JP2006134756A - Switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the sizes of switch bodies and wires associated with it from increasing, and to prevent a design property at a part with a switch device installed thereat from being degraded by the presence of the wires. <P>SOLUTION: This switch device is provided with the fixed switch bodies 3 and a control part 4 for issuing an operation switch command to an object device with a switch operation to each switch body 3. The switch device is equipped with an operation detection mechanism 5 for detecting an operation state to each switch body 3 by radiating monitor light to the switch body 3 and by a state change of its reflected light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch device including a fixed switch body and a control unit that issues an operation switch command to a target device in accordance with a switch operation on the switch body. For example, the switch device is frequently used as an elevator switch or glass. It can be used as a switch for lighting fixtures and equipment in buildings with high designability (for example, glass churches) and exhibits, and as a power switch for electrical products formed so that the outer shell can be seen through. The present invention relates to a switch device.

Conventionally, as an example of this type of switch device, as shown in FIG. 9, an elevator switch will be described as an example. A switch body 20 fixed to the wall 2 of the elevator hall, and the switch body 20 There is one provided with wiring 21 such as a power supply line and a signal line connected to one end and a control unit 22 connected to the other end of the wiring 21, for example, an upwardly displayed switch body. When the switch 20 is pressed, the switch operation is transmitted to the control unit 22 by the wirings 21, and an operation switch command is sent to an elevating mechanism (corresponding to the target device) not shown in the figure to stop the rising elevator on the floor. Some are configured to issue.
In many of them, a light emitting means 23 such as a light bulb or an LED that clearly indicates that the switch main body 20 has been operated is built in the switch main body 20, and the light emitting means is supplied with electric power supplied from the wirings 21. 23 is configured to emit light. In addition, for reference, in elevator-related technology, the indicator lights fixed to the wall to indicate that the elevator is arriving are composed of optical fibers instead of electric wires, and light is irradiated from one side of the optical fiber. There is also one that says that light is emitted from the indicator lamp portion on the other end side (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
As a conventional second example, there is a cordless switch device for an elevator (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This example shows how to install the temporary elevator switch during the upgrade of the existing elevator, so that it does not bother to pierce and embed the wall. Between the first transmitter / receiver, the first transmitter / receiver for transmitting / receiving each switch related information, the cabinet containing the power supply etc. in the elevator hall, and the second transmitter / receiver provided on the wall The switch operation information is transmitted and received using light, and wirings connected to the second transceiver are provided on the back side of the wall. In other words, the cordless space between the wall in the elevator hall and the cabinet is intended. In addition, as a reference technology related to cordless, a display lamp that displays the arrival of the elevator and a cabinet that houses its power supply, etc. are installed in the elevator hall, and a display command signal transmitted wirelessly from the building frame is received. Some are configured to be received by a cabinet and turn on an indicator lamp (for example, see Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-235377 (FIGS. 1 and 2) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-12237 (FIGS. 2 and 3) JP-A-61-178382 (FIGS. 2 and 3)

According to the conventional switch device of the first example described above, in the attached state, a plurality of wirings are located on the back side of the switch body. For example, the wall of the elevator hall is made of transparent glass or the like. Thus, when it is adopted in a highly designed building in which the back of the wall can be seen through, the wirings can be seen through from the elevator hall side, and there is a problem that the aesthetics are easily lost.
Similarly, in the conventional switch device of the second example, since wirings are provided on the back of the wall, there is a problem that they can be seen through from the elevator hall side and the aesthetics are easily lost. Furthermore, since the switch main body is housed in a cabinet equipped with a power source or the like, there is a problem that it is easily bulky as a whole, and it is easy to impair the aesthetics and easily obstruct traffic.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned problems, make the switch body and the wiring associated therewith difficult to be bulky, and prevent the design of the installed location from being lowered due to the presence of the wiring. A switch device is being provided.

  A first characteristic configuration of the present invention is a switch device including a fixed switch body and a control unit that issues an operation switch command to a target device in accordance with a switch operation on the switch body. There is provided an operation detection mechanism for detecting an operation state with respect to the switch body by changing the state of the reflected light.

According to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, since the switch body is provided with the operation detection mechanism for irradiating the switch body with the monitor light and detecting the operation state with respect to the switch body by the change in the state of the reflected light, the switch body By being operated, for example, the operation detecting mechanism can detect that the reflecting surface moves and is different from the state of the reflected light before the operation, and as a result, issues an operation switch command from the control unit. Is possible.
Since the main part of the switch body can be composed of a switch operated part (for example, a switch button) and a part that reflects the monitor light, the switch body can be made less bulky.
Furthermore, since the operation of the switch body can be performed via the monitor light, it is not necessary to provide wiring between the switch body and the control unit. For example, as described above, the switch device is provided on the see-through wall portion. Even if it is a case where it attaches, the problem that the aesthetics fall by seeing through wiring can be solved.
Further, if the wiring can be omitted, it is possible to prevent the switch from being broken due to a disconnection or contact failure caused by other objects (for example, an elevator drive system) being caught on the wiring. .

  According to a second characteristic configuration of the present invention, the operation detection mechanism includes: a first irradiating unit that irradiates the switch body with monitor light; a light receiving unit that receives the monitor reflected light reflected by the switch body; A detecting means for detecting a change in a monitor optical path distance from the first irradiating means through the switch main body to the light receiving means, a light arrival time, or a change in the amount of light by the movement of the switch body accompanying the off operation; It is in the place where it is configured with.

According to the second characteristic configuration of the present invention, in addition to achieving the above-described operation and effect of the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, the switch body is moved along the monitor optical path as the switch body is pushed. The detection of the change in the distance of the monitor optical path, the light arrival time, and the amount of light from the first irradiating means to the light receiving means via the reflecting surface of the switch body by the pressing operation using the phenomenon of moving It is possible to detect the switch operation state accurately by detecting by means.
As a device for detecting distance, light arrival time and light quantity, a compact and simple structure is provided at low cost, so that both the low cost of the switch device and the space saving of the installation range can be realized. Is also possible.

  According to a third characteristic configuration of the present invention, the operation detection mechanism includes a first irradiating means for irradiating the switch body with monitor light, a light receiving means for receiving the monitor reflected light reflected by the switch body, and a switch on. An optical path switching means for interlocking switching so that the monitor reflected light from the switch body does not reach the light receiving means due to the movement of the switch body accompanying the off operation, and whether the monitor reflected light has reached And a detecting means for detecting.

According to the third characteristic configuration of the present invention, in addition to being able to achieve the above-described operational effect according to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, the movement associated with pushing the switch body is utilized to The monitor reflected light can be linked and switched by the optical path switching means so that the monitor reflected light does not reach the light receiving means, the presence or absence of the monitor reflected light is detected by the detecting means, and the switch operation state is determined. It becomes possible to determine accurately.
The optical path switching means is provided so as to be able to move in and out of the optical path, using the swing of the reflecting portion provided in the switch body, using the swing of the reflecting mirror installed in the optical path, or the like. It is possible to adopt a very simple and compact structure such as a structure constituted by a shield. On the other hand, as the detection means, a mechanism for detecting only the presence or absence of the monitor reflected light can be employed, and an extremely simple and compact structure can be employed.
Therefore, it is possible to achieve both cost reduction of the switch device and space saving of the installation range.

  According to a fourth characteristic configuration of the present invention, the light that displays the operation state of the switch body corresponding to the detection result by irradiating the switch body or its vicinity with the detection of the operation detection mechanism. There is a display means.

According to the fourth characteristic configuration of the present invention, in addition to being able to achieve the above-described operational effects according to the first to third characteristic configurations of the present invention, the operation state of the switch body can be changed without using wiring. Can be displayed by irradiating light, and the operation state can be accurately recognized. For example, as described above, even when the switch device is attached to the see-through wall, It is possible to solve the problem that the aesthetics deteriorate due to seeing through.
Further, if the wiring can be omitted, it is possible to prevent the switch from being broken due to a disconnection or contact failure caused by other objects (for example, an elevator drive system) being caught on the wiring. .

  According to a fifth characteristic configuration of the present invention, the optical path of the light irradiated from the monitor optical path and the light display means is set in a bent state using a reflecting mirror.

According to the fifth characteristic configuration of the present invention, in addition to achieving the above-described operational effect according to the fourth characteristic configuration of the present invention, by using a reflecting mirror, the monitor optical path is switched to the switch. It becomes possible to set to an arbitrary shape according to the installation environment of the apparatus.
Therefore, for example, as described above, even when the switch device is attached to the see-through wall portion, the monitor light is irradiated along the wall surface and bent toward the switch body on the back side of the switch body. Thus, it is possible to design an optical path such as installing a reflecting mirror, and an installation form that effectively uses a narrow space behind the wall can be adopted.
That is, the flexibility of the layout design of each part of the switch device is high, and it is possible to cope with various installation environments.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the parts indicated by the same reference numerals as those in the conventional example indicate the same or corresponding parts.

FIG. 1 shows an elevator hall portion of a building to which an elevator switch S1 that is an embodiment of the switch device of the present invention is attached.
The wall 2 provided with the elevator hall 1 of the elevator hall is made of transparent plate glass, and is designed so that the elevator equipment can be seen through the wall 2.

  On the wall 2, a call button (corresponding to a switch body) 3 provided separately for the vertical direction is attached to a side portion of the elevator 1, and by pressing any of the call buttons 3, The elevator for the indicated direction can be stopped on that floor. The pressed call button 3 is lit until the elevator arrives at the floor, and is turned off when the elevator arrives.

The elevator switch S1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the elevator button drive device (shown in the drawing) is accompanied with the call button 3 fixed to the wall 2 and the pressing operation (switch operation) on the call button 3. (Not shown but corresponding to the target device according to the present invention) is provided with a control unit 4 for issuing an operation switch command, and the call button 3 is pressed by irradiating the monitor button 3 with the monitor light and changing the state of the reflected light. The operation detection mechanism 5 for detecting this and the light display means 6 for displaying the call button 3 by irradiating light with the detection of the operation detection mechanism 5 are provided.
Note that the control unit 4 performs control over the entire drive of the elevator, and in addition to the above-described calling control, also performs switching control of turning on / off of the calling button 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the call button 3 includes a frame portion 3a fixed to a wall, and a disk-shaped button body 3b attached to the frame portion 3a so as to be freely retractable along the wall thickness direction. Is provided. The button main body 3b is attached in a state of being pushed and urged to the wall surface side. When the button is pressed, the button main body 3b enters the inside of the frame portion 3a (see FIG. 2), and when released, the button body 3b returns to the original position on the surface side. Return (see FIG. 3).
The button body 3b itself is made of a synthetic resin material that diffuses light, and is configured so that when the light is irradiated from the back side, the entire button body 3b appears to shine on the front side. ing. A mirror-like reflecting portion 3c is formed at the center of the back surface of the button body 3b so that the monitor light emitted from the back surface can be reflected.
On the other hand, a support piece 7 is formed on the frame 3a so as to extend to the back side of the wall, and the support piece 7 is inclined with a gap on the back side of the button body 3b. A reflecting mirror 8 is attached to the posture.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the monitor light irradiated along the wall surface on the back surface side of the wall 2 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 8 toward the button body 3b, and reflected again by the reflecting portion 3c of the button body 3b. Thus, it is possible to return to the same monitor optical path L. Further, according to the reflecting mirror 8, as shown in FIG. 3, the light path M is similarly reflected and bent to form the light path M, and the edge of the button main body 3b is formed from the back side. The button main body 3b can be illuminated as a whole.

The operation detection mechanism 5 includes a first irradiating means 5A for irradiating infrared laser light as monitor light, a light receiving means 5B for receiving laser light returned through the monitor optical path L, and a distance between the monitor optical path L ( Alternatively, a detecting means 5C for detecting a change in light arrival time) is provided.
Accordingly, when the call button 3 is pressed, the position of the reflection portion 3c is moved, and the phenomenon that the monitor optical path L is shortened accordingly can be detected by the detecting means 5C, and the call button 3 is pressed. This can be communicated to the control unit 4.

  The light display means 6 includes second irradiation means 6A for irradiating laser light in the visible light region as display light.

  And the said operation detection mechanism 5 and the light display means 6 are installed in the place which cannot be seen from the elevator hall of the upper back surface side of the wall 2, as shown in FIG. The optical paths are aligned so that they do not interfere with each other.

According to the elevator switch S1 of the present embodiment, the call switch 3 can be finished in a very simple structure, and the switch has a design effect as if it is floating in the air against a transparent wall. Can be achieved.
In addition, the wiring on the back side of the transparent wall can be omitted, and it is possible to prevent a failure caused by the disconnection or poor contact of the wiring.
Furthermore, since the operation detection mechanism 5 and the light display means 6 can exhibit a function as a switch regardless of where they are placed within a range in which the call switch 3 can be irradiated with light. Therefore, it is possible to perform an arrangement design with a high degree of freedom according to

[Another embodiment]
Other embodiments will be described below.

<1> The switch device is not limited to the elevator switch S1 described in the previous embodiment. For example, illumination in a highly-designed building (for example, a glass church) or an exhibit that uses glass as a wall. It can also be used for switches for appliances and mechanical devices, and power switches for electrical products formed so that the outer shell can be seen through, and these are collectively referred to as switch devices.
<2> As described in the previous embodiment, the elevator switch S1 includes both the operation detection mechanism 5 that detects a switch operation and the light display means 6 that performs a display in which the switch is operated. For example, the optical display unit 6 may be omitted.
In short, it is only necessary to provide the operation detection mechanism 5 that irradiates the call button 3 with the monitor light and detects the operation state of the call button 3 based on the change in the state of the reflected light.
In the previous embodiment, an arrival lamp indicating that the elevator has arrived is not described, but an arrival lamp may be provided.
<3> In the previous embodiment, the operation detection mechanism 5 includes the first irradiation unit 5A, the light receiving unit 5B, the distance of the monitor light path L, or the detection unit 5C that detects a change in the light arrival time. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. An example of the means K) is provided, and the phenomenon that the monitor light path L bends at the reflecting portion 3c (see FIG. 5B) and does not reach the light receiving means 5B in accordance with the switch operation is detected by the detecting means 5C. It can also be configured to detect.
As another example, as shown in FIG. 6, a reflecting mirror 8 (an example of an optical path switching means K) that swings as the switch is turned on / off is provided in the middle of the optical path L, and the switch operation is performed. Accordingly, the reflecting mirror 8 is swung to cause the monitor optical path L to bend (see FIG. 6 (b)), and the detection means 5C detects the phenomenon that it does not reach the light receiving means 5B. May be.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, a reflecting mirror 8 (an example of the optical path switching means K) that moves back and forth in accordance with the on / off operation of the switch is provided in the middle of the optical path L, and reflected along with the switch operation. When the mirror 8 moves back and forth and the reflection position of the monitor light moves on the mirror surface (see FIG. 7 (b)), the monitor optical path L does not reach the reflection portion 3c of the switch, and as a result, the light receiving means 5B You may comprise so that the phenomenon which may not reach | attain may be detected by the said detection means 5C.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, a reflective portion 3c that bulges and deforms elastically as the switch is turned on and off is provided in the switch body, and the reflective portion 3c bulges and deforms as the switch is operated. It is also possible to configure the detection means 5C to detect the decrease in the amount of the monitor reflected light that reaches the light receiving means 5B by diffusing the reflected light.
These are collectively referred to as an operation detection mechanism.
<4> As described in the previous embodiment, the light display unit 6 displays the operation state of the call button 3 corresponding to the detection result of the operation detection mechanism 5 by irradiating the call button 3 with light. Instead of such a configuration, the display may be configured by irradiating and displaying light in the vicinity of the call button 3. As an example, the wall portion around the call button 3 may be illuminated.

  In addition, as mentioned above, although the code | symbol was written in order to make contrast with drawing convenient, this invention is not limited to the structure of an accompanying drawing by this entry. In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention can be carried out in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Elevator hall front view Side view conceptual diagram showing the switch device Side view conceptual diagram showing the switch device Front view conceptual diagram showing the switch device Side view conceptual diagram showing a switch device of another embodiment Side view conceptual diagram showing a switch device of another embodiment Side view conceptual diagram showing a switch device of another embodiment Side view conceptual diagram showing a switch device of another embodiment Side view conceptual diagram showing a conventional switch device

Explanation of symbols

3 Call button (equivalent to the switch body)
4 Control Unit 5 Operation Detection Mechanism 5A First Irradiation Unit 5B Light Receiving Unit 5C Detection Unit 6 Light Display Unit 8 Reflector K Optical Path Switching Unit L Monitor Optical Path M Optical Path

Claims (5)

A switch device comprising: a fixed switch body; and a control unit that issues an operation switch command to a target device in accordance with a switch operation on the switch body,
A switch device provided with an operation detection mechanism for irradiating the switch body with the monitor light and detecting an operation state with respect to the switch body based on a change in the state of the reflected light.   The operation detection mechanism includes a first irradiating means for irradiating the switch body with monitor light, a light receiving means for receiving monitor reflected light reflected by the switch body, and movement of the switch body accompanying the on / off operation of the switch. And a detection means for detecting a change in a distance of a monitor optical path from the first irradiation means through the switch body to the light receiving means, a light arrival time, or a light quantity. The switch device according to 1.   The operation detection mechanism includes a first irradiating means for irradiating the switch body with monitor light, a light receiving means for receiving monitor reflected light reflected by the switch body, and movement of the switch body accompanying the on / off operation of the switch. And an optical path switching means for interlocking switching so that the monitor reflected light from the switch body does not reach the light receiving means, and a detecting means for detecting whether or not the monitor reflected light has arrived. The switch device according to claim 1.   The light display means for irradiating light to the switch body or its vicinity and displaying the operation state of the switch body corresponding to the detection result in accordance with the detection of the operation detection mechanism is provided. 4. The switch device according to any one of 3.   The switch device according to claim 4, wherein the optical path of the light irradiated from the monitor optical path and the light display means is set in a bent state using a reflecting mirror.

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