JP2011258334A - Water-proof push-button switch member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an elastic material pressing a switch and a reinforcing member reinforcing the elastic material from being separated, and to obtain an excellent pressing touch without performing excessive pressing.SOLUTION: A water-proof push-button switch member 1 is configured by concatenating one or two or more container parts 2a and an elastic flange part 2b, where the container parts 2a are made of an elastic material, open at one side, and protruded to a side opposite to the open side, and the elastic flange part 2b is made of an elastic material and formed by extending from the opening part of the container parts 2a to the outside in its diameter direction. The water-proof push-button switch member 1 is disposed while inserting the container parts 2a into a housing 50 of an equipment. The water-proof push-button switch member 1 includes one or two or more loop-like ribs 21 continuously formed along an outer circumference of the container parts 2a, and a reinforcing member 10 provided with at least the container parts 2a among the container parts 2a and the elastic flange part 2b. The reinforcing member 10 is inserted into a thin portion of the container parts 2a and achieves a non-fixed state or a fixed state weaker than the other parts with at least an inner portion 23 of the container parts 2a.

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof push button switch member provided in a device having a waterproof function.

  A waterproof wristwatch or a waterproof electric razor is known as a device having a waterproof function, but recently, there are few opportunities to contact with water or a cellular phone, a portable terminal (PDA), etc. Even small communication devices have been given a waterproof function so that they can be used in the rain or brought into the bathroom. There are several places where water enters in such an apparatus, but the main place is a plurality of openings provided to expose the push button to the outside. The intrusion of water from the opening may cause an electrical short inside the device and reduce the reliability of the device. Therefore, in order to avoid such a problem as much as possible, it is common to use a configuration in which an elastic body is interposed between the push button and the switch on the circuit board inside the device, and the opening and the elastic body are in close contact with each other. is there. As an example of such a configuration, a waterproof structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.

  The waterproof structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a cup member made of an elastic material attached to a through-hole so that the opening side faces the outside of the device, and a push button including a shaft portion inserted into the opening of the cup member. And a cylindrical holder made of resin or metal is mounted inside the cup member. Due to the presence of the cylindrical holder, the shape of the cup member can be maintained and the adhesion between the through hole and the cup member can be maintained, and the push button switch member having such a waterproof structure can be easily incorporated into the device. .

JP 2006-344528

  However, the conventional waterproof structure as described above has the following problems to be solved. The prevention structure has a cylindrical holder mounted inside a cup member made of an elastic material, and is preferably integrated by insert molding or two-color molding. In the molding, it is common to perform surface treatment such as primer treatment on the entire surface of the cylindrical holder to enhance the adhesion between the cylindrical holder and the cup member.

  However, when the cylindrical holder and the cup member are completely fixed, when the bottom portion of the cup member is pushed toward the switch by the shaft portion of the push button, the portion of the cup member outside the cylindrical holder is difficult to extend, and the push button Not only does it require an excessive force to push down, but also the push feeling of the push button deteriorates. On the other hand, when the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical holder and the opening end surface on the switch side are partially bonded to the cup member, the cylindrical holder and the cup member are peeled off while the push button is repeatedly pressed.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and prevents a peeling between an elastic material that presses a switch and a reinforcing member that reinforces the switch, and provides a good pressing feeling without excessive pressing. The purpose is to do so.

  In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention is composed of an elastic material, and is composed of one or two or more container parts that open one side and project to the opposite side of the opening side, and an elastic material. It is a waterproof pushbutton switch member that is formed by connecting an elastic flange portion that extends outward in the radial direction from the opening portion of the container portion, and is disposed by inserting the container portion inside the housing of the device. And one or more loop-shaped ribs continuously formed along the outer periphery of the container part, and at least the container part of the container part and the elastic flange part is provided with a reinforcing member, and the reinforcing member is a thin-walled container part. This is a waterproof pushbutton switch member that is inserted into the portion and at least secured to the inner portion of the container portion in a non-fixed state or in a weakly fixed state.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a waterproof pushbutton switch member in which the reinforcing member is in a non-fixed state or in a weakly fixed state with respect to the inner side portion, the outer side portion and the bottom portion of the container portion.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, a reinforcing member is formed with a cylindrical portion inserted into a thin portion of a container portion, and a reinforcing flange formed to extend radially outward of one opening of the cylindrical portion. And a waterproof push button switch member.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a waterproof pushbutton switch member in which a rib protrudes radially outward of a container portion from a joint portion between the container portion and an elastic flange portion.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a waterproof pushbutton switch member further comprising a pushbutton inserted and disposed in a space formed inside the container part from the opening of the container part toward the bottom.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while preventing peeling with the elastic material which presses a switch, and the reinforcement member which reinforces it, a favorable press feeling is obtained, without performing excessive press.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a waterproof pushbutton switch member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the waterproof pushbutton switch member shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the main part of the waterproof pushbutton switch member shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the waterproof pushbutton switch member shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an assembly cross-sectional view showing a state in which the waterproof pushbutton switch member shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated in the device, and shows only a portion indicated by B in the cross-sectional view along the line AA in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state assembled from the state shown in FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the reinforcing member shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a state in which the reinforcing member shown in FIG. 7 is set on a masking jig and a primer is applied. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the masking jig and the reinforcing member are separated from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 10 shows a waterproof pushbutton switch comprising an elastic body and a reinforcing member, in which a reinforcing member after primer treatment is set in a mold, an elastomer composition in an uncrosslinked state is supplied into the mold to perform crosslinking. It is sectional drawing explaining the method of integrally forming the principal part of a member. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a waterproof push button switch member according to a second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the reinforcing member shown in FIG. 11 is set on a masking jig and a primer is applied. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the masking jig and the reinforcing member are separated from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of a waterproof pushbutton switch member according to a third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a modified pushbutton switch member for waterproofing having a form similar to that of the first embodiment, in which the pushbutton and the seat portion are fixed.

  Next, embodiments of the waterproof pushbutton switch member of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. 1. First Embodiment 1.1 Configuration of Waterproof Pushbutton Switch Member FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a waterproof pushbutton switch member according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the waterproof pushbutton switch member shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the main part of the waterproof pushbutton switch member shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the waterproof pushbutton switch member shown in FIG.

  The waterproof pushbutton switch member 1 according to the first embodiment is made of an elastic material and opens to one side (downward in FIG. 1) and protrudes to the opposite side (upward in FIG. 1) 3 An elastic body 2 is provided which is composed of individual container portions 2a and an elastic flange portion 2b formed of an elastic material and extending outwardly in the radial direction from the opening of the container portion 2a. Suitable thickness (T1), width (W) and length (L) of the elastic flange portion 2b are 0.2 to 1.5 mm, 3.0 to 10.0 mm, and 7.0 to 60.0 mm, respectively. It is. The elastic body 2 includes a sheet portion 3 made of an elastic material on the opening side of the container portion 2a. The three container portions 2a are arranged on a substantially straight line on the elongated elastic flange portion 2b. The container part 2a is a thin-walled protruding part having a space 7 therein. The container part 2a is formed in a loop shape that is continuously formed along the outer periphery of the container part 2a in the middle from the coupling part with the elastic flange part 2b to the bottom part of the container part 2a and protrudes radially outward of the container part 2a. Ribs 21 are provided. The elastic flange portion 2 b includes through holes 4 that reach the surface of the sheet portion 3 in the vicinity of both ends thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet portion 3 has three through-holes 6 that are formed at positions that match the opening portions of the respective container portions 2 a and have a diameter that approximates the diameter of the opening portions. The elastic body 2 and the sheet portion 3 are made of an elastic material such as a thermoplastic elastomer or a thermosetting elastomer, and preferably made of silicone rubber.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the waterproof pushbutton switch member 1 includes three reinforcing members 10 each of which is inserted into the elastic body 2 from the opening side of each container portion 2a. A suitable width of the reinforcing flange portion (described later) of the reinforcing member 10 is substantially the same as or smaller than the width of the elastic flange portion 2 b of the elastic body 2. For example, a suitable clearance (CL) on one side in the width direction between the reinforcing flange portion and the elastic flange portion 2b is 0.0 to 1.0 mm. Each reinforcing member 10 has through holes 11 at both ends thereof. A protrusion that protrudes from the elastic body 2 is fitted into the through hole 11, and is substantially flush with the protrusion and the upper surface (upper surface in FIG. 2) of the reinforcing member 10. The reinforcing member 10 includes an opening 12 having a larger diameter than the opening diameter of the space 7 of the container portion 2a, and includes a cylindrical portion (described later) extending from the opening 12 toward the container portion 2a. Reinforcing member 10 is a metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, or iron; a resin such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polycarbonate (PC); a ceramic such as alumina, silicon nitride, or zirconia; Configured. However, the material of the reinforcing member 10 is not limited to these, and any material may be used as long as the material has a hardness higher than that of the elastic body 2.

  The waterproof pushbutton switch member 1 includes pushbuttons 13 that can be inserted and installed in the spaces 7 formed inside the container portions 2 a of the elastic body 2 through the through holes 6 of the sheet portion 3. The push button 13 includes a shaft 15 that is inserted into the space 7, and a flange portion 14 that is formed at one end of the shaft 15 and has a size that does not penetrate the through hole 6. The flange portion 14 preferably has a step in the thickness direction, and the upper step has a smaller area than the lower step. The push button 13 is not particularly limited to a material, and is formed of, for example, resin, metal, ceramics, glass, or the like. The push button 13 can also be formed of the same material as that of the reinforcing member 10.

  The waterproof pushbutton switch member 1 includes the elastic body 2 and the reinforcing member 10 as minimum constituent members, and can further include a sheet portion 3 and / or a pushbutton 13. For this reason, even a configuration in which at least one of the sheet portion 3 and the push button 13 is not provided is referred to as a waterproof push button switch member 1.

  FIG. 5 is an assembly cross-sectional view showing a state in which the waterproof pushbutton switch member shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated in the device, and shows only a portion indicated by B in the cross-sectional view along the line AA in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state assembled from the state shown in FIG.

  A casing 50 of a device (for example, a device including a push button represented by a mobile phone, a mobile terminal, a television, a radio, an audio device, or the like) has a through hole 51 into which the container portion 2a of the elastic body 2 can be inserted. The device includes a dome-shaped switch 60 at the position of the through hole 51 inside the housing 50. The dome-shaped switch 60 is electrically connected to the ring-shaped electrode plate 62 on the printed circuit board (PCB) 61, the electrode plate 63 disposed inside the electrode plate 62, and the electrode plate 62. A conductive dome 64 that is not electrically connected to the electrode plate 63 is provided, and is fixed on the fixing member 65. When the dome 64 is pressed from the container part 2a side, it is elastically deformed and dented to come into contact with the electrode plate 63. As a result, the electrode plate 62 and the electrode plate 63 are electrically connected. The dome 64 may be made of only a conductive material (metal or the like), or may be made of a non-conductive material and coated with a conductive material on its inner surface. Further, the electrode plate 62 may have a shape other than the ring shape, and the number thereof may be two or more instead of one.

  The elastic body 2 embeds a part of the reinforcing member 10 from the elastic flange portion 2b to the container portion 2a. The reinforcing member 10 is formed by connecting a cylindrical tubular portion 31 and a reinforcing flange portion 30 extending from one end side of the tubular portion 31 to the radially outer side of the tubular portion 31. However, the cylindrical part 31 and the reinforcing flange part 30 do not necessarily have to be connected. The cylindrical portion 31 of the reinforcing member 10 is inserted into the thin portion of the container portion 2 a of the elastic body 2 and is not exposed from the container portion 2 a except in the vicinity of the connecting portion with the reinforcing flange portion 30. That is, the outer side and the inner side of the cylindrical part 31 are respectively covered with the outer side part 22 and the inner side part 23 of the elastic body 2. The outer portion 22 is indispensable for forming the rib 21 in a part of the outer portion 22, and in addition to this, forming the inner portion 23 has the following advantages. One of the advantages is that the expansion and contraction of the container portion 2a accompanying the pressing operation of the push button 13 can be realized with high durability, and the operability of the push button 13 is improved. In order to increase the durability of the container part 2a, it is necessary to increase its thickness. However, if only the outer portion 22 is formed and the thickness thereof is increased, it becomes difficult to stretch, and thus the operational feeling due to the pressing operation is significantly reduced. In order to prevent this, it is preferable that the outer portion 22 and the inner portion 23 are formed by sharing the thickness necessary for ensuring the durability of the container portion 2 a between the outer side and the inner side of the cylindrical portion 31. Another advantage is that when the cylindrical portion 31 is made of metal, the corrosion resistance of the cylindrical portion 31 can be improved by covering it with the outer portion 22 and the inner portion 23. Although the cylindrical part 31 is made of stainless steel, the corrosion resistance of the cylindrical part 31 can be increased, but the corrosion resistance can be further increased by the water repellency of silicone.

  On the other hand, the surface (upper surface in FIG. 5) opposite to the cylindrical portion 31 of the reinforcing flange portion 30 is not completely embedded in the elastic body 2, and the surface on the seat portion 3 side of the elastic flange portion 2b. It is exposed from the elastic body 2 in a substantially flush state. The seat portion 3 is fixed to the elastic body 2 so as to cover the reinforcing flange portion 30 of the reinforcing member 10. The fixing method may be any method such as adhesion using an adhesive, welding by heating, fitting, and clamping. The push button 13 is not fixed to the sheet portion 3.

  5 and 6, the front surface, the back surface and the end surface of the reinforcing flange portion 30 of the reinforcing member 10, the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 11, the outer peripheral surface and the open end surface of the cylindrical portion 31 are A primer layer 40 is provided. That is, only the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 does not have the primer layer 40. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the pushbutton 13 is pushed in the direction of the dome-shaped switch 60 in a state where the waterproof pushbutton switch member 1 is incorporated in the housing 50 of the device, the tip of the shaft 15 of the pushbutton 13 is The bottom of the container 2a is pushed through the protrusion 24 formed at the bottom of the space 7 of the container 2a. As a result, the bottom and the side of the container 2a extend in the direction of the dome 64. At that time, the outer portion 22 outside the cylindrical portion 31 inserted into the container portion 2a extends slightly in the direction of the dome 64, and further, the inner portion 23 inside the cylindrical portion 31 is in the direction of the dome 64. To grow. As shown in the enlarged view of part C of FIG. 6, since the primer layer 40 is not formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 is connected to the inner portion 23 of the container portion 2a. It is in non-adhered state. As a result, the inner portion 23 is easier to extend than the outer portion 22 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31. Note that the primer layer 40 may not be formed on the opening end face of the cylindrical portion 31. A suitable thickness (T3) of the inner portion 23 is 0.05 to 1.0 mm.

  As a material (primer) of the primer layer 40, alkyd resin, modified alkyd resin such as phenol modified / silicone modified, oil-free alkyd resin, acrylic resin, silicone resin, epoxy resin, fluororesin, phenol resin, polyamide resin, urethane Examples thereof include resins and mixtures thereof. If desired, a crosslinking agent for curing and / or crosslinking the resin can be used. Examples of such a crosslinking agent include isocyanate compounds, melamine compounds, epoxy compounds, peroxides, phenol compounds, and hydrogen siloxane compounds. Etc. A suitable thickness (T4) of the primer layer 40 is about 0.1 to 10 μm. In addition, when a resin is used for the reinforcing member 10, it is obtained by oxidizing plasma treatment, UV treatment, silicon tetrachloride gas, etc. with an oxidization flame in addition to blasting to roughen the surface of the resin instead of applying a primer. Surface treatment such as so-called itro treatment for forming a silicon oxide film by attaching silicon oxide to the surface of the reinforcing member 10 may be performed. That is, at least the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 31 and the inner part 23 of the container part 2a are not fixed or relatively weaker than those other than the inner part 23, and other parts of the cylindrical part 31 As long as it is a method for fixing the container portion 2a to the container portion 2a or at least with a relatively higher fixing force than the case of the inner portion 23, any primer material can be used, and any surface treatment other than primer coating can be used. May be performed.

  The ribs 21 continuously formed along the outer periphery of the container part 2 a are deformed by being compressed from the inner wall of the through hole 51 in a state where the container part 2 a is pushed into the through hole 51 of the housing 50 and incorporated. Thereby, a high waterproof function can be realized. Moreover, the rib 21 is formed in the container part 2a in the position and magnitude | size which do not remove | deviate from the through-hole 51 of the housing 50 in the movable range of the container part 2a. When the push button 13 is pushed in the direction of the dome-shaped switch 60, if only the outer portion 22 extends toward the dome 64, a gap is formed between the rib 21 and the inner wall of the through hole 51, which may cause a decrease in waterproof function. There is. However, in the waterproof pushbutton switch member 1 according to this embodiment, the inner portion 23 of the container portion 2a also extends, so that a gap is hardly formed between the rib 21 and the inner wall of the through hole 51, and the waterproofness is maintained at a higher level. can do.

1.2 Manufacturing Method of Waterproof Pushbutton Switch Member (1) Primer Treatment FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the reinforcing member shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a state in which the reinforcing member shown in FIG. 7 is set on a masking jig and a primer is applied. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the masking jig and the reinforcing member are separated from the state shown in FIG.

  A masking jig 70 used for primer treatment of the reinforcing member 10 includes a flat plate 71 that is substantially the same width as the reinforcing flange portion 30 of the reinforcing member 10 and is slightly longer than the reinforcing flange portion 30, and a substantially center of the flat plate 71. And a column 72 standing upright. The outer diameter of the cylinder 72 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 12 of the cylindrical portion 31. The height from the surface of the flat plate 71 to the tip of the cylinder 72 is equal to or higher than the height from the back surface of the reinforcing flange portion 30 to the opening end surface of the cylindrical portion 31. Otherwise, during the primer treatment, the inside of the cylindrical portion 31 is exposed and the primer is also coated on the inside. The primer is preferably applied by spraying or the like from the reinforcing member 10 side after setting the reinforcing member 10 on the masking jig 70.

  As shown in FIG. 9, after the primer is dried, when the reinforcing member 10 is removed from the masking jig 70, the reinforcing flange portion 30 of the reinforcing member 10 that is in contact with the flat plate 71 and the cylindrical portion The primer coating on the reinforcing member 10 is completed except for the inner peripheral surface 31. Then, the primer layer 40 is formed through each process of drying and baking. Next, the reinforcing member 10 is turned upside down and fixed to the masking jig 70, and the primer is applied to the surface of the reinforcing member 10 that has previously been in contact with the flat plate 71. The masking jig 70 is composed of only a column 72 having a length sufficient to cover the entire inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31, and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 can be coated only once. Primers may be applied to all areas other than.

(2) Integral molding FIG. 10 shows that a primer-treated reinforcing member is set in a mold, and an uncrosslinked elastomer composition (for example, a predetermined blended silicone rubber compound) is supplied into the mold. It is sectional drawing explaining the method of integrally forming the principal part of the waterproof pushbutton switch member which bridge | crosslinks and consists of an elastic body and a reinforcement member.

  The reinforcing member 10 after the primer treatment is set on the first die 80, and an uncrosslinked elastomer composition that has been dispensed and processed into a sheet shape is placed thereon, and the second die 90 is placed thereon. Put on. The first mold 80 includes a recess 81 for forming the protrusion 24. The second mold 90 includes a recess 91 for forming the rib 21. By compressing and heating at a desired temperature and pressure for a predetermined time, a molded body in which the reinforcing member 10 after primer treatment is inserted into the elastic body 2 is completed.

(3) Assembly After the elastic body 2 and the reinforcing member 10 are integrally formed, as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet portion 3 is fixed to one surface of the elastic flange portion 2 b with an adhesive or the like, and the push button 13 is attached to the sheet portion 3. The elastic body 2 is inserted into the space 7 in the container portion 2 a through the through hole 6. Thereby, the assembly of the waterproof pushbutton switch member 1 is completed.

(4) Exemplary Manufacturing Method Next, an exemplary manufacturing method will be described with reference to FIGS. The reinforcing member 10 made of stainless steel is fitted into the masking jig 70, sprayed with a primer (Product name: Primer No. 23) manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., blown and dried for 30 minutes, and then used in a dryer. And heat treatment at 200 ° C. for 60 minutes. After the heat treatment, the reinforcing member 10 is removed from the masking jig 70. Next, the reinforcing member 10 is turned upside down and fitted into the masking jig 70, and the primer is applied to the surface of the reinforcing flange 30 that has not been subjected to the primer treatment. Thereafter, drying and heating are performed as in the beginning. As a result, the formation of the primer layer 40 on the surface excluding the inner peripheral surface of the reinforcing member 10 is completed. Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the reinforcing member 10 with the primer layer 40 is loaded into the first mold 80. Next, 100 parts by weight of a silicone rubber compound (product name: KE-951U) manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. and 2 parts by weight of a crosslinking agent (product name: C-8) manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. are kneaded into a sheet form. The dispensed material is charged and subjected to heat compression molding at 180 ° C. for 3 minutes. After molding, the first mold 80 and the second mold 90 are opened, and a molded body in which the reinforcing member 10 and the elastic body 2 are integrated is taken out. When the sheet portion 3 is fixed to the molded body and the push button 13 is placed in a non-fixed state thereon, the waterproof push button switch member 1 is completed. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 15, the push button 13 and the sheet portion 3 may be fixed and the sheet portion 3 may be placed on the elastic body 2 in a non-fixed state.

2. Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components and the like as those in the first embodiment, and a duplicate description is omitted.

2.1 Configuration of Waterproof Pushbutton Switch Member FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a waterproof pushbutton switch member according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of one container portion 2a as in FIG.

  The waterproof pushbutton switch member 1 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that not only the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 of the reinforcing member 10 but also the open end surface and outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 31. There is also no primer layer 40 on the surface. That is, the primer layer 40 is formed only on the front surface, the back surface, the end surface, and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 11 of the reinforcing flange portion 30 of the reinforcing member 10. For this reason, even if the cylindrical body 31 of the reinforcing member 10 and the container portion 2a are not fixed or fixed, they are weaker than the fixing flange portion 30 and the elastic flange portion 2b. Therefore, when the push button 13 is pushed toward the dome-shaped switch 60, both the outer portion 22 and the inner portion 23 of the container portion 2a extend in the direction of the dome 64. For this reason, the pressing feeling of the push button is improved. On the other hand, since the reinforcing member 10 is fixed to the elastic body 2 at the reinforcing flange 30, the reinforcing member 10 does not easily peel off from the elastic body 2.

  The rib 101 of the container part 2a is a loop-like rib formed continuously along the outer periphery of the container part 2a. Unlike the rib 21 of the first embodiment, the rib 101 between the elastic flange part 2b and the container part 2a. In the region from the joint to the position above the bottom of the container 2a, it protrudes outward in the radial direction of the container 2a. Moreover, the thickness of the part where the rib 101 protrudes most is larger than the thickness of the rib 21 of 1st embodiment. As a result, the container portion 2a has an extension allowance portion for the outer portion 22 to sufficiently extend when the push button 13 is pushed in the direction of the dome-shaped switch 60.

2.2 Manufacturing Method of Waterproof Pushbutton Switch Member (1) Primer Processing FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the reinforcing member shown in FIG. 11 is set on a masking jig and a primer is coated. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the masking jig and the reinforcing member are separated from the state shown in FIG.

  The masking jig 70 used for primer treatment of the reinforcing member 10 is the same as the masking jig 70 used in the first embodiment. The primer treatment of the reinforcing member 10 of the waterproof pushbutton switch member 1 according to the second embodiment is different from the treatment in the first embodiment in that the tubular portion 31 is covered with a cap 110 and then sprayed or the like. It is to paint the primer. The inner diameter of the cap 110 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 31. Further, the height of the side surface of the cap 110 is equal to or greater than the height of the cylindrical portion 31. For this reason, the primer can be prevented from being applied to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31.

  As shown in FIG. 13, after the primer is dried, the reinforcing member 10 is removed from the masking jig 70, and further the cap 110 is removed, and the surface in contact with the flat plate 71 of the reinforcing flange 30, and the tubular shape The primer coating on the reinforcing member 10 is completed except for the inner peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface, and the opening end surface of the portion 31. Then, the primer layer 40 is formed through each process of drying and baking. Next, the reinforcing member 10 is turned upside down and fixed to the masking jig 70, and the primer is applied to the surface of the reinforcing member 10 that has previously been in contact with the flat plate 71. In addition, the masking jig 70 is composed of only the column 72 having a length sufficient to cover the entire inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 and is used together with the cap 110, so that the primer is applied only once. Thus, the primer may be applied to the entire region other than the inner peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface, and the opening end surface of the cylindrical portion 31.

(2) Integrated molding and assembly The subsequent steps are the same as in the first embodiment.

(3) Exemplary Manufacturing Method As shown in FIG. 12, the exemplary manufacturing method described in the first embodiment is the same as that described in the first embodiment, except that the cap 110 is covered from above the cylindrical portion 31 and the primer is applied by spraying. It is the same.

3. Third Embodiment In the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components and the like as those in the first embodiment, and a duplicate description is omitted.

  FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of a waterproof pushbutton switch member according to a third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of one container portion 2a as in FIG.

  The waterproof pushbutton switch member 1 according to the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment in that the reinforcing member 10 including only the cylindrical portion 31 is inserted into the elastic body 2. Have The inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 does not have the primer layer 40 and exists in other regions. For this reason, when the push button 13 is pushed toward the dome-shaped switch 60, the inner portion 23 extends in the direction of the dome 64 rather than the outer portion 22 of the container portion 2a. For this reason, the pressing feeling of the push button is improved. On the other hand, since the reinforcing member 10 is fixed to the elastic body 2 at the outer peripheral surface and both end faces of the opening, the reinforcing member 10 is not easily peeled off from the elastic body 2.

  The ribs 121 and 122 formed on the outer portion 22 of the container portion 2a are loop-shaped ribs that are continuously formed along the outer periphery of the container portion 2a, but the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Unlike the case, two are formed side by side from the opening side of the container portion 2a toward the bottom. Thus, waterproofness can be improved more by forming the some rib 121,122.

  In order to form the primer layer 40 other than the inner peripheral surface of the reinforcing member 10, a masking jig 70 including only the cylinder 72 is prepared, and the reinforcing member 10 is fitted into the masking jig 70, and in this state, the cylinder Primers can also be applied from both ends of 72 by spraying or the like. After painting, the reinforcing member 10 with the primer layer 40 is completed through the steps described in the first embodiment. Thereafter, when an integral molding process is performed as in the first embodiment, a molded body in which the elastic body 2 and the reinforcing member 10 are integrated is completed.

4). Other Embodiments Although the embodiments of the waterproof pushbutton switch member according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified and implemented. It is.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the reinforcing member 10 includes the cylindrical portion 31 and the reinforcing flange portion 30, and includes two types in which the primer layer 40 is formed and the cylindrical portion 31 alone. A total of three types of reinforcing members 10 have been exemplified. Moreover, each elastic body 2 which has the rib 21 of three types of different shapes, the rib 101, and the ribs 121 and 122 in the outer side part 22 of the container part 2a has been illustrated. As combinations of the reinforcing member 10 and the elastic body 2, other six types of combinations may be adopted in addition to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment.

  FIG. 15 shows a modified example having a form similar to that of the first embodiment, in which a push button and a sheet portion are fixed.

  Unlike the structure shown in FIG. 6, the waterproof pushbutton switch member 1 shown in FIG. 15 is fixed to the pushbutton 13 without the sheet portion 3 being fixed to the elastic body 2. As a result, the push button 13 is movable together with the sheet portion 3 during the pressing operation. In addition, since the sheet | seat part 3 does not adhere to the elastic body 2, the primer layer 40 is not formed in the surface facing the sheet | seat part 3 of the flange part 30 for reinforcement. Also in the waterproof pushbutton switch member 1 according to the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the sheet portion 3 can be fixed to the pushbutton 13 without being fixed to the elastic body 2.

  The reinforcing flange 30 may be completely embedded in the elastic body 2 without providing the seat 3. The through hole 11 of the reinforcing flange 30 is not an essential part and may not be provided. On the other hand, a through hole that matches the position of the through hole 11 may also be formed in the sheet portion 3. These through holes may be provided at any position or in any number depending on a fixing method between the reinforcing member 10 and the elastic body 2, a fixing method between the elastic body 2 and the housing 50 of the device, or the like. . Moreover, the container part 2a may be only one piece, or four or more pieces. Moreover, the shaping | molding method demonstrated based on FIG. 10 is only an example, You may shape | mold by another method. For example, as another molding method, an uncrosslinked elastomer composition may be poured into a space formed by the first mold 80 and the second mold 90.

  The present invention can be used as a push button switch member incorporated in a waterproof device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Waterproof pushbutton switch member 2 Elastic body 2a Container part 2b Elastic flange part 7 Space 10 Reinforcing member 12 Opening part 13 Push button 21 Rib 22 Outer part 23 Inner part 30 Reinforcing flange part 31 Cylindrical part 50 Housing 101 Rib 121 Rib 122 Ribs

Claims (5)

1 or 2 or more container parts which consist of elastic materials, open one side and protrude on the opposite side to the opening side;
An elastic flange portion made of an elastic material and formed to extend radially outward from the opening of the container portion;
Is a waterproof pushbutton switch member that is arranged by connecting the container part inside the housing of the device,
1 or 2 or more loop-shaped ribs continuously formed along the outer periphery of the container part,
A reinforcing member is provided in at least the container part of the container part and the elastic flange part,
The waterproof pushbutton switch member, wherein the reinforcing member is inserted into a thin portion of the container portion, and is in a non-fixed state or a weakly fixed state with respect to at least an inner portion of the container portion.   2. The waterproof pushbutton switch member according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is in a non-fixed state or a weakly fixed state with respect to the inner side portion, the outer side portion, and the bottom portion of the container portion. The reinforcing member is
A cylindrical part inserted into the thin part of the container part;
A reinforcing flange portion formed to extend outward in the radial direction of one opening of the tubular portion;
The waterproof pushbutton switch member according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:   4. The waterproof push button according to claim 1, wherein the rib protrudes radially outward of the container part from a joint part between the container part and the elastic flange part. 5. Switch member.   5. The push button inserted and arranged in a space formed inside the container part from the opening of the container part toward the bottom part, further comprising: The waterproof pushbutton switch member as described.

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