Patent ID: 8836457

Claim:
A switch structure comprising: a replaceable member to be detachably set to a target portion to which the switch structure is to be set, the replaceable member having an aperture at an end section thereof and a virtual boundary defined by the aperture at the end section; and a detection element and a detector closely opposed across the virtual boundary when the replaceable member is set and in the normal state of the replaceable member, the detection element and the detector being placed on the replaceable member side and the target portion side of the virtual boundary, respectively, wherein the replaceable member comprises a flexible cylindrical member flexible in all directions; a rod member attached to a free end of the flexible cylindrical member; and a rockable member extending from a base end of the rod member toward the end section through the inside of the flexible cylindrical member; wherein the detection element comprises a reflective surface and comprises an electrostatic substance and a magnetic metal substance, wherein the detection element is fixed on a face of the rockable member on the end section side, and when a force is applied to the rod member in a direction perpendicular to the shaft line of the rod member, the detection element moves in an area on the replaceable member side of the virtual boundary in a direction parallel to the virtual boundary, and wherein the detector detects the detection element moving away from the virtual boundary.