Switch and operation device

Provided are a switch and an operation device which can expand the application range of switches using magnets, etc. A switch incorporated in an operation device includes a movable member with a first end side fixed and a second end side swinging when receiving a pressing, and a pressing member which presses the movable member, and further includes a permanent magnet (magnet) on the tip of the movable member, and a magnetic field detection part which detects a magnetic field. In response to an operation on the operation device, the pressing member of the switch presses the movable member downward. The magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet (magnet) and detected by the magnetic field detection part changes due to the pressing of the pressing member, and the switch outputs a signal based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Japan application serial no. 2019-090926, filed on May 13, 2019. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The disclosure relates to a switch which includes a movable member and a pressing member for pressing the movable member, and which outputs a signal based on the swing of the movable member due to the pressing by the pressing member, and to an operation device using the switch.

Description of Related Art

An operation device such as a mouse provided with a switch such as a microswitch has become popular as an input device for an electronic device such as a computer. Switches such as microswitches include contacts for turning on and off circuits, but recently, switches without physical contacts for turning on and off circuits have become popular. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a switch which turns on and off a circuit with a photoelectric contact using a photosensor and which generates a click feeling by the magnetic force of a permanent magnet.

RELATED ART

Patent Document

[Patent Document 1] The Specification of Chinese Patent Publication No. 106648177

SUMMARY

There is a high expectation for further development of switches without physical contacts, and for example, various applications are being studied for switches using magnets.

The disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and the disclosure mainly provides a switch which can expand the application range of switches using magnets by turning on and off a circuit based on a detection result of the magnetic field caused by the magnet.

The disclosure further provides an operation device using the switch.

In view of the above issues, a switch according to the disclosure includes a movable member in which a first end side is fixed and a second end side swings when receiving a pressing; a pressing member which presses the movable member, wherein the switch outputs a signal based on a swing of the movable member caused by a pressing by the pressing member; a magnet; and a magnetic field detection part which detects a magnetic field, wherein a magnetic field generated by the magnet and detected by the magnetic field detection part is changed due to the pressing of the pressing member, and a signal is output based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part.

Further, in the above switch, the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part changes as the magnet operates with respect to the magnetic field detection part due to the swing of the movable member caused by the pressing of the pressing member.

Further, in the above switch, the magnet is located on the second end side of the movable member.

Further, in the above switch, the magnet is attached to the second end side of the movable member.

Further, in the above switch, the movable member is formed by a metal material, and the magnet is the second end side that has been magnetized.

Further, in the above switch, the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part changes as the magnet located on the second end side operates to approach or move away from the magnetic field detection part due to the swing of the movable member.

Further, in the above switch, the second end side of the movable member is bent toward the magnetic field detection part, and the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part changes as the magnet located on the second end side of the movable member operates to approach the magnetic field detection part in a bending direction due to the swing of the movable member.

Further, in the above switch, the second end side of the movable member is bent toward the magnetic field detection part, and the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part changes as the magnet located on the second end side of the movable member performs an operation including a component of moving in a direction substantially orthogonal to a bending direction due to the swing of the movable member.

Further, the above switch further includes a pusher which moves in response to a pressing of the movable member, wherein the movable member is configured to press the pusher by swinging, the pusher is configured to press the magnet by movement caused by a pressing, and the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part changes as the magnet operates in response to a pressing.

Further, in the above switch, the pusher is configured to move toward the magnetic field detection part by the pressing of the movable member, and the pusher is configured to press the magnet in a direction different from a movement direction.

Further, the above switch further includes a connection member magnetically connectable to two poles of the magnet, wherein the magnet and the connection member are disposed in a way in which one of the magnet and the connection member is movable toward and away from the other, and the magnetic field generated by the magnet is detectable by the magnetic field detection part in a case where the magnet and the connection member move away from each other, and the pusher is configured to move in a way in which one of the magnet and the connection member is magnetically connected to or separated from the other due to the pressing of the movable member.

Further, in the above switch, the magnetic field detection part detects a change in a direction of the magnetic field.

Further, the above switch further includes an attraction member which attracts the movable member in a direction opposite to the pressing of the pressing member by being attracted to the magnet located on the second end side of the movable member by a magnetic force.

Further, in the above switch, the magnet is attached to the pressing member, and the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part changes as the magnet operates with respect to the magnetic field detection part due to a movement of the pressing member to press the movable member.

Further, in the above switch, the magnet and the magnetic field detection part are disposed to face each other, the movable member has a shielding part located between the magnet and the magnetic field detection part on the second end side, and the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part changes due to an operation of shielding or transmitting the magnetic field that reaches the magnetic field detection part from the magnet due to the swing of the movable member caused by the pressing of the pressing member.

Further, in the above switch, the shielding part is formed by a paramagnetic material or a ferromagnetic material.

Further, an operation device according to the disclosure includes a pressing operation part which receives a pressing operation from outside; and the switch as described above, wherein the pressing operation received by the pressing operation part is transmitted as a pressing from the outside, wherein a signal is output based on a change in the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part.

The switch and the operation device according to the disclosure include a magnet and a magnetic field detection part, and output a signal based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part.

A switch and an operation device according to the disclosure include a magnetic field detection part and output a signal based on the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part. The use of the magnetic field detection part provides good effects such as the possibility of expanding the application range of switches and operation devices using magnets. For example, when the switch and the operation device are configured to turn on and off a circuit and to generate a click feeling by a magnet, as compared with a switch that turns on and off the circuit with a photoelectric contact and that generates a click feeling by the magnetic force of a permanent magnet, good effects such as suppression of increase in manufacturing costs can be expected.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Application Example

The operation device according to the disclosure is used, for example, as an operation device such as a mouse used for operating a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC). In addition, the switch according to the disclosure is used as a microswitch in devices such as various electronic machines including an operation device. Hereinafter, an operation device1and a switch2illustrated in the drawings will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the operation device1will be described.FIG. 1is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the operation device1according to the disclosure.FIG. 1shows an example in which the operation device1according to the disclosure is applied to a mouse used for operating an electronic machine such as a PC. The operation device1includes a pressing operation part10such as a mouse button that receives an operation of pressing by a finger of a user, and a rotation operation part11such as a mouse wheel that receives an operation of rotating by a finger of the user. The rotation operation part11is configured to receive not only a rotation operation but also a pressing operation, and also functions as the pressing operation part10. Further, the operation device1is connected to a signal line12that outputs an electric signal to an external machine such as a PC. In addition, the operation device1is not limited to using wired communication through the signal line12, and can output an electric signal by various communication methods such as wireless communication.

The switch2(to be described later) is accommodated in the operation device1for each of the pressing operation part10and the rotation operation part11. When a pressing operation is performed on the pressing operation part10, a part inside the pressing operation part10presses the corresponding switch2. The switch2outputs a signal based on the pressing state through the signal line12to an external electronic machine such as a PC.

That is, the operation device1according to the disclosure includes the pressing operation part10that receives a pressing operation from the outside, and the rotation operation part11that receives an operation such as a rotation operation, and further includes the switch2inside. Further, the operation device1transmits the pressing operation received by the pressing operation part10and/or the rotation operation part11to the switch2as a pressing from the outside, and outputs a signal based on the operation of the switch2to an external electronic machine.

Next, the switch2accommodated in the operation device1will be described. The switch2included in the operation device1according to the disclosure can be realized in various forms. Here, for example, the first embodiment to the tenth embodiment will be described.

First Embodiment

FIG. 2is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the switch2according to the disclosure. In addition, in the disclosure, the directions of the switch2, with reference toFIG. 2, are expressed by the following: the left front side is front, the right rear side is rear, the upper side is up, the lower side is down, the left rear side is left, and the right front side is right. However, these directions are for convenience of description, and do not limit the mounting direction of the switch2. As described above, the switch2is accommodated as a microswitch inside an electronic machine such as the operation device1and receives a pressing operation received by parts such as the pressing operation part10of the operation device1as a pressing from the outside.

The switch2is fixed on a substrate3on which electronic components such as various circuits, wirings, and elements are mounted. The switch2includes a housing20having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing20is formed by a base20ain the lower part and a cover20bin the upper part. An insertion hole200in a rectangular shape through which a pressing member21is inserted is formed on the upper surface of the housing20at a position on the right side from the center when viewed from the front. The pressing member21inserted into the insertion hole200is a member that moves up and down in response to a pressing from the outside of the housing20, and the upper end of the pressing member21protrudes from the upper surface of the housing20.

In the switch2formed in this way, a pressing operation from the outside received by the operation device1is transmitted to the pressing member21as a pressing from the outside of the housing20. The pressing member21moves from the top dead center to the bottom dead center in response to the pressing from the outside, and moves from the bottom dead center to the top dead center when released from the pressing from the outside.

Next, the internal structure of the switch2will be described.FIG. 3is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 3is a schematic perspective view showing internal members by removing the housing20and the pressing member21from the switch2.FIG. 4is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 4shows a cross section taken along a vertical plane including the line AB shown inFIG. 2from a front perspective.

In the housing20of the switch2, a region is secured as a contact chamber201that accommodates a contact mechanism that turns on and off an electric circuit. The insertion hole200penetrating from the outside of the housing20is formed on the upper surface of the contact chamber201, and the pressing member21is inserted into the insertion hole200.

The contact mechanism accommodated in the contact chamber201will be described. In the contact chamber201, various members such as a locking member22, a movable member23, and a permanent magnet24are disposed as the contact mechanism, and a magnetic field detection part25is disposed at the lower right of the housing20. The contact mechanism according to the first embodiment is formed as a snap action mechanism that switches contacts quickly when the pressing of the pressing member21reaches a predetermined position.

The locking member22is a member formed by molding a metal plate, and is fixed in the contact chamber201so as to lock the movable member23in the contact chamber201. The locking member22includes parts such as a leg part220, a first support part221, a second support part222, a first contact part223, and a second contact part224. The leg part220is a part that is inserted into the base20aat the lower part of the housing20, and the locking member22is fixed in an upright state in the contact chamber201of the housing20by the leg part220being inserted into the lower part of the housing20. The first support part221is a part that protrudes upward at the left end side in the contact chamber201, and supports the movable member23in a swingable manner. The second support part222is a part that protrudes upward in the vicinity of the center in the contact chamber201, and supports the movable member23in a swingable manner. The first contact part223is a part that contacts the swinging movable member23from the lower right side, and regulates the swing range of the movable member23from below. The second contact part224is a part that contacts the swinging movable member23from the upper right side, and regulates the swing range of the movable member23from above.

The movable member23is a flexible member formed by a thin metal plate, and is disposed in the contact chamber201to extend in the left-right direction. The left end of the movable member23is a fixed end (hereinafter referred to as a first end230) that is locked to the first support part221of the locking member22and functions as a swing fulcrum. The right end of the movable member23is a free end (hereinafter referred to as a second end231) that moves between the first contact part223and the second contact part224, and the swing range of the second end231is regulated by the first contact part223and the second contact part224. The movable member23includes an urging part232that functions as a return spring which is punched out in the vicinity of the center of the movable member23and which is bent in an arc shape. The urging part232has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and a short side on the right side is connected to the outer frame part of the movable member23, and a short side on the left side and both long sides are formed as a detached tongue-shaped piece. The urging part232has a shape that is bent in an arc shape convex downward so that the part of the punched-out tongue-shaped piece functions as a return spring. The left end of the punched urging part232is formed in the second support part222located in the vicinity of the center in the contact chamber201. The urging part232generates a reaction force against the pressing of the pressing member21. On the second end231side of the movable member23, a tip part is a bent piece233bent downward at a substantially right angle, and the permanent magnet24is attached to the tip of the bent piece233.

The magnetic field detection part25includes a Hall element that detects a magnetic field by the Hall effect, and is configured by a Hall IC that outputs an internal signal based on a change in the magnetic field detected by the Hall element. The magnetic field detection part25is formed as a surface-mount type chip, and is surface-mounted on the substrate3at the lower right of the housing20. The Hall element has various specifications such as one-sided detection that detects the approach of magnetic flux from one pole, two-sided detection that detects the approach of magnetic flux from two poles, and alternating detection that detects the change in the pole related to the magnetic flux. However, in the embodiment, a Hall element of one-sided detection or two-sided detection is preferable.

In the contact mechanism configured as described above, the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside and moves downward to press the movable member23. When the movable member23is pressed, the movable member23is lowered until the second end231side contacts the first contact part223, and the permanent magnet24attached to the bent piece233at the tip also moves downward.

When the pressing of the pressing member21is released, the movable member23is urged upward by the reaction force of the urging part232. When the movable member23is urged upward, the pressing member21moves upward. Further, as the movable member23is urged upward by the urging part232, the second end231side of the movable member23is raised and contacts the second contact part224.

Next, the operation of the switch2according to the disclosure will be described.FIG. 5AandFIG. 5Bare schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 5Ashows a state where the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, andFIG. 5Bshows a state where the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside and moves downward.

As illustrated inFIG. 5A, when the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, the pressing member21is located at the top dead center. In the state illustrated inFIG. 5A, since the movable member23is pushed upward by the urging part232with a reaction force against the pressing of the pressing member21, the second end231side contacts the second contact part224disposed on the upper right side in the contact chamber201.

When the pressing member21moves downward, the pressing member21presses the movable member23downward. The entire movable member23is pressed by the pressing member21and tends to move downward with the part locked by the first support part221as a swing axis. However, since the movable member23is pushed upward by the urging part232with a reaction force against the pressing of the pressing member21, the movable member23maintains a state of being in contact with the second contact part224disposed on the upper right side in the contact chamber201. Therefore, the movable member23receives the pressing from the pressing member21and is bent downward to be in a flexed state.

When the pressing member21moves further downward, the entire movable member23is pressed by the pressing member21and tends to move downward with the part locked by the first support part221as a swing axis. Then, since the urging part232of the movable member23swings downward with the part locked by the second support part222as a swing axis, the entire movable member23swings with the first support part221as the swing axis so as to be contra-rotated. The second end231side of the movable member23comes into contact with the first contact part223by the swing with the first support part221as the swing axis. That is, it becomes the state illustrated inFIG. 5B. Since the movable member23collides with the first contact part223with the force of the contra-rotation, an impact is caused. The user perceives the change in the sound and the pressing load caused by the impact due to the contra-rotation and the collision as the click sound and the click feeling.

When the pressing of the pressing member21is released, the movable member23is urged upward by the reaction force of the urging part232. When the movable member23is urged upward, the pressing member21moves upward. Further, as the movable member23is urged upward by the urging part232, the second end231side of the movable member23is raised and contacts the second contact part224. That is, it becomes the state illustrated inFIG. 5A.

As illustrated inFIG. 5A, when the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, since the right end of the movable member23is located above, the permanent magnet24attached to the bent piece233of the movable member23is sufficiently upward away from the magnetic field detection part25.

As illustrated inFIG. 5B, when the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside, since the right end of the movable member23is located below, the permanent magnet24attached to the bent piece233of the movable member23contacts or approaches the magnetic field detection part25. As the permanent magnet24contacts or approaches the magnetic field detection part25, the magnetic field detectable by the Hall element of the magnetic field detection part25changes. The change of the magnetic field detected by the Hall element is output by the magnetic field detection part25as an internal signal, and is output by the switch2to the operation device1as an ON signal.

As described above, in the switch2according to the disclosure, the permanent magnet24located on the second end231side of the movable member23approaches the magnetic field detection part25by the swing of the movable member23caused by the pressing of the pressing member21. As the permanent magnet24approaches the magnetic field detection part25, the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes. When the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes, the switch2outputs an ON signal. Further, since the swing of the movable member23involves a change in the pressing load and the generation of a collision sound, the user perceives the click feeling and the click sound.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the magnetic field detection part25is not disposed below the permanent magnet24attached to the movable member23; instead, the magnetic field detection part25is attached to the side of the permanent magnet24. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and the detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 6is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 7is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 6is a schematic perspective view showing internal members by removing the housing20from the switch2.

In the switch2according to the second embodiment, the magnetic field detection part25is disposed on the right wall surface in the housing20on the second end231side of the movable member23. The magnetic field detection part25is not the surface-mount type illustrated in the first embodiment, but has a terminal extending from a built-in Hall element to the substrate3and solders the terminal to the substrate3. Since the movable member23swings in response to the pressing from the pressing member21, the permanent magnet24attached to the bent piece233on the second end231side moves in an arc shape due to the swing. The arc-shaped movement has a movement component in the left-right direction. That is, the permanent magnet24attached to the bent piece233of the movable member23performs a movement including a component in the left-right direction substantially orthogonal to the up-down direction that is the bending direction of the bent piece233of the movable member23. Therefore, the magnetic field detection part25detects the arc-shaped movement of the permanent magnet24due to the swing of the movable member23as a change in the magnetic field due to the approach or moving away of the permanent magnet24.

Next, the operation of the switch2according to the disclosure will be described.FIG. 8AandFIG. 8Bare schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 8Ashows a state where the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, andFIG. 8Bshows a state where the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside and moves downward.

When the pressing member21moves downward and presses the movable member23downward, the second end231side of the movable member23swings downward, and the movable member23contra-rotates and contacts the first contact part223. Since the movable member23collides with the first contact part223with the force of the contra-rotation, the user perceives the change in the sound and the pressing load caused by the impact due to the contra-rotation and the collision as the click sound and the click feeling.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 8A, when the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, the permanent magnet24attached to the bent piece233of the movable member23approaches the magnetic field detection part25.

As illustrated inFIG. 8B, when the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside, the movable member23swings in an arc shape, and the permanent magnet24attached to the bent piece233of the movable member23moves in a direction away from the magnetic field detection part25. As the permanent magnet24moves away, the magnetic field detectable by the Hall element of the magnetic field detection part25changes. The change of the magnetic field detected by the Hall element is output by the magnetic field detection part25as an internal signal, and is output by the switch2to the operation device1as an ON signal.

As described above, in the switch2according to the disclosure, the permanent magnet24attached to the bent piece233of the movable member23moves away from the magnetic field detection part25by the swing of the movable member23caused by the pressing of the pressing member21. As the permanent magnet24moves away from the magnetic field detection part25, the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes. When the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes, the switch2outputs an ON signal. Further, since the swing of the movable member23involves a change in the pressing load and the generation of a collision sound, the user perceives the click feeling and the click sound.

Third Embodiment

The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the permanent magnet24is not attached to the movable member23; instead, the second end231side of the movable member23is magnetized to be used as a magnet. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the first embodiment and the second embodiment are referred to, and the detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 9is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 10is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 11is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the movable member23and the magnetic field detection part25included in the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 9is a schematic perspective view showing internal members by removing the cover20bof the housing20from the switch2.

In the switch2according to the third embodiment, the movable member23is formed by a non-magnetic material such as austenitic stainless steel, but the tip part of the bent piece233on the second end231side is a magnetized part234(magnet) that is partially magnetized. The magnetized part234is formed, for example, by cold working only the tip part of the bent piece233of the movable member23formed by austenitic stainless steel, so that the cold worked tip part is magnetized by being transformed into martensite of a magnetic material. The magnetized part234of the movable member23formed by magnetization extends from above the magnetic field detection part25to the magnetic field detection part25below and functions as a magnet for generating a magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25.

Next, the operation of the switch2according to the disclosure will be described.FIG. 12AandFIG. 12Bare schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 12Ashows a state where the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, andFIG. 12Bshows a state where the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside and moves downward.

When the pressing member21moves downward and presses the movable member23downward, the second end231side of the movable member23swings downward, and the movable member23contra-rotates and contacts the first contact part223. Since the movable member23collides with the first contact part223with the force of the contra-rotation, the user perceives the change in the sound and the pressing load caused by the impact due to the contra-rotation and the collision as the click sound and the click feeling.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 12A, when the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, since the right end of the movable member23is located above, the magnetized part234located at the tip of the bent piece233of the movable member23is sufficiently upward away from the magnetic field detection part25.

As illustrated inFIG. 12B, when the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside, since the right end of the movable member23is located below, the magnetized part234located at the tip of the bent piece233of the movable member23contacts or approaches the magnetic field detection part25. As the magnetized part234contacts or approaches the magnetic field detection part25, the magnetic field detectable by the Hall element of the magnetic field detection part25changes. The change of the magnetic field detected by the Hall element is output by the magnetic field detection part25as an internal signal, and is output by the switch2to the operation device1as an ON signal.

As described above, in the switch2according to the disclosure, the magnetized part234located on the second end231side of the movable member23approaches the magnetic field detection part25by the swing of the movable member23caused by the pressing of the pressing member21. As the magnetized part234approaches the magnetic field detection part25, the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes. When the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes, the switch2outputs an ON signal. Further, since the swing of the movable member23involves a change in the pressing load and the generation of a collision sound, the user perceives the click feeling and the click sound.

Fourth Embodiment

The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the magnetic field detection part25does not detect a change in the strength of the magnetic field due to the approach of the permanent magnet24as a change in the magnetic field; instead, the magnetic field detection part25detects a change in the magnetic pole due to the movement of the permanent magnet24as a change in the magnetic field. In the following description, the same components as those in any one of the first embodiment to the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment to the third embodiment, and the first embodiment to the third embodiment are referred to, and the detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 13is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 14is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 15is a schematic front view showing an example of the internal structure provided in the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 13is a schematic perspective view showing internal members by removing the housing20from the switch2.FIG. 15is a schematic front view showing internal members by removing the housing20from the switch2, and schematically shows the operation direction and the magnetic poles of the permanent magnet24in a superimposed manner.

In the switch2according to the fourth embodiment, the movable member23includes the bent piece233that is bent at a substantially right angle on the second end231side and extends downward, and the tip of the bent piece233further includes a bent attachment part235bent at a substantially right angle. The permanent magnet24is attached to the bent attachment part235which is the tip of the movable member23on the second end231side. As shown inFIG. 15, the permanent magnet24attached to the bent attachment part235is disposed so that the S pole and the N pole are arranged in the left-right direction. Since the movable member23swings when receiving the pressing of the pressing member21, the bent attachment part235moves in an arc shape due to the swing with respect to the magnetic field detection part25located below the bent piece233. The arc-shaped movement has a movement component in the left-right direction. That is, the permanent magnet24attached to the bent attachment part235of the movable member23performs a movement including a component in the left-right direction substantially orthogonal to the up-down direction that is the bending direction of the bent piece233of the movable member23. InFIG. 15, the movement including the component in the left-right direction is indicated by an arrow. As the permanent magnet24in which the S pole and the N pole are disposed in the left-right direction is moved in the left-right direction, the magnetic field detection part25located below the bent attachment part235detects a change in the magnetic poles that generate the magnetic field to be detected since the nearest magnetic pole of the permanent magnet24changes. That is, the permanent magnet24attached to the bent attachment part235of the movable member23on the second end231side moves in a direction substantially orthogonal to the bending direction of the bent piece233bent toward the magnetic field detection part25. As a result, the direction of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes.

In the switch2according to the fourth embodiment, it is preferable to use an alternating detection type Hall element that detects a change in the pole related to the magnetic flux in the magnetic field detection part25. Since the alternating detection type Hall element has a high detection sensitivity, a change in the magnetic field to be detected can be detected with high accuracy, and the reliability of switching can be increased.

Next, the operation of the switch2according to the disclosure will be described.FIG. 16AandFIG. 16Bare schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 16Ashows a state where the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, andFIG. 16Bshows a state where the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside and moves downward.

When the pressing member21moves downward and presses the movable member23downward, the second end231side of the movable member23swings downward, and the movable member23contra-rotates and contacts the first contact part223. Since the movable member23collides with the first contact part223with the force of the contra-rotation, the user perceives the change in the sound and the pressing load caused by the impact due to the contra-rotation and the collision as the click sound and the click feeling.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 16A, when the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, since the permanent magnet24attached to the bent attachment part235which is the tip of the bent piece233of the movable member23is located on the right side, the magnetic field detection part25detects the magnetic field of the S pole on the left end side of the permanent magnet24.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 16B, when the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside, since the permanent magnet24attached to the bent attachment part235of the movable member23moves leftward and is located on the left side, the magnetic field detection part25detects the magnetic field of the N pole on the right end side of the permanent magnet24. The change of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25is output by the magnetic field detection part25as an internal signal, and is output by the switch2to the operation device1as an ON signal.

As described above, in the switch2according to the disclosure, the movable member23moves with respect to the magnetic field detection part25due to the swing of the movable member23caused by the pressing of the pressing member21so that the near magnetic pole of the permanent magnet24located on the second end231side changes. As different magnetic poles approach the magnetic field detection part25, the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes. In particular, by using a magnetic field detection part25with an alternating detection type Hall element as the magnetic field detection part25, the reliability of switching can be increased. In addition, when the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes, the switch2outputs an ON signal. Further, since the swing of the movable member23involves a change in the pressing load and the generation of a collision sound, the user perceives the click feeling and the click sound.

Fifth Embodiment

The fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that the permanent magnet24is not attached to the movable member23; instead, the second end231side of the movable member23is magnetized to be used as a magnet. In the following description, the same components as those in any one of the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment, and the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment are referred to, and the detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 17is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 18is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 19is a schematic front view showing an example of the internal structure provided in the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 17is a schematic perspective view showing internal members by removing the housing20from the switch2.FIG. 19is a schematic front view showing internal members by removing the housing20from the switch2, and schematically shows the operation direction and the magnetic poles of a bent magnetized part236in a superimposed manner.

In the switch2according to the fifth embodiment, the movable member23includes the bent piece233that is bent at a substantially right angle on the second end231side and extends downward, and the tip of the bent piece233further includes a bent magnetized part236bent at a substantially right angle. The movable member23is formed by a non-magnetic material such as austenitic stainless steel, but the tip part of the bent piece233on the second end231side is the bent magnetized part236(magnet) that is partially magnetized. The bent magnetized part236is formed, for example, by cold working only the tip part of the bent piece233of the movable member23formed by austenitic stainless steel, so that the cold worked tip part is magnetized by being transformed into martensite of a magnetic material. The bent magnetized part236of the movable member23formed by magnetization extends from above the magnetic field detection part25to the magnetic field detection part25below and functions as a magnet for generating a magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25.

Further, as shown inFIG. 19, the bent magnetized part236which is the tip part of the bent piece233of the movable member23is magnetized so that the S pole and the N pole are arranged in the left-right direction. Since the movable member23swings when receiving the pressing of the pressing member21, the bent magnetized part236performs a movement including a component in the left-right direction substantially orthogonal to the up-down direction that is the bending direction of the bent piece233of the movable member23. InFIG. 19, the movement including the component in the left-right direction is indicated by an arrow. As the bent magnetized part236magnetized in a way in which the S pole and the N pole are arranged in the left-right direction is moved in the left-right direction, the magnetic field detection part25located below the bent magnetized part236detects a change in the magnetic poles. That is, the bent magnetized part236of the movable member23on the second end231side moves in a direction substantially orthogonal to the bending direction of the bent piece233bent toward the magnetic field detection part25. As a result, the direction of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes.

In the switch2according to the fifth embodiment, it is preferable to use an alternating detection type Hall element in the magnetic field detection part25.

Next, the operation of the switch2according to the disclosure will be described.FIG. 20AandFIG. 20Bare schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 20Ashows a state where the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, andFIG. 20Bshows a state where the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside and moves downward.

When the pressing member21moves downward and presses the movable member23downward, the second end231side of the movable member23swings downward, and the movable member23contra-rotates and contacts the first contact part223. Since the movable member23collides with the first contact part223with the force of the contra-rotation, the user perceives the change in the sound and the pressing load caused by the impact due to the contra-rotation and the collision as the click sound and the click feeling.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 20A, when the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, since the bent magnetized part236which is the tip of the bent piece233of the movable member23is located on the right side, the magnetic field detection part25detects the magnetic field of the S pole on the left end side of the bent magnetized part236.

As illustrated inFIG. 20B, when the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside, since the bent magnetized part236of the movable member23moves leftward and is located on the left side, the magnetic field detection part25detects the magnetic field of the N pole on the right end side of the bent magnetized part236. The change of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25is output by the magnetic field detection part25as an internal signal, and is output by the switch2to the operation device1as an ON signal.

As described above, in the switch2according to the disclosure, the movable member23moves with respect to the magnetic field detection part25due to the swing of the movable member23caused by the pressing of the pressing member21so that the near magnetic pole of the bent magnetized part236located on the second end231side changes. As different magnetic poles approach the magnetic field detection part25, the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes. In particular, by using a magnetic field detection part25with an alternating detection type Hall element as the magnetic field detection part25, the reliability of switching can be increased. In addition, when the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes, the switch2outputs an ON signal. Further, since the swing of the movable member23involves a change in the pressing load and the generation of a collision sound, the user perceives the click feeling and the click sound.

Sixth Embodiment

The sixth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the magnet is not integrated with the movable member23; instead, the magnet is disposed as a separate member from the movable member23. In the following description, the same components as those in any one of the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment, and the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment are referred to, and the detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 21is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 22is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 23is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 21is a schematic perspective view showing internal members by removing the housing20and the pressing member21from the switch2.FIG. 23is a schematic perspective view in which the housing20is removed from the switch2, and schematically shows arrows indicating the operation directions of various members and magnetic poles in a superimposed manner.

The switch2according to the sixth embodiment includes a plunger26(pusher) that is pressed by the swing of the movable member23and moves downward. The plunger26presses the permanent magnet24by the movement caused by the pressing of the movable member23. In the switch2according to the sixth embodiment, since the movable member23does not include the bent piece233on the second end231side, the movable member23is formed in a substantially flat plate shape except for the urging part232. The plunger26is disposed below the movable member23on the second end231side to be movable up and down. Further, inFIG. 23, the movement direction of the plunger26is indicated by a white double-headed arrow.

The plunger26has a shape in which a pressing part261protrudes from a side surface of a main body260having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The pressing part261is formed to protrude in the left direction of the figure from the main body260, and the pressing part261has a pressing surface261athat is tapered from the vicinity of the center in the up-down direction to the lower end.

The permanent magnet24is disposed on the left side of the plunger26where the pressing part261protrudes to contact the pressing surface261aof the plunger26and to be movable left and right. The permanent magnet24has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is disposed so that the long side direction is the left-right direction and the left and right ends thereof are the N pole and the S pole, respectively. Further, inFIG. 23, the magnetic poles and the movement direction of the permanent magnets24are indicated by a white double-headed arrow in a superimposed manner. A pressed surface240is formed on the upper surface of the permanent magnet24, and the pressed surface240is tapered from a position to the right of the center to the right end. The permanent magnet24is disposed so that the pressed surface240contacts the pressing surface261aof the plunger26. An urging member241such as a compression coil spring is attached to the left side of the permanent magnet24as a return spring that urges the permanent magnet24rightward to move toward the plunger26side, and the left end side of the urging member241is attached to the inside of the housing20.

The magnetic field detection part25is disposed below the permanent magnet24. It is preferable that the magnetic field detection part25is configured with an alternating detection type Hall element. As the permanent magnet24moves left and right, different magnetic poles approach the magnetic field detection part25, and the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes.

Next, the operation of the switch2according to the disclosure will be described.FIG. 24AandFIG. 24Bare schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 24Ashows a state where the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, andFIG. 24Bshows a state where the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside and moves downward.

When the pressing member21moves downward and presses the movable member23downward, the second end231side of the movable member23swings downward, and the movable member23contra-rotates and contacts the first contact part223. Since the movable member23collides with the first contact part223with the force of the contra-rotation, the user perceives the change in the sound and the pressing load caused by the impact due to the contra-rotation and the collision as the click sound and the click feeling.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 24A, when the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, the second end231of the movable member23is located above. Since the permanent magnet24is urged rightward by the urging member241, the permanent magnet24is located on the right side, and the magnetic field detection part25detects the magnetic field of the N pole on the left end side of the permanent magnet24. When the permanent magnet24is located on the right side, the plunger26contacting the pressed surface240of the permanent magnet24on the pressing surface261ais pushed upward.

As illustrated inFIG. 24B, when the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside, the second end231of the movable member23moves downward and presses the plunger26downward. The plunger26pressed by the movable member23moves downward. When the plunger26moves downward, the pressing surface261aformed on the pressing part261of the plunger26slides while pressing the pressed surface240of the permanent magnet24, and the permanent magnet24operates as a cam slider that is driven by the movement of the plunger26that operates as a cam driver. Since the operation direction of the permanent magnet24operating as a cam slider is restricted in the left-right direction, the permanent magnet24operates to move in the left direction. That is, by the slide cam mechanism formed by the plunger26and the permanent magnet24in cooperation, the permanent magnet24moves in the left-right direction different from the up-down direction which is the movement direction of the plunger26; more specifically, the permanent magnet24moves in the left-right direction that is substantially orthogonal to the lower part of the movement direction of the plunger26. As shown inFIG. 24B, as the permanent magnet24is located on the left side, the magnetic field detection part25detects the magnetic field of the S pole on the right end side of the permanent magnet24. The change of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25is output by the magnetic field detection part25as an internal signal, and is output by the switch2to the operation device1as an ON signal.

As described above, in the switch2according to the disclosure, the movable member23presses the permanent magnet24via the plunger26with respect to the magnetic field detection part25by the swing of the movable member23caused by the pressing of the pressing member21; accordingly, the permanent magnet24moves so that the magnetic pole near the magnetic field detection part25changes. As different magnetic poles approach the magnetic field detection part25, the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes. In particular, by using a magnetic field detection part25with an alternating detection type Hall element as the magnetic field detection part25, the reliability of switching can be increased. In addition, when the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes, the switch2outputs an ON signal. Further, since the swing of the movable member23involves a change in the pressing load and the generation of a collision sound, the user perceives the click feeling and the click sound.

Seventh Embodiment

The seventh embodiment is different from the sixth embodiment in that an operation caused by the plunger26pressing another member is different. In the following description, the same components as those in any one of the first embodiment to the sixth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment to the sixth embodiment, and the first embodiment to the sixth embodiment are referred to, and the detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 25is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 26is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 25omits the cover20band the movable member23of the housing20.

The switch2according to the seventh embodiment includes a plunger26that is pressed by the swing of the movable member23and moves downward. The plunger26presses downward the permanent magnet24disposed below by the movement caused by the pressing of the movable member23. The permanent magnet24swings downward due to the pressing by the plunger26, and the magnetic field detection part25disposed below the permanent magnet24detects a change in the magnetic field caused by the swing of the permanent magnet24.

The plunger26disposed below the movable member23has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a pressing protrusion262in a circular columnar shape for pressing the permanent magnet24is disposed on its lower end in a protruding manner. The permanent magnet24disposed below the movable member23has a flat and substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is disposed so that the long side direction is the left-right direction and the left and right ends thereof are the N pole and the S pole, respectively. In addition, the left end side of the permanent magnet24where one pole is located is disposed to be swingably and pivotally supported, and the right end side where the other pole is located is disposed to be swingable downward with the left end side as the swing axis.

A magnetic plate27is disposed above the permanent magnet24as a connection member that can be magnetically connected to the two poles located at the two ends of the permanent magnet24. The magnetic plate27is formed by a paramagnetic material such as SPCC, and has a flat and substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having substantially the same shape as the permanent magnet24. Contact protrusions270are disposed at the left and right ends in the long side direction on the lower surface of the magnetic plate27to protrude downward, and the contact protrusions270contact the two poles of the left and right ends of the permanent magnet24. Further, a through hole271through which the pressing protrusion262of the plunger26moving up and down can penetrate with clearance is disposed in the vicinity of the right end of the magnetic plate27. When the plunger26pressed by the swing of the movable member23moves downward, the pressing protrusion262protruding from the lower end of the plunger26passes through the through hole271of the magnetic plate27and presses the vicinity of the right end of the permanent magnet24located below the magnetic plate27.

When not pressed by the plunger26, the two poles of the permanent magnet24are in contact with the contact protrusions270of the magnetic plate27by the magnetic force. When the magnetic plate27is magnetically connected to the two poles of the permanent magnet24by contact or the like, a closed magnetic circuit is formed by the permanent magnet24and the magnetic plate27. When a closed magnetic circuit is formed, the magnetic flux caused by the permanent magnet24passes through the permanent magnet24and the magnetic plate27and does not form a magnetic field that is sufficiently detectable by the magnetic field detection part25disposed below the permanent magnet24. When the pressing protrusion262protruding from the lower end of the plunger26penetrates the through hole271of the magnetic plate27and presses the permanent magnet24, the permanent magnet24swings downward with the left end side as the swing axis. As the permanent magnet24swings downward, the permanent magnet24moves away from the magnetic plate27, and the magnetic circuit is opened. As a result, the magnetic flux caused by the permanent magnet24form a magnetic field that is sufficiently detectable by the magnetic field detection part25.

As described above, the switch2according to the seventh embodiment includes the magnetic plate27as a connection member that can be magnetically connected to the two poles of the permanent magnet24. The permanent magnet24and the magnetic plate27are disposed so that the permanent magnet24can be moved toward and away from the magnetic plate27by swinging. In the case where the permanent magnet24moves away from the magnetic plate27, the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet24is detected by the magnetic field detection part25. The plunger26moves due to the pressing by the movable member23so as to magnetically separate the permanent magnet24from the magnetic plate27.

Next, the operation of the switch2according to the disclosure will be described.FIG. 27AandFIG. 27Bare schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 27AandFIG. 27Bare enlarged views of the vicinity of the second end231of the movable member23in the switch2.FIG. 27Ashows a state where the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, andFIG. 27Bshows a state where the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside and moves downward.

When the pressing member21moves downward and presses the movable member23downward, the second end231side of the movable member23swings downward, and the movable member23contra-rotates and contacts the first contact part223. Since the movable member23collides with the first contact part223with the force of the contra-rotation, the user perceives the change in the sound and the pressing load caused by the impact due to the contra-rotation and the collision as the click sound and the click feeling.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 27A, when the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, the second end231of the movable member23is located above. When the movable member23is located above and the permanent magnet24does not receive the pressing of the plunger26, the permanent magnet24attracts the magnetic plate27by the attraction based on the magnetic force, and thus swings upward to a position contacting the contact protrusions270of the magnetic plate27. The upward swing of the permanent magnet24pushes the plunger26upward. When the permanent magnet24is in contact with the magnetic plate27, a closed magnetic circuit is formed because the magnetic plate27is magnetically connected to the two poles of the permanent magnet24. In a state where the closed magnetic circuit is formed, the magnetic field detection part25does not sufficiently detect the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet24.

As illustrated inFIG. 27B, when the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside, the second end231of the movable member23moves downward and presses the plunger26downward. When the plunger26pressed by the movable member23moves downward, the pressing protrusion262of the plunger26passes through the through hole271of the magnetic plate27and presses the vicinity of the right end of the permanent magnet24. The permanent magnet24pressed by the pressing protrusion262of the plunger26swings downward on the right end side with the left end side as the swing axis, and moves away from the magnetic plate27to open the closed magnetic circuit. When the magnetic circuit is opened, the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet24is detected by the magnetic field detection part25. The change of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25is output by the magnetic field detection part25as an internal signal, and is output by the switch2to the operation device1as an ON signal.

As described above, in the switch2according to the disclosure, the movable member23presses the permanent magnet24via the plunger26by the swing of the movable member23caused by the pressing of the pressing member21. The pressed permanent magnet24moves to open the closed magnetic circuit formed with the magnetic plate27so that the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes. In addition, when the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes, the switch2outputs an ON signal. Further, since the swing of the movable member23involves a change in the pressing load and the generation of a collision sound, the user perceives the click feeling and the click sound.

In addition, the permanent magnet24and the magnetic plate27may be configured in a way in which the magnetic plate27moves toward and away from the permanent magnet24, or in a way in which the pressing of the plunger26closes the magnetic circuit.

Eighth Embodiment

The eighth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a contact mechanism other than the snap action mechanism is adopted. In the following description, the same components as those in any one of the first embodiment to the seventh embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment to the seventh embodiment, and the first embodiment to the seventh embodiment are referred to, and the detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 28is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 29is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of the switch2according to the disclosure.

The switch2according to the eighth embodiment includes, in the contact chamber201, various members such as the locking member22, the movable member23, the permanent magnet24, and an attraction member28as the contact mechanism, and the magnetic field detection part25is disposed at the lower right of the housing20.

The locking member22according to the eighth embodiment is formed as a washer that fixes the first end230side of the movable member23, and is fixed to the lower left in the contact chamber201.

The movable member23according to the eighth embodiment is a flexible member formed by molding a thin metal plate into a leaf spring shape, and is fixed by the locking member22fixed as a washer at the lower left in the contact chamber201on the first end230side which serves as a fixed end. The movable member23is formed in a shape to extend obliquely upward to the right from the first end230, is bent to be substantially horizontal in the middle, and extends rightward. The right end of the movable member23is the second end231that is a free end, and the permanent magnet24is attached to the second end231.

The permanent magnet24is formed into a substantially circular columnar shape elongated in the axial direction by resin molding, and is attached to the movable member23so that the axial direction is the up-down direction. The magnetic field detection part25surface-mounted on the substrate3is disposed below the permanent magnet24.

The attraction member28formed in an inverted L-shape is attached from the right side wall to the upper ceiling surface in the contact chamber201. At least a part of the attraction member28located on the upper ceiling surface is formed by a magnetic material such as a paramagnetic material or a ferromagnetic material attracted by the magnetic force to the permanent magnet24attached to the second end231side of the movable member23.

Next, the operation of the switch2according to the disclosure will be described.FIG. 30AandFIG. 30Bare schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 30Ashows a state where the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, andFIG. 30Bshows a state where the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside and moves downward.

When the pressing member21moves downward and presses the movable member23downward, the second end231side of the movable member23swings downward. Since the downward swing of the movable member23is performed against the attraction based on the magnetic force between the permanent magnet24attached to the second end231side of the movable member23and the attraction member28, the user perceives the force against the attraction as a click feeling.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 30A, when the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, the second end231of the movable member23is located above, and the upper end of the permanent magnet24is attracted by the magnetic force to the upper ceiling surface of the attraction member28and is in contact therewith. In the state shown inFIG. 30A, the permanent magnet24is sufficiently upward and away from the magnetic field detection part25.

As illustrated inFIG. 30B, when the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside, the second end231of the movable member23swings downward, and the permanent magnet24attached to the second end231contacts or approaches the magnetic field detection part25. As the permanent magnet24contacts or approaches the magnetic field detection part25, the magnetic field detectable by the Hall element of the magnetic field detection part25changes. The change of the magnetic field detected by the Hall element is output by the magnetic field detection part25as an internal signal, and is output by the switch2to the operation device1as an ON signal.

As described above, in the switch2according to the disclosure, the permanent magnet24located on the second end231side of the movable member23approaches the magnetic field detection part25by the swing of the movable member23caused by the pressing of the pressing member21. As the permanent magnet24approaches the magnetic field detection part25, the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes. When the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes, the switch2outputs an ON signal. Further, when the movable member23swings, since a load of moving the permanent magnet24away from the attraction member28is generated, the user perceives the click feeling.

Ninth Embodiment

The ninth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the permanent magnet24is not attached to the movable member23; instead, the permanent magnet24is attached to the pressing member21. In the following description, the same components as those in any one of the first embodiment to the eighth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment to the eighth embodiment, and the first embodiment to the eighth embodiment are referred to, and the detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 31is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 32is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 31is a schematic perspective view showing internal members by removing the housing20from the switch2.

In the switch2according to the ninth embodiment, a support body210in a long plate shape is formed on the side surface of the pressing member21. The support body210extends downward from the side surface of the pressing member21, and reaches an opening formed in the base20aof the housing20through an opening formed in the movable member23. The permanent magnet24is attached to the lower end of the support body210provided in the pressing member21, and the magnetic field detection part25surface-mounted on the substrate3is disposed below the permanent magnet24.

Next, the operation of the switch2according to the disclosure will be described.FIG. 33AandFIG. 33Bare schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 33Ashows a state where the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, andFIG. 33Bshows a state where the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside and moves downward.

When the pressing member21moves downward and presses the movable member23downward, the second end231side of the movable member23swings downward, and the movable member23contra-rotates and contacts the first contact part223. Since the movable member23collides with the first contact part223with the force of the contra-rotation, the user perceives the change in the sound and the pressing load caused by the impact due to the contra-rotation and the collision as the click sound and the click feeling.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 33A, when the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, the second end231of the movable member23is located above. The permanent magnet24attached to the support body210of the pressing member21is sufficiently upward and away from the magnetic field detection part25.

As illustrated inFIG. 33B, when the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside, the pressing member21moves downward, and the permanent magnet24attached to the support body210of the pressing member21contacts or approaches the magnetic field detection part25. As the permanent magnet24contacts or approaches the magnetic field detection part25, the magnetic field detectable by the Hall element of the magnetic field detection part25changes. The change of the magnetic field detected by the Hall element is output by the magnetic field detection part25as an internal signal, and is output by the switch2to the operation device1as an ON signal.

As described above, in the switch2according to the disclosure, the permanent magnet24attached to the support body210of the pressing member21approaches the magnetic field detection part25by the downward movement of the pressing member21caused by a pressing from the outside. As the permanent magnet24approaches the magnetic field detection part25, the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes. When the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes, the switch2outputs an ON signal. Further, since the swing of the movable member23pressed by the pressing member21involves a change in the pressing load and the generation of a collision sound, the user perceives the click feeling and the click sound.

Tenth Embodiment

The tenth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25is not changed by moving the permanent magnet24; instead, the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25is changed by shielding/transmitting between the permanent magnet24and the magnetic field detection part25. In the following description, the same components as those in any one of the first embodiment to the ninth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment to the ninth embodiment, and the first embodiment to the ninth embodiment are referred to, and the detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 34is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 35is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the movable member23included in the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 36is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross section of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 34is a schematic perspective view showing internal members by removing the housing20from the switch2.

The switch2according to the tenth embodiment includes various members such as the locking member22, the movable member23, the permanent magnet24, and the magnetic field detection part25as the contact mechanism in the contact chamber201. The second end231side of the movable member23has a tip part that is bent downward at a substantially right angle to serve as a shielding piece237(shielding part), and a transmission window238for transmitting the magnetic field is opened in the vicinity of the center of the shielding piece237.

In the contact chamber201, the permanent magnet24and the magnetic field detection part25are separated from each other with the shielding piece237of the movable member23interposed therebetween. The permanent magnet24is disposed on the left side of the shielding piece237and is closer to the center in the housing20. The magnetic field detection part25is disposed on the right side of the shielding piece237and is on the side wall side in the housing20. The magnetic pole of the permanent magnet24and the Hall element of the magnetic field detection part25are disposed to face each other with the shielding piece237interposed therebetween. Since the shielding piece237is formed by a paramagnetic material, when the shielding piece237is located between the permanent magnet24and the magnetic field detection part25, the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet24is shielded by the shielding piece237. When the transmission window238of the shielding piece237is located between the permanent magnet24and the magnetic field detection part25, the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet24passes through the transmission window238and reaches the magnetic field detection part25.

Next, the operation of the switch2according to the disclosure will be described.FIG. 37AandFIG. 37Bare schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 38AandFIG. 38Bare schematic views schematically showing enlarged views of the vicinity of the shielding piece237of the movable member23included in the switch2according to the disclosure.FIG. 37AandFIG. 38Ashow a state where the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, andFIG. 37BandFIG. 38Bshow a state where the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside and moves downward.

When the pressing member21moves downward and presses the movable member23downward, the second end231side of the movable member23swings downward, and the movable member23contra-rotates and contacts the first contact part223. Since the movable member23collides with the first contact part223with the force of the contra-rotation, the user perceives the change in the sound and the pressing load caused by the impact due to the contra-rotation and the collision as the click sound and the click feeling.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 37AandFIG. 38A, when the pressing member21does not receive a pressing from the outside, the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet24indicated by the white arrow inFIG. 38Ais shielded by the shielding piece237.

As illustrated inFIG. 37BandFIG. 38B, when the pressing member21receives a pressing from the outside, the shielding piece237on the second end231side of the movable member23moves downward, and the transmission window238of the shielding piece237is located between the magnetic pole of the permanent magnet24and the Hall element of the magnetic field detection part25. In this case, as indicated by the white arrow inFIG. 38B, the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet24passes through the transmission window238and reaches the magnetic field detection part25. The magnetic field detection part25detects a change in the magnetic field due to transmission of the originally shielded magnetic field. The change of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25is output by the magnetic field detection part25as an internal signal, and is output by the switch2to the operation device1as an ON signal. Further, the shielding piece237is not limited to being formed by a paramagnetic material but may be formed by a ferromagnetic material as long as the magnetic field can be shielded and transmitted.

As described above, in the switch2according to the disclosure, the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet24is transmitted or shielded by the movement of the pressing member21caused by a pressing from the outside. When the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25changes, the switch2outputs an ON signal. Further, since the swing of the movable member23pressed by the pressing member21involves a change in the pressing load and the generation of a collision sound, the user perceives the click feeling and the click sound.

As described above by examples in the first to tenth embodiments, the switch2according to the disclosure includes a magnet such as the permanent magnet24and the magnetized part234for generating a magnetic field, and includes the magnetic field detection part25with a Hall element. Since a change in the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detection part25becomes a contact of the switch2, no mechanical contact is required. That is, the switch2according to the disclosure does not require a mechanical contact, and can expand the application range of the switch2using a magnet. In addition, the contact using the magnetic field detection part25has a simpler structure compared with, for example, the case of using a photoelectric contact such as a photosensor, and can suppress the cost required for the element. Further, it is possible to configure to generate a click feeling by the magnet used as a contact, and in this case, it is possible to further simplify the structure and suppress the element cost. In the switch2according to the disclosure, the click feeling is realized by, for example, the snap action mechanism of the movable member23and the magnetic force of the magnet.

Further, the detection state of the magnetic field of the magnetic field detection part25in response to the pressing of the pressing member21can be designed as appropriate, and it may be appropriately designed so that in the case of non-pressing, the magnetic field is shielded, and in the case of pressing, the magnetic field is transmitted.

The disclosure is not limited to the first to tenth embodiments described above, but can be developed in other various forms. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely examples in every aspect and should not be construed as limiting. The technical scope of the disclosure is described by the claims and is not limited by the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalents of the claims are within the scope of the disclosure.

For example, in the above embodiments, the first to tenth embodiments have been described as different forms, respectively, but these embodiments may be appropriately modified or put to other uses. For example, a contact mechanism other than the snap action mechanism, as shown in the eighth embodiment, may be applied to other embodiments.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, a mouse has been exemplified as the operation device1, but the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the disclosure may be applied to various devices such as a power tool and a vehicle-mounted switch.