JP2022087993A - Push button switch - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a small-sized push button switch which can be operated in regardless of contact with an operation part.SOLUTION: An operation part 11 of a push button switch 1 includes a contact surface 111 which an operator touches, and is moved to a pressing position on a depth side from an initial position on a front side in a pressing direction by pressing the contact surface 111. A light projection part 81 and a light reception part 82 are overlapped with the operation part 11 in the pressing direction and arranged on a side deeper in the pressing direction than the contact surface 111. The light projection part 81 radiates a detection light to a side closer to the front than the contact surface 111 through the contact surface 111. The light reception part 82 detects a reflection light of the detection light reflected by the operator approached to the contact surface 111. An operation part 13 performs a predetermined operation when at least one of the movement to the pressing position from the initial position of the operation part 11 and the detection of the reflection light by the light reception part 82 is generated. Thus, a small-sized push button switch 1 which can be easily operated in regardless of the contact with the operation part 11 can be provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a push button switch.

Conventionally, in consideration of hygiene and the like, it has been proposed to provide a non-contact type switch instead of the push button switch. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes to provide a non-contact type destination floor determination switch having a reflective photoelectric sensor in place of the push button switch for determining the destination floor in the elevator car operation panel.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, in the switch for opening and closing an automatic door, a push button switch is provided on the wall behind the tubular recess provided in the frame of the automatic door, and a push button switch is provided on the inner surface of the tubular recess. It has been proposed to provide a photoelectric non-contact switch having the same function as a button switch.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 202-125213 Registered Utility Model No. 3037379

By the way, in the car operation panel of Patent Document 1, an elevator user who is not accustomed to the non-contact type destination floor determination switch may not be able to operate the elevator smoothly. Further, in the switch of Patent Document 2, since it is necessary to provide a cylindrical recess for attaching the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion in front of the push button switch, the entire switch may be enlarged.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a small push button switch that can be operated with or without touching an operation unit.

The invention according to claim 1 is a push button switch, which has a contact surface that the operator touches, and when the contact surface is pushed in, the initial position on the front side in the pushing direction is changed to the pushing position on the back side. An operation unit that moves, a return unit that returns the operation unit from the push-in position to the initial position when the push-in by the operator is released, and a return part that overlaps with the operation unit in the push-in direction and is more than the contact surface. A light projecting unit that is arranged on the back side in the pushing direction and transmits detection light through the contact surface and irradiates the detection light on the front side of the contact surface, and overlaps with the operation unit in the pushing direction and is more than the contact surface. A light receiving unit that detects the reflected light of the detected light that is arranged away from the light projecting unit on the back side in the pushing direction and is reflected by the operator close to the contact surface, and the initial position of the operating unit. It is provided with an operating unit that performs a predetermined operation when at least one of the movement from the pushing position to the pushing position and the detection of the reflected light in the light receiving unit occurs.

The invention according to claim 2 is the push button switch according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are located at the center of the contact surface when viewed along the pushing direction. On the other hand, they are placed on opposite sides of each other.

The invention according to claim 3 is the push button switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light projecting unit is located between the detection light source and the detection light source and the contact surface in the push-in direction. The light receiving unit includes a light emitting sensor and a light receiving sensor in the pushing direction, which is provided with a light emitting portion that blocks a part of the light emitted from the detection light source as the detection light to block other light. A light-receiving side light-shielding portion that allows a part of the reflected light to pass through and blocks other light is provided between the contact surface and the contact surface.

The invention according to claim 4 is the push button switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the push button switch is located at a reference position separated from the contact surface by a predetermined distance in the pushing direction. When the area of the reflecting surface included in the overlapping region between the irradiation field of the light projecting section and the light receiving field of the light receiving section is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold area, the light receiving section detects the reflected light and is less than the threshold area. If this is the case, the light receiving unit does not detect the reflected light.

The invention according to claim 5 is the push button switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is arranged between the light receiving portion and the contact surface in the pushing direction, and the contact surface. A filter that selectively transmits light in the wavelength range of the detected light among the light transmitted through the above-mentioned light is further provided.

The invention according to claim 6 is the push button switch according to claim 5, which is arranged behind the filter in the pushing direction and has a wavelength range different from that of the detected light toward the contact surface. The filter is further provided with an opening through which the display light can pass, and the display light source is turned on / off in parallel with the predetermined operation by the operating unit. Can be switched.

The invention according to claim 7 is the push button switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is provided on an elevator operation panel and is operated by an elevator user.

The invention according to claim 8 is the push button switch according to claim 7, wherein the existing contact-type push button switch is attached to a fixed portion in an existing elevator operation panel. It also has a mounting part that can be mounted in place of the contact push button switch.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can provide a small push button switch that can be operated with or without touching an operation unit.

It is a front view of a push button switch. It is a front view which omitted a part of a push button switch. It is sectional drawing of a push button switch. It is sectional drawing of a push button switch. It is sectional drawing of a push button switch. It is sectional drawing which shows the part of the push button switch enlarged.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a push button switch 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the push button switch 1 in which the operation unit 11, the filter 15, and the cover unit 17, which will be described later, are omitted. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pushbutton switch 1 cut at the position III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pushbutton switch 1 cut at the position of IV-IV in FIG. In FIG. 4, the operation unit 11 described later is also shown by a two-dot chain line.

The push button switch 1 is, for example, a switch provided on the operation panel of the elevator and operated by the user of the elevator. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the push button switch 1 is a destination floor determination button switch of a car operation panel provided in the car of an elevator. The push button switch 1 may be a switch for other purposes.

The push button switch 1 includes an operation unit 11, a return unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display light source 141, a reflector 142, a diffuser plate 143, a filter 15, a base unit 16, a cover unit 17, and a photoelectric unit. A sensor 18 is provided. The base portion 16 is a substantially flat plate-shaped member that supports each configuration of the push button switch 1. The cover portion 17 is a member attached to the front side of the base portion 16 in FIG. 1 and covers each configuration of the push button switch 1. The shape of the base portion 16 in front view is, for example, a substantially rectangular shape. The shape of the cover portion 17 in front view is, for example, a substantially rectangular frame shape. The base portion 16 is larger than the cover portion 17 and extends from the cover portion 17 to the upper side and the lower side in FIG.

In the following description, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in FIG. 1 are also simply referred to as "vertical direction" and "horizontal direction". Further, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1 is also referred to as a "pushing direction", and the front side and the back side in the pushing direction (that is, the front side and the back side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface) are simply "front side" and Also called "back side". The vertical direction in FIG. 1 may or may not coincide with the actual vertical direction.

Screw holes for attaching the push button switch 1 to the operation panel are formed in the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the base portion 16. That is, the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the base portion 16 are mounting portions 161 for mounting the push button switch 1. The mounting portion 161 is mounted in place of the existing push button switch on the fixed portion to which the existing contact-type push button switch (that is, the conventional push button switch) is mounted in the operation panel of the existing elevator. It is possible. Therefore, the pushbutton switch 1 can be retrofitted to an existing elevator already installed in the building.

The return portion 12 is a leaf spring having a substantially rectangular frame shape whose upper end portion is fixed to the base portion 16. The return portion 12 includes a fixed portion 121 which is the upper end portion thereof, and a substantially rectangular frame-shaped movable portion 122 which is continuous under the fixed portion 121. The fixing portion 121 is inserted and fixed to, for example, a groove portion provided in the base portion 16. The movable portion 122 is separated from the base portion 16 toward the front side and can move toward the back side.

The operation unit 11 is a substantially rectangular flat plate-shaped member arranged on the front side of the movable portion 122 of the return portion 12. The operation unit 11 is formed of, for example, a transparent or translucent resin, glass, or the like. The outer peripheral portion of the operation portion 11 is sandwiched between the movable portion 122 of the return portion 12 and the inner surface of the cover portion 17 (that is, the surface on the side facing the base portion 16). In the state shown in FIG. 3, the outer peripheral portion of the operation portion 11 is in contact with the movable portion 122 and the cover portion 17 of the return portion 12. Further, the return portion 12 is in a slightly bent state, and the operation portion 11 is pressed toward the cover portion 17 (that is, toward the front side) by the return portion 12. In the following description, the position shown in FIG. 3 of the operation unit 11 is also referred to as an “initial position”.

The central portion of the operation portion 11 is a substantially rectangular convex portion that protrudes toward the front side from the outer peripheral portion, and protrudes toward the front side from the central portion opening of the cover portion 17. The convex portion of the operating portion 11 has substantially the same shape as the substantially rectangular region inside the movable portion 122 in the front view, and substantially overlaps the region in the pushing direction. Of the operation unit 11, the surface on the front side of the portion exposed from the cover unit 17 is a fingertip or an object held by the operator of the elevator operation panel (that is, the elevator user or the like). It is a contact surface 111 that can be directly touched. When the contact surface 111 is pushed to the back side by the operator, the operation unit 11 moves from the initial position shown in FIG. 3 to the pushing position on the back side in the pushing direction from the initial position as shown in FIG. .. The return portion 12 bends as the operation portion 11 moves from the initial position to the push-in position, and the movable portion 122 of the return portion 12 moves to the back side in the push-in direction. Further, when the operator releases the fingertip or the like from the contact surface 111 and the push by the operator is released, the movable portion 122 pushes the operation portion 11 toward the front side by the restoring force of the return portion 12, and the operation portion 11 is shown in the figure. It returns from the pushing position shown in 5 to the initial position shown in FIG.

When the operation unit 11 is pushed in and moves from the initial position to the pushed position, the operating unit 13 performs a predetermined operation such as signal transmission. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the operating unit 13 includes a tact switch 131, a wiring 132, and a terminal unit 133. The tact switch 131 is fixed to the base portion 16 behind the movable portion 122 of the return portion 12, and faces the lower end portion of the movable portion 122 in the pushing direction. The terminal portion 133 is fixed to the corner portion at the lower end of the base portion 16 and is electrically connected to the tact switch 131 or the like by the wiring 132.

When the operation unit 11 is pushed in, as shown in FIG. 5, the movable portion 122 of the return portion 12 bends toward the back side and presses the tact switch 131 toward the back side. As a result, the tact switch 131 is conducted, and a predetermined signal is transmitted to an elevator control unit or the like (not shown) via the wiring 132 and the terminal unit 133. The signal is a signal indicating that the operation unit 11 has been pushed in and the floor corresponding to the push button switch 1 has been selected as the destination.

The display light source 141 is a light source that is arranged on the back side in the pushing direction from the operation unit 11 and is fixed to the base unit 16. The display light source 141 is arranged, for example, at a position overlapping the central portion of the contact surface 111 in front view (that is, a position overlapping the central portion of the contact surface 111 in the pushing direction). In other words, the display light source 141 is located inside the substantially rectangular frame-shaped movable portion 122 of the return portion 12 in the front view. The display light source 141 emits display light toward the contact surface 111 of the operation unit 11. As the display light source 141, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits visible light or another light source can be used.

The reflector 142 is a reflecting surface surrounding the display light source 141, and reflects the display light emitted from the display light source 141 toward the contact surface 111. As a result, the amount of display light emitted to the contact surface 111 can be increased. The reflector 142 is, for example, four sides of a substantially quadrangular frustum. The surface of the reflector 142 may be, for example, a smooth surface or a satin-like rough surface. The reflector 142 is composed of, for example, a thin plate made of resin, metal, or the like. The reflector 142 is preferably formed of an insulator in consideration of insulation from the display light source 141 and the photoelectric sensor 18.

The diffuser plate 143 is a film-like or thin plate-like member arranged between the display light source 141 and the operation unit 11 in the pushing direction. The diffuser plate 143 contacts the front end of the reflector 142 and covers substantially the entire reflector 142 and the display light source 141. The diffuser plate 143 is, for example, a semi-transparent member having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The diffuser plate 143 has translucency, and diffuses and equalizes the display light emitted from the display light source 141. The diffuser plate 143 is, for example, a resin member processed into a frosted glass tone. Through holes or notches are provided in the upper right and lower left corners of the diffuser plate 143 in FIG. 2 so as not to obstruct the irradiation of light by the light projecting unit 81 and the light reception by the light receiving unit 82, which will be described later. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the reflector 142 is also provided with a similar through hole or notch.

The filter 15 is a film-like or thin plate-like member arranged between the operation unit 11 and the diffusion plate 143 in the pushing direction. The filter 15 is a filter that selectively transmits light in the wavelength range of the detection light used by the photoelectric sensor 18 and does not transmit light in other wavelength ranges. In the present embodiment, the detection light is infrared rays, and the filter 15 is an infrared transmission filter that selectively transmits infrared rays and does not transmit visible light such as display light. As the filter 15, for example, a stack of two polarizing filters for visible light having different slit directions by 90 ° can be used. The polarizing filter for visible light is a filter having polarization characteristics in the wavelength range of visible light and substantially no polarization characteristics in the wavelength range of infrared rays. The type of the filter 15 and the wavelength range of the light to be selectively transmitted (that is, the wavelength range of the detected light) may be changed in various ways.

The filter 15 is provided with an opening 151 through which display light can pass. The shape of the opening 151 in front view is a mark such as a number, a character, and / or a figure indicating the function of the push button switch 1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the opening 151 in the front view is a number indicating the floor corresponding to the push button switch 1. The opening 151 may be a physical through hole provided in the filter 15, or may be a translucent portion in which the filter function is lost from the filter 15.

When the operation unit 11 is pushed in the push button switch 1, the tact switch 131 of the operating unit 13 is conducted and the selection signal of the destination floor is transmitted as described above. Further, in parallel with the transmission of the selection signal, the display light source 141 arranged behind the filter 15 in the pushing direction is turned on. As a result, the display light emitted from the display light source 141 is irradiated to the front side of the push button switch 1 through the opening 151 of the filter 15 and the operation unit 11. The operator located on the front side of the push button switch 1 can visually recognize that the number indicating the selected destination floor has become brighter. The lighting of the display light source 141 may be continuous lighting or intermittent lighting (that is, blinking). Alternatively, the display light source 141 that has been turned on in advance may be turned off in parallel with the transmission of the selection signal. In other words, ON / OFF of the display light source 141 is switched in parallel with the predetermined operation by the operating unit 13.

The photoelectric sensor 18 includes a light emitting unit 81 and a light receiving unit 82. The light emitting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 each overlap the operating unit 11 in the pushing direction and are located behind the contact surface 111. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the light emitting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 are located on the back side of the operating unit 11 and are fixed to the base unit 16. The light receiving unit 82 is arranged apart from the light emitting unit 81. Preferably, the light emitting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 are arranged on opposite sides of the center of the contact surface 111 in the front view (that is, in the state of being viewed along the pushing direction). More preferably, the light projecting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 are arranged at positions substantially point-symmetrical with respect to the center of the contact surface 111 in the front view. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the light projecting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 are arranged at two diagonal portions on one diagonal of the substantially rectangular region inside the movable portion 122. As a result, the light projecting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 can be largely separated from each other.

The light projecting unit 81 emits the detected light in a predetermined wavelength range toward the operating unit 11. The wavelength range of the detected light is different from the wavelength range of the display light described above. In this embodiment, the detection light is infrared as described above. The detection light is pulsed light having a predetermined frequency peculiar to the photoelectric sensor 18. The detected light from the light projecting unit 81 passes through the contact surface 111 of the operation unit 11 and is irradiated to the front side of the contact surface 111.

The light receiving unit 82 receives and detects the reflected light of the detected light reflected by the operator's fingertip or the like close to the contact surface 111. When the light receiving unit 82 detects the reflected light, the light receiving unit 82 sends a predetermined signal (hereinafter, also referred to as “light receiving signal”) to the operating unit 13. When the operating unit 13 receives the light receiving signal from the light receiving unit 82, the operating unit 13 performs a predetermined operation (that is, transmission of the selection signal of the destination floor) in the same manner as when the operating unit 11 is pushed and the tact switch 131 is pressed. Will be. Further, in the push button switch 1, the display light source 141 is turned on in parallel with the transmission of the selection signal. In the operating unit 13, when at least one of the movement from the initial position of the operating unit 11 to the pushing position (that is, the pressing of the tact switch 131) and the detection of the reflected light of the detected light in the light receiving unit 82 occur. The above-mentioned predetermined operation (that is, transmission of the selection signal of the destination floor) is performed.

The above-mentioned filter 15 is arranged between the light receiving portion 82 and the contact surface 111 in the pushing direction. Therefore, among the light transmitted through the contact surface 111, the reflected light of the detected light is selectively transmitted and reaches the light receiving unit 82. On the other hand, among the light transmitted through the contact surface 111, light in a wavelength range different from the detected light (for example, visible light) is blocked at a portion other than the opening 151 of the filter 15, so that the light reaching the light receiving portion 82 is suppressed. Will be done. Therefore, it is possible to suppress or prevent the light receiving unit 82 from erroneously detecting light in a wavelength range different from that of the detected light as reflected light of the detected light. In other words, the filter 15 suppresses or prevents the malfunction of the photoelectric sensor 18 due to the influence of ambient light or the like.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the photoelectric sensor 18 and the portion in the vicinity of the photoelectric sensor 18. In FIG. 6, the irradiation field of view 810, which is the irradiation range of the detected light from the light projecting unit 81, the light receiving field of view 820, which is the light receiving range by the light receiving unit 82, and the fingertip 91 of the operator are drawn together. In FIG. 6, parallel diagonal lines are provided in the overlapping region 830 of the irradiation field of view 810 and the light receiving field of view 820. The irradiation field of view 810 and the light receiving field of view 820 are, for example, a space having a substantially conical shape or a substantially elliptical cone shape.

In the photoelectric sensor 18, among the surfaces of the fingertip 91 facing the contact surface 111, the reflected light of the detection light reflected by the region 92 included in the overlapping region 830 (hereinafter, also referred to as “reflection surface 92”) is generated. Light is received by the light receiving unit 82. The reflective surface 92 is not limited to the surface of the fingertip of the operator, and is, for example, the surface of the object when the push button switch 1 is operated by the object held by the operator. In the photoelectric sensor 18, the spread angle of the irradiation field of view 810 (that is, the viewing angle) and / or the spread angle of the light receiving field of view 820 is adjusted to range the position of the fingertip 91 in which the reflected light can be detected (that is, detection). Possible range) can be adjusted.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the fingertip 91 of the operator is arranged at a reference position that serves as a reference for detecting reflected light in the photoelectric sensor 18. The reference position is a position separated from the contact surface 111 on the front side by a predetermined distance (for example, 4 cm) in the pushing direction. In the photoelectric sensor 18, when the area of the reflecting surface 92 located at the reference position is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold area, the amount of reflected light of the detection light received by the light receiving unit 82 is a predetermined amount of light (hereinafter, “detection threshold”). It is also referred to as “light intensity”), and the reflected light is detected by the light receiving unit 82. On the other hand, when the area of the reflecting surface 92 located at the reference position is less than the threshold area, the amount of the reflected light received by the light receiving unit 82 is less than the detection threshold light amount, and the light receiving unit 82 does not detect the reflected light. This suppresses or prevents the detection of an object located relatively far from the contact surface 111 of the push button switch 1 or a minute object close to the contact surface 111 by mistakenly for the operator's fingertip 91 or the like. Will be done.

The above-mentioned threshold area is, for example, the projected area of the fingertips of two standard-sized fingers (that is, push-in) in a state where the fingertip 91 of the operator is located on the front side of the central portion of the contact surface 111. The projected area on a plane perpendicular to the direction). Therefore, even if the fingertip 91 for one finger is located at the reference position, the light receiving unit 82 does not detect the reflected light, the fingertip 91 is closer to the contact surface 111 than the reference position, and the threshold area at the reference position. When the light receiving unit 82 is in a state of reflecting the detected light having the same amount of light as the reflecting surface of the above, the light receiving unit 82 detects the reflected light.

On the other hand, even if an object smaller than the fingertip 91 (for example, an insect) exists at a position closer to the contact surface 111 than the reference position, the light amount of the reflected light reflected by the object is small, so that the light receiving unit 82 reflects. Does not detect light. Further, when the fingertip 91 or the like is present at the reference position or a position farther from the contact surface 111 than the reference position (that is, there is a high possibility that the operator does not intend to operate the push button switch 1). Since the amount of reflected light reflected by the fingertip 91 or the like is small, the light receiving unit 82 does not detect the reflected light.

The light projecting unit 81 includes a detection light source 811 and a light emitting unit 812 on the light emitting side. The detection light source 811 is a light source that emits detection light toward the contact surface 111. As the detection light source 811, for example, an LED or another light source that emits infrared rays can be used. The detection light source 811 is fixed to the base portion 16.

The light emitting side shading unit 812 is a substantially box-shaped member that covers the detection light source 811 from the front side and houses the detection light source 811 inside. The light emitting side light-shielding portion 812 is fixed to the base portion 16 and surrounds the detection light source 811 together with the base portion 16 over substantially the entire circumference. The light emitting side light-shielding portion 812 is formed of a material that does not transmit light emitted from the detection light source 811 (for example, an opaque resin member that does not transmit infrared rays). The canopy portion of the light emitting portion 812 (that is, the surface on the front side of the detection light source 811) is provided with an opening 813 through which the light emitted from the detection light source 811 passes. The opening 813 may be a physical through hole provided in the light emitting side light-shielding portion 812, or may be a transparent or translucent translucent part provided in a part of the light emitting side light-shielding portion 812. good. In the light projecting unit 81, an optical element such as a lens may be arranged in the opening 813 or on the front side or the back side of the opening 813.

In the light projecting unit 81, a part of the light emitted from the detection light source 811 passes through the opening 813 of the light emitting unit 812 on the light emitting side, and is before the contact surface 111 of the operation unit 11 as the above-mentioned detection light. Irradiated to the side. Of the light emitted from the detection light source 811, the other light other than the part of the light is blocked by the light emitting side light blocking unit 812. In other words, the light emitting portion 812 on the light emitting side allows a part of the light emitted from the detection light source 811 to pass between the detection light source 811 and the contact surface 111 in the pushing direction as the above-mentioned detection light, and another light source. Block the light.

The irradiation field of view 810 described above can be adjusted by changing the shape and position of the opening 813 of the light emitting side light shielding portion 812. Even if an absorbent material (for example, a film of black paint) that absorbs the light emitted from the detection light source 811 is provided on the inner surface of the light emitting side light-shielding portion 812 (that is, the surface facing the detection light source 811). good. As a result, it is possible to suppress the scattering of light in the light emitting side light blocking section 812 and easily adjust the amount of light guided to the outside of the light emitting side light blocking section 812 through the opening 813.

The light receiving unit 82 includes a light receiving sensor 821 and a light receiving side light shielding unit 822. The light receiving sensor 821 receives and detects the reflected light of the detection light reflected by the operator's fingertip 91 or the like. As the light receiving sensor 821, for example, a photodiode or other light receiving element can be used. The light receiving sensor 821 is fixed to the base portion 16. It is preferable that the light receiving sensor 821 is set so as to selectively detect only pulsed light having a frequency peculiar to the photoelectric sensor 18 (that is, reflected light of the detected light) and substantially not detect other light. In the light receiving sensor 821, when the amount of reflected light of the detected light received is equal to or greater than the above-mentioned detection threshold light amount, a current flows and the above-mentioned light receiving signal is sent to the operating unit 13.

The light-receiving side light-shielding portion 822 is a substantially box-shaped member that covers the light-receiving sensor 821 from the front side and houses the light-receiving sensor 821 inside. The light-receiving side light-shielding portion 822 is fixed to the base portion 16 and surrounds the light-receiving sensor 821 together with the base portion 16 over substantially the entire circumference. The light-receiving side light-shielding portion 822 is formed of a material that does not transmit the reflected light of the detection light (for example, an opaque resin member that does not transmit infrared rays). The canopy portion of the light-receiving side light-shielding portion 822 (that is, the front surface of the light-receiving sensor 821) is provided with an opening 823 through which the reflected light of the detection light passes. The opening 823 may be a physical through hole provided in the light-receiving side light-shielding portion 822, or may be a transparent or translucent translucent portion provided in a part of the light-receiving side light-shielding portion 822. In the light receiving unit 82, an optical element such as a lens may be arranged in the opening 823, or on the front side or the back side of the opening 823.

In the light receiving unit 82, of the reflected light of the detected light reflected by the operator's fingertip 91 or the like, a part of the reflected light that has passed through the opening 823 of the light receiving side light shielding unit 822 is received by the light receiving sensor 821. Of the reflected light of the detected light, other reflected light other than the reflected light and disturbance light from various light sources are blocked by the light receiving side light blocking unit 822. In other words, the light-receiving side light-shielding unit 822 passes a part of the reflected light between the light-receiving sensor 821 and the contact surface 111 in the pushing direction to block other light.

The above-mentioned light-receiving field of view 820 can be adjusted by changing the shape and position of the opening 823 of the light-receiving side light-shielding portion 822. An absorbent material (for example, a film of black paint) that absorbs light may be provided on the inner surface of the light-receiving side light-shielding portion 822 (that is, the surface facing the light-receiving sensor 821). As a result, it is possible to suppress the scattering of the reflected light and the disturbance light in the light-receiving side light-shielding portion 822, and to accurately detect the reflected light received by the light-receiving sensor 821.

As described above, the push button switch 1 includes an operation unit 11, a return unit 12, a light projecting unit 81, a light receiving unit 82, and an operating unit 13. The operation unit 11 has a contact surface 111 that the operator touches, and when the contact surface 111 is pushed in, the operation unit 11 moves from the initial position on the front side in the pushing direction to the pushing position on the back side. The return unit 12 returns the operation unit 11 from the push-in position to the initial position when the push-in by the operator is released. The light projecting unit 81 overlaps with the operation unit 11 in the pushing direction and is arranged on the back side of the contact surface 111 in the pushing direction. The light projecting unit 81 passes through the contact surface 111 and irradiates the detection light on the front side of the contact surface 111. The light receiving unit 82 overlaps with the operating unit 11 in the pushing direction and is arranged away from the light emitting unit 81 on the inner side of the contact surface 111 in the pushing direction. The light receiving unit 82 detects the reflected light of the detected light reflected by the operator in the vicinity of the contact surface 111. The operating unit 13 performs a predetermined operation (in the above example, selection of the destination floor) when at least one of the movement from the initial position of the operating unit 11 to the pushing position and the detection of the reflected light by the light receiving unit 82 occurs. Send a signal).

In this way, by arranging the light projecting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 so as to overlap the operation unit 11 in the pushing direction and at a position deeper than the contact surface 111, the non-contact type switch becomes a contact type switch (that is,). , The push button switch 1 can be miniaturized as compared with the conventional switch unit which is installed at a different position independently of the push button). Further, there are cases where the operator wants to operate the operating unit 13 without touching the operating unit 11 and cases where he / she wants to operate the operating unit 13 by touching and pushing the operating unit 11 by the operator's hand with respect to the operating unit 11. Since the movements of the fingers and the fingers are almost the same, the operator can easily operate the push button switch 1. That is, by having the push button switch 1 having the above structure, it is possible to provide a small push button switch 1 that can be easily operated with or without touching the operation unit 11.

The reflected light reflected by the operator may be the light reflected by the operator's fingertip as described above, and is reflected by an object or the like held by the operator. It may be light.

As described above, in the push button switch 1, the light projecting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 are preferably fixed to the base unit 16 to which the returning unit 12 and the operating unit 13 are fixed. As a result, the push button switch 1 can be further miniaturized in the pushing direction.

As described above, it is preferable that the light projecting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 are arranged on opposite sides to the center of the contact surface 111 when viewed along the pushing direction. As a result, the distance between the light projecting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 (that is, the distance in front view) can be increased. As a result, the overlapping region 830 of the irradiation field of view 810 and the light receiving field of view 820 can be accurately set to a desired position and shape. Therefore, the detection area of the operator by the photoelectric sensor 18 can be adjusted with high accuracy, and the detection accuracy of the operator can be improved.

As described above, it is preferable that the light projecting unit 81 includes a detection light source 811 and a light emitting unit 812 on the light projecting side. The light emitting side light blocking section 812 passes a part of the light emitted from the detection light source 811 between the detection light source 811 and the contact surface 111 in the pushing direction as the detection light to block other light. Further, the light receiving unit 82 preferably includes a light receiving sensor 821 and a light receiving side light shielding unit 822. The light-receiving side light-shielding portion 822 passes a part of the reflected light between the light-receiving sensor 821 and the contact surface 111 in the pushing direction to block other light. As a result, it is possible to prevent the detection light from being emitted from the light projecting unit 81 in a direction other than the predetermined direction. Further, it is also possible to prevent the reflected light from other than the predetermined direction from being incident on the light receiving sensor 821. In other words, the irradiation field of view 810 and the light receiving field of view 820, and the overlapping region 830 of the irradiation field of view 810 and the light receiving field of view 820 can be set with high accuracy. As a result, the detection area of the operator by the photoelectric sensor 18 can be adjusted with high accuracy, and the detection accuracy of the operator can be improved.

As described above, in the push button switch 1, the overlapping region of the irradiation field of view 810 of the light projecting unit 81 and the light receiving field of view 820 of the light receiving unit 82 at a reference position separated from the contact surface 111 on the front side by a predetermined distance in the pushing direction. It is preferable that the light receiving unit 82 detects the reflected light when the area of the reflecting surface 92 included in the 830 is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold area, and the light receiving unit 82 does not detect the reflected light when the area is less than the threshold area. .. This suppresses or prevents the detection of an object located relatively far from the contact surface 111 of the push button switch 1 or a minute object close to the contact surface 111 by mistakenly for the operator's fingertip 91 or the like. can do. As a result, the malfunction of the push button switch 1 can be suppressed or prevented.

As described above, the push button switch 1 is arranged between the light receiving portion 82 and the contact surface 111 in the pushing direction, and selectively transmits light in the wavelength range of the detection light among the light transmitted through the contact surface 111. It is preferable to further include a filter 15. As a result, it is possible to prevent light other than the reflected light of the detected light from entering the light receiving unit 82. As a result, it is possible to suppress or prevent the light receiving unit 82 from erroneously detecting the reflected light due to the influence of ambient light or the like, and it is possible to suppress or prevent the malfunction of the push button switch 1.

As described above, the push button switch 1 is further provided with a display light source 141 which is arranged behind the filter 15 in the pushing direction and emits display light having a wavelength range different from the detection light toward the contact surface 111. Is preferable. Further, the filter 15 is provided with an opening 151 through which the display light can pass, and the display light source 141 is provided in parallel with the predetermined operation (in the above example, transmission of the selection signal of the destination floor) by the operating unit 13. It is preferable that ON / OFF can be switched. As a result, the operator of the push button switch 1 can easily visually recognize that the operation on the push button switch 1 has been accepted. Further, by making the shape of the opening 151 of the filter 15 a mark shape indicating the function of the push button switch 1, the operator can easily grasp the function of the push button switch 1.

As described above, it is preferable that the push button switch 1 is provided on the operation panel of the elevator and is operated by the user of the elevator. Since the elevator operation panel is installed in a relatively narrow space, there are severe restrictions on the switch arrangement. Therefore, the small pushbutton switch 1 is particularly suitable as a switch for an elevator operation panel.

As described above, the push button switch 1 can be attached to the fixed portion to which the existing contact push button switch is attached in the operation panel of the existing elevator in place of the existing contact push button switch. It is preferable to further include a mounting portion 161. Thereby, the push button switch 1 can be easily replaced with the contact type push button switch of the existing elevator. As a result, the pushbutton switch 1 can be retrofitted to an existing elevator at low cost.

With the push button switch 1 described above, various changes can be made.

For example, the light projecting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 do not necessarily have to be arranged on opposite sides to the center of the contact surface 111 in the front view, and the light projecting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 are arranged in the front view. May be changed in various ways.

Further, in the above example, the light emitting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 are arranged on the back side of the end surface on the back side of the operating unit 11, but the light emitting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 are not limited to this. The positions of the light projecting unit 81 and the light receiving unit 82 in the pushing direction may be variously changed as long as they are on the back side of the contact surface 111. For example, a substantially rectangular concave portion recessed toward the front side may be provided in the central portion of the end surface on the inner side of the operating portion 11, and the light emitting portion 81 and the light receiving portion 82 may be arranged in the concave portion. This makes it possible to further reduce the size of the push button switch 1 in the pushing direction.

The wavelength range of the detected light emitted from the light projecting unit 81 is not limited to infrared rays and may be changed in various ways. For example, the detection light may be visible light. However, it is preferable that the wavelength range of the detected light is different from the wavelength range of the indicated light. This makes it possible to suitably prevent the photoelectric sensor 18 from malfunctioning.

In the light emitting unit 81, instead of providing the dedicated member as described above as the light emitting side light shielding unit 812, for example, a diffusion plate 143 provided with an opening may be used as the light emitting side light shielding unit. Similarly, in the light receiving unit 82, instead of providing the dedicated member as described above as the light receiving side light shielding unit 822, for example, a diffusion plate 143 provided with an opening may be used as the light receiving side light shielding unit. Further, the light emitting side light shielding portion 812 may be omitted. The light-receiving side light-shielding portion 822 may also be omitted.

In the above example, the detection / non-detection of the reflected light in the light receiving unit 82 is switched by comparing the area of the reflecting surface 92 included in the overlapping region 830 at the reference position with the threshold area, but based on other parameters. It may be switched.

In the push button switch 1, when the display light source 141 that emits the display light is provided on the front side of the filter 15, the opening 151 of the filter 15 may be omitted. Further, the filter 15 may be omitted.

In the push button switch 1, the return portion 12 is not limited to the leaf spring and may have various structures. For example, an elastic member such as a string winding spring may be provided between the operation portion 11 and the base portion 16 as the return portion 12. When the return portion 12 is a string winding spring, when the operation unit 11 is pushed inward, the string winding spring is compressed in the pushing direction, and when the push is released, the operation unit 11 is moved to the initial position by the restoring force of the string winding spring. Will be returned.

In the push button switch 1, the shape of the contact surface 111 in the front view is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape, and may be variously changed to a substantially circular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, or the like.

If the pushbutton switch 1 is not retrofitted to an existing elevator, the mounting portion 161 need not have a structure that can be mounted to the fixed portion of the existing elevator.

The push button switch 1 may be used as a button switch other than the destination floor determination button switch in the car operation panel provided in the elevator car. Further, the push button switch 1 may be used as a button switch of a car operation panel provided in the elevator hall.

Alternatively, the push button switch 1 may be used for purposes other than operating the elevator car. For example, the push button switch 1 may be used as a button switch for opening and closing an automatic door. In this case, the predetermined operation performed by the operating unit 13 is, for example, transmission of an opening / closing command to the driving unit of the automatic door. Further, the push button switch 1 may be used as an emergency stop switch for a machine tool or the like. In this case, the predetermined operation performed by the operating unit 13 is, for example, an operation of opening a physical contact in a power supply line for supplying electric power to a machine tool.

The above-described embodiments and configurations in the respective modifications may be appropriately combined as long as they do not conflict with each other.

1 Button switch 11 Operation part 12 Return part 13 Acting part 15 Filter 81 Light emitting part 82 Light receiving part 92 Reflective surface 111 Contact surface 141 Display light source 151 (of filter) Aperture 161 Mounting part 810 Irradiation field of view 81 Detection light source 812 Light source side Part 820 Light receiving field 821 Light receiving sensor 822 Light receiving side light blocking part 830 Overlapping area

Claims (8)

It ’s a push button switch.
An operation unit that has a contact surface that the operator touches and that moves from the initial position on the front side in the pushing direction to the pushing position on the back side by pushing the contact surface.
A return unit that returns the operation unit from the push-in position to the initial position when the push-in by the operator is released.
A light projecting unit that overlaps with the operation unit in the pushing direction and is arranged on the back side of the contact surface in the pushing direction, passes through the contact surface, and irradiates the detection light on the front side of the contact surface.
The detection light that overlaps with the operation unit in the push-in direction and is arranged away from the light projecting unit on the back side of the contact surface in the push-in direction and reflected by the operator close to the contact surface. A light receiving part that detects reflected light and
An operating unit that performs a predetermined operation when at least one of the movement of the operating unit from the initial position to the pushing position and the detection of the reflected light in the light receiving unit occurs.
A pushbutton switch characterized by being equipped with. The push button switch according to claim 1.
A push button switch characterized in that the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged on opposite sides to the center of the contact surface when viewed along the pushing direction. The pushbutton switch according to claim 1 or 2.
The light projecting unit is
With the detection light source
A light emitting portion on the floodlight side that blocks a part of the light emitted from the detection light source as the detection light and blocks other light between the detection light source and the contact surface in the pushing direction.
Equipped with
The light receiving part is
With the light receiving sensor
A light-receiving side light-shielding portion that allows a part of the reflected light to pass between the light-receiving sensor and the contact surface in the pushing direction to block other light.
A pushbutton switch characterized by being equipped with. The pushbutton switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
At a reference position separated from the contact surface by a predetermined distance in the pushing direction, the area of the reflecting surface included in the overlapping region between the irradiation field of the light projecting section and the light receiving field of the light receiving section is a predetermined threshold value. A push button switch, characterized in that the light receiving unit detects the reflected light when the area is equal to or larger than the area, and the light receiving unit does not detect the reflected light when the area is smaller than the threshold area. The push button switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
It is further provided with a filter which is arranged between the light receiving portion and the contact surface in the pushing direction and selectively transmits light in the wavelength range of the detection light among the light transmitted through the contact surface. Push-button switch. The push button switch according to claim 5.
Further, a display light source is further provided, which is arranged behind the filter in the pushing direction and emits display light having a wavelength range different from that of the detection light toward the contact surface.
The filter is provided with an opening through which the display light can pass.
A push button switch characterized in that ON / OFF of the display light source is switched in parallel with the predetermined operation by the operating unit. The pushbutton switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
A push button switch provided on the operation panel of an elevator and operated by the user of the elevator. The push button switch according to claim 7.
A push characterized by further including a mounting portion that can be mounted in place of the existing contact-type push button switch with respect to the fixed portion to which the existing contact-type push button switch is mounted in the operation panel of the existing elevator. Button switch.

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