JP3771784B2

JP3771784B2 - Tilt sensor

Info

Publication number: JP3771784B2
Application number: JP2000249639A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 俊一宮寺
Original assignee: ペンタックス株式会社
Priority date: 2000-08-21
Filing date: 2000-08-21
Publication date: 2006-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2020-08-21
Also published as: JP2002062132A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明はデジタルカメラ等の電子機器に内蔵され、前記電子機器の傾斜方向を検出する傾斜センサーに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の傾斜センサーとしては、例えば特開平１１−１９５３５９記載のの傾斜センサーがある。従来の傾斜センサーは、内部に空洞を有するケースと、前記空洞内に水平かつ所定角度をもって隣り合って配置された３個以上の固定接点と、前記ケースの外壁部に露出した前記固定接点のそれぞれと電気的に接続されている端子と、前記空洞内を移動可能な導体である可動接点とを有している。
【０００３】
前記可動接点は前記ケースを傾けることにより、重力に従って移動し、前記固定接点の少なくとも２点と接した状態で静止する。この結果、前記可動接点によって前記固定接点同士が電気的に接続されるので、電気的に接続されている固定接点を特定する検出手段を前記端子に接続することにより、前記ケースの傾斜方向を検出することができる。
【０００４】
しかしながら、従来の傾斜センサーにおいては、固定接点が水平面上に配置されているため、前記ケースが天地逆になっているかどうかを判別することができなかった。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
本発明は、傾斜センサーのケースが天地逆になっているかを判断可能であり、さらに前記ケースを取り付け容易な、傾斜センサーを提供することを目的とする。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の目的を達成するために、請求項１に記載の傾斜センサーは、空洞部を有する直方体形状のケースと、
前記ケースの空洞部内に収まる、前記ケースの直方体と重心が同一でありかつ前記ケースの各面に対して平行な面を有する仮想立方体の頂点を規定する８つの固定接点と、
前記空洞部内に移動可能に収容され、静止状態において前記仮想立方体の鉛直方向下側の一面の頂点を規定する４つの固定接点に当接して保持される導体球と、
を備えている。
【０００７】
前記傾斜センサーのケースを傾けると、前記導体球が重力に従って、前記仮想立方体の１面の頂点に相当する位置に形成されている４つの前記固定接点と接触するため、どの固体接点同士が電気的に接続されているのかを検出することにより、上下左右前後６方向の傾きを検出することができる。
【０００８】
また、前記ケースは互いにに平行な正方形であるインターフェース面を有する直方体であり、
前記ケースの各頂点に配置され、前記ケースの各頂点に最も近い前記固定接点とそれぞれ電気的に接続される８つの第１端子と、
前記インターフェース面の各辺の中点に形成され、前記インターフェース面のどちらにも全ての固定接点と電気的に接続された端子が露出するように、対向するインターフェース面上の第１端子と電気的に接続される８つの第２端子と、
前記インターフェース面の一方の面上に形成された第１端子および前記第２端子のそれぞれと電気的に接続され、前記導体球と接触している固定接点を検出することによって前記ケースの傾きを判定する、傾き判定手段と、
を有している。ここで、前記第１の面および前記第２の面上の端子の位置は、どのような向きで前記ケースを場合であっても、各端子と固定接点との相対的な位置関係が変わらないような位置であるので、前記傾斜センサーを取り付ける向きにかかわらず正常に取り付け可能である。
【０００９】
また、請求項３に記載の傾斜センサーは、前記第１の端子と前記第２の端子とがケース表面に実装された配線パターンによって電気的に接続されることにより、前記インターフェース面のどちらにも全ての固定接点と電気的に接続された端子が露出するようになっている。従って、傾斜センサーの構成を簡素化することができる。
【００１０】
さらに、請求項５に記載の傾斜センサーは、前記仮想立方体の任意の対角線上に位置する２つの固定接点に接続された前記第１端子および前記第２端子が接地され、
前記傾き判定手段は、他の固定接点に接続された第１、第２端子をプルアップするプルアップ手段と、プルアップされた第１端子および第２端子の電圧レベルを検出する電圧レベル検出手段とを有し、検出された電圧レベルの組み合わせに基づいて前記導体球と接触している固定接点を検出することにより、前記導体球と接触している固定接点を検出する構成となっている。
【００１１】
また、請求項６に記載の傾斜センサーは、前記インターフェース面の一方の面上に形成された第１端子および前記第２端子のそれぞれと接触するコネクター、前記前記傾き判定手段、および前記傾き判定手段と前記コネクターとを電気的に接続する配線パターンが基板上に実装され、
前記基板上の配線パターンによって前記仮想立方体の任意の対角線上に位置する２つの固定接点に接続された前記第１端子および前記第２端子が接地され、
前記傾き判定手段は、他の固定接点に接続された第１、第２端子をプルアップするプルアップ手段と、プルアップされた第１端子および第２端子の電圧レベルを検出する電圧レベル検出手段とを有し、検出された電圧レベルの組み合わせに基づいて前記導体球と接触している固定接点を検出し、前記他の固定接点のうち、互いに前記仮想立方体の対角を成さない任意の２固定接点が互いに前記基板上の配線パターンによって電気的に接続されている構成となっている。
【００１２】
従って、前記傾き判定手段は前記他の固定接点のうち、５つの固定接点と接続された前記第１端子および前記第２端子の電圧をモニタリングするだけでよい。
【００１３】
さらに、請求項７に記載の傾斜センサーは、前記基板上の配線パターンによって互いに電気的に接続されている２固定接点を除く前記他の固定接点のうち、互いに前記仮想立方体の対角を成さない任意の２固定接点が互いに前記基板上の配線パターンによって電気的に接続されている構成となっている。
【００１４】
従って、前記傾き判定手段は前記他の固定接点のうち、４つの固定接点と接続された前記第１端子および前記第２端子の電圧をモニタリングするだけでよい。
【００１５】
また、請求項８に記載の傾斜センサーは、前記ケースを静止させたとき、磁力によって前記導体球が前記４つの固定接点上に静止する構成となっている。従って、手ブレ等によって前記導体球と４つの固定接点との接触が不安定となり、前記傾斜センサーが誤動作するおそれがない。
【００１６】
なお、磁力によって前記導体球が前記４つの固定接点上に静止する方法としては、
前記導体球が磁石であり、前記固定接点が磁性体であり、前記導体球と前記固定接点の間に働く磁力によって前記導体球が前記４つの固定接点上に静止する構成（請求項１０）、
前記導体球が磁性体であり、前記固定接点が磁石であり、前記導体球と前記固定接点の間に働く磁力によって前記導体球が前記４つの固定接点上に静止する構成（請求項１１）、
前記導体球が磁性体であり、前記ケースの各面が磁石部分を有し、前記導体球と前記前記ケースの各面の磁石部分の間に働く磁力によって前記導体球が前記４つの固定接点上に静止する構成（請求項１２）、
等がある。
【００１７】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の実施の形態を図面を参照して説明する。図５は、本発明の実施の形態の傾斜センサー１の上面図である。基板９上には傾き判定手段１０、およびコネクター１１が実装されており、また傾き判定手段１０とコネクター１１のランド１１ａ〜１１ｈのそれぞれとは、基板上に実装された配線パターン１２（図示せず）によって接続されている。さらにコネクター１１にはケース２が取り付けられる。
【００１８】
また、図１は傾斜センサー１のケース２の空洞部における、固定接点と可動接点である導体球の位置関係を示している。また、図２は前記固定接点と傾斜センサー１のケース２との位置関係を示している。
【００１９】
固定接点５ａ、５ｂ、５ｃ、５ｄ、５ｅ、５ｆ、５ｇ、および５ｈはケース２内の空洞部に配置された、仮想立方体３の各頂点に相当する位置に配置されている。また、導体球４はその中心点が常に仮想立方体３の中にある。ここで導体球４の直径は、仮想立方体３の一辺の長さの２^０．５倍より大きく仮想立方体３の一辺の長さの３^０．５倍より小さいので、ケース２が静止しているときは、導体球４は常に仮想立方体３の１面の頂点を規定する
４つの固定接点のみと接している（図１の場合においては固定接点５ｅ、５ｆ、５ｇ、５ｈ）。
【００２０】
また、ケース２は互いに平行な第１のインターフェース面Ｓ１および第２のインターフェース面Ｓ２が正方形であるような直方体である。第１のインターフェース面Ｓ１の各頂点には第１端子６ａ、６ｂ、６ｃ、６ｄが、また第２のインターフェース面Ｓ２の各頂点には第１端子７ｅ、７ｆ、７ｇ、７ｈがそれぞれ配置されている。ここで第１端子６ａと７ｅ、第１端子６ｂと７ｆ、第１端子６ｃと７ｇ、第１端子６ｄと７ｈはそれぞれ同一辺上に配置されている。なお、ケース２の中心点と仮想立方体の中心点は同一の点であり、さらに５ａ−５ｄ−５ｈ−５ｅを結ぶ正方形と、６ａ−６ｄ−７ｈ−７ｅを結ぶ長方形は平行である。
【００２１】
ここで固定接点５ａ〜５ｈは、それぞれ第１端子６ａ、６ｂ、６ｃ、６ｄ、７ｅ、７ｆ、７ｇ、７ｈと、各固体接点と端子を両端とする導電性を有するピン１４ａ〜１４ｈによって電気的に接続されている。
【００２２】
また、図３および図４は傾斜センサー１のケース２の外観を示した斜視図である。第１のインターフェース面Ｓ１はそれぞれの辺に４つの第２端子を有している。ここで第２端子６ｅは第１端子６ｄと６ａの中点上に有り、第２端子６ｆは第１端子６ａと６ｂの中点上に有り、第２端子６ｇは第１端子６ｂと６ｃの中点上にあり、第２端子６ｈは第１端子６ｃと６ｄの中点上にある。さらに、第２のインターフェース面Ｓ２はそれぞれの辺の中点に４つの第２端子を有している。ここで第２端子７ａは第１端子７ｅと７ｆの中点上にあり、第２端子７ｂは第１端子７ｆと７ｇの中点上にあり、第２端子７ｃは第１端子７ｇと７ｈの中点上にあり、第２端子７ｄは第１端子７ｈと７ｅの中点上にある。
【００２３】
さらに、ケース２の外壁部に実装された配線パターン８によって、第１端子６ａと７ａ、第１端子６ｂと第２端子７ｂ、第１端子６ｃと第２端子７ｃ、第１端子６ｄと第２端子７ｄ、第１端子７ｅと第２端子６ｅ、第１端子７ｆと第２端子６ｆ、第１端子７ｇと第２端子６ｇ、第１端子７ｈと第２端子６ｈが電気的に接続されている。すなわち、第２端子６ｅ、６ｆ、６ｇ、６ｈおよび７ａ、７ｂ、７ｃ、７ｄは、仮想立方体３において第１接点に接続されている固定接点で規定される面と対向する面の頂点に位置する固定接点と電気的には等価なものである。従って、第１端子と第２端子とにより、一方のインターフェース面側に配置されている第１端子と第２端子とで、仮想立方体３の各頂点に位置する固定接点の全ての状態を把握するように構成されている。
【００２４】
ここで、図５におけるランド１１ａ〜ランド１１ｈのそれぞれは第１のインターフェース面Ｓ１または第２のインターフェース面Ｓ２上の端子のそれぞれと一致する位置にあり、ランド１１ａ〜１１ｈと第１のインターフェース面Ｓ１または第２のインターフェース面Ｓ２上の端子を接触させた状態で、ケース２はコネクター１１に取り付けられる。
【００２５】
このとき、ランド１１ａ〜ランド１１ｈのそれぞれから見た、各電極と接続されている固定接点は、ランド１１ａ〜ランド１１ｈにどの端子を接触させるかにかかわらず、常に同一の位置である。すなわち、傾斜センサー１を傾けたとき、ランド１１ａ〜１１ｈのうちどの４端子が互いに接続されるかは、ケース２をコネクター１１に取り付ける方向にかかわらず、傾けた方向によってのみ決定するようになる。
【００２６】
また、本発明の実施の形態の傾斜センサー１のブロック図を図６に示す。配線パターン１２においては、ランド１１ａと１１ｇが接地され、ランド１１ｂと１１ｆとが共通の信号線を有して傾き判定手段１０の端子１０ａに接続され、ランド１１ｃは端子傾き判定手段１０の端子１０ｂに接続され、ランド１１ｄと１１ｈとが共通の信号線を有して傾き判定手段１０の端子１０ｃに接続され、ランド１１ｃは端子傾き判定手段１０の端子１０ｂに接続されている。
【００２７】
端子１０ａと端子１１ｂ、端子１０ｂと端子１１ｃ、端子１０ｃと端子１１ｄ、端子１０ｄと端子１１ｅをそれぞれ接続する信号線には、プルアップ抵抗Ｒ１、Ｒ２、Ｒ３、Ｒ４が接続されており、導体球と接触していない接点に対応する端子の信号線の電圧レベルは、バッテリの電源電圧から電源回路１３により生成された所定電圧Ｖｃｃ、すなわちＨレベルにプルアップされ一方、導体球と接触する接点に対応する端子の信号線の電圧レベルは接地レベルのＬレベルとなる。
【００２８】
ここで、例えばランド１１ａと端子７ａが接触するように、傾斜センサー１がコネクター１１に取り付けられている場合、図７に示すように、端子１０ａ〜１０ｄの電圧レベルの組み合わせによって、導体球４と接触している固体接点の組み合わせが一意的に判断できる。
【００２９】
以上のように、本発明の傾斜センサーは、傾斜の方向を検出するために必要な、傾き判定手段１０の端子の数を４つにすることが可能である。
【００３０】
ここで、手ブレ等によりケース２が揺動し、導体球４が固定接点から離間して正確に傾きの検出ができなくなるのを防止するため、導体球４を磁石としてピン１４ａ〜１４ｈを磁性体として磁力によって導体球４を導体球４鉛直下方の固定接点上に固定している。なお、前記磁力はケース２を９０度以上傾ければ導体球４が固定接点から離間する程度に抑えられている。
【００３１】
また、磁力によって導体球４を固定接点上に固定する他の手法としては、例えば導体球４を磁性体としてピン１４ａ〜１４ｈを磁石とする、あるいは図８のように導体球４を磁性体としケース２の外壁部の各面中央部に磁石板１５を貼設する等の手法がある。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態における、傾斜センサーのケースの固体接点と導体球の位置関係を示した図である。
【図２】本発明の実施の形態における、傾斜センサーのケースの固体接点と前記傾斜センサー外壁部に露出する端子との位置関係を示した図である。
【図３】本発明の実施の形態における、ケース外壁部に露出する端子同士の接続を示した図である。
【図４】本発明の実施の形態における、ケース外壁部に露出する端子同士の接続を示した図である。
【図５】本発明の実施の形態における、傾斜センサーの上面図である。
【図６】本発明の実施の形態の傾斜センサーの、コネクターと、傾き判定手段との配線を示したブロック図である。
【図７】本発明の実施の形態の傾斜センサーにおいて、ケースを取り付けたときの、導体球と接触している固体接点と、電流の流れる傾き判定手段の端子の組み合わせの一例を示した表である。
【図８】本発明の実施の形態の傾斜センサーの別例において、ケース外壁に磁石板を貼設した状態を示したものである。
【符号の説明】
１傾斜センサー
２ケース
３仮想立方体
４導体球
８配線
９基板
１０傾き判定手段
１１コネクター
１２配線パターン
１３電源
１５磁石板
Ｓ１第１の面
Ｓ２第２の面[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tilt sensor that is built in an electronic device such as a digital camera and detects the tilt direction of the electronic device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional tilt sensor, for example, there is a tilt sensor described in JP-A-11-195359. A conventional tilt sensor includes a case having a cavity therein, three or more fixed contacts arranged horizontally and adjacent to each other at a predetermined angle in the cavity, and the fixed contacts exposed on the outer wall portion of the case. And a movable contact that is a conductor that can move in the cavity.
[0003]
The movable contact moves according to gravity by tilting the case, and stops in contact with at least two points of the fixed contact. As a result, since the fixed contacts are electrically connected by the movable contact, the inclination direction of the case is detected by connecting a detection means for identifying the electrically connected fixed contact to the terminal. can do.
[0004]
However, in the conventional tilt sensor, since the fixed contact is disposed on the horizontal plane, it cannot be determined whether or not the case is upside down.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tilt sensor that can determine whether the case of the tilt sensor is upside down and can be easily attached to the case.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a tilt sensor according to claim 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped case having a cavity,
Eight fixed contacts that fit within the cavity of the case and define the apex of a virtual cube having the same center of gravity as the rectangular parallelepiped of the case and having a plane parallel to each surface of the case;
A conductive sphere that is movably accommodated in the cavity and is held in contact with four fixed contacts that define the apex of one surface on the lower side in the vertical direction of the virtual cube in a stationary state;
It has.
[0007]
When the case of the tilt sensor is tilted, the conductor sphere contacts with the four fixed contacts formed at positions corresponding to the vertices of one surface of the virtual cube according to gravity. It is possible to detect inclinations in the six directions of up / down / left / right / front / rear.
[0008]
In addition, the case is a rectangular parallelepiped having an interface surface that is a square parallel to each other.
Eight first terminals disposed at each vertex of the case and electrically connected to the fixed contact closest to each vertex of the case;
The first terminal on the opposing interface surface is electrically connected so that the terminals formed at the midpoints of each side of the interface surface and electrically connected to all the fixed contacts are exposed on both of the interface surfaces. 8 second terminals connected to
The inclination of the case is determined by detecting a fixed contact that is electrically connected to each of the first terminal and the second terminal formed on one surface of the interface surface and is in contact with the conductor ball. Tilt determination means,
have. Here, the position of the terminal on the first surface and the second surface does not change the relative positional relationship between each terminal and the fixed contact regardless of the orientation of the case. Therefore, it can be normally attached regardless of the direction in which the inclination sensor is attached.
[0009]
Further, the tilt sensor according to claim 3, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected by a wiring pattern mounted on the surface of the case, so that either of the interface surfaces is connected. The terminals electrically connected to all the fixed contacts are exposed. Therefore, the configuration of the tilt sensor can be simplified.
[0010]
Further, in the tilt sensor according to claim 5, the first terminal and the second terminal connected to two fixed contacts located on an arbitrary diagonal line of the virtual cube are grounded,
The inclination determination means includes pull-up means for pulling up first and second terminals connected to other fixed contacts, and voltage level detection means for detecting voltage levels of the pulled-up first and second terminals. And detecting a fixed contact in contact with the conductor sphere based on a combination of detected voltage levels, thereby detecting the fixed contact in contact with the conductor sphere.
[0011]
The tilt sensor according to claim 6 is a connector which contacts each of the first terminal and the second terminal formed on one surface of the interface surface, the tilt determination unit, and the tilt determination unit. And a wiring pattern for electrically connecting the connector and the connector is mounted on the substrate,
The first terminal and the second terminal connected to two fixed contacts located on an arbitrary diagonal line of the virtual cube by the wiring pattern on the substrate are grounded,
The inclination determination means includes pull-up means for pulling up first and second terminals connected to other fixed contacts, and voltage level detection means for detecting voltage levels of the pulled-up first and second terminals. And detecting a fixed contact that is in contact with the conductor sphere based on a combination of detected voltage levels, and among the other fixed contacts, any of the virtual cubes that do not form a diagonal of each other The two fixed contacts are electrically connected to each other by a wiring pattern on the substrate.
[0012]
Therefore, the inclination determination means only needs to monitor the voltages of the first terminal and the second terminal connected to five of the other fixed contacts.
[0013]
Further, the tilt sensor according to claim 7 forms the diagonal of the virtual cube among the other fixed contacts excluding the two fixed contacts electrically connected to each other by the wiring pattern on the substrate. Any two fixed contacts that are not present are electrically connected to each other by a wiring pattern on the substrate.
[0014]
Therefore, the inclination determination means only needs to monitor the voltages of the first terminal and the second terminal connected to four fixed contacts among the other fixed contacts.
[0015]
The tilt sensor according to claim 8 is configured such that when the case is stationary, the conductive ball is stationary on the four fixed contacts by a magnetic force. Therefore, the contact between the conductive ball and the four fixed contacts becomes unstable due to camera shake or the like, and there is no possibility that the tilt sensor malfunctions.
[0016]
In addition, as a method in which the conductor sphere rests on the four fixed contacts by magnetic force,
The conductor sphere is a magnet, the fixed contact is a magnetic body, and the conductor sphere is stationary on the four fixed contacts by a magnetic force acting between the conductor sphere and the fixed contact (Claim 10).
The conductor sphere is a magnetic body, the fixed contact is a magnet, and the conductor sphere is stationary on the four fixed contacts by a magnetic force acting between the conductor sphere and the fixed contact (Claim 11).
The conductor sphere is a magnetic body, each surface of the case has a magnet part, and the conductor sphere is placed on the four fixed contacts by a magnetic force acting between the conductor sphere and the magnet part of each surface of the case. (12),
Etc.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a top view of the tilt sensor 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. An inclination determining means 10 and a connector 11 are mounted on the substrate 9, and the inclination determining means 10 and each of the lands 11a to 11h of the connector 11 are connected to a wiring pattern 12 (not shown) mounted on the substrate. ). Further, the case 2 is attached to the connector 11.
[0018]
FIG. 1 shows the positional relationship between the fixed contact and the conductive ball as the movable contact in the cavity of the case 2 of the tilt sensor 1. FIG. 2 shows the positional relationship between the fixed contact and the case 2 of the tilt sensor 1.
[0019]
The fixed contacts 5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d, 5 e, 5 f, 5 g, and 5 h are arranged at positions corresponding to the vertices of the virtual cube 3 arranged in the hollow portion in the case 2. Further, the center point of the conductor sphere 4 is always in the virtual cube 3. Here, since the diameter of the conductor sphere 4 is larger than ^20.5 times the length of one side of the virtual cube 3 and smaller than ^30.5 times the length of one side of the virtual cube 3, the case 2 is stationary. In some cases, the conductor sphere 4 is always in contact with only four fixed contacts that define the apex of one surface of the virtual cube 3 (in the case of FIG. 1, the fixed contacts 5e, 5f, 5g, and 5h).
[0020]
The case 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped in which the first interface surface S1 and the second interface surface S2 that are parallel to each other are square. The first terminals 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d are arranged at the vertices of the first interface surface S1, and the first terminals 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h are arranged at the vertices of the second interface surface S2. Yes. Here, the first terminals 6a and 7e, the first terminals 6b and 7f, the first terminals 6c and 7g, and the first terminals 6d and 7h are arranged on the same side. The center point of case 2 and the center point of the virtual cube are the same point, and the square connecting 5a-5d-5h-5e and the rectangle connecting 6a-6d-7h-7e are parallel.
[0021]
Here, the fixed contacts 5a to 5h are electrically connected to the first terminals 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 7e, 7f, 7g, and 7h, and the respective solid contacts and conductive pins 14a to 14h having the terminals at both ends. It is connected to the.
[0022]
3 and 4 are perspective views showing the appearance of the case 2 of the tilt sensor 1. FIG. The first interface surface S1 has four second terminals on each side. Here, the second terminal 6e is on the middle point of the first terminals 6d and 6a, the second terminal 6f is on the middle point of the first terminals 6a and 6b, and the second terminal 6g is the first terminal 6b and 6c. The second terminal 6h is on the midpoint, and is on the midpoint of the first terminals 6c and 6d. Further, the second interface surface S2 has four second terminals at the midpoint of each side. Here, the second terminal 7a is on the midpoint of the first terminals 7e and 7f, the second terminal 7b is on the midpoint of the first terminals 7f and 7g, and the second terminal 7c is between the first terminals 7g and 7h. On the midpoint, the second terminal 7d is on the midpoint of the first terminals 7h and 7e.
[0023]
Furthermore, the first terminals 6a and 7a, the first terminals 6b and the second terminals 7b, the first terminals 6c and the second terminals 7c, the first terminals 6d and the second are determined by the wiring pattern 8 mounted on the outer wall portion of the case 2. The terminal 7d, the first terminal 7e and the second terminal 6e, the first terminal 7f and the second terminal 6f, the first terminal 7g and the second terminal 6g, and the first terminal 7h and the second terminal 6h are electrically connected. . In other words, the second terminals 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h and 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d are located at the apex of the surface facing the surface defined by the fixed contact connected to the first contact in the virtual cube 3. It is electrically equivalent to a fixed contact. Therefore, the first terminal and the second terminal grasp all the states of the fixed contacts located at the vertices of the virtual cube 3 by the first terminal and the second terminal arranged on one interface surface side. It is configured as follows.
[0024]
Here, each of the lands 11a to 11h in FIG. 5 is in a position coincident with each of the terminals on the first interface surface S1 or the second interface surface S2, and the lands 11a to 11h and the first interface surface S1. Alternatively, the case 2 is attached to the connector 11 while the terminals on the second interface surface S2 are in contact with each other.
[0025]
At this time, the fixed contact connected to each electrode viewed from each of the land 11a to land 11h is always at the same position regardless of which terminal is in contact with the land 11a to land 11h. That is, when the tilt sensor 1 is tilted, which four terminals of the lands 11a to 11h are connected to each other is determined only by the tilted direction regardless of the direction in which the case 2 is attached to the connector 11.
[0026]
Moreover, the block diagram of the inclination sensor 1 of embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG. In the wiring pattern 12, the lands 11a and 11g are grounded, the lands 11b and 11f have a common signal line and are connected to the terminal 10a of the inclination determining means 10, and the land 11c is connected to the terminal 10b of the terminal inclination determining means 10. The lands 11d and 11h have a common signal line and are connected to the terminal 10c of the inclination determining means 10, and the land 11c is connected to the terminal 10b of the terminal inclination determining means 10.
[0027]
Pull-up resistors R1, R2, R3, and R4 are connected to signal lines that connect the terminals 10a and 11b, the terminals 10b and 11c, the terminals 10c and 11d, and the terminals 10d and 11e, respectively, and are conductive balls. The voltage level of the signal line of the terminal corresponding to the contact not in contact with the contact is pulled up to the predetermined voltage Vcc generated by the power supply circuit 13 from the power supply voltage of the battery, that is, the H level, while being in contact with the conductor ball. The voltage level of the signal line of the corresponding terminal is the ground level L level.
[0028]
Here, for example, when the inclination sensor 1 is attached to the connector 11 so that the land 11a and the terminal 7a are in contact with each other, as shown in FIG. 7, depending on the combination of the voltage levels of the terminals 10a to 10d, A combination of solid contact points in contact can be uniquely determined.
[0029]
As described above, the inclination sensor of the present invention can make the number of terminals of the inclination determination means 10 necessary to detect the inclination direction four.
[0030]
Here, in order to prevent the case 2 from swinging due to camera shake or the like and the conductor ball 4 being separated from the fixed contact and being unable to detect the inclination accurately, the pins 14a to 14h are magnetized using the conductor ball 4 as a magnet. As a body, the conductor sphere 4 is fixed on the fixed contact point vertically below the conductor sphere 4 by magnetic force. The magnetic force is suppressed to such an extent that the conductor ball 4 is separated from the fixed contact when the case 2 is tilted by 90 degrees or more.
[0031]
As another method of fixing the conductor sphere 4 on the fixed contact by magnetic force, for example, the conductor sphere 4 is a magnetic body and the pins 14a to 14h are magnets, or the conductor sphere 4 is a magnetic body as shown in FIG. There is a technique such as attaching a magnet plate 15 to the center of each surface of the outer wall of the case 2.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a solid contact and a conductor ball of a case of a tilt sensor in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a solid contact of a case of a tilt sensor and a terminal exposed on the outer wall portion of the tilt sensor in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing connection between terminals exposed on a case outer wall in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing connection between terminals exposed on a case outer wall in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the tilt sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing wiring between the connector and the inclination determination means of the inclination sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a table showing an example of a combination of a solid contact that is in contact with a conductor ball and a terminal of an inclination determination unit through which a current flows when the case is attached in the inclination sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention. is there.
FIG. 8 shows a state in which a magnet plate is attached to the outer wall of the case in another example of the tilt sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inclination sensor 2 Case 3 Virtual cube 4 Conductor sphere 8 Wiring 9 Board | substrate 10 Inclination determination means 11 Connector 12 Wiring pattern 13 Power supply 15 Magnet plate S1 1st surface S2 2nd surface

Claims

A rectangular parallelepiped case having a hollow portion and two opposing surfaces formed as a square interface surface;
8 fixed contacts that fit within the cavity of the case and define the apex of a virtual cube having a plane parallel to each face of the case;
A conductive sphere that is movably accommodated in the cavity and is held in contact with four fixed contacts that define the apex of one surface on the lower side in the vertical direction of the virtual cube in a stationary state;
Eight first terminals arranged at each vertex of the case and electrically connected to the fixed contact closest to each vertex of the case;
The first terminal on the opposing interface surface is electrically connected so that the terminals formed at the midpoints of each side of the interface surface and electrically connected to all the fixed contacts are exposed on both of the interface surfaces. Two second terminals connected to each other,
The inclination of the case is determined by detecting a fixed contact that is electrically connected to each of the first terminal and the second terminal formed on one surface of the interface surface and is in contact with the conductor ball. Tilt determination means,
A tilt sensor having
With respect to rotation of the case every 90 degrees with respect to an axis passing through the center of the two interface surfaces, and rotation of the case with 180 degrees with respect to an axis that is equidistant to the two interface surfaces and passes through the center of gravity of the case In the first terminal and the second terminal that are electrically coupled to each other, the line segment group that connects the apex where the first terminal is located and the midpoint where the second terminal is located is symmetric. Tilt sensor characterized by that.

The tilt sensor according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal that are electrically coupled to each other are formed on the same surface of the case.

The inclination sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected by a wiring pattern mounted on a case surface.

A connector formed on one surface of the interface surface and in contact with each of the first terminal and the second terminal, the inclination determining means, and a wiring pattern for electrically connecting the inclination determining means and the connector The inclination sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein is mounted on a substrate.

The first terminal and the second terminal connected to two fixed contacts located on an arbitrary diagonal of the virtual cube are grounded;
The inclination determination means includes
Pull-up means for pulling up first and second terminals connected to other fixed contacts;
Voltage level detection means for detecting the voltage levels of the pulled-up first terminal and second terminal;
Have
Detecting a fixed contact in contact with the conductor sphere based on a combination of detected voltage levels;
The tilt sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tilt sensor is characterized in that

A connector formed on one surface of the interface surface and in contact with each of the first terminal and the second terminal, the inclination determining means, and a wiring pattern for electrically connecting the inclination determining means and the connector Is mounted on the board,
The first terminal and the second terminal connected to two fixed contacts located on an arbitrary diagonal line of the virtual cube by the wiring pattern on the substrate are grounded,
The inclination determination means includes
Pull-up means for pulling up first and second terminals connected to other fixed contacts;
Voltage level detection means for detecting the voltage levels of the pulled-up first terminal and second terminal;
Have
Detecting a fixed contact in contact with the conductor sphere based on a combination of detected voltage levels;
The arbitrary two fixed contacts that do not form a diagonal of the virtual cube among the other fixed contacts are electrically connected to each other by a wiring pattern on the substrate. The tilt sensor according to claim 3.

Of the other fixed contacts except for the two fixed contacts that are electrically connected to each other by the wiring pattern on the substrate, any two fixed contacts that do not form a diagonal of the virtual cube are mutually on the substrate. The inclination sensor according to claim 6, wherein the inclination sensor is electrically connected by a wiring pattern.

8. The conductive ball is stationary on the four fixed contacts by magnetic force, and the separation of the conductive ball from the four fixed contacts due to slight vibration of the case is prevented. The tilt sensor described in 1.

9. The tilt sensor according to claim 8, wherein the conductive ball is stationary on the four fixed contacts by a magnetic force unless the tilt sensor is tilted by 90 degrees or 180 degrees or more.

The conductive sphere is a magnet;
The fixed contact is a magnetic material;
10. The tilt sensor according to claim 8, wherein the conductive ball is stationary on the four fixed contacts by a magnetic force acting between the conductive ball and the fixed contact. 11.

The conductive sphere is a magnetic material;
The fixed contact is a magnet;
10. The tilt sensor according to claim 8, wherein the conductive ball is stationary on the four fixed contacts by a magnetic force acting between the conductive ball and the fixed contact. 11.

The conductive sphere is a magnetic material;
Each surface of the case has a magnet portion,
10. The inclination sensor according to claim 8, wherein the conductor sphere is stationary on the four fixed contacts by a magnetic force acting between the conductor sphere and a magnet portion of each surface of the case. 11. .

A rectangular parallelepiped case having a hollow portion and two opposing surfaces formed as a square interface surface;
8 fixed contacts that fit within the cavity of the case and are arranged at positions corresponding to the vertices of a virtual cube having a plane parallel to each face of the case;
A conductive sphere that is movably accommodated in the cavity and is held in contact with four fixed contacts that define the apex of one surface on the lower side in the vertical direction of the virtual cube in a stationary state;
Eight first terminals arranged at each vertex of the case and electrically connected to the fixed contact closest to each vertex of the case;
Eight second terminals formed at the midpoint of each side of the interface surface;
A connection line formed on a side surface perpendicular to the interface surface and connecting a first terminal formed on one interface surface and a second terminal formed on the other interface surface;
The inclination of the case is determined by detecting a fixed contact that is electrically connected to each of the first terminal and the second terminal formed on one surface of the interface surface and is in contact with the conductor ball. Tilt determination means,
A tilt sensor having
The connection line has a first contact point and a second contact point that are closest to each other when an interface surface is rotated by 45 degrees with respect to the other interface surface around an axis passing through the center of the two interface surfaces. Inclination sensor characterized by connecting contacts.