阅读说明：本技术 按压开关 (Push switch ) 是由 金子晃 舂井克敏 小原启志 于 2021-04-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种在不使金属接触件小型化的情况下缩短按压操作的行程量的按压开关。按压开关具备：壳体,具有上部开口的收容空间；固定触点,设于壳体的收容空间的底部；可动触点部件,配置于收容空间内,具有圆顶状,受到来自上方的按压力而进行翻转动作,由此使中央部与固定触点接触；以及按压部件,设于比可动触点部件靠上侧的位置,受到来自操作体的按压力而直接地或经由其他部件按压可动触点部件,按压部件直接地或经由其他部件按压可动触点部件的比中央部靠外侧的部分。(The invention provides a push switch capable of shortening stroke of push operation without miniaturizing a metal contact. The push switch is provided with: a housing having an accommodating space with an upper opening; the fixed contact is arranged at the bottom of the accommodating space of the shell; a movable contact member which is disposed in the housing space, has a dome shape, and is turned over by a pressing force from above to bring a central portion into contact with the fixed contact; and a pressing member provided above the movable contact member, and pressing the movable contact member directly or via another member by receiving a pressing force from the operating body, wherein the pressing member presses a portion of the movable contact member outside the central portion directly or via another member.)

1. A push switch is characterized by comprising:

a housing having an accommodating space with an upper opening;

the fixed contact is arranged at the bottom of the accommodating space of the shell;

a movable contact member which is disposed in the housing space, has a dome shape, and is turned over by a pressing force from above to bring a central portion into contact with the fixed contact;

a pressing member provided above the movable contact member and pressing the movable contact member directly or via another member when receiving a pressing force from an operating body,

the pressing member presses a portion of the movable contact member outside the central portion directly or via another member.

2. The push switch of claim 1,

the pressing member has a pressing portion protruding downward on a surface facing the movable contact member, and directly presses a portion of the movable contact member outside the central portion by the pressing portion.

3. The push switch of claim 2,

the pressing portion has a substantially annular shape.

4. The push switch of claim 1,

the push switch further includes a spacer provided between the push member and the movable contact member,

the pressing member presses a portion of the movable contact member outside a central portion thereof via the spacer.

5. The push switch of claim 4,

the spacer has a circular opening at a position overlapping the center portion of the movable contact member, and presses a portion of the movable contact member outside the center portion through an inner peripheral edge portion of the opening.

6. The push switch of claim 4,

the spacer has a pressing portion protruding downward on a surface facing the movable contact member, and the pressing portion presses a portion of the movable contact member outside the central portion.

7. The push switch of any one of claims 4 to 6,

the spacer has a higher strength than the movable contact member.

8. The push switch of any one of claims 1 to 7,

the pressing member presses a portion of the movable contact member, which is located outside the central portion and outside the fixed contact, directly or via another member.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a push switch.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses an illuminated switch device including a dome-shaped movable contact made of metal and a light source for illumination, wherein a hole is provided at a top portion of the movable contact, a through hole is provided in a printed circuit board at a position facing the hole, a first fixed contact is positioned on an outer peripheral portion of the through hole, the light source is exposed from the through hole, and the light source illuminates the hole of the movable contact.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2002-260479

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In a conventional switch device configured to bring a metal contact into contact with a fixed contact by a flip operation of the metal contact, a technique of pressing a top portion (central portion) of the metal contact with a pressing member has been proposed. However, in such a conventional technique, the metal contact needs to be miniaturized in order to shorten the stroke amount of the pressing operation. When only the metal contact is made smaller, the distance between the metal contact and the fixed contact at the time of non-pressing operation is close, and therefore, the withstand voltage is lowered, which may cause insulation breakdown.

Means for solving the problems

A push switch according to one embodiment includes: a housing having an accommodating space with an upper opening; the fixed contact is arranged at the bottom of the accommodating space of the shell; a movable contact member which is disposed in the housing space, has a dome shape, and is turned over by a pressing force from above to bring a central portion into contact with the fixed contact; and a pressing member provided above the movable contact member, and pressing the movable contact member directly or via another member by receiving a pressing force from the operating body, wherein the pressing member presses a portion of the movable contact member outside the central portion directly or via another member.

Effects of the invention

According to one embodiment, the stroke amount of the pressing operation can be shortened without miniaturizing the metal contact.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a push switch according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a push switch according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a YZ plane of the push switch according to the embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an operation of the push switch according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing FS characteristics of the push switch according to the embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the amount of deformation of a metal contact provided in a push switch according to an embodiment.

Fig. 7 is an external perspective view of a push switch according to a first modification.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a push switch according to a first modification.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a YZ plane of the push switch according to the first modification.

Fig. 10 is an external perspective view of a push switch according to a second modification.

Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a push switch according to a second modification.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a YZ plane of a push switch according to a second modification.

Fig. 13 is an external perspective view of a push switch according to a third modification.

Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a push switch according to a third modification.

Fig. 15 is an external perspective view of a push switch according to a fourth modification.

Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a push switch according to a fourth modification.

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a YZ plane of a push switch according to a fourth modification.

Description of the reference numerals

100. 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D push switch

110 casing

110A accommodating space

111 first fixed contact

112 second fixed contact

120 metal contact

121 central part

122 curved edge portion

123 linear edge

124 inclined part

130 pressing member

130A bottom surface

131 pressing part

140 cover plate

150 spacer

160 spacer

160A bottom surface

161 pressing part

170 pressing component

170A bottom surface

170B upper surface

171 pressing part

172 operating part

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the Z-axis direction in the drawings is referred to as the vertical direction for convenience. In the figure, the Y-axis direction is set as the left-right direction. In the figure, the X-axis direction is the front-rear direction.

(outline of push switch 100)

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a push switch 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 1, the push switch 100 has a cubic shape as a whole, which is thin in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). As shown in fig. 1, push switch 100 has metal contact 120 housed in housing space 110A of case 110. In addition, the push switch 100 has an upper opening of the housing space 110A of the housing 110 covered with the cover sheet 140. A pressing member 130 protruding upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) is provided at the center of the back surface of the cover sheet 140.

The push switch 100 can be switched between an on state and an off state by a push operation toward the lower side (Z-axis negative direction) of the push member 130. Specifically, the push switch 100 is turned off in a state where the push member 130 is not pushed downward, and the first fixed contact 111 (see fig. 2) and the second fixed contact 112 (see fig. 2) provided in the housing space 110A of the housing 110 are turned off.

On the other hand, in the push switch 100, the metal contact 120 is turned over by elastic deformation when the push member 130 is pushed downward, and thereby the switch is turned on, and the first fixed contact 111 and the second fixed contact 112 are turned on via the metal contact 120. When the pressing operation from the operating portion 141 is released, the push switch 100 is restored to the original state by the elastic restoring force of the metal contact 120. Thereby, the push switch 100 is restored to the off state.

(constitution of push switch 100)

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of push switch 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 2, the push switch 100 includes a housing 110, two metal contacts 120, a pressing member 130, and a cover plate 140 in this order from the lower side (Z-axis negative side) in the drawing.

The housing 110 is a container-like member having a cubic shape that is thin in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The housing 110 has a rectangular shape with a longitudinal direction in a left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and a short-side direction in a front-back direction (X-axis direction) when viewed from above. The housing 110 has an upper open receiving space 110A. The housing space 110A has an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction in a lateral direction (Y-axis direction) and a short-side direction in a front-back direction (X-axis direction) when viewed from above. The metal contact 120 is accommodated in the accommodating space 110A. The shape of the receiving space 110A is substantially the same as the shape of the metal contact 120. For example, the case 110 is formed by insert molding using a relatively hard insulating material (e.g., hard resin).

Two first fixed contacts 111 and two second fixed contacts 112 are provided at the bottom of the housing space 110A in the housing 110. The two first fixed contacts 111 are provided at both ends in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) at the bottom of the housing space 110A. By disposing the metal contact 120 in the housing space 110A, the two first fixed contacts 111 are in contact with the peripheral edge portions (curved edge portions 122 described later) of the metal contact 120, respectively, and are electrically connected to the metal contact 120. Two second fixed contacts 112 are provided at the center of the bottom of the housing space 110A. When the central portion of the metal contact 120 is deformed into a concave shape, the two second fixed contacts 112 contact the rear surface portion of the central portion of the metal contact 120, and are electrically connected to the metal contact 120. Thereby, the two second fixed contacts 112 are electrically connected to each of the two first fixed contacts 111 via the metal contact 120. For example, the first fixed contact 111 and the second fixed contact 112 are formed by processing a metal plate, and then embedded in the housing 110 by insert molding.

The metal contact 120 is an example of a "movable contact member". The metal contact 120 is a dome-shaped member formed of a thin metal plate and having a convex shape upward (positive Z-axis direction). The metal contact 120 is accommodated in the accommodating space 110A of the housing 110. The metal contact 120 has a dome shape with a center portion 121 as a top, and the center portion 121 has a circular shape when viewed from above. The metal contact 120 has an annular inclined portion 124 around the central portion 121.

The metal contact 120 has an outer shape having a pair of curved edge portions 122 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and a pair of linear edge portions 123 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) when viewed from above. The curved edge 122 is a portion extending in a curved manner along a circumference having a predetermined radius. The linear edge 123 extends linearly in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). The metal contact 120 is molded into an outer shape having a pair of curved edge portions 122 and a pair of linear edge portions 123 by linearly cutting edges (side cuts) along the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) on both side portions in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) of a member having a circular shape when viewed from above in a plan view. That is, the metal contact 120 has an elongated shape with the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) as the long side direction and the front-back direction (X-axis direction) as the short side direction.

The metal contact 120 is accommodated in the accommodating space 110A of the housing 110, and is in contact with the two first fixed contacts 111 provided at the bottom of the accommodating space 110A at each of the pair of curved edge portions 122, and is electrically connected to the two first fixed contacts 111. After the pressing operation of the operation portion 141, the metal contact 120 presses the central portion 121 downward by the pressing member 130, and when a predetermined operation load is exceeded, the central portion 121 is rapidly elastically deformed (reversed) into a concave shape. Thus, the metal contact 120 is in contact with the second fixed contact 112 provided at the bottom of the housing space 110A through the back side portion of the central portion 121, and is electrically connected to the second fixed contact 112. When the pressing force from the pressing member 130 is released, the metal contact 120 returns to the original convex shape by the elastic force.

The pressing member 130 is a member that is disposed on the metal contact 120 and protrudes upward (positive Z-axis direction). The pressing member 130 is formed using a resin material such as PET. As shown in fig. 2, in the present embodiment, the pressing member 130 has a disk shape. The pressing member 130 is bonded to the rear surface and the center portion of the cover sheet 140 at the upper surface portion thereof by an arbitrary bonding method (e.g., laser welding).

Cover sheet 140 is a thin sheet-like member disposed on the upper surface of housing 110. The cover sheet 140 is formed using a resin material such as PET. The cover sheet 140 has a rectangular shape with a longitudinal direction in a left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and a short-side direction in a front-back direction (X-axis direction) when viewed from above. That is, cover sheet 140 has substantially the same shape as the upper surface of housing 110 when viewed from above. Cover sheet 140 is adhered to the upper surface of housing 110 by an arbitrary adhesion method (e.g., laser welding) in a state of covering the upper surface of housing 110. The cover sheet 140 seals the housing space 110A by closing an upper opening of the housing space 110A of the housing 110. A pressing member 130 protruding upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) is bonded to the center of the back surface of the cover sheet 140.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a YZ plane of push switch 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 3, the pressing member 130 has a diameter larger than the central portion 121 of the metal contact 120 and smaller than the inclined portion 124 of the metal contact 120. As shown in fig. 3, an annular pressing portion 131 protruding downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the circular bottom surface 130A of the pressing member 130. The pressing portion 131 abuts on the inclined portion 124, which is an outer portion of the central portion 121 of the metal contact 120.

(operation of push switch 100)

Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an operation of push switch 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 4, in the push switch 100 according to the embodiment, when the pushing member 130 receives a pushing force from the operating body, the annular pushing portion 131 pushes the inclined portion 124, which is an outer portion of the central portion 121, of the metal contact 120. As a result, the metal contact 120 performs an inverting operation, and the central portion 121 is deformed into a concave shape as shown by a broken line in fig. 4. As a result, the metal contact 120 is in contact with the second fixed contact 112 provided at the bottom of the housing space 110A through the back side portion of the central portion 121, and is electrically connected to the second fixed contact 112. The metal contact 120 is restored to an original convex shape by an elastic force when the pressing force from the pressing member 130 is released. As shown in fig. 4, the first fixed contact 111 provided at the bottom of the housing space 110A is in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the metal contact 120 at all times.

As shown in fig. 4, a moving amount D2 of the inclined portion 124 of the metal contact 120 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is smaller than a moving amount D1 of the central portion 121 of the metal contact 120 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Therefore, in the push switch 100 according to the embodiment, the inclined portion 124 of the metal contact 120 is pressed by the annular pressing portion 131 of the pressing member 130, and thus the stroke amount in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) of the pressing member 130 can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the central portion 121 of the metal contact 120 is pressed. That is, the push switch 100 according to the embodiment can be switched to the on state by a shorter operation stroke amount.

Comparative example

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing FS characteristics of push switch 100 according to an embodiment. In the graph shown in fig. 5, the vertical axis represents the operation load, and the horizontal axis represents the operation stroke amount. In the graph shown in fig. 5, the solid line indicates the FS characteristic of the push switch 100 according to the embodiment, and the broken line indicates the FS characteristic of the push switch for comparison. In the present comparative example, the push switch 100 according to the embodiment is modified so that the center portion of the metal contact is pressed by the pressing member, and is used as a push switch for comparison.

As shown in fig. 5, the stroke amount at the start of the flip operation of the metal contact of the push switch for comparison was "0.06 mm", and the stroke amount at the end of the flip operation of the metal contact was "0.115 mm".

On the other hand, in the push switch 100 according to the embodiment, the stroke amount at the start of the flip operation of the metal contact 120 is "0.04 mm", and the stroke amount at the end of the flip operation of the metal contact 120 is "0.055 mm".

In this way, in the push switch 100 according to the embodiment, the inclined portion 124 of the metal contact 120 is pressed by the annular pressing portion 131 of the pressing member 130. Thus, the push switch 100 according to the embodiment can switch the push switch 100 to the on state by inverting the metal contact 120 by a stroke amount shorter than that of a comparable push switch. Therefore, according to the push switch 100 of the embodiment, the stroke amount of the pushing operation can be shortened without miniaturizing the metal contact 120.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the amount of deformation of the metal contact 120 included in the push switch 100 according to the embodiment. In the push switch 100 according to the embodiment, the annular pressing portion 131 of the pressing member 130 presses the portion of the metal contact 120 outside the second fixed contact 112. As a result, as shown in fig. 7, in the push switch 100 according to the embodiment, when the push member 130 is pushed further downward from the state in which the metal contact 120 is turned upside down, the portion of the metal contact 120 outside the second fixed contact 112 can be elastically deformed downward, and therefore the push member 130 can be moved further downward. That is, the push switch 100 according to the embodiment can realize over travel (over stroke) of the push member 130.

In addition, in the push switch 100 according to the embodiment, the pushing portion 131 is further provided on the outer side, so that the stroke amount of the pushing operation can be further reduced. However, as the pressing position of the pressing portion 131 moves outward, the operating load increases. Therefore, the push switch 100 according to one embodiment can set an appropriate push position of the push portion 131 in consideration of the stroke amount of the push operation and the operation load.

(first modification)

Fig. 7 is an external perspective view of a push switch 100A according to a first modification. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a push switch 100A according to a first modification. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the YZ plane of push switch 100A according to the first modification.

The push switch 100A of the first modification does not have the pressing portion 131 on the bottom surface 130A of the pressing member 130. That is, the bottom surface 130A of the pressing member 130 of the pressing switch 100A of the first modification is a flat surface.

In addition, in the push switch 100A of the first modification, a spacer 150 is provided between the push member 130 and the metal contact 120. The spacer 150 is a dome-shaped member formed of a thin metal plate and protruding upward (in the positive Z-axis direction).

The external shape of the spacer 150 is substantially the same as the external shape of the metal contact 120. The spacer 150 is disposed to overlap an upper side of the metal contact 120. However, the spacer 150 has a thickness greater than that of the metal contact 120. Thus, the spacer 150 has a strength higher than that of the metal contact 120. In addition, the spacer 150 may have a strength higher than that of the metal contact 120 by being formed of a different material from the metal contact 120.

A circular opening 150A is formed in the center of spacer 150. The diameter of the opening 150A is larger than the diameter of the central portion 121 of the metal contact 120. The lower portion of the inner peripheral edge portion 150Aa of the opening 150A contacts the inclined portion 124 of the metal contact 120. Further, an upper portion of the inner peripheral portion 150Aa of the opening 150A contacts the bottom surface 130A of the pressing member 130.

In the push switch 100A of the first modification, when the pressing member 130 receives a pressing force from the operating body, the inclined portion 124, which is the portion of the metal contact 120 outside the central portion 121, is pressed via the annular inner peripheral edge portion 150Aa formed in the opening 150A of the spacer 150.

Thus, the push switch 100A according to the first modification can turn over the metal contact 120 by a stroke amount shorter than that of the conventional push switch, and switch the push switch 100A to the on state. Therefore, according to the push switch 100A of the first modification, the stroke amount of the pushing operation can be shortened without miniaturizing the metal contact 120.

In particular, since the push switch 100A according to the first modification is less likely to cause the spacer 150 to shift relative to the metal contact 120, the predetermined position of the inclined portion 124 of the metal contact 120 can be more reliably pressed by the annular inner peripheral edge portion 150Aa formed in the opening 150A of the spacer 150.

(second modification)

Fig. 10 is an external perspective view of a push switch 100B according to a second modification. Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a push switch 100B according to a second modification. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a YZ plane of push switch 100B according to a second modification.

The push switch 100B of the second modification does not have the pressing portion 131 on the bottom surface 130A of the pressing member 130. That is, the bottom surface 130A of the pressing member 130 of the pressing switch 100B of the second modification is a flat surface.

In addition, the metal contact 120 of the push switch 100B of the second modification has a circular shape when viewed from above in plan. That is, in the push switch 100B of the second modification, the metal contact 120 is not so-called trimmed. With this modification, in the push switch 100B of the second modification, the housing space 110A of the housing 110 has a circular shape in a top plan view.

In addition, in the push switch 100B of the second modification, a spacer 160 is provided between the push member 130 and the metal contact 120. The spacer 160 is a horizontal disk-shaped member formed of a metal plate. The spacer 160 has the same diameter as the metal contact 120. The spacer 160 is disposed to overlap the upper side of the metal contact 120. However, the spacer 160 has a thickness greater than that of the metal contact 120. Thus, the spacer 160 has a strength higher than that of the metal contact 120. In addition, the spacer 160 may have a strength higher than that of the metal contact 120 by being formed of a different material from the metal contact 120.

An annular pressing portion 161 protruding downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) is provided on the bottom surface 160A of the spacer 160. The pressing portion 161 is formed by pressing the spacer 160. The pressing portion 161 has a diameter larger than that of the central portion 121 of the metal contact 120. Thus, the pressing portion 161 abuts against the inclined portion 124, which is the portion of the metal contact 120 outside the central portion 121.

In the push switch 100B according to the second modification, when the pressing member 130 receives a pressing force from the operating body, the pressing portion 161 of the spacer 160 presses the inclined portion 124, which is the portion of the metal contact 120 outside the central portion 121.

Thus, the push switch 100B according to the second modification can turn over the metal contact 120 by a stroke shorter than that of the conventional push switch, and can switch the push switch 100B to the on state. Therefore, according to the push switch 100B of the second modification, the stroke amount of the pushing operation can be shortened without miniaturizing the metal contact 120.

In particular, in the push switch 100B according to the second modification, since the movement of both the metal contact 120 and the spacer 160 in the horizontal direction (the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction) is restricted by the inner wall surface of the housing space 110A of the housing 110, the spacer 160 is less likely to be displaced from the metal contact 120. Therefore, in the push switch 100B according to the second modification, the annular pressing portion 161 formed in the spacer 160 can more reliably press the predetermined position of the inclined portion 124 of the metal contact 120.

(third modification)

Fig. 13 is an external perspective view of a push switch 100C according to a third modification. Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a push switch 100C according to a third modification.

The push switch 100C according to the third modification differs from the push switch 100B according to the second modification in that the pressing portion 161 of the spacer 160 has a shape in which a portion of an annular shape is cut off (i.e., a substantially annular shape). That is, the spacer 160 of the push switch 100C of the third modification includes two arc-shaped pushing portions 161.

In the push switch 100C of the third modification, when the pushing member 130 receives a pushing force from the operating body, the pushing portion 161 of the spacer 160 pushes the inclined portion 124, which is the portion of the metal contact 120 outside the central portion 121.

Thus, the push switch 100C according to the third modification can turn over the metal contact 120 by a stroke shorter than that of the conventional push switch, and switch the push switch 100C to the on state. Therefore, according to the push switch 100C of the third modification, the stroke amount of the pushing operation can be shortened without miniaturizing the metal contact 120.

(fourth modification)

Fig. 15 is an external perspective view of a push switch 100D according to a fourth modification. Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a push switch 100D according to a fourth modification. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a YZ plane of push switch 100D according to a fourth modification.

The push switch 100D of the fourth modification includes a pressing member 170 instead of the pressing member 130. That is, the push switch 100D of the fourth modification is provided with the pressing member 170 between the cover sheet 140 and the metal contact 120. The pressing member 170 is a horizontal flat plate-shaped member formed of a metal plate.

The diameter of the pressing member 170 is the same as that of the metal contact 120. The pressing member 170 is overlapped on the upper side of the metal contact 120. However, the thickness of the pressing member 170 is greater than that of the metal contact 120. Thereby, the pressing member 170 has a strength higher than that of the metal contact 120. The pressing member 170 may be formed of a material different from the metal contact 120, and may have a strength higher than that of the metal contact 120.

An annular pressing portion 171 protruding downward (in the Z-axis negative direction) is provided on the bottom surface 170A of the pressing member 170. The pressing portion 171 has a diameter larger than that of the central portion 121 of the metal contact 120. Thereby, the pressing portion 171 abuts against the inclined portion 124, which is a portion of the metal contact 120 outside the central portion 121.

Further, on the upper surface 170B of the pressing member 170, a dome-shaped operating portion 172 protruding upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) is provided in a region surrounded by the pressing portion 171 (i.e., a central portion of the pressing member 170). The operation portion 172 and the pressing portion 171 are formed integrally with the pressing member 170 by pressing the pressing member 170.

In the push switch 100D according to the fourth modification, when the pushing member 170 receives a pushing force from the operating body, the pushing portion 171 of the pushing member 170 pushes the inclined portion 124, which is the portion of the metal contact 120 outside the central portion 121.

Thus, the push switch 100D according to the fourth modification can turn over the metal contact 120 by a stroke shorter than that of the conventional push switch, and switch the push switch 100D to the on state. Therefore, according to the push switch 100D of the fourth modification, the stroke amount of the pushing operation can be shortened without miniaturizing the metal contact 120.

In particular, in the push switch 100D of the fourth modification, since the operating portion 172 and the pressing portion 171 are integrally formed on the push member 170, the number of components can be reduced as compared with a case where the operating portion 172 and the pressing portion 171 are provided on separate members.

While one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the present invention described in the claims.

For example, the pressing portion is not limited to a ring shape. The pressing portion may have any shape as long as it presses at least a portion of the movable contact member outside the central portion. For example, the pressing portion may be a member having a shape in which a part of the ring shape is cut off (i.e., a substantially ring shape).

For example, the metal contact 120 may be a member without a cut edge (that is, a member having a circular shape in a plan view without a pair of linear edges).