JPH073546Y2 - Push button switch - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to a push button switch, and more particularly to a push button switch that provides a desired click feel and operation feel.

[Conventional technology]

A push button switch incorporating a tact spring is widely used as a switch for operating various electrical products because the click feel when the bowl-shaped tact spring is inverted can be transmitted to the operator's fingers to check the operating state. .

When a push button switch of this type pushes an operating body that can move back and forth, the operating body moves backward and the tact spring, which serves as a movable contact, is pushed and inverted, and this inversion causes the tact spring to contact the fixed contact. It is designed to switch on.
When the pressing force is removed, the tact spring returns to the original bowl shape due to its elasticity, so that the operating body is pushed up and advances to the initial position to return to the switch-off state before pressing. Since the reversing stroke of the tact spring is within 1 mm, the pushing amount of the operating body is generally set to the same degree as this, and the switching operation can be performed with an extremely delicate stroke.

However, in the conventional push-button switch as described above, the stroke end is reached when the tact spring reverses, so the clearance between the tact spring and the fixed contact may be slightly widened due to the influence of dimensional error, or If the reversing stroke of the tact spring does not reach the set expected value, it will not be possible to contact the fixed contact with sufficient contact pressure even if the tact spring reverses, and contact reliability will be impaired. There was a risk that In addition, if the stroke during operation is extremely small and the stroke end is at the time of reversing the tact spring, there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain a good operation feeling, and the click feeling is not confirmed while driving. When used as a push button switch for Lei car,
It becomes difficult to grasp the operating state by the feel of the fingers, and the operability is also hindered.

Therefore, the applicant of the present application has proposed a push button switch for solving the above-mentioned problems in Japanese Patent Application No. 62-140856.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a push button switch (hereinafter referred to as a prior application) according to this proposal. This upper case 2 is made of a resin mold product and has an inner wall 2a protruding from it. A lower case 3 for closing the lower opening of 2 is provided, and a bowl-shaped tact spring 10 is provided on the inner surface of the lower case 3 via a pair of lead portions 8 so as to face the fixed contact 9. There is.

Further, the first driving body 5 and the second driving body 6 are slidable along the inner peripheral surface of the upper case 2 described above so that the coil springs 7 are disposed therebetween.
It is attached in a state of being separated by the biasing force of. Then, the operating body 4 for pushing in the first drive body 5 is the upper case 2
The first driving body 5 is pushed by the operating body 4 and slidable along the inner wall 2a in the direction of the second driving body 6.

When the operator pushes in the operating body 4 during the operation of the push button switch, the first driving body 5 descends along the inner wall 2a of the upper case 2, and the pressing force applied to the first driving body 5 is applied to the coil spring 7
Is transmitted to the second drive body 6 via the, and the second drive body 6 also descends along the inner wall 2a. Then, this second driver 6
As a result, the tact spring 10, which is a movable contact, is reversed, and the reversal portion of the tact spring 10 contacts the fixed setting 9 to bring the switch on.

Further, even after the switch-on state, the first drive body 5 is pushed in a predetermined amount within the range in which the coil spring 7 can be contracted when the operating body 4 is pushed in, so that the overstroke operation is possible. Then, when the pressing force on the operating body 4 is released, the tact spring 10 returns to the original bowl shape by its elasticity, the second driving body 6 is pushed up, and the coil spring 7 also moves by its own elasticity. Since it increases the spring length,
The operating body 4 is also pushed up and returns to the original state of switch-off.

Thus, according to the above-mentioned prior application, the tact spring 10 with respect to the fixed contact 9 due to a dimensional error when the tact spring 10 is reversed.
Even if the contact pressure is insufficient, the second driving body 6 which receives the pressing force from the coil spring 7 urges the tact spring 10, so that the contact reliability is secured. Moreover, since an overstroke in which the operating force gradually increases in accordance with the contraction of the coil spring 7 is obtained, the feeling of operation is good and the operability is improved.

[Problems to be solved by the device]

As described above, according to the above-mentioned prior application, the drawbacks of the conventional push button switch without overstroke can be eliminated, but since the tact spring 10 determines the click feel and the operating force characteristics when the push button switch is operated, these If you try to change the click feel or operating force characteristics of
That part must be adjusted.

However, as is well known, it is extremely difficult to adjust the tact spring 10 so as to obtain desired characteristics, and in the prior application, it is necessary to set the click feel and the operating force characteristics to desired values. Is difficult Further, in the prior application, the click sound generated by the tact spring 10 during operation is large, and the click sound may be unpleasant when used in a quiet environment such as a vehicle-mounted switch.

The present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior application, and the purpose thereof is to easily set a desired click feeling and operation feeling, and also to reduce the click sound and to improve the operability in assembling. It is to provide an excellent push button switch.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, a pushing operation causes a driving body to move against a biasing force of a biasing spring, and a movable contact attached to an end portion of the driving body faces the moving contact. In a push-button switch which is brought into contact with a fixed contact arranged to perform a switching operation, the driving body is composed of a first driving body and a second driving body which are joined and integrated with each other. A click piece that is elastically displaceable in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction is provided on the peripheral wall of the drive body, and a convex portion that engages and disengages with the click piece is provided on the first block body that includes the first drive body. And a movable block is attached to the second drive body, and a second block body including the second drive body and the fixed contact is laminated in the moving direction with respect to the first block body, And the maximum stroke of the driver Wherein the click length is set to larger than the inter-fixed contact distance between the movable contact.

[Action]

When the driving body composed of the first driving body and the second driving body is pushed in against the bias spring, the click piece provided on the first driving body moves to the first position in the movement process of the driving body. The convex portion provided on the first block body bends in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction to get over the convex portion. At this time, a click feeling generated by the engagement and disengagement of the click piece and the convex portion is obtained, and the movable contact comes into contact with the fixed contact due to the movement of the driving body to perform the switching operation. When the driving body is further pushed in from the contact state, the biasing spring contracts, the driving body moves by the maximum stroke length, and the overstroke operation is performed.

Therefore, a desired click feeling and operating force characteristic can be set in the push button switch by the protrusion formed on the first block body, and an overstroke operation in which the operating force is gradually increased is performed, and a favorable operation is performed. It is possible to perform a reliable switch operation with the feel. Furthermore, since the part that causes the click feeling and the part that performs the switch operation are formed by separate blocks, the configuration of each block is simplified and the entire push button switch is easily assembled. When changing the operating force characteristics, it is sufficient to replace only a part of both block bodies to change the shape and position of the convex portion, and thus it is possible to easily cope with various types of production.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

Here, FIGS. 1 to 3 show the structure of the main part of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the main part when the switch is off, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part immediately after the switch is turned on, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part during an overstroke.

In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 1, a variable resistor 13 is provided for a common operating shaft 11 connected to an operating body 4.
However, the switch portion 12 and the switch portion 12 are arranged side by side. However, this variable resistor 13 is a known one, and since this part is not an essential part of the present invention, its explanation is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, a rectangular tubular lower case 15 is fixed on a substantially rectangular bottom plate 14, and fixed contacts 9a, 9b are substantially parallel to each other on the bottom plate of the lower case 15 in a non-contact state. These fixed contacts are arranged and led out of the housing by terminals 16a and 16b, respectively. In FIGS. 1 to 3,
These internal fixed contacts 9a and terminals 16a are shown.

A lid 17 is provided on the upper end surface of the lower case 15 described above.
It is attached so as to cover 15, and an opening 18 is formed at the center of this lid 17. An annular wall member is placed on this lid 17.
19 is fixed, and an upper case 20 is fixed on the wall member 19. An opening 21 is formed at the center of the upper case 20, and a peripheral edge of the opening 21 is projected downward to form a projecting piece 22. Has been done. Further, convex portions 23 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the wall member 19 at positions facing each other.

Thus, the lid 17, the wall member 19, and the upper case 20 constitute a first block body, and the bottom plate 14 and the lower case 15 constitute a second block body. The casing of the switch portion 12 in the embodiment is formed by stacking and integrating the components in the axial direction of the operation shaft 11.

The second coil spring 25 is arranged on the bottom plate of the lower case 15 described above, and is biased upward by the second coil spring 25, so that the ring-shaped second driving body 29 is provided in the lower case 15. It is distributed. A movable contact 27 is attached to a plate surface of the second driving body 29 facing the fixed contacts 9a and 9b in a range covering the fixed contacts 9a and 9b and covering them.
An elastic contact portion 27a that contacts the fixed contacts 9a and 9b is formed on the 27. Further, a projecting piece 28 is formed in a ring shape on the second driving body 29 so as to project upward from the opening 18.

By engaging with the protruding piece 28 of the second driving body 29,
The first driver 26 is arranged on the second driver 29, and the first driver 26 is
A concave portion 26c which is concave upward is provided in the central portion of the driving body 26, and a peripheral edge portion of the first driving body 26 is integrally extended, and an engaging concave portion 26a which is concave downward is formed in this extended portion. ing.
Further, an elastic click piece 26b is formed at the end of this extension, that is, at the peripheral wall of the first drive body 26. A first coil spring 24 that biases the first drive body 26 upward is disposed between the lid body 17 and the engagement recess 26a.

Further, the end portion of the operating shaft 11 is engaged with the recess 26c of the first driving body 26, the operating shaft 11 is provided with a collar 30, and the stopper 31 is provided along the peripheral edge of the opening 21 of the upper case 20. Is fixed, and the stopper 31 and the collar 30 constitute a retaining means for the operation shaft 11. Then, an opening is formed in the center of the housing upper plate 31.
32 is formed, and the operator 4 is projected from this opening 32,
The operation shaft 11 is attached to the housing of the push button switch of the embodiment.

In FIG. 1, the first coil spring 24 causes the first driving body 26 to contact the inner surface of the upper case 20 and is biased upward, and the second coil spring 25 causes the second driving body to move. 29 is a protrusion
The end face of 28 is biased upward so as to be in contact with the first drive body 26, and the plate surface of the second drive body 29 is in contact with the lid body 17.

Therefore, the operating shaft 11 is biased upward so that the collar 30 is in contact with the stopper 31, and the operating body 4 is located at the position most protruding from the opening 32. And in the embodiment, the above-mentioned first
From the state shown in the figure to the state shown in FIG. 3 in which the operating element 4 is most pushed into the opening 32, the maximum stroke length for moving the first and second driving bodies 26, 29 is movable with the fixed contacts 9a, 9b. Contact 2
It is set larger than the distance between 7.

In the embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration, the driving body is constituted by the first driving body 26 and the second driving body 29, and the bias spring is constituted by the first coil spring 24 and the second coil spring 25. Is configured.

The operation of the embodiment of the present invention having the above-described structure will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the operator pushes the operating body 4 downward with respect to the push button switch in the switch-off state, the brim 30 of the operating shaft 11 pushes the first driving body 26 downward. Upon movement, the upper end surface of the first drive body 26 separates from the inner surface of the upper case 20, and the first case spring 24 starts contracting. At the same time, the second driving body 29 is pushed by the first driving body 26, the plate surface of the second driving body 29 is separated from the lid body 17, and the second coil spring 25 starts contracting.

When the operating body 4 is pushed further downward, the first and second coil springs 24 and 25 gradually contract, and the second driving body 29
Moves toward the lower case 15 and the click piece 26b bends inward along the convex portion 23, and a click feeling is obtained when the click piece 26b gets over the convex portion 23. As shown in FIG. Elastically contacts 9b. In this state, terminals 16a, 1
Conduction is established between 6b, and the switch on operation of the push button switch is performed.

Then, when the operating body 4 is further pushed in from the switch-on state shown in FIG. 2, the first stroke and the first stroke are performed until the overstroke operation is performed and the end surface of the click piece 26b contacts the lid body 17 and reaches the maximum stroke length. The second driver 26, 29 moves. By this movement, the first and second coil springs 2
Since 4,25 contracts further and the second driving body 29 descends,
The elastic contact portion 27a slides on the surfaces of the fixed contacts 9a and 9b while elastically deforming, and at the stroke end position where the lower surface of the click piece 26b of the first driving body 26 abuts the upper surface of the lid body 17, the elastic contact portion 27a. 27a is in a state of being strongly pressed against the fixed contacts 9a, 9b.

When the pressing force applied to the operating body 4 is released from this state, the first and second driving bodies 26, 29 move upward due to the biasing force of the first and second coil springs 24, 25. And first
Driver 26 pushes up the operating shaft 11 via the collar 30,
The operating shaft 11 moves until 30 touches the stopper 31,
It returns to the switch-off state shown in the figure.

As described above, in the above-described embodiment, since the click feeling and the operating force characteristic of the operation of the push button switch are given by the shape of the convex portion 23 formed on the wall member 19, the wall member having the convex portion 23 of the predetermined shape is provided. By using 19, it is possible to easily set desired click feeling and operation feeling, and it is effective for production of various kinds. Moreover, the first block body for click including the first driving body 26 and the convex portion 23, and the second driving body
The second block for the switch, which has the built-in 29, fixed contacts 9a, 9b, etc., is laminated and integrated, and they are separate blocks that can be separated from each other. Therefore, the configuration of each block is simplified, and the pushbutton switch The assembly work as a whole can be easily performed.

Also, since no tact spring is used, the clicking noise is reduced, and even when used in a quiet environment such as a vehicle-mounted switch, the clicking noise when the switch is turned on and off may be audible. Absent. Furthermore, the first
Also, since an overstroke operation in which the operating force gradually increases in accordance with the contraction of the second coil springs 24, 25 is possible, a good operation feeling is ensured and contact failure at the time of switch-on due to dimensional error is prevented. Can be done. Furthermore, since the elastic contact portion 27a of the movable contact 27 slides on the fixed contacts 9a, 9b while elastically deforming and is strongly pressed against the fixed contacts 9a, 9b during the overstroke operation, the fixed contacts 9a, 9b The oxide film on the surface is cleaned by the elastic contact portion 27a, and the elastic contact portion 27a and the fixed contact 9
The contact pressure between a and 9b is increased to ensure the electrical connection.

Therefore, when it is used in a state where it is difficult to check the click feeling, for example, when it is used as a push button switch for vehicles, set the desired click feeling and operation feeling, use it with a good grasp of the operating state, and use it with good operation feeling. You can do it.

In the above embodiment, the case where the convex portions are formed at two positions at the positions facing each other on the inner peripheral surface of the wall member has been described. It can also be formed.

[Effect of device]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily set a desired click feeling for the push-button switch by the shape of the convex portion formed on the wall member, and it is comfortable to the ear. A click sound can be obtained, and an overstroke operation in which the operating force gradually increases can be performed, so that a good operation feeling can be achieved and a switching operation without contact failure at the time of switch switching can be performed. Further, since the part that causes the click feeling and the part that performs the switch operation are formed in separate blocks, the configuration of each block can be simplified and the work of assembling the entire push button switch can be easily performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 3 are diagrams for explaining a push button switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an essential part when the switch is off, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an essential part immediately after the switch is on, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part at the time of overstroke, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the main part of the push-button switch previously proposed by the applicant. 9a, 9b …… fixed contact, 11 …… operating axis, 15 …… lower case, 1
7 ... Lid, 19 ... Wall member, 20 ... Upper case, 23 ... Convex part, 24 ... First coil spring, 25 ... Second coil spring, 26 ... First driver , 26b …… Click piece, 27 ……
Movable contact, 27a ... elastic contact part, 29 ... second drive body.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A fixed contact in which a driving member is moved against a biasing force of a biasing spring by a pushing operation, and a movable contact attached to an end portion of the driving member is arranged to face the movable contact. In a push-button switch that is brought into contact with a switch to perform a switching operation, the driving body is composed of a first driving body and a second driving body which are joined and integrated with each other, and A click piece that is elastically displaceable in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction is provided, and a convex portion that engages and disengages with the click piece is provided on the first block body that includes the first driving body, and the second drive is provided. A second body which has the movable contact mounted on the body and which incorporates the second drive body and the fixed contact.
Is stacked in the moving direction with respect to the first block body, and the maximum stroke length of the driving body is set larger than the distance between the movable contact and the fixed contact. And push button switch.