JPH0746549B2 - Switch device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a switch device for various devices.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electric devices such as video tape recorders and video cameras have become more and more miniaturized and multifunctional. Therefore, in order to use those functions, the number of switch devices is increased and the size is reduced. The operation of the switch device is becoming complicated, and with the automation of each function,
It is desired that the main operations can be performed with the fewest number of switch devices.

By the way, heretofore, a switch device of this type has been disclosed in
As shown in JP-A-60-175330, the structure was as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 18, tact switches 3a and 3b are arranged apart from each other on the upper surface of the printed wiring board 2. The tact switches 3a and 3b are provided with built-in elastic means (not shown).
Operation shafts 4a, 4b that are always urged upward by
When the operation shafts 4a and 4b are pushed in, the contacts are switched or the spaces between the contacts are closed. At both ends of the lower surface of the switch member 5, switching portions 6a and 6b are formed. And switch member 5
Is the tact switch 3a,
The operation shafts 4a and 4b of 3b are arranged on the front end surfaces thereof, and the central portion thereof is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 7. The coil springs 8a and 8b are coil springs for restoring the switch member 5 to a fixed position.

The switch device configured as described above is provided with the switch member 5
If either end is pressed against both ends of the upper surface of the switch member 5, the switch member 5 rotates about the rotation shaft, and the operation shaft 4a
Alternatively, 4b is pushed downward, which causes the switching operation. Then, when the pressing force applied to the switch member 5 is released, the switch member 5 moves to the coil spring 8
It is restored to its original position by the elastic force of a and 8b.

That is, in the switch device as shown in FIG. 18, one of the two different signals can be selected by pressing one of the operation ends of the pressing surface of the operation button. However, in order to select the three types of signals separately, it is necessary to use a switch device using a slide mechanism or a toggle mechanism, and the operability is not necessarily good. Further, three kinds of signals can be selected separately, and in order to select two kinds of signals among the three kinds of signals, it is necessary to use a switch device having more multi-contacts or a plurality of switch devices. .

Problems to be Solved by the Invention The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in order to reduce the number of switch devices and improve operability,
Depending on the method of pressing the operation button of the switch device, it is possible to select three different kinds of signals separately or two kinds of signals at the same time, and according to the pressing amount (rotation amount) of the operation button. It is intended to provide a switch device having a switching function capable of obtaining a stable output.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the switch device of the present invention is
A rotation axis, and a rotation about the rotation axis in a first direction, and
A switch member that rotates in a second direction that is opposite to the rotation direction of the switch, and a detection that can determine the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction and that obtains an output according to the displacement amount of the switch member Means, and a switching portion that opens or closes or controls the switch by sliding in parallel with the rotating surface of the switch member,
It is provided with a support means that engages with the switch member to rotatably and slidably support the rotating shaft, and a restoring means that restores the switch member to a fixed position where the switch is not operated.

Effect of the Invention According to the present invention, the three types of signals different from each other can be separately selected or two types of the three types of signals can be simultaneously selected by the pressing method of the operation button of the switch device according to the above-described configuration. It is possible to obtain an output according to the pressing amount (rotation amount) of.

As a result, by mounting this switch device, it is possible to reduce the number of switch devices and improve operability.

Examples Hereinafter, reference examples will be described with reference to the drawings in order to explain examples of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first reference example. FIG. 12 is an output characteristic diagram of the Hall element.

In FIG. 1, the operation button 9 has a rotating shaft 10, and the rotating shaft 10 is supported by a guide groove 11 so as to be rotatable and slidable parallel to a rotating surface. The switching member 12 integrated with the operation button 9 operates the switch 13.
The magnet 14 is attached in a position parallel to the rotating surface of the operation button 9. The right side 15a of the magnet 14 is the S pole and the left side 15b is the N pole. The center of the is opposed to the magnetic detection element 16 attached to the switching member 12. When the pressing of the operation button 9 is stopped, the coil springs 17a and 17b restore the operation button 9 to a position where the switching member 12 does not operate the switch 13 and the operation button 9 is in the equilibrium state. There is. The output of the magnetic detection element 16 is connected to a control circuit (not shown).

A video camera using the switch device configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG.
The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 12.

Here, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the video camera.
A zoom control switch 19 for controlling the zoom ratio of the lens, a recording switch 20 for setting the video tape recorder to a recording state or a pause state, and a rear portion of the main body 18 for confirming a captured image on the operation section on the right side of 18. An electronic viewfinder 21 is provided for this purpose. As an example, a case where the switch device of the present invention is used for the zoom control switch 19 will be described.

For example, in FIG. 1, when the operation button 9 is pressed so as to rotate in the direction A, the operation button 9 rotates clockwise about the rotation shaft 10 as shown in FIG. The coil spring 17a is compressed more than when the operation button 9 is in the equilibrium position,
The coil spring 17b is stretched, and the magnetic detection element 16 moves in a direction facing the N pole 15b of the magnet 14. The rotation angle of the operation button 9 increases as the pressing force increases. When the pressing of the operation button 9 is stopped, the operation buttons 9 are restored to their original equilibrium position by the action of the coil springs 17a and 17b. When the Hall element is used as the magnetic detecting means 16, the output voltage of the Hall element increases as it approaches the N pole as compared with the output in the equilibrium state as shown in FIG. 12, and decreases as it approaches the S pole. The output of the magnetic detection element 16 increases according to the amount. When the output voltage is increased, the zoom motor is driven to the wide-angle side, and when it is decreased, the zoom motor is driven to the telephoto side by the control circuit (not shown).
Output is amplified to a level for driving a zoom motor (not shown) with the output voltage in the equilibrium state as a reference, and the zoom motor is driven at a speed corresponding to the pressing amount so that the zoom ratio is on the wide-angle side.

On the contrary, in FIG. 1, when the operation button 9 is pressed so as to rotate in the direction B, the operation button 9 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 10 as shown in FIG. To do. The coil spring 17a is extended more than when the operation button 9 is in the equilibrium position,
The coil spring 17b is compressed, and the Hall element 16 moves in a direction facing the S pole 15a of the magnet 14. The rotation angle of the operation button 9 increases as the pressing force increases. When the pressing of the operation button 9 is stopped, the operation buttons 9 are restored to their original equilibrium position by the action of the coil springs 17a and 17b.
As shown in FIG. 12, the output voltage of the Hall element 16 increases as it approaches the N pole compared to the output in the equilibrium state, and decreases as it approaches the S pole, so the output of the Hall element 16 decreases according to the pressing force. . The output of the Hall element 16 is amplified by the control circuit (not shown) to a level that drives the zoom motor (not shown) with the output voltage in the equilibrium state as a reference, and the zoom ratio is set to telephoto at a speed according to the amount of pressing. Drive the zoom motor to the side.

Further, in FIG. 1, when the operation button 9 is pressed in the direction C, the operation button 9 slides on the guide groove 11 to compress the coil springs 17a and 17b as shown in FIG.
Pushes switch 13. If you stop pressing the operation button 9,
The operation buttons 9 are restored to their original equilibrium positions by the coil springs 17a and 17b. At this time, if the switch 13 is a recording switch, the recording switch 20 in FIG. 2 can be omitted and the operability can be improved.

Further, in the above description, only the operation examples in the rotation in the A direction, the rotation in the B direction, the sliding in the C direction and the movement in the independent direction have been described, but as shown in FIG. It is also possible to use two kinds of functions simultaneously by combining the rotation in the direction and the sliding in the C direction, or the combination in the rotation in the B direction and the sliding in the C direction. As a result, for example, if the switch 13 is set to the fade-in or fade-out switch, it becomes possible to record the image of zooming in or zooming out while fading in or out at a variable zoom ratio, and to improve the operability. Improvements and improvements in functions can be achieved without increasing the number of switch devices.

As described above, the rotation shaft, the operation button having the rotation shaft, the switching member integrated with the operation button, and the rotation shaft are supported so as to be rotatable and slidable in a balanced manner on the rotation surface. The guide groove, the magnet attached in a position parallel to the rotating surface of the operation button, the magnetic detection element attached to the switching member, the position where the switching member does not operate the switch, and the operation button. By configuring with the restoration means that restores to the equilibrium state, it is possible to reduce the number of switch devices or add other functions by the number of conventional switch devices.

The second reference example will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a second reference example. Figure 12 shows
It is an output characteristic view of a Hall element.

In FIG. 7, the operation button 9 has a rotating shaft 10, and the rotating shaft 10 is supported by a guide groove 11 so as to be rotatable and slidable parallel to a rotating surface. The switching member 12 integrated with the operation button 9 operates the switch 13.
Further, the magnet 14 is attached to the switching member 12 of the operation button 9, the right side 15a of the magnet 14 is an S pole, and the left side 15b is an N pole. When the operation button 9 is in a balanced state, the center of the magnet 14 is a switch. It faces the magnetic detection element 16 attached to the main body of the device or the switch 13. When the pressing of the operation button 9 is stopped, the coil spring 17a,
In 17b, the operation button 9 is restored to a position where the switching member 12 does not operate the switch 13 and the operation button 9 is in the equilibrium state. The output of the magnetic detection element 16 is connected to a control circuit (not shown). The difference from the configuration of the first embodiment is that the magnetic detection element 16 is attached to the switching member 12 in the first embodiment, whereas the magnet 14 is attached to the switching member 12 in the second embodiment. There is a point.

A video camera using the switch device configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIG. 7, FIG. 2, FIG. 8, FIG.
The operation will be described with reference to FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG.

Here, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the video camera.
On the operation part on the right side of 18, a zoom control switch 19 for controlling the zoom ratio of the lens, a recording switch 20 for setting the video tape recorder to a recording state or a pause state, and a rear part of the main body 18 for confirming a captured image. An electronic viewfinder 21 is provided for this purpose. As an example, a case where the switch device of the present invention is used for the zoom control switch 19 will be described.

For example, in FIG. 7, when the operation button 9 is pressed so as to rotate in the A direction, the operation button 9 rotates clockwise around the rotation shaft 10 as shown in FIG. The coil spring 17a is compressed more than when the operation button 9 is in the equilibrium position, the coil spring 17b is expanded, and the S pole 15a of the magnet 14 is expanded.
Moves in a direction facing the magnetic detection element 16. The rotation angle of the operation button 9 increases as the pressing force increases. Operation button 9
When the pressing is stopped, the operation of the operation button 9 is restored to the original equilibrium position by the action of the coil springs 17a and 17b. When the Hall element is used as the magnetic detecting means 16, the output voltage of the Hall element increases as it approaches the N pole as compared with the output in the equilibrium state as shown in FIG. The output of the Hall element 16 decreases according to the amount. The output of the Hall element 16 is based on the output voltage in the equilibrium state by the control circuit (not shown) that drives the zoom motor to the telephoto side when the output voltage increases and drives the zoom motor to the wide angle side when the output voltage decreases. It is amplified to a level for driving (not shown), and the zoom motor is driven so that the zoom ratio is on the wide-angle side at a speed according to the pressing amount.

Conversely, in FIG. 7, when the operation button 9 is pressed so as to rotate in the direction B, the operation button 9 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 10 as shown in FIG. To do. The coil spring 17a is extended more than when the operation button 9 is in the equilibrium position,
The coil spring 17b is compressed and the N pole 1 of the magnet 14
5b moves in the direction facing the Hall element 16. The rotation angle of the operation button 9 increases as the pressing force increases. Operation button 9
When the pressing is stopped, the operation of the operation button 9 is restored to the original equilibrium position by the action of the coil springs 17a and 17b. As shown in FIG. 12, the output voltage of the Hall element 16 increases as it approaches the N pole compared to the output in the equilibrium state, and decreases as it approaches the S pole, so the output of the Hall element 16 increases in accordance with the pressing amount. . The control circuit (not shown) amplifies the output of the Hall element 16 to a level that drives the zoom motor (not shown) with the output voltage in the equilibrium state as a reference, and the zoom ratio changes at a speed corresponding to the pressing amount. Drive the zoom motor to the telephoto end.

Further, in FIG. 7, when the operation button 9 is pressed in the direction of C, the operation button 9 slides on the guide groove 11 and compresses the coil springs 17a and 17b as shown in FIG.
Pushes switch 13. If you stop pressing the operation button 9,
The operation buttons 9 are restored to their original equilibrium positions by the coil springs 17a and 17b. At this time, if the switch 13 is a recording switch, the recording switch 20 in FIG. 2 can be omitted and the operability can be improved.

Further, in the above description, only the operation examples in the rotation in the A direction, the rotation in the B direction, the sliding in the C direction and the movement in the independent direction have been described, but as shown in FIG. It is also possible to use two kinds of functions simultaneously by combining the rotation in the direction and the sliding in the C direction, or the combination in the rotation in the B direction and the sliding in the C direction. As a result, for example, if the switch 13 is set to the fade-in or fade-out switch, it becomes possible to record the image of zooming in or zooming out while fading in or out at a variable zoom ratio, and to improve the operability. Improvements and improvements in functions can be achieved without increasing the number of switch devices.

As described above, by attaching the magnet 14 to the switching member 12, the magnetic detection element 16 can be fixed to the main body of the switch device or the switch 13, and as a result, the first
In the embodiment of FIG.
The effect of the elasticity of the wiring of the zoom motor control circuit from the magnetic detection element 16 by attaching to 12 (In the configuration as shown in FIG. It is not necessary to take some measures such as passing through), and the configuration of the switch device can be simplified as compared with the first embodiment.

Although the Hall element is used as the magnetic detecting element in the first and second embodiments, the magnetic detecting element is not limited to the Hall element, and another magnetic detecting element such as an MR head may be used. Good.

FIG. 13 (a) is a front view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 (b) is a side view showing an embodiment.

In FIG. 13, the operation button 9 which is a switch member
Has a rotating shaft 10, and the rotating shaft 10 is rotatable,
Further, the guide groove 11 serves as a supporting means for slidably supporting the rotary surface in parallel therewith. Operation button 9
When is pressed, the switching member 12 integrated with the operation button 9 pushes the switch 13 to operate the switch 13. Further, the shielding plate 18 that shields light is attached to the switching member 12, and the shielding film 18 moves according to the pressing amount of the operation button 9.
The light emitting means 19a and the light amount detecting means 19b are fixed at positions facing each other with the shield plate 18 in between. Coil springs 17a and 17b, which are restoring means for restoring the operation button 9 to the above-mentioned equilibrium state at a position where the switching member 12 does not operate the switch 13 when the operation button 9 is stopped from being pressed.
Is attached to the housing 22. Also, the light amount detection means
The output of 19b is connected to a control circuit (not shown).

A video camera using the switch device configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIG. 13, FIG. 2, FIG. 14, FIG.
The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

Here, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the video camera.
A zoom control switch 19 for controlling the zoom ratio of the lens, a recording switch 20 for setting the video tape recorder to a recording state or a pause state, and a rear portion of the main body 18 for confirming a captured image on the operation section on the right side of 18. An electronic viewfinder 21 is provided for this purpose. As an example, a case where the switch device of the present invention is used for the zoom control switch 19 will be described.

For example, in FIG. 13 (a), when the operation button 9 is pressed so as to rotate in the direction of A, as shown in FIG.
The operation button 9 rotates clockwise around the rotation center 10. The coil spring 17a is compressed more than when the operation button 9 is at a fixed position, the coil spring 17b is expanded, and the shield plate 18 rotates together with the switching member 12, so that the light amount detecting means 19 is provided.
The amount of light received by b is larger than the amount of light received at the fixed position. The rotation angle of the operation button 9 increases as the pressing force increases. When the pressing of the operation button 9 is stopped, the operation buttons 9 are restored to their original fixed positions by the action of the coil springs 17a and 17b. For example, when a semiconductor laser with stabilized output is used for the light emitting means 19a and a photodiode is used for the light amount detecting means 19b, the output voltage of the light amount detecting means 19b changes as the light amount changes. The output voltage of the light amount detecting means 19b changes. Therefore, when the operation button 9 is pressed to rotate in the direction of A, the shield plate 18 moves, and the amount of light of the light emitting means 19a reaching the light amount detecting means 19b increases from the above-described fixed position. After the forward and reverse directions are determined with reference to the output voltage at a certain position, when the output voltage increases, the control circuit (not shown) drives the zoom motor to the telephoto side and to the wide-angle side, the light amount detection means. The output of 19b is a zoom motor (not shown)
The zoom motor is driven so that the zoom ratio is set to the wide-angle side at a speed that is amplified to the level that drives.

Conversely, in FIG. 13 (b), when the operation button 9 is pressed so as to rotate in the direction B, the rotation shaft 10 is rotated as shown in FIG.
The operation button 9 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation center. The coil spring 17a is expanded when the operation button 9 is in a fixed position, the coil spring 17b is compressed, and the shield plate 18 rotates together with the switching member 12, so that the light amount detecting means 19 is provided.
The amount of light received by b is smaller than the amount of light received at the fixed position. The rotation angle of the operation button 9 increases as the pressing force increases. When the pressing of the operation button 9 is stopped, the operation buttons 9 are restored to their original fixed positions by the action of the coil springs 17a and 17b. Since the output voltage of the light amount detecting means 19b decreases as the light amount decreases, the output voltage of the light amount detecting means 19b decreases according to the pressing amount. Control circuit (not shown)
By this, the output of the light amount detecting means 19b is amplified to a level for driving a zoom motor (not shown), and the zoom motor is driven so that the zoom ratio is on the wide angle side at a speed according to the pressing amount.

Further, in FIG. 13 (a), when the operation button 9 is pressed in the direction C, the operation button 9 slides on the guide groove 11 and compresses the coil springs 17a and 17b as shown in FIG. 12 presses switch 13. When the pressing of the operation button 9 is stopped, the operation button 9 is restored to the original equilibrium position by the coil springs 17a and 17b. At this time, if the switch 13 is a recording switch, the recording switch 20 in FIG.
Can be omitted and the operability can be improved.

In this embodiment, the shield member 18 is integrated with the switch member to change the amount of light, but in the present invention, the switching member
Attach the light emitting element 19a or the light amount detection means 19b to 12,
The light amount can be changed by fixing the light amount detecting means 19b or the light emitting element 19a to the switch device main body or the substrate in the main body at a position facing it, and the configuration of the present invention is not limited to FIG.

Further, in the above description, only the operation examples of the rotation in the A direction, the rotation in the B direction, the sliding in the C direction and the movement in the independent direction have been described, but as shown in FIG. It is also possible to use two kinds of functions simultaneously by combining the rotation in the direction and the sliding in the C direction, or the combination in the rotation in the B direction and the sliding in the C direction. As a result, for example, if the switch 13 is set to the fade-in or fade-out switch, it becomes possible to record the image of zooming in or zooming out while fading in or out at a variable zoom ratio, and to improve the operability. Improvements and improvements in functions can be achieved without increasing the number of switch devices.

As described above, in the switch device using the magnetic method as the detection means for detecting the change in the amount of rotation of the operation button, the switch device body cannot be used at a portion affected by magnetism unless the switch device body is magnetically shielded. However, in the switch device having the configuration of the present invention, by using the optical type detection means as the detection means for detecting the change in the rotation amount of the operation button,
It can be used without applying a magnetic shield to the switch device.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the rotating shaft and the switch that rotates about the rotating shaft in the first direction and that rotates in the second direction opposite to the first rotating direction. A switching member that opens and closes or controls the switch by sliding in parallel with the rotation surface of the switch member, the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction. And a light amount detecting means (or a light emitting means) for obtaining an output according to the displacement amount of the switch member, and a light emitting means (or a light amount detecting means) fixed at a position facing the light amount detecting means (or the light emitting means). And a support means that engages with the switch member to rotatably and slidably support the rotary shaft, and a restoring means that restores the switch member to a fixed position where the switch is not operated.
Other functions can be added by reducing the number of switch devices or the number of conventional switch devices.

Further, the embodiment of the switch device according to the present invention is not limited to the video camera, and in addition to this embodiment, a program reservation switch (mode switching such as day of the week and time & variable speed forward / reverse operation) in the video tape recorder, special Playback function (search, slow, still switching & variable speed forward / reverse operation),
By using the switch device of the present invention in a power window of an automobile or the like, it is possible to reduce the number of switch devices and improve operability.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION As described above, the switch device of the present invention rotates about the rotation shaft and the rotation shaft in the first direction and rotates in the second direction opposite to the first rotation direction. A moving switch member, a switching unit that opens and closes or controls the switch by sliding in parallel with a rotation surface of the switch member, and a switching unit that moves integrally with the switching unit and has a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction. A light amount detecting means (or a light emitting means) capable of determining the rotation direction and obtaining an output according to the displacement amount of the switch member;
A light emitting means (or a light amount detecting means) fixed at a position facing the light amount detecting means (or the light emitting means); and a supporting means which engages with the switch member to rotatably and slidably support the rotating shaft, By configuring the switch member with a restoring means for restoring the switch member to a fixed position where the switch is not operated, three kinds of signals different from each other depending on the pressing method of the operation button of the switch device are separately used, or two kinds of the three kinds of signals are used. Signals can be selected at the same time, and an output can be obtained according to the pressing amount (rotation amount) of the operation button. That is, by using the switch according to the present invention, the number of switches can be reduced and the operability can be improved, and the operability and the function can be improved without increasing the number of the switches.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a switch device according to a first reference example,
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an example video camera using a switch device, and FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are front views showing an operation example of the switch device in the first reference example. FIG. 7 is a front view of the switch device in the second reference example, FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 are operation example diagrams of the switch device in the second reference example, and FIG. 12 is a hall element. Output characteristic diagram of the
FIG. 13 (a) is a front view of the switch device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 (b) is a side view of the switch device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16, Fig. 17
FIG. 1 is a side view of a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional seesaw switch. 10 ... Rotating shaft, 11 ... Supporting means, 12 ... Switching section, 14, 15a, 15b, 16 ... Detecting means, 17a, 17b ... Restoring means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A rotating shaft, a switch member which rotates about the rotating shaft in a first direction and which rotates in a second direction opposite to the first rotating direction, and A switching unit that opens and closes or controls the switch by sliding in parallel with the rotating surface of the switch member, moves integrally with the switching unit, and the first rotating direction and the second rotating direction are A light amount detecting means (or a light emitting means) which can be discriminated and which can obtain an output according to the displacement amount of the switch member;
A light emitting means (or a light amount detecting means) fixed at a position facing the light amount detecting means (or the light emitting means), and a supporting means for engaging the switch member to rotatably and slidably support the rotating shaft. And a restoring device that restores the switch member to a fixed position where the switch is not operated.