Switch device and electronic devices using the switch device

Abstract: According to the construction of the switch device of the present invention, spring means (5) are used, as both a return spring for an operating member (6) and a movable contact, the operating member being for operating a switch portion (S1) and a push switch. Consequently, the switch device of the present invention is smaller in the number of components used, less expensive and superior in productivity as compared with the conventional switch device.

Description: The present invention relates to a switch device which is operable in many directions, as well as an electronic device such as a remote controller or a portable telephone set using the switch device. A switch device operable in many directions, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 20, comprises a housing 31 which is a molded product of a synthetic resin, a bottom wall 31a, a side wall 31b which surrounds the bottom wall 31a, a cavity 31c formed at a center of the bottom wall 31a, a support rod 31d positioned at a center of the cavity 31c and projecting from the bottom wall 31a, a pair of stepped portions 31e formed within the cavity 31c, and a cutout portion 31f formed in the side wall 31b. As shown in Fig. 19, a plurality of fixed contacts 32, 33, 34 and 35 are embedded in the housing 31 and respective contact portions 32a, 33a, 34a and 35a are exposed onto the bottom wall 31a in the cavity 31c. An operating member 36, which is a molded product of a synthetic resin, comprises an operating portion 36a, a circular mounting portion 36b, a pair of stepped portions 36c formed on an upper surface of the mounting portion 36b, and a cylindrical portion 36e formed centrally of the mounting portion 36b and having a hole 36d. A ring-like movable contact 37, which is constituted by a metallic plate, has contact portions 37a and 37b located at positions opposed to each other. The movable contact 37 is attached to a lower surface of the mounting portion 36b with use of a suitable means. In the operating member 36 with the movable contact 37 attached thereto, the mounting portion 36b is positioned within the cavity 31c, the operating portion 36a is projected outwards from the side wall 31b through the cutout portion 31f, and the support rod 31d is inserted into the hole 36d of the mounting portion 36b. In this way the operating member 36 is mounted to the housing 31. The operating member 36 thus mounted can rotate about the support rod 31d in both arrow K1 direction which is the clockwise direction and arrow K2 direction which is the counterclockwise direction, and is movable in arrow P direction perpendicularly to the side wall 31b. In a normal neutral state, the contact portions 37a and 37b of the movable contact 37 are in positions X1 and Y1 shown in FIG. 19, and when the operating member 36 is turned in arrow K1 direction, the contact portion 37a moves to position X2 and the contact portion 37b moves to position Y2, making the fixed contacts 32 and 33 conductive with each other, while when the operating member 36 is turned in arrow K2 direction, the contact portion 37a moves from position X1 to position X3 and the contact portion 37b moves from position Y1 to position Y3, making the fixed contacts 32 and 34 conductive with other. In this way a rotary switch portion is constituted. Further, when the operating member 36 is pushed in the direction of arrow P, the contact portion 37a moves from position X1 to position X4 and the contact portion 37b moves from position Y1 to position Y4, making the fixed contacts 32 and 35 conductive with each other Thus, a push switch is constituted thereby. A plate spring 38, which is constituted by a metallic plate, is disposed between the side wall 31b in the cavity 31c and the mounting portion 36b. The plate spring 38 pushes the operating member 36 in a direction parallel to the surface of the bottom wall 31a at all times, serving as a return spring for the operating member 36. A coiled spring 39 has a coiled portion 39a and a pair of arm portions 39b. The coiled spring 39 is mounted in a state such that the cylindrical portion 36e of the operating member 36 is inserted into the central part of the coiled portion 39a and the paired arm portions 39b are in abutment with the stepped portions 36c of the operating member 36 and also with the stepped portions 31e of the housing 31. When the operating member 36 is rotated in arrow K1 or k2 direction, one arm portion 39b is compressed, while when the rotating motion is stopped, the operating member 36 reverts to its original neutral state by the resilience of the arm portion 39b. Thus, the coiled spring 39 acts as a return spring in connection with the rotating motion of the operating member. A mounting member 40, which is constituted by a metallic plate, has mounting pieces 40a. The mounting member 40 is. disposed so as to cover the opening of the housing 31 and is installed by locking its mounting pieces 40 to the housing 31, thereby mounting the operating member 36, etc. within the housing 31. The operation of this switch device will now be described. When the operating member 36 which is in its neutral state is rotated in arrow K1 or K2 direction against the resilience of the coiled spring 39, the movable contact 37 also rotates, so that the contact portion 37a moves from position X1 to position X2 or to position X3, while the contact portion 37b moves from position Y1 to position Y2 or to position Y3, and the fixed contacts 32 and 33 or 34 become conductive with each other. When the rotating motion of the operating member 36 is stopped, both operating member 36 and movable contact 37 revert to the original neutral state by the resilience of the coiled spring 39, the contact portions 37a and 37b return to positions X1 and Y1, respectively, and the fixed contacts 32 and 33 or 34 cease to conduct, to effect change-over of contacts. When operating member 36 which is in its neutral state is pushed in arrow P direction against the plate spring 38, the movable contact 37 also moves and the contact portion 37a shifts from position X1 to position X4, while the contact portion 37b shifts from position Y1 to position Y4, so that the fixed contacts 32 and 35 become conductive with each other. Upon release of the pushing force against the operating member 36, both operating member 36 and movable contact 37 revert to the respective original positions by the resilience of the plate spring 38 and the contact portion 37a returns to. position X1, while the contact portion 37b returns to position Y1, whereby the fixed contacts 32 and 35 cease to conduct and the change-over of contacts is performed. In this way there is performed operation of the switch device which is operable in many directions. As shown in Fig. 20, the switch device constructed as above is installed and used in an electronic device such as, for example, a remote controller or a portable telephone set. More specifically, a printed circuit board 42 with various electric components wired thereon is disposed within a case 41 and the bottom wall 31a of the housing 31 is mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board 42. The fixed contact 32, etc. are connected to the printed circuit board 42 and the operating member 36 projects outward from a side face 41a of the case 41. The operator operates the operating member 36 while grasping a side portion of the case 41. However, since the operating member 36 projects from the side face 41a, the operator often touches the operating member 36 carelessly, for example, when grasping the case 41. The conventional switch device involves the problem that both plate spring 38 and coiled spring 39 are required for restoring the operating member 36 to its neutral state, thus not only resulting in an increase in the number of components used and an increase of cost but also resulting in the assembling work becoming troublesome and the productivity being deteriorated. Moreover, since the operating member 36 projects outwards from the side wall 31b of the housing 31 and is operated sideways of the housing, a limit is encountered in mounting the switch device to an electronic device, thus resulting in that a free design of an electronic device is not obtainable. Further, in an electronic device with the switch device installed therein, the operating member 36 projects from a side portion of the case 41, so there often occurs a careless contact with the operating member 36, for example, when the operator grasps the case 41, thus giving rise to the problem that the operability is poor. US 4 314 111 discloses a switch according to the preamble of claim 1. According to the present invention, as the first means for solving the above-mentioned problems, there is provided a switch device comprising a housing having a cavity, a plate-like bottom wall which constitutes a bottom portion of the housing, an operating member disposed rotatably within the cavity of the housing, a metallic spring member disposed between the operating member and the bottom wall serving as both a return spring for the operating member and a movable contact, a switch portion comprising a fixed contact provided on the bottom wall and the spring member, and a push switch disposed under the operating member, the push switch having a movable contact and a fixed contact, wherein the spring member is moved by a rotating motion of the operating member to effect change-over between the contacts in the switch portion, the operating member is restored to its original neutral state by the spring member when the rotating motion of the operating member is stopped, allowing the switch portion to operate, the contacts of the push switch are changed over from one to the other by a pushing motion of the operating member to the bottom wall, and when the pushing motion of the operating member is stopped, the operating member is restored to its original neutral state by the spring member, allowing the push switch to operate. According to the second solving means, the operating member is provided with an operating portion, the operating portion extending upward perpendicularly to the surface of the bottom wall. According to the third solving means, the spring member is provided in a plural number. According to the fourth solving means, the operating member(s) has a V-shaped receptacle portion in a lower position thereof, the spring member has coiled portion and a pair of arm portions, the arm portions being brought into abutment with the bottom wall, the coiled portion being brought into abutment with an inner surface of the associated receptacle portion, the coiled portion being pushed in toward the bottom wall side by the inner surface of the receptacle portion with a rotating motion of the operating member, thereby causing the paired arm portions to expand to effect change-over between the contacts in the switch portion, the paired arm portions are narrowed by the resilience of the spring member(s) when the rotating motion of the operating member is stopped, to effect change-over between the contacts in the switch portion, and at the same time the operating member is restored to its original neutral state. According to the fifth solving means, the switch device further includes a movable member having a base portion and a pair of columnar portions extending from both ends of the base portion, the columnar portions being inserted into central portions of the coiled portions of the spring members to combine the spring members with the movable member, and the coiled portions with the columnar portions inserted therein are brought into abutment with the inner surfaces of the receptacle portions. According to the sixth solving means, the switch device further includes a mounting member, the mounting member covering an upper portion of the operating member, and when the operating member performs a rotating motion, a part of the operating member is sandwiched in between the mounting member and the housing to prevent a downward movement of the operating member. According to the seventh solving means, V-shaped recesses are formed in a lower portion of the mounting member so that the columnar portions of the movable member can come into abutment with the recesses, and when the operating member is in its neutral state, the columnar portions are brought into abutment with the tops of the recesses by means of the spring members. According to the eighth solving means, a concave portion is formed in either the operating member or the housing, while a convex portion is formed on the other, and upon a pushing motion of the operating member, the concave and convex portions come into engagement with each other to prevent rotation of the operating member. According to the ninth solving means, there is provided an electronic device including the switch device and a case with a printed circuit board housed therein, wherein the bottom wall is mounted onto the surface of the printed circuit board, and the operating member of the switch device is protected from a front portion of the case opposed to the surface of the printed circuit board and is operated at the front portion of the case. Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a front view of a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side view thereof; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a principal portion thereof; FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 in FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 in FIG. 4; FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 in FIG. 4; FIGS. 8A and 8C are diagrams explaining the operation of the switch device shown in FIG. 1; FIGS. 9A and 9C are diagrams explaining the operation of the switch device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an electronic device using the switch device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a switch device according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12-12 in FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on line 13-13 in FIG. 11; FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 14-14 in FIG. 11; FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams explaining the operation of the switch device shown in FIG. 11; FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams explaining the operation of the switch device shown in FIG. 11; FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a conventional switch device; FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view thereof ; FIG. 19 is a plan view of a housing used in the conventional switch device; and FIG. 20 is an explanatory view of an electronic device using the conventional switch device. A switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, of which FIG. 1 is a front view of the switch device, FIG. 2 is a side view of the switch device, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 in FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 in FIG. 4, FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are diagrams explaining the operation of the switch device, FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are diagrams explaining the operation of the switch device, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an electronic device using the switch device. In the switch device embodying the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, a housing 1, which is a molded product of a synthetic resin, comprises a bottom wall 1a, side walls 1b which surround the bottom wall 1a while defining an upper opening, cavity portions 1d divided into three by two partition walls 1c, a convex portion 1e formed on the top of one partition wall 1c, a pair of L-shaped retaining pieces 1f positioned within two cavity portions 1d and projecting from the bottom wall 1a, and lugs 1g formed on the outer peripheries of the side walls 1b. In the housing 1 are embedded a plurality fixed contacts 2, 3 and common fixed contacts 4. At ends of cavity portions 1d the fixed contacts 2 and 3 are exposed onto the bottom wall 1a, and the common fixed contacts 4 are exposed onto the bottom wall 1a centrally in the cavity portions 1d where the retaining portions 1f are positioned The bottom wall 1a may be formed separately from the housing 1 and later mounted to the housing. Two spring members 5 constituted by wire springs for example are each provided with a coiled portion 5a and arm portions 5b and 5c extending downward from both sides of the coiled portion 5a, the arm portions 5b and 5c each having a retaining portion. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the spring members 5 are each mounted by engaging the arm portions 5b and 5c with the paired retaining portions 1f of the housing 1. When the arm portions 5b and 5c of each spring member 5 are in a normal neutral state, they are in contact with the associated, common fixed contact 4, and a switch portion S1 is constituted by the spring members 5, fixed contacts 2, 3 and common fixed contact 4. An operating member 6, which is a molded product of a synthetic resin, comprises a semi-cylindrical base portion 6a having a curved upper surface, a pair of operating portions 6b projecting upward from both sides of the base portion 6a, an actuating portion 6c projecting downward centrally of the base portion 6a, a concave portion 6d such as a hole or the like formed adjacent the actuating portion 6c, and V-shaped receptacle portions 6e formed on both right and left sides of the actuating portion 6c. In the operating member 6, the base portion 6a thereof is positioned within the cavity portions 1d of the housing 1, the concave portion 6d is brought into engagement with the convex portion 1e of the housing, and the coiled portions 5a of the spring members 5 are received in the receptacle portions 6e. A mounting member 7, which is constituted by a metallic plate or the like, comprises a curved support portion 7a and mounting portions 7c each having a hole 7b. While the support portion 7a presses an upper surface of the base portion 6a of the operating member 6, the holes 7b of the mounting portions 7c are fitted on the lugs 1g of the housing 1, whereby the operating member 6 is fastened to the housing 1. When the operating member 6 is thus mounted, the upper portions of the coiled portions 5a of the spring members 5 are pressed by the operating member 6, so that the arm portions 5b and 5c come into pressure contact with the common fixed contacts 4. As shown n FIGS. 5 and 7, the operating member 6 is mounted so as to be rotatable in both arrow K1 direction which is the clockwise direction and arrow K2 direction which is the counterclockwise direction and movable in arrow P direction perpendicular to the surface of the bottom wall 1a. The operating portions 6b of the operating member 6 are in an upwardly extended state perpendicularly to the surface of the bottom wall 1a so that the operating member 6 can be operated above the bottom wall 1a. The push switch S2 comprises an insulating substrate 10 with fixed contacts 8 and 9 embedded therein and a dome-shaped movable contact 11 which is normally in contact with the fixed contacts 8. When a central part of the movable contact 11 is depressed, the movable contact 11 reverses into contact with the fixed contact 9 located centrally, so that the fixed contacts 8 and 9 turn conductive with each other, while upon release of the depressing force, the movable contact 11 reverses out of contact with the fixed contact 9 and reverts to its original state. In this way there is performed change-over of the contacts. The push switch S2 is mounted to the lower portion of the housing 1 at a position under the actuating portion 6c of the operating member 6. The construction of the push switch S2 is not limited to the one described above. There may be adopted any of push switches of various other constructions. The operation of this switch device will now be described. When the operating member 6 which is in its neutral state shown in FIG. 7 is turned in arrow K2 direction which is the counterclockwise direction, the coiled portions 5a of the spring members 5, with the arm portions 5c engaged with the retaining portions 1f, are pushed by the inner surfaces of the receptacle portions 6e and fall down, so that the arm portions 5b come into contact with the fixed contacts 2, and the common fixed contacts 4 and the fixed contacts 2 turn conductive with each other, as shown in FIG. 8A. During the rotating motion of the operating member 6, as shown in FIG. 8C, part of the operating member 6 immediately enters and is sandwiched in between the partition wall 1c and the mounting member 7 to guide the rotating motion. Even if a pushing motion is added to the rotating motion, a downward movement of the operating member 6 is prevented by the partition wall 1c and the actuating portion 6c does not actuate the push switch S2, as shown in FIG. 8B. When the rotating motion of the operating member 6 is stopped, the operating member is pushed back by the resilience of the spring members 5 and reverts to its original neutral state, so that the fixed contacts 2 and the common fixed contacts 4 cease to conduct to effect change-over of the contacts. When the operating member, which is in its neutral state shown in FIG. 7, turns in arrow K1 direction as the clockwise direction, the same principle as above is also applied; that is, the spring members 5 fall down with the arm portions 5b engaged with the retaining portions 1f, and the arm portions 5c come into contact with the fixed contacts 3, so that the fixed contacts 3 and the common fixed contacts 4 turn conductive with each other. Also when the rotating motion of the operating member 6 is stopped, the same principle as above is applied; that is, the operating member 6 reverts to its original state by virtue of the spring member 5, and the fixed contacts 3 and the common fixed contacts 4 cease to conduct. In this way there is performed change-over of the contacts. In the state shown in FIG. 5, moreover, when the operating member 6 is pushed in the direction of arrow P (downward) toward the surface side of the bottom wall 1a, the movable contact 11 is pushed by the actuating portion 6c and reverses, thus causing the fixed contacts 8 and 9 to conduct, as shown in FIG. 9A. Upon depression of the operating member 6, the convex portion 1e is fitted into the concave portion 6d and the operating member moves while being guided by the convex portion 1e. Thus, even if a rotating motion is added to the depressing motion for the operating member 6, the rotating motion is prevented by the convex portion 1e. When the operating member 6 is depressed, the spring members 5 are each pushed down as in Fig. 9C. When the depressing force for the operating member 6 is. released, the operating member is pushed back to its neutral position by the resilience of the spring members 5, and the concave portion 6d and the convex portion 1e assume an opposed state. At the same time, the movable contact 11 reverses back to its original state and the fixed contacts 8 and 9 cease to conduct. In this way there is performed change-over of the contacts. The switch device operates in the above manner, in which the spring members 5 each fulfill the function as a movable contact and the function as a return spring for the operating member 6. Although the spring members 5 described above are wire springs, they may be replaced with, for example, V-shaped plate springs. Further, the guide during rotation and depression of the operating member 6 may be provided in any other place than the partition walls 1c and the construction thereof may be modified as desired. As shown in FIG. 10, the switch device thus constructed is installed and used in an electronic device such as, for example, a remote controller or a portable telephone set. More specifically, a printed circuit board 13 with various electric components wired thereon is housed within a case 12, the bottom wall 1a of the housing 1 is mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board 13, the fixed contacts 2, etc. are connected to the printed circuit board 13, and the operating member 6 is projected outwards from a front portion 12a of the case 12. Grasping a side portion of the case 12, the operator operates the operating member 6 in the same manner as for other operating buttons. A switch device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16, of which FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device, FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12-12 in FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on line 13-13 in FIG. 11, FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on lien 14-14 in FIG. 11, FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams explaining the operation of the switch device, and FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams explaining the operation of the switch device. In the switch device of this second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 16, a housing 15, which is a molded product of a synthetic resin, comprises a bottom wall 15a, side walls 15b which surround the bottom wall 15a while defining an upper opening, cavity portions 15d divided into three by two partition walls 15c, cutout portions 15e formed in the partition walls 15c, a hole 15f formed in a portion of the bottom wall 15a which portion is positioned between the two partition walls 15c, lugs 15g formed on the outer peripheries of side walls 15b, and concave portions 15h each formed in two steps in opposed side walls 15b. In the housing 1 are embedded a plurality of fixed contacts 16a, 16b and common fixed contacts 17. At ends of cavity portions 15d the fixed contacts 16a and 16b exposed onto the bottom wall 15a, and the common fixed contacts 17 are exposed onto the bottom 15a centrally in the cavity portions 15d. The bottom wall 15a may be formed separately from the housing 15 and later mounted to the housing. A movable member 18, which is a molded product of a synthetic resin, has a rectangular base portion 18a, a hole 18b formed centrally in the base portion 18a, and columnar portions 18c formed at both ends of the base portion 18a. Two spring members 19 constituted by wire springs for example are each provided with a coiled portion 19a and arm portions 19b and 19c extending downward from both sides of the coiled portion 19a. The paired columnar portions 18c of the movable member 18 are respectively inserted into the center of the coiled portions 19a of the two spring members 19, whereby the spring members are mounted to the movable member. The base portion 18a of the movable member 18 is disposed in the cavity portion 15d located at the central position, while the paired columnar portions 18c and the spring members 19 are disposed in the cavity portions 15d located on both sides of the central cavity portion, with the arm portions 19b and 19c of each spring member 19 being in abutment with the bottom wall 15a. When the arm portions 19b and 19c are in a normal neutral state, the fixed contacts 16a, 16b and the common fixed contacts 17 are not in contact with each other, and a switch portion S1 is constituted by each spring member 19 and the associated fixed contacts 16a, 16b and common fixed contacts 17. An operating member 20, which is a molded product of a synthetic resin, comprises a semi-cylindrical base portion 20a having a curved upper surface, an operating portion 20b projecting upward from an upper central part of the base portion 20a, slits 20c formed on both sides of the operating portion 20b, an actuating portion 20d projecting downward from a lower central part of the base portion 20a, V-shaped receptacle portions 20e formed respectively on both right and left sides of the actuating portion 20d, and convex portions 20f projecting outwards from both right and left ends of the base portion 20a. The base portion 20a of the operating member 20 is positioned within the cavity portions 15d of the housing 15 and the coiled portions 19a of the spring members 19 are received in the receptacle portions 20e. In this state, the actuating portion 20d is inserted into the hole 18b of the movable member 18 and the convex portions 20f are positioned in the concave portions 15h. A mounting member 21, which is, for example, a molded product of a synthetic resin and is curved, has a support portion 21a, a rectangular hole 21a formed centrally in the support portion 21a, and a pair of projecting portions 21d projecting downward from the support portion 21a on both sides of the hole 21b and having V-shaped concave portions 21c. With the upper surface of the base portion 20a of the operating member 20 pressed down by the support portion 21a, part of the mounting member 21 positioned outside the hole 21b is brought into engagement with the lugs 15g of the housing 15, whereby the operating member 20 is fastened to the housing. When the operating member 20 is thus mounted, the operating portion 20b of the operating member 20 projects upward from the hole 21b and the upper portion of the coiled portions 19a of the spring members 19 are pressed down by the operating member 20, so that the arm portions 19b and 19c are held in pressure contact with the bottom wall 15a. Further, the columnar portions 18c of the movable member 18 come into abutment with the tops of the V-shaped concave portions 21c of the projecting portions 21d in the mounting member 21. As shown in FIG. 12, the operating member 20 can rotate in both arrow K1 direction which is the clockwise direction and arrow K2 direction which is the counterclockwise direction and is movable in arrow P direction which is perpendicular to the surface of the bottom wall 15a. The operating portion 20b of the operating member 20 is in an upwardly extended state perpendicularly to the surface of the bottom wall 15a so that the operating member 20 can be operated above the surface of the bottom wall. A push switch S2 comprises an insulating substrate 24 with fixed contacts 22 and 23 embedded therein-and a dome-shaped movable contact 25 which is normally in contact with the fixed contacts 22. When a central part of the movable contact 25 is depressed, the movable contact 25 reverses into contact with the fixed contact 23 located centrally, so that the fixed contacts 22 and 23 turn conductive with each other, while upon release of the depressing force, the movable contact 25 reverses out of contact with the fixed contact 23 and reverts to its original state. In this way there is performed change-over of the contacts. The push switch S2 is disposed in the hole 15f of the housing 15 at a position under the actuating portion 20d of the operating member 20 and is mounted to the housing 15. The construction of the push switch S2 is not limited to the above construction. There may be adopted any of push switches of various other constructions. The operation of this switch device will now be described. When the operating member 20 which is in its neutral state shown in FIG. 15A is turned in arrow K2 direction which is the counterclockwise direction, the coiled portions 19a of the spring members 19 are pushed by the right-hand inner surfaces of the receptacle portions 20e and the columnar portions 18c of the movable member 18 come into abutment with the left-hand slant faces of the V-shaped concave portions 21c of the mounting member 21 and are guided thereby. In this state, the spring members 19 fall down, so that the arm portions 18b and 18c are expanded and come into contact with the fixed contacts 16a and common fixed contacts 17, resulting in the fixed contacts 16a and 17 becoming conductive with each other. During the rotating motion of the operating member 20, the convex portions 20f of the operating member move to the upper-stage sides of the concave portions 15h of the housing 15 and are sandwiched in between the side walls 15b and the mounting member 21 to guide the rotating motion. Even if a pushing motion is added to the rotating motion, a downward movement of the operating member 20 is prevented and the actuating portion 20d does not actuate the push switch S2. When the rotating motion of the operating member 20 is stopped, the operating member is pushed back by the resilience of the spring members 19 and reverts to its original neutral state as shown in FIGS. 15A and 13. The coiled portions 19a of the spring members 19 are positioned at the tops of the receptacle portions 20e and the columnar portions 18c are positioned at the tops of the concave portions 21c to support the operating member 20 firmly at the center position. Further, the fixed contacts 16a and the common fixed contacts 17 cease to conduct to effect change-over of the contacts. When the operating member 20, which is in its neutral state shown in FIG. 15A, turns in arrow K1 direction which is the clockwise direction, the same principle as above is also applied; that is, the coiled portions 19a of the spring members 19 are pushed by the left-hand inner surfaces of the receptacle portions 6e and the columnar portions 18c of the movable member 18 come into abutment with the right-hand slant faces of the concave portions 21c and are guided thereby. In this state the spring members 19 fall down and the arm portions 19b and 19c come into contact with the fixed contacts 16b, causing the fixed contacts 16b and the common fixed contacts 17 to conduct. Also when the rotating motion of the operating member 20 is stopped, the same principle as above is applied; that is, the operating member 20 is restored to its original neutral state shown in FIGS. 15A and 13 by means of the spring members 19, so that the fixed contacts 16b and the common fixed contacts 17 cease to conduct. In this way there is performed change-over of the contacts. Further, in the state shown in FIG. 12, when the operating member 20 is pushed in the direction of arrow P (downward) toward the surface side of the bottom wall 15a against the resilience of the spring members 19, the movable contact 25 is pushed and reversed by the actuating portion 20d, so that the fixed contacts 22 and 23 turn conductive. Upon depression of the operating member 20, the convex portions 20f of the operating member 20 get into the second stages of the concave portions 15h of the housing 15 and move while being guided by the concave portions 15h. Thus, even if a rotating motion is added to the operating member 20, the rotating motion is prevented by the convex portions 20f. When the operating member 20 is depressed, as shown in FIG. 16B, the spring members 19 are brought down, but the arm portions 19b and 19c thereof are kept out of contact with the fixed contacts 16a, 16b and 17. When the depressing force for the operating member 20 is released, the operating member is pushed back by the resilience of the spring members 19 and reverts to its original neutral position, and the convex portions 20f and the concave portions 15h become opposed to each other. Further, the movable contact 25 reverses back to its original state, so that the fixed contacts 22 and 23 cease to conduct, thereby effecting change-over of the contacts. The operation of the switch device is performed in the above manner, in which the spring members 19 fulfill the function as a movable contact and the function as a return spring for the operating member 20. As in the previous embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the switch device of this second embodiment is also installed and used in an electronic device such as, for example, a remote controller or a portable telephone set. However, the related construction is the same as in the previous embodiment and therefore an explanation thereof is here omitted. Since the switch device of the present invention is of a construction provided with spring members 5 each serving as both a return spring for an operating member 6 and a movable contact which operating member 6 is for operating a switch portion S1 and a push switch S2, the number of components used is smaller than in the prior art and therefore the switch device is less expensive and superior in productivity. Since the operating portions 6b of the operating member 6 are extended upward perpendicularly to the surface of the bottom wall 1a of the housing 1, the operating portions 6b when installed in an electronic device can be positioned in the front portion 12a of the case 12 as is the case with other operating buttons. Thus, the freedom of arrangement is obtained and the switch device of the invention is suitable for various electronic devices. Further, by using a plurality of spring members 5, there is obtained a switch having a switch portion S1 of a multi-circuit structure; besides, the operating member 6 can move stably during operation of the push switch S2, thus affording a switch device superior in operability. Further, since the coiled portions 5a of the spring members 5 are abutted against the inner surfaces of the V-shaped receptacle portions 6e formed in the operating member 6 and the arm portions 5b and 5c of the spring members 5 are abutted against the bottom wall 1a of the housing 1, allowing the spring members 5 to each serve as both a movable contact in the switch portion S2 and a return spring for the operating member 6, the switch device is simple in construction, superior in assembling performance and less expensive. Further, with the columnar portions 18c of the movable member 18 inserted into a center of the coiled portions 19a of the spring members 19, the coiled portions 19a are abutted against the inner surfaces of the receptacle portions 20e of the operating member 20, so when the operating member 20 is rotated and also when it is pushed, the deformation of the coiled portions 19a which are pushed by the inner surfaces of the receptacle portions 20e is prevented by the columnar portions 18c. Consequently, it is possible to provide a switch device wherein the operation of the spring members 19 is reliable and so is the change-over of contacts. Further, since the operating member 6 is sandwiched in between the mounting member 7 and the housing 1 during rotation thereof, the operation of the operating member 6 is stable and reliable during its rotating motion and there can be provided a switch device superior in operability. Further, since the columnar portions 18c of the movable member 18 are brought into abutment with the tops of the V-shaped concave portions 21c formed in the mounting member 21 to maintain the neutral state of the operating member 20, the neutral position of the operating member 20 becomes stable and the operating member can be surely retained in its neutral state, thus affording a switch device of a high precision. Further, since the movement of the operating member 6 is guided by engagement of the concave portion 6d and the convex portion 1e, the operation of the push switch S2 is stable and reliable, thus affording a switch device superior in operability. Further, since the bottom wall 1a is mounted on the printed circuit board 13 disposed within the case 12 to mount the switch device and the operating member 6 is projected from the front portion 12a of the case 12, there is little fear of the operator contacting the operating member 6 carelessly when grasping the case 12 for example. Besides, the operating member can be operated at the same position as other operating buttons. Thus, it is possible to provide an electronic device whose operation is reliable and which is superior in operability.

Claims: A switch device comprising: a housing (1) having a cavity (1d); a plate-like bottom wall (1a) which constitutes a bottom portion of said housing; an operating membe (6) disposed rotatably within the cavity of said housing; a switch portion (51) comprising fixed contacts (2, 3, 4) provided on said bottom wall ;and a push switch (52) disposed under said operating member, said push switch having a movable contact and a fixed contact, characterised in that the switch device also comprises a metallic spring member (5) disposed between said operating member and said bottom wall, serving as both a return spring for said operating member and a movable contact belonging to the switch portion; wherein said spring member is moved by a rotating motion of said operating member to effect change-over between the contacts in said switch portion, when the rotating motion of said operating member is stopped, the operating member is restored to its original neutral state by said spring member, allowing said switch portion to operate, the contacts of said push switch are changed over from one to the other by a pushing motion of said operating member to said bottom wall direction, and when the pushing motion of said operating member is stopped, the operating member is restored to its original neutral state by said spring member, allowing said push switch to operate. A switch device according to claim 1, wherein said operating member is provided with an operating portion, said operating portion extending upward perpendicularly to the surface of said bottom wall. A switch device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said spring member is provided in a plural number. A switch device according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said operating member (s) has a V-shaped receptacle portion in a lower position thereof, said spring member has a coiled portion and a pair of arm portions, said arm portions being brought into abutment with said bottom wall, said coiled portion being brought into abutment with an inner surface of associated said receptacle portion, said coiled portion being pushed in toward said bottom wall side by the inner surface of the receptacle portion with a rotating motion of said operating member, thereby causing said paired arm portions to expand to effect change-over between the contacts in said switch portion. said paired arm portions are narrowed by the resilience of said spring member (s) when the rotating motion of said operating member is stopped, to effect change-over between the contacts in said switch portion, and at the same time the operating member is restored to its original neutral state. A switch device according to claim 4, further including a movable member having a base portion and a pair of columnar portions extending from both ends of said base portion, said columnar portions being inserted into central portions of the coiled portions of said spring members to combine the spring members with said movable member, and said coiled portions with said columnar portions inserted therein are brought into abutment with the inner surfaces of said receptacle portions. A switch device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, further including a mounting member, said mounting member covering an upper portion of said operating member, and wherein when said operating member performs a rotating motion, a part of the operating member is sandwiched in between said mounting member and said housing to prevent a downward movement of the operating member. A switch device according to claim 6, wherein V-shaped recesses are formed in a lower portion of said mounting member so that said columnar portions of said movable member can come into abutment with said recesses, and when said operating member is in its neutral state, the columnar portions are brought into abutment with the tops of said recesses by means of said spring members. A switch device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein a concave portion is formed in either said operating member or said housing, while a convex portion is formed on the other, and upon a pushing motion of said operating member, said concave and convex portions come into engagement with each other to prevent rotation of the operating member. An electronic device including the switch device described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 and a case (12) with a printed circuit board (13) housed therein, wherein said bottom wall is mounted onto the surface of said printed circuit board, and said operating member (6) of the switch device is projected from a front portions (12a) of said case opposed to the surface of the printed circuit board and is operated at the front portion of the case.

Inventors: KAWASE TATSUAKI, KURODA YOSHIMASA, KAWASE, TATSUAKI, KURODA, YOSHIMASA
Applicants: ALPS ELECTRIC CO LTD, ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: H01H25
IPC codes: H01H25, H01H1