JP2000067701A - Multidirectional switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent play caused by integrating a stem, improve an operation feeling, and reduce the number of parts so as to reduce the cost. SOLUTION: This multidirectional switch is provided with a housing 22 having an inner bottom part 22b; a first fixed contactor 24 positioned at the central part of the inner bottom part 22b; a common contact positioned on a peripheral edge of the first fixed contact 24; conductive stem 32 which is positioned in the housing 22 freely to oscillate having a protrusion whose center part is protruded in the inner bottom part 22b direction and a flange part 32b disposed in the periphery of the protrusion; an upper housing 34 in which a plurality of second fixed contacts 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d are disposed; a movable contact 30 which is always conducted to the common contact and capable of being brought into contact and separating with/from the first fixed contact 24; and a conductive stem 32 capable of being brought into contact and separating with/from the second contacts 36a-36d.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-directional switch, and more particularly to a multi-directional switch that can turn on and off a circuit of an electronic device by one of a tilt operation and a push operation of a stem.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional example of this type of multidirectional switch will be described with reference to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-188738. Such a multidirectional switch is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, the upper part is opened and the inner bottom part 1a is opened.
Is disposed below the figure.

At the inner bottom portion 1a, a central contact 2, a common contact 3 surrounding the central contact 2, and peripheral fixed contacts 4 located at four positions in front, rear, left and right around the common contact 3 are exposed. Terminals 5 connected to the central contact 2, the common contact 3, and the peripheral fixed contact 4 are formed to protrude from the side surface of the housing 1. Also, the inner bottom 1 of the housing 1
a, four projections 1b are provided upright, and a positioning portion 1c and a boss 1d are provided at four corners of the housing 1 facing each projection 1b.
Are formed respectively.

A dome-shaped central tact spring 6 is provided above the central contact 2, and four peripheral tact springs 7 each having a rectangular outer shape are provided outside the central tact spring 6 and above the peripheral fixed contact 4. , Are arranged in four directions in a state of facing each other. The center tact spring 6 and the peripheral tact spring 7 are formed of an elastic metal material. The four peripheral edge tact springs 7 are provided with a bulged portion 7a having a central portion bulged upward between two parallel slits and having elasticity. Such four peripheral tact springs 7
The inner bottom portion 1a is positioned by the inner wall of the housing 1 and the outer side of each projection 1b so that the bulging portion 7a is located on the peripheral fixed contact 4 while a part thereof is always in contact with the common contact 3.
Is placed on top.

[0005] Above the center tact spring 6 and the peripheral tact spring 7, a first stem 8 is arranged, and the first stem 8 is formed with a cylindrical portion 8a and a tapered skirt portion 8b. . Also, four projections 8c are integrally formed on the lower surface of the skirt portion 8b at substantially equal intervals of 90 degrees, and these projections 8c come into contact with the bulging portions 7a of the peripheral tact springs 7 to form the bulging portions 7a. The first stem 8 is pushed upward by the elastic force of. A guide hole 8e penetrating in the vertical direction is provided at the center of the cylindrical portion 8a, and four projecting pieces 8d project outward and are integrally formed at the lower peripheral edge of the skirt portion 8b. The first stem 8 is slidably fitted to the positioning portion 1c of the housing 1 and is swingably housed on the inner bottom portion 1a of the housing 1.

A second stem 9 is slidably inserted into a guide hole 8e of the first stem 8, and when the second stem 9 is inclined, the first stem 8 is also inclined in the same direction. When the first stem 8 is in the vertical state, the second stem 9 is slidable up and down in the guide hole 8e of the first stem 8. Therefore, the second stem 9 and the guide hole 8e are loosely fitted. A substantially rectangular flange 9a is formed at the lower end of the second stem 9, and the flange 9a prevents upward removal. A pressing projection 9b is formed at the center of the lower surface of the flange 9a, and the tip of the pressing projection 9b contacts the dome-shaped top of the central tact spring 6,
The second stem 9 is pushed upward by the elastic force of the center tact spring 6.

As described above, the lid 10 is mounted over the housing 1 in a state in which the central tact spring 6, the peripheral tact spring 7, and the first and second stems 8, 9 are respectively housed. . The lid 10 has a central hole 10a having a tapered peripheral edge which is circular and spreads downward in the center, and mounting holes 10b at four corners. A boss 1d inserted into the mounting hole 10b of the lid 10 is swaged with the skirt portion 8b of the first stem 8 penetrating the center hole 10a of the lid 10, and a conventional multidirectional switch is configured. ing.

The operation of the conventional multidirectional switch having such a configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the first and second stems 8 and 9 are set in an upright state, and the second stem 9 in this state is pointed by an arrow J. When pressed in the direction, the tip of the pressing protrusion 9b presses the central portion of the dome-shaped central tact spring 6, and the central tact spring 6 is deformed and the central portion contacts the central contact 2 to conduct. Also, the arrow J added to the second stem
When the weight in the direction is released and the second stem 9 is inclined in the direction of arrow G, for example, the first stem 8 is also inclined in the same direction,
The protrusion 8c on the right side of the first stem 8 presses the bulging portion 7a of the peripheral movable contact 7 downward, and the bulging portion 7a comes into contact with the peripheral fixed contact 4 to conduct electricity. As described above, the conventionally proposed multidirectional switch can perform switching by a push operation of the second stem 9 and a plurality of switching operations in accordance with the inclination directions of the first and second stems 8 and 9.

[0009]

However, in the above-described multidirectional switch, the second stem 9 inserted into the guide hole 8e of the first stem 8 is loosely fitted so that it can move up and down smoothly. For this reason, when the second stem 9 is inclined, play occurs between the first and second stems 8 and 9 having a two-part configuration, and the operation feeling when operating the second stem 9 is poor. There was a problem.

In addition, since the first and second stems 8, 9 or the four peripheral tact springs 7 are separated from each other, the number of parts is increased and the cost is increased.

Further, since the first stem 8 and the lid 10 slide during the tilting operation, the restoring force of the first stem 8 decreases due to the sliding resistance at this time, and the first stem 8
May not return to the original state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve at least one of the above problems, and has been made to prevent the backlash of the stem, to provide a good operation feeling, and to reduce the number of parts and cost. It is an object to provide a multi-directional switch.

[0013]

Means for Solving the Problems As a first means for solving the above problems, a housing having a first fixed contact and a common contact therein, and a conductive connection to the common contact and a contact with the first fixed contact are provided. A movable contact to be separated, a conductive stem, and an upper housing having a second fixed contact. The movable contact and the stem are housed in the housing, the upper housing is attached to the housing, and protruded out of the upper housing. The movable contact and the first fixed contact and the contact and separation of the stem and the second fixed contact by operating a part of the stem, and the common contact becomes the second fixed contact via the movable contact and the stem. It is designed to come in contact with and separate from.

As a second means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a conductive stem is always in contact with the second fixed contact in a neutral state of the stem, and the second fixed contact and the stem are operated by operating the stem. And are separated from each other.

As a third means for solving the above problem, a peripheral wall protruding from the upper housing is provided, and in a neutral state of the stem, the second fixed contact and the conductive stem are always connected by the peripheral wall. The second fixed contact and the stem are brought into contact with each other by tilting the stem.

As a fourth solution for solving the above-mentioned problem, a plurality of second fixed contacts are formed on the upper housing, and the second fixed contact is connected to the stem of the plurality of second fixed contacts depending on the direction of tilt operation of the stem. This is different from the second fixed contact to be brought into contact with and separated from the second fixed contact.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a multidirectional switch according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional switch of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the multidirectional switch of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the multidirectional switch of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the upper housing of the multidirectional switch of the present invention.

The multi-directional switch of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, a substantially rectangular first concave portion 22 having an open upper portion is provided.
a is formed, and a housing 22 in which an inner bottom portion 22b having a predetermined depth is formed in the first concave portion 22a is disposed below the drawing. The housing 22 is made of an insulating material such as resin, and has a circular second concave portion 22c formed by lowering a central portion of the inner bottom portion 22b by a predetermined dimension.
The first fixed contact 24 is exposed on the bottom of the second concave portion 22c at the center of the first fixed contact 24c, and the center of the first fixed contact 24 slightly projects in a columnar shape.

In two opposing directions around the outside of the second concave portion 22c, two common contacts 26 are provided separately from each other and exposed on the same plane as the inner bottom portion 22b. A part of the contact 26 slightly protrudes in a rectangular shape. The first fixed contact 24 and the common contact 26
Are formed of a conductive member such as a metal plate, and are integrated with the housing 22 by insert molding or the like.
In FIG. 4, two terminals 28 a connected to the common contact 26 are provided from the left and right side surfaces of the housing 22.
And two terminals 28 b connected to the first fixed contact 24.
Are respectively formed so as to protrude and are bent along the side wall of the housing 22.

At the four corners of the housing 22, first recesses 2 are provided.
A guide groove 22f formed in a rectangular shape is formed on each of the four side walls facing the first concave portion 22a between the guide portion 22d protruding into the inside 2a and the adjacent guide portion 22d. Bosses 22e projecting upward are formed on upper surfaces of the four corners of the housing, respectively.

Above the first fixed contact 24, there is provided a dome-shaped movable contact 30 whose outer peripheral edge is positioned at four guide portions 22d and whose center is swelled upward. The movable contact 30 is made of a spring member such as phosphor bronze or stainless steel. The lower part of the outer peripheral edge is placed on the common contact 26 and is always in conduction with the common contact 26. When the central portion of the dome-shaped swelling movable contact 30 is pressed by a stem 32 described later, the central portion is displaced and inverted, and the first fixed contact 24 and the common contact 26 are connected via the movable contact 30. Are conducted.

Above the movable contact 30, the movable contact 3
A stem 32 for operating the zero is provided. The stem 32 is made of a metal conductive material such as brass or copper plated or resin plated, and has a prismatic knob 32a protruding upward from the center and a root portion of the knob 32a. And a substantially cross-shaped flange portion 32b provided integrally therewith. Four protruding tongue pieces 32c are formed at equal intervals of approximately 90 degrees on the flange 32b, and a protrusion 32d for pressing the movable contact 30 is provided at the lower center of the flange 32b. The projection is formed. The stem 32 is connected to the first recess 2 of the housing 22.
2a, each tongue piece 32c is engaged with each positioning groove 22f of the first recess 22a, and the stem 32 is moved to the first position.
The rotation is prevented in the concave portion 22a.

The entire surface of the stem 32 is plated with a conductive plating material such as Ag or Au on a metal or resin base material to further improve conductivity.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the upper housing 34 is made of the same insulating material as the housing 22 such as resin, and has a substantially rectangular outer shape, and a circular opening 34a in the center. ing. At four corners of the upper housing 34, mounting holes 34b through which the bosses 22e of the housing 22 are inserted are formed. Between the mounting holes 34b at the lower portion of the upper housing 34, four second fixed contacts 3 opposed to each other with the opening 34a interposed therebetween.
6a, 36b, 36c, and 36d are flush with the bottom surface of the upper housing 34 and the second fixed contacts 36a to 36d.
The 36d rectangular portion is slightly exposed and formed. The second fixed contacts 36a to 36d are formed of a conductive member such as a metal plate, and are integrated with the upper housing 34 by insert molding or the like. In FIG. 5, four terminals 3 connected to the second fixed contacts 36a to 36d are provided from upper and lower side surfaces of the upper housing 34, respectively.
8 a, 38 b, 38 c, and 38 d are formed so as to protrude, and are bent along the side wall of the upper housing 34.

The cover 40 is made of a metal plate or the like, and has a substantially rectangular outer shape. A circular opening 40a is formed at the center, and the boss 2 of the housing 22 is provided at four corners of the cover 40.
Each of the mounting holes 40b through which 2e is inserted is formed.

Above the housing 22, the above-mentioned movable contact 3 is inserted into the first concave portion 22a of the housing 22.
The upper housing 34 is attached so as to house the 0 and the stem 32 respectively and press them from above.
At this time, the knob portion 32a of the stem 32 projects upward from the opening portion 34a of the upper housing 34, and presses the movable contact 30 and the flange portion 32b of the stem 32 between the inner bottom portion 22b of the housing 22 and the upper housing 34. In this state, the mounting holes 34b of the upper housing 34 are inserted into the four bosses 22e of the housing 22. And, above the upper housing 34,
The cover 40 is attached, the knob 32a is projected upward from the opening 40a of the cover 40, and the mounting hole 40b of the cover 40 is inserted through the four bosses 22e of the housing 22. As shown, the tip of the boss 22e is swaged. Four terminals 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d bent from the side of the upper housing 34
Are led out along opposing side surfaces of the housing 22 on the side where the terminals 28a and 28b are not provided, and constitute the multidirectional switch of the present invention.

Next, the operation of the multi-directional switch according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows a neutral state before the stem 32 is operated.
2d is located on the movable contact 30. The flange 32 b of the stem 32 is moved by the elastic force of the movable contact 30.
The upper housing 34 is pressed by the bottom surface of the upper housing 34 and is in an upright state. At this time, the movable contact 30 is separated from the first fixed contact 24, and the upper surface 32 e of the tongue piece 32 c of the conductive flange 32 b of the stem 32.
Are in contact with the second fixed contacts 36a to 36d. That is, in FIG. 6B, each terminal 28a (terminal numbers 1 and 2) of the common contact 26 and each terminal 28b (terminal numbers 3 and 4) of the first fixed contact 24 are electrically non-conductive (X in the figure). ), And each terminal 28 of the common contact 26
a (terminal numbers 1 and 2) and the respective terminals 38a to 38d (terminal numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8) of the second fixed contacts 36a to 36d are connected via a conductive stem 32 and a movable contact 30. It is in an electrically conductive state (point Y in the figure).

Next, the stem 32 in the neutral state is shown in FIG.
When moved in the direction just below (arrow S) as shown in FIG. 3, the projection 32d of the stem 32 presses the center of the movable contact 30,
The movable contact 30 is inverted and displaced, and the movable contact 30 comes into contact with the first fixed contact 24, so that the first fixed contact 24 and the common contact 26 are electrically connected via the movable contact 30. That is, in FIG. 7B, each terminal 28a (terminal number 1,
2) and each contact terminal 28b (terminal numbers 3 and 4) are in an electrically conductive state (point X in the figure). The movable contact 30 is the first
When it comes into contact with the fixed contact 24 to be turned on (conducting), the upper surface 32e of the flange 32b of the stem 32 is separated from the second fixed contacts 36a to 36d. That is, FIG.
, Each terminal 28a (terminal numbers 1 and 2) and each terminal 3
6a to 36d (terminal numbers 5, 6, 7, 8) are electrically non-conductive (point Y in the figure). By making the tip of the stem 32 slightly flat, the stem 3
The operation when 2 is moved in the vertical direction of the arrow S direction is stabilized.

Next, the weight applied to the stem 32 in the direction of arrow S is released, and the stem 32 is returned to the neutral state. Then, as shown in FIG. When the is pressed, the stem 32 tilts in the counterclockwise direction of the arrow T with the contact portion between the upper surface portion 32e of one tongue piece 32c of the flange portion 32b and the second fixed contact 36d of the upper housing 34 as a fulcrum. As a result, the remaining three tongue pieces 32c are separated from the second fixed contacts 36a, 36b, 36c, and the projection 32d of the stem 32 presses the center of the movable contact 30, and the movable contact 30 is inverted and displaced. , The movable contact 30 and the first fixed contact 24 come into contact with each other. That is,
Each terminal 28a of the common contact 26 (terminal numbers 1 and 2) and each contact terminal 28b of the first fixed contact 24 (terminal numbers 3 and 4)
Becomes electrically conductive (point X in the drawing), and each terminal 28a (terminal number 1, 2) of the common contact 26 and each contact terminal 38a, 38 of the second fixed contact 36a, 36b, 36c.
b, 38c (terminal numbers 5, 6, 7) are electrically non-conductive. On the other hand, the above-described upper surface portion 32e and the second fixed contact 36d are in contact with each other, and therefore, each terminal 28a
(Terminal numbers 1 and 2) and the contact terminal 38d (terminal number 8) are electrically connected (point Y in the figure).

As described above, the example in which the stem 32 is pressed and inclined in the T direction has been described. However, by inclining the stem 32 in the other three directions, any one of the second fixed contacts 36a, 36b, and 36c is provided. The upper surface 32e of the tongue piece 32c of the stem 32
, And can be turned on (conducting) with the common contact 26 via the movable contact 30.

Next, a second embodiment of the multidirectional switch according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the multidirectional switch structure of the first embodiment described above, when the stem 32 is in the neutral state, the second fixed contacts 36a to 36d have the conductive stem 32.
Contacting the upper surface 32e of the tongue piece 32c of the common contact 2
6 and turned on (conduction) via the stem 32 and the movable contact 30
In the second embodiment, the stem 32
In the neutral state, the second fixed contacts 36a to 36d and the stem 32
And is in an off state (non-conducting state). Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the upper housing 134 of this multi-directional switch is made of an insulating material such as resin and has a substantially rectangular outer shape, and a circular opening 134b is formed at the center. I have. Opening 134
A peripheral wall 134a is formed around the opening b to surround the opening 134b, and protrudes downward. The four second fixed contacts 36a to 36d, which are opposed to each other across the opening 134b and the peripheral wall 134a, are exposed on the same plane as the bottom surface of the upper housing 134, and the peripheral wall 134a is The contacts are formed higher than the contacts 36a to 36d. Therefore, in the assembled structure, in the neutral state, the stem 32 is pressed between the movable contact 30 and the upper housing 134 to be in the upright state. At this time, the upper surface 32e of the stem 32 is separated from the second fixed contacts 36a to 36d due to a step between the peripheral wall 134a and the second fixed contacts 36a to 36d. 36d and the common contact 26 are in a non-conductive state.

Next, the stem 32 in the neutral state is shown in FIG.
When a force is applied in the lateral direction of the arrow U as shown in FIG. 4 to move the contact point between the upper surface 32e of the stem 32 and the peripheral wall 134a as a fulcrum, the protrusion 32d of the flange 32b Is pressed, the movable contact 30 is reversed and displaced, and the movable contact 30 comes into contact with the first fixed
The fixed contact 24 and the common contact 26 are electrically connected via the movable contact 30. Then, the upper surface portion 32 of the stem 32
e comes into contact with the second fixed contact 36d of the upper housing 134, and the second fixed contact 36d and the common contact 26 are electrically connected through the conductive stem 32 and the movable contact 30. Thus, the contact corresponding to the operating direction of the stem 32 can be turned on. In this multidirectional switch, all of the second fixed contacts 36a to 36d are not simultaneously turned on (conducting) in both the neutral state and the operating state of the stem 32.

[0034]

As described above, the multidirectional switch according to the present invention comprises a housing having a first fixed contact and a common contact therein, and a movable contact which conducts to the common contact and comes into contact with and separates from the first fixed contact. A part of the stem, comprising a conductive stem and an upper housing having a second fixed contact, housing the movable contact and the stem in the housing, attaching the upper housing to the housing, and projecting out of the upper housing. So that the movable contact and the first fixed contact are separated from each other, and the stem and the second fixed contact are separated from each other, so that the common contact contacts and separates from the second fixed contact via the movable contact and the slam. Thus, the first fixed contact and the common contact are connected via the movable contact, and the second fixed contact and the common contact are connected via the stem and the movable contact in accordance with the operation of the stem. It is possible to respective contact released. Therefore, the operation of the stem in different directions can be smoothly performed by one stem without generating a sliding portion, and a highly accurate multidirectional switch can be provided. Further, since the stem is integrated, the number of parts can be reduced, and as a result, cost can be reduced.

In the neutral state of the stem, the conductive stem is always in contact with the second fixed contact, and the stem is operated so that the second fixed contact is separated from the stem. It can be used for a multidirectional switch suitable for a circuit of an electronic device in which the second fixed contact and the stem are electrically connected when the switch is not in operation.

Further, a protruding peripheral wall is provided on the upper housing, and in a neutral state of the stem, the second fixed contact and the conductive stem are always separated by the peripheral wall, and the second fixed contact and the stem are tilted by operating the stem. By contacting the second fixed contact and the second fixed contact, the second fixed contact and the stem can be used in a multidirectional switch suitable for a circuit of an electronic device that makes the stem non-conductive (off) when the stem is not tilted.

Further, a plurality of second fixed contacts are formed on the upper housing, and the second fixed contact that comes into contact with and separates from the stem among the plurality of second fixed contacts is easily changed by operating the stem in the tilt direction. A plurality of switching can be performed with a simple structure, and the invention can be applied to many circuits of an electronic device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-directional switch of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the multidirectional switch of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the multidirectional switch of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the housing of the multidirectional switch of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the upper housing of the multidirectional switch of the present invention.

6A is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the operation of the multidirectional switch of the present invention in a neutral state, and FIG. 6B is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 6A.
FIG.

FIG. 7A is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the operation of the multi-directional switch of the present invention at the time of center push, and FIG.
FIG. 7B is a circuit diagram of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the operation of the multidirectional switch of the present invention at the time of directional operation, and FIG. 8B is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG.
FIG.

9A and 9B show a second embodiment of the multi-directional switch according to the present invention. FIG. 9A is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining an operation in a neutral state, and FIG. 9B is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining an operation in a directional operation. .

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional multidirectional switch.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a conventional multidirectional switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 22 Housing 22b Inner bottom 24 First fixed contact 26 Common contact 30 Movable contact 32 Stem 32b Flange 32d Protrusion 34 Upper housing 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d Second fixed contact

Claims (4)

[Claims] A housing having a first fixed contact and a common contact therein, the housing being electrically connected to the common contact;
A movable contact that comes in contact with and separates from the fixed contact, a conductive stem, and an upper housing having a second fixed contact. The movable contact and the stem are housed in the housing, and the housing is provided with an upper housing. Mounting,
By operating a part of the stem protruding outside the upper housing, the movable contact and the first fixed contact are brought into contact with and separated from each other, and the stem and the second fixed contact are brought into contact with and separated from each other. A multidirectional switch, wherein a contact comes into contact with and separates from a second fixed contact via the movable contact and the stem. 2. In the neutral state of the stem, the conductive stem is always in contact with the second fixed contact, and the stem is operated to separate the second fixed contact from the stem. The multidirectional switch according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A protruding peripheral wall is provided on the upper housing, and in a neutral state of the stem, the peripheral wall continuously separates the second fixed contact and the conductive stem, and the stem is tilted by tilting operation of the stem. The multidirectional switch according to claim 1, wherein the second fixed contact and the stem are brought into contact with each other. 4. A plurality of the second fixed contacts are formed on the upper housing, and the second fixed contacts that come into contact with and separate from the stem among a plurality of the second fixed contacts according to a tilt operation direction of the stem. The multidirectional switch according to claim 1, wherein the switches are different.