Press switch, input device, and press amount detection sensor

Abstract

This input device comprises: a press-operable operating member; a first magnet held by the operating member; an elastic member that applies, to the operating member, a return force for a pressing operation; a second magnet that is provided facing the first magnet and repels the first magnet; and a magnetic sensor that detects the press amount of the operating member by detecting magnetism between the first magnet and the second magnet. The input device has a distance adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet.

Description

Push Switch, Input Device, and Depression Amount Detection Sensor

[0001] The present invention relates to a push switch, an input device, and a depression amount detection sensor.

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an electronically adjustable key switch configured to correct the key touch of a key switch by varying the current value applied to an electromagnet and varying the repulsive force between the electromagnet and a permanent magnet.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-339590

[0004] However, since the technique of Patent Document 1 requires a current to continuously flow through the electromagnet while correcting the key touch of the key switch, there is a risk of excessive power consumption.

[0005] The push switch according to one embodiment includes an operable operation member, a first magnet held by the operation member, an elastic member that applies a restoring force to the operation member with respect to the push operation, a second magnet provided to face the first magnet and repelling the first magnet, and a magnetic sensor that detects the depression amount of the operation member by detecting the magnetism between the first magnet and the second magnet, and has a distance adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the separation distance between the first magnet and the second magnet.

[0006] According to the push switch according to one embodiment, the operating load related to the push operation of the operation member can be easily and diversely changed without using an electromagnet.

[0007] External perspective view of an input device according to one embodiment, Perspective cross-sectional view of an input device according to one embodiment, Cross-sectional view of a push key included in an input device according to one embodiment, External perspective view of a distance adjustment mechanism included in a push key according to one embodiment, Diagram showing an example of control by a control device included in a push key according to one embodiment, Diagram showing an example of the operating load characteristics of a push key according to one embodiment, Diagram showing the configuration of a control system of a push key according to one embodiment

[0008] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, in the following description, the Z-axis direction in the drawings will be considered as the vertical direction, the Y-axis direction as the left-right direction, and the X-axis direction as the front-back direction. However, the positive Z-axis direction will be considered upward, the positive Y-axis direction as the rightward direction, and the positive X-axis direction as the forward direction.

[0009] (Overview of the input device 10) Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the input device 10 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the input device 10 according to one embodiment.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the input device 10 is equipped with a plurality of push keys 100 on the top surface 20A of a case 20 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the example shown in Figure 1, the input device 10 is equipped with six push keys 100 arranged on the top surface 20A of the case 20 in two rows in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) and three columns in the left-to-right direction (Y-axis direction).

[0011] Each of the multiple push keys 100 is an example of a "push switch". Each of the multiple push keys 100 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction) and can be pressed downwards. Each of the multiple push keys 100 can be switched from the switch-off state to the switch-on state by pressing it. As shown in Figure 2, the multiple push keys 100 have the same configuration.

[0012] Furthermore, a horizontal, flat plate 14 is attached to the upper surface 20A of the case 20, with four spacers 12 provided at the four corners of the upper surface 20A in between. Each of the multiple push keys 100 is provided by passing through each of the multiple rectangular openings 14A formed in the plate 14.

[0013] Furthermore, the case 20 is configured to be separable into an upper case 21 that constitutes the upper part and a lower case 22 that constitutes the lower part.

[0014] (Configuration of the push key 100 and distance adjustment mechanism 160) Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the push key 100 provided in the input device 10 according to one embodiment. Figure 4 is an external perspective view of the distance adjustment mechanism 160 provided in the push key 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the push key 100 comprises a housing 110, an operating member 120, a coil spring 130, a magnetic sensor 140, a second magnet 150, and a distance adjustment mechanism 160.

[0015] The housing 110 is a hollow, box-shaped (generally rectangular parallelepiped) resin component. The housing 110 is provided on the upper surface 20A of the case 20, passing through the opening 14A of the plate 14. The housing 110 is detachably connected to the upper housing 111, which forms the upper part, and the lower housing 112, which forms the lower part, by snap-fit ​​structures provided on both the left and right sides. An upper opening 111A is formed on the upper surface portion of the upper housing 111.

[0016] Inside the housing 110, a cylindrical support portion 113 is provided, extending upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) from the bottom of the lower housing 112. The support portion 113 supports the main body portion 121 of the operating member 120 so that it can move vertically (in the Z-axis direction) by inserting the lower part of the main body portion 121 of the operating member 120 from above (in the positive Z-axis direction) into a support hole 113A that extends vertically (in the Z-axis direction) (i.e., inside the cylinder of the support portion 113). The support hole 113A penetrates the bottom of the lower housing 112.

[0017] The operating member 120 is a member that is pressed downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) by the operator. The operating member 120 has a main body 121, a cap 122, and a first magnet 123.

[0018] The main body portion 121 is a columnar resin member with its longitudinal direction in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The main body portion 121 is installed inside the housing 110 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The upper part of the main body portion 121 penetrates the upper opening 111A formed in the upper housing 111 and protrudes above the upper housing 111. A recess 121A is formed on the lower surface of the main body portion 121, which is recessed upwards. The recess 121A has the same shape as the outer shape of the first magnet 123, and the first magnet 123 is fitted into it.

[0019] A large-diameter portion 121C is provided in the middle of the main body portion 121 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), with a larger diameter than the upper and lower parts. When the main body portion 121 is in the initial position shown in Figure 3, the upper surface portion of the large-diameter portion 121C abuts against the periphery of the upper opening 111A of the upper housing 111, thereby restricting the movement of the main body portion 121 upward (positive Z-axis direction) from its initial position. Furthermore, the large-diameter portion 121C receives the upper end of the coil spring 130 at its lower surface portion, thereby receiving the biasing force from the coil spring 130.

[0020] The cap 122 is attached to the upper part of the main body 121. The cap 122 is a resin component that has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The upper surface of the cap 122 is an operating surface 122A that receives a press operation from the operator. The upper surface of the cap 122 may be provided with characters, figures, etc. to identify the function of the push key 100. The cap 122 has a hollow structure with an opening on the lower side (negative Z-axis side). In the central part of the inside of the cap 122, a cylindrical fitting portion 122B extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is provided hanging down from the upper wall. The cap 122 is attached to the upper part of the main body 121 by fitting the lower part of the fitting portion 122B into a groove portion 121B formed in the upper part of the main body 121, covering the upper and side of the upper part of the main body 121, and becoming movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) integrally with the main body 121.

[0021] The first magnet 123 is a so-called permanent magnet. The first magnet 123 is fitted into a recess 121A formed on the lower surface of the main body 121 such that the upper and lower parts have different magnetic poles.

[0022] The coil spring 130 is an example of an "elastic member". The coil spring 130 is a metal, wound-type member. The coil spring 130 is arranged inside the housing 110 so as to be expandable and contractible in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The upper and lower parts of the coil spring 130 are supported by the lower part of the main body 121 of the operating member 120 being inserted inside the upper part, and the support part 113 of the housing 110 being inserted inside the lower part. When the operating member 120 is pressed down by the operator, the coil spring 130 is compressed by the large-diameter portion 121C of the main body 121 of the operating member 120, and the resulting repulsive force biases the large-diameter portion 121C of the main body 121 of the operating member 120 upward, thereby returning the main body 121 of the operating member 120 to the initial position shown in Figure 3.

[0023] The magnetic sensor 140 is located below the first magnet 123 (negative Z-axis side) and above the second magnet 150 (positive Z-axis side), which will be described later. Specifically, the magnetic sensor 140 is located on the lower surface of the substrate 16, which is superimposed on the upper surface 20A of the case 20, at a position between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150. The magnetic sensor 140 detects the amount of pressure applied to the operating member 120 by detecting the magnetic flux density between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150. Specifically, as the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 decreases, the magnetic flux density between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 increases. Therefore, the magnetic sensor 140 can detect the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 by detecting the magnetic flux density between them.

[0024] The second magnet 150 is positioned below the first magnet 123 (negative Z-axis side) and opposite the first magnet 123. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, a recess 21A is formed in the upper case 21 at the position below the first magnet 123 (negative Z-axis side), with the recess shape being indented downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) from the upper surface 20A. A magnet holder 161 is provided inside the recess 21A so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The second magnet 150 is held by the magnet holder 161 by being fitted into the holding hole 161A of the magnet holder 161, and is positioned opposite the first magnet 123. The second magnet 150 is positioned such that the magnetic pole on its upper side (positive Z-axis side) is the same polarity as the magnetic pole on its lower side (negative Z-axis side) as the first magnet 123, causing them to repel each other.

[0025] The distance adjustment mechanism 160 adjusts the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the distance adjustment mechanism 160 includes a magnet holder 161, an adjustment member 162, and a drive device 163.

[0026] The magnet holder 161 holds the second magnet 150. The magnet holder 161 has a cylindrical shape and is installed inside a recess 21A formed in the upper case 21 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0027] A retaining hole 161A is formed in the center of the upper surface of the magnet holder 161, which is recessed downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) and has the same shape as the outer shape of the second magnet 150. The magnet holder 161 holds the second magnet 150 by fitting it into the retaining hole 161A.

[0028] A rod-shaped projection 161B extending downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) is provided in the center of the lower surface of the magnet holder 161. The lower end of the projection 161B contacts the contact surface 162A of the adjustment member 162, thereby restricting the downward (negative Z-axis direction) movement of the magnet holder 161.

[0029] The adjustment member 162 is a cylindrical member that adjusts the height position of the magnet holder 161 (i.e., the position in the direction of the pressing operation). The adjustment member 162 is attached to the rotating shaft 163B of the drive device 163 so as to be rotatable together with the rotating shaft 163B. The upper surface of the adjustment member 162 is an annular contact surface 162A to which the lower end of the projection 161B of the magnet holder 161 abuts. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the contact surface 162A has a stepped shape in which the height position changes in steps along the circumferential direction. As a result, the contact surface 162A rotates together with the rotating shaft 163B when driven by the drive device 163, so that the height position to which the lower end of the projection 161B abuts can be changed in steps, that is, the height position of the magnet holder 161 can be changed in steps.

[0030] For example, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the contact surface 162A has four height positions within a 180° range, meaning that the height position of the magnet holder 161 can be adjusted in four stages by rotating the contact surface 162A within a 180° range.

[0031] The drive unit 163 has a box-shaped housing 163A and a rotating shaft 163B extending upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) from the top of the housing 163A. The drive unit 163 also has a drive mechanism inside the housing 163A for rotating the rotating shaft 163B. The drive unit 163 can rotate the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 163B to any rotation angle by control from the control device 170 (see Figure 7). For example, a stepping motor is used as the drive unit 163.

[0032] (An example of control by the control device 170) Figure 5 shows an example of control by the control device 170 provided in the push key 100 according to one embodiment.

[0033] In the example shown in Figure 5(a), the control device 170 controls the rotation angle of the adjustment member 162, adjusting the height position of the contact surface 162A of the adjustment member 162, to which the lower end of the projection 161B of the magnet holder 161 abuts, to the highest height position. As a result, in the example shown in Figure 5(a), the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 is adjusted to the shortest distance out of four stages. In this case, the magnetic repulsive force between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 is strongest, so the operating load for pressing the operating member 120 having the first magnet 123 is the highest.

[0034] In the example shown in Figure 5(b), the control device 170 controls the rotation angle of the adjustment member 162, adjusting the height position of the contact surface 162A of the adjustment member 162, to which the lower end of the projection 161B of the magnet holder 161 abuts, to the lowest height position. As a result, in the example shown in Figure 5(b), the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 is adjusted to the longest distance out of four stages. In this case, the magnetic repulsive force between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 is at its weakest, so the operating load for pressing the operating member 120 having the first magnet 123 is at its lowest.

[0035] Furthermore, the control device 170 is electrically connected to each of the drive units 163 of the multiple push keys 100 provided in the input device 10, and can individually control the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 of each of the multiple push keys 100.

[0036] (An example of the operating load characteristics of the push key 100) Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the operating load characteristics of the push key 100 according to one embodiment. The graph in Figure 6 shows the operating load characteristics when the operating member 120 of the push key 100 is pressed, for each case where the initial separation distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 is 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm, and 3.5 mm. In the graph in Figure 6, the vertical axis represents the operating load [N], and the horizontal axis represents the amount of depression [mm].

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, the operating load characteristics of the push key 100 increase as the amount of pressure applied increases, regardless of the initial separation distance s. This is because, as the amount of pressure applied increases, the separation distance s decreases, and the magnetic repulsive force between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 increases.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the operating load characteristics of the push key 100 increase overall as the initial separation distance s decreases. This is because the magnetic repulsive force between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 increases overall as the initial separation distance s decreases.

[0039] (Configuration of the control system of the push key 100) Figure 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the push key 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the control system of the push key 100 comprises a magnetic sensor 140, a drive device 163, and a control device 170. For the control device 170, for example, an IC can be used.

[0040] The control device 170 is electrically connected to the magnetic sensor 140 and the drive device 163. The control device 170 includes a determination unit 171 and an adjustment unit 172.

[0041] The determination unit 171 determines that the switch is on if the amount of pressure applied to the operating member 120 detected by the magnetic sensor 140 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0042] The adjustment unit 172 controls the height position of the contact surface 162A to which the lower end of the projection 161B of the magnet holder 161 abuts, by controlling the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 163B of the drive device 163 and thereby controlling the rotation angle of the adjustment member 162. In this way, the adjustment unit 172 adjusts the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150. In this embodiment, since the contact surface 162A of the adjustment member 162 has four height positions, the adjustment unit 172 can adjust the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 in four stages by controlling the rotation angle of the adjustment member 162 in four stages.

[0043] The adjustment unit 172 increases the separation distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 at the timing determined by the determination unit 171 to be switched on. Specifically, the adjustment unit 172 controls the rotation angle of the rotary shaft 163B of the drive device 163 at the timing determined by the determination unit 171 to be switched on, and controls the rotation angle of the adjustment member 162, thereby lowering the height position of the contact surface 162A of the adjustment member 162 with which the lower end of the protrusion 161B of the magnet holder 161 abuts, and increasing the separation distance s.

[0044] Thereby, the adjustment unit 172 can rapidly weaken the operation load of the operation member 120 at the timing determined by the determination unit 171 to be switched on, and due to this change in the operation load, a click feeling can be presented for the pressing operation of the operation member 120. Therefore, the operator can tactilely recognize that the pressing operation of the operation member 120 has been determined to be switched on by the click feeling generated in the operation member 120.

[0045] Note that the control device 170 may perform the above-described determination of being switched on by the determination unit 171 and the adjustment of the separation distance s by the adjustment unit 172 for each of the plurality of push keys 100 provided in the input device 10.

[0046] As described above, the push key 100 according to one embodiment includes an operation member 120 that can be pressed, a first magnet 123 held by the operation member 120, a coil spring 130 that applies a restoring force to the operation member 120 for a pressing operation, a second magnet 150 provided to face the first magnet 123 and repelling the first magnet 123, and a magnetic sensor 140 that detects the pressing amount of the operation member 120 by detecting the magnetism between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150, and has a distance adjustment mechanism 160 that can adjust the separation distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150.

[0047] Thereby, the push key 100 according to one embodiment can easily and diversely change the operation load related to the pressing operation of the operation member 120 without using an electromagnet by adjusting the separation distance s by the distance adjustment mechanism 160.

[0048] Also, the push key 100 according to one embodiment can easily change the determination timing of switch-on by the determination unit 171 (that is, the depression amount of the operation member 120) and the adjustment timing of the separation distance s by the adjustment unit 172 (that is, the depression amount of the operation member 120) by changing the threshold value of the control device 170.

[0049] As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0050] For example, the contact surface 162A of the adjustment member 162 has a stepped shape that can change the height position of the magnet holder 161 step by step, but is not limited thereto. For example, the contact surface 162A of the adjustment member 162 may have a slope shape that can change the height position of the magnet holder 161 continuously.

[0051] Also, for example, the adjustment member 162 is not limited to one that can change the height position of the magnet holder 161 by rotating. For example, the adjustment member 162 may be one that can change the height position of the magnet holder 161 step by step or continuously by linearly moving in the horizontal or vertical direction.

[0052] Also, for example, the input device 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (that is, the configuration including six push keys 100). For example, the input device 10 can be applied to a keyboard, a game controller, etc. by appropriately changing the number, arrangement, etc. of the push keys 100.

[0053] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a push switch, but may also be implemented as a push amount detection sensor comprising, for example, a pushable operating member, a first magnet held by the operating member, an elastic member that provides a restorative force to the operating member in response to a push operation, a second magnet provided opposite the first magnet and repelling the first magnet, and a magnetic sensor that detects the amount of pressure applied to the operating member by detecting the magnetic field between the first magnet and the second magnet, and having a distance adjustment mechanism that can adjust the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet. In this case as well, the push amount detection sensor can achieve the same effects as a push switch.

[0054] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-193847, filed on 5 November 2024, and the entire contents of said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] 10 Input device 12 Spacer 14 Plate 14A Opening 16 Circuit board 20 Case 20A Top surface 21 Upper case 21A Recess 22 Lower case 100 Push key 110 Housing 111 Upper housing 111A Upper opening 112 Lower housing 113 Support part 113A Support hole 120 Operating member 121 Main body part 121A Recess 121C Large diameter part 122 Cap 122A Operating surface 122B Fitting part 123 First magnet 130 Coil spring 140 Magnetic sensor 150 Second magnet 160 Distance adjustment mechanism 161 Magnet holder 161A Holding hole 161B Projection 162 Adjustment member 162A Contact surface 163 Drive device 163A Housing 163B Rotating shaft 170 Control device 171 Judgment unit 172 Adjustment unit s Separation distance

Claims

1. A push switch comprising: a pushable operating member; a first magnet held by the operating member; an elastic member that provides a restorative force to the operating member in response to the push operation; a second magnet provided opposite to the first magnet and repelling the first magnet; and a magnetic sensor that detects the amount of pressure applied to the operating member by detecting the magnetic field between the first magnet and the second magnet, wherein the push switch has a distance adjustment mechanism that can adjust the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet.

2. The push switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment unit that increases the separation distance when the amount of pressing of the operating member detected by the magnetic sensor is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.

3. The push switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance adjustment mechanism comprises a magnet holder for holding the second magnet and an adjustment member for adjusting the separation distance by adjusting the position of the magnet holder in the direction of the push operation.

4. The push switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the adjusting member rotates to adjust the position of the magnet holder in the direction of the push operation.

5. The push switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the adjusting member adjusts the position of the magnet holder in the direction of the push operation by moving linearly.

6. The push switch according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines that the switch is on when the amount of pressure applied to the operating member detected by the magnetic sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

7. The push switch according to claim 6, further comprising an adjustment unit that increases the separation distance at the timing when the determination unit determines that the switch is on.

8. The push switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the first magnet and the second magnet are arranged opposite each other with like poles.

9. An input device characterized by comprising a plurality of push switches as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A pressing amount detection sensor comprising: an operating member that can be pressed; a first magnet held by the operating member; an elastic member that provides a restoring force to the operating member in response to the pressing operation; a second magnet provided opposite to the first magnet and repelling the first magnet; and a magnetic sensor that detects the amount of pressing of the operating member by detecting the magnetic field between the first magnet and the second magnet, wherein the sensor has a distance adjustment mechanism that can adjust the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet.

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