JP2004207057A

JP2004207057A - Push-button switch

Info

Publication number: JP2004207057A
Application number: JP2002375276A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Takeshi Ozawa; 健小澤
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-12-25
Filing date: 2002-12-25
Publication date: 2004-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-25
Also published as: JP4054258B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact push-button switch with a sure contact switching operation with little infiltration of flux into a housing. <P>SOLUTION: The push-button switch is provided with a housing 1 made of an insulating material having an opening 1f on its front face 1a, a fixed contact point 2 fitted to the housing 1, a movable contact point 5 housed in the opening 1f, an operating member 7 fitted to the opening 1f in free movement and operating the movable contact point 5, and a cover 6 arranged at the front face 1a of the housing 1 so as to block the opening 1f. A folded piece 6e of the cover 6 is not protrude laterally from the housing 1, by being positioned at an underside of the housing 1, so that the switch can be made compact in a lateral direction. The front face 1a of the housing 1 is in a covered state with the folded piece 6e, so that flux at the time of soldering is difficult to infiltrate into the opening 1f, which gives birth to a switch with a sure contact switching. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は種々の電子機器のプリント基板に面実装によって取り付けられるものに使用して好適な押釦スイッチに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の押釦スイッチの図面を説明すると、図１２は従来の押釦スイッチの正面図、図１３は従来の押釦スイッチの側面図、図１４は従来の押釦スイッチに係り、ハウジングの内部を示す要部断面図、図１５は従来の押釦スイッチに係り、その取付状態を示す一部切り欠き断面図である。
【０００３】
次に、従来の押釦スイッチの構成を図１２〜図１４に基づいて説明すると、合成樹脂の成型品からなるハウジング５１は、箱形をなし、側方に位置する前面５１ａと、前面５１ａから後方に延びる底壁５１ｂと、この底壁５１ｂの端部から上方に延びる一対の側壁５１ｃと、この一対の側壁５１ｃ間に設けられた上壁５１ｄと、後面を塞ぐ後壁５１ｅと、前面５１ａの中央部に設けられた開口部５１ｆとを有する。
【０００４】
金属板からなる第１，第２の固定接点５２，５３のそれぞれは、接点部５２ａ、５３ａと、端子部５２ｂ、５３ｂを有し、この第１，第２の固定接点５２，５３は、ハウジング５１に埋設して取り付けられ、接点部５２ａ、５３ａは、後壁５１ｅ上で、開口部５１ｆ内に露出すると共に、端子部５２ｂ、５３ｂは、底壁５１ｂの下面から露出して配置されている。
【０００５】
そして、ハウジング５１に取り付けられた第１，第２の固定接点５２，５３の端子部５２ｂ、５３ｂの下面は、底壁５１ｂの下面と面一状態で、配置されている。
【０００６】
ゴムからなるドーム状の可動接点５４は、ドーム状部５４ａと、ドーム状部５４ａ内の中央部に設けられた接点部５４ｂを有し、この可動接点５４は、開口部５１ｆ内に収納され、接点部５４ｂを接点部５２ａ、５３ａに対向させた状態で、ドーム状部５４ａの裾部を後壁５１ｅに当接させて取り付けられる。
【０００７】
金属板からなる全体が略コ字状のカバー５５は、中央部に孔５５ａを有する板状の前面板５５ｂと、この前面板５５ｂの両端から直角に折り曲げられた一対の側面板５５ｃと、一対の側面板５５ｃの下端から外方に直角に折り曲げられた一対の折り曲げ片５５ｄを有する。
【０００８】
このカバー５５は、前面板５５ｂで開口部５１ｆを塞ぐように、前面板５５ｂがハウジング５１の前面５１ａに配置され、一対の側面板５５ｃを側壁５１ｃの外周面に掛け止めして、ハウジング５１に取り付けられる。
【０００９】
そして、カバー５５がハウジング５１に取り付けられた際、折り曲げ片５５ｄの下面は、底壁５１ｂの下面と面一状態で、配置されている。
【００１０】
合成樹脂の成型品からなる押釦である操作部材５６は、操作部５６ａと、この操作部５６ａの後部に設けられた鍔部５６ｂを有し、この操作部材５６は、鍔部５６ｂが開口部５１ｆ内に収納され、操作部５６ａが孔５５ａから外部に突出ようにして、ハウジング５１に対して前後に移動可能に取り付けられている。
【００１１】
このような構成を有する押釦スイッチは、ハウジング５１の底壁５１ｂの下面がプリント基板５７上に載置され、端子部５２ｂ、５３ｂとカバー５５の一対の折り曲げ片５５ｄがプリント基板５７上に設けられた導電パターン（図示せず）に半田付けされて取り付けられて、押釦スイッチがプリント基板５７に面実装されている。
【００１２】
そして、操作部材５６の操作部５６ａがプリント基板５７と平行な方向に押圧されると、可動接点５４のドーム状部５４ａが押されて反転動作する。
その結果、接点部５４ｂが接点部５２ａ、５３ａに接触して、接点部５２ａ、５３ａ間がＯＮ状態となる。
【００１３】
また、操作部５６ａの押圧を解除すると、ドーム状部５４ａは、自己のバネ性で元の状態に復帰し、これによって、操作部材５６も元の状態に戻されると共に、接点部５２ａ、５３ａ間がＯＦＦ状態となる。（例えば、特許文献１参照）
【００１４】
そして、上記のような構成を有する押釦スイッチにあっては、カバー５５に設けられた一対の折り曲げ片５５ｄが外方に折り曲げられているため、押釦スイッチが横方向（一対の折り曲げ片５５ｄ側方向）に大きくなる。
【００１５】
この横方向の寸法を小さくするための押釦スイッチとして、図１５に示すようなものが存在する。
そして、図１５に示す押釦スイッチは、上記押釦スイッチにおける折り曲げ片５５ｄが削除されると共に、カバー５５の前面板５５ｂの下端部がハウジング５１の前面５１ａに沿って直線状に引き出されて、端子部５２ｂ、５３ｂと同様に、プリント基板５７に半田５８付けされたものである。
【００１６】
その他の構成は、図１２〜図１４に示す前者の押釦スイッチと同様であるので、同一部品に同一番号を付し、ここではその説明を省略する。
そして、図１５に示す後者の押釦スイッチでは、前側板５５ｂの下端部が表裏面共に半田５８付けされるため、半田５８付け時のフラックスがこの下端部の裏面と前面５１ａとの合わせ目から毛細管現象によって、開口部５１ｆ内に容易に侵入して、接点部５２ｂ，５３ｂ上に付着し、スイッチに悪影響を与えるものであった。
【００１７】
また、後者のものは、小型化（例えば、横寸法が約４．５ｍｍ、高さ寸法が約３．５ｍｍ）されると、フラックスが開口部５１ｆ内に容易に侵入し易くなって、一層フラックスの問題が大きくなると共に、ハウジング５１の底面がプリント基板５７に接触状態にあると、フラックスがハウジング５１の外周面を伝わって、開口部５１ｆ内に入り易くなるものであった。
【００１８】
【特許文献１】
特開２００２−９３２７２号公報
【００１９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従来の押釦スイッチの前者のものは、カバー５５に設けられた一対の折り曲げ片５５ｄが外方に折り曲げられているため、押釦スイッチが横方向に大きくなるという問題がある。
また、従来の押釦スイッチの後者のものは、前側板５５ｂの下端部が半田５８付けされるため、半田５８付け時のフラックスが前面板５５ｂとハウジング５１の前面との間から開口部５１ｆ内に容易に侵入して、接点部５２ｂ，５３ｂ上に付着し、スイッチに悪影響を与えるという問題があった。
また、後者のものは、小型化されると、フラックスが開口部５１ｆ内に容易に侵入し易くなると共に、ハウジング５１の底面がプリント基板５７に接触状態となっているため、フラックスがハウジング５１の外周面を伝わって、開口部５１ｆ内に入り易くなるという問題があった。
【００２０】
そこで、本発明は小型で、ハウジング内へのフラックスの侵入が少なく、接点切換動作の確実な押釦スイッチを提供することを目的とする。
【００２１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するための第１の解決手段として、前面に開口部を有する絶縁材からなるハウジングと、このハウジングに取り付けられた固定接点と、前記開口部内に収納された可動接点と、前記開口部に移動可能に取り付けられ、前記可動接点を操作する操作部材と、前記開口部を塞ぐように、前記ハウジングの前記前面に配置されたカバーとを備え、前記ハウジングの下面は、前記前面に対して直角状態に位置すると共に、前記下面は、プリント基板に取付可能な取付面となし、前記カバーは、前記前面に位置する前面板と、この前面板の下方から前記ハウジングの前記下面に沿って折り曲げられ、前記プリント基板に半田付け可能な折り曲げ片とを有する構成とした。
【００２２】
また、第２の解決手段として、前記折り曲げ片は、前記前面板の対向する下方隅部において一対設けた構成とした。
また、第３の解決手段として、前記折り曲げ片の下面は、前記ハウジングの下面よりも下方に位置した状態で配置された構成とした。
【００２３】
また、第４の解決手段として、前記折り曲げ片は、前記ハウジングの前記下面に設けられた凹部内に配置された構成とした。
また、第５の解決手段として、前記折り曲げ片の下面は、前記ハウジングの前記下面に位置した前記固定接点の下面と面一状態で配置された構成とした。
【００２４】
また、第６の解決手段として、前記カバーは、前記前面板から前記ハウジングの側面に沿って折り曲げられた側面板を有し、前記側面板には、少なくとも前記折り曲げ片と対向する位置に切り欠き部が設けられた構成とした。
また、第７の解決手段として、前記側面板には、前記折り曲げ片の下面よりも下方に突出する突出片を設け、この突出片が前記プリント基板に挿通可能とした構成とした。
【００２５】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の押釦スイッチの図面を説明すると、図１は本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係る正面図、図２は本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係る側面図、図３は本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係る上面図、図４は本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係る下面図である。
【００２６】
また、図５は本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係る要部断面図、図６は図５のＡ部分における拡大断面図、図７は本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係り、その取付状態を示す説明図である。
【００２７】
また、図８は本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係り、固定接点とハウジングの製造の第１工程を示す説明図、図９は本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係り、固定接点とハウジングの製造の第２工程を示す説明図、図１０は本発明の押釦スイッチの第２実施例に係り、固定接点とハウジングの製造の第１工程を示す説明図、図１１は本発明の押釦スイッチの第２実施例に係り、固定接点とハウジングの製造の第２工程を示す説明図である。
【００２８】
次に、本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例の構成を図１〜図７に基づいて説明すると、合成樹脂の成型品からなるハウジング１は、箱形をなし、側方に位置する前面１ａと、前面１ａから後方に延びる底壁１ｂと、この底壁１ｂの端部から上方に延びる一対の側壁１ｃと、この一対の側壁１ｃ間に設けられた上壁１ｄと、後面を塞ぐ後壁１ｅと、前面１ａの中央部に設けられた開口部１ｆと、底壁１ｂの前方下面に設けられた凹部１ｇと、前面１に設けられた突起１ｈを有する。また、前面１ａ、底壁１ｂ、及び側壁１ｃに面する角部には、切り欠かれた段落ち部１ｊが形成されている。
【００２９】
金属板からなる第１，第２、第３の固定接点２，３、４のそれぞれは、特に図８に示すように、前方に突出した第１の接点部２ａ、第２の接点部３ａ、第３の接点部４ａと、この第１，第２，第３の接点部２ａ、３ａ、４ａのそれぞれに連結された第１の連結部２ｂ、第２の連結部３ｂ、第３の連結部４ｂと、この第１，第２，第３の連結部２ｂ、３ｂ、４ｂのそれぞれに繋がった第１の端子部２ｃ、第２の端子部３ｃ、第３の端子部４ｃを有する。
【００３０】
そして、第１，第２，第３の固定接点２，３，４の第１，第２，第３の接点部２ａ、３ａ、４ａは、図８に示すように、直線Ｓ１上に配置されると共に、第１，第２，第３の接点部２ａ、３ａ、４ａのそれぞれから第１，第２，第３の連結部２ｂ、３ｂ、４ｂ、及び第１，第２，第３の端子部２ｃ、３ｃ、４ｃが直線Ｓ１と直交する直線Ｓ２，Ｓ３，Ｓ４方向に延びて配置されている。
【００３１】
その結果、第１，第２，第３の連結部２ｂ、３ｂ、４ｂ、及び第１，第２，第３の端子部２ｃ、３ｃ、４ｃは、互いに平行な状態で配置されている。
この実施例では、第１，第３の固定接点２，４が第４の連結部Ｒ１で繋がれて、各々をコモン接点として使用することにより、スイッチとしての信頼性を向上させているが、この第４の連結部Ｒ１を無くしても良い。
【００３２】
また、第１，第２，第３の固定接点２，３，４は、第１，第２，第３の連結部２ｂ、３ｂ、４ｂ、及び第４の連結部Ｒ１が後壁１ｅに埋設して取り付けられ、第２の接点部３ａが開口部１ｆの中央部（後壁１ｅの中央部）に露出すると共に、第１，第３の接点部２ａ、４ａが第２の接点部３ａを挟んで、開口部１ｆの外周近傍（後壁１ｅの外周）に露出している。
【００３３】
また、第１，第２，第３の端子部２ｃ、３ｃ、４ｃは、ハウジング１の底壁１ｂから外方に突出し、それぞれが端子部引出面である底壁１ｂの下面に沿って後方に折り曲げられており、折り曲げられた第１，第２，第３の端子部２ｃ、３ｃ、４ｃの下面は、底壁１ｂの下面よりも下方に位置した状態となっている。（特に図６参照）
【００３４】
なお、この実施例では、３個の第１，第２，第３の固定接点２，３，４を用いたもので説明したが、２個の第１，第２の固定接点２，３，或いは第２，第３の固定接点３，４で構成しても良い。
【００３５】
ドーム状のバネ性ある金属板等からなる可動接点５は、ハウジング１の開口部１ｆ内に収納され、図５に示すように、中央部が第２の接点部３ａに対向し、外周部が第１，第３の接点部２ａ、４ａに接触した状態で配置されている。
【００３６】
金属板からなる全体が略コ字状のカバー６は、中央部に孔６ａを有する板状の前面板６ｂと、この前面板６ｂの両端から直角に後方に折り曲げられた一対の側面板６ｃと、一対の側面板６ｃの下端から下方に突出する突出片６ｄと、前面板６ｂの対向する下方隅部において、後方に折り曲げられた一対の折り曲げ片６ｅと、この折り曲げ片６ｅに対向する位置で、一対の側面板６ｃに設けられた切り欠き部６ｆと、前面板６ｂの隅部に設けられた小孔６ｇを有する。
【００３７】
このカバー６は、前面板６ｂで開口部１ｆを塞ぐように、前面板６ｂがハウジング１の前面１ａに配置され、且つ、小孔６ｇにハウジング１の突起１ｈが挿通され、突起１ｈの先端部を熱カシメする等して、ハウジング１に取り付けられる。
【００３８】
そして、カバー６がハウジング１に取り付けられた際、折り曲げ片６ｅは、凹部１ｇ内に配置され、折り曲げ片６ｅの下面は、底壁１ｂの下面よりも下方に位置した状態となっていると共に、第１，第２，第３の端子部２ｃ、３ｃ、４ｃの下面と面一状態となっている。
また、この時、折り曲げ片６ｅと突出片６ｄの裏面が対向するハウジング１の両角部には、段落ち部１ｊが形成されていることから実装面側のカバー６と、ハウジング１の前面１ａとの合わせ目に空隙が形成される。
【００３９】
また、カバー６がハウジング１に取り付けられた際、一対の側面板６ｃは、側壁１ｃの外周部を覆うように配置され、突出片６ｄが折り曲げ片６ｅの下面を越えて、下方に突出した状態になると共に、切り欠き部６ｆを通して、側面から折り曲げ片６ｅが目視できるようになっている。
【００４０】
なお、この実施例では、折り曲げ片６ｅが前面板６ｂの下方隅部に一対設けたもので説明したが、前面板６ｂの下部の任意の箇所において、折り曲げ片６ｅを１個、或いは２個以上設けても良い。
【００４１】
合成樹脂の成型品からなる押釦である操作部材７は、操作部７ａと、この操作部７ａの後部に設けられた鍔部７ｂと、操作部７ａの中央部から後方に突出する押圧部７ｃを有し、この操作部材７は、鍔部７ｂと押圧部７ｃが開口部１ｆ内に収納され、操作部７ａが孔６ａから外部に突出ようにして、ハウジング１に対して前後に移動可能に取り付けられている。
そして、このような構成を有する本発明の押釦スイッチは、例えば、横寸法が約４．５ｍｍ、高さ寸法が約３．５ｍｍと極めて小く、超小型のもので形成されている。
【００４２】
このような構成を有する本発明の押釦スイッチは、図７に示すように、ハウジング１の底壁１ｂの下面側をプリント基板８に対向させ、第１，第２，第３の端子部２ｃ、３ｃ、４ｃと折り曲げ片６ｅをプリント基板８上に載置し、第１，第２，第３の端子部２ｃ、３ｃ、４ｃと折り曲げ片６ｅがプリント基板８上に設けられた導電パターン（図示せず）に半田９付けされて取り付けられて、押釦スイッチがプリント基板８に面実装される。
この時、折り曲げ片６ｅは、ハウジング１の前面１ａに面しない外側の折り曲げ角部を利用して、半田付け部が形成されて、折り曲げ片６ｅの表面側のみが半田付けされるものである。
【００４３】
そして、折り曲げ片６ｅに半田９付けすると、折り曲げ片６ｅでハウジング１の前面１ａを覆った状態となり、従って、フラックスが開口部１ｆ内に侵入し難くなる。
更に、切り欠き部６ｆ、及びハウジング１の段落ち部１ｊによって、実装面でのカバー６とハウジング１の合わせ目に空隙が形成されているので、フラックスの沿面距離を大きく確保できる。
【００４４】
また、押釦スイッチの面実装時、折り曲げ片６ｅの下端と第１，第２，第３の端子部２ｃ、３ｃ、４ｃの下面とがハウジング１の下面（底壁１ｂ）よりも突出して、ハウジング１の下面（底壁１ｂ）がプリント基板８から浮いた状態となっているため、フラックスがハウジング１の外周面に伝わり難くなって、フラックスが開口部１ｆ内に侵入し難くなると共に、リフロー炉内に通した際に、半田の溶融時間差によって、ハウジング１の下面を中心としてスイッチが傾くことがない。
【００４５】
更に、押釦スイッチの面実装時、突出片６ｄは、プリント基板８の孔８ａに挿通され、これによって、プリント基板８に対する押釦スイッチの位置決めを確実に行うようになっている。
【００４６】
そして、操作部材７の操作部７ａがプリント基板８と平行な方向に押圧されると、ドーム状の可動接点５が押されて、可動接点５の中央部が反転動作する。
その結果、可動接点５の外周部が第１，第３の接点部２ａ、４ａに接触した状態で、中央部が移動して第２の接点部３ａに接触して、第１，第３の接点部２ａ、４ａと第２の接点部３ａとの間がＯＮ状態となる。
【００４７】
また、操作部７ａの押圧を解除すると、可動接点５は、自己のバネ性で元の状態に復帰し、これによって、操作部材７も元の状態に戻されると共に、第１，第３の接点部２ａ、４ａと第２の接点部３ａとの間がＯＦＦ状態となる。
【００４８】
次に、本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係る固定接点とハウジングの製造方法を図８，図９に基づいて説明すると、先ず、図８に示す第１工程で、フープ状の金属板１１は、打ち抜きと突き出し加工が施される。
【００４９】
すると、図８に示すように、第１，第２，第３の固定接点２，３，４は、紙面手前方向に突き出された第１、第２，第３の接点部２ａ、３ａ、４ａが金属板１１の長手方向と直交する短手方向（直線Ｓ１）に一列に配置された状態で、互いに短手方向に並列状態に形成される。
【００５０】
その結果、第１，第２，第３の接点部２ａ、３ａ、４ａのそれぞれから第１，第２，第３の連結部２ｂ、３ｂ、４ｂ、及び第１，第２，第３の端子部２ｃ、３ｃ、４ｃが金属板１１の長手方向（直線Ｓ２，Ｓ３，Ｓ４方向）に平行な状態で延びて配置されている。
【００５１】
即ち、第１、第２，第３の接点部２ａ、３ａ、４ａが金属板１１の長手方向と直交する短手方向（直線Ｓ１）に一列に配置されると、第１、第２，第３の接点部が金属板１１の長手方向に配列されたものに比して、金属板１１を長手方向に短くできて、材料取りが良く、安価な固定接点構造が得られる。
【００５２】
また、第１，第２，第３の端子部２ｃ、３ｃ、４ｃの端部は、金属板１１に連結されると共に、第１，第３の接点部２ａ、４ａの他端は、金属板１１の長手方向に延びる一対の繋ぎ部１２によって金属板１１に繋がれており、また、第１，第３の接点部２ａ、４ａは、第４の連結部Ｒ１で繋がれている。
【００５３】
次に、このような構成を有する金属板１１は、送り孔１３を利用して、順次成型金型（図示せず）に送られ、図９に示す第２工程で、金属板１１に対して、成形加工によって、図１〜図７で示す構成を有するハウジング１を形成する。
この時、接点部２ａ、４ａの上面、及び側面を金型で囲んで成形し、接点面上への樹脂流入を防止する必要があるが、そのための金型押し当てスペースを、金属板１１の長手方向と直交する方向に設けることができ、長手方向のハウジング１の幅を小さくでき、金属板１１の材料歩留まりを向上させることができる。
【００５４】
すると、第１，第２，第３の固定接点２，３，４の第１，第２，第３の連結部２ｂ、３ｂ、４ｂ、及び第４の連結部Ｒ１と一部の繋ぎ部１２が後壁１ｅに埋設され、第２の接点部３ａが開口部１ｆの中央部（後壁１ｅの中央部）に露出すると共に、第１，第３の接点部２ａ、４ａが第２の接点部３ａを挟んで、開口部１ｆの外周近傍（後壁１ｅの外周）に露出し、且つ、第１，第２，第３の端子部２ｃ、３ｃ、４ｃ、及び繋ぎ部１２がハウジング１外に突出した状態となる。
なお、このインサート成型工程において、第１，第２，第３の連結部２ｂ、３ｂ、４ｂには、金属板１１を板厚方向に打ち抜いた貫通孔１１ａが形成されており、この貫通孔１１ａ内にも樹脂が流入、固化することから、操作時に、端子の引き抜き方向に大きな力が加わっても、スイッチが脱落することが無く、横押し強度を高めることができる。
【００５５】
次に、図９に示す二点鎖線Ｚ１の位置で切断して、金属板１１から第１，第２，第３の固定接点２，３，４を切り離した後、第１，第２，第３の端子部２ｃ、３ｃ、４ｃがハウジング１の底壁１ｂに沿って折り曲げられると、その製造が完了する。
また、繋ぎ部１２が切断された際、その切断部１２ａは、図３に示すように、上壁１ｄから露出した状態となっている。
【００５６】
また、図１０，図１１は、本発明の押釦スイッチの第２実施例に係る固定接点とハウジングの製造方法を示し、その製造方法を図１０，図１１に基づいて説明すると、先ず、図１０に示す第１工程で、フープ状の金属板１１は、打ち抜きと突き出し加工が施される。
【００５７】
すると、図１０に示すように、第１，第２の固定接点２，３は、突き出された第１、第２の接点部２ａ、３ａが金属板１１の長手方向と直交する短手方向（直線Ｓ１）に一列に配置された状態で、互いに短手方向に並列状態に形成される。
【００５８】
そして、金属板１１の一側部側に形成された第１の固定接点２は、第１の接点部２ａから第１の連結部２ｂ、及び第１の端子部２ｃが金属板１１の長手方向（直線Ｓ２方向）に平行な状態で延びて配置されている。
【００５９】
また、金属板１１の他側部側に形成された第２の固定接点３は、第２の接点部３ａが金属板１１の短手方向の中央部に位置すると共に、第２の端子部３ｃが金属板１１の他側部側で、長手方向（直線Ｓ４方向）に平行な状態で延びて配置され、第２の連結部３ｂが第２の接点部３ａと第２の端子部３ｃに繋がった状態となっている。
【００６０】
即ち、第１、第２の接点部２ａ、３ａが金属板１１の長手方向と直交する短手方向（直線Ｓ１）に一列に配置されると、第１、第２の接点部が金属板１１の長手方向に配列されたものに比して、金属板１１を長手方向に短くできて、材料取りが良く、安価な固定接点構造が得られる。
【００６１】
また、第１，第２の端子部２ｃ、３ｃの端部は、金属板１１に連結されると共に、第１の接点部２ａと第２の端子部３ｃの他端は、金属板１１の長手方向に延びる繋ぎ部１２によって金属板１１に繋がれている。
【００６２】
次に、このような構成を有する金属板１１は、送り孔１３を利用して、順次成型金型（図示せず）に送られ、図１１に示す第２工程で、金属板１１に対して、成形加工によって、図１〜図７で示す構成を有するハウジング１を形成する。
【００６３】
すると、第１，第２の固定接点２，３の第１，第２の連結部２ｂ、３ｂと一部の繋ぎ部１２が後壁１ｅに埋設され、第２の接点部３ａが開口部１ｆの中央部（後壁１ｅの中央部）に露出すると共に、第１の接点部２ａが開口部１ｆの外周近傍（後壁１ｅの外周）に露出し、且つ、第１，第２の端子部２ｃ、３ｃ、及び繋ぎ部１２がハウジング１外に突出した状態となる。
【００６４】
次に、図１１に示す二点鎖線Ｚ１の位置で切断して、金属板１１から第１，第２の固定接点２，３を切り離した後、第１，第２の端子部２ｃ、３ｃがハウジング１の底壁１ｂに沿って折り曲げられると、その製造が完了する。
また、繋ぎ部１２が切断された際、その切断部１２ａは、図３に示すように、上壁１ｄから露出した状態となっている。
【００６５】
また、第２実施例における押釦スイッチの構成は、２個の第１，第２の固定接点２，３を除き、前記第１実施例と同様であり、同一部品に同一番号を付し、ここではその説明を省略する。
【００６６】
【発明の効果】
本発明の押釦スイッチは、前面に開口部を有する絶縁材からなるハウジングと、このハウジングに取り付けられた固定接点と、開口部内に収納された可動接点と、開口部に移動可能に取り付けられ、可動接点を操作する操作部材と、開口部を塞ぐように、ハウジングの前面に配置されたカバーとを備え、ハウジングの下面は、前面に対して直角状態に位置すると共に、下面は、プリント基板に取付可能な取付面となし、カバーは、前面に位置する前面板と、この前面板の下方からハウジングの下面に沿って折り曲げられ、プリント基板に半田付け可能な折り曲げ片とを有する構成とした。
このように、折り曲げ片がハウジングの下面に位置することによって、折り曲げ片がハウジングから横方向に出っ張ることが無く、横方向に小型化できる。
また、折り曲げ片を設けて、これに半田付けすれば、折り曲げ片でハウジングの前面と前面板との間の隙間を覆った状態となり、従って、フラックスが開口部内に侵入し難くなり、接点切換の確実なものが得られる。
【００６７】
また、折り曲げ片は、前面板の対向する下方隅部において一対設けたため、カバーが２カ所でプリント基板に半田付けできて、押釦スイッチのプリント基板への取付の確実なものが得られる。
【００６８】
また、折り曲げ片の下面は、ハウジングの下面よりも下方に位置した状態で配置されたため、ハウジングの下面がプリント基板から浮いた状態にできて、フラックスがハウジングの外周面に伝わり難くなって、フラックスが開口部内に侵入し難くなり、接点切換の確実なものが得られる。
【００６９】
また、折り曲げ片は、ハウジングの下面に設けられた凹部内に配置されたため、高さ方向の寸法を小さくできて、小型化を図ることができる。
【００７０】
また、折り曲げ片の下面は、ハウジングの下面に位置した固定接点の下面と面一状態で配置されたため、プリント基板への押釦スイッチの取付が安定すると共に、強固にできる。
【００７１】
また、カバーは、前面板からハウジングの側面に沿って折り曲げられた側面板を有し、側面板には、少なくとも折り曲げ片と対向する位置に切り欠き部が設けられたため、切り欠き部から半田付け状態が目視できて、半田付き状態の検査が容易にできる。
【００７２】
また、側面板には、折り曲げ片の下面よりも下方に突出する突出片を設け、この突出片がプリント基板に挿通可能としたため、突出片をプリント基板の孔に挿通することによって、プリント基板に対する押釦スイッチの位置決めを確実に行うことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係る正面図。
【図２】本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係る側面図。
【図３】本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係る上面図。
【図４】本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係る下面図。
【図５】本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係る要部断面図。
【図６】図５のＡ部分における拡大断面図。
【図７】本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係り、その取付状態を示す説明図。
【図８】本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係り、固定接点とハウジングの製造の第１工程を示す説明図。
【図９】本発明の押釦スイッチの第１実施例に係り、固定接点とハウジングの製造の第２工程を示す説明図。
【図１０】本発明の押釦スイッチの第２実施例に係り、固定接点とハウジングの製造の第１工程を示す説明図。
【図１１】本発明の押釦スイッチの第２実施例に係り、固定接点とハウジングの製造の第２工程を示す説明図。
【図１２】従来の押釦スイッチの正面図。
【図１３】従来の押釦スイッチの側面図。
【図１４】従来の押釦スイッチに係り、ハウジングの内部を示す要部断面図。
【図１５】従来の押釦スイッチに係り、その取付状態を示す一部切り欠き断面図。
【符号の説明】
１ハウジング
１ａ前面
１ｂ底壁
１ｃ側壁
１ｄ上壁
１ｅ後壁
１ｆ開口部
１ｇ凹部
１ｈ突起
１ｊ段落ち部
２第１の固定接点
２ａ第１の接点部
２ｂ第１の連結部
２ｃ第１の端子部
３第２の固定接点
３ａ第２の接点部
３ｂ第２の連結部
３ｃ第２の端子部
４第３の固定接点
４ａ第３の接点部
４ｂ第３の連結部
４ｃ第３の端子部
Ｒ１第４の連結部
５可動接点
６カバー
６ａ孔
６ｂ前面板
６ｃ側面板
６ｄ突出片
６ｅ折り曲げ片
６ｆ切り欠き部
６ｇ小孔
７操作部材
７ａ操作部
７ｂ鍔部
７ｃ押圧部
８プリント基板
８ａ孔
９半田
１１金属板
１１ａ貫通孔
１２繋ぎ部
１２ａ切断部
１３送り孔
Ｓ１〜Ｓ４直線[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a push-button switch suitable for being mounted on a printed circuit board of various electronic devices by surface mounting.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 12 is a front view of a conventional push button switch, FIG. 13 is a side view of the conventional push button switch, and FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a main part of the conventional push button switch, showing the inside of a housing. FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing a mounting state of a conventional push button switch.
[0003]
Next, the configuration of a conventional push button switch will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. A housing 51 made of a synthetic resin molded product has a box shape, a front surface 51a located on the side, and a rear surface 51a. , A pair of side walls 51c extending upward from an end of the bottom wall 51b, an upper wall 51d provided between the pair of side walls 51c, a rear wall 51e closing a rear surface, and a front surface 51a. And an opening 51f provided at the center.
[0004]
Each of the first and second fixed contacts 52 and 53 made of a metal plate has contact portions 52a and 53a and terminal portions 52b and 53b, and the first and second fixed contacts 52 and 53 are provided in a housing. The contact portions 52a and 53a are embedded in and mounted on the rear wall 51, and the contact portions 52a and 53a are exposed in the opening portion 51f on the rear wall 51e, and the terminal portions 52b and 53b are arranged to be exposed from the lower surface of the bottom wall 51b. .
[0005]
The lower surfaces of the terminal portions 52b and 53b of the first and second fixed contacts 52 and 53 attached to the housing 51 are arranged flush with the lower surface of the bottom wall 51b.
[0006]
The dome-shaped movable contact 54 made of rubber has a dome-shaped portion 54a and a contact portion 54b provided at a central portion in the dome-shaped portion 54a, and the movable contact 54 is housed in the opening 51f. In a state where the contact portion 54b is opposed to the contact portions 52a and 53a, the dome-shaped portion 54a is attached to the rear wall 51e by abutting the bottom thereof.
[0007]
A generally U-shaped cover 55 made of a metal plate includes a plate-shaped front plate 55b having a hole 55a in the center, a pair of side plates 55c bent at right angles from both ends of the front plate 55b, and a pair of side plates 55c. Has a pair of bent pieces 55d which are bent outward at right angles from the lower end of the side plate 55c.
[0008]
In the cover 55, the front plate 55b is disposed on the front surface 51a of the housing 51 so as to cover the opening 51f with the front plate 55b, and the pair of side plates 55c is hung on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 51c. It is attached.
[0009]
When the cover 55 is attached to the housing 51, the lower surface of the bent piece 55d is arranged flush with the lower surface of the bottom wall 51b.
[0010]
The operating member 56, which is a push button made of a synthetic resin molded product, has an operating portion 56a and a flange 56b provided at the rear of the operating portion 56a. The operating member 56 has an opening 51f. The operation unit 56a is attached to the housing 51 so as to be movable back and forth with the operation unit 56a protruding outside from the hole 55a.
[0011]
In the push button switch having such a configuration, the lower surface of the bottom wall 51b of the housing 51 is placed on the printed circuit board 57, and a pair of bent pieces 55d of the terminal portions 52b and 53b and the cover 55 are provided on the printed circuit board 57. A push button switch is surface-mounted on the printed circuit board 57 by being soldered to a conductive pattern (not shown).
[0012]
Then, when the operation portion 56a of the operation member 56 is pressed in a direction parallel to the printed board 57, the dome-shaped portion 54a of the movable contact 54 is pressed to perform a reversing operation.
As a result, the contact portion 54b comes into contact with the contact portions 52a and 53a, and the portion between the contact portions 52a and 53a is turned on.
[0013]
When the pressing of the operation portion 56a is released, the dome-shaped portion 54a returns to its original state by its own spring property, whereby the operation member 56 is returned to the original state, and the contact portions 52a and 53a are connected. Is turned off. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
[0014]
In the push button switch having the above-described configuration, since the pair of bent pieces 55d provided on the cover 55 are bent outward, the push button switch is moved in the horizontal direction (the direction of the pair of bent pieces 55d side). ).
[0015]
As a push button switch for reducing the size in the horizontal direction, there is a switch as shown in FIG.
In the push button switch shown in FIG. 15, the bent piece 55d of the push button switch is omitted, and the lower end of the front plate 55b of the cover 55 is linearly pulled out along the front surface 51a of the housing 51, so that the terminal portion Similarly to 52b and 53b, the printed circuit board 57 is soldered 58.
[0016]
Other configurations are the same as those of the former push-button switch shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, and therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.
In the latter push-button switch shown in FIG. 15, since the lower end of the front plate 55b is soldered on both the front and back surfaces, the flux at the time of the solder 58 is applied to the capillary from the joint between the back surface of the lower end and the front surface 51a. Due to the phenomenon, it easily penetrates into the opening 51f and adheres to the contact portions 52b and 53b, thereby adversely affecting the switch.
[0017]
In the latter case, when the size is reduced (for example, the lateral dimension is about 4.5 mm and the height dimension is about 3.5 mm), the flux easily enters the opening 51f, and the flux is further increased. When the bottom surface of the housing 51 is in contact with the printed circuit board 57, the flux is easily transmitted along the outer peripheral surface of the housing 51 and easily enters the opening 51f.
[0018]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-93272
[0019]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The former one of the conventional push button switches has a problem that the push button switch becomes large in the lateral direction because a pair of bent pieces 55d provided on the cover 55 are bent outward.
In the latter conventional push button switch, since the lower end of the front side plate 55b is soldered 58, the flux at the time of soldering 58 enters the opening 51f from between the front plate 55b and the front surface of the housing 51. There is a problem in that the switch easily penetrates and adheres to the contact portions 52b and 53b, which adversely affects the switch.
In the case of the latter, when the size is reduced, the flux easily enters the opening 51f, and the bottom surface of the housing 51 is in contact with the printed circuit board 57. There has been a problem that it is easy to enter the opening 51f along the outer peripheral surface.
[0020]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a push button switch which is small in size, has little flux intrusion into the housing, and has a reliable contact switching operation.
[0021]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a first means for solving the above problems, a housing made of an insulating material having an opening on a front surface, a fixed contact attached to the housing, a movable contact housed in the opening, and the opening An operation member movably attached to the section, the operating member for operating the movable contact, and a cover disposed on the front surface of the housing so as to close the opening, and a lower surface of the housing is arranged with respect to the front surface. And the lower surface is a mounting surface that can be mounted on a printed circuit board, and the cover extends along the lower surface of the front plate located on the front surface and the lower surface of the front plate along the lower surface of the housing. And a bent piece that can be bent and soldered to the printed circuit board.
[0022]
As a second solution, a pair of the bent pieces are provided at opposed lower corners of the front plate.
As a third solution, the lower surface of the bent piece is arranged below the lower surface of the housing.
[0023]
As a fourth solution, the bent piece is arranged in a recess provided on the lower surface of the housing.
As a fifth solution, the lower surface of the bent piece is arranged flush with the lower surface of the fixed contact located on the lower surface of the housing.
[0024]
As a sixth solution, the cover has a side plate bent from the front plate along a side surface of the housing, and the side plate has a cutout at least at a position facing the bent piece. Section was provided.
As a seventh solution, the side plate is provided with a projecting piece projecting below the lower surface of the bent piece, and the projecting piece can be inserted into the printed board.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a front view of a push button switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the push button switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a top view of the push button switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the push button switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0026]
5 is a sectional view of a main part according to a first embodiment of the push button switch of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion A in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 relates to a first embodiment of the push button switch of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the attachment state.
[0027]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a first step of manufacturing a fixed contact and a housing according to a first embodiment of the push button switch of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a second step of manufacturing a contact and a housing. FIG. 10 is a view showing a first step of manufacturing a fixed contact and a housing according to a second embodiment of the push button switch of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a second step of manufacturing a fixed contact and a housing according to the second embodiment of the push button switch.
[0028]
Next, the configuration of the first embodiment of the push button switch of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The housing 1 made of a synthetic resin molded product has a box shape and a front surface 1a located on the side. A bottom wall 1b extending rearward from the front surface 1a, a pair of side walls 1c extending upward from an end of the bottom wall 1b, an upper wall 1d provided between the pair of side walls 1c, and a rear wall closing a rear surface. 1e, an opening 1f provided in the center of the front surface 1a, a concave portion 1g provided on the front lower surface of the bottom wall 1b, and a projection 1h provided on the front surface 1. In addition, a stepped-down portion 1j which is notched is formed at a corner facing the front surface 1a, the bottom wall 1b, and the side wall 1c.
[0029]
Each of the first, second, and third fixed contacts 2, 3, and 4 made of a metal plate has a first contact portion 2a, a second contact portion 3a, A third contact portion 4a, and a first connecting portion 2b, a second connecting portion 3b, and a third connecting portion connected to the first, second, and third contact portions 2a, 3a, and 4a, respectively. 4b and a first terminal portion 2c, a second terminal portion 3c, and a third terminal portion 4c connected to the first, second, and third connecting portions 2b, 3b, and 4b, respectively.
[0030]
The first, second, and third contact portions 2a, 3a, and 4a of the first, second, and third fixed contacts 2, 3, and 4 are arranged on a straight line S1 as shown in FIG. And the first, second, and third connecting portions 2b, 3b, 4b and the first, second, and third terminals from the first, second, and third contact portions 2a, 3a, and 4a, respectively. The portions 2c, 3c, and 4c are arranged to extend in the directions of straight lines S2, S3, and S4 orthogonal to the straight line S1.
[0031]
As a result, the first, second, and third connecting portions 2b, 3b, and 4b and the first, second, and third terminal portions 2c, 3c, and 4c are arranged in parallel with each other.
In this embodiment, the reliability as a switch is improved by connecting the first and third fixed contacts 2 and 4 at the fourth connecting portion R1 and using each as a common contact. The fourth connecting portion R1 may be omitted.
[0032]
The first, second, and third fixed contacts 2, 3, and 4 have first, second, and third connecting portions 2b, 3b, 4b, and a fourth connecting portion R1 embedded in the rear wall 1e. The second contact portion 3a is exposed at the center of the opening 1f (the center of the rear wall 1e), and the first and third contact portions 2a and 4a are connected to the second contact portion 3a. It is exposed near the outer periphery of the opening 1f (outer periphery of the rear wall 1e).
[0033]
Further, the first, second, and third terminal portions 2c, 3c, and 4c protrude outward from the bottom wall 1b of the housing 1, and each extend rearward along the lower surface of the bottom wall 1b that is a terminal portion extraction surface. The bottom surfaces of the bent first, second, and third terminal portions 2c, 3c, and 4c are positioned lower than the lower surface of the bottom wall 1b. (See especially Fig. 6)
[0034]
In this embodiment, three first, second, and third fixed contacts 2, 3, and 4 have been described. However, two first and second fixed contacts 2, 3, are used. Alternatively, it may be constituted by the second and third fixed contacts 3 and 4.
[0035]
The movable contact 5 made of a dome-shaped spring-like metal plate or the like is housed in the opening 1f of the housing 1 and, as shown in FIG. 5, has a central portion facing the second contact portion 3a and an outer peripheral portion. The first and third contact portions 2a and 4a are arranged in contact with each other.
[0036]
A generally U-shaped cover 6 made of a metal plate includes a plate-shaped front plate 6b having a hole 6a in the center, and a pair of side plates 6c bent rearward at right angles from both ends of the front plate 6b. A protruding piece 6d protruding downward from the lower end of the pair of side plates 6c, a pair of bent pieces 6e bent rearward at opposite lower corners of the front plate 6b, and a position facing the bent piece 6e. And a notch 6f provided in the pair of side plates 6c, and a small hole 6g provided in a corner of the front plate 6b.
[0037]
The cover 6 has the front plate 6b disposed on the front surface 1a of the housing 1 so as to close the opening 1f with the front plate 6b, and the projection 1h of the housing 1 is inserted into the small hole 6g. Is attached to the housing 1 by heat caulking or the like.
[0038]
When the cover 6 is attached to the housing 1, the bent piece 6e is arranged in the concave portion 1g, and the lower surface of the bent piece 6e is located below the lower surface of the bottom wall 1b. It is flush with the lower surfaces of the first, second, and third terminal portions 2c, 3c, and 4c.
At this time, stepped portions 1j are formed at both corners of the housing 1 where the back surfaces of the bent piece 6e and the protruding piece 6d face each other, so that the cover 6 on the mounting surface side and the front surface 1a of the housing 1 A void is formed at the joint of the two.
[0039]
Further, when the cover 6 is attached to the housing 1, the pair of side plates 6c are arranged so as to cover the outer peripheral portion of the side wall 1c, and the protruding piece 6d protrudes downward beyond the lower surface of the bent piece 6e. At the same time, the bent piece 6e can be viewed from the side through the notch 6f.
[0040]
In this embodiment, the bent piece 6e has been described as being provided in a pair at the lower corner of the front plate 6b. However, one or two or more bent pieces 6e are provided at an arbitrary position below the front plate 6b. It may be provided.
[0041]
The operating member 7 which is a push button made of a synthetic resin molded product includes an operating portion 7a, a flange portion 7b provided at a rear portion of the operating portion 7a, and a pressing portion 7c which projects rearward from a central portion of the operating portion 7a. The operation member 7 is attached to the housing 1 so that the flange portion 7b and the pressing portion 7c are housed in the opening 1f, and the operation portion 7a protrudes outside from the hole 6a. Have been.
The push button switch of the present invention having such a configuration is formed of an extremely small, ultra-small, for example, having a lateral dimension of about 4.5 mm and a height dimension of about 3.5 mm.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 7, the push button switch of the present invention having such a configuration has the lower surface side of the bottom wall 1b of the housing 1 facing the printed circuit board 8, and the first, second, and third terminal portions 2c, 3c, 4c and bent piece 6e are placed on printed circuit board 8, and first, second and third terminal portions 2c, 3c, 4c and bent piece 6e are provided on conductive board 8 in a conductive pattern (FIG. (Not shown) and attached by soldering 9, and the push button switch is surface-mounted on the printed circuit board 8.
At this time, the bending piece 6e has a soldering portion formed by using an outer bending corner portion not facing the front surface 1a of the housing 1, and only the front side of the bending piece 6e is soldered.
[0043]
Then, when the solder 9 is attached to the bent piece 6e, the front face 1a of the housing 1 is covered with the bent piece 6e, so that it is difficult for the flux to enter the opening 1f.
Furthermore, since a gap is formed at the joint between the cover 6 and the housing 1 on the mounting surface by the notch 6f and the step-down portion 1j of the housing 1, a large creepage distance of the flux can be secured.
[0044]
When the pushbutton switch is mounted on the surface, the lower end of the bent piece 6e and the lower surfaces of the first, second, and third terminal portions 2c, 3c, and 4c protrude from the lower surface of the housing 1 (bottom wall 1b). Since the lower surface (bottom wall 1b) of 1 is floating from the printed circuit board 8, it is difficult for the flux to be transmitted to the outer peripheral surface of the housing 1, so that the flux is less likely to enter the opening 1f and the reflow furnace The switch does not tilt around the lower surface of the housing 1 due to the difference in the melting time of the solder when the switch is passed through.
[0045]
Further, when the push button switch is mounted on the surface, the protruding piece 6d is inserted into the hole 8a of the printed circuit board 8, whereby the positioning of the push button switch with respect to the printed circuit board 8 is ensured.
[0046]
When the operating portion 7a of the operating member 7 is pressed in a direction parallel to the printed circuit board 8, the dome-shaped movable contact 5 is pushed, and the central portion of the movable contact 5 performs a reversing operation.
As a result, while the outer peripheral portion of the movable contact 5 is in contact with the first and third contact portions 2a and 4a, the central portion moves and contacts the second contact portion 3a, and the first and third contacts are moved. The portions between the contact portions 2a, 4a and the second contact portion 3a are turned on.
[0047]
When the pressing of the operating portion 7a is released, the movable contact 5 returns to its original state by its own spring property, whereby the operating member 7 is returned to the original state, and the first and third contact points are returned. The portion between the portions 2a, 4a and the second contact portion 3a is turned off.
[0048]
Next, a method of manufacturing the fixed contact and the housing according to the first embodiment of the push button switch of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. First, in the first step shown in FIG. 11 is stamped and protruded.
[0049]
Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the first, second, and third fixed contacts 2, 3, and 4 are first, second, and third contact portions 2a, 3a, and 4a that protrude forward in the drawing. Are arranged in a row in a short direction (straight line S1) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the metal plate 11, and are formed in parallel in the short direction.
[0050]
As a result, the first, second, and third connecting portions 2b, 3b, 4b and the first, second, and third terminals are respectively connected to the first, second, and third contact portions 2a, 3a, and 4a. The portions 2c, 3c, and 4c are arranged so as to extend in a state parallel to the longitudinal direction of the metal plate 11 (the straight lines S2, S3, and S4 directions).
[0051]
That is, when the first, second, and third contact portions 2a, 3a, and 4a are arranged in a line in a short direction (straight line S1) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the metal plate 11, the first, second, and second contacts are formed. As compared with the case where the contact portions of No. 3 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the metal plate 11, the metal plate 11 can be shortened in the longitudinal direction, a material can be easily removed, and an inexpensive fixed contact structure can be obtained.
[0052]
The ends of the first, second, and third terminal portions 2c, 3c, and 4c are connected to the metal plate 11, and the other ends of the first and third contact portions 2a and 4a are connected to the metal plate. 11 are connected to the metal plate 11 by a pair of connecting portions 12 extending in the longitudinal direction, and the first and third contact portions 2a and 4a are connected by a fourth connecting portion R1.
[0053]
Next, the metal plate 11 having such a configuration is sequentially sent to a molding die (not shown) by using the feed hole 13, and is sent to the metal plate 11 in a second step shown in FIG. 9. The housing 1 having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 is formed by molding.
At this time, it is necessary to surround the upper and side surfaces of the contact portions 2a and 4a with a mold to prevent the resin from flowing onto the contact surface. It can be provided in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, the width of the housing 1 in the longitudinal direction can be reduced, and the material yield of the metal plate 11 can be improved.
[0054]
Then, the first, second, and third connecting portions 2b, 3b, 4b of the first, second, and third fixed contacts 2, 3, 4, and the fourth connecting portion R1 and a part of the connecting portion 12 are formed. Is embedded in the rear wall 1e, the second contact portion 3a is exposed at the center of the opening 1f (the center of the rear wall 1e), and the first and third contact portions 2a and 4a are connected to the second contact. The first, second, and third terminal portions 2c, 3c, 4c, and the connecting portion 12 are exposed outside the vicinity of the outer periphery of the opening 1f (the outer periphery of the rear wall 1e) with the portion 3a interposed therebetween. It will be in the state protruding to.
In the insert molding step, the first, second, and third connecting portions 2b, 3b, and 4b have through holes 11a formed by punching the metal plate 11 in the thickness direction. Since the resin flows into the inside and is solidified, even when a large force is applied in the terminal pull-out direction during operation, the switch does not fall off and the lateral pressing strength can be increased.
[0055]
Next, after cutting at the position of the two-dot chain line Z1 shown in FIG. 9 and separating the first, second, and third fixed contacts 2, 3, and 4 from the metal plate 11, the first, second, and When the three terminal portions 2c, 3c, 4c are bent along the bottom wall 1b of the housing 1, the manufacture is completed.
When the connecting portion 12 is cut, the cut portion 12a is exposed from the upper wall 1d as shown in FIG.
[0056]
10 and 11 show a method of manufacturing a fixed contact and a housing according to a second embodiment of the push button switch of the present invention. The method of manufacturing will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. First, FIG. In the first step shown in FIG. 7, the hoop-shaped metal plate 11 is subjected to punching and extrusion.
[0057]
Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the first and second fixed contacts 2 and 3 are arranged such that the protruding first and second contact portions 2 a and 3 a are arranged in the short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the metal plate 11 ( In a state where they are arranged in a line on the straight line S1), they are formed in parallel in the short direction.
[0058]
The first fixed contact 2 formed on one side of the metal plate 11 includes a first contact portion 2a to a first connecting portion 2b, and a first terminal portion 2c formed in a longitudinal direction of the metal plate 11. It is arranged so as to extend in a state parallel to the (straight line S2 direction).
[0059]
The second fixed contact 3 formed on the other side of the metal plate 11 has a second contact portion 3a located at the center of the metal plate 11 in the lateral direction and a second terminal portion 3c. Is arranged on the other side of the metal plate 11 so as to extend in a state parallel to the longitudinal direction (the direction of the straight line S4), and the second connecting portion 3b is connected to the second contact portion 3a and the second terminal portion 3c. It is in a state where it is set.
[0060]
That is, when the first and second contact portions 2a and 3a are arranged in a line in a short direction (straight line S1) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the metal plate 11, the first and second contact portions become The metal plate 11 can be shortened in the longitudinal direction as compared with those arranged in the longitudinal direction, so that a material can be easily removed and an inexpensive fixed contact structure can be obtained.
[0061]
The ends of the first and second terminal portions 2c and 3c are connected to the metal plate 11, and the other ends of the first contact portion 2a and the second terminal portion 3c are connected to the longitudinal sides of the metal plate 11. It is connected to the metal plate 11 by a connecting portion 12 extending in the direction.
[0062]
Next, the metal plate 11 having such a configuration is sequentially sent to a molding die (not shown) by using the feed hole 13, and the metal plate 11 is fed to the metal plate 11 in a second step shown in FIG. 11. The housing 1 having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 is formed by molding.
[0063]
Then, the first and second connecting portions 2b and 3b of the first and second fixed contacts 2 and 3 and a part of the connecting portion 12 are buried in the rear wall 1e, and the second contact portion 3a is opened to the opening 1f. And the first contact 2a is exposed near the outer periphery of the opening 1f (the outer periphery of the rear wall 1e), and the first and second terminal portions are exposed. 2c, 3c, and the connecting portion 12 project out of the housing 1.
[0064]
Next, after cutting at the position of the two-dot chain line Z1 shown in FIG. 11 and separating the first and second fixed contacts 2 and 3 from the metal plate 11, the first and second terminal portions 2c and 3c When it is bent along the bottom wall 1b of the housing 1, its manufacture is completed.
When the connecting portion 12 is cut, the cut portion 12a is exposed from the upper wall 1d as shown in FIG.
[0065]
The configuration of the push button switch according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for two first and second fixed contacts 2 and 3, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Then, the description is omitted.
[0066]
【The invention's effect】
The push button switch according to the present invention includes a housing made of an insulating material having an opening on a front surface, a fixed contact attached to the housing, a movable contact housed in the opening, and a movable contact movably attached to the opening. An operating member for operating the contacts, and a cover disposed on the front surface of the housing so as to close the opening, the lower surface of the housing is positioned at right angles to the front surface, and the lower surface is attached to the printed circuit board. The cover had a possible mounting surface, and the cover had a front plate located on the front surface, and a bent piece bent along the lower surface of the housing from below the front plate and solderable to a printed circuit board.
Since the bent piece is located on the lower surface of the housing in this manner, the bent piece does not protrude from the housing in the horizontal direction, and the size can be reduced in the horizontal direction.
Also, if a bent piece is provided and soldered to the bent piece, the bent piece covers the gap between the front surface of the housing and the front plate. You can get a certain thing.
[0067]
In addition, since a pair of bent pieces are provided at opposing lower corners of the front plate, the cover can be soldered to the printed board at two places, and a reliable push button switch can be mounted on the printed board.
[0068]
Also, since the lower surface of the bent piece is located below the lower surface of the housing, the lower surface of the housing can be floated from the printed circuit board, and the flux is less likely to be transmitted to the outer peripheral surface of the housing. Are hard to penetrate into the opening, and a reliable contact switching can be obtained.
[0069]
In addition, since the bent piece is arranged in the concave portion provided on the lower surface of the housing, the dimension in the height direction can be reduced, and the size can be reduced.
[0070]
In addition, since the lower surface of the bent piece is arranged flush with the lower surface of the fixed contact located on the lower surface of the housing, the mounting of the push button switch on the printed circuit board can be stabilized and firm.
[0071]
The cover has a side plate bent from the front plate along the side surface of the housing, and the side plate is provided with a notch at least at a position facing the bent piece, so that the cover is soldered from the notch. The state can be visually checked, and the inspection of the soldered state can be easily performed.
[0072]
Also, the side plate is provided with a protruding piece that protrudes below the lower surface of the bent piece, and this protruding piece can be inserted into the printed circuit board. The positioning of the push button switch can be reliably performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a push-button switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view according to the first embodiment of the push button switch of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the push-button switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the push-button switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part according to a first embodiment of the push button switch of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion A in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a mounted state of the push button switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a first step of manufacturing a fixed contact and a housing according to the first embodiment of the push button switch of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a second step of manufacturing the fixed contact and the housing according to the first embodiment of the push button switch of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a first step of manufacturing a fixed contact and a housing according to a second embodiment of the push button switch of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a second step of manufacturing the fixed contact and the housing according to the second embodiment of the push button switch of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a front view of a conventional push button switch.
FIG. 13 is a side view of a conventional push button switch.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing the inside of a housing in a conventional push button switch.
FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view showing a mounted state of a conventional push button switch.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Housing
1a Front
1b Bottom wall
1c Side wall
1d upper wall
1e Rear wall
1f opening
1g recess
1h protrusion
1j Step-down part
2 First fixed contact
2a first contact portion
2b 1st connection part
2c first terminal section
3 Second fixed contact
3a Second contact portion
3b 2nd connection part
3c Second terminal section
4. Third fixed contact
4a Third contact portion
4b Third connection part
4c Third terminal section
R1 4th connection part
5 Moving contacts
6 Cover
6a hole
6b Front plate
6c Side plate
6d protruding piece
6e bent piece
6f Notch
6g small hole
7 Operation members
7a Operation unit
7b collar
7c Pressing part
8 Printed circuit board
8a hole
9 Solder
11 Metal plate
11a Through hole
12 Joint
12a Cutting part
13 feed hole
S1-S4 straight line

Claims

A housing made of an insulating material having an opening on a front surface, a fixed contact attached to the housing, a movable contact housed in the opening, and a movable contact mounted on the opening to operate the movable contact An operating member, and a cover disposed on the front surface of the housing so as to close the opening; a lower surface of the housing is positioned at a right angle to the front surface, and the lower surface is a printed circuit board. The cover has a front plate located on the front surface, and a bent piece that is bent from below the front plate along the lower surface of the housing and can be soldered to the printed circuit board. A push button switch comprising:

2. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein a pair of the bent pieces are provided at opposed lower corners of the front plate.

The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein a lower surface of the bent piece is disposed below the lower surface of the housing.

The push button switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bent piece is arranged in a concave portion provided on the lower surface of the housing.

5. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein a lower surface of the bent piece is arranged flush with a lower surface of the fixed contact located on the lower surface of the housing.

The cover has a side plate bent from the front plate along a side surface of the housing, and the side plate is provided with a cutout at least at a position facing the bent piece. The push button switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The push button switch according to claim 6, wherein the side plate is provided with a projecting piece projecting below a lower surface of the bent piece, and the projecting piece can be inserted into the printed circuit board.