SWITCH AND ACTUATOR

Abstract

A flexible switch (2) comprising a movable element (26) whose first end side is fixed as a swing joint (260) and whose second end side swings, and a pressing element (21) that applies pressure to a portion between the first end and the second end of the movable element (26) when it receives pressure from the outside, and opens / closes an electrical circuit as a result of the swinging of the movable element (26) when pressure is applied thereto by the pressing element (21), wherein the movable element (26) is provided with a bent portion (263) that is bent in a swinging direction of the movable element (26), and wherein the pressing element (21) comes into contact with the movable element (26) at a plurality of contact portions and exerts pressure on the movable element (26) in the swinging direction.

Description

RANGEThe present invention relates to a switch including a movable flexible member and a pressing member which, when receiving pressure from the outside, applies pressure to the movable member, and opens / closes a circuit due to swing of the movable member when being applied with pressure by the pressing member, and an actuator using such a switch.BACKGROUNDSwitches to be used in devices such as electronic devices have become widely used. For example, JP 2008-210 654 A discloses a switch having both features of a slide switch and that of a snap switch, and wherein pressing down an operation button applies pressure to an inner actuator that causes a movable contact to be brought into contact with a normally open contact. The switch disclosed in JP 2008-210 654 A is configured to bring the movable contact into sliding contact with the normally open contact, so that no collision sound is generated and quietness is improved.In a switch disclosed in JP 2008-210 654 A, there is a need for improving the feel when the operation button is depressed, i.e., the so-called click feel when the switch is applied to a mouse, for example. On the other hand, in a switch developed with the object of quietness as disclosed in JP 2008-210 654 A, there are cases where the click feeling is obstructed. Further prior art is formed by JP 2019-8 949 A and DE 3850 848 T2. JP 2019-8 949 A discloses a switch including a housing, a fixed contact-side terminal having a fixed contact part, a movable contact-side terminal, a movable contact piece that has a main body part, a movable contact part, and an excitation part and that is connected to the movable contact-side terminal, and an operation part that switches an excitation direction of the excitation part in association with a reciprocating motion to contact or separate the movable contact part with the fixed contact part, wherein the movable contact part has an arm part that extends from the main body part toward the fixed contact part in a direction crossing a contact direction and that is elastically deformable, and a contact main body part that is provided at a part of the arm part that is opposite to the fixed contact part. DE 38 50 848 T2 discloses a microswitch comprising a compression spring arranged between a movable element and a pivotable lever, each of which is pivotably supported in narrow positions, said pivotable lever being actuated by a push button which is vertically displaceable, said push button also having mounted thereon limiting plates which limit the movement of the movable element in the width direction.In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a switch with which the click feeling can be improved.Another object of the present invention is to provide an operating device using such a switch.OVERVIEWTo achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a flexible switch includes a movable member in which a first end side is fixed as a swing joint and a second end side swings, and a pressing member that applies pressure to a portion between a first end and a second end of the movable member when receiving pressure from the outside, and opens / closes a circuit due to swinging of the movable member to which pressure is applied by the pressing member, wherein the movable member is provided with a bent portion bent in a swing direction of the movable member.In addition, in the switch, the movable member may be provided, between a pressed portion that receives the pressure of the pressing member and the second end, with a biasing portion that generates a reaction force that counteracts the pressure of the pressing member.In addition, in the switch, the bent portion may be formed between the pressed portion and the first end.In addition, the switch may have the bent portion formed between the pressed portion and the second end.In addition, in the switch, the movable member may be configured to deform when receiving the pressure of the pressing member, and when further receiving pressure, open / close a circuit by the swing of the second end side, wherein a locking portion to which the biasing portion is locked constitutes a swing axis.According to the present invention, in the switch, the pressing member comes into contact with the movable member at a plurality of contact portions and applies pressure to the movable member in the swing direction.In addition, in the switch, the pressing member may include the contact portions on the first end side and on the second end side with respect to a center of a force with which pressure is applied to the movable member by receiving pressure from the outside.In addition, the switch may further include a buffer member disposed to come into contact with the movable member.In addition, in the switch, the buffer member may be a biasing portion buffer member disposed to come into contact with the biasing portion.In addition, in the switch, the buffer member may be a contact buffer member disposed such that the second end side of the movable member is brought into contact when pressure is not applied to the pressing member from the outside.In addition, the switch may further include an optical contact including a light emitting circuit and a light receiving circuit, wherein the movable element includes a light blocking portion that blocks / transmits light emitted from the light emitting circuit of the optical contact by swinging.In addition, in the switch, the light blocking piece may have a thin plate shape provided with a transmission window through which light passes.In addition, the switch may further include an optical contact terminal electrically connected to the optical contact, the optical contact being formed as a surface mounting chip and surface mounted on the optical contact terminal.In addition, in the switch, the optical contact terminal may be provided with a recess for surface mounting of the optical contact.In addition, in the switch, the optical contact may be mounted to extend between a plurality of optical contact terminals.Further, an operation device described in the present application includes a press-down operation portion for receiving a press-down operation from the outside; and the switch to which a press-down operation received from the press-down operation portion is transmitted as a pressure from the outside, and which outputs a signal based on a movement of the movable member included in the switch.The switch and the operating device described in the present application include a movable member in which a bent portion bent in a swing direction is formed.In the switch and the operating device according to the present invention, a bent portion bent in a swing direction is formed in a movable member that vibrates by applying pressure through a pressing member that receives pressure from the outside and opens / closes a circuit. Thus, superior effects such as the improvement of the feeling generated upon pressing are obtained.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of an external view of an operating device described in the present application. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of an external view of a switch described in the present application. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view, partially cut away, illustrating an example of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 4 is a schematic front view, partially cut away, illustrating an example of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 5A is an external schematic view showing an example of a pressing member included in the switch described in the present application. FIG. 5B is an external schematic view showing an example of a pressing member included in the switch described in the present application. FIG. 6A is an external schematic view showing an example of a movable member included in the switch described in the present application. FIG. 6B is an external schematic view showing an example of a movable member included in the switch described in the present application. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an operation of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an operation of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an operation of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an operation of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 11A is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a kinetic model with respect to the pressing member and the movable member included in the switch described in the present application. FIG. 11B is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a kinetic model with respect to a pressing member and a movable member included in a known switch. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a kinetic model of the known switch. FIG. 13A is a diagram schematically illustrating, as a kinetic model, the relationship between a load and the movable element. FIG. 13B is a diagram schematically illustrating, as a kinetic model, the relationship between a load and the movable element. FIG. 14 is a graph schematically illustrating, as a kinetic model, the relationship between a depression amount and an operation load in the conventional switch. FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the kinetic model of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 16A is a diagram schematically illustrating, as a kinetic model, an example of the relationship between a depression amount and an operation load. FIG. 16B is a diagram schematically illustrating, as a kinetic model, an example of the relationship between the depression amount and the operation load. FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view, partially cut away, illustrating an example of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view, partially cut away, illustrating an example of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 19A is an external schematic view illustrating an example of the movable member included in the switch described in the present application. FIG. 19B is an external schematic view illustrating an example of the movable member included in the switch described in the present application. FIG. 20 is an exploded schematic perspective view illustrating an example of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the cross section of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 22A is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a buffer member included in the switch described in the present application. FIG. 22B is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of the buffer member included in the switch described in the present application. FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the operation of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the operation of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the operation of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 26 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the operation of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 27A is an external schematic view illustrating an example of the pressing member included in the switch described in the present application. FIG. 27B is an external schematic view illustrating an example of the pressing member included in the switch described in the present application. FIG. 28 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of an external view of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 29 is an exploded schematic perspective view illustrating an example of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cross section of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 31A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the cross section of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 31B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the cross section of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the cross section of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 33 is a schematic front view showing an example of an external view of a fixing member included in the switch described in the present application. FIG. 34 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an external view of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 35 is an exploded schematic perspective view illustrating an example of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the cross section of the switch described in the present application. FIG. 37 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of an optical contact and optical contact mounting terminals included in the switch described in the present application. FIG. 38A is a schematic enlarged view in which a portion of an exemplary optical contact and the optical contact mounting terminals included in the switch described in the present application are enlarged. FIG. 38B is a schematic enlarged view in which a portion of an exemplary optical contact and the optical contact mounting terminals included in the switch described in the present application are enlarged. FIG. 39A is a schematic enlarged view in which a portion of an exemplary internal structure of the switch described in the present application is enlarged. FIG. 39B is a schematic enlarged view in which a portion of an exemplary internal structure of the switch described in the present application is enlarged.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONApplication ExamplesThe operation device described in the present application is used as an operation device such as a mouse used for operating a personal computer, for example. Also, the switch described in the present application is used as a microswitch in devices such as various electronic devices including the operating device. Hereinafter, an operating device 1 and a switch 2 illustrated in drawings will be described with reference to the drawings.First EmbodimentOperating Device 1First, the operation device 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of an external view of the operating device 1 described in the present application. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the operation device 1 described in the present application is applied to a mouse used for operating an electronic device such as a personal computer. The operation device 1 includes pushable operation portions 10 such as mouse buttons for receiving a push operation performed by an operator's finger, and a rotating operation part 11 such as a mouse wheel for receiving a rotational operation performed by an operator's finger. Note that the rotating operation part 11 is configured to receive a pressing operation in addition to the rotating operation and also function as the pressable operation portion 10. In addition, a signal line 12 for outputting an electric signal to an external device such as a personal computer is connected to the operation device 1. Note that the method by which the operation device 1 outputs the electric signal is not limited to the wired communication using the signal line 12, and various communication methods such as the wireless communication may be used.A switch 2 described later is accommodated inside the operating device 1 for each of the press-down operating portions 10 and the rotatable operating portion 11, and when a press-down operation is performed on a press-down operating portion 10, a part inside the press-down operating portion 10 presses the corresponding switch 2. The switch 2 outputs a signal based on the depressed state to an electronic device such as an external personal computer via the signal line 12.That is, the operating device 1 described in the present application includes the pressable operating portions 10 for receiving a pressable operation from the outside and the rotary operating portion 11 for receiving an operation such as a rotary operation, and further includes the switches 2 housed therein. In addition, the operating device 1 transmits the press operation received by the pressable operating portions 10 and / or the rotary operating portion 11 to the corresponding switch 2 as the press operated from the outside, and outputs a signal based on the operation of the switch 2 to an external electronic device.Switch 2Next, the switch 2 described in the present application will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of an external view of the switch 2 described in the present application. Note that, in the description of the present application, the directions of the switch 2 are expressed such that, with respect to FIG. 2, the left front side is front, the right rear side is rear, the upward direction is upward and the downward direction is downward; this is merely for convenience of description, and the installation direction of the switch 2 is not limited thereto. As described above, the switch 2 as a microswitch is accommodated in an electronic apparatus such as the operating device 1, and receives a depressing operation received from a part such as the depressable operating portion 10 of the operating device 1 as a pressure from the outside.The switch 2 includes a housing 20 having a substantially rectangular solid shape. The housing 20 includes a base 20a in a lower portion and a cover 20b in an upper portion. A rectangular insertion hole 200 into which a pressing member 21 is inserted is provided in an upper surface of the housing 20 at a position to the left of the center as viewed from the front. The pressing member 21 inserted into the insertion hole 200 is a member that moves up and down when receiving a pressing operation from outside the housing 20, and an upper end of the pressing member 21 protrudes from the upper surface of the housing 20. Moreover, three terminal portions 22, which are metal parts to which other electrical elements can be connected, protrude from a lower surface of the housing 20.In the switch configured in this manner, the depressed operation from the outside received from the operation device is transmitted to the pressing member 21 as pressure from the outside of the housing 20. The pressing member 21 moves downward upon receiving the pressure from the outside and upward upon releasing the pressure from the outside.Next, the internal structure of the switch 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view, partially cut away, illustrating an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 4 is a schematic front view, partially cut away, illustrating an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. In FIG. 3, an upper front part of the switch 2 is cut off so that the inside of the switch can be viewed. FIG. 4 shows the switch 2 shown in FIG. 3 from a front viewing point.A contact chamber portion accommodating a contact mechanism for opening / closing an electric circuit is fixed inside the housing 20 of the switch 2. An insertion hole 200 continuous from the outside of the housing 20 is provided in an upper surface of the contact chamber, and the pressing member 21 is inserted into the insertion hole 200.The contact mechanism housed inside the contact chamber will be described. Members such as a common contact terminal 23, a first contact terminal 24, a second contact terminal 25 and a movable member 26 are provided inside the contact chamber as a contact mechanism. The common contact terminal 23 is located on a left side inside the contact chamber and is electrically connected to a terminal portion 22 on the left side. The first contact terminal 24 is provided on a right upper side inside the contact chamber and is electrically connected to a terminal portion 22 on the right side. The second contact terminal 25 is provided on a right lower side inside the contact chamber and electrically connected to a terminal portion 22 at the center.The movable member 26 is a plate-shaped conductive metal member that extends in the left-right direction in the contact chamber and is flexible so as to deform upon receiving pressure from the pressing member 21. The left end side (first end) of the movable member 26 is a fixed end that is locked in the common contact terminal 23 and functions as the swing joint 260. The right (second) end side (second end) of the movable member 26 is a free-standing end that moves between the first contact terminal 24 and the second contact terminal 25 and constitutes a movable contact 261. A biasing portion 262 that is tongue-shaped cut and arc-folded and functions as a return spring is formed in the movable member 26 between a pressed portion that receives the pressure of the pressing member 21 and a right end so as to extend from the right end side toward the center. A front end of the biasing portion 262 is locked in a lock plate 27 formed near the center inside the contact chamber, so that a reaction force is generated that counteracts the pressure of the pressing member 21 as a return spring. Bent portions 263 bent downward, which is a swing direction, are formed in side portions of the movable member 26. The bent portions 263 are formed by folding down protruding parts that extend in a rectangular shape from both sides (front to rear in the drawing) of the opposite side portions of the movable member 26.In the contact mechanism thus constructed, the pressing member 21 moves downward by receiving pressure from the outside, and presses the movable member 26 downward. As a result of the movable member 26 being pushed down, the right end side of the movable member 26 constituting its free end moves downward, and the movable contact 261 comes into contact with the second contact terminal 25. With this, the terminal portion 22 on the left side connected to the common contact terminal 23 and the terminal portion 22 at the center connected to the second contact terminal 25 enter a conductive state.When the pressure of the pressing member 21 is released, the movable member 26 is biased upward due to the reaction force of the biasing portion 262. By biasing the movable member 26 upward, the pressing member 21 moves upward. As a result of the biasing of the movable member 26 upward by the biasing portion 262, the movable contact 261 located on the right end side of the movable member 26 also moves upward and comes into contact with the first contact terminal 24. With this, the left-side terminal portion 22 connected to the common contact terminal 23 and the right-side terminal portion 22 connected to the first contact terminal 24 become conductive.Hereinafter, shapes of the pressing member 21 and the movable member 26 will be described. FIGS. 5A and 5B are external schematic views illustrating an example of the pressing member 21 included in the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 5A is a schematic front view, and FIG. 5B is a schematic perspective view from an obliquely downward viewpoint. The pressing member 21 is constituted by a pressing protrusion 210 on an upper side and a pressing plate 211 on a lower side. The pressing protrusion 210 of the pressing member 21 has a substantially rectangular solid shape, and its upper end is formed as a semicircular curved surface when viewed from the front. The upper portion of the pressing protrusion 210 protrudes from the insertion opening 200 of the housing 20 and receives pressure from the outside. The pressing plate 211 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and a lower surface facing the movable part 26 is formed substantially planar. The left end of the lower surface of the pressing plate 211 is tapered so as to be inclined upward, and a first ridge 211 arepresenting a boundary between a planar portion and a tapered portion linearly extends in a front-rear direction. A part that comes into contact with the movable member 26 in a second ridge 211 bon a right end side of the lower surface of the pressing plate 211 is a part whose front end and rear end slightly protrude rightward. The pressing member 21 comes into contact with the movable member 26 at a plurality of positions including at least the first ridge 211 aand the second ridge 211 bwhen the movable member 26 is pressed.FIGS. 6A and 6B are external schematic views illustrating an example of the movable member 26 included in the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 6A is a schematic plan view, and FIG. 6B is a schematic perspective view from an obliquely lower viewpoint. The movable member 26 is a member having flexibility formed by a metal thin plate. The movable member 26 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, the right end portion constituting a free end is formed as a movable contact 261, and a protruding contact protrusion 261 ais provided on a lower end side of the movable contact 261. The above-described biasing portion 262 is formed from the left side of the movable contact 261 to the vicinity of the center. The biasing portion 262 is formed by a punched portion that extends in a band shape from the right side to the left side, is folded in an arc shape, and protrudes downward to function as a return spring. The front end of the biasing portion 262 is a locking portion 262 athat is lockable in the protruding locking plate 27 provided in the base 20 aof the housing 20, and the biasing portion 262 causes the movable contact 261 side to swing on the right side, the locking portion 262 athat is locked in the locking plate 27 forming the swing axis. Also, a punched-out hole is formed in a substantially rectangular shape from the left end side to the vicinity of the center. A portion near the center between the right side opening formed by the formation of the biasing portion 262 and the left side opening is a pressed portion to which pressure is applied from the pressing member 21. In the movable member 26, bent portions 263 bent downward, which is a swing direction, are formed in side portions near the formed left side opening. The bent portions 263 are formed by folding down protruding parts extending in a rectangular shape from two opposite sides of the side portions of the movable member 26. The bent portions 263 are formed between the pressed portion receiving the pressure of the pressing member 21 and the left end in the movable member 26, and cause the left end side of the movable member 26 not to easily deform with respect to the pressure from the pressing member 21, so as to generate a tactile feel of resistance to the pressure.Operation of the switch 2The operation of the switch 2 described in the present application configured as described above will be described. FIGS. 7 to 10 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating an example of the operation of the switch 2 described in the present application. FIGS. 7 to 10 are schematic cross sections cut from a vertical plane including a line A-B viewed from a front viewpoint in FIG. 2.FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which the pressing member 21 is not subjected to external pressure. The lower end of the pressing member 21 is in contact with the movable member 26 with the lower surface of the pressing plate 211 in the lower portion at a part between the swing link 260 in which the left end of the movable member 26 is locked and a position in which the locking portion 262 ais locked to the front end of the biasing portion 262 of the movable member 26. In the state illustrated in FIG. 7, the movable member 26 is pushed upward by the reaction force opposing the pressure of the pressing member 21 exerted by the biasing portion 262 positioned between the pressed portion receiving the pressure of the pressing member 21 and the movable contact 261, and therefore the free end formed as the movable contact 261 is brought into contact with the first contact terminal 24 provided on the upper right side inside the contact chamber.FIG. 8 illustrates a state in which the pressing member 21 has moved downward from the state illustrated in FIG. 7 by applying pressure from the outside. Due to the downward movement of the pressing member 21, the pressing plate 211 located at the lower part of the pressing member 21 presses the movable member 26 downward. The pressing member 21 comes into contact with the movable member 26 at two points, namely, at the first land 211a and the second land 211b of the pressing plate 211. The entire movable member 26 is pressed by the pressing member 21 and is attempted to move downward with the swing joint 260 being the swing axis. However, the movable member 26 is pushed upward by a reaction force opposing the pressure of the pressing member 21 exerted by the biasing portion 262 positioned between the pressed portion receiving the pressure of the pressing member 21 and the movable contact 261, and therefore the movable contact 261 is maintained in a state of being in contact with the first contact terminal 24 provided on the upper right side inside the contact chamber. Therefore, the movable member 26 is bent downward by receiving the pressure of the pressing member 21, and enters a deformed state.FIG. 9 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 has moved downward from the state illustrated in FIG. 8 by applying further pressure from the outside. As a result of the further downward movement of the pressing member 21, the entire movable member 26 is pressed by the pressing member 21, and it tries to move downward with the swing joint 260 as the swing axis. In addition, the biasing portion 262 of the movable member 26 swings downward with the locking portion 262 alocked in the locking plate 27 constituting the swing axis, and therefore the entire movable member 26 swings with the swing hinge 260 constituting the swing axis so as to swing. Therefore, the contact protrusion 261 aof the movable contact 261 comes into contact with the second contact terminal 25 provided as a fixed contact on the right lower side inside the contact chamber. Thus, the terminal portion 22 on the left side connected to the common contact terminal 23 and the terminal portion 22 at the center connected to the second contact terminal 25 enter a conductive state.FIG. 10 illustrates a state in which the pressing member 21 has moved to the deepest point by further pressing from the outside in a movable range from the state illustrated in FIG. 9. Due to the movement of the pressing member 21 to the lowest point, the entire movable member 26 is pressed by the pressing member 21, and it tries to move downward with the swing joint 260 being the swing axis. Thereby, the movable member 26 is bent to deform downward while being supported at both ends by the swing link 260 and the movable contact 261. However, the conductive state does not change.When the pressure of the pressing member 21 is released, the movable member 26 is biased upward by the reaction force of the biasing portion 262. By biasing the movable member 26 upward, the pressing member 21 moves upward. As a result of the biasing of the movable member 26 upward by the biasing portion 262, the movable contact 261 constituting the free end of the movable member 26 also moves upward and comes into contact with the first contact terminal 24. That is, the state shown in FIG. 7 is achieved.As described in Figs. 7 to 10, the movable member 26 swings while deforming by receiving the pressure from the pressing member 21. The bent portions 263 resist the force of the movable member 26 from being deformed, and therefore a large force is applied from the bent portions 263 in a process in which the movable member 26 attempts to be deformed and in a process in which it is collapsed as a result of the deformation being canceled. The force applied from the bent portions 263 when resisting the deformation is transmitted to an operator as a tactile feel resisting the pressure, whereby the operator can feel a strong click feeling.Next, the noise reducing effect based on the shape of the pressing member 21 included in the switch 2 described in the present application will be described. FIG. 11A is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a kinetic model with respect to the pressing member 21 and the movable member 26 included in the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 11B is a diagram schematically showing an example of a kinetic model with respect to a pressing member 21 xand a movable member 26 xincluded in a known switch 2 x. FIG. 11A shows the pressing member 21 and the movable member 26 as viewed from a front viewpoint, and FIG. 11B shows the conventional switch 2 xfrom a similar perspective for comparison. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the dot-and-dash line indicates the center of the force with which pressure is applied to the movable members 26 and 26 xfrom the outside, and the arrows indicate the forces that the pressure members 21 and 21 xappear to the movable member 26 and 26 x.As illustrated in FIG. 11A, the lower surface of the pressing plate 211 formed in the lower portion of the pressing member 21 included in the switch 2 described in the present application is formed in a substantially planar shape. The movable member 26 deforms by the pressure of the pressing member 21 and is bent downward, whereby the pressing member 21 comes into contact with the movable member 26 at two contact portions, namely, the first ridge 211 aand the second ridge 211 b. That is, the pressing member 21 includes contact portions, namely, the first ridge 211 alocated on the swing joint 260 side and the second ridge 211 blocated on the movable contact 261 side, relative to the center of the force with which pressure is applied to the movable member 26 when receiving pressure from the outside. Moreover, the pressing member 21 applies pressure to the movable member 26 at the two contact portions indicated by the arrows in the drawing. Note that, in the conventional switch 2 xshown in FIG. 11B for comparison, the lower portion of the pressing member 21 xis formed in a downwardly protruding arc shape, and the pressing member 21 xcontacts the movable member 26 xat a contact portion substantially coincident with the center of the pressing force and applies pressure to the movable member 26 xat the one contact portion indicated by the arrow in the drawing.FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the kinetic model of the known switch 2 x. FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams schematically illustrating the relationship between a load and the movable element 26 xas a kinetic model. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating the relationship between an amount of depression and an operation load in the conventional switch 2 xas a kinetic model. FIG. 12 shows a cross section of the switch 2 x cut from a vertical plane as viewed from a front viewpoint, and the movement of the movable member 26 xis illustrated interrupted. Fig. 13A schematically illustrates the relationship between a load on a beam supported at both ends and the deformation, and Fig. 13B schematically illustrates the timing of a hemming operation. FIG. 14 illustrates the relationship between the pressing amount (operation operation) of the pressing member 21 illustrated in the horizontal axis and the operation load acting on the pressing member 21 xwhen pressed downward illustrated in the vertical axis when the pressing member 21 xof the switch 2 xis pressed downward.As illustrated in FIG. 12, the pressing member 21 xis shaped to have an arc-shaped bottom, and thus comes into contact with the movable member 26 xat a contact portion in a slide operation. In FIGS. 12, 13A, and 13B, the broken line open arrows indicate the pressing force when the pressing member 21 xcontacts the movable member 26 xat the position A shown in FIG. 12. Also in FIG. 14, the broken line indicates the relationship between an amount of depression and an operation load when the pressing member 21 xcontacts the movable member 26 xat the position A shown in FIG. 12. The solid line open arrows shown in FIGS. 12, 13A, and 13B and the solid line shown in FIG. 14 indicate the pressing force and the relationship when the pressing member 21 xis assumed to come into contact with the movable member 26 xat the position B on the swing link 260 xside (left side in the drawing) relative to the position A. The open chain line arrows shown in FIGS. 12, 13A, and 13B and the chain line shown in FIG. 14 indicate the pressing force and the relationship when it is assumed that the pressing member 21 xcontacts the movable member 26 xat the position C on the movable contact 261 xside (right side in the drawing) relative to the position A.FIG. 13A illustrates the relationship between a pressing force and the movable member 26 xwith respect to the movable member 26 x, assuming a beam supported at both ends. When the beam supported at both ends is assumed, the force required to generate an equal amount of deformation is largest at the position B in the vicinity of the swing joint 260 x, and decreases in the order of position A and position C. Fig. 13B shows the timings of the transturn operation, and the timing with respect to the position B in the vicinity of the swing link 260x is the latest and becomes earlier in the order with respect to the position A and with respect to the position C. The diagram shown in Fig. 14 can be derived from these relationships. In FIG. 14, the point at which the operation load rapidly decreases is the position at which the movable member 26 xturns. As shown in FIG. 14, at the hemming position, as the position approaches the swing link 260 x, the load increases and the time of hemming operation with respect to the hemming amount is delayed. Moreover, a loud noise is generated in the turning-over operation.FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the kinetic model of the switch 2 described in the present application. In FIG. 15, the broken line, solid line, and dash-dot line open arrows respectively indicate the pressing forces upon coming into contact with the movable member 26 at positions corresponding to the position A, position B, and position C illustrated in FIG. 12 for comparison. As shown in FIG. 15, the pressing member 21 included in the switch 2 described in the present application is shaped to have a planar bottom surface and thus come into contact with the movable member 26 at two contact portions in the pressing operation. That is, in FIG. 15, the pressing member 21 included in the switch 2 described in the present application comes into contact with the movable member 26 and applies pressure to the movable member 26 at both the first land 211 a(position B) and the second land 211 b(position C).FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams schematically illustrating, as a kinetic model, an example of the relationship between an amount of depression and an operation load. FIG. 16A is a graph for illustrating a noise attenuation effect due to the influence of the pressing member 21 for comparison, and in FIG. 16A, the bold line D shows the relationship between an amount of depression and an operation load with respect to the switch 2 using the movable member 26 in which the bent portions 263 are not formed. In FIG. 16A, the broken line A, the thin line B, and the dash-dot line C show the relationships between an amount of depression and an operation load at the position A, position B, and position C, respectively, of the switch 2 xthat uses the pressing member 21 xthat comes into contact with the movable member 26 xat a contact portion and in which the bent portions 263 are not formed in the movable member 26 x, as shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 16B is a diagram comparatively illustrating the change in the operation load due to the influence of the bent portions 263, and in FIG. 16B, the thin line E indicates the same for the switch 2 described in the present application, which uses the movable member 26 in which the bent portions 263 are formed and which uses the pressing member 21 that comes into contact with the movable member 26 at two contact portions. In FIG. 16B, the thin line and the broken line indicate modes in which the movable members 26 and 26 xin which the bent portions 263 are not formed are used; for comparison, the bold line D indicates a mode in which contact with the movable member 26 at two contact portions, and the broken line A indicates a mode in which contact with the movable member 26 xat one contact portion.The line A in FIG. 16B shows an embodiment in which a known pressing member 21 and a movable member 26 are used, and the pressing member 21 comes into contact with the movable member 26 at the above-described position A, and the relationship between a pressing amount and an operation load changes rapidly. The line D in FIG. 16B shows an embodiment in which the pressing member 21 that comes into contact with the movable member 26 at two positions, namely, the first ridge 211 a(position B) and the second ridge 211 b(position C), is used, and the rapid change of the operation load relative to the pressing amount is smoothed with respect to the line A and the like, that is, the operation load starts changing at a position substantially similar to that of the line C, and further changes until the position is substantially similar to that of the line B. That is, when the movable member 26 is knocked over, the switching time increases from the state in which it is in contact with the first contact terminal 24 to the collision with the second contact terminal 25, and the speed at which the contact protrusion 261 aof the movable contact 261 collides with the second contact terminal 25 decreases. As a result of the decrease in the collision speed of the movable contact 261 a, the collision shock is alleviated, and a sound attenuation effect in which the sound generated by the collision of the contact protrusion 261 a, the so-called click sound, can be reduced can be obtained. Since the overall variation is smoothed, the click feeling is also reduced. The line E in FIG. 16B shows an embodiment in which the pressing member 21 that comes into contact with the movable member 26 is used in which the bent portions 263 are formed at two positions, and since the pressing member 21 comes into contact at two positions, the rapid change is suppressed, and a sound attenuation effect in which the click sound is reduced can be obtained. However, since the operation load is larger in proportion to the depression amount, a strong click feeling can be obtained as compared with other embodiments, as shown as line D, for example.As described above, in the switch 2 described in the present application, the pressing member 21 comes into contact with the movable member 26 at a plurality of positions, whereby generation of noise can be suppressed from the case of coming into contact with the movable member 26 at one position. In addition, in the switch 2 described in the present application, the bent portions 263 are formed in the movable member 26, so that it is possible to give the operator a sufficient click feeling while achieving noise attenuation.Note that in the movable member 26, the position at which the bent portions 263 are formed may be selected accordingly. FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view partially cut away illustrating an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view partially cut off illustrating an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. In Fig. 17, the inside can be viewed by cutting a front upper part of the switch 2. FIG. 18 shows the switch 2 shown in FIG. 17 from a front perspective. FIGS. 19A and 19B are schematic external views showing an example of the movable member 26 included in the switch 2 described in the present application. In the movable member 26 included in the switch 2 illustrated in FIGS. 17, 18, 19A, and 19B, the bent portions 263 bent downward, which is a swing direction, are formed in side portions near the opening on the right side obtained by forming the biasing portion 262. The bent portions 263 are formed by folding down protruding parts in a rectangular shape extending from both sides of opposite side portions of the movable member 26. The bent portions 263 are formed in the movable member 26 between the pressed portion that receives the pressure of the pressing member 21 and the right end, so that the right end side of the movable member 26 does not easily deform with respect to the pressure by the pressing member 21 and generates a tactile feel that resists the pressing. As illustrated in FIGS. 17, 18, 19A, and 19B, the positions at which the bent parts 263 are formed can be designed accordingly.Second EmbodimentA second embodiment is an embodiment in which, in the first embodiment, noise generation by a buffer member is suppressed and noiselessness is improved. Note that in the following description, the constituent elements similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the reference numerals corresponding to those of the first embodiment to refer to the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The external views of an operation device 1 using a switch 2 according to the second embodiment and the switch 2 are similar to those of the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.The internal structure of the switch 2 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 20 is an exploded schematic perspective view illustrating an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the cross section of the switch 2 described in the present application.A portion serving as a contact chamber is fixed inside a housing 20 of the switch 2. An insertion hole 200 continuous from the outside of the housing 20 is provided in an upper surface of the contact chamber, and a pressing member 21 is inserted into the insertion hole 200.Members such as a common contact terminal 23, a first contact terminal 24, a second contact terminal 25 and a movable member 26 serving as a contact mechanism are provided inside the contact chamber.The movable member 26 is a conductive metal member that is flexible so as to deform when receiving pressure by the pressing member 21. The movable member 26 includes parts serving as the swing joint 260 and the movable contact 261, and a biasing portion 262 and a bent portion 263 are formed therein.A contact buffer member 28 formed using an elastic material is provided above the first contact terminal 24. The contact buffer member 28 is in contact with the first contact terminal 24 from above. Further, below the biasing portion 262 of the movable member 26, a biasing portion buffer member 29 formed of an elastic material is provided. The biasing portion buffer member 29 is in contact with the biasing portion 262 from below.In the contact mechanism thus configured, the pressing member 21 moves downward by receiving pressure from the outside and presses the movable member 26 downward. As a result of the movable member 26 being pushed down, a right end side of the movable member 26, which is a free end, moves downward, and the movable contact 261 comes into contact with the second contact terminal 25. Thus, a left side terminal portion 22 connected to the common contact terminal 23 and a center terminal portion 22 connected to the second contact terminal 25 enter a conductive state.When the pressure of the pressing member 21 is released, the movable member 26 is biased upward due to the reaction force of the biasing portion 262. By biasing the movable member 26 upward, the pressing member 21 moves upward. As a result of the biasing of the movable member 26 upward by the biasing portion 262, the movable contact 261 located on the right end side of the movable member 26 also moves upward and comes into contact with the contact buffer member 28. Note that the configuration may be such that, when the movable contact 261 of the movable member 26 moves upward, the movable contact 261 comes into contact with the first contact terminal 24 covered by the contact buffer member 28. In this case, the movable member 26 indirectly comes into contact with the contact buffer member 28.FIGS. 22A and 22B are schematic perspective views illustrating an example of the buffer members of the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 22A shows the contact buffer member 28. the contact buffer member 28 is a member obtained by casting an elastic material such as polyurethane rubber, and is formed by joining an upper part 280 and a lower part 281. The upper part 280 has a substantially rectangular solid shape, and a right end side to be brought into contact with an inner wall surface of the housing 20 extends downward and is fixed. In a part to be fixed, a slit for fitting the first contact terminal 24 is formed. The lower part 281, which is substantially U-shaped in plan view, is fixed to a lower surface of the upper part 280 on a left end side. The contact buffer member 28 formed by the upper part 280 and the lower part 281 covers the first contact terminal 24, and the movable contact 261 constituting a free end of the movable member 26 directly or indirectly comes into contact with the lower part 281 of the contact buffer member 28 via the first contact terminal 24.FIG. 22B shows the biasing portion buffer member 29. the biasing portion buffer member 29 is a member obtained by molding an elastic material such as polyurethane rubber, and has a shape in which a base portion 291 having a substantially rectangular solid shape is formed on a lower surface of a plate-shaped body 290 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. A notch is formed on a rear side of the plate-shaped body 290 so that the second contact terminal 25 can be fitted therein. The plate-shaped body 290 is in contact with a lower surface of the biasing portion 262 at an upper surface thereof on a left end side. The base portion 291 is formed on a right side of the plate-shaped body 290, and therefore, the left end side of the plate-shaped body 290 deforms as shown by the arrow in the drawing by receiving vibration of the biasing portion 262, so that a shock is absorbed.Operation of the switch 2The operation of the switch 2 described in the present application according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIGS. 23 to 26 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating an example of the operation of the switch 2 described in the present application.FIG. 23 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 receives no pressure from the outside. A lower end of the pressing member 21 is in contact with the movable member 26, and a lower surface of the pressing plate 211 is in contact, in a lower portion, with a part between the swing link 260 in which the left end of the movable member 26 is locked and a position in which a locking portion 262 ais locked to the front end of the biasing portion 262 of the movable member 26. In the state shown in FIG. 23, the movable member 26 is pushed upward by a reaction force that counteracts the pressure of the pressing member 21 exerted by the biasing portion 262 positioned between a pressed portion that receives the pressure of the pressing member 21 and the movable contact 261, and therefore the free end formed as the movable contact 261 is in contact with the contact buffer member 28 provided on a right upper side inside the contact chamber.FIG. 24 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 has moved downward from the state illustrated in FIG. 23 by receiving pressure from the outside. Due to the downward movement of the pressing member 21, the pressing plate 211 positioned in the lower portion of the pressing member 21 presses the movable member 26 downward.FIG. 25 illustrates a state in which the pressing member 21 has moved downward from the state illustrated in FIG. 24 by receiving further pressure from the outside. As a result of the further downward movement of the pressure element 21, pressure is exerted on the entire movable element 26 by the pressure element 21, as a result of which the latter attempts to move downward, the swivel joint 260 constituting the swivel axis. In addition, the biasing portion 262 of the movable member 26 swings downward with the locking portion 262 alocked in the locking plate 27 being the swing axis, and therefore the entire movable member 26 swings with the swing hinge 260 being the swing axis so as to swing.The contact protrusion 261 aof the movable contact 261 collides with the second contact terminal 25 due to the turning moment of the movable member 26, thereby inducing a shock. However, the left end side of the plate-shaped body 290 of the biasing portion buffer member 29 into which the second contact terminal 25 is fitted deforms as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 22B, and absorbs the impact generated when the movable contact 261 of the movable member 26 collides with the second contact terminal 25 and the impact generated when the biasing portion 262 swings. In addition, by alleviating the impact generated when the movable contact 261 of the movable member 26 collides with the second contact terminal 25, the generation of noise caused by the collision can be suppressed. Although the impact generated by the collision of the movable contact 261 of the movable member 26 and the generation of noise due to the collision can be suppressed, the operation load increases because the bent portions 263 formed on both sides of the movable member 26 make deformation of the movable member 26 difficult. The force applied from the bent portions 263 when resisting the deformation is transmitted to an operator as a tactile feel that resists the pressure, and thus the operator may feel a strong click feeling.FIG. 26 illustrates a state in which the pressing member 21 has moved from the state shown in FIG. 25 to the lowest point in the movable range by further pressing from the outside. Due to the movement of the pressing member 21 to the lowest point, the entire movable member 26 is pressed by the pressing member 21, and it tries to move downward with the swing joint 260 being the swing axis. Therefore, the movable member 26 is bent to deform downward while being supported on both sides by the swing link 260 and the movable contact 261.When the pressure of the pressing member 21 is released, the movable member 26 is biased upward due to the reaction force of the biasing portion 262. By biasing the movable member 26 upward, the pressing member 21 moves upward. As a result of the biasing of the movable member 26 upward by the biasing portion 262, the movable contact 261 constituting a free end of the movable member 26 also moves upward and comes into contact with the contact buffer member 28. This achieves the state shown in FIG. 23. The movable member 26 moves upward as the pressure of the pressing member 21 is released and collides with the contact buffer member 28. the impact due to the collision is absorbed by the contact buffer member 28, and therefore the contact buffer member 28 weakens the impact at the time of the collision and suppresses the generation of noise caused by the collision.In the first and second embodiments, the switch 2 described in the present application suppresses the generation of noise caused by the movement of the movable member 26 by the shape of the pressing member 21 and buffer members such as the contact buffer member 28 and the biasing member buffer member 29.The switches 2 shown as first and second embodiments may be extended in various other ways. Specifically, the position and the shape of the bent portions 263 of the movable member 26 can be appropriately designed as long as the movable member 26 has a shape that resists deformation, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B.The other elements contained in the movable element 26, for example the shape of the pressure element 21, can also be designed accordingly. FIGS. 27A and 27B are schematic external views illustrating an example of the pressing member 21 included in the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 27A is a schematic front view, and FIG. 27B is a schematic perspective view as viewed from an obliquely downward viewpoint. In the pressing member 21 illustrated in FIGS. 27A and 27B, parts corresponding to the first land 211 aand the second land 211 bprotrude downward, and are a first protruding contact portion 211 cand a second protruding contact portion 211 d. The pressing member 21 illustrated in FIGS. 27A and 27B comes into contact with the movable member 26 at the first contact protruding portion 211 cand the second contact protruding portion 211 d, and applies pressure to the movable member 26. That is, as shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the embodiment may be extended to other embodiments that exert a noise attenuation effect as long as the pressing member 21, when applied to this pressure, comes into contact with the movable member 26 at a plurality of locations.Third EmbodimentA third embodiment is an embodiment in which the movable member 26 in which the bent portions 263 are formed is applied to a non-contact switch in which optical elements are used. Note that in the following description, constituent elements similar to those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by reference numerals corresponding to those in the first and second embodiments to refer to the first and second embodiments, and the description of these elements is omitted. An external view of an operation device 1 using a switch 2 according to the third embodiment is similar to those of the first and second embodiments, and therefore, description thereof is omitted.The following is the description of the switch 2 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 28 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of an external view of the switch 2 described in the present application. The switch 2 is accommodated as a microswitch in an electronic apparatus such as an actuator 1, and receives a push-down operation received from a part such as a push-down operation portion 10 of the actuator 1 as a pressure from the outside.The switch 2 includes a housing 20 having a substantially rectangular solid shape. A connection terminal 22 for fixing the switch 2 to an external member such as a substrate and four optical contact terminals 30 aextending from an optical contact 30 described later (see, e.g., FIG. 29 ) accommodated inside the housing 20 protrude from a lower surface of the housing 20. The terminal portion 22 protrudes from the lower side of the switch 2 at a left end side. The optical contact terminals 30a project from the bottom of the switch 2 on a right end side side by side in the front-rear and left-right directions. A pair of first optical contact terminals 300 aextending from a light emitting circuit 300 (see, e.g., FIG. 29 ) protrude on a rear side, and a pair of second optical contact terminals 301 aextending from a light receiving circuit 301 (see, e.g., FIG. 29 ) protrude on a front side, constituting the optical contact terminals 30 a.Next, the internal structure of the switch 2 will be described. FIG. 29 is an exploded schematic perspective view showing an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cross section of the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 30 is a cross section cut from a vertical plane including a line C-D shown in FIG. 28 and viewed from a front viewpoint.A portion serving as a contact chamber for accommodating a contact mechanism for opening / closing an electric circuit is fixed inside the housing 20 of the switch 2. In an upper surface of the contact chamber, an insertion hole 200 is provided which passes through the housing 20 from the outside, and a pressing member 21 is inserted into the insertion hole 200.The contact mechanism accommodated inside the contact chamber will be described below. A first lock terminal 220, a second lock terminal 221, a movable member 26, and a fixing member 31 are provided inside the contact chamber as a contact mechanism in addition to the above-described optical contact 30. The optical contact 30 is provided as a light receiving circuit 301 and a light emitting circuit 300 that are disposed on a lower right side of the contact chamber in a front-rear direction. The first lock terminal 220 is disposed on a lower left side inside the contact chamber, and the second lock terminal 221 is disposed on a central lower side inside the contact chamber. The first lock terminal 220 and the second lock terminal 221 are integrally molded with the connection terminal 22 in the lower part of the housing 20 by molding. The fixing member 31 is disposed between the light emitting circuit 300 and the light receiving circuit 301 provided in the optical contact 30 on a right side inside the contact chamber. The movable member 26 is disposed to extend in a left-right direction inside the contact chamber, and is locked by the first lock terminal 220 and the second lock terminal 221.The optical contact 30 includes the light emitting circuit 300 that emits light and the light receiving circuit 301 that receives the light emitted from the light emitting circuit 300. The light emitting circuit 300 is composed of a light emitting element 300 bsuch as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and includes the pair of first optical contact terminals 300 a. The light receiving circuit 301 is composed of a light receiving element 301 bsuch as a PD (photodiode) or a PT (phototransistor), and includes the pair of second optical contact terminals 301 a. The light emitting element 300 bof the light emitting circuit 300 and the light receiving element 301 bof the light receiving circuit 301 are provided at positions opposed to each other, so that the light emitted from the light emitting circuit 300 can be received by the light receiving circuit 301. As a result of supplying the light emitting circuit 300 with electricity via the first optical contact terminals 300 a, the light emitting element 300 bof the light emitting circuit 300 emits light. The conductive state of the light receiving element 301 bof the light receiving circuit 301 changes upon detection of light, and therefore the light receiving circuit 301 outputs an ON signal based on the change of the conductive state due to the light reception from the second optical contact terminals 301 a.The fixing member 31 has an upright thin plate shape disposed so that its normal direction is in a front-rear direction, and is provided at a position in front of the light emitting circuit 300 of the optical contact 30 and behind the light receiving circuit 301 so as to be separated from the light emitting circuit 300 and the light receiving circuit 301. The lower portion of the fixing member 31 is a light blocking plate 310 in which a substantially circular transmission hole 311 is provided so that the light of the optical contact 30 passes through, and the upper portion is formed substantially in a U-shape bent in an arm-like shape and opened on a left side. The fixing member 31 is provided such that a movable abutting portion 264 of the movable member 26 is enclosed in the U-shaped opening of the upper portion on a right end side from above and below. The inner upper portion above the opening of the fixing member 31 is a first abutting part 312 which is brought into contact with a movable abutting portion 264 of the movable member 26 when the pressing member 21 is positioned above and no pressure is applied to the movable member 26 by the pressing member 21. The inner lower portion below the opening of the fixing member 31 is a second abutting part 313 that is brought into contact with the movable abutting portion 264 of the movable member 26 when the pressing member 21 moves downward by being pressed downward, and pressure is applied to the movable member 26 by the pressing member 21. The movable abutting portion 264 of the movable member 26 extends to enter between the first abutting part 312 and the second abutting part 313 of the fixing member 31. The front end of the first abutting part 312 of the fixing member 31 extending to a left side protrudes downward, so that the movable member 26 to which pressure is applied easily comes into contact therewith, and the movable member 26 comes into contact with the first abutting part 312 from below. The central portion of the second abutting part 313 of the fixing member 31 protrudes upward so that the pressed movable member 26 easily comes into contact therewith, and the movable member 26 comes into contact with the second abutting part 313 from above. Preferably, the fixing member 31 is formed of metal material to generate a proper click sound, but it is possible to use a material such as organic rubber material, inorganic rubber material, or rigid resin. Also, the fastener 31 may be replaced accordingly to generate an appropriate click sound, for example.The movable member 26 is a metal member made of SUS or the like, which is in the form of a plate extending in a left-right direction in the contact chamber. The left end side of the movable member 26 is locked in the first lock terminal 220, and is a fixed end that functions as the swing link 260. The right end side of the movable member 26 is a movable abutting portion 264 that moves as a free end between the first abutting part 312 and the second abutting part 313 of the fixing member 31. In addition, the right end side of the movable member 26 is a light blocking part 266 having a substantially rectangular shape bent downward from the movable abutting portion 264. The light blocking part 266 is shaped such that the normal direction is a front-rear direction, and is provided with a transmission window 265 having a substantially rectangular shape through which the light of the optical contact 30 passes. The light blocking part 266 is positioned to enter between the fixing member 31 and the light receiving circuit 301 at a position in front of the fixing member 31 and behind the light receiving circuit 301 of the optical contact 30 in a state in which the fixing member 31 and the light receiving circuit 301 are separated. the movable member 26 is provided with a biasing portion 262 formed by the vicinity of the central portion which is punched out and arc-folded and functions as a return spring, and a front end of the biasing portion 262 is locked in the second locking terminal 221 formed in the vicinity of the central portion inside the contact chamber. The biasing portion 262 generates a reaction force that counteracts the pressure of the pressing member 21. Bent portions 263 bent downward, which is a swing direction, are formed in side portions of the movable member 26. The bent portions 263 are formed by folding down protruding parts extending in a rectangular shape from both sides of the opposite side portions of the movable member 26.In the contact mechanism thus formed, the pressing member 21 moves downward by receiving pressure from the outside, and presses the movable member 26 downward. Due to the pressing down of the movable member 26, the movable abutting portion 264 moves downward on a right end side, which is a free end of the movable member 26, and the movable abutting portion 264 comes into contact with the second abutting part 313 of the fixing member 31. By the movable abutting portion 264 of the movable metal member 26 collidingly contacting the second abutting part 313 of the fixing member 31, a metallic sound is generated. The operator recognizes the metallic sound generated by the movable member 26 coming into contact with the fixing member 31 as a click sound. The bent portions 263 resist the deformation of the movable member 26 when the movable member 26 deforms by applying pressure by the pressing member 21, and therefore the operator can feel a strong click feeling. In addition, due to the downward movement of the right end side of the movable member 26, the light blocking part 266 of the movable member 26 moves downward, and the light of the optical contact 30 passes through the transmission window 265 provided in the light blocking part 266 of the movable member 26, and the optical contact 30 enters an on (ON) state in which the circuit is closed, and outputs an ON signal to an external electronic device.When the pressure of the pressing member 21 is released, the movable member 26 is biased upward due to the reaction force of the biasing portion 262. When the movable member 26 is biased upward, the pressing member 21 moves upward. Also, by the biasing of the movable member 26 upward by the biasing portion 262, the movable abutting portion 264 located on a right end side of the movable member 26 moves upward and comes into contact with the first abutting part 312 of the fixing member 31. As a result of the upward movement of the right end side of the movable member 26, the light blocking portion 266 of the movable member 26 also moves upward, and the light of the optical contact 30 is blocked by the light blocking portion 266, and the optical contact 30 enters an OFF state in which the circuit is open.Next, the opening / closing of the circuit of the optical contact 30 by the fixing member 31 and the movable member 26 will be further described. FIGS. 31A, 31B, and 32 are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the cross section of the switch 2 described in the present application. FIGS. 31A and 31B show a cross section cut from a vertical plane including a line E-F shown in FIG. 28, and enlarged from a obliquely rightward upward viewpoint. FIG. 32 shows the cross section cut from the vertical plane including the line E-F shown in FIG. 28 from a right viewpoint. Note that FIG. 31A shows a power-off state in which the pressing member 21 is positioned upward, the pressure by the pressing member 21 is released, and the electric circuit is open. FIGS. 31B and 32 show an on state in which the pressing member 21 has moved downward, pressure is applied by the pressing member 21, and the circuit is closed.When the pressure is released by the pressing member 21, as shown in FIG. 31A, the light blocking portion 266 of the movable member 26 has moved upward, and the transmission window 265 of the light blocking portion 266 is located outside the light path from the light emitting element 300 bof the light emitting circuit 300 to the light receiving element 301 bof the light receiving circuit 301. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting element 300 bof the light emitting circuit 300 passes through the transmission hole 311 provided in the light blocking plate 310 of the fixing part 31, but is blocked by the light blocking part 266 of the movable member 26, so that the light cannot reach the light receiving element 301 bof the light receiving circuit 301 and the optical contact 30 enters an OFF state in which the circuit is open.When pressure is applied to the pressing member 21, as illustrated in FIGS. 31B and 32, the light blocking part 266 of the movable member 26 moves downward, and the light path from the light emitting element 300 bof the light emitting circuit 300 to the light receiving element 301 bof the light receiving circuit 301 passes through the transmission window 265 provided in the light blocking part 266. Thus, as indicated by the open arrow in FIG. 32, the light emitted from the light emitting element 300 bof the light emitting circuit 300 passes through the transmission hole 311 provided in the light blocking plate 310 of the fixing part 31, further passes through the transmission window 265 provided in the light blocking part 266 of the movable member 26, and reaches the light receiving element 301 bof the light receiving circuit 301; as a result, the optical contact 30 enters an on state in which the circuit is closed.As described above, the switch 2 according to the third embodiment described in the present application generates a click feeling due to the use of the movable member 26 in which the bent portions 263 are formed and which includes the light blocking part 266, and also generates a click sound in response to a depression of the mouse-depressed portion 10. Thus, superior effects can be obtained such that the operator can recognize from the click feeling and the click sound that the click operation is completed.The switch 2 described in the present application, which has been described as the third embodiment, is not limited to the illustrated embodiment and can be extended to various other embodiments. For example, the fixing member 31 used in the switch 2 is not limited to the shape illustrated as the third embodiment and may be appropriately designed. FIG. 33 is a schematic front view showing an example of an external view of the fixing member 31 included in the switch 2 described in the present application. In the fixing member 31 illustrated in FIG. 33, a lower left side extends downward in the drawing and is a connection terminal portion 22 that protrudes downward (protrudes in a pressing direction of the pressing member 21) in the vicinity of the center of the lower surface of the housing 20. As a result of integrally molding the fastener 31 and the connection terminal portion 22 by molding, the area of the light blocking plate 310 of the fastener 31 increases, and as a result, the light blocking property can be improved, different light can be blocked, generation of noise can be suppressed, and accuracy can be improved.The switch 2 described in the present application can also be extended to an embodiment in which, for example, the fixing member 31 is removed from the third embodiment. By removing the fastener 31, superior effects such as generation of a click feeling while achieving a noise attenuation effect by suppressing generation of a click noise can be obtained.Fourth EmbodimentA fourth embodiment is an embodiment in which, in a contactless switch using the optical element shown in the third embodiment, an optical contact 30 is mounted as a surface mounting chip. Note that in the following description, the constituent elements similar to those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the reference numerals corresponding to those in the first to third embodiments to refer to the first to third embodiments, and the description thereof is omitted. An external view of an operating device 1 using a switch 2 according to the fourth embodiment is similar to those of the first to third embodiments, and therefore, description thereof is omitted.Next, the switch 2 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 34 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of an external view of the switch 2 described in the present application. The switch 2 is accommodated as a microswitch in an electronic apparatus such as an actuator 1, and receives a depressing operation received from a part such as a depressable operation portion 10 of the actuator 1 as a pressure from the outside.The switch 2 includes a housing 20 having a substantially rectangular solid shape. A terminal portion 22 for fixing the switch 2 to an external member such as a substrate, and four optical contact terminals 32 extending from the later-described optical contact 30 (see, e.g., FIG. 35 ) housed inside the housing 20 protrude from a lower surface of the housing 20. The terminal portion 22 protrudes downward from a left end side of a lower surface of the switch 2. A third optical contact terminal 320, a fourth optical contact terminal 321, a fifth optical contact terminal 322, and a sixth optical contact terminal 323 are arranged in this order from the vicinity of the center toward the right end side of the lower side of the switch 2 as the optical contact mounting terminals 32.Next, the internal structure of the switch 2 will be described. FIG. 35 is an exploded schematic perspective view illustrating an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the cross section of the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 37 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the optical contact 30 and optical contact mounting terminals 32 included in the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 36 shows a cross section cut from a vertical plane including a line G-H in FIG. 34 from a front viewpoint. Note that a part of the internal structure of the switch 2 surrounded by a broken line circle is enlarged in FIG. 36. FIG. 37 shows the optical contact 30 and mounting terminals 32 for the optical contact from a perspective directed obliquely upward to the right.A portion serving as a contact chamber for accommodating a contact mechanism for opening / closing an electric circuit is fixed inside the housing 20 of the switch 2. In an upper surface of the contact chamber, an insertion hole 200 is provided which passes through the housing 20 from the outside, and a pressing member 21 is inserted into the insertion hole 200.The contact mechanism housed inside the contact chamber will be described below. A first lock terminal 220, a second lock terminal 221, and a movable member 26 are disposed within the contact chamber of the housing 20 as a contact mechanism in addition to the above-described optical contact 30. The optical contact 30 is formed as a light emitting circuit 300 and a light receiving circuit 301 that are arranged side by side in the left-right direction on a right lower side of the contact chamber. The first lock terminal 220 is disposed on a lower left side inside the contact chamber, and the second lock terminal 221 is provided on a central lower side inside the contact chamber. The first lock terminal 220, the second lock terminal 221, and the terminal portion 22 below the housing 20 are integrally molded by casting. The movable member 26 is disposed to extend in the left-right direction in the contact chamber and is locked in the first lock terminal 220 and the second lock terminal 221.The optical contact 30 includes the light emitting circuit 300 and the light receiving circuit 301. The light emitting circuit 300 of the optical contact 30 is formed as a chip for surface mounting using a light emitting element 300 b. The light receiving circuit 301 of the optical contact 30 is formed as a chip for surface mounting using a light receiving element 301 b. The light emitting circuit 300 has a flat rectangular solid shape, a portion of the side surface protrudes in a flat semicircular shape, and the light emitting element 300 bis integrated with the protruding part. The light receiving circuit 301 has a flat rectangular solid shape, a portion of the side surface protrudes in a flat semicircular shape, and the light receiving element 301 bis integrated with the protruding part. The light emitting element 300 bof the light emitting circuit 300 and the light receiving element 301 bof the light receiving circuit 301 are provided at positions opposite to each other, so that the light receiving circuit 301 receives the light emitted from the light emitting circuit 300.The light emitting circuit 300 of the optical contact 30 is surface-mounted on the third optical contact terminal 320 and the fourth optical contact terminal 321 so as to extend between the third optical contact terminal 320 and the fourth optical contact terminal 321 of the left-side optical contact mounting terminals 32. The light receiving circuit 301 of the optical contact 30 is surface-mounted on the surface of the fifth optical contact terminal 322 and the sixth optical contact terminal 323 so as to extend between the fifth optical contact terminal 322 and the sixth optical contact terminal 323 of the optical contact mounting terminals 32 provided on the right side.FIGS. 38A and 38B are schematic enlarged views illustrating a portion of an exemplary optical contact 30 and the optical contact mounting terminals 32 included in the switch 2 described in the present application in an enlarged form. FIG. 38A is a schematic perspective view in which a mounting portion of the light receiving circuit 301 of the optical contact 30 mounted on the fifth optical contact terminal 322 and the sixth optical contact terminal 323 is enlarged, and FIG. 38B is a schematic side view from a left viewpoint. Note that FIGS. 38A and 38B are illustratively illustrated with the upward direction on the left side thereof. Recesses 32a for mounting the light receiving circuit 301 are formed in the fifth optical contact terminal 322 and the sixth optical contact terminal 323, and the light receiving circuit 301 is surface-mounted in the recesses 32a when mounted on the fifth optical contact terminal 322 and the sixth optical contact terminal 323. The same applies to the third optical contact terminal 320 and the fourth optical contact terminal 321 on which the light emitting circuit 300 is surface-mounted, and recesses 32 afor surface-mounting the light emitting circuit 300 when mounted thereon are formed. As a result of forming the recesses 32 ain the optical contact mounting terminals 32 and surface mounting the optical contact 30 on the recesses 32 a, positioning in surface mounting is facilitated, and the thickness of the mounting portion in the front-rear direction can be reduced.Returning to Figs. 35, 36 and 37, the optical contact mounting terminals 32 will be further described. An upper portion of the sixth optical contact terminal 323 extends upward and is bent arm-like leftward so as to protrude to a portion near an upper portion of the third optical contact terminal 320 and the fourth optical contact terminal 321, and the protruding portion is bent forward so as to form a third abutting part 323 awith which a movable abutting portion 264 of the movable member 26 on the right end side comes into contact. An upper portion of the third optical contact terminal 320 protrudes upward, and the protruding portion is bent forward, so that a fourth abutting part 320 awith which the movable abutting portion 264 of the movable member 26 comes into contact is formed. The movable member 26 is disposed such that the movable abutting portion 264 on the right end side enters between the third abutting part 323 aand the fourth abutting part 320 a. In addition, when the movable member 26 is not pressed by the pressing member 21, it comes into contact with the third abutting part 323 afrom below, and when pressed, it comes into contact with the fourth abutting part 320 afrom above.Due to the power supply of the light emitting circuit 300 through the third optical contact terminal 320 and the fourth optical contact terminal 321, the light emitting element 300 bof the light emitting circuit 300 emits light. The conductive state of the light receiving element 301 bof the light receiving circuit 301 changes upon detection of light, and therefore the light receiving circuit 301 outputs an ON signal based on the change of the conductive state due to the light reception from the fifth optical contact terminal 322 and the sixth optical contact terminal 323.The movable member 26 is a metal part made of SUS or the like, which has a plate shape extending in a left-right direction in the contact chamber. The right end side of the movable member 26 is the movable abutting portion 264 that moves between the third abutting part 323 aand the fourth abutting part 320 aas a free end, and also the front end of the movable abutting portion 264 is bent downward, so that a light blocking part 266 is formed. The light blocking part 266 is shaped such that the normal direction is in a left-right direction, and is provided with a transmission window 265 having a substantially rectangular shape through which light of the optical contact 30 passes. The light blocking part 266 is positioned so as to pass between the light emitting circuit 300 and the light receiving circuit 301 when separated from the light emitting circuit 300 and the light receiving circuit 301, at a position to the right of the light emitting circuit 300 of the optical contact 30 and to the left of the light receiving circuit 301 of the optical contact 30, it is noted that the movable member 26 is provided with a biasing portion 262 formed by punching out the vicinity of the central portion and folding in an arc shape and acting as a return spring, and that a front end of the biasing portion 262 is locked into the second locking terminal 221 formed in the vicinity of the central portion within the contact chamber. The biasing portion 262 generates a reaction force that counteracts the pressure of the pressing member 21. Bent portions 263 bent downward, which is a swing direction, are formed in side portions of the movable member 26. The bent portions 263 are formed by folding down protruding parts extending in a rectangular shape from both sides of opposite side portions of the movable member 26.In the contact mechanism thus constructed, the pressing member 21 moves downward by receiving pressure from the outside, and presses the movable member 26 downward. Due to the pressing down of the movable member 26, the movable abutting portion 264 moves downward on a right end side, which is a free end of the movable member 26, and the movable abutting portion 264 comes into contact with the fourth abutting part 320 aof the third optical contact terminal 320. By the movable abutting portion 264 of the movable metal member 26 coming into contact with the fourth abutting part 320 aof the third metal optical contact terminal 320 in a collision manner, a metallic sound is generated. The operator recognizes the metallic sound generated by the movable member 26 coming into contact with the optical contact mounting terminal 32 as a click sound. The bent portions 263 resist deformation of the movable member 26 when the movable member 26 deforms upon pressing by the pressing member 21, so that the operator can feel a strong click sound. In addition, due to the downward movement of the right end side of the movable member 26, the light blocking part 266 of the movable member 26 moves downward, and the light of the optical contact 30 passes through the transmission window 265 provided in the light blocking part 266 of the movable member 26, and the optical contact 30 enters an on state in which the circuit is closed, and outputs an ON signal to an external electronic device.When the pressure is released by the pressing member 21, the movable member 26 is biased upward due to the reaction force of the biasing portion 262. When the movable member 26 is biased upward, the pressing member 21 moves upward. As a result of the biasing of the movable member 26 upward by the biasing portion 262, the movable abutting portion 264 located on the right end side of the movable member 26 also moves upward and comes into contact with the third abutting part 323 aof the sixth optical contact terminal 323. In addition, due to the upward movement of the right end side of the movable member 26, the light blocking part 266 of the movable member 26 moves upward, and the light of the optical contact 30 is blocked by the light blocking part 266, and the optical contact 30 shifts to a power-off state in which the circuit is open.Next, the opening / closing of the circuit of the optical contact 30 by the optical contact mounting terminals 32 and the movable member 26 will be further described. FIGS. 39A and 39B are schematic enlarged views illustrating a detail of an exemplary internal structure of the switch 2 described in the present application in an enlarged form. FIGS. 39A and 39B are schematic perspective views illustrating the vicinity of the light blocking part 266 of the movable member 26 in an enlarged form. FIG. 39A shows an off state in which the pressing member 21 is in an upper position, the pressure by the pressing member 21 is released, and the circuit is open, and FIG. 39B shows an on state in which the pressing member 21 is in a lower position, the pressing member 21 applies pressure, and the circuit is closed.When the pressure of the pressing member 21 is released, the light blocking portion 266 of the movable member 26 has moved upward, as shown in FIG. 39A, the transmission window 265 of the light blocking portion 266 is located outside the light path from the light emitting element 300 bof the light emitting circuit 300 to the light receiving element 301 bof the light receiving circuit 301. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting element 300 bof the light emitting circuit 300 is blocked by the light blocking part 266 of the movable part 26, whereby the light cannot reach the light receiving element 301 bof the light receiving circuit 301, and the optical contact 30 enters an off state in which the circuit is open.When pressure is applied to the pressing member 21, as shown in FIG. 39B, the light blocking part 266 of the movable member 26 moves downward, and the light path from the light emitting element 300 bof the light emitting circuit 300 to the light receiving element 301 bof the light receiving circuit 301 passes through the transmission window 265 provided in the light blocking part 266. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting element 300 bof the light emitting circuit 300 passes through the transmission window 265 provided in the light blocking part 266 of the movable element 26, and reaches the light receiving element 301 bof the light receiving circuit 301, whereby the optical contact 30 enters an on state in which the circuit is closed.In manufacturing the switch 2 described in the present application having the above-described configuration, the basic shapes of the one terminal portion 22 and the four optical contact mounting terminals 32 are stamped out by press forming such as stamping out from a conductive metal plate. Moreover, the terminal portion 22 and the optical contact mounting terminals 32 are formed by press forming such as flange working on the stamped basic shapes of the terminal portion 22 and the optical contact mounting terminals 32. Then, the optical contact 30 is surface-mounted on the mounting terminals 32 of the optical contacts and formed together with the pressing member 21 and the movable member 26 and accommodated inside the housing 20, and as a result, the switch 2 is formed. Then, the actuator 1 is completed by the installation of the molded switch 2.As described above, the switch 2 described in the present application is formed by surface mounting the optical contact 30 formed as a surface mounting chip on the mounting terminals 32 of the optical contacts, whereby the manufacturing process can be prevented from becoming complex, and superior effects such as expected cost savings can be obtained. Also, the size of the switch 2 described in the present application can be easily reduced by performing mounting as a surface mounting chip. In addition, when the optical contact 30 is surface-mounted on the mounting terminals 32 of the optical contacts, the manufacturer of the switch 2 can accomplish the processes from the molding of the optical contact 30 to the surface mounting and further molding of the switch 2 by molding. Therefore, the manufacturer of the switch 2 can integrally perform the quality management for the optical contact 30, which is to be a sensor, and the operation mechanism, and stabilize the quality by suppressing the variation in the operation characteristics. Note that as a result of stabilizing the quality by suppressing the variation in the operating characteristics, it can be expected that the production is accelerated.Furthermore, the switch 2 according to the fourth embodiment described in the present application is provided with the bent portions 263, and therefore can generate a click feeling when the depressing operation is performed on the mouse's depressable operation portion 10, and when the depressing operation is performed, the movable metal member 26 comes into contact with a metal mounting terminal 32 of the optical contact, which generates a metallic sound perceived as a click sound. In this way, the switch 2, although it is a non-contact switch, can achieve superior effects such as the ability to generate a click feel and a click sound.For example, the above-described first to fourth embodiments need not be separately carried out, and appropriate combinations are possible; for example, the pressing member 21 shown in the first and second embodiments may be applied to the switch 2 including the optical contact 30 shown in the third and fourth embodiments.For example, although an embodiment in which the bent portions 263 of the movable member 26 are bent downward, which is one direction of the swing direction, is shown in the above-described embodiments, the bent portions 263 may be bent upward, which is the other direction of the swing direction, as long as the bent portions are formed to resist the deformation of the movable member 26.Although a mouse is illustrated as the operation device 1 including the switch 2 in the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be extended to various types of embodiments such as a type in which various devices such as a keyboard and various push buttons used for operation are used as the operation device 1.

Claims

A flexible switch (2) comprising a movable member (26) whose first end side is fixed as a swing hinge (260) and whose second end side swings, and a pressing member (21) that applies pressure to a portion between the first end and the second end of the movable member (26) when receiving pressure from the outside and opens / closes a circuit due to the swing of the movable member (26) when being pressed by the pressing member (21), wherein the movable member (26) is provided with a bent portion (263) bent in a swing direction of the movable member (26), and wherein the pressing member (21) comes into contact with the movable member (26) at a plurality of contact portions and applies pressure to the movable member (26) in the swing direction.The switch (2) according to claim 1, wherein the movable member (26) is provided, between a pressed portion receiving the pressure of the pressing member (21) and the second end, with a biasing portion (262) that generates a reaction force that opposes the pressure of the pressing member (21).The switch (2) according to claim 2, wherein the bent portion (263) is formed between the pressed portion and the first end.The switch (2) according to claim 2, wherein the bent portion (263) is formed between the pressed portion and the second end.The switch (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the movable member (26) is configured to deform when receiving the pressure of the pressing member (21), and to open / close a circuit by the swing of the second end side when further receiving pressure, wherein a locking portion (262a) to which the biasing portion (262) is locked constitutes a swing axis.The switch (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressing member (21) includes the contact portions on the first end side and the second end side with respect to a midpoint of a force with which pressure is applied to the movable member (26) by receiving pressure from the outside.The switch (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a buffer member (28, 29) arranged to come into contact with the movable member (26).The switch (2) according to claim 7 directly or indirectly referring back to claim 2, wherein the buffer member (28, 29) is a biasing portion buffer member (29) disposed to contact the biasing portion (262).The switch (2) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the buffer member (28, 29) is a contact buffer member (28) disposed such that the second end side of the movable member (26) is brought into contact when no external pressure is applied to the pressing member (21).The switch (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an optical contact (30) including a light emitting circuit (301) and a light receiving circuit (301), wherein the movable element (26) includes a light blocking portion (266) that blocks / transmits light emitted from the light emitting circuit (301) of the optical contact (30) by oscillating.The switch (2) according to claim 10, wherein the light blocking portion (266) has a thin plate shape provided with a transmission window (265) through which light passes.The switch (2) according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising an optical contact terminal (32) electrically connected to the optical contact (30), wherein the optical contact (30) is formed as a surface mounting chip and surface mounted on the optical contact terminal (32).The switch (2) according to claim 12, wherein the optical contact terminal (32) is provided with a recess (32a) for surface mounting of the optical contact (30).The switch (2) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the optical contact (30) is mounted to extend between a plurality of optical contact terminals (32).An operating device (1) comprising: a pressable operating portion (10) for receiving a pressable operation from the outside; and the switch (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, to which a pressable operation received from the pressable operating portion (10) is transmitted as a pressure from the outside, wherein the operating device (1) outputs a signal based on a movement of the movable member (26) included in the switch (2).

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