JP2010129336A - Switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switch to be used for various electronic devices, which can reliably perform electric connection/disconnection in spite of reduced size and thickness. <P>SOLUTION: A movable contact is configured such that when a right first arm part abuts on a slide part, the left side from the abutting position on the slide part is entirely distorted, and when a left first arm part abuts on the slide part, the right side from the abutting position on the slide part is entirely distorted. According to this, a sufficient returning force for returning an operation part to the center can be exhibited. Therefore, the return force of a lever can be increased even when the switch is reduced in size and thickness, and the switch can reliably perform electric connection/disconnection. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch used mainly in various electronic devices for detecting the presence or absence of a recording medium and the operation of a mechanism.

  As a detection lever switch used in various electronic devices and used for detecting the operation of various mechanisms such as the presence or absence of recording media such as disks or opening and closing of doors, movable and fixed contacts made of thin elastic metal plates are used. A so-called leaf switch in combination is widely known.

  Such a conventional lever switch will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional lever switch. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes an insulating resin box-shaped case having an open top and an opening 1A on the front surface. A drive unit 2B, 2C is provided at the lower end of the lever 2 accommodated in the case 1 and is movably mounted. The operation unit 2D at the upper end protrudes upward from the opening 1A of the case 1.

  3 is a movable contact made of an elastic metal thin plate, 4 is a pair of fixed contacts made of an elastic metal thin plate arranged on the left and right of the movable contact 3, and each is planted on the bottom surface facing the opening 1A of the case 1, The upper end of the movable contact 3 is disposed between the drive portions 2B and 2C of the lever 2, and the inwardly curved contact portion 4A is provided at the upper end of the fixed contact 4 facing the intermediate portion of the movable contact 3. Yes.

  Further, a cover (not shown) covers the front surface of the case 1 housing the movable contact 3 and the fixed contact 4, and a lever switch is configured by holding the shaft portion 2A of the lever 2 so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction. Yes.

  In the above configuration, when the operation portion 2D of the lever 2 is turned to the right, the lower end of the drive portion 2C is turned to the left with the shaft portion 2A as a fulcrum as shown in the sectional view of FIG. The movable contact 3 is pushed at the upper end by the portion 2C and bent to the left, and the middle portion contacts the contact portion 4A of the fixed contact 4 on the left side.

  Then, when the operation portion 2D of the lever 2 is further rotated to a predetermined stroke, the upper end of the movable contact 3 is further moved leftward and the intermediate portion presses the contact portion 4A as shown in the sectional view of FIG. For this reason, the fixed contact 4 is also bent leftward, and the movable contact 3 and the fixed contact 4 are in contact with each other with a stable contact pressure.

  Further, when the operating force of the lever 2 on the operating portion 2D is released, the driving portion 2C is pressed rightward by the elastic return force of the movable contact 3 and the fixed contact 4, and the lever 2 is rotated. It returns to the neutral state of FIG.

  When the operation unit 2D of the lever 2 is rotated to the left, the drive unit 2B presses the upper end of the movable contact 3 to the right, deflects the movable contact 3 to the right, and fixes the right fixed contact 4 to the right. It was comprised so that it might contact.

As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
JP 2002-150885 A

  However, in the above-described conventional lever switch, the plate-like movable contact 3 is bent in the left-right direction and brought into contact with the left and right fixed contacts 4, so that the elastic return force to the neutral state of the movable contact 3 is sufficient. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to increase the deflection of the movable contact 3, and a predetermined length is required, which makes it difficult to reduce the size of the entire switch.

  An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem and to provide a lever switch capable of obtaining stable contact of contacts even when the size is reduced.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a slide portion protruding at least on either the inner bottom surface of the case or the back surface of the cover, and the movable contact extends from the intermediate portion and the left and right ends of the intermediate portion through the bent portion. The two first arm portions, the two second arm portions extending from the first arm portion via the folded portion, and the contact portions provided at the tips of the second arm portions When the lever operation part is tilted, the first arm part comes into contact with the slide part, and the intermediate part is pressed against and comes into contact with the common contact planted in the lower case It is.

  As a result, when the right first arm portion comes into contact with the slide portion, the entire left side is deflected from the position where the movable contact comes into contact with the slide portion, and the left first arm portion comes into contact with the slide portion. In this case, the entire right side bends from the position where it comes into contact with the slide part of the movable contact, so that sufficient return force can be exerted to return the operation part to the center. Also in the case shown, it has the effect that the return force of the lever can be increased, and a switch that can be securely connected and disconnected can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve an advantageous effect that it is possible to realize a switch that can be miniaturized and can achieve stable contact of contacts.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a lever switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lever switch, and 11 is a liquid crystal polymer, polyphenylene sulfide, or polyamide having a partially opened upper surface. In a box-shaped case made of a heat-resistant insulating resin such as a base resin, a substantially Y-shaped conductive metal common contact 16A is implanted below the inner bottom surface and inner side surface of the case 11, and the common contact 16A Both left and right ends are exposed to the outside of the case 11.

  A pair of substantially L-shaped fixed contacts 16B and 16C made of conductive metal are also implanted and fixed by insert molding or the like on the left and right inner bottom surfaces and inner side walls adjacent to and facing the common contact 16A.

  A slide portion made of an insulating resin similar to the case 11 shown in 11A and projecting from the bottom surface in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped is formed on the top of the common contact at a substantially central position on the bottom surface of the case 11, and above the slide portion 11A. The side wall of this is opened at the center, a hollow portion 11B is formed on the opened wall surface, and a further arc-shaped bearing portion 11C is formed between the hollow portion 11B and the slide portion 11A.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a movable contact made of an elastic metal thin plate such as phosphor bronze or beryllium copper, and a common contact in which a substantially hemispherical protrusion 12B provided in the center of the lower surface of the intermediate portion 12A is implanted on the inner surface of the case 11. While elastically contacting 16A, two first arm portions 12D extend slightly inward from the bent portions 12C at both ends of the intermediate portion 12A, and a folded portion 12E is provided at the tip of the first arm portion 12D. The contact portion 12G curved outward from the tip of the second arm portion 12F that extends slightly outward from the folded portion 12E is in elastic contact with the left and right inner walls of the case 11.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes a sliding body made of an insulating resin such as a liquid crystal polymer, polyphenylene sulfide, or polyamide-based resin as in the case 11, and includes substantially triangular cam portions 13A and 13B on the upper surface, and upper left and right side surfaces. An inclined portion 13C that is a slightly spreading slope is formed, and a guide portion that is recessed in a substantially U-shape indicated by 13D is provided on the back surface, and the guide portion 13D is slightly more than the slide portion 11A of the case 11 The width is large, and the slide body 13 is arranged so as to sandwich the slide portion 11A so that the slide body 13 can slide along the slide portion 11A.

  14 is also a lever made of an insulating resin, like the case 11, and the upper end operation portion 14 </ b> A protrudes upward from the case 11, and the upper cylindrical portion 14 </ b> B is rotatably disposed on the bearing portion 11 </ b> C of the case 11. In addition, a slightly larger projection 14C among the projections 14C, 14D, 14E at the lower end of the shaft portion 14B is disposed between the cam portions 13A, 13B having a substantially triangular shape, and the projection 14D is disposed on the left side of the cam portion 13A. The protrusion 14E is disposed on the right side of the cam portion 13B.

  14F is a substantially cylindrical cover portion that covers the shaft portion 14B and the front surfaces of the projection portions 14C, 14D, and 14E. The cover portion 14F is disposed on the arc-shaped recess portion 11B of the case 11 that is open on the upper surface. It prevents dust from entering.

  And the lever switch 20 is comprised by covering the front surface of case 11 in which these were accommodated with metal covers 15, such as stainless steel, copper, and a tin plating steel plate.

  In the above configuration, when the operation portion 14A of the lever 14 is turned to the right from the neutral state in FIG. 1, the lever 14 is turned with the shaft portion 14B as a fulcrum as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. Since the protrusion 14C at the center of the lower end of the shaft part 14B presses the right side surface of the cam part 13A of the sliding body 13, the protrusion part 14E at the lower right side continuously presses the right side surface of the cam part 13B of the sliding body 13, The guide portion 13D of the sliding body 13 is guided and moves to the left along the slide portion 11A.

  Then, in the movable contact 12, the first arm portion 12D on the right side is locked at a position where it contacts the upper left end of the slide portion 11A of the lower cover 11, and the folded portion 12E at the tip of the left first arm portion 12D is formed. Since the intermediate portion 12A is inclined and pressed by the inclined portion 13C of the sliding body 13, the left and right first arm portions 12D and the second arm portion 12F are bent so that the distance between the first arm portion 12D and the second arm portion 12F is narrow. The space between the arm portions 12D expands.

  Here, since the inclined portion 13C of the sliding body 13 presses the left folded portion 12E obliquely downward, the protrusion 12B at the center of the intermediate portion 12A is pressed against the common contact 16A, and is movable with the common contact 16A. Electrical conduction with the contact 12 is stably performed.

  Further, since the folded portion 12E is pressed and the space between the first arm portion 12D and the second arm portion 12F is bent, the left contact portion 12G is pressed against the left inner wall of the case 11 and the lower side The contact portion 12G is elastically contacted with the fixed contact 16C with a predetermined force and is electrically connected between the substantially Y-shaped common contact 16A and the fixed contact 16C via the movable contact 12. Is performed stably.

  On the other hand, regarding the electrical continuity between the common contact 16A and the fixed contact 16B, the position of the right contact portion 12G is not changed to the inner wall of the case 11 even if the operation portion 14A of the lever 14 is rotated to the right. Since it does not change while in contact, it does not change while it is not conducting.

  When the operation force to the operation portion 14A of the lever 14 is released, the contact portion 12G is moved upward by the elastic return force of the movable contact 12 in which the first arm portion 12D and the second arm portion 12F are bent. It slides elastically and leaves the fixed contact 16C.

  At the same time, the sliding body 13 is pressed from the left by the force of returning the left and right first arm portions 12D from a slightly expanded state, and the guide portion 13D slides on the sliding portion 11A, so that the cam portion of the sliding body 13 13B presses the protruding portion 14E of the lever 14, and then the cam portion 13A presses the protruding portion 14C to rotate the lever 14, and the operating portion 14A returns to the neutral state in FIG.

  Further, when the operation portion 14A of the lever 14 is turned to the left, the protrusion 14C at the center of the lower end of the lever 14 presses the cam portion 13B of the sliding body 13 from the left, and then the protrusion on the left side of the lower end continuously. Since the portion 14E presses the cam portion 13A of the sliding body 13 from the left, the contact portion 12G on the right side of the movable contact 12 is elastically slid downward and elastically contacts the fixed contact 16B. Electrical connection is made between the fixed contact 16B and the common contact 16A.

  On the other hand, regarding the electrical continuity between the common contact 16A and the fixed contact 16C, the position of the left contact portion 12G is not elastic on the inner wall of the case 11 even if the operation portion 14A of the lever 14 is rotated to the left. Since it does not change while in contact, it does not change when it is not electrically conductive.

  That is, when the operation portion 14A of the lever 14 is rotated to the right, electrical conduction is performed between the common contact 16A and the fixed contact 16C via the movable contact 12, while the common contact 16A and the fixed contact 16B are connected. It is kept in a state where it is not electrically conducted between the two.

  Conversely, when the operation portion 14A of the lever 14 is turned to the left, electrical conduction is performed between the common contact 16A and the fixed contact 16B via the movable contact 12, while the common contact 16A and the fixed contact 16C. It is kept in a state where it is not electrically conducted between the two.

  When the finger 14 is released from the operation unit 14A while the operation unit 14A of the lever 14 is operated rightward or leftward, the left and right first arm portions 12D of the movable contact 12 come into contact with the slide portion 11A and slightly expand. The operation unit 14 </ b> A returns to the neutral state by the force to return from the applied state.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the movable contact 12 has the intermediate portion 12A, the two first arm portions 12D extending from the left and right ends of the intermediate portion via the bent portion 12C, and the first arm portion. 12D further includes two second arm portions 12F extending through the turn-back portion 12E, and a contact portion 12G provided at the tip of each of the second arm portions 12F. When the left and right first arm portions 12D are in contact with the slide portion 11A when the left and right are turned, the length of the movable contact 12 from the contact position to the contact portion 12G in the direction far from the contact position is increased. Now, since the force which returns the movable contact 12 extended left and right to the original state is exhibited, a sufficient restoring force for returning the operation portion 14A to the center can be exhibited.

  Further, when the sliding body 13 rotates the operating portion 14A of the lever 14 to the left or right, the sliding portion 13 presses the folded portion 12E obliquely downward, so that the contact portion 12G is fixed to the fixed contact 16B or 16C on the inner wall surface of the lower case. Since the protrusion 12B can be pressed against the common contact 16A, a lever switch with stable electrical contact can be obtained.

  Although the movable contact 12 can be formed by forming a circular metal wire or the like such as a copper alloy by forming, the movable contact 12 can be formed of a metal wire or the like by using an elastic metal thin plate. Compared to the case, a material having a high restoring force can be used as the material of the movable contact 12 by press working with a metal mold, so that a smaller lever switch can be provided.

  In the above description, the case where the slide portion 11A protruding from the bottom surface is formed on the inner bottom surface of the case 11 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. A slide portion 17A that protrudes from the back surface is formed at the approximate center of the cover 17, and in this case, for example, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to configure so that 12 can come into contact with the slide portion 17A.

  In the above description, the configuration of the switch has been described on the assumption that the common contact 16A is not electrically connected to any of the fixed contacts 16B and 16C when the operation portion 14A of the lever 14 is in the neutral state. In the neutral state, the contact portion 12G elastically contacts at least one of the fixed contacts 16B and 16C, whereby the common contact 16A is electrically connected to at least one of the fixed contacts 16B and 16C, and when the lever 14 is rotated, the contact portion 12G The present invention can also be implemented as a fixed contact 16B that is elastically contacted or a lever switch that is separated from the fixed contact 16C.

  The switch according to the present invention can provide a lever switch capable of obtaining a stable contact even when downsizing, and is useful as a detection switch mainly used in various electronic devices.

Sectional drawing of the switch by one embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view Cross section during the same operation Perspective view of cover and case Cross section of conventional switch Cross section during the same operation Cross section during the same operation

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Case 11A Slide part 11B Indentation part 11C Bearing part 12 Movable contact 12A Intermediate part 12B Protrusion part 12C Bending part 12D First arm part 12E Folding part 12F Second arm part 12G Contact part 13 Slider 13A, 13B Cam part 14 Lever 14A Operation part 14B Shaft part 14C, 14D, 14E Protrusion part 14F Cover part 15 Cover 16A Common contact 16B, 16C Fixed contact 17 Cover 17A Slide part 18 Case 20 Lever switch

Claims (1)

A substantially box-shaped case in which a fixed contact and a common contact are planted on the inner surface, a lever in which one end is housed in the case and formed at the other end protrudes upward, and the operation portion of the lever A sliding body that is slidable to the left and right according to the tilt, a movable contact in which the contact portion moves as the sliding body slides, and a cover that covers the case, and at least one of the inner bottom surface of the case or the back surface of the cover The movable contact includes an intermediate portion, two first arm portions extending from the left and right ends of the intermediate portion via bent portions, and a further folded portion from the first arm portion. The two second arm portions extending through the first arm portion and the contact portions provided at the tips of the second arm portions, and when the lever operating portion is tilted, The arm part touches the slide part The intermediate portion is in contact by being pressed by the common contacts implanted in the lower case switch.

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