JP2021190347A - Switch and operation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a switch and an operation device that can realize power saving while maintaining a high-speed response.SOLUTION: A switch built into an operation device includes a movable member that swings on the basis of external pressure, a contacted member that comes into contact with and separates due to the swinging of the movable member, and a light receiving element that can detect light while energized. The switch can output a signal on the basis of the contact with the contacted member due to the swing of the movable member, and can output the signal by transmitting or blocking the light detected by the light receiving element due to the swinging of the movable member. The switch outputs the signal on the basis of the detection status of the light of the light receiving element due to the swinging of the movable member, and then when the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member and starts outputting the signal, the switch limits energization to the light receiving element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

The present invention relates to a switch comprising a movable member and an operating device comprising such a switch.

As an input device to an electronic device such as a computer, an operation device such as a mouse equipped with a switch such as a micro switch has become widespread. In particular, in recent years, various characteristics are required for a mouse used for a computer game called e-sports. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a micro switch that can be applied as a mouse switch. Optical elements such as light emitting elements and light receiving elements are used in the microswitches disclosed in Patent Document 1, and the circuit is opened and closed by the optical elements.

International Publication No. 2016/114822

A switch that opens and closes a circuit with an optical element as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that power consumption increases because the element needs to be energized constantly or intermittently.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a switch capable of reducing the power consumption of an element.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operating device using such a switch.

In order to solve the above problems, the switch described in the present application includes a movable member that swings based on external pressure, and is a switch that outputs a signal based on the swing of the movable member. It is provided with a contacted member that comes into contact with and separates when the movable member swings, a control unit that controls energization of the element, and a light receiving element that can detect light during energization, and the contacted member that accompanies the swing of the movable member. The signal can be output based on the contact with the member, and the signal can be output by transmitting or blocking the light detected by the light receiving element as the movable member swings, and the control unit can output the signal. After outputting a signal based on the light detection status of the light receiving element due to the swing of the movable member, when the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member and starts outputting the signal, the light receiving element is sent. It is characterized by providing a means for limiting the energization of the light.

Further, the switch described in the present application includes a conductive movable member whose second end side swings with the first end side as a swing fulcrum based on external pressure, and signals to the outside based on the swing of the movable member. A switch that outputs a The movable member includes a contact member, a control unit for controlling energization of the element, and a light receiving element capable of detecting light during energization, and the movable member has a light-shielding piece that shields light to be received by the light receiving element. Then, a signal can be output based on the contact with the contacted member due to the swing of the movable member, and the light shielding piece transmits or transmits the light to be detected by the light receiving element due to the swing of the movable member. It is possible to output a signal by shielding, and after the control unit outputs a signal based on the light detection status of the light receiving element due to the swing of the movable member, the movable member is covered with the cover. It is characterized by providing means for limiting energization to the light receiving element when it comes into contact with a contact member and starts to output a signal.

Further, in the switch, the support member is formed by using a conductive material, and when the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member, the support member and the contacted member become conductive. , It is characterized by outputting a signal.

Further, the switch further includes a light emitting element that emits light while energized, the light receiving element can receive light emitted from the light emitting element, and the control unit shakes the movable member. It is characterized by comprising means for limiting the energization of the light emitting element after outputting a signal based on the detection status of the light of the light receiving element due to the movement.

Further, in the switch, when the control unit limits the energization of the light receiving element and then the movable member separates from the contacted member and stops the output of the signal, the control unit limits the energization of the light receiving element. It is characterized by providing a means for releasing.

Further, the switch is provided with a switching unit that receives a switching input for switching the energization method, and is characterized in that it is possible to stop energization of the light receiving element based on the switching input from the outside.

Further, the switch described in the present application includes a movable member that operates based on external pressure, and is a switch that outputs a signal based on the operation of the movable member, and is connected and separated by the operation of the movable member. A contact member and a detection element for detecting a detection target while energized are provided, and the movable member can output a signal based on the contact and detachment of the contacted member due to the operation, and the detection is performed with the operation of the movable member. It is possible to output a signal depending on the detection status of the detection target detected by the element. When the output of the signal is started based on the above, the detection element is characterized by limiting the energization.

Further, the operation device described in the present application has a pressing operation unit that accepts a pressing operation from the outside, a switch that transmits the pressing operation received by the pressing operation unit as a pressing from the outside, and a signal output by the switch. It is characterized by having an output unit that outputs to an external device.

The switches and operating devices described in the present application limit the energization of the element depending on the situation.

The switch and the operating device according to the present invention output a signal based on the detection status of the detection element such as the light receiving element accompanying the operation of the movable member, and then limit the energization to the detection element. As a result, the present invention has excellent effects such as reduction of power consumption of the element.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the appearance of the operation apparatus described in this application. It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the appearance of the switch described in this application. It is a schematic exploded perspective view which shows an example of the switch described in this application. It is a schematic cross-sectional view which shows an example of the cross section of the switch described in this application. It is a schematic external view which shows an example of the support member and the contacted member included in the switch described in this application. It is a schematic external view which shows an example of the light emitting unit provided in the switch described in this application. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the switch described in this application. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the switch described in this application. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the switch described in this application. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the switch described in this application. It is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the functional structure of the operation apparatus described in this application. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the energization method switching process by the switch described in this application. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the energization control processing in a high-speed power saving mode in the switch described in this application. It is a waveform diagram which shows an example of the signal processing by the switch described in this application. It is a waveform diagram which shows an example of the signal processing by the switch described in this application. It is a waveform diagram which shows an example of the signal processing by the switch described in this application.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Application example>
The operating device described in the present application is used, for example, as an operating device such as a mouse used for operating a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer). Further, the switch described in the present application is incorporated as a micro switch in a device such as various electronic devices including an operating device. Hereinafter, the operating device 1 and the switch 2 exemplified in the drawings will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Operating device 1>
First, the operating device 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the operating device 1 described in the present application. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the operating device 1 described in the present application is applied to a mouse used for operating an electronic device such as a personal computer. The operation device 1 includes a pressing operation unit 10 such as a mouse button that accepts an operation of pressing with a user's finger, and a rotation operation unit 11 such as a mouse wheel that accepts an operation of rotating with a user's finger. .. The rotation operation unit 11 is configured to accept not only the rotation operation but also the pressing operation, and also functions as the pressing operation unit 10. Further, a signal line 12 for outputting an electric signal to an external device such as a personal computer is connected to the operating device 1. The operating device 1 can output an electric signal by various communication methods such as wireless communication, not limited to wired communication using the signal line 12. Further, the operation device 1 is provided with a switching operation unit 13 such as a push button for receiving a switching operation for switching the energization method on the side portion. The user performs a pressing operation of the pressing operation unit 10, a rotation operation of the rotation operation unit 11, a movement operation (drag) for moving the operation device 1 while the pressing operation unit 10 is pressed, and the like with respect to the operation device 1. Perform various operations.

A switch 2 to be described later is housed in each of the pressing operation unit 10 and the rotation operation unit 11 inside the operation device 1. When a pressing operation is performed on the pressing operation unit 10, the pressing operation unit 10 The internal part presses the corresponding switch 2. The switch 2 outputs a signal based on the pressing state from the signal line 12 to an external electronic device such as a personal computer.

That is, the operation device 1 described in the present application includes a pressing operation unit 10 that receives a pressing operation from the outside, a rotation operation unit 11 that accepts an operation such as a rotation operation, and a switching operation unit 13, and further internally switches. It has 2. Then, the operating device 1 transmits the pressing operation received by the pressing operation unit 10 and / or the rotation operating unit 11 to the switch 2 as an external pressing, and transmits a signal based on the operation of the switch 2 from the signal line 12 to the outside. Output to electronic devices.

<Switch 2>
Next, the switch 2 described in the present application will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the switch 2 described in the present application. In the specification of the present application, the direction of the switch 2 is expressed with the left front side as the front, the right back side as the back, the left back side as the left, the right front side as the right, the upper side as the upper side, and the lower side as the lower side. However, this is a direction for convenience of explanation, and does not limit the mounting direction of the switch 2. As described above, the switch 2 is housed as a micro switch inside an electronic device such as an operating device 1, and receives a pressing operation received by a portion such as a pressing operation unit 10 of the operating device 1 as an external pressing.

The switch 2 includes a housing 20 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 20 is formed of a lower base 20a and an upper cover 20b. A rectangular insertion hole 200 through which the pressing member 21 is inserted is provided on the upper surface of the housing 20 at a position to the left of the center in front view. The pressing member 21 inserted through the insertion hole 200 is a member that receives pressure from the outside of the housing 20 and moves up and down in a range from the upper first position to the lower second position. The upper end of the pressing member 21 projects from the upper surface of the housing 20.

Further, from the lower surface of the housing 20, the first terminal 220 which is a part of the support member 22 (see FIG. 3 etc.) described later and the second terminal 220 which is a part of the contacted member 23 (see FIG. 3 etc.) described later. The terminal 230, the third terminal pair 240 which is a part of the light emitting unit 24 (see FIG. 3 etc.) described later, and the fourth terminal pair 250 which is a part of the light receiving unit 25 (see FIG. 3 etc.) described later are projected. .. The first terminal 220 protrudes from the left end side of the lower surface of the housing 20. The second terminal 230 projects from the vicinity of the center of the lower surface of the housing 20. The third terminal pair 240 and the fourth terminal pair 250 project from the right end side of the lower surface of the housing 20 side by side in front, back, left and right. Two terminals protruding side by side on the front side of the lower surface of the housing 20 are the third terminal pair 240, and two terminals protruding side by side on the rear side are the fourth terminal pair 250.

In the switch 2 formed in this way, the pressing operation from the outside received by the operating device 1 is transmitted to the pressing member 21 as the pressing from the outside of the housing 20. The pressing member 21 moves from the upper first position to the lower second position in response to external pressure, and when the external pressure is released, the pressing member 21 moves from the lower second position to the upper first position. Moving.

Next, the internal structure of the switch 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 4 shows a cross section cut along a vertical plane including the AB line segment shown in FIG. 2 from a front viewpoint.

In the housing 20 of the switch 2, a space as a storage chamber 201 for accommodating various members for opening and closing the electric circuit is secured. An insertion hole 200 penetrating from the outside of the housing 20 is provided on the upper surface of the accommodation chamber 201, and a pressing member 21 is inserted through the insertion hole 200.

Various members housed in the storage room 201 will be described. In the accommodation chamber 201, various members such as a movable member 26 are arranged in addition to the above-mentioned pressing member 21, support member 22, contacted member 23, light emitting unit 24 and light receiving unit 25. The first locking portion 221 which is a part of the support member 22 is arranged on the lower left side in the accommodation chamber 201, and the second locking portion 221 which is a part of the support member 22 is arranged on the lower center side in the accommodation chamber 201. The locking portion 222 is arranged. A contact member 23 is arranged on the lower right side of the accommodation chamber 201. On the lower right side of the accommodation chamber 201, a light emitting unit 24 is arranged in front of the contacted member 23, and a light receiving unit 25 is arranged behind the contacted member 23. The movable member 26 is arranged so as to extend left and right in the accommodation chamber 201, and is locked by the first locking portion 221 and the second locking portion 222 of the support member 22.

The support member 22 and the contacted member 23 will be further described. FIG. 5 is a schematic external view showing an example of the support member 22 and the contacted member 23 included in the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating only the support member 22 and the contacted member 23 arranged in the switch 2 from the viewpoint from the front direction of the switch 2. The support member 22 and the contacted member 23 exemplified in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are all formed of a conductive metal plate, and are spaced apart from each other in the housing 20.

The support member 22 has a thin plate shape and is erected so that the normal direction is the front-rear direction. The lower portion of the support member 22 is formed as a first terminal 220 protruding from the lower surface of the housing 20. The upper portion of the support member 22 located in the accommodation chamber 201 is bifurcated to the left and right, the left side is formed as the first locking portion 221 and the right side is formed as the second locking portion 222. The first locking portion 221 and the second locking portion 222 are bent toward the front side so that the movable member 26 can be easily locked.

The contacted member 23 has a thin plate shape erected so that the normal direction is the front-rear direction, and is located behind the light emitting unit 24 and in front of the light receiving unit 25 from the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25. It stands apart. The lower portion of the contacted member 23 is formed as a second terminal 230 projecting from the lower surface of the housing 20. The upper part of the contacted member 23 located in the accommodation chamber 201 is a contacted portion with which the movable member 26 comes into contact when the pressing member 21 is located at the second position and the movable member 26 is pressed by the pressing member 21. It is 231. In the contacted member 23, a light-shielding plate 232 that shields the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24 is formed below the contacted portion 231. The light-shielding plate 232 receives the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 24. A transmission hole 233 for transmission is provided.

The light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 will be further described. FIG. 6 is a schematic external view showing an example of the light emitting unit 24 included in the switch 2 described in the present application. The light emitting unit 24 exemplified in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 emits light when energized from the control unit CU (see FIG. 11 and the like) described later, and the light receiving unit 25 emits light emitted from the light emitting unit 24. To receive light. The light receiving unit 25 can detect the received light only while the power is being supplied from the control unit CU. The light emitting unit 24 is configured by using a light emitting element 241 such as an LED. The light emitting element 241 of the light emitting unit 24 is molded in a resin unit housing 242, and the third terminal pair 240 projects from the unit housing 242. Inside the unit housing 242, two substantially linear lead frames 243 are arranged. One end of the lead frame 243 protrudes from the inside of the unit housing 242 to the outside, and has a third terminal pair 240. The other end side of the lead frame 243 is located in the unit housing 242, on which the light emitting element 241 is placed and bonded by the wire 244. The light emitting element 241 and the lead frame 243 and the wire 244 are arranged at the bottom of the recess formed in the unit housing 242. The recess formed in the unit housing 242 is filled with a resin having a high transmittance such as epoxy resin in the manufacturing process, and the members such as the light emitting element 241 are visible from the outside in the unit housing. It is molded in 242. FIG. 6 shows a light emitting unit 24 in which the unit housing 242 is filled with a resin having a high transmittance and the inside can be visually recognized. The light receiving unit 25 is configured by using a light receiving element 251 such as a PD (Photo Diode) or a PT (Photo Transistor) as a detection unit for detecting light. The light receiving element 251 can detect light while being energized from the control unit CU. Since the configuration of the light receiving unit 25 is substantially the same as the configuration of the light emitting unit 24, the description of the light emitting unit 24 will be taken into consideration, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The light emitting element 241 and the third terminal pair 240 described as the configuration of the light emitting unit 24 shall be read as the light receiving element 251 and the fourth terminal pair 250 in understanding the light receiving unit 25.

In the housing 20 of the switch 2, the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 are combined with the light emitting element 241 so that the light receiving element 251 of the light receiving unit 25 receives the light emitted from the light emitting element 241 of the light emitting unit 24. It is arranged so as to face the position where the light receiving element 251 faces. By energizing the light emitting unit 24 through the third terminal pair 240, the light emitting element 241 of the light emitting unit 24 emits light. Since the light receiving element 251 of the light receiving unit 25 changes the energization state when light is detected, an on signal based on the change in the energization state due to the light reception is output from the fourth terminal pair 250.

The movable member 26 will be further described. The movable member 26 exemplified in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a member formed of a conductive metal plate, and is arranged in the accommodation chamber 201 so that the longitudinal direction is the left-right direction. The left end side of the movable member 26 is a fixed end that is locked to the first locking portion 221 and functions as a swing fulcrum 260. The right end side of the movable member 26 is a movable contact portion 261 that swings as a free end and is brought into contact with and separated from the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23 by the swing. Further, the right end side of the movable member 26 is a substantially rectangular light-shielding piece 262 bent downward from the movable contact portion 261. The light-shielding piece 262 is formed so that the normal direction is the front-rear direction, and a substantially rectangular transmission window 263 through which the light emitted from the light emitting unit 24 is transmitted is opened. The light-shielding piece 262 is inserted between the contacted member 23 and the light emitting unit 24 at a position in front of the contacted member 23 and behind the light emitting unit 24 while being separated from the contacted member 23 and the light emitting unit 24. Is located in. The movable member 26 is formed with an urging portion 264 that functions as a return spring that is punched out near the center and bent in an arc shape, and the tip of the urging portion 264 is located near the center in the accommodation chamber 201. It is locked to the formed second locking portion 222. The urging portion 264 generates a reaction force that opposes the pressing of the pressing member 21.

In the switch 2 configured as described above, the pressing member 21 receives a pressure from the outside and moves downward to press the movable member 26. When the movable member 26 is pressed, the movable contact portion 261 and the light-shielding piece 262 on the right end side, which is the free end of the movable member 26, are lowered. When the movable contact portion 261 of the movable member 26 is lowered, the movable contact portion 261 comes into contact with the contact portion 231 of the contact member 23. When the movable contact portion 261 of the movable member 26 and the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23 come into contact with each other, the first terminal 220 of the support member 22 to the second terminal 230 of the contacted member 23 are in a conductive state. .. By conducting between the first terminal 220 and the second terminal 230, it is possible to close the first circuit outside the switch 2 and output an on signal. By lowering the light-shielding piece 262 of the movable member 26, the optical path leading from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 to the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25 passes through the transmission window 263 provided in the light-shielding piece 262. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting element 241 of the light emitting unit 24 while being energized from the control unit CU passes through the transmission window 263 provided in the light shielding piece 262 of the movable member 26, and further, the light emitted from the contacted member 23. It passes through the transmission hole 233 provided in the plate 232 and reaches the light receiving element 251 of the light receiving unit 25. When the light receiving element 251 detects the light received from the light emitting element 241 while the power is being supplied from the control unit CU, the light receiving element 251 is turned on and can output an on signal. Further, when the movable contact portion 261 of the movable member 26 is lowered, the movable contact portion 261 comes into contact with the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23. When the movable contact portion 261 of the metal movable member 26 hits the contact portion 231 of the metal contact member 23, a metallic sound is generated. The user recognizes the metallic sound generated when the movable member 26 hits the contacted member 23 as a click sound. Further, the user recognizes the feeling that the movable member 26 hits the contacted member 23 as a click feeling. By appropriately designing the material and shape forming the movable member 26 and the contacted member 23, the sound generated when the movable member 26 hits the contacted member 23 and the feeling of hitting the contact member 23 are controlled, and a click sound is obtained. And it is also possible to adjust the click feeling. For example, by using a material and a shape in which a clicking sound is unlikely to be generated, it is possible to realize noise reduction at the time of clicking.

When the pressing of the pressing member 21 is released, the movable member 26 is urged upward by the reaction force of the urging portion 264. When the movable member 26 is urged upward, the pressing member 21 moves upward. When the movable member 26 is urged upward by the urging portion 264, the movable contact portion 261 and the light-shielding piece 262 located on the right end side of the movable member 26 are raised. By raising the movable contact portion 261 of the movable member 26, the movable contact portion 261 is separated from the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23. The movable contact portion 261 of the movable contact portion 261 material and the contacted portion 231 of the contacted member 23 are separated from each other, so that the first terminal 220 of the support member 22 and the second terminal 230 of the contacted member 23 are separated from each other. It becomes an insulated state. The insulation between the first terminal 220 and the second terminal 230 opens the first circuit. When the light-shielding piece 262 of the movable member 26 is raised, the light emitted from the light-emitting element 241 of the light-emitting unit 24 is blocked by the light-shielding piece 262 and is turned off.

Next, opening and closing of the circuit by the switch 2 described in the present application will be described. 7 and 8 are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. 7 and 8 show a cross section cut along a vertical plane including the AB line segment shown in FIG. 2 from a front viewpoint. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the outer shapes of the support member 22 and the contacted member 23 hidden in the housing 20 are shown by broken lines. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 is not pressed from the outside and is located at the upper first position, and FIG. 8 shows the pressing member 21 being pressed from the outside and descending. It shows the state of being located at the lower second position. By transitioning from the state illustrated in FIG. 7 that has not been pressed to the state illustrated in FIG. 8 that has been pressed, the right end side of the movable member 26 is lowered, and the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted member 23. When the movable member 26 and the contacted member 23 come into contact with each other, the contact from the first terminal 220 of the support member 22 to the second terminal 230 of the contacted member 23 becomes conductive. When the first terminal 220 and the second terminal 230 are electrically connected, a current flows as shown by a solid arrow in FIG. 8, and the state is turned on. By releasing the pressure from the outside and returning to the state illustrated in FIG. 7, the flowing current is cut off and the state is turned off.

9 and 10 are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch 2 described in the present application. 9 and 10 show a cross section cut along a vertical plane including the CD line segment shown in FIG. 2 from the right side. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the pressing member 21 is not pressed from the outside and is located at the upper first position, and FIG. 10 shows the pressing member 21 being pressed from the outside and descending. It shows the state of being located at the lower second position. By transitioning from the state illustrated in FIG. 9 which is not pressed to the state illustrated in FIG. 10 when pressed, the right end side of the movable member 26 is lowered, and the light receiving element 241 of the light emitting unit 24 receives light from the light receiving unit 25. The optical path leading to the element 251 passes through the transmission window 263 provided in the light-shielding piece 262. Therefore, as shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 10, the light emitted from the light emitting element 241 of the light emitting unit 24 during energization passes through the transmission window 263 provided in the light shielding piece 262 of the movable member 26 and is in contact with the light emitting unit 24. It passes through the transmission hole 233 provided in the light-shielding plate 232 of the member 23 and reaches the light-receiving element 251 of the light-receiving unit 25. The light receiving element 251 that is energized detects the light received from the light emitting element 241 and is turned on. By releasing the pressing from the outside and returning to the state illustrated in FIG. 9, the optical path between the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251 is cut off and turned off.

<Functional configuration>
Next, the functional configuration of the operation device 1 described in the present application will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the functional configuration of the operation device 1 described in the present application. The switch 2 includes a contact mechanism 27 using members such as a support member 22 and a contact member 23, and a non-contact mechanism 28 using members such as a light emitting unit 24 and a light receiving unit 25. Further, the operating device 1 includes a switching unit SU interlocking with the switching operation unit 13, a power supply unit PSU that supplies electric power to the control unit CU that controls various processes, and the like. In FIG. 11, the thin wire connecting each configuration indicates the wiring which is the medium of various signals, and the thick wire indicates the wiring which is the medium of electric power. The light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28 are energized from the control unit CU via the signal line 12. Further, the line extending to the right side toward FIG. 12 indicates the signal line 12 connected to the operating device 1. For example, by configuring the signal line 12 with a communication line conforming to a communication standard such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, it can be used as a medium for signal communication and power supply.

The switching unit SU is a circuit that accepts the switching operation as a switching input from the outside when the switching operation unit 13 accepts the switching operation for switching the energization method. The switching unit SU transmits the switching input from the outside as a switching signal to the control unit CU. The switching input from the outside is not limited to the operation from the switching operation unit 13 illustrated, but can be appropriately designed such as receiving as a switching signal from an external electronic device such as a connected personal computer. Is.

The control unit CU is configured by using a processor such as a microcomputer, exchanges various commands and signals with the switching unit SU, the power supply unit PSU, the non-contact mechanism 28 and the contact mechanism 27, and controls these circuits. It is a circuit to do. Specifically, the control unit CU outputs a signal via the signal line 12 based on the open / closed state of the contact mechanism 27. Further, the control unit CU controls the energization of the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28, and when the light receiving unit 25 detects the light receiving light, the control unit CU outputs a signal based on the detection status via the signal line 12. do. Further, the control unit CU switches the energization method to the non-contact mechanism 28 based on the switching signal from the switching unit SU.

The power supply unit PSU is a circuit that supplies electric power to various configurations included in the switch 2. The power supply unit PSU may be configured by using a battery built in the housing of the operating device 1 or the switch 2, or may be configured as a circuit for controlling the electric power supplied from the outside via the signal line 12. ..

The switching unit SU, the control unit CU, and the power supply unit PSU may be arranged inside the housing of the switch 2, or may be arranged outside the housing 20, for example, on a board to which the switch 2 is attached. It can be designed as appropriate.

<Signal processing>
Next, the signal processing of the switch 2 described in the present application will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the energization method switching process by the switch 2 described in the present application. The control unit CU included in the switch 2 executes the energization method switching process when, for example, the switching unit SU receives a switching input from the outside such as a switching operation for the switching operation unit 13.

As the energization method switching process, the control unit CU of the switch 2 receives a switching input from the switching unit SU (S101), and switches the energizing method based on the received switching input (S102). As the energization method, a high-speed mode, a high-speed power saving mode, a power saving mode, or the like is set and can be switched as appropriate. When the power supply unit PSU is configured by using a battery, the energization method may be switched based on the remaining power of the power supply unit PSU. The high-speed mode is an energization method in which the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28 are constantly energized, and a high-speed response with a small delay from operation to signal output can be maintained. The high-speed power saving mode is an energization method that suppresses power consumption while maintaining a high-speed response. The power saving mode is an energization method that limits energization of the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28 depending on the situation.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of energization control processing in the high-speed power saving mode in the switch 2 described in the present application. As an energization control process, the control unit CU of the switch 2 energizes the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28, monitors whether the non-contact mechanism 28 is in the ON state, and the non-contact mechanism 28 monitors. It is determined whether or not it is turned on (S201). When the pressing operation unit 10 of the operating device 1 is pressed, the contact mechanism 27 and the non-contact mechanism 28 are turned on, but since the non-contact mechanism 28 has high responsiveness, the non-contact mechanism 28 is usually first. Turns on. The contact mechanism 27 causes a bounce when the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted member 23, so that it takes more time than the non-contact mechanism 28 to transition to a stable on state.

In step S201, when the light receiving element 251 detects light and the non-contact mechanism 28 is turned on (S201: YES), the control unit CU outputs an ON signal from the operating device 1 (S202). After outputting the ON signal, the control unit CU determines whether or not the contact mechanism 27 is in the ON state (S203).

When it is determined in step S203 that the contact mechanism 27 is in the ON state (S203: YES), the control unit CU stops energizing the light emitting element 241 of the non-contact mechanism 28 (S204), and sends the light receiving element 251 to the light receiving element 251. (S205). By performing limiting processing such as stopping energization, signal output to the outside is performed only by the contact mechanism 27. The determination process in step S203 is a process in which the time difference between the non-contact mechanism 28 being turned on and the contact mechanism 27 being turned on is taken into consideration. A sufficient predetermined standby time is set until the contact mechanism 27 is turned on, and the standby process for the predetermined standby time is executed as an alternative process for the determination process in step S203. You may. When the standby process is configured to be executed, the determination process in step S203 can be omitted. That is, it is possible to output an on signal in step S202, execute the standby process for a predetermined standby time, and then execute the energization stop process for the light emitting element 241 in step S204. The sufficient predetermined waiting time until the on state is turned on is a time in consideration of the time until the bounce generated when the movable member 26 comes into contact with the contacted member 23 is settled.

After stopping the energization of the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251 of the non-contact mechanism 28, the control unit CU monitors whether or not the contact mechanism 27 has transitioned to the off state (S206). In step S206, when the contact mechanism 27 is turned off (S206: YES), the control unit CU stops the output of the ON signal to the outside (S207). Then, the control unit CU cancels the stop of energization of the light emitting element 241 of the non-contact mechanism 28 (S208), cancels the stop of energization of the light receiving element 251 (S209), restarts the energization, and proceeds to step S201. Return and repeat the subsequent processing.

If it is determined in step S201 that the off state is maintained (S201: NO), the control unit CU monitors the contactless mechanism 28 and repeats the process of step S201 to determine whether or not the contact mechanism 28 is turned on. .. That is, the on state of the non-contact mechanism 28 is monitored until the non-contact mechanism 28 is turned on.

When it is determined in step S203 that the contact mechanism 27 is not in the ON state (S203: NO), the control unit CU monitors the contact mechanism 27 and determines whether or not it is in the ON state. Repeat the process of. That is, the state of the contact mechanism 27 is monitored until the contact mechanism 27 is turned on. As described above, when the standby process is executed instead of the determination process in step S203, the monitoring process itself becomes unnecessary.

In step S206, when the contact mechanism 27 is maintained in the on state (S206: NO), the control unit CU monitors the contact mechanism 27 and determines whether or not the contact mechanism 27 has transitioned to the off state in step S206. Repeat the process. That is, the state of the contact mechanism 27 is monitored until the contact mechanism 27 is turned off.

As described above, the switch 2 included in the operating device 1 outputs an on-signal based on the light detection status of the light receiving element 251 and then starts outputting the on-signal by contact between the movable member 26 and the contacted member 23. If so, the energization of the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251 is limited. Further, when the movable member 26 is separated from the contacted member 23 and the output of the on signal is stopped, the switch 2 releases the restriction on the energization of the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251 and resumes the energization. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of power consumed during the period from the stoppage of energization to the resumption of energization while maintaining the response speed of the non-contact mechanism 28. As described above, the energization control process is executed.

The high-speed mode is an energization method in which the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28 are constantly energized. The power saving mode is an energization method in which energization of the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 of the non-contact mechanism 28 is constantly stopped.

Next, the waveform diagram of the signal in each energization method is illustrated. FIG. 14 is a waveform diagram showing an example of signal processing by the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 14 shows a waveform diagram in the high-speed mode. In FIG. 14, the waveform (MOUSE) shown at the top indicates the pressed state of the operating device 1, and the state in the upper position indicates the off state in which the operation device 1 is not pressed, and is located in the lower position. The state indicates the pressed on state. The waveform (LED) shown second from the top indicates the energized state of the light emitting element 241, and the state in the upper position indicates the off state in which the light emitting element is not energized, and is located in the lower position. The state indicates the light emitting state where the power is on. The waveform (PD) shown at the bottom shows the light receiving detection state of the light receiving element 251, and the state located at the upper level indicates the insensitive state in which the light receiving light is not detected, and is located at the lower position. Indicates a sensational state in which light reception is detected.

In the high-speed mode, since the light emitting element 241 is intermittently energized, the light emitting element 241 emits light at regular intervals, and the waveform of the light emission becomes like the pulse wave shown in FIG. The light receiving element 251 is always energized, and when light is emitted from the light emitting element 241, the light transmitted through the transmission window 263 of the movable member 26 and the transmission hole 233 of the contacted member 23 is received. At times, it becomes a sensational state. Even if the light emitting element 241 is turned off, there is afterglow, so that the transition from the sensational state to the insensitive state of the light receiving element 251 changes as a curved waveform. The switch 2 outputs an ON signal when the contact mechanism 27 is in the ON state or the light receiving element 251 of the non-contact mechanism 28 is in the sensation state. It is also possible to control the output of the on signal only by the non-contact mechanism 28. In that case, the on signal is output when the light receiving element 251 becomes a sensation state, and the sensation state continues for a certain period of time. If the on signal output is stopped. Therefore, since the switch 2 can have a redundant configuration with the non-contact mechanism 28 and the contact mechanism 27, it is possible to improve the reliability with a high-speed response.

FIG. 15 is a waveform diagram showing an example of signal processing by the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 15 shows a waveform diagram in the high-speed power saving mode. FIG. 15 shows, from above, a waveform (MOUSE) indicating the pressed state of the operating device 1, a waveform (LED) indicating the energized state of the light emitting element 241 and a waveform (PD) indicating the detection state of the light receiving element 251. .. The expression method for these waveforms is the same as that in FIG. 14, and the waveform shown in FIG. 14 is shown by a broken line for comparison with FIG. The waveform shown at the bottom shows the state of the contact mechanism 27 as a waveform (CONTACT), the upper part shows the open state where the on signal is not output, and the lower part shows the closed state where the on signal is output. It shows the state. In the waveform of the contact mechanism 27, the vibration immediately before the transition from the open state to the closed state and the vibration immediately after the transition from the closed state to the open state indicate a state in which the movable member 26 is bounced.

As described in the flowchart of FIG. 13, in the high-speed power saving mode, the switch 2 has the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element when the contacting mechanism 27 is closed after the light receiving element 251 is in the sensation state. The power supply to 251 is stopped. Further, when the movable member 26 is separated from the contacted member 23 and the output of the on signal is stopped, the switch 2 releases the restriction on the energization of the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251 and resumes the energization. Therefore, the switch 2 described in the present application can reduce the power consumption during the period from the stop to the restart of the energization of the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251 while maintaining the response speed by the non-contact mechanism 28. Will be.

FIG. 16 is a waveform diagram showing an example of signal processing by the switch 2 described in the present application. FIG. 16 shows a waveform diagram in the power saving mode. In FIG. 16, from above, a waveform indicating the pressed state of the operating device 1 (MOUSE), a waveform indicating the energized state of the light emitting element 241 (LED), a waveform indicating the detection state of the light receiving element 251 (PD), and a contact mechanism. A waveform (CONTACT) indicating the state of 27 is shown. The expression method for these waveforms is the same as in FIG. For comparison with FIG. 14, the waveform shown in FIG. 14 is shown by a broken line.

In the power saving mode, the switch 2 constantly stops energization of the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251. Therefore, the switch 2 outputs an on signal when the contact mechanism 27 is closed, and stops the output of the on signal when the contact mechanism 27 is in the open state. In the power saving mode, since the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251 are not energized, the power consumption can be significantly reduced.

As described above, in the switch 2 and the like described in the present application, when the contact mechanism 27 is closed after the light receiving element 251 is in the sensation state, the energization of the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251 is stopped, etc. To limit. Further, when the movable member 26 is separated from the contacted member 23 and the output of the on signal is stopped, the switch 2 or the like releases the restriction on the energization of the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251 and resumes the energization. As a result, the switch 2 and the like described in the present application can reduce the power consumption during the period from the stop to the restart of the energization of the light emitting element 241 and the light receiving element 251 while maintaining the response speed by the non-contact mechanism 28. Is possible. For example, it is possible to reduce the power consumed during a movement operation (drag) for moving the operation device 1 while maintaining the state in which the user presses the pressing operation unit 10 of the operation device 1 such as a mouse. Become.

Further, the switch 2 and the like described in the present application can switch the energization method other than the above-mentioned high-speed power saving mode by accepting the switching input from the switching unit SU. For example, in the high-speed mode in which the non-contact mechanism 28 is constantly energized, it is possible to realize a high-speed response, and the reliability is improved by adopting a redundant configuration with the non-contact mechanism 28 and the contact mechanism 27. The contact mechanism 28 and the contact mechanism 27 exert various excellent effects such as expansion of functions by controlling different power loads.

Further, when the power saving mode is set, it is possible to reduce the power consumption, which is an excellent effect.

The present invention is not limited to the respective embodiments described above, and can be developed into various other embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments described above are merely exemplary in all respects and should not be construed in a limited way. The technical scope of the present invention is described by the claims and is not bound by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and modifications that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the non-contact mechanism 28 is configured by an optical mechanism using a light emitting element 241 that emits light and a light receiving element 251 as a detection unit that detects light as a detection target. The present invention is not limited to this, and various mechanisms having no contacts can be used. For example, it can be applied to various forms such as forming a non-contact mechanism 28 by using a magnet that generates a magnetic force and a Hall element as a detection unit that detects the magnetic force as a detection target.

Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the conductive support member 22 and the contacted member 23 are used as the contact mechanism 27, and the circuit is opened and closed by being brought into contact with and separated from the conductive movable member 26 as the conductive movable member 26 swings. The morphology was shown. The present invention may be any open / close mechanism having contacts, and is not limited to the conductive member. Further, the operation of the movable member 26 can be applied not only to rocking but also to various operations such as vertical movement accompanying pressing. That is, if the circuit can be opened and closed by the contact and detachment of the moving movable member 26, for example, the contacted member 23 pressed by the movable member 26 that moves downward from above by pressing moves to open and close the circuit. It is possible to design the form, etc. as appropriate. The non-contact mechanism 28 does not need to have the movable member 26 as a conductive member.

Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the mode of stopping the energization is shown as a limitation of energization of the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the interval when performing intermittent energization is not limited to this. It is possible to develop it into various forms such as lengthening.

Further, in the above embodiment, the light emitting unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 are incorporated in the housing 20, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the light emitting unit is mounted on the substrate by a mounting method such as surface mounting. It can be developed into various forms such as covering the unit 24 and the light receiving unit 25 with the housing 20.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the movable member 26 swings, the light emitted from the light emitting element 241 is transmitted, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the movable member 26 swings. In addition, it can be appropriately designed such as being configured to block the light emitted from the light emitting element 241. Further, it is possible to appropriately design such that the light emitted from the light emitting element 241 is reflected and an on signal is output according to the light receiving state of the reflected light.

1 Operating device 12 Signal line (output section)
13 Switching operation unit 2 Switch 20 Housing 21 Pressing member 22 Supporting member 23 Contacted member 231 Contacted part 232 Light-shielding plate 233 Transmission hole 24 Light-emitting unit 241 Light-emitting element 25 Light-receiving unit 250 Fourth terminal to 251 Light-receiving element (detection unit)
26 Movable member 262 Light-shielding piece 263 Transparent window 27 Contact mechanism 28 Non-contact mechanism SU switching unit CU control unit PSU power supply unit

Claims (8)

A switch provided with a movable member that swings based on external pressure, and outputs a signal based on the swing of the movable member.
The contacted member that comes into contact with and separates from the movable member due to its swinging
A control unit that controls the energization of the element,
Equipped with a light receiving element that can detect light while energized,
It is possible to output a signal based on the contact with the contacted member due to the swing of the movable member.
It is possible to output a signal by transmitting or shielding the light detected by the light receiving element as the movable member swings.
The control unit
When a signal is output based on the light detection status of the light receiving element due to the swing of the movable member, and then the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member and starts to output a signal, the light receiving element is supplied to the light receiving element. A switch characterized by having a means for limiting energization. A switch provided with a conductive movable member whose second end side swings with the first end side as a swing fulcrum based on external pressure, and outputs a signal to the outside based on the swing of the movable member.
A conductive support member that swingably supports the first end side of the movable member, and
With the conductive contacted member, the second end side is brought into contact with and separated from the movable member by swinging.
A control unit that controls the energization of the element,
Equipped with a light receiving element that can detect light while energized,
The movable member has a light-shielding piece that shields light to be received by the light-receiving element.
It is possible to output a signal based on the contact with the contacted member due to the swing of the movable member.
It is possible to output a signal by transmitting or shielding the light to be detected by the light receiving element as the movable member swings.
The control unit
When a signal is output based on the light detection status of the light receiving element due to the swing of the movable member, and then the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member and starts to output a signal, the light receiving element is supplied to the light receiving element. A switch characterized by having a means for limiting energization. The switch according to claim 2.
The support member is formed by using a conductive material.
A switch characterized in that when the movable member comes into contact with the contacted member, a signal is output by conducting conduction between the support member and the contacted member. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
Further equipped with a light emitting element that emits light while energized,
The light receiving element can receive the light emitted from the light emitting element.
The control unit
A switch comprising a means for limiting energization to the light emitting element after outputting a signal based on the detection status of light of the light receiving element due to the swing of the movable member. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The control unit
A switch comprising a means for releasing the restriction on the energization of the light receiving element when the movable member is separated from the contacted member and stops the output of a signal after the energization of the light receiving element is restricted. .. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
Equipped with a switching unit that accepts switching input to switch the energization method
A switch characterized in that it is possible to stop energization of the light receiving element based on a switching input from the outside. A switch that includes a movable member that operates based on external pressure and outputs a signal based on the operation of the movable member.
With the contacted member that comes into contact with and separates when the movable member operates,
It is equipped with a detection element that detects the detection target while the power is on, and the movable member can output a signal based on the contact and detachment of the contacted member due to the operation.
It is possible to output a signal depending on the detection status of the detection target detected by the detection element with the operation of the movable member.
When a signal is output based on the detection status of the detection element accompanying the operation of the movable member and then the signal output is started based on the contact / detachment of the contacted member, the energization of the detection element is restricted. A switch featuring. A pressing operation unit that accepts pressing operations from the outside,
The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pressing operation received by the pressing operation unit is transmitted as an external pressing.
An operating device including an output unit that outputs a signal output by the switch to an external device.

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