Magnetic sensor-based switch mechanism

Abstract

This invention provides a switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor that enables ON / OFF control of a switch without applying any external physical force. [Solution] A switch mechanism 10 for an electronic device 60, comprising a magnetic sensor 18 and an electronic component 50 that operates when the magnetic sensor 18 is activated, wherein a permanent magnet 14 is placed near the magnetic sensor 18, and the magnetic field lines of the permanent magnet 14 fall within the detection range of the magnetic sensor 18 due to the permanent magnet 14 being attracted to or approaching a magnetic material 70.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and particularly to a switch mechanism that uses a magnetic sensor for power ON / OFF.

Background Art

[0002] As switch mechanisms using magnetic sensors, those disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are known. The switch mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a stator in which a groove (inclined groove) is formed in a direction oblique to the pressing direction with respect to an operator of a push-type switch, and a groove (lateral groove) is provided in a direction intersecting the pressing direction. A permanent magnet movably arranged with respect to the lateral groove of the stator and a magnetic sensor fixed at a fixed position are arranged, and the tip of the permanent magnet is slid in the inclined groove of the operator.

[0003] With such a configuration, by pressing the operator, the permanent magnet is operated by the inclined groove and moves in the lateral groove. As a result, the positions of the permanent magnet and the magnetic sensor change, causing a change in magnetic field lines, and ON / OFF control of the switch is performed.

[0004] Also, the switch mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 2 is for detecting the open / closed state of an opening / closing member provided in an opening of a building, and a permanent magnet is arranged on one member and a magnetic sensor is arranged on the other member.

[0005] With such a configuration, when an opening / closing operation occurs in the opening / closing member, a change occurs in the magnetic field lines of the permanent magnet detected by the magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor controls a switching signal in accordance with this change in magnetic field lines.

[0006] According to any of the switch mechanisms with such a configuration, it is possible to perform switching control in a non-contact state for a specific operation. On the other hand, when incorporated into a specific device, an operation such as applying a physical force to move the permanent magnet is required. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-69326 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-106238 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor that makes it possible to control the ON / OFF state of a switch without applying any external physical force, by taking advantage of the properties of a permanent magnet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor according to the present invention for achieving the above objective is a switch mechanism for an electronic device comprising a magnetic sensor and an electronic component that operates when the magnetic sensor is activated, characterized in that a permanent magnet is placed near the magnetic sensor, and the magnetic field lines of the permanent magnet fall within the detection range of the magnetic sensor due to the permanent magnet being attracted to or approaching a magnetic material.

[0010] Furthermore, in a switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor having the above-described characteristics, the permanent magnet is positioned at the tip of an arm that is rotatable around a base that contacts the magnetic material, and the arm is provided with a biasing means that applies a force in the direction that the tip of the arm moves away from the base, so that when the base contacts or approaches the magnetic material, the permanent magnet can be brought into close proximity to the magnetic material. Due to these characteristics, the switch will turn ON simply by bringing the base into contact with or near a magnetic material.

[0011] Furthermore, in a switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor having the above-described characteristics, the permanent magnet can be fixed to the surface of the base that contacts the magnetic material, on the surface opposite to the contact surface with the magnetic material, so that when the base contacts or comes into close proximity with the magnetic material, the magnetic material acts as a yoke to extend the range of magnetic field lines. These characteristics mean that the switch will turn ON simply by bringing the base into contact with or near a magnetic material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] A switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor with the characteristics described above makes it possible to control the ON / OFF state of the switch without applying any external physical force. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of an electronic device employing a switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram of the ABCD cross-section shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the range of magnetic field lines reached by a movable magnet when the electronic device shown is not in contact with a magnetic material. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing how the movable magnet makes contact with the base when the base is brought into contact with a magnetic material. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the range of magnetic field lines reached by a movable magnet when the electronic device shown is in contact with a magnetic material. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of an electronic device employing a switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor according to the second embodiment, and the range of magnetic field lines of a permanent magnet when it is in a non-contact state with a magnetic material. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the range of magnetic field lines of a permanent magnet when an electronic device is in contact with a magnetic material. [Figure 8]It is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of an electronic device to which a switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor according to the second embodiment is applied.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of a switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments shown below are a part of preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention, and as long as the effects are achieved, even if a part of the configuration is changed, it can be regarded as a part of the present invention.

[0015] [First Embodiment: Configuration] First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the configuration of a switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor according to the first embodiment (hereinafter, simply referred to as the switch mechanism 10) will be described. In the following embodiments, an LED is taken as an example of an electronic component 50 operated by the switch mechanism 10, and an electronic device 60 is a light equipped with an LED.

[0016] The switch mechanism 10 according to the present embodiment is based on a base 12, a movable arm 16 provided with a permanent magnet 14 (specifically, a movable magnet 14a among the permanent magnets 14), and a magnetic sensor 18, and is configured to operate an LED as the electronic component 50. The base 12 is a bottom plate that will be in contact with or disposed in close proximity to the magnetic body 70 when the electronic device 60 is adsorbed and fixed to the magnetic body 70. The base 12 may be a plate body made of a non-magnetic material such as resin, and its thickness is preferably thin as long as sufficient rigidity as a product can be ensured. This is to ensure the adsorption force of the permanent magnet 14 (movable magnet 14a, fixed magnet 14b) to the magnetic body 70. The back surface of the base 12 (the surface that will face the magnetic body 70 in the installed state) may be a flat surface, or may be configured to provide a slight convex portion (not shown) as a leg portion. This is to stabilize the installation state of the electronic device 60 when there are irregularities or curvature on the installation surface (the adsorption and fixing surface of the magnetic body 70).

[0017] On the surface of the base 12, a plurality of permanent magnets 14, a plurality of substrates 20, and the bearings 22 of the movable arm 16 are provided. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the base 12 is in the shape of a disk, and five permanent magnets 14 are evenly arranged around the center point. In this embodiment, four of the five permanent magnets 14 are fixed magnets 14b, and one is a movable magnet 14a, and the movable magnet 14a is arranged on the movable arm 16 described later. The substrate 20 is for arranging electronic components 50, and in this embodiment, LEDs are arranged. Then, the substrates 20 are respectively arranged between the five permanent magnets 14 so as to form the sides of a pentagon in plan view.

[0018] The movable arm 16 is for changing the arrangement position of the movable one (movable magnet 14a) among the permanent magnets 14. In this embodiment, it is a plate piece provided rotatably about the bearing 22 arranged at the center of the base 12, and the length thereof is adjusted so that the tip thereof comes into contact with the outer peripheral circle connecting the arrangement positions when the four fixed magnets 14b are viewed in plan view. By arranging the permanent magnet 14 (movable magnet 14a) at the tip of the movable arm 16, the arrangement position of the permanent magnet 14 can be changed and the reach range of the magnetic force lines (magnetic flux) can be changed as the movable arm 16 rotates.

[0019] Furthermore, a protrusion 16b is provided on the surface of the movable arm 16 facing the base 12, and a biasing means 26 such as a coil spring is arranged on the protrusion 16b to generate a biasing force so that the tip of the movable arm 16 is separated from the base 12. Thereby, when the movable magnet 14a is not in the adsorbed state, the movable magnet 14a is maintained in a state separated from the surface of the base 12 by the action of the biasing means 26.

[0020] The magnetic sensor 18 is a switching element for controlling the ON / OFF state of an electronic circuit (not shown) in response to the detection of magnetic field lines. Specifically, it is controlled to be OFF when no magnetic field lines from the permanent magnet 14 (movable magnet 14a) are detected, and ON (activated state) when magnetic field lines are detected. In this embodiment, the ON / OFF control is performed based on the presence or absence of magnetic field lines from the movable magnet 14a provided on the movable arm 16.

[0021] Therefore, the magnetic sensor 18 is positioned such that magnetic field lines do not reach it when the movable magnet 14a is separated from the base 12 (see Figure 3), but reach it when the movable magnet 14a is in contact with the base 12 (attracted to the magnetic material 70) (see Figure 5). In the configurations shown in Figures 3 and 5, the magnetic sensor 18 is positioned below one of the two substrates 20 adjacent to the movable arm 16. As a result, the magnetic sensor 18 turns ON when the movable magnet 14a is in contact with the base 12, and turns OFF when the movable magnet 14a is separated from the base 12.

[0022] The LED is an electronic component 50 that operates in conjunction with the ON / OFF control of the magnetic sensor 18. In this embodiment, it is provided on each substrate 20 located on the base 12, and when the magnetic sensor 18 is turned ON, power is supplied and it emits light. On the other hand, when the magnetic sensor 18 is turned OFF, the power supply is cut off and the light emission stops. Although not shown in the figures, the base 12 will be equipped with a power supply source such as a primary battery or a secondary battery, and control elements that change the light emission pattern of the LED.

[0023] [Effects / Effects] In the switch mechanism 10 according to this embodiment, which has the configuration described above, when the base 12 is not in contact with the magnetic material 70, or when the base 12 is not close to the magnetic material 70, the movable magnet 14a is separated from the base 12, and the magnetic sensor 18 is in the OFF state (state shown in Figure 3).

[0024] In contrast, as shown in Figure 5, when the base 12 is brought into contact with or close to the magnetic material 70, the attractive force of the movable magnet 14a to the magnetic material 70 exceeds the biasing force of the biasing means 26, causing the movable magnet 14a to come into contact with the base 12. As a result, the magnetic field lines of the movable magnet 14a reach the magnetic sensor 18, and the magnetic sensor 18 detects the magnetic field lines.

[0025] When the magnetic sensor 18 detects magnetic field lines, the magnetic sensor turns ON, power is supplied to the LED, which is an electronic component 50, and the LED lights up.

[0026] This switch mechanism 10 makes it possible to control the ON / OFF state of the switch without applying any external physical force, by utilizing the properties of the permanent magnet 14. In other words, simply by bringing the base 12 into contact with or close to the magnetic material 70, the permanent magnet 14 will operate automatically, switching the switch. Therefore, the person handling the electronic device 60 does not need to manually operate the switch, eliminating the possibility of forgetting to turn the switch on or off. Furthermore, it is possible to make the casing (not shown) a completely sealed structure, thus providing the electronic device 60 with dustproof and waterproof functions.

[0027] [Second Embodiment] Next, with reference to Figures 6 and 7, the configuration of the switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor according to the second embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as the switch mechanism 10A) will be described. Since the basic configuration of the switch mechanism 10A according to this embodiment is the same as that of the switch mechanism 10 according to the first embodiment, elements with the same function will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0028] The main difference in configuration between the switch mechanism 10A according to this embodiment and the switch mechanism 10 according to the first embodiment lies in the presence or absence of the movable magnet 14a. Specifically, the switch mechanism 10A according to this embodiment does not have a movable arm 16, and all of the permanent magnets 14 are fixed magnets 14b fixed to the base 12.

[0029] In the switch mechanism 10A with this configuration, ON / OFF control by the magnetic sensor 18 is achieved by utilizing the change in the range of magnetic field lines due to the characteristics of the permanent magnet 14. That is, as shown in Figure 7, when the magnetic material 70 comes into close proximity to the permanent magnet 14 (fixed magnet 14b), the magnetic material 70 acts as a yoke, increasing the number of magnetic field lines and their range (distance). As a result, when the electronic device 60 is operating alone (when the magnetic material 70 is not in close proximity to the electronic device 60), the magnetic field lines reach the magnetic sensor 18, which was located outside the range of magnetic field lines, and the power supply circuit for the LED, which is an electronic component 50, turns ON.

[0030] Even with a switch mechanism 10A having such a configuration, it is possible to control the ON / OFF state of the switch without applying any external physical force, and therefore it can be considered part of the present invention.

[0031] Furthermore, in a switch mechanism 10A with such a configuration, for example, as shown in the circuit diagram in Figure 8, multiple magnetic sensors 18 can be connected in series (each magnetic sensor 18 is equipped with a permanent magnet that contributes to the operation of the magnetic sensor), so that the circuit becomes energized when multiple magnetic sensors 18 are turned ON simultaneously. As a result, even if a magnetic material 70 comes into close proximity to only one permanent magnet 14 (fixed magnet 14b), the electronic circuit will not be energized, thus preventing malfunctions. [Industrial applicability]

[0032] In the above embodiment, an LED is given as an example of the electronic component 50, but it may also be a horn, buzzer, or other electronic component. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 10…Switch mechanism, 12…Base, 14…Permanent magnet, 14a…Movable magnet, 14b…Fixed magnet, 16…Movable arm, 16b…Protrusion, 18…Magnetic sensor, 20…Substrate, 22…Bearing, 26…Biasing means, 50…Electronic component, 60…Electronic device, 70…Magnetic material.

Claims

1. A switch mechanism for an electronic device comprising a magnetic sensor and an electronic component that operates upon activation of the magnetic sensor, A permanent magnet is placed near the aforementioned magnetic sensor. A switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor, characterized in that the magnetic field lines of the permanent magnet fall within the detection range of the magnetic sensor due to the permanent magnet being attracted to or approaching a magnetic material.

2. The permanent magnet is positioned at the tip of an arm that is rotatable around a base that contacts the magnetic material. The arm is provided with a biasing means that applies a force in a direction that causes the tip of the arm to move away from the base. A switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the base is in contact with or close to the magnetic material, thereby bringing the permanent magnet close to the magnetic material.

3. The switch mechanism using a magnetic sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the permanent magnet is fixed to the surface of the base that contacts the magnetic material, on the surface opposite to the contact surface with the magnetic material, and the base contacts or comes into close proximity with the magnetic material, thereby widening the range of magnetic field lines by using the magnetic material as a yoke.

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