A multi-segment press-type microswitch

Abstract

The utility model relates to a touch switch technical field, and disclose a kind of multi-section press type touch switch, including base, the base is equipped with the installation groove for metal spring and plunger setting, the base side top is equipped with light slot, and base outside light source is passed through light slot and is shot to inside plunger side, the plunger side wall can reflect part light source to base inner wall, the sensor that can respond light source is equipped on the base inner wall, the plunger is equipped with reflecting ring, and the reflecting ring can change the reflection angle or reflection intensity of external light source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of tactile switch technology, specifically a multi-segment push-button tactile switch. Background Technology

[0002] A tactile switch is an electronic control component that achieves instantaneous switching of a circuit through a tiny physical press. Its core function is to provide accurate and reliable touch signals in low-voltage and low-current scenarios. A typical structure consists of a base, a spring mechanism, a movable plunger, and a top cover. The base holds the conductive terminals and the metal spring. One end of the spring is fixedly connected to a common terminal, while the other end remains suspended and normally open with respect to the signal terminal. The plunger is vertically mounted directly above the spring, with its top extending beyond an opening in the top cover. When the user presses the plunger, the downward pressure causes the spring to deform and concave, bringing the suspended end into contact with the signal terminal to form an electrical path. After releasing the pressure, the spring returns to its original elastic state, and the circuit is instantly disconnected, producing a clear "click" tactile feedback. With its clear on / off signals, the tactile switch is essentially the physical interface between the user and digital logic in a circuit system. It converts mechanical pressure into electrical pulse signals, triggering the microcontroller's interrupt response, thereby enabling functions such as device wake-up, mode switching, and parameter adjustment. Compared to photoelectric or capacitive touch switches, its advantages lie in its clear physical feedback, strong resistance to electromagnetic interference, wide environmental adaptability, and more competitive cost. Modern advanced designs further integrate dustproof and sealed structures, long-life springs, and silent technology to meet the high reliability requirements of industrial control, medical equipment, automotive electronics, and other fields. In short, with its precise electromechanical conversion mechanism, the tactile switch has become an indispensable basic component in the field of human-computer interaction.

[0003] Tactile switches on the market usually only have two states: on and off. When used in some devices where accidental activation needs to be prevented, the elasticity of the metal spring needs to be adjusted to increase the pressure required to trigger the switch. Although this avoids accidental activation, it may also lead to insufficient pressure and failure to conduct. Therefore, a tactile switch that can trigger in multiple stages is needed. Utility Model Content

[0004] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a multi-segment push-button tactile switch, which has the advantages of preventing accidental touches and multi-segment conduction, thus solving the problems of accidental touches or failure to trigger tactile switches.

[0006] (II) Technical Solution

[0007] To achieve the aforementioned purpose of preventing accidental touches and multi-segment conduction, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a multi-segment push-button tactile switch, including a base, the base having an installation groove for a metal spring and a plunger, the top side of the base having a light-transmitting groove, and a light source on the outside of the base shining through the light-transmitting groove onto the side of the inner plunger, the side wall of the plunger reflecting part of the light source onto the inner wall of the base, the inner wall of the base having a sensor capable of sensing the light source, and the plunger having reflective rings spaced apart, the reflective rings being able to change the reflection angle or reflection intensity of the external light source.

[0008] The reflective ring is a groove on the plunger.

[0009] The light-transmitting groove is provided on each side wall of the base and is located in the center.

[0010] The sensors are positioned on both sides of the light-transmitting groove.

[0011] Below the light-transmitting groove, and at the bottom of the base, there is a dust removal groove, which is rectangular.

[0012] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0013] Compared with the prior art, this utility model provides a multi-segment push-button tactile switch, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0014] 1. This multi-stage push-button tactile switch illuminates the side of the plunger through a light-transmitting groove. As the plunger moves up and down, the reflective rings on its sidewall pass through the illuminated area, significantly changing the angle or intensity of the reflected light. This dynamic optical change is captured in real-time by a sensor on the inner wall and converted into an electrical signal. This allows the switch to extremely sensitively "sense" the initiation of any degree of pressing action. This not only effectively solves the problem of "pressing but not turning on" or "not pressing but turning on accidentally" that easily occurs at critical points in traditional switches, accurately distinguishing between accidental touches and valid presses with insufficient force, providing clear feedback for user operation; more importantly, the multiple reflective rings spaced apart on the plunger ensure that... Different stroke positions of the plunger generate unique light signal changes. By recognizing these patterns, the sensor can accurately determine the depth or stage of the user's press, thus naturally supporting multi-level pressing functionality. In addition, this design brings significant advantages that users may not explicitly mention: optical detection is a non-contact sensing method, avoiding wear on mechanical contacts under high-frequency pressing, greatly improving the durability and lifespan of the switch; at the same time, the analog or digital signals output by the sensor can more precisely quantify the pressing force or stroke, providing the device with richer human-machine interaction dimensions, and the entire system has a certain resistance to dust and moisture, improving environmental adaptability.

[0015] 2. This multi-stage push-button tactile switch utilizes light grooves symmetrically arranged at the center of each side wall of the base, along with sensors distributed on both sides, to construct a multi-angle, redundant optical detection network. This layout allows the light source to evenly illuminate the plunger side from all four sides, completely eliminating detection blind spots. Even if the plunger tilts due to pressing or has assembly tolerances, the reflective ring can still be stably captured by the light source from at least one direction, ensuring ultra-high reliability of pressing action recognition. Simultaneously, the collaborative work of multiple sensors allows for comparative analysis of the reflected light signal intensity, and the algorithm filters out ambient light interference, significantly improving anti-interference capabilities. The rectangular dust removal channel below the light channel specifically addresses the long-term stability issues of the optical system. Its large rectangular cross-section forms an efficient airflow channel. When the plunger moves up and down, the air pressure fluctuations generated can actively expel internal dust, preventing dust from accumulating on the surface of the light transmission channel or the reflective ring, which can lead to optical path attenuation or signal distortion. The rectangular structure also facilitates processing and demolding, and the right-angled edges are not prone to dust accumulation. The symmetrical distribution of multiple light sources and multiple sensors naturally supports plunger rotation position recognition, providing a hardware foundation for spinning composite operations. The vertical layered design of the dust removal channel and the light transmission channel prevents secondary contamination of the optical window by falling dust. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present utility model. Figure 1 ;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present utility model. Figure 2 ;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the plunger structure of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the light source reflection of this utility model.

[0020] In the diagram: 1. Base; 2. Mounting slot; 3. Plunger; 21. Light transmission slot; 22. Sensor; 23. Dust removal slot; 31. Reflective ring. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0022] Please see Figures 1-4A multi-stage push-button tactile switch includes a base 1. The base 1 has an mounting groove 2 for mounting a metal spring and a plunger 3. The top side of the base 1 has a light-transmitting groove 21, and a light source on the outside of the base 1 shines through the light-transmitting groove 21 onto the side of the plunger 3 inside. The side wall of the plunger 3 can reflect part of the light source onto the inner wall of the base 1. The inner wall of the base 1 is provided with a sensor 22 that can sense the light source. The plunger 3 is provided with reflective rings 31 at intervals. The reflective rings 31 can change the reflection angle or reflection intensity of the external light source.

[0023] An external light source illuminates the interior of the base 1 through the light-transmitting groove 21 and also illuminates the side of the plunger 3. When the plunger 3 is pressed, it moves up and down. When the reflective ring 31 moves to the area illuminated by the light source, the light reflected onto the sensor 22 changes. The sensor 22 converts the light source signal into an electrical signal, so that even if the plunger 3 is not fully pressed to activate the metal spring, it can still determine whether the user has pressed it and infer whether it is a mis-touch or insufficient pressure based on the degree of pressing. In some precision mechanical production equipment, the emergency stop button needs to be protected from accidental touches by workers. However, during long-term use, there may be aging or the metal spring may have a low original elasticity, which may cause the emergency stop button to be incompletely triggered when pressed by the worker. The plunger 3 stroke is used for detection. When a large stroke and a long pressing time are detected, it replaces the metal spring to trigger the activation and stop the machine.

[0024] The reflective ring 31 is a groove on the plunger 3.

[0025] The light-transmitting groove 21 is provided on each side wall of the base 1 and is located in the center. The sensor 22 is located on both sides of the light-transmitting groove 21. Below the light-transmitting groove 21, a dust removal groove 23 is provided at the bottom of the base 1. The dust removal groove 23 is rectangular.

[0026] Working principle: The base 1 has an installation groove 2 for mounting the metal spring and the plunger 3. The top side of the base 1 has a light-transmitting groove 21, and a light source on the outside of the base 1 shines through the light-transmitting groove 21 onto the side of the plunger 3 inside. The side wall of the plunger 3 can reflect part of the light source onto the inner wall of the base 1. The inner wall of the base 1 is equipped with a sensor 22 that can sense the light source. The plunger 3 is provided with reflective rings 31 at intervals. The reflective rings 31 can change the reflection angle or reflection intensity of the external light source. The external light source shines into the interior of the base 1 through the light-transmitting groove 21 and also shines on the side of the plunger 3. When the plunger 3 is pressed, the plunger 3 will move up and down. When the reflective rings 31 move into the light source illumination area, the light source reflected on the sensor 22 will change. The sensor 22 converts the light source signal into an electrical signal, so that even if the plunger 3 is not fully pressed to conduct the metal spring, it can still determine whether the user has pressed it, and infer whether it is a mis-touch or insufficient pressing force based on the degree of pressing.

[0027] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0028] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A multi-stage push-button tactile switch, comprising a base (1), wherein the base (1) is provided with a mounting groove (2) for a metal spring and a plunger (3) to be disposed, characterized in that: The base (1) has a light-transmitting groove (21) on the top side, and a light source on the outside of the base (1) shines through the light-transmitting groove (21) onto the side of the inner plunger (3). The side wall of the plunger (3) can reflect part of the light source onto the inner wall of the base (1). The inner wall of the base (1) is provided with a sensor (22) that can sense the light source. The plunger (3) is provided with reflective rings (31) at intervals. The reflective rings (31) can change the reflection angle or reflection intensity of the external light source.

2. The multi-segment push-button tactile switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reflective ring (31) is a groove on the plunger (3).

3. A multi-segment push-button tactile switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light-transmitting groove (21) is provided on each side wall of the base (1) and is located in the center.

4. A multi-segment push-button tactile switch according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sensor (22) is disposed on both sides of the light-transmitting groove (21).

5. A multi-segment push-button tactile switch according to claim 3, characterized in that: Below the light-transmitting groove (21), and at the bottom of the base (1), there is a dust removal groove (23), which is rectangular.

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