JP2002163950A - Mat switch equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide mat switch equipment which demonstrates high reliability over a long period of time, while an incorrect operation is hard to occur regardless of a using environment and an action direction of pressure. SOLUTION: A softly elastic insulator 1, which is formed so that two or more penetrating hole 1a, which have openings to both the front and back sides, may be distributed on a plate face, a pair of electric conductors 2a and 2b distributed on both the front and back sides of the softly elastic insulator 1, and two or more conductive roller 3 a, which are shut up in non-contacting state with at least one of the conductors as to be possible to roll in the spaces separated by each the penetrating holes 1a of the softly elastic insulator 1 and a pair of electric conductors 2a and 2b, are provided. According to a request, a stabilizing plate can be arranged on the external surface of the electric conductor, at least one of the conductors can be divided into two or more elements, which are insulated each other, a compression regulating pipe body of the softly elastic insulator can be arranged inside the penetrating hole, and an assembled body of the softly elastic insulator 1, the pair of the electric conductors 2a and 2b, and the conductive roller 3, can be contained in a moisture preventing or a dust protecting bag, or a rubber mat 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mat switch capable of detecting when a load such as a person acts thereon.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a person falls from a platform at a railway station between a track and a platform, for example, by mistake, this is detected and a railway signal is controlled to stop train entry and ensure human safety. Technology is being trialled. In this case, it is considered that the means for detecting the falling of the person can be most reliably detected by the mat switch.

[0003] Conventional mat switches used for this kind of application include a pair of mat switches via insulating spacers as described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 59-55833 and Utility Model Registration No. 25553680. Are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other, and the pair of conductive contact plates are brought into contact with each other by deforming the conductive contact plate by a human load.

A conventional mat switch of this type is:
Because it is used in harsh environments exposed to outdoor rainfall, it is installed in a state of being stored inside a waterproof rubber mat.

[0005]

However, inside the waterproof rubber mat, the temperature changes drastically due to cold and warm, and therefore the expansion and contraction of the members such as the conductive contact plate and the insulating spacer become large, and a load is applied from the outside. In spite of this, there is a problem that the conductive contact plates may undesirably come into contact with each other to cause a malfunction. Once the mat switch malfunctions, the railway signal is controlled, which greatly affects the operation of the train, and the influence is great.

[0006] Further, the conventional mat switch does not operate accurately depending on the direction in which the pressure is applied because the pressure applied to the switch when a person falls down is not uniform.

Further, since the conventional mat switch is used in a severe environment, its constituent materials are liable to be deteriorated, so that there is a problem in long-term reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a mat switch device which is less likely to malfunction irrespective of the use environment and the direction of action of pressure, and which exhibits high reliability for a long period of time.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mat switch device comprising: a soft elastic insulator having a plurality of through holes formed on both front and back surfaces dispersedly formed on a plate surface; A pair of conductors disposed on both the front and back surfaces; and a roll formed in a space defined by each through hole of the soft elastic insulator and the pair of conductors in a non-contact state with at least one of the conductors. A plurality of conductive rolling elements that are confined.

In the present invention and each of the following inventions, definitions and technical meanings of terms are as follows unless otherwise specified.

<Regarding Soft Elastic Insulator> In the present invention, the term "soft elastic insulator" refers to an insulator having relatively soft elasticity, such as a foamed polyurethane resin or a sponge rubber. It is preferable that the material does not generate a harmful gas with respect to the conductor described later and does not discolor or corrode the conductor. The soft elastic insulator has through-holes opened on both the front and back surfaces dispersedly formed on the plate surface.
The arrangement of the through holes may be regular or irregular. Further, the through holes may be arranged in a linearly dispersed manner, but are preferably arranged in a planarly dispersed manner. The cross-sectional shape of the through-hole is preferably circular, but various shapes such as an ellipse, a triangle, a quadrangle, and a polygon can be adopted if necessary. Further, the size of the through-hole may be such that the rolling element described later can appropriately roll.

Further, the soft elastic insulator allows the outer shape of the plate surface to have a desired shape such as a square or a circle. The thickness of the soft elastic insulator may be appropriately set according to the size of the rolling element so that the pair of conductors conducts through the rolling element when compressed. If necessary, it can be constituted by arranging constituent elements obtained by separating the soft elastic insulator into a plurality of conductors between a pair of conductors.

<Regarding the Conductors> The pair of conductors may be of any configuration as long as they are disposed on both the front and back surfaces of the soft elastic insulator and can conduct through the rolling elements. That is, a conductive material that is hardly corroded even after long-term use, for example, a metal plate or ribbon such as nickel silver (JIS 3110), stainless steel, brass having a surface coated with a corrosion-resistant metal film, or a printed wiring board. In addition, a conductive film formed on the surface of an insulating plate as a substrate can be used.

[0014] The pair of conductors may be a plate having both sides extending substantially over the entire surface of the soft elastic insulator, or only one of the conductors may be a plate and the other may be separated from each other. It may be a plurality of ribbon-shaped bodies arranged in a row. However, both conductors may be ribbon-shaped.

Further, the pair of conductors and the soft elastic insulator may be simply in contact with each other, but can be fixed with an adhesive. The adhesive may be applied to the entire surface of the soft elastic insulator, or may be applied partially. Note that a double-sided adhesive tape can be used as the adhesive.

[0016] Furthermore, connection terminals can be provided at appropriate positions on the pair of conductors in order to connect them to an external power supply or control device as required.

Further, if necessary, an anticorrosion coating made of a rigid coating or the like can be formed on a portion of the pair of conductors where the rolling element contacts, that is, a contact portion with the soft elastic insulator.

<Conductive Rolling Element> The conductive rolling element is confined in a space defined by a through hole of a soft elastic insulator and a pair of conductors. And it is possible to roll in the space. In addition, "conductive" means
The whole rolling element is electrically conductive, and may preferably be a corrosion-resistant metal such as nickel-white, stainless steel, molybdenum, or the like, or a corrosion-resistant conductive layer may be formed on the surface of the insulating substrate. It means that the configuration may be formed.

The conductive rolling element preferably has a true spherical shape, but may have an elliptical spherical shape or a roll shape if necessary.

<Other Configurations> Although not essential components of the present invention, the following configurations can be added as necessary.

1. About Waterproof Rubber Mat When a waterproof rubber mat is added to the mat switch device of the present invention, an assembly of a soft elastic insulator, a pair of conductors and a rolling element is housed inside the waterproof rubber mat. The mat switch of the present invention can withstand use in a severe environment by adding a waterproof rubber mat, and is unlikely to malfunction even if there is a severe temperature change inside the waterproof rubber mat, and is hardly deteriorated. Ensures stable operation over a long period of time and shows high reliability.

2. About moisture-proof and dust-proof treatment The mat switch device can be subjected to moisture-proof and dust-proof treatment in addition to or instead of a waterproof rubber mat.
Moisture proof and dust proof treatment is as follows: the assembly of the soft elastic insulator, the pair of conductors and the rolling elements is stored in a thin waterproof bag such as polyethylene, and the opening is closed by tying the opening, and the part is sealed with silicone resin or the like. Configuration.

3. Regarding measures against soft elasticity deterioration of soft elastic insulators
In addition, a compression restricting cylinder can be provided in the through hole in order to surely perform the switching operation. The compression restricting cylinder is made of an insulator having a relatively higher hardness than the soft elastic insulator, such as silicone rubber, and has an inner diameter enough to allow the conductive rolling elements to roll in the cylinder, and has a conductive property. The height is slightly smaller than the rolling elements. The height of the compression regulating cylinder is preferably 50 to 70% of the conductive rolling element.
Further, the compression regulating cylinder is allowed to have a bellows portion. In this case, it is preferable that the compression regulating cylinder is configured to have substantially the same height as the soft elastic insulator when no pressure is applied from the outside. It is preferable that the height of the conductive rolling element is set to be about 50 to 70% even when a large pressure is applied.

Thus, the presence of the compression restricting cylinder prevents the soft elastic insulator from being excessively compressed, so that the soft elastic deterioration is less likely to occur.

<Function of the Present Invention> In the present invention, when pressure acts on one pair or both of the pair of conductors, the soft elastic insulator undergoes deformation such as compression or displacement, and the pair of conductors is deformed. The distance between the conductors becomes narrow, and the pair of conductors conducts through the conductive rolling elements to perform a switching operation. The conductive rolling element rolls freely within the space defined by the soft elastic insulator and the pair of conductors according to various deformations of the soft elastic insulator, or comes into contact without rolling. Since a variety of contact portions can be provided for the conductor, even if the direction in which the pressure applied to the conductor from the outside is irregular, the pair of conductors is always secured via the conductive rolling elements. To perform a switch operation. For example, at a voltage of 20 to 30 V, 40 to 50
For a load current of 0 mA, 5 at 100 mA DC
It is possible to easily obtain a mat switch device that reliably performs a switch operation with a contact voltage drop of 0 mV or less.

Therefore, the present invention is particularly effective when the direction of action of the pressure applied to the mat switch device is not constant, such as when a person falls down. However, the present invention surely operates even when the direction of the pressure acting on the mat switch device from the outside is substantially constant.

Further, the mat switch device of the present invention is hardly deteriorated even when used in a severe environment, so that it performs stable and reliable switch operation for a long period of time and exhibits high reliability. For example, in an environment having a temperature change of −20 to 70 ° C., a rated switching capacity of a 50 mA (DC 25 V) resistance load, a contact voltage drop of 50 mV or less (contact resistance) at 100 mA DC, 5 to 20 kg / 20 cm ²
Operating sensitivity, insulation resistance 30 MΩ, AC 1500 V, withstand voltage characteristics for 1 minute, surge resistance characteristics of 5 kV or more, 0 to 50
Acceleration total amplitude 15 (145 m / s) for 0 Hz vibration
² ) Vertical vibration of G for 1 hour and 50 (490 m)
/ S ² ) G characteristics before and after and once in the left and right direction, and the above-mentioned contact voltage drop (contact resistance) is satisfied when the rated switching capacity is 25,000 or more. Can be obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mat switch device comprising:
A soft elastic insulator in which a plurality of through-holes opened on both front and back surfaces are dispersedly formed on a plate surface; a pair of conductors made of a metal plate disposed on both front and back surfaces of the soft elastic insulator; A plurality of conductive rolling elements comprising metal spheres rollably confined in a non-contact manner with at least one of the conductors in a space defined by each through hole of the body and the pair of conductors; It is characterized by having.

The present invention defines a more preferable structure according to claim 1. That is, since the conductor is made of a metal plate, it is convenient to reduce the thickness of the mat switch device. The metal plate preferably has a thickness of about 0.2 to 3 mm.

Since the conductive rolling element is made of a metal ball, there is no rolling direction, so that the accuracy of the switch operation is improved. In addition, the use of metal spheres makes the rolling elements inexpensive.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mat switch device comprising:
The mat switch device according to claim 1 or 2,
The pair of conductors is characterized in that at least one of the conductors is divided into a plurality of elements that are in an insulating relationship with each other.

If necessary, both the pair of conductors can be divided into a plurality of elements. In this case, each element may be arranged so as to be parallel to its longitudinal direction, or may be arranged so as to intersect in a matrix.

Thus, in the present invention, a plurality of switch circuits can be formed by dividing at least one of the pair of conductors into a plurality of elements which are insulated from each other. However, if necessary, each element can be connected in parallel to form one switch circuit.

Further, the conductor is divided into a plurality of elements, and the conductor is not arranged at any position other than the portion facing the through hole of the soft elastic insulator, so that the amount of the conductor used can be reduced and the mat can be reduced. The switch device can be reduced in weight.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mat switch device comprising:
The mat switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a stabilizer disposed outside at least one of the conductors in a pressure guiding relationship.

The stabilizer is provided outside the conductor on the side receiving the pressure, that is, on the front side, when the stabilizer is provided on the side supporting the mat switch device, that is, on the rear side, and when both are further provided. And in the present invention, any of them may be used.

In the case where the pressure sensor is disposed on the front side, when pressure acts on a minute point of the soft elastic insulator at a position where there is no through hole or when pressure acts in a different direction, the pressure is dispersed. And can be made uniform. Thereby, the soft elastic insulator in the portion facing the through hole is deformed, and the pair of conductors can be reliably made conductive through the conductive rolling elements to perform the switching operation.

In the case where the switch is disposed on the rear side, the switching operation can be stabilized by keeping the bearing surface flat.

The material for the stabilizer is not limited, but it is preferable to use an insulating synthetic resin such as ABS or PA. Moreover, if the stabilizer is 1.5 mm or more, it shows sufficient rigidity.

[0040]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of the mat switch device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the soft elastic insulator.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of principal parts for explaining various aspects of the switch operation.

In each of the figures, the mat switch device comprises a soft elastic insulator 1, a pair of conductors 2a and 2b, and a conductive rolling element 3.

The soft elastic insulator 1 is made of a foamed polyurethane resin plate having a rectangular outer shape and a thickness of 10 mm, and a plurality of through holes 1a are regularly formed on the plate surface. Through hole 1a
Is formed with openings on both front and back surfaces of the soft elastic insulator 1 and has a circular cross section of 12 mm in diameter.

The pair of conductors 2a and 2b have a thickness of 0.3 m.
m is made of a brass plate subjected to a corrosion-resistant surface treatment, has the same outer shape as the soft elastic insulator 1, and is adhered to both sides of the soft elastic insulator using a double-sided adhesive tape.

The conductive rolling element 3 is made of a brass sphere having a diameter of 6.35 mm and subjected to a corrosion-resistant surface treatment, and is defined by a through hole 1a of the soft elastic insulator 1 and a pair of conductive bodies 2a and 2b. Rollably confined in space.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, a description will be given of the switch operation of the mat switch device in the case where the support is performed with the conductor 2b facing down. (A) has shown the stationary state before operation | movement. (B) shows a normal operation in which pressure is uniformly applied to the conductor 2a from above, as indicated by the arrow. At this time, the soft elastic insulator 1 is compressed, and the pair of conductors 2a, 2b conducts through the conductive rolling elements 3, thereby performing a switching operation. (C) shows the case where the conductor 2a acts as a pressure drawing an arc as shown by an arrow. Also in this case, although the conductor 2a and the soft elastic insulator 1 are concavely curved, the pair of conductors 2a, 2b
Are conducted through the conductive rolling elements 3, so that a switching operation is performed. (D) shows a case where pressure acts in an oblique direction as indicated by an arrow. Also in this case, since the conductor 2a contacts the upper left side of the conductive rolling element 3 and the pair of conductors 2a and 2b conduct through the conductive rolling element 3, a switching operation is performed. (E)
Indicates a case where a pressure is applied to the conductor 2a along the surface thereof as indicated by an arrow. Also in this case, the soft elastic insulator 1 is displaced, and as a result, the pair of conductors 2a and 2b approach each other to conduct through the conductive rolling element 3 to perform a switching operation. (F) shows a case where the pair of conductors 2a and 2b is deformed along the conductive rolling element 3 due to a change with time and becomes concave. Also in this case, if pressure acts on the conductor 2a from the outside,
The pair of conductive plates 2a and 2b conduct through the conductive rolling elements 3 to perform a switching operation.

Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In each drawing, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a mat switch device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is different in that a stabilizer 4 is provided. That is, the stabilizer 4 is made of 1.5 mm ABS, is made of a plate having the same size as the conductors 2a and 2b, and is adhered to the outer surfaces of the pair of conductors 2a and 2b with a double-sided adhesive tape.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a third embodiment of the mat switch device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view and a circuit diagram showing a main part of the circuit configuration.

This embodiment is different in that the conductor 2a is divided into a plurality of elements 2a1. That is, one conductor 2a is constituted by three elements 2a1, and each element 2a1 is disposed on the through hole 1a of the soft elastic insulator 1 while being insulated from each other. The element 2a1 located at the center is an AND circuit A
The ND is connected to one input terminal, and the two left and right elements 2a1 are connected to the other input terminal. The other conductor 2b is connected to each element 2a of the one conductor 2a.
1 is connected to a common line. In the case where the area of the soft elastic insulator 1 is large and the through holes 1a are further formed in a large number of rows, the number of elements increases accordingly. It can be alternately connected in parallel to the input terminal.

When an externally applied pressure is simultaneously applied to the central element 2a1 and one of the left and right elements 2a1, an output is obtained from the AND circuit. Even if only a single element 2a1 conducts through the common conductor 2b and the conductive rolling element 3, the detection circuit can be easily configured so as not to determine that the switch operation is performed by the detected object.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a mat switch device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the compression regulating cylinder 5 is
a, and a stabilizer 4 is provided on the outer surface of the conductor 2b. That is, the compression regulating cylinder 5 is formed by molding silicone rubber, has an inner diameter of 7.5 mm, and a height of 6 mm.
mm. The conductive rolling element 3 is rotatably accommodated in the compression regulating cylinder 5, and its head protrudes from above the compression regulating cylinder 5.

Since the stabilizer 4 is provided on the outer surface of the conductor 2b on the support side, the conductor 2b can be held flat.

Thus, even if a large pressure acts on the soft elastic insulator 1, at least the portion of the through-hole 1a
mm, the soft elastic insulator 1 hardly deteriorates due to excessive compression. However, since the conductive rolling element 3 has a diameter of 6.35 mm, there is no particular problem in interposing the conductive rolling element 3 between the pair of conductive bodies 2a and 2b to make them conductive.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a mat switch device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment differs from FIG. 8 in that the compression regulating cylinder 5 'has a bellows 5a. That is,
The compression regulating cylinder 5 ′ has a bellows 5 a at its lower part, and shows a height of 100 mm, which is the same as the depth of the through hole 1 a in a state where no external pressure is applied.
When pressure is applied from the outside, the bellows 5a contracts in accordance with the pressure, so that the length is reduced to a minimum of 6 mm.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the compression regulating cylinder 5 pushes up the conductive plate 2a so as to return the conductive plate 2a to the position where no compressive force acts on the soft elastic insulator at all times when no pressure is applied. The soft elasticity of the elastic insulator is less likely to deteriorate.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a sixth embodiment of the mat switch device of the present invention.

The present embodiment is different in that a moisture-proof and dust-proof bag 6 is provided. That is, the moisture-proof and dust-proof bag 6 is made of a polyethylene bag, and accommodates an assembly of the soft elastic insulator 1, the pair of conductors 2a and 2b, and the conductive rolling element 3 therein. It is tied and sealed with silicone resin.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing a seventh embodiment of the mat switch device of the present invention.

The present embodiment is different in that stabilizers 4 and 4 and a waterproof rubber mat 7 are provided. That is, the stabilizers 4, 4 are bonded to the outer surfaces of the pair of conductors 2a, 2b as in FIG.

The waterproof rubber mat 7 is made of a flat rubber bag and has a soft elastic insulator 1, a pair of conductors 2a,
After storing the assembly of 2b and the conductive rolling element 3, the opening is sealed.

[0069]

According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, a soft elastic insulator having a plurality of through holes opened on both front and back surfaces,
A pair of conductors disposed on the front and back surfaces of the soft elastic insulator, and a non-contact state with at least one of the conductors in a space defined by each through hole of the soft elastic insulator and the pair of conductors With a plurality of conductive rolling elements confined so as to be able to roll, even if the pressure applied to the conductor from the outside is in an irregular direction, the switch operation can be reliably performed, and severe environmental conditions can be maintained. It is possible to provide a mat switch device that is hardly deteriorated even when used below and exhibits high reliability.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition, the pair of conductors are made of a metal plate and the conductive rolling elements are made of metal balls, so that the mat switch device is thin and has high switch operation accuracy. Can be provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, at least one of the pair of conductors is divided into a plurality of elements that are insulated from each other, so that various switch circuits can be formed. Moreover, it is possible to provide a mat switch device that is reduced in weight.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mat switch device which performs a stable switch operation by providing a stabilizing plate in a pressure-relating relation outside at least one of the conductors. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a mat switch device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the soft elastic insulator.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of principal parts for explaining various aspects of the switch operation.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the mat switch device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a third embodiment of the mat switch device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view and a circuit diagram showing a main part of the circuit configuration.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a fourth embodiment of the mat switch device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a fifth embodiment of the mat switch device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a sixth embodiment of the mat switch device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing a seventh embodiment of the mat switch device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Soft elastic insulator 1a ... Through-hole 2a ... Conductor 2b ... Conductor 3 ... Conductive rolling element 4 ... Stabilizer 7 ... Waterproof rubber mat

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Kazuaki Murata 3-9-1, Gontasaka, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa F-term (reference) 5G006 AA01 BB07

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A soft elastic insulator having a plurality of through-holes opened on both front and back surfaces dispersedly formed on a plate surface; a pair of conductors disposed on both front and back surfaces of the soft elastic insulator; A plurality of conductive rolling elements that are rollably confined in at least one of the conductors in a non-contact manner in a space defined by each through hole of the insulator and the pair of conductors. A mat switch device. 2. A pair of conductors comprising: a soft elastic insulator having a plurality of through holes opened on both front and back surfaces dispersedly formed on a plate surface; and a metal plate provided on both front and back surfaces of the soft elastic insulator. And a plurality of conductive members formed of metal spheres that are rollably confined in a space defined by each through hole of the soft elastic insulator and the pair of conductors in a non-contact state with at least one of the conductors. A rolling element; and a mat switch device. 3. The mat switch device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the pair of conductors is divided into a plurality of elements having an insulating relationship with each other. 4. The mat switch device according to claim 1, further comprising a stabilizer disposed outside at least one of the conductors in a pressure guiding relationship.