Patent Publication Number: US-9890939-B2

Title: Switch structure and flashlight with the same

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a field of illumination equipment, and in particular to a switch structure and a flashlight with the same. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Nowadays, use of flashlights in the field of tactics is increasingly emphasized. During confrontation of two armies in the darkness, directly irradiating eyes of enemies with light beams to disable the enemies to identify own accurate positions may effectively increase a probability of winning in this confrontation. When breaking into rooms for assaulting, soldiers and police can use constant beam or strobe irradiation to get the other party in control. In such an emergency, a tactical flashlight which may be simply operated with one hand and may enter a momentary activation (constant beam) or strobe mode is required. For realizing such a function, a reliable mechanical switch capable of enable the flashlight to enter the strobe mode or the momentary activation mode with a key is required. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A main purpose of the invention is to provide a switch structure and a flashlight with the same, so as to solve the problem that a flashlight in a conventional art may not be conveniently switched into different illumination modes. 
     In order to achieve the purpose, according to one aspect of the invention, a switch structure is provided, which comprises: a switch housing; a control part, the control part being provided in the switch housing; and a moving part, the moving part being movably provided in the switch housing, the moving part having a first stroke where the control part is enabled to output a first control signal and a second stroke where the control part is enabled to output a second control signal and the second stroke being consisted of the first stroke and a subsequent stroke after the first stroke. 
     Furthermore, the control part comprises a control circuit, and when the moving part moves by the first stroke, the control circuit of the control part is switched on through the moving part, and outputs the first control signal; and when the moving part moves to the second stroke within a preset time, the control circuit of the control part undergoes a preset switching on and switching off process through the moving part, and outputs the second control signal. 
     Furthermore, the preset switching on and switching off process is a process of switching on to witching off to switching on. 
     Furthermore, the control part comprises a circuit board and an electrical conductor which is provided on the circuit board and connected with the control circuit on the circuit board, and the moving part comprises: a conductive switch column, the conductive switch column being provided movably in the switch housing and a first end of the conductive switch column having a conductive head; and an insulating ring, the insulating ring being fixedly provided on the conductive switch column and located behind the conductive head, the conductive head contacting with the electrical conductor and enabling the control circuit to output the first control signal when the moving part moves by the first stroke, and the conductive head, the insulating ring and the conductive switch column sequentially contacting with the electrical conductor and enabling the control circuit to output the second control signal when the moving part moves by the second stroke. 
     Furthermore, a mounting hole is provided in the first end of the conductive switch column, the conductive head is a conductive screw, the conductive screw is mounted in the mounting hole, and the insulating ring is provided on the conductive screw in a sleeving manner, and is located between a cap of the conductive screw and the conductive switch column. 
     Furthermore, the circuit board is provided with a through hole through which the moving part passes, and a part of the electrical conductor is raised from a peripheral wall of the through hole. 
     Furthermore, the electrical conductor comprises conductive spring wires or current pins or conductive sheets. 
     Furthermore, the control part comprises a circuit board and an elastic piece which is provided on the circuit board and connected with the control circuit of the circuit board, the elastic piece is provided with a fixed end connected with the control circuit, a normally closed contact connected with the control circuit and a normally open contact separated from the control circuit in a free state, the normally closed contact and the normally open contact are located on two sides of the circuit board respectively, and are both connected with the fixed end, and the moving part comprises: a conductive switch column, the conductive switch column being provided movably in the switch housing, the conductive switch column contacting with the normally open contact and enabling the control part to output the first control signal when the conductive switch column moves by the first stroke; when the conductive switch column moves by the second stroke, the elastic piece has a first state, a second state and a third state; in the first state, the normally open contact contacts with the conductive switch column and the normally closed contact contacts with the control circuit; in the second state, the normally open contact is driven by the conductive switch column to get close to the control circuit and does not contact with the control circuit, and the normally closed contact is driven to be separated from the control circuit; and in the third state, the normally open contact contacts with the control circuit and the normally closed contact is separated from the control circuit. 
     Furthermore, the switch structure further comprises an elastic returning part, and the elastic returning part is provided between the moving part and the switch housing, and drives the moving part to return to an initial position. 
     According to the other aspect of the invention, a flashlight is provided, which comprises a light source and a switch structure, wherein the switch structure is the abovementioned switch structure, the light source at least has a first state of continuous irradiation and a second state of switching on and switching off according to a preset frequency, the switch structure is electrically connected with the light source, the light source is in the first state when the switch structure outputs a first control signal, and the light source is in the second state when the switch structure outputs a second control signal. 
     According to the technical solutions of the invention, the switch structure comprises: the switch housing; the control part, the control part being provided in the switch housing; and the moving part, the moving part being provided movably in the switch housing, the moving part having the first stroke where the control part is enabled to output the first control signal and the second stroke where the control part is enabled to output the second control signal and the second stroke being consisted of the first stroke and the subsequent stroke after the first stroke. The switch structure may switch modes conveniently and simply, and is used conveniently and rapidly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Specification drawings forming a part of the invention are adopted to provide further understanding of the invention, and schematic embodiments of the invention and description thereof are adopted to explain the invention and not intended to form improper limits to the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a section view of a switch structure according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a structure diagram of a control part of a switch structure according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of a switch structure according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a three-dimensional structure diagram of a control part of a switch structure according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a back view of a control part of a switch structure according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a control part of a switch structure according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a section view of a switch structure according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a three-dimensional structure diagram of a control part of a switch structure according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a control part of a switch structure according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a switch structure according to a third embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Wherein, the drawings include the following drawing reference signs: 
       10 : switch housing;  11 : main cover;  111 : button hole;  12 : mounting table;  121 : bearing table;  13 : rubber cap;  14 : sealing ring;  16 : fixed ring;  20 : control part;  21 : circuit board;  211 : through hole;  221 : conductive spring wire;  222 : current pin;  23 : elastic piece;  231 : fixed end;  232 : normally closed contact;  233 : normally open contact;  30 : moving part;  31 : conductive switch column;  311 : mounting hole;  32 : conductive head;  33 : insulating ring;  40 : elastic returning part;  70 : light source;  80 : power supply;  91 : first signal; and  92 : second signal. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     It is important to note that embodiments in the invention and characteristics in the embodiments can be combined under the condition of no conflicts. The invention will be described below with reference to the drawings and the embodiments in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 8 , according to an embodiment of the invention, a confrontation flashlight is usually at least required to have a momentary activation mode and a strobe mode to meet a using requirement. Wherein, the momentary activation mode refers to that a light source  70  is kept in an on state for continuous illumination. The strobe mode refers to that the light source  70  is switched between the on state and an off state at a certain frequency. Such a switching frequency may be set according to different requirements, and the switching frequency of the strobe mode of the flashlight in the invention is 9 Hz to 12 Hz (in other embodiments, the switching frequency may not be within this range, and may be set freely). Of course, the flashlight may be configured for confrontation, and is also applied to daily life or other environments with such a requirement. 
     It is important to note that the flashlight may also have other illumination modes, and for example, a strobe mode adopting multiple different switching frequencies may be set. 
     In a first embodiment, a flashlight at least comprises a housing, a light source  70 , a power supply  80  and a switch structure. 
     The housing is used for bearing the other parts. 
     The light source  70  is provided on the housing, and at least has a first state of continuous irradiation and a second state of switching on and switching off according to a preset frequency. The first state is the momentary activation mode, and the second state is the strobe mode. 
     The power supply  80  is provided in the housing, and is connected with the light source  70  through the switch structure. 
     The switch structure is electrically connected with the light source  70 , and the switch structure controls current input to the light source  70 , so that to control the light source  70  to irradiate according to a required mode. In the embodiment, the switch structure may output a first control signal and a second control signal. When the first control signal is output, the light source  70  is in the first state, and when the switch structure outputs a second control signal, the light source  70  is in the second state. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , in the embodiment, a principle of the flashlight is that the power supply  80  is connected with the light source  70  through the switch structure, and the flashlight enters the momentary activation mode when being switched on through a first signal  91 , and enters the strobe mode when being switched on through a second signal  92 . 
     Specifically, referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the embodiment, the switch structure comprises a switch housing  10 , a control part  20  and a moving part  30 . 
     Wherein, the switch housing  10  is used for connection with the housing of the flashlight, and is also used for bearing the other parts of the switch structure. The switch housing comprises a main cover  11  matched with the housing of the flashlight, a mounting table  12  provided in the main cover  11 , a rubber cap  13  which is provided in a button hole  111  of the main cover  11  and extends from the button hole  111 , and the like. The rubber cap  13  is fixed on the main cover  11  through a fixed ring  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an inner cavity of the main cover  11  is in threaded connection with the mounting table  12 , and the mounting table  12  and the housing of the flashlight form an integrated structure. A sealing ring  14  is provided between the mounting table  12  and the main cover  11 . The mounting table  12  is provided with a bearing table  121  which is inwards raised. 
     It is important to note that the mounting table  12  and the housing of the flashlight may form the integrated structure, and may also be split structures which are independently machined. 
     The control part  20  is provided in the switch housing  10 , and is used for outputting the control signals according to a position of the moving part  30 . The control part  20  comprises a circuit board  21  and an electrical conductor which is provided on the circuit board  21  and connected with a control circuit on the circuit board  21 . 
     The circuit board  21  is provided on the side, far away from the button hole  111 , of the bearing table  121 . The circuit board  21  is provided with a through hole  211  through which the moving part  30  passes, and a part of the electrical conductor is raised from a peripheral wall of the through hole  211  to form good and reliable contact with the moving part  30 . The control circuit comprises a single-chip microcomputer or another programmable control chip and other elements. 
     The moving part  30  is provided movably in the switch housing  10 , a user may press the moving part  30  to drive the moving part  30  to move, and the moving part  30  may move by different strokes to control the light source  70  of the flashlight to implement different irradiation modes. 
     The moving part  30  comprises a conductive switch column  31  and an insulating ring  33 . 
     A first end of the conductive switch column  31  is provided with a conductive head  32  contacting with the control part  20 , a second end of the conductive switch column  31  extends from the button hole  111 , and the rubber cap  13  covers the second end of the conductive switch column  31 . The conductive switch column  31  is provided with a limiting flange, the limiting flange is matched with the fixed ring  16  to limit a position of the conductive switch column  31 , and when the limiting flange of the conductive switch column  31  contacts with the fixed ring  16 , the conductive switch column  31  is at an initial position. 
     The insulating ring  33  is fixedly provided on the conductive switch column  31 , and is located behind the conductive head  32 . 
     In the embodiment, a mounting hole  311  is provided in the first end of the conductive switch column  31 , the conductive head  32  is a conductive screw, the conductive screw is mounted in the mounting hole  311 , and the insulating ring  33  is provided on the conductive screw in a sleeving manner, and is located between a cap of the conductive screw and the conductive switch column  31 . 
     When working, the moving part  30  has a first stroke where the moving part  30  contacts with the control part  20  and the control part  20  is enabled to output the first control signal and a second stroke where the moving part  30  contacts with the control part  20  and the control part  20  is enabled to output the second control signal, the second stroke is consisted of the first stroke and a subsequent stroke after the first stroke, that is, the moving part  30  moves from the initial position to a position where it is connected with the control part  20  for the first time to form the first stroke. In such a manner, the moving part  30  may be move by different strokes according to different illumination requirements to control the flashlight to implement the required illumination mode with a key, and simplicity, high speed and reliability in operation are achieved. 
     When the moving part  30  moves by the first stroke, the control circuit of the control part  20  is switched on through the moving part  30 , and outputs the first control signal; and 
     when the moving part  30  moves by the second stroke within a preset time, the control circuit of the control part  20  undergoes a preset switching on and switching off process through the moving part  30 , and outputs the second control signal. 
     In the embodiment, the preset switching on and switching off process is a process of switching on to switching off to switching on. In the other embodiments, another preset switching on and switching off process may be set according to a requirement, and for distinction from the momentary activation mode, a preset switching on and switching off process in the strobe mode preferably comprises an odd number of nodes, for example, the preset switching on and switching off process is set to be a process of switching on to switching off to switching on to switching off to switching on. If such a preset switching on and switching off process is adopted, it is necessary to additionally arrange the insulating ring  33  on the conductive switch column  31 , and correspondingly, when such a preset switching on and switching off process is adopted, a stroke of the conductive switch column  31  is longer. 
     Specifically, when the flashlight is required to enter the momentary activation mode, the moving part  30  moves by the first stroke, the conductive head  32  contacts with the electrical conductor and enables the control circuit to output the first control signal, the light source  70  of the flashlight is in the first state, the light source  70  is in the momentary activation mode, the light source  70  is kept to be pressed for continuous illumination, and the light source  70  is released to be switched off. 
     When the flashlight is required to enter the strobe mode, the rubber cap  13  is pressed to drive the conductive switch column  31  to move, the moving part  30  moves by the second stroke, that is, the conductive head  32 , the insulating ring  33  and the conductive switch column  31  sequentially contact with the electrical conductor, and when the conductive head  32  contacts with the electrical conductor, the control circuit on the circuit board  21  is switched on, the single-chip microcomputer receives a switching-on signal, then the insulating ring  33  contacts with the electrical conductor, the control circuit is switched off because the insulating ring  33  is insulating, the single-chip microcomputer receives a switching-off signal, the conductive switch column  31  continues moving, and contacts with the electrical conductor, the control circuit is switched on again, the single-chip microcomputer receives a switching-on signal, and determines that the switching on and switching off process is consistent with the preset switching on and switching off process and is implemented within a preset time, then the control circuit outputs the second control signal, and the light source  70  enters the strobe mode. The flashlight adopting the switch structure may enter the strobe mode with one key by pressing the moving part  30 , so that high speed and convenience in use and high reliability are ensured. 
     The flashlight is controlled to enter the strobe mode with one key through the switch structure, so that simplicity in operation, high reliability and favorability for confrontation are ensured. 
     In the embodiment, in order to facilitate use, the switch structure further comprises an elastic returning part  40 , and the elastic returning part  40  is provided between the bearing table  121  and the limiting flange of the conductive switch column  31 , and is used for automatically rebounding the conductive switch column  31  to the initial position. In the embodiment, the elastic returning part  40  is a spring, and in the other embodiments, the elastic returning part  40  may also be other structures. 
     In the embodiment, in order to facilitate use, the switch structure is located at a tail end of the flashlight for the user to conveniently press, so that the aim of conveniently and rapidly controlling the irradiation mode of the flashlight is fulfilled. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , in the embodiment, the electrical conductor comprises two conductive spring wires  221 . The conductive spring wires  221  are bent into four contacts, and the four contacts are raised from the peripheral wall of the through hole  211  to form good and reliable contact with the conductive head  32  of the conductive switch column  31 . 
     In the other embodiments, the number and shape of the conductive spring wires  221  may be determined according to different requirements. It is important to note that the conductive spring wires  221  may be wires made from any conductive material as long as the conductive head  32  may be ensured to pass through the conductive spring wires  221  and may be conductive when contacting with the conductive spring wires  221 . The conductive spring wires  221  may be copper wires. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 6 , according to a second embodiment of the invention, in the embodiment, an elastic piece  23  is provided on the circuit board  21 , the conductive head  32  and the insulating ring  33  are not provided on the conductive switch column  32 , and structures of the other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the control part  20  comprises the circuit board  21  and the elastic piece  23  which is provided on the circuit board  21  and connected with the control circuit of the circuit board  21 . 
     The elastic piece  23  is provided with a fixed end  231  connected with the control circuit, a normally closed contact  232  connected with the control circuit and a normally open contact  233  separated from the control circuit in a free state, and the normally closed contact  232  and the normally open contact  233  are located on two sides of the circuit board  21  respectively, and are both connected with the fixed end  231 . 
     The conductive switch column  31  of the moving part  30  is movably provided in the switch housing  10 , and when the conductive switch column  31  moves by the first stroke, the conductive switch column  31  contacts with the normally open contact  233 , the control circuit is switched on through the conductive switch column  31 , the normally open contact  233  and the fixed end  231 , the single-chip microcomputer receives a switching-on signal, and enables the control part  20  to output the first control signal, and the light source  70  is controlled by the control part  20  to enter the momentary activation mode. 
     When the conductive switch column  31  moves by the second stroke, the elastic piece  23  has a first state, a second state and a third state, and in the first state, the normally open contact  233  contacts with the conductive switch column  31 , the normally closed contact  232  contacts with the control circuit, and the control circuit receives a switching-on signal. 
     The conductive switch column  31  continues moving, and when the elastic piece  23  is in the second state, the normally open contact is driven by the conductive switch column  31  to get close to the control circuit and does not contact with the control circuit, the normally closed contact  232  is driven to be separated from the control circuit, and then the control circuit is not switched on, and receives a switching-off signal. 
     The conductive switch column  31  continues moving, and when the elastic piece  23  is in the third state, the normally open contact  233  contacts with the control circuit, the normally closed contact  232  is separated from the control circuit, the control circuit is switched on again, and the control circuit determines that the flashlight is required to enter the strobe mode when receiving a signal consistent with the preset switching on and switching off process within a preset time, and further sends the second control signal to make the light source  70  enter the strobe mode. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 10 , in the third embodiment of the invention, the electrical conductor comprises current pins  222 , and its structure and working process are the same as those in the first embodiment. 
     There are multiple current pins  222 , so that good and reliable contact with the conductive switch column  31  may be formed, and working reliability may be ensured. The electrical conductor may also comprise conductive sheets. 
     According to the invention, the single-chip microcomputer receives the signals to implement control over tactical momentary activation or tactical one-key strobe of the flashlight. When the conductive switch column  32  is slightly pressed down, the control circuit is switched on, the control circuit sends a signal, and the flashlight implements the momentary activation mode; and when the conductive switch column  32  is released, the conductive switch column  31  returns to the initial position under the action of the spring, the control circuit is switched off, a signal connection is cut off, and the light source is switched off. 
     When the conductive switch column  31  is rapidly pressed down, the control circuit implements a process of switching on (sending a signal) to switching off (cutting off the signal connection) to switching on (sending a signal), and when the single-chip microcomputer receives the signal, the light source  70  may be switched to the strobe mode, thereby realizing a one-key strobe function. 
     A momentary activation function is realized by slight pressing, and the one-key strobe function is realized by rapid pressing. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , when the conductive switch column  31  is pressed down, the first signal  91  is connected for switching on (the signal is sent), and the single-chip microcomputer receives the signal to implement momentary activation. When the conductive switch column  31  is continuously pressed down, both the first signal  91  and the second signal  92  are not connected to the circuit board  21 , and the signal connection is cut off (switching off), and when the conductive switch column  31  is continuously pressed down, the second signal  92  is connected (the signal is sent), and the strobe function is realized after the single-chip microcomputer receives the signals of switching on-switching off-switching on. 
     From the above description, it can be seen that the embodiments of the invention achieve technical effects as follows: a mechanical switch is adopted, the switch is pressed down to generate mechanical action, and when the switch is slightly pressed down to send the first signal, the single-chip microcomputer receives the signal, the flashlight realizes the momentary activation function, and the flashlight is switched off under the action of the spring after the switch is released; and the switch is rapidly pressed down to send three electrical signals, and when the single-chip microcomputer receives the signals, the flashlight enters the strobe mode immediately. The switch is pressed down with one key to implement switching on to switching off to switching on of the signals or the circuit to implement one-key strobe in a mechanical manner. 
     The above is only the preferred embodiment of the invention and not intended to limit the invention, and for those skilled in the art, the invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements and the like made within a spirit and principle of the invention shall fall within the scope of protection of the invention.