JP3267028B2 - Variable electronic components - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a variable electronic component mainly used for circuit adjustment of electronic equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view, FIG. 15A is a top view showing a state in which a middle terminal and an outer terminal are connected to a substrate as a main part, and integrated with a case by insert molding, and FIG. FIG. Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a substrate made of an insulating material.
A horseshoe-shaped resistor film 12 is formed on one of the main surfaces. External terminals 14 are provided at both ends of the resistor film 12 respectively.
Are connected by solder 16 and the resistor film 12
An electrode 13 is formed in the center so as to be surrounded by the resistor film 1 while the electrode 13 is being pulled out outward.
2a is overcoated and the electrode 13
The middle terminal 15 is connected to the outer end by solder 16.
In this state, the substrate 11 is integrated with the case 17 made of a synthetic resin material by insert molding. The upper surface of the case 17 and one main surface of the substrate 11 are formed on the same surface, a fitting step is formed around the upper surface of the case 17, and insert molding is performed at the center of the lower surface of the case 17. A hole for holding the substrate at the time is formed.

A cover 18 made of a synthetic resin material has a through hole 18a formed on one side and a recess 18c formed concentrically with the through hole 18a inside, and an opening 18 formed on the other side.
b is formed, and a fitting step is formed around the opening 18b. Reference numeral 19 denotes a ring-shaped ring body made of rubber, 20 denotes a shaft made of a synthetic resin material, an operation groove 20a is formed at one end, a brim portion 20b is formed near the center, and a spring is provided at the other end. And a slider 21 made of a conductive material.

Here, the ring body 19 is inserted from the opening 18b side of the cover 18 and fitted into the recess 18c, and then the shaft 20 on which the slider 21 is mounted is moved to the opening of the cover 18. The cover 1 is inserted from the portion 18b side.
One end of the shaft 20 passes through the through hole 18 a of the shaft 8, and the flange portion 20 b of the shaft 20 is in contact with the ring body 19.

Next, the case 17 integrally formed with the substrate 11 to which the outer terminals 14 and the middle terminals 15 are connected so as to seal the opening 18b of the cover 18.
The case 17 and the cover 18 are joined and assembled with an adhesive or the like while fitting the fitting step of the cover 18 with the fitting step of the cover 18.

At this time, the slider 21 attached to the shaft 20 is in pressure contact with the resistor film 12 and the electrode 13 formed on one main surface of the substrate 11.

Next, the operation of the above variable resistor will be described. In the above embodiment, a jig such as a screwdriver is fitted into the operation groove 20a of the shaft 20, and the shaft 20 is rotated. A desired resistance value is obtained by simultaneously sliding the slider 21 on the resistor film 12 and the electrode 13 with the slider 21 rotating together with the shaft 20. Also,
The dust resistance of the resistor film 12, the electrode 13 and the slider 21 is in a dust-proof state by the substrate 11, the case 17, the cover 18, and the shaft 20.

[0008]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, when the board 11 to which the outer terminal 14 and the middle terminal 15 are soldered is insert-molded, the outer terminal 14, the middle terminal 15 and the board 11 are not formed. Of the outer terminal 14 and the middle terminal 15 due to mutual positional deviation,
When the substrate 11 is made of ceramic or the like, cracks and cracks and inconveniences such as breakage of a molding die are likely to occur. It was difficult to mold at the position. In addition, since the case 17 and the cover 18 are joined and assembled with an adhesive, equipment and processes for applying and drying the adhesive are required.
There was a problem that it was difficult to improve productivity.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems. A film-like substrate such as polyimide can be easily used as the substrate, and there are few cracks and cracks in the substrate and breakage of the molding die. An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-assemble and economical variable electronic component that can use easy components and does not require the use of an adhesive to fix a combination of a case and the like.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides two cases, a central terminal plate fixed to at least one of the two cases,
A substrate sandwiched and fixed by one case, and a sliding member disposed to slide on the substrate, and a pair of holding claws extending from the central terminal plate, and the other case is used. The two cases are fixed by caulking so as to sandwich the holding projection formed on both sides.

Also, two cases and at least the two cases
A central terminal plate fixed to one of the two cases,
A substrate fixed and sandwiched between the two cases; and a sliding body disposed to slide with respect to the substrate, wherein a pair of holding claws extending from the central terminal plate face each other. A hook portion is formed protruding in the vicinity of the tip.
The two cases are fixed by combining the two cases and at the same time snapping the hook of the holding claw to the holding projection of the other case.

[0012]

Therefore, according to the present invention, since the substrate is sandwiched between the upper case and the lower case, a film-like substrate such as polyimide can be easily used as the substrate. Since it is not necessary to perform insert molding, it is also possible to avoid occurrence of cracks, cracks and eccentricity of the substrate due to molding, and it is possible to reduce occurrence of short shots and the like of the lower case, so that molding is easy, and The holding projection of the center terminal plate fixed to one case is fixed by caulking the holding projection of the other case with the holding nail of the center terminal plate fixed to the case. The two cases are fixed by snap-locking to the holding projections, so that it is easy to assemble with a dustproof structure, and an economical variable electronic component can be constructed. It is.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A variable electronic component according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a top view showing an embodiment in which the variable electronic component of the present invention is used for a variable resistor, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in which A ′ and BB ′ cross sections are synthesized with XX ′.
Is a front view. FIG. 4 is a top view of a substrate as the main part. FIG. 5A is a top view of an operation body which is the main part, and FIG.
6B is a side view of the same, FIG. 5C is a bottom view of the same, and FIG.
FIG. 6A is a top view of a sliding body as the main part, and FIG. 6B is a side view of the same. FIG. 7 is a top view showing a state in which the central terminal plate, which is the main part, is connected to the connecting member (hoop-shaped central terminal plate), and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line CC 'of FIG. 9 is a top view showing a state in which the hoop-shaped central terminal plate and the upper case and the lower case are integrally formed. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line DD ′ of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a bottom view of FIG. FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a state in which the operating body and the sliding body of FIG. 2 are assembled to FIG. FIG. 13 is a side view showing a state before the upper case and the lower case of FIG. 2 are assembled.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, reference numeral 1 denotes a central terminal plate made of a conductive material and having a central hole 1a.
f are formed, and holding claws 1g extending from two places on both sides in the same direction as the extending direction of the tip 1e and bent in an L-shape in the direction of the other side 1c are formed to face each other in pairs. A hook 1i is formed protruding in the vicinity of the opposing tip of the holding claw 1g, and a connection hole 1h is formed in the vicinity of the base from which the tip 1e and the holding claw 1g extend, respectively. Stopper reinforcement 1 in the direction opposite to 1e
d is bent in the direction of one side 1b, and the tip 1e is formed continuously with the connecting member 10 in the initial stage of assembly. Pilot holes 10a are formed in the connecting member 10 at a constant pitch.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a lead-out terminal made of an elastic metal material or the like. On one outer side of one end 2a close to the terminal plate 1, an L-bend 2e is formed by being bent at a substantially right angle in the direction of one side 2b, and on each inner side, a stopper of the central terminal plate 1 is formed. A shear cutting portion 2d is formed by cutting the stopper reinforcing portion 1d from a state in which the stopper reinforcing portion 1d is connected to the lead-out terminal 2 before the reinforcing portion 1d is formed in a folded shape. The intermediate portion 2g is formed with an intermediate hole 2i, and a contact portion 2h is formed by projecting and bending in an S-shape in the direction of the other side 2c. To Is a form bent to the shape or the like, and at the time of assembling the near outer side of the intermediate hole 2i and the other end portion 2j is connected to the lead terminal connecting portions 10b of the connection ledges 10.

Next, the central terminal plate 1 and the lead terminal 2 formed in a hoop shape are connected to PPS, PPA, LC
The upper case 3 and the lower case 4 made of an insulating material such as P and PBT are integrally formed by insert molding. In the upper case 3, a stepped inner peripheral wall 3a having an inner peripheral surface concentric with the central hole 1a is formed on one side 1b of the central terminal plate 1, and a stopper reinforcing portion 1d of the central terminal plate 1 is formed. Is formed around the center terminal plate 1 to form an inner convex portion 3b projecting inward from the inner peripheral wall 3a to regulate the rotational position of the operating body 5, and an opening 3c formed on the other side 1c. A substrate pressing surface 3d is formed around the tip of the opening 3c,
A contact space 3f is formed near the center of one end 2a of the other side 2c of the lead-out terminal 2, and a trapezoidal fitting inclined at a certain angle is fitted to an outer wall of the central terminal plate 1 on the other side 1c. A wall 3e is formed.

The lower case 4 has the other end 2j of the lead-out terminal 2 inserted therein, and a recessed inclined wall 4e is formed on the other side 2c of the lead-out terminal 2 so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle. A recess 4f having a depth corresponding to the material thickness of the lead-out terminal 2 is formed on the upper surface closest to the intermediate portion 2g, a substrate receiving surface 4a is formed on the concave lower end surface, and the lead-out is formed on the substrate receiving surface 4a. The other end 2 of the other end 2j of the terminal 2
c is formed so that one side of the other end 2j of the extraction terminal 2 is exposed on the exposed bottom surface, and the intermediate portion 2 of the extraction terminal 2 is formed.
A holding projection 4b is formed on the side surface opposite to the side where g is located, and a groove shape having a chamfer so that it can be easily introduced in the vertical direction at the center of the holding projection 4b and diverging from the middle toward the bottom. An engaging portion 4c is formed in the shape of
A bottom step 4d is formed near the bottom surface of b.

The operation body 5 is made of a metal material such as aluminum, copper, brass or the like, or a polymer material such as PPS, PBT, PPA, LCP, etc., and has a large diameter portion having an operation groove 5b formed on one operation side. 5a, the other end has a small-diameter portion 5f inserted through the central hole 1a of the central terminal plate 1, and has a stepped central portion 5c near the center. Projecting from a part of the central portion 5c in the outer peripheral direction of the diameter,
It has an outer convex portion 5d whose radial dimension is equal to or smaller than the radial dimension of the large-diameter portion 5a, and the lower surface of the operation groove 5b corresponding to the outer convex portion 5d is inclined so that the position can be recognized. A portion 5e is formed.

The formation of the inclined portion 5e prevents a sudden change in the thickness near the outer convex portion 5d and the operation groove 5b, thereby facilitating the processing. The central terminal plate 1
From the inner peripheral wall 3a side of the upper case 3 formed integrally with the upper case 3, the small diameter portion of the operating body 5 is located at a position where the outer convex portion 5d of the operating body 5 does not collide with the inner convex portion 3b of the upper case 3. 5f
Is inserted into the central hole 1a of the central terminal plate 1, and the operating body 5 is positioned so that the end face of the central portion 5c on the small diameter portion 5f side of the operating body 5 abuts on one side 1b of the central terminal plate 1. The central portion 5c and the large diameter portion 5a are disposed in the inner peripheral wall 3a. At this time, the gap between the large-diameter portion 5a and the inner peripheral wall 3a is formed to be as small as possible and can be inserted.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a sliding member made of a conductive material having a spring property.
a is formed, the one surface side 6b is flat, and the other surface side 6c is formed with a contact 6d. Contact 6d of the sliding body 6
The engagement hole 6a of the sliding body 6 is engaged with the small-diameter portion 5f of the operating body 5 so that the sliding body 6 is on the inclined portion 5e side of the operating body 5, so that the sliding body 6 has a small diameter. The end of the small diameter portion 5f is caulked to form a caulked portion 5g, and the one surface side 6b of the sliding member 6 contacts the other side 1c of the central terminal plate 1 while the sliding member 6 is attached so as to rotate together with the operation body 5. Further, the contact portion 2h of the lead terminal 2 bent in an S shape is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the end portion 1e of the central terminal plate 1 is cut off from the connecting member 10 and bent to the contact space 3f of the upper case 3 (from the outside of the upper case 3 to the inside arrow direction). The plate 1 is bent in the direction of the other side 1c.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a substrate made of a film-like material such as polyimide or polyetherimide or a plate-like insulating material such as glass epoxy or bake, or a ceramic or the like. The center hole 7b and the notch 7c are used for positioning in printing and assembly. A horseshoe-shaped resistor film 8 is formed on one main surface 7a around the center hole 7b, and an end 8a of the resistor film 8 and one main surface of the substrate 7 are formed. An electrode 9 may be formed between the electrode 9a and the upper surface of the end 8a.

Here, the substrate 7 is inserted from the introduction wall 4e side of the lower case 4 so that the one main surface 7a side of the substrate 7 faces upward, and is disposed on the substrate receiving surface 4a of the lower case 4. . At this time, in order to temporarily fix the substrate 7, the outer edge of the substrate 7 and the lower end of the introduction wall 4 e of the lower case 4 are press-fitted, or a part of the introduction wall 4 e or one of the substrate receiving surfaces 4 a. The portion or the like may be crushed toward the substrate 7 side, or may be temporarily temporarily fixed with an adhesive or the like.

Next, the bent contact portion 2h of the lead terminal 2 is located in the concave portion 4f of the lower case 4, and the fitting wall 3e of the upper case 3 is fitted to the introduction wall 4e of the lower case 4. 2g of the middle part of the lead-out terminal 2
By bending the vicinity of the upper case 3 and the lower case 4 respectively, the central terminal plate 1, the operating body 5, the sliding body 6
The upper case 3 integrated with the upper case 3 is combined with the lower case 4 on which the substrate 7 is disposed. At the same time, the hook 1g of the holding claw 1g of the central terminal plate 1 integrated with the upper case 3 is attached to the lower case 4 Of the central terminal plate 1 is engaged with the engaging portion 4c of the lower case 4, and the tip 1e of the central terminal plate 1 is After being bent toward the step 4d side of the bottom surface of the case 4, the two holding claws 1g of the central terminal plate 1 are bent and crimped so as to sandwich the holding protrusion 4b of the lower case 4 from both sides. Is formed, and the upper case 3 and the lower case 4 are fixed. At this time, the flesh of the holding protrusion 4b of the lower case 4 is brought closer to the engaging portion 1f side of the central terminal plate 1 and is fixed more firmly. Note that grease, a surfactant, an adhesive, and the like may be provided between the upper case 3 and the lower case 4 before and after the combination.

Here, the substrate holding surface 3d of the upper case 3
And the one principal surface 7a side of the substrate 7 abuts, and the contact 6d of the sliding body 6 presses the resistor film 8 of the substrate 7;
The contact portion 2h of the lead terminal 2 presses the end 8a of the resistor film 8 or the electrode 9 of the substrate 7 into pressure contact with the lower case 4 near the end 8a of the resistor film 8 of the substrate 7.
And the other end 2j of the lead terminal 2 exposed from the substrate receiving surface 4a. Next, the lead-out terminal 2 is connected to the lead-out terminal connecting portion 10 b of the connecting member 10.
Disconnected from

Next, the operation of the variable resistor of the above embodiment will be described. First, a jig such as a screwdriver is attached to the operation body 5.
By rotating the operating body 5 by fitting it into the operating groove 5b, the contact 6d of the sliding body 6 co-rotating with the operating body 5 slides on the resistor film 8 so as to be desired. Is obtained, and the inner convex portion 3b of the upper case 3 and the outer convex portion 5d of the operating body 5 come into contact with each other, whereby the rotation position is regulated.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the upper case 3 and the lower case 4 are formed integrally with the central terminal plate 1.
, A substrate 7 and a sliding body 6 arranged to slide with respect to the substrate 7. The substrate 7 is fixed by being sandwiched between the upper case 3 and the lower case 4. Therefore, a film-like material such as polyimide can be easily used as the substrate 7.
Does not need to be insert-molded with the lower case 4 or the like, and when the substrate 7 is formed of ceramic or the like, there is no breakage, cracks, or eccentricity of the substrate 7 during insert molding, and the mold is damaged. In addition, it is easy to prevent the occurrence of short shot failure which is likely to occur when the substrate 7 is insert-molded.

Also, since only the center terminal plate 1 and the lead terminal 2 are inserted, molding is easy, and
The engaging portion 1f of the central terminal plate 1 is engaged with the engaging portion 4c of the lower case 4, and the holding claws 1g of the central terminal plate 1 are bent toward the holding protrusions 4b of the lower case 4, respectively. The upper case 3 and the lower case 4 are fixed by caulking to snap-lock the hooks 1i of the holding claws 1g of the central terminal plate 1 to the holding projections 4b of the lower case 4. Therefore, an adhesive for fixing is not required, and the periphery of the contact 6 d of the sliding member 6 and the resistor film 8 is the central terminal plate 1, the upper case 3, the substrate 7, and the lower portion. By being surrounded by the case 4, a dustproof structure can be obtained, and by making the central terminal plate 1 continuous by the connecting member 10, the assembly can be easily performed continuously and the mass productivity can be improved. Have.

Although the upper case 3 and the lower case 4 are connected by an intermediate portion 2g of the lead terminal 2, the lead terminal 2 is not inserted into the lower case 4 and the lower case 4 is And the central terminal board 1
May be connected. Also, the center terminal plate 1 is insert-molded in the upper case 3, but an operation body 5 and a sliding body 6 attached to the center terminal plate 1 are fixed to the upper case 3. Is also good.

Further, the engaging portion 1f of the central terminal plate 1 is engaged with the engaging portion 4c of the lower case 4, and the central terminal plate 1
The holding claw 1g is bent and crimped to the holding protrusion 4b side of the lower case 4, however, a part of the central terminal plate 1 is formed integrally with the lower case 4 and the center terminal plate The holding claw 1g may protrude from the lower case 4 side, and a holding protrusion may be formed on the upper case 3. However, instead of the central terminal plate 1, the upper case 3 or the lower case may be used. A holding claw is formed on the drawer terminal 2 integral with the holding terminal 4 and may be caulked on a holding projection formed on the upper case 3 or the lower case 4. The holding protrusion formed on the two surfaces of the lower case 4 or the holding protrusion formed on the drawing terminal 2 on the two surfaces of the lower case 4 or the upper case 3 Or the central terminal plate 1 and the lead-out terminal 2 The lower case to form the retaining claws are 4
Alternatively, the upper case 3 and the lower case 4 may be fixed by caulking at least two sides of the upper case 3.

Further, the engaging portion 1f of the central terminal plate 1 may be engaged with an engaging portion formed on the upper case 3, and an engaging portion is formed on the lead-out terminal 2 to form the lower case. 4 or the engaging portion formed in the upper case 3, and the operating body 5 and the sliding body 6 are rotated with respect to the central hole 1 a of the central terminal plate 1. But,
The central hole 1a of the central terminal plate 1 may be formed in a long hole shape so that the operating body 5 and the sliding body 6 perform linear motion. However, the operation body 5 may be omitted, and an attachment portion may be formed on the slide body 6 and attached to the center hole 1a of the central terminal plate 1 by caulking or the like. The one to which the sliding body 6 is attached is disposed between the central terminal plate 1 or the upper case 3 and the substrate 7, and the central terminal plate 1 is provided with a central hole 1a or a central hole 1a.
When the upper case 3 and the lower case 4 are formed, they are connected by a passage gate, resin is flowed in from a gate on one of the cases, and the operation body 5 is integrally formed. After passing through, the passage gate may be cut.

Although the variable resistor has been described in the above embodiment, it goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to variable electronic components such as variable capacitors and switches.

[0032]

As is apparent from the above embodiment, the present invention has two cases, a central terminal plate fixed to at least one of the two cases, and a fixed terminal sandwiched between the two cases. And a sliding body disposed to slide with respect to the substrate, and a pair of holding claws extending from the central terminal plate, and holding protrusions formed on the other case. The two cases, a central terminal plate fixed to at least one of the two cases,
A substrate sandwiched and fixed by the two cases, and a sliding body disposed to slide with respect to the substrate, near a pair of holding claws extending from the central terminal plate, near opposing distal ends. The hook portion is formed to protrude, and by combining the two cases, at the same time, the hook portion of the holding claw is snap-locked to the holding convex portion of the other case,
Since the two cases are fixed, a film-like substrate such as polyimide can be easily used as the substrate, and since the substrate does not have to be insert-molded with the lower case or the like, the substrate is formed of ceramic or the like. There is no crack, crack and eccentricity of the substrate during insert molding when it is performed, less damage to the mold, and also to prevent the occurrence of short shot failure which is likely to occur when the substrate is insert molded etc. Since the selection range of the molding conditions such as the injection pressure can be expanded, it is easy to use easily molded parts such as the upper case and the lower case.

In addition, an adhesive for fixing the upper case and the lower case is not required, and a center terminal plate, the upper case, the substrate, and the surroundings of the contact of the sliding body and the resistor film are provided. By being surrounded by the lower case, it is possible to provide a dustproof structure, to provide an easy-to-assemble and economical variable electronic component, and its practical effect is great.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view of a variable resistor as one embodiment of a variable electronic component according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cross section taken along line AA ′ and BB ′ in FIG.

FIG. 3 (a) is a front view thereof, and FIG. 3 (b) is a front view thereof having a hook portion.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a substrate which is a main part of the same.

FIG. 5A is a top view of the operation body as the main part, FIG. 5B is a side view thereof, and FIG.

FIG. 6 (a) is a top view of a sliding body which is a main part of the same, and (b) is a side view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a top view showing that the central terminal plate, which is the main part, is connected to the connecting member (hoop-shaped central terminal plate).

8 is a sectional view taken along the line CC ′ of FIG. 7;

9 is a top view showing a state in which the hoop-shaped central terminal plate of FIG. 7 and the upper case and the lower case of FIG. 2 are integrally formed.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line DD ′ of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of FIG. 9;

12 is a sectional view showing a state in which the operating body and the sliding body of FIG. 2 are assembled to the state of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a side view showing a state before assembling the upper case and the lower case in FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of a variable resistor as a conventional variable electronic component.

FIG. 15A is a top view showing a state in which a middle terminal and an outer terminal are respectively connected to a substrate which is a main part thereof and integrated with a case by insert molding.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Central terminal board 1g Holding claw 1i Hanging part 3 Upper case 4 Lower case 4b Holding protrusion 6 Sliding body 7 Substrate

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pair of two cases, a central terminal plate fixed to one of the two cases, a substrate sandwiched and fixed between the two cases, and a slide with respect to the substrate. And a pair of holding claws extending from the central terminal plate, and holding the holding claws formed on the other case so as to sandwich the holding protrusions from both sides. A variable electronic component, wherein the two cases are fixed. 2. A pair of two cases, a central terminal plate fixed to one of the two cases, a substrate sandwiched and fixed between the two cases, and a slide with respect to the substrate. A pair of holding claws extending from the central terminal plate, and a hook portion is formed protruding near the opposing tips of the pair of holding claws. The variable electronic component, wherein the two cases are fixed by snap-locking a hook portion of the holding claw to a holding protrusion of the other case.