WO2008066072A1

WO2008066072A1 - Push switch device

Info

Publication number: WO2008066072A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/072944
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yasunori Sasaki
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-11-30
Filing date: 2007-11-28
Publication date: 2008-06-05

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] A thin push switch device. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] The push switch device has a rotation section (25) rotatably provided inside a housing (1), a switch element (30) changed inside the housing (1) as the rotation section (25) is rotated, an operation member (41) capable of linear movement relative to the housing (1) in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotation section (25), a ratchet mechanism (44) including a transmission member (47) and urging spring (54) and performing conversion between linear motion and rotational motion of the operation member (41) and the rotation section (25), and a buffer coil spring (55) provided for the operation member (41) and the transmission member (47). The urging coil spring (54) and buffer coil spring (55) are partially overlapped each other in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotation section (25).

Description

Specification

Push switch device

Technical field

The present invention relates to a switch element whose state is switched by a rotational movement of a movable contact, an operating member that moves linearly when pressed, and a ratchet that converts linear movement and rotational movement between the operating member and the switching element. In particular, the present invention relates to a push switch device including a buffer coil spring for buffering a ratchet mechanism. Background art

As a push switch device, there is a conventional technique disclosed in Patent Document 1. This conventional technique includes a housing, a rotating part that can rotate with respect to the housing, a switch element that switches as the rotating part rotates, and a linear motion of the rotating part in the direction of the rotation axis with respect to the housing. And a ratchet mechanism for converting linear motion and rotational motion between the operating member and the rotating portion.

[0003] The ratchet mechanism is capable of linear motion in the direction of the rotation axis between a plurality of first ratchet teeth provided in an annular shape on the inner wall of the housing at equal intervals, and the rotating portion and the operating member. And a transmission member that is supported by the rotating portion so as to be able to rotate integrally with the rotating portion and has a plurality of second ratchet teeth that engage with the plurality of first ratchet teeth.

[0004] An urging coil spring that urges the transmission member in a direction opposite to the operation direction of the operation member is provided between the transmission member and the rotating portion. The operating member can be linearly moved in the groove formed between the adjacent first ratchet teeth, and the second ratchet tooth positioned in the groove can be extended from the groove to the position where it is pushed out. Extrusion teeth are provided to enable movement.

[0005] A buffering coil spring is provided between the operation member and the transmission member. This coil spring for buffering cushions shocks generated in the ratchet mechanism, that is, shocks resulting from the separation of the second ratchet tooth from the extruded tooth, and shocks resulting from the collision between the second ratchet tooth and the first ratchet tooth. is there.

[0006] The biasing coil spring, the transmission member, and the buffering coil spring rotate in this order. The layers are stacked in the direction of the rotation axis.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-253368

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] By the way, there is a demand for a push switch device that the operating direction of the operating member, that is, the dimension of the rotating portion in the rotating shaft direction should be reduced, that is, the thickness should be reduced.

[0008] In the prior art described above, since the biasing coil spring, the transmission member, and the buffering coil spring are stacked in this order in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating portion, it is difficult to reduce the thickness of the push switch device.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described actual situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a V and push switch device that can be easily reduced in thickness.

Means for solving the problem

[0010] In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a housing, a rotatable rotating part provided inside the housing, and a rotary part provided inside the housing, which is cut off as the rotating part rotates. A switch element to be replaced, an operation member provided so as to be capable of linear motion in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotating portion with respect to the housing, and linear motion and rotational motion between the operating member and the rotating portion. A push switch device comprising a ratchet mechanism configured to perform conversion, wherein the ratchet mechanism is provided on the inner wall of the housing, and a plurality of first ratchet teeth arranged in an annular shape at equal intervals; It is provided between the rotating part and the operating member, can linearly move in the direction of the rotation axis with respect to the rotating part, and can rotate integrally with the rotating part. A transmission member having a plurality of second ratchet teeth that engage with the plurality of first ratchet teeth; a biasing coil spring provided between the transmission member and the rotating portion; 1 In order to enable linear movement in the groove formed between the ratchet teeth, and so that the limit position of movement in the direction approaching the rotating part is at least the same position as the end of the first ratchet tooth, An extrusion tooth provided on the operation member, and a buffer coil spring is provided between the operation member and the transmission member, and the biasing coil spring and the buffer coil The spring is partially overlapped in the rotation axis direction.

In the present invention configured as described above, the biasing coil spring and the buffering coil spring are partially overlapped with each other in the rotation axis direction. Therefore, the push switch device is thinned by changing the dimension of the portion where the coil spring for biasing and the coil spring for buffering overlap in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating part, without changing the natural length of both coil springs. be able to. As a result, the above-described object of providing a push switch device that can be easily reduced in thickness can be achieved.

[0012] In the above-described present invention, openings are formed at both ends of the housing in the rotation axis direction, the operation member protrudes from one of these openings, and penetrates the rotation part in the rotation axis direction. A hole, and a first cylinder part that is continuous with the hole and forms a cylindrical space extending in the direction of the rotation axis, and is connected to the rotation part by spline coupling of the first cylinder part and the transmission member. The transmission member capable of linear movement in the direction of the rotation axis and capable of rotating integrally with the rotation portion is realized, and the first tube portion is inserted into the biasing coil spring, and the operation is performed. The member has a second cylindrical portion extending in the rotation axis direction, and the entire peripheral side wall of the second cylindrical portion is hollow to form a cylindrical cavity opened on the transmission member side. The buffer coil spring is inserted into The inner wall of the second cylinder part and the first cylinder part may partially overlap in the direction of the rotation axis.

[0013] In the invention configured as described above, the other opening of the housing, the hole of the rotating part, the first cylindrical part, and the second cylindrical part penetrate the push switch device in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotating part. A hole to be formed is formed. Since this hole can be provided with an electrical component different from the push switch device such as an LED, the degree of freedom of layout of the push switch device and another electrical component can be improved.

Furthermore, since the inner wall of the second cylinder part and the first cylinder part are partially overlapped in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating part, it is possible to contribute to preventing dust from entering the inside of the hole force housing. The invention's effect

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a push switch device that can be easily reduced in thickness! The degree of freedom in designing the switch device can be improved.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the push switch device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the push switch device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is a top view of the housing body shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the housing body shown in FIG. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 4. Although FIG. 4 is a top view and FIG. 5 is a bottom view, the posture of the present embodiment when the present embodiment is installed is not limited thereto.

[0017] The present embodiment includes a housing 1, a rotating part 25 provided rotatably inside the housing 1, a switch element 30 provided inside the housing 1 and switched according to the rotation of the rotating part 25, An operating member 41 provided to enable linear movement of the rotating part 25 in the direction of the rotation axis with respect to the housing 1, and conversion between linear operation and rotational movement between the operating member 41 and the rotating part 25 can be performed. And a ratchet mechanism 44 configured as described above.

The housing 1 includes a housing body 2, a lid member 6, and a fastening member 17.

The housing body 2 includes a cylindrical portion 3 and a cylindrical portion 4 concentric with the cylindrical portion 3 and extending from the inner peripheral surface of one end portion of the cylindrical portion 3. In the outer cylindrical portion 3, a flange portion 5 having a square upper surface shape spreads from the outer peripheral surface of the other end portion on the side opposite to the one side on the inner cylindrical portion 4 side.

The lid member 6 is a member whose upper surface shape is a square shape. The lid member 6 is provided with a concave portion 7 having a square upper surface shape. A square frame portion 5a that protrudes in a direction opposite to the cylindrical portion 3 from the flange portion 5 of the housing body 2 is inserted.

The retaining member 17 has a cover portion 18 that covers the flange portion 5 with a top surface having a square shape that is substantially the same size as the flange portion 5. In the center of the cover portion 18, a round hole 18a is formed through which the cylindrical portions 3 and 4 of the housing body 2 are passed. From each of the four sides of the cover portion 18, side plate portions 19 to 22 straddling the joint 16 of the housing body 2 and the lid member 6 extend. Of the four outer surfaces 8 to 11 of the lid member 6, two opposing outer surfaces 9, 11 of the lid member 6 are provided with snap coupling claws 12, 13, respectively, and the side plate portion 20 of the lid member 6 is provided. , 22 of each This is provided with rectangular holes 23 and 24 for snap coupling, where the claws 12 and 13 are hooking forces.

[0021] The rotating portion 25 has an upper surface formed in an annular shape. A concave portion 14 having a circular top surface is formed on the bottom 7a of the square-shaped concave portion 7 of the lid member 6. A rotating shaft 15 protrudes from the center of the bottom 14a of the circular recess 14. The rotating shaft 15 and the cylindrical portions 3 and 4 of the housing body 2 are concentric. Since the rotating shaft 15 is inserted into the rotating portion 25, the rotating portion 25 is supported rotatably with respect to the housing 1.

[0022] The rotating portion 25 has a restricting portion 26 on the surface on the back side of the surface facing the bottom portion 14a of the circular recess 14 of the lid member 6. The restricting portion 26 has an annular shape that is concentric with the rotating portion 25, and has an inner diameter shorter than that of the rotating portion 25. When the restricting portion 26 is hooked on the end surface 15a of the rotating shaft 15, an interval 29 having a predetermined dimension is formed between the rotating portion 25 and the bottom portion 14a of the circular recess 14.

The switch element 30 includes a movable contact member 31 and a sliding surface 34 on which the movable contact member 31 slides. The movable contact member 31 is a conductive member formed in an annular shape, and is fixed to the surface of the rotating portion 25 facing the bottom portion 14a of the circular concave portion 14 of the lid member 6. The movable contact member 31 includes movable contacts 32 and 33 that protrude toward the bottom portion 14a of the circular recess 14 of the lid member 6 and contact the sliding surface 34 at two locations facing each other in the radial direction. ing. The sliding surface 34 has a plurality of, for example, four fixed contacts 35, 36, 3 7 provided on the bottom 14a so as to come into contact with or move away from the movable contacts 32, 33 according to the positions of the movable contacts 32, 33. Etc. (one not shown). These fixed contacts 35, 36, 37, etc. are formed so that they are alternately turned on and off every time the rotating part 25 rotates by a predetermined angle. Further, from the fixed contacts 35, 36, 37, etc., four terminals 38, 39, 40, etc. (one is not shown) are led out to the outside of the housing 1.

In the housing 1, openings la and lb are formed at both ends of the rotating portion 25 in the rotation axis direction. One of these two openings la and lb is formed by a cylindrical portion 4 inside the housing body 2. The operating member 41 has a cylindrical part 42 extending in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary part 25. The cylindrical part 42 is slidably inserted into the cylindrical part 4 inside the housing body 2, and Projects from the opening la. [0025] In the housing 1, the other opening lb opposite to the one opening la from which the operation member 41 protrudes is a hole penetrating the center of the rotation shaft 15 of the lid member 6 in the rotation axis direction. .

[0026] The rotating portion 25 is provided with a cylindrical portion 27 extending in the rotation axis direction. The columnar space formed by the cylindrical portion 27 is continuous with a hole 25a formed by the annular rotating portion 25 and a hole 26a formed by the annular regulating portion 26.

[0027] The ratchet mechanism 44 is provided on the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 3 on the outer side of the housing body 2, and is arranged between the plurality of first ratchet teeth 45 arranged in an annular shape at equal intervals, between the rotating portion 25 and the operating member 41. A plurality of, for example, first ratchet teeth 45 engaging with the plurality of first ratchet teeth 45, and capable of rotating integrally with the rotating portion 25. And a transmission member 47 having the same number of second ratchet teeth 48. Each of the first and second ratchet teeth 45, 48 is formed with inclined surfaces 45a, 48 for limiting the rotation direction of the transmission member 47 to one direction.

The transmission member 47 has a cylindrical portion 49 extending in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating portion 25 from the inner peripheral side of the plurality of second ratchet teeth 48 arranged in an annular shape at equal intervals. In the cylindrical portion 49, arcuate protruding portions 50 that are concentric with the cylindrical portion 49 and protrude toward the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 49 are provided at two locations facing each other in the radial direction. In the cylindrical portion 27 provided in the rotating portion 25, notches 28 extending in the rotating shaft direction are provided at two locations facing each other in the radial direction. Each arcuate protrusion 50 and each notch 28 are slidably fitted in the rotation axis direction. In other words, the spline coupling between the transmission member 47 and the rotating portion 25 realizes the transmitting member 47 that can linearly move in the rotation axis direction with respect to the rotating portion 25 and can rotate integrally with the rotating portion 25. ! /

The ratchet mechanism 44 further includes an urging coin spring 54 provided between the transmission member 47 and the rotating portion 25. The space between the transmission member 47 and the rotating portion 25 is, for example, between the annular projecting portion 51 projecting toward the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 49 in the transmission member 47 and the disc-shaped rotating portion 25. Further, a cylindrical portion 27 provided in the rotating portion 25 is inserted into the urging coil spring 54. The biasing coil spring 54 biases the transmission member 47 in a direction opposite to the pressing operation direction of the operating member 41, that is, in a direction away from the rotating portion 25. [0030] The ratchet mechanism 44 further has a small limit position for movement in the direction approaching the rotary unit 25 so that linear movement is possible in the groove 46 formed between the adjacent first ratchet teeth 45. A plurality of, for example, the same number of push-out teeth 53 as the grooves 46 provided in the operation member 41 are provided so as to reach at least the same position as the end of the first ratchet tooth 45, for example, to a position beyond the end. The movement of the push-out teeth 53 is restricted at the end of the cylindrical portion 4 on the inner peripheral side of the housing body 2 on the lid member 6 side, so that the operation member 41 is pulled out of the housing 1 from the cylindrical portion 4. Is prevented.

In the present embodiment, the impact generated in the ratchet mechanism 44, that is, the impact accompanying the separation of the second ratchet tooth 48 from the extruded tooth 53, and the impact resulting from the collision of the second ratchet tooth 48 and the first ratchet tooth 45 are provided. Equipped with a buffering coil spring 55 for buffering! The buffering spring 55 is disposed between the operation member 41 and the transmission member 47. The cylindrical portion 42 of the operation member 41 is formed with a cylindrical cavity 43 that is hollow on the entire peripheral side wall and opened on the transmission member 47 side, and a buffer coil spring 55 is inserted into the cylindrical cavity 43. . In the transmission member 47, an annular flat surface 52 is formed on the inner peripheral side of the plurality of second ratchet teeth 48 arranged in an annular shape and on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 49. A cylindrical portion 49 of the transmission member 47 is inserted into the buffer coil spring 55 up to the position of the annular flat surface 52. The biasing coil spring 54 exerts a sufficiently larger elastic force than the buffering coil spring 55, that is, the biasing coil spring 54 may be compressed and deformed by the elastic force of the buffering coil spring 55. It ’s not like that.

In the present embodiment, in particular, the urging coil spring 54 and the buffer coil spring 55 partially overlap with each other in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating portion 25, and the annular protruding portion 51 of the transmission member 47. The positional relationship in the rotational axis direction of the rotating part 25 with the annular flat surface 52 of the transmission member 47 is set. Further, a cylindrical portion 27 (corresponding to the first cylindrical portion described in claim 2) provided in the rotating portion 25 and a cylindrical portion 42 of the operating member 41 (corresponding to the second cylindrical portion according to claim 2). The inner wall of the cylindrical portion 42 is slidably inserted into the cylindrical portion 27 so that the inner wall of the cylindrical portion partially overlaps with the inner wall of the object.

[0033] The present embodiment operates as follows.

[0034] When the operation member 41 is not pressed, it is formed between the adjacent first ratchet teeth 45. Each second ratchet tooth 48 is located in each groove 46 formed. This state is maintained by the transmission member 47 being pressed by the elastic force of the biasing coil spring 54.

When the operation member 41 is pressed, that is, when the operation member 41 is moved linearly in a direction approaching the lid member 6 by being piled on the elastic force of the biasing coil spring 54 received via the transmission member 47. Each pusher tooth 53 linearly moves in each groove 46 in a direction approaching the lid member 6 and pushes each second ratchet tooth 48 from each groove 46. As a result, each second ratchet tooth 48 is allowed to move circularly.

[0036] In this state, since the elastic force of the urging coil spring 54 is applied to the transmission member 47, each second ratchet tooth 48 is guided by the inclined surface 48a of its own tooth, and each extruded tooth 53 It moves in the circumferential direction concentric with the rotary shaft 15 in contact with the tip. As a result, the transmission member 47 rotates by the amount of movement of each second ratchet tooth 48 in the circumferential direction, and the rotating portion 25 also rotates together with the transmission member 47.

[0037] When the operating force applied to the operating member 41 is removed, the operating member 41 is pushed back via the transmission member 47 by the elastic force of the urging coil spring 54. Retract into groove 46. Accordingly, each second ratchet tooth 48 comes into contact with each first ratchet tooth 45 and is guided by its own inclined surface 48a and the inclined surface 45a of each first ratchet tooth 45 to be concentric with the rotary shaft 15 again. Move in the circumferential direction. Then, it enters another groove 46 adjacent to each groove 46 located before the operation member 41 is operated. Also at this time, the transmission member 47 rotates by the amount of movement of the second ratchet teeth 48 in the circumferential direction, and the rotating portion 25 also rotates together with the transmission member 47.

[0038] When the rotating part 25 rotates in the negative direction by a predetermined angle (an angle corresponding to the interval between the adjacent grooves 46) in this way, the state of the switch element 30 is switched from off to on, or from off to on.

[0039] According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the urging coil spring 54 and the buffering coil spring 55 are provided so as to partially overlap in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating portion 25. The push switch device can be made thinner by lengthening the overlapping dimension of the coil spring 55. This makes it easy to reduce the thickness of the push button. A switch device can be provided. As a result, the force S improves the degree of freedom in designing the push switch device.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the other opening lb of the housing 1, the holes 25a and 26a of the rotating part 25, the cylindrical part 27 provided in the rotating part 25, and the cylindrical part 42 of the operating member 41, A hole 56 penetrating the push switch device in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary unit 25 is formed. In this hole 56, since an electrical component different from the push switch device such as an LED can be provided, the degree of freedom in layout of the electrical component separate from the push switch device can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 42 of the operation member 41, the cylindrical portion 27 provided on the rotating portion 25, and the force rotating portion 25 are partially overlapped in the direction of the rotation axis, Since the annular restricting portion 26 is pressed against the end of the rotating shaft 15 by the urging coil spring 54, it is possible to prevent dust from entering the inside of the housing 1 from the hole 56.

In this embodiment, the structural force for rotatably supporting the rotating portion 25 is a force that is provided with a hole 25a serving as a shaft hole in the rotating portion 25 and a rotating shaft 15 in the housing 1. Ming is not limited to this, but the rotating part 25 may be provided with a rotating shaft, or the housing 1 may be provided with a shaft hole.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a push switch device of the present invention.

2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.

4 is a top view of the housing body shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the housing main body shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along VI-VI in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

[0045] 1 housing

la, lb opening

2 Housing body Cylindrical part

Cylindrical part

Collar

a Frame

Lid member

Square recess a Bottom

~; 1 1 outer surface 2, 13 nails

4 Circular recess 4a Bottom

5 Rotating axis

5a End face

6th joint

7 Fastening member

8 Cover part

8a round hole

9-22 Side plate part 3, 24 Rectangular hole 5 Rotating part

6 Regulatory Department

6a

7 Cylindrical part (first tube part) 8 Notch

9 Interval

0 Switch element 1 Movable contact member 2, 33 Movable contact Sliding surface

, 36, 37 Fixed contact, 39, 40 Terminal Operation member

Cylindrical part (second cylindrical part) Cylindrical cavity

Ratchet mechanism 1st ratchet

Groove

Transmission member

Second ratchet tooth a Inclined surface

Cylindrical part

Arc-shaped protrusions Annular protrusions Annular flat surfaces Extruded teeth

Coil spring for biasing Coil spring for buffering

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A housing, a rotatable rotating part provided in the housing, a switch element provided in the housing and switched in accordance with the rotation of the rotating part, and the rotation with respect to the housing An operation member provided to enable linear motion in the direction of the rotation axis of the portion, and a ratchet mechanism configured to convert linear motion and rotational motion between the operation member and the rotation portion. A push switch device comprising:

Positive ij ratchet mechanism,

A plurality of first ratchet teeth provided on the inner wall of the housing and arranged in an annular shape at equal intervals, and provided between the rotating portion and the operating member, with respect to the rotating portion toward the rotating shaft. A transmission member capable of linear movement and capable of rotating integrally with the rotating portion, and having a plurality of second ratchet teeth that engage with the plurality of first ratchet teeth; and The coil spring for biasing provided between the rotating parts and the movement in the direction approaching the rotating part so as to enable linear movement in the groove formed between the adjacent first ratchet teeth. And a push-out tooth provided on the operation member so that the limit position is at least the same position as the end of the first ratchet tooth, and a buffering coil spring is provided between the operation member and the transmission member. The biasing A push switch device, wherein the coil spring for buffering and the coil spring for buffering partially overlap in the direction of the rotation axis.

[2] In the invention of claim 1,

Openings are formed at both ends of the housing in the rotation axis direction, and the operation member protrudes from one of these openings,

The rotating part is provided with a hole penetrating in the direction of the rotation axis, and a first tube part that forms a cylindrical space that is continuous with the hole and extends in the direction of the rotation axis,

By the spline coupling of the first tube portion and the transmission member, the transmission member that can linearly move in the rotation axis direction with respect to the rotation portion and can rotate integrally with the rotation portion is realized. And

The first cylinder part is inserted into the urging coil spring, the operating member has a second cylinder part extending in the direction of the rotation axis, and the entire peripheral side wall of the second cylinder part is hollow. Biography A cylindrical cavity opened on the leading member side is formed, and the buffer coil spring is inserted into the cylindrical cavity,

The push switch device, wherein the inner wall of the second cylinder part and the first cylinder part partially overlap in the rotation axis direction.