JP2022024849A - Push switch - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a push switch capable of reducing variation in an initial position of an elastic member.SOLUTION: A push switch 1 includes; a fixed contact F1; a movable contact member (first conductive member 5) that has a movable contact M1; and a contact operation unit Op1. The contact operation unit Op1 has a push member 3, and an elastic member 4. The elastic member 4 is placed at a position between the push member 3 and the movable contact member. The elastic member 4 includes a protrusion 42. The protrusion 42 protrudes toward the push member 3 from a region that includes a center C1 of a facing surface 410 of the elastic member 4. The facing surface 410 faces the push member 3. The push member 3 presses the elastic member 4 in a state in contact with the protrusion 42. The protrusion 42 deforms so that the amount of protrusion gets smaller when pressed by push member 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates generally to pushswitches, and more particularly to pushswitches comprising fixed and movable contacts.

The contact member (push switch) described in Patent Document 1 includes a pressing member (elastic member) that can be elastically deformed and a support member having a solderable mounting portion. The pressing member has a moving portion, a pedestal portion, and a deforming portion. The moving portion is formed so as to open in one direction and to face the open space with the conductive contact portion. A support member is attached to the pedestal portion. The deformed portion is continuous with the moving portion and the pedestal portion. A part of the pedestal is covered with a support member.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-053273

For the purpose of suppressing rattling of the elastic member, the elastic member may be maintained in a state where a relatively small force (preload) is applied. However, in the push switch described in Patent Document 1, for example, the amount of movement of the elastic member with respect to a certain preload may differ among the plurality of push switches due to the dimensional tolerance of the push switch. Then, the position of the elastic member (initial position of the elastic member) in the preloaded state varies among the plurality of push switches.

It is an object of the present disclosure to reduce variations in the initial position of the elastic member of the push switch.

The push switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a fixed contact, a movable contact member, and a contact operating unit. The movable contact member has a movable contact. The movable contact faces the fixed contact. The contact operation unit contacts or separates the movable contact from the fixed contact. The contact operation unit includes a push member and an elastic member. The elastic member is arranged at a position between the push member and the movable contact member. The elastic member includes protrusions. The protrusion protrudes toward the push member from a region including the center of the facing surface. The facing surface is included in the elastic member and faces the push member. The push member presses the elastic member in contact with the protrusion. The protrusion is pressed by the push member and deforms so that the amount of protrusion is small.

The present disclosure has an advantage that the variation in the initial position of the elastic member of the push switch can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a preload is not applied in the push switch according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a preload is applied in the push switch of the same as above. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the push switch of the same is operated. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the same push switch. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the same push switch. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the push switch according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the push switch according to the first modification of the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, the push switch according to the first and second embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. However, each of the following embodiments is only part of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. Each of the following embodiments can be variously modified according to the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Further, each figure described in each of the following embodiments is a schematic view, and the ratio of the size and the thickness of each component in the figure does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio. do not have.

Further, in FIG. 1 and the like, as indicated by the arrows of "up", "down", "left", "right", "front", and "rear", each direction of up, down, left, right, front, and back Is specified. However, these directions do not specify the direction in which the push switch is used. In addition, the arrows indicating each direction in the drawing are shown only for the sake of explanation, and are not accompanied by an entity.

(Embodiment 1)
(1) Outline As shown in FIG. 1, the push switch 1 of the present embodiment includes a fixed contact F1, a movable contact member (first conductive member 5), and a contact operation unit Op1. The movable contact member has a movable contact M1. The movable contact M1 faces the fixed contact F1. The contact operation unit Op1 contacts or separates the movable contact M1 from the fixed contact F1. The contact operation unit Op1 has a push member 3 and an elastic member 4. The elastic member 4 is arranged at a position between the push member 3 and the movable contact member. The elastic member 4 includes a protrusion 42. The protrusion 42 projects from the region including the center C1 of the facing surface 410 toward the push member 3. The facing surface 410 is included in the elastic member 4 and faces the push member 3. The push member 3 presses the elastic member 4 in contact with the protrusion 42. The protrusion 42 is pressed by the push member 3 and deforms so that the amount of protrusion is small.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the variation in the initial position of the elastic member 4. More specifically, the elastic member 4 includes a pusher 41 and a protrusion 42 protruding from the pusher 41, and the configuration of the present embodiment can reduce variations in the initial position of the pusher 41. This will be described below.

The push member 3 may be maintained in a state in which a relatively small force (preload) is applied in the operating direction (downward) for the purpose of suppressing rattling of the push member 3 in the vertical direction. The size of the preload is constant. When a larger force is applied to the push member 3 by a person pressing the push member 3 with a finger or the like with the preload applied, the pusher 41 moves relatively large in the operation direction. Hereinafter, the movement of the pusher 41 in the operation direction is referred to as “stroke operation”. Further, in the following, the position of the pusher 41 in the state where the preload is not applied is referred to as "the release position of the pusher 41", and the position of the pusher 41 in the state where the preload is applied is referred to as "the pusher 41". It is called "the initial position of 41". The position of the pusher 41 in the state shown in FIG. 1 is the “release position of the pusher 41”, and the position of the pusher 41 in the state shown in FIG. 2 is the “initial position of the pusher 41”.

When there is no protrusion 42, the stroke operation starts only by applying the preload to the push member 3, so that the initial position of the pusher 41 is opposite to the release position of the pusher 41 on the push member 3 side. The position is closer to the side (bottom). The farther the initial position of the pusher 41 is from the release position of the pusher 41, the shorter the distance that the pusher 41 can move from the initial position. In other words, the stroke of the pusher 41 (that is, the moving distance from the initial position due to the stroke operation) becomes shorter.

In the push switch 1 of the present embodiment, at least a part of the kinetic energy corresponding to the preload is spent on the deformation of the protrusion 42, so that the stroke operation is performed when the preload is applied as compared with the case where the protrusion 42 is not present. The amount of movement of the push button 41 in the above is reduced. In other words, the moving distance between the release position and the initial position of the pusher 41 is shortened. Preferably, the travel distance is 0. That is, preferably, the pusher 41 does not perform a stroke operation only by adding a preload.

In short, according to the push switch 1 of the present embodiment, the initial position of the push button 41 is a position close to the release position of the push button 41. Therefore, the pusher 41 can move a longer distance from the initial position. In other words, the stroke of the pusher 41 becomes longer.

Further, since at least a part of the kinetic energy corresponding to the preload is spent on the deformation of the protrusion 42, the amount of movement of the pusher 41 due to the preload is reduced, so that the possibility that the initial position of the pusher 41 varies is reduced. can. For example, when the amount of movement of the push button 41 with respect to a certain preload differs among a plurality of push switches 1 due to the dimensional tolerance of the push switch 1, the variation in the initial position of the push button 41 of each push switch 1 is reduced. can. Further, for example, when the size of the preload differs among the plurality of push switches 1, it is possible to reduce the variation in the initial position of the push button 41 of each push switch 1.

Further, since the protrusion 42 is in the region including the center C1 of the facing surface 410, the protrusion 42 is pressed by the push member 3 as compared with the case where the protrusion 42 is outside the region including the center C1 of the facing surface 410. At this time, the possibility that the moving direction of the pusher 41 shifts can be reduced. Further, when the protrusion 42 is pressed against the push member 3, the possibility that the pusher 41 is tilted can be reduced.

Further, since the protrusion 42 is in the region including the center C1 of the facing surface 410, when the protrusion 42 is pressed by the push member 3, the force is dispersed around the protrusion 42, and stress concentration can be suppressed.

(2) Details Hereinafter, the push switch 1 of the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

The push switch 1 is used, for example, as an operation unit of various devices such as information communication devices, in-vehicle devices, and home appliances. The push switch 1 is built in the housing of the device, for example, in a state of being mounted on a printed circuit board. In this case, for example, an elastic sheet is arranged so as to overlap the push switch 1 in the housing. The elastic sheet maintains a state in which the push member 3 of the push switch 1 is preloaded. That is, the push member 3 is pressed in the operation direction (downward) by the elastic sheet, and the position of the push member 3 is maintained at the position shown in FIG. At this time, the movable contact M1 is separated from the fixed contact F1.

When the operator (user) presses the push member 3 via the elastic sheet, the protrusion 42 of the elastic member 4 is pressed against the push member 3, and the pusher 41 moves in the operation direction. Further, the pusher 41 presses the first conductive member 5 having the movable contact M1 to move the movable contact M1 in the operation direction and bring it into contact with the fixed contact F1 (see FIG. 3).

The movable contact M1 can move between a contact position in contact with the fixed contact F1 (see FIG. 3) and a separated position away from the fixed contact F1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The elastic member 4 operates a contact. In the contact operation, the elastic member 4 moves the movable contact M1 between the contact position and the separation position in the operation direction (downward). The push member 3 presses the elastic member 4 in the operation direction, and causes the elastic member 4 to perform a contact operation.

In the present embodiment, the fixed contact F1 and the movable contact M1 constitute an a contact. That is, when the operator does not press the push member 3, the movable contact M1 is in the separated position, and when the operator presses the push member 3, the movable contact M1 moves to the contact position.

When the operator releases the elastic sheet and a force other than the preload is not applied to the push member 3, the deformed portion 43 described later of the elastic member 4 elastically returns, so that the pusher 41 is a push member. It returns to the position (initial position) before being pressed by 3 (see FIG. 2). At this time, the push member 3 is pressed by the pusher 41 to return to the position before being pressed by the operator (see FIG. 2). Further, when the pusher 41 moves toward the initial position and separates from the first conductive member 5 having the movable contact M1, the first conductive member 5 elastically returns, so that the movable contact M1 separates from the fixed contact F1. That is, the push switch 1 is a momentary switch in which the contacts (fixed contact F1 and movable contact M1) are turned on only while being pressed.

The push switch 1 includes a case 2, a push member 3, and an elastic member 4. Further, the push switch 1 includes a first conductive member 5 having a movable contact M1, a second conductive member 6, and a third conductive member 7 having a fixed contact F1.

(2-1) Case As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the case 2 has a first body 21 and a second body 22. The first body 21 and the second body 22 are made of synthetic resin. The first body 21 and the second body 22 have electrical insulation. The case 2 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open upper surface by combining the first body 21 and the second body 22. The case 2 houses the elastic member 4.

The shape of the first body 21 is a rectangular parallelepiped. When viewed from above, the first body 21 has a shape in which the four corners are chamfered.

The first body 21 has a first accommodating portion 211. The first accommodating portion 211 is a recess recessed with respect to the upper surface of the first body 21. The shape of the first accommodating portion 211 is circular. An elastic member 4 is arranged in the first accommodating portion 211. More specifically, the diameter of the first accommodating portion 211 is substantially equal to the diameter of the seat portion 44 described later of the elastic member 4, and the seat portion 44 is fitted in the first accommodating portion 211.

Further, the first body 21 has two second accommodating portions 212 and two third accommodating portions 213. Each of the two second accommodating portions 212 and the two third accommodating portions 213 is a recess recessed with respect to the upper surface of the first body 21. The two second accommodating portions 212 and the two third accommodating portions 213 are connected to the first accommodating portion 211. The two second accommodating portions 212 are provided on the left and right sides of the first accommodating portion 211, and the two third accommodating portions 213 are provided before and after the first accommodating portion 211. As will be described later, each of the two second accommodating portions 212 accommodates a part of the second conductive member 6.

The shape of the second body 22 is cylindrical. The second body 22 has a through hole 220 inside the second body 22 that penetrates the second body 22 in the vertical direction. Seen from above, the shape of the through hole 220 is circular.

Further, the second body 22 has a first recess 221 at the front end and the rear end of the through hole 220. Further, the second body 22 has a second recess 222 at the left end and the right end of the through hole 220. The second body 22 is recessed outward in the radial direction of the second body 22 in each of the two first recesses 221 and the two second recesses 222. The two first recesses 221 are provided so as to penetrate from the upper end to the lower end of the second body 22. The two second recesses 222 are provided so as to penetrate the lower end of the second body 22.

Further, the second body 22 has two limiting walls 223. The two limiting walls 223 have a one-to-one correspondence with the two second recesses 222. Each limiting wall 223 includes a portion of the inner surface of the corresponding second recess 222. That is, each restriction wall 223 is a wall portion provided on the left and right of the through hole 220, and the lower surface 2230 (see FIG. 1) of each restriction wall 223 is the upper side of the inner surface of the corresponding second recess 222. It constitutes an area.

The second body 22 further has a plurality of (four; only three are shown in FIG. 5) mounting holes 224. A plurality of mounting holes 224 are provided near the lower end of the second body 22. The plurality of mounting holes 224 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the second body 22.

The case 2 further has a plurality of (four in FIG. 5) mounting pieces 214. The plurality of mounting pieces 214 project from the first body 21. The plurality of mounting pieces 214 are integrally formed with the first body 21. The plurality of mounting pieces 214 correspond one-to-one with the plurality of mounting holes 224 of the second body 22. Each mounting piece 214 is inserted into the corresponding mounting hole 224. Further, each mounting piece 214 is crimped to the second body 22. As a result, the first body 21 and the second body 22 are coupled. That is, the plurality of mounting pieces 214 and the plurality of mounting holes 224 function as a coupling structure for coupling the first body 21 and the second body 22.

(2-2) Push member The push member 3 has a top wall 31, a peripheral wall 32, two first protrusions 33, and two second protrusions 34.

The shape of the top wall 31 is a disk shape. The thickness direction of the top wall 31 is along the vertical direction. The peripheral wall 32 projects downward from the outer edge of the top wall 31. As a result, the push member 3 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape.

As shown in FIG. 1, the push member 3 has a pressing surface 310. The pressing surface 310 is the lower surface of the top wall 31. The pressing surface 310 is a surface inside the push member 3 that faces the facing surface 410 of the elastic member 4. The pressing surface 310 has a first surface 311 and a second surface 312. The first surface 311 and the second surface 312 are planar, respectively. The first surface 311 is a surface including the center of the pressing surface 310. The shape of the first surface 311 is circular. The second surface 312 is provided in a region surrounding the first surface 311 when viewed from below. The shape of the second surface 312 is annular.

The first surface 311 is recessed upward with respect to the second surface 312. That is, the push member 3 has a recess R1 formed in the pressing surface 310. The first surface 311 is the bottom surface of the recess R1. The protrusion 42 of the elastic member 4 is inserted into the recess R1. Further, a portion around the protrusion 42 (a portion of the pusher 41 including the facing surface 410) is inserted into the recess R1. More specifically, when the pusher 41 is in the open position and in the initial position, the protrusion 42 and the portion of the pusher 41 including the facing surface 410 are inserted into the recess R1.

One of the two first protrusions 33 protrudes from the front end of the peripheral wall 32, and the other protrudes from the rear end of the peripheral wall 32. The two first protrusions 33 have a one-to-one correspondence with the two first recesses 221 of the second body 22. Each first protrusion 33 is inserted into the corresponding first recess 221. The push member 3 moves so that each first protrusion 33 passes through the corresponding first recess 221. Therefore, the moving direction of the push member 3 is limited to the vertical direction. That is, the two first protrusions 33 and the two first recesses 221 function as a guide structure that limits the moving direction of the push member 3.

Further, the through hole 220 of the second body 22 is formed in a shape in which the peripheral wall 32 of the push member 3 is fitted. This reduces the possibility that the push member 3 will tilt.

One of the two second protrusions 34 protrudes from the left end of the peripheral wall 32, and the other protrudes from the right end of the peripheral wall 32. The two second protrusions 34 have a one-to-one correspondence with the two second recesses 222 of the second body 22. Each second protrusion 34 is inserted into the corresponding second recess 222.

Further, the two second protrusions 34 have a one-to-one correspondence with the two limiting walls 223 of the second body 22. When the push member 3 tries to move upward, if each second protrusion 34 comes into contact with the corresponding limiting wall 223, the push member 3 cannot move further upward. Therefore, the moving range of the push member 3 is limited to the range in which the corresponding second protrusion 34 is located below each limiting wall 223. That is, the two limiting walls 223 and the two second protrusions 34 function as limiting portions that limit the moving range of the push member 3 to a predetermined range.

When the position of the pusher 41 is the release position (see FIG. 1), each second protrusion 34 comes into contact with the lower surface 2230 of the corresponding limiting wall 223.

(2-3) Conductive Member The first conductive member 5, the second conductive member 6 and the third conductive member 7 shown in FIG. 5 are formed by, for example, processing a metal plate.

The second conductive member 6 and the third conductive member 7 are embedded in the first body 21. More specifically, the second conductive member 6 and the third conductive member 7 are integrally formed with the first body 21 by insert molding.

The first conductive member 5 is mechanically and electrically connected to the second conductive member 6. The first conductive member 5 is a leaf spring. The first conductive member 5 includes a first member 51 and a second member 52. The first member 51 and the second member 52 have substantially the same shape as each other. The first member 51 and the second member 52 are overlapped with each other and are mechanically and electrically connected to each other. The first conductive member 5 may include only one of the first member 51 and the second member 52.

The first member 51 has a movable portion 511, a fixed portion 512, and a connecting portion 513. The shape of the movable portion 511 and the fixed portion 512 is an annular shape. The fixed portion 512 surrounds the movable portion 511. The movable portion 511 is arranged at the center of the fixed portion 512. The connecting portion 513 connects the movable portion 511 and the fixed portion 512. The connecting portion 513 projects from the inner edge of the fixed portion 512 toward the movable portion 511.

The second member 52 has a movable portion 521, a fixing portion 522, and a connecting portion 523. The shape of the movable portion 521 and the fixed portion 522 is an annular shape. The fixed portion 522 surrounds the movable portion 521. The movable portion 521 is arranged at the center of the fixed portion 522. The connecting portion 523 connects the movable portion 521 and the fixed portion 522. The connecting portion 523 projects from the inner edge of the fixed portion 522 toward the movable portion 521.

The second member 52 is attached to the first member 51. Of the movable portion 521 of the second member 52, the surface on the side opposite to the first member 51 side functions as the movable contact M1.

By pressing the upper surface of the movable portion 511 of the first member 51 downward by the elastic member 4, the first conductive member 5 bends around the boundary portion between the connecting portion 513, 523 and the fixed portion 512, 522. do. As a result, the movable portion 511, 521 and the connecting portion 513, 523 move downward. At this time, since the movable contact M1 also moves downward, the movable contact M1 comes into contact with the fixed contact F1 arranged under the movable contact M1. When the elastic member 4 is separated from the first conductive member 5, the first conductive member 5 is elastically restored, so that the movable contact M1 is separated from the fixed contact F1.

The second conductive member 6 has a terminal 61, a plurality of support portions 62 (two in FIG. 5), and a connection portion 63. The terminal 61 is exposed to the outside of the first body 21. The two support portions 62 are exposed to the space inside the first body 21 (first accommodating portion 211). The connection portion 63 is embedded inside the first body 21. The connection portion 63 connects the terminal 61 and the two support portions 62.

The two support portions 62 have a one-to-one correspondence with the two second accommodating portions 212 of the first body 21. Each support portion 62 is accommodated in a corresponding second accommodating portion 212. Further, each support portion 62 has a convex region 620 slightly protruding from the surrounding portion. The second conductive member 6 is mechanically and electrically connected to the fixed portion 522 of the first conductive member 5 in the convex region 620 of each support portion 62. More specifically, the fixing portion 522 is connected to the convex region 620 of each supporting portion 62 on both the left and right sides of the center of the fixing portion 522.

The third conductive member 7 has a terminal 71, a fixed contact portion 72, and a fixed connection portion 73. The terminal 71 is exposed to the outside of the first body 21. The fixed contact portion 72 is exposed in the space inside the first body 21 (first accommodating portion 211). The surface (upper surface) of the fixed contact portion 72 functions as the fixed contact F1. The fixed contact portion 72 is formed in a shape having a plurality of convex portions. The fixed contact F1 is composed of the tips (upper surfaces) of a plurality of convex portions of the fixed contact portion 72. The fixed connection portion 73 is embedded inside the first body 21. The fixed connection portion 73 connects the terminal 71 and the fixed contact portion 72.

The terminal 61 of the second conductive member 6 and the terminal 71 of the third conductive member 7 are mechanically and electrically connected to the conductive member on the printed circuit board, for example, by soldering.

When the push member 3 is not pressed by the operator, the fixed contact F1 faces the movable contact M1 at a distance from the movable contact M1. When the push member 3 is pressed by the operator, the movable contact M1 moves, and the movable contact M1 comes into contact with the fixed contact F1.

In a state where the movable contact M1 is not in contact with the fixed contact F1, the terminals 61 and 71 are electrically disconnected. In a state where the movable contact M1 is in contact with the fixed contact F1, the terminals 61 and 71 are conducting.

It is preferable that at least one of the movable contact M1 and the fixed contact F1 is formed with a conductive film having conductivity by gold (Au) plating, silver (Ag) plating, or the like.

(2-4) Elastic member The elastic member 4 is formed of, for example, an elastic material. An example of an elastic material forming the elastic member 4 is rubber such as silicone rubber. The elastic member 4 has elasticity. The elastic member 4 is pressed by the push member 3 and deformed. In Section (2-4), unless otherwise specified, neither preload nor force from the operator is applied to the push member 3, and the elastic member 4 is not pressed by the push member 3 (see FIG. 1). explain.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the shape of the elastic member 4 is a columnar shape with an open lower surface. The elastic member 4 has a pusher 41, a protrusion 42, a deformed portion 43, and a seat portion 44. The pusher 41, the protrusion 42, the deformed portion 43, and the seat portion 44 are integrally formed.

The pusher 41 includes a main portion 411 and a pressing portion 412. The shape of the main portion 411 is columnar. The axial direction of the main portion 411 is along the vertical direction.

Of the pusher 41, the surface facing the push member 3 (upper surface) is the upper surface of the main portion 411. The facing surface 410 is planar. The shape of the facing surface 410 is circular. The protrusion 42 projects upward from the region including the center C1 of the facing surface 410.

The pressing portion 412 protrudes from the surface (lower surface) of the main portion 411 opposite to the facing surface 410. The pressing portion 412 is arranged at a position facing the movable portion 511 of the first conductive member 5. In a state where no force other than the preload is applied to the push member 3, the pressing portion 412 is separated from the first conductive member 5. When the pusher 41 is pressed in the operating direction (downward), the pressing portion 412 presses the movable portion 511 of the first conductive member 5 to bring the movable contact M1 into contact with the fixed contact F1.

The shape of the pressing portion 412 is cylindrical. The pressing portion 412 projects downward from the region including the center of the main portion 411. More specifically, when viewed from the vertical direction, the axis of the pressing portion 412 coincides with the axis of the main portion 411. Further, the tip 421 of the protrusion 42 overlaps with the center C1 of the facing surface 410 when viewed from the protrusion direction (vertical direction) of the protrusion 42. The tip 421 is the tip (upper end) of the protrusion 42 in the direction opposite to the operating direction. The tip 421 coincides with the center of the protrusion 42 as seen from above.

When viewed from above, the shape of the protrusion 42 is circular. The shape of the protrusion 42 in the cross section orthogonal to the front-rear direction is an upwardly convex lens shape. Therefore, the area of the protrusion 42 in the cross section orthogonal to the protrusion direction (vertical direction) of the protrusion 42 is larger toward the side farther from the push member 3 in the protrusion direction. In other words, the protrusion 42 is formed in a tapered shape in which the area seen from above decreases from the lower side to the upper side.

The protrusion 42 has elasticity. The pusher 41 and the protrusion 42 are integrally formed of the same material. More specifically, the pusher 41 and the protrusion 42 are integrally formed of an elastic material such as rubber.

The shape of the seat 44 is cylindrical. The axial direction of the seat portion 44 is along the vertical direction. In the vertical direction, the length of the seat portion 44 is shorter than the length of the pusher 41 and the length of the deformed portion 43. The seat portion 44 is in contact with the upper surface of the fixing portion 512 of the first conductive member 5. The diameter of the seat portion 44 is substantially equal to the diameter of the first accommodating portion 211 of the first body 21, and the seat portion 44 is fitted in the first accommodating portion 211.

The deformed portion 43 has elasticity. The shape of the deformed portion 43 is cylindrical. More specifically, the shape of the deformed portion 43 is a cylindrical shape having a larger diameter toward the lower side. The deformed portion 43 is provided in a region around the protrusion 42 when viewed from the protruding direction (vertical direction) of the protrusion 42.

The upper end of the deformed portion 43 is connected to the pusher 41. More specifically, the upper end of the deformed portion 43 is connected to the outer edge of the pusher 41. The lower end of the deformed portion 43 is connected to the seat portion 44. That is, the deformed portion 43 is interposed between the pusher 41 and the seat portion 44. The seat portion 44 is connected to the pusher 41 via the deformed portion 43 and supports the pusher 41.

When the push member 3 presses the elastic member 4 while the push member 3 is in contact with the protrusion 42, the deformed portion 43 is deformed so as to shorten the distance between the seat portion 44 and the pusher 41. More specifically, in this case, the deformed portion 43 bends in two regions between the pusher 41 and the seat portion 44, as shown in FIG. Each of the two regions is an annular (annular) region when viewed from above. One of the two regions is a region of the deformed portion 43 in the vicinity of the pusher 41. The other of the two regions is a region of the deformed portion 43 near the middle between the pusher 41 and the seat portion 44.

The deformation of the deformed portion 43 is a buckling deformation. That is, when the magnitude of the force applied to the elastic member 4 is less than a predetermined magnitude, the amount of deformation of the deformed portion 43 is relatively small, and when it is greater than or equal to the predetermined magnitude, the amount of deformation is relatively large. Since the deformation of the deformed portion 43 is a buckling deformation, the operator can feel a click feeling as the push member 3 is pressed. That is, at the timing when the magnitude of the force applied to the elastic member 4 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined magnitude, the magnitude of the reaction force felt by the operator suddenly changes.

When the pusher 41 is pressed in the operation direction (downward) and the pusher 41 moves in the operation direction while the deformation portion 43 is deformed, the pressing portion 412 presses the first conductive member 5 and fixes the movable contact M1. Make contact with contact F1.

(3) Details of operation Next, the operation of the push switch 1 will be described in more detail.

The protrusion 42 of the elastic member 4 is the push member 3 at least after the push member 3 comes into contact with the protrusion 42 and before the position of the movable contact M1 shifts from one of the contact position and the separated position to the other. It is deformed so that the amount of protrusion is small. The amount of protrusion corresponds to the length of the protrusion 42 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, "one" is the distance position and "the other" is the contact position. More specifically, the protrusion 42 begins to be deformed at the timing when the push member 3 comes into contact with the protrusion 42 and at about the same time, a force is started to be applied from the push member 3 to the protrusion 42. Further, a preload is added to the push member 3, and the push member 3 is arranged at a position in contact with the protrusion 42 by the preload.

In the initial state of the push switch 1 (see FIG. 2), since the preload is applied to the push member 3, the force applied from the push member 3 to the protrusion 42 is larger than that when the preload is not applied. The protrusion 42 is compressed and deformed so that its length in the vertical direction is shorter than that when the push member 3 is not preloaded.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the push member 3 is preloaded and the pusher 41 is in the initial position, there is a slight gap (distance) between the facing surface 410 of the pusher 41 and the push member 3. There is L1). More specifically, the protrusion 42 and the pusher 41 are inserted into the recess R1 of the push member 3, and there is a gap between the bottom surface (first surface 311) of the recess R1 and the facing surface 410. When the operator presses the push member 3, the push member 3 and the pusher 41 move in the operation direction while maintaining this gap, and the movable contact M1 contacts the fixed contact F1 (see FIG. 3). That is, the elastic modulus of the protrusion 42 is set so that this gap is maintained.

In this way, from the time when the push member 3 starts pressing the elastic member 4 in the state where the push member 3 is in contact with the protrusion 42, until the position of the movable contact M1 shifts from one of the contact position and the separation position to the other. Through the push member 3, the push member 3 has a gap between the elastic member 4 and the portion around the protrusion 42 (pusher 41). That is, during this period, the push member 3 contacts only the protrusion 42. In this embodiment, "one" is the distance position and "the other" is the contact position. If the push member 3 comes into contact with only the protrusion 42 and a part of the upper surface (opposing surface 410) of the pusher 41, the pusher 41 can be tilted by the force transmitted from the push member 3 to the elastic member 4. There is sex. However, such a possibility can be reduced by contacting the push member 3 only with the protrusion 42.

Further, from the time when the push member 3 starts pressing the elastic member 4 in a state where the push member 3 is in contact with the protrusion 42, until the position of the movable contact M1 shifts from one of the contact position and the separation position to the other, The distance between the protrusion 42 and the push member 3 in the protrusion direction of the protrusion 42 is the protrusion direction between the elastic member 4 and the peripheral portion of the protrusion 42 (arbitrary region of the facing surface 410) and the push member 3. Is shorter than the distance L1 in. In this embodiment, "one" is the distance position and "the other" is the contact position. The distance between the protrusion 42 and the push member 3 in the protrusion direction is 0.

The force with which the push member 3 further presses the protrusion 42 from the state where the pusher 41 is in the initial position mainly acts to deform the deformed portion 43. From the time when the push member 3 and the pusher 41 start to move downward until the pusher 41 brings the movable contact M1 into contact with the fixed contact F1, the deformed portion 43 buckles and deforms, and the operator feels a click. feel.

After the fixed contact F1 and the movable contact M1 come into contact with each other, when a force other than the preload is not applied to the push member 3, the deformed portion 43 elastically returns, and the pusher 41 presses against the push member 3. It returns to the position (initial position) before it is done (see FIG. 2). At this time, the push member 3 is pressed by the pusher 41 to return to the position before being pressed by the operator (see FIG. 2). Further, when the pusher 41 moves toward the initial position and separates from the first conductive member 5 having the movable contact M1, the first conductive member 5 elastically returns, so that the movable contact M1 separates from the fixed contact F1. As a result, the state of the push switch 1 returns to the initial state (see FIG. 2).

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, the push switch 1A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The push member 3A of the present embodiment is different from the push member 3 of the first embodiment in that the pressing surface 310A facing the facing surface 410 of the elastic member 4 has a recess R2 into which the protrusion 42 is inserted. More specifically, the protrusion 42 is inserted into the recess R2 when the pusher 41 is in the open position and in the initial position. In FIG. 6, no preload is applied to the push member 3A, and the position of the pusher 41 is the release position.

The pressing surface 310A has a third surface 313 in addition to the first surface 311 and the second surface 312. The first surface 311 is recessed upward with respect to the second surface 312. As a result, the recess R1 is formed.

The third surface 313 is recessed upward with respect to the first surface 311. As a result, the recess R2 is formed. The third surface 313 is the bottom surface of the recess R2. The third surface 313 faces the protrusion 42. The third surface 313 is a surface including the center of the pressing surface 310A. The third surface 313 is planar. The shape of the third surface 313 is circular. The first surface 311 is formed in an annular shape surrounding the third surface 313 when viewed from below.

In the push switch 1A of the present embodiment, the possibility that the push button 41 is displaced with respect to the push member 3A can be reduced by inserting the protrusion 42 into the recess R2. Further, as compared with the first embodiment, the length of the protrusion 42 in the vertical direction can be increased by the depth of the recess R2, so that the difference between the length of the protrusion 42 before compression and the length after compression can be increased. ..

(Modification 1 of Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, the push switch 1B according to the first modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The same components as those in the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The push member 3B of the present modification 1 is different from the push member 3A of the second embodiment in that it does not have the recess R1. Further, the push member 3B has a recess R2.

In FIG. 7, no preload is applied to the push member 3B, and the position of the pusher 41 is the release position.

The pressing surface 310B has a first surface 311B and a second surface 312B. The first surface 311B and the second surface 312B are planar, respectively. The shape of the second surface 312B is circular. The first surface 311B is formed in an annular shape surrounding the second surface 312B when viewed from below. The second surface 312B is recessed upward with respect to the first surface 311B. As a result, the recess R2 is formed.

(Other Modifications of Embodiments 1 and 2)
Hereinafter, other modified examples of the first and second embodiments are listed. The following modifications may be realized by combining them as appropriate. Further, the following modification may be realized in combination with the above-mentioned modification 1 as appropriate.

The pressing surface 310 may be formed in a planar shape.

When the protrusion 42 is pressed and compressed by the push member 3, the push member 3 may approach the facing surface 410 of the pusher 41, and as a result, the push member 3 may come into contact with the facing surface 410. When no force other than preload is applied to the push member 3, it is preferable that the push member 3 is not in contact with the facing surface 410. That is, when a force other than the preload is applied to the push member 3, the protrusion 42 is compressed more than when no force other than the preload is applied to the push member 3, and the push member 3 comes into contact with the facing surface 410. preferable. The push member 3 may come into contact with the facing surface 410 before the pusher 41 moves and the movable contact M1 comes into contact with the fixed contact F1, or after the movable contact M1 comes into contact with the fixed contact F1, the push member 3 May come into contact with the facing surface 410.

A recess may be formed in the facing surface 410. The protrusion 42 may protrude from the bottom surface of the recess formed in the facing surface 410.

The material of the protrusion 42 may be different from the material of the pusher 41.

The shape of the protrusion 42 may be, for example, a truncated cone, a cone, or a cylinder.

The elastic member 4 may have a plurality of protrusions 42.

The first conductive member 5 having the movable contact M1 may be in contact with the pusher 41 (pressing portion 412) when the pusher 41 is in the initial position. In this case, for example, when the pusher 41 is in the initial position, the movable contact M1 is separated from the fixed contact F1. Then, when the pusher 41 moves in the operation direction (downward), the first conductive member 5 is pressed by the pusher 41, and the movable contact M1 comes into contact with the fixed contact F1.

The movable contact M1 may be attached to the elastic member 4. For example, the movable contact M1 may be adhered to the elastic member 4. Further, the movable contact M1 may be integrally molded with the elastic member 4.

The push switch 1 may form an a contact, a b contact, or a c contact by a fixed contact F1 and a movable contact M1.

(summary)
From the embodiments described above, the following aspects are disclosed.

The push switch (1, 1A, 1B) according to the first aspect includes a fixed contact (F1), a movable contact member (first conductive member (5)), and a contact operation unit (Op1). The movable contact member has a movable contact (M1). The movable contact (M1) faces the fixed contact (F1). The contact operation unit (Op1) contacts or separates the movable contact (M1) from the fixed contact (F1). The contact operation unit (Op1) has a push member (3, 3A, 3B) and an elastic member (4). The elastic member (4) is arranged at a position between the push member (3, 3A, 3B) and the movable contact member. The elastic member (4) includes a protrusion (42). The protrusion (42) projects from the region including the center (C1) of the facing surface (410) toward the push member (3, 3A, 3B). The facing surface (410) is included in the elastic member (4) and faces the push member (3, 3A, 3B). The push member (3, 3A, 3B) presses the elastic member (4) in contact with the protrusion (42). The protrusion (42) is pressed by the push member (3, 3A, 3B) and deforms so that the amount of protrusion becomes smaller.

According to the above configuration, the variation in the initial position of the elastic member (4) can be reduced.

Further, in the push switch (1, 1A, 1B) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the push member (3, 3A) is in contact with the protrusion (42). , 3B) starts pressing the elastic member (4), and then the position where the movable contact (M1) comes into contact with the fixed contact (F1) (contact position) and the position where the movable contact (F1) is separated from the fixed contact (F1) (separation position). Through the period from one of the above to the other, the push member (3, 3A, 3B) has a gap between the elastic member (4) and the peripheral portion (push button (41)) of the protrusion (42). Has.

According to the above configuration, the elastic member (4) is further pressed by the push member (3, 3A, 3B) after the position of the movable contact (M1) shifts from one of the contact position and the separated position to the other. When an overstroke occurs, a part of the force from the push member (3, 3A, 3B) can be absorbed by the protrusion (42).

Further, in the push switch (1, 1A, 1B) according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the push member (3, 3A, 3B) is in contact with the protrusion (42) and the push member (3) is in contact with the protrusion (42). , 3A, 3B) from one of the positions where the movable contact (M1) contacts the fixed contact (F1) and the position where the movable contact (F1) separates from the fixed contact (F1) after the elastic member (4) starts to be pressed. The distance between the protrusion (42) and the push member (3, 3A, 3B) in the protrusion direction of the protrusion (42) is the circumference of the protrusion (42) of the elastic member (4). It is shorter than the distance (L1) in the protruding direction between the portion and the push member (3, 3A, 3B).

According to the above configuration, the elastic member (4) is further pressed by the push member (3, 3A, 3B) after the position of the movable contact (M1) shifts from one of the contact position and the separated position to the other. When an overstroke occurs, a part of the force from the push member (3, 3A, 3B) can be absorbed by the protrusion (42).

Further, the push switch (1, 1A, 1B) according to the fourth aspect further includes a limiting portion (restricting wall 223 and second protrusion 34) in any one of the first to third aspects. The limiting unit limits the moving range of the push member (3, 3A, 3B) to a predetermined range.

According to the above configuration, the possibility that the push member (3, 3A, 3B) moves out of the predetermined range due to an erroneous operation can be reduced.

Further, in the push switch (1, 1A, 1B) according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, at least the push member (3, 3A, 3B) is a protrusion of the protrusion (42). After contacting (42), during the period before the position of the movable contact (M1) moves from one of the position where the movable contact (M1) contacts the fixed contact (F1) and the position where the movable contact (F1) is separated from the fixed contact (F1) to the other. , Pressed by the push members (3, 3A, 3B) and deformed so that the protrusion amount becomes small.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to maintain a state in which the protrusion amount of the protrusion (42) is small during the period before the position of the movable contact (M1) shifts from one of the contact position and the separated position to the other.

Further, in the push switch (1, 1A, 1B) according to the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the area of the protrusion (42) in the cross section orthogonal to the protrusion direction of the protrusion (42). Is larger on the side farther from the push member (3, 3A, 3B) in the protruding direction.

According to the above configuration, the protrusion (42) is easily deformed. Further, with the above configuration, when the protrusion (42) is pressed against the push member (3, 3A, 3B), the force is dispersed around the protrusion (42), and stress concentration can be suppressed.

Further, in the push switches (1, 1A, 1B) according to the seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the tip (421) of the protrusion (42) is the protrusion direction of the protrusion (42). It overlaps with the center (C1) of the facing surface (410) when viewed from the viewpoint.

According to the above configuration, when the protrusion (42) is pressed by the push member (3, 3A, 3B), the possibility that the moving direction of the elastic member (4) (pusher (41)) shifts can be reduced.

Further, in the push switch (1, 1A, 1B) according to the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the elastic member (4) has a push button (41) and a push button (41). ), And includes a protrusion (42). The pusher (41) and the protrusion (42) are integrally formed of the same material.

According to the above configuration, the protrusion (42) can be easily formed as compared with the case where the pusher (41) and the protrusion (42) are formed of different materials.

Further, in the push switch (1A, 1B) according to the ninth aspect, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the push member (3A, 3B) has a protrusion (projection (310A, 310B) on the pressing surface (310A, 310B). It has a recess (R2) into which 42) is inserted. The pressing surface (310A, 310B) faces the facing surface (410).

According to the above configuration, the possibility that the elastic member (4) (push member (41)) is displaced with respect to the push member (3, 3A, 3B) can be reduced.

Further, in the push switch (1, 1A) according to the tenth aspect, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the push member (3, 3A) has a recess (3, 3A) in the pressing surface (310, 310A). Has R1). The pressing surface (310, 310A) faces the facing surface (410). A protrusion (42) and a portion around the protrusion (42) are inserted into the recess (R1).

According to the above configuration, there is a possibility that the peripheral portion (opposing surface (410)) of the protrusion (42) may come into contact with the push member (3, 3A, 3B) as compared with the case where there is no recess (R1). Can be reduced.

Further, in the push switch (1, 1A, 1B) according to the eleventh aspect, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, the elastic member (4) has a push button (41) and a push button (41). ), A deformed portion (43), and a seat portion (44). The seat portion (44) is connected to the pusher (41) via the deformed portion (43) and supports the pusher (41). When the push member (3, 3A, 3B) presses the elastic member (4) while the push member (3, 3A, 3B) is in contact with the protrusion (42), the deformed portion (43) becomes the seat portion (44). It is deformed so as to shorten the distance between the pusher (41) and the pusher (41).

According to the above configuration, since the protrusion (42) is in the region including the center (C1) of the facing surface (410), when the protrusion (42) is pressed by the push member (3, 3A, 3B), It is possible to reduce the possibility that the deformed portion (43) is deformed so that the position of the pusher (41) is biased in the direction intersecting the operation direction.

Further, in the push switches (1, 1A, 1B) according to the twelfth aspect, in the eleventh aspect, the deformed portion (43) is a region around the protrusion (42) when viewed from the protrusion direction of the protrusion (42). It is provided in.

According to the above configuration, when the protrusion (42) is pressed against the push member (3, 3A, 3B), the deformed portion (43) is such that the position of the pusher (41) is biased in the direction intersecting the operation direction. Can be further reduced.

The configuration other than the first aspect is not essential for the push switches (1, 1A, 1B) and can be omitted as appropriate.

1, 1A, 1B Push switch 3, 3A, 3B Push member 4 Elastic member 5 First conductive member (movable contact member)
34 Second protrusion (restricted part)
41 Pusher 42 Protrusion 43 Deformation part 44 Seat part 223 Restriction wall (restriction part)
310, 310A, 310B Pressing surface 410 Facing surface 421 Tip C1 Center F1 Fixed contact L1 Distance M1 Movable contact Op1 Contact operation part R1 Recess R2 Recess

Claims (12)

With fixed contacts
A movable contact member having a movable contact facing the fixed contact,
A contact operation unit for contacting or separating the movable contact with respect to the fixed contact is provided.
The contact operation unit is
Push member and
An elastic member arranged at a position between the push member and the movable contact member,
Have,
The elastic member includes a protrusion that projects toward the push member from a region including the center of the facing surface of the elastic member facing the push member.
The push member presses the elastic member in contact with the protrusion, and the push member presses the elastic member.
The protrusion is pressed by the push member and deforms so that the amount of protrusion is small.
Push switch. After the push member starts pressing the elastic member in a state where the push member is in contact with the protrusion, the position of the movable contact is from one of the position where the movable contact is in contact with the fixed contact and the position where the push member is separated from the fixed contact. Throughout the process of moving to the other, the push member has a gap between the elastic member and a portion around the protrusion.
The push switch according to claim 1. After the push member starts pressing the elastic member in a state where the push member is in contact with the protrusion, the position of the movable contact is from one of a position where the movable contact is in contact with the fixed contact and a position where the push member is separated from the fixed contact. The distance between the protrusion and the push member in the protrusion direction of the protrusion is the distance between the elastic member around the protrusion and the push member in the protrusion direction. Shorter than the distance,
The push switch according to claim 1 or 2. Further provided with a limiting portion that limits the moving range of the push member to a predetermined range.
The push switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The protrusion is at least after the push member comes into contact with the protrusion, and before the position of the movable contact moves from one of the position where the movable contact contacts the fixed contact and the position where the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact to the other. During the period, it is pressed by the push member and deformed so that the protrusion amount becomes small.
The push switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The area of the protrusion in the cross section orthogonal to the protrusion direction of the protrusion is larger on the side farther from the push member in the protrusion direction.
The push switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The tip of the protrusion overlaps with the center of the facing surface when viewed from the protrusion direction of the protrusion.
The push switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The elastic member includes a pusher and the protrusion protruding from the pusher.
The pusher and the protrusion are integrally formed of the same material.
The push switch according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The push member has a recess in the pressing surface facing the facing surface into which the protrusion is inserted.
The push switch according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The push member has a recess in the pressing surface facing the facing surface into which the protrusion and a portion around the protrusion are inserted.
The push switch according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The elastic member has a pusher, a protrusion protruding from the pusher, a deformed portion, and a seat portion connected to the pusher via the deformed portion and supporting the pusher.
When the push member presses the elastic member while the push member is in contact with the protrusion, the deformed portion is deformed so as to shorten the distance between the seat portion and the pusher.
The push switch according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The deformed portion is provided in a region around the protrusion when viewed from the protrusion direction of the protrusion.
The push switch according to claim 11.

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