JPH04123720A - Switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it hard to cause wrong operation by a simple construction by providing a pressure sensing element, two electrodes to be provided on both sides of the pressure sensing element and a pushing means for pushing the pressure sensing element on the part to be held between these two electrodes. CONSTITUTION:A switch 10 is provided, for instance, in the passage of a safe hole of a pinball stand. The switch 10 is arranged so that a pinball P passing through the safe hole may pass its hole 14. When the pinball P enters the safe hole, the pinball P passes through the hole 14 of the switch 10 to push down a push part 38 on the side of the other end of a second electrode 32. At this time, a pressure sensing element 30 is pressed between a first electrode 18 and the electrode 52 to be in a conductive state so that the electrode 18 and the electrode 32, that is, a first terminal electrode and a second terminal electrode 26 are electrically connected. Accordingly, this switch 10 can detect the pinball which enters the safe hole.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a switch, and particularly to a switch used as a sensor for detecting pachinko balls, for example.

(Prior Art) A conventional sensor for detecting pachinko balls, which is the background of the present invention, includes, for example, a photosensor using a photoelectric element. This photo sensor can detect a pachinko ball by detecting a change in the amount of transmitted light caused by the ball passing by the charging element.

Furthermore, conventional sensors for detecting pachinko balls include a high-frequency oscillation type switch that uses a high-frequency oscillator and a detection coil. In this high frequency oscillation type switch, when a pachinko ball approaches a detection coil, an induced current flows through the pachinko ball and the current flowing through the detection coil changes, thereby making it possible to detect the pachinko ball.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the photosensor, light from a light source such as a fluorescent lamp may become noise and cause malfunction.

Furthermore, when a high frequency transmitter such as a transceiver is used in the vicinity of the high frequency oscillation type switch, the high frequency signal generated from the transmitter may become noise and cause malfunction.

Furthermore, this high-frequency oscillation type switch has a complicated circuit configuration, so its structure is also complicated.

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a switch that has a simple structure and is less likely to malfunction.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention includes a pressure-sensitive element, two electrodes provided on both sides of the pressure-sensitive element, and a pressing force for pressing the pressure-sensitive element with a portion sandwiched between these two electrodes. and means.

(Function) When the pressure-sensitive element is pressed by the pressing means, it becomes conductive, and 2
Two electrodes conduct.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, it has a simple structure that does not use a photoelectric element, a high-frequency oscillator, or a detection coil, and moreover, it uses light such as a fluorescent lamp or a high-frequency signal generated from a high-frequency transmitter such as a transceiver. A switch that does not malfunction can be obtained.

The above objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1A is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is an end view illustrating the line IB--IB in FIG. 1A. This switch IO includes a case 12 made of, for example, synthetic resin and having a rectangular planar shape. This case 12
For example, a circular hole 14 is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction. This hole 14 is formed to be slightly larger than the pachinko ball P.

For example, a rectangular printed circuit board 16 is fixed to the other end of the case 12 in the longitudinal direction. This printed circuit board 1
A strip-shaped first electrode 18 is formed on one end of the main surface of the electrode 6 near the hole 14 . Further, a rectangular first terminal electrode 20 is formed on the other end side of the main surface of the printed circuit board 16.

The first electrode 18 and the first terminal electrode 20 are electrically connected by, for example, an elongated first extraction electrode 22 formed on the main surface of the printed circuit board 16. These electrodes 1
8.20 and 22 are integrally formed of a conductor such as copper. Note that the first electrode 18 and the first terminal electrode 20 may be connected by a lead wire instead of the first extraction electrode 22.

Furthermore, an electrode 24 is formed on the inside of the printed circuit board 16, for example, in a rectangular shape. Furthermore, printed circuit board 1
A second terminal electrode 26 is formed on the other end side of the terminal electrode 6 so as to be spaced apart from the first terminal electrode 20 . Then, install electrode 2
4 and the second terminal electrode 26 are electrically connected, for example, by an L-shaped second extraction electrode 28. These electrodes 2
4, 26 and 28 are also integrally formed of a conductor such as copper. Note that the electrode 24 and the second terminal electrode 26 may also be electrically connected by a lead wire instead of the second extraction electrode 28.

On the other hand, one main surface of, for example, a strip-shaped pressure-sensitive element 30 is fixed to one main surface of the first electrode 18 using, for example, a conductive adhesive. The pressure sensitive element 30 is made of, for example, pressurized conductive rubber, and is formed to have the same length as the first electrode 18 and to be narrower than the first electrode 18 . Note that the pressure sensitive element 30 is
In addition to pressurized conductive rubber, it may also be formed using, for example, a silicon-based semiconductor.

Further, on the other main surface of the pressure-sensitive element 30, a second electrode 32 in the form of a strip, for example, is arranged.

In this case, the second electrode 32 is arranged to cross the pressure sensitive element 30.

One end of the second electrode 32 is formed, for example, as a section 34 having a cross-sectional shape, and the section 34 is mechanically fixed to the electrode 24 and electrically connected, for example, by soldering. be done.

Further, the intermediate portion of the second electrode 32 facing the pressure-sensitive element 30 is formed as a protrusion 36 having a chevron-shaped cross section and protruding downward.

Furthermore, the other end of the second electrode 32 is formed as a pressing portion 38 that protrudes into the hole 14, and this pressing portion 38 is bent such that its tip faces downward.

This switch 10 is provided, for example, in a path of a safe hole in a pachinko machine. In this case, the switch 10 is arranged so that the pachinko balls P passing through the safe hole pass through the hole 14 of the switch 10.

Then, when the pachinko ball P enters the safe hole, the pachinko ball P enters the hole 1 of the switch IO, as shown in FIG. 1B.
4, and press down the pressing part 38 on the other end side of the second electrode 32. At this time, the pressure-sensitive element 30 is pressurized between the first electrode 18 and the second electrode 32 to be in a conductive state, and the first electrode 18 and the second electrode 32, that is, the first terminal electrode 20 and the second terminal electrodes 26 are electrically connected.

Therefore, this switch 10 can detect the pachinko ball P entering the safe hole. Note that this switch 1
0 may be provided not only in the safe hole of the pachinko machine but also in the out hole.

Since this switch IO does not use a photoelectric element, it does not malfunction due to light from, for example, a fluorescent lamp. Further, since this switch 10 does not use a high frequency oscillator or a detection coil, it will not malfunction even if a high frequency transmitter such as a transceiver is used. Furthermore, this switch 10 has a simpler structure and lower cost than a switch using a photoelectric element, a high frequency oscillator, a detection coil, or the like. Moreover, since no high-frequency oscillator is used, there is no need for adjustment and no need for a power source.

Further, in this switch 10, since pressure is concentratedly applied to the pressure sensitive element 30 by the protruding portion 36 of the second electrode 32, the second
The pressure sensitivity of the pressure sensitive element 30 is better than in the case where such a protrusion is not formed on the electrode 32.

Note that in order to increase the pressure sensitivity of the pressure sensitive element 30, a protrusion having a chevron-shaped cross section that intersects with the protrusion 36 may be further provided on the first electrode 18. Alternatively, for example, a circular protrusion may be formed in a portion of at least one of the first electrode 18 and the second electrode 32 that faces the pressure-sensitive element 30.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing another embodiment of the invention. The switch 10 of this embodiment is used, for example, as a microswitch. Therefore, switch 1 of this embodiment
0, the case 12 does not have holes through which pachinko balls pass, compared to the embodiment shown in FIG.

Further, a first electrode 18 made of a rectangular metal plate and serving also as the first terminal electrode 20 is provided so as to penetrate through the case 12 . Then, the first electrode 1 comes out of the case 12.
One end of 8 is used as the first terminal electrode 20.

Further, the other end of the first electrode 18 is supported by a support member 40 within the case 12 .

Further, a second electrode 32 made of a rectangular metal plate and also serving as the second terminal electrode 26 is penetrated into the case 12 substantially parallel to the first electrode 18 . Then, one end portion of the second electrode 32 exposed outside the case 12 is used as the second terminal electrode 26.

A pressure sensitive element 30 is provided between the other end of the first electrode 18 and the second electrode 32.

Further, a pressing member 42 is provided in a portion of the case 12 that faces the other end of the second electrode 32 . This pressing member 42 includes, for example, a disc-shaped pressing portion 44, and a rod-shaped pressing portion 46 is formed in the center of the pressing portion 44. The pressing member 42 has its pressing portion 44 arranged inside the case 12, and its pressing portion 46 penetrates the case 12 so as to be slidable toward the pressure-sensitive element 30 side.

The pressing portion 44 of this pressing member 42 and the second electrode 3
A spring 48 is sandwiched between the other end of the spring 2 and the other end of the spring 48. This spring 48 is for transmitting the pressing force when pressing the pressing member 42 to the other end of the second electrode 32, that is, the pressure sensitive element 30.

In this switch 10, by pressing the pressing member 42, the pressure sensitive element 30 becomes conductive, and the first terminal electrode 20 and the second terminal electrode 26 are electrically connected.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. Furthermore, the second electrode 32
is configured such that the other end is directly pressed by the pressing member 42 without using a spring.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a larger moment acts on the pressure-sensitive element 30 than in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, so that the pressure-sensitive element 30 can be made conductive with a small pressing force.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a highly sensitive snap action operation can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1A is an illustrative plan view showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is an illustrative end view taken along line IB--IB in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. In the figure, 10 is a switch, 18 is a first electrode, 20
26 is a first terminal electrode, 26 is a second terminal electrode, 30 is a pressure sensitive element, 32 is a second electrode, 38 is a pressing portion, and 42 is a pressing member.

Claims (1)

Claims: A switch comprising: a pressure-sensitive element; two electrodes provided on both sides of the pressure-sensitive element; and a pressing means for pressing the pressure-sensitive element at a portion sandwiched between the two electrodes.