JP2007323971A - Switch mechanism of electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switch mechanism of electronic equipment with small number of components, low cost, and having an excellent operation feeling. <P>SOLUTION: The switch mechanism of the electronic equipment has a switch spring 32 and a regulating part 36 which is engaged with a tip part 33 of the switch spring 32 and regulates a bending direction position of the switch spring constructed in one body with a switch plate 30a continuing from the base part 31 of the switch spring 32. The switch spring 32 has an action part 35 installed in the middle of the base part 31 and the tip part 33 of the switch spring 32 and a connecting part 34 with a circuit terminal part 51 installed in the middle of the tip part 33 and the action part 35. The connecting part 34 is connected to the circuit terminal part 51 by energizing a pushing force of the action part 35 in the direction of the circuit terminal part 51 and releasing engagement of the regulating part 36 and the tip part 33, and when the pushing force of the action part 35 is released, connection of the circuit terminal part 51 and the connecting part 34 is released by the elasticity of the switch spring 32 and the switch spring 32 is returned to an initial position before it is energized by the pushing force. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch structure of an electronic device. Specifically, the present invention relates to a switch structure in which a switch spring having a connection portion connected to a circuit terminal portion and a restriction portion for restricting the position of the switch spring are integrally formed.

  The electronic device is provided with input means operable from the outside in order to perform an ON / OFF operation of the electronic device. As an input means, a method of operating a switch mechanism by pressing an input button, pulling out, rotating, or the like is common. In particular, portable small electronic devices are required to be able to perform an input operation reliably, not to be erroneously input when being carried, and to have a switch mechanism having a good operational feeling.

  As a switch mechanism that meets such requirements, a switch lever that is rotatably arranged on the machine frame and that is operated by pushing an external operation member, a pin that is arranged on the machine frame, and a contact part of the circuit block are in contact with each other. The switch lever has an elastic portion, and has a protrusion at the tip of the elastic portion for generating an operational feeling depending on the presence or absence of engagement with the pin. 2. Description of the Related Art An electronic timepiece having a switch mechanism that is pressed and twisted toward a circuit block by movement is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, in a key switch that operates a push button type switch mounted on a printed wiring board via a key top disposed on the switch, a columnar shape is formed at the center of the lid in a covered cylinder having a relatively large pressing portion. A key top provided with an actuator standing up, a cylindrical cushioning material including a columnar portion of a covered cylinder and a push button type switch, one end of which is fitted in the covered cylinder, and the other end abutted against the printed wiring board The switch structure comprised from these is known (for example, refer patent document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-98065 (pages 3, 4 and 1) JP-A-8-17285 (page 2, FIG. 1)

  In Patent Document 1, such a switch mechanism has at least a switch lever and a pin for restricting the rotation of the switch lever, and has a problem that the number of parts increases. In addition, it is trying to achieve a good operational feeling depending on whether the switch lever and the pin are engaged or not, but it is required to process the mutual position and shape of these components with high precision, resulting in high costs. Can be considered.

  Furthermore, since the switch lever rotates along the machine frame, it is estimated that a space that can be rotated is required and it is difficult to reduce the size.

  According to Patent Document 2, a general-purpose switch having a good operation feeling is fixed on a printed wiring board by soldering or the like, and a key top for operating the general-purpose switch is provided. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of parts increases and space efficiency deteriorates.

  Furthermore, it is necessary to assemble the key top and the general-purpose switch with high accuracy, and the mounting accuracy of the general-purpose switch on the printed wiring board and the processing accuracy of the columnar actuator of the key top are also required.

  Further, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, an electronic device having a plurality of each switch mechanism is equipped with the required number of blocks of the switch mechanism. For this reason, the number of parts is further increased, resulting in an increase in cost and an increase in occupied space, which makes it difficult to reduce the size.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a switch mechanism of an electronic device that has a small number of parts, a low cost, and has a good operation feeling, with the gist of solving the above-described problems.

  The switch mechanism of the electronic device according to the present invention includes a switch spring, a restricting portion that engages with a tip end portion of the switch spring and restricts a position in a bending direction of the switch spring, and a base body on which a base portion of the switch spring is continuous. The switch spring includes a working portion provided in the middle of the switch spring base and the tip portion, and a connection portion between the tip portion and the circuit terminal portion provided in the middle of the base portion. And urging the action portion in the direction of the circuit terminal portion to release the engagement between the restricting portion and the tip portion, and connecting the connection portion to the circuit terminal. When the pushing force is released, the connection between the circuit terminal portion and the connecting portion is released by the elastic force of the switch spring, and the switch spring is returned to the initial position before the pushing force is urged. Features and That.

  According to the present invention, since the switch spring and the restricting portion for restricting the position of the switch spring are integrally formed, the switch spring and the restricting portion as the main functional parts can be formed in the same manufacturing process. Position accuracy can be increased. In addition, since the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the above-described prior art, there is an effect that the cost can be reduced.

  Further, although described in detail in an embodiment described later, a pressing force is urged in the direction of the circuit terminal portion to release the engagement between the restricting portion and the tip end portion of the switch spring, and the connection portion of the switch spring is Because it is connected to the circuit terminal, there is a large difference in the reaction force of the switch spring until the connection is released after the engagement is released and the connection to the circuit terminal portion after the engagement is released. A good operational feeling can be obtained.

  Furthermore, by appropriately setting the pressing force (corresponding to the reaction force of the switch spring) required for releasing the engagement between the restricting portion and the tip of the switch spring, it is possible to reduce the malfunction of the switch input. There is also an effect.

  Further, the restricting portion is bent from the substrate body in a cross-sectional direction, and at the tip end portion of the restricting portion that is bent, the restricting portion is engaged with the tip end portion of the switch spring, and a pressing force is applied to the action portion. When energized, it is preferable that torsional deflection occurs in the restricting portion.

  As described above, when the bent tip portion of the restricting portion and the tip portion of the switch spring are engaged, when the pressing force is applied to the acting portion of the switch spring, the switch spring In addition to bending in the urging direction, twisting deformation occurs in the restricting portion. Therefore, even when an excessive pushing force is urged, the engagement is released by the above-described deformation of both, so that the switch spring and the restricting portion can be prevented from being destroyed, and the appropriate moderation feeling can be set. There is an effect that it is easy to remove.

  In addition, when the tip of the restricting portion is engaged with the tip of the switch spring and when the pressing force is further urged, the sliding of the tip of the switch spring is continuous with the corner. It is preferable that a moving surface is provided and the sliding surface extends in a pressing force biasing direction.

  If it does in this way, since the corner | angular part is formed in the control part and this corner | angular part and the front-end | tip part of a switch spring are engaged, the position of a switch spring can be controlled reliably.

  The switch spring is biased until it is connected to the circuit terminal portion after the engagement with the corner portion is released, and by releasing the push force, the switch spring returns to the initial position by the elastic force of the switch spring. At this time, since the sliding surface described above extends in the direction in which the pressing force is applied, the tip of the switch spring moves along the sliding surface. The shift of the connection position can be reduced.

  Further, when the switch spring returns to the initial position, the tip of the switch spring slides on the sliding surface extending in the pressing force biasing direction (that is, the return direction of the switch spring). Since no resistance is generated in addition to the frictional force due to this sliding, the switch spring can be reliably returned to the initial position.

Further, it is desirable that the corner portion is smoothly rounded.
In this way, since the engagement between the switch spring and the corner portion of the restricting portion can be smoothly released, a switch mechanism with excellent durability can be realized without using a lubricant or the like in the engaging portion.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that the said control part is extended in the beam shape from the said board | substrate body to the outer peripheral direction.

  By forming the restricting portion in this way, the shape of the restricting portion can be simplified. Furthermore, it is possible to realize a reduction in thickness as compared with the structure in which the restricting portion described above is bent from the substrate body in the cross-sectional direction.

  Further, in the structure in which the restricting portion extends in the form of a beam from the substrate body in the outer peripheral direction, the tip of the restricting portion is engaged with the tip of the switch spring, and a pressing force is applied to the action portion. When the urging force is applied, it is desirable that the restricting portion bends in the extending direction of the tip end portion of the switch spring.

  With such a structure, the reaction force against the switch spring is weakened by bending of the restricting portion, so that an excessive pushing force is urged in the same manner as the structure in which the restricting portion is bent from the substrate body in the cross-sectional direction. Even in such a case, there is an effect that permanent deformation of the switch spring and the restricting portion can be prevented, and that an appropriate moderation feeling can be easily set.

  In addition, it is preferable that a protrusion is formed on the action portion, and a pressing force is applied to the protrusion to release the engagement between the restriction portion and the tip portion.

  As a means for biasing the pressing force, for example, a button as an external operation member can be considered. The buttons include push buttons and slide buttons. In the present invention, since the projecting portion is provided on the action portion of the switch spring, both the push button that biases the apex of the projecting portion and the slide button that biases the side surface of the projecting portion can be handled. In the structure employing the slide button, the stroke of the button is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bending direction of the switch spring, which contributes to downsizing of the electronic device.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of pairs of the switch spring and the restricting portion are formed on the substrate body.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of pairs of switch mechanisms including switch springs and restricting portions are integrally formed on a common substrate body. Therefore, a plurality of switch mechanisms can be provided without increasing the number of components, and an increase in cost can be prevented, and further downsizing can be realized with space efficiency.

  In addition, since a plurality of pairs of switch mechanisms (switch springs and restricting portions) can be formed in the same manufacturing process, it is possible to reduce variations in pressing force and operational feeling for each switch mechanism.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 7 show the first embodiment, FIGS. 8 and 9 show the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 shows the switch mechanism according to the third embodiment.
(Embodiment 1)

  1 is a plan view showing a switch mechanism of an electronic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial front view of FIG. 1 viewed from the direction of a push button, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of a switch plate 30. FIG. 1 to 3, the electronic device 1 is disposed in a switch mechanism including a switch spring 32 and a regulating portion 36 that are formed integrally with a switch plate 30 mounted in the housing 10, and a lower portion of the switch mechanism. And a circuit board 50 on which an electronic circuit (not shown) is mounted.

  The casing 10 is provided with a button insertion hole 10a that communicates the inside and outside of the casing 10, and is provided with a push button 20 as an external operation member that is inserted through the button insertion hole 10a.

  The push button 20 has a bowl-shaped head 20a that protrudes to the outer peripheral side of the housing 10, a switch spring pressing portion 20c that contacts the switch spring 32, and a button shaft 20b that continues the head 20a and the switch spring pressing portion 20c. Are formed in steps. The switch spring pressing portion 20 c is provided so as to protrude from the inside of the housing 10.

  A button return spring 21 that urges the push button 20 toward the outside of the housing 10 is provided inside the head 20 a of the push button 20, and the button return spring 21 is held by a spring seat 22. A ring-shaped packing 23 is press-fitted between the button shaft 20b and the thin tube portion of the button insertion hole 10a, and the water tightness around the button insertion hole 10a is maintained. A button fixing seat 24 is provided in the vicinity of the switch spring pressing portion 20 c of the push button 20, and holds the push button 20 so as not to drop out of the housing 10.

  The push button 20 urges the switch spring 32 with a pushing force from the direction of arrow A in the figure by a pushing operation. When the button operation is stopped (that is, when the hand is released from the push button), the button return spring 21 returns to the initial position (the state shown in FIG. 1) by the elastic force.

The switch spring 32 is a plate-like spring member formed on the outer peripheral portion of the switch plate 30, is bent downward in the cross-sectional direction from the base portion 31, and extends along the outer periphery of the switch plate 30. . The switch spring 32 includes an action portion 35 that is in contact with the switch spring pressing portion 20c of the push button 20 provided in the middle in the longitudinal direction between the tip portion 33 and the base portion 31, and a circuit between the action portion 35 and the tip portion 33. And a connection portion 34 connected to a circuit terminal portion 51 provided on the substrate 50. Between the action part 35, the connection part 34, and the front-end | tip part 33, the connection part 34 is bent and formed so that it may protrude in the circuit terminal part 51 direction. It is desirable that the top of the connecting portion 34 is smoothly rounded. And the front-end | tip part 33 cross | intersects the front-end | tip part of the control part 36 (refer FIG. 2).
Note that the arrangement position of the connecting portion 34 is not limited to the present embodiment as long as it is between the base portion 31 and the tip end portion 33 of the switch spring 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the restricting portion 36 has a lower section in the vicinity of the distal end portion 33 of the switch spring 32 of the switch plate body 30 a as a substrate body (main body portion of the switch plate 30) continuous with the base portion 31. It is bent in the direction. The restricting portion 36 includes a corner portion 37 that restricts the position of the distal end portion 33 of the switch spring 32 in the bending direction, and a sliding surface 38 that continues to the corner portion 37, and the sliding surface 38 is a push button. It is extended so that it may become substantially parallel to the urging | biasing direction of the pressing force by 20. FIG.

  The state shown in FIG. 1 shows an initial state before the push button 20 is pushed, and the switch spring 32 urges the push button 20 outward by an elastic force. Therefore, the connection portion 34 and the circuit terminal portion 51 are in a state where there is a gap (electrical connection is opened).

  The circuit terminal portion 51 is a part of a lead pattern formed on the circuit board 50 on which a circuit element (not shown) is mounted, and an input pattern electrically connected to the circuit element extends to the side surface of the circuit board 50. Existed and formed.

  The circuit board 50 is disposed on the upper surface of the machine casing 2, and the switch board 30 is disposed on the upper surface side of the circuit board 50 (see FIG. 2). The machine frame 2, the circuit board 50, and the switch plate 30 are assembled by being accurately positioned by being inserted into a common guide shaft (not shown). An example is shown in FIG. A plurality of guide holes 39 shown in FIG. 3 are inserted into the guide shaft described above.

Next, the overall shape of the switch plate 30 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an outline of the overall shape of the switch plate 30. Here, when the switch spring and the restricting portion formed at the same place are a pair of switch mechanisms, FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration in which four pairs of switch mechanisms are formed. In FIG. 4, the switch spring 32 and the restricting portion 36 are configured in the lower right direction, the switch spring 132 and the restricting portion 136 in the upper right direction, the switch spring 232 and the restricting portion 236 in the upper left direction, and the switch in the lower left direction. A spring 332 and a restricting portion 336 are formed.

The detailed shape of the restricting portion will be further described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing the shape of the restricting portion 36 according to this embodiment. FIG. 5A shows a specific example 1 and FIG. 5B shows a second example. In the first embodiment (FIG. 5A), the corner portion 37 in a range where the tip portion 33 of the switch spring 32 of the restricting portion 36 is engaged is smoothly rounded.

  Further, in the second embodiment (FIG. 5B), the protruding portion 36a is further extended from the sliding surface 38 within the range where the tip portion 33 of the switch spring 32 of the restricting portion 36 is engaged, and the corner portion 37 Smoothly rounded in position.

  The shape of the corner according to the first and second embodiments described above is set to a shape that can obtain an appropriate reaction force when the position of the switch spring 32 is restricted and when the restriction is released in the process of the button operation described with reference to FIG.

  Further, the size of the sliding surface 38 is set to a size within a range in which a contact area with the tip 33 of the switch spring 32 can be secured in the button operation process shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. .

The switch plate 30 is made of a metal excellent in elasticity and electrical conductivity, and is formed by pressing. A method for manufacturing the switch mechanism of this embodiment will be briefly described.
First, although not shown in the figure, the switch springs and the restricting portion are collectively formed by pressing into a shape in which each switch spring and the restricting portion are developed on the same plane. At this time, a guide hole is also formed.

  Subsequently, the switch spring and the restricting portion are bent in the cross-sectional direction to form the switch plate 30 in which the switch spring and the restricting portion have a predetermined shape. And a plating process is performed in order to improve electroconductivity and corrosion resistance. Therefore, even if it has a plurality of pairs of switch mechanisms as shown in FIG. 4, it can be formed in the same manufacturing process as when a pair of switch mechanisms are provided.

Next, the operation of the switch mechanism according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 is a partial plan view showing stepwise the operation of the switch mechanism accompanying the button pressing operation. 6A shows an initial state before the push button 20 is pressed. In the switch spring 32, the action portion 35 is in contact with the switch spring pressing portion 20 c of the push button 20, and the push button 20 is urged toward the outside of the housing 10 by the elastic force of the switch spring 32. At this time, the distal end portion 33 of the switch spring 32 and the corner portion 37 of the restricting portion 36 are slightly separated from each other. The connecting portion 34 has a sufficient distance from the circuit terminal portion 51.

  Subsequently, the push button 20 is pushed. FIG. 6B shows a state in which the push button 20 is pushed until just before the distal end portion 33 of the switch spring 32 is disengaged from the corner portion 37 of the restricting portion 36. As shown in the figure, the connection part 34 and the circuit terminal part 51 are also separated from each other at this time.

  Further, when the push button 20 is pressed, the tip 33 of the switch spring 32 is disengaged from the corner 37 of the restriction 36 as shown in FIG. The connection part 34 is connected to the circuit terminal part 51 by sliding along the line 38. In the present embodiment, the switch spring 32 is electrically GND. Accordingly, the switch input (switch ON) is made in a state where the connection portion 34 is connected to the circuit terminal portion 51.

Next, the relationship between the stroke of the push button 20 in each state shown in FIG. 6 and the reaction force received by the action portion 35 of the switch spring will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 7 is a graph schematically showing the relationship between the stroke of the push button and the reaction force received by the action portion of the switch spring. Reference is also made to FIG. The horizontal axis represents the stroke of the push button 20, and the vertical axis represents the reaction force. In FIG. 7, when the stroke is 0 (position of the stroke S ₀ ), that is, in the state shown in FIG. 6A, the switch spring 32 urges the push button 20 outward. There is a reaction force.

The position of the stroke S ₁ indicates a position where the tip end portion 33 contacts the corner portion 37 of the restricting portion 36. As for the reaction force at this time, only the elastic force of the simple leaf spring of the switch spring 32 becomes the reaction force (indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure).

Further, when the push button 20 is pushed, the switch spring 32 becomes a both-end support beam shape having the distal end portion 33 and the base portion 31 as fixed ends, and the reaction force increases rapidly. Then, (the state of FIG. 6 (b)) immediately before the reaction force at the (positions of the stroke S ₂₎ is composed of a maximum of the engagement of the distal end portion 33 and the corner portion 37 is released.

When the distal end portion 33 is released from the engagement with the corner portion 37, the reaction force due to the friction between the distal end portion 33 and the sliding surface 38 and the reaction force due to the deflection of the main body of the switch spring 32 are added. until the value (the position of the stroke S ₃₎ sharply decreases.

Moreover, when pushing the push button 20, a state of FIG. 6 (c), the connecting portion 34 comes into contact with the circuit terminal portion 51 (the stroke S ₄ position). At this time, the reaction force slightly increases as the connecting portion 34 contacts the circuit terminal portion 51.

  In the series of pressing operations of the push button 20 described above, the moment when the engagement is released from the state in which the pressing force (reaction force is peak) that releases the engagement between the tip portion 33 and the corner portion 37 is urged. In a short time, the connecting portion 34 moves to a position where it is connected to the circuit terminal portion 51. Accordingly, the operation of the push button 20 provides a modest operation feeling (click feeling).

And releasing the pushing force of the button 20 pressed in a state in which the switch input is ON (the position of the stroke S _5), since the bias of the pushing force of the switch spring 32 is released, the elastic force of the switch spring 32 As a result, the push button 20 and the switch spring 32 themselves return to the initial positions shown in FIG. The connection between the connection part 34 and the circuit terminal part 51 is released and the switch is turned off. At that time, since the elastic force for returning the switch spring 32 to the initial position is much larger than the reaction force due to the friction between the tip portion 33 and the sliding surface 38, the switch spring 32 quickly returns to the initial position. The push button 20 is also returned to the initial position by the button return spring 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the restricting portion 36 has a large ratio between the length and the cross-sectional area, and the cross-sectional shape is set so as to increase the ratio between the thickness and the width. The torsional deflection occurs in the process from the engagement of the distal end portion 33 of 32 to the disengagement. In addition, it is designed so that torsional deflection occurs even in the process in which the tip 33 slides on the sliding surface 38 (when the pushing force is applied and when the tip portion 33 returns to the initial position). Therefore, the load when the switch spring 32 returns to the initial position is reduced.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment described above, the switch spring 32 and the restricting portion 36 that restricts the position of the distal end portion 33 (including the connecting portion 34) of the switch spring 32 are integrally formed. Since the switch spring 32 and the restricting portion 36 as the parts can be formed in the same manufacturing process, the accuracy of the mutual position can be increased. In addition, since the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the above-described prior art, there is an effect that the cost can be reduced.

  Further, a pressing force is applied to the action portion 35 of the switch spring 32 in the direction of the circuit terminal portion 51 to release the engagement between the restricting portion 36 and the tip end portion 33 of the switch spring 32, thereby connecting the connection portion 35 to the circuit terminal portion. Connect to 51. Therefore, there is a large difference in the reaction force of the switch spring 32 between the time until the engagement is released and the time after the engagement is released until the circuit terminal portion 51 is connected, thereby obtaining a good operational feeling with moderation. be able to.

  Further, by appropriately setting the pressing force (corresponding to the reaction force of the switch spring) required for releasing the engagement between the restricting portion 36 and the distal end portion 33 of the switch spring 32, the malfunction of the switch input is reduced. There is also an effect that it becomes possible.

  Further, by engaging the distal end portion of the restricting portion 36 that is bent and the distal end portion 33 of the switch spring 32, when the pressing force is urged to the action portion 35 of the switch spring 32, the switch spring 32. Bends in the urging direction of the pressing force and twists and bends in the restricting portion 36. Therefore, even when an excessive pushing force is urged, the engagement is released by the above-described deformation of both, so that it is possible to prevent the switch spring 32 and the restricting portion 36 from being broken, and further, an appropriate moderation feeling. There is an effect that it becomes easy to set.

  Moreover, since the corner | angular part 37 engaged with the front-end | tip part 33 of the switch spring 32 is formed in the front-end | tip part of the control part 36, the position of the switch spring 32 can be controlled reliably. Further, when the pressing force is urged, the sliding surface 38 that is continuous with the corner portion 37 and on which the tip portion 33 of the switch spring 32 slides extends in the urging direction of the pressing force. Since the position of the distal end portion 33 of the spring 32 in the longitudinal direction is regulated by the sliding surface 38, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the position of the connecting portion 35 in the longitudinal direction.

  Further, when the switch spring 32 returns to the initial position, the tip end portion 33 of the switch spring 32 slides and moves on the sliding surface 38 extending in the pressing force biasing direction. Since no resistance is generated in addition to the frictional force, the switch spring 32 can be reliably returned to the initial position.

  Further, by smoothly rounding the corner portion 37 of the restricting portion 36, the engagement between the distal end portion 33 of the switch spring 32 and the corner portion 37 of the restricting portion 36 can be smoothly performed. A switch mechanism with excellent durability can be realized without using a lubricant or the like.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of pairs of switch mechanisms including switch springs and restricting portions are formed on the switch plate 30. Therefore, a plurality of switch mechanisms can be provided integrally without increasing the number of parts, cost increase can be prevented, and space-saving downsizing can be realized.

  Furthermore, since a plurality of switch mechanisms (switch springs and restricting portions) can be formed in the same manufacturing process, it is possible to reduce variations in pressing force and operational feeling for each switch mechanism.

Note that, in such an electronic device having a plurality of switch mechanisms, the pressing force and the operational feeling may be changed for each switch mechanism. Even in such a case, it is possible to easily realize a desired pressing force and operational feeling by appropriately setting the elastic force of the switch spring 32 and the amount of engagement between the restricting portion 36 and the distal end portion 33 of the switch spring 32. Can do.
(Embodiment 2)

Subsequently, a switch mechanism according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the restricting portion 36 is bent in the cross-sectional direction from the switch plate 30 in the first embodiment, whereas the restricting portion protrudes from the switch plate in the outer peripheral direction (push button direction). It has a special feature. Since the structure of the push button is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the switch mechanism of the electronic device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a partial front view of FIG. 8 viewed from the push button direction. The description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. In addition, common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  8 and 9, the switch spring 42 is a plate-like spring member formed on the outer peripheral portion of the switch plate 40, and is bent downward in the cross-sectional direction from the base portion 41, along the outer periphery of the switch plate 40. Has been extended. The switch spring 42 includes an action portion 45 that contacts the switch spring pressing portion 20c of the push button 20 provided in the middle in the longitudinal direction between the tip portion 43 and the base portion 41, and a circuit board 50 between the action portion 45 and the tip portion 43. And a connection part 44 connected to the circuit terminal part 51 provided in the circuit board. Between the action part 45, the connection part 44, and the tip part 43, the connection part 44 is bent and formed in a dogleg shape so as to protrude in the direction of the circuit terminal part 51. It is desirable that the top of the connecting portion 44 be smoothly rounded. The distal end portion 43 intersects the distal end portion of the restricting portion 46.

  The restricting portion 46 protrudes in the outer peripheral direction at the distal end position of the switch spring 42 of the switch plate body 40 a as a substrate body (main body) continuous to the base portion 41. The restricting portion 46 has a corner portion 47 that restricts the position of the distal end portion 43 of the switch spring 42 in the bending direction, and a sliding surface 48 that continues to the corner portion 47, and the sliding surface 48 is a push button. 20 is a side surface portion extending so as to be substantially parallel to the direction in which the pressing force of 20 is applied.

  In FIG. 8, the initial state before the push button 20 is pushed is indicated by a solid line, and the switch spring 42 urges the push button 20 outward by an elastic force. Accordingly, the connection portion 44 and the circuit terminal portion 51 are in a state where there is a gap (electrical connection is opened).

The overall shape of the switch plate 40 will be described. Although illustration is omitted, also in the switch mechanism in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 4) described above, when the switch spring and the restricting portion at the same place are a pair of switch mechanisms, a plurality of pairs are provided. A switch mechanism is formed.
Further, the corner portion 47 in the range of engaging with the distal end portion 43 of the switch spring 42 of the restricting portion 46 is smoothly rounded.

  Next, the operation of the switch mechanism according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, since the shape of the restricting portion 46 is only different from that of the first embodiment described above, FIG. 6 is also referred to. A state indicated by a solid line in FIG. 8 indicates an initial state before the push button 20 is pressed. In the switch spring 42, the action portion 45 is in contact with the switch spring pressing portion 20 c of the push button 20, and the push button 20 is urged toward the outside of the housing 10 by the elastic force of the switch spring 42. At this time, the tip end portion 43 of the switch spring 42 and the corner portion 47 of the restricting portion 46 are slightly separated from each other. The connecting portion 44 has a sufficient distance from the circuit terminal portion 51.

  Further, when the push button 20 is pressed, the distal end portion 43 of the switch spring 42 is disengaged from the corner portion 47 of the restricting portion 46, and the connection portion 44 is connected to the circuit terminal portion 51. When the connection portion 44 is connected to the circuit terminal portion 51 (represented by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 8), the switch input (switch ON) is performed.

  When the pushing force to the push button 20 is released with the switch input turned on, the urging force of the pushing force to the switch spring 42 is released, so that the push button 20 and the switch spring 42 are moved by the elastic force of the switch spring 42. It returns to the initial position represented by the solid line. The connection between the connection unit 44 and the circuit terminal unit 51 is released, and the switch input is turned off. At that time, since the elastic force for returning the switch spring 42 to the initial position is much larger than the reaction force due to the friction between the tip portion 43 and the sliding surface 48, the switch spring 42 quickly returns to the initial position. The push button 20 is also returned to the initial position by the button return spring 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the restricting portion 46 is formed in a thin beam shape having a large ratio of the length to the cross-sectional area, and therefore the corner portion 47 and the tip end portion 43 of the switch spring 42 are engaged. In the process until the engagement is released, bending in the direction away from the distal end portion 43 occurs. Further, it is designed so that the same bending occurs in the process in which the tip portion 43 slides on the sliding surface 48 (when the pressing force is applied and when the tip portion 43 returns to the initial position). Therefore, the load when the switch spring 42 returns to the initial position is reduced.

  Therefore, according to Embodiment 2 mentioned above, the shape of the control part 46 can be simplified by extending the control part 46 from the switch board 40a to the outer peripheral direction in the shape of a beam. Furthermore, since the restricting portion 46 extends from the switch plate body 40a in the planar direction and engages with the distal end portion 43 of the switch spring 42 at the distal end portion of the restricting portion 46, a reduction in thickness can be realized.

Further, even when an excessive pushing force is applied as in the first embodiment, in which the restricting portion 46 extends in a beam shape from the switch plate body 40a in the outer circumferential direction, the switch spring 42 and the restricting portion 46 can be prevented from being permanently deformed, and further, it is easy to set an appropriate sense of moderation.
(Embodiment 3)

  Subsequently, a switch mechanism according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The third embodiment is characterized in that the shape of the switch spring is devised so that a slide button can be used in addition to using the push button 20 as shown in the first and second embodiments as an external operation member. Have. This structure can be used for both the restricting portions 36 and 46 and the switch springs 32 and 42 of the first embodiment or the second embodiment described above, but here, a case where the structure is applied to the first embodiment is illustrated. I will explain. Note that description of parts common to the first embodiment is omitted.

10A and 10B are plan views showing the switch mechanism according to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 10A shows the state before the switch input operation, and FIG. 10B shows the state of the switch input operation.
First, the structure of the switch mechanism according to this embodiment will be described. 10 (a) and 10 (b), the electronic device 1 is provided with a switch mechanism including a switch spring 32 and a restricting portion 36 in the housing 10 and an electronic circuit (not shown) disposed below the switch mechanism. And the circuit board 50 formed.

  The casing 10 is provided with a button insertion hole 10a that communicates the inside and outside of the casing 10, and a slide groove 11 provided in the circumferential direction of the casing 10 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the button insertion hole 10a. A slide button 60 is mounted in the slide groove 11.

  In the slide button 60, a switch spring pressing portion 61 and a switch spring relief portion 62 that protrude to the inside of the housing 10 are continuously formed, and a groove that facilitates a sliding operation is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing 10. A provided operation unit 63 is formed. The slide button 60 is attached to the housing 10 by the slide button holding spring 65 so as to be movable in the outer peripheral direction of the housing 10 along the slide groove 11, and urges the switch spring 32 by a sliding operation.

  The switch spring 32 is provided with a protrusion 35a at a position corresponding to the action portion 35 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In the present embodiment, the protruding portion 35a is formed in a hemispherical shape, and is disposed on the opposite side of the circuit terminal portion 51, that is, in the direction in which the slide button 60 is provided.

  Next, the operation of the switch mechanism in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 10A shows a state before the switch input operation. The protrusion 35a of the switch spring 32 is located at the position of the switch spring relief 62 of the slide button 60, and the protrusion 35a and the slide button 60 are not in contact with each other. Therefore, the connection part 34 of the switch spring 32 and the circuit terminal part 51 are separated and not connected (switch input OFF state).

  Subsequently, the slide button 60 is moved in the arrow A direction as shown in FIG. Then, the projection 35a of the switch spring 32 is pushed by the inclined surface portion 66 between the switch spring pressing portion 61 and the switch escape portion 62 of the slide button 60, and the switch spring 32 is gradually bent. The front end portion 33 of the switch spring 32 is urged against the corner portion 37 of the restricting portion 36.

  When the slide button 60 is further moved in the direction of arrow A, the switch spring pressing portion 61 reaches the top of the projection 35 a of the switch spring 32 and presses the switch spring 32. The connection part 34 of the switch spring 32 and the circuit terminal part 51 are connected and a switch is input. In the course of this operation, the engagement between the distal end portion 33 of the switch spring 32 and the corner portion 37 of the restricting portion 36 is released, so the difference in reaction force to the switch spring 32 at the time of release and after release is large ( A good moderation feeling can be obtained in the switch input operation.

  By moving the slide button 60 in the direction of arrow B (to the position shown in FIG. 10A), the switch spring 32 returns to the initial position by its own elastic force.

  In addition, by providing a protrusion or a recess that engages with either one of the slide button 60 and the slide button holding spring 65 along the slide direction of the slide button 60, before overcoming the protrusion or the recess. In addition, a slide switch mechanism having a sense of moderation can be configured by the difference in load due to the elastic force of the slide button holding spring after getting over.

Moreover, this embodiment can also employ the push button 20 as in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 described above. In this case, the switch spring pressing portion 20c of the push button 20 may be brought into contact with the protruding portion 35a. As described above, when the push button 20 is employed as the external operation member, the switch spring 32 may be provided with a protrusion at the tip of the switch spring pressing portion 20 without providing the protrusion.
In this way, the contact position deviation between the switch spring pressing portion 20c and the projection 35a (corresponding to the action portion 35) does not occur, and the friction load at the time of contact can be reduced.

  Such a protrusion 35a can be formed simultaneously when the switch spring 32 and the restricting portion 36 are processed into a developed shape by pressing or the like, and the number of manufacturing steps is not increased.

  Therefore, according to the third embodiment described above, since the projection 35a is provided at a position corresponding to the action portion of the switch spring 32, the push button 20 that is biased from the apex of the projection 35a (see FIG. 1). It is possible to correspond to both of the slide buttons 60 urged from the side surface of the protruding portion 35a. In the structure employing the slide button 60, the stroke of the slide button 60 is substantially perpendicular to the bending direction of the switch spring 32, that is, the direction along the outer periphery of the housing 10.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved.
For example, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the push button 20 or the slide button 60 as an external operation member is provided in the outer peripheral direction of the electronic device 1 and a switch mechanism corresponding to these arrangements is provided. However, each may be configured to be disposed above or below the plane of the electronic device 1.

  The switch mechanism of the present invention is effective as an input mechanism for an electronic device that performs an input operation from the outside, particularly an electronic watch or a portable small electronic device.

  Therefore, according to the first to third embodiments, it is possible to provide a switch mechanism for an electronic device that has a small number of components, a low cost, and a good operational feeling.

The top view which shows the switch mechanism of the electronic device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The partial front view which looked at FIG. 1 from the push button direction. The perspective view which shows a part of switch board concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. The top view which shows the outline of the whole shape of the switch board which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The fragmentary perspective view which shows the shape of the control part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a fragmentary top view which shows operation | movement of the switch mechanism accompanying the button press operation concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention in steps, (a) is an initial state before pressing a push button, (b) is a switch spring. (C) is a state in which the connecting portion is connected to the circuit terminal portion. The graph which shows typically the relationship between the stroke of the pushbutton which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the reaction force which the action part of a switch spring receives. The top view which shows the switch mechanism of the electronic device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The partial front view which looked at FIG. 8 from the push button direction. The top view which shows the switch mechanism which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic device, 30 ... Switch board, 30a ... Switch board body, 31 ... Base part of switch spring, 32 ... Switch spring, 33 ... Tip part of switch spring, 34 ... Connection part of switch spring, 35 ... Action of switch spring Part, 36 ... restriction part, 51 ... circuit terminal part.

Claims (8)

A switch spring and a restricting portion that engages with a tip portion of the switch spring and restricts a position in a bending direction of the switch spring are integrally formed with a base body in which a base portion of the switch spring is continuous,
The switch spring includes an action part provided in the middle of the base part of the switch spring and the tip part, and a connection part between a circuit terminal part provided in the middle of the tip part and the base part,
Urging the acting portion in the direction of the circuit terminal portion to release the engagement between the restricting portion and the tip portion, and connecting the connecting portion to the circuit terminal;
When the pressing force to the action part is released, the initial position before the pressing force is applied to the switch spring while releasing the connection between the circuit terminal part and the connection part by the elastic force of the switch spring. A switch mechanism for electronic equipment characterized by being restored to In the switch mechanism of the electronic device according to claim 1,
The restricting portion is bent from the substrate body in a cross-sectional direction, and the bent portion of the restricting portion is engaged with the distal end portion of the switch spring and biases the acting portion. When this is done, a torsional flexure occurs in the restricting portion. In the switch mechanism of the electronic device according to claim 1 or 2,
When the tip of the restricting portion engages with the tip of the switch spring, and when the pressing force is further urged, the sliding surface is continuous with the corner and the tip of the switch spring slides. And the sliding surface extends in the direction in which the pressing force is urged. In the switch mechanism of the electronic device according to claim 3,
A switch mechanism for an electronic device, wherein the corner portion is smoothly rounded. In the switch mechanism of the electronic device according to claim 1,
The switch mechanism of an electronic device, wherein the restricting portion extends in a beam shape from the substrate body in an outer peripheral direction. In the switch mechanism of the electronic device according to claim 5,
The restriction portion bends in the extending direction of the tip portion of the switch spring when the tip portion of the restriction portion is engaged with the tip portion of the switch spring and a pressing force is applied to the action portion. The electronic device switch mechanism. In the switch mechanism of the electronic device according to claim 1,
A protrusion is formed on the action part,
A switch mechanism for an electronic device, wherein a pressing force is applied to the protrusion to release the engagement between the restricting portion and the tip portion. In the switch mechanism of the electronic device as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7,
A switch mechanism for an electronic device, wherein a plurality of pairs of the switch spring and the restricting portion are formed on the substrate body.

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