JP2009059578A - Push switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a push switch device in which a contact switch state can be discriminated only by seeing a protruding amount of an operating body and there is no possibility of occurrence of rattle noises. <P>SOLUTION: A guide part 11 having a rotation regulating part 11a and a return regulating part 11c is formed on an inner face of a case 2, and the operating body 3 in which a ratchet tooth 12 is formed can be guided and raised or lowered by the rotation regulating part 11a. A cam follower 4 in which the ratchet tooth 14 is formed has a cam part 15 locked and released to/from the guide part 11, and the ratchet teeth 12, 14 are mutually fitted by springing force of a return spring 7. If the operating body 3 at a non-operation position is push-operated and the cam part 15 is released from the rotation regulating part 11a, the cam follower 4 is rotated and an actuating member 6 is interlocked. If an operating force is removed, since the cam part 15 is locked to the return regulating part 11c and the cam follower 4 regulates return movement of the operating body 3, this becomes in a push-lock state. If push-operated in this state, the cam part 15 is released from the return regulating part 11c, and the operating body 3 returns to the non-operation position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a push switch device in which a cam follower is rotated via a ratchet mechanism and a contact switching operation is performed during a push operation of an operating body, and in particular, when a push operation of the operating body is repeated, the cam follower alternates at different height positions. It is related with the push switch apparatus comprised so that it might be hold | maintained.

  Conventionally, when an operating body protruding from a hollow housing is pushed, a cam follower is rotated via a ratchet mechanism, and a plurality of movable contacts provided on an operation member that rotates in conjunction with the cam follower are provided on a wafer. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a push switch device configured to be in contact with and away from a fixed contact (for example, see Patent Document 1). In such a conventional example, a guide portion formed by alternately arranging guide protrusions and guide grooves extending in the axial direction along the circumferential direction is formed on the inner wall surface of the housing, and the lower end surfaces of the guide protrusions are adjacent to each other. The inclined end surface is continuous with the guide groove. The operating body having the first ratchet teeth is guided in the guide groove and can be moved up and down in the axial direction, and the cam follower having the second ratchet teeth is guided in the guide groove and the inclined end surface and can be moved up and down in the axial direction. And it can rotate in the circumferential direction. Further, since the actuating member is splined to the cam follower, the actuating member rotates integrally only when the cam follower rotates. The cam follower is always elastically biased in the axial direction so that the first and second ratchet teeth mesh with each other by a return spring, and the cam portion provided on the cam follower engages with the guide portion of the housing. Yes.

  In the conventional push switch device schematically configured as described above, when the operating body is in the non-operating position that maximizes the amount of protrusion from the housing, the first and second ratchet teeth are positioned at the apexes of the crests of each other. Although engaged slightly shifted, the rotation of the cam follower is restricted by the guide groove. When the operating body is pushed in this state and the cam portion of the cam follower is detached from the guide groove, the peak portion of the second ratchet tooth is engaged with the valley portion of the first ratchet tooth by the elastic force of the return spring. In order to move to the stable position, the cam follower rotates by an angle slightly smaller than 1/2 tooth. As a result, the operating member rotates in conjunction with the cam follower, so that the contact switching operation is performed by the movable contact provided on the operating member sliding on the wafer and changing the contact position with the fixed contact. It has become. Thereafter, when the push operating force on the operating body is removed, the cam portion of the cam follower urged by the return spring is brought into elastic contact with the inclined end surface of the guide protrusion and guided to the guide groove. The cam follower rotates by an angle slightly larger than 1/2 tooth. As a result, the first and second ratchet teeth again engage with each other by slightly shifting the apexes of the ridges, and the cam follower and the operating body are each pushed up to their original height positions by the resilient force of the return spring. It will be.

  However, in the above-described push switch device, if the push operation force on the operation body is removed, the operation body is always pushed up to the original height position (non-operation position). There was a problem that different contact switching states could not be identified only by looking at the height position of the operating body.

On the other hand, as another conventional example, when the operating body (plunger) in the non-operating position is pushed, a contact switching operation is performed, and the cam follower (sleeve) is rotated by a predetermined angle after being lowered, and the cam portion (latch dog). Is locked to the engagement step (latch pocket) on the inner surface of the housing, and when the operating body is pushed again in this state, the contact switching operation different from the previous one is performed and the cam portion is disengaged from the engagement step. A push switch device has been proposed in which the cam follower is moved up by the resilient force of the return spring, and the operation body is pushed up to the non-operation position accordingly (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In the conventional push switch device schematically configured in this way, the cam follower can be held alternately at different height positions by repeating the push operation of the operation body, so the height of the operation body mounted on the cam follower The position can be changed according to the contact switching state. Therefore, for example, when the operating body projects greatly from the housing, the switch is in the off state, and when the operating body has a small projection amount, the switch is on.
JP 2004-253368 A U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,015

  As described above, the use of the push switch device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is convenient because the contact switching state can be instantly identified simply by looking at the amount of protrusion of the operating body from the housing. When the place where the device is installed is a ceiling surface, an inclined surface facing diagonally downward, or the like, it is difficult to identify the contact switching state based on the protruding amount of the operating body. That is, when this type of push switch device is installed downward or obliquely downward, the operating body returns to the non-operating position under its own weight when the cam follower is locked in a deeply immersed state in the housing. The operating body to which no operating force is applied is always placed at the non-operating position regardless of the contact switching state. In addition, when this type of push switch device is installed in a vehicle interior that is susceptible to vibration, there is also a problem that the operating body is free to move in the axial direction and easily generate abnormal noise called rattle noise. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a state of the art, and an object thereof is a push switch that can identify a contact switching state only by looking at a protruding amount of an operating body and does not cause a rattle noise. To provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a push switch device according to the present invention includes a hollow housing in which a guide portion having a rotation restricting portion and a return restricting portion is formed on an inner surface, and guided in the axial direction by the rotation restricting portion. An operating body that is capable of ascending and descending and has a first ratchet tooth extending in the circumferential direction, and a cam portion guided by the rotation restricting portion and the return restricting portion and having an axial direction inside the housing So that the first and second ratchet teeth mesh with a cam follower formed with a second ratchet tooth that engages with the first ratchet tooth. A return spring that constantly elastically biases the cam follower in the axial direction, an actuating member that can change its position in conjunction with the cam follower, and operates according to the change in position of the actuating member A point switching mechanism, and by pushing the operating body in the non-operating position to disengage the cam portion from the rotation restricting portion, the cam follower moves to the return restricting portion, and the cam follower is moved. Is rotated to change the position of the actuating member, and when the cam portion is locked to the return restricting portion, the return movement of the operating body is in a push lock state restricted by the cam follower, and By pushing the operating body in a push-locked state and detaching the cam portion from the return restricting portion, the cam follower rotates as the cam portion moves to the rotation restricting portion, and the actuating member moves. The position is changed and the return operation of the operating body is allowed.

  In the push switch device configured as described above, the cam portion of the cam follower is detached from the rotation restricting portion on the inner surface of the housing by pushing the operating body at the non-operating position, so that the cam portion becomes the return restricting portion on the inner surface of the housing. The cam follower that is locked and thus locked restricts the return operation of the operating body, so that it is possible to realize a push lock state in which the operating body is held at a position where the amount of protrusion from the housing is small. In addition, since the return operation is permitted by pushing the operating body in such a push-locked state and detaching the cam part of the cam follower from the return restricting part, the operating body has a non-operating position in which the amount of protrusion from the housing is large. Will return. And, since the operation member changes the position during each push operation and the contact switching operation is performed, this push switch device can be installed in any direction as long as the amount of protrusion from the housing of the operating body is seen. Contact switching status can be identified instantly. In addition, since the operating body cannot move freely in the axial direction even when no operating force is applied, the operating body can be operated even when this push switch device is installed in a vehicle interior that is susceptible to vibration. Is unlikely to produce rattle noise.

  In the above configuration, the cam follower has a shaft hole at the rotation center portion, and the operating body has a shaft portion that is loosely inserted into the shaft hole. If this part is provided, the return movement of the operating body can be reliably regulated by bringing this retaining part into contact with the peripheral edge of the shaft hole of the cam follower. A push-lock state can be realized by a simple structure that does not have an adverse effect on the operation. In this case, the retaining portion may be formed directly at the distal end of the shaft portion of the operating body. However, if a separate annular member is attached to the distal end portion of the shaft portion to form the retaining portion, the operating body and the cam follower As a result, the assembly workability can be improved.

  In the above configuration, when an elastic member having a smaller spring load than the return spring is interposed between the operating body and the cam follower, the backlash of the operating body with respect to the cam follower is suppressed without hindering the operation of the return spring. This is preferable because it is possible. In this case, if the return spring and the elastic member are both coil springs, and the pair of coil springs are arranged concentrically via the partition wall of the cam follower, the overall height of the switch device is greatly increased. Can be reduced.

  Further, in the above configuration, the operating member has a plurality of standing pieces to which the rotational force of the cam follower is transmitted and is splined to the cam follower, and in the radially inner space of the plurality of standing pieces, A return spring consisting of a coil spring having one end elastically contacted with the cam follower and the other end elastically contacted with the actuating member is disposed, and at the tip of the upright piece, the elastic force of the return spring during assembly is provided. If the latching portion that is latched by the cam follower is formed, the operating body, the cam follower, the actuating member, and the return spring can be handled as a unit at the time of assembly, so that the assembly workability can be improved.

  In the above configuration, the actuating member is splined to the cam follower and can rotate integrally, and the contact switching mechanism includes a fixed contact held by the housing and a fixed contact held by the actuating member to contact the fixed contact. When the movable contact is provided, a push switch device having a simple structure having a desired function can be realized. In this case, when the housing is configured by combining a case in which the guide portion is formed on the inner wall surface and a wafer in which the fixed contact is disposed on the inner bottom surface, the housing can be easily manufactured.

  According to the push switch device of the present invention, when the operating body in the non-operating position is pushed to disengage the cam portion of the cam follower from the rotation restricting portion on the inner surface of the housing, the cam portion is locked to the return restricting portion on the inner surface of the housing. Since the cam follower regulates the return operation of the operating body, it is possible to realize a push lock state in which the operating body is held at a position where the projection amount from the housing is small, and push the operating body in the push locked state. When the cam portion is operated and separated from the return regulating portion, the return operation is allowed and the operating body can be returned to the non-operation position where the amount of protrusion from the housing is large. Therefore, regardless of the orientation of the push switch device, the contact switching state can be instantly identified by looking at the amount of protrusion of the operating body from the housing, and the usability can be improved. In addition, since the operating body cannot move freely in the axial direction even when no operating force is applied, the operation body can be operated even when this push switch device is installed in a vehicle interior that is susceptible to vibration. The body is unlikely to produce rattle noise.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a push switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the push switch device as viewed obliquely from above, and FIG. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the push switch device as viewed obliquely from below, Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the main part of Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a line BB in Fig. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the return state of the push switch device, FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the full stroke state of the push switch device, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the push lock state of the push switch device. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the push switch device, FIG. 11 is a plan view of a case provided in the push switch device, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 11, and FIG. The bottom view and FIG. FIG. 15 is a front view of an operating body provided in the push switch device, FIG. 16 is a plan view of the operating body, and FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the operating body. 18 is an explanatory view showing the developed first ratchet teeth formed on the operating body, FIG. 19 is a front view of a cam follower provided in the push switch device, FIG. 20 is a plan view of the cam follower, and FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the cam follower, FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing the second ratchet teeth formed on the cam follower, FIG. 23 is a plan view of a movable contact provided in the push switch device, and FIG. 24 is the push switch. FIG. 25 is a plan view of the wafer, FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the wafer, and FIG. 27 is a first and second lattice corresponding to a series of operations of the push switch device. It is an explanatory view showing a positional change of Tsu preparative teeth and the cam portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, a push switch device 1 according to this embodiment includes a case 2 having a hollow structure inside, an operating body 3 that can be moved up and down in the axial direction (vertical direction), and an operating body 3. The cam follower 4 that can be moved up and down in the axial direction and rotated in the circumferential direction in accordance with the lifting and lowering operation of the cam, the first coil spring 5 that is an elastic member interposed between the operating body 3 and the cam follower 4, and the cam follower 4 And an actuating member 6 that is spline coupled to the cam follower 4 and a second coil spring 7 that is a return spring interposed between the cam follower 4 and the actuating member 6 and rotatably supports the actuating member 6. And a mounting plate 9 that is attached so as to hold the case 2 and the wafer 8. A housing 10 is constituted by the case 2 and the wafer 8. There.

  Case 2 is formed of a synthetic resin material such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate). As shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, the case 2 has a cylindrical internal space below the circular upper opening end 2 a, and a guide portion 11 is formed on the peripheral wall of the internal space. A recessed step portion 2b and a jetty portion 2c for being fitted to the upper portion of the wafer 8 are formed in the lower portion of the wafer. The guide portion 11 is adjacent to a groove-shaped rotation restricting portion 11a extending in the axial direction, a tapered groove-shaped introducing portion 11b communicating with one side of the lower portion of the rotation restricting portion 11a, and a tapered one side of the introducing portion 11b. The four taper groove-shaped return restriction portions 11c are formed, and the rotation restriction portion 11a, the introduction portion 11b, and the return restriction portion 11c are connected to each other within an angle range of 90 degrees along the circumferential direction. ing. The guide portion 11 is for guiding or regulating movement in a predetermined direction by engaging a part of the operating body 3 or a part of the cam follower 4. A rectangular parallelepiped housing configured by fitting the lower part of the case 2 and the upper part of the wafer 8 is the housing 10, and the case 2 and the wafer 8 are attached to the housing 10 by attaching a mounting plate 9 made of a metal plate. Are securely integrated. That is, the mounting plate 9 having a large-diameter circular hole 9a that exposes the upper opening end 2a is externally mounted on the case 2, and the notches 9b formed at four positions on the lower end side of the mounting plate 9 are respectively formed on the wafer 8. The case 2 is prevented from falling off the wafer 8 by being snap-fitted to the engaging protrusions 18 at the corners of the outer wall.

  The operation body 3 is formed of an elastomer or the like. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIGS. 15 to 18, the operating body 3 includes an operating shaft 3 a that protrudes upward, a penetrating shaft 3 b that protrudes downward from the operating shaft 3 a, and a large portion that continues to the lower end of the operating shaft 3 a. It has a cylindrical portion 3c that surrounds the through-shaft 3b at the diameter portion, and four pieces of guided leg portions 3d that protrude outward in an L shape from the peripheral edge at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 3c. First ratchet teeth 12 are formed along the circumferential direction on the lower end surface of the portion 3c. The first ratchet teeth 12 have four crests 12a and four troughs 12b that are alternately continuous in the circumferential direction. Since each guided leg 3d is inserted into the groove-shaped rotation restricting portion 11a on the inner surface of the case 2, the operating body 3 is guided in the axial movement, but is rotated in the circumferential direction. Operation is restricted. A cylindrical internal space is defined between the cylindrical portion 3c and the through shaft 3b, and the first coil spring 5 and the cam follower 4 are incorporated into the internal space, and the shaft hole 4a of the cam follower 4 is assembled. The penetration shaft 3b is loosely inserted. However, a retaining portion 13 that is an annular member such as a washer is attached to the tip of the penetrating shaft 3b. Since the retaining portion 13 is larger in diameter than the shaft hole 4a, the tip of the penetrating shaft 3b is It does not move upward through the shaft hole 4a.

  The cam follower 4 is formed of a synthetic resin material having excellent slidability. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIGS. 19 to 22, the cam follower 4 includes a cylindrical inner cylinder portion 4 b erected from the peripheral edge portion of the shaft hole 4 a formed in the rotation center portion, and an upper end of the inner cylinder portion 4 b. It has an outer cylinder part 4c that continuously surrounds the inner cylinder part 4b, and an annular collar part 4d that is continuous with the lower end of the outer cylinder part 4c, and a second ratchet on the upper surface of the collar part 4d. Teeth 14 are formed. In addition, cam portions 15 having an inclined upper surface are projected at four equally spaced locations on the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 4d, and are cut at two locations facing the inner peripheral portion of the flange portion 4d. A notch-like engagement groove 16 is provided. The inner cylindrical portion 4b and the outer cylindrical portion 4c of the cam follower 4 are incorporated in the cylindrical portion 3c of the operating body 3, and the through-shaft 3b is loosely inserted into the shaft hole 4a, and between the inner cylindrical portion 4b and the through-shaft 3b. Both ends of the arranged first coil spring 5 are in elastic contact with the peripheral edge of the shaft hole 4a and the ceiling surface of the cylindrical portion 3c. Further, since the upper surface of the flange portion 4d faces the lower end surface of the cylindrical portion 3c, the second ratchet teeth 14 are engaged with the first ratchet teeth 12, and the cam portion 15 is connected to the guide portion 11 on the inner surface of the case 2. It arrange | positions in the position which can be engaged. And when the cam part 15 is located in the rotation control part 11a, although the cam follower 4 is guided to the raising / lowering operation to an axial direction, the rotation operation to the circumference direction is controlled. Further, when the cam portion 15 is locked to the return restricting portion 11c, the cam follower 4 is restricted from moving up and rotating. Like the first ratchet teeth 12, the second ratchet teeth 14 have four crests 14a and four troughs 14b that are alternately continuous in the circumferential direction, but the top of each crest 12a. Is serrated, while the top of each peak 14a is rounded. Since the cam follower 4 is always elastically urged upward by the second coil spring 7 disposed between the inner cylinder portion 4b and the outer cylinder portion 4c, the second ratchet teeth 14 are the first ratchet teeth. 12 is adapted to be brought into meshing engagement. Further, when the operating body 3 is pushed against the elastic force of the second coil spring 7, the cam follower 4 is also lowered integrally. However, when the operating body 3 is pushed, the first ratchet teeth 12 are crested. Since the portion 12a is set to push the inclined surface of the peak portion 14a of the second ratchet tooth 14, when the cam portion 15 is detached from the rotation restricting portion 11a and the return restricting portion 11c by the push operation of the operating body 3, The cam follower 4 is configured to rotate by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction. In addition, the engaging groove 16 of the inner peripheral part of the collar part 4d is for connecting the action | operation member 6 by spline.

  The actuating member 6 is formed of a synthetic resin material having excellent slidability. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the operating member 6 includes a flat plate portion 6 a that is disposed to face the inner bottom surface of the wafer 8, and a pair of upright pieces 6 b that are provided on the flat plate portion 6 a and face each other. And an annular jetty 6c protruding from the back surface of the flat plate portion 6a, and a slightly wide latching portion 6d is formed at the tip of each upright piece 6b. Each upright piece 6b is inserted into each engagement groove 16 of the flange 4d, and the cam follower 4 is not hindered from moving up and down, but the rotational force of the cam follower 4 is transmitted through the flange 4d. The actuating member 6 is splined to the cam follower 4 and can rotate integrally. Moreover, the movable contact 17 is attached to the back surface side of the flat plate portion 6a of the operating member 6 around the annular jetty 6c by means of heat or the like. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 23, the movable contact 17 is formed in a substantially annular shape, and a contact portion 17a is formed at a position opposed to the movable contact 17 by 180 degrees. A second coil spring 7 is incorporated in the radially inner space of each upright piece 6 b of the actuating member 6, and both ends of the second coil spring 7 are elastic on the upper surface of the flat plate portion 6 a and the ceiling surface of the cam follower 4. It comes to touch. The spring load of the second coil spring 7 is sufficiently larger than the spring load of the first coil spring 5. Further, the latching portion 6d formed at the tip of each standing piece 6b is for latching near the engagement groove 16 of the cam follower 4 against the elastic force of the second coil spring 7 during assembly. However, when the assembly is completed by attaching the case 2, the wafer 8 and the mounting plate 9 thereafter, the second coil spring 7 is set in a more compressed state, so that the latching portion 6d is separated from the cam follower 4. Kept in a detached position.

  The wafer 8 is formed of a synthetic resin material such as PBT, and a fixed contact 21 and an external terminal 22 are integrated by inserting a flat terminal material 20 into the molding die. At the center of the inner bottom surface of the wafer 8, an annular guide wall 8a that is inserted into the annular jetty 6c of the operating member 6 and supports the flat plate portion 6a is projected, and the outer peripheral surface of this guide wall 8a is Since it is slidably contacted with the inner peripheral surface of the annular jetty 6c, the rotation of the actuating member 6 is guided by the guide wall 8a and smoothly performed. The terminal material 20 is made of a highly conductive metal plate, part of which is exposed as a fixed contact 21 at a plurality of locations on the inner bottom surface of the wafer 8, and the end of the terminal material 20 is a plurality of locations on the side surface of the wafer 8. Projecting outward as an external terminal 22. On the outer bottom surface of the wafer 8, a plurality of openings 8 b are formed through which a part of the back surface of each fixed contact 21 is exposed. These openings 8b are traces of presser pins (not shown) inserted into the mold and pressed against the fixed contacts 21 so that the terminal material 20 is not displaced by resin pressure during insert molding. is there. In addition, the four corners (corner corner regions) of the outer bottom surface of the wafer 8 are thick mounting portions 8c, and a groove 8d having an arcuate shape in plan view is formed between each mounting portion 8c and the opening 8b. Has been. In addition, columnar positioning protrusions 8e and 8f having different thicknesses protrude from the bottom surfaces of the two placement portions 8c having a diagonal positional relationship.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the push switch device 1 according to the present embodiment has each mounting portion 8 c mounted at a predetermined position on the printed board 30, and each external terminal 22 is connected to a corresponding land portion of the printed board 30. Surface mounting is performed by soldering (not shown). Since these mounting portions 8c are projected at the four corners of the outer bottom surface of the wafer 8, the push switch 1 can be mounted on the printed circuit board 30 in a stable posture, and the positioning protrusions 8e and 8f are mounted on the printed circuit board 30 at the time of mounting. Therefore, the push switch device 1 can be easily and accurately positioned with respect to the printed circuit board 30. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 26, each mounting portion 8c is surrounded by two edges that are continuous on the outer bottom surface of the wafer 8, and groove portions 8d that are located at both ends of the two edges. Yes. In other words, the mounting portion 8c formed in the corner area of the outer bottom surface of the wafer 8 is separated from the remaining region by the groove portion 8d adjacent to the mounting portion 8c and projecting both ends to the side surface of the wafer 8. Therefore, even if the flux that has entered between the placement portion 8c and the printed circuit board 30 scoops up the placement portion 8c in the soldering process, the flux toward the opening portion 8b must cross the groove portion 8d. It is impossible to reach the opening 8b. Even if the flux enters the groove 8d, both ends of the groove 8d are exposed to the side surface of the wafer 8, so that the flux is easily discharged to the outside. Therefore, the flux crosses the groove 8d and opens. The possibility of adhering to the terminal material 20 in 8b is low. Further, since the outer wall surface on the groove portion 8d side of the mounting portion 8c is continuously formed with the inner wall surface of the groove portion 8d, a rising surface 8g (see FIG. 5) having a large height is formed, so that the flux is placed on the mounting portion. The opening 8b cannot be reached unless the rising surface 8g continuously extending from the tip of 8c to the back of the groove 8d is scooped up. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 8d is a constricted shape in which the adjacent mounting portion 8c side rises linearly and the opening 8b side curves in a bulging shape. Even if the flux overflows from the groove 8d, it is difficult to flow toward the opening 8b.

  Next, the operation of the push switch device 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 and FIG. In FIG. 27, only one cam portion 15 of the cam follower 4 is shown, but the other cam portions 15 operate in the same manner.

  FIG. 7 shows an initial state (return state) in which the operation shaft 3a of the operation body 3 is not pushed. In this initial state, the operating body 3 is held at the non-operating position by the resilient force of the first and second coil springs 5 and 7. Further, the cam follower 4 is biased upward by the elastic force of the second coil spring 7, and the guided leg portion 3 d of the operating body 3 and the cam portion 15 of the cam follower 4 are both guide portions 11 on the inner surface of the case 2. The rotation restricting portion 11a is engaged. Therefore, the operation body 3 and the cam follower 4 are restricted from rotating in the circumferential direction by the rotation restricting portion 11a. At this time, as shown in FIG. 27A, the first ratchet tooth 12 of the operating body 3 is engaged with the inclined surface of the second ratchet tooth 14 of the cam follower 4 at an unstable position. In this initial state, the first coil spring 5 is in elastic contact with the ceiling surface of the cylindrical portion 3 c, so that the operating body 3 does not rattle the cam follower 4. However, since the spring load of the first coil spring 5 is sufficiently smaller than the spring load of the second coil spring 7, the operation of the second coil spring 7 as a return spring is caused by the first coil spring 5. There is no inhibition.

  When the operating body 3 is in the non-operating position shown in FIG. 7, if the operating shaft 3a is pushed directly or via an actuator (not shown), the peak of the first ratchet teeth 12 is shown in FIG. Since the portion 12a pushes the peak portion 14a of the second ratchet tooth 14 and the cam portion 15 is detached from the rotation restricting portion 11a, the elastic force of the second coil spring 7 as shown in FIG. The crest portion 14a of the second ratchet tooth 14 moves to a stable position where it engages with the valley portion 12b of the first ratchet tooth 12, and the cam follower 4 rotates by this amount of movement. Therefore, the operation member 6 rotates integrally with the cam follower 4, and the first contact switching operation (for example, switch-on operation) is performed by changing the contact position of the movable contact 17 with respect to the fixed contact 21. FIG. 27 (c) shows a full stroke state. When the operation force is removed after the push operation on the operation body 3, the cam portion 15 of the cam follower 4 pushed up by the elastic force of the second coil spring 7 is returned to the position shown in FIG. Since the cam follower 4 rotates in contact with the inclined surface of the portion 11c and the cam portion 15 slides along the inclined surface, as shown in FIG. 27E, the cam portion 15 is engaged with the return regulating portion 11c. It will be stopped. That is, since the cam follower 4 is restricted in upward movement and rotation and is held in the height position shown in FIG. 9 in the case 2, even if the first coil spring 5 pushes up the operating body 3, the retaining portion 13 does not move. The return operation of the operating body 3 is restricted by coming into contact with the peripheral edge of the shaft hole 4a, whereby the operating body 3 is held at a position where the amount of protrusion from the case 2 is small and is in a push-lock state. Even in such a push-lock state, the first coil spring 5 is in elastic contact with the ceiling surface of the cylindrical portion 3 c, so that the operating body 3 does not rattle the cam follower 4.

  In the push lock state shown in FIG. 9, when the operation shaft 3a of the operation body 3 is pushed directly or via an actuator (not shown), as shown in FIG. 27 (f), the peak portion 12a of the first ratchet tooth 12 is obtained. Pushes the peak portion 14a of the second ratchet tooth 14 and the cam portion 15 disengages from the return restricting portion 11c, so that the second force is generated by the elastic force of the second coil spring 7 as shown in FIG. The peak portion 14a of the ratchet tooth 14 moves to a stable position where it engages with the valley portion 12b of the first ratchet tooth 12, and the cam follower 4 rotates by this amount of movement. Therefore, the operation member 6 rotates integrally with the cam follower 4 to perform a second contact switching operation (for example, a switch-off operation) by changing the contact position of the movable contact 17 with respect to the fixed contact 21. FIG. 27 (g) shows a full stroke state. When the operation force is removed after the push operation on the operation body 3 in the push-lock state, the cam portion 15 of the cam follower 4 pushed up by the elastic force of the second coil spring 7 is as shown in FIG. Since the cam follower 4 rotates in contact with the inclined surface of the introduction portion 11b and the cam portion 15 slides along the inclined surface, as shown in FIG. 27 (i), the cam portion 15 is rotated by the rotation restricting portion 11a. As shown in FIG. 27 (j), the cam follower 4 moves up to the height position shown in FIG. 7 as the cam portion 15 rises in the rotation restricting portion 11a. Therefore, the operating body 3 is pushed back to the non-operating position and returns to the initial state.

  As described above, the push switch device 1 according to this embodiment pushes the operating body 3 in the non-operation position, and the cam follower 4 from the rotation restricting portion 11a of the guide portion 11 provided on the inner surface of the case 2. By disengaging the cam portion 15, the cam portion 15 is locked to the return restricting portion 11 c of the guide portion 11, and the cam follower 4 thus locked restricts the return operation of the operating body 3. However, it is possible to realize a push lock state in which the protrusion amount from the case 2 is held at a position where the protrusion amount is small. Further, since the operation body 3 in the push lock state is pushed and the cam portion 15 of the cam follower 4 is separated from the return regulating portion 11c, the return operation is allowed. It will return to the large non-operation position. In addition, since the operation member 6 changes the position during each push operation and the contact switching operation is performed, the push switch device 1 is installed in any direction (for example, installed downward on the ceiling surface in the vehicle interior). However, if the amount of protrusion of the operating body 3 from the case 2 is seen, the contact switching state (for example, the switch-on state and the switch-off state) can be instantly identified, and the user-friendly push switch device 1 can be realized. Moreover, the operating body 3 cannot move freely in the axial direction even when no operating force is applied, and the play of the operating body 3 with respect to the cam follower 4 is prevented by the first coil spring 5. The push switch device 1 is less likely to cause rattle noise even when the push switch device 1 is installed in a vehicle interior that is susceptible to vibration.

  Further, in the push switch device 1 described above, the through shaft 3b of the operating body 3 is loosely inserted into the shaft hole 4a provided in the rotation center portion of the cam follower 4, and the diameter of the through shaft 3b is larger than that of the shaft hole 4a. By attaching the retaining part 13, the retaining part 13 comes into contact with the peripheral part of the shaft hole 4 a and the return operation of the operating body 4 is reliably regulated. Therefore, the push-lock state can be realized by a simple structure that does not adversely affect the raising / lowering operation of the operating body 3 and the rotating operation of the cam follower 4. Moreover, since the retaining portion 13 may be attached after the through-shaft 3b is inserted into the shaft hole 4a at the time of assembly, the operating body 3 and the cam follower 4 can be easily connected, and the assembly workability is also improved.

  In the push switch device 1 described above, since the first coil spring 5 and the second coil spring 7 are arranged concentrically via the inner cylinder portion 4b (partition wall portion) of the cam follower 4, two coils are arranged. Despite the use of springs, the overall height of the switch device can be greatly reduced. However, since the first coil spring 5 is for preventing the play of the operating body 3 with respect to the cam follower 4, the first coil spring 5 is omitted when the play of both 3 and 4 is small enough not to cause a problem. It is also possible to adopt the configuration described above.

  Further, in the push switch device 1 described above, the cam follower 4 is against the elastic force of the second coil spring 7 at the tip of each standing piece 6b of the operating member 6 to which the rotational force of the cam follower 4 is transmitted. Since a latching portion 6d for latching is formed in the vicinity of the engagement groove 16, the operation body 3, the cam follower 4 and the first coil spring 5 are unitized at the time of assembly. The coil spring 7 and the actuating member 6 can be assembled into a unit. Therefore, even if it is the structure which incorporates the 1st and 2nd coil springs 5 and 7, assembly workability does not become complicated.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the operation member 6 rotates integrally with the cam follower 4 to perform the contact switching operation has been described. However, the operation member moves up and down in conjunction with the rotation of the cam follower. Along with this, it is possible to perform a contact switching operation. Further, the housing 10 can be an integrally molded product.

It is a front view of the push switch device concerning the example of an embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at this push switch device from diagonally upward. It is the perspective view which looked at this push switch device from the slanting lower part. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the BB line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the reset state of this push switch apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the full stroke state of this push switch apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the push lock state of this push switch apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of this push switch apparatus. It is a top view of the case with which this push switch device is provided. It is sectional drawing which follows the CC line of FIG. It is a bottom view of the case. It is explanatory drawing which expand | deploys and shows the guide part formed in this case. It is a front view of the operation body with which this push switch device is provided. It is a top view of this operation body. It is a bottom view of the operation body. It is explanatory drawing which expand | deploys and shows the 1st ratchet tooth formed in this operation body. It is a front view of a cam follower provided in the push switch device. It is a top view of this cam follower. It is a bottom view of this cam follower. It is explanatory drawing which expand | deploys and shows the 2nd ratchet tooth formed in this cam follower. It is a top view of the movable contact with which this push switch device is equipped. It is a front view of the wafer with which this push switch device is provided. It is a top view of this wafer. It is a bottom view of the wafer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the position change of the 1st and 2nd ratchet tooth | gear corresponding to a series of operation | movement of this push switch apparatus, or a cam part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Push switch apparatus 2 Case 3 Operation body 3a Operation shaft 3b Through-shaft (shaft part)
3c Tubular part 3d Guided leg part 4 Cam follower 4a Shaft hole 4b Inner cylinder part (partition wall part)
4c outer cylinder part 5 1st coil spring (elastic member)
6 Actuating member 6b Standing piece 6d Hook part 7 Second coil spring (return spring)
8 Wafer 8a Guide wall 9 Mounting plate 10 Housing 11 Guide portion 11a Rotation restricting portion 11b Introducing portion 11c Return restricting portion 12 First ratchet teeth 13 Retaining portion (annular member)
14 Second ratchet teeth 15 Cam portion 16 Engaging groove 17 Movable contact 20 Terminal material 21 Fixed contact 22 External terminal

Claims (8)

A hollow housing having a guide portion having a rotation restricting portion and a return restricting portion formed on the inner surface, and a first ratchet tooth that is guided by the rotation restricting portion and can be moved up and down in the axial direction and extends in the circumferential direction And a cam portion guided by the rotation restricting portion and the return restricting portion, and is movable up and down in the axial direction and rotatable in the circumferential direction inside the housing. A cam follower formed with a second ratchet tooth that engages with one ratchet tooth; a return spring that constantly elastically biases the cam follower in the axial direction so that the first and second ratchet teeth mesh with each other; An operating member capable of changing the position in conjunction with the cam follower, and a contact switching mechanism that operates in accordance with the position change of the operating member;
By pushing the operating body in the non-operating position to disengage the cam portion from the rotation restricting portion, the cam follower rotates as the cam portion moves to the return restricting portion, and the actuating member Changes the position, and when the cam portion is locked to the return restricting portion, the return operation of the operating body is in a push-lock state in which the cam follower is restricted by the cam follower, and the operating body is in the push-lock state. The cam follower rotates as the cam portion moves to the rotation restricting portion to change the position of the actuating member as the cam portion is moved to the rotation restricting portion. A push switch device characterized in that the return operation of the operating body is allowed.   2. The cam follower according to claim 1, wherein the cam follower has a shaft hole at a center of rotation, and the operating body has a shaft portion that is loosely inserted into the shaft hole, and a tip portion of the shaft portion is larger than the shaft hole. A push switch device having a diameter retaining portion.   3. The push switch device according to claim 2, wherein a separate annular member is attached to a tip portion of the shaft portion to form the retaining portion.   The push switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an elastic member having a spring load smaller than that of the return spring is interposed between the operating body and the cam follower.   5. The push according to claim 4, wherein each of the return spring and the elastic member is a coil spring, and the pair of coil springs are concentrically arranged via a partition wall portion of the cam follower. Switch device.   6. The operation member according to claim 1, wherein the actuating member has a plurality of upright pieces to which a rotational force of the cam follower is transmitted and is splined to the cam follower. The return spring comprising a coil spring having one end elastically contacted with the cam follower and the other end elastically contacted with the actuating member is disposed in a radially inner space of the piece, and the tip of the standing piece The push switch device is characterized in that a hooking portion that is hooked on the cam follower is formed on the portion against an elastic force of the return spring during assembly.   The operation member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the actuating member is spline-coupled to the cam follower and is integrally rotatable, and the contact switching mechanism is a fixed contact held by the housing; A push switch device, comprising: a movable contact held by the actuating member and movable toward and away from the fixed contact.   8. The push according to claim 7, wherein the housing is configured by combining a case in which the guide portion is formed on an inner wall surface and a wafer in which the fixed contact is disposed on the inner bottom surface. Switch device.

Images