WO2012137876A1

WO2012137876A1 - Switch

Info

Publication number: WO2012137876A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/059389
Authority: WO
Inventors: 東浜　弘忠; 康弘赤堀
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2011-04-06
Filing date: 2012-04-05
Publication date: 2012-10-11
Also published as: JPWO2012137876A1

Abstract

An operation plate (42) comprises a sensor (11) for detecting an operation by contact or approach. A light emission unit (31) illuminates signs (331, 332) presented on the front surface side of the plate (42), from the rear surface side of the plate (42). A signal processing circuit (20) outputs control instructions for a load (4) when the sensor (11) detects an operation, and outputs lit status instructions for the light emission unit (31). The light emission unit (31) comprises a plurality of emission colors and said colors are selectable using an instruction from the circuit (20). The plate (42) comprises color selection filters (321, 322) of a plurality of colors; and said filters each have a shape that become the signs (331, 332) and selectively cause light having the plurality of emission colors from the light emission unit (31) to pass therethrough.

Description

switch

The present invention relates to a switch configured to detect a user's approach or contact with a user's finger as an input operation.

Conventionally, a touch-type switch in which an input operation is performed by detecting the approach or contact of a finger has been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-260971 (hereinafter referred to as “Document 1”)). Document 1 describes a configuration in which an electrode for detecting a change in electrostatic capacitance due to the approach or contact of a finger is used as a light shielding part, and illumination is performed from the back side of the light shielding part. Further, in Document 1, a configuration in which one color is associated with a plurality of electrodes, a configuration in which a number of colors smaller than the number of electrodes is associated with a plurality of electrodes, and a configuration in which different colors are associated with a plurality of electrodes. Is described. Further, the configuration described in Document 1 is provided with a cover panel using a half mirror or smoke panel so that nothing can be seen on the surface when the illumination means is turned off.

By the way, the configuration described in Document 1 is a configuration in which the light from the illumination unit is shielded by the electrodes. Therefore, when different colors are associated with differently shaped electrodes, the display shape can be changed for each color. A plurality of colors cannot be associated with one electrode. If the illumination unit capable of selecting a plurality of emission colors is used in the configuration of Document 1, it is possible to associate a plurality of colors with one electrode, but in this configuration, the display shape is changed for each color. It is not possible.

Of course, if a touch panel is used, it is possible to make it compatible with associating a plurality of shapes with one operation unit and changing the color of the operation unit. However, since the touch panel is expensive, it is not an appropriate choice to use the touch panel as a switch for performing an on / off operation. As described above, it is difficult to provide a switch at a low cost in which a plurality of colors are associated with one electrode and a display shape is changed according to an operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a switch in which a plurality of colors are associated with one electrode and a display shape is changed according to an operation, and the cost is lower than that of a touch panel.

The switch according to the present invention includes an operation plate (42), a light emitting unit (31), and a signal processing circuit (20) in order to achieve the above object. The operation plate (42) includes a sensor (11), which is configured to detect an operation by contact or approach. The light emitting unit (31) is configured to illuminate the signs (331, 332) presented on the first surface side of the operation plate (42) from the second surface side of the operation plate (42). The signal processing circuit (20) is configured to issue an instruction to control the load (4) when the sensor (11) detects an operation, and to issue an instruction to turn on the light emitting unit (31). The light emitting unit (31) includes a plurality of light emission colors, which can be selected by an instruction from the signal processing circuit (20). The operation plate (42) includes a plurality of color selection filters (321, 322), each of which has a shape that becomes a plurality of labels (331, 332), and a plurality of colors from the light emitting unit (31). The light emitting color is configured to selectively pass through.

In one embodiment, the switch comprises at least one of a sound generator (35) and a vibration generator (34). The sound generator (35) is configured to output a sound according to an instruction from the signal processing circuit (20) when the sensor (11) detects an operation. The vibration generator (34) is configured to vibrate the operation plate (42) in accordance with an instruction from the signal processing circuit (20) when the sensor (11) detects an operation.

In one embodiment, the sensor (11) is a proximity sensor configured to detect human approach by a change in ambient electric field. The signal processing circuit (20) instructs the sensor (11) to set a high sensitivity and instructs the sensor (11) to set a low sensitivity. And it is comprised so that it may select alternatively with the 2nd state resulting from lighting a light emission part (31). Further, when the sensor (11) detects the approach of a person in the first state, the signal processing circuit (20) shifts to the second state and starts a waiting time period, and then during the waiting time period. When the sensor (11) detects an operation, it instructs the control of the load (4), shifts to the first state when the waiting time expires, and confirms the presence or absence of a person. It is configured to resume the waiting time period when the light is detected, and to turn off the light emitting unit (31) when the absence of a person is detected.

According to the configuration of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to provide both of associating a plurality of colors with one electrode and changing the shape of the display according to the operation, and to provide at a lower cost than a touch panel. In addition, since the display color and shape are changed according to the operation, the contents of the operation can be easily recognized by the color and shape for the healthy person, while also for the visually impaired person who is difficult to identify the color. The contents of the operation can be recognized in the form.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in further detail. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
It is sectional drawing which shows embodiment. 2A and 2B are front views of the above. It is a block diagram same as the above. It is a block diagram which shows the other structural example of embodiment. It is sectional drawing same as the above.

In this embodiment, a switch used as a wall switch (for example, a touch switch or a proximity sensor switch) will be described. That is, the switch is used to turn on and off a load such as a lighting fixture or a ventilation fan.

The switch described below includes a body 41 and an operation plate 42 constituting the container body 40. The body 41 has, for example, a box shape having one opening, and the operation plate 42 (specifically, the main body (front plate) 421) has first and second surfaces, and the second surface is on the periphery of the opening of the body 41. It fixes to the body 41 so that it may contact. In the example of FIG. 1, the container body 40 is attached to a wall. The body 41 is a rear portion of the container body 40 and is inserted into an opening 52 formed in a wall surface 51 of a structure such as a building. The operation plate 42 is a front portion of the container body 40, is coupled to the front end of the body 41, and a second surface (back surface) peripheral portion is brought into contact with the wall surface 51 around the opening 52. By attaching to the wall in this form, an excellent appearance can be obtained in which the protruding dimension of the container body 40 from the wall surface 51 is reduced.

The container 40 is a synthetic resin molded product, and the operation plate 42 includes a front plate 421 as shown in FIG. 2 (see FIG. 5 described later), which has a square shape, for example. The front plate 421 is formed in a gentle convex shape in which the central portion of the first surface (front surface) projects to the first surface side (front side) from the peripheral portion. The technique for fixing the container body 40 to the wall may be the same technique as a wiring device such as a wall switch or a wall outlet, and is not a gist and will not be described in detail here. Moreover, the shape of the container 40 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an example, and other shapes of the container 40 may be adopted. For example, the operation plate 42 (front plate 421) may have a shape other than a square such as a rectangle or a circle.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 3, the switch is configured such that the operation unit 1 accepts an operation input, and a plurality of operation states can be selected, and the operation state transitions in response to the operation input of the operation unit 1. Unit 2 and a presentation unit 3 configured to present the transition of the operation state of the processing unit 2. The operation unit 1, the processing unit 2, and the presentation unit 3 are attached to the body 40.

Further, the operation plate 42 includes at least a part of the sensor 11 (sensor electrode 111) that can detect the approach of a person or a person's finger by a change in the surrounding electric field. For example, the sensor electrode 111 constituting the sensor 11 is disposed on the second surface (back surface) of the front plate 421. The sensor 11 is configured to detect an operation due to contact or approach. Specifically, the sensor 11 detects the approach of a person from the sensor 11 within a predetermined first range as a first operation input, and the contact of a human finger with the operation plate 42 or the predetermined second range from the sensor 11. An approach of a human finger inside is detected as a second operation input. Here, the second range is smaller than the first range. The sensor electrode 111 is formed of a sheet-like metal plate, and is formed in a mesh shape having a large number of holes (for example, a fine mesh) so that light can be transmitted. The sensor electrode 111 is preferably lined with a transparent synthetic resin sheet for reinforcement.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor electrode 111 is connected to the sensor circuit 112, and the sensor electrode 111 and the sensor circuit 112 constitute the sensor 11. The sensor circuit 112 is mounted on a substrate (not shown) housed in the container body 40. This sensor 11 functions as the operation unit 1. Various operations of the sensor circuit 112 have been proposed. For example, a CSA (CapSense (registered trademark) Successive Approximation) method or a CSD (CapSense Sigma-Delta) method is used.

This type of sensor 11 functions as a capacitive proximity sensor, and the distance to detect an object is adjusted by adjusting the sensitivity. For example, if the sensor 11 is set to the first sensitivity (that is, high sensitivity), the sensor 11 can detect an object (person) in a relatively wide region (first range), and the second sensitivity (that is, lower than the first sensitivity). If the sensitivity is low, an operation for detecting an object (human finger) in a relatively narrow region (second range) becomes possible. The sensitivity of the sensor 11 is adjusted by changing the shape of the sensor electrode 111 or changing the setting of the sensor circuit 112.

When changing the shape of the sensor electrode 111, a plurality of sensor electrodes 111 having different areas are provided, and when detecting a person at a relatively long distance, the area of the sensor electrode 111 is increased, and a relatively short distance is detected. When detecting a finger, the area of the sensor electrode 111 is reduced. That is, the area is changed by selectively selecting sensor electrodes 111 having different areas, or the area is changed by combining one or more sensor electrodes 111.

Also, when changing the setting of the sensor circuit 112, the sensitivity is adjusted by controlling the amount of charge accumulated in the capacitive component between the sensor electrode 111 and the human body. When the sensor 11 adopts the above-described method, the sensitivity is adjusted by changing the switching on / off cycle or changing the cycle of the clock signal.

For the sensor 11 described below, two levels of sensitivity, “high sensitivity” and “low sensitivity”, are selected. The sensor 11 detects the approach of a person in a relatively wide area (for example, an area having a radius of about 15 cm (centimeter)) when “high sensitivity” is selected, and relatively when “low sensitivity” is selected. It is configured to detect the approach of a human finger in a narrow area (for example, an area having a radius of about 5 mm). However, the sensitivity of the sensor 11 can be switched to three or more levels. The sensor 11 is assumed to have a configuration in which sensitivity is selected by a sensitivity setting signal given to the sensor circuit 112.

When the sensor circuit 112 is “high sensitivity”, the sensor circuit 112 outputs a detection signal indicating a “detection” state of the presence or absence of the object (person) during the period in which the sensor 11 detects the presence or absence of the object (person). Composed. That is, when the sensor 11 is “high sensitivity”, the sensor circuit 112 uses a binary signal, for example, and outputs a detection signal that is continuously turned on (for example, a logical H level) during the period of detecting an object. Output. Alternatively, the sensor circuit 112 may output a detection signal that repeatedly generates a pulse having a certain width during a period in which the sensor 11 is detecting an object. In the “non-detection” state where the sensor 11 does not detect the presence of an object (detection state of the absence of a person), the output of the sensor circuit 112 is off (for example, a logical L level), and the detection signal is output. Not.

The sensor circuit 112 outputs a pulse having a certain width as a detection signal when the sensor 11 detects an object (human finger) when “low sensitivity” is detected. That is, when the sensor 11 is “low sensitivity”, the fact that the sensor 11 has detected an object is used as a trigger, and a pulse is output as a detection signal. The number of pulses generated as the detection signal is a fixed number and is set to 1 to several.

The light emitting unit 31 is configured to illuminate the

signs

331 and 332 presented on the first surface (front surface) side of the operation plate 42 from the second surface (back surface) side of the operation plate 42. The light emitting unit 31 includes a plurality of light emission colors, which can be selected by an instruction from the signal processing circuit 20. That is, the light emitting unit 31 is configured to select a light emission color corresponding to an instruction from the signal processing circuit 20 from a plurality of light emission colors. In the example of FIG. 1, a light emitting unit 31 configured to irradiate light to the second surface of the front plate 421 is disposed on the second surface side (rear side) of the operation plate 42 inside the container body 40. ing. The light emitting unit 31 is required to be able to select a plurality of colors. The light emitting unit 31 according to the present embodiment stores a light emitting diode chip whose emission color is red and a light emitting diode chip whose emission color is green in one package. Further, a cup-shaped cup is provided between the light emitting unit 31 and the front plate 421 so that the light output from the light emitting unit 31 does not diverge and reaches the front plate 421 and stray light is not irradiated on the front plate 421. A guide 43 is arranged. The guide 43 is formed in a tapered shape in which an area of a cross section parallel to the second surface of the front plate 421 increases from the light emitting unit 31 toward the front plate 421. Further, it is desirable that the guide 43 is provided with reflectivity on the inner side surface.

The front plate 421 of the operation plate 42 has translucency at least in the center, and when illuminated from the second surface (back surface) side by the light emitting unit 31, it passes through the sensor electrode 111 and the translucent part. Light is transmitted to the first surface (front surface) side. The translucent portion of the front plate 421 may be transparent, but is preferably white when viewed from the first surface of the front plate 421, and preferably has diffuse transmission. . The first surface of the front plate 421 is white including a portion having translucency, and when the light emitting unit 31 is turned off, the first surface of the front plate 421 has no color unevenness and a uniform texture can be obtained. Further, since the operation plate 42 looks like a synthetic resin plate at first glance, it gives the impression that the wall surface 51 is being decorated, and creates an original appearance that cannot be obtained with a conventional wall switch. it can.

That is, when the light emitting unit 31 is turned off, the front plate 421 of the operation plate 42 is in a state in which no information is presented. On the other hand, when the light emitting unit 31 is turned on, the light from the light emitting unit 31 is transmitted through the diffuser-transmitting portion of the front plate 421. Therefore, it is determined that the light emitting unit 31 is turned on on the first surface (front surface). ) Can be confirmed from the side. Further, as described above, since the light emitting unit 31 can select red and green light emission colors and the front plate 421 is white, the light emission color of the light emitting unit 31 is confirmed through a portion having diffuse transmission. be able to.

By the way, the part which has diffuse permeability is provided with translucency and light shielding properties according to the shape of the sign so that a required sign can be presented on the first surface (front face) side of the operation plate 42. The Moreover, the part which has a diffuse transmission property is provided with color selectivity for every shape of a label | marker so that the color of a display can be changed for every shape of a label | marker. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, two color selection filters 321 and 322 that selectively transmit each emission color of the light emitting unit 31 are provided on the second surface (rear surface) of the front plate 421 via the sensor electrode 111. ) Is provided with color selectivity.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, a round mark 331 corresponding to a letter “O” indicating load off, and a vertical mark corresponding to a letter “I” indicating load on as shown in FIG. 2B. A bar-shaped marker 332 is used. In this case, a green color selection filter 321 formed in a round shape in accordance with the shape of the sign 331 and a vertical bar shape in accordance with the shape of the sign 332 so that the sign 331 is indicated in green and the sign 332 is indicated in red. And a red color selection filter 322 formed in the above. The color selection filter 321 and the color selection filter 322 are arranged so as not to overlap (see FIG. 1). In the case of the combination of the shapes of the

signs

331 and 332 of the present embodiment, a vertical bar type color selection filter 322 is disposed inside the round color selection filter 321. In this configuration, the light emitting unit 31, the color selection filters 321 and 322, and the

signs

331 and 332 constitute the presentation unit 3. In short, the operation plate (42) includes a plurality of color (for example, first and second) color selection filters (321, 322), each of which forms a plurality of (for example, first and second) signs. And a plurality of (for example, first and second) light emission colors from the light emitting section (31) are selectively allowed to pass through.

In the configuration described above, when the light emitting unit 31 emits green light, the green light is transmitted through the green color selection filter 321, but is not transmitted through the red color selection filter 322. Confirmed from one side (front side). On the other hand, when the light emitting unit 31 emits red light, the red light passes through the red color selection filter 322 but does not pass through the green color selection filter 321, so that only the sign 332 is on the first surface side of the front plate 421. It is confirmed from. As described above, since the sensor electrode 111 has a mesh shape, the light transmitted through the color selection filters 321 and 322 passes through the sensor electrode 111 and is applied to the front plate 421.

Since the portion where the color selection filters 321 and 322 are arranged on the front plate 421 has diffuse transmission, a part of the light that has passed through the color selection filters 321 and 322 is diffused, thereby the sign 331. , 332 are displayed on the contour line of the part. In other words, the

signs

331 and 332 are soft display in which the outline is not emphasized and the vicinity of the outline is blurred. In FIG. 2, the display corresponding to the

signs

331 and 332 is indicated by hatching.

In the above-described configuration example, a round shape and a vertical bar shape are used as the shapes of the

signs

331 and 332, but the shapes of the

signs

331 and 332 are not particularly limited. For example, characters such as “ON” and “OFF” can be used. However, if the

signs

331 and 332 are a round type and a vertical bar type, since two kinds of

signs

331 and 332 can be used within the area of the round type sign 331, a plurality of

signs

331 and 332 with a small area. Can be arranged. On the other hand, in many cases, since the

labels

331 and 332 need to be individually arranged, the area where the

signs

331 and 332 are arranged becomes large. The color selection filters 321 and 322 are appropriately arranged according to the shapes of the

signs

331 and 332.

Incidentally, a substrate (not shown) on which the circuit constituting the processing unit 2 and the sensor circuit 112 are mounted is incorporated in the container body 40. A signal processing circuit 20 configured to output a sensitivity setting signal to the sensor 11 (sensor circuit 112) and receive a detection signal from the sensor 11 is mounted on the substrate. Further, on the substrate, a display control circuit 21 configured to control lighting and extinguishing of the light emitting unit 31 according to an instruction from the signal processing circuit 20, and an on / off of a power supply path to the load 4 according to the instruction from the signal processing circuit 20 And a load control circuit 22 configured to perform the above. The processing unit 2 includes a signal processing circuit 20, a display control circuit 21, and a load control circuit 22. The signal processing circuit 20 has a function of giving instructions to the display control circuit 21 and the load control circuit 22. In the present embodiment, the signal processing circuit 20 is configured to issue an instruction for controlling the load 4 and an instruction for lighting the light emitting unit 31 when the sensor 11 detects an operation. In the example of FIG. 3, when the sensor 11 detects the first or second operation input, the signal processing circuit 20 issues an instruction to control the load 4 corresponding to the detected operation input to the load control circuit 22. In addition, the display control circuit 21 is configured to issue an instruction of the lighting state of the light emitting unit 31 corresponding to the detected operation input. The signal processing circuit 20 is configured using a logic circuit, but may be configured using a device that operates according to a program such as an FPGA or a PIC.

The display control circuit 21 receives a display control signal as an instruction from the signal processing circuit 20, and controls on / off of the two switching

elements

211 and 212 inserted in the power feeding path of the light emitting unit 31. The switching element 211 controls on / off of the light emitting diode 311 whose emission color is green in the light emitting unit 31, and the switching element 212 controls on / off of the light emitting diode 312 whose emission color is red in the light emitting unit 31. The display control signal instructs the display control circuit 21 to be in three states: a state where the switching element 211 and the switching element 212 are alternatively turned on, and a state where both the switching

elements

211 and 212 are turned off. That is, the display control signal is a signal for selecting three states of “red light”, “green light”, and “light off”.

On the other hand, the load control circuit 22 is configured to receive a load control signal from the signal processing circuit 20 and to control on / off of a switching element such as a triac inserted between the load 4 and the power supply 5. Therefore, the load control signal is a signal for selecting two states, “ON” and “OFF” of the load 4. The internal power is supplied from the power source 5 through a power circuit (not shown) provided on the substrate.

Hereinafter, the operation of the switch of this embodiment will be described. The signal processing circuit 20 selects the three states of the display control signal and the two states of the load control signal according to the sensitivity of the sensor 11 indicated by the sensitivity setting signal and the detection and non-detection states by the sensor 11. .

When the signal processing circuit 20 starts to operate for the first time, it gives a sensitivity control signal for instructing the sensor 11 to “high sensitivity”. At this time, the signal processing circuit 20 turns off the display control signal and turns off the load control signal. This operation state is referred to as a first operation mode of the signal processing circuit 20. That is, in the first operation mode, nothing is displayed on the operation plate 42 and the load 4 is off.

In the first operation mode, when the sensor 11 detects the approach of a person (the presence of a person within the first range), the signal processing circuit 20 receives a detection signal from the sensor 11. When the signal processing circuit 20 receives the detection signal from the sensor 11 when the sensitivity control signal is “high sensitivity”, the signal processing circuit 20 gives the sensor 11 a sensitivity control signal for instructing “low sensitivity”, and the display control circuit A display control signal for instructing lighting of the light emitting unit 31 is given to 21.

Here, since the load 4 is “off”, the signal processing circuit 20 gives the display control circuit 21 a “green lighting” display control signal corresponding to the “off” of the load 4. That is, the round mark 331 is displayed in green on the operation plate 42. Thus, when the sensor 11 detects the approach of a person in the first operation mode, the signal processing circuit 20 sends a display control signal corresponding to “ON” and “OFF” of the load 4 to the display control circuit 21. give. An operation state in which the load 4 is “off” and the round mark 331 is displayed in green on the operation plate 42 is referred to as a second operation mode of the signal processing circuit 20.

The signal processing circuit 20 gives the sensor 11 a sensitivity control signal for instructing “low sensitivity” and at the same time starts the time limit of the specified standby time. When the detection signal is not input from the sensor 11 within the standby time, the signal processing circuit 20 gives a sensitivity control signal instructing the sensor 11 to “high sensitivity” after the standby time expires, and then the detection signal from the sensor 11 Check if there is any. Here, after the sensor 11 becomes “high sensitivity”, if the signal processing circuit 20 is in a “non-detection” state in which a detection signal cannot be obtained, the signal processing circuit 20 is located near the operation plate 42 (in the first range). It judges that it does not exist, and gives a display control signal to instruct the display control circuit 21 to “turn off”. Here, since the load 4 is “off”, the signal processing circuit 20 returns to the first operation mode. On the other hand, if the sensor 11 is in the “detection” state in which a detection signal is obtained after becoming “high sensitivity”, it is determined that a person is staying in the vicinity of the operation plate 42 and the waiting time is set again. Do. That is, the waiting time is timed so that it can be retriggered.

By the way, in the second operation mode, when a detection signal in the “detection” state is input from the sensor 11 within the standby time, the signal processing circuit 20 comes into contact with or touches the operation plate 42 (first operation). 2). In the second operation mode, the sensor 11 is “low sensitivity”, and the detection signal in the “detection” state corresponding to the approach of the finger to the operation plate 42 is output as a fixed number of pulses. At this time, the signal processing circuit 20 gives a load control signal for inverting the on / off of the load 4 to the load control circuit 22 and simultaneously gives a display control signal corresponding to the operation of the load 4 to the display control circuit 21. give.

Here, since the load 4 is OFF, the signal processing circuit 20 gives a load control signal for instructing the load control signal 22 to “ON”, and instructs the display control circuit 21 to “red light”. Provides display control signals. That is, the load 4 is turned on, and at the same time, a vertical bar-shaped indicator 332 is displayed on the operation plate 42 in red. The operation state in which the load 4 is “ON” and the vertical bar-shaped indicator 332 is displayed in red on the operation plate 42 is referred to as a third operation mode of the signal processing circuit 20. Note that even if the second operation mode is shifted to the third operation mode, the standby time is continuously limited without being released.

When the signal processing circuit 20 shifts to the third operation mode, thereafter, the load 4 is kept on until a detection signal indicating a “detection” state is input when the sensor 11 is “low sensitivity”. . That is, when the signal processing circuit 20 shifts to the third operation mode and the load 4 is turned on by the finger approaching or contacting the sensor 11, thereafter, until the finger approaches or contacts the sensor 11. The load 4 is kept on.

When the signal processing circuit 20 shifts to the third operation mode, the signal processing circuit 20 not only keeps on until it is instructed to turn off, but also turns on the light emitting unit 31 in red until the waiting time period ends, A vertical bar-shaped marker 332 is displayed in red on the plate 42. When the standby time has expired, the signal processing circuit 20 gives a sensitivity control signal instructing “high sensitivity” to the sensor 11 and confirms the presence or absence of the detection signal, as described above. Here, if the sensor 11 outputs a detection signal, the signal processing circuit 20 determines that a person is staying in the vicinity of the operation plate 42 and performs the waiting time again. On the other hand, if the sensor 11 is in the “non-detection” state, the signal processing circuit 20 determines that there is no person in the vicinity of the operation plate 42 and gives the display control signal to the display control circuit 21 to “turn off”. . That is, the signal processing circuit 20 turns the display control signal “off” and the load control signal “on”. This operation state is referred to as a fourth operation mode of the signal processing circuit 20.

In the fourth operation mode, the signal processing circuit 20 displays nothing on the operation plate 42, the load 4 is on, and the sensor 11 detects the presence of a person next, the lighting state of the light emitting unit 31. Is turned on when the load 4 is turned on. That is, when the detection signal from the sensor 11 for which “high sensitivity” is selected is given to the signal processing circuit 20, the signal processing circuit 20 gives a display control signal of “red lighting” to the display control circuit 21. That is, the operation mode is returned to the third operation mode.

As described above, when no person is present near the operation plate 42, the signal processing circuit 20 is in the first operation mode or the fourth operation mode (first state), and the sensor 11 has high sensitivity. The signal processing circuit 20 turns off the light emitting unit 31. In the state where a person is present near the operation plate 42, the signal processing circuit 20 is in the second operation mode or the third operation mode (second state), and the sensor 11 has low sensitivity. . At this time, the signal processing circuit 20 turns on the light emitting unit 31 and selects a light emission color according to whether the load 4 is on or off. That is, the signal processing circuit 20 lights the light emitting unit 31 in green when the load 4 is off and displays the round mark 331 in green, and lights the light emitting unit 31 in red when the load 4 is on. The vertical bar-shaped marker 332 is displayed in red.

Further, the signal processing circuit 20 performs the waiting time in the second operation mode and the third operation mode, and when the detection signal from the sensor 11 is input during the waiting time, The operation mode and the third operation mode are switched. That is, the signal processing circuit 20 shifts to the third operation mode if it is the second operation mode before the input of the detection signal, and moves to the second operation mode if it is the third operation mode before the input of the detection signal. Migrate to

In the configuration example described above, the operation of making the sensor 11 highly sensitive and the operation when the sensor 11 is highly sensitive in the signal processing circuit 20 may be omitted. In this case, the light emitting unit 31 is not turned off, and only operates when the sensor 11 has low sensitivity. Therefore, the waiting time for determining the time until the light emitting unit 31 is turned off is not required.

In the above-described configuration example, the detection of the presence of a person within the first range or the presence of a human finger within the second range by the sensor 11 depends on whether the light emitting unit 31 is turned on or off, and the light emission of the light emitting unit 31. The presentation unit 3 is configured so as to be visually presented by the colors and the shapes of the

signs

331 and 332. Therefore, the on / off state of the load 4 is indicated not by the position of the switch handle as in the seesaw switch but by the emission color and the shapes of the

signs

331 and 332. Therefore, when the operation plate 42 is approached even in the dark, the position of the operation plate 42 can be confirmed by turning on the light emitting unit 31 and the load 4 can be turned on and off with the emission color and the

signs

331 and 332. It can be easily recognized by the shape.

Further, even when the color vision of the user is abnormal and the state of the load 4 cannot be recognized by the luminescent color, it can be identified by the shapes of the

signs

331 and 332. That is, not only a display that is easy to understand for a healthy person, but also the state of the load 4 can be visually recognized even if there is an abnormality in color vision, so that a universal design switch can be provided. In addition, it is not necessary to apply a force unlike a seesaw switch, and the state of the load 4 can be changed simply by touching the operation plate 42. Therefore, the operation is easy even for an elderly person with weak power.

In addition to the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, at least one of the vibration generating device 34 configured to generate vibration and the sound generating device 35 configured to generate sound is operated as the presentation unit 3. A configuration may be employed in which the operation mode of the signal processing circuit 20 is provided to the plate 42 and presented to the sense of touch or hearing.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration example in which the vibration generator 34 is provided. The vibration generating device 34 may employ a configuration that generates vibration using, for example, an eccentric motor. For example, the vibration generator 34 is configured to generate a first vibration when the power of the load 4 is turned on, and to generate a second vibration when the power of the load 4 is turned off. The two vibrations have a vibration period different from the first vibration, for example, a vibration period longer than the first vibration. The sound generator 35 can employ a configuration that generates an inorganic electronic sound or voice message using, for example, a piezoelectric speaker. For example, the sound generator 35 is configured to generate a first sound when the power of the load 4 is turned on, and to generate a second sound when the power of the load 4 is turned off. The two sounds have a generation period different from that of the first sound, for example, have a generation period longer than that of the first sound.

The vibration generator 34 and the sound generator 35 are operated both when the sensor 11 detects the presence of a person and when the presence of a person's finger is detected, or only when the sensor 11 detects the presence of a finger. Since the switch of the present embodiment has no movable part, it is difficult for a visually handicapped person to recognize whether the load 4 is on or off only by visual presentation. Therefore, when the use of a visually impaired person is assumed, it is desirable to provide the operation plate 42 with the vibration generator 34 and the sound generator 35 to recognize whether the load 4 is on or off by vibration or sound. Since it is assumed that presentation by vibration or sound is unnecessary, the signal processing circuit 20 is provided with a selection means (manually operated switch or memory switch) for selecting necessity of presentation by vibration or sound. It may be provided.

While the invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, ie, the claims.

Claims

An operation plate with a sensor configured to detect an operation due to contact or approach; and
A light emitting unit configured to illuminate a sign presented on the first surface side of the operation plate from the second surface side of the operation plate;
A signal processing circuit configured to issue an instruction to control a load when the sensor detects an operation and to issue an instruction to turn on the light emitting unit;
The light emitting unit includes a plurality of light emission colors, which can be selected by an instruction from the signal processing circuit,
The operation plate includes a plurality of color selection filters, each of which has a shape that serves as the plurality of markers, and is configured to selectively pass light of a plurality of emission colors from the light emitting unit. Touch type switch characterized by being made.
A sound generator configured to output sound according to an instruction from the signal processing circuit when the sensor detects an operation;
The touch switch according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a vibration generator configured to vibrate the operation plate according to an instruction from the signal processing circuit when the sensor detects an operation. .
The sensor is a proximity sensor configured to detect human approach by a change in ambient electric field;
The signal processing circuit instructs the sensor to set a high sensitivity and turns off the light emitting unit, and instructs the sensor to set a low sensitivity and turns on the light emitting unit. Configured to alternatively select the second state resulting from
In addition, when the sensor detects the approach of a person in the first state, the signal processing circuit shifts to the second state and starts a waiting time period, and then, during the waiting time period, the sensor When the operation is detected, the control of the load is instructed, and when the waiting time is expired, the state is shifted to the first state and the presence or absence of a person is confirmed. The touch-type switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the waiting time is restarted and the light emitting unit is turned off when the absence of a person is detected.