JP4021006B2 - Non-contact switch - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a non-contact switch that performs a switch operation without contact.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Non-contact switches that can be operated without touching hands or fingers are attracting attention as switches that can prevent infection caused by touching medical devices and improve hygiene in daily life. . The use of non-contact switches is also considered from the viewpoint of preventing dust generation in the clean room.
[0003]
On the other hand, such a non-contact switch does not have a visually recognizable operation unit, and therefore, it is necessary for a person who operates the switch (hereinafter referred to as a “switch operator”) to learn how to operate the switch. Further, there are cases in which even a switch cannot be recognized by a person who operates the switch for the first time.
[0004]
Therefore, a technique for highlighting the display indicating the existence as a switch is required. As one of such techniques, there is a method using a gradient index rod lens (see JP-A-8-161987). In other words, when the finger touches the display that appears to be raised by the gradient index rod lens (actually, the finger does not touch the object), the photoelectric switching means detects the presence of the finger. Non-contact switches that perform switching are developed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the gradient index rod lens is a very expensive member, and the fact is that such a non-contact switch cannot be applied to home appliances and the like. In particular, when a large number of switches are to be arranged in one product, the price of the non-contact switch alone becomes an important problem in product design.
[0006]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can show the operation position of the non-contact switch with a simple structure, thereby enabling low-cost and accurate switch operation. It aims to realize.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The invention of claim 1 is a non-contact switch that performs a switch operation in a non-contact manner, and is disposed in contact with or in proximity to a Fresnel concave mirror that is a Fresnel concave mirror and the Fresnel concave mirror.The illumination member that irradiates diffused light toward the Fresnel surface of the Fresnel concave mirrorAn auxiliary member, and a detection target entering the levitating visual body while a levitating visual body is formed on the Fresnel concave mirror by the light from the auxiliary member being reflected and collected by the Fresnel concave mirror Further includes switching means for performing switching by detecting the presence of the contactlesslyThe illumination member is a transparent member disposed on an opening formed in the Fresnel concave mirror, and further includes means for introducing light into the transparent member through the opening.
[0011]
  Claim 2The invention ofClaim 1It is a non-contact switch of description, Comprising: The means to change the color or light quantity of the light from the said illumination member according to switching of the said switching means is further provided.
  The invention of claim 3 is a non-contact switch that performs a switch operation in a non-contact manner, and includes a Fresnel concave mirror that is a Fresnel concave mirror, and an auxiliary member that is disposed in contact with or close to the Fresnel concave mirror. The light from the auxiliary member is reflected and collected by the Fresnel concave mirror, thereby forming a floating visual recognition body on the Fresnel concave mirror and non-contacting the presence of a detection target entering toward the floating visual recognition body. And a switching means for performing switching by detecting at said position, wherein the Fresnel concave mirror has a concentric Fresnel surface, and the auxiliary member is disposed substantially at the center of the Fresnel surface so that the floating visual recognition body Appears in a ring shape.
  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the non-contact switch according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the auxiliary member is a transparent member containing a fluorescent material.
[0012]
  Claim 5The invention of claim 1 to claim 14The non-contact switch according to any one of the above, wherein the switching means is a reflective photoelectric switching means.
[0013]
  Claim 6The invention of claim 1 to claim 14The non-contact switch according to any one of the above, wherein the switching means is a transmissive photoelectric switching means.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<1. Summary of Principle of Invention>
When a Fresnel concave mirror having the same function as a hemispherical concave mirror is looked into, a circular image appears to appear on the Fresnel concave mirror. Here, when a colored member is placed in the center of the concentric Fresnel surface formed on such a Fresnel concave mirror, the color of this member appears to float on the Fresnel concave mirror approximately in a ring shape Has been discovered by the present inventors.
[0016]
In the present invention, the Fresnel concave mirror, which is a Fresnel concave mirror, and the auxiliary member disposed on the Fresnel concave mirror are non-exposed to a region that appears to be raised like a colored object (hereinafter referred to as a “floating visual object”). This is used as a display (mark) of the operation position of the contact switch.
[0017]
The phenomenon that the floating visible body appears to rise when a colored member is arranged on the Fresnel concave mirror can be understood as follows.
[0018]
FIG. 1A is an optical model diagram in the case where a parallel light beam L1 is incident on a partial region RG of the concave mirror CM. However, in this model, the concave mirror CM is depicted as a substantially spherical mirror for easy explanation of the principle. When such a parallel light beam L1 is incident on the concave mirror CM, the parallel light beam L1 is condensed at almost one point P1 as a property of the concave mirror. However, point C is the geometric center point of this spherical mirror.
[0019]
On the other hand, let us consider a case where a parallel light beam L2 (FIG. 1B) in a direction different from the parallel light beam L1 is incident on the same region RG. At this time as well, the parallel light beam L2 is condensed at approximately one point, but the point P2 is at a position different from the condensing point P1 in the case of FIG.
[0020]
Similarly, considering the case where parallel rays in various directions are simultaneously incident on this region RG, there are innumerable condensing points corresponding to the condensing points P1 and P2 in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b). As a result, the light collection range forms a constant light collection region PR as shown in FIG. Due to the symmetry of the spherical mirror, this light collection region PR becomes a part of a small spherical surface (hereinafter referred to as “focal sphere”) having a half size of the spherical mirror.
[0021]
Based on such preliminary analysis, the situation in the Fresnel concave mirror will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A is a partial cross-sectional view of the Fresnel concave mirror 101, and a concentric Fresnel surface 110 is formed on the upper surface thereof. On the Fresnel concave mirror 101, there is provided an auxiliary member 103 formed of a fluorescent plate as described in an embodiment described later. Light from the outside is reflected from the side surface 132 of the auxiliary member 103, or light that has propagated through the auxiliary member 103 is emitted as diffused light 120 in various directions. The side surface 132 of the auxiliary member 103 exists at a position shifted from the central axis 118 of the Fresnel surface 110. FIG. 2B shows a concave mirror CM corresponding to the Fresnel concave mirror 101 in FIG. 2A with the optical position in the X direction aligned with that in FIG.
[0022]
In such a positional relationship, the diffused light emitted from the side surface 132 of the auxiliary member 103 is reflected by a region RA (hereinafter referred to as an “effective reflection region”) RA outside the side surface 132 of the Fresnel surface 110. The diffused light 120 (FIG. 3 (a)) from the side surface 132 can be regarded as an assembly of parallel rays in various directions exemplified in FIGS. 3 (b) to 3 (e). However, light emitted obliquely upward as shown in FIG. 3 (e) does not reach the Fresnel concave mirror 101, and can be excluded from consideration of the optical action of the Fresnel concave mirror 101.
[0023]
Therefore, the diffused light 120 incident on the effective reflection area RA in FIG. 2A includes parallel light components in various incident directions such as FIGS. 3B to 3D, and these are reflected on the mirror surface. Reflected. Here, since the optical action of the Fresnel concave mirror 101 is the same as that of the concave mirror CM of FIG. 1, the condensing state of these reflected lights can be considered with reference to the concave mirror CM of FIG. However, in the concave mirror CM of FIG. 2B, the effective reflection region RB corresponds to the effective reflection region RA of FIG.
[0024]
As can be seen from FIGS. 2 (a) and 3, the direction of the diffused light 120 from the side surface 132 of the auxiliary member 103 that enters the effective reflection area RA is (+ X in the coordinate system shown in FIG. 2 (a). ) Direction to the direction within the range φ from the (−Z) direction. If this is seen in FIG. 2 (b),
(1) A parallel light beam LH (hereinafter referred to as “horizontal light beam”) directed in a direction close to the horizontal direction (+ X);
{Circle around (2)} A parallel light beam LV (hereinafter referred to as “longitudinal light beam”) directed in a direction close to the direct downward direction (−Z) is the limit direction. Of these, the horizontal ray LH substantially corresponds to the parallel ray of FIG. 3B, and the vertical ray LV substantially corresponds to the parallel ray of FIG.
[0025]
The lateral light LH is condensed at the condensing point PH as seen in the equivalent optical diagram of FIG. Further, the vertical ray LV is condensed at the condensing point PV as seen in FIG. However, in FIG. 4, virtual light paths (broken arrows) are also entered so that the positions of the condensing points of these rays can be easily understood.
[0026]
Each component of the diffused light 120 from the side surface 132 of the auxiliary member 103 in FIG. 2A and the effective reflection area RA of the Fresnel concave mirror 101 (or the effective reflection area RB of the concave mirror CM as an equivalent thereof) and Is distributed in an angle range φ between the horizontal light beam LH and the vertical light beam LV. As a result, the light condensing region PR becomes a finite section between the limit light condensing points PH and PV.
[0027]
As described above, when the auxiliary member 103 is arranged on the Fresnel concave mirror 110 and diffused light is emitted, the light is condensed at each point in the light condensing region PR having a finite size. Since the subsequent light spreads radially from the light condensing region PR upward in FIG. 2A, when viewed from the outside (above FIG. 2A), the entire light condensing region PR floating from the Fresnel surface 110 is seen. Appears to shine, thereby forming a “floating visual object”.
[0028]
However, when attention is paid to an arbitrary point in the condensing region PR, the light from a specific point light source is not condensed and imaged at that point, but the auxiliary member 103 having a certain spread is formed. Of the scattered light 120 from the side surface 132, only parallel light rays in a specific direction are collected, and thus the entire floating recognition body that appears to rise visually in this way is optically defined. In other words, a colored illuminant having a predetermined spread appears as if it is distributed in the condensing region PR.
[0029]
On the other hand, the positions of the limit condensing points PH and PV in FIG. 2A are determined by the optical design values (curvature and effective radius) of the Fresnel concave mirror. That is, even if the position and height of the side surface 132 of the auxiliary member 103 in FIG. 2 (a) change to some extent, the positions of the limit condensing points PH and PV (and therefore the position and size of the condensing region PR) change almost. Instead, the luminance distribution of each part of the condensing region PR only changes. The details are as follows.
[0030]
First, as can be seen from FIG. 4 (a), the position of one limit condensing point PH is determined only by the direction in which the transverse ray LH is collected, and from which position these transverse rays are emitted. It can be seen that it does not depend on (for example, whether the light is emitted from the position J1 in FIG. 4A or from the position J2). Further, it can be seen that the other limit condensing point PV is determined only by the direction in which the longitudinal light beam LV is condensed and does not depend on the height from which the longitudinal light beam is emitted. That is, it can be seen that even if the position of the auxiliary member 103 in FIG. 2A changes to some extent, the positions of the limit condensing points PH and PV (and hence the condensing region PR) do not change.
[0031]
Next, look at the luminance distribution. As can be seen from FIG. 2B, in the vicinity of the inner end point IN of the effective reflection area RA, the horizontal ray LH of the light from the side surface 132 is incident, but the vertical ray LV is also incident. The same applies to each ray incident in the direction range φ between them. On the other hand, in the vicinity of the outer end point OUT of the effective reflection area RA, only the transverse light LH and the component in the direction close thereto enter the light from the side surface 132. This is because, as can be seen from FIG. 3 (d), the longitudinal ray is incident only in a range very close to the end of the auxiliary member 103. In FIG. 2B, the light component traveling in the vertical direction is not drawn in the vicinity of the outer end point OUT of the effective reflection region RB.
[0032]
When this situation is considered by the Fresnel concave mirror 101 in FIG. 2A, the light enters the outer reflection point RA between the inner end point IN and the outer end point OUT as it goes from the inner end point IN to the outer end point OUT. The range of the light traveling direction is reduced. For example, in the vicinity of the inner end point IN, components in each direction of FIG. 3B to FIG. 3D are incident, but in the vicinity of the middle between the inner end point IN and the outer end point OUT, FIG. 3B and FIG. Although there is an incident light component in the direction of), the component in FIG. 3D is not incident. In the vicinity of the outer end point OUT, only the vicinity of the component shown in FIG.
[0033]
Therefore, considering the entire effective reflection area RA, the lateral rays enter the entire area RA and reach the condensing point PH. However, since there is no obstacle in the reflected light path, almost all of the reflected light is reflected. Condensed at the condensing point PH. On the other hand, the vertical ray is incident on only a part of the effective reflection area RA near the side surface 132 of the auxiliary member 103, but the light reflected here is an obstacle on the optical path by the auxiliary member 103 itself. Actually, the amount of light reaching the condensing point PV is small.
[0034]
Due to such circumstances, in FIG. 2A, the amount of light at the outer limit condensing point PH where the component emitted in the horizontal direction of the diffused light 120 is collected is the largest, and the lower side of the diffused light 120 The amount of light at the inner limit condensing point PV where the component emitted to the light condenses is minimized.
[0035]
For this reason, in the condensing region PR as a floating visual recognition body, the luminance distribution changes depending on the shape and position of the auxiliary member 103, but the shape of the condensing region PR as the floating visual recognition body and the position of the outer peripheral portion do not change. The outer contour thereof is particularly clearly visible.
[0036]
In addition, the reflected light from almost the entire effective reflection area RA is collected near the outer periphery of the light collection area PR, that is, near the light collection point PH. It is getting wider. Accordingly, the outer peripheral portion of the light condensing region PR is particularly clearly visible and has a large viewing angle.
[0037]
Next, the planar shape of the condensing region PR will also be considered. The planar shape of the condensing region PR is determined by the optical shape of the Fresnel surface 110 and does not depend on the position or the planar shape of the side surface 132 of the auxiliary member 103. That is, as shown in FIG. 5 corresponding to the plan view of FIG. 2A, it can be easily understood that the condensing region PR is also circular if the planar shape of the auxiliary member 103 is circular. Even if the planar shape of the member 103 is a rectangle (FIG. 6), the condensing region PR is circular. That is, due to the optical properties as described above, the position of the condensing point PH does not change even if the position of the side surface 132 of the auxiliary member 103 is shifted in the (+ X) direction or the (−X) direction. Therefore, even if the side surface 132 of the auxiliary member 103 is the position of the solid line or the position of the virtual line 132A in FIG. When it is desired to make the shape of the light collecting region PR other than a circle, this is achieved by making the Fresnel surface 110 other than a concentric circle.
[0038]
Further, as described above, since the amount of light is relatively small in the inner portion of the condensing region PR (portion close to the condensing point PV), the relationship in FIG. 2A is rotationally symmetric with the axis 118 as the rotational symmetry axis. However, when it is actually visually recognized, the portion near the axis 118 in the light condensing region PR has low visibility, and it is often a floating visual recognition body that is substantially visually recognized as a ring shape. For this reason, in embodiment mentioned later, suppose that it is assumed that a floating visual recognition body is substantially ring shape.
[0039]
In addition, an actual Fresnel concave mirror does not correspond to an ideal spherical mirror, but even in an actual Fresnel concave mirror, the property of “condensing parallel rays to a specific point or spatial region” is common to concave mirrors. . For this reason, the essence of the above results is true not only for spherical mirrors but also for Fresnel concave mirrors in general. The essence is the same as described above.
[0040]
As described above, the nature of the Fresnel concave mirror can be explained with reference to the geometrical optics of the three-dimensional concave mirror as described above. However, when such a floating visual recognition body is actually applied to a non-contact switch, a three-dimensional The concave mirror has a large size in the thickness direction, and there is a problem that a finger contacts a part of the concave mirror when a switch is operated. For this reason, in the present invention, the Fresnel concave mirror is employed with emphasis on flatness. The details of the mode of use will be described in detail below as various embodiments.
[0041]
<2. First Embodiment>
The outline of the principle of forming the floating visual recognition body using the Fresnel concave mirror has been described above. Next, a non-contact switch using this principle will be described.
[0042]
FIG. 7 shows a configuration for forming the ring-shaped floating visual recognition body 261, and also shows a configuration for use as the non-contact switch 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In other words, in the non-contact switch 200 using the floating visual recognition body, in addition to the Fresnel concave mirror 201 and the auxiliary member 203 fixed on the same as shown in FIG. Non-contact type switching means 204 that detects and switches an object is provided. The auxiliary member 203 is formed of a transparent member containing a fluorescent material. From the side surface of the auxiliary member 203, the auxiliary member 203 is excited by light from the outside to emit light and propagates while totally reflecting the inside of the auxiliary member 203. By emitting the excitation light that has been emitted, diffused light of fluorescent color is emitted in various directions. As a result, the levitating object also exhibits a fluorescent color, and is clearly recognized.
[0043]
The switching unit 204 shown in FIG. 7 is a reflection type photoelectric switching unit, and a light emitting unit 241 that emits a detection light 247 to be detected, and a light 248 that is reflected by the light 247 on the detection target and receives the detection target. And a switching circuit 243 that performs switching in response to a signal from the light receiving unit 242 and outputs a signal such as ON / OFF.
[0044]
The light 247 from the light emitting unit 241 is emitted toward a region where the floating visual recognition body 261 can be seen. For example, when the finger F enters the region as a detection target, the light 248 reflected by the finger F is received. The unit 242 receives light. In addition, since the reflective photoelectric switching means can adjust the distance of the detection target that can be detected, it is set so that the switching is performed only when the finger F enters the position of the floating visual recognition body 261 approximately. Can do.
[0045]
As described above, by providing the Fresnel concave mirror 201, the auxiliary member 203, and the switching unit 204, the non-contact switch 200 that performs a switch operation using the floating visual recognition body 261 as a mark is realized. As a result, the switch operator can accurately operate the non-contact switch 200, and the person who operates the switch for the first time can easily recognize the presence of the switch. Note that when the auxiliary member 203 has a fluorescent color, the ascending visual recognition body 261 also exhibits a fluorescent color, so that the ascending visual recognition body 261 can be recognized more clearly and a more accurate switch operation is realized. As an auxiliary member for emitting the fluorescent diffused light, a transparent plastic member containing a fluorescent material (fluorescent plate) can be easily obtained. However, in order to efficiently diffuse the emitted light, the auxiliary member 203 is used. You may make it make the surface of sashimi or enclose a diffusion material inside.
[0046]
Further, since the Fresnel concave mirror 201 has a flat shape and the auxiliary member 203 is also disposed on the Fresnel concave mirror 201, the switch operator's finger F or the like does not touch the non-contact switch 200.
[0047]
Furthermore, since the non-contact switch 200 implements the floating visual recognition body 261, which is a mark that appears floating, using only the Fresnel concave mirror 201 and the auxiliary member 203, the non-contact switch 200 can be easily configured with an inexpensive member. As a result, the price of the non-contact switch can be kept at a very low price. As a result, the non-contact switch can be used for various devices without causing a price problem.
[0048]
<3. Second Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a non-contact switch 300 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0049]
The non-contact switch 300 has substantially the same configuration as the non-contact switch 200 according to the first embodiment, but the outer shape of the Fresnel concave mirror 301 and the auxiliary member 303 is a square, and the transmission means is a transmission type. The difference is that photoelectric switching means are used. Note that the Fresnel surface of the Fresnel concave mirror 301 has a concentric shape as in the first embodiment, and an auxiliary member 303 is disposed at the center thereof.
[0050]
In this non-contact switch 300, the Fresnel concave mirror 301 and the auxiliary member 303 have a square outer shape. However, as described with reference to FIG. 6, the outer shape of the floating visual recognition body 361 is affected only by the shape of the Fresnel surface. In the same manner as in the case of the Fresnel concave mirror 201 shown in FIG.
[0051]
In addition, the switching unit 304 has a light emitting unit 341 and a light receiving unit 342 facing each other, so that light 347 from the light emitting unit 341 is received by the light receiving unit 342 via a position where the floating visual recognition body 361 is formed. It has become. Further, a switching circuit 343 is connected to the light receiving unit 342.
[0052]
With the above configuration, when the finger F that is the detection target enters the position where the floating visual recognition body 361 is formed, the light 347 from the light emitting unit 341 is blocked and is not received by the light receiving unit 342, and the finger F An entry detection signal is sent to the switching circuit 343, and a switching result such as ON / OFF is output.
[0053]
As described above, the non-contact switch 300 according to the second embodiment also realizes a low-cost non-contact switch that can be accurately operated as in the first embodiment.
[0054]
<4. Third Embodiment>
In the first and second embodiments, a floating visual recognition body that looks colored is formed using a colored member as an auxiliary member. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a non-contact switch 400 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the non-contact switch 400, the auxiliary member 403 emits light and irradiates the diffused light 420 toward the Fresnel surface. It is the composition to do.
[0055]
The non-contact switch 400 includes a Fresnel concave mirror 401 and an auxiliary member 403, and the shapes (squares) and arrangement relationships of the Fresnel concave mirror 401 and the auxiliary member 403 are the same as those in the second embodiment. However, the auxiliary member 403 is a colorless and transparent member.
[0056]
In addition, an opening 419 is formed below the auxiliary member 403 of the Fresnel concave mirror 401, and a switching means 404 and a light source 451 are provided below the opening 419.
[0057]
The light source unit 451 emits colored light 453 toward the lower surface of the auxiliary member 403, and the light 453 is introduced into the transparent auxiliary member 403 in the region irradiated with the light 453. An uneven surface 433 is formed. That is, the light 453 from the light source unit 451 enters the auxiliary member 403 from the uneven surface 433, propagates while totally reflecting inside the auxiliary member 403, and then is emitted as diffused light 420 from the side surface of the auxiliary member 403. It has become.
[0058]
As a result, the diffused light 420 is emitted from the side surface of the auxiliary member 403 and reflected by the Fresnel surface in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, and the Fresnel concave mirror 401 is viewed from above as indicated by the arrow D. Sometimes the floating visual recognition body 461 appears to rise up. In FIG. 9, the approximate position where the floating visually checking body 461 can be seen is simply indicated by a broken line.
[0059]
The switching unit 404 is a reflection type photoelectric switching unit, and includes a detection unit 441 and a switching circuit 443 in which the light emitting unit 241 and the light receiving unit 242 in the first embodiment are integrated. The light 447 emitted from the detection unit 441 passes through the opening 419, passes through the transparent auxiliary member 403, and travels toward a position where the floating visual recognition body 461 can be seen. In addition, when the detection target enters a position where the floating visual recognition body 461 can be seen, the light 447 is reflected by the detection target, and the light 448 from the detection target is detected by the detection unit 441 through the auxiliary member 403 and the opening 419. It is like that. Therefore, when the detection target enters a position where the floating visually-recognizing body 461 can be seen, the detection signal from the detection unit 441 is sent to the switching circuit 443 so that switching is performed.
[0060]
As described above, in the non-contact switch 400 according to the third embodiment, the auxiliary member 403 can emit light by itself, so that the ascending visual recognition body 461 appears to shine, and it is accurate whether the surroundings are bright or dark. Switch operation can be performed.
[0061]
Further, in the non-contact switch 400, the switching means 404 and the light source unit 451 are disposed below the Fresnel concave mirror 401 (on the side opposite to the operation side), so there are no obstructing objects on the Fresnel concave mirror 401. No longer exists. Therefore, the layout design of the switching means 404 and the light source unit 451 can be facilitated and the switch can be made beautiful.
[0062]
<5. Fourth Embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a non-contact switch 500 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This non-contact switch 500 includes a Fresnel concave mirror 501 having an opening, a transparent auxiliary member 503, and switching means 504, as in the third embodiment.
[0063]
The difference from the third embodiment is that the non-contact switch 500 includes two light source units 551 and 552 and further includes a display color switching circuit 554 connected to these light source units. .
[0064]
The two light source units 551 and 552 each radiate light of different colors toward the lower surface of the auxiliary member 503, and which light source unit is turned on is controlled by the display color switching circuit 554. It has become. The display color switching circuit 554 is connected to the output of the switching circuit 543, and switches the light source to be turned on according to the switching of the switching circuit 543.
[0065]
With the above configuration, when the detection target enters the position of the floating visual recognition body 561 that appears to float on the Fresnel concave mirror 501 as in the third embodiment, the detection unit 541 detects this and switching by the switching circuit 543 is performed. Although it is performed, the color of the light irradiated to the auxiliary member 503 is changed in conjunction with this. As a result, the color of the floating visual recognition body 561 changes according to the state of the output from the switching circuit 543, and it is possible to reliably recognize whether the switch operator has operated the switch.
[0066]
As described above, in the non-contact switch 500, the color of the floating visual recognition body 561 is changed by performing a switch operation, so that a more reliable switch operation can be performed.
[0067]
The switching mode may be such that the detection target is turned on only while the detection target is present at a position where the floating visual recognition body 561 can be seen. In this case, the switch operator touches the floating visual recognition body 561. The color of the floating visual recognition body 561 changes only during the operation.
[0068]
In addition, the type of color to be changed is not limited to two, and a design is possible in which the color of the floating visual recognition body 561 is sequentially switched to three colors each time a switch operation is performed with three light sources. It is.
[0069]
Furthermore, instead of changing the color of light, the amount of light may be changed. That is, only one light source may be used, and an output from the switching circuit may be sent to the light amount changing circuit, and the light amount changing circuit may change the light amount of the light source. Thereby, the brightness of a floating visual recognition body can be changed according to switching.
[0070]
<6. Modification>
Although the non-contact switch according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
[0071]
In the first to fourth embodiments, a Fresnel concave mirror having a concentric Fresnel shape is used. However, if the principle for raising the floating visual object described with reference to FIG. Any form is acceptable.
[0072]
That is, only a part of the Fresnel concave mirror 201 shown in FIG. 7 may be used as a Fresnel concave mirror for forming a floating visual recognition body, or a set of Fresnel concave mirror 201 shown in FIG. It may be used as a concave mirror. Further, it is not limited to a concentric Fresnel surface. For example, by arranging an auxiliary member 603 at the center of four cylindrical fresnel concave mirrors 601 having a right isosceles triangle shape as shown in FIG. It is also possible to show the floating visual recognition body 661 as it floats.
[0073]
In the third and fourth embodiments, the auxiliary member is caused to emit light, but this light emission method may be changed as appropriate. For example, the auxiliary member may be a colored transparent member, and the light source may be provided inside the auxiliary member.
[0074]
Further, the switching means is not limited to the photoelectric type described in the embodiment, and any switching means can be used as long as it can detect the detection target and guide the signal to the switching circuit. It may be a thing. For example, an ultrasonic sensor or an infrared sensor may be used.
[0075]
【The invention's effect】
  Claims 1 to 6In the described invention, since the floating visual recognition body is formed on the Fresnel concave mirror using the Fresnel concave mirror and the auxiliary member, the switch operator can perform the switch operation using the floating visual recognition object as a mark. As a result, the switch operator can accurately operate the non-contact switch. In addition, the presence of the switch can be easily recognized by a person who operates the switch for the first time. Furthermore, since the non-contact switch can be configured using an inexpensive member, the price of the non-contact switch can be kept low.
[0076]
  Claim 4In the described invention, since the auxiliary member contains the fluorescent material, it is possible to form a fluorescent color floating visual recognition body and realize a more accurate switch operation.
[0077]
  Also,Claims 1 and 2In the described invention, since the auxiliary member is an illuminating member that irradiates the diffused light toward the mirror surface of the Fresnel concave mirror, the floating visual recognition body can be formed without being influenced by the brightness around the non-contact switch. further,Claim 1In the described invention, only the transparent member can be arranged on the Fresnel concave mirror to make the non-contact switch look beautiful.Claim 2In the described invention, a more accurate switch operation can be realized by changing the color of the floating visual recognition body according to switching.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an optical model diagram of light collection by a concave mirror.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a floating visual recognition body in a comparison between a Fresnel concave mirror and a three-dimensional concave mirror.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of reflection of diffused light from an auxiliary member by a Fresnel concave mirror.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a condensing position by a concave mirror.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a circular auxiliary member and a floating visual recognition body.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a rectangular auxiliary member and a floating visual recognition body.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a non-contact switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a non-contact switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a non-contact switch according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a non-contact switch according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a square-shaped floating visual recognition body is formed.
[Explanation of symbols]
101, 201, 301, 401, 501 Fresnel concave mirror
103, 203, 303, 403, 503 Auxiliary member
110, 210 Fresnel surface
118, 218 Central axis
120, 420, 520 Diffused light
200, 300, 400, 500 Non-contact switch
204, 304, 404, 504 switching means
241 and 341 Projection unit
242 and 342
243, 343, 443, 543 switching circuit
261, 361, 461, 561 Ascending visual recognition body
419 opening
433 Uneven surface
441, 541 detector
451, 551, 552 Light source section
554 Display color switching circuit
F finger

Claims (6)

A non-contact switch that performs non-contact switch operation,
Fresnel concave mirror, which is a Fresnel concave mirror,
An auxiliary member that is an illumination member that is disposed on or in contact with the Fresnel concave mirror and that irradiates diffused light toward the Fresnel surface of the Fresnel concave mirror ;
With
While the light from the auxiliary member is reflected and collected by the Fresnel concave mirror, a floating visual recognition body is formed on the Fresnel concave mirror, and
Switching means for performing switching by detecting the presence of a detection target entering toward the floating visual recognition body without contact;
Further comprising a,
The illumination member is a transparent member disposed on an opening formed in the Fresnel concave mirror,
Means for introducing light into the transparent member through the opening;
A non-contact switch , further comprising: The non-contact switch according to claim 1,
Means for changing the color or amount of light from the illumination member in accordance with the switching of the switching means;
A non-contact switch , further comprising: A non-contact switch that performs non-contact switch operation ,
Fresnel concave mirror, which is a Fresnel concave mirror,
An auxiliary member disposed in contact with or in proximity to the Fresnel concave mirror;
With
While the light from the auxiliary member is reflected and collected by the Fresnel concave mirror, a floating visual recognition body is formed on the Fresnel concave mirror, and
Switching means for performing switching by detecting the presence of a detection target entering toward the floating visual recognition body without contact;
Further comprising
The Fresnel concave mirror is formed with a concentric Fresnel surface,
A non-contact switch, wherein the auxiliary visual member is arranged in the center of the Fresnel surface to cause the floating visual recognition body to rise in a ring shape . A non-contact switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The non-contact switch, wherein the auxiliary member is a transparent member containing a fluorescent material . A non-contact switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The non-contact switch, wherein the switching means is a reflection type photoelectric switching means . A non-contact switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A non-contact switch, wherein the switching means is a transmissive photoelectric switching means.

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