JP2008041325A - Switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote down-sizing and thinning, improvement of contact action reliability between terminals, degree of freedom of designing, life-prolongation, simplification of assembling, and reduction of manufacturing cost. <P>SOLUTION: The switch 1 is provided with a housing 2 in which at least two contacts 11a, 12a of stationary terminals 11, 12 are installed inside, a movable terminal 3 which is formed by bending a metallic wire and reciprocally moves accessibly and detachably to the contacts 11a, 12a of the stationary terminals 11, 12 inside the housing 2, an operation lever 5 which is retractably installed inside the housing 2 in order to make the movable terminal 3 reciprocally move, and a torsion spring that energizes the operation lever 5 to the outside of the housing 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch used in an electronic device or the like, and more particularly to a switch used in a small electronic device.

  Conventionally, small electronic devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, notebook computers, etc. have been provided with a switch to detect the presence or absence of a memory card or the opening / closing of a shutter lens. This switch operates an operation lever. Then, the on / off signal is electrically transmitted by moving the movable terminal between the fixed terminals.

As this type of conventional switch, for example, a switch having a movable terminal formed by superposing two leaf spring-shaped U-shaped spring pieces (see Patent Document 1), or provided at the end of a coil spring A switch having a structure in which the movable terminal is clamped by a leaf spring-like fixed terminal (see Patent Document 2), and the movable terminal supported in a cantilever manner are arranged opposite to each other so that they can be alternately contacted and separated from a pair of fixed terminals A switch having a structure (see Patent Document 3) is known.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-50174 JP 2001-229770 A JP 2006-100098 A

  However, the conventional switch described above has a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size and thickness of the switch because the movable terminal is held between fixed terminals or a leaf spring-shaped movable terminal is used.

  Further, since the contact pressure between the fixed terminal and the movable terminal is determined by the pushing force of the operation lever, there are problems that the contact pressure and the timing of contact become unstable, and that there is no degree of design freedom.

  Furthermore, when the operation lever is operated repeatedly, the spring is deformed, and there is a problem that the accuracy of the contact operation between the fixed terminal and the movable terminal and the durability of the spring are lowered.

  Furthermore, since high dimensional accuracy is required to stabilize the contact pressure between the fixed terminal and the movable terminal, there is a problem that it takes time for assembly work and it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost.

  Further, the above-described conventional switch may be applicable only to a switch in which a common terminal and an NO terminal are combined, and there is a problem that it is difficult to cope with diversification of switches.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can be reduced in size and thickness, improved in reliability of contact operation between terminals, and improved in design freedom, extended in life, and assembled. It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch capable of simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing the manufacturing cost.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a switch according to the present invention is formed by bending a metal wire and a housing in which contacts of at least two fixed terminals are provided, and the fixed terminal is provided inside the housing. A movable terminal that reciprocates in contact with and away from the contact, a control lever that is provided in the housing so as to reciprocate, and a torsion spring that biases the control lever to the outside of the housing It is characterized by having.

  The operation lever may include a cam mechanism that is rotatably provided with a shaft portion provided in the housing as a fulcrum, and that converts the rotation of the operation lever into the reciprocation of the movable terminal.

  The movable terminal may be sandwiched between the operation lever and the housing.

  Furthermore, the operation lever may be provided so as to be linearly movable by a pressing operation, or may be provided to be linearly movable by a slide operation.

  Furthermore, the fixed terminal may be composed of a common terminal and an NO terminal, and the movable terminal may come into contact with the NO terminal when the operating lever is moved into the housing.

  Further, the fixed terminal may be constituted by a common terminal and an NC terminal, and the movable terminal may be separated from the NC terminal when the operation lever is moved into the housing.

  Further, the fixed terminal includes a common terminal, an NC terminal, and a NO terminal, and when the operation lever is moved into the housing, the movable terminal is separated from the NC terminal and contacts the NO terminal. It may be like this.

  Furthermore, the common terminal of the fixed terminal and the NC terminal or the NO terminal are arranged in parallel so as to face each other, and the movable terminal is arranged between the common terminal and the NC terminal or the NO terminal. The movable terminal is provided so that it can reciprocate along the direction, and the movable terminal is formed such that a contact that can be brought into contact with and separated from the contact of the fixed terminal protrudes toward the fixed terminal and is movable toward and away from the NC terminal. An escape portion may be formed in the vicinity of the contact of the terminal so as to protrude toward the anti-fixed terminal.

  According to the present invention, since the movable terminal is formed of a metal wire and the torsion spring is used as the biasing means for the operation lever, the switch can be easily reduced in thickness.

  In addition, since the contact of the movable terminal slides between the contacts of the fixed terminals arranged opposite to each other in parallel, the contact between the fixed terminal and the movable terminal is performed. The contact timing is stabilized and the reliability of the contact operation can be improved. Further, the contact pressure and the like are stabilized, whereby the durability of the switch is improved and the life can be extended.

  In addition, since contact parts such as movable terminals and torsion springs that drive the contact parts are composed of separate parts, the shape of each part is simplified, and the contact pressure and driving force of the contacts can be designed freely. Can be increased.

  In addition, high dimensional accuracy is not required to stabilize the contact pressure between the fixed terminal and the movable terminal, and the assembly work is simplified, facilitating automation of the assembly work and reducing manufacturing costs. And can stabilize the quality of the product.

  Furthermore, in addition to a switch having a common terminal and an NO terminal, the same level of contact pressure and contact can be applied to a switch having a common terminal and an NC terminal, and a switch having a common terminal, an NC terminal and an NO terminal. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with a wide variety of switches.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, a switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the switch.

  The switch 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with a flat rectangular box-shaped housing 2, a movable terminal 3 accommodated in the housing 2, a slider 4 that holds the movable terminal 3, and a housing 2 that can be projected and retracted. And a torsion spring 6 that urges the operation lever 5 to the outside of the housing 2.

  The housing 2 is fitted to the case 8 so as to close the opening 8 of the housing recess 7 and the case 8 formed with the housing recess 7 capable of housing a part of the movable terminal 3, the slider 4 and the operation lever 5. An opening 10 is formed on one end surface of the housing 2 so that the operation lever 5 can protrude and retract relative to the housing 2.

  Two fixed terminals of the plate-like first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 are insert-molded at opposite positions on both side surfaces of the case 8. The contacts 11a and 12a of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 are arranged in parallel so as to face each other in the receiving recess 7, and form a common terminal and a NO (Normally Open) terminal, respectively. .

  In addition, the housing recess 7 of the case 8 is formed with a long hole 13 obliquely between the contact points 11a and 12a, and a cylindrical shaft portion 14 protruding from a corner on the opening 10 side. Yes. Furthermore, engaging recesses 15 are formed at required locations (three locations in the drawing) on the outer surface of the case 8, and the engagement pieces 16 formed by bending the outer periphery of the cover 9 in these engaging recesses 15. By engaging the cover 9, the cover 9 is fitted into the case 8.

  The movable terminal 3 is formed by bending a central portion 17 of a metal wire into a substantially U shape, and protrudes toward the fixed terminal at each end portion of the linear portions 18a and 18b extending from the central portion 17 to both sides. Thus, the contacts 19a and 19b are formed to be bent in a dogleg shape.

  The slider 4 is formed to have a width dimension so as to be loosely fitted between the contact points 11a and 12a of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12, and is engaged with a long hole on one surface (the lower surface in the drawing). By projecting a portion (not shown) and engaging the long hole engaging portion with the long hole 13 of the case 8, the long hole engaging portion can reciprocate along the contact points 11a and 12a.

  On the other hand, a cylindrical protrusion 20 is formed at one end on the opening 10 side on the other surface (the upper surface in the drawing) of the slider 4, and the central portion 17 of the movable terminal 3 is formed on the protrusion 20. It can be locked. Further, a partition portion 21 protrudes from the center of the protrusion 20 toward the other end portion on the other surface of the slider 4, and a restriction portion 22 protrudes in parallel on both sides of the partition portion 21. The straight portions 18 a and 18 b of the movable terminal 3 are arranged between the partition portion 21 and the restricting portions 22. Further, a flange portion 23 is formed on the other end side of the other surface of the slider 4 so as to cover the partition portion 21, and the contacts 19 a and 19 b of the movable terminal 3 slightly protrude in the width direction from the slider 4. In this state, it is held by the flange 23.

  The operation lever 5 has a fan shape, and a round hole 24 is formed in a main portion thereof. By connecting the shaft portion 14 of the case 8 to the round hole 24, the movable terminal 3 and the slider 4 are placed in the case. The shaft portion 14 can be rotated around a fulcrum while being sandwiched between the two. Further, the operation lever 5 is formed with an oval hole 25, the protrusion 20 of the slider 4 is engaged with the oval hole 25, and the movable terminal 3 and the slider 4 are held between the case 8 and the operation lever 5. Thus, a cam mechanism that converts the rotational movement of the operation lever 5 into the reciprocating movement of the slider 4 while preventing the movable contact 3 from floating is formed.

  Further, a recess 26 is formed around the round hole 24 of the operation lever 5, and the operation lever 5 is attached to the recess 26 by pivotally connecting the torsion spring 6 to the shaft portion 14. The state is biased outward.

  In the initial state where no external force is applied to the operation lever 5 in the switch 1 having such a configuration, the operation lever 5 protrudes to the outside of the housing 2 by the urging force of the torsion spring 6 as shown in FIG. One contact 19a of the movable terminal 3 is in contact with the common terminal 11a of the fixed terminal with a predetermined contact pressure, and the other contact 19b of the movable terminal is separated from the NO terminal 12b of the fixed terminal.

  In such an initial state, when the operating lever 5 is pushed into the housing 2 against the urging force of the torsion spring 6 and moved, the operating lever 5 moves counterclockwise in FIG. 1 with the shaft portion 14 as a fulcrum. Rotate to. The rotating operation of the operation lever 5 is converted into a linear operation of the slider 4 by the cam mechanism, and the slider 4 moves to the back side of the housing 2. As a result, the one contact 19a of the movable terminal 3 slides in contact with the common terminal 11a of the fixed terminal at a predetermined contact pressure, and the other contact 19b of the movable terminal contacts the NO terminal 12b of the fixed terminal. The first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 are electrically connected.

  On the other hand, when the pushing operation of the operating lever 5 is stopped, the operating lever 5 rotates in the opposite direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 1) with the shaft portion 14 as a fulcrum by the urging force of the torsion spring 6. The rotating operation of the operation lever 5 is converted into a linear operation of the slider 4 by the cam mechanism, and the slider 4 moves to the opening 10 side of the housing 2. As a result, one contact 19a of the movable terminal 3 slides in a state where it is in contact with the common terminal 11a of the fixed terminal at a predetermined contact pressure, and the other contact 19b of the movable terminal is separated from the NO terminal 12a of the fixed terminal. The operation lever 5 and the movable terminal 3 return to the initial state.

  In the first embodiment described above, the fixed terminals 11 and 12 are composed of the common terminal 11a and the NO terminal 12a, and when the operating lever 5 is pushed into the housing 2, the movable terminal 3 becomes NO. The switch of the type that contacts the terminal 12a has been described. However, this is merely an example, and the present invention is such that, for example, as shown in FIG. Close) terminal 12b, and when the operating lever 5 is pushed into the housing 2, the movable terminal 3 is separated from the NC terminal 12b and the switch 31 is fixed as shown in FIG. Terminals 11, 12, and 12 are composed of a common terminal 11 a, an NC terminal 12 b, and an NO terminal 12 a, and push the operation lever 5 into the housing 2. , The type of switch 32 or the like in contact with the NO terminal 12a with the movable terminal 3 separated from the NC terminal 12b, it is also applicable to other types of switches.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the case of the type of switches 31 and 32 in which the fixed terminal is provided with the NC terminal 12b, the anti-fixed terminal side is located in the vicinity of the contact 19b of the movable terminal 3 that contacts and separates from the NC terminal 12b. You may form the escape part 33 so that it may protrude in. When the escape portion 33 is formed in this way, when the movable terminal 3 moves to the back side of the housing 2, the movable terminal 3 is separated from the NC terminal 12b by a sufficient distance, and the movable terminal 3 is mistakenly moved to the NC terminal. Since there is no possibility of contact with 12b, the reliability of the on / off operation of the switch can be further improved.

  Next, a switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the switch according to the present embodiment.

  The switch 41 according to the present embodiment is a push switch, and is a flat rectangular box-shaped housing 42, a movable terminal 43 accommodated in the housing 42, a slider 44 that holds the movable terminal 43, and the housing 42. The operation lever 45 is formed integrally with the slider 44 so as to be able to appear and retract, and a torsion spring 46 that urges the operation lever 45 to the outside of the housing 42 is provided.

  The housing 42 is formed by insert molding plate-like first to third fixed terminals 47, 48, 49, respectively. The contact 47 a of the first fixed terminal 47 and the second and third fixed terminals 48, The 49 contacts 48a and 49a are arranged in parallel so as to face each other, and form a common terminal, an NC terminal, and an NO terminal, respectively. Further, inside the housing 42, a cylindrical shaft portion 50 protrudes from a corner near the operation lever 45, and a contact portion 51 protrudes from the inner surface.

  The movable terminal 43 is formed by bending a central portion 52 of a metal wire into a substantially U shape, and each of the fixed terminals 47, 53 b, 53 b extends from the central portion 52 to both ends. The contacts 54a and 54b are bent in a U-shape so as to protrude toward the 48 and 49 sides. Further, a relief portion 40 is formed on the base end side of the contact 54b of the movable terminal 43 that contacts and separates from the contacts 48a, 49a on the second and third fixed terminals 48, 49 side so as to protrude to the anti-fixed terminal side. Yes. Thereby, when the movable terminal 43 moves to the back side of the housing 42, the movable terminal 43 is separated from the NC terminal 48a by a sufficient distance, and there is no possibility that the movable terminal 43 accidentally contacts the NC terminal 48a. The reliability of the on / off operation can be further increased.

  The slider 44 is formed with a width dimension that fits freely between the contact 47a of the first fixed terminal 47 and the contacts 48a, 49a of the second and third fixed terminals 48, 49. A reciprocating motion is possible along 48a and 49a. A cylindrical protrusion 55 is formed at the center of the slider 44, and the center 52 of the movable terminal 43 can be locked to the protrusion 55. Further, the slider 44 is provided with a partition 56 protruding from the center of the protrusion 55 toward one end, and a restricting portion 57 is provided in parallel on both sides of the partition 56. The straight portions 53a and 53b of the movable terminal 43 are arranged between the control portions 57 and the control portions 57. Furthermore, a flange portion 58 having the same width as that of the slider 44 is formed at one end portion of the slider 44 so as to cover the partition portion 56, and the contacts 54 a and 54 b of the movable terminal 43 are arranged in the width direction from the slider 44. The flange 58 is held in a slightly protruding state.

  At the other end of the slider 44, an operation lever 45 is formed so as to penetrate the opening 59 of the housing 42. The operation lever 45 is provided so as to be linearly movable integrally with the slider 44 by a pressing operation. . Further, a contact portion 60 is formed in a convex curved surface at the end portion of the operation lever 45 on the inner side of the housing 42, and the torsion spring 46 is pivotally connected to the shaft portion 50. The operation lever 45 is urged to the outside of the housing 42 by abutting the contact portion with the contact portion 51 of the housing 42 and the other end portion with the contact portion 60 of the operation lever 45.

  In the switch 41 having such a configuration, in an initial state where no external force is applied to the operation lever 45, the operation lever 45 protrudes outside the housing 42 by the urging force of the torsion spring 46, as shown in FIG. One contact 54a of the movable terminal 43 contacts the common terminal 47a of the fixed terminal 47 with a predetermined contact pressure, and the other contact 54b of the movable terminal 43 contacts the NC terminal 48a of the fixed terminal 48 with a predetermined contact pressure. Yes.

  In such an initial state, when the operating lever 45 is pushed into the housing 42 against the biasing force of the torsion spring 46 and moved, the slider 44 moves to the back side of the housing 42 together with the operating lever 45. As a result, one contact 54a of the movable terminal 43 slides in a state where it is in contact with the common terminal 47a of the fixed terminal 47 with a predetermined contact pressure, and the other contact 54b of the movable terminal 43 is connected to the NC terminal 48a of the fixed terminal 48. After being separated from the fixed terminal 49, the fixed terminal 49 contacts the NO terminal 49b.

  On the other hand, when the pushing operation of the operation lever 45 is stopped, the slider 44 moves together with the operation lever 45 toward the opening 59 of the housing 42 by the urging force of the torsion spring 46. As a result, one contact 54a of the movable terminal 43 slides in contact with the common terminal 47a of the fixed terminal at a predetermined contact pressure, and the other contact 54b of the movable terminal 43 moves from the NO terminal 49a of the fixed terminal 49. After the separation, the operation lever 45 and the movable terminal 43 return to the initial state by contacting the NC terminal 48a of the fixed terminal 48.

  In the above-described second embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a push switch has been described. However, this is merely an example, and the present invention is, for example, as shown in FIG. Is applicable to other types of switches such as a so-called slide switch 62 provided so as to be perpendicular to the moving direction of the slider 44.

  As described above, according to the first and second embodiments, the movable terminal is formed of a metal wire and the torsion spring is used as a biasing means for the operation lever. Can be easily achieved. In addition, since the contact of the movable terminal slides between the contacts of the fixed terminals arranged opposite to each other in parallel, the contact between the fixed terminal and the movable terminal is performed. The contact timing is stabilized and the reliability of the contact operation can be improved. Further, the contact pressure and the like are stabilized, whereby the durability of the switch is improved and the life can be extended.

  In addition, since contact parts such as movable terminals and torsion springs that drive the contact parts are composed of separate parts, the shape of each part is simplified, and the contact pressure and driving force of the contacts can be designed freely. Can be increased. In addition, high dimensional accuracy is not required to stabilize the contact pressure between the fixed terminal and the movable terminal, and the assembly work is simplified, facilitating automation of the assembly work and reducing manufacturing costs. And can stabilize the quality of the product. Furthermore, in addition to a switch having a common terminal and an NO terminal, the same level of contact pressure and contact can be applied to a switch having a common terminal and an NC terminal, and a switch having a common terminal, an NC terminal and an NO terminal. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with a wide variety of switches.

It is a top view which shows the switch which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the switch which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows another example of the switch which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows another example of the switch which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the switch which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows another example of the switch which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Switch 2 Housing 3 Movable terminal 5 Operation lever 6 Torsion spring 11 Fixed terminal 11a Contact 12 Fixed terminal 12a Contact 12b Contact 14 Shaft part 19a Contact 19b Contact 31 Switch 32 Switch 33 Escape part 40 Escape part 41 Switch 42 Housing 43 Movable terminal 45 Operation lever 46 Torsion spring 47 First fixed terminal 47a Contact 48 Second fixed terminal 48a Contact 49 Third fixed terminal 49a Contact 54a Contact 54b Contact

Claims (9)

A housing in which contacts of at least two fixed terminals are provided;
A movable terminal formed by bending a metal wire, and reciprocatingly reciprocatingly contacting a contact of the fixed terminal inside the housing;
In order to reciprocate the movable terminal, an operation lever provided in the housing so as to be able to appear and retract,
A torsion spring that biases the operating lever to the outside of the housing;
A switch characterized by comprising.   2. The operation lever according to claim 1, wherein the operation lever includes a cam mechanism that is rotatably provided with a shaft portion provided in the housing as a fulcrum, and that converts the rotation of the operation lever into the reciprocation of the movable terminal. switch.   The switch according to claim 2, wherein the movable terminal is sandwiched between the operation lever and the housing.   The switch according to claim 1, wherein the operation lever is provided so as to be linearly movable by a pressing operation.   The switch according to claim 1, wherein the operation lever is provided so as to be linearly movable by a slide operation.   The said fixed terminal is comprised from the common terminal and NO terminal, and when the said operation lever is moved inside the said housing, the said movable terminal will contact the said NO terminal in any one of Claims 1-4. The listed switch.   The fixed terminal includes a common terminal and an NC terminal, and the movable terminal is separated from the NC terminal when the operation lever is moved into the housing. The listed switch.   The fixed terminal includes a common terminal, an NC terminal, and a NO terminal, and when the operation lever is moved into the housing, the movable terminal is separated from the NC terminal and contacts the NO terminal. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The common terminal of the fixed terminal and the NC terminal or the NO terminal are arranged in parallel so as to face each other, and the movable terminal is arranged between the common terminal and the NC terminal or the NO terminal in the arrangement direction of the fixed terminal. The movable terminal is formed such that a contact that can be contacted with and separated from the contact of the fixed terminal protrudes toward the fixed terminal, and the movable terminal has a movable terminal that contacts and separates from the NC terminal. The switch according to claim 7 or 8, wherein an escape portion is formed in the vicinity of the contact so as to protrude to the side opposite to the fixed terminal.

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