JP4012380B2 - Press operation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pressing operation device capable of turning a switch on and off by a pressing operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional pressing operation device. In the pressing operation device 50, a push button 53 is provided in a hole 52 formed in the panel 51 so as to be freely pressed. A circuit board 54 is provided inside the panel 51, and a pair of contacts 55, 55 are formed on the circuit board 54. The circuit board 54 is provided with an elastic member 56 made of rubber so as to cover the contacts 55, 55. Inside the elastic member 56 is provided a conductive portion 57 for conducting the contacts 55 and 55. The push button 53 is fixed on the upper surface of the elastic member 56. When the push button 53 is not pushed, a gap is formed between the contacts 55, 55 and the conductive portion 57, and the circuit is opened. When the push button 53 is pressed, the leg portion 58 formed in the skirt shape of the elastic member 56 is bent and the conductive portion 57 is pushed down, and the conductive portion 57 comes into contact with both the contacts 55 and 55, thereby causing a circuit. Is closed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in this type of press operation device shown by the press operation device 50, a clearance 59 for operating the push button 53 between the hole 52 and the push button 53 is required. Therefore, when the push button 53 tilts when the end of the push button 53 is pushed, the position off the center of the upper surface of the elastic member 56 is pushed, and a part of the leg portion 58 of the elastic member 56 is bent, and the contact 55, 55 is in contact with the conductive portion 57 from an oblique direction. Therefore, there is a possibility that the conductive portion 57 cannot reliably contact both the contacts 55 and 55.
[0004]
In addition, when the conductive portion 57 contacts the contact 55 at an angle, the conductive portion 57 slides on the surface of the contact 55, and there is a problem that the conductive portion 57 and the contacts 55, 55 are easily worn. In particular, when the pressing operation device 50 is used as a play equipment such as a game controller, it may be handled violently, for example, by pressing a push button strongly or by pressing, so that the contact failure or the contact 55 Wear of the conductive portion 57 is likely to occur.
[0005]
The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pressing device that can suppress contact failure of a contact and wear of a contact portion even if the push button is operated with an excessive force. To do.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is provided with a push button that is inserted in a hole formed in the panel so as to be freely pressable, an elastic member that is deformed by the pressing force of the push button, and a contact that opens and closes according to the deformation of the elastic member. In the pressing device,
Provided between the push button and the elastic member is a support member that is separate from the elastic member and is movable in a direction crossing the pressing direction of the push button,
One of the push button and the support member is provided with a protrusion that forms a part of a spherical surface, and the other is provided with a concave support surface that slides at a plurality of locations with the spherical surface of the protrusion. It is a feature.
[0007]
For example, in the present invention, the elastic member is formed of rubber, and an intermediate member made of synthetic resin is fixed to the elastic member. The surface of the intermediate member and the surface of the support member slide, The support member is movable in a direction crossing the pressing direction of the push button.
[0008]
Alternatively, in the present invention, the surface of the elastic member and the surface of the support member slide so that the support member can move in a direction crossing the pressing direction of the push button.
[0009]
The support surface formed on the support member has, for example, a conical shape.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a game controller equipped with the pressing operation device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the pressing operation device, and FIG. 3 shows a state where the pressing operation device is pressed. It is sectional drawing. Since each push button provided in the controller has the same structure, one of them will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0013]
In the pressing operation device 10 shown in FIG. 1, circular holes 2, 2, 2, and 2 are formed in the panel 1, and the holes 2, 2, 2, and 2 are arranged in a rectangular shape. Cylindrical push buttons 3, 3, 3, 3 are inserted into the holes 2, 2, 2, 2 from the back side of the panel 1. The push buttons 3, 3, 3, 3 are formed with flanges 3a, 3a, 3a, 3a around the lower end thereof. Inside the panel 1, cylindrical guide paths 2a, 2a, 2a, 2a extending inward from the edge portions of the holes 2, 2, 2, 2 are formed. The pushbuttons 3, 3, 3, and 3 are guided by the guide paths 2a, 2a, 2a, and 2a, and the flanges 3a, 3a, 3a, and 3a are locked at the tips of the guide paths 2a, 2a, 2a, and 2a. At this time, the front ends of the push buttons 3, 3, 3, 3 are locked in a state of slightly protruding from the surface of the panel 1.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 2, a concave space 4 is formed on the back side of the push buttons 3, 3, 3, and a protrusion 5 is formed downward on the ceiling surface of the space 4. Is a hemispherical spherical surface 5a. The protrusion 5 is integrally formed of the same type of synthetic resin as the push button 3.
[0015]
The protrusion 5 is in contact with the support member 6. The support member 6 is made of a synthetic resin and has a cylindrical shape with a diameter dimension that fits in the space 4. A conical support surface 7 is formed on the upper surface of the support member 6, and the spherical surface 5 a of the protrusion 5 is in contact with the support surface 7. In the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 2, points A and B are contact points at that time, and are in contact with each other in a circumferential shape as a whole. The lower surface of the support member 6 is a smooth plane.
[0016]
A circuit board 20 is provided below the support member 6. The circuit board 20 is a board made of glass epoxy resin or paper phenol, or a board in which a film-like board is bonded to a metal plate, and is formed by placing a copper foil or carbon on a copper foil on the surface of the board. A pair of semicircular contacts 21 and 21 are formed. These contact points 21 and 21 are respectively formed directly below where the push buttons 3 are provided.
[0017]
An elastic member 9 having a size capable of covering the entire contacts 21 and 21 is provided on the circuit board 20. The elastic member 9 is formed of a material made of rubber and having elastic force, and extends downward from a pressed portion 12 provided at a position facing the contact points 21 and 21 and an outer peripheral edge portion of a lower surface of the pressed portion 12. A skirt-like leg portion 13 is used.
[0018]
A conductive portion 14 is provided on the back surface of the pressed portion 12 at a position facing the contact points 21 and 21. The conductive portion 14 has a shape with a slightly raised central portion, and can be formed, for example, by blending a conductive member such as carbon with an elastic member formed of rubber or the like.
[0019]
In the pressing operation device 10 of the present embodiment, an intermediate member 8 formed of a synthetic resin is provided between the support member 6 and the elastic member 9 and is fixed to the upper surface 12a of the pressed portion 12 of the elastic member 9. Has been. The intermediate member 8 is formed in a disc shape and has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the support member 6. The support member 6 is provided on the upper surface of the intermediate member 8, but the intermediate member 8 and the support member 6 are not fixed, and the support member 6 can slide on the upper surface of the intermediate member 8. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower surface of the support member 6 and the upper surface of the intermediate member 8 are formed as horizontal surfaces, and are in surface contact with each other.
[0020]
Further, in the pressing operation device 10, one rubber sheet 11 is installed on the circuit board 20, and the plurality of elastic members 9, 9, 9, 9 are provided at a plurality of locations on the one rubber sheet 11. Are integrally formed as a bulge. Respective raised elastic members 9, 9, 9, 9 are arranged to face the respective push buttons 3, 3, 3, 3. In addition, the elastic member 9 formed separately may be provided in the position facing each pushbutton 3, 3, 3, 3.
[0021]
In the pressing operation device 10, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the push button 3 is guided and inserted into the guide path 2 a from the back side of the panel 1, and the support member 6 is disposed below the push button 3, The protrusion 5 of the push button 3 and the support surface 7 of the support member 6 are brought into contact with each other. Then, the circuit board 20 provided with the elastic member 9 and the intermediate member 8 is mounted on the back surface of the panel 1. At this time, the repulsive force of the elastic member 9 acts on each push button 3, and each push button 3 is lightly urged toward the surface side of the panel 1.
[0022]
Next, operation | movement of the press operation apparatus 10 of this Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. In the pressing operation device 10, since the push button 3 is moved up and down, a clearance 15 is required between the inner surface of the guide path 2 a of the hole 2 formed in the panel 1 and the outer peripheral surface of the push button 3. When the button 3 is pressed, the push button 3 may be operated in a tilted state.
[0023]
For example, in the pressing operation device 10 according to the present embodiment, assuming that the top corner of the push button 3 is pressed as indicated by the arrow P in FIG. 2, the clearance 15 is formed. In this way, one side of the flange 3a formed on the push button 3 remains in contact with the tip of the guide path 2a, and the other side of the flange 3a is separated from the tip of the guide path 2a, so that the push button 3 is inclined. It is pushed into posture. When the push button 3 is pushed in such a state, a pressing force is generated at the center O5 of the spherical surface 5a of the protrusion 5 in a direction slightly shifted to the right from the vertically downward direction as indicated by an arrow F in FIG. O5 tends to be displaced slightly to the right from the center O2 of the hole 2. At this time, a force for moving the support member 6 in the arrow S direction is generated by the pressing force. However, since the support member 6 is formed to be slidable on the upper surface of the intermediate member 8, the action in the S direction is performed. By receiving, the support member 6 slides on the upper surface 8a of the intermediate member 8 in the right direction.
[0024]
Therefore, even when the push button 3 is pressed in an inclined posture, the protrusion 5 is maintained in a state of being in circumferential contact with the support surface 7 of the support member 6, and the support member 6 is in contact with the circumferential contact. It is pushed by receiving an equal force downward from the contact. Therefore, the support member 6 does not assume an oblique posture on the upper surface of the elastic member 9, and the intermediate member 8 is pushed by the support member 6 toward the lower side with an equal force. The pressed portion 12 of the elastic member 6 is also pushed in without being inclined downward.
[0025]
When the upper surface of the pressed portion 12 is uniformly pressed downward by the push button 3, the skirt-shaped portion of the leg portion 13 of the elastic member 9 is uniformly bent into a U shape over the entire circumference, and the elastic member 9 Descends horizontally. Therefore, the conductive portions 14 of the elastic member 9 can reliably contact the contacts 21 and 21 while maintaining a horizontal state without being inclined. Moreover, it can avoid that the electroconductive part 14 and the contacts 21 and 21 slide carelessly.
[0026]
In the pressing device 10, the push button 3 and the intermediate member 8 are formed of ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) resin, and the support member 6 is formed of the ABS resin and a polyacetal resin having low frictional resistance. The slipperiness of the sliding part between the protrusion 5 and the support member 6 can be improved. Further, the sliding property between the support member 6 and the intermediate member 8 can be improved. However, it is not limited to the combination of these resins.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, the example in which the intermediate member 8 is provided has been described. However, the support member 6 is directly contacted with the upper surface of the pressed portion 12 of the elastic member 9 without providing the intermediate member 8. The support member 6 may be slidable in the lateral direction on the upper surface 12a of the pressed portion 12. In this case, the support member 6 and a resin having good slipperiness may be applied to the upper surface 12a of the pressed portion 12.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the pressing device of the present invention. This press operation device 30 is configured in the same manner as the press operation device 10 except for the support shape that is different from the push button 3 of the press operation device 10.
[0029]
In the pressing operation device 30 shown in FIG. 4, a support member 32 is provided in the space 4 of the push button 31. The support member 32 is formed with a protrusion 33 whose tip is a spherical surface 33a vertically upward, and the support member 32 is slidably supported on the intermediate member 8. On the other hand, a conical support surface 34 is formed on the ceiling surface in the push button 31, and this support surface 34 is supported by the spherical surface 33 a of the protrusion 33.
[0030]
Even in this case, as described in the pressing operation device 10, the support surface 34 is supported by being circumferentially contacted by the protrusion 33, so that the end portion of the push button 31 is pressed and is in an inclined posture state. Even if operated, the contact position between the push button 31 and the protrusion 33 does not fluctuate, and the pressed part 12 is pushed down while maintaining the horizontal state. Therefore, the conductive portion 14 can be reliably brought into contact with the contacts 21 and 21 without slippage, and wear due to the slide is unlikely to occur between the conductive portion 14 and the contacts 21 and 21.
[0031]
Further, even in this pressing operation device 30, the support member 32 may be directly slidably installed on the upper surface of the pressed portion 12 of the elastic member 9 without providing the intermediate member 8 as described above. You may apply | coat resin with small frictional resistance with respect to the supporting member 32 on the upper surface of the to-be-pressed part 12. FIG.
[0032]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a pressing operation device according to a reference example of the present invention. The pressing operation device 40 shown here has a configuration in which the spherical surface 5a of the protrusion 5 shown by the pressing operation device 10 is supported by a plane.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 5, a support member 41 is provided in a state of being fixed to the elastic member 9 between the push button 3 on which the protrusion 5 is formed and the elastic member 9 formed on the circuit board 20. The support member 41 in this reference example is formed by a surface 41a having a horizontal upper surface, and the spherical surface 5a of the projection 5 is slidably in contact with the surface 41a.
[0034]
When the end of the push button 3 is pressed in the press operation device 40, the push button 3 assumes an inclined posture. However, since the protrusion 5 and the upper surface 41a of the support member 41 abut at one point of the sphere, this abutment point hardly deviates from the center line O2 of the hole 2. Therefore, when the push button 3 is pushed down, the vicinity of the center of the support member 41 can always be pushed, and the pressed portion 12 can be pushed down horizontally. Therefore, slippage does not occur between the conductive portion 14 and the contacts 21 and 21, and contact can be made reliably.
[0035]
The press operation device of the present invention is not limited to a game controller, and can also be used as a press operation device for other electronic devices.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention described above, even if the push button is operated in an inclined state, the contact can be conducted without causing the contact to slip, so that the contact is ensured and the contact portion is worn. Damage can be suppressed and durability against keystrokes can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pressing operation device implementation forms exhibit controller for onboard game of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a pressing operation device;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when a push button of a pressing operation device is pressed;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a modification of the pressing operation device of the present invention,
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a pressing operation device according to a reference example of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional pressing operation device;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Panel 2 Hole 2a Guide path 3,31 Push button 3a Flange 5, Protrusion part 5a, 33a Spherical surface 6, 32, 41 Support member 7, 34 Support surface 8 Intermediate member 9 Elastic member 10, 30, 40 Press operation apparatus 11 Sheet 12 Pressed part 13 Leg part 14 Conductive part 15 Clearance 20 Circuit board 21 Contact

Claims (4)

In a pressing device provided with a push button that is inserted in a hole formed in a panel so as to be freely pressed, an elastic member that is deformed by the pressing force of the push button, and a contact that opens and closes according to the deformation of the elastic member ,
Provided between the push button and the elastic member is a support member that is separate from the elastic member and is movable in a direction crossing the pressing direction of the push button,
One of the push button and the support member is provided with a protrusion that forms a part of a spherical surface, and the other is provided with a concave support surface that slides at a plurality of locations with the spherical surface of the protrusion. A pressing operation device. The elastic member is made of rubber, and an intermediate member made of synthetic resin is fixed to the elastic member. The surface of the intermediate member and the surface of the support member slide so that the support member is The pressing operation device according to claim 1, which is movable in a direction crossing the pressing direction . The pressing operation device according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the elastic member and the surface of the support member slide so that the support member is movable in a direction crossing the pressing direction of the push button . The pressing operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support surface formed on the support member has a conical shape .

Images