JP3673940B2 - Illuminated pushbutton switch - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an illuminated pushbutton switch, and in particular, the holding force for fitting and fixing between the transparent cover and the key top is set larger than the holding force for fixing and fixing between the key top and the key bottom. The present invention relates to an illuminated pushbutton switch.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional example will be described with reference to FIGS.
Each member shown in FIG. 5 can be assembled to constitute the illuminated pushbutton switch of FIG. A switch portion 10 is formed by the light emitting diode array 4, the case 5, the pusher 6, the bowl-shaped rubber contact 7, and the base 8. The key top 2, the film 20, and the transparent cover 1 are assembled in this order on the upper side of the switch unit 10.
[0003]
The transparent cover 1 made of a transparent material is formed with locking projections 12 having tapered surfaces on both the upper side and the lower side opposite to the inner middle part of the lower peripheral edge of the two opposite side walls. The key top 2 is formed with a square engagement hole 25 penetratingly opposed to the middle portion of the lower peripheral edge of the two opposite side walls. The key bottom 3 is opposed to the outer middle portion of the peripheral edge of the upper end, and is formed with an engagement protrusion 35 having a taper surface on the upper side and a horizontal engagement surface on the lower side. 4 is a light emitting diode array, 5 is a case, 6 is a pusher, 7 is a hook-shaped rubber contact, and 8 is a base. A fixed contact 82 is formed on the bottom inner surface of the base 8.
[0004]
When assembling the key top 2, the film 20, and the transparent cover 1 in this order on the upper side of the switch unit 10, the key top 2 is fitted to the key bottom 3 positioned at the uppermost part of the switch unit 10. In this case, the rectangular engagement hole 25 formed in the middle part of the lower end peripheral part of the two opposite side walls of the key top 2 is replaced with the engagement protrusion 35 formed in the outer intermediate part of the upper end peripheral part of the key bottom 3. By pressing the key top 2 downward in correspondence with the key top 2, the square engagement hole 25 of the key top 2 is guided by the upper tapered surface of the engagement projection 35 of the key bottom 3, and is pressed down. Thus, the engagement protrusion 35 is elastically fitted into the square engagement hole 25 and the lower horizontal engagement surface of the engagement protrusion 35 is engaged with the square engagement hole 25. In this engaged state, the key top 2 cannot be pulled out simply by pulling it upward.
[0005]
Next, the film 20 is placed on the upper surface of the key top 2. Then, the transparent cover 1 is pressed into the key top 2 and fitted. In this case, since the engaging projections 12 are formed on the inner middle part of the peripheral edge of the lower end of the two opposite side walls of the transparent cover 1 so as to face both the upper and lower sides, the transparent cover 1 is engaged. The locking projection 12 is guided and pressed down by the lower taper surface of the stop projection 12. Finally, the locking projection 12 elastically engages the upper taper surface with the lower end edge of the key top 2, and the transparent cover 1 is the key top 2. Will come to lock.
[0006]
The assembled illuminated pushbutton switch is used by incorporating it in an electric circuit. Here, when the key top 2 is pressed downward through the transparent cover 1, the key top 2 is fitted to and fixed to the rubber of the rubber contact 7 via the key bottom operation claw portion 32 of the key bottom 3. The pusher 6 can be pushed down against the elasticity, and the rubber contact 7 can be pressed and reversed. As a result, the movable contact 71 attached to the center of the inner surface of the rubber contact 7 comes into contact with the fixed contact 82 attached to the inner surface of the bottom of the base 8, and the switch is switched. By this pressing operation, the light emitting diode array 4 is also turned on via an electric path (not shown), and the film 20 is illuminated.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described illuminated pushbutton switch, in order to replace the film 20 as needed, it is necessary to pull the transparent cover 1 from the key top 2 by applying an upward force to the lower end thereof. In this case, when an upward force is applied to the lower end of the transparent cover 1, an upward force is applied to the key top 2 via the locking protrusion 12 of the transparent cover 1, but the horizontal lower side of the engagement protrusion 35 of the key bottom 3. Since the engagement surface is elastically fitted in the engagement hole 25 of the key top 2, even if the key top 2 is to be pulled upward, it cannot be pulled off. On the other hand, since the transparent cover 1 and the key top 2 only have the upper tapered surface of the locking projection 12 locked to the lower end portion of the key top 2, this locking force is applied to the key bottom. 3 and the engagement force between the engagement protrusions 35 of the key top 2 and the engagement holes 25 of the key top 2 are much smaller. Here, if an upward force is applied to the lower end of the transparent cover 1, the locking between the locking projection 12 of the transparent cover 1 and the lower end of the key top 2 is easily released, and only the transparent cover 1 is the key alone. Removed from top 2. By removing only the key top 2 alone, the film 20 sandwiched between the transparent cover 1 and the key top 2 is in a free state. It may fall into the gap between the push button switches. It is not easy to pick up this, and this replacement work is a troublesome work.
[0008]
In the present invention, the holding force for fitting and fixing between the transparent cover and the key top is set larger than the holding force for fitting and fixing between the key top and the key bottom, and the transparent cover is held in a state where the film is sandwiched. An illumination type push button switch that eliminates the above-mentioned problems by adopting a configuration in which the key top and the key top are removed from the switch portion side in an integrated state is provided.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A key top 2 made of a translucent material, a transparent cover 1 fitted and fixed to the key top 2, a film 20 sandwiched between the transparent cover 1 and the key top 2, and the key top 2 In an illuminated pushbutton switch having a key bottom 3 to be fitted and fixed and a light-emitting lamp body 4 that illuminates the key top 2, the holding force for fitting and fixing between the transparent cover 1 and the key top 2 is set to the key top 2. It was set to be larger than the holding force for fitting and fixing with the key bottom 3 .
[0010]
The second side wall which faces the transparency cover 1 to form a T-shaped cutout 11 having a jaw 111 which is cut out in T-shape, a transparent cover on the outside of the side walls 1 facing each of the key top 2 A key top convex portion 21 that engages with the T-shaped cutout portion 11 and a pair of key top claw portions 22 that are aligned to the left and right are formed, and the key top convex portion 21 corresponds to the inside of the opposite side wall. The inclined protrusion 23 is formed, and the bottom sides of the left and right key top claws 22 are in surface contact with and engaged with both ends of the T-shaped horizontal portion of the T-shaped notch 11 in a horizontal state. The engaging surface is a holding force for fitting and fixing between the transparent cover 1 and the key top 2, and the key top convex portion 21 is a key top convex portion at the T-shaped vertical portion of the T-shaped notch portion 11. 21, the top surfaces of the key top portions 21, the opposing end surfaces of the key top portion 21, It is arranged so that a space for inserting the extraction jig 9 is formed in a part surrounded by a surface facing the lower side of the horizontal part of the cut part 11, and the inclined protrusion part 23 of the key top 2 is formed on the side surface of the upper edge of the key bottom 3. The key bottom hole portion 31 to be engaged is formed, and the engaging portion serves as a holding force for fitting and fixing between the key top 2 and the key bottom 3 .
[0011]
In a further, claim 2: push button switch Illuminated described in claim 1, to form a stopper 24 at the lower end outside the side walls facing each of the key top 2, the lower end inside of the side wall facing each of the transparent cover 1 An illuminated pushbutton switch having an engaging portion 13 that engages with the stopper 24 of the key top 2 is formed.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the examples of FIGS. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment, FIG. 2A is a front view of the embodiment, FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a cross section along line aa in FIG. 2A, and FIG. It is a partial detailed sectional view of an example. Reference numeral 1 denotes a transparent cover made of a transparent material, and T-shaped cutout portions 11 cut into a T-shape are formed on two opposing side walls. Reference numeral 111 denotes a jaw portion constituting the T-shaped cutout portion 11. An engaging portion 13 that engages with a stopper 24 of the key top 2, which will be described later, is formed inside the lower end of the opposite side walls of the transparent cover 1.
[0013]
Reference numeral 2 denotes a key top made of a translucent material. The key top convex portion 21 that engages with the T-shaped cutout portion 11 of the transparent cover 1 and the left and right sides of the key top convex portion 21 are disposed on the outer sides of the opposite side walls. A pair of key top claws 22 are formed in alignment with each other. An inclined protrusion 23 is formed on the inner side of the opposing side walls so as to correspond to the key top protrusion 21. Here, the upper side of the key top claw portion 22 is an inclined surface, while the lower side is a horizontal engagement surface. Both the upper side surface and the lower side surface of the inclined protrusion 23 are inclined. A stopper 24 is formed outside the lower end of the opposite side walls of the key top 2.
[0014]
Reference numeral 3 denotes a key bottom. A key bottom hole 31 is formed on the side surface of the upper edge of the key bottom, and a key bottom operation claw 32 is suspended from the end surface of the lower edge. Has been.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a light-emitting diode array constituting the light-emitting lamp body, and an array concave portion 41 is formed on the side surface of the peripheral portion.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a case, on the inside of which a case convex portion 51 that fits into the array concave portion 41 is formed. A case slit 52 is formed on one side wall of the case 5.
[0015]
Reference numeral 6 denotes a pusher, which is formed with a pusher claw portion 61 that is fitted and guided by the case slit 52 and slides, and a pusher hole portion 62 through which the key bottom operation claw portion 32 is inserted.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a saddle-shaped rubber contact, and a movable contact 71 is attached and fixed at the center of the inner surface.
Reference numeral 8 denotes a base, and a base claw portion 80 is formed to protrude from the side wall. A fixed contact 82 is formed on the inner surface of the bottom 81 of the base 8, and a lead piece 83 is led out from the fixed contact 82.
[0016]
Here, the assembly process of the illuminated pushbutton switch will be described (process 1).
The base 8 is assembled into the case 5 from below. In this case, the base claw portion 80 of the base 8 and the direction of the case 5 are assembled in the direction as illustrated.
(Process 2)
The rubber contact 7 is inserted into the base 8 from above. The rubber contact 7 does not lift from the inner surface of the bottom 81 and is correctly inserted at a predetermined position.
[0017]
(Process 3)
The pusher 6 is assembled in the case 5. In this case, the pusher claw portion 61 of the pusher 6 is pressed into the case slit 52 formed on the side wall of the case 5. Here, the pusher 6 is pushed up by the rubber elasticity of the rubber contact 7, and the pusher claw portion 61 is locked to the upper end portion of the case slit 52.
(Process 4)
The light emitting diode array 4 is assembled in the case 5. The case convex portion 51 and the array concave portion 41 of the light emitting diode array 4 are assembled together.
[0018]
(Process 5)
The key bottom 3 is assembled into the pusher 6. In this case, the key bottom 3 is pressed into the pusher 6 in a state where the key bottom operation claw 32 is inserted into the pusher hole 62 on both sides of the pusher claw 61. Here, the key bottom 3 is attached in a state where the key bottom operation claw portion 32 is elastically engaged with the pusher hole portion 62 from below and does not come off.
[0019]
(Step 6)
The transparent cover 1 is incorporated into the key top 2. In this case, each of the jaw portions 111 constituting the T-shaped cutout portion 11 formed on the side wall of the transparent cover 1 is positioned on a total of four key top claws 22 formed on the two opposite side walls. Press down and install. Here, the jaw portion 111 of the transparent cover 1 is pressed while being guided by the upper inclined surface of the key top claw portion 22 of the key top 2, and is elastically displaced to the lower side of the lower horizontal engagement surface. . In this case, the stopper 24 is formed outside the lower end of the opposite side wall of the key top 2, and the engaging portion 13 that engages with the stopper 24 of the key top 2 is formed inside the lower end of the opposite side wall of the transparent cover 1. When the transparent cover 1 is assembled into the key top 2, the stopper 24 operates as a stopper for stopping the pushing of the transparent cover 1.
[0020]
(Step 7)
The key top 2 is assembled into the key bottom 3. In this case, the key top convex portion 21 is pressed in alignment in the direction shown in the figure, and the inclined protrusion 23 formed on the inner side of the side wall of the key top 2 is engaged with the key bottom hole portion 31 of the key bottom 3 and incorporated.
The assembled illuminated pushbutton switch is used by incorporating it in an electric circuit. Here, when the key top 2 is pressed downward through the transparent cover 1, the key top 2 is fitted to and fixed to the rubber of the rubber contact 7 via the key bottom operation claw portion 32 of the key bottom 3. The pusher 6 can be pushed down against the elasticity, and the rubber contact 7 can be pressed and reversed. As a result, the movable contact 71 attached to the center of the inner surface of the rubber contact 7 comes into contact with the fixed contact 82 attached to the inner surface of the bottom of the base 8, and the switch is switched. By this pressing operation, the light emitting diode array 4 is also turned on via an electric path (not shown), and the film 20 is illuminated.
[0021]
Here, with reference to FIG. 4, the extraction jig | tool used when replacing | exchanging a film is demonstrated. The extraction jig 9 is formed by using an elastic metal plate as a raw material and processing it by sheet metal, and a pair of elastic gripping portions 91 are connected via a connecting portion 92. The distal end portion of the grip portion 91 is bent inward to be an engagement piece 911.
In the above-described illuminated pushbutton switch, the transparent cover 1 and the key top 2 can be easily removed using the extraction jig 9 and the film can be exchanged. 3, the engaging piece 911 of the extraction jig 9 is first inserted into the T-shaped notch 11 of the transparent cover 1 and pulled upward. In this case, the holding force between the key bottom hole portion 31 of the key bottom 3 and the inclined protrusion 23 is extremely small compared to the holding force between the jaw portion 111 and the key top claw portion 22 of the key top 2, The engagement between the key bottom hole 31 and the inclined protrusion 23 is always released, and the transparent cover 1 and the key top 2 can be removed in an integrated state. That is, the jaw portion 111 of the T-shaped cutout portion 11 is completely prevented from being displaced upward by the horizontal engaging surface below the key top claw portion 22 of the key top 2, so that the key top 2 is simply turned upward. If you try to pull it out, you cannot pull it out. On the other hand, the holding force between the inclined protrusion 23 of the key top 2 and the key bottom hole 31 of the key bottom 3 is formed between the upper inclined surface of the inclined protrusion 23 and the key bottom hole 31. Therefore, when an upward force is applied to the key top 2, the key top 2 is easily driven upward with the upper inclined surface of the inclined protrusion 23 guided by the key bottom hole 31.
[0022]
Next, the key top 2 is positioned on the upper side, that is, the transparent cover 1 is reversed and the engaging piece 911 of the extraction jig 9 is inserted into the slit portion of the T-shaped cutout portion 11 of the transparent cover 1 to When a force is applied by pinching from the key cover 2, the key top claw portion 22 is detached from the jaw portion 111, and when the engaging piece 911 of the extraction jig 9 is pulled out while being hooked on the convex portion 21 of the key top 2, it is easily removed from the transparent cover 1. The key top 2 can be removed. If the transparent cover 1 is reversed in this state, the film 20 falls.
[0023]
When the film 20 is assembled, the film 20 is dropped inside the transparent cover 1, the key top 2 is assembled from above, and the key top claw portion 22 is fitted. This is inverted and the key top 2 is incorporated into the key bottom 3 and the inclined protrusion 23 is fitted.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the transparent cover 1 and the key top 2 are removed from the switch unit 10 side in a state where the film 20 is sandwiched, and the film 20 is removed from the illuminated push button switch. Replace the film using a jig. Therefore, it is impossible to drop the film 20 in the gap between the illumination type push button switches arranged and installed on the substrate in close proximity during the exchange work, and the film exchange work is simplified accordingly.
[0025]
Then, referring to FIG. 3 (c) showing a cross section along the line BB in FIG. 1 (b), a stopper 24 is formed on the outer side of the opposite side wall of the key top 2 and the transparent cover 1 is formed. By forming the engaging portion 13 that engages with the stopper 24 of the key top 2 on the inner side of the lower end of the opposite side walls, the peripheral portion of the transparent cover 1 containing the film 20 is annularly provided as a stopper as in the conventional example. It is no longer necessary to form the step. Conventionally, the lines constituting the peripheral edge of the step portion are seen from the outside of the transparent cover 1 and are not preferable in appearance, but this drawback can be solved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example.
FIG. 3 is a partial detailed sectional view of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an extraction jig.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional example.
FIG. 6 illustrates a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transparent cover 11 T-shaped notch part 111 Jaw part 2 Key top 20 Film 21 Key top convex part 22 Key top nail | claw part 23 Inclined protrusion part 3 Key bottom 31 Key bottom hole part 4 Light-emitting lamp body

Claims (2)

A key top made of a translucent material, a transparent cover that is fitted and fixed to the key top, a film that is sandwiched between the transparent cover and the key top, a key bottom that is fitted and fixed to the key top, and illuminates the key top A luminous lamp that
In the illuminated pushbutton switch in which the holding force for fitting and fixing between the transparent cover and the key top is set larger than the holding force for fitting and fixing between the key top and the key bottom,
A T-shaped notch having a T-shaped notch is formed on one opposite side wall of the transparent cover,
A key top convex portion that engages with the T-shaped notch portion of the transparent cover and a pair of key top claw portions that are aligned on the left and right sides are formed outside one opposing side wall of the key top, and An inclined protrusion is formed on the inner side of the side wall that faces the key top convex portion, and the upper side surface is an inclined surface that descends toward the inner side of the side wall,
The bottom sides of the left and right key top claws engage and engage with both ends of the T-shaped horizontal portion of the T-shaped notch in a horizontal state, and the engagement surfaces are the transparent cover and the key top. It is a holding force for fixing and fixing between
The key top convex portion includes a top surface of the key top convex portion, opposing end surfaces of the key top claw portion , and a T-shaped notch in a T-shaped vertical portion of the T-shaped notch portion. It is arranged so that a space for inserting the extraction jig is formed in the part surrounded by the surface facing the lower part of the horizontal part of the part,
A key bottom hole is formed on the side surface of the upper peripheral edge of the key bottom so that the inclined protrusion of the key top engages, and the engaging portion serves as a holding force for fitting and fixing between the key top and the key bottom. ,
Illuminated pushbutton switch characterized by that. In the illuminated pushbutton switch according to claim 1,
Forming a stopper on the outside of the lower end of the opposite side wall of the key top;
An illuminated pushbutton switch characterized in that an engaging portion is formed on the inside of the lower end of the other opposing side wall of the transparent cover so as to engage with a stopper of the key top.

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