JP6521374B2 - Seat switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a seat switch, and more particularly to a seat switch capable of opening and closing switch contacts even when the size of the switch operation surface is much larger than the size of the switch contacts.

In recent years, a sheet switch using a sheet made of a flexible synthetic resin as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 as a switch component such as an electric appliance, which enables conduction of a separated printed wiring portion of a printed circuit board Membrane switches are also known).
As shown in FIG. 6, the sheet switch 50 is provided with a sheet portion 51 made of a flexible synthetic resin, for example, a sheet of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyimide or the like. For example, the embossing part 52 (switch operation surface part) which protrudes in dome shape is formed.

Further, under the sheet portion 51, a presser sheet 55 is provided with the spacer 53 interposed therebetween. In the presser sheet 55, a presser 54 protruding downward is provided immediately below the embossed portion 52.
Further, an upper contact sheet 58 made of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is provided below the presser sheet 55 with the spacer 56 interposed therebetween. In the upper contact sheet 58, an upper contact 57 is formed immediately below the pusher 54. In the upper contact 57, an electrode made of, for example, carbon or silver carbon is printed on the back side of the dome-shaped sheet.
Furthermore, a lower contact sheet 60 (for example, a printed circuit board) is disposed below the upper contact sheet 58 with the spacer 61 interposed therebetween. The lower contact sheet 60 is formed with a lower contact 59 (a part where printed wiring is separated) which can be in contact with the upper contact 57.

  In the sheet switch 50 configured as described above, when the operator presses the embossed portion 52, the pusher 54 pushes the upper contact 57 downward, and the upper contact 57 abuts on the lower contact 59, and the printed wiring The spaced apart parts are connected and electrically conductive (switch on).

  In addition, when the operator releases the pressed state of the embossed portion 52, the embossed portion 52 is restored, the switch contacts (the upper contact 57 and the lower contact 59) are separated, and the separated portions of the printed wiring are again insulated (switched off) It becomes.

JP 2001-84868 A

By the way, in the sheet switch 50 having a structure as shown in FIG. 6, since the pusher 54 is provided immediately below the center of the embossed portion 52, the center of the embossed portion 52 is pushed downward, Switch contacts make contact.
Therefore, the diameter W of the embossed portion 52 must be formed as small as the size of the fingertip (specifically, approximately 10 to 15 mm) so that the operator reliably presses the central portion of the embossed portion 52 as the operation point. There was a limitation.
In other words, when the emboss portion 52 is formed large (for example, to a diameter of 40 to 50 mm), there is a problem that the switch does not react even when the portion other than the central portion is pressed.

  The present invention has been made focusing on the above points, and in a sheet switch having a switch operation surface formed of a sheet made of a flexible synthetic resin, the size of the switch operation surface relative to the size of the switch contact. The object of the present invention is to provide a seat switch which can be operated by pressing any position of the switch operation surface when the position of the switch is extremely large.

In order to solve the above-mentioned subject, the sheet switch concerning the present invention is the switch operation side part formed in the sheet which consists of flexible synthetic resin, and the 1st pushing element arranged under the switch operation side part. A sheet switch having a switch contact that opens and closes by being pushed into the first pusher, wherein the size of the switch operation surface portion is formed larger than the size of the switch contact, the switch operation A plate member disposed between the surface portion and the first pusher, formed in accordance with the shape of the switch operation surface portion, and disposed around the plate member in the vertical direction when the plate member is inclined The spacer for setting the stroke of the sheet, and the sheet having the switch operation surface portion formed on the periphery of the plate member. Is provided with an annular frame for receiving the fulcrum load when said plate member is inclined by said plate member is pushed through the switch operation surface, the first pusher is on said switch contact side It is characterized in that it is pushed in.
Preferably, the plate member is provided with a second pusher for pushing the first pusher toward the switch contact.
Alternatively, it has a switch operation surface portion formed on a sheet made of flexible synthetic resin, a pusher disposed below the switch operation surface portion, and a switch contact that opens and closes by being pushed into the pusher. A sheet switch in which the size of the switch operation surface is formed larger than the size of the switch contact, the switch being disposed below the switch operation surface, having the presser on the lower surface side, and the switch operation surface A plate member formed in accordance with the shape of the spacer, a spacer disposed around the plate member to set a vertical stroke when the plate member is inclined, the spacer and the spacer around the plate member The load on the fulcrum when the plate member is inclined is disposed between the sheet and the sheet on which the switch operation surface portion is formed. And a ring frame for receiving the, by said plate member is pushed through the switch operation surface may be configured such that the pusher is pushed into the switch contact side.

According to such a configuration, even when the switch operating surface is formed much larger than the switch contact, the plate member corresponding to the shape of the switch operating surface is located between the switch operating surface and the first pusher. By arranging the switch, the switch can be operated by pressing any place on the switch operation surface.
In particular, by providing an annular frame in which partial deformation is unlikely to occur so as to press the spacers arranged around the plate member, the plate member is inclined even if any place on the switch operation surface is pushed as the operation point It is possible to prevent the displacement of the fulcrum point of the fulcrum, and to secure a sufficient stroke for enabling the switch operation.

  According to the present invention, in the sheet switch in which the switch operation surface portion is formed of the sheet made of flexible synthetic resin, when the size of the switch operation surface portion is much larger than the size of the switch contact, It is possible to provide a seat switch that can be operated by pressing any position.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a seat switch according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the seat switch of FIG. 3 (a) to 3 (d) are cross-sectional views for explaining the operation principle of the seat switch of FIG. FIGS. 4A to 4C are cross-sectional views for explaining the operation of the seat switch of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the seat switch according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional seat switch.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a seat switch concerning the present invention is described based on a figure. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a seat switch according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the seat switch of FIG.
The sheet switch 1 according to the present invention includes a sheet portion 2 made of a flexible synthetic resin, for example, a sheet of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyimide or the like.

A plurality of embossed portions 3 (switch operation surface portions) protruding in a trapezoidal shape in cross section are formed in the sheet portion 2 corresponding to, for example, an operation panel of an electric appliance or the like (only one embossed portion 3 is shown in the figure). ). The planar shape of the embossed portion 3 is, for example, a substantially rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 2, and the length W1 of one side thereof is formed to be large, for example, 40 mm to 50 mm.
In the present embodiment, although the planar shape of the embossed portion 3 is rectangular, the shape of the embossed portion 3 is not particularly limited in the sheet switch according to the present invention, and is, for example, circular. May be
Further, in the present embodiment, although the embossed portion 3 is integrally formed in the sheet portion 2, the sheet portion 2 and the embossed portion 3 which are separate bodies are prepared, and the sheet portion 2 is embossed. The part 3 may be bonded.

  Further, a switch plate 4 (plate member) made of, for example, a transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or a metal material such as aluminum is disposed immediately below the embossed portion 3. The switch plate 4 has a thick portion 4A (for example, 2 mm in thickness) formed corresponding to the embossed portion 3 and a thin portion 4B (for example, 0.5 mm in thickness) formed on the periphery thereof. A pusher portion 4a (second pusher) protruding downward is formed at the center of the lower surface of the thick portion 4A. When the switch plate 4 is formed of a transparent material, for example, the entire sheet switch 1 can be made to emit light by incorporating an LED element in part thereof.

Further, around the switch plate 4, a spacer 5 formed of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and an annular frame 6 disposed on the spacer 5 and the thin portion 4 B of the switch plate 4 are provided. ing.
The spacer 5 is used to set the vertical stroke of the switch plate 4 by the thickness dimension H1 (for example, 1.6 mm).
Further, in the annular frame 6, for example, through holes are formed in a plate member having the same size as the sheet portion 2 along the shape of the switch plate 4 (embossed portion 3), and the edge portion is reinforced Become. For reinforcement of the edge, for example, a reinforcing rib is formed on the entire periphery of the edge, or a UV curing resin or the like is formed on the entire periphery of the edge in a rib shape, or a portion along the entire periphery of the edge There is a method of disposing a metal plate which is less likely to cause mechanical deformation. As a result, the annular frame 6 becomes rigid, and at least partial deformation is unlikely to occur. Further, the deformation of the spacer 5 and the emboss portion 3 (the sheet portion 2) is prevented, and the shift of the fulcrum when the switch plate 4 is pushed and inclined can be prevented, and the stroke can be secured.
The upper surface side of the annular frame 6 is bonded to the sheet portion 2, and the lower surface side is bonded to the spacer 5.

  Further, under the switch plate 4, a pusher sheet 7 formed of, for example, PET is provided. On the lower surface of the presser sheet 7, a presser portion 7 a (first presser) projecting downward is formed at a position directly below the presser portion 4 a of the switch plate 4. That is, when the pusher portion 4a of the switch plate 4 is pushed downward, it abuts on the pusher portion 7a, and the pusher portion 7a moves downward.

  Further, an upper contact sheet 9 formed of, for example, PET is disposed below the presser sheet 7 with the spacer 8 interposed therebetween. The upper contact sheet 9 is provided with an upper contact 9a at a position immediately below the pusher portion 7a. In the upper contact 9a, an electrode made of, for example, carbon or silver carbon is printed on the back of the dome-shaped sheet.

Further, a lower contact sheet 11 (for example, a printed circuit board) is disposed below the upper contact sheet 9 with the spacer 10 interposed therebetween. The lower contact sheet 11 is formed with a lower contact 11a in accordance with the position of the upper contact 9a. The lower contact 11a is formed of, for example, printed wiring separated from each other, and when the upper contact 9a abuts in switch operation, the printed wiring separated from each other is conducted (switched on).
The thickness H2 (excluding the height of the embossed portion 3) of the switch plate 4 stacked in this manner is, for example, 2.5 mm.

Furthermore, the structure of the seat switch 1 which concerns on this invention is demonstrated using FIG. 3 (a) thru | or FIG.3 (d).
When the switch plate 4 is disposed between the sheet portion 2 (embossed portion 3) and the presser sheet 7 as shown in FIG. 3A, for example, when an operation point 3b which is an end portion of the embossed portion 3 is pressed, As shown in FIG. 3 (b), this becomes the force point P2, and the end 4b of the switch plate 4 becomes the fulcrum A, and as shown in FIG. 3 (c), the switch plate 4 is inclined. The pusher portion 4a is an action point P1.

In this case, assuming that the distance from the fulcrum A to the action point P1 is L1 and the distance from the fulcrum A to the force point P2 is L2, the relationship between the distance from the fulcrum A to the force point P2 and the action point P1 and the load at each position is It can be represented by (1).
L2 × P2 = L1 × P1 formula (1)
Further, from the equation (1), the load required to close (turn on) the switch contact at the action point P1 can be expressed by the equation (2).
P1 = (L2 × P2) / L1 formula (2)

Here, since the position of the action point P1 is the center of the embossed portion 3, the equation (2) can be expressed by the relationship of the equation (4) from the relationship of the equation (3).
L2 = L1 × 2 (3)
P1 = (L1 × 2 × P2) / L1 = 2 × P2 (4)
That is, when the switch plate 4 is provided, the load P2 necessary for pressing the operating point 3b to turn on the switch contact by the action point P1 is the load value when the central portion (operating point 3a) of the embossed portion 3 is pressed. It is half of

In addition, from (c) in FIG. 3C, the relationship between the equation (5) and the equation (6) is established using the rotational operation angle θ centered on the fulcrum A in this case.
tan θ = LP1 / L1 (5)
tan θ = LP 2 / L 2 formula (6)
Further, equation (7) is derived from equations (3), (5), and (6).
LP2 = LP1 × 2 formula (7)

  From the equation (7), in order to push the operating point 3b to close the switch contact (turn on), the stroke twice as long as the stroke required to push the operating point 3a at the center of the embossed portion 3 to turn on the switch contact is is necessary. The thickness H1 of the spacer 5 and the height of the presser 4a are set in consideration of this stroke. Needless to say, the larger the height dimension of the pusher 4a, the smaller the pushing stroke.

Further, when the switch plate 4 is provided as described above and the operation point 3b at the end of the embossed portion 3 is pressed, a force in the opposite direction to the force pressing the operation point 3b is applied to the fulcrum A. Furthermore, after the switch contact is turned on, when the operating point 3b is further pressed, the reaction force of the load P2 is all the reaction force of the load P2 in the direction to peel off the embossed portion 3 with the switch contact portion as the fulcrum B as shown in FIG. Become.
In this case, the spacer 5 and the emboss portion 3 may be lifted, the position of the fulcrum A may be shifted, and the necessary stroke LP2 may not be secured.
Therefore, in the switch plate 1 according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the annular frame 6 is provided on the spacer 5, and the annular frame 6 receives the load applied to the fulcrum A all around. The shift of the fulcrum A is prevented.

When operating the sheet switch 1 configured as described above, when the central portion 3a of the embossed portion 3 is pressed as shown in FIG. 4B, for example, from the state where the switch as shown in FIG. 4A is not pressed. , The entire switch plate 4 sinks without being substantially inclined.
As a result, the presser portion 4a of the switch plate 4 presses the presser portion 7a of the presser sheet 7, and the presser portion 7a presses the upper contact 9a so that the upper contact 9a abuts on the lower contact 11a (switch contact Closed).

On the other hand, when the end 3b of the embossed portion 3 is pushed as shown in FIG. 4C, for example, from the state where the switch shown in FIG. 4A is not pressed, the switch plate 4 takes the opposite end 4b as a fulcrum It inclines and the presser part 4a moves below.
As a result, the presser portion 4a of the switch plate 4 presses the presser portion 7a of the presser sheet 7, and the presser portion 7a presses the upper contact 9a so that the upper contact 9a abuts on the lower contact 11a (switch contact be opened).

  In either case of FIG. 4 (b) or FIG. 4 (c), when the operator releases the finger from the switch, the switch plate 4 returns to its original position by its restoring force, and the upper contact by the pusher 7a. The pressing of 9a is released, and the upper contact 9a and the lower contact 11a are separated (switched off).

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, even when the embossed portion 3 (switch operation surface portion) is formed large, the switch plate 4 corresponding to the shape of the embossed portion 3 is pressed with the embossed portion 3 By disposing between the child sheet 7, the switch operation becomes possible even if any place on the embossed portion 3 is pressed.
In particular, by providing the annular frame 6 in which partial deformation hardly occurs so as to press the spacer 5 disposed around the switch plate 4, the switch plate 4 can be pressed anywhere as the operation point on the embossed portion 3. It is possible to prevent the displacement of the fulcrum at the time of tilting, and to secure a sufficient stroke for enabling the switch operation.

  In the embodiment described above, the embossed portion 3 has a shape projecting from the sheet portion 2 in a trapezoidal shape in cross section, but the present invention is not limited to this shape, and for example, as shown in FIG. It may be flat. In that case, the switch plate 4 is formed to have a uniform plate thickness (flat) over substantially the entire area of the embossed portion 3. Further, in this case, the diameter of the switch plate 4 can be formed smaller than that of the configuration of FIG. Therefore, the stroke of the switch plate 4 inclined when the end of the embossed portion 3 is pressed is smaller than that of the configuration of FIG. Therefore, the load on the fulcrum side is not applied to the spacer 5, and there is no need to provide the annular frame 6 as shown in FIG.

Further, in the above embodiment, the switch contact is closed (switched on) by pressing the switch contact (upper contact 9a) by the pusher 7a. However, the sheet switch according to the present invention Is not limited to that form.
That is, the present invention can also be applied to a structure in which the switch contacts are opened (switched off) by pressing the switch contacts by the pushers 7a.

In the above embodiment, the switch contact is pushed in by the pusher portion 4a formed on the switch plate 4 and the pusher portion 7a formed on the pusher sheet 7. If it is, it is not limited to the composition.
For example, the pusher sheet 7 may not be provided, and the switch contact (upper contact 9a) may be pressed directly by the pusher portion 4a formed on the switch plate 4.

1 sheet switch 2 sheet portion 3 embossed portion (switch operation surface portion)
4 Switch plate (plate member)
4a Pusher (second pusher, pusher)
5 spacer 6 annular frame 7 presser sheet 7a presser portion (first presser)
8 Spacer 9 Upper Contact Sheet 9a Upper Contact 10 Spacer 11 Lower Contact Sheet 11a Lower Contact

Claims (3)

A switch operating surface formed on a sheet made of a flexible synthetic resin, a first pusher disposed below the switch operating surface, and a switch contact that opens and closes by being pushed into the first pusher. A sheet switch in which a size of the switch operation surface portion is formed larger than a size of the switch contact,
A plate member disposed between the switch operation surface portion and the first pusher and formed in accordance with the shape of the switch operation surface portion;
A spacer disposed around the plate member to set a vertical stroke when the plate member is inclined;
An annular frame disposed around the plate member between the spacer and the sheet on which the switch operation surface portion is formed and receiving a load of a fulcrum when the plate member is inclined;
Equipped with
A sheet switch characterized in that the first pusher is pushed toward the switch contact side by pushing the plate member through the switch operation surface portion.   The sheet switch according to claim 1, wherein the plate member is formed with a second pusher for pushing the first pusher to the switch contact side. The switch comprises: a switch operation surface formed on a sheet made of a flexible synthetic resin, a pusher disposed below the switch operation surface, and a switch contact that opens and closes by being pushed into the pusher, the switch A sheet switch in which a size of the switch operation surface portion is formed larger than a size of a contact,
A plate member disposed below the switch operation surface portion, having the pusher on the lower surface side, and being formed in accordance with the shape of the switch operation surface portion;
A spacer disposed around the plate member to set a vertical stroke when the plate member is inclined;
And an annular frame disposed around the plate member between the spacer and the sheet on which the switch operation surface portion is formed and receiving a load of a fulcrum when the plate member is inclined ,
A sheet switch characterized in that the pusher is pushed toward the switch contact side by pushing the plate member through the switch operation surface portion.

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