Switch and operation device

Abstract

The invention provides a switch and an operating device. The switch includes: a first member having a first locking portion formed on an upper portion thereof; a second member having a contact portion formed on an upper portion thereof; a movable member, one end of which is locked to the first locking portion as a swing fulcrum, and the other end of which swings as a free end side, so that the movable member is brought into contact with / separated from the contact portion; and a detection unit that opens and closes a circuit by detecting a change in an object to be detected on the basis of the operation of the movable member.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application date of February 7, 2021, application number 202110168404.1, and invention name “Switch and operating device”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a switch having a movable member and an operating device having the switch. Background Art

[0003] As a device for inputting information to electronic devices such as computers, operating devices such as mice having switches such as micro switches have become popular. In particular, in recent years, mice used in computer games such as e-sports are required to have various characteristics. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a micro switch in which a movable contact piece rotates by pressing a button, thereby abutting against a contact portion of a normally open contact terminal.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: (Japanese) Patent Publication No. 2017-16807 Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0008] The micro switch disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires the contact terminal to have durability because the movable contact piece collides with the terminal each time it is pressed. In order to ensure the durability of the contact terminal, the micro switch disclosed in Patent Document 1 bends a part of the contact terminal to form an abutment portion, thereby improving the durability.

[0009] The specifications and uses of micro switches are expected to diversify in the future, and various methods are required to improve durability.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a switch capable of improving durability against pressing.

[0011] Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide an operating device using the above switch.

[0012] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0013] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the switch described in the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a first component, on the upper part of which a first locking portion is formed; a second component, on the upper part of which a contact portion is formed; a movable component, one end of which is locked to the first locking portion and serves as a swing fulcrum, and the other end of which serves as a free end side to swing, thereby contacting / separating with the contact portion; and a detection portion, which detects changes in the detection object according to the action of the movable component, thereby opening and closing the circuit.

[0014] In addition, the switch is characterized in that it also comprises: a light emitting element, which is arranged on the first surface side of the two surfaces of the second component that are roughly parallel to the swinging direction of the movable component; a light receiving element as a detection part, which is arranged on the second surface side of the two surfaces of the second component that are roughly parallel to the swinging direction of the movable component and is on the opposite side of the first surface, and can detect light emitted from the light emitting element; the second component forms an optical path that allows light emitted from the light emitting element on the first surface side to pass to the second surface side, and the movable component comprises: a contact portion, whose lower surface contacts / separates from the contact portion; a light shielding sheet, which bends downward from the contact portion and enters between the second component and the light emitting element or the light receiving element, and transmits / blocks light as the movable component swings, thereby being able to open / close the circuit.

[0015] In addition, in the switch, it is characterized in that a light-transmitting window is opened in the light-shielding sheet, and when the abutting portion is in contact with the contact portion, the light-transmitting window does not block the light path, and as the abutting portion is separated from the contact portion, the light-shielding sheet blocks the light path.

[0016] Furthermore, in the switch, the contact portion is provided at a position above the optical path.

[0017] Furthermore, the switch is characterized by further comprising a housing for housing the first member, the second member, the movable member, the light emitting element, and the light receiving element.

[0018] A portion is provided in the frame body protruding downward from the top surface, against which the upper surface of the abutting portion abuts when the abutting portion is separated from the contact portion.

[0019] In addition, in the switch, it is characterized in that the movable part is a flexible part formed by a metal thin plate, extending in a plate shape from the swing fulcrum side to the free end side, the abutment portion is located at the front end of the extension direction of the free end side, and the shading plate extends from the abutment portion to the bottom of the swing direction.

[0020] In the switch, a biasing portion that is punched out near the center and bent into an arc shape and serves as a return spring is formed on the movable member, and the biasing portion generates a force in a direction that separates the abutting portion from the contact portion.

[0021] The switch described in the present application is a switch having a movable component supported by a swing fulcrum and swinging on the free end side, wherein the movable component is electrically connected to the first terminal component, and by swinging, the free end side is electrically contacted / separated from the second terminal component, thereby making the first terminal component and the second terminal component electrically contacted / separated, and the switch is characterized in that the second terminal component is equipped with a conductive contact component formed by different components, and the movable component is contacted / separated from the contact component by swinging.

[0022] In addition, based on the switch, it is characterized in that the second terminal member is formed into a plate shape with a normal direction being a direction approximately orthogonal to the swinging direction of the movable member, and the contact member is installed in a state where a riveting process is performed in which pressure is applied in the normal direction of the second terminal member.

[0023] In addition, based on the switch, it is characterized in that it has a detection part for detecting a detection object, and the first terminal part and the second terminal part are electrically contacted / separated by swinging the movable part, so that the first circuit can be opened / closed, and according to the movement of the movable part, the detection part detects changes in the detection object, thereby opening / closing the second circuit.

[0024] In addition, based on the switch, it is characterized in that it has a light-receiving element that can detect light, and the first terminal part and the second terminal part are electrically contacted / separated by swinging the movable part, so that the first circuit can be opened / closed, and the light detected by the light-receiving element can be transmitted / blocked by swinging the movable part, so that the second circuit can be opened / closed.

[0025] In addition, based on the switch, it is characterized in that it has: a light emitting element arranged on the first surface side of the two surfaces of the second terminal component formed in a plate shape, and a light receiving element arranged on the second surface side of the second terminal component which is opposite to the first surface and can detect the light emitted from the light emitting element, the second terminal component forms an optical path from the light emitted by the light emitting element on the first surface side to the second surface side, the movable component has a shielding piece that blocks the light emitted from the light emitting element and to be detected by the light receiving element, the first terminal component and the second terminal component are electrically contacted / separated by swinging the movable component, so that the first circuit can be opened / closed, and the shielding piece transmits / blocks light as the movable component swings, so that the second circuit can be opened / closed.

[0026] In addition, based on the switch, it is characterized in that the first circuit and the second circuit are different circuits.

[0027] Furthermore, based on the switch, it is characterized in that the first circuit and the second circuit are the same circuit.

[0028] In addition, the switch described in the present application is a switch having a movable component that receives an operation from the outside to perform an action, wherein the movable component is electrically connected to the first terminal component, and by performing an action, the movable component is electrically contacted / separated from the second terminal component, thereby electrically contacting / separating the first terminal component and the second terminal component, and the switch is characterized in that the second terminal component is equipped with a conductive contact component formed by different components, and the movable component is contacted / separated from the contact component by performing an action.

[0029] In addition, the operating device described in the present application is characterized in that it has: a pressing operation unit that receives a pressing operation from the outside, and the switch that transmits the pressing operation received by the pressing operation unit as a pressing pressure from the outside, and the switch outputs an open / close circuit signal based on the transmitted pressing pressure from the outside.

[0030] The switch and operating device described in the present application install the contact member on the second terminal member, and the movable member contacts / separates with the contact member through actions such as swinging.

[0031] Effects of the Invention

[0032] In the switch and operating device of the present invention, the movable part electrically connected to the first terminal part performs an action such as swinging to contact / separate with the contact part installed on the second terminal part. Since the movable part contacts / separates with the contact part, it has a good effect of improving durability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the operating device described in the present application.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the switch described in the present application.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic perspective exploded view showing an example of the switch described in the present application.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch described in the present application.

[0037] Figure 5This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch described in the present application.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing an appearance of an example of a first terminal member, a second terminal member, and a contact member included in the switch according to the present application.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a schematic perspective view showing a part of a movable member and its surroundings in an enlarged manner in the switch described in the present application.

[0040] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of an example of a light emitting unit included in the switch described in the present application.

[0041] Fig. 9 This is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing an example of mounting of a contact member in the switch described in the present application.

[0042] Fig.10 This is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing an example of mounting of a contact member in the switch described in the present application.

[0043] Fig.11 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch described in the present application.

[0044] Fig.12 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch described in the present application.

[0045] Fig.13 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch described in the present application.

[0046] Fig.14 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch described in the present application.

[0047] Fig.15 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the switch described in the present application.

[0048] Fig.16 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the switch described in the present application.

[0049] Fig.17 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the switch described in the present application.

[0050] Fig.18 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the switch described in the present application.

[0051] Fig.19 This is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of the first embodiment of the operating device described in the present application.

[0052] Fig. 20 This is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of the second embodiment of the operating device described in the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0054] <Application Examples>

[0055] The operating device described in the present application is used as an operating device such as an operating mouse of a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer). In addition, the switch described in the present application is assembled as a micro switch in various electronic devices including the operating device. Hereinafter, referring to the accompanying drawings, an operating device 1 and a switch 2 illustrated in the drawings will be described.

[0056] <Operation device 1>

[0057] First, the operating device 1 will be described. Figure 1 It is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the operating device 1 according to the present application. Figure 1 The example of applying the operating device 1 described in the present application to a mouse used for operating an electronic device such as a personal computer is shown. The operating device 1 includes a pressing operation portion 10 such as a mouse button that receives an operation of pressing by a user's finger, and a rotating operation portion 11 such as a mouse wheel that receives an operation of rotating by a user's finger. It should be noted that the rotating operation portion 11 is configured to receive not only a rotating operation but also a pressing operation, and is also used as the pressing operation portion 10. In addition, a signal line 12 that outputs an electronic signal to an external device such as a personal computer is connected to the operating device 1. It should be noted that the operating device 1 is not limited to wired communication using the signal line 12, and may output an electronic signal using various communication methods such as wireless communication. In addition, an output load portion 13 is formed on the side of the operating device 1. The output load portion 13 includes a translucent resin plate arranged on the side of the operating device 1, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) (not shown) arranged in the operating device 1. In the output load portion 13, light is emitted in the operating device 1 by the LED, and the resin plate emits light.

[0058] In addition to the output load unit 13, switches 2 described later are housed in each of the pressing operation unit 10 and the rotating operation unit 11. When a pressing operation is performed on the pressing operation unit 10, a portion inside the pressing operation unit 10 presses the corresponding switch 2. The switch 2 outputs a signal based on the pressing condition from the signal line 12 to an external electronic device such as a personal computer.

[0059] That is, the operating device 1 described in the present application comprises: a pressing operation unit 10 for receiving a pressing operation from the outside, a rotating operation unit 11 for receiving an operation such as a rotating operation, and an output load unit 13, and further comprises a switch 2 inside. Furthermore, the operating device 1 transmits the pressing operation received by the pressing operation unit 10 and / or the rotating operation unit 11 to the switch 2 as a pressing operation from the outside, and outputs a signal based on the operation of the switch 2 to an external electronic device.

[0060] <Structure of switch 2>

[0061] Next, the switch 2 described in the present application will be described. Figure 2 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the switch 2 described in the present application. It should be noted that in the present application specification, the direction of the switch 2 is Figure 2 , the left near front side is represented as the front, the right deep side is represented as the rear, the left deep side is represented as the left, the right near front side is represented as the right, the top is represented as the top, and the bottom is represented as the bottom. These are directions for convenience of explanation and are not used to limit the assembly direction of the switch 2. As described above, the switch 2 is housed inside an electronic device such as an operating device 1 as a micro switch, and receives a pressing operation received by a pressing operation portion 10 of the operating device 1 as a pressing from the outside.

[0062] The switch 2 has a housing 20 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 20 is formed of a base 20a at a lower portion and a cover 20b at an upper portion. A rectangular insertion hole 200 through which a pressing member 21 is inserted is provided on the upper surface of the housing 20 from the center to the left in front view. The pressing member 21 inserted in the insertion hole 200 is a member that receives pressure from the outside of the housing 20 and moves up and down within a range from a first position at the upper end to a second position at the lower end, and the upper end of the pressing member 21 protrudes from the upper surface of the housing 20.

[0063] In addition, a first terminal member 22 (see FIG. 2 ) described later protrudes from the lower surface of the housing 20. Figure 3 etc.) part, namely the first terminal 220 and the second terminal member 23 described later (refer to Figure 3 etc.), namely, a second terminal 230, and a light emitting unit 24 described later (see Figure 3 etc.) part, namely the third terminal pair 240 and the light receiving unit 25 described later (refer to Figure 3The first terminal 220 protrudes from the left end side of the lower surface of the housing 20. The second terminal 230 protrudes from the center of the lower surface of the housing 20. The third terminal pair 240 and the fourth terminal pair 250 protrude from the right end side of the lower surface of the housing 20, front and back, left and right in parallel. The two terminals protruding in parallel on the front side of the lower surface of the housing 20 are the third terminal pair 240, and the two terminals protruding in parallel on the rear side are the fourth terminal pair 250.

[0064] In the switch 2 formed in this way, the pressing operation received from the outside by the operating device 1 is transmitted to the pressing member 21 as a pressing force from outside the housing 20. The pressing member 21 receives the pressing force from the outside and moves from the upper first position to the lower second position. When the pressing force from the outside is released, the pressing member 21 moves from the lower second position to the upper first position.

[0065] Next, the internal structure of the switch 2 will be described. Figure 3 It is a perspective exploded schematic diagram showing an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch 2 described in the present application. Figure 4 and Figure 5 From the front view, the Figure 2 The cross section is cut through a vertical plane including the AB line segment shown. Figure 4 Indicates that the pressing component 21 is in the first position. Figure 5 The figure shows a state where the pressing member 21 is moved to the second position by receiving a pressing operation from the outside.

[0066] A space as a storage chamber 201 for storing various components of the on / off electronic circuit can be ensured in the housing 20 of the switch 2. An insertion hole 200 penetrating from the outside of the housing 20 is opened on the upper surface of the storage chamber 201, and a pressing member 21 is inserted into the insertion hole 200.

[0067] Various components stored in the storage chamber 201 are described. In the storage chamber 201, in addition to the pressing component 21, the first terminal component 22, the second terminal component 23, the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25, various components such as a movable component 26 are also provided. A first stopper 221 formed at the upper left end of the first terminal component 22 is provided at the lower left side of the storage chamber 201, and a second stopper 222 formed at the upper right end of the first terminal component 22 is provided at the lower center of the storage chamber 201. The second terminal component 23 is provided at the lower right side of the storage chamber 201. A contact component 27 is installed at the upper part of the second terminal component 23. A light emitting unit 24 is provided at the lower right side of the storage chamber 201 and in front of the second terminal component 23, and a light receiving unit 25 is provided at the rear of the second terminal component 23. The movable member 26 is disposed so as to extend horizontally in the storage chamber 201 , and is locked by the first locking portion 221 and the second locking portion 222 of the first terminal member 22 .

[0068] In addition, the first terminal member 22, the second terminal member 23, and the contact member 27 will be described. Figure 6 1 is a schematic diagram showing an external appearance of an example of the first terminal member 22 , the second terminal member 23 , and the contact member 27 included in the switch 2 according to the present application. Figure 6 This is a front view of the switch 2 from the front, and only illustrates the first terminal member 22, the second terminal member 23, and the contact member 27 provided in the switch 2. Figures 3 to 6 The first terminal member 22 , the second terminal member 23 , and the contact member 27 illustrated in the figure are all formed of conductive metal plates, and the first terminal member 22 , the second terminal member 23 , and the contact member 27 are separately disposed in the housing 20 .

[0069] The first terminal component 22 is formed by using a metal plate cut out from a conductive metal plate such as brass by cutting, cutting, or other removal processes. The first terminal component 22 formed in a plate shape is erected on the base 20a of the housing 20 so that the normal direction is the front-to-back direction. The lower part of the first terminal component 22 is formed as a first terminal 220 protruding from the lower surface of the housing 20, and can be electrically connected to the electronic circuit on the substrate of the operating device 1 by welding or other methods. The upper part of the first terminal component 22 located in the storage chamber 201 is divided into two parts, the left side is formed as a first stopper 221, and the right side is formed as a second stopper 222. The first stopper 221 and the second stopper 222 are bent toward the front side to easily stop the movable component 26.

[0070] The second terminal member 23 is formed by using a metal plate cut out by cutting or cutting from a conductive metal plate such as brass. The second terminal member 23 formed in a plate shape is erected on the base 20a of the housing 20 with the normal direction being the front-back direction. The second terminal member 23 is erected at a position behind the light-emitting unit 24 and in front of the light-receiving unit 25, separated from the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25. The lower part of the second terminal member 23 is formed as a second terminal 230 protruding from the lower surface of the housing 20, and can be electrically connected to the electronic circuit on the substrate of the operating device 1 by welding or other methods. A mounting hole 231 for mounting the contact member 27 is formed at the upper part of the second terminal member 23 located in the storage chamber 201. The mounting hole 231 is a cut extending downward from the fracture surface during cutting, that is, the upper end of the second terminal member 23, and penetrates in the normal direction of the second terminal member 23. From the perspective of the normal direction of the second terminal member 23, the shape of the mounting hole 231 is a shape in which two rectangles are overlapped on top and bottom, and the inner diameter of the hole in the upper part of the upper rectangle is narrow in the left-right direction, and the inner diameter of the hole in the lower part of the lower rectangle is expanded in the left-right direction. In the second terminal member 23, below the mounting hole 231 is a light shielding plate 232 for shielding the light emitted from the light emitting unit 24, and a light-transmitting hole 233 is provided in the light shielding plate 232 for transmitting the light emitted from the light emitting unit 24.

[0071] A contact member 27 is mounted on the upper portion of the second terminal member 23 located in the storage chamber 201. The contact member 27 is formed of a metal having conductivity and high durability, such as silver. The contact member 27 is mounted in the mounting hole 231 of the second terminal member 23 in an embedded state by a processing method such as riveting. The lower portion of the contact member 27 is a fitting portion 270 that is fitted in the mounting hole 231 of the second terminal member 23, and the upper portion is a protrusion 271 that protrudes upward from the upper end of the fracture surface of the second terminal member 23. When the pressing member 21 is located at the second position and the movable member 26 is pressed by the pressing member 21, the protrusion 271 of the contact member 27 contacts the movable member 26. In addition, when the pressing member 21 is located at the first position and the movable member 26 is released from the pressed state, the movable member 26 is separated from the protrusion 271 of the contact member 27.

[0072] Next, the movable member 26 will be described. Figure 7 1 is a perspective enlarged schematic diagram showing a part of the movable member 26 and its surroundings of the switch 2 described in the present application. Figure 7 In FIG. 1 , the right end side periphery of the movable member 26 is enlarged and shown together with other members such as the second terminal member 23 and the contact member 27, and a part is shown transparently to facilitate the understanding of the positional relationship. Figures 3 to 5 and Figure 7The movable member 26 illustrated in the figure is a flexible member formed of a conductive metal thin plate such as a copper plate, and is arranged in the storage chamber 201 so that the length direction is the left-right direction. The left end side of the movable member 26 is a fixed end that is locked in the first locking portion 221 and used as a swing fulcrum 260. The right end side of the movable member 26 swings as a free end, and contacts / separates with the contact member 27 installed on the second terminal member 23 through the swing. A movable contact 261 protruding downward is formed on the lower surface of the right end side of the movable member 26, and the movable member 26 abuts against the contact member 27 at the movable contact 261. In addition, the front part of the right end side of the movable member 26 is a substantially rectangular light shielding sheet 262 that is bent downward from the end. The light shielding sheet 262 is formed so that the normal direction is the front-back direction, and a substantially rectangular light-transmitting window 263 is provided to transmit the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24. The light shielding sheet 262 is located in front of the second terminal member 23 and behind the light emitting unit 24 when it is separated from the second terminal member 23 and the light emitting unit 24, so as to enter between the second terminal member 23 and the light emitting unit 24. It should be noted that a force applying portion 264 is formed on the movable member 26, which is punched and bent into an arc shape near the center and serves as a return spring, and the front end of the force applying portion 264 is locked in the second locking portion 222 formed near the center of the storage chamber 201. The force applying portion 264 generates a reaction force that opposes the pressing of the pressing member 21.

[0073] In addition, the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 will be described. Figure 8 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the light emitting unit 24 of the switch 2 described in the present application. Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 8 The light-emitting unit 24 illustrated in the figure emits light, and the light-receiving unit 25 receives the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24. The light-emitting unit 24 is composed of a light-emitting element 241 such as an LED. The light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 is molded in a unit housing 242 made of resin, and a third terminal pair 240 protrudes from the unit housing 242. Two substantially linear lead frames 243 are arranged inside the unit housing 242. One end of the lead frame 243 protrudes from the inside of the unit housing 242 to the outside, forming the third terminal pair 240. The other end side of the lead frame 243 is located in the unit housing 242, and the light-emitting element 241 is placed, and is connected by a metal wire 244. The light-emitting element 241, the lead frame 243, and the metal wire 244 are arranged at the bottom of a recess formed in the unit housing 242. The concave portion formed in the unit housing 242 is filled with a resin such as epoxy resin having a high light transmittance during the manufacturing process, and components such as the light emitting element 241 are molded in the unit housing 242 in a state visible from the outside. Since the appearance of the light receiving unit 25 is substantially the same as that of the light emitting unit 24, the light receiving unit 25 is used. Figure 8The light receiving unit 25 is a detection unit for detecting received light, and is composed of a light receiving element 251 such as a PD (Photo Diode) and a PT (Photo Transistor). Since the structure of the light receiving unit 25 is substantially the same as that of the light emitting unit 24, the description of the light emitting unit 24 can be referred to, and the detailed description is omitted. It should be noted that the light emitting element 241 and the third terminal pair 240 described as the structure of the light emitting unit 24 can be interpreted as the light receiving element 251 and the fourth terminal pair 250 when understanding the light receiving unit 25.

[0074] 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 and the light receiving element 251 are opposite to each other at opposite positions so that the light receiving element 251 of the light receiving unit 25 receives light emitted from the light emitting element 241 of the light emitting unit 24. The light emitting unit 24 is energized through the third terminal pair 240, thereby causing the light emitting element 241 of the light emitting unit 24 to emit light. When the light receiving element 251 of the light receiving unit 25 detects light, the energization state changes, so an on signal based on the change in the energization state caused by the light reception is output from the fourth terminal pair 250.

[0075] The attachment of the contact member 27 in the assembly process of the switch 2 configured as described above will be described. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 2 is a perspective enlarged schematic diagram showing an example of the installation of the contact member 27 in the switch 2 described in the present application. The contact member 27 before the second terminal member 23 is installed is formed into a flat cylindrical shape with a lower fitting portion 270 that is roughly circular in cross-section. The height and diameter of the fitting portion 270 are designed based on the inner diameter of the hole at the bottom of the installation hole 231 of the second terminal member 23. Fig. 9 In the example of FIG. 1 , the contact member 27 is embedded in the mounting hole 231 of the second terminal member 23 from the front or rear side, which is the normal direction. Then, the fitting portion 270 of the contact member 27 embedded in the mounting hole 231 of the second terminal member 23 is riveted by a caulking process that applies pressure from the front and rear sides, which are the normal direction, until the width of the fitting portion 270 of the contact member 27 in the pressurizing direction is substantially the same as the thickness in the normal direction of the second terminal member 23. The contact member 27 is mounted on the second terminal member 23 by the caulking process described above. As a method of mounting the contact member 27 on the second terminal member 23, the mounting operation can be performed even in a narrow working space in the housing 20 by adopting the caulking process.

[0076] The operation of the switch 2 configured as described above will be described. Figures 11 to 14 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch 2 described in the present application. Fig.11 and Fig.13 From the front view, it shows the Figure 2 The cross section is cut through a vertical plane including the AB line segment shown. Fig.12 and Fig.14 From the front view, it shows the Figure 2 The cross section is cut along a vertical plane including the CD line segment shown. Fig.11 and Fig.12 It shows the state where the pressing member 21 is located in the first position. Fig.13 and Fig.14 The figure shows a state where the pressing member 21 is moved to the second position by receiving a pressing operation from the outside.

[0077] The pressing member 21 of the switch 2 receives the pressure from the outside, moves downward, and presses the movable member 26. At the beginning of the pressing of the pressing member 21, the movable member 26 is forced upward by the force applying portion 264. Fig.13 and Fig.14 In the example of, when the pressing of the pressing member 21 exceeds a predetermined stage, the force applying portion 264 is reversely bent, and the free end of the movable member 26, that is, the right end side, drops downward. That is, by pressing the movable member 26, the free end of the movable member 26, and the right end side where the movable contact 261 and the light shielding sheet 262 are formed, drops. As the right end side of the movable member 26 drops, the movable contact 261 contacts the protrusion 271 of the contact member 27 mounted on the upper part of the second terminal member 23. As the movable contact 261 of the movable member 26 contacts the protrusion 271 of the contact member 27, the first terminal 220 of the first terminal member 22 and the second terminal 230 of the second terminal member 23 become conductive. As the first terminal 220 and the second terminal 230 are conductive, the first circuit outside the switch 2 can be closed, and a connection signal can be output.

[0078] As the light shielding sheet 262 of the movable part 26 descends, 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 light transmission window 263 opened in the light shielding sheet 262. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting element 241 of the light emitting unit 24 passes through the light transmission hole 233 opened in the light shielding plate 232 of the second terminal part 23, and then passes through the light transmission window 263 opened in the light shielding sheet 262 of the movable part 26 to reach the light receiving element 251 of the light receiving unit 25. Since the light receiving element 251 receives the light from the light emitting element 241, the second circuit outside the switch 2 is in a closed on state, so that the on signal can be output.

[0079] As the right end side of the movable part 26 descends, the movable contact 261 of the movable part 26 contacts the protrusion 271 of the contact part 27 mounted on the second terminal part 23. As the movable contact 261 of the metal movable part 26 collides with the protrusion 271 of the metal contact part 27, a metal knocking sound is generated. The user recognizes the metal knocking sound generated by the collision of the movable part 26 and the contact part 27 as a click sound. In addition, the user recognizes the feeling of the collision of the movable part 26 and the contact part 27 as a click feeling. It should be noted that by appropriately designing the materials and shapes of the movable part 26 and the contact part 27, the sound and the feeling of collision generated when the movable part 26 collides with the contact part 27 can be controlled, and the click sound and the click feeling can also be adjusted. For example, by using materials and shapes that are difficult to produce click sounds, silence can be achieved when clicking.

[0080] like Fig.11 and Fig.12 In the example of FIG. 1 , when the pressing of the pressing member 21 is released, the movable member 26 is forced upward due to the reaction force of the force applying portion 264, and the force applying portion 264 that was once reversed also returns to its original shape. Since the movable member 26 is forced upward, the pressing member 21 moves upward. By applying force to the movable member 26 by the force applying portion 264, the movable contact 261 and the light shielding sheet 262 located on the right end side of the movable member 26 rise. Since the right end side of the movable member 26 rises, the movable contact 261 is separated from the contact member 27. Since the movable member 26 is separated from the contact member 27, the first terminal member 22 and the second terminal member 23 are insulated. Since the first terminal member 22 and the second terminal member 23 are insulated, the first circuit is open. Since the light shielding sheet 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 shielding sheet 262, and the second circuit is in an open disconnected state.

[0081] Next, the opening / closing of the circuit formed by the switch 2 described in the present application will be described. Fig.15 and Fig.16 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. Fig.15 and Fig.16 From the front view, it shows the Figure 2 The cross section is cut by a vertical plane including the AB line segment shown in FIG. Fig.15 and Fig.16 In FIG. 1 , the outer shapes of the first terminal member 22 and the second terminal member 23 which are hidden by the housing 20 are shown by dotted lines. Fig.16 In the figure, the light shielding sheet 262 of the movable member 26 is seen through in order to understand the relationship between the movable contact 261 and the contact member 27. Fig.15The pressing member 21 is shown in the state of being located at the first position at the upper side without being pressed from the outside. Fig.16 The pressing member 21 is shown in the state of being in the second position at the bottom due to being pressed from the outside. Fig.15 The illustrated state transitions to the pressed Fig.16 In the illustrated state, the right end side of the movable member 26 is lowered, and the movable member 26 contacts the contact member 27. Since the movable member 26 contacts the contact member 27, the first terminal member 22 and the second terminal member 23 are in a conductive state. Since the first terminal 220 of the first terminal member 22 and the second terminal 230 of the second terminal member 23 are conductive, Fig.16 As shown by the solid arrow in the middle, current flows, and the first circuit is closed and becomes on. Fig.15 In the state illustrated in FIG, the current that had been flowing is cut off, and the first circuit is opened to become an off state.

[0082] Fig.17 and Fig.18 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. Fig.17 and Fig.18 From the right perspective, it shows the Figure 2 The cross section is cut through a vertical plane including the line segment EF shown. Fig.17 The pressing member 21 is shown in the state of being located at the first position at the upper side without being pressed from the outside. Fig.18 The pressing member 21 is shown in the state of being in the second position at the bottom due to being pressed from the outside. Fig.17 The illustrated state transitions to the pressed Fig.18 In the illustrated state, the right end side of the movable member 26 is lowered, so that the light 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 light transmission window 263 opened in the light shielding sheet 262. Fig.18 As shown by the solid arrow in the middle, the light emitted from the light emitting element 241 of the light emitting unit 24 passes through the light-transmitting hole 233 opened in the light shielding plate 232 of the second terminal part 23, and then passes through the light-transmitting window 263 opened in the light shielding sheet 262 of the movable part 26 to reach the light receiving element 251 of the light receiving unit 25. Since the light receiving element 251 receives the light from the light emitting element 241, the second circuit becomes closed and connected. By releasing the external pressure and returning to Fig.17 In the illustrated state, the optical path between the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251 is cut off, and the second circuit is opened to become an off state. Figures 15 to 18As described above, the switch 2 of the present application opens / closes the first circuit and the second circuit based on the operation of the movable member 26 , so the opening / closing timing of the first circuit and the second circuit can be synchronized.

[0083] <Implementation example of operating device 1>

[0084] Next, an implementation example of the operating device 1 equipped with the switch 2 described in the present application will be described. Fig.19 This is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of the first embodiment of the operating device 1 described in the present application. The switch 2 has a contact mechanism 28 using components such as the first terminal member 22 and the second terminal member 23, and a non-contact mechanism 29 using components such as the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25. The contact mechanism 28 opens / closes the first circuit, i.e., the circuit of the signal control unit 14, by the swing of the movable member 26, and outputs an electronic signal to an external device such as a personal computer. The non-contact mechanism 29 opens / closes the second circuit, i.e., the circuit of the load control unit 15, by the swing of the movable member 26, and causes the LED of the output load unit 13 to emit light. Fig.19 The first embodiment illustrated is an embodiment in which the first circuit and the second circuit are configured as different circuits. In the first embodiment, by pressing the pressing operation unit 10 of the operation device 1, a signal is output to an external device, and the LED of the output load unit 13 is illuminated. As a result, when the operation device 1 is operated, the LED of the output load unit 13 can be illuminated, so that the characteristics of the functions of the extended operation device 1 and the switch 2 can be improved. It should be noted that the output load unit 13 is not limited to the LED that emits light, and various power loads such as a speaker that outputs audio and a vibrator that vibrates can also be applied. In addition, the circuit of the load control unit 15 opened / closed by the contact mechanism 28 and the circuit of the signal control unit 14 opened / closed by the contactless mechanism 29 can be appropriately designed.

[0085] Fig. 20 This is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of the second embodiment of the operating device 1 described in the present application. 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 opened / closed by a contact mechanism 28 and a second circuit opened / closed by a contactless mechanism 29. By making the first circuit and the second circuit the same circuit, the signal control unit 14 can be opened / closed by both the contact mechanism 28 and the contactless mechanism 29. Therefore, even if a problem occurs on one of the contact mechanism 28 and the contactless mechanism 29, the other can make up for it. Therefore, it is possible to improve the characteristics of the operating device 1 and the switch 2, such as improving reliability.

[0086] Embodiments and uses of the operating device 1 described in this application Fig.19 and Fig. 20 The embodiment described above is not related to the embodiment described, and can be expanded into various modes. For example, the mechanism for opening / closing the circuit using the optical element illustrated as the contactless mechanism 29 needs to continuously or intermittently energize the optical element, which may cause the problem of standby power. In order to solve the above problem, by applying the contact mechanism 28 to the mechanism for opening / closing the circuit for energizing the optical element, the standby power can be suppressed. Specifically, in the switch 2, it can be expanded into the following mode, that is, when in standby, it becomes an off state in which the power to the contactless mechanism 29 is cut off. Then, when the contact mechanism 28 is in the on state, the contactless mechanism 29 is energized during the on state or before a certain period of time has passed since the on state, and becomes the on state, so that the contactless mechanism 29 works. The contactless mechanism 29 that is energized and becomes the on state can open / close the circuit in accordance with the operation of the pressing operation part 10 relative to the operating device 1. It should be noted that the energization control of the optical element by the contact mechanism 28 is not limited to the energization control of the non-contact mechanism 28 in accordance with the operation relative to the pressing operation portion 10, and can also be expanded to the energization control of the optical element applied in the position detection (mouse cursor position operation) of the operating device 1. In this way, the operating device 1 and the switch 2 described in the present application can improve various characteristics such as suppressing standby power.

[0087] As described above, the operating device 1 and the switch 2 described in the present application have good effects such as preventing the second terminal member 23 from being worn due to the contact of the movable member 26 and improving durability by installing the contact member 27 on the second terminal member 23 that is contacted / separated by the movable member 26. In particular, the contact member 27 is installed on the second terminal member 23 formed in a plate shape by riveting, thereby effectively improving durability even when the storage chamber 201 in the housing 20 is narrow. Therefore, even when the housing is unfolded to accommodate not only the contact mechanism 28 but also the non-contact mechanism 29 in the housing, it is possible to cope with the situation that the storage chamber 201 becomes narrow due to the storage of the non-contact mechanism 29.

[0088] In addition, the operating device 1 and the switch 2 described in the present application have a contact mechanism 28 using components such as the first terminal member 22 and the second terminal member 23, and a contactless mechanism 29 using components such as the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25. This has the good effect of being able to expand functions, improve reliability, suppress standby power, and improve various characteristics.

[0089] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may also be expanded into other various modes. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all aspects, and are not intended to be limiting. The technical scope of the present invention is described by the scope of the claims, and is not limited to this specification. In addition, deformation and changes within the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention.

[0090] For example, in the above embodiment, as the contactless mechanism 29, a method is shown in which an optical mechanism is formed by using a light emitting element 241 that emits light and a light receiving element 251 as a detection unit that detects light as a detection object, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various mechanisms without contacts can also be used. For example, it can be applied to various methods such as forming the contactless mechanism 28 using a magnet that generates a magnetic field and a Hall element as a detection unit that detects the magnetic field as a detection object.

[0091] In the above embodiment, a mode having the contact mechanism 28 and the non-contact mechanism 29 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be developed into various modes such as being applied to a mode having only the contact mechanism 28 .

[0092] In addition, in the above embodiment, the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 are stored in the housing 20, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, various forms can be developed, such as the following structure, that is, the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 are mounted on the substrate in the operating device 1 by a surface mounting method, and the housing 20 of the switch 2 is covered to cover the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 mounted on the substrate.

[0093] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the method of applying the movable part 26 to the mouse that performs a swinging action is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can also be applied to the switch 2 such as the key switch configured in the operating device 1, i.e., the keyboard. In this case, it is configured that the movable part 26 of the switch 2 performs an action of receiving a pressing operation and descending, and by descending, it abuts against the contact part 27 installed on the second terminal part 23 by a method such as riveting. That is, the switch 2 described in the present application is a switch as follows, that is, it has a movable part 26 that receives an operation from the outside and performs an action, the movable part 26 is electrically connected to the first terminal part 22, and by performing an action, it electrically contacts / separates with the second terminal part 23, thereby making the first terminal part 22 and the second terminal part 23 electrically contact / separate, and can be used as a variety of switches 2 in which the second terminal part 23 is equipped with a conductive contact part 27 formed by different parts, and the movable part 26 contacts / separates with the contact part 27 by performing an action.

[0094] Description of Reference Numerals

[0095] 1 Operating device; 13 Output load unit; 14 Signal control unit; 15 Load control unit; 2 Switch; 20 Housing; 21 Pressing member; 22 First terminal member; 23 Second terminal member; 231 Mounting hole; 232 Light shielding plate; 233 Light transmission hole; 24 Light emitting unit; 240 Third terminal pair; 241 Light emitting element; 25 Light receiving unit; 250 Fourth terminal pair; 251 Light receiving element (detection unit); 26 Movable member; 262 Light shielding plate; 263 Light transmission window; 27 Contact member; 28 Contact mechanism; 29 Contactless mechanism.

Claims

1. A switch, characterized in that: have: A first component, having a first stopper formed on an upper portion thereof; A second component having a contact portion formed on an upper portion thereof; A movable member, one end of which is locked to the first locking portion to serve as a swing fulcrum, and the other end of which is a free end side that swings to contact / separate with the contact portion; The detection unit detects the change of the detection object according to the movement of the movable member, thereby opening and closing the circuit.

2. The switch according to claim 1, Also features: a light emitting element disposed on a first surface side of two surfaces of the second member that are substantially parallel to a swinging direction of the movable member; A light receiving element as a detection unit, which is arranged on the second surface side of the second member, which is on the opposite side to the first surface, among the two surfaces of the second member that are substantially parallel to the swing direction of the movable member, and can detect light emitted from the light emitting element; The second member forms an optical path for light emitted from the light emitting element on the first surface side to pass to the second surface side. The movable part has: an abutment portion, a lower surface of which contacts / is separated from the contact portion; The light shielding sheet is bent downward from the contact portion and enters between the second member and the light emitting element or the light receiving element, and transmits / shields light as the movable member swings, thereby opening / closing the circuit.

3. The switch according to claim 2, The light shielding sheet is provided with a light-transmitting window. When the abutting portion is in contact with the contact portion, the light-transmitting window does not block the light path. As the abutting portion is separated from the contact portion, the light shielding sheet blocks the light path.

4. The switch according to claim 2 or 3, The contact portion is provided at a position above the optical path.

5. The switch according to claim 2 or 3, It also has a housing for housing the first component, the second component, the movable component, the light emitting element, and the light receiving element. A portion is provided in the frame body protruding downward from the top surface, against which the upper surface of the abutting portion abuts when the abutting portion is separated from the contact portion.

6. The switch according to claim 2 or 3, The movable component is a flexible component formed by a metal thin plate, extending in a plate shape from the swing fulcrum side to the free end side, the abutment portion is located at the front end of the extension direction of the free end side, and the shading plate extends from the abutment portion downward in the swing direction.

7. The switch according to claim 6, The movable member has a biasing portion which is punched out near the center and bent into an arc shape and serves as a return spring. The biasing portion generates a force in a direction to separate the abutting portion from the contact portion.

8. An operating device, characterized in that: have: A pressing operation unit, which receives a pressing operation from the outside; The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pressing operation received by the pressing operation portion is transmitted as a pressing from the outside; The switch outputs a signal for opening / closing a circuit based on a pressure transmitted from the outside.

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