JP2005259587A - Push switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a push switch offering a good operation feeling by suppressing wobbling of a slider even in the presence of a clearance. <P>SOLUTION: The push switch comprises: a casing 2 having a guide portion for holding the slider 1 to be movable vertically; a movable contact 4 for giving an elastic force to allow the slider 1 to return to a neutral position; and a contact portion 4b and a fixed contact 3a that come in contact with and separate from each other upon a pressing operation and a releasing operation on the slider 1. A groove 2b having a V-shaped cross section extending along the direction of movement is provided in at least either one of a side surface of the slider 1 and an inner surface of the casing 2 facing toward the side surface, and a projection 1c that is formed in the same shape as the groove 2b and that is to be guided in contact with the groove 2b is provided in the other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a push switch that turns a switch circuit on and off by pressing a slider such as an operation member guided by a casing.

  Conventionally, a protrusion is provided on the outer peripheral side of the operation member, and the operation member is pressed using a groove provided on the inner surface of the casing as a guide for the operation member, and the movable contact and the fixed contact accommodated in the casing are separated from each other and pressed. The configuration of Patent Document 1 is known as a push switch that is returned to the initial position by the return member when the release is released, and this is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

  In these drawings, reference numeral 21 denotes an operation knob as a whole. The operation knob 21 includes a knob 22 and a slider 23 each made of a synthetic resin molded product. The knob 22 is formed in a box shape having an opening on the lower surface. A projection 22a is formed at the center of the lower surface of the top plate, and holes 22b are formed in opposite side walls on the short side. On the other hand, the slider 23 is formed in a frame shape that opens up and down, and convex portions 23a are formed on opposite side walls on the short side, and a ridge 23b extending in the vertical direction at the center of all the side walls. Is provided. The knob 22 and the slider 23 are joined and integrated by snapping the protrusion 23a into each hole 22b. A pair of bridging pieces 24, 24 are provided between the opposing side walls on the long side of the slider 23 so as to bridge the upper portions of the two, and between the bridging pieces 24, 24. Almost the same interval as the width dimension of the drive rod 15 is defined. Further, engaging protrusions 24a and 24a are provided on the opposite side walls of the bridging pieces 24 and 24, respectively. The operation knob 21 and the drive rod 15 are engaged with both engaging protrusions 24a and 24a. The projections 22a are joined to and integrated with each other by being engaged with the mating grooves 15a and the protrusions 22a coming into contact with the upper end of the drive rod 15.

  Reference numeral 25 denotes a frame, and the frame 25 is placed and fixed at a predetermined position of the printed circuit board using appropriate means such as fusion. Guide rods 25a extending in the vertical direction are formed on all inner surfaces of the frame body 25, and the sliders 23 and the knobs 22 integrated with the sliders 23b are moved by moving the projections 23b through the guide rods 25a. Is held so as to be vertically movable with respect to the frame body 25.

In addition, 11 is a push switch, 12 is a printed circuit board, 13 is a terminal, and 14 is a casing.
JP-A-2-73023

  In such a conventional push switch, in order to move the slider 23 up and down within the frame body 25, some clearance is required between the outer surface of the slider 23 and the inner surface of the frame body 25.

  However, if there is this clearance when the slider 23 is moved up and down by pressing the upper surface of the operation knob 21 with a finger, the slider 23 moves up and down smoothly without being caught, but it tends to wobble and the operation feel is poor. there were.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a push switch that can provide a guide when moving by suppressing the rattling of the slider even if there is a clearance, and can improve the operation feeling.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the push switch according to the present invention includes a slider, a casing having a guide portion that holds the slider so as to be movable up and down, and a return that applies an elastic force to return the slider to an initial position. A movable contact and a fixed contact that are separated from each other in accordance with a member, a pressing operation of the slider, and a releasing operation thereof; a predetermined position on the outer surface of the slider; and a predetermined position on the inner surface of the casing facing the position At least one of them is provided with a groove portion having a V-shaped cross section extending along the moving direction, and the other is formed in the same shape as the groove portion, and the V-shaped groove portion is formed in accordance with the vertical movement of the slider. It has the top part which contact | abuts with a top part, and has the structure which provided the protrusion guided by the said groove part.

  With such a configuration, the slider is guided without any clearance in any direction on the plane orthogonal to the moving direction of the slider, so that rattling is suppressed. Therefore, the operation feeling is improved.

  In the push switch according to the above-described invention, a pair of the groove portions or the protrusion portions are provided on the side surfaces facing each other centering on the axis of the slider.

  With this configuration, the slider comes into contact with the upper and lower portions of the slider, and the stability of the guide is further increased.

  In the push switch of the above-mentioned invention, a pair of the groove or the protrusion is provided on the side surface in the orthogonal direction with the axis of the slider as the center.

  With this configuration, it is difficult to press the slider vertically and it is difficult to tilt the slider in a predetermined direction, but since a guide configuration consisting of a groove and a protrusion is provided in an orthogonal arrangement, The slider can be guided smoothly without tilting in any direction. Guidance is possible with an inclination caused by variation in assembly and the like, which is simple.

  In the present invention, the slider is guided in any direction without any clearance on a plane orthogonal to the moving direction of the slider. Therefore, the operation feeling is improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the push switch of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a cross-sectional view showing a non-pressed state of a push switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a pressed state of the push switch shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the push switch shown in FIG. Note that the tilt and clearance of the slider are shown larger than the actual values in the drawing.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the push switch of this embodiment has a rectangular shape in a plan view (shape of a surface orthogonal to the moving direction), and is made of a synthetic resin molded product, etc. It is formed into a square box shape with an upper surface opened. At the center of the bottom plate 1a of the slider 1, an operating portion 1b is projected, and the upper surface of the operating portion 1b is attached with another drive member (not shown) or a knob (not shown) and pressed with a finger. Further, on the four side surfaces of the slider 1, projecting portions 1c are respectively provided along the moving (vertical) direction. In other words, the center P of the slider 1 when viewed in plan is the axis, and the slider 1 is disposed at a position facing each other and at a position orthogonal to each other. Each of the protrusions 1c has a tip having a V-shaped cross section with inclined surfaces 1d and 1d.

  Reference numeral 2 denotes a casing, and the casing 2 is fixed to a predetermined position of the pudding substrate 3 by using an appropriate means such as fusion. The casing 2 is formed in a rectangular frame shape with upper and lower surfaces open, and projecting step portions 2a are provided along the moving direction on the four outer surfaces, and are moved to the inner side surfaces corresponding to the projecting step portions 2a. Groove portions 2b are formed along the direction. Each groove portion 2b has a bottom surface formed in a V-shaped cross section by inclined surfaces 2c and 2c. Therefore, the bottom of the groove 2b and the tip of the protrusion 1c are formed in the same shape, and when they are combined, the V-shaped inclined surfaces 1d and 2c are brought into close contact with each other.

  There is a clearance between the side surface of the slider 1 and the inner side surface of the casing 2 so that the slider 1 can be pressed smoothly. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the distance between the apexes of both protrusions 1c protruding from the opposite side surfaces of the slider 1 is between the bottoms of both groove portions 2b formed on the opposite inner side surfaces of the casing 2. The clearance is also formed between the protrusion 1c and the groove 2b.

  And if the slider 1 is located in the center in the casing 2, even if the protrusion part 1c of the slider 1 exists in the groove part 2b of the casing 2, both are not contacting. When the slider 1 is pressed, the slider 1 is pushed down while being tilted. Therefore, the upper end of the protrusion 1c is pressed against the opposing groove 2b and guided while closely contacting the V-shaped portion. The lower end of the side projection 1c is pressed against the opposing groove 2b and guided while closely contacting the V-shaped portion.

  The movable contact 4 is composed of a dome-shaped rubber portion 4a (corresponding to a return member) and a contact portion 4b made of a conductive material provided above the inner surface of the rubber portion 4a. The rubber portion 4 a is housed and held in the casing 2 with the 4 b facing two fixed contacts 3 a formed on the printed circuit board 3. And the contact part 4b contacts / separates the two fixed contacts 3a by the press and release of the rubber part 4a.

  The lid body 7 is formed of a metal plate, blocks the opening of the casing 2 and prevents the slider 1 from popping out.

  Next, the operation of the push switch will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. When the slider 1 is not activated (initial state), as shown in FIG. 1, the slider 1 is in the casing 2 and is movable. It is located above by the elastic force of the contact 4. Each protrusion 1 c of the slider 1 is located in the groove 2 b of the casing 2. And there is a clearance between the side surface of the slider 1 and the inner flange surface of the casing 2, and there is also a clearance between the protrusion 1c and the groove 2b.

  In this state of FIG. 1, the pressing position R of the slider 1 and the center Q of the rubber part 4a, that is, the position where the restoring force is applied to the slider 1 are the same due to variations in the pressing position or variations in installation during assembly. There is nothing wrong. Further, even if they coincide with each other, when pressing against the elastic force applied by the rubber portion 4a, the slider 1 moves linearly along the deviation of the movement trajectory, that is, the vertical line. This is difficult, and considering the deformation state of the rubber part 4a, it is almost unthinkable that the consistent state is maintained even with movement. Accordingly, when the slider 1 is pressed and moved from the state shown in FIG. 1, an elastic force is applied to the slider 1 at a position deviating from the movement line of the pressing position R of the slider 1, and the slider 1 has a clearance. It tilts in any direction around its axis. For example, when the upper side of the slider 1 is tilted leftward in FIG. 1, the upper end of the inclined surface 1d of the protruding portion 1c on the left side surface of the slider 1 is pressed against the opposing groove 2b as shown in FIG. In this case, the protrusion 1c on the right side is guided while being in close contact with the V-shaped inclined surface 2c by pressing the lower end of the inclined surface 1d against the opposing groove 2b. (See FIG. 3). And the top part 2e where the top part 1e of the protrusion 1c and the pair of inclined surfaces 2c of the groove part 2b intersect comes into contact.

  In the state of FIG. 3, since the left and right protrusions 1c and the groove 2b are in contact, the slider 1 has the inclined surfaces 1d and 1d of the left and right protrusions 1c and the inclined surfaces 2c and 2c of the groove 2b in a wedge shape. In FIG. 3, the slider 1 is guided in the left-right direction and is also guided in the up-down direction, so that rattling of the slider 1 is suppressed. At this time, the slider 1 is hardly inclined in the vertical direction in FIG. 3, and the protrusion 1c does not contact the casing 2 that defines the groove 2b even if it is inclined in the horizontal direction in that state. Since the width of the portion 1c is set, the protrusion 2c orthogonally arranged (up and down) and the casing 2 that defines the groove 2b in FIG. 3 are not in contact with each other.

  Further, in FIG. 3, when the slider 1 is inclined in the direction of the upper and lower protrusions 2c and the groove 2b, for example, the upper end of the inclined surface 1d of the protrusion 1c on the slider 1 is formed on the opposite groove 2b, as described above. It is pressed and guided while being in close contact with the V-shaped inclined surface 2c, and at this time, the lower end of the inclined surface 1d of the lower protrusion 1c is pressed against the opposing groove 2b to form the V-shaped inclined surface 2c. It will be guided while in close contact.

  Moreover, the case where it inclines in another direction in FIG. 3 is demonstrated.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the angle θ on the opposite side to the center P side formed by the inclined surfaces 2c ′ and 2c ′ in FIG. 3 (2c ′ is given a sign for specifying the inclined surface 2c for convenience of description) is 180. The inclined surfaces 1d, 1d and 2c, 2c of one protrusion 1c and one groove 2b are set to 60 degrees so as to be less than 150 degrees, specifically 150 degrees. The inclined surfaces 1d, 1d and 2c, 2c are formed symmetrically about a line connecting the tops 1e, 2e and the center P. Now, for example, when this angle is 180 degrees, when the slider 1 is tilted in a direction perpendicular to the angle, it is conceivable that the protrusion 1c does not move along the groove 2b and the top 1e does not contact the top 2e. . When the angle exceeds 180 degrees, there is a possibility that the slider 1 is not guided because there is a predetermined angle range in which a component force is not generated so that the slider 1 moves in the direction of the apex 2e. On the other hand, in the case of less than 180 degrees as in the present embodiment, when the slider 1 is tilted in an arbitrary direction, the slider 1 is tilted until it comes into contact with any one of the adjacent groove portions 2b arranged at positions sandwiching the tilt direction. . Then, as described above, the force acting in the direction of the top portion 2e is inclined to the position where the top portions 1e and 2e are in contact with each other while being guided by the left and right protruding portions 1c and the groove portion 2b or the upper and lower protruding portions 1c and the groove portion 2b. It should be noted that, when the adjacent grooves 2b are in contact with each other at the same time and the weights are completely the same, it is assumed that neither of them moves, but in reality, this state may be maintained even with movement or the like. However, there is little problem in practice.

  2 and 3, the slider 1 is pushed down, the upper surface of the rubber portion 4a of the movable contact 4 is further pressed by the lower surface of the slider 1, and the contact portion 4b is pushed down.

  Then, when the pressing operation of the slider 1 is continued from the state shown in FIG. 2, the movable contact 4 is gradually pressed, the contact portion 4b comes into contact with the fixed contact 3a, and is turned on.

  Next, when the pressing of the slider 1 is released from the ON state, the slider 1 is pushed back to the state before the pressing by the rubber portion 4a, and the contact portion 4b is separated from the fixed contact 3a and becomes the OFF state. Then, the slider 1 returns to the inoperative state shown in FIG.

  Therefore, it is difficult to push the slider 1 vertically, and the slider 1 is pushed upward by the movable contact 4, so that the slider 1 is pushed down while being tilted. In this case, the slider 1 is tilted. Since the inclined surface 1d of the protrusion 1c and the inclined surface 2c of the groove 2b are brought into contact with each other, the slider 1 is guided in any direction on the surface orthogonal to the moving direction of the slider 1, and there is a dimensional clearance. However, tilting by the amount corresponding to the clearance can be suppressed. Therefore, the operation feeling is improved.

  In addition, it is difficult to press the slider 1 vertically, and it is difficult to tilt the slider 1 in a predetermined direction, but since a guide configuration including a groove and a protrusion is provided in an orthogonal arrangement, When the slider 1 is tilted in any direction, it can be guided without rattling, and the tilt caused by the variation in assembly is sufficient and simple.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view of a push switch according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  In this other embodiment, contrary to the above embodiment, the groove portion 5c is formed in the slider 5, and the protrusion 6a is formed in the casing 6 in an orthogonal arrangement.

  5a is a bottom plate of the slider 5, 5b is an operating portion provided on the slider 1, 5c is a V-shaped inclined surface formed on the bottom surface of the groove 5c, and 6b is a V-shaped inclined surface formed on the tip of the protruding portion 6a. Other configurations that are not particularly described are the same as those in the above embodiment.

  Even in such other embodiments, the same operational effects as the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

  In each of the above embodiments, only the protrusion is provided on the slider and only the groove is provided on the casing, or only the groove is provided on the slider and only the protrusion is provided on the casing. However, the groove is provided on one side of the slider. Forming a protrusion on the side surface opposite to the side surface, forming a protrusion on the inner surface of the casing facing the groove, and forming a groove on the inner surface of the casing facing the protrusion. May be.

  The rubber portion 4a corresponds to the return member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the slider may be returned by an elastic member such as a spring or rubber separately from the movable contact.

  Further, the example in which the movable contact is a dome-shaped rubber member and the fixed contact is arranged on the printed board has been described, but a push switch as shown in FIG. 6 may be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, the slider is rectangular, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be cylindrical.

  Further, in this embodiment, the center deviation caused by the assembling variation or the like is used, and the structure is guided regardless of the direction, but it is inclined in a fixed direction. Therefore, the center of the return member may be shifted from the pressing line. In that case, since the inclination in the predetermined direction is always accompanied with the pressing, it can be guided reliably. For example, when the center position of the return member is shifted in the extending direction of the center P and the top portion 2e, the direction is It suffices to provide a pair of protrusions and grooves formed on the surface. The structure can be easily achieved because the pressing position can be constant when pressing using another driving member. If it is assumed that the finger is pressed, the slider may be shifted from the position where the slider can be pressed. In that case, it will tilt in a predetermined direction regardless of which position the finger is pressed. It becomes possible to guide.

  In the present embodiment, in the initial state, the lower surface of the lid and the upper surface of the slider are in surface contact and start to tilt with the pressing from the horizontal state, but the return member is arranged to be shifted from the pressable range of the slider, Further, if the elastic force of the return member is set so that a predetermined load is applied even in the initial state, the slider can be tilted from the initial state and moved as it is. At this time, if the bottom surface of the lid body is tapered so that no gap is opened between the bottom surface of the lid body and the slider in the initial state, the posture at the initial position becomes more stable. In addition, since the clearance between the slider and the casing is substantially eliminated by tilting from the initial state, it is possible to suppress the generation of sound accompanying the movement of the slider even when vibration is applied. In order to prevent this, it is not necessary to apply more pressure to the return member.

  Actually, this inclination is slight, and there is almost no problem when the attached knob is small or when it is pressed by another driving member. For example, when a long knob is attached and used, the inclination is small. The operation knob may be attached integrally so that it will be vertical even if this occurs.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the guide is provided at two locations above and below the opposing side surfaces of the slider, the two protrusions and the groove are provided so as to face each other, but they may be provided only on one side.

It is sectional drawing which shows the non-pressing state of the push switch which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the press state of the push switch shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing seen from the A arrow direction of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the push switch shown in FIG. It is a top view of the push switch which concerns on the other Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the conventional push switch. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the push switch shown in FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slider 1c Projection part 2 Casing 2b Groove part 3 Printed circuit board 3a Fixed contact point 4 Movable contact point 4a Rubber part 4b Contact part

Claims (3)

A slider,
A casing having a guide portion for holding the slider so as to be movable up and down;
A return member for applying an elastic force to return the slider to the initial position;
The slider has a pressing operation, and a movable contact and a fixed contact that are separated from each other in accordance with the release operation,
At least one of a predetermined position on the outer surface of the slider and a predetermined position on the inner surface of the casing opposite to the position is provided with a groove portion having a V-shaped cross section extending along the moving direction, and the other A push that is formed in the same shape as the groove and has a top that abuts the top of the V-shaped groove as the slider moves up and down and is guided by the groove. switch.   2. The push switch according to claim 1, wherein a pair of the groove portions or the protrusion portions are provided on side surfaces opposed to each other centering on an axis of the slider. 2. The push switch according to claim 1, wherein a pair of the groove or the protrusion is provided on a side surface in an orthogonal direction with the axis of the slider as a center.

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