Depression switch

Abstract

To provide a depression switch that has durability and is hardly deteriorated even in the case of using a band-like piece integrally formed with a synthetic resin body in a circumference, as a plate spring making an operation button to have an elastic performance.SOLUTION: An operation button 3 is formed in a film shape, and a plate spring 4 that performs an elastic recovering in responce to a depression operation of the operation button 3 is arranged on a back part of the operation button 3. The plate spring 4 is formed in a synthetic resin band shape integrally formed with a housing 2 of the circumference of the operation button 3. In a lower part of the plate spring 4, a switch device 5 generating an electric signal by the depression operation of the operation button 3 is arranged, and a switch contact part 6 contacted to a switch device 5 is formed at a center of the plate spring 4. In regard to a cross sectional area of a band shaped piece 7, the area of the band shaped piece 7 arranged at a neighbor of the switch contact part 6 is smaller than that of the band shaped piece 7 that is closed to the circumference of the operation button 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a push switch that is used in an electric / electronic device and generates an electric signal when pressed. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Push-button switches, which generate an electrical signal when pressed, are used in various electric and electronic devices, and those formed by disposing a flat switch on a housing are widely used. A push-down switch requires an elastic body to return the operating button to its original position after it has been pressed. However, in the case of switches that are formed flat on the housing, a configuration in which a leaf spring is formed using part of the housing is widely used, eliminating the need for a separate elastic member. For example, in Patent Document 1, a spiral leaf spring formed integrally with a decorative plate (housing) made of synthetic resin is used as part of a push-down switch, and this elastic action is utilized to turn on / off a switch device located under the center of the leaf spring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-188022 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned conventional push-button switch, in which a leaf spring is made from a synthetic resin casing, has a strip-shaped piece formed continuously from the casing to form a leaf spring between the contact operating part in the center of the operation button and the casing around the operation button, in order to enable movement of a certain distance when pressed with an appropriate repulsive force. Therefore, when a pressing operation is performed, stress is concentrated at the connection between the housing and the strip, which is the periphery of the operation button, making the periphery of the operation button prone to breakage.

[0005] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a push-button switch that is durable and does not deteriorate easily, even when it uses a strip-shaped piece formed integrally with the surrounding synthetic resin body as a leaf spring that gives elasticity to the operating button. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a push switch that generates an electrical signal when an operation button arranged on the surface of a synthetic resin housing is pressed, and a leaf spring that elastically returns to its original position when the operation button is pressed is arranged on the back of the operation button, and the leaf spring is formed from a strip-like piece made of synthetic resin that is formed integrally with the housing around the operation button, and a switch device that generates an electrical signal when the operation button is pressed is arranged on the lower part of the leaf spring, and a switch abutment portion for operating the switch device is formed on the leaf spring, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the strip-like piece closer to the periphery of the operation button is larger than that of the strip-like piece arranged in the vicinity of the switch abutment portion. With this configuration, the cross-sectional area of ​​the strip increases as it moves away from the location where the switch device is located and closer to the periphery of the operation button, and the strength of the strip increases as it moves closer to the periphery. As a result, the strength of the leaf spring in the periphery of the push switch, where stress concentration due to pressing operation is likely to occur, can be increased, making the push switch more durable and allowing it to continue to operate stably. The housing referred to here includes a decorative plate attached to the surface of the housing.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the strip is formed in a ring shape, and the leaf spring is formed by strips of different diameters arranged concentrically around the switch abutment portion, and the switch abutment portion and the innermost strip, adjacent strips, and the outermost strip and surrounding casing are connected at two specific opposing points, so that the switch abutment portion and the casing around the operation button are connected via the strip, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the strip arranged on the outside is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the strip arranged on the inside. According to this configuration, the outermost strips are ring-shaped and concentrically arranged, each having a larger cross-sectional area, thereby increasing the strength of the push-down switch.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, adjacent strips are connected at two specific opposing points by connecting pieces formed continuously from the strips, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting piece formed on the outer strip is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting piece formed on the inner strip. According to this configuration, the cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting piece is larger in the peripheral portion where stress concentration is likely to occur, so that the strength of the push-down switch can be increased.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the leaf spring is formed by arranging a plurality of strips in a spiral shape around the switch abutment portion, and each strip connects the switch abutment portion to the housing surrounding the operation button, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the strip increases with increasing distance from the switch abutment portion. According to this configuration, even if the strips are the same, the cross-sectional area increases toward the outside, so that the strength of the push-down switch can be increased. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​the strip increases the further away from the location where the switch device is located and the closer to the periphery of the operation button, so the strength of the strip increases the closer to the periphery. As a result, the strength of the leaf spring in the periphery of the push switch, where stress concentration due to pressing operation is likely to occur, can be increased, and the push switch can be made durable and continue to operate stably. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of a leaf spring illustrating an example of a push-down switch according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the push-down switch taken along line AA in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view of the leaf spring of FIG. 1 that has been pressed down and elastically deformed. [Figure 4] 13 is a plan view of a leaf spring showing another embodiment of a push-down switch. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 and 2 show an example of a push switch according to the present invention, where Figure 1 is a plan view of a leaf spring disposed on the back of an operation button, and Figure 2 shows a cross section of the entire push switch taken along line AA. 2, the push switch 1 has a film-like operation button 3 that is disposed on the surface of a housing 2 of an electrical device or the like and is operated by pressing it, and a leaf spring 4 that is formed integrally with the housing 2 is disposed below the operation button 3. Furthermore, a switch device 5 is disposed below the leaf spring 4 and includes a push button 5a that is operated by elastic deformation of the leaf spring 4. When the push button 5a is operated, the switch device 5 generates an electric signal.

[0013] 1, the leaf spring 4 is formed continuously from the surrounding housing 2 and is formed integrally with the housing 2. Specifically, the leaf spring 4 is formed to match the shape of the operation button 3 at the portion of the housing 2 made of synthetic resin where the push switch 1 is located. Here, the operation button 3 has a rectangular shape, and the leaf spring 4 is also formed in a rectangular shape overall to match the shape of the operation button 3. In addition, a switch abutment portion 6 that abuts against the switch device 5 to operate the switch device 5 is formed in the center of the leaf spring 4 in a cylindrical shape and protrudes downward. Incidentally, E indicates the shape of the operation button 3. If the operation button 3 is circular, the leaf spring 4 will also be circular.

[0014] Specifically, the leaf spring 4 is configured to have two strip-shaped pieces 7 formed in a ring shape so as to surround the switch abutment portion 6 . The strip 7 has a first strip 7a connected to the switch contact portion 6 and a second strip 7b arranged on the outside thereof, and the two strips 7a, 7b are arranged concentrically around the switch contact portion 6. However, since the operation button 3 is formed in a rectangle, the two strips 7a, 7b are rectangular rather than circular.

[0015] The first strip 7a and the second strip 7b are connected by a connecting piece 8 (first connecting piece 8a) at two opposing points on the short side of the operation button 3. The second strip 7b and the surrounding case 2 are connected by a connecting piece 8 (second connecting piece 8b) at two opposing points on the long side of the operation button 3. Both connecting pieces 8a, 8b are formed integrally with the strip 7 and the case 2.

[0016] The first strip piece 7a and the second strip piece 7b are formed to have different thicknesses. The thickness t2 of the second strip piece 7b is made larger than the thickness t1 of the first strip piece 7a, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the outer second strip piece 7b is made larger than that of the inner one. Moreover, the width of the second connecting piece 8b is made wider than that of the first connecting piece 8a, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the second connecting piece 8b is made larger.

[0017] Fig. 3 shows the state in which the operation button 3 is pressed and the leaf spring 4 is elastically deformed. Note that the front side in Fig. 3 is the front side. As shown in Fig. 3, when pressed, the leaf spring 4 is elastically deformed, and as it approaches the center, it deforms more toward the inside of the housing 2, dispersing stress, but the deformation at the periphery is small and difficult to deform. As a result, a large stress concentration occurs in the peripheral part of the leaf spring 4. Therefore, as described above, the cross-sectional area of ​​the outer second strip piece 7b is made larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the inner first strip piece 7a to increase strength.

[0018] In this way, of the two ring-shaped strips 7a, 7b, the second strip 7b has a larger cross-sectional area than the first strip 7a, i.e., the cross-sectional area of ​​strip 7 increases the further it is from the center of push switch 1 and the closer it is to the surrounding housing, so that strip 7 is stronger closer to the periphery. As a result, the strength of leaf spring 4 in the periphery of push switch 1, where stress concentration is likely to occur when the switch is pressed, can be increased, providing durability to push switch 1 and allowing it to continue to operate stably. Meanwhile, operability can be maintained by making the cross-sectional area of ​​the inner strip 7 smaller than that of the outer strip. In addition, since the cross-sectional area of ​​connecting piece 8 is larger in the peripheral portions where stress concentration is likely to occur, the strength of push-down switch 1 can be increased.

[0019] In the above configuration, the leaf spring 4 is made up of two strips 7 formed into a ring shape, but the same effect can be obtained by using more ring-shaped strips 7. By making the cross-sectional area of ​​the outer ring-shaped strips 7 sequentially larger than the inner strips 7, the strength of the push-down switch 1 can be increased to make it more durable.

[0020] 4 shows another embodiment of the push-down switch 1, illustrating a front view of the leaf spring 4. Here, as shown in operation button shape E, the operation button (not shown) is square, and the leaf spring 4 is formed in a square shape to match the shape of the operation button. Strip piece 7 (third strip piece 7c) constituting leaf spring 4 is disposed so as to connect switch contact portion 6 disposed in the center and housing 2 around operation button 3.

[0021] Specifically, the third strip 7c is formed in a substantially U-shape, and the two third strips 7c are arranged point-symmetrically about the switch abutment portion 6. As a result, the leaf spring 4 is formed in a spiral shape by the two third strips 7c arranged about the switch abutment portion 6. The third strip 7c is formed so that its cross-sectional area increases as it gets farther from the switch contact portion 6, in other words, as it gets closer to the surrounding housing 2. In this embodiment, the thickness is kept constant, and the cross-sectional area is gradually changed by changing the width of the strip 7.

[0022] In this way, when strip 7 is positioned to connect switch contact portion 6 and surrounding housing 2, the cross-sectional area of ​​strip 7 can be increased toward the outside, thereby increasing the strength of push switch 1.

[0023] 4, the leaf spring 4 is spirally shaped with the U-shaped third strip 7c arranged point-symmetrically, but it may be configured with three or four strips arranged point-symmetrically. Also, the strip 7 may be further curved from the U-shape to form each strip into a spiral shape. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the housing 2 in which the push switch 1 is arranged includes, in addition to the normal housing 2 constituting a housing, a decorative plate attached to the surface of the housing 2. When the push switch 1 is provided on the synthetic resin decorative plate attached to the surface of the housing 2, it is sufficient to form the leaf spring 4 integrally with the decorative plate, and it can be manufactured in the same manner as the housing 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0024] Reference Signs List 1 push switch, 2 housing, 3 operation button, 4 leaf spring, 5 switch device, 6 switch contact portion, 7 (7a, 7b, 7c) strip.

Claims

1. A push button switch that generates an electrical signal when an operation button arranged on a surface of a synthetic resin housing is pressed, A leaf spring is disposed on the back of the operation button to elastically return the operation button when pressed, The leaf spring is formed of a strip of synthetic resin that is integral with the housing around the operation button, A switch device that generates an electric signal when the operation button is pressed is disposed under the leaf spring, and a switch abutment portion for operating the switch device is formed on the leaf spring. A push-down switch, characterized in that a cross-sectional area of ​​the strip-like piece located near the periphery of the operation button is larger than that of the strip-like piece located near the switch abutment portion.

2. The strip is formed in a ring shape, The leaf spring is formed by arranging the strips having different diameters concentrically around the switch contact portion, the switch abutment portion and the innermost band-like piece, the adjacent band-like pieces, and the outermost band-like piece and the surrounding case are connected at two specific opposing points, and the switch abutment portion and the case around the operation button are connected via the band-like piece, 2. The push-button switch according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of ​​the outermost strip is greater than a cross-sectional area of ​​the innermost strip.

3. A push-button switch as described in claim 2, characterized in that adjacent strips are connected at two specific opposing points by a connecting piece formed continuously from the strip, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting piece formed on the outer strip is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting piece formed on the inner strip.

4. the leaf spring is formed by arranging a plurality of the strips in a spiral shape around the switch contact portion, and each strip connects the switch contact portion to the housing around the operation button, 2. The push-down switch according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of ​​the strip increases with increasing distance from the switch contact portion.

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