Operating body, operating button device, and operating device for elevator operating device

Abstract

To provide a technique advantageous for preventing virus infection through elevator operation buttons.SOLUTION: An operation body for an elevator operation device is stuck to the operation device to function, the operation device including an operation button device provided with: a press button with a first operation surface exposed on an outer side of the elevator operation device; and a button switch operated when the first operation surface is pressed in an operation direction. The operation body comprises: a second operation surface pressed by a user using a finger tip; and a contact surface that comes into contact with the first operation surface when at least the second operation surface is pressed in the operation direction. The operation body is configured such that a contact area between the finger tip and the second operation surface as of when the second operation surface is pressed by the user using the finger tip is smaller than that between the finger tip and the first operation surface as of when the first operation surface is directly pressed by the user using the finger tip.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an operating body for an elevator operating device, an operating button device, and an operating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an elevator push button molded with a bactericidal inorganic antibacterial agent mixed into the molding material. With such a push button, the mixed inorganic antibacterial agent is distributed widely over the surface, resulting in a high bactericidal and antibacterial effect. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 189374 / 1983 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When elevator users operate the buttons, viruses may be transferred from their fingertips to the buttons. These viruses can survive for a certain period of time. Therefore, if the next user operates the button during the period when the virus has not yet decreased, there is a risk that the virus will be transferred to the fingertips of the other user.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that is advantageous in preventing the transmission of viruses through elevator push buttons. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The operating body for an elevator operating device of the present disclosure is an operating body that functions by being attached to an operating device incorporating an operating button device, the operating button device including a push button with a first operating surface exposed on the outer surface side of the elevator operating device and a button switch that operates when the first operating surface is pressed in an operating direction, and the operating body includes a second operating surface that a user presses with a fingertip, and a contact surface that comes into contact with the first operating surface when at least the second operating surface is pressed in the operating direction, Here, the contact surface is one that is in contact with the first operation surface before the second operation surface is pressed in the operation direction, or one that is not in contact with the first operation surface before the second operation surface is pressed in the operation direction, The operation body is configured so that the contact area between the fingertip and the second operation surface when the user presses the second operation surface with the fingertip is smaller than the contact area between the fingertip and the first operation surface when the user directly presses the first operation surface with the fingertip. The operating body includes a base portion including a contact surface and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the base portion in a direction opposite to the operating direction, the plurality of protrusions being arranged with gaps between them, and the second operating surface includes tip surfaces of the plurality of protrusions. It is something. Furthermore, the operating body for an elevator operating device of the present disclosure is an operating body that functions by being attached to an operating device incorporating an operating button device, the operating button device including a push button with a first operating surface exposed on the outer surface of the elevator operating device and a button switch that operates when the first operating surface is pressed in the operating direction, the operating body including a second operating surface that a user presses with their fingertip and a contact surface that comes into contact with the first operating surface at least when the second operating surface is pressed in the operating direction, the operating body being configured so that the contact area between the user's fingertip and the second operating surface when the user is pressing the second operating surface with their fingertip is smaller than the contact area between the user's fingertip and the first operating surface when the user is directly pressing the first operating surface with their fingertip, the operating body including an installation part that is attached to a location other than on the first operating surface, and an arm part that extends from the installation part to a position overlapping the first operating surface of the push button, the contact surface being provided on the surface of a protrusion that protrudes from the tip of the arm part in the operating direction, and the second operating surface being configured to include the tip surface of the protrusion that protrudes from the tip of the arm part in the direction opposite to the operating direction.

[0007] In addition, the operating button device of the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned operating body, a push button with a first operating surface exposed on the outer surface side of the elevator operating device, and a button switch that operates when the first operating surface is pressed in the operating direction.

[0008] An operating device according to the present disclosure includes the operating body described above, a push button, and an operating button device including a button switch that operates when the push button is pressed in the operating direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the technology disclosed herein, when a user presses the second operating surface of the operating body to press a push button of an elevator button device, the second operating surface can be pressed with a smaller contact area than when the user's fingertip directly presses the first operating surface of the push button, which is advantageous in preventing the transmission of viruses via elevator push buttons. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external view of the elevator car entrance / exit of the present disclosure as seen from inside the car. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external view of the car operating panel 3. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the operation buttons incorporated into the car operation panel face plate. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which an operating body according to the first embodiment is attached to an operating button device. [Figure 5] 2 is a diagram showing the structure of an operating body according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which an operating body according to the second embodiment is attached to an operating button device. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a diagram showing a state in which an operating body according to a third embodiment is attached to an operating button device. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that elements common to the various drawings are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0012] 1. Embodiment 1 1-1. Elevator exterior configuration 1 is an external view of the elevator car entrance of the present disclosure as seen from inside the car. The car is provided with a car entrance 1 that penetrates the front wall of the car, a car door 2 that opens and closes the car entrance 1, and a car operating panel 3 that serves as an operating device. The car operating panel 3 is located next to the car entrance 1.

[0013] Fig. 2 is an external view of the car operation panel 3. The car operation panel 3 comprises a display 4, an operation button device 5, and a front panel 6. The display 4 is used to display elevator operation information inside the car. The operation button device 5 is used to open and close the car door 2 and to specify the destination floor by pressing with a fingertip. The display 4 and the operation button device 5 are installed on the front panel 6.

[0014] 1-2.Configuration of the operation button device FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an operation button incorporated into the car operation panel face plate. FIG. 3 shows a front view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view of the push button 7 taken along the line AA in the front view. The operation button device 5 includes the push button 7 and a button switch 8. The push button 7 is incorporated so that the button surface 7a is exposed to the outside through a button hole 6a formed in the face plate 6. The button surface 7a is the surface that a user presses to operate the operation button device 5, and is therefore hereinafter also referred to as the "first operation surface." The button switch 8 is incorporated into the back side of the push button 7. When a user presses the push button 7 with their fingertip, the push button 7 moves in a direction perpendicular to the face plate 6. This direction is hereinafter referred to as the "operation direction." The button switch 8 receives input from the corresponding push button 7 in response to the movement of the push button 7 in the operation direction.

[0015] When a user presses the first operation surface of the push button 7 with their fingertip, viruses or other microorganisms that have been adhering to the fingertip may be transferred to the first operation surface, or viruses or other microorganisms that have been adhering to the first operation surface may be transferred to the fingertip. Such transmission of viruses or other microorganisms via the push button 7 is more likely to occur the larger the contact area between the fingertip and the object.

[0016] Therefore, the elevator operation button device 5 of the first embodiment is equipped with an additional operating body that aims to reduce the contact area between the fingertip and the contact object when the user presses the push button 7 compared to when the user presses the first operating surface directly. The structure of the operating body will be described in detail below.

[0017] 1-3.Configuration of the control unit Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which an operating body is attached to an operation button device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the operating body according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a front view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view of the operation button device to which the operating body is attached, taken along line BB in the front view. Fig. 5 shows a front view, a side view, and a back view of the operating body.

[0018] The operating body 10 comprises a base 12 and a plurality of protrusions 14. The base 12 comprises a ring-shaped installation portion 12a and a protrusion 12c. The installation portion 12a has a ring shape that fits within the area of ​​the button surface 7a and does not cover the button markings on the button surface 7a. The installation portion 12a has a contact surface 12b that is attached to the button surface 7a. There are no limitations on the attachment method. For example, the installation portion 12a can be attached to the button surface 7a with double-sided tape or adhesive.

[0019] The installation portion 12a may have any shape that allows it to be attached in a state where the button markings on the button surface 7a are visible. The operation body 10 is preferably placed in a position that fits within the range of the first operation surface when viewed from a direction parallel to the operation direction. In the example of FIG. 4, the character "8" written on the button surface 7a is positioned within the ring of the installation portion 12a, and the operation body 10 is attached so that the outer diameter of the ring of the installation portion 12a fits within the range of the first operation surface. Furthermore, for example, if the push button 7 is rectangular, the installation portion 12a of the operation body 10 may be in a rectangular ring shape that matches the outer shape of the push button 7.

[0020] The protrusions 12c have a truncated cone shape that protrudes from the installation portion 12a in the direction opposite to the operating direction. In the example shown in Fig. 4, four protrusions 12c are arranged at 90-degree intervals around the circumference of the installation portion 12a. There are no limitations on the arrangement, shape, or number of the protrusions 12c. With a base 12 having such a shape, the area of ​​a cross section of the base 12 cut at any cross section perpendicular to the operating direction does not expand or change as it approaches the contact surface 12b.

[0021] A plurality of protrusions 14 are arranged on the upper surface 12d of each protrusion 12c. The plurality of protrusions 14 are arranged with gaps between them. The tip surfaces of the plurality of protrusions 14 are also called "second operation surfaces" because they are the surfaces that the user presses when operating the operation button device 5 via the operation body 10. The second operation surfaces are arranged at positions overlapping the base 12 when the operation body 10 is viewed from a direction parallel to the movement direction. In addition, the thickness from the contact surface 12b of the base 12 to the base ends of the plurality of protrusions 14 is set to be thicker than the thickness from the base ends to the tips of the plurality of protrusions 14.

[0022] When a user presses the push button 7 to which the operating body 10 is attached, the user presses the surface of the multiple protrusions 14, which is the second operating surface, with their fingertips in the operating direction. Therefore, the operating body 10 of the first embodiment employs a structure of multiple protrusions 14 that satisfies the relationship of contact area S2<contact area S1. Note that contact area S1 is the contact area between the user's fingertip and the first operating surface, which is the button surface 7a, when the user's fingertip presses the first operating surface. Furthermore, contact area S2 is the contact area between the user's fingertip and the second operating surface, which is the surface of the multiple protrusions 14, when the user's fingertip presses the second operating surface.

[0023] 1-4. Action and effects According to the operating body 10 configured as above, the following actions and effects can be obtained.

[0024] Elevator users operate the operation button device 5 via the operating body 10. This allows the user to operate the operation button device 5 with a smaller contact area than when directly pressing the button surface 7a of the operation button device 5. This reduces the number of microorganisms, such as viruses or bacteria, that adhere to the user's fingertips, thereby preventing the transmission of microorganisms via the elevator operation button device 5.

[0025] The multiple protrusions 14 are arranged with gaps between them. This configuration ensures a wide contact point distance between the multiple protrusions 14 that come into contact with the fingertip, allowing the user to press the push button 7 stably.

[0026] Furthermore, when the operating body 10 is viewed from a direction parallel to the operating direction, the multiple protrusions 14 that form the second operating surface are positioned so as to overlap the base 12. This allows the user to stably press the push button 7 in conjunction with the pressing action of the second operating surface.

[0027] Furthermore, when viewed from a direction parallel to the direction of movement, the operating body 10 is arranged so as to fit within the range of the button surface 7a, which is the first operating surface. This increases the compactness of the operating body 10.

[0028] The thickness dimension from the base end to the tip end of the multiple protrusions 14 is thinner than the thickness dimension of the base 12. With this configuration, even if the first operating surface and the second operating surface are far apart, the rigidity of the operating body 10 is prevented from decreasing, and the push button 7 can be pressed stably.

[0029] Since the installation portion 12a of the operation body 10 is configured in a circular ring shape, the operation body 10 can be attached without covering the display on the button surface 7a of the push button 7.

[0030] Since the protruding portion 12c has a truncated cone shape, when the second operation surface of the plurality of protruding portions 14 is pressed with a fingertip, the fingertip can be prevented from touching the upper surface 12d of the protruding portion 12c.

[0031] 1-5. Variations The operation body 10 according to the first embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0032] The second operating surface of the operating body 10 may be made of a material containing an antibacterial or antiviral agent, or may be surface-treated with an antibacterial or antiviral agent. This makes it possible to further suppress the transmission of bacteria and viruses via the second operating surface. This modification can also be applied to operating bodies of other embodiments described below.

[0033] The second operation surface is not limited to the configuration of the surfaces of the plurality of protrusions 14. That is, in the case of an operation body 10 that does not have the plurality of protrusions 14, the upper surface 12d of the protrusion 12c may be configured as the second operation surface. In this case, the protrusion 12c may be configured so that the contact area S2 between the upper surface 12d of the protrusion, which is the second operation surface, and the fingertip is smaller than the contact area S1.

[0034] The operation button device 5 is not limited to a button device incorporated in the car operation panel 3. In other words, the operation button device 5 may be incorporated in an operation device such as a hall operation panel installed at the elevator hall, or a wheelchair-specific operation panel installed at the hall or in the car. This modification can also be applied to the operation bodies of other embodiments described later.

[0035] 2. Embodiment 2 2-1. Features of the control body of the second embodiment Next, an operating body according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the operating body according to embodiment 2 is attached to an operation button device. Fig. 6 shows a front view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view of the CC cross section of the front view of the operation button device to which the operating body is attached.

[0036] The operating body 20 of the second embodiment includes a thin plate-like base 22 and a plurality of protrusions 24 protruding from the base 22. The base 22 is configured from a partially annular flat plate that follows the outer diameter of the push button 7. The contact surface 22a on the back side of the base 22 is attached to the button surface 7a of the push button 7. FIG. 6 shows a state in which two operating bodies 20 are attached to the upper and lower parts of the button surface of the push button 7 so as to fit within the range of the first operating surface.

[0037] There are no limitations on the shape, number, or attachment position of the base 22, as long as the characters written on the button surface 7a of the push button 7 are visible.

[0038] A plurality of protrusions 24 are arranged on the upper surface 22b of the base 22. The plurality of protrusions 24 are arranged with gaps between them. The tip surfaces of the plurality of protrusions 24 correspond to the "second operation surface." The second operation surface is arranged at a position overlapping the base 22 when the operating body 20 is viewed from a direction parallel to the movement direction. The height of the plurality of protrusions 24 is set to a height such that when a user presses the plurality of protrusions 24 with their fingertips in the movement direction, the fingertips do not come into contact with the upper surface 22b of the base 22. The plurality of protrusions 24 are configured such that the contact area S2 is smaller than the contact area S1. There are no limitations on the shape, quantity, or arrangement of the plurality of protrusions 24 as long as the above constraints are met.

[0039] The operation unit 20 configured as described above provides the following advantages: The operation unit 20 can prevent the transmission of viruses caused by the action of pressing the push button 7 with a configuration that is even simpler than that of the operation unit 10 of the first embodiment.

[0040] 3. Embodiment 3 3-1. Features of the Control Unit of the Third Embodiment Next, an operating body according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the operating body according to the third embodiment is attached to an operation button device. Fig. 7 shows a front view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view of the operation button to which the operating body is attached, taken along line DD in the front view.

[0041] The operating body 30 of the third embodiment includes an arm-shaped base 32. The base 32 has an installation portion 32a, an arm portion 32b, a contact surface 32c, and a protrusion 32d. The installation portion 32a is attached along the outer periphery of the buttonhole 6a of the front panel 6, which is not on the first operating surface. FIG. 7 shows that the back surface of the installation portion 32a of the base 32 is attached to a quarter of the outer periphery of the buttonhole 6a.

[0042] The arm portions 32b extend from both ends of the installation portion 32a toward the center of the push button 7, with a gap between them and the button surface 7a of the push button 7. As a result, the tip of the arm portion 32b is positioned on the button surface 7a of the push button 7, which is the first operating surface. The contact surface 32c is the surface of a protrusion that protrudes from the tip of the arm portion 32b in the operating direction. The protrusion 32d has a truncated conical shape that protrudes from the tip of the arm portion 32b in the direction opposite to the operating direction. In the example shown in FIG. 7, two protrusions 32d are arranged. There are no limitations on the arrangement, shape, or number of the protrusions 32d.

[0043] When a user operates the operation button device 5 to which the operation body 30 is attached, the user presses the tip surface 32e of the protrusion 32d in the operating direction. In other words, the tip surface 32e of the protrusion 32d corresponds to the "second operating surface" when the user presses the operation body 30. The second operating surface is disposed at a position overlapping the base 32 when the operation body 30 is viewed from a direction parallel to the operating direction. When the user presses the tip surface 32e, which is the second operating surface, in the operating direction, the contact surface 32c comes into contact with the button surface 7a, thereby pressing the push button 7 in the operating direction. The tip surface 32e of the protrusion 32d is configured so that the contact area S2 is smaller than the contact area S1.

[0044] The operating body 30 configured as described above provides the following advantages: Since the operating body 30 is attached to the front panel 6 of the car operating panel 3, it is possible to attach the operating body 30 to the operating button device 5 even if the button surface 7a of the push button 7 has a shape or is made of a material that makes it difficult to attach the operating body 30 to it.

[0045] 3-2. Variations The operation body 30 according to the third embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0046] The operating body 30 according to the third embodiment may be configured to further include a plurality of protrusions on the tip surface 32e of the protrusion 32d. Such protrusions may have a structure similar to that of the plurality of protrusions 14 of the first embodiment. In this case, the surfaces of the plurality of protrusions correspond to the "second operating surface." This modified configuration can achieve the same effect as that of the plurality of protrusions 14 of the first embodiment.

[0047] A plurality of operation bodies 30 according to the third embodiment may be attached to one push button 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 car entrance / exit, 2 car door, 3 car operation panel, 4 display, 5 operation button device, 6 front plate, 6a button hole, 7 push button, 7a button surface, 8 button switch, 10 operation body, 12 base, 12a installation part, 12b contact surface, 12c protrusion, 12d top surface, 14 protrusion, 20 operation body, 22 base, 22a contact surface, 22b top surface, 24 protrusion, 30 operation body, 32 base, 32a installation part, 32b arm part, 32c contact surface, 32d protrusion, 32e tip surface

Claims

1. An operating body that functions by being attached to an elevator operating device incorporating an operating button device that includes a push button with a first operating surface exposed on the outer surface of the elevator operating device and a button switch that operates when the first operating surface is pressed in the operating direction, The operating body is a second operation surface that is pressed by a user with a fingertip; a contact surface that comes into contact with the first operating surface when the second operating surface is pressed in the operating direction, wherein the contact surface is in contact with the first operation surface before the second operation surface is pressed in the operation direction, or is not in contact with the first operation surface before the second operation surface is pressed in the operation direction, the operation body is configured so that a contact area between the fingertip and the second operation surface when the user presses the second operation surface with the fingertip is smaller than a contact area between the fingertip and the first operation surface when the user directly presses the first operation surface with the fingertip, The operating body is a base including the contact surface; a plurality of protrusions protruding from the base in a direction opposite to the operating direction, The plurality of protrusions are arranged with gaps between them, The second operation surface includes tip surfaces of the plurality of protrusions. An operating body for an elevator operating device.

2. The second operation surface is disposed at a position overlapping the base portion when the operation body is viewed in a direction parallel to the movement direction. An operating body for the elevator operating device according to claim 1.

3. The operation body is configured such that the area of ​​a cross section of the base cut along an arbitrary cross section perpendicular to the direction of movement does not increase or change as it approaches the contact surface. An operating body for the elevator operating device according to claim 2.

4. The thickness of the base portion from the contact surface to the base ends of the plurality of protrusions is configured to be greater than the thickness from the base ends to the tips of the plurality of protrusions. An operating body for an elevator operating device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The operation body is configured so that the contact surface is attached to the first operation surface. An operating body for the elevator operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The operation body is disposed at a position where the operation body is within the range of the first operation surface when viewed from a direction parallel to the movement direction. An operating body for the elevator operating device according to claim 5.

7. The operating body is an installation portion that is attached to a location other than the first operation surface; an arm portion extending from the installation portion to a position overlapping the first operation surface of the push button, the contact surface is provided on a surface of a protrusion that protrudes from a tip end of the arm portion in the movement direction, The second operating surface is configured to include a tip surface of a protrusion that protrudes from the tip end of the arm portion in a direction opposite to the operating direction. An operating body for the elevator operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. An operating body that functions by being attached to an elevator operating device incorporating an operating button device that includes a push button with a first operating surface exposed on the outer surface of the elevator operating device and a button switch that operates when the first operating surface is pressed in the operating direction, The operating body is a second operation surface that is pressed by a user with a fingertip; a contact surface that comes into contact with the first operating surface when the second operating surface is pressed in the operating direction, wherein the contact surface is in contact with the first operation surface before the second operation surface is pressed in the operation direction, or is not in contact with the first operation surface before the second operation surface is pressed in the operation direction, the operation body is configured so that a contact area between the fingertip and the second operation surface when the user presses the second operation surface with the fingertip is smaller than a contact area between the fingertip and the first operation surface when the user directly presses the first operation surface with the fingertip, The operating body is an installation portion that is attached to a location other than the first operation surface; an arm portion extending from the installation portion to a position overlapping the first operation surface of the push button, the contact surface is provided on a surface of a protrusion that protrudes from a tip end of the arm portion in the movement direction, The second operating surface is configured to include a tip surface of a protrusion that protrudes from the tip end of the arm portion in a direction opposite to the operating direction. An operating body for an elevator operating device.

9. The operating body according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a push button having a first operation surface exposed on an outer surface of the elevator operating device; a button switch that is operated when the first operation surface is pressed in an operating direction; An operation button device including:

10. The operating body according to any one of claims 1 to 6; an operation button device including a push button and a button switch that operates when the push button is pressed in an operating direction; An operating device comprising:

11. The operating body according to claim 7 or claim 8, An operating device including an operating button device including a push button and a button switch that operates when the push button is pressed in an operating direction, the operating device is configured such that a first operating surface of the push button is exposed through a button hole formed in a front panel; The operating body is an operating device that is attached to the front plate along the outer periphery of the buttonhole.

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