switch

Abstract

To provide a switch with less fear of causing damage to a contact spring when an excessive depressing force is applied.SOLUTION: A switch 1 comprises: a base: a dumper spring arranged on a front surface of the base; a base plate supported by the dumper spring; a support base having a first fixing contact point that is arranged at a center of the front surface of the base plate and a second fixing contact point that is arranged on an outer side of the first fixing contact point on the front surface of the base plate; a contact part that comes into contact with the second fixing contact point; a contact spring that has an expansion part that is expanded in a direction opposite to the front surface of the base plate and is arranged so as to come into contact with the first fixing contact point; and a plunger that has a depression plate that is arranged above the contact spring and a projection part that is arranged on a lower surface of the depression plate and depresses the contact spring. The dumper spring is deformed in accordance with the depression of the plunger and moves the support base to the direction of the base.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Various techniques are known for preventing damage to a switch caused by a pressing force applied in response to a pressing operation by an operator. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a switch that presses a switch mechanism including a rubber dome via a flexible pressing protrusion formed on a cover member and a driving member rotatably connected to a case. In the switch described in Patent Document 1, the switch mechanism is pressed via two members, the pressing protrusion and the driving member, so that the switch mechanism can be prevented from being damaged by an excessive pressing force. In addition, in the switch described in Patent Document 1, the pressing position of the pressing protrusion in the vertical direction and the pressing position of the driving member in the vertical direction are different, so that the pressing force applied to the switch mechanism can be suppressed and excessive pressing force can be prevented from being applied to the switch mechanism.

[0003] Patent Document 2 also describes a switch that is surrounded by a metallic rear cover member having a base that covers the rear side of the case and arms that extend forward from both ends of the base, and a metallic front cover member that covers the front of the case. The switch described in Patent Document 2 has improved strength against pressure from the front by surrounding the case with the metallic cover member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-130277 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-88448 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the switch described in Patent Document 1, the switch mechanism is pressed down via two members, a pressing protrusion and a drive member, so the stroke length when pressed is long and the load of the pressing protrusion and the drive member may reduce the clicking sensation. Also, the switch described in Patent Document 1 has a pressing protrusion that extends in the pressing direction, and has two members, a pressing protrusion that presses down the switch mechanism and a drive member, so it is not easy to reduce the size.

[0006] Furthermore, in the switch described in Patent Document 2, the case is surrounded by a cover member, so damage to the cover can be prevented. However, the movable contact, which is a contact spring, is subjected to a direct depression force via the operating member, so there is a risk of damage when excessive depression force is applied to the operating member.

[0007] The present invention is devised to solve such problems, and has an object to provide a switch in which the contact spring is less likely to be damaged when an excessive pressing force is applied. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The switch of the present invention comprises a base, a damper spring arranged on the surface of the base, a support base supported by the damper spring, a base having a first fixed contact arranged in the center of the surface of the base, and a second fixed contact arranged outside the first fixed contact on the surface of the base, a contact spring having a contact portion contacting the second fixed contact and a bulge portion bulging in the opposite direction to the surface of the base and arranged to contact the first fixed contact, a press plate arranged above the contact spring, and a plunger arranged on the underside of the press plate and having a protrusion portion that presses the contact spring through a cover sheet, and the damper spring deforms in response to the plunger being pressed, moving the support base toward the base.

[0009] Furthermore, in the switch of the present invention, it is preferable that the base further has a pair of standing portions that stand up along the sides of the support base from both ends in the short direction, the push plate is arranged to cover the pair of standing portions, and the push plate is separated from the pair of standing portions until the top surface of the plunger is pressed down and the contact spring comes into contact with the first fixed contact, and after the contact spring comes into contact with the first fixed contact, the push plate comes into contact with the pair of standing portions.

[0010] Furthermore, in the switch of the present invention, it is preferable that the base and the damper spring are formed from a conductive material, and the support base further has insulating first and second legs arranged on the outside of the damper spring, a first electrode arranged at the lower end of the first leg and electrically connected to the first fixed contact, a second electrode arranged at the lower end of the second leg and electrically connected to the second fixed contact, a first connection portion arranged inside the first leg and connecting the first fixed contact and the first electrode, and a second connection portion arranged inside the second leg and connecting the second fixed contact and the second electrode.

[0011] Furthermore, the switch according to the present invention preferably has a push-down portion that is pressed by a pusher, an elastic portion that holds the push-down portion movably in the direction of the plunger in response to a pressing force applied by the pusher to press the push-down portion, a third electrode electrically connected to the push-down portion, and a fourth electrode electrically connected to the push-down portion, and further has a conductive input spring supported by a support base.

[0012] Furthermore, in the switch of the present invention, it is preferable that the support base further has insulating third and fourth legs arranged outside the damper spring and having a third electrode and a fourth electrode arranged at their respective lower ends, and the input spring further has a third connection portion arranged to penetrate the third leg and connects the push-down portion and elastic portion to the third electrode, and a fourth connection portion arranged to penetrate the fourth leg and connects the push-down portion and elastic portion to the fourth electrode.

[0013] Furthermore, in the switch according to the present invention, it is preferable that the input spring further includes a first support portion arranged on an upper surface of the first leg, and a second support portion arranged on an upper surface of the second leg.

[0014] Furthermore, in the switch of the present invention, it is preferable that the damper spring has a pair of bases arranged in contact with the surface of the base, a top arranged between the pair of bases and spaced apart from the surface of the base, and a pair of inclined portions connecting the pair of bases and the top, and that the damper spring is supported by the tops.

[0015] Furthermore, in the switch of the present invention, it is preferable that a pair of fastening holes into which a fastening member can be inserted is formed near both ends of the base, one of the pair of bases is formed with a fastening hole into which a fastening member can be inserted at a position corresponding to one of the pair of fastening holes, and the other of the pair of bases is formed with a notch at a position corresponding to the other of the pair of fastening holes.

[0016] Furthermore, the switch according to the present invention preferably further comprises a cover sheet that covers the first fixed contact, the second fixed contact and the contact spring. Effect of the Invention

[0017] The switch according to the present invention can reduce the risk of the contact spring being damaged when an excessive pressing force is applied. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a perspective view (part 1) of a switch according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view (part 2) of the switch shown in FIG. [Diagram 2] 1(a) is an exploded perspective view (part 1) of the switch shown in FIG. 1(a), and FIG. 1(b) is an exploded perspective view (part 2) of the switch shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 1(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. 1(a). [Figure 4] 1(a) is an oblique view of the base shown in FIG. 1(a), (b) is a front view of the base shown in FIG. 1(a), (c) is a plan view of the base shown in FIG. 1(a), and (d) is a side view of the base shown in FIG. 1(a). [Diagram 5] 1(a) is a perspective view of the damper spring shown in FIG. 1(a), (b) is a plan view of the damper spring shown in FIG. 1(a), and (c) is a side view of the damper spring shown in FIG. 1(a). [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lead frame shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 1(a) is a plan view of the lead frame shown in FIG. 1(a), (b) is a bottom view of the lead frame shown in FIG. 1(a), (c) is a front view of the lead frame shown in FIG. 1(a), and (d) is a side view of the lead frame shown in FIG. 1(a). [Figure 8] 7(b) is a perspective view of a pair of leads included in the lead frame shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first contact spring shown in FIG. [Figure 10] 1(a) is a perspective view of the plunger shown in FIG. 1(a), (b) is a plan view of the plunger shown in FIG. 1(a), (c) is a bottom view of the plunger shown in FIG. 1(a), and (d) is a side view of the plunger shown in FIG. 1(a). [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the input spring shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 1(a) shows the operation of the switch when the depressing portion of the input spring shown in FIG. 1(a) is pressed, (a) shows the state before the depressing portion of the input spring is pressed, (b) shows the state when the contact spring has performed the reversing operation, and (c) shows the state when the bottom surface of the plunger contacts the top end of the upright portion of the base. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, a switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0020] (Configuration and Function of Switch According to the Embodiment) Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view (part 1) of a switch according to an embodiment, and Fig. 1(b) is a perspective view (part 2) of the switch shown in Fig. 1(a). Fig. 2(a) is an exploded perspective view (part 1) of the switch shown in Fig. 1(a), and Fig. 2(b) is an exploded perspective view (part 2) of the switch shown in Fig. 1(a). Fig. 3(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in Fig. 1(a), and Fig. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in Fig. 1(a).

[0021] The switch 1 has a base 10, a damper spring 20, a lead frame 30, a contact spring 40, a cover sheet 50, a plunger 60, and an input spring 70, and is turned on in response to the input spring 70 being pressed by a pusher. The switch 1 also acquires a bio-information signal indicating bio-information such as the heart rate of an operator operating the switch 1 via the input spring 70, and outputs the acquired bio-information signal. The switch 1 is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board (Flexible Printed Circuits, FPC), and outputs a conduction signal indicating that the switch is on, and the bio-information signal to the FPC.

[0022] 4(a) is a perspective view of the base 10, FIG. 4(b) is a front view of the base 10, FIG. 4(c) is a plan view of the base 10, and FIG.

[0023] The base 10 has a base base portion 11, a first fastening portion 12, a second fastening portion 13, a first upright portion 14, and a second upright portion 15. The base 10 is formed by punching and bending a steel material such as a cold-rolled steel plate (Steel Plate Cold Commercial, SPCC) using a press die or the like. In addition, carburizing and quenching may be performed to increase hardness.

[0024] The base portion 11 has a substantially rectangular planar shape, with a first fastening portion 12 and a second fastening portion 13 disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and a first upright portion 14 and a second upright portion 15 disposed at both ends in the lateral direction. The first fastening portion 12 and the second fastening portion 13 have a square planar shape, and are disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base 10. The first fastening portion 12 and the second fastening portion 13 each have a first fastening hole 16 and a second fastening hole 17 formed in the center, which are a pair of fastening holes into which fastening members such as screws can be inserted.

[0025] Each of the first standing portion 14 and the second standing portion 15 has a substantially rectangular shape and is a pair of standing portions that stand from the center of both ends of the base 10 in the short direction along the side of the lead frame 30. The upper ends of the first standing portion 14 and the second standing portion 15 are disposed below the lower surface of the plunger 60 and spaced apart from the lower surface of the plunger 60. The first standing portion 14 and the second standing portion 15 stop the movement of the plunger 60 toward the base 10, i.e., downward, by contacting the lower surface of the plunger 60 that moves toward the base 10 in response to the operator's pressing.

[0026] 5(a) is a perspective view of the damper spring 20, FIG. 5(b) is a plan view of the damper spring 20, and FIG. 5(c) is a side view of the damper spring 20. As shown in FIG.

[0027] The damper spring 20 is formed from a conductive plate material such as stainless steel (Steel Use Stainless, SUS), and has a first damper base 21, a second damper base 22, a damper top 23, a first inclined portion 24, and a second inclined portion 25. The damper spring 20 is disposed on the surface of the base 10 and supports the lead frame 30. The damper spring 20 deforms in response to application of an excessive pressing force of 50 N or more, and moves the lead frame 30 toward the base 10.

[0028] The first damper base 21 and the second damper base 22 are a pair of bases arranged to be in contact with the surface of the base 10. The first damper base 21 has a square planar shape having the same area as the surface area of ​​the first fastening portion 12, and a third fastening hole 26 into which a fastening member to be inserted into the first fastening hole 16 can be inserted is formed. The first damper base 21 is arranged overlapping the first fastening portion 12 so that its back surface faces the surface of the first fastening portion 12, and is fixed to the first fastening portion 12 by laser welding or the like. The second damper base 22 has a square planar shape having approximately the same area as the surface area of ​​the second fastening portion 13. The second damper base 22 has a U-shaped notch 27 formed from the outer side of the second damper base 22 toward the inner side of the second damper base 22. The notch 27 is arranged at a position corresponding to the second fastening hole 17 formed in the second fastening portion 13, and can operate when an overload is applied. The first damper base 21 is fixed to the first fastening portion 12, but when the plate thickness of the damper spring 20 is thin, the second damper base 22 may be fixed to the second fastening portion 13 by laser welding or the like in addition to the first damper base 21. When fastening members such as pins are inserted into the first fastening hole 16 and the third fastening hole 26 for fastening, the first damper base 21 does not have to be fixed to the first fastening portion 12.

[0029] The damper top portion 23 has a rectangular planar shape, and is disposed in the center of the damper spring 20 at a distance from the surface of the base 10. The damper top portion 23 is formed with a first engagement hole 28 and a second engagement hole 29 arranged in the short direction of the damper spring 20. The first engagement hole 28 and the second engagement hole 29 are engaged with the bottom surface of the lead frame 30.

[0030] The first inclined portion 24 and the second inclined portion 25 are a pair of inclined portions that connect the first damper base 21 and the second damper base 22, respectively, to the damper top 23. One end of the first inclined portion 24 is connected to the first damper base 21, and the other end of the first inclined portion 24 is connected to the damper top 23, and the first inclined portion 24 extends from the first damper base 21 toward the damper top 23 while inclining upward. One end of the second inclined portion 25 is connected to the second damper base 22, and the other end of the second inclined portion 25 is connected to the damper top 23, and the second inclined portion 25 extends from the second damper base 22 toward the damper top 23 while inclining upward.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of lead frame 30, Fig. 7(a) is a plan view of lead frame 30, Fig. 7(b) is a bottom view of lead frame 30, Fig. 7(c) is a front view of lead frame 30, and Fig. 7(d) is a side view of lead frame 30. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a pair of leads included in lead frame 30.

[0032] The lead frame 30 has a first fixed contact 31, a second fixed contact 32, a base 33, a first leg 34a, a second leg 34b, a third leg 34c, a fourth leg 34d, a first holding portion 35a, a second holding portion 35b, a first electrode 36, and a second electrode 37. The lead frame 30 is formed by integrally molding a first lead 38 and a second lead 39 into an engineering plastic such as high heat resistant polyamide by insert molding.

[0033] The first fixed contact 31 and the second fixed contact 32 are disposed inside a cylindrical housing portion 33a formed in the center of the surface of the base 33. The first fixed contact 31 is disposed in the center of the housing portion 33a, and the second fixed contact 32 is disposed along the outer edge of the housing portion 33a.

[0034] The base 33 has a substantially rectangular planar shape, with an accommodating portion 33a for accommodating the contact spring 40 formed on the front surface, and a first protrusion 33b and a second protrusion 33c formed on the back surface. A first leg 34a, a second leg 34b, a third leg 34c, and a fourth leg 34d are disposed at the four corners of the base 33. The first protrusion 33b and the second protrusion 33c each have a cylindrical shape and are arranged in the short direction of the base 33. The first protrusion 33b and the second protrusion 33c are engaged with a first engagement hole 28 and a second engagement hole 29 formed in the damper top portion 23 of the damper spring 20, whereby the lead frame 30 is coupled to and supported by the damper spring 20.

[0035] The first leg 34a, the second leg 34b, the third leg 34c, and the fourth leg 34d are disposed at the four corners of the base 33 and extend in the vertical direction. A first connection portion 85 that connects the first fixed contact 31 and the first electrode 36 is disposed inside the first leg 34a, and a second connection portion 87 that connects the second fixed contact 32 and the second electrode 37 is disposed inside the second leg 34b. A first through hole 34e is formed in the third leg 34c, and a second through hole 34f is formed in the fourth leg 34d. A third connection portion of the input spring 70 is disposed to pass through the first through hole 34e, and a fourth connection portion of the input spring 70 is disposed to pass through the second through hole 34f.

[0036] The first holding portion 35a and the second holding portion 35b are disposed opposite to ends in the longitudinal direction of the surface of the base 33. A first recess 35c and a second recess 35d are formed inside the first holding portion 35a and the second holding portion 35b. An input spring 70 is disposed on the upper surfaces of the first holding portion 35a and the second holding portion 35b, and a plunger 60 is disposed between the first holding portion 35a and the second holding portion 35b. The first recess 35c and the second recess 35d engage with a protrusion formed on the side surface of the plunger 60, thereby preventing the plunger 60 from moving in the short-side direction of the switch 1 and falling off the lead frame 30.

[0037] The first electrode 36 is disposed on the lower surface of the first leg 34a and is electrically connected to the first fixed contact 31. The second electrode 37 is disposed on the lower surface of the second leg 34b and is electrically connected to the second fixed contact 32.

[0038] The first lead 38 has a first fixed contact 31, a first electrode 36, a first inspection electrode 81, a first arm portion 82, a second arm portion 83, a first lead base portion 84, and a first connection portion 85, and is enclosed inside the lead frame 30. The first lead 38 is formed by cutting and bending a conductive member such as phosphor bronze.

[0039] The first test electrode 81 is arranged so as to protrude from one side wall in the longitudinal direction of the lead frame 30, and a continuity test is performed between the first test electrode 81 and the first electrode 36 in an inspection process or the like during the manufacture of the switch 1. The first arm 82 connects between the first fixed contact 31 and the first lead base 84, and the second arm 83 connects between the first test electrode 81 and the first lead base 84. The first lead base 84 has a substantially rectangular planar shape and is enclosed in the base 33 of the lead frame 30 together with the first arm 82 and the second arm 83. The first connection portion 85 has one end connected to the first lead base 84 and the first electrode 36 disposed at the other end, and extends in the vertical direction. The first connection portion 85 is enclosed in the first leg portion 34a. The first connection portion 85 and the second connection portion 87 are arranged to sandwich the pressing portion of the input spring 70.

[0040] The second lead 39 has a second fixed contact 32, a second electrode 37, a second inspection electrode 86, and a second connection portion 87, and is enclosed inside the lead frame 30 together with the first lead 38. The second lead 39 is formed, like the first lead, by cutting and bending a conductive member such as phosphor bronze.

[0041] The second inspection electrode 86 is disposed on one side of the second fixed contact 32, a portion of which is enclosed in the base 33, so as to protrude from the other longitudinal side wall of the lead frame 30, and a continuity test is performed between the second inspection electrode 86 and the second electrode 37 in an inspection process or the like during manufacture of the switch 1. The second connection portion 87 has one end connected to the second fixed contact 32, has the second electrode 37 disposed on the other end, and extends in the vertical direction. The second connection portion 87 is enclosed in the second leg portion 34b.

[0042] The contact spring 40 includes a first contact spring 41, a second contact spring 42, and a third contact spring 43. The first contact spring 41, the second contact spring 42, and the third contact spring 43 are formed of a thin metal plate having spring properties and have the same shape. The first contact spring 41, the second contact spring 42, and the third contact spring 43 are arranged in an overlapping manner in the housing portion 33a of the lead frame 30.

[0043] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first contact spring 41. As shown in FIG.

[0044] The first contact spring 41 is formed of a conductive plate material such as SUS, and has an outer edge portion 44 and a bulging portion 45. The outer edge portion 44 has a ring-like planar shape, and is a contact portion that contacts the second fixed contact 32. The bulging portion 45 has a dome-like shape. The first contact spring 41 is arranged such that the bulging direction of the bulging portion 45 is opposite to the surface of the base 33, and the top portion 46 of the bulging portion 45 presses the first fixed contact 31 when the bulging portion 45 is inverted. The outer edge portion 44 is arranged over the entire outer edge of the bulging portion 45, but the outer edge portion 44 may have one or more notches formed therein.

[0045] When the top 46 is pressed down via the plunger 60 and a pressing force of about 3 N is applied, the bulge 45 reverses and the top 46 comes into contact with the first fixed contact 31. As the top 46 comes into contact with the first fixed contact 31, the first electrode 36 and the second electrode 37 are brought into a conductive state via the first fixed contact 31, the second fixed contact 32, and the contact spring 40, and the switch 1 is turned on.

[0046] When the pressing of the top 46 by the plunger 60 is finished, the bulge 45 performs a restoration operation and the top 46 moves away from the first fixed contact 31. As the top 46 moves away from the first fixed contact 31, the first electrode 36 and the second electrode 37 are disconnected, and the switch 1 is turned off.

[0047] The configuration and function of the second contact spring 42 and the third contact spring 43 are the same as the configuration and function of the first contact spring 41, so a detailed description will be omitted here. By arranging the second contact spring 42 and the third contact spring 43 in addition to the first contact spring 41 so as to overlap the first contact spring 41, the click feeling of the switch 1 is improved.

[0048] The cover sheet 50 is a sheet material made of a flexible synthetic resin such as polyimide, and is adhered to the entire surface of the base 33 including the housing portion 33a. By adhering the cover sheet 50 to the surface of the base 33, the first fixed contact 31, the second fixed contact 32, and the contact spring 40 housed in the housing portion 33a are covered with the cover sheet 50 and protected from the intrusion of moisture and foreign matter from the outside. The cover sheet 50 may be fixed by, for example, laser welding. In addition, the cover sheet 50 also has a function of electrically insulating the plunger 60 from the standing portion 14 and the standing portion 15 of the base 10 during an overload, and maintaining the electrical circuit of the biosignal input from the input spring 70 normally.

[0049] 10(a) is a perspective view of plunger 60, FIG. 10(b) is a plan view of plunger 60, FIG. 10(c) is a bottom view of plunger 60, and FIG. 10(d) is a side view of plunger 60. FIG.

[0050] The plunger 60 has a push-down plate 61, a first convex portion 62, a second convex portion 63, a first wall portion 64, a second wall portion 65, and a protrusion portion 66. The plunger 60 is formed by cutting a member formed by coining a steel material such as SPCC and then hardening it by carburizing and quenching.

[0051] The push-down plate 61 has a generally rectangular planar shape, with a first convex portion 62 and a second convex portion 63 arranged at both ends in the short direction at the center of the longitudinal direction, and a first wall portion 64 and a second wall portion 65 arranged above both ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0052] When the plunger 60 is placed on the base 33 of the lead frame 30, the first protrusion 62 and the second protrusion 63 engage with a first recess 35c and a second recess 35d formed inside the first holding portion 35a and the second holding portion 35b of the lead frame 30. The plunger 60 is prevented from falling off the lead frame 30 by the first protrusion 62 and the second protrusion 63 engaging with the first recess 35c and the second recess 35d.

[0053] A first receiving portion 67 and a second receiving portion 68 are formed on the inner side of the first wall portion 64 and the second wall portion 65. Each of the first receiving portion 67 and the second receiving portion 68 has an arc-shaped planar shape and is disposed so as to face the outer edge of the input spring 70.

[0054] The protrusion 66 has a semicircular shape and is disposed on the lower surface of the press plate 61. When the press plate 61 is pressed down via the input spring 70, the contact spring 40 presses the protrusion 66 via the cover sheet 50. Although the protrusion 66 has a semicircular shape, the protrusion 66 may have a flat tip.

[0055] The plunger 60 is disposed so that the pressing plate 61 covers the first standing portion 14 and the second standing portion 15 of the base 10. Specifically, the plunger 60 is disposed so that the longitudinal ends of the pressing plate 61 are located above the first standing portion 14 and the second standing portion 15.

[0056] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the input spring 70. As shown in FIG.

[0057] The input spring 70 has a pressing portion 71, a first elastic portion 72a, a second elastic portion 72b, a first branch portion 73a, a second branch portion 73b, a first support portion 74a, a second support portion 74b, a third connection portion 75, a fourth connection portion 76, a third electrode 77, and a fourth electrode 78. The input spring 70 is formed by subjecting a low-load conductive material such as phosphor bronze to punching, bending, and the like.

[0058] The push-down portion 71 has a circular planar shape, is disposed at the center of the input spring 70, and is pushed down by the pusher. The first elastic portion 72a extends from the outer edge of the push-down portion 71 to the first branch portion 73a while curving along the outer edge of the push-down portion 71. The second elastic portion 72b extends from a position opposite the outer edge of the push-down portion 71 to which the first elastic portion 72a is connected, while curving along the outer edge of the push-down portion 71 to the first branch portion 73a. The first elastic portion 72a and the second elastic portion 72b hold the push-down portion 71 movably in the direction of the push-down plate 61 of the plunger 60 in response to a pushing force applied by the pusher to push down the push-down portion 71.

[0059] The first branch 73a has a rectangular planar shape, and the first elastic part 72a is connected to the center of the inner side in the longitudinal direction. The second branch 73b has a rectangular planar shape similar to the first branch 73a, and the second elastic part 72b is connected to the center of the inner side in the longitudinal direction. The first support 74a is arranged so that one end is connected to one end in the longitudinal direction of the first branch 73a and the other end contacts the upper surface of the first leg 34a of the lead frame 30. The second support 74b is arranged so that one end is connected to one end in the longitudinal direction of the second branch 73b and the other end contacts the upper surface of the second leg 34b of the lead frame 30.

[0060] The third connection portion 75 has a thin plate shape extending in the vertical direction, one end is connected to the other end of the first support portion 74a, and the third electrode 77 is disposed at the other end. The fourth connection portion 76 has a thin plate shape extending in the vertical direction, one end is connected to the other end of the second support portion 74b, and the fourth electrode 78 is disposed at the other end. The third connection portion 75 and the fourth connection portion 76 are disposed with the pressing portion 71 in between.

[0061] The first elastic portion 72a, the first branch portion 73a, the first support portion 74a, and the third connection portion 75 are arranged in a point symmetrical manner with the second elastic portion 72b, the second branch portion 73b, the second support portion 74b, and the fourth connection portion 76, with the center point of the pressing portion 71 being the center of symmetry, when viewed in a plane.

[0062] When the body of an operator operating switch 1, such as a fingertip, comes into contact with the conductive pusher, input spring 70 outputs an electrical signal indicating the operator's biometric information, such as heart rate, from third electrode 77 and fourth electrode 78.

[0063] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the operation of the switch 1 when the depressing portion 71 of the input spring 70 is depressed. Fig. 12(a) shows a state before the depressing portion 71 of the input spring 70 is depressed, Fig. 12(b) shows a state in which the contact spring 40 has performed a reversal operation, and Fig. 12(c) shows a state in which the lower surface of the plunger 60 contacts the upper ends of the first upright portion 14 and the second upright portion 15 of the base 10. Each of Figs. 12(a) to 12(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 1(a).

[0064] A conductive pusher 100 that pushes down the push-down portion 71 of the input spring 70 is disposed above the switch 1. When an operator pushes down the pusher 100 with a finger or the like, the lower surface of the pusher 100 comes into contact with the push-down portion 71 of the input spring 70. When the pusher 100 comes into contact with the push-down portion 71 of the input spring 70, a bioinformation signal indicating the bioinformation of the operator is output from the third electrode 77 and the fourth electrode 78.

[0065] When the pusher 100 is further pressed down, the pusher portion 71 of the input spring 70 moves in the push-down direction indicated by the arrow C while being supported by the first elastic portion 72a and the second elastic portion 72b, and comes into contact with the push-down plate 61 of the plunger 60. When the pusher 100 is further pressed down after coming into contact with the push-down plate 61 of the plunger 60, the plunger 60 moves together with the pusher portion 71 of the input spring 70 from the initial position in the push-down direction.

[0066] When the plunger 60 moves in the pressing direction, the protrusion 66 of the plunger 60 presses the top 46 of the contact spring 40 via the cover sheet 50. In response to the protrusion 66 of the plunger 60 pressing the top of the contact spring 40, the bulge 45 of the contact spring 40 performs an inverted operation, and the top 46 of the first contact spring 41 comes into contact with the first fixed contact 31. When the top 46 of the first contact spring 41 comes into contact with the first fixed contact 31, electrical continuity is established between the first electrode 36 and the second electrode 37, and the switch 1 is turned on.

[0067] Furthermore, as the protrusion 66 of the plunger 60 presses down on the top of the contact spring 40, the damper top 23 of the damper spring 20 supporting the lead frame 30 having the housing portion 33a that houses the contact spring 40 moves in the pressing direction. As the damper top 23 of the damper spring 20 supporting the lead frame 30 moves in the pressing direction, the lead frame 30 moves in the pressing direction. When the switch 1 is turned on by a normal load such as 3N, the damper spring 20 bends and the lead frame 30 moves a distance of, for example, 9 μm.

[0068] When the pusher 100 is further pressed down, the lead frame 30 moves in the pressing direction in accordance with the movement of the damper top 23 of the damper spring 20 in response to the movement of the plunger 60 in the pressing direction. When the plunger 60 moves further in the pressing direction and the lower surface of the pressing plate 61 of the plunger 60 comes into contact with the upper ends of the first standing portion 14 and the second standing portion 15 of the base 10, the movement of the plunger 60 in the pressing direction stops. When the lower surface of the pressing plate 61 comes into contact with the upper ends of the first standing portion 14 and the second standing portion 15 due to an excessive load of, for example, 50 N, the damper spring 20 bends, causing the lead frame 30 to move a distance of, for example, 150 μm.

[0069] When the operator stops pressing the pusher 100, the pressing force applied via the pusher 100 and the pressing portion 71 of the input spring 70 becomes zero, and the damper top 23 of the damper spring 20 moves in the direction opposite to the pressing direction due to a restoring action. As the damper top 23 of the damper spring 20 moves, the lead frame 30 moves in the direction opposite to the pressing direction and returns to its initial position. In addition, the pressing force becomes zero, and the contact spring 40, which has been performing a reversing action, performs a restoring action, and the plunger 60 moves in the direction opposite to the pressing direction and returns to its initial position.

[0070] (Functions and Effects of the Switch According to the Embodiment) When the switch 1 is pressed with excessive pressing force, the lead frame 30 housing the contact spring 40 moves in the pressing direction, so there is little risk of the contact spring 40 being damaged by application of excessive pressing force.

[0071] Furthermore, in switch 1, when plunger 60 moves a predetermined distance in the pressing direction, the lower surface of plunger 60 comes into contact with the upper ends of first standing portion 14 and second standing portion 15 of base 10, and the movement of plunger 60 in the pressing direction stops. In switch 1, because first standing portion 14 and second standing portion 15 regulate the movement of plunger 60 in the pressing direction, it is possible to prevent the application of excessive pressing force to contact spring 40 without using a large spring as damper spring 20 to lengthen the movement distance of lead frame 30.

[0072] Furthermore, in the damper spring 20, the first upright portion 14 and the second upright portion 15 restrict the movement of the plunger 60 in the pressing direction, so there is no need to use a large spring as the damper spring 20 so as to have durability against a very large pressing force of, for example, 100 N or more. Since there is no need to use a large spring as the damper spring 20, the switch 1 can be made smaller.

[0073] In the switch 1, the first connection portion 85, the second connection portion 87, the third connection portion 75, and the fourth connection portion 76 are disposed inside the insulating first leg portion 34a to the fourth leg portion 34d, so that the distance between the base 10 and the damper spring 20, which are made of a conductive material, can be shortened. By shortening the distance between the first connection portion 85, the second connection portion 87, the third connection portion 75, and the fourth connection portion 76, and the base 10 and the damper spring 20, the switch 1 can be made smaller.

[0074] Furthermore, in the switch 1, the first support portion 74a and the second support portion 74b of the input spring 70 are arranged on the upper surfaces of the first leg portion 34a and the second leg portion 34b, within which the first connection portion 85 and the second connection portion 87 are arranged, thereby making it possible to reduce the horizontal area.

[0075] Furthermore, in switch 1, the third connection portion 75 and the fourth connection portion 76 are arranged on either side of the push-down portion 71 so as to be point-symmetric with respect to the center of the push-down portion 71, and therefore the electrical characteristics of the bioinformation signals output from each of the third electrode 77 and the fourth electrode 78 are the same.

[0076] (Modification of the Switch According to the Embodiment) Although the switch 1 has a single damper spring 20, the switch according to the embodiment may have two or more damper springs with different elastic forces arranged in a superimposed manner. For example, the switch according to the embodiment can suppress the propagation of vibrations generated by pressing the switch to the FPC by arranging a damper spring with a small elastic force superimposed above a damper spring with a large elastic force arranged on the surface of the base.

[0077] Furthermore, the switch according to the embodiment may have a conductive elastic member such as a spring below the first electrode 36, the second electrode 37, the third electrode 77, and the fourth electrode 78. By having a conductive elastic member below the first electrode 36, the second electrode 37, the third electrode 77, and the fourth electrode 78, the switch according to the embodiment can suppress the propagation of vibrations generated by pressing the switch to the FPC.

[0078] Furthermore, in the switch 1, the damper spring 20 is a leaf spring that supports the lead frame 30 with its top connected to its base via an inclined portion, but in the switch according to the embodiment, the damper spring may be another elastic body such as a coil spring or a disc spring.

[0079] In addition, in the switch 1, the contact spring 40 is accommodated in an accommodating portion 33a formed in the lead frame 30, but in the switch according to the embodiment, the accommodating member that accommodates the contact spring 40 may be formed of a substrate and a frame material.

[0080] Furthermore, the switch 1 has an input spring 70 for acquiring biometric information of the operator, but in the switch according to the embodiment, if biometric information of the operator is not acquired, the input spring 70 may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1 Switch 10 Base 20 Damper spring 30 Lead frame (support) 40 Contact spring 50 Cover Sheet 60 Plunger 70 Input spring

Claims

1. With the base, A damper spring disposed on a surface of the base; a support base including a base supported by the damper spring, a first fixed contact disposed at a center of a surface of the base, and a second fixed contact disposed outside the first fixed contact on the surface of the base; a contact spring having a contact portion that contacts the second fixed contact and a bulge portion that bulges in a direction opposite to the surface of the base, the contact spring being disposed so as to contact the first fixed contact; a pusher plate disposed above the contact spring, and a plunger disposed on a lower surface of the pusher plate and having a protrusion for pushing down the contact spring; The damper spring deforms in response to the plunger being pressed down, and moves the support base toward the base. A switch characterized by:

2. The base further includes a pair of upright portions extending from both ends in a short side direction along the side surfaces of the support base, The pressing plate is disposed so as to cover the pair of upright portions, The push-down plate is separated from the pair of upright portions while the upper surface of the plunger is pushed down and the contact spring comes into contact with the first fixed contact. The switch according to claim 1 , wherein the depression plate contacts the pair of upright portions after the contact spring contacts the first fixed contact.

3. the base and the damper spring are formed of a conductive material; The support base is an insulating first leg portion and an insulating second leg portion disposed on the outer side of the damper spring; a first electrode disposed at a lower end of the first leg and electrically connected to the first fixed contact; a second electrode disposed at a lower end of the second leg and electrically connected to the second fixed contact; a first connection portion disposed inside the first leg portion and connecting the first fixed contact and a first electrode; a second connection portion disposed inside the second leg portion and connecting the second fixed contact and a second electrode; 3. The switch of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. A pressing part that is pressed by a pressing member; an elastic portion that holds the depression portion so as to be movable toward the plunger in response to a pressing force applied by a pusher to press the depression portion; A third electrode electrically connected to the depression portion; a fourth electrode electrically connected to the depression portion, 4. The switch of claim 3, further comprising a conductive input spring supported by the support base.

5. the support base further includes an insulating third leg portion and an insulating fourth leg portion, the third leg portion and the fourth leg portion being disposed on the outer side of the damper spring and having the third electrode and the fourth electrode disposed on the lower end thereof, The input spring is a third connection portion that is disposed through the third leg portion and connects the push-down portion and the elastic portion to the third electrode; a fourth connection portion that is disposed through the fourth leg portion and connects the push-down portion and the elastic portion to the fourth electrode; The switch of claim 4 further comprising:

6. The switch according to claim 5 , wherein the input spring further includes a first support portion disposed on an upper surface of the first leg, and a second support portion disposed on an upper surface of the second leg.

7. The damper spring is A pair of base portions arranged in contact with a surface of the base; a top portion disposed between the pair of base portions and spaced apart from a surface of the base; a pair of inclined portions connecting the pair of base portions and the top portion; The switch of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the damper spring is supported on the top portion.

8. A pair of fastening holes into which fastening members can be inserted are formed near both ends of the base, one of the pair of base portions is formed with a fastening hole into which a fastening member can be inserted at a position corresponding to one of the pair of fastening holes; The switch according to claim 7 , wherein the other of the pair of base portions is formed with a notch at a position corresponding to the other of the pair of fastening holes.

9. The switch according to claim 1 , further comprising a cover sheet that covers the first fixed contact, the second fixed contact and the contact spring.

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