Infrared microswitch

Abstract

This infrared microswitch prevents false triggering and chattering caused by contact wear and poor contact in conventional contact-type structures, thereby improving reliability and lifespan. [Solution] The infrared microswitch includes an infrared microswitch component, which includes a base body 3 and an upper case 2 provided on the base body. An axis 4 is movably inserted through the upper case so as to be reciprocally movable along the axial direction, and a blocking member 6 is integrally molded on the axis. By providing the axis and moving the blocking member, the infrared optical path between the light-emitting unit 9 and the receiving unit 10 is selectively blocked or opened, thereby realizing a non-contact signal trigger. Furthermore, there is no need to wait for the blocking member to completely block or completely withdraw the optical path; the signal is triggered or blocked (disconnected) when the change in optical signal intensity detected by the receiving unit reaches a preset threshold for change in light transmission (threshold). This design allows the switch to complete state switching within a minute stroke of the axis, significantly improving response speed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of micro switches, and in particular to an infrared micro switch. [Background Art]

[0002] At present, input devices such as mice and keyboards are widely used in computers and various electronic devices. As the core triggering and control component of such devices, the performance of a micro switch directly affects the user's operating experience and the service life of the device. Most conventional micro switches adopt a contact structure with a metal elastic piece (leaf spring), and control the on / off of a circuit through physical contact. However, during long-term use, such switches are prone to problems such as contact oxidation, wear, and poor contact, leading to trigger failure and signal chattering, which affects the reliability and service life of the device. Therefore, developing non-contact micro switches with high reliability and long service life has become an urgent technical problem to be solved in this field. [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0003] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide an infrared micro switch that solves the problems raised in the background art. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical means.

[0005] An infrared micro switch comprising an infrared micro switch component, the infrared micro switch component includes a base body and an upper case provided on the base body, The aforementioned upper case has a shaft that is movable through it so as to be able to reciprocate along the axial direction. A blocking member is integrally molded to the shaft core. The base body is further provided with an infrared emitting unit and an infrared receiving unit. The infrared light-emitting unit and the infrared light-receiving unit may be provided on a PCB substrate. The positions of the infrared emitting unit and the infrared receiving unit are interchangeable. An infrared microswitch in which, as the blocking member moves along the axis, it selectively blocks or opens the optical path between the infrared emitting unit and the infrared receiving unit to generate a trigger signal, blocking is formed when the blocking member is pushed down, and opening is completed when it is released.

[0006] As a further technical means of the present invention, a return member is provided inside the infrared microswitch component, the return member comprising a connector and a return member, one end of the return member being connected to the connector and the other end being connected to the base body, and the return member being folded back in an arc shape or a V shape.

[0007] As a further technical means of the present invention, a fitting hole is provided in the central part of the connecting body, and one end of the blocking member is inserted into the fitting hole and integrally molded with the shaft.

[0008] As a further technical means of the present invention, the return body is designed as a metal elastic piece or a spring and is used to drive the shaft back into place after the shaft has been pressed.

[0009] As a further technical means of the present invention, the infrared light-emitting unit is an infrared light-emitting tube, the infrared light-receiving unit is an infrared light-receiving tube, and the optical axes of the light-emitting unit and the receiving unit are located on the same horizontal line.

[0010] As a further technical means of this invention, a connecting body is provided at the top end of the shaft core, the connecting body extends through the upper case to the outside, and is used to connect to an external keycap.

[0011] As a further technical means of the present invention, the blocking member has a plate-like structure, with its vertical portion connected to the axis, and its horizontal portion moving downward when the axis is pushed down, entering the optical path between the infrared emitting unit and the infrared receiving unit, thereby blocking the optical path.

[0012] In another selectable embodiment of the present invention, the blocking member is not limited to a piece-shaped structure integrally molded with the shaft, but may be composed of the return member (metal elastic piece), or may be directly provided by the shaft. When the return member (metal elastic piece) is used as the blocking member, the blocking portion of the metal elastic piece is perpendicular to its main body (for example, a vertically extended structure formed by bending), and enters or exits the infrared light path as the shaft moves. When the shaft itself is used as the blocking member, the lower end of the shaft is directly designed in a shape that can block the light path in order to eliminate the need for a separate blocking member structure. Furthermore, the positions of the infrared emitting unit and the infrared receiving unit are interchangeable and do not affect the basic function of the switch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] This invention has the following beneficial effects compared to the prior art.

[0014] This invention avoids problems such as oxidation and wear of contacts by employing an infrared optical path detection method instead of conventional metal contacts, significantly improving the lifespan and reliability of the switch, making it suitable for input devices that are operated frequently, such as mouse buttons. By providing an axis and moving a blocking member in conjunction with it, a non-contact signal trigger is realized by selectively blocking or opening the infrared optical path between the light-emitting unit and the receiving unit. Furthermore, there is no need to wait for the blocking member to completely block or completely retract from the optical path; the signal can be triggered or disconnected (turned off) when the change in the optical signal intensity detected by the receiving unit reaches a preset threshold for change in the amount of light transmitted. With this design, the switch can complete state switching within a minute stroke of the axis, significantly improving the response speed and avoiding false triggers and signal chattering caused by poor contact in conventional switches.

[0015] By adopting a flat-shaped structure design for the blocking member and attaching it to the fitting hole of the shaft core, the structure is compact and easy to install. Furthermore, the integrated molding design with the shaft core facilitates automated assembly and improves production efficiency.

[0016] By incorporating a return element at the bottom of the shaft core and employing a metal elastic piece or spring design, the shaft core can be quickly returned to its original position after being pressed down, enhancing the key's rebound feel and improving the consistency of the switch's response.

[0017] By positioning the optical axes of the light-emitting unit and the receiving unit on the same horizontal line, the alignment of the optical path (opposing accuracy) is ensured, improving detection sensitivity. Furthermore, by adopting an opaque structure for the base body, interference from external light rays is effectively avoided, enhancing the operational stability of the switch in high-light environments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1]It is a structural schematic diagram showing an infrared microswitch according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded schematic diagram of the infrared microswitch in Figure 1. [Figure 3] It is a structural schematic diagram when a metal elastic piece is used as a blocking member. [Figure 4] It is a structural schematic diagram when a spring is used in the present utility model.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, the technical means in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts shall all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the present embodiment provides an infrared microswitch, which includes an infrared microswitch component 1. The infrared microswitch component 1 further includes a base body 3 and an upper case 2 provided on the base body 3, the base body 3 and the upper case 2 together form an accommodation space (cavity), which is used for installation and protection of internal elements

[0021] A shaft core 4 is movably inserted through the upper case 2, and the shaft core 4 can reciprocate along its axial direction (that is, the vertical direction). As a preferred structural form, the top end of the shaft core 4 penetrates the upper case 2 and extends to the outside, and is fixedly connected to an external key cap (not shown) to facilitate a user's pressing operation.

[0022] A return member is provided inside the infrared microswitch component 1. The return member includes a connecting body 7 and a return body 8. One end of the return body 8 is connected to the connecting body 7, and the other end is connected to the base body 3. The return body 8 is folded back in an arc shape or a V-shape.

[0023] Specifically, a fitting hole 5 is opened in the central part of the connecting body, and the fitting hole 5 is a through-hole structure. One end of the blocking member 6 is inserted into the fitting hole 5 and is integrally molded with the shaft 4. In this embodiment, the blocking member 6 preferably employs a flat blocking plate structure, with its vertical part connected to the shaft 4 and its horizontal part extending to one side, and is used to move downward and enter the optical path when the shaft 4 is pushed down.

[0024] An infrared emitting unit 9 and an infrared receiving unit 10 are further provided on the PCB board inside or outside the base body 3, and the spatial positions of the infrared emitting unit 9 and the infrared receiving unit 10 are interchangeable. That is, even after the functional roles of the emitting unit and the receiving unit are juxtaposed (swapped), a similar trigger effect can be achieved by detecting the interruption of the optical path or a change in the amount of light passing through. To ensure the accuracy of the optical path opposition, the infrared emitting unit 9 is an infrared emitting tube, and the receiving unit 10 is an infrared receiving tube, and the optical axes of the infrared emitting unit 9 and the infrared receiving unit 10 are located on the same horizontal line, and an infrared optical path is formed between them. When the blocking member 6 moves with the axis 4, the optical path between the emitting unit 9 and the receiving unit 10 can be selectively blocked or opened, thereby changing the transmission signal received by the infrared receiving unit, and thereby generating a trigger signal. The blocking member 6 forms a blockage when pressed down and completes communication when released. Furthermore, because it can interrupt and enable signals without waiting for them to be fully pressed down or released, and because it alters the signal through changes in light transmission, the microswitch has higher sensitivity.

[0025] In other alternative embodiments of the present invention, the blocking member 6 may be realized by a vertically bent portion on a metal elastic piece, or by the axis 4 itself. Specifically, this is as follows:

[0026] When a metal piece is used as the blocking member: When the shaft 4 is pushed down, it presses against the connector 7 (connector) and deforms it downward, causing the metal piece to move in sync with it, selectively blocking the optical path between the infrared emitting unit 9 and the receiving unit 10. This design takes advantage of the fact that the return body 8 itself is made of metal, does not require additional injection molding, and is suitable for scenarios with special requirements regarding cost and process.

[0027] To further enhance the reliability of infrared detection, the lower case of the fixed base 3 (which can be considered as the bottom structure of the fixed base 3) is preferably opaque in order to avoid interference with the infrared optical path detection by external light and to ensure that the switch operates stably even in a strong light environment.

[0028] When the shaft itself is used as the blocking member: The separate blocking member 6 is omitted, and when the shaft 4 is pushed down to a certain stroke, its lower end directly enters the infrared light path, thereby blocking the light path. This approach simplifies the number of parts, makes assembly easier, and is particularly suitable for miniaturized switch designs.

[0029] In an improved embodiment, the infrared optical path detection process in this embodiment is as follows: When the user is not pressing the key, the axis 4 is in its initial position, and at this time the horizontal portion of the blocking member 6 is located above the optical path region, the infrared light emitted from the infrared emitting unit 9 is smoothly received by the infrared receiving unit 10, and the switch is in an untriggered state. When the user presses down the key, the axis 4 moves downward against the return force, causing the blocking member 6 to move downward in sync. When the horizontal portion of the blocking member 6 enters the optical path between the infrared emitting unit 9 and the infrared receiving unit 10, the infrared light is blocked at least partially, and the signal strength received by the infrared receiving unit 10 is attenuated. When the change in signal strength reaches a preset threshold, the system determines that it is a trigger signal, thereby realizing the input function. After the key is released, the axis 4 returns to its original position due to the action of the return structure, the blocking member 6 exits the optical path, the optical path gradually recovers, and the signal strength received by the infrared receiving unit 10 is increased. When the change in signal strength reaches a preset threshold, the system determines that the trigger has been disconnected (turned off), and the signal is reset.

[0030] To enable automatic return of the shaft 4, a return element 8 is provided between the bottom of the shaft 4 and the base body 3. The return element 8 is a metal elastic piece or spring design and is used to store elastic potential energy after the shaft 4 is subjected to pressure and to drive the shaft 4 upward to its initial position after the external force is removed.

[0031] To further improve the reliability of optical path detection, the lower case of the base body 3 (which can be considered as the bottom structure of the base body 3) is preferably opaque in order to avoid interference of external light rays with the infrared optical path detection and to ensure that the switch can operate stably even in a high-light environment.

[0032] The infrared microswitch of this invention primarily employs the principle of a microswitch, triggering a rapid and clear electrical disconnection signal via a minute physical stroke. It can be widely applied to input devices that have high demands for trigger speed and lifespan, such as mouse buttons.

[0033] The foregoing is merely a preferred implementation of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of the protection of the present invention. Structures, apparatus, and methods of operation not specifically described and explained in the present invention shall all be implemented according to the general methods of the art unless otherwise specified and limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1. Infrared microswitch component 2 Upper case 3. Base unit 4 axis center 5. Fitting holes 6. Barrier 7 Connectors 8. Recovering Body 9. Infrared Emitting Unit 10 Infrared receiving unit

Claims

1. An infrared microswitch comprising an infrared microswitch component (1), The infrared microswitch component (1) includes a base body (3) and an upper case (2) provided on the base body (3). The upper case (2) has a shaft (4) that is movable through it so as to be able to reciprocate along the axial direction. A blocking member (6) is integrally molded to the shaft core (4). The base body (3) is further provided with an infrared emitting unit (9) and an infrared receiving unit (10). The infrared light-emitting unit (9) and the infrared light-receiving unit (10) may be provided on a PCB substrate. The positions of the infrared emitting unit (9) and the infrared receiving unit (10) are interchangeable. An infrared microswitch that generates a trigger signal by selectively blocking or opening the optical path between the infrared emitting unit (9) and the infrared receiving unit (10) as the blocking member (6) moves along the axis (4).

2. A resetting member is provided inside the infrared microswitch component (1). The return member includes a connecting body (7) and a return body (8), One end of the return body (8) is connected to the connecting body (7), and the other end is connected to the base body (3). The infrared microswitch according to claim 1, characterized in that the return body (8) is folded back in an arc shape or a V shape.

3. A fitting hole (5) is opened in the central part of the connecting body (7). The infrared microswitch according to claim 2, characterized in that one end of the blocking member (6) is inserted into the fitting hole (5) and is integrally molded with the shaft core (4).

4. The infrared microswitch according to claim 2, characterized in that the return body (8) is designed as a metal elastic piece or a spring and is used to drive the shaft (4) back into place after the shaft (4) has been pressed.

5. The infrared microswitch according to claim 1, characterized in that the infrared emitting unit (9) is an infrared emitting tube, the infrared receiving unit (10) is an infrared receiving tube, and the optical axes of the emitting unit (9) and the receiving unit (10) are located on the same horizontal line.

6. The infrared microswitch according to claim 1, characterized in that a connecting body is provided at the top end of the shaft core (4), the connecting body extends to the outside through the upper case (2), and is used to connect to an external key cap.

7. It includes a base body (3) and an upper case (2) provided on the base body (3), The upper case (2) has a shaft (4) that is movable through it so as to be able to reciprocate along the axial direction. The base body (3) is provided with an infrared emitting unit (9) and an infrared receiving unit (10). A return member is provided inside, The return member includes a connecting body (7) and a return body (8), The blocking member is composed of the return body (8), or is formed in a shape that can directly block the optical path by the lower end of the axis (4). When the return body (8) is used as a blocking member, the return body (8) is a metal elastic piece, and the blocking portion of the metal elastic piece is perpendicular to its main body portion, and as the axis (4) moves, it enters into or exits the optical path between the infrared emitting unit (9) and the infrared receiving unit (10). An infrared microswitch characterized in that, when the shaft (4) itself is used as a blocking member, the lower end of the shaft (4) is designed to be shaped to block the optical path in order to eliminate the need for an independent blocking member structure.

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