Multi-directional Hall-effect circuit board switch - has four-axis joystick-action shaft, carrying magnet, which inclines in four directions

摘要

The switch has a shaft (4) which can be inclined about a central point along its length where it is retained by an elastic support (6). The end of the shaft can be moved along any of four orthogonal directions. A cross-shaped magnet (7) is attached to the end of the shaft and its movement take to positions above and close to four Hall-effect switches (9) located on the printed circuit board (8). The magnetic flux can be concentrated in the switches to a greater or lesser degree by positioning threaded magnetic bolts (12) underneath them. The bolts are adjusted externally by milled knobs. The switches are of positive, bi-stable operation. The switch mechanism is contained in a rectangular housing (1) and the printed circuit card is built in to its base. The external edge of the card carries a conventional edge connector (11).