JP2004077396A - Light emitting head, remote switching system utilizing it, and method of detecting couple of forces - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light emitting head that can transmit a mechanical external force by directly converting the force into an optical signal, and to provide a remote switching system using the head. <P>SOLUTION: The light emitting head 1 is provided with a pressing mechanism 5 which impresses a mechanical pressure upon an object from the outside, a light emitting board 8 made of a light emitting material which emits light when the pressure 11 impressed upon the mechanism 5 is transmitted to the material, and an optical passage 2, such as the optical fiber etc., which transmits the light emitted from the light emitting board 8 as an optical signal. The remote switching system is constituted of the light emitting head 1 and a photodetector which detects the optical signal and can remotely operate equipment to be operated in accordance with the detected result of the photodetetor. Since the light emitting head 1 and remote switching system can directly convert the force impressed from the outside into the optical signal, the head 1 and system can transmit the optical signal without being affected by electromagnetic noises. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a light emitting head that converts mechanical external forces such as frictional force, shearing force, impact force, and pressure into an optical signal and transmits the light signal, a remote switch system that remotely operates a mechanical device using the light emitting head, And a detection method for detecting a couple using the light emitting head.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a system called “fly-by-light” is expected as a “flight control actuation system” that is a system of an aircraft control device. This fly-by-light is a system that measures the movement of the control stick controlled by the pilot with a sensor and transmits the signal to an actuator that operates a control surface such as a rudder, elevator, auxiliary wing, etc. via an optical fiber. It is. This fly-by-light has many advantages such as being resistant to electromagnetic interference, being small and lightweight, and having excellent fire resistance and corrosion resistance.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The device for converting the mechanical operation of the control stick into an electric signal used in the fly-by-light described above is a combination of electric switches in principle. Therefore, by the time the optical signal is transmitted to the optical fiber, it is necessary to convert this mechanical movement of the control stick into an electric signal and then into an optical signal. Since such signal conversion contributes to lowering the reliability of the entire system, it is preferable that the number of conversions is as small as possible, and the movement of the mechanical control stick (ie, mechanical external force) is directly transmitted to the optical signal. More preferably, the conversion to However, there has been no device that directly converts a mechanical external force into an optical signal.
[0004]
Therefore, the present invention provides a light emitting head capable of directly converting a mechanical external force into an optical signal using a light emitting material and transmitting the signal, and using the light emitting head to remotely operate various mechanical devices. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple optical remote switch system. The present invention also provides a method for detecting a couple using the light emitting head.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present inventors applied a variety of loads to a bulk body made by mixing a stress-stimulated powder that emits light due to stress in a material itself with a transparent optical resin. It has been found that the emission intensity increases in proportion. In addition, the present inventors have found that when this light emission is measured by a photodetector via a transmission means such as a glass fiber, the stress applied to the bulk body can be measured remotely. Along with that, it is possible to distinguish between two states such as ON and OFF by setting a threshold value for the emission intensity, and to use the emission intensity value itself as a state value to set the intermediate value from ON to OFF. It has been found that a general state can be detected.
[0006]
Furthermore, the present inventors have also found that in a bulk body formed of a material that emits light by destruction, the occurrence of destruction can be detected by light emission, so that two states such as on and off can be distinguished. Was. The present inventors have completed the present invention based on these findings.
[0007]
That is, the light emitting head according to the present invention includes: an application unit that applies an external force; a light emitting unit that includes a light emitting material that emits light when the external force is applied; and a transmission unit that transmits light emitted from the light emitting unit as an optical signal. It is characterized by having.
[0008]
The light emitting head generates light by applying a mechanical external force such as a frictional force, a shearing force, an impact force, and a pressure, and transmits the light as an optical signal to another device. In order to exhibit such a function, the present light emitting head is provided with a light emitting means including a light emitting material having a property of emitting light when an external force is applied as described above, and applying an external force to the light emitting means. Application means for applying the voltage is attached. If the application means is connected to, for example, an operation lever, the pressure applied by operating the operation lever can be applied to the light emitting means.
[0009]
The light emitting head further includes a transmitting unit that transmits light emitted from the light emitting unit as an optical signal. Specific examples of the transmission means include an optical fiber and an optical waveguide in which a tube whose inside is coated with a reflective film and a reflecting mirror are combined. As described above, the transmission means plays a role of transmitting light between the optical devices, and thus can be called an optical path.
[0010]
The light emitting head of the present invention can directly convert a mechanical external force such as a frictional force, a shearing force, an impact force, and a pressure into an optical signal and transmit the optical signal to an external device. Therefore, for example, in an aircraft control system, a mechanical external force generated by the operation of a control stick (operation lever) can be directly converted into an optical signal and transmitted to an actuator which is a driving device. That is, the operation of the control stick is once converted into an electric signal, and then, the number of signal conversions is reduced as compared with a conventional control system in which the electric signal is converted into an optical signal and transmitted to a driving device. Can be. As a result, the operation of the control stick by the pilot can be more accurately transmitted to the drive device without being affected by electromagnetic noise, and the reliability of the control system can be improved.
[0011]
In the above light emitting head, it is preferable that the light emitting material is a stress light emitting material that changes light emission intensity in proportion to the intensity of the external force.
[0012]
The “stress light-emitting material” is a light-emitting material that emits light by stress. That is, the stress-stimulated luminescent material has a property that the material itself emits light in response to a stimulus of a mechanical external force, and also has a property that the light-emitting intensity changes in proportion to the intensity of the external force. Specific examples of the stress luminescent material include those described in JP-A-11-116946, JP-A-2001-049251, JP-A-2001-064638, JP-A-3273317 and JP-A-2992631. Can be.
[0013]
As described above, since the stress-stimulated luminescent material can change the luminous intensity according to the intensity of the external force, if the stress-stimulated luminescent material is used as the luminescent material, it is possible to continuously transmit an optical signal according to the intensity of the external force. A light emitting head can be provided.
[0014]
In the above light emitting head, the light emitting material may be a destructive light emitting material that causes a destructive light emitting phenomenon. This destructive light emission phenomenon is a phenomenon in which light is emitted when the light is destroyed by application of a predetermined pressure or more. The details of the destructive luminescence phenomenon are described in the reference document (Alan J. Walton, “Tribolescence”, Advanced in Physics Vol. 26, No. 6, 887-948, 1977). When the trajectory of an electron inside changes due to the destruction of a crystal or molecule, the difference in energy is emitted as light, a physical phenomenon that has been well known since ancient times.
[0015]
The destructive luminescence phenomenon is mainly observed in a material in which the target center of the crystal structure does not exist, but it can also be observed in other materials such as rock sugar and rock salt. Therefore, as the destructive light emitting material, for example, an inorganic material such as quartz and an organic material such as PDF can be used. However, there is a minimum limit (approximately 2 to 3 mm) in the size of the crystal, and if it is powdered, destructive luminescence will not occur. Therefore, when quartz is used as the destructive luminescent material, it is preferable to make it into a flake shape like a quartz oscillator. Further, since PDF is a resin, it can be formed into an arbitrary shape such as a plate shape.
[0016]
A light emitting head using such a destructive light emitting material can detect the occurrence of destruction in the light emitting means by emitting light and transmit the light as an optical signal. Therefore, two states such as ON and OFF can be distinguished.
[0017]
In the light emitting head as described above, a plurality of the light emitting means are provided for one applying means for applying an external force, and the transmitting means is provided for each of the plurality of light emitting means. May be adopted.
[0018]
According to the above configuration, each of the plurality of light emitting units emits light in accordance with the direction and / or intensity of the external force applied to the application unit, and can be transmitted to each of the transmission units. As a result, the externally applied force can be converted into an optical signal more accurately and in detail according to the intensity and / or direction.
[0019]
In addition, a remote switch system according to the present invention includes the above-described light emitting head and a light detector that detects an optical signal output from a transmission unit of the light emitting head. The operation target device is remotely controlled accordingly.
[0020]
The remote switch system can detect an optical signal transmitted by the light emitting head. Then, a signal corresponding to the detection result can be sent to various devices as operation target devices connected to the remote switch system to perform remote control. Since this remote switch system has a light emitting head that can directly convert a mechanical external force into an optical signal, accurate remote operation can be performed without being affected by electromagnetic noise. Improve overall system reliability.
[0021]
The remote switch system may be analog. The “analog type” means a method of detecting each light emission intensity according to the magnitude of the external force as an optical signal.
[0022]
According to this, not only the ON / OFF of the external force can be detected, but also the magnitude thereof can be detected. Therefore, various devices can be operated in an analog manner according to the magnitude of the external force, and it can be expected that the usability of the remote switch system can be further expanded.
[0023]
In the remote switch system, a plurality of the light emitting heads may be provided, and a single detector may be provided.
[0024]
Further, in the plurality of light emitting heads, the wavelength of the peak value of the emission spectrum of the light emitting material included in the light emitting means may be different for each light emitting head.
[0025]
According to the above configuration, each of the external forces applied to the plurality of light emitting heads can be identified from the difference in the peak of the emission spectrum of the corresponding light emitting head. Therefore, if each light emitting head is provided with an operation lever or the like, a single detector can transmit optical signals corresponding to the operation from a plurality of operation levers. When devices are connected to the end of the detector, complicated remote operation can be performed accurately.
[0026]
A couple detection method according to the present invention is to detect a couple using the above-described light emitting head and a photodetector that detects a signal output by a transmission unit of the light emitting head.
[0027]
Here, the couple means a pair of forces acting on one object with the same magnitude and being parallel and opposite in direction, and refers to a force that is a source of torsion and rotational movement of the object. Therefore, the method of detecting a couple is a method of detecting a torsion or rotation as a couple when the object is twisted due to the action of the couple or when the object performs a rotational motion. .
[0028]
According to the above method, when the application means of the light emitting head rotates and a couple is applied, it is recognized as a couple and an optical signal corresponding to the couple can be detected. That is, the couple acting by the rotational motion can be directly converted into an optical signal and detected as an optical signal. Therefore, by using this method, a complicated operation such as a rotation operation can be remotely controlled.
[0029]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Note that the present invention is not limited to this description.
[0030]
[Embodiment 1]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
[0031]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a light emitting head 1 according to the present embodiment. The light emitting head 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a pressing force for applying a mechanical pressure to a light emitting plate 8 (light emitting means) containing a stress light emitting material in which the material itself emits light in proportion to a stress (force according to a load applied to an object). It is a light emitting head provided with a mechanism 5 (applying means).
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting head 1 includes a pressing mechanism 5 to which a mechanical pressure 11 (external force) is applied from the outside, a light emitting plate 8 that emits light by stress, an optical fiber that transmits the emitted light as a signal, and the like. The optical path 2 is included. The pressing mechanism 5 is held via a support component 6 for holding the pressing mechanism 5 and an elastic body 7 such as a spring for preventing falling-off and controlling the pressure 11.
[0033]
Further, in the light emitting head 1 according to the first embodiment, the light emitting plate 8 contains a stress light emitting material. As the stress-stimulated luminescent material, those described in JP-A-11-116946, JP-A-2001-049251, JP-A-2001-064638, JP-A-3273317 and JP-A-2992631 are used. can do. When such a stress-stimulated luminescent material is used for the light-emitting plate 8, it may be formed into a powder, mixed with a transparent optical resin, and formed into a plate. The end of the formed light emitting plate 8 is fixed by the support component 6.
[0034]
In the light emitting head 1 configured as described above, when a mechanical pressure 11 is applied to the pressing mechanism 5 from the outside, the force is transmitted to the center or the surface of the light emitting plate 8, and the light emitting plate 8 emits light. The light emitted from the optical path 2 such as an optical fiber can be received and transmitted from the back surface of the light emitting plate 8 as an optical signal. The optical path 2 preferably has a shielding structure such as an optical fiber in order to block noise light from the outside.
[0035]
Since the light emitting plate 8 contains a stress light emitting material, the light emitting intensity also changes in proportion to the magnitude (intensity) of the applied pressure 11. Therefore, the value of the applied pressure 11 can be transmitted as a continuous light signal by the light emission intensity.
[0036]
In the light-emitting head 1, the contact area between the light-emitting plate 8 and the pressing mechanism 5 is preferably as small as possible in order to concentrate stress. Further, in the light emitting head 1, it is preferable that the light emitting plate 8 and the optical path 2 are closely attached or adhered so that the optical path 2 can efficiently obtain light generated in the light emitting plate.
[0037]
Next, an analog remote switch system obtained by using the light emitting head 1 will be described below.
[0038]
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of this remote switch system. As shown in FIG. 2, the remote switch system 14 is formed by connecting the above-described light emitting head 1 and a photodetector 3 for detecting an optical signal by an optical path 2 for transmitting an optical signal.
[0039]
The photodetector 3 includes a photodiode, a phototransistor, a CCD, a photomultiplier tube, and the like as a photodetection device, and outputs a result of detecting light intensity or emission spectrum as an electric signal or a mechanical operation such as a movement of a pen. It is. In the present embodiment, the photodetector 3 is connected to the operation target device 16 via the electric wire 15 as shown in FIG. Can be sent. Thereby, the operation target device 16 can be remotely controlled based on an instruction by a continuous optical signal corresponding to the magnitude of the pressure applied to the pressing mechanism 5 of the light emitting head 1.
[0040]
In addition, when outputting only a simple ON / OFF state to one or a plurality of operation target devices, a threshold value is set for the detected light intensity. In such a case, the signal may be output as a mechanical operation such as a mechanical swing such as a mechanical swing of an electric signal or a pointer so as to be turned off or a combination of the opposite. When outputting continuous information to one or a plurality of operation target devices, a continuous voltage or current proportional to the emission intensity, an encoded electric signal, or a continuous pointer What is necessary is just to output as a mechanical operation like a shake.
[0041]
As described above, the present remote switch system can directly convert the applied pressure to an optical signal and send it to a photodetector, so that there is no need to convert an electrical signal to an optical signal, and electromagnetic noise can be reduced. It can be prevented from being affected. Therefore, accurate remote control can be performed, and the reliability of the entire system can be improved.
[0042]
[Embodiment 2]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
[0043]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the light emitting head 1 according to the present embodiment. The light emitting head 1 shown in FIG. 3 is a light emitting head provided with a pressing mechanism 5 for applying a mechanical force to a light emitting plate 9 containing a destructive light emitting material that emits light when destroyed. For the sake of convenience, members having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 3, the light emitting head 1 according to the present embodiment includes a pressing mechanism 5 to which a mechanical pressure 11 (external force) is applied from the outside, a light emitting plate 9 that emits light by stress, and a signal that emits light. And an optical path 2 such as an optical fiber that transmits light. The pressing mechanism 5 is held via a support component 6 for holding the pressing mechanism 5 and an elastic body 7 such as a spring for preventing falling-off and controlling the pressure 11. As can be seen from a comparison with the light emitting head shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting head 1 shown in FIG. 3 is different from the light emitting head of the first embodiment in the shape of the light emitting plate 9.
[0045]
The light emitting plate 9 contains a destructive light emitting material that emits light when it is destroyed by application of a predetermined pressure (breaking pressure) as a light emitting material. The light-emitting plate 9 is arranged in contact with the pressing mechanism 9, and breaks when a pressure equal to or higher than the breaking pressure is applied from the pressing mechanism 5. When the light emitting plate 9 is broken by a pressure higher than the breaking force, light is emitted and transmitted to the optical path 2 as an optical signal. That is, when a pressure higher than the breaking force is applied, an optical signal is sent to the optical path 2, and when a pressure less than the breaking force is applied, an optical signal is sent to the optical path 2. There is no mechanism.
[0046]
Therefore, if a remote switch system similar to that of the first embodiment is created using the above-described light-emitting head 1, the applied pressure 11 can be distinguished into two states, that is, a pressure equal to or higher than the burst pressure and lower than the burst pressure. The switch can be turned on and off according to these two states.
[0047]
An inorganic material such as quartz or an organic material such as PDF can be used as the destructive luminescent material. When the light emitting plate 9 is formed using this destructive light emitting material, a method of forming the light emitting plate by molding the material itself can be adopted. Alternatively, a powdery destructive luminescent material may be enclosed in a hollow elastic plate made of a resin such as transparent acrylic or polycarbonate. According to this, the powdery destructive luminescent material contained therein is more finely destroyed as the elastic plate is deformed, so that light can be generated.
[0048]
As described above, in the light emitting head 1 of the present embodiment, the presence or absence of the application of the pressure equal to or higher than the breaking pressure is identified as the presence or absence of light emission. This breaking pressure can be appropriately adjusted by the thickness of the light emitting plate 9 and the elastic coefficient of the elastic body 7 holding the pressing mechanism 5. Since the light emitting plate 9 breaks in the present light emitting head 1, it is desirable that there is a gap between the light emitting plate 9 and the optical path 2 as shown in FIG.
[0049]
[Embodiment 3]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
[0050]
The remote switch system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of light emitting heads to form a parallel switch. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of this remote switch system. For the sake of convenience, members having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 4, the optical paths 2, 2, 2,... Of the individual light emitting heads 1, 1, 1,... Are connected by an optical mixer 4 such as a prism, a lens, a reflection film, and a waveguide. , One photodetector 3. Thus, the pressure applied to each of the light emitting heads 1, 1, 1,... Can be detected by one photodetector 3 as an optical signal.
[0052]
Further, in the remote switch system of the present embodiment, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the peak wavelengths of the emission spectra of the light emitting materials used for the individual light emitting heads 1, 1, 1,. In the case of such a configuration, it is possible to distinguish which light emitting head has transmitted the optical signal from the difference in the peak of the spectrum detected by the photodetector 3. At this time, a photodetector 3 having a function of distinguishing individual peak intensities of the emission spectrum is used.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 4, the remote switch system as described above can transmit a detection result of an optical signal to the operation target device 16 as an electric signal by being connected to the operation target device 16 via the electric wire 15. it can. Thus, the operation target device 16 can be remotely controlled according to the pressure applied from the plurality of light emitting heads.
[0054]
[Embodiment 4]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
[0055]
The light-emitting heads described in the first to third embodiments basically detect only the pressure applied to the pressing mechanism 5. However, there is a case where it is desired to identify the operation direction of one operation lever such as a control stick of an aircraft. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a light emitting head that can identify the operation direction of the operation lever will be described.
[0056]
In the light emitting head according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the operation lever is connected to the application means, and the direction and the magnitude of the force applied to the operation lever are controlled by a plurality of light emission means including the stress light emitting material. It is identified by using the number. For the sake of convenience, members having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 5, the present light emitting head has a pressing mechanism 5 operable in a horizontal direction (direction indicated by an arrow 12) in the drawing, an operating lever 10 for operating the pressing mechanism 5, and an end face in a support component 6 held. It is composed of a combination of two light emitting plates 8.8 and two optical paths 2.2, such as optical fibers, which are closely or adhered thereto. The operation lever 10 is supported by the support component 6 via an elastic body such as a spring and maintains a neutral state. When an operation force 12 is applied to the operation lever in the horizontal direction in the drawing, the pressing mechanism 5 applies pressure to one of the left and right light emitting plates, and light is emitted from the light emitting plates. At this time, the direction of the operation force can be identified based on which of the left and right light emitting plates emits light. In addition, as in the light emitting head 1 according to the first embodiment, when a stress light emitting material is used for the light emitting plates 8, it is possible to detect the magnitude of the operation force based on the light emission intensity.
[0058]
Therefore, the light emitting head according to the present embodiment can convert a force applied from the outside into an optical signal more accurately and in detail according to the strength and / or direction. In addition, if a remote switch system is configured using such a light emitting head, a more complicated operation target device can be accurately remotely controlled without being affected by electromagnetic noise.
[0059]
The light emitting head shown in FIG. 5 identifies the operation force only in two simple horizontal directions. However, the light emitting head according to the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to identify the operation force in another direction.
[0060]
An example of such an example is one that identifies the operating force in each of the x, y, and z axis directions in a three-dimensional space. When the operation force in the three-dimensional space is identified in this way, although not shown, the pressing mechanism 5 is formed into a three-dimensional structure such as a sphere so that the pressing mechanism 5 can be operated in each axial direction in the support component 6. You should leave it. By arranging two sets of the light emitting plate and the optical path in each axial direction, the pressing mechanism exerts pressure on the light emitting plate by the operating force of the operation lever, thereby performing an operation of determining from which light emitting plate light is generated. The direction of the force can be detected. Furthermore, if a stress-stimulated luminescent material is used for the luminescent plate, the magnitude of the operating force can be detected based on the luminescent intensity.
[0061]
Further, the light emitting head can be used as a light emitting head of a remote switch system as described in the first embodiment. If such a remote switch system is used, more accurate and detailed remote operation can be performed on the operation target device.
[0062]
As still another embodiment of the present invention, a method for detecting an external force applied to the operation lever when the external force is a couple using the light emitting head of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. .
[0063]
Fig. 6 is a bird's-eye view (a view looking down from above) showing the configuration of the operation lever 10, the light emitting heads 1 ', 1 ", etc., capable of detecting a couple. As shown in Fig. 6, an arrow 13 is shown. The two light emitting heads 1 ′ and 1 ″ are disposed at symmetrical positions with respect to one operation lever 10 on which a couple indicated by a symbol acts. Each of the light emitting heads 1 'and 1 "is similar to the light emitting head shown in FIG. 5, but is connected to the axis of the operation lever 10 so that the movable direction of the pressing mechanism 5 shown in FIG. Have been.
[0064]
The light emitting head shown in FIG. 6 is provided with a plurality of light emitting means including a stress light emitting material, and has an operating lever 10 connected to the pressing mechanism 5, and the direction and magnitude of a couple applied to the operating lever 10. Is to be identified. Thus, the couple acting on the operation lever 10 can be detected. That is, for example, when a clockwise couple (indicated by an arrow 13) acts, a light-up force acts on the light emitting head 1 'and a force acts downward on the light-emitting head 1 ". If a mere force acts instead of a couple, the direction of the force detected by the light emitting heads 1 'and 1 "becomes the same, so that the couple is detected. It can be distinguished from the case where it works.
[0065]
The method for detecting a couple as described above can be used, for example, for a torque sensor. More specifically, the above-described couple detection method can be used as a joystick that detects a torsion operation of a stick, a torque sensor of a robot that operates in an explosion-proof environment, and the like.
[0066]
The light emitting head and the remote switch system described in each of the above embodiments can be used for, for example, an aircraft control system. That is, a remote control system of the present invention may be connected to a plurality of control surfaces such as a rudder, a lifting wing, and an auxiliary wing of the aircraft as the above-mentioned operation target devices, thereby forming an aircraft control system. In such a steering system, a control stick operated by a pilot plays a role as an operation lever attached to the above-described pressing mechanism of the light emitting head. When the operation of the control stick is applied as an external force to the light emitting head, light emission is thereby generated, and the light can be directly transmitted as an optical signal. Therefore, each control without influence of electromagnetic noise can be performed. The control surface can be remotely controlled appropriately.
[0067]
Further, the light emitting head and the remote switch system according to the present invention have excellent explosion-proof properties because there is no electric contact. Therefore, in an environment where volatile and flammable substances such as gasoline are likely to be filled (for example, at an oil digging site), switches of equipment operation panels and places where explosives are handled (for example, gunpowder storage and ammunition storage, etc.) ) Can also be used as an equipment operation panel.
[0068]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims, and the present invention can be implemented by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. The form is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
[0069]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the light emitting head according to the present invention includes: an applying unit that applies an external force; a light emitting unit that includes a light emitting material that emits light when the external force is applied; and a transmission that transmits light emitted from the light emitting unit as an optical signal. Means.
[0070]
The light emitting head of the present invention can directly convert a mechanical external force such as a frictional force, a shearing force, an impact force, and a pressure into an optical signal and transmit the optical signal to an external device. Therefore, for example, a mechanical external force generated by the operation of a control stick (operation lever) of an aircraft can be directly converted into an optical signal and transmitted to an actuator which is a driving device. That is, the operation of the control stick is once converted into an electric signal, and then, the number of signal conversions is reduced as compared with a conventional control system in which the electric signal is converted into an optical signal and transmitted to a driving device. Can be. As a result, the operation of the control stick by the pilot can be more accurately transmitted to the drive device without being affected by electromagnetic noise, and the reliability of the control system can be improved. In addition, such an effect is effective not only for the aircraft operation system but also for remote control of other devices.
[0071]
In the above light emitting head, it is preferable that the light emitting material is a stress light emitting material that changes light emission intensity in proportion to the intensity of the external force. Since the above-mentioned stress-stimulated luminescent material can change the luminous intensity according to the intensity of the external force, the use of the stress-stimulated luminescent material as the luminescent material provides a light-emitting head capable of continuously transmitting an optical signal according to the intensity of the external force. It has the effect of being able to.
[0072]
In the above-described light-emitting head, the light-emitting material may be a destructive light-emitting material that emits light when it is destroyed by applying a predetermined pressure or more. A light emitting head using such a destructive light emitting material can detect the occurrence of destruction in the light emitting means by emitting light and transmit the light as an optical signal. For this reason, there is an effect that two states such as ON / OFF can be distinguished.
[0073]
In the light emitting head as described above, a plurality of the light emitting means are provided for one applying means for applying an external force, and the transmitting means is provided for each of the plurality of light emitting means. May be adopted.
[0074]
According to the above configuration, each of the plurality of light emitting units emits light in accordance with the direction and / or intensity of the external force applied to the application unit, and can be transmitted to each transmission unit. Depending on its intensity and / or direction, the applied force can be converted to a more precise and detailed optical signal.
[0075]
In addition, a remote switch system according to the present invention includes the above-described light emitting head and a light detector that detects an optical signal output from a transmission unit of the light emitting head. The operation target device is remotely controlled accordingly.
[0076]
The remote switch system detects an optical signal transmitted by the light emitting head, and sends a signal according to the detection result to various devices that are operation target devices connected to the remote switch system, Can be operated remotely. This remote switch system can perform accurate remote control without being affected by electromagnetic noise, and improves the reliability of the entire system. In addition, a remote switch system having excellent explosion-proof properties can be provided.
[0077]
The remote switch system may be analog. According to this, not only the ON / OFF of the external force can be detected, but also the magnitude thereof can be detected. Therefore, it can be expected that the usability of the remote switch system can be further expanded.
[0078]
In the remote switch system, a plurality of the light emitting heads may be provided, and a single detector may be provided. Further, in the plurality of light emitting heads, the wavelength of the peak value of the emission spectrum of the light emitting material included in the light emitting means may be different for each light emitting head.
[0079]
According to the above configuration, each of the external forces applied to the plurality of light emitting heads can be identified from the difference in the peak of the emission spectrum of the corresponding light emitting head. Therefore, if each light emitting head is provided with an operation lever or the like, a single detector can transmit optical signals corresponding to the operation from a plurality of operation levers.
[0080]
A couple detection method according to the present invention is to detect a couple using the above-described light emitting head and a photodetector that detects a signal output by a transmission unit of the light emitting head.
[0081]
According to the above method, when the application means of the light emitting head rotates and a couple is applied, it is recognized as a couple and an optical signal corresponding to the couple can be detected. That is, the couple acting by the rotational motion can be directly converted into an optical signal and detected as an optical signal.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a light emitting head according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a remote switch system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a light emitting head according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical remote switch system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of a light emitting head according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an overhead view showing a configuration of a light emitting head according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 1'1 "light emitting head
2 Optical path (transmission means)
3 Photodetector
4 Optical mixer
5 Pressing mechanism (application means)
6 Supporting parts
7 Elastic body
8 Light-emitting plate (light-emitting means)
9 Light-emitting plate (light-emitting means)
10 Operation lever
11 pressure (external force)
12 Operating force (external force)
13 Couple (external force / couple)
14 Remote switch system
15 Electric wires
16 Operation target equipment

Claims (9)

A light emitting head comprising: an applying unit for applying an external force; a light emitting unit including a light emitting material that emits light when the external force is applied; and a transmitting unit for transmitting light emitted from the light emitting unit as an optical signal. The light emitting head according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting material is a stress light emitting material. The light emitting head according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting material is a destructive light emitting material that emits light when it is destroyed by applying a predetermined pressure or more. 4. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the light emitting units are provided for one application unit, and the transmission unit is provided for each of the plurality of light emitting units. 5. The light-emitting head according to the above. A light emitting head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a light detector for detecting an optical signal output from a transmission means of the light emitting head, and operated according to a detection result of the light detector. A remote switch system for remotely controlling a target device. The remote switch system according to claim 5, wherein the remote switch system is of an analog type. The remote switch system according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the light emitting heads are provided, and one detector is provided. 8. The remote switch system according to claim 7, wherein, in the plurality of light emitting heads, a wavelength of a peak value of an emission spectrum of a light emitting material included in the light emitting means is different for each light emitting head. A detection method for detecting a couple using the light emitting head according to claim 4 and a light detector that detects an optical signal output from a transmission unit of the light emitting head.

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