Electronic device and electronic timepiece

Abstract

The invention provides a module and an electronic timepiece. The module includes: a leaf spring having a first end portion fixed and extending in a first direction from the first end portion; and a substrate having an electrode that is in contact with a second end portion of the plate spring opposite to the first end portion when the plate spring is pressed at a first position by a pressing operation of a push button switch, and that is not in contact with the second end portion when the plate spring is not pressed at the first position. The leaf spring has a first bent portion between the first position and the second end portion, and the direction from the first bent portion toward the second end portion and the direction from the first position toward the first bent portion are in opposite directions along the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to electronic devices and electronic clocks. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 56-174430 discloses a switch structure that includes a leaf spring (switch contact spring) extending from a first end (fixed part) and a substrate (circuit board) having an electrode (fixed terminal part). When the leaf spring is pressed in a first position due to a push-button switch (button) pressing action, the electrode contacts a second end (end) of the leaf spring opposite to the first end, and does not contact the second end when the first position is not pressed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The electronic device disclosed herein includes:

[0004] A leaf spring, the first end of which is fixed and extends from the first end along a first direction; and

[0005] The substrate has electrodes that, when the leaf spring is pressed in a first position due to a push-button switch, contact a second end of the leaf spring opposite to the first end, and do not contact the second end when the first position is not pressed.

[0006] The leaf spring has a first bend between the first position and the second end, and the components along the first direction from the first bend toward the second end and from the first position toward the first bend are opposite.

[0007] Other features of the invention will become clear from the following description of exemplary embodiments (in conjunction with the accompanying drawings). Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a bottom view showing the structure of the electronic clock according to this embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a 3D view of the module's appearance.

[0010] Figure 3A This is a diagram showing a leaf spring.

[0011] Figure 3B This is a diagram showing a leaf spring.

[0012] Figure 3C This is a diagram showing a leaf spring.

[0013] Figure 4A This is a diagram showing a leaf spring in the case of a press operation without a push-button switch.

[0014] Figure 4B This is a diagram showing the action of the leaf spring corresponding to the pressing operation of a push-button switch.

[0015] Figure 4C This is a diagram showing the action of a leaf spring corresponding to a larger impact than that of a push-button switch.

[0016] Figure 5A This is a diagram showing a leaf spring of modified example 1 of the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5B This is a diagram showing a leaf spring of modified example 2 of the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described based on the accompanying drawings. The electronic clock 100 is one embodiment of the electronic device of the present disclosure; other embodiments may also be as described above. Figure 1 The bottom view shows a wristwatch-type electronic clock. In the electronic clock 100, module 1 is housed within the housing 2, supported by a pressing member 10. Module 1 is an assembly relating to the functional operations of the electronic clock 100, including a base plate 20. The housing 2 has a cylindrical shape with openings at the top and bottom. The display section covers the module 1 and is located at the opening on the upper surface of the housing 2. The lower surface of the housing 2 may also be sealed by a bottom cover (not shown).

[0019] The push-button switch Sw, serving as an operating component, is located on the side of the electronic clock 100. The push-button switch Sw has a shaft Sc that protrudes laterally through the housing 2 in a manner allowing for a user to press it down. One end of the shaft Sc contacts a leaf spring 11 upon being pressed down by the push-button switch Sw, pressing the leaf spring 11 inward. The leaf spring 11 will be described below. When the push-button switch Sw is not pressed down, the shaft Sc and the leaf spring 11 may or may not be in contact. When the leaf spring 11 is pressed in, it contacts an electrode 21 located on the substrate 20. This detects the pressing operation of the push-button switch Sw.

[0020] The substrate 20 is a plate-shaped component having electronic devices for performing various operations of the electronic clock 100, as well as electronic circuits and connection terminals connecting the aforementioned electronic devices. The electronic devices may include, for example, a microcomputer, a storage unit such as flash memory for peripherals, a large-capacity capacitor, functional modules involved in various functions such as communication and measurement, and a crystal oscillator. Power is supplied to the substrate 20 from a battery to operate the various electronic devices. For example, the microcomputer uses a clock signal corresponding to the oscillation of the crystal oscillator to count the date and time. Furthermore, the microcomputer displays the time on a screen located under the windshield. The substrate 20 may also be a multi-layered laminated substrate. Electrodes 21 are located on the side of the substrate 20 and are exposed.

[0021] like Figure 2 As shown in the perspective view, the substrate 20 of the module 1 of the electronic clock 100 is included and held inside the frame-shaped pressing member 10. A leaf spring 11 extends continuously from the pressing member 10 toward the side of the module 1. A first end E1 of the leaf spring 11, which is a root portion separate from the pressing member 10, is fixed by a claw N. The leaf spring 11 extends from this fixed first end E1. The pressing member 10 is a conductor with the strength required for fixing; here it is a metal component and serves as the housing ground plane.

[0022] The leaf spring 11 deforms when pressed inwards towards the electronic clock 100 by the shaft Sc of the push-button switch Sw at the first position P. The second end E2, the movable front end of the leaf spring 11 opposite to the first end E1, comes into contact with the electrode 21 located on the side of the substrate 20 due to the deformation of the leaf spring 11. Normally, the deformation is elastic, and the leaf spring 11 returns to its original shape when the push-button switch Sw is released. Therefore, when the leaf spring 11 is not pressed by the push-button switch Sw, the second end E2 is not in contact with the electrode 21. Alternatively, the shaft Sc may also contact the surface of the leaf spring 11. In this case, the first position P may also be a representative point of the contact range between the leaf spring 11 and the shaft Sc, such as the center position.

[0023] like Figure 3A As shown, the leaf spring 11 extends from the first end E1 in the X direction (first direction) along its side. A first position P is determined within the leaf spring 11 by the axis Sc of the push-button switch Sw. The pressing direction of the first position P, reached by the axis Sc, is the Z direction (second direction). The distance between the first end E1 and the first position P corresponds to the ease with which the leaf spring 11 deforms relative to the pressing operation of the push-button switch Sw. If this distance is small, a larger force is required for the pressing operation of the push-button switch Sw to deform the leaf spring 11; therefore, an appropriate distance is determined.

[0024] The leaf spring 11 can also be bent multiple times. Here, the leaf spring 11 has a first bent portion B1 and a second bent portion B2. The first bent portion B1 is located in the second portion A2 between the first position P and the second end E2. The term "between" here does not include the two ends. That is, the first bent portion B1 is not located at the same position as the first position P and the second end E2. The first bent portion B1 can also be bent in the XY plane along the side. That is, the second portion A2 can also be located in a single plane. The second portion A2 does not have overlapping portions when viewed from above in the Z direction, separated by the first bent portion B1. In the second portion A2, the direction from the first position P toward the first bent portion B1 and the direction from the first bent portion B1 toward the second end E2 have opposite components at least in the X direction. Thus, the length along the second portion A2 between the first position P and the second end E2 is longer than the straight-line distance between the first position P and the second end E2.

[0025] The second bend B2 can also be located in the first portion A1 between the first end E1 and the first position P. The term "between" here does not include the two ends. That is, the second bend B2 is not located at the same position as the first end E1 and the first position P. The second bend B2 can also be bent in the Z direction. The bending angle is approximately 180 degrees, that is, the bend is a foldback of the leaf spring 11. The bent portion including the second bend B2 can also be a curved surface shape with a certain radius of curvature, and correspondingly, the first portion A1 and the second portion A2 can also be separated in the Z direction by a distance approximately twice the radius of curvature. Thus, the first position P overlaps with the first portion A1 when viewed from above.

[0026] If the push-button switch Sw is pressed, the leaf spring 11 moves in the -Z direction due to the force on the shaft Sc of the push-button switch Sw at the first position P. The second part A2, due to this movement, comes into contact with the first part A1 and deforms in the -Z direction, moving closer to the front end of the first end E1.

[0027] like Figure 3B As shown in the side view, the second end E2 has a shape that bends toward the -Z side of the substrate 20, which is the module 1. Thus, as... Figure 3B , Figure 3C As shown, the area near the bottom of the bend of the second end E2 is located in the Z direction at the same level as the first part A1, or at a position closer to the Z side than the first part A1. Furthermore, the second end E2 is located in the X direction of the leaf spring 11 at the position furthest from the first end E1. Therefore, with the deformation of the leaf spring 11, the second end E2 deforms and moves first, contacting the electrode 21 of the substrate 20. As a result, the electrode 21 is electrically connected to the housing ground surface, and an electrical signal flows, detecting the pressing operation of the push-button switch Sw in module 1.

[0028] like Figure 4AAs shown, when the push-button switch Sw is not pressed and the shaft Sc is not in contact with the leaf spring 11, the leaf spring 11 does not deform. Correspondingly, the second end E2 does not contact the electrode 21 of the substrate 20.

[0029] like Figure 4B As shown, if the push-button switch Sw is pressed and the shaft Sc contacts the first position P of the leaf spring 11, a force is applied to the first position P in the -Z direction. As a result, the leaf spring 11 bends and deforms in the -Z direction with its first end E1 as the fulcrum. The first position P moves in the -Z direction by a reference amount according to the movement of the shaft Sc, thereby bringing the second end E2 into contact with the electrode 21.

[0030] If the push-button switch Sw is pressed deeper and more abruptly than usual due to an impact such as the electronic clock 100 being dropped, the leaf spring 11 and the shaft Sc will deform excessively in relation to each other. Figure 4C As shown, the second end E2 is maintained in contact with the electrode 21. On the other hand, the leaf spring 11 moves further in the -Z direction relative to the first end E1 and the second end E2 with the first position P as the center. If this movement is too large, it will exceed the range of elastic deformation and produce plastic deformation. After that, it will be difficult to accept the operation of the push-button switch Sw normally.

[0031] At this point, the longer the distance between the first position P and the second end E2, and the longer the distance between the first position P and the first end E1, the smaller the deformation angle of the leaf spring 11 compared to the amount of movement of the first position P, and the less likely it is to undergo plastic deformation. In particular, the distance from the first position P through the first bend B1 to the second end E2 is significantly longer than the straight-line distance between the first position P and the second end E2. Therefore, the second portion A2 is less likely to undergo plastic deformation. That is, compared to the length of the leaf spring 11 in the X direction, the possibility of the leaf spring 11 undergoing plastic deformation is reduced.

[0032] Figure 5A The leaf spring 11a in the modified example 1 of the above embodiment does not have a second bend. The leaf spring 11a extends in the +X direction from the first end E1 through the first position P to the first bend B1. Even with such a leaf spring 11a, the length along the leaf spring 11a from the first position P to the second end E2 is larger than the straight-line distance between the first position P and the second end E2. As a result, even when the first position P is further pressed in while the second end E2 is in contact with the electrode, the deformation angle of the leaf spring 11a near the second end E2 and at the first position P is smaller than the amount of movement at the first position P, making it difficult to produce plastic deformation.

[0033] Figure 5BIn the modified embodiment 2 shown above, the second bending portion B2 of the leaf spring 11b is a bend in the plane within the XY plane. Consequently, the first position P and the second portion A2 containing the first position P do not have any portion overlapping the first portion A1 when viewed from above. Therefore, when the first position P is pressed, the deformation of the second portion A2 is transmitted to the first portion A1 via the second bending portion B2, causing the first portion A1 to deform. Thus, the leaf spring 11b has rigidity capable of appropriately transmitting the stress related to deformation to the whole.

[0034] According to the leaf spring 11b, compared with the total length of the leaf spring 11b in the X direction, the distance (length) from the first position P to the first end E1 and the distance (length) to the second end E2 are both large. Therefore, even if an excessive force is applied to the first position P, the deformation angles at the first end E1 and the second end E2 in the fixed state corresponding to the amount of movement of the first position P are small, making it difficult to produce plastic deformation.

[0035] As described above, the electronic clock 100 of this embodiment includes a leaf spring 11 and a substrate 20. A first end E1 of the leaf spring 11 is fixed and extends along the X direction from this first end E1. The substrate 20 has an electrode 21. When the leaf spring 11 is pressed at its first position P by, for example, a pressing operation of a push-button switch Sw or an impact from the falling of the electronic clock 100, the electrode 21 contacts the second end E2 of the leaf spring 11 opposite to the first end E1. On the other hand, when the first position P is not pressed, the electrode 21 does not contact the second end E2. The leaf spring 11 has a first bend B1 between the first position P and the second end E2. The X-direction components from the first bend B1 toward the second end E2 and from the first position P toward the first bend B1 are opposite directions. Thus, the length of the leaf spring 11 between the first position P pressed by the push-button switch Sw and the second end E2 in contact with the electrode 21 is longer than a straight distance due to the first bend B1. Therefore, even if the leaf spring 11 is excessively pressed due to impact, the second portion A2 will not experience unexpectedly large bending between the second end E2 supported by the electrode 21 and the first position P. Thus, the leaf spring 11 is less prone to plastic deformation. As a result, an electronic clock 100 with a more impact-resistant operating mechanism and space-saving design can be obtained. Furthermore, the operating mechanism is, for example, composed of the leaf spring 11, the shaft Sc, and the electrode 21.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the switch structure described in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 56-174430, since the leaf spring does not have a bending portion between the first position and the second end, it undergoes irreversible deformation when subjected to a greater-than-expected impact during operation, such as when the electronic device is dropped, which could have adverse effects on subsequent operation. In contrast, according to this disclosure, a module 1 with a more impact-resistant operating mechanism and a space-saving electronic device and electronic clock 100 can be provided.

[0037] The leaf spring 11 may also have a second bend B2 between the first end E1 and the first position P. Therefore, the length along the leaf spring 11 between the first end E1 and the first position P is longer than the straight-line distance. Consequently, due to excessive pressing at the first position P, the leaf spring 11 bends at a larger angle near the first end E1, reducing the possibility of plastic deformation.

[0038] The second bend B2 can also be bent in the second direction Z, along the pressing direction of the leaf spring 11. The first position P can also overlap with the first portion A1 between the first end E1 of the leaf spring 11 and the second bend B2 in the Z direction. Thus, it further occupies no space when viewed from above. Furthermore, when the first position P is pressed, the first portion A1 is also pressed, so the first portion A1 is less likely to deform due to excessive pressing of the first position P.

[0039] The second portion A2 between the first position P and the second end E2 of the leaf spring 11 can also lie in a single plane. Therefore, the second portion A2 is easily deformed by being pressed in conjunction with the first position P. Even if the first position P is excessively pressed, the inclination of the excessive deformation is dispersed by the entire second portion A2, thus reducing the possibility of plastic deformation due to localized force amplification. The second bending portion B2 can also have a curved shape. Since there is no discontinuous bending, it is difficult to apply excessive force locally.

[0040] The electronic clock 100 includes a push-button switch Sw, which has an axis Sc that presses a leaf spring 11 to a first position P upon being pressed. Therefore, in the electronic clock 100, the operating mechanism is more robust against impacts, and the stability of the push-button switch Sw's operation is maintained more reliably. The electronic device disclosed herein can also be the aforementioned electronic clock 100. Such an electronic clock 100, in particular, maintains a more reliable operating mechanism when used in a manner similar to a wristwatch, involving wearing, removing, and movement.

[0041] Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above description, the second end E2 is located next to the first portion A1 in the Y direction, but this is not a limitation. It may also be wound around the front end side in the X direction of the leaf spring 11. Furthermore, the first portion A1 and the second portion A2 are not limited to the shapes illustrated above. The length, thickness variation tendency, presence or absence of curved portions, etc., can be appropriately modified according to the intensity of the stress on the leaf spring 11 and the shape of the movable space of the leaf spring 11. Furthermore, the position of the first position P can also be appropriately modified according to the size of the leaf spring 11, the magnitude of the stress, and its positional relationship with the push-button switch Sw. Furthermore, the shape of the push-button switch Sw is not limited to the shape described above.

[0042] Furthermore, the bending direction of the first bend B1 and the bending direction of the second bend B2 are not limited to the pattern illustrated above. For example, both the first bend B1 and the second bend B2 may be bent in the Z direction. Moreover, when the second bend B2 bends in the Z direction, the direction from the second bend B2 toward the first position P may be inclined relative to the X direction.

[0043] Furthermore, the number of bends is not limited to one or two. The leaf spring 11 may be bent three or more times depending on the internal structure (size and shape of the space) of the electronic clock 100. Also, the overlapping portion of the first part A1 and the second part A2 of the leaf spring 11 when viewed from above is not limited to the above-described case. In particular, as long as it does not hinder the tilt (deformation in the -Z direction) between the first position P and the second end E2 that contacts the electrode 21 caused by excessive pressing of the first position P, a suitable overlapping position may be set between the first position P and the second end E2.

[0044] Furthermore, the operating mechanism described above can also be used in electronic devices other than electronic clocks and watches 100. In particular, by using it in mobile electronic devices, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of adverse conditions and malfunctions caused by drops during carrying or temporary placement. In addition, the specific structures, processing actions, and steps shown in the above embodiments can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure includes the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. A module, characterized by Possessing: a plate spring whose first end portion is fixed and extends in a first direction from the first end portion; and a substrate having an electrode that contacts a second end portion of the plate spring opposite the first end portion when the first position of the plate spring is depressed by a depressing operation of a push button switch, and does not contact the second end portion when the first position is not depressed, the plate spring has a first bend between the first position and the second end portion, and components in the first direction from the first bend toward the second end portion and from the first position toward the first bend are in opposite directions.

2. The module according to claim 1, wherein the plate spring has a second bend between the first end portion and the first position.

3. The module according to claim 2, wherein the second bend is bent in a second direction along a depressing direction of the plate spring, the first position overlaps a first portion between the first end portion and the second bend of the plate spring when viewed in the second direction.

4. The module according to claim 3, wherein the second bend has a curved surface shape.

5. The module according to claim 2, wherein a length from the first bend to the second end portion is substantially the same as a length from the first bend to the second bend when viewed in the first direction.

6. The module according to claim 1, wherein a second portion between the first position and the second end portion of the plate spring is located in a single plane.

7. The module according to claim 3, wherein the first bend overlaps the first portion when viewed in a second direction along a depressing direction of the plate spring.

8. The module according to claim 3, wherein the first bend does not overlap the first portion when viewed in a second direction along a depressing direction of the plate spring.

9. The module according to claim 1, wherein the first bend is bent in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and a second direction along a depressing direction of the plate spring.

10. An electronic timepiece characterized by comprising: Possessing: the module according to claim 1; and a push button switch having a shaft that depresses the first position of the plate spring according to a depressing operation.

Images