JPS60208015A - Optical switch unit - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a switch device, and more particularly, to a switch device that uses optical elements.

[Prior art and its problems]

Prior art devices, such as those found in household appliances or automobiles, are replete with switch devices actuatable by an operator to selectively control multiple loads. For example, in a direct switch control system, a switch is provided for direct control of each load. In this type of device, full load current flows through each switch, requiring military grade (hθavydut7) switches and wiring. This device also has safety hazards (θafθ
This is because in the event of a switch failure, the operator may receive an electrical shock. Other types of switch devices use time-shared low voltage signals on a series of lines to encode switch inputs in electrical switch matrixes. This low voltage operation makes IJs susceptible to electromagnetic noise, and cord intercepts with multiple lines require numerous drivers, inputs, and wiring.

[Problem of invention]

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved switching device which is not susceptible to electromagnetic noise, which does not pose a risk of electric shock to the operator, and which does not have the defects and disadvantages of prior art devices. be.

With the implementation of microcomputer control of various instruments and equipment, great flexibility is gained.

On the other hand, however, the use of microcomputers imposes certain limitations. For example, the number of inputs to the microcomputer is limited; and the inputs to the microcomputer must be digital in nature. It is therefore another object of the invention to provide a switching device which is compatible with the use of microcomputers and which requires only one input in digital form for the microcomputer.

Additionally, in automobiles with many electrically powered features such as door lock, lock, and trunk open, there may be multiple switches on the driver's door or console. It is desirable to reduce or limit the number of wires mounted on a door or console. In addition, the use of microcomputers V is increasing in automobiles, and the same technology aspects mentioned above are also applied.

[Summary of the invention: Constituent features and operations]

The above and other objects are achieved by providing a base switch device according to the principles of the present invention as follows.

That is, the light switch device includes a light source, a light sensing device that provides a signal representative of the incident light, a device that provides a path for light between the light source and the light sensing device, and a plurality of switch elements, Each switch element includes an actuator and a shielding element connected to the actuator and moving with the actuator along a respective travel path intersecting the light path, each of the shielding elements being configured such that the shielding element is the plurality of switch elements characterized by a unique pattern of region(s) that selectively (inhibits) transmission of light along the light path when moving across the light path; includes an apparatus that utilizes the signals to determine the state of a switch element.

According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for providing a path of light includes a fiber optic waveguide in which a plurality of shielding elements are selectively movable and has at least one air gap.
light guide).

According to another aspect of the invention, each of the shielding elements includes a transparent substrate having a coding pattern of opaque parallel strips, bars or rods thereon; extending transversely to the direction of movement along the path of movement.

[Practical]

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary system useful in the detailed description of the present invention.

The exemplary system includes a microcomputer-based controller 10 (tlo is a plurality of loads 12).
is controlled via a plurality of relays 16 according to a program stored in the microcomputer 14. This system may be a dishwasher, for example, in which case the load 1
2 corresponds to various operating mechanisms and parts, such as a water supply valve, a soap dispenser, and a drain pump, which operate according to programs stored in the microcomputer 14, depending on the operator's cycle selections. Instead of the above,
This system may be for controlling individual loads in a motor vehicle. The operator's control of the device shown in FIG.

In its simplest form, the switching device 18 connects the light source 2
0, a light sensor 22, and a device providing a path for light between the light source 20 and the light sensor 22. Preferably, the device for providing this light path includes a fiber optic isowave path 24. The optical waveguide 24 is discontinuous at several locations to form multiple gaps. Each of these gaps corresponds to a switch element actuated by the operator. Each of the switch elements meets an actuator 26 and a shielding element 28 coupled to the actuator 26 for movement. The switch elements are such that when an operator moves one of the actuators 26, the corresponding shielding element 28 moves along a path of travel through a corresponding gap in the fiber optic waveguide 24. Each of the shielding elements 28 is provided with a light source 2 as the shielding element 28 moves through the air gap.
With a unique pattern of area(s) that selectively blocks light from 0! It is equipped. The photodetector 22 thus generates a signal as an input to the microcomputer 14, which signal is digital in nature and carries a unique symbol corresponding to one shielding element moved among the plurality of shielding elements 28. give.

Microcomputer 14 utilizes this signal to determine the state of the switch element.

From the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, it will be noticed that the plurality of switch elements are arranged such that the original fiber optical waveguide 24 connects them all in the zero row. With this arrangement, only a single light source 20 is required to provide light, and a single light sensor 22 takes over all of the switch cords. The code read by light sensor 22 and provided to microcomputer 14 contains six elements of information for use by microcomputer 14. 41 elements of information,
It is a unique code that identifies activated switch elements from others. This code also says information about the direction in which the shielding element is moving. The microcomputer 14 t'i information can be used, if necessary, to evaluate how long the switch is kept in the activated state. The last element of information is
is the speed at which the shielding element passes through the air gap. Microcomputer 14 uses this speed information to read the code. Only one of the switch elements can be activated at any given time, allowing the microcomputer 14 to detect and ignore multiple inputs.

FIGS. 2-5 show devices corresponding to switch device 18 (FIG. 1). Although the switch device shown in FIGS. 2-5 includes nine switch elements, it will be readily understood that more or fewer switch elements may be used. This switch device consists of four blocks 30, 32.3
4 and 36. These blocks 3O-36h are held together by nuts 40 tightened to threaded studs 38 extending through aligned holes drilled through the blocks, and blocks 30 and 36 also have nuts 40 in opposite directions. There is a hole for 40. Open grooves or channels 42 are formed in the housing plate 4.
Closed by 4. The blocks 30.32 and 34 are also milled with grooves 46, which are closed by the abutting walls of the blocks 32.34 and 36. These grooves 46 intersect channels 42 and are sized to receive shielding elements therein, as will be discussed in more detail below. The housing plate 44 has an opening 48
is provided, which is an extension of groove 46. Board 4
4 is fixed to the threaded ends of a hexagonal standoff member 50 to the machining blocks 30 and 36, and the standoff member 50 is attached to the bottom plate 52.
Fixed.

Each of the switch elements has an actuator bar with a flat head 54 attached to a stepped actuator bar 56 that is threaded at the end opposite the head 540. Actuators 41561-j are mounted within holes 58 in the housing structure, such that holes 58 are sized to accommodate the thicker portions of actuator rods 56. The narrow end of actuator rod 56 extends through a suitably sized opening 60 in μ housing plate 44 . A compression spring 62 surrounds the narrow portion of the actuator rod 56 and is captured between the housing plate 44 and the stepped shoulder of the actuator rod 56.
The actuator rod head 54 is compressively biased away from the housing.

Actuator block 64 is attached to its stepped actuator rod 56 . This is done by providing a partially threaded hole through the block 64 and securing the actuator rod 56 thereto, with the nut 66
is the outer VC actuator rod 56 of the block 64
It is screwed into the edge of the Guide pins 68, which are press-fit into appropriate holes in block 64, pass through holes in housing plate 44 and pass through slightly larger holes 70 in the housing structure.
The actuator block 64 is guided by the guide pin so as to prevent the actuator block from rotating as it moves together with the actuator rod 56 . Attached to each actuator block 64 is a respective shielding element 72 . The shielding element 72 is formed of a generally rectangular transparent substrate, such as mylar, on which is a unique pattern of opaque strips, some narrow and some wide. is formed.

These bars give codes corresponding to individual switch elements. Each of the actuators and blocks 64 has a groove T4.
is provided and has a shielding element 72 mounted therein, for example by bolts 76 and nuts 18 extending through aligned openings in actuator block 64 and shielding element 72 .

A fiber optic light guide is used to provide a path for light between the light source and the light sensor. The fiber optic waveguide is fitted into channel 42 and looped to provide a single light path through all shielding elements 72 in series, as shown in FIG. The fiber optic waveguide 80 is cut across the groove 46 to form a gap approximately 0.27511 (0.015 inches) wide, and configured to allow the shielding element 72 to move therethrough. There is.

When the operator desires to actuate a particular switch element, he pushes the head 54 of the actuator rod 56 toward the housing. From this K, the actuator block 64 on which the shielding element 72 is placed moves downward as shown in FIG. In the rest position, the fiber optic waveguide 80 is located adjacent to the transparent portion of the shielding element 72, as shown by the rightmost switch element in FIG. Continue progress.

As the shielding element 72 moves downwardly, an opaque strip;
A pattern of bars passes through the corresponding gaps in the optical waveguide 80, thereby producing a unique signal pattern at the output of the photodetector corresponding to that switch element.

When the actuator actuating rod 56 moves downward, the spring 62V'i is compressed, so that when the operator releases the pressure, the switch element returns to its rest position rlK. Fully pressing the actuator actuating rod 56 results in the entire pattern on the shielding element 72 passing through the optical waveguide 80, as shown by the middle switch element in FIG.

It is understood that the embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Many other embodiments may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, alternative structures include rows of limit switches, snap switches, or position encoders rather than push-buttons.

Also, optical fibers may be separated and then merged so that a single light source and sensor has multiple fiber paths. Although optical transmission is described, it is also possible to change the physical configuration of the system so that the light from the source fiber is reflected or unreflected into the sensor fiber and transmitted or blocked as described herein. You may apply pressure to prevent this.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As mentioned above, this application discloses an improved optical switch ill. This switching device of the invention has several advantages. In this device, the transmission line is rich in optical energy, so it is less affected by electromagnetic noise. A single source fiber is used to transmit and receive signals from the multiplex switch. Therefore, only a single computer input is required to read the multiplex switch. Since the optical signal is digital in nature, small changes in the components 114! IIC-influenced and also directly compatible with computers. By reprogramming the computer, the operation of any switch can be changed, for example, from instantaneous to reciprocal operation.
Alternatively, changes can be made freely and easily to the 70 bales of Noh in the system. Moreover, in the switch device of the present invention, there is no electricity in the main structure for its operation, so there is no danger of electric shock.

As described above, the switch device of the present invention brings about a number of remarkable effects.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a Zorock diagram of a system incorporating a switch device according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of an implementation of a switch device made in accordance with the principles of the invention; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the lines of FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial view of the device shown in FIG. 6 along line 4--4 and FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing details of a switch element of the device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4; In the figure, 10...control device, 12...load, 14...microcomputer (device using signals i)
'(), 16...Relay, 18...Switch device, 2
0: Light source, 22: Photosensor, 24: Optical waveguide (light path) Agent: Akira Asamura

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A light source, a light-sensitive button device for providing a signal representing the location of incident light, a device for providing a path for light between the light source and the light-sensitive button device, a plurality of switch elements, comprising: , each switch element includes an actuator and a connector on the actuator, and each of the shielding elements selectively transmits light along the light path when the shielding element moves across the light path. an optical switching device characterized by a unique pattern of areas inhibited by a plurality of switch elements, and which utilizes the signal to determine the state of the plurality of switch elements. (2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device for providing the light path comprises an optical fiber optical waveguide having at least one gap through which the plurality of shielding elements can selectively move. (3) The arrangement of claim 1, wherein each of said shielding elements comprises a transparent substrate having a coding pattern of opaque parallel strips thereon; above)
The IJ tube extends transversely to the direction of movement of the shielding elements along their respective paths of movement. (4) a housing, a first channel passing through the housing, a plurality of switch elements, each switch element including an actuator;
a shielding element connected to the actuator and moving with the actuator along respective paths of travel that intersect across the first channel; a plurality of second channels within the housing characterized by a unique pattern of regions that selectively inhibit transmission of light along the first channel as moved across;
Each of the second channels intersects the first channel and is sized to accommodate the shielding element and through which the shielding element moves through the intersection of the second channel with the first channel. A light switch device comprising: a device for coupling a light source to a first end of the first channel; and a device for coupling a photodetector to a second end of the first channel. (5) The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an optical fiber in the first channel, the fiber having a plurality of voids therein, each void being one of the second channels. an optical switch device located at the intersection of the channel and the first channel. (6) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of said shielding elements comprises a transparent substrate having an opaque parallel stripe thereon a coding pattern of IJ tubes; , an optical switch device extending transversely to the direction of movement of said shielding element in each @20 channel. (7) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the actuators comprises: a block; a device for mounting the shielding element onto the block; and a device connected to the block for movement relative to the housing. An operator-operated member adapted to be operated by an operator,
An optical switch'v device comprising said member in which said shielding element moves along its respective second channel when said member is moved by an operator.