KR101956745B1 - Metal touch switch assembly adapted capacitive force sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a metal touch switch assembly employing a capacitive force sensor having a structure that minimizes deterioration in sensitivity over time by allowing a capacitive force sensor and a metal touch panel to maintain their original state even after long-term use.
The metal touch switch assembly to which the capacitive force sensor is applied includes a substrate (1); A plurality of force sensor parts 10 mounted on the substrate in a row in a row; A plurality of switch bosses 25 protruding from a position corresponding to the force sensor unit 10 and brought into close contact with the upper portions of the force sensor units 10 and a plurality of spacers 25 protruding from both sides of the switch bosses 25, (21) formed on the upper surface of the rows of the force sensor parts (10), the insulating panel (21) And a metal panel (7) mounted on the upper part of the insulating panel (21).

Description

METAL TOUCH SWITCH ASSEMBLY ADAPTED CAPACITIVE FORCE SENSOR Technical Field [1] The present invention relates to a metal touch switch assembly using a capacitive force sensor,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a metal touch switch assembly using a capacitive force sensor, and more particularly, to a metal touch switch assembly using a capacitive force sensor and a metal touch panel, The present invention relates to a metal touch switch assembly to which a capacitive force sensor having a structure is applied.

A metal touch switch assembly to which a capacitive force sensor is applied is applied to a function key panel panel of a notebook or a function key panel mounted on a front panel of a vehicle due to aesthetic effect due to metallic luster and high hygiene.

1 is a view showing a photograph and a switch function of a metal touch switch assembly to which a capacitive force sensor of the related art is applied.

1, a metal touch switch assembly to which a capacitive force sensor according to the related art is applied includes a plurality of capacitance portions 3 formed on an upper surface of a substrate 1 and a plurality of capacitance portions 3, A metal panel 7 such as a stainless steel plate or an aluminum steel plate in which functional icons 6 corresponding to the switching function of the electrostatic capacity unit 3 are embossed or embossed is placed on the upper part of the housing 3.

The metal touch switch assembly to which the capacitive force sensor according to the related art is applied has the structure as shown in the sectional view of the operation of FIG. 1 when the function icon 6 is touched, And the capacitance of the capacitance section 3 is varied, and the control section detects the variable capacitance and operates to output the switching signal.

However, in the case of the metal touch switch assembly using the conventional capacitive force sensor as described above, since the metal panel 7 is pressed and deformed for switching, the pressed part is not completely restored, which causes a malfunction when used for a long time .

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0038479 Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0003874

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the conventional technology, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a capacitive force sensor having a structure that minimizes deterioration of sensitivity over time by allowing a capacitive force sensor and a metal touch panel to remain intact after prolonged use. And a metal touch switch assembly using the same.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a metal touch switch assembly to which a capacitive force sensor is applied,

A substrate 1;

A plurality of force sensor parts 10 mounted on the substrate in a row in a row;

A plurality of switch bosses 25 protruding from a position corresponding to the force sensor unit 10 and brought into close contact with the upper portions of the force sensor units 10 and a plurality of spacers 25 protruding from both sides of the switch bosses 25, (21) formed on the upper surface of the rows of the force sensor parts (10), the insulating panel (21) And

And a metal panel (7) mounted on the upper part of the insulating panel (21).

The force sensor unit (10)

A fixed electrode unit 110;

A variable electrode terminal portion disposed around the fixed electrode portion 110; And

An elastic supporter 133 connected to the variable electrode terminal portion and an elastic supporter 133 are formed to be spaced apart from the fixed electrode portion 110 by a predetermined distance to form an electrostatic capacitance between the fixed electrode portion 110, And a variable electrode unit having a variable electrode 131 that varies according to the capacitance of the variable capacitance electrode and changes the capacitance.

The fixed electrode unit 110 includes:

Shaped fixed electrode 111 having a plurality of cut-out grooves 113 formed in alternate zigzag shapes on both sides for controlling the charge storage surface area according to the capacity size of the stored charge amount, .

The elastic supporter (133)

And may be formed of two or more shapes having a shape that protrudes at equal angular intervals from the variable electrode 131 and then extends along the outer periphery of the variable electrode 131.

The elastic supporter (133)

A restoring step 135 having a step on an extension extending along the outer periphery of the variable electrode 131 and a resilient support 135 protruding from an end side of the elastic supporter 133 and connected to the variable electrode terminal, And a terminal 136 as shown in Fig.

The elastic supporter (133)

And may be formed in two or more shapes in a shape that protrudes radially at an equal interval from the variable electrode 131 and then bends at a right angle to the outer peripheral side of the variable electrode 131.

The variable-

And a rim 137 formed along the circumference of the variable electrode unit so that the ends of the elastic supports 133 are integrally coupled.

The variable-

And an inclined portion 139 formed on the elastic supporters 133 to be inclined downward toward the ends of the elastic supporters 133.

The elastic supporter 133 and the variable electrode 131 are connected to each other,

And can be configured as an integral plate spring.

The force sensor unit (10)

A fixed electrode unit 110, a variable electrode terminal unit disposed on the outer periphery of the fixed electrode unit 110, and a fixed electrode unit 110 mounted on the variable electrode terminal unit, spaced apart from the fixed electrode unit 110 by a predetermined distance, A force sensor 100 having a variable electrode portion which is varied by an external pressure to change the capacitance; And

An upper case 310 having a boss hole 311 formed therein and a boss 320 inserted and coupled to the boss hole 311 and the force sensor 100 are mounted and the boss 320 is connected to the variable electrode units 130, And a case 300 having a lower case 330 to which the upper case 310 is coupled after the upper case 310 is mounted on the upper case 310a and the lower case 330. In this case, .

The force sensor unit 10 includes:

A capacitance unit 210;

A plurality of ground terminal portions that are grounded and disposed around the capacitance portion 210; And

An elastic supporter 133 connected to the ground terminal portions and a resilient supporter 133 are spaced apart from the electrostatic capacitive portion 210 by a predetermined distance to be varied by an external pressure so that the electrostatic capacity of the electrostatic capacitive portion 210 And a variable electrode unit having a variable electrode 131 that changes the capacitance of the capacitive force sensor.

The capacitance unit 210 includes:

An RX electrode 212 and a TX electrode 215 spaced apart from each other by a spacing portion 211 formed in a staggered shape to generate a capacitive portion pattern for controlling the charge storage surface area according to a capacity amount of the stored charge amount, .

The elastic supporter (133)

And may be formed of two or more shapes having a shape that protrudes at equal angular intervals from the variable electrode 131 and then extends along the outer periphery of the variable electrode 131.

The variable-

And an inclined portion 139 formed on the elastic supporters 133 to be inclined downward toward the ends of the elastic supporters 133.

The elastic supporter (133)

A restoring step 235 having a step on an extension extending along the outer circumference of the variable electrode 131 and a resilient step 235 protruding from an end side of the elastic supporter 133 and protruding from the first ground terminal part 220 And an elastic supporter terminal 236 connected thereto.

The elastic supporter (133)

And may be formed in two or more shapes in a shape that protrudes radially at an equal interval from the variable electrode 131 and then bends at a right angle to the outer peripheral side of the variable electrode 131.

The variable-

And a rim 237 formed along the circumference of the variable electrode unit so that the ends of the elastic supports 133 are integrally coupled.

The elastic supporter 133 and the variable electrode 131,

And can be configured as an integral plate spring.

The force sensor unit 10 includes:

A plurality of ground terminal portions that are grounded and are disposed on the outer circumference of the capacitance portion 210 and are connected to the ground terminal portions to be spaced apart from the capacitance portion 210 by a predetermined distance, A force sensor 200 having a variable electrode portion that is varied by the capacitance portion 210 to change the capacitance of the capacitance portion 210; And

An upper case 310 having a boss hole 311 formed therein and a boss 320 inserted and coupled to the boss hole 311 and a boss 320 mounted on the upper surface of the variable electrode unit, And a case 300 having a lower case 330 to which the upper case 310 is coupled after the grounding capacitive force sensor switch 500 is connected to the upper case 310.

The metal touch switch assembly to which the electrostatic capacitive force sensor of the present invention is applied has a structure in which when the metal panel 7 is pressed for switching operation, the self-elastic restoring force of the metal panel 7 and the force sensor unit 10 The elastic restoring force of the variable electrode portion formed by the spring plate acts to improve the efficiency of restoring the metal panel 7 to the original state, thereby providing an effect of performing an accurate switching function when used for a long time.

The metal touch switch assembly to which the capacitive force sensor according to the present invention is applied has the variable electrode 131 of the variable electrode unit and the elastic supporter 133 that supports the variable electrode 131, The elastic support 133 is deformed and the deformation of the variable electrode 131 is minimized and the elastic support 133 provides an elastic force for restoring the position of the variable electrode 131, The shape restoration and positional deformation of the variable electrode 131 does not occur or is minimized even when the variable electrode 131 is used for a long period of time and the accurate sensor function can be continuously performed. Thereby providing an effect of improving the performance of the metal touch switch assembly.

The present invention also provides the effect of eliminating the need for frequent zero point adjustment during long term use of the force sensor unit 10 due to the improvement in the performance of the force sensor unit 10 described above.

1 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a switch function of a metal touch switch assembly to which a conventional capacitive force sensor is applied.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an assembled state of the metal touch switch assembly 30 to which the electrostatic capacitive force sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view of the metal touch switch assembly of FIG.
4 is a configuration diagram of a non-contact capacitive force sensor of the prior art.
5 is a block diagram of a prior art grounded capacitive force sensor.
6 is a configuration diagram of the non-contact capacitive force sensor 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a view showing modified embodiments of the fixed electrode portions 110;
8 is a perspective view of the first variable electrode unit 130. FIG.
9 is a view showing modified embodiments of the variable electrode unit 130. FIG.
10 is a configuration diagram of a grounded capacitive force sensor 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a view showing modified embodiments of the capacitance portions 210. Fig.
12 is an exploded perspective view of a torsionless capacitive force sensor switch 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
13 is a view showing modified embodiments of the second variable electrode unit 130a.
14 is a perspective view of the third variable electrode unit 130b.
15 is an exploded perspective view of a grounded capacitive force sensor switch 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description of the present invention, detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

The embodiments according to the concept of the present invention can be variously modified and can take various forms, so that specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the specification or the application. It is to be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the embodiments according to the concepts of the invention to the specific forms of disclosure, and that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary " is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.

It is to be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, . On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that there are no other elements in between. Other expressions that describe the relationship between components, such as "between" and "between" or "neighboring to" and "directly adjacent to" should be interpreted as well.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, the terms "comprises ", or" having ", or the like, specify that there is a stated feature, number, step, operation, , Steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, as a matter of principle.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an assembled state of the metal touch switch assembly 30 using the capacitive force sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the metal touch switch assembly 30 of FIG.

2 and 3, the metal touch switch assembly 30 includes a substrate 1, a plurality of force sensor portions 10, an insulating panel 21, and a metal panel 7 .

The substrate 1 may be manufactured in the form of a PCB, or may be manufactured in the form of FPCB or the like to reduce thickness and improve usability.

When the function icons 6 of the metal panel 7 are depressed, the plurality of force sensor units 10 are heated in an upper portion of the substrate and the capacitances thereof are varied to switch the switching signals through the electrodes formed on the substrate 1 (See FIG. 5, reference numeral 200 - FIG. 10) or electrostatic capacitive force sensor switch (refer to FIG. 12, reference numeral 500 - FIG.

The insulation panel 21 includes a plurality of switch bosses 25 protruding from positions corresponding to the force sensor unit 10 and closely contacting the upper portions of the force sensor units 10, A plurality of protruding spacers 23 are formed and mounted on top of the rows of the force sensor portions 10. [

The metal panel 7 is a metal plate made of stainless steel or aluminum and is formed in a strip shape having a width capable of covering the heat formed by the plurality of force sensor parts 10, As shown in FIG.

When the position of the function icon 6 of the metal panel 7 is touched, the metal touch switch assembly 30 having the above-described structure is deformed so that the switch boss 25 contacts the force sensor unit 10 The control unit senses a change in capacitance of the force sensor unit 10 through an electrode formed on the substrate 1 and operates to output a switching signal.

When the metal panel 7 is pressed for switching, the metal touch switch assembly 30 for performing the above-described operation is operated by the spring force of the metal panel 7 itself and the spring force of the force sensor unit 10 The elastic restoring force of the first variable electrode unit 130 made of the plate improves the recovery efficiency of the metal panel 7 in the original state. Accordingly, even when the continuous switching function is performed, the deformation of the metal panel 7 can be minimized and the switching function of the metal touch switch assembly 30 can be prevented from deteriorating.

As described above, the force sensor unit 10 may be constituted by a capacitive force sensor 100 (see FIG. 5, refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 10). The capacitive force sensor includes a non-contact capacitive force sensor 100, And a grounded capacitive force sensor (200).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of a general torsional capacitance force sensor, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of a conventional inductive capacitance force sensor.

As shown in FIG. 4, the non-conductive capacitive force sensor of the related art includes a fixed electrode mounted on an insulator substrate and a variable electrode such as a diaphragm as another electrode disposed at a fixed distance from the fixed electrode. That is, in the present invention, the force sensor constituted by forming the electrostatic capacitance without grounding the variable electrode and the fixed electrode is defined as a non-contact capacitive force sensor.

As shown in FIG. 5, the conventional inductive capacitive force sensor includes a capacitance portion mounted on an insulator substrate, and a variable electrode portion having a variable electrode that is grounded and spaced apart from the capacitance portion by a predetermined distance. That is, in the present invention, a force sensor having a structure in which a capacitance for switching a capacitance portion is formed and a variable electrode for varying a capacitance of the capacitance portion is grounded is defined as a grounded capacitance force sensor.

When the variable electrode is deformed by an external pressure, the capacitive force sensor according to the related art having the above-described configuration measures the static pressure and the dynamic pressure according to the variation of the capacitance, or outputs the switching signal corresponding to the static pressure or dynamic pressure .

Compared with general tect switch, it can not perform 0 point adjustment in case of general tect switch with instrument error. Accordingly, the conventional tect switch has a problem of performing an undesired switching operation due to a mechanical error. On the other hand, in the case of the force sensor, when the variable electrode is deformed, the capacitance value at the corresponding position is set to zero, thereby facilitating adjustment of the zero point despite the error of the mechanism, and the sensitivity is remarkably high. Recently, capacitive force sensors have been widely used.

The capacitive force sensor is applied to an electronic device having a force touch function, a pressure sensitive touch panel, a touch jog shuttle for automobile, a metal touch panel switch, etc., so that the variable electrode is varied according to the external pressure, To change the capacitance, to sense the changed capacitance, and to output a pressure signal or a switching signal.

In this case, the variable electrode constituting the above-described capacitive force sensor is repeatedly deformed and then restored by the elastic force. Such restoration by the elastic force prevents the deformable electrode from being completely restored to its original state. Therefore, when the capacitive force sensor is continuously used for a long period of time, the variable electrode is continuously deformed due to accumulation of deformation, so that accurate pressure detection can not be performed. Accordingly, there is a problem that the user is required to perform repetitive zero-point adjustment.

Therefore, the present invention applies the inductive capacitive force sensor and the force sensor switch that can continuously maintain the sensing performance of the force sensor by performing accurate pressure detection while minimizing deformation of the variable electrode even when used for a long time.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the non-conductive capacitive force sensor 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a view showing modified embodiments of the fixed electrode units 110,

6 and 7, the non-contact force sensor 100 includes a fixed electrode unit 110, a variable electrode terminal unit 120, and a structure that is elastically deformed and restored according to an external pressure, And a first variable electrode unit 130 disposed at a predetermined distance from the fixed electrode unit 110 while being connected to the variable electrode terminal unit 120 so as to form an electrostatic capacity with the electrode unit 110, As shown in FIG.

The fixed electrode unit 110 includes a disk-shaped fixed electrode 111 having a fixed electrode pattern having a plurality of cut-out grooves 113 formed in alternate zigzags on both sides.

The cut-off groove 113 increases the surface area of the charge so as to have a capacitance corresponding to the sensitivity requirement of the force sensor, and the number and width of the cut-off groove 113 can be adjusted according to the required capacitance. Accordingly, the fixed electrode unit 110 may be variously modified to have various fixed electrode patterns formed by the incision grooves 113, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first variable electrode unit 130 formed in FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 is a view showing modified embodiments of the first variable electrode unit 130.

8 and 9, the first variable electrode unit 130 includes an elastic support body 133 connected to the variable electrode terminal unit 120 and a variable electrode 131 supported by the elastic support body 133 Shaped leaf spring.

The elastic supporter 133 protrudes at equal angular intervals from the variable electrode 131 and is bent along the outer circumference of the variable electrode 131 to extend And is configured to support the variable electrodes 131 evenly.

The resilient supporter 133 is formed with a restoring step 135 having a step on an extension extending along the outer periphery of the variable electrode 131 in order to improve elastic restoring performance of the variable electrode 131 . An elastic supporter terminal 136 connected to the variable electrode terminal portion 120 may be protruded from the end side of the elastic supporter 133.

The elastic supporter 133 and the variable electrode 131 may be integrally formed with leaf springs having a disk shape.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first variable electrode unit 130 having the above-described configuration is varied so as to have two or more elastic supports 133 formed at equal angular intervals according to the applied pressure range and the required degree of elastic restoring force Or the like. As shown in FIG. 9, the elastic support 133 may not have the restoring step 135.

6, the force sensor 100 having the above-described configuration is integrally formed by printing a fixed electrode portion 110 and a variable electrode terminal portion 120 on a substrate. At this time, the variable electrode terminal portion 120 is formed at an equiangular angle so as to have a position facing the end portion of the elastic supporter 133 along the circumference of the fixed electrode portion 110. The first variable electrode unit 130 is fixed by soldering or the like so that an end portion of the elastic supporter 133 where the elastic supporter terminal 136 is formed is in contact with the variable electrode terminal unit 120, . In this case, the fixed electrode unit 110 and the first variable electrode unit 130 are not grounded, and the fixed electrode unit 110 forms the RX electrode of the capacitor. The first variable electrode unit 130 is connected to the capacitor TX Thereby forming a non-tactile capacitive force sensor 100. The non-tactile capacitive force sensor 100 shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a grounded capacitive force sensor 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating modified embodiments of the capacitance units 210. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the earthing force sensor 200 includes a capacitive part 210, a first ground terminal part 220 to be grounded, and a structure that is elastically deformed and restored according to external pressure And a first variable electrode unit 130 connected to the first ground terminal unit 220 and spaced apart from the capacitance unit 210 by a predetermined distance.

The capacitance unit 210 includes an RX electrode 212 and a TX electrode 215 spaced apart from each other by a spacing unit 211 to form a capacitance. At this time, the spacing portion 211 may be filled with a dielectric or the air layer may function as a dielectric. The spacing portion 211 is formed in a zigzag shape to generate a capacitance portion pattern so as to increase the charge accumulating surface area so as to have an electrostatic capacitance corresponding to the sensitivity sensitivity requirement of the grounding force sensor. The width of the spacing and the number of zigzag patterns may vary depending on the required capacitance. Accordingly, the capacitance unit 210 may be variously modified to have various capacitive portion patterns formed by the spacers 211, as shown in FIG.

The first variable electrode unit 130 constituting the grounding force sensor 200 of FIGS. 10 and 11 may also be modified in various ways to have the same configuration as that of the first variable electrode unit 130 of FIGS. 8 and 9 .

10, the force sensor 200 having the above-described configuration is formed by printing a capacitive portion 210 and a first ground terminal portion 220 on a substrate and pressing the elastic support member 220 of the first variable electrode portion 130 (133) are soldered to the first ground terminal part (220) and integrally mounted on the substrate to form a grounded capacitive force sensor (200).

As described above, the force sensor unit 10 may be constituted by a capacitive force sensor switch 400 (see FIG. 12, refer to FIG. 500). The capacitive force sensor switch may be a non- (400) and a grounded capacitive force sensor switch (500).

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a torsional capacitive force sensor switch 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a view showing a modified embodiment of the second variable electrode unit 130a, FIG. 14 is a cross- And a variable electrode unit 130b.

As shown in FIG. 12, the force sensor switch 400 includes a force sensor 100 and a case 300, which is mounted in the force sensor 100 to perform switching.

The force sensors 100 are connected to the fixed electrode unit 110, the second variable electrode terminal unit 120a and the second variable electrode terminal unit 120 disposed on the outer circumference of the fixed electrode unit 110, 130a, and 130b that are spaced apart from the electrode unit 110 by a predetermined distance and then form an electrostatic capacity and change capacitance by external pressure.

7, the fixed electrode unit 110 is formed with a fixed electrode pattern formed by a plurality of cut-out grooves 113. In addition, when the fixed electrode unit 110 is mounted on the case 300, And an RX terminal 115 connected and connected to the substrate by soldering or the like.

The second variable electrode terminal portion 120a includes a second variable electrode terminal 121a formed in a C shape so as to be disposed on the outer circumference of the fixed electrode portion 110 and a second variable electrode terminal 121a formed in a second A TX terminal 123a protruding from the variable electrode terminal 121a and a second terminal of the second variable electrode terminal 121a such that the fixed electrode part 110 and the variable electrode parts 130, And a receiving portion 122 protruding upward from the end portion. The second variable electrode terminal portion 120a having the above-described structure can be formed by performing casting, press working, or the like with a conductor such as copper.

The variable electrode unit may be composed of the first variable electrode units 130 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 11 and described earlier with reference to FIGS.

13, by forming the through hole 138 by press working or the like so as to have a rim 137 at which the ends of the elastic supporter 133 are supported, 131, an elastic support 133, and a rim 137 may be integrally formed with the second variable electrode unit 130a.

Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the variable electrode unit does not have the rim 137. And the elastic supporting bodies 133 may be composed of a third variable electrode unit 130b having an inclined portion 139 that has a downward inclination toward the end side. In this case, the height of the support protrusion 122 can be reduced by the inclined portion 139, thereby reducing the overall height of the force sensor switch 400, thereby reducing the size of the device in which the force sensor switch 400 is mounted .

The case 300 includes an upper case 310 having a boss hole 311 formed therein, a boss 320 inserted and coupled to the boss hole 311, and a lower case 330 coupled to the upper case 310 .

A coupling portion 313 having a coupling hole 315 formed in the side surface of the upper case 310 extends downward.

The boss 320 is formed in a cylindrical shape in which the outer periphery of the lower end portion is protruded so that the boss hole 311 is caught on the bottom surface of the rim.

The lower case 330 is formed in a box shape in which a force sensor mounting groove 335 to which the force sensor 100 is mounted is formed at a central portion. The upper case 310 is fixed to the lower case 330 by being inserted into the coupling holes 315 of the upper case 310 on both side surfaces of the lower case 330 to which the coupling portion 313 of the upper case 310 is coupled, A coupling jaw 333 is formed. The TX terminal 123a of the second variable electrode terminal part 120a constituting the force sensor 100 and the RX terminal of the fixed electrode part 110 are connected to both sides of the lower case 330 on which the coupling step 333 is not formed, Through holes are formed so as to penetrate through the lower case 330 such that the upper case 115 is exposed to the outside of the lower case 330.

 The force sensor switch 400 having the above-described structure is configured such that the RX terminal 115 and the TX terminal 123 are exposed to the side surface of the lower case 330 in the force sensor mounting groove 335 of the lower case 330, (110) and a variable electrode terminal portion (120) are mounted. At this time, the variable electrode terminal portion 120 is located around the force sensor mounting groove 335, and the fixed electrode portion 110 is located at the center portion of the variable electrode terminal portion 120. The variable electrode units 130, 130a, and 130b are mounted on the force sensor mounting groove 335 by being placed on the variable electrode terminal unit 120. Thereafter, the boss 320 is mounted on the upper surface of the variable electrode units 130, 130a and 130b, and then the upper case 310 is coupled to the lower case 330 to be assembled into the force sensor switch 400 .

15 is an exploded perspective view of a grounded capacitive force sensor switch 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 15, the force sensor switch 500 includes a case 300 in which a grounded force sensor 200 and a force sensor 200 are installed to perform switching.

The grounded force sensors 200 are connected to the capacitive part 210, the second ground terminal part 220a and the second ground terminal part 220a that are grounded and disposed on the outer periphery of the capacitive part 210, And variable electrode units 130, 130a, and 130b which are spaced apart from the capacitance unit 210 by a predetermined distance and then are varied by an external pressure to change the capacitance of the capacitance unit 210.

11, the capacitance unit 210 includes an RX electrode 212 and a TX electrode 215 spaced apart from each other to form a capacitance portion pattern by a plurality of spacers 211, . 15, the capacitive portion 210 of the force sensor switch 500 includes an RX electrode terminal 213 exposed to the outside of the case 300 on the RX electrode 212 The TX electrode 215 and the TX electrode terminal 216 exposed to the outside of the case 300 are formed.

The second ground terminal part 220a is disposed around the outer periphery of the capacitive part 210 in a grounded state and includes a grounding protrusion 230 protruding upward to connect and connect the variable electrode parts 130, And a ground terminal 221 exposed to the outside of the case 220 and grounded.

The second ground terminal portion 220a having the above-described structure may be formed by performing casting, pressing, or the like of a conductive conductor such as copper.

Also, the variable electrode units 130, 130a, and 130b may be applied to the second variable electrode unit 130a and the third variable electrode unit 130b shown in FIG. 13 to FIG.

The case 300 includes an upper case 310 having a boss hole 311 formed therein, a boss 320 inserted and coupled to the boss hole 311, and a lower case 330 coupled to the upper case 310 .

A coupling portion 313 having a coupling hole 315 formed in the side surface of the upper case 310 extends downward.

The boss 320 is formed in a cylindrical shape in which the outer periphery of the lower end portion is protruded so that the boss hole 311 is caught on the bottom surface of the rim.

The lower case 330 is formed in a box shape in which a force sensor mounting groove 335 to which the force sensor 200 is mounted is formed at a central portion. The upper case 310 is fixed to the lower case 330 by being inserted into the coupling holes 315 of the upper case 310 on both side surfaces of the lower case 330 to which the coupling portion 313 of the upper case 310 is coupled, A coupling jaw 333 is formed. The ground terminal 221 of the second ground terminal portion 220a and the RX electrode terminal 212 of the RX electrode 212 constitute the force sensor 200 on both sides of the lower case 330 on which the coupling step 333 is not formed. And a terminal through hole for exposing the TX electrode terminal 216 of the TX electrode 215 to the outside of the case 300 are formed.

The RX electrode terminal 215 and the TX electrode terminal 216 and the ground terminal 221 are connected to the lower case 330 in the force sensor mounting groove 335 of the lower case 330, The capacitance portion 210 and the second ground terminal portion 220a are mounted so as to be exposed to the sides of the first ground terminal portion 220a. At this time, the second ground terminal part 220a is located at the four corners of the force sensor mounting groove 335, and the capacitance part 210 is located at the center of the second ground terminal part 220a. The variable electrode units 230, 230a, and 230b are mounted on the force sensor mounting groove 335 by being placed on the second ground terminal unit 220a. Thereafter, the boss 320 is mounted on the upper surface of the variable electrode units 230, 230a and 230b, and then the upper case 310 is assembled with the lower case 330 to be assembled with the force sensor switch 500 .

The force sensors 100 and 200 and the force sensor switches 400 and 500 having the above-described configuration are connected to the variable electrodes 131 of the variable electrode units 130, 130a and 130b and the elastic supports 133 The elastic support 133 is deformed and the deformation of the variable electrode 131 is minimized. When the elastic support 133 is deformed by the variable electrode 131, And the position restoring performance of the variable electrode 131 is improved. Accordingly, even when the force sensors 100 and 200 having the above-described structure are used for a long time, the shape and deformation of the variable electrode 131 do not occur or are minimized, and the accurate sensor function can be continuously performed. This eliminates the need for frequent adjustment of the zero point when the force sensors 100 and 200 are used for a long period of time.

In addition, the fixed electrode unit and the electrostatic capacity unit have an advantage that they can be easily changed in design so as to have various capacitances by adjusting the number or width of the cutout groove 113 or the spacing unit 211.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims.

1: substrate 3: capacitance part
5: Spacer 6: Function icon
7: metal panel 8: insulated panel
10: Force sensor part 20: Insulation boss part
21: Insulation panel 22: Fixing bracket
23: Insulation spacer 25: Switch boss
100: Non-contact capacitive force sensor
110: fixed electrode part
111: fixed electrode 113: incision groove
115: RX terminal 120: first variable electrode terminal part
120a: second variable electrode terminal portion 121a: second variable electrode terminal
122: Base jaw 123a: TX terminal
130: variable electrode portion
130a: second variable electrode part 130b: third variable electrode part
131: variable electrode 133: elastic support
135: Restoring step 136: Elastic support terminal
137: rim 138: through hole
139:
200: grounding capacitive force sensor 210: capacitance part
211: separation part 212: RX electrode
213: RX electrode terminal 215: TX electrode
216: TX electrode terminal 220: first ground terminal part
220a: second ground terminal part 221: ground terminal
222: Base jaw 300: Case
310: upper case 311: boss hole
313: engaging portion 315: engaging hole
320: Boss 330: Lower case
333: coupling jaw 335: force sensor mounting groove
400: Non-contact force sensor switch
500: Inground force sensor switch

Claims (19)

A substrate 1;
A plurality of force sensor units 10 mounted on the substrate in a row;
A plurality of switch bosses 25 protruding from a position corresponding to the force sensor unit 10 and closely attached to the upper portions of the force sensor units 10 and a plurality of switch bosses 25 protruding from both sides of the switch bosses 25 An insulating panel 21 having spacers 23 formed on the upper surface of the force sensor parts 10 and mounted on the upper part of the rows of the force sensor parts 10; And
And a strip-shaped metal panel (7) integrally mounted on the upper part of the insulating panel (21)
When the function icons 6 of the metal panel 7 are depressed, the force sensor unit 10 outputs a switching signal through an electrode formed on the substrate,
The force sensor unit (10)
A fixed electrode unit 110;
A variable electrode terminal portion disposed around the fixed electrode portion 110; And
An elastic supporter 133 connected to the variable electrode terminal portion and an elastic supporter 133 are formed to be spaced apart from the fixed electrode portion 110 by a predetermined distance to form an electrostatic capacitance between the fixed electrode portion 110, And a variable electrode unit having a variable electrode (131) varying the capacitance by varying the capacitance of the metal touch switch assembly. delete [3] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fixed electrode unit (110)
Shaped fixed electrode 111 having a plurality of cut-out grooves 113 formed in alternate zigzag shapes on both sides for controlling the charge storage surface area according to the capacity size of the stored charge amount, The metal touch switch assembly comprising: [2] The method according to claim 1, wherein the elastic supporter (133)
The metal touch switch assembly has a shape that protrudes at equal angular intervals in the variable electrode (131) and then bends and extends along the outer circumference of the variable electrode (131). [5] The elastic supporting member according to claim 4,
A restoring step 135 having a step on an extension extending along the outer periphery of the variable electrode 131 and a resilient support 135 protruding from an end side of the elastic supporter 133 and connected to the variable electrode terminal, And a terminal (136). [5] The apparatus according to claim 4,
And an inclined portion (139) formed on the elastic supporters (133) and inclined downward toward an end side of the elastic supporters (133). [2] The method according to claim 1, wherein the elastic supporter (133)
The metal touch switch assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the variable electrode (131) has a shape that is protruded radially at an equal interval and then bent at a right angle to the outer peripheral side of the variable electrode (131). [Claim 8] The method of claim 7,
And a rim (137) formed along the circumference of the variable electrode portion so that the ends of the elastic supporters (133) are integrally coupled. [2] The electrostatic actuator according to claim 1, wherein the elastic supporter (133) and the variable electrode (131)
A metal touch switch assembly comprising an integral plate spring. A substrate 1;
A plurality of force sensor units 10 mounted on the substrate in a row;
A plurality of switch bosses 25 protruding from a position corresponding to the force sensor unit 10 and closely attached to the upper portions of the force sensor units 10 and a plurality of switch bosses 25 protruding from both sides of the switch bosses 25 An insulating panel 21 having spacers 23 formed on the upper surface of the force sensor parts 10 and mounted on the upper part of the rows of the force sensor parts 10; And
And a strip-shaped metal panel (7) integrally mounted on the upper part of the insulating panel (21)
When the function icons 6 of the metal panel 7 are depressed, the force sensor unit 10 outputs a switching signal through an electrode formed on the substrate,
The force sensor unit (10)
A fixed electrode unit 110, a variable electrode terminal unit disposed on the outer periphery of the fixed electrode unit 110, and a fixed electrode unit 110 mounted on the variable electrode terminal unit, spaced apart from the fixed electrode unit 110 by a predetermined distance, A force sensor 100 having a variable electrode portion which is varied by an external pressure to change the capacitance; And
An upper case 310 having a boss hole 311 formed therein and a boss 320 inserted and coupled to the boss hole 311 and the force sensor 100 are mounted and the boss 320 is connected to the variable electrode units 130, And a case 300 having a lower case 330 to which the upper case 310 is coupled after the lower case 330 is mounted on the upper surface of the upper case 310. [ Switch assembly. A substrate 1;
A plurality of force sensor units 10 mounted on the substrate in a row;
A plurality of switch bosses 25 protruding from a position corresponding to the force sensor unit 10 and closely attached to the upper portions of the force sensor units 10 and a plurality of switch bosses 25 protruding from both sides of the switch bosses 25 An insulating panel 21 having spacers 23 formed on the upper surface of the force sensor parts 10 and mounted on the upper part of the rows of the force sensor parts 10; And
And a strip-shaped metal panel (7) integrally mounted on the upper part of the insulating panel (21)
When the function icons 6 of the metal panel 7 are depressed, the force sensor unit 10 outputs a switching signal through an electrode formed on the substrate,
The force sensor unit (10)
A capacitance unit 210;
A plurality of ground terminal portions that are grounded and disposed around the capacitance portion 210; And
An elastic supporter 133 connected to the ground terminal portions and a resilient supporter 133 are spaced apart from the electrostatic capacitive portion 210 by a predetermined distance to be varied by an external pressure so that the electrostatic capacity of the electrostatic capacitive portion 210 And a variable electrode unit having a variable electrode (131) for changing the capacitance of the metal touch switch assembly. [Claim 18] The plasma display panel of claim 11,
An RX electrode 212 and a TX electrode 215 spaced apart from each other by a spacing portion 211 formed in a staggered shape to generate a capacitive portion pattern for controlling the charge storage surface area according to a capacity amount of the stored charge amount, The metal touch switch assembly comprising: [Claim 13] The elastic support member according to claim 11,
The metal touch switch assembly has a shape that protrudes at equal angular intervals in the variable electrode (131) and then bends and extends along the outer circumference of the variable electrode (131). [Claim 14] The method of claim 13, wherein the elastic support (133)
A restoring step 135 having a step on an extension extending along the outer periphery of the variable electrode 131 and a resilient supporter protruding from an end side of the elastic supporter 133 and connected to the ground terminal, (136). ≪ / RTI > [Claim 13] The elastic support member according to claim 11,
The metal touch switch assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the variable electrode (131) has a shape that is protruded radially at an equal interval and then bent at a right angle to the outer peripheral side of the variable electrode (131). [16] The apparatus of claim 15,
And a rim (137) formed along the circumference of the variable electrode portion so that the ends of the elastic supporters (133) are integrally coupled. [16] The apparatus of claim 15,
And an inclined portion (139) formed on the elastic supporters (133) and inclined downward toward an end side of the elastic supporters (133). [Claim 13] The method of claim 11, wherein the elastic supporter (133) and the variable electrode (131)
A metal touch switch assembly comprising an integral plate spring. A substrate 1;
A plurality of force sensor units 10 mounted on the substrate in a row;
A plurality of switch bosses 25 protruding from a position corresponding to the force sensor unit 10 and closely attached to the upper portions of the force sensor units 10 and a plurality of switch bosses 25 protruding from both sides of the switch bosses 25 An insulating panel 21 having spacers 23 formed on the upper surface of the force sensor parts 10 and mounted on the upper part of the rows of the force sensor parts 10; And
And a strip-shaped metal panel (7) integrally mounted on the upper part of the insulating panel (21)
When the function icons 6 of the metal panel 7 are depressed, the force sensor unit 10 outputs a switching signal through an electrode formed on the substrate,
The force sensor unit (10)
A plurality of ground terminal portions that are grounded and are disposed on the outer circumference of the capacitance portion 210 and are connected to the ground terminal portions to be spaced apart from the capacitance portion 210 by a predetermined distance, A force sensor 200 having a variable electrode portion that is varied by the capacitance portion 210 to change the capacitance of the capacitance portion 210; And
An upper case 310 having a boss hole 311 formed therein and a boss 320 inserted and coupled to the boss hole 311 and a boss 320 mounted on the upper surface of the variable electrode unit, And a case (300) having a lower case (330) to which the upper case (310) is coupled after the grounding capacitive force sensor switch (500) is coupled.

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