Switch

Abstract

To provide a switch that can be miniaturized.SOLUTION: A switch includes a pair of fixed terminals arranged on a fixed terminal side support and electrically insulated from each other, and a movable terminals including a pair of contact terminals electrically connected to each other and extending in parallel along a direction, and a pusher arranged between the pair of contact terminals, and in which the tips of the pair of contact terminals move when the pusher is pressed toward the fixed terminal, thereby causing the pair of contact terminals to contact the pair of fixed terminals, and each of the pair of contact terminals has a surface that contacts the pair of fixed terminals and is curved when viewed from the extension direction of the pair of contact terminals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to switches, and more particularly to push button switches. [Background technology]

[0002] Push button switches that switch on and off by pressing are widely used (for example, Patent Document 1). Such push button switches are composed of, for example, a pair of fixed terminals arranged electrically insulated from each other, and a movable terminal consisting of a pair of contact terminals and a pusher formed and connected between the pair of contact terminals. In such push button switches, when the pusher is pressed down, the movable terminal is deformed, and the pair of contact terminals come into contact with the pair of fixed terminals, respectively, and electrical continuity is established between the pair of fixed terminals, thereby turning the switch on. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-175180 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a push button switch with the above structure, when the pusher is pressed down, the force applied to the pair of contact terminals is greater on the side closer to the pusher than on the side farther from the pusher. As a result, the pair of contact terminals is significantly deformed, and each of the contact terminals that is in parallel contact with the pair of fixed terminals becomes tilted, for example, with the inner portion lowered downward and the outer portion relatively raised. At that time, the contact point on the contact terminal side (the contact point that contacts the fixed terminal) moves to the corner side of the contact terminal. Also, the contact point on the fixed terminal side (the contact point that contacts the contact terminal) moves outward from the center portion.

[0005] Therefore, in order to ensure reliable contact between the fixed terminal and the contact terminal, each of the pair of fixed terminals needs to be larger than the contact terminal, which restricts the width of each of the fixed terminals and the distance between the fixed terminals, and is an obstacle to miniaturization of the switch.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide a switch that can be made smaller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The switch of the present invention includes a pair of fixed terminals arranged on a fixed terminal side support and electrically insulated from each other, a pair of contact terminals electrically connected to each other and extending in parallel along one direction, and a pusher arranged between the pair of contact terminals, and when the pusher is pressed toward the fixed terminal, the tips of the pair of contact terminals move, causing the pair of contact terminals to contact the pair of fixed terminals, and each of the pair of contact terminals has a shape in which the surface that contacts the pair of fixed terminals is curved when viewed in the extension direction of the pair of contact terminals. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the switch. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a top view showing a configuration of a switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of a movable terminal. [Diagram 3] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing a comparison between a state in which the pusher is not pressed and a state in which the pusher is pressed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of a movable terminal in a normal state. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a three-dimensional shape of a contact terminal. [Figure 6]FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of the three-dimensional shape of the contact terminal. [Figure 7] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of a movable terminal when a contact terminal and a fixed terminal are in contact with each other. FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of a movable terminal of a comparative example in a normal state. FIG. [Figure 9] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of a movable terminal of a comparative example when a contact terminal and a fixed terminal are in contact with each other. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings, substantially the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0011] 1 is a top view showing a configuration of a switch 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The switch 100 includes a movable terminal 10 and fixed terminals 21 and 22. The fixed terminals 21 and 22 are disposed on a support stand SS (fixed terminal side support).

[0012] The movable terminal 10 is made of a conductive metal material and has a thin plate shape. The movable terminal 10 has a contact terminal 11, a contact terminal 12, and a pusher 13.

[0013] The contact terminals 11 and 12 are a pair of contact terminals provided to contact the fixed terminals 21 and 22, and extend in parallel (approximately parallel in this embodiment) along the same direction (direction 1). The contact terminal 11 is disposed above the fixed terminal 21. When the pusher 13 is not pressed down, the contact terminal 11 is disposed in a non-contact state with the fixed terminal 21 (i.e., in a floating state when viewed from the support base SS). When the pusher 13 is pressed down, the contact terminal 11 deforms and comes into contact with the surface of the fixed terminal 21. Similarly, the contact terminal 12 is disposed above the fixed terminal 22, and when the pusher 13 is pressed down, the contact terminal 11 deforms and comes into contact with the surface of the fixed terminal 21.

[0014] The pusher 13 is provided between the contact terminal 11 and the contact terminal 12. The pusher 13 is deformed when a force is applied by pressing the surface of the pusher 13.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the shape of movable terminal 10. When pusher 13 is pressed down by applying force in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 1, its tip portion is deformed so as to move downward, and changes from the shape shown by the solid line to the shape shown by the dashed line. In response to this, contact terminals 11 and 12 also deform so that their tip portions move downward.

[0016] The fixed terminals 21 and 22 are each electrically conductive and are arranged so as to be electrically insulated from each other. In this embodiment, the fixed terminals 21 and 22 are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other.

[0017] 3 is a diagram showing a comparison between a state in which the pusher 13 is not pressed and a state in which the pusher 13 is pressed. Here, a diagram is shown as seen from the side (in the direction of the arrow Y in FIG. 1).

[0018] When the pusher 13 is not pressed down, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 3, the pusher 13 is in a shape that is lifted upward from the main body of the movable terminal 10. The contact terminal 12 is not in contact with the fixed terminal 22. Although not shown in Fig. 3, the contact terminal 11 on the opposite side of the pusher 13 is also not in contact with the fixed terminal 21.

[0019] When the pusher 13 is pressed down, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 3, the pusher 13 is deformed so that its tip portion moves towards the fixed terminal 22. The force transmitted from the pressed pusher 13 causes the tip portion of the contact terminal 12 to move towards the fixed terminal 22 and come into contact with the fixed terminal 22. Similarly, the contact terminal 11 (not shown) also comes into contact with the fixed terminal 21. As a result, the fixed terminals 21 and 22 are electrically connected via the movable terminal 10, and the switch 100 is turned on.

[0020] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of the movable terminal 10. Here, a cross section taken along line XX in Fig. 2, i.e., a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction of the contact terminals 11 and 12, is shown. Also, the cross section of the main body of the movable terminal 10 (a portion excluding the contact terminals 11, 12, and the pusher 13) is not shown.

[0021] The pusher 13 is formed in a thin plate shape and has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The contact terminals 11 and 12 have a curved shape including a substantially semicircular cross-sectional outline on the surface that comes into contact with the fixed terminal 21, in other words, on surface A, which is the lower surface when the pusher side is the upper surface. In this embodiment, surface B, which is the upper surface opposite surface A (i.e., the surface on the pusher side), also has a curved shape including a substantially semicircular cross-sectional outline.

[0022] 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the three-dimensional shape of contact terminal 11. Contact terminal 11 is processed so that tip portion 11A has a cross section that includes a substantially semicircular outline. The tip portion of contact terminal 12 also has a similar shape.

[0023] The tip portion 11A of the contact terminal 11 is formed into a shape having a curved surface, for example, by a press working method using a die processed into a curved shape or a bending method.

[0024] Furthermore, the shape of the tip portion 11A is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 5, and may be formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape.

[0025] 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the three-dimensional shape of contact terminal 11. Here, tip portion 11B of contact terminal 11 has a generally cylindrical shape with an elliptical cross section. Tip portion 11B is formed, for example, by connecting an additional part processed into a cylindrical shape to main body portion 11C of contact terminal 11 (a portion excluding the tip portion).

[0026] 7 is a diagram showing the cross-sectional shape of the movable terminal 10 when the switch 100 is turned on. As in FIG. 3, the cross section of the main body of the movable terminal 10 is also omitted here.

[0027] When the pusher 13 is pressed down, the movable terminal 10 is deformed, and the force transmitted by pressing the pusher 13 causes the contact terminal 11 to contact the fixed terminal 21, and the contact terminal 12 to contact the fixed terminal 22. At that time, the contact terminals 11 and 12 are deformed, and an inclination occurs in the contact terminals 11 and 12 compared to before the pusher 13 was pressed down.

[0028] However, in the present embodiment, the contact terminals 11 and 12 have curved surfaces (in the present embodiment, the cross-sectional contour has a shape including a substantially semicircular portion) that come into contact with the fixed terminals 21 and 22. Therefore, the contact point CP1 at which the contact terminal 11 comes into contact with the fixed terminal 21 is located near the center of the contact terminal 11 without moving significantly inward (i.e., toward the side closer to the pusher 13) as viewed from the contact terminal 11. Similarly, the contact point CP2 at which the contact terminal 12 comes into contact with the fixed terminal 22 is also located near the center of the contact terminal 12.

[0029] 8 is a diagram showing the cross-sectional shape of a modified movable terminal 30, which has contact terminals 31 and 32 whose surfaces in contact with fixed terminal 21 are flat, unlike the movable terminal 10 of this embodiment. Here, as in Fig. 3, the cross section of the main body of movable terminal 30 is omitted. The contact terminals 31 and 32 of the modified embodiment have a rectangular cross-sectional shape in which the surface in contact with fixed terminal 21 and the opposite surface are both flat.

[0030] 9 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of the movable terminal 30 when the switch 200 of the modified example is turned on. When the pusher 33 is pressed down, the movable terminal 30 is deformed, and the force transmitted by the pusher 33 deforms the contact terminals 31 and 32, which come into contact with the fixed terminals 21 and 22, respectively. At that time, the force transmitted from the pusher 33 to the contact terminals 31 and 32 is greater on the side closer to the pusher 33 than on the side farther away, so that an inclination occurs in the contact terminals 31 and 32.

[0031] In the modified movable terminal 30, the contact terminals 31 and 32 have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Therefore, when the contact terminal 31 is tilted, a corner of the rectangle (an inner corner closer to the pusher 33) becomes a contact point CP3 where the contact terminal 31 comes into contact with the fixed terminal 21. In addition, the contact point CP3 is located closer to the inner end (the side closer to the pusher 33) than the center of the fixed terminal 21. Similarly, a corner of the rectangle of the contact terminal 32 becomes a contact point CP4 where the contact terminal 32 comes into contact with the fixed terminal 22. The contact point CP4 is located closer to the inner end than the center of the fixed terminal 22.

[0032] In this way, in the modified switch 200, the contact terminals 31 and 32 come into contact with each other at positions close to the ends of the fixed terminals 21 and 22. Therefore, in order to reliably bring the contact terminals 31 and 21, and the contact terminals 32 and 22 into contact with each other, the horizontal widths of the fixed terminals 21 and 22 need to be wider than the contact terminals 31 and 32. Also, the distance between the fixed terminals 21 and 22 needs to be somewhat wider.

[0033] In contrast, in the switch 100 of this embodiment, even if the contact terminals 11 and 12 are tilted by the force transmitted from the pusher 13, the contact points CP1 and CP2 do not move toward the ends of the fixed terminals 21 and 22. Therefore, there is no restriction on the size of the fixed terminals 21 and 22 as in the modified example, and the size of the fixed terminals 21 and 22 can be reduced. Also, the distance between the fixed terminals 21 and 22 can be narrowed.

[0034] Therefore, according to the configuration of the switch 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size of the switch 100.

[0035] The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described in the above examples. For example, in the above examples, the contact terminals 11 and 12 have curved shapes on the surface A, which is the surface that contacts the fixed terminals 21 and 22, and the surface B, which is the opposite surface. However, the shape of the contact terminals is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that at least the surfaces that contact the fixed terminals 21 and 22 have a curved shape.

[0036] In addition, the contact terminals 11 and 12 have been described as having a cross section perpendicular to their extension direction that includes a substantially semicircular outline at the portions in contact with the fixed terminals 21 and 22. However, the shape of the curved surfaces of the contact terminals 11 and 12 is not limited to this. Furthermore, the method of processing the tip portions of the contact terminals 11 and 12 is not limited to the method shown in the above embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 100 Switch 10 Movable terminal 11 Contact terminal 12 Contact terminal 13 Pusher 21 Fixed terminal 22 Fixed terminal

Claims

1. A pair of fixed terminals arranged on the fixed terminal side support and electrically insulated from each other; a movable terminal including a pair of contact terminals electrically connected to each other and extending in parallel along one direction, and a pusher disposed between the pair of contact terminals, wherein when the pusher is pressed toward the fixed terminal, tips of the pair of contact terminals move, causing the pair of contact terminals to come into contact with the pair of fixed terminals; having A switch characterized in that each of the pair of contact terminals has a surface that comes into contact with the pair of fixed terminals and has a curved shape when viewed from the extension direction of the pair of contact terminals.

2. 2. The switch according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of contact terminals has a substantially semicircular outline in a cross section taken along a direction perpendicular to the extension direction at a portion where the contact terminal contacts the pair of fixed terminals.

3. 3. The switch according to claim 2, wherein the pair of contact terminals are formed by pressing using a mold so that a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction has the approximately semicircular outline.

4. 3. The switch according to claim 2, wherein the pair of contact terminals are formed by bending so that a cross section of the pair of contact terminals in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction has the approximately semicircular outline.

5. 3. The switch according to claim 2, wherein the pair of contact terminals are formed by connecting a cylindrical additional part to a plate-like portion formed continuously with the pusher.

Images