JPH0430697B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a push button switch used in various electrical equipment such as audio equipment, and more specifically, to a push button switch that enables temporary assembly of a switch unit. , relates to a push button switch that simplifies overall switch assembly.

(B) Prior Art Generally, in this type of push button switch, a switch unit consisting of a switch base on which a switch mechanism is mounted and a switch cover that covers the switch mechanism is housed and held in a housing along with an operating unit, etc. ing.

By the way, the switch mechanism is designed to enable ON/OFF operation in conjunction with the push-down operation of the switch, to allow the movement of the switch parts, and to prevent the switch parts from separating from each other. It is assembled into the housing in an accurate correspondence with the

However, with this assembly method, the switch base and switch cover are not integrated, so small switch parts tend to come apart when assembled into the housing, and are difficult to handle, resulting in assembly defects. may require reassembly,
Assembly work requires a lot of skill and requires a lot of effort,
This was a cause of high costs.

Also, when incorporating, due to the performance of the switch,
Although each switch part is cleaned, dirt and dust from hands may get on it when it is assembled, reducing the reliability of the contact parts of the switch mechanism and damaging its aesthetic appearance.

Moreover, if the above-mentioned switch mechanism includes a coil spring for the spring action, there is a risk that the coil spring may snap off during assembly and be lost.

(c) Purpose of the Invention This invention makes it possible to simplify assembly into a housing and increase the reliability of the switch mechanism by integrally forming the switch member into a unit. To provide a push button switch that can prevent loss.

(d) Structure of the Invention This invention turns on and off the switch mechanism of the switch unit in conjunction with the pressing operation of the operating plunger.
The switch unit is a push button switch configured for OFF operation, and the switch unit includes a switch base on which the switch mechanism is mounted, a switch cover that covers the switch mechanism, and a vertical piece of the switch cover has a temporary assembly. An engaging protrusion is formed, an engaging recess for temporary assembly is formed in the switch base, and the switch base and the switch cover can be temporarily assembled by engaging the engaging protrusion with the engaging recess. The switch mechanism is configured to be integrally engaged and fixed with the switch base and the switch cover, and the switch mechanism is arranged between the switch base and the switch cover so that each free end of the first movable piece and the second movable piece can be bent. interlockingly, the fulcrum side of the first movable piece is locked to an upright piece erected on the switch base, and the fulcrum side of the second movable piece is locked to the longitudinal groove of the lower end of the operating plunger; The push button switch is characterized in that a coil spring is stretched between the upper end of the planting piece and the fulcrum side of the second movable piece to constantly bias the linking part of each movable piece downward.

(E) Effects of the Invention According to this invention, when the engagement protrusion of the switch cover located at the upper part is engaged with the engagement recess of the switch base located at the lower part, both of them (the switch base and the switch cover) With the above-mentioned switch mechanism disposed between them, the two can be temporarily assembled and fixed. For this reason, the switch base and its switch cover, on which the switch mechanism is mounted in a set state where it can be turned on and off, can be temporarily assembled as a switch unit, so there is no need to touch small switch parts. Since each switch unit can be handled as a single unit without any problems, the switch parts can be handled and managed easily, and the switch parts can be efficiently assembled into the housing without coming apart or requiring skill.

Furthermore, since the coil spring of the switch mechanism described above can be held down by the upper switch cover during temporary assembly, it is possible to prevent the coil spring from popping off during assembly.

Furthermore, since each switch unit can be cleaned at once, the switch parts are free from dirt from hands, resulting in a high-quality switch that can reliably improve the reliability and aesthetics of the switch mechanism.

(F) Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below based on the drawings.

The drawings show an illuminated push button switch, and in FIGS. 1 to 3, the illuminated push button switch 1 is roughly divided into an illumination unit 2, an operation unit 3, a switch unit 4, and these units 2, 3, and 4. and a housing 5 for storing and holding the.

The above-mentioned illumination unit 2 is provided as an illumination body that also serves as a push button part, and is provided with a diffuser plate (reflector) inside a box-shaped color cap 6 that is colored in any color such as red, yellow, or green and has an open bottom surface. A plate) 8 is provided inside and fitted onto the upper surface of the reflective plunger 9 corresponding to the lower side. The reflective plunger 9 has a rectangular open upper surface that corresponds to the open lower surface of the color cap 6, and a locking protrusion 10 protruding from a part of the outer circumferential side of the reflective plunger 9 is attached to the collar cap 6. It is integrally fitted into the locking recess 11 in a locking manner.

The circumferential surface of the reflective plunger 9 is converged downward from the upper surface into a pyramidal shape, and has a reflective surface 12 in the shape of a pyramid for guiding light upward, and at the center of the lower part of this reflective surface 12 is a lamp or the like. It has a cylindrical holding part 14 that holds a light emitting element 13 such as a light emitting diode, and on both sides of the cylindrical holding part 14, a hanging piece 16 having a long hole 15 that is opened for the length of the pressing stroke along the pressing direction is hung. Up projections 17 protruding from both side surfaces of the light emitting element 13 are respectively locked in these elongated holes 15. As a result, the light emitting element 13 is mounted with the upper light emitting portion facing the upper surface of the reflective plunger 9 and the lower light emitting element external terminal 18 being exposed below the reflective plunger 9.

In addition, the lower protrusions 19 protruding from both sides of the light emitting element 13 are locked to the locking claws 21 of the element holder 20 to prevent them from coming off, so that the light emitting element 13 is fixed. This fixing action allows the reflection plunger 9 to be depressed independently of the light emitting element 13 by the length of the depression stroke. Further, the reflection plunger 9 is detachably attached to the upper open surface 22 of the housing 5 and is guided in sliding contact with the inner surface of the housing 5 to obtain a stable pressing action. When the light emitting element 13 is pulled out from the upper open surface 22, the space between the lower protrusion 19 and the locking pawl 21 is removed and the light emitting element 13 is removed to the outside, so that the light emitting element 13 can be easily replaced.

The above-mentioned diffusion plate 8 uniformly disperses and reflects the light from the light emitting element 13, and has required letters or numbers printed on its surface.

And below the above-mentioned lighting unit 2,
An operating unit 3 is installed within the housing 5.

This operating unit 3 includes an operating plunger 25
and a spring 26 that urges the operating plunger 25 upward.
5 is formed into a stepped cylindrical body having a small diameter part on the upper side and a large diameter part on the lower side, and a pair of engaging claws 28 of the reflective plunger 9 are provided in openings 27, 27 opened on both sides of the small diameter part. , 28 are respectively locked, and both plungers 9 and 25 are integrally connected.

A coiled spring 2 is attached to a pair of left and right spring locking protrusions 26a vertically installed at the lower part of the large diameter.
6 are respectively locked, and the lower ends are locked on the above-mentioned element holder 20. The biasing force of the spring 26 causes the operating plunger 25 to
is normally in the upward movement position, and the operating plunger 2
The outer peripheral step 29 of the housing 5 is the inner peripheral step 3 of the housing 5.
It is locked at 0 to prevent it from coming off.

Furthermore, the large-diameter portion of the operating plunger 25 has a long hole 31 (see FIG. 3) that is open for the length of the pressing stroke along the pressing direction, and the switch cover 33 is engaged with this long hole 31. The depression stroke of the operation plunger 25 is regulated by the engagement with the projection 34.

In addition, the large diameter part has an operating piece 3 for turning the switch mechanism 56 ON/OFF at the lower end during the pressing operation.
5 is installed vertically.

This operating piece 35 is equipped with an opening window 36 that is vertically long and has a relatively large opening in an inverted L shape. Alternate mechanism 3
8 is formed, and the push-down lock position and push-down lock release position of the operation plunger 25 are regulated by this alternate mechanism 38.

The above-mentioned switch unit 4 includes an element holder 20
, switch cover 33, and switch base 44
The element holder 20 has an insertion hole 45 in the center of the upper surface into which the external terminal 18 of the light emitting element 13 is inserted, and locking claws 21 are provided protruding from the upper surfaces on both sides of the insertion hole 45 to insert the external terminal 18 of the light emitting element 13. 13 lower protrusion 1
9 is locked with a certain holding force to prevent it from coming out. and,
Spring locking grooves 26b are formed in both outer portions of both locking claws 21, 21, and the lower ends are supported and guided by the springs 26 described above and locked in these spring locking grooves 26b, respectively.

Further, a pair of support protrusions 48 are provided on both sides of the element holder 20 to protrude in the radial direction, and these support protrusions 48
is supported by the switch cover 33.

The switch cover 33 described above has the support projections 48 of the element holder 20 supported and guided on the support guide surfaces 49 formed on both side surfaces of the upper part, and furthermore, the support protrusions 48 of the element holder 20 are supported and guided on the support guide surfaces 49 formed on both sides of the upper part. The light emitting terminal 50 is locked in the terminal locking groove 33a formed in the terminal locking groove 33a, and the bent upper end contact piece 51 of the light emitting element 50 is connected to the light emitting element external terminal 18 in the switch cover 33. It is arranged in the insertion space 52 into which the holder is inserted so that it can be contacted.

A locking protrusion 34 that engages with the long hole 31 of the operating plunger 25 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the switch cover 33, and a cam as an alternate mechanism 38 is provided on the outer circumferential surface opposite to this. A fixing protrusion 53 that supports 37 is provided in a protruding manner.

Furthermore, on both sides of this switch cover 33,
Hanging pieces 54a for connection are provided vertically, and a lower engagement protrusion 54 for temporarily assembling the switch base 44 by integrally connecting it to the switch base 44 is provided on the inner surface of the lower end of each hanging piece 54a.

The above-mentioned switch base 44 has half-moon-shaped divided switch bases 44a and 44b divided into two parts.
These split switch bases 44a and 44b are used in a disc shape when assembled together, and when forming the split switch bases 44a and 44b, each terminal of the switch mechanism 56 of one circuit is integrally inserted during resin molding in a mold. By molding, efficient assembly to the split switch base 44 is attempted.

Note that these split switch bases 44a, 44
By forming b in parts, it is possible to facilitate the production of the mold, and based on this simplification, it is possible to insert mold the terminal.

These split switch bases 44a, 4
4b is configured to have a pair of engagement protrusions 46 and engagement recesses 47 on mutually facing connection surfaces so as to fit in the recesses, and furthermore, around the engagement protrusions 46, there is a band-shaped protrusion along the protruding direction. 46a, and the protrusion 46a is welded to the inner surface of the engagement recess 47 by ultrasonic welding with the engagement protrusion 46 in the opposing engagement recess 47, and both split switch bases 44
a and 44b are integrated.

Switch base 4 integrated in this way
Engagement recesses 55 are formed on both sides of the switch base 4, and the lower engagement protrusions 54 of the switch cover 33 are engaged with these engagement recesses 55 and are integrally connected. 44
By integrating the switch cover 33 with the switch cover 33, handling as a switch part becomes easy, and the storage operation in the housing 5 becomes extremely easy.

A two-circuit, double-break type switch mechanism 56 is mounted on the same plane as the upper surface of the switch base 44 described above.

As shown in FIG. 4, this switch mechanism 56 includes a first upper terminal 58 and a first lower terminal 59, which have contact members 57, 57 facing each other in the upper and lower directions, and parallel to these terminals 58, 59. A second upper terminal 60 and a second lower terminal 61, which are also arranged oppositely on the upper and lower sides, are insert-molded and planted on the switch base 44, and between these upper and lower opposing surfaces, Wide first movable piece 6 that commonly contacts in the horizontal direction
2 is disposed, and this first movable piece 62
A contact member 63 is arranged in parallel to contact the contact member 57 of each of the lower terminals 58 to 61, and this first movable piece 6
2, with the V-groove portion 62a (see FIG. 1) at one end engaged with the notch 65 of the planting piece 64 planted on the switch base 44, the engaging protrusion 66 at the other end is engaged. , is engaged with an engagement hole 68 formed at one end of the second movable piece 67, and the other end of the second movable piece 67 is locked with the lower end of the above-mentioned operation piece 35. The other end of the piece 67 is provided with an upright piece 69 that is partially bent and stands up, and this upright piece 69 is locked in a vertical groove 70 formed at the lower end of the operating piece 35 to restrict upward movement. . Also, one end of a coil spring 71 is locked to this upright piece 69, and the other end of this coil spring 71 is locked to the upper part of the upright piece 64, and by applying a tensile action to the coil spring 71, The first movable piece 62 biases the other side downward using the V-groove 62b side as a fulcrum, and the second movable piece 67 biases the other side downward in an inclined state using the lower end of the operation piece 35 as a fulcrum. , normally the first movable piece 62 is the first and second
It is in the OFF state in contact with the lower terminals 59 and 61.

Then, as the operation piece 35 is pressed down, the upper side of the second movable piece 67 which is in the inclined state is moved downward, whereby the second movable piece 67 moves beyond the horizontal linear state with the first movable piece 62. When the movable pieces 62, 6
The connection part 7 moves up to switch to ON operation.

The switch mechanism 56 is set to the ON state when the operating plunger 25 is pressed down and locked by the above-mentioned alternate mechanism 38, and the switch mechanism 56 is set to the OFF state when the operating plunger 25 returns.
set to state.

Further, the aforementioned operating unit 3 and switch unit 4 are inserted and attached through the lower opening of the housing 5. In the figure, reference numeral 72 denotes a tightening nut for wall mounting that is screwed onto the outer peripheral surface of the housing.

In the illuminated push button switch 1 configured as described above, when the color cap 6 surface of the illumination unit 2 is pressed down with a finger, the operation piece 35 of the operation plunger 25 moves downward together with the reflective plunger 9 in response to this pressing force. Then, the second movable piece 67 is pushed down, and in conjunction with this, the first movable piece 62 is moved upward toward the contact point by the tensile force of the coil spring 71.

As a result, conduction is established between the first and second upper terminals 58 and 60 via this first movable piece 62, and the connection is turned ON.
Be manipulated.

Due to such a press input signal, the light emitting element 13
emits light and is illuminated. In addition, the press input signal is
The signal is input to a predetermined electrical device set in advance.

Note that this ON state is locked by the alternate mechanism 38, and the ON state is maintained until this lock is released.

Then, by pressing down the illumination unit 2 again, the lock of the alternate mechanism 38 is released, and accordingly, the illumination unit 2 and the switch mechanism 56 return to their original positions.
Switched to OFF state.

In short, when the engagement protrusion 54 of the switch cover 33 located at the top is engaged with the engagement recess 55 of the switch base 44 located at the bottom,
With the switch mechanism 56 having the above structure disposed between the lower switch base 44 and the upper switch cover 33, these three members 44, 56, and 33 can be temporarily assembled and fixed as one unit.

Furthermore, since the coil spring 71 of the switch mechanism 56 described above can be held down by the upper switch cover 33 during temporary assembly, it is possible to prevent the coil spring 71 from popping off during assembly, thereby preventing the coil spring 71 from being lost. has the effect of eliminating.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an illuminated push button switch, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view of the illuminated push button switch, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the illuminated push button switch. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of essential parts of the switch mechanism. 1...Illuminated push button switch, 4...Switch unit, 25...Operation plunger, 33...
Switch cover, 44...Switch base, 54
...Engaging protrusion, 54a... Vertical piece, 55... Engaging recess, 56... Switch mechanism, 62... First movable piece, 64... Planting piece, 67... Second movable piece, 70
...Vertical groove, 71...Coil spring.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The switch mechanism 56 of the switch unit 4 is turned on and off in conjunction with the pressing operation of the operation plunger 25.
The switch unit 4 is a push button switch configured to be turned off, and the switch unit 4 includes a switch base 44 on which the switch mechanism 56 is mounted, and a switch cover 33 that covers the switch mechanism 56. The piece 54a forms an engagement protrusion 54 for temporary assembly, and is attached to the switch base 4.
4 is formed with an engagement recess 55 for temporary assembly, and by engaging the engagement protrusion 54 with the engagement recess 55, the switch base 44 and the switch cover 33 can be integrally assembled for temporary assembly. The switch mechanism 56, which is configured to be engaged and fixed and is disposed between the switch base 44 and the switch cover 33, is capable of bending each free end portion of the first movable piece 62 and the second movable piece 67. The fulcrum side of the first movable piece 62 is locked to the upright piece 64 erected on the switch base 44, and the fulcrum side of the second movable piece 67 is connected to the longitudinal groove of the lower end of the operating plunger 25. 70, and a coil spring 71 stretched between the upper end of the planting piece 64 and the fulcrum side of the second movable piece 67 to constantly bias the connecting portion of each movable piece 62, 67 downward. Button switch.