JP2024004498A - Electronic component, switch, and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electronic component which enables formation of a current pathway which is unlikely to be deteriorated over time despite depressing operation for switching, is small, and attains good click feeling.SOLUTION: An electronic component 1 includes: a switch 10 which has a first contact 21 and a second contact 22 that conduct electricity in response to an upper surface being depressed, and third contacts 23a and 23b exposed on the upper surface; and an electrically conductive depressing member 17 which has a depressing surface 41 having a flat plate shape and is disposed above the switch; and an electrically conductive elastic member 16 which is disposed between the switch 10 and the depressing member 17 and contacts with the third contacts 23a and 23b at its lower end and which supports the depressing member 17 and moves the depressing member 17 toward the upper surface of the switch 10 in response to the depressing surface 41 being depressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to electronic components, switches, and electronic equipment.

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic components having various functions added to switches are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an electronic component in which a conductive layer formed by printing a conductive resin on a waterproof sheet covering the upper surface is electrically connected to a grounding pattern formed on a substrate. In the electronic component described in Patent Document 1, an antistatic earth electrode can be easily formed on the top of the waterproof sheet by passing a conductive layer formed on the waterproof sheet through a grounding pattern.

Further, electronic components installed in portable devices that have a switching function are desired to be equipped with various functions other than the switching function and to be miniaturized. For example, in the input device described in Patent Document 2, a switch is connected to a detection circuit that can detect both a change in capacitance in response to finger contact and a pressing operation by the finger, thereby detecting the pressing operation. In addition to detection, it is possible to detect that a finger has touched the switch. The input device described in Patent Document 2 uses a fixed contact and a movable contact of the switch as electrodes of a capacitance detection capacitor, so that in addition to pressing the switch, the finger can be pressed without changing the size of the switch. It can be detected that the person has come into contact with the person.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-226995 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-123367

On the other hand, mobile terminals such as wearable devices that have the function of acquiring electrical current from the human body via a switch to acquire biological information such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) are being considered. By mounting the electronic component described in Patent Document 1 on a mobile terminal, current can be obtained from the human body through the conductive layer formed on the waterproof sheet of the electronic component described in Patent Document 1.

However, in the electronic component described in Patent Document 1, since the conductive layer is formed on the prevention sheet, there is a risk that the conductive layer will peel off from the waterproof sheet and fall off if the pressing operation is repeated over many years. When the conductive layer falls off the waterproof sheet, the path through which the current supplied from the human body flows is cut off, making it impossible for the mobile terminal to acquire biological information. Furthermore, when a conductive resin is used for the conductive layer, the electrical resistance of the printed conductive resin is higher than that of metal, so there is a risk that the accuracy of detecting biological information may deteriorate.

The present invention solves these problems, and provides an electronic device that is small and has a good click feel, has a low risk of deterioration over time regardless of the pressing operation for switching, and can form a current path with high detection accuracy. The purpose is to provide parts.

An electronic component according to the present invention includes a switch having a first contact, a second contact, and a third contact exposed on the top surface that conduct when the top surface is pressed down, and a switch having a flat pressing surface. an electrically conductive push-down member disposed above; and a conductive push-down member disposed between the switch and the push-down member, the lower end of which touches the third contact and supports the push-down member; and a conductive elastic member that moves toward the top surface of the switch.

Furthermore, in the electronic component according to the present invention, the elastic member has a pair of support parts extending in the stretching direction of the push-down member and a convex shape toward the push-down member, and is disposed between the pair of support parts. It is preferable to have an elastic part connected to both of the pair of support parts and a pair of contact parts disposed at both ends of the elastic part and in contact with the third contact point.

Furthermore, in the electronic component according to the present invention, it is preferable that the pair of support parts extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pressing member.

Furthermore, in the electronic component according to the present invention, it is preferable that the elastic part is connected to both of the pair of support parts at the top.

Furthermore, in the electronic component according to the present invention, the push-down surface has a rectangular planar shape with a square notch formed therein, and the elastic member is arranged at both ends of each of the pair of support parts, It is preferable to further include an interlocking part for interlocking. In the electronic component according to the present invention, the engagement portion of the elastic member engages with the notch of the pressing surface, thereby reducing the possibility of positional deviation occurring during assembly and operation.

Furthermore, in the electronic component according to the present invention, the switch has a switch board on which the first contact, the second contact, and the third contact are formed, and a convex dome shape, so that the end thereof is in contact with the second contact. a movable contact that is disposed on the top surface of the switch board and whose center portion contacts the first contact when pressed; a first through hole that is disposed on the switch board and surrounds the first contact, the second contact, and the movable contact; It is also preferable to further include a case member in which a second through hole surrounding the third contact is formed, and a sealing sheet that seals the first through hole but does not seal the second through hole.

Further, the switch according to the present invention has a first contact and a second contact that are electrically connected when the top surface is pressed, and a third contact that is exposed on the top surface, and a third contact that is connected to the first contact. A switch board has a convex dome shape, and has a convex dome shape, and has a switch board having a convex dome shape, and a switch board having a convex dome shape; A movable contact is arranged on the top surface of the switch board so as to be in contact with the second contact, and whose center part comes into contact with the first contact when pressed; The present invention includes a case member in which a first through hole surrounding the contact and a second through hole surrounding the third contact are formed, and a sealing sheet that seals the first through hole but does not seal the second through hole.

Further, the electronic device according to the present invention includes a casing, a conductive operating member with one end protruding from the casing, and an electronic component disposed inside the casing such that a pressing surface is in contact with the other end of the operating member. and a control device that is disposed inside the housing and receives a signal according to the operation of the operating member via the electronic component, and the electronic component becomes conductive in response to the upper surface being pressed down. a switch having a first contact, a second contact, and a third contact exposed on the top surface; a conductive push-down member having a flat push-down surface and disposed above the switch; The switch has an electrically conductive elastic member disposed therebetween, whose lower end contacts the third contact, supports the push-down member, and moves the push-down member toward the upper surface of the switch in response to the push-down surface being pressed down.

The electronic component according to the present invention is less likely to deteriorate over time regardless of the pressing operation for switching, can form a current path with high detection accuracy, and can be small and provide a good click feeling.

(a) is a front view of the electronic device according to the embodiment, and (b) is a rear view of the electronic device shown in (a). (a) is an exploded perspective view of the portion indicated by the dashed-dotted line A in FIG. 1(a), and (b) is a perspective view of the operating member, electronic components, and a board on which the electronic components shown in FIG. 1(a) are mounted. It is a diagram. 1(a) is a perspective view of the electronic component shown in FIG. 1(a), and FIG. 1(b) is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1(a). FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the switch shown in FIG. 1(a). FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the switch shown in FIG. 1(a). (a) is a perspective view (part 1) of the switch board shown in FIG. 5, and (b) is a perspective view (part 2) of the switch board shown in FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the switch shown in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the elastic member and push-down member shown in FIG. 2(a). FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the elastic member and push-down member shown in FIG. 2(a). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an electronic device worn on the left wrist of an operator. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit diagram of a current circuit formed when the index finger of the operator's right hand contacts an operating member of an electronic device worn on the left wrist of the operator.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, with reference to drawings, the electronic component, switch, and electronic device based on this invention are demonstrated. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

(Configuration and function of electronic component according to embodiment)
FIG. 1(a) is a front view of the electronic device according to the embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a rear view of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1(a).

The electronic device 100 is a smart watch that includes a housing 101, an operating member 102, a touch panel 103, a back electrode 104, a control device 110, and an electronic component 1. The belt 120 is attached to the belt 120.

The casing 101 is made of a material with high hardness and low corrosivity, such as synthetic resin such as polycarbonate and ceramics, and accommodates components of the electronic device 100 such as the operating member 102, the control device 110, and the electronic component 1. The operating member 102 is made of high-hardness steel, and is arranged such that one end protrudes outside the housing 101 and the other end contacts the electronic component 1, and is contacted and pressed down by the operator.

The touch panel 103 is arranged in a substantially rectangular opening formed on the surface of the housing 101. The touch panel 103 is protected by a windshield made of a highly hard and transparent material such as sapphire glass and mineral glass. The touch panel 103 outputs input information according to an operation by an operator to the control device 110, and displays an image corresponding to the output information output from the control device 110.

The back electrode 104 is formed of a conductive member such as metal, and is arranged in a circular opening formed on the surface of the casing 101. The back electrode 104 is electrically connected to the control device 110 and forms a current path between the control device 110 and the operator's wrist when the operator wears the electronic device 100 on the wrist.

The control device 110 is, for example, a semiconductor circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU), and is arranged inside the housing 101. The control device 110 processes input information input from the operation member 102 and the touch panel 103 to generate output information corresponding to an image displayed on the touch panel 103, and outputs the generated output information to the touch panel 103. Input information input from the operating member 102 is input to the control device 110 via the electronic component 1.

The electronic component 1 is arranged inside the housing 101, electrically connected to the control device 110, and outputs a signal to the control device 110 according to an operation by an operator. The electronic component 1 forms a current path between the control device 110 and the operator's finger when the operator touches the operating member 102 with a finger, and a biological signal indicating biological information such as ECG is inputted. The input biological signal is output to the control device 110. Further, when the operator presses the operating member 102 with a finger, the electronic component 1 outputs an on signal to the control device 110 indicating that the operating member 102 has been pressed.

FIG. 2(a) is an exploded perspective view of a portion indicated by a dashed line A in FIG. 1(a), and FIG. 2(b) is an exploded perspective view of the portion shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a board on which is mounted.

Electronic device 100 further includes a spring member 105, a housing member 106, a washer 107, and a substrate 108. The spring member 105 and the housing member 106 are movably arranged near the opening 109 together with the operating member 102 . The operating member 102 includes a crown 121 and a winding stem 122. The crown 121 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is disposed such that its upper surface protrudes outside the housing 101 so that it can be operated by an operator. The winding stem 122 has a generally circular shape with a diameter shorter than the diameter of the crown 121 and a height longer than the height of the crown 121, and extends downward from the lower surface of the crown 121.

The spring member 105 is an elastic member also called a helical spring or a coil spring, and is housed in the housing member 106 such that one end is in contact with the lower surface of the crown 121 and the other end is in contact with the housing member 106. Further, the winding stem 122 passes through the spring member 105 . The spring member 105 is compressed when the upper surface of the crown 121 is pressed down by the operator, and is restored when the operator finishes pressing down on the upper surface of the crown 121.

The housing member 106 is made of synthetic resin such as epoxy resin, and houses the operating member 102 and the spring member 105. The housing member 106 has a through hole through which the winding stem 122 passes, and is disposed between the bottom surface that holds the crown 121 and the through hole and the bottom surface that holds the crown 121, and has a bottom surface that holds the spring member 105. have

The washer 107 is a spring washer, and is disposed between the housing member 106 and the electronic component 1, and is penetrated by the winding stem 122. The washer 107 is deformed as the operator presses down the top surface of the crown 121, and is restored when the operator finishes pressing the top surface of the crown 121.

The board 108 is a flexible printed circuit board (FPC), and has a first board electrode 181, a second board electrode 182, a third board electrode 183, and a fourth board electrode 184, and has an electronic The component 1 and the control device 110 are electrically connected. The first substrate electrode 181, the second substrate electrode 182, the third substrate electrode 183, and the fourth substrate electrode 184 are connected to connection electrodes formed on the outer edge of the electronic component 1 by soldering.

3(a) is a perspective view of the electronic component 1, and FIG. 3(b) is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3(a).

The electronic component 1 includes a switch 10, an elastic member 16, and a pressing member 17, and is turned on in response to pressing of the operating member 102 by an operator. Further, the electronic component 1 acquires current from the operator in response to the operator's contact with the operating member 102, and acquires biological information such as an electrocardiogram (ECG).

4 is a perspective view of the switch 10, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the switch 10.

The switch 10 includes a switch substrate 11, a frame member 12, a movable contact 13, a pusher 14, and a sealing sheet 15, and the movable contact 13 reverses when the upper surface is pressed down. It turns on and turns off when the top surface is no longer pressed down.

FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view (part 1) of the switch board 11, and FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view (part 2) of the switch board 11. 6(a) shows the front side of the switch board 11, and FIG. 6(a) shows the back side of the switch board 11.

The switch board 11 includes a base material 20, a first contact 21, a second contact 22, third contacts 23a and 23b, a first back electrode 24, a second back electrode 25, and a third back electrode 26. has. The base material 20 is made of synthetic resin such as epoxy resin, has a substantially rectangular planar shape, and has recesses 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d each having a semicircular planar shape near the ends of a pair of long sides. is formed. On the front surface 20a of the base material 20, a first contact 21, a second contact 22, and third contacts 23a and 23b are arranged, and on the back surface 20b of the base material 20, a first back electrode 24, a second back electrode 25, and A third back electrode 26 is arranged.

The first contact 21 is a conductor that is made of metal foil such as copper and has a substantially circular planar shape and is disposed at the center of the surface of the base material 20 . The second contact 22 is a conductor that is made of metal foil such as copper and has a frame-like planar shape that is placed on the surface of the base material 20 so as to surround the first contact 21 . The second contact 22 is arranged so that the outer edge of the movable contact 13 contacts, and the first contact 21 contacts the top of the movable contact 13 when the movable contact 13 performs a reverse operation.

The third contacts 23a and 23b are a pair of rectangular conductors made of metal foil such as copper and extending in the transverse direction of the base material 20 and arranged near the longitudinal ends of the surface of the base material 20. It is. The third contacts 23a and 23b are arranged so that the lower ends of the elastic member 16 are in contact with each other.

The first back electrode 24 is electrically connected to the first contact 21 via a conductor filled in the through hole 28a. The first back electrode 24 is formed on the inner wall of the recess 27a, and is electrically connected to a connection electrode that is soldered when the electronic component 1 is mounted on the substrate 108.

The second back electrode 25 is electrically connected to the second contact 22 via a conductor filled in the through hole 28b. The second back electrode 25 is formed on the inner wall of the recess 27b and is electrically connected to a connection electrode that is soldered when the electronic component 1 is mounted on the board 108.

The third back electrode 26 is electrically connected to the third contacts 23a and 23b via conductors filled in the through holes 28c and 28d. The third back electrode 26 is formed on the inner walls of the recesses 27c and 27d, and is electrically connected to connection electrodes that are soldered when the electronic component 1 is mounted on the board 108.

The frame member 12 is a case member that is made of a resin material such as polyimide and has the same outer shape as the switch board 11 . The frame member 12 is formed with a first through hole 12a and second through holes 12b and 12c. The first through hole 12a is formed in the central region of the frame member 12, and together with the front surface 20a of the switch board 11 forms a housing portion in which the first contact 21, the second contact 22, the movable contact 13, and the pusher 14 are arranged. . The second through hole 12b is formed near one end of the frame member 12 in the longitudinal direction, and is arranged so as to surround the third contact point 23a. The second through hole 12c is formed near the other end of the frame member 12 in the longitudinal direction, and is arranged so as to surround the third contact point 23b.

The movable contact 13 has a first movable contact 13a, a second movable contact 13b, and a third movable contact 13c. Each of the first movable contact 13a, the second movable contact 13b, and the third movable contact 13c is formed of a thin dome-shaped elastic conductive member such as stainless steel or copper, and is insulated from the first contact 21. The second contact point 22 is arranged to overlap with the second contact point 22 so as to be electrically conductive thereto. The first movable contact 13a, the second movable contact 13b, and the third movable contact 13c are formed by cutting a convex dome-shaped plate spring member so as to have a barrel shape with opposing sides.

The pusher 14 is a cylindrical push-down member made of a resin material such as polyimide and arranged above the center of the third movable contact 13c. By arranging the pusher 14, the operability of pressing the switch 10 is improved.

The sealing sheet 15 is a sheet material made of flexible synthetic resin such as polyimide, and the first contact is housed in the housing formed by the surface 20a of the switch board 11 and the first through hole 12a. 21, the second contact 22, the movable contact 13, and the pusher 14 are protected. The sealing sheet 15 is fixed to the frame member 12 by being adhered to the surface of the frame member 12 so as to cover the accommodating portion formed by the switch board 11 and the frame member 12.

The sealing sheet 15 has an inclined portion 15a and a top portion 15b, and has a first opening 15c and a second opening 15d. The inclined portion 15a is inclined so as to cover the outer edges of the first movable contact 13a, the second movable contact 13b, and the third movable contact 13c protruding from the first through hole 12a, and the top portion 15b has a flat surface so as to cover the pusher 14. Form. The first opening 15c is formed near one end of the frame member 12 in the longitudinal direction, and is arranged so as to surround the third contact point 23a. The second opening 15d is formed near the other end of the frame member 12 in the longitudinal direction, and is arranged so as to surround the third contact point 23b. The sealing sheet 15 seals the first through hole 12a and does not seal the second through holes 12b and 12c.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the switch 10.

The switch 10 has a first input terminal IN1, a second input terminal IN2, a first output terminal OUT1, a second output terminal OUT2, a third output terminal OUT3, and a fourth output terminal OUT4. The first input terminal IN1 and the second input terminal IN2 correspond to the third contacts 23a and 23b. The first output terminal OUT1 and the second output terminal OUT2 correspond to the connection electrodes arranged in the recesses 27a and 27b, and the third output terminal OUT3 and the fourth output terminal OUT4 correspond to the connection electrodes arranged in the recesses 27c and 27d. do.

The switch 10 is turned on in response to the movable contact 13 coming into contact with the first contact 21 in response to the depression of the top portion 15b, and conduction is established between the first output terminal OUT1 and the second output terminal OUT2. . The first input terminal IN1 and the second input terminal IN2 are arranged so that the lower end of the elastic member 16 is in contact with the control device 110 and the operator's finger that contacts the operating member 102 via the pressing member 17. form a current circuit between.

8 is a perspective view of the elastic member 16 and the push-down member 17, and FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the elastic member 16 and the push-down member 17.

The elastic member 16 is made of a highly elastic material such as phosphor bronze plated with highly conductive gold, silver, palladium, etc., and includes a pair of leg portions 31a and 31b, a pair of contact portions 32a and 32b, a top portion 33, a pair of connecting portions 34a and 34b, a pair of supporting portions 35a and 35b, and engaging portions 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d. The elastic member 16 moves the push-down member 17 toward the upper surface of the switch 10 in response to the push-down surface of the push-down member 17 being pressed down.

The leg portion 31a extends from the top portion 33 to the contact portion 32a while curving upward. The leg portion 31b extends from the top portion 33 to the contact portion 32b while curving upward in a direction opposite to the extending direction of the leg portion 31a. The legs 31a and 31b have a convex shape centered on the top 33 toward the push-down member 17, and are arranged between the pair of support parts 35a and 35b, as well as both of the pair of support parts 35a and 35b. forming an elastic section connected to the The pair of contact parts 32a and 32b have a rectangular planar shape and are arranged at the lower end of the elastic member 16 along the inner walls of the second through holes 12b and 12c of the frame member 12. The pair of contact parts 32a and 32b can be easily inserted because of the inner walls of the second through holes 12b and 12c of the frame member 12. Each of the pair of contact parts 32a and 32b is fixedly connected to the third contacts 23a and 23b by soldering, adhesion with conductive resin, or the like so that the contact parts 32a and 32b do not slide. The pair of contact parts 32a and 32b are thinner than the frame material 12 and are protected from external forces. Furthermore, even if solder or adhesive adheres to the upper surfaces of the pair of contact portions 32a and 32b, they do not come into contact with other members, so there is no electrical short-circuit.

The top portion 33 has a rectangular planar shape and is arranged between the pair of legs 31a and 31b. The pair of connecting parts 34a and 34b are connected to the pair of sides of the top part 33 to which the pair of legs 31a and 31b are not connected. The pair of support parts 35a and 35b are flat plate-shaped members extending in parallel with the pair of legs 31a and 31b interposed therebetween, and support the push-down member 17 along opposing long sides of the push-down member 17.

The mating parts 36a and 36b are arranged at both ends of the support part 35a, and are bent into a U-shape to sandwich the push-down member 17. The mating parts 36c and 36d are arranged at both ends of the support part 35b, and are bent into a U-shape to sandwich the push-down member 17. Note that the mating portions 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d may be collectively referred to as the mating portion 36. The fitting portion 36 may be fixed by a method such as welding.

The push-down member 17 has a push-down surface 41, and has a substantially rectangular planar shape with cutouts 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d formed at four corners, and is made of strength such as titanium-containing copper or hardened steel. It is a conductor such as metal, which is made of a material with high conductivity and plated with high conductivity. The push-down member 17 is fixed to the elastic member 16 by fitting the notches 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d with the engaging portions 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d of the elastic member 16. Note that the cutouts 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d may be collectively referred to as a cutout 42.

Since the elastic member 16 supports the push-down member 17 along the opposing long sides of the push-down member 17, the push-down member 17 maintains the extending direction of the push-down surface 41 no matter which part of the push-down surface 41 is pressed down. It descends toward the switch 10 while maintaining the direction perpendicular to the pressing direction. Since the pressing member 17 is thicker than the elastic member 16, it is difficult to deform even when the operator presses the operating member 102 with his/her finger. Since the elastic member 16 is thinner than the push-down member 17, the switch performance can be easily adjusted, and in particular, the click feeling can be improved.

In the electronic component 1, the contact portions 32a and 32b of the elastic member 16, which is integrated with the push-down member 17 by fitting the engagement portion 36 into the notch 42 of the push-down member 17, are connected to the third contacts 23a and 23b of the switch 10. Manufactured by soldering.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the electronic device 100 worn on the left wrist of the operator.

The electronic device 100 is attached to the operator's left wrist 200a with a belt 120. When the index finger 200b of the operator's right hand contacts the operating member 102, the operating member 102 and the electronic component 1 come into contact, forming a current circuit through which a current flows through the human body of the operator.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a circuit diagram of a current circuit formed when the operator's right index finger 200b contacts the operating member 102 of the electronic device 100 attached to the operator's left wrist 200a.

The electronic device 100 further includes a pull-up resistor 111, a buffer 112, and an AD conversion circuit 113. The pull-up resistor 111 has one end supplied with the power supply voltage Vdd, and the other end connected between the back electrode 104 and the buffer 112. The pull-up resistor 111 converts the current flowing through the formed current circuit into a voltage indicating the potential of the operator 200. Buffer 112 amplifies a voltage representing the potential of operator 200 and outputs it to AD conversion circuit 113 . The AD conversion circuit 113 converts the voltage input from the buffer 112 into a digital signal and outputs it to the control device 110.

When the electronic device 100 is attached to the left wrist 200a of the operator 200, the left wrist 200a of the operator 200 comes into contact with the back electrode 104, and the left wrist 200a of the operator 200 is connected to the pull-up resistor 111 and the buffer. 112. Further, by contacting the index finger 200b of the operator's right hand, the index finger 200b of the operator's right hand is electrically connected to the crown 121 of the operating member 102. Moreover, the winding stem 122 of the operating member 102 is electrically connected to the push-down member 17 of the electronic component 1 by contacting with the index finger 200b of the operator's right hand.

(Operations and effects of electronic components according to embodiments)
The electronic component 1 is operated by a conductive push-down member 17 arranged above the switch 10 and a conductive elastic member 16 arranged between the switch 10 and the push-down member 17, whose lower ends are in contact with the third contacts 23a and 23b. A current path is formed. Since the electronic component 1 forms a current circuit through the conductive elastic member 16 and the push-down member 17 arranged above the switch 10, the current path is unlikely to deteriorate over time regardless of the push-down operation for switching. can be formed.

Note that when the current path between the operating member 102 and the switch 10 is formed using, for example, one plate spring, the plate spring disposed in the current path is used to prevent deformation when it comes into contact with the pusher 14. becomes thicker. If the thickness of the leaf spring disposed in the current path becomes thicker, the click feeling when an operator presses down the electronic component decreases, which is not preferable.

By increasing the size of the single leaf spring that forms the current path, it is possible to prevent the click feeling when the operator presses the button from decreasing. This is not preferable because the size of the electronic components increases. In the electronic component 1, the current path between the operating member 102 and the switch 10 is formed by two members, the elastic member 16 and the push-down member 17, thereby realizing a good click feeling without increasing the size. be able to. Note that only the pair of contact portions 32a and 32b and at least one of the third contacts 23a and 23b may be fixedly connected. Since the stress on the legs 31a or 31b that are not fixedly connected can be relaxed, the operating load on the elastic member 16 is reduced, and the click feeling is further improved. Even if the unfixed contact portion 32a or 32b slides, it is surrounded by the second through holes 12b and 12c and has insulation properties, so it does not come into contact with other members and does not cause a short circuit.

In addition, in the electronic component 1, the push-down member 17 is arranged to sandwich the legs 31a and 31b, and is supported by a pair of support parts 35a and 35b extending in the extending direction of the push-down member 17, so that the push-down surface 41 is When pressed, the pressing surface 41 is pressed down without inclining it. Since the electronic component 1 is pressed down by the push-down member 17 without inclining the push-down surface 41, the area of the contact surface where the winding stem 122 that presses down the push-down surface 41 and the push-down surface 41 come into contact can be increased. Since the electronic component 1 can increase the area of the contact surface where the winding stem 122 and the push-down surface 41 come into contact, noise caused by fluctuations in the resistance value of the current path between the winding stem 122 and the push-down surface 41 can be reduced. can be reduced.

Further, in the electronic component 1, the pair of support parts 35a and 35b extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the push-down member 17, so that by supporting the push-down member 17 more stably, the winding stem 122 and the push-down surface 41 are It is possible to maintain a large contact surface area.

In addition, in the electronic component 1, the legs 31a and 31b are connected to the pair of support parts 35a and 35b at the top 33, so the moving distance is large, so the moving distance is adjusted to achieve the desired click feeling. can do.

In addition, in the electronic component 1, the elastic member 16 fixes the push-down member by fitting into the notches 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d of the push-down member 17, thereby reducing the possibility that the push-down member 17 will shift in the horizontal direction. can do. The push-down member 17 has the mating parts 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d fixed in the longitudinal direction by the push-down surface 41, and fixed in the transverse direction by the cutouts 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d, so that it can be easily assembled. Also, the possibility of positional deviation occurring during operation is reduced.

(Modified example of electronic component according to embodiment)
Although the electronic component 1 includes a switch 10 that is a push switch, the electronic component according to the embodiment only needs to have a third contact point that can form a current path with the operator, and may include a micro switch and a dip switch. It may have a switch other than a push switch such as a switch.

Further, the electronic component 1 includes a pair of support parts 35a and 35b and an elastic member 16 having legs 31a and 31b sandwiched between the pair of support parts 35a and 35b. 16 may have a conductive elastic member having a different shape. For example, the electronic component according to the embodiment may include a coil spring made of a conductive material as an elastic member disposed between the switch 10 and the push-down member 17.

Further, in the electronic component 1, the pair of support parts 35a and 35b of the elastic member 16 are arranged so as to extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the push-down member 17, but in the electronic component according to the embodiment, the pair of support parts 35a and 35b of the elastic member The supporting portion may extend in the extending direction of the pressing member.

Further, in the electronic component 1, the pair of support parts 35a and 35b are connected at the top part 33, but in the electronic component according to the embodiment, any part of the elastic part having a convex shape toward the pressing member is connected to the support part 35a and 35b. It only needs to be connected.

In the electronic component 1, the pressing member 17 has a rectangular planar shape with a square notch, but in the electronic component according to the embodiment, the pressing member 17 has a planar shape different from a rectangle, such as a circle or a triangle. It may have. Further, in the electronic component according to the embodiment, the push-down member does not need to have a notch formed at the corner.

Furthermore, although the electronic device 100 on which the electronic component 1 is mounted is a smart watch, the electronic device according to the embodiment is a wearable device other than a wristwatch-type smart watch, such as a wristband type, a ring type, or a speaker type. There may be. Further, the electronic device according to the embodiment may be a mobile terminal other than a wearable device such as a smartphone, or may be a stationary electronic device such as a scale and a blood pressure monitor.

1 Electronic component 10 Switch 16 Elastic member 17 Push-down member 21 First contact 22 Second contact 23a, 23b Third contact 100 Electronic device 102 Operation member 110 Control device

Claims (8)

a switch having a first contact and a second contact that conduct when the top surface is pressed, and a third contact exposed on the top surface;
a conductive pressing member having a flat pressing surface and disposed above the switch;
disposed between the switch and the push-down member, a lower end contacts the third contact and supports the push-down member, and directs the push-down member toward the top surface of the switch in response to the push-down surface being pressed down. a conductive elastic member that moves with the
An electronic component characterized by having. The elastic member is
a pair of support parts extending in the stretching direction of the pressing member;
an elastic part having a convex shape toward the pressing member, disposed between the pair of support parts and connected to both of the pair of support parts;
a pair of contact parts arranged at both ends of the elastic part and in contact with the third contact point;
The electronic component according to claim 1, comprising: The electronic component according to claim 2, wherein the pair of support portions extend parallel to a longitudinal direction of the push-down member. The electronic component according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the elastic part is connected to both of the pair of support parts at the top. The pressing surface has a rectangular planar shape with a square notch formed therein,
The electronic component according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the elastic member further has a mating part disposed at both ends of each of the pair of support parts and mating with the notch. The switch is
a switch board on which the first contact, the second contact, and the third contact are formed;
a movable contact having a convex dome shape, disposed on the upper surface of the switch board so that its end portion contacts the second contact point, and whose center portion contacts the first contact point when pressed;
a case member disposed on the switch board and having a first through hole surrounding the first contact, the second contact, and the movable contact, and a second through hole surrounding the third contact;
a sealing sheet that seals the first through hole and does not seal the second through hole;
The electronic component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: A first contact and a second contact that are electrically connected in response to the upper surface being pressed down, and a third contact exposed on the upper surface formed on the surface and connected to the first contact, a first back electrode, and the second contact. a switch board having a second back electrode connected to the contact and a third back electrode connected to the third contact formed on the back surface;
a movable contact having a convex dome shape, disposed on the upper surface of the switch board so that its end portion contacts the second contact point, and whose center portion contacts the first contact point when pressed;
a case member disposed on the switch board and having a first through hole surrounding the first contact, the second contact, and the movable contact, and a second through hole surrounding the third contact;
a sealing sheet that seals the first through hole and does not seal the second through hole;
A switch characterized by having. A casing and
a conductive operating member with one end protruding from the housing;
an electronic component disposed inside the housing so that a pressing surface is in contact with the other end of the operating member;
a control device disposed inside the casing, into which a signal according to the operation of the operating member is input via the electronic component;
The electronic component is
a switch having a first contact and a second contact that conduct when the top surface is pressed, and a third contact exposed on the top surface;
a conductive push-down member having a flat push-down surface and disposed above the switch;
disposed between the switch and the push-down member, a lower end touches the third contact and supports the push-down member, and directs the push-down member toward the top surface of the switch in response to the push-down surface being pressed down. a conductive elastic member that moves with the
An electronic device characterized by having.

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