Patent ID: 6262383
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A tact switch comprisinga box-like housing made of a resin material having an open top, and a plurality of fixed contact plates disposed on a bottom surface thereof;a movable contact piece comprising a cup-shaped curved section and contact portions provides on marginal regions of the curved section, said curved section normally projecting downwardly convexly and resting on the bottom surface of said housing with said contact portions opposing the fixed contact plates;an actuator member including a plate-like section disposed in said housing and extending in a direction parallel to the bottom surface of the housing and out of the housing through a notch formed in a side wall of the housing, an operating portion integrally joined to an outer end of said plate-like section extending out of the housing, and a pair of flexible portions integrally joined to said plate-like section on opposite sides thereof, adjacent the forward ends thereof and extending from the plate-like section so as to overlie the marginal regions of said movable contact piece at least two points opposed diametrically of the movable contact piece, said operating portion being pushed into said housing in a direction parallel to said bottom surface in response to a force applied to said actuator member;a cam positioned forward of an actuating direction of said actuator member within said housing and having an inclined surface for abutting a forward end portion on one end of said actuator member; anda top lid closing said open top of the housing, whereby a force applied to said actuator pushes said forward end portion of the actuator member toward said bottom surface while being guided by said inclined surface, so that said one end of the actuator member flexes pressing down on the marginal regions of said movable contact piece whereby said curved section of the movable contact piece is inverted in its convexity-concavity orientation bringing said contact portions into contact with the fixed contact plates.