Electronic apparatus

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus in which both of a ground conductive plate such as a metal plate and a pressing switch are adopted.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus 1 comprises: a case 10; a main plate 20 that is housed in the case 10; a push-button 43 that penetrates the case 10 into an inner surface of the case 10 from an external surface of the case 10, and can be moved to a penetration direction; a fixing contact 45 that is fixed to a main plate 20 in the case 10, and is arranged to a tip of the push-button 43; an electric insulation body 46 that is interposed to between the main plate 20 and the fixing contact 45, and electrically insulates the fixing contact 45 from the main plate 20; and a movable contact 48 that is electrically connected to the main plate 20, is arranged to between the push-button 43 and the fixing contact 45, and is pressed to the fixing contact 45 by the push-button 43 when the push-button 43 is pressed into the case 10, and is separated from the fixing contact 45 when the pressing of the push-button 43 is cancelled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to electronic devices. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to improve the impact resistance and wear resistance of electronic devices such as watches, a metal plate is housed inside the case of the electronic device. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which the rotor and train wheel drive of the watch are attached to the plate, and wear of the plate caused by the rotor and train wheel drive is suppressed by making the plate out of metal.

[0003] Meanwhile, as in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, push switches are commonly used in electronic devices such as watches. A push switch usually has a push button, a movable contact, and a fixed contact. When a user presses the push button, the movable contact is pressed against the fixed contact by the push button. When the user releases the push of the push button, the push button returns to its original position due to the elastic force of a spring or the like, and the movable contact separates from the fixed contact. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-333325 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-98177 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when both a push switch and a metal plate are used in an electronic device, the movable contact or the fixed contact may erroneously short-circuit to the metal plate due to vibration, impact, etc. For this reason, conventionally, both a push switch and a metal plate have not been used in electronic devices.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that employs both a ground conductor plate and a push switch. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, Case and A ground conductor plate accommodated in the case; a push button that penetrates the case from the outer surface of the case to the inner surface of the case and is slidable in a penetrating direction; a fixed contact that is fastened to the ground conductor plate in the case and disposed in front of the push button; an electrical insulator interposed between the ground conductor plate and the fixed contact, electrically insulating the fixed contact from the ground conductor plate; a movable contact electrically connected to the ground conductor plate and pressed against the fixed contact by the push button when the push button is pressed into the case; An electronic device comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided that employs both a ground conductor plate and a push switch. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main plate inside the electronic device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the main plate as viewed from the rear in the direction of arrow V shown in FIGS. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the inside of an electronic device according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a timepiece of a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The features and technical effects of the embodiments will be understood from the following detailed description and drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only, and therefore the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrations in the drawings.

[0011] In the following description, when ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are attached to a common name, the ordinal numbers are used only to identify the object to which they are attached, and do not limit the object to which they are attached to a specific object, nor do they specify the order, rank, sequence, priority, subordination, etc. of the object to which they are attached.

[0012] <1. Overview of electronic devices> 1 is a plan view of the front of an electronic device 1. The electronic device 1 is a clock that shows time. The electronic device 1 is worn on the arm of a user by an armband or arm belt.

[0013] The electronic device 1 has a case 10, a crystal 11, an exterior material 12, a time module, a dial, a back cover, and push switches 40A to 40E.

[0014] The case 10 is shaped like a thin frame. In other words, the case 10 is shaped like a cylinder with a short axial size. The axial direction here refers to the direction from the front to the back of the electronic device 1, or the opposite direction. In other words, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 is the axial direction. Hereinafter, the axial direction, circumferential direction, and radial direction of the case 10 are referred to as the first axial direction, the first circumferential direction, and the first radial direction, respectively.

[0015] Case 10 has an inner hollow 10b (see Figures 3 and 4) surrounded by case 10. A transparent crystal 11 is fixed to the front of case 10 so as to cover hollow 10b of case 10. An exterior material 12 surrounds the periphery of crystal 11 and is fixed to case 10. The dial and watch module are housed in hollow 10b of case 10. The dial is stacked on the watch module and faces crystal 11 within hollow 10b of case 10. A back cover is removably attached to the back of case 10 so as to cover hollow 10b of case 10.

[0016] The push switches 40A to 40E are arranged in a first circumferential direction. If the positions of the push switches 40A to 40E are expressed in clock positions, the push switch 40A is located at the 2 o'clock position, the push switch 40B is located at the 4 o'clock position, the push switch 40C is located at the 8 o'clock position, the push switch 40D is located at the 10 o'clock position, and the push switch 40E is located at the 6 o'clock position. The push switches 40A to 40E are normally open switches. The push switches 40A to 40E will be described in detail later.

[0017] The clock module displays time. The clock module may display various information in addition to time. The clock module may be an analog clock module that displays time with hands. The clock module may be a digital clock module that displays time with numbers. The clock module may be an analog and digital clock module that displays time with hands and numbers. In the case of an analog clock module or an analog and digital clock module, the clock module has a gear train mechanism that operates the hands. The power source of the gear train mechanism is a mainspring mechanism or a motor. In the case of a digital clock module or an analog and digital clock module, the clock module has a liquid crystal display device.

[0018] <2. Main plate, main circuit board and sub-circuit board> Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear of the main plate 20 of the watch module inside the case 10. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along line III-III shown in Fig. 1.

[0019] The timepiece module has a main plate 20, a main circuit board 31, and a sub-circuit board 32. The main plate 20, the main circuit board 31, and the sub-circuit board 32 are arranged between the dial and the back cover in the hollow 10b of the case 10. The main circuit board 31, the sub-circuit board 32, and the main plate 20 are arranged in this order from the back cover toward the crystal 11. That is, the sub-circuit board 32 is superimposed on the main circuit board 31, and the main plate 20 is superimposed on the sub-circuit board 32. The sub-circuit board 32 may be in contact with the main circuit board 31 or may be separated from it. There may be other members between the sub-circuit board 32 and the main circuit board 31 or it may not be necessary. The main plate 20 may be in contact with the sub-circuit board 32 or may be separated from it. There may be other members between the main plate 20 and the sub-circuit board 32 or it may not be necessary. The wiring formed on the sub-circuit board 32 is electrically insulated from the main plate 20 by an insulating coating formed on the surface of the sub-circuit board 32.

[0020] The main plate 20 is shaped like a disk. The main plate 20 has pins, protrusions, recesses, holes, notches, grooves, female threads, etc., so that each component of the watch module can be attached, mounted, fixed, supported, held, or positioned on the main plate 20. The main plate 20 is made of a metal material, and is therefore conductive. The main plate 20 is a ground that determines the reference potential of each part of the electric circuit, and the potential of the main plate 20 is 0V. Therefore, the main plate 20 is also called a ground conductor plate. The main plate 20 may be electrically connected to a back cover, and the back cover may be made of a metal material.

[0021] The main plate 20 has a thickness from a back surface 21 of the main plate 20 to a front surface 22 of the main plate 20. The back surface 21 faces the back cover, and the front surface 22 faces the windshield 11.

[0022] The main plate 20 has a first recess 23 and a second recess 24 recessed from the rear surface 21. The first recess 23 and the second recess 24 extend to the outer edge of the rear surface 21, and the first recess 23 and the second recess 24 open on the outer circumferential surface of the main plate 20. The first recess 23 and the second recess 24 are aligned along the outer periphery of the main plate 20. The second recess 24 and the first recess 23 are integrated. The first recess 23 is deeper than the second recess 24. The bottom and inner surface of the first recess 23 may be insulatingly coated.

[0023] The main plate 20 has a protrusion 25 in the first recess 23. The protrusion 25 is formed on the inner surface of the first recess 23 along the outer circumferential surface of the main plate 20. The protrusion 25 is on an extension of a through hole 10a described below. The protrusion 25 protrudes from the inner surface of the first recess 23 toward the inner circumferential surface of the case 10 and the through hole 10a described below.

[0024] The sub-circuit board 32 covers the first recess 23 and the second recess 24. The sub-circuit board 32 has terminal pads 32a and 32b on a surface facing the main plate 20. The terminal pad 32a is located above the first recess 23, and the terminal pad 32b is located above the second recess 24.

[0025] When the positions of the first recess 23 and the second recess 24 are expressed in clock positions, the first recess 23 and the second recess 24 are disposed at the 2 o'clock position. The first recess 23 and the second recess 24 are provided for the push switch 40A. Recesses similar to the first recess 23 and the second recess 24 are formed in the rear surface 21 of the main plate 20 at the 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, 10 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions for the push switches 40B, 40C, 40D and 40E, respectively.

[0026] <3. Push switch> Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the main plate 20 as viewed from the rear of the electronic device 1 as viewed in the direction of arrow V in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line VI-VI shown in Fig. 5.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the push switch 40A includes a cylinder 41, a coil spring 42, a push button 43, a retaining ring 44, a fixed contact 45, an electrical insulator 46, a retaining pin 47, a movable contact 48, and a retainer 49.

[0028] The cylinder 41, push button 43, coil spring 42 and retaining ring 44 are supported by the case 10, and the fixed contact 45, electrical insulator 46, retaining pin 47, movable contact 48 and retainer 49 are supported by the main plate 20 within the hollow 10b of the case 10.

[0029] (1) Cylinder 3 and 4, the cylinder 41 has a hollow inside, and the cylinder 41 is provided in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the hollow. The hollow of the cylinder 41 opens at both ends of the cylinder 41 in the axial direction of the cylinder 41. The diameter of the part of the hollow of the cylinder 41 near one end is larger than the diameter of the part near the other end, and hereinafter the part with the larger diameter is referred to as the large diameter part, and the part with the smaller diameter is referred to as the small diameter part.

[0030] The cylinder 41 is fixed to a side surface of the case 10. Specifically, the case 10 has a through hole 10a on the side surface of the case 10 penetrating from the inner peripheral surface of the case 10 to the outer peripheral surface of the case 10 in the first radial direction, the cylinder 41 is fitted into the through hole 10a, and the male thread on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder 41 is screwed into the female thread on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 10a. Regarding the posture of the cylinder 41 when the cylinder 41 is fixed to the case 10, the axial direction of the cylinder 41 is parallel to the first radial direction. The positions of the cylinder 41 and the through hole 10a in the first circumferential direction are aligned with the position of the first recess 23 in the first circumferential direction.

[0031] (2) Coil spring As shown in FIG. 3, a coil spring 42 serving as an elastic member is housed in the large diameter portion of the hollow cylinder 41 .

[0032] (3) Push button 3 to 5, the push button 43 is inserted into the cylinder 41, and the push button 43 and the cylinder 41 are coaxial. Hereinafter, the axial direction, circumferential direction, and radial direction of the push button 43 and the cylinder 41 will be referred to as the second axial direction, the second circumferential direction, and the second radial direction, respectively. The second axial direction is parallel to the first radial direction. The second axial direction is the penetrating direction in which the push button 43 penetrates from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface of the case 10.

[0033] The radial load of the push button 43 is received by the cylinder 41, and the push button 43 is guided in the second axial direction by the cylinder 41. The push button 43 is slidable in the second axial direction and the first radial direction relative to the cylinder 41. The coil spring 42 is sandwiched between the push button 43 and the cylinder 41 in the second axial direction, and when the push button 43 is pressed toward the hollow 10b of the case 10, the coil spring 42 is compressed. When the push of the push button 43 is released, the elastic force of the coil spring 42 urges the push button 43 outward from the case 10, and the push button 43 returns to its original position.

[0034] The push button 43 has a shaft 43a and a head 43b. The shaft 43a extends in the second axial direction. The head 43b is provided integrally with the shaft 43a at the end of the shaft 43a in the second axial direction. The diameter of the head 43b is larger than the diameter of the shaft 43a. The shaft 43a is inserted into the small diameter part of the hollow of the cylinder 41, and the head 43b is inserted into the large diameter part. The head 43b may slightly protrude from the hollow of the cylinder 41 outside the case 10. The tip of the shaft 43a protrudes slightly from the hollow of the cylinder 41 into the hollow 10b of the case 10. The coil spring 42 is sandwiched between the step surface of the cylinder 41 and the head 43b in the large diameter part of the cylinder 41. The step surface of the cylinder 41 refers to a ring-shaped surface that connects the inner circumferential surface of the small diameter part and the outer circumferential surface of the large diameter part and expands in the second radial direction and the second circumferential direction.

[0035] (4) Retaining ring 3 to 5, the retaining ring 44 is attached to the tip of the push button 43, i.e., the tip of the shaft 43a, in the hollow 10b of the case 10. The retaining ring 44 is hooked onto the end of the cylinder 41. Such hooking helps to prevent the push button 43 from coming off the cylinder 41.

[0036] (5) Fixed contacts, electrical insulators, and retaining pins 2, 5 and 6, the fixed contact 45, the electrical insulator 46 and the retaining pin 47 are disposed in the first recess 23. The fixed contact 45, the electrical insulator 46 and the retaining pin 47 are disposed ahead of the tip of the push button 43.

[0037] An electrical insulator 46 is fastened to the bottom of the first recess 23 of the main plate 20 by a fastening pin 47. The fixed contact 45 surrounds the electrical insulator 46 and is supported by the electrical insulator 46, so that the fixed contact 45 is separated from the main plate 20 and is electrically insulated from the main plate 20. The fixed contact 45 contacts the terminal pad 32a of the sub-circuit board 32, and an electrical connection is established between the fixed contact 45 and the terminal pad 32a. Note that the thickness of the terminal pads 32a and 32b is exaggerated in FIG. 6.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 2, the electrical insulator 46 is a block made of a ceramic, such as zirconia. The ceramic electrical insulator 46 has high impact resistance and load resistance. The material of the electrical insulator 46 may be other than ceramic. The electrical insulator 46 may be made of a synthetic resin, such as polyacetal, polycarbonate, polyamide, or ABS resin.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6, the electrical insulator 46 has a main body 46a, a protrusion 46b, and a through hole 46c. The main body 46a is a cubic or rectangular block. The corners of the main body 46a are chamfered, and the chamfering may be either a C chamfer or a rounded chamfer. The chamfering contributes to preventing the electrical insulator 46 from being damaged.

[0040] The through hole 46c is formed in the main body 46a so as to penetrate between the two opposing surfaces of the main body 46a. When the electrical insulator 46 is placed in the first recess 23, the front surface of the opposing surfaces of the main body 46a faces the bottom of the first recess 23, and the back surface faces the secondary circuit board 32. The protrusion 46b is provided in a convex shape on the side surface of the main body 46a other than the opposing surface.

[0041] The fastening pin 47 is fitted into the through hole 46c with a slight amount of play from the inner surface of the through hole 46c of the electrical insulator 46. The tip of the fastening pin 47 protrudes from the through hole 46c and is fitted into the fastening hole 23a formed in the bottom of the first recess 23. In this way, the fastening pin 47 is fastened to the bottom of the first recess 23, and the movement of the electrical insulator 46 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the fastening pin 47 is restricted by the fastening pin 47, and the electrical insulator 46 is fastened to the bottom of the first recess 23. The fastening pin 47 may be adhered to the main plate 20 with an adhesive or the like. The protrusion 46b of the electrical insulator 46 protrudes toward the projection 25 on the inner surface of the first recess 23 and is in contact with the projection 25.

[0042] The fastening pin 47 is made of metal, ceramic, or resin. If the fastening pin 47 is made of metal or ceramic, the fastening pin 47 has high strength and the electrical insulator 46 is firmly fixed to the main plate 20. The material of the fastening pin 47 may be the same as or different from the material of the main plate 20. The material of the fastening pin 47 may be harder than the material of the main plate 20. In other words, the elastic modulus of the material of the fastening pin 47 may be higher than the elastic modulus of the material of the main plate 20.

[0043] The fixed contact 45 is made of a metal material. The fixed contact 45 may be provided with a metal coating by plating. The fixed contact 45 is conductive. The fixed contact 45 is bent.

[0044] 2 and 5, the fixed contact 45 has a frame 45a, a first hook 45b, a second hook 45c, and a raised portion 45d. The frame 45a, the first hook 45b, the second hook 45c, and the raised portion 45d are integrally formed. The frame 45a, the first hook 45b, the second hook 45c, and the raised portion 45d are conductive.

[0045] The frame 45a surrounds the side surfaces of the main body 46a of the electrical insulator 46 and holds the main body 46a. The frame 45a is spaced apart from the inner surface of the first recess 23. The chamfering of the corners of the electrical insulator 46 contributes to making it easier to fit the main body 46a of the electrical insulator 46 into the inside of the frame 45a.

[0046] The frame 45a has a slit 45e that runs from the inside of the frame 45a to the outside of the frame 45a. The enclosure by the frame 45a is interrupted at the slit 45e. The slit 45e is disposed at a position that faces the protrusion 25 formed in the first recess 23. The frame 45a has a pair of claws 45f on both sides of the slit 45e. These claws 45f protrude toward the center of the slit 45e. The main body 46a of the electrical insulator 46 is fitted inside the frame 45a, and the protrusion 46b of the electrical insulator 46 protrudes outside the frame 45 through the slit 45e. The protrusion 46b is in contact with the protrusion 25. The protrusion 46b is sandwiched between the pair of claws 45f. These claws 45f are hooked onto the side surfaces of the main body 46a.

[0047] The first hook 45b extends from the edge of the frame 45a on the sub-circuit board 32 side and bends toward the inside of the frame 45a. The first hook 45b partially covers the area surrounded by the frame 45a. The first hook 45b is hooked on the back surface of the main body 46a of the electrical insulator 46. The hooking of the first hook 45b contributes to supporting the frame 45a of the fixed contact 45 on the main body 46a, so that the frame 45a is separated from the bottom of the first recess 23. The first hook 45b contacts the terminal pad 32a of the sub-circuit board 32. In order to ensure that the tip of the first hook 45b contacts the terminal pad 32a, the first hook 45b may be bent toward the terminal pad 32a. The potential of the fixed contact 45 is determined by the terminal pad 32a. The potential of the fixed contact 45 is higher than the potential of the main plate 20.

[0048] The second hook 45c extends from the edge of the frame 45a toward the sub-circuit board 32 on the opposite side to the first hook 45b with respect to the center of the area surrounded by the frame 45a, and is bent toward the inside of the frame 45a. The second hook 45c partially covers the area surrounded by the frame 45a. The second hook 45c is hooked on the back surface of the main body 46a. The hooking of the second hook 45c contributes to supporting the frame 45a of the fixed contact 45 on the main body 46a, so that the frame 45a is separated from the bottom of the first recess 23. In particular, the use of the second hook 45c in addition to the first hook 45b contributes to stably supporting the frame 45a on the main body 46a.

[0049] When the fastening pin 47 is conductive, the first hook 45b and the second hook 45c are separated from the fastening pin 47. When the fastening pin 47 is retracted into the through-hole 46c, the first hook 45b and the second hook 45c are securely insulated from the fastening pin 47.

[0050] The raised portion 45d is formed in a convex shape on the frame 45a on the opposite side of the slit 45e with respect to the center of the area surrounded by the frame 45a. The raised portion 45d protrudes from the frame 45a toward the through-hole 10a.

[0051] A portion of the fixed contact 45 facing the bottom of the first recess 23 may be insulatingly coated. A portion of the fixed contact 45 facing the inner surface of the first recess 23 may be insulatingly coated.

[0052] (6) Movable contacts and fasteners As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the movable contact 48 is disposed in the second recess 24. The movable contact 48 is fixed to the bottom of the second recess 24 by a fastener 49. The movable contact 48 contacts the main plate 20, and an electrical connection is established between the movable contact 48 and the main plate 20. The potential of the movable contact 48 is 0V. The movable contact 48 contacts the terminal pad 32b of the sub-circuit board 32, and an electrical connection is established between the movable contact 48 and the terminal pad 32b. The movable contact 48 protrudes from the outer edge of the rear surface 21 of the main plate 20, particularly from the bottom edge of the second recess 24, and is bent toward the outer circumferential surface of the main plate 20. The movable contact 48 is further bent back toward the space between the fixed contact 45 and the tip of the push button 43. When the push button 43 is pressed, the movable contact 48 is pressed toward the fixed contact 45 by the tip of the push button 43. This causes the movable contact 48 to elastically deform, and the movable contact 48 comes into contact with the fixed contact 45. When the push button 43 is released, the movable contact 48 returns to its original shape and moves away from the fixed contact 45.

[0053] The movable contact 48 is made of a metal material. The movable contact 48 may be provided with a metal coating by plating. The movable contact 48 is conductive. The movable contact 48 is bent.

[0054] The movable contact 48 has a base 48a, a terminal 48b, a side support 48c, a leaf spring 48d, and an oblique flange 48e. The base 48a, the terminal 48b, the side support 48c, the leaf spring 48d, and the oblique flange 48e are integrally formed. The base 48a, the terminal 48b, the side support 48c, and the leaf spring 48d are conductive.

[0055] The base 48a is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The base 48a has a through hole in the center. The base 48a is placed face down on the bottom of the second recess 24 and is closer to the first recess 23. A fastener 49 is inserted into the through hole of the base 48a, and the base 48a is fastened to the main plate 20 by the fastener 49. The base 48a contacts the main plate 20, and an electrical connection is established between the base 48a and the main plate 20.

[0056] The terminal 48b is made of a strip. The terminal 48b extends in the first circumferential direction from an end of the base 48a in the first circumferential direction. The terminal 48b contacts the terminal pad 32b of the secondary circuit board 32. The terminal 48b may be warped toward the terminal pad 32b so that the tip of the terminal 48b can reliably contact the terminal pad 32b.

[0057] The side support 48c is bent at an end of the base 48a toward the outer circumferential surface of the main plate 20. The side support 48c extends from the end of the base 48a toward the surface 22 of the main plate 20. The side support 48c faces a part of the outer circumferential surface of the main plate 20. The side support 48c may contact the outer circumferential surface of the main plate 20.

[0058] The leaf spring 48d is folded over from the end of the side support 48c in the first circumferential direction onto the side support 48c. The leaf spring 48d is folded back from the end of the side support 48c in the first circumferential direction toward the space between the raised portion 45d of the fixed contact 45 and the tip of the shaft 43a of the push button 43. The bending angle of the leaf spring 48d with respect to the side support 48c is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. The leaf spring 48d extends from the folded portion along the outer periphery of the main plate 20 and is inserted between the raised portion 45d of the fixed contact 45 and the tip of the shaft 43a of the push button 43. When the leaf spring 48d is in its natural state, the leaf spring 48d is separated from the raised portion 45d. When the leaf spring 48d is in its natural state, the leaf spring 48d may be in contact with the tip of the shaft 43a or may be separated from it. When the leaf spring 48d is in its natural state, the leaf spring 48d may be perpendicular to the central axis of the shaft 43a of the push button 43. The leaf spring 48d has a width whose long dimension is along the thickness direction of the main plate 20, that is, along the first axial direction.

[0059] When the push button 43 is pressed, the leaf spring 48d is pushed toward the raised portion 45d by the tip of the shaft 43a. This causes the leaf spring 48d to elastically deform, and the leaf spring 48d comes into contact with the raised portion 45d. The contact between the leaf spring 48d and the raised portion 45d causes the push switch 40A to turn on. When the push button 43 is released, the leaf spring 48d returns to its original shape and moves away from the raised portion 45d. Because the leaf spring 48d is folded back from the end of the side support 48c, the leaf spring 48d easily returns to its original shape and is reliably separated from the raised portion 45d. The separation of the leaf spring 48d from the raised portion 45d causes the push switch 40A to turn off.

[0060] The inclined flange 48e extends from the edge of the leaf spring 48d toward the windshield 11. The inclined flange 48e is bent from the edge of the leaf spring 48d toward the fixed contact 45. The inclined flange 48e is inclined from a plane along the leaf spring 48d toward the fixed contact 45. When the movable contact 48 is assembled to the main plate 20, if the inclined flange 48e abuts against the tip of the shaft 43a, the inclined flange 48e and the leaf spring 48d are guided by the inclined flange 48e into the space between the protruding portion 45d and the tip of the shaft 43a. The inclination of the inclined flange 48e contributes to easily inserting the leaf spring 48d and the inclined flange 48e into the space between the protruding portion 45d and the tip of the shaft 43a when the movable contact 48 is assembled.

[0061] The fastener 49 has a screw 49a and a flanged nut 49b. The nut 49b is inserted into a hole that penetrates from the bottom of the 24th to the surface 22 of the main plate 20, and the flange of the nut 49b is hooked onto the surface 22. The shaft of the screw 49a is inserted into the through hole of the base 48a. The shaft is screwed into the nut 49b, and the base 48a and the main plate 20 are fastened together by the head of the screw 49a and the flange of the nut 49b. The fastener 49 may be only a screw, or may be a rivet or a rivet.

[0062] <4. Other push switches> Push switches 40B to 40D are provided in the same manner as push switch 40A. The direction of movement of the push buttons of push switches 40B to 40D is the first radial direction, which is the same as the direction of movement of push button 43 of push switch 40A.

[0063] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along line VII-VII shown in FIG. 1. The cylinder 141 of the push switch 40E corresponds to the cylinder 41 of the push switch 40A. The push button 143 of the push switch 40E corresponds to the push button 43 of the push switch 40A. The retaining ring 144 of the push switch 40E corresponds to the retaining ring 44 of the push switch 40A. The fixed contact 145 of the push switch 40E corresponds to the fixed contact 45 of the push switch 40A. The electric insulator 146 of the push switch 40E corresponds to the electric insulator 46 of the push switch 40A. The retaining pin 147 of the push switch 40E corresponds to the retaining pin 47 of the push switch 40A. The movable contact 148 of the push switch 40E corresponds to the movable contact 48 of the push switch 40A. The through hole 10e of the case 10 corresponds to the through hole 10a.

[0064] Push switch 40E is provided in the same manner as push switch 40A, except that the direction of movement of push button 143 of push switch 40D is different from the direction of movement of push button 43 of push switch 40A and is inclined with respect to the first radial direction.

[0065] In the same way that the cylinder 41 and the push button 43 of the push switch 40A are attached to the through hole 10a of the case 10, the cylinder 141 and the push button 143 of the push switch 40E are attached to the through hole 10e of the case 10. The central axes of the cylinder 141, the push button 143, and the through hole 10e are inclined outward in the first radial direction toward the front of the case 10. The inclination of the central axes of the cylinder 141, the push button 143, and the through hole 10e contributes to making it easier for the user to press the push button 143.

[0066] Since the push switches 40A to 40E are provided in the same manner, the parts of the push switches 40A to 40E are common to all the other switches.

[0067] <5. Summary> (1) The electrical insulator 46 is interposed between the main plate 20 and the fixed contact 45, and electrically insulates the fixed contact 45 from the main plate 20. Such an electrical insulator 46 contributes to the attachment of the fixed contact 45 to the conductive main plate 20 and the adoption of both the push switch 40A and the main plate 20 in the electronic device 1. Since the fixed contact 45 is attached to the main plate 20, it is not necessary to provide a plated pad for the fixed contact on the side of the auxiliary circuit board 32. This contributes to the thinning and reduction of the manufacturing cost of the auxiliary circuit board 32, and thus to the thinning and reduction of the cost of the electronic device 1. Here, the technically advantageous effects of this embodiment will be described in detail by comparing this embodiment with a comparative example. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a watch equipped with a push switch 940 of the comparative example. As shown in FIG. 9, a circuit board 931 is placed on a metal main plate 920 in a case 910. A movable contact 948 made of a leaf spring is attached to the main plate 920, and an electrical connection is established between the movable contact 948 and the main plate 920. When the push button 943 is pressed, the movable contact 948 is pressed by the push button 943 and elastically deformed, and the movable contact 948 comes into contact with the fixed contact 945. The fixed contact 945 is formed on the side of the circuit board 931 by plating or the like so that the fixed contact 945 is disposed ahead of the tip of the push button 943. In order to ensure that the movable contact 948 comes into contact with the fixed contact 945 and to prevent the fixed contact 945 from being displaced, the circuit board 931 is thick and the fixed contact 945 extends over the entire thickness of the circuit board 931. The manufacturing cost of such a circuit board 931 is high. In contrast, in this embodiment, the electrical insulator 46 contributes to making the sub-circuit board 32 thinner and reducing the manufacturing cost. The effects of this embodiment are technically very advantageous, even when compared to the comparative example.

[0068] (2) The thickness of the main plate 20 is necessary because each component of the watch module is mounted on the main plate 20. Since the first recess 23 is formed in such a main plate 20, a thick block-shaped electrical insulator 46 is placed in the first recess 23 and attached to the main plate 20. The fixed contact 45 surrounds such an electrical insulator 46 and is supported by the electrical insulator 46, so that the fixed contact 45 is separated from the bottom and inner surface of the first recess 23, and the fixed contact 45 is insulated from the main plate 20. Since the first recess 23 extends to the outer circumferential surface of the main plate 20 and is open on that outer circumferential surface, the fixed contact 45 is placed beyond the tip of the push button 43. Therefore, pressing and releasing the push button 43 brings the movable contact 48 and the fixed contact 45 into contact with and apart from each other.

[0069] (3) When the position of the push switch 40A is changed in design, it is only necessary to change the positions of the first recess 23 and the second recess 24. Therefore, the shapes of the push button 43, the retaining ring 44, the fixed contact 45, the electrical insulator 46, the retaining pin 47, the movable contact 48, and the fastener 49 can be used as is without any design change.

[0070] (4) The frame 45a of the fixed contact 45 surrounds the body 46a of the electrical insulator 46, and the first hook 45b and the second hook 45c of the fixed contact 45 extend from the frame 45a and are hooked on the body 46a. This allows the frame 45a to be supported by the body 46a and separates the frame 45a from the bottom of the first recess 23. This provides insulation of the fixed contact 45 from the main plate 20.

[0071] (5) The protrusion 46b of the electrical insulator 46 passes through the slit 45e of the frame 45a and abuts against the protrusion 25 on the inner surface of the first recess 23. When the push button 43 is pressed, the load applied from the push button 43 to the fixed contact 45 via the movable contact 48 is received by the protrusion 25. In particular, the load is distributed to the protrusion 25 and the retaining pin 47. Therefore, the electrical insulator 46 and the fixed contact 45 are unlikely to come off.

[0072] (6) The direction in which the leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48 moves toward and away from the frame 45a of the fixed contact 45 is perpendicular to the central axis of the retaining pin 47. Therefore, when the leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48 is pressed against the frame 45a of the fixed contact 45, the electrical insulator 46 is unlikely to come off the retaining pin 47.

[0073] (7) The retaining pin 47 is fitted into the through hole 46c of the electrical insulator 46 with a slight amount of play from the inner surface of the through hole 46c. Therefore, when the leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48 is pressed forcefully against the frame 45a of the fixed contact 45, the impact force is absorbed by the slight displacement of the electrical insulator 46. Therefore, the electrical insulator 46 is unlikely to come off the retaining pin 47.

[0074] (8) The direction in which the leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48 moves toward and away from the frame 45a of the fixed contact 45 is perpendicular to the surface of the frame 45a on which the protruding portion 45d is formed. Therefore, when the leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48 is pressed against the frame 45a of the fixed contact 45, the electrical insulator 46 is unlikely to come off the retaining pin 47.

[0075] (9) When the leaf spring 48d is in its natural state, the leaf spring 48d may be perpendicular to the central axis of the shaft 43a of the push button 43. In this way, when the tip of the push button 43 hits the leaf spring 48d, a load in an unexpected direction is not generated on the movable contact 48. This improves the durability of the movable contact 48.

[0076] (10) Because the leaf spring 48d is folded back from the end of the side support 48c, the stroke of the leaf spring 48d can be made large and the movable contact 48 is compact. In addition, the leaf spring 48d easily returns to its original position when released from the pressure, and the leaf spring 48d reliably separates from the raised portion 45d.

[0077] (11) In push switch 40E, the direction in which the leaf spring of movable contact 148 approaches and separates from the frame of fixed contact 145 is perpendicular to the surface of the frame on which the raised portion is formed. Even if the direction of movement of push button 143 is oblique to the leaf spring of movable contact 148, when the tip of push button 143 presses the leaf spring of movable contact 148 against the frame of fixed contact 145, no load is generated in an unexpected direction on fixed contact 145. Therefore, fixed contact 145 and electrical insulator 146 are less likely to come off.

[0078] (12) The main plate 20 is made of metal. Such a main plate 20 is housed in the case 10, and the case 10 is reinforced by the main plate 20. Therefore, the electronic device 1 has robustness.

[0079] (13) As shown in Fig. 7, the leaf spring of movable contact 148 of push switch 40E, like leaf spring 48d of movable contact 48 of push switch 40A, has a long dimension w along the thickness direction of main plate 20, i.e., the first axial direction. Therefore, even if push button 143 presses leaf spring of movable contact 148 obliquely relative to the orthogonal direction of the leaf spring, the leaf spring can be in good and reliable contact with fixed contact 145.

[0080] <6. Modifications> In this embodiment, the electronic device 1 is a watch. However, the electronic device 1 may be an electronic device other than a watch, such as a pedometer, a heart rate monitor, an altimeter, or a barometer.

[0081] The fixed contact 45 and the electrical insulator 46 may be rectangular strips. In this case, the first recess 23 is not formed, and the fixed contact 45 and the electrical insulator 46 are fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the main plate 20 by an insulating fastener or the like, and the electrical insulator 46 is sandwiched between the fixed contact 45 and the electrical insulator 46, so that the fixed contact 45 is electrically insulated from the main plate 20. The fixed contact 45 and the electrical insulator 46 are also disposed ahead of the tip of the push button 43. When the push button 43 is pressed, the tip of the push button 43 presses the leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48 against the fixed contact 45. Instead of the electrical insulator 46 made of a rectangular strip, an electrical insulating coating may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fixed contact 45 or the main plate 20, and the fixed contact 45 may be electrically insulated from the main plate 20 by the electrical insulating coating.

[0082] 8, the shaft 43a of the push button 43 may be integrated with the movable contact 48. Specifically, the shaft 43a may be integrally assembled with a leaf spring 48d of the movable contact 48. The shaft 43a may be formed integrally with the leaf spring 48d. When the shaft 43a is integrated with the movable contact 48, the retaining ring 44 does not need to be provided, and the head 43b of the push button 43 may be assembled to the shaft 43a.

[0083] Although the embodiment has been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but is defined based on the claims. Furthermore, the technical scope of the present invention also includes equivalent ranges of modifications that are not related to the essence of the present invention from the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 Electronic equipment 10 Cases 20 Main Plate 23 First recess 24 Second recess 32 Sub circuit board 32a Terminal Pad 32b Terminal Pad 43 Push Button 45 Fixed Contact 45a frame 45b 1st hook 45c 2nd hook 45e Slit 46 Electrical Insulators 46a Main unit 46b Protrusion 46c Through hole 47 Retaining pin 48 Movable Contact 48a Base 48c side support 48d Leaf spring

Claims

1. Case and A ground conductor plate accommodated in the case; a push button that penetrates the case from the outer surface of the case to the inner surface of the case and is slidable in a penetrating direction; a fixed contact that is fastened to the ground conductor plate in the case and disposed in front of the push button; an electrical insulator interposed between the ground conductor plate and the fixed contact, electrically insulating the fixed contact from the ground conductor plate; a movable contact electrically connected to the ground conductor plate and pressed against the fixed contact by the push button when the push button is pressed into the case; An electronic device comprising:

2. a circuit board overlaid on the ground conductor plate, the circuit board has first and second terminal pads formed on a surface of the circuit board facing the ground conductor plate; The fixed contact and the movable contact are electrically connected to the first terminal pad and the second terminal pad, respectively.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. the ground conductor plate has a recess on a surface of the ground conductor plate facing the circuit board, the recessed portion extends to an outer periphery of the ground conductor plate and opens at the outer periphery of the ground conductor plate, The recess is disposed in front of the push button, the electrical insulator is fastened to the bottom of the recess; The fixed contact surrounds the electrical insulator and is supported by the electrical insulator, so that the fixed contact is spaced apart from the bottom and inner surface of the recess.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2.

4. The fixed contact is a frame shaped like a frame and surrounding the electrical insulator to hold the electrical insulator; a hook extending from the frame, bending toward the inside of the frame, and hooking onto the electrical insulator to support the frame on the electrical insulator so as to separate the frame from the bottom of the recess; have 4. The electronic device according to claim 3.

5. The hook contacts the first terminal pad.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4.

6. The electrical insulator is A block-shaped body and a protrusion protruding from the main body in a direction opposite to the push button with respect to the main body; having the frame surrounds the body; the frame has a slit extending from the inside of the frame to the outside of the frame, The protrusion passes through the slit and comes into contact with the inner surface of the recess.

6. The electronic device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. A portion of the inner surface of the recess that contacts the protrusion is provided in a convex shape.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6.

8. Equipped with a retaining pin, The electrical insulator is A through hole extending through the body from a surface of the body facing the bottom of the recess to the opposite surface. having The locking pin is inserted into the through hole and is locked to the bottom of the recess.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6.

9. the ground conductor plate has a second recess recessed from a surface of the ground conductor plate facing the circuit board, the second recess extends to an outer periphery of the ground conductor plate and opens at the outer periphery of the ground conductor plate, the second recess and the recess are arranged adjacent to each other along an outer periphery of the ground conductor plate, The movable contact is fixed to the bottom of the second recess, the movable contact is bent so as to protrude from the bottom of the second recess toward the outer periphery of the ground conductor plate, and the movable contact is folded back along the outer periphery of the ground conductor plate toward the space between the push button and the fixed contact, and the movable contact is inserted between the push button and the fixed contact.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3.

10. The movable contact is a base fixed to a bottom of the second recess and electrically connected to the bottom of the second recess; a side support bent from the base toward an outer periphery of the ground conductor plate and facing the outer periphery of the ground conductor plate; a leaf spring extending from the side support along an outer periphery of the ground conductor plate and inserted into the space; have 10. The electronic device according to claim 9.

11. The leaf spring is folded back from the side support toward the space. The electronic device according to claim 10.

12. The movable contact is disposed between the push button and the fixed contact, When the push button is released, the movable contact moves away from the fixed contact. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

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