Push button switch

Abstract

To provide a push button switch that allows a push-in operation and a non-contact operation as a switch for operating an elevator.SOLUTION: A push button switch comprises: a push button that can be pushed in; a movable contact that is interlocked with the push button; and a stationary contact with respect to which the movable contact is brought into contact and separated according to the movement of the movable contact. The push button switch further comprises: a light emitting element 130 that emits light; and a light receiving element 131 that detects light, and the light receiving element 131 is arranged to detect the light emitted from the light emitting element 130 and reflected on an object in a predetermined area. When the push button is pressed in and thereby the movable contact is brought into contact with the stationary contact, or when determining that the light receiving element 131 detects the light reflected on the object, the push button switch outputs an on-signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a push button switch having an operation mechanism.

Background Art

[0002] Push button switches are used in various machines such as elevators. For example, the applicant of the present application proposes a push button switch applicable to elevator operation in Patent Document 1. The push button switch described in Patent Document 1 is operated by direct pressing.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in recent years, for purposes such as improving convenience and ensuring public health, demand for push button switches that can be operated in a non-contact manner has been increasing. Nevertheless, as described in Patent Document 1, demand for push button switches operated by direct pressing still remains high.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a push button switch that can be operated not only by pressing operation but also in a non-contact manner.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] To solve the above problems, the push-button switch described in the present application is a push-button switch comprising a pushable push button, a movable contact linked to the push button, and a fixed contact that moves in conjunction with the movable contact, wherein the push-button switch comprises a light-emitting element that emits light and a light-receiving element that detects light, and the light-receiving element is arranged to detect light reflected from an object within a predetermined area that emits light from the light-emitting element.

[0007] Furthermore, the push-button switch is characterized by comprising a light-shielding member that covers the light-emitting element, and the light-shielding member having a light-transmitting portion that allows light emitted by the light-emitting element to pass through.

[0008] Furthermore, the push-button switch is characterized by comprising a light-shielding member that covers the light-receiving element, and the light-shielding member having a light-passing portion that allows light to pass through to be received by the light-receiving element.

[0009] Furthermore, the push-button switch is characterized by being equipped with a light-emitting lens that limits the irradiation range of the light emitted by the light-emitting element.

[0010] Furthermore, the push-button switch is characterized by being equipped with a light-receiving lens that limits the range of light received by the light-receiving element.

[0011] Furthermore, the push-button switch is characterized by comprising a light-shielding member that covers the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, wherein the light-shielding member has a light-passing portion that allows light emitted by the light-emitting element and light to be received by the light-receiving element to pass through, and comprises a light-emitting lens that limits the irradiation range of light emitted by the light-emitting element and a light-receiving lens that limits the range of light received by the light-receiving element.

[0012] Furthermore, the push-button switch is characterized by being equipped with an illumination member that irradiates the push-button with visible light from the inside.

[0013] The push-button switch described in this application comprises a push-button that can be pressed and a light-receiving element that detects light emitted from and reflected from a light-emitting element. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The push-button switch according to the present invention comprises a pushable push button, a light-emitting element, and a light-receiving element. The light-receiving element detects light emitted from the light-emitting element and reflected by an object within a predetermined area. As a result, the push-button switch according to the present invention offers excellent advantages, such as enabling not only a pressing operation but also non-contact operation by detecting reflected light from an object within a predetermined area. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an elevator to which the push-button switch described in this application is applied. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the push-button switch described in this application. [Figure 3] This is a schematic front view showing an example of the internal structure of the push-button switch described in this application. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the mechanical contact mechanism provided in the push-button switch described in this application. [Figure 5] This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a non-contact detection mechanism provided in the push-button switch described in this application. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-contact detection mechanism provided in the push-button switch described in this application. [Figure 7] This is a functional block diagram illustrating the schematic control configuration of the non-contact detection mechanism provided in the push-button switch described in this application. [Figure 8] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the operation of the mechanical contact mechanism provided in the push-button switch described in this application. [Figure 9] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the operation of the mechanical contact mechanism provided in the push-button switch described in this application. [Figure 10]It is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of an optical path related to a non-contact detection mechanism provided in the push button switch described in the present application. [Figure 11] It is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of an optical path related to a non-contact detection mechanism provided in the push button switch described in the present application. [Figure 12] It is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the distance from the push button surface and the amount of received light related to the non-contact detection mechanism provided in the push button switch described in the present application. [Figure 13] It is a flow chart showing an example of light emission processing of the non-contact detection mechanism provided in the push button switch described in the present application. [Figure 14] It is a flow chart showing an example of light receiving processing of the non-contact detection mechanism provided in the push button switch described in the present application. [Figure 15] It is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a non-contact detection mechanism provided in the push button switch described in the present application. [Figure 16] It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-contact detection mechanism provided in the push button switch described in the present application. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] <Application Example> The push-button switch described in this application can be used, for example, as an elevator operating switch. Below, the push-button switch 1 exemplified in the drawings will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an elevator to which the push-button switch 1 described in this application is applied. Figure 1 shows a plurality of push-button switches 1 arranged on the control panel inside the elevator car that moves up and down. The push-button switch 1 described in this application can be applied to various push-button switches 1, such as a push-button switch 1 that displays a number indicating the destination floor, and a push-button switch 1 that displays a symbol used for opening and closing the doors. In addition, the push-button switch 1 described in this application can be applied not only to a push-button switch 1 arranged on the control panel inside the elevator car, but also to various push-button switches 1, such as a push-button switch 1 for calling the elevator car, on the control panel at the elevator's ascent and descent point.

[0018] <First Embodiment> <Example Configuration> Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the push-button switch 1 described in this application. The push-button switch 1 comprises a push button 10 and a housing 11 on which the push button 10 is arranged. In this application, the direction in which the push button 10 is arranged relative to the housing 11 is referred to as the front, and the direction in which the push button 10 is pressed is referred to as the rear. However, these directions are for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the arrangement direction of the push-button switch 1 described in this application. The push button 10 is substantially disc-shaped. The push-button switch 1 illustrated in Figure 2 is a push button 10 used for opening and closing a door, and has a marking section 100 that mimics the shape of an open door symbol or the like to indicate that the door is to be opened. The marking section 100 is formed using a material such as a translucent resin, and transmits visible light emitted from inside the push-button switch 1. Below the open door symbol in Figure 2, as shown by the dashed line in the figure, a light-transmitting section 101 is formed that transmits light such as infrared light emitted from inside the push-button switch 1. The casing 11 is roughly rectangular in shape, and a push button 10 is located on the front.

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic front view showing an example of the internal structure of the push-button switch 1 described in this application. Figure 3 shows the push-button switch 1 with the push button 10 removed, as seen from the front, so that the internal structure of the push-button switch 1 can be seen. The push-button switch 1 houses various mechanisms and components such as a mechanical contact mechanism 12, a non-contact detection mechanism 13, and an illumination member 14 within the housing 11.

[0020] The mechanical contact mechanism 12 is a mechanism that outputs a signal when the push button 10 is pressed. The non-contact detection mechanism 13 is a mechanism that detects an object such as a person's finger without contact and outputs a signal.

[0021] The illuminating member 14 is a component equipped with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or other element that emits visible light such as white light, which illuminates the push button 10 from the inside. The light emitted from the illuminating member 14 passes through the marking section 100 of the push button 10 and illuminates the outside. Because the light emitted from the illuminating member 14 illuminates the push button 10 from the inside, the operator of the elevator can see that the marking section 100 of the push button 10 is lit.

[0022] The mechanical contact mechanism 12 will be further explained. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the mechanical contact mechanism 12 provided in the push-button switch 1 described in this application. Figure 4 schematically illustrates the cross-section of the mechanical contact mechanism 12 such that the upper part of the figure is the front of the push-button switch 1. The mechanical contact mechanism 12 is a mechanism that outputs a signal when the push-button 10 is pressed, and is equipped with various components such as a movable contact 120, a fixed contact 121, and a biasing member 122. The movable contact 120 is attached to the rear of the push-button 10 and is a contact that is linked to the push-button 10, and the fixed contact 121 is a contact that is fixed inside the housing 11. The biasing member 122 is a component such as a compression coil spring that biases the push-button 10 forward.

[0023] The non-contact detection mechanism 13 will be further described. Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the non-contact detection mechanism 13 provided in the push-button switch 1 described in this application. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the non-contact detection mechanism 13 provided in the push-button switch 1 described in this application. Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the non-contact detection mechanism 13 provided in the push-button switch 1 described in this application, with the upper part of the figure being the front of the push-button switch 1. The non-contact detection mechanism 13 includes various members such as a light-emitting element 130 that emits light, a light-receiving element 131 that detects light, a light-shielding member 132 that covers the light-emitting element 130 and the light-receiving element 131, and a control unit 133 (see Figure 7, etc.) that controls the non-contact detection mechanism 13.

[0024] The light-emitting element 130 is formed using an optical element such as an LED that emits light. The light-receiving element 131 is formed using an optical element such as a PD (Photo Diode) or PT (Photo Transistor) that detects light.

[0025] The light-shielding member 132 is a rectangular box shape with an open rear. The light-shielding member 132 is positioned inside the housing 11 so as to cover the light-emitting element 130 and the light-receiving element 131. By covering the light-emitting element 130 and the light-receiving element 131, the light-shielding member 132 limits the direction of light emission from the light-emitting element 130, preventing the light-receiving element 131 from detecting light other than the intended light. In particular, the light-shielding member 132 prevents the light-receiving element 131 from detecting light emitted from the light-illuminating element 14, which is positioned inside the housing 11. The front surface of the light-shielding member 132 is a light-passing section 1320 that selectively passes light of a specific wavelength, such as infrared light, allowing the infrared light emitted from the light-emitting element 130 and the infrared light that the light-receiving element 131 should receive to pass through. On the rear of the light-shielding member 132, which is formed on the front surface of the light-shielding member 132, a light-emitting lens 1321 that limits the irradiation range of light emitted by the light-emitting element 130 and a light-receiving lens 1322 that limits the range of light received by the light-receiving element 131 are formed using optical materials such as convex lenses.

[0026] Figure 7 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of the control configuration of the non-contact detection mechanism 13 provided in the push-button switch 1 described in this application. The non-contact detection mechanism 13 of the push-button switch 1 includes a control unit 133 using an integrated circuit such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), LSI (Large Scale IC), or VLSI (Very Large Scale IC), and the control unit 133 controls the entire mechanism including the light-emitting element 130 and the light-receiving element 131. The control unit 133 outputs a light-emitting signal of a preset light-emitting pattern to the light-emitting element 130, causing the light-emitting element 130 to emit light according to the light-emitting pattern based on the light-emitting signal. Furthermore, the control unit 133 detects the detection of light by the light-receiving element 131. When the control unit 133 determines that the light-receiving element 131 has detected reflected light emitted from the light-emitting element 130, it outputs an ON signal to the control circuit of the elevator body. The control unit 133 may be housed inside the housing 11, or it may be placed outside the housing 11.

[0027] <Operation> Next, the operation of the push-button switch 1 described in this application will be explained. First, the mechanical contact mechanism 12 will be explained. Figures 8 and 9 are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the operation of the mechanical contact mechanism 12 provided in the push-button switch described in this application. Figure 8 shows the state in which the push-button 10 of the push-button switch 1 is not pressed, and Figure 9 shows the state in which the push-button 10 is pressed. As illustrated in Figure 8, when the push-button 10 is not pressed, the movable contact 120 attached to the rear of the push-button 10 (downward in Figures 8 and 9) is separated from the fixed contact 121, and the circuit is open. As illustrated in Figure 9, when the push-button 10 is pressed by the operator, the movable contact 120, which is linked to the push-button 10, moves backward and comes into contact with the fixed contact 121, closing the circuit. When the circuit is closed, the mechanical contact mechanism 12 outputs an ON signal to the control circuit of the elevator body. When the operator releases the button, the biasing member 122 biases the push button 10 forward, and in conjunction with the forward movement of the push button 10, the movable contact 120 separates from the fixed contact 121, opening the circuit.

[0028] Figures 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of an optical path related to the non-contact detection mechanism 13 provided in the push-button switch 1 described in the present application. Figure 10 illustrates the form of the non-contact detection mechanism 13 described in Figure 6, etc., as a first embodiment of the push-button switch 1 described in the present application. Figure 11 shows another embodiment without the light-emitting lens 1321 and light-receiving lens 1322, shown for comparison. As shown in Figure 10, the light-emitting lens 1321 provided in the non-contact detection mechanism 13 refracts the light emitted by the light-emitting element 130 to limit the light irradiation range. The light-receiving lens 1322 limits the range of light received by the light-receiving element 131. In Figures 10 and 11, the irradiation range of the light emitted by the light-emitting element 130 and the range of light received by the light-receiving element 131 are shown by solid lines, and the area where the irradiation range and the light-receiving range overlap is shown as the detection range with dots. If an object such as a person's finger is present in the detection range where the illumination range and the light-receiving range overlap, the light-receiving element 131 can detect the reflected light emitted by the light-emitting element 130. The push-button switch 1 of the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 10 limits the detection range of objects compared to the other embodiment illustrated in Figure 11 by limiting the illumination range and the light-receiving range with the light-emitting lens 1321 and the light-receiving lens 1322. Specifically, in the push-button switch 1 of the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 10, the area near the front of the light-transmitting portion 101 formed on the push-button 10 is outside the detection range, and the area is also outside the detection range when it is more than a predetermined distance away from the push-button 10. Furthermore, the detection range in the up, down, left, and right directions perpendicular to the front direction is also narrower compared to the other embodiment illustrated in Figure 11. Because the area near the front, including the surface of the push-button 10, is outside the detection range, it is possible to prevent false detections when operated by a visually impaired person who recognizes the position of the push-button 10 by touch, for example. By causing the device to move out of detection range when it is more than a predetermined distance away from the push button 10, it is possible to prevent false detections caused by reacting to objects that are not close. By narrowing the detection range in the up, down, left, and right directions, it is possible to prevent false detections such as reacting to a finger approaching another push button 10.

[0029] Figure 12 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the distance from the surface of the push button 10 and the amount of light received, relating to the non-contact detection mechanism 13 provided in the push button switch 1 described in this application. In Figure 12, the solid line shows the graph of the first embodiment, which includes the light-emitting lens 1321 and light-receiving lens 1322 as illustrated in Figure 10, etc., while the dashed line shows the graph of another embodiment, which does not include the light-emitting lens 1321 and light-receiving lens 1322 as illustrated in Figure 11, for comparison. In Figure 12, the distance from the surface of the push button 10 is taken as the horizontal axis, and the amount of light detected by the light-receiving element 131 as reflected light is taken as the vertical axis, showing the relationship. The amount of light received gradually increases as the distance from the surface of the push button 10 increases, reaches a peak at a predetermined distance, and then gradually decreases. As illustrated by the dashed line in Figure 12, by appropriately setting a threshold, the range of distances where the amount of light received exceeds the threshold is set as the detection range for implementation. By providing the light-emitting lens 1321 and the light-receiving lens 1322, the peak of the received light becomes narrower and higher, making it possible to improve detection accuracy and detection sensitivity.

[0030] The push-button switch 1 described in this application is configured to include a light-emitting lens 1321 and a light-receiving lens 1322 using convex lenses, which provides various effects such as limiting the detection range. However, it is also possible to configure it without convex lenses.

[0031] Next, the control of the non-contact detection mechanism 13 provided in the push-button switch 1 described in this application will be explained. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the light emission process of the non-contact detection mechanism 13 provided in the push-button switch 1 described in this application. The non-contact detection mechanism 13 starts the light emission process when triggered by activation conditions such as the power supply being turned on or an activation signal being input from the control circuit of the elevator body. The non-contact detection mechanism 13 outputs a light emission signal based on a predetermined light emission pattern set in advance from the control unit 133 to the light-emitting element 130 (S101), and the light-emitting element 130 emits light according to the light emission pattern based on the input light emission signal (S102). The output of the light emission signal based on the light emission pattern from the control unit 133 is, for example, the output of a pulse pattern that can be set as appropriate, such as repeating light emission for a predetermined time at predetermined intervals a predetermined number of times. The light emission of the light-emitting element 130 by the light emission signal with the predetermined light emission pattern set in advance is performed repeatedly.

[0032] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the light receiving process of the non-contact detection mechanism 13 provided in the push-button switch 1 described in this application. The non-contact detection mechanism 13 starts the light receiving process triggered by activation conditions such as power activation and input of an activation signal from the control circuit of the elevator body. The control unit 133 puts the light receiving element 131 into a light receiving standby state (S201). When the light receiving element 131 detects light reception (S202), the control unit 133 compares the light receiving pattern detected by the light receiving element 131 with a predetermined light emission pattern that causes the light-emitting element 130 to emit light (S203). By comparing the light emission pattern and the light receiving pattern in step S203, it is determined whether the detected light is reflected light from the light-emitting element 130. In particular, by setting a different light emission pattern for each push-button switch 1, it is possible to prevent false detection of reflected light from other push-button switches 1.

[0033] Based on the comparison in step S203, the control unit 133 determines whether the light detected by the light-receiving element 131 is reflected light from the light-emitting element 130 (S204). If the light emission pattern and the light reception pattern match as a result of the comparison in step S203, step S204 determines that reflected light has been detected; otherwise, it determines that the detected light is not reflected light. If it is determined in step S204 that reflected light has been detected (S204: YES), the control unit 133 outputs an ON signal (S205). In step S205, the non-contact detection mechanism 13 outputs the ON signal to the control circuit of the elevator body via the control unit 133. After the output of the ON signal in step S205 is completed, the non-contact detection mechanism 13 returns to the light-receiving standby state.

[0034] If it is determined in step S204 that the light emission pattern and the light reception pattern do not match (S204:NO), the system returns to the light reception standby state in step S201.

[0035] As described above, the non-contact detection mechanism 13 is controlled by the control unit 133, which controls the non-contact detection mechanism 13 of the push button switch 1. When the non-contact detection mechanism 13 determines that the light receiving element 131 has detected reflected light emitted from the light-emitting element 130, it outputs an ON signal to the control circuit of the elevator body.

[0036] <Second Embodiment> The second embodiment is a configuration in which the non-contact detection mechanism 13 is configured differently from the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted. In the second embodiment, components other than the non-contact detection mechanism 13 and the control by the control unit 133 are the same as in the first embodiment, so their descriptions are omitted.

[0037] Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a non-contact detection mechanism 13 provided in the push-button switch 1 described in the present application. Figure 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-contact detection mechanism 13 provided in the push-button switch 1 described in the present application. Figure 16 shows a cross-section of the non-contact detection mechanism 13 provided in the push-button switch 1 described in the present application, with the upper part of the figure being the front of the push-button switch 1. On the front surface of the light-shielding member 132, a light-transmitting portion 1320 that transmits light emitted from the light-emitting element 130 is provided as a substantially rectangular opening, and further, a light-transmitting portion 1320 that allows light to pass through to the light-receiving element 131 is provided as a substantially rectangular opening. That is, the light-shielding member 132 according to the second embodiment does not make the entire front surface a light-transmitting portion 1320, but rather has an opening that becomes a light-transmitting portion 1320. The non-contact detection mechanism 13 according to the second embodiment limits the irradiation range of light emitted by the light-emitting element 130, and further limits the range of light received by the light-receiving element 131, by appropriately designing the size and position of the light-passing portion 1320. The light-passing portion 1320 may not be a simple opening, but may be fitted with a filter that selectively passes light such as infrared light, or it may be fitted with a lens such as a Fresnel lens that is formed in a substantially planar shape.

[0038] As described above with reference to the first and second embodiments, the push-button switch 1 described in this application comprises a mechanical contact mechanism 12 using a pushable push button 10 and a non-contact detection mechanism 13 using a light-emitting element 130 and a light-receiving element 131. The light-receiving element 131 detects light emitted from the light-emitting element 130 and reflected by an object such as a person's finger. As a result, the push-button switch 1 described in this application offers excellent advantages, such as enabling not only the pressing operation of the push button 10 but also non-contact operation by detecting reflected light from an object. Detection by the non-contact detection mechanism 13 offers various benefits, including improved convenience, improved hygiene by avoiding direct contact, and reduced malfunctions by reducing the number of machine operations.

[0039] Furthermore, the push-button switch 1 described in this application limits the irradiation range of light emitted by the light-emitting element 130 and further limits the range of light received by the light-receiving element 131 through the arrangement of the light-emitting lens 1321 and the light-receiving lens 1322, and the formation of the light-passing portion 1320 as an aperture. By limiting the irradiation range and the light-receiving range, the push-button switch 1 described in this application limits the detection range of the target object. Specifically, the vicinity of the front of the push button 10 is outside the detection range, and the object is also outside the detection range when it is more than a predetermined distance away from the push button 10. Furthermore, the detection range is also narrowed in the up, down, left, and right directions perpendicular to the front direction. Because the vicinity of the front, including the surface of the push button 10, is outside the detection range, it is possible to prevent false detections when operated by a visually impaired person who recognizes the position of the push button 10 by touch, for example. Because the object is outside the detection range when it is more than a predetermined distance away from the push button 10, it is possible to prevent false detections that react to objects that are not close. The push-button switch 1 described in this application has excellent effects, such as preventing false detections, including reacting to a finger approaching another push-button 10, by narrowing the detection range in the up, down, left, and right directions.

[0040] Furthermore, the push-button switch 1 described in this application includes a light-shielding member 132 that covers the light-emitting element 130 and the light-receiving element 131. Since light is blocked by the light-shielding member 132, the direction of emission of light from the light-emitting element 130 is limited, preventing the light-receiving element 131 from detecting light other than the intended light. In particular, the light-shielding member 132 prevents the light-receiving element 131 from detecting light emitted from the illuminating member 14 located inside the housing 11. Therefore, the push-button switch 1 described in this application has excellent effects, such as enabling non-contact detection using light while also allowing the push-button 10 to light up using the illuminating member 14.

[0041] Furthermore, the push-button switch 1 described in this application emits light from the light-emitting element 130 in a predetermined light emission pattern, compares the light-receiving pattern of the light detected by the light-receiving element 131 with the light emission pattern, and determines that the light emitted from the light-emitting element 130 is reflected light when the light emission pattern and the light-receiving pattern match. As a result, the push-button switch 1 described in this application can prevent false detection of light other than reflected light, and in particular, by setting a different light emission pattern for each push-button switch 1, it is possible to prevent false detection of reflected light emitted from other push-button switches 1, thus achieving excellent effects.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can be extended to various other forms. Therefore, the embodiments described above are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted restrictively. The technical scope of the present invention is described by the claims and is not restricted in any way by the text of the specification. Furthermore, any modifications and changes falling within the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention.

[0043] For example, although the above embodiment shows an application as an elevator operating switch, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied as various push-button switches 1 other than elevator operating switches, such as operating switches for industrial robots.

[0044] Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows a configuration in which both the light-emitting element 130 and the light-receiving element 131 are covered with a single light-shielding member 132, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be developed into various configurations, such as covering the light-emitting element 130 and the light-receiving element 131 with different light-shielding members 132. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1. Push button switch 10 Push buttons 101 Translucent part 11 cabinets 12 Mechanical contact mechanism 120 Movable contact 121 Fixed contacts 122 Biasing member 13. Non-contact detection mechanism 130 light-emitting elements 131 Photodetector 132 Light-shielding material 1320 Light passing section 1321 Light-emitting lens 1322 Light-receiving lens 133 Control Unit 14 Illumination Member

Claims

1. A push-button switch comprising a push-button that can be pressed, a movable contact that is linked to the push-button, and a fixed contact that makes or separates the movable contact by the movement of the movable contact, A light-emitting element and A light-receiving element that detects light, A light-shielding member covering the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, A light-emitting lens that limits the irradiation range of the light emitted by the light-emitting element, A light-receiving lens that limits the range of light received by the light-receiving element Equipped with, The light-shielding member has a light-passing portion that allows light emitted by the light-emitting element and light to be received by the light-receiving element to pass through. The light-receiving element is arranged to detect light reflected from an object within a predetermined area, which is emitted from the light-emitting element. The optical axis of the light-emitting element and the optical axis of the light-receiving element intersect at a predetermined distance in front of the light-shielding member. The light-emitting lens and the light-receiving lens are, The region where the optical axes intersect is defined as the detection range, and the reflected light in the short-range region between the light-shielding member and the detection range is defined as a non-detection range where the amount of light received by the light-receiving element is less than or equal to the detection threshold. A push-button switch characterized by the following features.

2. A push-button switch according to Claim 1, The aforementioned push button is equipped with an illumination member that emits visible light from the inside. A push-button switch characterized by the following features.

3. A push-button switch according to Claim 2, The light-shielding member is arranged to prevent the light-receiving element from detecting light from the light-illuminating member. A push-button switch characterized by the following features.

4. A push-button switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Means for causing the light-emitting element to emit light in a predetermined light-emitting pattern, A means for comparing the light reception pattern detected by the light-receiving element with the light emission pattern, A means for determining that reflected light emitted from the light-emitting element has been detected when the light-receiving pattern matches the light-emitting pattern. A push-button switch characterized by having the following features.

5. A push-button switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It can be placed on the control panel for operating the elevator. A push-button switch characterized by the following features.

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