JP2015165473A - Push button switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a push button switch device capable of preventing displacement of a push button at a release position.SOLUTION: The push button switch device includes: an engagement projection 7 protruding outward which is formed on a side wall of a generally cylindrical button support part 5 formed on the upper face of a holder 3; and an engagement hole 8 which is formed on a side wall of a push button 6 which is being forced in an upper direction. The engagement projection 7 is inserted in the engagement hole 8 and the push button 6 is mounted over the outer periphery of the button support part 5 so as to move in a vertical direction. The bottom face of the engagement projection 7, which comes into contact with the frame of the engagement hole 8 at a release position and the push button 6 is held being forced upward, is formed with an inclined face 7a which is inclined upward from the outside toward the inside in a direction perpendicular to the vertical movement direction. With this, the push button 6 is given with a force toward the inner direction to thereby restrict the push button 6 to position at a predetermined position relative to the button support part 5.

Description

  The present invention relates to a pushbutton switch device that presses an operation element of a switch unit by pressing the pushbutton to switch on / off of the switch unit, and in particular, an operation surface of the pushbutton is exposed from an opening hole of an operation panel. The present invention relates to a push button switch device suitable for use in the configuration.

  Various operation switches are provided on an operation panel for air conditioning, audio, or car navigation, for an instrument panel or a steering wheel of a vehicle.

  As an operation switch provided in such an operation panel, the operation surface of the push button is exposed through the opening hole of the operation panel and the operation surface is pressed to press the operation element of the switch unit such as a push switch. 2. Description of the Related Art A push button switch device that switches on / off of a switch unit is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the push button switch device, the push button is pressed against the opening hole so that the operation surface of the push button is evenly and narrowly spaced from the opening hole of the operation panel and the push button is exposed without contacting the frame edge of the opening hole. Is a requirement that is emphasized from the viewpoint of aesthetics and the feeling of operation of a push button (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2012-134098 A JP 2008-146839 A

  By the way, in order to restrict the push button to a predetermined position as a reference with respect to the opening hole of the operation panel, after the push button is pushed in by the push operation, the original position, so-called by the urging force to the push button by the operator of the switch unit, It is important to suppress the displacement of the push button when it is returned to the release position.

  In the pushbutton switch shown in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, a projecting portion is formed at the edge of the exposed portion of the pushbutton, and a guide member for guiding the pushbutton is provided not only on the pushbutton side but also on the operation panel side. The position of the operation surface of the push button can be directly regulated by the operation panel side with respect to the opening hole of the operation panel. This requires a configuration that regulates the position on the surface and mechanically associates the push button switch device with the operation panel, which is not preferable in terms of assembly workability.

  Further, since it is conceivable that a single push button switch device with no operation panel is used as a product unit, the push button switch device having a configuration in which the operation surface of the push button can be regulated with respect to the opening hole of the operation panel with the single push button switch device. Is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a push button switch device in which the push button suppresses the displacement of the push button at the release position.

  In order to solve the above-described object, a push button switch device according to the present invention has a holder in which a substantially cylindrical button support portion formed with an engagement protrusion protruding outward on a side wall is formed on the upper surface, and an opening on the lower surface. It has a substantially cylindrical shape with an engagement hole formed in the side wall, and the engagement protrusion is inserted into the engagement hole and mounted on the outer periphery of the button support portion so as to be movable up and down, and is biased upward. A push button and a switch portion that is turned on / off in accordance with the vertical movement of the push button, and the frame portion of the engagement hole portion is formed on a lower surface of the engagement protrusion at a release position where the push button is biased upward. In contact with each other, an inclined surface is provided on the lower surface of the engagement protrusion, which is inclined upward from the outside toward the inside in a direction orthogonal to the vertical movement direction.

  The push button switch device according to the present invention has an inclined surface that inclines upward from the outside toward the inside in the direction orthogonal to the vertical movement direction on the lower surface of the engagement protrusion with which the engagement hole abuts when the push button is in the release position. A force directed inward along the inclined surface of the bottom surface of the engagement protrusion of the button support portion acts on the engagement hole portion of the push button biased upward, and the position of the push button is regulated in the inward direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the push button and place the push button at a predetermined position as a reference. Therefore, it is possible to provide a simple structure with a uniform gap between the cover and the opening hole of the operation panel where the push button is exposed. can do.

Sectional drawing of the pushbutton switch apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view The perspective view of a pushbutton switch device excluding the cover Cross section during the same operation The perspective view at the time of operation | movement of the pushbutton switch apparatus except a cover same as the above Enlarged sectional view of the main part An enlarged sectional view of the main part during the same operation The main part enlarged front view Enlarged front view of main parts during the same operation

  FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a pushbutton switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof.

  In FIG. 1, the switch portion 1 of the push switch is turned on / off by a momentary operation when the operating element 1 a has an upward restoring force and is fixed to the printed circuit board 2 by soldering. Yes.

  The holder 3 is made of synthetic resin, for example, ABS resin, and is housed so as to cover the switch portion 1 together with the printed wiring board 2, and a rectangular tube-shaped button support portion 5 protruding upward relative to the switch portion 1 is integrally formed. Is formed.

  The button support 5 has a rectangular tube-shaped synthetic resin, for example, polycarbonate resin or ABS resin, which has an operation portion 6 a that is slightly larger than the button support 5, and covers the outer periphery of the button support 5. It is mounted so that it can move up and down in the pressing direction. On the back surface of the operation portion 6a of the push button 6, a rod-like press portion 6b whose tip is in contact with the operation element 1a of the switch portion 1 is integrally formed.

  The button support portion 5 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the top, and is composed of four side walls in the direction along the vertical movement direction of the push button 6. The push button 6 also has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the top. 6 side walls in the direction along the vertical movement direction.

  Engaging protrusions 7 are formed on the two opposing side walls of the button support portion 5 so as to protrude outward in a direction orthogonal to the vertical movement direction of the push button 6, and each engagement protrusion 7 of the button support portion 5 of the push button 6 is formed. Engagement hole portions 8 are formed on the two side walls that are opposed to and opposite to the respective side walls where the button support portions 5 are formed and into which the respective engagement protrusions 7 of the button support portion 5 are inserted and engaged.

  The engagement hole 8 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the long side of the push button 6 in the up-and-down movement direction, and the engagement protrusion 7 is shorter in the long side direction than the engagement hole 8 in the shape from the front side of the side wall. It is formed in a substantially rectangular shape whose length in the direction is slightly smaller.

  The upper surface of the engagement protrusion 7 of the button support portion 5 is formed as an inclined surface, whereby the push button 6 is pushed downward so as to cover the button support portion 5, whereby the side wall of the push button 6 and the side wall of the button support portion 5 are The engaging protrusion 7 is inserted into the engaging hole 8 due to the flexibility of the synthetic resin, and the push button 6 is attached to the holder 3.

  In a state where the push button 6 is mounted on the holder 3, the pressing portion 6b of the push button 6 is brought into contact with the operation element 1a of the switch unit 1, and the push button 6 is urged upward by the operation element 1a via the pressing part 6b. It is in a state. Further, the on / off switching stroke of the operation element 1a of the switch unit 1 is secured by the dimensional allowance in the vertical direction of the engagement protrusion 7 of the button support portion 5 with respect to the engagement hole portion 8 of the push button 6. For this reason, by pressing the operation portion 6a which is the operation surface of the push button 6, the push button 6 moves downward with respect to the button support portion 5, and the operating element 1a is pressed through the pressing portion 6b, and the switch portion. 1 is switched on / off. In this case, the push button 6 is guided to the button support portion 5 in a state in which the push button 6 is prevented from falling off the button support portion 5 by the engagement between the engagement protrusion 7 of the button support portion 5 and the engagement hole portion 8 of the push button 6. It is supported so that it can move up and down.

  The printed wiring board 2 on which the switch unit 1 is mounted and the holder 3 on which the push button 6 is mounted are accommodated by an upper cover 9 and a lower cover 10 that are respectively arranged on the upper and lower sides, and the upper cover 9 is made of polycarbonate resin, ABS resin, or the like. The lower cover 10 is made of a synthetic resin such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) resin.

  The upper cover 9 is formed with an opening hole 9a for exposing the operation portion 6a of the push button 6, and the lower cover 10 is formed with a lead hole 10a for drawing out a lead wire (not shown) connected to the printed circuit board 2. The upper cover 9 and the lower cover 10 are fixed by pushing a plurality of screws (not shown) through the printed wiring board 2 and the holder 3 from the lower cover 10 and screwing them to the upper cover 9. The device is configured.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the pushbutton switch device shown in FIG. 1 except for the upper cover 9.

  The operation at the time of switching operation of the push button switch device configured as described above will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, when the operating portion 6 a is pressed in the release position where the push button 6 is biased upward in the non-pressing operation state, the push button 6 is engaged with the engaging protrusion 7, the engaging hole portion 8, and the like. Is moved downward relative to the button support portion 5, and the pressing portion 6 b presses the operating element 1 a of the switch portion 1 as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 4 and the perspective view of FIG. 5. Therefore, the operating element 1a is pushed against the return force, and the switch unit 1 is switched on / off.

  Since the switch unit 1 is of a momentary operation type, when the pressing of the push button 6 to the operation unit 6a is released, the operation element 1a is returned to the original position, and accordingly, the pressing unit 6b is pushed up and the push button 6 is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the shutter is returned to the release position.

  6 and 7 are enlarged sectional views of main parts in a state where the push button 6 is moved upward and downward, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower side of the frame portion of the engagement hole 8 of the push button 6 is formed on an inclined surface 8 a provided with a gradient in the thickness direction of the side wall, while the engagement of the button support 5 is performed. The lower end of the protrusion 7 is formed on an inclined surface 7 a opposite to the inclined surface 8 a of the engagement hole 8.

  In addition, each inclined surface 7a of the engaging protrusion 7 formed on the opposite side walls of the button support portion 5 is an inclined surface inclined upward from the outside toward the inside. It is formed symmetrically with respect to the center line of the width C.

  In addition, the inclined surface 8a of the engagement hole portion 8 formed on the opposite side walls of the push button 6 is inclined upward and outward from the outside, and has substantially the same gradient in the same direction as the opposed inclined surface 7a. And is formed symmetrically with respect to the center line of the width D of both side walls of the push button 6.

  Therefore, the inclined surface 7a of the engaging protrusion 7 and the inclined surface 8a of the engaging hole 8 are in the direction toward the inside of the button support portion 5 in the direction perpendicular to the vertical movement direction of the push button 6 when the push button 6 is in the release position. Generate power.

  Then, the inclined surfaces 8a of the both side walls of the button support portion 5 abut against the inclined surfaces 7a of the opposite side walls of the push button 6, so that the push button 6 generates a force in the direction toward the inside of the button support portion 5 on both sides. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the push button 6 is directed toward the center of the button support portion 5 in a linear direction AA ′ connecting the centers when viewed from above each side wall in which the engagement hole portion 8 is formed. The position is restricted.

Further, as shown in the front views of FIGS. 8 and 9 in which the main part in the state in which the push button 6 has moved upward and downward is enlarged, the side wall of the push button 6 protrudes from the lower side of the frame portion of the engagement hole 8. A recessed portion 12 is formed at the lower end of the engaging protrusion 7 of the button support portion 5 to be fitted with the protruding portion 11. Taperings 11 a and 12 a having matching shapes are formed in the convex portion 11 and the concave portion 12, respectively, perpendicular to the vertical movement direction of the push button 6 and in the width direction of the engaging hole portion 8.
When the push button 6 is in the release position, as shown in FIG. 3, each push button 6 is in a linear direction BB ′ that connects the centers of both side walls in a direction perpendicular to the opposing side wall direction in which the engagement hole portion 8 is formed. The position is regulated with respect to the button support part 5 by fitting the convex part 11 and the concave part 12 together.

  Therefore, when the push button switch is switched, the push operation of the push button 6 is released, and when the push button 6 is returned to the release position, the push button 6 tilts the engagement protrusions 7 on the two side walls facing the button support portion 5. The center of the button support portion 5 in the one linear direction AA ′ perpendicular to the vertical movement direction of the push button 6 due to the engagement by the inclined surface 8 a of the engagement hole portion 8 of the two opposing side walls of the surface 7 a and the push button 6. The push button 6 is guided in the direction of the position and the position of the push button 6 is restricted, and the push button 6 is vertically moved by fitting the convex portion 11 on the lower side of the frame portion of the engagement hole portion 8 with the concave portion 12 on the lower surface of the engagement projection 7. The position is restricted with respect to the button support portion 5 in the other linear direction BB ′ orthogonal to the moving direction and the linear direction AA ′.

  That is, the position of the push button 6 is restricted with respect to the button support portion 5 in two directions orthogonal to the vertical movement direction of the push button 6 at the release position, and the operation portion 6 a serving as the operation surface of the push button 6 is opened in the upper cover 9. The positional deviation in the direction perpendicular to the vertical movement direction of the push button 6 is suppressed so that the gap between the hole 9a and the opening hole 9a around the operation portion 6a can be made narrow and uniform.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the push button 6 is in the release position, the position restriction of the push button 6 with respect to the button support portion 5 is such that the inclined surface 7a of the engaging protrusion 7 on the two opposing side walls of the button support portion 5 faces the push button 6. Although it is performed by the engagement by the inclined surface 8a of the engagement hole portion 8 of the two side walls, if there is the inclined surface 7a of one of the engagement protrusions 7, the abutting engagement hole portion 8 is a flat surface that is not an inclined surface. Even if it is a circular arc surface, the force to be directed in a predetermined direction is reduced, but the push button 6 can be restricted to a predetermined position.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the inclined surface that inclines in the direction perpendicular to the vertical movement direction on the lower surface of the engagement protrusion 7 of the button support portion 5 with which the frame portion of the engagement hole portion 8 of the push button 6 abuts. By providing 7a, in the release position where the push button 6 is biased upward, the push button 6 biased upward travels in a direction perpendicular to the vertical movement direction along the inclined surface 7a of the lower surface of the engagement protrusion 7. Since the force is applied and the push button 6 is disposed at a predetermined position as a reference with the positional deviation suppressed with respect to the button support portion 5, the push button 6 and the opening 9a of the upper cover 9 exposing the operation portion 6a are exposed. A push button switch device with a uniform and small gap can be realized.

  In addition, the direction and angle of the inclined surfaces 7a and 8a can be variously changed, and the target member provided with the convex portion 11 and the concave portion 12 is opposite to the embodiment with the convex portion 11 on the lower surface of the engaging projection 7. The concave portion 12 may be provided on the lower side of the frame portion of the engagement hole portion 8, and various modifications such as the tapered shape and the installation location of the convex portion 11 and the concave portion 12 can be made.

  In the above description, the push button switch device is described as having the upper cover 9 disposed above the holder 3 so that the push button 6 is exposed from the opening 9a. However, the push button switch device is configured as a push button switch device as shown in FIG. Instead of the upper cover 9, the present invention can also be implemented when the push button 6 is used so that it is disposed below the operation panel of the vehicle and is exposed to the opening hole of the operation panel.

  Further, the shape of the button support portion 5 and the push button 6 has been described as a substantially rectangular prismatic shape, but if the configuration is such that the push button covers the outer periphery of the button support portion and can be moved up and down, it can be polygonal or circular. Applicable to various shapes such as shapes.

  Furthermore, in the above description, a push switch having an operation element 1a having an upward restoring force is used as the switch unit, and the push button 6 is configured to be pushed upward by the operation element 1a. However, a fixed contact is formed on the upper surface of the wiring board with carbon or the like, and a movable contact made of a conductive metal is mounted on the upper surface of the fixed contact. Alternatively, a flexible contact is formed in a substantially dome shape with a movable contact formed on the lower surface. It is possible to implement the present invention even when the push button is urged upward by a coil spring separately housed in the holder, using various switch parts such as a rubber sheet placed thereon.

  The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention.

  The push button switch device according to the present invention has an advantageous effect that it can be realized with a simple configuration and a gap between the cover and the opening hole of the operation panel in which the operation surface of the push button is exposed, and is mainly small. This is useful for operating various electronic devices in vehicles.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Switch part 1a Operation element 2 Printed wiring board 3 Holder 5 Button support part 6 Push button 6a Operation part 6b Press part 7 Engagement protrusion 7a Inclination surface 8 Engagement hole part 8a Inclination surface 9 Upper cover 9a Opening hole 10 Lower cover 10a Drawer Hole 11 Convex part 12 Concave part

Claims (5)

A holder in which a substantially cylindrical button support portion projecting outwardly projecting on the side wall projects from the upper surface; and a substantially cylindrical shape in which the bottom surface is open and an engagement hole is formed in the side wall; A push button that is inserted on the outer periphery of the button support portion so that the engagement protrusion is inserted into the engagement hole portion and can be moved up and down, and is urged upward, and a switch that is turned on and off in accordance with the vertical movement of the push button At the release position where the push button is biased upward, the frame portion of the engagement hole abuts the lower surface of the engagement protrusion, and the lower surface of the engagement protrusion is orthogonal to the vertical movement direction. A push button switch device provided with an inclined surface that inclines upward from the outside toward the inside in the direction of movement. The push button switch device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the engaging protrusions and the engaging hole portions are provided on both side surfaces of the side wall of the button support portion and the side walls of the push button facing each other. The pushbutton switch device according to claim 2, wherein a projecting portion and a recessed portion or a recessed portion and a projecting portion that are in contact with each other are provided on the contact surfaces of the engaging protrusion and the engaging hole in the frame portion. The pushbutton switch device according to claim 3, wherein the convex portion and the concave portion are provided with a taper inclined in the width direction of the engagement hole portion. 2. The pushbutton switch device according to claim 1, wherein an inclined surface inclined in the same direction as the inclined surface of the lower surface of the engagement protrusion is provided on the frame portion of the engagement hole portion with which the lower surface of the engagement protrusion abuts.

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