TW201939548A - Push-button switch member - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a push-button switch member that does not cause a rapid change in load in a preliminary stage in which a click feeling is generated in association with deformation of a movable contact while maintaining a high stroke. The present invention relates to a push-button switch member (30) having a dome-shaped movable contact (20) and an operation key (10) disposed opposite to a protruding side of the movable contact (20), the operation key (10) includes a key body (11), a dome portion (12), a foot portion (13), and a rib (16) protruding from a lower side of the key body (11) toward the movable contact (20). The movable contact (20) includes a disk portion (21) that is configured to contact with a fixed contact(42) on a substrate (40) subsequent to a pressing operation on the key body (11), and an outside fixed portion (25) which is located radially outside the disk portion (21) and fixed closer to the radial outside than the key body (11); and the rib (16) is formed such that when the key body (11) is pressed toward the movable contact (20), the rib (16) is contracted along its length direction between the key body (11) and the disk portion (21) in a preliminary stage of bending or buckling of the disk portion (21).

Description

Button switch parts

The present invention relates to a component for a push button switch.

Conventionally, there has been known a push-button switch member that presses the central top portion from the outside of the metal dome and turns on the switch by deforming the metal dome (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In addition, in recent years, with the miniaturization of devices incorporating components for push-button switches, in the process of miniaturization of keys and narrowing of keys, the requirements for high-precision alignment of keys and metal domes have increased. When a positional shift occurs between the pressed position of the key and the central top portion of the metal dome, a good click feeling cannot be obtained. In order to solve such a problem, a member for a push button switch having a system in which a central top portion of a metal dome is adhered directly below a key has been developed (for example, refer to Patent Document 2). When the metal dome is connected directly below the key, the position of the key and the metal dome is fixed, so that the key can always be pressed against the central top portion of the metal dome. Therefore, an advantage of obtaining a good click feeling is obtained. .

In particular, it is also possible to realize a two-stage switch in which a first fixed contact point that is in contact with the center of the metal dome and a second fixed contact point that is in contact with the outer periphery of the metal dome are formed on the circuit substrate side. When the metal dome is connected to the key in a floating state from the circuit board, the second fixed contact is brought into contact with the outer periphery of the metal dome by pressing the metal dome from the key, so that the switch is turned on. Then, The central portion of the metal dome is in contact with the first fixed contact, so that the switch is turned on. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3).

However, in the push-button switch member disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the metal dome is pressed alone, there is a problem that the stroke from the start of pressing to the peak load is short. As a result, it is impossible to obtain a natural operation feeling in terms of ergonomics, and it is easy to cause discomfort to the operator. The component for a push button switch disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is difficult to cope with a high load. In order to solve this problem, a method of arranging a rubber switch above the metal dome may be considered. However, a problem is that a positional displacement between the pressing member on the lower surface of the rubber switch and the top of the metal dome is likely to occur.

Next, in the push-button switch members disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, since the pressing member located directly below the rubber switch is bonded to the top of the metal dome, the position as described above does not occur. The problem of offset. However, due to the variation in the thickness of the adhesive, the dimensional tolerance in the pressing direction is large, which makes it difficult to ensure a good operating feel. In addition, since the deformation of the metal dome is unlikely to occur in the area where the adhesive is present, it is difficult to obtain the original high click feeling of the metal dome.

In order to solve the above problems, before the present inventors, before the present invention, they have developed a push button switch component that is small in size, capable of coping with high loads, and easy to achieve a high stroke and a high click feel (see Patent Document 4).

FIG. 9A is a partial perspective plan view of a push-button switch member previously developed by the inventor. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X when the line X-X in FIG. 9A is cut.

The push button switch member 130 of FIGS. 9A and 9B is a member having a dome-shaped movable contact 120 and an operation key 100 disposed opposite to the protruding side of the movable contact 120 and moving the operation key 100 toward the movable contact. Pressing the direction of the point 120 causes the movable contact 120 to contact the fixed contact on the substrate. The operation key 100 includes a key body 101, a dome portion 102 connected to the outer periphery of the key body 101 and configured to be deformed by pressing the key body 101 toward the substrate side, and a foot portion 104 connected to the outer periphery of the dome portion 102. And fixed on the substrate 104. The operation key 100 has two intermediate portions 103 facing the substrate with a gap between the dome portion 102 and the foot portion 104. The two intermediate portions 103 are formed at positions of the operation key 100 facing each other with the central portion interposed therebetween in plan view, and serve as connection portions with the movable contact 120.

The movable contact 120 has a dome shape with a substantially central portion protruding toward the key body 101 side in a plan view. The movable contact 120 has a rectangular shape (including a square shape) in plan view, and has an outer fixing portion 125 extending in a band shape from the opposite sides to the outside in the radial direction. Since the outer fixing portion 125 is connected to the operation key 100 at the middle portion 103, a positional shift between the pressing member 106 directly below the key body 101 and the top portion 121 of the movable contact 120 does not substantially occur. In addition, since the pressing member 106 is separated from the top portion 121 and there is no adhesive or the like between the two 106 and 121, the push button switch member 130 is a member having both a high stroke and a good click feeling.

Prior art literature Patent literature:
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-188728 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-52962 Patent Document 3: International Publication WO2012 / 153587 Patent Document 4: International Publication WO2012 / 018097

Problems to be solved by the invention:
The push button switch component 130 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B has many advantages such as being small, capable of coping with a high load, and easily achieving a high stroke and a high click feel. However, there is still room for further functionalization.
Fig. 10 shows a load-displacement curve of the push-button switch member of Figs. 9A and 9B. The horizontal axis indicates the stroke of the key main body 101 while the vertical axis indicates the load when the key main body 101 is pressed. As can be seen from the graph of FIG. 10, there is a point (referred to as an inflection point P) at which the load suddenly changes near the displacement amount of 0.7 mm (the portion indicated by P in the figure). It is considered that at this inflection point P, a relatively long gap formed between the pressing member 106 of the operation key 100 and the top portion 121 of the movable contact 120 in order to achieve a high stroke of the push button switch member 130 affects. It is considered that due to the gap, the load sharply increases at the point in time when the pressing member 106 comes in contact with the top portion 121, thereby generating a clear inflection point. Before the movable contact 120 is greatly deformed to generate a click feeling, it is preferable that the inflection point is not generated as much as possible, and the load is gradually increased.
The present invention has been made in order to meet the above-mentioned further requirements, and an object thereof is to provide a button that does not cause a sudden change in load in the early stage of a click feeling accompanying the deformation of a movable contact while maintaining a high stroke. Switch parts.

Means used to solve the problem:
(1) A push-button switch component according to an embodiment for achieving the above-mentioned object includes a dome-shaped movable contact, and an operation key disposed opposite to a protruding side of the movable contact, the push-button switch Press the operation key in the direction of the movable contact with a component to bring the movable contact into contact with the fixed contact on the substrate located on the opposite side of the operation key. The operation key includes: a key body; a round top, which contacts the outer periphery of the key body. Connection, which can be deformed by pressing the key body toward the substrate side; feet, which are connected to the periphery of the dome and fixed to the substrate; and ribs, which protrude from the lower part of the key body toward the movable contact point, the movable contact point It is provided with a disk part that contacts the fixed contacts on the substrate when the key body is pressed, and an outer fixing part that is located radially outward of the disk part and is fixed to the operation key on the radially outer side than the key body. Where the ribs are formed, when the key body is pressed toward the movable contact, the ribs contract between the key body and the disc portion in the lengthwise direction of the ribs in the early stage of bending or buckling of the disc portion.
(2) In the push-button switch member according to another embodiment, the rib is preferably formed below the key body so as to have a gap between the key body and the movable contact before the key body is pressed.
(3) In the push-button switch member according to another embodiment, it is preferable that the ribs and the disk portion are disposed opposite to each other at a position radially outward from the top portion.
(4) In the push-button switch member according to another embodiment, it is preferable that the rib is provided below the key body so as to face a plurality of positions centered on the top of the disk portion or the center of gravity in a plan view. Multiple.
(5) In the push-button switch member according to another embodiment, it is preferable that the key body has a second rib protruding toward the top surface side.

Invention effect:
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a member for a push button switch that does not cause a sudden change in a load in the early stage of the click feeling accompanying the deformation of the movable contact while maintaining a high stroke.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, each embodiment described below does not limit the invention according to the claims, and each element described in each embodiment and all combinations thereof are not necessarily required for the solving means of the present invention.

(First Embodiment)
FIGS. 1A and 1B are respectively a partial perspective plan view of an operation key constituting a push-button switch member according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a plan view of a movable contact. FIG. 2A is a partial perspective plan view of the push-button switch member in a state where the operation keys of FIGS. 1A and 1B and the movable contact are fixed together. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA when the line AA in FIG. 2A is cut.

As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the push-button switch member 30 according to the first embodiment is a member having a dome-shaped movable contact 20 and an operation key 10 disposed opposite to a protruding side of the movable contact 20. , Press the operation key 10 in the direction of the movable contact 20 to make the movable contact 20 contact the fixed contacts 41 and 42 on the substrate 40. Hereinafter, the main components (the operation keys 10 and the movable contact 20) of the push-button switch member 30 and other members (the substrate 40 and the like) will be described.

(1) Operation key The operation key 10 includes: a key body 11; a dome 12 connected to the outer periphery of the key body 11; the key body 11 can be deformed by pressing the side of the substrate 40; and a foot 13 which is connected to the dome 12 The outer periphery is connected and fixed on the substrate 40. The operation key 10 further includes a rib 16 that protrudes from below the key body 11 (may also be referred to as a “lower surface” or a “pushing member”) 15 toward the movable contact 20.

The key body 11 is a key top having an inverted truncated cone shape. The dome 12 has a shape of an inverted bowl, and is a thin-walled member whose diameter is enlarged in a bowl arc shape from the side of the key body 11. The foot portion 13 is a portion where the operation key 10 is fixed on the substrate 40. The foot portion 13 is formed at a lower position radially outward than the dome portion 12 in a plan view, and is formed at a front end portion of a cross centered on the top surface of the key body 11. Between the foot portions 13 and 13, two intermediate portions 14 extending in opposite directions are formed. The intermediate portion 14 is a portion where a portion of the movable contact 20 is fixed regardless of whether a portion of the intermediate portion 14 is in contact with the substrate 40 or not.

The lower surface 15 of the key body 11 has a plurality of ribs 16 extending in the direction of the movable contact 20. Although four ribs 16 are formed on the lower surface 15 in this embodiment, the number of ribs 16 may be one to three or five or more. The rib 16 is formed such that when the key body 11 is pressed toward the movable contact point 20, the rib 16 extends along the rib between the key body 11 and the disc portion 21 in the early stage of bending or buckling of the disc portion 21 of the movable contact 20. 16 shrinks in the length direction.

In the present embodiment, the rib 16 is formed below the key body 11 so as to have a gap between the key body 11 before the key body 11 is pressed and the movable contact 20. However, as in other embodiments described later, the gap may not be provided. In addition, in this embodiment, the rib 16 and the disk portion 21 are arranged opposite to each other on the radially outer side than the top portion. However, a rib arranged opposite to the top of the disk portion 21 may be formed on the lower surface 15.

The rib 16 is provided on the lower surface 15 of the key body 11 so as to be opposed to a plurality of positions centered on the top of the disk portion 21 or a center of gravity in plan view, specifically four positions. As a result, the movable contact 20 is not pressed toward one side, and stable pressing of the disk portion 21 can be achieved. However, the rib 16 may be formed on the lower surface 15 so as to face the position other than the center of the disk portion 21 or the position of the center of gravity.

The intermediate portion 14 has a protruding portion 17 protruding toward the substrate 40 at a portion extending below the dome portion 12 on the lower surface. The protrusion 17 is a portion where the lower surface of the intermediate portion 14 is fixed to the movable contact 20. However, the protrusion 17 is not an essential structure and may not be formed. At this time, a part of the movable contact 20 can be fixed in contact with the lower surface of the intermediate portion 14.

As the constituent material of the operation key 10, a thermosetting elastomer such as silicone rubber, urethane rubber, isoprene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, natural rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, or styrene-butadiene rubber is preferably used. ; Polyurethane-based, ester-based, styrene-based, olefin-based, butadiene-based or fluorine-based thermoplastic elastomers, or rubber-like elastic materials such as composites thereof. As a constituent material of the operation key 10 other than the above, nitrile rubber (NBR) can be used. Particularly preferred is a silicone rubber excellent in temperature characteristics, environmental characteristics, and electrical characteristics. In addition, fillers typified by titanium oxide and carbon black may be mixed into the above-mentioned constituent materials. As in other embodiments to be described later, in order to transmit light emitted from an LED (an example of an illumination unit) on the substrate 40 to the outside of the operation key 10, it is preferable that at least a part of the operation key 10 be made translucent. When the entire operation key 10 is made of a light-transmitting material such as silicone rubber, light can be emitted from the LED through any part of the operation key 10.

In this embodiment, the entire operation key 10 is made of the rubber-like elastic material. However, the dome portion 12 and the ribs 16 may be made of at least the rubber-like elastic material, and other parts such as the key body 11, the foot portion 13, and the intermediate portion 14 may be made of materials other than the rubber-like elastic material. Since the dome 12 needs to be elastically deformed by the pressing of the key body 11 toward the movable contact 20 and the release of the pressing, the rubber-like elastic material is preferably used. The rib 16 is preferably required to be capable of being repeatedly elastically contracted and restored in the longitudinal direction by the pressing of the key body 11 toward the movable contact 20 and the release of the pressing. Therefore, the rib 16 is preferably composed of the rubber-like elastic material.

(2) Movable Contact The movable contact 20 includes a disk portion 21 that is in contact with the fixed contact 42 on the substrate 40 upon being pressed by the key body 11, and an outer fixing portion 25 located radially outward of the disk portion 21. Further, it is fixed to the operation key 10 further radially outward than the key body 11. Hereinafter, it will be described in more detail.

The movable contact 20 has a rectangular shape (including a square shape) in a plan view, and includes a band-shaped outer fixing portion 25 extending in a band shape from the opposite sides to the radially outer side. In addition, the movable contact 20 includes a dome-shaped disk portion 21 having a substantially central portion protruding toward the key body 11 side in a plan view. The movable contact 20 includes a stepped portion 23 formed in an annular shape on the outer periphery of the disk portion 21 in a plan view and bent downward at a steep angle, and a hem plate portion 24 connected to the radially outer side of the stepped portion 23. The step portion 23 may serve as a fulcrum of the bending deformation of the disk portion 21. The outer fixing portion 25 extends radially outward from the hem plate portion 24 and is fixed to a radially outer side than the disk portion 21 and a radially outer side than the key body 11. The outer fixing portion 25 is formed at the movable contact 20 so as to be fixable to the intermediate portion 14 of the operation key 10. Therefore, the connection portion between the movable contact 20 and the operation key 10 is only the outer fixed portion 25 of the movable contact 20. When the movable contact point 20 is fixed below the operation key 10, the disk portion 21 is a portion that is separately disposed from the lower surface 15 (corresponding to a pressing member) of the key body 11, and can be fixedly connected by pressing the key body 11. Point 42 contacts.

The movable contact 20 further includes an outer contact portion 26 which is located radially outward of the movable contact 20 than the disk portion 21 so that the diameter of the movable contact 20 can be compared with the diameter of the fixed contact 42 by pressing the key body 11. When the other fixed contacts 41 are in contact with each other, they face the fixed contacts 41 in a non-contact state or a contact state. When there is a gap between the outer contact portion 26 and the fixed contact 41, the gap is not particularly limited as long as the outer contact portion 26 can contact the fixed contact 41 when the operation key 10 is pressed in the direction of the substrate 40. limit. In this embodiment, the gap between the outer contact portion 26 and the fixed contact 41 is set within a range of 0.03 to 0.1 mm.

The outer contact portion 26 is a cup-shaped portion formed by recessing the hem plate portion 24 from the upper surface toward the lower surface. One outer contact portion 26 is formed at each of the four corners of the hem plate portion 24, and a total of four are formed. Therefore, when the key body 11 is pressed, the movable contact 20 can contact the fixed contact 41 at four locations. However, the number of the outer contact portions 26 is not particularly limited as long as it is one or more. In order to prevent the movable contact 20 from tilting when the movable contact 20 is in contact with the fixed contact 41, it is more preferable to set one or two sets of two or more sets at positions opposed to each other with the center of the movable contact 20 interposed therebetween.的 farm contact portion 26. The outer contact portion 26 preferably has a bottom portion that can be brought into line or surface contact with the fixed contact 41. In addition, a part or all of the outer contact portion 26 or a contact-arranged outer contact portion provided separately from the outer contact portion 26 may be in contact with the fixed contact 41 without pressing the key body 11. In addition, the outer contact portion 26 may not be provided, and other portions such as the disk portion 21 may be configured to be in contact with the fixed contact 41.

As the movable contact 20, a conductive metal material can be used as a constituent material. Examples of the metal material include stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, carbon steel, copper, copper alloy (bronze, phosphor bronze, brass, white copper, nickel silver, etc.), silver, or two or more selected from the above metals. Alloy. A particularly preferred metal material is SUS301, but austenitic stainless steel, martensitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, or austenitic-ferritic dual-phase stainless steel other than SUS301 can also be used. The movable contact 20 may be made of a resin-based material. For example, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyamide 6, polyamide 66, polyamide 610, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyethylene naphthalate can also be used. A film of carbon, silver, or copper is formed on one side of a transparent resin such as an alcohol ester or polycarbonate, and is formed into an inverted bowl shape to form a movable contact 20.

Even when the movable contact 20 is made of any one of metal and resin, the surfaces of at least the fixed contacts 41 and 42 of the movable contact 20 are stabilized for corrosion resistance, dust resistance, or electrical conductivity. It is preferable to perform surface treatment such as plating or vapor deposition in a single layer or a plurality of layers. As this surface treatment, gold plating is particularly preferable. From the viewpoint of corrosion resistance, theoretically, the thickness of gold plating is preferably thicker. However, in reality, it is restricted from the viewpoint of cost, and is 0.01 μm or more and 1.00 μm or less, preferably 0.05 μm or more and 0.90 μm or less, and more preferably 0.10 μm or more and 0.80 μm or less. Exemplary surface treatments other than the above include gold plating and plugging treatment, nickel plating and gold plating and sealing treatment, nickel plating and gold plating, nickel plating, silver plating, nickel plating and silver plating, silver plating and sealing Treatment (anti-sulfurization treatment (= anti-discoloration treatment)), nickel plating and silver plating and sealing treatment (anti-sulfurization treatment (= anti-discoloration treatment)), coating of carbon-based conductive ink or carbon-based conductive paint. In the surface treatment, a gold alloy, a silver alloy, palladium, a palladium alloy, tungsten, or a tungsten alloy may be used.

(3) Substrate The substrate 40 preferably includes a fixed contact 42 at a position substantially directly below the top of the disk portion 21 and a fixed contact 41 on the outer periphery of the fixed contact 42. The fixed contact 41 is in a position where the outer contact portion 26 that is lowered by the depression of the key body 11 can contact. The fixed contact 42 is disposed separately from the fixed contact 41, and is located at a position where the top or the periphery of the top of the disk portion 21 that is lowered by pressing the key body 11 can be contacted. In this embodiment, even if the outer contact portion 26 of the movable contact 20 is in contact with the fixed contact 41, the switch is not turned on. When the disk portion 21 of the movable contact 20 is in contact with the fixed contact 42, a circuit is formed so that the fixed contact 41 and the fixed contact 42 are connected to the movable contact 20. As a result, the switch can be turned on. However, various modifications can be made to the shapes of the fixed contacts 41 and 42, the configuration of the switch to be turned on or off, and the presence or absence of the fixed contacts 41 and 42. A representative modification will be described later. The fixed contact 41 is embedded in the substrate 40 in a state where the surface is exposed from the substrate 40, and the fixed contact 42 is fixed to the substrate 40. However, the fixed contacts 41 and 42 may be fixed to the surface of the substrate 40 together or buried in the substrate 40 in a state where the surface is exposed.

The fixed contact 41 and the fixed contact 42 are preferably made of a material having high conductivity among metals, such as gold, silver, copper, aluminum bronze, aluminum alloy, or two or more of these materials. In addition, the fixed contact 41 and the fixed contact 42 may be plated with a single layer or a plurality of layers on the surfaces thereof in order to stabilize the corrosion resistance or the conductivity. Examples of the plating include plating of gold, silver, and nickel, or alloy plating containing one or more of these as a main component.

Fig. 3 shows a load-displacement curve of the push-button switch member of Figs. 2A and 2B.

In the conventional push button switch member 130 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the load sharply increased at the time when the lower surface (pressing member) 106 of the key body 101 and the top portion 121 of the movable contact 120 were in contact (see FIG. 10). . However, it is clear from FIG. 3 that in the push-button switch member 30 of the present embodiment, a sharp increase in the load was not observed from the time when the key body 11 was pressed until the withstand voltage load of the movable contact 20 reached the limit. Turning point. When the key body 11 is pressed, although the rib 16 is in contact with the movable contact 20, the rib 16 is compressed and deformed, and therefore the load is gradually increased. After that, the withstand voltage load of the movable contact 20 reaches the limit, the movable contact 20 is greatly deformed, and the load is greatly reduced. As described above, the button switch member 30 has a characteristic that, in addition to a characteristic of a high stroke, in addition to a characteristic of a high stroke, a point of inflection where there is no load and a load gradually increases in a period until a click feeling is generated with a large deformation of the movable contact 20.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a push switch member according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A when the member for a push button switch according to the second embodiment is cut by the same A-A line as the first embodiment.

The operation key 10 a constituting the button switch member 30 a has a rib 16 a which is longer than the rib 16 of the operation key 10 in the first embodiment, and has no gap between the key body 11 and the movable contact 20 before the key body 11 is pressed. Even if the rib 16a is always in contact with the movable contact 20, it is the same as the push switch member 30 of the first embodiment, and during the period until the click feeling is generated with the large deformation of the movable contact 20, except for the characteristic of high stroke In addition, it exhibits a characteristic that the load does not have an inflection point, and the load gradually increases.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a push switch member according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the foregoing embodiments, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A when the member for a push button switch according to the third embodiment is cut by the same A-A line as the first embodiment.

The operation key 10 b constituting the button switch member 30 b has a second rib 19 protruding from the key body 11 toward the top surface side thereof. In the present embodiment, the second ribs 19 are substantially hemispherical, and each of the second ribs 19 is provided at the front end portion of the cross with the center of the top surface of the key body 11 as a total, and four in total. However, as far as the number of the second ribs 19 is set as a position and number that can be compressed when the key body 11 is pressed, it is not limited to the positions and numbers described above. For example, the second rib 19 may be a ring-shaped protruding portion provided on the top surface of the key body 11. The second rib 19 is preferably formed of the rubber-like elastic material exemplified in the first embodiment in the same manner as the rib 16.

When the key body 11 of the push-button switch member 30b is pressed, not only the compression deformation of the rib 16 in contact with the movable contact 20 but also the compression deformation of the second rib 19 are generated, so that a longer stroke and the movable contact can be obtained The gentle increase of the load up to the large deformation of 20%.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Next, a push switch member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the foregoing embodiments, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A when the member for a push button switch according to the fourth embodiment is cut by the same A-A line as the first embodiment.

The button switch member 30c according to the fourth embodiment is different from the button switch member 30 according to the first embodiment in the following points. The operation key 10 c includes a light-shielding layer 60 covering the outer surface thereof, and a light-transmitting region 61 in which a part of the top surface of the key body 11 is removed from the light-shielding layer 60. The movable contact 20 c is provided with a through hole 55 penetrating through the disk portion 21 at a substantially central portion in plan view of the disk portion 21. The substrate 40 includes a ring-shaped fixed contact 42 that can be in contact with the periphery of the through-hole 55 of the disk portion 21 and an LED 50 that is an example of a light unit and is located inside the ring-shaped fixed contact 42. The other configurations of the push-button switch member 30 c are the same as those of the push-button switch member 30.

In this embodiment, the light-emitting surfaces of the light-transmitting region 61, the through-hole 55, and the LED 50 are located on a substantially straight line that is vertical. However, when the light emitting surface of the LED 50 is inclined from a level, it is preferable to arrange the through hole 55 and the light transmitting region 61 on a line perpendicular to the light emitting surface. The through hole 55 has both a function of transmitting light from the LED 50 toward the operation key 10 c and a function of preventing contact between the disk portion 21 and the LED 50. However, when the movable contact 20c is made of a hard resin having excellent light transmittance, a light-shielding layer is formed outside the portion of the through-hole 55, and the light-emitting surface of the LED 50 is lowered to a height not to collide with the disk portion 21, the through-hole 55 is not an essential component for the movable contact 20c.

The light-transmitting area 61 may have any display form such as a character, a mark, and a picture. When the operation key 10c itself is not made of a material having excellent light transmittance, a second through hole may be opened in a region directly above the through hole 55 of the key body 11, and a member (glass, silicone resin) having excellent light transmittance may be used. , Acrylic resin, etc.) to block the second through hole. In this case, the light shielding layer 60 formed on the outer surface of the operation key 10c may not be provided.

LED50 is an example of a lighting unit. Lighting units other than the LED 50 may be used. For example, the LED 50 may be replaced with a light bulb, a sheet-shaped organic EL, or an inorganic EL that emits light by energizing a filament.

(Modification)
7A to 7E are plan views showing various modified examples of fixed contacts used in the embodiments of the present invention.

The substrate 40 of FIG. 7A is the substrate described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7B, two half-circle-shaped fixed contacts 42a, 42a may be arranged on the inner side of the two half-circle-shaped fixed contacts 41a, 41a, and placed thereon. A substrate 40 of an LED 50 (not shown) is also disposed inside. When the outer contact portion 26 of the movable contact 20c is in contact with the fixed contacts 41a, 41a, a circuit is formed so that the movable contact 20c and the fixed contacts 41a, 41a are connected. As a result, the first stage can be made The switch is turned on. Next, when the disk portion 21 of the movable contact 20c is in contact with the fixed contacts 42a, 42a, a circuit is formed so that the movable contact 20 and the fixed contacts 42a, 42a are connected, so that a second-stage switch can be made. Connected.

The substrate 40 in FIG. 7C is a substrate in which an annular fixed contact 42 b is arranged inside the annular fixed contact 41. The switching mechanism is the same as that of FIG. 7A. The substrate 40 in FIG. 7D is a substrate in which semi-circular fixed contacts 42 c and 42 c are arranged inside two semi-divided ring-shaped fixed contacts 41 a and 41 a. The switching mechanism is the same as that of FIG. 7B. The substrate 40 in FIG. 7E is provided with two semi-circular comb-tooth shaped fixed contacts 42d and 42d separated from each other inside the semi-divided annular fixed contacts 41a and 41a. When the semicircular comb-shaped fixed contacts 42d and 42d are arranged, the fixed contacts 42d and 42d can be conducted more reliably. The switching mechanism is the same as that of FIG. 7B.

(Other embodiments)
The embodiments of the push-button switch member and various modifications of the fixed contact point according to the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented with various modifications.

8A-a to 8A-d show various arrangement examples of ribs formed on the lower surface of the key body constituting the push-button switch member of FIG. 5. 8B-a to 8B-c show examples of various cross-sectional shapes of an operation key including a rib on a lower surface of a key body constituting the push-button switch member of FIG. 5.

As shown in FIGS. 8A-a, the ribs 16 are provided on the lower surface 15 at the front end of the cross shape (the four corners of the square), and a total of four ribs 16 are provided as shown in FIGS. 8A-b. The lower surface 15 is provided with one each at each corner of the regular octagon, and a total of eight are provided, or as shown in FIGS. 8A-c, only one is provided at the center of the lower surface 15. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 8A-d, the ribs 16 can also be provided in a ring shape. Further, the ribs 16 may be provided on the lower surface 15 so as to be in contact with both ends of a straight line with the top of the disk portion 21 as a midpoint in a plan view, for a total of two. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 8B-a to 8B-c, the longitudinal section of the rib 16 may be a rectangular figure 8B-b or a substantially elliptical figure 8B in addition to the generally conical figure 8B-a that narrows the tip. -c. The same applies to the rib 16a.

The rib 16 is preferably formed on the lower surface 15 of the key body 11 so as to be in contact with the top of the disk portion 21 and the step portion 23 of the movable contact 20. The rib 16 may be formed on the lower surface 15 of the key body 11 so as to be in contact with the through-hole 55 from the movable contact 20 c to the step portion 23. The rib 16 is more preferably formed on the lower surface 15 so as to be closer to the step portion 23 than the top portion of the disk portion 21 (meaning the imaginary top portion existing in the through hole 55 even when the through hole 55 is present). The rib 16 may be formed to extend downward from a part other than the lower surface 15 of the key body 11, for example, from the side surface of the key body 11. The same applies to the rib 16a.

The dome 12 may be in a form bent in a convex manner in addition to the form protruding outward, or in a form inclined linearly from the key body 11 to the foot 13.

Each of the above-described embodiments and various modifications can be arbitrarily combined except when they cannot be combined with each other. For example, the rib 16a may be used for the push button switch members 30b and 30c according to the third or fourth embodiment. The second rib 19 may be used for the push button switch member 30c according to the fourth embodiment.

Industrial availability:
The component for a push button switch of the present invention can be used in various devices including operation keys, such as a mobile communication device, a PC, a camera, an in-vehicle operating component, an in-vehicle electronic device, a home audio device, and a home appliance.

The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention in other forms. Any person skilled in the art may use the disclosed technical content to modify or modify the equivalent equivalent. Examples. However, without departing from the technical solution of the present invention, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention still fall within the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

10, 10a, 10b, 10c‧‧‧ operation keys

11‧‧‧ key body

12‧‧‧ round top

13‧‧‧foot

14‧‧‧ middle

15‧‧‧lower surface / pressing piece

16, 16a‧‧‧ rib

17‧‧‧ protrusion

19‧‧‧ second rib

20, 20c‧‧‧movable contact

21‧‧‧ Pan Department

23‧‧‧Step

24‧‧‧ Hem panel section

25‧‧‧Outside fixing part

26‧‧‧outer contact

30, 30a, 30b, 30c ‧‧‧ button switch parts

40‧‧‧ substrate

41, 41a, 42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d

FIG. 1A is a partial perspective plan view showing operation keys constituting a push-button switch member according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a plan view showing a movable contact of an operation key constituting the push switch member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a partial perspective plan view of the push-button switch member in a state where the operation keys of FIGS. 1A and 1B and the movable contact are fixed together.

Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A when the line A-A in Fig. 2A is cut.

Fig. 3 shows a load-displacement curve of the push-button switch member of Figs. 2A and 2B.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A when the member for a push button switch according to the second embodiment is cut by the same A-A line as the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A when the member for a push button switch according to the third embodiment is cut by the same A-A line as the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A when the member for a push button switch according to the fourth embodiment is cut by the same A-A line as the first embodiment.

7A to 7E are plan views showing various modified examples of fixed contacts used in the embodiments of the present invention.

8A-a to 8A-d show various arrangement examples of ribs formed on the lower surface of the key body constituting the push-button switch member of FIG. 5.

8B-a to 8B-c show examples of various cross-sectional shapes of an operation key including a rib on a lower surface of a key body constituting the push-button switch member of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9A is a partial perspective plan view of a push-button switch member previously developed by the inventor.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X when the line X-X in FIG. 9A is cut.

Fig. 10 shows a load-displacement curve of the push-button switch member of Figs. 9A and 9B.

Claims (5)

A component for a push button switch, comprising: Dome-shaped movable contacts; and The operation keys are arranged opposite to the protruding side of the movable contact, The button switch member presses the operation key in the direction of the movable contact, so that the movable contact is in contact with a fixed contact on a substrate located on the opposite side of the operation key, The operation key includes: Key body A round top, which is connected to the outer periphery of the key body, and can be deformed by pressing the key body toward the substrate side; A foot connected to the periphery of the dome and fixed on the base plate; and A rib protruding from below the key body toward the movable contact, The movable contact includes: A disk portion that is pressed by the key body to contact the fixed contact point on the substrate; and An outer fixing portion, which is located radially outward of the disk portion, and is fixed to the operation key on a radially outer side than the key body, The rib is formed such that, when the key body is pressed toward the movable contact, the rib is between the key body and the disc portion in an early stage of bending or buckling of the disc portion. Shrink along the length of the rib. The component for a push button switch according to claim 1, wherein The rib is formed below the key body so as to have a gap between the key body before the key body is pressed and the movable contact point. The push-button switch component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The ribs are arranged opposite to the disk portion at a position radially outward from the top. The push-button switch component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein A plurality of the ribs are provided below the key body so as to face a plurality of positions centered on the top of the disk portion or a center of gravity in a plan view. The push-button switch component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The key body is provided with a second rib protruding toward the top surface side.