JPH11242921A - Push switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify assembly and to ensure switching motion of a movable contact member. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a fixed contact set in a case 1, and a movable contact 7d which is made of an elastic conductive member, and where both end parts are respectively bent in an approximately U-shape and in the same direction, one end is set to be a movable part 7a being a power point, a fulcrum part 7c is set at the end of a bending part 7b of the other end side. Here, the movable contact 7d at the end of the movable part 7a side slides on the bottom (1e) of the case 1 to contact with the fixed contact. Further, this device has a movable contact member 7 provided with the fulcrum part 7c locking on from above and supported by a supporting projection if standing within the case 1, an operating knob 2 for pushing down the movable part 7a, and a lid body 9 covering an aperture except for parts into which the operating knobs project. The movable part 7a comes down around the fulcrum part 7c by the pushing down of the operating knob 2, and it slides on the bottom (1e) of the case 1, thus it contacts with and separates from the fixed contact.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a push switch device used for detecting media or the like and controlling the vertical movement of an operation knob by utilizing the spring property of a movable contact.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A movable contact which is made of a metal having a spring property and is normally held in an on or off state by the spring property, and an operating knob is always raised by utilizing the spring property of the movable contact. A push switch device to be held has a simple structure, can be miniaturized, and has an excellent operation feeling, and is therefore used in various electronic devices.

As such a conventional push switch device, for example, JP-A-6-168645, JP-A-8-203380 or JP-A-8-32977.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-168645, which is shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an example of a conventional push switch device.

[0005] As shown in FIG.
A housing 21 having a substantially square shape in which the components 2 and 23 are arranged, and a movable portion 24 formed of a conductive metal plate having elasticity and bent into a substantially U-shape to form a bent portion, and the bent portion serves as a power point. And a control knob 26 for pressing the movable portion 24 of the movable contact member 25. Movable contact member 2
5 is a fulcrum 2 having one end thereof engaged with the side wall of the housing 21.
7 and the other end of the movable contact member 25 is
8, the movable portion 24 is slid rightward in FIG. 6 as the movable portion 24 descends, and comes in contact with the fixed contact 22 to the fixed contact 23. When the operation knob 26 shown in FIG. 6 is not pushed in, the movable portion rises due to its spring property, and the movable contact portion 28 separates from the fixed contact 23 and contacts the fixed contact 22. The operation knob 26 is also configured to be raised.

Reference numeral 29 denotes a fixed contact which is insert-molded on the bottom surface of the concave portion 21b of the support portion 21a formed on the inner surface of the housing 21 so that the fulcrum 27 of the movable contact member 25 is always in contact with the fixed contact 29. It has been incorporated. Reference numeral 30 denotes a lid that supports the operation knob 26 so that the operation knob 26 does not come off from the housing 21 and that can freely move up and down.

As described above, since the push switch device can be composed of the housing 21 having the fixed contacts 22 and 23, the movable contact member 25, the operation knob 26, and the cover 30, the size can be reduced. There is an advantage that the operation feeling of the operation knob 26 is also smooth.

[0008]

On the other hand, when assembling the conventional push switch device, the fixed contact 2 is required.
A simple process of inserting the movable contact member 25 into the housing 21 in which the movable contact members 2 and 23 are arranged and covering the upper portion with the lid 30 may be a simple process. The fulcrum 27 must be brought into contact with the fixed contact 29 on the bottom surface of the concave portion 21b of the portion 21a, and the movable contact 28 must be inserted so as to come into contact with the fixed contact 22, which has a drawback that it is difficult to assemble from above. Further, when attaching the operation knob 26 or the lid 30, there is a possibility that the movable contact member 25 inserted into the housing 21 may be unstablely moved. It is not performed smoothly, or the fixed contact 22
3 cannot be switched. In extreme cases,
When the cover 30 is mounted, the movable contact member 25 may be deformed via the operation knob 26.

[0009] Such a drawback is caused by the above-mentioned JP-A-8-20.
The same applies to the push switch device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3380. Further, in the push switch device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-329779, the fulcrum of the movable contact member is locked to the operation lever, and the movable contact member may be deformed when the operation lever is attached.

[0010] A first object of the present invention is to provide a push switch device which is easy to assemble and in which a movable contact member can reliably perform a switching operation.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a push switch device capable of quickly and surely returning an operation knob and a movable contact member by increasing a return force by the movable contact member.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a push switch device capable of causing the operation knob to move up and down almost vertically without loss.

[0013]

A first object of the present invention is to provide a substantially rectangular housing having an opening at an upper portion and provided with a supporting portion, a fixed contact provided in the housing, The first and second bent portions are formed by bending both end portions in a substantially U-shape in the same direction to form a movable portion having the first bent portion as an emphasis point. A movable contact that slides on the bottom of the housing and slides on the fixed contact is formed, and is rotatably supported by an edge of the second bent portion engaged with the support from above. A movable contact member forming a fulcrum portion, an operation knob for pushing down the movable portion, and a lid covering the opening except for a portion where the operation knob projects, and pushing down the operation knob. As the movable part descends around the fulcrum part, It is solved by first means movable contact is contacted or non-contacted with the fixed contact is slid on the bottom of the housing. The second problem is that, in the first means, a projection is formed on a back surface of the lid, which presses the vicinity of the second bent portion of the movable contact member, and is provided from the movable portion of the movable contact member. This is solved by a second means for increasing the return force of the operation knob.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a push switch device having two operation knobs that can perform on / off operations independently of each other is taken as an example.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the entire structure in one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a fulcrum in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an ON state, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an OFF state in which the operation knob is completely pushed in from the state shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a front view showing a modification of the movable contact member. .

In these figures, reference numeral 1 denotes a substantially rectangular housing made of a synthetic resin and having an open upper portion, inside which two operation knobs 2 and 3 are guided so as to guide movement in the vertical movement direction. Ducts 4 and 5 are provided upright. These guide ducts 4 and 5 are provided on one of the opposite side walls 1 a and 1 of the housing 1.
b and a guide duct 4
Is the other side wall 1c, orthogonal to the side walls 1a, 1b of the housing 1.
One side of the side wall 1c in 1d is arranged so that one side thereof is in contact with the side wall 1d, and the guide duct 5 is arranged so that one side thereof is in contact with the side wall 1d. A notch 4a is formed on the side of the side wall 1a of the guide duct 4 so as to extend in the vertical direction, and the notch 4a is formed on the side of the side wall 1b of the guide duct 5 so as to extend in the vertical direction. Notches 4a are respectively formed. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
On the bottom 1e of the housing 1 located in the gap between the holes a and 1b, the fixed contacts 6 are respectively arranged in a plane, and the support projections 1f are erected. The guide ducts 4, 5
Is formed so as to protrude from the upper surface of the housing 1.

The operation knobs 2 and 3 have the same shape, and only one operation knob 2 will be described here.
In the other operation knob 3, the same components as those of the operation knob 2 are denoted by the same alphabets, and the description thereof is omitted. The operating knob 2 is made of a synthetic resin in a substantially rod shape, and the upper half is a cylindrical knob portion 2a and the lower half is a prismatic operating portion 2b. Below one side surface of the operation portion 2b, a contact portion 2c projecting in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the operation knob 2 is formed. The surface on which the contact portion 2c is formed is formed with an inclined surface 2d having a small protrusion amount as it rises from the contact portion 2c, and slightly protrudes at the boundary between the knob portion 2a and the operation portion 2b. A regulating portion 2e is formed. The contact portion 2c and the regulating portion 2e are inserted so as to protrude from the notch 4a of the guide duct 4 in the direction of the side wall 1b.

In the respective gaps between the guide ducts 4, 5 and the side walls 1a, 1b, movable contact members 7, 8 made of a conductive metal plate having elasticity are accommodated, respectively. The movable contact members 7 and 8 each have the same shape. Here, only one movable contact member 7 will be described, and the other movable contact member 8 will be given the same alphabet as the same component as the movable contact member 7. The description is omitted. The movable contact member 7 has a bent portion formed by bending one end of the movable contact member into a substantially U-shape as a movable portion 7a serving as an emphasis point, and a curved portion formed by bending the other end of the movable contact member 7 into a substantially U-shape. 7b
have. A pair of fulcrum portions 7c formed by notching so as to face each other is provided at an end edge on the curved portion 7b side. The edge of the movable portion 7a is split into two forks, and a movable contact 7d is formed by bending or the like.
The fulcrum 7c of the movable contact member 7 is supported by the tip of the support protrusion 1f of the housing 1 as shown in detail in FIG. As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the tip of the support projection 1f is split into two branches, and the fulcrum 7c of the movable contact member 7 is dropped between the two forks to support the fulcrum 7c in a swingable manner. I do. Movable contact member 7 between movable portion 7a and curved portion 7b
Is formed with a substantially V-shaped bent portion 7e so as to protrude in the direction of the fulcrum 7c and the movable contact 7d.

The upper surface of the operation knob 5 is covered with a lid 9 made of metal or synthetic resin. That is,
The lid 9 has a size ranging from the upper end of the side wall 1c of the housing 1 to the upper part of the side wall 1d through the upper surface of the housing 1 and has substantially rectangular openings 9a and 9b for projecting the guide ducts 4 and 5.
The restriction portions 2e and 3e of the operation knobs 2 and 3 formed substantially at the center of one side of the openings 9a and 9b protrude, but restriction holes 9c and 9d for restricting the elevation of the inclined surfaces 2d and 3d are formed. ing. Thus, the operation knobs 2 and 3 urged upward by the movable contact members 7 and 8 are not separated from the storage space defined by the housing 1 and the lid 9. On the back surface of the lid 9, contact projections 9e and 9f projecting downward so as to contact the upper surfaces of the curved portions 7b and 8b of the movable contact members 7 and 8 are integrally formed.

The assembly of the push switch device configured as described above will be described. First, between the bifurcated portions 7g of the support projections 1f projecting from the bottom 1e of the housing 1 in which the fixed contacts 6 are respectively disposed in a planar manner on the bottom 1e between the guide ducts 4, 5 and the side walls 1a, 1b. By dropping the fulcrums 7c, 8c of the movable contact members 7, 8,
The movable contact members 7, 8 are swingably supported. As a result, the movable contact members 7 and 8 are securely held by the housing 1. Next, the movable portions 7a, 8a of the movable contact members 7, 8
The operation knobs 2 and 3 are dropped so that the lower surfaces of the contact portions 2c and 3c of the operation knobs 2 and 3 are in contact with the upper portions. Finally, the cover 9 is opened so that the guide ducts 4 and 5 protrude from the openings 9a and 9b, respectively, and the operation knobs 2 and 3 are inserted through the restriction holes 9c and 9d.
The assembly is completed when the restricting portions 2e and 3e project and cover. Since the movable contact members 7, 8 are securely held by the housing 1, the movable contact members 7, 8 do not move when the cover 9 is attached. In addition, the movable contact member 7,
8 and the operation knobs 2 and 3 can all be incorporated from the top of the housing 1.

Next, the operation of the push switch device will be described. The operation will be described with respect to one switch unit, that is, the operation knob 3 side.

FIG. 3 shows an ON state of the push switch device,
That is, the operation knob 3 is in a non-pressed state. In the state of FIG. 3, the fulcrum 8b side of the movable contact member 8 is engaged between the forked portions 7g of the support protrusion 1f, and the movable contact 8d is movable. It is located on the first fixed contact 6 due to the elasticity of the contact member 8. In this state, a force is applied to the movable contact member 8 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction about the engagement portion of the fulcrum 8b, so that the operation knob 3 is pushed up by the movable portion 8a. Pushing up of the operation knob 3 is prevented at a predetermined position by engaging the regulating portion 3e with the regulating hole 9d.

As the operation knob 3 is pushed down from the state shown in FIG. 3, the movable contact member 8 rotates clockwise about the fulcrum 8b. Thereby, the movable contact member 8
The movable contact 4d is pressed and bent while the bottom 1a
It slides to the left in the upper direction, separates from the fixed contact 6, and is located on the bottom 1e. The conduction state between the movable contact 8d and the fixed contact 6 is released, whereby the push switch is turned off. . Since the contact protrusion 9e on the back surface of the lid 9 is in contact with the upper surface of the curved portion 8b of the movable contact member 8, the reaction force acts on the movable contact member 8, and the return force from the off state to the on state is reduced. The operation knob 3 and the movable contact member 8 can be quickly and reliably returned.

In this embodiment, the movable contact members 7 and 8 have movable portions 7a and 8a having one end bent substantially in a U-shape, and the other end formed in a substantially U-shape. Since two bending portions are formed with the bending portions 7b and 8b formed by bending, a load can be generated at each of these two bending portions, so that the load and the restoring force required for the switch operation can be reduced. It is possible to provide a push switch device having a simple structure, which can generate a load for raising and can perform a reliable switching operation only with each of the movable contact members 7 and 8. Further, the movable contact members 7 and 8 have fulcrums 7c and 8c and movable contacts 7 and 8, respectively.
Bent portions 7e and 8e are formed in a substantially V shape so as to protrude in the directions d and 8d, and the bent portions 7e and 8e are formed.
Can adjust the direction of the component force applied to the operation knobs 2 and 3,
The operation knobs 2 and 3 can be moved vertically vertically without any loss.

In the above-described embodiment, the upper part is made of a substantially rectangular casing 1 having an open top, fixed contacts 6 disposed in the casing 1, and a conductive member having spring properties. Both ends are bent in the same direction in a substantially U-shape, and one end is a movable portion 7a serving as an emphasis point.
A fulcrum 7c is provided at the edge of b, and a movable contact 7d that slides on the bottom 1e of the housing 1 and slides on the fixed contact 6 is formed on the edge on the side of the movable portion 7a. A movable contact member 7 having a fulcrum 7c which is rotatably supported by being engaged from above with a support projection 1f provided upright, an operation knob 2 for pushing down the movable portion 7a, and an operation knob 2 A cover 9 that covers the opening except for the protruding portion, and the movable portion 7a descends around the fulcrum 7c by pressing down the operation knob 2 and slides on the bottom 1e of the housing 1. Since the movable contact member 7 comes into contact with or does not come into contact with the fixed contact 6, the movable contact member 7 can be reliably positioned at the time of assembly, and the positioning can be performed from above the housing 1. The load is applied to each of the two curved portions, the movable portion 7a and the curved portion 7b. It is possible to produce, it is possible to generate a load for raising the load and return force required for switching operation.

[0026]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the movable contact member has first and second bent portions formed by bending both end portions of the movable contact member in substantially the same direction in the same direction. A movable portion serving as a point of force, a movable contact that slides on the bottom of the housing and slides on the fixed contact is formed on the edge thereof, and a support is provided on the housing at the edge of the second bent portion. Since the pivotally supported fulcrum engaged from above is formed on the portion, the movable contact member 7 can be reliably positioned, and the positioning can be performed from above the housing 1. , The assembly is simple, and the load can be generated at each of the two curved portions, so that the load required for the switch operation and the load for increasing the return force can be generated,
A reliable switch operation can be performed only with the movable contact member.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the projection that presses the vicinity of the second bent portion of the movable contact member is formed on the back surface of the lid, the reaction force acts on the movable contact member, and the reaction force changes from the off state to the on state. The return force to the state can be increased, and the operation knob and the movable contact member can be quickly and reliably returned.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the bent portion projecting in the direction of the movable contact is formed between the first and second bent portions of the movable contact member, the bent portion applies to the operation knob. The direction of the component force can be adjusted, and the operation knob can be moved up and down almost vertically without loss.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an entire structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a fulcrum in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention in an off state.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an ON state in which the operation knob is completely pushed in from the state shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a modification of the movable contact member.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional push switch device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 1e Bottom part 1f Support protrusion 1g Bifurcation part 2, 3 Operation knob 2c, 3c Contact part 2e, 3e Restriction part 4, 5 Guide duct 6 Fixed contact 7, 8 Movable contact member 7a, 8a Movable part 7b, 8b Curved Part 7c, 8c Support point part 7d, 8d Movable contact 7e, 8e Bending part 9 Lid 9a, 9b Opening 9c, 9d Restriction hole 9e, 9f Contact projection

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 10, 1999

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0013

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0013]

A first object of the present invention is to provide a substantially rectangular housing having an opening at an upper portion and provided with a supporting portion, a fixed contact provided in the housing, The first and second bent portions are formed by bending both end portions in a substantially U-shape in the same direction to form a movable portion having the first bent portion as an emphasis point. A movable contact that slides on the bottom of the housing and slides on the fixed contact is formed, and is rotatably supported by an edge of the second bent portion engaged with the support from above. A movable contact member forming a fulcrum portion, an operation knob for pushing down the movable portion, and a lid covering the opening except for a portion where the operation knob projects, and pushing down the operation knob. As the movable part descends around the fulcrum part, It is solved by first means movable contact is contacted or non-contacted with the fixed contact is slid on the bottom of the housing. The second problem is that, in the first means, a projection is formed on a back surface of the lid, which presses the vicinity of the second bent portion of the movable contact member, and is provided from the movable portion of the movable contact member. This is solved by a second means for increasing the return force of the operation knob.
The third object is the first means, wherein the movable contact
Between the first and second bent portions of the member in the direction of the movable contact
Solution by the third means in which a protruding bent portion is formed
Is done.

Claims (2)

[Claims] An upper part is made of a substantially rectangular housing provided with a support part, an opening is provided at the upper part, a fixed contact disposed in the housing, and a conductive member having a spring property. Each of the first and second bent portions is bent in the same direction in a substantially U-shape to form first and second bent portions, and the first bent portion serves as a movable point, and the edge thereof slides on the bottom of the housing. A movable contact member that forms a movable contact that slides on the fixed contact and that forms a fulcrum that is engaged with the support from above and that is rotatably supported at an edge of the second bent portion; An operation knob for pushing down the movable portion; and a lid covering the opening except for a portion from which the operation knob projects, wherein the movable portion is centered on the fulcrum portion by pushing down the operation knob. Is lowered, so that the movable contact moves on the bottom of the housing. Push switch apparatus characterized by being dynamic becomes contact or non-contact with the fixed contact. 2. A projection for pressing the movable contact member in the vicinity of the second bent portion is formed on a back surface of the lid, so that a return force of the operation knob applied from the movable portion of the movable contact member is provided. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the number is increased.
The push switch device as described.