Ceramic micro switches and mechanical control components

Abstract

This application provides a ceramic micro switch and a mechanical control element. It includes: an insulated ceramic base, a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact, a switching plate, and a moving contact; the fixed ends of the first stationary contact, the second stationary contact, and the switching plate are all disposed on the ceramic base; the moving contact is fixed to the free end of the switching plate; the moving contact is configured to move between a first position and a second position under the drive of the switching plate; in the first position, the moving contact is in contact with the first stationary contact and separates from the second stationary contact; in the second position, the moving contact is in contact with the second stationary contact and separates from the first stationary contact. The embodiments of this application adopt an integrated design, which is simple in structure and can adapt to different harsh working conditions, effectively avoiding the risk of "soft failure" caused by dust generated by mechanical wear and contamination of the contacts, and significantly improving the stability and reliability of the switch under long-term micro-motion operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of electrical switches, specifically to a ceramic micro switch and a mechanical control element. Background Technology

[0002] A micro switch is a sensitive switch with tiny contact intervals and a quick-acting mechanism, widely used in mechanical pressure control, position detection, and other fields. Traditional mechanical pressure switches typically contain multiple plastic-metal or metal-metal sliding / rotating pairs, such as insulating rods, guide blocks, and locking rods.

[0003] After prolonged micro-operation, these switches generate wear particles (dust) on the friction pair. This dust easily settles between the positive and negative conductive plates, creating intermittent high resistance under DC micro-current conditions, leading to a soft failure phenomenon where the circuit "conducts but does not conduct." This type of fault is extremely difficult to troubleshoot on-site, severely impacting the reliability and lifespan of the equipment.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a microswitch that can fundamentally reduce wear, avoid dust pollution, and adapt to harsh environments such as high temperature and high pressure. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a ceramic micro switch and a mechanical control element to solve the problems of poor reliability caused by complex structure and wear and dust in the prior art.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, one embodiment of this application provides a ceramic micro switch, comprising: an insulated ceramic base, a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact, a switching plate, and a moving contact; the first stationary contact, the second stationary contact, and the fixed end of the switching plate are all disposed on the ceramic base; the moving contact is fixed to the free end of the switching plate; the moving contact is configured to move between a first position and a second position under the drive of the switching plate; in the first position, the moving contact contacts the first stationary contact and separates from the second stationary contact; in the second position, the moving contact contacts the second stationary contact and separates from the first stationary contact.

[0007] Optionally, the first stationary contact and the second stationary contact are respectively formed at the free ends of the first stationary contact piece and the second stationary contact piece, and along the axial direction corresponding to the thickness of the ceramic base, the first stationary contact, the moving contact and the second stationary contact are arranged in sequence, and the connection points between the fixed ends of the first stationary contact piece, the second stationary contact piece and the switching piece and the ceramic base are arranged in a triangular shape on the same side of the ceramic base in the plane.

[0008] Optionally, the first stationary contact, the switching piece, and the second stationary contact are respectively riveted to corresponding positions on the ceramic base by conductive posts, and the corresponding conductive posts protrude from the other side of the ceramic base to facilitate electrical connection with an external signal transmission device.

[0009] Optionally, the ceramic base has a first mounting area for mounting the first stationary contact and a second mounting area for mounting the second stationary contact. There is a preset height difference between the first mounting area and the second mounting area, so that the first stationary contact and the second stationary contact are staggered relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the mounting plane of the ceramic base, thereby reserving space between them for the movement of the moving contact.

[0010] Optionally, the first mounting area is formed by protruding outward from the surface of the ceramic base by a predetermined height; and / or, the second mounting area is formed by recessing inward from the surface of the ceramic base by a predetermined depth; and / or, the first mounting area and the second mounting area are arranged side by side at one end of the ceramic base; the fixed end of the switching piece is disposed at the other end of the ceramic base, and the free end of the switching piece extends to the area between the first stationary contact and the second stationary contact to install the moving contact.

[0011] Optionally, the ceramic micro switch further includes a limiting member and a spring; the switching piece has a limiting groove of a preset length in the area near the moving contact; the fixed end of the limiting member is pressed below the fixed end of the switching piece, and its free end extends along the length direction of the switching piece, and its end is bent upward to form a bent portion that can pass through the limiting groove, and the bent portion has a retaining groove on the side facing the moving contact; the two ends of the spring are respectively engaged between the retaining groove and the groove wall of the limiting groove, so that the moving contact returns to its initial state when the switching piece is not subjected to external force.

[0012] Optionally, a portion of the second mounting area near the first mounting area extends toward the other end of the ceramic base to a position near the fixed end of the switching piece to form a third mounting area. The free end of the limiting member is inclined downward from its fixed end to fit against the surface of the ceramic base in the third mounting area, so as to reserve an operating space above the limiting member for driving the switching piece to move.

[0013] Optionally, the free end of the switching plate is provided with a mounting hole, the moving contact is composed of two parts and is assembled from both sides of the mounting hole to be fixed in the mounting hole of the switching plate; and / or, the first stationary contact is provided with a relief groove on the side facing the moving contact to allow the spring to move freely along the axial direction; the spring is made of nickel-based high-temperature alloy; the contact surface of the moving contact is a spherical surface or an arc surface.

[0014] Optionally, the switching plate includes a connected planar segment and an inclined segment. The planar segment is parallel to the horizontal plane of the ceramic base, and the inclined segment extends from the end of the planar segment toward the direction close to the first stationary contact. The inclined segment forms a preset angle with the horizontal plane of the ceramic base. By pushing against the inclined segment, the switching plate is driven to switch the position of the moving contact between the first position and the second position.

[0015] Optionally, the first stationary contact is a normally closed contact, and the second stationary contact is a normally open contact; the moving contact is configured to be in the first position when not subjected to external force; the preset included angle ranges from 5° to 40°.

[0016] Another embodiment of this application provides a mechanical control element, including the ceramic micro switch described above.

[0017] The embodiments of this application have the following advantages over the prior art:

[0018] 1. Simple structure and high integration. All key functional components (moving contact, stationary contact, spring, and limit component) are integrated on the ceramic base to form a unified module. This allows for a more concentrated layout of components on the ceramic base, a smaller overall size, and is more conducive to miniaturization design, making it suitable for various semiconductor control components. It also reduces the need for complex transmission components such as levers, hinges, and torsion springs commonly found in traditional microswitches, lowering assembly difficulty and reducing potential failure points.

[0019] 2. The ceramic base has excellent insulation properties, with characteristics such as high voltage resistance, high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and low leakage current; it is especially suitable for micro-current switching in high-voltage, high-temperature, humid or corrosive environments, improving system safety and reliability.

[0020] 3. The first stationary contact, the switching contact, and the second stationary contact are firmly bonded to the ceramic base by riveting, avoiding problems such as poor soldering and loosening caused by welding or plugging; improving the contact's vibration resistance and thermal cycling stability, making it suitable for long-term high-frequency operation.

[0021] 4. It integrates normally closed and normally open contacts, and the switching logic can be selected as needed; it is suitable for a variety of control circuits (alarm, power failure, switching, etc.) and has strong versatility. Attached Figure Description

[0022] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a top view of a ceramic micro switch according to an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a ceramic micro switch according to an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a side view of a ceramic micro switch according to an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure label:

[0027] Ceramic base 1, first stationary contact 2, second stationary contact 3, switching plate 4, limiting groove 41, flat section 42, inclined section 43, moving contact 5, first stationary contact plate 6, second stationary contact plate 7, first terminal 8, second terminal 9, third terminal 10, limiting member 11, bending part 111, slot 112, spring plate 12, pressure block 13, first mounting area 14, second mounting area 15, third mounting area 16. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of this application. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this application from the content disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. This application can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of this application. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0029] It should be noted that the following description covers various aspects of embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. It will be apparent that the aspects described herein can be embodied in a wide variety of forms, and any particular structure and / or function described herein is merely illustrative. Based on this application, those skilled in the art will understand that one aspect described herein can be implemented independently of any other aspect, and two or more of these aspects can be combined in various ways. For example, any number and aspects set forth herein can be used to implement the device and / or practice the method. Additionally, this device and / or method can be implemented using structures and / or functionalities other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein.

[0030] It should also be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of this application. The drawings only show the components related to this application and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape and size of the components in the actual implementation. In the actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0031] Additionally, specific details are provided in the following description to facilitate a thorough understanding of the examples. However, those skilled in the art will understand that practice can be carried out without these specific details.

[0032] like Figures 1-3 As shown, this application provides a ceramic micro switch, including: an insulated ceramic base 1, a first stationary contact 2, a second stationary contact 3, a switching plate 4, and a moving contact 5; the fixed ends of the first stationary contact 2, the second stationary contact 3, and the switching plate 4 are all disposed on the ceramic base 1; the moving contact 5 is fixed to the free end of the switching plate 4; the moving contact 5 is configured to move between a first position and a second position under the drive of the switching plate 4; in the first position, the moving contact 5 contacts the first stationary contact 2 and separates from the second stationary contact 3; in the second position, the moving contact 5 contacts the second stationary contact 3 and separates from the first stationary contact 2.

[0033] This embodiment uses an insulated ceramic base as a single carrier to integrate and fix all key electrical contact components (first stationary contact, second stationary contact, switching plate, and moving contact). This integrated design completely eliminates the numerous levers, hinges, torsion springs, and other plastic-metal friction pairs found in traditional switches, eliminating the risk of "soft failure" caused by dust generated from mechanical wear and contamination of the contacts at the source. This significantly improves the stability and reliability of the switch under long-term micro-motion operation. Furthermore, the structure is extremely simplified and can adapt to high reliability under harsh operating conditions.

[0034] Specifically, in this embodiment, the ceramic base 1 simultaneously serves as an insulating frame, a positioning reference, and a temperature and pressure resistant element. A first stationary contact 6 and a second stationary contact 7 are also fixed on the ceramic base 1. The fixed ends of the first stationary contact 6, the second stationary contact 7, and the switching piece 4 are triangularly arranged on the same side of the ceramic base 1 in a plane. A first stationary contact 2 and a second stationary contact 3 are formed at the free ends of the first stationary contact 6 and the second stationary contact 7, respectively. Along the axial direction corresponding to the thickness of the ceramic base 1, the first stationary contact 2, the moving contact 5, and the second stationary contact 3 are arranged sequentially. That is, the first stationary contact 2, the moving contact 5, and the second stationary contact 3 are arranged sequentially along a direction perpendicular to the mounting plane of the ceramic base 1. Based on this structural layout, the components on the ceramic base are more concentrated, resulting in a smaller overall size of the ceramic microswitch, which is more conducive to miniaturization design and suitable for various semiconductor control components.

[0035] Preferably, the first stationary contact 6, the switching piece 4, and the second stationary contact 7 can be riveted to corresponding positions on the ceramic base 1 using conductive posts, with the corresponding conductive posts extending from the other side of the ceramic base 1 to facilitate electrical connection with an external signal transmission device. For example, the first stationary contact 6 can be fixed to the ceramic base 1 at the first terminal 8 using a conductive post press-fitting process, the second stationary contact 3 can be fixed to the ceramic base 1 at the second terminal 9 using a conductive post press-fitting process, and the fixed end of the switching piece 4 can be fixed to the ceramic base 1 at the third terminal 10 using a conductive post press-fitting process. Press-fitting is a cold forming process, avoiding the thermal shock to the ceramic base 1 caused by high-temperature welding and preventing ceramic cracking. At the same time, the metal-ceramic interlocking structure formed by press-fitting provides strong pull-out resistance and vibration resistance. Since there is no solder at the connection point, there is no solder aging problem, making it particularly suitable for long-term high-frequency operation and temperature cycling conditions, resulting in extremely high connection reliability.

[0036] In an optional embodiment, the ceramic base 1 has a first mounting area 14 for mounting the first stationary contact 6 and a second mounting area 15 for mounting the second stationary contact 7. The first mounting area 14 and the second mounting area 15 have a preset height difference, so that the first stationary contact 2 and the second stationary contact 3 are offset relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the mounting plane of the ceramic base 1, thereby reserving space between them for the movement of the moving contact 5. For example, the first mounting area 14 can be formed by protruding outward from the surface of the ceramic base 1 by a preset height; and / or, the second mounting area 15 can be formed by recessing inward from the surface of the ceramic base 1 by a preset depth. Preferably, the ceramic base 1 has an overall disc-shaped appearance, and the first mounting area 14 and the second mounting area 15 can be arranged side-by-side at one end of the ceramic base 1; the fixed end of the switching piece 4 is located at the other end of the ceramic base 1, and the free end of the switching piece 4 extends to the area between the first stationary contact 2 and the second stationary contact 3 to mount the moving contact 5. This restricts the movement trajectory of the moving contact 5 to the vertical projection area enclosed by the first stationary contact 2 and the second stationary contact 3. In this way, by making reasonable use of the longitudinal space formed by the height difference between the installation areas at different heights, the layout of all components on the ceramic base 1 is more concentrated, which is conducive to miniaturizing the overall structural size.

[0037] Optionally, the free end of the switching plate 4 is provided with a mounting hole, and the moving contact 5 consists of two parts, such as an upper part and a lower part, which are assembled and fixed in the mounting hole of the switching plate 4 by the two sides of the mounting hole. For example, the two parts of the moving contact 5 can be configured as a snap-fit ​​structure, which snaps together from the two sides of the switching plate 4 at the mounting hole. When the moving contact 5 is in the first position, its upper part contacts the first stationary contact 2, and when the moving contact 5 is in the second position, its lower part contacts the second stationary contact 3.

[0038] Preferred, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the ceramic micro switch also includes a limiting member 11 and a spring 12; the switching piece 4 has a limiting groove 41 of a preset length in the area near the moving contact 5; the fixed end of the limiting member 11 is pressed below the fixed end of the switching piece 4, and its free end extends along the length direction of the switching piece 4, and is bent upward at its end to form a bent portion 111 that can pass through the limiting groove 41, and the bent portion 111 has a slot 112 on the side facing the moving contact 5; both ends of the spring 12 are respectively engaged between the slot 112 and the groove wall of the limiting groove 41, so that the moving contact 5 returns to its initial state when the switching piece 4 is not subjected to external force. That is to say, in this embodiment, one end of the spring 12 is fixed in the slot 112 of the limiting member 11, and the other end of the spring 12 is fixed on the limiting groove 41 of the switching piece 4. The spring 12 cleverly connects the switching piece 4 and the limiting member 11 together to form an efficient lever energy storage and release mechanism. When the switching piece 4 is pressed, the spring piece 12 is compressed or bent, storing elastic potential energy. When the external force is removed, the stored energy is quickly released through the lever structure, driving the switching piece 4 and the moving contact 5 to reset quickly and accurately, effectively reducing the contact bounce time and improving electrical life. Moreover, the combination of the limiting member 11 and the spring piece 12 can effectively prevent plastic deformation or damage to the switching piece 4 caused by excessive pressing, ensuring that the contact pressure between the moving contact 5 and the stationary contacts (2, 3) is within a reasonable range, thus improving the mechanical life and operational consistency of the switch.

[0039] In this embodiment, one end of the spring piece 12 forms a fixed fulcrum through the bending portion 111 of the limiting member 11, and the other end moves up and down by pressing the switching piece 4. In this way, under the drive of external force (such as when pressing the switching piece 4), the moving end deforms due to the movement and stores energy as elastic potential energy, so that it automatically rebounds to the initial position when the external force is removed.

[0040] Preferably, the cross-section of the spring piece 12 is arc-shaped. In the initial state, the arc-shaped spring piece, limited by the positions of the limiting member 11 and the first stationary contact piece 6, maintains contact between the moving contact 5 and the first stationary contact 2 (normally closed contact) under its own elastic force. The arc-shaped spring piece can be integrated very flat into the structure, making full use of narrow space and realizing the miniaturization design of the product. Moreover, by precisely designing the radius, thickness, width, and material of the arc, the magnitude of the force required by the moving end at different positions and the magnitude of the reset force can be precisely controlled. In the embodiment of this application, the opening degree of the arc-shaped spring piece is at its maximum when there is no external compression. Under external force (such as when the switching piece 4 is pressed), the moving end deforms due to movement, and the opening of the arc-shaped spring decreases. When a critical value is reached, the arc-shaped spring can drive the moving contact 5 to quickly leave the normally closed contact. Similarly, when the external force is removed, the arc-shaped spring begins to rebound, and the opening of the arc-shaped spring gradually increases. When another critical value is reached, the arc-shaped spring can drive the moving contact 5 to quickly leave the second stationary contact 3 (normally open contact). This arc-shaped spring and the pre-set critical point for rapid switching design greatly shortens the generation and duration of the arc when the contact is disconnected, while avoiding mechanical vibration (jitter) during the contact contact or disconnection process. This directly reduces the electro-erosion and wear of the contact material, which is crucial for protecting the contacts and maintaining good electrical performance. This structure can withstand higher frequency switching operations without easily deteriorating, thus greatly extending the mechanical and electrical life of the switch, making it particularly suitable for industrial control applications that require frequent switching or long-term reliable operation.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the ceramic micro switch also includes a pressure block 13, which is fixed together with the fixed end of the switching piece 4 and the fixed end of the limiting member 11, and is fixed to the ceramic base 1 by a press-fitting process to increase stability. By integrating the installation of the two key functional components through the pressure block 13, the accuracy problem caused by separate installation is fundamentally solved, ensuring the absolute accuracy and consistency of the relative position between the limiting member 11 and the switching piece 4, thereby ensuring that the operating stroke and limiting point of each switch are highly uniform, and the product performance is uniform and stable. At the same time, the pressure block 13, as a solid base, provides strong support for the fulcrum area (fixed end) of the switching piece 4 and the root (fixed end) of the limiting member 11, enhancing the connection rigidity of the entire actuation mechanism on the base, better resisting vibration and impact, preventing the mounting point from loosening due to long-term high-frequency operation, and significantly improving stability.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment, such as Figure 1As shown, a portion of the second mounting area 15 near the first mounting area 14 extends toward the other end of the ceramic base 1 to a position near the fixed end of the switching piece 4 to form a third mounting area 16. The free end of the limiting member 11 is inclined downward from its fixed end to fit against the surface of the ceramic base 1 in the third mounting area 16, so as to reserve an operating space above the limiting member 11 for driving the switching piece 4 to move.

[0043] Preferably, the first stationary contact 6 has a clearance groove on the side facing the moving contact 5 to allow the spring 12 to move freely along the axial direction. For example, the side of the first stationary contact 6 facing the moving contact 5 can be configured as a concave arc structure, which forms a clearance groove to provide clearance space when the spring 12 moves along the axial direction. Specifically, when the switching piece 4 is pressed or released, the spring 12 moves up and down, and the clearance groove can prevent the spring 12 from contacting the first stationary contact 6 when it moves up and down, so that the spring 12 can move freely along the axial direction.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the first stationary contact 2 can be a normally closed contact, and the second stationary contact 3 can be a normally open contact. The moving contact 5 is configured to be in the first position (i.e., the moving contact 5 is in contact with the first stationary contact 2 and separated from the second stationary contact 3) when no external force is applied. Under normal conditions (without external force applied), the moving contact 5 remains in contact with the first stationary contact 2 due to the elasticity of the switching plate 4 itself. The external signal transmission device conducts through the conductive post of the third terminal 10 via the moving contact 5 on the switching plate 4 to the first stationary contact 2. When downward pressure is applied to the switching plate 4, the switching plate 4 undergoes elastic deformation, causing the moving contact 5 to move downward. The moving contact 5 first separates from the first stationary contact 2 and then contacts the second stationary contact 3, thereby realizing the switching of the circuit from normally closed to normally open. After the external force is removed, the switching plate 4 returns to its original position due to its elasticity, and the moving contact 5 is back in the first position.

[0045] In other embodiments, the first stationary contact 2 can be set as a normally open contact, and the second stationary contact 3 can be set as a normally closed contact. When no external force is applied, the moving contact 5 is in the second position, that is, the moving contact 5 is in contact with the second stationary contact 3.

[0046] Accordingly, such as Figure 2 and 3As shown, the switching piece 4 includes a connected planar segment 42 and an inclined segment 43. The planar segment 42 is parallel to the horizontal plane of the ceramic base 1, and the inclined segment 43 extends from the end of the planar segment 42 toward the first stationary contact 2. The angle between the inclined segment 43 and the horizontal plane of the ceramic base 1 ranges from 5° to 40°. By pushing against the inclined segment 43, the switching piece 4 drives the moving contact 5 to switch between the first position and the second position. Specifically, in this embodiment, the inclined segment 43 of the switching piece 4 has a preset tilt angle relative to the mounting plane of the ceramic base 1. This tilt angle design breaks the stress limitation of traditional planar structures. When traditional planar structures bear longitudinal loads, the force transmission path is single, which easily leads to stress concentration at the connection nodes. Long-term use may cause structural deformation or loosening. Increasing the tilt angle allows for distributed load transmission through the inclined surface: on one hand, the inclined structure of the inclined section 43 converts the longitudinal pressure into a component force along the inclined surface, reducing local stress peaks and making the stress distribution more uniform; on the other hand, the bent structure formed by the planar section 42 and the inclined section 43 of the switching plate 4 in the inclined state can form a triangular support effect with adjacent components. This geometric structure itself has higher resistance to deformation, and can effectively suppress structural displacement even under dynamic conditions such as vibration and impact, avoiding failures caused by stress imbalance. The preset tilt angle is preferably between 5° and 40°, which is the optimal range verified by mechanical simulation and experiments. Within this range, stress can be effectively dispersed, structural stability can be ensured, and material creep and softening at high temperatures can be accurately compensated. The inclined section design can accurately compensate for the degradation of material properties under high-temperature environments. Under high-temperature environments, metallic materials are prone to creep and softening, causing irreversible sagging or bending of the switching plate 4. The inclined section 43 can be pre-formed with a reverse deformation trend. When the material gradually sags due to creep and softening, the inclination angle can partially or completely offset the creep, thereby extending the functional life and accuracy retention time of the structure.

[0047] In one application scenario, the ceramic micro switch is positioned with its front facing down, meaning the side of the ceramic base 1 containing all components is oriented downwards (this can be called the lower surface). In this configuration, an external force pushes upwards against the inclined section 43 of the switching piece 4, causing the moving contact 5 to move and contact the second stationary contact 3. When the external force is removed, the switching piece 4 returns to its position in contact with the first stationary contact 2 under the action of the spring 12. Only three riveted conductive posts protrude from the upper surface of the ceramic base 1, connecting to an external signal transmission device located above it via a connecting wire, thereby achieving the switching and transmission of electrical signals.

[0048] It should be noted that the normally open and normally closed contacts in this embodiment are one application method of the product. Specifically, the physical positions of the normally open and normally closed contacts can be adjusted or defined according to the specific installation scenario and spatial orientation requirements of the microswitch (e.g., facing upwards, downwards, or sideways) to ensure reliable communication between contacts and meet actual application needs. Based on this flexibility requirement, this embodiment features a key angled structure design for the switching piece 4. The angle of the switching piece 4 (referring to the angle between the inclined section 43 and the horizontal plane of the ceramic base 1) is designed and calculated based on the aforementioned optimal force direction. The purpose is to ensure that when an external driving force (such as a button or actuator) acts on the switching piece 4 along the designed direction, this force can be most effectively converted into a force that causes precise deformation of the arc-shaped spring until it triggers a rapid switching at the critical point. This ensures that regardless of the switch's installation orientation, the triggering force can accurately and directly act on the spring 12, reducing force loss and action deviation, and ensuring the consistency and accuracy of contact switching moments.

[0049] Preferably, the contact spring 12 can be made of a nickel-based superalloy, such as UNS N07718. UNS N07718 is a precipitation-hardening nickel-based superalloy with extremely high high-temperature strength, excellent creep resistance, and oxidation resistance. Compared to traditional stainless steel, it exhibits less strength decay and lower creep at high temperatures, ensuring long-term stable operation of the switch in high-temperature environments and effectively preventing contact spring 12 failure due to material strength decay at high temperatures. This significantly improves the contact spring 12's tolerance to high-temperature environments, enabling the ceramic microswitch of this embodiment to operate stably at ambient temperatures of 150°C or even higher, and its mechanical life far exceeds that of ordinary microswitches.

[0050] In addition, to improve the reliability of the contact, the contact surface of the moving contact 5 in this embodiment can be a spherical or arc-shaped surface. This way, when the moving contact 5 contacts the first or second stationary contact 3, the contact area is extremely small, resulting in a significant increase in pressure per unit area under the same pressure. This effectively breaks down the oxide film or contaminants on the contact surface, ensuring low and stable contact resistance and forming a reliable electrical connection.

[0051] The ceramic micro switch of this application embodiment has the following beneficial effects:

[0052] 1. Simple structure and high integration. All key functional components (moving contact, stationary contact, spring, and limiting components) are integrated on the ceramic base, forming an "integrated module." This allows for a more concentrated layout of components on the ceramic base, a smaller overall size, and is more conducive to miniaturization design, making it suitable for various semiconductor control components. It also reduces the need for complex transmission components such as levers, hinges, and torsion springs commonly found in traditional microswitches, lowering assembly difficulty and reducing potential failure points.

[0053] 2. The ceramic base has excellent insulation properties, with characteristics such as high voltage resistance, high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and low leakage current; it is especially suitable for micro-current switching in high-voltage, high-temperature, humid or corrosive environments, improving system safety and reliability.

[0054] 3. The first stationary contact, the switching contact, and the second stationary contact are firmly bonded to the ceramic base by a press-fitting method, avoiding problems such as poor soldering and loosening caused by welding or plugging; improving the contact's vibration resistance and thermal cycling stability, making it suitable for long-term high-frequency operation.

[0055] 4. It integrates normally closed and normally open contacts, and the switching logic can be selected as needed; it is suitable for a variety of control circuits (alarm, power failure, switching, etc.) and has strong versatility.

[0056] This application also provides a mechanical control element, including the aforementioned ceramic micro switch. This high-performance ceramic micro switch is integrated into various mechanical control elements (such as pressure switches, limit switches, levers, etc.).

[0057] Taking a mechanical pressure switch as an example: This mechanical pressure switch may include a housing, a axially movable push post, and the aforementioned ceramic micro switch. The housing provides a seal and mounting reference. The drive end of the push post is precisely aligned and located directly below the preset drive position of the switching plate of the ceramic micro switch. The ceramic micro switch can be fixedly mounted inside the housing via its ceramic base, located above the push post. Its first and second stationary contacts are connected to an external control circuit via leads. By pushing the push post upward, the drive end of the push post precisely pushes against the preset drive position of the switching plate of the ceramic micro switch (such as an inclined section with an angle). Under the thrust of the push post, the switching plate undergoes elastic deformation, causing the moving contact to quickly switch from a first position (such as contacting the first stationary contact) to a second position (such as contacting the second stationary contact). The circuit state changes instantaneously (e.g., from "normally closed" to "normally open"), generating a clear electrical signal. When the external force on the top column is removed, the switching plate of the ceramic micro switch quickly and accurately resets under the action of its own elasticity or spring, and the moving contact returns to its initial position, and the electrical signal returns to its original state.

[0058] The mechanical control element of this application embodiment can significantly improve the reliability, environmental adaptability and service life of the entire element, and is especially suitable for industrial sites with high pressure, high temperature, humidity or corrosive media.

[0059] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0060] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

[0061] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments are specific embodiments for implementing the present invention, and in practical applications, various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ceramic micro switch, characterized in that, Includes: an insulated ceramic base, a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact, a switching plate, and a moving contact; The first stationary contact, the second stationary contact, and the fixed end of the switching plate are all disposed on the ceramic base; The moving contact is fixed to the free end of the switching plate; The moving contact is configured to move between a first position and a second position under the drive of the switching plate; In the first position, the moving contact is in contact with the first stationary contact and separates from the second stationary contact; In the second position, the moving contact contacts the second stationary contact and separates from the first stationary contact; The first stationary contact and the second stationary contact are respectively formed at the free ends of the first stationary contact piece and the second stationary contact piece, and along the axial direction corresponding to the thickness of the ceramic base, the first stationary contact, the moving contact and the second stationary contact are arranged in sequence. The connection points between the fixed ends of the first stationary contact piece, the second stationary contact piece and the switching piece and the ceramic base are arranged in a triangular shape on the same side of the ceramic base in the plane. The first stationary contact piece, the switching piece, and the second stationary contact piece are respectively riveted to corresponding positions on the ceramic base by conductive posts, and the corresponding conductive posts protrude from the other side of the ceramic base to facilitate electrical connection with an external signal transmission device. The ceramic base 1 has a disc-like overall appearance. A first mounting area for mounting the first stationary contact and a second mounting area for mounting the second stationary contact are formed on the ceramic base. A preset height difference exists between the first and second mounting areas, so that the first and second stationary contacts are staggered relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the mounting plane of the ceramic base, thereby reserving space between them for the movement of the moving contact. The first and second mounting areas are arranged side-by-side at one end of the ceramic base. The fixed end of the switching piece is located at the other end of the ceramic base, and the free end of the switching piece extends into the area between the first and second stationary contacts to mount the moving contact. The switching plate includes a connected planar segment and an inclined segment. The planar segment is arranged parallel to the horizontal plane of the ceramic base. The inclined segment extends from the end of the planar segment toward the direction close to the first static contact point. The inclined segment forms a preset angle with the horizontal plane of the ceramic base. The preset angle ranges from 5° to 40°. By pushing against the inclined section, the switching piece is driven to switch the position of the moving contact between the first position and the second position; The ceramic micro switch further includes a limiting member and a spring; the spring is made of a nickel-based high-temperature alloy, and the switching piece has a limiting groove of a preset length in the area near the moving contact; the fixed end of the limiting member is pressed below the fixed end of the switching piece, and its free end extends along the length direction of the switching piece, and its end is bent upward to form a bent portion that can pass through the limiting groove, and the bent portion has a retaining groove on the side facing the moving contact; the two ends of the spring are respectively engaged between the retaining groove and the groove wall of the limiting groove, so that the moving contact returns to its initial state when the switching piece is not subjected to external force.

2. The ceramic micro switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first installation area is formed by protruding outward from the surface of the ceramic base to a predetermined height; And / or, the second mounting area is formed by recessing a predetermined depth inward from the surface of the ceramic base.

3. The ceramic micro switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second mounting area extends from the portion of the first mounting area toward the other end of the ceramic base to a position near the fixed end of the switching piece to form a third mounting area. The free end of the limiting member is inclined downward from its fixed end to fit against the surface of the ceramic base in the third mounting area, so as to reserve an operating space above the limiting member for driving the switching piece to move.

4. The ceramic micro switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The free end of the switching plate is provided with a mounting hole, and the moving contact consists of two parts, which are assembled from both sides of the mounting hole to be fixed in the mounting hole of the switching plate. And / or, the first stationary contact piece is provided with a relief groove on the side facing the moving contact point, so that the spring piece can move freely along the axial direction; And / or, the contact surface of the moving contact is a spherical surface or an arc surface.

5. The ceramic micro switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first stationary contact is a normally closed contact, and the second stationary contact is a normally open contact; The movable contact is configured to be in the first position when no external force is applied.

6. A mechanical control element, characterized in that, Including the ceramic micro switch as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

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