switch

By designing the sliding operation component, the first spring component and the second spring component in the switch, combined with the inclination restriction part, the problem of increasing load caused by inclination of the spring component in the prior art is solved, and a longer life and smaller Spring constant.

CN114746970BActive Publication Date: 2025-02-14ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202080084473.8
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2019-12-09
Filing Date
2020-11-02
Publication Date
2025-02-14
Estimated Expiration
2040-11-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In the prior art, the spring member is prone to incline when pressed, resulting in an increase in the load on the supporting elastic sheet, thereby shortening its life.

Method used

A switch is designed, adopting a sliding operation member, a first spring member and a second spring member, the second spring member having a flat-shaped base and an elastic arm portion, which is folded back and extended at the end of the base portion for the first time. A spring member applies force, and the inclination of the second spring member is suppressed by the inclination restriction portion.

Benefits of technology

It effectively suppresses the tilt of the spring components, reduces the load on the elastic arm, extends its life, and achieves a smaller spring constant in a smaller space, enhancing the elastic deformation capability.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The switch includes: a sliding operation component; a first spring component, which is arranged on the lower side of the sliding operation component and provides the sliding operation component with an operating feeling by sliding contact with the sliding operation component; and a second spring component, which is arranged on the lower side of the first spring component and has a flat base and an elastic arm, the elastic arm is arranged at each end of the two ends of the base, and is folded back at the end of the base and extends on the lower side of the base, the second spring component applies force to the first spring component upward, and the second spring component has an inclination limiting portion extending downward at each end of the two ends of the base.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to switches. Background Art

[0002] In the following patent document 1, the following technology is disclosed regarding a switching device: a spring component having a pressing elastic sheet and a pair of supporting elastic sheets applies force downward to a pressing component supported by a slider, so that as the slider moves, the pressing component presses a movable contact point, causing the movable contact point to contact a fixed contact point.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-229531 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems that the invention will solve

[0007] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, for example, when one end side of the pressing elastic sheet of the spring component is pressed, the spring component tilts. In this case, there is a possibility that the load applied to the folded portion of the supporting elastic sheet on one side increases, and the life of the folded portion may be shortened.

[0008] Means for solving problems

[0009] A switch according to one embodiment comprises: a sliding operating member; a first spring member provided at the lower side of the sliding operating member and providing an operating feeling to the sliding operating member by slidingly contacting with the sliding operating member; and a second spring member provided at the lower side of the first spring member and having a flat base and an elastic arm, the elastic arm being provided at each end of both ends of the base and folded back at the end of the base and extending at the lower side of the base, the second spring member applying force to the first spring member upward, and the second spring member having an inclination limiting portion extending downward at each end of the two ends of the base.

[0010] Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to one embodiment, it is possible to suppress the inclination of the spring member having the elastic arm portions at both ends. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the appearance of a switch according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of a switch according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 is based on Figure 1A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the switch shown along section line AA.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a front view of a switch according to one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the appearance of a contact portion according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a top view of a contact portion according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a front view of a contact portion according to one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing a modified example of the second spring member according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the following description, for convenience, the Z-axis direction in the drawings is set as the up-down direction. In addition, the X-axis direction in the drawings is set as the left-right direction. In addition, the Y-axis direction in the drawings is set as the front-back direction.

[0021] (Overview of switch 100)

[0022] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a switch 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the switch 100 includes a housing 110 , a frame 120 , a slide operation member 130 , a terminal 142A, and a terminal 142B.

[0023] The housing 110 is a resin member that accommodates and supports various components. The housing 110 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0024] The frame 120 is used to seal the receiving space 112 of the housing 110 (see Figure 2 ) is a metal and flat plate-shaped component with an opening at the top. When viewed from above, the frame 120 has a horizontally long rectangular opening 122. The frame 120 is fixed to the housing 110 by engaging the engaging walls 124 provided at the respective ends of the left and right ends with the engaging grooves 114 provided at the respective sides of the left and right sides of the housing 110.

[0025] The slide operation member 130 is a resin member that is slidable in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) inside the housing space 112 of the housing 110. The slide operation member 130 has an operation portion 132 that protrudes upward. The operation portion 132 is a portion that penetrates the opening portion 122 of the frame 120 and protrudes upward. The operation portion 132 is gripped by an operator, thereby enabling the operator to perform a sliding operation of the slide operation member 130.

[0026] The terminal 142A is a metal, flat plate-shaped member whose portion (external connection portion) protrudes leftward (X-axis negative direction) from the lower end of the left side surface (X-axis negative side surface) of the housing 110 .

[0027] The terminal 142B is a metal, flat plate-shaped member whose portion (external connection portion) protrudes rightward (X-axis positive direction) from the lower end of the right side surface (X-axis positive side surface) of the housing 110 .

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the switch 100 configured in this way is turned on when the slide operation member 130 is located on the left side (the negative side of the X axis), and the terminal 142A and the terminal 142B are in a conductive state.

[0029] On the other hand, the switch 100 is closed when the operator slides the slide operation member 130 so that the slide operation member 130 is located on the right side (X-axis positive side), and the terminal 142A and the terminal 142B are not in conduction.

[0030] (Configuration of switch 100)

[0031] Figure 2 It is an exploded perspective view of the switch 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 3 is based on Figure 1 The switch 100 is shown in a perspective cross-sectional view along the AA section line. Figure 4 1 is a front view of a switch 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 4 In the figure, the shell 110 and the base 141 are shown with only dotted lines.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the switch 100 includes a frame 120, a slide operation member 130, a first spring member 150, a second spring member 160, a third spring member 170, a waterproof sheet 180, a housing 110, and a contact portion 140 in order from the top of the figure.

[0033] The slide operation member 130 includes a base portion 131 , an operation portion 132 , a pressing portion 134 , and a pair of cam peaks 136 .

[0034] The base portion 131 is a flat plate-shaped portion that is horizontally long and rectangular when viewed from above.

[0035] The operation part 132 is a prism-shaped portion provided on the upper surface of the base 131 and protruding upward at the center. The operation part 132 passes through the opening 122 of the frame 120, protrudes upward from the upper surface of the frame 120, and is grasped by the operator during the sliding operation.

[0036] The pressing portion 134 is a prism-shaped portion that protrudes downward from the center of the lower surface of the base 131. The pressing portion 134 penetrates the first spring member 150 and the second spring member 160 and extends to the vicinity of the upper surface of the third spring member 170. The pressing portion 134 presses the movable section 174 of the third spring member 170 downward as the sliding operation member 130 slides in the right direction (X-axis positive direction).

[0037] The pair of cam peaks 136 is an example of a "first cam peak". The pair of cam peaks 136 are provided as a front-rear pair on the lower surface of the base 131 and in the central portion in the left-right direction (X-axis direction), sandwiching the pressing portion 134. The cam peak 136 has a peak shape protruding downward in such a way that the central portion in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) becomes a curved top. The inclined surface of the cam peak 136 extends in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). That is, the cam peak 136 has a certain width in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction).

[0038] The first spring member 150 is a metal, flat-plate-shaped member. When viewed from above, the first spring member 150 has a horizontally long rectangular shape. An opening 152 having a horizontally long rectangular shape is formed in the center of the first spring member 150. The opening 152 allows the pressing portion 134 of the sliding operation member 130 to pass through, and allows the pressing portion 134 to slide in the left-right direction.

[0039] A pair of front and rear cam peaks 154 are formed in the central portion in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) of the first spring member 150 with the opening 152 therebetween. The pair of cam peaks 154 is an example of a "second cam peak". The cam peak 154 has a mountain shape that protrudes upward in such a way that the central portion in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) becomes a curved top. The inclined surface of the cam peak 154 extends along the front-back direction (Y-axis direction). That is, the cam peak 154 has a certain width in the front-back direction (Y-axis direction). The cam peak 154 is formed by bending the central portion in the left-right direction of the first spring member 150. The cam peak 154 presses the first spring member 150 downward by sliding in contact with the cam peak 136 of the sliding operation member 130 as the sliding operation member 130 slides. Furthermore, by slidingly contacting the cam peak 154 with the cam peak 136 of the slide operation member 130 , the operation load of the slide operation member 130 can be changed according to the sliding amount, so that a click operation feeling can be presented for the sliding operation of the slide operation member 130 .

[0040] Here, if Figure 4As shown, the height position H1 of the top (lower end) of the cam peak 136 of the sliding operation member 130 is located near the lower end position of the cam peak 154 of the first spring member 150. That is, the cam peak 136 of the sliding operation member 130 has a substantially maximum height dimension. As a result, the switch 100 of this embodiment can substantially maximize the engagement amount of the cam peak 136 and the cam peak 154 in the height direction (= the height position H2 of the top of the cam peak 154 - the height position H1 of the top of the cam peak 136), so that even if the cam peak 136 is worn out due to aging, etc., the cam peak 136 and the cam peak 154 can be reliably engaged (that is, the reduction of the step operation feeling can be suppressed).

[0041] The second spring member 160 is a metal, flat plate-shaped member superimposed on the lower side of the first spring member 150. When viewed from above, the second spring member 160 includes a flat plate-shaped base portion 161 having a horizontally long rectangular shape. An opening portion 162 having a horizontally long rectangular shape is formed in the center portion of the base portion 161. The opening portion 162 allows the pressing portion 134 of the slide operation member 130 to pass therethrough, and allows the pressing portion 134 to slide in the left-right direction.

[0042] The second spring member 160 has an elastic arm portion 164 at each of the four corners of the base 161. That is, the second spring member 160 has four elastic arms 164. The elastic arm portion 164 is an elongated thin plate-shaped and arm-shaped portion extending linearly in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) from the edge of the base 161 toward the center of the base 161 on the lower side of the base 161 in a manner gradually separated from the lower surface of the base 161. The front end portion of the elastic arm portion 164 is slightly bent upward, and the lower surface (bent surface) of the front end portion abuts against the upper surface of the third spring member 170. As a result, the elastic arm portion 164 can be elastically deformed in the up-and-down direction between the base 161 and the third spring member 170 as the base 161 moves up and down. The second spring member 160 applies force to the first spring member 150 upward by the elastic force of the four elastic arms 164. Thus, the second spring member 160 can press the pair of cam peaks 154 of the first spring member 150 toward the lower surface of the base 131 of the slide operation member 130. The elastic arm 164 is formed integrally with the base 161, and the elastic arm 164 is bent downward at an angle θ (where 90°<θ<180°) at the end of the base 161 and folded back toward the center of the base 161.

[0043] As described above, the switch 100 of this embodiment has a folded shape of the elastic arm 164, so that the spring length of the elastic arm 164 can be increased. Therefore, the switch 100 of this embodiment can make the spring constant of the elastic arm 164 smaller in a relatively small space. That is, the elastic arm 164 can be elastically deformed more easily.

[0044] Here, if Figure 4 As shown, in the switch 100 of the present embodiment, the contact position P1 between the front end portion of the elastic arm portion 164 on the left side (negative side of the X axis) of the second spring member 160 and the upper surface of the third spring member 170 is set at a position outside (left side) than the lower end position P2 of the inclined surface on the left side (negative side of the X axis) of the cam peak portion 154. Therefore, in the switch 100 of the present embodiment, when the slide operation member 130 is slid to the right side (positive side of the X axis), when the cam peak portion 136 of the slide operation member 130 abuts against the inclined surface on the left side (negative side of the X axis) of the cam peak portion 154, the inclination (inclination to the left) of the first spring member 150 and the second spring member 160 can be suppressed. As a result, the switch 100 of the present embodiment can suppress the load related to the folded portion of the left elastic arm portion 164, and can achieve a longer life of the left elastic arm portion 164.

[0045] Likewise, if Figure 4 As shown, in the switch 100 of the present embodiment, the contact position P3 of the front end portion of the elastic arm portion 164 on the right side (X-axis positive side) of the second spring member 160 with the upper surface of the third spring member 170 is set at a position outside (right side) of the lower end position P4 of the inclined surface on the right side (X-axis positive side) of the cam peak portion 154. Therefore, in the switch 100 of the present embodiment, when the slide operation member 130 is slid to the left side (X-axis negative side), when the cam peak portion 136 of the slide operation member 130 abuts against the inclined surface on the right side (X-axis positive side) of the cam peak portion 154, the inclination (inclination to the right) of the first spring member 150 and the second spring member 160 can be suppressed. As a result, the switch 100 of the present embodiment can suppress the load related to the folded portion of the right elastic arm portion 164, and can achieve a longer life of the right elastic arm portion 164.

[0046] In addition, in the switch 100 of the present embodiment, the left and right ends of the base 161 of the second spring member 160 each have a tilt limiting portion 166 extending downward. The tilt limiting portion 166 is provided between a pair of elastic arms 164 at the end of the base 161. The tilt limiting portion 166 is formed integrally with the base 161, and the tilt limiting portion 166 is bent at a right angle below the end of the base 161 to extend downward from the end of the base 161.

[0047] The switch 100 of the present embodiment is configured such that when the second spring member 160 moves downward by a predetermined amount, the lower ends of the tilt limiting portions 166 provided at both ends of the second spring member 160 abut against the upper surface of the third spring member 170. Therefore, in the switch 100 of the present embodiment, if the second spring member 160 tilts, the tilt limiting portions 166 on one side (the side with a lower height position) abut against the upper surface of the third spring member 170, thereby suppressing further tilting of the second spring member 160. Thus, the switch 100 of the present embodiment can achieve a longer life of the elastic arm portion 164.

[0048] Furthermore, in the switch 100 of the present embodiment, when the second spring member 160 is pressed downward, the inclination restricting portions 166 provided at both ends of the second spring member 160 move downward while slidingly contacting the inner wall surface 112A of the accommodating space 112 of the housing 110. Thus, the switch 100 of the present embodiment can suppress the inclination of the second spring member 160, and thus can achieve a longer life of the elastic arm portion 164.

[0049] The third spring member 170 is a metal, flat plate-shaped member that is overlapped and provided on the lower side of the second spring member 160. An opening 172 having a horizontally long rectangular shape is formed in the center of the third spring member 170. In addition, a slender, thin plate-shaped movable slice 174 (an example of a "driving unit") that extends linearly in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) is provided in the opening 172. The left end portion (the end portion on the negative side of the X-axis) of the movable slice 174 is connected to the edge of the opening 172. The right side portion (the portion on the positive side of the X-axis) of the movable slice 174 is bent at its base portion and extends obliquely upward.

[0050] The waterproof sheet 180 is a waterproof sheet member provided to overlap the lower side of the third spring member 170. The waterproof sheet 180 is provided to prevent water from entering the contact portion 140.

[0051] The housing 110 has a storage space 112 with an upper opening. The storage space 112 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the storage space 112, the slide operation member 130, the first spring member 150, the second spring member 160, the third spring member 170 and the waterproof sheet 180 are stored in a mutually overlapping state.

[0052] The contact portion 140 is embedded in the bottom of the housing 110. The contact portion 140 includes a base 141, a terminal 142A, a terminal 142B, a first contact member 143, and a second contact member 144. For example, the contact portion 140 is formed by primary molding using a resin raw material, and is embedded in the bottom of the housing 110 when the housing 110 is formed by secondary molding using a resin raw material.

[0053] The base 141 is a resin-made, substantially flat plate-shaped member that supports the terminal 142A, the terminal 142B, the first contact member 143, and the second contact member 144. On the upper surface of the base 141, the terminal 142A and the first contact member 143 are fixed by any fixing means (e.g., rivet fixing, etc.) in a mutually overlapping state, and the terminal 142B and the second contact member 144 are fixed by any fixing means (e.g., rivet fixing, etc.) in a mutually overlapping state.

[0054] The terminal 142A is a metal and flat plate-shaped component that passes through the left side wall of the base 141 from the left end (the end on the negative side of the X-axis) of the upper surface of the base 141 and extends to the outside of the left side wall of the base 141. The terminal 142B is a metal and flat plate-shaped component that passes through the right side wall of the base 141 from the right end (the end on the positive side of the X-axis) of the upper surface of the base 141 and extends to the outside of the right side wall of the base 141. Figure 4 As shown, the terminals 142A and 142B are bent to form a crank-shaped member when viewed from the front side (the negative side of the Y axis).

[0055] The first contact member 143 is a member formed by processing a metal plate and provided on the terminal 142A in an overlapping manner at the left end portion (the end portion on the negative side of the X-axis) of the upper surface of the base 141. The first contact member 143 is electrically connected to the terminal 142A by being provided on the terminal 142A in an overlapping manner. The first contact member 143 has a movable contact portion 143A. When the switch 100 is in the on state, the movable contact portion 143A contacts the lower surface of the second contact member 144. As a result, the movable contact portion 143A and the second contact member 144 are in a conducting state. On the other hand, when the switch 100 is in the off state, the movable contact portion 143A is pressed by the movable section 174 of the third spring member 170 and separated from the lower surface of the second contact member 144. As a result, the movable contact portion 143A and the second contact member 144 are in a non-conducting state.

[0056] The second contact member 144 is a metal, flat plate-shaped member provided to overlap the terminal 142B at the right end (the end on the positive side of the X axis) of the upper surface of the base 141. The second contact member 144 is provided to overlap the terminal 142B to be electrically connected to the terminal 142B.

[0057] (Operation of switch 100)

[0058] The switch 100 configured in this manner is switched between an on state and an off state by the slide operation of the operating portion 132 by the operator, so that the slide operation member 130 slides in the left-right direction (X-axis direction).

[0059] For example, Figure 1 to Figure 4As shown, switch 100 is in the ON state when cam peak 136 of slide operating member 130 is located on the left side (X-axis negative side) of cam peak 154 of first spring member 150 , and terminal 142A and terminal 142B are in the mutually conductive state.

[0060] Then, the switch 100 is slid to the right (positive direction of the X-axis) by the sliding operating component 130, and the cam peak 136 of the sliding operating component 130 is located on the right side (positive side of the X-axis) of the cam peak 154 of the first spring component 150, and is switched to the closed state, and the terminal 142A and the terminal 142B become non-conductive with each other.

[0061] Specifically, the cam peak 136 is located to the right (X-axis positive side) of the cam peak 154, so that the pressing portion 134 of the slide operation member 130 presses the movable section 174 of the third spring member 170. As a result, the movable section 174 presses the movable contact portion 143A of the first contact member 143 via the waterproof sheet 180. As a result, the movable contact portion 143A is separated from the lower surface of the second contact member 144, and the first contact member 143 and the second contact member 144 are in a non-conductive state with each other. That is, the terminal 142A and the terminal 142B are in a non-conductive state with each other.

[0062] Here, the cam peak 136 presses down the first spring member 150 and the second spring member 160 while sliding in contact with the cam peak 154 until the top of the cam peak 136 reaches the top of the cam peak 154. At this time, since the elastic force of the second spring member 160 gradually increases, the operation load of the slide operation member 130 gradually increases.

[0063] Then, when the top of the cam peak 136 reaches the top of the cam peak 154 , the pressing amount of the first spring member 150 and the second spring member 160 by the cam peak 136 becomes maximum, and the operation load of the slide operation member 130 becomes maximum.

[0064] After the top of the cam peak 136 exceeds the top of the cam peak 154, the cam peak 136 and the cam peak 154 are in sliding contact, and the first spring member 150 and the second spring member 160 are pushed up sharply by the elastic force of the second spring member 160. At this time, the operation load of the sliding operation member 130 is suddenly reduced. By changing the operation load of the sliding operation member 130 in this way, the switch 100 can present a step-by-step operation feeling for the sliding operation of the sliding operation member 130.

[0065] (Configuration of Contact Portion 140)

[0066] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the appearance of the contact portion 140 according to one embodiment. Figure 6 It is a top view of the contact portion 140 according to one embodiment. Figure 7 1 is a front view of the contact portion 140 according to one embodiment. Figure 5 to Figure 7 In the figure, the base portion 141 included in the contact portion 140 is omitted.

[0067] like Figure 5 to Figure 7 As shown, the first contact member 143 is fixed to the terminal 142A and the base 141 by any fixing means (such as riveting, etc.) on the fixing portion 145 provided at a position overlapping with the terminal 142A (the left ends of a pair of outer straight portions 143a and 143b).

[0068] Furthermore, the second contact member 144 is fixed to the terminal 142B and the base 141 by any fixing means (for example, caulking) at a fixing portion 146 provided at a position overlapping the terminal 142B.

[0069] In addition, if Figure 5 to Figure 7 As shown in the figure, each of the first contact members 143 is configured to have a pair of outer straight portions 143a and 143b in a strip-shaped and thin plate shape, a pair of inner straight portions 143c and 143d, a connecting portion 143e, a connecting portion 143f, a connecting portion 143g, and a movable contact portion 143A. The first contact member 143 is processed (punched, bent, etc.) by a metal plate, so that these components are integrally formed.

[0070] The pair of outer straight portions 143a and 143b are portions extending in a straight line and parallel to each other along the left-right direction (X-axis direction). The outer straight portion 143a is provided on the front side (positive side of the Y axis). The outer straight portion 143b is provided on the rear side (negative side of the Y axis).

[0071] The pair of inner straight portions 143c and 143d are portions extending in a straight line and parallel to each other in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) between the pair of outer straight portions 143a and 143b. The inner straight portion 143c is provided on the front side (positive side of the Y-axis). The inner straight portion 143d is provided on the rear side (negative side of the Y-axis). The length of the pair of inner straight portions 143c and 143d in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) is shorter than that of the pair of outer straight portions 143a and 143b. In addition, the pair of inner straight portions 143c and 143d are inclined in a manner of descending to the left relative to the horizontal pair of outer straight portions 143a and 143b.

[0072] The right end of the inner straight portion 143c is connected to the right end of the outer straight portion 143a through a connecting portion 143e extending along the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction). The right end of the inner straight portion 143d is connected to the right end of the outer straight portion 143b through a connecting portion 143f extending along the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction). The left end of the inner straight portion 143c and the left end of the inner straight portion 143d are connected to each other through a connecting portion 143g extending along the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction).

[0073] The movable contact portion 143A extends linearly from the center of the connecting portion 143g in the front-back direction (Y-axis direction) to the left (X-axis negative direction), then bends upward and folds back to extend linearly to the right (X-axis positive direction). Then, the movable contact portion 143A is bent downward between the connecting portion 143e and the connecting portion 143f into a crank shape to adjust the height position and extends to the lower side of the second contact member 144.

[0074] The movable contact portion 143A has a spring property. Therefore, when the switch 100 is in the on state, the movable contact portion 143A has its tip portion pressed against the lower surface of the second contact member 144 by its own spring force, and is in the on state with respect to the second contact member 144 .

[0075] On the other hand, when the switch 100 is in the closed state, the movable contact portion 143A is pressed down in a straight line to the right (in the positive direction of the X-axis) by the movable slice 174 of the third spring member 170, so that the front end portion is separated from the lower surface of the second contact member 144 and becomes non-conductive relative to the second contact member 144.

[0076] As described above, the switch 100 of this embodiment has a folded shape of the movable contact portion 143A, so that the spring length of the contact portion 143A can be obtained. Therefore, the switch 100 of this embodiment can make the spring constant of the movable contact portion 143A smaller in a relatively small space. In other words, the movable contact portion 143A can be elastically deformed more easily.

[0077] In addition, since the switch 100 of the present embodiment has the folded shape as described above, even when the base 141 is compressed due to the pressure applied to the resin base 141 during the secondary molding (injection molding of the housing 110), the tip of the movable contact portion 143A and the second contact member 144 can be moved in a direction approaching each other. As a result, when the base 141 is compressed, the switch 100 of the present embodiment can increase the contact area between the tip of the movable contact portion 143A and the second contact member 144, thereby preventing poor contact between the movable contact portion 143A and the second contact member 144.

[0078] (Modification of the Second Spring Member 160)

[0079] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing a modified example of the second spring member 160 according to the embodiment. Figure 8 A state in which a first spring member 150 of a modified example and a second spring member 160 of a modified example overlap each other is shown.

[0080] exist Figure 2 to Figure 4 In the example shown, the elastic arm portion 164 of the second spring member 160 is folded back at the end in the sliding direction (X-axis direction) of the second spring member 160 and extends in the sliding direction (X-axis direction) below the second spring member 160 .

[0081] It is not limited to this, such as Figure 8 As shown in the example, the elastic arm portion 164 of the second spring member 160 may be folded back at the end portion of the second spring member 160 in the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction (Y-axis direction), and extend in the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction (Y-axis direction) at the lower side of the second spring member 160. Thus, the second spring member 160 is less likely to tilt as the sliding operation member 130 slides.

[0082] In addition, if Figure 8 As shown in the example, the second spring member 160 may be a member having an elastic arm portion 164 at each of the left and right end portions, and the front-to-back width of the elastic arm portion 164 may be the same as the front-to-back width of the base portion 161. Thus, the torsional rigidity of the elastic arm portion 164 can be increased, so that the second spring member 160 is less likely to tilt as the slide operation member 130 slides.

[0083] As described above, the switch 100 of one embodiment includes: a sliding operating member 130; a first spring member 150, which is provided on the lower side of the sliding operating member 130 and provides the sliding operating member 130 with an operating feel by slidingly contacting with the sliding operating member 130; and a second spring member 160, which is provided on the lower side of the first spring member 150 and has a flat base 161 and an elastic arm 164, the elastic arm 164 is provided at each end of the two ends of the base 161, and is folded back at the end of the base 161 and extends on the lower side of the base 161, the second spring member 160 applies force to the first spring member 150 upward, and the second spring member 160 has an inclination limiting portion 166 extending downward at each end of the two ends of the base 161.

[0084] Thus, in the switch 100 of the present embodiment, when the second spring member 160 moves downward by a predetermined amount, the tilt limiting portions 166 provided at both ends of the base 161 of the second spring member 160 abut against the lower member (the third spring member 170 in the present embodiment). Therefore, in the switch 100 of the present embodiment, if the second spring member 160 tilts, the tilt limiting portions 166 on one side abut against the third spring member 170, thereby suppressing further tilting of the second spring member 160.

[0085] Furthermore, the switch 100 according to one embodiment further includes a housing 110 having a housing space 112 for housing at least the second spring member 160 , and the inclination restricting portion 166 is in sliding contact with an inner wall surface 112A of the housing space 112 .

[0086] Thus, the switch 100 of the present embodiment can further suppress the inclination of the second spring member 160 .

[0087] In the switch 100 according to one embodiment, the elastic arm portion 164 is folded back at the end of the base portion 161 in the sliding direction, and extends in the sliding direction at the lower side of the base portion 161 .

[0088] Thus, the switch 100 of the present embodiment is configured such that the second spring member 160 is easily tilted when the tilt restricting portion 166 is not provided. Therefore, the tilt restricting portion 166 has a more significant tilt suppressing effect.

[0089] In addition, in the switch 100 of one embodiment, the sliding operation component 130 has a cam peak portion 136 protruding downward, and the first spring component 150 has a cam peak portion 154, which is arranged to protrude upward and provides an operating feel to the sliding operation component 130 by sliding contact with the cam peak portion 136, and the contact position between the elastic arm portion 164 and the lower side component (the third spring component 170 in this embodiment) is set at a position outside the lower end position of the cam peak portion 154 in the sliding direction.

[0090] Thus, the switch 100 of the present embodiment is configured such that the second spring member 160 is easily tilted when the tilt restricting portion 166 is not provided. Therefore, the tilt restricting portion 166 has a more significant tilt suppressing effect.

[0091] In addition, the switch 100 of one embodiment further includes: a third spring member 170, which is provided on the lower side of the second spring member 160 and has a movable section 174 that is pressed downward along with the sliding of the sliding operation member 130; a first contact member 143, which is provided on the lower side of the third spring member 170 and has a movable contact portion 143A that is pressed downward by the movable section 174; and a second contact member 144, which is provided on the lower side of the third spring member 170 in parallel with the first contact member 143 and contacts and separates with the movable contact portion 143A.

[0092] Thus, the switch 100 of the present embodiment can switch the sliding action of the slide operation member 130 to the vertical contact and separation action of the movable contact portion 143A by means of the movable section 174 of the third spring member 170. Therefore, the switch 100 of the present embodiment can enjoy various advantages (such as suppression of wear of the contact portion, etc.) based on the vertical contact and separation action of the movable contact portion 143A.

[0093] In the switch 100 according to the embodiment, the movable contact portion 143A extends in a direction away from the second contact member 144 and then folds back to extend in a direction approaching the second contact member 144 to a position in contact with and away from the second contact member 144 .

[0094] Thus, the switch 100 of this embodiment can obtain a longer spring length of the movable contact portion 143A. Therefore, the switch 100 of this embodiment can make the spring constant of the movable contact portion 143A smaller in a relatively small space. That is, the movable contact portion 143A can be elastically deformed more easily.

[0095] Furthermore, in the switch 100 of the present embodiment, even when the base 141 supporting the first contact member 143 and the second contact member 144 is compressed due to the pressure applied to the base 141, the tip portion of the movable contact portion 143A and the second contact member 144 can be moved in a direction approaching each other. Thus, when the base 141 is compressed, the switch 100 of the present embodiment can increase the contact area between the tip portion of the movable contact portion 143A and the second contact member 144, thereby suppressing poor contact between the movable contact portion 143A and the second contact member 144.

[0096] As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0097] For example, in the switch 100 of the above embodiment, the configuration in which the terminal 142A and the terminal 142B are switched between the conductive state and the non-conductive state by sliding the slide operating member 130 may be a configuration other than the configuration described in the above embodiment (i.e., the configuration using the third spring member 170, the first contact member 143, and the second contact member 144). Even in this case, the switch 100 of the above embodiment can suppress the inclination of the second spring member 160 accompanying the sliding of the slide operating member 130, and thus can achieve a longer life of the elastic arm portion 164.

[0098] In addition, for example, the present invention may be implemented in other switches other than the switch 100 of the above-described embodiment by having at least the following configuration: "having: a switch operating member; a first contact member having a movable contact portion that is pressed downward in accordance with a switch operation of the switch operating member; and a second contact member that is provided in parallel with the first contact member and that makes contact with and separates from the movable contact portion, the movable contact portion extending in a direction that separates from the second contact member and then folding back, thereby extending in a direction that approaches the second contact member to a position where it makes contact with and separates from the second contact member". In this case, the switch operating member is not limited to a member that performs a sliding action, and may be a member that performs other actions (e.g., a pressing action, a rotating action, etc.).

[0099] Even in this case, other switches can also gain the spring length of the movable contact part. Therefore, other switches can make the spring constant of the movable contact part smaller in a relatively small space. That is, the movable contact part can be elastically deformed more easily.

[0100] In addition, even when the base of the other switch is compressed due to the pressure applied to the base supporting the first contact member and the second contact member, the front end portion of the movable contact portion and the second contact member can be moved in a direction approaching each other. Therefore, when the base of the other switch is compressed, the contact area between the front end portion of the movable contact portion and the second contact member can be increased, thereby preventing poor contact between the movable contact portion and the second contact member.

[0101] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-222453, filed on December 9, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0102] Description of Reference Numerals

[0103] 100 switches

[0104] 110 Shell

[0105] 112 Containment Chamber

[0106] 112A inner wall surface

[0107] 114 snap-in slot

[0108] 120 Frames

[0109] 122 opening

[0110] 124 snap-on wall

[0111] 130 Sliding operating member (switch operating member)

[0112] 131 base

[0113] 132 Operation Department

[0114] 134 Press down

[0115] 136 Cam peak (first cam peak)

[0116] 140 contact part

[0117] 141 base

[0118] 142A, 142B terminal

[0119] 143 first contact member

[0120] 143A movable contact

[0121] 144 second contact member

[0122] 150 first spring member

[0123] 152 opening

[0124] 154 Cam peak (second cam peak)

[0125] 160 second spring member

[0126] 161 base

[0127] 162 opening

[0128] 164 elastic arm

[0129] 166 tilt limiting part

[0130] 170 third spring component

[0131] 172 opening

[0132] 174 movable slice (driving unit)

[0133] 180 waterproof film

Claims

1. A switch, characterized in that: have: Sliding operating components; a first spring member disposed on the lower side of the slide operation member and providing a paragraph operation feeling to the slide operation member by slidingly contacting the slide operation member; as well as The second spring component is provided at the lower side of the first spring component and has a flat base and an elastic arm. The elastic arm is provided at each end of the two ends of the base and is folded back at the end of the base to extend at the lower side of the base. The second spring component applies force to the first spring component upward. The second spring member has an inclination restricting portion extending downward at each end of both ends of the base. The switch also has: a third spring member, provided on the lower side of the second spring member, having a driving portion that is pressed downward as the slide operation member slides; a first contact member, provided on the lower side of the third spring member, having a movable contact portion that is pressed downward by the driving portion; as well as The second contact member is provided on the lower side of the third spring member in parallel with the first contact member and is in contact with and separated from the movable contact portion.

2. The switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The invention further includes a housing having a housing space for housing at least the second spring member, wherein the inclination restricting portion is in sliding contact with an inner wall surface of the housing space.

3. The switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The elastic arm portion is folded back at an end portion of the base portion in the sliding direction of the slide operation member, and extends along the sliding direction at a lower side of the base portion.

4. The switch according to claim 3, characterized in that: The slide operation member has a first cam peak portion protruding downward, The first spring member has a second cam peak portion, the second cam peak portion is arranged to protrude upward, and provides a step operation feeling to the slide operation member by slidingly contacting with the first cam peak portion. The contact position between the elastic arm portion and the lower member is provided at a position outside the lower end position of the second cam peak portion in the sliding direction.

5. The switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The elastic arm portion is folded back at an end portion of the base portion in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slide operation member, and extends below the base portion in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction.

6. The switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable contact portion extends in a direction away from the second contact member and then folds back to extend in a direction approaching the second contact member to a position where it contacts and separates from the second contact member.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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