JP2002343184A - Push button switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure of a push button switch wherein the width of a housing can be made small without changing the shape of a movable contact point, and downsizing of the switch and improvement of a contact reliability of a joint part can be achieved. SOLUTION: This switch is provided with a housing 1 having a housing part 1a, the central fixed contact point 2a arranged and installed at the center of this housing 1a, peripheral fixed contact points 2b, 2b arranged and installed by protruding more than the central fixed contact point 2, and a movable contact point 4 whose peripheral part is abutted on these peripheral fixes contact points 2b, 2b and in which the central joint part 4a swelled out in a dome arranged and installed at the housing part 1a to confront the central fixed contact point 2a. At the movable contact point 4, a protruded part 4c to protrude from the peripheral part into the outward direction is installed, the protruded base of this protruded part 4c is put within the width of the contact part 2c of the peripheral fixed contact point 2b, and the tip of the protruded part 4c is protruded in the outward direction than the contact part 2c of the peripheral fixed contact point 2b.

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 in which a dome-shaped movable contact is reversed by being pressed to make contact / disengagement of the contact, and particularly to a small push-button switch used for portable electronic equipment and the like. Related to the structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The structure of a conventional push button switch is shown in FIGS. 3 is a plan view of the push button switch, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG.

A conventional push button switch comprises a rectangular housing 11 having a housing, a central fixed contact 12a and a peripheral fixed contact 12 provided in the housing of the housing 11.
b, the central fixed contact 12a and the peripheral fixed contact 12b
It comprises a movable contact 14 disposed facing the upper side, and a cover sheet 15 disposed on the movable contact 14 and covering the housing portion and attached to the upper surface of the housing 11.

The housing 11 is formed in a rectangular box shape with an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and has a substantially circular storage portion 11a inside. In the center of the storage portion 11a, a center fixed contact 12a made of a conductive metal material is provided.
The central fixed contact 1 is exposed on the inner bottom surface.
2a, the central fixed contact 12
Peripheral fixed contacts 12b, 12b also made of a conductive metal material are provided so as to protrude one step from a.

The housing 11a of the housing 11
Are formed with first and second concave grooves 11b and 11c, respectively, in a position where the peripheral fixed contact 12b is disposed and in a direction orthogonal to the position.

The movable contact 14 is formed of a conductive metal plate in a disk shape, and comprises a skirt portion rising from a peripheral edge at a predetermined angle, and a dome-shaped bulging portion 14a continuous with the skirt portion. A pair of protruding portions 14c protruding outward are provided on the opposing peripheral portions. This protrusion 1
4c is a cutting residue when the movable contact 14 is cut into a single piece from the connecting bar of the hoop material.
When is stored in the storage portion 11a of the housing 11, the protrusion 14c is arranged in the second groove 11c.

When the movable contact 14 is stored in the storage section 11a, the peripheral edge of the movable contact 14 is placed in contact with the peripheral fixed contact 12b provided in the storage section 11a. The fixed contact 12b is
a, the operation stroke when the dome-shaped bulging portion 14a is reversed is secured,
The protrusion 14c remaining as a cutting residue of the connecting bar of the hoop material
Is arranged in the second groove 11c provided in a direction rotated by 90 degrees so as not to interfere with the peripheral fixed contact 12b, so that the sitting of the movable contact 14 on the peripheral fixed contact 12b And the protrusion 14c
Since no metal powder is generated due to the scraping, a good operation feeling can be obtained.

The cover sheet 15 is formed of a substantially rectangular resin sheet, is used as an operation section for pressing the movable contact 14, covers the housing section 11a of the housing 11, and is attached to the upper surface. This prevents the movable contact 14 from jumping out and foreign matter such as dust from entering the contact portion.

[0009]

However, in the above-described structure of the conventional push button switch, the protrusion 14c, which is the cutting residue of the connecting bar with the hoop material, remains on the peripheral edge of the movable contact 14. Because this projection 1
4c is the peripheral fixed contact 1 on which the movable contact 14 is mounted.
In order to prevent the generation of metal powder by shaving 2b, a second concave groove 11c for escape is provided in the storage portion 11a of the housing 11, and this second concave groove 11c is connected to the peripheral fixed contact 12b. Is formed in a direction rotated by 90 degrees in order to avoid interference with the arrangement position of the cover sheet and the fixing space of the cover sheet 15 mounted on the housing 11, so that the second concave groove portion 11c must be provided. There is a problem that the housing 11 becomes large and cannot be miniaturized.

Further, since the peripheral edge of the movable contact 14 provided with the projection 14c is not supported by the peripheral fixed contact 12b or the housing 11, the projection is repeatedly formed by reversing the operation of the switch. There was a problem that cracks (cracks) were likely to occur near the root of 14c.

Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and can reduce the width of the housing without changing the shape of the movable contact, thereby reducing the size of the switch and improving the contact reliability of the contact portion. It is an object to provide a switch structure.

[0012]

According to the present invention, as a first means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a housing having a housing portion, a center fixed contact provided at the center of the housing portion,
A peripheral fixed contact protruding from the central fixed contact at a position opposed to the central fixed contact, and a peripheral contact with the peripheral fixed contact and a dome-shaped bulging central contact A movable contact disposed in the storage portion in opposition to the central fixed contact, wherein the movable contact is provided with a protrusion protruding outward from a peripheral edge,
The projection base of the projection is placed within the width of the contact portion of the peripheral fixed contact, and the tip of the projection protrudes outward from the contact portion of the peripheral fixed contact.

As a second means, a groove is formed in the housing portion of the housing around the peripheral fixed contact to separate the peripheral fixed contact from a side wall of the housing. It is characterized in that the tip of the protrusion of the movable contact is arranged.

Further, as a third means, the movable contact comprises a skirt portion rising from a peripheral edge at a predetermined angle;
A dome-shaped bulging portion continuous with the skirt portion,
The protrusion has an outer peripheral end of the skirt portion as a protrusion base,
It is characterized in that it extends substantially parallel to the bottom surface in the storage section of the housing.

Further, as a fourth means, the projecting portion is left at the peripheral edge of the movable contact when the movable contact is cut off from the connecting bar with the hoop material to form a single piece. It is characterized by being.

[0016]

1 and 2 show an embodiment of a push button switch according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view passing through a peripheral fixed contact and a central fixed contact of a push button switch, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of a housing and a movable contact.

In FIG. 1, a housing 1 is formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and is formed in a box shape having a storage portion 1a therein and having an open upper surface. A central fixed contact 2a made of a conductive metal plate is disposed at the center of the inner bottom surface of the storage portion 1a of the housing 1 with its upper surface exposed. The peripheral fixed contacts 2b, 2b, which are also made of a conductive metal material, have contact portions 2c formed with a predetermined width so as to protrude one step from the central fixed contact 2a.
In addition, connection terminals 3a and 3b, which are led out from the central fixed contact 2a and the peripheral fixed contacts 2b and 2b and protrude outward, are formed on opposing outer surfaces of the housing 1.

In the housing portion 1a of the housing 1, the peripheral fixed contact 2b is separated from the side wall of the housing 1 around the position where the peripheral fixed contact 2b is provided. A groove 1b for preventing the resin from being covered with the resin is formed. This groove 1b
A protruding portion 4c that protrudes outward from a peripheral portion of the movable contact 4 described later is disposed therein. In this case,
The protruding base of the protruding portion 4c is placed within the width of the contact portion 2c of the peripheral fixed contact 2b, and the tip of the protruding portion 4c protrudes outward from the contact portion 2c of the peripheral fixed contact 2b. It is arranged in the concave groove portion 1b in a state where it is set.

The movable contact 4 is formed of a conductive metal plate in a substantially disk shape, and has a skirt portion 4b rising from a peripheral edge at a predetermined angle, and a dome-shaped bulging portion 4a continuous with the skirt portion 4b. Are formed, and the lower surface at the top of the bulging portion 4a serves as a central contact portion. A protrusion 4c is formed on the periphery of the movable contact 4 so as to protrude outward at a position facing the radial direction. The protrusion 4c is formed by using the outer peripheral end of the skirt 4b as a protrusion base. The housing 1 extends substantially parallel to the inner bottom surface of the housing portion 1a.

The protrusion 4c is provided with a plurality of movable contacts 4
Is a cutting residue remaining on the peripheral edge of the movable contact 4 when each of the movable contacts 4 is cut separately from a connecting bar of a hoop material (not shown). By providing the connecting bar, a plurality of the movable contacts 4 can be obtained. ing. The movable contact 4
Is stored in the storage section 1a of the housing 1,
The protrusion 4c is arranged in the groove 1b so as to prevent interference with the housing 1.

When the movable contact 4 is stored in the storage portion 1a, the peripheral edge of the movable contact 4 is in contact with the upper surface of the peripheral fixed contact 2b provided in the storage portion 1a. However, since the peripheral fixed contact 2b is formed one step higher than the central fixed contact 2a, the movable contact 4 can be easily seated on the peripheral fixed contact 2b, and the dome-shaped expansion can be achieved. Since the operation stroke at the time of reversing the projection 4a is ensured, the operation feeling is improved.

When the movable contact 4 is cut from the hoop material into a single piece, the projecting portion 4c, which is the remaining cut of the connecting bar, is disposed in the recessed groove 1b of the storage portion 1a. The protruding base of the protruding portion 4c is placed within the width of the contact portion 2c of the peripheral fixed contact 2b, and the tip of the protruding portion 4c is larger than the contact portion 2c of the peripheral fixed contact 2b. Since the protrusion 4c is disposed in the concave groove portion 1b in a state of protruding outward, the tip of the protrusion 4c does not interfere with the peripheral fixed contact 2b.
There is no generation of metal powder due to scraping with c, and good operation feeling and contact reliability can be obtained.

Also, since the direction in which the protrusion 4c and the peripheral fixed contact 2c are arranged can be made the same, the recessed groove 1b of the housing portion 1a may be formed only in this direction, and is perpendicular to this. Since it is not necessary to provide a separate groove in the direction, the width of the housing 1 can be reduced, and the size of the housing 1 can be reduced.

Further, since the projecting base of the projecting portion 4c is received within the width of the contact portion 2c of the peripheral fixed contact 2b, stress concentration on the projecting base (root portion) of the projecting portion 4c is reduced. Thus, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of cracks.

The protrusion 4c is provided on the skirt 4
Since the outer peripheral end of the movable contact 4b extends substantially parallel to the inner bottom surface of the housing 1a of the housing 1 with the projecting base as the projecting base, the movable contact 4 having the skirt 4b can be used. A good operation feeling can be obtained without obstructing the bending of the skirt portion 4b.

The stem 5 is formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin into a substantially columnar shape. The stem 5 is provided with an operating portion 5a which is pushed out of the opening of the housing 1 and is operated to be pressed. On the lower surface side of the operating portion 5a, the operating portion 5a is projected downward and the bulging portion of the movable contact 4 is provided. A pressing projection 5b is formed to abut the upper surface of 4a and press the movable contact 4 downward. A flange portion 5c is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the operation portion 5a to guide the inner wall surface of the housing portion 1a of the housing 1 when the stem 5 is pressed.

When the stem 5 is pressed, the lower end of the flange 5c abuts the step 1c formed on the peripheral edge of the bottom surface of the housing portion 1a, so that further pushing of the stem 5 is restricted. It is something to be done. Also,
When the stem 5 is returned, the flange 5c is fixed to an inner surface of a cover 6 described below, which is fixed to the upper surface of the opening of the housing portion 1a of the housing 1, so that the outer side of the stem 5 To prevent jumping out.

The cover 6 is made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin and has a substantially rectangular shape. The cover 6 is provided with a through hole 6a at the center thereof through which the operating portion 5a of the stem 5 protrudes, and is formed at the four corners of the square on the upper surface side of the housing 1 (not shown). An insertion hole through which a fixing projection (not shown) is inserted is formed. The cover 6 is fixed to the upper surface of the housing 1 by inserting the projection of the housing 1 into the insertion hole and caulking by a method such as pressing.

Next, the operation of the push button switch having the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, when the stem 5 is in a non-pressing operation state, the movable contact 4 is provided so as to face the peripheral edge of the skirt portion 4b. 2b, the dome-shaped bulging portion 4a is separated from the central fixed contact 4a, and the switch is turned off.

In this state, when the stem 5 is pressed by a finger or the like, the pressing protrusion 5b provided below the operating portion 5a of the stem 5 causes the bulging portion 4 of the movable contact 4 to move.
Pressing the top surface of the top a pushes the bulge 4a downward.

At this time, when the bulging portion 4a of the movable contact 4 is pressed downward, the movable contact 4
With the lower surface of the protruding base of c as a fulcrum, the bulging portion 4a is inverted downward. Therefore, the lower surface of the top of the bulging portion 4a comes into contact with the central fixed contact 2a, the peripheral fixed contacts 2b, 2b and the central fixed contact 2a are conducted, and the switch is turned on.

At the same time, the lower end of the flange portion 5c formed on the outer peripheral edge of the stem 5 comes into contact with the upper surface of the step portion 1c formed on the housing portion 1a, thereby forming a stopper. 5 is restricted.

When the pressing force on the stem 5 is released from this state, the bulging portion 4c of the movable contact 4 is inverted by its own elasticity to return to the initial state, and the urging force at this time causes The stem 5 is pressed upward and returns to the initial position. At this time, as the bulging portion 4a is inverted, the lower surface of the top of the bulging portion 4a is separated from the central fixed contact 2a, and the switch is turned off.

According to the above configuration, the peripheral edge is brought into contact with the peripheral fixed contact 2b provided in the housing portion 1a of the housing 1, and the bulging portion 4a (center contact portion) bulging in a dome shape is formed. ) Faces the central fixed contact 2a, and moves the movable contact 4 disposed in the storage portion 1a to the projecting base of the projecting portion 4c which projects outward from the peripheral edge to the peripheral fixed contact 2b. The protrusion 4c is placed within the width of the portion 2c and the tip of the protrusion 4c is arranged to protrude outward from the contact portion 2c of the peripheral fixed contact 2b.
Since the tip of c does not interfere with the peripheral fixed contact 2b, there is no generation of metal powder due to scraping with the projection 4c, and a good operation feeling can be obtained. Also,
Since the projecting base of the projecting portion 4c is received within the width of the contact portion 2c of the peripheral fixed contact 2b, the projecting portion 4c is received.
The stress concentration on the projecting base (root) of c is reduced, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of cracks.

Further, in the storage portion 1a of the housing 1,
The concave groove 1b is formed around the peripheral fixed contact 2b to separate the peripheral fixed contact 2b from the side wall of the housing 1 to prevent resin covering, and the protrusion of the movable contact 4 is formed in the concave groove 1b. Since the distal end of the housing 4a is arranged in the same direction as the projection 4c and the peripheral fixed contact 2b can be arranged in the same direction.
It is only necessary to form the concave groove portion 1b, and it is not necessary to provide a separate concave groove portion in a direction orthogonal to this.
Of the housing 1 can be reduced, and the size of the housing 1 can be reduced.

[0036]

As described above, the push-button switch of the present invention comprises a housing having a housing, a center fixed contact disposed at the center of the housing, and a position facing the center fixed contact with the center fixed contact interposed therebetween. The peripheral fixed contact protruding from the central fixed contact, the peripheral edge of the peripheral fixed contact is abutted, and the central contact bulged in a dome shape is opposed to the central fixed contact in the storage portion. The movable contact is provided with a protrusion projecting outward from the peripheral edge, and the protrusion base of the protrusion is mounted within the width of the contact portion of the peripheral fixed contact. And projecting the tip of the projection outward from the contact portion of the peripheral fixed contact, so that the tip of the projection does not interfere with the peripheral fixed contact. And a good operation feeling can be obtained. In addition, since the protruding base of the protruding portion is received within the width of the contact portion of the peripheral fixed contact, stress concentration on the protruding base (root portion) of the protruding portion is reduced, and the occurrence of cracks can be prevented. It becomes possible.

In the housing portion of the housing, a concave groove is formed around the peripheral fixed contact so as to separate the peripheral fixed contact from the side wall of the housing, and the tip of the protrusion of the movable contact is arranged in the concave groove. As a result, the protrusion and the peripheral fixed contact can be arranged in the same direction. Therefore, it is sufficient to form the groove of the storage portion only in this direction, and it is necessary to provide a separate groove in a direction orthogonal to this. Since there is no housing, the width of the housing can be reduced, and the size of the housing can be reduced.

Further, the movable contact has a skirt portion rising from the peripheral edge at a predetermined angle, and a dome-shaped bulging portion continuous with the skirt portion, and the projection has an outer peripheral end of the skirt portion as a projection base. Since it extends substantially parallel to the inner bottom surface of the housing portion of the housing, it is possible to obtain a good operation feeling without obstructing the bending of the skirt portion even for a movable contact having a skirt portion. it can.

Further, since the protruding portion remains at the peripheral edge of the movable contact when the movable contact is cut from the connecting bar with the hoop material to be a single piece, the connecting bar is left uncut. Is provided, a plurality of movable contacts can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along a line passing through a peripheral fixed contact and a central fixed contact of a push button switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of a housing and a movable contact according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a conventional push button switch.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 of the related art.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 of the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 1a Storage part 1b Depressed groove part 1c Step part 2a Central fixed contact 2b Peripheral fixed contact 2c Contact part 3a, 3b Connection terminal 4 Movable contact 4a Swelling part (central contact part) 4b Skirt part 4c Projection 5 Stem 5a Operation part 5b Pressing protrusion 5c Flange 6 Cover 6a Through hole

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A housing having a storage portion, a central fixed contact disposed at the center of the storage portion, and a peripheral portion protruding from the central fixed contact at a position opposed to the central fixed contact with the central fixed contact interposed therebetween. A fixed contact, the peripheral edge of which is in contact with the peripheral fixed contact, and a dome-shaped bulged central contact portion is provided with a movable contact disposed in the housing portion facing the central fixed contact, The movable contact is provided with a protrusion protruding outward from a peripheral edge. The protrusion base of the protrusion is placed within the width of the contact portion of the peripheral fixed contact, and a tip of the protrusion is provided. A push button switch which projects outward from a contact portion of the peripheral fixed contact. 2. A recessed portion for separating the peripheral fixed contact from a side wall of the housing is formed in the housing portion of the housing around the peripheral fixed contact, and a projection of the movable contact is formed in the concave groove. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein a tip is disposed. 3. The movable contact has a skirt portion rising from a peripheral edge at a predetermined angle, and a dome-shaped bulging portion continuous with the skirt portion, and the projection is provided at an outer peripheral end of the skirt portion. 3. The push-button switch according to claim 1, wherein the protruding base extends substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the housing portion of the housing. 4. The connecting bar according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portion remains at the peripheral edge of the movable contact when the movable contact is cut from the connecting bar with the hoop material to form a single product. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein