JP2011113931A - Slide switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slide switch in which, when a contact point on a movable contact piece moves between the adjoining fixed contact pieces accompanying sliding of a slider, these adjoining fixed contact pieces are not short-circuited mutually. <P>SOLUTION: In the slide switch 1, a movable contact piece 7 on a slider 5 installed capable of sliding in a switch case 3 of insulating material is supported by the slider 5 movably between a regular position where it can come into contact with fixed contact pieces P1, P2, P3 which are fixedly arranged in the switch case 3 and a retreating position where it does not come into contact with the fixed contact pieces P1, P2, P3 separated from the regular position in a direction crossing the sliding direction of the slider 5; and when the contact point on the movable contact piece 7 moves among the adjoining fixed contact pieces P1, P2, P3 accompanying sliding of the slider 5, it moves to the retreating position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a slide switch.

  29 and 30 show a conventional example of a slide switch used for switching the lighting state of an interior lamp of a vehicle.

  The slide switch 101 shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1, and includes a switch case 103 made of an insulating material, a slider 104 slidably mounted in the switch case 103, a switch Three fixed contact pieces 105a, 105b, and 105c fixedly disposed on the inner surface of the case 103; a movable contact piece 106 that is mounted on the slider 104 and switches between the fixed contact pieces that are short-circuited as the slider 104 slides; And a moderation mechanism 107 that provides a moderation feeling when the slider 104 moves.

  The switch case 103 has an elongated box shape along the sliding direction of the slider 104 to be accommodated (the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 29 and 30A), and the upper surface side is open.

  The three fixed contact pieces 105a, 105b, and 105c are fixedly disposed on the inner surface of the switch case 103 at a predetermined interval along the sliding direction of the slider 104.

  The movable contact piece 106 has two contact points 106 b on a contact piece main body 106 a extending along the sliding direction of the slider 104. Each contact 106b is a portion that becomes a contact portion with the fixed contact piece, and is formed in a spherical shape protruding toward the fixed contact pieces 105a, 105b, and 105c. The movable contact piece 106 has two contact points 106b spaced apart in the sliding direction of the slider 104, and each contact point 106b contacts two different fixed contact pieces to short-circuit the two fixed contact pieces. To do.

  FIG. 30A shows a state in which the two contact points 106b of the movable contact piece 106 are in contact with the two fixed contact pieces 105a and 105b, and the fixed contact pieces 105a and 105b are short-circuited. .

  In FIG. 30B, the slider 104 is slid from the state of FIG. 30A to the right side of the drawing (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 30B) to short-circuit the two fixed contact pieces 105b and 105c. Indicates the state.

  The moderation mechanism 107 includes a cam surface 111 provided on the inner surface of the switch case 103, a ball 112 accommodated in the slider 104 so as to be able to advance and retreat toward the cam surface 111, and a slider so as to press the ball 112 against the cam surface 111. And a spring 113 mounted in 104.

  As shown in FIG. 30, the cam surface 111 is provided on the inner surface of the switch case 103 on the side opposite to the equipment side of the fixed contact pieces 105a, 105b, 105c. The cam surface 111 is formed in a wave shape in which a plurality of crests 111 a and troughs 111 b are alternately arranged along the sliding direction of the slider 104.

  The moderation mechanism 107 described above generates a feeling of moderation by the action of the ball 112 falling over the mountain portion 111a and falling into the valley portion 111b when the slider 104 is slid.

  In FIG. 30 (c), the slider 104 is slid from the state of FIG. 30 (b) to the left side of the drawing (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 30 (c)), and returns to the state of FIG. 30 (a). Shows the state.

JP-A-9-306288

  However, in the case of the slide switch 101 of Patent Document 1, the movable contact piece 106 is pressed against the slider 104 by the fixed contact pieces 105a, 105b, and 105c (in the biasing direction by the spring 113, as shown in FIG. Although it is supported movably in the direction of arrow D), it is in a fixed state in other directions (the sliding direction indicated by arrow A and the direction of arrow E perpendicular to the sliding direction).

  Therefore, when the contact 106b on the movable contact 106 moves between adjacent fixed contacts as the slider 104 slides, the fixed contacts adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. A short circuit occurs. In such a state, a current flows in a minute contact area short-circuited by the contact 106b between adjacent fixed contact pieces, and there is a possibility that inconvenience such as melting damage due to heat generation may occur.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and when the contact on the movable contact moves between the adjacent fixed contacts as the slider slides, the adjacent fixed contacts are moved to each other. The object is to provide a slide switch that is not short-circuited.

The above-described object of the present invention is achieved by the following configuration.
(1) A slider that is slidably mounted in a switch case made of an insulating material, and a plurality of fixed contact pieces that are fixedly arranged on the inner surface of the switch case at predetermined intervals along the sliding direction of the slider. The slide switch includes a movable contact provided on the slider so that the fixed contact to be short-circuited changes as the slider slides, and a moderation mechanism that provides a moderation feeling when the slider moves. And
The movable contact piece has a fixed position that can contact the fixed contact piece, and a retreat position that is separated from the fixed position in a direction intersecting the sliding direction of the slider and is not in contact with the fixed contact piece. A slide switch that is supported by the slider so as to be movable between the sliders and moves to the retracted position when a contact on the movable contact moves between adjacent fixed contacts as the slider slides. .

(2) The moderation mechanism includes a first cam surface provided on the inner surface of the switch case in a wave shape in which a plurality of crests and troughs are alternately arranged along the sliding direction of the slider, and the first cam surface A ball housed in the slider so as to be capable of moving forward and backward, and a spring mounted in the slider so as to press the ball against the first cam surface,
The slide switch according to (1) above, wherein a pressing direction of the movable contact piece and the fixed contact piece is set in a direction orthogonal to a biasing direction of the spring.

  (3) A part of the movable contact piece is sandwiched between the ball and the spring so as to move in a direction intersecting the sliding direction integrally with the ball moving on the first cam surface. The slide switch according to (2), wherein the slide switch moves to the contact position or the retracted position by a displacement in a direction intersecting the sliding direction of the ball following the undulation of the cam surface. .

(4) The switch case is formed along a sliding direction of the slider so that a part of the movable contact is in sliding contact with the slider when the slider is slid. A second cam surface for restricting displacement in a direction intersecting the sliding direction of
The second cam surface moves the movable contact piece from the fixed position to the retracted position when the contact on the movable contact piece moves between adjacent fixed contact pieces as the slider slides. The slide switch according to (1) above.

According to the configuration of (1) above, when the contact on the movable contact moves between the adjacent fixed contacts as the slider slides, the movable contact mounted on the slider becomes the fixed contact. On the other hand, since it has moved to the retracted position where it is not in contact, adjacent fixed contact pieces are not short-circuited.
Therefore, inconveniences such as melting due to local heat generation caused by short-circuiting between adjacent fixed contact pieces in a minute contact area do not occur, and operational reliability can be improved.

  According to the configuration of (2) above, the pressing direction of the movable contact piece and the fixed contact piece is a direction orthogonal to the biasing direction of the spring of the moderation mechanism, and in the pressing direction of the movable contact piece and the fixed contact piece. The spring load of the moderation mechanism does not work.

  That is, even if the spring load fluctuates due to the expansion and contraction of the spring when the ball of the moderation mechanism moves on the undulation of the first cam surface, the load fluctuation of the spring is caused by the movable contact piece and the fixed contact piece. It is not involved in the contact pressure.

  Therefore, the movable contact piece and the fixed contact piece can maintain a stable contact pressure not involving the spring of the moderation mechanism, and can stabilize the electrical connection characteristics between the movable contact piece and the fixed contact piece. it can.

  According to the configuration of (3) above, the movable contact piece can be provided with a contact point on the movable contact piece, for example, by simply providing a protruding piece sandwiched between the ball of the moderation mechanism and the spring. When moving between adjacent fixed contact pieces, it is possible to realize a control operation of moving to a retracted position separated in a direction crossing the sliding direction.

  In addition, for example, the first cam surface is such that the displacement in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the ball sliding direction when the slider is slid is large near the valley of the first cam surface and decreases when the slider moves away from the valley. By setting the slope, the movable contact piece can be quickly moved from the fixed position to the retracted position when the ball leaves the valley, or immediately from the retracted position to the fixed position immediately before the ball fits in the valley. Therefore, when the contact point on the movable contact moves between the adjacent fixed contacts, the operation of switching the movable contact to the fixed position or the retracted position can be facilitated.

  According to the configuration of (4) above, when the contact on the movable contact moves between adjacent fixed contacts as the slider slides, the movable contact becomes a fixed contact due to the position restriction by the second cam surface. It is moved from a fixed position where it comes into contact to a retracted position where it does not come into contact with the fixed contact piece. Therefore, the movable contact piece does not short-circuit adjacent fixed contact pieces.

  Therefore, inconveniences such as melting due to local heat generation caused by short-circuiting between adjacent fixed contact pieces in a minute contact area do not occur, and operational reliability can be improved.

  According to the configuration of (4) above, when the contact on the movable contact moves between the adjacent fixed contacts as the slider slides, the attitude of the movable contact is held by the second cam surface. Therefore, when the contact on the movable contact moves between the adjacent fixed contacts, the movable contact does not tilt. Accordingly, there is no problem that the inclined movable contact piece interferes with a step between adjacent fixed contact pieces, and smooth operability and operational reliability can be ensured.

  According to the slide switch of the present invention, when the contact on the movable contact moves between the adjacent fixed contacts as the slider slides, the movable contact mounted on the slider is moved relative to the fixed contact. Therefore, the adjacent fixed contact pieces are not short-circuited.

  Therefore, inconveniences such as melting due to local heat generation caused by short-circuiting between adjacent fixed contact pieces in a minute contact area do not occur, and operational reliability can be improved.

It is a disassembled perspective view of 1st Embodiment of the slide switch which concerns on this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the switch case shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the assembly state of the slider shown in FIG. It is a front view of the slider of the assembly state shown in FIG. It is a side view of the slider of the assembly state shown in FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG. It is CC sectional drawing of FIG. It is a perspective view of the assembly state of the slide switch shown in FIG. It is a top view of the assembly state of the slide switch shown in FIG. It is DD sectional drawing of FIG. It is EE sectional drawing of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state in the middle of a slider moving to the arrow X3 direction from the position shown in FIG. 10 by slide operation of the slider. It is FF sectional drawing of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the G section of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the lamp unit function part in which 2nd Embodiment of the slide switch which concerns on this invention is integrated. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an assembled state of the lamp unit functional unit shown in FIG. 15. It is a top view of the state which removed the holder which has covered the upper part of the slide switch in the lamp unit function part shown in FIG. It is HH sectional drawing of FIG. It is II sectional drawing of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the J section of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the 2nd cam surface on the switch case shown in FIG. 15, and a movable contact piece. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a state in which the position of the movable contact piece shown in FIG. 21 is restricted by a second cam surface provided in the switch case. It is an enlarged view of the K section of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the L section of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the initial position when a slider is assembled | attached to the switch case shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the position of the movable contact piece with which the slider of the initial position shown in FIG. 25 is mounted | worn. It is explanatory drawing of the inconvenience which generate | occur | produces when not having the 2nd cam surface of 2nd Embodiment. It is an enlarged view of the M section in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the conventional slide switch. It is a cutting | disconnection top view which shows the change of the contact state of the fixed contact piece and movable contact piece accompanying sliding of the slider of the conventional slide switch.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a slide switch according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a slide switch according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the switch case shown in FIG.

  The slide switch 1 according to the first embodiment includes a switch case 3 made of an insulating material, a slider 5 slidably mounted in the switch case 3, and three fixings fixedly disposed on the inner surface of the switch case 3. Contact pieces P 1, P 2, P 3, a movable contact piece 7 that switches between the fixed contacts P 1, P 2, P 3 that are mounted on the slider 5 and short-circuited as the slider 5 slides, and feels moderate when the slider 5 moves. A moderation mechanism 8 to be applied (see FIG. 10).

  In the case of this embodiment, the three fixed contact pieces P1, P2, and P3 are integrally connected by a connection bracket 41 so as to be arranged at a predetermined interval in the sliding direction of the slider 5, as shown in FIG. ing.

  These three fixed contact pieces P1, P2, and P3 are fixed to the inner surface of the inner wall 3b on the front surface side that is orthogonal to the bottom of the switch case 3, as shown in FIG. The three fixed contact pieces P1, P2, P3 fixed to the inner surface of the inner wall 3b are in a state of being arranged at predetermined intervals in the sliding direction of the slider 5.

  The switch case 3 has an elongated box shape along the sliding direction of the slider 5 to be accommodated (the direction of the arrow X1 in FIGS. 1 and 2), and the upper surface side is open. As shown in FIG. 2, a first cam surface 11 constituting the moderation mechanism 8 extends along the sliding direction of the slider 5 on the inner bottom portion which is one of the inner surfaces of the switch case 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first cam surface 11 is formed in a wave shape in which a plurality of peak portions 11 a and valley portions 11 b are alternately arranged along the sliding direction of the slider 5. The inclination between the peak portion 11a and the valley portion 11b is set to be steeper (the height difference becomes larger) near the center of the valley portion 11b.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the moderation mechanism 8 includes the first cam surface 11, a ball 15 accommodated in the slider 5 so as to be able to advance and retreat toward the first cam surface 11, and the ball 15 as a first cam. And a spring 17 mounted in the slider 5 so as to press against the surface 11. This moderation mechanism 8 produces a sense of moderation by the action of the ball 15 moving over the peak portion 11a of the first cam surface 11 and falling to the valley portion 11b when the slider 5 is slid with respect to the switch case 3. .

  The slider 5 is assembled to the slider assembly 9 shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 in advance, and then attached to the switch case 3 as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8, the opening 3 a at the top of the switch case 3 is closed by a holder 10 that can be attached to and detached from the switch case 3 after accommodating the slider assembly 9.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the slider assembly 9 is configured by assembling a movable contact piece 7, a ball 15 and a spring 17 constituting a moderation mechanism 8, and a lid (lid member) 18 on the slider 5. It is.

  When the opening of the switch case 3 is closed by the holder 10 after being inserted into the switch case 3, the slider assembly 9 is defined between the holder 10 and the switch case 3 as shown in FIG. 11. Is slidably held only in the sliding direction X1.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the slider 5 is integrated with the main body portion 13 accommodated in the switch case 3 from the open portion on the upper surface of the switch case 3 and the side surface of the main body portion 13 so as to protrude outside the switch case 3. And an operation portion 14 formed. The operation part 14 is a member that becomes a handle when the main body part 13 in the switch case 3 is slid along the sliding direction.

  The main body 13 is mounted in the switch case 3 such that the lower surface 13 a (see FIG. 6) faces the first cam surface 11 on the inner bottom of the switch case 3.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the main body portion 13 includes a moderation mechanism accommodation portion 21 and a contact piece accommodation hole 23.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the moderation mechanism accommodating portion 21 is a gap that accommodates the ball 15 and the spring 17 constituting the moderation mechanism 8 and is provided so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. A lower portion of the moderation mechanism housing portion 21 is an opening 21 a for bringing the ball 15 in the moderation mechanism housing portion 21 into contact with the first cam surface 11 on the inner bottom portion of the switch case 3. The opening 21a is set to have an opening width smaller than the outer diameter of the ball 15 so that the ball 15 does not fall. The opening 21 a has a groove shape that is continuous along the sliding direction of the slider 5 so that the first cam surface 11 can be inserted when the slider 5 is slid.

  The ball 15 and the spring 17 are inserted into the moderation mechanism accommodating portion 21 from the upper opening 21b so that the ball 15 is positioned on the opening 21a side. The upper opening 21 b of the moderation mechanism accommodating portion 21 is closed by the lid 18 after accommodating the ball 15 and the spring 17. As shown in FIG. 6, the lid 18 not only functions as a lid that closes the opening 21 b at the top of the moderation mechanism housing portion 21, but also functions as a spring retainer that retains the spring 17.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the contact piece accommodation hole 23 is provided on the front surface of the main body 13. The contact piece accommodation hole 23 is a hole through which the support protrusion 31 formed integrally with the movable contact piece 7 is inserted into the moderation mechanism accommodation portion 21. The contact piece accommodation hole 23 is formed from the front to the back so as to be orthogonal to the penetrating direction of the moderation mechanism accommodation portion 21.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the movable contact piece 7 is a press-formed product of a metal plate, and as shown in FIG. 3, a contact spring plate portion 32 extending along the sliding direction of the slider 5 and the spring plate portion. 32 and the above-mentioned projecting piece 31 extending in the center portion.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the movable contact piece 7 is supported by the slider 5 by the projecting piece 31 inserted into the contact piece receiving hole 23 being sandwiched between the ball 15 and the spring 17. The projecting piece 31 is provided with a ball engaging hole 31 a into which a part of the ball 15 is fitted and positioned with respect to the ball 15.

  The movable contact piece 7 can move integrally with the ball 15 by a support structure in which a protruding piece 31 as a part thereof is sandwiched between the ball 15 and the spring 17. More specifically, the movable contact piece 7 is integrally formed with the ball 15 when the ball 15 moves in the vertical direction perpendicular to (intersects with) the sliding direction of the slider 5 following the undulation of the first cam surface 11. By moving in the vertical direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider 5, the slider 5 is supported so as to be movable between a fixed position and a retracted position.

  Here, the fixed position of the movable contact piece 7 is the position of the movable contact piece 7 corresponding to the state in which the ball 15 is engaged with the lowermost portion of the valley portion 11b of the first cam surface 11, and is shown in FIGS. 11, the movable contact piece 7 is a position where the movable contact piece 7 can come into contact with the fixed contact pieces P1, P2, and P3.

  Moreover, said retraction position is the position of the movable contact piece 7 corresponding to the state where the ball 15 is located in the middle of the mountain portion 11a away from the valley portion 11b of the first cam surface 11. As shown in FIG. 14, the movable contact piece 7 moves from the fixed position in a direction (upward) perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider 5 and is in a non-contact position with respect to the fixed contact pieces P1, P2, and P3. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the contact spring plate 32 of the movable contact piece 7 has fixed contact pieces P 1, P 2, which are fixedly arranged on the inner surface of the switch case 3, with both end portions separated in the sliding direction of the slider 5. The contact 32a is brought into press contact with P3. Each contact 32a is a leaf spring formed in a curved shape convex toward the fixed contact pieces P1, P2 and P3. When the movable contact piece 7 is located at the above-mentioned fixed position, the fixed contact is in an elastically deformed state. By contacting the piece, electrical connection with the fixed contact piece is achieved.

  The separation distance between the two contacts 32a and 32a arranged at both ends of the contact spring plate portion 32 is equal to the separation distance between the adjacent fixed contact pieces with respect to the three fixed contact pieces P1, P2 and P3. Is set.

  Therefore, the movable contact piece 7 of the present embodiment short-circuits the adjacent fixed contact pieces with respect to the three fixed contact pieces P1, P2, and P3 when the movable contact piece 7 is located at the above-mentioned fixed position. Connecting. The movable contact piece 7 is fixed to the slider 5 with respect to the sliding direction of the slider 5. In other words, the movable contact piece 7 is mounted on the slider 5 so that the two fixed contact pieces that are short-circuited are changed as the slider 5 slides.

  When the slider 5 is slid and the contact 32a on the movable contact piece 7 moves between the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1, P2, P3 as the slider 5 slides, the sliding direction of the slider 15 of the ball 15 and Since the movable contact piece 7 moves to the retracted position by the movement in the orthogonal direction, each contact 32a does not contact any fixed contact piece.

  In this embodiment, the spring 17 urges the ball 15 toward the bottom of the switch case 3, and the three fixed contact pieces P 1, P 2, and P 3 are on the inner surface of the inner wall 3 b orthogonal to the bottom of the switch case 3. Since the movable contact piece 7 is mounted on the slider 5 so as to be pressed and contacted with the fixed contact pieces P1, P2, and P3, the movable contact piece 7 and the fixed contact pieces P1, P2, and P3 are fixed. The pressing direction (the direction of arrow Y1 in FIG. 11) is a direction orthogonal to (intersecting) the biasing direction of the spring 17 in the moderation mechanism 8.

  The slide switch 1 described above is shown in FIG. 11 when the ball 15 in the slider 5 is in the state where the ball 15 in the center in the length direction of the first cam surface 11 falls as shown in FIG. Thus, the movable contact piece 7 is in a fixed position, and the two contact points 32a on the movable contact piece 7 are in contact with the fixed contact piece P2.

  Then, the slider 5 is slid in the right direction in the drawing from the state shown in FIG. 10, and the ball 15 in the slider 5 is moved into the trough at the center in the length direction of the first cam surface 11 as shown in FIG. 12. 11b, when climbing on the mountain 11a between adjacent valleys to move to the right adjacent valley 11b, along with the upward movement when the ball 15 climbs the slope of the mountain 11a, The movable contact piece 7 moves to a retracted position above the fixed position.

  By this movement, as shown in FIG. 14, the contact point 32a of the spring plate portion 32 becomes a position away from the fixed contact piece P2 by a distance L upward from the upper end edge of the fixed contact piece P2 that has been in contact so far. It is not in contact with the fixed contact piece P2.

  Therefore, when the contact 32a on the movable contact piece 7 moves between the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1 and P2 as the slider 5 slides, the movable contact piece 7 provided on the slider 5 is fixed to the fixed contact piece. No contact is made with respect to P2, and the short-circuit connection between the adjacent fixed contact piece P2 and the fixed contact P1 does not occur.

  Thus, when the slider 5 is slid, the movable contact piece 7 moves to the retracted position, and the operation in which the short-circuit connection between the adjacent fixed contacts is avoided is performed by sliding the slider 5 in the left direction in the figure. In the case of

  When the slider 5 further moves in the direction of the arrow X3 in the drawing from the state shown in FIG. 12 and the movement to the valley portion 11b in the moving direction ahead (near the right end in FIG. 12) is completed, the movable contact piece The two contact points 32a and 32a on 7 are in contact with two adjacent fixed contact pieces P1 and P2, and the two fixed contact pieces P1 and P2 are short-circuited.

  Although not shown, the slider 5 is slid leftward from the state shown in FIG. 10, and the ball 15 in the slider 5 moves to the trough 11 b near the left end of the first cam surface 11. When the movement is completed, the two contact points 32a and 32a on the movable contact piece 7 are in contact with the two adjacent fixed contact pieces P3 and P2, and the two fixed contact pieces P3 and P2 are short-circuited. Become.

  In the slide switch 1 of the first embodiment described above, when the contact 32a on the movable contact piece 7 moves between the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1, P2, P3 as the slider 5 slides, Since the movable contact piece 7 mounted on is moved to the retracted position where it is not in contact with the fixed contact piece P2, the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1, P2, and P3 are not short-circuited.

  Therefore, inconveniences such as melting due to local heat generation caused by short-circuiting between adjacent fixed contact pieces in a minute contact area do not occur, and operational reliability can be improved.

  Further, in the case of the slide switch 1 of the first embodiment, the moderation mechanism 8 is provided on the inner surface of the switch case 3 in a wave shape in which a plurality of peak portions 11a and valley portions 11b are alternately arranged along the sliding direction of the slider 5. The first cam surface 11, the ball 15 accommodated in the slider 5 so as to be able to advance and retreat toward the first cam surface 11, and the ball 15 is mounted in the slider 5 so as to press the ball 15 against the first cam surface 11. And a spring 17.

  In the case of the slide switch 1 of the first embodiment, the pressing direction of the movable contact piece 7 and the fixed contact pieces P1, P2, P3 is set to a direction orthogonal to the urging direction of the spring 17.

  Therefore, the load of the spring 17 of the moderation mechanism 8 does not act in the pressing direction of the movable contact piece 7 and the fixed contact pieces P1, P2, P3.

  That is, even if the load of the spring 17 may fluctuate due to the expansion and contraction of the spring 17 when the ball 15 of the moderation mechanism 8 moves on the undulation of the first cam surface 11, the load fluctuation of the spring 17 is not movable. It does not participate in the contact pressure between the piece 7 and the fixed contact pieces P1, P2, P3.

  Therefore, the movable contact piece 7 and the fixed contact pieces P1, P2, and P3 can maintain a stable contact pressure not involving the spring 17 of the moderation mechanism 8, and the movable contact piece 7 and the fixed contact pieces P1, P2, and so on. The electrical connection characteristic with P3 can be stabilized.

  Further, in the case of the slide switch 1 of the first embodiment, the movable contact piece 7 moves in a direction intersecting the sliding direction of the slider 5 integrally with the ball 15 moving on the first cam surface 11. A part of the ball 15 is sandwiched between the ball 15 and the spring 17 and moved to the contact position or the retracted position by the displacement of the ball 15 in the direction intersecting the sliding direction of the slider 5 following the undulation of the cam surface 11. To do.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the movable contact piece 7 can be moved in a simple manner by providing a projecting piece 31 sandwiched between the ball 15 of the moderation mechanism 8 and the spring 17. When the contact point 32a on the piece 7 moves between the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1, P2, and P3, it is possible to realize a control operation of moving the contact point 32a to a retracted position away from the sliding direction.

  In the case of the slide switch 1 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the displacement in the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the sliding direction of the ball 15 when the slider 5 slides is the first cam. The slope of the first cam surface 11 is set to be steep in the vicinity of the valley 11b so that it is large in the vicinity of the valley 11b of the surface 11 and decreases as it is separated from the valley 11b.

  Therefore, when the ball 15 leaves the valley portion 11b, the movable contact piece 7 is quickly moved from the fixed position to the retracted position, or immediately before the ball 15 is accommodated in the valley portion 11b, it is quickly moved from the retracted position to the fixed position. The movable contact piece 7 can be returned, and when the contact 32a on the movable contact piece 7 moves between the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1, P2, P3, the movable contact piece 7 is switched to a fixed position or a retracted position. Can be smoothed.

[Second Embodiment]
15 is an exploded perspective view of the lamp unit functional unit into which the second embodiment of the slide switch according to the present invention is incorporated, FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an assembled state of the lamp unit functional unit shown in FIG. 15, and FIG. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line H-H in FIG. 17, and FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II in FIG. 17. 20 is an enlarged view of a portion J in FIG.

  A lamp unit function unit 43 shown in FIG. 15 is used for an interior lamp of a vehicle. A lamp unit case 44 made of an insulating material in which a slide switch 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention is incorporated, and a lamp unit case 44, a bus bar 45, which is a circuit body incorporated in the electric wire connecting portion 44a, a lighting bulb 46 housed in the bulb housing portion 44b of the lamp unit case 44, and a terminal 47 to which a terminal portion 46a at one end of the lighting bulb 46 is connected. And a connection portion cover 48 that covers the wire connection portion 44a.

  The lamp unit case 44 is integrally formed with a switch case 3A that is a part of the configuration of the slide switch 1A.

  The bus bar 45 is integrally formed with the press contact connection portion 53 having a press contact blade 53a to which an electric wire is press connected and assembled to the wire connection portion 44a, and the press contact connection portion 53 so as to extend toward the valve housing portion 44b. A terminal portion 54 to which the terminal portion 46b at the other end of the lighting bulb 46 is connected, and four fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, which are integrally formed with the pressure contact portion 53 so as to protrude above the switch case 3A. P4A.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the slide switch 1A according to the second embodiment includes a switch case 3A formed integrally with the lamp unit case 44, a slider 5A slidably mounted in the switch case 3A, and four pieces. Fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, P4A, a movable contact piece 7A provided on the slider 5A, a moderation mechanism 8A for imparting a moderation feeling when the slider 5 moves, and a slider 5 housed in the switch case 3A. A holder 10A covering the top.

  The switch case 3A has an elongated box shape along the sliding direction of the slider 5A to be accommodated (the direction of the arrow X4 in FIG. 15), and the upper surface side is open. As shown in FIG. 15, a first cam surface 11A constituting a moderation mechanism 8A extends along the sliding direction of the slider 5A on the inner bottom portion which is one of the inner surfaces of the switch case 3A.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the first cam surface 11A is formed in a wave shape in which a plurality of crests 11a and troughs 11b are alternately arranged along the sliding direction of the slider 5A. The inclination between the peak portion 11a and the valley portion 11b is set to be steeper (the height difference becomes larger) near the center of the valley portion 11b.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the moderation mechanism 8A includes the first cam surface 11A, a ball 15 accommodated in the slider 5 so as to be able to advance and retreat toward the first cam surface 11A, and the ball 15 as a first cam. And a spring 17 mounted in the slider 5A so as to press against the surface 11A. This moderation mechanism 8A produces a sense of moderation by the action of the ball 15 moving over the peak portion 11a of the first cam surface 11A and falling into the valley portion 11b when the slider 5A is slid with respect to the switch case 3A. .

  In the case of this embodiment, the four fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, and P4A are placed on the upper open surface of the switch case 3A corresponding to the inner surface of the switch case 3A on the sliding direction of the slider 5A (arrow X4 in FIG. 15). (Direction) and fixedly arranged at predetermined intervals. As shown in FIG. 19, each fixed contact piece P1A, P2A, P3A, P4A has a curved curved contact portion Ps that protrudes downward.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 18, the slider 5 </ b> A includes a main body 13 </ b> A housed in the switch case 3 </ b> A from an open portion on the upper surface of the switch case 3 </ b> A, and And an operation portion 14A integrally formed on the side surface. The operation portion 14A is a member that becomes a handle when the main body portion 13A in the switch case 3A is slid along the sliding direction.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the main body 13A is mounted in the switch case 3A so that its lower surface 13Aa faces the first cam surface 11A on the inner bottom of the switch case 3A. As shown in FIG. 20, the main body 13 is provided with a moderation mechanism accommodating portion 21 </ b> A.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the moderation mechanism accommodating portion 21A is a gap that accommodates the ball 15 and the spring 17 constituting the moderation mechanism 8A, and is provided so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. The lower portion of the moderation mechanism housing portion 21A is an opening 21Aa for bringing the ball 15 in the moderation mechanism housing portion 21A into contact with the first cam surface 11A on the inner bottom portion of the switch case 3A. The opening 21Aa is set to have an opening width smaller than the outer diameter of the ball 15 so that the ball 15 does not fall. The opening 21Aa has a groove shape continuous along the sliding direction of the slider 5A so that the first cam surface 11A can be inserted when the slider 5A slides.

  The ball 15 and the spring 17 are inserted into the moderation mechanism accommodating portion 21A from the upper opening 21Ab so that the ball 15 is positioned on the opening 21Aa side. The upper opening 21Ab of the moderation mechanism accommodating portion 21 is closed by the movable contact piece 7A after accommodating the ball 15 and the spring 17.

  The movable contact piece 7A of the present embodiment is a press-formed product of a metal plate. As shown in FIG. 20, the substantially flat contact piece body 61 that closes the upper opening of the main body portion 13A, and both ends of the contact piece body 61 And a locking arm portion 63 that is vertically suspended.

  The contact piece main body 61 has a predetermined moderation position (a position where the ball 15 is engaged with the valley portion 11b of the first cam surface 11A), and the upper surface thereof has the four fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, The length dimension along the slider sliding direction is set so as to contact two adjacent fixed contact pieces of P4A and short-circuit the two fixed contact pieces. That is, the upper surface of the contact piece main body 61 serves as a contact for short-circuiting adjacent fixed contact pieces.

  The locking arm portion 63 of the movable contact piece 7A is fitted into the main body portion 13A of the slider 5A so as to be movable in the vertical direction (that is, the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction). A locking projection 63a is provided at the tip of each locking arm portion 63 to engage with a step 65 formed on the side wall of the main body portion 13A to prevent the locking arm portion 63 from coming off from the main body portion 13A.

  The movable contact piece 7A is mounted on the slider 5A so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider 5A by fitting the locking arm portions 63 at both ends into the main body portion 13A of the slider 5A as described above. The

  As shown in FIG. 20, the movable contact piece 7A has a spring 17 seated on the back surface of the contact piece main body 61, and is pressed against the fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, and P4A by the urging force of the spring 17. It is biased in the direction to be. Therefore, in the case of the second embodiment, the contact pressure between the movable contact piece 7A and the fixed contact piece is obtained by the urging force of the spring 17 of the moderation mechanism 8A.

  Also in this embodiment, the movable contact piece 7A is fixed to the slider 5A with respect to the sliding direction of the slider 5A. In other words, the movable contact piece 7A is mounted on the slider 5A so that the two fixed contact pieces that are short-circuited change as the slider 5A slides.

  The movable contact piece 7A of the present embodiment is also fixed to the fixed contact pieces P1 and P2A, P2A, P3A, and P4A spaced apart from each other in the direction intersecting the sliding direction of the slider 5A from the fixed position. It is possible to move between the retracted positions that are not in contact with P2 and P3, and as the slider 5A slides, the contact on the movable contact piece 7A is between the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1, P2, and P3. When moving, the slider 5A moves to the retracted position by moving in a direction crossing the sliding direction.

  Here, the fixed position of the movable contact piece 7A is the position of the movable contact piece 7A corresponding to the state in which the ball 15 is engaged with the lowermost portion of the valley portion 11b of the first cam surface 11A. Is a position that can contact the fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, P4A.

  The retracted position is a position of the movable contact piece 7A corresponding to a state in which the ball 15 is located in the middle of the mountain portion 11a away from the valley portion 11b of the first cam surface 11. Is a position that moves from the fixed position in a direction (downward) perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider 5A and is not in contact with the fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, P4A.

  In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, the movable contact piece 7 during the sliding operation of the slider 5A and the displacement in the direction intersecting the sliding direction of the slider 5A are movable as shown in FIG. A position restricting protrusion 67 is provided on the contact piece 7A, and a second cam surface 71 is provided on the inner surface of the switch case 3A.

  The position restricting protrusions 67 are plate-like protrusions protruding from the side edges of the locking arm portions 63 at both ends of the movable contact piece 7A. The upper end edge of the position restricting protrusion 67 is a contact surface 67 a that contacts the second cam surface 71. The contact surface 67a is a flat surface that extends straight in a direction (horizontal direction) parallel to the bottom surface of the switch case 3A.

  The 2nd cam surface 71 is provided in the inner surface of the case inner wall 74 used as the partition between 3A of switch cases, and the electric wire connection part 44a.

  More specifically, in the case of the present embodiment, the second cam surface 71 is a lower end surface of the second cam portion 73 formed in a plate shape on the inner surface of the case inner wall 74. As shown in FIGS. 22 to 24, the second cam surface 71 is slidably in contact with the contact surface 67a of the position restricting protrusion 67 which is a part of the movable contact piece 7A when the slider 5A slides. It is formed along the sliding direction of the slider 5A, and regulates the attitude of the movable contact piece 7 and the displacement of the movable contact piece 7 in the direction intersecting the sliding direction.

  More specifically, the second cam surface 71 is formed in a wave shape in which crest portions 71a and trough portions 71b are alternately arranged along the sliding direction of the slider 5A. Then, as shown in FIGS. 22 to 24, the second cam surface 71 holds the movable contact piece 7 </ b> A by the urging of the spring 17 by pressing the contact surface 67 a of the placement restricting protrusion 67 inserted below the second cam surface 71. Is restricted from moving upward.

  The second cam surface 71 moves the movable contact piece 7A from the fixed position when the contact on the movable contact piece 7A moves between the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, P4A as the slider A5 slides. Move to the retracted position. Further, when the contact point on the movable contact piece 7A moves between the adjacent fixed contact pieces, the position restricting protrusions 67 at both ends of the movable contact piece 7A are restricted to substantially the same height position, and the movable contact piece 7A. Is maintained in a proper posture (horizontal posture) without tilting.

  FIGS. 27 and 28 show the sliding operation of the movable contact piece 7A when the second cam surface 71 is not provided in the slide switch 1A of the second embodiment in order to clarify the operation of the second cam surface 71. This shows the behavior.

  When the second cam surface 71 is not provided, the movable contact piece 7A is always pressed and contacted to the fixed contact side by the urging force of the spring 17, and the sliding direction of the movable contact piece 7A during the sliding operation of the slider 5A. As shown in FIG. 28, contact points Sa and Sb between the stationary contact piece and the movable contact piece 7A are successively changed to avoid tilting the movable contact piece 7A. I can't. Then, there is a possibility that a problem that the inclined movable contact piece 7A interferes with a step between adjacent fixed contact pieces may occur.

  In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, the second cam surface 71 is provided close to one side (right side in FIG. 21) of the case inner wall 74 of the switch case 3A. Accordingly, the other side (left side in FIG. 21) of the case inner wall 74 of the switch case 3A is a projection that becomes an obstacle when the movable contact piece 7A is assembled to the slider 5A in the switch case 3A as shown in FIG. And so on.

  25 and 26 show a procedure for assembling the slider 5A and the movable contact piece 7A to the switch case 3A in the slide switch 1A of the present embodiment.

  First, as shown in FIG. 25, the slider 5A is attached to the other side of the case inner wall 74 (the left side in FIG. 25 where the second cam surface 71 is not provided). Next, as shown in FIG. 26, the movable contact piece 7A is fitted and attached to the slider 5A while the slider 5A is brought close to the other side of the case inner wall 74.

  When assembled in this way, the movable contact piece 7A does not interfere with the second cam portion 73 and can be assembled smoothly.

  In the slide switch 1A of the second embodiment described above, when the slider 5A slides, the contact (upper surface) on the movable contact piece 7A moves between the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, P4A. Since the movable contact piece 7A provided on the slider 5A has moved to the retracted position that is not in contact with each fixed contact piece, the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, and P4A are short-circuited. I will not let you.

  Therefore, inconveniences such as melting due to local heat generation caused by short-circuiting between adjacent fixed contact pieces in a minute contact area do not occur, and operational reliability can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the slide switch 1A of the second embodiment described above, the switch case 3A is configured so that a part of the movable contact piece 7 (position restricting protrusion 67) is in sliding contact with the slider 5A when the slider 5A slides. A second cam surface 71 is provided that is formed along the sliding direction and regulates the posture of the movable contact piece 7A and the displacement in the direction intersecting the sliding direction. When the slider 5A slides, the second cam surface 71 moves the movable contact piece 7A at a fixed position when the contact on the movable contact piece 7A moves between the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, P4A. To the retracted position.

  Therefore, when the contact on the movable contact piece 7A moves between the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, and P4A as the slider 5A slides, the movable contact piece 7 becomes adjacent to the fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A and P4A are not short-circuited.

  Accordingly, there is no inconvenience such as melting due to local heat generation caused by short-circuiting between the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, and P4A in a minute contact area, and operation reliability is improved. Can be improved.

  In the slide switch 1A of the second embodiment described above, when the slider 5A slides, the contact on the movable contact piece 7A moves between the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, P4A. The posture of the contact piece 7 </ b> A is held by the second cam surface 71.

  Therefore, when the contact on the movable contact piece 7A moves between the adjacent fixed contact pieces P1A, P2A, P3A, P4A, the movable contact piece 7A does not tilt as shown in FIG. Accordingly, there is no problem that the inclined movable contact piece 7A interferes with a step between adjacent fixed contact pieces, and smooth operability and operational reliability can be ensured.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A deformation | transformation, improvement, etc. are possible suitably. In addition, the material, shape, dimension, numerical value, form, number, arrangement location, and the like of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

1, 1A Slide switch 3, 3A Switch case 5, 5A Slider 7, 7A Movable contact piece 8 Moderation mechanism 11, 11A First cam surface 11a Mountain portion 11b Valley portion 13, 13A Main body portion 14, 14A Operation portion 15 Ball 17 Spring 23 Contact piece receiving hole 31 Projection piece 32 Spring plate portion 43 Lamp unit functional portion 44 Lamp unit case 67 Position restriction projection piece 67a Contact surface 71 Second cam surface P1, P2, P3, P1A, P2A, P3A, P4A fixed Piece

Claims (4)

A slider slidably mounted in a switch case made of an insulating material; a plurality of fixed contact pieces fixedly disposed on an inner surface of the switch case at predetermined intervals along a sliding direction of the slider; and the slider A movable switch provided on the slider so that a fixed contact piece to be short-circuited in accordance with the sliding of the slider, and a moderation mechanism for imparting a moderation feeling when moving the slider,
The movable contact piece has a fixed position that can contact the fixed contact piece, and a retreat position that is separated from the fixed position in a direction intersecting the sliding direction of the slider and is not in contact with the fixed contact piece. A slide switch that is supported by the slider so as to be movable between the sliders and moves to the retracted position when a contact on the movable contact moves between adjacent fixed contacts as the slider slides. . The moderation mechanism includes a first cam surface provided on an inner surface of the switch case in a wave shape in which a plurality of crests and troughs are alternately arranged along the sliding direction of the slider, and toward the first cam surface A ball housed in the slider so as to be able to advance and retreat, and a spring mounted in the slider so as to press the ball against the first cam surface,
The slide switch according to claim 1, wherein a pressing direction of the movable contact piece and the fixed contact piece is set in a direction orthogonal to a biasing direction of the spring.   A part of the movable contact piece is sandwiched between the ball and the spring so as to move in a direction intersecting the sliding direction integrally with the ball moving on the first cam surface. 3. The slide switch according to claim 2, wherein the ball is moved to the contact position or the retracted position by a displacement in a direction intersecting the sliding direction of the ball following the undulation of the cam surface. The switch case is formed along a sliding direction of the slider so that a part of the movable contact piece is in sliding contact with the slider, and the position of the movable contact piece and the sliding of the movable contact piece are formed. A second cam surface that regulates displacement in a direction intersecting the moving direction;
The second cam surface moves the movable contact piece from the fixed position to the retracted position when the contact on the movable contact piece moves between adjacent fixed contact pieces as the slider slides. The slide switch according to claim 1.

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