Actuator position variable micro leaf switch and combined operation switch

Abstract

To provide an active position variable micro-leaf switch which can adjust a contact position region between a movable contact point and a fixing contact point with an interval of a multi-steps, and provide a composite operation switch using the active position variable micro-leaf switch.SOLUTION: An active position variable micro-leaf switch comprises: a case; an operation button that is provided so as to allow a progressing and saving to the case; a movable contact piece that is connected to an external connection terminal provided to the case and is operated by the operation button having the movable contact point; and a fixing contact piece that is connected to the other external connection terminal provided to the case and is provided to the movable contact piece so as to be opposite. In the active position variable micro-leaf switch, by providing an adjustment member capable of adjusting an interval, a problem in a contact position region between the movable contact point and the fixing contact part is solved. Also, a problem in a composite operation switch is solved by using the active position variable micro-leaf switch constructed as mentioned above.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a variable operation position micro leaf switch (hereinafter also simply referred to as a micro leaf switch) suitable for use in a composite operation switch or the like used in various devices such as a video game machine, and a composite operation switch using this micro leaf switch.

Background Art

[0002] A composite operation switch, also called a joystick lever device, which is attached to the operation panel of various devices such as a home or business video game machine, has a plurality of micro Leaf switches arranged around the joystick lever. Such micro Leaf switches use known micro Leaf switches. By swinging the joystick lever (hereinafter also referred to as an operation lever), the operation button of the micro Leaf switch is directly or indirectly pressed and released via an operation piece, so that the movable contact piece provided on the movable contact piece inside the case body of the micro Leaf switch is brought into contact with and separated from the fixed contact piece member provided on the fixed contact piece, thereby turning the micro Leaf switch ON and OFF to play a video game or the like.

[0003] These micro Leaf switches do not have an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the contact position and interval between the movable contact portion provided on the movable contact piece and the fixed contact portion provided on the fixed contact piece, as described in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0005] Micro switches used for complex operation switches, etc. Leaf The ON / OFF operating positions of the switch are fixed, and the operating positions set by the combination switch (for example, the amount of tilt of the joystick or the amount of depression of a button) are fixed. Therefore, it was not possible to address the fact that users may find it difficult to operate depending on their preferences or operating habits. As a result, the enjoyment of control during gameplay is hindered, and in games that require competitive play such as e-sports, this can also be a factor that affects the outcome. Also, Micro Leaf Switches and other products have tolerances in their specifications, such as operating position, and there may be variation within the tolerance range. Leaf When multiple switches or the like are used, the operating positions of the switches and compound operation switches used may not be uniform, and this difference in operating positions can cause a problem in that it disrupts the feel of the game.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a microleaf switch that is configured so that the contact position or distance between the movable contact portion of the movable contact piece provided in the case of the microleaf switch and the fixed contact portion provided on the fixed contact piece can be adjusted. Another object of the present invention is to provide a microleaf switch that is highly durable and prevents noise generation by configuring the operation button of the microleaf switch so that the operation button does not come into contact with the movable contact piece and operate it when the operation button is pressed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, the micro leaf switch according to the present invention described in claim 1 includes a case, an operation button provided in the case so as to be able to advance and retreat, and a movable contact piece that is connected to an external connection terminal provided in the case and is operated by the operation button and has a movable contact portion. It also has a fixed contact piece provided opposite to the movable contact piece that is connected to another external connection terminal provided in the case and has a fixed contact portion. In this case, an adjustment member for adjusting the contact position or interval between the movable contact portion and the fixed contact portion is provided in the case. , the movable contact piece is engaged in a state of being deflection-charged with a movable contact piece charging protrusion of the operation button whose tip is slidably biased in one direction. It is characterized by this.

[0009] Furthermore, claim 2 The micro leaf switch described in is characterized in that the adjustment member is configured to rotate at a fixed position so that the contact position or interval between the movable contact portion and the fixed contact portion can be adjusted.

[0010] Furthermore, claim 3 The micro leaf switch described in is In a case having a case, an operation button provided in the case so as to be able to advance and retreat, a movable contact piece connected to an external connection terminal provided in the case and operated by the operation button having a movable contact portion, and also provided in the case. In a case having a fixed contact piece facing the movable contact piece connected to another external connection terminal and having a fixed contact portion, a adjusting member capable of adjusting a contact position or an interval between the movable contact portion and the fixed contact portion is provided in the case. characterized in that the adjustment member has a plurality of cam portions with different heights stepwise at the place where it abuts on the movable contact portion, and by rotating the adjustment member, the movable contact portion can be moved to adjust the contact position or interval with the fixed contact portion.

[0011] Furthermore, claim 4 The micro leaf switch described in is In a case having a case, an operation button provided in the case so as to be able to advance and retreat, a movable contact piece connected to an external connection terminal provided in the case and operated by the operation button having a movable contact portion, and also provided in the case. In a case having a fixed contact piece facing the movable contact piece connected to another external connection terminal and having a fixed contact portion, a adjusting member capable of adjusting a contact position or an interval between the movable contact portion and the fixed contact portion is provided in the case. characterized in that the adjustment member has its own rotation prevention portion at the place where it engages with the fixed contact piece.

[0012] Furthermore, claim 5 The micro leaf switch described in is characterized in that the rotation prevention portion is composed of a plurality of recesses that engage with the fixed contact piece.

[0013] Claim 6 The composite operation switch described in uses the above-described operation position variable micro leaf switch and is characterized by this.

[0014] And, in the case of claim 7 The combined operation switch described, has a case, an operation button provided in the case so as to be able to move forward and backward, a movable contact piece that is connected to an external connection terminal provided in the case and is operated by the operation button having a movable contact portion, and a fixed contact piece provided opposite to the movable contact piece that is connected to another external connection terminal provided in the case and has a fixed contact portion. In this case, an adjustment member for adjusting the contact position or interval between the movable contact portion and the fixed contact portion is provided in the case, and the adjustment member further has a rotation prevention portion of itself that engages with the fixed contact piece.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] When the present invention is configured as in claim 1, it is possible to provide a micro leaf switch capable of adjusting the contact position or interval between the movable contact portion and the fixed contact portion. Also, when the operation button is pressed, the force pressing the operation button is not applied to the movable contact piece and the contact point. Therefore, for example, even if an excessive force such as being struck is applied to the operation button, only the force of the deflection charge is applied to the movable contact piece, so that the durability of the contact point can be improved. Also, since it does not perform an operation (snap action mechanism) in which the movable spring reverses like a normal micro leaf switch, it is possible to prevent the generation of a clicking contact sound when the movable spring reverses and prevent the generation of noise.

[0017] Also, when the present invention is configured as in claim 2 , it is possible to prevent the adjustment member from rotating arbitrarily against vibrations and impacts applied to the micro leaf switch from the outside, compared to a configuration in which the adjustment member can be moved in the axial direction.

[0018] Also, when the present invention is configured as in claim 3 , it is possible to adjust the contact position or interval between the movable contact portion and the fixed contact portion over multiple steps.

[0019] Also, when the present invention is configured as in claim 4 , it is possible to prevent the adjustment member from rotating automatically.

[0020] Also, when the present invention is configured as in claim 5 , it is possible to stably maintain the rotational position during a predetermined rotation of the adjustment member.

[0021] Also, when the present invention is configured as claimed in 6 the claims, it is possible to finely correspond to the user's preferences and operating habits the operating positions for turning ON and OFF with the operation lever, improving the operability and enabling enjoyment of video games.

[0022] And, when the present invention is configured as claimed in 7 the claims, it is possible to prevent the self-rotation of the adjustment member and perform stable ON and OFF operations over a long period of time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

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Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a composite operation switch A in which a plurality of micro leaf switches 12 of the present invention are arranged, and is used for an operation panel of a business or household television game machine (not shown). FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1. The composite operation switch A is an example of the use of the micro leaf switch 12 and is not limited to the illustrated one. Further, the micro leaf switch 12 is also used for other various switch devices and applications for precise position detection such as initial position detection of an incremental encoder or a stepping motor in door opening / closing detection applications.

[0025] In FIGS. 1 to 2, the operation lever 11 of the composite operation switch A is composed of a rod 11a and a grip ball 11b attached to the upper end of the rod 11a. This operation lever 11 is attached to the base plate 16 via an axial bearing portion 11c so as to be swingable in a 360-degree direction starting from the directions indicated by arrows 11g and 11h, and is configured to automatically return to the self-standing position via a self-standing return mechanism B using a compression spring 11f.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the micro leaf switches 12, 12, 12, 12 attached to the circuit board 14 are sandwiched between the base plate 16 and a cam plate 17 attached to the base plate 16. This sandwiching is configured such that the locking portions 16b of the four locking members 16a provided on the four sides of the base plate 16 are engaged with the four engaging portions 17b provided on the cam plate 17. An operation button pressing portion 11d is attached to the operation lever 11, and the micro leaf switches 12, 12, 12, 12 are arranged surrounding the operation button pressing portion 11d as shown in FIG. 3. Note that the one indicated by the reference sign 14a shown in FIG. 1 is a connector terminal for outputting the signals of the micro leaf switches 12, 12, 12, 12 to an external controller, and the one indicated by the reference sign 14b shown in FIG. 3 is an insertion hole for the rod 11a of the operation lever 11.

[0027] When the player starts the game and tilts the operation lever 11 in any direction while holding the grip ball 11b, the operation button pressing part 11d presses or releases each operation button 15 of each micro leaf switch 12, 12, 12, 12 arranged around it, and performs the ON and OFF operations of each micro leaf switch 12, 12, 12, 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the swing angle of this operation lever 11 is limited by the stopper member 11i attached to the lower end thereof coming into contact with the stopper hole 17a provided in the cam plate 17.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the micro leaf switch 12 according to the present invention, in which the operation button 15 and the external connection terminals 18a and 18b project to the outside of the case 12a. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the micro leaf switch 12 in FIG. 4 as viewed from the direction of arrow 41a, and the operation button 15 is slidably accommodated in the accommodation part 12d provided in the case 12a in the direction of arrow 51. FIG. 6 is a side view of the micro leaf switch 12 in FIG. 4 as viewed from the direction of arrow 41b, and a rotation operation part 13a described later is provided on the side surface of the case 12a opposite to the operation button 15. Then, a driver or the like is inserted into the minus groove 13b provided in the rotation operation part 13a, and the driver is turned in the direction of arrow 61 to adjust the micro leaf switch 12.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 7, the micro leaf switch 12 has a case 12a and a cover 12b covering the case 12a. For example, inside the case 12a made of PBT, a SUS coil spring 15b that biases an operation button 15 made of POM, for example, in the protruding direction with respect to the case 12a, a movable contact piece 19a and a fixed contact piece 19d that can be elastically deformed, a POM adjustment member 13, and external connection terminals 18a and 18b made of a copper alloy plated with silver are provided. They are accommodated inside by engaging locking members 12h, 12h (only 3 are shown) provided on the four sides of the PBT cover 12b with locking protrusions 12i, 12i (only 2 are shown) provided on the case 12a. MovableA silver movable contact portion 20a plated with gold is attached to the hole portion 19c of the connecting piece 19a by caulking. Similarly, a silver fixed contact portion 20b plated with gold is attached to the hole portion 19e of the fixed connecting piece 19d by caulking as well.

[0030] Furthermore, the tip portion 19b of the movable connecting piece 19a engages with the movable connecting piece charging protrusion 15a provided on the operation button 15 and is lifted by the elastic force of the coil spring 15b. Therefore, the movable connecting piece 19a is bent and charged in the bending direction. The height adjusting portion 19f provided on the fixed connecting piece 19d is in contact with one of the first cam portion 13c1 to the fifth cam portion 13c5 of the cam portions 13c with different heights provided on the adjusting member 13. The click protrusion 19g provided at the other end of the fixed connecting piece 19d engages with the engaging recess of the rotation preventing portion 13d provided on the adjusting member 13, preventing unexpected rotation during the operation of the composite operation switch A.

[0031] Next, the operating relationship between the members of the micro leaf switch 12 shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8. The movable connecting piece 19a and the fixed connecting piece 19d are respectively connected to the external connection terminals 18b and 18a and are incorporated in the case 12a. At this time, in order to ensure the electrical connection between the movable connecting piece 19a and the external connection terminal 18b and between the fixed connecting piece 19d and the external connection terminal 18a and to incorporate them into the case 12a without play, spring portions 19h and 19i using slit grooves are provided on the movable connecting piece 19a and the fixed connecting piece 19d as shown in FIG. 7. The movable connecting piece 19a and the fixed connecting piece 19d and the external connection terminals 18a and 18b are overlapped and press-fitted into the slits 21 and 22 provided in the case 12 to crush the spring portions 19h and 19i, thereby realizing reliable electrical connection and absorption of mounting play.

[0032] Here, the movable contact piece 19a engages with the movable contact piece charging projection 15a provided on the operation button 15, and is lifted by the coil spring 15b and deflected and charged in the bending direction. Therefore, normally, the movable contact portion 20a and the fixed contact portion 20b on the movable contact piece 19a and the fixed contact piece 19d do not contact each other. However, when a pressing force acts on the operation button 15 in the direction of arrow 81, the coil spring 15b contracts, and the deflection charge amount of the movable contact piece 19a decreases, so that the movable contact portion 20a and the fixed contact portion 20b come into contact. As a result, the micro leaf switch 12 with the operation button 15 pressed becomes ON. As described above, the operation button 15 is biased by the coil spring 15b in the protruding direction with respect to the case 12a. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the ear portion 15e of the operation button 15 engages with the inner shell 12c of the case 12a, so that the operation button 15 does not pop out from the case 12a.

[0033] As can be understood from FIG. 8, the force applied to the operation button 15 is not directly transmitted to the movable contact piece 19a, but only reduces the deflection charge amount in the bending direction of the movable contact piece 19a. The movable contact piece 19a is only deflected and released at a time constant determined by its elastic force and the mass of the movable contact portion 20a, and the movable contact piece 19a will not be deformed by its momentum even if a strong force is instantaneously applied to the operation button 15. As described above, in the micro leaf switch 12 of the present invention, the tip of the movable contact piece 19a is locked in a state of being deflected and charged to the movable contact piece charging projection 15a of the operation button 15. When the operation button 15 is pressed, the deflection charge is released and when it returns to the original position, the movable contact portion 20a and the fixed contact portion 20b come into contact and turn ON. Therefore, it is suitable for realizing a highly durable composite operation switch A. Furthermore, due to the above-described configuration, there is no clicking operation sound like that of a conventional snap action mechanism switch, and it is possible to enjoy suppressing the generation of noise.

[0034] The adjustment member 13 is rotatably accommodated in the adjustment member accommodation portion 12g provided in the case 12a. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, it has multi-stage cam portions 13c (from the first cam portion 13c1 to the fifth cam portion 13c5) with different heights, a rotation prevention portion 13d, Rotation and an operation portion 13a. Then, with respect to the fixed contact portion 20b Rotation By rotating the operation portion 13a using a driver in the minus groove 13b provided in the operation portion 13a, any one of the first cam portion 13c1 to the fifth cam portion 13c5 selected from the multi-stage cam portions 13c comes into contact with the height adjustment portion 19f. Therefore, by changing the first cam portion 13c1 to the fifth cam portion 13c5 selected by the height adjustment portion 19f due to the rotation operation of the adjustment member 13, the amount of the gap between the fixed contact portion 20b in the fixed contact piece 19d and the movable contact portion 20a in the movable contact piece 19a is adjusted.

[0035] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the click projection 19g provided on the fixed contact piece 19d engages with any one of the first click recess 13d1 to the fifth click recess 13d5 of the rotation prevention portion 13d to prevent the rotation of the adjustment member 13. Since the plurality of first click recesses 13d1 to the fifth click recesses 13d5 of the rotation prevention portion 13d are provided in the same phase corresponding to the first cam portion 13c1 to the fifth cam portion 13c5 of the multi-stage cam portion 13c, when the adjustment member 13 is rotated, the height adjustment portion 19f does not ride up on the unstable step portion of the cam portion 13c at the position where the adjustment member 13 clicks and stops.

[0036] In this way, by means of the click mechanism that inserts the click projection 19g into any one of the first click recess 13d1 to the fifth click recess 13d5 of the rotation prevention part 13d, it is possible to suppress the rotational play around the rotation axis, which is the adjustment operation direction of the adjustment member 13, and by aligning the phases of the first cam part 13c1 to the fifth cam part 13c5 of the cam part 13c and the first click recess 13d1 to the fifth click recess 13d5, the position of the fixed connection piece 19d after adjustment is stably maintained. Incidentally, if the cam part 13c is set to about five steps from the first cam part 13c1 to the fifth cam part 13c5, it will achieve an optimal balance with high adjustment resolution and high climbing accuracy of the height adjustment part 19f.

[0037] Furthermore, since the click projection 19g biases the rotation prevention part 13d in the direction of arrow 81 shown in FIG. 8, the play in the rotation axis direction of the adjustment member 13 is also suppressed, and highly accurate adjustment can be performed.

[0038] Here, the sides where the respective rotation operation parts 13a, 13a, 13a, 13a are provided are located outside the respective micro leaf switches 12, 12, 12, 12 in FIG. 3, and are on the side opposite to the side where the respective operation buttons 15 are provided. Therefore, the respective rotation operation parts 13a, 13a, 13a, 13a of the respective micro leaf switches 12, 12, 12, 12 are exposed to the outside, making the adjustment work easier.

[0039] The external connection terminals 18a and 18b are provided on different sides of the case 12a. Generally, it is easier to solder to the circuit board 14 when the external connection terminals are provided on the same surface of the case 12a. However, in such a terminal arrangement, the case 12a of the micro leaf switch 12 is fixed to the circuit board 14 on only one side and is in a cantilever state. In the micro leaf switch 12 of the present invention, by providing the external connection terminals 18a and 18b on different sides, the case 12a of the micro leaf switch 12 can be reliably attached to the circuit board 14, and the adjustment work can be accurately performed.

[0040] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustment member 13, and FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the adjustment member 13. In FIG. 11, a cam portion 13c including a first cam portion 13c1 to a fifth cam portion 13c5 having different heights is shown. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a rotation prevention portion 13d that also serves as a retaining plate is provided at the lower portion of the cam portion 13c.

[0041] The adjustment member 13 is inserted into the adjustment member housing portion 12g provided in the case 12a with the rotation phase adjusted so that the rotation prevention portion 13d does not interfere, and then the adjustment member 13 is screwed to engage the retaining receiving portion 12f, which is a rib inside the case 12a shown in FIG. 8, with the rotation prevention portion 13d, forming a bayonet connection. As a result, the adjustment member 13 is prevented from coming out of the case 12a. Further, since the click convex portion 19g presses and engages with any one of the first click concave portion 13d1 to the fifth click concave portion 13d5 of the rotation prevention portion 13d, the play between the rotation prevention portion 13d and the retaining receiving portion 12f is suppressed, and the adjustment member 13 is housed in the adjustment member housing portion 12g provided in the case 12a without play. Incidentally, in FIG. 12, a plurality of circular markings with different diameters provided on the rotation operation portion 13a have the same phase as this marking and the click rotation position. By using this marking position as a guide, the rotation adjustment by the adjustment member 13 can be performed smoothly.

[0042] By such a simple adjustment as described above, the contact position or interval between the movable contact portion 20a and the fixed contact portion 20b can be adjusted, and the natural rotation of the adjustment member 13 due to the long-term use of the composite operation switch A can be prevented.

[0043] By providing the adjustment member 13 on the case 12a of the micro leaf switch 12 in this way, the pushing amount of the operation button 15 and the output relationship of the micro leaf switch 12 can be adjusted.

Industrial Applicability

[0044] According to the micro leaf switch of the present invention, since the contact position or the interval between the movable contact portion of the movable contact piece and the fixed contact portion of the fixed contact piece can be adjusted by the adjusting member, it can be suitably used as a micro leaf switch capable of performing stable ON and OFF operations during assembly or after long-term use.

[0045] Furthermore, a composite operation switch using a micro leaf switch having the above-described configuration, for example, a composite operation switch of a video game machine, can be adjusted in its operating position after being incorporated into an operation panel, and can finely correspond to the preferences and operating habits of users. It can provide a composite operation switch.

[0046] And, unlike a normal micro Leaf switch, it does not perform an operation (snap action mechanism) in which the movable spring reverses, so it can prevent the generation of a clicking contact sound when the movable spring reverses and prevent the generation of noise.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0047] A Composite operation switch 11 Operation lever 11a Rod 11b Grip ball 11c Axial bearing portion 11d Operation button pressing portion 12 Operation position variable micro leaf switch (micro leaf switch) 12a Case 12b Cover 13 Adjusting member 13a Rotation Operation part 13b Minus groove 13d Rotation prevention part 15a Movable contact piece charging projection 15b Coil spring 18a External connection terminal 18b External connection terminal 19a Movable contact piece 19d Fixed contact piece 20a Movable contact portion 20b Fixed contact part

Claims

1. A case, an operation button provided to be retractable in the case, a movable contact piece that is connected to an external connection terminal provided in the case and is operated by the operation button having a movable contact portion, and another external connection provided in the case as well. A fixed contact piece provided opposite to the movable contact piece having a fixed contact portion connected to the terminal, wherein an adjustment member capable of adjusting a contact position or interval between the movable contact portion and the fixed contact portion is provided in the case, and the movable contact piece has its tip portion engaged in a state of being elastically charged by a movable contact piece charging protrusion of the operation button slidably biased in one direction. A micro leaf switch with variable operating position, characterized in that.

2. The adjustment member rotates at a fixed position to adjust the Contact position or interval between the movable contact portion and the fixed contact portion. The micro leaf switch with variable operating position according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. A case, an operation button provided to be retractable in the case, a movable contact piece that is connected to an external connection terminal provided in the case and is operated by the operation button having a movable contact portion, and another external connection provided in the case as well. A fixed contact piece provided opposite to the movable contact piece having a fixed contact portion connected to the terminal, wherein an adjustment member capable of adjusting a contact position or interval between the movable contact portion and the fixed contact portion is provided in the case, and the adjustment member has a plurality of cam portions with different heights stepwise at a position where it abuts against the movable contact portion. A micro leaf switch with variable operating position, characterized in that the movable contact portion is moved by rotating the adjustment member to adjust the contact position or interval with the fixed contact portion.

4. A case, an operation button provided to be retractable in the case, a movable contact piece that is connected to an external connection terminal provided in the case and is operated by the operation button having a movable contact portion, and another external connection provided in the case as well. A fixed contact piece provided opposite to the movable contact piece having a fixed contact portion connected to the terminal, wherein an adjustment member capable of adjusting a contact position or interval between the movable contact portion and the fixed contact portion is provided in the case, and the adjustment member further has an anti-rotation portion of itself at a position where it engages with the fixed contact piece. A micro leaf switch with variable operating position, characterized in that.

5. The rotation prevention part is composed of a plurality of recesses that engage with the fixed connection piece, and the movable position variable micro leaf switch according to claim 4 is characterized in that.

6. A composite operation switch characterized by using the movable position variable micro leaf switch according to claim 1.

7. In a case where there are a case, an operation button provided in the case so as to be able to advance and retreat, a movable connection piece connected to an external connection terminal provided in the case and operated by the operation button having a movable contact part, and a fixed connection piece provided opposite to the movable connection piece having a fixed contact part connected to another external connection terminal provided in the case, a regulating member for adjusting a contact position or an interval between the movable contact part and the fixed contact part is provided in the case, and the regulating member further has its own rotation prevention part that engages with the fixed connection piece, and a composite operation switch is characterized in that.

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