WO2018101212A1

WO2018101212A1 - Multi-stage pressure-sensitive switch

Info

Publication number: WO2018101212A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/042444
Authority: WO
Inventors: 正範浦山; 上野　聡
Original assignee: 北陸電気工業株式会社
Priority date: 2016-12-01
Filing date: 2017-11-27
Publication date: 2018-06-07
Also published as: JP6346394B1; JPWO2018101212A1

Abstract

Provided is a multi-stage pressure-sensitive switch capable of generating two-stage click-feelings using a pressure-sensitive resistance plate. In this multi-stage pressure-sensitive switch, a pressure-sensitive resistance plate 40 is disposed on a paired first protruding fixed contact point 28 and a second protruding fixed contact point 38, which protrude from the bottom wall of a recessed section 12 of a housing 10, and a paired first flat fixed contact point 29 and second flat fixed contact point 39, which are flush with the bottom wall. Disposed on the pressure-sensitive resistance plate 40 is a first tact plate 50 generating a click-feeling, and further disposed thereon are, sequentially, a spacer 60, a plate spring 70, a second tact plate 80, and a lid 90. While pressing down a key top 92 of the lid 90, when the pressing force reaches the magnitude of a first stage, the second tact plate 80 becomes inverted, thereby applying pressure on the pressure-sensitive resistance plate 40 and closing the electrical path between the protruding fixed contact points 28, 38. Then, when the pressing force reaches the magnitude of a second stage, the first tact plate 50 becomes inverted, thereby closing the electrical path between the pair of flat fixed contact points 29, 39. In a third stage, the magnitude of the current flowing between the pair of flat fixed contact points 29, 39 can be controlled according to the magnitude of the pressing force.

Description

Multistage pressure sensitive switch

The present invention relates to a multi-stage pressure-sensitive switch that realizes a multi-stage switch state using a pressure-sensitive resistor plate.

Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-17861 (Patent Document 1), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-15793 (Patent Document 2), etc. disclose a conventional pressure-sensitive switch using a pressure-sensitive resistor. A pressure-sensitive switch using a pressure-sensitive resistor can form a multi-stage switch state by changing the pressing force. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-31171 (Patent Document 3) discloses a two-stage operation push switch that can generate a two-step click feeling by using two types of tact plates. Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-8827 (Patent Document 4) also discloses a two-stage switch using two types of tact plates.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-17861 JP 2010-15793 A JP 2004-31171 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-8827

In the conventional pressure sensitive switch, the resistance value is changed by changing the pressing force, and a multi-stage switch state can be formed. However, it has been dependent on the operator's intuition to determine how much the pressing force should be increased to the next switch state. In addition, although there are switches that generate a two-step click feeling with normal push switches, there is a problem that it is difficult to generate a two-step click feeling when using a pressure-sensitive resistor plate by applying the existing structure as it is. is there.

An object of the present invention is to provide a multistage pressure-sensitive switch that can generate a two-step click feeling using a pressure-sensitive resistor plate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stage pressure-sensitive switch that can generate a two-step click feeling using a pressure-sensitive resistor plate and can obtain a three-stage switch state.

A multi-stage pressure-sensitive switch as a basis of the present invention is disposed on a housing made of an insulating material having a recess, at least a pair of fixed contacts fixed to a bottom wall in the recess of the housing, and a pair of fixed contacts. A pressure-sensitive resistor plate, a click-sensitive generating structure that is disposed on the pressure-sensitive resistive plate and generates a click feeling with respect to a predetermined pressing force, and is disposed on the click-sensitive generating structure to block the opening of the recess. A lid member having flexibility is provided.

In the present invention, the click sensation generating structure is disposed on the pressure-sensitive resistor plate and curved in such a manner as to be convex toward the opening of the housing, and the center of the first tact plate. A spacer having a bottom fixed to the top and provided with a convex portion at a position facing the bottom, and a through hole in which the convex portion of the spacer is movably accommodated, is disposed on the upper portion of the spacer and is an inner wall of the concave portion of the housing A plate spring member that is supported on at least a part of the outer peripheral portion and is deformed so that the through hole approaches the first tact plate by a pressing force, and an inner wall of the recess of the housing Is curved so that at least a part of the outer peripheral portion is constrained to the opening and protrudes toward the opening of the housing, and is deformed by contact with the lid member that is deformed by the pressing force to deform the leaf spring member and On the convex And a second tact plate for transmitting the pressure.

According to the present invention, by configuring the click feeling generating structure as described above, it is possible to generate a two-step click feeling even when a pressure-sensitive resistor plate is used. In particular, by providing the leaf spring member, the first tact plate can be reversed after the second tact plate is reversed.

The pressure-sensitive resistor plate may be disposed in a state of being spaced from the bottom wall of the housing, or may be disposed in contact with the bottom wall. If there is a gap between the pressure-sensitive resistor plate and the bottom wall of the housing, the amount of deformation of the lid member during the pressing operation increases, and the operational feeling of the switch can be increased.

The distance between the pressure-sensitive resistor plate and the bottom wall in the recess is such that the second tact plate is deformed while the first-stage pressing force is applied to the click feeling generating structure through the lid member to deform the leaf spring member. The pressure-sensitive resistor plate is pressed against the pair of fixed contacts in a state where the first stage pressing force is applied to the spacer and the first tact plate via the inverted second tact plate. A second stage pressing force larger than the pressure is applied to the first tact plate via the lid member, the second tact plate and the spacer, so that the first tact plate is reversed, and the reversed first tact plate is used. It is preferable that the central portion of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate is determined so as to be pressed against the bottom wall of the recess.

Specifically, a main body portion having a pair of terminal portions exposed from the housing at both ends, a first terminal fitting having a branch portion connected to the main body portion and having a first fixed contact, and both ends The housing is insert-molded with a body portion having a pair of terminal portions exposed from the housing and a second terminal fitting having a branch portion connected to the body portion and having a second fixed contact as an insert. The first fixed contact and the second fixed contact are preferably arranged at positions facing each other along the bottom wall of the housing to constitute a pair of fixed contacts. In this case, another pair of fixed contacts that are exposed at the center portion of the bottom wall and face each other in the surface direction of the bottom wall are formed on the branch portion of the first terminal fitting and the branch portion of the second terminal fitting. It is preferable. In this way, it is possible to obtain at least three or more resistance values or current values between the terminal portion of the first terminal fitting and the terminal portion of the second terminal fitting with a simple structure.

In addition, it is preferable that the other pair of fixed contacts have concavo-convex portions facing each other in the surface direction. In this way, the rate of increase of the contact area with which the pressure sensitive resistor plate contacts becomes stepwise, and the change becomes easy to understand.

In the multistage pressure-sensitive switch of the present invention that constitutes a two-circuit switch, a housing made of an insulating material having a recess, a first pair of fixed contacts that are fixed to a bottom wall in the recess of the housing with a gap therebetween, A second pair of fixed contacts located between the first pair of fixed contacts and fixed at a central portion of the bottom wall in the recess of the housing with a space therebetween, and contact with the first pair of fixed contacts A pressure-sensitive resistor plate having a second resistor pattern opposed to the first resistor pattern and the second pair of fixed contacts and spaced from the bottom wall; A click feeling generating structure that is arranged on the piezoresistive plate and generates a click feeling with respect to a predetermined pressing force, and a flexible lid that is arranged on the click feeling generating structure and closes the opening of the recess. A member is provided. The click feeling generating structure includes a first tact plate disposed on the pressure-sensitive resistor plate and curved so as to protrude toward the opening of the housing, and a bottom portion on the central portion of the first tact plate. Is fixed and has a spacer provided with a convex portion at a position facing the bottom portion, and a through hole in which the convex portion of the spacer is movably accommodated, and is arranged on the upper portion of the spacer and on the inner wall portion of the concave portion of the housing. A plate spring member that is supported on at least a part of the plate and is deformed so that the through-hole approaches the first tact plate by a pressing force, and an outer peripheral portion disposed on the inner wall portion of the concave portion of the housing. Is curved so that it is convex toward the opening of the housing and is deformed by contact with the lid member that is deformed by the pressing force to deform the leaf spring member and to the convex portion of the spacer Pressing force And a second tact plate to transmit. In addition, the distance between the pressure-sensitive resistor plate and the bottom wall in the recess is such that the first-stage pressing force is applied to the click feeling generating structure via the lid member while deforming the leaf spring member. The first tact plate of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate is paired with the first tact plate applied to the spacer and the first tact plate through the inverted second tact plate. The second tactile force, which is pressed against the fixed contact, is applied to the first tact plate via the lid member, the second tact plate and the spacer, and the first tact plate is The second resistor pattern of the pressure sensitive resistor plate is pressed against the second pair of fixed contacts by the inverted first tact plate. If it does in this way, the 1st switch circuit will be constituted including the 1st pair of fixed contacts, and the 2nd switch circuit will be constituted including the 2nd pair of fixed contacts. Therefore, two kinds of switch states can be provided separately, and the application of the switch can be expanded.

The click feeling generating structure is configured to allow a third pressing force larger than the second pressing force to be applied to the first tact plate via the lid member, the second tact plate, and the spacer. It is preferable. In this way, there is no click feeling, but the third switch state can be obtained.

It is preferable that the lid member is integrally provided with a key top protruding outward at a position corresponding to the spacer. With such a key top, operability is improved.

It is preferable that the spacer has elasticity. If the spacer has elasticity, a click feeling can be obtained and a soft operation touch can be realized.

In order to obtain the elasticity of the spacer, the spacer is preferably formed of urethane. When the spacer is formed of urethane, a highly durable spacer can be provided.

It is preferable that the outline shape of the through hole of the leaf spring member has a circular shape, and the convex portion of the spacer has a truncated conical shape whose diameter is gradually increased from a portion located in the through hole. With this structure, the convex portion of the spacer can be smoothly displaced within the through hole of the leaf spring member.

The leaf spring member is preferably formed of one or more metal plates. By adjusting the number of metal plates, the required pressing force can be easily adjusted.

A body part having a pair of terminal parts exposed from the housing at both ends, a first terminal fitting having a branch part connected to the body part and having a first fixed contact, and a pair of terminals exposed from the housing at both ends A housing is insert-molded with a main body portion having a terminal portion and a second terminal fitting having a branch portion connected to the main body portion and having a second fixed contact, and the first fixed contact and It is preferable that the second fixed contact is disposed at a position facing the bottom wall of the housing to constitute a pair of fixed contacts. If such a structure is adopted, the arrangement of the terminal portions and the arrangement of the fixed contacts can be easily realized.

It is preferable that the branch portion of the first terminal fitting and the branch portion of the second terminal fitting have an uneven portion that is opposed to the center portion of the bottom wall. When such a concavo-convex part is formed, the increase rate of the contact area with which the pressure-sensitive resistor plate comes into contact with each other in accordance with an increase in the pressing force, and the change is easily understood.

A main body having a terminal portion exposed from the housing at one end, a first terminal fitting having a branch portion connected to the main body portion and having a first fixed contact, and a terminal portion exposed from the housing at one end A main body portion; a second terminal fitting having a branch portion connected to the main body portion and having a second fixed contact; a main body portion having a terminal portion exposed from the housing at one end; and connected to the main body portion. A third terminal fitting having a branch portion having a third fixed contact, a main body portion having a terminal portion exposed from the housing at one end, and a branch having a fourth fixed contact connected to the main body portion. The housing is insert-molded with a fourth terminal fitting having a portion as an insert. The first fixed contact and the second fixed contact are arranged at positions facing each other along the bottom wall of the housing to constitute a first pair of fixed contacts. Moreover, it is preferable that the third fixed contact and the fourth fixed contact constitute a second pair of fixed contacts that come into contact with the second resistor pattern. By adopting such a structure, it is possible to easily change the arrangement of the terminal portions and the arrangement of the fixed contacts.

It is preferable that the third fixed contact and the fourth fixed contact each include a concavo-convex portion facing the surface direction of the bottom wall at the center of the bottom wall.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of 1st Embodiment of the multistage pressure-sensitive switch which concerns on this invention. It is a front view which shows the multistage pressure sensitive switch of FIG. It is a right view which shows the multistage pressure sensitive switch of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. It is a circuit diagram showing the function of the multistage pressure sensitive switch of FIG. (A) (b) (c) is a figure which shows the electrical continuity state between each contact which changes as a stem is pushed in in order to demonstrate the effect | action of the multistage pressure sensitive switch of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of 2nd Embodiment of the multistage pressure-sensitive switch which concerns on this invention. It is a front view which shows the multistage pressure sensitive switch of FIG. It is a right view which shows the multistage pressure-sensitive switch of FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 8. It is a circuit diagram showing the function of the multistage pressure sensitive switch of FIG. (A) (b) (c) is a figure which shows the electrical continuity state between each contact which changes as a stem is pushed in in order to demonstrate the effect | action of the multistage pressure-sensitive switch of FIG. It is a figure which shows the resistance pattern of the pressure-sensitive resistance board of the multistage pressure-sensitive switch of FIG.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a multistage pressure-sensitive switch according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<< First Embodiment >>
1 to 6 show a first embodiment of a multistage pressure sensitive switch according to the present invention. This multi-stage pressure sensitive switch is configured by housing each member in a recess 12 opened on the upper surface of a thin, substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 10. The concave portion 12 includes an inner wall of a substantially cylindrical main concave portion 13 and a pair of square-shaped concave

concave portions

14 and 14 formed at positions that communicate with the main concave portion 13 and are shifted by 180 degrees around the axis. Yes. A pair of stepped

portions

18, 18 are formed on the opening side of the pair of recessed

portions

14, 14. Corresponding to the pair of recessed

portions

14, 14, the pair of opposed outer walls of the housing 10 are also provided with projecting

portions

16, 16 that are square when viewed from the front. The housing 10 is made of a synthetic resin having insulating properties, and also has a function as a wiring board. A pair of fixed contacts (28, 29, 38, 39) are fixed to the bottom wall 15 in the recess 12 of the housing 10.

The first terminal fitting 20 and the second terminal fitting 30 each having a terminal portion connected to the fixed contact (28, 29, 38, 39) and the fixed contact (28, 29, 38, 39) are the housing 10 as an insert. And insert molding.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first terminal fitting 20 and the second terminal fitting 30 are respectively connected to the

main body portions

22 and 32 extending in the left-right direction as viewed in FIG.

Branch portions

24 and 34 extending in the vertical direction as viewed in FIG. 6 from near the center of the

main body portions

22 and 32 are provided. The first terminal fitting 20 and the second terminal fitting 30 respectively have a pair of

terminal portions

26 and 36 exposed from the housing 10 at both ends of the

main body portions

22 and 32. Further, a first protruding fixed contact 28 and a second protruding fixed contact 38 are provided near the tips of the

branch portions

24 and 34 of the first terminal fitting 20 and the second terminal fitting 30, respectively. A first flat fixed contact 29 and a second flat fixed contact 39 are formed between the tip and the base.

The first projecting fixed contact 28 and the second projecting fixed contact 38 have a shape projecting upward from a position facing the bottom wall of the recess 12 of the housing 10, and a pair of projecting fixed contacts. Configure. The first flat fixed contact 29 and the second flat fixed contact 39 are flush with the bottom wall of the recess 12 of the housing 10 and constitute a pair of flat fixed contacts.

Note that the branch portions of the first terminal fitting 20 and the second terminal fitting 30 are formed with opposing concavo-convex portions at the center of the bottom wall of the recess 12 as well shown in FIG. When such an uneven portion is formed, the increase rate of the contact area with which the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 contacts is stepped in accordance with the increase of the pressing force, and the change is easily understood.

A substantially circular plate-like pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 is disposed on the pair of fixed contacts. The pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 is provided with a pair of

tongue pieces

42 and 42 protruding outward from the peripheral edge, and the lower surfaces of the

tongue pieces

42 and 42 are the first protruding fixed contact 28 and the second protruding fixed contact 38, respectively. The pressure sensitive resistor plate 40 is placed on the first projecting fixed contact 28 and the second projecting fixed contact 38. An appropriate amount of space is provided between the lower surface of the other part of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 and the bottom wall 15 in the recess 12 of the housing 10.

In other embodiments, the lower surface of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 is arranged in contact with the bottom wall 15.

When a gap is provided between the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 and the bottom wall 15 as in the first embodiment, the deformation amount of the lid 90 that is pushed from above when the switch is pressed (ie, downward from the key top 92). (Movement amount) is increased, and the operational feeling of the switch can be increased.

The pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 is made of a pressure-sensitive resistor material of a type in which the electrical resistivity of the portion to which the pressing force is applied decreases in inverse proportion to the amount of pressing force applied.

On the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40, a first tact plate 50 for generating a click feeling with respect to a predetermined amount of pressing force (first-stage pressing force) is placed. The first tact plate 50 has a disk-like contour shape whose diameter is substantially the same as that of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40, and has a dome shape curved so as to protrude toward the opening of the recess 12 of the housing 10. is there. Therefore, the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 and the first tact plate 50 are in contact only at the peripheral edge of the first tact plate 50.

Since the first tact plate 50 is made of a thin metal plate and has flexibility, when the first step pressing force is applied, the first tact plate 50 is reversed to change into a shape in which the central portion is recessed downward, and the first step When the pressing force of becomes smaller than the pressing force of the first stage, the original shape is restored. A click feeling is generated during this reversal. When the first tact plate 50 is reversed, the central portion recessed downward is in contact with the central portion of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 and presses the central portion of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 from above.

The spacer 60 has a base 62 disposed on the upper surface of the central portion of the first tact plate 50. The base 62 of the spacer 60 has a disk shape, and includes a convex portion 64 at a position on the upper surface side facing the base 62. The convex portion 64 has a truncated cone shape that protrudes upward from near the disc-shaped peripheral edge of the base 62, tapers toward the upper side, and has a flat upper surface.

The spacer 60 is made of urethane and has elasticity. When the spacer 60 has elasticity, a click feeling can be obtained and a soft operation touch can be realized, and high durability can be obtained.

The plate spring 70 is disposed above the spacer 60, has a donut plate shape with a through hole 72, and includes a pair of

tongue pieces

74 and 74 at positions shifted by 180 degrees. The portions near the tips of the

tongue pieces

74 and 74 are placed on the upper surfaces of the pair of

step portions

18 and 18 provided near the opening of the recessed portion 14 of the recessed portion 12 of the housing 10, whereby the leaf spring 70 is moved to the housing 10. Is supported against.

The outline shape of the through-hole 72 of the leaf spring 70 is circular, and the convex portion 64 of the spacer 60 has a truncated cone whose diameter gradually increases from the flat upper surface portion located in the through-hole 72 toward the base 62. It has a shape. For this reason, the convex part 64 of the spacer 60 can be smoothly displaced within the through hole 72 of the leaf spring 70.

The through-hole 72 accommodates the convex portion 64 of the spacer 60 so as to be movable therein. Since the leaf spring 70 has a spring property, the through hole 72 can be deformed so as to approach the first tact plate 50 by a pressing force from above.

The second tact plate 80 is disposed above the leaf spring 70. In the second tact plate 80, at least a part of the outer peripheral portion of the inner surface of the concave portion of the housing is restrained in the radial direction by the inner peripheral wall surface near the opening of the concave portion 12 and is convex toward the opening of the housing 10. The dome shape is curved like this. The second tact plate 80 comes into contact with the lid 90 that is deformed by the pressing force from above, and reverses when a pressing force of a predetermined size or more is applied to deform the leaf spring 70 and the convex portion of the spacer 60. The pressing force is transmitted to 64.

The lid 90 is made of a synthetic resin such as a liquid crystal polymer having flexibility, covers the entire top surface of the housing 10 and closes the opening of the recess 12, and has a truncated conical key at a central position corresponding to the spacer 60. The top 92 is integrally provided. The multi-stage pressure sensitive switch can be operated by depressing the key top 92 downward.

The distance between the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 and the bottom wall 15 in the recess 12 is such that the first stage pressing force is applied to the second tact plate 80 via the lid 90 and the plate spring 70 is deformed. The tact plate 80 is inverted, and the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 is a pair of fixed contacts in a state where the first stage pressing force is applied to the spacer 60 and the first tact plate 50 via the inverted second tact plate 80. A second stage pressing force, which is pressed against the first projecting fixed contact 28 and the second projecting fixed contact 38, is larger than the first stage pressing force via the lid 90, the second tact plate 80 and the spacer 60. The first tact plate 50 is reversed by being added to the first tact plate 50 so that the center portion of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 can be pressed against the bottom wall 15 of the recess 12 by the reversed first tact plate 50. It has been established.

Next, the operation and action of the multistage pressure sensitive switch of the first embodiment will be described.

When operating the multistage pressure-sensitive switch of the first embodiment, the key top 92 of the lid 90 is pushed downward. When the pressing force reaches the magnitude of the first stage, the second tact plate 80 is reversed, and the lower surface of the second tact plate 80 contacts the leaf spring 70 and the convex portion 64 of the spacer 60 to transmit the pressing force. . The pressing force is transmitted to the pressure sensitive resistor plate 40 via the spacer 60 and the first tact plate 50.

The electrical conduction state at this time is shown in FIG. 6A (first switch state). The pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 has a portion where the electrical resistivity is reduced by the pressing force and can conduct electricity, but the pressing force is applied so that it is curved so as to be convex toward the opening. Only the peripheral portion in contact with the peripheral edge of the first tact plate 50 that still maintains the dome shape. Therefore, the first projecting fixed contact 28 and the second projecting fixed contact 38 are closed and turned on. For the sake of explanation, the portion where the resistance value has decreased is shown by a hatched pattern in FIG.

In this state, although the multi-stage pressure sensitive switch is turned on, the distance between the first projecting fixed contact 28 and the second projecting fixed contact 38 is long, and the electrical resistivity only at the periphery of the pressure sensitive resistor plate 40 is lowered. As a result, the flowing current is small and limited. The electrical resistance of the multistage pressure sensitive switch at this time is, for example, 20 kΩ.

In order to further push down the key top 92, the repulsive force of the leaf spring 70 must be resisted, and a stronger force is gradually required. When the pressing force reaches the magnitude of the second stage, the first tact plate 50 is reversed. At this time, a second click feeling is generated. The center portion curved downward of the inverted first tact plate 50 presses the center portion of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 and presses the lower surface of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 against the bottom wall 15 of the recess 12 of the housing 10.

This state is shown in FIG. 6B (second switch state). The central portion of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 is pressed, the electrical resistivity is lowered, and the resistance value of the portion indicated by the hatched pattern is lowered and changed. Accordingly, the space between the first flat fixed contact 29 and the second flat fixed contact 39 therebelow is closed. Since the distance between the first flat fixed contact 29 and the second flat fixed contact 39 is short, a larger current flows than in the state of FIG. The total electrical resistance of the multistage pressure sensitive switch at this time is, for example, 5 kΩ.

When the key top 92 is further depressed, the pressing force for depressing the key top 92 is applied to the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 almost as it is. That is, the bottom surfaces and the top surfaces of the key top 92, the second tact plate 80, the spacer 60, and the first tact plate 50 are all in close contact with each other, and the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 is almost directly applied by the third stage pressing force. Can be pressed. In this state, there is no click feeling.

This state is shown in FIG. 6C (third switch state). The portion where the electric resistance at the center of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 is reduced becomes larger, and more current flows than in FIG.

The circuit diagram of FIG. 5 represents the function of the multistage pressure-sensitive switch according to the first embodiment, and it is possible to control not only on-off switching but also the magnitude of current flowing by a variable resistor.

As described above, according to the multistage pressure-sensitive switch of the first embodiment, the click feeling generating structure is configured as described above, so that a two-step click feeling is generated even when the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 40 is used. Is possible. In particular, by providing the leaf spring 70, the first tact plate 50 can be reversed by applying a pressing force after the second tact plate 80 is reversed.

<< Second Embodiment >>
7 to 13 show a second embodiment of the multistage pressure sensitive switch according to the present invention. In each figure, members having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The multi-stage pressure-sensitive switch of the second embodiment is greatly different from the first embodiment in that it constitutes a two-circuit switch.

The housing 110 is insert-molded with the first to fourth

terminal fittings

120, 130, 150 and 160 as inserts. The first terminal fitting 120 and the second terminal fitting 130 are connected to the

main body portions

122 and 132 having

terminal portions

126 and 136 exposed from the housing 110 at one end and the other end, respectively, and the first protrusions are connected to the

main body portions

122 and 132. And

branch portions

124 and 134 each having a fixed fixed contact 128 and a second protruding fixed contact 138. Each of the protruding fixed contacts has a shape protruding upward from an opposing position along the bottom wall 115 of the recess 112 of the housing 110.

The third terminal fitting 150 and the fourth terminal fitting 160 are connected to the

main body portions

152 and 162 having

terminal portions

156 and 166 exposed from the housing 110 at one end and the other end, respectively, and the third flat portion connected to the

main body portions

152 and 162. It consists of

branches

154 and 164 having a fixed contact 158 and a fourth flat fixed contact 168. The flat

fixed contacts

158 and 168 are exposed on the bottom wall 115 flush with the bottom wall 115 of the recess 112 of the housing 110. The third flat fixed contact point 158 and the fourth flat fixed contact point 168 are each provided with a concavo-convex portion facing in the plane direction at the center portion of the bottom wall.

The pressure-sensitive resistor plate 140 is placed on the first projecting fixed contact 128 and the second projecting fixed contact 138. As shown in FIG. 13, the material constituting the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 140 is not uniform, and the first resistor pattern made of a pressure-sensitive resistor material whose electrical resistance is reduced by pressing near the

tongue pieces

142 and 142 and the periphery. 144, a donut-shaped insulating pattern 146 made of an electrically insulating material is disposed inside, and a circular second resistor pattern 148 made of a pressure-sensitive resistance material is formed near the inner central portion thereof. Yes.

By forming such a resistor pattern, the first protruding fixed contact 128 and the second protruding fixed contact 138 are electrically connected by the first resistor pattern 144, and the third flat fixed contact 158 and the fourth fixed contact 158 are connected to each other. The flat fixed contact 168 is electrically connected by the second resistor pattern 148. However, the protruding fixed

contacts

128, 138 and the flat fixed

contacts

158, 168 are insulated from each other by the insulating pattern 146 and are electrically connected. Will not conduct.

A first tact plate 50 is placed on the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 140, a spacer 60 is fixed on the first tact plate 50, and two identical plate springs 170, 170 are disposed above the first tact plate 50. The housing 110 Is supported against. Compared to the plate spring 70 in the first embodiment, the number of metal plates is adjusted by forming the plate spring member with two or more plate springs 170 made of a thinner metal plate. The pressing force can be easily adjusted.

The second tact plate 80 is disposed above the plate springs 170, 170, and the center of the second tact plate 80 can be pushed by pushing down the key top 92 provided on the lid 90.

Next, the operation of the multistage pressure sensitive switch according to the second embodiment will be described.

When the pressing force applied to the second tact plate 80 reaches the magnitude of the first stage, the second tact plate 80 is reversed to generate the first click feeling, and the force is applied via the spacer 60 and the first tact plate 50. As a result, the electric resistance of the first resistor pattern 144 of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 140 is lowered. As a result, the first projecting fixed contact 128 and the second projecting fixed contact 138 are closed and conducted, and the terminal portion 156 and the terminal portion 136 are turned on. This state is shown in FIG. 12A (first switch state).

When the key top 92 is further pressed down and the pressing force reaches the magnitude of the second stage, the first tact plate 50 is reversed and a second click feeling is generated. The inverted first tact plate 50 presses the second resistor pattern 148 of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 140 to reduce the electrical resistance, and the third flat fixed contact 158 and the fourth flat fixed contact 168 are electrically connected, The terminal portion 126 and the terminal portion 166 are in a conductive state. This state is shown in FIG. 12B (second switch state).

When the key top 92 is further depressed, there is no click feeling, but the third stage pressing force exceeding the second stage size is applied to the second resistor pattern 148 of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 140, and the third flatness is applied. A larger current flows between the fixed contact 158 and the fourth flat fixed contact 168. This state is shown in FIG. 12C (third switch state).

The circuit diagram of FIG. 11 represents the function of the multistage pressure sensitive switch of the second embodiment. That is, the multistage pressure-sensitive switch according to the second embodiment closes between the first projecting fixed contact 128 and the second projecting fixed contact 138, and between the third flat fixed contact 158 and the fourth flat fixed contact 168. Can be closed and the resistance can be changed to control the magnitude of the current.

As described above, according to the multistage pressure-sensitive switch of the second embodiment, the first resistor pattern 144 and the second resistor pattern 148 are provided on the pressure-sensitive resistor plate 140, thereby clicking between the two sets of terminal portions. Switching with a feeling can be performed, and the current can be controlled by adjusting the resistance between one terminal portion.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, there is a gap between the pressure-sensitive resistor plate and the bottom wall of the recess of the housing, but it is not necessary to have such a gap. Of course.

As described above, according to the multistage pressure-sensitive switch according to the present invention, a two-step click feeling can be generated using the pressure-sensitive resistor plate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Housing 12 Recess 28 First projecting fixed contact 29 First flat fixed contact 38 Second projecting fixed contact 39 Second flat fixed contact 40 Pressure sensitive resistance plate 50 First tact plate 60 Spacer 70 Plate spring 80 Second tact plate 90 lid 92 key top

Claims

A housing made of an insulating material having a recess;
At least a pair of fixed contacts fixed to a bottom wall in the recess of the housing;
A pressure-sensitive resistor plate disposed on the pair of fixed contacts;
A click feeling generating structure that is disposed on the pressure-sensitive resistor plate and generates a click feeling with respect to a predetermined pressing force;
A flexible lid member that is disposed on the click feeling generating structure and closes the opening of the recess;
The click feeling generating structure is
A first tact plate disposed on the pressure-sensitive resistor plate and curved so as to be convex toward the opening of the housing;
A spacer having a bottom fixed on a central portion of the first tact plate and having a convex portion at a position facing the bottom;
A through hole in which the convex portion of the spacer is movably accommodated; and disposed at an upper portion of the spacer; and at least a part of an outer peripheral portion is supported by an inner wall portion of the concave portion of the housing; A leaf spring member that is deformed so that the through hole approaches the first tact plate;
The pressing force is disposed on the leaf spring member, and is curved so that at least a part of an outer peripheral portion is constrained by the inner wall portion of the concave portion of the housing and is convex toward the opening portion of the housing. And a second tact plate for deforming the leaf spring member in contact with the lid member that is deformed by the deformation and transmitting the pressing force to the convex portion of the spacer. Pressure sensitive switch.
The multi-stage pressure-sensitive switch according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-sensitive resistor plate is disposed in a state of being spaced from the bottom wall.
A main body having a pair of terminal portions exposed from the housing at both ends; a first terminal fitting having a branch portion connected to the main body portion and having a first fixed contact;
The housing is insert-molded with a body portion having a pair of terminal portions exposed from the housing at both ends and a second terminal fitting having a branch portion connected to the body portion and having a second fixed contact. Has been
2. The multistage according to claim 1, wherein the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact are arranged at positions facing each other along the bottom wall of the housing to constitute the pair of fixed contacts. Pressure sensitive switch.
The branch portion of the first terminal fitting and the branch portion of the second terminal fitting have another pair of fixed contacts that are exposed at the center portion of the bottom wall and face each other in the surface direction of the bottom wall. The multistage pressure-sensitive switch according to claim 2 formed.
The multi-stage pressure sensitive switch according to claim 4, wherein each of the other pair of fixed contacts includes a concavo-convex portion opposed to the surface direction.
The distance between the pressure-sensitive resistor plate and the bottom wall in the recess is such that a first-stage pressing force is applied to the click feeling generating structure via the lid member to deform the leaf spring member. The second tact plate is reversed, and the pressure-sensitive resistor plate is in a state in which the first stage pressing force is applied to the spacer and the first tact plate via the reversed second tact plate. A second-stage pressing force that is pressed against the pair of fixed contacts and is greater than the first pressing force is applied to the first tact plate via the lid member, the second tact plate, and the spacer. The first tact plate is inverted, and the inverted first tact plate is set to allow the central portion of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate to be pressed against the bottom wall of the recess. Item 6. The multistage feeling according to any one of Items 1 to 5. Switch.
A housing made of an insulating material having a recess;
A first pair of fixed contacts fixed at intervals to a bottom wall in the recess of the housing;
A second pair of fixed contacts positioned between the first pair of fixed contacts and spaced apart from a central portion of the bottom wall in the recess of the housing;
A first resistor pattern that contacts the first pair of fixed contacts and a second resistor pattern that faces the second pair of fixed contacts, and is spaced from the bottom wall. A pressure sensitive resistor plate arranged in a
A click feeling generating structure that is disposed on the pressure-sensitive resistor plate and generates a click feeling with respect to a predetermined pressing force;
A flexible lid member that is disposed on the click feeling generating structure and closes the opening of the recess;
The click feeling generating structure is
A first tact plate disposed on the pressure-sensitive resistor plate and curved so as to be convex toward the opening of the housing;
A spacer having a bottom fixed on a central portion of the first tact plate and having a convex portion at a position facing the bottom;
A through hole in which the convex portion of the spacer is movably accommodated; and disposed at an upper portion of the spacer; and at least a part of an outer peripheral portion is supported by an inner wall portion of the concave portion of the housing; A leaf spring member that is deformed so that the through hole approaches the first tact plate;
The pressing force is disposed on the leaf spring member, and is curved so that at least a part of an outer peripheral portion is constrained by the inner wall portion of the concave portion of the housing and is convex toward the opening portion of the housing. A second tact plate that contacts and deforms the lid member that deforms to deform the leaf spring member and transmits the pressing force to the convex portion of the spacer;
The distance between the pressure-sensitive resistor plate and the bottom wall in the recess is such that a first-stage pressing force is applied to the click feeling generating structure via the lid member to deform the leaf spring member. The second tact plate is reversed, and the first stage pressing force is applied to the spacer and the first tact plate via the reversed second tact plate. The first resistor pattern is pressed against the pair of fixed contacts, and a second stage pressing force greater than the first pressing force is applied to the first resistor pattern via the lid member, the second tact plate, and the spacer. The first tact plate is reversed by being added to the first tact plate, and the second resistor pattern of the pressure-sensitive resistor plate is converted into the second pair of fixed contacts by the reversed first tact plate. Multi-stage pressure sensitive pressure that is determined to be pressed against Pitch.
The click feeling generating structure allows a third pressing force larger than the second pressing force to be applied to the first tact plate via the lid member, the second tact plate, and the spacer. The multi-stage pressure-sensitive switch according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the multi-stage pressure-sensitive switch is configured to.
The multi-stage pressure sensitive switch according to claim 1 or 7, wherein the lid member is integrally provided with a key top protruding outward at a position corresponding to the spacer.
The multi-stage pressure sensitive switch according to claim 1 or 7, wherein the spacer has elasticity.
The multi-stage pressure-sensitive switch according to claim 10, wherein the spacer is made of urethane.
The outline shape of the through hole of the leaf spring member has a circular shape,
The multistage pressure-sensitive switch according to claim 1, 7 or 11, wherein the convex portion of the spacer has a truncated conical shape whose diameter is gradually increased from a portion located in the through hole.
The multistage pressure-sensitive switch according to claim 1 or 7, wherein the leaf spring member is formed of one or more metal plates.
A main body portion having a terminal portion exposed from the housing at one end; a first terminal fitting having a branch portion connected to the main body portion and having a first fixed contact;
A main body having a terminal portion exposed from the housing at one end; a second terminal fitting having a branch portion connected to the main body portion and having a second fixed contact;
A main body portion having a terminal portion exposed from the housing at one end; a third terminal fitting having a branch portion connected to the main body portion and provided with a third fixed contact;
The housing is insert-molded with a body portion having a terminal portion exposed from the housing at one end and a fourth terminal fitting having a branch portion connected to the body portion and having a fourth fixed contact. And
The first fixed contact and the second fixed contact are arranged at positions facing each other along the bottom wall of the housing to constitute the first pair of fixed contacts,
The multistage pressure-sensitive switch according to claim 7, wherein the third fixed contact and the fourth fixed contact constitute the second pair of fixed contacts in contact with the second resistor pattern.
15. The multistage pressure-sensitive switch according to claim 14, wherein the third fixed contact and the fourth fixed contact are each provided with a concavo-convex portion opposed to a surface direction of the bottom wall at a center portion of the bottom wall.