JP2001184978A - Push button switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a push button switch, which has a simple structure for giving a release force to the push button switch, and is inexpensive and excellent in workability upon production, and can save labor. SOLUTION: The push button switch comprises a molded button 1, a substrate 7, a tact switch 8, and a surface plate 9 having an opening 10. The molded button 1 is integrally formed of an operating portion 2, a blade portion 4, and a pair of elastic leg segments 5, 6 opposite to each other. In a state where the blade portion 4 is in contact with an edge portion of the opening 10 of the surface plate, the operating portion 2 is exposed to a front surface through the opening 10. Where the molded button 1 is moved downward against an elastic force of the respective leg segments 5, 6, the respective leg segments 5, 6 puts on and off a flexible switch 8. Where pressure is removed, the molded button is returned to the original state by a release force of the respective leg segments 5, 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a push button switch for use in various electric appliances, and more particularly, to a switch having a small number of components, a small installation space, and a reduction in the production process. Related to push button switches.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a push button switch used in various kinds of electric equipment, one having a configuration as shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 is conventionally known. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing a conventional example of FIG. 1, in which a leg 5 provided on a back surface of a flange 4 of a molding button 1 is in contact with a cushion material 21 provided on a substrate 7. The molding button 1 is inserted into the opening 10 provided in the front plate 9 from the back side, and the flange 4 of the molding button 1 and the opening edge of the opening 10 abut to define the upper limit position of the molding button 1. I have. In this configuration, when the operation part 2 of the molding button 1 is pressed, the leg 5 of the molding button 1 deforms the cushion material 21 and the operation part 2
The switch pressing portion 3 on the back side of the switch presses the switch 8 provided on the substrate 7. When the pressing on the molding button 1 is released, the deformation of the cushion material 21 is restored, and the cushion 4 is raised until the flange 4 of the molding button 1 contacts the opening edge of the opening 10.

FIG. 14 is a side sectional view showing a second conventional example, in which a spring material 22 is interposed between the switch pressing portion 3 on the back side of the operating portion 2 of the forming button 1 and the substrate 7.
When the operation part 2 of the molding button 1 is pressed, the spring material 2
2 is compressed, and the switch pressing portion 3 presses the switch 8 provided on the substrate 7. When the pressing on the molding button 1 is released, the compression of the spring material 22 is released and returned,
The flange 4 of the molding button 1 is raised until it contacts the opening edge of the opening 10 of the surface plate 9.

FIG. 15 is a sectional side view showing a third conventional example, in which an inverted bowl-shaped rubber key material 23 is interposed between the switch pressing portion 3 on the back side of the molding button 1 and the substrate 7, and further a rubber key is provided. The switch 8 is interposed between the member 23 and the substrate 7. When the operating portion 2 of the molding button 1 is pressed, the rubber key material 23 is compressed, the bowl-shaped rubber key material 23 buckles, and the switch 8 is pressed. When the pressing on the molding button 1 is released, the compression of the bowl-shaped rubber key material 23 is released and restored, and the flange 4 of the molding button 1 rises until it comes into contact with the opening edge of the opening 10.

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view showing a fourth conventional example. An elastically deformable hinge portion 24 is provided on one side of the back side of the molding button 1, and the hinge portion 24 is screwed or welded 25. , And fixed to the back surface of the front plate 9. When the forming button 1 is pressed, the hinge portion 24 is elastically deformed, and the switch pressing portion 3 presses the switch 8 provided on the substrate 7. When the pressing on the forming button 1 is released, the elastic deformation of the hinge 24 is released and restored, and the flange 4 of the forming button 1 is raised until it comes into contact with the opening edge of the opening 10.

[0006]

A push button switch as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 is returned to the back side of the molded button via a cushion material 21, a spring material 22, and a rubber key material 23 in order to return the molded button 1. Therefore, the number of parts was increased, workability was poor, and the cost was high. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, a hinge portion 24 is provided on one side of the back side of the molded button 1, and a push button switch in which the hinge portion 24 is fixed to a surface plate by a screw or welding 25 has a low work efficiency and is expensive. Had become.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a separate component for the return force of the push-button switch or to provide a hinge portion, so that the cost is low, the workability at the time of manufacturing the push-button switch is good, and labor saving is achieved. It is to provide a push button switch that can be realized.

[0007]

According to the present invention, an elastic leg is provided on a flange of a molded button, and a switch is arranged on a substrate. When the pressing force is applied to the molded button, the elastic leg is mounted on the substrate. The first technical means is an operation unit, a flange portion, and an elastic leg portion on the back surface of the flange portion, which is integrally formed with the elastic leg portion when the pressing is released. Formed from a molded button, a substrate on which the molded button is mounted, a switch mounted on the substrate, and a surface plate having an opening through which the operation unit is exposed, and applying a pressing force to the operation unit. When the elastic leg abuts on the substrate and bends, the back surface of the operation unit operates the switch, and when the pressing force is released, the forming button returns by the repulsive force of the elastic leg. It is characterized by the following.

A second technical means is the push button switch according to the first technical means, wherein a tip of the elastic leg is formed in an arc shape or a spherical shape.

A third technical means is the push button switch according to the first technical means, wherein the elastic leg portion comprises a pair of opposing elastic leg pieces, and a connecting portion between the root portions of the pair of elastic leg pieces. Are characterized by being formed in an arc shape.

A fourth technical means is the push button switch according to the first technical means, wherein a cross-sectional area of a root portion and a tip portion of the elastic leg is formed in a relationship of root portion ≧ tip portion. Features.

A fifth technical means is the push button switch according to the first technical means, wherein a protrusion is provided on a rear surface of the flange portion at a position facing the elastic leg portion.

A sixth technical means is the push button switch according to the first technical means, wherein a stop rib is provided on a rear surface of the flange outside a position facing the elastic leg. And

A seventh technical means is the push button switch according to the first technical means, wherein the switch is a plurality of switches.

An eighth technical means is the push button switch according to the first technical means, wherein two switches are mounted on the substrate, a fulcrum pillar is provided at the center of the back surface of the operating portion of the forming button, and a seesaw switch. It is characterized by being used as.

According to a ninth technical means, in the push button switch according to the first technical means, a boss having a conductive tip is provided on a back surface of the operation portion, and a pair of conductor pieces are mounted on the substrate. It is characterized by having been done.

According to a tenth technical means, in the push button switch according to the first technical means, an annular rib is provided on an upper surface of the flange so as to surround a periphery of the operation portion. .

(Operation) In a conventional push button switch,
According to the present invention, the number of parts required for the configuration for returning the molded button is large, and if the number of parts is reduced, a hinge is provided to increase the space required for installation. Elastic legs are integrated into the part, reducing the number of parts, saving the production process,
Further, the installation space can be reduced without providing a hinge or the like.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a molded button used in the push button switch of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the push button switch using the molded button of FIG.
In the description of the present invention, the same reference numerals as those in the conventional example are used for the same components as those in the conventional example. The push button switch of the present invention includes a molded button 1, a substrate 7, a tact switch 8 mounted on the substrate 7, a surface plate 9 having an opening 10, and the like. The forming button 1 is provided with a flange portion 4 on an operation portion 2 having a switch pressing portion 3 formed on the back surface, and on each side of the back surface of the flange portion 4,
Each is provided with a pair of elastic leg pieces 5 and 6. The tact switch 8 is mounted on the substrate 7, and its pressing portion faces the switch pressing portion 3 formed on the back surface of the molding button 1 with or without a gap. A front plate 9 is disposed on the front surface of the forming button 1, and the operating portion 2 of the forming button 1 is moved in a state where the flange 4 is in contact with the edge of the opening 10 by the elastic leg pieces 5 and 6. It is exposed to the front from an opening 10 provided in the surface plate 9.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state where the push button switch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is being pressed. When a pressing force is applied to the operating portion 2 of the forming button 1, the forming button 1 moves downward against the pressing force of each elastic leg piece 5, 6, and each elastic leg piece 5, 6 is bent and its tip 5a. , 6a move on the substrate 7 until the tact switch 8 is turned on in the horizontal direction.
When the pressing force is released, the elastic leg pieces 5 and 6 of the molding button 1 are released.
Returns to the original state due to the restoring force of the elastic leg pieces 5 and 6.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing an embodiment of the molding button 1. (Claims 2 to 4) The specific configuration of each of the elastic leg pieces 5 and 6 provided on the back surface of the flange portion 4 is shown, and the distal end portions 5a and 6a of each of the elastic leg pieces 5 and 6 are formed into a round (R) shape. Or a spherical shape. Thus, when a pressing force is applied to the molding button 1, the tip portions 5a and 6a of the elastic leg pieces 5 and 6 can smoothly move on the substrate 7, and the operating force can be reduced. Also, the root portions 5b, 6b of the elastic leg pieces 5, 6 have a larger cross section than the tip portions 5a, 6a, that is, the elastic leg pieces 5, 6
Of the base portion 5b, 6b ≧ the tip portion 5a, 6a, it is possible to obtain a good feeling when applying a pressing force to the operating portion 2 of the molding button 1 and to set an appropriate pressing force. Also, the connecting portions of the opposing root portions 5b, 6b of the respective elastic leg pieces 5, 6 are formed in a round (R) shape. This makes it possible to provide a push button switch with excellent durability in which the spring force does not decrease even if the pressing force is repeatedly applied to and released from the molded button.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are side views showing different embodiments of the molding button. (Claims 5 and 6) In FIG. 5, elastic leg pieces 5 and 6 are
And a projection 11 is provided below the back surface of the flange 4. The projection 11 is set to a position and a length such that the projection 11 comes into contact with the central portion of each of the elastic leg pieces 5 and 6 when the molding button 1 is pushed down and moves a predetermined distance. Further, a stop rib 12 is provided outside the projection 11. Stop rib 12
The position and length are set such that the projection 11 contacts the elastic leg pieces 5 and 6, the projection 11 moves together with the elastic leg pieces 5 and 6, and then the stop rib 12 contacts the substrate 7. As a result, an excessive pressing force does not act on the elastic leg pieces 5 and 6, and the elasticity is prevented from being attenuated even when the pressing force is repeatedly applied to and released from the molding button 1, and the durability is excellent. It can be a push button switch.

In FIG. 6, when a pressing force is applied to the operation unit 2 of the molding button 1, the molding button 1 moves downward,
Each projection 11 contacts each elastic leg piece 5, 6. At this time, the stop rib 12 has not yet contacted anywhere. FIG.
In FIG. 7, when a pressing force is further applied to the forming button 1 and the state as shown in FIG. 7 is reached, the stop ribs 12 come into contact with the substrate 7 and cannot be pushed further. At this time, the projections 11 formed on the flange 4 of the molding button 1 cause the elastic leg pieces 5 and 6 to bend as shown in FIG. 7, so that the return force of the push button 1 increases.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a different embodiment of the molding button 1. (Claim 7) Elastic leg pieces 5, 6 are provided on the flange 4 of the molded button 1, and at least two or more tact switches 8
a, 8b, and the flange 4 of the molding button 1 is
And is held in contact with the opening 10 provided in the opening.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a different embodiment of the molding button 1. (Claim 8) Elastic leg pieces (5, 6) are provided on the flange portion (4) of the molded button (1), and a fulcrum column (13) is provided on the back side of the pressing portion (2) of the molded button (1) as a fulcrum. At least two or more tact switches 8a and 8b are attached to a substrate 7 below the substrate 1, and the front panel 9 holds the forming button 1. By pressing the eccentric position of the pressing portion 2 of the molding button 1, one of the tact switches 8a,
(8b) can be turned on and off, and can be used as a seesaw switch.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a different embodiment of the molding button 1. (Claim 9) The elastic leg pieces 5 and 6 are provided on the flange 4 of the molded button 1, the boss 14 is provided on the back side of the pressing portion 3 of the molded button 1, and the tip 15 is made conductive. Surface plate 9 to hold
It is composed of In this configuration, a pair of conductor pieces are attached to the substrate 7, and when the forming button 1 is pressed, the conductive tip portion 15 of the boss 14 short-circuits the pair of conductor pieces, and the pressing force is released. Then, the space between the pair of conductor pieces is insulated.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the molded button, and FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of a push button switch using the molded button. (Claim 10) Elastic leg pieces (5, 6) are provided on the flange (4) of the molding button (1).
An annular rib 16 surrounding the opening 10 of the surface plate 9 is provided on the upper surface of the substrate. Even if the liquid enters the opening 10 from the surface plate 9, the rib 16 can prevent the liquid from entering the substrate 7.

[0027]

Since the present invention has the above-described structure, the following effects can be obtained. (1) According to the first aspect of the present invention, an elastic leg is provided on a flange of a molded button to reduce the number of parts, thereby improving workability of attaching the molded button and saving labor in a production process. Can be. Further, since the configuration does not require a hinge or the like for providing elasticity, the installation space can be reduced. (2) According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the distal end portion of the elastic leg portion has a round shape or a spherical shape, when a pressing force is applied to the forming button, the distal end portion of the elastic leg portion smoothly moves on the substrate. A durable push button switch that can be moved, has a light operating force, and does not damage the substrate can be provided. (3) According to the third aspect of the present invention, the connecting portion between the opposing root portions of the elastic leg pieces is formed in a round shape, so that the pressing force is repeatedly applied to and released from the forming button, and the spring force is maintained. The push button switch has excellent durability and does not attenuate. (4) According to the invention of claim 4, the base portion of the elastic leg portion has a larger cross section than the tip end portion, so that the pressing force is applied to the operating portion of the forming button with good feeling and proper pressing force. Can be. (5) According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the projection is provided at a position and a length such that the projection abuts on the elastic leg when the molding button is pressed down and moves a predetermined distance, the return force of the molding button is increased. Can be. (6) According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the stop rib is provided outside the back surface of the flange portion, an excessive pressing force does not act on the elastic leg portion, and a pressing force is applied to or released from the forming button. The elasticity of the push button switch can be prevented from being reduced even if it is repeated, and a push button switch having excellent durability can be obtained. (7) According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of switches are attached to the substrate, the plurality of switches can be turned on / off simultaneously by a single operation of the forming button. (8) According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, since two switches are mounted on the substrate and a fulcrum post is provided at the center of the back surface of the operating portion of the forming button, the eccentric position of the pressing portion of the forming button is pressed. By doing so, one of the tact switches can be turned on / off, and can be used as a seesaw switch. (9) The ninth aspect of the present invention is configured such that a boss having a tip formed on a conductive portion is provided on the back surface of the pressing portion, and a pair of conductor pieces are mounted on the substrate. It can be a small push button switch. (10) According to the tenth aspect of the invention, since the annular rib is provided on the upper surface of the flange portion so as to surround the periphery of the operation portion, even if the liquid enters the opening from the surface plate, it does not enter the substrate. Can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a molded button used for a push button switch of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a push button switch using the molded button shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a state where the push button switch shown in FIG. 2 is pressed.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing an embodiment of a molding button.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a push button switch using different molded buttons.

6 is a side sectional view showing a state where the push button switch shown in FIG. 5 is being pressed.

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state when a pressing force is further applied from the state shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a push button switch using different molded buttons.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a push button switch using different molded buttons.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a push button switch using different molded buttons.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a molding button.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of a push button switch using the molded button shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view showing a first conventional example using a cushion material.

FIG. 14 is a side sectional view showing a second conventional example using a spring material.

FIG. 15 is a side sectional view showing a third conventional example using a rubber material.

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view showing a fourth conventional example in which a hinge portion is provided on a molded button.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... molding button, 2 ... operation part, 3 ... switch pressing part, 4
... Flange part, 5,6 ... Elastic leg piece, 7 ... Substrate, 8 ... Tact switch, 9 ... Surface plate, 10 ... Opening, 11 ... Protrusion, 12 ...
Stop rib, 13 fulcrum pillar, 14 boss, 15 boss tip, 16 annular ring, 21 cushion material, 22
... Spring material, 23 ... Rubber key material, 24 ... Hinge part,
25 ... welded part.

Claims (10)

[Claims] A forming button integrally formed with an operating portion, a flange portion, and an elastic leg portion on a back surface of the flange portion; a substrate on which the forming button is mounted; a switch mounted on the substrate; When the pressing portion is applied to the operation portion, the elastic leg portion comes into contact with the substrate and bends, and the back surface of the operation portion operates the switch. A push button switch, wherein when the pressing force is released, the forming button is returned by a repulsive force of the elastic leg portion. 2. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein a tip of said elastic leg portion is formed in an arc shape or a spherical shape. 3. The elastic leg portion comprises a pair of opposing elastic leg pieces, and a connecting portion between the root portions of the pair of elastic leg pieces is formed in an arc shape. 1
The described push button switch. 4. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of a root portion and a tip portion of said elastic leg portion is formed in a relationship of root portion ≧ tip portion. 5. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein a projection is provided at a position on the back surface of the flange portion facing the elastic leg portion. 6. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein a stop rib is provided on a rear surface of said flange portion outside a position facing said elastic leg portion. 7. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein said switch is a plurality of switches. 8. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein two switches are mounted on the substrate, and a fulcrum post is provided at the center of the back surface of the operation portion of the molding button, and the push button switch is used as a seesaw switch. . 9. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein a boss having a conductive tip portion is provided on a back surface of said pressing portion, and a pair of conductor pieces are mounted on said substrate. . 10. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein an annular rib is provided on an upper surface of said flange portion so as to surround a periphery of said operation portion.