Non-contact button

Abstract

To provide a contactless button.SOLUTION: A contactless button includes a substrate, a housing, a first light-emitting unit, an optical imaging assembly, and an optical switch assembly. The housing is mounted on the substrate, and an opening is located on a side, of the housing, farther away from the substrate. The first light-emitting unit is housed in the housing. The optical imaging assembly is installed in the housing and covers the first light-emitting unit. The optical imaging assembly can convert a first light flux provided by the first light-emitting unit into a three-dimensional optical image projected from the opening. The optical switch assembly includes a second light-emitting unit and an optical trigger switch. The optical trigger switch can generate an operation signal when detecting a second light flux emitted from the second light-emitting unit. One of the second light-emitting unit and the optical trigger switch is mounted on the substrate, is located in the housing, and is directed toward the opening. The other one thereof is mounted on the housing, is located next to the opening, and is directed toward the opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to buttons, and particularly to non-contact buttons.

Background Art

[0002] Buttons are currently very common input devices. Control buttons can be found in small electronic devices to large devices. Among them, non-contact buttons have more hygienic advantages because users can generate operation signals just by being close without touching the button itself.

[0003] Currently, non-contact buttons that can display three-dimensional images mainly use infrared detection buttons equipped with infrared sensors (IR Sensors). However, how to ensure sufficient sensitivity of the infrared sensor to avoid malfunction is a major issue.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a non-contact button with a simple structure, easy assembly, certain sensitivity, and the ability to stably generate detection signals.

[0005] To achieve the above advantages, an embodiment of the present invention provides a non-contact button including a substrate, a housing, a first light-emitting unit, Optical imaging assembly , and an optical switch assembly. The housing is attached to the substrate, and there is an opening on the side of the housing away from the substrate. The first light-emitting unit is housed in the housing. Optical imaging assembly is installed in the housing, covers the first light-emitting unit, and can convert the first light beam provided by the first light-emitting unit into a three-dimensional optical image projected from the opening. The optical switch assembly includes a second light-emitting unit and an optical trigger switch. The optical trigger switch can generate an operation signal when detecting the second light beam emitted from the second light-emitting unit. One of the second light-emitting unit and the optical trigger switch is attached to the substrate, located in the housing, and facing the opening, and the other is attached to the housing, located next to the opening, and facing the opening.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing is provided on one side of the opening, has an installation groove where a slot is inclined in the operation direction toward the opening, and an optical trigger switch or a second light emitting unit is installed.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the non-contact button is further provided with an optical diffusion unit that is attached to the installation groove and located in the slot.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the Optical imaging assembly is Pattern element and includes a lens array. Pattern element faces the substrate and has a preset pattern. The lens array is Pattern element arranged on the side away from the substrate of Pattern element and forms a three-dimensional optical image after the first light beam passes through

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the Optical imaging assembly further includes a collimating part, is arranged between the substrate and Pattern element and can convert the first light beam into a collimated light beam.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second light emitting unit is an infrared light emitting unit, and the optical trigger switch is an infrared sensor.

[0011] According to the above description, the non-contact button according to the embodiment of the present invention uses the second light emitting unit, and when detecting the second light beam emitted from the second light emitting unit, can generate a detection signal by the optical trigger switch. Also, one of the second light emitting unit and the optical trigger switch is installed on the substrate, and the other is installed on the housing attached to the substrate, so that the mechanism is simple and easy to assemble. Furthermore, the second light emitting unit or the optical trigger switch installed on the substrate is arranged toward the opening of the housing and has a wider operating range. Therefore, the overlapping area of the operating ranges of the second light emitting unit and the optical trigger switch increases, has a certain sensitivity, and can generate a stable detection signal.

[0012] To more clearly understand the above-described 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

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] In the following text, descriptions of terms such as directions and positional relationships used in the description based on the embodiments of the present invention, for example, "upper", "lower", 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 ranges, and are not used to set an upper or lower limit on the number of elements.

[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a button which is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is the one in FIG. 1 Optical imaging assemblyIt is a schematic diagram showing the operation when generating a three-dimensional optical image. FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram when the optical switch assembly in FIG. 1 is operating. As shown from FIG. 1 to FIG. 3A, the non-contact button 1 provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate 2, a housing 3, a first light-emitting unit 4, Optical imaging assembly 5, and an optical switch assembly 6. The housing 3 is attached to 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 unit 4 is housed in the housing 3. Optical imaging assembly 5 is installed in the housing 3, covers the first light-emitting unit 4, and can convert the first light beam L1 provided by the first light-emitting unit 4 into a three-dimensional optical image P projected from the opening 31. The optical switch assembly 6 includes a second light-emitting unit 61 and an optical trigger switch 62. The optical trigger switch 62 can generate an operation signal (not shown) when detecting the second light beam L2 emitted from the second light-emitting unit 61. One of the second light-emitting unit 61 and the optical trigger switch 62 is attached to the substrate 2, located in the housing 3, and facing the opening 31, and the other is attached to the housing 3, located adjacent to the opening 31, and facing the opening 31.

[0016] In this embodiment, the non-contact button 1 is, for example, an elevator button, but is not limited thereto. The operation signal is, for example, a signal for operating an elevator and can be changed according to the type of device where the non-contact button 1 is installed. The shape of the housing 3 is, for example, rectangular, but can be changed according to the shape required by the non-contact button 1. The opening 31 corresponds to the shape of the housing 3. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the housing 3 includes, for example, an installation groove 32. The installation groove 32 is installed on one side of the opening 31, and the slot 321 of the installation groove 32 is inclined in the operation direction and faces the opening 31. The opening (not shown) of the slot 321 is, for example, Optical imaging assembly located in front of 5. The optical trigger switch 62 or the second light-emitting unit 61 is installed in the installation groove 32. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, there is one installation groove 32, which is installed on the side edge of the opening 31. However, the detailed position and number are not limited to this and can be determined based on the number of the optical trigger switch 62 or the second light-emitting unit 61.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the non-contact button 1 further includes an outer frame 7. The outer frame 7 is connected to the housing 3 by a latch 71, covers the opening 31, the shape of the outer frame 7 corresponds to the shape of the housing 3, and the size of the opening 31 of the outer frame 7 is slightly smaller than the size of the housing 3, Optical imaging assembly 5 can be prevented from falling off the housing 3 in the direction of the opening 31. A passage 72 corresponding to the position of the slot 321 of the installation groove 32 is provided in the outer frame 7. Thereby, the second light beam L2 can enter and exit the second light emitting unit 61 or the optical trigger switch 62 installed in the installation groove through the passage 72.

[0018] The first light emitting unit 4 is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED), and its type and emission color are not limited, and can be selected according to the needs of vision and Optical imaging assembly 5. Optical imaging assembly 5 is used, for example, to form a three-dimensional optical image P such as numbers or text, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, Optical imaging assembly the size of the area of 5 corresponds to the area of the opening 31. When installed, Optical imaging assembly 5 is, for example, installed in the housing 3, but is not limited thereto.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, Optical imaging assembly 5 is Pattern element provided with 51 and a lens array 52. Pattern element 51 faces the substrate 2 and has a preset pattern (not shown). The preset pattern corresponds to the shape of the three-dimensional optical image P. That is, Pattern element 51 blocks a part of the first light beam L1 from the first light emitting unit 4 according to a preset pattern, and determines the content of the three-dimensional optical image P. The lens array 52 is Pattern element arranged on the side of 51 away from the substrate 2, and is, for example, a single-sided convex lens array 52, but a double-sided convex lens array 52 may also be used, and can be selected according to actual needs. Thereby, after the first light beam L1 passes through Pattern element 51 and the lens array 52, a three-dimensional optical image P that is imaged in front of the non-contact button 1 (in front of the opening 31) can be formed in terms of visual effect.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, Optical imaging assembly 5 further includes a collimating portion 53. The collimating portion 53 is, for example, a Fresnel lens, but is not limited thereto. The collimating portion 53 is disposed between the substrate 2 and Pattern element 51, and can convert a plurality of first light beams L1 from the first light emitting unit 4 into a collimated light beam generally directed toward the opening 31, thereby increasing the light intensity of the finally generated three-dimensional optical image P.

[0021] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, Optical imaging assembly 5 can further include a pressure plate 54. The pressure plate 54 is, for example, a transparent acrylic plate. As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure plate 54 covers the lens array 52 and is used to protect the lens array 52 from scratches and dirt.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, in this embodiment, the second light-emitting unit 61 of the optical switch assembly 6 is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED). As a specific type, for example, it is an infrared light-emitting diode (IR LED) that generates infrared light, but it is not limited thereto. The second light-emitting unit 61 is, for example, mounted on the substrate 2 and projects a second light beam L2 forward of the opening 31. The number of the second light-emitting units 61 and their specific positions on the substrate 2 can be installed as required. The light emitted from the second light-emitting unit 61 is visible light in another embodiment. The second light-emitting unit 61 is also used as a light source of the light beam for generating the three-dimensional optical image P. The optical trigger switch 62 is mounted in the installation groove 32. In another embodiment (see FIG. 4), the optical trigger switch 62 can also be mounted on the substrate 2. In that case, the second light-emitting unit 61 needs to be replaced with the installation groove 32 accordingly. The optical trigger switch 62 is, for example, an infrared sensor, but it can be changed according to the wavelength of the second light beam L2. When the wavelength of the second light beam L2 does not naturally exist in the environment where the non-contact button 1 is arranged, the optical trigger switch 62 can reduce the malfunction caused by the influence of the environment.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3A, when the user's finger F approaches the non-contact button 1, the second light beam L2 emitted from the second light-emitting unit 61 first Optical imaging assembly passes through 5, then irradiates the user's finger F, and then is reflected by the surface of the finger F and enters the optical trigger switch 62.

[0024] Also, Optical imaging assembly since 5 is a member that can transmit light in both directions, in the embodiment (see FIG. 4), when the optical trigger switch 62 is mounted on the substrate 2, the second light beam L2 emitted from the second light-emitting unit 61 also passes through 5 by reflection and is detected by the optical trigger switch 62. In this case Optical imaging assembly it is not necessary to specially provide additional perforations in 5, but it is not limited thereto. Optical imaging assembly

[0025] ​In this embodiment, since neither the second light-emitting unit 61 nor the optical trigger switch 62 is installed on the substrate 2, the second light beam L2 emitted from the second light-emitting unit 61 is Optical imaging assembly reflected by 5, and it is possible to avoid causing a malfunction in the optical trigger switch 62.

[0026] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram showing the detection range when the optical switch assembly 6 in FIG. 1 is operating. Referring to FIG. 3B, FIG. 3B shows the operating range A1 of the second light-emitting unit 61 (the range where the second light beam L2 can be projected), the operating range A2 of the optical trigger switch 62 (the range where the second light beam L2 can be detected), and the operating range A3 that can be received by the optical trigger switch 62 after the second light beam L2 is reflected by the finger F. From FIG. 3B, it can be seen that the operating range A3 is determined by the overlapping portion of the operating range A1 and the operating range A2. In this embodiment, since the operating range A1 is wider than the operating range A2, the detection sensitivity of the non-contact button 1 is mainly determined by the size of the smaller operating range A2.

[0027] As can be seen from FIG. 3B, with such an arrangement, the members installed on the substrate 2 are not limited by the size of the opening 31 and can have a wider operating range A1 or operating range A2. For example, in an embodiment where the member on the substrate 2 is the second light-emitting unit 61, it has a wider projection area, and in an embodiment where the member on the substrate 2 is the optical trigger switch 62, it has a wider detection area. In this embodiment, since neither the second light-emitting unit 61 nor the optical trigger switch 62 is installed on one side of the opening 31 (for example, the second light-emitting unit 61 and the optical trigger switch 62 are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the opening 31), the non-contact button 1 of this embodiment can have higher detection stability.

[0028] Also, as shown in FIG. 3B, the housing 3 itself includes the first light-emitting unit 4, Optical imaging assemblySince it is necessary to have a certain height to accommodate necessary components such as 5, when the optical trigger switch 62 is mounted on the housing 3, the optical trigger switch 62 is in a position closer to the three-dimensional optical image P (not shown). That is, since the reflection point for reflecting the second light beam L2 is closer to the optical trigger switch 62, the non-contact button 1 has better detection sensitivity. From this point of view, in the embodiment where the second light-emitting unit 61 is installed in the installation groove 32 (for example, the embodiment in FIG. 4), since the finger F (reflection point) is close to the second light-emitting unit 61, the intensity of the second light beam L2 reflected is enhanced without adding the second light-emitting unit 61, and the non-contact button 1 can similarly have better detection sensitivity.

[0029] Also, similar to the description of Optical imaging assembly 5 above, in this embodiment, the second light beam L2 emitted from the second light-emitting unit 61 is converted into a collimated light beam that is projected roughly forward of the opening 31 through the collimating unit 53, and then projected forward of the opening 31. That is, the collimating unit 53 not only increases the light intensity of the three-dimensional optical image P, but also in the embodiment where the second light-emitting unit 61 is installed on the substrate 2, it increases the light intensity projected forward of the opening 31, and also improves the intensity of the second light beam L2 reflected by the user's finger F during use, and can improve the detection accuracy of the non-contact button 1.

[0030] Furthermore, the method of mounting the second light-emitting unit 61 on the substrate 2 and projecting it forward of the opening 31 can avoid the possibility that when the user's finger F approaches the non-contact button 1 excessively, the user's finger F blocks the second light beam L2 and the detection area of the optical trigger switch 62 is exactly located in the shadow part by the backlight of the finger F, so the detection accuracy of the non-contact button 1 is further improved.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the detection range when the optical switch assembly 6 in an embodiment of the present invention is operating. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the optical trigger switch 62 is installed on the substrate 2, for example, and the second light emitting unit 61 is installed in the installation groove 32, for example. The non-contact button 1 further includes an optical diffusion unit 8. The optical diffusion unit 8 is attached in the installation groove 32 and located in the slot 321 of the installation groove 32, for example.

[0032] The optical diffusion unit 8 is, for example, a transparent acrylic block, having a first end 81 and a second end 82. The first end 81 is close to the opening 31, and the second end 82 is close to the second light emitting unit 61. An arc-shaped convex surface 83 is formed on the first end 81, for example. Thereby, the second light beam L2 emitted from the second light emitting unit 61 is diffused over a wider range through the optical diffusion unit 8, and the diffusion range of the second light beam L2 can be made not limited by the size of the slot 321 of the installation groove 32. The optical diffusion unit 8 has, for example, a matte surface formed on the first end 81 for diffusing the light beam, but the present invention does not limit the specific structure of the optical diffusion unit 8.

[0033] According to the above description, the non-contact button of the present invention can use the second light emitting unit to generate a detection signal by the optical trigger switch when detecting the second light beam emitted from the second light emitting unit. Also, by installing one of the second light emitting unit and the optical trigger switch on the substrate and the other on the housing attached to the substrate, the mechanism is simple and easy to assemble. Furthermore, the second light emitting unit or the optical trigger switch installed on the substrate is arranged toward the opening of the housing and has a wider operating range, so that the overlapping region of the operating ranges of the second light emitting unit and the optical trigger switch increases, having a certain sensitivity and being able to generate a stable detection signal.

[0034] 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 shall be limited by the appended claims for patent.

Explanation of Signs

[0035] 1: Non-contact button 2: Substrate 3: Housing 31: Opening 32: Installation groove 321: Slot 4: First light-emitting unit 5: Optical imaging assembly 51: Pattern element 52: Lens array 53: Collimating section 54: Pressing plate 6: Optical switch assembly 61: Second light-emitting unit 62: Optical trigger switch 7: Outer frame 71: Latch 72: Passage 8: Optical diffusion unit 81: First end 82: Second end 83: Arc-shaped convex surface L1: First light beam L2: Second light beam A1: Operating range A2: Operating range A3: Operating range P: Three-dimensional optical image F: Finger

Claims

1. A substrate; a housing attached to the board and having an opening on a side away from the board; A first light emitting unit accommodated in the housing; an optical image forming assembly installed in the housing, covering the first light emitting unit, and capable of converting a first light flux provided by the first light emitting unit into a stereoscopic optical image projected through the opening; an optical switch assembly including: a second light-emitting unit attached to the substrate, located within the housing, and emitting a second light beam toward the opening, the second light beam being different from the first light beam; and an optical trigger switch attached on the housing adjacent to the opening so as to face the opening, the optical trigger switch capable of generating an operation signal when the second light beam is detected; Equipped with A non-contact button, wherein the optical image forming assembly includes a collimating portion through which the second light beam passes.

2. The non-contact button according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing has an installation groove installed on one side of the opening, a slot inclined in the operation direction and facing the opening, and the optical trigger switch is installed in the installation groove.

3. The optical imaging assembly comprising: a pattern element facing the substrate and having a pattern preset to correspond to the shape of the stereoscopic optical image; a lens array disposed on a side of the pattern element away from the substrate, the lens array forming the stereoscopic optical image after the first light beam passes through the pattern element and the lens array; 2. The non-contact button according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. A non-contact button as described in claim 3, characterized in that the collimating portion is arranged between the substrate and the pattern element and is capable of converting the first light beam into a collimated light beam.

5. A non-contact button as described in claim 1, characterized in that the second light-emitting unit is an infrared light-emitting unit, and the optical trigger switch is an infrared sensor.

Images