JP7722495B2 - Switches, switch assemblies and operating devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a switch having a movable member, a switch assembly having such a switch, and an operating device having such a switch.

Operating devices such as mice equipped with switches such as microswitches are widely used as input devices for electronic devices such as computers. In particular, various characteristics are now being demanded of mice used in computer games known as e-sports. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a microswitch that can be used as a mouse switch. The microswitch disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses an optical element that opens and closes a circuit.

International Publication No. 2016/112842

Switches that open and close circuits without contact using elements such as optical elements, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, are in need of various improvements in characteristics and expanded functionality due to the development of new fields such as e-sports.

The present invention was made in light of these circumstances, and its primary objective is to provide a switch that allows for various improvements in characteristics and expansion of functions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a switch assembly using such a switch.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operating device using such a switch.

To solve the above problem, the switch described in this application is a switch equipped with a movable member that operates in response to external pressure, and is equipped with a detection unit that detects the detection target, a contact mechanism that can open and close a first circuit by contacting and separating in response to the movement of the movable member, and a contactless mechanism that can open and close a second circuit by controlling the detection by the detection unit in response to the movement of the movable member, and is characterized in that the contactless mechanism can close the second circuit for a certain period of time after the contact mechanism closes the first circuit.

Furthermore, the switch described in this application is a switch having a movable member whose second end swings around a first end as a swing fulcrum, a contacted member that moves toward or away from the movable member as it swings, and a light-receiving element that detects light. The first circuit can be opened and closed as the movable member swings toward or away from the contacted member, and the second circuit can be opened and closed as the movable member swings to transmit or block light detected by the light-receiving element, and the second circuit can be kept closed for a certain period of time after the first circuit is closed.

Furthermore, in the switch, the second circuit maintains the open state until the first circuit next closes after a certain period of time has elapsed since both the first circuit and the second circuit were opened.

Furthermore, in the switch, the first circuit and the second circuit are different circuits.

Furthermore, in the switch, the first circuit and the second circuit are the same circuit.

The switch also includes a movable member whose second end swings around a first end as a swing fulcrum, a contacted member that moves toward and away from the movable member as it swings, and a light-receiving element that detects light. The switch is capable of outputting an ON signal when the movable member swings and comes into contact with the contacted member, and is characterized in that, after an ON signal is output due to contact between the movable member and the contacted member, the movable member swings and transmits/blocks the light detected by the light-receiving element, thereby outputting an ON signal.

Furthermore, the switch is characterized in that the output of an ON signal based on the detection of light by the light-receiving element is possible only for a certain period of time after the movable member and the contacted member come into contact.

Furthermore, the switch assembly described in the present application is a switch assembly comprising a switch with a movable member that operates in response to external pressure, and a substrate on which the switch is mounted, and a detection unit that detects a detection target. The switch comprises a contact mechanism that can open and close a first circuit by closing and opening in response to the movement of the movable member, and a contactless mechanism that can open and close a second circuit by controlling detection by the detection unit in response to the movement of the movable member, and is characterized in that the contactless mechanism can close the second circuit for a certain period of time after the first circuit is closed by the contact mechanism.

Furthermore, the switch assembly described in the present application is a switch assembly comprising a switch having a movable member whose second end swings around a first end as a swing fulcrum, and a substrate on which the switch is mounted, and is equipped with a light-receiving element that detects light, and the switch has a contacted member that moves toward or away from the movable member as it swings. The first circuit can be opened and closed by the movable member swinging to move toward or away from the contacted member, and the second circuit can be opened and closed by the movable member swinging to transmit or block light detected by the light-receiving element, and the second circuit can be kept closed for a certain period of time after the first circuit is closed.

Furthermore, the switch assembly described in the present application is a switch assembly comprising a switch having a movable member whose second end swings around a first end as a swing fulcrum, and a substrate on which the switch is mounted, and is equipped with a light-receiving element that detects light, and the switch has a contacted member that moves toward and away from the movable member as the movable member swings, and is capable of outputting an ON signal when the movable member swings and comes into contact with the contacted member, and is capable of outputting an ON signal when the movable member swings and transmits/blocks the light detected by the light-receiving element after outputting an ON signal due to contact between the movable member and the contacted member.

Furthermore, in the switch assembly, the light receiving element is surface-mounted on the substrate.

Furthermore, the operating device described in this application includes a pressing operation unit that accepts pressing operations from the outside, and the switch to which the pressing operation accepted by the pressing operation unit is transmitted as external pressure, and the switch outputs a signal that opens or closes a circuit based on the transmitted external pressure.

Furthermore, the operating device described in this application includes a pressing operation unit that accepts pressing operations from the outside, and the switch assembly to which the pressing operations accepted by the pressing operation unit are transmitted as external pressure, and the switch assembly outputs a signal that opens or closes a circuit based on the transmitted external pressure.

The switch, switch assembly, and operating device according to the present invention comprise a contact mechanism capable of opening and closing a first circuit, and a contactless mechanism capable of opening and closing a second circuit. This allows each opening and closing mechanism to be used for a variety of purposes, providing excellent benefits such as the potential for improved performance and various improvements in the characteristics of the switch, switch assembly, and operating device.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an operating device described in the present application. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a switch described in the present application. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of a switch described herein. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of a switch described in the present application. 1 is a schematic external view showing an example of a support member and a contacted member included in a switch described in the present application. 1 is a schematic external view showing an example of a light-emitting unit included in a switch described in the present application. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a switch described herein. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a switch described herein. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a switch described herein. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a switch described herein. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a first embodiment of a switch assembly described in the present application; FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a second embodiment of a switch assembly according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a third embodiment of a switch assembly described in the present application. 1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a first embodiment of an operating device described in the present application. FIG. 10 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a second embodiment of an operating device described in the present application.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Application example>
The operating device described herein is used, for example, as an operating device such as a mouse for operating a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC). The switch described herein is incorporated as a microswitch into various electronic devices, including the operating device. The switch is incorporated into the operating device as a switch assembly (hereinafter referred to as a switch assembly) mounted on a board. Below, with reference to the drawings, an operating device 1 and a switch 2 illustrated in the drawings will be described, as well as a switch assembly 4 in which the switch 2 is mounted on a board 3.

<Operating device 1>
First, the operating device 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the operating device 1 described herein. FIG. 1 also shows an example in which the operating device 1 described herein is applied to a mouse used to operate an electronic device such as a personal computer. The operating device 1 includes a pressing operation unit 10, such as a mouse button, that receives pressing operations by the user's finger, and a rotating operation unit 11, such as a mouse wheel, that receives rotating operations by the user's finger. The rotating operation unit 11 is configured to receive not only rotating operations but also pressing operations, and thus also functions as the pressing operation unit 10. The operating device 1 is also connected to a signal line 12 that outputs an electrical signal to an external device such as a personal computer. The operating device 1 can output electrical signals not only via wired communication using the signal line 12, but also via various communication methods such as wireless communication. Furthermore, a wave-shaped light-emitting unit 13 is formed on the side of the operating device 1. The light-emitting unit 13 includes a translucent resin plate and a built-in output load unit 130 (see FIG. 14 , etc.), which will be described later. The output load section 130 included in the light emitting section 13 is formed using an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The LED built in as the output load section 130 emits light internally, causing the light emitting section 13 to emit light.

In addition to the output load unit 130, the operating device 1 also contains a switch 2 (described below) for each pressing unit 10 and rotating unit 11. When a pressing unit 10 is pressed, an internal part of the pressing unit 10 presses the corresponding switch 2. The switch 2 outputs a signal based on the pressing status via signal line 12 to an external electronic device such as a personal computer.

That is, the operating device 1 described in the present application comprises a pressing operation unit 10 that accepts pressing operations from outside, a rotation operation unit 11 that accepts operations such as rotation operations, and a light-emitting unit 13, and further comprises an internal switch 2 and output load unit 130. The operating device 1 transmits pressing operations accepted by the pressing operation unit 10 and/or rotation operation unit 11 to the switch 2 as external pressure, and outputs a signal based on the operation of the switch 2 from a signal line 12 to an external electronic device.

<Structure of Switch 2>
Next, the switch 2 described in the present application will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the switch 2 described in the present application. In this specification, the directions of the switch 2 are expressed as follows: the left front side as viewed in Fig. 2 is the front, the right rear side is the rear, the left rear side is the left, the right front side is the right, the upper side is the top, and the lower side is the bottom; however, these directions are for convenience of explanation and do not limit the mounting direction of the switch 2. As described above, the switch 2 is housed as a microswitch inside an electronic device such as the operating device 1, and receives a pressing operation received by a portion such as the pressing operation unit 10 of the operating device 1 as an external pressure.

The switch 2 includes a housing 20 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 20 is formed by a lower base 20a and an upper cover 20b. A rectangular insertion hole 200, through which a pressing member 21 is inserted, is opened on the top surface of the housing 20, located to the left of the center when viewed from the front. The pressing member 21 inserted into the insertion hole 200 is a member that moves up and down within a range from a first position above to a second position below when pressed from outside the housing 20. The upper end of the pressing member 21 protrudes from the top surface of the housing 20.

Furthermore, protruding from the underside of the housing 20 are a first terminal 220 that is part of the support member 22 (see FIG. 3, etc.) described below, a second terminal 230 that is part of the contacted member 23 (see FIG. 3, etc.) described below, a third terminal pair 240 that is part of the light-emitting unit 24 (see FIG. 3, etc.) described below, and a fourth terminal pair 250 that is part of the light-receiving unit 25 (see FIG. 3, etc.) described below. The first terminal 220 protrudes from the left edge of the underside of the housing 20. The second terminal 230 protrudes from near the center of the underside of the housing 20. The third terminal pair 240 and the fourth terminal pair 250 protrude side by side in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions from the right edge of the underside of the housing 20. The two terminals protruding side by side on the front side of the underside of the housing 20 are the third terminal pair 240, and the two terminals protruding side by side on the rear side are the fourth terminal pair 250.

In the switch 2 configured in this manner, an external pressing operation received by the operating device 1 is transmitted to the pressing member 21 as pressure from outside the housing 20. When pressure from the outside is received, the pressing member 21 moves from the upper first position to the lower second position, and when the pressure from the outside is released, it moves from the lower second position to the upper first position.

Next, the internal structure of the switch 2 will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the switch 2 described herein. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the cross-section of the switch 2 described herein. Figure 4 shows a cross-section cut along a vertical plane including line A-B shown in Figure 2, as viewed from the front.

A space is provided within the housing 20 of the switch 2 as a storage chamber 201 that houses various components that open and close the electrical circuit. An insertion hole 200 that penetrates from the outside of the housing 20 is opened in the top surface of the storage chamber 201, and a pressing member 21 is inserted into the insertion hole 200.

The various components housed within the storage chamber 201 will now be described. The storage chamber 201 contains various components, such as the aforementioned pressing member 21, support member 22, contacted member 23, light-emitting unit 24, and light-receiving unit 25, as well as a movable member 26. A first locking portion 221, which is part of the support member 22, is located on the left side of the storage chamber 201, and a second locking portion 222, which is also part of the support member 22, is located near the center of the storage chamber 201. The contacted member 23 is located on the right side of the storage chamber 201. The light-emitting unit 24 is located in front of the contacted member 23 on the lower right side of the storage chamber 201, and the light-receiving unit 25 is located behind the contacted member 23. The movable member 26 is located so as to extend left and right within the storage chamber 201, and is locked by the first locking portion 221 and second locking portion 222 of the support member 22.

The support member 22 and the contacted member 23 will now be described further. Figure 5 is a schematic external view showing an example of the support member 22 and contacted member 23 provided in the switch 2 described herein. Figure 5 is a front view of the switch 2, seen from the front, illustrating only the support member 22 and contacted member 23 arranged within the switch 2. The support member 22 and contacted member 23 illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5 are all formed from conductive metal plates and are arranged at a distance within the housing 20.

The support member 22 is thin and erected with its normal direction aligned in the front-to-rear direction. The lower part of the support member 22 is formed as a first terminal 220 that protrudes from the underside of the housing 20. The upper part of the support member 22, located within the storage chamber 201, is bifurcated into two parts, with the left part formed as a first locking portion 221 and the right part formed as a second locking portion 222. The first locking portion 221 and the second locking portion 222 are bent toward the front to make it easier to lock the movable member 26.

The contactable member 23 is a thin plate-like member erected with its normal direction aligned in the front-to-rear direction, and is erected at a position rearward of the light-emitting unit 24 and forward of the light-receiving unit 25, spaced apart from the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25. The lower part of the contactable member 23 is formed as a second terminal 230 protruding from the underside of the housing 20. The upper part of the contactable member 23, located within the accommodation chamber 201, forms a contactable portion 231 with which the movable member 26 comes into contact when the pressing member 21 is in the second position and pressing the movable member 26. A light-shielding plate 232 that blocks light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24 is formed below the contactable portion 231 of the contactable member 23, and the light-shielding plate 232 has a transmission hole 233 that allows light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24 to pass through.

The light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 will now be described in further detail. Figure 6 is a schematic external view showing an example of the light-emitting unit 24 included in the switch 2 described herein. The light-emitting unit 24 illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 6 emits light, and the light-receiving unit 25 receives the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24. The light-emitting unit 24 is configured using a light-emitting element 241 such as an LED. The light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 is molded within a resin unit housing 242, and the third terminal pair 240 protrudes from the unit housing 242. Two approximately linear lead frames 243 are disposed within the unit housing 242. One end of the lead frame 243 protrudes from the interior to the exterior of the unit housing 242, forming the third terminal pair 240. The other end of the lead frame 243 is located within the unit housing 242, where the light-emitting element 241 is mounted and bonded via wire 244. The light-emitting element 241, lead frame 243, and wire 244 are disposed at the bottom of a recess formed in the unit housing 242. The recess formed in the unit housing 242 is filled with a highly transmittance resin, such as epoxy resin, during the manufacturing process, and components such as the light-emitting element 241 are molded into the unit housing 242 in a state that is visible from the outside. FIG. 6 shows the light-emitting unit 24 in a state in which the unit housing 242 is filled with a highly transmittance resin, making the interior visible. The light-receiving unit 25 is configured using a light-receiving element 251, such as a PD (photodiode) or PT (phototransistor), as a detector for detecting light. The configuration of the light-receiving unit 25 is substantially similar to that of the light-emitting unit 24, and therefore the description of the light-emitting unit 24 should be taken into consideration and a detailed description will be omitted. The light-emitting element 241 and third terminal pair 240 described as components of the light-emitting unit 24 should be interpreted as the light-receiving element 251 and fourth terminal pair 250 when understanding the light-receiving unit 25.

In the housing 20 of the switch 2, the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 are arranged so that the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25 face each other, so that the light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 is received by the light-receiving element 251. When electricity is applied to the light-emitting unit 24 through the third terminal pair 240, the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 emits light. When light is detected, the electricity-carrying state of the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25 changes, and an ON signal based on the change in electricity-carrying state due to light reception is output from the fourth terminal pair 250.

The movable member 26 will now be described in further detail. The movable member 26 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 is made of a conductive metal plate and is disposed within the storage chamber 201 so that its longitudinal direction is the left-right direction. The left end of the movable member 26 is a fixed end that is engaged with the first engaging portion 221 and functions as a swing fulcrum 260. The right end of the movable member 26 is a movable abutment portion 261 that swings as a free end and moves toward and away from the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23 as a result of the swing. The right end of the movable member 26 also forms a substantially rectangular light-shielding piece 262 that is bent downward from the movable abutment portion 261. The light-shielding piece 262 is formed so that its normal direction is the front-to-rear direction, and is provided with a substantially rectangular transmission window 263 through which light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24 passes. The light-blocking piece 262 is located in front of the contacted member 23 and behind the light-emitting unit 24, spaced apart from the contacted member 23 and the light-emitting unit 24, and is positioned between the contacted member 23 and the light-emitting unit 24. The movable member 26 is formed with a biasing portion 264 that functions as a return spring and is punched out near the center and bent into an arc, and the tip of the biasing portion 264 is engaged with a second engaging portion 222 formed near the center of the accommodation chamber 201. The biasing portion 264 generates a reaction force that resists the pressure of the pressing member 21.

In the switch 2 configured as described above, the pressing member 21 moves downward when pressed from the outside, depressing the movable member 26. When the movable member 26 is pressed down, the movable abutment 261 and light-shielding piece 262 on the right end, which is the free end of the movable member 26, move down. When the movable abutment 261 of the movable member 26 moves down, the movable abutment 261 comes into contact with the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23. When the movable abutment 261 of the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23, electrical continuity is established from the first terminal 220 of the support member 22 to the second terminal 230 of the contacted member 23. When electrical continuity is established between the first terminal 220 and the second terminal 230, it becomes possible to close a first circuit external to the switch 2 and output an ON signal. When the light-shielding piece 262 of the movable member 26 is lowered, the optical path from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 to the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25 passes through a transparent window 263 opened in the light-shielding piece 262. Therefore, light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 passes through the transparent window 263 opened in the light-shielding piece 262 of the movable member 26, and further passes through the transparent hole 233 opened in the light-shielding plate 232 of the contacted member 23, to reach the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25. When the light-receiving element 251 receives light from the light-emitting element 241, a second circuit external to the switch 2 is closed, entering an ON state, making it possible to output an ON signal. Furthermore, when the movable abutting portion 261 of the movable member 26 is lowered, the movable abutting portion 261 comes into contact with the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23. A metallic sound is generated when the movable abutment portion 261 of the metal movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted portion 231 of the metal contacted member 23. The user perceives the metallic sound generated when the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted member 23 as a clicking sound. The user also perceives the sensation of the movable member 26 coming into contact with the contacted member 23 as a clicking sensation. Note that by appropriately designing the materials and shapes of the movable member 26 and the contacted member 23, it is possible to control the sound and sensation of contact generated when the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted member 23, and adjust the clicking sound and clicking sensation. For example, by using materials and shapes that are less likely to produce clicking sounds, it is possible to achieve quieter clicking.

When the pressure of the pressing member 21 is released, the movable member 26 is urged upward by the reaction force of the urging portion 264. As the movable member 26 is urged upward, the pressing member 21 moves upward. As the urging portion 264 urges the movable member 26 upward, the movable abutment portion 261 and light-shielding piece 262 located on the right end side of the movable member 26 rise. As the movable abutment portion 261 of the movable member 26 rises, the movable abutment portion 261 moves away from the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23. As the movable abutment portion 261 of the movable member 26 moves away from the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23, an insulating state is established between the first terminal 220 of the support member 22 and the second terminal 230 of the contacted member 23. As the first terminal 220 and the second terminal 230 are isolated from each other, the first circuit opens. When the light-blocking piece 262 of the movable member 26 rises, the light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 is blocked by the light-blocking piece 262, and the second circuit is opened, entering the OFF state.

Next, the opening and closing of a circuit by the switch 2 described herein will be described. Figures 7 and 8 are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch 2 described herein. Figures 7 and 8 show a cross-section taken along a vertical plane including line A-B shown in Figure 2, viewed from the front. Note that in Figures 7 and 8, the outlines of the support member 22 and the contacted member 23 hidden by the housing 20 are indicated by dashed lines. Figure 7 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 is not subjected to external pressure and is positioned in the upper first position. Figure 8 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 is subjected to external pressure and has descended to the lower second position. By transitioning from the state illustrated in Figure 7 in which no pressure is applied to the state illustrated in Figure 8 in which pressure is applied, the right end of the movable member 26 descends, and the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted member 23. Contact between the movable member 26 and the contacted member 23 establishes electrical continuity from the first terminal 220 of the support member 22 to the second terminal 230 of the contacted member 23. When conduction occurs between the first terminal 220 and the second terminal 230, current flows as shown by the solid arrow in Figure 8, closing the first circuit and turning it on. When the external pressure is released and the state returns to that shown in Figure 7, the current that was flowing is cut off, the first circuit opens, and the device turns off.

Figures 9 and 10 are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of a switch 2 described herein. Figures 9 and 10 show a cross-section taken along a vertical plane including line C-D shown in Figure 2, viewed from the right. Figure 9 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 is not receiving external pressure and is in an upper first position, while Figure 10 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 is receiving external pressure and has lowered to a lower second position. By transitioning from the state shown in Figure 9 in which no pressure is being applied to the state shown in Figure 10 in which pressure is being applied, the right end of the movable member 26 lowers, and the optical path from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 to the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25 passes through the transparent window 263 opened in the light-shielding piece 262. Therefore, as shown by the solid arrows in FIG. 10 , light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 passes through the transparent window 263 in the light-blocking piece 262 of the movable member 26, passes through the transparent hole 233 in the light-blocking plate 232 of the contacted member 23, and reaches the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25. When the light-receiving element 251 receives light from the light-emitting element 241, the second circuit is closed, resulting in an ON state. When the external pressure is released and the state returns to the example state shown in FIG. 9 , the optical path between the light-emitting element 241 and the light-receiving element 251 is blocked, the second circuit is opened, resulting in an OFF state. As described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 , the switch 2 described herein opens and closes the first and second circuits based on the operation of the movable member 26, making it possible to synchronize the opening and closing of the first and second circuits.

<Switch assembly 4>
Next, an example of mounting the switch assembly 4 described herein in which the switch 2 is attached to the substrate 3 will be described. The switch 2 described herein is incorporated into the operating device 1 as the switch assembly 4 mounted on the substrate 3. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a first embodiment of the switch assembly 4 described herein. In FIG. 11, the switch 2 and the substrate 3 provided in the switch assembly 4 are shown separated from each other so that the relationship between the switch 2 and the substrate 3 can be easily understood. The substrate 3 is provided with a first terminal mounting hole 30 through which the first terminal 220 is inserted, a second terminal mounting hole 31 through which the second terminal 230 is inserted, a third terminal pair mounting hole 32 through which the third terminal pair 240 is inserted, and a fourth terminal pair mounting hole 33 through which the fourth terminal pair 250 is inserted. The switch assembly 4 is configured such that the first terminal 220, the second terminal 230, the third terminal pair 240, and the fourth terminal pair 250 of the switch 2 are inserted into the first terminal mounting hole 30, the second terminal mounting hole 31, the third terminal pair mounting hole 32, and the fourth terminal pair mounting hole 33 formed in the substrate 3, and are attached to the substrate 3 by a mounting method such as soldering. In addition to the switch 2, various electronic components such as circuits and elements are attached on the substrate 3 provided in the switch assembly 4, and the electronic components are electrically connected by wiring formed on the substrate 3 by a method such as etching.

Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a second embodiment of the switch assembly 4 described herein. Figure 12 shows another embodiment of the switch assembly 4, in which the switch 2 and the substrate 3 of the switch assembly 4 are shown separated from each other to make it easier to understand the relationship between the switch 2 and the substrate 3. The substrate 3 is provided with a first terminal mounting hole 30, a second terminal mounting hole 31, a third terminal pair mounting hole 32, and a fourth terminal pair mounting hole 33. The third terminal pair 240 of the light-emitting unit 24 is previously attached to the third terminal pair mounting hole 32 in the substrate 3 by soldering or another similar method, and the fourth terminal pair 250 of the light-receiving unit 25 is previously attached to the fourth terminal pair mounting hole 33 by soldering or another similar method. Then, in the assembly process, a switch 2 without the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 is attached to the substrate 3 on which the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 are previously attached. The switch 2 is mounted so as to cover the light-emitting unit 24 and light-receiving unit 25 on the substrate 3. The first terminal 220 of the switch 2 is inserted into the first terminal mounting hole 30, and the second terminal 230 is inserted into the second terminal mounting hole 31, and they are each mounted on the substrate 3 by a mounting method such as soldering.

Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a third embodiment of the switch assembly 4 described herein. Figure 13 shows yet another embodiment of the switch assembly 4, and the switch 2 and substrate 3 provided in the switch assembly 4 are shown separated from each other to make it easier to understand the relationship between the switch 2 and the substrate 3. The substrate 3 has a first terminal mounting hole 30 and a second terminal mounting hole 31. A conductive metal is pre-wired on the substrate 3 by a method such as etching, and the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 are pre-mounted on the wiring of the substrate 3 by a method such as surface mounting. The light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 illustrated in Figure 13 are optical units for surface mounting and are mounted directly on the substrate 3. The switch 2 is mounted so as to cover the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25 on the substrate 3. The first terminal 220 of the switch 2 is inserted into the first terminal mounting hole 30, and the second terminal 230 is inserted into the second terminal mounting hole 31, and each is attached to the substrate 3 by a mounting method such as soldering.

As shown above in the first to third embodiments, the switch assembly 4, in which the switch 2 is attached to the substrate 3, can be formed in a variety of ways.

Next, an example implementation of an operating device 1 incorporating the switch 2 described herein will be described. FIG. 14 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a first embodiment of the operating device 1 described herein. The switch 2 includes a contact mechanism 27 using components such as a support member 22 and a contacted member 23, and a non-contact mechanism 28 using components such as a light-emitting unit 24 and a light-receiving unit 25. The contact mechanism 27 opens and closes the first circuit (signal control unit 14) by swinging the movable member 26, outputting an electrical signal to an external device such as a personal computer. The non-contact mechanism 28 opens and closes the second circuit (load control unit 15) by swinging the movable member 26, lighting the output load section 130 of the light-emitting unit 13. The first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14 is an embodiment in which the first and second circuits are configured as separate circuits. In this first embodiment, pressing the pressing operation unit 10 of the operating device 1 outputs a signal to an external device and causes the light-emitting unit 13 to emit light. This allows the light-emitting unit 13 to emit light when the operating device 1 is operated, thereby improving characteristics such as expanding the functionality of the operating device 1 and switch 2. The output load unit 130 is not limited to light emission; various power loads such as a speaker that outputs sound or a vibrator that vibrates can be applied. Furthermore, it is possible to design the load control unit 15 so that its circuit is opened and closed by the contact mechanism 27, and the signal control unit 14 so that its circuit is opened and closed by the non-contact mechanism 28, as appropriate.

Figure 15 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a second embodiment of the operating device 1 described herein. The second embodiment is an example in which the first circuit and the second circuit are configured as the same circuit. In the second embodiment, the signal control unit 14 is used as a first circuit that opens and closes using a contact mechanism 27, and a second circuit that opens and closes using a contactless mechanism 28. By configuring the first circuit and the second circuit as the same circuit, the signal control unit 14 is opened and closed by both the contact mechanism 27 and the contactless mechanism 28. Therefore, even if a malfunction occurs in one of the contact mechanism 27 or the contactless mechanism 28, the other can compensate. This makes it possible to improve the reliability and other characteristics of the operating device 1 and the switch 2.

The embodiment of the operating device 1 described herein can be developed into various forms, regardless of the implementation example described using Figures 14 and 15. For example, a mechanism that opens and closes a circuit using an optical element, such as the contactless mechanism 28, requires continuous or intermittent energization of the optical element, which can result in standby power issues. To solve this problem, using the contact mechanism 27 as a mechanism that opens and closes the current-carrying circuit to the optical element can reduce standby power consumption. Specifically, in the switch 2, during standby, the contactless mechanism 28 is turned off, with no current flowing to it. When the contact mechanism 27 is turned on, the contactless mechanism 28 is energized to turn on and activate the contactless mechanism 28 for the duration of the on state or until a certain period has elapsed since the contact mechanism 27 was turned on. The contactless mechanism 28, energized and turned on, can open and close a circuit in response to operation of the depression operation unit 10 of the operating device 1. Note that the control of energization to the optical element by the contact mechanism 27 is not limited to controlling energization to the contactless mechanism 28 in response to operations on the depression operation unit 10, but can also be expanded to control energization to the optical element used to detect the position of the operation device 1 (operating the mouse cursor position). In this way, the operation device 1 and switch 2 described herein can improve various characteristics, such as reducing standby power consumption.

As described above, the operating device 1, switch 2, and switch assembly 4 described in this application comprise a contact mechanism 27 using components such as a support member 22 and a contacted member 23, and a contactless mechanism 28 using components such as a light-emitting unit 24 and a light-receiving unit 25. This provides excellent benefits, such as the ability to expand functionality, improve reliability, and reduce standby power consumption, among other improvements.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be expanded into various other forms. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as limiting. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not bound in any way by the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and variations that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the non-contact mechanism 28 is configured as an optical mechanism using a light-emitting element 241 that emits light and a light-receiving element 251 as a detector that detects the light as the detection target. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various mechanisms that do not have contacts can be used. For example, the non-contact mechanism 28 can be configured using a magnet that generates magnetic force and a Hall element as a detector that detects the magnetic force as the detection target, and various other configurations are possible.

In addition, for example, in the above embodiment, a conductive support member 22 and contacted member 23 are used as the contact mechanism 27, and the first circuit is opened and closed by moving the conductive movable member 26 in and out of contact with each other. However, any opening and closing mechanism having contacts is sufficient, and is not limited to conductive members. In other words, as long as the circuit can be opened and closed by moving the oscillating movable member 26 in and out of contact with each other, it is possible to design the circuit as appropriate, such as by moving the contacted member 23 pressed by the movable member 26. Note that for the contactless mechanism 28, the movable member 26 does not need to be a conductive member.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 operating device 13 light emitting section 130 output load section 14 signal control section 15 load control section 2 switch 20 housing 21 pressing member 22 support member 23 contacted member 231 contacted portion 232 light shielding plate 233 transmission hole 24 light emitting unit 241 light emitting element 25 light receiving unit 251 light receiving element (detection section)
26 Movable member 260 Swing fulcrum 261 Movable contact portion 262 Light blocking piece 263 Transmission window 27 Contact mechanism 28 Contactless mechanism 3 Board 4 Switch assembly

Claims (13)

A switch having a movable member that operates based on external pressure,
a detection unit that detects a detection target;
a contact mechanism that opens and closes the first circuit by contacting and separating in response to the operation of the movable member;
a contactless mechanism capable of opening and closing a second circuit by controlling detection by the detection unit in accordance with the operation of the movable member;
Equipped with
A switch characterized in that the second circuit can be closed by the contactless mechanism for a certain period of time after the first circuit is closed by the contact mechanism. A switch having a movable member whose second end side swings around a first end side as a swing fulcrum,
a contacted member that moves toward and away from the movable member by swinging;
a light receiving element for detecting light;
Equipped with
The movable member swings to come into contact with or separate from the contacted member, thereby opening and closing the first circuit,
the movable member swings to transmit/block light detected by the light receiving element, thereby opening and closing a second circuit;
A switch capable of closing the second circuit for a certain period of time after the first circuit is closed. 3. The switch according to claim 1 or 2,
the second circuit maintains the open state until the first circuit is closed after a certain period of time has elapsed since both the first circuit and the second circuit are opened. 4. The switch according to claim 1, wherein:
The switch, wherein the first circuit and the second circuit are different circuits. 4. The switch according to claim 1, wherein:
The switch, wherein the first circuit and the second circuit are the same circuit. A switch having a movable member whose second end side swings around a first end side as a swing fulcrum,
a contacted member that moves toward and away from the movable member by swinging;
a light receiving element for detecting light;
Equipped with
The movable member swings and comes into contact with the contacted member, thereby turning on the device.
After the movable member and the contacted member come into contact with each other to bring into an ON state , the movable member swings to transmit or block light to be detected by the light-receiving element, thereby causing the light-receiving element to output or not output a signal.
A switch characterized by: 7. The switch of claim 6,
The switch, characterized in that the signal output based on the detection of light by the light receiving element can be output only for a certain period of time after the movable member and the contacted member come into contact with each other. A switch assembly including a switch having a movable member that operates based on external pressure and a substrate on which the switch is mounted,
a detection unit for detecting a detection target,
The switch is
a contact mechanism that opens and closes the first circuit by contacting and separating in response to the operation of the movable member;
a contactless mechanism that can open and close a second circuit by controlling detection by the detection unit in accordance with the movement of the movable member,
A switch assembly, characterized in that the second circuit can be closed by the contactless mechanism for a certain period of time after the first circuit is closed by the contact mechanism. A switch assembly including a switch having a movable member whose second end side swings around a first end side as a swing fulcrum, and a substrate on which the switch is mounted,
a light receiving element for detecting light;
The switch includes a contacted member that is brought into contact with and separated from the movable member by the swinging of the movable member,
The movable member swings to come into contact with or separate from the contacted member, thereby opening and closing the first circuit,
the movable member swings to transmit/block light detected by the light receiving element, thereby opening and closing a second circuit;
A switch assembly characterized in that a second circuit can be closed for a certain period of time after a first circuit is closed. A switch assembly including a switch having a movable member whose second end side swings around a first end side as a swing fulcrum, and a substrate on which the switch is mounted,
a light receiving element for detecting light;
The switch includes a contacted member that is brought into contact with and separated from the movable member by the swinging of the movable member,
The movable member swings and comes into contact with the contacted member, thereby turning on the device.
After the movable member and the contacted member come into contact with each other to bring into an ON state , the movable member swings to transmit or block light to be detected by the light-receiving element, thereby causing the light-receiving element to output or not output a signal.
A switch assembly characterized by: 11. The switch assembly according to claim 9 or 10,
The switch assembly, wherein the light receiving element is attached to the substrate by surface mounting. a pressing operation unit that accepts pressing operations from an external device;
The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pressing operation received by the pressing operation unit is transmitted as a pressing force from an external source;
Equipped with
The operating device is characterized in that the switch outputs a signal for opening or closing a circuit based on a transmitted pressure from the outside. a pressing operation unit that accepts pressing operations from an external device;
The switch assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein a pressing operation received by the pressing operation unit is transmitted as a pressing force from an external source;
Equipped with
The operating device is characterized in that the switch assembly outputs a signal to open or close a circuit based on a transmitted pressure from the outside.