SWITCH FOR SEESAW KEY

• US 20090277765A1
• Filed: 01/23/2007
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covac Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Covac Company Limited
• Inventors: Inagaki, Shuji
• Granted Patent: US 8,008,593 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/341
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/7065 characterised by the mechanism between keys and layered keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/022 Conductive rubber
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/006 Only mechanical function
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/022 Asymmetric; Elliptic; Square
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/016 Lever; Rocker

Abstract

A switch comprises a key top to be pushed down; an operation knob pushed down by the key top to rotate around a pivot point, having a working portion; and a contact rubber switch pushed down by the working portion of the operation knob. The rubber switch is provided with a push-button portion having an upper surface pushed down by the working portion of the operation knob and an under surface formed with a movable contact; and a skirt portion extending obliquely downward from an edge of the push-button portion. The skirt portion has a thinner portion on the side of the pivot point of the operation knob and a thicker portion on the opposite side of the pivot point. The push-button portion has an upper surface inclined upward toward the side of the pivot point. The switch has advantages such as simple structure, reliable conduction, and excellent click feeling.

Claims

1. A switch pushed down so as to conduct a fixed contact formed on a circuit board comprising:

a key top to be pushed down;

an operation knob pushed down by the key top to rotate around a pivot point, having a working portion; and

a contact rubber switch pushed down by the working portion of the operation knob;

wherein the rubber switch is provided with a push-button portion having an upper surface pushed down by the working portion of the operation knob and an under surface formed with a movable contact; and

a skirt portion extending obliquely downward from an edge of the push-button portion,

in which the skirt portion has a thinner portion on the side of the pivot point of the operation knob and a thicker portion on the opposite side of the pivot point of the operation knob and the push-button portion has an upper surface inclined upward toward the side of the pivot point of the operation knob.

2. A switch according to claim 1,

wherein the working portion of the operation knob contacts the edge of the push-button portion of the rubber switch, on the side of the pivot point of the operation knob, to deform the skirt portion on the side of the pivot point at the initial step of the push down operation, and then

the working portion contacts the edge of the push-button portion of the rubber switch, on the opposite side of the pivot point, to be pushed down and to deform the skirt portion on the opposite side of the pivot point.

3. A switch according to claim 1,

wherein the push-button portion of the contact rubber switch has a central portion having a surface inclined upward toward the side of the pivot point;

a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion other than an edge on the pivot point side; and

a slit having a thin base separating the central portion from the peripheral portion,

in which the working portion of the operation knob contacts only the upper surface of the central portion and does not contact the peripheral portion when comes in contact with the push-button portion of the contact rubber switch.

4. A switch according to claim 1,

wherein the contact rubber switch is operated in such a manner that

the movable contact tilts downward toward the side of the pivot point when the key top is being applied with preload;

an angle of the movable contact becomes small gradually during a push down operation of the key top; and

the movable contact comes contact with the fixed contact with substantially a parallel posture at the final step of the push down operation.

5. A switch according to claim 1,

wherein the thicker skirt portion on the opposite side of the pivot point of the operation knob is suddenly deformed at the final step of the push down operation to cause a click feeling teaching a completion of the push down operation to the user.

6. A switch according to claim 2,

wherein the contact rubber switch is operated in such a manner that

the movable contact tilts downward toward the side of the pivot point when the key top is being applied with preload;

an angle of the movable contact becomes small gradually during a push down operation of the key top; and

the movable contact comes contact with the fixed contact with substantially a parallel posture at the final step of the push down operation.

7. A switch according to claim 3,

wherein the contact rubber switch is operated in such a manner that

the movable contact tilts downward toward the side of the pivot point when the key top is being applied with preload;

an angle of the movable contact becomes small gradually during a push down operation of the key top; and

the movable contact comes contact with the fixed contact with substantially a parallel posture at the final step of the push down operation.

8. A switch according to claim 2,

wherein the thicker skirt portion on the opposite side of the pivot point of the operation knob is suddenly deformed at the final step of the push down operation to cause a click feeling teaching a completion of the push down operation to the user.

9. A switch according to claim 3,

wherein the thicker skirt portion on the opposite side of the pivot point of the operation knob is suddenly deformed at the final step of the push down operation to cause a click feeling teaching a completion of the push down operation to the user.

10. A switch according to claim 4,

wherein the thicker skirt portion on the opposite side of the pivot point of the operation knob is suddenly deformed at the final step of the push down operation to cause a click feeling teaching a completion of the push down operation to the user.