JP2010192278A - Lever switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lever switch aimed at downsizing and thinning and capable of surely getting in and out of contact, in one used for various electronic equipment. <P>SOLUTION: When a lever is rocked to right and left, a holding spring slides in a direction contrary to a rocking direction of the lever, and at the same time, an interval of arm parts of the holding spring is widened by a locking means, while, on the other hand, when the lever is released, the holding spring slides to have the interval of the arm parts narrowed, and at the same time, the lever returns to a neutral state to have a fixed contact and a movable contact changed over in contact and separation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lever switch used mainly in various electronic devices for detecting the presence or absence of a recording medium and the operation of a mechanism.

  Used as a lever switch for detection used in various electronic devices and used for detecting the operation of various mechanisms such as the presence or absence of recording media such as tapes and disks, or opening and closing of doors, A so-called leaf switch in which fixed contacts are combined is widely known.

  Such a conventional lever switch will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional lever switch. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 1 denotes a box-shaped case made of an insulating resin having an open front surface and an opening 1A on the upper surface. Reference numeral 2 denotes an intermediate shaft portion 2A. The lever 2 is pivotally mounted, and the drive unit 2B, 2C is provided at the lower end of the lever 2 housed in the case 1, and the operation unit 2D at the upper end protrudes upward from the opening 1A of the case 1. .

  3 is a movable contact made of an elastic metal thin plate, 4 is a pair of fixed contacts made of an elastic metal thin plate arranged on the left and right of the movable contact 3, and each is planted on the bottom surface facing the opening 1A of the case 1, The upper end of the movable contact 3 is disposed between the drive portions 2B and 2C of the lever 2, and the inwardly curved contact portion 4A is provided at the upper end of the fixed contact 4 facing the intermediate portion of the movable contact 3. Yes.

  Further, a cover (not shown) covers the front surface of the case 1 housing the movable contact 3 and the fixed contact 4, and a lever switch is configured by holding the shaft portion 2A of the lever 2 so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction. Yes.

  In the above configuration, when the operation portion 2D of the lever 2 is turned to the right, the lower end of the drive portion 2C is turned to the left with the shaft portion 2A as a fulcrum as shown in the sectional view of FIG. The movable contact 3 is pushed at the upper end by the portion 2C and bent to the left, and the middle portion contacts the contact portion 4A of the fixed contact 4 on the left side.

  Then, when the operation portion 2D of the lever 2 is further rotated to a predetermined stroke, the upper end of the movable contact 3 further moves to the left as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 9, and the intermediate portion presses the contact portion 4A. For this reason, the fixed contact 4 is also bent leftward, and the movable contact 3 and the fixed contact 4 are in contact with each other with a stable contact pressure.

  Further, when the operating force of the lever 2 on the operating portion 2D is released, the driving portion 2C is pressed rightward by the restoring force of the movable contact 3 and the fixed contact 4, and the lever 2 is rotated, so that the operating portion 2D is shown in FIG. 7 Return to the neutral state.

  When the operation unit 2D of the lever 2 is rotated to the left, the drive unit 2B presses the upper end of the movable contact 3 to the right, deflects the movable contact 3 to the right, and fixes the right fixed contact 4 to the right. When the operating force to the operating portion 2D of the lever 2 is released, the driving portion 2B is pressed leftward by the restoring force of the movable contact 3 or the fixed contact 4, and the lever 2 is rotated, so that the operating portion 2D is rotated. Is configured to return to the neutral state of FIG.

  That is, the operating portion 2D of the lever 2 is returned to the neutral state by the return force of the movable contact 3 bent left and right, and the return force is large if the movable contact 3 is short. Since the stress applied to 3 is increased, it is necessary to lengthen the movable contact 3 in order to use it for a long time, and it is difficult to reduce the size.

As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
JP 2002-150885 A

  However, in the above-described conventional lever switch, the plate-like movable contact 3 is bent in the left-right direction to come into contact with the left and right fixed contacts 4, and the lever 2 is returned to the neutral state only by the restoring force of the movable contact 3. In order to ensure a sufficient restoring force, the movable contact 3 requires a predetermined length, which makes it difficult to reduce the size of the entire switch.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lever switch that can be reduced in size and can obtain a sufficient restoring force.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the lever is swung from side to side, the terminal block slides and the holding spring is bent by the locking means, while when the lever is released, The return force of the holding spring returns to the neutral state, and the contact between the fixed contact and the movable contact is switched. Even when the switch is made smaller and thinner, the lever return force can be increased. It has the effect that a switch capable of reliably performing electrical contact and separation can be obtained.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the front surface of the terminal block is provided with a fixing portion that protrudes with right and left slopes, and includes a pressing spring that presses the front surface of the terminal block, and the pressing spring has an inverted U-shape. The terminal block holding portion is provided and the terminal block holding portion of the pressing spring presses both the right and left slopes of the fixing portion when the lever is in the neutral state. In addition to the operation, the contact between the fixed contact and the movable contact is made more stable, and the lever can be held in a neutral state without being displaced.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the cover for housing the lever, the terminal block, and the holding spring between the case and the pressing spring are integrally formed. In addition to the operation of the second aspect, The lever switch that can be easily assembled can be provided.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve an advantageous effect that it is possible to realize a lever switch that can be miniaturized and can obtain a sufficient restoring force.

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

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a lever switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, in which 11 is an open top surface and heat resistance of liquid crystal polymer, polyphenylene sulfide, polyamide resin, etc. This is a box-shaped case made of insulating resin.

  Here, in the approximate center of the inner bottom surface of the case 11, a substantially Y-shaped conductive metal fixed contact 12 </ b> A is implanted so that both left and right ends are exposed to the outside of the case 11. One end is exposed from the left and right inner walls of the fixed contact 12A so that the substantially L-shaped fixed contact 12B, 12C made from both sides sandwich the lower side of the substantially Y-shaped fixed contact 12A, insert molding, etc. Has been planted by.

  In addition, a substantially rectangular step 11A made of an insulating resin similar to that of the case 11 and projecting long in the left-right direction is provided at a substantially central position on the inner bottom surface of the case 11.

  The upper side wall of the stepped portion 11A is opened at the center, and a hollow portion 11B is formed on the opened semi-cylindrical wall surface, and a further arcuate shape is formed between the recessed portion 11B and the stepped portion 11A. A bearing portion 11C is formed.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes a lever made of an insulating resin similar to the case 11, the upper end operation portion 13 </ b> A protrudes upward from the case 11, and the cylindrical shaft portion 13 </ b> B is rotatably disposed on the bearing portion 11 </ b> C of the case 11. The projections 13C to 13E are provided below the shaft portion 13B.

  Note that 13F is a substantially cylindrical cover portion that covers the shaft portion 13B and the front surfaces of the projection portions 13C to 13E, and is disposed on the arc-shaped recess portion 11B of the case 11 with the upper surface open, and the dust from above is opened. It is designed to prevent such as entering.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a substantially square plate-like terminal block made of insulating resin similar to the case 11. The front surface is provided with a trapezoidal columnar fixing portion 14 </ b> A formed with slopes on the left and right, and above the terminal block 14. A pair of left and right cam portions 14B and 14C protruding in a substantially triangular prism shape are provided, and a protrusion 13D at the lower end of the lever 13 is held between the cam portions 14B and 14C.

  Further, a terminal plate made of a conductive metal such as copper indicated by 15 is provided on the back surface of the terminal block 14 by insert molding or adhesive bonding, and a pair of circular movable contacts 15A are provided on the back side. Protruding.

  Further, a guide portion 14D recessed in a substantially U shape is provided on the back side of the terminal block 14, and the terminal block 14 is fitted so as to be slidable in the left-right direction from the front surface of the stepped portion 11A.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a substantially U-shaped holding spring made of an elastic metal thin plate such as phosphor bronze or beryllium copper or an elastic resin. The lower surface of the intermediate portion 16A is arranged along the lower side wall surface of the case 11, and the intermediate portion 16A. Two arm portions 16C extend from the bent portions 16B at both ends upward and to the left and right, and the two arm portions 16C are arranged in a state where the upper and lower sides are bent slightly inward and the left and right side surfaces of the terminal block 14 are slightly pressed. Has been.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes an approximately frame-shaped pressing spring made of an elastic metal thin plate such as phosphor bronze or beryllium copper, or an elastic resin, and is an arc-shaped flexible supporting portion 17A bent slightly toward the back side, A pair of inverted U-shaped terminal block holding portions 17B are provided.

  Here, using the combination diagram of the terminal block 14 and the pressing spring 17 shown in FIG. 3, the relationship between the terminal block 14 and the pressing spring 17 will be described. When the lever 13 shown in FIG. The terminal block 14 and the pressing spring 17 are combined so that the pair of terminal block holding portions 17B presses the left and right slopes from the front.

  Further, since the terminal block holding portion 17B of the pressing spring 17 presses the terminal block 14 and the terminal plate 15 from the front surface, the case between the fixed contact 12A and the fixed contact 12B in the neutral state of the lever 13 shown in FIG. The right movable contact 15A is elastically contacted with the inner bottom surface of 11, and the left movable contact 15A is elastically contacted with the inner bottom surface of the case 11 between the fixed contact 12A and the fixed contact 12C.

  Thereby, the fixed contact 12A is maintained in a state where it is not electrically connected to any of the fixed contacts 12B and 12C, and the lever 13 can be held in a neutral state without being displaced by the terminal block holding portion 17B. Yes.

  And the lever switch 20 is comprised by covering the front surface of case 11 in which these were accommodated with metal covers 18, such as stainless steel, copper, and a tin plating steel plate.

  And the lever switch 20 comprised in this way is incorporated in various electronic devices, such as a DVD recorder, for example.

  Here, when an operator of an electronic device such as a DVD recorder inserts a tray (not shown) on which a storage medium is placed, the end of the tray comes into contact with the lever 13 and the lever 13 tilts left and right. When the operator pulls out the tray, the lever switch 20 is arranged so that the end of the tray is separated from the lever 13 and the lever 13 returns to the center.

  In the above configuration, when the end of the tray comes into contact with the operation portion 13A of the lever 13 and is rotated to the right, the lever 13 is rotated with the shaft portion 13B as a fulcrum as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. Then, the projection 13D at the center of the lower end of the shaft portion 13B presses the right side surface of the cam portion 14C of the terminal block 14, and then the projection portion 13C at the lower right side presses the right side surface of the cam portion 14B of the terminal block 14 continuously. Therefore, the terminal block 14 is guided by the guide portion 14D and moves to the left along the step portion 11A.

  Here, the right movable contact 15A moves to the left as the terminal block 14 moves, so that the right movable contact 15A contacts the fixed contact 12A, and the left movable contact 15A also moves to the left. And abuts on the fixed contact 12C.

  As a result, the fixed contact 12 </ b> A and the fixed contact 12 </ b> C are changed into a state of being electrically connected via the terminal plate 15.

  That is, the electrical continuity between the fixed contact 12 </ b> A and the fixed contact 12 </ b> C is switched when the end portion of the tray contacts the operation portion 13 </ b> A of the lever 13 and is rotated to the right.

  Here, the holding spring 16 is locked at a position where the right arm portion 16C is in contact with the right end of the step portion 11A of the case 11 as a locking means, and the left arm portion 16C is fixed to the left side surface of the terminal block 14. Therefore, the intermediate portion 16A slides along the lower bottom surface of the case 11, and the bent portions 16B on both the left and right sides bend, and the space between the arm portions 16C expands to provide a restoring force for returning to the neutral state. Stored.

  Further, as shown in the combination diagram of the terminal block 14 and the pressing spring 17 in FIG. 5, when the operation portion 13 </ b> A of the lever 13 in FIG. The back surface of the left terminal block holding portion 17B is pressed, the right side of the fixed portion 14A is pressed by the back surface of the right terminal block holding portion 17B, and the movable contact 15A together with the terminal block 14 holds the terminal block of the pressing spring 17. The parts 17B are pressed against the fixed contact 12A and the fixed contact 12C, respectively.

  Thereby, the electrical continuity between the fixed contact 12A and the fixed contact 12C becomes more stable.

  Next, when the end of the tray or the like moves away from the operation portion 13A of the lever 13, the holding spring 16 in which the left and right arm portions 16C and the bent portion 16B are expanded and the restoring force is stored tries to return to the original neutral state. Therefore, the terminal block 14 slides to the right.

  And while guide part 14D of terminal block 14 slides on level difference part 11A, cam part 14B of terminal block 14 presses projection part 13C of lever 13, and cam part 14C presses projection part 13D after that. Then the lever 13 is rotated.

  Here, as the holding spring 16 returns to the neutral state, the bending is reduced and the restoring force is reduced. However, in the vicinity of the neutral state, the holding force of the terminal block holding portion 17B of the pressing spring 17 pressing the front surface of the terminal block 14 is reduced. Since the left end exceeds the raised surface of the trapezoidal columnar fixing portion 14A and presses the slope on the left side of the fixing portion 14A, the force that returns the fixing portion 14A between the left and right terminal block holding portions 17B works, and FIG. As shown, the force to return the lever 13 to the neutral state is assisted.

  Here, as described above, when the lever 13 returns to the neutral state, there is no electrical continuity between the fixed contacts 12A and 12B and the fixed contact 12C.

  On the other hand, when the end portion of the tray contacts the operation portion 13A of the lever 13 and is turned to the left, the projection 13D at the center of the lower end of the lever 13 presses the cam portion 14B of the terminal block 14 from the left. Subsequently, since the protrusion 13E on the lower left side continuously presses the cam portion 14C of the terminal block 14 from the left, the terminal block 14 slides to the right and the terminal on the left side of the movable contact 15A of the terminal plate 15 is a fixed contact. The terminal on the right side of the movable contact 15A is elastically contacted with the fixed contact 12B.

  At the same time, the holding spring 16 is locked at a position where the left arm portion 16C is in contact with the upper left end of the step portion 11A of the case 11 serving as a locking means, and the right arm portion 16C is fixed to the terminal block 14. Since the intermediate portion 16A slides along the lower bottom surface of the case 11 because it is pressed on the right side surface, the bent portions 16B on both the left and right sides extend, and the space between the arm portions 16C expands to return to return to the neutral state. Power is stored.

  Further, the terminal block holding portion 17B of the pressing spring 17 presses the front surface of the terminal block 14 in the same manner as when the operating portion 13A of the lever 13 is rotated to the right.

  That is, even when the end of the tray is in contact with the operation portion 13A of the lever 13 and rotated leftward, the electrical continuity is switched only between the fixed contact 12B and the fixed contact 12A. .

  Here, when the end of the tray or the like moves away from the operation portion 13A of the lever 13, the lever 13 returns to the neutral state, and the fixed contacts 12A and 12B and the fixed contact 12A return to a state where they are not electrically connected. This is the same as when the operation portion 13A of the lever 13 returns from the right direction.

  That is, when the operation portion 13A of the lever 13 is in a neutral state, neither the fixed contact 12A or 12B is electrically connected to the fixed contact 12A, and the end of the tray or the like is not connected to the operation portion 13A of the lever 13. And the arm portion of the holding spring 16 is locked by the step portion 11A which is the locking means and bent to store the restoring force, and at the same time, the fixed contact 12A or 12B and the fixed contact The electrical continuity between 12C changes.

  When the end of the tray or the like is separated from the lever 13, the lever 13 returns to the neutral state by the restoring force stored in the holding spring 16, and the electrical contact between the fixed contact 12A or 12B and the fixed contact 12C. The conduction is cut off.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the lever 13 is swung left and right, the holding spring 16 slides in the opposite direction to the swinging direction of the lever 13 and the step portion which is a locking means. 11A increases the interval between the arm portions 16C of the holding spring 16, and when the lever 13 is released, the holding spring 16 slides to reduce the interval between the arm portions 16C of the holding spring 16 and the lever 13 is in a neutral state. Since the contact between the fixed contacts 12B and 12C and the movable contact 15A is switched, the lever return force can be increased even when the lever switch is reduced in size and thickness. A lever switch capable of contact / separation can be obtained.

  The front surface of the terminal block 14 is provided with a fixing portion 14A that protrudes with a slope on the left and right, and includes a pressing spring 17 that presses the front surface of the terminal block 14, and the pressing spring 17 has an inverted U-shape. A terminal block holding portion 17B is provided to make the contact between the fixed contacts 12A to 12C and the movable contact 15A more stable, and the terminal block holding portion 17B of the pressing spring 17 is fixed when the lever 13 is in a neutral state. Since both the left and right slopes of the portion 14A are pressed, the lever 13 can be held in a neutral state without displacement.

  In addition, since the locking means is a stepped portion, when the terminal block 14 slides, the guide portion 14D and the stepped portion 11A of the case 11 can be combined to slide smoothly, so that the lever 13 can be moved more smoothly. It can be rocked.

  In the above description, the cover 18 and the pressing spring 17 have been described as separate components. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in another embodiment of the cover in FIG. The cover 21 may be provided with an arcuate flexible support portion 21A bent slightly toward the back side and a pair of substantially inverted U-shaped terminal block holding portions 21B.

  As a result, the number of parts constituting the lever switch is reduced, and when the support portion 21A and the terminal block holding portion 21B are assembled so as to press the terminal block 14, the support portion 21A and the terminal block holding portion 21B are bent and assembled. Even in this state, the lever switch that can be easily assembled can be provided.

  In the above description, the step 11A protruding from the bottom surface is formed on the inner bottom surface of the case 11 as the locking means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the arm of the holding spring 16 is used. Any configuration may be used as long as it has a function of locking the portion 16C. For example, when a thin cylindrical convex portion is provided side by side at the left and right positions and the center of the width of the terminal block 14, or the holding spring 16 is provided. In addition, a concave portion is provided on the inner bottom surface of the case 11 at the left and right positions of the rear surface of the terminal block 14. When the holding spring 16 is bent, the convex portion of the holding spring 16 is locked by the concave portion. Even when the arm portion 16C of the holding spring 16 can be locked to the inner bottom surface of the case 11, such as when the structure is configured, the present invention can be implemented.

  The lever switch according to the present invention can be reduced in size and thickness, and can be reliably connected and separated, and is useful as a detection lever switch mainly used in various electronic devices.

Sectional drawing of the lever switch by one embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view Combination diagram of terminal block and pressure spring Cross section during the same operation Combination diagram of terminal block and pressure spring The perspective view by other embodiment of a cover Cross-sectional view of a conventional lever switch Cross section during the same operation Cross section during the same operation

11 Case 11A Stepped portion 11B Recessed portion 11C Bearing portion 12A Fixed contact 12B, 12C Fixed contact 13 Lever 13A Operation portion 13B Shaft portion 13C, 13D, 13E Projection portion 14 Terminal block 14A Fixed portion 14B, 14C Cam portion 14D Guide portion 15 Terminal Plate 15A Movable contact 16 Holding spring 16A Intermediate part 16B Bending part 16C Arm part 17 Pressing spring 17A Supporting part 17B Terminal block holding part 18 Cover 20 Lever switch 21 Cover 21A Supporting part 21B Terminal block holding part

Claims (3)

A case provided with fixed contacts and locking means on the inner bottom surface;
A lever that is swingably housed in the case and has an operating portion protruding upward;
A terminal block having a movable contact on the back and sliding in the left-right direction by swinging the lever;
A holding spring having two arm portions, the arm portions contacting the left and right ends of the terminal block;
A pressing spring that presses the terminal block and elastically contacts the movable contact with the bottom surface of the case or the fixed contact;
A cover for storing the lever, the terminal block, and the holding spring between the case,
A lever switch in which the terminal block slides when the lever is swung left and right, the holding spring is bent by the locking means, and the lever returns to a neutral state when the lever is released. The front of the terminal block is provided with a fixed part that protrudes with slopes on the left and right,
While having a pressing spring that presses the front surface of the terminal block, the pressing spring is provided with an inverted U-shaped terminal block holding portion,
The lever switch according to claim 1, wherein the terminal block holding portion of the pressing spring presses both the left and right slopes of the fixing portion when the lever is in a neutral state. The lever switch according to claim 2, wherein the cover and the pressing spring are integrally formed.

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