SWITCH

Abstract

Switch (1), comprising: a housing (10) having a box shape and an opening surface (11); a pressure piece (50) configured to be movable along a first direction (A) intersecting the opening surface (11); and a movable part (40) arranged within the housing (10) and configured to be elastically deformable in a second direction (B) intersecting the first direction (A), wherein the pressure piece (50) comprises a contacting portion (52) arranged to oppose the movable part (40) in the second direction (B) within the housing (10) and configured to elastically deform the movable part (40) in the second direction (B) by contacting the movable part (40), wherein the pressure piece (50) is arranged to be movable between a first position in which the contacting portion (52) contacts the movable part (40) along the first direction (A) to elastically deform the movable part (40) in the second direction (B), and a second position different from the first position, and wherein a lubricant retaining portion (526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56) configured to retain a lubricant is provided in at least one of the contacting portion (52) of the pressure piece (50) and a contacted portion (46) of the movable part (40) contacted by the contacting portion (52), characterized in that the contacting portion (52) comprises: a projection (521) extending along the first direction (A) and having a projecting shape projecting in the second direction (B) and in a direction approaching the movable portion (42) and configured to contact the contacted portion (46) between the first position and the second position; and a projecting portion (522) provided at an intermediate portion of the projection (521) in the first direction (A) so as to project from the projection (521) in the second direction (B) and in the direction approaching the movable portion (42), and with which the pressing piece (50) presses and contacts the contacted portion (46) between the first position and the second position, and wherein the lubricant retaining portion (526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56) comprises at least a first retaining portion (526) arranged on a surface of one side in the first direction (A) of the projecting portion (522) of the projection (521), and a second retaining portion (527) arranged on a surface of another side in the first direction (A) of the projecting portion (522) of the projection (521).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The disclosure relates to a push-button switch. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a push-button switch. This switch includes a base, a button that can be moved up and down with respect to the base, and a fixed contact piece and a movable contact piece attached to the base. The fixed contact piece is provided with a fixed contact portion, and the movable contact piece is provided with a movable contact portion opposite to the fixed contact portion. Furthermore, the movable contact piece is arranged to be movable by touching the button when the button is moved up and down with respect to the base, and is configured so that the movement of the movable contact piece causes the movable contact to touch or separate from the fixed contact.

[0003] Further prior art is represented by DE 102 37 282 B4. This discloses a switch according to the preamble of claim 1. PRIOR ART DOCUMENT PATENT DOCUMENT

[0004] Patent Document 1: CN 2 06 639 724 U OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION TASK UNDERLYING THE INVENTION

[0005] In the switch, a lubricant for suppressing abrasion can be applied to a contact point between the button and the movable contact piece to suppress abrasion. However, since the contact point between the button and the movable contact piece of the switch is usually flat and cannot adhere to the lubricant, the lubricant cannot be supplied to the contact point between the button and the movable contact piece for a long period of time, and it may be difficult to extend the service life of the switch.

[0006] It is an object of the disclosure to provide a switch capable of achieving a long service life. This object is achieved by a switch having the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

[0007] A switch according to claim 1 comprises, among other things: a housing having a box shape and an opening surface; a pressure piece configured to move along a first direction intersecting the opening surface; and a movable part disposed within the housing and configured to elastically deform in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0008] The pressure piece includes a contacting portion arranged to oppose the movable part in the second direction within the housing and configured to elastically deform the movable part in the second direction by contacting the movable part, wherein the pressure piece is arranged to be movable between a first position in which the contacting portion contacts the movable part along the first direction to elastically deform the movable part in the second direction, and a second position different from the first position.

[0009] Further, a lubricant retaining portion configured to retain a lubricant is provided in at least one of the contacting portion of the pressure piece and a contacted portion of the movable part contacted by the contacting portion. EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In the switch, the lubricant retaining portion capable of retaining the lubricant is provided in at least one of the contacting portion of the pressing piece and the contacted portion of the movable part. The lubricant retaining portion allows the lubricant to be supplied to the contacting portion of the pressing piece and the contacted portion of the movable part for a long period of time, thereby extending the service life of the switch. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a switch according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a button of the switch in Fig. 1 away. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the state in which the button of the switch in Fig. 1 away. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a printed piece of the Fig. 1 shows the switch shown. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along a line VV of Fig. 1 with the switch of Fig. 1 in a withdrawn state. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line VV of Fig. 1 with the switch of Fig. 1 in an actuated state. Fig. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a pressure piece showing a first modified example of the switch of Fig. 1. Fig. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a pressure piece showing a second modified example of the switch of Fig. 1. Fig. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a pressure piece showing a third modified example of the switch of Fig. 1. Fig. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a pressure piece showing a fourth modified example of the switch of Fig. 1. Fig. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a pressure piece showing a fifth modified example of the switch of Fig. 1. Fig. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a pressure piece showing a sixth modified example of the switch of Fig. 1. Fig. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a pressure piece showing a seventh modified example of the switch of Fig. 1. Fig. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a movable part showing an eighth modified example of the switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a ninth modified example of the switch of Fig. 1 shows in a retracted state a fixed part, a movable part and a pressure piece. Fig. 16 is a plan view showing the ninth modified example of the switch of Fig. 1 in the retracted state of the fixed part, the movable part and the pressure piece. Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing the ninth modified example of the switch of Fig. 1 in an actuated state of the fixed part, the movable part and the pressure piece. Fig. 18 is a plan view showing the ninth modified example of the switch of Fig. 1 in an actuated state of the fixed part, the movable part and the pressure piece. EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An example of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic, and the proportions of dimensions and the like may not necessarily correspond to the actual dimensions.

[0012] As in Fig. 1, a switch 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure comprises a housing 10 and a button 20 attached to the housing 10. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, a fixed part 30, a movable part 40, and a pressing piece 50 are arranged in the housing 10. For example, the housing 10, the button 20, and the pressing piece 50 are each made of insulating resin, and the fixed part 30 and the movable part 40 are each made of conductive metal.

[0013] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the housing 10 has a substantially rectangular box shape and includes an opening surface 11 in which an opening 12 is provided. A lifting mechanism 13 is provided on the outer periphery of the housing 10. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the opening surface 11, the lifting mechanism 13 includes two arms 15, 16 rotatably mounted on the housing 10 about a pivot axis 14 extending through the center toward the short side of the housing 10 and extending toward the long side of the housing 10.

[0014] When viewed from the direction orthogonal to the opening surface 11, the arms 15, 16 are composed of shafts 151, 161 extending in the longitudinal side direction of the housing 10, supports 152, 162 extending in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the shafts 151, 161 from both end portions in the extending direction of the shafts 151, 161, and locking projections 153, 163 extending along the extending direction of the shafts 151, 161 from the two end portions in the extending direction of the shafts 151, 161. A front end portion of each of the supports 152, 162 (i.e., end portions farther from the shafts 151, 161) is rotatably mounted on the housing 10.

[0015] As in Fig. 1, the button 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is connected to the lifting mechanism 13, while locking receptacles 21 (only two are shown in Fig. 1) are arranged, into which the locking projections 153, 163 of the lifting mechanism 13, which are provided at the respective corner sections, engage. That is, the button 20 is fixed to the housing 10, while the lifting mechanism 13 is arranged therebetween, so that it can be moved along a first direction A, which intersects the opening surface 11 (ie, the vertical direction in Fig. 1), is movable.

[0016] Furthermore, the button 20, as in Fig. 2, by a coil spring 22 provided within the housing 10 and at a substantially central portion of a bottom portion 17 opposite the opening surface 11 in the first direction A of the housing 10, in the first direction A and also in a direction from the bottom portion 17 toward the opening surface 11 of the housing 10.

[0017] As in Fig. 3, the fixed part 30 is fixed to the bottom portion 17 of the housing 10 inside the housing 10. Specifically, the fixed part 30 is, when viewed from the first direction A (ie, from a penetration direction of Fig. 3) between a first wall 101 belonging to a pair of walls 101, 102 extending toward the short side of the housing 10, and the coil spring 22. Viewed from the first direction A, the fixed part 30 has a contact arrangement portion 31 provided on one side (ie, the left side in Fig. 3) the rotation axis 14 of the lifting mechanism 13 is arranged in the direction of the short side of the housing 10 (ie a second direction B which intersects the first direction A).

[0018] The contact arrangement portion 31 has a plate shape extending along a third wall 103, which is the nearer wall of a pair of walls 103, 104 extending in the longitudinal side direction of the housing 10, and a fixed contact portion 32 is provided on a plate surface opposite to the fourth wall 104, which is the farther wall of the pair of walls 103, 104.

[0019] As in Fig. 3, the movable part 40 is arranged to be electrically independent of the fixed part 30. Specifically, the movable part 40 is arranged, as viewed from the first direction A, between the coil spring 22 and the second wall 102, which is the other of the pair of walls 101, 102 extending toward the short side of the housing 10. The movable part 40 has a fixed portion 41 fixed within the housing 10 and a movable portion 42 connected to the fixed portion 41 and elastically deformable in the second direction B.

[0020] As in Fig. 3, the fixed portion 41 is arranged on the fourth wall 104 side of the housing 10 in the second direction B with respect to the rotation axis 14 of the lifting mechanism 13. The movable portion 42 has a plate shape extending from the fixed portion 41 along the third wall 103 of the housing 10 as viewed from the first direction A, and is arranged such that a front end portion thereof is sandwiched between the contact arrangement portion 31 of the fixed member 30 and the coil spring 22, and each of the plate surfaces is oriented in the second direction B to oppose the third wall 103 and the fourth wall 104 of the housing 10. A movable contact portion 43 is arranged at the front end portion of the movable portion 42 to oppose the fixed contact portion 32 in the second direction B.

[0021] In addition, the movable portion 42, as viewed from the first direction A, is provided with a contact portion 46 which is contacted by a contact portion 52 of a pressure piece 50 described later at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10. As shown in Fig. 5, the contacted portion 46 extends from the movable portion 42 in the second direction B and toward the third wall 103 of the housing 10, and is bent and curved at its front end portion in the second direction B and toward the fourth wall 104 of the housing 10.

[0022] The movable portion 42 is arranged so that the movable contact portion 43 contacts the fixed contact portion 32 in an initial position where no external force acts. When the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50, described later, contacts the contacted portion 46, the movable portion 42 elastically deforms in the second direction B and toward the fourth wall 104 (i.e., in a direction in which the movable contact portion 43 moves away from the fixed contact portion 32).

[0023] As in Fig. 3, the pressing piece 50, while connected to the button 20, is disposed between the third wall 103 of the housing 10 and the contact arrangement portion 31 of the fixed part 30, as viewed from the first direction A, and is configured to be movable along the first direction A by moving the button 20 along the first direction A.

[0024] In particular, as in Fig. 4, the pressure piece 50, viewed from the first direction A, includes a plate-shaped main body 51 extending along the longitudinal side direction of the housing 10, and the contacting portion 52 provided at an intermediate portion in the extending direction of the main body 51, protruding from the main body 51 toward the movable portion 42 of the movable part 40, and extending in the first direction A.

[0025] Furthermore, at the intermediate portion in the extending direction of the main body 51, a guide rail 53 is provided, which protrudes from the main body 51 toward the third wall 103 of the housing 10 and extends from the main body 51 in the first direction A. As shown in Fig. 3, the guide rail 53 is disposed, as viewed from the first direction A, in a guide groove portion 105 disposed in a substantially central portion of the third wall 103 of the housing 10 in the longitudinal side direction of the housing 10 and extending in the first direction A, and is configured to facilitate the movement of the pressure piece 50 in the first direction A.

[0026] Connecting portions 54, each having a rail shape and extending in the first direction A, are provided at both end portions in the extending direction of the main body 51. The pressing piece 50 and the button 20 are connected while the connecting portions 54 are interposed therebetween.

[0027] As in Fig. 4, the contacting portion 52 is arranged to oppose the movable portion 42 of the movable part 40 within the housing 10 in the second direction B and to contact the movable portion 42 to elastically deform the movable portion 42 in the second direction B.

[0028] Specifically, the contacting portion 52 includes a projection 521 extending in the first direction A and projecting in the second direction B and in a direction toward the movable portion 42 of the movable part 40, and a projecting portion 522 provided at an intermediate portion in the first direction A of the projection 521.

[0029] As in Fig. 4, the projection 521 has a first inclined surface 523, a second inclined surface 524 and a third inclined surface 525 and is configured to move the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 between a first position in which the pressure piece 50 is further away from the bottom portion 17 of the housing 10 than from the opening surface 11 (see Fig. 5), and a second position in which the pressure piece 50 is closer to the bottom section 17 opposite the opening surface 11 of the housing 10 than in the first position.

[0030] The first inclined surface 523 is provided on one side of the projecting portion 522 in the first direction A (ie, on the side closer to the button 20 than the projecting portion 522 and on the upper side in Fig. 4), and when separated from the button along the first direction A (ie from the upper side to the lower side in Fig. 4) the first inclined surface 523 is inclined in the second direction B and in a direction approaching the movable portion 42 of the movable part 40.

[0031] The second inclined surface 524 is provided on the other side of the projecting portion 522 in the first direction A (ie, on the side closer to the bottom portion 17 of the housing 10 than the projecting portion 522 and on the lower side in Fig. 4). Similar to the first inclined surface 523, the second inclined surface 524 is inclined in the second direction B and in the direction approaching the movable portion 42 of the movable part 40 upon separation from the button along the first direction A. The second inclined surface 524 is shaped such that an inclination angle with respect to a side surface 511 of the main body 51 in the second direction B is smaller than an inclination angle of the first inclined surface 523.

[0032] The third inclined surface 525 is connected to an end portion of the second inclined surface 524 which is further away from the button 20 in the first direction A (ie, the lower end portion in Fig. 4) and inclined in the second direction B and a direction which separates from the movable portion 42 of the movable part 40 upon separation from the button 20 along the first direction A.

[0033] As in Fig. 4, the protruding portion 522 is arranged between the first inclined surface 523 and the second inclined surface 524 and has a curved protruding shape that approaches the movable portion 42 of the movable part 40 in the second direction B. The protruding portion 522 is configured to move the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 between the first position (see Fig. 5) and the second position (see Fig. 6) presses and touches.

[0034] Furthermore, as in Fig. 4, the contacting portion 52 is provided with a first groove portion 526 disposed on the surface of one side of the protruding portion 522 in the first direction A (i.e., on the side of the first inclined surface 523 of the protruding portion 522), and a second groove portion 527 disposed on the surface of the other side of the protruding portion 522 in the first direction A (i.e., on the side of the second inclined surface 524 of the protruding portion 522). The first groove portion 526 extends from the protruding portion 522 along the first direction A on the first inclined surface 523 toward the button 20 (i.e., upward in Fig. 4). Furthermore, the second groove portion 527 extends from the projecting portion 522 along the first direction A on the second inclined surface 524 and on the third inclined surface 525 toward the bottom portion 17 of the housing 10 (ie, downward in Fig. 4). Both the first groove portion 526 and the second groove portion 527 have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape and are arranged independently of each other at a distance in the first direction A.

[0035] The first groove portion 526 and the second groove portion 527 are examples of the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion, respectively, and form a lubricant retaining portion capable of retaining a lubricant. For example, a liquid lubricant such as oil, a semi-solid lubricant such as olefinic grease, and a solid lubricant such as graphite can be used as the lubricant.

[0036] Next, an operation of the switch is performed with reference to the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 described.

[0037] As in Fig. 5, in a state in which no external force is applied to the button 20, the button 20 is urged by the coil spring 22 in the first direction A and in the direction from the bottom portion 17 of the housing 10 to the opening surface 11 (ie upwards in Fig. 5) and is arranged further away from the bottom portion 17 of the housing 10 than the opening surface 11 of the housing 10 in the first direction A.

[0038] In the Fig. 5, in the pressure piece 50, the projecting portion 522 of the contacting portion 52 is located outside the housing 10 (ie, in the first position). In this first position, the second inclined surface 524 of the contacting portion 52 contacts the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40, so that the movable portion 42 elastically deforms in the second direction B and the movable contact portion 43 moves in a direction separate from the fixed contact portion 32 (ie, to the right in Fig. 5) elastically deformed. That is, in the first position of the pressure piece 50, the contacting portion 52 contacts the movable portion 42 of the movable part 40 to elastically deform the movable portion 42 in the second direction B. As a result, the movable contact portion 43 is separated from the fixed contact portion 32, and the switch 1 is in a retracted state.

[0039] When an external force is applied to the button 20 to move the button 20 against the biasing force of the coil spring 22 in the first direction A toward the bottom portion 17 of the housing 10, as shown in Fig. 6, the button 20 touches the opening surface 11 of the housing 10 and stops.

[0040] At this time, with the movement of the button 20 along the first direction A, the pressing piece 50 also moves toward the bottom portion 17 of the housing 10 along the first direction A, and the protruding portion 522 of the contacting portion 52 stops in a state where it is located inside the housing 10 (ie, in a second position different from the first position). In the second position, the contacting portion 52 does not contact the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40, and the movable portion 42, which is elastically deformed, is returned to the original position. As a result, the movable contact portion 43 comes into contact with the fixed contact portion 32, thereby bringing the switch 1 into an operative state.

[0041] When the external force exerted on the button 20 is released, the button 20 moves in the direction away from the bottom portion 17 of the housing 10 along the first direction A due to the biasing force of the coil spring 22. With this movement of the button 20, the pressure piece 50 also moves from the second position to the first position.

[0042] Therefore, when the switch 1 transitions from the retracted state to the operating state, the contacting portion 52 moves (i.e., slides) while contacting the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 in the order of the second inclined surface 524, the projecting portion 522, and the first inclined surface 523. Further, when the switch 1 transitions from the operating state to the retracted state, the contacting portion 52 moves while contacting the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 in the order of the first inclined surface 523, the projecting portion 522, and the second inclined surface 524.At this time, the lubricant retained in the first groove portion 526 and the second groove portion 527 is supplied to the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40, and the abrasion of the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 is suppressed. In other words, in the switch 1, the first groove portion 526 and the second groove portion 527 can supply the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 with lubricant for a long period of time, thereby extending the service life of the switch 1.

[0043] It should be emphasized that an operation feeling (i.e., a click feeling) is generated by a change in the moving load of the pressing piece 50 from the time the protruding portion 522 of the contacting portion 52 presses and contacts the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 until the contacted portion 46 passes over the protruding portion 522, and by a collision sound generated by the connecting portion 54 colliding with the button 20 when the contacted portion 46 passes over the protruding portion 522 and the pressing piece 50 independently moves in the first direction A in the direction approaching the bottom portion 17 of the housing 10. This operation feeling indicates, for example, the fact that the contact state of the fixed contact portion 32 and the movable contact portion 43 has been switched (i.e.,the state of the movable contact portion 43 with respect to the fixed contact portion 32 is switched from the separated state to the contact state, or the state of the movable contact portion 43 with respect to the fixed contact portion 32 is switched from the contact state to the separated state).

[0044] That is, since the protruding portion 522 of the contacting portion 52 presses and contacts the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40, the protruding portion 522 is easily worn by abrasion. Therefore, by disposing the first groove portion 526 and the second groove portion 527 independently in the first direction A at a distance from each other without providing the lubricant retaining portion in the protruding portion 522, a switch 1 can be realized that can achieve a long service life more reliably while maintaining the operation feeling.

[0045] Shapes and sizes of the contacting portion 52 of the pressure piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 can be changed accordingly according to the respective construction of the switch 1 and the like.

[0046] For example, the pressure piece 50 may be connected to the button 20 or may not be connected to the button 20. The pressure piece 50 is not limited to being provided separately from the button 20, but may be integral with the button 20.

[0047] The contact portion 52 only needs to contact the movable portion 42 of the movable part 40 to elastically deform the movable portion 42 in the second direction B, and the first inclined surface 523 and the second inclined surface 524 of the contact portion 52 may have a curved surface or a flat surface with respect to the side surface of the main body 51. Furthermore, the third inclined surface 525 may be omitted.

[0048] The lubricant retaining portion may be provided at least in a part of a region where the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 is contacted. For example, only one of the first groove portion 526 and the second groove portion 527 may be provided as the lubricant retaining portion, or only the second groove portion 527 may be provided on the second inclined surface 524.

[0049] As in the Fig. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, in addition to the first groove portion 526 and the second groove portion 527, the lubricant retaining portion may include a third groove portion 528 provided on the protruding portion 522 and connected to the first groove portion 526 and the second groove portion 527. As described above, by the lubricant retaining portion including the first to third groove portions 526, 527, 528, the lubricant is supplied to the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 for a longer period of time. This can more reliably extend the service life of the switch 1.

[0050] Each of the groove sections 526, 527, 528 may assume any cross-sectional shape. For example, a cross-section of each of the groove sections 526, 527, 528 may be substantially U-shaped, as shown in Fig. 7, may be substantially V-shaped, as in Fig. 8, may be substantially trapezoidal, as shown in Fig. 9, or may be substantially square, as in Fig. 10. For example, when the cross sections of the groove portions 526, 527, 528 are formed into a substantially U-shape, the lubricant retained in the groove portions 526, 527, 528 can be easily supplied to the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40, and accordingly, the service life of the switch 1 can be more reliably extended. Furthermore, by chamfering an opening edge of each of the groove portions 526, 527, 528, the lubricant retained in each of the groove portions 526, 527, 528 can be easily supplied to the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40.

[0051] Furthermore, each of the groove portions 526, 527, 528 may extend only along the first direction A. For example, each of the groove portions 526, 527, 528 may be arranged in a straight line extending substantially parallel to the first direction A, as shown in the Fig. 7 to 10, or they may be arranged in a meandering shape intersecting the first direction A alternately in different directions, as shown in Fig. 11. By arranging the groove portions 526, 527, and 528 in the meander shape, the lubricant can be supplied over a wide area of ​​the contacting portion 52 of the pressure piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40.

[0052] The groove width and groove depth of each of the groove sections 526, 527, 528 can be changed accordingly according to the design of the switch 1 and the like. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, the groove width of the third groove portion 528 may be configured to be smaller than the groove width of the first groove portion 526 and the groove width of the second groove portion 527. As described above, by making the groove width of the third groove portion 528 smaller than the groove width of the first groove portion 526 and the groove width of the second groove portion 527, a contact area to the contacted portion 46 by the protruding portion 522, which is easily worn by abrasion, can be reduced compared to the pressure piece 50 of the Fig. 7 to 11, whereby a switch 1 can be realized that can achieve a long service life while maintaining the operating feeling. Furthermore, for example, by making the groove depth of each of the groove portions 526, 527, 528 shallower as the groove approaches the two end portions in the extension direction, the lubricant retained in each of the groove portions 526, 527, 528 can be easily supplied to the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40, whereby the service life of the switch 1 can be more reliably extended.

[0053] In addition, the lubricant retaining portion is not limited to the case of being composed of the respective groove portions 526, 527, 528, but may be, for example, as shown in Fig. 13, from a plurality of recessed sections 55 (three recessed sections 55 in Fig. 13) arranged independently of each other along the first direction A. Each of the recessed portions 55 is not limited to having a substantially circular opening as in Fig. 13, but may have an opening with other shapes (e.g. a square shape, a trapezoidal shape or a triangular shape).

[0054] Furthermore, the lubricant retaining portion is not limited to being provided in the contacting portion 52 of the pressure piece 50, but may also be provided in the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40. In this case, for example, without providing the first groove portion 526 and the second groove portion 527 in the contacting portion 52 of the pressure piece 50, as shown in Fig. 14, the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 may be provided with a fourth groove portion 461 extending in the first direction A as an example of the lubricant retaining portion. Furthermore, the configuration of the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50 and the configuration of the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 may be directly interchanged, as appropriate. That is, the pressing piece 50 may be provided with a contacting portion having the same configuration as the contacted portion 46, and the movable part 40 may be provided with a contacted portion having the same configuration as the contacting portion 52.

[0055] The lubricant retaining portion may be provided on at least one of the contacting portion 52 of the pressure piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40. For example, the contacting portion 52 of the pressure piece 50 may include the first groove portion 526 and the second groove portion 527, and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 may be provided with the fourth groove portion 461.

[0056] The disclosure is not only applicable to switch 1, but also, for example, to a switch in the Fig. 15 to 18, which comprises a fixed part 30, a movable part 40 and a pressure piece 50. In this switch 100, the pressure piece 50 has a fourth inclined surface 152 which is inclined in the second direction B and a direction approaching a movable portion 42 of the movable part 40, which extends from the upper side to the lower side in the Fig. 15 and Fig. 17 extends along the first direction A, and the movable part 40 has a projection 146 that can contact the fourth inclined surface 152. The fourth inclined surface 152 is provided with a fifth groove portion 56 that extends along the first direction A and is an example of the lubricant retaining portion.

[0057] As in the Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, in a state where the projection 146 contacts the lower end portion of the fourth inclined surface 152, a movable contact portion 43 separates from a fixed contact portion 32, and the switch 100 is returned to the retracted state. Further, as shown in FIGS. Fig. 17 and Fig.18, in a state where the protrusion 146 contacts the upper end portion of the fourth inclined surface 152, the movable contact portion 43 contacts the fixed contact portion 32, and the switch 100 is brought into the operating state. That is, the switch 100 is configured such that when the pressing piece 50 moves along the first direction A and the contact position of the protrusion 146 of the movable part 40 to the fourth inclined surface 152 of the pressing piece 50 moves from the upper end to the lower end on the fifth groove portion 56, the fourth inclined surface 152 causes elastic deformation of the movable portion 42, via the protrusion 146, in the second direction and in the direction in which the movable contact portion 43 separates from the fixed contact portion 32.

[0058] Furthermore, the disclosure is applicable not only to the switch 1 in which the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50 elastically deforms the movable portion 42 of the movable part 40 in the retracted state and the movable portion 42 of the movable part 40 returns to the initial position in the operating state, but also to a switch configured such that the contacting portion of the pressing piece elastically deforms the movable portion of the movable part in the operating state and the movable portion of the movable part returns to the initial position in the retracted state.

[0059] Furthermore, the disclosure is applicable not only to the switch 1 in which the fixed contact portion 32 is provided directly on the fixed part 30 and the movable contact portion 43 is provided directly on the movable part 40, but also to a switch in which the fixed contact portion is not provided directly on the fixed part and the movable contact portion is not provided directly on the movable part.

[0060] As described above, the disclosure is not limited to the switch 1, but may be a switch comprising a housing having a box shape and an opening surface, a pressing piece movable along a first direction intersecting the opening surface, and a movable part disposed within the housing and elastically deformable in a second direction intersecting the first direction.In the switch, the pressing piece may include a contacting portion disposed to oppose the movable part in the second direction within the housing and capable of elastically deforming the movable part in the second direction by contacting the movable part, the pressing piece being disposed to be movable between a first position in which the contacting portion contacts the movable part along the first direction to elastically deform the movable part in the second direction and a second position different from the first position. And further, in the switch, a lubricant retaining portion capable of retaining a lubricant may be provided in at least one of the contacting portion of the pressing piece and a contacted portion of the movable part contacted by the contacting portion.That is, the disclosure can be applied to switches of various aspects, thereby realizing a switch with a high degree of design freedom and a long service life.

[0061] Although various embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, various aspects of the disclosure will be described below. In the following description, reference numerals are also provided by way of example.

[0062] A switch 1 of a first aspect of the disclosure includes a housing 10 having a box shape and an opening surface 11, a pressing piece 50 movable along a first direction A intersecting the opening surface 11; and a movable part 40 disposed within the housing 10 and elastically deformable in a second direction B intersecting the first direction A.

[0063] Furthermore, the pressure piece 50 has a contacting portion 52 which is arranged to oppose the movable part 40 in the second direction B within the housing 10 and is capable of elastically deforming the movable part 40 in the second direction B by contacting the movable part 40, wherein the pressure piece 50 is arranged to be movable between a first position in which the contacting portion 52 contacts the movable part 40 along the first direction A to elastically deform the movable part 40 in the second direction B, and a second position which is different from the first position.

[0064] In addition, lubricant retaining portions 526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56 capable of retaining a lubricant are provided in at least one of the contacting portion 52 of the pressure piece 50 and a contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 contacted by the contacting portion 52.

[0065] According to the switch 1 of the first aspect, lubricant retaining portions 526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56 capable of retaining lubricant are provided on at least one of the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 contacted by the contacting portion 52. By virtue of the lubricant retaining portions 526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56, the lubricant can be supplied to the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 for a long period of time, and accordingly, the service life of the switch 1 can be extended.

[0066] The switch 1 of a second aspect of the disclosure further comprises a fixed part 30 mounted within the housing 10 and having a fixed contact portion 32.

[0067] Further, the movable part 40 includes a fixed portion 41 fixed within the housing 10; and a movable portion 42 provided with a movable contact portion 43 opposite to the fixed contact portion 32 in the second direction B and provided with the contacted portion 46, and also connected to the fixed portion 41 and elastically deformable in the second direction B.

[0068] In addition, the movable part 40 is arranged electrically independently of the fixed part 30 and causes the movable contact portion 43 to contact or separate from the fixed contact portion 32 by the elastic deformation of the movable part 42 in the second direction B.

[0069] According to the switch 1 of the second aspect, at least one of the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 contacted by the contacting portion 52 in the movable portion 42 of the movable part 40 is provided with the lubricant retaining portions 526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56 capable of retaining the lubricant. Through the lubricant retaining portions 526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56, the lubricant can be supplied to the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 for a long period of time, and accordingly, the service life of the switch 1 can be extended.

[0070] In switch 1 of a third aspect of the disclosure, the touching section 52 comprises: a projection 521 extending along the first direction A and having a projecting shape that projects in the second direction B and in a direction approaching the movable portion 42 and contacts the contacted portion 46 between the first position and the second position; and a protruding portion 522 provided at an intermediate portion of the protrusion 521 in the first direction A so as to protrude from the protrusion 521 in the second direction B and in the direction approaching the movable portion 42, and with which the pressing piece 50 presses and contacts the contacted portion 46 between the first position and the second position. Furthermore, the lubricant retaining portion includes at least one of the first retaining portion 526 disposed on a surface of one side in the first direction A of the protruding portion 522 of the protrusion 521 and a second retaining portion 527 disposed on a surface of the other side in the first direction A of the protruding portion 522 of the protrusion 521.

[0071] According to the switch of the third aspect, the lubricant can be supplied to the contacting portion 52 of the pressing piece 50 and the contacted portion 46 of the movable part 40 through the lubricant retaining portions 526, 527 for a long period of time, and accordingly, the service life of the switch 1 can be prolonged.

[0072] In the switch 1 of a fourth aspect of the disclosure, the lubricant retaining portion includes the first retaining portion 526 and the second retaining portion 527, and the first retaining portion 526 and the second retaining portion 527 are arranged independently of each other at a distance in the first direction A.

[0073] According to the switch 1 of the fourth aspect, the first groove portion 526 and the second groove portion 527 are independently arranged at a distance in the first direction A, without providing the lubricant retaining portion on the protruding portion 522, which presses and contacts the contacted portion 46 to generate an operation feeling. Accordingly, a switch 1 can be realized that can more reliably achieve a long service life while maintaining the operation feeling.

[0074] In the switch 1 of a fifth aspect of the disclosure, the lubricant retaining portion includes the first retaining portion 526 and the second retaining portion 527, and a third retaining portion 528 provided on the protruding portion 522 and connected to the first retaining portion 526 and the second retaining portion 527.

[0075] According to the switch 1 of the fifth aspect, the lubricant can be supplied to the contacting part 52 of the pressing piece 50 and the contacted part 46 of the movable part 40 for a longer period of time, and accordingly, the service life of the switch 1 can be extended more reliably.

[0076] In the switch 1 of a sixth aspect of the disclosure, the first retaining portion, the second retaining portion, and the third retaining portion are composed of a first groove portion 526, a second groove portion 527, and a third groove portion 528, respectively, wherein the first groove portion, the second groove portion, and the third groove portion extend along the first direction A, and wherein the groove width of the third groove portion 528 is configured to be smaller than the groove width of the first groove portion 526 and the groove width of the second groove portion 527.

[0077] According to the switch 1 of the sixth aspect, lubricant can be supplied to the contact area to the contacted portion 46 through the protruding portion 522 that presses and contacts the contacted portion 46 to generate the operation feeling, and accordingly, the switch 1 that can reliably achieve a long service life can be realized.

[0078] In the switch 1 of a seventh aspect of the disclosure, the lubricant retaining portion consists of the groove portions 526, 527, 528, 461, 56 extending along the first direction A.

[0079] According to the switch 1 of the seventh aspect, the switch 1 can be realized with a high degree of design freedom and a long service life.

[0080] In the switch 1 of an eighth aspect of the disclosure, the lubricant retaining portion is composed of a plurality of recessed portions 55 arranged independently of each other along the first direction A.

[0081] With the switch of the eighth aspect, a switch with a high degree of design freedom and a long service life can be realized.

[0082] In the switch 1 of a ninth aspect of the disclosure, the lubricant retaining portions 526, 527, 528, 55, 56 are provided on the contacting portion 52 of the pressure piece 50.

[0083] With the switch 1 of the ninth aspect, the switch 1 can be realized with a high degree of design freedom and a long service life.

[0084] In the switch 1 of a tenth aspect of the disclosure, the lubricant retaining portion 461 is provided on the contacted portion 46 of the movable portion 42.

[0085] With the switch 1 of the tenth aspect, the switch 1 can be realized with a high degree of design freedom and a long service life. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0086] The disclosed switch can be applied, for example, to a keyboard switch. DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 1 switch 10 housings 101 first wall 102 second wall 103 third wall 104 fourth wall 105 Guide groove section 11 Opening area 12 Opening 13 Lifting mechanism 14 axis of rotation 15, 16 Arm 17 floor section 151, 161 shaft 152, 162 Support 153, 163 locking projection 20 buttons 21 locking mount 22 coil spring 30 fixed part 31 Contact arrangement section 32 fixed contact section 40 moving part 41 fixed section 42 movable section 43 movable contact section 46 affected section 461 fourth groove section 50 pressure pieces 51 main body 521 lead 522 preceding section 523 first inclined surface 524 second inclined surface 525 third inclined surface 526 first groove section 527 second groove section 528 third groove section 52 touching section 53 Guide rail 54 connecting section 55 in-depth section 56 fifth groove section 146 lead 152 fourth inclined surface A first direction B second direction

Claims

[1] Switch (1), comprising: a housing (10) having a box shape and an opening surface (11); a pressure piece (50) configured to be movable along a first direction (A) intersecting the opening surface (11); and a movable part (40) arranged within the housing (10) and configured to be elastically deformable in a second direction (B) intersecting the first direction (A), wherein the pressure piece (50) comprises a contacting portion (52) arranged to oppose the movable part (40) in the second direction (B) within the housing (10) and configured to elastically deform the movable part (40) in the second direction (B) by contacting the movable part (40), wherein the pressure piece (50) is arranged to be movable between a first position in which the contacting portion (52) contacts the movable part (40) along the first direction (A) to elastically deform the movable part (40) in the second direction (B), and a second position different from the first position, and wherein a lubricant retaining portion (526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56) configured to retain a lubricant is provided in at least one of the contacting portion (52) of the pressure piece (50) and a contacted portion (46) of the movable part (40) contacted by the contacting portion (52), characterized by that the touching section (52) includes: a projection (521) extending along the first direction (A) and having a projecting shape projecting in the second direction (B) and in a direction approaching the movable portion (42) and configured to contact the contacted portion (46) between the first position and the second position; and a projecting portion (522) provided at an intermediate portion of the projection (521) in the first direction (A) so as to project from the projection (521) in the second direction (B) and in the direction approaching the movable portion (42), and with which the pressing piece (50) presses and contacts the contacted portion (46) between the first position and the second position, and wherein the lubricant retaining portion (526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56) comprises at least a first retaining portion (526) arranged on a surface of one side in the first direction (A) of the projecting portion (522) of the projection (521), and a second retaining portion (527) arranged on a surface of another side in the first direction (A) of the projecting portion (522) of the projection (521). [2] Switch (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: a fixed part (30) mounted within the housing (10) and having a fixed contact portion (32), wherein the movable part (40) comprises: a fixed portion (41) fixed within the housing (10); and a movable portion (42) provided with a movable contact portion (43) which is opposite to the fixed contact portion (32) in the second direction (B) and is provided with the contacted portion (46), and which is also connected to the fixed portion (41) and configured to be elastically deformable in the second direction (B), wherein the movable part (40) is arranged electrically independently of the fixed part (30) and is configured to cause the movable contact portion (43) to contact or separate from the fixed contact portion (32) by the elastic deformation of the movable part (42) in the second direction (B). [3] The switch (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant retaining portion (526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56) comprises the first retaining portion (526) and the second retaining portion (527), and the first retaining portion (526) and the second retaining portion (527) are arranged independently of each other at a distance in the first direction (A). [4] The switch (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant retaining portion (526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56) comprises the first retaining portion (526), ​​the second retaining portion (527), and a third retaining portion (528) provided on the projecting portion (522) and connected to the first retaining portion (526) and the second retaining portion (527). [5] The switch (1) according to claim 4, wherein the first retaining portion (526), ​​the second retaining portion (527) and the third retaining portion (528) consist of a first groove portion, a second groove portion and a third groove portion, respectively, wherein the first groove portion, the second groove portion and the third groove portion extend along the first direction (A), and wherein the groove width of the third groove portion is configured to be smaller than the groove width of the first groove portion and the groove width of the second groove portion. [6] The switch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lubricant retaining portion (526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56) consists of a groove portion extending along the first direction. [7] The switch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lubricant retaining portion (526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56) consists of a plurality of recessed portions (55) arranged independently of each other along the first direction (A). [8] The switch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lubricant retaining portion (526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56) is provided on the contacting portion (52) of the pressure piece (50). [9] The switch (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lubricant retaining portion (526, 527, 528, 461, 55, 56) is provided on the contacted portion (46) of the movable part (40).

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