Patent Publication Number: US-7211757-B2

Title: Push slide switch

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a slide switch in which as a knob is slid, terminals are connected electrically, and particularly to a slide switch which causes an operator to recognize that the terminals are electrically connected more effectively than in a case that a knob is abutted against an abutting part. 
   Further, the invention relates to a slide switch and a push slide switch, in which as a knob is slid, terminals are connected electrically, and particularly to a slide switch and a push slide switch, in which connection states of more terminals than terminals in the related case can be switched by a slide operation of the knob. 
   Heretofore, a push slide switch in which as a knob is slid, terminals are connected electrically, has been known. An example of this type of push slide switch has been disclosed in JP-A-2001-229781. 
   A push slide switch described in JP-A-2001-229781 is so constituted that: as a knob is slid, a coil spring is compressed; and as an operator releases the knob, the knob returns to a neutral position (home position) by the restoring force of the coil spring. Namely, in the push slide switch described in JP-A-2001-229781, as the knob is slide, the force necessary for operation of the knob increases gradually, and when terminals are electrically connected, the force necessary for operation of the knob does not change greatly. Therefore, the operator cannot recognize, by the change of the force necessary for operation of the knob, that the terminals have been electrically connected. 
   Therefore, in the related arts, when the terminals have been electrically connected, the knob is directly or indirectly abutted against an abutting part so that the operator can recognize that the terminals have been electrically connected. Namely, in the related arts, by other methods than the method in which the knob is directly or indirectly abutted against the abutting part, the operator cannot recognize that the terminals have been electrically connected. 
   Further, in the push slide switch described in JP-A-2001-229781, as the knob is slid from the neutral position (home position) to the right side, one terminals are electrically connected, and as the knob is slid from the neutral position (home position) to the left side, the other terminals are electrically connected. Namely, in the push slide switch described in JP-A-2001-229781, a state in which the knob is arranged in the neutral position (home position) and the terminals are not electrically connected, a state in which the knob is slid from the neutral position (home position) to the right side, and one terminals are electrically connected, and a state in which the knob is slid from the neutral position (home position) to the left side, and the other terminals are electrically connected are switched by the slide operation of the knob. 
   Namely, in the push slide switch described in JP-A-2001-229781, there are three connection states of the terminals, which can be switched by the slide operation of the knob, but four or more connection states of the terminals cannot be switched by the slide operation of the knob.
     Patent Reference 1: JP-A-2001-229781   

   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the above problems, an object of the invention is to provide a slide switch which can cause an operator to recognize that terminals have been electrically connected more effectively than in case that a knob is abutted against an abutting part. 
   Further, another object of the invention is to provide a slide switch and a push slide switch which can switch more connection states of terminals than the related connection states by slide operation of the knob. 
   In order to accomplish the above object, a push slide switch of the present invention is characterized by having the following arrangement:
     (1) A slide switch comprising:
       a housing;   a knob that is slidably provided in the housing;   a plurality of terminals that are disposed in the housing; and   a click spring that is disposed in the housing, and has a characteristic that as a displacement level thereof is increased, stress thereof increases, and as the displacement level is more increased, the stress decreases sharply,   wherein the click spring is arranged so that force for operating the knob decreases sharply when the terminals are electrically connected each other.   
       (2) A slide switch according to (1),
       wherein the click spring is arranged so that:   when the knob is slid in a direction and abuts against the click spring directly or indirectly, the force increases sharply with its abutting, and a first group of the terminals are electrically connected each other;   when the knob is slid more in the direction, the force increases more and reaches a peak; and   when the force decrease sharply, a second group of the terminals are electrically connected each other.   
       (3) A slide switch according to (1),
       wherein when the knob is slid in a first direction from a home position of the housing, which is a substantially center position in the direction, a first group of the terminals are electrically connected each other,   when the knob is slid more in the first direction, a second group of the terminals are electrically connected each other,   when the knob is slid in a second direction opposed to the first direction from the home position, a third group of the terminals are electrically connected each other, and   when the knob is slid more in the second direction, a forth group of the terminals are electrically connected each other.   
       (4) A slide switch according to (3),
       wherein when the knob is push-moved in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction from the home position, a fifth group of the terminals are electrically connected each other, and   when the knob is push-moved more in the third direction, a sixth group of the terminals are electrically connected each other.   
       (5) A slide switch according to (4),
       wherein the housing includes a plurality of the click spring, and   wherein the click springs are arranged so that force for operating the knob in the third direction in order to connect the sixth group of the terminals becomes larger than force for operating the knob in the first direction in order to connect the second group of the terminals and in the second direction in order to connect the forth group of the terminals.   
       (6) A slide switch according to (1), wherein the click spring is arranged on a wall surface of the housing, which is perpendicular to a direction in which the knob is slid.   (7) A slide switch according to (6), wherein the wall surface is inclined with respect to a bottom surface of the housing, which is parallel to the direction.   (8) A slide switch comprising:
       a housing;   a knob that is slidably provided in the housing; and   a first switching unit that includes:
           a first group of terminals that are disposed in the housing; and   a click spring that is arranged in the housing,   
           wherein the knob is slidable in a sliding direction from a home position of the housing, which is a substantially center position in the sliding direction, to first and second positions that are arranged in this order from the home position to the click spring in the sliding direction,   wherein when the knob abuts against the click spring, force for operating the knob increases sharply,   wherein when the knob is moved from the first position to the second position, the force decrease sharply, and the first group of the terminals are electrically connected each other.   
       (9) A slide switch according to (8),
       wherein the first switching unit includes a second group of terminals that are disposed in the housing   wherein a third position, at which the knob abuts against the click spring, is set between the home and first positions,   wherein when the knob abuts against the click spring and is set at the third position, the force increases sharply, and the second group of the terminals are electrically connected each other,   wherein when the knob is moved from the third position to the first position, the force increases more, and   wherein when the knob is moved from the first position to the second position, the force decrease sharply, and the first group of the terminals are electrically connected each other.   
       (10) A slide switch according to (9), further comprising a second switching unit having a same structure as the first switching unit, the second switching unit being disposed opposite to the first switching unit with respect to the home position.   (11) A slide switch according to (10), further comprising a third switching unit having the same structure as the first switching unit, the third switching unit being disposed between the first and second switching units.   (12) A slide switch according to (11),
       wherein the knob is slidable in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction.   
       (13) A slide switch according to (12),
       wherein the click springs are arranged so that the force for operating the knob in the direction in order to connect the first group of the terminals of the third switching unit becomes larger than the force for operating the knob in the sliding direction in order to connect the first groups of the terminals of the first and second switching units.   
       (14) A slide switch according to (8), wherein the click spring is arranged on a wall surface of the housing, which is perpendicular to a direction in which the knob is slidable.   (15) A slide switch according to (14), wherein the wall surface is inclined with respect to a bottom surface of the housing, which is parallel to the direction.   (16) A slide switch according to (9), wherein at least one of the terminals of the first group is common to at least one of the terminals of the second group.   

   In the slide switch according to the present invention, the click spring having the characteristic that as the displacement level is increased, the stress increases, and as the displacement level thereof is more increased, the stress thereof decreases sharply is provided. The click spring is arranged so that the force for operating the knob decreases sharply when the terminals are electrically connected. Therefore, by the sharp decrease of the force for operating the knob the operator can recognize that the terminals have been electrically connected. Namely, the operator can recognize more effectively that the terminals are electrically connected than in a case that the knob is abutted against the abutting part. 
   Preferably, by drawing, for example, a plate spring, the click spring is formed. Specifically, the click spring has a characteristic that: as a drawn convex part is recessed, stress increases, and as the drawn convex part is more recessed, the stress decreases sharply. 
   In the slide switch according to the present invention, the click spring is arranged so that: when the knob is slid from the home position in some direction and abuts against the click spring directly or indirectly, the force for operating the knob increases sharply with its abutting, and the first terminals are electrically connected; when the knob is slid more in that direction, the force for operating the knob increases more and reaches a peak; and next when the force decrease sharply, the second terminals are electrically connected. Namely, the click spring is arranged so that the force necessary for operation of the knob decreases sharply when the second terminals are electrically connected. Therefore, by the sharp decrease of the force for operating the knob, the operator can recognize that the second terminals have been electrically connected. Namely, the operator can recognize more effectively that the second terminals have been electrically connected than in a case that the knob is abutted against the abutting part. 
   Specifically, when the knob is not operated and is located in the home position, the terminals are not connected electrically, when the knob is slid and abutted against the click spring directly or indirectly, the force for operating the knob increases sharply, and the first terminals are electrically connected; and when the knob is slid more and the force for operating the knob decreases sharply, the second terminals are electrically connected. Therefore, by providing the state where the knob is not operated, the state where the force for operating the knob increases sharply, and the state where the force for operating the knob decreases sharply, three states; a state where the terminals are not connected electrically, a state where the first terminals are electrically connected, and a state where the second terminals are electrically connected can be recognized by the operator. 
   In the slide switch according to the third aspect, when the knob is slid from the home position in the first direction, for example, to the right, the first terminals are electrically connected; when the knob is slid more in the first direction, the second terminals are electrically connected; when the knob is slid from the home position in the second direction that is opposed to the first direction, for example, to the left, the third terminals are electrically connected; and when the knob is slid more in the second direction, the fourth terminals are electrically connected. Namely, a state where the knob is arranged in the home position and the terminals are not connected electrically, a state where the knob is slid in the first direction and the first terminals are electrically connected, a state where the knob is slid more in the first direction and the second terminals are electrically connected, a state where the knob is slid in the second direction and the third terminals are electrically connected, and a state where the knob is slid more in the second direction and the fourth terminals are electrically connected are switched by the slide operation of the knob. Namely, five terminal connection states are switched by the slide operation of the knob. Therefore, compared with the related case, many terminal connection states can be switched by the slide operation of the knob. 
   In the push slide switch according to the present invention, when the knob is push-moved from the home position in the third direction perpendicular to the first direction, the fifth terminals are electrically connected, and when the knob is push-moved more in the third direction, the sixth terminals are electrically connected. Namely, the state where the knob is push-moved in the third direction and the fifth terminals are electrically connected, and the state where the knob is push-moved more in the third direction and the sixth terminals are electrically connected, are switched by the push operation of the knob. Therefore, by the slide operation and the push operation of the knob, the seventh states can be switched. 
   For example, when the first terminals are electrically connected, an item included in a first menu is scrolled and selected; when the second terminals are electrically connected, its selected item is determined; when the third terminals are electrically connected, an item included in a second menu is scrolled and selected; when the fourth terminals are electrically connected, its selected item is determined; when the fifth terminals are electrically connected, an item included in a third menu is scrolled and selected; and when the sixth terminals are electrically connected, its selected item is determined, whereby selection and determination operations of three menus can be executed by one knob. 
   In the slide switch according to the present invention, the click spring is arranged on the wall surface of the slide switch housing. Therefore, the width of the slide switch can be made smaller than that in a case that the click spring is arranged on the bottom surface of the slide switch housing. Further, larger slide stroke of the knob than that in a case that the click spring is arranged on the bottom surface of the slide switch housing can be secured. In result, midway of the slide stroke of the knob, another terminal can be provided. 
   For example, in case that the slide switch housing is formed by molding, and its drawn direction is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the slide switch housing, when we try to insert-mold the terminal in the wall surface standing perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the slide switch housing, the structure of a mold for insert-molding the terminal becomes complicated, so that cost of the mold increases. In consideration of this point, in the slide switch according to the present invention, the click spring is arranged on the wall surface that is inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the slide switch housing. Preferably, the click spring is arranged on the wall surface standing at an angle of less than 90° to the bottom surface of the slide switch housing, and more preferably, the click spring is arranged on the wall surface standing at an angle of 60° to 85°. Specifically, on its inclined standing wall surface, the terminal is insert-molded. Therefore, the structure of the mold for molding the slide switch housing can be simplified more than that in case that the click spring is arranged on the wall surface standing perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the slide switch housing, and the terminal is insert-molded in its wall surface. In result, the molding cost of the slide switch housing can be held. Specifically, without providing the slide structure for the mold for the slide switch housing, the terminal can be insert-molded. Further, since the click spring is arranged on the wall surface being inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the slide switch housing, contact property of the click spring can be improved. 
   In the push slide switch according to the present invention, another click spring is arranged so that the force to push-move the knob in the third direction in order to connect the sixth terminals electrically becomes larger than the force to push-move the knob in the first direction in order to connect the second terminals electrically, and the force to push-move the knob in the second direction in order to connect the fourth terminals electrically. Therefore, when the knob is push-moved in the first direction or the second direction, it is possible to prevent the sixth terminals from being electrically connected erroneously. Preferably, elastic coefficient of the click spring for causing the operator to recognize that the sixth terminals have been electrically connected is set to a larger value than elastic coefficient of the click spring for causing the operator to recognize that the second terminals have been electrically connected, and elastic coefficient of the click spring for causing the operator to recognize that the fourth terminals have been electrically connected. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1A to 1C  are diagrams showing a first embodiment of a push slide switch of the invention. 
       FIGS. 2A to 2C  are enlarged part drawings of a housing  1  and terminals  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F,  5 G shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1C . 
       FIGS. 3A to 3C  are enlarged part drawings of a cover  2  shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1B . 
       FIGS. 4A to 4E  are enlarged part drawings of a knob  3  and a contact piece  6  shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1C . 
       FIGS. 5A to 5F  are enlarged part drawings of a slider  4  shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1C . 
       FIGS. 6A to 6E  are diagrams showing the state where the knob  3  is slid in the left and right directions in  FIGS. 1A and 4A . 
       FIGS. 7A to 7C  are diagrams showing the state where the knob  3  is push-moved upward in  FIGS. 1A and 4A . 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  are enlarged views of a click spring  7 A,  7 B, or  7 C shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1C . 
   

   DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1A to 1C  are diagrams showing a first embodiment of a push slide switch of the invention. Specifically,  FIG. 1A  is a plan view of the push slide switch in the first embodiment,  FIG. 1B  is a sectional view taken along a line A—A of  FIG. 1A , and  FIG. 1C  is a sectional view taken along a line B—B of  FIG. 1A . 
   In  FIG. 1 , reference numeral  1  is a housing of the push slide switch. This housing  1  is formed by molding, for example, resin material. Reference numeral  2  is a cover for covering the inside of the housing  1 . This cover  2  is formed of, for example, metal material. Reference numeral  3  is a knob constituted so that an operator of the push slide switch can slide the knob in left and right directions of  FIG. 1A , and can push the knob upward. This knob  3  is formed of, for example, resin material. Reference numeral  4  is a slider which is constituted so that it can slide integrally with the knob  3  in the left and right directions of  FIG. 1A . This slider  4  is formed of, for example, resin material. Reference numerals  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F, and  5 G are terminals formed of conductive materials. These terminals  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F, and  5 G are fixed to the housing  1  by, for example, insert-molding. Reference numeral  6  is a contact piece formed of conductive material. This contact piece  6  is attached to the knob  3 , and so constituted as to move integrally with the knob  3 . 
   Reference numerals  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C are click springs dome-shaped (shaped convexly) by drawing a conductive plate spring material.  FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of the click spring  7 A,  7 B, or  7 C shown in  FIG. 1 . Specifically,  FIG. 8A  is a plan view of the click spring  7 A,  7 B,  7 C, and  FIG. 8B  is a front view of the click spring  7 A,  7 B,  7 C. These click springs  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C have a characteristic that as displacement level (elastic deformation level, recess level) thereof is increased, stress thereof increases, and as the displacement level (elastic deformation level, recess level) is more increased, the stress decreases sharply. Namely, these click springs  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C have a characteristic that as a convex part (upper portion of the click spring shown in  FIG. 8B ) is recessed, force necessary to recess the convex part increases, and as the convex part is more recessed, the force necessary to recess the convex part decrease sharply. Eventually, these click springs  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C are constituted so that an operator of the push slide switch can obtain a click feeling when the force necessary to recess the click springs  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C decreases sharply. 
   The click spring  7 A is electrically connected to the terminal  5 A. Further, the click spring  7 A, when it is recessed till the force necessary to recess the click springs decreases sharply, is electrically connected also to the terminal  5 B arranged on the back surface of the click spring  7 A. Further, the click spring  7 B is electrically connected to the terminal  5 G Further, the click spring  7 B, when it is recessed till the force necessary to recess the click springs decreases sharply, is electrically connected also to the terminal  5 F arranged on the back surface of the click spring  7 B. Furthermore, the click spring  7 C is electrically connected to the terminal  5 C. Further, the click spring  7 C, when it is recessed till the force necessary to recess the click springs decreases sharply, is electrically connected also to the terminal  5 D arranged on the back surface of the click spring  7 C. 
   Reference numeral  8  is a coil spring for returning the knob  3  and slider  4  which are slid to the right side in  FIG. 1A  to a position (home position) shown in  FIG. 1A , and returning the knob  3  and slider  4  which are slid to the left side in  FIG. 1A , to the home position. Reference numerals  9 A and  9 B are coil springs for returning the knob  3  which is pushed upward in  FIG. 1A  to the home position. Reference numeral  10  is an insulating sheet arranged inside the cover  2 . 
     FIGS. 2A to 2C  are enlarged part drawings of the housing  1  and the terminals  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F,  5 G shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1C . Specifically,  FIG. 2A  is a plan view of the housing  1  and the terminals  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F,  5 G;  FIG. 2B  is a sectional view taken along a line C—C of  FIG. 2A ; and  FIG. 2C  is a sectional view taken along a line D—D of  FIG. 2A . In  FIGS. 2A to 2C , reference numeral  1 A is a bottom surface of the housing  1 , and reference numerals  1 B,  1 C, and  1 D are wall surfaces standing from the bottom surface  1 A of the housing  1 . Reference numeral  1 E is a coil spring housing part for housing the coil spring  8  shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1C , and reference numerals  1 F and  1 G are coil spring supporting parts for supporting both ends of the coil spring  8 . 
     FIGS. 3A to 3C  are enlarged part drawings of the cover  2  shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1B . Specifically,  FIG. 3A  is a plan view of the cover  2 ;  FIG. 3B  is a front view of the cover  2 , and  FIG. 3C  is a right side view of the cover  2 . 
     FIGS. 4A to 4E  are enlarged part drawings of the knob  3  and the contact piece  6  shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1C . Specifically,  FIG. 4A  is a plan view of the knob  3 ,  FIG. 4B  is a front view of the knob  3 ,  FIG. 4C  is a rear side view of the knob  3 ,  FIG. 4D  is a right side view of the knob  3  and the contact piece  6 , and  FIG. 4E  is a back view of the knob  3  and the contact piece  6 . In  FIG. 4 , reference numeral  3 A is a grip part for putting the operator&#39;s finger on the knob  3  of the push slide switch. Reference numeral  3 B is a contact surface for push-moving the slider  4  so as that the slider  4  is slid to the right in  FIGS. 1A and 4A  integrally with the knob  3  when the knob  3  is slid to the right in  FIGS. 1A and 4A .  FIG. 3C  is a contact surface for push-moving the slider  4  so that the slider  4  is slid to the left in  FIGS. 1A and 4A  integrally with the knob  3  when the knob  3  is slid to the left in  FIGS. 1A and 4A . Referring numeral  3 D is a projection for recessing the convex click spring  7 C, that is, for elastically deforming the click spring  7 C. Reference numeral  3 E is a coil spring holding part for supporting an end of the coil spring  9 A, and reference numeral  3 F is a coil spring holding part for supporting an end of the coil spring  9 B. Reference numeral  3 G is a contact piece inserting part for arranging the contact piece  6 . 
     FIGS. 5A to 5F  are enlarged part drawings of the slider  4  shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1C . Specifically,  FIG. 5A  is a plan view of the slider  4 ,  FIG. 5B  is a front view of the slider  4 ,  FIG. 5C  is a rear side view of the slider  4 ,  FIG. 5D  is a right side view of the slider  4 ,  FIG. 5E  is a sectional view taken along a line E—E of  FIG. 5A , and  FIG. 5F  is a back view of the slider  4 . In  FIG. 5 , reference numeral  4 A is a contact surface which is push-moved by the contact surface  3 B of the knob  3  so that the slider  4  is slid to the right in  FIGS. 1A ,  4 A, and  5 A integrally with the knob  3  when the knob  3  is slid to the right in  FIGS. 1A ,  4 A and  5 A. Reference numeral  4 B is a contact surface which is push-moved by the contact surface  3 C of the knob  3  so that the slider  4  is slid to the left in  FIGS. 1A ,  4 A and  5 A integrally with the knob  3  when the knob  3  is slid to the left in  FIGS. 1A ,  4 A and  5 A. Reference numeral  4 C is a projection for recessing the convex click spring  7 A, that is, for electrically deforming the click spring  7 A. Reference numeral  4 D is a projection for recessing the convex click spring  7 B, that is, for electrically deforming the click spring  7 B. Reference numeral  4 E and  4 F are coil spring holding parts for supporting both ends of the coil spring  8 . Reference numeral  4 G is a coil spring holding part for supporting an upper end (refer to  FIG. 1A ) of the coil spring  9 A, and reference numeral  4 H is a coil spring holding part for supporting an upper end (refer to  FIG. 1A ) of the coil spring  9 B. 
     FIGS. 6A to 6E  are diagrams showing the state where the knob  3  is slid in the left and right directions in  FIGS. 1A and 4A . Specifically,  FIG. 6A  is a diagram showing the push slide switch when the knob  3  is arranged in the home position, that is, when the operator does not operate the knob  3 .  FIG. 6B  is a diagram showing the push slide switch when the knob  3  is slid to the right side in  FIGS. 1A ,  4 A, and  6 A till the projection  4 C of the slider  4  abuts against the click spring  7 A.  FIG. 6C  is a diagram showing the push slide switch when the knob  3  is more slid to the right side in  FIGS. 1A ,  4 A, and  6 B till the force necessary for the slide operation of the knob  3  decreases sharply.  FIG. 6D  is a diagram showing the push slide switch when the knob  3  is slid to the left side in  FIGS. 1A ,  4 A, and  6 A till the projection  4 D of the slider  4  abuts against the click spring  7 B.  FIG. 6E  is a diagram showing the push slide switch when the knob  3  is more slid to the left side in  FIGS. 1A ,  4 A, and  6 D till the force necessary for the slide operation of the knob  3  decreases sharply. 
   In the state shown in  FIG. 6A , that is, in the state where the knob  3  is arranged in the home position, the contact piece  6  is not brought into contact with other terminals  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 F, and  5 G than the terminal  5 E. Namely, the terminals  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F, and  5 G are separated electrically from one another, and the terminals  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F, and  5 G are disconnected electrically to one another. In this state, a right end part of the coil spring  8  is supported by the coil spring holding part  1 F of the housing  1 , and a left end part of the coil spring  8  is supported by the coil spring holding part  1 G of the housing  1 . 
   Next, when the knob  3  is slid from the state shown in  FIG. 6A  to the right in  FIG. 6A , the slider  4  is also slid to the right in  FIG. 6A  integrally with the knob  3 . Hereby, the coil spring  8  starts to be compressed. Specifically, the coil spring  8  comes to be supported by the coil spring holding part  1 F of the housing  1  and the coil spring holding part  4 F of the slider  4 . Namely, the right end part of the coil spring  8  comes to be supported by the coil spring holding part  1 F of the housing  1 , and the left end part of the coil spring  8  comes to be supported by the coil spring holding part  4 F of the slider  4 . As the knob  3  continues to slide to the right in  FIG. 6A , the force necessary for the slide operation of the knob  3  increases gradually with increase of the slide quantity of the knob  3 . 
   When the knob  3  continues to slide more to the right in  FIG. 6A , the right end part of the contact piece  6  attached to the knob  3  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 A. In other words, the terminal  5 E, the contact piece  6 , and the terminal  5 A are electrically connected. Namely, a first terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 A) is electrically connected. 
   When the knob  3  continues to slide more to the right in  FIG. 6A  to the state shown in  FIG. 6B , the projection  4 C of the slider  4  abuts against the click spring  7 A. In result, the force necessary for the slide operation of the knob  3  increases sharply. At this time, the left end of the contact piece  6  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 E in a position  5 E 1 , and the right end part of the contact piece  6  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 A in a position  5 A 1 . In other words, the terminal  5 E, the contact piece  6 , and the terminal  5 A are electrically connected, and the first terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 A) is electrically connected. Namely, with abutting of the projection  4 C of the slider  4  against the click spring  7 A, the force necessary for the slide operation of the knob  3  increases sharply, whereby the operator of the push slide switch can recognize that the first terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 A) has been electrically connected. 
   When the knob  3  continues to slide more to the right in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  to the state shown in  FIG. 6C , the convex click spring  7 A is recessed by the projection  4 C of the slider  4 . Specifically, as the knob  3  continues to slide, the recessed quantity of the click spring  7 A increases, so that the force necessary for the slide operation of the knob  3  increases more. Next, as the knob  3  continues to slide more, the recessed quantity of the click spring  7 A increases more, so that the force necessary for the slide operation of the knob  3  decreases sharply. At this time, the left end part of the contact piece  6  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 E in a position  5 E 2 , and the right end part of the contact piece  6  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 A in a position  5 A 2 . Further, at this time, the click spring  7 A electrically connected to the terminal  5 A is also brought into contact with the terminal  5 B arranged on the back surface of the click spring  7 A in a position  5 B 2 , and the click spring  7 A is electrically connected to the terminal  5 B. In other words, the terminal  5 E, the contact piece  6 , the terminal  5 A, the click spring  7 A, and the terminal  5 B are electrically connected, so that a second terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 A and  5 B) is electrically connected. Namely, as the recessed quantity of the click spring  7 A by the projection  4 C of the slider  4  becomes larger, the force necessary for the slide operation of the knob  3  decreases sharply, whereby the operator of the push slide switch can recognize that the second terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 A, and  5 B) has electrically connected. 
   On the other hand, when the knob  3  is slid from the state shown in  FIG. 6A  to the left in  FIG. 6A , the slider  4  is also slid to the left in  FIG. 6A  integrally with the knob  3 . Hereby, the coil spring  8  starts to be compressed. Specifically, the coil spring  8  comes to be supported by the coil spring holding part  1 G of the housing  1  and the coil spring holding part  4 E of the slider  4 . Namely, the left end part of the coil spring  8  comes to be supported by the coil spring holding part  1 G of the housing  1 , and the right end part of the coil spring  8  comes to be supported by the coil spring holding part  4 E of the slider  4 . As the knob  3  continues to slide to the left in  FIG. 6A , the force for the slide operation of the knob  3  increases gradually with increase of the slide quantity of the knob  3 . 
   When the knob  3  continues to slide more to the left in  FIG. 6A , the left end part of the contact piece  6  attached to the knob  3  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 G. In other words, the terminal  5 E, the contact piece  6 , and the terminal  5 G are electrically connected. Namely, a third terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 A) is electrically connected. 
   When the knob  3  continues to slide more to the left in  FIG. 6A  to the state shown in  FIG. 6D , the projection  4 D of the slider  4  abuts against the click spring  7 B. In result, the force necessary for the slide operation of the knob  3  increases sharply. At this time the right end of the contact piece  6  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 E in a position  5 E 3 , and the left end part of the contact piece  6  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 G in a position  5 G 3 . In other words, the terminal  5 E, the contact piece  6 , and the terminal  5 G are electrically connected, and the third terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 G) is electrically connected. Namely, with abutting of the projection  4 D of the slider  4  against the click spring  7 B, the force necessary for the slide operation of the knob  3  increases sharply, whereby the operator of the push slide switch can recognize that the third terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 G) has been electrically connected. 
   When the knob  3  continues to slide more to the left in  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6D  to the state shown in  FIG. 6E , the convex click spring  7 B is recessed by the projection  4 D of the slider  4 . Specifically, as the knob  3  continues to slide, the recessed quantity of the click spring  7 B increases, so that the force necessary for the slide operation of the knob  3  increases more. Next, as the knob  3  continues to slide more, the recessed quantity of the click spring  7 B increases more, so that the force necessary for the slide operation of the knob  3  decreases sharply. At this time, the right end part of the contact piece  6  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 E in a position  5 E 4 , and the left end part of the contact piece  6  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 G in a position  5 G 4 . Further, at this time, the click spring  7 B electrically connected to the terminal  5 G is also brought into contact with the terminal  5 F in a position  5 F 4 , and the click spring  7 A is electrically connected to the terminal  5 F. In other words, the terminal  5 E, the contact piece  6 , the terminal  5 G, the click spring  7 B, and the terminal  5 F are electrically connected, so that a fourth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 G and  5 F) is electrically connected. Namely, as the recessed quantity of the click spring  7 B by the projection  4 D of the slider  4  becomes larger, the force necessary for the slide operation of the knob  3  decreases sharply, whereby the operator of the push slide switch can recognize that the fourth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 G, and  5 F) has been electrically connected. 
     FIGS. 7A to 7C  are diagrams showing the state where the knob  3  is push-moved upward in  FIGS. 1A and 4A . Specifically,  FIG. 7A  is a diagram showing the push slide switch when the knob  3  is arranged in the home position, that is, when the operator does not operate the knob  3 .  FIG. 7B  is a diagram showing the push slide switch when the knob  3  is push-moved upward in  FIGS. 1A ,  4 A, and  7 A till the projection  3 D of the knob  3  abuts against the click spring  7 C.  FIG. 7C  is a diagram showing the push slide switch when the knob  3  is more push-moved upward in the  FIGS. 1A ,  4 A, and  7 B till the force necessary for the push operation of the knob  3  decreases sharply. 
   In the state shown in  FIG. 7A , that is, in the state where the knob  3  is arranged in the home position, as described above, the contact piece  6  is not brought into contact with other terminals  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 F, and  5 G than the terminal  5 E. Namely, the terminals  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F, and  5 G are separated electrically from one another, and the terminals  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F, and  5 G are disconnected electrically to one another. In this state, an upper end part (refer to  FIG. 1A ) of the coil spring  9 A is supported by the coil spring holding part  4 G of the slider  4  (refer to  FIG. 5A ), and a lower end part (refer to  FIG. 1A ) of the coil spring  9 A is supported by the coil spring holding part  3 E of the knob  3 . Further, an upper end part (refer to  FIG. 1A ) of the coil spring  9 B is supported by the coil spring holding part  4 H of the slider  4  (refer to  FIG. 5A ), and a lower end part (refer to  FIG. 1A ) of the coil spring  9 B is supported by the coil spring holding part  3 F of the knob  3  (refer to  FIG. 4A ). 
   Next, when the knob  3  is push-moved from the state shown in  FIG. 7A  upward in  FIG. 7A , it is moved upward in  FIG. 7A  in relation to the housing  1  and the slider  4 . Hereby, the coil springs  9 A and  9 B start to be compressed. As the knob  3  continues to be push-moved upward in  FIG. 7A , the force necessary for the push operation of the knob  3  increases gradually with increase of the push quantity of the knob  3 . 
   When the knob  3  continues to be push-moved more upward in  FIG. 7A , the right end part of the contact piece  6  attached to the knob  3  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 C. In other words, the terminal  5 E, the contact piece  6 , and the terminal  5 C are electrically connected. Namely, a fifth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 C) is electrically connected. 
   When the knob  3  continues to be push-moved more upward in  FIG. 7A  to the state shown in  FIG. 7B , the projection  3 D of the knob  3  abuts against the click spring  7 C. In result, the force necessary for the push operation of the knob  3  increases sharply. At this time, the left end of the contact piece  6  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 E in a position  5 E 5 , and the right end part of the contact piece  6  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 C in a position  5 C 5 . In other words, the terminal  5 E, the contact piece  6 , and the terminal  5 C are electrically connected, and the fifth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 C) is electrically connected. Namely, with abutting of the projection  3 D of the knob  3  against the click spring  7 C, the force necessary for the push operation of the knob  3  increases sharply, whereby the operator of the push slide switch can recognize that the fifth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 C) has been electrically connected. 
   When the knob  3  continues to be push-moved more upward in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  to the state shown in  FIG. 7C , the convex click spring  7 C is recessed by the projection  3 D of the knob  3 . Specifically, as the knob  3  continues to be push-moved, the recessed quantity of the click spring  7 C increases, so that the force necessary for the push operation of the knob  3  increases more. Next, as the knob  3  continues to be push-moved more, the recessed quantity of the click spring  7 C increases more, so that the force necessary for the push operation of the knob  3  decreases sharply. At this time, the left end part of the contact piece  6  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 E in a position  5 E 6 , and the right end part of the contact piece  6  is brought into contact with the terminal  5 C in a position  5 C 6 . Further, at this time, the click spring  7 C electrically connected to the terminal  5 C is also brought into contact with the terminal  5 D arranged on the back surface of the click spring  7 C in a position  5 D 6 , and the click spring  7 C is electrically connected to the terminal  5 D. In other words, the terminal  5 E, the contact piece  6 , the terminal  5 C, the click spring  7 C, and the terminal  5 D are electrically connected, so that a sixth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 C and  5 D) is electrically connected. Namely, as the recessed quantity of the click spring  7 C by the projection  3 D of the knob  3  becomes larger, the force necessary for the push operation of the knob  3  decreases sharply, whereby the operator of the push slide switch can recognize that the sixth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 C, and  5 D) has been electrically connected. 
   In the push slide switch of the first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the convex click spring  7 A having the characteristic that as displacement level (elastic deformation quantity, recessed quantity) thereof is increased, stress thereof increases, and as the displacement level (elastic deformation quantity, recessed quantity) is more increased, the stress decreases sharply is provided. The click spring  7 A is arranged so that the force necessary for slide operation of the knob  3  to the right (refer to  FIG. 6C ) decreases sharply when the second terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 A, and  5 B) is electrically connected as shown in  FIG. 6C . Therefore, by the sharp decrease of the force necessary for slide operation of the knob  3  to the right, the operator can recognize that the second terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 A, and  5 B) has been electrically connected. 
   Further, in the push slide switch of the first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the convex click spring  7 B having the characteristic that as the displacement level (elastic deformation quantity, recessed quantity) thereof is increased, stress thereof increases, and as the displacement level (elastic deformation quantity, recessed quantity) is more increased, the stress decreases sharply is provided. The click spring  7 B is arranged so that: when the fourth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 G, and  5 F) is electrically connected as shown in  FIG. 6E , the force necessary for the slide operation of the knob  3  to the left (refer to  FIG. 6E ) decreases sharply. Therefore, by the sharp decrease of the force necessary for slide operation of the knob  3  to the left, the operator can recognize that the fourth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 G, and  5 F) has been electrically connected. 
   Further, in the push slide switch of the first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1C , the convex click spring  7 C having the characteristic that as the displacement level (elastic deformation quantity, recessed quantity) thereof is increased, stress thereof increases, and as the displacement level (elastic deformation quantity, recessed quantity) is more increased, the stress decreases sharply is provided. The click spring  7 C is arranged so that: when the sixth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 C, and  5 D) is electrically connected as shown in  FIG. 7C , the force necessary for the upward push operation of the knob  3  (refer to  FIG. 7C ) decreases sharply. Therefore, by the sharp decrease of the force necessary for the upward push operation of the knob  3 , the operator can recognize that the sixth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 C, and  5 D) has been electrically connected. 
   Further, in the push slide switch of the first embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 2B , the click springs  7 A and  7 B are arranged on the wall surfaces  1 B and  1 D of the housing  1 . Specifically, on the wall surfaces  1 B and  1 D being inclined with respect to the bottom surface  1 A of the housing  1 , the click springs  7 A and  7 B are arranged. More specifically, on the wall surfaces  1 B and  1 D standing at an angle of 60° to 85° to the bottom surface  1 A of the housing  1 , the click springs  7 A and  7 B are arranged, and in the inclined standing wall surfaces  1 B and  1 D, the terminals  5 B and  5 F are insert-molded. 
   Further, in the push slide switch of the first embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1C and 2C , the click spring  7 C is arranged on the wall surface  1 C of the housing  1 . Specifically, on the wall surface  1 C being inclined with respect to the bottom surface  1 A of the housing  1 , the click spring  7 C is arranged. More specifically, on the wall surface  1 C standing at an angle of 60° to 85° to the bottom surface  1 A of the housing  1 , the click spring  7 C is arranged, and in the inclined standing wall surface  1 C, the terminal  5 D is insert-molded. 
   Further, in the push slide switch of the first embodiment, when the knob  3  is slid from the home position shown in  FIG. 6A  to the right, the first terminal group (terminals  5 E and  5 A) is electrically connected as shown in  FIG. 6B ; and when the knob  3  is slid more to the right, the second terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 A and  5 B) are electrically connected as shown in  FIG. 6C . On the other hand, when the knob  3  is slid from the home position shown in  FIG. 6A  to the left, the third terminal group (terminals  5 E and  5 G) is electrically connected as shown in  FIG. 6D ; and when the knob  3  is slid more to the left, the fourth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 G and  5 F) is electrically connected as shown in  FIG. 6E . In other words, the state ( FIG. 6A ) where the knob  3  is arranged in the home position and the terminals  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F, and  5 G are not connected electrically, the state ( FIG. 6B ) where the knob  3  is slid to the right and the first terminal group (terminals  5 E and  5 A) is electrically connected, the state ( FIG. 6C ) where the knob  3  is slid more to the right and the second terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 A and  5 B) is electrically connected, the state ( FIG. 6D ) where the knob  3  is slid to the left and the third terminal group (terminals  5 E and  5 G) is electrically connected, and the state ( FIG. 6E ) where the knob  3  is slid more to the left and the fourth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 G and  5 F) is electrically connected are switched by the slide operation of the knob  3 . Namely, the five terminal connection states are switched by the slide operation of the knob  3 . 
   Further, in the push slide switch of the first embodiment, when the knob  3  is slid from the home position shown in  FIGS. 6A and 7A  upward, the fifth terminal group (terminals  5 E and  5 C) is electrically connected as shown in  FIG. 7B ; and when the knob  3  is push-moved more upward, the sixth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 C and  5 D) is electrically connected as shown in  FIG. 7C . Namely, the state ( FIG. 7B ) where the knob  3  is push-moved upward and the fifth terminal group (terminals  5 E and  5 C) is electrically connected, and the state ( FIG. 7C ) where the knob  3  is push-moved more upward and the sixth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 C and  5 D) is electrically connected are switched by the push operation of the knob  3 . 
   Further, in the push slide switch of the first embodiment, the click spring  7 C is arranged so that the force necessary to push-move the knob  3  upward in order to connect the sixth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 C and  5 D) electrically becomes larger than the force necessary to push-move the knob  3  to the right in order to connect the second terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 A and  5 B) electrically, and the force necessary to push-move the knob  3  to the left in order to connect the fourth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 G and  5 F) electrically. Specifically, the elastic coefficient of the click spring  7 C for causing the operator to recognize that the sixth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 C and  5 D) has been electrically connected is set to a larger value than the elastic coefficient of the click spring  7 A for causing the operator to recognize that the second terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 A and  5 B) has been electrically connected, and the elastic coefficient of the click spring  7 B for causing the operator to recognize that the fourth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 G and  5 F) has been electrically connected. Therefore, when the knob  3  is push-moved to the right or the left, it is possible to prevent the sixth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 C and  5 D) from being electrically connected erroneously. 
   The push slide switch of the first embodiment is used in, for example, switching of menu in a portable audio and determination of menu. Specifically, for example, when the first terminal group (terminals  5 E and  5 A) is electrically connected, an item included in a first menu is scrolled and selected; when the second terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 A and  5 B) is electrically connected, its selected item is determined; when the third terminal group (terminals  5 E and  5 G) is electrically connected, an item included in a second menu is scrolled and selected; and when the fourth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 G and  5 F) is electrically connected, its selected item is determined. Further, when the fifth terminal group (terminals  5 E and  5 C) is electrically connected, an item included in a third menu is scrolled and selected; and when the sixth terminal group (terminals  5 E,  5 C and  5 D) is electrically connected, its selected item is determined. 
   As described above, in the first embodiment, the push slide switch of the invention is applied to, for example, a portable audio, and the push slide switch of the invention can be applied to another arbitrary electric appliance.