WO2015145959A1

WO2015145959A1 - Switch device

Info

Publication number: WO2015145959A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/000850
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yasuhiro Ueda; Tomohiro Miyake; Atsushi Kawai; Kosuke Sasaki; Hirotada Higashihama
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2014-03-26
Filing date: 2015-02-23
Publication date: 2015-10-01
Also published as: TWI559816B; JP6534087B2; JP2015187920A; TW201540134A

Abstract

A switch device includes a touch sensor (20) and a control unit (5). The touch sensor (20) includes first to third detecting regions (203, 204, 205). The control unit (5) increases light output of a lighting load when the touch sensor (20) detects an operation by a person on the first detecting region (203), decreases the light output of the lighting load when the touch sensor (20) detects an operation by a person on the third detecting region (205), and switch the state of the lighting load from the ON state to the OFF state when the touch sensor (20) detects an operation by a person on the second detecting region (204).

Description

SWITCH DEVICE

The present disclosure relates to a switch device for switching states of a lighting load according to a touch operation.

Conventionally, there is a fluorescent lamp lighting device that includes a touch switch, and cyclically switches brightness of a fluorescent lamp in an order of FULL (fully lighted/fully ON), DIM (dimmed/controlled lighting), and OFF each time the touch switch is touched by a finger (see, for example, Patent Literature (PTL) 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H01-286298

In the above-described conventional fluorescent lamp lighting device, the brightness of the fluorescent lamp is cyclically switched in the order of FULL, DIM, and OFF with the touch of a finger on the touch switch. In this case, in order to switch the brightness of the fluorescent lamp from OFF to FULL, it is sufficient that a user touches the touch switch once using a finger. On the other hand, in order to switch the brightness of the fluorescent lamp from FULL to OFF, the user touches the touch switch once using a finger to switch from FULL to DIM, and then touches the touch switch once more using a finger to switch from DIM to OFF. In this manner, in order to switch the brightness of the fluorescent lamp from FULL to OFF, the operation for switching the brightness needs to be performed twice, and is thus troublesome.

The present disclosure presents a solution to the above-described problem and has as an object to provide a switch device having improved operability in switching states of a lighting load.

A switch device according to an aspect of the present invention is a switch device for switching states of a lighting load according to a touch operation, and includes a touch sensor and a control unit. The touch sensor includes a first detecting region, a second detecting region, and a third detecting region, with the second detecting region being disposed between the first detecting region and the third detecting region. The control unit switches a state of the lighting load between an ON state and an OFF state, and regulates light output of the lighting load in the ON state. In addition, the control unit increases the light output of the lighting load when the touch sensor detects an operation by a person on the first detecting region. The control unit decreases the light output of the lighting load when the touch sensor detects an operation by a person on the third detecting region. The control unit switches the state of the lighting load from the ON state to the OFF state when the touch sensor detects an operation by a person on the second detecting region.

In the switch device according to the present disclosure, the light output of the lighting load is increased when the first detecting region is touch-operated; the light output of the lighting load is decreased when the third detecting region is touch-operated; and the state of the lighting load is switched from ON to OFF when the second detecting region is touch-operated. Therefore, the switch device according to the present disclosure produces the advantageous effect of improving operability in switching states of the lighting load, compared to the conventional example.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the switch device attached to an attaching frame. FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram for the switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the back. FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a front view of a switch body of the switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a side view of the switch body and an operating unit of the switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a separated state. FIG. 9 is a front view of the switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram for a lighting system using the switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of Embodiment

Hereinafter, a switch device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that all embodiments described below shows a specific preferred example of the present invention. Therefore, numerical values, shapes, materials, structural components, the arrangement and connection of the structural components, etc. shown in the following exemplary embodiment are mere examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, among the structural components in the following exemplary embodiment, components not recited in any one of the independent claims which indicate the broadest concepts of the present invention are described as arbitrary structural components.

Furthermore, the respective figures are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily precise illustrations. In addition, in the respective diagrams, identical structural components are given the same reference signs.

A switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the switch device attached to an attaching frame.

The switch device according to this embodiment (hereafter referred to simply as the switch device) is a switch device for switching states of a lighting load according to a touch operation and includes switch body 1 and operating unit 2. Switch body 1 includes case 10, and operating unit 2 includes housing 22. In operating unit 2, the front face of housing 22 serves as a detecting surface of touch sensor 20 to be described later. As illustrated in FIG. 1, top operating region 203, middle operating region 204, and bottom operating region 205, which are the first to third detecting regions of the touch sensor 20, respectively, are disposed in the front face of housing 22.

The switch device is attached to attaching frame 9 as illustrated in FIG. 1, and is disposed recessed in a wall by having the back end portion of the switch device inserted in an embedding hole provided in the wall. It should be noted that, in the subsequent description, unless stated otherwise, each of the forward, backward, left, right, upward, and downward directions is as defined in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 to be described later. Specifically, the direction in which the switch device is embedded in the embedding hole provided in the wall is the backward direction (back), and the direction opposite the backward direction is the forward direction (front). The upward-downward direction is the lengthwise direction of attaching frame 9. The left-right direction is the widthwise direction of attaching frame 9.

First, the circuit configuration of the switch device will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram for the switch device according to this embodiment. The switch device includes switch body 1 and operating unit 2.

Operating unit 2 includes touch sensor 20, light-emitting unit 21, second connector 28, sound output unit 29, and so on.

Touch sensor 20 is configured by forming plural electrodes on the surface of sensor board 26 to be described later. Furthermore, touch sensor 20 includes the first to third detecting regions (top operating region 203, middle operating region 204, and bottom operating region 205), with the second detecting region being disposed between the first detecting region and the third detecting region. The first to third detecting regions are aligned on a single face of the outer wall of case 10 and housing 22 included in the switch device. In addition, touch sensor 20 includes a sensor circuit (not illustrated). The sensor circuit indirectly and individually measures the capacitances generated between the electrodes and a ground. Specifically, the sensor circuit indirectly and individually measures the capacitances generated between the ground and the respective electrodes corresponding to the first to third detecting regions. In addition, when the measured values of the capacitances change beyond a threshold value, the sensor circuit judges that the body (particularly a hand or finger(s)) of a person has come close to the respective electrodes, that is, a touch operation was performed. Subsequently, the sensor circuit (touch sensor 20) outputs an operation signal indicating the touch operation to the outside. It should be noted that regions where a touch operation can be detected using the respective electrodes are called operating regions.

Light-emitting unit 21 shows the position of the switch device to a user by emitting light. Light-emitting unit 21 includes plural light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 200 to be described later, and a drive circuit (not illustrated) that individually drives respective LEDs 200. Light-emitting unit 21 is mounted on the back face of sensor board 26, and emits light forward via sensor board 26.

Sound output unit 29 outputs an operation sound when an operator operates the switch device, to indicate to the operator that the operation is received. Sound output unit 29 includes sound-producing component (such as a piezoelectric diaphragm, a piezoelectric buzzer, a piezoelectric sounder, a piezoelectric ringer, etc.) 290, to be described later, that uses a piezoelectric element; and a drive circuit (not illustrated) that drives sound-producing component 290.

Second connector 28 is a connector for transmitting power and signals between operating unit 2 and switch body 1. Second connector 28 has a total of eight contacts. Two of the eight contacts are contacts for supplying power to touch sensor 20, light-emitting unit 21, and sound output unit 29. Furthermore, two of the remaining six contacts are contacts for transmitting operation signals outputted from touch sensor 20 to switch body 1. In addition, two of the remaining four contacts are contacts for transmitting control signals from switch body 1 to light-emitting unit 21. The two remaining contacts are contacts for transmitting control signals from switch body 1 to sound output unit 29.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, switch body 1 includes switch element 50, power supply circuit 51, setting unit 52, memory 53, wireless communication unit 54, signal transmitting unit 55, first connector 56, power supply terminals 6, load terminals 7, signal terminals 8, and so on.

Power supply circuit 51 generates direct current (DC) power for driving control unit 5, touch sensor 20, light-emitting unit 21, sound output unit 29, and so on. Power supply circuit 51 is connected to alternating-current (AC) power supply 3 via one of power supply terminals 6 and one of load terminals 7. In addition, power supply circuit 51 converts the AC power supplied from AC power supply 3 into DC power, and supplies the DC power to control unit 5, and so on. It should be noted that power supply circuit 51 may include an AC/DC converter and a 3-terminal regulator. Furthermore, two power supply terminals 6 are electrically connected and are used as feed wiring.

Switch element 50 is connected in series to AC power supply 3 and the load (lighting load 4) via power supply terminal 6 and one load terminal 7 (the load terminal 7 that is not connected to power supply circuit 51). Switch element 50 may include, for example, a bi-directional 3-terminal thyristor (what is called a TRIAC). In other words, AC power is supplied from AC power supply 3 to lighting load 4 via switch element 50 only when switch element 50 is switched ON.

Setting unit 52 includes plural switches for setting, and various settings are carried out when the switches included in setting unit 52 are operated. Setting unit 52 includes, for example, push-button switches 520, DIP switch 521, etc. to be described later.

Control unit 5 switches the state of lighting load 4 between the ON state and the OFF state, and regulates light output of lighting load 4 in the ON state. Specifically, control unit 5 increases the light output of lighting load 4 when touch sensor 20 detects an operation by a person on the first detecting region. Furthermore, control unit 5 decreases the light output of lighting load 4 when touch sensor 20 detects an operation by a person on the third detecting region. Furthermore, control unit 5 switches the state of lighting load 4 from ON to OFF when touch sensor 20 detects an operation by a person on the second detecting region. Control unit 5 consists of, for example, a microcontroller, and performs the above-described operation. In addition, when lighting load 4 is OFF, control unit 5 switches the state of lighting load 4 from OFF to ON when touch sensor 20 detects an operation by a person on at least one of the first to third detecting regions.

Memory 53 includes an electrically rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, and various types of data are read from or written into memory 53 by control unit 5.

Wireless communication unit 54 includes an antenna, a receiving circuit, etc. (not illustrated), and is configured to receive a radio signal transmitted via radio waves and relay data included in the received radio signal to control unit 5.

Signal transmitting unit 55 performs transmission (transmitting and receiving) of control signals with another switch device, via a signal line (not illustrated) connected to a pair of signal terminals 8. Specifically, signal transmitting unit 55 transmits a control signal consisting of, for example, a voltage signal, to another switch device via the signal line, based on an instruction from control unit 5. Furthermore, signal transmitting unit 55 receives a control signal transmitted from another switch device, via the signal line, and outputs the received control signal to control unit 5.

First connector 56 is a connector for transmitting power and signals between switch body 1 and operating unit 2. First connector 56 has a total of eight contacts. Two of the eight contacts are contacts for supplying the DC power generated by power supply circuit 51 to touch sensor 20, light-emitting unit 21, and sound output unit 29. Furthermore, two of the remaining six contacts are contacts for transmitting operation signals outputted from touch sensor 20 to control unit 5. In addition, two of the remaining four contacts are contacts for transmitting control signals from control unit 5 to light-emitting unit 21. Furthermore, the remaining two contacts are contacts for transmitting control signals from control unit 5 to sound output unit 29. First connector 56 is electrically and mechanically connected to second connector 28 in an insertable/removable manner. In other words, the respective contacts of first connector 56 and the respective contacts of second connector 28 are electrically connected on a one-to-one basis.

Next, the structure of the switch device will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 9.

Operating unit 2 includes housing 22, adhesive sheet 25, sensor board 26, screws 27, second connector 28, etc. Housing 22 is formed in the shape of a flat rectangular box by base 23 and panel 24.

Base 23 is configured by integrally forming base wall 230 and peripheral wall 231 from a non light-transmitting synthetic resin material (for example, a thermoplastic resin such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABC) resin). Here, base wall 230 is rectangular, and peripheral wall 231 is shaped like a rectangular frame that projects forward from the periphery of base wall 230. Furthermore, four platforms 232 projecting further forward than base wall 230 are provided at the left and right edges of base wall 230. It should be noted that the space surrounded by base wall 230 and peripheral wall 231 is called a housing space.

Sensor board 26 includes, for example, an insulated board such as a glass/epoxy board. Plural electrodes (not illustrated) are formed in the front face of sensor board 26. These electrodes are formed by forming a film of conductive material such as copper foil on the front face of sensor board 26 by sputtering or wet coating (coating). Furthermore, a sensor circuit (not illustrated), sound-producing component 290, LEDs 200, second connector 28, etc. are mounted on the back face of sensor board 26, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Five round holes 260 are provided vertically aligned at the horizontal center of sensor board 26. These five round holes 260 penetrate through sensor board 26 and allow the light emitted from five LEDs 200 of the plural (five in the illustrated example) LEDs 200 mounted on the back face of sensor board 26 to pass forward (see FIG. 5).

In addition, circular screw insertion holes penetrate through the four corners and both left and right edges of sensor board 26. It should be noted that two each of rectangular recesses 262 are provided at both the left and right edges of sensor board 26.

Second connector 28 includes eight contacts 280 and two insulators (first insulator 281 and second insulator 282) each of which electrically insulates and supports the eight contacts 280 (see FIG. 4). Each of contacts 280 is formed in the shape of a rod from a conductive material such as copper or a copper alloy. First insulator 281 is formed in the shape of a cuboid from an electricity-insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and supports respective contacts 280 at a front-side position by having the eight contacts 280 insert-molded in first insulator 281. Likewise, second insulator 282 is formed in the shape of a cuboid from an electricity-insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and supports respective contacts 280 near the center by having the eight contacts 280 insert-molded in second insulator 282 (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 6). It should be noted that of the eight contacts 280 are supported by first insulator 281 and second insulator 282 so as to be arranged in two rows of four contacts 280 each.

Furthermore, the portions of the four contacts 280 in the upper row which are located further forward than first insulators 281 are bent upward. On the other hand, the portions of the four contacts 280 in the lower row which are located further forward than first insulators 281 are bent downward (see FIG. 6). In addition, second connector 28 is mounted onto sensor board 26 so that the eight contacts 280 project backward from the back face of sensor board 26, by soldering the bent portions (contact terminal portion) of respective contacts 280 to the back face of sensor board 26 (see FIG. 4).

As illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, sensor board 26 is housed inside the housing space of base 23, and screwed onto base wall 230 of base 23 using six screws 27 which are inserted through six screw insertion holes 261 from the front. It should be noted that platforms 232 provided in base wall 230 of base 23 are inserted into recesses 262 of sensor board 26.

Panel 24 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate from a light transmissive synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate. However, panel 24 may be provided with a relatively high light-diffusing property by mixing in a light-diffusing material, unevenness machining, screen printing, etc.

In addition, panel 24 is attached to the front face of platforms 232 and the front face of sensor board 26 using adhesive sheet 25 which is light-transmissive (see FIG. 5).

Here, insertion hole 233, through which second connector 28 is inserted, penetrates through base wall 230 of base 23 (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 6). In other words, contacts 280 of second connector 28 pass through insertion hole 233 to project backward from base wall 230. It should be noted that a pair of protective walls 235 for protecting second connector 28 are provided projecting backward in base wall 230 of base 23 (see FIG. 4). Protective walls 235 are shaped like rectangular plates, and are integrally formed with base wall 230 so as to sandwich insertion hole 233 from the upward and downward directions in the back face of base 23. In other words, the eight connectors 280 projecting from base wall 230 are disposed between the pair of protective walls 235 (see FIG. 6).

Meanwhile, base wall 230 includes, along the insertion/removal direction (forward-backward direction) of first connector 56, restricting component (second restricting component) 234 that restricts movement of second connector 28. Second restricting component 234 is formed from the inner face of both left and right edges of insertion hole 233 so as to project in parallel with the back face of base wall 230 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 5). In other words, in the state where second connector 28 is inserted through insertion hole 233, second restricting component 234 opposes both left and right ends of first insulator 281 along the forward-backward direction. In addition, projections 2340 that project forward are integrally provided to second restricting component 234. Projections 2340 abut the back face of first insulator 281 (see FIG. 5).

Furthermore, respective attaching pieces 220 are formed in the vertical centers of the left and right edges of the back face of base wall 230 (see FIG. 4). These attaching pieces 220 are formed projecting backward from the back face of base wall 230. Furthermore, a hooking claw consisting of a projection, for example, is integrally provided at the tip (back edge) of each of attaching pieces 220.

Switch body 1 includes case 10, which includes, for example, body 11 and cover 12; and the circuit block that makes up the circuit illustrated in FIG. 2.

The circuit block includes control board 13, power supply board 14, separator 15, etc. Power supply board 14 and control board 13 are each configured by printing wiring conductors (copper foil) on both front and back surfaces of an insulated board such as a glass/epoxy board.

Circuits and circuit elements to which relatively high voltage is applied, that is, power supply circuit 51, switch element 50, etc. are mounted on power supply board 14. Switch element 50 is mounted on the back face of power supply board 14 together with heat-dissipating plate 57 which consists of a metal plate for example. It should be noted that

terminal boards

60, 70, and 80 which make up power supply terminals 6, load terminals 7, and signal terminals 8, respectively, are also mounted on the back face of power supply board 14 as described later (see FIG. 4).

Furthermore, circuits and circuit elements to which relatively low voltage is applied, that is, control unit 5, memory 53, wireless communication unit 54, signal transmitting unit 55, etc. are mounted on control board 13. It should be noted that first connector 56, push-button switches 520 and DIP switch 521 of setting unit 52, light-emitting element (LED) 522, etc. are mounted on the front face of control board 13 (see FIG. 3).

In addition,

connectors

131 and 140 are mounted on the front face of power supply board 14 and the back face of control board 13, respectively (see FIG. 5). Specifically, connecting connector 131 mounted on the back face of control board 13 and connector 140 mounted on the front face of power supply board 14 causes the two

boards

13 and 14 to be electrically and mechanically connected. It should be noted that separator 15 is sandwiched between the back face of control board 13 and the front face of power supply board 14. Separator 15 is formed in the shape of a rectangular sheet from an electricity-insulating material such as a synthetic resin. In other words, sandwiching separator 15 ensures an insulating distance between control board 13 and power supply board 14.

Body 11 consists of a synthetic resin molding in the shape of a forwardly open rectangular box. Cover 12 consists of a synthetic resin molding in the shape of a backwardly open rectangular box. Stubs 110 are formed at the left and right ends of the top face and bottom face of body 11. Tabs 120 which are in the shape of rectangular plates and project backward are formed from the left and right ends of the trailing edges of both the top and bottom sides of cover 12. Furthermore, hole 1200 which is rectangular is punched in each of tabs 120.

Specifically, body 11 and cover 12 are joined when cover 12 is placed on body 11 from the front of body 11, and stubs 110 fit into respective holes 1200 of tabs 120. Accordingly, case 10 which is in the shape of a cuboid is assembled (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8). It should be noted that the circuit block is housed inside case 10.

Body 11 is provided with first terminal housing portion 111, which houses two power supply terminals 6; second terminal housing portion 112, which houses two load terminals 7; and third terminal housing portion 113, which houses two signal terminals 8.

Each of first terminal housing portion 111 and second terminal housing portion 112 has a space surrounded by three partitions 1110 to 1112 and a base wall. Partition 1110 is formed to project forward from the base wall, in parallel with the left side wall of body 11. Partition 1111 is formed to project forward from the base wall, in parallel with the bottom side wall of body 11 and connected with the top end of partition 1110. Partition 1112 is formed to project forward from the base wall, in parallel with the bottom side wall of body 11 and connected with the vertical center portion of partition 1110.

Third terminal housing portion 113 has a space surrounded by two

partitions

1130 and 1131 and the base wall. Partition 1130 is formed to project forward from the base wall, in parallel with the right side wall of body 11. Partition 1131 is formed to project forward from the base wall, in parallel with the bottom side wall of body 11 and connected to the top end of partition 1130.

Furthermore, first to third terminal housing portions 111 to 113 are respectively divided into two sections by projecting

portions

1113, 1120, and 1132 which project from

partitions

1110 and 1130. In first terminal housing portion 111, a set of terminal board 60 and locking spring 61 is housed in each of the two sections, and a single release button 62 is housed at a position that is not divided by projecting portion 1113 (see FIG. 6). Furthermore, in second terminal housing portion 112, a set of terminal board 70 and locking spring 71 is housed in each of the two sections, and a single release button 72 is housed at a position that is not divided by projecting portion 1120 (see FIG. 6). In addition, in third terminal housing portion 113, a set of terminal board 80 and locking spring 81 is housed in each of the two sections, and a single release button 82 is housed at a position that is not divided by projecting portion 1132. It should be noted that two power line insertion holes 1114 and a single tool insertion hole 1115 penetrate through the base wall of first terminal housing portion 111; two power line insertion holes 1121 and a single tool insertion hole 1122 penetrate through the base wall of second terminal housing portion 112; and two power line insertion holes 1133 and a single tool insertion hole 1134 penetrate through the base wall of third terminal housing portion 113. Here, a core wire (conductor) of a power line is inserted into each of projecting

portion

1132, 1121, and 1133.

Terminal boards

60, 70, and 80 are formed in the shape of a rectangular trough from a conductor such as copper or a copper alloy. Furthermore,

terminal boards

60, 70, and 80 are mounted on the back face of power supply board 14 by soldering one end to the back face.

A central piece, a pressing piece, and a locking piece are integrally formed in each of locking

springs

61, 71, and 81. The central piece abuts one of the side pieces of the corresponding one of

terminal boards

60, 70, and 80; the pressing piece extends in the shape of an S from one end of the central piece; and the locking piece extends in the shape of a J from the other end of the central piece. Then, when the conductor of a power line is inserted between the other side piece of

terminal boards

60, 70, and 80 and the respective pressing pieces and locking pieces, via power

line insertion holes

1114, 1121, and 1133, respectively, the pressing piece presses the conductor against the corresponding terminal board, and the tip of the locking piece abuts the conductor, and thereby prevents withdrawal of the power line. Furthermore, when removing the power line, moving

release buttons

62, 72, and 82 using a tool (flat-head screwdriver, etc.) inserted through

tool insertion holes

1115, 1122, and 1134, respectively, causes the release button to press against the locking piece such that the tip of the locking piece is separated from the conductor, and thereby allows the power line to be withdrawn. Terminals having such a structure are called quick connection terminals (or screw-less terminals) and are conventionally known, and thus detailed description is omitted.

Furthermore, the side wall on both the upper and lower sides of body 11 is integrally provided with supporting piece 114 that projects further forward than the side wall (see FIG. 3). Each of supporting pieces 114 is formed in the shape of a trapezoid, and recess 1140 which is rectangular is provided at the front tip.

The aforementioned circuit block is contained within body 11 in such a way that

terminal boards

60, 70, and 80 which are mounted on the back face of power supply board 14 are housed in first to third terminal housing portions 111 to 113, respectively. Here, projecting portions 130, which are rectangular, are provided in the top edge and bottom edge of control board 13. Specifically, interfitting of projecting portions 130 and recesses 1140 of respective supporting pieces 114 of body 11 positions the circuit block with respect to body 11.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, plural (three in the illustrated example) operating pieces 121, plural (two in the illustrated example) window holes 122 and 123, a single insertion hole 124, plural pairs (three pairs in the illustrated example) of attaching claws 125, releasing piece 126, etc. are provided in cover 12.

Each of operating pieces 121 includes operating button 1210, which is circular; and supporting component 1211, which is shaped like a rectangular board and is integrally formed with cover 12 in such a way as to be cut out from the front wall of cover 12 with only the bottom end portion of supporting portion 1211 remaining attached to cover 12 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). It should be noted that the bottom end portion of supporting portion 1211 is formed in a U-shape (see FIG. 4). In other words, operating piece 121 is formed to allow swinging in the forward-backward direction through the flexing of the bottom end portion of supporting portion 1211. Then, since operating piece 121 flexes backward when operating button 1210 is operated by being pressed, the push-button of corresponding push-button switch 520 mounted on control board 13 is pressed by operating button 1210, and push-button switch 520 is switched ON.

Window hole 122 on the top side is provided in the front wall of cover 12 (see Fig. 6 and FIG. 7). Window hole 122 exposes the operating face (front face) of DIP switch 521 mounted on the front face of control board 13 to the outside of case 10. In other words, operating switches 5210 of DIP switch 521 can be operated using the tip of a screw driver or the tip of a pen, via window hole 122.

Window hole 123 on the bottom side is formed in the shape of a truncated cone as illustrated in FIG. 4, and is provided in the front wall of cover 12. Window hole 123 is configured in such a way that the light emitted by light-emitting element 522 mounted on the front face of control board 13 is emitted to the outside of case 10. In other words, the light emitted by light-emitting element 522 is visible from the front of case 10, through window hole 123.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, insertion hole 124 is formed in the shape of a rectangular tube that is longer horizontally than vertically, and first connector 56 mounted on the front face of control board 13 is inserted through insertion hole 124 from the back. Furthermore, insertion hole 124 includes, along the insertion/removal direction (forward-backward direction) of second connector 28, restricting component (first restricting component) 127 that restricts movement of first connector 56 (see FIG. 7). First restricting component 127 is formed from the inner face of both left and right edges of insertion hole 124 so as to project in parallel with the front face of cover 12 (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 7). In other words, first restricting component 127 opposes both left and right ends of first connector 56 along the forward-backward direction. In addition, projections 1270 that project backward are integrally provided to first restricting component 127. In addition, projections 1270 abut the front face of first connector 56 (see FIG. 5).

Two of the three pairs of attaching claws 125 are provided near the top and bottom ends of the left side face of cover 12 (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8). Furthermore, the remaining pair of attaching claws 125 is provided in releasing piece 126 provided on the right side face of cover 12 (see FIG. 3). Releasing piece 126 is formed to allow flexing in the left-right direction with respect to the right side wall of cover 12. In other words, case 10 is attached to attaching frame 9, by using the three pairs of attaching claws 125.

Attaching frame 9 is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame including window hole 90 used for attachment, from a synthetic resin material. Attaching frame 9 includes a pair of vertical pieces 91 along the lengthwise direction (upward-downward direction) and a pair of horizontal pieces 92 that connect both ends of the pair of vertical pieces 91 (see FIG. 1). In other words, the space surrounded by the pair of vertical pieces 91 and the pair of horizontal pieces 92 becomes window hole 90.

The pair of vertical pieces 91 is provided with plural (eight each in the illustrated example) attaching holes 93. The three pairs of attaching claws 125 are inserted in and hook onto attaching holes 93. Specifically, by inserting each of the pairs of attaching claws 125 into the corresponding one of the pairs of attaching holes 93, switch body 1 is attached to attaching frame 9 with the front end portion of case 10 inserted through window hole 90 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 5).

Furthermore, screw insertion hole 920 through which a box screw (not illustrated) is inserted penetrates through each of the pair of horizontal pieces 92, at the center of the lengthwise direction (left-right direction). In addition, screw hole 921 is provided in each of the pair of horizontal pieces 92, at the center of the lengthwise direction and outward of screw insertion hole 920. However, the pair of horizontal pieces 92 is configured to project forward from both ends of the lengthwise direction of respective vertical pieces 91 (see FIG. 1).

Attaching frame 9 is attached to a switch box (not illustrated) recessed in a wall, in such a way that, for example, the pair of horizontal pieces 92 touch the periphery of the embedding hole provided in the wall. Specifically, two bolts (not illustrated) that are inserted through screw insertion holes 920 of respective horizontal pieces 92 are screwed fast in the screw holes of the switch box. However, in a case where the switch box is not recessed, attaching frame 9 is fixed to a wall plate using a conventionally-known clamp fitting (not illustrated).

Furthermore, the end portions of both the left and right sides of the front wall of cover 12 are formed in the shape of steps. In addition, recesses 128 are formed at the approximate vertical centers of the respective end portions (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 8). Specifically, operating unit 2 is removably mounted onto switch body 1 by hooking on hooking claws 221 of the two attaching pieces 220 provided in housing 22 to the front end edges of the two recesses 128 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 9).

Here, when operating unit 2 is mounted onto switch body 1, second connector 28 of operating unit 2 and first connector 56 of switch body 1 are electrically and mechanically connected. In other words, the eight contacts 280 of second connector 28 are individually inserted into the eight insertion ports 560 that open in the front face of first connector 56, and are individually and electrically connected to the eight contacts provided in first connector 56 (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, the pair of protective walls 235 provided in the housing (base 23) of operating unit 2 is inserted into insertion hole 124 provided in case 10 (cover 12) of switch body 1 (see FIG. 6). Consequently, even when an outside force such as an impact force is imparted on operating unit 2, the outside force is not easily imparted on first connector 56 and second connector 28 because of the protection by the pair of protective walls 235, and thus damage, etc. to second connector 28 and first connector 56 can be prevented.

Next, the operation of the switch device according to this embodiment is described in detail with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a lighting system using the switch apparatus according to this embodiment of the present invention. First, the system configuration of the system (lighting system) in FIG. 10 will be described in brief.

The system includes, for example, two switch devices SA and SB, two

lighting loads

4A and 4B, and two transmitters WA and WB. It should be noted that the switch device according to this embodiment is used in both of the two switch devices SA and SB. However, this system configuration is merely an example of a system configuration for controlling loads using switch devices SA and SB according to this embodiment.

In the one switch device SA (hereafter also called first switch device SA), AC power supply 3 and lighting load 4A (hereafter also called first lighting load 4A) are electrically connected via power line 100. In the other switch device SB (hereafter also called second switch device SB), AC power supply 3 and lighting load 4B (hereafter also called second lighting load 4B) are electrically connected via power line 100. In addition, first switch device SA and second switch device SB are electrically connected via signal line 101.

The one transmitter WA (hereafter also called first transmitter WA) transmits to first switch device SA a radio signal which is registered in first switch device SA and is transmitted via radio waves. The other transmitter WB (hereafter also called second transmitter WB) transmits to second switch device SB a radio signal which is registered in second switch device SB and is transmitted via radio waves. It should be noted that the radio signals transmitted from each of the transmitters WA and WB include control data for controlling (turning ON, turning OFF, or dimming) the corresponding one of

lighting loads

4A and 4B and identification information unique to respective transmitters WA and WB.

Here, operating unit 2 of first switch device SA includes two vertically aligned

operating regions

201A and 202A. Furthermore, operating unit 2 of second switch device SB includes two vertically aligned operating

regions

201B and 202B. For example, in first switch device SA, when the upper operating region (hereafter referred to as first operating region 201A) is touch-operated, operating unit 2 outputs a first operation signal indicating the touch operation on first operating region 201A. In switch body 1 of first switch device SA, control unit 5 that received the first operation signal turns ON (or OFF) first lighting load 4A by switching switch element 50 ON (or OFF).

In the same manner, in second switch device SB, when the upper operating region (first operating region 201B) is touch-operated, operating unit 2 outputs a first operation signal indicating the touch operation on first operating region 201B. In switch body 1 of second switch device SB, control unit 5 that received the first operation signal turns second lighting load 4B ON (or OFF) by switching switch element 50 ON (or OFF).

Furthermore, for example, in first switch device SA, when the lower operating region (second operating region 202A) is touch-operated, operating unit 2 outputs a second operation signal indicating the touch operation on second operating region 202A. In switch body 1 of first switch device SA, control unit 5 that has received the second operation signal causes signal transmitting unit 55 to transmit a control signal for second lighting load 4B to second switch device SB via signal line 101.

In second switch device SB, signal transmitting unit 55 receives the control signal transmitted from first switch device SA via signal line 101, and outputs the received control signal to control unit 5. Control unit 5 of second switch device SB turns second lighting load ON (or OFF) 4B by switching switch element 50 ON (or OFF) based on the control signal received from signal transmitting unit 55.

Furthermore, in second switch device SB, when the lower operating region (hereafter referred to as second operating region 202B) is touch-operated, operating unit 2 outputs a second operation signal indicating the touch operation on second operating region 202B. In switch body 1 of second switch device SB, control unit 5 that received the second operation signal causes signal transmitting unit 55 to transmit a control signal for first lighting load 4A to first switch device SA via signal line 101.

In first switch device SA, signal transmitting unit 55 receives the control signal transmitted from second switch device SB via signal line 101, and outputs the received control signal to control unit 5. Control unit 5 of first switch device SA turns first lighting load 4A ON (or OFF) by switching switch element 50 ON (or OFF) based on the control signal received from signal transmitting unit 55.

In each of switch devices SA and SB, when switch element 50 is switched OFF, that is, when lighting loads 4A and 4B are turned OFF, control unit 5 may cause LEDs 200 of touch sensor 20 to emit light. In other words, when it is dark because lighting loads 4A and 4B are turned OFF, the positions of switch devices SA and SB may be shown by emitting light from the front faces (front faces of operating units 2) of switch devices SA and SB. Alternatively, control unit 5 may show the position of first operating region 201A (201B) and second operating region 202A (202B) by causing LEDs 200 of touch sensor 20 to emit light.

Incidentally, in a typical mechanical switch device, it is possible to show an operator that an operation is received because the operation feel changes and/or a sound (operation sound) is produced following the switching of contacts. On the other hand, in switch devices SA and SB, it is difficult for the operator to judge whether or not an operation has been received because the operation feel does not change and/or there is no operation sound even when operating unit 2 is touch-operated. In view of this, when an operation signal is received from operating unit 2, control unit 5 may output a control signal to operating unit 2 so that an operation sound (for example, a bleep) is outputted from sound output unit 29. However, the output/non-output of an operation sound may be made settable through DIP switch 521 of setting unit 52.

Furthermore, when a radio signal is transmitted from first transmitter WA, wireless communication unit 54 of first switch device SA receives the radio signal, obtains the control data included in the radio signal, and outputs the control data to control unit 5. Control unit 5 of first switch device SA turns first lighting load 4A ON (or OFF) by switching switch element 50 ON (or OFF) based on the control data received from wireless communication unit 54.

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

Here, in each of switch devices SA and SB, control unit 5 may select one of a first operating mode and a second operating mode, and operate according to the selected operating mode. It should be noted that the selection (setting) between the first operating mode and the second operating mode may be performed through DIP switch 521. Specifically, control unit 5 reads the state (ON or OFF) of DIP switch 521, and, for example, selects the first operating mode when DIP switch 521 is ON, and selects the second operating mode when DIP switch 521 is OFF.

Control unit 5 which has selected the first operating mode switches switch element 50 ON or OFF according to a first operation signal, and causes a control signal to be transmitted from signal transmitting unit 55 according to a second operation signal. On the other hand, control unit 5 that has selected the second operating mode switches switch element 50 ON or OFF according to a second operation signal, and causes signal transmitting unit 55 to transmit a control signal according to a first operation signal.

For example, in the system configuration illustrated in FIG. 10, the first operating mode is selected in first switch device SA and the second operating mode is selected in second switch device SB. In this case, when first operating region 201A of first switch device SA or first operating region 201B of second switch device SB is touch-operated, first lighting load 4A is turned ON or turned OFF. On the other hand, when second operating region 202A of first switch device SA or second operating region 202B of second switch device SB is touch-operated, second lighting load 4B is turned ON or turned OFF.

In other words, when a user wants to turn first lighting load 4A ON or OFF, it is sufficient that the user touch-operate either first operating region 201A of first switch device SA or first operating region 201B of second switch device SB. Furthermore, when the user wants to turn second lighting load 4B ON or OFF, it is sufficient that the user touch-operate either second operating region 202A of first switch device SA or second operating region 202B of second switch device SB.

Here, it is assumed that the first operating mode is selected in both first switch device SA and second switch device SB. In this case, when the user wants to turn first lighting load 4A ON or OFF, the user needs to touch-operate first operating region 201A of first switch device SA and touch-operate second operating region 202B of second switch device SB. Furthermore, when the user wants to turn second lighting load 4B ON or OFF, the user needs to touch-operate second operating region 202A of first switch device SA and touch-operate first operating region 201B of second switch device SB.

In other words, the correspondence relationships between (i) the two operating regions (

first operating regions

201A, 201B and

second operating regions

202A, 202B) of the two switch devices SA and SB and (ii) the two lighting loads (first lighting load 4A and second lighting load 4B) are reversed. As such, user-friendliness is not good.

In response to this, in switch devices SA and SB according to this embodiment, control unit 5 selects one of the first operating mode and the second operating mode, and operates according to the selected operating mode. As a result, the correspondence relationships between (i) the two operating regions (

first operating regions

201A, 201B and

second operating regions

202A, 202B) of the two switch devices SA and SB and (ii) the two lighting loads (first lighting load 4A and second lighting load 4B) can be reconciled. Consequently, switch devices SA and SB according to this embodiment allow user-friendliness to be improved.

Next, description will be carried out for the procedure for registering the identification information of the transmitters WA and WB into each of switch devices SA and SB in the system configuration illustrated in FIG. 10.

A person performing the registration work (hereafter called worker) removes operating unit 2 from switch body 1, and push-operates one operating button 1210 among the three operating buttons 1210 which are exposed at the front face of switch body 1. When operating button 1210 is push-operated, the corresponding one of push-button switches 520 of setting unit 52 is switched ON, and a setting signal (registration mode setting signal) is outputted from setting unit 52 to control unit 5. Control unit 5 transitions to a registration mode upon receiving the registration mode setting signal, and notifies this to the worker by, for example, causing light-emitting element 522 to blink ON and OFF.

The worker verifies the blinking (or lighting) of light-emitting element 522 via window hole 123, and then causes a transmitter (for example, first transmitter WA) to transmit a radio signal including identification information. Wireless communication unit 54 receives the radio signal transmitted from first transmitter WA, and outputs the identification information included in the radio signal to control unit 5. Control unit 5 stores the identification information received from wireless communication unit 54 in memory 53, and then notifies the registration of the identification information to the worker by, for example, causing light-emitting element 522 to emit light for a certain amount of time. Subsequently, when the worker holds down operating button 1210 for a predetermined time or when a certain amount of time passes from the transition to the registration mode, control unit 5 ends the registration mode and transitions to the normal operating mode.

Specifically, the wireless communication signal transmitted from the transmitters WA and WB includes identification information unique to each of the transmitters WA and WB. In addition, control unit 5 of each of switch devices SA and SB switches switch element 50 ON or OFF based on the control data, only when the identification information included in the radio signal received by wireless communication unit 54 and the identification information stored in memory 53 match. It should be noted that the identification information of a single transmitter WA (or WB) may be registered in common in the two switch devices SA and SB. In this case, lighting load 4A (and 4B) can be turned ON or OFF simultaneously in the two switch devices SA and SB, through the radio signal transmitted from the transmitter WA (or WB) having the identification information that has been registered in common.

Meanwhile, each of

lighting loads

4A and 4B may be a lighting device that is dimmable (i.e., allows light-control) such as a luminaire having an incandescent lamp as a light source or a dimmable luminaire having a fluorescent lamp or an LED lamp as a light source. For example, when lighting load 4A is a dimmable LED luminaire, the switch device can regulate the lighting of lighting load 4 by controlling the phase of the AC voltage applied to lighting load 4A from AC power supply 3. In other words, the dimmable LED luminaire is configured so as to emit light more brightly as the phase angle (conduction angle) controlled by the switch device increases (i.e., the conduction period becomes longer) and emit light more dimly (i.e., less brightly) as the phase angle decreases. It should be noted that, since such a dimmable LED luminaire is conventionally known, detailed description of its configuration and operation is omitted here.

Operating unit 2 of the switch device that is connected to dimmable lighting load 4 includes three operating regions (detecting regions) 203, 204, and 205 that are vertically aligned on a single face of the outer wall of the switch device (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 9). In this embodiment, the three operating regions (detecting regions) 203, 204, and 205 are vertically aligned on a single face of the outer wall of the switch device, when viewed from the front. When the topmost operating region (hereafter also referred to as top operating region) 203 is touch-operated, operating unit 2 outputs a first operation signal indicating the touch operation on the top operating region 203. Furthermore, when the intermediately-located operating region (hereafter also referred to as middle operating region) 204 is touch-operated, operating unit 2 outputs a second operation signal indicating the touch operation on the middle operating region 204. In addition, when the bottommost operating region (hereafter also referred to as bottom operating region) 205 is touch-operated, operating unit 2 outputs a third operation signal indicating the touch operation on the bottom operating region 205.

When control unit 5 of switch body 1 receives the second operation signal, control unit 5 turns lighting load 4 ON or OFF by switching switch element 50 ON from OFF or OFF from ON, respectively. Furthermore, when control unit 5 receives the first operation signal while lighting load 4 is ON, control unit 5 performs phase-control on switch element 50 to increase the phase angle by just one level. In addition, when control unit 5 receives the third operation signal while lighting load 4 is ON, control unit 5 performs phase-control on switch element 50 to decrease the phase angle by just one level. In other words, if the user wants to turn lighting load 4 ON or OFF, it is sufficient that the user touch-operate middle operating region 204 of operating unit 2. Furthermore, if the user wants to brighten (raise the light-control level of) lighting load 4, it is sufficient that the user touch-operate top operating region 203 of operating unit 2; if the user wants to dim (lower the light-control level of) lighting load 4, it is sufficient that the user touch-operate bottom operating region 205 of operating unit 2.

The switch device according to this embodiment includes touch sensor 20 and control unit 5. Touch sensor 20 includes the first to third detecting regions (top operating region 203, middle operating region 204, bottom operating region 205). Furthermore, in touch sensor 20, the second detecting region (middle operating region 204) is disposed between the first detecting region (top operating region 203) and the third detecting region (bottom operating region 205). Control unit 5 switches the state of lighting load 4 between the ON state and the OFF state, and regulates light output of lighting load 4 in the ON state. In addition, control unit 5 increases the light output of lighting load 4 when touch sensor 20 detects an operation by a person on the first detecting region (top operating region 203). Furthermore, control unit 5 decreases the light output of lighting load 4 when touch sensor 20 detects an operation by a person on the third detecting region (bottom operating region 205). Furthermore, control unit 5 switches the state of lighting load 4 from the ON state to the OFF state when touch sensor 20 detects an operation by a person on the second detecting region (middle operating region 204).

Since the switch device according to this embodiment is configured in the above-described manner, touching the second detecting region (middle operating region 204) allows lighting load 4 to be turned OFF immediately. Consequently, unlike the conventional example in PTL 1, with the switch device according to this embodiment, the user does not need to perform the operation for switching brightness twice in order to switch the state of the fluorescent lamp from FULL to OFF. As a result, compared to the conventional example, the switch device according to this embodiment has improved operability in switching states of lighting load 4.

Furthermore, assuming the case where, in the switch device according to this embodiment, touch sensor 20 detects operation by a person on at least one of the first to third detecting regions when lighting load 4 is OFF. In this case, control unit 5 may switch the state of lighting load 4 from OFF to ON.

In other words, according to the above-described configuration of the switch device according to this embodiment, when lighting load 4 is OFF, lighting load 4 can be switched ON regardless of which of operating regions 203 to 205 of operating unit 2 is touched by the user. As a result, the switch device according to this embodiment has further improved operability in switching states of lighting load 4.

Furthermore, in the switch device according to this embodiment, the first to third detecting regions may be aligned on a single face of an outer wall of the switch device.

Since the switch device according to this embodiment is configured in the above-described manner, the user can perform a touch operation by selecting one operating region from the three operating regions on the single face. As a result, the switch device according to this embodiment has further improved operability in the switching states of lighting load 4.

It should be noted that the switch device may be configured in such a way that the three operating regions (top operating region 203, middle operating region 204, and bottom operating region 205) can be visually distinguishable. For example, the colors of light emitted by LEDs 200 corresponding to the respective operating regions may be made different, or each operating region may be displayed on the front face of panel 24 using an appropriate method such as printing (a label), and so on.

Although switch devices in the present disclosure are described based on the forgoing exemplary embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment. Forms obtained by various modifications to the exemplary embodiment that can be conceived by a person of skill in the art as well as forms realized by arbitrarily combining structural components and functions in respective exemplary embodiments which are within the scope of the essence of the present invention are included in the present invention.

4 lighting load
5 control unit
10 case (outer wall)
20 touch sensor
22 housing (outer wall)
203 top operating region (first detecting region)
204 middle operating region (second detecting region)
205 bottom operating region (third detecting region)

Claims

A switch device for switching states of a lighting load according to a touch operation, the switch device comprising:
a touch sensor; and
a control unit,
wherein the touch sensor includes a first detecting region, a second detecting region, and a third detecting region, the second detecting region being disposed between the first detecting region and the third detecting region, and
the control unit is configured to switch a state of the lighting load between an ON state and an OFF state, and regulate light output of the lighting load in the ON state,
wherein the control unit is further configured to:
increase the light output of the lighting load when the touch sensor detects an operation by a person on the first detecting region;
decrease the light output of the lighting load when the touch sensor detects an operation by a person on the third detecting region; and
switch the state of the lighting load from the ON state to the OFF state when the touch sensor detects an operation by a person on the second detecting region.
The switch device according to claim 1,
wherein, when the lighting load is in the OFF state, the control unit is configured to switch the state of the lighting load from the OFF state to the ON state when the touch sensor detects an operation by a person on at least one of the first detecting region, the second detecting region, and the third detecting region.
The switch device according to claim 1 or claim 2,
wherein the first detecting region, the second detecting region, and the third detecting region are aligned on a single face of an outer wall of the switch device.