Switch, switch assembly and operating device

Abstract

The invention provides a switch, a switch assembly and an operation device, and functions can be expanded. The switch (2) is assembled in the operation device (1) as a switch assembly mounted on the substrate. A switch (2) incorporated into an operation device (1) has a movable member (26) that swings on a second end side with a first end side as a swing fulcrum (260). The switch (2) is provided with a contacted part (23) which is contacted with and separated from a movable part (26) through swinging of the movable part (26), and a light receiving element (251) for detecting light. The switch (2) is capable of opening and closing the first circuit by being brought into contact with and separated from the contacted member (23) by swinging the movable member (26). In addition, the switch (2) can open and close the second circuit by swinging the movable member (26) to transmit / block the light detected by the light-receiving element (251).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of December 9, 2020, application number 202011448367.1, and invention name "Switch, switch assembly and operating device". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a switch with a movable component, a switch assembly with the switch, and an operating device with the switch. Background Art

[0003] As input devices for electronic devices such as computers, operating devices such as mice equipped with switches such as microswitches have become popular. In recent years, mice used in computer games such as e-sports have been particularly demanding in terms of various features. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a microswitch that can be used as a switch for a mouse. The microswitch disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses an optical element to open and close a circuit.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2016 / 112842

[0007] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0008] Switches that open and close circuits without contact using elements such as optical elements as disclosed in Patent Document 1 are required to have improved characteristics and expanded functions as new fields such as e-sports develop. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention is proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its main object is to provide a switch that can improve various characteristics and expand functions.

[0010] In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a switch assembly using this type of switch.

[0011] In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide an operating device using this type of switch.

[0012] Technical solutions to technical problems

[0013] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the switch described in the present application is a switch having a movable part that swings on the second end side with the first end side as a swing fulcrum, and is characterized in that it has: a contacted part that contacts and separates with the movable part by the swinging of the movable part, and a light-receiving element that detects light. The first circuit can be opened and closed by the swinging of the movable part to contact and separate from the contacted part, and the second circuit can be opened and closed by the swinging of the movable part to transmit / block the light detected by the light-receiving element.

[0014] In addition, the switch described in the present application is a switch having a conductive movable part that swings on the second end side with the first end side as a swing fulcrum, and is characterized in that it has: a conductive supporting part that supports the first end side of the movable part freely in a swinging manner, a conductive contacted part that contacts and separates from the second end side by the swinging of the movable part, and a light-receiving element that detects light, the movable part having a light-shielding plate that blocks the light to be received by the light-receiving element, and the first circuit can be opened and closed by the swinging of the movable part to contact and separate from the contacted part, and the second circuit can be opened and closed by the light-shielding plate that transmits / blocks light as the movable part swings.

[0015] Furthermore, the switch is characterized in that the supporting member is formed of a conductive material, and when the movable member contacts the contacted member, electrical conduction is established between the supporting member and the contacted member, thereby closing the first circuit.

[0016] In addition, the switch described in the present application is a switch having a movable part that operates based on pressure from the outside, and is characterized in that it has: a detection part that detects a detection object, a contact mechanism that can open and close a first circuit by making contact and separating according to the movement of the movable part, and a contactless mechanism that can open and close a second circuit by controlling the detection performed by the detection part according to the movement of the movable part.

[0017] Furthermore, based on the switch, it is characterized in that the first circuit and the second circuit are different circuits.

[0018] Furthermore, based on the switch, it is characterized in that the first circuit and the second circuit are the same circuit.

[0019] In addition, the switch assembly described in the present application is a switch having a movable part that is configured with a first end side as a swing fulcrum and swings on a second end side, and a substrate on which the switch is mounted, and is characterized in that it has a light-receiving element that detects light, and the switch has a contacted part that is brought into contact with and separated from the movable part by the swinging of the movable part, and can open and close a first circuit by bringing the movable part into contact with and separated from the contacted part by the swinging, and can open and close a second circuit by letting the movable part pass / block the light detected by the light-receiving element by the swinging.

[0020] Furthermore, the switch assembly is characterized in that the light receiving element is mounted on the substrate by surface mounting.

[0021] In addition, the switch assembly described in the present application is a switch having a movable part that is configured to operate based on external pressure, and a substrate on which the switch is mounted, and is characterized in that it has a detection part that detects a detection object, the switch has a contacted part that is brought into contact with and separated from the movable part by swinging, and has: a contact mechanism that can open and close a first circuit by making contact and separating according to the action of the movable part, and a contactless mechanism that can open and close a second circuit by controlling the detection performed by the detection part according to the action of the movable part.

[0022] In addition, the operating device described in the present application is characterized in that it has: a pressing operation part that receives a pressing operation from the outside, and the switch that transmits the pressing operation received by the pressing operation part as a pressing pressure from the outside, and the switch outputs a signal to open or close the circuit based on the transmitted pressing pressure from the outside.

[0023] In addition, the operating device described in the present application is characterized in that it has: a pressing operation part that receives a pressing operation from the outside, and the switch component that transmits the pressing operation received by the pressing operation part as a pressing pressure from the outside, and the switch component outputs a signal for opening and closing the circuit based on the transmitted pressing pressure from the outside.

[0024] The switch, switch assembly, and operating device described in the present application include a contact mechanism capable of opening and closing a first circuit, and a contactless mechanism capable of opening and closing a second circuit.

[0025] Effects of the Invention

[0026] The switch, switch assembly, and operating device of the present invention include a contact mechanism for opening and closing a first circuit and a contactless mechanism for opening and closing a second circuit. As a result, the present invention enables the application of each opening and closing mechanism in a variety of applications, and is expected to significantly enhance the various characteristics and functions of the switch, switch assembly, and operating device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the operating device described in the present application.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the switch described in the present application.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the switch described in the present application.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch described in the present application.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic external view showing an example of a supporting member and a contacted member included in the switch described in the present application.

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic external view showing an example of a light emitting unit included in the switch described in the present application.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the switch described in the present application.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the switch described in the present application.

[0035] Figure 9 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the switch described in the present application.

[0036] Figure 10 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the switch described in the present application.

[0037] Figure 11 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the first embodiment of the switch assembly described in the present application.

[0038] Figure 12 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a second embodiment of the switch assembly described in the present application.

[0039] Figure 13This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a third embodiment of the switch assembly described in the present application.

[0040] Figure 14 This is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of the first embodiment of the operating device described in the present application.

[0041] Figure 15 This is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of the second embodiment of the operating device described in the present application.

[0042] Description of Reference Numerals

[0043] 1 Operating device; 13 Light-emitting unit; 130 Output load unit; 14 Signal control unit; 15 Load control unit; 2 Switch; 20 Housing; 21 Pressing member; 22 Supporting 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 unit); 26 Movable member; 260 Swing fulcrum; 261 Movable contact portion; 262 Light shielding plate; 263 Transmission window; 27 Contact mechanism; 28 Non-contact mechanism; 3 Substrate; 4 Switch assembly (switch component). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] Application Examples

[0046] The operating device described in this application is used, for example, as an operating device such as a mouse for operating a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC). Furthermore, the switch described in this application is incorporated as a microswitch into various electronic devices, including operating devices. The switch is incorporated into the operating device as a switch assembly (hereinafter referred to as a switch assembly) mounted on a substrate. The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, will focus on an operating device 1 and switch 2, illustrated in the drawings, and further on a switch assembly 4 in which the switch 2 is mounted on a substrate 3.

[0047] <Operating device 1>

[0048] 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 described in the present application. Figure 1An 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 accepts an operation by a user's finger, and a rotating operation portion 11 such as a mouse wheel that accepts an operation by a user's finger. It should be noted that the rotating operation portion 11 is configured to accept 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 also output electronic signals using various communication methods such as wireless communication. In addition, a light-emitting portion 13 designed to be wavy is formed on the side of the operating device 1. The light-emitting portion 13 includes a translucent resin plate and a built-in output load portion 130 (see FIG. 1 ) described later. Figure 14 The output load unit 130 of the light emitting unit 13 is formed using an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light emitting unit 13 emits light as the LED built into the output load unit 130 emits light.

[0049] In addition to the output load unit 130, the operating device 1 also houses switches 2, described below, in each of the push-operation unit 10 and the rotational operation unit 11. When a push-operation unit 10 is pressed, the corresponding switch 2 within the unit 10 is pressed. The switch 2 outputs a signal based on the pressed state via a signal line 12 to an external electronic device such as a personal computer.

[0050] Specifically, the operating device 1 described in this application includes a push operation portion 10 for receiving a push operation from the outside, a rotational operation portion 11 for receiving an operation such as a rotational operation, and a light emitting portion 13. Furthermore, the operating device 1 internally includes a switch 2 and an output load portion 130. Furthermore, the operating device 1 transmits the push operation received by the push operation portion 10 and / or the rotational operation portion 11 as an external pressure to the switch 2, and outputs a signal based on the operation of the switch 2 via a signal line 12 to an external electronic device.

[0051] <Structure of Switch 2>

[0052] Next, the switch 2 described in the present application will be described. Figure 2 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the switch 2 described in this application. It should be noted that in this application specification, the direction of the switch 2 is Figure 2The left near front side is referred to as the front, the right deep side as the rear, the left deep side as the left, the right near front side as the right, the top as the top, and the bottom as the bottom. These directions are for ease of explanation and are not intended to limit the assembly direction of the switch 2. As described above, the switch 2 is a micro switch housed within an electronic device such as an operating device 1, and receives a pressing operation from a portion such as the pressing operation portion 10 of the operating device 1 as an external pressing operation.

[0053] The switch 2 includes a housing 20 formed into a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 20 is composed of a lower base 20a and an upper cover 20b. A rectangular insertion hole 200 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 20, to the left of the center when viewed from the front. The pressing member 21, inserted through the insertion hole 200, is moved vertically between a first upper position and a second lower position in response to pressure from outside the housing 20. The upper end of the pressing member 21 protrudes from the upper surface of the housing 20.

[0054] Furthermore, a support member 22 (see FIG. 2 ) described later is protruded from the lower surface of the housing 20. Figure 3 etc.) part, namely the first terminal 220, the contacted member 23 described later (see Figure 3 etc.) part, namely the second terminal 230, the 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 3 The first terminal 220 protrudes from the left end of the lower surface of the housing 20. The second terminal 230 protrudes from near 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 of the lower surface of the housing 20, in parallel in the front, back, left, and right directions. 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.

[0055] In the switch 2 thus constructed, an external pressing operation received by the operating device 1 is transmitted to the pressing member 21 as a pressure from outside the housing 20. The pressing member 21 moves from an upper first position to a lower second position in response to the external pressure, and moves from the lower second position to the upper first position when the external pressure is released.

[0056] Next, the internal structure of the switch 2 will be described. Figure 3 This is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. Figure 4 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 Shown from the front view with Figure 2 The cross section is cut by a plane perpendicular to the line segment AB shown.

[0057] A space serving as a storage chamber 201 for housing various components of the switch 2's opening and closing electronic circuits is secured within the housing 20. The upper surface of the storage chamber 201 has an insertion hole 200 extending from the outside of the housing 20, through which a pressing member 21 is inserted.

[0058] The various components housed within the storage chamber 201 are described below. In addition to the aforementioned pressing member 21, support member 22, contacted member 23, light-emitting unit 24, and light-receiving unit 25, various other components, such as a movable member 26, are also provided within the storage chamber 201. A first latching portion 221, which is a portion of the support member 22, is provided on the left side of the storage chamber 201, and a second latching portion 222, which is a portion of the support member 22, is provided near the center of the storage chamber 201. The contacted member 23 is provided on the right side of the storage chamber 201. The light-emitting unit 24 is provided on the lower right side of the storage chamber 201, in front of the contacted member 23, and the light-receiving unit 25 is provided behind the contacted member 23. The movable member 26 is arranged to extend left and right within the storage chamber 201 and is secured by the first latching portion 221 and the second latching portion 222 of the support member 22.

[0059] Next, the supporting member 22 and the contacted member 23 will be described. Figure 5 This is a schematic external view showing an example of the support member 22 and the contacted member 23 included in the switch 2 described in the present application. Figure 5 This is a front view of the switch 2, showing only the supporting member 22 and the contacted member 23 provided in the switch 2. Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 The supporting member 22 and the contacted member 23 shown in the figure are both formed of conductive metal plates and are separately disposed in the housing 20 .

[0060] The support member 22 is formed into a thin plate and is arranged upright with its normal direction oriented in the front-to-back direction. The lower portion of the support member 22 forms a first terminal 220 protruding from the lower surface of the housing 20. The upper portion of the support member 22, located within the storage chamber 201, is divided into two left and right sections: a left side forming a first locking portion 221, and a right side forming a second locking portion 222. The first locking portion 221 and the second locking portion 222 are curved near the front to facilitate locking of the movable member 26.

[0061] The contacted member 23 is formed into a thin plate-like shape, standing upright with its normal direction oriented in the front-to-back direction. It is positioned upright, separated from the light-emitting unit 24 and the light-receiving unit 25, and located behind the light-emitting unit 24 and in front of the light-receiving unit 25. The lower portion of the contacted member 23 is formed as a second terminal 230 protruding from the lower surface of the housing 20. When the pressing member 21 is in the second position and the movable member 26 is pressed by the pressing member 21, the upper portion of the contacted member 23 located within the storage chamber 201 becomes a contacted portion 231 with which the movable member 26 contacts. A light shielding plate 232 is formed below the contacted portion 231 in the contacted member 23 to block light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24. A light shielding plate 232 is provided with a transmission hole 233 through which light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24 passes.

[0062] Next, the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 will be described. Figure 6 : is a schematic external view showing an example of the light emitting unit 24 of the switch 2 described in this application. Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 6 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 constructed using 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 roughly 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 thereon, and is connected by a wire 244. The light-emitting element 241, the lead frame 243, and the wire 244 are arranged at the bottom of a recess formed in the unit housing 242. The recess formed in the unit housing 242 is filled with a resin with high transmittance, such as epoxy resin, during the manufacturing process, and components such as the light emitting element 241 are molded in the unit housing 242 while being visible from the outside. Figure 6 The light-emitting unit 24 is shown with its housing 242 filled with a highly transmissive resin, allowing the interior to be visible. The light-receiving unit 25, serving as a light-detecting unit, utilizes a light-receiving element 251, such as a PD (photo diode) or PT (photo transistor). The structure of the light-receiving unit 25 is essentially the same as that of the light-emitting unit 24, so the detailed description of the light-emitting unit 24 can be referenced and omitted. It should be noted that when understanding the light-receiving unit 25, the light-emitting element 241 and third terminal pair 240 described as part of the light-emitting unit 24 can be interpreted as the light-receiving element 251 and fourth terminal pair 250.

[0063] Within 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 of the light-receiving unit 25 are opposite each other, so that the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25 receives light emitted by the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24. Power is supplied to the light-emitting unit 24 through the third terminal pair 240, causing the light-emitting element 241 of the light-receiving unit 24 to emit light. When the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25 detects light, its power supply status changes. Therefore, an on signal based on the change in power supply status caused by the light reception is output from the fourth terminal pair 250.

[0064] In addition, the movable member 26 will be described. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The movable member 26 shown in the example is a member formed of a conductive metal plate and is arranged in the storage chamber 201 with its longitudinal direction in the left-right direction. The left end side of the movable member 26 is locked in the first locking portion 221, becoming a fixed end used as a swing fulcrum 260. The right end side of the movable member 26 is a movable contact portion 261 that swings as a free end and contacts and separates from the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23 by swinging. In addition, the right end side of the movable member 26 is a roughly rectangular shading piece 262 that bends downward from the movable contact portion 261. The shading piece 262 is formed so that the normal direction is the front-to-back direction, and is provided with a roughly rectangular transmission window 263 that transmits the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24. The light shielding sheet 262 is located in front of the contacted component 23 and behind the light-emitting unit 24. When separated from the contacted component 23 and the light-emitting unit 24, it is positioned between the contacted component 23 and the light-emitting unit 24. It should be noted that the movable component 26 has a force-applying portion 264 formed near the center, which is punched and curved into an arc shape and serves as a return spring. The front end of the force-applying portion 264 is engaged by a second engaging portion 222 formed near the center of the storage chamber 201. The force-applying portion 264 generates a reaction force against the pressing force of the pressing component 21.

[0065] In the switch 2 described above, the pressing member 21 receives external pressure and moves downward, pressing the movable member 26. As the movable member 26 is pressed, the movable contact portion 261 and the light shielding plate 262 at the free end, i.e., the right end, of the movable member 26 descend. As the movable contact portion 261 of the movable member 26 descends, it contacts the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23. As the movable contact portion 261 of the movable member 26 contacts the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23, electrical conduction is established between the first terminal 220 of the support member 22 and the second terminal 230 of the contacted member 23. The electrical conduction between the first terminal 220 and the second terminal 230 closes the first circuit external to the switch 2, outputting an on signal. As the light shielding plate 262 of the movable member 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 transmissive window 263 provided in the light shielding plate 262. Consequently, light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 passes through the transmissive window 263 provided in the light shielding plate 262 of the movable member 26, and further passes through the transmissive hole 233 provided in the light shielding plate 232 of the contacted member 23, reaching the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25. Since the light-receiving element 251 receives light from the light-emitting element 241, the second circuit outside the switch 2 is closed, and an on signal is output. Furthermore, as the movable contact portion 261 of the movable member 26 descends, the movable contact portion 261 contacts the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23. The movable contact portion 261 of the metal movable member 26 collides with the contacted portion 231 of the metal contacted member 23, thereby generating a metallic knocking sound. The user recognizes the metallic knocking sound generated by the collision of the movable member 26 and the contacted member 23 as a clicking sound. In addition, the user recognizes the feeling of the collision of the movable member 26 and the contacted member 23 as a clicking sensation. It should be noted that by appropriately designing the materials and shapes of the movable member 26 and the contacted member 23, it is also possible to control the sound generated when the movable member 26 collides with the contacted member 23, as well as the feeling of the collision, and adjust the clicking sound and clicking sensation. For example, by using materials and shapes that are less likely to produce a clicking sound, it is possible to achieve silence when clicking.

[0066] When the pressing of the pressing member 21 is released, the reaction force of the force-applying portion 264 is used to apply force upward to the movable member 26. As the force is applied upward to the movable member 26, the pressing member 21 moves upward. As the force is applied upward to the movable member 26 by the force-applying portion 264, the movable contact portion 261 and the light shielding plate 262 located on the right end side of the movable member 26 rise. As the movable contact portion 261 of the movable member 26 rises, the movable contact portion 261 separates from the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23. As the movable contact portion 261 of the movable member 26 separates from the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23, the first terminal 220 of the supporting member 22 and the second terminal 230 of the contacted member 23 become insulated. As the first terminal 220 and the second terminal 230 are insulated, the first circuit is opened. As the light shielding 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 shielding piece 262 , thereby achieving an OFF state in which the second circuit is open.

[0067] Next, the opening and closing of the circuit formed by the switch 2 described in this application will be described. Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. Figure 7 and Figure 8 Shown from the front view with Figure 2 The cross section is cut by the vertical plane of the AB line segment shown in FIG. Figure 7 and Figure 8 In FIG. 1 , the outer shapes of the supporting member 22 and the contacted member 23 hidden in the housing 20 are indicated by dotted lines. Figure 7 The pressing member 21 is not pressed from the outside and is located at the first position at the upper side. Figure 8 The pressing member 21 receives pressure from the outside and moves downward, and is located at the second position below. Figure 7 The illustrated state transitions to the state of receiving the press Figure 8 In the illustrated state, the right end of the movable member 26 descends and the movable member 26 contacts the contacted member 23. As the movable member 26 contacts the contacted member 23, the first terminal 220 of the support member 22 and the second terminal 230 of the contacted member 23 become conductive. As the first terminal 220 and the second terminal 230 are conductive, Figure 8 As shown by the solid arrow in the figure, current flows, the first circuit is closed and the circuit is turned on. Figure 7 In the illustrated state, the current that was flowing is cut off, and the first circuit is opened to be in an OFF state.

[0068] Figure 9 and Figure 10This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. Figure 9 and Figure 10 From the right side, the view shows Figure 2 The cross section is obtained by cutting along a plane perpendicular to the CD segment shown. Figure 9 The pressing member 21 is not pressed from the outside and is located at the first position at the upper side. Figure 10 The pressing member 21 receives pressure from the outside and moves downward, and is located at the second position below. Figure 9 The illustrated state transitions to the state of receiving the press Figure 10 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 transmission window 263 opened in the light shielding sheet 262. Figure 10 As shown by the solid arrow in FIG, the light emitted from the light emitting element 241 of the light emitting unit 24 passes through the transmission window 263 provided in the light shielding sheet 262 of the movable part 26, and passes through the transmission hole 233 provided in the light shielding plate 232 of the contacted part 23, and reaches 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, it is in the on state that the second circuit is closed. When the external pressure is released and restored to Figure 9 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 7 to 10 As described above, the switch 2 described in the present application opens and closes the first circuit and the second circuit based on the operation of the movable member 26 , and thus the opening and closing timings of the first circuit and the second circuit can be synchronized.

[0069] <Switch assembly 4>

[0070] Next, an example of implementing the switch assembly 4 described in the present application in which the switch 2 is mounted on the substrate 3 will be described. The switch 2 described in the present application is incorporated into the operating device 1 as the switch assembly 4 mounted on the substrate 3 . Figure 11 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the first embodiment of the switch assembly 4 described in the present application. Figure 11To facilitate understanding of the relationship between switch 2 and substrate 3, switch 2 and substrate 3 of switch assembly 4 are shown separately. Substrate 3 includes first terminal mounting holes 30 for inserting first terminals 220, second terminal mounting holes 31 for inserting second terminals 230, third terminal pair mounting holes 32 for inserting third terminal pair 240, and fourth terminal pair mounting holes 33 for inserting fourth terminal pair 250. Switch assembly 4 is configured such that first terminal 220, second terminal 230, third terminal pair 240, and fourth terminal pair 250 of switch 2 are inserted through first terminal mounting holes 30, second terminal mounting holes 31, third terminal pair mounting holes 32, and fourth terminal pair mounting holes 33 defined in substrate 3 and then mounted to substrate 3 using methods such as soldering. In addition to switch 2, various electronic components, such as circuits and elements, are mounted on substrate 3 of switch assembly 4. Furthermore, these electronic components are electrically connected using wiring formed on substrate 3 using methods such as etching.

[0071] Figure 12 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a second embodiment of the switch assembly 4 described in the present application. Figure 12 Other embodiments of the switch assembly 4 are shown. To facilitate understanding of the relationship between the switch 2 and the substrate 3, the switch 2 and substrate 3 of the switch assembly 4 are shown separately. 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 pre-mounted in the third terminal pair mounting hole 32 of the substrate 3 using a mounting method such as welding. The fourth terminal pair 250 of the light-receiving unit 25 is pre-mounted in the fourth terminal pair mounting hole 33 using a mounting method such as welding. Then, during the assembly process, the switch 2, which does not have the light-emitting unit 24 and light-receiving unit 25, is mounted on the substrate 3 to which the light-emitting unit 24 and light-receiving unit 25 have been pre-mounted. The switch 2 is mounted so that it covers 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 each is mounted on the substrate 3 by a mounting method such as welding.

[0072] Figure 13 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a third embodiment of the switch assembly 4 described in the present application. Figure 13Another embodiment of the switch assembly 4 is shown. To facilitate understanding of the relationship between the switch 2 and the substrate 3, the switch 2 and the substrate 3 of the switch assembly 4 are shown separately. The substrate 3 is provided with a first terminal mounting hole 30 and a second terminal mounting hole 31. Conductive metal wiring is pre-wired on the substrate 3 by etching or other methods. On the wiring of the substrate 3, a light emitting unit 24 and a light receiving unit 25 are pre-mounted by surface mounting or other methods. Figure 13 The light-emitting unit 24 and light-receiving unit 25 shown in the example are surface-mount optical units and are mounted directly on the substrate 3. The switch 2 is mounted so that it covers the light-emitting unit 24 and light-receiving unit 25 on the substrate 3. Furthermore, 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. Each is mounted on the substrate 3 using a mounting method such as soldering.

[0073] As described above with reference to the first to third embodiments, the switch assembly 4 in which the switch 2 is mounted on the substrate 3 is formed by various methods.

[0074] Next, an implementation example of the operating device 1 equipped with the switch 2 described in the present application will be described. Figure 14 It 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 27 using components such as a supporting part 22 and a contacted part 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, i.e., the circuit of the signal control unit 14, by the swing of the movable part 26, and outputs an electronic signal to an external device such as a personal computer. The non-contact mechanism 28 opens and closes the second circuit, i.e., the circuit of the load control unit 15, by the swing of the movable part 26, and lights up the output load part 130 of the light-emitting unit 13. Figure 14 The first embodiment illustrated in the figure is an embodiment in which the first circuit and the second circuit are configured as separate circuits. In this embodiment, by pressing the pressing operation portion 10 of the operating device 1, a signal is output to an external device and the light-emitting portion 13 is illuminated. This allows the light-emitting portion 13 to illuminate when the operating device 1 is operated, thereby enhancing characteristics such as expanding the functionality of the operating device 1 and the switch 2. It should be noted that the output load portion 130 is not limited to light-emitting devices; various electrical loads such as speakers that output audio and vibrators that generate vibrations can also be used. Furthermore, the circuit for opening and closing the load control portion 15 by the contact mechanism 27 and the circuit for opening and closing the signal control portion 14 by the contactless mechanism 28 can be designed appropriately.

[0075] Figure 15This is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of the second embodiment of the operating device 1 described in this application. The second embodiment is an example in which the first circuit and the second circuit are configured as identical circuits. In the second embodiment, the signal control unit 14 is used as a first circuit opened and closed by a contact mechanism 27, and a second circuit opened and closed by a contactless mechanism 28. By making the first and second circuits identical, the signal control unit 14 is opened and closed by both the contact mechanism 27 and the contactless mechanism 28. Therefore, even if a problem occurs in either the contact mechanism 27 or the contactless mechanism 28, the other can compensate. This improves the characteristics of the operating device 1 and the switch 2, such as increased reliability.

[0076] The embodiment of the operating device 1 described in this application is not limited to the use of Figure 14 and Figure 15 The described implementation example can be developed in various ways. For example, a mechanism that uses an optical element as an example of a contactless mechanism 28 to open and close a circuit requires continuous or intermittent power to the optical element, which can lead to a problem of standby power. To solve this problem, by incorporating a contact mechanism 27 into the mechanism that opens and closes the circuit that energizes the optical element, standby power can be suppressed. Specifically, the switch 2 can be developed in such a way that, during standby, it is in an off state, where power to the contactless mechanism 28 is cut off. Then, when the contact mechanism 27 is in the on state, power is supplied to the contactless mechanism 28 during the on state or before a certain period of time has passed since the on state, thereby turning the contactless mechanism 28 into the on state and operating the contactless mechanism 28. The contactless mechanism 28, which is energized and in the on state, can open and close the circuit in response to the operation of the pressing operation portion 10 of the operating device 1. It should be noted that the energization control of the optical element by the contact mechanism 27 is not limited to the energization control of the non-contact mechanism 28 in response to the operation of the push operation portion 10. It can also be developed to control the energization of the optical element for application in position detection (mouse cursor position operation) of the operating device 1. In this way, the operating device 1 and switch 2 described in this application can improve various characteristics, such as reducing standby power consumption.

[0077] As described above, the operating device 1, switch 2, and switch assembly 4 described in this application include 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. This has the advantageous effect of improving various characteristics, such as expanding functionality, enhancing reliability, and reducing standby power consumption.

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be developed into various other forms. Therefore, the above embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited to this specification. In addition, all variations and modifications within the scope of the technical solution are included within the scope of the present invention.

[0079] For example, in the above embodiment, the contactless mechanism 28 is described as an optical mechanism comprising a light-emitting element 241 that emits light and a light-receiving element 251 that serves as a detection unit and detects the light to be detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various mechanisms without contacts may also be used. For example, various embodiments may be applied, such as a contactless mechanism 28 comprising a magnet that generates a magnetic field and a Hall element that serves as a detection unit and detects the magnetic field to be detected.

[0080] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, a method is shown in which the first circuit is opened and closed by contacting and separating the conductive supporting member 22 and the contacted member 23 as the contact mechanism 27. However, any opening and closing mechanism having contacts is not limited to conductive members. In other words, any method can be used as long as the circuit can be opened and closed by contacting and separating the swinging movable member 26. Methods such as opening and closing the circuit by moving the contacted member 23 pressed by the movable member 26 can be designed appropriately. It should be noted that the contactless mechanism 28 does not require the movable member 26 to be conductive.

Claims

1. A switch having a movable member that swings with a first end as a swing fulcrum and a second end, the switch being characterized by: A contacted part, with which the movable part contacts and separates by swinging; a light-receiving element that detects light; The movable member swings to contact and separate from the contacted member, thereby opening and closing the first circuit. The movable member swings to transmit or block the light detected by the light receiving element, thereby opening and closing the second circuit.

2. A switch comprising a conductive movable member that swings about a first end thereof and a second end thereof, the switch comprising: a conductive supporting member that swingably supports the first end side of the movable member; a conductive contacted member, wherein the movable member swings so that the second end side of the movable member contacts and separates from the contacted member; a light-receiving element that detects light; The movable member has a light shielding sheet for shielding the light to be received by the light receiving element. The movable member swings to contact and separate from the contacted member, thereby opening and closing the first circuit. As the movable member swings, the light shielding sheet transmits / shields light, thereby opening and closing the second circuit.

3. The switch according to claim 2, wherein: The supporting member is formed of a conductive material. When the movable member contacts the contacted member, electrical conduction is established between the supporting member and the contacted member, thereby closing the first circuit.

4. A switch having a movable member that is actuated by external pressure, the switch comprising: a detection unit that detects a detection object; A contact mechanism is provided, which is capable of opening and closing the first circuit by making contact and separating according to the movement of the movable member; A contactless mechanism is configured to open and close a second circuit by controlling detection by the detection portion in accordance with the movement of the movable member.

5. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The first circuit and the second circuit are different circuits.

6. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The first circuit and the second circuit are the same circuit.

7. A switch assembly comprising: a switch having a movable member configured to swing with a first end side as a swing fulcrum and a second end side thereof, and a substrate on which the switch is mounted, wherein: 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 movable member swinging. The movable member swings to contact and separate from the contacted member, thereby opening and closing the first circuit. The movable member swings to transmit or block the light detected by the light receiving element, thereby opening and closing the second circuit.

8. The switch assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The light receiving element is mounted on the substrate by surface mounting.

9. A switch assembly comprising: a switch having a movable member that is actuated by external pressure; and a substrate on which the switch is mounted, wherein: having a detection unit for detecting a detection object, The switch includes a contacted member that is brought into contact with and separated from the movable member by the movable member swinging. And has: A contact mechanism is provided, which is capable of opening and closing the first circuit by making contact and separating according to the movement of the movable member; A contactless mechanism is configured to open and close a second circuit by controlling detection by the detection portion in accordance with the movement of the movable member.

10. An operating device, characterized in that: have: A pressing operation unit, which receives a pressing operation from the outside; A switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which transmits a pressing operation received by the pressing operation portion as a pressing pressure from the outside; The switch outputs a signal for opening or closing a circuit based on a pressure transmitted from the outside.

11. An operating device, characterized in that: have: A pressing operation unit, which receives a pressing operation from the outside; A switch assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 9, which transmits a pressing operation received by the pressing operation portion as a pressing pressure from the outside; The switch component outputs a signal for opening or closing a circuit based on a pressure transmitted from the outside.

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