JP6534087B2 - Switch device - Google Patents

Description

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

  Conventionally, there has been a fluorescent lamp lighting device provided with a touch switch, and periodically switching the brightness of the fluorescent lamp in the order of full lighting, dimming lighting, and turning off each time a finger is touched on the touch switch (for example, Patent Document 1).

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 1-286298

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

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

The switch device of the present invention includes a touch sensor unit, a control unit, and an outer shell. The touch sensor unit has first to third detection areas, and the second detection area is disposed between the first detection area and the third detection area with respect to the outer shell. Configured to The control unit is configured to switch the state of the illumination load between the on state and the off state, and to adjust the light output of the illumination load in the on state. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to increase the light output of the illumination load when the touch sensor unit detects an operation of a person on the first detection area when the illumination load is in a lighting state . The control unit is configured to lower the light output of the illumination load when the touch sensor unit detects an operation of a person on the third detection area. The control unit switches the state of the illumination load from the on state to the off state when the touch sensor unit detects an operation of a person on the second detection area , and the touch when the illumination load is in the off state. sensor unit is configured to switch so that the lighting state of the state of any even when detecting the operation of the human with respect to the detection region and the illumination load from the off state of the first to third detection region.

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

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

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

  The switch device of the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as switch device) is attached to the mounting frame 9 as shown in FIG. 8, and the rear end portion is inserted and embedded in the embedding hole provided in the wall. Ru. In the following description, the directions of front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower are defined in FIG. 1 unless otherwise noted.

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

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

  The touch sensor unit 20 also includes a sensor circuit (not shown). The sensor circuit is configured to indirectly and individually measure the capacitance generated between the plurality of electrodes and the ground. Furthermore, the sensor circuit is configured to determine that the human body (especially the finger) is in proximity to the respective electrodes, ie, the touch operation is performed, when the measured value of capacitance changes beyond a predetermined threshold value. Configured Then, the sensor circuit (touch sensor unit 20) is configured to output an operation signal indicating that the touch operation has been performed to the outside. Note that an area in which a touch operation can be separately detected by each electrode is referred to as an operation area.

  The light emitting unit 21 has a plurality of light emitting diodes 200 and a drive circuit (not shown) for driving the light emitting diodes 200 individually to emit light (see FIG. 2). The light emitting unit 21 is mounted on the back surface of the sensor substrate 26 as described later, and configured to emit light forward through the sensor substrate 26.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The control unit 5 is configured of, for example, a microcontroller. The memory unit 53 is composed of an electrically rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, and the control unit 5 reads and writes various data.

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

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

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

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

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

  The base 23 is made of a synthetic resin material (for example, a thermoplastic resin such as ABS resin) which does not have translucency, and has a rectangular bottom wall 230 and a rectangular frame-shaped peripheral wall 231 projecting forward from four circumferences of the bottom wall 230. And are integrally formed. Further, at the left and right ends of the bottom wall 230, four protrusions 232 that project forward than the bottom wall 230 are provided. A space surrounded by the bottom wall 230 and the peripheral wall 231 is called a storage space.

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

  The sensor substrate 26 is provided with five round holes 260 aligned vertically in the center in the left-right direction. The five round holes 260 pass through the sensor substrate 26, and from the five light emitting diodes 200 among the plurality of (five in the illustrated example) light emitting diodes 200 mounted on the rear surface of the sensor substrate 26. The emitted light is passed forward (see FIG. 3).

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

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

  Further, among the eight contacts 280, the four contacts 280 in the upper row are bent upward at a portion forward of the first insulator 281. On the other hand, among the eight contacts 280, the four contacts 280 in the lower row are bent upward at a portion ahead of the first insulator 281 (see FIG. 4). Then, in the second connector 28, the bent portion (contact terminal portion) of each contact 280 is soldered to the rear surface of the sensor substrate 26 to project eight contacts 280 backward from the rear surface of the sensor substrate 26. Mounted on the sensor substrate 26 (see FIG. 2).

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

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

  Then, the panel 24 is attached to the front surface of the projection 232 and the front surface of the sensor substrate 26 by the light-sensitive adhesive sheet 25 (see FIG. 3).

  Here, an insertion hole 233 through which the second connector 28 is inserted penetrates through the bottom wall 230 of the base 23 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). That is, the contacts 280 of the second connector 28 project rearward from the bottom wall 230 through the insertion holes 233. A pair of protective walls 235 for protecting the second connector 28 is provided on the bottom wall 230 of the base 23 so as to protrude rearward (see FIG. 2). These protective walls 235 have a rectangular flat plate shape, and are formed integrally with the bottom wall 230 so as to sandwich the insertion holes 233 from the vertical direction on the rear surface of the base 23. That is, eight contacts 280 protruding from the bottom wall 230 are disposed between the pair of protection walls 235 (see FIG. 4).

  By the way, the bottom wall 230 is provided with a restricting portion (second restricting portion) 234 which restricts the movement of the second connector 28 along the insertion and removal direction (front and rear direction) of the first connector 56. The second restricting portions 234 are formed so as to protrude in parallel with the rear surface of the bottom wall 230 from the inner surfaces of the left and right ends of the insertion hole 233 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). That is, in the state where the second connector 28 is inserted into the insertion hole 233, the second restricting portion 234 opposes the left and right end portions of the first insulator 281 along the front-rear direction. Further, the second restricting portion 234 is integrally provided with a protrusion 2340 projecting forward. The projection 2340 is in contact with the rear surface of the first insulator 281 (see FIG. 3).

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

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

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

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

  The control board 13 is mounted with circuits and circuit elements to which a relatively low voltage is applied, that is, the control unit 5, the memory unit 53, the wireless communication unit 54, the signal transmission unit 55 and the like. The first connector 56, the push button switch 520 or the dip switch 521 of the setting unit 52, the light emitting element (light emitting diode) 522, etc. are mounted on the front surface of the control board 13 (see FIG. 1).

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

  The body 11 is made of a rectangular box-shaped synthetic resin molded body opened forward. In addition, the cover 12 is formed of a rectangular box-shaped synthetic resin molded body opened rearward. In the body 11, protrusions 110 are formed on the left and right ends of the upper and lower surfaces, respectively. The cover 12 is formed with rectangular plate-like projecting pieces 120 that respectively project rearward from the left and right ends of the upper and lower rear end edges. Further, rectangular holes 1200 are bored in the respective projecting pieces 120 respectively.

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

  The body 11 has a first terminal storage portion 111 for storing two power terminals 6, a second terminal storage portion 112 for storing two load terminals 7, and a third terminal for storing two signal terminals 8. A storage unit 113 is provided.

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

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

  The first to third terminal storage portions 111 to 113 are each divided into two sections by projections 1113, 1120, and 1132 which project from the partition walls 1110 and 1130, respectively. In the first terminal storage portion 111, one release button 62 is stored at a position where the pair of the terminal plate 60 and the lock spring 61 is separately stored in the two sections and not divided by the projection 1113 (see FIG. 4). Further, in the second terminal storage portion 112, a pair of the terminal plate 70 and the lock spring 71 is separately stored in the two sections, and one release button 72 is stored at a position not divided by the protrusion 1120. (See Figure 4). Furthermore, in the third terminal storage portion 113, a pair of the terminal plate 80 and the lock spring 81 is separately stored in the two sections, and one release button 82 is stored at a position not divided by the protrusion 1132 . In the bottom walls of the first to third terminal storage portions 111 to 113, two wire insertion holes 1114, 1121 and 1133 into which core wires (conductors) of the wires are respectively inserted, and one tool insertion hole 1115 and 1122 , 1134 have penetrated.

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

  The lock spring 61, 71, 81 has a central piece contacting one side of the terminal plates 60, 70, 80, a pressure piece extended in an S shape from one end of the central piece, and the central piece A lock piece extended in a J-shape from the end side is integrally formed. Then, when the conductor of the wire is inserted between the other side piece of the terminal plate 60, 70, 80 and the pressing piece and the locking piece through the wire insertion holes 1114, 1121, and 1133, the conductor is inserted into the terminal plate by the pressing piece. And the tip end of the locking piece abuts on the conductor to prevent the wire from coming off. When the electric wire is removed, the release button presses the locking piece if the release button 62, 72, 82 is moved using a tool (for example, a screwdriver) inserted into the tool insertion holes 1115, 1122, 1134. The wire can be pulled out by separating the tip of the locking piece from the conductor. However, since the terminal of such a structure is called a quick connection terminal (or screwless terminal) and conventionally known, detailed description will be omitted.

  Further, on the side walls on both the upper and lower sides of the body 11, support pieces 114 projecting forward relative to the side walls on both the left and right sides are integrally provided (see FIG. 1). The support pieces 114 are formed in a trapezoidal shape, and a rectangular recess 1140 is provided at the front end.

  The circuit block described above is housed in the body 11 so that the terminal boards 60, 70, 80 mounted on the rear surface of the power supply board 14 are housed in the respective terminal housing portions 111 to 113. Here, rectangular protrusions 130 are respectively provided on the upper edge and the lower edge of the control substrate 13. In other words, the circuit block is positioned with respect to the body 11 by fitting the projections 130 with the recesses 1140 of the support pieces 114 of the body 11.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cover 12 has a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) operation pieces 121, a plurality of (two in the illustrated example) window holes 122 and 123, one insertion hole 124, and a plurality of pairs (illustrated example) In this case, three pairs of mounting claws 125, release pieces 126 and the like are provided.

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

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

  The lower window hole 123 is formed in a truncated cone shape as shown in FIG. 2 and provided in the front wall of the cover 12. The window hole 123 is configured to emit the light emitted from the light emitting element 522 mounted on the front surface of the control substrate 13 to the outside of the housing 10. That is, the light emitted from the light emitting element 522 can be viewed from the front of the housing 10 through the window hole 123.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the insertion hole 124 is formed in a rectangular tube shape longer in the left-right direction than in the vertical direction, and the first connector 56 mounted on the front surface of the control substrate 13 is inserted from the rear Ru. Further, the insertion hole 124 is provided with a restricting portion (first restricting portion) 127 which restricts the movement of the first connector 56 along the insertion and removal direction (front and rear direction) of the second connector 28 (see FIG. 5). The first restricting portion 127 is formed so as to project in parallel with the front wall of the cover 12 from the inner surfaces on both the left and right sides of the insertion hole 124 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). That is, the first restricting portion 127 opposes the left and right end portions of the first connector 56 along the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the first restricting portion 127 is integrally provided with a protrusion 1270 that protrudes rearward. The projection 1270 is in contact with the front surface of the first connector 56 (see FIG. 3).

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

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

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

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

  The mounting frame 9 is attached to, for example, a switch box (not shown) embedded in the wall such that the pair of lateral pieces 92 abut on the periphery of the embedded hole provided in the wall. That is, two bolts (not shown) inserted into the screw insertion holes 920 of the horizontal pieces 92 are screwed into the screw holes of the switch box. However, when the switch box is not embedded, the mounting frame 9 is fixed to the wall plate using a well-known clamp (not shown).

  Further, the front wall of the cover 12 is formed in a step-like shape at both left and right ends. Furthermore, the recessed part 128 is formed in the approximate center of the up-down direction in the said edge part (refer FIG.1 and FIG.6). That is, the hooks 221 of the two attachment pieces 220 provided on the housing 22 are hooked on the front end edges of the two recesses 128 respectively, whereby the operation unit 2 is detachably attached to the switch body 1 (See FIGS. 7 and 8).

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

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

  The present system is configured of, for example, two switch devices SA and SB, two illumination loads 4A and 4B, and two transmitters WA and WB. The switch device according to this embodiment is used for each of the two switch devices SA and SB. However, this system configuration is only an example of a system configuration for controlling a load using the switch devices SA and SB of this embodiment.

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

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

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

  Similarly, in the second switch device SB, when the upper operation area (hereinafter referred to as the first operation area 201B) is touch-operated, the operation unit 2 detects that the first operation area 201B is touch-operated. The first operation signal shown is output. In the switch body 1 of the second switch device SB, the control unit 5 that receives the first operation signal turns on the switch element 50 to turn on or off the second lighting load 4B.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  In addition, when a wireless signal is transmitted from the first transmitter WA, the wireless communication unit 54 of the first switch device SA receives the wireless signal, acquires control data included in the wireless signal, and transmits the control data to the control unit 5. Output. The control unit 5 of the first switch device SA turns on (or turns off) the switch element 50 based on the control data received from the wireless communication unit 54 to turn on (or turn off) the first lighting load 4A.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  That is, two operation areas (the first operation areas 201A and 201B and the second operation areas 202A and 202B) of the two switch devices SA and SB and two illumination loads (the first illumination load 4A and the second illumination load 4B) Correspondence with is reversed. Therefore, the usability for the user is not good.

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

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

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

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

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

  The lighting loads 4A and 4B are dimmable lighting devices, for example, a lighting fixture using an incandescent lamp as a light source, and a lighting fixture using a fluorescent lamp or a light emitting diode (including an LED lamp) as a light source. Or the like. For example, in the case where the lighting load 4A is a dimming LED lighting fixture, the switch device may dim the lighting load 4 by performing phase control on an AC voltage applied from the AC power supply 3 to the lighting load 4 it can. That is, the light control type LED lighting apparatus lights up brighter as the phase angle (conduction angle) adjusted by the switch device becomes larger (the conduction period becomes longer), and the phase angle becomes smaller (the conduction period becomes shorter). ) Is configured to light up as dark as possible. In addition, since such a light control type | mold LED lighting fixture is conventionally well-known, description of a detailed structure and operation | movement is abbreviate | omitted.

  The operation unit 2 of the switch device connected to the dimmable lighting load 4 has three operation areas (detection areas) 203, 204, and 205 arranged vertically (see FIGS. 1 and 7). When the top operation area (hereinafter referred to as the upper operation area) 203 is touch-operated, the operation unit 2 outputs a first operation signal indicating that the upper operation area 203 has been touch-operated. In addition, when the middle operation area (hereinafter referred to as a middle operation area) 204 is touch-operated, the operation unit 2 outputs a second operation signal indicating that the middle operation area 204 is touch-operated. Furthermore, when the bottom operation area (hereinafter referred to as the lower operation area) 205 is touch-operated, the operation unit 2 outputs a third operation signal indicating that the lower operation area 205 has been touch-operated. .

  When receiving the second operation signal, the control unit 5 of the switch body 1 turns on and off the illumination load 4 by switching the switch element 50 from on to off and from off to on. In addition, when the first operation signal is received while the lighting load 4 is lit, the control unit 5 performs phase control on the switch element 50 so as to increase the phase angle by one step. Furthermore, when the third operation signal is received during lighting of the illumination load 4, the control unit 5 performs phase control on the switch element 50 so as to reduce the phase angle by one step. That is, if the user wants to turn on and off the lighting load 4, the user may touch the middle operation area 204 of the operation unit 2. In addition, if the user wants to brighten the illumination load 4 (increases the dimming level), the user may touch the upper operation area 203 of the operation unit 2 to darken the illumination load 4 (decrease the dimming level). In this case, the lower operation area 205 of the operation unit 2 may be touch-operated.

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

  Since the switch device of the present embodiment is configured as described above, the illumination load 4 can be turned off immediately if the second detection region (middle operation region 204) is touch-operated. Therefore, in the switch device of the present embodiment, as in the conventional example described in Patent Document 1, there is no need for the user to perform the operation of switching the brightness twice in order to switch the fluorescent lamp from the full lighting state to the extinguishing state. . As a result, the switch device of this embodiment can improve the operability for switching the state of the illumination load 4 as compared with the conventional example.

  Further, in the switch device according to the present embodiment, when the lighting load 4 is in the extinguished state, the control unit 5 performs the operation of the touch sensor unit 20 on the detection region at least one of the first to third detection regions. Assume the case of detection. In this case, preferably, the control unit 5 is configured to switch the state of the illumination load 4 from the light-off state to the lighting state.

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

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

4 lighting load 5 control unit 10 body (outer shell)
20 touch sensor portion 22 housing 22 (outer shell)
203 Upper operation area (first detection area)
204 Middle operation area (second detection area)
205 Lower operation area (third detection area)

Claims (1)

A touch sensor unit, a control unit, and an outer shell,
The touch sensor unit has first to third detection areas, and the second detection area is disposed between the first detection area and the third detection area with respect to the outer shell. Configured to
The control unit switches the state of the lighting load to a lighting state and a lighting off state, and adjusts the light output of the lighting load in the lighting state ,
Furthermore, the control unit
When the lighting load is in a lighting state, when the touch sensor unit detects an operation of a person on the first detection area, the light output of the lighting load is increased, and the touch sensor unit is for the third detection area. The light output of the lighting load is reduced when a human operation is detected, and the lighting load state is switched from the lighting state to the extinguishing state when the touch sensor unit detects a human operation on the second detection area. ,
When the lighting load is in the extinguished state, the lighting load state is switched on from the extinguished state even when the touch sensor unit detects a human operation on any of the first to third sensing areas. switch and wherein the switching Rukoto state.

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