JPH0980608A - Waterproof slide switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve waterproofness around a slide grip so as to prevent moisture from infiltrating into a camera body at the time of providing a camera or the like with a slide switch. SOLUTION: A sealing plate 6 is extended on a pair of contacts 41, 42 provided at a base 3, and the sealing plate 6 is provided with conductor pieces 63, 64 in positions opposed to a pair of contacts 41, 42. When the sealing plate 6 is elastically deformed by the movement of a slide grip 5, the conductor pieces 63, 64 are brought into contact with a pair of contacts 41, 42 to electrically connect a pair of contacts 41, 42. An opening groove 22 provided at a case 2 in order to move the slide grip 5 slidingly can be sealed with the sealing plate 6 so as to be able to obtain a slide switch with high waterproofness.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slide switch, and more particularly to a slide switch having improved waterproofness.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Slide switches are often used as main switches and various switches of cameras. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the slide switch 100 is provided as a main switch in a part of the top decoration 2 of the camera C, the slide switch 100 is provided above the camera body 1 as its sectional structure is shown in FIG. The slide switch 100 is mounted so as to be electrically connected to the circuit pattern on the circuit board 3 that is being operated, and the slide knob 10 for performing the slide operation is provided.
1 is exposed through the opening 201 provided in the top decoration 2. Therefore, it is inevitable that a gap is created between the slide knob 101 and the opening 201 of the top decoration 2, and moisture penetrates into the inside of the camera C through this gap, for example, water droplets adhere to the surface of the circuit board 3. It causes the short circuit of the circuit pattern.

In this case, it is conceivable to use a waterproof slide switch, but even if the slide switch itself is waterproof, it enters the camera body through the gap between the slide switch and the top decoration as described above. It is difficult to prevent even the water content. For example, by disposing a membrane switch or the like in which the contact part is covered with a surface cover inside the camera, it is possible to prevent the short circuit by waterproofing the contact part. Since water cannot be prevented from entering the inside of the camera through the gap with the slide knob, other components of the camera may be leaked due to the water.

[0004]

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the slide knob 101 and the opening 201 of the top decoration are formed.
A structure has been proposed in which a waterproof member 103, such as a rubber plate, is inserted between the above and the waterproof member 103 to waterproof this portion. However, even when such a waterproof member 103 is used, the slide knob 101 can be placed inside the top decoration opening 201. As long as the waterproof member 103 is moved with respect to the slide knob 101 or the top decoration 2, it is difficult to completely seal the relatively moved portion. In particular, it is difficult to apply to a camera to which water pressure is applied. In addition, since the slide knob and the waterproof member are in close contact with each other, when the slide knob is moved, friction is generated between the two and the operability of the slide is reduced due to frictional force. There is also a problem that the waterproof property is deteriorated when it is done. An object of the present invention is to provide a slide switch that is excellent in waterproofness and does not deteriorate in waterproofness over time.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A slide switch of the present invention has a contact pair formed on a top surface of a substrate and formed of a pair of conductive films that are arranged in close proximity to each other, and a space between the contact pair and the top surface of the substrate. And an elastic seal plate with a conductor piece provided at a position facing the contact pair, and a slide operation on the seal plate to elastically deform the seal plate at the moving position facing the contact pair. And a slider knob for pressing the conductor piece against the surface of the contact pair.

In the present invention, preferably, the substrate is arranged in a housing of the device, the housing is provided with a recess having an opening groove penetrating the housing wall, and the seal plate is provided with the recess and the opening groove. The slide knob is provided inside the housing wall so as to seal, the slide knob is internally slidably movable in this recess, and the pressing piece integrally provided on the slide knob is inserted into the housing through the opening groove. The pressing plate allows the seal plate to be elastically deformed toward the substrate.

Further, according to the present invention, the concave portion is provided with a positioning concave portion at a position facing the contact pair, and the pressing piece is provided with a cam portion which can be engaged with the positioning concave portion in accordance with the movement operation of the slide knob. The contact portion provided on the pressing piece elastically deforms the seal plate toward the substrate when the cam portion is engaged with the positioning recess. Alternatively, the pressing piece is elastically contacted with the surface of the recess having the positioning recess formed in a state where the cam is biased by the elastic force toward the substrate, and the biasing force is applied when the cam is moved to the positioning recess. It is preferable to have a structure in which the pressing piece is displaced in the direction toward the substrate due to the depression, and the abutment portion abuts the seal plate.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a partially broken perspective view of an embodiment in which the slide switch of the present invention is applied to the main switch of the camera shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view thereof. Also, FIGS. 3 (a), (b),
(C) is a plan view and cross-sectional views taken along lines AA and BB. A required space is secured between the camera body 1 and the top decoration 2, and the circuit board 3 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 1.
Is fixedly supported. This circuit board 3 is formed with a circuit pattern for wiring inside the camera, and a switch pattern 4 is formed as a part of the circuit pattern. The switch pattern 4 is a contact pair 41 composed of a pair of conductive films arranged close to each other.
Two pairs of (41a, 41b) and 42 (42a, 42b) are arranged in parallel, and the conductive surface of the conductive film of each contact pair 41, 42 is exposed. Each contact pair 41, 42 is connected to a required circuit pattern as a main switch.

On the other hand, in the top cover 2, an elongated concave portion formed at a position directly above the switch pattern 4 in the direction in which the contact pairs 41 and 42 are arranged, is slightly longer than the arrangement length of both contact pairs. 21 is provided, and an opening groove 22 that penetrates the top decoration 2 in the plate thickness direction is provided in a part of the bottom surface of the recess 21 in the width direction, and the switch pattern 4 is exposed through the opening groove 22. In addition, a concave rail groove 23 is formed along the length direction on both side surfaces of the recess 21 along the length direction. Furthermore, the recess 2
On the upper surface of the bottom surface of 1 is a semicircular shape at two locations corresponding to the contact pairs 41 and 42 at equal intervals in the length direction of the recess and one location where no contact pair is formed, that is, a total of three locations. The positioning recess 24 is formed.

A slide knob 5 formed by resin molding or the like is housed in the recess 21, and both side edge portions 52 of a rectangular flange plate 51 provided in the slide knob 5 are formed in the rail groove 23. By being inserted, the slide knob 5 can be slid along the rail groove 23 in the recess 21 in the longitudinal direction. Further, an inverted F-shaped switch piece 53 is integrally formed on the lower surface of the slide knob 5, and is inserted into the upper decoration 2 through the opening groove 22. The cam portion 54 located on the upper side of the switch piece 53 has the concave portion 2 in a state where the switch piece 53 is elastically deformed upward.
It is elastically contacted with the upper surface of the bottom surface of 1. Also, switch piece 5
The contact portion 55 located on the lower side of 3 is located at a location along the inner surface side of the upper ornament 2.

Further, a seal plate 6 made of a resilient waterproof material such as rubber is disposed on the inner surface of the upper decoration 2 so as to cover the lower region of the recess 21, and the periphery thereof. The portion 61 is fixed to the inner surface of the top decoration 2 in a sealed state. In this embodiment, the peripheral portion of the seal plate 6 is formed as a thick rim 61, and the rim 61 is used as the top decoration 2
It is fitted into a concave groove 25 provided on the inner surface of the so as to surround the concave portion 21 and fixed by adhesion with an adhesive. Then, on the lower surface of the bottom surface portion 62 formed thinly of the seal plate 6,
A conductor piece 6 made of conductive rubber or the like so as to face each contact pair 41, 42 of the switch pattern 4.
3, 64 are integrally attached. This conductor piece 63, 6
4 simultaneously contacts the conductive surfaces of the respective conductive films of the contact pairs 41 and 42 facing each other, and these contact pairs 4
1, 42 can be electrically connected to each other through the conductor pieces 63, 64. Therefore, here, the contact pair 41 and the conductor piece 63 form a first switch, and the contact pair 42 and the conductor piece 64 form a second switch.

In the slide switch thus constructed, when the slide knob 5 is moved along the concave portion 21,
When the cam portion 54 of the switch piece 53 is moved to the position of the positioning recess 24, the elastic force of the switch piece 53 causes the cam portion 54 to drop into the positioning recess 24, so that the engaging operation at this time functions as a click. Then, the moving position of the slide knob 5 is given a moderation. Therefore, here, operability as a slide switch for switching the slide knob 5 to three positions can be obtained. And now
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the slide knob is moved to the positioning recess at the OFF position where the contact pair is not formed, the cam portion 54 falls into the positioning recess 24 at the end, The switch piece 53 is deformed downward by its own elastic force, and the contact portion 55 is also deformed and positioned downward of the top decoration 2. At this time, the contact portion 55 elastically deforms and pushes down a part of the bottom surface portion 62 of the seal plate 6, but since the conductor piece and the contact pair do not exist in this portion, the switch pattern 4 is There is no short circuit.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the slide knob 5 is moved to a position where the positioning recess 24 is not formed, the cam portion 54 is located on the bottom surface of the recess 21. Therefore, the switch piece 53 is forcibly elastically deformed upward, and the contact portion 55 is positioned above and close to the inner surface of the top decoration 2. Therefore, the contact portion 55 does not contact the seal plate 6,
No switch operation is performed.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the slide knob 5 is moved to a position corresponding to the contact pair 41 and the cam portion 54 falls into the central positioning recess 24, as shown in FIG. As in the case, the contact portion 55 is located below, so that a part of the bottom surface portion 62 of the seal plate 6 is elastically deformed downward and pushed down. At this time, since the conductor piece 63 is present in this portion, the contact portion 55 has the conductor piece 63.
Is pushed down, and the conductor piece 63 is pressed against the surface of the circuit board 3. Since each conductive film of the contact pair 41 is formed at this position on the circuit board 3 and each conductive surface is exposed, the conductor piece 63 is brought into contact with this conductive surface to electrically connect the contact pair 41. And the first switch according to the switch pattern 4 is turned on.

This operation is the same when the slide knob 5 is moved to a position corresponding to another contact pair 42, and this state is the state shown in FIG. 3, in which case the contact pair 42 is a conductor. It is electrically conducted by the piece 64, and the second switch by the switch pattern 4 is turned on.
Is done.

Therefore, according to the slide switch of the present invention, by sliding the slide knob 5, the seal plate 6 is elastically deformed to selectively push down the conductor pieces 63 and 64, and the conductor pieces 63 and 64 are moved to the circuit board. The switch is turned on by bringing the contact pair 41 and 42 into electrical contact with the contact 3 and turning on the switch. The opening groove 22 provided in the recess 21 of the upper ornament 2 supporting the slide knob 5 is a seal. It is completely sealed by the plate 6. Therefore, even if moisture enters the concave portion 21 or the opening groove 22, this moisture is prevented by the seal plate 6 and prevented from entering the interior of the top decoration 2, so that the circuit pattern of the circuit board 3 is prevented. It is possible to enhance the waterproofness of the top decoration at the place where the slide switch is provided, without causing a short circuit or the like at. Further, in this configuration, when the slide knob 5 is moved, the contact portion 55 is kept apart from the seal plate 6 by the contact between the cam portion 54 and the bottom surface of the recess 21, so that the slide knob 5 is moved. And the seal plate 6 are not brought into frictional contact with each other, and the slide knob 5 by frictional force
The operability is not deteriorated, and the waterproof property is not deteriorated due to aged deterioration caused by wear of the seal plate 6 or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the slide switch of the present invention is constructed integrally with the camera is shown, but the present invention can be similarly applied to the case where the slide switch is constructed in an apparatus or device other than the camera. It is also possible to configure the slide switch as a single unit.

In the above description, the case where there are two contact pairs has been described, but the present invention can be applied to a slide switch having one or three or more contact pairs. Further, the slide knob may be moved not only linearly but also on the circumference.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention, the seal plate is extended on the contact pair provided on the substrate, and the seal plate is provided with the conductor piece at a position facing the contact pair.
When the slide plate is elastically deformed by the movement of the slide knob, the conductor piece is brought into contact with the contact pair to electrically connect the contact pair, so that the gap between the slide knob and the housing is sealed by the seal plate. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a slide switch with high waterproofness.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1 and cross-sectional views taken along lines AA and BB thereof.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a switch OFF state.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a switch intermediate state.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a switch ON state.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a camera having a slide switch.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional slide switch portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Camera body 2 Top decoration 3 Circuit board 4 Switch pattern 5 Slide knob 6 Seal plate 21 Recessed portion 22 Opening groove 24 Positioning recessed portion 41,42 Contact pair 53 Switch piece 54 Cam portion 55 Contact portion 62 Bottom surface portion 63,64 Conductor piece

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A contact pair formed of a pair of conductive films formed on an upper surface of a substrate and arranged in close proximity to each other, and a contact pair extending at an interval from the upper surface of the substrate and facing the contact pair. And an elastic seal plate provided with a conductor piece at a position where the conductor piece is slid on the seal plate to elastically deform the seal plate at a moving position facing the contact pair to move the conductor piece to the contact pair. A waterproof slide switch, comprising: a slider knob for pressing the surface of the slider. 2. The substrate is arranged in a housing of a device, the housing is provided with a recess having an opening groove penetrating the housing wall, and the sealing plate is configured to seal the recess and the opening groove. The slide knob is provided inside the housing wall, the slide knob is slidably installed in the recess, and the pressing piece integrally provided on the slide knob is inserted into the housing through the opening groove, The waterproof slide switch according to claim 1, wherein the seal plate is elastically deformable toward the substrate by a piece. 3. The positioning recess is provided in the recess at a position facing the contact pair, and the pressing piece is provided with a cam part that can be engaged with the positioning recess in accordance with a movement operation of a slide knob. The waterproof slide switch according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion provided on the pressing piece elastically deforms the seal plate toward the substrate when the portion is engaged with the positioning recess. 4. The pressing piece is elastically contacted with the surface of the recess having the positioning recess formed in a state where the cam is biased by the elastic force toward the substrate, and when the cam is moved to the positioning recess. Is depressed into the positioning recess by the biasing force, and the depression displaces the pressing piece in the substrate direction.
The waterproof slide switch according to claim 3, wherein the contact portion is in contact with the seal plate. 5. The slide knob is movable to at least two positions, a position where a contact pair is formed, a position where a contact pair is not formed, or a position where a conductor piece is not provided. Waterproof slide switch of any one of 4 to 4. 6. The waterproof slide switch according to claim 3, wherein the positioning recess is provided at a plurality of positions including at least a position where the contact pair is formed. 7. The waterproof slide switch according to claim 1, wherein the seal plate is made of a rubber plate, and the conductor piece is made of conductive rubber.