Button switch with non-contact operation function

Abstract

To provide a button switch with a non-contact operation function, having excellent operability of non-contact operation.SOLUTION: In a button switch 1 with a non-contact operation function, which can select button contact operation by a depression operation of a button main body 21 of an operation button 2 and button non-contact operation by a photoelectronic sensor, the operation button 2 comprises a drawing pattern part 24a at a center, and includes a signal transmission window 22 at a vertical symmetric position while nipping the drawing pattern part 24a in a state where the switch 1 is assembled to an operation panel. At a position where faces the signal transmission window 22 of a substrate part 41 in a body main body 40, the photoelectronic sensor 49 is provided, respectively. By covering a hand so as to block a front side of the upper and lower signal transmission windows 22, the button switch can be operated in a non-contact manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a button switch with a non-contact operation function. [Background technology]

[0002] As shown in FIG. 10, elevators have traditionally used push button switches 100 with a pattern 101a (in this case, 1, the destination floor) displayed on the surface of the button 101 indicating the button operation content, such as the destination floor and the door opening / closing direction (see Patent Documents 1 to 3). That is, the conventional push button switch 100 has a substrate (not shown) covered with a cover 102 and a button 101, and when an operator manually presses the button 101 inward into the cover 102, a switch (not shown) on the substrate provided below the button 101 is operated, and a signal corresponding to the design displayed on the surface of the button 101 is sent to the elevator control unit, causing the elevator to operate in accordance with the signal. In Fig. 10, 103 is a connector unit.

[0003] However, many people have concerns about hygiene regarding elevator push button switches 100, because the buttons 101 are operated by an unspecified number of people. This tendency has become more prevalent, especially due to the spread of coronavirus infection. In view of this, a button switch 200 with a non-contact operation function as shown in FIG. 11 has been proposed recently.

[0004] In this button switch 200 with non-contact operation function, the destination floor of the elevator can be set by pressing the button 201 in the same manner as in the conventional push button switch 100, and the button 201 is equipped with a non-contact sensor portion. The non-contact sensor unit has a sensor window 210 provided at the bottom of the button 201, and is configured so that light emitted from a transmitter of a photoelectric sensor provided on a substrate unit (not shown) and reflected light of this emitted light can pass through and be received by a receiver.

[0005] That is, in the above-mentioned button switch 200 with non-contact operation function, when a hand is held in front of the signal transmission window 210, the light emitted from the transmitter of the photoelectric sensor is reflected by the hand, and when this reflected light is received by the receiver, a signal corresponding to the pattern displayed on the button 201 is sent to the elevator control unit, even if the button 201 is not directly touched. In FIG. 11, 201a denotes a design, and 203 denotes a connector portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-272473 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2009-289510 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2012-74393 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the case of the above-mentioned button switch 200 with non-contact operation function, since only the signal transmission window 210 of the photoelectric sensor is formed under the button 201, there are cases where the switch does not react depending on the position of the hand held over it.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a button switch with a non-contact operation function that is excellent in operability of non-contact operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The button switch with non-contact operation function of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the switch of the present invention") is incorporated in an elevator operation panel and comprises an operation button exposed on the surface of the operation panel, and a substrate part which supports the operation button and is housed within the operation panel and is electrically connected to a control part of the elevator at least via a signal line, the substrate part being equipped with a photoelectric sensor having a transmitter and a receiver, the operation button having a pattern on its surface which indicates the button operation content, and a light emitting part for emitting light from the transmitter to the outside of the operation button at a position facing the photoelectric sensor and a light emitting part for emitting light toward the receiver. This button switch with a non-contact operation function has a signal transmission window that serves as a light entrance portion through which reflected light enters the receiver, and allows the user to select between a button contact operation in which an operation instruction signal is sent to the control portion when pressed, and a button non-contact operation in which an operation instruction signal is sent to the control portion when the receiver receives the reflected light via the light entrance portion. When the substrate portion is incorporated into the operation panel, the substrate portion is provided with photoelectric sensors at symmetrical positions above and below or at symmetrical positions left and right, and the operation button is provided with a signal transmission window in a position facing each photoelectric sensor on the substrate portion.

[0010] The switch of the present invention may be configured so that the substrate portion has a substrate main body that is approximately square in plan view, and a connector portion extending from one side of the substrate main body with its central axis of symmetry coinciding with the central axis of symmetry of the substrate main body. With the above configuration, even if the connection portion on the elevator control panel side is reversed left and right, there is no need to prepare a separate base plate portion. In other words, in the case of the conventional button switch with non-contact operation function shown in Figure 11, in order to change the protruding direction of the connector, it is necessary to prepare separate board parts with connector parts protruding in left and right directions, which increases the number of parts and increases costs. However, by using the above configuration, only one type of board part and button is required, making it possible to reduce costs.

[0011] The switch of the present invention may be configured such that the substrate portion has an illumination LED for illuminating at least the design portion of the operation button at a position that does not impede the sensor function of the photoelectric sensor. That is, with the above configuration, at least the design portion can be illuminated by the light from the lighting LEDs more brightly than the surrounding area.

[0012] The switch of the present invention may include an even number of the illumination LEDs, and the illumination LEDs may be provided at rotationally symmetric positions with the center of the board portion main body as the center of rotation. In other words, with the above configuration, even if the connection direction of the connector part is reversed depending on the operation panel, it is only necessary to invert the board part, so there is no need to prepare a separate board part, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0013] In the present invention, a photoelectric sensor is a sensor that emits "light" such as visible light or infrared light from a light-projecting part, detects the light reflected by a detection object or the change in the amount of light blocked by the light-receiving part, and obtains an output signal. An infrared sensor is preferable. Effect of the Invention

[0014] As described above, the switch of the present invention is incorporated in an elevator operation panel and comprises an operation button exposed on the surface of the operation panel, and a substrate portion that supports the operation button and is housed within the operation panel and is electrically connected to a control portion of the elevator at least via a signal line, the substrate portion being equipped with a photoelectric sensor having a transmitter and a receiver, the operation button having a pattern on its surface indicating the button operation content, and a signal transmission window at a position facing the photoelectric sensor that serves as a light exit portion for transmitting light from the transmitter to the outside of the operation button and a light entrance portion for receiving light reflected toward the receiver. The button switch with non-contact operation function allows the user to select between a button contact operation, in which an operation instruction signal is sent to the control unit by pressing the button, and a button non-contact operation, in which an operation instruction signal is sent to the control unit when the receiver receives the reflected light through the light receiving unit. When the substrate unit is incorporated into the operation panel, photoelectric sensors are provided at symmetrical positions above and below or at symmetrical positions on the left and right of the substrate unit, and the operation button is provided with a signal transmission window at a position facing each photoelectric sensor on the substrate unit, so that non-contact operation can be reliably performed by simply holding a hand above or below or to the left or right of the operation button. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a switch according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the switch of FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a side view of the switch in FIG. 1 as viewed from the connector side. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a front view of a substrate portion of the switch of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cover on which an operation button of the switch of FIG. 1 is attached. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an operation button of the switch of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a rear view of a modified example of the operation button. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional push button switch. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional button switch with a non-contact operation function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a switch according to the present invention.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the switch 1 includes a body 4, a cover 3, and an operation button 2. The body 4 is a cover for covering the switch. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the body 4 includes a main body 40 and a connector portion . The connector portion 42 is adapted to be detachably connected to a connector receiving portion (not shown) provided in the elevator control panel.

[0018] The main body 40 has a generally square shape when viewed from the front, and has locking projections 47 protruding from its side peripheral surface for engagement with locking claws 32 of the cover 3, which will be described later. The main body 40 has a substrate section 41 and a switch operation section 45 built therein.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, the substrate unit 41 is provided with two photoelectric sensors 49, a tactile switch 46, and four lighting LEDs 48 on the surface on the operation button 2 side.

[0020] The tactile switch 46 is provided in the center of the substrate portion 41 . The two photoelectric sensors 49 each have an infrared receiving element 49a as a receiver and an infrared emitting LED 49b as a transmitter, with one photoelectric sensor 49 located at a position facing a signal transmitting window 22 provided on the upper side of the pattern portion 24a of the operation button 2 described below, and the other photoelectric sensor 49 located at a position facing the signal transmitting window 22 provided on the lower side of the pattern portion 24a of the operation button 2.

[0021] The two photoelectric sensors 49 are fixed to the base portion 40 such that the infrared emitting LED 49b and the infrared receiving element 49a are rotationally symmetrical about the central axis of the substrate portion main body 41.

[0022] The connector portion 42 protrudes from the main body 40 so as to be parallel to the central axis of one side wall of the main body 40 and symmetrical about the central axis, and is electrically connected to the elevator control portion via a connector receiving portion (not shown) which can be electrically connected to the switch 1. The tactile switch 46 is fixed to the center of the substrate portion 41, and is designed so that the circuit can be temporarily opened by pressing a switch operating protrusion 45a, which will be described later.

[0023] Although not shown, the switch operating portion 45 is biased in a direction away from the tactile switch 46 by a biasing means such as a spring. The switch operation portion 45 is provided with a switch operation protrusion 45a at a position facing the tactile switch 46, and has an infrared transmission hole 45c bored at a position facing the infrared emitting LED 49b and the infrared receiving element 49a.

[0024] The switch operation portion 45 is configured such that the switch operation protrusion 45a is kept in a non-contact state with the tact switch 46 by a biasing means unless pressed by an operation button 2, which will be described later. The four lighting LEDs 48 are arranged at positions on the substrate portion 41 that do not impede reception by the infrared receiving element 49a of the infrared emitting LED 49b of the photoelectric sensor 49 so as to pass through the signal transmission window 22 and the reflected infrared ray that has passed through the signal transmission window 22, and are arranged at rotationally symmetric positions around the central axis of the main body 40, so as to emit visible light.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, 7 and 8, the cover 3 has an external shape that is approximately the same as that of the body main body 40, covers the body main body 40, and is provided with locking claw portions 32 at positions facing the locking protrusions 47, and is fixedly integrated with the body main body 40 by the locking claw portions 32 fitting into the engagement protrusions 47. The cover 3 also has a guide tube portion 31 at the center thereof for guiding the button body 21 of the operation button 2 so that it can be projected and retracted.

[0026] The operation button 2 includes a button body 21, two signal transmission windows 22, and a design member 24. The button body 21 is formed from an opaque resin material and is fitted into the guide tube portion 31. The lower end of the button body 21 is supported and fixed to the switch operating portion 45, and a pattern portion fitting hole 21a is formed therein.

[0027] The two signal transmission windows 22 are provided at positions facing the photoelectric sensor 49, respectively, and allow infrared rays emitted from the infrared emitting LED 49b to pass through and the reflected light of this infrared ray to be received by the infrared receiving element 49a.

[0028] The pattern member 24 is formed from a light-transmitting resin material and is fitted into the back side of the button body 21. It has a plate-like portion 24b fixed to the button body 21, and a pattern portion 24a protruding from this plate-like portion 24b, fitting into the pattern portion fitting hole 21a, and having a tip portion protruding from the surface of the button body 21. The pattern portion 24a is a protrusion having a pattern shape (1 in this embodiment) indicating the operation content. In addition, the pattern member 24 is configured such that light is irradiated from the lighting LED 48 onto the plate-shaped portion 24b, causing the pattern portion 24a to glow.

[0029] This switch 1 is configured as described above. When the operation button 2 is pressed, the switch operation portion 45 moves toward the substrate portion 41 against the biasing force, the switch operation protrusion 45a presses the tactile switch 46, and an operation signal corresponding to the design of the switch 1 is sent to the control portion.

[0030] In addition, signal transmission windows 22 are provided above and below the pattern portion 24a, and photoelectric sensors 49 are provided at positions on the base portion 41 facing these signal transmission windows 22, so that by placing a hand in front of either the upper or lower signal transmission window 22, an operation signal is sent to the control unit without touching the button body 21 of the operation button 2, and the pattern content can be operated even in a non-contact state.

[0031] As described above, the operator can freely select between touch operation and non-touch operation of this switch 1. Moreover, this switch 1 has signal transmission windows 22 formed above and below the pattern portion 24a of the operation button 2, and a photoelectric sensor 49 is provided in a position facing each signal transmission window 22 on the base portion 41, so that non-contact operation can be easily performed.

[0032] Furthermore, in this switch 1, the infrared emitting LED 49b and the infrared receiving element 49a are provided in symmetrical positions on either side of the center of the main body 40, and the connector portion 42 protrudes from the main body 40 so as to be parallel to the central axis of one side wall of the main body 40 and to be symmetrical on either side of the central axis. Therefore, even if the position of the connector portion is reversed depending on the type of elevator, it is possible to simply rotate the operation button 2 180 degrees, and there is no need to prepare a separate body 4.

[0033] FIG. 9 shows a modified example of the operation button. As shown in FIG. 9, this operation button 2b is similar to the above-mentioned operation button 2b, except that the button body 21 made of a light-transmitting resin material has a light-shielding layer 21c on its back side that blocks light from covering all areas other than the position facing the photoelectric sensor 49.

[0034] The light-shielding layer 21c is not particularly limited, but can be formed by applying a light-shielding resin paint to the back surface of the button body 21, by embedding a molded product made of a light-shielding material, by bonding a molded product made of a light-shielding material, or by two-color molding with the button body.

[0035] As described above, in the operation button 2b, the button body 21 has the light-shielding layer 21c on the back surface thereof, so that the light of the lighting LED 48 cannot be directly seen from the surface of the button body 2b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent uneven color of the lighting of the button body 21, such as the front part of the button body 21 being brighter than other parts.

[0036] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the pattern is formed by fitting the pattern portion of the pattern forming member into the pattern portion fitting hole provided on the button body, but the pattern may be provided by printing. In the above embodiment, the signal transmission windows are provided symmetrically in the vertical direction, but they may be provided symmetrically in the horizontal direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 Switch (button switch with non-contact operation function) 2,2b Operation buttons 21 Button body 21a Pattern fitting hole 21c light shielding layer 22 Signal transmission window 24 Design elements 24a Design section 24b Plate-shaped part 3 Cover 31 Guide tube 32 Locking claw 4. Body 40 Body 41 Circuit Board 42 Connector part 45 Switch operation section 45a Switch operation protrusion 45c through hole 46 Tactile Switch 47 Locking protrusion 48 LED lighting 49 Photoelectric Sensor 49a Infrared receiving element 49b Infrared emitting LED

Claims

1. an operation button that is incorporated in an elevator operation panel and exposed on a surface of the operation panel; and a substrate that supports the operation button, is housed within the operation panel, and is electrically connected to a control unit of the elevator at least via a signal line; The substrate portion includes a photoelectric sensor having a transmitter and a receiver, the operation button has a pattern on its surface indicating the button operation content, and has a signal transmission window at a position facing the photoelectric sensor, which serves as a light exit portion for the transmitted light from the transmitter to the outside of the operation button and a light entrance portion for the reflected light toward the receiver; a button contact operation in which an operation instruction signal is sent to the control unit by a pressing operation; a button switch with a non-contact operation function that is capable of selecting a non-contact button operation in which an operation instruction signal is sent to the control unit when the receiver receives the reflected light through the light incident unit, photoelectric sensors are provided at vertically symmetrical positions or horizontally symmetrical positions of the substrate unit when the substrate unit is incorporated into the operation panel, A button switch with a non-contact operation function, characterized in that the operation button has a signal transmission window at a position facing each photoelectric sensor of the substrate portion.

2. The substrate portion has a substrate portion main body having a substantially square shape in a plan view, and a connector portion extending from one side surface of the substrate portion main body with the central axis of symmetry of the connector portion coinciding with the central axis of symmetry of the substrate portion main body.

2. The button switch with a non-contact operation function according to claim 1.

3. 3. A button switch with a non-contact operation function as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the substrate portion has an illumination LED for illuminating at least the pattern portion of the operation button in a position that does not impede the sensor function of the photoelectric sensor.

4. 3. The button switch with non-contact operation function according to claim 2, further comprising an even number of the illumination LEDs, the illumination LEDs being provided at rotationally symmetric positions with the center of the substrate body as the center of rotation.

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