Abstract:
A magnetic trigger mechanism is provided. The magnetic trigger mechanism operates in conjunction with a plurality of magnetic sensors. The magnetic trigger mechanism includes: a magnet; a body, with its one side provided with a recess and its other side located near the plurality of magnetic sensors; and a moveable section, provided in the recess in a movable manner, comprising an accommodating space for restraining the magnet therein.

Description:
This application is a divisional application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/033,281, filed Feb. 23, 2011, which claims the benefit of Taiwan Patent Application No. 099106873, filed Mar. 10, 2010, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a power control apparatus, and more particularly, to a contactless switch. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional power switches are contact-operable only. With reference to  FIG. 1  showing a block diagram of a conventional power switch  1  comprising a contact trigger mechanism  10  and a switcher  12 . The switcher  12  operates, i.e., connects or disconnects a power supply, as the contact trigger mechanism  10  is triggered by a user contact. It is to be noted that the trigger mechanism  10  is a contact-operable only structure, which connects or disconnects a power supply by determining whether a metal touch point is contacted. However, the metal touch point is prone to wear resulted from prolonged friction, or even to poor contact due to metal oxidation. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a solution that overcomes the drawbacks associated with the conventional power switches. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a contactless power switch that overcomes drawbacks of wear, oxidation and fatigue due to prolonged friction at an internal touch point of a conventional switch. 
     To achieve the above objective, the present disclosure provides a magnetic trigger mechanism. The magnetic trigger mechanism, operating in conjunction with a plurality of magnetic sensors, comprises: a magnet; a body, with its one side provided with a recess and its other side located near the magnetic sensors; and a moveable section, adjustably provided in the recess, comprising an accommodating space for restraining the magnet therein. 
     The present disclosure further provides a method for controlling a magnetic trigger mechanism. The magnetic trigger mechanism comprises a magnet and operates in conjunction with a plurality of magnetic sensors. The method comprises arranging the magnetic sensors in different sensing positions, and generating a magnetic signal corresponding to one of the sensing positions by rendering the magnet to the sensing position by a user to proceed with a corresponding control status. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of conventional power switch; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a contactless power switch according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a timing diagram illustrating awake and sleep modes; 
         FIG. 4  is an operating output status of a Hall-effect sensor; 
         FIG. 5  is a waveform of an output Vout of a Hall-effect sensor; 
         FIGS. 6 to 8  are schematic diagrams of a magnetic trigger mechanism according to a first preferred embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 9 to 11  are schematic diagrams of a magnetic trigger mechanism according to a second preferred embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 12 to 14  are schematic diagrams of a magnetic trigger mechanism according to a third preferred embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to  FIG. 2  showing a schematic diagram of functional blocks of a contactless power switch  2  according to one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The contactless power switch  2  comprises a magnetic trigger mechanism  20 , a magnetic sensor  22 , a controller  24 , a power switching module  26 , an AC/DC converter  28  and a communication module  30 . 
     The AC/DC converter  28  converts an AC electricity Pa into a DC current VD, which is then provided an operating power to the magnetic sensor  22 , the controller  24 , the power switching module  26  and the communication module  30  under normal operation. Further, the AC/DC converter  28  also provides DC voltages of different levels to accommodate the magnetic sensor  22 , the controller  24 , the power switching module  26  and the communication module  30  that operate under different DC voltages, e.g., 3.3V or 5V. It is to be noted that a single DC power VD in  FIG. 2  is an illustrative example and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. 
     In order to meet environmental friendly factors of energy conservation and carbon reduction, the contactless switch of the invention is also designed to be power saving. For example, the AC/DC converter  28  is controlled to output the DC power VD by an awake/sleep cycle with a timing diagram as shown in  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 3 , under an awake mode T1, the AC/DC converter  28  outputs the DC power VD to provide an operating voltage to the magnetic sensor  22 , the controller  24 , the power switching module  26  and the communication module  30 . In contrast, under a sleep mode T2, the AC/DC converter  28  is disabled with no DC power VD generated therefrom. Accordingly, lower power dissipation to even no power dissipation is achieved under the sleep mode. Preferably, the awake mode T1 and the sleep mode T2 alternate cyclically, and the duration of the sleep mode T2 is far greater than that the awake mode T1, i.e., T2&gt;&gt;T1. 
     The magnetic trigger mechanism  20  first receives a user trigger, and the magnetic sensor  22  operates in conjunction to sense the user trigger. According to the contactless power switch  2  of the present disclosure, the magnetic trigger mechanism  20  and the magnetic sensor  22  operate on magnetic basis through a magnetic signal  21  in  FIG. 2 , i.e., there is no contact between the two, and are therefore free from drawbacks of wear, oxidation and fatigue resulted from prolonged friction at a metal touch point of the conventional power switch. For example, the magnetic trigger mechanism  20  can be a rocker, slide, pushbutton, rotary, toggle, or tact mechanism. By simply disposing a magnet at an appropriate position of the magnetic sensor  22 , the magnetic sensor  22  is capable of sensing a user trigger. Preferably, the magnetic sensor  22  can be a Hall-effect sensor, magnetic-resistive sensor, magnetic-inductive sensor, or magnetic-impedance sensor. Once the magnetic signal  21  generated by the magnetic trigger mechanism  20  from the user trigger is sensed by the magnetic sensor  22 , a corresponding trigger control signal  23  is generated and provided to the controller  24 . 
     Preferably, the magnetic sensor  22  is realized by utilizing a Hall-effect sensor that detects a position of a magnet through detecting magnetic fields.  FIG. 4  shows a schematic diagram of an operating output status of a Hall-effect sensor. As the magnet gets closer to Hall-effect sensor, the magnetic flux density increases till reaching a sensor operating point Bop, at which then an output Vout of the Hall-effect sensor changes from a logic-high level to a logic-low level. In contrast, as the magnet gets farther from the Hall-effect sensor, the magnetic flux density decreases till a sensor magnetism releasing point Brp, at which then the sensor output Vout changes from a logic-low level to a logic-high level.  FIG. 5  shows a waveform of an output Vout of a Hall-effect sensor. 
       FIGS. 6 to 8  show schematic diagrams of a magnetic trigger mechanism  20  according to a first preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The magnetic trigger mechanism  20 , a rotary mechanism as shown in  FIGS. 6 to 8 , comprises a body  60 , a rotary section  62 , and a magnet  64 . The body  60  is provided with a round recess  61  having an opening  65  at a center thereof. The round rotary section  62  comprises a protruding portion  67 . By coupling the protruding portion  67  to the opening  65 , the round rotary section  62  becomes accommodated in the round recess  61  of the body  60 . To accomplish the rotary switch mechanism, the round rotary section  62  comprises a radial strip  63  for receiving force applied to the round rotary section  62 . A side of the radial strip  63  facing the body  60  is in form of a notch for accommodating the magnet  64 . Opposite to the side facing the round rotary section  62 , the other side of the round recess  61  of the body  60  comprises a plurality of sockets  66  for respectively accommodating the magnetic sensors  22  therein. In this embodiment, eight magnetic sensors  22  are provided at eight positions corresponding to circular motions of the magnet  64  at the round rotary section  62  to obtain eight switch control statuses. Further, in this embodiment, the body  60  of the magnetic trigger mechanism  20  further comprises fastening openings  68 , through which the magnetic trigger mechanism  20  is fixed to a wall, for example, by means of screws or other fastening elements. 
     In this embodiment, the magnetic sensors  22  are Hall sensors in form of integrated circuits assembled into packages. The packages, for example, are in form of dual-in-line (DIP) or surface-mount technology (SMT). Preferably, a sensing surface  6  of each Hall sensor is arranged as facing the magnet  64  to obtain optimal sensing effects. 
       FIGS. 9 to 11  show schematic diagrams of a magnetic trigger mechanism  20  according to a second preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the magnetic trigger mechanism  20 , also a rotary mechanism comprises a body  90 , a rotary section  92 , and a magnet  94 . The body  90  is provided with a round recess  91  having an opening  95  at a center thereof, so as to accommodate a round rotary section  92  in the round recess  91  of the body  90 . To accomplish the rotary switch mechanism, the round rotary section  92  comprises a radial strip  93  for receiving force applied to the round rotary section  92 . A side of the radial strip  93  facing the body  90  is in form of a notch for accommodating the magnet  94 . In this embodiment, a plurality of magnetic sensors  22  are mounted to a round circuit board  32 . Opposite to the side facing the round rotary section  92 , the round circuit board  32  is accommodated in the other side of the round recess  91  of the body  90 . In this embodiment, eight magnetic sensors  22  are provided at eight positions corresponding to circular motions of the magnet  94  at the round rotary section  92  to obtain eight switch control statuses. 
     In this embodiment, the magnetic sensors  22  are Hall sensors in form of integrated circuits assembled into packages. The packages, for example, are in form of dual-in-line (DIP) or surface-mount technology (SMT). Preferably, a sensing surface  9  of each Hall sensor is arranged as facing the magnet  94  to obtain optimal sensing effects. 
       FIGS. 12 to 14  show schematic diagrams of a magnetic trigger mechanism  20  according to a third preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the magnetic trigger mechanism  20 , being a slide mechanism, comprises a body  120 , a sliding section  122 , and a magnet  124 . The body  120  comprises a quadrilateral recess  121  for accommodating the quadrilateral sliding section  122  therein. Further, a frame  129  with a limiting function is provided to allow the quadrilateral sliding section  122  with only one-dimensional sliding movements. To accomplish the slide mechanism, the quadrilateral sliding section  122  comprises a strip  123  for receiving force applied to the quadrilateral sliding section  122 . A side of the strip  123  facing the body  120  is in form of a notch for accommodating the magnet  124 . Opposite to the side facing the quadrilateral sliding section  122 , the other side of the quadrilateral recess  121  of the body  120  comprises a plurality of sockets  126  for respectively accommodating the magnetic sensors  22  therein. In this embodiment, two magnetic sensors  22  are provided at two positions corresponding to one-dimensional motions of the magnet  124  at the quadrilateral sliding section  122  to obtain two switch control statuses. Further, in this embodiment, the body  120  of the magnetic trigger mechanism  20  further comprises fastening openings  128 , through which the magnetic trigger mechanism  20  is fixed to a wall, for example, by means of screws or other fastening elements. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 2 , the controller  24  is in charge of an overall operation of the contactless power switch  2 . Preferably, the controller  24  is a microprocessor, and controls operations of the various units of the contactless power switch  2  according to predetermined control firmware or software through an internal or external memory (not shown in the drawing). The internal or external memory is, for example, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. Upon receiving the trigger control signal  23  generated by the magnetic sensor  22 , the controller  24  determines the user trigger upon the contactless power switch  2  and generates a corresponding switch signal  25  to the power switching module  26 . The power switching module  26  accordingly performs power switching operations according to the switch signal  25 . Further, the power switching module  26  is designed to match operations of the magnetic trigger mechanism  20  and the magnetic sensor  22 . For example, for the magnetic trigger mechanism  20  having two statuses of on and off, the power switching module  26  needs provide two statuses of only directly coupling the AC power Pa to the output end to act as a output AC power Pb, or disconnecting the AC power Pa. Supposing the magnetic trigger mechanism  20  provides three or more statuses, the power switching module  26  may then comprise a regulator, a transformer, a switch or a multiplexer, so as to output multiple voltages or currents at the output end of the power switching module  26 . For example, the power switching module  26  also comprises an over-voltage or over-current protecting circuit that cuts off the voltage or current in the event of over-current or over-voltage to ensure user safety. 
     For example, the power switching module  26  would further comprises an AC/DC converter that provides one or multiple DC output currents or output voltages at the output end thereof. It is to be noted that a single AC power at the output end of the power switching module  26  is shown in  FIG. 2  for illustrative purposes, and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. For example, the output of the power switching module  26  can be an AC power or a DC power under the spirit of the present invention. The switch of the present disclosure may also be applied to a knob for light brightness or volume adjustment, as the term “switch” according to the present disclosure encompasses switches of any form. 
     Additionally, to satisfy regional security systems, such as a home security system, the contactless power switch of the present invention is connectable to a wired local network, a wireless network (e.g., WiMax or WiFi), or a mobile communication network (e.g., 2G, 3G, or 4G). Hence, the contactless power switch  2  according to the present disclosure further comprises a communication module  30 , which establishes a connection through a wired local network, a wireless network or a mobile communication network by transceiving a communication signal  28  (e.g., a wired signal or a wireless signal), so as to enable a user to control the contactless power switch  2  according to the present disclosure at a remote end for functions including turning on and off, time, and adjustment. Further, the communication module  30  is coupled to a bi-directional bus of the controller  24  to accomplish signal transmission and data control by transmitting the control signal  27 . 
     While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not to be limited to the above embodiments. On the other hand, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.