JP2003317572A - Switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switch device which can apply an external force other than the biasing force of a return spring to a knob and which is superior in operability. <P>SOLUTION: A case 1, a knob 2 with a press operating part 2a projecting outside the case 1, a contact point 3 disposed at a bottom plate inner surface of the case 1, a return spring 4 always energizing the knob 2 outward, a coil 5 wound around the knob 2 and a ring state magnet 6 arranged around the coil 5 are provided and an electromagnetic actuator 7 is constituted to apply external force to the knob 2 by the coil 5 and the magnet 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switch device suitable for, for example, a controller of a video game machine, a shutter operation unit of a camera, a power window device of an automobile, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A controller of a video game machine is provided with a large number of switch devices. By operating a knob provided on each of these switch devices, a character on a screen is made to perform various actions. Has become.
Further, the shutter operation section of the camera is provided with a two-step switch, and by operating the knob provided in the two-step switch to the first stage, autofocus is performed, and the knob is operated to the second stage. It is designed to release the shutter.

A conventionally known switch device is mainly composed of a knob, a contact which is switched by operating the knob, and a return spring which constantly urges the knob in one direction. An external force other than the biasing force of the return spring is not applied.

[0004]

As described above, the conventional switch device is not provided with any means for applying an external force other than the biasing force of the return spring to the knob. When applied, there is a problem in that it is difficult to apply an external force to the knob in accordance with the character's motion, and it is difficult to enhance the sense of reality in the game.

Conventionally, there has been known a technique in which a shaker is provided in a controller, and when the knob is operated, the shaker is driven in conjunction with it to enhance the realism of the game. 1: 1 between the switch device and the vibration felt by the hand
Since it is difficult to respond to, it is not always possible to sufficiently enhance the realism of the game.

On the other hand, when the conventional two-step switch is applied to the shutter operation section of the camera, the operating force applied to the knob when the knob is operated up to the first step and the operation force applied from the first step to the second step. Since the difference from the operating force given to the knob is small, the knob cannot be reliably stopped in the first stage when an unfamiliar person operates it or when the shutter operation is hurried, and the autofocus mechanism is sufficient. There is a problem that defocusing is likely to occur because it cannot be operated at any time.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the deficiency of the prior art, and its purpose is to provide an external force other than the urging force of the return spring to the knob, which is excellent in operability. To provide.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a housing, a knob in which a contact operating portion is arranged inside the housing, and a pressing operating portion is arranged outside the housing. A contact that is switched by operating the knob,
A return spring that constantly biases the knob in one direction and an electromagnetic actuator that applies an external force to the knob are provided.

As described above, when the switch device is provided with the electromagnetic actuator for applying the external force to the knob, a necessary external force can be applied to the knob by supplying the driving power to the electromagnetic actuator. Operability can be improved. For example, when the switch device of the present invention is applied to a controller of a video game machine, the electromagnetic actuator is driven in conjunction with the operation of the knob to apply an external force specific to the switch device to the knob, When the switch device of the present invention is applied to the shutter operation part of the camera, the presence of the presence can be further enhanced, and when the knob is operated up to the first stage, the electromagnetic actuator is driven to apply an external force to the knob. By adding "," it is possible to reliably inform the user that the knob has been operated up to the first stage, so that the knob can be reliably stopped in the first stage and the autofocus mechanism is operated sufficiently. It is possible to prevent defocus.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is configured such that the electromagnetic actuator comprises a coil wound around the knob and a magnet arranged around the coil.

As described above, when the electromagnetic actuator is composed of the coil wound around the knob and the magnet arranged around the coil, the knob can be used also as a bobbin for winding the coil, and the coil can be wound. Since the bobbin for use can be omitted, the switch device can be reduced in size, weight, and cost.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an operation feeling regulating member for giving a multi-step operation feeling to the operation of the knob, and a selective operation each time the knob is operated with different operation feelings. It is configured to have a plurality of contacts that can be switched to.

As described above, the switch device is provided with an operation feeling regulating member for giving a multi-step operation feeling to the operation of the knob and a plurality of contacts which are selectively switched each time the knob is operated with different operation feelings. When provided, the switch device can be applied to, for example, a shutter operation unit of a camera.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is configured to include a position sensor for detecting the operation position of the knob.

As described above, when the switch device is provided with the position sensor for detecting the operation position of the knob, it becomes possible to control the external force with high accuracy according to the operation position of the knob, and to apply various external forces to the knob. Therefore, the range of application of the switch device according to the present invention can be expanded.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A switch device according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and a usage state of the switch device according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the switch device of this embodiment includes a housing 1 and a pressing operation portion 2 housed in the housing 1.
a is a knob 2 protruding outside the housing 1, a contact 3 that is set on the inner surface of the bottom plate of the housing 1 and is switched to an ON state or an OFF state by the knob 2, and the knob 2 is always outwardly directed. The knob 5 includes a return spring 4 for urging, a coil 5 wound around the knob 2, and a ring-shaped magnet 6 arranged around the coil 5, and the coil 5 and the magnet 6 hold the knob. An electromagnetic actuator 7 for applying an external force to 2 is configured.

The casing 1 is made of a molded body of insulating resin, and has a through hole 1a for inserting the knob 2 into the upper plate.
Is formed in the opened box shape. A circuit board 8 having a switch element 3 is set on the inner surface of the bottom plate of the housing 1, and an external connection terminal 9 connected to the circuit board 8 is provided.
The tips of a, 9b, 9c and 9d are projected to the outside through the bottom plate of the housing 1. The switch element 3 includes a dome spring 3a and a movable contact 3b set on the dome spring 3a.
And a fixed contact 3c set on the circuit board 8, and the switching state of the contacts 3b and 3c is transmitted to the outside through the external connection terminals 9c and 9d.

The knob 2 is formed of a molded body of an insulating resin, and has a pressing operation portion 2a that a user presses with a finger and a flange portion 2b that abuts on the inner surface of the upper plate of the housing 1.
A cylindrical coil winding portion 2c projectingly provided on the lower surface of the flange portion 2b, a contact operating portion 2d arranged on the inner circumference of the coil winding portion 2c, and the contact operating portion 2d. The spring receiving portion 2e is integrally formed. The knob 2 is housed in the housing 1, and a pressing operation portion 2a is projected to the outside through a through hole 1a formed in the upper plate of the housing 1.

The return spring 4 is composed of a coil spring and is installed between the spring receiving portion 2e and the upper surface of the circuit board 8. Therefore, the knob 2 is always biased upward by the elastic force of the return spring 4.

The coil 5 is wound around the outer surface of the coil winding portion 2c, and both ends thereof are connected to the external connection terminals 9a, 9a.
9b, respectively. Also, the magnet 6
Are formed in a ring shape and are arranged concentrically with the coil 5 around the coil 5.

The switch device according to the first embodiment thus constructed is used by being installed in an electronic device such as a video game machine or a camera. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, both ends of the coil 5 are connected to a control means 10 provided in an electronic device, and when the contact 3 is switched to an on state or an off state, the control means 10 causes the coil to move. The drive power of the electromagnetic actuator 7 is supplied to 5. When drive power is supplied to the coil 5 from the control means 10, an electromagnetic force is generated between the coil 5 and the magnet 6, so that an external force is applied to the knob 2. The external force applied to the knob 2 is vibration,
It may be a force that biases the knob 2 in one direction. What external force is applied to the knob 2 can be changed by adjusting the waveform of the drive power supplied to the coil 5 by the control means 10.

Since the switch device according to the first embodiment is provided with the electromagnetic actuator 7 for applying an external force to the knob 2, the knob 2 is supplied by supplying driving power to the coil 5 constituting the electromagnetic actuator 7. A required external force can be applied to the switch, and the operability of the switch device can be improved. For example, when the switch device according to the first embodiment is applied to the controller of the video game machine, the electromagnetic actuator 7 is driven in association with the operation of the knob 2 to apply an external force specific to the switch device to the knob 2. By doing so, it is possible to further enhance the realism of the game. Further, in the switch device according to the first embodiment, since the electromagnetic actuator 7 is composed of the coil 5 wound around the knob 2 and the magnet 6 arranged around the coil 5, the knob 2 is coiled. Since the bobbin can be used also as a bobbin for winding and the bobbin for coil winding can be omitted, the switch device can be made smaller, lighter and lower in cost.

Next, the switch device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration and usage state of the switch device according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the switch device of this example has a two-stage operation type switch element 11 as a switch element.
Is used. The switch element 11 is the first
The dome spring 11a, a second dome spring 11b having a curvature smaller than that of the first dome spring 11a and arranged inside the first dome spring 11a, and the first dome spring 1
The first movable contact 11c is set to 1a, the second movable contact 11d is set to the second dome spring 11b, and the fixed contact 11e is set to the circuit board 8. Since the other parts are the same as those of the switch device according to the first embodiment, the corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the switch device of this embodiment, when the pressing operation portion 2a is pushed in, first the first dome spring 11a bends downward and the first movable contact 11c and the second movable contact 11d are selectively turned on or off. You can switch to the state. Also,
When the pressing operation portion 2a is further pushed in from this state, the first
The second dome spring 11b is curved downward together with the dome spring 11a, so that the first movable contact 11c and the second movable contact 11d.
And the fixed contact 11e are switched to an on state or an off state.

The switch device of this example is also installed and used in an electronic device such as a video game machine or a camera.
Then, as shown in FIG. 2, both ends of the coil 5 are connected to the control means 10 provided in the electronic device, and the first movable contact 11c and the second movable contact 11d are switched to an on state or an off state. Or the second movable contact 11
When the d and the fixed contact 11e are switched to the ON state or the OFF state, or at any one of them, the control unit 10 supplies the coil 5 with the driving power of the electromagnetic actuator 7 to give an external force to the knob 2. . In addition,
The external force applied to the knob 2 when the first movable contact 11c and the second movable contact 11d are switched to the ON state or the OFF state, and the second movable contact 11d and the fixed contact 11
The external force applied to the knob 2 when e and e are switched to the on state or the off state can be different.

The switch device according to the second embodiment is a two-stage operation type switch element 11 as a switch element.
Therefore, for example, when the first movable contact 11c and the second movable contact 11d are switched to the ON state or the OFF state, power is supplied from the control means 10 of the camera to the coil 5 to supply the knob 2 with the required power. By applying the external force, the user can be surely made to feel that the switch device has been pressed to the autofocus state, and focus blurring due to defective switch operation can be eliminated. Further, when the second movable contact 11d and the fixed contact 11e are switched to the ON state or the OFF state, power is supplied from the camera control means 10 to the coil 5 to apply a required external force to the knob 2. Since it is possible for the user to surely feel that the switch device has been pressed to the shutter operating state, it is possible to eliminate a shooting error due to a defective switch operation. Therefore, the switch device suitable for the shutter operation unit of the camera can be provided.

Next, a switch device according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and a usage state of the switch device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a graph diagram showing an example of an external force applied to a knob of the switch device according to the third embodiment. Is.

As shown in FIG. 3, the switch device of this embodiment is characterized in that a position sensor 12 for detecting the operating state of the knob 2 is provided in the housing 1. Since the other parts are the same as those of the switch device according to the first embodiment, the corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. A variable resistor or the like can be used as the position sensor 12.

In the switch device of this example, the wave contact 3b and the fixed contact 3c of the switch element 3 installed in the housing 1 can be switched to the on state or the off state by pushing the push operation portion 2a. In addition, the pressing operation unit 2
A position signal s corresponding to the pushing amount of a is output from the position sensor 12, and this position signal s is transmitted to the control means 10 through the external connection terminal 9 '.

The switch device of this embodiment is also used by being installed in an electronic device such as a video game machine or a camera.
Then, as shown in FIG. 3, both ends of the coil 5 and the position sensor 12 are included in the control means 10 provided in the electronic device.
The output end of is connected. As shown in FIG. 4, the control means 10 can supply the coil 5 with drive power corresponding to the position signal s output from the position sensor 12, and by doing so, various external force can be applied to the knob 2. Can be given.

In the switch device according to the third embodiment, since the switch device is provided with the position sensor 12 for detecting the operation position of the knob 2, it is possible to highly accurately control the external force according to the operation position of the knob 2. As a result, various external forces can be applied to the knob, so that the range of application of the switch device according to the present invention can be expanded.

Although the electromagnetic actuator 7 is composed of the coil 5 and the magnet 6 in each of the above-described embodiments, the gist of the present invention is not limited to this, and is composed of, for example, a magnet and a yoke. It is also possible to use another electromagnetic actuator, such as one in which a coil is arranged in the magnetic circuit and a desired external force is exerted on the coil by controlling the magnetic flux generated in the magnetic circuit.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the switch device is provided with the electromagnetic actuator for applying the external force to the knob, the required external force can be applied to the knob by supplying the driving power to the electromagnetic actuator, and the operability of the switch device can be improved. it can. For example, when the switch device of the present invention is applied to a controller of a video game machine, the electromagnetic actuator is driven in conjunction with the operation of the knob to apply an external force specific to the switch device to the knob, The presence can be further enhanced. When the switch device of the present invention is applied to the shutter operation section of a camera, when the knob is operated up to the first stage, the electromagnetic actuator is driven to apply an external force to the knob, so that the user can operate the knob. Since it is possible to reliably notify that the operation has been performed up to the first stage, it is possible to reliably stop the knob in the first stage, sufficiently operate the autofocus mechanism, and prevent defocusing. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and a usage state of a switch device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and a usage state of a switch device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and a usage state of a switch device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of an external force applied to the knob of the switch device according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 case 2 knobs 3,3a, 3b contact 4,11 Return spring 5 coils 6 magnets 7 Electromagnetic actuator 8 circuit board 9 External connection terminal 10 Control means 12 Position sensor

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takao Tazawa             1-7 Aki, Otsuka-cho, Yukiya, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Su Electric Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5G006 AA01 AB25 AC01 BA01 BB03                       BC02 BC05 EA02 EA09

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A housing, a knob in which a contact operation unit is arranged inside the housing, and a pressing operation unit is arranged outside the housing, and a contact which is switched by operating the knob.
A switch device comprising: a return spring that constantly biases the knob in one direction; and an electromagnetic actuator that applies an external force to the knob. 2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic actuator includes a coil wound around the knob and a magnet arranged around the coil. 3. An operation feeling regulating member which gives a multi-step operation feeling to the operation of the knob, and a plurality of contacts which are selectively switched each time the knob is operated with different operation feelings. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The switch device according to claim 1, further comprising a position sensor that detects an operation position of the knob.