JPH113640A - Inclination detection switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent malfunctions, caused by unnecessary vibrations or the like, of a switch adapted to be incorporated in a precision instrument or the like to detect is inclination. SOLUTION: An inclination detection switch comprises a nonconducting boxlike housing body made up of a case 1, a front lid 2 and a back lid 3, and a conductive spherical body 4 held rollable in the housing body. The housing body is provided on its box inner bottom with a band projection 1b of a specific height extending to both the front and back at roughly right angles thereto, and a first electrode 5 and a second electrode 6 that are conductive and projected so as to oppose to each other in a roughly parallel relation to the projection 1b. When the housing body is inclined from the horizontal attitude by a specific angle in a specific direction, the spherical body 4 rolls over the projection 1b and comes in contact with the first and second electrode 5 and 6 to connect those electrodes 5 and 6 electrically. During electrode conduction the spherical body 4 is supported at its three points or by the first and second electrodes 5 and 6 and a wall part 1a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tilt detection switch, and more particularly, to a tilt detection switch incorporated in a precision machine, a home appliance, an industrial device, or the like to detect a tilt of a device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, various types of switches have been put into practical use for detecting a tilt by turning on (or off) a switch when a device is tilted by a predetermined angle or more.
In this, utilizing the rolling property (rolling property) of the conductive sphere,
There is one in which two electrodes are made conductive (switch-on) via the conductive sphere when inclined at a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction. However, in the case of a switch using the conductive sphere, the conductive sphere may roll due to unnecessary vibration, and an erroneous switch-on operation may occur. That is, there is a disadvantage that the switch operation malfunctions due to unnecessary vibration. In addition to the unnecessary vibrations described above,
There is also a disadvantage that the conductive sphere rolls and performs a switching operation despite the inclination angle at which the switching operation is not allowed. The above disadvantages are mainly due to the rolling properties of the conductive sphere.

[0003]

Therefore, while fully utilizing the excellent rolling properties of the conductive sphere, the above-mentioned unnecessary vibration or malfunction of the switch operation at a predetermined angle or less can be prevented reliably. The reliability of the tilt detection switch using a sex sphere can be improved. The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tilt detection switch that prevents unnecessary vibration or malfunction of a switch operation at a predetermined angle or less.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a non-conductive box-shaped one having no opening, and a strip having a required height extending substantially perpendicularly from front to back on the inner bottom surface of the box. And a housing provided with a first and a second conductive conductive electrode substantially parallel to and opposed to the strip-shaped projection, respectively. A conductive sphere that is housed and rolled freely, and when the housing is inclined at a required angle from a horizontal position in a required direction, the conductive sphere rides over the strip-shaped projection and the first electrode and the second To provide an inclination detection switch that comes into contact with the first electrode and makes the first electrode and the second electrode conductive through the conductive sphere.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(1) One Switch Circuit The tilt switch is located in a substantially horizontal position by a band-shaped projection having a required height and a first and second electrodes having a convex shape provided on the inner bottom surface of the housing. Sometimes, the conductive sphere is located at a position opposite to each of the electrode sides with the band-shaped protrusion interposed therebetween. The band-like projection prevents unnecessary vibration or rolling of the conductive sphere at a certain angle or less. Here, when the tilt detection switch is tilted by a predetermined angle, the conductive sphere rides over the strip-shaped protrusion, rides on and contacts both the first electrode and the second electrode, and connects both electrodes via the conductive sphere. Make it conductive. In this conductive state, the conductive sphere also comes into contact with the wall, and the conductive sphere is supported at three points of the wall, the first electrode, and the second electrode. Further, by providing a concave recess on the bottom surface of the housing when the tilt switch is in the substantially horizontal position, it is possible to further prevent unnecessary rolling of the conductive sphere due to the unnecessary vibration or the like.

(2) Two Switch Circuits The present tilt detection switch is formed by symmetrically arranging one switch circuit described above with a common conductive sphere. Therefore, although the basic operation is the same, the inclination can be detected in two directions. Further, by changing the heights and the like of the first protrusion and the second protrusion, the switch-on angle in each direction can be changed.

[0007]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tilt detection switch according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a tilt detection switch according to the present invention, and FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a main part configuration with a front part of a housing removed, and FIG.
Is an external perspective view. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the operation of the tilt detection switch according to the present invention, FIG. 3 (A) is an explanatory view in the case where a concave recess is provided on the bottom surface inside the housing, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view when a storage pocket for a conductive sphere is provided. FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of another embodiment.

Next, the basic configuration of the tilt detection switch according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 1 denotes a substantially square (hollow) non-conductive case, which is formed of, for example, a resin material such as plastic. Reference numeral 2 denotes a front side lid attached to the front side of the case, 3 denotes a rear side lid attached to the back side of the case, and 4 denotes a rollable conductive sphere. As shown, a wall 1a for supporting the conductive sphere 4 is provided from a required position on the inner upper surface of the case 1 to one side surface. In addition, as shown in the figure, a band-shaped protrusion 1b having a required height is provided on the bottom of the case 1, and a first electrode 5 and a second electrode
Is provided. The protrusion 1b is a conductive sphere 4 at a certain inclination angle or less.
This is to prevent rolling. The size (volume) of the inside of the case 1 is made as small as possible as long as the rolling of the conductive sphere 4 is not hindered, and unnecessary rolling is prevented.

It is desirable that the conductive sphere 4 be made of a material having a large specific gravity in order to improve the contact property with the electrode. From this point of view, in this embodiment, stainless steel balls, tungsten balls or steel balls are used. In addition, the surface of each of them is subjected to gold plating. The first electrode 5 and the second electrode 6 may be provided independently on the bottom surface, respectively, or may be integrated with the front cover 2 and the back cover 3. In the latter case, for example, FIG.
As shown in (A), each of the lids 2 and 3 may be a metal plate, and the electrode 5 (or 6) may be integrally provided at a required position on the metal plate. Or, instead of the above-mentioned metal plate, each lid 2, 3
A non-conductive plate (for example, a plastic plate) in which each electrode portion is integrated, and a conductive plating process is performed on the non-conductive plate or the entirety including the electrode portion to form a conductive electrode. You may do so. Although two electrodes 5 are shown in FIG. 1A, this is for understanding the basic configuration of the present tilt detection switch, and there is actually one electrode. When each of the lids 2 and 3 is a metal plate provided with an electrode as described above, the connection with the case 2 made of plastic or the like may be performed by thermocompression bonding (welding), and the assembly can be simplified. The metal plate excluding the electrodes of the lids 2 and 3 is not an essential requirement, and may be formed of a nonconductor (for example, a resin material such as plastic). FIG. 1B shows an external view when the front cover 2 of FIG. 1A is properly attached to the case 1. The case 1, the front lid 2, and the rear lid 3 described above constitute a housing of the present tilt detection switch.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating the tilt detection switch of FIG. 1 as viewed from the front, in a case where the switch is placed in a horizontal position. The reference numerals in FIG. 2 are common to those in FIG. When the present tilt detection switch is in the horizontal position as shown in FIG. 2A, the conductive sphere 4 is located on the opposite side of the projection 1b from the first electrode 5 and the like. Therefore, the first electrode 5 and the second electrode 6 are in an open state (non-conduction) and are in a switch-off state. In addition, even if there is a slight inclination or vibration due to the projection 1b, the rolling of the conductive sphere 4 is prevented, and a switch malfunction is prevented. Here, when the present tilt detection switch is tilted at a certain angle in the direction shown in FIG. 2B, the conductive sphere 4 climbs over the protrusion 1b, rides on the electrode 5 and the electrode 6, and passes through the conductive sphere 4 via both electrodes. Is made conductive. As a result, the switch is turned on (conducting).

The minimum inclination angle θa at which the conductive sphere 4 passes over the projection 1b can be set by the height h1 of the projection 1b. Naturally, the smaller the height h1 of the protrusion 1b, the smaller the minimum inclination angle θa. Further, the inclination detection angle of the inclination detection switch is equal to or greater than the minimum inclination angle θa. FIG. 2C shows FIG.
FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating the inclined state of FIG. From FIGS. 2B and 2C, when the conductive sphere 4 rides on the electrodes 5 and 6, the conductive sphere 4 has three points of the first electrode 5, the second electrode 6, and the wall 1a. Supported.
The chattering phenomenon in the switching operation can be prevented by the three-point support.

Next, FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 3 (A)
Is an embodiment in which a concave depression 1c is provided on the bottom surface where the conductive sphere 4 is located when the tilt detection switch is in the horizontal position. The provision of the recess 1c stabilizes the stationary state of the conductive sphere 4 in the horizontal position, and the conductive sphere 4 erroneously rolls even when unnecessary vibration or slight inclination is applied to the tilt detection switch. Is prevented. When the depression 1c is provided, the above-mentioned minimum inclination angle θa which is turned on
Is related to not only the height h1 of the protrusion 1b and its shape, but also the depth h2 of the depression 1c and its shape. Therefore, the inclination detection angle is h1 and h1.
It can be set with h2 etc. FIG. 3 (B) shows the purpose of FIG.
As in (A), this is a method for stabilizing the stationary state of the conductive sphere 4 when it is at a substantially horizontal position, but with different contents. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating the tilt detection switch viewed from above. As shown in the drawing, a protruding storage pocket 11a is provided on the front side of the housing 11 for storing the conductive sphere 4, and the conductive sphere 4 is placed when the tilt detection switch (housing 11) is at a substantially horizontal position. It is stored in the storage pocket 11a to stabilize the stationary state.
This prevents the conductive sphere 4 from erroneously rolling even when unnecessary vibration or slight inclination is applied. In addition,
The storage pocket 11a may be provided so as to protrude to the rear side.

Next, FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 4 shows another embodiment. The above-described tilt detection switch shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is one switch, and detects a tilt in one direction. On the other hand, the embodiment of FIG. 4 detects an inclination in the opposite direction. As its construct,
As shown in FIG. 4 (A), the protrusions and the respective electrodes of FIG. 1 are arranged symmetrically and share a conductive sphere.
That is, the same band-shaped protrusion as that of FIG.
Projection 21a), a first electrode 22 and a second electrode (not shown) opposed to each other, a second projection 21b, a third electrode 23 and a fourth electrode opposed to each other (not shown). Further, a first wall portion 21c similar to FIG. 1 is provided from the upper surface of the housing 21 to one side surface, and a second wall portion 21d is provided to the other side surface.
Are provided. One conductive sphere 24 is housed in the housing 21.

When the tilt detection switch in this embodiment is in the horizontal position (FIG. 4A), the conductive sphere 24 is located between the first projection 21a and the second projection 21b. Therefore, each of the electrodes 22 and 23 is in an open state (non-conduction),
Both are in a switch-off state. Each projection 21
The purpose and effects of the elements a and 21b are the same as those in FIG. When the tilt detection switch having the above-described configuration is tilted in the direction shown in FIG. 4B and exceeds the minimum tilt angle θb, the conductive sphere 24 rides over the first projection 21 a and the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 22. Riding on the electrodes, the two electrodes are brought into a conductive state via the conductive sphere 24 to be in a switch-on state. The conductive sphere 24 in this conductive state is shown in FIG.
As in (B), the first wall 21c, the first electrode 22 and the second
Three-point support with the electrodes. On the other hand, the inclination detection switch is inclined in the direction shown in FIG.
When the value exceeds c, the conductive sphere 24 rides over the second projection 21b and rides on the third electrode 23 and the fourth electrode, and the two electrodes are brought into a conductive state via the conductive sphere 24 to switch on. To The conductive sphere 24 in this conductive state also becomes a three-point support of the second wall 21d, the third electrode 23, and the fourth electrode, as described above.

As described above, the tilt detecting switch shown in FIG. 4 is characterized by detecting tilts in two directions. In this case, by setting the height and shape of each of the projections 21a and 21b, it is possible to set θc and θb at the same angle or at different angles. Although not shown, FIG.
Also in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the concave depression 1c described in FIG.
May be provided between the first projection 21a and the second projection 21b. Thus, as in FIG. 3A, the stationary state of the conductive sphere 24 in the horizontal position can be stabilized.

[0016]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. That is, since a band-shaped projection or a concave depression is provided on the inner bottom surface of the housing, unnecessary vibration or erroneous operation of the switch at a predetermined angle or less can be prevented, and the reliability of the tilt detection switch can be improved. . Also, a desired inclination detection angle can be set by the height and shape of the strip-shaped protrusion, the depth and shape of the concave depression, and the like. In addition, when the two electrodes are conductive, the two electrodes and the wall are supported at three points, thereby preventing the chattering phenomenon. Also, stainless steel balls, tungsten balls or steel balls having a relatively large specific gravity are used as the conductive spheres, and the surfaces thereof are plated with gold, so that the contact with the electrodes is excellent. Further, the inclination angle can be detected in two directions. Then, depending on the height and shape of the band-like projection, the depth and shape of the concave depression, etc., 2
The detection angles in the directions can be set to the same angle or different angles. Thus, it can be said that the tilt detection switch according to the present invention greatly contributes to improvement in reliability, functionality, and the like, as compared with the conventional tilt detection switch.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a tilt detection switch according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 1 (A) is a perspective view of a main part configuration with a front part of a housing removed, and FIG. 1 (B) is an external perspective view. .

FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory diagram of the tilt detection switch shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is an explanatory view of a case where a concave recess is provided on the bottom surface inside a housing, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory view of a case where a storage pocket for a conductive sphere is provided so as to protrude toward the front side of the housing; It is.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view of another embodiment of the tilt detection switch according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 1a Wall part 1b Belt-like projection 1c Concave recess 2 Front lid 3 Rear lid 4 Conductive sphere 5 First electrode 6 Second electrode 11 Housing 11a Storage pocket 21 Housing 21a First projection 21b Second Projection 21c first wall 21d second wall 22 first electrode 23 third electrode 24 conductive sphere

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A non-conductive box-shaped one having no opening, wherein a strip-shaped projection having a required height extending substantially at right angles from the front to the back is provided on the inner bottom surface of the box. And a housing provided with a convex conductive first electrode and a second electrode which are substantially in parallel with each other and are opposed to each other, and are housed in the housing to be rollable. When the housing is inclined at a required angle from a horizontal position to a required direction from the horizontal position, the conductive sphere rides over the strip-shaped protrusion and comes into contact with the first electrode and the second electrode. A tilt detection switch, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected via a sex sphere. 2. An inclined wall portion is provided from a required position on the inner upper surface of the housing to a required position on one side surface, and the conductive sphere is formed when the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected to each other. 2. The tilt detection switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch is supported at three points: a first electrode, a second electrode, and the wall. 3. A non-conductive box-shaped one having no opening, and a band-shaped first protrusion and a second protrusion having a required height extending substantially at right angles from the front to the back on the inner bottom surface of the box. Are provided substantially in parallel with each other, and the first and second projecting conductive first electrodes and the second electrodes are substantially parallel to each other and are opposed to each other. A housing provided with a conductive third electrode and a fourth electrode which are in a position substantially parallel to the projection and opposed to each other, and a conductive member housed in the housing and capable of rolling. When the housing is inclined at a required angle from a horizontal position to a required direction, the conductive sphere rides over the first projection and the first sphere is formed.
And the first electrode and the second electrode are in contact with each other through the conductive sphere, and when the conductive sphere is inclined at a required angle in a direction opposite to the direction, the conductive sphere is The third electrode and the fourth electrode are moved over the second protrusion.
Wherein the third electrode and the fourth electrode are electrically connected to each other through the conductive sphere. 4. A first wall portion inclined from a required position on the inner upper surface of the housing to a required position on one side surface, and a second wall inclined from the required position on the inner upper surface to a required position on the other side surface. The conductive sphere is supported at three points of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the first wall when the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected, During conduction between the third electrode and the fourth electrode, the conductive sphere is supported at three points: the third electrode, the fourth electrode, and the second wall. 4. The tilt detection switch according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The casing is a non-conducting casing having a front part and a back part opened, and the front part and the back part are made of the first electrode or the first electrode and the third electrode. 4. A metal plate provided with the first electrode and the second electrode, or a metal plate provided with the second electrode and the fourth electrode. The tilt detection switch as described. 6. The casing is a non-conducting casing having a front part and a back part opened, and the front part and the back part are the first electrode part or the first electrode part and the first part. A third electrode portion and a non-conductive plate integrated with each other; and the second electrode portion or a non-conductive plate integrated with the second electrode portion and the fourth electrode portion; 4. The tilt detection switch according to claim 1, wherein each electrode portion or the entire non-conductive plate is subjected to a conductive plating process. 7. The tilt detection switch according to claim 1, wherein the conductive sphere is a stainless sphere, a tungsten sphere, or a steel sphere, each of which has a gold-plated surface. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion is provided in a portion of the inner bottom surface of the housing where the conductive sphere is located when the housing is in a substantially horizontal position. 3. The tilt detection switch according to 3. 9. A storage pocket protruding from a front side or a rear side of the housing, wherein the conductive sphere is located in the storage pocket when the housing is in a substantially horizontal position. The tilt detection switch according to claim 1, wherein 10. The height or shape of each of the strip-shaped protrusions, or the depth or shape of the concave depression, is set in accordance with the inclination angle required to conduct the two electrodes through the conductive sphere. 9. The tilt detection switch according to claim 1, wherein the tilt detection switch comprises: