Patent ID: 6610950
Filing Date: 2003-08-26
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A push switch comprising:a switch housing formed of insulating resin and having a recess; at least four fixed contacts arranged on a bottom face of said recess so as to be electrically independent of each other; a plurality of electrically independent coupling terminals, each of said coupling terminals being electrically connected to a respective one of said fixed contacts and extending outside of said switch housing; a pair of contact-receptors formed on said bottom face of said recess so that each contact-receptor forms a step on said bottom face, and said contact-receptors being arranged so as to be separated from said fixed contacts; a domed movable contact formed of elastic metal sheet, said domed movable contact being arranged in said recess such that a center of said movable contact protrudes upwardly; a flexible cover rigidly mounted to said switch housing so as to cover said recess; and a contact slip arranged between said at least four fixed contacts and said domed movable contact, said contact slip being formed of elastic metal sheet and having a plurality of contact sections corresponding to said at least four fixed contacts; wherein said contact slip and.said domed movable contact are arranged such that: an outer rim of said contract slip is supported on said contact-receptors; an outer rim of said domed movable contact is supported on said contact slip; one of said contact sections of said contact slip permanently contacts a respective one of said fixed contacts, and a remaining group of said contact sections is operable to move between a non-contact position, whereat said remaining group of said contact sections do not electrically contact a remaining group of fixed contacts, and a contact position, whereat said remaining group of said contact sections electrically contact a remaining group of fixed contacts; and said domed movable contact is operable to push said remaining group of said contact sections from said non-contact position to said contact position so as to simultaneously electrically couple said remaining group of said contact sections and said remaining group of fixed contacts when said flexible cover is pushed against said domed movable contact.