DE3115271A1 - Press-button switch for electronic clocks or watches - Google Patents

Abstract

A press-button switch for electronic clocks or watches comprises a press button (13) with a flexible head section (13a) made of plastic and a rubber part which is conductive under the effect of pressure. This rubber part is in connection with two normally closed contacts (17). If the flexible head section is pressed down, the pressure is exerted on the rubber part which becomes conductive by the effect of pressure, as a result of which an electric connection to the normally closed contacts is produced. <IMAGE>

Description

DESIGNATION

The invention relates to a push button switch for electronic clocks.

In general, electronic watches are characterized by their flatness, compactness and ease of use. It is therefore necessary that a push button switch or an externally actuated switch on the housing such a narrow watch is provided, is made sufficiently flat and has excellent operating properties has, with sufficient water tightness should be guaranteed. To meet these requirements, a component made of rubber is used. The rubber part used in conventional push buttons has however, disadvantages which are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

The aim of the invention is to provide a push button switch with sufficient durability to last a long time To ensure service life, this push button switch for a small and narrowly dimensioned electronic Watch should be suitable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a push button switch with excellent operating properties and sufficient water resistance to protect the in the electronic clock included circuit devices create.

According to the invention is a push button switch for electronic Watches created, which consists of a plastic push button (button), which one on the wall

an opening "formed in the watch case" cylindrical section and one at one end of this Having a cylindrical portion formed head portion and a web portion, the latter on the rear side (Underside) of the head portion is formed. Furthermore, a rubber part is provided in the area of this web section, which is electrically conductive state can be transferred. Furthermore, an existing plastic switch body is provided in the cylindrical portion of the push button is added. Two break contacts are provided on the switch body, which can be moved into contact with the rubber part which is electrically conductive when pressure is applied.

Further features, advantages and details of the invention emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments with regard to the prior art and based on the drawing. In this shows

Figure 1 is a section through a conventional push button switch,

Figure 2 is a plan view of an electronic watch in which push button switches according to the invention are provided

FIG. 3 shows a section along the line A-A in FIG and

Figure 4- a section through another embodiment the invention.

As can be seen from Figure 1, there is a conventional push button switch inserted into an opening 2 in a watch case 1. The switch includes a circuit carrier 3 with two local

fixed normally closed contacts 4, an actuating part 5 made of an insulating material such as rubber, and a part 5 made of conductive rubber and serving as a movable contact. This part > is arranged on the underside of a (protruding) head section of the actuating part 5 «The actuating part 5 has a head section which forms a" push button "and which is surrounded by a flexible section. The circumferential section of the actuating part 5 is arranged between the watch case 1 and the circuit carrier 3, the head section protruding from the watch case through the opening 2.

If the head portion of the actuating part 5 against the Depressed elasticity of the same, the conductive rubber part 6 comes into contact with the break contacts 4, so that the Parts 6 and 4 are conductively connected to one another.

When the depression of the head section is ended, it reverses the conductive rubber part 6 under the action of the elasticity of the actuating part 5 back to its original position, whereby the electrical connection is interrupted.

In such a push button switch, the elasticity of the flexible portion of the operating member 5 is impaired when it is used for a long time. This has the consequence that the push button switch does not allow rapid actuation. Another impairment of the elasticity or the resilience of the flexible section has the consequence that the head section does not return to its original position, so that the conductive rubber part 6 remains in contact with the normally closed contacts 4.

With the aid of the invention, these disadvantages are eliminated.

In Figures 2 and 3, the reference numeral 11 designates a watch case with display device 12, push buttons 13 and a crown 14. Each push button 13 is a push button

switch formed according to the invention. The push button switch includes an electric pressurized device conductive rubber part 15 »a switch body 16 and two Break contacts provided on the switch body 17 · The push button 13 and the switch body 16 are made of plastic. The watch case 11 has an opening 11a for receiving the push button switch. The push button 13 comprises a (protruding) head portion 13a, which at one end of a cylindrical section 13b is formed, which in the opening 11a of the tube housing 11 by means of an adhesive is attached. Furthermore, the push button 13 includes a on the back (underside) of the head section 13a provided web (13c), which with the upper Section of the rubber part that can be made conductive by the action of pressure 15 can be brought into plant. The head portion 13a protrudes from the surface of the watch case 11. The cylindrical section 13b is on the wall of the opening 11a fixed by means of an adhesive, so that the interior of the watch case 11 against the penetration of V / ater is sealed. The switch body 16 is arranged below the rubber part 15 which is conductive by the action of pressure and is in engagement with the cylindrical portion 13b, the switch body by means of a non shown component of the electronic clock is fixable. The normally closed contacts 17 are provided on the switch body 16 and electrically to the electronic switch device of the electronic watch through wiring under the switch body 16 connected. The rubber part 15, which is electrically conductive when pressure is applied, consists of rubber with contained therein electrically conductive powder. The rubber part becomes electrically conductive when pressure is applied.

If the head section 13a of the push button 13 is printed during operation, printing is carried out by means of the web section 13c on the rubber part 15 that conducts when pressure is applied

practices. As a result, this rubber part 15 becomes conductive, so that the break contacts 17 of the switch body 16 electrically are connected to part 15, whereby the switch is closed is. If the exertion of pressure on the push button 13 is ended, the push button 13 returns below the Elasticity of the rubber part 15 in its starting position back, which opens the switch again.

According to the invention, the pushbutton switch is conductive by a small compression stroke of the one that is conductive when pressure is applied Rubber part 15 actuated. Accordingly, the invention provides a push button switch whose resilience is guaranteed over a long period of time, resulting in an increased usage time without failure in operation is guaranteed. In addition, the push button switch according to the invention can be made very flat and simple Own structure. Furthermore, a waterproof seal can be ensured because the head portion 13a the opening formed in the watch case 11 is completely closed.

Jigur 4 shows another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the push button 13 of the switch is designed as part of the watch case 11. Otherwise corresponds the construction of the second embodiment of the first embodiment already described are consequent Operation and effect of the switch are similar to the first embodiment.

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Claims (2)

PAIENTANTSPEÜCHE 1/. Push button switch for electronic watches with a push button made of plastic, characterized by a cylindrical part (13b), which on the wall of an opening (11a) of a Watch case (11), a projecting provided at one end of this cylindrical part Section (13a), a web (13c) formed on the rear side of this protruding section in the vicinity of this web, a rubber part (15), one made of plastic, which is conductive by the action of pressure existing switch body (16), which is received in the cylindrical part of the push button, and by two Normally closed contacts (17) which are provided on the switch body in order to connect with the rubber part (15) which is conductive by the action of pressure to be associated. TELEPHONE (080) 33 06 Oa TELEX Ο0-2β3ΘΟ TELEGRAMS MONAPTH FAX 2. Push button switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the cylindrical part (13h) of the push button (13) in one piece with the watch case (11) is formed.