JP2006019112A - Water proof pushbutton switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waterproof pushbutton switch device, where a thickness of the case can be as thin as possible, the cost can be reduced by simplicity of a shape of an elastic member in the shape of a cylinder, incorporating work of the elastic member in the shape of a cylinder can be performed easily, and intrusion of water or a foreign object into a through hole of the case can be prevented, and furthermore, press operation of a pushbutton can be allowed even when the pushbutton is used in the water of a relatively high water pressure. <P>SOLUTION: An elastic member 5 in the shape of a cylinder, which is placed between a case 1 and a pushbutton 3, is formed from an elastic material such as a silicone rubber so that the initial shape is cylindrical. In a state that the waterproof pushbutton switch device has been assembled, the elastic member 5 is pressed from top to bottom and compressed to some extent, and the outside shape of the elastic member 5 bulges in the peripheral direction to some extent. Therefore, in the state, the elastic member 5 is crimped to the outer surface of the case 1, the lower surface of the pushbutton 3, and the peripheral surface of a shaft 4 being between the case 1 and the pushbutton 3. This seals a through hole 2 of the case 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof pushbutton switch device.

  In a conventional waterproof pushbutton switch device, basically a three-stage through-hole of large diameter, medium diameter and small diameter is formed in the casing from the outside to the inside, and the inside of the large-diameter through-hole A part of the push button is placed on the push button, the push button shaft is movably inserted into the small diameter through hole, a retaining ring is attached to the end of the push button shaft, and the push hole is inserted into the medium diameter through hole. There is one in which one end portion of a cylindrical elastic member is arranged and the other end portion of the cylindrical elastic member is stored in a storage portion provided in a push button (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-352626 (FIGS. 3 to 7)

  In this case, the elastic member is for making the through-hole of the housing waterproof and returning the push button to the initial position. And in the elastic member of FIGS. 3-5 of patent document 1, it is a substantially cylindrical shape with non-uniform | heterogenous pressure, Comprising: It has a protrusion part in the one end part inner surface, and has a collar part in the other end part outer surface. In the initial state, a gap is formed between a part of the shaft of the push button. The elastic member shown in FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a non-uniform thickness and a structure having a protrusion on the inner surface in the axial direction center. A gap is formed between a part. The elastic member shown in FIG. 7 of Patent Document 1 has a structure in which the wall thickness is substantially constant and the cross section is substantially C-shaped. In the initial state, there is a gap between a part of the shaft of the push button. Is formed.

  By the way, in the waterproof pushbutton switch device described in Patent Document 1, basically, a through-hole having a three-stage structure having a large diameter, a medium diameter, and a small diameter is not formed in the casing from the outside to the inside. Therefore, when the casing is made of metal, the processing of the through hole is troublesome, and when it is made of resin, the shape of the mold becomes complicated. There was a problem.

  Moreover, in the waterproof pushbutton switch device described in Patent Document 1, the shape of the cylindrical elastic member is complicated and expensive, and basically, one end of the cylindrical elastic member is connected to the medium-diameter through hole. It is placed inside, the other end is housed in the housing provided in the push button, and a part of the push button is placed in the large-diameter through hole, so that the final assembled state of the elastic member can be visually confirmed. There is a problem that the work of assembling the elastic member is troublesome.

  Moreover, in the waterproof pushbutton switch device described in Patent Document 1, since a part of the pushbutton is disposed in the large-diameter through hole, a gap between the inner wall surface of the large-diameter through-hole and the pushbutton is provided. If water such as seawater or foreign matter such as dust or sand enters through it, the intruded moisture or foreign matter remains difficult to be discharged naturally and may cause deterioration of the elastic member. There was a problem of becoming.

  Furthermore, in the waterproof pushbutton switch device described in Patent Document 1, since a gap is formed between the cylindrical elastic member and a part of the pushbutton shaft in the initial state, the water pressure is relatively low. When used in high water, there is a problem that the elastic member is crushed and brought into close contact with the shaft of the push button, making it impossible to press the push button.

  Therefore, the present invention can reduce the thickness of the casing as much as possible, can simplify the shape of the cylindrical elastic member, reduce the cost, and incorporate the cylindrical elastic member. Can be easily performed, moisture and foreign matter can be prevented from entering the through-hole of the housing, and the push button can be pressed even when used in water with relatively high water pressure. An object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof pushbutton switch device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a housing having a through hole, a push button having an axis disposed outside the housing and movably inserted in the through hole of the housing, and the push button. It is provided between the button and the casing, and is provided with a cylindrical elastic member provided with a through hole in which the shaft of the push button is press-fitted and movably inserted. Is.

  According to the present invention, the push button and the cylindrical elastic member are disposed on the outside of the casing, and the through hole through which the shaft of the push button is movably inserted may be formed in the casing. The thickness can be made as thin as possible. Further, since the cylindrical elastic member only needs to have a through hole into which the shaft of the push button is press-fitted and movably inserted, the shape of the cylindrical elastic member is simple and the cost can be reduced. Further, since the cylindrical elastic member only needs to be disposed outside the casing instead of in the through hole of the casing, the assembling work of the cylindrical elastic member can be easily performed. Moreover, since the through-hole of the housing can be made waterproof with an elastic member arranged outside the housing, moisture and foreign matter can be prevented from entering the through-hole of the housing. Furthermore, since the shaft of the push button is press-fitted into the through hole of the cylindrical elastic member so as to be movable, the elastic member is not easily deformed even when used in water with a relatively high water pressure. So that the push button can be pressed in much the same way as on land.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a waterproof pushbutton switch device as a first embodiment of the present invention. As an example, this waterproof push button switch device is incorporated in a waterproof case (housing 1) made of a metal such as stainless steel or a resin such as polypropylene that covers a digital camera (not shown), and functions as a shutter button or the like. A push button 3 having a shaft 4, a cylindrical elastic member 5, a switch 12 provided on a circuit board 11, and the like are provided.

  Among these, the casing 1 is provided with a through hole 2 having the same diameter. The push button 3 has a disc shape, and a cylindrical shaft 4 is formed at the center of the lower surface thereof. The push button 3 including the shaft 4 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel or a resin such as polypropylene. Here, the diameter of the through hole 2 of the housing 1 is slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft 4 of the push button 3.

  The cylindrical elastic member 5 is initially formed in a cylindrical shape having a size somewhat smaller than the size of the push button 3 by an elastic material such as silicone rubber. In this case, the initial diameter of the through-hole 6 formed in the central portion of the elastic member 5 is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the shaft 4 of the push button 3. As an example, the diameter of the shaft 4 of the push button 3 It is about 1/2.

  The shaft 4 of the push button 3 is press-fitted into the through hole 6 of the elastic member 5 and inserted through the through hole 2 of the housing 1 so as to move up and down. A groove 7 is provided at the tip of the shaft 4 disposed in the housing 1, and an E-ring 8 for preventing the removal is attached to the groove 7.

  In the initial state shown in FIG. 1, the elastic member 5 having an initially cylindrical shape is compressed from the vertical direction to some extent and the outer shape is inflated to some extent in the peripheral direction. Therefore, in this state, the elastic member 5 is pressed against the upper surface of the housing 1, the lower surface of the push button 3, and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 4 existing between the housing 1 and the push button 3. 1 through-hole 2 has a waterproof structure.

  The push button 3 is urged upward together with the shaft 4 by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 5 compressed to some extent from the vertical direction, but the E-ring 8 is brought into contact with the inner surface of the housing 1. Thus, the upper limit position, that is, the initial position is set.

  The switch 12 provided on the circuit board 11 is disposed in the housing 1 at a position facing the tip of the shaft 4 of the push button 3. The switch 12 includes a case 13 provided on the circuit board 11. An opening 14 is provided at the center of the upper plate of the case 13. The head of the key top 15 disposed in the case 13 so as to be movable up and down protrudes above the case 13 through the opening 14. Below the key top 15, a dome-shaped movable contact 16, an external fixed contact 17 arranged to be electrically connected below the outer peripheral portion of the movable contact 16, and an internal fixed contact 18 arranged below the center of the movable contact 16. Is provided.

  And in this waterproof type pushbutton switch apparatus, if the pushbutton 3 is pressed, the axis | shaft 4 will descend | fall and the elastic member 5 will be compressed suitably accordingly. The descending shaft 4 presses the central portion of the movable contact 16 via the key top 15, and the central portion of the pressed movable contact 16 is elastically deformed and comes into contact with the internal fixed contact 18. And the external fixed contact 17 are brought into conduction through the movable contact 16 and are turned on.

  On the other hand, when the pressing force on the push button 3 is released, the elastic member 5 returns to the initial state by its own elastic force, and accordingly, the push button 3 rises together with the shaft 4 to return to the initial position. . In addition, the movable contact 16 returns to its initial state by its own elastic force, and accordingly, the key top 15 rises and returns to the initial position, and the movable contact 16 is separated from the internal fixed contact 18 and turned off. It becomes a state.

  As described above, in this waterproof pushbutton switch device, the pushbutton 3 and the cylindrical elastic member 5 are disposed outside the housing 1, and the shaft 4 of the pushbutton 3 is movably inserted into the housing 1. The through-hole 2 having the same diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft 4 of the push button 3 may be formed in the housing 1 so that the thickness of the housing 1 can be made as much as possible. Can be thinned. As a result, when the casing 1 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel, the through hole 2 having the same diameter can be formed relatively easily. When the casing 1 is formed of a resin such as polypropylene, the mold The shape can be simplified.

  Moreover, since the cylindrical elastic member 4 should just have the through-hole 6 by which the axis | shaft 4 of the pushbutton 3 is press-fitted and movably penetrated, making the initial shape of the elastic member 4 into a mere cylindrical shape. Therefore, the shape of the elastic member 4 is simple and the cost can be reduced. Moreover, since the cylindrical elastic member 5 should just be arrange | positioned not in the through-hole 2 of the housing | casing 1 but on the housing | casing 1, the assembly operation | work of the cylindrical elastic member 5 can be performed easily. That is, the shaft 4 of the push button 3 is press-fitted into the through hole 6 of the elastic member 5 and then inserted, and then the elastic member 5 is appropriately compressed while being inserted through the through hole 2 of the housing 1. An E-ring 8 may be attached to the groove 7 of the shaft 4 arranged in the body 1, and the assembling work of the cylindrical elastic member 5 can be easily performed.

  Moreover, since the through-hole 2 of the housing 1 has a waterproof structure by the elastic member 5 arranged outside the housing 1, moisture and foreign matter can be prevented from entering the through-hole 2 of the housing 1. . In other words, since the elastic member 5 is disposed outside the housing 1, even if moisture or foreign matter adheres to the elastic member 5, the attached moisture or foreign matter can be easily removed. It is possible to prevent the elastic member 5 from being deteriorated due to the adhesion of foreign matter.

  Further, since the shaft 4 of the push button 3 is press-fitted into the through-hole 6 of the cylindrical elastic member 5 so as to be movable, the cylindrical elastic member 5 is used even when used in water with a relatively high water pressure. However, it is difficult to deform, and the initial shape can be maintained. Therefore, the push button 3 can be pressed almost in the same manner as on land.

  Further, since the shaft 4 of the push button 3 is press-fitted into the appropriately compressed through hole 6 of the elastic member 5, the elastic member 5 serves as a support for the shaft 4, and the resistance force against the load from the lateral direction of the shaft 4 is increased. Even if a certain amount of overload is applied to the push button 3 from the lateral direction, the shaft 4 can be prevented from being broken at the fulcrum portion (the portion inserted through the through hole 2 of the housing 1).

  Further, when the elastic member 5 is formed of self-lubricating silicone rubber, the frictional resistance between the elastic member 5 and the shaft 4 is reduced, and the pressing operation of the push button 3 can be made smooth. Further, when the push button 3 including the shaft 4 is made of self-lubricating polypropylene, the frictional resistance between the elastic member 5 and the shaft 4 is further reduced, and the push operation of the push button 3 is further smoothed. be able to.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a main part of a waterproof pushbutton switch device as a second embodiment of the present invention. In this waterproof pushbutton switch device, the difference from the case shown in FIG. 1 is that the elastic member 5 is formed by two-color molding to have a two-layer structure including a lower elastic layer 5a and an upper elastic layer 5b, and the lower elastic layer 5a This is a point formed by an elastic material having a lower hardness than the elastic layer 5b. As an example, the lower elastic layer 5a is formed of silicone rubber having a hardness of 10 to 30 Hs, and the upper elastic layer 5b is formed of silicone rubber having a hardness of 40 to 60 Hs.

  In this case, the initial shapes of the lower elastic layer 5a and the upper elastic layer 5b are cylindrical. In addition, the thickness of the lower elastic layer 5a in this initial shape only needs to exhibit the function described later, and does not need to be too thick. For example, the thickness is about 1/3 of the thickness of the upper elastic layer 5b. Yes. In the initial state shown in FIG. 2, by applying a certain amount of pressure from above and below, only the lower elastic lower elastic layer 5 a is compressed to the maximum extent, and the upper hard elastic layer 5 b is hardly compressed. The original shape is maintained.

  When assembling this waterproof pushbutton switch device, the shaft 4 of the pushbutton 3 is press-fitted into the through hole 6 of the elastic member 5 and then inserted into the through hole 2 of the housing 1. The lower elastic layer 5a having hardness is compressed to the maximum extent and the upper elastic layer 5b having high hardness is slightly compressed, and then the E-ring 8 is attached to the groove 7 of the shaft 4 disposed in the housing 1.

  In this case, the lower elastic lower elastic layer 5a is more easily deformed than the upper hard upper elastic layer 5b, and the lower elastic layer 5a has a lower hardness, so that the frictional resistance between the lower elastic layer 5a and the shaft 4 is reduced. In addition, the work of assembling the elastic member 5 can be performed more easily. Further, in the assembled state, the lower elastic lower elastic layer 5a is almost maximally compressed, so that the lower elastic layer 5a has a large force to return to the initial state by its own elastic force, and the lower elastic layer The adhesion of the layer 5a to the outer surface of the housing 1 is improved, and as a result, the waterproof effect can be improved.

  When the pushbutton 3 is pressed by this waterproof pushbutton switch device, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower hardness lower elastic layer 5a is compressed almost as much as possible from the beginning, so that the rest is almost Only the high hardness upper elastic layer 5b is appropriately compressed without being compressed. In this case, friction is generated between the shaft 4 and the elastic member 5, and the deformation amount of the elastic member 5 tends to increase at the lower part thereof, but the lower elastic layer 5 a has low hardness, The frictional resistance with the shaft 4 is reduced, and the pressing operation of the push button 3 can be made even smoother.

  Here, in the case shown in FIG. 1, when the pressing force on the push button 3 is released, the frictional resistance between the shaft 4 and the elastic member 5 is relatively large. It may float in a compressed state, resulting in poor waterproofing. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, when the pressing force on the push button 3 is released, as shown in FIG. 3, only the hard upper elastic layer 5b is restored to its initial state by its own elastic force. However, since the frictional resistance between the lower elastic lower elastic layer 5a and the shaft 4 is reduced, the lower elastic layer 5a does not float up, and therefore does not have a waterproof failure.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a main part of a waterproof pushbutton switch device as a third embodiment of the present invention. In this waterproof pushbutton switch device, the difference from the case shown in FIG. 2 is that the pushbutton 3 including the shaft 4 is made of resin such as polypropylene, and the retaining projection 9 is formed at the tip of the shaft 4. This is the point. In this case, since the E-ring 8 shown in FIG. 2 is not necessary, the number of parts is reduced accordingly, and the cost can be reduced.

  When assembling this waterproof pushbutton switch device, the shaft 4 including the protrusion 9 for retaining the pushbutton 3 is press-fitted into the through hole 6 of the elastic member 5, and then the through hole of the housing 1 is inserted. It is only necessary to press-fitting into 2 and insert it, and the retaining projection 9 disposed in the housing 1 is brought into contact with the inner surface of the housing 1, so that the assembling work can be performed more easily.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a main part of a waterproof pushbutton switch device as a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this waterproof pushbutton switch device, the difference from the case shown in FIG. 2 is that the casing 1 is made of a resin such as polypropylene and the outer surface of the casing 1 bites into the lower elastic layer 5a of the elastic member 5 This is the point that the protrusion 10 is formed to improve the waterproof effect.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the main part of a waterproof pushbutton switch device as a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this waterproof pushbutton switch device, the difference from the case shown in FIG. 1 is that the initial outer shape of the elastic member 5 is a reverse truncated cone shape. Also in this case, in the assembled state, the elastic member 5 having an initially inverted frustoconical shape is pressurized from the vertical direction and compressed to some extent, and the outer shape is inflated to some extent in the peripheral direction.

  In this waterproof pushbutton switch device, the lower step area of the elastic member 5 is smaller than the upper step area, so that the lower portion of the elastic member 5 is more easily deformed than the upper portion, and the lower portion of the elastic member 5 The tightening force on the shaft 4 is smaller than the upper part. As a result, when assembling, the lower part of the elastic member 5 is deformed more than the upper part, the frictional resistance between the lower part of the elastic member 5 and the shaft 4 is reduced, and as a result, the assembling work can be performed more easily. it can.

  Further, when the push button 3 is pressed by the waterproof push button switch device, the lower portion of the elastic member 5 is deformed more than the upper portion, and the frictional resistance between the lower portion of the elastic member 5 and the shaft 4 is increased. Is reduced, and as a result, the pressing operation of the push button 3 can be made even smoother. In addition, when the pressing force on the push button 3 is released, the elastic member 5 does not float up and therefore does not cause a waterproof failure.

(Other embodiments)
For example, in FIG. 2, the lower elastic layer 5a and the upper elastic layer 5b may be separate parts. Further, in FIG. 6, the initial outer shape of the elastic member 5 is gradually reduced from the push button 3 side toward the housing 1 side as shown in FIG. It may be a bulging shape.

Sectional drawing of the waterproof pushbutton switch apparatus as 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the waterproof type pushbutton switch apparatus as 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing shown in order to demonstrate the state by which the pushbutton shown in FIG. 2 was pressed. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the waterproof type pushbutton switch apparatus as 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the waterproof type pushbutton switch apparatus as 4th Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the waterproof type pushbutton switch apparatus as 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing | casing 2 Through-hole 3 Push button 4 Axis 5 Elastic member 6 Through-hole 8 E ring 12 Switch

Claims (13)

  A casing having a through-hole, a push button disposed outside the casing and having a shaft movably inserted into the through-hole of the casing, and compressed between the push button and the casing. And a cylindrical elastic member having a through-hole through which the shaft of the push button is press-fitted and movably inserted.   The invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a switch that is turned on when the push button is pressed is provided in a position facing the tip of the shaft of the push button in the housing. Waterproof pushbutton switch device.   2. The waterproof pushbutton switch device according to claim 1, wherein the through holes of the casing have the same diameter.   2. The waterproof pushbutton switch device according to claim 1, wherein an initial diameter of the through hole of the elastic member is smaller than a diameter of the shaft of the pushbutton.   2. The waterproof pushbutton switch device according to claim 1, wherein an initial shape of the elastic member is a cylindrical shape.   6. The waterproof pushbutton switch device according to claim 5, wherein the hardness of the lower part of the elastic member is lower than the hardness of the upper part.   The waterproof pushbutton switch device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member includes an upper elastic member and a lower elastic member having a hardness lower than that of the upper elastic member.   8. The waterproof pushbutton switch device according to claim 7, wherein an initial shape of the upper elastic member and the lower elastic member is a cylindrical shape.   The waterproof pushbutton switch according to claim 1, wherein an initial outer shape of the elastic member is a shape in which a cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the pushbutton side toward the housing side. apparatus.   10. The waterproof pushbutton switch device according to claim 9, wherein an initial outer shape of the elastic member is a reverse truncated cone shape.   The waterproof pushbutton switch device according to claim 1, wherein a ring-shaped protrusion that bites into the elastic member is formed on an outer surface of the housing.   2. The waterproof push-button switch device according to claim 1, wherein an E-ring for retaining is attached to a tip portion of the shaft of the push button. The waterproof pushbutton switch device according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion for retaining is formed at a tip portion of the shaft of the pushbutton.

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