JPH04106819U - Snap spring structure for switches - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To provide a snap spring structure for a switch that can reliably perform reversal and return while reducing operating pressure. [Structure] The movable deformable portion 12 that makes it possible to bulge the small thin piece 11 and apply a drag force during reversal and an automatic return force after reversal is made of one layer or a low-expansion upper portion 13 located on the bulge side. In the snap spring structure for a switch formed of two layers with a high-expansion lower member 14, the top surface of the movable deformable portion 12 is provided with a structure that strengthens and increases the resistance force during reversal and the automatic return force after reversal. 1. A snap spring structure for a switch, characterized in that a recessed portion 15 is formed for a purpose. [Effect] Even if the radius of curvature of the movable deformable portion 12 made of the small flakes 11 is set large and the operating pressure is set low, the concave portion 15
This makes it possible to increase the resistance during reversal and the automatic return force after reversal, thereby ensuring reliable electrical ON/OFF operation.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a snap spring structure for a switch, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a snap spring structure for a switch. It is built into the switch and its electrical ON/OFF operation is performed at relatively low operating pressure. This invention relates to a snap spring structure for a switch that can be operated reliably.

0002

[Conventional technology]

There are various types of switches for mechanically performing electrical ON/OFF operations. There is a structure. Among these, for example, snap switches respond to input operations using fingers. Snap springs that form mechanical electrical contacts (hereinafter referred to as ``pressure type snap springs'') There is a device that incorporates a function called ) to enable electrical ON/OFF operation. .

0003 In addition, for example, bimetal switches can respond to temperature changes without using your fingers. Bimetallic snap springs (hereinafter referred to as ``snap springs'') that automatically operate according to the It also incorporates a metal (called "metal") to enable electrical ON/OFF operation. There is also one.

0004 On the other hand, regarding various devices formed by incorporating such mechanical switches, are rapidly becoming smaller, and this trend is reflected in the practical use of switches, etc. As a result, the pressure built into this type of switch naturally spreads to the mounting parts. For example, the diameter of type snap springs and snap bimetals is around 7 to 13 mm. Therefore, those formed from small thin pieces with a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.2 mm are used. It's starting to become easier.

[0005] Figure 4 shows a typical structure of a pressurized snap spring among the conventional examples mentioned above. A small thin piece 1 made of a flexible conductive material is used, with one side bulging out in a dome shape. Formed with a movable deformable part 2 that enables automatic return force to be applied when reversing. has been done.

[0006] In this case, the movable deformation section 2 inverts the entire top surface section 5 by pressing it. and can be brought into contact with the side of the contact (not shown) when fully reversed. Wear. Moreover, since an automatic return force is applied in advance to this movable deformation part 2, By releasing the pressing force, it can be automatically returned to the non-inverted state. It is possible to perform ON/OFF operation between contacts through a series of operations. It has become.

[0007] Figure 5 shows a typical structure of snap bimetal among the above conventional examples. The small thin piece 1 made of flexible conductive material is located on the side that is exposed when not inverted. The upper member 3 has two layers, and the lower member 4 is fixed to the upper member 3. 3 is formed using a material having a smaller expansion coefficient than that of the lower member 4. By bulging out in a dome shape on the side of this upper member 3, it is possible to automatically recover when reversing. It is formed with a movable deformable portion 2 that can apply a return force.

[0008] In this case, the lower member 4 side of the movable deformable portion 2 rises as its temperature rises. It tries to deform (expand) more than the side member 3 side, and due to the deformation force at that time, The whole unit automatically reverses, and when it is completely reversed, the contact point (not shown) This means that they can be brought into contact. Moreover, the movable deformable portion 2 after being reversed has a temperature As the ), and the deformation force at this time allows for automatic return. It is now possible to perform ON/OFF operation between the contacts by the operation of the series. It has become.

[0009]

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

By the way, the pressurized snap spring shown in Fig. 4 and the snap bimetal shown in Fig. 5 Therefore, the point of view is to perform the ON/OFF operation under low operating pressure. If it stands, the radius of curvature of the dome-shaped movable deformable part 2 should be designed to be large. All you have to do is do it.

0010 However, the movable deformable portion 2 of the pressurized snap spring has a large radius of curvature. As the temperature increases, the operating distance during reversal gradually becomes smaller, and the operating pressure also decreases. It may become too thick and easily turn over if you touch it by mistake, or it may not turn over sufficiently. The disadvantage is that it tends to cause malfunctions such as reversing before it is fully rotated. there were.

[0011] Also, regarding the movable deformable portion 2 of the snap bimetal, its reversal and return movements are For example, if the crop needs to be grown at a low temperature of around 30 degrees Celsius, it is necessary to The radius of curvature is increased to respond sensitively to deformation (expansion/contraction). You need to set the pressure low.

0012 However, the snap bimetal is the same as the pressurized snap spring. Similarly, as the radius of curvature increases, the operating distance during reversal also gradually decreases. Therefore, the operating pressure becomes too low, resulting in slight deformation (expansion/contraction). may react more sensitively than necessary and reverse, or reverse again before it has fully reversed. This has the disadvantage that it tends to cause malfunctions such as automatic recovery.

[0013]

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention was devised in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its structural features are , one side of a small thin piece made of flexible conductive material is bulged out in a dome shape to A switch formed with a movable deformable part that can apply a drag force and an automatic return force after reversal. The top surface of the movable deformable part has a snap spring structure for flipping. A concave portion is formed to strengthen and increase the drag force during reversal and the automatic return force after reversal. There is a particular thing.

[0014] Further, the small thin piece having a concave portion on the top surface of the movable deformable portion expands when not inverted. It has two layers: an upper member located on the protruding surface side and a lower member fixed to this. The upper member is made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion smaller than that of the lower member. It can also be a snap bimetal formed using a metal.

[0015]

[Effect]

Therefore, the movable deformable part made of small flakes has a relatively large radius of curvature. Even if the operating pressure is set low, the concave part formed on the top surface will cause the reverse operation to occur. It is possible to strengthen and increase both the drag force at , and the automatic return force after reversal. can. Therefore, the electrical ON/OFF operation using this movable deformation part is relatively difficult. It can be performed reliably even under low operating pressure.

[0016]

【Example】

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. Figure 1 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a pressurized snap spring, and Figure 2 shows an example of the present invention applied to a pressurized snap spring. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example in which the invention is applied to a snap bimetal; In both of these, one side of a small thin piece 11 made of a flexible conductive material is bulged out in a dome shape. By doing so, it adds a drag force when reversing and an automatic return force when reversing after reversing. The entire structure is formed by providing a movable deformable portion 12 for applying the same.

[0017] Of these, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. Both the drag force during rotation and the automatic return force when reversing after reversing are strengthened and increased. A concave portion 15 that can be bent is formed with a protruding curved surface 16 that bulges in the direction of reversal. has been done.

[0018] Furthermore, the radius of curvature of the concave portion 15 formed in the movable deformation portion 12 is The drag force at the time of reversal brought about by the radius of curvature adopted by No. 12 and the automatic recovery after reversal It is determined relatively as desired in relation to the return force.

[0019] The small thin piece 11 used in this case is made of flexible material such as beryllium copper or phosphor bronze. It can be formed using a conductive material, and its overall standard is 7 to 13 m in diameter. Most of them have a circular planar shape with a thickness of around 0.1 to 0.2 mm. or an appropriate planar shape such as an oblong, oval, or rectangular shape having approximately the same size and thickness. Those exhibiting the following can be suitably used.

[0020] On the other hand, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. The small thin piece 11 which is made of It has a bimetallic structure consisting of two layers with a lower member 14 fixedly arranged on the upper member. The side member 13 has a relatively smaller coefficient of thermal expansion than the lower member 14. It is made using materials that

[0021] In this case, the upper member 13 constituting the small thin piece 11 made of a flexible conductive material is For example, an alloy material consisting of nickel and iron is used, and the lower member 14 is made of brass or nickel. The lower member 1 is made of aluminum, manganese and iron. The degree of deformation (expansion/contraction) on the 4 side is relatively greater than on the upper member 13 side. It can be formed using an appropriate flexible conductive member. Regarding the overall standard of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, please refer to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 already described. It is possible to adopt the same method as in the case of .

[0022] Next, regarding the present invention constructed in this way, its operation will be explained by the practical example shown in Fig. 1. A description will be given of the embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

[0023] First, the pressurized snap spring shown in Figure 1 will be explained according to (A) to (E) in Figure 3. If so, the small thin piece 11 attached to the mounting member side such as a switch via the peripheral edge 17 is a portion of the movable deformable portion 12 such as the concave portion 15 in the non-inverted state (A) By pressing with fingers or mechanical operation member, it is forced to the reverse side as shown in (b). By deforming it and pressing it further, it will be pushed into the state (c) and completely reversed. The protruding curved surface 16 can be forcibly brought into contact with a contact point (not shown).

[0024] In this case, a concave portion 15 is formed in the movable deformable portion 12 of the small thin piece 11. , it is possible to exert a resistance force against the pressing force applied in the reversal direction. However, Therefore, the small thin piece 11 makes the radius of curvature of the movable deformable portion 12 excluding the concave portion 15 relatively large. Even if the operating pressure is set low by removing the The overall operating pressure can be increased to a desired degree by the drag force generated. . Moreover, by providing such a concave portion 15, the small thin piece 11 has the opposite side. It is possible to maintain a click feeling indicating that the rolling action is being performed reliably. The reliability of the reversing operation can be improved.

[0025] In addition, the small flake 11 whose pressing force is released under the inverted state (c) is , the movable deformable portion 12 attempts to reverse itself and return to its original state by its automatic return force. deer Also, in the movable deformable portion 12 in this state, the protruding curved surface 16 forming the concave portion 15 is Since it is protruded to the reverse side, the automatic return force can be further strengthened and increased. Wear. Therefore, the small thin piece 11 whose pressing force is released immediately returns to the state (d). It starts to automatically transform (re-invert) in the return direction, and further automatically transforms to the state shown in (E). However, it is possible to completely return to the non-inverted state. Moreover, the recessed portion 15 is Due to its presence, the small thin piece 11 can be assured that its return operation is being performed reliably. It is possible to maintain the click feeling indicating that the return operation is reliable. can improve sex.

[0026] On the other hand, in the case of the snap bimetal shown in Fig. 2, the parts shown in Fig. 3 (a) to (e) The reversal, re-inversion and return operations of the series are brought about by the rise and fall of temperature.

[0027] In other words, a small thin film is attached to a mounting member such as a switch through its peripheral edge 17. In the piece 11, the lower member 14 changes significantly compared to the upper member 13 as the temperature rises. Begins to shape (expand), generates a deforming force in the reverse direction, and exceeds a predetermined threshold The reversing operation starts as shown in Figure 3 (b), and a click is felt as in the case of Figure 1. The curved surface 16 is completely automatically reversed as shown in (c) with the contact point (not shown). ). This inverted state shown in (c) occurs when the temperature is constant. It will continue as long as it does not drop below a certain value. If the temperature drops below a certain value, The lower member 14 begins to deform (shrink) more greatly than the upper member 13, and begins to move in the return direction. A deformation force is generated, and it begins to automatically deform (re-invert) in the return direction, which is state (d). Similar to the case in Figure 1, it automatically transforms to the state shown in (E) with a click feeling, and the The state completely returns to the state at the time of inversion.

[0028] For the small thin piece 11 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this series of deformation operations is By having the movable deformation section 12 including the section 15 perform the desired electrical ON/Off operation, F function can be added.

[0029]

[Effect of the idea]

As described above, according to the present invention, the movable deformable portion made of small flakes has a radius of curvature. Even if it is relatively large and its operating pressure is set low, the recess formed on its top surface Due to the depression, the resistance force during reversal operation and the automatic return force necessary for re-inversion after reversal. can be strengthened and increased, making it more reliable against small flakes than before. It is possible to add an electrical ON/OFF function that operates automatically.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a series of reversal and return (re-reversal) movements in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or 2;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional example corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional example corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Small flakes 12 Movable deformation part 13 Upper member 14 Lower member 15 Recessed part 16 Convex curved surface 17 Periphery

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] [Claim 1] One side of a small thin piece made of a flexible conductive material is bulged in a dome shape to form a movable deformable part that can apply a drag force during reversal and an automatic return force after reversal. In the snap spring structure for a switch, a recessed portion is formed on the top surface of the movable deformable portion to strengthen and increase the resistance during reversal and the automatic return force after reversal. structure. 2. The small thin piece having a concave portion on the top surface of the movable deformable portion has two layers: an upper member located on the bulging surface side when not inverted, and a lower member fixedly arranged thereon. 2. The snap spring structure for a switch according to claim 1, wherein the upper member is formed using a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion smaller than that of the lower member.