# US 12,002,633 B2 · Switch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,002,633 B2 - Document ID: US12002633B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/752,893 - Filed: 2022-05-25 - Published: 2023-01-05 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2021-06-30 - Assignees: OMRON Corporation - Applicants: OMRON Corporation - Inventors: Takumi Fujihara; Ryoji Shimizu; Kohei Fujio; Akihiro Ishii; Taiki Koyama; Kazushi Maeta; Yohei Tsukanaka; Kohei Sugiyama - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12002633B2 ## CPC - H01H 13/14: Operating parts, e.g. push-button - H01H 13/10: Bases; Stationary contacts mounted thereon - H01H 13/20: Driving mechanisms - H01H 21/22: Operating parts, e.g. handle - H01H 13/06: Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings - H01H 2231/048: Tools; Drilling machines - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## Abstract A switch according to one or more embodiments may include a movable unit movable in response to an operation. A drive unit is drivable in response to movement of the movable unit. The switch may include an operation-linked unit movable in response to the movement of the movable unit and an operation follower unit spaced from the operation-linked unit to move in response to movement of the operation-linked unit with a magnetic force between the operation follower unit and the operation-linked unit. At least one of the operation-linked unit or the operation follower unit is magnetic. The drive unit is drivable in response to movement of the operation follower unit. The operation follower unit accommodated in a chamber is spaced from the operation-linked unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A switch for driving a drive unit, the switch comprising: a movable unit movable in response to an operation, the drive unit being drivable in response to movement of the movable unit; an operation-linked unit movable in response to the movement of the movable unit receiving the operation; and an operation follower unit spaced from the operation-linked unit, the operation follower unit being movable in response to movement of the operation-linked unit with a magnetic force between the operation follower unit and the operation-linked unit, the magnetic force causing the operation follower unit and the operation-linked unit to attract each other, wherein at least one of the operation-linked unit or the operation follower unit is magnetic, and the drive unit is drivable in response to movement of the operation follower unit, which causes a change in a capacitance that determines an output of the drive unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The switch according to claim 1, further comprising: a chamber accommodating the operation follower unit, wherein the operation follower unit accommodated in the chamber is spaced from the operation-linked unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The switch according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit is drivable based on a result of detecting the movement of the operation follower unit contactlessly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The switch according to claim 1, further comprising: an electrode adjacent to a movable range of the operation follower unit, wherein the operation follower unit is dielectric, and the drive unit is drivable based on a result of detecting the movement of the operation follower unit contactlessly as the change in the capacitance of a capacitor formed with the operation follower unit and the electrode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The switch according to claim 1, further comprising: a fixed contact, wherein the operation follower unit comprises a slider slidable on the fixed contact in response to the movement of the operation follower unit, and the drive unit is drivable based on a result of detecting the movement of the operation follower unit as a change in a conductive state or an electric resistance value of the fixed contact. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The switch according to claim 1, further comprising: a switch member operable in response to a switching operation to switch a driving mode of the drive unit; a switch-linked unit movable in response to an operation of the switch member receiving the switching operation; and a switch follower unit spaced from the switch-linked unit, the switch follower unit being movable in response to movement of the switch-linked unit with a magnetic force between the switch follower unit and the switch-linked unit, wherein at least one of the switch-linked unit or the switch follower unit is magnetic, and the driving mode of the drive unit is switchable in response to movement of the switch follower unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch is incorporated into an electric device comprising the drive unit drivable in response to an electric signal, and the switch further comprises: an output unit configured to output the electric signal to drive the drive unit, the output unit being configured to output the electric signal to drive the drive unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The switch according to claim 2, wherein the drive unit is drivable based on a result of detecting the movement of the operation follower unit contactlessly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The switch according to claim 2, further comprising: an electrode adjacent to a movable range of the operation follower unit, wherein the operation follower unit is dielectric, and the drive unit is drivable based on a result of detecting the movement of the operation follower unit contactlessly as the change in the capacitance of a capacitor formed with the operation follower unit and the electrode. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The switch according to claim 2, further comprising: a fixed contact, wherein the operation follower unit comprises a slider slidable on the fixed contact in response to the movement of the operation follower unit, and the drive unit is drivable based on a result of detecting the movement of the operation follower unit as a change in a conductive state or an electric resistance value of the fixed contact. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The switch according to claim 2, further comprising: a switch member operable in response to a switching operation to switch a driving mode of the drive unit; a switch-linked unit movable in response to an operation of the switch member receiving the switching operation; and a switch follower unit spaced from the switch-linked unit, the switch follower unit being movable in response to movement of the switch-linked unit with a magnetic force between the switch follower unit and the switch-linked unit, wherein at least one of the switch-linked unit or the switch follower unit is magnetic, and the driving mode of the drive unit is switchable in response to movement of the switch follower unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3) The switch according to claim 3, further comprising: a switch member operable in response to a switching operation to switch a driving mode of the drive unit; a switch-linked unit movable in response to an operation of the switch member receiving the switching operation; and a switch follower unit spaced from the switch-linked unit, the switch follower unit being movable in response to movement of the switch-linked unit with a magnetic force between the switch follower unit and the switch-linked unit, wherein at least one of the switch-linked unit or the switch follower unit is magnetic, and the driving mode of the drive unit is switchable in response to movement of the switch follower unit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 4) The switch according to claim 4, further comprising: a switch member operable in response to a switching operation to switch a driving mode of the drive unit; a switch-linked unit movable in response to an operation of the switch member receiving the switching operation; and a switch follower unit spaced from the switch-linked unit, the switch follower unit being movable in response to movement of the switch-linked unit with a magnetic force between the switch follower unit and the switch-linked unit, wherein at least one of the switch-linked unit or the switch follower unit is magnetic, and the driving mode of the drive unit is switchable in response to movement of the switch follower unit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 5) The switch according to claim 5, further comprising: a switch member operable in response to a switching operation to switch a driving mode of the drive unit; a switch-linked unit movable in response to an operation of the switch member receiving the switching operation; and a switch follower unit spaced from the switch-linked unit, the switch follower unit being movable in response to movement of the switch-linked unit with a magnetic force between the switch follower unit and the switch-linked unit, wherein at least one of the switch-linked unit or the switch follower unit is magnetic, and the driving mode of the drive unit is switchable in response to movement of the switch follower unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 2) The switch according to claim 2, wherein the switch is incorporated into an electric device comprising the drive unit drivable in response to an electric signal, and the switch further comprises: an output unit configured to output the electric signal to drive the drive unit, the output unit being configured to output the electric signal to drive the drive unit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 3) The switch according to claim 3, wherein the switch is incorporated into an electric device comprising the drive unit drivable in response to an electric signal, and the switch further comprises: an output unit configured to output the electric signal to drive the drive unit, the output unit being configured to output the electric signal to drive the drive unit. ### Claim 17 (depends on 4) The switch according to claim 4, wherein the switch is incorporated into an electric device comprising the drive unit drivable in response to an electric signal, and the switch further comprises: an output unit configured to output the electric signal to drive the drive unit, the output unit being configured to output the electric signal to drive the drive unit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 5) The switch according to claim 5, wherein the switch is incorporated into an electric device comprising the drive unit drivable in response to an electric signal, and the switch further comprises: an output unit configured to output the electric signal to drive the drive unit, the output unit being configured to output the electric signal to drive the drive unit. ### Claim 19 A switch for driving a drive unit, the switch comprising: a movable unit movable in response to an operation, the drive unit being drivable in response to movement of the movable unit; a switch member operable in response to a switching operation to switch a driving mode of the drive unit; a switch-linked unit movable in response to an operation of the switch member receiving the switching operation; and a switch follower unit spaced from the switch-linked unit, the switch follower unit being movable in response to movement of the switch-linked unit with a magnetic force between the switch follower unit and the switch-linked unit, the magnetic force causing the switch follower unit and the switched-linked unit to attract each other, wherein at least one of the switch-linked unit or the switch follower unit is magnetic, and the driving mode of the drive unit is switchable in response to movement of the switch follower unit, which causes a change in a capacitance that determines the driving mode of the drive unit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The switch according to claim 19, further comprising: a chamber accommodating the switch follower unit, wherein the switch follower unit accommodated in the chamber is spaced from the switch-linked unit.