Setting tools and DIP switch setting instructions

Abstract

To provide a setting tool capable of setting a DIP switch having a plurality of slide parts to a desired state.SOLUTION: A setting tool used for setting a DIP switch formed so that a plurality of slide parts constructed so as to be moved between a first position and a second position along a first direction is arranged along a second direction vertical to the first direction to a desired state, contains: a gripped part; and a plurality of projection parts that are projected from an end part of the gripped part to a predetermined direction, and are arranged with a gap each other. Each projection part includes: a tip end part so as to be contacted to each slide part; an intermediate part that supports the tip end part; and a connection part that connects the gripped part and the intermediate part. The connection part is thinner than the intermediate part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a setting tool used when setting a slide-type dip switch to a desired state, and a method for setting a dip switch to a desired state using this setting tool.

Background Art

[0002] Processing apparatuses such as cutting apparatuses and laser processing apparatuses used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices are equipped with a controller for controlling the operation of the processing apparatus. Typically, the controller is constituted by a computer including a processing device and a storage device, and various functions of the controller are realized by the processing device operating according to software stored in the storage device.

[0003] The computer constituting the above-described controller includes, for example, a printed circuit board on which a processing device and a storage device are mounted. The printed circuit board is further provided with a small manual switch called a dip switch (Dual In-line Package switch), and the controller operates normally only when this dip switch is set to an appropriate state.

[0004] As one form of a dip switch, a slide type is known in which a plurality of small slide portions are slid between a first position and a second position to switch the off state and the on state of a plurality of switches (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The state of this slide-type dip switch is determined by the combination of the off state and the on state of the plurality of switches.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] Previously, when setting the slide-type DIP switch described above to the desired state, the operator would manually move each slide using tweezers or similar tools. However, because this type of DIP switch has multiple small slides arranged in close proximity, this method sometimes resulted in the operator moving an unintended slide and setting the DIP switch to the wrong state. When the DIP switch is set to the wrong state, the processing equipment will not function properly.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a setting tool that can set a DIP switch having a plurality of sliding parts to a desired state, and a method for setting a DIP switch to a desired state using this setting tool. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a setting tool is provided for setting a DIP switch to a desired state, the DIP switch having a plurality of sliding parts arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, which are configured to move between a first position and a second position along a first direction, the DIP switch having a plurality of sliding parts arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the setting tool comprising a gripping part and a plurality of projections that protrude in a predetermined direction from the end of the gripping part and are spaced apart from each other, the projections having a tip that contacts the sliding part, an intermediate part that supports the tip, and a connecting part that connects the gripping part and the intermediate part, wherein the connecting part is thinner than the intermediate part.

[0009] Preferably, the gripped portion further includes a guide portion that protrudes from the end of the gripped portion in the predetermined direction and is positioned outside the outermost projection, the guide portion being longer than the projection. Preferably, the gripped portion is provided with a mark indicating the relationship between the projection and the sliding portion.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for setting a dip switch to set the dip switch to a desired state using the setting tool described above is provided, the method comprising: a tool adjustment step of bending one or more of the selected protrusions at the connection portion or removing the tip and middle portion of the selected one or more protrusions to match the desired state of the dip switch; and a setting step of setting the dip switch to a desired state by pressing the protrusions not selected in the tool adjustment step against the corresponding slide portion and moving the slide portion.

[0011] Preferably, the setting step further includes an initial state determination step of determining the position of each of the plurality of slide parts, and if the initial state determination step determines that some or all of the slide parts are not in the first position, an initial setting step of moving some or all of the slide parts to the first position before the setting step, wherein the setting step presses the projection that was not selected in the tool adjustment step against the corresponding slide part and moves the slide part from the first position to the second position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] A setting tool according to one aspect of the present invention includes a gripping portion and a plurality of projections protruding from the gripping portion, the projections having a tip portion that contacts the sliding portion of the DIP switch, an intermediate portion that supports the tip portion, and a connecting portion that connects the gripping portion and the intermediate portion. The connecting portion is thinner than the intermediate portion. Therefore, one or more projections can be easily bent at the connecting portion, or the tip portion and intermediate portion of one or more projections can be easily removed to match the desired state of the DIP switch.

[0013] Furthermore, by pressing the unbent protrusions, or the protrusions whose tip and middle portions have not been removed, against the corresponding slide portion, it becomes possible to move multiple slide portions easily and reliably. Thus, according to the present invention, a setting tool is provided that allows for easier and more reliable setting of DIP switches to a desired state compared to conventional tools such as tweezers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing the setting tool. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view showing a magnified portion of the setting tool. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a DIP switch. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view showing a setting tool adjusted to the desired state of the DIP switch. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing how the DIP switches are set to the desired state using a setting tool. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic plan view showing the setting tools for a modified example. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view showing how the DIP switches are set to the desired state using the setting tool described in the modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing the setting tool 1 according to this embodiment, and Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the setting tool 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the setting tool 1 includes a gripped part 3 that is held by the operator.

[0016] The gripped portion 3 is formed in a flat plate shape from a metal material such as stainless steel, for example, and has a semi-circular shape (semi-disk shape) when viewed from the surface side (the front side surface in FIG. 1). A circular opening 3a that penetrates the gripped portion 3 from the surface to the back surface (the back side surface in FIG. 1) is provided at one end. By passing a string or the like through the opening 3a, the ease of handling (typically, portability) of the setting tool 1 is enhanced.

[0017] The presence or absence of the opening 3a does not affect the essential functions of the setting tool 1. Therefore, the opening 3a may not be provided in the gripped portion 3. In this embodiment, a flat plate having one end formed in a semi-circular shape when viewed from the surface side is used as the gripped portion 3, but the shape of the gripped portion 3 can be arbitrarily changed within the range where an operator can appropriately grip it. Furthermore, there are no particular restrictions on the material or the like of the gripped portion 3. For example, the gripped portion 3 may be formed from a resin material or the like.

[0018] A plurality of rod-shaped protrusions 5 are provided at the other end 3b of the gripped portion 3 configured linearly when viewed from the surface side. The plurality of protrusions 5 all protrude from the other end 3b of the gripped portion 3 in a predetermined direction and are arranged with gaps between them. Specifically, each protrusion 5 protrudes from the other end 3b in a direction substantially perpendicular to the straight line along this other end 3b. Also, each protrusion 5 is made of the same material as the gripped portion 3 and is integrally formed with the gripped portion 3. However, each protrusion 5 does not have to be integrally formed with the gripped portion 3. Furthermore, each protrusion 5 does not have to be made of the same material as the gripped portion 3.

[0019] Typically, the number of protrusions 5 provided on the setting tool 1 is eight. On the other hand, the number of these protrusions 5 can be arbitrarily changed according to the structure of the dip switch (Dual In-line Package switch) or the like of the object to which the setting tool 1 is used. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the dip switch 11 to which the setting tool 1 is applied. The dip switch 11 includes a plurality of terminals 13 made of a metal material containing, for example, gold, silver, copper, platinum, tungsten, or the like.

[0020] The plurality of terminals 13 are integrally formed with a base (not shown) made of a resin material, and include one terminal 13 arranged on one end side along the first direction D1 and one terminal 13 arranged on the other end side along the first direction D1, which pair up to perform a function. In the dip switch 11 of the present embodiment, thus, eight pairs of terminals 13, each pair being composed of two terminals 13, are arranged at substantially equal intervals along the second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the dip switch 11 includes a cover 15 that partially covers the base and each terminal 13. The plurality of terminals 13 are exposed from the cover 15 at both ends in the first direction D1 so as to be able to connect to, for example, wirings provided on a printed circuit board or the like. Further, openings penetrating the cover 15 are provided at positions corresponding to each pair of terminals 13 on the upper surface of the cover 15.

[0022] In the space inside the cover 15, one slide portion 17 is in contact with each pair of terminals 13. That is, the plurality of slide portions 17 are also arranged at substantially equal intervals along the second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, similar to the pairs of terminals 13. Further, a part of each slide portion 17 is exposed to the outside of the cover 15 through the opening. When a force along the first direction D1 is applied to the exposed portion of the slide portion 17, the slide portion 17 moves along the first direction D1 between a first position and a second position defined by the opening of the cover 15.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows an initial state in which all the slide portions 17 are arranged at the first position. In the present embodiment, the first position is, for example, a position where the switch constituted by the corresponding slide portion 17 and the pair of terminals 13 is in an off state, and the second position is, for example, a position where the switch constituted by the corresponding slide portion 17 and the pair of terminals 13 is in an on state. Of course, the relationship between the first position and the second position and the off state and the on state may be interchanged. Specifically, the first position may be a position where the corresponding switch is in an on state.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, each projection 5 has a base end 5a fixed to the other end 3b of the gripping portion 3, and a tip end 5b that contacts the sliding portion 17 of the DIP switch 11 during use. An intermediate portion 5c having a diameter (width and thickness) similar to that of the base end 5a is provided on the base end 5a side of the tip end 5b. The tip end 5b is supported by this intermediate portion 5c. There are no particular restrictions on the diameter of the tip end 5b, but in this embodiment, the diameter of the tip end 5b is set to be similar to, or thinner than, the base end 5a and the intermediate portion 5c.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, a connecting portion 5d is provided between the base portion 5a and the intermediate portion 5c, connecting the base portion 5a and the intermediate portion 5c. That is, the connecting portion 5d connects the other end 3b of the gripped portion 3 to the intermediate portion 5c via the base portion 5a. This connecting portion 5d is thinner than the base portion 5a and the intermediate portion 5c. Therefore, for example, when the gripped portion 3 is being gripped, simply applying a force perpendicular to the direction in which the projection 5 protrudes to the tip portion 5b or the intermediate portion 5c will easily bend the projection 5 at the connecting portion 5d.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the gripping portion 3 is provided with a marker 3c indicating the relationship between the projection 5 and the slide portion 17 of the DIP switch 11. In this embodiment, a dot-shaped marker 3c, which indicates that it corresponds to the outermost slide portion 17 of the DIP switch 11, is formed in a position close to the outermost projection 5 (the surface area of ​​the gripping portion 3). However, the form of the marker 3c is not limited to this. For example, letters (numbers) or symbols that represent the relationship with all the projections 5 may be provided on the gripping portion 3 as the marker 3c.

[0027] Next, a method for setting the DIP switch 11 to a desired state using the setting tool 1 described above will be explained. In the DIP switch setting method according to this embodiment, first, the setting tool 1 is adjusted to match the desired state of the DIP switch 11 (tool adjustment step).

[0028] Specifically, one or more selected protrusions 5 are bent at the connecting portion 5d, or the tip 5b and middle portion 5c of one or more selected protrusions 5 are removed. Figure 4 is a schematic plan view showing the setting tool 1 adjusted to the desired state of the DIP switch 11. In the following description, the eight sliding portions 17 of the DIP switch 11 and the corresponding eight protrusions 5 are identified by the names 1 to 8 from one end to the other. The protrusion 5 closest to the marker 3c is protrusion 1.

[0029] For example, suppose the desired state of the DIP switch 11 is that the slides 17 for numbers 2, 3, and 5 are positioned in the first position, and the slides 17 for numbers 1, 4, 6, 7, and 8 are positioned in the second position. In this case, it is necessary to move only the slides 17 for numbers 1, 4, 6, 7, and 8 from the initial state shown in Figure 3 to the second position.

[0030] Therefore, the projections 5 are processed so that they do not come into contact with the second, third, and fifth sliding parts 17 that are not moved to the second position. Specifically, the projections 5 of the second, third, and fifth sliding parts 17 are bent at the connecting part 5d, or the tip 5b and middle part 5c of the projections 5 of the second, third, and fifth sliding parts 5 are removed.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the tip 5b and middle portion 5c of the second, third, and fifth projections 5 have been removed. For example, by repeatedly bending the projection 5 at the connecting portion 5d, the tip 5b and middle portion 5c of the projection 5 can be easily removed without using any tools.

[0032] It is desirable to determine the position of each of the multiple sliding parts 17 of the DIP switch 11 after the setting tool 1 has been adjusted to match the desired state of the DIP switch 11, or before the setting tool 1 is adjusted (initial state determination step). This is because if the initial state in which all sliding parts 17 are positioned in the first position is not properly realized, there is a high possibility that the desired state of the DIP switch 11 cannot be achieved.

[0033] For example, if it is determined that some or all of the slide parts 17 are not in the first position, these some or all of the slide parts 17 are moved to the first position (initial setting step). This ensures that the initial state in which all slide parts 17 are positioned in the first position is reliably achieved, and the possibility of not being able to achieve the desired state of the DIP switch 11 is significantly reduced.

[0034] Subsequently, the DIP switch 11 is set to the desired state by pressing the unbent protrusion 5, or the protrusion 5 with its tip 5b and intermediate portion 5c still attached, against the corresponding slide portion 17 and moving the slide portion 17 (setting step). Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing how the DIP switch 11 is set to the desired state by the setting tool 1.

[0035] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the protrusions 5 numbered 1, 4, 6, 7, and 8, whose tip portion 5b and intermediate portion 5c have not been removed, are pressed against the sliding portions 17 numbered 1, 4, 6, 7, and 8, respectively, and moved from the first position to the second position. This achieves the desired state in which the sliding portions 17 numbered 2, 3, and 5 are positioned in the first position and the sliding portions 17 numbered 1, 4, 6, 7, and 8 are positioned in the second position.

[0036] As described above, the setting tool 1 according to this embodiment includes a gripping portion 3 and a plurality of projections 5 protruding from the gripping portion 3. Each projection 5 has a tip portion 5b that contacts the sliding portion 17 of the DIP switch 11, an intermediate portion 5c that supports the tip portion 5b, and a connecting portion 5d that connects the gripping portion 3 and the intermediate portion 5c. The connecting portion 5d is thinner than the intermediate portion 5c.

[0037] Therefore, one or more protrusions 5 can be easily bent at the connection portion 5d, or the tip 5b and middle portion 5c of one or more protrusions 5 can be easily removed, according to the desired state of the DIP switch 11. Then, by pressing the protrusions 5 that were not bent, or the protrusions 5 whose tip 5b and middle portion 5c were not removed, against the corresponding slide portion 17, it becomes possible to move the multiple slide portions 17 easily and reliably.

[0038] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented with various modifications. Figure 6 is a schematic plan view showing a setting tool 21 according to a modified example, and Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view showing how the DIP switch 11 is set to a desired state by the setting tool 21 according to the modified example.

[0039] The structure of the setting tool 21 in the modified example is the same as the structure of the setting tool 21 in the embodiment described above, with a few exceptions. Therefore, the same elements as those in the setting tool 21 in the embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed explanation of those elements is omitted below.

[0040] As shown in Figure 6, the modified setting tool 21 includes, in addition to the gripping portion 3 and the projection 5, a rod-shaped guide portion 7 that protrudes in a predetermined direction from the other end 3b of the gripping portion 3 and is positioned outside the outermost projection 5. The guide portion 7, like each projection 5, protrudes from the other end 3b in a direction approximately perpendicular to the straight line along this other end 3b. Furthermore, the guide portion 7 is made of the same material as the gripping portion 3 and is integrally constructed with the gripping portion 3. However, the guide portion 7 does not necessarily have to be integrally constructed with the gripping portion 3.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, the guide portion 7 is longer than the projection portion 5. Also, the distance from the inner side surface 7a of the guide portion 7 to the projection portion 5 closest to this side surface 7a is approximately equal to the distance from the side surface of the cover 15 of the DIP switch 11 to the sliding portion 17 closest to this side surface.

[0042] Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, before bringing the projection 5 into contact with the slide portion 17, the inner side surface 7a of the guide portion 7 is brought into contact with the side surface of the cover 15. In this state, the setting tool 21 is slid in a pushing motion toward the DIP switch 11, causing each projection 5 to be pressed against the corresponding slide portion 17. Thus, with this modified setting tool 21, the DIP switch 11 can be set to the desired state more easily and reliably.

[0043] Furthermore, given the nature of the guide portion 7, which is used in contact with the side surface of the cover 15, it is desirable that the thickness of the guide portion 7 (distance from the front surface to the back surface) be equal to or greater than the thickness of the projection portion 5. In this case, the inner side surface 7a of the guide portion 7 can be more easily brought into contact with the side surface of the cover 15, making it even easier to set the DIP switch 11 to the desired state.

[0044] In the embodiments and modifications described above, the number of protrusions 5 on setting tool 1 and setting tool 21 is matched to the number of slide portions 17 on the target DIP switch 11. However, the number of protrusions 5 may be greater than the number of slide portions 17 on the target DIP switch 11. In this case, the same setting tool 1 and setting tool 21 can be used for DIP switches 11 that have more slide portions 17. In other words, the versatility of setting tool 1 and setting tool 21 is increased.

[0045] Furthermore, the structures, methods, etc., of the embodiments and modifications described above may be modified as appropriate, as long as they do not deviate from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1: Setting tool 3:Gripped part 3a: opening 3b: Other end 3c: Marker 5:Protrusion 5a: Proximal end 5b:Tip 5c: Middle part 5d: Connection part 7: Guide Section 7a: Side 11: DIP switch 13: Terminals 15: Cover 17: Slide section 21: Setting tool D1: 1st direction D2 :Second direction

Claims

1. A setting tool used to set a DIP switch to a desired state, wherein a plurality of sliding parts configured to move between a first position and a second position along a first direction are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The part to be gripped and, It includes a plurality of projections that protrude from the end of the gripped portion in a predetermined direction and are arranged with gaps between them, The projection is, The tip that contacts the sliding part, The intermediate part that supports the tip, It has a connecting part that connects the part to be gripped and the intermediate part, The connecting portion is a setting tool that is thinner than the intermediate portion.

2. It further includes a guide portion that protrudes from the end of the gripped portion in the predetermined direction and is positioned outside the outermost projection, The setting tool according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is longer than the projection portion.

3. The setting tool according to claim 1, wherein the gripping portion is provided with a mark indicating the relationship between the projection and the sliding portion.

4. A method for setting a DIP switch to set the DIP switch to a desired state using a setting tool described in any one of claims 1 to 3, A tool adjustment step involves bending one or more of the selected protrusions at the connection point to match the desired state of the DIP switch, or removing the tip and middle portion of the selected one or more protrusions. A method for setting a dip switch, comprising a setting step of setting the dip switch to a desired state by pressing the projection that was not selected in the tool adjustment step against the corresponding slide portion and moving the slide portion.

5. Prior to the setting step, there is an initial state determination step in which the position of each of the multiple sliding parts is determined, If, in the initial state determination step, it is determined that some or all of the slide portion is not in the first position, the initial setting step further includes, before the setting step, an initial setting step of moving some or all of the slide portion to the first position. The setting step of a DIP switch according to claim 4, wherein the projection not selected in the tool adjustment step is pressed against the corresponding slide portion and moves the slide portion from the first position to the second position.

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