Push button switch and switching device

• US 20010027916A1
• Filed: 04/27/2001
• Published: 10/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Okamoto, Satoshi, Inubushi, Toshiya
• Granted Patent: US 6,444,928 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/512
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/7006 comprising a separate movable contact element for each switch site, all other elements being integrated in layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/006 Force isolators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/016 Protection layer, e.g. for legend, anti-scratch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/006 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/002 sealed
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/036 Minimise height
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/047 Preformed layer in mould

Abstract

A push button switch of the invention has base rubber having actuator portions, a resin molded portion attached to the base rubber, and a permeable film formed on the surface of the resin molded portion. More preferably, a flange portion of the film is disposed so as to avoid a region just above thick portions such as base plate supported portions of the base rubber. A push button switch capable of preventing peeling of coating or the like and intrusion of water can be therefore provided. A push button switch and a switching device which have satisfactory touch and can be thinned can be provided.

Claims

1. A push button switch for performing a switching operation by pressing a metal plate on a base plate by depression of a button, comprising:

base rubber which is disposed on said base plate and has an actuator portion capable of pressing said metal plate;

a base body of said button, attached to said base rubber; and

a film which is formed on the surface of said base body and has permeability.The

2. The push button switch according to

claim 1

, wherein said base rubber has thick base plate supported portion which are closely attached to the surface of said base plate,

said film has a flange portion extending from a side portion of said base body to an outer periphery side so as to have a gap between said flange portion and the surface of said base rubber, and

said flange portion is disposed so as to avoid a region just above said base plate supported portion.

3. The push button switch according to

claim 2

, wherein a space between said flange portion and the surface of said base rubber is smaller than a stroke of a switching operation of said metal plate.

4. The push button switch according to

claim 2

, wherein said base plate supported portion have an outer peripheral portion disposed around the entire periphery of said base rubber, and

said outer peripheral portion has a construction of preventing intrusion of water into a region surrounded by said base rubber and the surface of said base plate by being closely attached to the surface of said base plate.

5. A switching device comprising:

a base plate on which a plurality of metal plates which are switched by being pressed are arranged;

base rubber which covers said plurality of metal plates arranged, has thick base plate supported portion closely attached onto said base plate at the entire periphery, and has actuator portions in facing portions on the metal plates;

a plurality of base bodies of buttons attached to positions corresponding to said actuator portions on said base rubber; and

a permeable film which is formed on the surface of said base body and has a flange portion extending from a side portion of the base body to the outer peripheral side.

6. The switching device according to

claim 5

, characterized in that a gap is formed between said flange portion and the surface of said base rubber.

7. The switching device according to

claim 5

, characterized in that a gap is formed between said flange portion and said base plate supported portion.

8. A switching device comprising:

a base plate on which a plurality of metal plates switched by being pressed by actuator portions are arranged;

base rubber which covers said plurality of metal plates arranged and has thick base plate supported portions closely attached onto said base plate at the entire periphery;

a plurality of base bodies of buttons, which are disposed on said base rubber and are pressed integrally with said actuator portions; and

a permeable film which is formed on the surface of said base body and has flange portion extending from a side portion of the base body to the outer peripheral side.

9. The switching device according to

claim 8

, characterized in that a gap is formed between said flange portion and the surface of said base rubber.

10. The switching device according to

claim 8

, characterized in that a gap is formed between said flange portion and said base plate supported portion.