RU2819787C1 - Switch with tactile modes transformation - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: electric switches.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to switches with tactile mode transformation, and can be used in electrical and electronic devices. Switch comprises cover and base. In the cover there are plunger guides, in which the plunger is installed with possibility of vertical movement; cams and hammer pusher are made on the plunger. Base comprises a fixed plate with electric contacts, a spring plate with electric contacts and a probe, a threaded bushing. Key is installed on the plunger. Spring is installed between the plunger and the threaded bushing. When the plunger moves down, one of the plunger cams, interacting with the probe, closes the electric contacts, and the hammer pusher, acting on the hammer, produces a click sound. Tactile sensations produced by the switch depend on the shape of the cams, the stiffness of the spring and the presence of a click when the switch is actuated.

EFFECT: providing the possibility of resetting the issued tactile sensations by turning the plunger with the required cam towards the probe, prescribing or canceling the action of the pusher on the hammer and changing the spring tension without detaching the cover from the base.

3 cl, 17 dwg

Description

In parallel with the development of computer technology, the computer games industry is developing, where the speed of operation of the keyboard switches is an important factor, whereas in the normal input of information using the keyboard on a computer, the speed of operation of the keyboard switches is not critically important. Another important factor, especially when using the keyboard frequently, is the tactile sensation the keyboard user receives.

To meet the needs of keyboard users, switches have been developed that provide different types of tactile sensations.

Many computer users use separate keyboards that differ in tactile sensations for various conditions of entering information into the computer: “typing text” or “high-speed gaming”.

Known in the art is "Low Profile Switch", US patent US 4467160 dated August 21, 1984. This switch provides a relatively short key stroke. The switch operates with hysteresis, which ensures a delay in the actuation of the contacts when the key is pressed and a delay in the opening of the contacts when the key is released.

Initially, the presence of the hysteresis effect was necessary for the correct operation of computers.

To obtain the hysteresis effect, the switch design has a button and a plunger, interlocked with hook levers. The clutch provides a slight play between the button and the plunger.

When you press the switch button, the plunger together with the button begins to move down, while the V-shaped cam surfaces (hereinafter referred to as “probes”) located on the movable contactor first press on the vertical surfaces of the plunger cams, then move to the inclined surfaces of the plunger, after whereupon the plunger “shoots” downward by the amount of the existing play between the button and the plunger, the movable U-shaped contactor tends to straighten, the contacts of the movable contactor close with the contacts of the fixed contactor, and the switch operates. Also, at the moment the plunger “shoots” from the button, a characteristic clicking sound occurs. After releasing the button, the spring returns the button with the plunger to the upper position, while the plunger, acting on the probes with its cams, opens the contacts of the contactors.

To eliminate the clicking effect, the button and plunger are combined into one part, as a result of which there is no “backlash”. No play - no click. In this case, different plunger cam profiles create different tactile sensations.

The switches used in keyboards are divided into types of modes of sensations received by the user:

1. “Linear” - when you press a key, the switch’s operation is not indicated in any way: neither tactile nor clicking.

2. "Tactile" - when you press a key, you feel a short-term increase in resistance on the key, which then decreases, which gives a tactile sensation of the switch operating.

3. “Clicking” - when you press a key, before the switch operates, you feel a short-term increase in resistance and a click occurs.

The disadvantage of this design is that the switch can be manufactured to operate in only one of the available types - there is no possibility to change the type (mode) of the switch without replacing parts in the switch design, such as the button and the plunger.

Another disadvantage is that it is impossible to change the pressing force on the key without replacing the spring.

Another disadvantage is that replacing the spring requires disassembling the switch by separating the cover from the base.

Another disadvantage is the inability to use this switch as an optical switch, where the switch is activated not by closing or opening electrical contacts, but by blocking the light beam between the light beam emitter and the light beam receiver.

Purpose of the invention

1. Creating a switch whose settings include different types of tactile sensations generated, and allowing the user to independently select and set the type of switch based on tactile sensations.

2. Creating a switch with the ability to change the applied force on the key without replacing the spring.

3. Creation of a switch that allows you to replace the spring without separating the cover from the base.

4. Creating a switch with the ability to use it as an optical switch.

To achieve these goals, a switch having a base (25) and a cover (1) is characterized in that the cover contains: a central hole (2), plunger guides (3), a recess for plates (4), a sound plate socket (5) , sound plate retainer (6), hammer access cutout (7), switch illumination window (8), hammer hook (9), cutouts for plunger stops (10), installation tabs (11), locking tabs (12), connecting hooks (13), access windows to the plunger stops (14); plunger (15) inserted with the ribs of the plunger (16) into the guides of the plunger (3), with the possibility of sliding, but without the possibility of axial rotation, key holder (24) protruding outside the cover through the central hole (2), the plunger with its ribs rests on the upper internal plane covers; on the plunger there are plunger cams (17), consisting of a vertical part of the cam (18), an inclined part of the cam (20), and in certain cases, a cavity of the cam (19), also on the plunger there is a hammer pusher (21) having an inclined part pusher (22), in the lower part of the plunger there is a rod (23), and in the upper part there is a key holder (24); a sound spring (37), made in the form of a torsion spring, is installed in the sound spring socket (5); one end of the sound spring looks like a protruding antennae, this antennae is inserted into the sound spring retainer (6), the other end of the sound spring looks like a long antennae, which is a hammer (38), at the base (25) there is a socket for a fixed plate (26) and a socket spring plate (28) in which a fixed plate (45) and a spring plate (46) are respectively installed, with electrical contacts (47) and current-carrying leads (49) on them, while the probe (48) located on the spring plate rests against the plunger cam (17), the plate leads are brought out respectively through the stationary plate lead hole (27) and the spring plate lead hole (29); also on the base (25) there is a sound spring holder (30), an oblique hammer guide (31), a switch illumination window (8) in which, if necessary, an LED can be installed; guides of the plunger stops (32), clamps of the plunger stops (33), a threaded hole (34) into which a threaded bushing (39) is screwed, having a thrust plane (40) and slots (41), a spring is installed between the thrust plane (40) and the plunger ( 36), which holds the plunger (15) in the upper position; through the cutouts for the stops (10) between the guides of the plunger stops (32) the plunger stops (42) are installed, on which there are stop holes (43) and a stop fixing hole (44), in the “working position” the plunger stops are installed with a stop fixing hole (44) on the plunger stop latches (33), as a result of which, during operation of the switch, the plunger in the lower position rests against the plunger stops (42), if the plunger stops are extended and installed by the plunger stop holes (43) on the plunger stop latches (33), then this is the “mode resetting the switch type", i.e. in this case, the plunger can lower to the base (25), due to which it completely comes out of the plunger guides (3), after which the plunger can rotate around its axis, because the height of the plunger is slightly less than the distance from the bottom of the plunger guides (3) to the base (25); the cover (1) is connected to the base (25) by connecting hooks (13) through the grooves for connecting hooks (35), a key (50) is installed on the key holder (24), and the connection of the key holder to the key is made in such a way that the key is on After resetting the switch type, the key holder can always be installed in the “correct” (the image on the key is located upside down) position to the operator, regardless of the selected and installed switch mode.

The threaded bushing (39), which can be screwed into and out of the base (25), makes it possible to increase or decrease the force required when pressing the key. When the sleeve is twisted, the spring is compressed, increasing the force required when pressing the key, and when the sleeve is unscrewed, the spring has less compression, which reduces the force required when pressing the key.

The ability to completely unscrew the threaded bushing (39) from the base (25) makes it possible to remove and insert the spring (36) without separating the cover (1) from the base (25)

The cover has mounting tabs and locking tabs. The switch is installed in the hole on the dashboard until it touches the mounting lugs and is held in place by the locking lugs.

When using this switch in optical switch mode, when you press the key (50), the rod (23) moves down, through the through hole in the threaded bushing, the rod comes out and blocks the beam coming from the source of the light beam (51) to the receiver of the light beam (52) , the keyboard controller reads the change in the light flux and the switch is triggered, while the switch fully retains the ability to select and reconfigure the tactile modes of the switch.

The invention is illustrated by drawings.

FIG. 1. Shown is an expanded view of the parts used in the switch. The cover and key are shown in partial section.

FIG. 2. An expanded view of the parts used in the switch is shown. The cover and key are shown in partial section.

FIG. 3. Section A-A is shown.

FIG. 4. Top view shown. Key (50) is not shown. One of the two plunger stops (42) is shown extended to the "switch mode change" position.

FIG. 5. Section B-B is shown.

FIG. 6. Section B-B is shown. One of the two plunger stops (42) is shown extended to the "switch mode change" position. The lower part of the drawing shows the possibility of using a tactile mode switch as an optical switch.

FIG. 7. Section E-E is shown.

FIG. 8. Shown is a view from the bottom of the cover (1) with a plunger (15) and a sound spring (37) with a hammer (38) installed in it. The dashed lines show the hammer installed in the hammer hook (9).

FIG. 9. Plunger shown.

FIG. 10. Plunger shown (top view).

FIG. 11. The plunger is shown (section G-G).

FIG. 12. The plunger is shown (section D-D).

FIG. 13. Base (25) shown.

FIG. 14. Fixed plate shown.

FIG. 15. Spring plate shown.

FIG. 16. Shown is a sonic spring with a hammer.

FIG. 17. The plunger stop is shown (top view and cross-sectional side view).

Operating principle of the proposed switch

Switch operation in "tactile-click" mode

The plunger (15), held by the spring (35), is in the upper position, the probe (48) of the spring plate (46) rests against the vertical part of the cam of the plunger (18), therefore the electrical contacts of the fixed plate and the spring plate are open when the key is pressed ( 50) the plunger begins to move down, the probe enters the cavity of the plunger cam (19), when the probe leaves the cam cavity, the resistance to the movement of the plunger increases, and after the probe leaves the cam cavity and the probe moves along the inclined part of the cam (20), the resistance to the movement of the plunger falls, the user’s finger on the key (50) tactilely feels this as the “activation” of the switch, while the probe, moving along the inclined part of the switch cam (20), brings the electrical contact of the spring plate closer to the electrical contact of the fixed plate, after which the electrical contacts close and actual operation occurs switch. On the plunger, on the opposite side of the cam relative to the axial one, there is a hammer pusher (21), therefore, when the plunger moves down, the hammer pusher begins to lower the hammer down, while the hammer slides along the oblique guide of the hammer (31), as a result of which the hammer moves away from the plunger and tensions the sound spring (37), the hammer, moving away from the plunger, reaches the outer edge of the hammer pusher, after which it is released from the influence of the hammer pusher on it, after which the tensioned sound spring returns the hammer to the upper starting position, while the hammer hits the cover body, which is felt (heard) like a click. At this time, the plunger, going down, rests against the stops of the plunger, after which the key is released, the plunger, under the influence of the spring, returns to the upper position, while the cam, acting on the probe, moves the electrical contacts of the spring plate away from the electrical contacts of the stationary plate and the electrical contacts open; at the same time, the plunger, moving upward, influences the inclined part of the pusher (22) on the hammer and moves the hammer to the side, the hammer pulls the sound spring, and when the hammer reaches the end of the inclined part of the hammer pusher, the hammer is released from the influence of the hammer pusher, and the tensioned sound spring returns the hammer to its initial position, while the hammer also hits the body of the lid, producing a clicking sound. What makes the switch operation audible and tactile.

A sewing needle type tool is used to disable the clicking effect on the switch. Using a needle, through the cutout for access to the hammer (7), the hammer is moved away from the plunger to the hammer hook (9) located inside the cover (1), while the sound spring is tensioned, so the hammer, creating pressure, is held in the hammer hook.

To activate the clicking effect, a tool such as a sewing needle is used to push the hammer down, the hammer disengages from the hammer hook, and under the influence of a tensioned sound spring moves to the initial working position.

Switch operation in "tactile" mode

The hammer is installed in the hammer hook (9) and in this mode does not participate in the operation of the switch. All other actions of the switch elements are the same as when operating in the “tactile-clicking” mode. Which makes the operation of the switch perceptible only tactilely.

Switch operation in "linear" mode

The plunger (15) is installed so that the plunger cam (17), interacting with the probe (48) in its profile, does not have a cam cavity element (19). The absence of a cam depression (19) in the trajectory of interaction between the cam and the probe eliminates the appearance of a short-term increase in resistance when pressing a key, which makes the moment the switch operates tactilely invisible.

All other actions of the switch elements are the same as when the switch is operating in the “tactile” mode.

The process of changing tactile modes on the switch

First, the key (50) is removed from the key holder (24), then, using a tool like a sewing needle, inserting the tip through the windows to access the plunger stops (14) into the stop holes (43), we push the plunger stops away from the central axis until the stop holes hit the latches plunger stops (33), this makes it possible to lower the plunger to the base (25), then, by pressing the key holder, lower the plunger to the base (25), while the plunger disengages with the plunger guides (3), after which, holding the plunger in the lower position, turn the plunger 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the setting of the required mode, then release the key holder, the plunger, under the influence of the spring, moves to the upper position, using a needle through the access windows to the plunger stops, move both stops the plunger towards the central axial direction (to the working position) until the locking holes of the stop (44) coincide with the locking stops of the plunger (33).

To change the required pressing force on the key, we screw in or unscrew the threaded bushing, thereby changing the degree of compression of the spring, which ultimately changes the pressing force on the key.

To remove and replace the spring, the threaded bushing is completely unscrewed from the base, which makes it possible to remove and install the spring.

Technical result

This invention allows you to independently reset the tactile sensations produced by the switch, assign and cancel the presence of a click when triggered, change the force required when pressing a key, remove the spring without disconnecting the cover from the base, and use the switch as an optical switch.

Claims (3)

1. A switch having a base and a cover, characterized in that the cover contains: a central hole, plunger guides having a length of half the distance from the inner upper plane of the cover to the base, a recess for plates, a sound spring socket, a sound spring retainer, a cutout for access to the hammer, switch illumination window, hammer hook, cutouts for the plunger stops, installation lugs, fixing lugs, connecting hooks for fastening the cover to the base, access windows to the plunger stops, a plunger installed with the ribs of the plunger in the plunger guides with the ability to slide along the plunger guides, but without the possibility of axial rotation; on the upper side of the plunger there is a key holder that fits into the central hole, while the upper ends of the ribs of the plunger rest against the upper inner plane of the cover; at least two plunger cams are made on the plunger, consisting of a vertical part of the cam, an inclined part of the cam, and at least one cam has a cam cavity; a hammer pusher is made on the plunger, having an inclined part of the pusher; there is a rod at the bottom of the plunger; a sound spring, made in the form of a torsion spring, is installed in the sound spring socket, one end of the sound spring has the form of a protruding antennae, installed in the sound spring retainer, the other end of the sound spring has the form of a long antennae, which is a hammer; the base has a fixed plate socket and a spring plate socket, in which a fixed plate having at least one electrical contact and a spring plate having a U-shape, on which there is a probe for interacting with the plunger cam and at least one electrical contact, are respectively installed ; the fixed and spring plates have conductive leads extending to the outside through the output hole of the fixed plate and the hole of the spring plate, respectively, made in the base; a sound spring holder holding the sound spring in the sound spring socket, an oblique hammer guide for retracting the hammer away from the central axial when the hammer pusher acts on the hammer during the downward movement of the plunger, an inclined part of the pusher acting on the hammer during the upward movement of the plunger to retract the hammer to the side of the plunger, a switch illumination window, in which an LED can be installed if necessary; guides of the plunger stops, clamps of the plunger stops, a threaded hole into which a threaded sleeve is screwed, having a thrust plane and slots, a spring is installed between the thrust plane of the threaded sleeve and the plunger to return the plunger to the upper position after stopping the action on the key, the plunger stops are installed through cutouts for stops in the space between the guides of the plunger stops; stop holes and fixing holes of the stops are made in the plunger stops; the plunger stops in the “working position” are installed by the stop fixing holes on the plunger stop stops provided on the base; in the “operating mode” the plunger in the lower position rests against the plunger stops, which makes it impossible for the plunger ribs to fully exit the plunger guides; if it is necessary to reconfigure to another tactile mode, the plunger stops are moved away from the central axial and are fixed by the stop holes on the plunger stop latches, after which it becomes possible to lower the plunger to the base, the plunger, lowered down to the base, completely comes out with the ribs of the plunger from the plunger guides, which makes it is possible to rotate the plunger around its axis; by rotating 90 degrees, the plunger is oriented with the required cam towards the probe so that after the key is released, the plunger rises upward under the influence of the spring and enters with the ribs of the plunger into the plunger guides, and the cam interacts with the probe , after which the stops are moved to the “working position” and fixed with fixing holes on the plunger stop latches; a key mounted on a key holder, wherein the connection of the key to the key holder is made in such a way that the key on the key holder can be installed in the "up" position relative to the viewer of the key, regardless of which "tactile" mode the plunger is rotated and installed ; a threaded bushing that can be screwed into the base and unscrewed from the base makes it possible to increase and decrease the force required when pressing a key; when the bushing is twisted, the spring is compressed, increasing the force required when pressing the key, and when the bushing is unscrewed, the spring reduces the compression, which reduces the required force when pressing a key; The threaded sleeve can be completely unscrewed from the base, which makes it possible to remove and insert the spring without disconnecting the cover from the base. 2. The switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the switch can be used as an optical switch, i.e. when the operation occurs due to the blocking of the light beam coming from the light beam emitter to the light beam receiver, for this purpose the rod is designed in such a way that when the key is pressed, the rod, going down, comes out through the through hole in the threaded bushing and blocks the light beam between the beam emitter and the beam receiver, which causes the switch to operate, while the switch fully retains the ability to select and reconfigure the tactile modes of the switch. 3. Switch according to paragraphs. 1 and 2, characterized in that a plunger cam is made on the plunger instead of a hammer pusher, and all plunger cams can combine a combination of a vertical part of the cam and an inclined part of the cam; and the cavity of the cam, while the dimensions of the parts of different cams may differ from each other.