# US 11,309,145 B2 · Switch device for regulating movement of operation member

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- Number: US 11,309,145 B2
- Document ID: US11309145B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/725,281
- Filed: 2019-12-23
- Published: 2020-09-10
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2019-03-07
- Assignees: Toyo Denso Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Toyo Denso Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Eikichi Chin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11309145B2

## CPC

- H01H 13/52: the contact returning to its original state immediately upon removal of operating force, e.g. bell-push switch
- G05G 1/02: Controlling members for hand actuation by linear movement, e.g. push buttons
- G05G 1/08: Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
- H01H 13/14: Operating parts, e.g. push-button
- H01H 13/20: Driving mechanisms
- H01H 13/02: Details
- H01H 2221/03: Stoppers for on or off position
- H01H 2221/062: Damping vibrations
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)
- G05G: CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H59/00 - F16H63/00)

## Abstract

A switch device reduces an impact sound generated when the operation member returns to its original position. The switch device includes a housing member, an operation knob accommodated in the housing member and capable of being pushed, and a spring that urges the operation knob in a direction opposite to the pushing direction. The housing member includes a two-pronged stopper that regulates the movement of the operation knob in the opposite direction. The operation knob includes a tab that abuts on the two-pronged stopper. When the movement of the operation knob in the opposite direction is regulated, the two-pronged stopper and the tab make a line contact first.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A switch device comprising:
a housing member;
an operation member accommodated in the housing member and capable of being pushed; and
an urging member that urges the operation member in a direction opposite to a pushing direction,
wherein:
the housing member includes a regulating portion that regulates movement of the operation member in the opposite direction,
the operation member includes a portion to be regulated that abuts on the regulating portion,
the regulating portion and the portion to be regulated are once apart from each other before the portion to be regulated abuts on the regulating portion,
when the movement of the operation member in the opposite direction is regulated, the regulating portion and the portion to be regulated make a line contact with each other first,
the regulating portion is formed by a two-pronged receiving portion extending in the pushing direction,
the portion to be regulated is formed by a protrusion protruding from the operation member,
the movement of the operation member is regulated in a state where the protrusion abuts on the receiving portion,
when assuming the pushing direction as a standard direction, a tilt angle regarding the standard direction of a first slope formed at a portion of the receiving portion abutting on the protrusion is different from a tilt angle regarding the standard direction of a second slope formed at a portion of the protrusion abutting on the receiving portion, and
the tilt angle of the first slope is gentler than the tilt angle of the second slope.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The switch device according to claim 1, wherein
the receiving portion has a higher flexibility than the protrusion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The switch device according to claim 1, wherein
the receiving portion is formed at an opening formed on a side surface of the housing member, and the protrusion protrudes from an outer peripheral surface of the operation member toward the opening.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The switch device according to claim 1, wherein after the housing member and the portion to be regulated are apart from one another, the portion to be regulated abuts on the regulating portion due to an urging force of the urging member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the urging direction is opposite to the pushing direction.