JP3890789B2

JP3890789B2 - Push switch

Info

Publication number: JP3890789B2
Application number: JP36263798A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 康典屋内; 久渡邉; 順佐藤; 博松井
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1998-12-21
Filing date: 1998-12-21
Publication date: 2007-03-07
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-21
Also published as: DE69935119D1; EP1014405B1; DE69935119T2; EP1014405A3; EP1014405A2; JP2000188037A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、各種電子機器の検知用等に使用される小型で操作ストロークの大きいプッシュスイッチに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来のこの種のプッシュスイッチとしては、特開平８−２０３３８０号公報である「プッシュスイッチ」に記載されたものが知られており、その構成について図５のプッシュスイッチの正面断面図および図６の同分解斜視図を用いて説明する。
【０００３】
同図において、１は上面開放の箱形に形成され樹脂製のケースで、その内部底面には端子２Ａを有する短寸の固定接点２と端子３Ａを有する長寸の固定接点３が設けられており、４は帯状の弾性金属薄板を略Ｕ字状に曲げ加工した接触片で、一方の脚部の先端４Ａが外側に曲げ起こされ、この脚部の途中から屈曲部４Ｂを経て他方の脚部の先端までが二股脚部４Ｃ，４Ｄとなり、その先端がそれぞれ可動接点４Ｅ，４Ｆとなっていると共に、屈曲部４Ｂの近傍には二股脚部４Ｃ，４Ｄの間をつなぐ繋ぎ部４Ｇを有しており、可動接点４Ｅ，４Ｆが内部底面に接触するようにケース１内に収容されている。
【０００４】
そして、５はケース１の上面開口部を塞ぐように配設された樹脂製のカバーで、その一端部から下方に突出した突出部先端の支持部５Ａにより、ケース１内に収容された接触片４の一方の脚部の先端４Ａを下方に押さえつけることによって、可動接点４Ｅ，４Ｆを所定の圧力で内部底面に弾接させている。
【０００５】
また、６は樹脂製棒状の操作体で、接触片４の二股脚部４Ｃと４Ｄの間から上方に伸ばされてカバー５の中央の孔５Ｂにより上下動可能に支持され、その上端部６Ａが上方に突出すると共に、その側部に設けられ接触片４の繋ぎ部４Ｇの上部に当接した押圧部６Ｂが接触片４の弾性力により押し上げられてカバー５の下面に当接し、通常状態において、図５に示す状態となっている。
【０００６】
この図５に示す状態において、接触片４の可動接点４Ｅはケース１の内部底面の長寸の固定接点３に接触しているが、可動接点４Ｆはどの接点にも接触しておらず、端子２Ａと３Ａの間は導通していない。
【０００７】
次に、このように構成されたプッシュオンスイッチのスイッチカバー５の孔５Ｂから上方に突出した操作体６の上端部６Ａに押し力を加えて下方へ押圧操作すると、押圧部６Ｂが接触片４の繋ぎ部４Ｇを下方に押すことにより、接触片４はカバー５の支持部５Ａに支持された先端４Ａを中心として回動し、屈曲部４Ｂで撓みながら可動接点４Ｅと４Ｆがケース１の内部底面上を弾接摺動して、可動接点４Ｅは長寸の固定接点３との接触を保ち、可動接点４Ｆは短寸の固定接点２と接触するようになり、これらの接点と導通した端子２Ａと３Ａの間が導通され、操作体６はさらに下方へ動いた後、図７に示すように、その下端部６Ｃがケース１の内部底面に当たる位置で止まる。
【０００８】
この後、操作体６の上端部６Ａに加える押し力を除くと、接触片４がその弾性復元力により繋ぎ部４Ｇが操作体６の押圧部６Ｂを押し上げて、元の図５の状態に復帰するものであった。
【０００９】
なお、このプッシュスイッチの操作体６を押圧操作する時の操作ストロークは、上記のように、接触片４の可動接点４Ｆが短寸の固定接点２に接触して端子２Ａと３Ａの間が導通するまでのプリ・ストロークと、その後操作体６の下端部６Ｃがケース１の内部底面に当たるまでのオーバ・ストロークの合計となるため、かなり大きいものである。
【００１０】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら上記従来のプッシュスイッチにおいて、接触片４は弾性金属薄板を細い二股脚部４Ｃ，４Ｄを有する略Ｕ字状に曲げ加工したものであり、輸送時や組立時に絡み合ったり変形する可能性があるため取扱いに注意を要し、また、この接触片４をカバー５の突出部先端の支持部５Ａおよび操作体６の押圧部６Ｂで押さえつけて撓ませながらケース１内に組み込む必要があるため組立てが難しく、組立作業性が悪いという課題があった。
【００１１】
本発明は、このような従来の課題を解決するものであり、構成部材の取扱いが容易で、組立作業性が優れ、しかも操作ストロークの大きいプッシュスイッチを提供することを目的とする。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために本発明のプッシュスイッチは、固定接点をインサート成形固定したスイッチ基板上に、中央の舌片部が所定の絶縁間隔をあけるように弾性金属薄板製の可動接点を載せ、この上に、下方開口で薄肉の円錐形部の上部に突起部、頂点部内側に垂下部を有し、下端部で可動接点の外周部を押さえる弾性材料製の弾性体、および弾性体の突起部上に上下動可能に操作体をそれぞれ配設し、その上方から中央に操作体を突出させる孔を有するカバーを被せて、スイッチ基板の外周に固定したものとすると共に、その操作体への押圧操作時の操作ストロークとしては、まず弾性体の円錐形部が弾性変形し、その内側の垂下部が可動接点の舌片部を中央固定接点に接触させるまでのプリ・ストロークと、そこから垂下部が弾性圧縮変形し、次いで突起部が弾性圧縮変形して操作体下端がスイッチ基板に当接するまでのオーバ・ストロークとを有するものとするものである。
【００１３】
これにより、構成部材の取扱いが容易で、組立作業性が優れ、しかも操作ストロークの大きいプッシュスイッチを得ることができる。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の請求項１に記載の発明は、外側固定接点と中央固定接点の各接点部が上面に露出してインサート成形固定され、各固定接点から外方に接続用端子が導出された絶縁樹脂製のスイッチ基板と、外周部が上記外側固定接点上に載置され、中央の舌片部が所定の絶縁間隔をあけて上記中央固定接点と対向した弾性金属薄板製の可動接点と、下方が開口した薄肉の円錐形部で下端部が上記可動接点の外周部を押さえ、上部の突起部および開口部内側の頂点部から下方に突出した垂下部を有する弾性材料製の弾性体と、この弾性体の突起部上に上下動可能に配され、外周下部に抜け止め用の突部を有する操作体と、周囲壁部で上記操作体を上下動可能で上方に抜けないように保持すると共に、上面中央に操作体を突出させる孔を有し、スイッチ基板の外周に固定されたカバーからなり、操作体の上端部を押圧操作すると、まず弾性体の薄肉の円錐形部が弾性変形して、その内側の垂下部が可動接点の舌片部を押して中央固定接点に接触させ、このスイッチオン状態までの押圧操作ストロークがプリ・ストロークとなり、その後のさらなる押圧操作で、弾性体の垂下部が弾性圧縮変形し、次いで上部の突起部が弾性圧縮変形して操作体下端の突部がスイッチ基板に当接するまでの上記スイッチオン状態からの押圧操作ストロークがオーバ・ストロークとなって、上記プリ・ストロークとこのオーバ・ストロークにより操作ストロークが構成されているプッシュスイッチとしたものであり、構成部材の取扱いが容易で、組立作業性が優れ、しかもプリ・ストロークとオーバ・ストロークからなる大きい操作ストロークを有するプッシュスイッチを実現することができるという作用を有する。
【００１６】
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、弾性体の上部の突起部または内側の垂下部の少なくとも一方に、所定の大きさおよび深さの中空部または中心に対して対称な所定の大きさおよび深さの切込みを設けて、圧縮変形強度および圧縮変形量を所定の大きさに設定したものであり、プッシュスイッチの操作ストロークにおけるオーバ・ストローク部分の操作力および操作ストロークを所望の値に容易に設定することができるという作用を有する。
【００１７】
請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、弾性体の上部の突起部の上端面と操作体の下面を平面どうしで当接させ、一方の面に設けた凸部を他方の面に設けた凹部に係合させたものであり、操作体の下面と弾性体の突起部の上端面との相互の位置決めが安定し、操作体を押圧操作する際に両者の間でズレを生じることがなく、弾性体を確実に弾性圧縮変形させることができるという作用を有する。
【００１８】
請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、操作体の突出部を有する外周および外周下端から外方に突出した突部がカバーの上面の孔および周囲壁の内周にガイドされて、上記操作体が、真っ直ぐに上下動可能で回転せず、しかも上方に抜けないように上記カバーで保持されたものであり、操作体の向きが一定で、しかもその上下動にも回転しないようにガイドされるので、弾性体をより傾きなく弾性圧縮変形させて確実なスイッチ動作をさせることができるという作用を有する。
【００１９】
請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、スイッチ基板上に露出した外側固定接点および内側固定接点がほぼ同一高さで、可動接点の中央の舌片部がその外周部との連結部で上方に折り曲げられて上方に傾き、中央固定接点と所定の絶縁間隔をあけるようにしたものであり、中央固定接点と可動接点の中央の舌片部の間の絶縁間隔を確実に保つことができると共に、プッシュスイッチの操作時に、可動接点の舌片部が弾性体の垂下部に強く押されても、可動接点全体として平板状になるだけであるため変形し難く、電気的動作特性の安定したプッシュスイッチを得ることができるという作用を有する。
【００２０】
以下、本発明の実施の形態について、図面を用いて説明する。
（実施の形態）
図１は本発明の一実施の形態によるプッシュスイッチの正面断面図、図２は同分解斜視図であり、同図において、１１は樹脂製平板状のスイッチ基板で、その上面の浅い窪み部１１Ａ内には、中央固定接点１２とこれを挟んで対称な位置に配された二つの外側固定接点１３がほぼ同一高さに露出してインサート成形固定され、それぞれの接点と導通した接続用端子１２Ａおよび１３Ａが外方に設けられている。
【００２１】
そして、１４は弾性金属薄板からなる可動接点で、円形リング状の外周部１４Ａの中央に設けられた舌片部１４Ｂがその連結部１４Ｃから上方に折り曲げられた形状で、外周部１４Ａが上記スイッチ基板１１の外側固定接点１３上に載せられると共に、舌片部１４Ｂが所定の間隔をあけて中央固定接点１２と対向するように配設されている。
【００２２】
また、１５は弾性絶縁材料からなる弾性体で、下方が開口となった薄肉の円錐形部１５Ａの下端部１５Ｂが上記可動接点１４の外周部１４Ａ上に載って、その下方の外側固定接点１３に押し付けていると共に、上部には所定の寸法の突起部１５Ｃおよび開口部内の頂点から下方に突出した垂下部１５Ｆを有しており、突起部１５Ｃの上端面１５Ｄには所定寸法の円形の窪み１５Ｅが設けられ、垂下部１５Ｆにもその下端面に所定寸法の円形の窪み１５Ｇが設けられている。
【００２３】
なお、この突起部１５Ｃの窪み１５Ｅおよび垂下部１５Ｆの窪み１５Ｇの寸法は、突起部１５Ｃの上端面１５Ｄを下方に押し下げて弾性体１５を変形させる時に、まず薄肉の円錐形部１５Ａが反転変形し、次いで垂下部１５Ｆが圧縮変形し、最後に突起部１５Ｃが圧縮変形するように、各窪みの直径および深さが決められている。
【００２４】
そして、この弾性体１５の突起部１５Ｃの上には樹脂製の操作体１６が載せられ、突起部１５Ｃの平面状の上端面１５Ｄが操作体１６下面の凹部１６Ａの平面状の底面に当接するように突起部１５Ｃと凹部１６Ａが係合している。
【００２５】
さらに、この操作体１６は、突出部１６Ｂを有する外周および外周下端から外方に突出した突部１６Ｃをスイッチ基板１１の外周上に固定された樹脂製のカバー１７の上面の孔１７Ａおよび周囲壁１７Ｂの内周に係合させることにより、上下動可能で回転せず、しかも上方に抜けないように保持されている。
【００２６】
なお、カバー１７は、その下端部外周の切込み部１７Ｃにスイッチ基板１１の外周上面のダボ１１Ｂを挿入してカシメることにより固定されている。
【００２７】
本実施の形態によるプッシュスイッチは以上のように構成されるものであり、その組立方法は、スイッチ基板１１の上に可動接点１４、弾性体１５、および操作体１６を順次載せて、最後にカバー１７を被せてカシメ固定すればよいものであるから簡単であり、しかも各構成部材は取扱いが容易で変形し難い形状であるから、自動組立て化も容易にできるものである。
【００２８】
次に、このプッシュスイッチの動作について説明する。
まず、図１に示すスイッチＯＦＦの状態において、操作体１６の上端面１６Ｄに下方への押し力を加えて押圧操作すると、操作体１６はカバー１７の孔１７Ａおよび周囲壁１７Ｂの内周にガイドされて真っ直ぐに下方へ動くと共に、その下面の凹部１６Ａの平面状の底面が弾性体１５の上部の突起部１５Ｃの上端面１５Ｄを下方に押し下げ、これによって、まず弾性体１５の薄肉の円錐形部１５Ａが弾性変形して反転し、その頂点内側の垂下部１５Ｆの下端面が可動接点１４の舌片部１４Ｂを下方に押してスイッチ基板１１上の中央固定接点１２に接触させることにより、中央固定接点１２と外側固定接点１３の間すなわち接続用端子１２Ａと１３Ａの間が導通され、図３（ａ）に示すスイッチＯＮの状態となる。
【００２９】
従って、この状態までの押圧操作ストロークがプリ・ストロークとなる。
そして、さらに操作体１６の上端面１６Ｄに押し力を加えていくことにより、操作体１６はさらに下方へ動き、今度は弾性体１５の垂下部１５Ｆが弾性圧縮変形して、図３（ｂ）に示す状態となり、次いで弾性体１５の突起部１５Ｃが弾性圧縮変形して、図３（ｃ）に示す状態となって、操作体１６の下端部の突部１６Ｃがスイッチ基板１１の上面に当たって止まる。
【００３０】
従って、図３（ａ）の状態から図３（ｃ）の状態までの押圧操作ストロークがオーバ・ストロークとなる。
【００３１】
ここで、上記の操作体１６の上端面に押し力を加えて押圧操作する場合において、操作体１６下面の凹部１６Ａ内に弾性体１５の上端がはまり込んでいるため両者の間でズレを生じることがなく、しかも両者の当接面は平面どうしであるため弾性体１５はほぼ垂直に下方へ押されて傾くことなく弾性変形するものである。
【００３２】
この後、操作体１６の上端面１６Ｄに加える押し力を除くと、弾性体１５および可動接点１４がその弾性復元力によって元の形状である図１の状態に復帰し、スイッチＯＦＦの状態に戻る。
【００３３】
以上のように本実施の形態によれば、組立作業性が優れ、しかも操作ストロークの大きいプッシュスイッチを得ることができるものである。
【００３４】
なお、以上の説明において、弾性体１５の突起部１５Ｃの上端面１５Ｄおよび垂下部１５Ｆの下端面にはいずれも円形の窪み１５Ｅおよび１５Ｇを設けて、突起部１５Ｃおよび垂下部１５Ｆの弾性圧縮変形のレベルすなわち圧縮変形強度および圧縮変形量を設定するように説明したが、これは、図４に示すように、突起部１５Ｃおよび垂下部１５Ｆの中心に対して対称な十字状の切込み１８Ａ（図４（ａ））、円形の窪みに二ヶ所の切込み１８Ｂ（図４（ｂ））または円形の窪みに四ヶ所の切込み１８Ｃ（図４（ｃ））等であってもよいことは言うまでもない。
【００３５】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明によれば、組立作業性が優れ、しかもスイッチオン状態までの上記プリ・ストロークとスイッチオン状態からの上記オーバ・ストロークとから構成される大きい操作ストロークを有する動作の安定したプッシュスイッチを得ることができるという有利な効果が得られる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施の形態によるプッシュスイッチの正面断面図
【図２】同分解斜視図
【図３】同動作状態を説明する正面断面図
【図４】同弾性体の突起部に設ける窪み形状を説明する外観斜視図
【図５】従来のプッシュスイッチの正面断面図
【図６】同分解斜視図
【図７】同動作状態を説明する正面断面図
【符号の説明】
１１スイッチ基板
１１Ａ窪み部
１１Ｂダボ
１２中央固定接点
１２Ａ，１３Ａ接続用端子
１３外側固定接点
１４可動接点
１４Ａ外周部
１４Ｂ舌片部
１４Ｃ連結部
１５弾性体
１５Ａ円錐形部
１５Ｂ下端部
１５Ｃ突起部
１５Ｄ上端面
１５Ｅ，１５Ｇ窪み
１５Ｆ垂下部
１６操作体
１６Ａ凹部
１６Ｂ突出部
１６Ｃ突部
１６Ｄ上端面
１７カバー
１７Ａ孔
１７Ｂ周囲壁
１７Ｃ切込み部
１８Ａ，１８Ｂ，１８Ｃ切込み[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a small push switch having a large operation stroke used for detection of various electronic devices.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional push switch of this kind, one described in “Push Switch” of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-203380 is known, and the structure of the push switch shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to the exploded perspective view.
[0003]
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a resin case formed in a box shape with an open top surface, and a short fixed contact 2 having a terminal 2A and a long fixed contact 3 having a terminal 3A are provided on the inner bottom surface thereof. 4 is a contact piece obtained by bending a belt-like elastic metal thin plate into a substantially U-shape, and the tip 4A of one leg is bent outward, and the other leg passes through the bent part 4B from the middle of the leg. Up to the tip of the part is a bifurcated leg part 4C, 4D, and the tip is a movable contact 4E, 4F, respectively, and there is a connecting part 4G connecting the bifurcated leg parts 4C, 4D in the vicinity of the bent part 4B. The movable contacts 4E and 4F are accommodated in the case 1 so as to contact the inner bottom surface.
[0004]
Reference numeral 5 denotes a resin cover disposed so as to close the upper surface opening of the case 1, and a contact piece accommodated in the case 1 by a support portion 5A at the tip of the protruding portion protruding downward from one end thereof. By pressing the tip 4A of one leg 4 downward, the movable contacts 4E and 4F are brought into elastic contact with the inner bottom surface with a predetermined pressure.
[0005]
Reference numeral 6 denotes a resin rod-shaped operating body that extends upward from between the bifurcated leg portions 4C and 4D of the contact piece 4 and is supported by the center hole 5B of the cover 5 so as to be movable up and down. The pressing portion 6B that protrudes upward and contacts the upper portion of the connecting portion 4G of the contact piece 4 is pushed up by the elastic force of the contact piece 4 and contacts the lower surface of the cover 5 in the normal state. FIG. 5 shows the state.
[0006]
In the state shown in FIG. 5, the movable contact 4E of the contact piece 4 is in contact with the long fixed contact 3 on the inner bottom surface of the case 1, but the movable contact 4F is not in contact with any of the contacts. There is no conduction between 2A and 3A.
[0007]
Next, when a pressing force is applied to the upper end portion 6A of the operating body 6 protruding upward from the hole 5B of the switch cover 5 of the push-on switch configured as described above, the pressing portion 6B causes the contact piece 4 to be pressed downward. When the connecting portion 4G is pushed downward, the contact piece 4 rotates about the tip 4A supported by the support portion 5A of the cover 5, and the movable contacts 4E and 4F are moved inside the case 1 while being bent by the bent portion 4B. The movable contact 4E keeps contact with the long fixed contact 3 and the movable contact 4F comes into contact with the short fixed contact 2 by sliding elastically on the bottom surface. After conducting between 2A and 3A and the operating body 6 further moves downward, the lower end 6C stops at a position where the lower end 6C hits the inner bottom surface of the case 1, as shown in FIG.
[0008]
Thereafter, when the pressing force applied to the upper end portion 6A of the operating body 6 is removed, the contact piece 4 pushes the pressing portion 6B of the operating body 6 by the elastic restoring force, so that the original state of FIG. 5 is restored. It was something to do.
[0009]
As described above, the operation stroke when pressing the operating body 6 of the push switch is such that the movable contact 4F of the contact piece 4 contacts the short fixed contact 2 and the terminals 2A and 3A are electrically connected. Since the total of the pre-stroke up to this point and the over-stroke until the lower end portion 6C of the operating body 6 hits the inner bottom surface of the case 1 is reached, it is quite large.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional push switch, the contact piece 4 is formed by bending an elastic metal thin plate into a substantially U shape having thin bifurcated leg portions 4C and 4D, and may be entangled or deformed during transportation or assembly. Therefore, the contact piece 4 needs to be handled with care, and the contact piece 4 must be assembled into the case 1 while being pressed and bent by the support portion 5A at the tip of the protruding portion of the cover 5 and the pressing portion 6B of the operating body 6. There was a problem that it was difficult and assembly workability was poor.
[0011]
An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and to provide a push switch that is easy to handle components, has excellent assembling workability, and has a large operation stroke.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the push switch of the present invention has a movable contact made of an elastic metal thin plate placed on a switch board in which a fixed contact is insert-molded and fixed so that a central tongue piece has a predetermined insulation interval, On top of this, an elastic body made of an elastic material that has a protrusion at the top of the thin conical portion at the lower opening, a hanging portion inside the apex, and holds the outer periphery of the movable contact at the lower end, and the protrusion of the elastic body The operating body is arranged on the part so as to be movable up and down, and is covered with a cover having a hole for projecting the operating body from above to be fixed to the outer periphery of the switch board . As for the operation stroke at the time of pressing operation, first the pre-stroke until the conical part of the elastic body is elastically deformed and the inner hanging part makes the tongue part of the movable contact contact the central fixed contact, and then drooping from there Part is elastic pressure Deformed, then one in which protrusions are operating body bottom deforms elastically compressed and to have an over-stroke up contacts the switch substrate.
[0013]
As a result, it is possible to obtain a push switch that facilitates the handling of the constituent members, has excellent assembly workability, and has a large operation stroke.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an insulating resin in which each contact portion of the outer fixed contact and the central fixed contact is exposed on the upper surface and is insert-molded and fixed, and a connection terminal is led out from each fixed contact. A switch board made of plastic, an outer peripheral part placed on the outer fixed contact, a central tongue piece part having a predetermined insulation interval and a movable contact made of an elastic metal thin plate facing the central fixed contact, and a lower part An elastic body made of an elastic material having a thin conical portion having an opening and a lower end pressing the outer peripheral portion of the movable contact, and having a protruding portion on the upper side and a hanging portion protruding downward from the apex portion inside the opening, and the elasticity An operation body that is arranged on the protrusion of the body so as to be movable up and down, and has a protrusion for retaining at the lower part of the outer periphery, and holding the operation body up and down on the peripheral wall so as not to be pulled upward, The switch has a hole in the center of the upper surface to project the operating body. It consists of a cover fixed to the outer periphery of the plate, and when the upper end of the operating body is pressed, the thin conical part of the elastic body is elastically deformed first, and the inner hanging part pushes the tongue of the movable contact The pressing operation stroke until the switch is turned on is brought to the pre-stroke, and the drooping portion of the elastic body is elastically compressed and deformed, and then the upper protrusion is elastically deformed. The push operation stroke from the switch-on state until the protrusion at the lower end of the operating body comes into contact with the switch board is an overstroke, and the prestroke and the overstroke constitute an operation stroke. It is a switch, easy to handle components, excellent assembly workability, and pre-stroke and over-stroke. An effect that it is possible to realize a push switch having a large operating stroke made.
[0016]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, at least one of the upper protrusion portion or the inner hanging portion of the elastic body is symmetric with respect to a hollow portion or center having a predetermined size and depth. A predetermined depth and depth of cut are provided, and the compression deformation strength and compression deformation amount are set to a predetermined size. It has an effect that it can be easily set to a desired value.
[0017]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the upper end surface of the upper protrusion of the elastic body and the lower surface of the operating body are brought into contact with each other between the flat surfaces, and the convex portion provided on one surface is the other. The positioning of the lower surface of the operating body and the upper end surface of the protruding portion of the elastic body is stable, and there is a gap between the two when the operating body is pressed. The elastic body can be surely elastically compressed and deformed without causing any problems.
[0018]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the outer periphery having the protrusion of the operating body and the protrusion protruding outward from the lower end of the outer periphery guide the hole on the upper surface of the cover and the inner periphery of the peripheral wall. The operating body can be moved up and down straight, does not rotate, and is held by the cover so that it does not come out upwards . The operating body has a fixed orientation and also rotates up and down. Therefore, the elastic body can be elastically compressed and deformed without tilting and a reliable switch operation can be performed.
[0019]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the outer fixed contact and the inner fixed contact exposed on the switch board are substantially at the same height, and the tongue portion at the center of the movable contact is the outer peripheral portion thereof. It is bent upward at the connecting part and tilted upward so as to leave a predetermined insulation distance from the central fixed contact, and ensure the insulation distance between the central fixed contact and the central tongue piece of the movable contact It can be maintained, and even if the tongue part of the movable contact is strongly pressed by the hanging part of the elastic body when the push switch is operated, the entire movable contact is only flat, so it is difficult to be deformed. The push switch having stable characteristics can be obtained.
[0020]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a push switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the push switch. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a resin-made flat switch board. Inside, the central fixed contact 12 and the two outer fixed contacts 13 arranged at symmetrical positions with the center fixed contact 12 are exposed to approximately the same height and are insert-molded and fixed, and the connection terminals 12A are electrically connected to the respective contacts. And 13A are provided outside.
[0021]
Reference numeral 14 denotes a movable contact made of an elastic metal thin plate. The tongue piece 14B provided at the center of the circular ring-shaped outer peripheral portion 14A is bent upward from the connecting portion 14C. The outer peripheral portion 14A is the switch. The tongue piece 14B is placed on the outer fixed contact 13 of the substrate 11 so as to face the central fixed contact 12 at a predetermined interval.
[0022]
Reference numeral 15 denotes an elastic body made of an elastic insulating material. A lower end portion 15B of a thin conical portion 15A having an opening on the lower side is placed on the outer peripheral portion 14A of the movable contact 14, and the outer fixed contact 13 below the lower end portion 15B. And has a projecting portion 15C having a predetermined size and a hanging portion 15F projecting downward from the apex in the opening, and a circular recess having a predetermined size is formed on the upper end surface 15D of the projecting portion 15C. 15E is provided, and the hanging portion 15F is also provided with a circular recess 15G having a predetermined size on the lower end surface thereof.
[0023]
Note that the dimensions of the recess 15E of the protrusion 15C and the recess 15G of the hanging part 15F are such that when the elastic body 15 is deformed by pushing down the upper end surface 15D of the protrusion 15C, the thin conical portion 15A is first reversely deformed. Then, the diameter and depth of each recess are determined so that the drooping portion 15F is compressed and deformed, and finally the protruding portion 15C is compressed and deformed.
[0024]
The operation body 16 made of resin is placed on the projection 15C of the elastic body 15, and the planar upper end surface 15D of the projection 15C comes into contact with the planar bottom surface of the recess 16A on the lower surface of the operation body 16. Thus, the protrusion 15C and the recess 16A are engaged.
[0025]
Further, the operating body 16 includes a hole 17A on the upper surface of the cover 17 made of resin and a peripheral wall fixed to the outer periphery of the switch board 11 with the protrusion 16C protruding outward from the outer periphery and the lower end of the outer periphery having the protrusion 16B. By being engaged with the inner periphery of 17B, it is held so that it can move up and down, does not rotate, and does not come out upward.
[0026]
The cover 17 is fixed by inserting and crimping the dowels 11B on the outer peripheral upper surface of the switch board 11 into the notch 17C on the outer periphery of the lower end thereof.
[0027]
The push switch according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and the assembling method thereof is to place the movable contact 14, the elastic body 15, and the operating body 16 on the switch substrate 11 in order, and finally cover the switch. It is simple because it is only necessary to cover 17 and fix it by caulking, and since each component has a shape that is easy to handle and difficult to deform, automatic assembly can also be facilitated.
[0028]
Next, the operation of this push switch will be described.
First, when the pressing operation is performed by applying a downward pressing force to the upper end surface 16D of the operating body 16 in the switch OFF state shown in FIG. 1, the operating body 16 guides to the hole 17A of the cover 17 and the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 17B. As a result, the flat bottom surface of the concave portion 16A on the lower surface pushes down the upper end surface 15D of the upper protrusion portion 15C of the elastic body 15, so that the thin conical shape of the elastic body 15 is first formed. The portion 15A is elastically deformed and inverted, and the lower end surface of the hanging portion 15F inside the apex pushes the tongue piece portion 14B of the movable contact 14 downward to come into contact with the center fixed contact 12 on the switch substrate 11, thereby fixing the center. The connection between the contact 12 and the outer fixed contact 13, that is, between the connection terminals 12 </ b> A and 13 </ b> A, is brought into a switch ON state shown in FIG.
[0029]
Therefore, the pressing operation stroke up to this state is a pre-stroke.
Then, by further applying a pressing force to the upper end surface 16D of the operating body 16, the operating body 16 moves further downward, and this time the drooping portion 15F of the elastic body 15 is elastically compressed and deformed, and FIG. Then, the protrusion 15C of the elastic body 15 is elastically compressed and deformed, and the state shown in FIG. 3C is reached, and the protrusion 16C at the lower end of the operating body 16 hits the upper surface of the switch substrate 11 and stops. .
[0030]
Therefore, the pressing operation stroke from the state of FIG. 3A to the state of FIG. 3C is an overstroke.
[0031]
Here, when the pressing operation is performed by applying a pressing force to the upper end surface of the operating body 16, the upper end of the elastic body 15 is fitted in the recess 16A on the lower surface of the operating body 16, so that a deviation occurs between them. In addition, since the contact surfaces of the two are flat, the elastic body 15 is pushed downward substantially vertically and elastically deforms without tilting.
[0032]
Thereafter, when the pressing force applied to the upper end surface 16D of the operating body 16 is removed, the elastic body 15 and the movable contact 14 are restored to the original state of FIG. 1 by the elastic restoring force and returned to the switch OFF state. .
[0033]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain a push switch having excellent assembly workability and a large operation stroke.
[0034]
In the above description, circular depressions 15E and 15G are provided on the upper end surface 15D of the protrusion 15C of the elastic body 15 and the lower end surface of the drooping portion 15F, respectively, and the elastic compression deformation of the protrusion 15C and drooping portion 15F is provided. The level of compression deformation, that is, the compression deformation strength and the amount of compression deformation has been described. This is because, as shown in FIG. 4, the cross-shaped cut 18A (FIG. 4) is symmetrical with respect to the centers of the protrusion 15C and the drooping portion 15F. 4 (a)), it is needless to say that two cuts 18B (FIG. 4 (b)) may be formed in the circular depression, or four cuts 18C (FIG. 4 (c)) may be formed in the circular depression.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the assembly workability is excellent, and the operation having a large operation stroke composed of the pre-stroke up to the switch-on state and the over-stroke from the switch-on state is stable. The advantageous effect that a push switch can be obtained is obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a push switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the push switch. FIG. 3 is a front sectional view illustrating the operation state. FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of a conventional push switch. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional push switch. FIG. 7 is a front sectional view of the operation state.
11 switch board 11A hollow 11B dowel 12 central fixed contact 12A, 13A connection terminal 13 outer fixed contact 14 movable contact 14A outer peripheral part 14B tongue piece part 14C connection part 15 elastic body 15A conical part 15B lower end part 15C projection part 15D upper End face 15E, 15G Depression 15F Hanging part 16 Operation body 16A Recess 16B Projection part 16C Projection part 16D Upper end surface 17 Cover 17A Hole 17B Perimeter wall 17C Cut part 18A, 18B, 18C Cut

Claims

Each contact portion of the outer fixed contact and the central fixed contact is exposed on the upper surface and is insert-molded and fixed, and a switch board made of insulating resin from which the connection terminal is led out from each fixed contact, and the outer peripheral portion is fixed to the outer side A movable contact made of a thin elastic metal plate placed on the contact, with the center tongue piece facing the center fixed contact with a predetermined insulation interval, and a thin conical portion with an opening at the bottom, the lower end being the above An elastic body made of an elastic material that holds down the outer peripheral portion of the movable contact and has a projecting portion at the top and a projecting portion projecting downward from the apex portion inside the opening, and is arranged on the projecting portion of the elastic body so as to be movable up and down. And an operating body having a protrusion for retaining at the lower part of the outer periphery and a hole for projecting the operating body at the center of the upper surface while holding the operating body up and down on the peripheral wall so as not to come out upward. From the cover fixed to the outer periphery of the switch board Ri, when pressing the upper end of the operating body, first conical portion of the thin-walled elastic body is elastically deformed, is brought into contact with the central fixed contact depending portion of the inner press tongue of the movable contact, the switch The pressing operation stroke until the ON state becomes the pre-stroke, and then the further lowering operation causes the drooping portion of the elastic body to be elastically compressed and deformed, and then the upper protruding portion is elastically deformed and the protruding portion at the lower end of the operating body is switched. A push switch in which the pressing operation stroke from the switch-on state until contacting the substrate becomes an overstroke, and the operation stroke is constituted by the prestroke and the overstroke .

Compressive deformation strength by providing a hollow portion of a predetermined size and depth or a notch of a predetermined size and depth symmetrical with respect to the center in at least one of the upper protrusion or the inner hanging portion of the elastic body The push switch according to claim 1 , wherein the amount of compressive deformation is set to a predetermined size.

The push according to claim 1, wherein the upper end surface of the upper protrusion of the elastic body and the lower surface of the operating body are brought into contact with each other between the flat surfaces, and the convex portion provided on one surface is engaged with the concave portion provided on the other surface. switch.

The outer periphery with the protrusion of the operation body and the protrusion that protrudes outward from the lower end of the outer periphery are guided by the hole on the upper surface of the cover and the inner periphery of the surrounding wall, so that the operation body can move up and down straight and does not rotate. 2. The push switch according to claim 1 , wherein the push switch is held by the cover so as not to come out upward .

The outer fixed contact and the inner fixed contact exposed on the switch board are almost at the same height, and the tongue portion at the center of the movable contact is bent upward at the connecting portion with the outer peripheral portion and tilted upward. The push switch according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined insulation interval is provided .