Switching element

Abstract

To provide a switching element that can easily control ON and OFF operation by liquid metal movement.SOLUTION: A switching element is configured to include a magnetic liquid metal (13) containing liquid metal and particles of magnetic material, a container (11) in which the magnetic liquid metal (13) is movably disposed, and a plurality of terminals (12A, 12B) sealed at one end within the container (11), where conduction between the plurality of terminals (12A, 12B) is switched by moving the magnetic liquid metal (13).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a switching element. [Background technology]

[0002] An electric switch has been proposed that uses a liquid metal such as liquid gallium or a gallium alloy as a conductive liquid and switches conduction between terminals by the movement of the liquid metal. The electric switch described in the following Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which liquid gallium or a gallium alloy that does not contain metal oxide or that contains only a very small amount of metal oxide is sealed in the switch container together with an inert gas in order to prevent wetting of the inside of the switch container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 8-510082 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above electric switch configuration, the movement of the liquid metal is basically achieved by natural movement due to gravity, and the switch is turned on and off by tilting the switch container, which results in a problem that it is difficult to control the on and off of the electric switch.

[0005] In one aspect, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide a switching element that can easily control the ON / OFF operation by the movement of liquid metal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.

[0007] In other words, a switching element according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a magnetic liquid metal containing liquid metal and particles of a magnetic material, a container in which the magnetic liquid metal is movably arranged, and a plurality of terminals having one end sealed within the container, and switches conductivity between the plurality of terminals by the movement of the magnetic liquid metal.

[0008] According to the above configuration, since the magnetic liquid metal contains particles of a magnetic material, it is possible to apply a magnetic force to the magnetic liquid metal from an external magnetic source such as an electromagnet or permanent magnet, thereby moving the magnetic liquid metal toward the magnetic source. As a result, it is possible to move the magnetic liquid metal and easily switch the conduction between terminals by controlling the application of a magnetic force to the magnetic liquid metal from a magnetic source such as an electromagnet or permanent magnet. This makes it possible to easily control the ON / OFF operation of the switching element by the movement of the magnetic liquid metal.

[0009] In the switching element according to the above aspect, the liquid metal may contain at least gallium. According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a switching element using a magnetic liquid metal that does not use mercury and has no adverse effects on the environment.

[0010] In the switching element according to the above aspect, the magnetic material may be made of at least one of iron, nickel, cobalt, stainless steel, and a rare earth magnet. According to the above configuration, the magnetic material can be made of a relatively easily available material.

[0011] In the switching element according to the above aspect, the content of the magnetic material may be 1 part by weight or more and 15 parts by weight or less. According to the above configuration, the content of the magnetic material is 1 to 15 parts by weight. As a result, since the magnetic liquid metal is 1 part by weight or more, the magnetic flux density that can be moved by an external magnetic source is, for example, 1 [mT] or more. Furthermore, since the magnetic liquid metal is 15 parts by weight or less, the viscosity that can be moved by an external magnetic source is, for example, 100 [Pa s] or less, and the physical state is liquid. This makes it possible to easily control the ON / OFF operation of the switching element.

[0012] In the switching element according to the above aspect, the particle diameter of the magnetic material may be 1 μm or more and 100 μm or less. According to the above configuration, the particle diameter of the magnetic material is 1 μm to 100 μm, so that an increase in thixotropy is suppressed, viscosity is reduced, responsiveness is improved, and precipitation of the magnetic material dispersed in the magnetic liquid metal can be prevented. This allows the switching element to reliably perform ON / OFF operations.

[0013] In the switching element according to the above aspect, the terminals may be arranged in the container such that the longitudinal directions of the terminals are parallel to each other, and may be arranged in parallel at an interval that allows short-circuiting by the magnetic liquid metal that has moved within the container. According to the above configuration, the magnetic liquid metal that has moved within the container is arranged at any position in the region in which the terminals are arranged in parallel to each other. This shorts the terminals, making it possible to widen the allowable range of the arrangement position of the magnetic liquid metal and to improve the electrical continuity. In other words, by moving the magnetic liquid metal in the container from an external magnetic source such as an electromagnet or permanent magnet, it is possible to easily and appropriately control the ON / OFF of the switching element.

[0014] In the switching element relating to the above-mentioned aspect, the container may include a tube formed in a U-shape or semicircular arc shape when viewed from the front and protruding downward, and the multiple terminals may include a pair of terminals inserted into the tube from both ends thereof, and arranged opposite each other at a position a predetermined height above the lower end of the tube, with the ends of each terminal spaced apart a distance that allows short-circuiting by the magnetic liquid metal moving within the tube.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the pair of terminals are short-circuited by the magnetic liquid metal that has moved inside the tube to a position a predetermined height above the bottom end of the tube, making it easy to control the ON / OFF state of the switching element by moving the magnetic liquid metal inside the tube to a position a predetermined height above the bottom end of the tube using an external magnetic source such as an electromagnet or permanent magnet.

[0016] In the switching element according to the above aspect, the container may be made of a fluororesin. According to the above configuration, since the container is made of a fluororesin, it is possible to improve the wettability of the magnetic liquid metal to the inner wall.

[0017] In the switching element according to the above aspect, the inside of the container may be fluorine-coated. According to the above configuration, since the inside of the container is fluorine-coated, it is possible to improve the wettability of the magnetic liquid metal to the inner wall.

[0018] In the switching element according to the above aspect, the container may be filled with a fluorine-based inert liquid together with the magnetic liquid metal. According to the above configuration, since the container is filled with a fluorine-based inert liquid together with the magnetic liquid metal, it is possible to improve the wettability of the magnetic liquid metal to the inner wall, to provide insulation, and to prevent arcing.

[0019] A switching device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the switching element according to claim 1, an electromagnet that applies a magnetic force to the magnetic liquid metal, and a magnetic force control unit that controls application of a current to the electromagnet. According to the above configuration, the magnetic force control unit can control the application of a magnetic force to the magnetic liquid metal by controlling the application of a current to the electromagnet, and can move the magnetic liquid metal to easily switch the conduction between terminals. This allows the magnetic force control unit to easily control the ON / OFF operation of the switching element via the electromagnet.

[0020] A method for producing a magnetic liquid metal according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for producing the magnetic liquid metal provided in the switching element according to claim 1, and includes a pouring step of pouring particles of a magnetic material and a stirring bar into the liquid metal in a stirring vessel, and a stirring step of mixing and dispersing the particles of the magnetic material in the liquid metal by stirring the liquid metal at 300 rpm or more and 3600 rpm or less for a predetermined time using the stirring bar and a stirrer. According to the above configuration, the particles of the magnetic material can be mixed and dispersed in the liquid metal by a simple method. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a switching element that can easily control the ON / OFF operation by the movement of liquid metal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a schematic configuration and an operation example of a switching device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for producing a magnetic liquid metal. [Diagram 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a schematic configuration and an operation example of a switching device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components and members shown in each drawing are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the vertical direction, that is, the direction of gravity, is defined as the up-down direction.

[0024] §1 Examples of application [Embodiment 1] First, an example of a switching device to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram that typically illustrates an example of a schematic configuration and an example of an operation of a switching device 1 according to embodiment 1. As shown on the left side of Fig. 1, the switching device 1 according to embodiment 1 is composed of a switching element 2, an electromagnet 3, and a magnetic force control unit 5. The switching element 2 includes a container 11, two terminals 12A and 12B, and a magnetic liquid metal 13 disposed in the container 11, and the container 11 is filled with a fluorine-based inert liquid 15.

[0025] The container 11 is formed in a thin box shape that is generally rectangular when viewed from the front and long in the vertical direction. One end of each of the terminals 12A and 12B is inserted into the upper wall of the container 11 and sealed therein. The magnetic liquid metal 13 is a liquid metal having magnetism, and it is possible to move the magnetic liquid metal 13 toward the magnetic source by applying a magnetic force to the magnetic liquid metal 13 from an external magnetic source such as an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. When no magnetic force is applied from the outside, the magnetic liquid metal 13 is located on the lower side of the container 11 in the direction of gravity, that is, on the bottom side.

[0026] The fluorine-based inert liquid 15 can prevent the magnetic liquid metal 13 from wetting the terminals 12A, 12B and the inner surface of the container 11. The fluorine-based inert liquid 15 is also effective in insulating the terminals 12A, 12B and preventing arcing.

[0027] 1, in the first embodiment, an electromagnet 3 is disposed in the vicinity of the upper side of the container 11. The electromagnet 3 includes a coil 21, a rod-shaped core 22 inserted into the coil 21, a switch 23, and a battery 25 electrically connected to the coil 21 via the switch 23. The core 22 is made of a ferromagnetic material such as iron.

[0028] Furthermore, the magnetic force control unit 5 switches the conductive state of the switch 23 based on an external input. For example, the magnetic force control unit 5 may switch the conductive state of the switch 23 by an externally input electric signal, or may switch the conductive state of the switch 23 by an external physical force. In this way, the magnetic force control unit 5 can control the ON / OFF of the electromagnet 3.

[0029] §2 Configuration Example Next, the material of the container 11 will be described. The container 11 is made of fluororesin. The container 11 is formed in a hollow box shape, and is configured so that the magnetic liquid metal 13 can move up and down. This can improve the wettability of the magnetic liquid metal 13 to the inner wall of the container 11.

[0030] The container 11 may be made of other resin materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and acrylic resin, and the inside may be coated with fluorine. This can improve the wettability of the magnetic liquid metal 13 to the inner wall of the container 11.

[0031] Each of the terminals 12A, 12B is made of tungsten. This can suppress corrosion of each of the terminals 12A, 12B due to the magnetic liquid metal 13, and can extend the life of the terminals. In addition, each of the terminals 12A, 12B is inserted into the container 11 with one end thereof spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, for example, about 1 mm to 5 mm, and arranged in parallel with each other. As a result, each of the terminals 12A, 12B is arranged in parallel with an interval that allows short-circuiting by the magnetic liquid metal 13 that moves upward in the container 11. In addition, the other end of each of the terminals 12A, 12B is bent outward at a substantially right angle at the upper end of the container 11, and is configured so that an electromagnet 3 can be arranged in a position near the upper side of the container 11.

[0032] Next, a description will be given of the magnetic liquid metal 13. The magnetic liquid metal 13 contains liquid metal and particles of a magnetic material. In other words, the magnetic liquid metal 13 is a liquid metal in which particles of a magnetic material are mixed and dispersed.

[0033] The liquid metal contained in the magnetic liquid metal 13 includes mercury, gallium, and gallium alloys, but in the first embodiment, gallium and gallium alloys are used as non-toxic substitutes for mercury. The gallium alloy includes an alloy containing gallium, tin, and indium. The gallium alloy may further include zinc, bismuth, gold, silver, aluminum, and the like.

[0034] The magnetic material contained in the magnetic liquid metal 13 is at least one of iron, nickel, cobalt, stainless steel, and rare earth magnet. The rare earth magnet includes samarium cobalt magnet, neodymium magnet, praseodymium magnet, samarium iron nitrogen magnet, etc. Furthermore, the magnetic material particles may be surface-treated with easily soluble zinc or nickel.

[0035] The content of the magnetic material in the magnetic liquid metal 13 is set to 1 part by weight or more and 15 parts by weight or less. In other words, if the weight of gallium or gallium alloy is 100, the weight of the magnetic material is set to be mixed in a ratio of 1 to 15. If the content of the magnetic material is less than 1 part by weight, the magnetic flux density of the magnetic liquid metal 13 is less than 1 [mT]. As a result, it becomes difficult to be magnetized by magnetic force, and it becomes unresponsive to magnetic force. Also, if the content of the magnetic material is more than 15 parts by weight, the viscosity of the magnetic liquid metal 13 becomes greater than 100 [Pa·s], and the responsiveness to magnetic force decreases.

[0036] Therefore, by setting the content of the magnetic material in the magnetic liquid metal 13 to 1 part by weight or more, the magnetic flux density becomes, for example, 1 [mT] or more, which allows the magnetic liquid metal 13 to be moved by an external magnetic source. Also, by setting the content of the magnetic material in the magnetic liquid metal 13 to 15 parts by weight or less, the magnetic liquid metal 13 has a viscosity, for example, 100 [Pa s] or less, which allows the magnetic liquid metal 13 to be moved by an external magnetic source, and is in a liquid physical state. This makes it possible to easily control the ON / OFF operation of the switching element 2.

[0037] In addition, the particle diameter of the magnetic material is set to 1 [μm] or more and 100 [μm] or less. When the particle diameter of the magnetic material is smaller than 1 [μm], the thixotropy of the magnetic liquid metal 13 increases. Therefore, even if the application of the magnetic force is stopped after the magnetic liquid metal 13 stops at the upper side of the container 11 due to the application of the magnetic force, the magnetic liquid metal 13 adheres to the terminals 12A and 12B, etc., and is difficult to move in the direction of gravity, and the responsiveness to the magnetic force decreases. In addition, when the particle diameter of the magnetic material is larger than 100 [μm], the storage stability of the magnetic material in the magnetic liquid metal 13 decreases, and the particles of the magnetic material settle to the bottom of the container, and the responsiveness to the magnetic force decreases.

[0038] Therefore, by setting the particle size of the magnetic material in the magnetic liquid metal 13 to 100 μm or less, it is possible to suppress an increase in thixotropy, reduce viscosity, improve responsiveness, and prevent precipitation of the magnetic material dispersed in the magnetic liquid metal 13. This allows the switching element 2 to be turned on and off reliably.

[0039] Next, a method for producing the magnetic liquid metal 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of a method for producing the magnetic liquid metal 13. When producing the magnetic liquid metal 13 having components suitable for use in the switching element 2, simply adding particles of a magnetic material to the liquid metal and stirring it will not result in a state in which the particles are uniformly mixed. In response to this, the inventors of the present application have discovered that a state in which the particles are uniformly mixed can be achieved by performing processing under the following conditions.

[0040] 2, first, in step S11, an operator puts liquid metal, magnetic material powder, i.e., magnetic material particles, and a stirrer (not shown) into a stirring vessel (not shown) (putting step). Then, the operator proceeds to the process of step S12.

[0041] In step S12, the operator places the stirring container on a stirrer (not shown). Then, the operator starts stirring using the stirrer at a rotation speed of the stirrer of 300 rpm or more and 3600 rpm or less (stirring step). Then, the operator proceeds to the process of step S13.

[0042] In step S13, the operator determines whether a predetermined time, for example, 5 to 60 minutes, has elapsed since starting stirring. If the operator determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed since starting stirring (S13: NO), the operator executes the process of step S13 again.

[0043] On the other hand, if the operator determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of stirring (S13: YES), the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the operator stops stirring with the stirrer and the stirring bar, and then ends the process. This allows the operator to mix the particles of the magnetic material into the liquid metal by dispersing them appropriately and uniformly. Therefore, by using the magnetic liquid metal 13 manufactured in this manner, a switching element 2 capable of performing a smooth and stable switching operation can be realized.

[0044] §3 Example of operation Next, an example of the operation of the switching element 2 configured as described above will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown on the left side of Fig. 1, the magnetic force control unit 5 sets the switch 23 to OFF, and sets the electromagnet 3 to OFF. As a result, the magnetic liquid metal 13 in the container 11 moves downward in the direction of gravity, that is, to the bottom side, and the terminals 12A and 12B are not conductive. Therefore, the magnetic force control unit 5 can set the switching element 2 to OFF by setting the switch 23 to OFF.

[0045] 1, the magnetic force control unit 5 sets the switch 23 to ON and sets the electromagnet 3 to ON. As a result, the magnetic liquid metal 13 in the container 11 is subjected to a magnetic force and moves upward in the container 11, and the terminals 12A and 12B are short-circuited by the magnetic liquid metal 13 and become conductive. Therefore, by setting the switch 23 to ON, the magnetic force control unit 5 can set the switching element 2 to ON.

[0046] Therefore, the magnetic force control unit 5 can control the application of magnetic force to the magnetic liquid metal 13 by controlling the application of current to the electromagnet 3. As a result, the magnetic force control unit 5 can move the magnetic liquid metal 13 in the container 11 in the vertical direction, and easily switch the conduction between the terminals 12A and 12B. This allows the magnetic force control unit 5 to easily and appropriately control the ON / OFF operation of the switching element 2 via the electromagnet 3.

[0047] § 4 Variations [Embodiment 2] Next, a switching device 31 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration and an operation example of the switching device 31 according to the second embodiment. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals are attached to members having the same functions as the members described in the switching device 1 according to the first embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0048] 3, the switching device 31 according to the second embodiment is composed of a switching element 32, an electromagnet 33, and a magnetic force control unit 5. The switching element 32 includes a tube 41 as a container, two terminals 42A and 42B, and a magnetic liquid metal 13 disposed in the tube 41, and the tube 41 is filled with a fluorine-based inert liquid 15.

[0049] The tube 41 is formed in a generally semicircular arc shape in a front view protruding downward in the direction of gravity. Alternatively, the tube 41 may be formed in a generally U-shape in a front view protruding downward in the direction of gravity. One end of each of the terminals 42A, 42B is inserted into the tube 41 from both ends of the tube 41 and sealed therein. A wiring 43 is electrically connected to the other end of each of the terminals 42A, 42B.

[0050] The terminals 42A, 42B are arranged to face each other with one end thereof spaced apart by a predetermined distance, for example, about 1 mm to about 5 mm, at a position above the lower end of the tube 41 by a predetermined height, for example, about 5 mm to about 10 mm. When no magnetic force is applied from the outside by the electromagnet 33, the magnetic liquid metal 13 is located below the one ends of the terminals 42A, 42B arranged to face each other, that is, on the bottom side.

[0051] The fluorine-based inert liquid 15 can prevent the magnetic liquid metal 13 from wetting the terminals 42A, 42B and the inner surface of the tube 41. The fluorine-based inert liquid 15 is also effective in improving insulation between the ends of the terminals 42A, 42B and preventing arcing.

[0052] 3, the electromagnet 33 includes an electromagnetic holder 35, a switch 23, and a battery 25 electrically connected to the electromagnetic holder 35 via the switch 23. In the second embodiment, the electromagnetic holder 35 is disposed in a position adjacent to the outer circumferential surface at a position a predetermined height above the lower end of the tube 41 so as to face between one ends of the terminals 42A, 42B.

[0053] The electromagnetic holder 35 has a built-in coil wound around a core made of a ferromagnetic material such as iron, and can apply a magnetic force when a current flows from the battery 25 via the switch 23. In addition, the magnetic force control unit 5 is electrically connected to the switch 23 and can turn the switch 23 on and off. Thus, the magnetic force control unit 5 can control the on and off of the electromagnet 33 by controlling the on and off of the switch 23.

[0054] Next, the material of the tube 41 will be described. The tube 41 is made of fluororesin. The tube 41 is configured so that the magnetic liquid metal 13 can move upward from the lower end. This improves the wettability of the magnetic liquid metal 13 to the inner wall of the tube 41.

[0055] The tube 41 may be made of other resin materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylic resin, and silicon resin, and the inside may be coated with fluorine. This can improve the wettability of the magnetic liquid metal 13 to the inner wall of the tube 41.

[0056] Each of the terminals 42A, 42B is made of tungsten. This makes it possible to suppress corrosion of each of the terminals 42A, 42B due to the magnetic liquid metal 13, and to extend the life of the terminals. In addition, each of the terminals 42A, 42B is disposed opposite to each other with one end spaced apart by a predetermined distance, for example, about 1 mm to 5 mm. This allows each of the terminals 42A, 42B to be disposed opposite to each other at a distance that allows short-circuiting by the magnetic liquid metal 13 that has moved upward by a predetermined height within the tube 41 due to the magnetic force applied by the electromagnetic holder 35.

[0057] Next, an example of the operation of the switching element 32 configured as described above will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown on the left side of Fig. 3, the magnetic force control unit 5 sets the switch 23 to OFF, and sets the electromagnetic holder 35 to OFF. As a result, the magnetic liquid metal 13 in the tube 41 moves downward in the direction of gravity, that is, toward the lower end side of the tube 41, and the terminals 42A, 42B are not conductive. Therefore, the magnetic force control unit 5 can set the switching element 32 to OFF by setting the switch 23 to OFF.

[0058] 3, the magnetic force control unit 5 sets the switch 23 to ON and sets the electromagnetic holder 35 to ON. As a result, the magnetic liquid metal 13 located at the lower end of the tube 41 is subjected to a magnetic force and moves to a position facing the electromagnetic holder 35, and the terminals 42A, 42B are short-circuited by the magnetic liquid metal 13 and become conductive. Therefore, by setting the switch 23 to ON, the magnetic force control unit 5 can set the switching element 32 to ON.

[0059] Therefore, the magnetic force control unit 5 can control the application of magnetic force to the magnetic liquid metal 13 by controlling the application of current to the electromagnetic holder 35 of the electromagnet 33. As a result, the magnetic force control unit 5 can move the magnetic liquid metal 13 in the tube 41 from the lower end of the tube 41 to a position facing the electromagnetic holder 35, and easily switch the conduction between the terminals 42A and 42B. This allows the magnetic force control unit 5 to easily control the ON / OFF operation of the switching element 32 via the electromagnet 33.

[0060] [Variation 1] In the switching device 1 according to the first embodiment, the switching element 2 and the electromagnet 3 may be integrated together. Specifically, for example, a core 22 around which the coil 21 is wound may be attached along the upper edge of the side wall of the container 11. This allows the switching device 1 to be made more compact.

[0061] [Variation 2] In the switching device 1 according to the first embodiment, the electromagnets 3 may be disposed at a position near the top of the container 11 and at a position near the bottom of the container 11. The magnetic force control unit 5 may be electrically connected to the switch 23 of each electromagnet 3 so that each switch 23 can be turned ON and OFF individually. In this way, the magnetic force control unit 5 sets the switch 23 of the upper electromagnet 3 from ON to OFF, and sets the switch 23 of the lower electromagnet 3 from OFF to ON. As a result, the magnetic liquid metal 13 can be caused to fall faster than the natural fall through the fluorine-based inert liquid 15. As a result, the response speed of the switching element 2 can be increased.

[0062] [Variation 3] In the switching device 31 according to the second embodiment, the electromagnetic holder 35 of the electromagnet 33 may be disposed in the vicinity of the outer circumferential surface of an upper position where one end of each of the terminals 42A, 42B of the tube 41 faces, and a position facing the lower end of the tube 41. The magnetic force control unit 5 may be electrically connected to the switch 23 of each electromagnet 33 so that each switch 23 can be turned ON and OFF individually.

[0063] Thereby, the magnetic force control unit 5 sets the switch 23 of the upper electromagnet 33 from ON to OFF, and sets the switch 23 of the lower electromagnet 33 from OFF to ON. As a result, the magnetic liquid metal 13 can be caused to fall faster than the natural fall through the fluorine-based inactive liquid 15. As a result, it is possible to increase the response speed of the switching element 32.

[0064] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0065] [Additional Notes] The switching element of the first embodiment comprises a magnetic liquid metal containing liquid metal and particles of a magnetic material, a container in which the magnetic liquid metal is movably arranged, and a plurality of terminals having one end sealed within the container, and switches conductivity between the plurality of terminals by the movement of the magnetic liquid metal.

[0066] A second aspect is the switching element of the first aspect, in which the liquid metal contains at least gallium.

[0067] A third aspect is the switching element of the first or second aspect, in which the magnetic material is made of at least one of iron, nickel, cobalt, stainless steel, and a rare earth magnet.

[0068] A fourth aspect is the switching element according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the content of the magnetic material is 1 part by weight or more and 15 parts by weight or less.

[0069] A fifth aspect is the switching element according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the particle diameter of the magnetic material is not less than 1 μm and not more than 100 μm.

[0070] A sixth aspect is a switching element of any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the multiple terminals are arranged within the container so that the longitudinal directions of the terminals are parallel to each other, and are arranged in parallel at an interval that allows short-circuiting by the magnetic liquid metal moving within the container.

[0071] A seventh aspect is a switching element of any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the container includes a tube formed in a U-shape or semicircular arc shape when viewed from the front and protruding downward, and the multiple terminals include a pair of terminals inserted into the tube from both ends thereof and arranged opposite each other at a position a predetermined height above the lower end of the tube, with the ends of each terminal spaced apart a distance that allows short-circuiting by the magnetic liquid metal moving within the tube.

[0072] An eighth aspect is the switching element according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the container is made of a fluororesin.

[0073] A ninth aspect is the switching element according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the container is fluorine-coated on the inside.

[0074] A tenth aspect is the switching element according to the eighth or ninth aspect, in which the container is filled with a fluorine-based inert liquid together with the magnetic liquid metal.

[0075] A switching device of an eleventh aspect includes the switching element according to the first aspect, an electromagnet that applies a magnetic force to the magnetic liquid metal, and a magnetic force control unit that controls application of a current to the electromagnet.

[0076] A twelfth aspect of the method for producing a magnetic liquid metal is a method for producing the magnetic liquid metal provided in the switching element described in the first aspect, and includes a pouring step of pouring magnetic material particles and a stirrer into the liquid metal in a stirring vessel, and a stirring step of stirring using the stirrer and stirrer at 300 rpm or more and 3600 rpm or less for a predetermined period of time to mix and disperse the magnetic material particles in the liquid metal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1, 31: water switching device, 2, 32: switching element, 3, 33: electromagnet, 5: magnetic force control section, 11: container, 12A, 12B, 42A, 42B: terminal, 13: magnetic liquid metal, 15: fluorine-based inert liquid, 41: tube

Claims

1. a magnetic liquid metal containing a liquid metal and particles of a magnetic material; A container in which the magnetic liquid metal is movably disposed; a plurality of terminals, one end of which is enclosed within the container; A switching element that switches electrical continuity between the plurality of terminals by movement of the magnetic liquid metal.

2. The switching element according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid metal contains at least gallium.

3. 2. The switching element according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic material is made of at least one of iron, nickel, cobalt, stainless steel, and a rare earth magnet.

4. 2. The switching element according to claim 1, wherein the content of the magnetic material is 1 part by weight or more and 15 parts by weight or less.

5. 2. The switching element according to claim 1, wherein the particle diameter of the magnetic material is 1 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

6. 2. The switching element according to claim 1, wherein the terminals are arranged in the container so that their longitudinal directions are parallel to each other, and the terminals are arranged in parallel at intervals that allow short-circuiting by the magnetic liquid metal moving within the container.

7. The container includes a tube that is U-shaped or semicircular when viewed from the front and protrudes downward, 2. The switching element described in claim 1, wherein the multiple terminals include a pair of terminals inserted into the tube from both ends thereof and positioned opposite each other at a position a predetermined height above a lower end of the tube, the ends of each terminal being spaced apart a distance that allows short-circuiting by the magnetic liquid metal moving within the tube.

8. The switching element according to claim 1 , wherein the container is made of a fluororesin.

9. 2. The switching element according to claim 1, wherein the container is internally fluorine-coated.

10. 10. The switching element according to claim 8, wherein the container is filled with a fluorine-based inert liquid together with the magnetic liquid metal.

11. A switching element according to claim 1; an electromagnet that applies a magnetic force to the magnetic liquid metal; A switching device comprising: a magnetic force control unit that controls application of a current to the electromagnet.

12. A method for producing the magnetic liquid metal provided in the switching element described in claim 1, comprising: a pouring step of pouring particles of a magnetic material and a stirring bar into the liquid metal in a stirring vessel; and a stirring step of stirring the liquid metal using the stirring bar and a stirrer at a speed of 300 rpm or more and 3600 rpm or less for a predetermined period of time to mix and disperse the particles of the magnetic material into the liquid metal.

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