JPH1123998A - Image forming position adjusting structure of virtual switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply and inexpensively form a video on a fixed position regardlessly of kinds of color by forming grooves for adjusting the positions of a lens unit and an image sheet in the optical axial direction on a casing. SOLUTION: Projections opposite to each other are formed on a frame body holding the lens unit of a lens assembly 5. The grooves are formed respectively on the opposite inner wall surfaces of the casing 2 in the optical axial direction at a prescribed pitch. The projection of the frame body of the lens assembly body 5 is engaged into any opposing groove. When the color of a surface light source 3 is changed from red to green, the lens assembly body 5 and a translucent image sheet (inscription plate) 4 are pulled out from the grooves to be inserted into the upper grooves respectively (lens assembly 5' and inscription plate 4'). Thus, the video A by the green surface light source 3 is formed on the position of S of an upper part opening part being the same image forming position as that when the surface light source 3 is red.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a so-called so-called image capable of displaying image information such as characters and figures drawn on a translucent image sheet as an erect real image at a position away from the image sheet. The present invention relates to a structure in which a virtual switch can adjust an image formation position by a lens unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A virtual switch is different from a conventional mechanical switch in which an operator directly touches a key or a button with a finger, and when a finger approaches an image formed in a space, a sensor is activated. A switch that can be switched ON / OFF, which is very hygienic because it is not necessary to directly touch the device, and is used as a switch for medical devices in hospitals where hospital infection has recently become a problem, or as a public switch. It is expected to be in great demand as a switch for flushing toilets and in various other fields.

FIG. 10 shows an example of such a virtual switch. In the figure, the virtual switch 41
Has a cylindrical housing 42 that opens upward, and a surface light source (backlight) 43 composed of an LED, an EL, or the like is arranged at the bottom of the housing 42.

[0004] Above the surface light source 43, a translucent image sheet (inscription plate) 44 on which image information such as characters and figures is drawn is arranged. Further above the nameplate 44, the nameplate 4
A lens unit 45 is provided for forming the image information displayed on 4 as an erect real image A in the upper opening of the housing 42. The lens unit 45 is configured by closely contacting a large number of gradient index microlens elements with an adhesive.

In the upper opening of the housing 42, a light projecting portion 46a is provided.
There is provided a photoelectric switch 46 comprising a light receiving section 46b disposed opposite to the light receiving section 46b. Although not shown, the photoelectric switch 46 turns the surface light source 43 ON / O.
It is electrically connected to a driving circuit and an output circuit for performing FF.

In the virtual switch having such a configuration, when the surface light source 43 is ON, the surface light source 4
The light emitted from 3 is applied to a lens unit 45 through a name plate 44, and the lens unit 45 causes the image information on the name plate 44 to be stored in an upper opening of the housing 42 in an upright real image A (for example, English characters). (“ON”).

In this state, when the operator puts a finger into the upper opening of the housing 42 and touches the erect real image A, the light emitted from the light projecting portion 46a of the photoelectric switch 46 is blocked by the finger. As a result, the drive circuit operates and the surface light source 43 is turned off.
It becomes F.

Conversely, when the operator puts a finger into the upper opening of the housing 42 while the surface light source 43 is in the OFF state, the light emitted from the light projecting portion 46a of the photoelectric switch 46 is cut off. Then, the driving circuit is activated, the surface light source 43 is turned on, and the erect real image A is displayed again.

[0009]

Generally, a lens unit used in such a virtual switch has a large difference in refractive index due to a difference in wavelength (that is, because of chromatic aberration), so that the backlight can emit different colored light. When the image is replaced, the image forming position of the image changes due to the color light of the backlight.

For example, when a selfoc lens (trade name) SLA-20B manufactured by Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. is used, when the theoretical lens length is Z = 6.0 (mm), red light (wavelength λ = 660 nm) is 2
4.8 (mm) and green light (wavelength λ = 570 n
The imaging distance for m) is 16.0 (mm), and there is a difference of 8.8 (mm) between the two. In the case of red light and blue light (wavelength λ = 450 nm), the difference is further increased.

Therefore, for example, in a virtual switch using a red light backlight, if the backlight is changed to a green light, the image formation position of the image becomes 8.8.
(Mm) toward the lens unit side (that is, the back side of the opening). From this state, if the operator puts a finger into the opening in order to touch the image, the photoelectric switch is activated first before the finger touches the image, and the imaging position of such an image and the photoelectric switch The operator feels discomfort due to the deviation from the detection position.

Therefore, it is conceivable to use a lens unit in which chromatic aberration is corrected to form an image of each color light at a substantially constant position (ie, a detection position of a photoelectric switch). In such a case, since the lens unit itself in which the chromatic aberration is corrected is very expensive, this leads to a significant increase in the cost of the entire product.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional situation, and is capable of inexpensively and easily forming an image at a fixed position irrespective of the type of color. The purpose is to provide a structure.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a virtual switch imaging position adjusting structure, comprising: a housing having an opening at one end; and a surface light source disposed at the other end of the housing. Disposed in the housing, a light-transmitting image sheet on which image information is drawn, and light emitted from the surface light source and transmitted through the image sheet is irradiated, and the image information of the image sheet is A lens unit for forming an image in the opening or in the vicinity thereof, a photoelectric switch provided in the housing, and switching means for switching on / off the surface light source based on a detection signal of the photoelectric switch. In the virtual switch provided, a groove for adjusting the positions of the lens unit and the image sheet in the optical axis direction is formed in the housing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming position adjusting structure for a virtual switch according to the first aspect, at least one of the lens unit and the image sheet is held by a holder, and an outer periphery of the holder is provided. In addition, a protrusion capable of engaging with the groove is formed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming position adjusting structure for a virtual switch according to the second aspect, the projection is shifted from a center line in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis direction of the lens unit or the image sheet. It is characterized by being arranged in.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the structure for adjusting the image position of the virtual switch according to the first aspect, wherein the groove is
It is characterized in that the first and second opposed inner wall surfaces in the housing are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval in the optical axis direction.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the virtual switch imaging position adjusting structure according to the first aspect, wherein the groove is
First and second grooves which are opposed to each other at predetermined intervals in the optical axis direction on the first and second opposed inner wall surfaces in the housing, and are different from the first and second opposed inner wall surfaces. 3rd, 4th
Are arranged facing each other at a predetermined interval in the optical axis direction and the positions in the optical axis direction are the first and second inner wall surfaces.
And the third and fourth grooves which are shifted from each other by ピ ッ チ pitch.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the virtual switch imaging position adjusting structure according to the first aspect, wherein the groove is
It is a spiral groove formed in a spiral shape on the inner peripheral surface of the housing.

According to the present invention, the light emitted from the surface light source passes through the image sheet and is applied to the lens unit.
With the lens unit, the image information of the image sheet is formed on the opening of the housing or in the vicinity thereof.

In this state, when the operator puts a finger into the opening of the housing and touches the finger with the image, the photoelectric switch is activated, and a detection signal of the photoelectric switch is received. The on / off state is switched.

Next, when the color of the surface light source is changed, the groove of the housing is appropriately selected according to the wavelength of the color, and the positions of the lens unit and the image sheet in the optical axis direction are adjusted.

For example, when the color of the surface light source is changed from red to green, the lens unit is moved to the groove near the housing opening and the image sheet is moved to the groove near the lens unit far from the surface light source. . Thus, an image can be formed at the same image forming position as when the surface light source is red.

In this case, since the imaging position is adjusted by using the groove formed in the housing, it is inexpensive and easy to form an image at a fixed position regardless of the type of color. Will be able to do it.

It is preferable that at least one of the lens unit and the image sheet is held by a holding member formed on the outer periphery with a projection which can be engaged with a groove of the housing.

It is preferable that the projection of the holding member is disposed at a position shifted from a center line of the lens unit or the image sheet in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction. In this case, by mounting the holder upside down in the groove, the position of the lens unit or the image sheet in the optical axis direction can be adjusted for a distance smaller than the pitch p of the groove. . That is, in this case,
Fine adjustment of the imaging position becomes possible.

It is preferable that the grooves are opposed to each other at predetermined intervals in the optical axis direction on the first and second opposed inner wall surfaces in the housing.

The first and second grooves are opposed to each other at predetermined intervals in the optical axis direction on the first and second opposed inner wall surfaces in the housing. On the third and fourth opposed inner wall surfaces different from the inner wall surface, the third and fourth opposed inner wall surfaces are arranged at predetermined intervals in the optical axis direction, and the positions in the optical axis direction are shifted by 1/2 pitch from the first and second grooves. It is preferable to have a third groove and a fourth groove.

In this case, when the position adjustment of the lens unit and the image sheet in the optical axis direction is performed,
By using the third and fourth grooves in addition to the second groove,
Fine adjustment of 1/2 pitch becomes possible.

Preferably, the groove is a spiral groove formed in a spiral shape on the inner peripheral surface of the housing. In this case, fine adjustment can be performed at a finer pitch.

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [ First Embodiment ] FIGS. 1 to 5 are views for explaining an imaging position adjusting structure of a virtual switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the virtual switch. 2 is a sectional plan view of the lens assembly, FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the lens assembly, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the lens assembly, and FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along line VV of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the virtual switch 1 has a rectangular cylindrical housing 2 that opens upward. A surface light source 3 including an LED (light emitting diode) and an EL (electroluminescence) is arranged at a lower portion of the housing 2.

Above the surface light source 3, there is disposed a translucent image sheet (name plate) 4 on which image information such as characters and figures is drawn. Above the nameplate 4, the transmitted light from the nameplate 4 is irradiated, and the image information drawn on the nameplate 4 is imaged as an erect real image A at or near the opening of the housing 2. There is provided a lens assembly 5 for performing the operation. Note that the name plate 4 and the lens assembly 5 indicated by solid lines in FIG.

A photoelectric switch 8 is provided in the opening of the housing 2. The photoelectric switch 8 includes a light projecting unit 8a that emits light such as infrared light, and a light receiving unit 8b that is arranged to face the light projecting unit 8a and receives light emitted from the light projecting unit 8a. Further, these light emitting and receiving sections 8a and 8b are connected to an external switching device (not shown), and when the light emitted from the light emitting section 8a is cut off by the operator's finger, the operation of this switching device causes The ON / OFF state of the surface light source 3 can be switched.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lens assembly 5 has a quadrangular prism-shaped lens unit 6 and a frame 7 for holding the outer peripheral end surface of the lens unit 6.

The lens unit 6 is constituted by closely contacting a large number of gradient index microlens elements with an adhesive. Note that, as the lens unit 6, a sheet lens prepared by combining a large number of plano-convex microlens elements or biconvex microlens elements in a sheet shape is prepared, and these are disposed to face each other at a predetermined interval. You may do so. The frame 7 has projections 7a opposed to each other.

On the other hand, the opposing inner wall surfaces 2a and 2b (FIG. 2) of the housing 2 have a predetermined pitch p in the optical axis direction (vertical direction in FIG. 5).
The grooves 10 are respectively formed. Inner wall surfaces 2a, 2b
The upper grooves 10 are arranged at positions facing each other,
The protrusion 7 a of the frame 7 of the lens assembly 5 is engaged in one of the opposing grooves 10.

Although not shown, the nameplate 4 is also preferably held by a frame similar to the frame 7, and the projections of the frame engage with the grooves on the inner wall surface of the housing 2. ing. An openable and closable opening for attaching and detaching the lens assembly 5 and the nameplate 4 to and from the groove 10 is formed on the outer wall surface of the housing 2 (not shown).

Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. The light emitted from the surface light source 3 passes through the name plate 4 and irradiates the lens unit 6 of the lens assembly 5, and the lens unit 6 converts the image information of the name plate 4 into the opening of the housing 2 or its vicinity. Is formed as an image A at the position of S.

In this state, when the operator puts a finger into the upper opening of the housing 2 and touches the image A, the photoelectric switch 8 is activated, and the detection signal of the photoelectric switch 8 is received, and the switching device is switched. (Not shown), the on / off state of the surface light source 3 is switched.

Next, when the color of the surface light source 3 is changed from red to green, the lens assembly 5 and the nameplate 4 are removed from the groove 10 and inserted into the respective upper grooves 10 (one point in FIG. 1). (See lens assembly 5 'and nameplate 4' shown in dashed lines). Thereby, the image by the green surface light source 3 can be formed at the position of S in the upper opening, which is the same image formation position as when the surface light source 3 is red.

When the color of the surface light source 3 is changed from green to blue, the lens assembly 5 'and the name plate 4' are
0, and inserted into the grooves 10 further above (see the lens assembly 5 ″ and the nameplate 4 ″ indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1). Thus, the blue surface light source 3 is located at the position S of the upper opening, which is the same image position as that when the surface light source 3 is red.
Images can be formed.

As described above, the direction in which the lens assembly 5 and the nameplate 4 are moved depends on the color of the surface light source 3, that is, the wavelength. When the color of the surface light source 3 is changed to one having a shorter wavelength,
When the lens assembly 5 and the nameplate 4 are moved into the upper groove 10 (the side approaching the upper opening), and conversely, when the color of the surface light source 3 is changed to a longer wavelength, the lens assembly 5 5 and the nameplate 4 with the groove 1 on the lower side (away from the upper opening)
Move within 0.

The moving distance of the lens assembly 5 and the nameplate 4 is also set appropriately according to the wavelength of the surface light source 3. In this example, it is possible to move a distance that is an integral multiple of the groove pitch p.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image forming position is adjusted by using the grooves 10 formed on the opposed inner wall surfaces 2a and 2b of the housing 2, so that the color of the surface light source 3 is adjusted. Regardless of the type, it is possible to inexpensively and easily form an image at a fixed position. As a result, both the manufacturer and the user of the virtual switch can easily cope with a change in the color of the surface light source. In addition, the manufacturer can share the housing regardless of the type of color.

[ Second Embodiment ] FIGS. 6 and 7 are views for explaining an imaging position adjusting structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the lens assembly, and FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the operation and effect thereof.
FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. In addition,
In these figures, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment denote the same or corresponding parts.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, an example is shown in which the center line m of the projection 7a of the frame 7 holding the lens unit 6 coincides with the center line n of the lens unit 6. In the lens assembly 51 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the center line m of the projection 71a of the frame 71 holding the lens unit 6 is shifted from the center line n of the lens unit 6. And the frame 71 is asymmetrical with respect to the center line n. The displacement of the projection 71a is set to, for example, p / 4 (p: groove pitch).

A state in which the lens assembly 51 having such a configuration is engaged with a certain groove 10 in the housing 2 is shown by a solid line in FIG. Next, a state where the lens assembly 51 is removed from the groove 10, turned upside down, and inserted again into the same groove 10 is shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

Comparing the positions of the lens assemblies 51 and 51 ', it can be seen that both lens assemblies are shifted by p / 2. That is, in this case, the position of the lens unit 6 in the optical axis direction can be adjusted for p / 2 smaller than the pitch p of the groove 10, and the fine adjustment of the image forming position becomes possible.

[ Third Embodiment ] In the first and second embodiments, a pair of opposed inner wall surfaces 2a, 2a
Although the example in which the groove 10 is formed in FIG. 2b is shown, the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and the groove is formed not only on the opposed inner wall surfaces 2a and 2b but also on other opposed inner wall surfaces 2c and 2d (see FIG. 2). 10 may be formed.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, which corresponds to a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 2, each groove 10 of the opposed inner wall surfaces 2c, 2d is formed with each groove 10 of the opposed inner wall surfaces 2a, 2b. On the other hand, the position in the optical axis direction (vertical direction in FIG. 8) is shifted by p / 2. Note that, in FIG.
Are shown for convenience in comparing the positions in the optical axis direction.

When adjusting the imaging position, the opposite inner wall surface 2
By using the grooves 10 of the opposed inner wall surfaces 2c and 2d as well as the grooves 10 of a and 2b, fine adjustment of an integral multiple of p / 2 can be performed as in the second embodiment.

[ Fourth Embodiment ] In the first to third embodiments, an example in which a rectangular cylindrical member is used as the housing 2 and an opposing groove 10 is formed in an opposing inner wall surface in the housing 2. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and a cylindrical shape may be used as the housing 2 and a spiral groove may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 2. In this case, when adjusting the imaging position, the lens assembly 5 and the nameplate 4 are gradually screwed in so that fine adjustment can be performed at a finer pitch.

[ Other Application Examples ] In each of the above embodiments, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to a virtual switch having a transmission type photoelectric switch. The present invention can be similarly applied to the virtual switch 1a including the photoelectric switch of the type.

In FIG. 9, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts. Here, a reflection type photoelectric switch 9 is constituted by a light projecting unit 9a and a light receiving unit 9b arranged in the housing 2. Have been.

[0056]

As described above, according to the image forming position adjusting structure of the virtual switch according to the present invention, since the image forming position is adjusted by using the groove formed in the housing, the color is adjusted. There is an effect that it is possible to inexpensively and easily form an image at a fixed position regardless of the type.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional configuration diagram of a virtual switch to which an imaging position adjusting structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of a virtual switch (FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a lens assembly constituting the virtual switch (FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a lens assembly constituting the virtual switch (FIG. 1).

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a lens assembly constituting a virtual switch to which the second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation and effect of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a view corresponding to a section taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a modification of the virtual switch to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vertical cross section of a conventional virtual switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1a Virtual switch 2 Housing 2a, 2b Opposed inner wall surface 2c, 2d Opposed inner wall surface 3 Surface light source 4, 4 ', 4 "Name plate (image sheet) 5, 5', 5" Lens assembly 51, 51 ' Lens assembly 6 Lens unit 7, 71 Frame body (holding body) 7a, 71a Projection 8, 9 Photoelectric switch 10 Groove S Image formation position A Image p Pitch m, n Center line

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A housing having an opening at one end, a surface light source disposed at the other end of the housing, and a translucent image sheet disposed within the housing and having image information drawn thereon. A lens unit for irradiating light emitted from the surface light source and transmitted through the image sheet, and for forming image information of the image sheet on the opening or in the vicinity thereof; and a lens unit provided in the housing. A virtual switch, comprising: a photoelectric switch that is provided and a switching unit that switches an on / off state of the surface light source based on a detection signal of the photoelectric switch. The housing includes an optical axis of the lens unit and an image sheet. A groove for adjusting the position in the direction is formed,
An image forming position adjusting structure for a virtual switch. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the lens unit and the image sheet is held by a holder, and a projection that can be engaged with the groove is formed on an outer periphery of the holder. The image forming position adjusting structure for a virtual switch according to claim 1. 3. The connection of the virtual switch according to claim 2, wherein the projection is arranged at a position shifted from a center line of the lens unit or the image sheet in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis direction. Image position adjustment structure. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the grooves are disposed on the first and second opposed inner wall surfaces in the housing at a predetermined interval in the optical axis direction. Image position adjustment structure of virtual switch. 5. The first and second grooves, wherein the first and second grooves are opposed to each other on the first and second opposed inner wall surfaces in the housing at a predetermined interval in the optical axis direction, and , On the third and fourth opposed inner wall surfaces different from the second opposed inner wall surface, the opposed inner wall surfaces are arranged at predetermined intervals in the optical axis direction, and the positions in the optical axis direction are the same as those of the first and second grooves. 2. The image forming position adjusting structure for a virtual switch according to claim 1, further comprising third and fourth grooves shifted by a half pitch. 6. The imaging position adjusting structure for a virtual switch according to claim 1, wherein said groove is a spiral groove spirally formed on an inner peripheral surface of said housing.