JPH10188738A - Multidirectional switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multidirectional switch which can ensure switching matching the tilting direction of a stem and switching by a stem pushing operation, with a click feel in both cases. SOLUTION: A multidirectional switch includes a housing 1 with a center fixed contact 2, a common contact 3, and four edge-fixed contacts 4 placed on its inner bottom, a first stem 8 having a guide hole 9 in its center and supported against the housing 1 in such a way as to be capable of rocking, a second stem 10 slidably fitted into the guide hole 9 and projecting from the first stem 8, and a center index spring 6 and four edge tact springs 7 which are electrically connected to the common contact 3 under normal conditions. By tilting the first stem 8 in a predetermined direction via the second stem 10, one or two of the edge-fixed contacts 4 desired are electrically connected to the common contact 3 via the edge tact spring 7, and the second stem 10 is pressed along the guide hole 9 in the first stem 8, thereby connecting the center fixed contact 2 electrically to the common contact 3 via the center tact spring 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-directional switch for outputting a switching signal according to a tilt direction of a stem.
In particular, the present invention relates to a multidirectional switch that outputs a switching signal even by a push operation of a stem.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional example of this type of multidirectional switch, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-235241, one central fixed contact at the inner bottom, a common contact located around the central fixed contact, and four , A stem pivotally supported by the housing, a movable contact plate disposed on the inner bottom of the housing, and a tact spring interposed between the movable contact plate and the stem. Is generally known. The stem has a flange housed in the housing and a shaft protruding from the housing, and the movable contact plate is always in contact with the common contact, but the central fixed contact and each peripheral fixed contact are separated from each other. .

In the multidirectional switch having the above-described structure, when the stem of the stem is tilted in an arbitrary direction, the flange of the stem presses the movable contact plate to fix one or two peripheral edges located in the tilting direction. In order to make contact with the contact, the peripheral fixed contact and the common contact are conducted through the movable contact plate. When the stem of the stem is pressed directly below, the center of the bottom surface of the flange pushes the tact spring along with the pressing operation, so that the tact spring is inverted to bring the movable contact plate into contact with the center fixed contact. The center fixed contact and the common contact are conducted through the movable contact plate. Therefore, a total of eight types of switching can be performed according to the tilt direction of the stem,
Another switching can be performed by pushing the stem.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional multi-directional switch, a guide mechanism for guiding the stem directly below is not provided. There was a problem in terms of operability. In addition, when the stem is pushed, a click (moderation) feeling is generated by the reversing operation of the tact spring. However, when the stem is tilted, no click feeling is generated, so that there is a problem that the operation feeling is poor.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a stem is provided in a first position.
The first stem functions as a guide member of the second stem when the center tact spring is reversed by the second stem. When reversing the tact spring on the periphery with
The first stem is tilted through the stem. With this configuration, the push operation of the second stem is ensured, and a click feeling is generated when the first and second stems are tilted, so that the operability and the operation feeling of the multidirectional switch are improved. Can be.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A multidirectional switch according to the present invention has a housing in which a central fixed contact, a common contact, and a plurality of peripheral fixed contacts are disposed on the inner bottom, and a guide hole in the center, which can swing on the housing. A first stem supported by
A second stem that is slidably fitted in the guide hole and protrudes from the first stem; and a plurality of tact springs that are always conductive to the common contact, wherein the second stem is connected via the second stem. By tilting one stem in a predetermined direction,
The desired peripheral fixed contact is made conductive with the common contact via the tact spring, and the second stem is pressed so that the central fixed contact is made conductive with the common contact via the tact spring. Configured.

[0007] Further, a projection for regulating the tilt angle of the first and second stems is provided on the inner bottom of the housing, and when the projection is opposed to the lower surface of the second stem, the first stem is interposed through the first stem. When the second stem is tilted, the second stem does not further tilt when the lower surface of the second stem comes into contact with the projection, so that the center tact spring can be reliably prevented from erroneously reversing.

The housing may have any shape including a circle, but when the housing has a general rectangular shape, the housing has a rectangular shape as a tact spring facing the peripheral fixed contact. By using an elastic plate having a bulging portion supported at both ends, these tact springs can be disposed in the housing with less wasteful space, which is suitable for miniaturization.

[0009]

Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a sectional view of the multi-directional switch, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the multi-directional switch, FIG. 3 is a plan view of a housing provided in the multi-directional switch, and FIG. FIG. 5 and FIG. 5 are sectional views showing the push operation of the multi-directional switch.

In these figures, reference numeral 1 denotes a housing formed of a synthetic resin, and as shown in FIG.
A circular center fixed contact 2 is provided on the inner bottom of the housing 1.
And the common contact 3 surrounding the center fixed contact 2 and the peripheral fixed contacts 4 located at four places in front, rear, left and right around the common contact 3 are exposed. The peripheral fixed contacts 4 project from both side surfaces of the housing 1 as terminals 5. Four projections 1a are provided upright on the inner bottom portion of the housing 1 so as to surround the central fixed contact 2. Positioning portions 1b and bosses 1c are provided at four corners of the housing 1 opposed to the respective projections 1a. Is formed.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a central tact spring, and reference numeral 7 denotes a peripheral tact spring. The central tact spring 6 and the peripheral tact spring 7 use a material having high elasticity such as phosphor bronze or SUS as a base material, and Is subjected to an Ag treatment. The central tact spring 6 is formed into a generally circular bowl (dome) shape. The central tact spring 6 is mounted on the common contact 3 around the central fixed contact 2 and positioned by the inside of each projection 1a. ing. On the other hand, the peripheral tact spring 7 is formed into a rectangular shape as a whole, and a double-sided bulging portion 7a is integrally formed at the center thereof. The peripheral tact spring 7 is mounted on the common contact 3 inside the peripheral fixed contact 4, and is positioned between the inner wall of the housing 1 and the outside of each projection 1 a.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a first resin molded resin.
The first stem 8 has a cylindrical portion 8a and a skirt portion 8b that extends obliquely downward from the cylindrical portion 8a, and four projections 8c are provided on the lower surface of the skirt portion 8b for approximately 90 degrees.
These projections 8c are in contact with the bulging portions 7a of the peripheral tact springs 7 at equal intervals. Column part 8
A guide hole 9 penetrating in the vertical direction is provided at the center of a, and four protruding pieces 8d are integrally formed on the lower peripheral edge of the skirt portion 8b, and these protruding pieces 8d are adjacent to each other. Extending outward from the middle of the projections 8c,
Is engaged with the above-described positioning portion 1b. The first stem 8 is swingably supported by the housing 1 by mounting the respective projections 8c on the corresponding peripheral tact springs 7. At the time of such assembling, the respective projections 8d are moved. Correspondingly, since the positioning portion 1b is inserted, the positioning at the time of assembly is easy, and the rotation is prevented after the assembly.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a second stem formed of a synthetic resin.
The lower surface of the flange 10a is opposed to the upper surface of each protrusion 1a of the housing 1 at a predetermined interval. The second stem 10 is inserted from below in the guide hole 9 and protrudes above the first stem 8.
a is used to prevent slippage. A pressing projection 10 b is integrally formed at the center of the lower surface of the second stem 10, and the lower end of the pressing projection 10 b is in contact with the center tact spring 6.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a cover made of a metal plate. A circular center hole 11a is formed at the center of the cover, and mounting holes 11b are formed at four corners thereof. The periphery of the center hole 11a extends downward. A taper is formed. This lid 1
1 is a skirt portion 8b of the first stem 8 in the central hole 11a.
Boss 1 inserted into each mounting hole 11b
By crimping c, it is attached to the upper open end of the housing 1.

In the multidirectional switch having the above-described configuration, when the second stem 10 is tilted in any one of four front, rear, left, and right directions in which the peripheral fixed contacts 4 are arranged, for example, as shown in FIG. As shown, when the second stem 10 is tilted in the direction of the arrow toward the peripheral fixed contact 4 located on the left side of the figure, the first stem 8 is moved together with the second stem 10.
Is also tilted in the same direction, so the protrusion 8c located in the tilting direction
Presses the peripheral tact spring 7 located thereunder. Then, at the point in time when the tactile spring 7 is reversed and a click sensation is generated, the peripheral fixed contact 4 and the common contact 3 located thereunder are conducted through the tactile spring 7, so that the switch-on state is established. can get. At this time, the inclination angle of the flange 10a of the second stem 10 is
a, when the lower surface of the flange 10a contacts the projection 1a, the second stem 10 does not tilt any more, so that the center tact spring 6 erroneously reverses and the center fixed contact 2 Can reliably be prevented from coming into contact with the object. When the second stem 10 is tilted toward the middle between two adjacent peripheral fixed contacts 4, the two protruding portions 8 c located in the tilting direction cause the peripheral tact springs 7 located below the same.
In order to press each of them, the peripheral fixed contact 4 and the common contact 3 located below the peripheral tact spring 7
Are conducted, and a switch-on state is obtained. When the pressing force of the second stem 10 in the tilting direction is removed, the first stem 8 returns to its original position by the self-returning force of the inverted peripheral edge tact spring 7, and the first stem 8
At the same time, the second stem 10 also returns to the original position, and thus returns to the switch-off state shown in FIG. At this time, since the periphery of the central hole 11a of the lid 11 is tapered, the first
The stem 8 can return smoothly.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Is pushed in the direction of the arrow, the second stem 10 descends along the guide hole 9 of the first stem 8, and the pressing projection 10b presses the central tact spring 6 located therebelow. When the center tact spring 6 is inverted and a click feeling is generated, the central fixed contact 2 and the common contact 3 located below the center tact spring 6 are electrically connected via the center tact spring 6,
A switch-on state is obtained. In this case, the first stem 8 is supported in a neutral state by the four peripheral tact springs 7 and functions as a guide member for guiding the pressing (push) operation of the second stem 10. When the pressing force directly below the second stem 10 is removed, the self-returning force of the inverted central tact spring 6 causes the second stem 1 to return.
0 returns to the original position and returns to the switch-off state shown in FIG.

As described above, in the multidirectional switch according to the present embodiment, the four types of switching that allow one desired peripheral tact spring 7 to be connected to the peripheral fixed contact 4 by changing the tilt direction of the second stem 10. And the center tact spring 6 is fixed to the center by the push operation of the second stem 10 in addition to the four kinds of switching for making the desired two adjacent peripheral tact springs 7 conductive to the peripheral fixed contact 4. Switching for conducting to the contact 2 can also be performed, and a click feeling can be generated at the time of all of these switchings.

[0018]

The present invention is embodied in the form described above and has the following effects.

A housing having a central fixed contact, a common contact, and a plurality of peripheral fixed contacts disposed at an inner bottom portion; a first stem having a guide hole at the center and swingably supported by the housing; A second stem that is slidably fitted in the hole and protrudes from the first stem; and a plurality of tact springs that are always conductive to the common contact.
By tilting the first stem in a predetermined direction via the stem, the desired peripheral fixed contact is made conductive with the common contact via the tact spring, and by pressing the second stem, Since the center fixed contact is configured to be electrically connected to the common contact via the tact spring, the push operation of the second stem is ensured, and a click feeling occurs when the first and second stems are tilted. Therefore, the operability and operation feeling of the multidirectional switch can be improved.

Further, a projection for regulating the tilt angle of the first and second stems is provided on the inner bottom of the housing, and the projection is opposed to the lower surface of the second stem. When the second stem is tilted, the second stem does not further tilt when the lower surface of the second stem comes into contact with the projection, so that the center tact spring can be reliably prevented from erroneously reversing.

Further, when the outer shape of the housing is a general rectangular shape, and a tact spring opposed to the peripheral fixed contact is one having an elastic plate having a rectangular outer shape and a bulging portion supported at both ends, These tact springs can be disposed in the housing with less useless space, which is suitable for downsizing the multidirectional switch.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-directional switch according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the multi-directional switch.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a housing provided in the multi-directional switch.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a tilting operation of the multi-directional switch.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a push operation of the multi-directional switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 housing 1a protrusion 2 central fixed contact 3 common contact 4 peripheral fixed contact 6 central tact spring 7 peripheral tact spring 7a bulging portion 8 first stem 8a cylindrical portion 8b skirt portion 9 guide hole 10 second stem 10a flange 10b Pressing projection 11 Lid 11a Central hole

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A housing having a center fixed contact, a common contact, and a plurality of peripheral fixed contacts disposed on an inner bottom thereof; a first stem having a guide hole in the center and swingably supported by the housing; A second stem that is slidably fitted in the guide hole and protrudes from the first stem; and a plurality of tact springs that are always electrically connected to the common contact. By tilting one stem in a predetermined direction, the desired peripheral fixed contact is made conductive with the common contact via the tact spring, and the second fixed stem is pressed, whereby the central fixed contact is brought into contact with the tact. A multidirectional switch, wherein the switch is configured to conduct with the common contact via a spring. 2. A housing according to claim 1, wherein a projection is provided on an inner bottom portion of said housing to regulate a tilt angle of said first and second stems, and said projection is opposed to a lower surface of said second stem. A multidirectional switch characterized by the above. 3. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the outer shape of the housing is rectangular, and the tact spring opposed to the peripheral fixed contact supports the bulging portion on both sides of an elastic plate having a rectangular outer shape. A multidirectional switch characterized by the following.