JP2012195150A - Rotation type switch and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To switch existence of a click feeling without mechanical noises, and provide an operation reaction force while reducing mechanical abrasion.SOLUTION: A dial cover 102 can rotate together with a rotation member 101. Convex parts 101a and concave parts 101b are alternately provided at an outer edge of the rotation member 101 at constant angular intervals in a circumferential direction. A first electromagnet 104 and a second electromagnet 106 are arranged such that a pole face 106a of the second electromagnet 106 is opposed to the concave parts 101b, when a pole face 104a of the first electromagnet 104 is opposed to the convex parts 101a, respectively. In a click mode, only the first electromagnet 104 is energized to generate a magnetic field, and in a non-click mode, both of the electromagnets 104, 106 are energized to generate a magnetic field.

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary switch mounted on an electronic device such as an imaging apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some rotary switches mounted on an electronic apparatus such as an image pickup apparatus are provided with a click generation mechanism in order to enhance an operation feeling, and some have an operation feeling generated by an uneven portion formed by a click member. However, for example, in a recent digital camera as an electronic device, a model having a moving image shooting function has a problem that a click sound caused by operating a rotary switch during shooting is recorded as noise. . Therefore, in order to solve this problem, there is one that realizes a click generation mechanism without mechanical interference sound between members by using an attractive force due to magnetic force.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, an electric field generating element such as an electromagnet and a rotating member (dial base) provided with a magnetic permeability at every predetermined angle of the rotating part are used to generate a click feeling by both magnetic forces. . Thereby, a click generation mechanism without interference sound between members is realized. The outline is described below.

A coil as an electromagnet has one of two magnetic poles of a magnetic field generated by energizing an electrode of the coil facing a convex portion of a rotating member made of a gear-shaped magnetic body.
The convex portion of the rotating member is attracted by the magnetic field generated by the coil, and the convex portion stops in a state of facing the magnetic pole surface of the coil.

  When the coil is energized, the convex part of the rotating member is attracted to the magnetic field of the coil, so that the rotating member rotates until an external force greater than the force with which the magnetic field attracts the convex part is applied. do not do. However, when a rotation operation greater than the force at which the convex portion of the rotating member is attracted is applied, the rotating member rotates, the convex portion of the rotating member moves away from the magnetic pole surface, and the magnetic pole surface faces the magnetic pole surface before the rotational operation. The next convex part at a position of a predetermined angle in the rotational direction faces the convex part of the rotating member that has been facing.

  As described above, the convex portions of the rotating member successively face the magnetic pole surface by the rotating operation, and each time a reaction force against the rotating operation is generated by the magnetic field of the electromagnet, which becomes a click feeling.

  By the way, in the crop zoom during moving image shooting, the frame feed during moving image reproduction, and the like, a smooth operation feeling without a click feeling is often desired. In order to realize the above-described conventional technique, it is only necessary to prevent the electric field generating element from generating a magnetic field.

JP-A-2005-174807

  However, in the rotary switch using the technique of Patent Document 1, when a smooth rotation operation without a click feeling is performed, the reaction force against the rotation operation depends on the mechanical mechanism that holds the rotation member. Therefore, the reaction force can be adjusted only by a mechanical mechanism, and it is not easy to adjust the strength of the reaction force.

  Moreover, when it is set as the structure which generate | occur | produces the reaction force with respect to rotation operation only with the frictional force of the said mechanical mechanism, a mechanical member will be easy to wear out and durability will become a subject.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to switch the presence / absence of a click feeling without generating mechanical noise, and to reduce operational wear while reducing mechanical wear. It is to grant.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a rotation operation unit, a rotation member that rotates integrally with the rotation operation unit, and in which convex portions and concave portions are alternately provided in the circumferential direction at regular angular intervals. A first magnetic field generating means that is arranged to face the convex portion or the concave portion of the rotating member that rotates, generates a magnetic field, and opposes the convex portion or the concave portion of the rotating member that rotates, and The first magnetic field generating means is disposed so as to face the concave portion when facing the convex portion, and has a second magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field, and the second magnetic field generating means generates the magnetic field. The magnetic field strength can be switched.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to switch the presence or absence of a click feeling without generating mechanical noise, and to apply an operation reaction force while reducing mechanical wear.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the rotary switch which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of a control mechanism for controlling a rotary switch. It is a figure which shows the strength of the electromagnetic force which a rotating member receives in the position which the rotating member rotated clockwise from the initial position. It is a flowchart of a process of magnetic field control. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the rotary switch which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the rotary switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This rotary switch is mounted on an electronic device such as an imaging device such as a digital camera, and is mainly for detecting a rotation operation by a user and setting a device corresponding thereto.

  The rotary switch includes a substrate 103 and a cylindrical dial cover 102 as a rotation operation unit serving as a user interface. The substrate 103 is provided with a rotating member 101, a first electromagnet (first magnetic field generating means) 104, a second electromagnet 106 (second magnetic field generating means), and the like. The rotation member 101 can be rotated on the substrate 103 by attaching a central axis 101 c serving as a rotation center to the substrate 103. The dial cover 102 is coupled to the rotating member 101 at a central position, and can rotate integrally with the rotating member 101 about a concentric central axis 101c. Although the illustration and description of the detailed configuration relating to the dial from the dial cover 102 to the rotating member 101 are omitted, they are the same as those disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-174807).

  The rotating member 101 has a gear shape in plan view (viewed in the axial direction of the central shaft 101c) by concavo-convex portions on the outer periphery of a magnetic iron disk. Specifically, a convex portion 101a radially extending in the outer edge portion of the rotating member 101 and a concave portion 101b formed between adjacent convex portions 101a are spaced at a constant angular interval in the circumferential direction. Are provided alternately. In plan view, the convex portion 101a extends in a strip shape, and the concave portion 101b is cut out in a V shape.

  An acute angle formed by a straight line L1 passing through the center of the convex portion 101a and the central axis 101c in the circumferential direction and a straight line L2 passing through the center of the concave portion 101b and the central axis 101c in the circumferential direction is defined as θ. Since the convex portion 101 a is formed so as to protrude in the radial direction of the rotating member 101, the air gap to the magnetic pole surface 104 a of the first electromagnet 104 or the magnetic pole surface 106 a of the second electromagnet 106 is reduced. On the other hand, since the recess 101b is notched in the radial direction of the rotating member 101, the air gap to the magnetic pole surface 104a of the first electromagnet 104 or the magnetic pole surface 106a of the second electromagnet 106 is increased.

  As a power source for energizing and exciting each of the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106, a first DC voltage power source 105 and a second DC voltage power source 107 are provided. When energized by the first DC voltage power source 105 and the second DC voltage power source 107, the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 generate magnetic fields, respectively.

  Both the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 are arranged toward the central axis 101 c on the outer peripheral side of the rotating member 101. Each of the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 is arranged as close to the rotating member 101 as possible with one of the two magnetic poles generated by energization facing the rotating member 101. The magnetic pole surface 104a of the first electromagnet 104 and the magnetic pole surface 106a of the second electromagnet 106 are magnetic pole surfaces facing the direction of the central axis 101c. Since the convex portion 101a has a small air gap to the magnetic pole surface 104a of the first electromagnet 104 or the magnetic pole surface 106a of the second electromagnet 106, the magnetic attraction force of the first electromagnet 104 or the second electromagnet 106 acts strongly. To do. However, since the recess 101b has a large air gap to the magnetic pole surface 104a of the first electromagnet 104 or the magnetic pole surface 106a of the second electromagnet 106, the magnetic attraction force of the first electromagnet 104 or the second electromagnet 106 is almost the same. Does not work.

  Depending on the position of the rotating member 101 in the rotation direction, the magnetic pole surfaces 104a and 106a face the convex portion 101a or the concave portion 101b. Relative positions of the convex portions 101a and the concave portions 101b and the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 in order to obtain a click feeling or eliminate a click feeling by magnetic field control (energization control) described later. The relationship is defined as follows.

First, an acute angle formed by a straight line L11 perpendicular to the magnetic pole face 104a and passing through the center of the magnetic pole face 104a and the central axis 101c and a straight line L12 perpendicular to the magnetic pole face 106a and passing through the center of the magnetic pole face 106a and the central axis 101c is α And The angle α is defined by Equation 1 below.
[Equation 1]
α = θ × (2N−1)
Here, N is an integer such that “2N−1” does not exceed the number of teeth (convex portions 101a) of the rotating member 101 (N = 1, 2, 3, 4 in the example of FIG. 1). ). In the present embodiment, as an example, the angle α is set to an angle θ and N = 1, and the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 are close to each other so as to form an angle θ (= angle α). Are adjacent to each other.

  In other words, the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 are configured such that when the magnetic pole surface 104a of the first electromagnet 104 faces the convex portion 101a, the magnetic pole surface 106a of the second electromagnet 106 is the concave portion 101b. Each is arranged so as to face directly. Therefore, when the rotating member 101 is rotated by an angle θ from this state, the magnetic pole surface 104a faces the concave portion 101b and the magnetic pole surface 106a faces the convex portion 101a.

  The first DC voltage power source 105 and the second DC voltage power source 107 are independent for energizing the first electromagnet 104 and for energizing the second electromagnet 106, respectively, and can be energized and controlled. . Therefore, it is possible to control such that only one of the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 is energized, or both are energized, or both are not energized.

  Further, in typical control, when both the electromagnets 104 and 106 are energized, the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 are each set so that the strength of the magnetic field generated by each of them is equal. Is adjusted in advance. However, the current amount of the first electromagnet 104 can be adjusted by the first DC voltage power source 105, and the current amount of the second electromagnet 106 can be adjusted by the second DC voltage power source 107.

  The substrate 103 is also provided with a sensor 112 for detecting the rotation angle of the rotating member 101. The sensor 112 is arranged so as to face the rotating member 101 as close as possible without interfering with the rotating member 101. The sensor 112 has a characteristic of generating a signal by detecting the approach of the ferromagnetic material, detects the approach of the convex portion 101a accompanying the rotation of the rotating member 101, and determines the number of the convex portions 101a that have passed through the opposing portion of the sensor 112. The rotation angle of the rotating member 101 is detected. Thus, the operation position is identified by detecting the rotation angle of the rotation operation by the user, and the value is used for various settings. The sensor 112 is configured by a Hall element, a photo reflector, a mechanical switch, or the like, but the configuration is not limited as long as the rotation angle of the rotating member 101 can be detected.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control mechanism for controlling the rotary switch. In addition to the sensor 112, the first DC voltage power source 105, and the second DC voltage power source 107, the ROM 32, the storage unit 33, and the input unit 34 are connected to the CPU (control unit) 31. The CPU 31 controls the entire rotary switch. The ROM 32 stores a control program executed by the CPU 31 and various data. The storage unit 33 is composed of a nonvolatile memory, and stores various input information, setting information, buffer data, and the like. The input unit 34 receives input of various instructions from the user. The CPU 31 performs energization control of the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106, that is, control of the amount of current.

  In the present embodiment, a “click mode” that provides a click feeling to the operation of the dial cover 102 and a “non-click mode” that provides a smooth feeling without a click feeling are switched. In the click mode, only the first electromagnet 104 of the electromagnets 104 and 106 is energized, and the second electromagnet 106 is not energized. On the other hand, in the non-click mode, both electromagnets 104 and 106 are energized equally.

  The operation in the click mode will be described. The forward rotation direction of the rotating member 101 is the clockwise direction in FIG.

  In order to generate a click feeling, only the first electromagnet 104 is energized, and the second electromagnet 106 is not energized, so that only the first electromagnet 104 generates a magnetic field. When the first electromagnet 104 is energized, a magnetic field is generated, and the convex portion 101a of the rotating member 101 is attracted to the magnetic pole surface 104a by the magnetic field, and the rotating member 101 stops with the convex portion 101a facing the magnetic pole surface 104a. A position where a certain convex portion 101a faces the magnetic pole surface 104a is an “initial position” of the rotating member 101.

  In the energization continuation state of the first electromagnet 104, the convex portion 101 a is attracted to the magnetic field of the first electromagnet 104, so that a reaction force against the rotation operation of the dial cover 102 occurs. Therefore, the rotating member 101 does not rotate until an external force greater than the force by which the magnetic field attracts the convex portion 101a is applied.

  When a rotation operation (for example, normal rotation) by the user is applied to the dial cover 102 and the operation force exceeds the force with which the convex portion 101a is attracted, the rotation member 101 rotates. Due to the rotation, the convex portion 101a attracted to the first electromagnet 104 is separated from the magnetic pole surface 104a, and eventually the magnetic pole surface 104a is adjacent to the magnetic pole surface 104a rearward in the rotational direction by an angle θ from the convex portion 101a facing before the rotation operation. The next convex part 101a to be opposed comes to face. Then, in the same manner as described above, the next convex portion 101a is attracted to the magnetic pole surface 104a, which causes a reaction force against the rotation operation, and the rotation member 101 rotates until the rotation operation force exceeds the attraction force by the magnetic pole surface 104a. do not do.

  When the rotation operation by the user is completed, the rotating member 101 is stopped at a position where the convex portion 101a is attracted to the magnetic pole surface 104a and directly faces the magnetic pole surface 104a. When the rotation operation is still continued, the next convex portion 101a directly faces the magnetic pole surface 104a and generates a reaction force for the further rotation operation.

  As described above, the convex portion 101a successively faces the magnetic pole surface 104a by the rotation operation, and a reaction force to the rotation operation is generated by the magnetic field of the first electromagnet 104 each time, and this is transmitted to the user as a click feeling. Thereby, it is possible to realize a click generation mechanism that does not cause contact between rigid bodies and generation of interference sound (mechanical noise).

  When it is desired to perform a smooth rotation operation without a feeling of clicking, the non-click mode is set, and both the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 are energized to generate a magnetic field.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the strength of the electromagnetic force received by the rotating member 101 at the rotational position where the rotating member 101 has rotated clockwise by the rotational angle X from the initial position.

  In this example, for simplification of description, regarding the electromagnetic force that the rotating member 101 receives from each of the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106, the maximum value thereof is 2 [F], and the minimum value is 0 [ F]. The maximum value referred to here is a value when the convex portion 101a is opposed (facing directly) to the magnetic pole surface 104a or the magnetic pole surface 106a in the widest range. Further, the minimum value is a value when the concave portion 101b is opposed (facing directly) to the magnetic pole surface 104a or the magnetic pole surface 106a in the widest range.

  In FIG. 3, a curve 201 is a waveform of the strength of electromagnetic force received by the rotating member 101 from the first electromagnet 104, and a curve 202 is a waveform of the strength of electromagnetic force received by the rotating member 101 from the second electromagnet 106. It is a waveform. At the initial position, the rotation angle X is 0 degree, and the convex portion 101a faces the magnetic pole surface 104a. Therefore, the electromagnetic force that the rotating member 101 receives from the first electromagnet 104 is maximum, that is, 2 [F]. Further, at the initial position, since the concave portion 101b faces the magnetic pole surface 106a, the electromagnetic force that the rotating member 101 receives from the first electromagnet 104 is minimum, that is, 0 [F].

  When the rotating member 101 is gradually rotated from the initial position, the area where the convex portion 101a faces the magnetic pole surface 104a is decreased, so that the rotating member 101 receives from the first electromagnet 104 as shown by the curve 201. Electromagnetic force also decreases. However, on the other hand, since the area where the convex portion 101a faces the magnetic pole surface 106a increases, the electromagnetic force that the rotating member 101 receives from the second electromagnet 106 increases as shown by the curve 202.

  When the rotating member 101 is rotated by an angle θ from the initial position, the concave portion 101b faces the magnetic pole surface 104a, so that the electromagnetic force received by the rotating member 101 from the first electromagnet 104 is 0 [F], which is the minimum. On the other hand, since the convex portion 101a faces the magnetic pole surface 106a, the electromagnetic force that the rotating member 101 receives from the second electromagnet 106 is 2 [F] at the maximum.

  Thus, the electromagnetic force that the rotating member 101 receives from the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 can be represented by the curves 201 and 202 that are both sine curves. A curve 203 is a waveform that represents the sum of electromagnetic forces (sum of curves 201 and 202) that the rotating member 101 receives from the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106, respectively.

  The curve 203 is a straight line in this example. Therefore, regardless of the rotation angle X, the sum of the electromagnetic forces received by the rotating member 101 from the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 is always 2 [F] and constant. This is because the curves 201 and 202 are sine waves having opposite phases, and the sum of them is constant. Therefore, the rotating member 101 always receives a constant electromagnetic force regardless of the rotation angle X, and the click feeling when the dial cover 102 is rotated does not occur. On the other hand, a reaction force to the operation is obtained by a certain electromagnetic force.

  Referring to the example of FIG. 1, when the rotating member 101 rotates slightly clockwise from the initial position of FIG. 1, the convex portion 101 a closest to the magnetic pole surface 104 a acts so as to be pulled back to the magnetic pole surface 104 a. Is biased counterclockwise. At the same time, the (next) convex portion 101a adjacent to the convex portion 101a in the counterclockwise direction is attracted to the magnetic pole surface 104a, and the rotating member 101 is urged clockwise. Since the sum of those urging forces is always constant, there is no click feeling.

  Here, the intensity of the electromagnetic force (the value of the curve 203) applied to the rotating member 101 can be changed only by adjusting the amount of current that flows through the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106. For example, if the current amount of the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 is increased or decreased while being equalized, the magnitude of the rotational operation reaction force can be easily controlled.

  In particular, it does not require a mechanical mechanism that generates a reactive force due to friction by pressing the rotating member, etc., as in the past, in order to generate a reaction force against the rotation operation, so the wear of the mechanical mechanism is reduced and the durability is excellent. .

  Such click mode and non-click mode operations are performed by magnetic field control by the CPU 31. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of magnetic field control processing. This process is started, for example, when the electronic device is turned on.

  First, the CPU 31 performs initial setting (step S401). As part of the initial setting information regarding the rotating member 101, information for setting either the click mode or the non-click mode is stored in the ROM 32 in advance. These various setting information may be stored at the time of the previous magnetic field control process.

  In accordance with the initial setting information, the CPU 31 performs energization control. For example, if the information is for the click mode, control is performed so that only the first electromagnet 104 is energized and the second electromagnet 106 is not energized. This initial setting information may be stored in a separate storage device so that the user can change it later.

  Next, in step S402, the CPU 31 determines whether it is necessary to generate a click feeling (whether an instruction for setting the click mode is accepted). Here, it is assumed that an instruction for switching to the click mode or the non-click mode is received from the user by the input unit 34 at an arbitrary timing, and the information is stored in the storage unit 33. If the initial setting is left as it is, it is treated as if the instruction to enter the click mode is accepted.

  As a result of the determination, if it is necessary to generate a click feeling, the CPU 31 executes a click mode process SA (steps S403 to S406). On the other hand, if it is not necessary to generate a click feeling, non-click mode processing SB (steps S407 to 410) is executed.

  That is, in the click mode process SA, in step S403, the CPU 31 energizes only one electromagnet (here, the first electromagnet 104) to generate a magnetic field, and the other electromagnet (here, the second electromagnet 106) Control not to energize. Next, in step S404, the CPU 31 determines whether or not to change the magnitude of the reaction force with respect to the rotation direction (here, the degree of click feeling). Here, it is assumed that an instruction (change instruction and degree of change) regarding the reaction force change with respect to the rotation direction is received from the user by the input unit 34 at an arbitrary timing, and the information is stored in the storage unit 33. . The same applies to information used in step S408 described later.

  As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the magnitude of the rotational reaction force is not changed, the CPU 31 maintains the current state of the electromagnets 104 and 106 (step S405). Accordingly, the second electromagnet 106 is not energized here. On the other hand, if the CPU 31 determines that the magnitude of the rotational reaction force is to be changed, the current value of the currently energized electromagnet (here, the first electromagnet 104) is stored in the storage unit 33. (Step S406). In this case, the strength of the magnetic field is adjusted by changing the current value of the first electromagnet 104, and the reaction force (click feeling) increases when the current amount is increased, and the reaction force decreases when the current amount is decreased.

  On the other hand, in the non-click mode control SB, in step S407, the CPU 31 energizes both electromagnets (electromagnets 104 and 106) to generate magnetic fields. Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not to change the magnitude of the rotation reaction force (the weight of the rotation operation) based on the information stored in the storage unit 33 (step S408).

  As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the magnitude of the rotational reaction force is not changed, the CPU 31 keeps the energization state of the electromagnets 104 and 106 as it is (step S409). Accordingly, both the electromagnets 104 and 106 are kept energized here. On the other hand, if the CPU 31 determines that the magnitude of the rotational reaction force is to be changed, the current value of both electromagnets (electromagnets 104 and 106) is changed by the same amount according to the information stored in the storage unit 33. (Step S410). In this case, both the strengths of the magnetic fields are adjusted by changing the current values of the electromagnets 104 and 106. If the current amount is increased, the reaction force increases, and if the current amount is decreased, the reaction force decreases.

  After the processing of steps S405, S406, S409, and S410, the CPU 31 advances the processing to step S411, grasps the power supply state, and determines whether the power supply is in an ON state. If the power is on, the CPU 31 returns the process to step S402. If the power is off, the CPU 31 ends the magnetic field control process while storing the current setting in the storage unit 33.

  According to the present embodiment, when the magnetic pole surface 104a of the first electromagnet 104 faces the convex portion 101a with respect to the rotating member 101 having magnetic permeability strength in the circumferential direction, the second electromagnet 106 The magnetic pole surface 106a was directly opposed to the recess 101b. In the click mode, only the first electromagnet 104 is excited, and in the non-click mode, both the electromagnets 104 and 106 are excited. In this manner, by switching the strength of the magnetic field generated by the second electromagnet 106, the presence or absence of the click feeling can be switched, and in the click mode, the click feeling is imparted without generating noise due to the mechanical mechanism. be able to. Moreover, even when there is no click feeling, the rotational operation reaction force can be ensured without depending on a mechanical mechanism such as friction. Therefore, the presence or absence of a click feeling can be switched without generating mechanical noise, and an operation reaction force can be applied while reducing mechanical wear.

  Incidentally, the electromagnets 104 and 106 can individually adjust the strength of the magnetic field to be generated separately. In the click mode processing SA, the second electromagnet 106 is not energized at all, and even if a current having a value smaller than that of the first electromagnet 104 is passed, it is possible to give a click feeling. In that case, the degree of click feeling can be arbitrarily controlled by the degree of change in the amount of current of the second electromagnet 106. Since the operation load can be electrically controlled in this way, the operation feeling can be easily adjusted.

  The control mode of the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 may be reversed.

  By the way, the magnetic field generating means for changing and controlling the generated magnetic field is not limited to the electromagnet. For example, at least one of the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 may have a property as a permanent magnet. If it has the property of a permanent magnet, it becomes possible to control the generated magnetic field with a current value smaller than the current value that flows through an electromagnet that does not have that property, and power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, one magnetic field generating means (corresponding to the first electromagnet 104) may be configured to always generate a magnetic field, and the other magnetic field generating means may be configured to switch the magnetic field generation. In that case, the one magnetic field generating means may be configured only as a permanent magnet, not as an electromagnet, so that a constant magnetic field is always generated.

  By the way, in the outer edge part of the rotation member 101, the part with a high magnetic permeability and the part with a low magnetic permeability were provided by the form of the flesh part and the lacking part, but it is not restricted to this. You may implement | achieve by arrange | positioning the raw material from which a magnetic permeability differs in the outer edge part of a disk member so that it may vary alternately in the circumferential direction.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the rotary switch according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the second embodiment, a third electromagnet 108, a third DC voltage power supply 109, a fourth electromagnet 110, and a fourth DC voltage power supply 111 are added to the first embodiment. However, other configurations are the same. The configuration of the third electromagnet 108 and the fourth electromagnet 110 is the same as that of the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106. The configurations of the third DC voltage power supply 109 and the fourth DC voltage power supply 111 are the same as those of the first DC voltage power supply 105 and the second DC voltage power supply 107. When the third DC voltage power supply 109 and the fourth DC voltage power supply 111 controlled by the CPU 31 are energized, the third electromagnet 108 and the fourth electromagnet 110 generate magnetic fields, respectively.

  A straight line perpendicular to the magnetic pole surface 108a of the third electromagnet 108 and passing through the center of the magnetic pole surface 108a and the central axis 101c is defined as L21. A straight line perpendicular to the magnetic pole surface 110a of the fourth electromagnet 110 and passing through the center of the magnetic pole surface 110a and the central axis 101c is defined as L22. The acute angle formed by the straight line L21 and the straight line L22 is an angle α, which is the same as the angle θ. The straight line L21 and the straight line L22 coincide with the extended lines of the straight lines L11 and L12, respectively. That is, the first electromagnet 104 and the third electromagnet 108 are a pair arranged at point-symmetrical positions with the central axis 101c of the rotating member 101 interposed therebetween. The second electromagnet 106 and the fourth electromagnet 110 are a pair disposed at point-symmetrical positions with the central axis 101c of the rotating member 101 interposed therebetween.

  In such a configuration, the third DC voltage power source 109 and the fourth DC voltage power source 111 are controlled at the same timing as the first DC voltage power source 105 and the second DC voltage power source 107, respectively. . Therefore, the CPU 31 performs the same energization control on the third electromagnet 108 and the fourth electromagnet 110 as those on the first electromagnet 104 and the second electromagnet 106 in the magnetic field control process of FIG.

  The electromagnetic action is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, a click mode and a non-click mode can be realized. In the second embodiment, the excited first electromagnet 104 and the third electromagnet 108 try to attract the rotating member 101 from both sides with the central axis 101c sandwiched by the same electromagnetic force. Further, the excited second electromagnet 106 and the fourth electromagnet 110 try to attract the rotating member 101 from both sides with the same electromagnetic force across the central axis 101c. Therefore, in any mode, the attractive force is not biased in the radial direction, and the central axis 101c tries to stay in place. As a result, the mechanical friction of the rotating member 101 is reduced and the durability is expected to be improved as compared with the configuration attracted from one side as in the first embodiment.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and a greater effect can be achieved in reducing mechanical wear.

  By the way, in the first and second embodiments, the number of the convex portions 101a and the concave portions 101b in the rotating member 101 is eight, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  In the second embodiment, there are two electromagnets in the group to which the same energization control is applied (for example, the first electromagnet 104 and the third electromagnet 108). The number may be three or more. In particular, from the viewpoint of reducing mechanical wear around the central axis 101c of the rotating member 101, the same energization control is performed at regular angular intervals in the circumferential direction around the central axis 101c of the rotating member 101 in the same group. A plurality of applied electromagnets may be arranged. However, in order to arrange a plurality of electromagnets in this way, the number of electromagnets in the same group needs to be a divisor of the number of teeth (convex portions 101a) of the rotating member 101. For example, when the number of the convex portions 101a is 12, the number of electromagnets in the same group is 3, and the regular triangles are arranged at intervals of 120 °.

31 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Rotating member 101a Convex part 101b Concave part 101c Center axis 102 Dial cover 104 1st electromagnet 106 2nd electromagnet

Claims (6)

A rotation operation unit;
A rotating member that rotates integrally with the rotation operation unit, and in which convex portions and concave portions are alternately provided at a certain angular interval in the circumferential direction;
A first magnetic field generating means arranged to face the convex portion or the concave portion of the rotating member that rotates, and generates a magnetic field;
A second magnetic field that opposes the convex portion or the concave portion of the rotating member that rotates and is arranged to face the concave portion when the first magnetic field generating means faces the convex portion, and generates a magnetic field. Generating means,
The rotary switch characterized in that the second magnetic field generating means can switch the strength of the magnetic field to be generated.   2. The rotary switch according to claim 1, wherein the second magnetic field generating means is an electromagnet, and the intensity of the magnetic field generated can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of current to be applied.   The first magnetic field generating means is an electromagnet, and the strength of the magnetic field to be generated can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of current to be supplied independently of the second magnetic field generating means. The rotary switch according to claim 2.   The plurality of the first magnetic field generating means and the second magnetic field generating means are respectively arranged at a constant angular interval in the circumferential direction around the rotation center of the rotating member. The rotary switch according to any one of 1 to 3.   5. The rotary switch according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first magnetic field generating unit and the second magnetic field generating unit has a property as a permanent magnet.   An electronic apparatus comprising the rotary switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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