JP3810622B2 - Push switch - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a push switch used for a controller of an electronic device such as a home game machine or a video deck.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, push switches for home game machines include those described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-126630 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-28955.
The former push switch includes a substrate on which a contact pattern is formed, a conductive rubber switch having a contact portion corresponding to the contact pattern placed on the substrate, and pressing the conductive rubber switch to move the contact portion. The conductive rubber switch is provided with a leg portion having elasticity that separates the contact portion from the contact pattern against a pressing operation of the push button, the push button contacting the contact pattern and electrically closing the contact pattern. The structure of the push button switch is characterized in that a columnar boss protrudes from the bottom surface of the push button and a cylindrical portion for press-fitting the boss is formed in the conductive rubber switch.
[0003]
In addition, the latter push switch is formed in a rod-like body so that a switch contact for switching operation by pressing operation is built in, and one end of the switch contact is connected to the switch contact and the other end protrudes from the casing An operation shaft is fitted to the other end of the operation shaft so that the mounting position can be changed, and a key top disposed opposite to the casing is opposed to a pressing direction of the key top so that the casing is integrated with the casing. A first convex portion formed and a second convex portion that is disposed opposite to the first convex portion, abuts against the first convex portion in response to depression of the key top, and restricts the operation of the switch contact. And a means for changing the mounting position of the key top to the operation shaft so as to release the contact of the second convex portion with the first convex portion in response to depression of the key top. Having It is characterized.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the push switch described above has the following problems.
First, in the former push switch, when the conductive rubber switch is pressed obliquely downward, the conductive rubber switch is inclined, and as a result, the contact portion and the contact pattern may not contact each other. In addition, this push switch also has a problem that the feeling of operation is not clear because the feeling of depression during a pressing operation is governed only by the deformation of the conductive rubber switch.
[0005]
Further, in the latter push switch, when the casing is pressed obliquely downward, the first convex portion and the second convex portion do not contact accurately, and the switch contact may not be reliably contacted. There is sex.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a push switch that can ensure a reliable contact between a contact portion and a contact pattern and has a clear operational feeling. .
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the push switch according to the present invention, an operation portion to be pressed, a conductive rubber switch provided below the operation portion, and a contact portion provided to the conductive rubber switch by a pressing operation of the operation portion are in contact with each other. a substrate having a contact pattern, the push switch provided with the elastic member for biasing resiliently toward the operating portion in the opposite direction to the pressing operation direction, the operation portion is a member of a generally circular plan view A substantially ring-shaped groove is provided concentrically on the peripheral edge of the lower surface, and the conductive rubber switch has a ring-shaped base disposed around the contact pattern of the substrate, and is concentric with the base. Columnar pressed parts having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the base part provided with contact parts on the lower surface, an inner peripheral edge part of the base part, and an outer peripheral edge part of the pressed part Between A deformed portion that is hollowly supported at a position above the base portion, and a ring-shaped wall portion that is a guide of the operation portion and is erected around the deformed portion of the base portion. And the elastic body is a helical spring disposed with the base portion of the conductive rubber switch interposed between the ceiling surface of the groove portion of the operation portion and the substrate, and the wall portion is a groove portion of the operation portion. Is fitted together with the elastic body.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view before pressing a push switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view when the push switch according to the embodiment of the present invention is pressed, and FIG. It is drawing of the operation part used for the push switch concerning an embodiment, the figure (A) is a schematic bottom view, the figure (B) is a schematic sectional view, and Drawing 4 shows an embodiment of the invention. It is drawing of the conductive rubber switch used for the push switch which concerns, Comprising: The figure (A) is a schematic plan view, The figure (B) is a schematic sectional drawing.
[0009]
The push switch according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an operation unit 100 to be pressed, a conductive rubber switch 200 provided below the operation unit 100, and the conductive rubber switch 200 by a pressing operation of the operation unit 100. The substrate 300 having the contact pattern 310 that is in contact with the contact portion 250 provided on the surface, and provided between the operation portion 100 and the conductive rubber switch 200, the operation portion 100 is elastically applied in the direction opposite to the pressing operation. The conductive rubber switch 200 is provided with a wall 220 fitted into a groove 150 provided on the lower surface of the operation unit 100 even when the operation unit 100 is not pressed. It has been.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 100 has a generally circular shape in plan view, and has a pressing surface 110 on the surface side that is pressed by a finger. The pressing surface 110 is formed to protrude outward in a substantially dome shape.
[0011]
A ring-shaped outer hanging wall 120 is suspended from the edge of the operation unit 100. The outer hanging wall 120 is a portion that guides the pressing operation of the operation unit 100 in a casing 500 to be described later, and thus a guide portion 121 facing outward is formed to protrude. At the center of the back surface of the operation unit 100, a central hanging portion 130 is formed in which a cross rib 131 is formed in a circle. The central hanging portion 130 is a portion that presses a pressed portion 230 of a conductive rubber switch 200 described later.
[0012]
In addition, a pair of approximately 1/2 arc-shaped inner hanging walls 140 are formed on the back side of the operation unit 100 so as to surround the central hanging portion 130. The space between the inner hanging wall 140 and the outer hanging wall 120 is a groove 150 provided on the lower surface of the operation unit 100.
[0013]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the conductive rubber switch 200 has a ring-shaped base portion 210 and a substantially ring-shaped wall portion 220 in a plan view projecting upward. When assembled as a push switch, the height of the wall 220 is set such that the tip fits into the groove 150 even when the operation unit 100 is not pressed.
[0014]
In addition, a pressed portion 230 is provided at the center of the conductive rubber switch 200 via a thin deformation portion 240. The pressed part 230 is the part that is pushed down by the pressing operation of the operation unit 100. By the pressing operation of the operation unit 100, the deforming unit 240 is deformed and the pressed unit 230 is pushed down.
[0015]
A contact point 250 having conductivity is provided on the back side of the pressed part 230.
[0016]
The substrate 300 has a contact pattern 310 formed thereon. The contact pattern 310 is formed by a pair of separated conductive films that are brought into conduction when the contact portion 250 comes into contact therewith.
[0017]
The elastic body 400 is a so-called helical spring and is in a contracted state when assembled as a push switch. The elastic body 400 has an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the wall portion 220 of the conductive rubber switch 200 and an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner hanging wall 140 of the operation portion 100.
[0018]
Meanwhile, the casing 500 is formed with an opening 510 from which the pressing surface 110 of the operation unit 100 protrudes. A guide groove 520 into which the guide portion 121 is fitted is formed inside the opening 510. The guide groove 520 is formed with an overhang portion 521 for preventing the operation portion 100 from coming off.
[0019]
The configuration of these parts is combined as follows to form a push switch.
First, the conductive rubber switch 200 is set on the substrate 300 so that the contact portion 250 is positioned immediately above the contact pattern 310.
[0020]
Next, the elastic body 400 is set on the base portion 210 of the conductive rubber switch 200. Then, since the outer diameter of the elastic body 400 is set slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the wall portion 220 of the conductive rubber switch 200, the elastic body 400 is set inside the wall portion 220.
[0021]
Next, the operation unit 100 is set on the elastic body 400. Then, since the inner diameter of the elastic body 400 is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner hanging wall 140 of the operation unit 100, the elastic body 400 enters the outside of the inner hanging wall 140, that is, the groove 150. Further, the tip of the wall portion 210 of the conductive rubber switch 200 is also fitted into the groove portion 150.
[0022]
When the casing 500 is covered in this state, the guide portion 121 of the operation unit 100 is fitted into the guide groove 520 of the casing 500. For this reason, the operation unit 100 can be moved only in the vertical direction, that is, in the pressing direction, by the guide portion 121 and the guide groove 520.
[0023]
When the operation unit 100 is pressed against the elastic force of the elastic body 400, the central hanging portion 130 pushes down the pressed portion 230 of the conductive rubber switch 200 and the contact portion 250 becomes the contact pattern 310 as shown in FIG. The contact pattern 310 is brought into conduction.
[0024]
When the pressing of the operation unit 100 is released, the operation unit 100 returns to the original position by the elastic force of the elastic body 400 and the deforming unit 240 of the conductive rubber switch 200, and the contact pattern 310 is released from conduction. Note that most of the force acting on the return of the operation unit 100 is the elastic force of the elastic body 400, and the elastic force of the deformation unit 240 is extremely small. The elastic force of the deforming part 240 acts to return itself to its original shape.
[0025]
Even if the operation unit 100 is pressed obliquely downward, since the wall portion 210 of the conductive rubber switch 200 is fitted in the groove 150 of the operation unit 100, the operation unit 100 is surely pushed downward. Secure contact between the contact portion 250 and the contact pattern 310 can be ensured.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
In the push switch according to the present invention, an operation portion to be pressed, a conductive rubber switch provided below the operation portion, and a contact portion provided to the conductive rubber switch by a pressing operation of the operation portion are in contact with each other. a substrate having a contact pattern, the push switch provided with the elastic member for biasing resiliently toward the operating portion in the opposite direction to the pressing operation direction, the operation portion is a member of a generally circular plan view A substantially ring-shaped groove is provided concentrically on the peripheral edge of the lower surface, and the conductive rubber switch has a ring-shaped base disposed around the contact pattern of the substrate, and is concentric with the base. Columnar pressed parts having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the base part provided with contact parts on the lower surface, an inner peripheral edge part of the base part, and an outer peripheral edge part of the pressed part Between A deformed portion that is hollowly supported at a position above the base portion, and a ring-shaped wall portion that is a guide of the operation portion and is erected around the deformed portion of the base portion. And the elastic body is a helical spring disposed with the base portion of the conductive rubber switch interposed between the ceiling surface of the groove portion of the operation portion and the substrate, and the wall portion is a groove portion of the operation portion. Is fitted together with the elastic body.
[0027]
Therefore, with this push switch, even when the operation unit is pressed obliquely downward, the wall of the conductive rubber switch fits into the groove of the operation unit, so that the operation unit 100 can be surely lowered. it can be depressed in the direction, as a result, it is possible to ensure a reliable contact between the contact portion and the contact pattern. In addition, since the operation feeling of the operation unit is largely controlled by the elastic body, the operation feeling is sure. Furthermore, since there is a two-stage feel, that is, a feeling of pushing down the elastic body and a feeling of deforming the deformed portion of the conductive rubber switch, a clearer feeling of operation can be obtained for the user.
[0028]
In addition, since the elastic body is fitted in the groove portion , even if the operation portion is pressed obliquely downward, reliable contact between the contact portion and the contact pattern can be ensured more reliably. As described above, since the wall portion and the elastic body are inserted into the groove portion of the operation portion, the installation space of the wall portion and the elastic body can be reduced, and as a result, the outer diameter of the operation portion. Can be reduced. That is, downsizing can be achieved. Moreover, since the elastic body is placed on the surface of the substrate across the base portion of the conductive rubber switch, the load on the elastic body applied to the substrate by the pressing operation can be absorbed by the base portion. It will be possible. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the substrate from being damaged by the elastic body.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a push switch according to an embodiment of the present invention before being pressed.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view when the push switch according to the embodiment of the invention is pressed.
3A and 3B are diagrams of an operation unit used in a push switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is a schematic bottom view, and FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view.
4A and 4B are drawings of a conductive rubber switch used for a push switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view, and FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Operation part 110 Press surface 150 Groove part 200 Conductive rubber switch 220 Wall part 250 Contact part 300 Substrate 310 Contact pattern 400 Elastic body

Claims (2)

An operation unit to be pressed, a conductive rubber switch provided below the operation unit, a substrate having a contact pattern in contact with a contact unit provided to the conductive rubber switch by a pressing operation of the operation unit, and in the push switch and the pressing operation direction the operation unit equipped with a an elastic member biasing spring toward the opposite direction,
The operation portion is a substantially circular member in plan view, and a substantially ring-shaped groove portion is provided concentrically on the peripheral portion of the lower surface thereof.
The conductive rubber switch includes a ring-shaped base portion disposed around a contact pattern of the substrate, and an inner diameter of the base portion disposed concentrically with the base portion and provided with a contact portion on a lower surface. Is provided between a column-shaped pressed portion having a small outer diameter, an inner peripheral edge portion of the base portion, and an outer peripheral edge portion of the pressed portion, and the pressed portion is hollowly supported above the base portion. And a ring-shaped wall portion that is a guide of the operation portion and is erected around the deformation portion of the base portion,
The elastic body is a helical spring disposed with the base portion of the conductive rubber switch interposed between the ceiling surface of the groove portion of the operation portion and the substrate,
The push switch, wherein the wall portion is fitted together with the elastic body in a groove portion of the operation portion . 2. The push switch according to claim 1, further comprising a casing installed on the substrate so as to cover the operation unit and the conductive rubber switch, and the casing has a substantially circular opening through which a pressing surface of the operation unit is exposed. And a guide groove provided in the vertical direction on the inner wall surface of the opening,
A push switch characterized in that a guide portion that fits into the guide groove is provided at the lower end of the outer surface of the operation portion .

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