JP5963477B2 - Switch manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch body and a method of manufacturing a switch using the same.

  The switch is used as a component of an electric device, and can be controlled to turn on / off the operation of an electric circuit in the electric device when pressed. Various switches are manufactured depending on the type of equipment used.

  In general, a switch has a switch body and an integrated button fitted to the switch body, and the user presses this button to connect the operation of the electric circuit in the electric device. Cutting can be controlled.

In the past, most switches were attached to the control panel. Recently, however, many switches are directly attached to the printed circuit board on which the electrical circuit is formed.
Patent Document 1 is an example of a switch attached to a printed circuit board. In this example, the above switches are arranged on a printed circuit board, and connection points are connected to the switches and the printed circuit board, and are connected by soldering.

JP 2003-016874 A

  In the prior art, the operation of connecting the switch to the printed circuit board via solder is unavoidably time-consuming and costly since this connection operation must be performed manually. Especially when a large number of switches are arranged close to each other on a printed circuit board, it is necessary to solder another switch adjacent to the already fixed switch. There is a problem that the work becomes more complicated, such as having to do it.

In recent years, mounting technology for soldering using a reflow furnace has become widespread.
This technique is generally a method in which a solder paste is printed on a printed circuit board, components are placed on the printed circuit board, and then heat is applied to melt the solder. The temperature at which the solder is melted is generally 250 to 260 ° C., so it is necessary to consider the heat-resistant temperature of the components used for the printed circuit board. It has been desired to provide a switch component that can be used and can arrange a large number of switches close to each other on a printed circuit board, for example, a switch component that is incorporated in various types of electronic components such as an illumination type.
Especially for illuminated pushbutton switches, there are electronic components such as LEDs inside, and there is a possibility that the function of the element may be impaired in a high-temperature atmosphere. In addition, gas generated at the time of solder welding at the contacts inside the switch, etc. Adhesion may affect the operation of the switch.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a switch body that can be easily fixed to a printed circuit board by a mounting technique using a reflow furnace or the like, and a method for manufacturing the switch.

The switch manufacturing method according to the present invention includes a bottom surface provided with protrusions and terminals, a base portion made of a heat-resistant resin having a side wall and an opening formed therein, and being slid within the base portion. A free working rod, an opening, a cover portion made of a heat-resistant resin, which is combined with the base portion and restricts a sliding area of the working rod, and a heat-resistant sheet that closely covers the opening of the cover portion , A switch body having a printed circuit board in which solder paste is printed in a connection region at a position corresponding to the terminal of the base portion and the terminal of the base portion. Are arranged so that the terminals and the connection region overlap with each other via solder,
After the step of raising the temperature of the atmosphere around the switch body and the printed board above the melting point of the solder and fixing the switch body and the printed board, the heat resistant sheet of the switch body is peeled off, and the switch body And a step of fitting a button into the operating rod .

As described above, in the present invention, the inside of the switch body is composed of a base portion made of a heat-resistant resin and a cover portion, and the opening of the cover portion on the upper surface of the switch body is covered with a heat-resistant sheet so as to cover it. , No gas enters the inside of the switch body when solder is welded, and the heat-resistant sheet on the top surface of the switch body is a smooth surface, and the switch body 1 can be handled by suction means when installed on a machine such as a robot. In addition to improving workability, it can be easily mounted and fixed on the printed circuit board, and the time required for fixing to the printed circuit board (ie, the cost) can be greatly reduced.

It is a perspective view of the switch body concerning an embodiment. It is a perspective view of the switch body (what removed the heat-resistant sheet) concerning an embodiment. It is an exploded view of the switch body concerning an embodiment. It is a perspective view of the switch concerning an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the bottom face of the base part of the switch main body which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the movable contact part of the base part of the switch main body which concerns on embodiment. It is a partial enlarged view of the opening part vicinity of the switch main body which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the process of the manufacturing method of the switch which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline of the printed circuit board used in the manufacturing method of the switch which concerns on embodiment. In the manufacturing method of the switch concerning an embodiment, it is a figure showing an outline at the time of arranging a plurality of switch bodies on a printed circuit board.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms, and is not limited only to the examples used in the following embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the switch body 1 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the switch body 1 after removing the heat-resistant sheet, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the switch body 1. .

  As shown in these drawings, the switch body 1 has an opening 11 with the heat-resistant sheet removed, and a button is fitted into the opening 11 to complete the switch. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the state in which the button portions are fitted together.

  In the present embodiment, the button portion 6 is specifically configured to be inserted into the opening 32 of the operating rod 3 and to have a protrusion for hooking on a stepped portion 36 of the operating rod 3 described later. Once inserted, this projection is hooked and integrated with the stepped portion 36 of the operating rod 3. The button unit 6 is not particularly limited as long as it is large enough to be pressed by a user of the switch, but is formed of a transparent resin, and a small illumination device such as an LED is provided therein, and the switch is You may provide so that an illumination may be turned on or off whenever it pushes.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the switch body 1 includes a base portion 2 made of a heat-resistant resin having a bottom surface 21 provided with protrusions 211 and terminals 212, a side wall 22, and an opening 23. An operating rod 3 housed in the portion 2 and slidable in the base portion 2; a cover portion 4 having an opening 41 and made of a heat-resistant resin which is combined with the base portion 2 and restricts the sliding area of the operating rod 3; , And a heat-resistant sheet 5 covering the opening 41 of the cover part 4.

  In the present embodiment, the base portion 2 is a main member for configuring the appearance of the switch body 1 and has a bottom surface 21 and a side wall 22 that is connected to the bottom surface 21 and forms a side surface surrounding the bottom surface as described above. An opening 23 is formed while forming a space inside. The bottom surface 21 and the side wall 22 are preferably formed integrally from the viewpoint of strength and ease of manufacturing.

Moreover, the protrusion 211 is arrange | positioned at the bottom face 21 of the base part 2 which concerns on this embodiment. The protrusion 211 is used for positioning when the switch body 1 is fixed to the printed board, and is not limited, but is preferably provided at least 2 or more, preferably 3 or more.
FIG. 5 shows an outline of the bottom surface 21 of the base portion 2.

  Moreover, the terminal 212 is provided in the bottom face 21 of the base part 2 which concerns on this embodiment. The terminal 212 is used to enable electrical connection with the printed circuit board, and is preferably formed of a conductive material, for example, a metal such as copper. The number of the terminals 212 can be appropriately selected according to the number of required connection points and is not limited. Generally, there are provided four terminals connected to an illumination power supply circuit and two terminals of a switch. In the example of FIG. 5, six examples are shown.

  Moreover, the latching protrusion 221 is formed in the side wall 22 of the base part 2 which concerns on this embodiment, and the cover part 4 can be fixed by aligning the knob 43 of the cover part 4 here.

  In addition, a movable contact 24 is provided inside the side wall 22 of the base portion 2 according to the present embodiment, and the operating rod 3 is the same in the case of the upper side (from the bottom surface 21 to the opening 23 side, hereinafter “upper side”). ), The end of the operating rod 3 is moved downward by pressing the curved portion 241 below the movable contact 24 from above, so that the contact 242 moves and is pressed against the contact 243 of the base. Turns on. Conversely, when the operating rod 3 moves upward, the contact is turned off by the elastic force of the bending portion 241 of the movable contact 24. An example of the shape of the movable piece is shown in FIG. 6, for example.

  Moreover, the base part 2 which concerns on this embodiment is comprised by the heat resistant resin. This is apparent from the manufacturing process of the switch, which will be described later, in order to prevent melting even when the temperature becomes high in the soldering process. Examples of the heat resistant resin include, but are not limited to, heat resistant polyamide resin (PA), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), and the like, and even other materials are higher than the melting point of the solder used. Needless to say, it can be used if it has a glass transition point and, for example, the melting point of the solder to be used is in the range of about 250 to 260 ° C.

  In addition, the button part conduction connector 25 connected to the terminal 212 is provided inside the bottom part 21 of the base part 2, and the lower part of the button part 5 is inserted. Although not shown in the lower part of the button part 5, a number of holes corresponding to the button part connection body 25 are formed, and power is supplied to the illumination LEDs of the button part through coil springs in the hole part. . The coil spring also has a function as an elastic material that causes the button portion 5 and the operating rod 3 integrated with the button portion 5 to act as a return spring.

  The operating rod 3 according to the present embodiment is accommodated in the base portion 2 as described above, is slidable within the base portion 2, is surrounded by the side wall 31, and has a cylindrical shape having a through hole 32. It has become. Further, a friction reducing member 33 for defining a sliding direction with respect to the base portion 2 and reducing frictional resistance is disposed around the side wall 31 of the operating rod 3. Although not necessarily limited, in the present embodiment, the friction reducing member 33 is a sphere made of a metal material, and is fitted in a semicircular dent formed on the side wall 31. It is free to rotate. In this case, a groove 222 having a semicircular cross section is formed inside the side wall 22 of the base portion 2 in the vertical direction (in the direction from the bottom surface 21 of the base portion 2 to the opening 23).

  Further, a spring 34 is provided on the side wall 31 of the operating rod 3 according to this embodiment, and a click sound can be generated as the operating rod 3 slides up and down. The shape of the spring 34 is not limited as long as the above function is achieved, and for example, a click spring as shown in FIG. 3 or a C-shaped spring may be used. Further, the shape of the side wall 31 of the operating rod 3 can be appropriately modified according to this aspect.

  Further, a groove 35 is formed in the vertical direction on any part of the side wall 31 of the working rod 3 according to the present embodiment, and the groove 35 is formed in the vertical direction even when the working rod 3 is stored in the base portion 2. It can be provided.

  Moreover, the step part 36 is provided inside the side wall 31 of the operating rod 3 which concerns on this embodiment, and it becomes possible to hook the knob formed in the button part 6 as mentioned above.

  In addition, the material of the operating rod 3 according to the present embodiment is not limited, but is not required to be as heat resistant as the base portion because it is housed in the base portion 2 and the cover portion 4. Similarly, it is preferably made of a heat-resistant resin, and the same material as the base part 2, for example, a heat-resistant polyamide resin (PA), a liquid crystal polymer (LCP), or the like can be used.

  As described above, the cover portion 4 according to this embodiment is combined with the base portion 2 and can limit the sliding range of the operating rod 3. The cover part 4 according to the present embodiment is configured to include a frame part 42 that forms the opening 41, a hook 43, and a column 44, as is apparent from the above figure.

  The frame part 42 of the cover part 4 according to the present embodiment is a member showing a main skeleton of the cover part 4, and when combined with the base part 2, at least a part of the upper end of the side wall 31 of the operating rod 3 is provided. It can be covered. In this way, the sliding area of the operating rod 3 can be limited. In addition, the frame part 42 is provided with a notch part 421 so that the heat-resistant sheet 5 described later can be easily removed.

  The hook 43 of the cover part 4 according to the present embodiment is formed with a locking hole 431 corresponding to the locking protrusion 221 formed on the side wall 22 of the base part 2. By combining 431, the base portion 2 and the cover portion 4 can be fixed.

  The column body 44 of the cover portion 4 according to the present embodiment is inserted into the groove 35 formed in the side wall 31 of the operating rod 3 described above, but is used for the click operation of the spring 34 described above. In addition to the first purpose, the switch body 4 has a function of preventing the cover portion 4 from being attached in the wrong direction by combining the groove 35 and the column body 44 when the switch body is assembled.

  Moreover, the cover part 4 which concerns on this embodiment is comprised with the heat resistant resin. This is apparent from the manufacturing process of the switch, which will be described later, because it is preferable not to melt even when the temperature becomes high in the soldering process. As the heat-resistant resin, a heat-resistant polyamide resin (PA), a liquid crystal polymer (LCP), or the like made of the same material as the base portion 2 described above can be used.

The heat-resistant sheet 5 according to this embodiment is provided to cover the opening 41 of the cover part 4 and seal the space inside the base part 2 and the cover part 4. The heat-resistant seal 5 is configured such that the back surface of the heat-resistant seal 5 is attached to the upper surface of the opening 41 of the cover portion 4 via an adhesive to seal the inside.
The significance of sealing is that the first significance of sealing is that when passing through a reflow furnace, etc., the inside of the reflow furnace, etc. contains harmful high-temperature gas with respect to the switch contacts, etc., and protects the inside of the switch from these Because it is necessary to do.
Secondly, when the inside of the cover 41 is affixed to the upper surface of the opening 41 and the inside is sealed, the upper surface of the opening 41 is in a smooth flat state, so that the switch body 1 is placed at a predetermined position on the printed circuit board. When the switch body is disposed, the upper surface of the switch body 1 is attracted to the head of the mounting machine to improve the handling. Immediately (that is, after the switch body 1 is sucked and held, it is necessary to move the switch body 1 to a predetermined position on the printed circuit board, and therefore, the heat-resistant sheet 5 which is the upper surface of the switch body 1 needs to be a smooth plane. Because. Therefore, the heat-resistant sheet 5 needs to have some strength. For example, when a polyimide film (PIF) is used, it is preferable to use a sheet having a thickness of 50 μm or more.

  In the present embodiment, the heat-resistant sheet 5 is a sheet-like sheet having heat resistance, is made of resin, and when the resin is used as the material of the heat-resistant sheet 5, even when the temperature becomes high in the soldering process. It is preferable not to melt, and the material is not limited to the polyimide film (PIF) or the like.

In the present embodiment, the upper end of the operating rod 3 is almost flush with the upper end of the opening 41 of the cover 4, that is, almost the same as the upper end of the frame 42, or immediately above the upper end of the opening 41. It is preferable that the lower end of the frame portion 42 is lower. By making the surfaces almost the same, the heat-resistant sheet 5 can have a larger adhesion area and more stable adhesion.
When the operating rod 3 is in a state immediately below the upper end of the opening 41 (ie, lower than the upper end of the frame portion 42), the flatness and sealing performance of the heat-resistant sheet 5 can be maintained, and the switch body 1 In the process of adhering to the printed circuit board, it is less likely to come into direct contact with the high-temperature atmosphere, so that it is possible to adopt a resin having a lower heat-resistant temperature. FIG. 7 shows a partial cross section in this case.

  As described above, the switch body 1 according to the present embodiment can be more easily and stably fixed to the printed circuit board.

  Here, a method of manufacturing a switch using the switch body 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of the steps of the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in this figure, this manufacturing method includes (A) a step of placing the switch body 1 on the printed circuit board 7 and (B) increasing the temperature of the atmosphere around the switch body 1 and the printed circuit board 7 to increase the switch body. 1 and the printed circuit board 7 are fixed, and (C) the heat-resistant sheet 5 of the switch body 1 is peeled off and the button portion 6 is fitted into the operating rod 3 of the switch body 1.

  First, in this manufacturing method, in the step (A) of disposing the switch body 1 on the printed circuit board 7, the switch body 1 to be used is the switch body 1 having the configuration described in detail so far. More specifically, the switch body 1 includes a base 21 made of a heat-resistant resin having a bottom surface 21 provided with protrusions and terminals, a side wall 22 and an opening, and a base portion housed in the base 2. A cover part 4 made of a heat-resistant resin, which has an opening 41 that is slidable in the interior 2 and has an opening 41 and is combined with the base part 2 to limit the sliding area of the action rod 3, and an opening of the cover part 4 And heat resistant sheet 5 covering 41.

  In this step, the printed circuit board 7 to be used is formed of a heat-resistant resin, and a conductive material such as metal is stretched over the printed circuit board 7. Further, the printed circuit board 7 is further formed on the protrusion 211 of the base portion 2 of the switch body 1. Corresponding holes 71 and connection regions 72 corresponding to the terminals 212 of the base portion 2 are formed. FIG. 9 shows an outline of the printed circuit board 7 according to this embodiment. A region surrounded by a dotted line in the figure is a region corresponding to one switch body 1. Further, by placing a printed solder paste in advance between the connection areas 72 of the printed circuit board 7 at a position corresponding to the terminal 212 of the switch body 1, the solder is melted by a process described later, and the printer circuit board 7. And the switch body 1 can be fixed.

In this step, as is apparent from the above description, the protrusion 211 of the switch body 1 is fitted into the hole 71 of the printed circuit board. The positional relationship between the projection 211 of the switch body 1 and the terminal 212 is fixed, and the hole 71 of the printed circuit board 7 and the connection region 72 on which the solder paste is printed are also fixed corresponding to the above relationship. For this reason, by mounting the protrusion 211 of the switch body 1 in the hole 71 of the printed circuit board, the terminal 211 of the switch body 1 and the connection region 72 of the printed circuit board 7 can be surely overlapped.
The above work is generally performed by a machine such as a robot or the like by sucking the upper surface of the heat-resistant sheet 5 on the upper surface of the switch body 1 by suction means, handling the switch body 1 and performing the work of arranging the switch body automatically. it can.

  Next, the manufacturing method includes a step (B) of fixing the switch body and the printed circuit board by raising the temperature of the atmosphere around the switch body and the printed circuit board. More specifically, the temperature of the atmosphere around the switch body 1 and the printed circuit board 7 is raised above the melting point of the solder to melt the solder, and then cooled to fix the switch body and the printed circuit board.

In this step, the step of raising the temperature of the atmosphere around the switch body and the printed circuit board is not limited. For example, there is a method of putting the printed circuit board on which the switch body is placed in a reflow furnace.
In a general reflow furnace, a series of temperature control is performed from heating to cooling. Therefore, by taking out this printed board from the reflow furnace, a product state in which the switch body 1 is soldered to the printed board can be obtained. .
FIG. 10 shows an example of a printed board and a plurality of switch bodies 1 arranged on the printed board.

  Next, the manufacturing method includes (C) a step of peeling the heat-resistant sheet of the switch body and fitting the button into the operating rod of the switch body. Specifically, the heat-resistant sheet 5 is peeled off, the button portion 6 is inserted into the opening 11 of the switch body 1, the step portion 35 formed inside the side wall 31 of the operating rod 3, and the knob formed on the button portion 6. The operating rod 3 and the button 6 are fixed by hooking.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a switch body and a method for manufacturing a switch that can be more easily fixed to a printed circuit board. In particular, even when a large number of switches are arranged close to each other on one printed circuit board, it is possible to fix them with a single heating operation. There are no disadvantages such as soldering that requires soldering in a limited space, and the time required for fixing to the printed circuit board (ie, the cost) can be greatly reduced. It becomes possible.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has industrial applicability as a switch body of a switch and a method of manufacturing a switch using the switch body.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Switch main body 2 ... Base part 3 ... Actuation rod 4 ... Cover part 5 ... Heat-resistant sheet 6 ... Button part 7 ... Printed circuit board

Claims (1)

A base portion made of a heat-resistant resin having a bottom surface provided with protrusions and terminals, a side wall and having an opening formed therein, an operating rod housed in the base portion and slidable in the base portion, and an opening portion. A switch body comprising a cover portion made of a heat-resistant resin combined with the base portion to limit a sliding area of the operating rod, and a heat-resistant sheet covering the opening of the cover portion in close contact with each other. The protrusion and the hole are fitted to a printed circuit board in which solder paste is printed in a connection region at a position corresponding to the protrusion of the base portion and the terminal of the base portion, and the terminal Arranging the connection areas so as to overlap with each other via solder;
After the step of raising the temperature of the atmosphere around the switch body and the printed board above the melting point of the solder and fixing the switch body and the printed board, the heat resistant sheet of the switch body is peeled off, and the switch body And a step of fitting a button portion into the operating rod .

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