JPH059796Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Purpose of the Invention] (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a switching device that obtains a constant cycle switching signal based on the light receiving state of a light receiving element.

(Prior art) Conventionally, the switch operating mechanism is operated by intermittently causing light from a light emitting element to enter a light receiving element by operating a switch operating mechanism, and then obtaining a switching signal from the light receiving element. A system is being considered that is designed to determine whether or not the 1st
An example is shown in Figure 1. That is, in the switch operating mechanism 1, an elastic bowl-shaped rubber cover 3 is provided on the upper surface of the switch case 2, and an operating member 5 having a knob 4 on the upper part passes through this rubber cover 3. State supported. Reference numeral 6 denotes a slit plate provided at the bottom of the operating member 5, on which a slit row 7 consisting of a plurality of slits 7a arranged vertically at regular intervals is formed. On the other hand, reference numerals 8 and 9 denote optical fibers, which are provided facing each other in the switch case 2 so as to sandwich the slit plate 6 therebetween. Further, a light projecting element is provided opposite the input end face of the optical fiber 8, and a light receiving element (none of which is shown) is provided opposite the output end face of the optical fiber 9. When the operating member 5 and thus the slit plate 6 are moved downward by pressing the knob 4, each slit 7a of the slit row 7 is sequentially positioned between the optical fibers 8 and 9, and accordingly, the light emitting element The light intermittently reaches the light receiving element via the optical fiber 8, each slit 7a of the slit array 7, and the optical fiber 9. That is, the light receiving state of the light receiving element changes according to the operation of the switch operating mechanism 1, and it is determined whether the switch operating mechanism 1 has been operated or not based on the switching signal output based on the light receiving state of the light receiving element. can be judged.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the operation member 5 and, in turn, the slit plate 6 are moved manually, so the slit plate does not move when the switch operation mechanism 1 is operated or every time the switch operation mechanism 1 is operated. 6 becomes non-uniform, and as a result, the period of the switching signal from the light-receiving element becomes irregular. This means that when multiplex communication is realized by providing a plurality of the conventional configurations described above, the multiplex communication becomes unreliable.

The present invention was developed in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to obtain a regular switching signal with a constant period from the light receiving element in a switching device that obtains a switching signal based on the light receiving state of the light receiving element. An object of the present invention is to provide a switch device that can reliably perform multiplex communication.

[Structure of the invention] (Means for solving the problem) The present invention provides a switching device that obtains a switching signal based on the light receiving state of a light receiving element, in which an intervening device is provided between a light emitting element and the light receiving element. a plurality of light guiding means provided in the light guiding means; a vibrating member provided corresponding to these light guiding means and vibrating at a natural frequency as the operating member is moved; and an optical path forming means for forming a light guide path between the light emitting element and the light receiving element through the light guide means when the light emitting element and the light receiving element are in a state where the light emitting element and the light receiving element are in a state where the light emitting element and the light receiving element are in a state in which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are in a state where the light emitting element and the light receiving element are in a state where the light emitting element and the light receiving element are in a state in which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are connected to each other. It is.

(Operation) At all times, the swinging member is in a stationary state. When the operating member is moved, the vibrating member vibrates at its natural frequency. At this time, each time the vibrating member is displaced to a predetermined position, the optical path forming means provided on the vibrating member forms a light guiding path between the light emitting element and the light receiving element through the light guiding means. Light projected from the optical element enters the light receiving element at regular intervals according to the vibration period of the vibrating member. Therefore, a constant cycle switching signal can be obtained from the light receiving element.

(Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

First, in FIG. 3 showing the entire device, 11,
12 is an optical fiber serving as a light guiding means;
From the optical fibers 11a and 12a of the book to the optical fiber 1
1b, 11c and 12b, 12c each have a branched shape. And optical fiber 11,1
A light emitting element 13 is opposed to the input end face of the optical fiber 1a, and a light receiving element 1 is opposed to the output end face of the optical fibers 12, 12a.
4 are facing each other. Reference numerals 15 and 16 indicate switch operating mechanisms, which have the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. That is, in the following, the switch operating mechanisms 15 and 16 will be explained based on FIGS. 1 and 2. Since these have the same structure, only the switch operating mechanism 15 will be explained here, and other switch operating mechanisms will be explained. Regarding the mechanism 16, only the different parts will be shown with reference numerals in parentheses. First, reference numeral 17 denotes a switch case having a rectangular cross section, and the aforementioned optical fibers 11b, 12b, 11c, 12 are inserted through the bottom wall of the switch case.
One end side of each of the optical fibers 11b, 12b, 11c, and 11c is fixed, and each of the optical fibers 11b, 12b, 11c, and 11c is arranged so that each end face faces upward. still,
Respective optical fibers 11b, 12b, 11c, 12
A light shielding portion 17a standing upright from the bottom wall of the switch case 17 is located between the portions c. Reference numeral 18 denotes a vibrating member made of, for example, a leaf spring, which is supported and fixed in a cantilevered manner on the side wall of the switch case 17 so that its tip side can swing up and down, and is normally shown in FIG. in place. Here, the natural frequency of the vibration member 18 is determined by each switch operation mechanism 15,
It is set differently every 16 times. Further, the lower surface of the vibrating member 18 serves as a light reflecting surface 19, which is an optical path forming means in the present invention, and the end surfaces of the optical fibers 11b, 12b, 11c, and 12c are opposed to the light reflecting surface 19, respectively. . In addition, the light reflecting surface 19
If the reflectance of the vibrating member 18 is high, the back side of the vibrating member 18 may be used as is, and if the reflectance of the vibrating member 18 is low, a metal film or the like with high reflectivity may be used as the vibrating member 18. It may be configured by pasting it on the back side of the .

20 is an operating member, which is the switch case 1
The shaft 21 is rotatably supported by a shaft 21, and is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 by operating a knob (not shown). Also,
There are four engaging protrusions 20a on the outer periphery of the operating member 20.
are provided at equal intervals, and in this case, the operating member 20 is provided at a position such that the free end of the vibrating member 18 enters within the rotation locus of the engaging protrusion 20.

Next, the operation of the above structure will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Here, the light projected from the light projecting element 13 is always projected onto the light reflecting surface 19 of the vibrating member 18 through the optical fibers 11b and 11c, but when the vibrating member 18 is in the fixed position shown in FIG. The light is reflected by the light reflecting surface 19 and returned toward the optical fibers 11b and 11c as indicated by arrows in FIG. Therefore, when the vibrating member 18 is in the normal position, the light receiving element 14 does not output a light receiving signal.

Now, when the operating member 20 of the switch operating mechanism operating member 15 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. , the vibrating member 18 is displaced in the direction of arrow B in the figure. Accordingly, when the vibrating member 18 is displaced by a predetermined amount or more, the light projected from the optical fiber 11b is reflected by the light reflecting surface 19 as shown by the arrow in FIG. The light enters the optical fiber 12b without being blocked.
Thereby, light from the light projecting element 13 enters the light receiving element 14 via the optical fibers 11a and 11b, the light reflecting surface 19, and the optical fibers 12b and 12a. At this time, since the degree of deformation of the tip of the vibrating member 18 is gradually increased, the optical fiber 1 is reflected by the light reflecting surface 19 and enters the optical fiber 12b.
The amount of light incident from 1b gradually changes, and as a result, the light-receiving signal output from the light-receiving element 14 becomes a chevron-shaped signal as shown by section S in FIG. 5a. Here, the waveform of the light reception signal shown in section S is irregular because the vibrating member 18 is oscillated by the rotational operation (manual operation) of the operating member 20. Then, when the operating member 20 is further rotated, the engaging protrusion 20a of the operating member 20
is disengaged from the distal end side of the vibrating member 18, and as a result, the vibrating member 18 moves back in the direction opposite to the arrow B by its own elastic force and vibrates at its own frequency. As a result, the vibrating member 18
is periodically displaced by a predetermined amount or more, and the light guide path from the light emitting element 13 to the light receiving element 14 via the optical fibers 11a and 11b, the light reflecting surface 19, and the optical fibers 12b and 12a in this order is periodically displaced. It is formed. As a result, the light-receiving element 14 outputs a chevron-shaped light-receiving signal indicated by section T in FIG. 5a at regular intervals. Here, the light receiving element 14 shown in section T
The period of the light reception signal from is approximately constant because the vibrating member 18 vibrates at its natural frequency. Therefore, by interposing a filter circuit for discriminating a predetermined frequency from the light reception signal from the light reception element 14, the fifth
In addition to eliminating the light reception signal shown in section S in Figure a, it is possible to obtain only the light reception signal shown in section T as a switching signal. In this case, the predetermined frequency discriminated by the filter circuit is the frequency corresponding to the period of the light reception signal shown in section T in FIG.
Both of the natural frequencies of the vibrating member 18 are selected.
Thereby, even if the light receiving element 14 outputs a mixture of light receiving signals with an irregular period and light receiving signals with a fixed period, only the light receiving signal with a fixed period can be discriminated and obtained as a switching signal. After the light-receiving signal is output from the light-receiving element 14 in this manner, the vibrating member 18 quickly moves back to its home position.

Next, when the switch operating mechanism 16 is operated, the vibrating member 18 vibrates as in the case described above, and the light receiving element 14 outputs the light receiving signal shown in FIG. 5b.
Then, only the light reception signal shown in section T can be discriminated by the above-mentioned filter circuit and can be obtained as a switching signal. Note that the period of the light reception signal indicated by section T in FIG. 5b is different from the period of the light reception signal indicated by section T in FIG. The period is different from that of Therefore, by determining the cycle of the switching signal from the light receiving element 14, which switch operating mechanism 15, 1
6 has been operated.

Furthermore, when both switch operating mechanisms 15 and 16 are operated at the same time, as shown in FIG. Output. In this case, when the light reception signal from the light receiving element 14 passes through the filter circuit, each switch operation mechanism 15, 1
The signal is separated into switching signals corresponding to the natural frequency of the vibration member 18 of No. 6, and based on this, it can be determined that both the switch operation mechanisms 15 and 16 have been operated.

In short, according to the above configuration, the vibrating member 18 whose displacement by the operating member 20 is released vibrates at a constant period according to the natural frequency, so that the light reflecting surface 19 provided on the vibrating member 18 is constant. Optical fibers 11b, 12b, 11c, 12c for each hour
A light guide path is now formed between the
A light receiving signal having a substantially constant period can be obtained from the light receiving element 14 as a switching signal.

Furthermore, since the natural frequency of the vibration member 18 is made different for each of the switch operating mechanisms 15 and 16, the switch operating mechanism 1 operated from the light receiving element 14
Switching signals corresponding to switches 5 and 16 can be obtained, and therefore, which switch operating mechanisms 15 and 1
It can be determined whether 6 has been operated. Moreover, even if the switch operating mechanisms 15 and 16 are operated simultaneously, both switch operating mechanisms 1
Since switching signals corresponding to switches 5 and 16 can be obtained, it can be determined that both switch operating mechanisms 15 and 16 have been operated. In other words, this means that multiplex transmission of switching signals is possible.

In addition, since switching signals are transmitted using light as a medium, they are less resistant to EMI than those that transmit switching signals electrically.
(Electromagnetic Interferance) is excellent.

FIGS. 6 to 10 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the same parts as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed explanations are omitted, and only different parts will be explained. In FIG. 6, switch operating mechanisms 22 and 23 are disposed between the optical fibers 11 and 12. 13 is a light projecting element; 14
is a light receiving element. Now, switch operation mechanism 2
2 and 23 have the same structure, only the switch operating mechanism 22 will be explained here, and only the different parts of the other switch operating mechanism 23 will be shown with reference numerals in parentheses. That is, in FIGS. 7 and 8, 20 is an operating member that rotates in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 7a by operating a knob (not shown). The above-mentioned optical fibers 11b and 12b are attached to the side surface of the switch case 17 facing each other as shown in FIG. 7b. Reference numeral 24 denotes a vibrating member, which is supported and fixed in a cantilevered manner on the side wall of the switch case 17, so that its tip end can swing up and down. Here, the vibration member 24
The natural frequency of the switch operating mechanisms 22 and 23 is different from each other. 25 is a vibration member 24
A slit plate is provided on the tip side of the slit plate, on which a slit row 26 is formed as an optical path forming means by forming a plurality of rectangular slits 26a at regular intervals in the vertical direction in the figure. In this case, the vibrating member 24 is in a fixed position with the slit plate 25 positioned between the optical fibers 11b and 12b. In addition, 27 is a light regulating plate, and the light regulating holes 27a formed in this plate are connected to the optical fibers 11b, 12b, 11.
It is located between c and 12c.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be explained. When the operating member 20 is rotated in the direction of arrow A by operating a knob (not shown), the vibration member 24 is rotationally displaced by the engaging protrusion 20a of the operating member 20.
When the vibrating member 24 is rotated by a predetermined amount or more in accordance with this, each slit 26a of the slit row 26 is positioned between the optical fibers 11b and 12b as shown in FIG. Then, the light from the optical fiber 11b enters the optical fiber 12b through each slit 26a of the slit row 26, and is transmitted from the light receiving element 14 to the first optical fiber 12b.
In FIG. 0a, a light reception signal indicated by section S is output. When the rotational operation of the operating member 20 further progresses and the operating member 20 and the vibration member 24 are disengaged, the vibration member 24 begins to vibrate at its natural frequency. Then, each time each slit 26a of the slit row 26 is located between the optical fibers 11b and 12b, the optical fiber 11 is removed from the light emitting element 13.
a, 11b, light regulating slit 27 of light regulating plate 27
A light guiding path is formed which reaches the light receiving element 14 via each slit 26a of the slit row 26 and the optical fibers 12b and 12c. As a result, the light-receiving element 14 outputs a light-receiving signal indicated by section T in FIG. 10a. Here, the period of the light-receiving element indicated by section T is approximately constant because the vibrating member 24 vibrates with its natural vibration. Therefore, the light receiving element 1
From 4 onwards, in FIG. 1a, a light reception signal with an irregular period shown in section S and a light reception signal with a substantially constant period shown in section T coexist. By intervening, the light reception signal in section T can be obtained as a switching signal. The light regulating plate 27 is provided to regulate the light emitted from the optical fiber 11b through each slit 26a of the slit row 26.
Thus, the rise and fall of the waveform of the light receiving signal obtained from the light receiving element 14 is made steep.

When the switch operation mechanism 23 is operated, the light receiving element 14 outputs the light receiving signal shown in FIG. Obtainable. At this time, the natural frequency of the vibration member 24 is the switch operating mechanism 22,
23, it is possible to determine which switch operating mechanism 22 or 23 has been operated by detecting the period of the switching signal.

Next, when the switch operating mechanisms 22 and 23 are operated at the same time, as shown in FIG. Output. The light-receiving signal from the light-receiving element 14 is discriminated by a filter circuit into a light-receiving signal corresponding to the natural frequency of the vibrating member 24 of each switch operating mechanism 22, 23, and can be obtained as a switching signal.

In this second embodiment as well, by detecting the period of the switching signal from the light receiving element 14, it is possible to determine which switch operating mechanism 22, 23 has been operated. Even if the switch operating mechanisms 22 and 23 are operated at the same time, the operation of each switch operating mechanism 22 and 23 can be determined reliably. That is, multiplex transmission of switching signals is possible.

In the second embodiment, the period of the switching signal obtained from the light receiving element 14 is made different by making the natural frequency of the vibration member 24 different for each switch operation mechanism 22, 23. Instead, each slit 26a of the switch row 26
The arrangement interval may be changed.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to what has been described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist.

[Effect of the invention] As is clear from the above description, in the present invention, when the vibrating member is vibrated by the operating member, the optical path forming means provided on the vibrating member is connected to the light emitting element and the light receiving element by the light guiding means. Since the light guide paths between the light guides are formed periodically through the light guide paths, an excellent effect is achieved in that a regular switching signal with a constant period can be obtained from the light receiving element.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 1 being a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the switch operating mechanism, Figure 2 being a perspective view of the main parts, and Figure 3 being a schematic diagram of the entire structure. , FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the vibrating member in a vibrating state, and FIG. 5 is a signal waveform diagram of a light reception signal from the light receiving element. 6 to 10 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 6 is an overall schematic diagram, FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view and a vertical cross-sectional side view of the switch case, and FIG. is a perspective view of the main part, No. 9
The figure is a longitudinal sectional view showing the vibrating member in a vibrating state, and FIG. 10 is a signal waveform diagram of the light reception signal from the light receiving element. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of main parts showing a conventional example. In the figure, 11 and 12 are optical fibers (light guiding means),
15 and 16 are switch operating mechanisms, 18 is a vibration member, 19 is a light reflecting surface (optical path forming means), 20 is an operating member, 22 and 23 are switch operating mechanisms, 24 is a vibration member, and 26 is a slit row (optical path forming means). ).

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A switching device that obtains a switching signal based on a light receiving state of a light receiving element includes a plurality of light guiding means interposed between a light projecting element and the light receiving element, and a plurality of light guiding means provided corresponding to these light guiding means. a vibrating member that vibrates at a natural frequency as the operating member is moved; A switch device comprising: an optical path forming means formed through a light guiding means, and obtaining switching signals of different frequencies in accordance with the movement operation of the operating member.