Key switch

Abstract

A key switch has a switch part and an operating part. The switch part is activated to switch contact points as an operating key is inserted. The operating part includes a driver cam that rotates as it is pushed by the operating key and to activate the switch part and a plurality of lock cams configured to directly lock the driver cam in a normal condition when the operating key is pulled out of the operating part and to rotate as it is pushed by the operating key so as to release the driver cam from its locked condition. The key switch may further include lock cam holder for holding the lock cams in the normal condition when the operating key is pulled out.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagonal view of a key switch embodying this invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the operating part of the key switch of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagonal view of the operating part of FIG. 2 with portions of the head cover and base removed to show the operating unit.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the operating part of FIG. 2 with a portion of the head cover removed.

FIG. 5 is a diagonal view of the driver cam of the operating unit as seen from the left-hand side.

FIG. 6 is a diagonal view of the driver cam of the operating unit as seen from the right-hand side.

FIG. 7 is a diagonal view of the lock cam on the left-hand side of the operating unit as seen from the left-hand side.

FIG. 8 is a diagonal view of the lock cam of FIG. 7 as seen from the right-hand side.

FIG. 9 is a diagonal view of the lock cam on the right-hand side of the operating unit as seen from the right-hand side.

FIG. 10 is a diagonal view of the lock cam of FIG. 9 as seen from the left-hand side.

FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining the shape of the first and second engaging protrusions on the driver and lock cams.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the connecting part of the cam shaft of the lock cam on the left-hand side and the right-hand side.

FIG. 13 is a drawing for showing the engaged condition of the first and second engaging protrusions.

FIG. 14 is a drawing for showing the disengaged condition of the first and second engaging protrusions.

FIG. 15 is a diagonal view of the operating key.

FIG. 16 is a diagonal view of another operating part of the key switch of this invention, characterized as using a spiral spring as means for holding the lock cams, shown with portions of the head cover and the base member removed.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the operating unit of a prior art key switch with a portion of its head cover removed.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the operating unit of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a diagonal view of the operating unit of another prior art key switch.

FIG. 20 is a drawing for showing the locked condition of the driver cam of the operating unit of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a drawing for showing the unlocked condition of the drive cam of the operating unit of FIG. 17.

Claims

1. A key switch comprising: a switch part; andan operating part for having an operating key inserted thereinto so as to activate said switch part to switch contact points, said operating part including:a driver cam configured to rotate by being pushed by said operating key and to thereby activate said switch part; anda plurality of lock cams configured to directly lock said driver cam in a normal locked condition when said operating key is pulled out of said operating part and to rotate by being pushed by said operating key so as to release said driver cam from said normal locked condition.

2. The key switch of claim 1 further comprising lock cam holding means for holding said lock cams in said normal locked condition when said operating key is pulled out.

3. The key switch of claim 2 wherein said driver cam and said lock cams rotate around different points.

4. The key switch of claim 3 wherein said driver cam has a first rotary shaft and a first engaging protrusion at center of rotation; wherein said lock cams have a second rotary shaft and a second engaging protrusion at center of rotation;wherein said second engaging protrusion becomes disengageably engaged with said first engaging protrusion to prevent said driver cam from rotating when said lock cams are not being pushed by said operating key; andwherein said second engaging protrusion is caused to rotate to thereby disengage said first engaging protrusion from said second engaging protrusion and to make said driver cam rotatable if said operating key pushes to cause said lock cams to rotate.

5. The key switch of claim 4 wherein said first engaging protrusion is formed by connecting a first arcuate surface portion and a second arcuate surface portion which is at an edge portion opposite said second engaging protrusion and, having its center at the center of said second rotary shaft, is concave towards the center of said first engaging protrusion; wherein said second engaging protrusions are each formed by connecting a third arcuate surface portion and a fourth arcuate surface portion which is at an edge portion opposite said first engaging protrusion and, having its center at the center of said first rotary shaft, is concave towards the center of said second engaging protrusion; andwherein said driver cam is prevented from rotating and is kept in said normal locked condition as a connecting corner part between said third arcuate surface portion and said fourth arcuate surface portion is disengageably engaged to a connecting part between said first arcuate surface portion and said second arcuate surface portion of said first engaging protrusion.

6. The key switch of claim 5 wherein said operating key has a driver cam operating part at a front edge and lock cam operating parts formed on both sides of said driver cam operating part and displaced from said driver cam operating part in the direction of the thickness of said operating key, said lock cam operating parts protruding farther forward than said driver cam operating part; and wherein said driver cam has a first pressure receiving part on which said driver cam operating part is configured to come to contact, said lock cams have a second pressure receiving part on which said lock cam operating part is configured to come to contact, and said second pressure receiving part is positioned closer than said first pressure receiving part to the center of rotation of said lock cams.

7. The key switch of claim 6 wherein said driver cam has a first arcuate opening with the center at said first rotary shaft, said lock cams have a second arcuate opening with the center at said second rotary shaft, the second rotary shafts are connected to each other by inserting said first rotary shaft through said second arcuate opening and inserting said second rotary shaft through said first arcuate opening.

8. The key switch of claim 7 wherein said second rotary shafts are connected to each other by engaging an engaging protruding portion formed on an end part of one of said second rotary shafts with an engaging indenting portion formed on an end part of the other of said second rotary shafts.

9. The key switch of claim 4 wherein said lock cam holding means includes a plate spring that serves to hold said lock cams such that said second engaging protrusion is held at a position for engaging with said first engaging protrusion.

10. The key switch of claim 4 wherein said lock cam holding means includes a coil spring that serves to hold said lock cams such that said second engaging protrusion is held at a position for engaging with said first engaging protrusion.