JPH0711731U - Multidirectional push type switch - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a multi-directional push type switch that can push only the switch to be pushed even if the number of switches increases. [Structure] A key top 20 that is plate-shaped and provided with protrusions 25 that project circumferentially from the lower surface at predetermined intervals, and a key top that is ring-shaped and has the key top 20 inserted therein. An arm 40 that pivotally supports the ring 20 with respect to the ring, and projections 45 and 45 and a bearing portion that pivotally support the arm 40 in a direction perpendicular to the axis that pivotally supports the key top 20. 15, 15, 107, 107
The (arm support member), the switch board 85 provided under the key top 20 and provided with the switch contact at a position facing each protrusion 25 provided on the key top 20, and the key top 20 are biased to the neutral position. And a coil spring 80. When the key top 20 is swung in any direction, the protrusion 25 presses the switch contact of the switch substrate 85.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a multi-directional pressing type switch having a structure in which a switch contact arranged below is turned on and off by swinging a substantially plate-shaped key top.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Conventionally, in-vehicle navigator systems, computers, various types of O.D. Multi-directional push-type switches (so-called joypads) have been developed and used as devices for operating equipment A, game machines and the like.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a conventional multi-directional pressing type switch of this type, FIG. 7 (a) is a schematic sectional view, and FIG. 7 (b) is a schematic plan view. As shown in the figure, in the conventional multi-directional pressing type switch, a disk-shaped key top 205 is inserted from the back side of the circular hole 203 provided in the case 201, and the key top 205 is projected onto the case 201. In addition, the collar portion 207 around the key top 205 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the case 201, and the substrate 209 is arranged under the key top 205. At this time, the four pressing portions 208 provided in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the lower surface of the key top 205 are in contact with the push rods 213 of the four push button switches 211 mounted on the substrate 210, respectively. On the other hand, the light emitting element 215 is attached at a predetermined position on the substrate 209.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when one end around the key top 205 is pressed, the key top 205 swings around an end portion a opposite to the pressed portion, and the bottom of the pressed portion is pressed. The pressing portion 208 located at turns on the push rod 213 of the push button switch 211 located therebelow. When the pressing is released, the key top 205 returns to the original position by the returning force of the pressing portion 208 of the pressed push button switch 211.

On the other hand, if the light emitting element 215 on the substrate 209 emits light, the key top 205 can be illuminated brightly from the back side thereof.

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, in this multi-directional pressing type switch, when one end of the key top plate 205 is pressed, the swing center thereof is, as shown in FIG. 8, at the end a on the side opposite to the pressed part. Therefore, the swing radius is large. That is, the diameter of the key top plate 205 is the swing radius. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the number of pressing portions 208 of the key top 205 (that is, the number of push button switches 211) is increased to eight, one end of the key top 205 is pressed to When the pressing portion 208 (a) directly below is lowered, the pressing portions 208 (b) and 208 (c) on both sides thereof are also lowered considerably. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10A, even if one push button switch 211 is turned on, the push button switches 211 on both sides of the push button switch 211 are turned on at the same time. This problem becomes more serious as the number of push button switches 211 increases, and as the thickness of the multi-directional push type switch becomes thinner and the stroke of the key top plate 205 becomes shorter.

In order to solve the above problems, the key top plate 205 may be swung at the center of the key top plate 205. With this structure, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the swing radius of the key top plate 205 becomes the radius of the key top plate 205, and the same stroke L as shown in FIG. 10 (a) is lowered. However, the key top plate 205 is largely tilted, and the push button switches 211 on both sides of the push button switch 211 to be pressed are not turned on. However, it has been difficult to construct such a structure.

On the other hand, in this conventional example, since the light emitting element 215 is fixed on the substrate 209, when the key top 205 swings, the distance between the light emitting element 215 and the key top 205 changes. For this reason, there is also a problem that the brightness of the illuminated surface of the key top 205 becomes uneven.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a multi-directional pressing type switch that can be pressed only by the switch to be pressed even if the number of switches increases.

[0010]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a ring-shaped key top having a plate-shaped key top provided with protrusions projecting downward from its lower surface at predetermined intervals. An arm that pivotally supports the keytop with respect to a ring, and an arm support member that pivotally supports the arm in a direction orthogonal to the axis that pivotally supports the keytop. A switch board provided under the key top and provided with switch contacts at positions facing the protrusions provided on the key top, and the key top provided between the key board and the switch board is neutral. An elastic member for urging the key top to a position is provided, and the protruding portion that descends when the key top is swung in an arbitrary direction presses the switch contact of the switch substrate.

[0011]

[Action]

 When the key top is pressed, its swing center is the center of the arm, that is, the center of the key top. Therefore, the distance from the swing center to the protrusion (the swing radius) is small, and the tilt angle of the key top when swinging the key top is large. For this reason, when the protrusion to be pressed is lowered, the protrusions on both sides of it do not descend much. Therefore, when trying to turn on one switch contact by swinging the key top, the switch contacts on both sides are pushed down. Is difficult to turn on. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of protrusions.

[0012]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multidirectional pressing switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this multi-directional pressing type switch is an upper switch fixed on a key top 20, a push button 30, an arm 40, and a base 50 between an upper case 10 and a lower case 100. The board 60, the coil spring 80, and the switch board 85 are housed. Each component will be described below.

The upper case 10 has a flat plate shape, and a circular hole 11 into which a key top 20 described below is inserted is provided at a predetermined position thereof. Around the lower surface side of the circular hole 11, flat plate-like projecting plates 13 and 13 are provided so as to project, and the center of the lower end of the projecting plates 13 and 13 receives the projections 45 and 45 of the arm 40 described below. The semicircular bearing portions 15, 15 are provided.

Next, FIG. 2 is a view showing the key top 20, where FIG. 2A is a rear view and FIG. 2B is a sectional side view taken along line AA of FIG. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1, the key top 20 is molded by providing a side plate portion 23 directed downward in the outer periphery of a substantially disc-shaped main body portion 21. Here, two cylindrical projections 24, 24 (the projections 24, 24 are located on the same axis) are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the side plate portion 23, and downward from the lower end side of the side plate portion 23. Eight projections 25 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

Further, a hole 27 into which a push button 30 described below is inserted so as to be vertically movable is provided in the center of the main body portion 21, and a step portion 27 a for locking a flange portion 35 of the push button 30 described below is provided below the hole 27. Has been. Further, projecting portions 28, 28 projecting downward are provided at opposing positions around the hole 27 on the lower surface of the main body portion 21, and screws 110, 110 described below are screwed in the center of the projecting portions 28, 28. Mating holes 29, 29 are provided.

The key top 20 is formed by applying a non-transparent paint to the surface of a transparent resin. At this time, the paint is applied to the upper surface of the key top 20 as shown in FIG. Leave a blank character part that is not painted.

Next, FIG. 3 is a view showing the push button 30, in which FIG. 3A is a plan view and FIG. 3B is a side view. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1, the push button 30 has a columnar shape and is provided with a push button body 31 which is vertically inserted into the hole 27 of the key top 20 and has a protrusion 33 at the center of its lower end surface. In addition to being provided, a collar portion 35 is provided on the outer periphery near the lower end thereof and is molded. Further, on the outer periphery of the collar portion 35, when the push button 30 is inserted into the hole 27 of the key top 20, the push button 30 is engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the protrusions 28, 28 (see FIG. 2). Arc-shaped grooves 37, 37 are provided to guide rotation.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the arm 40 is provided with a ring-shaped arm main body 41, and two concave portions 43, 43 are provided on opposite side surfaces of the arm main body 41, and the two concave portions 43 are provided. , 43 are provided at a position where an axis perpendicular to the axis passing through the projections 43 and 43 passes. Here, the recesses 43, 43 are formed in an inverted Ω shape.

Next, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the base 50 and the upper switch substrate 60. As shown in the figure, the base 50 has a disk shape, and a through hole 51 penetrating a claw 73 of a pressing plate 67 described below and a through hole 53 penetrating screws 110, 110 described below at a predetermined position thereof. 53 is provided.

On the other hand, the upper switch substrate 60 is configured by mounting four light emitting elements 63, eight pressure contact rubbers 65 and four holding plates 67 on a flexible substrate 61.

Here, a pattern (not shown) is printed on the upper surface of the flexible substrate 61, and a contact spring 69 in a dish-down shape is attached to the center thereof by an adhesive tape 69a. The contact spring 69 forms a switch contact with a contact pattern (not shown) provided on the flexible board 61 directly below the contact spring 69, and when the contact spring 69 is pressed, the contact pattern on the flexible board 61 is formed. It comes in contact with and turns on. Further, a terminal pattern (not shown) for connecting the lead terminal 64 is provided on the flexible substrate 61 at a position where the lead terminal 64 of the light emitting element 63 contacts. A lead-out portion 62 is drawn out from the flexible substrate 61, and the lead-out portion 62 is connected to a lead-out portion 62 (see FIG. 1) of a switch substrate 85 described below. Further, at a predetermined position on the flexible board 61, a hole 75 for inserting a claw 73 of a pressing plate 67 described below and a hole 77 for penetrating a screw 110 described below are provided.

On the other hand, the holding plate 67 is made of metal, has a hole 71 for inserting the light emitting element 63 in the center thereof, and has downwardly extending pawls 73 at its four corners.

In order to assemble these, first, the flexible substrate 61 is placed on the base 50. Next, the four light emitting elements 63 are placed on the flexible substrate 61, and the pressure contact rubbers 65 are placed on the two lead terminals 64 of each of the light emitting elements 63. Then, the pressing plate 67 is put on the pressing plate 67, and the claws 73 of the pressing plate 67 are inserted into the holes 75 of the flexible substrate 61 and the through holes 51 of the base 50 (the holes 75 have the claws 73 of the pressing plate 67). Only the claws 73 on the inner side of each are inserted), and the back side of the base 50 is bent. As a result, the base 50 and the upper switch substrate 60 are integrated, and the lead terminals 64 of the light emitting element 63 are firmly pressed against the contact pattern (not shown) on the flexible substrate 61.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the switch board 85 is formed by bending one side of the upper flexible board 86 and the lower flexible board 87, with the surface on the side on which the pattern is printed is inward. An upper flexible substrate 86 and a lower flexible substrate 87 are superposed on each other, and a click plate 89 having a shape in which eight dishes are turned down is attached thereto by an adhesive tape 89a. Although not shown, a spacer layer is interposed between the upper flexible substrate 86 and the lower flexible substrate 87. Here, the click plate 89 is attached at a position facing the protruding portion 25 of the key top 20, and the contact patterns provided on the upper and lower flexible substrates 86 and 87 are provided below the click plate 89, respectively. A switch contact is provided by facing each other.

A hole 91 is formed in the center of the switch board 85 so as to pass through an auxiliary support protrusion 101 provided in the lower case 100 described below, and a small protrusion 103 provided in the lower case 100 described below is provided around the hole 91. Is provided with a hole 93. Reference numeral 95 is a hole that penetrates one of the protruding plates 105 provided in the lower case 100 described below. A lead-out portion 62 is led out from the outer circumference of the upper flexible substrate 86, and this is connected to the lead-out portion 62 of the upper switch substrate 60 as described above. That is, the upper switch substrate 60 and the switch substrate 85 are formed by bending one flexible substrate.

Next, the lower case 100 has a flat plate shape, and an auxiliary support protrusion 101 having a conical shape is provided on the upper surface thereof, and eight small protrusions 103 are circumferentially arranged around the auxiliary support protrusion 101. Are provided at regular intervals. These small protrusions 103 engage with and support the inner circumference of the coil spring 80 shown in FIG. Further, flat plate-like projection plates 105, 105 are provided at positions facing the projection plates 13, 13 of the upper case 10, and the projections 45, 45 of the arm 40 are provided at the centers of the upper ends of the projection plates 105, 105. Bearing portions 107, 107 having a semi-circular arc shape for receiving are provided.

Next, in order to assemble this multi-directional pressing type switch, as shown in FIG. 1, first, as shown in FIG. 1, the push button 30 is inserted into the hole 27 provided in the key top 20 from the lower side thereof, and then the key top 20 of the key top 20 is inserted. Insert the base 50 with the upper switch board 60 mounted inside the lower surface, and insert the two screws 110, 110 into the through holes 53, 77 (see FIG. 4) provided in the base 50 and the upper switch board 60, respectively. , The tip of which is screwed into a hole 29 (see FIG. 2) provided on the lower surface of the key top 20. As a result, the upper switch substrate 60 and the base 50 are fixed inside the lower surface of the key top 20.

Next, the key top 20 is inserted into the arm 40, and the protrusions 24, 24 of the key top 20 are engaged with the recesses 43, 43 of the arm 40. As a result, the keytop 20 is pivotably supported on the arm 40.

On the other hand, the switch board 85 is placed on the lower case 100. At this time, the auxiliary support projections 101 and the small projections 103 of the lower case 100 and one projection plate 105 are respectively formed into the holes 91 of the switch board 85. Insert into holes 93 and 95.

Next, the coil spring 80 is placed on the switch board 85. At this time, the inner circumference of the lower end of the coil spring 80 is engaged with the outer circumferences of the eight small projections 103 to position the coil projection.

Next, the lower surface of the base 50 integrated with the key tops 20 and the like is placed on the upper surface of the coil spring 80 and pushed down, and the protrusions 45, 45 of the arm 40 are attached to the protrusion plates 105, 105 of the lower case 100. The bearings 107 and 107 are inserted into the bearings 107 and 107, and in this state, the upper case 10 is covered, and the projecting plates 13 and 13 are brought into contact with the projecting plates 105 and 105 of the lower case 100 so that the bearings 107 and 107 and the bearing 15 , 15, the projections 45, 45 of the arm 40 are rotatably supported. At this time, the upper case 10 and the lower case 100 are fixed by a fixing means (not shown).

That is, the key top 20 is swingably supported on the arm 40, and the arm 40 is swingably supported about an axis orthogonal to the swing axis. Become . Therefore, if a desired place near the outer periphery of the upper surface of the key top 20 is pressed, the key top 20 can be easily swung in any direction of 360 °.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side sectional view of the assembled multidirectional pressing type switch. As shown in the figure, the protrusion 33 of the push button 30 is in contact with the contact spring 69 provided on the upper switch substrate 60, and at the same time, the flange portion 35 of the push button 30 is attached to the step portion 27a of the key top 20. Abutting.

Further, the coil spring 80 springs the base 50, whereby the keytop 20 is held in the neutral position.

Although the auxiliary support protrusion 101 is in contact with or close to the center of the lower surface of the base 50, the arm 40 and the arm 40 actually support the base 50 and the key top 20 at this position. Bearings 15 and 107 provided on the upper and lower cases 10 and 100 that support the shaft. That is, the auxiliary support projections 101 are provided to prevent the arm 40 and the like from being destroyed when an extremely strong force is applied to the key top 20.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when one end of the key top 20 is pressed and tilted, the projection 25 located directly below the pressed portion is lowered and the click plate 89 is pressed, whereby the projection 25 is pressed. When a click sensation occurs, the switch contact of the switch board 85 located below it turns on. When the pressing is released, the key top 20 returns to its original position by the elastic force of the coil spring 80.

By the way, when the key top 20 is pressed, its swing center is the center of the arm 40, that is, the center of the key top 20. Therefore, the distance from the swing center to the protrusion 25 (that is, the swing radius) is small, and the tilt angle of the keytop 20 when swinging the keytop 20 is the same as in the conventional example shown in FIGS. It will be considerably larger than. For this reason, when the portion of the protrusion 25 to be pressed is lowered, the protrusions 25 and 25 on both sides thereof are not lowered much as compared with the conventional example. That is, when the key top 20 is swung to turn on one switch contact, it is difficult to turn on the switch contacts on both sides of the key top 20. Therefore, the number of the protruding portions 25 is large (8 in this embodiment). ) Is possible.

On the other hand, when the light emitting element 63 emits light, characters and the like provided on the surface of the key top 20 are illuminated brightly. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper switch substrate 60 and the base 50 are key tops. Since the key top 20 is fixed inside the lower surface of the key 20, the light emitting element 63 on the upper switch substrate 60 also rocks together with the key top 20. Therefore, the separation distance between the key top 20 and the light emitting element 63 does not change even if the key top 20 is swung, and when the key top 20 is illuminated by the light emitting element 63, the brightness of the surface of the key top 20 becomes uneven. Does not occur.

On the other hand, when the push button 30 is pressed, the contact spring 69 is pressed to turn on the switch contact, and when the pressing is released, the switch spring returns to its original position. Since the push button 30 is located on the swing center axis of the key top 20, the key top 20 can be pressed smoothly in the swinged state.

In the above embodiment, the bearings 15, 15, 107, 107 provided on the upper and lower cases 10, 100 are used to pivotally support the protrusions 45, 45 of the arm 40. The supporting mechanism may have another structure. In short, the arm 40 is pivotally supported on the outer periphery of the arm 40 in a direction orthogonal to the axis supporting the key top 20. Any structure may be used as long as it is an arm supporting member having a structure.

[0041]

[Effect of device]

 As described in detail above, according to the multi-directional pressing type switch of the present invention, when the key top 20 is swung to turn on one switch contact, the switch contacts on both sides are not easily turned on. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that the number of switch contacts can be increased.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multidirectional pressing type switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a key top 20.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a push button 30.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a base 50 and an upper switch substrate 60.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side sectional view of the assembled multidirectional pressing switch.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a state when the multidirectional pressing type switch is operated.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional multidirectional pressing switch.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which a conventional multidirectional pressing switch is operated.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a state where the number of pressing portions 208 (that is, the number of push button switches 211) of the conventional multidirectional pressing switch is eight.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view of the multidirectional pressing switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Upper Case 20 Key Top 25 Protrusion 40 Arm 50 Base 60 Upper Switch Board 80 Coil Spring (Elastic Member) 85 Switch Board 100 Lower Case

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A key top that is plate-shaped and provided with protrusions that project from the lower surface thereof in a downward direction in a circumferential shape at predetermined intervals, and a ring-shaped key top with respect to the ring. An arm that swingably supports, an arm support member that swingably supports the arm in an axis orthogonal to the axis that supports the keytop, and an arm support member that is disposed below the keytop. A switch board provided with switch contacts at positions facing the respective projections provided on the key top, and an elastic member arranged between the key top and the switch board for urging the key top to a neutral position. A multi-directional pressing type switch, comprising: a protrusion that descends when the key top is swung in an arbitrary direction to press a switch contact of the switch substrate.