US3750062A - Thin-type switchboard - Google Patents

Thin-type switchboard Download PDF

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Publication number
US3750062A
US3750062A US00171870A US3750062DA US3750062A US 3750062 A US3750062 A US 3750062A US 00171870 A US00171870 A US 00171870A US 3750062D A US3750062D A US 3750062DA US 3750062 A US3750062 A US 3750062A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
reed switches
permanent magnet
operating surface
reed
switchboard
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00171870A
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English (en)
Inventor
M Goto
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Suwa Seikosha KK
Original Assignee
Suwa Seikosha KK
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Suwa Seikosha KK filed Critical Suwa Seikosha KK
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3750062A publication Critical patent/US3750062A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H36/00—Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding
    • H01H36/0006—Permanent magnet actuating reed switches
    • H01H36/0066—Permanent magnet actuating reed switches magnet being removable, e.g. part of key pencil
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/001—Electromechanical switches for setting or display
    • G04C3/004—Magnetically controlled
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06C—DIGITAL COMPUTERS IN WHICH ALL THE COMPUTATION IS EFFECTED MECHANICALLY
    • G06C11/00—Output mechanisms
    • G06C11/02—Output mechanisms with visual indication, e.g. counter drum
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06C—DIGITAL COMPUTERS IN WHICH ALL THE COMPUTATION IS EFFECTED MECHANICALLY
    • G06C7/00—Input mechanisms
    • G06C7/02—Keyboards
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
    • G09G3/04—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of a single character by selection from a plurality of characters, or by composing the character by combination of individual elements, e.g. segments using a combination of such display devices for composing words, rows or the like, in a frame with fixed character positions
    • G09G3/16—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of a single character by selection from a plurality of characters, or by composing the character by combination of individual elements, e.g. segments using a combination of such display devices for composing words, rows or the like, in a frame with fixed character positions by control of light from an independent source
    • G09G3/18—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of a single character by selection from a plurality of characters, or by composing the character by combination of individual elements, e.g. segments using a combination of such display devices for composing words, rows or the like, in a frame with fixed character positions by control of light from an independent source using liquid crystals

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A thin-type switchboard having a plurality of reed switches each of which is adapted to be operated when subjected to a magnetic field, said reed switches being disposed substantially in a single plane beneath an operating surface.
  • a separate manually positionable permanent magnet operates selected ones of said reed switches when positioned in registration therewith adjacent said operating surface.
  • FIG. 2 1 Claim, 9 Drawing Figures WEE/1 PAIENIED JUL3 1 ma samaora FIG. 2
  • This invention relates to switchboards, and in particular, to switchboards incorporating reed switches which are adapted for operation in the presence of a magnetic field.
  • Various electronic devices including portable computers, utilize such switchboards, but the prior art arrangements have all occupied substantial volumes of space, serving to limit the size of the portable devices. In the past, this was not a problem since the other components also required large volumes. of space, and true miniaturization was not possible.
  • the electronic circuitry which formerly occupied a large portion of the space has been markedly miniaturized, so that the proportion of space occupied by the batteries and switchboard have been increased, presenting a bottleneck to further miniaturization.
  • the space occupied by the switchboard is markedly reduced, so that the switchboard occupies only a small portion of the space in the device in which it is incorporated, such as a portable computer.
  • case means having an operating surface, said reed switches being positioned in an array adjacent one side of said operating surface; and a manually positionable permanent magnet means adapted to operate selected ones of said reed switches when manually positioned adjacent the other side of said operating surface in registration with said one of said reed switches.
  • Indicia may be positioned on said other side of said operating surface to provide an identification of the position and function of each reed switch in said array.
  • Said other side of said operating surface may be defined by an elastic substance, said reed switches being positioned relative to said operating surface so that said permanent magnet means effects operation of selected ones of said reed switches'when engaged against said elastic substance.
  • Recesses may be formed in said other side of said operating surface in registration with said reed switches and dimensioned for orienting said permanent magnet means to effect operation of said reed switches.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a thintype switchboard which may be selectively operated by a single permanent manget, and which requires the operator to push to effect operation of a particular lead switch.
  • FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d show four arrangements by which a reed switch may be operated by a permanent magnet to effect switching;
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views showing two embodiments of the prior art switchboards incorporating reed switches
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view with portions broken away of the switchboard according to the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view with portions broken away showing the operation of the switchboard according to the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the switchboard according to the invention.
  • a permanent magnet 1 may be utilized to displace a reed 2 of reed switch 3 to operate said lead switch.
  • the axis of the poles of permanent magnet l is-brought into a parallel relation with lead 2 as it approaches reed switch 3.
  • the reed of the reed switch which are normally separated, are brought into contact by the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to establish a conduction state.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 show two prior art switchboard constructions utilizing the reed switch of FIG. 1.
  • the permanent magnet l is mounted on a pin 5, which in turn is mounted in a case 6.
  • The'pin 5 is manipulated by pushing a knob 4 to selectively bring permanent magnet 1 near reed switch 3 to operate said reed switch.
  • a spring 7 is provided on the lower part of pin 5 for restoring pin 5 to its initial position after the knob 4 is released, to separate the permanent magnet from the lead reed switch to turn the reed switch off.
  • the reed switch 3 is oriented parallel to pin 5, while in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the reed switch is oriented normal thereto.
  • a thin-type switchboard cannot be produced, since several centimeters are required for the region from the upper part of knob 4 to the lower part of case 6, and in particular, to permit the traversing of pin 5 to bring the permanent magnet into registration with the reed switch.
  • the prior art construction offered substantial disadvantages when applied to miniaturized electronic devices.
  • the reed switches switchboard of FIG. 4 may be operated by a permanent magnet mounted by a loop or ring on the finger of an operator.
  • the permanent magnet mounted by a loop or ring on the finger of an operator.
  • the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet will serve to operate that particular reed switch 3.
  • selected ones of the reed switches corresponding to the indicia on the outer side of the operating surface will be selectively operated.
  • the outer side of said operating surface is provided with a guide frame 9 having a-plurality of recesses therein in registration with each of the reed switches and dimensioned to receive the permanent magnet in the proper orientation to insure that the direction of the magnetic field is such as to actuate the switch.
  • the bottom of each of the recesses would be provided with the above-mentioned numbers, letters, signs or other indicia.
  • the contact action may become unstable
  • the normal operation of pushing usually required in operating a conventional switchboard will not be required.
  • the foregoing difficulty can be avoided by forming the upper portion of said operating surface from an elastic substance such as rubber, plastic, cloth and the like.
  • the thickness of such substance can be selected such that switching does not occur when the permanent magnet first contacts said elastic substance, but rather, will occur only when said permanent magnet is engaged against and pushed into said surface. This provides a steady switching operation and a feeling of completion of switching, which is deemed preferrable from the viewpoint of human engineering.
  • the switching method according to the invention requires merely that said permanent magnet be selectively and manually brought into registration with the selected reed switch.
  • said permanent magnet may be grasped by the fingers of the user, or attached to the end of a pencil, pen or other rod adapted for the manual positioning of the permanent magnet.
  • the thickness of the switchboard according to the invention is substantially determined by the diameter of the reed switch, thereby permitting the provision of a switchboard substantially thinner than those available in the prior art.
  • the permanent magnet may be made of rare earth elements such assamarium and a magnetic intermetallic compound which includes at least one of the group consisting of Co, Fe and Mn.
  • the energy product (Bl-l maximum) of said magnet should exceed 4 X gauss oersted.
  • the switchboard according to the invention occupies a minimal proportion of the volume of the electronic device in which it is incorporated, and contributes substantially to the miniaturization of such devices, and in particular, to the provision of miniaturized portable computers. Further, the structure of the switchboard according to the invention is substantially simplified as compared to the conventional switchboard. Still further, the prior art switchboards require one permanent magnet for each reed switch, while the arrangement according to the invention utilizes only a single permanent magnet to effect switching of all of .the reed switches, thereby resulting in a substantial reduction in construction cost.
  • a thin-type switchboard comprising a plurality of reed switches operable; in response to a magnetic field; case means having an operating surface, said reed I switches being positioned in an array adjacent one side of said operating surface; and a manually positionable permanent magnetmeans adapted to operate selected ones of said reed switches when manually positioned adjacent the other side of said operating surface in registration with said one of said reed switches, said permanent magnet means being selectively manually positionable adjacent each'of said reed switches to operate Y lected ones of said reed switches only when engaged against said contact surface and pushed into said elastic substance at a point in registrationwith said reed switch.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Computing Systems (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Switches That Are Operated By Magnetic Or Electric Fields (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
US00171870A 1970-08-17 1971-08-16 Thin-type switchboard Expired - Lifetime US3750062A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP45071597A JPS5014344B1 (it) 1970-08-17 1970-08-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3750062A true US3750062A (en) 1973-07-31

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ID=13465215

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00171870A Expired - Lifetime US3750062A (en) 1970-08-17 1971-08-16 Thin-type switchboard

Country Status (2)

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US (1) US3750062A (it)
JP (1) JPS5014344B1 (it)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3854131A (en) * 1973-04-23 1974-12-10 D Lamers Auto-monitoring communication devices for handicapped persons
JPS5064776A (it) * 1973-10-09 1975-06-02
US3963906A (en) * 1970-11-17 1976-06-15 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Compact electronic calculator
US4105885A (en) * 1976-06-22 1978-08-08 Consumer Concepts, Inc. Hand operated instruments having non-magnetic safety switch
US4258346A (en) * 1979-02-09 1981-03-24 Williams Roger W Magnetically actuated digital switch
US5063478A (en) * 1988-06-03 1991-11-05 Bernard Danglot Electrical or electronic control key pad
WO1995014438A1 (en) * 1993-11-25 1995-06-01 Gideon Raphael Tock Magnetic induction digital control device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS54147147U (it) * 1978-04-04 1979-10-13

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2546647A (en) * 1946-08-01 1951-03-27 Automatic Elect Lab Magnet operated sealed switchboard
US3506939A (en) * 1966-02-04 1970-04-14 Bosch Gmbh Robert Magnet operated program device
US3571544A (en) * 1968-10-21 1971-03-23 Hilary William Sheehan Magnetic key operated switch for electrically operated hand tools

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2546647A (en) * 1946-08-01 1951-03-27 Automatic Elect Lab Magnet operated sealed switchboard
US3506939A (en) * 1966-02-04 1970-04-14 Bosch Gmbh Robert Magnet operated program device
US3571544A (en) * 1968-10-21 1971-03-23 Hilary William Sheehan Magnetic key operated switch for electrically operated hand tools

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3963906A (en) * 1970-11-17 1976-06-15 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Compact electronic calculator
US3854131A (en) * 1973-04-23 1974-12-10 D Lamers Auto-monitoring communication devices for handicapped persons
JPS5064776A (it) * 1973-10-09 1975-06-02
US4105885A (en) * 1976-06-22 1978-08-08 Consumer Concepts, Inc. Hand operated instruments having non-magnetic safety switch
US4258346A (en) * 1979-02-09 1981-03-24 Williams Roger W Magnetically actuated digital switch
US5063478A (en) * 1988-06-03 1991-11-05 Bernard Danglot Electrical or electronic control key pad
WO1995014438A1 (en) * 1993-11-25 1995-06-01 Gideon Raphael Tock Magnetic induction digital control device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5014344B1 (it) 1975-05-27

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