JP2004158241A - Switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switching device which is advantageous to reduce cost and size with fewer components and to which a connector function can be added. <P>SOLUTION: The switching device includes an insulating housing 6 having an opening 8a, a first contact member 9 made of a conductive metal material and partly formed in a contact terminal 9a retractably protruding from the opening 8a out of the housing 6, and a second contact member 10 made of the conductive metal material and held in the housing 6 in a separable state from the member 9. The terminal site 31 of an electric component 30 is brought into pressure contact with the terminal 9a. Thus, the site 31 is conducted with an external circuit via the member 9. The site 31 indents the terminal 9a in a predetermined amount. Thus, the member 9 is pushed and deflected in the housing 6 to change a contact or separate state with or from the member 10, and the device is switched from an on state to an off state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a push-type switch device that is suitable for use as a detection switch or the like and that switches between switch-off and switch-on when pressed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Of the push-type switch devices, those having a relatively large operation stroke and suitable as a detection switch usually have a movable contact and a fixed contact arranged in a housing and press-operate an operation member projecting outward from the housing. Thus, the movable contact is brought into contact with and separated from the fixed contact.
[0003]
That is, in this type of conventional switch device, basically, an insulating housing, a fixed contact fixed inside the housing, and a movable contact inside the housing so as to be in contact with and separated from the fixed contact. Possible movable contacts, an insulating operating member that penetrates through the housing and protrudes outward, return means for pushing the operating member back to the initial position, and protruding from the fixed contact or movable contact and protruding from the outer wall surface of the housing. In many cases, an external connection terminal is provided, and a movable contact is provided on a part of an elastic metal member functioning as a return unit (for example, see Patent Document 1). The operating member is engaged with or connected to the movable contact inside the housing. When the operating member is pressed and driven by the detected member to be detected, the movable contact moves inside the housing to make contact with the fixed contact. The separation state changes. As a result, in the case of the normally open contact type, the movable contact comes into contact with the fixed contact and switches from the switch off to on, and in the case of the normally closed contact type, the movable contact does not contact the fixed contact and switches from the switch on to off. It is designed to switch.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-101741 (pages 2-3, FIG. 2)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described conventional switch device, even if the number of parts is reduced as much as possible, a total of four members including a housing, a contact member including a fixed contact, another contact member including a movable contact and a return means, and an operation member are required. However, cost reduction could not be achieved by further reducing the number of parts. Further, in such a conventional switch device, a space for accommodating a part of the operating member in the housing must be secured in addition to a space for accommodating the fixed contact and the movable contact in the housing, so that it is inevitable. There is a problem that the housing becomes large in size, and it is difficult to promote the miniaturization of the entire apparatus.
[0006]
Also, when the detected member is a terminal part of an electric component, it is possible to propose a multifunctional detection switch that can be used as a connector for conducting the terminal part to an external circuit. Attempts to achieve such multi-functionality have required a complicated and large-sized structure, and thus have not been put to practical use.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a switch device that has a small number of parts, is advantageous in reducing cost and size, and can add a function as a connector. To provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, in the switch device of the present invention, an insulating housing having an opening, and a contact terminal portion made of a conductive metal material and partially protruding from the opening so as to be able to protrude and exit from the housing. A first contact member, and a second contact member made of a conductive metal material and held in the housing so as to be able to contact and separate from the first contact member. The terminal portion is pressed into contact with the external portion through the first contact member so that the terminal portion and the external circuit are electrically connected. One contact member is configured to be deflected within the housing to change its contact / separation state with respect to the second contact member, and to be switched off or on.
[0009]
In the switch device configured as described above, the amount of protrusion of the contact terminal portion out of the housing changes according to the degree to which the contact terminal portion of the first contact member is pushed into the terminal portion of the electric component, and the switch device is deflected. The shape of the first contact member that is elastically deformed due to the change in the housing also changes. Then, when the contact terminal portion is pushed into the terminal portion by a predetermined amount, the contact / separation state of the first and second contact members changes and the switch is switched off or on, so that the position change of the terminal portion is detected. Function as a switch. In addition, when the terminal portion of the electrical component that is the detection target contacts the contact terminal portion, the terminal portion can be electrically connected to the external circuit via the first contact member, and thus can function as a connector. In addition, the switch device includes only a first contact member having a contact terminal portion, a second contact member that can be brought into contact with and separated from the first contact member, and a housing that holds both contact members. Since a dedicated operation member can be omitted, cost reduction and size reduction accompanying reduction in the number of parts can be easily realized.
[0010]
For example, in this switch device, when the terminal portion of the electric component is not in contact with the contact terminal portion, the first contact member is in elastic contact with the second contact member, and the contact terminal portion is pushed into the terminal portion by a predetermined amount. If the two contact members are configured to be in non-contact with each other when the electric component is separated from the switch device, the switch is switched from off to on, so that the detachment operation of the electric component can be detected. It becomes possible.
[0011]
In this switch device, a projection for regulating the position of at least one of the first contact member and the second contact member is provided on the inner wall of the housing, and the first and / or second contact member is provided. If the first and / or second contact members are positioned so as to be resiliently contacted with the projections, the positional accuracy of the first and / or second contact members in the housing is increased, and the reliability can be improved.
[0012]
Further, in such a switch device, a partition is provided in the housing between the first contact member and the second contact member, and one of these contact members extends to the other side across the partition. Is preferable, since the contact / separation operation can be reliably performed while preventing a short circuit accident between the two contact members without complicating the structure.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a power supply device incorporating a connector and switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the switch device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view, FIG. 3 is an external view of the switch device, FIG. 4 is an internal structure diagram of the switch device, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing switching operation of the switch device, and FIG. 6 is a holder for the battery pack shown in FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of detaching from a.
[0014]
The power supply device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is built in an electronic device such as a portable terminal device, and is a device for mounting a battery pack 30 and supplying power to a drive circuit of the electronic device. The power supply device 1 includes a holder 3 having a storage space 2 for detachably storing the battery pack 30, a connector / switch device 4 incorporated in the holder 3 adjacent to the storage space 2, The switch device 4 includes three connector pieces 5 protruding into the storage space 2 from the wall surface of the holding body 3 facing the switch device 4. Further, on the outer surface of the battery pack 30, electrode terminals 21 are disposed at a total of four places on one end side and the other end side. Here, the connector and switch device 4 has a switch function of detecting whether or not the battery pack 30 is correctly mounted on the holder 3. Further, each electrode terminal 31 of the battery pack 30 is electrically connected to the drive circuit via a part of the switch device 4 and each connector piece 5.
[0015]
The holder 3 is made of an insulating material, and a space for disposing the connector / switch device 4 and the connector pieces 5 and the like is secured inside the frame-shaped portion surrounding the storage space 2. Although not shown, a circuit board is built in the holder 3, and the connector / switch device 4 and each connector piece 5 are mounted on the circuit board.
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the connector / switch device 4 includes a box-shaped housing 6 formed by combining an insulating case 7 and a cover 8, and a contact terminal portion made of a conductive metal material and having a free end. A first contact member 9 protruding out of the housing 6 so as to protrude and retract from the housing 6, and a second contact made of a conductive metal material and held in the housing 6 so as to be able to contact and separate from the first contact member 9. It is mainly constituted by the member 10.
[0017]
The case 7 is formed with a partition wall 7a for separating a space for disposing the first contact member 9 and a space for disposing the second contact member 10 to prevent a short circuit accident. The cover 8 is formed with an opening 8a for projecting the contact terminal 9a outward and a projection 8b for regulating the position of the first and second contact members 9,10. At the base end of the first contact member 9, external connection terminals 9b and 9c protruding outward from the case 7 and a positioning piece 9d pressed into the bottom of the case 7 are formed. The first contact member 9 has a movable contact portion 9f between the contact terminal portion 9a and a top portion 9e folded in a substantially U-shape, and the displacement of the top portion 9e in the housing 6 is caused by the protrusion of the cover 8. It is regulated by the unit 8b. At the base end of the second contact member 10, external connection terminals 10b and 10c protruding outward from the case 7 and a positioning piece 10d pressed into the bottom of the case 7 are formed. At the free end of the second contact member 10, a substantially L-shaped extension 10a is formed extending across the partition 7a to the first contact member 9 side. Thus, the movable contact portion 9f of the first contact member 9 can be moved toward and away from the first contact member 9.
[0018]
That is, the switch device 4 is a normally-closed contact type switch device. In the initial state shown in FIG. 5A, the first contact member 9 causes the contact terminal portion 9a to largely protrude outward from the opening 8a. At the same time, the movable contact portion 9f is elastically contacted with the distal end of the extension 10a of the second contact member 10. However, when the contact terminal portion 9a is largely pushed into the housing 6, as shown in FIG. 5C, the movable contact portion 9f is separated from the extension portion 10a due to the elastic deformation of the first contact member 9, and as shown in FIG. The position of the two contact members 10 is regulated by the pretension such that the upper portions of the extending portions 10a elastically contact the protruding portions 8b of the cover 8. FIG. 5B shows a state at the moment when the movable contact portion 9f comes into contact with and separates from the extension portion 10a. At this time, the amount of protrusion of the contact terminal portion 9a from the opening 8a is about half of the initial state. is there. As described above, since the first contact member 9 can be brought into contact with and separated from the second contact member 10 in the housing 6, the switch device 4 can function as a detection switch, and the first contact member 9 is connected to the second contact member. Upon contact with the member 10, a detection signal is output from the external connection terminal 10b (or 10c).
[0019]
Each connector piece 5 is made of a conductive metal material and is formed into a shape similar to the first contact member 9. However, while the contact terminal portion 9a of the first contact member 9 projects downward in the storage space 2, the free end of the connector piece 5 that contacts the electrode terminal 31 projects upward in the storage space 2. ing. This is a measure for detaching the connector piece 5 from the electrode terminal 31 at a later timing than the first contact member 9 when removing the battery pack 30 from the holder 3. At the stage where one electrode terminal 31 of the battery pack 30 removed from the body 3 and the first contact member 9 come into non-contact, it becomes easy to maintain the contact between the remaining three electrode terminals 31 and the connector pieces 5. .
[0020]
The first contact member 9 and each connector piece 5 are disposed at positions corresponding to the electrode terminals 31 of the battery pack 30. When the battery pack 30 is mounted in the storage space 2, the first contact member 9 and The electrode terminal 31 is pressed against the free end of the connector piece 5. That is, the first contact member 9 and each connector piece 5 are elastically in contact with the corresponding electrode terminal 31 in a state where they are pressed and bent, and a sufficient contact pressure is obtained. The external connection terminal 9b (or 9c) of the first contact member 9 and the external connection terminal (not shown) of each connector piece 5 are soldered to the circuit board and connected to the drive circuit, so that the storage space 2 is provided. By properly mounting the battery pack 30 inside, each electrode terminal 31 is electrically connected to the drive circuit, and power can be supplied from the battery pack 30.
[0021]
The external connection terminal 10b (or 10c) of the second contact member 10 is soldered to the circuit board and connected to a backup power supply (not shown). The backup power supply discharges power when necessary, thereby enabling power supply to the drive circuit. When the connector / switch device 4 is switched off, the backup power supply does not operate. It is set to supply power to the drive circuit.
[0022]
As in the present embodiment, a pair of external connection terminals are provided on the first contact member 9 and the second contact member 10, and one of the terminals is electrically connected to a dummy terminal according to the wiring pattern. Soldering to a circuit board is preferable because the degree of freedom of the wiring pattern increases and the mechanical strength increases.
[0023]
Next, the operation of the above-described power supply device 1 will be described. When the battery pack 30 is not mounted in the storage space 2 of the holder 3, as shown in FIG. 1, the contact terminal 9 a of the first contact member 9 and the free end of each connector piece 5 are both stored. It projects most prominently into the space 2. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5A, since the first and second contact members 9 and 10 are in contact within the housing 6, the connector and switch device 4 is in the switch-on state, and therefore, If the backup power supply is already charged, power is supplied from the backup power supply to the drive circuit.
[0024]
However, since the battery pack 30 is mounted in the storage space 2 during normal use, the first contact member 9 and each connector piece 5 are pressed against the corresponding electrode terminals 31 as shown in FIG. It is pushed into the holder 3. In this state, each electrode terminal 31 is electrically connected to the drive circuit via the first contact member 9 and each connector piece 5, so that power is supplied from the battery pack 30 to the drive circuit. However, as shown in FIG. 5C, the first and second contact members 9 and 10 are not in contact in the housing 6 and the connector and switch device 4 is in the switch-off state, so that the backup is performed. No power is supplied from the utility power supply.
[0025]
When the consumed battery pack 30 is removed from the holder 3, as shown in FIGS. 6B to 6D, the battery pack 30 is gradually tilted and pulled out from the storage space 2. In this case, the first contact member 9 is separated from the electrode terminal 31 before each connector piece 5 as described above. FIG. 6B shows a state where the amount of pushing of the electrode terminal 31 into the contact terminal portion 9a of the first contact member 9 is reduced and the contact terminal portion 9a protrudes into the storage space 2 by a fixed amount. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5B, the movable contact portion 9f of the first contact member 9 contacts the extended portion 10a of the second contact member 10 and switches from the switch-off state to the on-state in the housing 6. Therefore, the power supply from the backup power supply to the drive circuit is started. At this time, the contact between the contact terminal portion 9a and the electrode terminal 31 is still maintained. As shown in FIG. 6C, the power supply from the battery pack 30 is interrupted when the electrode terminal 31 is separated from the contact terminal portion 9a. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (d), after the battery pack 30 that has been greatly inclined is pulled out of the storage space 2, when a new battery pack is mounted in the storage space 2 in the reverse order, the electrodes are not used. When the terminal comes into contact with the contact terminal portion 9a, power supply from the battery pack is started, and when the contact terminal portion 9a is pushed in from the state shown in FIG. Will be shut off.
[0026]
As described above, in the present embodiment, at the stage of removing the battery pack 30 from the holder 3, the power supply from the backup power supply can be started before the power supply from the battery pack 30 is interrupted. There is no moment when power is not supplied. Therefore, in the portable terminal device incorporating the power supply device 1, there is no need to worry about the transmission / reception function being interrupted during the replacement of the battery pack 30, and the usability is improved. In addition, the first contact member 9 of the connector / switch device 4 functions as a connector that is electrically connected to the electrode terminal 31 of the battery pack 30 and a movable contact member of a switch mechanism that detects an incompletely mounted state of the battery pack 30. As a result, the structure of the power supply device 1 is not complicated and the miniaturization is not impaired as compared with the case where a switch unit dedicated to detection is additionally provided. Further, since the connector / switch device 4 is unitized, the assemblability of the power supply device 1 is not impaired.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, the case where only one connector / switch device 4 is provided in the power supply device 1 is exemplified. However, similar connector / switch devices are provided on opposing wall portions of the holder 3 respectively. It may be provided.
[0028]
Further, as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 7 and the external view of FIG. 8, a connector / switch device 14 in which not only the first and second contact members 9 and 10 but also a required number of connector pieces 5 are unitized is adopted. By doing so, it is possible to further improve the assemblability of the power supply device 1. In the case of this embodiment, the insulating housing 16 is formed by combining a case 17 and a cover 18, and a short circuit accident is prevented in the case 17 in which the contact members 9 and 10 and the connector pieces 5 are juxtaposed. Partition walls 17a are formed. A plurality of projections 18b for regulating the positions of the contact members 9, 10 and the connector pieces 5 are formed on the ceiling surface of the cover 18. 7 and 8, the connector pieces 5 and the first contact members 9 have basically the same shape, and reference numerals 5a and 5b denote external connection terminals of the connector pieces 5. Reference numeral 18a denotes an opening for projecting the contact terminal 9a and the free end of each connector piece 5 into the storage space 2.
[0029]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a switching operation of a connector / switch device according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and portions corresponding to FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0030]
The connector / switch device 24 shown in FIG. 9 is a normally open contact type switch device. In an initial state shown in FIG. 9A, the contact terminal portion 9a of the first contact member 9 is largely outward from the opening 8a. The movable contact portion 9f protrudes and is kept out of contact with the extension portion 10a of the second contact member 10. In this initial state, the upper portion of the extension 10a is elastically contacted with the projection 8b of the cover 8 and positioned by the pretension of the second contact member 10. However, when the contact terminal portion 9a is pushed into the housing 6 by a terminal portion of an electric component (not shown), as shown in FIG. When the portion 9f approaches and comes into contact with the extension portion 10a and the contact terminal portion 9a is further pushed into the housing 6, the movable contact portion 9f elastically contacts the extension portion 10a as shown in FIG. 9C. The extension 10a is pushed in a direction away from the projection 8b. Therefore, the switch device 24 switches from switch-off to on when the electric component is correctly mounted, outputs a detection signal, and conducts the terminal portion and the external circuit through the first contact member 9. It has become so.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is implemented in the form described above, and has the following effects.
[0032]
When the terminal portion of the electric component pushes the contact terminal portion of the first contact member by a predetermined amount, the contact / separation state of the first and second contact members changes and switches to switch off or switch on. The switch can function as a switch for detecting a position change. In addition, when the terminal portion of the electrical component that is the detection target contacts the contact terminal portion, the terminal portion can be electrically connected to the external circuit via the first contact member, and thus can function as a connector. Moreover, since this switch device can omit a dedicated operation member, cost reduction and size reduction accompanying reduction in the number of components can be easily realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a power supply device incorporating a connector / switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device.
FIG. 3 is an external view of the switch device.
FIG. 4 is an internal structural diagram of the switch device.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a switching operation of the switch device.
FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view when the battery pack shown in FIG. 1 is detached from the holder.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a connector and switch device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 is an external view of the switch device shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a switching operation of a connector / switch device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power supply device 2 Storage space 3 Holder 4, 14, 24 Connector / switch device 5 Connector piece 6, 16 Housing 7, 17 Case 7a, 17a Partition wall 8, 18 Cover 8a, 18a Opening 8b, 18b Projection 9 1 contact member 9a contact terminal portion 9b, 9c external connection terminal 9f movable contact portion 10 second contact member 10a extension portion 10b, 10c external connection terminal 30 Battery pack (electric component)
31 Electrode terminal (terminal part)

Claims (4)

An insulative housing having an opening, a first contact member made of a conductive metal material and a contact terminal part of which protrudes from the opening so as to be able to protrude out of the housing, and a conductive metal material; A second contact member held in the housing so as to be able to contact and separate from the first contact member;
The terminal part of the electrical component is pressed into contact with the contact terminal part, so that the terminal part and the external circuit are electrically connected via the first contact member, and the terminal part serves as the contact terminal part. By being pushed in by a predetermined amount, the first contact member is deflected in the housing to change the contact / separation state with respect to the second contact member, and is switched to switch off or switch on. Switch device. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein when the terminal portion is not in contact with the contact terminal portion, the first contact member is in elastic contact with the second contact member, and the contact terminal portion is pushed into the terminal portion by a predetermined amount. A switch device wherein the two contact members are brought into non-contact when the switch device is turned off. 3. The housing according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion for regulating the position of at least one of the first contact member and the second contact member is provided on an inner wall of the housing, and the first and / or the second contact member is provided. 4. A switch device characterized in that the two contact members are configured so as to be elastically contacted with the projection and positioned. In any one of Claims 1-3, while providing the partition located between the said 1st contact member and the said 2nd contact member in the said housing, the said partition is provided in any one of these both contact members. A switch device provided with an extension portion extending transversely to the other.

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