JP4881143B2 - Press switch device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pressure switch device that is used for input of various electronic devices such as a mobile phone, a PDA, a remote controller, a digital camera, an AV device, and an in-vehicle electrical device, and performs input by deforming a spring contact by a pressing operation.

  Various electronic devices are equipped with a push switch device as the devices become more multifunctional. For example, in the push switch device 2 of the mobile phone 1 as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of key tops 3 appearing on the outer surface are exposed from the operation opening 4a of the housing 4, and these key tops 3 are directed to input directions or determine instructions. An input operation unit is configured by a first group that performs functional operations such as input and a second group that performs numeric input, English character input, and the like. Among these, the first group includes an annular key top 3a for performing up / down / left / right direction operations and a central key top 3b for performing a decision operation at the center thereof, and is used as a press switch device for performing multi-directional input. It is done.

In the press switch device 2, as shown in FIG. 13, the key top 3 is integrally fixed to the base sheet 5 made of a rubber-like elastic body with an adhesive 6, and a substrate 7 corresponding to each key top 3. A spring contact 8 as a contact switch is arranged on the top. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, in the multidirectional input switch described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, one spring contact 8a is disposed on the substrate 7 corresponding to the central key top 3b, and this spring contact 8a. The four spring contacts 8b corresponding to the annular key top 3a are arranged in an annular shape surrounding the spring contact 8a so as not to contact the central spring contact 8a. When the operator presses the key top 3, the spring contact 8 is pressed by the pusher 5 a formed on the base sheet 5 and input.
JP 2001-101956 A JP 2003-272485 A

  By the way, with the downsizing of electronic equipment, it is necessary to reduce the input operation unit in a plan view of the press switch device, that is, in a direction crossing the press direction of the press switch device. However, in the input operation unit of the first group, it is necessary to arrange a large number (five in FIG. 14) of spring contacts 8, and it is difficult to reduce the size.

  The present invention has been made under the background as described above. That is, the present invention is to provide a push switch device that is compact in the width direction in plan view.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows. That is, the present invention relates to a press switch device that performs input by deforming a spring contact by a pressing operation, and has an upper substrate positioned on the pressing operation side and a lower substrate positioned on the inner side of the device. An upper spring contact fixed to the upper substrate and a lower spring contact fixed to the lower substrate are provided on each opposing surface of the substrate, and the upper spring contact and the lower spring contact overlap in the vertical direction. A press switch device is provided.

  In the present invention, since the upper spring contact and the lower spring contact have an overlap in a plan view with respect to the substrate, the pitch of the spring contacts arranged so as to face each other is the spring contact in the prior art arranged so as not to contact each other. The spring contacts can be efficiently arranged with high density and the width of the pressure switch device can be reduced.

  Both the upper spring contact and the lower spring contact have a circular dome shape, and the pressure switch device in which the radial overlap length of both spring contacts is shorter than the length of the radius of both spring contacts can be obtained. Both the upper spring contact and the lower spring contact are circular dome-shaped, and the spring overlaps the center of the top of the spring contact by making the radial overlap length of both spring contacts shorter than the radius of both spring contacts. Since it does not overlap with the contact, the pressing operation can be performed without being interfered by the opposing spring contact. Therefore, a reliable input operation can be realized.

  It can be set as the press switch apparatus which has the flexibility which an upper board | substrate deform | transforms by press operation. Since the upper substrate has flexibility to be deformed by a pressing operation, a switch input can be performed by pressing the upper substrate.

  A press switch device in which the upper substrate and the lower substrate are formed as a continuous surface by bending a single substrate can be provided. Since the upper substrate and the lower substrate are formed as a continuous surface by bending a single substrate, the opposing substrates can be made of a single material, and the number of components can be reduced. Further, since the substrates can be made to face each other by bending, positioning can be performed easily.

  A press switch device may be provided in which a pusher that presses the spring contact is provided at the center of the top of the spring contact. Since the pusher that presses the spring contact is provided at the center of the top of the spring contact, it is possible to reduce malfunctions due to the displacement between the pusher and the spring contact. Further, the pusher and the spring contact can be formed integrally with the same member, and the number of parts can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of spring contacts that bear a direction instruction input are provided on either one of the upper board and the lower board in a ring shape, and one spring contact that bears a decision instruction input on either the upper board or the lower board Can be a push switch device provided at a position opposite to the annular center.

  A plurality of spring contacts for carrying direction indication inputs are provided in an annular shape on either one of the upper substrate and the lower substrate, and one spring contact for carrying a decision indication input is provided on either the upper substrate or the lower substrate. Therefore, the pressure switch device capable of performing determination instruction input and direction instruction input can be reduced in the width direction.

  Further, the present invention provides a plurality of spring contacts that bear direction instruction inputs on both the upper substrate and the lower substrate, and a press that provides one spring contact that bears decision instruction inputs on either the upper substrate or the lower substrate It can be a switch device.

  Since a plurality of spring contacts that carry direction instruction inputs are provided on both the upper board and the lower board, and one spring contact that carries decision instruction inputs is provided on either the upper board or the lower board, many decision instruction inputs and many It is possible to reduce the size of the push switch device capable of performing the direction instruction input in the width direction.

  In the press switch device of the present invention, the arrangement pitch of the spring contacts arranged so as to face each other can be reduced, and the spring contacts can be efficiently arranged with high density, and in plan view, that is, in the width direction of the press switch device. The size can be reduced. Therefore, it can equip suitably in the electronic device reduced in size.

  Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the structure which is common in each embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and duplication description is abbreviate | omitted. A case where the press switch device of the present invention is applied to the mobile phone 1 as an “electronic device” will be described.

First Embodiment [FIGS. 1 to 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a push switch device 9 according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the pressing switch device 9 of the first embodiment is fixed to the lower substrate 10 located inside the mobile phone 1, the upper substrate 11 located on the pressing operation side, and the upper surface 10 a of the lower substrate 10. A lower spring contact 12a, an upper spring contact 12b fixed to the lower surface 11a of the upper substrate 11, a fixing tape 13 fixing the spring contacts 12a and 12b, and a pusher 14 pressing the spring contacts 12a and 12b. I have.

The lower substrate 10 includes a lower spring contact 12a, a fixing tape 13 for fixing the lower spring contact 12a, and a pusher 14 for pressing the upper spring contact 12b on an upper surface 10a facing the upper substrate 11. . Further, a circuit contact (not shown) or a circuit (not shown) that contacts the lower spring contact 12a is formed by buckling of the lower spring contact 12a. The lower substrate 10 is preferably made of an insulating resin capable of forming a circuit contact with a metal foil or conductive ink. Examples of these resins include glass epoxy resins, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resins, polycarbonate resins, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resins, polyimide resins, polyurethane resins, nylon resins, and alloy resins thereof.

The upper substrate 11 includes, on a lower surface 11a facing the lower substrate 10, an upper spring contact 12b, a fixing tape 13 that fixes the upper spring contact 12b, and a pusher 14 that presses the lower spring contact 12a. A circuit contact (not shown) or a circuit (not shown) that contacts the upper spring contact 12b is formed by buckling of the upper spring contact 12b. Further, on the upper surface 11b of the upper substrate 11, a display layer (not shown) representing characters, symbols, numbers, etc. representing the input content may be formed at the pressing operation position. The upper substrate 11 can also be formed using the same material as that of the lower substrate 10, but when the lower substrate 10 is a substrate having a rigidity that does not deform even when pressed, the upper substrate 11 is It is necessary to have a degree of flexibility that can be deformed by a pressing operation, and a resin different from the lower substrate 10 or a resin having a different thickness can be used. Lay preferable to use a PET resin film having a thickness of 0.01Mm～0.3Mm, and a PET resin film having a thickness of 0.1mm in the present embodiment.

  The spring contacts 12a and 12b are preferably formed in a circular dome shape. In the present embodiment, the spring contacts 12a and 12b have the same size and the same height, but it is also possible to use different sizes of spring contacts. The lower spring contact 12a provided on the upper surface 10a of the lower substrate 10 and the upper spring contact 12b provided on the lower surface 11a of the upper substrate 11 are edge portions in plan view, in other words, in the vertical direction. (Edge) It is arranged so that they overlap each other. That is, when the upper spring contact 12b is projected in a direction facing the lower substrate 10, the projected upper spring contact 12b overlaps the lower spring contact 12a at the edge thereof. FIG. 2 shows a diagram in which the upper spring contact 12 b is projected onto the upper surface 10 a of the lower substrate 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the radial length L of the spring contacts 12a and 12b is smaller than the radius of the lower spring contact 12a and the upper spring contact 12b.

  The material of the spring contacts 12a, 12b is preferably an elastic material that can be repeatedly bent and deformed. For example, a metal, resin, rubber-like elastic body, etc. can be used. For metals, stainless steel, phosphor bronze, etc. can be used. For resins, PET resin, PBT resin, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) resin, etc. can be used. For rubbery elastic bodies, synthetic rubber such as silicone rubber, natural rubber, Thermoplastic elastomers can be used. Since the spring contacts 12a and 12b are made of a press-deformable material such as a metal, a resin, or a rubber-like elastic body, the spring contacts 12a and 12b can repeatedly realize bending deformation that expresses a click feeling. Among them, the spring contacts 12a and 12b made of metal are more easily transmitted with a click feeling than other materials, and a reliable input operation can be performed. Further, the spring contacts 12a and 12b made of a rubber-like elastic body can easily project the pusher 14 at the top of the dome shape. The sizes of the spring contacts 12a and 12b depend on the size of the press switch device 9 that is required as appropriate, but the spring contacts 12a and 12b used in the compact press switch device 9 have a diameter of about 4 mm and a height of about 0.3 mm. It is preferable to use a metal spring contact of a degree.

  The fixing tape 13 that fixes the spring contacts 12a and 12b to the substrates 10 and 11 fixes the edges of the spring contacts 12a and 12b to the substrates 10 and 11 so that the tops of the spring contacts 12a and 12b are exposed. . That is, the tops of the spring contacts 12a and 12b are exposed from the through holes 13a of the fixing tape 13 formed slightly smaller than the diameter of the spring contacts 12a and 12b. If fixed, part of the edges of the spring contacts 12a, 12b may be fixed, or the spring contacts 12a, 12b including the tops of the spring contacts 12a, 12b may be fixed so as to cover the whole. . However, it is preferable not to cover the tops of the spring contacts 12a and 12b and to fix the spring contacts 12a and 12b at the edges of the spring contacts 12a and 12b. For the fixing tape 13, an adhesive tape in which an acrylic adhesive layer and a PET base material are laminated can be used.

  The pusher 14 is provided at a position aligned with the tops of the spring contacts 12a and 12b to be pressed so as to accurately press the opposing spring contacts 12a and 12b. That is, the pusher 14 (presser 14b) that presses the lower spring contact 12a is pressed against the lower surface 11a of the upper substrate 10 that faces the center of the lower spring contact 12a. 14a) is provided on the upper surface 10a of the lower substrate 11 facing the center of the upper spring contact 12b. The size and shape of the pusher 14 can be set to an appropriate size and shape according to the size of the spring contacts 12a and 12b, but for a metal spring contact having a diameter of about 4 mm and a height of about 0.3 mm. Therefore, it is preferable to use a columnar shape having a width of about 1 mm and a height of about 0.3 mm. The shape may be a hemispherical shape, a dome shape, a truncated cone shape, or the like in addition to a columnar shape. The material of the pusher 14 is preferably a resin or rubber-like elastic body that can be pressed without damaging the spring contact. Specifically, a reaction curable resin such as a thermosetting type, a photo curable type, a moisture curable type, or a reactive curable rubber, or a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer that is cooled and solidified after heating and melting can be used. For example, an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a silicone resin, a silicone rubber, etc. are mentioned.

  A method for manufacturing the press switch device 9 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a manufacturing process in the press switch device 9. First, as shown in FIG. 3A, the lower spring contact 12 a is fixed on the lower substrate 10 with the fixing tape 13 so that the top portion is exposed from the through hole 13 a formed in the fixing tape 13. At this time, a circuit contact (not shown) formed on the lower substrate 10 is aligned with the center of the top of the lower spring contact 12a. Similarly, the upper spring contact 12 b is fixed to the upper substrate 11.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, after a liquid ultraviolet curable resin is injected into the pusher mold, the lower mold 10 is aligned with the pusher mold and irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Then, the ultraviolet curable resin is cured to form the pusher 14 as shown in FIG. In this case, the pusher 14 may be provided on the fixing tape 13 or may be provided on the substrate 10 without the fixing tape 13. However, from the viewpoint of the sticking property of the pusher 14, the lower substrate 10 without the sticking tape 13 is used by using the sticking tape 13 in which the pusher portion is previously hollowed out so that the sticking tape 13 does not come to the portion where the pusher 14 is formed. It is preferable to provide the pusher 14 on the top. The presser mold can be formed of a transparent resin such as a transparent silicone resin, or glass. When the photocurable resin is not used, an opaque resin such as metal or colored resin may be used for the presser mold. Similarly, the pusher 14 is also formed on the upper substrate 11. Finally, the top center of the lower spring contact 12a of the lower substrate 10 and the center of the pusher 14 of the upper substrate 11 are made to face each other, and the center of the upper spring contact 12b of the upper substrate 11 and the pusher of the lower substrate 10 are placed. The push switch device 9 is obtained by fixing the center of the 14 facing each other.

  The operation and effect of the press switch device 9 of this embodiment will be described. According to the pressing switch device 9 of the present embodiment, since the edges of the lower spring contact 12a and the upper spring contact 12b overlap each other in plan view, the lower spring contact 12a and the upper spring contact 12b The pitch between them can be made smaller than in the prior art. Therefore, the spring contacts 12a and 12b can be efficiently provided with high density. Therefore, the width of the press switch device 9 can be made smaller than before, and can be suitably equipped in a miniaturized electronic device.

  Since the overlap of the lower spring contact 12a and the upper spring contact 12b is smaller than the radius in the radial direction, the center of the top of the lower spring contact 12a and the center of the upper spring contact 12b or the top of the upper spring contact 12b And the lower spring contact 12a can be prevented from overlapping in plan view. Therefore, the lower spring contact 12a and the upper spring contact 12b can press the spring contacts 12a and 12b without interfering with each other, and a reliable input operation can be realized.

  Further, since the overlap between the lower spring contact 12a and the upper spring contact 12b is made smaller than the radius in the radial direction, the pusher 14 facing the lower spring contact 12a is placed on the upper spring contact 12b. Since the pusher 14 can be provided on the substrates 10 and 11 or the fixing tape 13 without providing the pusher 14 facing the spring contact 12b on the lower spring contact 12a, a reliable input operation can be realized. it can.

Second Embodiment [FIGS. 4 and 5] : FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure switch device 15 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is an upper spring contact to the upper surface 10a of the lower substrate 10 as in FIG. The figure which projected 12b is represented. The press switch device 15 of the second embodiment is different from the press switch device 9 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a lower spring contact 12 a provided on the lower substrate 10, This is the quantity and arrangement of the pushers 14 provided on the upper substrate 11.

There are four lower spring contacts 12a provided on the upper surface 10a of the lower substrate 10, and they are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference of a concentric circle. The upper spring contact 12b provided on the lower surface 11a of the upper substrate 11 is opposed to the center of the circumference formed by these four lower spring contacts 12a in plan view, and the lower spring contact 12a It arrange | positions so that the edge part with the upper side spring contact 12b may overlap, and this overlap length is smaller than the radius of the spring contacts 12a and 12b like 1st Embodiment, as shown in FIG. The lower spring contact 12a provided on the lower substrate 10 is for direction instruction input, and the upper spring contact 12b provided on the upper substrate 11 is for determination instruction input.

There are four pushers 14 provided on the lower surface 11 a of the upper substrate 11, which are concentric with the circle arranged by the lower spring contact 12 a so as to align with the center of the top of the lower spring contact 12 a provided on the lower substrate 10. They are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference.

  A method for manufacturing the push switch device 15 of the second embodiment will be described. First, similarly to the press switch device 9 of the first embodiment, four lower spring contacts 12a are fixed to the lower substrate 10 with a fixing tape 13 having four through holes 13a, and one through hole 13a is formed. One upper spring contact 12 b is fixed to the upper substrate 11 with the fixed tape 13. Then, after forming one pusher 14 on the lower substrate 10 and four pushers 14 on the upper substrate 11, the lower spring contact 12a of the lower substrate 10, the pusher 14 of the upper substrate 11, and the upper The press switch device 15 is obtained by aligning and fixing the lower substrate 10 and the upper substrate 11 with the upper spring contact 12b of the substrate 11 and the pusher 14 of the lower substrate 10 facing each other.

  The operation and effect of the press switch device 15 of the second embodiment will be described. In addition to the operation and effect of the push switch device 9 of the first embodiment, according to the push switch device 15 of the second embodiment, the lower spring contact 12a for direction indication input and the upper spring for decision indication input in plan view Since the edges of the contacts 12b are arranged so as to overlap each other, the pitch between the lower spring contact 12a and the upper spring contact 12b is made smaller than the pitch in the conventional multidirectional press switch device shown in FIG. be able to. Therefore, the lower spring contact 12a and the upper spring contact 12b can be efficiently provided with high density. Therefore, the width of the press switch device 15 can be made smaller than before, and can be suitably equipped in a miniaturized electronic device.

Third Embodiment (FIGS. 6 and 7) : FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure switch device 20 of the third embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an upper spring contact to the upper surface 10a of the lower substrate 10 as in FIG. The figure which projected 12b is represented. The push switch device 20 of the third embodiment is different from the push switch device 15 of the second embodiment in that the position of the lower spring contact 12a provided on the lower substrate 10 is provided slightly apart. The upper substrate 11 is also provided with a plurality of upper spring contacts 12b. Thus, the push switch device 15 of the second embodiment can perform a four-direction instruction input, whereas the push switch device 20 of the third embodiment can perform an eight-direction instruction input.

The structure of the press switch device 20 is as follows. There are five lower spring contacts 12a provided on the upper surface 10a of the lower substrate 10, four lower spring contacts 12a arranged at equal intervals on the circumference of the concentric circle, and the center of the concentric circle. It is composed of one lower spring contact 12a arranged. On the other hand, there are four upper spring contacts 12b provided on the lower surface 11a of the upper substrate 11, and they are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference of a concentric circle. The upper spring contacts 12b and the lower spring contacts 12a arranged on the concentric circles are alternately arranged on the circumference of the same concentric circle in a plan view, and the edges of the lower spring contacts 12a and the upper spring contacts 12b. It is arranged so that the parts overlap. The overlapping length of the spring contacts 12a and 12b is also smaller than the radius of the spring contacts 12a and 12b. Both the lower spring contact 12a and the upper spring contact 12b provided on the concentric circle are for direction indication input, and the lower spring contact 12a provided at the center of the concentric circle is for decision indication input.

  The push switch device 20 of the third embodiment can be manufactured in the same manner as the push switch device 9 shown in the first embodiment and the push operation switch 15 shown in the second embodiment.

  The action / effect of the push switch device 15 of the third embodiment can be input in eight directions in addition to the action / effect of the push switch device 15 of the second embodiment.

First Modification [FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a press switch device 17 which is a modification of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, an example in which the lower substrate 10 and the upper substrate 11 are used is shown. However, in the press switch device 17, the lower substrate 10 and the upper substrate 11 are formed of the same material, and a single substrate 18 is bent. It is formed as a continuous surface.

  The push switch device 17 of the first modification can exhibit the same operation and effect as the first embodiment, and the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 10 are formed by bending one substrate 18, so that The score can be reduced.

  The press switch device 17 is manufactured by forming the lower spring contact 12a, the upper spring contact 12b, and the pusher 14 on the same substrate surface 18a of the flat substrate 18, and then bending the substrate 18. For this reason, the formation of the spring contacts 12a and 12b and the formation of the pusher 14 can be completed in one step, respectively, and can be easily manufactured. Further, because of the bending formation, the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 10 can be easily positioned.

  The bending formation from the same substrate 18 described in the first modification can also be applied to the press switch devices 15 and 16 of the second embodiment and the third embodiment.

Second Modification [FIG. 9] : FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a press switch device 19 which is a modification of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, an example in which the pusher 14 is fixed on the substrates 10 and 11 is shown. However, in the press switch device 19 of the second modified example, the springs 12a and 12b are provided at the centers of the tops. Even if comprised in this way, there can exist an effect | action and effect similar to 1st Embodiment. Further, since the pusher 14 is provided at the center of the top of the spring contacts 12a and 12b, the pusher 14 and the spring contacts 12a and 12b can be provided integrally with the same member. In this case, it is possible to use a shape in which the pusher 14 is fixed separately from the existing spring contacts 12a and 12b, or to form a pusher 14 by providing a protrusion at the center of the top of the spring contacts 12a and 12b itself. it can. By providing the pusher 14 and the spring contacts 12a and 12b integrally with the same member, the number of parts can be reduced and assembly can be facilitated. In addition, an accurate pressing operation can be performed even if the positioning between the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 10 is not strictly performed.

  The configuration in which the pusher 14 is provided on the spring contacts 12a and 12b described in the second modification can also be applied to the push switch devices 15 and 16 of the second embodiment and the third embodiment.

Third Modification [FIGS. 10 and 11] : FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the pressing switch device 20 of the third embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a plan view of the upper substrate 21 thereof. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the press switch device 20 of the third modification is different from the press switch device 15 of the second embodiment in that the upper substrate 21 is provided with a kerf 21 c in the upper substrate, That is, the key tops 22 and 23 are provided on the upper substrate 21.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the cut groove 21c provided in the upper substrate 21 passes between the upper spring contact 12b and the pusher 14 positioned around the U-shaped so as to surround the three directions of the upper spring contact 12b. The shape is formed through the thickness of the upper substrate 21.

  The key tops 22 and 23 include a circular central key top 22 in a plan view and an annular key top 23 surrounding the outer periphery thereof. An annular flange 22 a provided on the central key top 22 prevents the ring key top 23 from falling off. An annular flange 23a provided on the annular key top 23 prevents the annular key top 23 from falling off from a device (not shown). The central key top 22 is provided at a position corresponding to the upper spring contact 12b, and the annular key top 23 is provided at a position corresponding to the lower spring contact 12a. The key tops 22 and 23 are fixed to the upper substrate 21 with an adhesive 24.

  The press switch device 20 of the third modification is manufactured in the same manner as the press switch device 15 of the second embodiment using the upper substrate 21 provided with the kerf 21c in advance, and the press switch device without the key tops 22 and 23 is manufactured. obtain. Then, the key tops 22 and 23 are fixed to the upper surface 21 b of the upper substrate 21 with the adhesive 24 to obtain the press switch device 20.

  The press switch device 20 of the third modified example has the same functions and effects as the press switch device 15 of the second embodiment, and the central key top 22 is pressed and deformed to form the kerf 21c in the upper substrate 21. It becomes easy, and input operation can be performed with low load.

  The configuration in which the cut groove 21c and the key tops 22 and 23 are provided in the upper substrate described in the third modification are also applied to the press switch devices 9 and 16 in the first embodiment and the third embodiment. be able to.

Other Modified Examples : In each of the above-described embodiments, a gap is generated between the spring contacts 12a and 12b and the pusher 14. However, even when there is no such gap and no pressing operation is performed, the spring contacts 12a and 12b and the pusher are provided. It can also be set as the structure which 14 contacts. Even if it does in this way, the effect | action and effect similar to 1st Embodiment-3rd Embodiment can be exhibited.

  In the second embodiment or the third embodiment, the upper spring contact 12b can be changed to a position facing the lower substrate 10 and the lower spring contact 12a can be changed to a position facing the upper substrate 11.

In the third modification, the kerf 21c is U-shaped, but may be any other shape as long as it makes the pressing operation portion flexible. For example, it may be a shape like two parallel lines from a shape that is supported on one side close to a U shape like a U shape.

Sectional drawing of the press switch apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the state which projected the upper side spring contact on the lower board | substrate of the press switch apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacturing process of the press switch apparatus by 1st Embodiment, A part (A) shows the process of fixing a spring contact, A part (B) shows the process of forming a pushing element, C) shows a state in which the pusher is fixed. Sectional drawing of the press switch apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The top view which shows the state which projected the upper side spring contact on the lower board | substrate of the press switch apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the press switch apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. The top view which shows the state which projected the upper side spring contact on the lower board | substrate of the press switch apparatus by 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the press switch apparatus by a 1st modification. Sectional drawing of the press switch apparatus by a 2nd modification. Sectional drawing of the press switch apparatus by a 3rd modification. The top view of the upper board | substrate of the press switch apparatus by 3rd Embodiment. The top view of a mobile telephone. Sectional drawing of the conventional press switch apparatus. The top view of the board | substrate of the conventional press switch apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1. Cellular phone 2. Press switch device (conventional example)
3 Key Top 3a Ring Key Top 3b Central Key Top 4 Case 4a Operation Opening 5 Base Sheet 6 Adhesive 7 Substrate 8 Spring Contact 8a Spring Contact (for Decision Instruction Input)
8b Spring contact (for direction indication input)
9 Press switch device (first embodiment)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Lower board | substrate 10a Upper surface 11 Upper board | substrate 11a Lower surface 12a Lower spring contact 12b Upper spring contact 13 Fixing tape 14 Pusher 15 Press switch apparatus (2nd Embodiment)
16 Press switch device (3rd Embodiment)
17 Press switch device (first modification)
18 Substrate 19 Press switch device (second modification)
20 Press switch device (third modification)
21 upper substrate 21a lower surface 21b upper surface 21c kerf 22 central key top 22a annular collar 23 annular key top 23a annular collar 24 adhesive

Claims (7)

In the press switch device that performs input by deforming the spring contact by pressing operation,
It has an upper substrate located on the pressing operation side and a lower substrate located on the inside of the device,
The upper spring contact that is fixed to the upper substrate and the lower spring contact that is fixed to the lower substrate do not overlap with the opposing surfaces of the upper substrate and the lower substrate, respectively, and the upper spring contact is attached to the lower substrate. Projecting upward, the projected upper spring contact and lower spring contact are provided so as to partially overlap each other at the edge , and the upper spring contact and the lower spring contact are interfered by the opposing spring contacts. A press switch device characterized in that the press switch device can be operated without being pressed .   The pressure switch device according to claim 1, wherein the upper spring contact and the lower spring contact are both circular dome-shaped, and the radial overlap length of both spring contacts is shorter than the radius of both spring contacts.   The pressure switch device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper substrate has flexibility to be deformed by a pressing operation.   The press switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper substrate and the lower substrate are formed as a continuous surface by bending a single substrate.   The press switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a pusher for pressing the spring contact is provided at the center of the top of the spring contact.   A plurality of spring contacts for carrying direction indication inputs are provided in an annular shape on either one of the upper substrate and the lower substrate, and one spring contact for carrying a decision indication input is provided on either the upper substrate or the lower substrate. The press switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the press switch device is provided at a position opposite to the switch. 6. A plurality of spring contacts that carry direction instruction inputs are provided on both the upper substrate and the lower substrate, and one spring contact that carries decision instruction inputs is provided on either the upper substrate or the lower substrate. The pressure switch device according to any one of the preceding claims.

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