Switch device

Abstract

To turn on a switch in a switch circuit with a relatively simple configuration.SOLUTION: The switch device includes a housing having an accommodating portion, a peripheral fixed contact and a central fixed contact provided on a bottom portion of the accommodating portion, a movable contact member having a base portion which is placed on the bottom portion of the accommodating portion and is brought into contact with the central fixed contact, an elastic arm portion extending from a central portion of the base portion and a pair of support leg portions extending from both end portions of the base portion, a manipulation member on which a pressing manipulation is performed by an operator, a plate spring provided on a lower side of the manipulation member in the accommodating portion and pressed by the manipulation member, and a driving body provided on an upper side of the elastic arm portion and below the plate spring in the accommodating portion and brought into contact with the central fixed contact by pressing the elastic arm portion by being pressed by the plate spring.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch device. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for simultaneously switching on two systems in a switch circuit by simultaneously pressing a pair of contact members with a plunger when a push operation is performed on a push button switch. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 4,931,605 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 requires the plunger to press two contacts per contact element, i.e., the plunger must press a total of four contacts for a pair of contact elements, which makes the configuration complex and raises the risk of contact pressing failure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A switch device according to one embodiment comprises a housing having a storage section, peripheral fixed contacts and a central fixed contact provided at the bottom of the storage section, a base placed on the bottom of the storage section and in contact with the peripheral fixed contacts, a movable contact member having an elastic arm extending from the center of the base and capable of coming into and out of contact with the central fixed contact, and a pair of support legs extending from both ends of the base, an operating member that is pressed down by an operator, a leaf spring provided below the operating member in the storage section and pressed by the operating member, and a driver provided above the elastic arm and below the leaf spring in the storage section and pressed by the leaf spring to press down the elastic arm, thereby bringing the elastic arm into contact with the central fixed contact. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to a switch device according to an embodiment, a switch in a switch circuit can be turned on more reliably with a relatively simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of a switch device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view of a switch device according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a circuit diagram of a switch circuit included in a switch device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a switch device according to an embodiment; [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a switch device according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a housing included in a switch device according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a housing (in which a pair of movable contact members are arranged) included in a switch device according to an embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a housing (with a driver disposed therein) included in a switch device according to an embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a housing (with an inverted dome member disposed) included in a switch device according to an embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a normal state of a switch device according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a switch device according to an embodiment is pressed down; [Figure 12] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a switch device according to a first modified example of an embodiment; [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a switch device according to a first modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a switch device according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a switch device according to a second modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, in the following description, the Z-axis direction in the drawings is the up-down direction, the Y-axis direction in the drawings is the left-right direction, and the X-axis direction in the drawings is the front-rear direction. However, the positive Z-axis direction is the up direction, the positive Y-axis direction is the right direction, and the positive X-axis direction is the front.

[0009] (Overview of the switch device 100) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a switch device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the switch device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of a switch circuit included in the switch device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, a switch device 100 according to one embodiment has a configuration in which a stem 140 and a frame 120 are attached to the upper part of a rectangular parallelepiped housing 110. A circular opening 120A is formed in the center of the frame 120. A cylindrical operating portion 141 of the stem 140 protrudes upward from the opening 120A. The switch device 100 allows an operator to press the operating portion 141 of the stem 140.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the switch device 100 has a pair of left and right external connection terminals 114B, 112B that protrude forward (in the positive direction of the X-axis) from the lower end of the wall on the front side (positive side of the X-axis) of the housing 110.

[0012] Furthermore, the switch device 100 has a pair of left and right external connection terminals 115B, 113B that protrude rearward (in the negative X-axis direction) from the lower end of the rear wall (negative X-axis side) of the housing 110.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit configuration of the switch circuit included in the switch device 100 has a first system and a second system.

[0014] The first system has external connection terminals 114B and 112B and a switch SW1. The switch SW1 is provided between the external connection terminal 114B and the external connection terminal 112B. The switch SW1 is configured with a peripheral fixed contact 114A, a central fixed contact 112A, and a movable contact member 150-1.

[0015] The second system has external connection terminals 115B and 113B and a switch SW2. The switch SW2 is provided between the external connection terminal 115B and the external connection terminal 113B. The switch SW2 is configured with a peripheral fixed contact 115A, a central fixed contact 113A, and a movable contact member 150-2.

[0016] In the switch device 100, when an operator presses the operation unit 141 of the stem 140, the switch SW1 of the first system and the switch SW2 of the second system can be simultaneously switched on. In the first system, when the switch SW1 is switched on, the external connection terminal 114B and the external connection terminal 112B are brought into electrical continuity with each other. In the second system, when the switch SW2 is switched on, the external connection terminal 115B and the external connection terminal 113B are brought into electrical continuity with each other.

[0017] (Configuration of the switch device 100) Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the switch device 100 includes a housing 110, a pair of movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2, a stem 140, an inverted dome member 130, a driver 160, and a frame 120.

[0018] The housing 110 is a container-like member having a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The housing 110 has a roughly square shape when viewed from above. The housing 110 has a storage section 110B, which is a space recessed downward from an upper surface 110A. The storage section 110B accommodates the pair of movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2, the inverted dome member 130, and the driver 160. For example, the housing 110 is formed by insert molding using a relatively hard insulating material (e.g., hard resin, etc.).

[0019] A pair of left and right side surfaces of the housing 110 are each formed with a claw portion 111 that protrudes outward. When the frame 120 is attached to the top surface 110A of the housing 110, the claw portion 111 is fitted into an opening 121A of a hook 121 of the frame 120, thereby latching the hook 121 and fixing the frame 120 and the stem 140 to the housing 110.

[0020] Two central fixed contacts 112A and 113A and a generally rectangular cylindrical support wall 116 surrounding the two central fixed contacts 112A and 113A are provided in the center of the bottom of accommodating section 110B of housing 110. Driver 160 is arranged inside support wall 116 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Driver 160 is arranged inside support wall 116, which is generally rectangular cylindrical and provided in the center of the bottom of accommodating section 110B of housing 110, and is supported by support wall 116 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Slits 116A are formed in the front wall (positive side of the X-axis) and the rear wall (negative side of the X-axis) of support wall 116, respectively, to allow elastic arm portions 151 of movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2 to pass through.

[0021] The pair of movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2 are both horizontal metal plate members, and are placed on the bottom of the accommodating portion 110B of the housing 110.

[0022] Specifically, the movable contact member 150-1 is placed in a front area (positive side of the X-axis) at the bottom of the accommodating portion 110B of the housing 110. The movable contact member 150-1 is always in contact with a peripheral fixed contact 114A provided at the bottom of the accommodating portion 110B of the housing 110.

[0023] The movable contact member 150-2 is placed in a rear area (negative side of the X axis) at the bottom of the accommodating portion 110B of the housing 110. The movable contact member 150-1 is always in contact with a peripheral fixed contact 115A provided at the bottom of the accommodating portion 110B of the housing 110.

[0024] Each of the pair of movable contact members 150-1, 150-2 has, at its center in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), a resilient arm 151 that extends linearly in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) and diagonally upward toward the center of accommodating section 110B. Each resilient arm 151 passes through a slit 116A formed in support wall 116 and extends to the inside of support wall 116 and above central fixed contacts 112A, 113A. When an operator presses down on operating section 141 of stem 140, each resilient arm 151 is pressed down by driver 160 and elastically deforms downward (in the negative Z-axis direction), thereby coming into contact with each of central fixed contacts 112A, 113A.

[0025] The stem 140 is an example of an "operating member" that is pressed downward by an operator. The stem 140 is installed on the upper surface 110A of the housing 110 so as to close the upper opening of the storage section 110B of the housing 110. The stem 140 is made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber, silicone, etc.). The stem 140 has an operating section 141, a base 142, and a central protrusion 143.

[0026] The base 142 is a horizontal, flat portion. When viewed from above, the outer shape of the base 142 is substantially the same shape (i.e., a roughly square shape) as the shape of the upper surface 110A of the housing 110. The stem 140 is fixed to the upper surface 110A of the housing 110 by the frame 120 pressing the base 142 from above.

[0027] Operation unit 141 has a cylindrical shape and is provided to protrude upward from the center of the upper surface of base 142. Operation unit 141 passes through opening 120A of frame 120 and is pressed down by the operator.

[0028] The central protrusion 143 is provided to protrude downward from the center of the lower surface of the operation unit 141, and has a columnar shape.

[0029] When an operator presses down on the operating portion 141 of the stem 140, the base 142 elastically deforms, and the operating portion 141 and the central protrusion 143 move downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis), allowing the bottom surface of the central protrusion 143 to press against the top of the inverted dome member 130.

[0030] 5, the stem 140 has a pair of front and rear wall-shaped pressing legs 144 that hang down from the underside of the base 142. Because the entire stem 140 is integrally formed using an elastic material, the pressing legs 144 are also elastic. The pressing leg 144 on the front side (positive side of the X-axis) presses the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-1 from above within the accommodating section 110B, thereby pressing the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-1 against the peripheral fixed contact 114A. The pressing leg 144 on the rear side (negative side of the X-axis) presses the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-2 from above within the accommodating section 110B, thereby pressing the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-2 against the peripheral fixed contact 114A. As a result, the switch device 100 of one embodiment can stably maintain a state in which the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-1 is in contact with the peripheral fixed contact 114A, and a state in which the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-2 is in contact with the peripheral fixed contact 115A.

[0031] The inverted dome member 130 is an example of a "plate spring." The inverted dome member 130 is made of a thin metal plate and has a dome shape that is convex upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis). The inverted dome member 130 is disposed below the central protrusion 143 of the stem 140 in the accommodation portion 110B of the housing 110. When an operator presses down on the operation portion 141 of the stem 140, the top (center portion) of the inverted dome member 130 is pressed downward by the central protrusion 143 of the stem 140, and when a predetermined operating load is exceeded, the top suddenly elastically deforms into a concave shape (inverts). This allows the inverted dome member 130 to press down on the driver 160 with the back side of the top.

[0032] In this embodiment, the inverted dome member 130 has a side-cut shape (i.e., a substantially elliptical shape with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction (X-axis direction)) in which both left and right sides are cut off by a pair of parallel straight portions 131, while the dome-shaped material has a circular shape in a plan view. This allows the inverted dome member 130 to be reduced in size in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction).

[0033] The driver 160 is a flat resin member provided in the accommodation portion 110B of the housing 110 above the pair of elastic arm portions 151 (i.e., the elastic arm portions 151 of each of the pair of movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2) and below the inverted dome member 130. When viewed from above in a plan view, the driver 160 has a rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction extending in the front-to-rear direction. The driver 160 also has a cylindrical protrusion 161 that protrudes upward from the center of its top surface. When an operator presses down on the operating portion 141 of the stem 140, the protrusion 161 of the driver 160 is pressed down by the inverted dome member 130, causing the driver 160 to move downward as a whole, and the bottom surface of the driver 160 presses down each of the pair of elastic arms 151, thereby bringing each of the pair of elastic arms 151 into contact with each of central fixed contacts 112A, 113A provided in the center of the bottom of the accommodating portion 110B of the housing 110. This allows the driver 160 to switch on the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 in the switch circuit (see FIG. 3) included in the switch device 100. The driver 160 is disposed inside a generally rectangular cylindrical support wall 116 provided in the center of the bottom of the accommodating portion 110B of the housing 110. As a result, the driver 160 is positioned by the support wall 116 in the center of the accommodating portion 110B of the housing 110, is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and is prevented from rotating.

[0034] The frame 120 is a flat metal member. With the stem 140 disposed on the upper surface 110A of the housing 110, the frame 120 is fixedly attached to the upper surface 110A of the housing 110, thereby pressing down the base 142 of the stem 140 from above.

[0035] For example, the frame 120 is formed by processing a metal plate using a processing method such as press working. When viewed from above, a circular opening 120A is formed in the center of the frame 120 to allow the operating portion 141 of the stem 140 to protrude upward.

[0036] Furthermore, a pair of left and right sides of the outer periphery of frame 120 are provided with hooks 121 hanging down. Hooks 121 have rectangular openings 121A, and claws 111 provided on the side surfaces of housing 110 fit into openings 121A. As a result, hooks 121 are hooked onto claws 111, and frame 120 can be fixed to housing 110.

[0037] (Configuration of housing 110) Fig. 6 is a plan view of a housing 110 included in a switch device 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the accommodating portion 110B of the housing 110 has a shape in which a substantially oval shape extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) and a substantially oval shape extending in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) intersect (i.e., a substantially cross shape) in a top view.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, four fixed contact members 112, 113, 114, and 115, each made of a conductive plate material (for example, a metal plate), are embedded in the bottom of the housing 110 by insert molding.

[0039] The fixed contact members 112, 114 are embedded in the front portion (positive side of the X-axis) of the bottom of the housing 110, and constitute a first system (see FIG. 3) in the circuit configuration of the switch device 100.

[0040] Fixed contact member 112 has rectangular central fixed contact 112A at one end and external connection terminal 112B at the other end. As shown in Fig. 6, central fixed contact 112A is provided in the center of the bottom of accommodating section 110B of housing 110 (inside support wall 116) so as to be exposed on the front side (positive side of the X-axis), and faces central fixed contact 113A.

[0041] Fixed contact member 114 has rectangular peripheral fixed contact 114A at one end and external connection terminal 114B at the other end. As shown in Fig. 6, peripheral fixed contact 114A is exposed from the front end (the end on the X-axis positive side) at the bottom of accommodating portion 110B of housing 110.

[0042] The fixed contact members 113 and 115 are embedded in the rear part (negative side of the X axis) of the bottom of the housing 110, and constitute a second system (see FIG. 3) in the circuit configuration of the switch device 100.

[0043] Fixed contact member 113 has rectangular central fixed contact 113A at one end and external connection terminal 113B at the other end. As shown in Fig. 6, central fixed contact 113A is provided in the center of the bottom of accommodating section 110B of housing 110 (inside support wall 116) so as to be exposed on the rear side (X-axis negative side), and faces central fixed contact 112A.

[0044] Fixed contact member 115 has rectangular peripheral fixed contact 115A at one end and external connection terminal 115B at the other end. As shown in Fig. 6, peripheral fixed contact 115A is exposed from the rear end (the end on the negative side of the X-axis) at the bottom of accommodating portion 110B of housing 110.

[0045] (Housing 110 with a pair of movable contact members 150-1, 150-2 arranged) FIG. 7 is a plan view of the housing 110 (in which a pair of movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2 are arranged) included in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7, a pair of front and rear movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2 having mutually symmetrical shapes are placed on the bottom of the accommodating portion 110B of the housing 110.

[0047] Each of the movable contact members 150-1, 150-2 has a base 152 that extends substantially linearly in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) at its outermost position in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). As shown in Fig. 7, the accommodating portion 110B of the housing 110 has a pair of front and rear convex spaces 110C that protrude forward (in the positive direction of the X-axis) and rearward (in the negative direction of the X-axis) from the substantially long-side-shaped space extending in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). As shown in Fig. 7, the base 152 of each of the movable contact members 150-1, 150-2 has substantially the same shape as the convex spaces 110C and fits inside the convex spaces 110C.

[0048] The peripheral fixed contacts 114A are exposed at the bottom surface of the convex space 110C on the front side (positive side of the X axis). Therefore, the movable contact member 150-1 contacts the peripheral fixed contacts 114A at the base 152. As described above, the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-1 is pressed from above by the pressing leg portions 144 of the stem 140, thereby stably maintaining contact with the peripheral fixed contacts 114A.

[0049] The peripheral fixed contact 115A is exposed at the bottom surface of the rear (negative side of the X-axis) convex space 110C. Therefore, the movable contact member 150-2 contacts the peripheral fixed contact 115A at the base 152. As described above, the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-2 is pressed from above by the pressing leg 144 of the stem 140, thereby stably maintaining contact with the peripheral fixed contact 115A.

[0050] Each of the movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2 has an elastic arm portion 151 at the center in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) that extends linearly from a base portion 152 toward the center of the accommodating portion 110B.

[0051] Elastic arm portion 151 of movable contact member 150-1 passes through slit 116A on the front side (positive side of the X axis) of support wall 116 and extends to the inside of support wall 116 and above central fixed contact 112A. In other words, the tip of elastic arm portion 151 of movable contact member 150-1 is spaced apart from and positioned above central fixed contact 112A.

[0052] Elastic arm portion 151 of movable contact member 150-2 passes through slit 116A on the rear side (negative side of the X axis) of support wall 116 and extends to the inside of support wall 116 and above central fixed contact 113A. In other words, the tip of elastic arm portion 151 of movable contact member 150-2 is spaced apart from and positioned above central fixed contact 113A.

[0053] Each of the movable contact members 150-1, 150-2 has a pair of parallel left and right support legs 153 at both ends in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) that extend linearly in the X-axis direction from the base 152 toward the center of the accommodating section 110B. This allows the switch device 100 according to one embodiment to stably support both left and right ends of each of the movable contact members 150-1, 150-2 (i.e., the pair of left and right support legs 153) by the bottom of the accommodating section 110B.

[0054] 7, each of the pair of left and right support legs 153 has a shape bent (crank shape) along the inner wall of storage section 110B. Specifically, each of the pair of left and right support legs 153 has an outer edge bent at a right angle along a right-angle corner 110D of the inner wall of storage section 110B. Furthermore, each of the pair of left and right support legs 153 has an inner edge bent at a right angle along a corner of support wall 116. As a result, in one embodiment of the switch device 100, each of the movable contact members 150-1, 150-2 can be easily positioned inside the accommodating section 110B from above (positive direction of the Z axis) of the accommodating section 110B, and further, the inner wall portion (right-angle corner portion 110D) of the accommodating section 110B and the corner portion of the support wall 116 can guide the positioning of each of the movable contact members 150-1, 150-2 in the correct position and in the correct orientation.

[0055] (Housing 110 with driver 160 disposed therein) FIG. 8 is a plan view of the housing 110 (with the driver 160 disposed therein) included in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the driver 160 has a generally oval shape with the longitudinal direction extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) when viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 8, the driver 160 is disposed in the space inside the support wall 116, which has generally the same shape as the driver 160, so as to overlap the upper sides of the respective tips of the pair of front and rear elastic arm portions 151. As a result, the driver 160 is held by the support wall 116 so as to be movable in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). The protrusion 161 of the driver 160 is pressed by the inverted dome member 130 and moves downward (in the negative Z-axis direction), thereby enabling the driver 160 to press down the respective tips of the pair of front and rear elastic arm portions 151.

[0056] (Housing 110 with inverted dome member 130 positioned) FIG. 9 is a plan view of the housing 110 (with the inverted dome member 130 disposed) included in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0057] 9, inverted dome member 130 has a generally oval shape with the longitudinal direction extending in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) when viewed from above. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, inverted dome member 130 is disposed in a partial space (space other than convex space 110C) of accommodating section 110B of housing 110, which has generally the same shape as inverted dome member 130, so that the central portion of inverted dome member 130 overlaps the upper side of protrusion 161 of driver 160.

[0058] As a result, in one embodiment of the switch device 100, the inverted dome member 130 can be easily positioned in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the accommodating portion 110B of the housing 110, and the inner wall portion of the accommodating portion 110B can prevent the inverted dome member 130 from rotating.

[0059] 9, the inverted dome member 130 is arranged so that the direction in which the pair of linear portions 131 extend is perpendicular (Y-axis direction) to the direction in which the elastic arm portions 151 of the movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2 extend (X-axis direction). As a result, when the housing 110 in which the inverted dome member 130 is arranged is viewed from above, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment can arrange the inverted dome member 130 so as not to overlap with the base portions 152 of the movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2 arranged at the bottom of the convex space 110C. Therefore, the base portions 152 of the movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2 can be pressed from above by the pressing leg portions 144 of the stem 140 without interfering with the inverted dome member 130.

[0060] In addition, in one embodiment of the switch device 100, a pair of base portions 117 with elevated bottom surfaces are provided at both left and right ends of the accommodating portion 110B of the housing 110 (see Figures 6 to 8), and by placing both left and right ends of the inverted dome member 130 on the pair of base portions 117, the inverted dome member 130 can be positioned at a predetermined height position above the driver 160.

[0061] (Operation of the switch device 100) Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the switch device 100 according to one embodiment in a normal state. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the switch device 100 according to one embodiment in a state where a pressing operation is performed.

[0062] 10 , in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, when the operator is not pressing down on the operating portion 141 of the stem 140, the base 142 of the stem 140 is in a horizontal state, the operating portion 141 of the stem 140 is in its initial state at its highest position, and the inverted dome member 130 is in its initial state with its upwardly convex shape. In addition, the driver 160 provided below the inverted dome member 130 is also in its initial state at its highest position.

[0063] At this time, the movable contact member 150-1 provided on the front side (positive side of the X axis) is in contact with the peripheral fixed contact 114A at the base 152, but the elastic arm portion 151 is not in contact with the central fixed contact 112A. Therefore, the first system switch SW1 configured to include the movable contact member 150-1 is turned off.

[0064] At this time, the movable contact member 150-2 provided on the rear side (negative side of the X axis) is in contact with the peripheral fixed contact 115A at the base 152, but the elastic arm portion 151 is not in contact with the central fixed contact 113A. Therefore, the second system switch SW2 configured to include the movable contact member 150-2 is turned off.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 11, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, when an operator presses the operating portion 141 of the stem 140, the base 142 of the stem 140 elastically deforms, and the operating portion 141 and the central protrusion 143 of the stem 140 move downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis).

[0066] As a result, the central protrusion 143 of the stem 140 presses down on the top of the inverted dome member 130. This causes the inverted dome member 130 to elastically deform into a concave shape (inverting), and the back side of the top of the inverted dome member 130 presses against the protrusion 161 of the driver 160, thereby pressing down on the driver 160. The driver 160 moves downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis) inside the support wall 116, thereby pressing down on the tip ends of the elastic arm portions 151 of each of the movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2.

[0067] As a result, movable contact member 150-1 provided on the front side (positive side of the X axis) contacts peripheral fixed contact 114A at base 152, while elastic arm portion 151 contacts central fixed contact 112A, thereby conducting peripheral fixed contact 114A and central fixed contact 112A. Therefore, first system switch SW1 configured to include movable contact member 150-1 is switched on.

[0068] As a result, movable contact member 150-2 provided on the rear side (negative side of the X axis) contacts peripheral fixed contact 115A at base 152, while elastic arm portion 151 contacts central fixed contact 113A, thereby conducting peripheral fixed contact 115A and central fixed contact 113A. Therefore, second system switch SW2 configured to include movable contact member 150-2 is switched on.

[0069] In this way, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment can turn on one switch in a switch circuit by pressing only one elastic arm portion 151 for one movable contact member 150 constituting the switch by the driver 160. Therefore, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment can more reliably turn on one switch in a switch circuit with a relatively simple configuration.

[0070] In addition, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment has two sets of switches SW1 and SW2, which have the same configuration (a configuration having a peripheral fixed contact, a central fixed contact, and a movable contact member), provided in the housing 110 so as to face each other.

[0071] In one embodiment of the switch device 100, one elastic arm portion 151 of the movable contact member 150-1 of one switch SW1 and the other elastic arm portion 151 of the movable contact member 150-2 of the other switch SW2 are arranged opposite each other, and the driver 160 is pressed by the inverted dome member 130 and moves downward, thereby simultaneously pressing down one elastic arm portion 151 and the other elastic arm portion 151.

[0072] As a result, in one embodiment of the switch device 100, when an operator presses the operating portion 141 of the stem 140, the driver 160 can simultaneously switch on the first switch SW1 of the first system and the second switch SW1 of the second system.

[0073] That is, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment can switch on the two switches SW1 and SW2 in the switch circuit by simply pressing one elastic arm portion 151 for each of the two movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2 that make up the two switches SW1 and SW2. Therefore, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment can more reliably switch on the two switches SW1 and SW2 in the switch circuit simultaneously with a relatively simple configuration.

[0074] Furthermore, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, when the first switch SW1 of the first system and the second switch SW1 of the second system are simultaneously switched on, the inverting dome member 130 performs an inverting operation, thereby providing the operator with a clicking sensation. Therefore, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment allows the operator to easily tactilely recognize that the first switch SW1 of the first system and the second switch SW1 of the second system have simultaneously been switched on.

[0075] In particular, the switch device 100 of one embodiment presses a pair of elastic arm portions 151 via a driver 160 provided on a movable portion in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Therefore, even if an operator performs a diagonal pressing operation on the operating portion 141 of the stem 140, the driver 160 moves vertically downward (in the Z-axis direction) more reliably, and the driver 160 can more reliably press the pair of elastic arm portions 151 simultaneously.

[0076] In addition, in one embodiment of the switch device 100, a pair of elastic arms 151 are interposed between the inverted dome member 130 and the central fixed contacts 112A, 113A, thereby suppressing the sound of the inverted dome member 130 contacting the central fixed contacts 112A, 113A due to the inverted movement of the inverted dome member 130.

[0077] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the switch device 100, the inverted dome member 130 is configured not to come into contact with the peripheral fixed contacts 114A, 115A, so the peripheral fixed contacts 114A, 115A are not worn down by the inverting action of the inverted dome member 130, thereby achieving a longer life for the peripheral fixed contacts 114A, 115A.

[0078] (First Modification) Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a switch device 100-2 according to a first modified example of an embodiment. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device 100-2 according to a first modified example of an embodiment.

[0079] A switch device 100-2 according to a first modified example shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 differs from the switch device 100 in that a pressing member 170 is provided instead of the pressing leg portion 144 provided on the stem 140.

[0080] The pressing member 170 is a resin member having a substantially rectangular frame shape, which is provided between the stem 140 and the movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2 inside the accommodating portion 110B of the housing 110. The pressing member 170 has vertical wall-shaped pressing leg portions 171 at each of its front and rear ends.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 12, the pressing leg 171 on the front side (positive side of the X-axis) of the pressing member 170 is pressed from above by the base 142 of the stem 140, thereby pressing the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-1 from above, thereby pressing the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-1 against the peripheral fixed contact 114A.

[0082] In addition, the pressing leg 171 on the rear side (negative side of the X-axis) of the pressing member 170 is pressed from above by the base 142 of the stem 140, thereby pressing the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-2 from above, and thereby pressing the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-2 against the peripheral fixed contact 115A.

[0083] As a result, the switch device 100-2 according to the first variant of an embodiment can stably maintain the state in which the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-1 is in contact with the peripheral fixed contact 114A, and the state in which the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-2 is in contact with the peripheral fixed contact 115A.

[0084] In this way, the pressing legs that press the bases 152 of the movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2 may be provided as separate members from the stem 140.

[0085] In switch device 100-2, driver 160 is provided within the frame of pressing member 170 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). That is, in switch device 100-2, driver 160 is guided in its movement in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) by pressing member 170. Furthermore, in switch device 100-2, driver 160 has its front and rear ends abutting against the ceiling surfaces of grooves 171A formed in pressing leg portions 171, so that the height position of driver 160 in its initial state when no pressing operation is performed on stem 140 is set to a predetermined height position.

[0086] In addition, in the switch device 100-2, the driver 160 has a pair of front and rear second protrusions 164 provided in the center of the underside, and the pair of front and rear second protrusions 164 press down the tip ends of the elastic arm portions 151 of each of the movable contact members 150-1, 150-2.

[0087] (Second Modification) Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a switch device 100-3 according to a second modified example of an embodiment. Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a switch device 100-3 according to a second modified example of an embodiment.

[0088] A switch device 100-3 according to a second modified example shown in Figures 14 and 15 differs from the switch device 100 in that, instead of providing a pressing leg portion 144 on the stem 140, a pressing leg portion 162 is provided integrally with the driver 160.

[0089] Specifically, in the switch device 100-3, the driver 160 has vertical wall-like pressing legs 162 at both the front and rear ends.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 14, the pressing leg 162 on the front side (positive side of the X-axis) of the driver 160 is pressed from above by the base 142 of the stem 140, thereby pressing the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-1 from above, thereby pressing the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-1 against the peripheral fixed contact 114A.

[0091] In addition, the pressing leg 162 on the rear side (negative side of the X-axis) of the driver 160 is pressed from above by the base 142 of the stem 140, thereby pressing the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-2 from above, and thereby pressing the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-2 against the peripheral fixed contact 115A.

[0092] As a result, the switch device 100-3 according to the second variant of an embodiment can stably maintain the state in which the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-1 is in contact with the peripheral fixed contact 114A, and the state in which the base 152 of the movable contact member 150-2 is in contact with the peripheral fixed contact 115A.

[0093] In this way, the pressing legs that press the bases 152 of the movable contact members 150-1 and 150-2 may be provided integrally with the driver 160.

[0094] In the switch device 100-3, the driver 160 is supported such that a central portion having a protrusion 161 is movable in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) by a pair of front and rear pressing legs 162. That is, in the switch device 100-3, the driver 160 is able to move its central portion having the protrusion 161 in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) by elastically deforming a pair of front and rear beams 163 provided between the central portion having the protrusion 161 and the pair of front and rear pressing legs 162.

[0095] In addition, in the switch device 100-3, the driver 160 has a pair of front and rear second protrusions 164 provided in the center of the underside, and the pair of front and rear second protrusions 164 press down the tip ends of the elastic arm portions 151 of each of the movable contact members 150-1, 150-2.

[0096] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 100, 100-2, 100-3 Switching device 110 Housing 110A top 110B Storage section 110C convex space 110D Corner 111 Claw 112, 113, 114, 115 Fixed contact members 112A,113A Central fixed contact 114A, 115A peripheral fixed contact 112B, 113B, 114B, 115B external connection terminals 116 Supporting wall 116A Slit 117 Base 120 frames 120A opening 121 Hook 121A opening 130 Inverted dome member 131 Straight section 140 stem 141 Operation section 142 Base 143 Central protrusion 144 Pressing leg 150, 150-1, 150-2 Movable contact member 151 Elastic arm 152 Base 153 Support legs 160 Driver 161 Protrusion 162 Pressing leg 163 Beam section 164 Second protrusion 170 Pressing member 171 Pressing leg 171A Groove SW1, SW2 switches

Claims

1. a housing having a receiving portion; a peripheral fixed contact and a central fixed contact provided on the bottom of the housing; a movable contact member placed on the bottom of the housing and having a base portion in contact with the peripheral fixed contacts, an elastic arm portion extending from a center portion of the base portion and capable of coming into contact with and separating from the central fixed contact, and a pair of support legs extending from both ends of the base portion; an operating member that is pressed by an operator; a leaf spring provided below the operating member in the housing portion and pressed by the operating member; a driver that is provided in the accommodating portion above the elastic arm portion and below the leaf spring, and that is pressed by the leaf spring to press down the elastic arm portion, thereby bringing the elastic arm portion into contact with the central fixed contact; A switch device comprising:

2. Each of the pair of support legs has a bent shape that follows the inner wall of the storage section.

2. The switch device according to claim 1.

3. the peripheral fixed contact, the central fixed contact, and the movable contact member constitute a switch; Two sets of the switches, each having the same configuration, are provided in the housing opposite each other.

2. The switch device according to claim 1.

4. one of the elastic arm portions of the movable contact member of one of the two sets of switches and the other of the elastic arm portion of the movable contact member of the other of the two sets of switches are arranged to face each other, The driver is The one elastic arm portion and the other elastic arm portion are simultaneously pressed down.

4. The switch device according to claim 3.

5. The leaf spring performs a reverse movement when pressed by the operating member, thereby pressing the driver.

5. The switch device according to claim 4.

6. The leaf spring is The dome-shaped material has a circular shape in a plan view, and has a side cut shape cut by a pair of parallel straight line portions. The pair of linear portions are arranged so that the extending direction thereof is perpendicular to the extending direction of the elastic arm portion.

2. The switch device according to claim 1.

7. The operating member is The movable contact member has a pressing leg portion made of an elastic material, which presses the base portion of the movable contact member against the peripheral fixed contact.

2. The switch device according to claim 1.

8. a pressing member provided between the operating member and the movable contact member, the pressing member being pressed by the operating member to press the base of the movable contact member against the peripheral fixed contact; 2. The switch device according to claim 1.

9. The driver is The pressing leg is made of an elastic material and is provided between the operating member and the movable contact member, and is pressed by the operating member to press the base of the movable contact member against the peripheral fixed contact.

2. The switch device according to claim 1.

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