JP5857601B2 - Press switch mechanism - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a push switch mechanism used in an electronic device such as a digital camera.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, imaging apparatuses such as a digital still camera and a digital video camera (hereinafter referred to as “digital camera”) that use a push switch mechanism that performs shooting by pressing a shutter button down are known. Some of the push switch mechanisms enable a push button (shutter button) to be pressed by supporting a push button as a shutter button with a compression coil spring. In such a push-down switch mechanism, there is a risk that the compression coil spring is vibrated due to compression or return (elastic deformation) of the compression coil spring. This vibration of the compression coil spring may cause an abnormal noise or may be transmitted to the push button, thereby deteriorating the operation feeling.

  For this reason, in the above-described push switch mechanism, it is considered to insert a rubber columnar body to be compressed and deformed inside the compression coil spring (see Patent Document 1). In this push switch mechanism, when the compression coil spring is compressed and deformed and the columnar body is compressed and deformed, the columnar body is pressed against the compression coil spring, so that vibration in the compression coil spring can be suppressed.

  However, in the press switch mechanism described above, the compression coil spring is compressed and deformed by pressing the press button, and the columnar body is then compressed and deformed together with the compression coil spring, so that the columnar body is pressed against the compression coil spring. Since it is a structure, it is difficult to suppress the vibration which arises in a compression coil spring, when the pressed down button returns to an initial position. For this reason, when the push button returns to the initial position, there is a possibility that an abnormal noise may be generated.

  Further, in the above push switch mechanism, when the push button is pushed, the compression coil spring is first compressed and deformed, and then the columnar body is compressed and deformed together with the compression coil spring. Cause changes. This may give a sense of discomfort to the user who is performing the pressing operation, and may impair the operation feel in the pressing operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a press switch that can prevent the generation of abnormal noise while suppressing changes in power during the press operation to an extent that can be ignored in actual use. The purpose is to provide a mechanism.

The push switch mechanism according to claim 1 is a push switch mechanism that outputs an operation signal by a push operation of a push button provided in the housing, and the push switch mechanism is configured to move the housing between the housing and the push button. A compression coil spring provided along a pressing operation direction of the pressing button; a switch device that outputs an operation signal when pressed by the pressing button pressed down in the pressing operation direction; and an end of the compression coil spring The elastic absorbing member is provided between the wires forming the compression coil spring at a short interval portion of the compression coil spring, and the elastic absorbing member is on the attachment side to the casing in the compression coil spring. The pressing operation is provided while being provided at one end, and the casing is continuous with a portion where one end of the compression coil spring is attached. Having an installation recess that is recessed in direction, the elastic absorbing member, and characterized that you have provided The set置凹plant is fitted at both ends as viewed in the direction orthogonal to the pressing operation direction to the installation recess To do.

  In the push switch mechanism according to the first aspect, it is possible to prevent the generation of abnormal noise while suppressing the change in the force during the push operation to an extent that can be ignored in actual use.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the change of the state of the lens barrel 13 in the digital camera 10 as an example of the imaging device which concerns on this invention, (a) shows an accommodation position, (b) shows an extended position. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a control block in the digital camera 10. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a push switch mechanism 30 in a schematic cross section. It is a typical perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the pressing switch mechanism 30, and shows a mode that the compression coil spring 33 is made into a no-load state before attaching the pressing button 34 (shutter button 15). FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional view of the same state as in FIG. 4 before the push button 34 (shutter button 15) is attached in the push switch mechanism 30 and the compression coil spring 33 being in an unloaded state. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 3 which shows the structure of the push switch mechanism 30B of Example 2 with a typical cross section. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 5 which shows a mode that the compression coil spring 33 was made into the no-load state before attaching the push button 34 (shutter button 15) in the push switch mechanism 30B.

  Embodiments of a push switch mechanism according to the present invention and an image pickup apparatus provided with the push switch mechanism will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  A schematic configuration of a push switch mechanism 30 as an embodiment of the push switch mechanism according to the present invention and a digital camera 10 as an embodiment of an imaging apparatus provided with the push switch mechanism 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. . In the following description, with the digital camera 10 as a reference, the direction of the optical axis (see the arrow in FIG. 1B) of the photographing optical system 12 to be described later is the front-rear direction (the subject side is forward (F side)) (see arrow FB) The height direction of the digital camera 10 when viewed from the front is the vertical direction (see arrow UD (upper side is U)), and the direction perpendicular to the plane including the front-rear direction and the vertical direction is the left-right direction (when the digital camera 10 is viewed from the front Left hand is in the right direction (R side)) (see arrow LR).

  First, a digital camera 10 as an example of an imaging apparatus provided with a push switch mechanism 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 10 has a lens barrel 13 having a photographing optical system 12 (see FIG. 1B) on the front surface of the housing 11 (the front surface when FIG. 1 is viewed from the front). Is provided. The photographing optical system 12 includes an objective lens 12a that is disposed closest to the subject, and a plurality of optical members such as a fixed lens, a zoom lens, a shutter unit, and a diaphragm unit (not shown). Each optical member as the photographing optical system 12 including the objective lens 12a is held by the lens barrel 13 so as to be movable in the optical axis direction of the photographing optical system 12 (see the arrow in FIG. 1B). The lens barrel 13 has a predetermined storage position (refer to FIG. 1A) and a predetermined extended position (refer to the imaging standby state (refer to FIG. 1B)) along the optical axis of the imaging optical system 12. It is possible to move forward and backward (feeding and feeding). In the lens barrel 13, each optical of the photographing optical system 12 (see FIG. 1) is moved by moving between a predetermined storage position (see FIG. 1A) and a predetermined feeding position (see FIG. 1B). A member (not shown) is moved as specified.

  The housing 11 is provided with a power button 14 (see FIG. 2), a shutter button 15, and a mode switching dial 16 as an operation unit on the upper surface (the upper surface when FIG. 1 is viewed from the front). The power button 14 performs an operation (starting operation) for starting the digital camera 10 and an operation (stopping operation) for stopping the digital camera 10. The shutter button 15 performs an operation of pressing down in the vertical direction (hereinafter also referred to as a pressing operation) in order to execute a photographing operation of the subject. In the first embodiment, the shutter button 15 is configured by the push switch mechanism 30 according to the present invention. This will be described in detail later. The mode switching dial 16 is used to set various scene modes, still image modes, moving image modes, and the like. In addition, the housing 11 is provided with a display unit 24 (the display surface thereof) and other operation switches 17 on the back surface although not clearly shown (see FIG. 2). The display unit 24 displays an image based on captured image data or image data recorded on a recording medium. The operation switch 17 is a direction instruction switch or various switches for setting each menu.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the digital camera 10 includes a control unit 21, an image sensor 22, a lens barrel drive unit 23, and a display unit 24. The control unit 21 performs drive processing based on operations performed on the power button 14, the shutter button 15, the mode switching dial 16, and the operation switch 17 as operation units, image data generation processing based on signals from the image sensor 22, The control of the lens barrel drive unit 23 and the display unit 24 is controlled by a program stored in the storage unit 21a.

  The image sensor 22 is composed of a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor, and an object image formed on a light receiving surface (not shown) through the photographing optical system 12 is converted into an electric signal (image data). Convert to and output. The output electrical signal (image data) is transmitted to the control unit 21.

  The lens barrel drive unit 23 moves each lens member of the photographing optical system 12 by moving the lens barrel 13 between the storage position (see FIG. 1A) and the feeding position (see FIG. 1B). The optical member holding frames (not shown) to be supported are moved.

  In the digital camera 10, when the control unit 21 recognizes that the shutter button 15 has been pressed in one step, which will be described later, the lens barrel drive unit 23 is controlled to perform the focus adjustment operation. In the digital camera 10, when the control unit 21 recognizes that the shutter button 15 has been pressed in two steps, which will be described later, the subject received by the light receiving surface of the image sensor 22 (see FIG. 2) through the imaging optical system 12. The image data of the image is recorded. Further, in the digital camera 10, an image based on the recorded image data can be appropriately displayed on the display unit 24 under the control of the control unit 21. When a first operation signal, which will be described later, is output from the push switch mechanism 30, the control unit 21 recognizes that a one-step pressing operation on the shutter button 15 has been performed, and the second operation described later from the push switch mechanism 30. When the signal is output, it is recognized that the two-step pressing operation on the shutter button 15 has been performed.

  Next, a schematic configuration of a characteristic part of the push switch mechanism 30 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the explanatory diagram of FIG. 3 corresponds to a cross section taken along the line II shown in FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the push switch mechanism 30 is provided to enable a pressing operation on the shutter button 15 and to output an operation signal by the pressing operation. As shown in FIG. 3, the push switch mechanism 30 includes a compression coil spring 33, a push button 34 (see FIG. 3), and elastic absorption in an attachment recess 32 provided in a cover 31 that constitutes the upper surface of the housing 11. A member 35 is provided, and a switch device 36 and a switch board 37 are provided below the member 35.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the attachment recess 32 is formed by denting the surface of the cover 31 (the upper surface of the housing 11) downward in the vertical direction. The mounting recess 32 is long in the left-right direction of the digital camera 10 (the casing 11 forming the outer shape) when viewed in the vertical direction, and the end wall portions 32a at both ends in the left-right direction are formed in a semicircular shape. Yes. On the bottom wall 32b of the mounting recess 32, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an operation hole 41, an annular recess 42, a pair of guide holes 43, a pair of hooking holes 44, Is provided.

  The operation hole 41 is formed as a through-hole penetrating in the vertical direction through the center position viewed in the left-right direction on the bottom wall 32 b of the mounting recess 32. In the first embodiment, the operation hole portion 41 is provided with a spring mounting boss portion 41a surrounding the periphery thereof. The spring mounting boss portion 41a has a cylindrical shape protruding upward from the upper surface of the bottom wall 32b of the mounting recess 32 (the bottom surface of the mounting recess 32). An annular recess 42 is provided around the spring mounting boss portion 41a.

  The annular recess 42 is formed with the upper surface of the bottom wall 32b of the mounting recess 32 (the bottom surface of the mounting recess 32) recessed downward while surrounding the spring mounting boss portion 41a. It has a ring shape. An annular member 45 is disposed in the annular recess 42. The annular member 45 has an annular shape formed by providing a circular hole in the center of a disk-like member, and has a size that can be inserted into the annular recess 42. The annular member 45 forms a pedestal (installation location) of the compression coil spring 33. The annular recess 42 has a flat surface substantially equal to the upper surface of the bottom wall 32b of the mounting recess 32 (the bottom surface of the mounting recess 32) by arranging the annular member 45. A pair of guide hole portions 43 are provided outside the annular recess 42 (annular member 45) as viewed in the left-right direction.

  Both the guide hole portions 43 are formed as through holes penetrating the bottom wall 32b of the mounting recess 32 in the vertical direction. In the first embodiment, both guide hole portions 43 are provided with guide boss portions 43a surrounding the periphery thereof. The guide boss portion 43a has a cylindrical shape that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the bottom wall 32b of the mounting recess 32 (the bottom surface of the mounting recess 32). In the first embodiment, one guide hole 43 (on the left side in FIG. 4 or the like when viewed from the front) is a long hole that is elongated in the left-right direction when viewed in the up-down direction. The flat portion 43b is formed. Both the flat portions 43b are provided along a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction, and are opposed to each other in the front-rear direction. A pair of hooking hole portions 44 are provided outside the guide hole portions 43 as viewed in the left-right direction.

  The both catching hole portions 44 are formed as through-holes penetrating both end portions of the bottom wall 32b of the mounting recess 32 in the left-right direction, and the semicircular end wall portion of the mounting recess 32 is formed. 32a is continuous in the vertical direction. For this reason, both hooking hole portions 44 penetrate the bottom wall 32b along the end wall portion 32a at both end portions of the mounting recess 32 as viewed in the left-right direction. A compression coil spring 33 is provided on the bottom wall 32 b of the mounting recess 32.

  The compression coil spring 33 is formed of a spiral wire, and the interval (pitch) of the wire viewed in the axial direction is set to a predetermined value. The compression coil spring 33 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the spring mounting boss portion 41 a provided on the bottom wall 32 b of the mounting recess 32. The compression coil spring 33 extends most in an unloaded state and exerts an elastic force that resists the operation of bringing the one end 33a and the other end 33b closer to each other. The compression coil spring 33 has one end 33a and the other end 33b formed in an annular shape along a plane orthogonal to its own axis. For this reason, in the compression coil spring 33, the distance between the wires in the predetermined region Au1 from the one end 33a and the predetermined region Au2 from the other end 33b is shorter than the predetermined interval described above when viewed in the axial direction. It is set as the short space | interval location (refer FIG. 5). The compression coil spring 33 is disposed on the annular member 45 provided in the annular recess 42 with one end 33 a surrounding the spring mounting boss portion 41 a and provided on the bottom wall 32 b of the attachment recess 32. A push button 34 (see FIG. 3) is attached to the other end 33 b of the compression coil spring 33. For this reason, in the compression coil spring 33, the vicinity including the one end 33a is one end, and the vicinity including the other end 33b is the other end.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the push button 34 forms a place where the push operation is performed on the surface of the housing 11 (cover 31), and the shutter button 15 is formed in the first embodiment. The push button 34 includes a button main body 34a, a push guide shaft portion 34b, a pair of auxiliary guide shaft portions 34c, and a pair of hook portions 34d.

  The button body 34a forms a portion exposed from the surface of the housing 11 (cover 31) for a pressing operation. In the first embodiment, the button body 34a has a plate shape, and the shape viewed in the vertical direction follows the inner peripheral surface of the mounting recess 32 (see FIG. 1). The button main body 34a can be fitted in the mounting recess 32 in a state along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction.

  The pressing guide shaft portion 34b has a cylindrical shape, and is provided so as to protrude in a direction orthogonal to the button main body 34a at the center position of the button main body 34a. The pressing guide shaft portion 34 b has a size that can be inserted into the operation hole portion 41 of the mounting recess 32.

  The pair of auxiliary guide shaft portions 34c has a cylindrical shape and is provided so as to protrude in a direction orthogonal to the button main body 34a. The pair of auxiliary guide shaft portions 34c are provided outside the push-down guide shaft portion 34b when viewed in the left-right direction, and correspond to the pair of guide hole portions 43 of the mounting recess 32 when viewed in the vertical direction. Each auxiliary guide shaft portion 34c has a size that can be inserted into the guide hole portion 43 of the corresponding mounting recess 32. In the first embodiment, when the auxiliary guide shaft portion 34c is inserted into one of the guide hole portions 43 (on the left side of FIG. 3 and the like when viewed from the front), both flat portions 43b (see FIG. 4) face each other when viewed in the front-rear direction. ) Is a diameter dimension in contact with. For this reason, the push button 34 (button main body 34a) is prevented from rotating around the push guide shaft portion 34b or the other auxiliary guide shaft portion 34c (right side when FIG. 3 is viewed from the front).

  The pair of hook portions 34d has a columnar shape and is provided so as to protrude in a direction orthogonal to the button main body 34a. The pair of hook portions 34d are provided at both ends of the button body 34a when viewed in the left-right direction, and correspond to the pair of hook holes 44 of the mounting recess 32 when viewed in the vertical direction. In the pair of hook portions 34d, hook portions 34e are formed at the protruding ends. The hook portion 34e is formed to protrude outward from the protruding end of the hook portion 34d as viewed in the left-right direction. Each of the hook portions 34d has a size that can be inserted into the hook hole 44 of the corresponding mounting recess 32 from the hook portion 34e side. Further, when the pair of hook portions 34d are inserted into the corresponding hook hole portions 44, the hook portions 34e are hooked on the end wall portions 32a (the lower ends thereof) at both ends of the mounting recess 32 when viewed in the vertical direction. It is a positional relationship.

  The push button 34 is attached to the attachment recess 32 of the cover 31 (housing 11), with the other end 33b of the compression coil spring 33 provided on the button body 34a so as to surround the push guide shaft portion 34b. In this attached state, with the push-down button 34, the push-down guide shaft portion 34 b is inserted into the operation hole portion 41 of the attachment recess 32, and the pair of auxiliary guide shaft portions 34 c go to the corresponding guide hole portion 43 of the attachment recess 32. The pair of hook portions 34d are inserted into the corresponding hook hole portions 44 of the mounting recess 32, and the hook portion 34e is hooked on the end wall portion 32a (the lower end thereof). The push button 34 (button main body 34a) has a housing 11 that has a guide action between the push guide shaft portion 34b and the operation hole portion 41 and a guide action between the both auxiliary guide shaft portions 34c and the both guide hole portions 43. It is possible to move up and down in the mounting recess 32. The push button 34 (button body 34 a) is pushed by the compression coil spring 33 in a direction protruding upward in the vertical direction from the mounting recess 32, and both hook portions 34 e are at both end walls of the mounting recess 32. By being hooked in the vertical direction on the portion 32a (the lower end thereof), it is prevented from being detached from the mounting recess 32 upward. For this reason, the push button 34 resists the pressing force of the compression coil spring 33 against the casing 11 (cover 31) while exposing the button body 34a (surface thereof) from the casing 11 (cover 31). It is possible to perform a pressing operation downward in the vertical direction. An elastic absorbing member 35 is provided on the compression coil spring 33.

  The elastic absorbing member 35 is made of a low resilience elastic material that absorbs the energy of the impact by elastic deformation when an impact is input from the outside, and at least in a state in contact with the compression coil spring 33. When the compression coil spring 33 vibrates, the compression load is elastically deformed by the vibration. In Example 1, the elastic absorbing member 35 is formed of PORON (trade name of Inoac Corporation).

  The elastic absorbing member 35 can be sandwiched between adjacent wires in the axial direction in a predetermined region Au1 on the one end 33a side or a predetermined region Au2 on the other end 33b side of the compression coil spring 33 in an unloaded state. The size is set (see FIG. 5). That is, in the compression coil spring 33 in the unloaded state, the elastic absorbing member 35 has a size larger than the interval of the short intervals shorter than the predetermined interval (pitch). In the first embodiment, the elastic absorbing member 35 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIG. 5, and has a height dimension that is larger than the interval between the wires in the predetermined region Au1 on the one end 33a side of the compression coil spring 33 in the unloaded state. The width dimension w is larger than the distance between the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the guide boss portion 43a.

  In the first embodiment, the elastic absorbing member 35 is the other guide hole 43 (see FIG. 5) as viewed from the spring mounting boss 41a (operation hole 41) existing inside the one end 33a of the compression coil spring 33. The one end 35a viewed in the left-right direction is sandwiched between the wire rods in the predetermined region Au1 on the one end 33a side of the compression coil spring 33 while being fitted between the guide boss portion 43a on the right side as viewed from the front. Arranged. At this time, a supported portion 35b that is deformed so as to be constricted by being sandwiched and supported by the wire rod at one end 33a of the compression coil spring 33 is formed at one end portion 35a of the elastic absorbing member 35. In the elastic absorbing member 35, the spring mounting boss portion 41a side of the supported portion 35b in the one end portion 35a is filled between the compression coil spring 33 (its one end 33a) and the spring mounting boss portion 41a when viewed in the left-right direction. ing. From this, the elastic absorbing member 35 fills the space between the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the guide boss portion 43a in the left-right direction, and fills the space between the wires 33 at one end 33a of the compression coil spring 33 in the up-down direction. . Therefore, the position between the spring mounting boss portion 41a of the operation hole 41 and the guide boss portion 43a of the other guide hole 43 is continuous with the location (surface) where the one end 33a of the compression coil spring 33 is mounted. However, it functions as a first installation recess that is recessed in the pressing operation direction with respect to the tips (upper surfaces) of the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the guide boss portion 43a. A switch device 36 is provided below the operation hole 41 of the mounting recess 32 provided with the compression coil spring 33 and the like.

  The switch device 36 includes a switch body 36 a and a switch protrusion 36 b, and the switch protrusion 36 b is provided below the operation hole 41 in the vertical direction. In the switch device 36, when the switch projection 36b is pushed into the switch body 36a (in the illustrated example, it is pushed down), the switch body 36a outputs a signal. Further, the switch device 36 is configured such that the switch protrusion 36b returns to the initial position when the push-in is released. In the first embodiment, the switch device 36 is configured such that the push amount of the switch protrusion 36b with respect to the switch body 36a is set in two stages, and a different signal is output at each stage. That is, the switch device 36 outputs a first signal when the switch protrusion 36b is pushed into the switch main body 36a and reaches the first stage position, and then the switch protrusion 36b is pushed further from the second position. Then, the second signal is output. Further, in the switch device 36, it is possible to grasp that the switch protrusion 36b has reached the one-step position by the change in the amount of force required to push the switch protrusion 36b (the amount of force against the return force). Further, in the switch device 36, the amount of force that resists the return force in the switch projection 36b is greater than the amount of force that resists the return force in the compression coil spring 33 described above. As described above, when the push button 34 attached to the attachment recess 32 is pushed down, the switch device 36 has a positional relationship in which the push guide shaft portion 34b (the tip) pushes the switch protrusion 36b. Yes. The switch device 36 is attached to a switch board 37.

  The switch substrate 37 has a plate shape, and electronic components such as a capacitor and a resistor are mounted on the switch 11 but are not shown. The switch body 37a of the switch device 36 is electrically connected and mounted on the switch board 37. In this switch board 37, a predetermined electronic circuit is constituted by electronic components provided in each, and when a signal (the first signal and the second signal in the first embodiment) is output from the switch body 36a, An operation signal (a first operation signal and a second operation signal described later in the first embodiment) indicating that the pressing operation on the shutter button 15 has been performed is output to the control unit 21.

  In this push switch mechanism 30, the button body 34 a (the surface thereof) is exposed from the housing 11 (cover 31), and is pressed down on the housing 11 (cover 31) in the vertical direction. The shutter button 15 is formed by the enabled push button 34. In the push switch mechanism 30, when the shutter button 15 (press button 34) exposed from the housing 11 (cover 31) is pressed, compression is performed between the button body 34 a and the bottom wall 32 b of the mounting recess 32. The coil spring 33 is compressed, and the pressing guide shaft portion 34b (the tip thereof) pushes the switch protrusion 36b of the switch device 36 into the switch main body 36a. When the pushing amount reaches the one-step position (so-called half-pressed state), the switch body 36a of the switch device 36 outputs the first signal to the switch substrate 37, and the switch substrate 37 is the one-step in the shutter button 15. A first operation signal indicating that the pressing operation has been performed is output to the control unit 21. Thereafter, when the pushing amount reaches the two-stage position (so-called fully depressed state), the switch main body 36a of the switch device 36 outputs the second signal to the switch board 37, and the switch board 37 is in the two-stage on the shutter button 15. A second operation signal indicating that the pressing operation has been performed is output to the control unit 21. Further, in the push switch mechanism 30, when the push operation to the shutter button 15 (push button 34) is released, the shutter button 15 (push button 34 (surface thereof)) is caused by the restoring force (restoring force) of the compression coil spring 33. Is returned to the initial position where it is exposed from the housing 11 (cover 31). In the push switch mechanism 30, since the elastic absorbing member 35 is sandwiched between the wire rods at one end 33 a of the compression coil spring 33, vibration that can be generated in the compression coil spring 33 when compressed or restored (elastic deformation). Can be absorbed by the elastic absorbing member 35.

  In the push switch mechanism 30 according to the first embodiment, the elastic absorbing member 35 is provided between the wire rods of the compression coil spring 33. Therefore, the elastic absorbing member 35 is always provided between the wire rods regardless of the compression amount of the compression coil spring 33. Since they are sandwiched, vibrations that can occur in the compression coil spring 33 during the process of pressing down the shutter button 15 (press button 34) (press operation) can be absorbed by the elastic absorbing member 35, and the shutter button 15 (press button) The vibration that can occur in the compression coil spring 33 can be absorbed by the elastic absorbing member 35 even when 34) returns to the initial position. For this reason, it is possible to reliably prevent the generation of abnormal noise due to the vibration of the compression coil spring 33.

  Further, in the push switch mechanism 30 of the first embodiment, in the compression coil spring 33, the elastic absorbing member 35 is disposed between the wires in the predetermined region Au1 on the one end 33a side where the intervals of the wires viewed in the axial direction are short intervals. Therefore, even a small elastic absorbing member 35 can be reliably sandwiched between the wire rods of the compression coil spring 33.

  Further, in the push switch mechanism 30 of the first embodiment, when the compression coil spring 33 vibrates in a state where the elastic absorption member 35 sandwiched between the wire rods of the compression coil spring 33 is in contact with the compression coil spring 33, the elastic deformation is caused by the vibration. Therefore, the influence on the load for compressing the compression coil spring 33 can be reduced. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the change in the force level when the shutter button 15 (press button 34) is pressed down to such an extent that it can be ignored in actual use. In particular, in the push-down switch mechanism 30 of the first embodiment, the amount of force that resists the return force in the compression coil spring 33 is smaller than the amount of force that resists the return force in the switch protrusion 36b. The influence of the pressing operation of the shutter button 15 (pressing button 34) due to the elastic absorbing member 35 being sandwiched between the 33 wire rods can be made extremely small, which is more effective.

  In the push switch mechanism 30 of the first embodiment, in the compression coil spring 33, the elastic absorbing member 35 is sandwiched between the wires in the predetermined region Au1 on the one end 33a side where the intervals between the wires seen in the axial direction are short intervals. Therefore, the influence on the load for compressing the compression coil spring 33 can be reduced.

  In the push-down switch mechanism 30 according to the first embodiment, the vibration of the compression coil spring 33 is absorbed by the elastic absorbing member 35 sandwiched between the wires as viewed in the axial direction. Since the elastic absorbing member 35 can absorb the change in the distance between the wires in the axial direction, the vibration of the compression coil spring 33 can be more effectively suppressed.

  In the push switch mechanism 30 of the first embodiment, since the elastic absorbing member 35 has a height dimension h larger than the interval between the wires in the predetermined region Au1 on the one end 33a side of the compression coil spring 33 in the unloaded state, Regardless of the compression amount of the compression coil spring 33, the elastic absorbing member 35 can always be sandwiched between the wires.

  In the push-down switch mechanism 30 of the first embodiment, the elastic absorbing member 35 has a width dimension w larger than the distance between the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the guide boss portion 43a, and the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the guide boss portion. Since the elastic absorbing member 35 is fitted between the first and second recesses 43a (the first installation recess), the elastic absorbing member 35 causes vibrations in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction of the compression coil spring 33 (its wire rod) to be more affected. Since it can absorb effectively, vibration of compression coil spring 33 can be controlled more effectively.

  In the push switch mechanism 30 according to the first embodiment, the elastic absorbing member 35 has a width dimension w larger than the width dimension of the gap between the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the guide boss portion 43a, and the spring mounting boss portion 41a (operation The elastic absorbing member 35 is fitted between the guide boss portion 43a on the other guide hole portion 43 (right side when viewed from the front in FIG. 5 etc.) as viewed from the hole portion 41) (first installation recess). Therefore, since the vibration of the push button 34 (shutter button 15) in the compression coil spring 33 in the longitudinal direction of the button body 34a can be more effectively absorbed, the vibration of the compression coil spring 33 can be more effectively absorbed. Can be suppressed.

  In the push-down switch mechanism 30 of the first embodiment, since the elastic absorbing member 35 is fitted between the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the guide boss portion 43a (first installation recess), the compression coil spring 33 is compressed. Alternatively, it is possible to prevent the elastic absorbing member 35 from dropping from between the wire rods of the compression coil spring 33 as the returning operation from there is repeated.

  In the push-down switch mechanism 30 of the first embodiment, compression is performed on the supported portion 35b that is deformed so as to be constricted by sandwiching the elastic absorbing member 35 between the wire rods in the predetermined region Au1 on the one end 33a side of the compression coil spring 33 in an unloaded state. Since the wire rod of the coil spring 33 is fitted and the elastic absorbing member 35 is fitted between the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the guide boss portion 43a (first installation recess), the mounting recess It is possible to prevent the compression coil spring 33 from moving in the direction along the plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, particularly in the horizontal direction.

  In the push-down switch mechanism 30 according to the first embodiment, a spring mounting boss portion 41a that can be inserted into one end 33a for mounting the compression coil spring 33, and the other guide hole 43 (see FIG. 5 and the like in front view). And the guide boss portion 43a for reinforcing the right side) forms a first installation recess into which the elastic absorbing member 35 is fitted, so that a new recess is provided only for the arrangement of the elastic absorbing member 35. Since it is not necessary to form a place, a simple configuration can be obtained.

  In the push switch mechanism 30 of the first embodiment, since the shutter button 15 is formed by the push button 34 that prevents a change in the force for the push operation, the operation feeling as the shutter button 15 should be good. Can do. In the shutter button 15, the focus adjustment and the shooting are separately performed depending on the difference in the amount of pressing operation in the pressing operation (the position in one step (half-pressed state) and the position in the two steps (full-pressed state)). Since the grasping of the difference in the pushing operation amount is due to the change in the force required to push the switch protrusion 36b in the switch device 36, the casing 11 (cover 31 ( Since the force for the pressing operation of the shutter button 15 (pressing button 34) with respect to the mounting recess 32)) is set to be smaller than the force resisting the return force at the switch projection 36b, the shutter button 15 The user who presses down easily grasps the change in the amount of force required to push the switch protrusion 36b in the switch device 36. Due to the fact that you can.

  In the digital camera 10 provided with the push switch mechanism 30 according to the first embodiment, the operation feeling of the shutter button 15 can be improved, and the generation of abnormal noise at the shutter button 15 can be prevented. For this reason, quality can be improved more.

  Therefore, in the push switch mechanism 30 according to the first embodiment, the generation of noise is prevented while suppressing the change in the force level when the shutter button 15 (press button 34) is pressed down to an extent that can be ignored in practical use. be able to.

  In the first embodiment described above, the elastic absorbing member 35 is sandwiched between the wire rods in the predetermined region Au1 on the one end 33a side of the compression coil spring 33, but between the wire rods in the predetermined region Au2 on the other end 33b side. The elastic absorbing member 35 may be sandwiched (see the elastic absorbing member 35 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5), and is not limited to the first embodiment described above.

  Next, the push switch mechanism 30B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment is an example in which the configuration of the push switch mechanism 30B is different from the push switch mechanism 30 (digital camera 10) of the above-described embodiment. Since the basic configuration of the push switch mechanism 30B (digital camera 10) of the second embodiment is the same as that of the push switch mechanism 30 (digital camera 10) of the first embodiment described above, the same components are the same. Reference numerals are assigned and detailed description thereof is omitted. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 3 showing the configuration of the push switch mechanism 30B in a schematic cross section. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 5 showing a schematic cross section of the state where the compression coil spring 33 is in an unloaded state before the push button 34 (shutter button 15) is attached in the push switch mechanism 30B. is there.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the push switch mechanism 30 </ b> B according to the second embodiment is provided with an elastic absorbing member 38. The elastic absorbing member 38 is formed of the same member as the elastic absorbing member 35, and is seen from the spring mounting boss portion 41a (operation hole portion 41) existing inside the one end 33a of the compression coil spring 33. The width dimension is such that it can be fitted between the guide boss portion 43a of one guide hole portion 43 (left side when FIG. 6 is viewed from the front). In the second embodiment, the elastic absorbing member 38 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is a size obtained by subtracting the diameter of the wire rod of the compression coil spring 33 from the distance between the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the guide boss portion 43a of one guide hole portion 43. The width dimension w ′ is larger than the vertical dimension (see FIG. 7).

  In the second embodiment, the elastic absorbing member 38 has one guide hole 43 (FIG. 5) as viewed from the spring mounting boss 41a (operation hole 41) existing inside the one end 33a of the compression coil spring 33. And the like (right side when viewed from the front) and the one end 33a of the compression coil spring 33. Therefore, the elastic absorbing member 38 is compressed in the left-right direction at a position opposite to the elastic absorbing member 35 with respect to the axis of the compression coil spring 33, that is, a position facing the elastic absorbing member 35 across the axis of the compression coil spring 33. The space between the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the guide boss portion 43a is filled with the coil spring 33 (its one end 33a) interposed. The elastic absorbing member 38 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the compression coil spring 33. From this, the elastic absorption member 35 functions as a first elastic absorption member, and the elastic absorption member 38 functions as a second elastic absorption member. Further, the position between the spring mounting boss portion 41a of the operation hole 41 and the guide boss portion 43a of the one guide hole 43 is continuous with the position (surface) to which the one end 33a of the compression coil spring 33 is attached. It functions as a second installation recess that is recessed in the pressing operation direction with respect to the tips (upper surface) of the mounting boss portion 41a and the guide boss portion 43a.

  In the push-down switch mechanism 30B of the second embodiment, the spring mounting boss is interposed by interposing the elastic absorbing member 35 sandwiched between the wire rods at one end 33a of the compression coil spring 33 and the compression coil spring 33 (the one end 33a) on the opposite side. The elastic absorbing member 35 filling the space between the portion 41a and the guide boss portion 43a with the elastic absorbing member 35 can generate vibrations that can be generated in the compression coil spring 33 by being compressed or restored (elastic deformation). Can be absorbed.

  Since the push switch mechanism 30B (digital camera 10) according to the second embodiment has basically the same configuration as the push switch mechanism 30 (digital camera 10) according to the first embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are basically provided. Can be obtained.

  In addition, in the push switch mechanism 30B according to the second embodiment, the vibration of the compression coil spring 33 can be absorbed more effectively by the elastic absorption member 38 in addition to the elastic absorption member 35. Can be suppressed.

  In the push switch mechanism 30B of the second embodiment, since the elastic absorbing member 38 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the compression coil spring 33, the compression coil spring 33 is hardly affected by compression. it can. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the change in the power level in the process of pressing down the shutter button 15 (press button 34) (pressing operation) to such an extent that it can be ignored in practical use, and the setting of the power level is facilitated. be able to.

  Furthermore, in the push-down switch mechanism 30B of the second embodiment, the elastic absorbing member 38 has a width larger than the size obtained by subtracting the diameter of the wire rod of the compression coil spring 33 from the distance between the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the guide boss portion 43a. The elastic absorbing member 38 is formed with a compression coil spring 33 (one end 33a) interposed between the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the guide boss portion 43a (second installation recess). Since it is fitted, it is possible to more effectively absorb the vibration in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction in the compression coil spring 33 (its wire rod), so that the vibration of the compression coil spring 33 is more effectively suppressed. be able to.

  In the push switch mechanism 30B of the second embodiment, the elastic absorbing member 35 and the elastic absorbing member 38 are provided so as to sandwich the compression coil spring 33 when viewed in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the compression coil spring 33. The vibration in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the compression coil spring 33 (the wire) can be more effectively absorbed, and the vibration of the compression coil spring 33 can be more effectively suppressed.

  In the push-down switch mechanism 30B of the second embodiment, the elastic absorption member 35 and the elastic absorption member 38 are provided so as to sandwich the compression coil spring 33 when viewed in the left-right direction. Since the vibration in the longitudinal direction of the button body 34a of the (shutter button 15) can be more effectively absorbed, the vibration of the compression coil spring 33 can be more effectively suppressed.

  In the push-down switch mechanism 30B of the second embodiment, the elastic absorbing member 35 and the elastic absorbing member 38 that sandwich the compression coil spring 33 are disposed between the spring mounting boss portion 41a and each guide boss portion 43a (first installation recess and Since the compression coil spring 33 is provided in the mounting recess 32, the compression coil spring 33 moves in a direction along the plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, particularly in the horizontal direction. Can be prevented.

  In the push-down switch mechanism 30B of the second embodiment, a spring mounting boss portion 41a that can be inserted into one end 33a for mounting the compression coil spring 33, and a guide boss portion for reinforcing each guide hole portion 43. 43a, the first installation recess into which the elastic absorption member 35 is fitted and the second installation recess into which the elastic absorption member 38 is fitted are formed. Since it is not necessary to form a concave portion, a simple configuration can be achieved.

  Therefore, in the push switch mechanism 30B according to the second embodiment, the generation of noise is prevented while suppressing the change in the force level when the shutter button 15 (press button 34) is pressed down to an extent that can be ignored in practical use. be able to.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the push switch mechanisms 30 and 30B as examples of the push switch mechanism according to the present invention have been described. However, a push switch that outputs an operation signal when a push button provided on the housing is pressed. A mechanism comprising: a compression coil spring provided between the housing and the push button along a direction in which the push button is pushed with respect to the housing; and the push button pushed down in the push operation direction. A pressing device comprising: a switch device that outputs an operation signal when pressed; and an elastic absorbing member that is sandwiched between wires forming the compression coil spring at a short interval portion of the end of the compression coil spring. Any switch mechanism may be used, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the shutter button 15 is formed by the push button 34 of the push switch mechanisms 30 and 30B. However, the push button 34 that can be pressed using the compression coil spring 33. As long as it is, it is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  Further, in each of the embodiments described above, the elastic absorbing member 35 is provided by being fitted between the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the guide boss portion 43a (first installation recess). It is sufficient that the elastic absorbing member 35 is provided between the wires in the predetermined region Au1 on the one end 33a side or between the wires in the predetermined region Au2 on the other end 33b side of the compression coil spring 33. It is not limited to.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the elastic absorbing member 35 is located between the compression coil spring 33 (its one end 33a) and the spring mounting boss portion 41a on the spring mounting boss portion 41a side with respect to the supported portion 35b in the one end portion 35a. The elastic absorbing member 35 is provided between the wires in the predetermined area Au1 on the one end 33a side of the compression coil spring 33 or between the wires in the predetermined area Au2 on the other end 33b side of the compression coil spring 33. As long as it is provided, it is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the elastic absorbing member 35 includes the guide boss portion 43a of the other guide hole portion 43 (on the right side in FIG. 5 and the like) when viewed from the spring mounting boss portion 41a (operation hole portion 41). However, the compression coil spring 33 is inserted into an installation recess provided in a recessed manner in the direction of pressing the shutter button 15 (press button 34) while continuing to the position where the one end 33a of the compression coil spring 33 is attached. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the first installation recess is formed by the spring mounting boss portion 41 a of the operation hole portion 41 and the guide boss portion 43 a of the other guide hole portion 43, but one end of the compression coil spring 33 is formed. 33a (one end) is inserted into both ends of the elastic absorbing member 35 formed in a depression in the pressing operation direction while continuing to the place (surface) to which the 33a (one end) is attached and viewed in the direction orthogonal to the pressing operation direction. For example, even if the first installation recess is constituted by the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the side wall portion of the mounting recess 32 (the portion that exists in the front-rear direction and spans the both end wall portions 32a), for example. The first installation recess may be formed by forming a recess surrounding the portion (surface) to which the one end 33a is attached, and is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  In the above-described second embodiment, the elastic absorbing member 38 is provided in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the compression coil spring 33 (its one end 33 a). However, like the elastic absorbing member 35, a predetermined value on the one end 33 a side of the compression coil spring 33 is provided. The elastic absorbing member 38 may be provided so as to be sandwiched between the wires in the region Au1, and is not limited to the second embodiment described above.

  In the second embodiment described above, the elastic absorbing member 38 includes the guide boss portion 43a in one guide hole portion 43 (on the right side when viewed from the front in FIG. 5 and the like) when viewed from the spring mounting boss portion 41a (operation hole portion 41). The compression coil is provided at a position opposite to the elastic absorbing member 35 with respect to the axis of the compression coil spring 33, that is, a position facing the elastic absorbing member 35 across the axis of the compression coil spring 33. What is necessary is just to be provided in contact with the spring 33, and it is not limited to above-mentioned Example 2. FIG.

  In the second embodiment described above, the spring installation boss portion 41 a of the operation hole 41 and the guide boss portion 43 a of one guide hole 43 constitute the second installation recess, but the axis of the compression coil spring 33 In the position opposite to the elastic absorbing member 35, the first end 33a (one end portion) is formed continuously in a portion (surface) where it is attached and recessed in the pressing operation direction, and is orthogonal to the pressing operation direction. As long as both ends of the elastic absorbing member 38 viewed in the direction can be fitted, for example, the spring mounting boss portion 41a and the side wall portion of the mounting recess 32 (the portion that exists in the front-rear direction and spans the both end wall portions 32a) ) And the second installation recess may be configured, or the second installation recess may be configured by forming a recess surrounding the portion (surface) to which the one end 33a is attached. Limited to Example 2 Not intended to be.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the switch device 36 is configured such that the push amount of the switch protrusion 36b with respect to the switch body 36a is set in two stages, and outputs a different signal for each stage. The switch protrusion 36b is pushed in by the push button 34 (the push guide shaft portion 34b) pushed down in the vertical direction against the pressing force of the compression coil spring 33 against the (cover 31). Any device that outputs an operation signal may be used, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the push switch mechanisms 30 and 30B are provided in the digital camera 10, but the digital camera 10 is mounted on a portable information terminal device such as a PDA (personal data assistant) or a mobile phone incorporating a camera function. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. This is because many of such portable information terminal devices include functions and configurations that are substantially the same as those of the digital camera 10 although the appearance is slightly different. Similarly, the push switch mechanism (30, 30B) according to the present invention may be employed in the image input apparatus.

  As described above, the push switch mechanism of the present invention and the imaging device provided with the push switch mechanism have been described based on each embodiment. However, the specific configuration is not limited to each embodiment, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Design changes and additions are allowed without departing from the gist.

10 Digital camera (as an example of an imaging device) 11 Housing 15 Shutter button 30, 30B Press switch mechanism 31 Cover (constituting a part of the housing) 33 Compression coil spring 33a (on one end of the compression coil spring) One end 33b (as an example) One end 33b (as an example of an end of a compression coil spring) 34 Press button 35 Elastic absorbing member (as an example of a first elastic absorbing member) 36 Switch device 38 (Second elastic absorbing member) Elastic absorbing member 41a (as an example) Spring mounting boss portion 43a (which constitutes a first installation recess and a second installation recess as an example) 43a (First installation recess and second installation as an example) Guide boss part Au1 (as an example of a short interval part) Au2 (as an example of a short interval part) Predetermined area

JP 08-115632 A

Claims (7)

A push switch mechanism that outputs an operation signal by a push operation of a push button provided on a housing,
A compression coil spring provided along a pressing operation direction of the pressing button with respect to the casing between the casing and the pressing button;
A switch device that outputs an operation signal by being pressed by the pressing button pressed down in the pressing operation direction;
An elastic absorbing member provided between the wires forming the compression coil spring at a short interval portion of the end of the compression coil spring; and
The elastic absorbing member is provided at one end of the compression coil spring that is to be attached to the housing,
The housing has an installation recess that is recessed in the pressing operation direction while continuing to a location where one end of the compression coil spring is attached,
It said resilient absorbent member is press switch mechanism characterized that you have provided The set置凹plant is fitted at both ends as viewed in the direction orthogonal to the pressing operation direction to the installation recess. The push switch mechanism according to claim 1,
The elastic absorbing member as a first elastic absorbing member,
Further, at a position facing the first resilient absorbent members across the axis of the compression coil spring, wherein, wherein Rukoto comprises a second elastic absorbing member provided in contact with the compression coil spring Item 2. A push switch mechanism according to Item 1. A push switch mechanism that outputs an operation signal by a push operation of a push button provided on a housing,
A compression coil spring provided along a pressing operation direction of the pressing button with respect to the casing between the casing and the pressing button;
A switch device that outputs an operation signal by being pressed by the pressing button pressed down in the pressing operation direction;
An elastic absorbing member provided between the wires forming the compression coil spring at a short interval portion of the end of the compression coil spring; and
The elastic absorbing member is provided at one end of the compression coil spring that is to be attached to the housing,
The elastic absorbing member as a first elastic absorbing member,
And a second elastic absorbing member provided in contact with the compression coil spring at a position facing the first elastic absorbing member across the axis of the compression coil spring,
The casing has the first installation recess recessed in the pressing operation direction while continuing to a position where one end of the compression coil spring is attached, and the first installation across the axis of the compression coil spring. A second installation recess that is recessed in the pressing operation direction while continuing to a location where one end of the compression coil spring is attached at a position facing the recess,
The first elastic absorbing member is provided in the first installation recess by fitting both ends seen in a direction orthogonal to the pressing operation direction into the first installation recess.
The second elastic absorbing member is provided in the second installation recess by fitting both ends viewed in a direction orthogonal to the pressing operation direction into the second installation recess . press under the switch mechanism that. The housing has an installation recess that is recessed in the pressing operation direction while continuing to a location where one end of the compression coil spring is attached,
4. The push switch mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the elastic absorbing member is provided in the installation recess by fitting both ends viewed in a direction orthogonal to the press operation direction into the installation recess. 5. . Before Symbol the second elastic absorbing member, in the short distance part of the one end of the compression coil spring, according to claim 2, characterized in that is provided sandwiched between the wire that forms the compression coil spring The push switch mechanism according to claim 1 . The push button is depressed switch mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shutter button der Rukoto for executing the photographing operation. Imaging apparatus characterized by pressing the switch mechanism is provided according to any one of claims 6 請 Motomeko 1.