JP7273177B2 - Switch device and manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a switch device and manufacturing method.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200002 discloses a push button switch device, and for the purpose of improving operational feeling, a bar-shaped hard resin is provided on the back surface of the key top portion of the cover member, which is provided so as to protrude from the opening of the case. A technique is disclosed in which a switch contact member is provided and the switch member is pressed by the switch contact member.

JP-A-9-1678

However, with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to fix the switch contact member to the back surface of the key top portion of the cover member at an accurate position.

A switch device according to one embodiment includes a case formed by primary molding in two-color molding, a switch provided inside the case, and an elastic material by secondary molding in two-color molding. A cover member that covers the operation surface is formed in the opening of the operation surface by primary molding simultaneously with the case and separately from the case, and is fixed to the back side of the operation portion of the cover member by secondary molding so that the operation portion can be pressed. a pressing member that, when activated, moves toward the switch and presses the top of the switch.

According to one embodiment, it is possible to provide a switch device in which the pressing member can be easily fixed at an accurate position on the back side of the cover member.

1 is an external perspective view of a switch device according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a plan view of a switch device according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a front view of a switch device according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a switch device according to one embodiment; FIG. AA sectional view of the switch device (off state) shown in FIG. AA sectional view of the switch device (on state) shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a case and a cover member (uncoupled) included in a switch device according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a case and a cover member (combined with each other) included in the switch device according to one embodiment; BB sectional view of the switch device shown in FIG. Flowchart showing the procedure of a method for manufacturing a case according to one embodiment Appearance perspective view of a switch device (with the knob removed) according to a modified example Appearance perspective view of a switch device (with a knob attached) according to a modified example Cross-sectional view of a switch device according to a modified example

An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the positive direction of the Z-axis is defined as upward and the negative direction of the Z-axis is defined as downward.

(Overview of switch device 100)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a switch device 100 according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment.

The switch device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 serves as a switch for electrically unlocking the trunk or back door of a vehicle, or for electrically locking the side door of the vehicle. It is a device that is built into a door, a back door, a side door, etc. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the switch device 100 generally has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. That is, the switch device 100 generally has a horizontally long rectangular shape with the X-axis direction as the longitudinal direction and the Y-axis direction as the lateral direction when viewed from above.

A cover member 130 is provided on the upper surface 110A (an example of the “operation surface”) of the case 110 in the switch device 100 . The cover member 130 has an upwardly convex operating portion 132 . In the switch device 100, when the operator presses the operating portion 132, the switch 144 provided inside the case 110 is switched to the ON state, and two lead wires 146 drawn out from the bottom of the case 110 are turned on. are electrically connected to each other.

(Configuration and operation of switch device 100)
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 100 (off state) taken along the line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the switching device 100 (on state) taken along the line AA shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the switch device 100 includes a cover member 130, a case 110, a circuit section 140, and a closing member 120 in order from above.

The case 110 is a container-like member that forms the outer shape of the switch device 100 (that is, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape). A bottom opening 110C (not shown) is formed in the bottom portion of the case 110 . Case 110 is formed using a relatively hard material (for example, hard resin). An upper surface 110A of the case 110 is formed with an opening 110B that has a generally rectangular shape (horizontally long rectangular shape whose longitudinal direction is the X-axis direction) when viewed from above.

A substantially cylindrical pressing member 112 is provided separately from the case 110 inside the opening 110B and at a position overlapping the switch 144 in plan view. The pressing member 112 is formed together with the case 110 by primary molding in two-color molding. The upper portion 112A of the pressing member 112 is fixed to the back side of the operation portion 132 of the cover member 130 (inside the cylinder portion 132B) when the cover member 130 is formed by secondary molding in two-color molding. When the operating portion 132 is pressed, the pressing member 112 moves downward as the operating portion 132 sinks downward. Press the top of 144A.

The cover member 130 is provided on the upper surface 110A (an example of the “operation surface”) of the case 110 . The cover member 130 is a generally thin plate-shaped member that is formed using an elastic material (e.g., elastomer). The cover member 130 covers substantially the entire upper surface 110A of the case 110 and closes the opening 110B formed in the upper surface 110A of the case 110 by being in close contact with the upper surface 110A of the case 110 (the peripheral portion of the opening 110B). do. Thereby, the cover member 130 prevents water from entering the case 110 through the opening 110B.

The cover member 130 is made of a material (elastic material) different from that of the case 110 by secondary molding in two-color molding, and is formed integrally with the upper surface 110A of the case 110 . The cover member 130 has an upwardly convex operating portion 132 . The operating portion 132 is provided in the center of the cover member 130 . The operating portion 132 is a portion that is pressed by the operator. Further, the cover member 130 has a flat outer peripheral portion 134 around the operating portion 132 .

The circuit section 140 is incorporated inside the case 110 . The circuit portion 140 has a circuit board 142 , a switch 144 and two leads 146 .

The circuit board 142 is a relatively rigid flat member. As the circuit board 142, for example, a PWB (Printed Wiring Board) is used.

The switch 144 is mounted on the central portion of the upper surface 142A of the circuit board 142. As shown in FIG. The switch 144 is arranged below the pressing member 112 . The switch 144 has a movable portion 144A and a base portion 144B. In the switch 144, when the operating portion 132 is pressed, the pressing surface 112D of the pressing member 112 provided on the back side of the operating portion 132 presses the top portion of the movable portion 144A. The switch 144 is turned on when the pressing member 112 presses the movable portion 144A.

One end of the two lead wires 146 is connected to the switch 144 on the upper surface 142A of the circuit board 142 by soldering or the like. The other ends of the two lead wires 146 pass through a closing member 120 provided at the bottom of the case 110 and are drawn out of the case 110 .

The closing member 120 is fitted into the lower opening 110C of the case 110 to close the lower opening 110C. The closing member 120 has the same shape as the lower opening 110C of the case 110 (that is, substantially rectangular shape) in plan view. Also, the closing member 120 is formed using an elastic material (for example, rubber, elastic adhesive, etc.), or a hard adhesive, or the like. Accordingly, the closing member 120 is in close contact with the inner wall surface of the case 110, and can prevent water from entering the inside of the case 110 from the lower opening 110C.

As shown in FIG. 5, the switch device 100 is in an initial state in which the operating portion 132 does not sink downward when the operator does not press the operating portion 132 . At this time, the switch 144 provided inside the case 110 is in an off state. As a result, the two lead wires 146 are not electrically connected to each other.

On the other hand, in the switch device 100, as shown in FIG. 6, when the operator presses the operating portion 132, the operating portion 132 and the peripheral portion 134, which is the peripheral portion of the operating portion 132, are elastically deformed. As a result, the operating portion 132 sinks downward. As a result, the pressing member 112 fixed to the back side of the operating portion 132 moves downward and presses the top portion of the movable portion 144A of the switch 144 provided inside the case 110 . This switches the switch 144 to the ON state. As a result, the two lead wires 146 are in a conductive state.

In the switch device 100, when the pressing operation of the operating portion 132 by the operator is released, the operating portion 132 automatically returns to the initial state due to the elastic forces of the operating portion 132, the outer peripheral portion 134, and the switch 144. return. Along with this, the switch 144 automatically returns to the off state.

(Configuration of case 110 and cover member 130)
7 and 8 are external perspective views of the case 110 and the cover member 130 included in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a state in which case 110 and cover member 130 are not coupled to each other. FIG. 8 shows a state where case 110 and cover member 130 are coupled together.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cover member 130 is formed on the upper surface 110A of the case 110 by secondary molding. The cover member 130 covers substantially the entire upper surface 110A of the case 110 and closes the opening 110B formed in the upper surface 110A of the case 110 by being in close contact with the upper surface 110A of the case 110 (the peripheral portion of the opening 110B). do. Thereby, the cover member 130 prevents water from entering the case 110 through the opening 110B.

As shown in FIG. 7 , a substantially cylindrical pressing member 112 is provided separately from the case 110 inside and centrally of the opening 110B of the case 110 . The pressing member 112 is formed together with the case 110 by primary molding in two-color molding. As shown in FIG. 8, when the cover member 130 is formed on the upper surface 110A of the case 110 by secondary molding, the pressing member 112 is formed so that the upper portion 112A of the pressing member 112 is aligned with the cylindrical portion 132B on the back side of the operation portion 132 of the cover member 130. stuck inside.

As shown in FIG. 7, the operating portion 132 of the cover member 130 has a hollow shape with an open back side (Z-axis negative side). A cylindrical tube portion 132B is provided integrally with an outer wall portion 132A of the operation portion 132 of the cover member 130 at the center of the space inside the operation portion 132 . The tubular portion 132B is formed by secondary molding so as to cover the upper portion 112A of the pressing member 112 . As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper portion 112A of the pressing member 112 is fixed inside the tubular portion 132B while being fitted into the tubular portion 132B from below.

Inside the space of the operation part 132, four ribs 132C are provided at intervals of 90° as an example of "ribs" in an annular portion around the cylindrical part 132B. Each rib 132C connects the cylindrical portion 132B and the outer wall portion 132A. Each rib 132C is integrally formed with the outer wall portion 132A and the cylindrical portion 132B by secondary molding. For example, each rib 132C prevents the cylindrical portion 132B and the pressing member 112 from tilting inside the space of the operating portion 132 when the operating portion 132 is pressed obliquely from above. Thereby, each rib 132</b>C enables direct and reliable pressing operation of the switch 144 by the operation portion 132 .

As shown in FIG. 7, the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion 112B of the pressing member 112 is formed with a plurality of vertical wall portions 112C (an example of "protrusions") protruding radially outward. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 7, four vertical wall portions 112Ca are formed at intervals of 90° on the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion 112B of the pressing member 112. A vertical wall portion 112Cb shorter than the vertical wall portion 112Ca is formed between them. Accordingly, in the switch device 100 of the present embodiment, the surface area of the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion 112B of the pressing member 112 is enlarged. Therefore, in the switch device 100 of the present embodiment, when the movable mold holding the case 110 and the pressing member 112 is separated from the stationary mold after the primary molding, the pressing member 112 is separated from the movable mold. It is possible to prevent the pressing member 112 from floating or falling off from the movable mold. Furthermore, in the switch device 100 of the present embodiment, the volume of the lower portion 112B can be made smaller than when the lower portion 112B is formed in a simple cylindrical shape. can be done.

The upper portion 112A of the pressing member 112 has a tapered shape that narrows upward and has a smooth outer peripheral surface. As a result, in the switch device 100 of the present embodiment, when the movable mold holding the case 110 and the pressing member 112 is separated from the fixed mold after the primary molding, the pressing member 112 is separated from the fixed mold. It can be easily released from the mold. Therefore, the switch device 100 of the present embodiment can prevent the pressing member 112 from floating from the movable mold and from falling off from the movable mold.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the pressing member 112 has gate traces 112E formed during the primary molding on its upper surface. Surface 112D can be a smooth surface.

FIG. 9 is a BB cross-sectional view of the switch device 100 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the bottom surface of the pressing member 112 (the portion excluding the plurality of vertical wall portions 112C) serves as a pressing surface 112D. The area of the pressing surface 112</b>D is larger than the area of the top of the movable portion 144</b>A of the switch 144 . Thus, in the switch device 100 of the present embodiment, when an excessive operating load is applied to the pressing member 112, the pressing surface 112D comes into contact with the upper surface of the base portion 144B of the switch 144, so that the operating load is transferred to the switch. 144 can be received on the upper surface of the base 144B. Further, in the switch device 100 of the present embodiment, even when the pressing member 112 is displaced in the horizontal direction, the pressing surface 112D can reliably press the top of the movable portion 144A of the switch 144. .

(Manufacturing method of case 110)
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the steps of the method for manufacturing the case 110 according to one embodiment.

First, the case 110 and the pressing member 112 are simultaneously formed by primary molding in two-color molding (step S11: primary molding step). Specifically, the movable side mold is superimposed on the lower side of the primary stationary side mold. Then, a liquid and thermoplastic hard resin material is injected into the space of the movable side mold through a plurality of gates provided on the bottom surface of the primary fixed side mold. A space having a shape corresponding to the case 110 and the pressing member 112 is formed in the movable mold. Thereby, the case 110 and the pressing member 112 are formed in the movable mold.

Next, by secondary molding in two-color molding, the cover member 130 is formed on the upper surface 110A of the case 110 using an elastic material, and at the same time, the pressing member 112 is fixed to the back side of the cover member 130 (step S12: two-color molding). next molding step). Specifically, the movable side mold holding the case 110 and the pressing member 112 is pulled away from the primary fixed side mold and overlapped on the lower side of the secondary fixed side mold. Then, a liquid and thermoplastic elastic material is injected into the space of the secondary stationary mold. A space having a shape corresponding to the cover member 130 is formed in the secondary stationary mold. As a result, the cover member 130 is formed in close contact with the upper surface 110</b>A of the case 110 , and the pressing member 112 is fixed to the rear side of the operating portion 132 of the cover member 130 .

As described above, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment includes the case 110 formed by primary molding in two-color molding, the switch 144 provided inside the case 110, and the secondary molding in two-color molding. A cover member 130 that is formed using an elastic material and covers the upper surface 110A of the case 110, and a cover member 130 that is formed in the opening 110B of the upper surface 110A by primary molding simultaneously with the case 110 and separately from the case 110 by secondary molding. A pressing member 112 is fixed to the back side of the operation portion 132 of the cover member 130 and presses the top portion of the switch 144 when the operation portion 132 is pressed.

Thus, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the pressing member 112 formed using a hard material is provided between the operating portion 132 of the cover member 130 and the top portion of the switch 144. You can get a direct feeling of operation.

Further, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the pressing member 112 is formed at the same time as the case 110 by primary molding, so that the pressing member 112 can be easily arranged at an accurate position within the opening 110B of the case 110. .

Furthermore, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, since the pressing member 112 is fixed to the back side of the operating portion 132 by primary molding, the pressing member 112 can be operated while being arranged at an accurate position within the opening portion 110B. It can be affixed to the back side of portion 132 .

Further, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the pressing member 112 has a plurality of vertical wall portions 112C provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion 112B (the end portion on the switch 144 side).

As a result, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the surface area of the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion 112B is enlarged, and after the primary molding, the movable side mold holding the case 110 and the pressing member 112 is changed to the fixed side metal mold. When separated from the mold, it is possible to prevent the pressing member 112 from floating from the movable mold and from falling off from the movable mold.

Further, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the pressing member 112 has a tapered upper portion 112A (the end on the cover member 130 side).

As a result, in the switch device 100 according to the embodiment, when the movable mold holding the case 110 and the pressing member 112 is separated from the fixed mold after the primary molding, the pressing member 112 is separated from the fixed mold. can be easily released from the mold. Therefore, the switch device 100 according to one embodiment can prevent the pressing member 112 from floating from the movable mold and from falling off from the movable mold.

In addition, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, the pressing member 112 has a pressing surface 112D that presses the top of the switch 144, and the pressing surface 112D has a larger area than the top of the switch 144.

Accordingly, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, when an excessive operation load is applied to the pressing member 112, the pressing surface 112D contacts the upper surface of the base portion 144B of the switch 144, thereby reducing the operation load. It can be received on the top surface of the base 144B of the switch 144 . Further, in the switch device 100 according to one embodiment, even when the pressing member 112 is displaced in the horizontal direction, the pressing surface 112D can reliably press the top portion of the movable portion 144A of the switch 144. can.

(Modification)
Next, modifications of the switch device 100 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. FIG. FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a switch device 200 (with the knob 250 removed) according to a modified example. FIG. 12 is an external perspective view of a switch device 200 (with the knob 250 attached) according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a switch device 200 according to one modification.

The switch device 200 shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 includes a case 210, a cover member 230, and a pressing member 212 instead of the case 110, the cover member 130, and the pressing member 112, and further includes a knob 250. , and is different from the switch device 100 .

Case 210 differs from case 110 in that it further includes a pair of holders 214 . The pair of holders 214 are provided so as to protrude outward from both side surfaces of the case 210 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). Each of the pair of holders 214 is formed with a through hole 214A penetrating through the holder 214 in the vertical direction.

Cover member 230 is provided on upper surface 210A (an example of an “operation surface”) of case 210 . The cover member 230 is a generally thin plate-shaped member that is formed using an elastic material (e.g., elastomer). Cover member 230 closes opening 210B (see FIG. 13) formed in upper surface 210A of case 210 by covering substantially the entire upper surface 210A of case 210 . Thereby, the cover member 230 prevents water from entering the case 210 through the opening 210B. The cover member 230 is formed integrally with the upper surface 210A of the case 210 using a material different from that of the case 210 by secondary molding in two-color molding. The cover member 230 has an upwardly convex support portion 232 . The support portion 232 is provided in the center of the cover member 230 . Further, the cover member 230 has a flat outer peripheral portion 234 around the support portion 232 . The support portion 232 is penetrated by the pressing member 212 that is pressed by the operator. Thereby, the support portion 232 supports the intermediate portion of the pressing member 212 . That is, the cover member 230 differs from the cover member 130 in that the pressing member 212 penetrates through the support portion 232 thereof.

The pressing member 212 differs from the pressing member 112 in that it penetrates the cover member 230 . Specifically, the pressing member 212 is provided separately from the case 210 inside the opening 210B of the case 210 and at a position overlapping the switch 144 in plan view. The pressing member 212 is formed together with the case 210 by primary molding in two-color molding. When the cover member 230 is formed by secondary molding in two-color molding, the pressing member 212 penetrates the support portion 232 of the cover member 230, and the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 212B is formed on the support portion 232. It adheres to the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 232A. As a result, the pressing member 212 has an upper portion 212A that protrudes upward from the support portion 232, an intermediate portion 212B that is held in the through hole 232A of the support portion 232, and a lower portion 212C that protrudes downward from the support portion 232. It will be in a protruding state. Note that the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 232A formed in the support portion 232 by two-color molding is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 212B of the pressing member 212 by two-color molding. Therefore, in the switch device 200 of this modified example, water does not enter the case 210 through the through hole 232A. In addition, the pressing member 212 has a plurality of vertical wall portions (for example, four vertical wall portions arranged at intervals of 90°) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 212A and protruding radially outward. The volume of the upper portion 212A can be made smaller than when the 212A is simply cylindrical, so that the amount of material used to form the pressing member 212 can be reduced.

The knob 250 is a plate-like member having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. Knob 250 is formed using a relatively hard material (for example, hard resin). A pair of hooks 252 are provided to extend downward from both ends (that is, a pair of short side portions) of the knob 250 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). Knob 250 is vertically movable with respect to case 210 so as to cover upper surface 201A of case 210 by inserting each of the pair of hooks 252 into each of the pair of holders 214 of case 210 from above. can be attached to As shown in FIG. 13, a holding hole 254 is formed in the central portion of the bottom surface of the knob 250 . The knob 250 holds the upper portion 212A of the pressing member 212 by fitting the upper portion 212A of the pressing member 212 into the holding hole 254 .

In the switch device 200 of this modification, when the operator presses down the knob 250, the pressing member 212 whose upper portion 212A is held by the knob 250 elastically deforms the supporting portion 232 and the outer peripheral portion 234 of the cover member 230. , moving downward with the knob 250 . As a result, the pressing surface 212</b>D of the pressing member 212 presses the top of the movable portion 144</b>A of the switch 144 provided inside the case 210 . This switches the switch 144 to the ON state. As a result, the two lead wires 146 are in a conductive state.

In the switch device 200 of this modified example, both the knob 250 and the pressing member 212 are formed using a hard material, and no elastic member is interposed between the knob 250 and the pressing member 212 . Therefore, the switch device 200 of this modified example can press the switch 144 with the pressing member 212 without substantially attenuating the operation load applied to the knob 250 . Therefore, according to the switch device 200 of this modified example, it is possible to obtain a more direct operational feeling.

Note that the switch device 200 of this modified example may be configured without the knob 250 and the pair of hooks 252 . That is, the configuration may be such that the operator directly presses the upper portion 212A of the pressing member 212 . In this case, the upper portion 212A of the pressing member 212 may be fixedly provided with another knob formed using a hard material or an elastic material.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or Change is possible.

This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-183197 filed on October 3, 2019, and the entire contents of this application are incorporated into this international application.

100, 200 switch device 110, 210 case 110A, 210A upper surface (operation surface)
110B opening 110C lower opening 112, 212 pressing member 112A upper portion 112B lower portion 112C, 112Ca, 112Cb vertical wall portion (convex portion)
112D pressing surface 112E gate mark 120 closing member 130, 230 cover member 132 operating portion 132A outer wall portion 132B cylindrical portion 132C ribs 134, 234 outer peripheral portion 140 circuit portion 142 circuit board 142A upper surface 144 switch 144A movable portion 144B base portion 146 Lead wire 212A upper part 212B intermediate part 212C lower part 212D pressing surface 214 holder 214A through hole 232 support part 232A through hole 250 knob 252 hook 254 holding hole

Claims (5)

a case made of hard resin and having an opening on the operation surface ;
a switch provided inside the case;
a cover member made of an elastic material and covering the operation surface of the case;
It is made of hard resin and is fixed to the back side of the operation portion of the cover member within the opening of the operation surface, and moves in the direction of the switch to press the top portion of the switch when the operation portion is pressed. and a pressing member for
The pressing member has an upper portion covered by the cover member and fixed to the back side of the operating portion, and a lower portion extending from the upper portion toward the switch side. A switch device comprising a projection . The upper part of the pressing member is
The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the switch device has a tapered shape that tapers toward the cover member. The lower part of the pressing member is
having a pressing surface for pressing the top of the switch on the bottom surface excluding the plurality of protrusions ;
The pressing surface is
2. The switch device of claim 1 , having an area larger than the top of the switch. The cover member has a tubular portion on the back side of the operating portion, and the upper portion of the operating portion is covered and fixed in the tubular portion,
The tubular portion of the cover member is connected to the outer wall portion of the operation portion by a plurality of ribs.
2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein: A method for manufacturing a case used in a switch device, comprising:
A primary molding step of simultaneously forming a case having an opening on an operation surface and a pressing member arranged separately from the case in the opening by primary molding in two-color molding;
a secondary molding step of forming a cover member covering the operation surface using an elastic material by secondary molding in the two-color molding, and at the same time fixing the pressing member to the back side of the operation portion of the cover member; A manufacturing method comprising:

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