JP2019071181A - Push button switch component - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a push button switch component capable of sufficiently suppressing sudden rise of load after a switch is turned ON, while restraining occurrence of fracture of a thin wall moving part.SOLUTION: In a push button switch component 1 including a pressing part 10, a thin wall moving part 20 connected with the radial outer boundary of the pressing part 10 in the plan view, and a base part 30 connected with the radial outer boundary of the thin wall moving part 20 in the plan view, in order toward the pushing direction of the pressing part 10, at least the pressing part 10 and the thin wall moving part 20 are rubber-like elastic bodies, and the pressing part 10 has a low hardness part 12 having lower rubber hardness compared with a second region closer to the thin wall moving part 20 than the first region, in a first region from the top surface 11 to a middle position of thickness in the pushing direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a member for a push button switch.

  Conventionally, as switches of various devices such as in-vehicle devices, communication devices, audio devices, home electric appliances and the like, members for push button switches provided with a pressing portion, a thin movable portion and a base portion (for example, Reference) is known.

  FIG. 10 shows a plan view (10A) and a cross-sectional view taken along line B1-B1 (10B) of a member for a push button switch conventionally known. The push button switch member 101 shown in FIG. 10 is connected to the pressing portion 110, the thin movable portion 120 connected to the outer periphery in the radial direction in a plan view of the pressing portion 110, and the outer periphery in the radial direction in a plan view of the thin movable portion 120. And a contact portion 140 that protrudes toward the opposite side of the pressing portion 110 in the inner space of the dome formed by the thin-walled movable portion 120. The pressing portion 110, the thin movable portion 120, and the base portion 130 are made of the same kind of rubber-like elastic body.

  FIG. 11 is a plan view (11A) and another cross-sectional view along line B2-B2 (11B) of another member for a push button switch that is conventionally known. The other known push button switch member 102 has one or more projecting portions in which the pressing portion 150 corresponding to the pressing portion 110 described above partially protrudes on the top surface 151 opposite to the base portion 130 in plan view. Except for the point having 152, it has the same form as member 101 for push button switches of FIG.

  Further, FIG. 12 shows a plan view (12A) and a cross-sectional view along line B3-B3 (12B) of still another conventional push button switch member. The still another known push button switch member 103 is formed with a hole portion 162 which is opened on the top surface 161 side and which is directed inward from the top surface 161 in the pressing portion 160 corresponding to the pressing portion 110 described above. It has the same form as member 101 for push button switches of FIG. 10 except for the point.

  According to the above-described conventionally known push button switch members 101, 102, and 103, the thin-walled movable portion 120 is elastically deformed by the downward pressing from the pressing portions 110, 150, and 160 and the releasing operation thereof. For this reason, the push button switch members 101, 102, and 103 are often used as push type switches.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-235006 Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 7-201249

  The conventionally known push button switch members 101, 102, and 103 have excellent functions as push button switch members, but there is room for further improvement in order to make them more excellent push button switch members.

  When the push-button switch members 101, 102, and 103 are incorporated into the push-button switch, a thin-walled movable member is obtained when a pressing force is applied downward to the pressing portions 110, 150, and 160 of the push-button switch members 101, 102, 103. As the part 120 is deformed, the pressing parts 110, 150, 160 are rapidly lowered in the substrate direction, and the switch is turned on.

  Some members for the push button switch are required to have a soft feel after the switch is turned on (a sense that the pressing is not suddenly stopped after the switch is turned on). For example, a member for a push button switch for an engine start / stop of an automobile is frequently used and often gives an impression, so it is strongly required that the feel when pushed in be soft. The sudden increase in load after turning on tends to be disliked by the user.

  With respect to the push button switch member 101, it is difficult to sufficiently suppress the rapid rise in load after the switch is turned on. In addition, since the deformation of the thin movable portion 120 becomes large when the stroke after the switch is turned on becomes long, the thin movable portion 120 is easily broken.

  Further, with regard to the push button switch member 102, although the pressing feeling is softer than in the case of the push button switch member 101, it is difficult to sufficiently suppress the rapid rise in load after the switch is turned on. It is. Further, as in the case of the push button switch member 101, when the stroke after the switch is turned on is extended, the shape deformation of the thin movable portion 120 also becomes large, so breakage of the thin movable portion 120 tends to occur. .

  As for the push button switch member 103, since the hole portion 162 is formed in the pressing portion 160, the deformation of the pressing portion 160 can be made larger than in the case of the push button switch members 101 and 102. For this reason, in the case of the push button switch member 103, it is possible to sufficiently suppress the rapid increase in load after the switch is turned on. However, even in the push button switch member 103, the problem that breakage of the thin movable portion 120 is likely to occur can not be solved.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is possible to sufficiently suppress a rapid increase in load after the switch is turned on, and a push button switch in which breakage of the thin movable portion is hard to occur. It aims at providing a member for.

[1] A member for a push button switch according to one embodiment for achieving the above object is a pressing portion, a thin movable portion connected to the outer periphery in a radial direction in plan view of the pressing portion, and a plan view of the thin movable portion And a base portion connected to the outer periphery in the radial direction in the pressing direction of the pressing portion in the pressing direction, wherein at least the pressing portion and the thin movable portion are both rubber-like elastic bodies; A low hardness portion having a rubber hardness lower than that of the second region closer to the thin movable portion than the first region is provided in the first region from the surface to an intermediate position of the thickness in the pushing direction.

[2] In a member for a push button switch according to another embodiment, when the thickness in the pressing direction of the pressing portion is T1, and the thickness in the pressing direction of the low hardness portion is T2, 0.5 ≦ T2 / T1. It is preferred that the relationship of ≦ 0.8.

[3] In a member for a push button switch according to another embodiment, the rubber hardness of the low hardness portion by measurement using a type A durometer in accordance with JIS K 6253 is H1, and the rubber hardness of the second region by the measurement is the same. When H2 is H2, it is preferable to satisfy the relationship of H2-H1 ≧ 30.

[4] The member for a push button switch according to another embodiment is also a connecting portion between the pressing portion and the thin movable portion in a longitudinal sectional view with respect to the width of the inner connecting portion inside the thin movable portion. It is preferable that the width of the outer connecting portion outside the thin movable portion in the connecting portion be the same or smaller.

[5] In the member for a push button switch according to another embodiment, the pressing portion has one or more projecting portions partially protruding on the top surface in the opposite side to the base portion in plan view. preferable.

[6] In the member for a push button switch according to another embodiment, it is preferable that the pressing portion has a hole that opens toward the top surface and faces inward of the low hardness portion from the top surface.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to sufficiently suppress a sudden increase in load after the switch is turned on, and to provide a member for a push button switch in which breakage of the thin movable portion is hard to occur.

FIG. 1 shows a plan view (1A) and a cross-sectional view along line A1-A1 (1B) of a member for a push button switch according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a plan view (2A) and a sectional view along line A2-A2 (2B) of a member for a push button switch according to a second embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a plan view (3A) and a cross-sectional view along line A3-A3 (3B) of a member for a push button switch according to a third embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a plan view (4A) and a cross-sectional view along line A4-A4 (4B) of a member for a push button switch according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram (5A) showing the results of simulation regarding the shape in the buckling state for Comparative Example 1, a diagram (5B) showing results of simulation regarding the stress for Comparative Example 1, and a buckling condition for Comparative Example 2 (5C) showing the simulation result on the shape in the figure, the figure (5D) showing the simulation result on the stress in the comparative example 2, the figure (5E) showing the simulation result on the shape in the buckling state of the example 1 The figure (5F) which shows the result of the simulation about the stress about Example 1, and the figure (5G) which piled up the simulation result about the shape in the buckling state about Example 1 and comparative example 2 are shown, respectively. FIG. 6 shows the results of simulations regarding loads for Example 1, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2. FIG. 7 shows the results of simulations regarding loads for Example 1, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2. FIG. 8 shows the results of keying tests for Examples 2 to 5 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4. FIG. 9 shows the results of keying tests for Examples 6 to 8 and Comparative Example 5. FIG. 10 shows a plan view (10A) and a cross-sectional view taken along line B1-B1 (10B) of a member for a push button switch conventionally known. FIG. 11 shows a plan view (11A) and another cross-sectional view along line B2-B2 (11B) of another member for a push button switch that is conventionally known. FIG. 12 shows a plan view (12A) and a cross-sectional view along line B3-B3 (12B) of still another conventional push button switch member.

  Next, a member for a push button switch according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, each embodiment described below does not limit the invention which concerns on a claim. In addition, all of the elements described in each embodiment and the combination thereof are not necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention. In each embodiment, the same code | symbol may be used in common by each embodiment about a component with the same basic configuration and characteristics, and description may be abbreviate | omitted.

First Embodiment
1. Structure of Push Button Switch Member First, the push button switch member according to the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows a plan view (1A) and a cross-sectional view along line A1-A1 (1B) of a member for a push button switch according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the push button switch member 1 according to the first embodiment includes a pressing portion 10, a thin movable portion 20 connected to the outer periphery in the radial direction in plan view of the pressing portion 10, and a thin movable portion 20. The base portion 30 connected to the outer periphery in the radial direction in plan view is provided in order toward the pressing direction of the pressing portion 10. The pressing portion 10, the thin movable portion 20, and the base portion 30 are all rubber-like elastic bodies. The pressing portion 10 has a low hardness portion 12 having a rubber hardness lower than that of the second region closer to the thin movable portion 20 than the first region in the first region from the top surface 11 to the middle position of the thickness in the pushing direction. .

  In addition, the push button switch member 1 further includes a contact portion 40 projecting toward the opposite side to the pressing portion 10 in the inner space of the dome formed by the thin-walled movable portion 20. The contact portion 40 is fixed to a rubber-like elastic body projecting downward from the ceiling of the dome. However, the contact portion 40 may be directly fixed to the ceiling of the dome. Further, it is sufficient if at least the pressing portion 10 and the thin-walled movable portion 20 are made of a rubber-like elastic body, and the base portion 30 may be made of a material other than the rubber-like elastic body.

  The pressing portion 10, the thin movable portion 20, the base portion 30, and the contact portion 40 may be separately manufactured and then joined or may be manufactured by a method such as integral molding. Further, in this embodiment, the second region of the pressing portion 10, the thin-walled movable portion 20 and the base portion 30 are made of the same kind of rubber-like elastic body, but are made of another kind of rubber-like elastic body It may be done.

  In the first embodiment and the other embodiments described later, as the rubber-like elastic body, preferably, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, isoprene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, natural rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, nitrile rubber (NBR Or thermosetting elastomers such as styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), thermoplastic elastomers such as urethanes, esters, styrenes, olefins, butadienes, fluorines, etc., or composites of those described above. Among these exemplified rubbery elastomers, silicone rubber is particularly preferred. In addition, the rubber-like elastic body may contain a filler such as silica.

(1) Pressing portion The pressing portion 10 contacts a finger or other pressing operation means when the switch is turned on or off, or both, and in the direction of the base member 30 (downward in FIG. 1 (1B)) It is a member which can receive downward pressure and can move downward. The pressing unit 10 may be referred to as a key top, a push button unit, a head or the like. The pressing portion 10 protrudes to one side with respect to the base portion 30. In this embodiment, one side corresponds to the side opposite to the circuit board or the like when the member 1 for a push button switch is installed on the circuit board or the like. Depending on the installation location of the push button switch member 1, the direction may be different from the upper side, such as the left side or the right side.

  The pressing unit 10 is a substantially cylindrical member having a circular shape in plan view in the first embodiment and each embodiment described later. As shown in FIG. 1 (1B), the pressing portion 10 is a connecting portion between the pressing portion 10 and the thin movable portion 20 from the top surface 11, and the outer connecting portion 16 outside the thin movable portion 20; This part is a part where the thin-walled movable part 20 is cut off through the inner connection part 15 inside the thin-walled movable part 20. This is the same as in the other embodiments. Describing in further detail the shape of the pressing portion 10, the portion (upper portion: first region) near the end on one side of the pressing portion 10 has a cylindrical shape. The second region closer to the thin-walled movable portion 20 from the first region is a portion where the diameter is slightly widened so as to be smoothly connected to the thin-walled movable portion 20. The thickness of the pressing portion 10 refers to the distance between the top surface 11 and the broken inner portion corresponding to the inner connecting portion 15. Thus, the pressing portion 10 has the low hardness portion 12 having a rubber hardness lower than that of the second region in the above-described first region.

  When both the low hardness portion 12 of the pressing portion 10 and the second region of higher hardness than the low hardness portion 12 are formed of silicone rubber, in order to change the hardness of the silicone rubber, the portion of the second region is silica Etc. while curing the curable silicone composition to which a filler such as a filler is added while curing the portion of the first region without adding the filler such as silica or having a smaller addition amount of the filler than the first region The silicone composition can be cured to make. In addition, the silicone oil component added to the curable silicone composition for producing the first region may be more than the component added to the curable silicone composition for producing the second region.

  In this embodiment, the first region (= low hardness portion 12) is a region that includes the top surface 11 and does not include the thin movable portion 20. The outermost surface of the pressing portion 10 is made of resin (thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin), glass, ceramics, silicone rubber having a hardness higher than that of the pressing portion 10, and other elastomers for the purpose of damage prevention and the like. A thin coat layer may be formed.

  In the push button switch member 1, the thickness in the pressing direction of the pressing portion 10, that is, the length from the top surface 11 to the broken line in FIG. 1 (1B) is T1, and the thickness in the pressing direction of the low hardness portion 12 (FIG. It is preferable that the relationship of 0.5 ≦ T2 / T1 ≦ 0.8 is established, where T2 is the length in the vertical direction of the dense portion of 1 (1B) hatching width. In this embodiment, the pressing direction is a direction from the pressing portion 10 toward the circuit board or the like when the push button switch member 1 is installed on the circuit board or the like. In addition, the pressing direction may be referred to as a direction along an axis perpendicular to the installation surface of the pressing unit 10.

  In the case where the thickness of the pressing portion 10 and the thickness of the low hardness portion 12 are measured, a projection or the like (for example, the protruding portion 54 in the second embodiment described later) or the above-mentioned coating layer is present on the top surface 11 Also, the thickness and the length of the projections and the like and the coating layer are not included in the thickness of each of the pressing portion 10 and the low hardness portion 12. In the case where the thickness is different depending on the place, such as when the pressing portion 10 or the low hardness portion 12 is not a cylindrical region, the thickness of the pressing portion 10 and the thickness of the low hardness portion 12 are calculated as an average value.

  If 0.5 ≦ T2 / T1, when the pressing portion 10 is pushed in, the low hardness portion 12 can be compressed to ensure sufficient flexibility to reduce its thickness. Further, when T2 / T1 ≦ 0.8, the occurrence of local distortion in the vicinity of the connecting portion between the pressing portion 10 and the thin-walled movable portion 20 can be sufficiently suppressed, and breakage from the connecting portion during long-term use Can reduce the risk of

  In the member 1 for a push button switch, when the rubber hardness of the low hardness portion 12 by measurement using a type A durometer in accordance with JIS K 6253 is H1, and the rubber hardness of the second region by the measurement is H2. It is preferable to satisfy the relationship of H2-H1 ≧ 30. Hereinafter, "rubber hardness" means hardness measured by using a type A durometer in accordance with JIS K 6253.

  If H2-H1 ≧ 30, the rubber hardness of the low hardness portion 12 can be relatively low enough, and when a force is applied from the top surface 11 of the pressing portion 10 in the pushing direction, the low hardness portion 12 is compressed. It is possible to secure sufficient flexibility to reduce its thickness. It is even more preferable if both conditions of 0.5 ≦ T2 / T1 and H2-H1130 are satisfied.

(2) Thin-walled movable portion The thin-walled movable portion 20 is a member connected to the outer periphery of the pressing portion 10. The thin movable portion 20 may be referred to as a dome because of its shape. The thin-walled movable portion 20 is an annular member in a plan view in the first embodiment and each embodiment described later. As shown in FIG. 1 (1B), the thin-walled movable portion 20 is a component from a portion cut between the connecting outer portion 16 and the connecting inner portion 15 to a boundary portion with the base portion 30. This is the same as in the other embodiments. The thin movable portion 20 is preferably formed thinner than the pressing portion 10 and the base portion 30. The thin movable portion 20 is an elastic deformation member that elastically deforms when the pressing portion 10 is pressed toward the circuit board or the like and returns to the original shape when the pressing on the pressing portion 10 is released.

(3) Base Portion The base portion 30 is connected to the outer periphery of the thin-walled movable portion 20. The base portion 30 is a portion for fixing the push button switch member 1 to a circuit board or the like when the push button switch member 1 is incorporated into the push button switch. In the first embodiment and the other embodiments, the plan view shape of the base portion 30 is a square. The base portion 30 may have holes, protrusions, and the like for attachment. The base portion 30 is made of a material different from the material constituting the pressing portion 10 other than the thin movable portion 20 and the low hardness portion 12 (any of a rubber-like elastic body, a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin may be used. It may be made of a material, such as metal.

(4) Contact point portion The contact point portion 40 is a portion projecting from the ceiling of the dome located directly below the pressing portion 10 in the direction opposite to the pressing portion 10 (that is, the pressing direction of the pressing portion 10). The contact portion 40 is not an essential member for the push button switch member 1.

  The contact portion 40 contacts a component (for example, an electrode, a metal dome, or another type of switch) disposed immediately below the pressing portion 10 when incorporated in the push button switch member 1 to turn on / off the switch. It will be the part that The contact portion 40 is a circular cylindrical member in plan view in the first embodiment and each embodiment described later. The contact portion 40 may be integral with or separate from the pressing portion 10. When the contact portion 40 is separate from the pressing portion 10, for example, the contact portion 40 may be bonded to the back side of the pressing portion 10. In this embodiment, the contact portion 40 is preferably made of a conductive material (for example, metal or conductive rubber-like elastic body), but may be made of a nonconductive material.

(5) Operation / Effect According to the member 1 for a push button switch according to this embodiment, the pressing portion 10 is provided with the low hardness portion 12 having a rubber hardness lower than that of the second region in the first region. When it is pushed in, the pressing portion 10 is deformed and the pressing force is dispersed to reduce the load on the thin movable portion 20. Therefore, the rapid increase in load after the switch is turned on can be sufficiently suppressed, and breakage of the thin movable portion 20 is less likely to occur.

  Further, since the first region includes the top surface 11 and does not include the thin movable portion 20, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of local distortion in the vicinity of the connecting portion with the thin movable portion 20. This also contributes to suppression of breakage of the thin movable portion 20.

2. Method of manufacturing member for push button switch The member 1 for push button switch, for example, forms a portion other than the low hardness portion 12 of the pressing portion 10 (in this embodiment, the thin movable portion 20 and the base portion 30 simultaneously) It is easy to mold the low hardness portion 12 using a material having a hardness lower than that of the second region of the pressing portion 10 and bond the low hardness portion 12 so as to be the first region of the pressing portion 10 in parallel. Can be manufactured.

  Further, the push button switch member 1 is formed by integrally forming the element body of the pressing portion 10 with the portion to be the low hardness portion 12 and the low hardness portion of the pressing portion 10 by various means (for example, irradiation of electron beam) after molding. It can also be produced by curing parts other than 12.

  Further, the member 1 for a push button switch is inserted into a mold first of the low hardness portion 12 or the second region of the pressing portion 10 and the thin movable portion 20 and the base portion 30 first. It can also be manufactured by insert molding in which the curable composition of the present invention is supplied into the mold for molding.

  Furthermore, build up from the base portion 30 toward the pressing portion 10 or in the opposite direction using a 3D printer, and change the print material between the low hardness portion 12 and the other members, The push button switch member 1 may be manufactured.

Second Embodiment
Next, a member for a push button switch according to the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, configurations common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. The member for push button switches in this embodiment and subsequent embodiments can be manufactured according to the above-mentioned manufacturing method of member 1 for push button switches concerning a 1st embodiment.

  FIG. 2 shows a plan view (2A) and a sectional view along line A2-A2 (2B) of a member for a push button switch according to a second embodiment.

  The member 2 for a push button switch according to the second embodiment basically has the same configuration as the member 1 for a push button switch according to the first embodiment, but a point having a protrusion 54 on the top surface 52 of the pressing portion 50. This differs from the push button switch member 1 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the push button switch member 2 includes a pressing portion 50, a thin movable portion 20 connected to the outer periphery in the radial direction in plan view of the pressing portion 50, and a radial direction in plan view of the thin movable portion 20. The base portion 30 connected to the outer periphery is sequentially provided in the pressing direction of the pressing portion 50. The pressing portion 50, the thin movable portion 20 and the base portion 30 are all rubber-like elastic bodies. The pressing portion 50 has a low hardness portion 52 having a rubber hardness lower than that of the second region closer to the thin movable portion 20 than the first region in the first region from the top surface 51 to an intermediate position in the thickness in the pushing direction. . As shown in FIG. 2 (2B), the pressing portion 50 is a connecting portion between the pressing portion 50 and the thin movable portion 20 from the top surface 51, and the outer connecting portion 56 outside the thin movable portion 20; This portion is a portion where the thin movable portion 20 is cut off through the inner connection portion 55 located inside the thin movable portion 20. The thin-walled movable portion 20 is a component from a portion cut between the connecting outer portion 56 and the connecting inner portion 55 to a boundary portion with the base portion 30. The thickness of the pressing portion 50 refers to the distance between the top surface 51 and the broken line position corresponding to the inner connecting portion 55.

  The pressing unit 50 includes, on the top surface 51, one or more protrusions (also referred to as a boss or a protrusion) 54 that partially project on the side opposite to the base unit 30 in plan view. Here, “partially in plan view” means that the projecting portion 54 occupies a part of the area when the top surface 51 is viewed from above. Therefore, “partially in plan view” is used in the sense of excluding the fact that the entire area protrudes in plan view of the top surface 51. In the present embodiment, four protrusions 54 are formed on the top surface 51. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the protrusion part 54 consists of a rubber-like elastic body of the same kind as the low hardness part 52, it may consist of materials different from the low hardness part 52. FIG. The protrusion 54 may be integral with or separate from the top surface 51. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the protrusion part 54 has a substantially hemispherical shape, there is no restriction | limiting in the shape. For example, the protrusion 54 may have any shape such as a cylindrical shape, a prismatic shape, a conical shape, a pyramidal shape, or a tubular shape. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the number of the protrusions 54 is four, but the number is not limited. The number of protrusions 54 may be one to three or five or more.

  According to this embodiment, in addition to the operation and effect of the first embodiment described above, the projection 54 is deformed (collapsed) first when a pressing force is applied, and therefore, as the entire pressing portion 50 The amount of deformation of can be increased.

Third Embodiment
Next, a member for a push button switch according to a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, configurations common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 3 shows a plan view (3A) and a cross-sectional view along line A3-A3 (3B) of a member for a push button switch according to a third embodiment.

  The member 3 for a push button switch according to the third embodiment basically has the same configuration as the member 1 for a push button switch according to the first embodiment, except that the hole 64 is formed in the pressing portion 60. It is different from the push button switch member 1 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the push button switch member 3 includes the pressing portion 60, the thin movable portion 20 connected to the outer periphery in the radial direction in plan view of the pressing portion 60, and the radial direction in plan view of the thin movable portion 20. The base portion 30 connected to the outer periphery is sequentially provided in the pressing direction of the pressing portion 60. The pressing portion 60, the thin movable portion 20, and the base portion 30 are all rubber-like elastic bodies. The pressing portion 60 has a low hardness portion 62 whose rubber hardness is lower than that of the second region closer to the thin movable portion 20 than the first region in the first region from the top surface 61 to the middle position of the thickness in the pushing direction. . As shown in FIG. 3 (3B), the pressing portion 60 is a connecting portion between the pressing portion 60 and the thin movable portion 20 from the top surface 61, and the outer connecting portion 66 outside the thin movable portion 20; This is a portion where the thin movable portion 20 is cut off through the inner connection portion 65 located inside the thin movable portion 20. The thin-walled movable portion 20 is a component from a portion cut between the connecting outer portion 66 and the connecting inner portion 65 to a boundary portion with the base portion 30. The thickness of the pressing portion 60 refers to the distance between the top surface 61 and the broken inner portion corresponding to the inner connecting portion 65.

  The pressing portion 60 has a hole 64 which is open toward the top surface 61 and directed inward of the low hardness portion 62 from the top surface 61. The hole 64 is preferably a bottomed opening having a depth equal to or less than the thickness of the low hardness portion 62. In this embodiment, the hole 64 is a cylindrical cup-shaped space having a substantially circular shape in plan view of the opening surface, but the corner has another shape such as a rectangle in plan view. It may be a cylindrical space. In addition, the hole 64 may have a shape other than a cylindrical shape such as a conical shape, a pyramidal shape, or a hemispherical shape. Also, the hole 64 may reach the bottom of the hole 64 up to the second region. Furthermore, the hole 64 may be a through hole reaching the contact portion 40 or a through hole also penetrating the contact portion 40.

  According to this embodiment, compared to the operation and effect of the first embodiment described above, the operation and effect that the deformation of the pressing portion 60 when the pressing force is applied can be further increased are obtained. Be

Fourth Embodiment
Next, a member for a push button switch according to a fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, configurations common to the above-described embodiments are appropriately omitted, and different points will be mainly described.

  FIG. 4 shows a plan view (4A) and a cross-sectional view along line A4-A4 (4B) of a member for a push button switch according to a fourth embodiment.

  The push button switch member 4 according to the fourth embodiment basically has the same configuration as the push button switch member 3 according to the third embodiment, but the size of the outer surface of the top surface 71 of the pressing portion 70 This differs from the push button switch member 3 according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the push button switch member 4 includes the pressing portion 70, the thin movable portion 20 connected to the outer periphery in the radial direction in plan view of the pressing portion 70, and the radial direction in plan view of the thin movable portion 20. The base portion 30 connected to the outer periphery is sequentially provided in the pressing direction of the pressing portion 70. The pressing portion 70, the thin movable portion 20 and the base portion 30 are all rubber-like elastic bodies. The pressing portion 70 has a low hardness portion 72 having a rubber hardness lower than that of the second region closer to the thin movable portion 20 than the first region in the first region from the top surface 71 to an intermediate position in the thickness in the pushing direction. . The push button switch member 4 is provided with a contact portion 40 which protrudes toward the opposite side to the pressing portion 70 in the inner space of the dome formed by the thin movable portion 20. As shown in FIG. 4 (4B), the pressing portion 70 is a connecting portion between the pressing portion 70 and the thin movable portion 20 from the top surface 71, and the outer connecting portion 76 outside the thin movable portion 20; This portion is a portion where the thin movable portion 20 is cut off through the inner connecting portion 75 which is inside the thin movable portion 20. The thin movable portion 20 is a component from a portion cut between the outer connection portion 76 and the inner connection portion 75 to a boundary portion with the base portion 30.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the push button switch member 4, the outer shape of the outer connection portion 76 falls within the range defined by the inner connection portion 75 in plan view from the top surface 71 side. Here, to “fit within the range”, the outer shape is the same (if both the outer connection portion 76 and the inner connection portion 75 are circular in plan view, both diameters are the same) Also included. The low hardness portion 72 is present in the first region from the top surface 71 of the pressing portion 70 to the middle (the position of X) in the thickness direction. The low hardness portion 72 also includes a part of the thin movable portion 20. The width in the longitudinal cross sectional view of the articulated outer side portion 76 is the same as or smaller than the width in the longitudinal sectional view of the articulated inner side portion 75. In this embodiment, “width” means the respective diameters because the shape of each of the articulated outer portion 76 and the articulated inner portion 75 in plan view is a circle. However, in the case where the shape in plan view of the outer connection portion 76 and the inner connection portion 75 is other than a circle, the “width” is a circle having the same area for each shape in plan view of the outer connection portion 76 and the inner connection portion 75. It means the diameter converted to (= circle conversion diameter).

  In the push button switch member 4, the pressing portion 70 has a columnar region in which the outer shape of the top surface 71 is held by a predetermined thickness in the pushing direction, and a trapezoidal region gradually increasing the width from the columnar region. In this embodiment, the width D1 of the columnar region is equal to the width of the outer connection portion 76, and is the same or smaller than the width D2 of the inner connection portion 75. The width D2 is the width of a portion defined by the inner boundary between the pressing portion 70 and the thin movable portion 20. In the present application, “pillar” refers to a form in which the diameter (or the diagonal) in plan view is constant over the length direction. However, the diameter (or the diagonal) of the planar view does not need to be completely constant, and variations within plus or minus 5% are acceptable. The trapezoidal region is a circular truncated cone in plan view and a trapezoidal truncated cone in longitudinal cross section. The thickness of the pressing portion 70 refers to the distance between the top surface 71 and the broken inner portion corresponding to the inner connecting portion 75.

  In this embodiment, the plan view shapes of the articulated outer portion 76 and the articulated inner portion 75 are both circular, and the diameter (= D1) of the articulated outer portion 76 and the diameter (= D2) of the articulated inner portion 75 are compared. , 1 ≦ D2 / D1 ≦ 1.7. Furthermore, it is more preferable to satisfy the relationship of 1.3 <D2 / D1 ≦ 1.7.

  According to this embodiment, when a pressure is applied from the top surface 71, transmission of the pressure to the outside in a plan view of the inner connection portion 75 can be suppressed. That is, it is possible to obtain an operation and effect that the force applied when the pressing portion 70 is pushed can be concentrated in the direction toward the inner connection portion 75, and the load applied to the thin movable portion 20 can be further reduced.

  Further, since the pressing portion 70 has the above-described columnar region, when a pressing force is applied from the pressing portion 70 in the direction of the contact portion 40, the pressing force protrudes outward in a plan view of the inner connection portion 75. Can be further suppressed. As a result, the load applied to the thin movable portion 20 can be further reduced.

  When D2 / D1 ≦ 1.7 (that is, when D1 is not smaller than D2), the columnar region of the pressing portion 70 to which the pressing force is applied is a direction other than the pressing direction (plan view Can be restrained from swinging back and forth, left and right, etc.). On the other hand, when 1 ≦ D 2 / D 1 and further 1.3 ≦ D 2 / D 1, the load applied to the thin movable portion 20 can be reduced. As a result, when 1 ≦ D 2 / D 1 ≦ 1.7, and further 1.3 ≦ D 2 / D 1 ≦ 1.7, it becomes difficult to shake laterally from the pressing direction when pressing the pressing portion 70, and thin movable It becomes easier to obtain the effect of reducing the load applied to the part 20.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although each suitable embodiment of the present invention was described, the member for push button switches concerning the present invention can be variously deformed and carried out, for example as follows, without being restricted by each embodiment.

  The shapes of the pressing portion 10, 50, 60, 70 (referred to as the pressing portion 10 etc.), the thin-walled movable portion 20, the base portion 30, and the contact portion 40 in each embodiment described above are examples, It can be in the form of The shapes of the pressing portion 10 and the like, the thin-walled movable portion 20, the connecting outer portion 76, the connecting inner portion 75, and the contact portion 40 need not have the same shape. For example, the pressing outer portion 10 and the like The shape of the planar view of 76 and the inside portion 75 may be circular, and the shape of the planar view of the outer edge (the connecting portion with the base portion 30) of the thin-walled movable portion 20 may be rectangular. Conversely, the shapes of the pressing portion 10 and the like, the thin-walled movable portion 20, the base portion 30, the outer connection portion 76, the inner connection portion 75, and the contact portion 40 may all be circular or square.

  In addition, the components of the above-described embodiments can be arbitrarily combined unless they are combined with one another. For example, also in the pressing portions 10 and 50 in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, as in the fourth embodiment, the outer shape of the connected outer portion 16 or 56 in plan view from the top surface 11 or 51 side May be within the range defined by the outer shape of the inner connection portion 15, 55. In addition, the projecting portion 54 in the second embodiment may be provided on the top surfaces 61 and 71 other than the holes 64 and 74 in the third and fourth embodiments. In each of the above-described embodiments, the thin-walled movable portion 20 has a shape bent in the middle of the letter “H” in a longitudinal cross-sectional view, but is not limited thereto. It may have other shapes, such as a C-shaped or a reverse bowl shape. In each of the above embodiments, the rubber hardness of the main part or the whole of the thin movable part 20 is higher than the rubber hardness of the low hardness parts 12, 52, 62, 72, but may be the same or lower.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the contents of the following embodiments.

(Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2)
First, with respect to members for push button switches according to Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, simulation shows that a portion where the pressing portion and the thin movable portion are connected when the buckling state is obtained by pressing the pressing portion ( The evaluation on the shape and stress of the part where breakage easily occurs is performed. Moreover, the evaluation regarding the relationship between pushing distance and load was also performed about the member for push button switches which concerns on Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2. FIG.

(1) Configuration of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 The push button switch member according to Example 1 corresponds to the push button switch member 1 according to the first embodiment, and the push button switch member according to Comparative Example 1 Corresponds to the well-known push-button switch member 101, and the push-button switch member according to the comparative example 2 corresponds to the well-known further push-button switch member 103 described above. For this reason, illustration about the member for push button switches which concerns on Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the simulation, each push button switch member is formed of silicone rubber. Here, the members for the push button switches have the same shape for the common parts. The diameter of the top surface of each push button switch member was 4.5 mm. The distance from the top surface of each push button switch member to the bottom surface of the base portion (that is, the height of the push button switch member) was 6.7 mm. The distance from the front end surface of the contact portion to the bottom surface of the base portion was 2.8 mm. The diameter of the lower opening surface of the thin movable portion was 5.9 mm. Further, the thickness of the thin movable portion was 0.85 mm. Furthermore, in the member for a push button switch according to Comparative Example 2, the diameter of the hole formed in the pressing portion was 2.9 mm, and the depth was 2 mm. In the push button switch member according to the first embodiment, the thickness in the pressing direction of the pressing portion was 3.15 mm, and the thickness in the pressing direction of the low hardness portion was 2.52 mm. Moreover, about the member for push button switches which concerns on the comparative examples 1 and 2, the rubber hardness (The hardness measured using the type A durometer based on JISK6253) of a press part, a thin movable part, and a base part is 60 degrees. The rubber hardness of the contact portion was set to 70 degrees. On the other hand, for the push button switch member according to Example 1, the rubber hardness of the low hardness portion is set to 20 degrees, and the rubber hardness similar to that of the push button switch member according to Comparative Examples 1 and 2 except for the low hardness portion The rubber hardness of the contact portion was set to 70 degrees.

(2) Evaluation of members for push button switches with respect to shape and stress in the buckling state. FIG. 5 is a diagram (5A) showing the results of simulation regarding the shape in the buckling state for Comparative Example 1; Comparative Example 1 (5B) showing the result of the simulation regarding stress for the case, (5C) showing the result of the simulation regarding the shape in the buckling state for the comparative example 2 (5C), and showing the result of simulation about the stress for the comparative example 2 (5D) The figure shows the simulation result of the shape in the buckling state of Example 1 (5E), the figure shows the result of the simulation of stress of Example 1 (5F), and the buckling state of Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 The figure (5G) which piled up the simulation result about the shape in Show. The evaluation was performed with a pressing distance (stroke) of 3.8 mm.

  Figures 5 (5A), 5 (5C), 5 (5E) and 5 (5G) are a part of the longitudinal sectional view of each push button switch member (when the pressing portion is in a buckled state when pressed) 6 is a view showing a portion where the pressing portion and the thin-walled movable portion are connected. Figures 5 (5B), 5 (5D) and 5 (5F) show the results of stress analysis using meshes for the longitudinal cross section of each push button switch member (a part including the most stressed portion) FIG. Circles in FIG. 5 (5A) to FIG. 5 (5F) indicate places where stress is most applied.

First, as shown in FIG. 5 (5A) to FIG. 5 (5D), in the push button switch members according to Comparative Examples 1 and 2, when the pressing portion is in a buckling state due to pressing, the pressing portion and the thin portion It can be confirmed that the part where the movable part is connected is greatly bent. At this time, the stress of up to 319gf / mm ² in Comparative Example 1, the stress of up to 336gf / mm ² in Comparative Example 2, it takes respectively.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 (5E) and FIG. 5 (5F), in the member for a push button switch according to Example 1, the bending method of the portion where the pressing portion and the thin movable portion are connected is comparative example 1 , And 2 can be confirmed. As shown in FIG. 5 (5G), when Comparative Example 2 (the dark part) and Example 1 (the light part) are overlapped, the difference in bending is obvious. Moreover, in Example 1, the stress of 287 gf / mm ² was applied at the maximum, and it could be confirmed that the maximum stress was greatly reduced as compared with the cases of Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

(3) Evaluation of members for push button switch with respect to load at the time of pressing FIGS. 6 and 7 show the results of simulation regarding the load for Example 1, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a table summarizing characteristic numerical values, and FIG. 7 is a graph based on simulation results. The vertical axis of the graph of FIG. 7 represents a load (unit: N), and the horizontal axis represents a pressing distance (unit: mm).

  In the table of FIG. 6, “peak” is the maximum load at the stage before the switch is turned on, “make” is the minimum load immediately before the switch is turned on, and “click” is the switch calculated from peak and make The hardness of the touch, "peak st" represents the pressing length until the load of the peak, and "on st" represents the pressing length until the switch is turned on. As shown in the table of FIG. 6 and the graph of FIG. 7, it can be confirmed that Example 1 can significantly suppress a rapid increase in load after the switch is turned on, as compared with Comparative Example 1. In addition, it can be confirmed that the increase in load after the switch is turned on can be suppressed even when the example 1 is compared with the comparative example 2. Thus, according to the member for push button switches which concerns on Example 1, it has confirmed that a sufficiently soft touch was obtained.

(Examples 2 to 8 and Comparative Examples 3 to 5)
Next, the members for push button switches according to Examples 2 to 8 and Comparative Examples 3 to 5 were actually manufactured and the keying test was performed with reference to the results of the computer simulation described above to evaluate the durability.

(1) Configurations of Examples 2 to 8 and Comparative Examples 3 to 5 The push button switch members according to Examples 2 to 8 correspond to the push button switch member 1 according to the first embodiment. The push button switch member according to Comparative Examples 3 and 5 corresponds to the above-described well-known push button switch member 101. The push button switch member according to Comparative Example 4 has the same shape as that of the push button switch member 1 according to the first embodiment, and all the pressing portions are low hardness portions. For this reason, illustration is abbreviate | omitted also about Examples 2-8 and Comparative Examples 3-5. In addition, Example 5 and Example 8 are the members for push button switches of the same structure in fact. Moreover, also in Comparative Example 3 and Comparative Example 5, the members for a push button switch have the same configuration in practice. About these, the number of the Example different from each was attached from a viewpoint of the legibility of a table | surface.

  Each push button switch member is formed of silicone rubber. Here, the members for push button switches according to Examples 2 to 8 and Comparative Examples 3 to 5 all have the same shape. The diameter of the top surface of each push button switch member was 4.5 mm. The distance from the top surface of each push button switch member to the bottom surface of the base portion (height of push button switch member) was 6.7 mm. The distance from the front end surface of the contact portion to the bottom surface of the base portion was 2.8 mm. The diameter of the lower opening surface of the thin movable portion was 5.9 mm. Further, the thickness of the thin movable portion was 0.85 mm. In addition, a PET film with a thickness of 100 μm was disposed under the base portion so that the base portion did not expand excessively when the pressing portion was pressed.

(2) Manufacturing Method of Push Button Switch Member Each of the above push button switch members constitutes a low hardness portion after solidifying the raw material of the first silicone rubber constituting the portion other than the low hardness portion using a mold. It manufactures by solidifying the 2nd raw material of silicone rubber. The material of the first silicone rubber is SE-4706U (Toray Dow Corning Co., Ltd.) as a material with a rubber hardness of 60, and the material of the second silicone rubber is SE-4706U (Toray Dow as a material with a rubber hardness of 60) Corning Corporation), SE-4704U (Toray Dow Corning Corporation) as a material of rubber hardness 40, SE-4704U (Toray Dow Corning Corporation) as a material of rubber hardness 30, and KE-520U (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. ) Prepared by blending 1: 1) by weight ratio and KE-520U (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a material of rubber hardness 20, and C-8 (Shin-Etsu) as a curing agent for 100 parts by weight of each. 2 parts by weight of the chemical industry Co., Ltd. were added and kneaded and separated. The contact portion was bonded after molding the other portion. The thickness of the low hardness portion and the rubber hardness of the low hardness portion were set for each example or comparative example. The numerical settings for each example and comparative example are summarized in FIGS.

  After manufacturing the members for each push button switch, the rubber hardness of the low hardness portion and other portions were measured. For the measurement of the rubber hardness, a hardness measurement device (model: MD-1 capa) manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd. was used. Rubber hardness refers to rubber hardness measured by a type A durometer in accordance with JIS K 6253. For rubber hardness, two measurements were made per sample, and the average value was taken as the rubber hardness of the sample.

(3) Evaluation of members for push button switch by keying test The keying test was performed on the members for each push button switch manufactured as described above. The load in the tapping test was 700 g, and tapping was performed at a tapping speed of 3 times / sec until the push button member broke. At this time, the drop in load increase after the on was also measured. For the measurement of load, an automatic load tester (model: MAX-1KN-S-1) manufactured by Japan Measurement System Co., Ltd. was used.

  FIG. 8 shows the results of keying tests for Examples 2 to 5 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4. FIG. 9 shows the results of keying tests for Examples 6 to 8 and Comparative Example 5.

  As for the item “decreased load rise after turning on” in FIGS. 8 and 9, “A” indicates that very good results were obtained, and “B” indicates that good results were obtained. Indicated, "C" indicates that good results were not obtained. Also, for the item of "durability", "A" gave very good results (it was able to withstand 2.5 times or more of the keystroke endurance times of the standard of 10,000 times). “B” indicates that good results have been obtained (withstand the number of keystrokes of 2.0 times or more of 10,000 times which is the standard keystroke endurance number of times), and “C” indicates good results Is not obtained (it was not able to withstand 10,000 keystrokes which is the standard keystroke endurance number).

  As a result of confirming the relationship between T1 and T2, as shown in FIG. 8, by providing the low hardness portion in the first region including the top surface as the pressing portion, both the decrease in load rise after the on and the durability It was confirmed that good results were obtained for the items. It was also confirmed that very good results were obtained for both the decrease in load increase after ON and the durability when the relationship of 0.5 ≦ T2 / T1 ≦ 0.8 was satisfied.

  Moreover, as a result of confirming about the relationship between H1 and H2, as shown in FIG. 9, when a pressing part is provided with a low hardness part, a favorable result is shown about the reduction of the load rise after ON, and the item of durability. It could be confirmed that it could be obtained. Moreover, when the relationship of H2-H1 を 満 た す 30 was satisfied, it was also confirmed that very good results were obtained for both the decrease in load increase after ON and the durability.

  The member for a push button switch according to the present invention is used for various devices equipped with pressing keys such as, for example, automobiles, in-vehicle electronic devices, portable communication devices, personal computers, cameras, home audio devices, home appliances and the like Can be used to configure the switch.

1, 2, 3, 4 ... member for push button switch, 10, 50, 60, 70 ... pressing portion, 11, 51, 61, 71 ... top surface, 12, 52, 62, 72 · · ·・ Low hardness part, 15, 55, 65, 75 ・ ・ ・ inner connection part, 16, 56, 66, 76 ・ ・ ・ outer connection part, 20 ... thin movable part, 30 ... base part, 40 · · · Contact point, 54 · · · · projection, 64, 74 · · · hole, diameter of the connecting outer portion (width of the connecting outer portion) · · · D1, diameter of the connecting inner portion (width of the connecting inner portion) ... D2.

Claims (6)

A pressing unit,
A thin-walled movable portion connected to a radially outer periphery in a plan view of the pressing portion;
A member for a push button switch, comprising: a base portion connected to an outer periphery in a radial direction in a plan view of the thin movable portion; in order in a pressing direction of the pressing portion,
At least the pressing portion and the thin movable portion are both rubber-like elastic bodies,
The pressing portion has a low hardness portion having a rubber hardness lower than that of the second region closer to the thin movable portion than the first region in a first region from the top surface to an intermediate position of the thickness in the pushing direction. Push button switch member.   When the thickness in the pushing direction of the pressing portion is T1, and the thickness in the pushing direction of the low hardness portion is T2, the relation of 0.5 ≦ T2 / T1 ≦ 0.8 is satisfied. For push button switches.   Assuming that the rubber hardness of the low hardness portion according to measurement using a type A durometer according to JIS K 6253 is H1, and the rubber hardness of the second region according to the measurement is H2, a relationship of H2-H1 ≧ 30 is satisfied. The member for a push button switch according to claim 1 or 2, which satisfies the condition.   It is a connecting part between the pressing part and the thin-walled movable part in the longitudinal sectional view and is outside the thin-walled moving part in the connecting part with respect to the width of the inner connecting part inside the thin-walled moving part The member for a push button switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the width of the connected outer side portion is the same or smaller.   The member for a push button switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pressing portion has, on the top surface, one or more projecting portions that partially project in the opposite side to the base portion in plan view. .   The member for a push button switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressing portion has a hole which is open on the top surface side and which is directed inward of the low hardness portion from the top surface.