Switch mechanism

Abstract

To provide means of achieving high impact resistance and complete starting when unpackaging with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A switch mechanism, opening and closing an electrical contact part by a prescribed operation, includes: a pair of terminals with the electrical contact part; a state switching mechanism for switching to either one of a conduction state of conducting between the pair of terminals and a non-conduction state of not conducting between the terminals; and a state retention part which keeps the switch mechanism detachable and which retains the state switching mechanism at an always no-conduction state while being fitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch mechanism for an electronic device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an electronic device equipped with a battery, a switch mechanism is known in which an insulating sheet is disposed between the battery and a terminal to suppress battery consumption (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such an insulating sheet has a part exposed outside the electronic device, and by pulling out the exposed part, the battery and the terminal are electrically connected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The electronic device described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the terminal can be elastically deformed in order to sandwich the insulating sheet between the battery and the terminal. Therefore, when vibration or the like acts on the electronic device, the battery swings in the battery housing due to the deflection of the terminal, and the battery or the contact portion is damaged due to friction between the battery and the terminal or mutual collision, resulting in the device becoming inoperable, and in addition, there is a problem of causing poor contact or the like. In addition, when the package is opened, it is necessary to start the electronic device stored in the package. However, it is necessary to remove the insulating sheet after opening the package, and it cannot be started simultaneously with the opening. There is a problem that it becomes possible to forget to start after opening or to start it arbitrarily. The present invention has been made by the intensive research of the inventor in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide means for improving impact resistance and surely starting the device when the package is opened.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The switch mechanism of the present invention is a switch mechanism that opens and closes an electrical contact portion by a predetermined operation. The switch mechanism includes a pair of terminals having the electrical contact portion, a conductive state in which the pair of terminals are electrically connected, a state switching mechanism that switches the state between the conductive state and a non-conductive state in which the terminals are not electrically connected, and a state holding portion that is detachable from the switch mechanism and always holds the state switching mechanism in the non-conductive state while being attached. A package having a first surrounding portion and a second surrounding portion for housing the switch mechanism, comprises , the first surrounding portion and the second surrounding portion of the package are connected via a frangible portion, and the first surrounding portion and the second surrounding portion can be separated from each other by the fracture of the frangible portion and is characterized by the above.

[0006] Further, in the switch mechanism of the present invention, the state switching mechanism includes a movable conductive portion that makes the pair of terminals conductive, and an elastic portion that biases the movable conductive portion and holds it in a position where it contacts the pair of terminals. The state holding portion presses the movable conductive portion in a direction opposite to the biasing direction by the elastic portion, and by disposing the state holding portion, the movable conductive portion is pressed and displaced to create a non-conductive state.

[0007] Furthermore, the switch mechanism of the present invention , former The state holding portion is fixed to the first surrounding portion, extends into the second surrounding portion, and can press the movable conductive portion. When the first surrounding portion is opened, the state holding portion is removed and the movable conductive portion is biased by the elastic portion to create a conductive state.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, with a simple structure, the impact resistance can be improved, and it can be surely activated when the package is opened.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the switch mechanism of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the switch mechanism of this embodiment. The switch mechanism 1 includes a pair of terminals 2a and 2b having electrical contact portions, and a state switching mechanism 4. The state switching mechanism 4 switches between a conductive state (switch-on state) in which the terminals 2a and 2b are electrically connected and a non-conductive state (switch-off state) in which the terminals 2a and 2b are non-conductive.

[0012] The state switching mechanism 4 includes a movable conductive portion 6, an elastic portion 8, etc., and switches the state between a conductive state and a non-conductive state. The movable conductive portion 6 is made of a conductive material that simultaneously contacts the pair of terminals 2a and 2b, and electrically connects the terminals 2a and 2b. The elastic portion 8 is an elastic member attached to the movable conductive portion 6, and biases the movable conductive portion 6 toward the terminals 2a and 2b. Further, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the switch mechanism 1 in the non-conductive state. By bending the elastic portion 8, the movable conductive portion 6 retreats and separates from the terminals 2a and 2b, resulting in a non-conductive state.

[0013] To bend the elastic part 8, a rod-shaped pressing body 10 (state holding part) as shown in FIG. 2 can be used. For example, by inserting and attaching the pressing body 10 from the outside to the switch mechanism 1, the pressing body 10 presses the movable conduction part 6 in the direction opposite to the biasing force by the elastic part 8, and by pressing and displacing the movable conduction part 6, it can be always held in a non-conductive state. In this case, when the pressing body 10 is removed, the movable conduction part 6 is biased by the elastic part 8 and comes into contact with the terminals 2a and 2b to be in a conductive state. In this way, the state may be switched between a conductive state and a non-conductive state by attaching and detaching the pressing body 10. Here, a rod-shaped pressing body 10 is used as a means for creating the open state of the switch mechanism 1, that is, the switch-off state. Of course, it is not limited to this, and as long as it can press the switch to hold the off state and can release the pressed state by an external operation, the shape and the like are not particularly limited.

[0014] Also, the switch mechanism 1 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the movable conduction part 6 may be omitted, and a configuration may be adopted in which one of the pair of terminals 2a and 2b can be in a conductive state where it contacts the other to conduct, or a non-conductive state where it retracts.

[0015] Here, FIG. 3 shows another example of the switch mechanism 1, where (a) shows the conductive state and (b) shows the non-conductive state. The switch mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 3 includes fixed terminals 20a, a movable terminal 20b as a movable conduction part, etc. The fixed terminal 20a has, for example, a planar contact point. The movable terminal 20b is, for example, rod-shaped, plate-shaped, etc., and the other end is rotatably supported so that one end can contact the fixed terminal 20a. Also, the movable terminal 20b is set to receive a biasing force that causes one end to contact the fixed terminal 20a as shown in FIG. 3(a) by arranging an elastic part such as a torsion coil spring on the rotation axis of the other end.

[0016] Therefore, when the movable terminal 20b is pressed by the pressing body 10 shown in Fig. 3(b), etc., the movable terminal 20b rotates about the other end, and one end moves away from the fixed terminal 20a, creating a non-conductive state. Also, when the pressing body 10 is removed, the movable terminal 20b rotates due to the biasing force of the elastic portion and comes into contact with the fixed terminal 20a to create a conductive state.

[0017] Note that, as shown in Fig. 4, the movable terminal 20b may have a flexible leaf spring shape and may be fixed at the other end so that one end can contact the fixed terminal 20a. In that case, the movable terminal 20b is fixed at the other end at the position where one end contacts the fixed terminal 20a, and when an external force such as pressing by the pressing body 10 is applied, it bends so as to move away from the fixed terminal 20a to create a non-conductive state. When the external force by the pressing body 10 is released, it returns from the bent state to the original state, and one end contacts the fixed terminal 20a to create a conductive state.

[0018] Since the above-described switch mechanism 1 is mounted on an electronic device (described later), the switch mechanism 1 can be made non-conductive by inserting the pressing body 10 and a rod-shaped member (pressing body) corresponding thereto from the outside of the electronic device. Of course, the pressing body 10 may be provided so as to be detachable alone, but if the pressing body 10 is integrated with a packaging body such as a packing box or an outer box of the electronic device, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a conductive state and a non-conductive state are created according to whether the electronic device is stored or not. Further, according to the switch mechanism of the present invention, since a conductive state and a non-conductive state are created by attaching and detaching the pressing body, that is, inserting and removing the pressing body, it is possible to prevent the battery from swaying in the battery housing portion due to the bending of the terminal and to prevent damage to the battery and the contact portion due to friction and mutual collision.

[0019] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a packing box 110. The packing box 110 as a packaging body has a bridge portion 114, etc. for dividing it into an upper portion (first surrounding portion) including a lid 112 that opens and closes the upper part and a lower portion (second surrounding portion). The lid 112 is arranged at the upper end and has a pressing body 10 that protrudes into the internal space of the packing box 110 on the back surface.

[0020] The bridge portion 114 is formed with a perforation or a half cut, also referred to as a weakened portion, for breaking the outer peripheral surface, extending over the entire circumference, at approximately the middle in the vertical direction on the outer peripheral surface of the packing box 110. Therefore, the bridge portion 114 becomes the boundary between the upper portion and the lower portion when the outer peripheral surface is broken.

[0021] FIG. 6 shows the switch mechanism 1 of the electronic device 100 housed in the packing box 110, and (a) is a schematic view showing a non-conductive state and (b) is a schematic view showing a conductive state. The switch mechanism 1 is composed of terminal 2a, 2b, movable conductive portion 6, elastic portion 8, etc. That is, the switch mechanism 1 creates a non-conductive state when the movable conductive portion 6 is pressed against the elastic portion 8 and separated from the terminals 2a, 2b.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 6(a), when the electronic device 100 is housed in the packing box 110, the pressing body 10 presses the movable conductive portion 6 inside the electronic device 100 to create a non-conductive state. Further, when the packing box 110 breaks the outer peripheral surface with the bridge portion 114 as a boundary and the upper portion is removed, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the pressing body 10 is pulled out from the electronic device 100 and separated from the movable conductive portion 6. As a result, the movable conductive portion 6 is urged by the elastic portion 8 to contact the terminals 2a, 2b, and the switch mechanism 1 becomes conductive.

[0023] Thus, when the switch mechanism 1 of the present invention is combined with a packing box (package), when the electronic device is packed (wrapped) by the packing box, the pressing body is inserted and the non-conductive state is achieved. When the bridge portion (weakened portion) is broken and the upper portion is removed, the pressing body is pulled out, so the switch mechanism 1 transitions to the conductive state and the electronic device can be operated. Therefore, since the conductive state and the non-conductive state are created by inserting and removing the pressing body, it is possible to prevent the battery from swaying in the battery housing portion due to the bending of the terminals and damaging the battery or the contact portion due to friction or mutual collision. Therefore, the impact resistance can be improved and contact failure etc. can be prevented. In addition, since the pressing body comes out simultaneously with the opening of the packing box, the electronic device can be surely activated simultaneously with the opening.

[0024] In addition, as long as the bridge part has a function of forming a structure for dividing the packing box 110, the shape and the like can be appropriately set. The bridge part may be formed, for example, with a thin plate thickness so as to be easily broken. Alternatively, the packing box may be previously configured with an upper part and a lower part, and a joint part such as a surface fastener for detachably joining these parts may be provided to form the bridge part.

[0025] In addition, the above-described switch structure 1 can be applied to various electronic devices (IoT terminals, various sensor devices, home electric appliances, etc.). For example, home electric appliances as electronic devices include video devices (display devices) such as televisions and projectors, video devices (recording / playback devices) such as video tape recorders, DVD recorders, Blue-ray Disc recorders, HDD recorders, DVD players, and Blue-ray Disc players, video devices (imaging devices) such as video cameras and digital cameras, audio devices (recording / playback devices) such as wire recorders, tape recorders, mini disc recorders, radio cassettes, and IC recorders, audio devices (playback devices) such as analog players, CD players, amplifiers, and radios, audio devices (reproducing devices) such as speakers and headphones, white goods, and information home appliances.

[0026] Household appliances including white goods etc. include washing machines, vacuum cleaners, irons, sewing machines, futon dryers, lint removers, clothes dryers, hanger steamers, trouser presses, shoe dryers, towel heaters, sewing irons, gas ranges and microwave ovens, rice cookers, mixers and food processors, gas stoves and cooktops, toasters, IH cookers, hot plates and griddle pans, home bakery and bread making utensils, tabletop cooking utensils, water heaters, deep fryers, electric pressure cookers and electric stew pots, fish roasters, steam cookers, soup makers and soy milk makers, mochi makers, dry hood makers, refrigerators and freezers, kettles and pots, coffee makers, water purifiers, dishwashers and dryers, dish dryers, carbonated water makers, water conditioners, tea makers, food waste processors, capsule tea machines, towel steamers and warm storage cabinets, heating appliances, air purifiers, air conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, fans, ion generators, circulators, bathroom dryers, air coolers, hair dryers, hair irons, electric clippers, electric razors, hot curlers, beauty devices, microscopes, electric toothbrushes, oral cleaners, stain cleaners, alcohol testers, breath testers, hair removers, light hair removers, laser hair removers, high frequency hair removers, electric callus removers, desk stands, entrance lighting, ceiling lighting, interior stands, spotlights, slide lighting, ceiling fans, chandeliers, facility and outdoor lighting, bathroom lighting, downlights, black lights, bracket lights, footlights, garden lights, induction lights, massage devices, health care and measurement, bidets, electric and low frequency treatment devices, hearing aids, electronic cigarettes, inhalers, nasal cleaners, oxygen air chargers, home ultraviolet treatment devices, heat treatment devices, light bulbs and fluorescent lamps, LED light bulbs, straight tube fluorescent lamps, globe fluorescent lamps, incandescent light bulbs, round fluorescent lamps (FCL), LED fluorescent lamps, round slim fluorescent lamps (FHC), compact fluorescent lamps, halogen light bulbs, glow lamps, double ring fluorescent lamps (FHD), bean bulbs, electronic glow lamps, HID lamps, lamp base type slim fluorescent lamps (EFC), square slim fluorescent lamps (FHG), heat retaining light bulbs, telephones and fax machines, telephones, fax machines, multifunctional fax machines, extension handsets, LED light bulbs with human sensors, general light bulb types (LED light bulbs).

[0027] The information appliances include personal computers, displays, keyboards, mice, printers, 3D printers, tablets, USB memories, external HDDs, card readers, facsimiles, mobile phones, smartphones, portable games, home game consoles, and educational toys.

[0028] The deformation detection bolt 150 as a sensing device including the switch mechanism 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a view showing the deformation detection bolt 150, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the switch mechanism inside the deformation detection bolt 150. The deformation detection bolt 150 has a shaft portion 152 and a head portion 154. The deformation detection bolt 150 has a configuration capable of detecting stresses such as bending stress, compressive stress, and tensile stress applied to the bolt itself, and shaft expansion and contraction. Further, a separate head cap 160 is attached (fitted) to the head portion 154 of the deformation detection bolt 150.

[0029] The shaft portion 152 is composed of a male thread portion 156 formed with a male thread and a cylindrical portion 158 (customarily called a cylindrical portion even if it is cylindrical) formed on the head portion 154 side of the male thread portion 156 and having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the male thread portion 156.

[0030] The head portion 154 is an expansion portion that expands in the radial direction from the shaft portion 152 and has an outer peripheral surface that is regular hexagonal in plan view. Note that the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the head portion 154 is not limited to this, and it may be a shape having a two-sided width so that a tool such as a wrench engages in the circumferential direction, a polygonal shape such as a quadrilateral or a hexagon, an elliptical shape, an oval shape, or the like.

[0031] The head cap 160 functions as a so-called cover that covers and closes at least the top of the head 154 and is detachably fixed by engaging with the circumferential surface and / or end surface of the head 154 Further, the head cap 160 has a through hole for inserting the pressing body 10 described above at the top.

[0032] The head 154 has a fixing structure for disposing and fixing a head cap 160 on the top. The fixing structure is not limited to a specific structure as long as it can axially fix the head 154 and the head cap 160. For example, the head 154 and the head cap 160 may be fixed using a tapped screw, or a concave portion may be provided on one of the head 154 and the head cap 160, and a convex portion may be provided on the other, and the uneven portions may be engaged with each other to be axially locked and fixed.

[0033] A housing space capable of housing a switch mechanism 1, a control circuit, a connector, a power battery, etc. is formed between the head 154 and the head cap 160. Note that the switch mechanism 1, the control circuit, the connector, the power battery, etc. arranged in the housing space may be provided in the head 154 or the head cap 160 in advance. For example, the power battery may be arranged on the head 154 side in advance, and the control circuit, the connector, etc. to which the switch mechanism 1 is connected may be arranged inside the head cap 160 in advance. In such a case, when the head cap 160 is attached to the head 154, the power battery and the switch mechanism 1 are connected so as to be energizable. Further, the connector is connected to an energization mechanism described later, whereby stress detection processing by the control circuit can be executed.

[0034] The male screw portion 156 of the shaft portion 152 is formed by overlapping two types of male screw helical grooves, a first male screw helical groove that is a right-handed screw and a second male screw helical groove that is a left-handed screw, on the same region. Therefore, the male screw portion 156 can be screwed with any female screw body of a right-handed screw and a left-handed screw. For details of the male screw portion 156 formed with two types of male screw helical structures, refer to Japanese Patent No. 4663813 by the inventor of the present application. Note that the male screw portion 156 is not necessarily limited to forming a right-handed screw and a left-handed screw, and the lead directions may coincide with each other, and a second male screw helical groove may be set with a lead angle different from the lead angle set in the first male screw helical groove.

[0035] The cylindrical portion 158 and the head portion 154 include an energization mechanism capable of detecting stresses such as bending stress, compressive stress, and tensile stress applied to the bolt itself. Specifically, a sensor pattern 140, an energization path 142 (see FIG. 7), and a terminal portion (not shown) are directly formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion 158 and / or the head portion 154.

[0036] An example of the formation of the sensor pattern 140, the energization path 142, and the terminal portion will be described. For example, when the base material of the deformation detection bolt 150 has conductivity, an electrical insulation layer is formed on the surface of the deformation detection bolt 150, and a sensor pattern 140 extending linearly or strip-like, an energization path 142 extending linearly or strip-like, and a conductive portion forming a pattern of, for example, a planar terminal portion are formed of a material having good electrical conductivity such as a conductive material on the electrical insulation layer.

[0037] The electrical insulation layer can be formed, for example, by using laminated printing, pad printing, coating, plating, inkjet printing, sputtering, chemical vapor deposition (CVD method), physical vapor deposition (PVD method), or the like. Alternatively, for example, an insulating material is coated by sputtering with a predetermined mask arranged, a silica material is applied and heat-treated, a chemical conversion treatment is performed, or a layer made of an organic insulating material such as a polyimide-based, epoxy-based, urethane-based, silicone-based, or fluorine-based material is formed.

[0038] When the base material of the deformation detection bolt 150 has conductivity, the surface of the base material may be oxidized to form an oxide film as the electrical insulation layer. When the base material is aluminum-based, an electrical insulation layer may be provided by anodizing. Of course, the electrical insulation layer is not limited to those formed by these methods. When the base material of the deformation detection bolt 150 has electrical insulation properties, the conductive portion may be formed directly on the base material so as to form the sensor pattern, the energization path, and the terminal portion.

[0039] The conductive part is directly formed on the electrical insulation layer or the electrically insulating base material by means of laminated printing, pad printing, painting, plating, inkjet printing, sputtering, CVD method, PVD method, etc. using a conductive paste. Also, the shape of the wiring may be set by subjecting the conductive part to masking according to the shape of the sensor pattern, current path, and terminal part and then etching. By directly forming the conductive part on the electrical insulation layer in this way, the conductive part is prevented from peeling off over a long period of time. Of course, the sensor pattern 140, current path 142, and terminal part may be formed in series on the deformation detection bolt 150.

[0040] The sensor pattern 140 is composed of a sensor structure part in which a conductive material extends back and forth a plurality of times in the axial direction and a lead part that connects from the sensor structure part to the current path. Therefore, the electrical characteristics such as the resistance value change as the conductive material in the sensor structure part deforms. By detecting this change in electrical characteristics, it can be used as various sensors for physical change detection.

[0041] Note that the physical change detected by the change in electrical characteristics may be a thermal or temperature change, humidity change, etc. For example, when measuring the environmental temperature from the change in the electrical resistance value of the sensor pattern 140, it means that the sensor pattern 140 is used as a component of a so-called resistance thermometer. Similarly, the humidity may be measured as a resistance change type electrical humidity sensor.

[0042] The current path 142 extends across the head 154 and the cylindrical part 158, with one end connected to the lead part of the sensor pattern 140 and the other end connected to the terminal part formed on the head 154. The position of the terminal part (for example, the top surface or circumferential surface of the head 154, etc.) is set so as to come into contact with the connector arranged on the head cap 160 when the head cap 160 is attached to the head 154.

[0043] The operation of the switch mechanism 1 of the deformation detection bolt 150 is performed by inserting and removing the pressing body 10. That is, when the pressing body 10 shown in Fig. 8(a) is inserted into the through-hole of the head cap 160, the pressing body 10 presses the movable conduction part 6 inside the head cap 160 to create a non-conductive state of the switch mechanism 1. Therefore, the control circuit of the deformation detection bolt 150 is in a state where power is not supplied. Also, when the pressing body 10 shown in Fig. 8(b) is pulled out from the head cap 160, the movable conduction part 6 contacts the terminals 2a and 2b to create a conductive state of the switch mechanism 1.

[0044] Thus, the switch mechanism 1 of the present invention can also be applied to a sensing device such as the deformation detection bolt 150. If the pressing body 10 used in this case is provided integrally with the package that wraps the deformation detection bolt 150, when the deformation detection bolt 150 is wrapped by the package before use, a switch structure combined with a tamper-evidence structure can be configured. Also, when using the deformation detection bolt, by removing the package by the package body and pulling out the pressing body 10, the deformation detection bolt 150 can be activated. Also, by integrating the package body and the pressing body, the deformation detection bolt 150 can surely be activated before use, that is, before fastening, and based on the state where no axial force acts on the deformation detection bolt 150, physical changes can be detected.

Description of the reference numerals

[0045] 1... Switch mechanism, 2a, 2b... Terminals, 4... State switching mechanism, 6... Movable conduction part, 8... Elastic part, 10... Pressing body, 20a... Fixed terminal, 20b... Movable terminal, 100... Electronic device, 110... Packing box, 112... Lid, 114... Bridge part.

Claims

1. In a switch mechanism for opening and closing an electrical contact portion by a predetermined operation, a pair of terminals having the electrical contact portion, a conduction state for conducting between the pair of terminals, and a state switching mechanism for switching the state between a non-conduction state where the terminals are non-conductive, a state holding portion that is detachable from the switch mechanism and always holds the state switching mechanism in a non-conduction state while being attached, a packaging body having a first surrounding portion and a second surrounding portion and housing the switch mechanism, the packaging body is connected to the first surrounding portion and the second surrounding portion via a breakable portion, A switch mechanism characterized in that the first surrounding portion and the second surrounding portion can be separated from each other by breaking of the breakable portion.

2. The state switching mechanism includes a movable conduction portion that makes the pair of terminals in a conduction state, and an elastic portion that biases the movable conduction portion and holds it at a position where it contacts the pair of terminals. The state holding portion presses the movable conduction portion in a direction opposite to the biasing direction by the elastic portion, The switch mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that by disposing the state holding portion, the movable conduction portion is pressed and displaced to create a non-conduction state.

3. The state holding portion is fixed to the first surrounding portion and extends into the second surrounding portion to be able to press the movable conduction portion, When the first surrounding portion is opened, the state holding portion is removed and the movable conduction portion is biased by the elastic portion to create a conduction state. The switch mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that.

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