JP2004014212A

JP2004014212A - Moving contact body and switch device using same

Info

Publication number: JP2004014212A
Application number: JP2002163853A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Kazunari Takahashi; 高橋　一成; Koichi Takahashi; 高橋　幸一
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-06-05
Filing date: 2002-06-05
Publication date: 2004-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-05
Also published as: JP4101560B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a moving contact body that hardly develops cracks even if a swelled part, or a base material swelled into one side is repeatedly depressed, and provides a longer service life, and also to provide a switch device using the moving contact body. <P>SOLUTION: The contact body 1 used in the switch device 11 comprises the base material 2 made of a thin metal plate having elasticity, the swelled part 2a formed by reversibly swelling the center part of the base material 2, and a contact part 2b formed on the inner face of the swelled part 2a. The base material 2 has a pair of protrusions 2c, 2c, projecting outwardly by the width dimension G and the projecting dimension F from positions opposing each other on a circular outer peripheral. The protrusions 2c are formed with projecting dimensions F1 and F2, where F1 is the projecting dimension from the outer peripheral part at both ends 2d side in the width direction of the width dimension and F2 is the projecting dimension from the outer peripheral part at the center part in the width direction. The relation between F1 and F2 is assumed F1>F2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、可動接点体およびこれを用いたスイッチ装置に係わり、特に反転可能な膨出部を有する可動接点体およびこれを用いたスイッチ装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の押し釦スイッチ等に用いられている可動接点体２１は、薄板状でステンレス等の弾性がある金属板からなり、図１１〜図１３に示すように、基材２１ａの外形が円形状に形成され、この基材２１ａの中央部を所定高さ一方側に膨出させて、内部がドーム状の膨出部２１ｂが形成されている。また、膨出部２１ｂの内面が接点部２１ｃになっている。
【０００３】
また、基材２１ａの外周縁の互いに対向する位置には、可動接点体２１をプレス加工する時に、母材であるフープ材に連結するための連結部（図示せず）を切断した切断跡である、一対の突出部２１ｄが形成されている。この一対の突出部２１ｄは、前記連結部を切断した切断跡が、フープ材の送りズレ等により、基材２１ａの外周縁より内側に喰い込んで、可動接点体２１のバネ特性等を損なわないように、必ず基材２１ａから外側に高さ寸法Ａで突出するようになっている。また、突出部２１ｄの先端部の形状は、基材２１ａの外周円と同心円状の円弧状に形成されている。
そのために、基材２１ａの外周縁から突出する突出部２１ｄの突出寸法Ａは、幅寸法Ｂにおけるどの位置においても、ほぼ均等の寸法Ａになっている。
【０００４】
また、前述したような可動接点体２１の製造方法は、薄板状の金属板からなる母材であるフープ材（図示せず）の一部をプレス加工等で、基材２１ａの外周部を円形状に打ち抜くことにより、フープ材に所定のピッチ寸法で連続して連結部（図示せず）に連結された基材２１ａが形成される。
前記フープ材に連結部で連結された基材２１ａを、次のプレス加工の工程で一方側にドーム状に突き出して膨出部２１ｂを形成する。
その後、連結部でフープ材に連結された基材２１ａを、プレス等で連結部から切断する。この時、連結部を切断した切断残りが発生して、基材２１ａの外周縁より外側に突出部２１ｄが形成されるように切断する。
【０００５】
前記基材２１ａをフープ材から切断するための金型（図示せず）は、突出部２１ｄの先端部を、基材２１ａの円形状の外周縁と同心円の円弧状にすることにより、連結部を切断するための金型製造を簡略化できるようになっている。
このような連結部を切断する金型によって、基材２１ａの外周縁の互いに対向する位置に、連結部の切断跡である一対の突出部２１ｄ、２１ｄの先端部を円弧状に形成した、従来の可動接点体１１を製造するようになっている。
【０００６】
このような従来の可動接点体１１を用いたスイッチ装置（図示せず）は、内部に空洞状の収納部を有するハウジングの内底面中央部に中央固定接点部が形成されている。この中央固定接点部の外周側には、中央固定接点部と絶縁されると共に、基材２１ａの円形状の外周縁が当接して導通可能な、形状が円環状の周辺固定接点部とが形成されている。
そして、ハウジングの収納部内に収納した可動接点体２１は、基材２１ａの外周縁を周辺固定接点部上に載置すると、ハウジング内部の収納部で位置決めされてガタ付かないようになっている。
【０００７】
このようなスイッチ装置は、可動接点体２１の膨出部２１ｂの頂部を下方に押圧操作すると、膨出部２１ｂが下方に降下して反転する。
この基材２１ａが反転することにより、押圧操作していた操作者がクリック感を感じることができる。
このクリック感を感じると同時に、接点部２１ｃが中央固定接点部に当接して、中央固定接点部と周辺固定接点部とが可動接点体２１を介して電気的に導通してスイッチ回路が切り換わる。
【０００８】
また、可動接点体２１の押圧を解除すると、可動接点体２１は、基材２１ａの自らの弾性力でドーム状の初期状態に復帰して、接点面２１ｃが中央固定接点部から離間する。このことにより、可動接点体２１と中央固定接点部との電気的な導通が解除される。
このような従来のスイッチ装置は、可動接点体２１を押圧操作したときに感じるクリック感により、スイッチ回路が切り替わったことを感知することができるので、操作性が良い。
【０００９】
また、従来のスイッチ装置に用いた従来の可動接点体２１は、膨出部２１ｂの頂部を押圧操作したときに、基材２１ａの中心部には縮む方向の応力が加わり、また、基材２１ａの外周縁は、図１３に示すように、円周方向の矢印Ｃ方向に延びようとする応力が加わる。
ところが、突出寸法Ａで円弧状に外周縁から均等に突出する突出部２１ｄが形成された部分は、突出部２１ｂがない部分の外周縁より強度アップしている。
そのために、膨出部２１ｂの頂部を押圧操作して、基材２１ａの外周縁に矢印Ｃ方向に延びようとする応力が加わると、この応力は、突出部２１ｄの幅方向における両端面と、基材２１ａの円形状の外周縁とが交わる交点２１ｅに集中する。
【００１０】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
このような従来の可動接点体２１は、膨出部２１ｂの頂部を繰り返し押圧操作することにより、交点２１ｅに繰り返しの集中応力が加わり、図１３に示すように、交点２１ｅから基材２１ａの中心部に向けて、短時間でクラックＤが発生するおそれがあった。
そのために、従来の可動接点体２１を用いたスイッチ装置は、寿命特性が短くなるおそれがあった。
本発明は、前述したような課題に鑑みてなされたものであり、基材を一方側に膨出させた膨出部を繰り返し押圧操作しても、クラックが発生しにくい長寿命の可動接点体およびこれを用いたスイッチ装置を提供することを目的とする。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記課題を解決するための第１の解決手段として本発明の可動接点体は、薄板状で弾性を有する金属板からなる基材と、この基材の中央部を反転可能に膨出させた膨出部と、この膨出部の内面に形成した接点部とを備え、前記基材は、円形状の外周縁の互いに対向する位置から所定の幅寸法と突出寸法で外側に突出形成した一対の突出部を有し、
この突出部は、前記幅寸法の幅方向における両端部側の前記外縁部からの突出寸法をＦ１として、前記幅方向における中央部側の前記外縁部からの突出寸法をＦ２とし、前記Ｆ１、Ｆ２の関係をＦ１＞Ｆ２にしたことを特徴とする。
【００１２】
また、前記課題を解決するための第２の解決手段として、前記突出部は、前記外縁部から外側に突出する先端部の形状を、前記互いに対向する位置の前記一対の突出部を結ぶ線と直交する方向の線と平行な直線状に形成したことを特徴とする。
【００１３】
また、前記課題を解決するための第３の解決手段として、前記突出部は、前記基材から外側に突出する先端部の形状を、前記所定の幅寸法の幅方向における前記両端部側より前記中央部側を、前記先端部より凹ませて形成したことを特徴とする。
【００１４】
また、前記課題を解決するための第４の解決手段として、前記突出部の前記突出寸法は、前記基材の直径寸法の４％より小さく形成したことを特徴とする。
【００１５】
また、前記課題を解決するための第５の解決手段として本発明のスイッチ装置は、薄板状で弾性を有する金属板からなる基材の中央部を一方側に膨出させた膨出部を有する可動接点体と、この可動接点体を支持するハウジングとを備え、このハウジングは、一方の面に互いに絶縁された中央固定接点部と周辺固定接点部を形成し、前記可動接点体は、前記基材の円形状の外周縁の互いに対向する位置から所定の幅と突出寸法で外側に突出形成した一対の突出部を有し、
この突出部は、前記基材の前記円形状の外周端部からの突出寸法が、前記幅寸法の幅方向における両端部側より中央部側を小さく形成し、
前記可動接点体の前記外周縁を前記周辺固定接点上に位置させると、前記膨出部内面に形成した接点部が、前記中央固定接点部と対向する上方に前記中央固定接点部と所定寸法離間して位置するようにしたことを特徴とする。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の一実施の形態を、図１〜図８に基づいて説明する。図１は本発明に関する可動接点体の平面図であり、図２は図１の要部断面図であり、図３、図４は本発明に関する可動接点体の要部拡大図であり、図５〜図７は本発明に関する可動接点体の製造方法を説明する概略図であり、図８は本発明の可動接点体を用いたスイッチ装置の概略図であり、図９、図１０は本発明の可動接点体のその他の実施の形態を説明する要部拡大図である。
【００１７】
本発明の実施の形態の可動接点体１は、図１、図２に示すように、薄板状で弾性を有するステンレス等の金属板からなり、外形が直径寸法Ｅの略円形状の基材２が形成されている。
この基材２は、図２に示すように、中央部を一方側である上方側にドーム状に所定高さ膨出させて膨出部２ａを形成し、この膨出部２ａの内面に接点部２ｂが形成されている。また、基材２は、円形状の外周縁の互いに対向する位置から外側に所定寸法突出する一対の突出部２ｃが形成されている。
【００１８】
この突出部２ｃは、基材２の円形状の外周縁から外側に突出する突出寸法Ｆを、図３に示すように、幅寸法Ｇの幅方向における両端部２ｄ、２ｄ側の突出寸法をＦ１とし、幅方向における中央部側の突出寸法をＦ２とすると、Ｆ１＞Ｆ２の関係になるように形成されている。
このようなＦ１＞Ｆ２の関係を満足するために、本発明の可動接点体１は、図１に示すように、基材２の円形状の外周縁から外側に突出する突出部２ｃの先端部２ｅの形状を、一対の突出部２ｃ、２ｃを結ぶ線Ｈと直交する方向の線Ｊと平行な直線状に形成することにより、Ｆ１＞Ｆ２の関係にしている。
【００１９】
前記突出部２ｃの幅寸法Ｇは、基材２の直径寸法Ｅの１０〜２０％に形成されている。また、端部２ｄ側の突出寸法Ｆ１は、基材２の直径寸法Ｅの４％より小さく形成されている。
即ち、基材２の直径寸法Ｅが例えば２．５ｍｍとすると、突出部２ｃの幅寸法Ｇは０．５ｍｍに形成され、端部２ｄ側の突出寸法Ｆ１は０．１ｍｍより小さく形成されている。
【００２０】
このような構成の可動接点体１は、図２に示す膨出部２ａの頂部を操作者が押圧操作すると、膨出部２ａの頂部が下方に降下して反転することにより、操作者がクリック感を感じ取れるようになっている。
また、可動接点体１は、突出部２ｃの突出寸法をＦ１＞Ｆ２の関係にすることにより、突出部２ｃの強度を従来より弱め、他の外周縁に近似させることができる。
そのために、基材２の外周縁に円周方向の引っ張り応力が加わっても、この引っ張り応力は、従来の技術で説明したような、外周縁と突出部２ｃの両端部２ｄ、２ｄとが交わる交点２ｆ、２ｆに集中する応力を、突出部２ｃにも分散させることができる。
【００２１】
前述したような可動接点体１の突出部２ｃの突出寸法Ｆは、図４に示すように、突出部２ｃの直線状の先端部２ｅが、基材２の外周縁と接するようにして、端部２ｄを寸法Ｆ外周縁から突出させたものでも良い。
あるいは、直線状の先端部２ｅが外周縁より若干内側に喰い込んで、微小に端部２ｄが外周縁から外側に突出させたものでも良い。
【００２２】
前述したような可動接点体１の製造方法を図５〜図７に基づいて説明すると、母材として薄板状で帯状のフ−プ材４を用い、このフープ材４をプレス加工で、図５に示すように、円弧状のスリット部４ａを互いに対向させて打ち抜くことにより、スリット部４ａに挟まれた内側に、外周縁が円形状の基材２が連結部４ｂに連結されて、フープ材４に連続して形成される。また、連結部４ｂに連結された基材２を一方側に膨出させて膨出部２ａを形成する。
【００２３】
このような、フープ材４に連結部４ｂで連結された基材２を、図７に示すような金型５の切断ポンチ６とダイ７とに位置合わせする。
そして、切断ポンチ６を矢印Ｍ方向に移動させることにより、連結部４ｂが切断されて、外周縁に一対の突出部２ｃが形成された膨出部２ａを有する可動接点体１が、フープ材４から分離される。
前記切断ポンチ６は、連結部４ｂを切断する部分が、直線状に形成されているので、連結部４ｂを切断して形成される突出部２ｃの先端部２ｅは、図３に示すように、突出部２ｃ、２ｃを結ぶ線Ｈと直交する方向の線Ｊと平行な直線状に形成される。
そして、フープ材４から分離された可動接点体１は、ダイ７の抜き穴７ａから矢印Ｎ方向に排出される。
この抜き穴７から金型５の外部に排出された本発明の可動接点体１は、１枚ずつバキューム装置等で吸着されて、後述するスイッチ装置１０の収納部１１ａ内に組み込み可能になっている。
【００２４】
このような製造方法で製造された本発明の可動接点体１を用いたスイッチ装置１１は、図８に示すように、樹脂材料からなるハウジング１２が配設されており、このハウジング１２には、一歩の面に可動接点体１を支持して収納可能な収納部１２ａが形成されている。
また、ハウジング１２は、内部に空洞状の収納部１２ａが形成され、この収納部１２ａの内底面の中央部に金属板等からなる中央固定接点部１２ｂが露出している。そして、この中央固定接点部１２ｂは、インサート成形等によりハウジング１２に埋設されて、例えば図示左側の第１端子部１３に接続されている。
【００２５】
また、収納部１２ａの内底面の外周部寄りには、収納部１２ａに収納した可動接点体１の外周縁が導通可能な金属板等からなる周辺固定接点部１２ｃが露出して形成されている。
この周辺固定接点部１２ｃは、ハウジング１２にインサート成形等により埋設されて、例えば図示右側の第２端子部１４に接続されている。
また、ハウジング１２には、収納部１２ａを囲む外周側には、側壁１２ｄが所定高さで突出形成されている。この側壁１２ｄの高さは、収納部１２ａに収納した可動接点体１の膨出部２ａの高さと、ほぼ同じ高さに形成されている。
【００２６】
そして、収納部１２ａに可動接点体１を収納した状態で、開放された収納部１２ａ上を蓋閉するように粘着シート１５が配設されている。
この粘着シート１５は、片面に粘着剤１５ａが塗布され、この粘着剤１５ａを下向きして、側壁１２ｄの上端部に粘着している。
この時、収納部１２ａに収納している可動接点体１は、膨出部２ａの頂部が粘着剤１５ａに粘着されて、水平方向の動きが規制されるようになっている。
また、粘着シート１５上には、金属板等からなるフレーム１６が被せられて、ハウジング１２の側壁１２ｄに粘着した粘着シート１５が剥がれないようになっている。
また、フレーム１６の中央部には、開口部１６ａが形成されており、この開口部１６ａから接着シート１５の上面が露出しており、接着シート１５を介して可動接点体１を押圧操作可能になっている。
【００２７】
このようなスイッチ装置１１を用いた機器（図示せず）側には、図８の２点鎖線で示すような、例えば棒状の操作部材１７が配設されている。
そして、可動接点体１の接点部２ｂが中央固定接点部１２ｂから離間した初期状態において、操作部材１７を図示下方側に押圧操作すると、粘着シート１５を介して可動接点体１の膨出部２ａが下方に押圧されて降下する。
すると、可動接点体１は、膨出部２ａが反転して、操作部材１７を押圧操作している操作者がクリック感を感じることができる。
【００２８】
前記膨出部２ａの反転と同時に膨出部２ａの内面の接点部２ｂが、ハウジング１２に形成した中央固定接点部１２ｂに当接する。
そして、中央固定接点部１２ｂと周辺固定接点部１２ｃとが、可動接点体１を介して電気的に導通してスイッチ回路が切り換えられる。
また、操作部材１７の押圧を解除すると、可動接点体１は、自らの弾性力でドーム状の初期状態に復帰して、接点部２ｂが中央固定接点部１２ｂから離間する。そして、可動接点体１と中央固定接点部１２ｂとの電気的な導通が解除される。
【００２９】
このような本発明のスイッチ装置１１は、可動接点体１の突出部２ｃの突出寸法が、Ｆ１＞Ｆ２の関係になっているので、操作部材１７で膨出部２ａの頂部を押圧操作して、膨出部２ａが反転するときに、基材２の外周縁に加わる引っ張り応力を、突出部２ｃの先端部２ｅにも分散させることができる。
そのために、膨出部２ａを繰り返し押圧操作しても、従来のような短時間でクラックが発生することのない、長寿命の可動接点体１とすることができる。
【００３０】
また、本発明の可動接点体１の、その他の実施の形態を、図９、図１０に基づいて説明すると、突出部２ｃは、基材２の外周縁から外側に突出する先端部２ｅの形状を、幅寸法Ｇの幅方向における中央部側を両端部２ｄ、２ｄ側より凹ませてＦ１＞Ｆ２の関係にしたものでも良い。
あるいは、図１０に示すように、突出部２ｃは、中央部側の凹みを、外周縁より喰い込ませて、突出寸法Ｆ２をマイナスさせたものでも良い。この外周縁から喰い込ませる量は、基材２の直径寸法Ｅの２％以下であれば良い。
即ち、基材２の直径寸法Ｅを２．５ｍｍとすると、外周縁からの食い込み量は、０．０５ｍｍ以下であれば良い。
このような図９、図１０に示すような、その他の実施の形態の可動接点体１をスイッチ装置１１に用いることにより、可動接点体１の寿命特性を更に向上させることができる。
【００３１】
尚、前述したような実施の形態の説明においては、スイッチ装置１１のハウジング１２に空洞状の収納部１２ａを形成し、この収納部１２ａに可動接点体１を収納支持するもので説明したが、その他の実施の形態として、図示は省略するが、平板状プリント基板でハウジングを形成し、周辺固定接点と中央固定接点を設けた一面に、粘着シートで可動接点体１を接着して支持するようにしたものでも良い。
【００３２】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明の突出部は、幅寸法Ｇの幅方向における両端部側の外縁部からの突出寸法をＦ１として、幅方向における中央部側の外縁部からの突出寸法をＦ２とし、Ｆ１、Ｆ２の関係をＦ１＞Ｆ２にしたので、突出部の強度を従来より低下させることができ、膨出部を押圧操作したときの基材の外周縁に加わる応力を突出部にも分散させて、突出部を形成した部分に加わる応力集中を小さくすることができる。
そのために、繰り返しの押圧操作でも、クラックが発生しにくい長寿命の可動接点体を提供できる。
【００３３】
また、突出部は、外縁部から外側に突出する先端部の形状を、互いに対向する位置の一対の突出部を結ぶ線と直交する方向の線と平行な直線状に形成したので、外周縁の一部に集中する応力を突出部にも分散させることができる。
また、連結部を切断する切断ポンチの形状を単純化でき、製造が容易な金型とすることができる。
【００３４】
また、突出部は、基材から外側に突出する先端部の形状を、所定の幅寸法の幅方向における両端部側より中央部側を、先端部より凹ませて形成したので、更に外周縁の一部に集中する応力を突出部に分散させることができ、長寿命とすることができる。
【００３５】
また、突出部の突出寸法は、基材の直径寸法の直径寸法の４％より小さく形成したので、外周縁の一部に集中する応力を突出部に分散させることができる。
【００３６】
また、本発明のスイッチ装置は、基材の円形状の外周端部からの突出部の突出寸法が、幅寸法の幅方向における両端部側より中央部側を小さく形成し、可動接点体の外周縁を周辺固定接点上に位置させると、膨出部内面に形成した接点部が、中央固定接点部と対向する上方に中央固定接点部と所定寸法離間して位置するようにしたので、可動接点体を押圧操作したときに外周縁に発生する引っ張り応力を、突出部にも分散させることができる。
そのために、可動接点体の寿命特性が向上するので、長寿命のスイッチ装置を提供できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に関する可動接点体の平面図である。
【図２】図１の要部断面図である。
【図３】本発明に関する可動接点体の要部拡大図である。
【図４】本発明に関する可動接点体の要部拡大図である。
【図５】本発明に関する可動接点体の製造方法を説明する概略図である。
【図６】本発明に関する可動接点体の製造方法を説明する概略図である。
【図７】本発明に関する可動接点体の製造方法を説明する概略図である。
【図８】本発明の可動接点体を用いたスイッチ装置の概略図である。
【図９】本発明の可動接点体のその他の実施の形態を説明する要部拡大図である。
【図１０】本発明の可動接点体のその他の実施の形態を説明する要部拡大図である。
【図１１】従来の可動接点体の平面図である。
【図１２】従来の可動接点体の断面図である。
【図１３】従来の可動接点体の要部拡大図である。
【符号の鋭明】
１　可動接点体
２　基材
２ａ　膨出部
２ｂ　接点部
２ｃ　突出部
２ｄ　端部
２ｅ　先端部
２ｆ　交点
５　金型
６　切断ポンチ
７　ダイ
１１　スイッチ装置
１２　ハウジング
１２ａ　収納部
１２ｂ　中央固定接点部
１２ｃ　周辺固定接点部
１２ｄ　側壁
１５　粘着シート
１６　フレーム
１７　操作部材[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a movable contact body and a switch device using the same, and more particularly to a movable contact body having a reversible bulging portion and a switch device using the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The movable contact body 21 used for a conventional push button switch or the like is made of a thin metal plate having elasticity such as stainless steel, and as shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. The central portion of the base material 21a is bulged to one side at a predetermined height to form a dome-shaped bulged portion 21b. The inner surface of the bulging portion 21b is a contact portion 21c.
[0003]
Further, at the position where the outer peripheral edge of the base material 21a is opposed to each other, a cutting mark obtained by cutting a connecting portion (not shown) for connecting to the hoop material as the base material when the movable contact body 21 is pressed. A pair of protrusions 21d are formed. The pair of projecting portions 21d do not impair the spring characteristics and the like of the movable contact body 21 because the cut trace of cutting the connecting portion bites inward from the outer peripheral edge of the base material 21a due to a shift of the hoop material or the like. As described above, the projection always projects outward from the base material 21a with a height dimension A. The shape of the tip of the protruding portion 21d is formed in an arc concentric with the outer circumference of the base 21a.
Therefore, the projecting dimension A of the projecting portion 21d projecting from the outer peripheral edge of the base material 21a is substantially uniform at any position in the width dimension B.
[0004]
In the method of manufacturing the movable contact body 21 as described above, a part of a hoop material (not shown), which is a base material made of a thin metal plate, is formed by pressing or the like, and the outer peripheral portion of the base material 21a is made circular. By punching into the shape, the base material 21a connected to the connecting portion (not shown) is continuously formed at a predetermined pitch size on the hoop material.
The base material 21a connected to the hoop material at the connection portion is protruded in a dome shape to one side in the next press working step to form a bulging portion 21b.
Thereafter, the base material 21a connected to the hoop material at the connection portion is cut from the connection portion by a press or the like. At this time, cutting is performed such that a cutting residue generated by cutting the connecting portion is generated, and a protruding portion 21d is formed outside the outer peripheral edge of the base material 21a.
[0005]
A mold (not shown) for cutting the base material 21a from the hoop material has a connecting portion by making the tip of the protruding portion 21d into a circular arc concentric with the circular outer peripheral edge of the base material 21a. This makes it possible to simplify the manufacture of a mold for cutting the dies.
Conventionally, the tip of a pair of projecting portions 21d, 21d, which are cut marks of the connecting portion, is formed in an arc shape at a position facing the outer peripheral edge of the base material 21a by a mold for cutting the connecting portion. The movable contact body 11 is manufactured.
[0006]
In such a switch device (not shown) using the conventional movable contact body 11, a central fixed contact portion is formed at the center of the inner bottom surface of a housing having a hollow storage portion therein. On the outer peripheral side of the central fixed contact portion, there is formed a peripheral fixed contact portion having an annular shape, which is insulated from the central fixed contact portion and is in contact with the circular outer peripheral edge of the base member 21a to be able to conduct. Have been.
When the outer peripheral edge of the base member 21a is placed on the peripheral fixed contact portion, the movable contact body 21 stored in the housing portion of the housing is positioned in the housing portion inside the housing so as not to rattle.
[0007]
In such a switch device, when the top of the bulging portion 21b of the movable contact body 21 is pressed downward, the bulging portion 21b is lowered and inverted.
By inverting the base material 21a, the operator who has performed the pressing operation can feel a click feeling.
At the same time when the click feeling is felt, the contact portion 21c abuts on the center fixed contact portion, and the center fixed contact portion and the peripheral fixed contact portion are electrically connected via the movable contact body 21 to switch the switch circuit. .
[0008]
When the pressing of the movable contact body 21 is released, the movable contact body 21 returns to the dome-shaped initial state by its own elastic force of the base material 21a, and the contact surface 21c is separated from the central fixed contact portion. As a result, the electrical continuity between the movable contact body 21 and the central fixed contact portion is released.
Such a conventional switch device has good operability because it can detect that the switch circuit has been switched by the click feeling felt when the movable contact body 21 is pressed.
[0009]
Further, in the conventional movable contact body 21 used in the conventional switch device, when a top portion of the bulging portion 21b is pressed, a stress in a contracting direction is applied to a center portion of the base material 21a. As shown in FIG. 13, a stress is applied to the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral edge of the peripheral edge in the direction of arrow C in the circumferential direction.
However, the portion in which the protrusion 21d that protrudes uniformly from the outer peripheral edge in an arc shape with the protrusion dimension A is formed is stronger than the outer peripheral edge of the portion without the protrusion 21b.
Therefore, when a stress is applied to the outer peripheral edge of the base material 21a by pressing the top of the bulging portion 21b so as to extend in the direction of arrow C, the stress is applied to both end surfaces in the width direction of the protruding portion 21d, It concentrates on the intersection 21e where the circular outer periphery of the base material 21a intersects.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such a conventional movable contact body 21, by repeatedly pressing the top of the bulging portion 21b, a repeated concentrated stress is applied to the intersection 21e, and as shown in FIG. There was a possibility that crack D was generated in a short time toward the portion.
Therefore, the life of the switch device using the conventional movable contact body 21 may be shortened.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has a long-life movable contact body that is less likely to crack even when repeatedly pressing a bulging portion obtained by bulging a substrate to one side. And a switch device using the same.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a first means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a movable contact body according to the present invention comprises a base made of a thin and elastic metal plate, and a bulge obtained by reversibly bulging a central portion of the base. Protruding portion, and a contact portion formed on the inner surface of the bulging portion, wherein the base material is formed of a pair of protrusions formed to protrude outward with predetermined width and protrusion dimensions from opposing positions of a circular outer peripheral edge. Has a protrusion,
The projecting portion has a projecting dimension from the outer edge portion at both end portions in the width direction of the width direction as F1, a projecting size from the outer edge portion at the central portion side in the width direction as F2, and the projecting portions F1, F2. Is set to satisfy F1> F2.
[0012]
Further, as a second solution for solving the above-described problem, the projecting portion may be configured such that a shape of a tip portion projecting outward from the outer edge portion is formed by a line connecting the pair of projecting portions at positions facing each other. It is characterized by being formed in a straight line parallel to a line in a direction orthogonal to the direction.
[0013]
As a third solution for solving the above-mentioned problem, the projecting portion may be configured such that a shape of a tip end projecting outward from the base material is closer to the both ends in the width direction of the predetermined width dimension. The central portion is formed so as to be recessed from the tip portion.
[0014]
Further, as a fourth solution for solving the above-mentioned problem, the protrusion dimension of the protrusion is formed to be smaller than 4% of the diameter of the base material.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switch device having a swelling portion in which a central portion of a thin and elastic metal plate is bulged to one side. A movable contact body; and a housing for supporting the movable contact body. The housing has a central fixed contact portion and a peripheral fixed contact portion which are insulated from each other on one surface, and the movable contact body includes the base. A pair of protrusions formed to protrude outward with a predetermined width and protrusion dimensions from positions facing each other on a circular outer peripheral edge of the material,
The projecting portion is formed such that a projecting dimension from the outer peripheral end of the circular shape of the base material is smaller at a central portion side than both end portions in a width direction of the width dimension,
When the outer peripheral edge of the movable contact body is positioned on the peripheral fixed contact, the contact portion formed on the inner surface of the bulging portion is separated from the central fixed contact portion by a predetermined distance above the central fixed contact portion. It is characterized in that it is located in the position.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a plan view of a movable contact body according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged views of a main part of the movable contact body according to the present invention. 7 are schematic diagrams for explaining a method of manufacturing a movable contact body according to the present invention, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a switch device using the movable contact body of the present invention, and FIGS. It is a principal part enlarged view explaining other Embodiment of a movable contact body.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a movable contact body 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is formed of a thin and elastic metal plate such as stainless steel, and has a substantially circular base material 2 having an outer diameter E. Is formed.
As shown in FIG. 2, the base material 2 has a dome-shaped bulge at a central portion on one side and an upper side to form a bulge 2a to form a bulge 2a, and a contact point is formed on the inner surface of the bulge 2a. A portion 2b is formed. Further, the base member 2 is formed with a pair of protrusions 2c that protrude outward by a predetermined dimension from positions of the circular outer peripheral edges facing each other.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 3, the projecting portion 2c has a projecting dimension F projecting outward from the circular outer peripheral edge of the base member 2 and a projecting dimension at both ends 2d and 2d side in the width direction of the width dimension G as F1. When the protrusion dimension on the center portion side in the width direction is F2, they are formed so as to satisfy the relationship of F1> F2.
In order to satisfy such a relationship of F1> F2, the movable contact body 1 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. By forming the shape of 2e in a straight line parallel to a line J perpendicular to the line H connecting the pair of protrusions 2c, 2c, a relationship of F1> F2 is established.
[0019]
The width dimension G of the protrusion 2c is formed to be 10 to 20% of the diameter dimension E of the base material 2. Further, the protrusion dimension F1 on the end 2d side is formed to be smaller than 4% of the diameter dimension E of the base material 2.
That is, assuming that the diameter dimension E of the base material 2 is, for example, 2.5 mm, the width dimension G of the projection 2c is formed to be 0.5 mm, and the projection dimension F1 on the end 2d side is formed to be smaller than 0.1 mm. .
[0020]
When the operator presses the top of the bulging portion 2a shown in FIG. 2, the top of the bulging portion 2a descends and reverses, so that the operator can click You can feel the feeling.
Further, in the movable contact body 1, by setting the protrusion dimension of the protrusion 2 c so as to satisfy the relationship of F 1> F 2, the strength of the protrusion 2 c can be made weaker than before and approximate to another outer peripheral edge.
Therefore, even if a tensile stress in the circumferential direction is applied to the outer peripheral edge of the base material 2, the tensile stress intersects the outer peripheral edge with both ends 2 d and 2 d of the protrusion 2 c as described in the related art. The stress concentrated at the intersections 2f, 2f can also be dispersed to the protrusion 2c.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 4, the protrusion dimension F of the protrusion 2 c of the movable contact body 1 is set such that the linear tip 2 e of the protrusion 2 c contacts the outer peripheral edge of the base material 2. The portion 2d may protrude from the outer periphery of the dimension F.
Alternatively, the linear end portion 2e may slightly bite inward from the outer peripheral edge, and the end portion 2d may slightly protrude outward from the outer peripheral edge.
[0022]
The method of manufacturing the movable contact body 1 as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. A thin and band-shaped FOUP material 4 is used as a base material, and the FOUP material 4 is pressed by pressing. As shown in the figure, by punching out the arc-shaped slit portions 4a so as to face each other, the base material 2 having a circular outer periphery is connected to the connection portion 4b inside the space between the slit portions 4a, and the hoop material is formed. 4 is formed continuously. Further, the base member 2 connected to the connecting portion 4b is swelled to one side to form a swelling portion 2a.
[0023]
The base material 2 connected to the hoop material 4 by the connecting portion 4b is aligned with the cutting punch 6 of the mold 5 and the die 7 as shown in FIG.
Then, by moving the cutting punch 6 in the direction of the arrow M, the connecting portion 4b is cut, and the movable contact body 1 having the bulging portion 2a having the pair of projecting portions 2c formed on the outer peripheral edge becomes the hoop material 4. Separated from
Since the cutting punch 6 has a portion that cuts the connecting portion 4b formed linearly, the tip 2e of the protruding portion 2c formed by cutting the connecting portion 4b, as shown in FIG. It is formed in a straight line parallel to a line J in a direction orthogonal to a line H connecting the protrusions 2c, 2c.
Then, the movable contact body 1 separated from the hoop material 4 is discharged in the direction of arrow N from the hole 7 a of the die 7.
The movable contact body 1 of the present invention discharged to the outside of the mold 5 from the punched hole 7 is sucked one by one by a vacuum device or the like, and can be incorporated into a storage portion 11a of a switch device 10 described later. I have.
[0024]
The switch device 11 using the movable contact body 1 of the present invention manufactured by such a manufacturing method is provided with a housing 12 made of a resin material as shown in FIG. A storage portion 12a that supports and stores the movable contact body 1 is formed on the surface of one step.
The housing 12 has a hollow storage portion 12a formed therein, and a central fixed contact portion 12b made of a metal plate or the like is exposed at the center of the inner bottom surface of the storage portion 12a. The central fixed contact portion 12b is embedded in the housing 12 by insert molding or the like, and is connected to, for example, the first terminal portion 13 on the left side in the drawing.
[0025]
Further, near the outer peripheral portion of the inner bottom surface of the storage portion 12a, a peripheral fixed contact portion 12c formed of a conductive metal plate or the like and having an outer peripheral edge of the movable contact body 1 stored in the storage portion 12a is formed to be exposed. .
The peripheral fixed contact portion 12c is embedded in the housing 12 by insert molding or the like, and is connected to, for example, the second terminal portion 14 on the right side in the drawing.
In the housing 12, a side wall 12d is formed so as to protrude at a predetermined height on an outer peripheral side surrounding the storage portion 12a. The height of the side wall 12d is substantially the same as the height of the bulging portion 2a of the movable contact body 1 housed in the housing portion 12a.
[0026]
Then, the adhesive sheet 15 is disposed so as to close the lid of the opened storage portion 12a with the movable contact body 1 stored in the storage portion 12a.
The pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 15 has a pressure-sensitive adhesive 15a applied to one side thereof, and is adhered to the upper end of the side wall 12d with the pressure-sensitive adhesive 15a facing downward.
At this time, the movable contact body 1 housed in the housing portion 12a is configured such that the top of the bulging portion 2a is adhered to the adhesive 15a, so that movement in the horizontal direction is restricted.
The adhesive sheet 15 is covered with a frame 16 made of a metal plate or the like so that the adhesive sheet 15 adhered to the side wall 12d of the housing 12 is not peeled off.
An opening 16 a is formed in the center of the frame 16, and the upper surface of the adhesive sheet 15 is exposed from the opening 16 a so that the movable contact body 1 can be pressed through the adhesive sheet 15. Has become.
[0027]
On a device (not shown) using such a switch device 11, for example, a rod-shaped operation member 17 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 8 is provided.
When the operating member 17 is pressed downward in the illustrated state in the initial state in which the contact portion 2b of the movable contact body 1 is separated from the central fixed contact portion 12b, the bulging portion 2a of the movable contact body 1 via the adhesive sheet 15. Is pressed downward and descends.
Then, the bulging portion 2a of the movable contact body 1 is inverted, and the operator pressing the operation member 17 can feel a click feeling.
[0028]
Simultaneously with the reversal of the bulging portion 2a, the contact portion 2b on the inner surface of the bulging portion 2a contacts the central fixed contact portion 12b formed on the housing 12.
Then, the center fixed contact portion 12b and the peripheral fixed contact portion 12c are electrically connected via the movable contact body 1, and the switch circuit is switched.
When the pressing of the operation member 17 is released, the movable contact body 1 returns to the dome-shaped initial state by its own elastic force, and the contact portion 2b is separated from the central fixed contact portion 12b. Then, the electrical continuity between the movable contact body 1 and the central fixed contact portion 12b is released.
[0029]
In such a switch device 11 of the present invention, since the protrusion dimension of the protrusion 2c of the movable contact body 1 satisfies the relationship of F1> F2, the operating member 17 presses the top of the bulging portion 2a. When the bulging portion 2a is reversed, the tensile stress applied to the outer peripheral edge of the substrate 2 can be dispersed also to the tip 2e of the protruding portion 2c.
Therefore, even if the bulging portion 2a is repeatedly pressed, a long-life movable contact body 1 that does not crack in a short time as in the related art can be obtained.
[0030]
Another embodiment of the movable contact body 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The protruding portion 2c has a shape of a tip 2e protruding outward from the outer peripheral edge of the base material 2. May be formed such that the center portion side in the width direction of the width dimension G is recessed from both end portions 2d and 2d side so that the relationship of F1> F2 is satisfied.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, the projecting portion 2c may be formed by making the recess on the center portion side bite from the outer peripheral edge to reduce the projecting dimension F2. The amount of biting from the outer peripheral edge may be 2% or less of the diameter E of the base material 2.
That is, assuming that the diameter dimension E of the base material 2 is 2.5 mm, the bite amount from the outer peripheral edge may be 0.05 mm or less.
By using the movable contact body 1 of the other embodiment as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 for the switch device 11, the life characteristics of the movable contact body 1 can be further improved.
[0031]
In the description of the above-described embodiment, the housing 12 of the switch device 11 is formed with the hollow storage portion 12a, and the movable contact body 1 is stored and supported in the storage portion 12a. As another embodiment, although not shown, a housing is formed by a flat printed circuit board, and the movable contact body 1 is adhered and supported by an adhesive sheet on one surface provided with a peripheral fixed contact and a central fixed contact. It may be something that was
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the protrusion of the present invention is such that the protrusion dimension from the outer edge on both ends in the width direction of the width dimension G is F1, and the protrusion dimension from the outer edge on the center side in the width direction is F2. , F1, and F2 are set to satisfy F1> F2, so that the strength of the protruding portion can be reduced as compared with the related art, and the stress applied to the outer peripheral edge of the base material when the bulging portion is pressed is dispersed also in the protruding portion. Thus, the concentration of stress applied to the portion where the protrusion is formed can be reduced.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a long-life movable contact body in which a crack is less likely to be generated even by a repeated pressing operation.
[0033]
In addition, the protruding portion is formed so that the shape of the tip portion protruding outward from the outer edge portion is formed in a straight line parallel to a line in a direction orthogonal to a line connecting the pair of protruding portions at positions opposed to each other. The stress concentrated on a part can be dispersed also to the protrusion.
In addition, the shape of the cutting punch for cutting the connecting portion can be simplified, and the mold can be easily manufactured.
[0034]
Further, since the protruding portion is formed such that the shape of the front end portion protruding outward from the base material is formed such that the central portion side is depressed from the front end portion from both end portions in the width direction of the predetermined width dimension, the outer peripheral edge is further reduced. The stress concentrated on a part can be dispersed to the protruding portion, and the life can be extended.
[0035]
In addition, since the protrusion of the protrusion is formed to be smaller than 4% of the diameter of the base material, the stress concentrated on a part of the outer peripheral edge can be dispersed to the protrusion.
[0036]
Further, in the switch device of the present invention, the projecting dimension of the projecting portion from the outer peripheral end portion of the circular shape of the base material is formed such that the central portion side is smaller than both end portions in the width direction of the width dimension, When the peripheral edge is positioned on the peripheral fixed contact, the contact portion formed on the inner surface of the bulging portion is located above the central fixed contact portion and is separated from the central fixed contact portion by a predetermined distance. The tensile stress generated at the outer peripheral edge when the body is pressed can be dispersed to the projecting portions.
As a result, the life characteristics of the movable contact body are improved, and a long-life switch device can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a movable contact body according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of a movable contact body according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of a movable contact body according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a movable contact body according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a method for manufacturing a movable contact body according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a method for manufacturing a movable contact body according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a switch device using the movable contact body of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a main part for explaining another embodiment of the movable contact body of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part for explaining another embodiment of the movable contact body of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of a conventional movable contact body.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a conventional movable contact body.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a main part of a conventional movable contact body.
[Sharp sign]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Movable contact body 2 Base material 2a Swelling part 2b Contact part 2c Projection part 2d End part 2e Tip part 2f Intersection point 5 Mold 6 Cutting punch 7 Die 11 Switching device 12 Housing 12a Storage part 12b Central fixed contact part 12c Peripheral fixed contact Part 12d Side wall 15 Adhesive sheet 16 Frame 17 Operating member

Claims

A base made of a thin metal plate having elasticity, a bulge formed by swelling the center of the base in a reversible manner, and a contact portion formed on an inner surface of the bulge; The material has a pair of protruding portions formed to protrude outward at predetermined width dimensions and protruding dimensions from positions opposed to each other on the outer peripheral edge of the circular shape,
The projecting portion has a projecting dimension from the outer edge portion at both end portions in the width direction of the width direction as F1, a projecting size from the outer edge portion at the central portion side in the width direction as F2, and the projecting portions F1, F2. Wherein the relation of F1> F2 is satisfied.

The projecting portion is characterized in that a shape of a tip end projecting outward from the outer edge portion is formed in a straight line parallel to a line in a direction orthogonal to a line connecting the pair of projecting portions at the positions facing each other. The movable contact body according to claim 1, wherein

The projecting portion may be formed such that a shape of a tip portion projecting outward from the base material is formed such that the center portion side is recessed from the tip portion in the width direction of the predetermined width dimension from the both end portions. The movable contact body according to claim 1, wherein:

The movable contact body according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion dimension of the protrusion is formed to be smaller than 4% of a diameter dimension of the base material.

A movable contact body having a swelling portion obtained by bulging a central portion of a base material made of a thin plate-like elastic metal plate to one side, and a housing supporting the movable contact body, wherein the housing has one side. A central fixed contact portion and a peripheral fixed contact portion that are insulated from each other are formed on the surface of the base member, and the movable contact body is outwardly provided with a predetermined width and a predetermined dimension from a position where the circular outer peripheral edge of the base material opposes each other. It has a pair of protruding parts formed to protrude,
The projecting portion is formed such that a projecting dimension from the outer peripheral end of the circular shape of the base material is smaller at a central portion side than both end portions in a width direction of the width dimension,
When the outer peripheral edge of the movable contact body is positioned on the peripheral fixed contact, the contact portion formed on the inner surface of the bulging portion is separated from the central fixed contact portion by a predetermined distance above the central fixed contact portion. A switch device characterized in that the switch device is located at a position where the switch device is positioned.