JPH0612587Y2 - Switch - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to a switch suitable for use in a position sensor of a transmission, and in particular, a conductor plate elastically supported by a holder is provided on a substrate. The present invention relates to a switch that is switched on and off by sliding a fixed contact provided on the resin surface of a substrate.

[Conventional technology]

This type of switch is known and described, for example, in US Pat. No. 3,602,656.

11 to 14 are explanatory views of the switch described in the above publication. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the switch, FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a holder provided in the switch, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 1 is a synthetic resin substrate,
A plurality of wiring patterns 2 (fixed contacts) made of a copper material are provided on the surface of the. Reference numeral 3 denotes a metal cover attached to the substrate 1, and a circular rotation hole 4 (only the cover 3 side is shown in FIG. 11) is formed in the cover 3 and the substrate 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes a holder made of synthetic resin, and at one end of the holder 5, a cylindrical portion 5a having an oval operation hole 6 at the center is formed to project. The cylindrical portion 5a is formed by the substrate 1 and the cover 3 Are rotatably inserted in the respective rotation holes 4.

As is apparent from FIGS. 12 to 14, first and second conductor plates 7 and 8 are held on the back surface of the holding body 5, and these conductor plates 7 and 8 face the substrate 1. is doing. The first conductor plate 7 has a circular hole portion 7a at one end in the lateral direction of the holding body 5 and a hooking claw 7b at the other end, and the hooking means is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the holding body 5. It has two contacts 7c and 7d so as to straddle the claw 7b, and further has a spring receiver 7e in the center. The first conductor plate 7 formed in this way is attached to the holding plate 5 in a state where one end of the coil spring 9 is wound around the spring receiver 7e, and is attached to the conical projection 5a formed on the holding body 5. When the circular hole portion 7a is engaged, the circular hole portion 7a is swingably supported with the projecting portion 5a as a fulcrum, and when the latching claw 7b abuts on the step portion 5b formed on the holding body 5, It is designed to prevent falling off.

The second conductor plate 8 has hooks 8a and 8b at both ends in the lateral direction of the holding body 5, and these hooks 8a and 8b are also provided.
Has two contacts 8c and 8d near the base thereof and a spring receiver 8e in the center. This second conductor plate 8
Is attached to the holding body 5 in a state where one end of the coil spring 10 is wound around the spring receiver 8e, and the both hooks 8a and 8b.
Is abutted against the stepped portions 5e and 5f in the concave grooves 5c and 5d formed at both ends of the holding body 5 in the width direction, so that the holding body 5 is prevented from coming off from the holding body 5.

The switch configured as described above is mounted on a vehicle,
The operation hole 6 of the holder 5 and the connecting pin of the shift lever (not shown) are connected. Therefore, when the driver moves the shift lever to a predetermined position, the holding body 5 rotates around the rotation hole 4 in conjunction with it, and the contacts 7c of the first and second conductor plates 7 and 8 are When 7d, 8c and 8d are brought into contact with and separated from each wiring pattern 2, desired position signals such as a position signal and a back light signal are output. In this case, both contacts 7c and 7d of the first conductor plate 7 move in the extending direction of the two groups of wiring patterns 2 in parallel with each other as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. Since the conductor plate 7 is swingably supported by the projecting portion 5a by receiving the elastic force of the coil spring 9, even if there is a slight step between the two wiring patterns 2 or between the substrate 1 and the wiring pattern 2. It is possible to slide on the substrate 1 and the wiring pattern 2. Similarly, both contacts 8c, 8d of the second conductor plate 8
Moves in the extending direction of the innermost wiring pattern group 2 in FIG. 11, but the second conductor plate 8 is moved up and down along the concave grooves 5c and 5d by the elastic force of the coil spring 10. Since it is held freely, even if there is a slight step between the substrate 1 and the wiring pattern 2, it can slide on them.

[Problems to be solved by the device]

By the way, the respective contacts 7c, 7d of the conductor plates 7, 8 described above,
Since 8c and 8d slide on the wiring pattern 2 made of metal, when used for a long period of time, conductive abrasion powder is generated, and between the plurality of fixed contacts forming the wiring pattern 2 by the abrasion powder. May be short-circuited. In particular, the closer the fixed contacts are in the sliding direction of the conductor plate, the shorter the time to the short-circuit accident. Therefore, in such a case, a device such as a wear powder reservoir should be provided between the fixed contacts. Is required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a switch capable of preventing a short-circuit accident due to abrasion powder for a long period of time without impairing the sliding feeling.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a synthetic resin substrate having a plurality of fixed contacts on its surface, a holder movable in the extending direction of these fixed contacts, and a holder supported by the holder. A conductive plate elastically biased toward the substrate, and a movable contact provided on the conductive plate comes into contact with and separates from the fixed contact to switch between on and off. A stepped slit located between the fixed contacts is provided so that the slit is the narrowest in the central portion that coincides with the sliding locus of the movable contact, and gradually widens toward both outsides from the sliding locus. It is characterized in that it is formed.

[Action]

The present inventor has paid attention to the fact that abrasion powder generated by sliding of the movable contact is accumulated on both sides of the sliding locus, and devised the shape of the slit arranged between the fixed contacts. That is, as described above, when the slit is narrowed in the center and gradually widened toward both sides, the abrasion powder is efficiently accumulated in the wide portion outside the slit, and the short circuit between the fixed contacts due to the abrasion powder can be prevented for a long period of time and the movable contact can be moved. The amount of contact that falls into the slit is reduced in the narrow portion at the center, and it is possible to prevent deterioration of the sliding feel.

〔Example〕

 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway plan view of a switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the switch, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the switch, and FIG. 4 is the switch. Of FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the holding body, and FIG. 6 is C of FIG.
-C sectional view taken along line C, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the wiring pattern and the conductor plate, and FIG. 9 is FIG. Sectional view taken along the line EE of
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line FF of FIG.

In these figures, reference numeral 11 designates a synthetic resin substrate having a substantially fan-shaped planar shape, and a connector portion 11a,
Projections 11b and 11c are formed. A plurality of wiring pattern (fixed contact) groups 12, 1 are provided on the surface of the substrate 11.
3, 14, 15 are arranged concentrically. Of these, the outer three rows of wiring patterns 12, 13, and 14 are copper plates outsert-molded on the substrate 11, and are used as fixed contacts for relatively large currents. On the other hand, a plurality of wiring pattern groups 15 inside the wiring pattern 14 are
The wiring board 16 attached to 1 is made by etching and patterning a copper foil, for example, and is used as a fixed contact for a relatively small current.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a metal cover having a substantially fan-shaped plan view. The cover 17 is attached to the substrate 11 via a rubber ring 18, and these are joined and integrated by screws (not shown) (see FIG. 4). ). As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 1
A screw hole 17a is formed at the center position of 7, and a stopper plate 21 is provided on the back surface of the cover 17 via a metal receiver 19 and a rubber seal 20 so as to seal the screw hole 17a. It is fixed. Then, the screw hole 17a
A temporary set screw 22 is screwed from the outside of the cover 17 into the cover 17. By tightening the temporary set screw 22, the pressing force of the temporary set screw 22 is passed through the receiving plate 19 and the sealing member 20 to be described later. To act on.

Reference numeral 23 is a holder made of synthetic resin, and a cylindrical shaft portion 23a having an operation hole 24 at the center is formed to project from one end side of the holder 23. The shaft portion 23a is formed on the substrate 11 and the cover 17. The packing 2 is provided in each of the rotary holes 17b formed in the
It is rotatably inserted through 5, 26. Therefore,
On the upper surface side of the substrate 11, airtightness is ensured by the rubber ring 18, the sealing material 20, and both packings 25 and 26 to provide a waterproof structure (the waterproof structure on the lower surface side of the substrate 11 will be described later).

As shown in FIG. 5, on the back surface of the holding body 23, the first and second conductor plates 2 are provided from the outer side toward the inner operation hole 24.
7, 28 and a slider 29 are held in order, the first conductor plate 27 has the above-mentioned outermost periphery and the wiring patterns 12 and 13 inside thereof, and the second conductor plate 28 has a further inside wiring pattern. 14 and the slider 29 face the wiring pattern 15 group on the wiring board 16, respectively.

As is apparent from FIG. 6, a standing piece 30 having a hook 30a is bent at one end of the first conductor plate 27, and an engaging piece 31 having an arcuate lower surface is formed downward at the other end. Two contact points (movable contact points) 32 and 33 are formed to bulge toward the rising piece 30 on the lower surface. On the other hand, an engaging hole 34 is formed at one end in the lateral direction of the holding body 23, and an attaching hole 35 having an engaging groove 35a having a V-shaped cross section is formed at the inner bottom portion at the other end. Engagement hole 3
A spring accommodating hole 36 is formed between 4 and the mounting hole 35. Then, the first conductor plate 27 is attached to the holding body 23 together with the coil spring 37 in a state where the engaging piece 31 is engaged in the engaging groove 35a, and the engaging claw 30a serves as an inner bottom surface of the engaging hole 34. The abutting prevents the holder 23 from falling off. In this case, the first conductor plate 27 is rotatable in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6 with the engagement groove 35a as a fulcrum, and the engagement piece 31 has an arc shape, so that the engagement groove 35 is formed.
It can also rotate in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 6 with a as a fulcrum.

Further, as apparent from FIG. 7, the second conductor plate 28
Has a flat plate portion 38 having a substantially track-like planar shape, and contacts (movable contacts) 39, 4 are provided at both longitudinal ends of the flat plate portion 38.
0 is bulged, and a pair of engagement pieces 41 are bent and formed upward on both side surfaces in the lateral direction. In addition, semi-circular protrusions 4 are formed on both side edges of the engagement piece 41.
1a is formed, and engagement claws 41b are formed on the upper portions of both engagement pieces 41 so as to project outward (see FIGS. 9 and 10). On the other hand, the holder 23
Has a pair of mounting holes 42 formed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction thereof, a step portion is formed on the inner bottom portion of these mounting holes 42, and a spring housing is provided between the mounting holes 42. A hole 43 is formed. Then, the second conductor plate 28
Is attached to the holding body 23 together with the coil spring 44 in a state where both the engaging pieces 41 are inserted into the both mounting holes 42, and the engaging claws 41b.
Is brought into contact with the stepped portion on the inner bottom of the mounting hole 42, so that the holder 2
Dropping from 3 is prevented. In this case, the second conductor plate 28 can move up and down by the protrusion 41a being guided by the inner wall of the mounting hole 42, and the second conductor plate 28 can move along the plane parallel to the paper surface of FIG. 7 with the protrusion 41a as a fulcrum. It can be rotated like a seesaw.

The wiring patterns 12, 13, and 14 described above are formed on the substrate 11
When outsert molding is performed, the parts are connected and integrated, and after molding, the connecting part is cut by press working (for example, the circular hole 45 or the rectangular hole 46 in FIG. 1), It is patterned in an array state and guided to the connector portions 11a, 11b, 11c. Therefore, various holes 45 and 46 are formed in the substrate 11 by the above-mentioned press working.
These holes 45 and 46 are closed by a lid body described later.

Each wiring pattern 12, 13, formed in this way,
14 is the outermost wiring pattern 1 as shown in FIG.
2 is extended as a pair of fixed contacts along the rotation direction of the holding body 23, the wiring pattern 13 inside is a common terminal, and the wiring pattern 14 inside is a pair of fixed contacts along the rotation direction of the holding body 23. It is extended as a fixed contact. With the rotation of the holder 23, the contacts 32, 33 of the first conductor plate 27 are on the wiring patterns 12, 13 and the contacts 39, 40 of the second conductor plate 27 are on the wiring pattern 14.
On the upper side, the slider 29 is formed on each wiring pattern 15 of the wiring board 16.
Sliding on each group, a desired switching operation is performed according to the rotational position of the holder 23. In this case, the wiring pattern group 15 extends over almost the entire circumference of the rotation range of the holding body 23, but the remaining wiring patterns 12,
13 and 14 are extended only in a part of the rotation range of the holding body 23, and accordingly, the first and second conductor plates 27 and 28 are provided.
Will slide on the substrate 11 at portions other than the wiring patterns 12, 13, and 14 (this point will be described later).

Three ribs 47, 48, 49 are concentrically formed on the non-extending portion of the wiring patterns 12, 13, 14 on the substrate 11 centering on the rotation hole 11d. The relatively narrow outermost rib 47 is provided on both wiring patterns 12, 13
A taper surface 47a is formed at the end of the taper surface 47a. The center and innermost ribs 48, 49 are the ribs 47 described above.
The width of the sliding pattern is wider than that of the wiring pattern 14, and these are continuous with the narrow sliding projections 50 and 51 which are provided on the inner and outer circumferences of the wiring pattern 14, respectively.
a is formed. Two protrusions 52, 53 are provided on the back surface of the holding body 23 corresponding to these sliding protrusions 50, 51 (see FIG. 5).
And a continuous surface formed by a part of both ribs 48, 49 is a protrusion 52,
It functions as a sliding surface of 53.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a slit 54 formed of a groove or a hole is provided between both fixed contacts constituting the wiring pattern 14 in order to ensure insulation between the two. The slit 54 has a substantially drum shape in plan view, and is widest on both sides in the extending direction of the wiring pattern 14 and gradually narrows toward the center. The contacts 39, 40 of the second conductor plate 28 slide in the center of the wiring pattern 14 and the slit 54, but at that time, the contacts 39, 40 are slid 54.
The width of the center of the slit 54 is set smaller than the diameter of the contacts 39, 40 so as not to fall inside. On the other hand, the width dimension on both sides of the slit 54 is determined by the contact points 39,
The diameter is set to be approximately the same as the diameter dimension of 40, and the insulation distance is increased, and at the same time, it functions as a wear powder reservoir attached to both contacts 39, 40.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a lid 55 is attached to the back surface of the substrate 11, and the peripheral portion thereof is fixed to the substrate 11 with an adhesive 56 such as epoxy resin. The lid 55 is made of a synthetic resin material that is more elastic than the substrate 11, and has an elastic projection 57 having a concave cross section and integrally formed in an annular shape. Further, a plurality of locking pieces 58 are vertically provided in a portion surrounded by the elastic protrusions 57, and a through hole 59 is formed in the center thereof. Further, a cap 61 is fixed to the locking piece 58 via a sealing material 60 so as to seal the through hole 59. On the other hand, a bank wall 62 is provided on the back surface of the substrate 11 so as to project in an annular shape, and the bank wall 62 is inserted into the elastic projection 57. These bank walls 62
The fitting state between the elastic protrusion 57 and the elastic protrusion 57 is not tight, and a slight clearance is formed on the inner side. Therefore, various holes 4 formed in the substrate 11 by the above-mentioned press working or the like.
5, 46 are closed by the lid 55 and the adhesive 56, and a waterproof structure is also provided on the lower surface side of the substrate 11.

When assembling the switch described above, first, the substrate 11
Then, the holder 23, the cover 17, the lid 55, etc. are sequentially assembled to obtain the switch shown in FIG. In this state, since the holder 23 is rotatable with respect to the substrate 11, it is possible to perform an inspection required for a switch such as disconnection or short circuit of each wiring pattern 12, 13, 14, 15.

Next, a jig is inserted into the operation hole 24 of the holding body 23, the holding body 23 is rotated to the center position, and the holding body 23 is mounted on the substrate 1 based on an electrical or mechanical reference positioning means.
Correctly align with the center position of 1. Then, the temporary fixing screw 22 is tightened to press the holding body 23 toward the substrate 11 to obtain a switch in a temporarily fixed state in which the rotation of the holding body 23 is blocked (held).

The switch is shipped / conveyed in the temporarily fixed state as described above, mounted on the vehicle, and connected to a shift lever (not shown) installed at the neutral position via a connecting pin inserted into the operation hole 24. It Therefore, the holding body 23 can be connected at a correct angle corresponding to each position of the shift lever, and the temporary fixing screw 22 is loosened after the connection and the temporary fixing is released.

When the driver moves the shift lever to a predetermined position after the temporary stop is released, the holding body 23 interlocks with the shaft portion 23 in conjunction with this.
Rotating about a, the first and second conductor plates 27, 28
And the slider 29 respectively correspond to the wiring pattern 1
The desired position signals such as a position signal and a back light signal are detected by contacting and separating with 2, 13, 14, and 15.

In this case, the first conductor plate 27 moves along the extending direction of the outer two wiring patterns 12 and 13, but in the contact switching area where the wiring patterns 12 and 13 are extended, As shown in the figure, the contacts 32 and 33 of the first conductor plate 27 receive the elastic force of the coil spring 37, and
And slide on the wiring patterns 12 and 13. On the other hand, in the non-extending area of the wiring patterns 12 and 13 which is not related to the switching of the contacts, as shown in FIG.
Since the lower surface of each of them contacts the rib 47 through the tapered surface 47a and slides on the upper surface of the rib 47, both contacts 32, 33 are separated from the surface of the substrate 11, and the contacts 32, 3 in that area are formed.
3 wear goes away.

Similarly, the second conductor plate 28 moves along the extending direction of the wiring pattern 14, but in the contact switching region,
As shown in FIG. 10, the second conductor plate 28 moves inside the sliding protrusions 50 and 51, and the contacts 39 and 40 thereof receive the elastic force of the coil spring 44 and the wiring to the substrate 11. Slide on the pattern 14. At this time, since the slit 54 is provided between the pair of fixed contacts forming the wiring pattern 14, the insulation distance between the fixed contacts is increased,
Further, since the center of the slit 54 is formed narrow,
The amount of contact 39, 40 falling into the slit 54 is small, deterioration of sliding feel and wear of the contact 39, 40 are reduced, and abrasion powder adhering to the contact 39, 40 is accumulated on wide portions on both sides of the slit 54. Therefore, the short between the fixed contacts due to the abrasion powder is prevented for a long period of time. On the other hand, in the area not related to contact switching,
As shown in FIG. 9, both sides of the lower surface of the second conductor plate 28 pass through the tapered surfaces 48a and 49a, and ribs 48 and 4 respectively.
9 slides on the top surface of the substrate 9, so
Away from the surface of the contact of the contacts 39, 4 in this area as well.
Zero wear is gone.

Further, the slider 29 moves along the extending direction of the wiring pattern 15 group provided on the inner wiring board 16, but since the wiring pattern 15 group extends in the circumferential direction of the substrate 11, The contacts are switched according to the rotational position of the holding body 23.

If the environmental temperature changes after the slit is installed in the vehicle, the thickness of the elastic lid 55 is increased due to the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the substrate 11 made of different materials and the lid 55. Stretching force acts in a direction orthogonal to (direction of arrow X in FIG. 4). In this case, since the elastic protrusion 57 having a concave cross section provided on the lid 55 is engaged with the bank wall 62 of the substrate 11, for example, when a force in the contracting direction acts on the lid 55, the contracting force is elastic. When the vertical wall inside the protrusion 57 is absorbed by bending toward the center, and when a force in the extension direction acts on the lid 55, the extension force is the clearance between the vertical wall inside the elastic protrusion 57 and the clearance. It is absorbed by being flexed in the outer peripheral direction inside, and in any case, almost no force acts on the adhesive 56, and a peeling accident of the adhesive 56 is prevented. Therefore, various holes 45, 4 formed in the substrate 11
6 is surely sealed by the cover 17 sealed by the rubber ring 18 on the upper surface side of the substrate 11, and by the lid body 55 fixed by the adhesive 56 on the lower surface side of the substrate 11, respectively. Moreover, the intake and exhaust of the internal air is
Since the sealing material 20 is used on the cover 17 side and the sealing material 60 is used on the lid 55 side, a switch having extremely high sealing performance is realized.

Although the rotary switch for transmission has been described in the above embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to other switches such as a slide switch.

[Effect of device]

As described above, according to the present invention, between the fixed contacts extending in the sliding direction of the conductor plate, the slit having the narrowest center and the wider width toward the outside is provided. It is possible to suppress the amount of spillage into the slit and efficiently deposit the wear debris inside the slit. Therefore, it is possible to provide a switch that prevents a short circuit accident for a long period of time without impairing the sliding feel.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 10 relate to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a partially broken switch, FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the switch, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the switch. 4, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the switch, FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the holding body, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is D- of FIG.
A sectional view taken along the line D, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the wiring pattern and the conductor plate, FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. 8, and FIG. FIG. 11 to FIG. 14 relate to a conventional example, FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a partially broken switch, FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a holder, and FIG. Is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 11 ... Substrate, 11d ... Rotation hole, 12, 13, 14,
15 ... Wiring pattern, 17 ... Cover, 23 ... Holder, 23a ... Shaft part, 24 ... Operation hole, 27 ... First conductor plate, 28 ... Second conductor plate, 29 ... Slider, 3
2, 33, 39, 40 ... Contact, 37, 44 ... Coil spring, 45, 46 ... Hole, 47, 48, 49 ... Rib,
50, 51 ... Sliding convex portion, 52, 53 ... Protrusion, 54 ...
... Slits, 55 ... Lid, 56 ... Adhesive, 57 ...
Elastic protrusions, 62 ... bank walls.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A substrate made of synthetic resin having a plurality of fixed contacts on the surface thereof, a holder movable in the extending direction of these fixed contacts, and an elastic biasing member supported by the holder toward the substrate. A switch disposed between the fixed contacts on the board, wherein a movable contact provided on the conductor plate is turned on and off by contacting and separating the movable contact with the fixed contact. A drop-shaped slit is provided, and the slit is formed so as to have the narrowest width in the central portion that coincides with the sliding locus of the movable contact, and gradually widen toward both outsides from the sliding locus. Switch to do.