JP2001110292A - Inclination switch and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inclination switch used for various electronic equipment to detect the inclination and vibration of the equipment, capable of detecting the direction of inclination and usable in various applications, and to provide electronic equipment using it. SOLUTION: An inclination switch comprises a common contact 13 and fixed contacts 14, 15, 16, 17 arranged on the inner bottom face and four- directional inside faces of a case 11 and a conductive ball 5 stored in the case 11 in a rolling manner for making the contacts close to or apart from one another. The inclination switch is thus capable of detecting the direction of inclination and usable for various applications.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tilt switch used for various electronic devices for detecting tilt, vibration, etc. of the device, and an electronic device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as various electronic devices have been diversified,
An increasing number of electronic devices use various tilt switches to detect tilt, vibration, etc. of the main unit. This type of tilt switch detects tilt and vibration using the rolling of spherical conductive balls. It has been known.

[0003] Such a conventional tilt switch,
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a conventional tilt switch. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 1 denotes a box-shaped insulating resin case having an upper surface opening, and 2 denotes a cover for covering an opening on the upper surface of the case 1.
A fixed contact 3 whose center is bent is arranged on the inner bottom surface of the case 1, and a fixed contact 4 is arranged on the lower surface of the cover 2 so as to face the fixed contact 3.

[0005] Reference numeral 5 denotes a conductive ball which is rotatably accommodated in the case 1 and is made of copper alloy, steel ball or the like plated with a noble metal. The conductive ball 5 is a fixed contact 3 when the switch is horizontal. And a predetermined gap is provided between the fixed contact 4 on the lower surface of the cover 2 and the upper surface of the conductive ball 5 to constitute a tilt switch.

When the tilt switch is tilted to the left from the horizontal state as shown in the side sectional view of FIG. 10, the conductive ball 5 rolls on the fixed contact 3 from the bent portion 3A. Since it moves to the left end portion and comes into contact with the fixed contact 4 on the lower surface of the cover 2, the fixed contact 3 and the fixed contact 4 are connected via the conductive sphere 5.

Similarly, when the tilt switch is tilted rightward or forward or backward, the conductive sphere 5 moves to the end in each direction and is fixed to the fixed contact 3 via the conductive sphere 5. The configuration is such that the connection of the contact 4 is performed.

[0008]

However, in the above conventional tilt switch, the rolling of the conductive ball 5 causes
Since the inclination of the switch is detected by connecting the two fixed contacts 3 and 4 arranged vertically, it is possible to detect whether or not the switch is inclined. There was a problem that it was impossible to detect the direction.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tilt switch which can detect a tilt direction and can be used for various purposes, and an electronic device using the same. I do.

[0010]

According to the present invention, a common contact and a fixed contact are disposed on an inner bottom surface and a four-way inner surface of a case, respectively, or a four-way inner surface of a case is provided. A plurality of fixed contacts adjacent to each other are arranged, and a tilt switch is configured so that these common contacts and fixed contacts are brought into contact with and separated from each other by conductive balls that are rollably accommodated in a case.

Thus, it is possible to obtain a tilt switch which can detect the tilt direction and can be used for various purposes.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized in that a box-shaped case having an upper surface opening, a common contact arranged on the inner bottom surface, and an inner surface in four directions of the case, respectively. A fixed contact, a conductive ball that is rotatably housed in the case and is in contact with and separates from the common contact and the fixed contact, and a cover that covers an opening on the upper surface of the case. Is configured to roll on the common contact according to the inclination direction and to contact each fixed contact arranged on the inner surface in the inclination direction, so that the inclination direction can be detected, and various applications are possible. Has the function of obtaining a tilt switch that can be used for

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a box-shaped case having an upper surface opening, a plurality of adjacent fixed contacts respectively arranged on inner surfaces in four directions, and rotatably housed in the case. An inclined switch composed of a conductive sphere that comes into contact with and separates from the fixed contact and a cover that covers an opening on the upper surface of the case. The conductive sphere rolls in the case according to the inclination direction, and the inside of the inclination direction. Since the plurality of adjacent fixed contacts arranged on the side surface are connected, the inclination direction can be detected, and the inclination switch can be used for various applications.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a common contact is provided also on the lower surface of the cover, and even when the cover is used in a reverse direction with the cover on the lower side and the case on the upper side. Since the conductive sphere rolls on the common contact on the cover side and comes into contact with and separates from each fixed contact, the tilt switch can be used even in the upside down state.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a hole or a depression is provided in the center of the common contact or the inner bottom surface of the case. In the horizontal state, the conductive sphere is stably held in the center hole or depression, so that the conductive sphere rolls with a slight inclination and erroneously comes into contact with each fixed contact, so-called malfunction is eliminated. It has the effect of being able to.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of grooves intersecting at the center are provided in the common contact or the inner bottom surface of the case. When the switch is tilted, the conductive spheres are rolled by being guided by the grooves provided in the tilt direction, so that the contact with the fixed contact arranged on the inner surface can be stabilized.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the tilt switch according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and a control circuit for detecting the electrical connection / disconnection of the tilt switch. It is an electronic device that detects the tilt direction of the main body and switches lighting, display, and function by using the tilt switch that can detect the tilt direction, so that the tilt and vibration of the device can be detected. It is possible to obtain an electronic device capable of performing various lighting, display, and switching of functions according to the inclination direction.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

The same components as those described in the section of the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a tilt switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tilt switch. In FIG. A cover 12 covers an opening on the upper surface of the case 11, and a common contact 13 is provided on the inner bottom surface of the case 11.
Are arranged on the inner surface of the case 11 in four directions, and fixed contacts 14 and 15 are arranged on the left and right, and fixed contacts 16 and 17 are arranged on the front and rear.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a conductive ball which is rollably accommodated in the case 11 and is made of a copper alloy, a steel ball, or the like, and is plated with a noble metal.
Placed on a hole 13A provided in the center of the common contact 13,
A tilt switch is configured.

When the tilt switch is tilted leftward from the horizontal state as shown in the side sectional view of FIG. 3, the conductive ball 5 rolls on the common contact 13 from the hole 13A to the left. And the common contact 13 and the fixed contact 14 are connected via the conductive sphere 5 because of contact with the fixed contact 14 arranged on the left inner side surface.

When the tilt switch is tilted rightward, the conductive ball 5 rolls rightward and comes into contact with the fixed contact 15 on the right inner surface, and similarly, tilts forward and backward. When the conductive ball 5 rolls forward or backward and comes into contact with the fixed contact 16 or 17 on the front or rear inner surface, the common contact 13 via the conductive ball 5 and the fixed contact in each direction are connected. Are configured to be connected.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the conductive sphere 5 rolls on the common contact 13 disposed on the inner bottom surface of the case 11 according to the inclination direction, and the inner surface in the left, right, front and rear directions. Are arranged so as to come into contact with the fixed contacts 14, 15, 16 and 17, respectively, so that the inclination direction can be detected and a tilt switch that can be used for various applications can be obtained.

A hole 13A is provided at the center of the common contact 13, and when the switch is horizontal, the conductive ball 5 is stably held on the hole 13A. It is possible to eliminate a so-called erroneous operation of rolling and erroneously contacting each fixed contact.

In the above description, the case where the hole 13A is provided in the center of the common contact 13 has been described. Instead, a recess is formed in the center of the common contact 13 and the conductive sphere 5 is placed in this recess. It goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented even if it is placed, and furthermore, by changing the outer diameter and depth of the holes 13A and the depressions according to the state in which the switch is used, the inclination at a predetermined angle or less can be achieved. In this case, the conductive ball 5 may be configured not to roll.

Further, as shown in FIG.
2 is also provided with a common contact 18 on the lower surface of FIG.
As shown in (b), even when the cover 12 is used in the reverse direction with the case 12 on the lower side and the case 11 on the upper side, the conductive sphere 5 rolls on the common contact 18 on the cover 12 side and contacts with each fixed contact. Since the contact and separation are performed, it is possible to obtain a tilt switch that can be used even in an upside-down state.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view of a tilt switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the same. It is stored in the case 21 so as to be able to roll, and the case 2
Although the cover 12 covers the opening on the upper surface of the case 21 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, fixed contacts 22A and 22B, 23A and 2
3B, front and rear fixed contacts 24A and 24B, 25A and 25B
Are arranged respectively.

On the inner bottom surface of the case 21, a plurality of grooves 21A and 21B intersecting at the center are provided.
When the tilt switch is in a horizontal state, the tilt switch is placed at the center where the grooves 21A and 21B intersect to form a tilt switch.

When the tilt switch is tilted leftward from the horizontal state as described above, the conductive sphere 5 is guided from the center by the groove 21A and rolls leftward as shown in the plan sectional view of FIG. , Fixed contacts 22A, 22 arranged on the left inner surface
As a result, the fixed contacts 22A and 22B are connected via the conductive sphere 5.

When the tilt switch is tilted to the right, the conductive sphere 5 rolls to the right to contact the fixed contacts 23A and 23B on the right inner surface, and is similarly tilted in the front-rear direction. In this case, the conductive sphere 5 rolls forward or rearward and comes into contact with the fixed contacts 24A and 24B or the fixed contacts 25A and 25B on the front or rear inner side surface, so that the conductive sphere 5 It is configured such that connection of a plurality of adjacent fixed contacts arranged on the inner side surface of the device is performed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the conductive sphere 5 rolls in the case 21 in accordance with the inclination direction, and brings the plurality of adjacent fixed contacts arranged on the inner surface in the inclination direction into contact. Therefore, the tilt direction can be detected, and a tilt switch that can be used for various applications can be obtained.

By providing a plurality of grooves 21A and 21B intersecting at the center on the inner bottom surface of the case 21, when the switch is tilted, the conductive balls 5 are guided by the grooves 21A and 21B and roll in the tilt direction. Therefore, the contact between the conductive ball 5 and each fixed contact arranged on the inner surface of the case 21 can be stabilized.

In the above description, the case where the tilt switch is tilted in four directions, that is, left / right or front / rear direction, has been described. Since the conductive sphere 5 contacts the fixed contacts 22B and 24A and connects them, it is also possible to detect inclinations in eight directions.

In this case, the grooves on the inner bottom surface of the case 21 are not substantially cross-shaped in which the two grooves 21A and 21B intersect at the center, but four grooves intersect at the center. If it is substantially U-shaped, the contact between the conductive ball 5 and each fixed contact can be stabilized.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an electronic apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 31 denotes a tilt switch described in Embodiments 1 and 2, and 32 denotes a tilt switch. This is a control circuit for detecting the electrical contact and separation of the tilt switch 31.

The control circuit 32 is connected to an illuminating unit 33 having an LED, an EL, and the like, and a display unit 34 having an LCD, a display panel, and the like.

In the above configuration, when the electronic device 35 is tilted or vibrated, the conductive spheres 5 in the tilt switch 31 roll as described in the first and second embodiments. Electrical connection and disconnection of a common contact of the switch and a plurality of fixed contacts are performed.

The control circuit 32 detects the tilt direction of the electronic device 35 from the electrical contact and separation of the tilt switch 31. For example, when the emission color of the illumination unit 33 is tilted to the left, the control unit 32 turns green. In the case of the forward direction, the display is switched to orange, or the display unit 34 is displayed to indicate that the electronic device 35 is tilted to the left or tilted forward. It is configured to perform switching.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain an electronic device capable of detecting inclination, vibration, and the like of the device, and performing various illumination, display, and function switching according to the inclination direction. Things.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is obtained an advantageous effect that a tilt switch which can detect a tilt direction and can be used for various purposes and an electronic device using the same can be obtained. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a tilt switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view at the time of the inclination.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view in which a common contact is provided on a lower surface of a cover.

FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view of a tilt switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the same.

FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view at the time of the inclination.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a conventional tilt switch.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view at the time of the inclination.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 Conductive ball 11, 21 Case 12 Cover 13, 18 Common contact 13A Hole 14, 15, 16, 17 Fixed contact 21A, 21B Groove 22A, 22B, 23A, 23B, 24A, 24B, 2
5A, 25B Fixed contact 31 Tilt switch 32 Control circuit 33 Illumination unit 34 Display unit 35 Electronic device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Maki Nakase 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2G064 AB08 BA04 BB11 BB64 BD03 5G056 BD04 BD32 BF01

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A box-shaped case having an upper surface opening, a common contact disposed on an inner bottom surface thereof, a fixed contact disposed on an inner side surface in four directions of the case, and rotatable into the case. A tilt switch comprising a conductive ball that is housed and comes into contact with and separates from the common contact and the fixed contact, and a cover that covers an opening on the upper surface of the case. 2. A box-shaped case having an upper surface opening, and a plurality of adjacent fixed contacts arranged on inner surfaces in the four directions, respectively.
A tilt switch comprising a conductive ball rotatably housed in the case and in contact with and separated from the fixed contact, and a cover for covering an opening on an upper surface of the case. 3. The tilt switch according to claim 1, wherein a common contact is provided also on a lower surface of the cover. 4. At the center of the common contact or the inner bottom surface of the case,
The tilt switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a hole or a depression is provided. 5. The tilt switch according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of grooves intersecting at the center are provided in the common contact or the inner bottom surface of the case. 6. A tilt switch according to claim 1, further comprising a control circuit for detecting the electrical contact and separation of the tilt switch, wherein the tilt switch and the control circuit detect a tilt direction of the main body. Electronic devices that switch lighting, display, and functions.