JP2009277422A - Noncontact switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce cost in a noncontact switch device of using a magnet and a magnetic sensor. <P>SOLUTION: This noncontact switch device has a single magnet 17 moving between two positions, a single magnetic sensor 15 corresponding to this magnet 17, and a magnetic circuit 12 for allowing a magnetic flux coming out of the magnet 17 to flow to this magnetic sensor 15. Its magnetic circuit 12 is a circuit constitution for reversing the direction of the magnetic flux flowing to the magnetic sensor 15 in response to a position of the magnet 17, and the magnetic sensor 15 generates different output in response to the direction of its magnetic flux. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a non-contact switch device using a magnet and a magnetic sensor.

Conventionally, as a non-contact switch device using a magnet and a magnetic sensor, the one shown in FIG. 10 is provided.
This magnet comprises a magnet 3 attached to a mounting plate 2 having a switch knob 1 and magnetic sensors 5 and 6 mounted on a substrate 4 and corresponding to the magnet 3, and the magnet 3 is a switch knob. 1 is moved in the direction of arrow C between the two positions A and B together with the mounting plate 2. On the other hand, the magnetic sensor 5 is in the position A and the magnetic sensor 6 is in the position B. Therefore, when the magnet 3 is in the position A as shown by the solid line, the magnetic sensor 5 detects it by the magnetic force of the magnet 3. If the magnet 3 moves to the position B as indicated by a two-dot chain line, the magnetic sensor 6 detects it by the magnetic force of the magnet 3.

However, in this case, one magnet 3 is sufficient, but the two magnetic sensors 5 and 6 corresponding to the moving position of the magnet 3 are necessary, and the cost is high.
On the other hand, the thing which made it possible to use one magnetic sensor is provided (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2004-135777 A

  However, in the case where only one magnetic sensor can be used as described above, the magnet is located at two positions, and the magnetic sensor moves between the two positions to detect the magnet close to each other. However, although only one magnetic sensor is required, two magnets are required according to the moving position of the magnetic sensor, resulting in high costs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a non-contact switch device capable of reducing the cost.

  In order to achieve the above object, the non-contact switch device of the present invention includes a single magnet movable between two positions, a single magnetic sensor corresponding to the magnet, and the magnetic sensor exiting the magnet. A magnetic circuit for flowing a magnetic flux, and the magnetic circuit has a circuit configuration that reverses the direction of the magnetic flux flowing through the magnetic sensor in accordance with the position of the magnet, and the magnetic sensor differs depending on the direction of the magnetic flux. It is characterized by producing an output.

  According to the above means, the magnet and the magnetic sensor may be single, and the cost can be reduced.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the case 11 shown in FIG. 1 has, for example, waterproofness, oil resistance, and environmental resistance. The magnetic bodies 13 and 14 constituting the magnetic circuit 12 are provided from the inside of the case 11 to the outside. It is arranged. In this case, the permeable body 13 is a U-shaped and the permeable body 14 is a belt-shaped member made of a magnetic material such as iron, and the one side portion 13a on the right side of the permeable body 13 in the drawing and the permeable body 14 are provided in parallel. In the meantime, a single magnetic sensor 15 is disposed in contact with the magnetic bodies 13 and 14. In this case, the magnetic sensor 15 is a Hall IC and is mounted on the substrate 16.

  And the magnetic sensor 15 corresponds to the outside of the case 11 from which the upper portion of the one side portion 13a of the magnetic permeable body 13 and the upper portion of the other side portion 13b on the left side in the drawing and the upper portion of the permeable magnetic body 14 protrude. A magnet 17 is provided. The magnet 17 is attached between two yokes 20 and 21 attached to an attachment plate 19 having a switch knob 18. The yoke 20 side has an N pole and the yoke 21 side has an S pole. Along with the yokes 20 and 21, a position D extending from one side 13 a of the permeable body 13 to the permeable body 14 and a position E extending from the other side 13 b of the permeable body 13 to the permeable body 14 in the direction of arrow F. It is provided to be movable. Further, the yokes 20 and 21 have a width between them, the width between the one side portion 13a of the magnetic permeability body 13 and the magnetic permeability body 14, and the width between the other side portion 13b of the magnetic permeability body 13 and the magnetic permeability body 14, respectively. They are almost equal.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the above configuration, when the magnet 17 is at the position D, as indicated by an arrow G in FIG. 2, the magnetic flux from the N pole of the magnet 17 is transmitted from the yoke 20-the one side portion 13a of the magnetic permeable body 13-the magnetic sensor 15-transparent. It flows to the south pole of magnetic body 14-yoke 21-magnet 17. As a result, the magnetic sensor 15 generates a voltage having a polarity corresponding to the direction of flow of the magnetic flux as an output.

  On the other hand, when the magnet 17 moves to the position E shown in FIG. 3, as indicated by the arrow H, the magnetic flux is generated from the north pole of the magnet 17 by the yoke 20 -permeable body 14 -magnetic sensor 15 -permeable body 13. One side portion 13a—the other side portion 13b of the magnetic permeable body 13—the yoke 21—the S pole of the magnet 17 flows. That is, in this case, the magnetic flux flows through the magnetic sensor 15 in the direction opposite to that described above. As a result, a voltage having a polarity (reverse polarity) different from the above is generated as an output in the magnetic sensor 15 according to the direction of the flow of the opposite magnetic flux.

As described above, in this configuration, the magnetic sensor 12 is provided with the magnetic circuit 12 that allows the magnetic flux from the magnet 17 to flow, and the magnetic circuit 12 determines the direction of the magnetic flux that flows through the magnetic sensor 15 according to the positions D and E of the magnet 17. The circuit configuration is reversed, and the magnetic sensor 15 generates different outputs depending on the direction of the magnetic flux, whereby the positions D and E of the magnet 17 can be detected.
In the configuration required for this, both the magnet 17 and the magnetic sensor 15 may be single, and there is no need for two magnetic sensors or two magnets unlike the conventional one, so it is possible to reduce the cost. .

In addition, since the necessary detection can be performed by separating the place where the magnet 17 moves and the place where the magnetic sensor 15 is disposed, the degree of freedom in designing the arrangement of the magnet 17 and the magnetic sensor 15 is increased. Furthermore, since the place where the magnet 17 moves and the place where the magnetic sensor 15 is disposed can be separated, it is advantageous in terms of waterproofness, oil resistance, and environmental resistance.
In addition, the non-contact switch apparatus of a present Example is used, for example in detecting the operation position of the lever in the lever control switch apparatus of vehicles, such as a motor vehicle.

  4 to 9 show the second to fourth examples (second to fourth embodiments) of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first example are the same as those in the first example. A description will be omitted with reference numerals, and only different parts will be described.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the case 11 and the substrate 16 are omitted, but the magnetic circuit 31 is composed of a U-shaped magnetic body 32 and a smaller U-shaped magnetic body 33. The magnetic sensor 15 is disposed between the intermediate portions 32a and 33a of the magnetic bodies 32 and 33.

In this case, the magnet 17 includes the position I from the right side portion 32b of the permeable body 32 to the one side portion 33b of the permeable body 33 in the right side of the drawing, and the left side of the permeable body 32 in the drawing. Similarly, a position J from the side portion 32c to the other side portion 33c on the left side in the figure of the magnetic permeable body 33 is provided so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow K.
In this case, the width between the one side portion 32b of the magnetic permeable body 32 and the one side portion 33b of the magnetic permeable body 33 and the width between the other side portion 32c of the magnetic permeable body 32 and the other side portion 33c of the permeable body 33 are also shown. The width is approximately equal to the width between the yokes 20 and 21.

  With the above configuration, when the magnet 17 is at the position I shown in FIG. 4, as indicated by the arrow L, the magnetic flux from the north pole of the magnet 17 is one side 32 b of the yoke 20 -permeable body 32 -permeable body 32. The intermediate portion 32a, the magnetic sensor 15, the intermediate portion 33a of the permeable body 33, the one side portion 33b of the permeable body 33, the yoke 21 and the S pole of the magnet 17 flow. As a result, the magnetic sensor 15 generates a voltage having a polarity corresponding to the direction of flow of the magnetic flux as an output.

On the other hand, when the magnet 17 moves to the position J shown in FIG. 5, as indicated by the arrow M, the magnetic flux is generated from the north pole of the magnet 17 by the yoke 20 -the other side portion 33 c of the magnetic transmission body 33 -the magnetic transmission body. 33, 33a, magnetic sensor 15, intermediate part 32a of magnetic body 32, other side 32c of magnetic body 32, yoke 21, and S pole of magnet 17. That is, in this case, the magnetic flux flows through the magnetic sensor 15 in the direction opposite to that described above. As a result, a voltage having a polarity (reverse polarity) different from the above is generated as an output in the magnetic sensor 15 according to the direction of the flow of the opposite magnetic flux.
Thus, also in the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Third embodiment]
In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the case 11 and the substrate 16 are omitted as in the second embodiment, but the magnetic circuit 41 is replaced with a permeable body 42 having a slanted side portion 42a in the right side of the figure, The magnetic sensor 43 has a cross section 43a that has a diagonally upwardly inclined side 43a in the figure, and the magnetic sensor 15 is disposed between one end 42b and 43b on the left side in the figure. Yes.

In this case, the magnet 17 includes a position O between the other end portions 42c and 43c on the right side of the magnetic bodies 42 and 43 and an intermediate portion on the left side of the oblique side portions 42a and 43a of the magnetic bodies 42 and 43 in the drawing. The position P between the portions 42d and 43d is provided so as to be movable in the direction of arrow Q between two positions.
In this case, the width between the other end portions 42c and 43c of the magnetic bodies 42 and 43 and the width between the intermediate portions 42d and 43d of the magnetic bodies 42 and 43 are substantially equal to the width between the yokes 20 and 21. Are equal.

  With the above configuration, when the magnet 17 is at the position O shown in FIG. 6, as indicated by the arrow R, the magnetic flux from the north pole of the magnet 17 is the other end 42 c of the yoke 20 -permeability body 42 -the permeation body 42. The oblique side portion 42a-the intermediate portion 42d of the magnetic transmission body 42-the one end portion 42b of the magnetic transmission body 42-the magnetic sensor 15-the one end portion 43b of the magnetic transmission body 43-the intermediate portion 43d of the magnetic transmission body 43-the oblique side portion 43a of the magnetic transmission body 43. It flows to the S pole of the other end 43c of the magnetic body 43-yoke 21-magnet 17. As a result, the magnetic sensor 15 generates a voltage having a polarity corresponding to the direction of flow of the magnetic flux as an output.

On the other hand, when the magnet 17 moves to the position P shown in FIG. 7, as indicated by the arrow T, the magnetic flux is generated from the north pole of the magnet 17 by the intermediate portion 43 d of the yoke 20 -permeable body 43 -permeable body 43. One end portion 43 b of the magnetic sensor 15, one end portion 42 b of the permeable body 42, an intermediate portion 42 d of the permeable body 42, the yoke 21, and the S pole of the magnet 17. That is, in this case, the magnetic flux flows through the magnetic sensor 15 in the direction opposite to that described above. As a result, a voltage having a polarity (reverse polarity) different from the above is generated as an output in the magnetic sensor 15 according to the direction of the flow of the opposite magnetic flux.
Thus, also in the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Fourth embodiment]
In the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the magnetic sensor 51 is configured by using the magnetoresistive element 51a as a sensor body and providing a bias magnet 51b close to it. The bias magnet 51 b is smaller than the magnet 17 and has a polarity opposite to that of the magnet 17. Therefore, the magnetic flux from the bias magnet 51b flows through the magnetoresistive element 51a as indicated by the arrow U. In this case, the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In this configuration, when the magnet 17 is at the position D shown in FIG. 8 and the magnetic flux flows as indicated by the arrow G, the magnetic resistance element 51a of the magnetic sensor 51 has the magnetic flux emitted from the bias magnet 51b and the magnet 17 As a result, the magnetic flux emitted from the magnet 17 is reduced to the magnetic flux emitted from the bias magnet 51b and flows less than the above, so that a small resistance corresponding to the magnitude of the flowing magnetic flux is obtained. As output.

  On the other hand, when the magnet 17 moves to the position E shown in FIG. 9 and the magnetic flux flows as indicated by an arrow H, the magnetic resistance element 51a of the magnetic sensor 51 includes the magnetic flux emitted from the bias magnet 51b and the magnet 17. Since a large amount of magnetic flux flows as a result, a large resistance corresponding to the magnitude of the flowing magnetic flux is generated as an output.

  Thus, even in the fourth embodiment, although the content of the output is different, the magnetic circuit 12 has a circuit configuration that reverses the direction of the magnetic flux flowing through the magnetic sensor 51 in accordance with the position of the magnet 17, and the direction of the magnetic flux. Accordingly, there is no change in that the magnetic sensor 51 produces different outputs, and therefore, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

In particular, in this case, the magnet requires two of the moving magnet 17 and the bias magnet 51b of the magnetic sensor 51. However, the bias magnet 51b may be small enough to give a magnetic flux as a bias to the magnetoresistive element 51a. Since a lot of (large) magnetic flux necessary for detecting a position such as 17 is not required, the cost can be sufficiently reduced.
The magnetic sensor 51 of the fourth embodiment can be similarly applied to the magnetic circuit 31 of the second embodiment and the magnetic circuit 41 of the third embodiment.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an entire apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention. Front view of main parts The front view of the principal part in the state from which the position of a magnet differs from FIG. FIG. 2 equivalent diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. 3 equivalent figure FIG. 2 equivalent view showing a third embodiment of the present invention. 3 equivalent figure FIG. 2 equivalent diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 3 equivalent figure FIG. 2 equivalent diagram showing a conventional example

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawing, 12 is a magnetic circuit, 15 is a magnetic sensor, 17 is a magnet, 31 and 41 are magnetic circuits, and 51 is a magnetic sensor.

Claims (1)

A single magnet movable between two positions;
A single magnetic sensor corresponding to this magnet;
A magnetic circuit for flowing a magnetic flux from the magnet to the magnetic sensor;
The magnetic circuit is a circuit configuration that reverses the direction of magnetic flux flowing through the magnetic sensor according to the position of the magnet,
A non-contact switch device characterized in that the magnetic sensor produces different outputs depending on the direction of the magnetic flux.

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