JPH01255123A - Switch mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the same click feeling as that of a conventional pushbutton switch and make the operational directivity clear by pushing each conductive switch provided in the reciprocal position each other through a rotary lever by the rotation of a key top part. CONSTITUTION:A circularly rotatable key top part 2, a rotary lever 3 rotating integrally with the key top part 2, and conductive switches 4 having click feeling which are disposed in the reciprocal positions in the rotating direction of the rotary lever 3 are provided, and said conductive switches are made so that they can be pushed by the rotation of the key top part 2. Hence, the directivity of UP, DOWN operation is made clear in the rotating direction of the key top part, the input operation can be conducted with click feeling, and thus a switch mechanism having an excellent operating feeling can be obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Application in Industry] The present invention relates to a switch mechanism that rotates in an arc.

[Prior Art] In recent years, home appliances, especially televisions, VTRs, audio equipment, etc., and small precision devices such as cameras and clocks, have become increasingly digitalized. When setting or switching information input, such as switching modes, so-called up/down switches are increasingly being used.

The above switch configurations include a push button method using a metal spherical contact spring, a rubber contact switch using conductive rubber, and a slide method using a coil spring or the like to bias the key top. It's here.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of a conventionally known push button type switch.

In FIG. 4, 11 is a key top part, 12 is a metal spherical contact plate, 13 is a printed wiring board, 14 is a case, 15 is an exterior cover, and 16a and +6b are on the printed wiring board 13. It is a conductive pattern.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, when setting the information input described above, by pressing the key top section 11,
The contact spring 12 provides electrical continuity between the conductive patterns 16a and 16b on the printed wiring board 13, and serves as a switch. For example, key top 1 labeled UP
By pressing 1a, you can change the TV channel to 1-
It can be changed from 3 to 6-8-10 or the volume can be increased.

Also, by repeating 0N-OFF each time, not only does the setting input increase one step at a time, but if you keep pressing it for more than a certain period of time, it will switch continuously. .

Further, FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a conventionally generally known slide switch.

In Fig. 5, 21 is a key top part, 22 is a slide plate, 23 is a return coil spring for returning to the middle position, 24 is a sliding contact piece, 25 is a printed wiring board, and 26 is a stopper for removing the key. It is a holding plate.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, when the key top part 21 is slid left and right, the sliding contact piece 24 slides on a conductive pattern (not shown) on the printed wiring board 25 to establish continuity and connect the switch. It is designed to turn ON-OFF.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional push-button switch shown in Fig. 4, when operating the switch, it is difficult to visually check how many channels have been switched to and which mode has been set. Since you have to operate the switch while using the switch, you end up having to fumble for the switch operation. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to determine whether the user has pressed the UP button or the DOWN button, making it difficult to operate the device.

Furthermore, in the conventional slide switch shown in FIG. 5, the direction of the tlP-DOWN operation is clearer than in the push button type switch shown in FIG.
Because of the return coil spring 23, there is no click feeling, and it is difficult to perform delicate operations such as raising or lowering one or two more steps. However, there is a problem in that it lacks a sense of operation.

The present invention aims to solve the above problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a switch mechanism that provides a clear direction of operation and provides a click feeling.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the switch mechanism of the present invention has the following features:
A key top portion that can rotate in an arc shape, a rotating lever that rotates integrally with the key top portion, and a conductive switch that has a click feeling and is provided at opposite positions in the rotating direction of the rotating lever. and the conductive switch is pressed by rotation of the key top portion.

[Function] According to the present invention, by clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the key top portion, each of the conductive switches with a click feeling provided at opposite positions is pressed via the rotary lever. Therefore, it provides a lick feeling just like a conventional push button type switch, and the direction of operation is clear, similar to a conventional slide switch.

Embodiment FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, 1 is a cover serving as an exterior;
Reference numeral 2 designates a key top portion formed in an arc shape, which is rotatable in an arc shape along an arc-shaped sliding surface 1a formed on the cover 1 as shown by an arrow in FIG. 3 is a rotary lever that can be rotated integrally with the key top portion 2; 4 is a -
This is a generally widely used click rubber contact switch to which conductive rubber 4a is attached, and two contacts are arranged at opposite positions in the rotational direction of an arm portion 3a provided on a rotary lever 3.

5 is a printed west line hole + anti, and 6 is a lucky hit.

That is, the key top 2 has a support 2a that passes through an opening 1b provided in the cover 1, and a pin hole 2b provided in the support 2a and a pin hole 3b provided in the rotary lever 3 are connected. They are connected by pin 6.

In the switch mechanism configured as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the key top portion 2 is moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, the key top portion 2 slides along the sliding surface 1a of the cover 1. At the same time, the rotating lever 3 passes through the connecting bottle 6.
rotates in the direction of the arrow.

Then, the click rubber contact switch 4 provided in this rotating direction is pushed by the arm portion 3a provided on the rotary lever 3, and the conductive waste 4a is moved between the conductive patterns (not shown) provided on the printed wiring board 5. conducts, and the switch is turned on.

At this time, the thin wall portion 4b of the click rubber contact switch 4 is deformed by some degree of compression, so that a click feeling can be obtained.

At this point, when you let go of the key knob 2, the repulsive force of the click rubber contact switch 4 causes the
The key top section 2 is returned to the neutral position. The arm portion 3a of the rotary lever 3 contacts both click rubber contact switches 4 so that the key top portion 2 remains in this neutral position. Or it is set to wait in a slightly pushed position.

Note that FIG. 2 mainly shows the key top portion 2 in FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner, and FIG. 1 corresponds to a sectional view taken along the cutting line A-A in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention.

In this second embodiment, a spherical metal contact spring 7 is provided in place of the click rubber contact switch 4 of the first embodiment. This contact spring 7 has a first contact part 7a and a second contact part 7b, and has a key top part 2.
In a part of the rotational stroke of ", first, the first contact portion 7a and the conductive pattern 5b' of the printed wiring board 5'
By contacting and further rotating, the second contact portion 7b comes into contact with the conductive pattern 5c', establishing electrical continuity with the ground pattern 5a', and turning on the switch.

With this configuration, the first stage switch allows the first
Perform step-by-step information input P and DOWN, and use the second step switch to continuously input information UP and DO.
By conducting WN, it is also possible to fast-forward information human resources to human resources.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a seesaw plate that allows the arm portion 3a' of the rotary lever 3' to push the contact spring 7 from the vertical direction as much as possible.By disposing it between the contact spring 7 and the arm portion 3a', the The four-cut ρ between the springs 7 provides current resistance between the fulcrums, and the distance is doubled compared to the case without this, making it possible to press the contact spring 7 stably, and also keep the key top 2" always in the neutral position. It is now possible to wait in position.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, there is provided a key top portion that can rotate in an arc shape, a rotary lever that rotates physically with the key top portion, and a rotating direction of the rotary lever. Since conductive switches with a click feeling are provided at opposite positions, this makes the direction of the UP and DOWN operations clear in the direction of rotation of the key top, and allows input operations with a click feeling. This makes it possible to obtain a switch mechanism with an excellent operating feel.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional front view showing the first embodiment of the present invention, and the second embodiment is a cross-sectional front view showing the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a part of Figure 1.
The figure is a cross-sectional front view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing one example of the conventional technique, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another example. 1...Cover 2.2''...Key top part 3.3°...Rotary levers 3a, 3b'...Arm part 4...Click rubber contact switch 5.5'...
...Printed wiring board 6...Connection pin 7...Contact spring 8...Seesaw board Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 4

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A key top portion that is rotatable in an arc shape, a rotary lever that rotates integrally with the key top portion, and a rotary lever that is provided at opposite positions in the rotational direction of the rotary lever. 1. A switch mechanism comprising: a conductive switch with a clicky feeling, the conductive switch being pressed by rotation of the key top portion. 2. The switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the conductive switch with a click feeling is a rubber contact switch to which conductive rubber is attached. 3. The switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the conductive switch with a click feeling is a metal spherical contact spring.