JPS636727Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention involves inserting and removing a light shielding part into the optical path between the light emitting element (light source) and the light input end surface of the optical fiber.
The present invention relates to an optical switch that turns on and off, and particularly to an illuminated optical switch that displays the operating state by illuminating a display surface.

An example of a conventional optical switch is shown in FIG. In the figure, 1 is a switchbox having an opening on the front side (upper surface in the figure), 2 is a light emitting element disposed inside this switchbox, and 3 is an optical fiber. It is arranged so as to face the light emitting element 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a push button that is disposed in and out of the front opening of the switchbox 1, and on the inner surface of this push button there is a button that enters and exits the optical path between the light emitting element 2 and the light input end surface of the optical fiber 3. A light shielding plate 5 is provided protrudingly. The push button 4 is held in the state shown in the figure by a spring 6 when light is received, and is pushed in and locked by a locking mechanism (not shown) when light is blocked.

That is, when the push button 4 is pressed down, the light shielding plate 5 blocks the optical path, thereby preventing light from entering the optical fiber 3. Also, push button 4
When the light emitting element 2 is returned to the illustrated state, the light from the light emitting element 2 enters the light receiving end surface of the optical fiber 3 and is guided by the optical fiber 3 to a predetermined position.

However, in such a structure, the light emitted from the light emitting element 2 is guided to the optical fiber 3 only when the light shielding plate 5 is retreated from the optical path, and is not used at other times and becomes worthless. There is.

This invention was made taking the above points into consideration.
An illuminated display section is provided on the push button, a light guide and a prism are supported on the inner side of the push button via a holder, and a light source is disposed in conjunction with the push button,
An object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated light switch that can effectively utilize the light emitted from a light source and clearly display the status by allowing the light from the light source to enter an optical fiber through a prism when receiving light, and into a light guide when blocking light. purpose.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail based on illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
is a switch box, 12 is a light emitting element (light source),
Reference numeral 13 denotes a push button (key top), and this push button 13 is a member that can be freely inserted into and removed from a through hole 11A provided in the front plate of the switch box 11, and has a housing hole for the light source 12 at its tip. 16 is attached, and when the light is blocked, the spring 1
4 in the illustrated state (the state in which the protrusion dimension is maximum), and when light is received, the protrusion dimension is held in the minimum state by a lock mechanism (not shown).

The light emitting element 12 is mounted on a substrate 15,
It is supported by the holding member 16. A slider 26 serving as a power supply terminal for the light emitting element 12 is attached to the substrate 15, and is adapted to come into sliding contact with a metal piece (power supply rail) 23 on the inner surface of the switch box 11. One end of the metal piece 23 is the switch box 11
The terminals protrude from the back (bottom) plate 25 of the terminal.

17 is a light guide, 18 is a prism,
These light guides 17 and prisms 18 are housed in a holder 19 and are connected to the switch box 11.
The light guide 17 is supported on the front plate so that the end surface of the light guide 17 is in contact with the inner surface of the illuminated display section 24. The holder 19 has a window 19A serving as an entrance to the prism 18 at a position facing the light emitting element 12 when receiving light, and a light guide 1 at a position facing the light emitting element 12 when blocking light.
A window 19B is formed to serve as an entrance to the light beam 7.
The light from the light emitting element 12 travels toward the back of the switchbox 11 via the window 19A and the prism 18 when it is received, and through the window 19B and the light guide 1 when it is blocked.
7 in the front direction of the switch box 11, that is, in the direction of the illuminated display section 24.

20 is an optical fiber, and an optical fiber plug 21 is attached to the tip thereof. 22 is a connector that holds this plug 21, and is connected to the back (bottom) plate of the switchbox 11 so that the light input end surface of the optical fiber 20 is located on the optical axis of the light from the prism 18 toward the back of the switchbox 11. 25. Note that 27 is a stopper.

The illuminated light switch according to the present invention having the above structure is as follows:
When light is received, the push button 13 in the state shown in FIG.
The window 19A of window 9 faces the light emitting element 12, and the light passes through window 1.
The light enters the prism 18 through 9A, travels toward the optical fiber 20 on the back side of the switchbox 11, reaches the light incident end face, and is guided by the optical fiber 20 to a predetermined position.

In addition, when light is blocked, the push button 13 is in the most protruding state as shown in FIG.
The light enters the light guide 17 through B and travels toward the front of the switch box 11, and the illuminated display section 24 is illuminated with this light to display the status.

That is, the light emitting element 12 is used as a light source for switching and operation indication, and the light emitted can be used effectively. Moreover, since the status is displayed by the illuminated display section 24, the display is clear, the operating status can be accurately grasped, and the operation is easy. Furthermore, since a connector for optical fiber connection is formed, attachment and detachment are facilitated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional optical switch, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of an illuminated optical switch according to the present invention. 11...Switchbox, 12...Light emitting element, 13...Push button, 14...Spring, 15...
Substrate, 16... Holding member, 17... Light guide, 18... Prism, 19... Holder, 19
A, 19B...Window, 20...Optical fiber, 21
...Optical fiber plug, 22 ...Connector, 2
3...metal piece, 24...illuminated display section, 26...slider.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A through hole passing through the shaft of the push button and an illuminated display section are provided in the front plate of the switchbox, and the shaft of the push button is passed through the through hole and supported movably in the axial direction. A holding member equipped with a light source and a current collector that slides into contact with the power supply surface on the inner surface of the switchbox is attached to the tip, and a holder is attached to the inner surface of the front plate, and one end of the holder is attached to the illuminated display section. A light guide and a prism that are in contact with each other are supported so that the light from the light source enters the light guide at the position where the push button has the maximum protrusion dimension, and the light from the light source enters the prism at the position where the protrusion dimension is the minimum, and the light passing through the prism is supported. 1. An illuminated optical switch characterized in that a connector for coupling optical fibers is formed on the back surface of the switch box so that the light receiving end face is located on the optical axis of the switch box.