TWI507088B - Load controller - Google Patents

Description

Load controller

The present invention is directed to a load controller.

Conventionally, there is a technical content in which a switch for switching the lighting load of the dimming control to be turned on/off and a dimmer for controlling the dimming level of the illumination load are arranged side by side in a series of mounting frames (refer to, for example, the literature). 1 [Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-301811]). In this technical content, a switching operation of switching/extinguishing is performed using a switch, and a dimming operation of the dimming level is performed using a dimmer.

In the dimmer and the changeover switch described in the above document 1, the operation unit for switching the lighting load to be turned on/off and the operation unit for switching the dimming level are respectively provided at different positions. In other words, since the operation units for performing different load control are provided at different locations, there are many problems in that the number of operation units is large, and the apparatus for controlling the load tends to increase in size as a whole.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a load controller which reduces the number of operating portions for miniaturization.

A load controller according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an operation unit that is arbitrarily moved between a reference position and an operation position and is used by an operator to operate a load, and a first detection unit that determines whether or not An event in which the operation unit moves from the reference position to the operation position occurs; a second detection unit that measures an operation of the operator on the operation surface provided by the operation unit; and a load control unit that performs the second detection When the operation measured by the unit is a predetermined operation, the load is subjected to the first control, and when the first detecting unit determines that the event has occurred, the second control that is different from the first control is performed on the load.

A load controller according to a second aspect of the present invention, as in the first aspect, further includes: a third detecting unit that measures an acceleration of the operating portion. The operation surface is disposed on a contact surface of the operator that touches the operation portion in order to cause the event. When the second detecting unit measures the operation, the load control unit performs a determination operation when the acceleration measured by the third detecting unit does not reach a predetermined threshold value, and determines the second detecting unit. Whether the action is the predetermined action. When the second detecting unit measures the operation, the load control unit does not perform the determining operation if the acceleration measured by the third detecting unit is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a load controller according to the first aspect, the operation surface is provided at a portion of the operation portion different from a contact surface of the operator that touches the operation portion to cause the event. on.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the load controller of the fourth aspect, the first detecting unit is configured to move the operation unit from the reference position to the operation position. a switch that is pressed by the operation unit; the load control unit executes the second control when the switch is pressed.

A load controller according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the fourth aspect, wherein the operation portion is supported in an arbitrary rotation manner.

A load controller according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, as in the fifth aspect, wherein the contact surface is the a front surface of the operation portion; the operation position is a position at which a portion of the operation portion is located further rearward than the reference position.

A load controller according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, as in any of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the load is a load capable of adjusting an output level; the first control system makes the load 1 control of the output level operation; the second control controls the load to operate at a second output level that is different from the first output level.

A load controller according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the seventh aspect, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation in which the operator does not move the contact position with the operation surface and touches the operation surface for a predetermined time or longer.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the load controller, the load control unit changes the first output position according to a time when the operator touches the operation surface in the first control. quasi.

A load controller according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, according to the ninth aspect, wherein the load control unit is in accordance with the current contact time at a predetermined time interval during a period in which the operator touches the operation surface The first output level is selected and the load is operated at the selected first output level.

A load controller according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, as in any of the seventh to tenth aspects, wherein the second output level is a maximum value of the output level.

A load controller according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, wherein the load is a lighting fixture; and the output level is a dimming level of the lighting fixture.

1, 1A, 1B‧‧‧ load controller

10‧‧‧Signal Processing Department

11, 111, 112‧‧‧1st detection unit (touch switch)

11a‧‧‧ button

12‧‧‧2nd detection unit (touch sensor)

13‧‧‧3rd detection unit (acceleration sensor)

14‧‧‧Output circuit

15‧‧‧Lighting diode (LED)

16‧‧‧Piezo buzzer

17‧‧‧Drive circuit (1st drive circuit)

18‧‧‧Drive circuit (2nd drive circuit)

19‧‧‧Power circuit

19a‧‧‧AC/DC Conversion Department

19b‧‧‧ Fixed voltage department

20‧‧‧Operation Department

20a‧‧‧ main parts

20b‧‧‧ side wall

20c‧‧‧Installation

20d‧‧‧protrusion

20e‧‧‧ prominence

21‧‧‧Touching the substrate

21a‧‧‧through holes

21b‧‧‧through hole

22‧‧‧Main substrate

23‧‧‧ Shield wall

24‧‧‧ Protrusion

25‧‧‧ 盖部

26‧‧‧Operation surface

27, 271, 272‧‧ ‧ contact surface

30‧‧‧Table components

30a‧‧‧ main parts

30b‧‧‧ side

30c‧‧‧ openings

30d‧‧‧ditch

31‧‧‧ flat frame

31a‧‧‧孔部

100‧‧‧LED lighting equipment

ST1‧‧‧1st state

ST2‧‧‧2nd state

ST3‧‧‧3rd state

P1~P6, P11~P16, P21~P25‧‧‧ control

1 is an exploded perspective view of a load controller of an embodiment 1.

2 is an exploded perspective view of the load controller of the first embodiment.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the load controller of the embodiment 1.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the load controller of the first embodiment.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of a load controller of the embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the load controller of the first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view showing a touch substrate provided in the load controller of the second embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing a part of the touch substrate of the load controller of the second embodiment.

Figure 9 is a front elevational view of the load controller of the second embodiment.

Figure 10 is a block diagram of a load controller of an embodiment 2.

Figure 11 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the load controller of the second embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a front elevational view showing a touch substrate provided in the load controller of the third embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a side sectional view showing a part of the touch substrate of the load controller of the third embodiment omitted.

Figure 14 is a front elevational view of the load controller of the third embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the load controller of the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the load controller of the present invention is applied to a control operation of a dimmable control lighting fixture will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Implementation 1)

1. Construction of load controller 1

The load controller 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 . In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the longitudinal direction of the load controller 1 is the vertical direction of FIG. 3, and the width direction of the load controller 1 is the left-right direction of FIG. Further, the front direction of the load controller 1 is the upward direction of FIG. 4, and the rear direction of the load controller 1 is the downward direction of FIG.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of the load controller 1 of the embodiment 1. The load controller 1 is used to control the operation of the dimmable control LED lighting fixture 100.

The load controller 1 of the present embodiment includes an operation unit 20 as shown in FIGS. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment includes a signal processing unit 10, a touch switch 11, a touch sensor 12, and an acceleration sensor 13.

The operation unit 20 is a member for the operator to operate the load (in the present embodiment, the LED lighting apparatus 100). The operation unit 20 is supported in such a manner as to be arbitrarily movable between the reference position and the operation position. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 20 is arbitrarily rotatable around the rotation axis of the load controller 1 in the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction of FIG. 3). For example, the operation unit 20 is attached to the plate member 30 so as to be rotatable. The reference position is a position at which the operation unit 20 is located at the forefront with respect to the plate member 30. The load controller 1 is designed such that the normal operation unit 20 is located at the reference position. The operation position is the position at which the operation unit 20 is located at the last position with respect to the plate member 30. That is, the operation position is at least a part of the operation unit 20 (in the present embodiment, the entire operation unit 20) is located rearward of the reference position.

Further, the operation unit 20 may be supported so as to be arbitrarily movable between at least the reference position and the operation position. Therefore, the movement range of the operation unit 20 is not limited to between the first position and the second position. Further, the operation unit 20 does not necessarily have to be supported in a rotatable manner.

The touch switch 11 has the function of the first detecting unit. The first detecting unit (touch switch) 11 determines whether or not an event (operation event) in which the operation unit 20 has moved from the reference position to the operation position has occurred.

In other words, the first detecting unit 11 is a switch (touch switch) that is pressed by the operation unit 20 when the operation unit 20 moves from the reference position to the operation position. In the present embodiment, the operator pushes the front surface of the operation portion 20 to move the operation portion 20 from the reference position to the operation position to cause an operation event. That is, the operation event can be said to be an operation of pushing the operation unit 20 by the operator. Therefore, the front surface of the operation unit 20 becomes a contact surface that the operator touches the operation unit 20 in order to cause an operation event.

The touch sensor 12 has the function of the second detecting unit. The second detecting unit (touch sensor) 12 measures the operation of the operator on the operation surface 26 provided on the operation unit 20. In this embodiment, The operation surface 26 is provided on the contact surface (the front surface of the operation unit 20). In the predetermined operation, for example, the operator does not move the contact position with the operation surface 26 to touch the operation surface 26 for a predetermined period of time. That is, the established action is a so-called click operation. Further, the predetermined actions are not limited to the above examples. The predetermined motion may be, for example, a drag operation, a slide operation, a tilt operation, or the like, or an operation of drawing a predetermined pattern (L-shape, circle, triangle, etc.) on the operation surface 26.

The acceleration sensor 13 has the function of a third detecting unit. The third detecting unit (acceleration sensor) 13 measures the acceleration of the operating unit 20.

When the operation detected by the second detecting unit 12 is a predetermined operation, the load control unit 10 performs the first control on the load, and when the first detecting unit 11 determines that an event has occurred, the load is different from the first control. The second control.

When the second detecting unit 12 measures the operation, the load control unit 10 determines whether or not the motion measured by the second detecting unit 12 is a predetermined action when the acceleration measured by the third detecting unit 13 does not reach a predetermined value. Judgment action. When the second detection unit 12 measures the operation, the load control unit 10 does not perform the determination operation when the acceleration measured by the third detection unit 13 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

In this embodiment, the load controlled by the load controller 1 is a load that can adjust the output level. Specifically, one of the load-based lighting fixtures, that is, the LED lighting fixture 100, has an output level that is a dimming level of the lighting fixture.

The load control unit 10 changes the state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 between the first state ST1, the second state ST2, and the third state ST3 (see FIG. 6).

The first state ST1 is a state in which the LED lighting apparatus 100 is turned off (that is, the extinguished state).

The second state ST2 is a state in which the LED lighting apparatus 100 is lit at the first dimming level. The first dimming level, for example, is 15% of the maximum value of the light output of the LED lighting fixture 100. The dimming level of the light output. Therefore, the second state ST2 can be referred to as a dimming lighting state.

The third state ST1 is a state in which the LED lighting apparatus 100 is lit at the second dimming level. Further, the second dimming level is a dimming level different from the first dimming level. The second dimming level, for example, is that the light output of the lighting fixture is the maximum value of the maximum dimming level. That is, the third state ST1 can be referred to as a fully lit state.

In the first state ST1 or the second state ST2, the load control unit 10 executes the second control when the first detecting unit 11 determines that an operation event (in the present embodiment, a push operation) occurs. The second control system controls (lighting control) that the load is turned on at the second dimming level (that is, the load is operated at the second output level) (P1, P2 in Fig. 6). In other words, the load control unit 10 changes the lighting state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 from the first state ST1 or the second state ST2 to the third state ST3.

In the third state ST3, when the first detecting unit 11 determines that an operation event (in the present embodiment, a push operation) occurs, the load control unit 10 executes the third control. The third control is a control for extinguishing the load (extinguish control) (P3 of Fig. 6). In other words, the load control unit 10 changes the lighting state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 from the third state ST3 to the first state ST1.

In the first state ST1 or the third state ST3, the load control unit 10 executes the first control when it is determined that the operation measured by the second detecting unit 12 is a predetermined operation. The first control system controls (dimming control) in which the load is turned on at the first dimming level (that is, the load is operated at the first output level) (P4, P5 in Fig. 6). In other words, the load control unit 10 changes the lighting state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 from the first state ST1 or the third state ST3 to the second state ST2.

In the second state ST2, when it is determined that the operation measured by the second detecting unit 12 is a predetermined operation, the load control unit 10 executes the third control (extinguishing control) (P6 in Fig. 6). In other words, the load control unit 10 changes the lighting state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 from the second state ST2 to the first state ST1.

Hereinafter, the load controller 1 will be described in detail. The load controller 1 includes a signal processing unit 10, a touch switch 11, a touch sensor 12, an acceleration sensor 13, an output circuit 14, a light emitting diode (LED) 15, a piezoelectric buzzer 16, and a drive. Circuits 17, 18, power circuit 19. Further, the output circuit 14, the light-emitting diode 15, the piezoelectric buzzer 16, the drive circuits 17, 18, and the power supply circuit 19 are not essential.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the touch switch 11 is attached to a substantially central portion of a rectangular main substrate 22 (for example, a printed wiring board) disposed on the back side of the operation unit 20.

When the operator pushes the operation unit 20 (moving the operation unit 20 from the reference position to the operation position), the back surface of the operation unit 20 presses the button 11a of the touch switch 11, and further switches the ON/OFF of the built-in contact. Thereafter, when the operator no longer presses the operation unit 20, the button 11a is returned to the original position by the spring force, whereby the operation unit 20 returns to the initial position (reference position). Here, the push operation refers to an operation of pushing the operation unit 20 by a predetermined stroke or more, and the touch switch 11 constitutes a first detection unit.

The touch sensor 12 is composed of a capacitive type sensor. In the present embodiment, a plurality of (for example, six) touch sensors 12 as shown in FIG. 1 are mounted on the surface of the touch substrate 21.

The touch substrate 21 is formed of a rectangular plate-shaped synthetic resin molded article having substantially the same length and width, and is disposed on the back side of the operation portion 20 so as to be parallel to the surface of the operation portion 20. Three touch sensors 12 are mounted side by side in the width direction (left-right direction) of the load controller 1 at one end portion (upper side portion) and the other end portion (lower side portion) of the surface of the touch substrate 21.

Since the operation unit 20 is formed of synthetic resin, when the operation unit 20 is touched by a finger in order to perform a click operation (predetermined operation), the electrostatic capacitance value of the touch sensor 12 located on the back side of the finger touch portion is generated. Variety. Here, the click operation refers to an operation of tapping the operation unit 20 with a finger, and the touch sensor 12 constitutes a second detection unit.

The acceleration sensor 13 is mounted on the touch substrate 21 and can be detected in at least the front and rear direction (ie, The acceleration applied to the operation unit 20 in the up and down direction of FIG. 4 . Here, the acceleration sensor 13 constitutes a third detecting unit.

Further, the touch sensor 12 mounted on the substrate 21 and the detection signal of the acceleration sensor 13 are input to a circuit to be mounted on the main substrate 22 to be described later through a wire (not shown).

The signal processing unit 10 performs overall control of the load controller 1, and detects a click operation or a push on the operation unit 20 based on inputs of the touch switch 11, the touch sensor 12, and the acceleration sensor 13. During operation, different load control is performed corresponding to the click operation or the push operation.

The output circuit 14 changes the voltage level of the output signal S1 in accordance with the control command of the signal processing section 10. The output signal S1 of the output circuit 14 is input to the LED lighting fixture 100, and the LED lighting fixture 100 controls the dimming level of the light-emitting diode (not shown) as a light source according to the voltage level of the output signal S1.

The light-emitting diode 15 is composed of, for example, a RGB full-color light-emitting diode, and a plurality of (for example, five) light-emitting diodes 15 are mounted on the main substrate 22. Five light-emitting diodes 15 are in the touch switch The left and right sides of the 11 are arranged at a certain interval, and are located at the approximate middle position of the touch sensor 12 arranged in the upper and lower rows.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a light shielding wall 23 surrounding the periphery of each of the light-emitting diodes 15 is provided on the main substrate 22. The light emission of each of the light-emitting diodes 15 is incident on the through hole 21a provided in the front, and the light shielding wall 23 prevents the light from the light-emitting diode 15 from entering the through hole 21a other than the through hole 21a corresponding thereto to reduce light leakage.

The drive circuit (first drive circuit) 17 controls the lighting/extinction of each of the light-emitting diodes 15 based on the input signal of the signal processing unit 10, and controls the light-emitting color of the light-emitting diodes 15 composed of the full-color LEDs.

Further, the drive circuit (second drive circuit) 18 causes the piezoelectric buzzer 16 to sound based on the input signal of the signal processing unit 10.

The power supply circuit 19 is composed of an AC/DC converter 19a and a fixed voltage unit 19b. The AC/DC converter unit 19a converts the AC power supplied from the commercial AC power source into DC power. The fixed voltage unit 19b is configured by, for example, an LDO (Low DropOut) regulator, and steps down the output voltage of the AC/DC converter 19a to a predetermined voltage and supplies it to the signal processing unit 10.

Next, the mechanical structure of the load controller 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 . 1 and 2 show exploded perspective views of the load controller 1, and Fig. 3 shows a front view of the load controller 1.

In the present embodiment, two load controllers 1 (1A, 1B) are attached to the plate member 30. The plate member 30 is composed of a synthetic resin molded article, and is integrally formed with a main portion 30a that is formed into a rectangular plate shape that is long in the longitudinal direction, and a side that protrudes rearward from a slightly inner side of the peripheral portion of the main portion 30a. Part 30b. The two rectangular opening portions 30c penetrating the main portion 30a in the front-rear direction are arranged side by side in the center of the front surface of the main portion 30a.

The two main substrates 22 are fixed to the back side of the main portion 30a by, for example, bolt locking. Each of the main substrates 22 is attached to a position facing the upper or lower opening portion 30c. The main substrate 22 is mounted with circuits other than the touch sensor 12 and the acceleration sensor 13 among the circuits shown in FIG. The touch switch 11 is attached to the center of the main substrate 22, and the five light-emitting diodes 15 are mounted in a row at a predetermined interval on the left and right sides of the touch switch 11.

The two operation units 20 are vertically arranged side by side on the front side of the main portion 30a so as to be disposed on the front side of the opening 30c.

The operation unit 20 is formed of a translucent synthetic resin, and has a square shape in a plan view, and includes a main portion 20a whose front surface serves as an operation surface and a side wall 20b that protrudes rearward from a peripheral portion of the main portion 20a. . The operation unit 20 is provided with a rectangular plate-shaped attachment piece 20c that protrudes to the left side from the rear portion of the left side wall 20b.

In the front surface of the flat plate member 30, a groove portion 30d extending in the vertical direction is formed on the left side of each opening portion 30c, and the attachment piece 20c is superposed on the front side of the groove portion 30d, and the attachment piece 20c is fixed to the groove portion 30d by using a member such as a bolt. This operation portion 20 is supported by the plate member 30 in a cantilever manner.

Further, on the back surface of the main portion 20a, a projection 20d that protrudes rearward is provided at a portion opposed to the button 11a of the touch switch 11 to which the main substrate 22 is attached.

Further, the operation portion 20 is provided integrally with a fixing protrusion 20e that protrudes from the rear portion of the right side wall 20b toward the right side.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the projection 20e abuts against the peripheral edge portion of the hole portion 31a of the plate frame 31 to be described later, thereby restricting the forward movement of the operation portion 20 to prevent the front surface of the operation portion 20 from being larger than the flat frame 31. The front is more prominent to the front.

The touch substrate 21 is mounted in a region surrounded by the main portion 20a and the side wall 20b.

The touch panel 21 is formed into a rectangular plate shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and each of the three touch sensors 12 is attached to the upper side portion and the lower side portion of the touch substrate 21.

When the substrate 21 is touched, a through hole 21a for guiding the light emitted from the light-emitting diode 15 to the front is formed at a portion corresponding to the light-emitting diode 15 to which the main substrate 22 is mounted. The light emission of each of the light-emitting diodes 15 is irradiated forward through the through hole 21a, and is transmitted through the operation portion 20 formed of a light-transmitting material to the outside from the front surface of the main portion 20a.

Further, the substrate 21 is touched, and a long hole-shaped through hole 21b through which the projection 20d can be inserted is formed in a portion opposed to the projection 20d of the operation portion 20. In a state where the touch substrate 21 is attached to the back side of the main portion 20a, the protrusion 20d protrudes rearward from the through hole 21b, and when the operation portion 20 is subjected to the pushing operation, the protruding portion of the protrusion 20d presses the button of the touch switch 11. 11a.

Further, a rectangular frame-shaped flat frame 31 can be attached to the front side of the flat plate member 30. The plate frame 31 is attached to the front surface of the plate member 30 by, for example, hooking a claw portion (not shown) provided on the back surface to a groove portion (not shown) of the flat plate member 30. A vertically long hole portion 31a in which an opening is formed is provided in the center of the plate frame 31, and a main portion 20a of each of the operation portions 20 attached to the plate member 30 is exposed forward from the hole portion 31a.

As described above, the main substrate 22 is attached to the back surface side of the flat plate member 30 by bolting or the like so as to expose the front surface from the opening 30c. On the front side of the plate member 30, the attachment piece 20c is fixed to the groove portion 30d, whereby the operation portion 20 is supported in a cantilever manner. The main portion 20a of the operation unit 20 is disposed so as to cover the opening 30c, and the touch substrate 21 attached to the back side of the main portion 20a is disposed on the front side of the main substrate 22.

Then, in the assembled state, as shown in FIG. 4, the projection 20d provided on the back surface of the main portion 20a opposes the button 11a of the touch switch 11. Since the operation portion 20 is supported by the plate member 30 in a cantilever manner through the attachment piece 20c, when the main portion 20a is pushed, the main portion 20a is rotated with the attachment piece 20c as a fulcrum, and the protrusion 20d presses the button 11a. Thereafter, when the main portion 20a is no longer pressed, the restoring force of the spring provided in the touch switch 11 causes the button 11a to return to the initial position, so the button 11a pushes the protrusion 20d, whereby the operation portion 20 returns to Initial position.

Further, the through hole 21a of the touch substrate 21 is located in front of the light-emitting diode 15 to which the main substrate 22 is mounted, and the light emitted from the light-emitting diode 15 enters the main portion 20a through the through hole 21a, and passes through the main portion 20a from the main portion. The front of 20a is illuminated to the outside.

Here, the signal processing unit 10 performs different load control when the click operation is performed and when the push operation is performed, and the determination of the click operation and the push operation is performed as follows.

When the operator performs the pushing operation on the main portion 20a, since the operation portion 20 is pushed by the predetermined stroke or more, the projection 20d located on the back side of the main portion 20a is pressed and actuated. The button 11a of the switch 11 is turned off, whereby the touch switch 11 is switched to, for example, ON. Thereafter, when the operation portion 20 is no longer pressed, the button 11a of the touch switch 11 is returned to the initial position by the restoring force of the built-in spring, and the touch switch 11 is switched to, for example, OFF. In this manner, since the touch switch 11 is switched ON only when the main portion 20a is pushed in, the signal processing unit 10 can detect whether or not the push operation is performed based on the ON/OFF state of the touch switch 11.

Further, when the operator performs a click operation on the operation unit 20, the electrostatic capacitance value of the touch sensor 12 disposed on the back side of the operation unit 20 changes. The signal processing unit 10 is connected to each of the plurality of touch sensors 12, and by comparing the electrostatic capacitances of the respective touch sensors 12 with the predetermined reference values, the corresponding touch sensors 12 can be determined. Whether or not each part of the main part 20a is touched by a finger (human body).

Here, since the area subjected to the click operation in the main portion 20a overlaps with the area subjected to the push operation, when the operation portion 20 is subjected to the push operation, the operator's finger touches the surface of the operation portion 20, making it touchable. The electrostatic capacitance value of the touch sensor 12 changes. Therefore, the click operation and the push operation cannot be discriminated by merely touching the output of the sensor 12. In the present embodiment, the signal processing unit 10 is based on the output of the touch sensor 12 and the output of the acceleration sensor 13. , to identify and detect click and push operations.

That is, when the operation portion 20 is subjected to the click operation, the peak value of the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 13 is lower than that in the case of the push operation, and the time at which the acceleration is detected is also short. An acceleration threshold for distinguishing the click operation and the push operation is set in advance in the signal processing unit 10, and when the electrostatic capacitance value of any of the touch sensors 12 exceeds a predetermined reference value, the acceleration sensor 13 detects The acceleration reached is compared to a predetermined threshold.

Here, if the detected acceleration is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the signal processing unit 10 determines that the push operation is performed, so that the load control corresponding to the click operation is not performed, but the ON/OFF switching of the touch switch 11 is performed. Push the load control corresponding to the operation.

On the other hand, if the detected acceleration does not reach the threshold, at a given decision time (ratio When the operation unit 20 pushes in a predetermined time period when the required time is shorter, the signal processing unit 10 determines that the click operation is performed, and performs load control corresponding to the click operation.

Further, in the case of the click operation, the operation unit 20 is not pressed by the predetermined stroke or more, and therefore the touch switch 11 is not switched ON.

Here, the touch switch 11 constitutes a first detecting unit that detects the pushing operation of the operation unit 20, and the touch sensor 12 constitutes a second detecting unit that detects a click operation of the operation unit 20. Further, in the present embodiment, two sets of load controllers 1 are mounted on the flat plate member 30, and the operation unit 20, the touch substrate 21, and the main substrate 22 constitute a set of the load controller 1.

2. Action of load controller 1

Next, the operation of the load controller 1 of the present embodiment will be described. When the click processing or the pushing operation is detected in the above manner, the signal processing unit 10 performs load control corresponding to the click operation or the push operation, and the operation sequence thereof is shown in FIG. 6.

In the operation sequence of FIG. 6, when it is detected that the operation unit 20 is subjected to the push operation, the signal processing unit 10 causes the operation state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 to alternately switch between the fully illuminated state ST3 and the extinguished state ST1. Further, when it is detected that the operation unit 20 is subjected to the click operation, the signal processing unit 10 causes the operation state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 to be turned off in the dimming state ST2 that is lit at a predetermined dimming level (first dimming level). Switch between states ST1.

First, in a state where the LED lighting apparatus 100 is turned off (ST1 of FIG. 6), the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 17, and lights each of the light-emitting diodes 15 in green to show the position.

In addition, in the state in which the LED lighting apparatus 100 is lit at a predetermined dimming level (for example, a dimming level of 15% when the dimming level is 100% in a fully lit state) (ST2 of FIG. 6), signal processing The unit 10 controls the drive circuit 17 to illuminate each of the light-emitting diodes 15 in the color of the bulb, thereby notifying that the light is being turned on in the dimming lighting state.

When the LED lighting apparatus 100 is in the extinguishing or dimming lighting state (ST1 or ST2 of FIG. 6) and the operator performs the pushing operation (P1, P2 of FIG. 6), the signal processing section 10 according to the touch switch 11, touches The input signals of the sensor 12 and the acceleration sensor 13 detect a push operation.

When the push processing operations P1 and P2 are detected, the signal processing unit 10 outputs a full lighting signal from the output circuit 14 to the LED lighting apparatus 100, and lights the LED lighting apparatus 100 in a fully lit state (ST3 in Fig. 6).

Further, the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 18 to emit a sound effect (for example, a sound effect such as "哔, 哔") from the piezoelectric buzzer 16, and controls the drive circuit 17 to light each of the light-emitting diodes 15 in red. This notification has been switched to the fully lit state.

When the LED lighting apparatus 100 is in the fully lit state (ST3 of FIG. 6) and the operator performs the pushing operation (P3 of FIG. 6), the signal processing section 10 detects the touch switch 11, the touch sensor 12, and the acceleration sensing. The input signal of the device 13 detects the push operation.

When the push operation P3 is detected, the signal processing unit 10 outputs a turn-off signal to the LED lighting apparatus 100 from the output circuit 14, and turns off the LED lighting apparatus 100 (ST1 of FIG. 6).

Further, the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 18 to emit a notification sound effect (for example, a sound effect such as "哔~") from the piezoelectric buzzer 16, thereby notifying that the sound has been switched to the extinguished state. Further, the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 17 to illuminate each of the light-emitting diodes 15 in green, thereby notifying that the light-emitting diodes 15 have been switched to the extinguished state and displaying the position.

When the LED lighting apparatus 100 is in a state of being extinguished or fully lit (ST1 or ST3 of FIG. 6) and the operator performs a click operation (P4, P5 of FIG. 6), the signal processing section 10 according to the touch sensor 12 and The input of the acceleration sensor 13 detects a click operation.

The signal processing unit 10 pairs the LEDs from the output circuit 14 when the click operations P4 and P5 are detected. The lighting fixture 100 outputs a dimming signal, and illuminates the LED lighting fixture 100 with a predetermined dimming level (for example, a dimming level of 15%) (ST2 of FIG. 6).

Further, the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 18 to emit a sound effect (for example, a sound effect such as "哔") from the piezoelectric buzzer 16, and controls the drive circuit 17 to light each of the light-emitting diodes 15 in a bulb color. The notification has been switched to the dimming lighting state.

Further, when the LED lighting apparatus 100 is in the dimming lighting state (ST2 of FIG. 6) and the operator performs the click operation (P6 of FIG. 6), the signal processing section 10 is based on the touch sensor 12 and the acceleration sensor 13 The input detects a click action.

When the click processing P6 is detected, the signal processing unit 10 outputs an extinguishing signal to the LED lighting apparatus 100 from the output circuit 14, and turns off the LED lighting apparatus 100 (ST1 of FIG. 6).

Further, the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 18 to emit a notification sound effect (for example, a sound effect such as "哔~") from the piezoelectric buzzer 16, thereby notifying that the sound has been switched to the extinguished state. Further, the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 17 to illuminate each of the light-emitting diodes 15 in green, thereby notifying that the light-emitting diodes 15 have been switched to the extinguished state and displaying the position.

3. Features of Load Controller 1

As described above, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment includes the first detecting unit (consisting of the touch switch 11), the second detecting unit (consisting of the touch sensor 12), and the load control unit. (Constructed by the signal processing unit 10). The first detecting unit detects a pushing operation performed by the operator on the operation unit 20. The second detecting unit detects a click operation performed by the operator on the operation unit 20. The load control unit performs different load control when the first detecting unit detects the push operation and when the second detecting unit detects the click operation.

In other words, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment can be said to have the following first feature. In the first feature, the load controller 1 includes an operation unit 20, a first detection unit 11, a second detection unit 12, and a load control unit 10. The operation unit 20 is arbitrarily movable between the reference position and the operation position The style is supported and the operator uses its operational load. The first detecting unit 11 determines whether or not an event that the operation unit 20 has moved from the reference position to the operation position has occurred. The second detecting unit 12 measures the operation of the operator on the operation surface 26 provided in the operation unit 20. When the operation detected by the second detecting unit 12 is a predetermined operation, the load control unit 10 performs the first control on the load, and when the first detecting unit 11 determines that the event has occurred, the load is subjected to the first control different from the first control. 2 control.

Thereby, since different load control can be realized by performing a click operation or a push operation on the same operation unit 20, the operation unit can be reduced as compared with the case where the operation unit for performing different load control is separately provided. The number of 20. Therefore, the miniaturization of the load controller 1 can be achieved and the design can be improved.

That is, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment performs different load control depending on whether the operation unit 20 performs a push operation or a click operation, so that it is set separately to perform different loads. In the case of the controlled operation unit 20, the number of the operation units 20 can be reduced, and the load controller 1 can be miniaturized.

In addition, in the embodiment, the same load is controlled to different control states to implement different load control, but load control of different loads can also be performed by clicking operation or shaking operation.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the operation unit 20, the first detecting unit (the touch switch 11) detects the area of the push operation and the second detecting unit (the touch sensor 12) detects at least a part of the click operation area. overlapping. Then, the acceleration sensor 13 that can detect the acceleration applied to the operation unit 20 is provided as the third detection unit, and the load control unit (signal processing unit 10) detects the operation performed on the operation unit 20 by the second detection unit. At the time of the detection result of the third detecting unit, it is determined whether the operation detected by the second detecting unit is a click operation or a push operation.

In other words, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the following second feature on the first feature. In the second feature, the load controller 1 further includes a third detecting unit 13 that can measure the acceleration of the operating unit 20. The operating surface 26 is provided by the operator in order to trigger an event (operation event) The contact surface of the operation unit 20 is touched (in the present embodiment, the front surface of the operation unit 20). When the second detecting unit 12 measures the operation, the load control unit 10 performs a determination operation when the acceleration measured by the third detecting unit 13 does not reach a predetermined threshold value, and determines the motion measured by the second detecting unit 12. Whether it is an established action. When the second detection unit 12 measures the operation, the load control unit 10 does not perform the determination operation when the acceleration measured by the third detection unit 13 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

Thereby, it is difficult to detect the operation of touching the operation unit 20 in order to perform the push operation as a click operation.

Further, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the following third feature on the first or second feature. In the second feature, the first detecting unit 11 is a switch that is pressed by the operating unit 20 when the operating unit 20 moves from the reference position to the operating position. The load control unit 10 executes the second control when the switch is pressed. In addition, the third feature is an arbitrary feature.

Further, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the following fourth feature on the third feature. In the fourth feature, the operation unit 20 is supported in an arbitrarily rotatable manner. In addition, the fourth feature is an arbitrary feature.

Further, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the following fifth feature on the fourth feature. In the fifth feature, the contact surface is the front surface of the operation unit 20. The operation position is a position at which a part of the operation unit 20 is located later than the reference position. In addition, the fifth feature is an arbitrary feature.

Further, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the following sixth feature on any of the first to fifth features. In the sixth feature, the load can adjust the output level of the load. The first control is a control that causes the load to operate at the first output level. The second control is a control for causing the load to operate at a second output level different from the first output level, or a control for stopping the load. In addition, the sixth feature is an arbitrary feature.

Further, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the following seventh feature on the sixth feature. In the seventh feature, the predetermined action is that the operator does not make contact with the operation surface 26 When the movement is performed, the operation surface 26 is touched for a predetermined time or longer. In addition, the seventh feature is an arbitrary feature.

Further, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the following eighth feature on any of the sixth or seventh features. In the eighth feature, the second output level is the maximum value of the output level. In addition, the eighth feature is an arbitrary feature.

Further, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the following ninth feature on the sixth to eighth features. In the ninth feature, the load is a lighting fixture, and the output level is the dimming level of the lighting fixture. In addition, the ninth feature is an arbitrary feature.

(Implementation 2)

1. Construction of load controller 1

The load controller 1 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 11 . In addition, constituent elements common to the embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

Since the area in which the operation mode 1 is subjected to the push operation in the operation portion 20 overlaps with the area subjected to the click operation, it is necessary to provide the acceleration sensor 13 for discriminating the push operation and the click operation.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the region (the contact faces 271, 272) subjected to the push operation in the operation portion 20 and the region (the operation face 26) subjected to the click operation are divided into different regions, so that acceleration is not required. Sensor 13.

Further, in the first embodiment, since one end side of the operation unit 20 is supported by the cantilever method and the other end side of the operation unit 20 is pushed, only one of the touch switches 11 is provided.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the operation portion 20 is rotatably supported in the intermediate portion in the left-right direction, and the right side portion (contact surface 271) and the left side portion (contact surface 272) of the operation portion 20 are possible. Since the push operation is performed separately, two touch switches 11 that can respectively detect the push operation received by the right side portion (contact surface 271) and the push operation received by the left side portion (272) are provided.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the embodiment, except that the acceleration sensor 13 is not provided and the two touch switches 11 are connected, the same as the circuit described in the first embodiment, and the common constituent elements are attached. The same symbols are used and the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the mechanical structure of the load controller 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9 .

The load controller 1 of the present embodiment includes an operation unit 20 as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment includes a signal processing unit 10, two touch switches 11 (111, 112), and a touch sensor 12.

The operation unit 20 is a member for operating the load (in the present embodiment, the LED lighting apparatus 100). The operation unit 20 is supported so as to be arbitrarily movable between the reference position and the operation position (the first operation position and the second operation position). For example, the first operation position is a position that moves from the reference position to the first direction, and the second operation position is a position that moves from the reference position to the second direction that is different from the first direction.

In the present embodiment, the operation unit 20 is arbitrarily rotatable around the rotation axis along the longitudinal direction of the load controller 1 (the vertical direction of FIG. 9). For example, the operation portion 20 is supported by the flat plate member 30 at a central portion in the width direction (the horizontal direction in FIG. 9) so as to arbitrarily rotate around the rotation axis along the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction of FIG. 9).

The reference position is such that the front surface of the operation unit 20 forms a parallel position with the front surface of the plate member 30. The load controller 1 is designed such that the normal operation unit 20 is located at the reference position.

The first operation position is a position that is rotated from the reference position in the first direction (for example, the clockwise direction in FIG. 8). That is, the first operation position is a portion (the right end portion of FIG. 9) of the operation portion 20 located at a position rearward of the reference position.

The second operation position is from the reference position to the second direction (for example, the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 8) The position of the rotation. That is, in the second operation position, a part (the left end portion of FIG. 9) of the operation unit 20 is located rearward of the reference position.

The operation unit 20 is formed of a translucent synthetic resin, and includes a main portion 20a having a square shape in a plan view and a front surface serving as an operation surface, and a side wall projecting rearward from a peripheral portion of the main portion 20a. 20b. The operation unit 20 is rotatably attached to the plate member 30 with the intermediate portion in the left-right direction as an axis. In other words, the operation portion 20 is supported at a central portion in the width direction (the horizontal direction in FIG. 9) so as to arbitrarily rotate around the rotation axis along the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 9).

The main substrate 22 is attached to the flat plate member 30 so as to be parallel to the front surface of the main portion 20a at the intermediate position on the back side of the main portion 20a. One RGB full-color light-emitting diode 15 is mounted at the center of the main substrate 22.

Further, the main board 22 is provided with touch switches 11 (111) and 11 (112) at both ends in the left-right direction. On the back side of the main portion 20a, protrusions 24 are provided on the portions of the buttons 11a facing the respective touch switches 11, and the protrusions 20d are inserted into the through holes (not shown) of the touch substrate 21, and the substrates are touched. The rear of 21 protrudes toward the rear.

Each of the touch switches 111 and 112 has a function of a first detecting unit.

The first detecting unit 111 determines whether or not an event (first operation event) in which the operation unit 20 has moved from the reference position to the first operation position has occurred. In other words, the first detecting unit 111 is a switch (touch switch) that is pressed by the operating unit 20 when the operation unit 20 moves from the reference position to the first operation position. In the present embodiment, the first end portion (the right end portion of FIG. 9) of the front surface of the operation portion 20 in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the operation portion 20 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 9) is pushed by the operator. The pressure causes the operation unit 20 to move from the reference position to the first operation position, whereby the first operation event occurs. That is, the first operation event can be said to be an operation of pushing the operation unit 20 by the operator. Therefore, the first end portion of the front surface of the operation unit 20 serves as the contact surface 27 (271) that the operator touches the operation portion 20 in order to cause the first operation event.

The first detecting unit 112 determines whether or not an event (second operation event) in which the operation unit 20 has moved from the reference position to the second operation position has occurred. In other words, the first detecting unit 112 is a switch (touch switch) that is pressed by the operating unit 20 when the operation unit 20 moves from the reference position to the second operation position. In the present embodiment, the second end portion (the left end portion of FIG. 9) of the front surface of the operation portion 20 is pressed by the operator in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the operation portion 20 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 9). The operation unit 20 is moved from the reference position to the second operation position, whereby the second operation event occurs. That is, the second operation event can be said to be an operation of pushing the operation unit 20 by the operator. Therefore, the second end portion on the front surface of the operation unit 20 serves as the contact surface 27 (272) that the operator touches the operation portion 20 in order to cause the second operation event.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the substrate 21 is formed of a rectangular plate shape from a synthetic resin, and a plurality of (for example, four) touch sensors 12 are attached so that the intermediate portions in the left-right direction are arranged side by side. In other words, the touch sensor 12 is attached to a region other than the region (the right end portion and the left end portion) that is pushed by the main portion 20a, that is, the central portion of the main portion 20a that is the center of rotation in the left-right direction.

The touch sensor 12 has the function of the second detecting unit. The second detecting unit (touch sensor) 12 can measure the motion of the operator on the operation surface 26 provided on the operation unit 20. In the present embodiment, the operation surface 26 is provided at the center portion (the center portion of FIG. 9) of the front surface of the operation portion 20 in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the operation portion 20 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 9). . In other words, the operation surface 26 is provided at a portion of the operation unit 20 that is different from the contact surface 27 (271, 272) that the operator touches the operation unit 20 in order to cause an event (a first operation event and a second operation event).

Further, the touch substrate 21 is provided with a through hole 21a at a portion opposed to the light-emitting diode 15 to which the main substrate 22 is mounted. The light emitted from the light-emitting diode 15 enters the main portion 20a through the through hole 21a, passes through the light-transmitting main portion 20a, and is irradiated forward from the front surface of the main portion 20a.

In the present embodiment, when the left end portion or the right end portion of the main portion 20a of the operation portion 20 is subjected to the pushing operation, the operation portion 20 is rotated to be moved sideways to the rear side. With operation The rotation of the portion 20 causes the protrusion 24 on the side to be pressed to press the button 11a of the touch switch 11, and the touch switch 11 is switched from OFF to ON, for example.

The signal processing unit 10 detects that one of the left end portion and the right end portion of the operation portion 20 is pushed by the input of the touch switch 11. Thereafter, when the operator no longer pushes the operation portion 20, the touch switch 11 is turned OFF. Further, the button 11a is returned to the original position by the restoring force of the spring built in the touch switch 11, whereby the operation unit 20 returns to the initial position.

Further, when the central portion of the main portion 20a of the operation portion 20 in the left-right direction is subjected to the click operation, the electrostatic capacitance value of the touch sensor 12 located on the back side of the region where the main portion 20a is subjected to the click operation is caused by the human body ( For example, the proximity of the operator's finger or the like changes. Therefore, the signal processing unit 10 compares the input of the touch sensor 12 with the predetermined reference value, thereby determining whether each of the touch sensors 12 detects a finger (human body), that is, whether or not a click operation is performed.

As described above, the signal processing unit 10 detects whether or not the push operation is performed based on the input of the touch switch 11, and detects whether or not the click operation is performed based on the input of the touch sensor 12.

The load control unit (signal processing unit) 10 performs the first control on the load (the LED lighting apparatus 100) when the operation measured by the second detecting unit 12 is a predetermined operation. The first control is a control (dimming control) in which the load is lit at the first dimming level (that is, the load is operated at the first output level).

When the first detecting unit 11 determines that an event (a first operation event or a second operation event) has occurred, the load control unit 10 performs a second control that is different from the first control to the load (the LED lighting apparatus 100). In the present embodiment, the second control includes a fourth control corresponding to the first operation event and a fifth control corresponding to the second operation event.

When the first detecting unit 111 determines that an event (first operation event) has occurred, the load control unit 10 performs a fourth control different from the first control on the load (the LED lighting apparatus 100). In this In the embodiment, the load control unit 10 executes the fourth control when the first detecting unit (touch switch) 111 is pressed. The fourth control is a control (lighting control) in which the load is lit at the second dimming level (that is, the load is operated at the second output level).

When the first detecting unit 112 determines that an event (second operation event) has occurred, the load control unit 10 performs a fifth control that is different from the first control to the load (the LED lighting apparatus 100). In the present embodiment, the load control unit 10 executes the fifth control when the first detecting unit (touch switch) 112 is pressed. The fifth control is a control to turn off the load (extinguish control).

More specifically, the load control unit 10 changes the state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 between the first state ST1, the second state ST2, and the third state ST3 in the same manner as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 11).

In the first state ST1 or the second state ST2, the load control unit 10 executes the fourth control (lighting control) when the first detecting unit 111 determines that the first operation event has occurred. In other words, the load control unit 10 changes the lighting state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 from the first state ST1 or the second state ST2 to the third state ST3 (P11, P12 in Fig. 11).

In the second state ST2 or the third state ST2, the load control unit 10 executes the fifth control (extinguishing control) when the first detecting unit 112 determines that the second operation event has occurred. In other words, the load control unit 10 changes the lighting state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 from the second state ST2 or the third state ST3 to the first state ST1 (P13, P14 in Fig. 11).

In the first state ST1 or the third state ST3, the load control unit 10 executes the first control (dimming control) when it is determined that the operation measured by the second detecting unit 12 is a predetermined operation. In other words, the load control unit 10 changes the lighting state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 from the first state ST1 or the third state ST3 to the second state ST2 (P15, P16 in Fig. 11).

2. Action of load controller 1

Next, the operation of the load controller 1 of the present embodiment will be described. The signal processing unit 10 is When the above-described method detects a click operation or a push operation, load control corresponding to the click operation or the push operation is performed, and the operation sequence thereof is shown in FIG.

In the operation sequence of FIG. 11, when the pushing operation of the right side portion (contact surface 271) of the pressing operation portion 20 is detected, the signal processing portion 10 completely lights the LED lighting apparatus 100, and when the pressing operation portion 20 is detected When the left side portion (contact surface 272) is pushed, the signal processing unit 10 turns off the LED lighting apparatus 100. Further, when it is detected that the operation unit 20 is subjected to the click operation, the signal processing unit 10 dims the LED lighting apparatus 100 at a predetermined dimming level (for example, a dimming level of 15%).

First, in a state where the LED lighting apparatus 100 is turned off (ST1 of FIG. 11), the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 17, and lights the light-emitting diode 15 in green to show the position.

Further, in a state in which the LED lighting apparatus 100 is dimmed at a predetermined dimming level (ST2 in FIG. 11), the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 17 to light the light-emitting diode 15 in a bulb color. This notification is being lit in the dimming lighting state.

When the LED lighting apparatus 100 is turned off or the dimming lighting state and the operator performs a pushing operation on the right side portion of the operation unit 20 (P11, P12 in FIG. 11), the signal processing unit 10 operates the touch switch 11 according to the right side. The input signal detects the pushing operation of the right side being pushed.

When detecting the push operations P11 and P12 in which the right side portion is pressed, the signal processing unit 10 outputs a full lighting signal from the output circuit 14 to the LED lighting apparatus 100, and lights the LED lighting apparatus 100 in a fully lit state (Fig. 11 of ST3).

Further, the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 18 to emit a notification sound effect (for example, a sound effect such as "哔, 哔") from the piezoelectric buzzer 16, and controls the drive circuit 17 to illuminate the light-emitting diode 15 in red. The notification has been switched to the fully lit state.

When the LED lighting apparatus 100 is in the dimming lighting or the fully lighting state (ST2, ST3 in FIG. 11) and the operator performs the pushing operation on the left side portion of the operation portion 20, the signal processing portion 10 is configured according to the left side of the touch switch. The input signal of 11 detects the pushing operation of the left side being pushed.

When detecting the pushing operations P13 and P14 in which the left side portion is pressed, the signal processing unit 10 outputs an extinguishing signal to the LED lighting apparatus 100 from the output circuit 14 to turn off the LED lighting apparatus 100 (ST1 in Fig. 11).

Further, the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 18 to emit a notification sound effect (for example, a sound effect such as "哔~") from the piezoelectric buzzer 16, thereby notifying that the sound has been switched to the extinguished state. Further, the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 17 to illuminate the light-emitting diode 15 in green, thereby notifying that the light-off diode 15 has been switched to the extinguished state and displaying the position.

Further, when the LED lighting apparatus 100 is turned off or completely turned on (ST1, ST3 in FIG. 10) and the operator performs a click operation, the signal processing unit 10 detects a click operation based on the input of the touch sensor 12.

When detecting the click operations P15 and P16, the signal processing unit 10 outputs a dimming signal from the output circuit 14 to the LED lighting apparatus 100, and sets the LED lighting apparatus 100 to a predetermined dimming level (for example, a dimming level of 15%). ) Dimming is lit (ST2 in Fig. 11).

Further, the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 18 to emit a notification sound effect (for example, a sound effect such as "哔") from the piezoelectric buzzer 16, and controls the drive circuit 17 to illuminate the light-emitting diode 15 with the light bulb color, thereby notifying that the light-emitting diode 15 is lit. Has switched to the dimming lighting state.

3. Features of Load Controller 1

As described above, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment includes the first detecting unit (consisting of the touch switch 11), the second detecting unit (consisting of the touch sensor 12), and the load control unit. (Constructed by the signal processing unit 10). The first detecting unit detects an operation of pushing the operation unit 20 by the operator. The second detecting unit detects an operator's click operation on the operation unit 20. Load control unit The first detecting unit detects a different load control when the push operation is detected and when the second detecting unit detects the click operation.

In other words, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the above-described first feature as in the first embodiment. Further, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the above-described third to ninth features on the first feature. In addition, the third to ninth features are arbitrary features.

In this case, different load control can be realized by performing a click operation or a push operation on the same operation unit 20, so that the operation unit can be reduced as compared with the case where the operation unit for performing different load control is separately provided. The number of 20. Therefore, the miniaturization of the load controller 1 can be achieved, and the design can be improved.

That is, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment performs the push operation or the click operation on the operation unit 20, and the load control unit 10 performs different load control, so that it is separately set to perform different load control. In the case of the operation unit 20, the number of the operation units 20 can be reduced, and the load controller 1 can be miniaturized.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the same load is controlled to different control states, thereby performing different load control, but load control of different loads can be performed by clicking operation or shaking operation.

Further, in the present embodiment, the operation unit 20 is rotatably supported, and the first detection unit is constituted by the touch switch 11, which is driven by the operation of the operation unit 20 that is rotated by the push operation. . Further, the second detecting unit (consisting of the touch sensor 12) can detect a click operation performed on a portion that is rotatably supported by the operation unit 20.

Further, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the following tenth feature, instead of the second feature of the first aspect. In the tenth feature, the operation surface 26 is provided at a portion of the operation portion 20 that is different from the contact surface 27 that the operator touches the operation portion 20 in order to cause an event (operation event). In addition, the 10th feature is an arbitrary feature.

In this way, in the operation unit 20, since the area in which the push operation is detected is different from the area in which the click operation is detected, components such as the acceleration sensor 13 for discriminating the push operation and the click operation are not required, and it is not easy. A misjudgment has caused a detection error in the operation and click operation.

Further, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the following eleventh feature on any of the first and third to tenth features. In the eleventh feature, the operation unit 20 is supported so as to be arbitrarily movable between the reference position and the first operation position and the second operation position. The event (operation event) includes an event (first operation event) in which the operation unit 20 moves from the reference position to the first operation position, and an event (second operation event) in which the operation unit 20 moves from the reference position to the second operation position. The second control includes a fourth control corresponding to the first operation event and a fifth control corresponding to the second operation event. When the first detecting unit 11 (111) determines that an event (first operation event) occurs, the load control unit 10 performs a fourth control that is different from the first control to the load (the LED lighting apparatus 100). When the first detecting unit 11 (112) determines that an event (second operation event) has occurred, the load control unit 10 performs a fifth control that is different from the first control to the load (the LED lighting apparatus 100). The 11th feature is any special feature.

Further, in the eleventh feature, the fourth control system controls the lighting (lighting control) by lighting the load at the second dimming level (that is, operating the load at the second output level). For example, the fifth control system controls the load to be extinguished (extinguish control). Further, the fifth control may be a control (lighting control) for lighting the load at a third dimming level that is different from the first dimming level and the second dimming level.

(Implementation 3)

1. Construction of load controller 1

The load controller 1 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 15 . In addition, constituent elements common to the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described.

In the second embodiment, the operation portion 20 is rotatably supported at an intermediate portion in the left-right direction. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the operation portion 20 is in the left-right direction. One side (for example, the left side) is supported as a center and can be arbitrarily rotated.

The load controller 1 of the present embodiment includes an operation unit 20 as shown in FIG. Further, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment includes the signal processing unit 10, the touch switch 11, and the touch sensor 12, similarly to the first embodiment.

The operation unit 20 is a member for the operator to operate the load (in the present embodiment, the LED lighting apparatus 100). The operation unit 20 is supported in such a manner as to be arbitrarily movable between the reference position and the operation position. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 20 has the width direction (the horizontal direction in FIG. 14) so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis along the longitudinal direction of the load controller 1 (the vertical direction of FIG. 14). The upper first end side (the left end side of FIG. 14) is supported on the plate member 30.

The reference position is a position at which the operation unit 20 is located at the forefront with respect to the plate member 30. The load controller 1 is designed such that the normal operation unit 20 is located at the reference position.

The operation position is the position at which the operation unit 20 is located at the last position with respect to the plate member 30. That is, the operation position is at least a part of the operation unit 20 (in the present embodiment, the entire operation unit 20) is located rearward of the reference position.

In the present embodiment, the operator can push the portion on the second end side (the right end side in FIG. 14) in the width direction of the operation portion 20 in the front surface of the operation portion 20, and move the operation portion 20 from the reference position to Operating position.

That is, the main portion 20a is pushed on the opposite side (for example, the right side portion) in the left-right direction, whereby the main portion 20a is rotated, and as shown in Fig. 13, the main substrate 22 is on the right side with the main portion 20a. One touch switch 11 is mounted at the opposite position. Further, on the back surface of the main portion 20a, a projection 24 for pressing the button 11a of the touch switch 11 is provided at a position opposed to the touch switch 11.

The touch switch 11 has the function of the first detecting unit. The first detecting unit 11 determines whether or not occurrence The event (operation event) in which the operation unit 20 moves from the reference position to the operation position. In other words, the first detecting unit 11 is a switch (touch switch) that is pressed by the operating unit 20 when the operation unit 20 moves from the reference position to the first operation position. In the present embodiment, the operator pushes the second end side of the front surface of the operation unit 20 in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the operation unit 20 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 14) (the right end side of FIG. 14) The portion moves the operating portion 20 from the reference position to the operating position, thereby causing an operational event. That is, the operation event may be a push operation performed by the operator on the operation unit 20. Therefore, the portion on the second end side of the front surface of the operation portion 20 serves as the contact surface 27 that the operator touches the operation portion 20 in order to cause an operation event.

Further, the touch sensor 12 is attached to the surface of the touch panel 21 on one side in the left-right direction (the left side portion of the operation portion 20 that is rotatably supported). The touch sensor 12 is attached to each of the upper side and the lower side of the touch substrate 21, and the touch substrate 21 has a through hole 21a formed in the intermediate portion of the two touch sensors 12.

The touch sensor 12 has the function of the second detecting unit. The second detecting unit (touch sensor) 12 can measure the motion of the operator on the operation surface 26 provided on the operation unit 20. In the present embodiment, the operation surface 26 is provided on the first end side of the front surface of the operation unit 20 in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the operation unit 20 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 14) (the left end of FIG. 14) On the side). That is, the operation surface 26 is provided at a portion of the operation portion 20 that is different from the contact surface 27 that the operator touches the operation portion 20 in order to cause an event (operation event).

Then, the main substrate 22 is mounted with the RGB full-color light-emitting diode 15 at a position opposed to the through hole 21a. Further, the main portion 20a is provided with a through hole (not shown) at a position facing the mounting position of the touch sensor 12, and a rectangular plate-shaped cover portion is attached so as to close the plug through the through hole. 25. Therefore, the front surface of the lid portion 25 becomes the operation surface 26.

Since the lid portion 25 protrudes slightly more forward than the front surface of the main portion 20a, it is possible to easily distinguish the region where the touch operation can be detected. Further, since the lid portion 25 is formed of a light transmissive material, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 15 is irradiated forward by touching the through hole 21a of the substrate 21 and the lid portion 25.

In the present embodiment, when the right side portion of the main portion 20a is subjected to the pushing operation, the operation portion 20 is centered on the shaft portion (not shown) provided on the left side portion, and is moved toward the rear side by the pressing side. Rotate. Then, as the operation unit 20 rotates, the protrusion 24 located on the back side of the main portion 20a presses the button 11a of the touch switch 11, and the touch switch 11 is switched from OFF to ON, for example.

At this time, the signal processing unit 10 detects that the operation unit 20 is subjected to the push operation based on the input of the touch switch 11. Thereafter, when the operator no longer pushes the operation portion 20, the touch switch 11 is turned OFF. Further, the button 11a is returned to the original position by the restoring force of the spring built in the touch switch 11, and the operation unit 20 also returns to the initial position.

Further, when the surface of the cover portion 25 of the main portion 20a is subjected to a click operation, the electrostatic capacitance value of the touch sensor 12 located on the back side of the cover portion 25 may be due to the approach of the human body (for example, an operator's finger or the like). Make a difference. Therefore, the signal processing unit 10 compares the input of the touch sensor 12 with the predetermined reference value, thereby determining whether the finger (human body) is detected at each of the touch sensors 12, that is, whether or not it is received. Click on the action.

As described above, the signal processing unit 10 detects whether or not the push operation is performed based on the input of the touch switch 11, and detects whether or not the click operation is performed based on the input of the touch sensor 12.

Similarly to the first and second embodiments, the load control unit 10 changes the state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 between the first state ST1, the second state ST2, and the third state ST3 (see FIG. 15).

In the first state ST1, when the first detecting unit 11 determines that an operation event has occurred (in the present embodiment, it is a push operation), the load control unit 10 executes the second control (lighting control). In other words, the load control unit 10 changes the lighting state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 from the first state ST1 to the third state ST3 (P21 of FIG. 15).

The load control unit 10 is the first detecting unit 11 in the second state ST2 or the third state ST3. When it is determined that an operation event has occurred (in the present embodiment, the push operation), the third control (extinguish control) is executed. In other words, the load control unit 10 changes the lighting state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 from the second state ST2 or the third state ST3 to the first state ST1 (P22, P23 in Fig. 15).

In the first state ST1 or the third state ST3, the load control unit 10 executes the first control (dimming control) when the second detecting unit 12 determines that the measured operation is a predetermined operation. In other words, the load control unit 10 changes the lighting state of the LED lighting apparatus 100 from the first state ST1 or the third state ST3 to the second state ST2 (P22, P23 in Fig. 15).

2. Action of load controller 1

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the signal processing unit 10 detects the click operation or the push operation in the above manner, the load control corresponding to the click operation or the push operation is performed, and the operation sequence is shown in FIG.

In the operation sequence of FIG. 15, when the push operation is detected, the signal processing unit 10 switches the lighting and extinguishing of the LED lighting apparatus 100, and when the click operation is detected, the signal processing unit 10 sets the LED lighting apparatus 100 to a predetermined tone. The light level dimming lights up.

First, in a state where the LED lighting apparatus 100 is turned off (ST1 of FIG. 15), the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 17, and lights the light-emitting diode 15 in green to show the position.

Further, in a state in which the LED lighting apparatus 100 is dimmed at a predetermined dimming level (ST2 in FIG. 15), the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 17 to light the light-emitting diode 15 in a bulb color. This notification is being lit in the dimming lighting state.

When the LED lighting apparatus 100 is in the extinguished state and the operator performs the pushing operation on the operation unit 20 (P21 in FIG. 15), the signal processing unit 10 detects that the push operation is performed based on the input signal of the touch switch 11.

When the push operation P21 is detected, the signal processing unit 10 outputs a full lighting signal from the output circuit 14 to the LED lighting apparatus 100, and turns on the LED lighting apparatus 100 in a fully lit state (ST3 in Fig. 15).

Further, the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 18 to emit a notification sound effect (for example, a sound effect such as "哔, 哔") from the piezoelectric buzzer 16, and controls the drive circuit 17 to illuminate the light-emitting diode 15 in red. The notification has been switched to the fully lit state.

When the LED lighting apparatus 100 is in the dimming lighting or the fully lighting state (ST2, ST3 in FIG. 15) and the operator performs the pushing operation on the operation unit 20, the signal processing unit 10 detects the reception according to the input signal of the touch switch 11. Push the operation.

When detecting the push operations P24 and P25, the signal processing unit 10 outputs a turn-off signal to the LED lighting apparatus 100 from the output circuit 14, and turns off the LED lighting apparatus 100 (ST1 in Fig. 15).

Further, the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 18 to emit a notification sound effect (for example, a sound effect such as "哔~") from the piezoelectric buzzer 16, thereby notifying that the sound has been switched to the extinguished state. Further, the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 17 to illuminate the light-emitting diode 15 in green, thereby notifying that the light-off diode 15 has been switched to the extinguished state and displaying the position.

Further, when the LED lighting apparatus 100 is turned off or fully turned on (ST1, ST3 in FIG. 15) and the operator performs a click operation, the signal processing unit 10 detects a click operation based on the input of the touch sensor 12.

When detecting the click operations P22 and P23, the signal processing unit 10 outputs a dimming signal from the output circuit 14 to the LED lighting apparatus 100, and adjusts the LED lighting apparatus 100 to a predetermined dimming level (for example, a dimming level of 15%). The light is turned on (ST2 of Fig. 15).

Further, the signal processing unit 10 controls the drive circuit 18 to emit a sound effect (for example, a sound effect such as "哔") from the piezoelectric buzzer 16, while controlling the drive circuit 17 to light the LED 15 as a light bulb. The color is lit, thereby indicating that the dimming lighting state has been switched.

3. Features of Load Controller 1

As described above, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment includes the first detecting unit (consisting of the touch switch 11), the second detecting unit (consisting of the touch sensor 12), and the load control unit. (Constructed by the signal processing unit 10). The first detecting unit detects a pushing operation performed by the operator on the operation unit 20. The second detecting unit detects a click operation performed by the operator on the operation unit 20. The load control unit performs different load control when the first detecting unit detects the push operation and when the second detecting unit detects the click operation.

In other words, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the above-described first feature as in the first embodiment. Further, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the above-described third to ninth features on the first feature as in the second embodiment. In addition, the third to ninth features are arbitrary features.

In this case, since different load control can be realized by performing a click operation or a push operation on the same operation unit 20, the operation unit can be reduced as compared with the case where the operation unit for performing different load control is separately provided. The number of 20s can be miniaturized by the load controller 1.

That is, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment performs a push operation or a click operation on the operation unit 20, and the load control unit 10 performs different load control, so that it is separately set to perform different load control. In the case of the operation unit 20, the number of the operation units 20 can be reduced, and the load controller 1 can be miniaturized.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the same load is controlled to different control states, thereby performing different load control, but load control of different loads can be performed by a click operation or a tilt operation.

Further, in the present embodiment, the operation unit 20 is rotatably supported, and the first detection unit is constituted by the touch switch 11, and the operation unit 20 is rotated by the push operation. Driven by pressing. Further, the second detecting unit (consisting of the touch sensor 12) can detect a click operation performed on a portion that is rotatably supported by the operation unit 20.

Further, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment has the above-described tenth feature similarly to the second embodiment. In the tenth feature, the operation surface 26 is provided at a portion of the operation portion 20 that is different from the contact surface 27 that the operator touches the operation portion 20 in order to cause an event (operation event). In addition, the 10th feature is an arbitrary feature.

Thereby, in the operation unit 20, since the area in which the push operation is detected is different from the area in which the click operation is detected, components such as the acceleration sensor 13 for discriminating the push operation and the click operation are not required, and it is not easy. A misjudgment has caused a detection error in the operation and click operation.

Further, in the present embodiment, the load of the load control unit is a lighting device (for example, the LED lighting device 100) that is dimmable control, and when the first detecting unit detects the pushing operation, the load control unit (signal processing unit 10) The switching load is turned on and off. Further, when the second detecting unit detects the click operation, the load control unit lights the load at a predetermined dimming level.

Therefore, since the driving operation is switched by the push operation, and the light is turned on at a predetermined dimming level by a click operation, it is relatively easy to determine that the push operation and the click are performed in order to switch to the desired control state. Which of the operations can be performed has such advantages.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the second detecting unit detects a long-time pressing operation for a predetermined time or longer, that is, when the electrostatic capacitance value of the touch sensor 12 is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value for a predetermined time or longer. The signal processing unit 10 can also control the output circuit 14 to scan the dimming level of the LED lighting fixture 100.

Then, when the long-time pressing is ended, the signal processing unit 10 controls the output signal of the output circuit 14 to maintain the dimming level at this time when the electrostatic capacitance value of the touch sensor 12 does not reach the reference value. If so, since the dimming level of the LED lighting fixture 100 is controlled to be long to the operation unit 20 The dimming level at the end of the time press is pressed, so that the LED lighting fixture 100 can be illuminated at a desired dimming level.

That is, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment may have the following twelfth feature. According to the twelfth aspect, the load control unit 10 changes the first output level in response to the time when the operator touches the operation surface 26 in the first control.

For example, in the first state ST1 or the third state ST3, the load control unit 10 starts calculating the time when the operator touches the operation surface 26 when the second detection unit 12 determines that the measured operation is a predetermined operation (contact time). The load control unit 10 selects the first output level (in the present embodiment, the first dimming level) in response to the contact time, and operates the load at the selected first output level.

Further, the load controller 1 of the present embodiment may have the following thirteenth feature. In the thirteenth aspect, the load control unit 10 selects the first output level in accordance with the current contact time at a predetermined time interval during the period in which the operator touches the operation surface 26 (in the present embodiment, it is the first one). Dimming level) and operate the load at the selected first output level.

Further, the load controller 1 of the first and second embodiments may have the above-described twelfth feature. Further, the load controller 1 of the first and second embodiments may have the above-described thirteenth feature.

Further, in the above-described first and second embodiments, when the second detecting unit detects a long-time pressing operation for a predetermined time or longer, the signal processing unit 10 controls the output circuit 14 to scan the dimming level of the LED lighting device 100. When the long-time pressing ends and the electrostatic capacitance value of the touch sensor 12 does not reach the reference value, the signal processing unit 10 controls the output signal of the output circuit 14 to maintain the dimming level at this time, which is also possible. .

Further, the load control modes described in the first to third embodiments are merely examples, and are not limited to the above-described control contents, and can be appropriately changed in accordance with the device to be controlled or the use environment.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to the control of lighting fixtures. The embodiment of the controller in the operating state will be described, but it can also be applied to control a load other than the lighting fixture (for example, a device such as a ventilation fan). In addition, it can also be applied to a remote controller that transmits and controls a wireless signal to a load.

1, 1A, 1B‧‧‧ load controller

11‧‧‧1st detection unit (touch switch)

11a‧‧‧ button

12‧‧‧2nd detection unit (touch sensor)

15‧‧‧Lighting diode (LED)

20‧‧‧Operation Department

20a‧‧‧ main parts

20b‧‧‧ side wall

20c‧‧‧Installation

20e‧‧‧ prominence

21‧‧‧Touching the substrate

21a‧‧‧through holes

21b‧‧‧through hole

22‧‧‧Main substrate

26‧‧‧Operation surface

30‧‧‧Table components

30a‧‧‧ main parts

30b‧‧‧ side

30c‧‧‧ openings

30d‧‧‧ditch

31‧‧‧ flat frame

31a‧‧‧孔部

Claims (10)

A load controller includes an operation unit that is operatively movable between a reference position and an operation position for an operator to operate a load, and a first detection unit that determines whether or not the operation unit is generated from the reference An event in which the position moves to the operation position; a second detecting unit that measures an operation of the operator on the operation surface provided by the operation unit; and a load control unit that measures the action detected by the second detection unit When the predetermined operation is performed, the first control is executed on the load; and when the first detecting unit determines that the event has occurred, the second control that is different from the first control is performed on the load; the operator raises the event. And the contact surface that touches the operation portion is a front surface of the operation portion; the operation position is a position at which at least a portion of the operation portion is located later than the reference position; the predetermined action is not to cause the operator and the operation surface The contact position moves, and the operator touches the operation surface for more than a predetermined time. The load controller of claim 1, further comprising: a third detecting unit that measures an acceleration of the operating unit; the operating surface is disposed on the contact surface; and the load control unit is in the second detecting unit When the operation is detected, if the acceleration measured by the third detecting unit does not reach a predetermined threshold value, a determination operation for determining whether the motion measured by the second detecting unit is the predetermined operation is performed; the load control When the second detecting unit measures the operation, if the acceleration measured by the third detecting unit is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, the determining operation is not performed. The load controller of claim 1, wherein the operation surface is disposed at a portion of the operation portion different from the contact surface. The load controller according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the first detecting unit is a switch that is pressed by the operating unit when the operating unit moves from the reference position to the operating position; the load control unit is pressed at the switch This second control is executed. The load controller of claim 4, wherein the operating portion is supported in an arbitrary rotation manner. The load controller of claim 1, wherein the load is a load capable of adjusting an output level; the first control is a control for operating the load at a first output level; the second control system The load is controlled by a second output level that is different from the first output level. The load controller of claim 6, wherein the load control unit changes the first output level in accordance with a time when the operator touches the operation surface in the first control. The load controller according to claim 7, wherein the load control unit selects the first output position according to the current contact time at a predetermined time interval while the operator touches the operation surface. The load is applied and the load is operated at the selected first output level. The load controller of claim 6, wherein the second output level is a maximum value of the output level. The load controller of claim 6, wherein the load is a lighting fixture; the output level is a dimming level of the lighting fixture.