the skin outward. 2. The switch connection structure according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said second electrode members are provided on said substrate. 3. The switch connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode member includes a projection that engages with the inner surface of the skin of the conductor tube. 4. The switch connection structure according to claim 3, further comprising a locking member for pressing an outer surface of the skin of the conductor tube inward. 5. The connection structure for a switch according to claim 4, wherein the locking member presses the outer surface of the skin of the conductor tube at a position facing a projection provided on the second electrode member. 6. The switch connection structure according to claim 4, wherein the locking member presses the outer surface of the skin of the conductor tube on the substrate side with respect to the protrusion of the second electrode member.