ACTUATOR UNIT AND SAFETY SWITCH EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME

Abstract

To provide an actuator unit capable of easily releasing a locked state to an actuator on a switch body side simply by operating an operation handle, and also capable of reducing the number of components and downsizing by simplifying the structure of the unit.SOLUTION: An actuator unit 2 capable of being locked on a switch body 3 side of a safety switch 1 comprises: an actuator 21 provided so as to freely extend / retract, having a release lever 22 capable of releasing the locked state; an inner handle 2Hi that can be operated to rotate for moving the actuator 21 in a retraction direction; and a first connection bar 23 connected to the inner handle 2Hi, which acts directly on the release lever 22 by a rotation of the inner handle 2Hi to release the locked state, and acts on the actuator 21 to move the actuator 21 in the retraction direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuator unit and a safety switch including the same, and more particularly to an improvement in the structure thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] At the entrances and exits of dangerous areas where industrial machinery such as machine tools and industrial robots are installed, safety switches that turn on / off depending on whether the door is open or closed are provided.

[0003] The device described in EP 1473427, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, paragraphs

[0014] -

[0034] and claim 1, is a safety interlock for an openable partition device (1) having two operating handles (22, 24), and includes an actuation unit having an actuator (5) movable by operating the operating handle (24), and an interlock unit that locks the actuator (5) by an interlock engagement surface (6) using a plug-in lock bar (not shown) when the partition device (1) is closed. The device also includes an unlocking device (10) having an unlocking slope (9) (forming part of the interlock engagement surface (6)) for the lock bar and movable relative to the actuator (5) by operating the operating handle (22).

[0004] The actuator (5) has a toothed rod portion (11) on its side, and the toothed rod portion (11) meshes with a toothed portion (12) of a drive wheel (13). The drive wheel (13) has a hole (17) that receives a crank pin (18a) of a drive lever (18). The crank pin (18a) of the drive lever (18) fits into the hole (17) of the drive wheel (13) while passing through a circumferential long hole (40) of a drive wheel (36) arranged in parallel with the drive wheel (13). One end of an operating handle (24) is connected to a pin (23) of the drive lever (18). A socket (19) is inserted into a central hole of the drive wheel (13). A connecting rod (21) to which one end of an operating handle (22) is connected is connected to one axial end of the socket (19). An extension portion (38) at the other axial end of the socket (19) fits into a recess (39) of the drive wheel (36). A rack portion (33) is connected to the unlocking device (10), and the rack portion (33) (erroneously indicated as reference number 39 in the drawing) meshes with a toothed portion (35) of the drive wheel (36).

[0005] In the above device, when the operating handle (24) is rotated, the drive lever (18) rotates via the pin (23). Then, the crank pin (18a) of the drive lever (18) moves circumferentially within the long hole (40) of the drive wheel (36), rotating the drive wheel (13). This moves the actuator (5) via the toothed rod portion (11) that meshes with the toothed portion (12) of the drive wheel (13). Meanwhile, when the operating handle (22) is rotated, the socket (19) rotates via the pin (44) and the connecting rod (21). Then, the drive wheel (36) rotates via the extension portion (38) of the socket (19). This causes the unlocking device (10) to move via the rack portion (33) that engages with the toothed portion (35) of the drive wheel (36), resulting in the movement of the unlocking slope (9) and releasing the locked state of the actuator (5) by the lock bar (not shown).

[0006] On the other hand, the device described in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 8,082,765, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, column 5, line 19 to column 8, line 45, and claims 1 and 16, is a device for releasably maintaining a locked / closed state of a space partition device (2), and includes a latch (18) that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position and locks the space partition device (2) in a releasably closed state, a protrusion at the tip of the latch (18) that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a blocking position that locks and blocks the latch (18) at the locked position, and an unlocked position that allows the latch (18) to move from the blocking position to the unlocked position. The locking device includes a rotatable hold member (30) whose portion (54) releasably engages with a recess (56) of the latch (18), a swingable release member (36) pivotally supported on the latch (18) and disabling the blocked state of the latch (18), a displacement member (66) connected to the release member (36) and movable between positions to which the release member (36) swings, and a first knob (42) connected to the displacement member (66) via a connecting device having first and second levers (82, 86) hinged thereto, and for actuating the release member (36). The base end of the first lever (82) of the connecting device is fixed to the first knob (42) via a shaft (80), and the tip of the second lever (86) is hinged to the displacement member (66). By rotating the second knob (48), the latch (18) is extended to a lock position.

[0007] In the above device, when the first knob (42) is rotated, the displacement member (66) and the pin (70) move to the right in the figure, and the pin (70) abuts against the inclined surface (72) of the release member (36), causing the release member (36) to swing clockwise around the support shaft (68). This causes the tip of the release member (36) to come into contact with the protrusion (54) of the hold member (30), lifting the hold member (30) and rotating it counterclockwise around the support shaft (32). As a result, the blocked state of the latch (18) is released (see FIG. 2 → FIG. 3). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In the device described in the above-mentioned European Patent Specification No. 1473427, the mechanism for releasing the locked state of the actuator (5) by the lock bar is composed of a pin (44) and a connecting rod (21) (see FIG. 5) connected to the operating handle (22), a socket (19) connected to the end of the connecting rod (21), a drive wheel (36) connected to the socket (19) via an extension portion (38), a rack portion (33) that engages with the toothed portion (35) of the drive wheel (36), and an unlocking device (10) that has an unlocking slope (9) and is connected to the rack portion (33) (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the number of parts is large, the structure is very complicated, and the manufacturing costs are increased.

[0009] On the other hand, in the device described in the above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 8,082,765 specification, the mechanism for releasing the blocked state of the latch (18) is composed of the shafts (38) and (80) connected to the first knob (42), a first lever (82) having one end fixed to the shaft (80), a second lever (86) hinged to the other end of the first lever (82), a displacement member (66) and a pin (70) hinged to the tip of the second lever (86), and a swingable release member (36) having at one end an inclined surface (72) against which the pin (70) can abut (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 5). Therefore, the number of parts is large, the structure is very complicated, and the manufacturing costs are also high.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an actuator unit which not only allows the locked state of the actuator on the switch body to be easily released by simply operating the operating handle, but also allows the number of parts to be reduced and the structure to be simplified and made compact. The present invention also aims to provide a safety switch equipped with such an actuator unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention provides an actuator unit that can be locked on the switch body side of a safety switch, and is equipped with an actuator that has an unlocking member that can release a locked state and is extendable and retractable, a first operating handle that can be rotated to move the actuator in a retracted direction, and a first connecting bar that is connected to the first operating handle and that acts directly on the unlocking member to release the locked state when the first operating handle is rotated, and also acts on the actuator to move the actuator in the retracted direction.

[0012] In the present invention, when the first operating handle is rotated, the first connecting bar connected to the first operating handle acts directly on the unlocking member to release the locked state of the actuator. This makes it possible to easily release the locked state of the actuator on the switch body side by only operating the operating handle. Moreover, according to the present invention, since the first connecting bar connected to the first operating handle is configured to directly act on the unlocking member, there is no need for a complex gear mechanism or link mechanism between the first operating handle and the unlocking member, which makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and simplify the structure. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the actuator unit. Furthermore, when the first operating handle is further rotated, the first connecting bar acts on the actuator to move it in the retracted direction.

[0013] In the present invention, the first connecting bar has the first abutment portion that can directly abut against the unlocking member.

[0014] In the present invention, the unlocking member is provided so as to be able to swing, and the first contact portion acts on the end side of the unlocking member.

[0015] In the present invention, a rotatable roller is journalled on the actuator, and the first connecting bar acts on the actuator via the roller.

[0016] The present invention further includes a second operating handle that is arranged on the opposite side of the actuator to the first operating handle and can be rotated to move the actuator in the extension / retraction direction, and a second connecting bar that is connected to the second operating handle and acts on the actuator to move it in the extension / retraction direction when the second operating handle is rotated.

[0017] In the present invention, when a second operating handle arranged on the opposite side of the actuator from the first operating handle is rotated, a second connecting bar connected to the second operating handle acts on the actuator to move the actuator in the extension / retraction direction.

[0018] In the present invention, a pair of rotatable rollers are journalled to the actuator at a predetermined distance, and a second connecting bar is inserted between each of the rollers so that the second connecting bar acts on the actuator via each of the rollers.

[0019] In the present invention, the actuator unit further includes a case that houses the actuator, and the case supports the outer circumferential surface of the roller when the actuator moves.

[0020] In the present invention, a restricting member is provided that restricts the actuator from moving from the contracted state to the extended state.

[0021] A safety switch according to the present invention includes the actuator unit described above, and a switch body having a locking portion for locking the actuator.

[0022] In the present invention, the actuator unit is provided on the door side, the switch body is provided on the wall side, the first operating handle is provided on the danger area side inside the door, and the second operating handle is provided on the safety area side outside the door. Effect of the Invention

[0023] As described above, according to the present invention, not only can the locked state of the actuator on the switch body be easily released simply by operating the operating handle, but the number of parts can be reduced, and the structure can be simplified and made smaller. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of a safety switch equipped with an actuator unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above on the front front side, showing the actuator extended and inserted into the switch body with the door closed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the actuator unit (FIG. 1) viewed from above on the front side, showing the actuator in an extended state. [Diagram 3] The actuator unit (FIG. 2) is shown with the front cover removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the actuator unit (FIG. 1) alone, viewed from above on the front rear side, showing the actuator in an extended state and with the rear cover removed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of the actuator unit (FIGS. 3 and 4) viewed from above on the front rear side, showing the actuator in an extended state. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of the actuator unit (FIGS. 3 and 4) viewed from above on the rear back side, showing the actuator in an extended state. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the actuator unit (FIG. 2). [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the actuator unit (FIG. 2). [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, showing a vertical cross-section of the front side of the actuator unit (FIG. 2) and illustrating a second connecting bar. [Figure 10]7 and 8, and is a vertical cross-sectional view of the back side of the actuator unit (FIG. 2), showing a first connecting bar. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in Figures 4 and 10, showing a horizontal cross-section of the actuator unit (Figure 2) and showing the actuator (Figures 4 and 10) in an extended state locked on the switch body side. [Figure 12] 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the actuator (FIG. 4) is operated by an inner handle to release the lock from the state shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 13] 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the actuator (FIG. 10) is operated by an inner handle to release the lock from the state shown in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 14] 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the actuator (FIG. 11) is operated by the inner handle to release the lock from the state shown in FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 15] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the actuator (FIG. 12) has moved to a retracted position by further rotating the inner handle from the state shown in FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 16] 14 is a diagram showing a state in which the actuator (FIG. 13) has moved to a retracted position by further rotating the inner handle from the state shown in FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 15 shows a state in which the actuator (FIG. 14) is unlocked by rotating the inner handle from the state shown in FIG. 14, and then the actuator (FIG. 14) is moved to a retracted position by further rotating the inner handle. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state of the second connecting bar when the actuator (FIG. 9) is unlocked by rotating the inner handle from the state shown in FIG. 9, and then the actuator (FIG. 9) is moved to a retracted position by further rotating the inner handle. [Figure 19] 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the actuator (FIG. 3) has moved to a retracted position by rotating the outer handle from the state shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 20]10 is a diagram showing a state in which the actuator (FIG. 9) has moved to a retracted position by rotating the outer handle from the state shown in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 21] 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the actuator (FIG. 11) is unlocked from the state shown in FIG. 11 and then the actuator (FIG. 11) is moved to a retracted position by rotating an outer handle. FIG. [Figure 22] 11 is a diagram showing a state of the first connecting bar when the actuator (FIG. 10) moves to a retracted position by rotating the outer handle from the state shown in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 1 shows a horizontal cross section of the actuator unit (FIG. 1) and the switch body (FIG. 1) of the safety switch with a door open. [Figure 24] 24 is a diagram showing a state where the door is closed from the state shown in FIG. 23. FIG. [Diagram 25] This shows a state in which the actuator is extended from the state shown in FIG. 24 and inserted into the switch body, and the actuator is locked on the switch body side. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the actuator unit (FIG. 1) alone as viewed from the bottom front side, showing the actuator in an extended state and the shutter (regulating member) in an open state. [Figure 27] 27 shows a longitudinal section of FIG. 26. [Figure 28] This shows a state where the actuator has moved from the state shown in FIG. 27 to the retracted position. [Figure 29] This shows a state where the shutter (regulating member) is closed from the state shown in FIG. [Diagram 30] 1A to 1C are diagrams for explaining in chronological order the procedure for changing the orientation of the antenna in the switch main body (FIG. 1). [Diagram 31] 1A to 1C are diagrams for explaining in chronological order the procedure for changing the orientation of the antenna in the switch main body (FIG. 1). [Diagram 32]1A to 1C are diagrams for explaining in chronological order the procedure for changing the orientation of the antenna in the switch main body (FIG. 1). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 11 are diagrams for explaining an actuator unit according to an embodiment of the present invention and a safety switch including the same. Figure 1 shows the appearance of the safety switch (i.e., the actuator unit and the switch main body), and Figures 2 to 11 mainly show the actuator unit alone. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the extension direction of the actuator (left side in Figure 9, right side in Figures 10 and 11) is called the front, the retraction direction of the actuator (right side in Figure 9, left side in Figures 10 and 11) is called the rear, the upper side of the actuator unit (upper side in Figures 9 and 10, front side of the paper in Figure 11) is called the upper side, and the lower side of the actuator unit (lower side in Figures 9 and 10, rear side of the paper in Figure 11) is called the lower side.

[0026] 1 and 7, the safety switch 1 is provided with an actuator unit 2 attached to a door (i.e., a movable door) D and a switch body 3 (in FIG. 7, the outline is shown by a dashed line) attached to a wall (or fixed door) W at the entrance of a hazardous area where an industrial machine (not shown) such as a machine tool or an industrial robot is installed. In this example, the door D is a sliding door that is provided so as to be able to slide left and right in the figure (the direction of the arrow OC in FIG. 7), but the application of the present invention is not limited to such a combination of the movable door D and the wall (or fixed door) W, and may be a combination of movable doors, or may include a revolving door as the movable door.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 7, the area on one side of the door D and the wall W (i.e., the area inside the door D where the machine is installed) is the danger area Hz, and the area on the other side of the door D and the wall W (i.e., the area outside the door D) is the safety area Sf.

[0028] 1 and 7, the actuator unit 2 has an inner handle (first operating handle) 2Hi arranged on the danger area Hz side, and an outer handle (second operating handle) 2Ho arranged on the safety area Sf side. The actuator unit 2 has a case (housing) 20, in which an actuator 21 is provided so as to be extendable and retractable. The inner handle 2Hi and the outer handle 2Ho are arranged on opposite sides of the actuator 21.

[0029] The inner handle 2Hi is a member arranged in a substantially L-shape or substantially U-shape, and has a grip portion 2Hig for an operator in the danger zone Hz to hold and turn it, and an axle portion 2His extending from the lower end of the grip 2Hig in a direction substantially perpendicular to the grip 2Hig, one end of a support shaft portion 2si extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the grip portion 2Hig is fixed to the axle portion 2His, and the other end of the support shaft portion 2si is rotatably supported by the case 20. Similarly, the outer handle 2Hog is a member arranged in a substantially L-shape or substantially U-shape, and has a grip portion 2Hog for an operator in the safety zone Sf to hold and turn it, and an axle portion 2Hos extending from the lower end of the grip portion 2Hog in a direction substantially perpendicular to the grip 2Hog, one end of a support shaft portion 2so extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the grip portion 2Hog is fixed to the axle portion 2Hos, and the other end of the support shaft portion 2so is rotatably supported by the case 20. In this example, the support shafts 2si and 2so are arranged concentrically, and their axes are aligned on a straight line, but the support shafts 2si and 2so are separate bodies and can rotate independently. A front cover 2C that covers the internal mechanism is detachably attached to the front side of the case 20, and a rear cover (not shown) that covers the internal mechanism is detachably attached to the rear side of the case 20. The support shaft 2so extends through the front cover 2C to the inside of the case 20, and the support shaft 2si extends through the rear cover to the inside of the case 20. The support shaft 2si is longer than the support shaft 2so in order to be inserted through the door D in the thickness direction.

[0030] In FIG. 1, reference symbol 2h denotes a mounting hole into which a mounting screw (not shown) is inserted for attaching the actuator unit 2 to the door D, and reference symbol 3h denotes a mounting hole into which a mounting screw (not shown) is inserted for attaching the switch main body 3 to the wall W.

[0031] 2 to 4, the actuator 21 is provided inside the case 20 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and can take an extended position (see FIGS. 2 to 4) in which it extends forward to the outside of the case 20, and a retracted position (described later) in which it retracts rearward and is housed inside the case 20. In FIGS. 2 to 4, a state in which the front part of the actuator 21 protrudes outside the case 20 is shown.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 to 4 and 8 to 10, the actuator 21 is a U-shaped member extending in the front-rear direction, and is composed of an upper plate 21A arranged on the upper side, a lower plate 21B arranged on the lower side and disposed parallel or substantially parallel to the upper plate 21A, and a back plate 21C that vertically connects these on the front side (the front side of the paper in Figures 2 and 3, and the rear side of the paper in Figure 4). The rear sides (the rear side of the paper in Figures 2 and 3, and the front side of the paper in Figure 4) of the upper plate 21A and the lower plate 21B are open. A notch 21a is formed on the front end of the upper plate 21A for locking the extended actuator 21 with a locking member (locking portion) Lp (FIG. 11) on the switch body 3 side, and similarly a notch 21b is formed on the front end of the lower plate 21B for locking the extended actuator 21 with a locking member Lp (FIG. 11) on the switch body 3 side, with the notches 21a, 21b aligned vertically. The locking member Lp is a member that extends in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 11, and when locked, is engaged with the notches 21a, 21b (only the notch 21b is shown in the figure).

[0033] 4, 10 and 11, a plate-shaped release lever (unlocking member) 22 extending in the front-rear direction along the actuator 21 is housed inside the actuator 21. The release lever 22 is a member for releasing the locked state of the actuator 21 locked by a locking member Lp (FIG. 11) on the switch body 3 side. The release lever 22 is disposed parallel or substantially parallel to the upper plate portion 21A and the lower plate portion 21B of the actuator 21, and is supported rotatably (swingably) by a pin 22p that passes through approximately the center of the release lever 22 from above and below and is journaled by the upper plate portion 21A and the lower plate portion 21B. As shown in FIG. 11 which is a plan view of the release lever 22, the release lever 22 has straight side portions 22a, 22b which face each other across a pin 22p and extend substantially parallel to each other, a tapered side portion 22c which extends forward of the straight side portion 22b and is tapered so that the width dimension in plan view of the release lever 22 (vertical width dimension in FIG. 11) gradually decreases, a tapered side portion 22d which is provided behind the straight side portion 22b and is tapered so that the width dimension in plan view of the release lever 22 (vertical width dimension in FIG. 11) gradually increases, and a straight side portion 22e which is provided behind the tapered side portion 22d.

[0034] In the locked state (Figure 11) in which the actuator 21 is locked by the locking member Lp on the switch body 3 side, the release lever 22 rotates counterclockwise around the pin 22P, the straight side portion 22a abuts against the inner wall surface of the back plate portion 21C of the actuator 21, and the tapered side portion 22c on the front end side of the release lever 22 does not enter into each of the notches 21a, 21b of the actuator 21, and the locking member Lp on the switch body side is inserted into and engaged in each of the notches 21a, 21b.

[0035] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the tip of the support shaft 2si fixed to the shaft 2His of the inner handle 2Hi extends into the case 20 by passing through the lower part of the first connecting bar 23 disposed on the rear side of the case 20. In this example, the support shaft 2si is a square bar-shaped member having a rectangular cross section, and a square hole 23b having a rectangular cross section into which the support shaft 2si fits is formed in the boss part 23a at the lower part of the first connecting bar 23, and the support shaft 2si fits into the square hole 23b without any gap. With this configuration, the first connecting bar 23 is connected to the inner handle 2Hi, and when the inner handle 2Hi is rotated, the first connecting bar 23 rotates in the front-rear direction around the center of the square hole 23b in conjunction with the rotation.

[0036] Similarly, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the tip of the support shaft 2so fixed to the shaft 2Hos of the outer handle 2Ho extends into the case 20 by passing through the lower part of the second connecting bar 24 disposed on the front side of the case 20. In this example, the support shaft 2so is a square rod-shaped member having a rectangular cross section, and a square hole 24a having a rectangular cross section into which the support shaft 2so fits is formed in the lower part of the second connecting bar 24, and the support shaft 2so fits into the square hole 24a without any gap. With this configuration, the second connecting bar 24 is connected to the outer handle 2Ho, and when the outer handle 2Ho is rotated, the second connecting bar 24 rotates in the front-rear direction around the center of the square hole 24a in conjunction with the rotation.

[0037] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, a coil portion of a torsion coil spring 25 is attached to the outer periphery of boss portion 23a at the bottom of first connecting bar 23, and each arm portion of torsion coil spring 25 is engaged with the upper end of first connecting bar 23 and with engaging holes in case 20, respectively. As a result, a torsion moment in the opposite direction to the rotation direction acts on first connecting bar 23 due to elastic energy stored in torsion coil spring 25 according to the amount of rotation of first connecting bar 23. In addition, one roller 26 is provided on the rear side inside case 20. Roller 26 is rotatably supported by actuator 21 and moves together with actuator 21 when actuator 21 moves backward, i.e., when actuator 21 retracts into the case.

[0038] 6 and 10, the first connecting bar 23 includes a rectangular plate-shaped portion 23A arranged on the front side and having a boss portion 23a at the bottom, a bulging portion 23B integrally provided on the back side of the plate-shaped portion 23A at a position corresponding to the boss portion 23a, and an actuator abutment portion (first abutment portion) 23C integrally provided on the back side of the plate-shaped portion 23A and connected to the bulging portion 23B, extending upward, and having an actuator abutment surface 23Ca that can directly abut (i.e., act on) the tapered side portion 22d (FIG. 11) on the rear end side of the release lever 22 when the locked state of the actuator 21 is released by a rotational operation of the inner handle 2Hi. After the actuator abutment surface 23Ca acts on the release lever 22 to release the lock, as described later, it abuts against the roller 26 by further rotational operation of the inner handle 2Hi and acts on the actuator 21 via the roller 26 to move the actuator 21 backward, i.e., to shrink it.

[0039] When the actuator 21 moves backward, the contact point of the actuator abutment surface 23Ca with the outer circumferential surface of the roller 26 is displaced on the actuator abutment surface 23Ca, but at this time, the roller 26 rotates to reduce frictional force, so that the first connecting bar 23 can be rotated and the actuator 21 can be moved backward smoothly. In addition, a pair of support surfaces 20a, 20b extending in the front-rear direction are provided in the case 20, which are arranged at a predetermined interval in the up-down direction, and the actuator 21 is supported by these support surfaces 20a, 20b so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The outer circumferential surface of the roller 26 may be supported by these support surfaces 20a, 20b when the roller 26 moves.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, a pair of rollers 27, 28 are provided at the front side of the case 20 with a predetermined interval therebetween in the front-rear direction. Each roller 27, 28 is rotatably supported by the actuator 21, and moves together with the actuator 21 when the actuator 21 moves. Also, as shown in Figure 9, a pair of support surfaces 20a', 20b' are provided in the case 20, which are arranged at a predetermined interval in the up-down direction and extend in the front-rear direction, and the outer circumferential surfaces of the rollers 27, 28 are supported by these support surfaces 20a', 20b' when the rollers 27, 28 move.

[0041] As shown in Figures 5 and 9, the second connecting bar 24 is arranged on the front side and comprises a rectangular plate-shaped portion 24A having a boss portion 24a at the bottom, a bulge portion 24B which is integrally provided on the back side of the plate-shaped portion 24A at a position corresponding to the boss portion 24a, and a roller abutment portion 24C which is integrally provided on the back side of the plate-shaped portion 24A and connected to the bulge portion 24B, is inserted between the rollers 27, 28 and extends upward, and has roller abutment surfaces 24Ca, 24Cb which can abut against the rollers 27, 28 and act on the actuator 21 via the rollers 27, 28 to move the actuator 21 forward (i.e., extended) or backward (retracted) when the actuator 21 is moved in the extension / retraction direction by rotating the outer handle 2Ho.

[0042] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 7, and 10 to 17. As shown in Figures 1, 7 and 11, when the door D is closed, the actuator 21 of the actuator unit 2 is inserted inside the switch body 3, and the actuator 21 is locked by the locking member Lp on the switch body 3 side (at this time, the inner handle 2Hi and the outer handle 2Ho are both in an upright position arranged in the vertical or upward direction), an operator in the danger zone Hz releases the locked state of the actuator 21 and opens the door D, as follows.

[0043] First, the operator grasps the grip portion 2Hig of the inner handle 2Hi and rotates the inner handle 2Hi counterclockwise as seen from the operator. Then, the inner handle 2Hi rotates slightly counterclockwise from an upright state in which the grip portion 2Hig is aligned with the grip portion 2Hog of the outer handle 2Ho as seen from the rear direction (see FIG. 4) as shown in FIG. 12. The rotation of the inner handle 2Hi causes the first connecting bar 23 to rotate slightly counterclockwise via the support shaft portion 2si.

[0044] As the first connecting bar 23 rotates, the actuator abutment portion 23C (FIG. 10) on the back side of the first connecting bar 23 rotates together with the first connecting bar 23, and the actuator abutment portion 23C rotates counterclockwise around the center of the rectangular hole 23b from the position shown in FIG 10 to the position shown in FIG 13. During this rotation, the actuator abutment surface 23Ca of the actuator abutment portion 23C directly abuts (i.e. acts on) and presses against the tapered side surface portion 22d (FIG. 11) on the rear end side of the release lever 22.

[0045] Then, the release lever 22 swings around the pin 22p in the clockwise direction in the figure, and the front end portion of the release lever 22 exerts a pressing force on the lock member Lp. As a result, as shown in Fig. 14, the lock member Lp retreats from the notches 21a, 21b on the front end side of the actuator 21, the release lever 22 moves to the unlocked position, and the actuator 21 is unlocked by the lock member Lp. At this time, the actuator abutment surface 23Ca of the actuator abutment portion 23C of the first connecting bar 23 climbs over the tapered side surface portion 22d of the release lever 22, and the back surface of the actuator abutment portion 23C abuts against the linear side surface portion 22e of the release lever 22. This maintains the unlocked position of the release lever 22.

[0046] Next, when the operator further rotates the inner handle 2Hi counterclockwise, the first connecting bar 23 further rotates counterclockwise as shown in Figs. 15 and 16. The further rotation of the first connecting bar 23 causes the actuator abutment portion 23C on the back side of the first connecting bar 23 to rotate together with the first connecting bar 23, and the actuator abutment surface 23Ca of the actuator abutment portion 23C presses the roller 26, and the actuator 21 is moved backward (retracted) via the roller 26 to the retracted position. As a result, the actuator 21 is housed in the case 20 of the actuator unit 2 (Fig. 17), and the inner handle 2Hi is disposed in the horizontal direction. From this state, the operator can open the door D and move out of the danger area Hz to the safety area Sf. The reason why only one roller 26 is provided on the back side of the case 20 instead of two rollers as on the front side is to prevent the operator from closing the door D in the danger area Hz.

[0047] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the inner handle 2Hi is rotated, the first connecting bar 23 connected to the inner handle 2Hi acts directly on the release lever 22 to release the locked state of the actuator 21. This makes it possible to easily release the locked state of the actuator 21 on the switch body 3 side by simply operating the inner handle 2Hi. Moreover, according to this embodiment, since the first connecting bar 23 connected to the inner handle 2Hi is configured to directly act on the release lever 22, no complex gear mechanism or link mechanism is required between the inner handle 2Hi and the release lever 22, which makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and simplify the structure. As a result, the actuator unit 2 can be made more compact.

[0048] As described above, when the actuator 21 is moved to the retracted position after the actuator 21 is unlocked by rotating the inner handle 2Hi, the roller abutment portion 24C of the second connecting bar 24 on the outer handle 2Ho side transitions from the state shown in Fig. 9 (and Fig. 3) to the state shown in Fig. 18. That is, the roller abutment portion 24C of the second connecting bar 24 is disposed between the front roller 27 and the rear roller 28, and moves together with the movement of the rollers 27, 28, both before (Fig. 9) and after (Fig. 18) the inner handle 2Hi is rotated.

[0049] Furthermore, when the door D is closed and the actuator 21 is locked on the switch main body 3 side, the procedure for an operator in the safety area Sf to operate the outer handle 2Ho to open the door D is as follows.

[0050] In this case, from the state shown in FIG. 1, first, the lock member Lp (FIG. 11) inside the switch body 3 is moved away from the notches 21a, 21b of the actuator 21 by a driving mechanism such as an electromagnetic solenoid, thereby releasing the locked state of the actuator 21. Next, the operator grasps the grip 2Hog of the outer handle 2Ho and rotates the outer handle 2Ho clockwise by approximately 90 degrees as seen from the operator. Then, the outer handle 2Ho moves from an upright state in which the grip 2Hog is aligned with the grip 2Hig of the inner handle 2Hi as seen from the front direction (see FIG. 1) to a state in which the outer handle 2Ho rotates clockwise and faces the front-rear or horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 19. At this time, the rotation of the outer handle 2Ho rotates the second connecting bar 24 clockwise via the support shaft 2so.

[0051] 20, the roller contact portion 24C on the back side of the second connecting bar 24 rotates together with the second connecting bar 24, and the roller contact surface 24Cb on the rear side of the roller contact portion 24C rotates rearward while contacting the outer circumferential surface of the rear roller 28, so that the actuator 21 moves rearward (retracts) via the roller 28. As a result, the actuator 21 moves to the retracted position and is housed inside the case 20 (see FIG. 21). At this time, the first contact portion 23 on the side of the inner handle 2Hi maintains the state before the outer handle 2Ho is rotated, as shown in FIG. 22, and the grip 2Hig of the inner handle 2Hi maintains the upright state in the up-down or vertical direction. From this state, the operator can open the door D and move from the safety area Sf into the danger area Hz inside the door D.

[0052] Moreover, the actuator unit 2 according to this embodiment includes a restricting member that restricts the actuator 21 from moving from a contracted state in which the actuator 21 is housed in the case 20 to an extended state in which the front end of the actuator 21 protrudes from the case 20. The restricting member will be described with reference to Figs. 23 to 25.

[0053] Fig. 23 shows a state in which the actuator 21 is in a retracted state inside the switch body 3 and the door is open, Fig. 24 shows a state in which the actuator 21 is in a retracted state and the door is closed, and Fig. 25 shows an extended state in which the actuator 21 is extended toward the switch body 3 with the door closed. As shown in these figures, a shutter 5 is provided as a restricting member in the actuator unit 2 near the end on the side facing the switch body 3.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 23, the shutter 5 is a member arranged in a substantially L-shape in plan view, and is provided so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 50 arranged in the substantially central portion thereof and extending in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the paper surface of the figure). One leg 51 of the legs forming the substantially L-shape of the shutter 5 extends toward an opening 20c formed at an end of the case 20 of the actuator unit 2, and the other leg 52 extends into an opening 20d inside the case 20 that opens toward the actuator 21. Meanwhile, the notches 21a and 21b of the actuator 21 (only the notch 21b is shown in the figure) are arranged in a position aligned with the opening 20d. The tip of the leg 52 extends beyond the opening 20d into the notches 21a and 21b. As a result, even if the actuator 21 attempts to move forward (extend) from the state shown in Figure 23, the actuator 21 will interfere with the tip of the leg 52 of the shutter 5 that has entered the notches 21a, 21b, thereby restricting the transition of the actuator 21 from the retracted state to the extended state.

[0055] An abutment member 4 is provided on the side of the shutter 5 (lower part in FIG. 23). The abutment member 4 is provided rotatably around a support shaft 40 arranged inside the case 20, and its tip protrudes to the outside of the case through the opening 20c of the case 20 and has an abutment surface 41 that is inclined toward the tip. In addition, the abutment member 4 has a support surface 42 on the opposite side to the abutment surface 41 that supports the leg part 51 of the shutter 5.

[0056] When the door is closed from the state shown in Fig. 23, it transitions to the state shown in Fig. 24. At this time, the protrusion 30 on the switch body 3 side abuts against the abutment surface 41 of the abutment member 4 and presses the abutment surface 41, causing the abutment member 4 to rotate upward in the figure around the support shaft 40. Then, the support surface 42 of the abutment member 4 presses the tip of the leg portion 51 of the shutter 5, causing the shutter 5 to rotate counterclockwise in the figure around the support shaft 50. As a result, the tip of the leg portion 52 of the shutter 5 is inserted into the opening 20d of the case 20.

[0057] 25, the actuator 21 is moved (extended) forward. At this time, since the tips of the legs 52 of the shutter 5 are not inserted into the notches 21a and 21b of the actuator 21, the actuator 21 extends without being restricted in movement by the shutter 5, and the front end is inserted into the switch body 3. Then, the locking member Lp on the switch body 3 side engages into the notches 21a and 21b of the actuator 21, and the actuator 21 is locked.

[0058] Next, Figures 26 to 29 are diagrams for explaining a shutter 6 in a different mode from the above-mentioned shutter 5. Figure 26 is a perspective view from the bottom front side showing the actuator in an extended state, Figure 27 is a vertical cross-sectional view of Figure 26, Figure 28 shows the actuator in a retracted state from the state shown in Figure 27, and Figure 29 shows the shutter 6 in a closed state from the state shown in Figure 28.

[0059] In each figure, the shutter 6 is shown colored gray. As shown in these figures, the actuator unit 2 has an actuator 21', and in this example, the actuator 21' is a member with a U-shaped cross section like the actuator 21 shown in Figures 23 to 25, but unlike the actuator 21, the open end of the U-shaped shape consisting of the plate portions 21'A, 21'B, and 21'C faces the bottom side (lower side) instead of the back side of the actuator unit 2. Note that, like the actuator 21, the open end of the U-shaped shape may face the back side of the actuator unit 2.

[0060] 26 to 29, the shutter 6 is provided at the switch body side end of the case 20 of the actuator unit 2 in an opening 20e for inserting and removing the actuator 21', and is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction in the figure. The shutter 6 has a flat shutter plate portion 60 that extends along the opening 20e and has an opening 60a, and an inclined plate portion 61 that is connected to the shutter plate portion 60.

[0061] 26 to 28, the shutter 6 has moved upward in the figure, and the shutter plate portion 60 of the shutter 6 has not entered the opening 20e of the case 20, so the actuator 21 can extend and retract through the opening 20e of the case 20 and the aperture 60a of the shutter 6. Note that at this time, because the door is closed, a portion on the switch body side (not shown) abuts against the inclined plate portion 61 of the shutter 6, exerting a pressing force thereon, which moves the shutter 6 upward in the figure.

[0062] When the door is opened from the state shown in Fig. 28, the part on the switch body side no longer abuts against the inclined plate portion 61 of the shutter 6, so that the shutter 6 moves downward in the figure. Then, as shown in Fig. 29, the shutter plate portion 60 of the shutter 6 enters the opening 20e of the case 20, and as a result, the shutter plate portion 60 is positioned to interfere with the tip of the actuator 21', so that the forward movement (extension) of the actuator 21' is restricted.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, the actuator unit 2 according to this embodiment includes an RFID (radio frequency identifier) ​​tag Tg for detecting the position of the actuator 21. 1 , Tg 2 It has the tag Tg 1 is provided at the end of the case 20 on the switch body 3 side, and the tag Tg 2 is provided on the front end side of the actuator 21. On the other hand, the switch body 3 has a tag Tg 1 , Tg 2The tag Tg is equipped with an RFID antenna At to read the ID (identification) data stored in the tag (see Figure 1). 1 is for detecting the opening and closing of the door, and the tag Tg 2 is for detecting the extended / retracted state of the actuator 21. The tag is not limited to an RFID tag, and other electronic tags may be used.

[0064] As described above, Figure 23 shows a state in which the actuator 21 is retracted inside the switch body 3 and the door is open, Figure 24 shows a state in which the actuator 21 is retracted and the door is closed, and Figure 25 shows a state in which the actuator 21 is extended toward the switch body 3 with the door closed and the actuator 21 is locked by the locking member Lp on the switch body 3 side.

[0065] In the state shown in FIG. 23, the antenna At on the switch body 3 side is connected to any tag Tg on the actuator unit 2 side. 1 , Tg 2 At this time, the system determines that the door is open and the actuator 21 is in the retracted state.

[0066] In the state shown in FIG. 24, the actuator unit 2 is disposed close to the switch body 3, so that the antenna At on the switch body 3 side is connected to the tag Tg on the actuator unit 2 side. 1 This causes the system to determine that the door is closed. At this time, the antenna At detects the tag Tg 2 is not detected, and therefore it is determined that the actuator 21 remains in the contracted state.

[0067] In the state shown in FIG. 25, the antenna At on the switch body 3 side is different from the state shown in FIG. 24 in that the tag Tg on the actuator unit 2 side is different from the state shown in FIG. 2This allows the system to determine that the actuator 21 is in an extended and locked state. At this time, the tag Tg 1 Since the detection state of the tag Tg is maintained, it is determined that the door is kept closed. 1 , Tg 2 Only when both tags are detected will the system output an operation permission signal to the machine in the dangerous area. In this way, the operation permission signal will not be output by the detection of only one of the tags, improving safety.

[0068] Next, Fig. 30 to Fig. 32 are diagrams for explaining the details of the mounting structure of the antenna At on the switch body 3. The antenna At is integrally provided with a pair of flanges 3a, 3b (parts colored in gray) arranged above and below. The antenna At is provided so as to be rotatable within the plane of the drawing around a support shaft (not shown) extending in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, and can take an installation position on the right side as shown in Fig. 30 and an installation position on the left side as shown in Fig. 31, rotated 180 degrees from this installation position. The antenna At does not have to be rotatable, and it is sufficient if it can be arranged in both installation positions shown in Figs. 30 and 31. The switch body 3 also has a holding hole 3A for holding the antenna At from above and below. 1 The antenna cover 3A is attached to the base 1 by means of a mounting screw b. 1 , b 2 Therefore, the screw hole h on the switch body 3 side 1 , h 2 It is designed to be attached to the

[0069] When changing the mounting position of the antenna At from the right-side mounting position as shown in Figure 30, use the mounting screw b 1 , b 2After loosening the mounting screw b, remove the antenna cover 3A in the direction indicated by the left arrow in the figure. Then, as shown in Figure 31, turn the mounting position of the antenna At 180 degrees. Next, turn the antenna cover 3A upside down and attach it from the direction indicated by the right arrow in the figure. At this time, the mounting screw b 2 Threaded hole h 1 Screw into the mounting screw b 1 Threaded hole h 2 Since the mounting position of the antenna At is changed, the same antenna cover 3A can be used for the antenna At whose mounting position has been changed. In this manner, the mounting position of the antenna At can be changed as shown in FIG.

[0070] [Other Modifications] The above-described embodiment and each modification should be considered in all respects as merely illustrative of the present invention, and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may, when considering the teachings above, construct various modifications and other embodiments that incorporate the principles of the present invention without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the present invention, even if not expressly described herein. [Industrial Applicability]

[0071] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is suitable for an actuator unit and a safety switch including the same, and is particularly suitable for an actuator configured to be lockable on the switch body side. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1: Safety switch 2: Actuator unit 20: Case 21: Actuator 22: Release lever (unlocking part) 23: First connecting bar 23C: Actuator contact portion (first contact portion) 26~28: Roller 24: Second connecting bar 3: Switch body 5: Shutter (regulating member) 2Hi: Inner handle (first operating handle) 2Ho: Outer handle (second operating handle) D: Door (movable door) W: Wall Hz: Danger Zone SF: safe area Lp: Locking member (locking part) [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0073] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 1473427 (see FIGS. 1-4, paragraphs

[0014] -

[0034] and claim 1) [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 8,082,765 (see FIGS. 1-4, column 5, line 19 to column 8, line 45, and claims 1 and 16)

Claims

1. An actuator unit that can be locked on a switch body side of a safety switch, an actuator having an unlocking member capable of releasing a locked state and being extendable and retractable; a first operating handle that can be rotated to move the actuator in a retracted direction; a first connecting bar connected to the first operating handle and directly acting on the unlocking member to release the locked state and acting on the actuator to move the actuator in a retracted direction when the first operating handle is rotated; An actuator unit comprising:

2. In claim 1, The first connecting bar has a first abutment portion that can directly abut against the unlocking member.

1. An actuator unit comprising:

3. In claim 2, The unlocking member is provided to be able to swing, and the first contact portion acts on an end side of the unlocking member.

1. An actuator unit comprising:

4. In claim 1, a rotatable roller is journalled on the actuator, and the first connecting bar acts on the actuator via the roller; 1. An actuator unit comprising:

5. In claim 1, a second operating handle that is disposed on an opposite side of the actuator from the first operating handle and that can be rotated to move the actuator in an extension / retraction direction; a second connecting bar connected to the second operating handle and acting on the actuator to move the actuator in an extension / retraction direction by rotation of the second operating handle; 1. An actuator unit comprising:

6. In claim 5, a pair of rotatable rollers are journalled to the actuator at a predetermined interval, the second connecting bar is inserted between the rollers, and the second connecting bar acts on the actuator via the rollers; 1. An actuator unit comprising:

7. In claim 4 or 6, the actuator unit further comprises a case that houses the actuator; The case supports an outer circumferential surface of the roller when the actuator moves.

1. An actuator unit comprising:

8. In claim 1, A restricting member is provided to restrict the actuator from transitioning from a contracted state to an extended state.

1. An actuator unit comprising:

9. An actuator unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a switch body having a locking portion for locking the actuator; With safety switch.

10. In claim 5, The actuator unit is provided on a door side, the switch body is provided on a wall side, the first operating handle is provided on a danger area side on the inside of the door, and the second operating handle is provided on a safety area side on the outside of the door. A safety switch characterized by:

Images