Olympus Corporation

Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.

Shigeto Gorai

Reiji Koyama

Tetsu Numata

Shunsuke Kimura

Akihiro Kusaka

A switching device includes a switch unit with a contact structure and a first operation shaft. The switching device includes a second flange with a contact portion to be in contact with the first operation shaft, and includes a second operation shaft. The switching device includes a holding member with an engagement portion to be engaged with an upper surface of the second flange. The switching device includes a switch operator in which the holding member is inserted. When a lateral pressing force is applied to the switch operator, a second contact portion between the second flange and the engagement portion serves as a support, and thus the second operation shaft rotates with the support. The first operation shaft rotates in accordance with the rotation of the second operation shaft, so that the contact structure is electrically conductive.

Switching device

When an operation knobformed of silicone rubber is pushed laterally, a stemtilts with a contact portion (i) as a fulcrum, a push button portionis pushed, and a contact point in a switch mechanism portionoperates to turn on a switch circuit. Even if, by a large operating force Fbeing applied, the operation knobis extended and the inner surface portion, which is a ceiling surface of an internal spaceof the operation knob, rides on an upper end portion, a reinforcing surfaceprovided on the inner surface portionslides on the upper end portion, and the operation knobreturns to the initial shape.

Growing community of inventors

Miyagi, Japan

Shigeto Gorai