JP7728170B2 - operating device - Google Patents

Description

This embodiment relates to an operating device for operating an opening and closing device.

Patent Document 1 below discloses a known technology for switching the operation of an opening/closing device using this type of operating device. According to this technology, the operating device has an operating rod and an operating member, and by rotating the operating rod, it is possible to switch between an upward operation, in which the bottom rail of the opening/closing device is raised when the operating member is pulled downward, and a downward operation, in which the bottom rail is lowered when the operating member is pulled downward. In this way, by being able to switch the operating state of the opening/closing device by rotating the operating rod, the operability of the opening/closing device can be improved.

International Publication No. 2016/001764

However, depending on the connection structure between the operating rod and the opening/closing device, excessive rotational torque may be applied when rotating the operating rod, which could damage the connection structure.

The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide technology that can prevent excessive rotational torque from being applied to the connecting structure.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is an operating device for operating an opening/closing device that can be switched between multiple operating states, characterized by comprising: a state switching unit that, when rotated, transmits the rotation to the opening/closing device to switch the operating state of the opening/closing device; and a transmission switching unit that, in response to the rotation of the state switching unit, switches the state switching unit between a transmission state in which the rotation can be transmitted to the opening/closing device and a non-transmission state in which the rotation cannot be transmitted to the opening/closing device.

This invention prevents excessive rotational torque from being applied to the connecting structure.

1 is a front view showing a configuration of an opening and closing device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a front view showing an operation unit provided in an opening and closing device according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an operation unit according to the first embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 2. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. 2. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC shown in FIG. 2. 1 is a front view showing a state in which the opening and closing device according to the first embodiment is in a raised and lowered state and the cord stopper is pulled. FIG. FIG. 10 is a partial side view of the operating unit in a raised/lowered state. 1 is a front view showing a state in which the opening and closing device according to the first embodiment is in a dimming state and the cord stopper is pulled. FIG. FIG. 10 is a partial side view of the operation unit in a dimming state. FIG. 10 is a front view showing an operating unit provided in an opening and closing device according to a second embodiment. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a state in which the opening and closing device according to the third embodiment is in a raised and lowered state and the cord stopper is pulled. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a state in which the opening and closing device according to the third embodiment is in a dimming state and the cord stopper is pulled.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention will be described as being applied to an operating device for an opening/closing device that is a pleated screen equipped with two types of screens that can be raised and lowered as opening and closing bodies. In this embodiment, the indoor side of the opening/closing device when installed will be referred to as the front, the outdoor side as the back, the direction consisting of the front and back as the front-to-back direction, and the longitudinal direction of the opening/closing device as the left-to-right direction. Furthermore, in this specification and drawings, components that have substantially the same functions will be assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

First Embodiment
(Overall structure)
First, the overall configuration of the opening and closing device according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of the opening and closing device according to this embodiment. Note that Fig. 1 shows the opening and closing device in a state where the bottom rail is lowered.

As shown in FIG. 1, the opening/closing device 1 according to this embodiment includes a head box 2, a bottom rail 31 as a first movable member, two lifting cords 32 formed in the shape of strings or tapes, a screen 33 as a first shielding material, an intermediate bar 41 as a second movable member, two dimmer cords 42 formed in the shape of strings or tapes, a screen 43 as a second shielding material, and an operation unit 5.

The head box 2 is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape that defines an internal storage space and is fixed to a window frame (not shown) or the like via multiple brackets 21. Inside the head box 2, there are provided a first drive shaft and a first winding drum that constitute a first drive system that raises and lowers the bottom rail 31, as well as a second drive shaft and a second winding drum that constitute a second drive system that raises and lowers the intermediate bar 41.

The bottom rail 31 is connected to the other ends of the two lifting cords 32 and is suspended from the head box 2 so as to be located at the lowest point of the opening/closing device 1. It is a long, horizontal component. The other ends of the two dimmer cords 42 are connected to the intermediate bar 41. It is suspended from the head box 2 so as to be located between the head box 2 and the bottom rail 31 in the vertical direction.

The screen 33 has an upper end connected to the underside of the intermediate bar 41 and a lower end connected to the upper surface of the bottom rail 31, is formed into a pleated shape that can be folded up and down, and is an opening/closing body through which two lifting cords 32 are partially inserted in the vertical direction. The screen 43 has an upper end connected to the underside of the head box 2 and a lower end connected to the upper surface of the intermediate bar 41, is formed into a pleated shape that can be folded up and down, and is an opening/closing body through which two dimmer cords 42 are partially inserted in the vertical direction.

The operation unit 5 is used to operate the opening/closing device 1 and is located at one of the left and right ends of the head box 2 (in this embodiment, the right end in the figure). A first drive shaft and a second drive shaft are inserted through the main case 50. Inside the main case 50, there are pulleys to which one end of an operating cord is connected so that it can be wound/unwound, primarily to rotate each drive shaft, and a switching interlocking mechanism that switches the state in which rotational drive force is transmitted (hereinafter referred to as the operating state) so that the rotation of the pulley is transmitted to either the first drive shaft or the second drive shaft. The switching interlocking mechanism engages with a switching operation unit 51 exposed on the front side of the main case 50 and supported at its upper end by the main case 50 for rotation around its axis. Rotating the switching operation unit 51 engages the switching interlocking mechanism, allowing the operating state to be switched. In this embodiment, the operating state can be switched between a lifting state in which the first drive shaft is rotated to raise and lower the bottom rail 31, and a dimming state in which the second drive shaft is rotated to raise and lower the intermediate bar 41.

The operation unit 52 is connected to the switching operation unit 51 so that it hangs down, and a cord stopper 59 is provided at the bottom end of the operation unit 52. As described above, one end of the operation cord is connected to the pulley, and the other end hangs down from the main body case 50, is inserted into the switching operation unit 51 and the operation unit 52, and is connected to the cord stopper 59. The pulley is biased by the biasing force of the power spring so as to wind up the operation cord, but the cord stopper 59 abuts against the bottom end of the operation unit 52, preventing further winding of the operation cord. When the operator pulls the cord stopper 59 away from the operation unit 52, the operation cord is unwound from the pulley, causing the pulley to rotate. When the operator pulls the cord stopper 59 down by more than a predetermined amount and then releases it, the operation cord is wound around the pulley, and the cord stopper 59 and operation unit 52 abut again.

(Operation unit 52)
The configuration of the operating unit according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the operating unit according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view thereof. FIGS. 4 to 6 are cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A, B-B, and C-C, respectively, shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the operating unit 52 according to this embodiment includes an operating rod 53, a joint portion 54, an upper fixing portion 55, a grip operating portion 56, and a lower fixing portion 57. Each of the above elements constituting the operating unit 52 is formed in a hollow, generally cylindrical shape, allowing an operating cord to be inserted into the operating unit 52.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the operating rod 53 is formed in the shape of a hollow hexagonal prism extending in the axial direction, with its upper end fixedly fitted into the joint portion 54 and its lower end passing through the upper fixing portion 55 and the grip operating portion 56 and inserted into the lower fixing portion 57. An annular groove 531 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the operating rod 53 near its lower end.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the joint portion 54 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and has a pair of connecting pieces 541 extending upward from its upper end, facing each other in the radial direction. A hole 542 is drilled near the tip of each of the pair of connecting pieces 541. An annular swinging member (not shown) attached to the switching operation unit 51 so as to be swingable in the front-to-rear direction is interposed between the pair of connecting pieces 541, and multiple support shafts (not shown) protruding from the circumferential surface of the swinging member are inserted into the holes 542, thereby supporting the joint portion 54 so as to be rotatable relative to the swinging member. Via this joint portion 54, the operating rod 53 is swingable in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions relative to the switching operation unit 51. The inner circumference of the inserted portion of the joint portion 54, through which the operating rod 53 is inserted, is hexagonal so that its inner circumference conforms to the outer circumference of the operating rod 53. This allows the joint portion 54 to be connected to the operating rod 53 so as to be rotatable together with it about its axis.

As shown in Figure 5, the upper fixing part 55 is formed as a hollow cylinder with a hexagonal inner periphery that uniformly fits the outer periphery of the operating rod 53. When the operating rod 53 is inserted through it, it is connected to the operating rod 53 so that it can rotate integrally around its axis. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the upper fixing part 55 has an enlarged diameter portion at the top that is larger in diameter than the operating rod 53, and a smaller diameter portion at the bottom that is smaller in diameter than the enlarged diameter portion. Two notches are cut out on the outer periphery of the enlarged diameter portion to form a flat surface 551a that is parallel to the axial direction of the operating rod 53, and a flat surface 551b that is parallel to flat surface 551a. Note that in Figures 1 to 5, flat surface 551a faces forward.

The flat surface portion 551a is provided with an indicator 552T having a convex portion 552a that protrudes from the surrounding area and a concave portion 552b that is located below the convex portion 552a and is recessed from the surrounding area. Meanwhile, the flat surface portion 551b is provided with an indicator 552B in which the convex portion 552a is located below the concave portion 552b. In other words, the convex portion 552a is located at the top in the indicator 552T and at the bottom in the indicator 552B. The indicators 552T and 552B visually indicate to the operator whether the operating state of the opening/closing device 1 is the lifting/lowering state or the dimming state, as will be described in detail below. As shown in FIG. 4 , the small-diameter portion of the upper fixing portion 55 is inserted into the grip operation portion 56, and a pair of claws 553, the tips of which protrude radially outward, are provided on the circumferential surface near the lower end of the small-diameter portion for engaging with the grip operation portion 56. In this embodiment, the pair of claws 553 are located circumferentially at positions spaced 180° apart.

As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, the gripping operation part 56 is formed as a hollow cylinder with a circular inner circumference. The upper and lower fixing parts 55 and 57 are attached by inserting the small-diameter portion of the upper fixing part 55 from above and a pair of connecting pieces 573 (described later) of the lower fixing part 57 from below. As shown in Figure 4, on the inner surface of the gripping operation part 56 facing the small-diameter portion of the upper fixing part 55, engagement pieces 561 that protrude radially inward and have downwardly bent tips are formed uniformly around the circumferential direction. The gripping operation part 56 is attached to the upper fixing part 55 so that it cannot come off, with its upper surface abutting the lower surface of the enlarged-diameter portion of the upper fixing part 55 and the engagement pieces 561 engaging with a pair of claws 553 of the upper fixing part 55.

As shown in Figure 3, the lower end of the gripping operation part 56 is a small-diameter part 562 that is smaller in diameter than the upper part, and its circumferential surface is formed with a pair of grooves 563 extending in the axial direction and a pair of claws 564 that protrude radially outward. In this embodiment, the pair of grooves 563 are formed at positions 180° apart in the circumferential direction, and the pair of claws 564 are formed at positions 90° apart in the circumferential direction from the grooves 563.

As described above, the gripping operation part 56 has a circular inner circumference, allowing it to rotate around its axis relative to the upper fixed part 55. As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, a clutch spring 58 is interposed between the small diameter portion of the upper fixed part 55 and the inner surface of the gripping operation part 56. As shown in Figure 6, the clutch spring 58 is fastened by being wound around the small diameter portion of the upper fixed part 55, with both ends protruding slightly radially outward. A protrusion 565 that protrudes radially inward is provided on a portion of the inner surface of the gripping operation part 56 facing the clutch spring 58, more specifically, on the inner surface portion located between the ends of the clutch spring 58, as shown in the same figure.

The protrusion 565 protrudes until its tip is positioned radially inward relative to both ends of the clutch spring 58. Therefore, when the grip operating part 56 rotates relative to the upper fixed part 55, its circumferential end face abuts against one of the ends of the clutch spring 58. When the grip operating part 56 is further rotated with the protrusion 565 abutting the clutch spring 58, the protrusion 565 biases the clutch spring 58 to rotate circumferentially. Because the clutch spring 58 is tightening the small-diameter portion of the upper fixed part 55, this bias causes the clutch spring 58 to rotate integrally with the upper fixed part 55. In response to this rotation of the upper fixed part 55, the operating rod 53, which is connected to the upper fixed part 55 so as to be rotatable integrally with it, also rotates in the same direction. As described above, the rotation of the operating rod 53 is transmitted to the switching operating part 51 by the joint part 54. Therefore, the rotation of the operating rod 53 activates the switching interlocking mechanism, enabling the operating state to be switched.

Meanwhile, after the switching interlocking mechanism is switched, further rotation of the switching operation unit 51 in the same direction is restricted by the switching interlocking mechanism. Therefore, rotation of the upper fixed part 55 in the same direction is also restricted via the operating rod 53. If an attempt is made to further rotate the grip operation unit 56 in the same direction in this state, the clutch spring 58 continues to be urged circumferentially by the protrusion 565. However, because rotation of the upper fixed part 55 is restricted and the clutch spring 58 is fastened to the upper fixed part 55, the clutch spring 58 does not rotate easily, and the grip operation unit 56 also cannot rotate easily due to the reaction force of the clutch spring 58. However, if the grip operation unit 56 is further rotated with a stronger force, i.e., if a rotational torque greater than a predetermined amount is applied to the clutch spring 58, the clutch spring 58 will relax and spin freely together with the grip operation unit 56 relative to the upper fixed part 55. Therefore, even if the grip operation unit 56 continues to rotate in the same direction after the switching interlocking mechanism has been switched, the clutch spring 58 will rotate freely, and the rotation of the grip operation unit 56 will not transmit a rotational torque above a certain level to the switching operation unit 51 and the switching interlocking mechanism.

From the above, the clutch spring 58 maintains the fastened state, allowing the grip operation unit 56 and the upper fixed unit 55 to rotate together, until the rotation of the switching operation unit 51 is restricted. However, when rotation of the switching operation unit 51 in one direction is restricted and a rotational torque (rotational torque equal to or greater than a predetermined amount) sufficient to release the fastened state through further rotation in one direction is applied, the clutch spring 58 transitions to a relaxed state, allowing the grip operation unit 56 to rotate relative to the upper fixed unit 55. Furthermore, when rotation of the switching operation unit 51 in one direction is restricted and a rotational torque (rotational torque less than a predetermined amount) sufficient to release the fastened state through further rotation in one direction is applied, the clutch spring 58 can restrict rotation of the grip operation unit 56 in one direction. Therefore, the clutch spring 58 can switch the operating unit 52 between a transmission state (fastened state) in which rotation of the grip operating unit 56 can be transmitted to the opening and closing device 1, and a non-transmission state (relaxed state) in which the rotation cannot be transmitted to the opening and closing device 1, thereby realizing the function of a torque limiter that reduces the application of excessive rotational torque to other components.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower fixing part 57 has an outer peripheral part 571 formed in a hollow, approximately ring-like shape. A hollow, approximately ring-shaped inner peripheral part 572 is provided radially inward of the outer peripheral part 571, and these parts are connected at their respective lower ends. A pair of connecting pieces 573 facing each other in the radial direction are provided at the upper end of the inner peripheral part 572 and extending upward. The tips of the pair of connecting pieces 573 are provided with protrusions 574 that protrude radially inward. When the lower fixing part 57 is attached to the grip operating part 56, as shown in Figure 4, the pair of connecting pieces 573 are inserted into the small-diameter part 562 of the grip operating part 56, and the protrusions 574 fit into the annular groove 531 of the operating rod 53. This fit ensures that the lower fixing part 57 cannot fall off the operating rod 53. In this state, the lower surface of the step between the small diameter portion 562 of the grip operation portion 56 and its upper portion abuts against the upper surface of the outer periphery 571 of the lower fixing portion 57, allowing the lower fixing portion 57 to support the grip operation portion 56. In other words, the upper fixing portion 55 and the grip operation portion 56 are supported by the operating rod 53 via the lower fixing portion 57 so that they cannot fall off.

As shown in FIG. 4, the small diameter portion 562 of the grip operation portion 56 is inserted into a ring-shaped hole 575 defined between the outer circumferential portion 571 and the inner circumferential portion 572. At this time, protrusions (not shown) that protrude radially inward and are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential portion 571 fit into a pair of grooves 563 in the small diameter portion 562, and a pair of claws 564 of the small diameter portion 562 engage with holes (not shown) provided on the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential portion 571. This connects the grip operation portion 56 and the lower fixed portion 57 so that they can rotate together around the axis.

When fitted into the annular groove 531 of the operating rod 53, the protrusion 574 of the lower fixing part 57 can slide within the annular groove 531. Therefore, the lower fixing part 57 is connected to the operating rod 53 so that it can rotate relatively around its axis. For this reason, even if the grip operating part 56 is rotated and continues to rotate after the switching interlocking mechanism has been switched, the lower fixing part 57 can rotate freely relative to the operating rod 53 together with the grip operating part 56.

The small diameter portion 562 of the grip operation unit 56 may not be provided with the groove portion 563 or the claw portion 564, and the grip operation unit 56 and the lower fixed portion 57 may be configured to be relatively rotatable. In this case, the operator can stabilize the position of the operation unit 52 by grasping the lower fixed portion 57 with one hand, and then grasp and rotate the grip operation unit 56 with the other hand.

(Device operation)
Next, the function of the identification units 552T, 552B will be described along with the operation of the opening and closing device according to this embodiment. Fig. 7 is a front view showing the opening and closing device according to this embodiment in a raised and lowered state with the cord stopper pulled, and Fig. 8 is a partial side view of the operating unit in the raised and lowered state. Fig. 9 is a front view showing the opening and closing device according to this embodiment in a dimming state with the cord stopper pulled, and Fig. 10 is a partial side view of the operating unit in the dimming state. In Figs. 8 and 10, the left side of the drawings indicates the indoor side, i.e., the front side.

The indicators 552T and 552B allow the operator to intuitively recognize the operating state of the opening/closing device 1 based on the position of the convex portion 552a. Specifically, when the upper fixing portion 55 is rotated counterclockwise in a plan view together with the grip operation portion 56 (see FIG. 7) and the indicator 552B faces forward, i.e., toward the operator, as shown in FIG. 8, the opening/closing device 1 is switched to the raised/lowered state. In other words, when the indicator 552B is positioned facing forward, the switching interlock mechanism is configured to switch the operating state of the opening/closing device 1 to the raised/lowered state. Because the convex portion 552a of the indicator 552B is located below the concave portion 552b, the operator can easily recognize that the bottom rail 31, which is located below the intermediate bar 41, is the target of operation, i.e., that the opening/closing device 1 is in the raised/lowered state. Similarly, when the upper fixing portion 55 is rotated clockwise in a plan view (see FIG. 9) together with the grip operation portion 56 so that the indicator 552T faces forward as shown in FIG. 10, the opening and closing device 1 is switched to the dimming state. In other words, when the indicator 552T is in a position facing forward, the switching interlock mechanism is configured to switch the operation state of the opening and closing device 1 to the dimming state. Because the convex portion 552a of the indicator 552T is located above the concave portion 552b, the operator can easily recognize that the intermediate bar 41, which is located above the bottom rail 31, is the target to be operated, i.e., that the opening and closing device 1 is in the dimming state.

As shown in Figure 8, when the cord stopper 59 is pulled while the identification unit 552B is positioned on the indoor side, i.e., the operator side, the opening and closing device 1 is in the up/down state, so the bottom rail 31 rises as shown in Figure 7. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 10, when the cord stopper 59 is pulled while the identification unit 552T is positioned on the indoor side, the opening and closing device 1 is in the dimming state, so the intermediate bar 41 rises as shown in Figure 9.

According to the present embodiment described above, the operation unit 52 can be provided with a torque limiter function by interposing a clutch spring 58 between the grip operation unit 56 and the upper fixed portion 55, which rotates integrally with the operating rod 53. Therefore, when the grip operation unit 56 rotates more than a predetermined amount, i.e., when further rotation in the same direction occurs after switching the switching interlock mechanism, the grip operation unit 56 can be caused to spin freely relative to the upper fixed portion 55, preventing excessive rotational torque from being applied to the connecting structure, such as the joint portion 54, the switching operation unit 51, or the switching interlock mechanism, thereby preventing damage to components of the opening/closing device 1. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the simple configuration of interposing the clutch spring 58 between the grip operation unit 56 and the upper fixed portion 55 allows the operation unit 52 to have a torque limiter function at low cost and without increasing the size of the device. Furthermore, because the clutch spring 58 is located near the grip operation unit 56, even when excessive rotational torque is applied from the grip operation unit 56, the areas where overload is applied can be minimized.

Furthermore, by rotating the operation unit 52 while checking the indicators 552T, 552B, the operator can intuitively recognize whether the opening/closing device 1 is in the raised/lowered state or the dimmed state after the rotation operation. The indicators 552T, 552B are not provided on the long, small-diameter operation rod 53, but on the upper fixed portion 55, which has a larger diameter than the operation rod 53. Therefore, restrictions on the shape and size of the indicators 552T, 552B are relaxed compared to when they are provided on the operation rod 53. Furthermore, when the operation state of the opening/closing device 1 is switched in response to the rotation of the grip operation unit 56, the indicators 552T, 552B are positioned on the operator's side, allowing the operator to easily recognize the indicators 552T, 552B. Furthermore, even if excessive rotational torque is applied to the grip operation unit 56, the clutch spring 58 causes the grip operation unit 56 to rotate freely relative to the upper fixed unit 55, so the indicators 552T, 552B will not shift position and will always be in the correct position, i.e., the indicator indicating the current operating state of the opening/closing device 1 will always face the front (towards the operator).

In this embodiment, the bottom rail 31 and intermediate bar 41 of the opening/closing device 1 are connected vertically. However, they may also be positioned longitudinally, with the bottom rail 31 in the front and the intermediate bar 41 in the rear as the second bottom rail. Even in this case, the operator can easily understand that the indicator 552B indicates the lifting/lowering state that operates the front bottom rail 31, and the indicator 552T indicates the dimming state that operates the rear intermediate bar 41 (second bottom rail). On the other hand, the bottom rail 31 and intermediate bar 41 may also be connected horizontally, with the bottom rail 31 on the right and the intermediate bar 41 (second bottom rail) on the left. In this case, if the indicator 552B is configured with the convex portion 552a on the right and the concave portion 552b on the left, and the indicator 552T is configured with the convex portion 552a on the left and the concave portion 552b on the right, the operator can easily recognize the operating state of the opening/closing device 1.

Second Embodiment
Fig. 11 is a front view showing the operating unit provided in the opening and closing device according to this embodiment, and Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D shown in Fig. 11. Note that Fig. 11 shows the upper part of the operating rod 53 and the joint part 54A in vertical cross section.

As shown in FIG. 11, the operating unit 52A according to this embodiment differs from the operating unit 52 according to the first embodiment in that the clutch spring 58 is fastened to the operating rod 53 so as to be interposed between the operating rod 53 and the joint portion 54A. It also differs from the operating unit 52 according to the first embodiment in that the upper fixing portion 55 is eliminated and the identification portions 552T and 552B are provided on the grip operating portion 56. The grip operating portion 56 according to this embodiment is connected to the operating rod 53 so as to be rotatable integrally with it. As shown in FIG. 12, the joint portion 54A according to this embodiment has a protrusion 543 on a portion of the inner circumferential surface facing the clutch spring 58, more specifically, on the inner circumferential surface portion located between both ends of the clutch spring 58, the protrusion 543 having a tip end surface that protrudes radially inward from both ends of the clutch spring 58.

The protrusion 543 has the same function as the protrusion 565 of the grip operation unit 56 according to the first embodiment. In other words, when the grip operation unit 56 is rotated and the operating rod 53 rotates relative to the joint unit 54, one of the ends of the clutch spring 58 comes into contact with the circumferential end face of the protrusion 543. When the operating rod 53 is further rotated while in contact with the protrusion 543, the clutch spring 58 urges the protrusion 543 in the same direction as the rotation. This urging causes the operating rod 53, clutch spring 58, and joint unit 54A to rotate in the same direction. The rotation of the joint unit 54A is transmitted to the switching operation unit 51, and the rotation of the joint unit 54A activates the switching interlocking mechanism, enabling the operating state to be switched.

Meanwhile, after the switching interlocking mechanism is switched, further rotation of the switching operation unit 51 in the same direction is restricted by the switching interlocking mechanism. Therefore, rotation of the joint portion 54A in the same direction is also restricted. If an attempt is made to further rotate the grip operation unit 56 in this state, the protrusion 543 continues to be urged circumferentially by the clutch spring 58. However, because rotation of the joint portion 54A is restricted and the clutch spring 58 is fastened to the operating rod 53, the protrusion 543 does not rotate easily, and the grip operation unit 56 also cannot rotate easily due to the reaction force of the clutch spring 58. However, if the grip operation unit 56 is further rotated with a stronger force, i.e., if a rotational torque greater than a predetermined amount is applied to the clutch spring 58, the clutch spring 58 relaxes, causing the grip operation unit 56 and the operating rod 53 to spin freely relative to the clutch spring 58. Therefore, even if the grip operation unit 56 continues to rotate in the same direction after the switching interlocking mechanism has been switched, the clutch spring 58 will rotate freely, and the rotation of the grip operation unit 56 will not transmit a rotational torque above a certain level to the switching operation unit 51 and the switching interlocking mechanism.

According to the present embodiment described above, even if a clutch spring 58 is interposed between the operating rod 53 and the joint portion 54A, the operating unit 52A can be given the function of a torque limiter, just like the first embodiment. Furthermore, the operating unit 52 according to the first embodiment cannot function as a torque limiter when the operating rod 53 is directly gripped and rotated, but according to this embodiment, the torque limiter function can be exerted even when the operating rod 53 is rotated.

Third Embodiment
Fig. 13 is a front view showing the opening/closing device according to the third embodiment in a raised/lowered state with the cord stopper pulled, and Fig. 14 is a front view showing the opening/closing device according to the third embodiment in a dimming state with the cord stopper pulled. The operating unit 52B according to this embodiment differs from the operating unit 52 according to the first embodiment in that identification units 554T and 554B are provided on the upper fixed unit 55 instead of the identification units 552T and 552B.

As shown in Figure 13, the identification unit 554B is marked with a square mark 554a, and mark 554a is also marked on the left edge of the bottom rail 31 in the figure. When the identification unit 554B is at the front, the opening and closing device 1 is in the lifting/lowering state, and the bottom rail 31 can be raised and lowered by pulling the cord stopper 59. By simply checking the identification unit 554B, the operator can intuitively recognize that the opening and closing device 1 has been switched to the lifting/lowering state, in which the bottom rail 31 bearing the same mark 554a as the mark 554a on the identification unit 554B is the target of operation.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, the identification unit 554T has a circular mark 554b attached, and mark 554b is also attached to the left end of the intermediate bar 41 in the figure. When the identification unit 554T is at the front, the opening and closing device 1 is in a dimming state, and the intermediate bar 41 can be raised and lowered by pulling the cord stopper 59. By simply checking the identification unit 554T, the operator can intuitively recognize that the opening and closing device 1 has been switched to a dimming state, in which the intermediate bar 41, which has a mark 554b similar to mark 554b on the identification unit 554T attached, is the target of operation.

Note that the indicators 554T and 554B are not limited to the examples described above, and marks of other shapes, such as a triangle, may be used. The operating state may be identified by color, for example, with mark 554a being red and mark 554b being blue. Also, text such as "up" and "down" may be used, and in such cases, it is not necessary to write text on the bottom rail 31 or intermediate bar 41. Furthermore, the operating state may be recognized by the operator's visual inspection of the indicator, or by touch or sound.

In this embodiment, the first movable member, which is moved by rotation of the first drive shaft, and the second movable member, which is moved by rotation of the second drive shaft, are the bottom rail 31 and intermediate bar 41, which move up and down, respectively. However, the movement direction of the first movable member and the second movable member may be in either direction, and the first movable member and the second movable member may be arranged front to back and move up and down or left to right, respectively. Furthermore, while a pleated screen has been used as an example of an opening and closing device, the present invention can be applied to a variety of opening and closing devices, including blinds such as horizontal blinds, vertical blinds, roller screens, honeycomb screens, roll-up curtains, and accordion doors, curtains, partitions, shutters, sashes, and windows, as long as they have first and second movable members and can switch their operating state by rotating the operating unit 52.

The first drive shaft and second drive shaft may also be driven to perform two types of operations related to opening and closing the opening/closing body (shielding material) in the opening/closing device. For example, for the same opening/closing body, the first drive shaft may drive the opening/closing device to perform a first operation (e.g., raising and lowering the slats), and the second drive shaft may drive the opening/closing device to perform a second operation different from the first operation (e.g., tilting the slats).

The present invention can be embodied in a variety of other forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited in any way by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications, improvements, substitutions, and alterations that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

1 Opening and closing device 31 Bottom rail (first moving member, moving member)
33, 43 Screen (opening and closing body)
41 Intermediate bar (second moving member)
51 Switching operation unit (connecting unit)
52 Operation unit (operation device, state switching unit)
53 Operation rod (grip, connection part, state switching part)
54 Joint section (connection section, state switching section)
55 Upper fixed part (operation rod)
552T, 552B, 554T, 554B Identification portion 552a Convex portion (indicator portion)
554a Mark (indicator part)
554b Mark (indicator part)
56 Grip operation unit (grips, operation rod, state switching unit)
58 Clutch spring (transmission switching part)

Claims (5)

An operating device for operating a switching device that can be switched to a plurality of operating states,
a state switching unit that, when rotated, transmits the rotation to the opening and closing device to switch the operating state of the opening and closing device between a first operating state in which a first moving member is driven by a driving unit for driving a first moving member and a second moving member of the opening and closing device, respectively, and a second operating state in which the second moving member is driven by the driving unit;
a transmission switching unit that switches the state switching unit between a transmission state in which the rotation can be transmitted to the opening and closing device and a non-transmission state in which the rotation cannot be transmitted to the opening and closing device in response to rotation of the state switching unit ,
When the state switching unit is rotated in one direction in the transmission state, the opening and closing device is switched to the first operation state without driving the first moving member and the second moving member, and when the state switching unit is rotated in the other direction in the transmission state, the opening and closing device is switched to the second operation state without driving the first moving member and the second moving member.
An operating device characterized by: the state switching unit has a gripping portion that can be gripped by an operator and a connecting portion that connects the gripping portion to the opening and closing device so as to transmit rotation of the gripping portion to the opening and closing device,
The operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission switching unit is interposed between the gripping portion and the connecting portion, and switches the state switching unit between the transmission state and the non-transmission state depending on the strength of rotational torque applied by rotation of the gripping portion. The connecting portion has an operating rod,
The operating device according to claim 2, characterized in that the transmission switching unit is interposed between the grip portion and the operating rod, and rotates the grip portion and the operating rod together in the transmission state, and rotates the grip portion relative to the operating rod in the non-transmission state. The grip portion has an operating rod,
The operating device according to claim 2, characterized in that the transmission switching unit is interposed between the operating rod and the connecting unit, and rotates the operating rod and the connecting unit together in the transmitted state, and rotates the operating rod relative to the connecting unit in the non-transmitted state. The operating device according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that the transmission switching part is a clutch spring that tightens against the operating rod in the transmission state, thereby rotating the operating rod and the grip part or the connecting part together, and loosens against the operating rod in the non-transmission state, thereby rotating the operating rod and the grip part or the connecting part relative to each other.