KR102665512B1 - push button switch - Google Patents

Abstract

(Project) Provide a push button switch suitable for use in game devices, etc., where the push button operation is very smooth and the occurrence of failures is minimal.
(Solution means) An external cylinder member provided with a bottom surface portion and open at the top surface; A press housed inside the outer cylinder member, including a rod provided with a planar pressing portion having an enlarged peripheral portion at the top, and an inner cylinder extending downward from the peripheral portion of the planar pressing portion through a normal gap to the outside of the outer peripheral surface of the rod. button ; an upward force elastic support member disposed in the normal void; and a contact switch provided at a position opposite to the lower surface of the rod on the bottom surface of the outer cylindrical member, and formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion of the rod, wherein a plurality of spheres are endlessly circulated under contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member. A push button switch comprising a spherical circulation groove that accommodates this. The upward force elastic support member may be provided at the bottom of the push button.

Description

push button switch

The present invention relates to a push button switch, which is preferably used while connected to a game machine through a cable and mounted on an operation panel used to transmit instructions regarding the progress of the game by the operator to the game machine. It's about the switch.

Recently, a game control system has been developed in which a control panel equipped with a push button switch and an control handle (joystick) for giving instructions regarding the progress of the game to a game device equipped with a display are connected via a cable. came into general use. In such a game control system, the player's control of the game is indicated by operating a joystick or pressing a push button switch.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a general configuration example of an operating panel connected to a game machine. In Fig. 1, the operating panel 1 is configured as a thin box with a joystick 2 and a plurality of push button switches 3 mounted on the upper surface.

Fig. 2 shows the general internal structure of the push button switch 3 shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, the push button switch 3 includes an outer cylinder member 4 that has a bottom surface and is open at the top; A rod (5) housed inside the outer cylindrical member (4) and having a planar pressing portion (pressure application surface) 5a at the top, and an outer surface of the rod (5) from the periphery of the planar pressing portion (5a). In, a push button (8) including an inner cylinder member (7) extending downwardly through a normal gap (6); a lifting elastic support member (e.g. coil spring) 9 disposed in the normal air gap 6 outside the outer peripheral surface of the rod 5 of the push button 8; And it includes a contact switch (10) installed at a position below the rod (5) on the bottom surface of the outer cylinder member (4).

Then, the lower end of the inner cylinder portion 7 of the push button switch 3 in FIG. 2 is engaged with the opening 4a formed at the lower position of the outer cylinder member 4, so that an upward force is applied from the elastic support member 9. A locking portion (7a) is formed to limit the rise of the inner cylinder (7) due to the rising force.

Patent Document 1 discloses a design regarding an operation button (that is, a push button switch) for a television game machine, which has basically the same structure as that in FIG. 2 above. The design disclosed in this Patent Document 1 prevents easy operation of unnecessary operation buttons when changing a program while using a television game machine, and also makes it impossible to easily operate the operation buttons that have become unnecessary due to another program change. This is a design for a cover for the operation button so that it can be easily re-prepared when in use.

Patent Document 2 also discloses an invention related to a button-type input device (i.e., push button switch) for a game machine that has basically the same configuration as that in FIG. 2 above. However, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 is a push button This is an invention of an input device that makes it possible to reduce the frequency of maintenance by attaching a cover of a specific structure to the switch.

The push button switch of the operation panel for the game machine configured as shown in the attached FIGS. 1 and 2 is designed to enable the operator (player) of the game to quickly and reliably advance the game displayed on the display screen. It is required to maintain smooth and stable operation at all times. For example, changes in the operating conditions applied to the push buttons by a player (operator) in a state of high concentration and strong excitement (for example, changes in the pressure applied to the push button or changes in the angle of application of the pressure) Regardless, it is required that stable and smooth switch operation be realized.

In a general push button switch with the structure shown in Fig. 2, by pressing the planar pressing portion 5a of the push button 8, the push button 8 pushes down the resistance of the upward force elastic support member 9, and the push button 8 moves down. As a result, when the contact switch 10 is pressed down, a switch operation (opening and closing operation of an electric circuit, etc.) in a switch circuit (not shown) provided below the contact switch 10 is performed. Therefore, depending on the intensity or angle of the pressure applied to the push button, the push button may descend or rise at an incline, albeit slightly, and in such cases, the smooth lowering or raising of the push button is likely to be disturbed. In addition, if a problem occurs regarding the smooth lowering or raising of such a push button, it becomes difficult to provide quick and reliable instructions to the game machine, so it is difficult to realize the problem of the game machine equipped with a push button switch that is prone to such problems. A control panel is not desirable.

Japanese Registered Utility Model Publication No. 3001852 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-18633

Accordingly, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a push button switch that enables quick and reliable switch operation even due to various changes in pressing conditions such as changes in the pressing angle or change in pressing force with respect to the push button. .

In order to achieve the above object, the inventor of the present invention conducted research with the aim of developing a push button switch that enables quick and reliable switch operation without significantly changing the basic configuration of the push button switch normally used. As a result of the experiment, we succeeded in developing a push button switch with a novel configuration described below.

The present invention firstly includes an outer cylinder member having a bottom surface portion and opening at the top surface; A press housed inside the outer cylinder member, including a rod provided with a planar pressing portion having an enlarged peripheral portion at the top, and an inner cylinder extending downward from the peripheral portion of the planar pressing portion through a normal gap on the outside of the outer peripheral surface of the rod. button ; an upward force elastic support member disposed in the normal void; and a contact switch provided at a position opposite to the lower surface of the rod on the bottom surface of the outer cylindrical member, and formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion of the rod, wherein a plurality of spheres are endlessly circulated under contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member. There is a push button switch (first aspect) characterized in that it includes a spherical circulation groove which accommodates this.

A preferred configuration of the push button switch of the first aspect of the present invention is described below.

(1) The upper surface of the planar pressing portion provided at the top of the rod is a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the rod.

(2) The upper surface of the planar pressing portion provided at the top of the rod is a plane inclined with respect to the central axis of the rod.

(3) An engaging means that enables temporary engagement with the outer cylinder member is provided at the periphery of the surface pressing portion at the top of the rod or at the bottom of the inner cylinder portion.

(4) The upward force elastic support member is a coil spring.

(5) A spherical contact movement path that allows the spherical circulation groove to move in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the spherical outer cylindrical member, and a spherical non-contact movement path that allows movement in a non-contact state with the inner peripheral surface of the spherical outer cylindrical member ( a spherical return path), and a semicircular connection path connecting the respective ends of the spherical contact path and the spherical non-contact path to each other.

(6) Three or more, preferably 3 to 6, spherical circulation grooves are formed in the inner cylinder of the push button.

The upward force elastic support member mounted on the push button switch of the first aspect of the present invention may be mounted on the lower part of the push button instead of on the inside of the push button.

Accordingly, the present invention secondly includes an outer cylinder member having a bottom surface portion and opening at the top surface; a push button housed inside the outer cylindrical member and having a planar pressing portion at the top; A rod extending downward provided at the bottom of this push button; A lifting elastic support member disposed around the rod; and a contact switch provided at a position opposite to the lower surface of the rod on the bottom surface of the outer cylindrical member, the plurality of spheres being formed on the outer peripheral surface of the push button to cause infinite circulation under contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member. There is also a push button switch (second aspect) characterized in that it includes a spherical circulation groove that accommodates the switch.

A preferred configuration of the push button switch of the second aspect of the present invention is described below.

(1) The upper surface of the planar pressing portion provided at the top of the push button is a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the rod.

(2) The upper surface of the planar pressing portion provided at the top of the push button is a plane inclined with respect to the central axis of the rod.

(3) The bottom of the push button is provided with engaging means that enables temporary engagement with the external cylinder member.

(4) The upward force elastic support member is a coil spring.

(5) A spherical contact movement path that allows the spherical circulation groove to move in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the spherical outer cylindrical member, and a spherical non-contact movement path that allows movement in a non-contact state with the inner peripheral surface of the spherical outer cylindrical member ( a spherical return path), and a semicircular connection path connecting the respective ends of the spherical contact path and the spherical non-contact path to each other.

(6) At least 3, preferably 3 to 6, spherical circulation grooves are formed in the push button.

The present invention also applies to an operating panel of a game machine equipped with any of the push button switches of the first and second aspects above.

The push button switch of the present invention is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder around the rod of the push button (first embodiment) or on the outer peripheral surface of the push button itself (second embodiment), and a plurality of spheres are placed in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member. Since a configuration including a spherical circulation groove accommodated to enable infinite circulation is adopted, switch operation by lowering/raising the push button is very smooth due to the infinite circulation of a plurality of spheres accommodated in this spherical circulation groove. Since the occurrence of malfunctions is small even due to repeated switch operations, it becomes a push button switch with excellent operability and reliability.

Fig. 1 shows a configuration example (conventional example) of a general operation panel including a joystick and a push button switch connected to a game machine. Also, in Fig. 1, one push button switch is shown taken out from the operation panel.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example (conventional example) of a push button switch of the game machine shown in FIG. 1.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a push button switch according to the first aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the push button switch of FIG. 3. However, the inner cylinder, the spherical endless circulation groove, the sphere, the upward force elastic support member, and the contact switch are each shown as a front view.
Fig. 5 is a front cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the push button switch of Fig. 4 in a state in which the push button is pressed down (switch in state). The inner cylinder, the spherical endless circulation groove, the sphere, the upward force elastic support member, and the contact switch are each shown in a front view as in Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of the push button switch of Fig. 3;
FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the positions of the spherical contact path and the spherical non-contact path of the spherical endless circulation groove formed in the inner cylinder of the push button switch of FIG. 3.
FIG. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the spherical contact movement path and the spherical non-contact movement path of the spherical endless circulation groove formed on the inner cylinder of the push button switch of FIG. 3.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing the structural members of the push button switch of FIG. 3.
Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of another configuration example of a push button switch according to the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a usage mode (counting device) of the push button switch shown in Fig. 10.
Fig. 12 is a partial front cross-sectional view showing the operating state of the push button switch used in the counting device shown in Fig. 11, where (A) shows the push button switch in a state waiting for contact with the article to be counted, and (B) shows the push button switch in a state waiting for contact with the article to be counted. , represents a push button switch that is in contact with the article to be counted (counting state).
Fig. 13 is a front cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a push button switch according to the second aspect of the present invention. The upward force elastic support member used here is a coil spring.
Fig. 14 is a front cross-sectional view showing another configuration (using a leaf spring as a lifting force elastic support member) of a push button switch according to the second aspect of the present invention.

Next, the push button switch of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 14 of the attached drawings.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the push button switch 3 according to the first aspect of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a front cross-sectional view drawn so that the internal structure of the push button switch 3 of Fig. 3 can be understood. However, in Fig. 4, the inner cylinder, the spherical endless circulation groove, the sphere, the upward force elastic support member, and the contact switch are each shown as a front view. FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the push button switch of FIG. 3 in a state in which the push button is pressed down (switch in), showing the inner cylinder, the spherical endless circulation groove, the sphere, the upward force elastic support member, and the contact switch. Each is shown as a front view similar to FIG. 4. Fig. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of the push button switch of Fig. 3;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the positions of the spherical contact movement path and the spherical non-contact movement path of the spherical infinite circulation groove formed in the inner cylinder of the push button switch of FIG. 3, and FIG. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the positions of the spherical non-contact movement path formed in the inner cylinder of the push button switch of FIG. This is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the preferred positional relationship between the spherical contact path and the spherical non-contact path of the spherical infinite circulation groove.

The push button switch according to the first aspect of the present invention also has the same basic configuration as the generally used push button switch shown in FIG. 2. That is, the push button switch 3 according to the first aspect of the present invention includes the outer cylinder member 4; A rod 5 (see FIG. 7) having a planar pressing portion 5a (a planar pressing portion having an enlarged periphery) at its top and an outer peripheral surface of the rod 5 from the periphery of the planar pressing portion 5a, A push button (8) generally accommodated inside the outer cylinder member (4), which includes an inner cylinder portion (7) extending downwardly through the gap (6); a lifting force elastic support member (9) disposed in the normal cavity (6) outside the outer peripheral surface of the rod (5) of the push button (8); and a contact switch (10) provided at a position below the rod (5) on the bottom surface of the outer cylinder member (4). And, like the general push button switch in FIG. 2, the lower end of the inner cylinder portion 7 of the push button switch 3 engages with the opening 4a formed at the lower position of the outer cylinder member 4, thereby providing upward force elasticity. A locking portion 7a is formed to limit the rising height of the inner cylinder 7 due to the upward force applied from the support member 9.

The push button including the outer cylinder member, the planar pressing portion, and the inner cylinder portion may be made of metal or synthetic resin. As the upward force elastic support member, a coil spring is usually used, but it may be a leaf spring or one made of another elastic material such as rubber.

A feature of the push button switch according to the first aspect of the present invention is that a plurality of spheres 11, formed on the circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 7, can be endlessly circulated in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member 4. It includes a spherical circulation groove 12 that accommodates this to make this possible.

The spherical circulation groove 12 is a spherical contact movement path 12a that enables rotational movement in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member of the spherical body 11, in a non-contact state with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member of the spherical body 11. A spherical non-contact path (spherical return path) 12b that enables movement, and a semicircular connection path (12c, 12d) connecting each end of the spherical contact path (12a) and the spherical non-contact path (12b) to each other. ), and it is preferable that three or more spherical circulation grooves, especially 3 to 6 spherical circulation grooves, are formed in the inner cylinder. Additionally, there are four spherical circulation grooves formed in the inner cylinder portion 7 shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. The sphere may be a steel ball commonly used as a ball bearing, or may be a sphere manufactured by molding a hard or soft synthetic resin material with the intention of reducing the weight.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the distance x between the center point of the sphere accommodated in the sphere contact movement path 12a of the sphere circulation groove 12 and the central axis of the rod 5 is ) It is preferable that (x > y) is larger than the distance y between the center point of the sphere 11 accommodated in (12b) and the central axis of the rod 5, and smooth infinite circulation of the sphere 11 and pressing. Smooth operation of the button switch (3), i.e., smooth descent along the inner surface of the outer cylinder of the pressed button switch (3) and smooth upward movement along the inner surface of the outer cylinder of the push button switch (3) released from pressurization, is realized.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the center point (center point of the semicircular bottom) of the spherical contact path 12a whose cross-section is rectangular and the bottom is semicircular is connected to the lowest position of the spherical contact path 12a. The intersection point when extending to intersect the virtual line L ₂ at a right angle from the axis center point P of the rod ( ₅ ) with respect to the virtual line L 1 (intersection of virtual line L ₁ and virtual line L ₂ ) Distance to Q ₁ (a ) A, about the virtual line L ₃ connecting the center point of the spherical non-contact path 12b whose cross-section is rectangular and the bottom is semicircular (the center point of the semicircular bottom) and the lowest position of the spherical non-contact path 12b The intersection point when extending from the axis center point P of the rod (5) to intersect the virtual line L ₄ at a right angle (intersection of the virtual line L ₃ and the virtual line L ₄ ) Distance to Q ₂ (b) greater than (a > b ) is desirable. And, it is preferable that the distance (c) from the center point of the spherical contact path 12a to Q ₁ is equal to the distance (c) from the center point of the spherical non-contact path 12b to Q ₂ . With such a configuration, the formation of the spherical contact movement path and the spherical non-contact movement path (spherical return path) of the spherical circulation groove becomes easy.

An exploded view showing the structural members of the push button switch of FIG. 3, which is an example of the first aspect of the present invention, is shown in FIG. 9. As can be understood from the front cross-sectional view in FIG. 6 and the exploded view in FIG. 9, the push button switch in FIG. 3 (push button switch of the first embodiment) is composed of the following members.

1) An external cylinder member (4) having a bottom surface and opening at the top.

2) A rod (5) provided with a planar pressing portion having an enlarged peripheral portion at the top, and an inner cylindrical portion extending downward from the peripheral portion of the planar pressing portion through a normal gap (6) on the outside of the outer peripheral surface of the rod (5). A push button including (7) (this push button is accommodated inside the outer cylindrical member (4))

3) A lifting elastic support member 9 (coil spring in FIG. 9), usually disposed in the air gap 6

4) A contact switch (10) installed at a position opposite to the lower surface of the rod (5) on the bottom surface of the outer cylinder member (4).

And, the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 7 includes a spherical circulation groove 12c that can accommodate a plurality of spheres 11 so that infinite circulation is possible under contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member 4.

In addition, an engaging means (e.g., a projection 7a at the bottom of the inner cylinder 7 and the outer cylinder) enables temporary engagement with the outer cylinder member at the periphery of the planar pressing portion at the top of the rod 5 or at the bottom of the inner cylinder. It is preferable that the hole portion 4a of the member is provided.

Fig. 10 shows an example of a configuration of the push button switch according to the present invention so that it is suitable for use in a counting device.

The push button switch 3 used in the counting device shown in Fig. 10 also corresponds to the embodiment of the push button switch according to the first aspect of the present invention, and is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 4, and is pressed at the top portion. A rod (5) provided with a planar pressing portion (5a) having a plane inclined with respect to the axis of the button (8), and an air gap is usually provided on the outside of the outer peripheral surface of the rod (5) from the periphery of the planar pressing portion (5a). A push button (8) including an inner tube (7) extending downwardly; a lifting force elastic support member (9) disposed in a normal gap outside the outer peripheral surface of the rod (5) of the push button (8); And it is a push button switch including a contact switch (10) provided at a position below the rod (5) on the bottom surface of the outer cylinder member (4). In addition, four spherical circulation grooves 12 are formed on the circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 7 and accommodate a plurality of spheres 11 so that infinite circulation is possible under contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member 4. Includes.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a usage mode (counting device) of the push button switch shown in Fig. 10. In Fig. 11, the push button switch 3 controls the number of roller-shaped articles 14 sequentially supplied to the surface of the general article supply path from above (the left side in Fig. 11) using the push button 8. It is used as a device for counting the supplied articles 14 by detecting contact with the pressurizing portion 5a at the top and accumulating the detection results.

Fig. 12 is a partial front cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the push button switch 3 used in the counting device shown in Fig. 11, (A) showing the push button switch (A) in a state waiting for contact of the article 14 to be counted 3), and (B) represents the push button switch 3 that is in contact with the article 14 to be counted.

Fig. 13 is a front cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a push button switch according to the second aspect of the present invention. In Fig. 13, the push button switch 3 includes an outer cylinder member 4 having a bottom surface portion and opening at the top surface; a push button (8) housed inside the outer cylindrical member (4) and having a planar pressing portion at the top; a downwardly extending rod (13) provided at the bottom of the push button (8); a lifting force elastic support member (coil spring in Fig. 13) 9 disposed around the rod 13; And a contact switch (10) is provided at a position opposite to the lower surface of the rod (13) on the bottom surface of the outer cylinder member (4), is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the push button (8), and includes a plurality of spheres (11). It includes a spherical circulation groove (12) that accommodates it to enable infinite circulation under contact with the inner peripheral surface of the external cylinder member.

Fig. 14 also shows a front cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a push button switch according to the second aspect of the present invention. Also in Fig. 14, the push button switch 3 includes an outer cylinder member 4 having a bottom surface portion and opening at the top surface; a push button (8) housed inside the outer cylindrical member (4) and having a planar pressing portion at the top; A downwardly extending rod (13) provided at the bottom of the push button (8); an upward force elastic support member (a leaf spring in FIG. 14) 9 disposed around the rod 13; And a contact switch (10) is provided at a position opposite to the lower surface of the rod (13) on the bottom surface of the outer cylinder member (4), is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the push button (8), and includes a plurality of spheres (11). It includes a spherical circulation groove (12) that accommodates it to enable infinite circulation under contact with the inner peripheral surface of the external cylinder member.

In the push button switch of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, infinite circulation occurs when the plurality of spheres 11 formed on the outer periphery of the push button 8 are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member. Regarding the spherical circulation groove 12 (i.e., the characteristic configuration of the present invention that is common to both the first and second aspects of the present invention) that can be accommodated, since it is common to both, they are discussed again. The description is omitted. In addition, further description of the materials of each member, etc. will be omitted.

1: Control panel of the game machine
2: Joystick
3: Push button switch
4: Absence of external cylinder
4a: opening
5: load
5a: planar pressing part
6: Normal air gap
7: Internal communication department
7a: latching portion
8: push button
9: Lifting force elastic support member
10: contact switch
11: sphere
12: Sphere circulation groove
12a: Sphere contact movement path
12b: Sphere non-contact movement path
12c, 12d: semicircular connection path
13: load

Claims (14)

An external cylinder member including a bottom surface portion and opening at the top surface; A press housed inside the outer cylinder member, including a rod provided with a planar pressing portion having an enlarged peripheral portion at the top, and an inner cylinder extending downward from the peripheral portion of the planar pressing portion through a normal gap on the outside of the outer peripheral surface of the rod. button ; an upward force elastic support member disposed in the normal void; and a contact switch provided at a position opposite to the lower surface of the rod on the bottom surface of the outer cylindrical member, and formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion of the rod, and a plurality of spheres for endless circulation under contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member. A push button switch comprising a spherical circulation groove that accommodates this. According to claim 1,
A push button switch, wherein the periphery of the surface pressing portion at the top of the rod or the bottom of the inner cylinder portion is provided with engaging means that enables temporary engagement with the outer cylinder member. According to claim 1,
A push button switch, wherein three to six spherical circulation grooves are formed on the inner cylinder of the push button. According to claim 1,
A push button switch, wherein the upper surface of the planar pressing portion has a vertical or inclined plane with respect to the central axis of the push button. According to claim 1,
Push button switch where the lifting force elastic support member is a coil spring or leaf spring. According to claim 1,
The spherical circulation groove includes a spherical contact movement path that enables movement in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the spherical outer cylindrical member, a spherical non-contact movement path that enables movement in a non-contact state with the inner peripheral surface of the spherical outer cylindrical member, and a spherical body. A push button switch comprising a semicircular connector connecting respective ends of the contact path and the spherical non-contact path to each other. An operating panel for a game machine equipped with the push button switch according to claim 1. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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