JP7650595B2 - Adhesive Unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fastening unit.

Safety switches (e.g., door interlock devices, guard interlock devices) are attached to the front door of a machine tool and/or to the door portion of a safety fence around an industrial robot. These safety switches are used to detect whether the door is open or closed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Regarding safety switches, there is a standard called "ISO 14119" that covers general requirements for the design and selection of interlocking devices related to machine safety guards. The 2013 version of this standard requires that "if there is a motivation to disable a safety switch, appropriate measures shall be taken." One of these measures is to "unremovably fix (the safety switch and) the actuator."

This is because unauthorized users (workers) have an incentive to disable the safety switch by removing the actuator (for example, to work with the door open).

Specific measures recommended in ISO14119 to achieve "non-removable fixing of (safety switches and) actuators" include "welding," "adhesive bonding," "one-way screws," and "rivets." These specific measures make it impossible for workers to easily remove safety switches and/or actuators that are fixed to doors, etc.

Patent No. 4229556 Patent No. 6097250

On the other hand, these specific measures make it difficult, even for authorized users (administrators), to fine-tune the position of actuators, etc., when installing them, and also make it difficult to replace actuators, etc., after they have been installed using these specific measures.

The object of the present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and is to provide a fastening unit that prevents an operator from removing or attaching the components that make up the safety switch, while allowing an administrator to easily remove or attach the components that make up the safety switch, thereby preventing an operator from disabling the safety switch and facilitating an administrator's replacement of the safety switch and/or actuator, etc.

The first invention is
a restricting means for restricting a fastening state of a component constituting a safety switch installed to ensure the safety of an operator within the facility, the component being fastened to a wall or a door of the facility by a fastening member, so that an unauthorized user cannot release the fastening state;
a permission means for enabling a user to release the stuck state when the user has authority;
The fixing unit is provided with:

In the first aspect of the present invention,
The components constituting the safety switch may be a switch body and/or an actuator that can move toward and away from each other.

In the first invention,
The permission means may include an effecting means for exerting a force on the limiting means so as to bring the stuck state into a state in which the stuck state can be released, when the user has the authority.

In the first invention,
the fastening member is a screw having a head for releasing the fixed state,
the restricting means includes a shielding member that moves between a prohibiting position where the head is shielded so that the fixed state cannot be released and an enabling position where the head is exposed so that the fixed state can be released,
the operating means is a moving mechanism that moves the shielding member between the prohibited position and the permitted position,
The authorization means authenticates the presence or absence of a user's authority by a physical or electronic key;
The moving mechanism may move the shielding member by the power of locking/unlocking using the key.

In the first invention,
The fastening member is a screw having a head with a rotation input portion formed on a side surface thereof,
the restriction means includes a restriction member that moves between a prohibited position where the restriction member faces at least a part of the side surface and approaches or contacts the side surface so that the fixed state cannot be released, and an allowed position where the restriction member is separated from the fastening member and can release the fixed state,
the operating means is a moving mechanism that moves the regulating member to the prohibition position and the permission position,
The authorization means authenticates the presence or absence of a user's authority by a physical or electronic key;
The moving mechanism may move the restricting member by a force generated when the key is used to lock or unlock the door.

According to the present invention, while preventing workers from attaching or detaching the components that make up the safety switch, it is possible for managers to easily attach or detach the components that make up the safety switch. This makes it possible to provide a fastening unit that prevents workers from disabling the safety switch and makes it easy for managers to replace the safety switch and/or actuator.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing a usage state (door closed state) of the fastening unit in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a component (actuator) that constitutes the safety switch in the first embodiment. 1A is a plan view, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line II), and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the lock in the locked state of the fastening unit in the first embodiment. 1A is a plan view and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line I'-I') of a fastening unit in an unlocked state in the first embodiment. 13A is a plan view of the fastening unit in the locked state in the second embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line II-II) of the lock. 13A is a plan view and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line II'-II') of a fastening unit in an unlocked state in a second embodiment. 13A is a plan view of the fastening unit in the locked state in the third embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line III-III) of the lock. 13A is a plan view and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line III'-III') of a fastening unit in an unlocked state in a third embodiment. 13A is a plan view of a shielding member in a prohibited position according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a plan view of the shielding member in a permitted position according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side view of the fastening unit in the locked state in the fifth embodiment. 13A is a side view of the fastening unit in a locked state, and FIG. 13B is a side view of the fastening unit in an unlocked state in a sixth embodiment.

[First embodiment]
A fastening unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. As shown in Figure 1, the fastening unit 1 is applied to fasten (fix) components such as an actuator that constitutes a safety switch 500.

<Safety switch explanation>
The safety switch 500 is attached to the front door of a machine tool or other facility and/or to a door of a facility such as a safety fence around an industrial robot, and is used for detecting whether the door is open or closed. The safety switch 500 is installed to ensure the safety of workers within the facility.

<Description of the fixing unit>
The fixing unit 1 fixes the components constituting the safety switch 500 to a wall W or a door D of the facility using fastening members. The fixing unit 1 allows an administrator (authorized user) to easily release the fixed state of the components, but prevents an operator (unauthorized user) from releasing the fixed state of the components.

In other words, the fastening unit 1 restricts (prohibits) the worker from attaching or detaching the components of the safety switch 500.

On the other hand, the fixing unit 1 can set the administrator to a state in which the fixed state of the parts can be released. Specifically, the administrator is permitted to access the fastening members, and can easily adjust the position of the safety switch 500 parts and replace parts by adjusting the fastening state of the fastening members.

In this embodiment, the actuator 510 is used as an example of a component that constitutes the safety switch 500, and the screws 20A and 20B are used as an example of a fastening member.

In the following, when we simply say "user," it refers to both workers and administrators.

<Configuration of safety switch and fastening unit>
The safety switch 500 is composed of an actuator 510 and a switch body (switch) 520. The actuator 510 is disposed on the door D, and is a member that can be inserted into and removed from the switch body 520 (an insertion hole formed in the side surface as viewed from the right side of the paper in FIG. 1 ).

As shown in FIG. 2, the actuator 510 is composed of a tip portion 511 and a base portion 512.

The tip 511 is the part that is inserted into the switch body 520, and when inserted, it engages with the internal mechanism of the switch body 520. The tip 511 is composed of a notch 511a formed by cutting out the tip, and a hollow opening 511b.

The base end 512 is formed to be wider (length in the vertical direction in FIG. 2) than the tip end 511. The base end 512 is also formed with mounting holes 513A and 513B.

The actuator 510 is fixed to the surface of the door D as shown in FIG. 1 by screws 20A and 20B (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) inserted through the mounting holes 513A and 513B.

The actuator 510 is inserted into and removed from the switch body 520 in accordance with the sliding of the door D (opening and closing movement in the left-right direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1). That is, the actuator 510 and the switch body 520 move toward and away from each other.

The switch body 520 is installed on the wall W, and the output state of the safety switch 500 is switched by inserting and removing the actuator 510. This detects the open/closed state of the door D. Figure 1 shows the state in which the sliding door D is closed and the actuator 510 is inserted into the switch body 520.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing unit 1 includes a storage portion 10, screws 20A and 20B, a restricting means 30, and an enabling means 40.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the storage unit 10 has an opening 11 formed therein and stores a portion of the restricting means 30 and the permitting means 40. The storage unit 10 includes a base 12 and a cover 13, which are made of metal, for example.

The base 12 is a plate-shaped member, for example made of metal, with mounting holes 12A and 12B (12B not shown).

Mounting holes 12A and 12B of the base 12 face mounting holes 513A and 513B of the actuator 510. Screws 20A and 20B are inserted into the mounting holes 12A and 12B, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, the base 12 is fixed (in a fixed state) to the surface of the door D together with the actuator 510 by these screws 20A and 20B.

The cover 13 is formed with a concave shape so that it can accommodate the restricting means 30 and the like. The cover 13 is, for example, a metal plate-shaped member, and is fixed to the base 12 by welding.

The screw 20A (20B) is a hexagonal socket bolt as shown in FIG. 4, and is a fastening member that fixes the storage unit 10 and the actuator 510 to the surface of the door D. The screw 20A (20B) has a head 21A (21B) in which a hole (e.g., hexagonal) that serves as a rotation input portion is formed, and a threaded portion 22A (22B) in which a screw groove is formed.

Then, for example, the administrator can remove the screws 20A and 20B by rotating the heads 21A and 21B using a screwdriver that has a shape that corresponds to the holes in the heads 21A and 21B. This releases the stuck state of the actuator 510.

The restricting means 30 restricts the operator from releasing the stuck state of the actuator 510. The restricting means 30 includes a shielding member 31.

The shielding member 31 moves (slides) between the prohibited position shown in FIG. 3 and the permitted position shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with the drive of the moving mechanism 41 described below. Specifically, the shielding member 31 slides between the prohibited position and the permitted position while being guided by the upper surface of the base 12 and the inner wall surface of the cover 13.

In the prohibited position of Figures 3(A) and 3(B), the shielding member 31 shields the heads 21A and 21B of the screws 20A and 20B, preventing the actuator 510 from being released from its stuck state.

In addition, in the permitted position of Figures 4(A) and 4(B), the shielding member 31 exposes the heads 21A and 21B of the screws 20A and 20B, allowing the actuator 510 to be released from its stuck state.

The permission means 40 includes a movement mechanism 41 and a lock 42. If the user has the authority (if the user is an administrator), the permission means 40 puts the user in a state in which the actuator 510 can be released from its stuck state.

The moving mechanism 41 includes a rotating part 411, an eccentric rotor 412, and a spring 413. If the user has authority (if the user is an administrator), the moving mechanism (acting means) 41 applies a force (power) to the restricting means 30 (shielding member 31) so that the actuator 510 can be released from its stuck state. Specifically, the moving mechanism 41 moves the shielding member 31 between a prohibited position and a permitted position.

As shown in FIG. 3(C), the rotating part 411 is integrally formed with the key cylinder 421 of the lock 42. The rotating part 411 rotates by turning the key 50 inserted into the key cylinder 421. The rotation of the rotating part 411 also rotates the eccentric rotor 412.

The eccentric rotor 412 is a plate-shaped member and is fixed to the rotating part 411. The eccentric rotor 412 rotates between the position shown in FIG. 3(A) and the position shown in FIG. 4(A) in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating part 411.

One end of the spring 413 is fixed to the base 12, and the other end is fixed to the shielding member 31. The spring 413 biases the shielding member 31 in a direction toward the inside of the storage section 10. Due to the biasing force of the spring 413, the shielding member 31 is always in contact with the side of the eccentric rotor 412.

For example, when the eccentric rotor 412 rotates clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 4(A) to the position shown in FIG. 3(A), the shielding member 31 slides from the permitted position to the prohibited position. When the eccentric rotor 412 rotates counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 3(A) to the position shown in FIG. 4(A), the shielding member 31 slides from the prohibited position to the permitted position due to the biasing force of the spring 413.

The lock 42 can be locked and unlocked using the corresponding key 50. In this embodiment, the lock is locked so that the eccentric rotor 412 cannot rotate counterclockwise when the shielding member 31 is in the prohibited position (position shown in FIG. 3). The lock is unlocked when the shielding member 31 is in the permitted position.

Therefore, by keeping the lock 42 locked, an operator who is a user and does not possess the key 50 cannot access the heads 21A and 20B of the screws 20A and 20B. In other words, the operator cannot release the stuck state of the actuator 510, and therefore the operator can be prevented from disabling the actuator.

On the other hand, the administrator, who is the user who possesses the key 50, can move the shielding member 31 to the permitted position by unlocking the lock 42. This allows the administrator to access the heads 21A, 20B of the screws 20A, 20B, allowing the administrator to easily replace the actuator, etc. When the key 50 is not in use, it can be removed from the key cylinder 421 and stored by the worker.

<Operation of the Fixing Unit>
For example, in normal operation when the user does not need to access the screws 20A and 20B, the fixing unit 1 (lock 42) is in a locked state. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3, the shielding member 31 is in the prohibited position and shields the heads 21A and 21B of the screws 20A and 20B. Therefore, the operator cannot release the fixed state of the actuator 510.

On the other hand, if the administrator needs to access the actuator 510, the administrator can use the key 50 to unlock the fixed unit 1 (lock 42). Specifically, the administrator inserts the key 50 into the key cylinder 421 and rotates it counterclockwise, causing the eccentric rotor 412 to rotate counterclockwise together with the rotating part 411, and the shielding member 31 slides from the prohibited position to the permitted position due to the biasing force of the spring 413. Through the above procedure, the heads 21A and 21B of the screws 20A and 20B are exposed, and the fixed state of the actuator 510 can be released.

After completing the work, the administrator can use the key 50 to lock the attachment unit 1 (lock 42) again. Specifically, the administrator inserts the key 50 into the key cylinder 421 and rotates it clockwise, causing the eccentric rotor 412 to rotate clockwise together with the rotating part 411. The rotation of the eccentric rotor 412 then slides the shielding member 31 from the permitted position to the prohibited position. In this locked state, the administrator can then pull out the key 50 from the key cylinder 421.

<Effects of the Invention>
The fixing unit of this embodiment prevents an operator from attaching or detaching the components constituting the safety switch, but allows an administrator to easily attach or detach the components constituting the safety switch, thereby preventing an operator from disabling the safety switch and making it easy for the administrator to replace the safety switch and/or the actuator.

[Second embodiment]
This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the movement mechanism of the restricting means and the permitting means of the fastening unit. These different configurations will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the fixing unit 101 of this embodiment is equipped with a restriction means 130 and a permission means 140.

The restricting means 130 includes a shielding member 131. The shielding member 131 moves (rotates) between a prohibited position and a permitted position in response to the drive of a moving mechanism 141, which will be described later. As shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B), in the prohibited position, the shielding member 131 shields the heads 21A and 21B to prevent the actuator 510 from being released from its stuck state. As shown in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B), in the permitted position, the shielding member 131 exposes the heads 21A and 21B to allow the actuator 510 to be released from its stuck state.

The permission means 140 includes a movement mechanism 141 and a lock 42. If the user has the authority (if the user is an administrator), the movement mechanism 141 applies a force (power) to the restriction means 130 (shielding member 131) so that the stuck state can be released. The movement mechanism 141 includes a rotation unit 1411.

The rotating part 1411 is integrally formed with the key cylinder 421 of the lock 42. The rotating part 1411 rotates by turning the key 50 inserted into the key cylinder 421. The rotating part 1411 is fixed to the shielding member 131. The shielding member 131 also rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating part 1411.

As a result, when the administrator turns the key 50 inserted in the key cylinder 421, the shielding member 131 rotates between the prohibited position and the permitted position. The shielding member 131 is locked so that it cannot be moved when it is in the prohibited position. The shielding member 131 is unlocked when it is in the permitted position.

The rest of the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, this embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment described above.

[Third embodiment]
This embodiment differs from the above-described embodiment in the configurations of the fastening unit receiving portion, the screw (fastening member), the limiting means, and the enabling means. These different configurations will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the actuator 510 is fixed to the surface of the door D by the screw 220. The fixing unit 201 includes a storage portion 210, screws 220A and 220B (fastening members), a restricting means 230, and an enabling means 240.

The storage section 210 has an opening 211 formed therein and stores a portion of the restricting means 230 and the permitting means 240.

The storage section 210 comprises a base 212 and a cover 213.

The base 212 has a concave shape, and mounting holes 212A and 212B (212B is not shown) are formed in the bottom surface of the concave portion. The base 212 is fixed to the surface of the door D together with the actuator 510 by screws 220A and 220B.

The cover 213 is a plate-like member that covers a portion of the upper surface of the base 212. The cover 213 is fixed to the base 212 by, for example, welding.

Screw 220A has head 221A with a rotation input portion formed on the side, and threaded portion 222A with a screw groove. Screw 220A is, for example, a hexagonal bolt with head 221A having a hexagonal shape in a plan view (in the depth direction of the paper in FIG. 7(A)). Screw 220B has a similar configuration. For example, an administrator can release the stuck state of actuator 510 by fitting a wrench onto the side of heads 221A, 221B and rotating them to remove screws 220A, 220B.

The restricting means 230 includes a restricting member 231.

The restricting member 231 has the shape of the Arabic numeral "3" in a plan view (in the depth direction of the paper in FIG. 7(A)) and has two recesses 232A, 232B. The restricting member 231 moves (slides) between a prohibited position and a permitted position as the moving mechanism 241 described below is driven. The restricting member 231 slides between the prohibited position and the permitted position while being guided by the bottom surface of the recess in the base 212 and the underside of the cover 213.

The width of each of the recesses 232A, 232B (the length in the vertical direction on the paper surface of FIG. 7(A)) should be shorter than the length of the diagonal line connecting the opposing corners of the hexagon in the heads 221A, 221B of the screws 220A, 220B, and should be greater than the distance between the opposing sides of the hexagon in the heads 221A, 221B of the screws 220A, 220B.

In other words, if the width of each of the recesses 232A and 232B is longer than the length of the diagonal line connecting the opposing corners of the hexagon in the heads 221A and 221B, the worker may be able to turn the screws 220A and 220B to release the stuck state. Also, if the width of each of the recesses 232A and 232B is smaller than the distance between the opposing sides of the hexagon in the heads 221A and 221B, the restricting member 231 cannot move (slide) to the prohibited position.

As shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(B), when the restricting member 231 is in the prohibited position, the head 221A (221B) of the screw 220A (220B) is housed in the recess 232A (232B). At this time, when the restricting member 231 is in the prohibited position, the side of the restricting member 231 (recess 232A, 232B) faces and is close to or in contact with at least a portion of the side of the head 221A, 221B (a state in which the operator cannot fit a wrench around the side of the head 221A, 221B). This makes it impossible to release the stuck state of the actuator 510.

On the other hand, as shown in Figures 8(A) and 8(B), when the restricting member 231 is in the permitted position, the restricting member 231 is separated from the screws 220A and 220B and is in a state in which the actuator 510 can be released from its stuck state (a state in which the administrator can fit a wrench onto the side of the heads 221A and 221B).

The permission means 240 includes a movement mechanism 241 and a lock 42.

The moving mechanism 241 includes a rotating part 2411, an eccentric rotor 2412, and a spring 2413. If the user has the authority (if the user is an administrator), the moving mechanism 241 applies a force (power) to the restricting means 230 (regulating member 231) so that the actuator 510 can be released from its stuck state. Specifically, the moving mechanism 241 moves the restricting member 231 between a prohibited position and a permitted position.

The rotating part 2411 is integrally formed with the key cylinder 421 of the lock 42. The rotating part 2411 rotates by turning the key 50 inserted into the key cylinder 421. The eccentric rotor 2412 also rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating part 2411.

The eccentric rotor 2412 is fixed to the rotating part 2411. The eccentric rotor 2412 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating part 2411.

One end of the spring 2413 is fixed to the base 212, and the other end is fixed to the regulating member 231. The spring 2413 biases the regulating member 231 in a direction toward the inside of the storage section 210. Due to the biasing force of the spring 2413, the regulating member 231 is always in contact with the side of the eccentric rotor 2412.

For example, when the eccentric rotor 2412 rotates clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 8(A) to the position shown in FIG. 7(A), the regulating member 231 slides from the permitted position to the prohibited position. When the eccentric rotor 2412 rotates counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 7(A) to the position shown in FIG. 8(A), the urging force of the spring 2413 causes the regulating member 231 to slide from the prohibited position to the permitted position.

In this way, when the administrator turns the key 50 inserted in the key cylinder 421, the restricting member 231 slides between the prohibited position and the permitted position. The restricting member 231 is locked so that it cannot be moved when it is in the prohibited position. The restricting member 231 is unlocked when it is in the permitted position.

The rest of the configuration is the same as in the previously described embodiment. This embodiment also provides the same effects as in the previously described embodiment.

[Fourth embodiment]
This embodiment differs from the above-described embodiment in the configuration of the movement mechanism of the permission means. Specifically, in the fixing unit 301, as shown in FIG. 9, two springs 3413A and 3413B are disposed between the base 312 and the shielding member 331.

In addition, groove-shaped guides 313A and 313B are formed at both ends of the base 312 (the upper and lower ends in the plane of FIG. 9) to allow the shielding member 331 and springs 3413A and 3413B to move.

The biasing force of these two springs 3413A and 3413B keeps the shielding member 331 in constant contact with the eccentric rotor 3412.

According to this invention, the guides 313A and 313B at both ends can be used as a movement path not only for the shielding member 331 but also for the springs 3413A and 3413B.

The rest of the configuration is the same as in embodiment 1. This embodiment also achieves the same effects as in embodiment 1 described above.

The means for maintaining a constant relative positional relationship between the shielding member and the eccentric rotor (means for maintaining the two at an equal distance, bringing them into contact, etc., such as spring 413 in the first embodiment, and springs 3413A and 3413B in this embodiment) can adopt various other configurations. For example, the shielding member and the eccentric rotor may be connected by a connecting member. In this case, one end of the connecting member may be fixed to the shielding member, and the other end of the connecting member may move on a guide rail formed in the eccentric rotor, so that the shielding member and the eccentric rotor are always in contact with each other. In this case, for example, it is preferable that the center of the connecting member is made of a material/mechanism that can expand and contract.

[Fifth embodiment]
This embodiment differs from the above-described embodiment in the configuration of the key and the restricting member. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, the key 50 used in the fixing unit 401 is a padlock, and the shielding member 431 is configured in a rectangular parallelepiped shape formed so as to cover the screws 20A and 20B. The actuator 410 of this embodiment is fixed to a mounting bracket installed on a door (not shown) by the screws 20A and 20B.

As shown in FIG. 10, the actuator 410 in this embodiment has an L-shape when viewed from the side (in the depth direction of the paper in FIG. 10). One end of the base end is erected toward the upper side of the paper in FIG. 10. This base end has a hole for inserting the screw 20A (20B) and a hole for inserting the shackle portion 50A (latch) of the key 50.

The shielding member 431 is a box-shaped component made up of four surface members. In other words, the shielding member 431 does not have any surface members in the portion that comes into contact with the actuator 410 (the right side and bottom side of the paper in FIG. 10).

The surface member of the shielding member 531 that faces the tip end side of the actuator 410 has a hole formed therein for inserting the shackle portion 50A (latch) of the key 50. The shielding member 431 is fixed to the base end of the actuator 410 by a hinge 4311. In other words, the actuator 410 of this embodiment is integrated with the shielding member 431.

When the administrator wishes to release the stuck state of the actuator 410, he or she can simply unlock the key 50 and then rotate the shielding member 431 upward (upper side of the paper in FIG. 10) around the hinge 5311 to expose the screws 20A and 20B and set the permitted state.

The rest of the configuration is the same as in the previously described embodiment. This embodiment also achieves the same effects as in the previously described embodiment 1.

Sixth Embodiment
As shown in FIG. 11, this embodiment is a modification of the fifth embodiment.

The shielding member 531 is a box-shaped component made up of four surface members, similar to the fifth embodiment. In other words, the shielding member 531 does not have any surface members in the portion that comes into contact with the actuator 510 (the right side and lower side of the paper in FIG. 11).

The shielding member 531 is fixed to the base end of the actuator 510 by a lock 542 mechanism. That is, the actuator 510 of this embodiment is integrated with the shielding member 531, similar to the fifth embodiment.

When the administrator wants to release the stuck state of the actuator 510, he or she inserts the key 50 and turns the lock 542 to rotate the shielding member 531 upward (upper side of the paper in FIG. 11), thereby exposing the screws 20A and 20B and setting up the permitted state.

The rest of the configuration is the same as in the previously described embodiment. This embodiment also achieves the same effects as in the previously described embodiment 1.

[Other embodiments]
Unlike the above embodiment, the position where the actuator is disposed and the position where the switch body is disposed may be opposite to those in FIG.

The present invention may also be applied to the switch body. In this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained for the switch body.

The shape and configuration of the switch body and the actuator are not limited to those of the above embodiment. For example, the tip and base ends of the actuator may have spherical portions rather than being flat as described above. Furthermore, the tip of the actuator does not have to engage with the internal mechanism of the switch body. For example, the actuator may be of a non-contact RFID type.

In addition, in the first and fourth embodiments, examples are described in which a spring is provided in the fastening unit, but these embodiments do not necessarily require a spring. In this case, for example, when the door is locked, the rotating eccentric rotor pushes the shielding member toward the side that covers the fastening member, placing it in the prohibited position. On the other hand, when the door is unlocked, only the eccentric rotor moves, so the shielding member does not move to the permitted position, but the administrator can simply slide the shielding member into the storage section with his or her finger or the like to move it to the permitted position.

In addition to the above-described embodiment, the key may be a mechanical lock, including a combination lock, an electronic lock, or a lock using biometric authentication such as RFID or fingerprint authentication. In the case of an electronic lock, it is sufficient if the lock can be locked and unlocked by driving an ON/OFF solenoid, for example.

Also, unlike the above embodiment, there may be buttons numbered 1 to 5, and the lock may be unlocked when the correct combination of buttons is pressed. For example, pulling a lever while 1 and 3 are pressed may unlock the lock and open the door covering the screw, and closing the door may lock it again. In other words, in this case, the user who knows the combination of numbers to unlock the lock becomes the administrator.

The lock may also be made of a special material, such as resin. In this case, the lock can be set by applying a paste of resin to cover the screw head and then allowing the resin to solidify, and the lock can be unlocked by removing the solidified resin with a solvent. The same effect can also be achieved by covering the screw head with a cap that can only be removed by the administrator, instead of resin.

Also, unlike the above embodiment, the fastening unit of the present invention may be structured so that it is automatically unlocked by inserting a key. In this case, for example, a user can pull a lever or the like (slide the lever closer to the screw head) to cause the slide bar to cover the screw head and lock it. Also, when an administrator inserts a key, the spring force moves the lever and slide bar away from the screw head, exposing the screw head and unlocking it.

The shape of the screw head and groove are not limited to the above embodiment, and various shapes can be used.

The storage section and cover can also be made from resin, stainless steel, etc.

Also, unlike the above embodiment, the fastening members do not have to be screws. The fastening members may be, for example, bolts and nuts.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the actuator has two mounting holes, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in FIG. 2, the actuator 510 may have only mounting hole 513A, and may have a protrusion (e.g., a claw-shaped member) that can engage with a recess formed in the base 12 instead of mounting hole 513B.

In this case, the user can position the actuator 510 to a certain extent by engaging the convex portion formed on the actuator 510 with the concave portion formed on the base 12, and then insert the screw 20A into the mounting hole 513A to fix the actuator in place. This reduces the number of parts and material costs, and allows the user to fix the safety switch even more easily.

1, 101, 201 Fixing unit 20A, 20B, 220A, 220B Screw (fastening member)
42 Lock 50 Key 30, 130, 230 Restriction means 40, 140, 240 Permitting means 41, 141, 241 Moving mechanism (acting means)
31, 131, 331, 431, 531 Shielding member 231 Regulating member 500 Safety switch 510 Actuator 520 Switch body

Claims (4)

a restricting means for restricting a fastening state of a component constituting a safety switch installed to ensure the safety of an operator within the facility, the component being fastened to a wall or a door of the facility by a fastening member, so that an unauthorized user cannot release the fastening state;
a permission means for enabling a user to release the stuck state when the user has authority;
Equipped with
The components constituting the safety switch are a switch body and/or an actuator that can move toward and away from each other.
Adhesive unit. The permission means includes an action means for applying a force to the restriction means so as to bring the stuck state into a state in which the stuck state can be released when the user has authority.
The fastening unit according to claim 1 . the fastening member is a screw having a head for releasing the fixed state,
the restricting means includes a shielding member that moves between a prohibiting position where the head is shielded so that the fixed state cannot be released and an enabling position where the head is exposed so that the fixed state can be released,
the operating means is a moving mechanism that moves the shielding member between the prohibited position and the permitted position,
The authorization means authenticates the presence or absence of a user's authority by a physical or electronic key;
The moving mechanism moves the shielding member by the power of locking/unlocking using the key.
The fastening unit according to claim 2 . The fastening member is a screw having a head with a rotation input portion formed on a side surface thereof,
the restriction means includes a restriction member that moves between a prohibited position where the restriction member faces at least a part of the side surface and approaches or contacts the side surface so that the fixed state cannot be released, and an allowed position where the restriction member is separated from the fastening member and can release the fixed state,
the operating means is a moving mechanism that moves the regulating member to the prohibition position and the permission position,
The authorization means authenticates the presence or absence of a user's authority by a physical or electronic key;
The moving mechanism moves the restricting member by the power of locking/unlocking using the key.
The fastening unit according to claim 2 .

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