JP7787199B2 - Proximity sensor and wiring device equipped with same - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a proximity sensor and a wiring fixture including the same. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a proximity sensor that detects the approach of an object to be detected, and a wiring fixture including the same.

Patent Document 1 discloses a proximity sensor comprising a light-emitting unit, a light-receiving unit, and a window member. The window member is provided in front of the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. Detection light emitted by the light-emitting unit is emitted to the outside through the window member. Reflected light of the detection light from the object to be detected passes through the window member and enters the light-receiving unit.

In proximity sensors such as those described above, improved sensitivity is required in order to detect objects (detection targets) that are located further away.

JP 2017-68999 A

The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a proximity sensor with improved sensitivity and a wiring device equipped with the same.

A proximity sensor according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a detection unit and a light-guiding member. The detection unit includes a light-emitting unit that emits light and a light-receiving unit that outputs an electrical signal in response to the incident light. The light-guiding member has, on a first surface facing the detection unit, a first region facing the light-emitting unit and a second region facing the light-receiving unit, and a third region on a second surface opposite the first surface. The light-guiding member guides light incident from the first region to the third region and emits it to the outside from the third region, and guides light reflected by a detection target from the third region to the second region and emits it from the second region to the light-receiving unit. The second region is provided with a light-condensing unit that condenses light passing through the second region to the light-receiving unit. The proximity sensor further includes a light-transmitting cover disposed opposite the third region of the light-guiding member, and a light-shielding unit disposed on the opposite side of the light-transmitting cover from the light-guiding member. The light-transmitting cover has a protruding portion that protrudes in a direction opposite to the light-guiding member, and the protruding portion is inserted into a through hole provided in the light-blocking portion.
A proximity sensor according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a detection unit and a light-guiding member. The detection unit includes a light-emitting unit that emits light and a light-receiving unit that outputs an electrical signal in response to the incident light. The light-guiding member has, on a first surface facing the detection unit, a first region facing the light-emitting unit and a second region facing the light-receiving unit, and a third region on a second surface opposite the first surface. The light-guiding member guides light incident from the first region to the third region and emits it to the outside from the third region, and guides light reflected by a detection target that enters from the third region to the second region and emits it from the second region to the light-receiving unit. The second region is provided with a light-condensing unit that condenses light passing through the second region onto the light-receiving unit. A lens having positive power is provided in the first region. The lens has a convex curved surface that protrudes toward the light-emitting unit. The optical axis of the light-emitting unit is offset from the position where the curvature of the convex curved surface is minimum.

A wiring device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises the proximity sensor and a control unit that controls the device based on the detection results of the detection unit.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a wiring fixture including a proximity sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the wiring device. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a light guide member included in the proximity sensor. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the light guide member. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the appearance of the light guide member. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the wiring device. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the wiring device. FIG. 9 is a front view of the wiring device. FIG. 10 is a rear view of the wiring device. FIG. 11 is a rear view of an outer cover provided in the wiring fixture. FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a light guide member included in the proximity sensor of the first modified example. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the appearance of a light guide member included in the proximity sensor of the second modification. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a light guide member included in the proximity sensor of the second modification.

(Embodiment)
(1) Overview The drawings described in the following embodiments are schematic drawings, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the components in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

The proximity sensor 10 of this embodiment is used to detect a detection target such as a human body or an object. In the following, we will explain the case where the detection target of the proximity sensor 10 is a human body, but the detection target of the proximity sensor 10 is not limited to a human body and may be an object, etc.

As shown in Figure 1, the proximity sensor 10 comprises a detection unit 20 and a light-guiding member 30.

As shown in Figure 2, the detection unit 20 has an emitter 21 that emits light and a light receiver 22 that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the incident light.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 7, the light-guiding member 30 has a first region 31 facing the light-emitting unit 21 and a second region 32 facing the light-receiving unit 22 on its first surface 30A facing the detection unit 20. The light-guiding member 30 has a third region 33 on its second surface 30B opposite the first surface 30A. The light-guiding member 30 guides light incident from the first region 31 to the third region 33 and emits it to the outside from the third region 33. The light-guiding member 30 guides light reflected by the detection object B1 (see Figure 6) that is incident from the third region 33 to the second region 32 and emits it from the second region 32 to the light-receiving unit 22. The optical path C1 in Figure 6 shows an example of an optical path in which light emitted from the light-emitting unit 21 is emitted to the space A1 through the light-guiding member 30 and hits the detection object B1, and the reflected light from the detection object B1 passes through the light-guiding member 30 and enters the light-receiving unit 22.

The second region 32 has a light-collecting section 321 that collects light passing through the second region 32 onto the light-receiving section 22.

Here, the phrase "facing" the first region 31 to the light-emitting unit 21 does not necessarily mean that the first region 31 faces the light-emitting unit 21 directly; the first region 31 may face the light-emitting unit 21 via one or more translucent members. Similarly, the phrase "facing" the second region 32 to the light-receiving unit 22 does not necessarily mean that the second region 32 faces the light-receiving unit 22 directly; the second region 32 may face the light-receiving unit 22 via one or more translucent members. Furthermore, the detection target B1 is a part of a human body (e.g., a hand) that exists within the detection range of the proximity sensor 10 in the space A1 to which the third region 33 faces. Note that the detection target B1 is not limited to a part of a human body and may be a movable object. The third region 33 does not necessarily mean that the third region 33 faces the space A1 in which the detection target B1 exists; it may face the space A1 via one or more translucent members.

In the following, we will explain an example in which the proximity sensor 10 is applied to a wiring device 1 that is installed on a wall of a facility, etc.

The wiring device 1 comprises a proximity sensor 10 having a detection unit 20 and a light-guiding member 30, and a control unit 50 (see Figure 2) that controls the equipment 3 based on the detection results of the detection unit 20.

Here, the "control" of device 3 may be a control to switch between a power supply state in which power is supplied to device 3 and a power supply stop state in which power supply to device 3 is stopped, or may be a control to control the operating state of device 3 by sending a control signal to device 3 via wired or wireless communication.

In the proximity sensor 10 of this embodiment, the light-collecting portion 321 provided in the second region 32 collects light passing through the second region 32 onto the light-receiving portion 22, thereby increasing the power of the light incident on the light-receiving portion 22 and thereby improving the detection sensitivity of the detection portion 20. Therefore, this embodiment can provide a proximity sensor 10 with improved sensitivity.

(2) Details The proximity sensor 10 according to this embodiment and the wiring fixture 1 including the proximity sensor 10 will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, in FIG. 1 , the X-axis direction is defined as the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction as the front-rear direction (depth direction), and the Z-axis direction as the up-down direction. Furthermore, the positive direction in the X-axis direction is defined as the right side, the positive direction in the Y-axis direction as the front side, and the positive direction in the Z-axis direction as the top side. However, these directions are merely examples and are not intended to limit the directions in which the proximity sensor 10 and the wiring fixture 1 are used. Furthermore, the arrows indicating the respective directions in the drawings are merely shown for explanatory purposes and do not have any substance.

(2.1) Configuration First, the internal circuit of the wiring device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the wiring device 1 of this embodiment.

As described above, the wiring device 1 includes a proximity sensor 10 (see Figure 1) having a detection unit 20, and a control unit 50. The wiring device 1 also includes a pair of first terminals T11, T12, a pair of second terminals T21, T22, a switch 51, a display unit 52, a brightness sensor 53, a temperature sensor 54, and a power supply unit 55.

A power source 2 such as a commercial AC power source is connected to the pair of first terminals T11 and T12 via an electric wire.

An equipment 3 such as a lighting fixture is connected to the pair of second terminals T21 and T22 via an electric wire.

The power supply unit 55 steps down the AC voltage input via the first terminals T11 and T12, then rectifies and smooths it to convert it into a DC voltage of a predetermined voltage value. The power supply unit 55 supplies the voltage required for operation to the internal circuits, such as the detection unit 20, control unit 50, display unit 52, brightness sensor 53, and temperature sensor 54.

The switch 51 includes a semiconductor switch such as a MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) or a three-terminal thyristor, and is controlled to be on or off by the control unit 50. The switch 51 is electrically connected between the second terminal T22 and the first terminal T12. The first terminal T11 and the second terminal T21 are also electrically connected via an internal conductive member. As a result, the power source 2 and the device 3 are connected in series across the switch 51, and turning the switch 51 on and off switches between a power supply state in which power is supplied to the device 3 and a power supply stop state in which the power supply to the device 3 is cut off.

The detection unit 20 comprises a light emitting unit 21, a light receiving unit 22, and a detection circuit 23.

The light-emitting unit 21 has, for example, an infrared light-emitting diode that emits light in the infrared region. The light-emitting unit 21 may be configured, for example, to emit infrared light continuously, or may be configured to emit infrared light at predetermined time intervals. The light emitted by the light-emitting unit 21 is emitted into the space A1 via the light-guiding member 30 and the translucent cover 60 (see Figure 1).

The light receiving unit 22 has, for example, a photodiode sensitive to light in the infrared region. When light emitted from the second region 32 of the light-guiding member 30 enters the light receiving unit 22, the light receiving unit 22 converts the incident light into an electrical signal and outputs it to the detection circuit 23. The light receiving unit 22 outputs to the detection circuit 23 an electrical signal with a voltage level corresponding to the amount of light received.

The detection circuit 23 detects the presence or absence of a detection object B1 (e.g., a part of a human body) based on the electrical signal input from the light receiving unit 22. When the voltage level of the electrical signal output by the light receiving unit 22 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the detection circuit 23 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 50 indicating the presence of the detection object B1. On the other hand, when the voltage level of the electrical signal output by the light receiving unit 22 is equal to or lower than the predetermined threshold, the detection unit 20 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 50 indicating the absence of the detection object B1. Note that it is not essential for the detection unit 20 to have the functionality of the detection circuit 23; the control unit 50 may also have the functionality of the detection circuit 23.

The display unit 52 includes two light-emitting diodes 521, 522 (see Figure 1). When the lighting device 3 is turned off, the control unit 50 lights up the two light-emitting diodes 521, 522, causing the protrusion 61 of the translucent cover 60 to emit light. This allows the protrusion 61 to glow brightly even in dark surroundings, allowing the user to determine the position of the protrusion 61 (i.e., the position of the wiring device 1).

The brightness sensor 53 is sensitive to light in the near-infrared region. The brightness sensor 53 has, for example, a photodiode, and detects the brightness of the space A1 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 50.

The temperature sensor 54 detects the temperature around the wiring device 1. The temperature sensor 54 has a temperature-sensitive element such as a thermistor. The temperature sensor 54 detects the temperature of the detection unit 20, for example, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 50.

The control unit 50 is primarily composed of a computer system having one or more processors and memory. The functions of the control unit 50 are realized when the processor of the computer system executes a program stored in the memory of the computer system. The program may be stored in memory, provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or provided on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card.

The control unit 50 controls the on/off of the switch 51 based on the detection result of the detection unit 20. In addition, the control unit 50 turns off the light-emitting diodes 521 and 522 when the switch 51 is on (i.e., when the lighting fixture is on), and turns on the light-emitting diodes 521 and 522 when the switch 51 is off (i.e., when the lighting fixture is off).

The control unit 50 also has the function of adjusting the threshold of the detection circuit 23 according to the detection results of the brightness sensor 53 and the temperature sensor 54. Here, the threshold of the detection circuit 23 can be switched between two levels: a first threshold and a second threshold that is higher than the first threshold.

The control unit 50 controls the device 3 based on the detection results of the detection unit 20 and the brightness sensor 53. Specifically, if the brightness detected by the brightness sensor 53 is darker than a predetermined first reference value, the control unit 50 sets the threshold of the detection circuit 23 to the first threshold. Furthermore, if the brightness detected by the brightness sensor 53 is the same as or brighter than the first reference value, the control unit 50 sets the threshold of the detection circuit 23 to the second threshold. If the ambient brightness is the same as or brighter than the first reference value, the threshold of the detection circuit 23 is set to the second threshold, which is higher than the first threshold, thereby preventing erroneous detection by the detection circuit 23 due to external light (e.g., sunlight, etc.).

The control unit 50 also controls the device 3 based on the detection results of the detection unit 20 and the temperature sensor 54. Specifically, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 54 is lower than a predetermined second reference value, the control unit 50 sets the threshold of the detection circuit 23 to the first threshold. Furthermore, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 54 is the same as or greater than the second reference value, the control unit 50 sets the threshold of the detection circuit 23 to the second threshold. The output of the detection circuit 23 tends to increase with increasing temperature, but if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 54 is greater than or equal to the second reference value, the threshold of the detection circuit 23 is set to the second threshold, which is higher than the first threshold, thereby preventing erroneous detection by the detection circuit 23.

Next, the structure of the wiring device 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 11.

The wiring device 1 further includes a case 70 having a body 71 and a cover 72, and a front panel 90. The wiring device 1 is attached to a wall 200 (see Figure 6) of a facility using, for example, a mounting frame 100 made of synthetic resin.

The mounting frame 100 is a mounting frame specifically designed for wide-handle switches, as specified by the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). A rectangular window 101 is provided in the center of the mounting frame 100, into which the case 70 of the wiring device 1 is fitted. The mounting frame 100 has a pair of side walls 102 on either side of the window 101. Each of the pair of side walls 102 has a total of eight fitting holes 103 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction). Mounting pieces 104 are provided on both the top and bottom of the window 101. Each mounting piece 104 has a long hole 105 in the center through which a screw is inserted to secure the mounting frame 100 to a switch box embedded in the wall 200. Each mounting piece 104 has two round holes 106 spaced apart in the horizontal direction on the opposite side of the long hole 105 from the window 101. Each mounting piece 104 has a screw hole 107 formed between the two round holes 106 for attaching a rectangular plate frame that covers the front surface of the mounting frame 100. The plate frame has a rectangular window hole that exposes the front panel 90.

This mounting frame 100 is fixed to a switch box embedded in the wall 200 with screws passed through the elongated holes 105, or to a wall made of plasterboard or the like using clamps. The mounting frame 100 can also be fixed to a wooden wall or the like with tapping screws passed through the round holes 106. A plate frame is placed in front of the mounting frame 100, and the plate frame is fixed to the mounting frame 100 by threading screws passed through the holes in the plate frame into the screw holes 107. The plate frame is not shown in Figure 1.

The case 70 is formed into a rectangular box shape by combining a body 71 and a cover 72.

The body 71 forms the rear of the case 70. The body 71 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and is formed in the shape of a rectangular box with an opening on the front. Two wire insertion holes 75, into which electric wires are inserted, are provided on each of the left and right sides of the rear surface of the body 71 (see Figure 10). Of each pair of wire insertion holes 75 provided on the left and right sides of the rear surface of the body 71, two wires connected to the first terminals T11 and T12 are inserted into the two wire insertion holes 75 on one side, and two wires connected to the second terminals T21 and T22 are inserted into the remaining two wire insertion holes 75.

The cover 72 forms the front of the case 70. The cover 72 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and is formed in the shape of a rectangular box with an opening on the rear surface. A rectangular window hole 76 is provided in the center of the front surface of the cover 72 to expose the third region 33 of the light-guiding member 30. The left and right side walls of the cover 72 are provided with two protrusions 77, which fit into two fitting holes 103 provided in the vertical center of the left and right side walls 102 of the mounting frame 100, respectively.

The upper and lower walls of the cover 72 each have a pair of protruding pieces 74 that protrude rearward from both left and right ends. Meanwhile, the upper and lower walls of the body 71 each have a pair of projections 73. The body 71 and cover 72 are butted together in the front-to-rear direction, and the projections 73 of the body 71 are fitted into the holes in the protruding pieces 74 of the cover 72, thereby joining the body 71 and cover 72 and assembling the case 70.

The case 70 contains components such as a first substrate 81, a second substrate 82, and a light-guiding member 30. The second substrate 82 is housed inside the case 70 so as to be located behind the first substrate 81.

Components such as the detection unit 20, control unit 50, display unit 52, brightness sensor 53, and temperature sensor 54 are mounted on the first board 81. The detection unit 20 is mounted at a position corresponding to the window hole 76 in the cover 72. The light-emitting unit 21 and light-receiving unit 22 of the detection unit 20 are aligned along the left-right arrangement direction DR1. The first board 81 has a long hole 83 on the right side of the detection unit 20 and a round hole 84 on the left side of the detection unit 20. The display unit 52 also includes two light-emitting diodes 521 and 522 that emit, for example, green light, and the two light-emitting diodes 521 and 522 are arranged one above and one below the detection unit 20.

The second board 82 is mounted with components such as the first terminals T11, T12, the second terminals T21, T22, and the power supply unit 55. The first terminals T11, T12 and the second terminals T21, T22 are positioned at positions corresponding to two pairs of wire insertion holes 75 provided on the rear surface of the body 71.

The light-guiding member 30 is housed inside the case 70 so as to be positioned in front of the detection unit 20 and the two light-emitting diodes 521, 522.

3 and 5, the light-guiding member 30 comprises a rectangular parallelepiped main portion 300 and two light-guiding sections 40 (first light-guiding section 40A and second light-guiding section 40B) provided at a first end 301 on the right side of the main portion 300 and a second end 302 on the left side of the main portion 300. The first end 301 and second end 302 of the light-guiding member 30 are located on either side of the detection unit 20 in the array direction DR1. The light-guiding section 40 is provided at at least one of the first end 301 and the second end 302, and guides noise light traveling inside the light-guiding member 30 toward the first surface 30A to the fourth region 34, from which it is emitted to the outside. Here, the noise light includes light that is emitted from the light-emitting unit 21 and enters the inside of the light-guiding member 30 from the first region 31, is reflected by the second surface 30B or a side surface of the light-guiding member 30, and travels toward the first surface 30A (for example, light that travels through optical paths C3 and C4 in FIG. 7). The noise light also includes light that enters the inside of the light-guiding member 30 from the third region 33 and travels toward the first surface 30A, and includes light other than the light reflected by the detection object B1 (for example, light that travels through optical path C2 in FIG. 7).

The first surface 30A, which is the rear surface of the main part 300, has a first area 31 facing the light-emitting part 21 of the detection part 20, into which light from the light-emitting part 21 is incident.

A second region 32 is provided on the first surface 30A of the main section 300 in an area facing the light receiving section 22 of the detection section 20, and light emitted from the interior of the light-guiding member 30 to the outside through the second region 32 is incident on the light receiving section 22. The first region 31 and the second region 32 are provided on the first surface 30A along the array direction DR1. Here, the second region 32 is provided with a light collecting section 321 that collects light passing through the second region 32 onto the light receiving section 22. The light collecting section 321 includes a convex lens-shaped collecting lens that protrudes toward the light receiving section 22. Note that the light collecting section 321 is not limited to one including a convex lens-shaped collecting lens, and may also be a Fresnel lens-shaped lens.

Two light incident surfaces 35, 36 are provided on the rear surface of the main unit 300, on either side of the first region 31 and the second region 32, in a direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the array direction DR1. The two light incident surfaces 35, 36 face two light-emitting diodes 521, 522 mounted on the first substrate 81, respectively. Light emitted from each of the two light-emitting diodes 521, 522 passes through the light incident surfaces 35, 36 and enters the light-guiding member 30, then passes through the light-guiding member 30 and is guided to the third region 33, from which it is emitted to the outside. The light from the light-emitting diodes 521, 522 emitted from the third region 33 passes through the translucent cover 60 and is emitted into the space A1, allowing a user in the space A1 to see the light from the light-emitting diodes 521, 522 emitting through the translucent cover 60.

The front surface of the main part 300 is formed in a rectangular shape, and this front surface of the main part 300 constitutes the third region 33. The front end of the main part 300 is exposed forward through the window hole 76 of the cover 72. The third region 33 on the front surface of the main part 300 faces the rear surface of the translucent cover 60, and the light-guiding member 30 faces the space A1 via the translucent cover 60.

The light guide unit 40 (first light guide unit 40A) provided at the first end 301 includes a first protrusion 41 that protrudes rightward from the first end 301 along the array direction DR1, and a second protrusion 42 that protrudes from the rear of the first protrusion 41 toward the detection unit 20 (i.e., rearward). The light guide unit 40 provided at the first end 301 also includes a third protrusion 43 that protrudes from the second protrusion 42 in the opposite direction to the detection unit 20 (i.e., rightward) in the array direction DR1. A rectangular parallelepiped fitting protrusion 45 that protrudes downward is provided on the underside of the light guide unit 40 provided at the first end 301 (i.e., the undersides of the second protrusion 42 and the third protrusion 43).

The light guide unit 40 (second light guide unit 40B) provided at the second end 302 includes a first protrusion 41 that protrudes leftward from the second end 302 along the arrangement direction DR1, and a second protrusion 42 that protrudes from the rear of the first protrusion 41 toward the detection unit 20 (i.e., rearward). The light guide unit 40 provided at the second end 302 also includes a third protrusion 43 that protrudes from the second protrusion 42 in the opposite direction (i.e., leftward) from the detection unit 20 in the arrangement direction DR1. A cylindrical engagement protrusion 46 that protrudes downward is provided on the underside of the light guide unit 40 provided at the second end 302 (i.e., the undersides of the second protrusion 42 and third protrusion 43).

According to the proximity sensor 10 of this embodiment, when a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 21 enters the light-guiding member 30 from the first region 31 and is reflected by the inner surface of the light-guiding member 30, the portion of the light reflected by the inner surface of the light-guiding member 30 is guided by the light-guiding unit 40 to the fourth region 34 and emitted to the outside from the fourth region 34. Furthermore, of the light that enters the light-guiding member 30 from the third region 33, a portion of the light other than the light reflected by the detection target B1 is guided by the light-guiding unit 40 to the fourth region 34 and emitted to the outside from the fourth region 34. Therefore, of the noise light traveling inside the light-guiding member 30 toward the first surface 30A, the amount of light that passes through the second region and enters the light-receiving unit 22 can be reduced. This suppresses false detection due to crosstalk or noise light entering from the outside, thereby preventing a decrease in the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 10.

As described above, the light-guiding unit 40 includes a first protrusion 41 that protrudes from both the first end 301 and the second end 302 along the array direction DR1. However, the first protrusion 41 may be provided only on one of the first end 301 and the second end 302. In other words, it is sufficient for the light-guiding unit 40 to include a first protrusion 41 that protrudes from at least one of the first end 301 and the second end 302 along the array direction DR1, and the fourth region 34 includes at least a portion of the surface of the first protrusion 41. In other words, the light-guiding member 30 may be provided with only the first protrusion 41 on at least one of the first end 301 and the second end 302.

Furthermore, although the light-guiding unit 40 includes the second protrusion 42 protruding from both the first end 301 and the second end 302 toward the detection unit 20, the second protrusion 42 may be provided only on one of the first end 301 and the second end 302. In other words, it is sufficient for the light-guiding unit 40 to include the second protrusion 42 protruding from at least one of the first end 301 and the second end 302 toward the detection unit 20, and the fourth region 34 includes at least a portion of the surface of the second protrusion 42. In other words, the light-guiding member 30 may be provided with only the second protrusion 42 on at least one of the first end 301 and the second end 302.

In addition, in this embodiment, a first protrusion 41 and a second protrusion 42 are provided on each of the first end 301 and the second end 302, and the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 are provided in a continuous manner, so that noise light can escape from the first protrusion 41 to the second protrusion 42 and be emitted to the outside from the surface of the second protrusion 42. Note that, although the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 are provided on each of the first end 301 and the second end 302 in this embodiment, the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 may be provided on at least one of the first end 301 and the second end 302.

The light-guiding unit 40 further includes a third protrusion 43 that protrudes from the second protrusion 42 in the opposite direction to the detection unit 20 in the array direction DR1. In other words, the light-guiding member 30 is provided with a second protrusion 42 and a third protrusion 43 at each of the first end 301 and the second end 302, and noise light can escape from the second protrusion 42 to the third protrusion 43 and be emitted to the outside from the surface of the third protrusion 43.

Here, the fitting protrusion 45 is inserted into the elongated hole 83 of the first substrate 81, and the fitting protrusion 46 is inserted into the round hole 84 of the first substrate 81. With the light-guiding member 30 fixed to the front surface of the first substrate 81 by an appropriate method such as adhesive or crimping. With the light-guiding member 30 fixed to the front surface of the first substrate 81, the light-emitting unit 21 of the detection unit 20 faces the first region 31, and the light-receiving unit 22 of the detection unit 20 faces the second region 32. Furthermore, the two light-emitting diodes 521 and 522 face the two light-incident surfaces 35 and 36 of the light-guiding member 30, respectively.

Light from the light-emitting unit 21 enters the light-guiding member 30 through the first region 31 and exits to the outside through the third region 33. Furthermore, when the light that exits to the outside from the third region 33 is reflected by the detection object B1 present in the space A1 and enters the light-guiding member 30 through the third region 33, the light that entered the light-guiding member 30 is guided to the second region 32, exits to the outside from the second region 32, and enters the light-receiving unit 22.

The case 70 is inserted from the rear into the window hole 101 of the mounting frame 100, and the two protrusions 77 on the left and right side walls of the cover 72 are fitted into the two fitting holes 103 provided in the left and right side walls 102, thereby attaching the case 70 to the mounting frame 100. When the case 70 is attached to the mounting frame 100, the front of the cover 72 protrudes forward from the window hole 101 of the mounting frame 100.

As shown in Figures 1 and 9, the front panel 90 is made of synthetic resin and has a rectangular front surface. A rectangular window hole 92 is provided in the center of the front surface of the front panel 90, at a position corresponding to the window hole 76 in the cover 72. As shown in Figure 11, two hooks 91 are provided on the rear surface of the front panel 90, protruding rearward from each of the left and right sides. The front panel 90 is attached to the front of the cover 72 by hooking the left and right hooks 91 into the recesses 78 provided on the left and right sides of the cover 72, respectively.

A light-transmitting cover 60 (see Figure 1) and a light-shielding portion 65 (see Figure 1) are attached to the back surface of the front panel 90. In this embodiment, the proximity sensor 10 further includes a light-transmitting cover 60 that is positioned opposite the third region 33 of the light-guiding member 30. Because the light-transmitting cover 60 is positioned in front of the light-guiding member 30, the light-transmitting cover 60 can protect the light-guiding member 30.

The translucent cover 60 is made of a translucent synthetic resin such as polycarbonate resin or acrylic resin. When viewed from the front, the translucent cover 60 is rectangular. A platform-shaped protrusion 61 is provided in the center of the front surface of the translucent cover 60, and is inserted into the window hole 92 of the front panel 90. In other words, the translucent cover 60 has a protrusion 61 that protrudes in the opposite direction to the light-guiding member 30.

Here, the light-transmitting cover 60 is provided with a light diffusion section 611 that diffuses light passing through the light-transmitting cover 60. The light diffusion section 611 has, for example, a finely textured shape formed on the surface of the protrusion 61, and the light diffusion section 611 can diffuse light passing through the light-transmitting cover 60. Angle θ1 in FIG. 7 is the spread angle of light emitted from the light-transmitting cover 60 when the light diffusion section 611 is not provided, and angle θ2 in FIG. 7 is the spread angle of light emitted from the light-transmitting cover 60 when the light diffusion section 611 is provided. When the light diffusion section 611 is not provided, the spread angle of light emitted from the light-transmitting cover 60 is narrower. Therefore, even if a hand is held near the wiring device 1, if the hand is not positioned directly in front of the protrusion 61, the detection section 20 will have difficulty detecting the hand. In contrast, in this embodiment, a light diffusion portion 611 is provided on the protrusion 61, which has the advantage that the angle of spread of light emitted from the translucent cover 60 can be widened, making it easier to detect the human body (e.g., a hand) that is the detection target.

In addition, the translucent cover 60 has long holes 62 extending in the vertical direction on both the left and right sides of the protrusion 61.

The wiring device 1 also has a light-shielding portion 65 disposed on the opposite side of the light-guiding member 30 with respect to the light-transmitting cover 60. The light-shielding portion 65 is formed in a rectangular plate shape from a synthetic resin with lower light transmittance than the front panel 90, and is, for example, formed in a black color that makes it difficult for visible light to pass through. The light-shielding portion 65 is disposed between the rear surface of the front panel 90 and the light-transmitting cover 60. A square through-hole 66 is provided in the center of the light-shielding portion 65 to allow the protrusion 61 of the light-transmitting cover 60 to pass through. In other words, the protrusion 61 is inserted into the through-hole 66 provided in the light-shielding portion 65. The light-shielding portion 65 also has two through-holes 67 provided at positions corresponding to the two elongated holes 62 provided in the light-transmitting cover 60, respectively.

As shown in Figures 6 and 11, the back surface of the front panel 90 has two protrusions 93 on both the left and right sides of the window hole 92. The two protrusions 93 are used to attach the light-transmitting cover 60 and the light-shielding portion 65 to the back surface of the front panel 90. The light-shielding portion 65 and the light-transmitting cover 60 are placed on top of each other on the back surface of the front panel 90, with the through-hole 67 and the elongated hole 62 inserted into the two protrusions 93, respectively. Here, the light-shielding portion 65 is positioned between the back surface of the front panel 90 and the light-transmitting cover 60. The tips of the two protrusions 93 protruding from the back surface of the light-transmitting cover 60 are then crushed by applying pressure or heat to the tips, thereby fixing the light-transmitting cover 60 and the light-shielding portion 65 to the back surface of the front panel 90. When the light-transmitting cover 60 and the light-shielding portion 65 are attached to the front panel 90, the front surface of the protrusion 61 of the light-transmitting cover 60 is exposed forward through the window hole 92 of the front panel 90.

(2.2) Description of Operation The operation of the wiring device 1 of this embodiment will be described below.

The wiring device 1 of this embodiment is used to operate the equipment 3.

The light-emitting unit 21 of the proximity sensor 10 provided in the wiring device 1 emits light constantly or periodically, and the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 21 is irradiated into the space A1 through the light-guiding member 30 and the translucent cover 60.

In a power-off state in which power supply to device 3 (a lighting fixture) is stopped, when a user brings their hand close to protrusion 61 of translucent cover 60 exposed through window hole 92 in front panel 90, light reflected by the user's hand enters light-receiving unit 22 via translucent cover 60 and light-guiding member 30. When the signal level of the voltage signal output from light-receiving unit 22 exceeds a threshold, detection circuit 23 outputs a detection signal to control unit 50 indicating the presence of detection object B1. At this time, control unit 50 turns on switch 51 based on the detection signal input from detection circuit 23, switches to a power-supply state in which power is supplied to device 3, and turns on device 3 (a lighting fixture). When switching from the power-off state to the power-supply state, control unit 50 turns off light-emitting diodes 521 and 522 provided in display unit 52.

In addition, when a user brings their hand close to the protrusion 61 of the light-transmitting cover 60 in a power supply state in which power is being supplied to the lighting device 3, light reflected from the user's hand enters the light-receiving unit 22 via the light-transmitting cover 60 and the light-guiding member 30. When the signal level of the voltage signal output from the light-receiving unit 22 exceeds a threshold, the detection circuit 23 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 50 indicating the presence of the detection object B1. At this time, the control unit 50 turns off the switch 51 based on the detection signal input from the detection circuit 23, switches to a power-off state in which power supply to the device 3 is cut off, and turns off the lighting device 3. When the control unit 50 switches from the power supply state to the power-off state, the control unit 50 lights up the light-emitting diodes 521 and 522 provided in the display unit 52.

In this embodiment, by providing a light diffusion section 611 on the protrusion 61 of the translucent cover 60, the spread angle of the light emitted from the translucent cover 60 to the space A1 is increased, thereby expanding the range in which the detection object B1 can be detected, improving usability.

Furthermore, by providing a lens with positive power in the first region 31 of the light-guiding member 30, the light passing through the first region 31 can be made closer to parallel light, reducing the light reflected inward by the second surface 30B of the light-guiding member 30 and suppressing the occurrence of crosstalk. Furthermore, by reducing the light reflected inward by the second surface 30B of the light-guiding member 30, the amount of light emitted forward from the third region 33 is increased. Therefore, even when the light divergence angle is widened by the light diffusion section 611, the power of the light emitted from the translucent cover 60 can be increased, which has the advantage of improving the detection sensitivity of the detection section 20.

In addition, since a light-concentrating section 321 is provided in the second region 32 of the light-guiding member 30, the power of light incident on the light-receiving section 22 can be increased, which has the advantage of improving the detection sensitivity of the detection section 20.

A light-shielding portion 65 is also disposed between the front panel 90 and the light-transmitting cover 60, and the protruding portion 61 of the light-transmitting cover 60 passes through a through-hole 66 in the light-shielding portion 65 and protrudes forward. This allows the light-shielding portion 65 to attenuate unnecessary noise light that passes through the front panel 90 and enters the light-shielding portion 65, thereby reducing the possibility of noise light entering the light-guiding member 30 through the light-transmitting cover 60 and suppressing false detection by the detection unit 20.

(3) Modifications The above embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved.

Below, we list some variations of the above embodiment. The variations described below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

The wiring device 1 of the present disclosure includes a computer system in the control unit 50, etc. The computer system is primarily composed of a processor and memory as hardware. The processor executes a program stored in the computer system's memory to realize the functions of the control unit 50 of the present disclosure. The program may be pre-recorded in the computer system's memory, provided via a telecommunications line, or provided on a non-transitory recording medium readable by the computer system, such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The IC or LSI referred to here is referred to by different names depending on the degree of integration, and includes integrated circuits known as system LSIs, very large-scale integrations (VLSIs), or ultra-large-scale integrations (ULSIs). Furthermore, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), which are programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or logic devices capable of reconfiguring the connections within the LSI or the circuit partitions within the LSI, can also be used as processors. The electronic circuits may be integrated into one chip or distributed across multiple chips. The chips may be integrated into one device or distributed across multiple devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

In the above embodiment, a light-guiding section 40 is provided at each of the first end 301 and the second end 302, and the fourth region 34 includes at least a portion of the surface of the light-guiding section 40 provided at both the first end 301 and the second end 302. In other words, the light-guiding section 40 includes a first light-guiding section 40A provided at the first end 301 and a second light-guiding section 40B provided at the second end 302, but the light-guiding section 40 may be provided at only one of the first end 301 and the second end 302.

In the above embodiment, a first protrusion 41 is provided on each of the first end 301 and second end 302 of the light-guiding member 30, and a second protrusion 42 is further provided from the first protrusion 41 toward the detection unit 20. However, the first protrusion 41 is not a required component. In other words, the light-guiding member 30 may be provided with only a second protrusion 42 that protrudes from at least one of the first end 301 and second end 302 toward the detection unit 20.

Figure 12 shows a light-guiding member 30 of variant 1, in which the rear surface of the main portion 300 of the light-guiding member 30 is provided with second protrusions 42 that protrude from the outside of the first region 31 and the second region 32 toward the detection unit 20, and a third protrusion 43 that protrudes from the second protrusion 42 in the opposite direction to the detection unit 20. Here, in the array direction DR1, the portion of the main portion 300 located outside the first region 31 and the second region 32 serves as a guide portion 47 that guides light to the second protrusion 42. In variant 1, false detection by the proximity sensor 10 can also be suppressed by allowing noise light to escape to the second protrusion 42 and the third protrusion 43. 12 , the second protrusion 42 and the third protrusion 43 are provided on both the first end 301 and the second end 302, but the second protrusion 42 and the third protrusion 43 may be provided on at least one of the first end 301 and the second end 302. In the light-guiding member 30 of the first modification, the third protrusion 43 is not an essential component, and the light-guiding member 30 may be provided with only the second protrusion 42.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment and variant 1, it is preferable that a lens having positive power is provided in the first region 31. Figures 13 and 14 show a light-guiding member 30 of variant 2, in which a lens 311 having positive power is provided in the first region 31. The lens 311 is, for example, a convex lens whose surface is formed as a convex curved surface that protrudes toward the light-emitting unit 21. In other words, the lens 311 has a convex curved surface that protrudes toward the light-emitting unit 21. Optical path C5 in Figure 14 shows the optical path of light emitted from the light-emitting unit 21, and optical path C6 in Figure 14 shows the optical path of light incident on the light-receiving unit 22. Because the lens 311 has positive power, it can narrow the spread of light emitted from the light-emitting unit 21 and entering the interior of the light-guiding member 30 from the first region 31, making it closer to parallel light. This reduces the amount of light that hits the sidewalls, etc. of the light-guiding member 30 and enters the light-receiving unit 22, thereby suppressing the occurrence of crosstalk.

Here, the optical axis AX1 of the light-emitting unit 21 is offset from position P1, where the curvature of the convex curved surface of the lens 311 is minimum. The optical axis AX1 of the light-emitting unit 21 is, for example, the axis of rotational symmetry of the light beam emitted from the light-emitting unit 21. In this embodiment, the lens 311 and the light-emitting unit 21 are positioned so that the optical axis AX1 faces a position closer to the second region 32 than position P1, where the curvature is minimum. As a result, light from the light-emitting unit 21 is irradiated toward a portion of the convex curved surface of the lens 311 that has a greater curvature than position P1. By being refracted by the convex curved surface, the majority of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 21 is guided so that it is parallel to the forward direction. Therefore, light emitted from the light-emitting unit 21 that is reflected by the inner surface of the light-guiding member 30 and becomes noise light can be reduced, thereby suppressing the occurrence of crosstalk. In the example shown in Figure 14, the lens 311 and the light-emitting unit 21 are arranged so that the optical axis AX1 faces a position close to the second region 32 relative to position P1, but the lens 311 and the light-emitting unit 21 may also be arranged so that the optical axis AX1 faces a position farther from the second region 32 relative to position P1.

The lens 311 is not limited to the shape shown in Figures 13 and 14 and can be modified as appropriate.

In addition, the light-guiding member 30 may be provided with only a first protrusion 41 protruding from at least one of the first end 301 and the second end 302 along the array direction DR1.

In the above embodiment, when comparing two values such as measurement data, "greater than or equal to" may be used instead of "greater than." In other words, whether or not a comparison of two values includes cases where the two values are equal can be arbitrarily changed depending on the setting of the reference value, etc., so there is no technical difference between "greater than or equal to" and "greater than." Similarly, "less than" may be used instead of "less than or equal to."

(summary)
As described above, the proximity sensor (10) of the first aspect includes a detection unit (20) and a light-guiding member (30). The detection unit (20) has a light-emitting unit (21) that emits light and a light-receiving unit (22) that outputs an electrical signal in response to the incident light. The light-guiding member (30) has, on a first surface (30A) facing the detection unit (20), a first region (31) facing the light-emitting unit (21) and a second region (32) facing the light-receiving unit (22), and a third region (33) on a second surface (30B) opposite the first surface (30A). The light-guiding member (30) guides light incident from the first region (31) to the third region (33) and emits it to the outside from the third region (33), and guides light reflected by the detection object (B1) and incident from the third region (33) to the second region (32) and emits it from the second region (32) to the light-receiving unit (22). The second region (32) is provided with a light-collecting unit (321) that collects light passing through the second region (32) onto the light-receiving unit (22).

According to this aspect, the light-collecting portion (321) provided in the second region (32) collects light passing through the second region (32) onto the light-receiving portion (22), thereby increasing the power of the light incident on the light-receiving portion (22), thereby improving the detection sensitivity of the detection portion (20). Therefore, a proximity sensor (10) with improved sensitivity can be provided.

In the proximity sensor (10) of the second aspect, in the first aspect, the light-collecting portion (321) includes a convex lens-shaped collecting lens that protrudes toward the light-receiving portion (22).

According to this aspect, sensitivity can be improved by using a convex focusing lens to focus light passing through the second region (32) onto the light receiving section (22).

The proximity sensor (10) of the third aspect further includes a light-transmitting cover (60) arranged opposite the third region (33) of the light-guiding member (30) in the first or second aspect.

According to this embodiment, the light-guiding member (30) can be protected by the translucent cover (60).

In the proximity sensor (10) of the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the translucent cover (60) is provided with a light diffusion section (611) that diffuses light passing through the translucent cover (60).

According to this aspect, the light diffusion section (611) diffuses the light passing through the translucent cover (60), thereby expanding the range in which the detection object (B1) can be detected.

The proximity sensor (10) of the fifth aspect is the third or fourth aspect, further comprising a light-shielding portion (65) arranged on the opposite side of the light-transmitting cover (60) from the light-guiding member (30). The light-transmitting cover (60) has a protruding portion (61) that protrudes in the opposite direction from the light-guiding member (30). The protruding portion (61) is inserted into a through-hole (66) provided in the light-shielding portion (65).

According to this aspect, the light-shielding portion (65) attenuates unnecessary noise light incident on the light-shielding portion (65) from the outside, thereby reducing the possibility of noise light entering the light-guiding member (30) through the translucent cover (60), thereby suppressing false detection by the detection portion (20).

In the proximity sensor (10) of the sixth aspect, in any of the first to fifth aspects, a lens having positive power is provided in the first region (31).

According to this aspect, by narrowing the spread of light passing through the first region (31), it is possible to make the light closer to parallel light, thereby reducing the amount of light that is reflected by the second surface (30B) of the light-guiding member (30) and becomes noise light, thereby suppressing a decrease in sensitivity.

In the proximity sensor (10) of the seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the lens (311) has a convex curved surface that protrudes toward the light-emitting unit (21). The optical axis (AX1) of the light-emitting unit (21) is shifted from the position (P1) where the curvature of the convex curved surface is minimum.

In this embodiment, light from the light-emitting unit (21) is directed toward a portion of the convex curved surface of the lens (311) where the curvature is greater than the position (P1) where the curvature is minimum. By being refracted by the convex curved surface, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit (21) is guided so that most of the light is parallel to the forward direction. Therefore, the amount of light emitted from the light-emitting unit (21) that is reflected by the inner surface of the light-guiding member (30) and becomes noise light can be reduced, thereby suppressing the occurrence of crosstalk.

The wiring device (1) of the eighth aspect comprises a proximity sensor (10) of any of the first to seventh aspects and a control unit (50) that controls the equipment (3) based on the detection results of the detection unit (20).

According to this aspect, a wiring device (1) can be provided that includes a proximity sensor (10) with improved sensitivity.

The configurations relating to the second to seventh aspects are not essential for the proximity sensor (10) and can be omitted as appropriate.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Wiring device 3 Device 10 Proximity sensor 20 Detection unit 21 Light-emitting unit 22 Light-receiving unit 30 Light-guiding member 30A First surface 30B Second surface 31 First region 32 Second region 33 Third region 50 Control unit 60 Light-transmitting cover 61 Protrusion 65 Light-shielding unit 66 Through-hole 321 Light-collecting unit 611 Light-diffusing unit

Claims (5)

a detection unit having a light-emitting unit that emits light and a light-receiving unit that outputs an electrical signal in response to the incident light;
a light-guiding member having, on a first surface facing the detection unit, a first region facing the light-emitting unit and a second region facing the light-receiving unit, and a third region on a second surface opposite to the first surface,
the light guide member guides the light incident from the first region to the third region and emits it to the outside from the third region, and guides the light reflected by the detection object that is incident from the third region to the second region and emits it from the second region to the light receiving unit,
a light collecting section that collects light passing through the second region onto the light receiving section is provided in the second region;
a light-transmitting cover disposed opposite the third region of the light-guiding member and having light transmittance;
a light-shielding portion disposed on the opposite side of the light-transmitting cover from the light-guiding member,
the light-transmitting cover has a protruding portion that protrudes in a direction opposite to the light-guiding member,
The protrusion is inserted into a through hole provided in the light-shielding part.
Proximity sensor. The light-collecting unit includes a convex lens-shaped condenser lens that protrudes toward the light-receiving unit.
The proximity sensor of claim 1 . The light-transmitting cover is provided with a light diffusion portion that diffuses light that passes through the light-transmitting cover.
The proximity sensor of claim 1 . a detection unit having a light-emitting unit that emits light and a light-receiving unit that outputs an electrical signal in response to the incident light;
a light-guiding member having, on a first surface facing the detection unit, a first region facing the light-emitting unit and a second region facing the light-receiving unit, and a third region on a second surface opposite to the first surface;
Equipped with
the light guide member guides the light incident from the first region to the third region and emits it to the outside from the third region, and guides the light reflected by the detection object that is incident from the third region to the second region and emits it from the second region to the light receiving unit,
a light collecting section that collects light passing through the second region onto the light receiving section is provided in the second region;
a lens having a positive power is provided in the first region;
the lens has a convex curved surface that protrudes toward the light-emitting portion,
the optical axis of the light-emitting unit is shifted from the position where the curvature of the convex curved surface is minimum;
Proximity sensor. The proximity sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A control unit that controls the device based on the detection result of the detection unit.
Wiring equipment.