JPS6348899Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This invention relates to a switch applied to a keyboard device, etc., and more specifically to a switch provided with a plate body that is pressed to open and close contacts.

Conventionally, the plate body of this type of switch is made of an elastic metal material or a rubber material, and the plate body has various shapes such as circular, asymmetrical circular, and inverted saucer shapes.

However, since switches used in keyboard devices and the like require nimble and reliable operability, the shape of the plate that opens and closes the contacts is difficult to maintain constant pressure feel and self-resetting performance during operation. Design and strict processing conditions were required, which led to increased costs and hindered mass production.

This invention was devised in view of these conventional problems, and aims to provide a switch that has a simple configuration, maintains good operability at all times, and is suitable for mass production.

This invention will be explained below based on the drawings.

Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing the arrangement of switches, Fig. 2 is a detailed enlarged view of section A in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the frame taken along the - line in Fig. 2, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the frame, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the - line in FIG. 4, showing the state of engagement between the plate and the frame, FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG. The figure is a side sectional view of the switch in the off state, and FIG. 8 is the side sectional view of the switch in the on state.

As shown in Fig. 1, a large number of switches 2, 2... are arranged on a switch frame 1, and a plate 3 as shown in Fig. 4 is arranged on the back of each switch 2, 2... has been done.

The plate 3 is made of an elastic metal material such as brass, has a rectangular outline, and has a thickness of, for example,
It is about 0.1mm.

A pair of cut holes 4 are provided in the center of the plate 3.
are formed substantially parallel to each other, and both cut holes 4 are opened in a substantially arcuate shape, and each arc-shaped opening edge 4a and linear opening edge 4b are formed line-symmetrically. In addition, a pair of bent portions 6 are formed at a predetermined interval on the outer side 5 of each cut hole 4, and the valley-fold creases 6a formed in each of the bent portions 6 form the notches of the cut hole 4. The direction is perpendicular to the linear opening edge 4b. Therefore, by forming this bent portion 6 on the outer portion 5, the outer portion 5 sandwiched between the bent portions 6 is shortened under tension.

As the outer part 5 is shortened, the curved part 7 sandwiched between the cut holes 4 bulges upward (toward the contact side) as shown in FIG. An engaging portion 8 is provided that projects toward the user.

Reference numeral 9 indicates an engagement hole drilled in the engagement portion 8, and reference numeral 10 indicates an engagement protrusion provided on the frame 1 side. Therefore,
As shown in FIG. 5, the plate body 3 is supported at both ends by engagement between an engaging portion 8 and an engaging protrusion 10, and the curved portion 7 is supported by contacts 11a and 11 disposed below.
It constitutes a pressing part for opening and closing b.

Note that the contact 11a is attached to the upper insulating sheet 12, and the other contact 11b is attached to the lower insulating sheet 13, and each contact 11a, 1
1b are facing each other. In addition, the lower insulating sheet 13
is mounted on a fixed substrate 14, and an insulating spacer 15 is provided between the lower insulating sheet 13 and the upper insulating sheet 12 except for the contact points 11a and 11b.
is intervening. A plate 3 is placed on top of the upper insulating sheet 12, and flanges 3a formed at both ends of the plate 3 are connected to the upper insulating sheet 12.
It abuts above the insulating spacer 15 via. Furthermore, an insulating sheet-like key top 17 is provided above the upper insulating sheet 12 with a spacer 16 and a frame 1 interposed therebetween. Of course, spacer 16
The part of plate 3 is excluded. Note that the key top 17 is made of a flexible material on which symbols indicating the positions of the contacts 11a and 11b are attached.

Next, the operation of the switch according to this invention will be explained.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the switch is off, that is, a state in which the plate 3 is not pressed. In this state, the curved portion 7 is bulged upward and the contacts 11a and 11b are open. On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows the state in which the switch is on, that is, when the plate 3 is pressed by the operator's finger F via the key top 17, and the central part of the curved part 7 is not It bulges downward, contrary to when it is pressed. Therefore, the upper insulating sheet 12 is pushed by the curved portion 7, and the contacts 11a and 11b are closed. Then, when the pressure of the finger F is released, the curved portion 7 bulges upward again due to the self-restoring force of the plate 3, and the contact points 11a,
11b opens. Therefore, the upward or downward bulge of the curved portion 7 is transmitted to the operator's finger F as a direct sensation.

As described above, in the switch of the present invention, the engaging portion 8 of the plate body 3 is connected to the engaging protrusion of the frame body 1 as shown in FIG.
0, and even if it is turned on and off repeatedly as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the plate 3 deforms in the engaged state, preventing the plate 3 from shifting. The contacts 11a and 11b can always be turned on and off reliably.

The present invention provides a curved part that is convexly curved in the direction opposite to the contact point on the plate body, and an engaging part that protrudes toward the opposite side to the contact point on both sides of the curved part, and also provides an engagement part of the plate body to the frame body. Since an engaging protrusion that engages with the switch is provided, and both sides of the plate are supported by the engaging protrusions of the frame, it is extremely easy to design and process the pressing plate, which is the main part of the switch, and is suitable for mass production. . Of course, since the self-returning property of the plate is utilized and the engaging part of the plate is always engaged with the engaging protrusion of the frame, it can be turned on and off at a predetermined location at all times, and operability remains unchanged. Body misalignment can be prevented.

Furthermore, since the operator can directly touch the plate, the tactile sensation transmitted to the fingers is clear and it is easy to determine whether the switch is on or off, making it useful for applications such as keyboard devices.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing the arrangement of switches, Fig. 2 is a detailed enlarged view of section A in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the frame taken along the - line in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the plate of the present invention, Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the - line in Fig. 4, showing the state of engagement between the plate and the frame, and Fig. 6 is a side view of Fig. 4. Figure, 7th
The figure is a side cross-sectional view of the switch in the off state.
The figure is a side sectional view of the switch in the on state. 1...Frame body, 2...Switch, 3...Plate body, 7
...Curved portion, 8...Engagement portion, 10...Engagement protrusion,
11a, 11b... contacts.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] In a switch in which a plate made of an elastic metal material is arranged between a frame and a contact, and the plate is pressed from above the frame to open and close the contact arranged below the plate,
The plate body is provided with a curved portion that is convexly curved toward the opposite side of the contact, and engaging portions that protrude toward the opposite side of the curved portion are provided on both sides of the curved portion, and the engaging portion of the plate body is provided on the frame body. A switch characterized in that an engaging protrusion is provided for engagement, and both sides of the plate body are supported by engaging protrusions on a frame body.