Electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device is provided with: a housing; a ground conductor plate housed in the housing; a button that passes through the housing from an outer surface of the housing to an inner surface of the housing and is slidable in a passing-through direction; a fixed contact fixed to the ground conductor plate in the housing and disposed in front of the button; an electrical insulator that is interposed between the ground conductor plate and the fixed contact and electrically insulates the fixed contact from the ground conductor plate; and a movable contact electrically connected to the ground conductor plate, the movable contact being pressed against the fixed contact by the button when the button is pressed into the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] In order to improve the impact resistance and wear resistance of electronic devices such as watches, a metal plate is housed inside the housing of the electronic device. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-333325 discloses the following technology: the rotor and the gear train drive unit of the watch are mounted on the plate, and the plate is made of metal, so as to suppress the wear of the plate caused by the rotor and the gear train drive unit.

[0003] On the other hand, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-98177, a push switch is generally used in electronic devices such as watches. Generally, a push switch has a button, a movable contact, and a fixed contact. When a user presses the button, the movable contact is pressed against the fixed contact by the button. When the user releases the button, the button returns to its original position by the elastic force of a spring or the like, and the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact.

[0004] However, if both the push switch and the metal plate are used in an electronic device, the movable contact or the fixed contact may be short-circuited with the metal plate by mistake due to vibration or impact, etc. Therefore, in the past, both the push switch and the metal plate were not used in electronic devices. Summary of the invention

[0005] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a shell; a grounding conductor plate housed in the shell; a button that penetrates the shell from the outer surface of the shell to the inner surface of the shell and is slidable in the penetration direction; a fixed contact that is fixed to the grounding conductor plate in the shell and is arranged in front of the button; an electrical insulator that is interposed between the grounding conductor plate and the fixed contact to electrically insulate the fixed contact from the grounding conductor plate; and a movable contact that is electrically connected to the grounding conductor plate, and when the button is pressed into the shell, the movable contact is pressed against the fixed contact by the button. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a top view of the electronic device.

[0007] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing a main board inside an electronic device.

[0008] Figure 3 It means along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the section along line III-III is shown.

[0009] Figure 4yes Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the area.

[0010] Figure 5 Yes Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 This is a top view showing the motherboard as viewed from the back as shown in the direction of the line of sight of the arrow V.

[0011] Figure 6 It means along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the section taken along line VI-VI is shown.

[0012] Figure 7 It means along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the section along line VII-VII is shown.

[0013] Figure 8 It is a top view of the interior of an electronic device according to a modified example.

[0014] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a wristwatch according to a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Hereinafter, the embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The features and technical effects of the embodiments can be understood according to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below. Since the accompanying drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples of the accompanying drawings.

[0016] In the following description, when ordinals such as "first" and "second" are given common names, the ordinals are used only to identify the objects to which the ordinals are given. The ordinals do not limit the objects to which the ordinals are given to specific objects, and the ordinals do not specify the order, rank, sequence, rank, priority, or inferiority, etc., of the objects to which the ordinals are given.

[0017] <1. Overview of electronic equipment>

[0018] Figure 1 1 is a top view of the surface (front) of the electronic device 1. The electronic device 1 is a watch for indicating time. The electronic device 1 is worn on the user's arm via an armband or an arm ring.

[0019] The electronic device 1 includes a housing 10 , a windshield 11 , an exterior material 12 , a watch module, a dial, a back cover, and push switches 40A to 40E.

[0020] The housing 10 is formed in a thin frame shape. That is, the housing 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a short axial dimension. The axial direction here refers to the direction from the surface (front) to the back of the electronic device 1 or the opposite direction. Figure 1The direction perpendicular to the paper surface is the axial direction. Hereinafter, the axial direction, the circumferential direction, and the radial direction related to the housing 10 are referred to as the first axial direction, the first circumferential direction, and the first radial direction, respectively.

[0021] The housing 10 has a hollow portion 10b surrounded by the housing 10 on the inner side (see Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 ). A transparent windshield 11 is fixed to the surface of the case 10 in a manner covering the hollow portion 10b of the case 10. The exterior material 12 surrounds the windshield 11 and is fixed to the case 10. The dial and the watch module are accommodated in the hollow portion 10b of the case 10. The dial is stacked on the watch module and faces the windshield 11 in the hollow portion 10b of the case 10. The back cover is detachably mounted on the back of the case 10 in a manner covering the hollow portion 10b of the case 10.

[0022] The push switches 40A to 40E are arranged along the first circumferential direction. When the positions of the push switches 40A to 40E are expressed in clock positions, the push switch 40A is arranged at the 2 o'clock position, the push switch 40B is arranged at the 4 o'clock position, the push switch 40C is arranged at the 8 o'clock position, the push switch 40D is arranged at the 10 o'clock position, and the push switch 40E is arranged at the 6 o'clock position. The push switches 40A to 40E are normally open switches. The push switches 40A to 40E will be described in detail later.

[0023] The watch module displays the time. The watch module can display various information in addition to the time. The watch module can also be an analog watch module that displays the time by pointers. The watch module can also be a digital watch module that displays the time by numbers. The watch module can also be an analog and digital watch module that displays the time by pointers and numerical values. In the case of an analog watch module or an analog and digital watch module, the watch module has a gear train mechanism that moves the pointer. The power source of the gear train mechanism is a clockwork mechanism or a motor. In the case of a digital watch module or an analog digital watch module, the watch module has a liquid crystal display device.

[0024] <2. Main board, main circuit board and auxiliary circuit board>

[0025] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the main board 20 of the watch module inside the case 10 as viewed from the back. Figure 3 It means along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the section along line III-III is shown.

[0026] The watch module has a main board 20, a main circuit substrate 31 and an auxiliary circuit substrate 32. The main board 20, the main circuit substrate 31 and the auxiliary circuit substrate 32 are arranged between the dial and the back cover in the hollow part 10b of the housing 10. The main circuit substrate 31, the auxiliary circuit substrate 32 and the main board 20 are arranged in sequence from the back cover toward the windshield 11. That is, the auxiliary circuit substrate 32 overlaps with the main circuit substrate 31, and the main board 20 overlaps with the auxiliary circuit substrate 32. The auxiliary circuit substrate 32 can be in contact with the main circuit substrate 31 or separated. There may or may not be other components between the auxiliary circuit substrate 32 and the main circuit substrate 31. The main board 20 can be in contact with the auxiliary circuit substrate 32 or separated. There may or may not be other components between the main board 20 and the auxiliary circuit substrate 32. The wiring formed on the auxiliary circuit substrate 32 is electrically insulated from the main board 20 by the insulating coating formed on the surface of the auxiliary circuit substrate 32.

[0027] The shape of the main board 20 is based on a disk. In order to install, carry, fix, support, hold or configure the various parts of the watch module on the main board 20, the main board 20 has pins, protrusions, depressions, holes, cutouts, grooves and internal threads. Since the main board 20 is made of metal material, the main board 20 has conductivity. The main board 20 is a ground wire that is a reference for determining the potential of each part of the circuit, and the potential of the main board 20 is 0V. Therefore, the main board 20 is also called a ground conductor plate. In addition, the main board 20 can also be electrically connected to the back cover, and the back cover is made of metal material.

[0028] The main board 20 has a thickness from a back surface 21 of the main board 20 to a surface 22 (front surface) of the main board 20. The back surface 21 faces the rear cover, and the surface 22 faces the windshield 11.

[0029] The main board 20 has a first recess 23 and a second recess 24 recessed from the back side 21. The first recess 23 and the second recess 24 reach the outer edge of the back side 21, and the first recess 23 and the second recess 24 are open on the outer peripheral surface of the main board 20. The first recess 23 and the second recess 24 are arranged along the outer periphery of the main board 20. The second recess 24 is integrated with the first recess 23. The first recess 23 is deeper than the second recess 24. The bottom and inner surface of the first recess 23 may also be coated with insulation.

[0030] The main board 20 has a protrusion 25 in the first recess 23. The protrusion 25 is formed on the inner surface of the first recess 23 along the outer peripheral surface of the main board 20. The protrusion 25 is located on the extension line of the through hole 10a described later. The protrusion 25 protrudes from the inner surface of the first recess 23 toward the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10 and the through hole 10a described later.

[0031] The auxiliary circuit board 32 covers the first recess 23 and the second recess 24. The auxiliary circuit board 32 has terminal pads 32a and 32b on the surface facing the main board 20. The terminal pad 32a is located on the first recess 23, and the terminal pad 32b is located on the second recess 24.

[0032] If the positions of the first recess 23 and the second recess 24 are expressed by clock positions, the first recess 23 and the second recess 24 are arranged at the 2 o'clock position. The first recess 23 and the second recess 24 are provided for pressing the switch 40A. The same recesses as the first recess 23 and the second recess 24 are formed on the back surface 21 of the main board 20 at the 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, 10 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions, respectively, for pressing the switches 40B, 40C, 40D and 40E.

[0033] <3. Press the switch>

[0034] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the area. Figure 5 Yes Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 This is a plan view showing the main board 20 as viewed from the back side of the electronic device 1 as shown in the direction of the line of sight of the arrow V in FIG. Figure 6 It means along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the section taken along line VI-VI is shown.

[0035] like Figure 2 to Figure 6 As shown, the push switch 40A includes a cylinder 41 , a coil spring 42 , a button 43 , a retaining ring 44 , a fixed contact 45 , an electrical insulator 46 , a fixing pin 47 , a movable contact 48 , and a fastener 49 .

[0036] The cylinder 41 , the button 43 , the coil spring 42 and the retaining ring 44 are supported by the housing 10 , and the fixed contact 45 , the electrical insulator 46 , the fixing pin 47 , the movable contact 48 and the fastener 49 are supported by the main board 20 in the hollow portion 10 b of the housing 10 .

[0037] (1) Cylinder body

[0038] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the cylinder body 41 has a hollow portion inside, and the cylinder body 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the hollow portion. The hollow portion of the cylinder body 41 is open at both ends of the cylinder body 41 in the axial direction of the cylinder body 41. The diameter of the portion near one end of the hollow portion of the cylinder body 41 is larger than the diameter of the portion near the other end. Hereinafter, the portion with a larger diameter is referred to as a large diameter portion, and the portion with a smaller diameter is referred to as a small diameter portion.

[0039] The cylinder body 41 is fixed to the side of the housing 10. Specifically, the housing 10 has a through hole 10a that penetrates from the inner circumferential surface of the housing 10 to the outer circumferential surface of the housing 10 along the first radial direction on the side of the housing 10, and the cylinder body 41 is embedded in the through hole 10a, and the external thread on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder body 41 is screwed to the internal thread on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 10a. Regarding the posture of the cylinder body 41 when the cylinder body 41 is fixed to the housing 10, the axial direction of the cylinder body 41 is parallel to the first radial direction. The positions of the cylinder body 41 and the through hole 10a in the first circumferential direction are aligned with the position of the first recess 23 in the first circumferential direction.

[0040] (2) Coil spring

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, the coil spring 42 is accommodated in the large diameter portion in the hollow portion of the cylinder 41 .

[0042] (3) Button

[0043] like Figure 3 to Figure 5 As shown, the button 43 is inserted into the cylinder 41, and the button 43 is coaxial with the cylinder 41. Hereinafter, the axial direction, circumferential direction, and radial direction related to the button 43 and the cylinder 41 are referred to as the second axial direction, the second circumferential direction, and the second radial direction, respectively. The second axial direction is parallel to the first radial direction. The second axial direction is the direction in which the button 43 passes from the outer circumferential surface of the housing 10 to the inner circumferential surface.

[0044] The radial load of the button 43 is borne by the cylinder 41, and the button 43 is guided by the cylinder 41 along the second axial direction. The button 43 can slide relative to the cylinder 41 along the second axial direction and the first radial direction. The coil spring 42 is clamped by the button 43 and the cylinder 41 in the second axial direction. When the button 43 is pressed toward the hollow portion 10b of the housing 10, the coil spring 42 is compressed. When the button 43 is released from being pressed, the button 43 is forced toward the outside of the housing 10 by the elastic force of the coil spring 42, and the button 43 returns to its original position.

[0045] The button 43 has a shaft 43a and a head 43b. The shaft 43a extends along the second axial direction. The end of the head 43b in the second axial direction of the shaft 43a is integrally provided with the shaft 43a. The diameter of the head 43b is larger than the diameter of the shaft 43a. The shaft 43a is inserted into the small diameter portion in the hollow portion of the cylinder body 41, and the head 43b is inserted into the large diameter portion. The head 43b may also protrude slightly from the hollow portion of the cylinder body 41 outside the housing 10. The end of the shaft 43a protrudes slightly from the hollow portion of the cylinder body 41 to the hollow portion 10b of the housing 10. The coil spring 42 is sandwiched between the step surface of the cylinder body 41 and the head 43b at the large diameter portion of the cylinder body 41. The step surface of the cylinder body 41 refers to an annular surface that connects the inner peripheral surface of the small diameter portion with the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion and expands in the second radial direction and the second circumferential direction.

[0046] (4) Retaining ring

[0047] like Figure 3 to Figure 5 As shown, the retaining ring 44 is installed at the end of the button 43, that is, the front end of the shaft 43a, in the hollow part 10b of the housing 10. The retaining ring 44 is hooked on the end of the cylinder 41. Such hooking helps to prevent the button 43 from falling off from the cylinder 41.

[0048] (5) Fixed contacts, electrical insulators, and fixing pins

[0049] like Figure 2 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 As shown, the fixed contact 45, the electrical insulator 46, and the fixing pin 47 are arranged in the first recess 23. The fixed contact 45, the electrical insulator 46, and the fixing pin 47 are arranged in front of the front end of the button 43.

[0050] The electrical insulator 46 is fixed to the bottom of the first recess 23 of the main board 20 by the fixing pin 47. The fixed contact 45 surrounds the electrical insulator 46 and is supported by the electrical insulator 46, so that the fixed contact 45 is separated from the main board 20 and the fixed contact 45 is electrically insulated from the main board 20. The fixed contact 45 contacts the terminal pad 32a of the auxiliary circuit substrate 32, and an electrical connection is established between the fixed contact 45 and the terminal pad 32a. Figure 6 , the thickness of the terminal pads 32a, 32b is emphasized.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, the electric insulator 46 is a block made of ceramics such as zirconium oxide. The electric insulator 46 made of ceramics has high impact resistance and load resistance. In addition, the material of the electric insulator 46 may also be a material other than ceramics. The electric insulator 46 may be made of a synthetic resin such as polyacetal, polycarbonate, polyamide or ABS resin.

[0052] like Figure 2 as well as Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the electrical insulator 46 has a body 46a, a protrusion 46b, and a through hole 46c.

[0053] The main body 46a is a block of a cubic or rectangular parallelepiped shape. The corners of the main body 46a are chamfered, and the chamfering may be any of a C-chamfer and a round chamfer. The chamfering helps prevent the electrical insulator 46 from being damaged.

[0054] The through hole 46c is formed in the main body 46a so as to penetrate between the two opposing surfaces of the main body 46a. When the electrical insulator 46 is arranged in the first recess 23, the surface (front surface) of the opposing surface of the main body 46a faces the bottom of the first recess 23, and the back surface faces the auxiliary circuit board 32. The protrusion 46b is provided in a convex shape on the side surface other than the opposing surface of the main body 46a.

[0055] The fixing pin 47 has a slight clearance with the inner surface of the through hole 46c of the electrical insulator 46, and is embedded in the through hole 46c. The front end of the fixing pin 47 protrudes from the through hole 46c, and the front end thereof is embedded in the fixing hole 23a formed at the bottom of the first recess 23. Thus, the fixing pin 47 is fixed to the bottom of the first recess 23, and the movement of the electrical insulator 46 in the direction orthogonal to the central axis of the fixing pin 47 is restricted by the fixing pin 47, and the electrical insulator 46 is fixed to the bottom of the first recess 23. The fixing pin 47 may also be bonded to the main board 20 by an adhesive or the like.

[0056] The protrusion 46 b of the electrical insulator 46 protrudes toward the protrusion 25 on the inner surface of the first recess 23 and contacts the protrusion 25 .

[0057] The fixing pin 47 is made of metal, ceramic or resin. If the fixing pin 47 is made of metal or ceramic, the fixing pin 47 has high strength and the electrical insulator 46 is firmly fixed to the main board 20. The material of the fixing pin 47 may be the same as or different from the material of the main board 20. The material of the fixing pin 47 may be harder than the material of the main board 20. That is, the elastic modulus of the material of the fixing pin 47 may be higher than the elastic modulus of the material of the main board 20.

[0058] The fixed contact 45 is made of a metal material. The fixed contact 45 may be provided with a metal film formed by electroplating. The fixed contact 45 has conductivity. The fixed contact 45 is bent.

[0059] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the fixed contact 45 has a frame 45a, a first hook 45b, a second hook 45c and a protrusion 45d. The frame 45a, the first hook 45b, the second hook 45c and the protrusion 45d are integrally formed. The frame 45a, the first hook 45b, the second hook 45c and the protrusion 45d have conductivity.

[0060] The frame 45a surrounds the side of the main body 46a of the electrical insulator 46 and embraces the main body 46a. The frame 45a is separated from the inner surface of the first recess 23. The chamfering of the corners of the electrical insulator 46 helps to make it easier for the main body 46a of the electrical insulator 46 to fit inside the frame 45a.

[0061] The frame 45a has a slit 45e connected from the inside of the frame 45a to the outside of the frame 45a. The surrounding of the frame 45a is interrupted at the slit 45e. The slit 45e is arranged at a position opposite to the protrusion 25 formed in the first recess 23. The frame 45a has a pair of claws 45f on both sides of the slit 45e. These claws 45f protrude toward the center of the slit 45e. The main body 46a of the electrical insulator 46 is embedded in the inner side of the frame 45a, and the protrusion 46b of the electrical insulator 46 protrudes to the outside of the frame 45 through the slit 45e. The protrusion 46b contacts the protrusion 25. The protrusion 46b is sandwiched between the pair of claws 45f. These claws 45f are hooked on the side of the main body 46a.

[0062] The first hook 45b extends from the edge of the frame 45a on the side of the auxiliary circuit substrate 32 and is bent toward the inner side of the frame 45a. The area surrounded by the frame 45a is partially covered by the first hook 45b. The first hook 45b is hooked on the back side of the opposing surface of the main body 46a of the electrical insulator 46. The hooking of the first hook 45b helps to support the frame 45a of the fixed contact 45 on the main body 46a, so that the frame 45a is separated from the bottom of the first recess 23. The first hook 45b contacts the terminal pad 32a of the auxiliary circuit substrate 32. In order to make the front end of the first hook 45b reliably contact the terminal pad 32a, the first hook 45b may also be warped toward the terminal pad 32a. The potential of the fixed contact 45 is determined by the terminal pad 32a. The potential of the fixed contact 45 is higher than the potential of the main board 20.

[0063] The second hook 45c extends from the edge of the frame 45a on the side of the auxiliary circuit board 32 at the center of the area surrounded by the frame 45a, on the opposite side of the first hook 45b, and is bent toward the inside of the frame 45a. The second hook 45c partially covers the area surrounded by the frame 45a. The second hook 45c is hooked on the back of the main body 46a. The hooking of the second hook 45c helps to support the frame 45a of the fixed contact 45 on the main body 46a, so that the frame 45a is separated from the bottom of the first recess 23. In particular, the use of the second hook 45c in addition to the first hook 45b helps to stably support the frame 45a on the main body 46a.

[0064] When the fixing pin 47 has conductivity, the first hook 45b and the second hook 45c are separated from the fixing pin 47. When the fixing pin 47 is pulled into the through hole 46c, the first hook 45b and the second hook 45c are reliably insulated from the fixing pin 47.

[0065] The raised portion 45d is formed on the frame 45a in a convex shape on the opposite side of the slit 45e with respect to the center of the region surrounded by the frame 45a. The raised portion 45d protrudes from the frame 45a toward the through hole 10a.

[0066] The portion of the fixed contact 45 facing the bottom of the first recess 23 may also be coated with insulation. The portion of the fixed contact 45 facing the inner surface of the first recess 23 may also be coated with insulation.

[0067] (6) Movable contact and fastener

[0068] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the movable contact 48 is arranged in the second recess 24. The movable contact 48 is fixed to the bottom of the second recess 24 by a fastener 49. The movable contact 48 contacts the main board 20, and an electrical connection is established between the movable contact 48 and the main board 20. The potential of the movable contact 48 is 0V. The movable contact 48 contacts the terminal pad 32b of the auxiliary circuit substrate 32, and an electrical connection is established between the movable contact 48 and the terminal pad 32b. The movable contact 48 extends from the outer edge of the back surface 21 of the main board 20, especially the edge of the bottom of the second recess 24, and is bent toward the outer peripheral surface of the main board 20. The movable contact 48 is further folded back to the space between the fixed contact 45 and the front end of the button 43. When the button 43 is pressed, the movable contact 48 is pressed toward the fixed contact 45 by the front end of the button 43. As a result, the movable contact 48 is elastically deformed, and the movable contact 48 contacts the fixed contact 45. When the push button 43 is released, the movable contact 48 is restored and the movable contact 48 is separated from the fixed contact 45 .

[0069] The movable contact 48 is made of a metal material. The movable contact 48 may be provided with a metal film formed by electroplating. The movable contact 48 has conductivity. The movable contact 48 is bent.

[0070] The movable contact 48 has a base 48a, a terminal 48b, a side support 48c, a leaf spring 48d and an inclined flange 48e. The base 48a, the terminal 48b, the side support 48c, the leaf spring 48d and the inclined flange 48e are integrally formed. The base 48a, the terminal 48b, the side support 48c and the leaf spring 48d are conductive.

[0071] The base 48a is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The base 48a has a through hole at its center. The base 48a is placed downward at the bottom of the second recess 24 and close to the first recess 23. The fastener 49 is inserted into the through hole of the base 48a, and the base 48a is fixed to the main board 20 by the fastener 49. The base 48a contacts the main board 20, and the electrical connection between the base 48a and the main board 20 is achieved.

[0072] The terminal 48b is formed of a strip. The terminal 48b extends from the first circumferential end of the base 48a in the first circumferential direction. The terminal 48b contacts the terminal pad 32b of the auxiliary circuit substrate 32. In order to make the front end of the terminal 48b contact the terminal pad 32b reliably, the terminal 48b may be warped toward the terminal pad 32b.

[0073] The side support member 48c is bent at the end of the base 48a toward the outer peripheral surface of the main board 20. The side support member 48c extends from the end of the base 48a toward the surface 22 of the main board 20. The side support member 48c is opposed to a part of the outer peripheral surface of the main board 20. The side support member 48c may also contact the outer peripheral surface of the main board 20.

[0074] The leaf spring 48d is folded onto the side support member 48c from the end portion in the first circumferential direction of the side support member 48c. The leaf spring 48d is folded back from the end portion in the first circumferential direction of the side support member 48c to the space between the raised portion 45d of the fixed contact member 45 and the front end of the shaft 43a of the button 43. The bending angle of the leaf spring 48d relative to the side support member 48c exceeds 90 degrees and is less than 180 degrees. The leaf spring 48d extends from the folded back portion along the outer periphery of the main board 20 and is inserted between the raised portion 45d of the fixed contact member 45 and the front end of the shaft 43a of the button 43. When the leaf spring 48d is in the natural state, the leaf spring 48d is separated from the raised portion 45d. When the leaf spring 48d is in the natural state, the leaf spring 48d may be in contact with the front end of the shaft 43a or may be separated from the front end of the shaft 43a. When the leaf spring 48d is in the natural state, the leaf spring 48d may also be perpendicular to the central axis of the shaft 43a of the button 43. Furthermore, the leaf spring 48 d has a width that is longer in the thickness direction of the main plate 20 , that is, in the first axial direction.

[0075] When the button 43 is pressed, the leaf spring 48d is pressed toward the raised portion 45d by the front end of the shaft 43a. As a result, the leaf spring 48d is elastically deformed and the leaf spring 48d contacts the raised portion 45d. The contact between the leaf spring 48d and the raised portion 45d causes the push switch 40A to be turned on. If the button 43 is released from being pressed, the leaf spring 48d is restored and the leaf spring 48d is separated from the raised portion 45d. Since the leaf spring 48d is folded back from the end of the side support 48c, the leaf spring 48d is easily restored and the leaf spring 48d is reliably separated from the raised portion 45d. The separation of the leaf spring 48d from the raised portion 45d causes the push switch 40A to be turned off.

[0076] The oblique flange 48e extends from the edge of the leaf spring 48d on the windshield 11 side. The oblique flange 48e is bent from the edge of the leaf spring 48d toward the fixed contact 45. The oblique flange 48e is inclined from the surface along the leaf spring 48d toward the fixed contact 45 side. When the movable contact 48 is assembled to the main board 20, if the oblique flange 48e abuts against the front end of the shaft 43a, the oblique flange 48e and the leaf spring 48d are guided by the oblique flange 48e to the space between the protrusion 45d and the front end of the shaft 43a. The inclination of the oblique flange 48e helps to easily insert the leaf spring 48d and the oblique flange 48e into the space between the protrusion 45d and the front end of the shaft 43a when the movable contact 48 is assembled.

[0077] The fastener 49 includes a screw 49a and a flanged nut 49b. The nut 49b is inserted into a hole extending from the bottom 24 of the second recess to the surface 22 of the main board 20, and the flange of the nut 49b is hooked on the surface 22. The shaft of the screw 49a is inserted into the through hole of the base 48a. The shaft is screwed to the nut 49b, and the base 48a and the main board 20 are fastened by the head of the screw 49a and the flange of the nut 49b. In addition, the fastener 49 may be a screw only, or may be a rivet or a rivet.

[0078] <4. Other push switches>

[0079] The push switches 40B to 40D are provided in the same manner as the push switch 40A. The movement direction of the buttons of the push switches 40B to 40D is the same as the movement direction of the button 43 of the push switch 40A, that is, the first radial direction.

[0080] Figure 7 It means along Figure 1 1-1 is a cross-sectional view of the cross section of the line VII-VII shown. The cylinder 141 of the push switch 40E is equivalent to the cylinder 41 of the push switch 40A. The button 143 of the push switch 40E is equivalent to the button 43 of the push switch 40A. The retaining ring 144 of the push switch 40E is equivalent to the retaining ring 44 of the push switch 40A. The fixed contact 145 of the push switch 40E is equivalent to the fixed contact 45 of the push switch 40A. The electrical insulator 146 of the push switch 40E is equivalent to the electrical insulator 46 of the push switch 40A. The fixing pin 147 of the push switch 40E is equivalent to the fixing pin 47 of the push switch 40A. The movable contact 148 of the push switch 40E is equivalent to the movable contact 48 of the push switch 40A. The through hole 10e of the housing 10 is equivalent to the through hole 10a.

[0081] The push switch 40E is provided in the same manner as the push switch 40A. However, the movement direction of the button 143 of the push switch 40D is different from the movement direction of the button 43 of the push switch 40A, and is inclined with respect to the first radial direction.

[0082] Similar to the cylinder 41 and the button 43 of the push switch 40A being mounted in the through hole 10a of the housing 10, the cylinder 141 and the button 143 of the push switch 40E are mounted in the through hole 10e of the housing 10. The central axes of the cylinder 141, the button 143, and the through hole 10e are inclined toward the first radially outer side toward the surface side of the housing 10. The inclination of the central axes of the cylinder 141, the button 143, and the through hole 10e helps the user to easily press the button 143.

[0083] Since the push switches 40A to 40E are provided in the same manner, the push switches 40A to 40E use common parts.

[0084] <5. Conclusion>

[0085] (1) The electrical insulator 46 is interposed between the main board 20 and the fixed contact 45, and electrically insulates the fixed contact 45 from the main board 20. Such an electrical insulator 46 helps to mount the fixed contact 45 on the conductive main board 20 and to use both the push switch 40A and the main board 20 in the electronic device 1. Since the fixed contact 45 is mounted on the main board 20, the electroplated pad for the fixed contact does not need to be provided on the side of the auxiliary circuit substrate 32. This helps to reduce the thickness of the auxiliary circuit substrate 32 and the manufacturing cost, and helps to reduce the thickness and cost of the electronic device 1. Here, the present embodiment is compared with the comparative example, and the technically advantageous effects of the present embodiment are described in detail. Fig. 9 FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a watch having a push switch 940 of a comparative example. Fig. 9 As shown, the circuit substrate 931 overlaps with the metal main board 920 in the housing 910. The movable contact 948 composed of a leaf spring is mounted on the main board 920 to achieve electrical connection between the movable contact 948 and the main board 920. When the button 943 is pressed, the movable contact 948 is pressed by the button 943 and elastically deformed, and the movable contact 948 contacts the fixed contact 945. The fixed contact 945 is formed on the side of the circuit substrate 931 by electroplating treatment or the like in such a manner that the fixed contact 945 is arranged in front of the front end of the button 943. In order to make the movable contact 948 contact the fixed contact 945 reliably, and in order to prevent the position of the fixed contact 945 from being offset, the circuit substrate 931 is thick, and the fixed contact 945 extends over the entire thickness of the circuit substrate 931. The manufacturing cost of such a circuit substrate 931 is high. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the electrical insulator 46 contributes to the reduction in thickness and manufacturing cost of the auxiliary circuit board 32. The effects confirmed in the present embodiment are also technically very advantageous compared to the comparative example.

[0086] (2) Since the components of the watch module are mounted on the main board 20, the thickness of the main board 20 is required. Since the first recess 23 is formed on such a main board 20, a thick block-shaped electrical insulator 46 is arranged in the first recess 23 and mounted on the main board 20. The fixed contact 45 surrounds such an electrical insulator 46 and is supported by the electrical insulator 46, so that the fixed contact 45 is separated from the bottom and inner surface of the first recess 23, and the fixed contact 45 is insulated from the main board 20. The first recess 23 reaches the outer peripheral surface of the main board 20 and opens on its outer peripheral surface, so the fixed contact 45 is arranged in front of the front end of the button 43. Therefore, by pressing the button 43 and releasing it, the movable contact 48 and the fixed contact 45 are contacted and separated.

[0087] (3) When the position of the push switch 40A is changed in design, only the positions of the first recess 23 and the second recess 24 need to be changed. Therefore, the shapes of the button 43, the retaining ring 44, the fixed contact 45, the electrical insulator 46, the fixing pin 47, the movable contact 48, and the fastener 49 are not changed in design, and they are used as they are.

[0088] (4) The frame 45a of the fixed contact 45 surrounds the main body 46a of the electrical insulator 46, and the first hook 45b and the second hook 45c of the fixed contact 45 extend from the frame 45a and are hooked on the main body 46a. Thus, the frame 45a is supported by the main body 46a, and the frame 45a is separated from the bottom of the first recess 23. Therefore, the insulation between the fixed contact 45 and the main board 20 is achieved.

[0089] (5) The protrusion 46b of the electrical insulator 46 contacts the protrusion 25 on the inner surface of the first recess 23 through the slit 45e of the frame 45a. When the button 43 is pressed, the load applied from the button 43 to the fixed contact 45 via the movable contact 48 is borne by the protrusion 25. In particular, the load is dispersed between the protrusion 25 and the fixed pin 47. Therefore, the electrical insulator 46 and the fixed contact 45 are not easily dropped.

[0090] (6) The direction in which the leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48 contacts and separates with respect to the frame 45a of the fixed contact 45 is perpendicular to the central axis of the fixed pin 47. Therefore, when the leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48 is pressed against the frame 45a of the fixed contact 45, the electrical insulator 46 is unlikely to fall off from the fixed pin 47.

[0091] (7) The fixing pin 47 is inserted into the through hole 46c of the electrical insulator 46 with a slight play between the inner surface of the through hole 46c and the fixing pin 47. Therefore, when the leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48 is strongly pressed against the frame 45a of the fixed contact 45, the impact is absorbed by the slight displacement of the electrical insulator 46. Therefore, the electrical insulator 46 is not easily removed from the fixing pin 47.

[0092] (8) The direction in which the leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48 contacts and separates from the frame 45a of the fixed contact 45 is perpendicular to the surface of the frame 45a on which the raised portion 45d is formed. Therefore, when the leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48 is pressed against the frame 45a of the fixed contact 45, the electrical insulator 46 is not easily removed from the fixing pin 47.

[0093] (9) When the leaf spring 48d is in the natural state, the leaf spring 48d may be perpendicular to the central axis of the shaft 43a of the button 43. Thus, when the front end of the button 43 contacts the leaf spring 48d, the movable contact 48 does not generate a load in an unexpected direction. Therefore, the durability of the movable contact 48 is improved.

[0094] (10) Since the leaf spring 48d is folded back from the end of the side support 48c, the stroke of the leaf spring 48d can be large, and the movable contact 48 is compact. In addition, when the pressing is released, the leaf spring 48d is easy to restore, and the leaf spring 48d and the protrusion 45d are reliably separated.

[0095] (11) In the push switch 40E, the direction in which the leaf spring of the movable contact 148 contacts and separates from the frame of the fixed contact 145 is perpendicular to the surface of the frame on which the ridge is formed. Even if the direction of movement of the button 143 is inclined relative to the leaf spring of the movable contact 148, when the leaf spring of the movable contact 148 is pressed against the frame of the fixed contact 145 at the front end of the button 143, the fixed contact 145 does not generate a load in an unexpected direction. Therefore, the fixed contact 145 and the electrical insulator 146 are not easily dislodged.

[0096] (12) The main board 20 is made of metal. The main board 20 is accommodated in the housing 10, and the housing 10 is reinforced by the main board 20. Therefore, the electronic device 1 has a strong property.

[0097] (13) Figure 7 As shown, the leaf spring of the movable contact 148 of the push switch 40E is the same as the leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48 of the push switch 40A, and has a width of a longer dimension w along the thickness direction of the main board 20, that is, the first axial direction. Therefore, even if the button 143 presses the leaf spring of the movable contact 148 obliquely relative to the orthogonal direction of the leaf spring, the leaf spring is in good and reliable contact with the fixed contact 145.

[0098] <6. Modifications>

[0099] In the present embodiment, the electronic device 1 is a wristwatch, but the electronic device 1 may be an electronic device other than a wristwatch, such as a pedometer, a heart rate meter, an altimeter, or a barometer.

[0100] The fixed contact 45 and the electrical insulator 46 may also be rectangular strips. In this case, the first recess 23 is not formed, and the fixed contact 45 and the electrical insulator 46 are fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the main board 20 by insulating fasteners or the like, and the electrical insulator 46 is sandwiched between the fixed contact 45 and the electrical insulator 46, so that the fixed contact 45 is electrically insulated from the main board 20. In addition, the fixed contact 45 and the electrical insulator 46 are arranged in front of the front end of the button 43. When the button 43 is pressed, the front end of the button 43 presses the leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48 against the fixed contact 45. Instead of the electrical insulator 46 formed of a long strip, an electrical insulating film may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed contact 45 or the main board 20, and the fixed contact 45 is electrically insulated from the main board 20 by the electrical insulating film.

[0101] like Figure 8 As shown, the shaft 43a of the button 43 may also be integrated with the movable contact 48. Specifically, the shaft 43a may also be integrally assembled to the leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48. The shaft 43a may also be formed integrally with the leaf spring 48d. When the shaft 43a is integrated with the movable contact 48, the retaining ring 44 may not be provided, and the head 43b of the button 43 may also be assembled to the shaft 43a.

[0102] The above embodiments are described, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but is determined based on the contents described in the claims. Furthermore, the equivalent scope of the claims to which changes irrelevant to the essence of the present invention are added is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that: have: case; a grounding conductor plate received in the housing; A button, which penetrates the housing from the outer surface of the housing to the inner surface of the housing and is slidable in the penetration direction; a fixed contact piece, which is fixed to the ground conductor plate in the housing and is arranged in front of the button; an electrical insulator, which is interposed between the grounded conductor plate and the fixed contact piece and electrically insulates the fixed contact piece from the grounded conductor plate; as well as The movable contact is electrically connected to the ground conductor plate, and when the button is pressed into the housing, the movable contact is pressed against the fixed contact by the button.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A circuit substrate overlapped with the ground conductor plate is provided, The circuit substrate includes a first terminal pad and a second terminal pad formed on a surface of the circuit substrate facing the ground conductor plate. The fixed contact and the movable contact are electrically connected to the first terminal pad and the second terminal pad, respectively.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ground conductor plate has a recessed portion on a surface of the ground conductor plate facing the circuit substrate. The recess reaches the outer periphery of the ground conductor plate and opens at the outer periphery of the ground conductor plate. The recess is arranged in front of the button, The electrical insulator is fixed to the bottom of the recess, The fixed contact surrounds the electrical insulator and is supported by the electrical insulator such that the fixed contact is separated from a bottom and an inner surface of the recess.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The fixed contact has: a frame formed in a frame shape, surrounding the electrical insulator and holding the electrical insulator, A hook extends from the frame, is bent toward the inside of the frame, and is hooked on the electrical insulator, thereby supporting the frame on the electrical insulator in a manner that the frame is separated from the bottom of the recess.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The hook contacts the first terminal pad.

6. The electronic device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The electrical insulator has: a block-shaped body; and a protrusion that protrudes from the main body to the opposite side of the button relative to the main body, The frame surrounds the body, The frame has a slit communicating from the inside of the frame to the outside of the frame, The protrusion passes through the slit and contacts the inner surface of the recess.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, characterized in that: A portion of the inner surface of the recessed portion that contacts the protrusion is provided in a convex shape.

8. The electronic device according to claim 6, characterized in that: With fixing pin, The electrical insulator has a through hole that penetrates the main body from a surface of the main body facing the bottom of the recessed portion to an opposite surface thereof, The fixing pin is inserted into the through hole and fixed to the bottom of the recess.

9. The electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The ground conductor plate has a second recessed portion recessed from a surface of the ground conductor plate facing the circuit substrate. The second recess reaches the outer periphery of the ground conductor plate and opens at the outer periphery of the ground conductor plate. The second recess and the recess are close to each other and arranged along the outer periphery of the ground conductor plate. The movable contact is fixed to the bottom of the second recess, the movable contact extends from the bottom of the second recess toward the periphery of the grounding conductor plate and bends, the movable contact folds back along the periphery of the grounding conductor plate toward the space between the button and the fixed contact, and the movable contact is inserted between the button and the fixed contact.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The movable contact has: a base, fixed to the bottom of the second recess and electrically connected to the bottom of the second recess; a side support member bent from the base toward the outer periphery of the ground conductor plate and facing the outer periphery of the ground conductor plate; as well as A leaf spring extends from the side support member along the outer periphery of the ground conductor plate and is inserted into the space.

11. The electronic device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The leaf spring is folded back from the side support member toward the space.

12. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The movable contact is arranged between the button and the fixed contact. When the button is released from being pressed, the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact.

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