JPH0973836A - Pushbutton switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a pushbutton switch compact. SOLUTION: A casing 22 is internally provided with a first operation knob 24A to be pressed for operation, a knob body 30 movable integrally with the first operation knob 24A, a holder 40,movable under the pressure of the knob body 30, a moving contact 42 contacting and parting from a fixed contact following the travel of the holder 40, a lock mechanism 45, a return spring 50 for returning the knob body 30 to the initial position and an operation spring 52 for resetting the holder 40 to the initial position. The return spring 50 is laid between the knob body 30 and the holder 40, and has such a form as housed within an edge orthogonal with the travel direction of the knob body 30 and the holder 40. Also, the operation spring 52 is laid between the rear end of the holder 40 and the rear part of the casing 22, and energizes the holder 40.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a push-button switch that moves from an initial position to a forward position by pressing an operating portion, and the operating portion itself returns to the original position after the pressing operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, as this type of push button switch, a push button switch used in an air conditioner of an automobile as shown in FIG. 4 has been known. Figure 4 shows push button switch 1
It is sectional drawing which shows 00. Push button switch 100
Is a casing 102, an operation knob 104 for performing a pressing operation, a knob body 106 that moves integrally with the operation knob 104, a holder 108 that moves by receiving a pressing force by the knob body 106, and a movable body mounted on the holder 108. Contact 110, printed circuit board 112, and printed circuit board 1
Fixed contact (not shown) mounted on 12, a return spring 114, an actuating spring 116, and a lock mechanism 120.
And

The return spring 114 has a casing 102.
And the knob body 106 are installed between the knob body 10 and the knob body 106.
This is a spring for returning the knob body 106 and the operation knob 104 to the original positions after the pressing operation is performed on the knob 6. The return spring 114 is a spring for returning the holder 108 to the original initial position.

The lock mechanism 120 includes a cam groove 122 formed on the upper surface of the holder 108 and a cam piece 124 that follows the cam groove 122, and locks the holder 108 at a predetermined position as the holder 108 moves. At the same time, it is a mechanism for releasing the lock by moving the holder 108 again.

Next, the operation of the push button switch 100 will be described. The movable contact 110 is opened with respect to the fixed contact when the operation knob 104 is in the initial position. When the operation knob 104 is pressed from this initial position to reach the forward position, the holder 108 is pressed against the spring force of the actuating spring 116 by the pressing force of the knob body 106, and at the predetermined position by the lock mechanism 120. It is locked and the movable contact 110 closes with respect to the fixed contact. Then, when the finger is released from the operation knob 104, the return spring 11
The operating knob 104 and the knob body 106 by the biasing force of 4
Returns to its original position. When the operation knob 104 is pressed again, the operation knob 104, the knob body 106, and the holder 10
8 is returned to its original position by the operating spring 116,
The movable contact 110 is opened with respect to the fixed contact.

A lamp 126 for illuminating the display portion 104a of the push button switch 100 is housed laterally inside the casing 102. In the figure, the lamp 126 is shown with the knob body 106 partially cut away. The light emitted from the lamp 126 is guided to the surface of the operation knob 104 via an optical path 128 formed in the knob body 106 and illuminates the display unit 104a.

[0007]

However, in the conventional push button switch 100, since the optical passage 128 is provided in the knob body 106, not only the outer circumference of the knob body 106 becomes large, but also the return spring is provided on the outer circumference of the knob body 106. 114 are arranged. Therefore, there is a problem that the outer shape of the peripheral portion of the knob body 106 is further increased, and the demand for miniaturization cannot be met.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a push-button switch that is downsized.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problem and Its Action / Effect According to a first invention made to solve the above problems, a switch operation is performed by moving from an initial position to a forward position by pressing a manipulation portion. In a push-button switch, a holder that is pressed and moved by an operation unit, a switching unit that performs a switch operation by moving the holder, a locking unit that locks the holder when it reaches the forward position, and a holder that locks In the state
A return spring for returning the operating portion to the initial position, and an operating spring for returning the holder to the initial position when the locked state of the locking means is released by pressing the operating portion again in the locked state of the holder. And the return spring is
It is characterized in that it is arranged between the operating portion and the holder, and has a shape that can be accommodated within an end face perpendicular to the moving direction of the operating portion and the holder.

In the push-button switch according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the operating portion is pushed from the initial position and moved to the forward position, the holder pressed by the operating portion causes a switch operation by contact and separation of the contacts. Then, when the pressing force of the operating portion is released, the holder is locked at that position by the locking means, but the operating portion is returned to the initial position by the urging force of the return spring. And with the holder locked,
When the operating portion is pressed again, the locked state of the locking means is released, and the holder is returned to the initial position by the urging force of the operating spring.

As described above, the return spring is for returning the operating portion to the initial position, but is arranged between the operating portion and the holder and has a shape that can be accommodated in the end faces of the operating portion and the holder. is there. Therefore, the return spring does not increase the size around the operating portion.

Further, as a preferred aspect of the first invention, it can be applied to an operation part having a display surface and provided with an optical path for guiding light from a light source. That is, this type of operating portion is apt to increase in size due to the optical path, but since the return spring is not provided on the outer periphery of the operating portion, it does not cause further increase in size.

Further, as a preferred mode of the operating portion, the operating knob and the knob body that moves integrally with the operating knob are formed separately, so that the degree of freedom in design can be increased.

[0014]

Other Embodiment of the Invention A coil spring can be preferably used as the return spring, and in this case, the return spring may be housed in a spring housing recess formed in a holder.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a push button switch 20 which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and shows a front view, a plan view and a side view thereof. The push button switch 20 is a switch used as an air conditioner switch of a vehicle, and includes a first switch 20A and a second switch 20B in a casing 22 as shown in the drawing. The first switch 20A has its first operation knob 24A, and the second switch 20B has its second operation knob 24B protruded from the casing 22 to the outside. First switch 20A
Is a main switch of the air conditioner, and as shown in the plan view, the first operation knob 24A has a first display section 26A of "A / C" and a first ON indicator section 27A. The second switch 20B is a switch for air conditioning the rear seat, and the second operation knob 24B has a "REA
Second display portion 26B and second ON indicator portion 27 of "R"
B and.

Here, the first and second switches 20A, 2
Prior to the description of the configuration of 0B, the outline of the operation of these switches will be described. First and second switches 20A, 20B
As shown in the front view, the first operation knob 24A or the second operation knob 24B is projected to the maximum position (first position).
The operation knob 24A can be pushed to the forward position (the position R shown by the broken line of the second switch 20B) by performing a pressing operation from the position indicated by the solid line. And, for example, the first
When the first operation knob 24A of the switch 20A is pushed to the forward position, it is turned on, but the first operation knob 24A itself returns to the original position. Then, the first operation knob 24
When the pressing operation is again applied to A and the full stroke F position is reached and released, the off operation is performed. Thus, the first operation knob 24A always returns to the original position by the pressing operation.
The same applies to the second switch 20B.

Next, the internal structure of the push button switch 20 will be described. FIG. 2 shows the first switch 2 shown in FIG.
It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected 0A along the 2-2 line. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state in which the first switch 20A is turned on from the state of FIG. The push button switch 20 includes a body main body 28 inside a casing 22. The body main body 28 also serves as a guide for slidably storing a holder described later.

The push button switch 20 has the above-mentioned first operation knob 24A, the printed circuit board PC, the knob body 30, the holder 40, the return spring 50, and the operating spring 52 as main components.

The printed circuit board PC is fixed to the lower part of the casing 22 and has electric parts and fixed contacts (not shown) mounted thereon. Electric components and the like of the printed circuit board PC are externally supplied with power via the connector terminals 22b arranged in the connector insertion holes 22a at the rear of the casing 22.

A part of the first operation knob 24A projects from the casing 22 and can be pressed by a finger. The front surface of the first operation knob 24A includes the first display portion 26A and the first ON indicator portion 27A as described above. The knob body 30 is the first operation knob 24A.
Is attached to the front part and is integrated with the printed circuit board PC
And is slidably supported by the body 28.

The holder 40 is a printed circuit board P.
It is installed above C and behind the knob body 30. The front end of the holder 40 is formed so as to be attachable to and detachable from the rear end of the knob body 30, and includes a spring holding recess 41 of the return spring 50. In addition, the movable contact 4 disposed below the holder 40 is arranged toward the printed circuit board PC side.
2 is installed. This movable contact 42 is
The movable contact can be contacted and separated from the fixed contact on the printed circuit board PC. Further, a cam groove 43 is formed on the upper portion of the holder 40. The cam groove 43 is the casing 2
The lock mechanism 45 together with the cam piece 44 attached to the lower surface of
Is composed. The cam groove 43 is formed in a loop shape of a predetermined locus that follows the tip of the cam piece 44, and is provided with an initial locking portion 43a and an operation locking portion 43b formed deeper in other portions. Therefore, when the tip of the cam piece 44 reaches the initial locking portion 43a or the operation locking portion 43b as the holder 40 moves, the holder 40 is locked at those positions.

The return spring 50 is disposed in the spring holding recess 41 of the holder 40 and abuts on the rear end side of the knob body 30 to bias the knob body 30 to the front side. Further, the operating spring 52 is provided between the rear end surface of the holder 40 and the spring receiving portion 22c mounted on the rear portion of the casing 22, and biases the holder 40 in the front direction.

The push button switch 20 also includes a lamp 60 and an LED 62. The lamp 60 is mounted on the printed circuit board PC, and the first switch 20
It is arranged in the space between A and the second switch 20B. The light from the lamp 60 is guided into the light passage 32a made of acrylic resin provided in the knob body 30 and illuminates the first display portion 26A at night. On the other hand, the LED 62
Is mounted on the front part of the printed circuit board PC and illuminates the first ON indicator part 27A according to the switching operation.

Next, the operation of the push button switch 20 will be described. Now, when the first operation knob 24A is pressed from the initial position of the first operation knob 24A, the knob body 30 moves integrally with the first operation knob 24A. Due to the movement of the knob body 30, the holder 40 is pushed and moved against the biasing force of the operation spring 52. At this time, the cam piece 44
When the tip of the holder follows the cam groove 43 and reaches the operation locking portion 43b, the holder 40 is locked at that position, and
The movable contact 42 is connected to the fixed contact. This gives L
The ED 62 lights up, and a conduction signal is sent through the connector terminal 22b. Then, the knob body 30 and the first operation knob 24A are returned to their original positions by the urging force of the return spring 50. Therefore, although the first switch 20A is in the ON state, the first operation knob 24A itself returns to the initial position.

To turn off the first switch 20A, the first operating knob 24A is pushed to the full stroke F. By the movement of the first operation knob 24A and the knob body 30, the holder 40 is pushed by one end of the knob body 30, the tip end of the cam piece 44 is disengaged from the operation locking portion 43b, and the locked state is released. Then, when the first operation knob 24A is released, the holder 40, the knob body 30, and the first operation knob 24.
A is returned to the initial position by the urging force of the operation spring 52, the movable contact 42 is separated from the fixed contact, and is turned off, so that the LED 62 is turned off. The second switch 20B also performs the same operation.

As described above, the first operation knob 24A of the push button switch 20 is always returned to the initial position by the return spring 50, but the return spring 50 is the holder 40.
Is held in the spring holding recess 41 of the knob body 3
By arranging it between 0 and 0, the peripheral portion of the first operation knob 24A does not become thick unlike the prior art, and can be made compact. Therefore, even if the knob body 30 is easily provided with the optical passage 32a, the peripheral portion is not made larger.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a push-button switch 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The external view which shows the external appearance and shows the front view, the top view, and the side view.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the first switch 20A shown in FIG.
Sectional drawing cut | disconnected along the line.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a first switch 20A is turned on from the state of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a conventional push button switch 100.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 ... Push button switch 20A, 20B ... 1st and 2nd switch 22 ... Casing 22a ... Connector insertion hole 22b ... Connector terminal 22c ... Spring receiving part 24A ... 1st operation knob 24B ... 2nd operation knob 26A ... 1st display part 26B ... 2nd display part 27A ... 1st ON indicator part 27B ... 2nd ON indicator part 28 ... Body main body 30 ... Knob body 32a ... Optical path 40 ... Holder 41 ... Spring holding recess 42 ... Movable contact 43 ... Cam groove 43a ... Initial engagement Stop portion 43b ... Actuating locking portion 44 ... Cam piece 45 ... Lock mechanism 50 ... Return spring 52 ... Operating spring 60 ... Lamp 62 ... LED PC ... Printed circuit board

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. In a push button switch that performs a switch operation by moving from an initial position to a forward position by pressing an operation part, a holder that is pressed by the operation part and moves, and contact and separation of contacts by movement of the holder. A switching means for performing a switch operation by means of, a locking means for locking the holder at the position when the holder reaches the forward position, and a return spring for returning the operating portion to the initial position in the locked state of the holder, In the locked state of the holder, the operating section is pressed again to return the holder to the initial position when the locked state of the locking means is released, and the return spring includes the operating section and the holder. The push-button switch is characterized in that it is arranged between Ji. 2. The operation section having a display surface for displaying by light, a light source arranged in the casing and turned on / off according to a switching operation, and the operation section provided with the light source for operating light emitted from the light source. The push button switch according to claim 1, further comprising: an optical path leading to a display surface of the section. 3. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein the operation portion includes an operation knob and a knob body that moves integrally with the operation knob and supports one end of the return spring.