JP4353255B2 - Push switch and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a push switch for a vehicle used for controlling turning on / off of a stop lamp of a brake pedal operating shaft of an automobile and a manufacturing method thereof.

  Conventionally, main control when operating a brake pedal of an automobile includes turning on a stop lamp for notifying that the brake pedal has been depressed, and releasing an auto drive function for automatically driving at a constant speed. In recent years, in addition to those that perform these controls using separate switches, there are an increasing number of those that control a plurality of functions with a single switch.

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

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional push switch, and FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 1 denotes a substantially cylindrical insulating resin case having an upper surface opening and an inner bottom surface. A pair of fixed contacts 2 made of a conductive metal plate protruding upward along the left inner wall, and a pair of fixed contacts 3 made of a conductive metal plate protruding upward and bent in an L-shape. It is fixed and planted by caulking etc.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a movable contact made of a conductive metal plate, and both ends of the movable contact 4 are fixed by a coiled contact pressure spring 5 mounted in a slightly bent state between the center of the lower surface and the inner bottom surface of the case 1. The pair of fixed contacts 3 are electrically connected to each other through the movable contact 4 while being in elastic contact with the lower surface of the bent portion of the contact 3.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes an operation shaft housed in the case 1 so as to be movable up and down, 7 is a contact piece made of an elastic metal thin plate, and a fixing portion 7A at one end of the contact piece 7 is held and fixed to the side surface of the operation shaft 6 by a rivet 8. The contact 7B at the other end is in elastic contact with the left inner wall of the case 1 with the middle arm 7C slightly bent.

  A slightly bent coil-shaped operation spring 9 is mounted between the lower surface of the operation shaft 6 and the inner bottom surface of the case 1 to urge the operation shaft 6 upward and to open the opening of the case 1. The cover 10 is covered, and the cover 10 is provided with a bearing portion 10A having a screw thread formed on the outer periphery. The operation shaft 6 is inserted through the central through hole 10B to constitute the push switch 11.

  In the push switch having such a configuration, first, a pair of fixed contact 2 and fixed contact 3 are fixed to the inner bottom surface of the case 1 by welding, caulking or the like, and then the movable contact 4 and the contact pressure spring 5 slightly bent are attached to the case. 1 is inserted between the inner bottom surface and the fixed contact 3, and both ends of the movable contact 4 are brought into elastic contact with the lower surfaces of the bent portions of the pair of fixed contacts 3.

  Next, the operating shaft 6 having the contact piece 7 held and fixed on the side surface by the rivet 8 is housed in the case 1 while bending the operating spring 9 mounted between the bottom surface of the case 1 and operated in the through hole 10B. The push switch 11 is completed by covering the opening of the case 1 with the cover 10 through which the shaft 6 is inserted.

  In the above configuration, when the upper surface of the operation shaft 6 protruding from the through hole 10B of the cover 10 is pressed, the operation shaft 6 moves downward while bending the operation spring 9 as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. The contact portion 7B of the contact piece 7 held on the side surface slides elastically on the left inner wall of the case 1 to contact the fixed contact 2, and electrical connection through the contact piece 7 of the pair of fixed contacts 2 is performed. Done.

  At the same time, the lower surface of the operating shaft 6 presses the center of the upper surface of the movable contact 4, the contact pressure spring 5 is bent, and both ends of the movable contact 4 are separated from the lower surfaces of the bent portions of the pair of fixed contacts 3. The pair of fixed contacts 3 are configured to be electrically disconnected.

  Then, as shown in the side view of FIG. 11, the push switch 11 having the above-described configuration is operated at an angle 12B formed integrally with the brake pedal 12 and having an upper end support portion 12A rotatably held on the vehicle body. With the shaft 6 pressed, the outer periphery of the bearing portion 10A of the cover 10 is attached to the vehicle body by the stopper 13.

  Further, a connector 14 is attached to the push switch 11, the fixed contact 2 is connected to an electronic circuit 16 for controlling an auto drive function or the like for keeping the traveling speed constant via a power source 15, and the fixed contact 3 is also a stop lamp of an automobile. Each is connected to a circuit 17.

  Thus, when the operating shaft 6 of the push switch 11 is pressed, that is, when the automobile is in a running state, the fixed contact 2 is electrically connected via the contact piece 7 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the auto drive function of the electronic circuit 16 connected thereto is in a connected state, and the stop lamp circuit 17 connected to the blocked fixed contact 3 is in an extinguished state.

  When the brake pedal 12 is stepped on as shown by a broken line in FIG. 11, the angle 12B rotates with the support portion 12A as a fulcrum, moves away from the operation shaft 6 of the push switch 11, and the operation shaft 6 moves to the contact spring 5 or Since the urging force of the operating spring 9 returns to the state shown in FIG. 8, the contact piece 7 is separated from the fixed contact 2, and the auto drive function of the electronic circuit 16 is released.

  At the same time, both ends of the movable contact 4 are brought into contact with the lower surfaces of the bent portions of the pair of fixed contacts 3 by the biasing force of the contact pressure spring 5, so that the stop lamp circuit 17 is turned on and the brake pedal 12 is stepped on. It was designed to let you know.

  However, in the above-described conventional push switch, when the contact piece 7 is held and fixed on the side surface of the operation shaft 6 by the rivet 8, or when the operation shaft 6 holding the contact piece 7 is housed in the case 1 and assembled, There is a problem that the contact piece 7 made of a thin metal plate is liable to be deformed and the contact of the contact tends to be unstable, and it takes time to assemble the switch.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to provide a push switch that can achieve stable contact, is easy to assemble, and is inexpensive, and a manufacturing method thereof.

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

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention has a through hole through which the operation shaft is inserted at the center, a lower surface of the cover that covers the opening of the case, and a pair that protrudes downward and whose inner surface is flush with the contact surface of the fixed contact. A push switch is configured by elastically contacting the contact part of the contact piece with the intermediate arm part slightly bent, with the fixed part at one end held on the side surface of the operation shaft, and the inner side surface of the rib. The contact part of the contact piece elastically contacts the rib inner surface of the lower surface of the cover, and the switch can be assembled with the operation shaft temporarily held on the cover, so contact is made when assembling the operation shaft holding the contact piece and the case. The piece is less likely to be deformed, stable contact can be obtained, and an inexpensive push switch that can be easily automated is obtained.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the case of the invention according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of the rib projecting downward from the lower surface of the cover is brought into contact with the upper end of the fixed contact. Because the lower end of the rib of the cover is in contact with the upper end of the fixed contact, even when an external force is applied to the lower end of the fixed contact protruding outward from the case, the fixed contact is held more firmly and securely. It has the effect of being able to.

  In the invention according to claim 3, after holding the contact piece on the operation shaft, the contact portion of the contact piece is elastically contacted to the inner surface of the rib protruding downward from the lower surface of the cover, and the operation shaft is temporarily held on the cover. 2. The push switch manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein this is combined with a case in which a fixed contact is planted on the inner bottom surface, and the switch can be assembled with the operating shaft temporarily held on the cover. Therefore, it is possible to realize a push switch that can achieve stable contact and can be easily automated.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that a stable contact of contacts can be obtained and a push switch that is easy to assemble and inexpensive and a manufacturing method thereof can be obtained.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part of the structure same as the structure demonstrated in the term of the prior art, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a push switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, and 21 is a case made of a substantially cylindrical insulating resin having an upper surface opening and an inner bottom surface. A pair of fixed contact 22 made of a conductive metal plate projecting upward along the left inner wall is formed on the inner bottom surface, and a pair of fixed contacts made of a conductive metal plate protruding upward and bent in an L-shape. The contact 3 is fixed and planted by welding or caulking.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a movable contact made of a conductive metal plate. A pair of both ends of the movable contact 4 is paired by a coil-shaped contact spring 5 mounted in a slightly bent state between the center of the lower surface and the inner bottom surface of the case 21. The fixed contact 3 is elastically contacted with the lower surface of the bent portion, and the pair of fixed contacts 3 are electrically connected via the movable contact 4.

  Reference numeral 26 denotes an operation shaft housed in the case 21 so as to be movable up and down. Reference numeral 27 denotes a contact piece made of an elastic metal thin plate. On the side surface of the operation shaft 26, a substantially U-shaped groove 26A is formed at both ends, A holding part 26C in which a recess 26B having an upper end opening is formed is provided, and a fixing part 27A at one end of the contact piece 27 is inserted into the groove part 26A of the holding part 26C from below.

  The upper surface of the tongue 27B protruding outward from both ends of the fixing portion 27A of the contact piece 27 is in contact with the lower surface of the groove portion 26A of the holding portion 26C of the operation shaft 26, and the lower end of the recess portion 26B of the holding portion 26C is A protrusion 27C protruding from the center of the fixing portion 27A of the contact piece 27 toward the operation shaft 26 is locked, and the fixing portion 27A of the contact piece 27 is held and fixed to the holding portion 26C of the operation shaft 26.

  In addition, a slightly bent coil-shaped operation spring 9 is mounted between the lower surface of the operation shaft 26 and the inner bottom surface of the case 21 to urge the operation shaft 26 upward and to open the opening of the case 21. The cover 28 is covered, and the cover 28 is provided with a bearing portion 28A having a thread formed on the outer periphery, and the operation shaft 26 is inserted through the central through hole 28B.

  Further, a pair of ribs 28C protruding downward and having an inner surface flush with the contact surface of the fixed contact 22 are provided on the lower surface of the cover 28, and the intermediate arm portion 27D is slightly bent on the inner surface of the rib 28C. In this state, the contact portion 27E at the other end of the contact piece 27 is in elastic contact, and the lower end of the rib 28C is in contact with the upper end of the fixed contact 22 to constitute the push switch 30.

  In the push switch having such a configuration, first, a pair of fixed contact 22 and fixed contact 3 are fixed to the inner bottom surface of the case 21 by welding, caulking, or the like, and then the movable contact 4 and the contact pressure spring 5 slightly bent are attached to the case. 21 is inserted between the bottom surface of the inner surface 21 and the fixed contact 3, and both ends of the movable contact 4 are brought into elastic contact with the lower surfaces of the bent portions of the pair of fixed contacts 3.

  Next, as shown in the partially exploded perspective view of FIG. 3, the fixing portion 27A of the contact piece 27 is inserted into the groove portion 26A of the holding portion 26C of the operation shaft 26 from below, and the tongue portion of the contact piece 27 is inserted into the lower surface of the groove portion 26A. The upper surface of 27B is brought into contact, and the protrusion 27C of the contact piece 27 is locked to the lower end of the groove 26B of the holding portion 26C, so that the contact piece 27 is held and fixed to the holding portion 26C of the operation shaft 26.

  4, the operating shaft 26 holding the contact piece 27 is inserted into the through hole 28B in the center of the cover 28, and the contact portion 27E of the contact piece 27 is inserted into the rib 28C on the lower surface of the cover 28. The operating shaft 26 is temporarily held on the cover 28 by elastic contact.

  Finally, the cover 28 temporarily holding the operation shaft 26 is combined with the case 21 in which the fixed contact 22 and the fixed contact 3 are implanted and the movable contact 4, the contact pressure spring 5, and the operation spring 9 are assembled. Thus, the push switch 30 is completed covering the opening of the case 21.

  In the above configuration, when the upper surface of the operating shaft 26 protruding from the through hole 28B of the cover 28 is pressed, the operating shaft 26 moves downward while bending the operating spring 9, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. The contact portion 27E of the contact piece 27 held by the side holding portion 26C slides elastically on the inner side surface of the rib 28C of the cover 28, and the contact surface comes into contact with the fixed contact 22 on the same surface as the inner side surface of the rib 28C. The electrical connection through the contact piece 27 of the pair of fixed contacts 22 is performed.

  At the same time, the lower surface of the operating shaft 26 presses the center of the upper surface of the movable contact 4, the contact spring 5 is bent, and both ends of the movable contact 4 are separated from the lower surface of the bent portion of the fixed contact 3. The fixed contact 3 is configured to be electrically disconnected.

  As in the case of the prior art, the push switch 30 configured as described above is configured such that the operation shaft 26 is pressed against the angle 12B formed integrally with the brake pedal 12, as shown in the side view of FIG. In this state, the outer periphery of the bearing portion 28A of the cover 28 is attached to the vehicle body by the stopper 13.

  A connector 14 is attached to the push switch 30, and the electrically connected fixed contact 22 is electrically connected to an electronic circuit 16 that controls an auto drive function and the like that keeps the traveling speed constant via a power source 15. The blocked fixed contacts 3 are also connected to the stop lamp circuit 17 of the automobile.

  Then, when the brake pedal 12 is stepped on as shown by the broken line in FIG. 6 from the state in which the operation shaft 26 of the push switch 30 is pressed in this way, the angle 12B rotates around the support portion 12A, and the operation shaft 26 returns to the state shown in FIG. 1 by the urging force of the contact pressure spring 5 and the operation spring 9, the contact piece 27 is separated from the fixed contact 22, and the automatic drive function of the electronic circuit 16 is released.

  At the same time, both ends of the movable contact 4 are brought into contact with the lower surfaces of the bent portions of the pair of fixed contacts 3 by the biasing force of the contact pressure spring 5, so that the stop lamp circuit 17 is turned on and the brake pedal 12 is stepped on. It is configured to let you know.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the fixing portion 27A of the contact piece 27 can be held by the one-touch holding portion 26C of the operation shaft 26 without using rivets, welding, caulking or the like. When holding and fixing the contact piece, the contact piece is difficult to be deformed, stable contact of the contact is obtained, and an easy-to-assemble and inexpensive push switch can be obtained.

  Then, a rib 28C whose inner surface is flush with the contact surface of the fixed contact 22 is provided on the lower surface of the cover 28, and the contact portion 27E of the contact piece 27 is elastically contacted with the inner surface of the rib 28C. Since the switch can be assembled in a state in which the contact piece 27 is temporarily held, when the operation shaft 26 holding the contact piece 27 and the case 21 are assembled, the contact piece 27 is less likely to be deformed. As a result, automation of assembly can be easily realized.

  Further, the lower end of the rib 28 </ b> C protruding downward from the lower surface of the cover 28 is brought into contact with the upper end of the fixed contact 22, so that the fixed contact 22 is welded, caulked, etc. Since the lower end of the rib 28C of the 28 is in contact, even when an external force is applied to the lower end of the fixed contact 22 protruding outward from the case 21, the fixed contact 22 can be held more firmly and reliably.

  Furthermore, as shown in the partially exploded perspective view of FIG. 7, the protrusion 27F in the center of the fixing portion 27A of the contact piece 27 made of elastic metal thin plate is formed in a tongue shape, and the protrusion 27F is bent slightly, Is elastically brought into contact with the lower end of the recessed portion 26B of the holding portion 26C of the operating shaft 26, so that the contact piece 27 is not rattled and the contact of the contact can be stabilized.

  The push switch and the manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention can obtain a stable contact, can be easily assembled, and can be inexpensive, and is mainly used for controlling turning on / off of a stop lamp of an automobile brake pedal operation shaft. Useful.

Sectional drawing of the push switch by one embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view Partial exploded perspective view Partial sectional view of the same Cross section during the same operation Side view with the car installed Partial exploded perspective view Cross section of a conventional push switch Exploded perspective view Cross section during the same operation Side view with the car installed

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Fixed contact 4 Movable contact 5 Contact pressure spring 9 Operation spring 12 Brake pedal 12A Support part 12B Angle 13 Stopper 14 Connector 15 Power supply 16 Electronic circuit 17 Stop lamp circuit 21 Case 22 Fixed contact 26 Operation shaft 26A Groove 26B Depression 26C Holding Part 27 Contact piece 27A Fixing part 27B Tongue part 27C, 27F Projection part 27D Arm part 27E Contact part 28 Cover 28A Bearing part 28B Through hole 28C Rib 30 Push switch

Claims (3)

A case made of a cylindrical insulating resin having an inner bottom surface with an upper surface opening, a pair of fixed contacts planted on the inner bottom surface of the case and projecting upward, and an operation shaft housed in the case so as to be vertically movable An elastic metal in which a fixed portion at one end is held on the side surface of the operation shaft, and an intermediate arm portion is slightly bent, and a contact portion at the other end elastically slides on the fixed contact by the vertical movement of the operation shaft. The case having a thin plate contact piece, a coiled operation spring which is mounted in the case in a slightly bent state and biases the operation shaft upward, and a through hole through which the operation shaft is inserted in the center. A pair of ribs projecting downward and having an inner surface flush with the contact surface of the fixed contact, and the contact portion of the contact piece is elastically contacted to the inner surface of the rib. Push switch. The push switch according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of the rib projecting downward from the lower surface of the cover is brought into contact with an upper end of the fixed contact. After holding the fixed part of the contact piece on the holding part on the side of the operation shaft, insert the operation shaft into the through hole in the center of the cover, and elastically contact the contact part of the contact piece on the inner side of the rib protruding downward from the lower surface of the cover The method for manufacturing a push switch according to claim 1, wherein the operating shaft is temporarily held on the cover, and a case in which a fixed contact is implanted on the inner bottom surface is combined.

Images