JP7734045B2 - Transmitter - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an emergency alarm transmitter, and relates to technology that is effective for use in, for example, a fire alarm transmitter that is installed on the wall of a building and is operated to sound an alarm in the event of a fire.

A fire alarm system is installed inside buildings to alert people to the occurrence of a fire. The fire alarm system consists of fire detectors, manual fire alarm transmitters with push-button switches, receivers, fire alarm bells, indicator lights, etc., and the fire alarm transmitters are installed at an appropriate height on the walls of building corridors, etc. In the event of a fire, the discoverer presses the push-button switch on the fire alarm transmitter firmly, which transmits a signal notifying the fire to the receiver and sounds an alarm from a bell located near the transmitter, alerting people in the vicinity to the fire.

Conventional fire alarm transmitters generally have a disk-shaped front panel on the front of the transmitter body that covers the exposed parts of the room, and the transmitter body has a built-in push button switch and is installed so that it is embedded in the wall of a building. Furthermore, a bullet-shaped indicator light is provided near the fire alarm transmitter to make it easy to find from a distance or in the dark.
On the other hand, in recent years, flat-type indicator lights with flat or disc-shaped front faces and fire alarm transmitters with integrated indicator lights have also been put to practical use. Inventions relating to fire alarm transmitters with integrated indicator lights are described in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-144951 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-152944

The fire alarm transmitters described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are configured in a way that the boundaries between the indicator lights and push buttons on the front are clearly visible. However, in recent years, there has been a growing demand for better design within buildings, and transmitters with clearly visible boundaries between components may not blend in with the interior decor and may appear out of place when installed on the interior walls of a building.

Furthermore, in the fire alarm transmitters described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in which the transmitter body and indicator light are integrated, the indicator light is configured in a ring shape that surrounds the entire periphery of the transmitter body, and only the indicator light emits light. This means that if sufficient visibility is to be ensured, the entire device becomes large. On the other hand, if miniaturization of the transmitter is prioritized, the indicator light's surface area becomes small, reducing visibility, and the push button becomes small, making it difficult to operate.

The present invention has been made with an eye on the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a transmitter in which, even if miniaturization is prioritized when the transmitter body and indicator light are integrated, the light-emitting display area is not reduced and visibility is not reduced, and the operability of the push button is not impaired.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a transmitter that can be harmonized with the interior of a building, reducing the sense of incongruity, and thereby improving the aesthetic appearance.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
A transmitter comprising a transmitter body having a storage case with a built-in switch that can be turned on and off, and a front panel having a push button for operating the switch,
the front panel portion includes a light-emitting portion made of a light-guiding material and having an opening in the center, the push button has a flange portion and is disposed in the opening of the front panel portion,
a plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged in a circumferential direction behind the flange of the push button;
The light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements is incident on a portion other than the front surface of the light emitting portion, passes through the inside of the light emitting portion, and is emitted from the front surface of the light emitting portion.

With the above configuration, in a transmitter in which the transmitter body and indicator light are integrated, the entire light-emitting section of the front panel emits light and functions as a display. Therefore, even if miniaturization is prioritized, the light-emitting display area does not become smaller and visibility does not decrease. Furthermore, if the size of the front panel of the transmitter is similar to that of conventional models, the push button can be made relatively larger, thereby preventing the operability of the push button from becoming worse.

Here, it is desirable that the push button be made of a light-guiding material, and that the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements be incident on the flange of the push button, pass through the inside of the push button, and be emitted from the front surface of the push button.
According to this configuration, the push button itself can be illuminated in addition to the light-emitting part around the push button, which increases the light-emitting display area and enables miniaturization, and also makes it difficult to distinguish the boundary between the push button and the light-emitting part, thereby achieving harmony between the transmitter and the interior of the building, reducing the sense of incongruity and improving the aesthetic appearance.

Preferably, the push button is disposed so that a portion thereof excluding the flange faces the opening,
The light-emitting portion is configured so that the inner edge portion with the opening is located in front of the flange portion of the push button, and a portion of the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements and incident on the flange portion passes through the inside of the light-emitting portion and is emitted from the front surface of the light-emitting portion.
With this configuration, the light emitted from the light-emitting element is not emitted directly from the light-emitting section, but is emitted after passing through the push button, so it is possible to prevent the area where the light-emitting element is located from being locally brighter than other areas, and to achieve an illuminating display with almost uniform brightness throughout.

Furthermore, preferably, a columnar light introducing portion protruding toward the light emitting elements is formed at a portion of the flange portion facing the plurality of light emitting elements,
An inclined surface portion is formed on the side of the flange portion opposite the light-entering end surface of the light introducing portion, and light incident on the light introducing portion is reflected by the inclined surface portion and guided toward the center of the push button.
With this configuration, the light emitted from the light-emitting element is first guided toward the center of the push button and then emitted from the surface of the push button and the light-emitting portion around it, thereby enabling a more uniform light-emitting display.

Preferably, at least the back surface of the push button and the back surface of the light emitting portion are subjected to a light reflecting treatment.
With this configuration, the light emitted from the light-emitting element is repeatedly reflected within the push button and the light-emitting portion before being emitted from the surface of the push button and the light-emitting portion around it, thereby enabling a relatively uniform and bright light-emitting display.

wherein the push button is made of a non-translucent material and is disposed so that the flange faces the opening of the front panel;
The light-emitting section may be configured such that the inner edge portion having the opening curves inward and extends to the rear of the flange portion of the push button, and light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements is incident on the end face of the extended portion of the push button, passes through the inside of the light-emitting section, and is emitted from the front surface of the light-emitting section.

With the above configuration, light from the light-emitting element is not emitted from the surface of the push button, but is emitted from the entire surface of the surrounding light-emitting portion, ensuring a relatively large light-emitting display area. Furthermore, the inner edge of the light-emitting portion, where the opening is located, curves inward and extends to the back of the flange of the push button. Therefore, the light emitted from the curved portion illuminates the surface of the push button, brightening it and making it difficult to distinguish the boundary between the push button and the light-emitting portion. This allows the transmitter to blend in with the building's interior, reducing the sense of incongruity. Furthermore, the curved surface of the front panel improves design and aesthetics.

Preferably, the light emitting portion is formed of a light-transmitting shape-retaining member and a light-scattering sheet covering the surface of the shape-retaining member.
With this configuration, the shape of the front panel is maintained by the shape-retaining member, and a light-scattering sheet is provided on the surface of the shape-retaining member to cover it, so that the light guided from the light-emitting element is scattered and emitted on the surface of the light-emitting section, giving the surface of the front panel a soft, hazy texture.

Furthermore, preferably, an eave portion is provided on the outer edge of the light emitting portion,
A part of the light that is incident on the light emitting portion and passes through the inside of the light emitting portion is emitted laterally from the canopy portion.
According to this configuration, light is also emitted to the sides of the light emitting section, so that the light emitting display state of the light emitting section can be seen from a position far away from the installation location in the lateral direction.

Preferably, the push button is made of a light-transmitting material, and a second light-emitting element and a light-guiding member having a light emission color different from that of the plurality of light-emitting elements are disposed on the back of the push button,
When the push button is operated to activate the switch, the second light-emitting element is turned on, and light passes through the light-guiding member and the inside of the push button and is emitted from the front surface of the push button.
With this configuration, when the push button is operated to activate the switch, the push button lights up and functions as an operation confirmation indicator light, thereby improving the visibility of the operation confirmation indicator light.

The transmitter of the present invention blends in with the interior of a building, reducing the sense of incongruity and improving its aesthetic appearance. Furthermore, even if miniaturization is prioritized when the transmitter body and indicator light are integrated, the light-emitting display area is not reduced, reducing visibility, and the operability of the push button is not impaired.

1 is an overall perspective view showing a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a fire alarm transmitter; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view showing the internal structure of the transmitter of the first embodiment. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional structural view of a main part of the transmitter shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectional side view showing a state in which a storage case for the transmitter shown in FIG. 1 is cut away. FIG. 5A to 5C are cross-sectional side views showing the procedure for opening the front panel of the transmitter shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 10 is an overall perspective view showing a second embodiment of a fire alarm transmitter to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional structural view of a main part of a transmitter (light-emitting portion) according to a second embodiment. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional structural views showing the internal structure of a transmitter according to a second embodiment, in which FIG. 10A shows the state before the push button is pressed, and FIG. 10B shows the state after the push button is pressed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a fire alarm transmitter to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
The fire alarm transmitter (hereinafter simply referred to as the transmitter) 10 of this embodiment has the function of transmitting a signal notifying the occurrence of an abnormality to a fire receiver when an abnormality such as a fire occurs by firmly pressing a push button on the front to turn on an internal switch, and is configured to be installed and used on the wall of a building or the door of a fire hydrant box.

(First Example)
Figures 1 to 3 show a transmitter according to a first embodiment. Of these, Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of the transmitter, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view showing the internal structure of the transmitter, and Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional structural view of the essential parts of the transmitter shown in Figure 2 (the portion surrounded by a circle marked with the symbol A).
As shown in FIG. 1, the transmitter of the first embodiment comprises a box-shaped transmitter body 10 and a front panel 20 provided at the front of the transmitter body 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transmitter main body 10 includes a box-shaped storage case 13 with a push button switch 11 built in.
Meanwhile, the front panel 20 has a disk-shaped push button 21 at the center of the front surface, and a circular light-emitting portion 22 disposed around the push button 21. The push button 21 and the light-emitting portion 22 are made of a light-transmitting light-guiding material such as acrylic resin.

A spring receiving member 14 having a recess on the opening side (left side in Figure 2) is fitted into the storage case 13 of the transmitter main body 10, and a slide member 16 having a spring storage section 16a for storing a compression spring 15 on the inside (right side in Figure 2) and movable along the peripheral wall of the spring receiving member 14 is fitted into the opening of this spring receiving member 14, and the back side of the push button 21 is joined to the front side of the slide member 16.
In addition, cylindrical inner and outer guide walls 14a and 14b are formed in the center of the spring support member 14, and a pressing portion 16b that fits into the guide wall 14a is formed in the center of the inner surface of the slide member 16, and the spring storage portion 16a that is double cylindrical and inserted into the inner and outer guide walls 14a and 14b is formed around this pressing portion 16b.

Furthermore, the actuator portion 11a of the push button switch 11 stored in the storage case 13 of the transmitter main body 10 is inserted into the outer guide wall 14b of the spring receiving member 14 and arranged so as to face the pressing portion 16b.
Furthermore, the spring support member 14 and the slide member 16 are arranged so as to have a gap δ, and when the push button 21 is pressed toward the transmitter main body 10, the slide member 16 moves, and the pressing portion 16b comes into contact with and presses the actuator portion 11a, thereby closing the contacts of the switch 11 and turning it on.

A front plate portion 14c is formed at the open end of the spring bearing member 14, and a ring-shaped light emitting portion 22 made of a light-guiding material is joined to this front plate portion 14c. Meanwhile, a canopy portion 22b that covers the outer peripheral surface of the front plate portion 14c of the spring bearing member 14 is provided at the outer edge of the light emitting portion 22.
1, a plurality of light-emitting elements (eight in the figure) 17 are arranged at predetermined angular intervals on the front side of the outer edge of the slide member 16 in a line around the push button 21 in the circumferential direction. Note that instead of arranging a plurality of dot-shaped light-emitting elements at predetermined intervals, linear or planar light-emitting elements or flexible light-emitting elements may be arranged.

The disc-shaped push button 21 has a central pressing portion 21a that fits into the central opening of the annular light-emitting portion 22, and a flange 21b on the outer periphery of the back side. At the edge of the flange 21b, facing the light-emitting element 17, are multiple light-introducing portions 21c made of columnar protrusions that protrude rearward. The light-emitting element 17 emits light in the same color as a conventional indicator light, for example, red. Instead of using a red light-emitting element, a white light-emitting element may be used, and the light-guiding material forming the light-emitting portion 22 may be colored red.

Furthermore, the storage case 13 and the front panel portion 20 can be configured to be joined together by forming a locking claw 23 that protrudes rearward on the outer edge of the storage case 13, as shown in Figure 1, and by locking the claw at the tip of this locking claw 23 into a stepped portion of the storage case 13.
The spring receiving member 14 can be integrated by sandwiching the front plate portion 14c between the flange portion 13a formed at the opening end of the storage case 13 and the front panel portion 20. A configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of screw insertion holes are formed in the front plate portion 14c and the flange portion 13a of the spring receiving member 14 so as to face each other, and the two are joined by inserting screws into these screw insertion holes. Note that the above joining structure is one example and is not limited to this.

The transmitter can be attached to a wall or mounting panel as an installation surface by, for example, forming an opening in the wall or mounting panel through which the storage case 13 can be inserted and providing screw holes around the opening, inserting the storage case 13 into the opening and joining the flange portion 13a to the wall or mounting panel, and then threading the screws connecting the storage case 13 and the spring receiving member 14 into the screw holes. Alternatively, a male thread can be formed on the outer periphery of the opening end of the storage case 13, threading the ring-shaped nut described in the aforementioned Patent Document 2 onto this male thread, and then sandwiching the mounting panel between the ring-shaped nut and the flange portion 13a or front plate portion 14c.

Next, a method for illuminating the display on the front panel 20 of the transmitter of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
3, in the transmitter of this embodiment, a light-emitting element 17 such as a light-emitting diode (LED) is disposed on the front side of the outer edge of the slide member 16 so as to emit light forward, i.e., toward the front panel portion 20, and a light introducing portion 21c made of a columnar protrusion is formed on the flange portion 21b of the push button 21 so that its end face faces the light-emitting element 17. An inclined surface 21d is formed on the side opposite the light-entering surface of the light introducing portion 21c, and this inclined surface 21d is subjected to a light-reflecting treatment, such as aluminum deposition, to reflect light from the light-emitting element 17.
In addition, the inner surface (back surface) of the flange portion 21b of the push button 21 and the inner surface (back surface) of the annular light-emitting portion 22 are also subjected to light-reflecting processing to form reflective layers 21e, 22a, and the areas subjected to light-reflecting processing become opaque areas.

Therefore, light emitted from the light-emitting element 17 enters the end face of the light-introducing portion 21c of the push button 21, is reflected by the inclined surface 21d toward the center of the push button 21, and is repeatedly reflected by the joint surface between the flange 21b and the light-emitting portion 22 and the inner surface (back surface) of the flange 21b, which has been light-reflecting processed, before being guided toward the center of the push button 21, and some of the reflected light is emitted forward from the surface of the pressing portion 21a of the push button 21. Note that the inclined surface 21d may not be flat but may be curved.
In addition, a portion of the light emitted from the other light-emitting elements 17 is repeatedly reflected and guided from the center of the push button 21 to the periphery, enters the light-emitting portion 22 from the outer surface of the pressing portion 21a of the push button 21 and the inner surface of the opening of the light-emitting portion 22, reflects off the inner surface (back surface) of the light-emitting portion 22 which has been treated with a light-reflecting coating, and is guided to the outside, and along the way, a portion of the reflected light is radiated forward from the surface of the light-emitting portion 22.

In the transmitter of this embodiment, due to the above-mentioned action, the entire front surface of the push button 21 and the light-emitting portion 22 becomes a light-emitting surface and emits light, so the boundary between the push button 21 and the light-emitting portion 22 becomes inconspicuous, and the transmitter blends in with the interior of the building, making it less likely to look out of place and improving the aesthetic appearance.In addition, even if the transmitter is made smaller, it is possible to avoid a decrease in visibility due to a smaller light-emitting display area.
Furthermore, in the transmitter of this embodiment, the push button 21 and the light-emitting portion 22 emit light, so the light-emitting display area is large, and even though the whole is small, it functions as an indicator light that shows the position of the transmitter. In addition, because the front of the light-emitting portion 22 is flat, it does not protrude forward as much as conventional bullet-shaped indicator lights, which has the advantage of not interfering with the movement of equipment when transporting it.

Furthermore, the diameter of the push button 21 is larger than that of conventional transmitters, making it easier to operate, and while a larger diameter push button 21 can easily tilt when pressed off-center, in the transmitter of this embodiment the push button 21 is movable due to the fitting structure of the cylindrical spring bearing member 14 and the slide member 16, so that even if pressed off-center, the switch contacts can be operated reliably without tilting.
In the above description, the push button 21 and the light emitting portion 22 are formed of a light-guiding material such as glass or a light-transmitting resin such as acrylic resin, but the light-guiding material may have a particulate diffusing material mixed in. The amount of diffusing material may increase the farther from the light-emitting element (the longer the light path), which makes it possible to make the overall light emission amount uniform.

Furthermore, in the transmitter of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the ends of a pair of parallel arms 28A, 28B closest to the front panel 20 are connected to the side of the spring bearing member 14 by pins 27A, 27B, and pins 29A, 29B embedded in the side of the storage case 13 of the transmitter main body 10 engage with elongated holes 28a, 28b formed in the other ends of the arms 28A, 28B, forming a parallel link mechanism. Although not shown, a similar parallel link mechanism is also provided on the opposite side. In other words, two pairs of arms 28A, 28B are provided that constitute the parallel link mechanism. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the front panel 20 can be rotated downward while maintaining a vertical position, exposing the telephone jack 12 provided in the storage case 13 and allowing a handset plug to be inserted from the front.

Moreover, since long holes 28a, 28b are formed at the ends of the pair of arms 28A, 28B that make up the link mechanism on the rotation center side, the front panel 20 can be first pulled out and moved forward as shown in Figure 5(A), and then rotated downward as shown in Figure 5(B).
Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, a protrusion 29C is provided on the side of the storage case 13. The protrusion 29C has a diameter approximately the same as the width of the elongated hole 28a at the end of the arm 28A and engages with the elongated hole 28a when the arms 28A and 28B are rotated to the upper position. This prevents the front panel 20 from rotating downward due to its own weight. The tip of the protrusion 29C is formed in a hemispherical shape, so that when the front panel 20 is pulled forward with force in the state shown in Figure 4, the protrusion 29C disengages from the elongated hole 28a at the end of the arm 28A, allowing the front panel 20 to rotate easily.

The transmitter can be attached to a wall or mounting panel as an installation surface by, for example, forming an opening in the wall or mounting panel through which the storage case 13 can be inserted and providing screw holes around the opening, inserting the storage case 13 into the opening and joining the flange portion 13a to the wall or mounting panel, and then threading screws into the screw holes in the flange portion 13a and into the screw holes around the opening in the mounting panel. Alternatively, a male thread can be formed on the outer periphery of the opening end of the storage case 13, and the ring-shaped nut described in the aforementioned prior patent document 2 can be threaded onto this male thread, and the mounting panel can be sandwiched between the ring-shaped nut and the flange portion 13a or front plate portion 14c.

As described above, the transmitter of this embodiment is configured so that the front panel 20 can be moved downward to expose the telephone jack 12, eliminating the need to provide a door on the front panel 20 to cover the front of the telephone jack 12, thereby reducing the boundaries between the components and making them less noticeable. Also, the entire front of the push button 21 and the light emitting portion 22 serves as a light emitting surface and emits light, making the boundaries between the push button 21 and the light emitting portion 22 less noticeable.
Therefore, it blends in with the interior of the building, is less likely to create a sense of incongruity, and improves the aesthetics, and because no door is required, even if the transmitter is made smaller, the light-emitting section 22 can be made relatively large, preventing a decrease in visibility due to a smaller light-emitting display area. Furthermore, because there is no door, even if the transmitter as a whole is small, the push button 21 can be made relatively large, improving operability.

(Second Example)
Figures 6 to 8 show the transmitter of the second embodiment. Of these, Figure 6 is an overall perspective view of the transmitter, Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the transmitter (light-emitting portion), and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the push button 21 and the push button switch 11.
As shown in FIG. 6, the transmitter of the second embodiment, like the transmitter of the first embodiment (FIG. 1), is composed of a transmitter main body 10 equipped with a storage case 13 incorporating a push-button switch, and a front panel 20 having a disk-shaped push button 21 at the center of the front surface and a circular light-emitting portion 22 surrounding the push button 21.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a flange 21b is provided on the front side of the push button 21, and a sleeve member 21f, which corresponds to the slide member 16 of the transmitter of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, is provided integrally with the back side of the push button 21.
Furthermore, a pair of pressing members 24a, 24b biased toward the center by compression springs 15a, 15b are arranged perpendicular to the axis so as to sandwich this sleeve member 21f, and tapered portions that make the same angle and come into contact with each other are provided on the tips of the pressing members 24a, 24b and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve member 21f, so that the push button 21 is pushed forward by a component of the restoring force acting on the tapered portions from the compression springs. When the push button 21 is pressed from the front, it moves rearward against the spring force, and a cylindrical pressing portion 21g on the back surface abuts against and depresses the actuator portion 11a of the push button switch 11, turning the switch on.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the spring receiving member 14 does not have a cylindrical inner guide wall 14a, and the sleeve member 21f of the push button 21 is fitted into and guided by a cylindrical member corresponding to the outer guide wall 14b. A base member 18 is provided between the guide wall 14b and the rising wall 14d of the front plate portion 14c, and an LED board 19 on which a light-emitting element 17 is mounted is disposed on the front of this base member 18 near the guide wall 14b.
Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the light-emitting section 22 that constitutes the front panel section 20 is composed of a light-guiding member 22A having a light-introducing section 22c formed at a position facing the multiple light-emitting elements 17 on the LED substrate 19, and a light-transmitting cover member 22B that covers the surface of the light-guiding member 22A.

Of these, the light-guiding member 22A has a curved surface on the front side and a flat surface on the back side. A reflective layer 22a is formed on this flat surface using light-reflecting processing. This reflective layer 22a is bonded to the front plate portion 14c of the spring receiving member 14. The base member 18 has a stepped portion 18a with a trapezoidal cross section and an upper surface flush with the surface of the front plate portion 14c. The reflective layer 22a of the light-guiding member 22A is formed on the surface of the front plate portion 14c and the surface of the stepped portion 18a. Furthermore, the push button 21 is provided with a flange 21b, which extends to the light introduction portion 22c of the light-guiding member 22A, i.e., a position forward of the light-emitting element 17.

In the second embodiment, the front surface side of the light-guiding member 22A is curved so that it has an inclined surface on the side opposite to the incident surface of the light introducing portion 21c, and part of the light incident through the light introducing portion 21c is reflected by the inclined surface, changes direction and is guided to the side, part is emitted toward the front surface side, and the other part is repeatedly reflected on the front and back surfaces and is guided toward the outer edge portion.
In addition, a canopy portion 22b is provided on the outer edge of the light-guiding member 22A, and the reflective layer 22a is also formed on the portion that comes into contact with the surface of the canopy portion 22b. As a result, part of the light entrained by the main body of the light-guiding member 22A is emitted sideways from the canopy portion 22b, making it easier to view the light-emitting display on the front panel portion 20 from a distant position to the side of the transmitter. A reflective layer may also be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide wall 14b.

On the other hand, the cover member 22B is composed of a shape-retaining member made of a soft material such as silicone resin that is translucent and can retain its shape, and a light-diffusing film made of a flexible material such as a synthetic resin sheet or cloth that is provided so as to cover the surface of the shape-retaining member. The cover member 22B is formed so as to cover the canopy portion 22b at the outer edge of the light-guiding member 22A from the side to the back.
As a result, even if an external impact is applied to the cover member 22B, the shape-retaining member deforms to absorb the impact and prevent damage to the surface. Furthermore, because the surface of the shape-retaining member is covered with a light-diffusing film, the light guided by the light-guiding member 22A is diffused and emitted forward, giving it a soft, hazy texture. Furthermore, because the surface side of the front panel portion 20 is curved, the design is improved, and the transmitter blends in well with the interior of the building in which it is installed, making it less likely to look out of place.

Furthermore, in the transmitter of this embodiment, the light-emitting section 22 also functions as an indicator light that shows the position of the transmitter, and since the front surface of the light-emitting section 22 has a curved shape that is almost flat, there is an advantage that it does not protrude forward as much as conventional bullet-shaped indicator lights, and does not become an obstacle to movement when transporting equipment.
Furthermore, in the transmitter of the second embodiment, the diameter of the push button 21 is about one-third the diameter of the light-emitting portion 22, which is relatively large compared to conventional transmitters in which the diameter of the push button 21 is about one-fifth, resulting in the advantage of easier operation. Moreover, since the cylindrical portion of the push button 21 is fitted into and guided by the guide wall 14b of the spring receiving member 14, even if a portion of the large-diameter push button 21 that is off-center is pressed, it will not tilt and the switch contacts can be reliably operated.

Furthermore, in the transmitter of the second embodiment, the push button 21 is made of a non-translucent material, but the front side of the light-guiding member 22A of the light-emitting portion 22 is curved and slopes downward toward the opening near the central opening. This allows some of the light emitted (scattered) from this slope to reach the surface of the push button 21, brightening it. This reduces the difference in brightness between the surface of the push button 21 and the surface of the light-emitting portion 22. Even though the push button 21 is made of a non-translucent material, the push button 21 is inconspicuous, making it possible to create a transmitter that blends in with the surrounding interior and creates a natural appearance.

Although the push button 21 of the transmitter of the second embodiment is described as being made of a non-translucent material, it may be made of a translucent material. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 8B, a light-guiding member 25 for an operation confirmation light is provided, which includes a ring-shaped light-guiding portion 25a and a columnar light-guiding member 25b oriented perpendicular to the ring-shaped light-guiding portion 25a. A light-emitting element (LED) emitting a different color from the position-indicating light-emitting element 17 is installed at a position facing the end face of the light-guiding member 25b. When the push button 21 is operated to turn on the switch 11, the light-emitting element (LED) emits light, which is then emitted from the surface of the push button 21 via the light-guiding member 25b, 25a, and sleeve member 21f.
This allows the operator to know that the transmitter (fire alarm) has recognized the operation of the push button 21 of the transmitter. In other words, it functions as an operation confirmation light.

Conventionally, the operation confirmation light was located a little distance away from the push button, which made it difficult to recognize the relationship between them. However, by making the push button 21 light-emitting as described above, there is an advantage in that it becomes easier to recognize the relationship between the operation and the operation confirmation light.
Even when the push button 21 is made of a non-translucent material, the operation confirmation display may be realized by switching some or all of the multiple LEDs (light-emitting elements 17) for the position indicator light from lit to flashing, or by providing an LED of a different display color to the LED for the position indicator light in an adjacent position and making it emit light. Alternatively, a light-transmitting portion may be provided in part of the push button 21 made of a non-translucent material, or part of the push button 21 may be cut out so that the light from the LED for the operation confirmation light provided inside can be guided to the outside of the transmitter to provide the display.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, although the above embodiments show a circular front panel 20, other shapes such as an ellipse or a polygon may also be used.
Furthermore, although the above embodiment does not describe a telephone jack for communicating with the fire alarm monitor, the front panel 20 may be configured to be openable and closable, and a telephone jack may be provided inside.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the present invention was described as being applied to a fire alarm transmitter that constitutes a fire alarm system, but the present invention is not limited to fire alarm transmitters and can be widely used in transmitters for emergency train stops installed on station platforms and at railroad crossings, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Transmitter main body 11 Push button switch 13 Storage case 14 Spring receiving member 15, 15a, 15b Compression spring 16 Slide member 16a Spring storage section 17 Light emitting element 18 Base member 19 LED board 20 Front panel section 21 Push button 22 Light emitting section 22a Reflective layer 22A Light guide member 22B Cover member 24a, 24b Pressing member 25 Light guide member

Claims (9)

A transmitter comprising a transmitter body having a storage case with a built-in switch that can be turned on and off, and a front panel having a push button for operating the switch,
the front panel portion includes a light-emitting portion made of a light-guiding material and having an opening in the center, the push button has a flange portion and is disposed in the opening of the front panel portion,
a plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged in a circumferential direction behind the flange of the push button;
A transmitter characterized in that the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements is incident on a portion other than the front surface of the light-emitting portion, passes through the inside of the light-emitting portion, and is emitted from the front surface of the light-emitting portion. The transmitter described in claim 1, characterized in that the push button is made of a light-guiding material, and is configured so that light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements is incident on the flange of the push button, passes through the inside of the push button, and is emitted from the front surface of the push button. the push button is disposed so that a portion thereof excluding the flange portion faces the opening,
3. The transmitter according to claim 2, wherein the light-emitting portion is configured such that an inner edge portion having the opening is located in front of the flange portion of the push button, and a portion of the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements and incident on the flange portion passes through the inside of the light-emitting portion and is emitted from the front surface of the light-emitting portion. a columnar light introducing portion protruding toward the light emitting elements is formed at a portion of the flange portion facing the plurality of light emitting elements,
The transmitter according to claim 3, characterized in that an inclined surface portion is formed on the side of the flange portion opposite the light-entering end surface of the light introducing portion, and light incident on the light introducing portion is reflected by the inclined surface portion and guided toward the center of the push button. A transmitter as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that at least the back surface of the push button and the back surface of the light-emitting portion are light-reflecting. the push button is made of a non-translucent material and is disposed so that the flange faces the opening of the front panel;
2. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting section has an inner edge portion where the opening is curved inward and extended to the rear of the flange portion of the push button, and light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements is incident on the end face of the extended portion of the push button, passes through the inside of the light-emitting section, and is emitted from the front surface of the light-emitting section. The transmitter described in claim 6, characterized in that the light-emitting section is formed from a translucent shape-retaining member and a light-scattering sheet covering the surface of the shape-retaining member. an eave portion is provided on the outer edge of the light emitting portion;
A transmitter as described in any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that a portion of the light that is incident on the light-emitting portion and passes through the inside of the light-emitting portion is emitted laterally from the eaves portion. the push button is made of a light-transmitting material, and a second light-emitting element and a light-guiding member having a light emission color different from that of the plurality of light-emitting elements are disposed on the back of the push button;
2. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein when the push button is operated to activate the switch, the second light-emitting element is turned on, and light passes through the light-guiding member and the inside of the push button and is emitted from the front surface of the push button.