Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Electric switch details – Indicators
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-21
2002-03-12
Scott, J. R. (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Electric switch details
Indicators
C200S553000, C200S557000, C200S339000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06355891
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to an operation device which is used in an car audio system and which performs the switching of input operations by the so-called see-saw method.
PRIOR ART
An operation device which performs various kinds of switching operations is provided, for example, in a control panel of a car audio system. This type of device is provided with a depressable button (hereafter simply called “button”) for performing the switching of input operations by the so-called see-saw method between two functions such as fast-forwarding or reversing a cassette tape. Furthermore the button of the operation device is formed so as to be illuminated from the rear so that the button is visible in darkness.
A conventional device will be explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.
FIG. 22
is a schematic perspective view of a conventional operation device.
FIG. 23
is a plan view of a button.
FIG. 24
is a lateral view of button.
FIG. 25
rear view of a button.
FIG. 26
is a lateral view of a button.
FIG. 27
is a cross sectional view along the line
27
—
27
of FIG.
23
.
FIG. 28
is a cross sectional view along the line
28
—
28
of FIG.
22
.
FIG. 29
is a cross sectional view along the line
29
—
29
of FIG.
22
.
FIG. 30
is a cross section view of the operation of a button.
In the figures, reference numeral
31
is a button which operates a switching input operation by a see-saw operation and is formed in a box shape with an aperture
31
a
. The button
31
is formed by a transparent resin.
31
b
is a flange which is formed on the outer edge of the aperture
31
a
.
31
c
is a cylindrical spindle which acts as a point of support for the see-saw operations. The spindle
31
c
projects so as to co-planar with the surface of the flange
31
b
from both sides of the button
31
and is maintained in free rotation by the maintaining sections
33
a
,
35
b
to be discussed below.
31
d
is a notch which is provided in the flange in proximity to the spindle
31
c
.
32
is a printed wiring board,
33
is a button depression section,
33
a
is a maintaining section which is provided at a position which corresponds to the notch
31
d
of the button depression member
33
and which supports the spindle from below.
34
is a cushion member which returns the button
31
to a pre-operational position after operation.
35
is a decorative panel,
35
a
is a button through hole which allows the passage of the button
31
,
35
b
is a maintaining section which together with the maintaining section
33
a
supports the spindle
31
c
in free rotation.
36
is a switching element which is depressed by see-saw operations of the button
31
.
37
is a lamp which illuminates the button
31
from the rear.
The operation of the invention will be explained below.
As shown in
FIG. 30
, when a button
31
is depressed in the direction of the arrow in the figure, the button
31
inclines by rotating about the spindle
31
c
. In doing so, the flange
31
b
pushes the cushion member
34
which undergoes elastic deformation. On the other hand, when pressure is applied to the switch element, a defined input operation is performed. When pressure is no longer applied to the button
31
, the button is pushed back due to the rebounding force of the cushion member
34
and returns to a pre-operational position.
The button
31
is illuminated by a lamp
37
during operations in darkness and so its visibility is ensured.
Another conventional example will be discussed below.
FIG. 31
is a component figure of another conventional device.
FIG. 32
is a plan figure of a button.
FIG. 33
is a lateral figure of a button.
FIG. 34
is a rear figure of a button.
FIG. 35
is a lateral figure of a button.
FIG. 36
is a cross sectional view along the line
36
—
36
of FIG.
32
.
FIG. 37
is a cross sectional view along the line
37
—
37
of FIG.
31
.
FIG. 38
is a cross sectional view along the line
38
—
38
of FIG.
31
. In the explanation below, those components which have already been explained are referred to by the same reference numerals and their explanation will be omitted.
In the figures, reference numeral
41
refers to a button which performs switching input operations by a see-saw operation and is formed in a box shape which has an aperture
41
a
. The button
41
is formed from a transparent resin.
41
b
is a flange which is continuously formed along the outer edge of the aperture
41
a
.
41
c
is a cylindrical spindle which is the point of support for see-saw operations. The spindle
41
c
projects so as to be co-planar with the surface of the flange
41
b
from both sides of the button
41
and is maintained in free rotation by the maintaining sections
33
a
,
35
b.
The operation is the same as the first conventional example which has been explained above and so will not be repeated.
Since the conventional operation device is constructed in such a way, in order to maintain the operation space of the maintaining section
35
b
when the button
31
is operated, a notch
31
d
must be provided on the flange
31
b
. Thus the problem arises of light from the lamp
37
escaping from the notch
31
d.
Furthermore in order to perform smooth see-saw operations, it is advantageous that the spindle
31
c
is formed with a small diameter, and the frictional resistance of the maintaining sections
33
a
,
35
b
is reduced. However in consideration of the rigidity of the spindle
31
c
, the effective minimum diameter is limited which thus increases the problem of reducing frictional resistance.
Furthermore returning the button
31
after the switching operation to an initial position requires a separate operation of the cushion member
34
. Thus this entails problems of an increased number of components and assembly operations as well as increases in costs.
Since the conventional device is constructed as above, although it is possible to prevent light of the lamp
37
from escaping by a flange
41
b
formed on the entire circumference of the button
41
, the problems have arisen that the spindle
41
c
of the button
41
b
projects more than the flange
41
b
and that the outer diameter of the button
41
is increased. Tokkai-Hei-9-223437 discloses a conventional device with the object of preventing light escaping without inhibiting the miniaturization of the device.
The present invention is proposed to solve the above problems and has the object of providing an operation device which can reduce escaping light when a button is illuminated, which allows the miniaturization of the device. The present invention also allows the smooth performance of the see-saw operation of the button.
The present invention allows a button to return to a pre-operational position after a switching input operation without the use of a separate cushion member which allows a reduction in costs.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises an outer support section which projects towards an outer face of said button, an inner support section which projects towards an inner face of said button, a maintaining section for said outer support section which is provided on a front wall face and which maintains said outer support section in free rotation, and a maintaining section for said inner support section which is provided on a button depression member and which maintains said inner support section in free rotation.
In this way, rigidity may be maintained and a smaller outer support section than the conventional device may be formed. Thus it is possible to miniaturize the device and smoothly perform see-saw operations.
The present invention employs a cushion member which is provided on the button depression member as a button return member.
In this way, it is possible to return the button to a pre-operational position with a simple structure.
The present invention uses an elastic piece which is integrated with the maintaining section of the button depression member as a button return member.
In this way, it is possible to reduce the number of separate components such as t
Mitsubishi Denki & Kabushiki Kaisha
Scott J. R.
LandOfFree
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