JP2005085655A - Push-button switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain the looseness of a push-button member of a push-button switch. <P>SOLUTION: A rib 22 extended in a pressing direction is fitted to a retainer of the push-button member pressing the switch, and a guide groove 24 is fitted to a housing member 12 for the rib 22 to be inserted into the groove in free sliding movement. The rib 22 is structured of free-fitting rib parts 22a, 22b sliding into the guide groove 24, and an insertion-coupling rib part 22c formed in a tapered shape so as to couple their side faces, and the guide groove 24 is formed in correspondence with the shape of the rib 22. At resetting of the switch, the insertion-coupling rib part 22c of the rib 22 is pressed to and insertion-coupled with an insertion-coupling guide groove 24c of the guide groove 24 by biasing force of the switch. With this, the looseness of the push-button member can be restrained at the resetting of the switch. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a push button switch, and more particularly to an improvement of a guide structure for guiding movement of a push button member in a pressing direction.

  Conventionally, a push button switch is known. For example, in an automotive air conditioner, a push switch is used to set various air conditioning modes.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-135186 (Patent Document 1). As shown in FIG. 7, the operating device includes an operating knob 50 that is moved and a switch case 52 into which the operating knob 50 is movably inserted, and a straight line that extends in the operating direction on the outer periphery of the operating knob 50. A guide groove 54 is provided, and a switch groove 52 is provided with a guide groove 56 in which the guide protrusion 54 is movably fitted. In this operation device, the guide protrusion 54 and the guide groove 56 guide the movement of the operation knob 50 in the operation direction, and a switch (not shown) is pressed.

  In this patent document 1, the guide convex portion 54 includes a first linear convex portion 54a having a width dimension D1 on the rear side and a second linear convex portion having a width dimension D2 wider than the width dimension D1 on the front side. 54b and an intermediate convex portion 54c formed by an inclined surface so as to connect the side surfaces thereof. Further, the guide groove 56 has a shape of a first linear groove portion 56a, a second linear groove portion 56b, and an intermediate groove portion 56c corresponding to the shape of the guide convex portion 54.

  In Patent Document 1, the guide structure has the shape as described above for the following reason. Usually, a slight gap is provided between the guide convex portion 54 and the guide groove 56 in order to reduce the sliding resistance of the operation knob 50. However, if the operation knob 50 and the switch case 52 are enlarged in the width direction, the operation knob 50 is likely to be rattled during operation. To prevent this, the size in the operation direction is increased and the rattling is increased. The distance between the time fulcrum and the action point is increased. Here, if the guide convex portion 54 and the guide groove 56 are longer than a certain length, a draft angle is required when molding the mold, and the width of the guide convex portion 54 and the guide groove 56 is smaller than the width of one end portion. As a result, the width of the other end is reduced. As a result, there is a problem that shakiness in the operation direction becomes large. Therefore, the operating device of Patent Document 1 is made in order to solve such a problem, and the first linear shape having such a length that it is not necessary to draw the guide convex portion 54 in the mold at the time of molding. The protrusion 54a and the second linear protrusion 54b are set to prevent the operation knob 50 from rattling.

JP 2001-135186 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, in order to prevent the occurrence of rattling, basically the length of the guide convex portion 54 in the operation direction must be increased. Therefore, there is a problem that the operating device itself cannot be reduced in size while suppressing rattling.

  Further, since there are gaps in the linear protrusions 54a and 54b in order to reduce the sliding resistance, it is not possible to suppress the occurrence of rattling in the gaps. Further, it is considered that a gap is provided between the intermediate convex portion 54c of the operating device and the corresponding intermediate groove portion 56c so that the operating knob 50 can reliably press the switch during operation. Therefore, rattling of the operation knob 50 cannot be suppressed when pushed. Further, at the time of return, the intermediate convex portion 54c and the intermediate groove portion 56c are separated from each other, so that the intermediate convex portion 54c and the intermediate groove portion 56c do not act to suppress rattling.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a pushbutton switch having a guide mechanism that effectively suppresses rattling.

  The pushbutton switch of the present invention is provided on one of a pushbutton member that presses a switch provided on a substrate, a housing member into which the pushbutton member is movably inserted, and an outer peripheral portion of the pushbutton member or an inner peripheral portion of the housing member. The rib that extends in the pressing direction of the push button member is provided, and a guide groove that extends in the pressing direction of the push button member and is slidably inserted is provided in the other of the outer peripheral portion of the push button member or the inner peripheral portion of the housing member. In the pushbutton switch that guides the movement of the pushbutton member in the pressing direction by the rib and the guide groove, the rib is loosely fitted in the guide groove, and the loosely-fitted rib portion that slides relative to the guide groove; And a fitting rib portion formed in a tapered shape, which is separated from the guide groove during the pressing operation and is pressed against the guide groove when the switch is restored.

  The push button switch according to the present invention is characterized in that loose fitting rib portions are formed at the front and rear portions of the rib and a fitting rib portion is formed at an intermediate portion thereof.

  According to the present invention, rattling of the push button member can be suppressed. In particular, rattling of the push button member can be suppressed when the switch is returned.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the shakiness of the push button member while reducing the size of the push button switch.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case where the pushbutton switch is applied as a switch for switching an air conditioning mode of an automotive air conditioner will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a push button switch according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the push button switch 1 includes a push button member 10 and a housing member 12 into which the push button member 10 is movably inserted. In the present embodiment, six push button members 10 are inserted into the housing member 12, and each push button member 10 is pressed, so that various air conditioning modes can be set.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the push button switch. In the present embodiment, the push button member 10 includes a retainer 14 and a front knob 16 that is fixed to the front side of the retainer 14. In the push button member 10, six openings are formed in the housing member 12, the retainer 14 is inserted from the back side of the opening, the front knob 16 is inserted from the front side, and the front knob is placed on the claws 18 on both sides of the retainer 14. The 16 claw holes 20 are hooked to assemble as an integral member.

  A rib 22 extending in the pressing direction of the push button member 10 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the retainer 14, and a guide groove 24 extending in the pressing direction of the push button member 10 and slidably inserted into the inner peripheral portion of the housing member 12. Provided, the movement in the pressing direction is guided by the rib 22 and the guide groove 24 by the pressing operation of the push button member 10. In the present embodiment, ribs 22 are provided at three locations on the both sides and top (or bottom) of the outer peripheral portion of the retainer 14, and 3 on both sides and top (or bottom) constituting each opening of the housing member 12. Guide grooves 24 are provided at the locations. A substrate 28 provided with a switch 26 is screwed to the rear end side of the housing member 12 with a screw 30. The switch 26 incorporates a spring or the like that returns the push button member 10 that presses the switch 26 to its original state. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a pusher 30 that pushes a switch 26 protruding from the inner surface of the retainer 14 is provided inside the retainer 14.

  That is, when the front knob 16 is pressed, the rib 22 of the retainer 14 slides in the guide groove 24, the pusher 30 of the retainer 14 presses the switch 26, and the on / off operation is executed. When the switch 26 is returned, the push button member 10 is pushed back to the original position by the biasing force of the spring applied to the switch 26. In the present specification, when the switch is returned, the switch 26 returns to the original position, and the pressing operation of the push button member 10 is released, and is linked to the on / off state of the operation by the switch 26. Also included when not linked.

  What is characteristic in the present embodiment is the configuration of the guide mechanism including ribs and guide grooves.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining the rib 22 and the guide groove 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the rib 22 of the present embodiment is loosely fitted in the guide groove 24, and is loosely separated from the guide groove 24 during the pressing operation, and the loosely-fitted rib portions 22 a and 22 b that slide with respect to the guide groove 24. The fitting rib portion 22c formed in a tapered shape is pressed against the guide groove 24 when the switch 26 is returned.

  The loose fitting rib portions 22a and 22b have a function of sliding the guide groove 24 and guiding the movement of the push button member 10 in the pressing direction. In the present embodiment, a front loose-fit rib portion 22 a is formed at the front portion of the rib 22, and a rear loose-fit rib portion 22 b is formed at the rear portion of the rib 22. The loose fitting rib portions 22a and 22b are constituted by linear ribs, and the width dimension D1 of the front loose fitting rib portion 22a is set to be smaller than the width dimension D2 of the rear loose fitting rib portion 22b (formed to be narrow). ), The loose-fitting rib portions 22a and 22b are extended with a substantially uniform width dimension across the front and rear. The fitting rib portion 22c is formed in a tapered shape so as to connect the side surfaces of the front loose fitting rib portion 22a and the rear loose fitting rib portion 22b. That is, the fitting rib portion 22 c is formed in a tapered shape that widens in the pressing direction of the push button member 10. The fitting rib portion 22 c has a function of suppressing rattling of the push button member 10 when the switch 26 is returned.

  Corresponding to the shape of the rib 22, the guide groove 24 is formed with a front loose-fitting guide groove part 24 a at the front part of the guide groove 24 and a rear loose-fitting guide groove part 24 b at the rear part. A fitting guide groove 24c having the same angle taper shape as the taper of the fitting rib portion 22c is formed so as to connect 24b. A slight gap is provided in the gap between the loose fitting rib portions 22a and 22b and the loose fitting guide groove portions 24a and 24b configured as described above in order to reduce sliding resistance during the pressing operation. In some cases, the fitting rib portion 22c is pressed against the fitting guide groove portion 24c. That is, the operation will be described. During the pressing operation, the loose fitting rib portions 22a and 22b slide in the loose fitting guide grooves 24a and 24b. At this time, since the fitting rib portion 22c is separated from the fitting guide groove portion 24c, sliding resistance can be suppressed during the pressing operation. When the switch 26 is returned, the fitting rib portion 22c is pressed against and fitted to the fitting guide groove portion 24c by the urging force of the switch 26, and rattling of the push button member 10 can be suppressed.

  Next, the operation of the push button switch 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a guide structure for explaining the operation of the pushbutton switch 1, FIG. 5 (a) is a diagram showing a state when the switch 26 is restored, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the state at the time of pressing operation.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the switch 26 is returned, the fitting rib portion 22 c of the rib 22 is pressed and fitted into the fitting guide groove 24 c of the guide groove 24 by the urging force of the switch 26. Yes. As a result, rattling of the push button member 10 can be suppressed or prevented when the switch 26 is returned.

  Next, when the front knob 16 of the push button member 10 is pressed during the pressing operation, the loose fitting rib portions 22a and 22b slide in the loose fitting guide grooves 24a and 24b. At this time, the fitting rib portion 22c is separated from the fitting guide groove portion 24c. Since the loose-fitting rib portions 22a and 22b of the present embodiment are formed in a straight line, they can be slid and moved while suppressing rattling during a sliding operation. Further, since the fitting rib portion 22c is separated from the fitting guide groove portion 24c during the pressing operation, the sliding resistance can be reduced.

  In this way, the push button member 10 pushes the switch 26 to turn on / off the switch 26. When the switch 26 returns, the push button member 10 is pushed back by the urging force of the switch 26 to return to the state of FIG. 5A, and the fitting rib portion 22c is pressed against the fitting guide groove portion 24c to be fitted. In addition, rattling of the push button member 10 can be suppressed.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view of the rib 32 showing another embodiment. Since the loose-fitting rib portion of the rib may be loosely fitted in the guide groove and slid in the guide groove, the loose-fitting rib portions 22a and 22b described above like the loose-fitting rib portions 32a and 32b shown in FIG. As a form in which the straight surface is cut out, a tapered fitting rib portion 32c may be formed in the middle. Also in this embodiment, it is possible to provide a push button switch that suppresses rattling.

  In addition, you may provide a loose-fitting rib part in the rear part or front part of a rib. Further, the taper shape of the fitting rib portion may not be a complete taper shape, and may be slightly curved.

  In the above embodiment, the push button member (retainer) is provided with a rib and the housing member is provided with a guide groove. However, the push button member may be provided with a guide groove and the housing member may be provided with a rib. In this case, the fitting rib portion of the rib is formed in a tapered shape whose width becomes narrower in the pressing direction.

  It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that when the deformation is performed as described above, the shape of the guide groove is also deformed corresponding to the shape of the rib within the scope of the present invention.

  It should be noted that the number, position, size, and the like of the ribs and guide grooves are not limited to the present embodiment and can be changed within the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the pushbutton switch of embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of a pushbutton switch. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is a top view for demonstrating a rib and a guide groove. It is sectional drawing of the guide structure part for demonstrating operation | movement of a pushbutton switch, Fig.5 (a) is a figure which shows the state at the time of switch return, FIG.5 (b) shows the state at the time of pressing operation. FIG. It is a top view of the rib which shows another form. It is a perspective view of the operating device which shows background art.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pushbutton switch, 10 Pushbutton member, 12 Housing member, 14 Retainer, 16 Front knob, 18 Claw, 20 Claw hole, 22 Rib, 22a Front loose fitting rib part, 22b Rear loose fitting rib part, 22c Fitting rib part, 24 Guide groove, 24a Front loose fit guide groove portion, 24b Rear loose fit guide groove portion, 24c Fit guide groove portion, 26 Switch, 28 Substrate, 30 Pusher, 32 Rib, 32a, 32b Loose fit rib portion, 32c Fit Rib part.

Claims (2)

A push button member for pressing a switch provided on the substrate;
A housing member into which the push button member is movably inserted;
One of the outer peripheral part of the push button member or the inner peripheral part of the housing member is provided with a rib extending in the pressing direction of the push button member, and the outer peripheral part of the push button member or the inner peripheral part of the housing member On the other hand, there is provided a guide groove that extends in the pressing direction of the push button member and into which the rib is slidably inserted.
The rib is loosely fitted into the guide groove and slides relative to the guide groove. The rib is separated from the guide groove during the pressing operation and is pressed against the guide groove when the switch is restored. A mating rib portion formed into a shape;
A push button switch characterized by comprising: In the pushbutton switch according to claim 1,
The pushbutton switch, wherein the loose fitting rib portions are formed at a front portion and a rear portion of the rib, and the fitting rib portions are formed at an intermediate portion thereof.

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