JP2020035553A - Member for push button switch - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a member for push button switch excellent in corresponding ability to extraneous material, and capable of multi-stage operation.SOLUTION: A movable contact 20, which allows for contact and non-contact with respect to multiple fixed contacts on a board 30 including at least a first fixed contact 31 and a second fixed contact 32, is provided while exposing partially. The movable contact 20 is constituted by winding one metal wire 21 spirally, and one end of the spiral in the direction of travel is fixed to lower part of a key top 11. The movable contact 20 contracts when coming into contact with the fixed contacts 31, 32, and is reset in the direction non-contact with the fixed contacts 31, 32 by elastic force. When pressed in the direction of the board 30 from the key top 11, the movable contact 20 comes into contact with the first fixed contact 31 at the end on the board 30, and then a part closer to the key top 11 side than the end on the board 30 side comes in to contact with the second fixed contact 32, in a member 1 for push button switch.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a member for a push button switch that can perform a switch operation by pressing.

  Conventionally, as a member for a push button switch that can be elastically contacted with and separated from a fixed contact on a circuit board, a member having a movable contact made of a thin metal plate or a plated metal plate at an end of a pusher. It has been known. In a push button switch member of this type, when a minute foreign matter is present on the fixed contact, the foreign matter hinders the electrical connection between the movable contact and the fixed contact, and is highly likely to cause a conduction failure.

  As a member for a push button switch developed for the purpose of reducing such conduction failure, a member for a push button switch in which the above-mentioned movable contact is changed to a metal mesh is also known (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3). The metal mesh of these pushbutton switch members has many holes. For this reason, even when a foreign substance exists on the fixed contact, the conduction defect can be reduced by the foreign substance entering the hole.

JP-A-2004-342539 JP 2012-185956 JP 2014-240058

  By the way, there is an increasing demand for a member for a push button switch that can perform a plurality of operations (ie, multi-stage operations) with one push button switch. However, the above-described conventionally known members for a push button switch do not support multi-stage operation.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a member for a push button switch which has excellent ability to cope with foreign matter and can be operated in multiple stages.

(1) A member for a push button switch according to an embodiment for achieving the above object is configured to make contact and non-contact with a plurality of fixed contacts on a substrate including at least a first fixed contact and a second fixed contact. A part of the movable contact that can be exposed is provided, and the movable contact is configured to be spirally wound with one metal wire, and one end in the traveling direction of the spiral is fixed below the keytop. The movable contact contracts when it comes into contact with the fixed contact, and is configured to have an elastic force to return to a direction in which the fixed contact does not come into contact with the fixed contact. In the movable contact, an end on the substrate side contacts the first fixed contact, and subsequently, a portion closer to the keytop than the end on the substrate side contacts the second fixed contact.

(2) In the member for a push button switch according to another embodiment, preferably, the movable contact is configured such that the diameter of the substrate side is unilaterally smaller than that of the key top side.

(3) In the member for a push button switch according to another embodiment, preferably, the diameter of the substrate side is unilaterally larger than that of the key top side.

(4) In the member for a push button switch according to another embodiment, preferably, the movable contact has the largest diameter on the way from the key top side to the substrate side, and both ends have smaller diameters. The movable contact has at least a helical portion on the key top side from the position of the largest diameter buried below the key top.

(5) In the member for a push button switch according to another embodiment, preferably, the movable contact has at least one or more of iron, copper, nickel, stainless steel, brass, and nickel silver in the inside. It consists of an alloy.

(6) In the member for a push button switch according to another embodiment, preferably, at least an exposed portion of the movable contact is made of a conductive layer different from a material inside the movable contact.

(7) In the member for a push button switch according to another embodiment, the conductive layer is preferably a noble metal layer.

(8) In the member for a push button switch according to another embodiment, preferably, a portion where the movable contact is fixed is made of a rubber-like elastic body, and an interface between the movable contact and the rubber-like elastic body is provided with a silane cup. There is a first layer consisting of a ring agent, a primer or a modification thereof.

(9) In the member for a push button switch according to another embodiment, preferably, a portion fixing the movable contact is a rubber-like elastic body, and an adhesive layer is provided at an interface between the movable contact and the rubber-like elastic body. Exists.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the member for pushbutton switches which is excellent in the ability to respond to a foreign substance and which can operate in multiple steps can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view (1A) of a member for a push button switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a plan view (1B) of a movable contact which is a component of the member for a push button switch, and a side view of the movable contact. The figure and the end view (1C) of a metal wire are shown, respectively. 2 (2A) to 2 (C) are longitudinal sectional views for explaining an example of use of the member for a push button switch of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a state where the movable contact of FIG. 1 contacts a fixed contact on the substrate. FIG. 4 is a plan view of Modified Example 1 (4A) and Modified Example 2 (4B) of the movable contact shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows plan views of Modification 3 (5A) and Modification 4 (5B) of the movable contact of FIG. FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal sectional view (6A) of a member for a push button switch according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and a side view (6B) of a movable contact provided on the member for a push button switch. 7 (7A) to 7 (C) are longitudinal sectional views for explaining an example of use of the member for a push button switch in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a vertical sectional view (8A) of a member for a push button switch according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and a side view (8B) of a movable contact provided in the member for a push button switch. FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal sectional view (9A) of a member for a push button switch according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and a side view (9B) of a movable contact provided in the member for a push button switch. FIG. 10 shows side views of Modification 5 (10A) and Modification 6 (10B) of the movable contact in FIG.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that each embodiment described below does not limit the invention according to the claims, and all of the elements and combinations thereof described in each embodiment are not limited to the invention. Is not always required.

(1st Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view (1A) of a member for a push button switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a plan view (1B) of a movable contact which is a component of the member for a push button switch, and a side surface of the movable contact. The figure and the end view (1C) of a metal wire are shown, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the member 1 for a push button switch is disposed on the substrate 30, and is directed toward the substrate 30 (downward in FIG. 1A) and the opposite direction (upward in FIG. 1A). It is a member which can reciprocate elastically. The push-button switch member 1 preferably has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped or substantially cylindrical key top 11, a dome portion 13 connected in a skirt shape radially outward in a plan view of the key top 11, and a dome portion 13. And a flange portion 14 connected to the outside in the radial direction and fixed to the substrate 30. The dome portion 13 may have an inverted bowl shape protruding outward in a vertical cross-sectional view or an inverted fan shape protruding inside the dome in a vertical cross-sectional view, instead of a skirt shape in which the dome side surface is inclined in a plane. The keytop 11 preferably includes a lower protruding portion (also referred to as a “pusher”) 12 protruding in the direction of the substrate 30 on a lower surface facing the substrate 30. The substrate 30 includes two first fixed contacts 31, 31 at a position facing the central portion of the downward protruding portion 12, and two second fixed contacts that are not in contact with each other on the radial outside of the first fixed contacts 31, 31. And contacts 32, 32. The push button switch member 1 is provided at the lower end of the downward protruding portion 12 with first fixed contacts 31 and 31 and second fixed contacts 32 and 32 on the substrate 30 (hereinafter, when both contacts are collectively referred to as “fixed contacts 31 and 32”). ). A portion of the movable contact 20 that allows contact and non-contact with respect to the movable contact 20 is exposed and provided. The plurality of first fixed contacts 31, 31 and the second fixed contacts 32, 32 may be provided on the substrate 30 in a non-contact state with each other.

  The movable contact 20 is constituted by one metal wire 21. The movable contact 20 preferably has a shape in which one metal wire is spirally wound one or more times. More specifically, the movable contact 20 has a shape in which the outer side is spirally wound in a plane, and a part of the inner side is spirally extended in the vertical direction (downward in FIG. 1C) from the plane. Having. In this embodiment, the movable contact 20 is a spiral contact in which one metal wire 21 is wound three times or more, and has a space 22 in which the metal wire 21 is not wound at the center. Here, the “spiral” means a three-dimensional wound shape that protrudes spirally vertically from the plane without being wound only within the plane. When the metal wire 21 is spirally wound, a part of the metal wire 21 may have a portion that does not form a spiral. In addition, a reciprocating path in which the wire is spirally wound from the outside to the inside, turned back from the inside, and spirally wound toward the outside is also included in the category of the spiral shape. In addition, the spiral shape may be wound in any shape such as a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon (the corner may be round) in plan view. The movable contact 20 is fixed to the lower protruding portion 12 so that a part of the movable contact 20 in the thickness direction is embedded in the lower protruding portion 12, and a surface that is not embedded is exposed to the fixed contacts 31 and 32. The fixing method includes any method such as adhesion, heat fusion, embedding, fitting, screwing, etc., and preferably embedding or adhesion. Preferably, the cross section of the metal wire 21 when cut in parallel to the end face of the metal wire 21 is a shape having a curve at least partially, such as a circle, an ellipse, and a semicircle. The movable contact 20 preferably has a curved surface at least at a portion that contacts the fixed contacts 31 and 32. Further, the movable contact 20 is preferably configured such that the diameter of the substrate 30 side is unilaterally smaller than that of the key top 11 side (see FIG. 1 (1A)). Preferably, the movable contact 20 is configured such that an end on the substrate 30 side is capable of contacting the first fixed contacts 31, 31 and a portion on the keytop 11 side is capable of contacting the second fixed contacts 32, 32. (See FIG. 1A).

  The movable contact 20 preferably has at least the inside of the metal wire 21 made of at least one or two or more alloys of iron, copper, nickel, stainless steel, brass and nickel silver. The movable contact 20 has at least a portion exposed from the lower protruding portion 12 as a conductive layer 21 b different from a material (core material) 21 a inside the movable contact 20. The core material 21a may be made of at least one or two or more of the above-mentioned iron, copper, nickel, stainless steel, brass and nickel silver (an alloy mainly composed of copper, nickel and zinc). Alternatively, it may be made of another material having no conductivity. The conductive layer 21b is preferably a noble metal layer. Here, the “noble metal” is preferably gold (Au), platinum (Pt), silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru), or osmium (Os). Of one or more of these, or an alloy mainly composed of these exemplified metals. The noble metal layer is preferably made of a material having excellent conductivity and easy to form a thin film, and is more preferably made of, for example, Au. Pd-Ni alloys (alloys in which a small amount of Ni is added to Pd), as well as hard gold plating obtained by adding cobalt (Co) or Ni to Au, can be suitably exemplified.

  In this embodiment, the pushbutton switch member 1 is a member integrally formed of a rubber material. However, the push-button switch member 1 is not a member integrally formed of a rubber material, but may be formed of any material as long as at least only the dome portion 13 is formed of a rubber material. If the lower protruding portion 12 is formed of a rubber material in addition to the dome portion 13, it becomes easy to embed the movable contact 20 at the end of the lower protruding portion 12. Examples of the rubber material constituting the push button switch member 1 include thermosetting silicone rubber, urethane rubber, isoprene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, natural rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, nitrile rubber (NBR), and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). It is preferable to use a urethane-based, ester-based, styrene-based, olefin-based, butadiene-based, fluorine-based, or other thermoplastic elastomer, or a composite thereof. Among the above-mentioned material candidates, a silicone rubber which is particularly excellent in rubber elasticity, heat resistance, cold resistance and compression set, does not contain an antioxidant, a plasticizer, or a softener and hardly causes bleeding contamination is preferable.

  2 (2A) to 2 (C) are longitudinal sectional views for explaining an example of use of the member for a push button switch of FIG.

  When the upper part of the key top 11 is not pressed downward, the movable contact 20 and the fixed contacts 31 and 32 maintain a non-contact state (see FIG. 2 (2A)). When the key top 11 is pressed from above, the dome portion 13 is deformed (buckled), and the end (small diameter side) of the movable contact 20 on the substrate 30 side contacts the first fixed contacts 31, 31. (See FIG. 2 (2B)). By this contact, an energization path is formed from one first fixed contact 31 through the movable contact 20 to the other first fixed contact 31, so that the first-stage switch is turned ON (or OFF). When the key top 11 is further pressed from above, the dome portion 13 is further deformed, and the portion (large diameter side) of the movable contact 20 on the key top 11 side comes into contact with the second fixed contacts 32, 32 ( (See FIG. 2 (2C)). Due to this contact, an energization path is formed from one second fixed contact 32 through the movable contact 20 to the other second fixed contact 32, so that the second-stage switch is turned ON (or OFF). When the pressing on the key top 11 is released, the dome portion 13 and the movable contact 20 return to their original shapes by their own elastic force, and the key top 11 rises. As a result, the movable contact 20 separates from the fixed contacts 31 and 32. According to this configuration, the push-button switch member 1 can perform a multi-stage operation. Further, even when the dome portion 13 is damaged or deformed, the movable contact 20 can return to a position where it does not contact the fixed contacts 31 and 32 by its own elastic force.

  Note that the pushbutton switch member 1 may include a total of five or more fixed contacts including at least the first fixed contacts 31, 31 and the second fixed contacts 32, 32. In this case, if another fixed contact is provided radially outside the first fixed contacts 31, 31 and radially inside the second fixed contacts 32, 32, the push-button switch member 1 can perform a multi-stage operation of three or more stages. It can be carried out. That is, the movable contact 20 contacts the first fixed contact 31, 31, and then contacts the other fixed contact, and then contacts the second fixed contact 32, 32. For this reason, the pushbutton switch member 1 can perform a multi-stage operation of three or more stages.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a state where the movable contact of FIG. 1 contacts a fixed contact on the substrate.

  The member 1 for a push button switch preferably has a rubber-like elastic body at a portion where the movable contact 20 is embedded (a downwardly projecting portion 12), and a silane coupling agent at an interface between the movable contact 20 and the rubber-like elastic body. A first layer 23 made of a primer or a modified product thereof is provided. That is, the first layer 23 is not necessarily a silane coupling agent or the primer itself, but may be a substance (modified body) in which they have undergone a chemical change. Further, the above-described first layer 23 may be an adhesive layer 23a formed of an adhesive, a double-sided tape, or the like.

  Even if the second fixed contact 32 (or the first fixed contact 31 may be referred to as “fixed contacts 31, 32” hereinafter) has insulating or conductive properties, it is compared with the fixed contacts 31, 32. When the foreign matter M having low conductivity is present and the size of the foreign matter M is not excessively large, the foreign matter M is present in the gap formed on the fixed contacts 31 and 32 when the metal wires 21 come into contact with each other. May exist. Further, even if the foreign matter M is sandwiched between the metal wire 21 and the fixed contacts 31 and 32, the foreign matter M may be repelled in the lateral direction at the time of pressing and move to the gap. As described above, when the movable contact 20 is configured such that a plurality of metal wires 21 having curved surfaces on the fixed contact 31 and 32 sides of the metal wire 21 are in contact with each other in the plane of the fixed contacts 31 and 32, a gap between the metal wires 21 is formed. The possibility of locating the foreign matter M is increased, and conduction failure caused by the foreign matter M can be effectively reduced.

  Further, since the metal wire 21 constituting the movable contact 20 is in line contact with the fixed contacts 31 and 32 on a projecting curved surface, no matter what pattern the fixed contacts 31 and 32 are formed, the metal mesh 21 A better conduction can be realized as compared with point contact when using.

  When the movable contact 20 is fixed to the lower protruding portion 12 of the push button switch member 1, preferably, the movable contact 20 is manufactured, the movable contact 20 is set in a mold, and then a curable rubber is set in the mold. This can be realized by supplying a composition (a raw material that becomes a rubber material by curing) and opening a mold after the curable rubber composition is cured. Although such insert molding is the simplest method for manufacturing the member 1 for a push button switch, other manufacturing methods may be adopted. For example, the movable contact 20 and a member for a push button switch that does not include the movable contact 20 may be separately manufactured, and the movable contact 20 may be bonded or welded to the lower protruding portion 12 of the member for the push button switch. The welding can be performed, for example, by heating the lower protruding portion 12 and / or the movable contact 20.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of Modified Example 1 (4A) and Modified Example 2 (4B) of the movable contact shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows plan views of Modification 3 (5A) and Modification 4 (5B) of the movable contact of FIG. In the present application, the “plan view” refers to a state in which the movable contact is pressed between the key top 11 and the substrate 30 and wound in a plane as shown in FIG. Means the figure seen from

  The movable contact 20a according to the first modification does not have the space 22 at substantially the center in the plane unlike the movable contact 20 described above. The metal wire 21 constituting the movable contact 20a fills up to the center of the spiral. The movable contact 20a has the same function as the movable contact 20, even if the movable contact 20a does not include the space 22.

  Unlike the movable contact 20 described above, the movable contact 20b according to Modification 2 is formed in a spiral shape so that a gap 24 is formed between adjacent metal wires 21. More specifically, the movable contact 20b is formed such that the outer side is spirally wound in a plane so that a gap 24 is formed between the adjacent metal wires 21 and then a part of the inner side is vertically moved from the plane (FIG. 1). It has a shape that extends spirally (downward in (1C)). When the movable contact 20b comes into contact with the fixed contacts 31 and 32, a larger space may be generated due to the gap 24. For this reason, even if the foreign matter M exists, poor conduction between the fixed contacts 31 and 32 and the movable contact 20b hardly occurs. In the case of the second modification, the metal wire 21 may have a rectangular cross section when cut in parallel to the end face of the metal wire 21. Even if the cross section of the metal wire 21 is rectangular, the possibility of positioning the foreign matter M in the gap 24 is increased, and conduction failure due to the foreign matter M can be effectively reduced.

  The movable contact 20c according to the third modification is spirally wound from the outer side to the inner side, and has a form of a reciprocating path that is turned from substantially the center of the movable contact 20c and wound from the inner side to the outer side. After being wound inside, the inner part is spirally extended in the vertical direction (downward in FIG. 1C) from the plane. If another form expression is used, the movable contact 20c bends one metal wire 21 into a U-shape, winds the two bundles in a plane from the outside to the inside in a plane, and forms a U-shaped It has a form in which the tip portion is spirally extended vertically from the plane. The movable contact 20c having such a configuration also has the same operation and effect as the above-described movable contact 20 and the like.

  The movable contact 20d according to Modification 4 has a movable contact in which the metal wire 21 is spirally wound and a movable contact in which the metal wire 21 'is spirally wound. After that, it has a structure in which a part of the inside is spirally extended in the vertical direction (downward in FIG. 1 (1C)) from within the plane. That is, the movable contact 20d is not one but two movable contacts. As described above, the number of the movable contacts 20 and the like is not limited to one, and may be configured by two or more.

(2nd Embodiment)
Next, a member for a push button switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, for the parts common to the first embodiment, the description in the first embodiment is substituted, and the duplicate description is omitted.

  FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal sectional view (6A) of a member for a push button switch according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and a side view (6B) of a movable contact provided on the member for a push button switch. 7 (7A) to 7 (C) are longitudinal sectional views for explaining an example of use of the member for a push button switch in FIG.

  The member 1a for a push button switch according to the second embodiment is different from the member 1 for a push button switch according to the first embodiment in that the spiral shape of the movable contact 20e is unilaterally larger on the substrate 30 side than the key top 11 side. The shape is configured so that Further, the substrate 30 has two second fixed contacts 32a, 32a at positions opposed to the central portion of the downward projecting portion 12, and two first fixed contacts 32a, 32a radially outside of the second fixed contacts 32a, 32a in a non-contact state with each other. And fixed contacts 31a, 31a. Except for these configurations, since they are common to the first embodiment, description will be omitted.

  The movable contact 20e has a shape in which, after being spirally wound in a plane, a part of the outside is spirally extended vertically (downward in FIG. 6) from the plane. Preferably, the movable contact 20e is configured such that the end on the substrate 30 side is capable of contacting the first fixed contacts 31a, 31a, and the portion on the key top 11 side is capable of contacting the second fixed contacts 32a, 32a. (See FIG. 6 (6A)). As in the first embodiment, the method of fixing the movable contact 20e and the downward projecting portion 12 and the fact that the first layer 23 (or the adhesive layer 23a may be provided) can be provided at the interface of the fixed portion. Note that three or more first fixed contacts 31a, 31a and second fixed contacts 32a, 32a may be provided on the substrate in a non-contact state with each other.

  When the upper part of the key top 11 is not pressed downward, the movable contact 20e and the first fixed contacts 31a, 31a and the second fixed contacts 32a, 32a on the substrate 30 (hereinafter also referred to as "fixed contacts 31a, 32a"). .) Means maintaining a non-contact state (see FIG. 7 (7A)). When the key top 11 is pressed from above, the dome portion 13 is deformed (buckled), and the end (large diameter side) of the movable contact 20e on the substrate 30 side contacts the first fixed contacts 31a, 31a. (See FIG. 7 (7B)). By this contact, an energization path is formed from one first fixed contact 31a to the other first fixed contact 31a through the movable contact 20e, so that the first-stage switch is turned ON (or OFF). When the key top 11 is further pressed from above, the dome portion 13 is further deformed, and a portion (small diameter side) of the movable contact 20e on the key top 11 side contacts the second fixed contacts 32a, 32a (FIG. 7 (7C)). By this contact, an energization path is formed from one second fixed contact 32a through the movable contact 20e to the other second fixed contact 32a, so that the second-stage switch is turned ON (or OFF). When the pressing on the keytop 11 is released, the dome portion 13 and the movable contact 20e return to their original shapes by their own elastic force, and the keytop 11 rises. As a result, the movable contact 20e separates from the fixed contacts 31a and 32a. According to this configuration, the push-button switch member 1a can perform a multi-stage operation. Further, even when the dome portion 13 is damaged or deformed, the movable contact 20e can return to a position where it does not contact the fixed contacts 31a, 32a by its own elastic force.

  The push button switch member 1a includes a total of five or more fixed contacts including at least the first fixed contacts 31a, 31a and the second fixed contacts 32a, 32a, similarly to the push button switch member 1 of the first embodiment. May be. In this case, if another fixed contact is provided radially inside the first fixed contacts 31a, 31a and radially outside the second fixed contacts 32a, 32a, the push button switch member 1a can perform a multi-stage operation of three or more stages. It can be carried out.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a member for a push button switch according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, for the parts common to the above-described embodiments, the description in each embodiment is substituted, and the duplicate description will be omitted.

  FIG. 8 shows a vertical sectional view (8A) of a member for a push button switch according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and a side view (8B) of a movable contact provided in the member for a push button switch.

  The member 1b for a push button switch according to the third embodiment is different from the member 1 for a push button switch according to the first embodiment in that the shape of the movable contact 20f has the largest diameter on the way from the key top 11 side to the substrate 30 side. And both ends have a smaller diameter. Except for the above-described shape of the movable contact 20f, the movable contact 20f is common to the first embodiment, and thus the description is omitted.

  The movable contact 20f has a shape in which a substantially central portion has the largest diameter and both ends have a smaller diameter in the vertical direction (also referred to as a vertical direction) in FIG. 8 in which the spiral progresses, that is, a spiral flat surface. After being wound inside, it has a shape in which a part of the inside is spirally extended from both sides in the vertical direction from within the plane. A portion of the movable contact 20f spirally extending vertically upward (hereinafter, referred to as a "vertically upwardly extending portion") is located above the outer winding plane by a height H1. In a portion extending vertically upward, there is a portion having a gap 25 without the metal wires 21 being in close contact with each other. Such a movable contact 20c is fixed to the lower protruding portion 12 so as to embed a portion extending vertically upward. As in the first embodiment, the method of fixing the movable contact 20c and the downward protruding portion 12 and the fact that the first layer 23 (or the adhesive layer 23a may be provided) may be provided at the interface of the fixed portion.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a member for a push button switch according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment, for the portions common to the above-described embodiments, the description in each embodiment is substituted, and the duplicate description will be omitted.

  FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal sectional view (9A) of a member for a push button switch according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and a side view (9B) of a movable contact provided in the member for a push button switch.

  The member 1c for a push button switch according to the fourth embodiment is different from the member 1a for a push button switch according to the second embodiment in that the shape of the movable contact 20g has the smallest diameter on the way from the key top 11 side to the substrate 30 side. In addition, both ends have a shape with a larger diameter. Except for the above-described shape of the movable contact 20g, it is common to the second embodiment, and thus the description is omitted.

  The movable contact 20g has a shape in which both ends have the largest diameter in the vertical direction (also referred to as vertical direction) in FIG. 9 in which the spiral progresses, and the diameter is unilaterally reduced from the substrate 30 side. Have. That is, the movable contact 20g has a shape in which, after being spirally wound in a plane, the outermost part is left, and the outer part is spirally extended in the vertical direction (downward in FIG. 9) from the plane. . Such a movable contact 20g is fixed to the lower protruding portion 12 so as to bury a large diameter portion on the key top 11 side. For this reason, the situation where the movable contact 20g comes off from the key top 11 can be suppressed. As in the second embodiment, the method of fixing the movable contact 20g and the downward protruding portion 12 and the fact that the first layer 23 (or the adhesive layer 23a may be provided) may be provided at the interface of the fixed portion.

  FIG. 10 shows side views of Modification 5 (10A) and Modification 6 (10B) of the movable contact in FIG.

  The movable contact 20h according to the fifth modification has a shape in which, after being wound in a plane, a part of the inside is spirally extended from the plane to both sides in the vertical direction. A portion of the movable contact 20h that extends spirally upward in the vertical direction (hereinafter, referred to as a “portion extending upward in the vertical direction”) is located above the outer winding plane by a height H2. Further, the portion extending upward in the vertical direction is a projecting portion having two or more steps of the outer diameter D. However, the protruding portion may be a one-stage protruding portion in which the metal wire 21 is wound once. Such a movable contact 20h is fixed to the lower protruding portion 12 so as to embed a portion extending vertically upward. As in the first embodiment, the method of fixing the movable contact 20h and the downward protruding portion 12 and the fact that the first layer 23 (or the adhesive layer 23a may be provided) may be provided at the interface of the fixed portion.

  Similar to the movable contact 20h, the movable contact 20i according to Modification 6 has a shape in which the outside is wound in a plane and a part of the inside is spirally extended from the plane to both sides in the vertical direction. A portion of the movable contact 20i that extends spirally upward in the vertical direction (hereinafter, referred to as a “portion extending vertically upward”) has a height H3 (preferably, H3> H2) from the outer winding plane. Exists only above. Further, the portion extending upward in the vertical direction is a projecting portion having two or more steps of the outer diameter D. In a portion extending vertically upward, there is a portion having a gap 26 without the metal wires 21 being in close contact with each other. Such a movable contact 20i is fixed to the lower protruding portion 12 so as to embed a portion extending vertically upward. As in the first embodiment, the method of fixing the movable contact 20i and the downward protruding portion 12 and the fact that the first layer 23 (or the adhesive layer 23a may be provided) can be provided at the interface of the fixed portion.

(Operation of Each Embodiment)
The push button switch members 1, 1 a, 1 b, 1 c (hereinafter collectively referred to as “push button switch members 1 etc.”) according to each of the above-described embodiments include at least the first fixed contacts 31, 31 a and the first fixed contacts 31, 31 a. A plurality of fixed contacts 31, 31a, 32, 32a (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "fixed contacts 31, 32, etc.") on the substrate 30 including the two fixed contacts 32, 32a are contacted and non-contacted. One of the movable contacts 20, 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 20 e, 20 f, 20 g, 20 h, and 20 i (hereinafter referred to as “movable contact 20, etc.” when the movable contacts are collectively referred to). The part is exposed and provided. The movable contact 20 and the like are spirally wound around a single metal wire 21, and one end of the spiral in the traveling direction is fixed below the keytop 11, and the movable contact 20 and the like are fixed contacts 31 and 32. When it comes into contact with the fixed contacts 31, 32, etc., it is configured to have an elastic force to return to a direction in which it does not contact the fixed contacts 31, 32 and the like. Further, when the movable contact 20 is pressed in the direction from the key top 11 to the substrate 30, the end on the substrate 30 side comes into contact with the first fixed contacts 31 and 31 a, and then the key is moved from the end on the substrate 30 side. The part on the top 11 side contacts the second fixed contacts 32, 32a. By configuring the push-button switch member 1 and the like in this manner, it is possible to perform a multi-stage operation while maintaining the ability to respond to the foreign matter M as before. Further, even when the dome portion 13 is damaged or deformed, the movable contact 20 and the like can return to a position where they do not contact the fixed contacts 31 and 32 and the like by their own elastic force.

  The movable contacts 20, 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, and 20 d are configured such that the diameter of the substrate 30 is smaller than that of the key top 11. Thus, the push-button switch member 1 can perform a multi-stage operation while maintaining the ability to respond to the foreign matter M as before. In addition, by configuring the push-button switch member 1 in this manner, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the manufacturing process and the increase in cost.

  The movable contact 20e is configured so that the diameter of the side of the substrate 30 is unilaterally larger than that of the side of the key top 11. Thus, the push button switch member 1a can perform a multi-stage operation while maintaining the ability to respond to the foreign matter M as before. Further, by configuring the push-button switch member 1a as described above, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the manufacturing process and increase the price.

  The movable contacts 20f, 20h, and 20i have the largest diameter on the way from the keytop 11 side to the substrate 30 and smaller diameters at both ends. The movable contacts 20f, 20h, and 20i have at least A helical portion on the key top 11 side from the position of the largest diameter is buried below the key top 11. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the movable contacts 20f, 20h, and 20i from falling off the key top 11.

  The movable contact 20 and the like are made of at least one or two or more alloys of iron, copper, nickel, stainless steel, brass and nickel silver. For this reason, the movable contact 20 excellent in conductivity can be realized.

  The movable contact 20 and the like have at least an exposed portion as a conductive layer 21b different from the material inside the movable contact 20 and the like (the material of the core material 21a). For this reason, even if the core 21a has an insulating material or a relatively low conductivity, it can function as the movable contact 20 or the like due to the presence of the conductive layer 21b.

  Further, by forming the conductive layer 21b of a noble metal layer, the movable contact 20 and the like having higher conductivity can be realized.

  The push button switch member 1 and the like have a rubber-like elastic body for the lower protruding portion 12 where the movable contact 20 and the like are embedded, and a silane cup is provided at the interface between the movable contact 20 and the rubber-like elastic body. The first layer 23 made of a ring agent, a primer or a modified product thereof is present. For this reason, the adhesive force between the movable contact 20 and the like and the rubber-like elastic body can be further increased.

  Also, the push button switch member 1 and the like have a rubber-like elastic body for the lower protruding portion 12 where the movable contact 20 and the like are embedded, and an adhesive layer 23a is provided on the interface between the movable contact 20 and the rubber-like elastic body. Has existed. Therefore, even when the first layer 23 is not provided, the adhesive force between the movable contact 20 and the like and the rubber-like elastic body can be further increased.

(Other embodiments)
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be implemented with various modifications.

  For example, the movable contact 20 or the like may not include a layer of a noble metal and may be made of a metal other than a noble metal and having excellent conductivity, for example, aluminum or tungsten. In addition, if the movable contact 20 or the like is provided with a layer of a noble metal on its surface, it may be, for example, an insulating material in addition to at least one or two or more alloys of iron, copper, nickel, stainless steel, brass, and nickel silver. It may be composed of a multi-layered metal wire 21 having a core material 21a such as a conductive ceramic or wood inside.

  The movable contact 20 and the like are only required to be in line contact with the fixed contacts 31 and 32 and the like, so long as there is a space between the adjacent metal wires 21. For this reason, the metal wire 21 may have a trapezoidal cross section and a short side contacting the fixed contacts 31, 32, for example, even if the portion that contacts the fixed contacts 31, 32, etc. is not a curved surface. A wound body of the wire 21 or a wound body of the metal wire 21 having a polygonal cross section may be used.

  A plurality of constituent elements of each of the above-described embodiments can be freely combined except in a case where they cannot be combined with each other. For example, the movable contacts 20g and 20h may be provided on the member 1 for a push button switch according to the first embodiment.

  The member for a push button switch according to the present invention can be used, for example, for a push-type switch.

1, 1a, 1b, 1c: member for push button switch, 11: key top, 12: downward projecting portion (portion in which movable contact is embedded), 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i: movable contact, 21, 21 ': metal wire, 21a: core material, 21b: conductive layer (for example, a layer of noble metal), 23 ... 1st layer, 23a ... adhesive layer, 30 ... board | substrate, 31, 31a ... 1st fixed contact, 32, 32a ... 2nd fixed contact.

Claims (7)

A plurality of fixed contacts on a substrate including at least a first fixed contact and a second fixed contact, a portion of a movable contact that enables contact and non-contact with the plurality of fixed contacts,
The movable contact is configured by being spirally wound with one metal wire, and one end in the traveling direction of the spiral is fixed below the keytop,
The movable contact contracts when it comes into contact with the fixed contact, and is configured to have an elastic force to return to a direction in which the movable contact is not in contact with the fixed contact,
When pressed in the direction from the key top toward the substrate, the movable contact is such that the end on the substrate side contacts the first fixed contact, and then the portion on the key top side from the end on the substrate side Is a member for a push button switch that contacts the second fixed contact.   The member for a push button switch according to claim 1, wherein the movable contact is configured to unilaterally reduce the diameter of the substrate side than the key top side.   The member for a push button switch according to claim 1, wherein the movable contact is configured to unilaterally increase the diameter of the substrate side than the key top side. The movable contact has the largest diameter on the way from the key top side to the substrate side, and both ends are configured to have smaller diameters,
The member for a push button switch according to claim 1, wherein the movable contact has at least a helical portion on the key top side from a position of the largest diameter embedded below the key top.   5. The movable contact according to claim 1, wherein at least the inside of the movable contact is made of an alloy of at least one or more of iron, copper, nickel, stainless steel, brass, and nickel silver. A member for a push button switch as described in the above.   The member for a push button switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least an exposed portion of the movable contact is made of a conductive layer different from a material inside the movable contact. The member for a push button switch according to claim 6, wherein the conductive layer is a layer of a noble metal.