1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the art of electrical switches and, more particularly, to an electrical switch used in a mobile phone or a camera.
2. Background of the Invention
Modern mobile phones or cameras are developing rapidly, and volumes thereof are reducing gradually. As a result, amount of components used therein should be reduced for catering for the requirement.
Modern mobile phones are integrated with taking-picture function and MP3-playback function. Generally, more components are needed to realize those functions. However, the cubage of a mobile phone is too limited to accommodate more components. Providing one component with several functions is one way to satisfy the requirement.
Electrical switches are widely used in mobile phones and digital cameras. There is a heretofore unaddressed need in the industry to provide the switches with different functions.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electrical switch includes an insulative housing, a set of fixed contacts fastened in the housing, a movable contacts received in the housing, a load plate mounted above the movable contacts, a spring mounted in the load plate, a driver defined on the load plate, a shell surrounding the housing, a knob assembled with the load plate, and a push button assembled on the load plate. While rotating the knob, the load plate is accordingly rotated, and the movable contacts are driven to contact with some of the fixed contacts, which enables rotary operation. While pressing the push button, the driver is pressed to move downwardly to press the movable contacts for contacting with the fixed contacts, which enables pushing operation.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description of preferred embodiment, in which:
Reference will now be made to describe the preferred embodiment of the present invention in detail.
Referring to
The insulative housing is rectangular shaped, and defines an opening 11, a plurality of blocks 13, and a pair of posts 15.
The set of fixed contacts 20 includes a first contact 21, a second contact 23, a third contact 25, a fourth contact 27, and a fifth contact 29. The first contact 21 includes a circular head portion 210, a first tail portion 212, and a linking portion 214 connecting the head portion 210 with the first tail portion 212. The head portion 210 defines a first contacting portion 216 in a middle portion thereof.
The second contact 23 is fork-like and includes an U-shaped portion 230 and a second tail portion extending from a middle portion of the U-shaped portion 230. The U-shaped portion defines a second contacting portion 234 at two ends thereof, respectively.
The third contact 25 includes a beam 250, and a pair of third tail portions 252, 254 extending from two ends of the beam 250.
The fourth contact 27 is similar to the fifth contact 29. The fourth contact 27 defines a first arm 270 and a fourth tail portion 272. Similarly, the fifth contact 29 defines a second arm 290, and a fifth tail portion 292.
The set of fixed contacts 20 are embedded in the opening 11 and partially disposed out of the opening 11.
The movable contact 30 includes a central part 32, and a side 36 surrounding the central part 32. The side 36 connects with the central part 32 via a linking portion 34. The central part 32 is vaulted. In a free status, a middle portion thereof is highest. Accordingly, the central part 32 defines a top portion 320 and a peripheral portion 322. The side 36 defines a pair of sunken portions 360 as a contacting portion. A pair of through-holes 362 is defined in the side 36.
The load plate 40 defines a slot 41. Accordingly, the load plate further defines a sidewall 42 and an island 43. The sidewall 42 is not closed and defines a cut 420. The island 43 defines an aperture 430 in a middle portion thereof. In addition, three sliders 432 are equably arranged on the island 43. Referring to
The spring 50 is an unclosed circle strip, and defines a placket 510. The spring 50 further defines a pair of fastening portions 520 at ends of the strip. The driver 60 defines a main body 610, and a step 620 having a greater diameter than the main body 610. The step 620 defines a bevel 630 at a top portion thereof. A diameter of the step is smaller than that of the aperture 430.
The shell 70 defines four bending portions 710, each bending portion defining a window 711. In a middle portion, the shell defines a bore 720 corresponding to the driver 60. The shell 70 further defines three hatches 730 corresponding to the sliders 432. The knob 80 defines an acting portion 81, and a recessed area 820 in a middle portion thereof. The recessed area 820 forms a bottom wall 82. The bottom wall 82 defines a trough 830 having a diameter greater than that of the main body 610 of the driver 60. The bottom wall 82 further defines a trigonal boarding 840, each corner of the boarding 840 defining a semicircular groove 841.
The pushing button 90 is circular and defines a pillar 91 having a diameter substantially equal to that of the main body 610 of the driver 60.
Referring to
The shell 70 covers on the insulative housing 10. The main body 610 of the driver 60 is partially received in the bore 720 of the shell. The sliders 432 drill through the hatches 730.
The knob 80 is positioned above the shell 70, with the trough 830 thereof receiving the main body 610 of the driver 60. The sliders 432 are received in the semicircular grooves 841 for positioning the knob 80. The pushing button 90 is positioned in the recessed area 820, with the pillar 91 wrapping the main body 610 of the driver 60.
Referring to
Referring to
While the present invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, the description of the invention is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various of modifications to the present invention can be made to the preferred embodiment by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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94205106 U | Apr 2005 | TW | national |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20060219532 A1 | Oct 2006 | US |