Press switch device

Abstract

A push switch device that can perform a continuous push rotation operation and has a simple structure, comprising: an operating body having a pushable operating part and being able to move up and down along a first direction; a driven member having a through hole and being rotatable about an axis parallel to the first direction when the operating body moves up and down; a housing that houses the driven member and a part of the operating body inside; a return spring provided between the housing and the operating body and providing a restoring force to the operating body in the opposite direction to the push operation; a movable contact provided at the bottom of the driven member; and a fixed contact provided on the housing and facing the movable contact, wherein the driven member has an interlocking column that protrudes from the side wall of the through hole toward a part of the operating body, the operating body has a guide part, and when the operating body moves up and down along the first direction the guide part contacts the interlocking column, the pressing force along the first direction is converted into a circumferential force about the axis, which rotates the driven member about the axis and changes the contact position between the movable contact and the fixed contact.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressing switch device that can rotate a driven member and perform a contact switching operation when a pressing operation is performed on an operating body. In particular, the present invention relates to a pressing switch device in which the operating body is alternately held at different height positions when the pressing operation is repeated.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional pressing switch devices have many components. For example, the pressing switch device in Patent Document 1 is composed of a total of 11 components, namely, a housing, an operating body, a cam follower member, an elastic member, an operating member, a return spring, a thin plate, a mounting plate, a movable contact, a fixed contact, and a detachment prevention portion (ring-shaped member). The inside of the housing has a hollow structure, the operating body can move up and down along the axial direction (vertical direction), the cam follower member can move up and down along the axial direction and rotate along the circumferential direction along with the up and down movement of the operating body. The elastic member is sandwiched between the operating body and the cam follower member, the operating member is spline-coupled to the cam follower member and can rotate integrally, the return spring is sandwiched between the cam follower member and the operating member, the thin plate rotatably supports the operating member and covers the lower opening end of the housing, and the mounting plate is attached so as to hold the housing and the thin plate.

[0003] However, such a pressing switch device not only has a large number of components, but also has a complex connection relationship between them. There are many processes required to assemble such a pressing switch device, resulting in high production costs and low assembly work efficiency.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and provides a press switch device that can perform press rotation operations continuously and has a simple structure.

[0006] The push switch device of the present invention includes an operating body having a pressable operating section and being able to move up and down along a first direction when pressed; a driven member having a through hole into which a part of the operating body is inserted and being rotatable about an axis parallel to the first direction when the operating body moves up and down; a housing housing the driven member and a part of the operating body inside; a return spring provided between the housing and the operating body and providing a restoring force to the operating body in the opposite direction to the pressing operation; a movable contact provided at the bottom of the driven member; and a fixed contact provided on the housing and facing the movable contact. The driven member has an interlocking column protruding from the side wall of the through hole toward a part of the operating body, the operating body has a guide section, and when the operating body moves up and down along the first direction, the guide section contacts the interlocking column, and this contact converts the pressing force along the first direction into a circumferential force about the axis, causing the driven member to rotate about the axis and changing the contact position between the movable contact and the fixed contact.

[0007] The push switch device of the present invention can achieve continuous pressing and rotating operation simply by driving the interlocking column of the driven member with the guide portion of the operating body. Compared to conventional push switch devices, the number of components is significantly reduced, the structure of the operating body and driven member is simpler, and the production cost of the components is lower. In addition, the number of assembly steps is reduced, which improves the production efficiency of the push switch device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a push switch device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a push switch device seen from diagonally above. [Figure 3]This is a perspective view of a push switch device seen from a diagonal downward angle. [Figure 4] This is an exploded perspective view of a push switch device. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the movable contact and the fixed contact. [Figure 6] This is a plan view of the operating mechanism. [Figure 7] This is a plan view of the driven member. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of a part of the driven member. [Figure 9] This is a front view of the driven member. [Figure 10] This is a front view of the control unit. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of the housing. [Figure 12] This is a floor plan of the housing. [Figure 13] This figure shows the relative positional relationship between the operating body and the driven member in the first state. [Figure 14] This is a bottom view of the operating body and driven member in the first state. [Figure 15] This is a front view of the push switch device in the second state. [Figure 16] This figure shows the relative positional relationship between the operating body and the driven member in the second state. [Figure 17] This is a front view of the push switch device in the third state. [Figure 18] This figure shows the relative positional relationship between the operating body and the driven member in the third state. [Figure 19] This is a front view showing the relative positions of the movable contact and the fixed contact in the first state. [Figure 20] This is a plan view showing the relative positions of the movable contact and the fixed contact in the first state. [Figure 21] This is a front view showing the relative positions of the movable contact and the fixed contact in the third state. [Figure 22] This is a plan view showing the relative positions of the movable contact and the fixed contact in the third state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, the overall structure of the pressing switch device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front view of the pressing switch device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pressing switch device 1 viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pressing switch device 1 viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the pressing switch device 1. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the movable contact 6 and the fixed contact 7 in FIG. 2. FIGS. 1 to 5 show the positions of the respective members in the first state (free state) where no pressing is performed on the pressing switch device 1.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the pressing switch device 1 of the present invention includes an operating body 2, a driven member 3, a housing 4, a return spring 5, a movable contact 6, a fixed contact 7, and a cover 8.

[0012] The operating body 2 is formed using a synthetic resin material. As shown in FIG. 4, the operating body 2 has an operating portion 21 that can be pressed, and when the operating portion 21 is pressed downward, the operating body 2 can move up and down along the vertical direction (the first direction). Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the operating body 2 further has a guide portion 22 that can guide the rotation of the driven member 3 and a connecting portion 23 located between the operating portion 21 and the guide portion 22.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the operating body 2. In a plan view state, the operating portion 21 is substantially square, the connecting portion 23 is a substantially square with four corner portions chamfered in an arc shape, and the side length is longer than the side length of the operating portion 21. The guide portion 22 is substantially circular, and the circular outer peripheral edge of the guide portion 22 overlaps with the outer peripheral edge of the connecting portion 23 chamfered in an arc shape.

[0014] The driven member 3 is formed using a synthetic resin material having excellent slidability. As shown in FIG. 4, the driven member 3 has a through hole 31 into which a part of the operating body 2 is inserted, and can rotate about an axis L parallel to the vertical direction when the operating body 2 moves up and down.

[0015] More specifically, when no pressing operation is performed on the push switch device 1, the guide portion 22 is fully inserted into the through hole 31, but the connecting portion 23 is not inserted into the through hole 31 (see Figure 1). During the process of performing a pressing operation on the push switch device 1, the operating body 2 moves up and down, allowing at least a portion of the connecting portion 23 to enter the through hole 31 of the driven member 3 (see Figure 15).

[0016] The housing 4 is molded from a synthetic resin material and has a hollow shape with a bottom. Inside the housing 4 are the driven member 3 and a part of the operating body 2 housed in the through hole 31.

[0017] The return spring 5 is a coil spring provided between the housing 4 and the operating body 2, and provides the operating body 2 with an upward restoring force (i.e., in the opposite direction to the pressing operation).

[0018] The movable contact 6 is located at the bottom of the driven member 3. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the movable contact 6 is a substantially annular metal member and is fixed to the bottom of the driven member 3, for example, by hot riveting. The movable contact 6 has a first contact portion 61 and a second contact portion 62 that protrude toward the fixed contact 7.

[0019] The fixed contact 7 is provided within the housing 4 by insert molding and is positioned opposite the movable contact 6. The fixed contact 7 is a metal member and includes a first fixed contact 71, a second fixed contact 72, and a third fixed contact 73, as shown in Figure 5. The first fixed contact 71 has a first external terminal 71a extending outward, the second fixed contact 72 has a second external terminal 72a extending outward, and the third fixed contact 73 has a third external terminal 73a and a fourth external terminal 73b extending outward.

[0020] The cover 8 is installed over the outside of the housing 4 and, as shown in Figure 4, has a substantially square top surface 81 that covers the top surface of the housing 4, with an opening 81a provided in the top surface 81 of the cover 8. The portion of the operating body 2 that is not inserted into the through hole 31 (operating part 21 and connecting part 23) is exposed through the opening 81a. Also, as shown in Figure 4, the cover 8 further has four side walls 82 that extend downward from each of the four sides of the top surface 81, and an engagement opening 82a is formed in at least one of the side walls 82. The engagement opening 82a engages with an engagement projection 41 formed on the side wall of the housing 4, thereby achieving relative fixation between the cover 8 and the housing 4.

[0021] Furthermore, the cross-section of the connecting portion 23 of the operating body 2 is formed in a non-circular shape that is substantially the same as the opening shape of the opening 81a. For example, in this embodiment, the cross-section of the connecting portion 23 and the opening shape of the opening 81a are substantially the same positive-direction shape (see Figure 6). Here, the non-circular shape may further include other polygonal shapes such as triangles, pentagons, and hexagons. With such a structure, it is possible to prevent the operating body 2 from rotating about the axis L.

[0022] Furthermore, when no pressure is applied to the operating body 2, the upper surface 22a of the guide portion 22 (see Figure 6) abuts vertically against the portion of the top surface 81 of the cover 8 located near the opening 81a, thereby defining the height of the portion of the operating body 2 exposed from the cover 8. In this way, when no pressure is applied to the operating body 2, the cover 8 restricts the upward movement and detachment of the operating body 2.

[0023] Figure 7 is a plan view of the driven member 3. As shown in Figure 7, the driven member 3 has two interlocking columns 32 that protrude from the side wall of the through hole 31 toward the center of the circle. In the assembled state, the interlocking columns 32 protrude toward the guide portion 22 that is inserted from the side wall of the through hole 31. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a part of the driven member 3. To make the shape of the interlocking columns 32 easier to see, a part of the driven member 3 is cut out in Figure 8 along a plane parallel to the axis L. As shown in Figure 8, the interlocking columns 32 are columnar bodies with a cross-section shaped like a running track, with the straight portion of the running track-like shape running vertically and the curved portion located on both the upper and lower sides.

[0024] Figure 9 is a front view of the driven member 3. As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the upper surface of the driven member 3 is provided with two first projections 36 that protrude upward. The two first projections 36 are positioned approximately symmetrically from the center in a plan view and each extends along the circumferential direction centered on the axis L. In addition, the outer surface of the driven member 3 is provided with four second projections 37 that protrude radially outward. The four second projections 37 are positioned approximately symmetrically from the center in a plan view and each extends along the vertical direction parallel to the axis L.

[0025] The first projection 36 is used to limit the oscillation of the driven member 3 housed in the housing 4 along its axis L, and reduces frictional resistance by reducing the contact area with the cover 8 during rotation. The second projection 37 is used to limit the oscillation of the driven member 3 in a plane perpendicular to its axis L, and reduces frictional resistance by reducing the contact area with the housing 4 during rotation.

[0026] During the pressing operation of the pressing switch device 1, when the operating body 2 moves up and down in the vertical direction, the guide portion 22 comes into contact with the interlocking column 32. This contact converts the pressing force in the vertical direction into a circumferential force around the axis L, causing the driven member 3 to rotate around the axis L and change the contact position of the movable contact 6 and the fixed contact 7.

[0027] Figure 10 is a front view of the operating body. As shown in Figure 10, the guide portion 22 includes a first cam 24 and a second cam 25 provided on the outer surface of the operating body 2 along the vertical direction. The first cam 24 has a plurality of upper teeth 241 arranged circumferentially on the side closer to the operating portion 21 (upper side in Figure 10) and projecting toward the fixed contact 7 side (lower side in Figure 10). The second cam 25 has a plurality of lower teeth 251 arranged circumferentially on the side closer to the fixed contact 7 (lower side in Figure 10) and projecting toward the operating portion 21 side (upper side in Figure 10). The plurality of upper teeth 241 and the plurality of lower teeth 251 face each other with corresponding concave and convex shapes, and a space S for housing the interlocking column 32 is formed between the plurality of upper teeth 241 and the plurality of lower teeth 251.

[0028] As shown in Figure 10, each upper tooth 241 has a first side 241a extending substantially along the vertical direction and a second side 241b extending along a second direction intersecting the vertical direction. Each lower tooth 251 has a third side 251a extending substantially along the vertical direction and a fourth side 251b extending along a third direction intersecting the vertical direction and the second direction.

[0029] Furthermore, the extension direction of the first side 241a and the extension direction of the third side 251a are not limited to being substantially aligned with the vertical direction. If the vertical spacing between the upper teeth 241 and the lower teeth 251, the horizontal spacing, and the width dimension of the interlocking column 32 change, the angle of the angle between the extension direction of the first side 241a and the vertical direction changes, and the angle of the angle between the extension direction of the third side 251a and the vertical direction also changes.

[0030] The upper tooth root portion 241c, formed by the upper ends of the first side 241a and the adjacent second side 241b of the upper tooth, faces the portion of the fourth side 251b closest to the upper tooth 241 in the vertical direction, and the lower tooth root portion 251c, formed by the lower ends of the third side 251a and the adjacent fourth side 251b of the lower tooth 251, faces the portion of the second side 241b closest to the lower tooth 251 in the vertical direction.

[0031] Furthermore, the multiple lower tooth root portions 251c of the second cam 25 include a first lower tooth root portion 251c1 having an opening k between the third side 251a and the fourth side 251b, and a second lower tooth root portion 251c2 formed by connecting the third side 251a and the fourth side 251b, with the first lower tooth root portion 251c1 and the second lower tooth root portion 251c2 being arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0032] The opening k of the first lower tooth root portion 251c1 is provided with a width that allows the interlocking column 32 to pass through the opening k in the vertical direction (see Figure 14). The first lower tooth root portion 251c1 functions as an entry point for inserting the interlocking column 32 between the upper tooth 241 and the lower tooth 251 during the assembly process.

[0033] Furthermore, the outer surfaces of the first cam 24 and the second cam 25 are provided with eight third projections 26 that protrude radially outward. Four of these third projections 26 are provided on the outer surface of the upper tooth 241, and four third projections 26 are provided on the outer surface of the lower tooth 251. The multiple third projections 26 are provided substantially uniformly along the circumferential direction in a plan view, and each extends along a direction parallel to the axis L.

[0034] The third projection 26 is used to limit the oscillation of the operating body 2 in a plane perpendicular to the axis L, and reduces frictional resistance by reducing the contact area with the driven member 3 during rotation.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the driven member 3 is divided into an upper part 33 close to the operating part 21 and a lower part 34 to which the movable contact 6 is fixed. The outer diameter of the upper part 33 is larger than the outer diameter of the lower part 34, and an annular stepped surface 35 with a dimensional difference is formed between the outer wall of the upper part 33 and the outer wall of the lower part 34.

[0036] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the housing 4. Figure 12 is a plan view of the housing 4. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the inner wall of the housing 4 has a stopper surface 42 that faces the stepped surface 35 of the driven member 3, and this stopper surface 42 is used to restrict the driven member 3 from moving toward the bottom side of the housing 4. This restricts the downward movement of the driven member 3 with a simple structure.

[0037] The pressing operation process of the pressing switch device 1 will be described below.

[0038] Figure 1 shows the first state of the push switch device 1 when no pressing operation is performed on the operating body 2. Figure 13 shows the relative positional relationship between the operating body 2 and the driven member 3 in the first state. Figure 14 is a bottom view of the operating body and the driven member in the first state. For ease of explanation, only the operating body 2 and the driven member 3 are shown in Figures 13 and 14, and the driven member 3 in Figure 13 is transparent.

[0039] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, in the first state, the interlocking column 32 is located at the opening k of the first lower tooth root portion 251c1.

[0040] When the operating body 2 is pressed, it moves downward, and the distance between the second side 241b and the interlocking column 32 gradually decreases until they finally make contact. After contact, as the operating body 2 continues to move downward, the pressing force along the vertical direction is converted into a circumferential force that moves the driven member 3 around the axis L, and the driven member 3 begins to rotate along the circumferential direction in a clockwise direction in plan view.

[0041] When the bottom surface 2a of the operating body 2 (see Figure 10) contacts the bottom protruding ring 43 of the housing 4 (see Figure 12), the push switch device 1 changes to the second state (limit pressing state), and the rotation of the driven member 3 stops. Figure 15 is a front view of the push switch device 1 in the second state. Figure 16 is a diagram showing the relative positional relationship between the operating body 2 and the driven member 3 in the second state.

[0042] In the second state, the application of pressing force to the operating body 2 is stopped, and based on the restoring force of the return spring 5, the operating body 2 moves upward, and the distance between the fourth side 251b and the interlocking column 32 gradually decreases until they make contact. After contact, as the operating body 2 continues to move upward, the restoring force provided by the return spring 5 along the vertical direction is converted into a circumferential force that moves the driven member 3 around the axis L, and the driven member 3 begins to rotate again along the circumferential direction clockwise in a plan view. When the interlocking column 32 is positioned at the second lower tooth root 251c2 adjacent to the first lower tooth root 251c1 along the rotation direction of the driven member 3, the press switch device 1 changes to the third state (locked state), and the rotation of the driven member 3 stops. Figure 17 is a front view of the press switch device 1 in the third state. Figure 18 is a diagram showing the relative positional relationship between the operating body 2 and the driven member 3 in the third state.

[0043] In the third state, when the operating body 2 is pressed, the operating body 2 moves downward, and the distance between the second side 241b and the interlocking column 32 gradually decreases until they finally make contact. When the bottom surface 2a of the operating body 2 contacts the bottom protruding ring 43 of the housing 4 (see Figure 12), the push switch device 1 changes to the second state, and the rotation of the driven member 3 stops.

[0044] Next, in the second state, the application of pressing force to the operating body 2 is stopped, and based on the restoring force of the return spring 5, the operating body 2 moves upward, and the distance between the fourth side 251b and the interlocking column 32 gradually decreases until they finally make contact. After contact, as the operating body 2 continues to move upward, the restoring force provided by the return spring 5 along the vertical direction is converted into a circumferential force that moves the driven member 3 about the axis L, and the driven member 3 begins to rotate again along the circumferential direction clockwise in a plan view. When the interlocking column 32 is positioned at the first lower tooth root 251c1 adjacent to the second lower tooth root 251c2 in the third state along the rotation direction of the driven member 3, the pressing switch device 1 changes to the first state, and the rotation of the driven member 3 stops.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 17, the height of the operating body 2 in the first state is slightly higher than the height of the operating body 2 in the third state. In other words, the portion of the connection part 23 exposed from the cover 8 in the first state is greater than the portion exposed from the cover 8 of the connection part 23 in the second state. This is because, when the interlocking column 32 is located at the second lower tooth root portion 251c2 in the third state, the contact between the interlocking column 32 and the second lower tooth root portion 251c2 restricts the upward movement of the operating body 2. In contrast, when the interlocking column 32 is located at the first lower tooth root portion 251c1 in the first state, the interlocking column 32 is located within the opening k of the second lower tooth root portion 251c2, and in this case, the upward movement of the operating body 2 is not restricted. Since the height of the operating body 2 in the first state is different from the height of the operating body 2 in the third state, various operating states of the push switch device 1 can be identified based on the height of the operating body 2.

[0046] The various operating states of the push switch device 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 19 to 22. Figure 19 is a front view showing the relative positions of the movable contact 6 and the fixed contact 7 in the first state. Figure 20 is a plan view showing the relative positions of the movable contact 6 and the fixed contact 7 in the first state. Figure 21 is a front view showing the relative positions of the movable contact 6 and the fixed contact 7 in the third state. Figure 22 is a plan view showing the relative positions of the movable contact 6 and the fixed contact 7 in the third state. For the sake of explanation, only the movable contact 6 and the fixed contact 7 are shown in Figures 19 to 22, and other components are omitted.

[0047] As shown in Figures 19 and 20, in the first state, the first contact portion 61 contacts the second fixed contact 72 of the fixed contact 7, and the second contact portion 62 contacts the third fixed contact 73 of the fixed contact 7. Figures 19 and 20 show only one example in the first state where the first contact portion 61 and the second contact portion 62 contact the fixed contact 7. As the driven member 3 rotates continuously, the first contact portion 61 may also contact other parts of the second fixed contact 72, in which case the second contact portion 62 will contact the third fixed contact 73 of the fixed contact 7. Furthermore, as the driven member 3 rotates continuously, the first contact portion 61 may also contact the third fixed contact 73, in which case the second contact portion 62 will contact the second fixed contact 72 of the fixed contact 7. In other words, in the first state, it is sufficient that the second fixed contact 72 and the third fixed contact 73 of the fixed contact 7 are electrically connected via the movable contact 6.

[0048] As shown in Figures 21 and 22, in the third state, the first contact portion 61 contacts the first fixed contact 71 of the fixed contact 7, and the second contact portion 62 contacts the third fixed contact 73 of the fixed contact 7. Furthermore, Figures 21 and 22 only show one example where the first contact portion 61 and the second contact portion 62 contact the fixed contact 7 in the third state. As the driven member 3 rotates continuously, the first contact portion 61 may also contact other parts of the first fixed contact 71, in which case the second contact portion 62 contacts the third fixed contact 73 of the fixed contact 7. Also, as the driven member 3 rotates continuously, the first contact portion 61 may also contact the third fixed contact 73, in which case the second contact portion 62 contacts the first fixed contact 71 of the fixed contact 7. In other words, in the third state, it is sufficient that the first fixed contact 71 and the third fixed contact 73 of the fixed contact 7 are electrically connected via the movable contact 6.

[0049] The technical effects of the push switch device 1 of the present invention will be described below.

[0050] The push switch device 1 of the present invention can achieve continuous pressing and rotating operation simply by driving the interlocking column 32 of the driven member 3 with the guide portion 22 of the operating body 2. Compared to conventional push switch devices, the number of components is significantly reduced, the structure of the operating body 2 and the driven member 3 is simpler, and the production cost of the components is lower. In addition, the number of assembly steps is reduced, improving the work efficiency of assembling the push switch device 1.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-described press switch device 1, the interlocking column 32 is provided between the multiple upper teeth 241 of the first cam 24 and the multiple lower teeth 251 of the second cam. When a pressing force is applied, the upper teeth 241 rotate the driven member 3 based on the pressing force, and when no pressing force is applied, the lower teeth 251 rotate the driven member 3 based on the restoring force of the return spring 5. In the present invention, both the first cam 24 and the second cam 25 for rotating the driven member 3 are provided on the operating body 2. Compared to the case where the first cam and the second cam are provided on different members, tolerances due to assembly can be avoided, and the accuracy of the relative position between the first cam 24 and the second cam 25 can be guaranteed, which is advantageous for realizing a more stable and smooth pressing operation.

[0052] Since the upper tooth root portion 241c faces the portion of the fourth side 251b that is close to the upper tooth 241, and the lower tooth root portion 251c faces the portion of the second side 241b that is close to the lower tooth 251, continuous rotation of the driven member 3 can be achieved as the operating body 2 descends and rises.

[0053] (Other variations) The above embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can add, delete, or modify components, or combine the features of each embodiment as appropriate, but as long as they adhere to the technical concept of the present invention, all such modifications fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0054] For example, in the above embodiment, the cross-section of the connecting portion 23 of the operating body 2 located in the opening 81a is formed in a non-circular shape that is substantially the same as the opening shape of the opening 81a, but is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to make both the cross-section of the connecting portion 23 of the operating body 2 and the opening shape of the opening 81a circular, and to provide the connecting portion 23 and the opening 81a with a specific shape that can engage with each other, and even in this case, it is possible to prevent the operating body 2 from rotating about the axis L. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1. Press switch device 2 Operating Body 2a Bottom 21 Control section 22 Guide section 22a Top side 23 Connection part 24 First Cam 241 Upper teeth 241a First side 241b Second side 241c Upper tooth base 25 Second Cam 251 Lower teeth 251a Third side 251b Fourth side 251c Lower tooth base 251c1 1st lower tooth base 251c2 2nd lower tooth base 26 Third protrusion 3. Driven member 31 Through hole 32 Interlocking poles 33 Top 34 Lower part 35 Step surface 36 1st protrusion 37 Second protrusion 4 Housing 41 Engagement protrusion 42 Stopper surface 43 Bottom protruding ring 5. Return spring 6 Movable contacts 61 1st contact part 62 2nd contact part 7 Fixed contacts 71 1st fixed contact 71a 1st external terminal 72 2nd fixed contact 72a 2nd external terminal 73 3rd fixed contact 73a 3rd external terminal 73b 4th external terminal 8 Covers 81 Top surface 81a Opening 82 Side wall 82a Engagement opening L axis S space

Claims

1. A push switch device, An operating body having an operating section that can be pressed, and which can move up and down along a first direction when pressed, A driven member having a through hole into which a part of the operating body is inserted, and which is rotatable about an axis parallel to the first direction when the operating body moves up and down, A housing that houses the driven member and a part of the operating body inside, A return spring is provided between the housing and the operating body, and provides the operating body with a restoring force in the opposite direction to the pressing operation. A movable contact provided at the bottom of the driven member, The housing includes a fixed contact provided therein and facing the movable contact, The driven member has an interlocking column that protrudes from the side wall of the through hole toward a part of the operating body, the operating body has a guide portion, and when the operating body moves up and down along the first direction, the guide portion comes into contact with the interlocking column, and this contact converts the pressing force along the first direction into a force in the circumferential direction about the axis, causing the driven member to rotate about the axis and changing the contact position between the movable contact and the fixed contact, characterized in that the push switch device is such that the driven member has an interlocking column that protrudes toward a part of the operating body toward a part of the operating body, and the operating body has a guide portion, and when the operating body moves up and down along the first direction, the guide portion comes into contact with the interlocking column, and this contact converts the pressing force along the first direction into a force in the circumferential direction about the axis, causing the driven member to rotate about the axis and changing the contact position between the movable contact and the fixed contact.

2. The push switch device according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion includes a first cam and a second cam provided on the outer surface of the operating body along the first direction, the first cam has a plurality of upper teeth arranged along the circumferential direction and protruding toward the fixed contact side, the second cam has a plurality of lower teeth arranged along the circumferential direction and protruding toward the operating portion side, the plurality of upper teeth and the plurality of lower teeth face each other so that their concave and concave shapes correspond to each other, and a space for housing the interlocking column is formed between the plurality of upper teeth and the plurality of lower teeth.

3. Each of the upper teeth has a first side extending along the first direction and a second side extending along the second direction intersecting the first direction, and each of the lower teeth has a third side extending along the first direction and a fourth side extending along the third direction intersecting the first and second directions. The pressure switch device according to claim 2, characterized in that the upper tooth base portion, formed by the ends of the first and second sides that are away from the lower teeth, faces the portion of the fourth side that is close to the upper teeth along the first direction, and the lower tooth base portion, formed by the ends of the third and fourth sides that are away from the upper teeth, faces the portion of the second side that is close to the lower teeth along the first direction.

4. The plurality of lower tooth root portions of the second cam include a first lower tooth root portion having an opening between the third side and the fourth side, and a second lower tooth root portion formed by connecting the third side and the fourth side, and the first lower tooth root portion and the second lower tooth root portion are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. The push switch device according to claim 3, characterized in that the opening in the first lower tooth base portion is provided with a width that allows the interlocking column to pass through the opening along the first direction.

5. In the first state, when no pressing operation is performed on the operating body, the interlocking column is located at the base of the first lower tooth. When the operating body is pressed, the operating body moves downward so that its second side contacts the interlocking column and its bottom surface contacts the housing, the push switch device changes to a second state. In the second state, based on the restoring force of the return spring, the operating body moves upward so that the fourth side contacts the interlocking column, and when the interlocking column is positioned adjacent to the second lower tooth root along the rotational direction of the driven member, the press switch device changes to the third state. In the third state, when the operating body is pressed, the operating body moves downward so that its second side contacts the interlocking column, and when the bottom surface of the operating body contacts the housing, the press switch device changes to the second state. In the second state, based on the restoring force of the return spring, the operating body moves upward so that the fourth side contacts the interlocking column, and when the interlocking column is positioned adjacent to the first lower tooth root along the rotational direction of the driven member, the press switch device changes to the first state. The push switch device according to claim 4, characterized in that the height of the operating body in the first state is higher than the height of the operating body in the third state.

6. Furthermore, the push switch device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover covering the outside of the housing, wherein an opening is provided on the top surface of the cover, the other portion of the operating body not inserted into the through hole is exposed through the opening, and when no pressure is applied to the operating body, the opening defines the height of the portion of the operating body exposed from the cover.

7. The push switch device according to claim 6, characterized in that the opening shape of the opening and the cross-section of the portion of the operating body located in the opening are formed to be substantially the same non-circular shape.

8. The driven member is divided into an upper part close to the operating part and a lower part to which the movable contact is fixed, the outer diameter of the upper part is larger than the outer diameter of the lower part, and a stepped surface with a dimensional difference is formed between the outer wall of the upper part and the outer wall of the lower part. The push switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner wall of the housing has a stopper surface facing the stepped surface, and the stopper surface is used to restrict the movement of the driven member toward the bottom side of the housing.

9. One or more first protrusions are provided on the top surface of the driven member that faces the cover. The push switch device according to claim 8, characterized in that one or more second protrusions are provided on the outer surface of the upper part of the driven member that faces the housing.

10. The press switch device according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer surfaces of the first cam and the second cam are provided with a plurality of third protrusions that project toward the driven member side.

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