Two stage push-button switch

Abstract

To provide a two stage push-button switch which can be housed in a small radio transmitter.SOLUTION: The two stage push-button switch includes the substrate 51 having the first switch 43c and 53 on which the fixed contacts 53 are disposed and the second switch 52 disposed inside the fixed contacts 53, the opening 43a that opens toward the substrate 51, the switch pressing unit 17 inside the opening 43a, and the skirt portion 44 that is elastically deformed by the pressing force, and the opening 43a advances from the separated position to the contacting position by the pressing force. The switch includes a movable contact-point 43c that retreats to a separation position by release of a pressing force, and a housing that houses a substrate 51 and the movable contact-point 43c, and when a pressing operation of the movable contact-point 43c is performed, the movable contact-point 43c of the first switch 43c, 53 contacts the fixed contact-point 53, and the contact-point switch 43c, 53 is turned on, and when a further pressing operation is performed, the second switch 52 is turned on with a click feeling.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a two-stage push button switch. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a hoist that can transport a load by operating a button on a wireless transmitter. An operator operates a button switch on the wireless transmitter to raise or lower the load using the hoist. The wireless transmitter has different button switches assigned to different directions in which the load is raised or lowered by the hoist. However, because this button switch is a single-stage push-type, the operator cannot change the speed at which the load is raised or lowered, making it difficult to adjust the position of the load.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a button switch in which a membrane switch and a tactile switch are arranged in series in two stages in the pressing direction. This makes it possible to set the button switch so that, for example, when an operator presses the button switch and only the first stage switch is ON, the lifting speed of the hoist slows down, and when the operator presses the button switch further and the second stage switch is also ON, the lifting speed of the hoist increases. This makes it easier for operators to adjust the position of the load. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-76959 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the structure of Patent Document 1, the dimension of the button switch in the pushing direction must be the sum of the strokes of the two switches arranged in series, which makes the button switch large and difficult to accommodate in the housing of a small wireless transmitter.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a two-stage push button switch that can be housed in the housing of a small wireless transmitter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A two-stage push button switch according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a substrate having a first switch having an annular fixed contact and a second switch arranged radially inward of the fixed contact and generating a clicking sensation due to the biasing force of a spring; an opening that opens toward the substrate so as to cover the second switch; a switch pressing portion arranged inside the opening; and a skirt portion that is elastically deformed by an external pushing force; a movable contact that, in response to the pushing force, causes an end of the opening to advance from a separated position away from the substrate to a contact position in contact with the substrate, and, when the pushing force is released, causes the end of the opening to retract from the contact position to the separated position due to its elastic restoring force; and a housing that houses the substrate and the movable contact so that a receiving portion that is part of the movable contact and receives the pushing force is exposed to the outside; when the movable contact is pushed, the elastic deformation of the movable contact causes the movable contact to come into contact with the fixed contact, turning the first switch into an on state, and when a further pushing operation is performed, the first switch is pressed by the switch pressing portion, turning on the second switch with a clicking sensation.

[0008] Furthermore, in the above-described invention, it is preferable that the housing has a support plate with a support hole that supports the push button so that it can move back and forth toward the substrate, and that the push button is cylindrical with a small diameter portion that can pass through the support hole, a large diameter portion that cannot pass through the support hole, and a circular dome-shaped skirt portion that is provided around the large diameter portion and expands in diameter from the large diameter portion toward the plate-like portion when the push button is pressed, and that the skirt portion elastically deforms accompanied by a first click feeling.

[0009] Furthermore, in the above-described invention, it is preferable that after the push button is pressed and the tactile switch is turned on, if a further pressing operation is performed, the large diameter portion abuts against the periphery of the support hole, preventing further forward movement of the push button.

[0010] Furthermore, in the above-described invention, it is preferable that the receiving portion has a pressing portion on the inside that is convex toward the tactile switch and has higher rigidity than the receiving portion, and that when the push button is pressed, the pressing portion presses the tactile switch with a second-stage clicking sensation.

[0011] In the above-mentioned invention, it is preferable that the minimum gap between the large diameter portion and the inner wall of the housing is set to be greater than 0.5 mm.

[0012] In the above-described invention, it is preferable that the opening of the push button is provided with one or more notches along the circumferential direction.

[0013] A remote control for a hoist according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a remote control case having one or more two-stage push button switches, and a transmitter that transmits an operation signal for the hoist in response to pressing of the two-stage push button switch on the remote control case. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a two-stage push button switch that can be housed in the housing of a small wireless transmitter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a balancer operated by a remote control having a two-stage push button switch according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a remote control having a two-stage push button switch according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a front housing of a remote control having a two-stage push button switch according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which four push buttons of a remote control having a two-stage push button switch according to this embodiment are linked together. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the four push buttons shown in FIG. 4 in a linked state, where A shows the receiving portion side and B shows the opening side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state in which the front housing of a remote control having a two-stage push button switch according to this embodiment is removed. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along the broken line in FIG. 2 as viewed from the direction of arrow A. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the two-stage push button switch according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the portion surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the two-stage push button switch according to this embodiment in a state where the first stage is pressed. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the two-stage push button switch according to this embodiment in a state where the second stage is pressed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The two-stage push button switch 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In order to maintain consistency in orientation between the drawings, arrows representing three mutually perpendicular axes, namely, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, are shown in the drawings as necessary.

[0017] [Balancer] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a balancer 1 as a hoisting machine operated by a remote control 100 having a two-stage push button switch 10 according to this embodiment.

[0018] The balancer 1 comprises a balancer main body 2, an upper hook 3, a lower hook 4, a load chain 5, and a chain bucket 6 that holds the wound-up load chain 5. The balancer 1 is hung from a predetermined location such as a ceiling via the upper hook 3. The balancer main body 2 has a drive motor and brake (not shown) inside a housing 7, and winds up and down the load chain 5, the lowermost part of which is connected to the lower hook 4 via a load sheave 8.

[0019] The balancer 1 has a receiver 9 that receives an operation signal from a balancer wireless transmitter 100 (hereinafter referred to as "remote control 100"), which serves as a wireless transmitter for the hoist. The receiver 9 transmits control signals to the drive motor and brake based on the received signal, and the drive motor and brake raise and lower the load connected to the lower hook 4. The balancer 1 has a float mode that keeps the load suspended in mid-air and moves the load in the direction intended by the operator in response to light lifting and lowering operations by the operator.

[0020] [Remote Control] (Main body) FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a remote control 100 having a two-stage push button switch 10 according to this embodiment.

[0021] The remote control 100 is formed in a small size so that it can be easily held by an operator. The remote control 100 includes a front housing 101 as a housing, a rear housing 102 as a housing, a two-stage push button switch 10, a one-stage push button switch 11, a power switch 103, and a transmitter 104.

[0022] The remote control 100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the front housing 101 and rear housing 102 fitted together. In Fig. 2, the surface of the remote control 100 facing the viewer in the Y-axis direction is the front, the surface facing the viewer in the rear direction is the rear, the surfaces on both sides in the X-axis direction are the sides, the upper side in the Z-axis direction is the upper part, and the lower side is the lower part. The rear housing 102 covers the rear, both sides, and parts of the top and bottom of the remote control 100, and the front housing 101 covers the front and parts of the top and bottom of the remote control 100.

[0023] The front surface of the front housing 101 has a push button hole 14 that exposes a receiving portion 13 of a push button 12 of a two-stage push button switch 10 or a one-stage push button switch 11 that applies a pressing force. There are four push button switches exposed in the push button hole 14, the upper two of which are two-stage push button switches 10 and the lower two of which are one-stage push button switches 11. The four push button holes 14 are aligned vertically at equal intervals. The side surface of the rear housing 102 has a power switch hole 103a that exposes the portion of the power switch of the remote control 100 that receives a pressing force.

[0024] The push button 12 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or synthetic resin, and has enough rigidity to be elastically deformed by the pressing force of the operator while normally maintaining its shape.

[0025] The number of two-stage push button switches 10 and one-stage push button switches 11 is not limited to the above and may be any number, with push button holes 14 formed according to that number. The two-stage push button switches 10 and one-stage push button switches 11 may be arranged generally in the vertical direction of the remote control 100, i.e., in the Z-axis direction, and the spacing and order of the two-stage push button switches 10 and one-stage push button switches 11 can be freely set. Furthermore, the position of the power switch 103 is not limited to the side, and may be arranged on any surface.

[0026] As described above, the remote control 100 has two two-stage push button switches 10 on the upper part of the front face and two one-stage push button switches 11 on the lower part. For ease of explanation, the push button switches of the remote control 100 will be referred to from top to bottom as the first switch 21, the second switch 22, the third switch 23, and the fourth switch 24. In other words, the first switch 21 and the second switch 22 are two-stage push button switches 10, and the third switch 23 and the fourth switch 24 are one-stage push button switches 11.

[0027] The first switch 21 is pressed when raising a load suspended from the balancer 1. The second switch 22 is pressed when lowering a load suspended from the balancer 1. The third switch 23 is pressed when activating the float mode of the balancer 1. The fourth switch 24 is pressed when terminating the float mode of the balancer 1.

[0028] The third switch 23 and the fourth switch 24 only need to be able to switch the balancer 1 between the float mode and the push button operation mode and to stop its operation, so operability for the operator can be ensured if they can be pressed with a single click feeling.

[0029] Meanwhile, the first switch 21 and the second switch 22 are operated by the worker when lifting or lowering a load in the push button operation mode, and therefore the lifting speed can be switched between two stages. That is, the first switch 21 and the second switch 22 are pressed down with a click feeling when pressed down the first stage, and when pressed continuously in this state, they stroke with a click feeling when pressed down the second stage.

[0030] At this time, the balancer 1 raises and lowers the load at a low speed when the first switch 21 and the second switch 22 are pushed to the first stage, and raises and lowers the load at a high speed when the first switch 21 and the second switch 22 are pushed to the second stage. This allows, for example, an operator to lift a load placed on a platform by pushing the first switch 21 to the first stage, and then to quickly raise the load by pushing the first switch 21 to the second stage.

[0031] The transmitting unit 104 is housed inside the front housing 101, and transmits signals based on the operations of the first switch 21 to the fourth switch 24 by radio waves to the receiving unit 9 of the balancer 1. The transmitting unit 104 may be located inside the rear housing 102.

[0032] (front housing) FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a front housing 101 of a remote control 100 having a two-stage push button switch 10 according to this embodiment.

[0033] The front housing 101 is generally elongated in the Z-axis direction and has a U-shape with the top and bottom ends bent in the Y-axis direction. The front housing 101 has a substantially rectangular recess 31 that continues around the periphery on the surface that corresponds to the front of the remote control 100. The bottom surface of the recess 31 forms a support plate 32 that supports the push buttons 12 of the first switch 21 to the fourth switch 24 by passing through them. The support plate 32 has four support holes 33 aligned in the Z-axis direction, through which the push buttons 12 pass.

[0034] (push button) Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which four push buttons 12 of a remote control 100 having a two-stage push button switch 10 according to this embodiment are linked together. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the four push buttons 12 shown in Fig. 4 are linked together, with A showing the receiving portion 13 side and B showing the opening 43a side.

[0035] The push button 12 is a part of the first switch 21 to the fourth switch 24 that deforms and moves forward when pressed by an operator. In this embodiment, there are four push buttons 12 provided on each of the first switch 21 to the fourth switch 24. The four push buttons 12 are integrally molded so as to be aligned in the Z-axis direction.

[0036] The push button 12 has a large diameter portion 42 located (protruding) on ​​the front side of the remote control 100, with the plate-shaped portion 41 as the boundary, a small diameter portion 43 extending (protruding) from the plate-shaped portion 41 towards the rear side of the remote control 100, and a circular dome-shaped skirt portion 44 that expands in diameter from the base of the large diameter portion 42 near the plate-shaped portion 41 towards the plate-shaped portion 41 from a position away from the large diameter portion 42 side.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5A, the tip of the large-diameter portion 42 has a receiving portion 13 that receives the pressing force of the push button 12 when the operator presses it. As shown in FIG. 5B, the tip of the small-diameter portion 43 has an opening 43a that opens toward the rear of the remote control 100 and two notches 43b formed along the circumferential direction of the opening 43a. The notches 43b are air holes that allow air to escape from the small-diameter portion 43 when a pressing force acts on the push button 12 and the opening 43a abuts against the circuit board 51. This prevents the air inside the small-diameter portion 43 from being compressed and impeding the stroke of the small-diameter portion 43, and allows the small-diameter portion 43 to return to its initial position due to the elastic force of the skirt portion when the pressing force is released. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening 43a has a conductive material printed or attached to its surface. The conductive material functions as a movable contact 43c of a contact switch. The conductive material does not have to be printed or attached to the tip of the opening. For example, the small-diameter portion 43 may be made of a conductive elastic material. A rib 43d is provided on the circumference of the small diameter portion 43 on the radially outer side thereof to prevent the small diameter portion 43 from collapsing or deforming when the small diameter portion 43 is subjected to a pressing force.

[0038] The push buttons 12 configured in this manner are fitted into the recesses 31 of the front housing 101 shown in FIG. 3 with the small diameter portions 43 first. At this time, the push buttons 12 are fitted into the front housing 101 so that the small diameter portions 43 of the push buttons 12 are fitted into the support holes 33 of the front housing 101. With the push buttons 12 fitted into the recesses 31 of the front housing 101, a housing cover 105 (FIG. 2) is provided on the front side of the remote control 100 closer to the push buttons 12. The housing cover 105 has four cover holes at positions corresponding to the push buttons 12. The housing cover 105 prevents the push buttons 12 from coming out of the recesses 31 of the front housing 101 toward the front, and also prevents the push buttons 12 from rattling within the recesses 31.

[0039] (substrate) FIG. 6 is a front view showing a remote control 100 having a two-stage push button switch 10 according to this embodiment with a front housing 101 removed.

[0040] When the front housing 101 is removed from the remote control 100 together with the push buttons 12 and the housing cover 105, the circuit board 51 is exposed. The circuit board 51 is supported by the rear housing 102 and has annular printed portions 51a at positions corresponding to the four push buttons 12.

[0041] The substrate 51 has one tactile switch 52 at the center of each of four annular printed sections 51a. The tactile switch 52 is a switch that generates a clicking sensation due to the biasing force of a spring (not shown). The tactile switch 52 is arranged so that it strokes in the depth direction of the paper in FIG. 6. The two printed sections 51a at the top of the paper corresponding to the first switch 21 and the second switch 22 each have a fixed contact 53 as a contact switch consisting of two annular sections of different diameters with a predetermined gap between them. The annular sections of the fixed contact 53 are formed in two approximately rectangular wave shapes that are out of phase with each other along the circumferential direction and have a predetermined gap between them. The fixed contact 53 serves as a contact switch. On the other hand, the two printed sections 51a at the bottom of the paper corresponding to the third switch 23 and the fourth switch 24 have nothing printed on them and do not have the fixed contact 53.

[0042] (Cross section of remote control) 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along the broken line in FIG. 2 as viewed from the direction of arrow A. FIG.

[0043] 7, remote control 100 has, in order from the right side of the page, a first switch 21, a second switch 22, a third switch 23, and a fourth switch 24. Each switch is disposed on a board 51 and spaced apart from the board 51. Each switch 21 to 24 receives a pressing force from an operator from above to below the page by means of receiving portion 13, and is caused to stroke downward by the pressing force.

[0044] Even when the remote control 100 is placed with the receiving part 13 side of the push button 12 facing downwards, the end face of the receiving part 13 is provided to be recessed from the surface of the housing cover 105 so that the push button 12 is not in a pressed state to prevent the balancer 1 from malfunctioning.

[0045] The first switch 21 to the fourth switch 24 have connecting portions 45 that connect the skirt portions 44 of adjacent switches. The connecting portions 45 are pressed against the housing cover 105, so that the stroke of one switch does not affect the stroke of the other switches.

[0046] Since the first switch 21 and the second switch 22 are two-stage push button switches 10, in this embodiment, in order to improve operability when pressing the push button 12 in the first stage, the distance between the opening 43a of the small diameter portion 43 of the push button 12 and the substrate 51, and the distance between the push button 12 and the tactile switch 52 are longer than those of the third switch 23 and the fourth switch 24, which are one-stage push button switches 11, but they may also be the same distance.

[0047] (2-stage push button switch) Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the two-stage push button switch 10 according to this embodiment. Fig. 8 particularly shows an enlarged view of the first switch 21 in Fig. 7. Therefore, the first switch 21 will be described here, but the same applies to the second switch 22.

[0048] First switch 21 has display plate 15 and display cover 16 that are fitted into receiving portion 13, and push block 17 that is fitted into receiving portion 13 on the side opposite display cover 16. Receiving portion 13 has front-side recess 13a that is recessed toward circuit board 51 on the front side of remote control 100, which is the outermost side of push button 12, and bent portion 13b where the outer periphery of push button 12 has a small diameter in front-side recess 13a.

[0049] Display board 15 is a sheet on which numbers and symbols specific to first switch 21 are printed, and is fitted inside front recess 13a. Display board 15 may be made of any material, such as paper or resin. Display cover 16 is fitted into front recess 13a and is supported by bent portion 13b to prevent it from falling off front recess 13a. Display cover 16 is preferably transparent enough to allow an operator to see display board 15 inside, and is made of, for example, resin.

[0050] On the opposite side from the front recess 13a, the receiving portion 13 has a rear recess 13c that opens toward the opening 43a from the small diameter portion 43 to the large diameter portion 42 of the push button 12, and a hook portion 13d formed circumferentially at the innermost side of the rear recess 13c. The push block 17 is fitted into the rear recess 13c, and its innermost portion is fitted into the hook portion 13d. Because the push block 17 is fitted into the hook portion 13d, it is prevented from falling off toward the opening 43a.

[0051] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the portion surrounded by the dashed line in FIG.

[0052] First switch 21 is prevented from falling off toward the front of the remote control by having connecting portion 45 of first switch 21 pressed against housing cover 105. Connecting portion 45 has a protrusion 45a formed toward the front of the remote control. Housing cover 105 has a waterproof recess 45b corresponding to protrusion 45a. Protrusion 45a and waterproof recess 45b fit together in the circumferential direction, blocking water that would otherwise infiltrate from the outside toward the push button, thereby maintaining the waterproof properties of first switch 21.

[0053] When the first switch 21 receives a pressing force from the operator via the receiving portion 13 from the outside, it moves downward in the plane of the drawing, and then moves upward as the pressing force is released. At this time, a gap exists between the outer wall 42a of the large-diameter portion 42 of the push button 12 of the first switch 21 and the inner wall 105a of the adjacent housing cover 105 along the periphery, allowing for relative movement. This gap opens at the front of the remote control and continues to the mating portion between the protrusion 45a and the waterproof recess 45b at the rearmost side. The front side of this gap on the remote control is where the operator performs the pressing operation, so foreign matter is likely to enter from the outside.

[0054] The minimum gap when first switch 21 is stroked is between thick portion 44a, which is formed radially outward of large diameter portion 42 that corresponds to the base of skirt portion 44 of push button 12 and provides rigidity to the skirt portion, and protruding portion 105b of housing cover 105 toward push button 12. If a foreign object larger than the dimensions of the minimum gap becomes caught in the area of ​​the minimum gap while push button 12 is stroked downward in the plane of the paper, the distance that push button 12 can stroke back upward in the plane of the paper will be reduced, meaning that it will not be able to return completely to its original position.

[0055] In the field where the remote control 100 having the two-stage push button switch 10 of this embodiment is used, most of the foreign matter floating in the atmosphere is 0.5 mm or less. Therefore, the minimum gap is set to be greater than 0.5 mm. This prevents the stroke amount of the first switch 21 from being affected by foreign matter.

[0056] [Operation] Next, the operation of the two-stage push button switch 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 8, 10, and 11. Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the two-stage push button switch 10 according to this embodiment. Fig. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the two-stage push button switch 10 according to this embodiment in a state where the first stage is pressed. Fig. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the two-stage push button switch 10 according to this embodiment in a state where the second stage is pressed.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8, when no external pushing force is acting on the two-stage push button switch 10, an operator presses the push button 12 of the two-stage push button switch 10 on the remote control 100 that operates the balancer 1, and inputs the pushing force from the finger to the receiving portion 13.

[0058] As a result, the push button 12 having the receiving portion 13 is pushed in and moves downward in the stroke direction. Because the push button 12 is connected to the connecting portion 45 on the support plate 32 via the skirt portion 44, the skirt portion 44 gradually elastically deforms as the push button 12 moves downward, as shown in Figure 10. At this time, the operator's finger feels a clicking sensation in accordance with the elastic deformation of the skirt portion 44.

[0059] At the timing when the clicking sensation is felt, opening 43a at the tip of small diameter portion 43 comes into contact with the surface of substrate 51. At this time, movable contact 43c made of a conductive material printed or attached to opening 43a comes into pressure contact with annular fixed contact 53 printed on the surface of substrate 51. Movable contact 43c short-circuits two adjacent annular fixed contacts 53 with different diameters, and the first-stage contact switch turns on.

[0060] This allows, for example, the balancer 1 to lift a load placed on a platform at a low speed to perform ground lifting.

[0061] Next, as shown in Figure 10, after the first-stage contact switch is turned on, if the operator continues to apply a pressing force to receiving portion 13, push button 12 with receiving portion 13 moves further downward in the stroke direction. As shown in Figure 11, as push button 12 further moves down, skirt portion 44 further elastically deforms, and the lower end surface of push block 17 presses tactile switch 52. At this time, the operator's finger feels a click when pressing tactile switch 52. Pressing tactile switch 52 turns on the second-stage switch.

[0062] This allows, for example, the balancer 1 to quickly lift a load placed on the platform.

[0063] Since the push block 17 is provided to press the tactile switch 52 to produce a clicking sensation, it is preferable that it be made of a material that is less likely to deform due to the pressing force when the tactile switch is pressed and that is at least more rigid than the push button 12, such as hard plastic.

[0064] The operating pressure required to turn on the second-stage tactile switch 52 is set to be larger than the operating pressure required to turn on the first-stage contact switch, approximately 1.2 to 5 times larger. By setting the operating pressure for the second stage to be larger, the operating force required to turn the second-stage switch on or off can be felt, making it possible to switch the lifting speed of the balancer 1 from low to high or from high to low without erroneous operation.

[0065] Additionally, the stroke from the initial state until the first switch is turned on is longer than the stroke from the first switch being on until the second switch is turned on. This makes it less likely to be operated accidentally, even if the first switch is a rubber switch, which requires less operating force. Also, by shortening the stroke from the first to second switch, smoother switching is possible.

[0066] In the operation of the two-stage push button switch 10, the first stage switch turns on with the aforementioned first-stage click feeling, and the second stage switch turns on with the second-stage click feeling, stopping the stroke. However, if the push button 12 is further pressed from the second-stage switch on state as shown in FIG. 11 , the step of the large-diameter portion 42 of the push button 12 presses against a stopper 32a formed in the support plate 32 near the support hole 33, which acts as the periphery of the support hole 33, preventing further forward movement of the push button 12. The stopper 32a has at least one notch 32b ( FIG. 3 ) to prevent air in the space surrounded by the support plate 32, the plate-like portion 41, the large-diameter portion 42, and the skirt portion 44 from being compressed when the push button 12 is pressed, thereby preventing the stroke from being obstructed, and to allow the elastic force of the skirt portion 44 to return the push button 12 to its initial position when the pressing force is released.

[0067] Thereafter, when the operator releases the pressure on the push button 12, the deformation of the skirt portion 44 returns to its original state due to the elastic restoring force, and the push button 12 retreats to its initial position, which is the separated position when no pressure is applied to the receiving portion 13.

[0068] 8, the order in which push button 12 descends until it is pressed against stopper 32a is determined by the dimensions of each part. As push button 12 descends from the initial position, opening 43a first contacts substrate 51, then push block 17 contacts tactile switch 52, and then push block 17 reaches the lower end of the stroke of tactile switch 52, and the step of large diameter portion 42 abuts against stopper 32a.

[0069] In the above explanation, the two-stage push button switch 10 has been described in detail, but in the single-stage push button switch 11, there is no contact switch on the substrate 51, so a clicking sensation occurs only when the push block 17 of the push button 12 presses the tactile switch 52. In addition, the stroke amount of the push button 12 is set so that it reaches the tactile switch 52 before the two-stage push button switch 10, as shown in FIG.

[0070] Note that the single-stage push button switch 11 is not limited to the above structure as long as it has a structure that produces a single-stage click feeling and simultaneously turns on a predetermined switch.

[0071] [effect] According to the above embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0072] (1) The two-stage push button switch 10 includes a substrate 51 having contact switches 43c, 53 on which an annular fixed contact 53 is arranged, and a second switch 52 arranged radially inside the fixed contact 53 and generating a clicking sensation by the biasing force of a spring, an opening 43a that opens toward the substrate 51 so as to cover the second switch 52, a push block 17 arranged inside the opening 43a, and a skirt portion 44 that is elastically deformed by an external pushing force, and the pushing force causes an end of the opening 43a to advance from a separated position separated from the substrate 51 to a contact position in contact with the substrate 51, and when the pushing force is released, the opening The device comprises a movable contact 43c, the end of which retracts from a contact position to a separated position due to an elastic restoring force, and housings 101, 102 which house the substrate 51 and the movable contact 43c so that a receiving portion 13 which is part of the movable contact 43c and receives the pushing force is exposed to the outside, and when the movable contact 43c is pushed in, the contact switches 43c, 53 are brought into contact with the fixed contact 53 due to the elastic deformation of the movable contact 43c, and the contact switches 43c, 53 are turned on, and when further pushing is performed, the push block 17 presses the tactile switch 52, which is accompanied by a clicking sensation and turns on.

[0073] As a result, since the contact switch and tactile switch 52 are arranged on the same substrate 51, the stroke amount for two stages associated with switch operation can be reduced compared to when the switches are arranged in series, and the size in the stroke direction, which is the vertical direction of the two-stage push button switch 10, can be made smaller.

[0074] Furthermore, since the tactile switch 52 is arranged inside the fixed contact 53 on the substrate 51, the two switches can be arranged efficiently, and the horizontal size of the two-stage push button switch 10 can be reduced.

[0075] Therefore, the overall size of the two-stage push button switch 10 can be reduced, so that the two-stage push button switch 10 can be housed in the housing of the small remote controller 100.

[0076] (2) Click feeling due to the skirt In addition, the housings 101, 102 have a support plate 32 with a support hole 33 that supports the push button 12 so that it can move back and forth toward the substrate 51, and the push button 12 is cylindrical and has a small diameter portion 43 that can pass through the support hole 33, a large diameter portion 42 that cannot pass through the support hole 33, and a circular dome-shaped skirt portion 44 that is provided around the large diameter portion 42 and expands in diameter from the large diameter portion 42 toward the support plate 32, and the contact switches 43c, 53 may be designed to provide a clicking sensation when the push button 12 is pressed by inverting the circular dome shape of the skirt portion 44.

[0077] As a result, when the push button 12 is pressed toward the substrate 51, the circular dome shape of the skirt portion 44 is inverted, giving the operator a clicking sensation associated with elastic deformation, making it easy to tell that the push button has been pressed down to the first stage even in the case of a two-stage push button switch 10, preventing operational errors by the operator and improving workability.

[0078] (3) Stopper In addition, in this embodiment, if the push button 12 is pressed and the tactile switch 52 is turned on, and then a further pressing operation is performed, the large diameter portion 42 abuts against the stopper 32a of the support hole 33, preventing the push button 12 from moving further forward.

[0079] In this way, even if the operator presses the push button 12 too hard, the stopper 32a prevents the push button 12 from stroking inward after the second-stage switch operation, thereby preventing the push button 12 from breaking and improving durability, and also preventing the push button 12 from getting stuck and not being able to return to its original position.

[0080] (4) Tactile switches Alternatively, a tactile switch 52 may be employed.

[0081] This allows the use of a general-purpose tactile switch 52 to reduce costs while still providing a second click feeling.

[0082] (5) Click-enhancing resin In addition, in this embodiment, the receiving portion 13 has a push block 17 on the inside that is convex toward the tactile switch 52 and has higher rigidity than the receiving portion 13, and when the push button 12 is pressed, the push block 17 presses the tactile switch 52 with a second click feeling.

[0083] In this way, push block 17, which is a member with higher rigidity than push button 12, presses tactile switch 52, which produces the second-stage click feeling, so the click feeling at the moment of pressing tactile switch 52 can be more directly conveyed to the worker. This allows the worker to more clearly understand that the second-stage switch has been turned on, improving operability.

[0084] (6) Garbage control In this embodiment, the minimum gap between the large diameter portion 42 and the inner wall 105a of the housing is set to be greater than 0.5 mm.

[0085] As a result, since most of the foreign matter normally present in the atmosphere in which the two-stage push button switch 10 is used is 0.5 mm or less, even if a foreign matter enters while the push button 12 is being stroked, it is possible to prevent the push button 12 from being unable to return to its original position.

[0086] (7) Air holes In this embodiment, the opening 43a of the push button 12 is provided with one or more notches 43b along the circumferential direction.

[0087] When the operator pushes down the first stage and then further to the second stage, the small diameter portion 43 is pressed toward the substrate 51 while the opening 43a remains in contact with the substrate 51. At this time, the air inside the small diameter portion 43 can be released to the outside through the air hole, so that the reaction force caused by the compressed air does not make the push button 12 heavy, preventing the tactile switch 52, which is the second stage switch, from becoming difficult to press. This prevents the operator's workability from being adversely affected.

[0088] (8) Remote Control In addition, in this embodiment, the balancer remote control 100 includes a front housing having one or more two-stage push button switches 10, and a transmitter 104 that transmits an operation signal for the hoist in response to pressing of the two-stage push button switch 10 on the front housing.

[0089] In this way, a small two-stage push button switch 10 can be introduced into the remote control 100 that operates the balancer 1, so that the two-stage push button switch 10 can be realized without increasing the size of the remote control 100.

[0090] The above-described embodiments each show a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, components, arrangement positions of the components, order of connection, etc. shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the drawings are not necessarily strict illustrations.

[0091] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely illustrate some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended that the technical scope of the present invention be limited to the specific configurations of the above embodiments.

[0092] For example, in the above embodiment, a two-stage push button switch 10 provided on a remote control 100 for a balancer was exemplified, but it is not limited to the balancer 1, and may be any other hoist that can be operated by remote control operation.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the remote control 100 is illustrated as being made up of two members, the front housing 101 and the rear housing 102, but it may be made up of three or more members.

[0094] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the four push buttons 12 are described as being integrally formed, but each push button 12 may be formed separately.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was given of a case where a ring-shaped fixed contact 53 is provided on the substrate 51, but the fixed contact 53 does not necessarily have to be ring-shaped as long as it has a shape that allows for a short circuit when the movable contact 43c comes into contact with the substrate 51.

[0096] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the skirt portion 44 is formed in a circular dome shape, but it may have any other shape as long as it can produce a clear clicking sensation when the push button 12 is stroked. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1 Balancer (hoisting machine) 12 push buttons 13 Receiving part 17 Push block (switch push part) 32 Support plate 32a Stopper (around the support hole) 32b Notch (support hole) 33 Support hole 42 Large diameter section 43 Small diameter section 43a opening 43b Notch 43c Movable contact (contact switch) 44 Skirt Club 51 PCB 52 Tactile switch (second switch) 53 Fixed contact (first switch) 100 Remote control for balancer (wireless transmitter for hoist) 101 Front housing (housing) 102 Rear housing (housing) 104 Transmitter 105a Interior wall

Claims

1. a substrate having a first switch on which an annular fixed contact is disposed, and a second switch disposed radially inside the fixed contact and generating a clicking sensation by the biasing force of a spring; a movable contact having an opening that opens toward the board so as to cover the second switch, a switch pressing portion disposed inside the opening, and a skirt portion that is elastically deformed by an external pressing force, wherein the pressing force causes an end of the opening to advance from a spaced position spaced from the board to a contact position in contact with the board, and when the pressing force is released, the end of the opening retracts from the contact position to the spaced position by an elastic restoring force; a housing that houses the substrate and the movable contact so that a receiving portion that is a part of the movable contact and receives the pressing force is exposed to the outside; Equipped with When the movable contact is pressed, the first switch is brought into contact with the fixed contact due to elastic deformation of the movable contact, and the contact switch is turned on. When the first switch is further pressed, the switch pressing portion presses the second switch, causing a clicking sensation and turning on the second switch. A two-stage push button switch.

2. 2. The two-stage push button switch according to claim 1, the housing has a support plate having a support hole that supports the movable contact so that the movable contact can move toward and away from the substrate, the movable contact is cylindrical and has a small diameter portion that can pass through the support hole, a large diameter portion that cannot pass through the support hole, and a circular dome-shaped skirt portion that is provided around the large diameter portion and expands in diameter from the large diameter portion toward the support plate, When the movable contact of the first switch is pressed, the circular dome shape of the skirt portion is inverted, providing a clicking sensation. A two-stage push button switch.

3. 3. The two-stage push button switch according to claim 2, When the movable contact is further pushed in after the second switch is turned on by the pushing operation, the large diameter portion comes into contact with the periphery of the support hole, preventing the movable contact from moving further forward. A two-stage push button switch.

4. 4. The two-stage push button switch according to claim 3, the second switch is a tactile switch; A two-stage push button switch.

5. 2. The two-stage push button switch according to claim 1, the receiving portion has a pressing portion on the inside that is convex toward the second switch and has higher rigidity than the receiving portion, When the movable contact is pressed, the pressing portion presses the second switch with a clicking sensation. A two-stage push button switch.

6. 3. The two-stage push button switch according to claim 2, The minimum gap between the large diameter portion and the inner wall of the housing is set to be greater than 0.5 mm. A two-stage push button switch.

7. 2. The two-stage push button switch according to claim 1, The opening of the movable contact has one or more notches formed along a circumferential direction. A two-stage push button switch.

8. The housing includes one or more two-stage push button switches according to claim 1; a transmitter that transmits an operation signal for a hoist in response to pressing of the two-stage push button switch on the housing; A wireless transmitter for a hoist, comprising:

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