Hall-effect key switch

Abstract

A hall-effect key switch, comprising a shell and a pressing shaft. An accommodating cavity is formed in the shell; the pressing shaft slidably passes through the accommodating cavity; a first magnet located in the accommodating cavity is fixed to the pressing shaft; a second magnet is provided in the accommodating cavity; the magnetic poles of the second magnet and the first magnet repel each other, so that the first magnet and the second magnet are respectively pressed against two opposite side walls of the accommodating cavity; a Hall element is provided inside or outside the accommodating cavity, and the Hall element generates an output signal on the basis of a change in the magnetic field intensity of the second magnet. When the Hall-effect key switch is in use, automatic reset of the switch is achieved by mutual repulsion between the magnetic pole of the second magnet and the magnetic pole of the first magnet, avoiding the use of a spring for automatic reset, thereby improving the service performance of the switch.

Description

A Hall effect key switch

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on December 26, 2023, with application number 202323604887.9, and invention name “A Hall Push Button Switch”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The utility model relates to the technical field of Hall switches, in particular to a Hall key switch. Background Art

[0003] At present, the key switches on mechanical keyboards on the market, such as mechanical key switches, magnetic key switches (also known as Hall key switches), etc., for Hall key switches, the principle of Hall key switches is to drive the magnet to move through the button to produce the Hall effect with the Hall element to realize the switching of the switch logic function, and the magnet (magnetic unit) is driven by the reset spring to reset the button. That is, after the Hall element and the magnetic unit are connected and the Hall effect occurs, the reset of the magnetic unit needs to rely on the reset spring to reset itself, such as a linear Hall switch disclosed in a Chinese patent (Announcement No.: CN208226984U).

[0004] However, when the Hall effect pushbutton switch uses a reset spring to reset the magnetic unit, the reset spring is affected by the magnet, causing it to always lean to one side and rub against the plastic housing. This greatly shortens the life of the pushbutton switch and makes the feel very unpleasant. In addition, due to the magnetic force of the magnet, the reset spring has insufficient rebound force, which is prone to malfunction, thus affecting the function of the pushbutton switch. Technical issues

[0005] The existing Hall effect push button switch requires a reset spring to reset the magnetic unit after the Hall element and the magnetic unit are connected and the Hall effect occurs. This has the disadvantages of a short service life and high malfunction. Technical Solutions

[0006] The utility model provides a Hall effect push button switch, comprising a shell and a pressing shaft, wherein a accommodating cavity is formed in the shell, the pressing shaft is slidably penetrated in the accommodating cavity, a first magnet located in the accommodating cavity is fixed on the pressing shaft, a second magnet is contained in the accommodating cavity, the magnetic poles of the second magnet and the first magnet repel each other so that the first magnet and the second magnet are respectively pressed against opposite side walls in the accommodating cavity; a Hall effect element is provided in or outside the accommodating cavity, and the Hall effect element generates an output signal according to the change in the magnetic field strength of the second magnet.

[0007] Furthermore, a fixing portion is integrally connected to the pressing shaft, and the first magnet is fixed on the fixing portion.

[0008] Furthermore, the fixing portion is provided with a mounting groove, and the first magnet is mounted and fixed in the mounting groove.

[0009] Furthermore, the mounting groove is an annular mounting groove, the annular mounting groove is coaxially arranged with the pressing shaft, and the first magnet is a first annular magnet, which is mounted and fixed in the annular mounting groove.

[0010] Furthermore, the second magnet is a second annular magnet, and the second annular magnet is coaxially arranged with the first annular magnet.

[0011] Furthermore, an annular limiting portion is provided in the accommodating cavity, the second annular magnet is placed in the annular limiting portion, and the outer wall of the second annular magnet is in contact with the inner wall of the annular limiting portion.

[0012] Furthermore, the Hall effect key switch of the present invention further includes a PCB board, and the Hall effect element is attached to the PCB board and is controlled by the PCB board.

[0013] Furthermore, a bearing fixed to the housing is provided inside or outside the accommodating cavity, and one end of the pressing shaft close to the second magnet slides through the inner ring of the bearing. Beneficial effects

[0014] When the Hall effect push button switch of the present invention is in use, the pressing shaft is pressed by external force, so that the pressing shaft drives the first magnet to move toward the second magnet, so that the magnetic field strength on the second magnet is enhanced, thereby triggering the Hall effect element to generate an output signal and realize the switch function; when the pressing force on the pressing shaft is released, the magnetic poles of the first magnet and the second magnet repel each other, realizing automatic reset, avoiding the use of spring automatic reset, thereby improving the performance of the Hall effect push button switch of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a Hall effect push button switch of the present invention in an initial state;

[0016] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of the Hall effect push button switch of the present invention in a triggered state;

[0017] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of the Hall effect push button switch of the present invention in a reset state.

[0018] Figure numerals: 10, housing; 101, accommodating cavity; 102, first through hole; 103, second through hole; 104, annular limiting portion; 20, first magnet; 30, second magnet; 40, pressing shaft; 401, fixing portion; 50, Hall element; 51, PCB board; 60, bearing. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that if there are descriptions involving orientation, such as orientations or positional relationships indicated by up, down, front, back, left, and right, the orientation descriptions may be based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. This is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0020] In the description of this utility model, if there is a quantity, "several" means one or more, "more" means more than two, "greater than," "less than," and "exceed" are understood to exclude the number itself, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the number itself. The use of the terms "first" and "second" is solely for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and is not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly specifying the number of the indicated technical features, or implicitly specifying the order of the indicated technical features.

[0021] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined, terms such as setting, installing, and connecting should be understood in a broad sense, and technicians in the relevant technical field can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific content of the technical solution.

[0022] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the present invention proposes a Hall effect push button switch, including a shell 10 and a pressing shaft 40. A accommodating chamber 101 is formed in the shell 10. The pressing shaft 40 slides through the accommodating chamber 101. A first magnet 20 located in the accommodating chamber 101 is fixed to the pressing shaft 40. The accommodating chamber 101 contains a second magnet 30. The magnetic poles of the second magnet 30 and the first magnet 20 repel each other, so that the first magnet 20 and the second magnet 30 are respectively pressed against the opposite side walls of the accommodating chamber 101; a Hall element 50 is provided in or outside the accommodating chamber 101. As long as the Hall element 50 can generate an output signal according to the change in the magnetic field strength of the second magnet 30, it will be sufficient. Exemplarily, the magnetic poles of the first magnet 20 and the second magnet 30 repel each other, so that the first magnet 20 and the second magnet 30 are respectively pressed against the opposite side walls of the accommodating cavity 101 (initial state). In the initial state, the Hall element 50 is set to sense a magnetic field strength of zero, that is, the magnetic field generated by the second magnet 30 has no induction with the contacts of the Hall element 50; when the pressing shaft 40 is pressed by an external force, so that the first magnet 20 and the second magnet 30 fit together (called a trigger state), the magnetic field strength of the second magnet 30 is enhanced, that is, the magnetic field of the second magnet 30 is inductively sensed with the contacts of the Hall element 50, triggering the contacts of the Hall element 50, and the magnetic field sensed by the Hall element 50 changes from nothing to something, thereby generating an output signal.

[0023] In summary, it can be understood that when the Hall effect push button switch is in use, the pressing shaft 40 is pressed by external force, so that the pressing shaft 40 drives the first magnet 20 to move toward the second magnet 30, so that the magnetic field strength on the second magnet 30 will be enhanced to trigger the Hall effect element 50 to generate an output signal, thereby realizing the function of the switch; when the pressing force on the pressing shaft 40 is released, the magnetic poles of the first magnet 20 and the second magnet 30 repel each other, realizing automatic reset, avoiding the use of spring automatic reset, thereby improving the performance of the Hall effect push button switch of the present invention.

[0024] In one exemplary embodiment, a Hall effect pushbutton switch is used to control a light. When the Hall element 50 of the Hall effect pushbutton switch generates an output signal to a peripheral control circuit, the control circuit turns the light on. When the pressure on the pressing shaft 40 is released, the magnetic poles of the first magnet 20 and the second magnet 30 repel each other, achieving an automatic reset. The control circuit then continues to control the light on. To turn the light off, the pressing shaft 40 can be pressed again, causing the first magnet 20 and the second magnet 30 to align. The magnetic strength of the second magnet 30 then triggers the Hall effect pushbutton 50 to generate an output signal to the control circuit. The control circuit then turns the light off based on the second output signal of the Hall effect pushbutton 50. As can be seen from the above, the Hall effect pushbutton 50 simply provides the control circuit with a signal to turn the light on or off. Of course, Hall effect pushbutton switches can also be used in, but not limited to, electronic devices such as keyboards and mice.

[0025] In one embodiment, the Hall effect push button switch of the present invention further includes a PCB board 51, and the Hall effect element 50 is mounted on the upper surface of the PCB board 51; of course, the Hall effect element 50 is controlled by the PCB board 51, and the PCB board 51 is a circuit board of a control circuit for receiving the output signal generated by the Hall effect element 50 being triggered.

[0026] In one embodiment, the pressing shaft 40 is integrally connected with a fixing portion 401, and the first magnet 20 is fixed to the fixing portion 401. The fixing portion 401 facilitates the fixing of the first magnet 20 to the pressing shaft 40. Specifically, the fixing portion 401 is provided with a mounting groove, and the first magnet 20 is mounted and fixed in the mounting groove.

[0027] In one embodiment, the pressing shaft 40 is a steel shaft, which can increase the service life of the pressing shaft 40 ; of course, in other embodiments, the pressing shaft 40 can also be a plastic shaft, which is not limited here.

[0028] In one embodiment, the first magnet 20 and the second magnet 30 are both magnets, the first magnet 20 is a first annular magnet, the second magnet 30 is a second annular magnet, the first annular magnet is coaxial with the pressing shaft 40, the pressing shaft 40 passes through the inner ring of the second annular magnet and does not contact the second annular magnet. In addition, the second annular magnet is coaxial with the first annular magnet, so that the force on the left and right sides of the pressing shaft 40 is uniform, thereby effectively preventing the pressing shaft 40 from being affected by the magnetic force between the first magnet 20 and the second magnet 30 during the up and down movement and becoming deflected.

[0029] Of course, in other embodiments, the first magnet 20 and / or the second magnet 30 are not limited to being annular magnets, but can also be square bar magnets, which is not limited here. Therefore, for those skilled in the art, by reasonably changing the structure of the first magnet 20 and / or the second magnet 30, it should also fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] In one embodiment, to facilitate installation of the first annular magnet, the mounting groove is an annular mounting groove, and the annular mounting groove is coaxially arranged with the pressing shaft 40. Thus, the first annular magnet is secured within the annular mounting groove and is coaxial with the annular mounting groove. Specifically, an interference fit can be used between the first annular magnet and the annular mounting groove in this embodiment, thereby securing the first annular magnet within the annular mounting groove. Of course, in other embodiments, the first annular magnet and the annular mounting groove can also be secured using other fixing methods such as gluing, which are not limited here.

[0031] In one embodiment, an annular limiting portion 104 is further provided in the accommodating cavity 101, and the second annular magnet is placed in the annular limiting portion 104, and the outer wall of the second annular magnet is in contact with the inner wall of the annular limiting portion 104, so that the second annular magnet can be limited and fixed.

[0032] In one embodiment, a bearing 60 fixed to the housing 10 is provided in the accommodating chamber 101. The bearing 60 is located on the inner ring of the second annular magnet. The end of the pressing shaft 40 close to the second magnet 30 slides through the inner ring of the bearing 60. The bearing 60 facilitates the up and down movement of the pressing shaft 40. Of course, the bearing 60 can also be provided outside the accommodating chamber 101 and fixed to the housing 10, which is not limited here. Specifically, the upper and lower ends of the housing 10 are provided with a coaxial first through hole 102 and a second through hole 103. The pressing shaft 40 slides through the first through hole 102 and the second through hole 103 along the axial direction of the first through hole 102 or the second through hole 103. The first annular magnet, the second annular magnet and the bearing are all coaxially arranged with the second through hole 103 or the first through hole 102. This ensures that the pressing shaft 40 will not deflect during the up and down movement, thereby making the pressing shaft 40 move up and down smoothly along its axial direction, providing a better feel and extending the service life of the Hall effect push button switch.

[0033] The above content is a further detailed description of the present invention in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, and the specific implementation of the present invention cannot be considered to be limited to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art of the present invention, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several simple deductions or substitutions can be made, which should be considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A Hall key switch, comprising a housing and a pressing shaft, wherein a receiving cavity is formed in the housing, and the pressing shaft is slidably disposed through the receiving cavity. A first magnet located in the accommodation cavity is fixed on the pressing shaft. A second magnet is disposed in the accommodation cavity. The magnetic poles of the second magnet and the first magnet repel each other, so that the first magnet and the second magnet respectively press against opposite side walls in the accommodation cavity. A Hall element is disposed inside or outside the accommodation cavity. The Hall element generates an output signal according to the change in the magnetic field intensity of the second magnet.

2. The Hall push-button switch according to claim 1, wherein A fixing portion is integrally connected to the pressing shaft, and the first magnet is fixed on the fixing portion.

3. The Hall pushbutton switch according to claim 2, wherein, An installation groove is formed in the fixing portion, and the first magnet is installed and fixed in the installation groove.

4. The Hall push-button switch according to claim 3, wherein, The installation groove is an annular installation groove, and the annular installation groove is coaxially arranged with the pressing shaft. The first magnet is a first annular magnet, and the first annular magnet is installed and fixed in the annular installation groove.

5. The Hall pushbutton switch according to claim 4, wherein, The second magnet is a second annular magnet, and the second annular magnet is coaxially arranged with the first annular magnet.

6. The Hall push-button switch according to claim 5, wherein, An annular limiting portion is further disposed in the accommodation cavity. The second annular magnet is placed in the annular limiting portion, and the outer wall of the second annular magnet is in close contact with the inner wall of the annular limiting portion.

7. The Hall key switch according to claim 1, wherein, A PCB board is further included. The Hall element is attached to the PCB board and is controlled by the PCB board.

8. The Hall key switch according to claim 1, wherein, A bearing fixed to the housing is disposed inside or outside the accommodation cavity. One end of the pressing shaft close to the second magnet slidably penetrates through the inner ring of the bearing.

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