Patent Publication Number: US-11037744-B2

Title: Switch device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2018/043972, filed on Nov. 29, 2018 and designating the U.S., which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. JP2018-058944 filed on Mar. 26, 2018. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The disclosures herein relate to a switch device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, vehicle power seats whose positions are electrically adjusted are known. For the vehicle power seats, various switch devices for driving a movable part in a desired direction have been proposed. For example, a switch device has been proposed that includes an operation knob, a driving body that is inclined to press a switch, and a holding member that causes the driving body to be inclined in accordance with the operation of the operation knob. In the above switch device, an actuator, included in the driving body and biased by a coil spring, contacts the cam surface formed on the bottom of the holding member, thereby making it possible to automatically return the operation knob to the initial position while also minimizing backlash at the initial position. 
     However, in the above-described conventional switch device, the coil spring and the actuator having long operating strokes are used. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the size of the switch device and the number of parts included in the switch device. 
     RELATED-ART DOCUMENTS 
     Patent Documents 
     [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2016-029645 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a general object of the described embodiments to provide a switch device that can be reduced in size. 
     According to an aspect of an embodiment, a switch device includes a first switch and a second switch each configured to return to an initial state by elastic force; a support member that houses the first switch and the second switch; a driving member supported by the support member such that the driving member is inclined in a predetermined inclination direction and presses one of the first switch and the second switch; a holding member disposed on the driving member to be movable in the predetermined inclination direction; and an operation knob held by the holding member. The driving member is disposed to extend over the first switch and the second switch, and includes a pressing portion and a cam portion. The pressing portion has a shaft at the center thereof, the cam portion extends upward from the middle of the pressing portion, and a first cam surface having a concave shape is formed on the upper end of the cam portion. The holding member has a recessed portion into which the cam portion of the driving member is inserted, and a projecting portion that projects downward from the center of the recessed portion and that contacts the first cam surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects and further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of the exterior of a switch device; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example of the internal configuration of the switch device; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the switch device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the switch device of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the switch device taken through A-A of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the switch device taken through B-B of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a support member; 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are perspective views of sliding members; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a driving member; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a holding member; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the switch device taken through A-A of  FIG. 3  in which an operation knob is moved forward; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a cam portion when the operation knob is not operated; and 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the cam portion when the operation knob is operated. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     According to an aspect of an embodiment, it is possible to provide a switch device that can be reduced in size. 
     In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions or configurations are denoted by the same numerals, and a duplicate description thereof will not be provided. 
     A switch device  100  according to an embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 13 . The switch device  100  according to the present embodiment is a momentary switch in which an operation knob returns to the initial position when a user releases the hand from the operation knob. For example, the switch device  100  may be used as a switch device for driving a movable part of a vehicle power seat in a desired direction. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of the exterior of the switch device  100 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example of the internal configuration of the switch device  100 .  FIG. 2  corresponds to  FIG. 1  in which a housing  1  is not depicted.  FIG. 3  is a plan view of the switch device  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the switch device  100  of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the switch device  100  taken through A-A of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the switch device  100  taken through B-B of  FIG. 3 . In the following, the directions (front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower directions) indicated in the figures will be described as the directions of the switch device  100 ; however, the directions of the switch device  100  are not limited thereto. 
     The switch device  100  includes the housing  1 , a substrate  2 , an elastic resin layer  3 , a support member  4 , sliding members  5 A and  5 B, a driving member  6 , a holding member  7 , and an operation knob  8 . 
     The housing  1  houses the substrate  2 , the elastic resin layer  3 , the support member  4 , the sliding members  5 A and  5 B, the driving member  6 , and the holding member  7 . The housing  1  may be formed integrally, or may be formed by a combination of a plurality of members as illustrated in the example of  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the housing  1  has an opening  11  through the upper surface, and the holding member  7  passes through the opening  11  to the outside of the housing  1 . The opening  11  is formed such that the holding member  7  does not collide with the housing  1  when the operation knob  8  is moved in the front-rear direction. 
     The substrate  2  is a printed circuit board, and is fixed to the housing  1 . The substrate  2  may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate. Although not illustrated, a printed circuit is formed on the upper surface of the substrate  2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , fixed contacts  21 A and  21 B are formed on the upper surface of the substrate  2 . 
     The fixed contact  21 A is a contact constituting a switch  9 A (first switch), and is located on the front side relative to the fixed contact  21 B. The fixed contact  21 A includes a plurality of contacts that are not electrically connected to each other. 
     The fixed contact  21 B is a contact constituting a switch  9 B (second switch), and is located on the rear side relative to the fixed contact  21 A. The fixed contact  21 B includes a plurality of contacts that are not electrically connected to each other. 
     The elastic resin layer  3  is an insulating layer formed on an elastic resin such as rubber, and is disposed on the substrate  2 . The elastic resin layer  3  includes domes  31 A and  31 B and movable contacts  32 A and  32 B as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     The dome  31 A is a dome-shaped portion formed of an elastic resin, and is disposed above the fixed contact  21 A to cover the fixed contact  21 A. The movable contact  32 A is a contact disposed on the lower surface of the top portion of the dome  31 A, and contacts the fixed contact  21 A when the dome  31 A is pressed downward. The switch  9 A is configured by the fixed contact  21 A, the dome  31 A, and the movable contact  32 A. 
     Upon the dome  31 A being pressed downward, the movable contact  32 A contacts the fixed contact  21 A, thereby causing the plurality of contacts included in the fixed contact  21 A to be electrically connected to each other. As a result, the switch  9 A is turned on. Upon the completion of the pressing of the dome  31 A, the dome  31 A returns to the original shape (initial state) by the elastic force, and the movable contact  32 A is separated from the fixed contact  21 A. As a result, the switch  9 A is turned off. 
     The dome  31 B is a dome-shaped portion formed of an elastic resin, and is disposed above the fixed contact  21 B to cover the fixed contact  21 B. The movable contact  32 B is a contact disposed on the lower surface of the top portion of the dome  31 B, and contacts the fixed contact  21 B when the dome  31 B is pressed downward. The switch  9 B is configured by the fixed contact  21 B, the dome  31 B, and the movable contact  32 B. The switch  9 B is located on the rear side relative to the switch  9 A. 
     Upon the dome  31 B being pressed downward, the movable contact  32 B contacts the fixed contact  21 B, thereby causing the plurality of contacts included in the fixed contact  21 B to be electrically connected to each other. As a result, the switch  9 B is turned on. Upon the completion of the pressing of the dome  31 B, the dome  31 B returns to the original shape (initial state) by the elastic force, and the movable contact  32 B is separated from the fixed contact  21 B. As a result, the switch  9 B is turned off. 
     The support member  4  has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is disposed on the elastic resin layer  3 . The support member  4  houses the sliding members  5 A and  5 B, the driving member  6 , the switch  9 A, and the switch  9 B. The lower ends of the support member  4  are fixed to the elastic resin layer  3 . The lower ends of the support member  4  may be fixed to the substrate  2  via through holes formed on the elastic resin layer  3 .  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the support member  4 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the support member  4  includes a casing  41 , a pair of slits  42 A, a pair of slits  42 B, and bearings  43 A and  43 B. 
     The casing  41  is a through-hole in the upper-lower direction. The casing  41  is formed at the center of the support member  4 , and extends in the front-rear direction. The sliding members  5 A and  5 B, the driving member  6 , the switch  9 A, and the switch  9 B are disposed within the casing  41 . 
     The slits  42 A guide the sliding member  5 A such that the sliding member  5 A slides in the upper-lower direction. The slits  42 A extend upward from the bottom of the support member  4 . The slits  42 A are formed at positions opposite to each other on the left side surface and the right side surface of the support member  4 . 
     The slits  42 B guide the sliding member  5 B such that the sliding member  5 B slides in the upper-lower direction. The slits  42 B extend upward from the bottom of the support member  4 . The slits  42 B are formed at positions opposite to each other on the left side surface and the right side surface of the support member  4 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the pair of slits  42 B are located on the rear side relative to the pair of slits  42 A. 
     The bearing  43 A is a recessed portion that rotatably supports a shaft  64 A of the driving member  6 , and is provided at the center of the right side surface of the support member  4 . The bearing  43 A supports the shaft  64 A such that the shaft  64 A can be moved downward from a reference position. The reference position is a position where the shaft  64 A is located when the operation knob  8  is in the initial position, and corresponds to an upper end portion of the bearing  43 A as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The bearing  43 A becomes wider downward such that the shaft  64 A can be moved downward from the reference position (the upper end portion of the bearing  43 A). 
     The bearing  43 B is a recessed portion that rotatably supports a shaft  64 B of the driving member  6 , and is provided at the center of the left side surface of the support member  4 . The bearing  43 B is disposed opposite to the bearing  43 A. The bearing  43 B supports the shaft  64 B such that the shaft  64 B can be moved downward from a reference position. The reference position is a position where the shaft  64 B is located when the operation knob  8  is in the initial position, and corresponds to an upper end portion of the bearing  43 B. The bearing  43 B becomes wider downward such that the shaft  64 B can be moved downward from the reference position (the upper end portion of the bearing  43 B). 
     The sliding member  5 A is a member that mediates the transmission of force between the driving member  6  and the switch  9 A, and is disposed between the driving member  6  and the switch  9 A as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . More specifically, the sliding member  5 A is disposed on the dome  31 A, and a front portion  63 A of a pressing portion  61  of the driving member  6  is disposed on the sliding member  5 A.  FIGS. 8A and 8B  are perspective views of the sliding members  5 A and  5 B. As illustrated in  FIG. 8A , the sliding member  5 A includes a pair of guide portions  51 A and a pressed portion  52 A. 
     The guide portions  51 A are inserted into the slits  42 A of the support member  4 . The guide portions  51 A are formed at positions opposite to each other on the left side surface and the right side surface of the support member  4 , and project outward. By inserting the pair of guide portions  51 A into the pair of slits  42 A, the movement of the sliding member  5 A in the front, rear, left, and right directions is restricted, and the sliding member  5 A is slidably supported in the upper-lower direction. In the example of  FIG. 8A , the guide portions  51 A have plate shapes that are thinner than the slits  42 A; however, the guide portions  51 A may have any shape as long as the guide portions  51 A can be inserted into the slits  42 A. 
     The pressed portion  52 A is pressed by the pressing portion  61  of the driving member  6 , and the center of the pressed portion  52 A protrudes upward. The pressed portion  52 A is preferably formed in a spherical or cylindrical shape, such that the driving member  6  can make uniform contact with the pressing portion  61  even when the driving member  6  is inclined. 
     The sliding member  5 B is a member that mediates the transmission of force between the driving member  6  and the switch  9 B, and is disposed between the driving member  6  and the switch  9 B as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . More specifically, the sliding member  5 B is disposed on the dome  31 B, and a rear portion  63 B of the pressing portion  61  of the driving member  6  is disposed on the sliding member  5 B. As illustrated in  FIG. 8B , the sliding member  5 B includes a pair of guide portions  51 B and a pressed portion  52 B. 
     The guide portions  51 B are inserted into the slits  42 B of the support member  4 . The guide portions  51 B are formed at positions opposite to each other on the left side surface and the right side surface of the support member  4 , and project outward. By inserting the pair of guide portions  51 B into the pair of slits  42 B, the movement of the sliding member  5 B in the front, rear, left, and right directions is restricted, and the sliding member  5 B is slidably supported in the upper-lower direction. In the example of  FIG. 8B , the guide portions  51 B have plate shapes that are thinner than the slits  42 B; however, the guide portions  51 B may have any shape as long as the guide portions  51 B can be inserted into the slits  42 B. 
     The pressed portion  52 B is pressed by the pressing portion  61  of the driving member  6 , and the center of the pressed portion  52 B protrudes upward. The pressed portion  52 B is preferably formed in a spherical or cylindrical shape, such that the driving member  6  can make uniform contact with the pressing portion  61  even when the driving member  6  is inclined. 
     The driving member  6  is inclined in the front-rear direction (inclination direction) in accordance with the operation of the operation knob  8 , and presses the switch  9 A and switch  9 B. The driving member  6  is disposed on the sliding members  5 A and  5 B, and is supported by the support member  4  such that the driving member  6  is inclined in the front-rear direction.  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the driving member  6 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the driving member  6  includes the pressing portion  61  and a cam portion  62 . 
     The pressing portion  61  is a lower portion of the driving member  6 , and extends over the switch  9 A and the switch  9 B in the front-rear direction. When the driving member  6  is inclined, the pressing portion  61  presses one of the switch  9 A and the switch  9 B. The pressing portion  61  includes the front portion  63 A, the rear portion  63 B, the shafts  64 A and  64 B, and a groove  65 . 
     The front portion  63 A is a flat plate-shaped portion located on the front side of the pressing portion  61 . The front portion  63 A is disposed on the pressed portion  52 A of the sliding member  5 A. The rear portion  63 B is a flat plate-shaped portion located on the rear side of the pressing portion  61 . The rear portion  63 B is disposed on the pressed portion  52 B of the sliding member  5 B. The shafts  64 A and  64 B are rotating shafts of the pressing portion  61 . The shafts  64 A and  64 B are disposed opposite to each other on the right side surface and the left side surface at the center of the pressing portion  61 . The groove  65  is a recess formed for minimizing sink marks. Grooves may be appropriately formed at the center of the side surface of each of the shafts  64 A and  64 B as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , and at the center of the lower surface of the pressing portion  61  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     The reference positions of the shafts  64 A and  64 B correspond to the positions of the shafts  64 A and  64 B when the pressing portion  61  is disposed on the sliding members  5 A and  5 B. The bearings  43 A and  43 B are formed such that the upper end portions of the bearings  43 A and  43 B coincide with the reference positions of the shafts  64 A and  64 B. 
     The cam portion  62  causes the driving member  6  to be inclined in the front-rear direction in accordance with the movement of the holding member  7  in the front-rear direction. The cam portion  62  extends upward from the center of the pressing portion  61 . The cam portion  62  includes a first cam surface  66  and a second cam surface  67 . 
     The first cam surface  66  is a cam surface having a concave shape and formed at the upper end of the cam portion  62 . The first cam surface  66  contacts a projecting portion  75  of the holding member  7 . The second cam surface  67  is a cam surface having a convex shape and formed at the upper front and rear of the cam portion  62 . The second cam surface  67  contacts a recessed portion  74  of the holding member  7 . The first cam surface  66  and the second cam surface  67  will be described later in detail. 
     The holding member  7  is a member that holds the operation knob  8 . The holding member  7  is disposed on the driving member  6  to project from the opening of the housing  1  upwardly relative to the upper surface of the housing  1 . The holding member  7  holds the operation knob  8  at the upper end, and the holding member  7  moves in the front-rear direction together with the operation knob  8 . When the holding member  7  is moved in the front-rear direction, the driving member  6  is inclined in the front-rear direction.  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the holding member  7 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the holding member  7  includes a holding portion  71 , a coupling portion  72 , and a bottom portion  73 . 
     The holding portion  71  is a portion that holds the operation knob  8 , and is provided at the upper end of the holding member  7 . The holding portion  71  is located on the upper side relative to the housing  1 . The holding portion  71  may hold the operation knob by engaging with the operation knob  8 , or may be fixed to the operation knob  8  with an adhesive or a screw. Alternatively, the holding member  7  and the operation knob  8  may be integrally formed. 
     The coupling portion  72  is a portion that connects the holding portion  71  to the bottom portion  73 , and is inserted into the opening  11  of the housing  1  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The coupling portion  72  becomes wider downward such that the recessed portion  74 , which will be described later, is formed. 
     The bottom portion  73  is a flat, plate-shaped portion that restricts the movement of the holding member  7  in the upper-lower direction, and is provided at the lower end of the holding member  7 . The bottom portion  73  is disposed between the support member  4  and the housing  1 . More specifically, the bottom portion  73  is disposed such that the lower surface of the bottom portion  73  contacts the upper surface of the support member  4  and the upper surface of the bottom portion  73  contacts the lower surface of the housing  1 . As described above, the movement of the holding member  7  in the upper-lower direction is restricted by the bottom portion  73  disposed between the support member  4  and the housing  1 . When the user moves the operation knob  8  in the front-rear direction, the bottom portion  73  slides between the support member  4  and the housing  1  in the front-rear direction. The recessed portion  74  and the projecting portion  75  are formed at the center of the lower surface of the bottom portion  73 . 
     The recessed portion  74  is a portion into which the cam portion  62  of the driving member  6  is inserted, and extends from the lower surface of the bottom portion  73  to the lower portion of the coupling portion  72 . The recessed portion  74  contacts the second cam surface  67 . The recessed portion  74  becomes wider downward so as not to collide with the cam portion  62  when the driving member  6  is inclined. 
     The projecting portion  75  is a portion that projects downward from the center of the recessed portion  74 , and contacts the first cam surface  66 . The holding member  7  is preferably disposed such that the projecting portion  75  is pressed upward by the first cam surface  66  due to the elastic force of the domes  31 A and  31 B when the operation knob  8  is in the initial position. Accordingly, it becomes possible to minimize backlash of the holding member  7  when the control knob  8  is in its initial position. The recessed portion  74  and the projecting portion  75  will be described later in detail. 
     The operation knob is operated by the user in the front-rear direction. The operation knob  8  is held by the holding member  7  above the upper surface of the housing  1 . When the operation knob  8  is not in operation, the operation knob  8  is in the initial position. 
     Next, the operation of the switch device  100  will be described. In the following, an example operation in which the operation knob  8  is moved forward will be described. The same applies to a case where the operation knob  8  is moved backward.  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the switch device  100  taken through A-A of  FIG. 3  when the operation knob  8  is moved forward. 
     When the user moves the operation knob  8  forward, the holding member  7  moves forward together with the operation knob  8 , thereby causing the recessed portion  74  to press the second cam surface  67  forward while causing the projecting portion  75  to press the first cam surface  66  downward. When the second cam surface  67  is pressed forward and the first cam surface  66  is pressed downward, the driving member  6  moves downward while rotating forward about the shafts  64 A and  64 B. That is, the driving member  6  is inclined forward. 
     When the driving member  6  is inclined forward, the front portion  63 A of the driving member  6  presses the sliding member  5 A downward, the sliding member  5 A moves downward, and the dome  31 A is pressed downward. When the dome  31 A is pressed downward, the shape of the dome  31 A is elastically deformed and the top portion of the dome  31 A moves downward. 
     When the user moves the operation knob  8  forward by a predetermined distance, the movable contact  32 A provided on the lower surface of the top portion of the dome  31 A contacts the fixed contact  21 A as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . As a result, the switch  9 A is turned on. 
     Subsequently, when the user releases the hand from the operation knob  8 , the dome  31 A returns to the original shape by the elastic force, and the movable contact  32 A is separated from the fixed contact  21 A. As a result, the switch  9 A is turned off. Further, the sliding member  5 A is pressed upward by the dome  31 A, moves upward, and presses the front portion  63 A of the driving member  6  upward. 
     When the front portion  63 A is pressed upward, the driving member  6  moves upward while rotating backward about the shafts  64 A and  64 B. That is, the driving member  6  is inclined backward. When the driving member  6  is inclined backward, the second cam surface  67  presses the surface of the recessed portion  74  backward, and the first cam surface  66  presses the projecting portion  75  upward. When the surface of the recessed portion  74  is pressed backward, the holding member  7  moves backward together with the operation knob  8 . When the operation knob  8  is moved to the initial position, the movement of the operation knob  8  stops. Accordingly, when the operation knob  8  is not operated, the operation knob  8  automatically returns to the initial position by the elastic force of the dome  31 A. 
     In the following, the first cam surface  66 , the second cam surface  67 , the recessed portion  74 , and the projecting portion  75  will be described in detail.  FIG. 12  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the cam portion  62  when the operation knob  8  is not operated.  FIG. 13  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the cam portion  62  when the operation knob  8  is operated. 
     In the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , it is preferable for the first cam surface  66  and the projecting portion  75  to contact each other both when the operation knob  8  is operated and when the operation knob  8  is not operated. In addition, it is preferable for the second cam surface  67  and the surface of the recessed portion  74  to contact each other both when the operation knob  8  is operated and when the operation knob  8  is not operated. That is, the cam portion  62  is preferably configured to contact the recessed portion  74  and the projecting portion  75  at the same time, both when the operation knob  8  is operated and when the operation knob  8  is not operated. Further, the first cam surface  66 , the second cam surface  67 , the recessed portion  74 , and the projecting portion  75  are formed such that the distance from a contact point P 1  between the first cam surface  66  and the projecting portion  75  to a contact point P 2  between the second cam surface  67  and the recessed portion  74  decreases as the operation knob  8  moves away from the initial position (as the driving member  6  is inclined). 
     Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , each of the first cam surface  66  and the second cam surface  67  is preferably formed in a spherical shape in which the center of curvature C 1  of the first cam surface  66  is located above the center of curvature C 2  of the second cam surface  67 , and portions of the recessed portion  74  that contact the second cam surface  67  are preferably formed in a cylindrical shape whose axis is parallel to the upper-lower direction. 
     With the above-described configuration, as the operation knob  8  moves away from the initial position, a moment applied to contact point P 1  increases, with the contact point P 2  acting as a fulcrum. As a result, when the operation knob  8  is not operated, the operation knob  8  is stabilized at the initial position where the moment applied to the contact point P 1  becomes minimum. Accordingly, the operation knob  8  can be accurately returned to the initial position. 
     As described above, in the switch device  100  according to the present embodiment, the operation knob  8  returns to the initial position by the elastic force of each of the dome  31 A and the dome  31 B having short operating strokes. Accordingly, in the switch device  100 , the number of parts and the size of the switch device  100  can be reduced, as compared to the conventional switch device in which the operation knob is caused to return to the original position by the coil spring and the actuator having long operating strokes. 
     In the above, an example in which the inclination direction of the driving member  6  is the front-rear direction has been described; however, the inclination direction is not limited to the front-rear direction. The driving member  6  may be inclined in three or more directions. Further, the switch  9 A may be any switch that returns to the initial state by the elastic force. The switch  9 A may be a switch including a metal dome (metal leaf spring) instead of the dome  31 A and the movable contact  32 A, or a tactile switch in which the movable contact  32 A is disposed in a case. The same applies to the switch  9 B. 
     Further, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described herein, and other elements may be combined with the above-described configurations. Variations and modifications may be made to the described subject matter without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.