Title:
PUSHBUTTON SWITCH WITH COIL SPRING CONTACT
United States Patent 3842230
Abstract:
A switching device comprising a first electrode mounted on the plain surface of an insulation plate and a second electrode formed on said plain surface of said insulation plate at a sufficient spacing from the first electrode to be insulated from said first electrode and with a different diameter from that of said first electrode. The electric connection of both electrodes is effected by keeping one end of a coil spring connected to either of said electrodes and compressing the other end of the coil spring upon depression of an actuator, so as to connect said other end of the coil spring to the other of the electrodes.
US Patent References:
Push button
Brantingson - July 1948 - 2444552
/2734104.html
Gollhofer - February 1956 - 2734104
Pushbutton using three stage unitary spring as a contactor means
Weremy - April 1968 - 3379851
MULTIPLE CONTACT SYSTEM FOR CAM OPERATED SWITCHES
Holzer - July 1972 - 3679853
Push button
Brantingson - July 1948 - 2444552
/2734104.html
Gollhofer - February 1956 - 2734104
Pushbutton using three stage unitary spring as a contactor means
Weremy - April 1968 - 3379851
MULTIPLE CONTACT SYSTEM FOR CAM OPERATED SWITCHES
Holzer - July 1972 - 3679853
Inventors:
Kashio, Yukio (Tokyo, JA)
Ishii, Hiroshi (Sagamiko-machi, JA)
Ishii, Hiroshi (Sagamiko-machi, JA)
Application Number:
05/286843
Publication Date:
10/15/1974
Filing Date:
09/06/1972
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Casio Computer Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, JA)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
200/5A, 200/292, 200/276.100
International Classes:
H01H1/24; H01H1/40; H04M1/23; H01H1/12; H01H13/52; H01H1/06
Field of Search:
200/159R,159A,166BA,166PC,166BH,276,292
Primary Examiner:
Schaefer, Robert K.
Assistant Examiner:
Smith, William J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Flynn & Frishauf
Claims:
What we claim is
1. A switching device comprising:
2. A switching device according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of said first electrodes, second electrodes, leadout means, coil springs and actuators associated with said insulation substrate.
3. A switching device according to claim 2 wherein said second leadout means are coupled to a common terminal.
4. A switching device according to claim 2 wherein said first leadout means are each coupled to terminals.
5. A switching device according to claim 2 wherein said one end of said coil springs are kept abutting against a respective second electrode.
6. A switching device according to claim 1 wherein said first electrode is generally disc-shaped.
7. A switching device according to claim 6 wherein said second electrode is generally ring-shaped and is concentric with said disc-shaped first electrode.
8. A switching device according to claim 2 wherein said actuator is slidably mounted in said frame member.
9. A switching device according to claim 1 wherein said first and second electrodes are substantially coplanar.
10. A switching device according to claim 1 wherein said second electrodes are substantially concentric with respective ones of said first electrodes.
11. A switching device comprising:
12. A switching device according to claim 11 wherein said first electrodes are generally disc-shaped.
13. A switching device according to claim 11 wherein said first electrodes are each coupled to respective terminals.
14. A switching device according to claim 11 wherein said actuators are slidably mounted in said frame member.
15. A switching device according to claim 11 including means extending through the thickness of said insulation substrate and electrically coupling at least one of said first electrodes to a terminal.
16. A switching device according to claim 15 wherein said terminal is on the side of said substrate opposite to said plain surface of said insulation substrate on which said electrodes are formed.
17. A switching device according to claim 15 wherein said coupling means extends through a hole in said substrate, said hole being substantially concentric with respective first electrodes.
18. A switching device according to claim 11 wherein said first electrodes are plain electrodes.
1. A switching device comprising:
2. A switching device according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of said first electrodes, second electrodes, leadout means, coil springs and actuators associated with said insulation substrate.
3. A switching device according to claim 2 wherein said second leadout means are coupled to a common terminal.
4. A switching device according to claim 2 wherein said first leadout means are each coupled to terminals.
5. A switching device according to claim 2 wherein said one end of said coil springs are kept abutting against a respective second electrode.
6. A switching device according to claim 1 wherein said first electrode is generally disc-shaped.
7. A switching device according to claim 6 wherein said second electrode is generally ring-shaped and is concentric with said disc-shaped first electrode.
8. A switching device according to claim 2 wherein said actuator is slidably mounted in said frame member.
9. A switching device according to claim 1 wherein said first and second electrodes are substantially coplanar.
10. A switching device according to claim 1 wherein said second electrodes are substantially concentric with respective ones of said first electrodes.
11. A switching device comprising:
12. A switching device according to claim 11 wherein said first electrodes are generally disc-shaped.
13. A switching device according to claim 11 wherein said first electrodes are each coupled to respective terminals.
14. A switching device according to claim 11 wherein said actuators are slidably mounted in said frame member.
15. A switching device according to claim 11 including means extending through the thickness of said insulation substrate and electrically coupling at least one of said first electrodes to a terminal.
16. A switching device according to claim 15 wherein said terminal is on the side of said substrate opposite to said plain surface of said insulation substrate on which said electrodes are formed.
17. A switching device according to claim 15 wherein said coupling means extends through a hole in said substrate, said hole being substantially concentric with respective first electrodes.
18. A switching device according to claim 11 wherein said first electrodes are plain electrodes.
Description:
This invention relates to a switching device which effects the electric connection and disengagement of two electrodes by the compression and elastic repulsion of a coil spring whose ends have different diameters.
Calculators or push button type telephones are provided with a large number of switching devices for storing digits or carrying out various types of operations These switching devices are selectively operated to form electric circuits, thereby generating required electric signals. Heretofore, said switching devices have mostly consisted of a plate spring fitted with a movable contact strip. Such plate spring typing switching device raises problems with durability in long use. Further, excessively forceful depression of the plate spring results in the vibration of the movable contact strip and in consequence chattering in the contact section. Such chattering gives rise to the same result as if the same digit were repeatedly stored by a single depression of a key, failing to effect a proper switching operation. Moreover, said chattering possibly leads to the generation of noise signals and in consequence erroneous switching operations.
It is accordingly the object of this invention to provide a durable, reliable switching device free from the above-mentioned drawbacks accompanying the prior art switching devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The switching device of the present invention comprises a coil spring, both ends of which are of different diameters, said coil spring having one of the ends kept in contact with either of two electrodes and the other end connected to the other of said two electrodes when said other end is compressed upon depression of an actuator for electrical connection of said electrodes, thereby attaining a switching operation with a gentle stroke applied on the coil spring without giving rise to erroneous operations of the switching device, for example, due to chattering.
The present invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dismembered parts of a switching device according to an embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the main part of a switching device according to said embodiment; and
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dismembered parts of a switching device according to another embodiment of the invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, there are formed on an insulation substrate 11 a group of first disk-shaped electrodes 12, 13 and 14 at a substantially equal spacing, for example, by thermally depositing a metal layer. Each of the first electrodes 12, 13 and 14 is perforated, as shown in FIG. 2, with a through hole 15 penetrating the insulation substrate 11 and connected to a leadout terminal 16 provided on the underside of the insulation substrate 11. On said substrate 11 are further equidistantly mounted a group of second electrodes 17, 18 and 19 in concentric relationship with the first group of electrodes 12, 13 and 14 respectively. According to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the group of said second electrodes 17, 18 and 19 are collectively connected to a common leadout terminal 20 disposed in the surface of the insulation substrate 11. However, the second electrodes 17, 18 and 19 may be connected to separately provide leadout terminals respectively. On the individual groups 12-17, 13-18 and 14-19 of said first and second electrodes are mounted conical coil springs 21, 22 and 23 respectively. The larger diameter section or base of the conical coil spring is kept in contact with the larger diameter or second electrode. When compressed from above, the smaller diameter section or top of the conical coil spring touches the smaller diameter or first electrode, so as to effect the electric connection of both first and second electrodes. The coil springs 21, 22 and 23 are compressed when the corresponding actuators 24, 25 and 26 are depressed. These actuators 24, 25 and 26 are supported by a frame 27 so as to move vertically, with their heads projecting upward from said frame 27. With a switching device of the above-mentioned construction, depression of the actuator causes the top of the coil spring to be slowly brought down for contact with the first electrode, resulting in substantially no chattering and in consequence preventing any erroneous operation of the switching device. Further, depression of the actuator can be effected with a gentle stroke, attaining a reliable switching operation.
If the first electrode of the foregoing embodiment is formed of elastic material, for example, conductive rubber, then chattering will be more effectively prevented.
According to said embodiment, the conical coil spring had its larger diameter section or base kept abutting against the second electrode and also had its smaller diameter section or top detachably engage the first electrode according to the manner in which the actuator is operated. Conversely, it is possible to keep the smaller diameter section or top of the conical coil spring pressed against the first electrode and cause the larger diameter section or base of said spring detachably to engage the second electrode.
There will now be described by reference to FIG. 3 a switching device according to another embodiment of this invention. On an insulation substrate 11 are equidistantly formed electrodes 12, 13 and 14, for example, by thermal deposition of a metal layer. According to this embodiment, there is used an elastic plate electrode 28 to provide a group of second electrodes. Equidistant sections of said plate electrode 28 are cut in helical form, for example, by etching. The helical portions thus cut are drawn out to constitute conical springs 41, 42 and 43 as shown in FIG. 3. The other members are constructed and operated in the same manner as in FIG. 1, and description thereof is omitted. The feature of FIG. 3, is, however, that since said coil springs 41, 42 and 43 are cut out from the plate electrode 28 itself, their positions are permanently fixed and they are never displaced during assembly of the spring device. Further the embodiment of FIG. 3 are that one end of the coil springs 41, 42 and 43 is an integral part of the plate electrode 28, unfailingly preventing vibration of the springs when they are compressed and in consequence the occurrence of chattering in the contact section, thereby providing a device which is free from an erroneous switching operation and very durable in construction.
Calculators or push button type telephones are provided with a large number of switching devices for storing digits or carrying out various types of operations These switching devices are selectively operated to form electric circuits, thereby generating required electric signals. Heretofore, said switching devices have mostly consisted of a plate spring fitted with a movable contact strip. Such plate spring typing switching device raises problems with durability in long use. Further, excessively forceful depression of the plate spring results in the vibration of the movable contact strip and in consequence chattering in the contact section. Such chattering gives rise to the same result as if the same digit were repeatedly stored by a single depression of a key, failing to effect a proper switching operation. Moreover, said chattering possibly leads to the generation of noise signals and in consequence erroneous switching operations.
It is accordingly the object of this invention to provide a durable, reliable switching device free from the above-mentioned drawbacks accompanying the prior art switching devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The switching device of the present invention comprises a coil spring, both ends of which are of different diameters, said coil spring having one of the ends kept in contact with either of two electrodes and the other end connected to the other of said two electrodes when said other end is compressed upon depression of an actuator for electrical connection of said electrodes, thereby attaining a switching operation with a gentle stroke applied on the coil spring without giving rise to erroneous operations of the switching device, for example, due to chattering.
The present invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dismembered parts of a switching device according to an embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the main part of a switching device according to said embodiment; and
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dismembered parts of a switching device according to another embodiment of the invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, there are formed on an insulation substrate 11 a group of first disk-shaped electrodes 12, 13 and 14 at a substantially equal spacing, for example, by thermally depositing a metal layer. Each of the first electrodes 12, 13 and 14 is perforated, as shown in FIG. 2, with a through hole 15 penetrating the insulation substrate 11 and connected to a leadout terminal 16 provided on the underside of the insulation substrate 11. On said substrate 11 are further equidistantly mounted a group of second electrodes 17, 18 and 19 in concentric relationship with the first group of electrodes 12, 13 and 14 respectively. According to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the group of said second electrodes 17, 18 and 19 are collectively connected to a common leadout terminal 20 disposed in the surface of the insulation substrate 11. However, the second electrodes 17, 18 and 19 may be connected to separately provide leadout terminals respectively. On the individual groups 12-17, 13-18 and 14-19 of said first and second electrodes are mounted conical coil springs 21, 22 and 23 respectively. The larger diameter section or base of the conical coil spring is kept in contact with the larger diameter or second electrode. When compressed from above, the smaller diameter section or top of the conical coil spring touches the smaller diameter or first electrode, so as to effect the electric connection of both first and second electrodes. The coil springs 21, 22 and 23 are compressed when the corresponding actuators 24, 25 and 26 are depressed. These actuators 24, 25 and 26 are supported by a frame 27 so as to move vertically, with their heads projecting upward from said frame 27. With a switching device of the above-mentioned construction, depression of the actuator causes the top of the coil spring to be slowly brought down for contact with the first electrode, resulting in substantially no chattering and in consequence preventing any erroneous operation of the switching device. Further, depression of the actuator can be effected with a gentle stroke, attaining a reliable switching operation.
If the first electrode of the foregoing embodiment is formed of elastic material, for example, conductive rubber, then chattering will be more effectively prevented.
According to said embodiment, the conical coil spring had its larger diameter section or base kept abutting against the second electrode and also had its smaller diameter section or top detachably engage the first electrode according to the manner in which the actuator is operated. Conversely, it is possible to keep the smaller diameter section or top of the conical coil spring pressed against the first electrode and cause the larger diameter section or base of said spring detachably to engage the second electrode.
There will now be described by reference to FIG. 3 a switching device according to another embodiment of this invention. On an insulation substrate 11 are equidistantly formed electrodes 12, 13 and 14, for example, by thermal deposition of a metal layer. According to this embodiment, there is used an elastic plate electrode 28 to provide a group of second electrodes. Equidistant sections of said plate electrode 28 are cut in helical form, for example, by etching. The helical portions thus cut are drawn out to constitute conical springs 41, 42 and 43 as shown in FIG. 3. The other members are constructed and operated in the same manner as in FIG. 1, and description thereof is omitted. The feature of FIG. 3, is, however, that since said coil springs 41, 42 and 43 are cut out from the plate electrode 28 itself, their positions are permanently fixed and they are never displaced during assembly of the spring device. Further the embodiment of FIG. 3 are that one end of the coil springs 41, 42 and 43 is an integral part of the plate electrode 28, unfailingly preventing vibration of the springs when they are compressed and in consequence the occurrence of chattering in the contact section, thereby providing a device which is free from an erroneous switching operation and very durable in construction.