JP2015187920A - Switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switching device that can enhance the operability of switching the state of an illumination load.SOLUTION: A switching device can immediately turn out an illumination load 4 when a second detection area (an intermediate operation area 204) has been subjected to a touch operation. Therefore, it is unnecessary with the switching device for a user to execute two operations of switching luminosity for switching a fluorescent lamp from a full lighting state to a turned-off state as in the case of the prior art described in Patent Document 1. As a result, the switching device provides enhanced operability to switch the state of the illumination load 4 as compared with the prior art.

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch device that switches a lighting load state in response to a touch operation.

  Conventionally, there has been a fluorescent lamp lighting device that includes a touch switch and periodically switches the brightness of the fluorescent lamp in the order of full lighting, dimming lighting, and extinction each time a finger touches the touch switch (for example, (See Patent Document 1).

JP-A-1-286298

  In the conventional fluorescent lamp lighting device described above, the brightness of the fluorescent lamp is periodically switched in the order of full lighting, dimming lighting, and extinguishing by touching the touch switch with a finger. In this case, in order to switch from the unlit state to the fully lit state, the user may touch the touch switch once with a finger. On the other hand, in order to switch from the fully lit state to the unlit state, the user touches the touch switch once with a finger to switch from the fully lit state to the dimming lit state, and then touches the touch switch with the finger once again to adjust the touch switch. The light was switched from the on state to the off state. As described above, in order to switch the fluorescent lamp from the fully lit state to the unlit state, the operation of switching the brightness has to be performed twice, which is troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to improve operability for switching the state of the illumination load.

  The switch device of the present invention includes a touch sensor unit, a control unit, and an outer shell. The touch sensor unit includes first to third detection regions, and the second detection region is disposed between the first detection region and the third detection region with respect to the outer shell. Configured to be The said control part is comprised so that the state of lighting load may be switched to a lighting state and a light extinction state, and the light output of the said lighting load in the said lighting state may be adjusted. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to increase the light output of the illumination load when the touch sensor unit detects a human operation on the first detection region. The control unit is configured to reduce the light output of the illumination load when the touch sensor unit detects a human operation on the third detection region. The control unit is configured to switch the state of the illumination load from a lighting state to a non-lighting state when the touch sensor unit detects a human operation on the second detection region.

  In this switch device, when the lighting load is turned off, the control unit detects a human operation on at least one of the first to third detection regions when the touch sensor unit is in the off state. It is preferable that the lighting load is switched from the unlit state to the lit state.

  The switch device of the present invention increases the light output of the illumination load when the first detection area is touch-operated, and decreases the light output of the illumination load when the third detection area is touch-operated. When the detection area is touched, the illumination load is switched from the lighting state to the extinguishing state. Therefore, the switch device of the present invention has an effect that the operability for switching the state of the illumination load can be improved as compared with the conventional example.

It is the disassembled perspective view seen from the front which shows embodiment of the switch apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the disassembled perspective view seen from the back same as the above. It is a cross-sectional view same as the above. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view same as the above. It is a front view of the switch main body in the same as the above. It is a side view of the state which isolate | separated the switch main body and operation unit same as the above. It is a front view same as the above. It is a perspective view of the state attached to the attachment frame same as the above. It is a circuit block diagram same as the above. It is a system configuration | structure figure of the illumination system using the same as the above.

  An embodiment of a switch device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The switch device of this embodiment (hereinafter abbreviated as “switch device”) is attached to a mounting frame 9 as shown in FIG. 8 and is embedded and disposed by inserting a rear end portion into an embedded hole provided in a wall. The In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the front, rear, left, right, and upper directions are defined in FIG.

  First, the circuit configuration of the switch device will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The switch device includes a switch body 1 and an operation unit 2.

  The operation unit 2 includes a touch sensor unit 20, a light emitting unit 21, a second connector 28, a sound output unit 29, and the like. The touch sensor unit 20 is configured by forming a plurality of electrodes on the surface of the sensor substrate 26 (see FIG. 1).

  The touch sensor unit 20 includes a sensor circuit (not shown). The sensor circuit is configured to indirectly and individually measure the capacitance generated between the plurality of electrodes and the ground. Furthermore, the sensor circuit determines that a human body (especially a finger) is close to each electrode, that is, a touch operation is performed when the measured capacitance value changes beyond a predetermined threshold value. Configured. The sensor circuit (touch sensor unit 20) is configured to output an operation signal indicating that a touch operation has been performed to the outside. In addition, the area | region which can detect touch operation separately with each electrode is called an operation area | region.

  The light emitting unit 21 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes 200 and a driving circuit (not shown) that individually drives each light emitting diode 200 to emit light (see FIG. 2). As will be described later, the light emitting unit 21 is mounted on the back surface of the sensor substrate 26 and is configured to emit light forward through the sensor substrate 26.

  The sound output unit 29 includes a sounding component (piezoelectric diaphragm, piezoelectric buzzer, piezoelectric sounder, piezoelectric ringer, etc.) 290 using a piezoelectric element, and a drive circuit (not shown) for driving the sounding component 290 (FIG. 2). reference).

  The second connector 28 has a total of eight contacts. Two of the eight contacts are contacts for supplying power to the touch sensor unit 20, the light emitting unit 21, and the sound output unit 29. Further, two of the remaining six contacts are contacts for transmitting an operation signal output from the touch sensor unit 20 to the switch body 1. Further, two of the remaining four contacts are contacts for transmitting a control signal from the switch body 1 to the light emitting unit 21. The remaining two contacts are contacts for transmitting a control signal from the switch body 1 to the sound output unit 29.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the switch body 1 includes a control unit 5, a switch element 50, a power supply circuit 51, a setting unit 52, a memory unit 53, a wireless communication unit 54, a signal transmission unit 55, a first connector 56, a power supply terminal 6, A load terminal 7 and a signal terminal 8 are provided.

  The power supply circuit 51 is connected to the AC power supply 3 through one power supply terminal 6 and one load terminal 7. The power supply circuit 51 is configured to convert AC power supplied from the AC power supply 3 into DC power and supply power to the control unit 5 and the like. In addition, it is preferable that such a power supply circuit 51 is comprised by an AC / DC converter and a 3 terminal regulator, for example. Further, the two power supply terminals 6 are electrically connected to each other and used for the feed wiring.

  The switch element 50 is connected in series with the AC power supply 3 and the load (lighting load) 4 through the power supply terminal 6 and one load terminal 7 (the load terminal 7 not connected to the power supply circuit 51). The switch element 50 is preferably composed of, for example, a bidirectional three-terminal thyristor (so-called triac). That is, AC power is supplied from the AC power source 3 to the illumination load 4 via the switch element 50 only when the switch element 50 is ON.

  The setting unit 52 includes a plurality of setting switches such as a push button switch 520 and a dip switch 521.

  The control unit 5 is composed of, for example, a microcontroller. The memory unit 53 is configured by an electrically rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, and various data is read and written by the control unit 5.

  The wireless communication unit 54 includes an antenna and a receiving circuit (not shown), and is configured to receive a radio signal using radio waves as a medium and pass data included in the received radio signal to the control unit 5.

  The signal transmission unit 55 is configured to transmit (transmit / receive) a control signal to / from another switch device via a signal line (not shown) connected to the pair of signal terminals 8. That is, the signal transmission unit 55 transmits (transmits) a control signal including a voltage signal to another switch device via the signal line based on an instruction from the control unit 5. Further, the signal transmission unit 55 receives a control signal transmitted from another switch device via a signal line, and outputs the received control signal to the control unit 5.

  The first connector 56 has a total of eight contacts. Two of the eight contacts are contacts for supplying DC power generated by the power supply circuit 51 to the touch sensor unit 20, the light emitting unit 21, and the sound output unit 29. Further, two of the remaining six contacts are contacts for transmitting an operation signal output from the touch sensor unit 20 to the control unit 5. Furthermore, two of the remaining four contacts are contacts for transmitting a control signal from the control unit 5 to the light emitting unit 21. The remaining two contacts are contacts for transmitting a control signal from the control unit 5 to the sound output unit 29. The first connector 56 is detachable and electrically and mechanically connected to the second connector 28. That is, each contact of the first connector 56 and each contact of the second connector 28 are electrically connected one-on-one.

  Next, the structure of the switch device will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The operation unit 2 includes a housing 22, an adhesive sheet 25, a sensor substrate 26, screws 27, a second connector 28, and the like. The housing 22 is formed in a flat rectangular box shape by the base 23 and the panel 24.

  The base 23 is made of a synthetic resin material that does not have translucency (for example, a thermoplastic resin such as ABS resin), and a rectangular bottom wall 230 and a rectangular frame-shaped peripheral wall 231 that protrudes forward from the four circumferences of the bottom wall 230. Are integrally formed. In addition, at the left and right ends of the bottom wall 230, four projecting bases 232 projecting forward from the bottom wall 230 are provided. A space surrounded by the bottom wall 230 and the peripheral wall 231 is referred to as a storage space.

  The sensor substrate 26 is made of an insulating substrate such as a glass / epoxy substrate. A plurality of electrodes (not shown) are formed on the front surface of the sensor substrate 26. These electrodes are formed by forming a conductive material such as copper foil on the front surface of the sensor substrate 26 by sputtering or wet coating (coating). Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a sensor circuit (not shown), a sound producing component 290, a light emitting diode 200, a second connector 28, and the like are mounted on the rear surface of the sensor substrate 26.

  The sensor substrate 26 is provided with five round holes 260 arranged in the vertical direction at the center in the horizontal direction. These five round holes 260 penetrate through the sensor substrate 26, and from the five light emitting diodes 200 of the plurality of (five in the illustrated example) light emitting diodes 200 mounted on the rear surface of the sensor substrate 26. The emitted light is allowed to pass forward (see FIG. 3).

  Furthermore, circular screw insertion holes 261 pass through the four corners and both left and right ends of the sensor substrate 26, respectively. Two rectangular recesses 262 are provided at each of the left and right ends of the sensor substrate 26.

  The second connector 28 includes eight contacts 280 and two insulators (first insulator 281 and second insulator 282) that electrically insulate and support the eight contacts 280, respectively. (See FIG. 2). Each contact 280 is formed in a rod shape by a conductor such as copper or a copper alloy. The first insulator 281 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a material having electrical insulation properties such as a synthetic resin, and the eight contacts 280 are insert-molded to support each contact 280 at a position closer to the front. . Similarly, the second insulator 282 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an electrically insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and the eight contacts 280 are insert-molded to support each contact 280 near the center. (See FIGS. 3 and 4). The eight contacts 280 are supported by the first insulator 281 and the second insulator 282 so that four contacts are arranged in two rows.

  In addition, among the eight contacts 280, the four contacts 280 in the upper row are bent at the front part of the first insulator 281 upward. On the other hand, among the eight contacts 280, the four contacts 280 in the lower row are bent upward at the front part of the first insulator 281 (see FIG. 4). The second connector 28 has eight contacts 280 protruding rearward from the rear surface of the sensor substrate 26 by soldering the bent portions (contact terminal portions) of the contacts 280 to the rear surface of the sensor substrate 26. It is mounted on the sensor substrate 26 (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sensor board 26 is housed in the housing space of the base 23, and is screwed into the bottom wall 230 of the base 23 with six screws 27 inserted from the front through a total of six screw insertion holes 261. Stopped. The protrusions 232 provided on the bottom wall 230 of the base 23 are inserted into the recesses 262 of the sensor substrate 26, respectively.

  The panel 24 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape using a synthetic resin material having translucency such as polycarbonate. However, it is preferable that the panel 24 has a relatively high light diffusibility by mixing a light diffusing material, uneven processing, screen printing, or the like.

  And the panel 24 is affixed on the front surface of the protrusion 232, and the front surface of the sensor board | substrate 26 with the translucent adhesive sheet 25 (refer FIG. 3).

  Here, an insertion hole 233 through which the second connector 28 is inserted passes through the bottom wall 230 of the base 23 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). That is, the contact 280 of the second connector 28 protrudes rearward from the bottom wall 230 through the insertion hole 233. Note that a pair of protective walls 235 that protect the second connector 28 protrudes rearward from the bottom wall 230 of the base 23 (see FIG. 2). These protective walls 235 have a rectangular flat plate shape, and are integrally formed with the bottom wall 230 so as to sandwich the insertion hole 233 from the upper and lower directions on the rear surface of the base 23. That is, the eight contacts 280 protruding from the bottom wall 230 are disposed between the pair of protective walls 235 (see FIG. 4).

  Incidentally, the bottom wall 230 is provided with a restricting portion (second restricting portion) 234 that restricts the movement of the second connector 28 along the insertion / removal direction (front-rear direction) of the first connector 56. The 2nd control part 234 is formed so that it may protrude in parallel with the rear surface of the bottom wall 230 from the inner surface of the right-and-left both ends of the penetration hole 233 (refer FIG.1 and FIG.3). That is, the second restricting portion 234 faces the left and right end portions of the first insulator 281 along the front-rear direction in a state where the second connector 28 is inserted through the insertion hole 233. Further, the second restricting portion 234 is integrally provided with a protrusion 2340 that protrudes forward. The protrusion 2340 is in contact with the rear surface of the first insulator 281 (see FIG. 3).

  In addition, on the rear surface of the bottom wall 230, attachment pieces 220 are respectively formed in the center in the vertical direction of the left and right ends (see FIG. 2). These mounting pieces 220 are formed so as to protrude rearward from the rear surface of the bottom wall 230. Further, a hooking claw 221 made of a ridge is integrally provided at the front end (rear end) of each mounting piece 220.

  The switch main body 1 includes a container body 10 including a body 11 and a cover 12, and a circuit block constituting the circuit shown in FIG.

  The circuit block includes a control board 13, a power supply board 14, a separator 15, and the like. The power supply substrate 14 and the control substrate 13 are configured by printing wiring conductors (copper foil) on both the front and back surfaces of an insulating substrate such as a glass / epoxy substrate.

  The power supply substrate 14 is mounted with circuits and circuit elements to which a relatively high voltage is applied, that is, the power supply circuit 51 and the switch element 50. The switch element 50 is mounted on the rear surface of the power supply board 14 together with a heat radiating plate 57 made of a metal plate. As will be described later, terminal plates 60, 70, and 80 constituting the power terminal 6, the load terminal 7, and the signal terminal 8 are also mounted on the rear surface of the power board 14 (see FIG. 2).

  The control board 13 is mounted with circuits and circuit elements to which a relatively low voltage is applied, that is, the control unit 5, the memory unit 53, the wireless communication unit 54, the signal transmission unit 55, and the like. A first connector 56, a push button switch 520, a DIP switch 521, a light emitting element (light emitting diode) 522, and the like are mounted on the front surface of the control board 13 (see FIG. 1).

  Further, connectors 131 and 140 are mounted on the front surface of the power supply substrate 14 and the rear surface of the control substrate 13 (see FIG. 3). That is, by connecting the connector 131 mounted on the rear surface of the control board 13 and the connector 140 mounted on the front surface of the power supply board 14, the two boards 13 and 14 are electrically and mechanically connected. . A separator 15 is sandwiched between the rear surface of the control board 13 and the front surface of the power supply board 14. The separator 15 is formed in a rectangular sheet shape using a material having electrical insulation properties such as synthetic resin. That is, the insulation distance between the control board 13 and the power supply board 14 is ensured by sandwiching the separator 15.

  The body 11 is made of a rectangular box-shaped synthetic resin molded body opened forward. Moreover, the cover 12 consists of a synthetic resin molding of the rectangular box shape open | released back. The body 11 has protrusions 110 formed on the left and right ends of the upper and lower surfaces, respectively. The cover 12 is formed with rectangular plate-shaped projecting pieces 120 that protrude rearward from the left and right ends of the rear end edges on both the upper and lower sides. In addition, each projecting piece 120 is formed with a rectangular hole 1200.

  That is, when the cover 12 is covered from the front of the body 11 and the protrusions 110 are fitted into the holes 1200 of the respective projecting pieces 120, the body 11 and the cover 12 are joined to assemble the rectangular parallelepiped container 10 (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 6). The circuit block is housed inside the container 10.

  The body 11 includes a first terminal accommodating portion 111 that accommodates two power terminals 6, a second terminal accommodating portion 112 that accommodates two load terminals 7, and a third terminal that accommodates two signal terminals 8. A storage portion 113 is provided.

  The first terminal storage unit 111 and the second terminal storage unit 112 are formed of a space surrounded by three partition walls 1110 to 1112 and a bottom wall. The partition wall 1110 is formed so as to rise forward from the bottom wall in parallel with the left side wall of the body 11. The partition wall 1111 is formed in parallel with the lower side wall of the body 11 and connected to the upper end of the partition wall 1110 so as to rise forward from the bottom wall. The partition wall 1112 is formed in parallel with the lower side wall of the body 11 and connected to the vertical center of the partition wall 1110 so as to rise forward from the bottom wall.

  The third terminal accommodating portion 113 is composed of a space surrounded by two partition walls 1130 and 1131 and a bottom wall. The partition wall 1130 is formed so as to rise forward from the bottom wall in parallel with the right side wall of the body 11. The partition wall 1131 is formed in parallel to the lower side wall of the body 11 and connected to the upper end of the partition wall 1130 so as to rise forward from the bottom wall.

  The first to third terminal storage portions 111 to 113 are divided into two sections by projections 1113, 1120, and 1132 that protrude from the partition walls 1110 and 1130, respectively. In the first terminal storage portion 111, a set of the terminal plate 60 and the lock spring 61 is stored separately in the two sections, and one release button 62 is stored in a position not separated by the protrusion 1113 (see FIG. 4). Further, in the second terminal storage portion 112, a set of the terminal plate 70 and the lock spring 71 is stored separately in the two sections, and one release button 72 is stored at a position not separated by the protrusion 1120. (See Figure 4). Further, in the third terminal storage portion 113, a set of the terminal plate 80 and the lock spring 81 is stored separately in the two sections, and one release button 82 is stored in a position not separated by the protrusion 1132. . In addition, in the bottom wall in the 1st-3rd terminal storage parts 111-113, two electric wire insertion holes 1114, 1121, 1133 through which the core wire (conductor) of an electric wire is inserted, respectively, and one tool insertion hole 1115, 1122 , 1134 penetrates.

  These terminal plates 60, 70 and 80 are formed in a square shape by a conductor such as copper or copper alloy. The terminal boards 60, 70, 80 are mounted on the rear surface of the power supply board 14 by soldering one end side.

  The lock springs 61, 71, 81 include a central piece that comes into contact with one side piece of the terminal plate 60, 70, 80, a pressing piece extending in an S shape from one end side of the central piece, A locking piece extending in a J-shape from the end side is integrally formed. When the conductor of the electric wire is inserted through the electric wire insertion holes 1114, 1121, 1133 between the other side piece of the terminal plate 60, 70, 80 and the pressing piece and the locking piece, the conductor is connected to the terminal plate by the pressing piece. The tip of the locking piece comes into contact with the conductor and the electric wire is prevented from coming off. When removing the electric wire, if the release buttons 62, 72, 82 are moved using a tool (such as a flat-blade screwdriver) inserted through the tool insertion holes 1115, 1122, 1134, the release button presses the locking piece. By pulling the tip of the locking piece away from the conductor, the electric wire can be pulled out. However, since the terminal having such a structure is called a quick connection terminal (or a screwless terminal) and is well known in the art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In addition, support pieces 114 that protrude forward from the left and right side walls are integrally provided on the upper and lower side walls of the body 11 (see FIG. 1). These support pieces 114 are formed in a trapezoidal shape, and a rectangular recess 1140 is provided at the front end.

  The circuit block described above is accommodated in the body 11 so that the terminal plates 60, 70, 80 mounted on the rear surface of the power supply substrate 14 are accommodated in the respective terminal accommodating portions 111 to 113. Here, rectangular protrusions 130 are respectively provided on the upper edge and the lower edge of the control board 13. That is, the protrusions 130 are fitted into the recesses 1140 of the support pieces 114 of the body 11, whereby the circuit block is positioned with respect to the body 11.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cover 12 includes a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) operation pieces 121, a plurality (two in the illustrated example) window holes 122, 123, a single insertion hole 124, and a plurality of pairs (illustrated example). 3 pairs) of attachment claws 125, release pieces 126, and the like.

  The operation piece 121 has a circular operation button 1210 and a rectangular plate-shaped support portion 1211, and is separated from the front wall of the cover 12, leaving the lower end portion of the support portion 1211, so as to be integrated with the cover 12. Formed (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In addition, the lower end part of the support part 1211 is formed in U shape (refer FIG. 2). That is, the operation piece 121 is formed to be swingable in the front-rear direction when the lower end portion of the support portion 1211 is bent. When the operation button 1210 is pushed, the operation piece 121 bends backward, so that the push button of the push button switch 520 mounted on the control board 13 is pushed by the operation button 1210 and the push button switch 520 is turned on. .

  The upper window hole 122 is provided in the front wall of the cover 12 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The window hole 122 exposes the operation surface (front surface) of the dip switch 521 mounted on the front surface of the control board 13 to the outside of the body 10. That is, the operator 5210 of the dip switch 521 can be operated through the window hole 122 using the tip of the driver or the pen tip.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lower window hole 123 is formed in a truncated cone shape and is provided on the front wall of the cover 12. The window hole 123 is configured to radiate light emitted from the light emitting element 522 mounted on the front surface of the control board 13 to the outside of the container body 10. That is, the light emitted from the light emitting element 522 is visible from the front of the container 10 through the window hole 123.

  2 and 4, the insertion hole 124 is formed in a rectangular tube shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction, and the first connector 56 mounted on the front surface of the control board 13 is inserted from behind. The Further, the insertion hole 124 is provided with a restricting portion (first restricting portion) 127 that restricts the movement of the first connector 56 along the insertion / removal direction (front-rear direction) of the second connector 28 (see FIG. 5). The 1st control part 127 is formed so that it may protrude in parallel with the front wall of the cover 12 from the inner surface of the right-and-left both sides of the insertion hole 124 (refer FIG.3 and FIG.5). That is, the first restricting portion 127 faces the left and right end portions of the first connector 56 along the front-rear direction. Further, the first restricting portion 127 is integrally provided with a protrusion 1270 that protrudes rearward. The protrusion 1270 is in contact with the front surface of the first connector 56 (see FIG. 3).

  Two of the three pairs of mounting claws 125 are provided in the vicinity of the upper and lower ends on the left side surface of the cover 12 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The remaining pair of attachment claws 125 are provided on a release piece 126 provided on the right side surface of the cover 12 (see FIG. 1). The release piece 126 is formed to be able to bend in the left-right direction with respect to the right side wall of the cover 12. That is, the container body 10 is attached to the attachment frame 9 using these three pairs of attachment claws 125.

  The attachment frame 9 is formed of a synthetic resin material into a rectangular frame shape having an attachment window hole 90. The attachment frame 9 has a pair of vertical pieces 91 along the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) and a pair of horizontal pieces 92 that connect both ends of the pair of vertical pieces 91 (see FIG. 8). That is, the space surrounded by the pair of vertical pieces 91 and the pair of horizontal pieces 92 is the window hole 90.

  The pair of vertical pieces 91 are provided with a plurality (eight in the illustrated example) of attachment holes 93. The above-described three pairs of attachment claws 125 are inserted into these attachment holes 93 and hooked. That is, by inserting the pair of attachment claws 125 into the pair of attachment holes 93, the switch body 1 is attached to the attachment frame 9 with the front end portion of the container 10 being inserted through the window hole 90 (FIG. 3). And FIG. 8).

  Further, the pair of horizontal pieces 92 has a screw insertion hole 920 through which a box screw (not shown) is inserted through the center in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction). Further, the pair of horizontal pieces 92 is provided with a screw hole 921 at the center in the longitudinal direction outside the screw insertion hole 920. However, the pair of horizontal pieces 92 are configured to protrude forward from both longitudinal ends of each vertical piece 91 (see FIG. 8).

  The attachment frame 9 is attached to a switch box (not shown) embedded in the wall, for example, so that a pair of horizontal pieces 92 hits the periphery of an embedding hole provided in the wall. That is, two bolts (not shown) that are inserted into the screw insertion holes 920 of each horizontal piece 92 are screwed into the screw holes of the switch box. However, when the switch box is not embedded, the mounting frame 9 is fixed to the wall plate using a conventionally known pinch fitting (not shown).

  Further, the front wall of the cover 12 is formed in a stepped shape on both left and right end portions. Furthermore, the recessed part 128 is formed in the up-down direction substantially center in the said edge part, respectively (refer FIG.1 and FIG.6). That is, the operation unit 2 is detachably attached to the switch body 1 by hooking the hooking claws 221 of the two mounting pieces 220 provided on the housing 22 to the front end edges of the two recesses 128, respectively. (See FIGS. 7 and 8).

  Here, when the operation unit 2 is attached to the switch body 1, the second connector 28 of the operation unit 2 and the first connector 56 of the switch body 1 are electrically and mechanically connected. That is, the eight contacts 280 of the second connector 28 are respectively inserted into the eight insertion openings 560 opened on the front surface of the first connector 56, and the eight contacts provided inside the first connector 56, respectively. Individually and electrically connected (see FIG. 5). A pair of protective walls 235 provided on the housing 22 (base 23) of the operation unit 2 are inserted into insertion holes 124 provided on the body 10 (cover 12) of the switch body 1 (see FIG. 4). ). Therefore, even if an external force such as an impact force is applied to the operation unit 2, the external force is hardly applied to the first connector 56 and the second connector 28 because they are protected by the pair of protective walls 235. 56 can be prevented.

  Next, the operation of the switch device of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the system configuration diagram of FIG. First, the system configuration of the system (illumination system) in FIG. 10 will be briefly described.

  This system is composed of, for example, two switch devices SA and SB, two illumination loads 4A and 4B, and two transmitters WA and WB. Note that the switch device of this embodiment is used for both of these two switch devices SA and SB. However, this system configuration is only an example of a system configuration for controlling the load using the switch devices SA and SB of the present embodiment.

  One switch device SA (hereinafter referred to as the first switch device) is electrically connected to the AC power supply 3 and the illumination load 4A (hereinafter referred to as the first illumination load) via the electric wire 100. The other switch device SB (hereinafter referred to as the second switch device) is electrically connected to the AC power supply 3 and the illumination load 4B (hereinafter referred to as the second illumination load) via the electric wire 100. . Further, the first switch device SA and the second switch device SB are electrically connected by the signal line 101.

  One transmitter WA (hereinafter referred to as a first transmitter) is registered in the first switch device SA, and is configured to transmit a radio signal using radio waves as a communication medium to the first switch device SA. The The other transmitter WB (hereinafter referred to as a second transmitter) is registered in the second switch device SB, and is configured to transmit a radio signal using radio waves as a communication medium to the second switch device SB. The The radio signals transmitted from the transmitters WA and WB include control data for controlling (lighting, extinguishing or dimming) the respective lighting loads 4A and 4B, and specific to each transmitter WA and WB. And identification information.

  Here, the operation unit 2 of the first switch device SA has two operation areas 201A and 202A arranged vertically. The operation unit 2 of the second switch device SB has two operation areas 201B and 202B arranged vertically. For example, in the first switch device SA, when the upper operation area (hereinafter referred to as the first operation area 201A) is touch-operated, the operation unit 2 indicates that the first operation area 201A is touch-operated. A first operation signal is output. In the switch body 1 of the first switch device SA, the control unit 5 that has received the first operation signal turns on or turns off the first lighting load 4A by turning on the switch element 50.

  Similarly, when the upper operation area (hereinafter referred to as the first operation area 201B) is touched in the second switch device SB, the operation unit 2 confirms that the first operation area 201B has been touched. The first operation signal shown is output. In the switch body 1 of the second switch device SB, the control unit 5 that has received the first operation signal turns on or turns off the second illumination load 4B by turning on the switch element 50.

  When the lower operation area (hereinafter referred to as the second operation area 202A) is touch-operated in the first switch device SA, the operation unit 2 indicates that the second operation area 202A has been touch-operated. The second operation signal shown is output. In the switch body 1 of the first switch device SA, the control unit 5 that has received the second operation signal transmits a control signal for the second lighting load 4B from the signal transmission unit 55 to the second switch device SB via the signal line 101. (Send).

  In the second switch device SB, the signal transmission unit 55 receives the control signal transmitted from the first switch device SA via the signal line 101 and outputs the control signal to the control unit 5. The control unit 5 of the second switch device SB turns on (or turns off) the second lighting load 4B by turning on (or turning off) the switch element 50 based on the control signal received from the signal transmission unit 55.

  Furthermore, in the second switch device SB, when a lower operation area (hereinafter referred to as a second operation area 202B) is touched, the operation unit 2 confirms that the second operation area 202B has been touched. The second operation signal shown is output. In the switch body 1 of the second switch device SB, the control unit 5 that has received the second operation signal transmits a control signal for the first lighting load 4A from the signal transmission unit 55 to the first switch device SA via the signal line 101. (Send).

  In the first switch device SA, the signal transmission unit 55 receives the control signal transmitted from the second switch device SB via the signal line 101 and outputs the control signal to the control unit 5. Based on the control signal received from the signal transmission unit 55, the control unit 5 of the first switch device SA turns on (or turns off) the switch element 50 to turn on (or turn off) the first lighting load 4A.

  In each of the switch devices SA and SB, the control unit 5 can cause the light emitting diode 200 of the touch sensor unit 20 to emit light when the switch element 50 is turned off, that is, when the illumination loads 4A and 4B are turned off. preferable. That is, in the situation where the lighting loads 4A and 4B are dark because they are turned off, the front surfaces of the switch devices SA and SB (the front surface of the operation unit 2) emit light to inform the positions of the switch devices SA and SB. be able to. Alternatively, the control unit 5 may notify the positions of the operation areas 201A (201B) and 202A (202B) by causing the light emitting diode 200 of the touch sensor unit 20 to emit light.

  By the way, in a general mechanical switch device, an operation feeling is changed or a sound (operation sound) is generated in accordance with switching of the contacts, so that the operator can be notified that the operation has been accepted. On the other hand, in the switch devices SA and SB, even if the operation unit 2 is touch-operated, the operation feeling does not change or the operation sound does not occur, so it may be difficult for the operator to know whether or not the operation has been accepted. . Therefore, when receiving an operation signal from the operation unit 2, the control unit 5 preferably outputs a control signal to the operation unit 2 and outputs an operation sound (for example, a “beep” sound) from the sound output unit 29. . However, it is preferable that whether or not the operation sound is output can be set by the dip switch 521 of the setting unit 52.

  When a radio signal is transmitted from the first transmitter WA, the radio communication unit 54 of the first switch device SA receives the radio signal, acquires control data included in the radio signal, and sends it to the control unit 5. Output. Based on the control data received from the wireless communication unit 54, the control unit 5 of the first switch device SA turns on (or turns off) the switch element 50 to turn on (or turn off) the first lighting load 4A.

  When a radio signal is transmitted from the second transmitter WB, the radio communication unit 54 of the second switch device SB receives the radio signal, acquires control data included in the radio signal, and outputs the control data to the control unit 5. . The control unit 5 of the second switch device SB turns on (or turns off) the second lighting load 4B by turning on (or turning off) the switch element 50 based on the control data received from the wireless communication unit 54.

  Here, in each of the switch devices SA and SB, the control unit 5 is preferably configured to operate by selectively selecting the first operation mode and the second operation mode. The selection (setting) of the first operation mode and the second operation mode is preferably performed by the dip switch 521. That is, the control unit 5 reads the state (ON or OFF) of the dip switch 521, for example, selects the first operation mode if the dip switch 521 is ON, and selects the second operation mode if the dip switch 521 is OFF. Select.

  The control unit 5 that has selected the first operation mode turns on / off the switch element 5 in response to the first operation signal, and transmits the control signal from the signal transmission unit 55 in response to the second operation signal. On the other hand, the control unit 5 that has selected the second operation mode turns on and off the switch element 5 in response to the second operation signal, and transmits the control signal from the signal transmission unit 55 in response to the first operation signal. .

  For example, in the system configuration shown in FIG. 10, it is preferable that the first operation mode is selected in the first switch device SA and the second operation mode is selected in the second switch device SB. In this case, when the first operation area 201A of the first switch device SA is touch-operated or the first operation area 201B of the second switch device SB is touch-operated, the first lighting load 4A is turned on or off. . On the other hand, when the second operation area 202A of the first switch device SA is touched or the second operation area 202B of the second switch device SB is touched, the second illumination load 4B is turned on or off.

  That is, when the user wants to turn on and off the first illumination load 4A, the user can touch either the first operation area 201A of the first switch device SA or the first operation area 201B of the second switch device SB. Good. In addition, when the user wants to turn on and off the second lighting load 4B, the user can touch either the second operation area 202A of the first switch device SA or the second operation area 202B of the second switch device SB. Good.

  Here, it is assumed that the first operation mode is selected for both of the two switch devices SA and SB. In this case, when the user wants to turn on and off the first lighting load 4A, the user performs a touch operation on the first operation area 201A in the first switch device SA and a touch operation on the second operation area 202B in the second switch device SB. There must be. Further, when the user wants to turn on and off the second lighting load 4B, the user must perform a touch operation on the second operation area 202A in the first switch device SA and a touch operation on the first operation area 201B in the second switch device SB. I must.

  That is, two operation areas (first operation areas 201A and 201B and second operation areas 202A and 202B) and two illumination loads (first illumination load 4A and second illumination load 4B) of the two switch devices SA and SB. The correspondence with is reversed. Therefore, it is not convenient for users.

  On the other hand, in the switch devices SA and SB of the present embodiment, the control unit 5 is configured to selectively select and execute the first operation mode and the second operation mode. As a result, two operation areas (first operation areas 201A and 201B and second operation areas 202A and 202B) of the two switch devices SA and SB and two illumination loads (first illumination load 4A and second illumination load 4B). ) Can be matched with each other. Therefore, the switch devices SA and SB of the present embodiment can improve the usability for the user.

  Next, a procedure for registering the identification information of the transmitters WA and WB in the switch devices SA and SB in the system configuration shown in FIG. 10 will be described.

  A person who performs registration work (hereinafter referred to as an operator) removes the operation unit 2 from the switch body 1 and presses one operation button 1210 out of the three operation buttons 1210 exposed on the front surface of the switch body 1. To do. When the push button 1210 is pressed, the push button switch 520 of the setting unit 52 is turned on, and a setting signal (registration mode setting signal) is output from the setting unit 52 to the control unit 5. When the control unit 5 receives the registration mode setting signal, the control unit 5 shifts to the registration mode and notifies the operator by blinking the light emitting element 522, for example.

  After confirming blinking (or lighting) of the light emitting element 522 through the window hole 123, the worker transmits a radio signal including identification information from a transmitter (for example, the first transmitter WA). The wireless communication unit 54 receives the wireless signal transmitted from the first transmitter WA, and the identification information included in the wireless signal is output to the control unit 5. After storing the identification information received from the wireless communication unit 54 in the memory unit 53, the control unit 5 notifies the operator that the identification information has been registered by, for example, lighting the light emitting element 522 for a certain period of time. Thereafter, when the operator presses the operation button 1210 for a predetermined time or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the shift to the registration mode, the control unit 5 ends the registration mode and shifts to the normal operation mode.

  In other words, the wireless signals transmitted from the transmitters WA and WB include identification information unique to the transmitters WA and WB. Then, the control unit 5 of each switch device SA, SB performs the wireless communication only when the identification information included in the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 54 matches the identification information stored in the memory unit 53. Based on the control data included in the signal, the switch element 50 is turned on and off. The identification information of one transmitter WA (or WB) may be registered in common with the two switch devices SA and SB. In this case, the lighting load 4A (or 4B) is simultaneously turned on and off by the two switch devices SA and SB by a radio signal transmitted from the transmitter WA (or WB) in which the identification information is registered in common. Can do.

  By the way, the lighting loads 4A and 4B are dimmable lighting devices, for example, lighting fixtures using incandescent lamps as light sources, and dimming type lighting fixtures using fluorescent lamps or light emitting diodes (including LED lamps) as light sources. It may be. For example, when the lighting load 4 </ b> A is a dimming type LED lighting fixture, the switch device can dimm the lighting load 4 by controlling the phase of the AC voltage applied from the AC power supply 3 to the lighting load 4. it can. In other words, the dimmable LED lighting apparatus is lit brighter as the phase angle (conduction angle) adjusted by the switch device increases (the energization period becomes longer), and the phase angle becomes smaller (the energization period becomes shorter). ) It is configured to light up so darkly. Such dimming type LED lighting fixtures are well known in the art, and a detailed description of the configuration and operation is omitted.

  The operation unit 2 of the switch device connected to the dimmable illumination load 4 has three operation areas (detection areas) 203, 204, and 205 arranged vertically (see FIGS. 1 and 7). When a touch operation is performed on the uppermost operation area (hereinafter referred to as an upper operation area) 203, the operation unit 2 outputs a first operation signal indicating that the upper operation area 203 has been touched. When the middle operation area (hereinafter referred to as the middle operation area) 204 is touch-operated, the operation unit 2 outputs a second operation signal indicating that the middle operation area 204 has been touched. Further, when a touch operation is performed on the lowermost operation area (hereinafter referred to as a lower operation area) 205, the operation unit 2 outputs a third operation signal indicating that the lower operation area 205 has been touched. .

  When the control unit 5 of the switch body 1 receives the second operation signal, the lighting load 4 is turned on and off by switching the switch element 50 from on to off and from off to on. Further, when the control unit 5 receives the first operation signal while the lighting load 4 is lit, the control unit 5 controls the phase of the switch element 50 so as to increase the phase angle by one step. Further, when the control unit 5 receives the third operation signal while the lighting load 4 is lit, the control unit 5 controls the phase of the switch element 50 so that the phase angle is decreased by one step. That is, the user may touch the middle operation area 204 of the operation unit 2 to turn on and off the lighting load 4. Further, if the user wants to brighten the lighting load 4 (increase the dimming level), the user only has to touch the upper operation area 203 of the operation unit 2 and darken the lighting load 4 (lower the dimming level). If necessary, the lower operation area 205 of the operation unit 2 may be touched.

  The switch device of the present embodiment includes a touch sensor unit 20, a control unit 5, and an outer shell (the body 10 and the housing 22). The touch sensor unit 20 has first to third detection areas (upper operation area 203, middle operation area 204, and lower operation area 205). In addition, the touch sensor unit 20 has a second detection area (middle operation area 204) between the first detection area (upper operation area 203) and the third detection area (lower operation area 205) with respect to the outer shell. ) Are arranged. The control unit 5 is configured to switch the state of the lighting load 4 between a lighting state and a non-lighting state and adjust the light output of the lighting load 4 in the lighting state. Furthermore, the control unit 5 is configured to increase the light output of the illumination load 4 when the touch sensor unit 20 detects a human operation on the first detection region (upper operation region 203). Further, the control unit 5 is configured to reduce the light output of the illumination load 4 when the touch sensor unit 20 detects a human operation on the third detection region (the lower operation region 205). Furthermore, the control unit 5 is configured to switch the state of the illumination load 4 from the lighting state to the extinguishing state when the touch sensor unit 20 detects a human operation on the second detection region (medium operation region 204). The

  Since the switch device of the present embodiment is configured as described above, the lighting load 4 can be immediately turned off when the second detection area (medium operation area 204) is touched. Therefore, in the switch device of the present embodiment, unlike the conventional example described in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary for the user to perform the brightness switching operation twice in order to switch the fluorescent lamp from the fully lit state to the unlit state. . As a result, the switch device of the present embodiment can improve the operability for switching the state of the illumination load 4 as compared with the conventional example.

  In the switch device according to the present embodiment, the control unit 5 causes the touch sensor unit 20 to perform a human operation on at least one of the first to third detection areas when the illumination load 4 is in the off state. Assume the case of detection. In this case, the control unit 5 is preferably configured to switch the state of the illumination load 4 from the unlit state to the lit state.

  That is, if the switch device according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, the lighting load 4 is turned on even when the user touches any of the operation areas 203 to 205 of the operation unit 2 when the lighting load 4 is turned off. You can switch to the state. As a result, the switch device of the present embodiment can further improve the operability for switching the state of the illumination load 4.

  Note that the switch device is preferably configured to visually distinguish the three operation areas (upper operation area 203, middle operation area 204, and lower operation area 205). For example, the light emitting diodes 200 corresponding to the respective operation areas may have different emission colors, or each operation area may be displayed on the front surface of the panel 24 by an appropriate method such as printing.

4 Lighting load 5 Control unit 10 Body (outer)
20 Touch sensor 22 Housing 22 (outer)
203 Upper operation area (first detection area)
204 Middle operation area (second detection area)
205 Lower operation area (third detection area)

Claims (2)

A touch sensor unit, a control unit, and an outer shell;
The touch sensor unit includes first to third detection regions, and the second detection region is disposed between the first detection region and the third detection region with respect to the outer shell. Configured to
The control unit is configured to switch a lighting load state between a lighting state and a light-off state, and to adjust a light output of the lighting load in the lighting state,
Further, the control unit increases the light output of the illumination load when the touch sensor unit detects a human operation on the first detection region, and the touch sensor unit detects a human operation with respect to the third detection region. When an operation is detected, the light output of the lighting load is lowered, and when the touch sensor unit detects a human operation on the second detection area, the lighting load is switched from a lighting state to a non-lighting state. A switch device characterized by comprising.   When the lighting load is off, the control unit is in a state of the lighting load when the touch sensor unit detects a human operation on at least one of the first to third detection areas. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the switch device is configured to be switched from a light-off state to a light-on state.

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