JP4303082B2 - Swing type switch unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an oscillating switch unit used in electrical equipment such as a video camera and a digital camera.

  As a prior art of a swing type switch unit used for an electric apparatus such as a video camera or a digital camera, there is one shown in Patent Document 1, and the following description will be made based on the prior art.

  That is, the oscillating switch unit includes a unit base (base (10) of Patent Document 1), and a printed circuit board (substrate (20) of Patent Document 1) is provided on the unit base. The printed circuit board has a switch pattern (resistor pattern (21) of Patent Document 1). The unit base is provided with a rocking block (sliding type object (30) of Patent Document 1) through a rocking shaft (axis (53) of Patent Document 1) so as to be rockable. This swing block is integrally provided with an operation key (swing knob (32) of Patent Document 1). Further, the swing block is integrally provided with a switch operating member (slider (50) of Patent Document 1), and this switch operating member is a sliding terminal that can slide on the switch pattern. (Contact part (51) of Patent Document 1). A spring (coil spring (40) of Patent Document 1) that biases the operation key to return to the neutral position is provided at an appropriate position of the swing block.

Therefore, by swinging the operation key (the rocking block) from the neutral position via the rocking shaft while resisting the biasing force of the spring under a state where the operation key is pressed with a finger. The switch actuating member is integrally swung so that the sliding terminal slides on the switch pattern. Thereby, the switch operation can be performed by switching the electrical connection state between the switch pattern and the sliding terminal. When the press of the operation key by the finger is released, the operation key is swung by the urging force of the spring and returned to the neutral position.
JP 2002-198209 A

  By the way, the rocking switch unit requires the rocking shaft, and if the rocking range of the operation key is expanded in consideration of the convenience of the rocking switch unit, etc., the operation key and the rocking shaft are used. The interval between the dynamic axes increases. On the other hand, when the distance between the operation key and the swing shaft increases, the thickness (height) of the swing switch unit increases, which hinders the thinning of the swing switch unit.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a swing switch unit having a novel configuration that can swing the operation key without using a swing shaft.

In the invention according to claim 1, at least the unit base whose surface is formed in an arc shape,
A flexible printed circuit board provided on the unit base and having a conductive switch pattern;
A support plate that is provided integrally with the unit base, is configured in an arc shape with the same center of curvature as the center of curvature of the surface of the unit base, and has a guide long hole extending through the surface extending in the arc direction. A cover that covers part or all of the flexible printed circuit board;
An operation key provided on the support plate so as to be swingable and having a leg portion guided by the guide elongated hole;
Switch operation having a sliding terminal provided integrally with the leg, located in the cover, configured in an arc shape with the same center of curvature as a base point, and capable of sliding on the switch pattern With a piece,
A coil spring provided in the cover for biasing the operation key to return to a neutral position;
An insertion piece provided on the switch operating piece and insertable between arbitrary windings in the coil spring .
Here, the neutral position means a position where the forces of the coil springs are balanced.

According to the invention specific matter of claim 1, the support plate and the switch operating piece are formed in an arc shape with the same center of curvature as the center of curvature of the surface of the unit base as a base point, and the operation key and the switch operating piece Since these are integrated, the operation key can be swung without using a swing shaft. Further, since the insertion piece can be inserted between any windings in the coil spring, the neutral position of the operation key can be arbitrarily set within the total length of the coil spring, and the operation key The rocking range can be appropriately changed.

In addition to the above action, the switch operating piece is integrally moved by swinging the operation key against a biasing force of the coil spring from a neutral position under a state where the operation key is pressed with a finger. By swinging, the sliding terminal slides on the switch pattern. Thereby, the switch operation can be performed by switching the electrical connection state between the switch pattern and the sliding terminal. Note that when the press of the operation key by the finger is released, the operation key is swung by the urging force of the coil spring and returned to the neutral position.

In the invention according to claim 2 , in addition to the invention specific matter according to claim 1 , an accommodation groove extending in the arc direction for accommodating the coil spring is formed on the back surface of the support plate. It is characterized by that.

According to subject matter as defined in claim 2, in addition to the action by the subject matter of claim 1, by the coil spring is accommodated in the accommodation groove, the said support plate and said switch operating piece The coil spring is held so as to sandwich the coil spring.

In the invention according to claim 3 , in addition to the matters specifying the invention according to claim 1 , in the arc direction in which the coil spring is accommodated between the surface of the unit base and the back surface of the support plate. An extended accommodating portion is formed, and the accommodating portion is configured to be arranged in parallel with the switch operating piece as viewed from the width direction of the guide slot.

According to the invention specific matter of the third aspect , in addition to the action of the invention specific matter of the first aspect , the accommodating portion is arranged in parallel with the switch operating piece as seen from the width direction of the guide elongated hole. Since it is comprised, even if the said rocking | swiveling switch unit comprises the said coil spring, it is suppressed that the thickness (height) of the said rocking | swiveling switch unit increases.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the invention specific items according to any one of the first to third aspects, the operation key is locally provided on the surface of the support plate. It is comprised so that it may contact, The said switch action | operation piece was comprised so that it might contact locally on the back surface of the said support plate, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to the invention specific matter of claim 4 , in addition to the action of the invention specific matter according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , the operation key is locally provided on the surface of the support plate. Since the switch operating piece is configured to locally contact the back surface of the support plate, the support plate is sandwiched between the operation key and the switch operating piece, The operation key and the switch operating piece are locally supported by the support plate so as to be swingable. This stabilizes the swinging motion of the operation key and the switch operating piece while suppressing the wear of the operation key and the surface of the support plate and the wear of the switch operating piece and the back surface of the support plate. Can do.

According to the invention described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the operation key can be swung without using a swing shaft. The thickness (height) of the oscillating switch unit does not increase even if the operating key oscillating range is expanded in consideration of convenience, etc., and the oscillating switch unit is made thinner. can do. In particular, according to the invention described in claim 3 or claim 4 , even if the swing switch unit includes the spring, the thickness (height) of the swing switch unit increases. Therefore, the thickness of the oscillating switch unit can be further reduced.

Further, according to the invention claimed in any of claims of claims 4, in addition to the effects mentioned above, the neutral position of the operation key in the range of length of the coil spring Since it can be arbitrarily set and the swing range of the operation key can be changed as appropriate, the swing switch unit can be used in various electrical devices, and the utility value of the swing switch unit Will improve.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 2 or claim 4 , in addition to the above-mentioned effects, the coil spring is held by the support plate and the switch operating piece so that the coil spring is The quality of the oscillating switch unit is stabilized without being detached from the support plate.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects described above, the wear between the operation key and the surface of the support plate and the wear between the switch operating piece and the back surface of the support plate are suppressed. On the other hand, since the swing operation of the operation key and the switch actuating piece can be stabilized, the quality of the swing switch unit can be improved while improving the life of the swing switch unit.

  The best mode of the first present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a view taken along line II in FIG. 2, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a swing type switch unit (excluding operation keys) according to the best mode of the first invention. 3 is a view taken along line II-II in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a flexible printed circuit board according to the best mode of the first invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a swing type switch unit 1 according to the best mode of the first invention is an electronic component used for electrical operation such as a video camera and a digital camera. is there.

  The oscillating switch unit 1 includes an arc-shaped unit base 3, which is made of metal or resin. In addition, although the unit base 3 whole is comprised in circular arc shape, if only the surface (upper surface in FIG.1 and FIG.3) of the unit base 3 is comprised in circular arc shape, it does not interfere. The unit base 3 is provided with a flexible printed circuit board 5, and the flexible printed circuit board 5 has a conductive switch pattern 7 (see FIG. 4).

  The unit base 3 is integrally provided with a cover 9 that covers a part of the flexible printed circuit board 5, and the cover 9 is made of resin. The cover 9 is provided on the unit base 3 by heat caulking, so that the flexible printed circuit board 5 is also provided integrally with the unit base 3. The cover 9 has a support plate 11 configured in an arc shape with the center of curvature of the unit base 3 (the surface thereof) as a base point, and the surface of the support plate 11 (the upper surface in FIGS. 1 and 3). In FIG. 2, a guide long hole 13 extending in the arc direction is formed on the surface facing the paper surface.

  An operation key 15 is swingably provided on the support plate 11, and the operation key 15 is made of resin. Further, the operation key 15 has a pair of leg portions 17 guided by the guide slot 13 and the back side of the operation key 15 so that the operation key 15 locally contacts the surface of the support plate 11. Has a pair of flange portions 19 that locally contact the surface of the support plate 11. Here, the flange part 19 is comprised by circular arc shape on the basis of the curvature center of the unit base 3 (surface).

  A switch operating piece 21 is integrally provided on the pair of legs 17, and the switch operating piece 21 is made of resin and is located in the cover 9. Further, a pair of the switch operation piece 21 that locally contacts the back surface of the support plate 11 on the front side (upper side in FIGS. 1 and 3) so that the switch operation piece 21 locally contacts the back surface of the cover 9. The flange portion 23 is provided. Here, the flange portion 23 is formed in an arc shape with the center of curvature of the unit base 3 as a base point. Further, a metal sliding terminal 25 that can slide on the switch pattern 7 is provided on the back side of the switch operating piece 21.

  A receiving groove 27 extending in the arc direction is formed on the back surface of the support plate 11, and a coil spring 29 that biases the operation key 15 to return to the neutral position is provided in the receiving groove 27. ing. Here, the natural length of the coil spring 29 is configured to be substantially the same as the length of the receiving groove 27 in the arc direction. The neutral position means a position where the forces of the coil springs 29 are balanced.

  On the front side of the switch operating piece 21, an insertion piece 31 that can be inserted between any windings 29a of the coil spring 29 is integrally provided. The insertion piece 31 is made of a resin, 9 is located.

  The operation of the best mode of the first invention will be described on the basis of the above-mentioned invention specific matters of the oscillating switch unit 1.

  Since the support plate 11 and the switch operating piece 21 are formed in an arc shape with the same center of curvature as the center of curvature of the unit base 3 (the surface thereof) as the base point, and the operation key 15 and the switch operating piece 21 are integrated, the swing shaft The operation key 15 can be swung without using. Further, since the insertion piece 31 can be inserted between any windings 29a of the coil spring 29, the neutral position of the operation key 15 can be arbitrarily set within the entire length of the coil spring 29, and the operation key The fluctuating range of 15 can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, when the coil spring 29 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 27, the coil spring 29 is held between the support plate 11 and the switch operating piece 21.

  In addition to the above action, the operation key 15 is swung from the neutral position against the urging force of the coil spring 29 while the operation key 15 is pressed with a finger, thereby moving the operation key 15 to the neutral position. The switch operating piece 21 is integrally swung so that the sliding terminal 25 slides on the switch pattern 7. Thereby, the electrical connection state of the switch pattern 7 and the sliding terminal 25 can be switched and a switch operation can be performed. When the press of the operation key 15 by the finger is released, the operation key 15 is swung by the urging force of the coil spring 29 to return to the neutral position (original state).

  Here, a pair of flange portions 19 that locally contact the surface of the support plate 11 are provided on the back side of the operation key 15, and the front side of the switch operating piece 21 is locally disposed on the back surface of the support plate 11. Since the support plate 11 is sandwiched between the operation key 15 and the switch operation piece 21, the operation key 15 and the switch operation piece 21 are locally swingable with respect to the support plate 11. Supported by This stabilizes the swinging motion of the operation key 15 and the switch operating piece 21 while suppressing the wear of the operation key 15 and the surface of the support plate 11 and the wear of the switch operating piece 21 and the back surface of the support plate 11. Can do.

  As described above, according to the best mode of the first invention, since the operation key 15 can be swung without using a swing shaft, the convenience of the swing switch unit 1 is taken into consideration. Even if the swing range of the operation key 15 is expanded, the thickness (height) of the swing switch unit 1 does not increase, and the thinning of the swing switch unit 1 can be promoted.

  Further, the neutral position of the operation key 15 can be arbitrarily set within the entire length of the coil spring 29, and the swing range of the operation key 15 can be appropriately changed. The utility value of the oscillating switch unit 1 can be improved.

  Further, since the coil spring 29 is held between the support plate 11 and the switch operating piece 21, the coil spring 29 is not detached from the support plate 11, and the quality of the oscillating switch unit 1 is stabilized.

  Further, it is possible to stabilize the swinging operation of the operation key 15 and the switch operating piece 21 while suppressing the wear between the operation key 15 and the front surface of the support plate 11 and the wear of the switch operating piece 21 and the back surface of the support plate 11. Therefore, the quality of the oscillating switch unit 1 can be improved while the life of the oscillating switch unit 1 is improved.

  Next, the best mode of the second invention will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 6, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of the oscillating switch unit (excluding operation keys) according to the best mode of the second invention. 7 is a view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 6, the oscillating switch unit 33 according to the best mode of the second invention is substantially the same as the oscillating switch unit 1 according to the best mode of the first invention. Of the invention-specific matters of the oscillating switch unit 33, differences from the invention-specific matters of the oscillating switch unit 1 will be described. In addition, about the structural member similar to the structural member in the oscillating switch unit 1 among several structural members in the oscillating switch unit 33, the same number is attached | subjected in drawing and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  A housing portion 35 is formed between the front surface of the unit base 3 and the back surface of the support plate 11, and this housing portion 35 is arranged in parallel with the switch operation piece 21 when viewed from the width direction of the guide slot 13. It is configured. Further, the accommodating portion 35 is provided with a coil spring 37 that urges the operation key 15 to return to the neutral position. Further, on the front side of the switch operating piece 21, an insertion piece 39 that can be inserted into an arbitrary winding space 37a of the coil spring 37 is integrally provided. The insertion piece 39 is made of resin. , Located in the cover 9. Here, the natural length of the coil spring 37 is configured to be substantially the same as the length of the accommodating portion 35 in the arc direction.

  Therefore, in the best mode of the second invention, the accommodating portion 35 is a switch as viewed from the width direction of the guide slot 13 in addition to the same operation and effect as the best mode of the first invention. Since it is configured to be arranged in parallel with the operating piece 21, even if the oscillating switch unit 33 includes the coil spring 37, an increase in the thickness (height) of the oscillating switch unit 33 is suppressed. Is done. Therefore, the thickness reduction of the oscillating switch unit 33 can be further promoted.

  The present invention is not limited to the description of the best mode of the invention described above, and can be implemented in various other modes by making appropriate modifications.

FIG. 3 is a view taken along line II in FIG. 2. It is a top view of the rocking | swiveling switch unit (except an operation key) concerning the best form of 1st invention. It is the figure along the II-II line in FIG. It is a figure which shows the flexible printed circuit board concerning the best form of 1st invention. It is the figure along the III-III line in FIG. It is a top view of the rocking | swiveling switch unit (except an operation key) concerning the best form of 2nd invention. It is the figure along the IV-IV line in FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Swing type switch unit 3 Unit base 5 Flexible printed circuit board 7 Switch pattern 9 Cover 11 Support plate 13 Guide elongate hole 15 Operation key 17 Leg part 21 Switch operation piece 25 Sliding terminal 27 Housing groove 29 Coil spring 31 Insertion piece 33 Oscillating switch unit 35 housing part 37 coil spring

Claims (4)

A unit base having at least an arc-shaped surface;
A flexible printed circuit board provided on the unit base and having a conductive switch pattern;
A support plate that is provided integrally with the unit base, is configured in an arc shape with the same center of curvature as the center of curvature of the surface of the unit base, and has a guide long hole extending through the surface extending in the arc direction. A cover that covers part or all of the flexible printed circuit board;
An operation key provided on the support plate so as to be swingable and having a leg portion guided by the guide elongated hole;
Switch operation having a sliding terminal provided integrally with the leg, located in the cover, configured in an arc shape with the same center of curvature as a base point, and capable of sliding on the switch pattern With a piece,
A coil spring provided in the cover for biasing the operation key to return to a neutral position;
An oscillating switch unit comprising an insertion piece provided on the switch operating piece and insertable between arbitrary windings of the coil spring . 2. The swing switch unit according to claim 1 , wherein an accommodation groove extending in the arc direction for accommodating the coil spring is formed on a back surface of the support plate. An accommodating portion extending in the arc direction for accommodating the coil spring is formed between the front surface of the unit base and the back surface of the support plate, and the accommodating portion is viewed from the width direction of the guide elongated hole. The oscillating switch unit according to claim 1 , wherein the oscillating switch unit is arranged in parallel with each other. The operation key is configured to locally contact the surface of the support plate, and the switch operating piece is configured to locally contact the back surface of the support plate. rocking switch unit according to any one of claims of claims 3.

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