Non-contact button

Abstract

To provide a non-contact button.SOLUTION: A non-contact button includes a substrate, a housing, a first light-emitting element, an optical imaging assembly, and an optical switch assembly. The housing is mounted on the substrate. The optical imaging assembly is disposed within the housing and covers the first light-emitting element within the housing. The optical imaging assembly converts a first light beam provided by the first light-emitting element into a floating optical image that is projected through an opening. The optical switch assembly includes a second light-emitting element and an optical trigger switch, and the optical trigger switch generates an operation signal when it detects a second light beam emitted from the second light-emitting element. The second light-emitting element is located within the housing and faces the opening of the housing. The optical trigger switch is located adjacent to the opening and faces the opening. The optical imaging assembly includes a pattern plate, the pattern plate includes a pattern portion and a translucent portion, the translucent portion surrounds the pattern portion, and the second light-emitting element emits the second light beam toward the translucent portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to buttons, and more particularly to non-contact buttons capable of generating an optical floating pattern.

Background Art

[0002] Well-known buttons are mainly divided into two types. One is a push-button type that requires the user to actually touch it, and the other is a non-contact button that does not require the user to actually touch it. The push-button type generates an electrical signal when the user presses it and the internal components come into contact with each other. The non-contact button uses an optical sensor to detect changes in light generated by the user's finger in front of the button and generates a signal. The non-contact button has a hygienic advantage because the user can operate the device without touching it.

[0003] Due to the lack of tactile feedback, in some non-contact buttons, a floating optical image is displayed in the front detection area so that the user can confirm whether the button operation was successful. That is, the user can predict the detection area of the button through the position of the floating optical image displayed by the button. In order to generate the pattern of the floating optical image, it is often necessary to block or filter the light projected from inside the button. Therefore, depending on the pattern of the floating optical image, the intensity of the light actually projected to the outside by different buttons may not be consistent, which may cause detection errors in different buttons.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a non-contact button having good detection accuracy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve the above advantages, the non-contact button of the present invention includes a substrate, a housing, a first light-emitting element, an optical imaging assembly, and an optical switch assembly. The housing is mounted on the substrate, and there is an opening on the side of the housing away from the substrate. The first light-emitting element is housed in the housing. The optical imaging assembly is installed in the housing, covers the first light-emitting element, and converts the first light beam provided by the first light-emitting element into a floating optical image projected from the opening. The optical switch assembly includes a second light-emitting element and an optical trigger switch. The optical trigger switch generates an operation signal when detecting the second light beam emitted from the second light-emitting element. The second light-emitting element is mounted on the substrate, located in the housing, and facing the opening. The optical trigger switch is mounted on the housing, located adjacent to the opening, and facing the opening. The optical imaging assembly includes a pattern plate. The pattern plate includes a pattern portion and a light-transmitting portion. The light-transmitting portion surrounds the pattern portion. The second light-emitting element emits the second light beam toward the light-transmitting portion.

[0006] In one embodiment, the pattern plate further includes a light-shielding layer. The light-shielding layer has a light-transmitting opening. The light-shielding layer covers the pattern portion and does not cover the light-transmitting portion.

[0007] In one embodiment, the non-contact button further includes a blocking wall located between the substrate and the optical imaging assembly, which blocks the second light beam from exiting through the light-transmitting opening.

[0008] In one embodiment, the blocking wall constitutes the housing and is connected to the substrate. The substrate is divided into a first region and a second region. The second region surrounds the first region. The second light-emitting element is mounted in the second region.

[0009] In one embodiment, the orthographic projection of the blocking wall on the pattern plate is located at the edge of the pattern portion.

[0010] In one embodiment, the housing is provided with an installation groove installed on one side of the opening, and the slot of the installation groove is inclined in the direction of the opening, and the optical trigger switch is installed in the installation groove. The non-contact button further includes an optical diffusion unit, is installed in the installation groove, and is located in the slot.

[0011] In one embodiment, the optical imaging assembly is connected to a pattern plate and further includes a lens array disposed on the side far from the substrate of the pattern plate. After the first light beam passes through the pattern plate and the lens array, a floating optical image is formed.

[0012] In one embodiment, the optical imaging assembly further includes a collimating portion, which is disposed between the substrate and the pattern plate and converts the first light beam and the second light beam into collimated light beams.

[0013] In one embodiment, the second light-emitting element is an infrared light-emitting element, and the optical trigger switch is an infrared light sensor.

[0014] As described above, for the non-contact button of the present invention, the second light-emitting element is mounted on the substrate and emitted toward the opening, the optical trigger switch is mounted adjacent to the opening, and the second light beam reflected from the user's finger is detected, so that it is possible to avoid the user's finger blocking the optical path between the second light beam and the optical trigger switch, and it is possible to obtain a higher detection success rate. In addition, a pattern portion is provided on the pattern plate for generating a floating optical image and a light-transmitting portion is provided around the pattern portion, so that the second light beam used for generating a detection signal is emitted only from the light-transmitting portion. Therefore, no matter how different non-contact buttons change the pattern portion, the sizes of the light-transmitting portions of different non-contact buttons are all the same, so that it is possible to avoid different non-contact buttons having different detection distances and obtain good detection accuracy.

[0015] In order to more clearly understand the above-mentioned or other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, the following examples will be given and described in detail as follows with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] In the following text, descriptions of terms used in the description based on the embodiments of the present invention, such as directions and positional relationships like "up", "down", etc., are based on the directions and positional relationships shown in the drawings. The above terms are merely for convenience in explaining the present invention and do not limit the present invention, nor do they indicate or imply that the recited elements must be constructed in a specific direction. Also, terms such as "first", "second", etc. mentioned in this specification or the claims are only used to name elements or to distinguish different embodiments or scopes, and are not used to set an upper or lower limit on the number of elements.

[0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view of a non-contact button in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the optical imaging assembly in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the A-A portion in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic view when generating different floating optical images in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, the non-contact button 1 of this embodiment includes a substrate 2, a housing 3, a first light-emitting element 21, an optical imaging assembly 4, and an optical switch assembly 5. The housing 3 is mounted on the substrate 2, and there is an opening 31 on the side of the housing 3 away from the substrate 2. The first light-emitting element 21 is housed in the housing 3. The optical imaging assembly 4 is installed in the housing 3, covers the first light-emitting element 21, and converts the first light beam L1 provided by the first light-emitting element 21 into a floating optical image P projected from the opening 31 (see FIG. 2). The optical switch assembly 5 includes a second light-emitting element 52 and an optical trigger switch 51. The optical trigger switch 51 generates an operation signal when detecting the second light beam L2 generated by the second light-emitting element 52. The second light-emitting element 52 is mounted on the substrate 2, located in the housing 3, and facing the opening 31 (see FIG. 3). The optical trigger switch 51 is mounted on the housing 3, located adjacent to the opening 31, and facing the opening 31. The optical imaging assembly 4 includes a pattern plate 421, and the pattern plate 421 includes a pattern portion 421a and a light-transmitting portion 421b. The light-transmitting portion 421b surrounds the pattern portion 421a, and the second light-emitting element 52 emits the second light beam L2 toward the light-transmitting portion 421b (see FIGS. 2 to 4).

[0020] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the shape of the housing 3 in this embodiment is, for example, square according to the overall shape design of the non-contact button 1, but it is not limited thereto. The material of the housing 3 is, for example, plastic. The housing 3 includes, for example, a frame body 3a and a front frame 3b. The frame body 3a has a housing space 32, and after being connected to the substrate 2, houses the first light-emitting element 21, the second light-emitting element 52, the optical imaging assembly 4, and other members (not shown) on the substrate 2. During assembly, the frame body 3a is fixed on the substrate 2, and the front frame 3b is fitted onto the frame body 3a. Both the front frame 3b and the frame body 3a form the opening 31, and the optical imaging assembly 4 is sandwiched between the front frame 3b and the frame body 3a (see FIG. 3).

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in this embodiment, the housing 3 includes, for example, an installation groove 33. The installation groove 33 is installed on one side of the opening 31. The installation groove 33 extends obliquely from the slot 331 on the front frame 3b toward the frame body 3a, and the installation groove 33 and the slot 331 are inclined to face the direction of the opening 31 (see FIG. 3). The optical trigger switch 51 is installed in the installation groove 33 and is electrically connected to the substrate 2.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the substrate 2 corresponds to, for example, the size of the housing 3. The substrate 2 is divided into, for example, a first region 2A and a second region 2B. The first light-emitting element 21 is installed in, for example, the first region 2A and the second region 2B, but is not limited thereto. The second light-emitting element 52 is installed only in the second region 2B, for example. For the reason regarding the installation method of the second light-emitting element 52, please refer to the following description.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the non-contact button 1 further includes, for example, an optical diffusion unit 332. The optical diffusion unit 332 is installed in the installation groove 33 and is fitted into the slot 331. When the optical diffusion unit 332 is located at one end of the slot 331, it is, for example, an arc-shaped convex surface. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the second light beam L2 reflected from the user's finger F and incident is guided by the arc-shaped convex surface, enters the installation groove 33 along an appropriate direction, and heads toward the optical trigger switch 51. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific structure of the optical diffusion unit 332.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, specifically, the optical imaging assembly 4 in this embodiment includes, for example, a cover plate 41 and an imaging assembly 42. The cover plate 41 is located on the side far from the substrate 2 of the optical imaging assembly 4 and covers the entire imaging assembly 42. The cover plate 41 protects the imaging assembly 42 and isolates it from external dirt. The imaging assembly 42 further includes, in detail, in addition to the pattern plate 421, for example, a lens array 422 and a collimating portion 423. The collimating portion 423 is located on the side close to the substrate 2 of the imaging assembly 42, and the pattern plate 421 is located between the lens array 422 and the collimating portion 423.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, specifically, the pattern plate 421 is, for example, a light-transmissive plate body, such as an acrylic sheet. The pattern plate 421 is provided with a light-shielding layer 4211 on its surface, for example. The light-shielding layer 4211 has a light-transmissive opening 4212 (see FIG. 2). The light-shielding layer 4211 forms a pattern portion 421a, that is, the light-shielding layer 4211 covers the entire pattern portion 421a and does not cover the light-transmissive portion 421b. The contour of the outer periphery of the light-shielding layer 4211 forms the contour of the pattern portion 421a.

[0026] The shape of the light-transmissive opening 4212 corresponds to the shape of a part of the pattern on the floating optical image P, for example. In the floating optical image P that displays the number "1" (see FIG. 4), the shape of the light-transmissive opening 4212 on the pattern portion 421a forms the number "1" (see FIG. 1). In the floating optical image P' that displays the closing command (see FIG. 4), the shape of the light-transmissive opening 4212 indicates the shape of the closing command (not shown). That is, by using different pattern plates 421 with light-transmissive openings 4212, floating optical images P with different patterns can be generated.

[0027] The floating optical image P only needs to have a pattern with an identifiable contour. Therefore, in an embodiment not shown, the light-shielding layer 4211 of the pattern plate 421 can be changed to a light-transmissive filter layer, or a filter layer can be provided on the light-transmissive opening 4212 (the function will be described later).

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the collimating unit 423 is disposed on the side closer to the substrate 2 of the imaging assembly 42. The collimating unit 423 is disposed between the substrate 2 and the pattern plate 421, and converts the first light beam L1 and the second light beam L2 traveling in a plurality of different directions from the first light emitting element 21 on the substrate 2 into a collimated light beam generally directed toward the opening 31. The collimating unit 423 is, for example, a Fresnel lens, but is not limited thereto. The collimating unit 423 can be manufactured by methods such as UV printing, injection molding, and hot pressing, and is not particularly limited.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the lens array 422 is disposed on the side farther from the substrate 2 of the imaging assembly 42. The lens array 422 is, for example, a biconvex lens array (see FIG. 2) or a plano-convex lens array (not shown) composed of a number of small convex lenses. The lens array 422 converts the first light beam L1 and the second light beam L2 that have passed through the pattern plate 421 into a floating optical image P. When the lens array 422 is a plano-convex lens array, the convex surface of each small lens on the lens array 422 faces away from the pattern plate 421 or faces the pattern plate 421. The lens array 422 can also be manufactured by methods such as UV printing, injection molding, and hot pressing, and is not particularly limited.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, after the first light beam L1 emitted from the first light emitting element 21 passes through the pattern plate 421 and the lens array 422, the first light beam L1 forms a floating optical image P in front of the non-contact button 1 (in front of the opening 31) in terms of visual effect. Since the second light beam L2 emitted from the second light emitting element 52 in this embodiment also passes through the optical imaging assembly 4, both the second light beam L2 and the first light beam L1 form the floating optical image P, and the detailed configuration of the floating optical image P will be described later.

[0031] There is no limit to the size of the floating optical image P formed by passing through the lens array 422, but it is, for example, equal to or less than the size of the opening 31. This avoids different floating optical images P generated from adjacent non-contact buttons 1 from overlapping each other. Also, the distance between the floating optical image P and the lens array 422 can be changed as needed.

[0032] The first light-emitting element 21 and the second light-emitting element 52 are, for example, light-emitting diodes, etc., but are not limited thereto. The first light beam L1 is a light beam of visible light such as white, red, yellow, or other colors. The second light beam L2 is, for example, infrared light of invisible light. The type of the optical trigger switch 51 corresponds to the wavelength of the second light beam L2 and is, for example, an infrared light sensor, etc., and detects the second light beam L2 reflected back by the user's finger F. As described above, since the pattern plate 421 may include a filter, the color of the first light beam L1 does not need to correspond to the color of the floating optical image P.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the second light beam L2 exits after passing through the optical imaging assembly 4, and the angle for the user's finger F to reflect the second light beam L2 to the optical trigger switch 51 in the installation groove 33 is made less than 90 degrees, so that the user's finger F can be prevented from blocking the optical path between the second light beam L2 and the optical trigger switch 51 (that is, preventing the finger F from creating a shadow that blocks the optical trigger switch 51).

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in order to prevent a part of the second light beam L2 from exiting from the light-transmitting opening 4212 of the pattern part 421a, the sizes of the light-transmitting openings 4212 of the pattern part 421a are made different, so that the detection distances of different non-contact buttons 1 are different. The non-contact button 1 in this embodiment further includes a blocking wall 6. The blocking wall 6 blocks the second light beam L2 from exiting from the pattern part 421a.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in this embodiment, the blocking wall 6 is composed of, for example, a square frame body (hereinafter referred to as an intermediate frame) separable from the substrate 2. The intermediate frame has a peripheral wall 61 and elastic arms 62 distributed around the peripheral wall 61. During assembly, the intermediate frame is positioned between the optical imaging assembly 4 and the substrate 2, and the elastic arms 62 come into contact with the substrate 2 so that a gap G is formed between the intermediate frame and the substrate 2. The elastic arms 62 press the optical imaging assembly 4 against the front frame 3b, but are not limited thereto.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the orthographic projection of the pattern plate 421 of the housing 3 (blocking wall 6) is located, for example, at the edge of the pattern portion 421a. That is, the shape and size of the peripheral wall 61 correspond to the contour of the pattern portion 421a, for example, to prevent the user from directly seeing the blocking wall 6 through the light-transmitting portion 421b. From this perspective, in some embodiments, the peripheral wall 61 may be smaller than the contour of the pattern portion 421a and may not correspond to the contour of the pattern portion 421a.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first region 2A and the second region 2B on the substrate 2 are separated, for example, through the orthographic projection of the housing 3 on the substrate 2. The first region 2A corresponds to the position of the pattern portion 421a, for example, and the second region 2B corresponds to the position of the light-transmitting portion 421b and surrounds the first region 2A. Since the first region 2A and the second region 2B are separated by the blocking wall 6, in some embodiments, the area of the first region 2A can be made smaller than the area of the pattern portion 421a, or the area of the second region 2B can be made larger than the area of the light-transmitting portion 421b.

[0038] The second light-emitting element 52 is attached to the second region 2B, for example, and is not attached to the first region 2A. The first light-emitting element 21 can be installed in the first region 2A and the second region 2B. That is, a part of the first light beam L1 can be emitted from the light-transmitting portion 421b.

[0039] Since the role of the blocking wall 6 is a member for preventing the second light beam L2 from being emitted from the pattern portion 421a, in other embodiments not shown, when the optical path of the second light beam L2 emitted from the second light emitting element 52 is more concentrated, the blocking wall 6 may not be provided. Further, in an embodiment where the number of the second light emitting elements 52 is small, the blocking wall 6 may be located adjacent to the second light emitting element 52 and may be a plate body for preventing the second light beam L2 from being emitted toward the pattern portion 421a. The specific installation method of the blocking wall 6 is not limited. In other embodiments, the blocking wall 6 may be a plate body extending from the substrate 2, or may be a member (refer to the interval G) extending toward one side of the substrate 2 installed in the optical imaging assembly 4. Further, in an embodiment not shown, by only installing a filter that blocks only the passage of the second light beam L2 in the pattern portion 421a (light transmitting opening 4212) and does not block the passage of the first light beam L1, it is possible to prevent the second light beam L2 from being emitted from the pattern portion 421a without installing the blocking wall 6.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, in this embodiment, both the first light beam L1 and the second light beam L2 pass through the optical imaging assembly 4 to jointly form the floating optical image P. Also, the second light beam L2 is not emitted from the portion of the pattern portion 421a (for example, by the blocking wall 6 or the like). Therefore, in this embodiment, the floating optical image P includes, for example, a portion of the central pattern P1 (detection dead angle) that cannot reflect the second light beam L2 and a portion of the peripheral pattern P2 (detection area) that can reflect the second light beam L2. The portion of the central pattern P1 includes, for example, a first portion P11 and a second portion P12. The shape of the first portion P11 corresponds to the shape of the light-transmitting opening 4212 (see FIG. 2), and the shape of the second portion P12 corresponds to the shape of the pattern portion 421a (see FIG. 2). The shape of the peripheral pattern P2 corresponds to, for example, the shape of the light-transmitting portion 421b. Further, in other embodiments, for example, by changing the emission angle of some of the second light beams L2 through the lens array 422 or adding other optical elements, after some of the second light beams L2 pass through the pattern plate 421, they can be refracted to the portion of the central pattern P1. That is, there is no detection dead angle in the floating optical image P in this type of embodiment.

[0041] As is clear from the above description, for the non-contact button of the present invention, the second light-emitting element is attached to the substrate and emits light toward the opening, and the optical trigger switch is attached adjacent to the opening to detect the second light beam reflected by the user's finger, so that it is possible to prevent the user's finger from blocking the optical path of the second light beam and obtain a higher detection success rate. Also, in the pattern plate for generating the floating optical image, a light-transmitting portion is provided around the pattern portion. Since the second light beam used for generating the detection signal is emitted only from the light-transmitting portion, no matter how the pattern portions of different non-contact buttons change, the sizes of the light-transmitting portions of different non-contact buttons are all the same. Therefore, it is possible to avoid different non-contact buttons having different detection distances and have good detection accuracy.

[0042] The present invention has been disclosed using the embodiments above, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can make some modifications without departing from the spirit scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention is limited by the appended claims of patent.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0043] 1: Non-contact button 2: Substrate 2A: First region 2B: Second region 21: First light-emitting element 3: Housing 3a: Frame body 3b: Front frame 31: Opening 32: Accommodation space 33: Installation groove 331: Slot 332: Optical diffusion unit 4: Optical imaging assembly 41: Cover plate 42: Imaging assembly 421: Pattern plate 421a: Pattern portion 4211: Light-shielding layer 4212: Light-transmitting opening 421b: Light-transmitting portion 422: Lens array 423: Collimating portion 5: Optical switch assembly 51: Optical trigger switch 52: Second light-emitting element 6: Blocking wall 61: Peripheral wall 62: Elastic arm L1: First light beam L2: Second light beam P, P’: Floating optical image P1: Central pattern P2: Peripheral pattern P11: First part P12: Second part G: Interval A-A: Section line F: Refers to

Claims

Claim 1 A substrate, a housing attached to the substrate and having an opening on a side away from the substrate, a first light-emitting element housed in the housing, an optical imaging assembly installed in the housing, covering the first light-emitting element, and converting a first light beam provided by the first light-emitting element into a floating optical image projected from the opening, an optical switch assembly including a second light-emitting element and an optical trigger switch, wherein the optical trigger switch generates an operation signal when detecting a second light beam generated by the second light-emitting element, the second light-emitting element is attached to the substrate and located in the housing and faces the opening, and the optical trigger switch is attached to the housing and located adjacent to the opening and faces the opening, comprising: The optical imaging assembly includes a pattern plate, the pattern plate includes a pattern portion and a light-transmitting portion, the light-transmitting portion surrounds the pattern portion, and the second light-emitting element emits the second light beam toward the light-transmitting portion. A non-contact button characterized by this. Claim 2 The pattern plate further includes a light-shielding layer, the light-shielding layer has a light-transmitting opening, the light-shielding layer covers the pattern portion and does not cover the light-transmitting portion. The non-contact button according to claim 1, characterized by this. Claim 3 The non-contact button according to claim 2, further comprising a blocking wall located between the substrate and the optical imaging assembly, and the blocking wall blocks the second light beam from being emitted from the light-transmitting opening. Claim 4 The blocking wall constitutes the housing and is connected to the substrate, divides the substrate into a first region and a second region, the second region surrounds the first region, and the second light-emitting element is attached to the second region. The non-contact button according to claim 3, characterized by this. Claim 5 The non-contact button according to claim 3, characterized in that a front projection of the blocking wall on the pattern plate is located at an edge of the pattern portion. Claim 6 The housing includes an installation groove installed on one side of the opening, a slot of the installation groove is inclined in the direction of the opening, the optical trigger switch is installed in the installation groove, and further includes an optical diffusion unit, which is attached to the installation groove and located in the slot. The non-contact button according to claim 1, characterized by this. Claim 7 The optical imaging assembly further includes a lens array connected to the pattern plate and disposed on a side of the pattern plate away from the substrate. After the first light beam passes through the pattern plate and the lens array, a floating optical image is formed. The non-contact button according to claim 1 is characterized in that

8. The optical imaging assembly further includes a collimating portion disposed between the substrate and the pattern plate, and converting the first light beam and the second light beam into collimated light beams. The non-contact button according to claim 1 is characterized in that

9. The second light emitting element is an infrared light emitting element, and the optical trigger switch is an infrared light sensor. The non-contact button according to claim 1 is characterized in that

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