JP2008282640A - Push button switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a push button switch preventing lowering of illumination efficiency, even when an electronic component for lighting is in place. <P>SOLUTION: The push button switch comprises: a detection means mounted on a substrate 5 to detect descent of a partial lower part of a switch knob 2; and a click sense generating means urging upwards the switch knob 2 by deformation of a cantilever member at a side of the switch knob 2 and creating the click sense at such deformation with a tip end of the cantilever member slidably moving along an engagement surface of a locus changing resistance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of a push button switch that transmits to a user a click feeling that a push operation has been input.

Conventionally, a case having an opening formed by molding, a tongue-like hinge button provided on one side of the opening, a push dowel protruding downward from the middle of the hinge button, and a tongue-like It is composed of a projection provided at the tip of the hinge button, which engages with a retaining means such as a groove provided on the opposite side of the tip, and a switch that is switched by a push dowel when the hinge button is pressed. The projection of the hinge button climbs over the groove of the case to generate a click feeling (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-84820 (page 2-6, all figures)

  However, in the conventional push button switch, since the operation force generating part is located below the opening of the case and the push button switch, the problem of reducing the illumination efficiency when the electronic member for illumination is arranged. was there.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a push button switch capable of preventing the illumination efficiency from being lowered even when an electronic member for illumination is arranged. is there.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a switch body having a lower surface as a substrate, a hole provided so as to reach the substrate from the upper surface of the switch body, a switch knob that advances and retreats the hole, and the substrate A detecting means that is mounted and detects lowering of a part of the lower end of the switch knob; and at the side of the switch knob, the switch knob is urged upward by deformation of a cantilever member; Click feeling generating means for generating a click feeling so that the tip of the cantilever member slides on the engagement surface of the locus for changing resistance.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the illumination efficiency can be prevented from being lowered even when the illumination electronic member is arranged.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment for realizing the push button switch of the present invention will be described based on Example 1 corresponding to the inventions according to claims 1 and 2.

First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the push button switch according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the push button switch of the first embodiment.
The push button switch 1 according to the first embodiment mainly includes a switch knob 2, a shadow plate 3, a photo sensor 4, a substrate 5, and an LED 6.
The switch knob 2 has a box shape with an open lower surface as an overall shape, and is provided with an overhanging portion 21 that is plate-like and projects to the left and right. Further, an operating force generator 22 is provided below the overhanging portion 21.
Further, the uppermost surface of the switch knob 2 is formed of a member that can transmit the light of the LED 6, and displays on / off light on / off.

The shadow plate 3 has a box shape with an open lower surface as an overall shape, and is attached so as to cover the substrate 5. A rectangular hole 31 for accommodating the switch knob 2 is provided on the upper surface of the shadow plate 3.
The photosensor 4 has a slit 41 that opens upward, outputs light from one side facing the slit 41, and detects light reception or non-light reception on the opposite side.
The substrate 5 is a circuit board on which electronic components are mounted, and the photosensor 4 and the LED 6 are mounted thereon. Further, it is used to fix the lower end of the rectangle of the shadow plate 3.
The LED 6 is a light-emitting component that is mounted on the substrate 5 and is turned on and off according to the on / off state of the switch.

The structure of the push button switch 1 will be described in more detail.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the push button switch according to the first embodiment. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the rectangular hole portion 31 of the shadow plate 3 includes a receiving surface portion 311 having a size and shape facing the protruding portion 21 of the switch knob 2 and a shadow plate 3. And a through hole portion 312 penetrating vertically.

Therefore, the switch knob 2 has an assembly structure in which the lower part of the overhanging part 21 penetrates the through hole part 312 of the shadow plate 3 downward and reaches the position just above the substrate 5.
Further, the overhanging portion 21 of the switch knob 2 and the side surface of the switch knob 2 at the upper and lower positions thereof are assembled to be fitted into the rectangular hole 31 of the shadow plate 3 with a predetermined gap.
As a result, the switch knob 2 can move up and down through the rectangular hole 31 of the shadow plate 3.

Next, the operating force generator 22 has a cantilever shape that extends obliquely downward with the lower surface of the protruding portion 21 of the switch knob 2 as a base end.
In addition, a click feeling generation unit 221 that protrudes downward is provided at the tip of the operation force generation unit 22.
And the click feeling generation | occurrence | production part 221 of the operation force generation | occurrence | production part 22 is made to contact | abut to the receiving surface part 311 of the rectangular hole part 31 of the shadow plate 3, and, thereby, the movement to the downward direction of the switch knob 2 is restrict | limited.

Further, the receiving surface portion 311 of the rectangular hole portion 31 of the shadow plate 3 is provided with an inclined portion 311 a for generating a click feeling by engaging with the click feeling generating portion 221 of the operation force generating portion 22.
The operating force generator 22 generates a reaction force to limit the lowering of the switch knob 2, but a part of the lower end of the switch knob 2 is inserted into the slit 41 of the photosensor 4 when lowered. To be arranged. And the opening part 23 which lets light pass is provided in the lower end part of the switch knob 2 in this position.

Next, the detailed structure of the click feeling generating part 221 of the operating force generating part 22 and the inclined part 311a of the receiving surface part 311 of the rectangular hole part 31 will be described.
When the push button switch 1 of the first embodiment is pressed downward, the operating force generating portion 22 is deformed so that the tip end side of the cantilever shape approaches the lower surface of the overhanging portion 21 of the switch knob 2. A reaction force is generated to position 2 at a predetermined position.
In that case, the click feeling generation | occurrence | production part 221 of the operation force generation | occurrence | production part 22 slides with the receiving surface part 311 of the rectangular hole 31, and moves a contact position with this deformation | transformation.
The movement of the click feeling generating unit 221 on the receiving surface portion 311 is provided so as to ride on the inclined portion 311a of the receiving surface portion 311.

First, a portion connecting the receiving surface portion 311 having a planar shape to the inclined portion 311a is curved very gently. This is defined as a first region α.
Next, the inclined portion 311a is a linearly inclined portion that extends upward at a predetermined angle. Further, at the end of the inclined portion 311a, a flat portion at the height position is formed and connected to the flat portion. The connecting portion to the flat portion at the end of the inclined portion 311a has a curved shape that is moderately and gently connected. A position on the way from the inclined portion 311a over the curve of the connecting portion, that is, a position until the peak of resistance received when the click sensation generating portion 221 rides on the curve is defined as the second region β. The plane portion is defined as a third region γ.

Next, in the pushbutton switch 1 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the click feeling generation unit 221 is provided on the side of the switch knob 2, so that the LED 6 mounted on the substrate 5 is located above the LED 6. There is only an upper surface of the switch knob 2 that serves as an illumination surface, and there is nothing that blocks light emission.
In addition, engagement holes 24 are provided in two side surfaces adjacent to the side where the protruding portion 21 of the switch knob 2 is provided, and claw portions 312 a provided in the through holes 312 of the rectangular holes 31 of the shadow plate 3. Engage with. Thereby, the movement of the advance direction from the rectangular hole part 31 of the switch knob 2 is restrict | limited.

Next, the operation will be described.
[Generation of good click feeling]
FIG. 7 is a graph showing the displacement amount and operating force characteristics of the push button switch of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a pressed state of the first region of the push button switch according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a pressed state of the second region of the push button switch according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a pressed state of the second region of the push button switch according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a pressed state of the third region of the push button switch according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a pressed state of the third region of the push button switch according to the first embodiment.

When the switch knob 2 of the push button switch 1 according to the first embodiment is pressed, the force is transmitted by the operation force generation unit 22 of the switch knob 2, the operation force generation unit 22 is deformed, and the click feeling generation unit 221 is a rectangular hole. It slides on the receiving surface portion 311 of the portion 31 toward the inclined portion 311a.
And the click feeling generation | occurrence | production part 221 reaches the connection part of the receiving surface part 311 and the inclination part 311a, ie, the area | region (alpha) (refer FIG. 6, FIG. 8).
In this area α, as shown in FIG. 7, the operating force required for pressing gradually increases.

Next, when the switch knob 2 is further pressed, the deformation of the operation force generation unit 22 proceeds, and the click feeling generation unit 221 slides on the inclined portion 311a and goes up one step. That is, the region β is moved (see FIGS. 6 and 8).
In this region β, by sliding the inclined portion 311a, as shown in FIG. 7, the operation force required for pressing rises relatively abruptly, and by pressing the end curve of the inclined portion 311a, the pressing is performed. The change in operating force required for the operation gradually becomes gradual.

When the switch knob 2 is further pressed, the deformation of the operating force generator 22 further proceeds, and the click feeling generator 221 advances from the latter half of the end of the inclined portion 311a to the upper flat portion. That is, the region γ is moved (see FIGS. 6 and 8).
In this region γ, the curve changes so as to connect to a flat surface portion having a low resistance, so that the change in operating force required for pressing is reduced. When further pressing is attempted, since the deformation of the operating force generating unit 22 is close to the limit, the operating force required for pressing rapidly increases rapidly. In normal operation, the operation stops at this rapidly rising portion.

In the push button switch 1 according to the first embodiment, the click feeling generation unit 221 thus moves over the inclined portion 311a from the receiving surface portion 311 to generate a change in necessary operation force as shown in FIG. Thus, a click feeling is generated.
This click feeling can be set to the best click feeling by the deformation of the click feeling generating portion 221 and the shape of the inclined portion 311a and the connecting portion, and can be a switch having a very good click feeling.

Further, when the switch knob 2 is depressed in this way, the lower end of the switch knob 2 is inserted into the slit 41 of the photosensor 4 so as to block the light of the light emitting part, and the light receiving part becomes a non-light receiving state. Pressing and detecting light again at the opening 23 of the switch knob 2 detects the pressing operation.
Next, when a push operation is detected by the photosensor 4, the LED 6 is turned on. The light emitted from the LED 6 reaches the upper surface of the switch knob 2 without being interrupted, and the upper surface of the switch knob 2 is illuminated. Thereby, the operator can confirm that it was operated by looking at the illumination with eyes with a click feeling.

Next, the effect will be described.
In the push button switch of the first embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained.

  (1) Mounted on the substrate 5, the shadow plate 3 whose lower surface is the substrate 5, the rectangular hole portion 31 provided so as to reach the substrate 5 from the upper surface of the shadow plate 3, the switch knob 2 that advances and retreats the rectangular hole portion 31 The switch knob 2 is urged upward by the deformation of the operation force generator 22 that is a cantilever member at the side of the switch knob 2 and the photo sensor 4 that detects the lowering of a part of the lower end of the switch knob 2. In addition, in order to generate a click feeling so that the click feeling generation section 221 of the operating force generation section 22 that is a cantilever member slides with the receiving surface section 311 of the shadow plate 3 that changes the resistance during deformation, rubber is generated. Without using a member, it becomes possible to create a click feeling on the outside of the side of the switch knob and to make the inside of the switch knob light-shielded, so that it can be used for illumination. Even in the case of arranging the child member can be prevented to lower the illumination efficiency.

The operational effects of the first embodiment will be further described.
In the push button switch 1 of the first embodiment, no rubber member is used to generate a click feeling. The characteristics shown in FIG. 7 are generated by a member integrated with the switch knob member and the shadow plate member. Moreover, this characteristic can be easily optimized by the elastic force against deformation of the member and the locus of the sliding portion. Therefore, a good click feeling can be surely obtained. In addition, the operation feeling that is a pressing feeling other than the click feeling can be similarly optimized.

In addition, since the click feeling is generated outside the switch knob 2, the inside of the switch knob can be used only for the light path.
For example, it is conceivable that the means for generating the operating force is a transparent member so that the provision of the means for generating the operating force on the upper part of the lighting electronic component does not hinder the lighting. Except for the part to perform, the case or the like (corresponding to the shadow plate 3 in the first embodiment) has a problem that sufficient illumination cannot be performed unless processing for shading (painting or the like) is performed. In the first embodiment, such a problem does not occur. This is because the interior of the switch knob 2 can be used only for the light path, so that illumination can be performed with sufficient luminance.

  Further, the generation of the click feeling and the operation feeling does not depend on electronic components such as a tact switch. Therefore, an optimal detection means can be used and there is no restriction. Therefore, it is possible to easily ensure sufficient contact reliability.

  (2) The click feeling generating means is configured such that the click feeling generating unit 221 of the operating force generating unit 22 that is a cantilever member changes the resistance, and the tip of the cantilever member passes through the inclined portion from the plane. The path is configured by sliding to a flat surface, and the locus is necessary for the operation with respect to the first region α in which the force necessary for the operation gradually increases with respect to the pressing displacement, and with respect to the pressing displacement. The force rises more rapidly than the first region α, the second region β where the end is the highest, and the force required for the operation descends from the end of the second region β and rises again with respect to the pressed displacement. Since it is composed of the third region γ that has a characteristic of drawing a valley, a feeling of smooth operation is generated by the first region α, and the locus of force necessary for the operation by the second region β and the third region γ is better. A click feeling can be generated.

  As mentioned above, although the pushbutton switch of this invention was demonstrated based on Example 1, it is not restricted to these Examples about concrete structure, The summary of the invention which concerns on each claim of a claim As long as they do not deviate, design changes and additions are permitted.

For example, in the first embodiment, the operating force generator 22 is provided on the switch knob 2 and the receiving surface portion 311 is provided on the shadow plate 3, but the receiving surface portion 311 is provided on the switch knob 2 and the operating force is generated on the shadow plate 3. The part 22 may be provided.
In the first embodiment, the push operation is detected by the photosensor 4, but other detection means may be used.
In the first embodiment, the LED 6 is provided on the substrate 5, but other illumination means may be used.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a push button switch according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is an exploded view of the push button switch of Example 1. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a push button switch according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG. It is CC sectional drawing of FIG. It is a graph which shows the displacement amount of the pushbutton switch of Example 1, and the characteristic of operating force. It is explanatory sectional drawing which shows the press state of the 1st area | region of the pushbutton switch of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory sectional drawing which shows the press state of the 2nd area | region of the pushbutton switch of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory sectional drawing which shows the press state of the 2nd area | region of the pushbutton switch of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory sectional drawing which shows the press state of the 3rd area | region of the pushbutton switch of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory sectional drawing which shows the press state of the 3rd area | region of the pushbutton switch of Example 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Button switch 2 Switch knob 21 Overhang | projection part 22 Operation force generation | occurrence | production part 221 Click feeling generation | occurrence | production part 23 Opening part 24 Engagement hole 3 Shadow plate 31 Rectangular hole part 311 Reception surface part 311a Inclination part 312 Through-hole part 312a Claw part 4 Photosensor 41 Slit 5 Substrate α First region (of required operating force characteristics for displacement) Second region β (of required operating force characteristics for displacement) Third region γ (of required operating force characteristics for displacement) Third region

Claims (2)

A switch body having a bottom surface as a substrate;
A hole provided to reach the substrate from the upper surface of the switch body;
A switch knob that advances and retracts the hole,
Detecting means mounted on the substrate and detecting a lowering of a part of a lower end of the switch knob;
At the side of the switch knob, the switch knob is urged upward by deformation of the cantilever member, and the tip end portion of the cantilever member slides with the engagement surface of the locus that changes the resistance during the deformation. Click feeling generating means for generating a click feeling in this way,
A push button switch characterized by comprising: The push button switch according to claim 1,
The click feeling generating means
The locus where the tip of the cantilever member changes the resistance is configured by the tip of the cantilever member sliding from the flat surface through the inclined portion and sliding to the upper plane.
The trajectory is
A first region in which the force required for the operation gradually rises with respect to the pressed displacement;
A second region where the force required for the operation rises more rapidly than the first region with respect to the pressing displacement, and the end is the highest;
A third region having a characteristic that draws a valley in which the force required for the operation descends from the end of the second region and rises again with respect to the pressed displacement;
A push button switch characterized by comprising:

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