JPH07326259A - Pushbutton switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve compactness, operability, and reliability for a pushbutton switch device provided with multiple switches in which operation knobs are pushed and operated linearly. CONSTITUTION:A device is provided with multiple switches 11a-11d in which operation knobs 17a-17d are pushed and operated linearly for changing and processing a number of circuits electrically, key tops 15a, 15b rotatably installed on a housing 13, and an operation force converting mechanism to convert rotation action of the key tops 15a, 15b into pushing action of the operation knobs 17a-17d of the multiple switches 11a-11d. The operation force converting mechanism is composed of shaft parts 22a, 22b provided on the operation knobs 17a-17d of the multiple switches 11a-11d, and cam grooves 19a, 19b formed in the key tops 15a, 15b to be engaged with the shaft parts 22a, 22b. In accordance with rotation action of the key tops 15a, 15b, the shaft parts 22a, 22b are displaced relatively inside the cam grooves 19a, 19b, thereby the operation knobs 17a-17d are pushed and operated linearly.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a push button switch, and more particularly to a push button switch having a multiple switch whose operation knob is linearly pushed.

Generally, a multiple switch is known as a switch for collectively switching operation of multiple circuits. In addition, as electronic circuits of electronic devices have become complicated in recent years, push button switches, which are provided with a plurality of multiple switches in an electronic device and are collectively operated using a key top, are often used.

In this type of push button switch, miniaturization is desired from the viewpoint of miniaturization of electronic equipment and improvement in operability is desired.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a rotary type switch and a push button type switch are generally known as a multiple switch for collectively switching a large number of circuits, but a push button type switch is easier than a rotary type switch. Due to the structure, a push button type is widely used as a multiple switch provided in an electronic device.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a conventional push button switch using a push button type multiple switch. The push button switch 1 is generally a push button type multiple switch 2a to 2d.
And key tops 3a to 3d. Further, the example shown in the figure shows a configuration in which four multiple switches 2a to 2d are arranged.

The multiple switches 2a to 2d are mounted on the printed circuit board 4 in a juxtaposed state. Further, each of the multiple switches 2a to 2d has operation knobs 5a to 5d, respectively, and by pressing these operation knobs 5a to 5d in the direction of arrow A1 in the figure, a switching process of a large number of circuits is performed. It is said that. Key tops 3a to 3d are attached to the tip ends of the operation knobs 5a to 5d.

The printed circuit board 2 on which the multiple switches 2a to 2d are arranged is mounted in a housing 6 (composed of an upper housing 6a and a lower housing 6b) of an electronic device. A window 7 is formed in the housing 6 at a position facing the operation knobs 5a to 5d.
The key tops 3a to 3d attached to a to 5d are configured to project from the window portion 7 to the outside of the housing 6. Therefore, the operator moves the key tops 3a to 3d to the arrow A.
By pressing in one direction, the operation knobs 5a to 5d
Is also operated in the A1 direction, and switching processing of a large number of circuits connected to the multiple switches 2a to 2d is performed.

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional push button switch 1, the operation direction of the key tops 3a to 3d and the operation knob 5a provided on the multiple switches 2a to 2d are provided.
Since the operation directions of 5d are the same direction, the entire shape of the push button switch 1 becomes long in the directions of the arrows A1 and A2, and accordingly, the shape of the electronic device in which the push button switch 1 is arranged is large. There was a problem that it turned into.

Further, since the push button switch 1 has a long shape as described above, the positions where the key tops 3a to 3d are arranged are limited to the side portions of the housing 6 of the electronic device, and the key tops 3a to 3d are arranged. There is a problem that the push button switch 1 defines the structure of the electronic device because there is no degree of freedom in the arrangement position. Further, since the key tops 3a to 3d arranged on the side of the housing 6 are operated from the side, there is a problem that operability is poor.

Further, in the conventional push button switch 1, a plurality of multiple switches 2a to 2d are simply arranged in parallel, and each operation knob 5 is arranged.
Since the key tops 3a to 3d are arranged on the a to 5d, for example, when there is a multiple switch that should not be operated at the same time (for example, the multiple switch 2 in FIG. 6).
b and 2c are multiple switches that should not be operated simultaneously), and there is a risk that the multiple switches 2b and 2c will be operated at the same time by mistake, and the reliability of the operation of the push button switch 1 will be reduced. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a push button switch which can be downsized and whose operability and reliability can be improved.

[0012]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by taking the following means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a push button switch, wherein the operation knob is linearly pushed to electrically switch a large number of circuits, and a multiple switch, and a key top rotatably mounted on the housing. An operating force converting mechanism for converting the above-mentioned rotating operation of the key top into a pressing operation of the operating knob of the multiple switch is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the push button switch, the operating force converting mechanism is formed on the operation knob of the multiple switch and the cam formed on the key top and engaging with the follower. The operation knob is linearly pressed by the follower being relatively displaced in the cam groove in accordance with the pivotal movement of the key top. Is.

Further, in the push-button switch according to the third aspect of the present invention, the plurality of multiple switches are constituted by a first switch group and a second switch group, and a key top is formed by the first switch group. 2. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein the push button switch comprises a first key top corresponding to and a second key top corresponding to a second switch group. And a first engagement portion formed on one side of the rotation center portion and engaged with the first switch group or the first key top,
It is formed on the other side of the rotation center, and the second
The switch member or the second engaging portion with which the second key top is engaged is provided with a stopper member.

[0016]

According to the push button switch of the present invention, by providing an operating force converting mechanism for converting the rotating operation of the key top rotatably mounted on the housing into the pressing operation of the operating knob of the multiple switch, The operation direction of the top and the pressing operation direction of the operation knob can be different directions. For this reason, it is not always necessary to dispose the keytop disposition position on the side portion of the housing, and the degree of freedom of the keytop disposition position can be improved. Further, since the multiple switches can be operated by the rotation operation of the key top, the operability can be improved.

According to the push-button switch of the second aspect, the follower provided on the operation knob of the multiple switch is relatively moved in the cam groove formed on the key top as the key top rotates. The operation force conversion mechanism is configured such that the operation knob is linearly pressed by this relative displacement, and the rotational movement of the key top is converted into the pressing operation of the operation knob of the multiple switch with a simple configuration. can do.

Further, according to the push-button switch of the third aspect, a stopper member configured to be rotatable about a center of rotation is provided, and the first stopper formed on one side of the stopper member. The first switch group or the first key top is configured to engage with the engaging portion, and the second switch group or the second key top is engaged with the second engaging portion formed on the other side portion. With this configuration, when the first key top and the second key top are simultaneously operated, the stopper member has its both sides around the center of rotation, that is, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. Since the pressing force acts on both of the engaging parts,
The pressing displacements of the key top and the second key top are both restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the simultaneous pressing operation of the first key top and the second key top.

[0019]

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

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a push button switch 10 which is an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views of the push button switch 10 which is an embodiment of the present invention.

The push button switch 10 according to this embodiment has four multiple switches 11a to 11d, and each of the multiple switches 11a to 11d is the push button type multiple switch described above. The multiple switches 11a to 11d are provided with operation knobs 17a to 17d, respectively, and an electric switching operation is performed by pressing the operation knobs 17a to 17d in the directions of arrows A1 and A2 in the figure. .

The multiple switches 11a to 11d are mounted on the printed board 12. Printed circuit board 1
2, a large number of electronic circuits (not shown) are arranged, and the large number of electronic circuits are predetermined multiple switches 11a to 11d.
It is configured to perform circuit switching processing by pressing the operation knobs 17a to 17d of the multiple switches 11a to 11d.

Further, the multiple switches 11a to 11d described above are used.
And the printed circuit board 12 on which a large number of electronic circuits are arranged,
It is stored in a housing 13 that constitutes an electronic device. The housing 13 is made of resin, for example,
It is composed of an upper housing 13a and a lower housing 13b. The upper window 1 is provided on the upper housing 13a.
4a is formed, and an upper window portion 14b is formed in the lower housing 13b. Further, fulcrums 16a to 16c for attaching the first and second key tops 15a and 15b are formed on an upper edge portion of the upper window portion 14a formed in the upper housing 13a.

The key tops 15a, 15b have arms 18a, 18b formed on the upper portions thereof so as to extend outward, and the claws 24a, 24b formed at the tips of the arms 18a, 18b are the same as described above. It is configured to be rotatably attached to the upper housing 13a by engaging with fulcrums 16a to 16c formed on the upper housing 13a. Therefore, in a state where the key tops 15a and 15b are attached to the upper housing 13a, the operation button portions 25a and 25b of the key tops 15a and 15b are pressed downward to operate the key tops 15a and 15b.
Is rotationally displaced about the fulcrums 16a to 16c.

Further, guide portions 2 having cam grooves 19a and 19b formed inside the key tops 15a and 15b.
0a and 20b are integrally formed. 1 to 3, for convenience of illustration, only the cam groove 19b and the guide portion 20b formed on the key top 15b are shown, and the cam groove 19a and the guide portion 20a formed on the key top 15a are shown. Is omitted.

The cam grooves 19a and 19b are key tops 15.
plate-shaped guide portions 20a, 20b formed on a, 15b
As shown in FIG. 2, the cam has a substantially inverted J-shape. These cam grooves 19a and 19b have caps 27a and 27, which will be described later.
The shaft portions 22a and 22b (which become the followers) formed in b are engaged. (Note that the cam grooves 19a and 19b and the shaft portions 22a and 22b are provided on the key top 15 as described later.
The rotary operation of a and 15b is performed by the multiple switches 11a to 11
The operation force converting mechanism for converting the operation knobs 17a to 17d of d into the pressing operation is configured).

Further, a valley portion 23 is formed near the innermost portions of the cam grooves 19a and 19b, and a click feeling is obtained when the shaft portions 22a and 22b are displaced to the formation position of the valley portion 23. Has become. The cam grooves 19a, 19 having the above structure
The guide portions 20a, 20b formed with b are formed so as to be located at substantially the center positions of the key tops 15a, 15b.

On the other hand, the multiple switches 11a to 11 described above are provided.
The operation knobs 17a to 17d of d have caps 27a, 2
7b is attached. In this embodiment, the cap 27a
Is configured to be commonly attached to the operation knob 17a and the operation knob 17b, and similarly, the cap 27b is configured to be commonly attached to the operation knob 17c and the operation knob 17d. Therefore, by operating the cap 27a, the multiple switches 11a and 11b are simultaneously operated, and by operating the cap 27b, the multiple switches 11c and 11d are simultaneously operated.

The multiple switches 11a and 11b form a first switch group, and the multiple switches 11c and 11d form a second switch group. Further, when selecting the first switch group and the second switch group, multiple switches that may be operated at the same time are set as the same switch group, and multiple switches that cannot be operated at the same time are set as other switch groups. Is configured.

Shafts 22a and 22b are formed at the central positions of the caps 27a and 27b, respectively.
Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the shaft portions 22a and 22b are formed to have a circular cross section. This shaft portion 22a,
22b engages with the cam grooves 19a, 19b formed in the guide portions 20a, 20b as described above, and is configured to be able to relatively displace the inside thereof.

On the other hand, a stopper guide 28 is erected at a predetermined position of the lower housing 13b. The stopper member 29 is rotatably engaged with the stopper guide 28.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the stopper member 29 is formed with a rotation center portion 30 which is notched in a semicircular shape at the center thereof and which engages with the stopper guide 28. In addition, the first engaging portion 29 is provided at a portion of the stopper member 29 that extends to one side with respect to the rotation center portion 30.
While a is formed upright, a second engagement portion 29b is formed upright in a portion extending to the other side with respect to the rotation center portion 30.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the guide portion 20a formed on the first key top 15a is engaged with the first engagement portion 29a formed on the stopper member 29, and the second engagement portion 29a is formed on the second engagement portion 29a. The second key top 15 is provided on the engaging portion 29b of
The guide portion 20b formed in b is engaged. In the configuration of this embodiment, the guide portion 20a engages with the first engaging portion 29a as described above, and the guide portion 2
0b engages with the second engaging portion 29b, but instead of this configuration, the cap 27a engages with the first engaging portion 29a and the cap 27b engages with the second engaging portion 29b. It may be configured to be combined.

Subsequently, the push button switch 1 having the above-mentioned configuration
The operation of 0 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 shows a state where the key top 15b is not operated (this state is called a pre-operation state). Operation knobs 17c and 17d for multiple switches 11c and 11d
Is elastically urged in the direction of arrow A2 in the figure by a spring provided inside the switch. For this reason key top 1
In the pre-operation state where 5b is not operated, the key top 1
5b is rotationally biased clockwise about the fulcrums 16b and 16c by the operation knobs 17c and 17d via the shaft 22b.

Further, this rotational biasing force is applied to the key top 15b.
The arm portion 18b formed on the upper side of the upper housing 13a is regulated by coming into contact with the lower portion of the upper housing 13a, so that the key top 15b is maintained in the state shown in FIG. In addition, in this pre-operation state, the shaft portion 22b has the cam groove 19b.
The guide portion 20b is separated from the stopper member 29.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the key top 15b is operated (this state is called an operation state). At the time of operation, the operator pushes the operation button portion 25b formed on the upper portion of the key top 15b downward. By this pressing operation, the key top 15b rotates counterclockwise about the fulcrums 16b and 16c against the elastic biasing force.

The key top 15b has fulcrums 16b and 16c.
By rotating in the counterclockwise direction about the axis, the guide portion 20b is also rotationally displaced together with the key top 15b, and thus the shaft portion 22 formed integrally with the cap 27b.
b is relatively displaced within the cam groove 19b. Cam groove 19b
Since the shape of the key is a reverse J-shape as described above, the shaft portion 22b is displaced in the direction of arrow A1 in the figure when the key top 15b is rotationally displaced in the counterclockwise direction.

As the shaft portion 22b is displaced in the A1 direction,
The operation knobs 17c and 17d are also displaced in the A1 direction via the cap 27b, whereby the multiple switches 11c and 11d are moved.
Performs switching processing of a large number of connected electric circuits (for example, puts them in a closed state). Further, in the operated state, the shaft portion 22b is moved to a position above the cam groove 19b, and the valley portion 23 is formed above the cam groove 19b. Therefore, the switching process is performed by the multiple switches 11c and 11d. The operator can detect that a click has been made. Further, in the operation state, the guide portion 20b is in contact with the stopper member 29.

As described above, the push button switch 10 can switch the multiple switches 11a to 11d by pushing the key tops 15a, 15a downward. That is, the push button switch 10 includes the shaft portion 22.
By the operation force conversion mechanism configured by a and 22b and the cam grooves 19a and 19b, the rotational displacement force of the key tops 15a and 15a can be converted into a force that moves the operation knobs 17a to 17d in the A1 direction.

Therefore, it is not always necessary to provide the arrangement positions of the key tops 15a, 15a on the side portions of the housing 13, and the degree of freedom of the arrangement positions of the key tops 15a, 15a can be improved. Also, the key top 15a,
Since the multiple switches 11a to 11d can be operated by pressing and rotating 15a downward, the operability can be improved as compared with the conventional operation of pressing from the side. Further, the operating force conversion mechanism is provided with the shaft portion 22.
The push button switch 10 having the above advantages can be realized easily and inexpensively because it has a simple configuration including the a and 22b and the cam grooves 19a and 19b.

Next, the operation of the stopper member 29 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the key top 15a
The guide portion 20a formed on the stopper member 29 is engaged with the first engaging portion 29a formed on the stopper member 29, and the guide portion 20b formed on the key top 15b is formed on the stopper member 29 by the second engaging portion 29a. Is engaged with the engaging portion 29b. Further, the first engaging portion 29a and the second engaging portion 29b are formed on both sides of the stopper member 29 with the rotation center portion 30 as the center, and the stopper member 29 has the rotation center portion 30 as the center. Is configured to be rotatable in the directions of arrows B1 and B2 in the figure.

Therefore, for example, when only the key top 15b is operated, the guide portion 20b formed on the key top 15b engages with the second engaging portion 29b and presses and urges the second engaging portion 29b. The member 29 is rotationally displaced in the arrow B2 direction in the figure. FIG. 4 shows this state.

When the stopper member 29 is rotationally displaced in the direction of the arrow B2, the first engaging portion 29a is moved to the guide portion 2.
0a, so that the key top 15a is indicated by the arrow C1 in the figure.
It is in the state of being urged in the direction. Therefore, even if the key top 15a is pressed while the key top 15b is being operated, the key top 15a will not move.
Since the displacement is regulated by 9, it is not operated. On the contrary, when only the key top 15a is operated, the same operation is performed, and even if the key top 15b is pressed while the key top 15a is being operated, the key top 15b is displaced by the stopper member 29. Since it is regulated, it will not be operated.

Further, when the key tops 15a and 15b are simultaneously operated, the same operating force is applied to the first engaging portion 29a and the second engaging portion 29b, so that the stopper member 29 rotates. Without maintaining the horizontal state in FIG. Therefore, when the key tops 15a and 15b are simultaneously operated, the operation of the key tops 15a and 15b is restricted by the stopper member 29.

By providing the stopper member 29 as described above, it is possible to prevent the key tops 15a and 15b from being simultaneously operated. Therefore, as described above, the first switch group 1 corresponding to the key top 15a
It is possible to prevent simultaneous operation of 1a, 11b and the second switch group 11c, 11d corresponding to the key top 15b. Therefore, the first switch groups 11a and 11b and the second switch group 11 which are not desired to be operated at the same time
It is possible to reliably prevent the c and 11d from being simultaneously operated, and it is possible to improve the reliability of the push button switch 10.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following various effects can be realized.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the operation direction of the key top and the pressing operation direction of the operation knob can be made different directions, the disposition position of the key top is not necessarily provided on the side portion of the housing. Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in the arrangement position of the key tops, and since the multiple switches can be operated by the rotating operation of the key tops, the operability can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the rotation operation of the key top can be converted into the pressing operation of the operation knob of the multiple switch with a simple structure.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, the first
When the key top and the second key top are simultaneously operated, the pressing displacements of the first key top and the second key top are both restricted, so that the first key top and the second key top It is possible to prevent simultaneous operation of pressing the tops.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a push button switch that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a push button switch that is an embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram for explaining the operation of the push button switch.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a push button switch that is an embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram for explaining the operation of the push button switch.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the operation of the stopper member.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a conventional push button switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 push button switch 11a-11d multiple switch 12 printed circuit board 13 housing 13a upper housing 13b lower housing 15a, 15b key top 16a-16c fulcrum part 17a-17d operation knob 18a, 18b arm part 19a, 19b cam groove 20a, 20b guide part 22a, 22b Shaft part 23 Valley part 27a, 27b Cap 28 Stopper guide 29 Stopper member 29a First engaging part 29b Second engaging part 30 Rotation center

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A multiple switch (11a to 11d) for electrically switching a large number of circuits and a housing (13) being rotatable by linearly pressing the operation knobs (17a to 17d). The attached key tops (15a, 15b) and the rotary operation of the key tops (15a, 15b) are controlled by the operation knobs (17a-1) of the multiple switches (11a-11d).
7d) operation force conversion mechanism (19a,
19b, 22a, 22b) are provided. 2. The operation force converting mechanism includes an operation knob (17a) of the multiple switches (11a to 11d).
To 17d), and cam grooves (19a, 22a, 22b) formed in the key tops (15a, 15b) and engaged with the followers (22a, 22b).
19b), the followers (22a, 22b) relatively move with the cam groove (19) as the key tops (15a, 15b) rotate.
a, 19b), the operating knob (1
7. The pushbutton switch according to claim 1, wherein the pushbutton switches 7a to 17d) are linearly pressed. 3. The key is composed of a first switch group (11a, 11b) and a second switch group (11c, 11d) in which a plurality of the multiple switches (11a to 11d) are arranged. A first key top (15a) whose tops (15a, 15b) correspond to the first switch group (11a, 11b) and the second switch group (11c, 11d)
The push-button switch according to claim 1, which is configured by a second key top (15b) corresponding to, and is configured to be rotatable about a rotation center portion (30). 30) is formed on one side of the first switch group (11a, 11b) or the first switch group.
Of the key top (15a) of the first engaging portion (29
a), and the second switch group (11c, 11d) or the second switch group (11c, 11d) which is formed on the other side of the rotation center (30).
Second engaging portion (29) with which the key top (15b) of
b) A push button switch characterized in that it is provided with a stopper member (29) formed with.