JP2004146128A - Seesaw switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seesaw switch for avoiding the generation of hammering sounds and shock when an operation knob is operated or after it is operated with a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: A leaf spring 24 of an absorption member is arranged at the tip of respective link shafts 18a, 18b, where operation ribs 12a, 12b formed at the rear side of an operation knob 12 come into contact. Excessive contact force is absorbed by the leaf spring 24 even if the operation knob 12 comes into contact with the respective link shafts 18a, 18b by the rocking of the operation knob 12, thus avoiding the hammering sounds and shock in contact. Additionally, excessive contact force (operation force) to the operation knob 12 is absorbed by the leaf spring 24, thus avoiding the direct propagation of the excessive contact force to respective tact switches 16a, 16b, a substrate 14, and the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a seesaw switch, and more particularly to an improvement of a seesaw switch capable of suppressing hitting sound during operation of the seesaw switch and of avoiding breakage due to overload when operating the seesaw switch.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a switch device is used to operate an electronic device or to set an electronic device. The switch device includes, for example, a push switch that vertically presses an operation surface to turn on / off an internal contact, a volume switch that rotates an operation knob to select an operation amount and a position along a rotation direction, and an operation. A slide switch that slides a knob to select an operation amount and position along the sliding direction, and a seesaw that selectively turns on / off an internal contact corresponding to that position by pressing one end of a wide operation surface There are switches and the like, and a switch of an appropriate form is selected and used depending on the application.
[0003]
In particular, the seesaw switch makes it easy to selectively select two or more operation states, and also makes it easy to visually and tactilely judge the operation state of the operation knob. It is effective and frequently used when visual judgment and groping judgment are required.
[0004]
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the external appearance and the schematic internal structure of the seesaw switch 100. The operation knob 102 of the seesaw switch 100 swings around a swing shaft 104, and, for example, by pushing down the right side of the operation knob 102 in the drawing, a push-down switch element formed on the substrate 106, for example, The inner wall surface of the operation knob 102 comes into contact with the link shaft 110a, which is in contact with the tact switch 108a, and pushes down the link shaft 110a to turn on the tact switch 108a. When the pressing of the operation knob 102 is released, the link shaft 110a is pushed back by the restoring force of the tact switch 108a, and the operation knob 102 returns to the initial state (no operation state). Similarly, if the left side of the operation knob 102 in the figure is pressed down, the tact switch 108b is turned on via the link shaft 110b (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-142129 (FIG. 1)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional seesaw switch 100, when the operation knob 102 is pressed down, when the inner wall surface of the operation knob 102 comes into contact with the link shaft 110a or the link shaft 110b, a tapping sound or an impact is generated, giving an uncomfortable feeling to the operator. Problem. When the operation knob 102 is pressed with a force higher than a predetermined strength, the excessive force is directly transmitted to the operation tact switch 108a or the tact switch 108b and the substrate 106 supporting them, and the tact switch 108a And the tact switch 108b, the substrate 106, and the like may be damaged, and the solder used for the substrate 106 may be peeled off or cracked. Therefore, it is necessary to reinforce the tact switch 108a, the tact switch 108b, the substrate 106, and the like, and there has been a problem that the entire seesaw switch is large and the structure is complicated.
[0007]
In the configuration of FIG. 6, the inner wall surface of the operation knob 102 is not in contact with the link shaft 110a or the link shaft 110b in the initial state. Is desirable. In this case, the tapping sound and the impact (for example, the tapping sound due to the contact between the operation knob 102 and the link shaft 110a) at the time of the pressing operation of the operation knob 102 are eliminated, but the contact on the other side is released by the swing of the operation knob 102. (For example, the operation knob 102 is tilted by the swing operation of the operation knob 102, and the contact is separated from the link shaft 110b). Thereafter, when the operation knob 102 returns to the initial state by the return of the tact switch 108a, the inner wall surface of the operation knob 102 collides with the link shaft 110b, and a tapping sound is generated. The tapping sound at this time occurs after the operator finishes operating the seesaw switch 100, so that the uncomfortable feeling due to the tapping sound further increases.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a seesaw switch that can suppress the occurrence of a tapping sound and an impact during and after operation of an operation knob with an easy configuration. .
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a seesaw switch that performs a switching operation for each swing operation by an operation knob that swings in a plurality of directions around a swing axis, and is disposed on a substrate. A plurality of push-down switch elements for performing on / off operations of contacts for each operation by a switching operation of the operation knob, and a plurality of links for linking swinging of the operation knob and on / off operation of each switch element A shaft, and a contact surface between each of the link shafts and the operation knob is provided with an absorbing member that absorbs an excessive contact force when the operation knob and the link shaft come into contact with each other. And
[0010]
Here, the excessive contact force means a force larger than a force for turning on / off the switching element. According to this configuration, even if the operation knob and each link shaft come into contact with each other due to the swing of the operation knob, excessive contact force is absorbed by the absorbing member, so that it is possible to suppress a tapping sound and an impact at the time of contact. it can. In addition, since the excessive contact force (operation force) to the operation knob is absorbed by the absorbing member, it is possible to suppress the excessive contact force from being directly transmitted to each switch element, substrate, and the like. As a result, damage to each member can be eliminated.
[0011]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the absorbing member is formed on the operation knob facing surface side of each link shaft.
[0012]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the absorbing member is formed on each link shaft facing surface side of the operation knob.
[0013]
The absorbing member may be provided at a contact position between the operating knob to be brought into contact with and separated from each link shaft, and may be provided on one or both of the operating knob side and each link shaft side.
[0014]
According to this configuration, the absorbing member can be arranged at an optimum position according to the shape of the operation knob and each link shaft, and the degree of freedom in design is improved. Further, when the absorbing members are arranged on both the operation knob and each link shaft, a greater contact force can be absorbed.
[0015]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the absorbing member is a leaf spring.
[0016]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the absorbing member is a soft resin.
[0017]
According to this configuration, it is possible to favorably absorb excess contact force with a simple configuration. In the case of a leaf spring, the leaf spring may be integrally formed of the same material when forming the operation knob or each link shaft, or may be formed as a separate member and attached to the operation knob or the link shaft. As the soft resin, for example, a rubber material, a silicone resin, a soft plastic, or the like can be used.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1A shows an example of an external appearance of a seesaw switch 10 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 1B shows a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram showing an internal structure thereof. FIG. 1 exemplifies a seesaw switch 10 capable of performing two types of selection operations (selection in the left-right direction in the figure) with the simplest structure.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1A, the seesaw switch 10 is used, for example, when performing two types of selection operations, such as a temperature setting switch of an air conditioner mounted on a vehicle or the like. Specifically, when the right side of the operation knob 12 arranged on the surface of the seesaw switch 10 is pressed down, the set temperature is increased, and when the right side of the operation knob 12 is pressed down, the set temperature DOWN is set.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1B, the seesaw switch 10 is roughly divided into an operation knob 12 that is exposed on the surface of the seesaw switch 10 and swings when pressed by an operator, and a substrate 14 inside the seesaw switch 10. A plurality of (two in the type of FIG. 1) depressed switch elements, for example, tact switches 16a and 16b, and the tact for linking the swing of the operation knob 12 and the operation of each of the tact switches 16a and 16b. It comprises a slidable link shaft 18a, 18b arranged for each switch 16a, 16b.
[0022]
The operation knob 12 is rotatably supported by a swing shaft 20 that stands upright in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. When the right side of the operation knob 12 is depressed, the switching operation of turning on the tact switch 16a disposed on the inner right side of the seesaw switch 10 is performed. Then, when the left side of the operation knob 12 is pressed, a switching operation for turning on the tact switch 16b disposed on the right side occurs.
[0023]
FIG. 1B illustrates a state where no operation is performed, that is, a state where no operation force is applied to the operation knob 12. As is clear from FIG. 1B, the operation ribs 12a and 12b formed on the back surface of the operation knob 12 are in contact with the upper ends of the link shafts 18a and 18b in the non-operation state. The link shafts 18a and 18b are in contact with the operation surfaces 16c of the tact switches 16a and 16b fixed on the board 14. The operation ribs 12a and 12b of the operation knob 12 and the upper ends of the link shafts 18a and 18b are detachably and non-fixed, but the operation surfaces of the link shafts 18a and 18b and the tact switches 16a and 16b are separated. 16c may be a fixed state. Further, since it is preferable that the link shafts 18a and 18b transmit the movement of the swinging operation knob 12 vertically to the operation surface 16c of each of the tact switches 16a and 16b, the link shafts 18a and 18b are supported by the guide 22a formed on the housing 22. The tact switches 16a and 16b are pressed down along the guide 22a.
[0024]
Each of the tact switches 16a and 16b has a self-return type switch element. The tact switches 16a and 16b are turned on only when the pressing force of the link shafts 18a and 18b is applied, and when the pressing force of the link shafts 18a and 18b disappears, When the operator stops pressing the operation knob 12, the tact switches 16a and 16b self-return and turn off. At the same time, the link shafts 18a and 18b are pushed up, and the operation knob 12 automatically returns to the non-operation state (the state of FIG. 1B).
[0025]
The feature of this embodiment is that the operation knob 12 and the link shafts 18a, 18b are in contact with the tip portions of the link shafts 18a, 18b, that is, the positions where the operation ribs 12a, 12b formed on the back surface of the operation knob 12 are in contact. Here, an absorbing member for absorbing an excessive contact force is provided.
[0026]
In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the absorbing member that absorbs the excessive contact force is configured by a leaf spring 24 formed at the tip of each of the link shafts 18a and 18b. The leaf spring 24 is preferably formed at the same time when the link shafts 18a and 18b are formed of resin or the like. The strength of the leaf spring 24, that is, the ability to absorb the contact force (pressing force) depends on the thickness of the leaf spring 24 and the like. Can be adjusted. Of course, the leaf spring 24 may be formed of a separate member and attached to each of the link shafts 18a and 18b, or may be formed of a different material, for example, metal.
[0027]
FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of absorbing the contact force (pressing force) when the seesaw switch 10 is operated as described above.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 2A, when the operation knob 12 is pressed down, the operation knob 12 swings counterclockwise, the operation rib 12b pushes down the link shaft 18b, and the tact switch 16b is turned on, and the predetermined operation is performed. Electronic circuit is closed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2B, when an operation force equal to or more than a predetermined amount, that is, equal to or greater than the shape maintaining capacity of the leaf spring 24 is applied to the switch knob 12, the switch knob 12 bends, and the excessive operation force ( Contact force). As a result, transmission of an excessive operation force (contact force) to the tact switch 16b and the board 14 is suppressed, and the tact switch 16b and the board 14 are protected from damage. Further, since unnecessary stress does not act on the substrate 14, it is possible to prevent, for example, peeling and cracking of the solder fixing the tact switch 16b to the substrate 14. In addition, a reinforcing structure for canceling the excessive operating force, which has been conventionally required, can be simplified or omitted, which can contribute to the simplification and miniaturization of the structure of the seesaw switch 10.
[0029]
By the way, since the operation knob 12 swings about the swing shaft 20, when the left side of the operation knob 12 is pressed, the operation knob 12 is tilted as shown in FIG. Move away from 18a. As described above, since the tact switch 16b is a self-return type switch element, if the pressing operation of the operation knob 12 is stopped, the tact switch 16b returns, the link shaft 18b is pushed up, and the operation knob 12 also returns to the initial state. It swings clockwise in an attempt. That is, the state shifts from the state of FIG. 2A to the state of FIG. At this time, the separated operation rib 12a and the link shaft 18a collide. However, at this time, since the link shaft 18a can bend as shown in FIG. 3B, the impact at the time of collision between the operation rib 12a and the link shaft 18a can be reduced. That is, the hitting sound at this time can be suppressed. Of course, since the contact force at the time of collision between the operation rib 12a and the link shaft 18a is absorbed by the leaf spring 24, even if an overrun occurs when the operation knob 12 returns and swings clockwise, the link shaft 18a It does not slide down and turn on the tact switch 16a. When the right side of the operation knob 12 is pressed down to turn on the tact switch 16a, the leaf spring 24 functions in the same manner as described above, and performs the same suppression of damage and hitting sound.
[0030]
As described above, the excessive contact force (operation force) generated when the operation knob 12 swings can be absorbed by the absorbing member constituted by the leaf spring 24, so that a tapping sound is generated when the seesaw switch 10 is operated. And the tact switches 16a and 16b, the substrate 14, and the like can be reliably suppressed.
[0031]
FIG. 4 shows another arrangement example of the absorbing member that absorbs an excessive contact force (operating force). In the case of the example of FIG. 4, the leaf spring 26 as an absorbing member is disposed on the distal end side of the operation ribs 28a and 28b of the operation knob 12 (on the side in contact with the link shafts 18a and 18b). The leaf spring 26 can be formed integrally when the operation knob 12 is formed, similarly to the leaf spring 24 formed on the link shafts 18a and 18b. When the operation knob 12 is formed by injection molding or the like, a relief for die cutting is required. Therefore, a cutout 12c is formed on the side surface of the operation knob 12 corresponding to the position where the leaf spring 26 is formed. In addition, in order to obtain good bending of the leaf spring 26, it is desirable that the contact with the link shafts 18a and 18b be point contact. For this reason, in the example of FIG. 4, a projection 18c is formed at the tip of the link shafts 18a and 18b to realize point contact.
[0032]
The bending operation of the leaf spring 26 and the absorption of an excessive contact force (operating force) are the same as those of the leaf spring 24 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the same effects can be obtained. Also, the leaf spring 26 may be formed as a single component and attached to the operation ribs 28a and 28b.
[0033]
Whether the leaf springs 24, 26, which are the absorbing members, are formed into the operation knob 12 or the link shafts 18a, 18b can be appropriately selected depending on the shapes of the operation knob 12 and the link shafts 18a, 18b. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing each member is improved.
[0034]
Of course, it is also possible to form the leaf springs 24, 26 on both the operation knob 12 and the link shafts 18a, 18b. In this case, since the absorption amount can be divided by the individual leaf springs 24 and 26, a large absorption force can be allowed while reducing the amount of individual bending. That is, the absorption force of the excessive contact force (operation force) can be easily increased without unnecessarily reducing the rigidity of the leaf springs 24, 26.
[0035]
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the absorbing member. In this case, the absorbing member is formed of a soft resin 30, for example, a rubber material, silicon, soft plastic, or the like. The bending operation of the soft resin 30 and the absorption of an excessive contact force (operation force) in this case are the same as those of the leaf springs 24 and 26 described above, and the same effects can be obtained. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, by forming the protrusion 30a at the tip of the soft resin 30, easy bending can be obtained.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, the seesaw switch 10 is shown in which the operation knob 12 swings and swings in the left-right direction to enable two types of operations. Even in a multi-operation type seesaw switch capable of swinging and swinging in eight directions including oblique directions, the same effect can be obtained by using the same absorbing member as in the present embodiment.
[0037]
Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the seesaw switch 10 is used for an air conditioner is described, but the present invention can be applied to any device and the same effect can be obtained.
[0038]
In addition, as long as the absorbing member is an elastic body having a predetermined rigidity and a restoring force in addition to the above-described leaf spring and soft resin, the elastic member can be appropriately replaced and the same effect can be obtained.
[0039]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, even when the operation knob and the link shaft are separated in a non-operation state, the absorbing member of the present embodiment can be applied, and a similar effect can be obtained.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, since even if the said operation knob and each link shaft contact by the swing of an operation knob, an excessive contact force is absorbed by an absorption member, the hitting sound and impact at the time of contact can be suppressed. it can. In addition, since the excessive contact force (operation force) to the operation knob is absorbed by the absorbing member, it is possible to suppress the excessive contact force from being directly transmitted to each switch element, substrate, and the like. As a result, damage to each member can be eliminated, the reinforcement structure of the seesaw switch can be simplified, and the structure can be simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an external appearance and an internal structure of a seesaw switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of an absorbing member when a seesaw switch is pressed according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the absorbing member after the pressing operation of the seesaw switch according to the embodiment of the present invention is released.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating another arrangement example of the absorbing member of the seesaw switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of an absorbing member of the seesaw switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an internal structure of a conventional seesaw switch.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 seesaw switch, 12 operation knob, 12a, 12b, 28a, 28b operation rib, 14 substrate, 16a, 16b tact switch, 18a, 18b link shaft, 20 swing shaft, 22 housing, 22a guide, 24, 26 leaf spring, 30 Soft resin.

Claims (5)

A seesaw switch that performs a switching operation for each swing operation by an operation knob that swings in a plurality of directions around a swing axis,
A plurality of push-down switch elements arranged on a substrate and performing on / off operations of contacts for each operation by a switching operation of the operation knob;
A plurality of link shafts for linking the swing of the operation knob and the on / off operation of each of the switch elements,
Including
A seesaw switch, wherein an absorbing member that absorbs excessive contact force when the operation knob contacts the link shaft is disposed on a contact surface between each of the link shafts and the operation knob. The switch according to claim 1,
The seesaw switch, wherein the absorbing member is formed on a surface of each link shaft facing the operation knob. The switch according to claim 1 or 2,
The seesaw switch, wherein the absorbing member is formed on a surface of the operation knob facing each link shaft. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The seesaw switch, wherein the absorbing member is a leaf spring. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The seesaw switch, wherein the absorbing member is a soft resin.

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