Button switch and controller

Abstract

The invention provides a button switch which can improve the visibility of a button and simplify the structure. An emergency stop switch (1) is provided with: a stop button (2) that can be pressed in; a cylindrical operation shaft (6) that can be moved by the pressing operation of the stop button (2); and an LED (8) which is disposed inside the operation shaft (6), and which has a convex curved surface (20a) formed on the front surface of the stop button (2), a first concave-convex surface (20b) formed on the rear surface thereof, and second concave-convex surfaces (6a, 6b) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the operation shaft (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a push button switch, and more particularly, to an improvement in a structure for enhancing the visual confirmation of a button. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-92067 discloses a push-button type engine start switch. The engine start switch (100) includes: an operation knob (3) having a button portion (31) that is pressed by a user; a housing (1) that houses the operation knob (3); a light-emitting member (41); and a sheet member (5) having a light diffusion portion (52) and covering the light-emitting member (41) (see paragraphs

[0019] ,

[0023] ,

[0025] ,

[0029] to

[0030] ,

[0034] ,

[0037] of this publication, and Figure 3 ).

[0003] According to the description of the above publication, when the user presses the button portion (31), the light from the light-emitting member (41) is diffused by the light diffusion portion (52) of the sheet member (5) and transmitted through the display portion (32) at the center of the button portion (31) and the connecting portion (34) on the outer peripheral side, so that the user can easily visually confirm the display portion (32).

[0004] In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-113831 discloses a lighted push button switch. The push button switch (1) includes: an operation button (8) that is pressed by a user; an LED (21); and a transmissive plate (70) having a structure (700) that refracts the light from the LED (21) (see paragraphs

[0028] to

[0029] ,

[0033] of this publication, and Figure 1 , Figure 6 ).

[0005] According to the description of the above publication, when the user presses the operation button (8), the light from the LED (21) is refracted by the structure (700) and reflected inside the transmissive plate (70) and guided to the upper peripheral wall portion (71), so that the amount of light irradiating the peripheral wall portion (81) of the operation button (8) can be increased (see paragraphs

[0036] to

[0039] of this publication, and Figure 1 , Figure 6 ).

[0006] Prior Art Documents

[0007] Patent Documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-92067 (see paragraphs

[0019] ,

[0023] ,

[0025] ,

[0029] to

[0030] ,

[0034] ,

[0037] , and Figure 3 )

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-113831 (see paragraphs

[0028] to

[0029] ,

[0033] ,

[0036] to

[0039] , and Figure 1 、 Figure 6 ) Summary of the Invention

[0010] Regarding the engine start switch described in the above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-92067, as shown in paragraphs

[0034] and

[0037] of that publication and Figure 3 as shown, in order to diffuse the light from the light-emitting part (41), it is necessary to separately provide a sheet member (5) having a light diffusion part (52). Therefore, the number of components increases and the structure becomes complicated.

[0011] In addition, regarding the light-illuminated push-button switch described in the above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-113831, as shown in paragraph

[0039] of that publication and Figure 1 、 Figure 6 as shown, in order to refract the light from the LED (21), it is necessary to separately provide a transmissive plate (70) having a structure body (700). Therefore, the number of components increases and the structure becomes complicated.

[0012] The present invention has been completed in view of the above-mentioned actual situations, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a push-button switch that can improve the visual confirmability of the button and can simplify the structure.

[0013] The push-button switch according to the present invention includes: a button that can be pushed in; a cylindrical shaft portion that can move by the pushing operation of the button; and a light source that is disposed inside the shaft portion, a convex curved surface is formed on the surface of the button, a first uneven surface is formed on the back surface, and a second uneven surface is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion.

[0014] According to the present invention, light from a light source is incident on a first uneven surface on the back surface of a button and diffused, or is incident on the first uneven surface on the back surface of the button from a second uneven surface on the inner circumferential surface of a shaft portion and diffused, so as to pass through the inside of the button and be diffused on a convex curved surface on the surface of the button and transmitted to the outside, and be transmitted to the outside through the side portion of the button. Thereby, not only can the surface of the button be irradiated, but also the side portion can be irradiated, and the visual confirmation property of the button can be improved. Moreover, in this case, in order to diffuse the light from the light source, the first uneven surface formed on the back surface of the button is utilized, so that there is no need to separately provide a new component for light diffusion, and the structure can be simplified.

[0015] In the present invention, the light source is composed of a plurality of LEDs, and each LED is surface-mounted on the front and back surfaces of a substrate respectively, and at least a part of the light emitting surface of each LED is disposed opposite to the second uneven surface respectively. In this case, the light emitted from the light emitting surface of each LED is diffused on the second uneven surface respectively opposite to at least a part of each light emitting surface.

[0016] In the present invention, the second uneven surface is sparsely or densely arranged in a region opposite to the central portion of the light emitting surface of each LED, and is densely or sparsely arranged in a region opposite to the peripheral portion of the light emitting surface of each LED. Thereby, regarding the illumination state of the second uneven surface, it can be made uniform between the region opposite to the central portion of the light emitting surface and the region opposite to the peripheral portion of the light emitting surface, or a change can be generated.

[0017] In the present invention, the first uneven surface has a first uneven pattern and a first' uneven pattern different from the first uneven pattern. The first uneven pattern is composed of a plurality of linear convex portions extending linearly respectively, and the first' uneven pattern is composed of a plurality of curved convex portions extending in a curved shape respectively.

[0018] In this case, the light from the light source is diffused on the first uneven surface on the back surface of the button due to the first uneven pattern composed of a plurality of linear convex portions, and is diffused due to the first' uneven pattern composed of a plurality of curved convex portions. Thereby, the illumination state of the convex curved surface on the surface of the button can be made uniform, or a change in the illumination state can be generated.

[0019] In the present invention, the linear convex portion and the curved convex portion include a triangular cross-sectional shape, which is composed of a hypotenuse extending in a direction crossing the axial direction of the button and an adjacent side crossing the hypotenuse at an acute angle and extending in the axial direction.

[0020] In this case, the light from the light source is greatly diffused on the first and first' uneven patterns especially due to the hypotenuses of the linear convex portion and the curved convex portion, so that the illumination state of the convex curved surface on the surface of the button can be made uniform, or a change in the illumination state can be generated.

[0021] In the present invention, the first concavo-convex pattern is disposed in a region at the center of the back surface of the button, and the first' concavo-convex pattern is disposed laterally of the first concavo-convex pattern on the back surface of the button.

[0022] In the present invention, the second concavo-convex surface is constituted by a plurality of linear convex portions linearly extending in the axial direction on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion.

[0023] In the present invention, the button is made of a light-transmissive member, and the emitted light emitted from the light source is diffused through the second concavo-convex surface on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion, the first concavo-convex surface on the back surface of the button, and the convex curved surface on the front surface, and the diffused light is emitted to the outside from the front surface and the side portion of the button.

[0024] In the present invention, the push-button switch is an emergency stop switch.

[0025] The controller according to the present invention includes an emergency stop switch.

[0026] Advantages of the Invention

[0027] As described above, according to the present invention, the visual confirmability of the button can be improved and the structure can be simplified. Description of the Drawings

[0028] Figure 1 It is an overall perspective view of an emergency stop switch (push-button switch) according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the stop button (push-button) side.

[0029] Figure 2 It is an overall perspective view of the emergency stop switch ( Figure 1 ) as viewed from the fixed terminal side.

[0030] Figure 3 It is the front view of the emergency stop switch ( Figure 1 ).

[0031] Figure 4 It is the top view of the emergency stop switch ( Figure 3 ).

[0032] Figure 5 It is Figure 4 A sectional view taken along line V-V, showing the longitudinal section of the emergency stop switch ( Figure 3 ).

[0033] Figure 6 It is Figure 5 A partial enlarged view showing the stop button, the upper part of the operating shaft (shaft portion), and the LED (light source).

[0034] Figure 7 It is Figure 6 A partial enlarged view ( Figure 11Cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII), and is a diagram for explaining an example of the traveling route of incident light toward the first concavo-convex surface of the stop button ( Figure 6 )

[0035] Figure 8 is Figure 7 A partial enlarged view, which enlargedly shows the convex portion constituting the first concavo-convex surface ( Figure 7 )

[0036] Figure 9 is the rear view of the stop button ( Figure 6 )

[0037] Figure 10 is the three-dimensional enlarged partial view of the stop button ( Figure 9 )

[0038] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the first concavo-convex surface of the back side of the stop button ( Figure 9 )

[0039] Figure 12 is a three-dimensional view showing the shaft portion and terminals inside the emergency stop switch ( Figure 1 )

[0040] Figure 13 is Figure 12 The top view partial view of

[0041] Figure 14 is the upper end side three-dimensional view of the shaft portion ( Figure 12 )

[0042] Figure 15 is the lower end side three-dimensional view of the shaft portion ( Figure 12 )

[0043] Figure 16 is the overall three-dimensional view of the shaft portion ( Figure 12 ) observed from a position slightly above

[0044] Figure 17 is a diagram showing a modified example of the second concavo-convex surface of the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion ( Figure 12 )

[0045] Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic module structure of a controller equipped with the emergency stop switch Detailed implementation mode

[0046] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings

[0047] Figures 1 to 18This is a diagram for explaining an emergency stop switch as a push-button switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 1 to 4 This is an external view of the emergency stop switch. Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is an internal structure diagram of the emergency stop switch. Figures 7 to 11 This is a diagram for explaining the first concave-convex surface on the back of the stop button. Figures 12 to 17 This is a diagram for explaining the operating shaft and the second concave-convex surface on its inner peripheral surface. Figure 18 This is a diagram showing the schematic module structure of a controller equipped with an emergency stop switch. In addition, in the following description, for the sake of convenience in explanation, the side facing the stop button is referred to as the upper side (above / up), and the side facing the fixed terminal is referred to as the lower side (below / down). That is, taking Figure 3 、 Figure 5 as an example, the upper side shown in the figure is the upper side, and the lower side shown in the figure is the lower side.

[0048] As Figures 1 to 4 shown, the emergency stop switch 1 includes: a stop button (push button) 2 that can be pressed by an operator; an operating shaft (shaft portion) (described later) that can move by the pressing operation of the stop button 2; and a housing 3 that houses the operating shaft and supports the stop button 2. The stop button 2 and the operating shaft are made of a light-transmissive member. In particular, with respect to the stop button 2, it is preferably made of a milky white, translucent (such as red translucent) member or the like that can sufficiently exert a light diffusion effect.

[0049] On the housing 3, there are provided: a flange portion 3A that projects outward in the radial direction; an external thread portion 30; and a lock nut 4 that is screwed with the external thread portion 30. When installing the emergency stop switch 1, for example, the external thread portion 30 is inserted into a mounting hole (not shown) formed through a panel such as a control panel, and the panel is clamped between the flange portion 3A and the lock nut 4, thereby installing the emergency stop switch 1 on the panel. In addition, a fixed terminal 5 extends from the bottom surface of the emergency stop switch 1.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5 which is a longitudinal sectional view of the emergency stop switch 1 (corresponding to Figure 4 the cross-section along the V-V line), the stop button 2 of the emergency stop switch 1 is disposed on the upper side and has a cup shape as follows, having: an upper portion 20 that is pressed by the operator; and a side portion 21 that extends downward from the outer peripheral edge portion of the upper portion 20. The upper surface (surface) 20A of the upper portion 20 has a concave portion at the center, and an upwardly convex curved surface 20a is formed in the concave portion (refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 6 ). A first concave-convex surface 20b is formed on the lower surface (back surface) of the upper portion 20 (refer to Figure 6)。The convex curved surface 20a is arranged to cover the first uneven surface 20b from above. Preferably, the formation area of the convex curved surface 20a is larger than that of the first uneven surface 20b (refer to Figure 4 ). In addition, Figure 4 only the outer edge of the formation area of the first uneven surface 20b is shown in

[0051] . As for the detailed description of the first uneven surface 20b, it will be given later. Figure 5 As shown in Figure 5 , on the back side of the stop button 2, there are provided upright wall portions 22 and 23 that extend downward respectively and are arranged circumferentially at intervals in the radial direction. The diameter of the upright wall portion 22 is smaller than that of the upright wall portion 23, and the upright wall portion 22 is arranged outside the first uneven surface 20b in the radial direction of the outer edge of the formation area. A spiral spring 24 is arranged between the upright wall portions 22 and 23. The spiral spring 24 extends in the axial direction (

[0052] the up and down direction of Figure 5 ), and its upper end abuts against the back surface of the stop button 2. Figure 4 ). In addition, Figure 4 only the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the operating shaft 6 is shown in

[0053] . An operating shaft (shaft portion) 6 extending in the axial direction (

[0054] the up and down direction of Figure 6 ) is provided below the stop button 2. The upper end of the operating shaft 6 is mounted on the back surface of the stop button 2. In addition, the upper end of the operating shaft 6 is arranged opposite to the first uneven surface 20b of the stop button 2, and the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the operating shaft 6 is arranged closer to the inside in the radial direction than the outer edge of the formation area of the first uneven surface 20b (refer to

[0055] A pair of left and right protrusions 61 are provided at the lower part of the operating shaft 6, which protrude outward in the radial direction and extend in an arc shape in the circumferential direction. Each protrusion 61 has a pair of upper and lower inclined surfaces extending in directions intersecting each other. On the other hand, a pair of left and right locking components 9 that can slide in the radial direction are provided inside the housing 3. Each locking component 9 is always urged toward the side facing the operating shaft 6 by the elastic reaction force of the spring 90. Each locking component 9 has a pair of upper and lower inclined surfaces extending in directions intersecting each other. Each inclined surface of the locking component 9 corresponds to each inclined surface of the protrusion 61 of the operating shaft 6.

[0056] like Figure 5 As shown, in the state before the stop button 2 is pressed, the upper inclined surface of the locking member 9 is pressed and engaged with the lower inclined surface of the convex portion 61 of the operating shaft 6, thereby applying a locking load that locks the operating shaft 6 axially downward. On the other hand, when the operating shaft 6 is to be moved downward by the pressing operation of the stop button 2, if the load on the operating shaft 6 in the axial downward direction is greater than the locking load of the locking member 9 acting on the convex portion 61, the convex portion 61 passes over the locking member 9 and moves downward, and as a result, the axially downward locking state of the operating shaft 6 is released.

[0057] Below the operating shaft 6, a Figure 5 The contact shaft 10 extends in the vertical direction (in the vertical direction). The upper part of the contact shaft 10 is fitted and fixed to the inner peripheral surface 6c of the lower part of the operating shaft 6. The contact shaft 10 is a cylindrical component, and the substrate 7 passes through the inside of the contact shaft 10 and extends downward. A pair of left and right movable contacts 11 are provided at the lower part of the contact shaft 10. On the other hand, a pair of left and right fixed contacts 12 are fixed inside the housing 3, and each fixed contact 12 is arranged opposite to each other above the corresponding movable contact 11. Each fixed contact 12 is connected to the fixed terminal 5. Each movable contact 11 is urged toward the side of the corresponding fixed contact 12 by the elastic reaction force of the spring 13.

[0058] like Figure 5 As shown in the figure, before the stop button 2 is pressed, each movable contact 11 is in contact with each corresponding fixed contact 12, and the contacts are in a closed state. At this time, the spring 13 applies contact pressure between each contact 11 and 12. On the other hand, if the stop button 2 is pressed to release the locking state of the operating shaft 6 axially downward, each movable contact 11 is separated from each corresponding fixed contact 12, so that the contacts are in an open state.

[0059] Next, use Figures 7 to 11 The first concavo-convex surface 20 b on the back side of the stop button 2 will be described in detail.

[0060] like Figure 7As shown, the first uneven surface 20b is formed by disposing a plurality of convex portions 20b0 on a plane. Each convex portion 20b0 is arranged symmetrically left and right (line symmetry) with respect to the center line CL of the button 2. The cross section of each convex portion 20b0 (the section in the direction parallel to the paper surface of Figure 7 ) has an approximate triangle, having: a hypotenuse 20b1 that extends in a direction crossing the axial direction of the stop button 2 (the vertical direction in this figure); an adjacent side 20b2 that crosses the hypotenuse 20b1 at an acute angle and extends in the axial direction; and a connecting side 20b3 that connects the above-mentioned hypotenuse 20b1 and adjacent side 20b2 (refer to Figure 8 ). Here, the approximate triangle may not be a triangle in the strict sense, and as long as the effects of the present invention can be achieved, for example, it may also be a trapezoid lacking the vertex of the triangle. In addition, the hypotenuse 20b1, adjacent side 20b2, and connecting side 20b3 are not limited to straight lines and may also be curves. Additionally, the connecting side 20b3 may be omitted. Further, the first uneven surface 20b is formed, for example, by performing knurling on the back surface of the stop button 2. Here, "knurling" refers to a processing method of forming fine unevenness and incisions on the surface of metal or resin.

[0061] As Figures 9 to 11 shown, the first uneven surface 20b has a first uneven pattern 20B and a first' uneven pattern 20B' different from the first uneven pattern 20B. The first uneven pattern 20B is composed of a plurality of linear convex portions 20b0 extending linearly respectively, and the first' uneven pattern is composed of a plurality of curved convex portions 20b0 extending in a curved shape (arc shape in the illustrated example) respectively. The linear convex portions 20b0 and the curved convex portions 20b0 have the same cross-sectional shape. That is, for either the first uneven pattern 20B or the first' uneven pattern 20B', the shapes of the respective convex portions constituting the first uneven pattern 20B and the first' uneven pattern 20B' have Figure 7 and Figure 8 the approximate triangle shown.

[0062] As Figure 11 shown, the first uneven pattern 20B is disposed in a region including the center (center O and its surroundings) of the back surface of the stop button 2, and the first' uneven pattern 20B' is disposed on the side of the first uneven pattern 20B on the back surface. In the illustrated example, the first' uneven pattern 20B' is disposed on the left and right sides of the first uneven pattern 20B. Additionally, in this figure, the positions of the LEDs 8, 8' are shown by dash-dotted lines, and the arrangement direction of the respective linear convex portions 20b0 of the first uneven pattern 20B is parallel to the respective light emitting surfaces 8a, 8'a of the LEDs 8, 8'.

[0063] Figure 7 Corresponds to Figure 11The VII-VII line cross-sectional view (a transverse cross-sectional view passing through the center O) mainly shows the cross-sectional shape of the first concavo-convex pattern 20B, and the cross-sectional shape of the first 'concavo-convex pattern 20B' is also presented in the same manner as the first concavo-convex pattern 20B.

[0064] Next, use Figures 12 to 16 The second concavo-convex surfaces 6a and 6b will be described in detail.

[0065] As shown in the above drawings, the second concavoconvex surfaces 6a, 6b are provided at positions opposite to each other across the axis on the inner circumference of the operating shaft 6. In the illustrated example, the second concavoconvex surfaces 6a, 6b are not provided on the entire circumference of the inner circumference of the operating shaft 6, but are provided at positions opposite to the light emitting surfaces 8a, 8'a of the LEDs 8, 8', respectively, and are not provided on the side of the end surface of the substrate 7 (see Figure 13 ).

[0066] like Figure 13 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second concavoconvex surfaces 6a and 6b are formed by arranging a plurality of convex portions on the inner circumference of the operating shaft 6, and the apex of each convex portion extends in the axial direction. That is, the second concavoconvex surfaces 6a and 6b are formed by a plurality of linear convex portions extending in a linear manner in the axial direction on the inner circumference of the operating shaft 6. The cross section of each convex portion (with the convex portion of FIG. 1 ) is Figure 13 The cross section in the direction parallel to the paper surface of the operating shaft 6 has a substantially triangular shape (an isosceles triangle in the example shown in the figure) and has a pair of oblique sides intersecting each other. Each convex portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the operating shaft 6 by, for example, knurling.

[0067] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0068] The timing for supplying current to LED8, 8' can be set to any time when the movable contact 11 separates from the fixed contact 12 or when the movable contact 11 contacts the fixed contact 12. Here, the case where current is supplied to LED8, 8' to make LED8, 8' light up when the movable contact 11 contacts the fixed contact 12 (that is, when the emergency stop switch 1 is not activated) is taken as an example.

[0069] like Figure 5 As shown, if the operator pushes the stop button 2 from the inactive state of the emergency stop switch 1, the operating shaft 6 moves downward together with the stop button 2. At this time, if the load on the operating shaft 6 in the axial downward direction is greater than the locking load of the locking member 9 acting on the protrusion 61, the protrusion 61 moves downward over the locking member 9, and as a result, the axially downward locking state of the operating shaft 6 is released. As a result, each movable contact 11 separates from each corresponding fixed contact 12, the contacts are disconnected, and the emergency stop switch 1 is changed to the active state.

[0070] The state where the contact is closed is detected by a monitoring contact (not shown), for example, and based on its detection signal, current is supplied to the LEDs 8 and 8' so that the LEDs 8 and 8' emit light. The emitted light emitted from the LEDs 8 and 8' is incident on the second uneven surfaces 6a and 6b that face the LEDs 8 and 8' respectively in the upper part of the operation shaft 6. The incident light toward the second uneven surfaces 6a and 6b is reflected, refracted, and transmitted on the second uneven surfaces 6a and 6b, and then repeatedly diffused (i.e., diffuse reflection, diffuse transmission) and travels to the upper end of the operation shaft 6.

[0071] The light that travels to the upper end of the operation shaft 6 is emitted upward from the opening at the upper end of the operation shaft 6 and is incident on the first uneven surface 20b on the back surface of the stop button 2. At this time, Figure 7 An example of the traveling route of the incident light toward the first uneven surface 20b will be described.

[0072] In Figure 7 , several beams of incident light toward the first uneven surface 20b are indicated by reference numerals L1, L2, L1', L2', and L3'. The incident lights L1 and L2 are, for example, the lights emitted from the LED 8 and passing through the second uneven surface 6a, and the incident lights L1', L2', and L3' are, for example, the lights emitted from the LED 8' and passing through the second uneven surface 6b. In addition, in this figure, the thin lines that cross the hypotenuse 20b1 of the convex portion 20b0 of the first uneven surface 20b are the perpendicular lines drawn from the incident points of the light on the hypotenuse 20b1. Similarly, the thin lines that cross the upwardly convex curved surface 20a are the perpendicular lines drawn from the incident points of the light on the upwardly convex curved surface 20a.

[0073] The incident light L1 is incident on the hypotenuse 20b1 of the convex portion 20b0 on the right side of the center line CL in the first uneven surface 20b, and then refracts and enters the convex portion 20b0 (see the refracted light L 10 ). After traveling inside the stop button 2, it is transmitted to the outside from the upwardly convex curved surface 20a (see the transmitted light L 11 ). Similarly, the incident light L2 is incident on the hypotenuse 20b1 of the convex portion 20b0 on the right side of the center line CL in the first uneven surface 20b, and then refracts and enters the convex portion 20b0 (see the refracted light L 20 ). After traveling inside the stop button 2, it is transmitted to the outside from the upwardly convex curved surface 20a (see the transmitted light L 21 ). The transmitted lights L 11 , L 21 travel toward Figure 7 the upper right as shown. When each refracted light L 10 , L 20 is transmitted to the outside from the upwardly convex curved surface 20a, diffuse transmission occurs on the upwardly convex curved surface 20a. Therefore, in the transmitted lights L 11 , L21 In addition to this, diffused transmitted light that is transmitted in various directions is also generated.

[0074] In addition, the incident lights L1’ and L2’ are incident on the hypotenuse 20b1 of the convex portion 20b0 on the left side of the center line CL in the first concavo-convex surface 20b, and then are refracted and enter into the convex portion 20b0 (refer to the refracted lights L 10 ’ and L 20 ’). After traveling inside the stop button 2, they are transmitted to the outside from the upwardly convex curved surface 20a (refer to the transmitted lights L 11 ’ and L 21 ’). The transmitted lights L 11 ’ and L 21 ’ travel toward the upper left as shown in Figure 7 . When each refracted light L 10 ’ and L 20 ’ is transmitted to the outside from the upwardly convex curved surface 20a, diffused transmission occurs on the upwardly convex curved surface 20a. Therefore, in addition to the transmitted lights L 11 ’ and L 21 ’ which are direct transmitted lights, diffused transmitted light that is transmitted in various directions is also generated.

[0075] Thus, the entire upper surface 20A of the upper portion 20 of the stop button 2 including the upwardly convex curved surface 20a is irradiated with direct transmitted light and diffused transmitted light (i.e., surface light emission).

[0076] On the other hand, the incident light L3’ is perpendicularly incident on the hypotenuse 20b1 of the convex portion 20b0 on the right side of the center line CL in the first concavo-convex surface 20b, and then enters into the convex portion 20b0 as it is (refer to the light L 30 ’). After traveling upward inside the stop button 2, it is reflected (or totally reflected) on the upwardly convex curved surface 20a and travels downward inside the stop button 2 (refer to the reflected light L 31 ’). After being reflected (or totally reflected) on the convex portion 20b0 (refer to the reflected light L 32 ’), it travels toward the side portion 21 of the stop button 2 ( Figure 5 ) and is transmitted to the outside from the side portion 21 (not shown). At this time, diffused transmission occurs on the side portion 21. Therefore, on the outer surface of the side portion 21, diffused transmitted light that is transmitted in various directions is also generated in addition to the direct transmitted light.

[0077] Thus, the side portion 21 of the stop button 2 is irradiated with direct transmitted light and diffused transmitted light (i.e., surface emission). In this case, since the side portion 21 is irradiated together with the irradiation of the entire upper surface 20A of the stop button 2, the entire stop button 2 can be irradiated. Thereby, the visual confirmability of the stop button 2 can be improved. Further, in this case, in order to diffuse the light from the LEDs 8, 8', the first uneven surface 20b formed on the back surface of the stop button 2 is used, so that there is no need to separately provide a new component for light diffusion, and the structure can be simplified.

[0078] In addition, Figure 7 An example is shown in which light is incident on the linear convex portion 20b0 of the first uneven pattern 20B on the first uneven surface 20b. However, the case where light is incident on the curved convex portion 20b0 of the first' uneven pattern 20B' on the first uneven surface 20b is the same as the case shown in this figure. However, in this case, since the curved convex portion 20b0 is curved and extended in an arc shape, the incident light toward the curved convex portion 20b0 Figure 7 is emitted from the upward convex curved surface 20a along the circumferential direction on the near side and the back side of the paper surface of this figure. Regarding the emitted light at this time, it includes not only direct transmitted light but also diffused transmitted light transmitted in various directions.

[0079] In this way, the emitted light from the LEDs 8, 8' is diffused by the first uneven surface 20b on the back surface of the stop button 2 due to the first uneven pattern 20B composed of a plurality of linear convex portions 20b0 and due to the first' uneven pattern 20B' composed of a plurality of curved convex portions 20b0. In addition, particularly due to the inclined sides 20b1 of the linear convex portions 20b0 and the curved convex portions 20b0, it is diffused significantly. Thereby, the illumination state of the upward convex curved surface 20a on the upper surface of the stop button 2 can be made uniform, or the illumination state can be changed.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, as Figure 13 shown, an example is shown in which the plurality of convex portions constituting the second uneven surfaces 6a, 6b are uniformly arranged in the circumferential direction, but the application of the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 17 A modified example of the second uneven surface 6a is shown. In this figure, the same reference numerals as those in the above-described embodiment denote the same or corresponding parts. Here, the second uneven surface 6a is taken as an example for description, but the same applies to the second uneven surface 6b.

[0081] As Figure 17 shown, each convex portion of the second uneven surface 6a has a pattern width λ0 in the region facing the central portion of the light emitting surface 8a of the LED 8 and has a pattern width λ1 (>λ0) in the region facing the peripheral portion of the light emitting surface 8a. That is, each convex portion is densely arranged in the region facing the central portion of the light emitting surface 8a of the LED 8 and is sparsely arranged in the region facing the peripheral portion of the light emitting surface 8a.

[0082] In this case, the amount of diffused light generated by the convex portions in the region facing the central portion of the light emitting surface 8a of the LED 8 is greater than the amount of diffused light generated by the convex portions in the region facing the peripheral portion of the light emitting surface 8a. Therefore, the illumination state can be made uniform between the region facing the central portion and the region facing the peripheral portion.

[0083] On the other hand, the density distribution of the convex portions of the second uneven surface 6a may also be Figure 17 contrary to the example shown, with a sparse distribution in the region facing the central portion of the light emitting surface 8a of the LED 8 and a dense distribution in the region facing the peripheral portion of the light emitting surface 8a.

[0084] In this case, the amount of diffused light generated by the convex portions in the region facing the peripheral portion of the light emitting surface 8a of the LED 8 is greater than the amount of diffused light generated by the convex portions in the region facing the central portion of the light emitting surface 8a. Therefore, a change in the illumination state can be produced between the region facing the central portion and the region facing the peripheral portion.

[0085] In the above example, the density distribution of the convex portions is achieved by repeatedly making the pattern widths of the convex portions different, but it can also be achieved by making the pattern widths of the convex portions the same and widening or narrowing the intervals between the convex portions.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the light source, a pair of LEDs 8 and 8' are shown surface-mounted on the front and back surfaces of the substrate 7, but the number of LEDs is not limited to this and may be more than this number. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which a part of the light emitting surfaces 8a and 8'a of the respective LEDs 8 and 8' are disposed opposite to the second uneven surfaces 6a and 6b of the operation shaft 6, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. The entire light emitting surfaces 8a and 8'a of the respective LEDs 8 and 8' may be disposed opposite to the second uneven surfaces 6a and 6b. Further, as in the above-described embodiment, when a part of the light emitting surfaces 8a and 8'a of the respective LEDs 8 and 8' are disposed opposite to the second uneven surfaces 6a and 6b of the operation shaft 6, it is possible to contribute to the shortening of the overall size of the emergency stop switch 1.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the push-button switch according to the present invention is applied to an emergency stop switch, but the present invention can also be applied to other stop switches other than the emergency stop switch.

[0088] The emergency stop switch applying the present invention is provided, for example, in various controllers such as mechanical equipment used in factories and the like, its control equipment, and a teaching device connected to the control equipment. When the emergency stop switch is operated, the mechanical equipment is stopped urgently.

[0089] Figure 18 An example of a schematic module structure of such a controller is shown. As shown in this figure, an emergency stop switch 1 and various sensors 101 such as a laser scanner and a photoelectric sensor are connected to the input side of the controller 100, and a robot drive unit 102 as a control object and other drive units 103 such as a conveyor are connected to the output side.

[0090] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the first uneven surface 20b has a first uneven pattern 20B and a first' uneven pattern 20B' different from the first uneven pattern 20B (see Figures 9 to 11 ), but the application of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0091] For example, the first uneven surface 20b may only have the first uneven pattern 20B, and in addition, the first uneven surface 20b may also only have the second uneven pattern 20B'.

[0092] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the second uneven surfaces 6a and 6b are not provided on the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surface of the operation shaft 6, but are provided at positions facing the respective light emitting surfaces 8a and 8'a of the LEDs 8 and 8', and are not provided on the side of the end surface of the substrate 7 (see Figures 12 to 16 ), but the application of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0093] For example, the second uneven surfaces 6a and 6b may be provided on the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surface of the operation shaft 6. In addition, for example, convex portions may be densely arranged in the regions facing the respective light emitting surfaces 8a and 8'a of the LEDs 8 and 8', and convex portions may be sparsely arranged in the regions facing the side of the light emitting surface 8a of the LED 8.

[0094] (Other embodiments and variations)

[0095] The above embodiments should be regarded only as simple examples of the present invention in all aspects and are not limiting. Even if not explicitly described in this specification, those skilled in the art in the field related to the present invention can, in consideration of the above teachings, partially construct various variations and other embodiments that adopt the principles of the present invention without departing from the spirit and essential features of the present invention.

[0096] Industrial applicability

[0097] The present invention is beneficial to push-button switches and is particularly suitable for a structure that improves the visual confirmation of buttons.

[0098] Explanation of reference numerals

[0099] 1: Emergency stop switch (push-button switch)

[0100] 2: Stop button (push-button)

[0101] 20a: convex curved surface (convex curved surface)

[0102] 20b: first uneven surface

[0103] 20b0: convex part

[0104] 20b1: bevel edge

[0105] 20b2: adjacent side

[0106] 20B: first uneven pattern

[0107] 20B’: first ’uneven pattern

[0108] 21: side part

[0109] 6: operation axis (axis part)

[0110] 6a, 6b: second uneven surface

[0111] 8, 8’: LED (light source)

[0112] 100: controller

[0113] L1, L2, L1’, L2’, L3’: emitted light

[0114] L 11 、L 21 、L 11 ’、L 21 ’: diffused light

Claims

1. A push-button switch, characterized in that, the push-button switch includes: a button capable of being pressed in; a cylindrical shaft portion capable of moving by the pressing operation of the button; and a light source disposed inside the shaft portion, a convex curved surface is formed on the surface of the button, and a first concavo-convex surface is formed on the back surface, and a second concavo-convex surface is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion.

2. The push-button switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, the light source is composed of a plurality of LEDs, each of the LEDs is surface-mounted on the front and back surfaces of the substrate, and at least a part of the light-emitting surface of each LED is disposed opposite to the second concavo-convex surface.

3. The push-button switch according to claim 2, characterized in that, the second concavo-convex surface is sparsely or densely arranged in a region opposite to the central portion of the light-emitting surface of each LED, and is densely or sparsely arranged in a region opposite to the peripheral portion of the light-emitting surface of each LED.

4. The push-button switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first concavo-convex surface has a first concavo-convex pattern and a first' concavo-convex pattern different from the first concavo-convex pattern, the first concavo-convex pattern is composed of a plurality of linear convex portions extending linearly respectively, and the first' concavo-convex pattern is composed of a plurality of curved convex portions extending in a curved shape respectively.

5. The push-button switch according to claim 4, characterized in that, the linear convex portion and the curved convex portion include a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape, and the cross-sectional shape has: a hypotenuse extending in a direction crossing the axial direction of the button, and an adjacent side crossing the hypotenuse at an acute angle and extending along the axial direction.

6. The push-button switch according to claim 4, characterized in that, the first concavo-convex pattern is arranged in a region including the center of the back surface of the button, and the first' concavo-convex pattern is arranged on the side of the first concavo-convex pattern on the back surface.

7. The push-button switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, the second concavo-convex surface is composed of a plurality of linear convex portions extending linearly along the axial direction on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion.

8. The push-button switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, the button is made of a light-transmissive member, and the emitted light emitted from the light source is diffused through the second concavo-convex surface on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion, and the first concavo-convex surface on the back surface and the convex curved surface on the surface of the button, and the diffused light is emitted to the outside from the surface and the side portion of the button.

9. The push-button switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, the push-button switch is an emergency stop switch.

10. A controller, characterized in that, the controller includes the emergency stop switch according to claim 9.

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