JPH03283326A - Switch mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a switch inside a switch mechanism from being broken even if an excessive force or a buffering force is carelessly exerted on the switch mechanism by providing a control member with a buffering means. CONSTITUTION:A buffering mechanism 4 comprising a spring serving as a buffering means is provided at the end of a switch button 1 and is given an appropriate spring constant (k) in order to prevent an excessive load or buffer load from being directly transmitted to a tact switch 5. When the switch button 1 is pushed in the direction of the arrow the pushing force is cancelled out by the buffering mechanism 4 and then a pushing force is exerted on the tact switch 5 whereby predetermined switching operation is completed. The tact switch 5 will thus not be broken even if a pushing force is exerted on the switch 1 excessively or in a buffering manner.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a pushbutton type tact switch or microswitch that is provided on an electric circuit board of an electric device such as a copying machine or a printer and that is operated from the outside. Or it relates to a switch mechanism for operating small switches such as self-test switches.

[Prior Art] A conventional switch mechanism has a configuration as shown in FIG. 5, for example, and FIG. 6 shows its operation. The same figure is used as a control switch or a self-test switch. A general configuration of a switch mechanism is shown.

5 and 6, 31 is a switch button;
32 is a housing, 33 is a dust cover 34 is a tact switch, and 35 is a circuit board.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, as shown in FIG. 6, when the switch is operated, the switch button 3
There is a problem in that the internal tact switch 34 and the connection between the tact switch 34 and the circuit board 35 are damaged by pushing in the tact switch 1 with an unnecessarily strong force or by applying a buffering force.

Also, especially when used for equipment self-tests,
As shown in FIG. 7, the tact switch 34 is often operated using a tool 36, but even in such a case, there is a problem in that the tact switch 34 is damaged.

The present invention aims to solve the above problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a switch mechanism that does not damage the switch even if the operating member of the switch is pushed in from the outside more than necessary.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an operation member for externally operating a switch installed on an electric circuit board;
In a switch mechanism having a housing supporting the switch mechanism,
The operating member is provided with a buffer means for buffering external operating force.

[Function] According to the present invention, since the operating member is provided with a buffer means, even if the operating member is pushed in from the outside more than necessary, the buffer means relieves the force and the switch is closed. damage is avoided.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram explaining its operation.

1 and 2, 1 is a switch button (button) for operating the switch from outside the device, 2 is a housing that supports the switch mechanism, 3 is a dust cover, and 4 is the switch button 1. 5 is a tact switch; 5 is a tact switch;
6 is a circuit board on which the tact switch 5 is attached; 7
is the operation section. 1 again! The impact mechanism 4 is given an appropriate spring constant k in order to prevent overload or buffer load from being directly transmitted to the tactile switch 5.

In the switch mechanism configured as shown in Fig. 1, when the switch button 1 is pushed in the direction of the arrow as shown in Fig. 2, the pushing force is first reduced by the &I impact mechanism 4. . After this, a pushing force is applied to the tact switch 5,
Complete the predetermined switch operation. At this time, even if the push force of the switch is excessive or negative, the force is alleviated by the buffer mechanism 4, so the tact switch 5
will not be damaged.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment. In both cases, the bending rigidity of the switch mechanism member is appropriately lowered to provide a buffering effect, and a tact switch is used. This is designed to suppress excessive force and buffering force. These are designed as switch mechanisms for remote control.

In FIG. 3, 11 is the switch lever 12, and 1 is the housing.
3 is a rotary bottle, 14 is a tact switch, 15 is a circuit board, 16 is a portion of the switch lever 11 with reduced rigidity (buffer means), and 17 is an arrow indicating the direction in which the switch is pressed.

In FIG. 4, 21 and 22 are switch levers, 23 and 24 are rotary bins, 25 is a tact switch, 26 is a circuit board, and 27 is a part of the switch lever 21 with reduced rigidity (
28 is an arrow indicating the direction in which the switch lever 22 moves, 29 is an arrow indicating the direction in which the switch lever 21 is moving, 29a is an arrow indicating the direction in which the switch is pressed, 29b is an arrow indicating the direction in which the switch lever 21 moves. This is the connecting part of 22.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, since the operating member is provided with the buffering means, excessive force or buffering force is not inadvertently applied to the switch mechanism when operating the electrical equipment. This eliminates the risk of damaging internal switches such as tact switches, and eliminates the need to delicately adjust the push force when operating the switch, greatly improving the operability of the switch. Now, it is possible to configure a test switch that can be operated directly from the outside without removing the exterior plate, and this has the advantage of facilitating follow-up after installation at the user's site.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional front view showing the i-th embodiment of the present invention;
The figures are an explanatory diagram of the operation of the switch mechanism shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a sectional front view showing the second embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 4 is a perspective view similarly showing the third embodiment, and Fig. 5 6 is a cross-sectional front view showing one example of the conventional technique, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the switch mechanism of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional front view showing another example of the conventional technique. be. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Switch button, 2...Housing, 3...Dust cover 4...M impact mechanism, 5...Tact switch, 6...Circuit board, 11...Switch lever 12...・Housing, 13... Rotating pin, 14
...Tact switch, 15...Circuit board, 16...Reduced rigidity part, 21.22...Switch lever 23.24...Rotating bin, 25...Tact switch, 26...・Circuit board, 27... Part with reduced rigidity. 4 others Fig.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a switch mechanism having an operating member for externally operating a switch installed on an electric circuit board and a casing for supporting the operating member, the operating member is configured to buffer operating force from the outside. A switch mechanism characterized by being provided with a buffer means. 2. The switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the buffer means is provided on a member directly in contact with the tact switch. 3. The switch mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the buffer means comprises a spring. 4. The switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the buffer means is provided at a portion other than the one in contact with the tact switch, and provides a buffering effect when the switch is operated. 5 A part of the switch lever has a part with reduced rigidity,
5. The switch mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said portion has a buffering effect.