Patent Description:
In the related art, there has been known a safety switch that is attached to a front door of a machine tool, a door portion of a safety fence around an industrial robot, or the like, and detects opening and closing of the door. In this safety switch, a dedicated actuator attached to the door (movable side) approaches a sensor main body by closing the door, and transmits a signal when a detection element in the main body detects the approaching. A known safety switch is disclosed in <CIT>. In the related art, it is known that in a safety switch including a sensor main body and an actuator, the sensor main body includes a display unit that detects opening and closing of a door and displays an opening and closed state of the door (see Patent Literature <NUM>).

The safety switch in the related art has a room for improvement in display of a detection result (for example, the opening and closed state of the door) of abnormality detected by the safety switch.

The present disclosure provides a safety switch and an apparatus with a door capable of improving visibility of a display of a detection result of abnormality detected by the safety switch.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a safety switch including a sensor main body and an actuator, the sensor main body includes a detection unit configured to detect the actuator when the actuator is disposed at a predetermined position with respect to the sensor main body, and a light projection unit configured to project light in accordance with a detection result of the detection unit, and the actuator includes a light emitting unit configured to emit visible light in response to reception of the light projected by the light projection unit.

An aspect of the present disclosure is an apparatus with a door including the safety switch described above and a door, the door includes a fixed frame, a movable frame, and a door main body, the sensor main body of the safety switch is provided on the fixed frame, and the actuator of the safety switch is provided on the movable frame.

According to the present disclosure, the visibility of the display of the detection result of the abnormality detected by the safety switch can be improved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, an unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of a well-known matter or repeated description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding of those skilled in the art. The attached diagrams and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to sufficiently understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the matters described in the scope of the claims.

A sensor main body and an actuator of a safety switch are attached to a frame (for example, an aluminum frame) of a door. At this time, the sensor main body and the actuator are generally attached to a rear surface side of the frame of the door. This is because, when the sensor main body and the actuator are attached to a front surface side, an object collides with the sensor main body and the actuator and is damaged, a person comes into contact with the sensor main body and the actuator and is injured, or an appearance around the safety switch is deteriorated. Further, a display unit of the sensor main body attached to the rear surface side of the frame of the door is difficult to be checked from an outside of the door, and visibility is insufficient. Specifically, when viewed from a front of the door, the display unit is blocked by the frame of the door and it is difficult to be checked, and even when viewed from a position other than the front of the door, it is difficult to visually recognize the display unit from an angular range blocked by the frame, and a visible range is limited.

Hereinafter, a safety switch and an apparatus with a door that can improve visibility of display of a detection result of an abnormality will be described.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a configuration example of a door-equipped apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment. The door-equipped apparatus <NUM> includes one or more doors <NUM> and one or more safety switches <NUM>. The door <NUM> may widely include those related to a door such as an opening and a gate, and may include a window. The door-equipped apparatus <NUM> is, for example, a manufacturing apparatus, and, for example, a manufacturing apparatus main body is accommodated inside the door-equipped apparatus <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the door <NUM>. Each of the doors <NUM> includes a fixed frame <NUM>, a movable frame <NUM>, and a door main body <NUM>.

The fixed frame <NUM> is connected to a member (a housing or the like) that covers an outer periphery of the door-equipped apparatus <NUM>. The fixed frame <NUM> is, for example, an aluminum frame, and may be a frame formed of the other materials. The fixed frame <NUM> does not have translucency.

The movable frame <NUM> is movable with respect to the fixed frame <NUM>. As a result, the door <NUM> can be opened and closed. The movable frame <NUM> is, for example, an aluminum frame, and may be a frame formed of the other materials. The movable frame <NUM> does not have the translucency.

In the door main body <NUM>, periphery of the door main body <NUM> is surrounded by the movable frame <NUM>. The door main body <NUM> is formed of, for example, a light transmissive member. The light transmissive member may be formed of, for example, transparent plastic or glass, and the same applies to the following description of the light transmissive member.

It should be noted that a method of opening and closing the door <NUM> may include a hinged door method, a sliding door method, a folding door method, a bellows method, a double door method, a gull wing method, and the like.

A safety switch <NUM> functions as a door sensor that detects an opening and closed state of the door <NUM>. The safety switch <NUM> includes a sensor main body <NUM> and an actuator <NUM>. The sensor main body <NUM> is provided on the fixed frame <NUM> inside the door-equipped apparatus <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> is provided on the movable frame <NUM> inside the door-equipped apparatus <NUM>. Therefore, when viewed from a checker who checks from the outside of the door-equipped apparatus <NUM>, the safety switch <NUM> is located on the rear surface side of the fixed frame <NUM> and the movable frame <NUM>.

The sensor main body <NUM> detects a state (for example, the opening and closed state) of the door, and projects light based on a detection result. For example, the sensor main body <NUM> projects the detection result to the actuator <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> receives the projected light and emits visible light based on the light. The light emitted from the actuator <NUM> can be visually recognized from the outside of the door-equipped apparatus <NUM> through the door main body <NUM> formed of the light transmissive member.

<FIG> is a front perspective view (perspective view seen from a positive side in a z direction) showing an example of the sensor main body <NUM>. <FIG> is a rear perspective view (perspective view seen from a negative side in the z direction) showing an example of the sensor main body <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram showing an example of a substrate on which electronic components are mounted in the sensor main body <NUM>.

It should be noted that in the drawings, an x direction, a y direction, and the z direction are shown as necessary. In the present embodiment, the z direction is an arrangement direction of the sensor main body <NUM> and the actuator <NUM>. The sensor main body <NUM> is located on the positive side in the z direction, and the actuator <NUM> is located on the negative side in the z direction. The y direction is an arrangement direction of the fixed frame <NUM> and the sensor main body <NUM> or an arrangement direction of the movable frame <NUM> and the actuator <NUM>. The x direction is, for example, an extending direction of the fixed frame <NUM> in which the sensor main body <NUM> is provided, or an extending direction of the movable frame <NUM> in which the actuator <NUM> is provided.

The sensor main body <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a coil <NUM>, the first light sources <NUM>, a first light projection port <NUM>, a second light source <NUM>, a second light projection port <NUM>, a substrate <NUM>, a housing <NUM>, and a cable <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes a cover 218a and a case 218b, and accommodates the substrate <NUM>. The electronic components included in the sensor main body <NUM> are mounted on the substrate <NUM>. The electronic component may include the processor <NUM>, the coil <NUM>, the first light sources <NUM>, and the second light source <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> implements various functions in cooperation with a memory included in the sensor main body <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may include a micro processing unit (MPU), a central processing unit (CPU), a digital processor (DSP), and the like. The processor <NUM> controls an overall operation of the sensor main body <NUM>.

The coil <NUM> receives power from the outside via the cable <NUM>, and transmits the power to an external device by wireless power transmission. The wireless power transmission may be, for example, an electromagnetic induction system or a magnetic field resonance system. Upon receiving a predetermined signal from the external device, the coil <NUM> notifies the processor <NUM> that the predetermined signal is received. The external device is, for example, the actuator <NUM>, more specifically, an RFID tag <NUM> (to be described later) of the actuator <NUM>. The coil <NUM> detects the closed state (an example of absence of abnormality) by receiving the predetermined signal, and detects the opening state (an example of presence of abnormality) by not receiving the predetermined signal.

The first light sources <NUM> operate as display lamps that display a detection result of abnormality of the door <NUM> detected by the safety switch <NUM>. There may be one or more first light sources <NUM>, and three first light sources <NUM> are provided in <FIG>. The first light sources <NUM> project light (display) according to whether the predetermined signal is received from the actuator <NUM> under the control of the processor <NUM>. The first light sources <NUM> can display in various display modes. The display mode may be a display color, a display pattern, light intensity, or the like.

The plurality of first light sources <NUM> may be arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to an arrangement position of the coil <NUM>. For example, in <FIG>, the three first light sources <NUM> are arranged line-symmetrically with respect to a center line cc of the coil <NUM> along the z direction. Accordingly, the sensor main body <NUM> can transmit the light from first light sources <NUM> symmetrically (for example, line-symmetrically) with respect to the position of coil <NUM> as a reference position. Therefore, the light of the actuator <NUM> based on the light of the sensor main body <NUM> is also light having symmetry with respect to the reference position. Further, since the plurality of first light sources <NUM> are disposed along a longitudinal direction of a facing surface facing the actuator, it is possible to expand a region of light of a light projection source from which the light is projected to the actuator <NUM>. Therefore, the visibility of the safety switch <NUM> is improved.

The light of the first light sources <NUM> is projected by, for example, being transmitted through the first light projection port <NUM>. The first light projection port <NUM> is formed of a light transmissive member. A light projection direction of the first light projection port <NUM> is a direction in which the actuator <NUM> attached to the door <NUM> is present when the door <NUM> is in the closed state. It should be noted that the first light projection port <NUM> may be formed of a mirror body, a reflective cylinder, or the like instead of the light transmissive member.

The second light source <NUM> operates as the display lamp that displays a detection result of abnormality of the door <NUM> detected by the safety switch <NUM>. There may be one or more second light sources <NUM>, and one second light source <NUM> is provided in <FIG>. The second light source <NUM> projects light (displays) according to whether the predetermined signal is received from the actuator <NUM> under the control of the processor <NUM>. The second light source <NUM> can display in various display modes.

The light of the second light source <NUM> is projected by, for example, being transmitted through the second light projection port <NUM>. The second light projection port <NUM> is formed of a light transmissive member. A light projection direction of the second light projection port <NUM> is a direction different from the direction in which the actuator <NUM> attached to the door <NUM> is present when the door <NUM> is in the closed state, and is, for example, a direction opposite to the direction in which the actuator <NUM> is present. It should be noted that the second light projection port <NUM> may be formed of a mirror body, a reflective cylinder, or the like instead of the light transmissive member.

Various wirings such as a power supply line and a signal line are stored in the cable <NUM>. The signal line may include, for example, a signal line through which the detection result of abnormality by another safety switch <NUM> is transmitted. The cable <NUM> supplies power to at least a part of the electronic components on the substrate <NUM>. Therefore, in the actuator <NUM> provided in the movable portion, power supply for generating the light is not necessary, and a state in which the movable portion is easily moved can be maintained. It should be noted that illustration of an electrical wiring from the cable <NUM> to each of the electronic components is omitted.

<FIG> is a front perspective view (perspective view seen from the positive side in the z direction) showing an example of the actuator <NUM>. <FIG> is a rear perspective view (perspective view seen from the negative side in the z direction) showing an example of the actuator <NUM>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the actuator <NUM>. <FIG> is a view of a light transmissive member <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> as viewed from a light guiding unit <NUM> side (the positive side in the y direction).

The actuator <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, the light transmissive member <NUM>, and a radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag <NUM>. The light transmissive member <NUM> includes a light receiving unit <NUM>, a light guiding unit <NUM>, and a light emitting unit <NUM>. The light transmissive member <NUM> may be formed of, for example, transparent plastic or glass. The light transmissive member <NUM> receives the light from the sensor main body <NUM> and emits the visible light.

When door <NUM> is in the closed state, the light receiving unit <NUM> faces the first light projection port <NUM> of the sensor main body <NUM>. The light receiving unit <NUM> receives the light from the first light projection port <NUM> of the sensor main body <NUM> and introduces the light into the actuator <NUM>. The light receiving unit <NUM> protrudes toward the sensor main body <NUM> from a surface of the housing <NUM> facing the sensor main body <NUM>. In this case, the light receiving unit <NUM> easily takes in the light from the sensor main body <NUM> into the light transmissive member <NUM>.

The light guiding unit <NUM> guides the light from the sensor main body <NUM> from the light receiving unit <NUM> toward the light emitting unit <NUM>. The light guiding unit <NUM> may have a linear light guide path as shown in <FIG>, or may have a light guide path of another shape. A plurality of light guiding units <NUM> may be provided. When there are a plurality of light guiding units <NUM>, the light guiding units <NUM> may be provided to be separated from each other by a predetermined distance.

The light guiding unit <NUM> includes first portions 272a formed by a part of the light transmissive member <NUM>, and a second portion 272b as a space in which the light transmissive member <NUM> is absent. In <FIG>, two light guiding units <NUM> are provided, and in each of the light guiding units <NUM>, the second portion 272b is formed between two first portions 272a. Both the first portions 272a and the second portion 272b contribute to light guiding from the light receiving unit <NUM> to the light emitting unit <NUM>.

The light emitting unit <NUM> emits light based on the light guided through the light guiding unit <NUM>. The light emitting unit <NUM> displays the detection result of the abnormality of the door <NUM> by the light emission. For example, the light emitting unit <NUM> emits the light guided through the light guiding unit <NUM> to the outside. The light emitting unit <NUM> is capable of transmitting, reflecting, diffusing the light. The light emitting unit <NUM> has an outer peripheral surface 273a and an inner peripheral surface 273b. The outer peripheral surface 273a is located outside the inner peripheral surface 273b. Both the outer peripheral surface 273a and the inner peripheral surface 273b face the outside of the actuator on a non-facing side (negative side in the z direction) which does not face the sensor main body <NUM>.

The outer peripheral surface 273a is reduced in diameter from the facing side (the positive side in the z direction) facing the sensor main body <NUM> toward the non-facing side (the negative side in the z direction) not facing the sensor main body <NUM>. Accordingly, the outer peripheral surface 273a can spread and diffuse the light guided through the light guiding unit <NUM> by refraction or the like. Therefore, the checker can easily see the light of the actuator <NUM> from various angles.

The inner peripheral surface 273b increases in diameter from the facing side (the positive side in the z direction) facing the sensor main body <NUM> toward the non-facing side (the negative side in the z direction) not facing the sensor main body <NUM>. Accordingly, the inner peripheral surface 273b easily diffuses the light guided through the light guiding unit <NUM> in a direction of a center line c1 of the actuator <NUM> (see <FIG>) due to refraction or the like. Therefore, an intensity of the collected light is improved, and the light can be transmitted by a long distance in a center line direction of the actuator <NUM>. Therefore, the checker can easily see the light of the actuator <NUM>.

Further, the light emitting unit <NUM> may have optical transparency, optical reflectivity, or both optical transparency and optical reflectivity. In a case of having both optical transparency and optical reflectivity, a part of the light may be transmitted and the other part of the light may be reflected. <FIG> is a diagram showing an example of reflection of the light in the light emitting unit <NUM>. In <FIG>, the light traveling through the light guiding unit <NUM> is reflected by the inner peripheral surface 273b, and a traveling direction of the light is changed to a direction of L1. It should be noted that it is sufficient that the light emitting unit <NUM> at least be capable of emitting the light to the outside, and shapes of the outer peripheral surface 273a and the inner peripheral surface 273b are not limited to the above.

Further, the light emitting unit <NUM> may protrude to the outside from an end surface of the housing <NUM> on a side (the negative side in the z direction) opposite to an end surface facing the sensor main body <NUM>. Accordingly, the light emitted from the light emitting unit <NUM> is more easily diffused.

The RFID tag <NUM> is arranged in a range in which the RFID tag <NUM> can communicate with the coil <NUM> of the sensor main body <NUM> when the door <NUM> is in the closed state. The RFID tag <NUM> is disposed, for example, on the light receiving unit <NUM> side of the light transmissive member <NUM>. The RFID tag <NUM> may be disposed between the two light guiding units <NUM> of the light transmissive member <NUM>. The RFID tag <NUM> transmits a predetermined signal. The RFID tag <NUM> is, for example, a passive tag, and operates by receiving power supply from the outside. For example, the RFID tag <NUM> receives the power supply from the sensor main body <NUM> via the coil <NUM>, and transmits the predetermined signal to the sensor main body <NUM>. It should be noted that the predetermined signal includes at least ID information.

The housing <NUM> protects an inside of the actuator <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes a first housing <NUM> and a second housing <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> surrounds an upper side (the positive side in the y direction) of the light transmissive member <NUM>, and surrounds a left side and a right side (both sides in the x direction) of the light transmissive member <NUM> together with the second housing <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> surrounds a lower side (the negative side in the y direction) of the light transmissive member <NUM>, and surrounds the left side and the right side (both sides in the x direction) of the light transmissive member <NUM> together with the first housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> does not surround the light receiving unit <NUM> and the light emitting unit <NUM>, and the light can pass through the light receiving unit <NUM> and the light emitting unit <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may be formed of a non-light-transmissive member. The non-light-transmissive member may be, for example, a non-translucent plastic or rubber material. Since the housing <NUM> is formed of the non-light-transmissive member, for example, it is possible to prevent leakage and attenuation of the light from the light guiding unit <NUM>, and it is possible to maintain the light intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting unit <NUM>.

Next, the manufacturing apparatus will be described.

The manufacturing apparatus as the door-equipped apparatus <NUM> is an apparatus that manufactures various products (for example, electrical, mechanical, and chemical substances). The manufacturing apparatus or the product is not limited, and is, for example, a manufacturing apparatus or a product to be handled in consideration. The manufacturing apparatus may operate according to a state of the safety switch <NUM>. For example, when the closed state of all the doors <NUM> is detected by the safety switch <NUM>, the manufacturing apparatus may be operable, and when the opening state of at least one door <NUM> is detected by the safety switch <NUM>, the manufacturing apparatus may be inoperable. Accordingly, the door-equipped apparatus <NUM> can be maintained in a safe state with respect to the manufacturing apparatus or the product.

Permission or prohibition of the operation of the manufacturing apparatus according to the state of the safety switch <NUM> may be performed by a programmable logic controller (PLC). The PLC is connected between the safety switch <NUM> and the manufacturing apparatus main body. A processor of the PLC may permit the operation of the manufacturing apparatus when the closed state of all the doors <NUM> is detected by the safety switch <NUM>, and may prohibit the operation of the manufacturing apparatus when the opening state of at least one door <NUM> is detected by the safety switch <NUM>.

Next, opening and closing detection of the door <NUM> and display of an opening and closing detection result will be described.

<FIG> are diagrams showing the opening and closing detection of the door <NUM> and the display of the opening and closing detection result. <FIG> shows the closing detection of the door <NUM> and the display of the closing detection result. <FIG> shows the opening detection of the door <NUM> and the display of the opening detection result.

When the actuator <NUM> is disposed at a predetermined position with respect to the sensor main body <NUM>, the sensor main body <NUM> detects the actuator <NUM>. Specifically, when the RFID tag <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> is located in a range in which the wireless power transmission from the coil <NUM> of the sensor main body <NUM> is possible, the sensor main body <NUM> supplies the power to the actuator <NUM>, and the actuator <NUM> transmits the predetermined signal to the sensor main body <NUM>. Upon detecting that the coil <NUM> receives the predetermined signal from the actuator <NUM>, the coil <NUM> detects the actuator <NUM> and notifies the processor <NUM>. Upon receiving this notification, the processor <NUM> recognizes the actuator <NUM>.

When the sensor main body <NUM> detects the actuator <NUM>, the processor <NUM> determines that the movable frame <NUM> on which the actuator <NUM> is provided faces the fixed frame <NUM> on which the sensor main body <NUM> is provided in a predetermined state, and the door <NUM> is in the closed state. When the sensor main body <NUM> does not detect the actuator <NUM>, it is determined that the movable frame <NUM> on which the actuator <NUM> is provided does not face the fixed frame <NUM> on which the sensor main body <NUM> is provided in the predetermined state, and the door <NUM> is in the opening state.

When the sensor main body <NUM> detects the actuator <NUM>, that is, when the door <NUM> is in the closed state, the first light sources <NUM> and the second light source <NUM> are displayed in a first display mode under the control of processor <NUM>. When the sensor main body <NUM> does not detect the actuator <NUM>, that is, when the door <NUM> is in the opening state, the first light sources <NUM> and the second light source <NUM> are displayed in a second display mode under the control of processor <NUM>. The first display mode and the second display mode are different from each other. For example, the first display mode may be display by projecting green light or blinking, and the second display mode may be display by projecting red light or lighting. The actuator <NUM> receives the light from the sensor main body <NUM> and emits the light while maintaining the display mode, thereby displaying the opening and closing detection result of the door <NUM>.

It should be noted that the opening and closing detection of the door <NUM> may be the detection of the opening and closing state of the door <NUM> (own door) in which the safety switch <NUM> (own switch) is provided, or may be the detection of the opening and closed state of another door <NUM> (another door) in which another safety switch (another switch) other than the safety switch (own switch) is provided instead of the detection of the opening and closing state of the own door. In this case, the first light sources <NUM> and the second light source <NUM> may display based on the opening and closing detection result of the own door, or may display based on the opening and closing detection result of another door instead of displaying based on the opening and closing detection result of the own door.

Next, a display example of the opening and closing detection result of the door <NUM> by the actuator <NUM> provided in the door <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> are diagrams showing the display example of the opening and closing detection result of the door <NUM> by the actuator <NUM> provided in the door <NUM>. <FIG> shows the display example of the closing detection result. <FIG> shows the display example of the opening detection result. Here, a downward direction in a vertical direction is also referred to as "lower", and an upward direction in the vertical direction is also referred to as "upper".

In <FIG>, the sensor main body <NUM> is provided on the fixed frame <NUM> such that the first light projection port <NUM> of the sensor main body <NUM> is on the lower side in the vertical direction (the negative side in the z direction in which the actuator <NUM> is disposed). Further, the actuator <NUM> is provided on the movable frame <NUM> such that the light receiving unit <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> is on the upper side (the positive side in the z direction in which the sensor main body <NUM> is disposed) in the vertical direction and the light emitting unit <NUM> is on the lower side (the negative side in the z direction which is a side opposite to the side on which the sensor main body <NUM> is disposed) in the vertical direction. In <FIG>, at least a part of the light emitting unit <NUM> of the light transmissive member <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> protrudes below a lower end portion of the movable frame <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the door <NUM> is in the closed state, the movable frame <NUM> is present in the vicinity of the fixed frame <NUM>. Therefore, the light projected by the sensor main body <NUM> attached to the fixed frame <NUM> is blocked by the movable frame <NUM>. Therefore, the light projected by the sensor main body <NUM> cannot be checked from the outside of the door-equipped apparatus <NUM>. However, the actuator <NUM> can introduce the light projected from the sensor main body <NUM>, and the actuator <NUM> emits the light. The light emitted from the actuator <NUM> attached to the movable frame <NUM> is diffused in the direction of the door main body <NUM>, and can be visually recognized from the outside of the door-equipped apparatus <NUM> via the light transmissive member as the door main body <NUM>. The display mode when the door <NUM> is in the closed state may be a display mode D1.

When the door <NUM> is in the opening state, the movable frame <NUM> is absent in the vicinity of the fixed frame <NUM>. Therefore, the light projected by the sensor main body <NUM> attached to the fixed frame <NUM> can be diffused without being blocked by the movable frame <NUM>. Therefore, even when the actuator <NUM> does not emit the light, the light projected by the sensor main body <NUM> can be visually recognized from the outside of the door-equipped apparatus <NUM>. The display mode when the door <NUM> is in the opening state may be a display mode D2.

Actually, when the sensor main body <NUM> and the actuator <NUM> are largely separated from each other in a state in which the door <NUM> is not in a half-closed state but is largely opened, and the actuator <NUM> cannot introduce the light projected from the sensor main body <NUM>, the actuator <NUM> does not emit the light. In this case, the light transmitted through the sensor main body <NUM> can be visually recognized.

On the other hand, as shown in <FIG>, when the door <NUM> is in the opening state but is not opened so much as in the half-closed state, and the actuator <NUM> can introduce a part of the light projected from the sensor main body <NUM>, the actuator <NUM> emits the light. In this case, at least the light emitted by the actuator <NUM> can be visually recognized, and the light projected by the sensor main body <NUM> can also be visually recognized.

It should be noted that, here, the safety switch <NUM> is provided at an upper end portion of the door <NUM> in the vertical direction, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the sensor main body <NUM> is provided in an upper frame body of the fixed frame <NUM>, the actuator <NUM> is provided in an upper frame body of the movable frame <NUM>, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, the safety switch <NUM> may be provided at a side end portion of the door <NUM>. That is, the sensor main body <NUM> may be provided in a frame body of a side portion of the fixed frame <NUM>, and the actuator <NUM> may be provided in a frame body of a side portion of the movable frame <NUM>. In this case, the sensor main body <NUM> is provided on the fixed frame <NUM> such that the first light projection port <NUM> of the sensor main body <NUM> faces the actuator <NUM>. Further, the actuator <NUM> is provided on the movable frame <NUM> such that the light receiving unit <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> faces the sensor main body <NUM>.

Next, an extension option of the actuator <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a diagram showing the extension option of the actuator <NUM>.

For example, when a thickness (for example, a length in the vertical direction) of the fixed frame <NUM> or the movable frame <NUM> is large (for example, long), it may be difficult to check the light emitting unit <NUM> of the light transmissive member <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> or the emitted light. In response to this, the actuator <NUM> may be substantially extended such that a light guiding distance of the actuator <NUM> becomes long. Specifically, an extension member <NUM> that is attachable to and detachable from the actuator <NUM> may be attached to the actuator <NUM>. The extension member <NUM> guides and emits the light emitted by the actuator <NUM>.

The extension member <NUM> includes at least a light transmissive member. The extension member <NUM> may include a component similar to that of the actuator <NUM>, and may include a housing and the light transmissive member. The housing and the light transmissive member of the extension member <NUM> may have the same shapes as those of the housing <NUM> and the light transmissive member <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. In this case, the extension member <NUM> is easily formed. A light guiding unit of the light transmissive member of the extension member <NUM> may be longer than the light guiding unit <NUM> of the light transmissive member <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. In this case, the light guiding distance by the extension member <NUM> can be increased. Further, a light receiving unit of the light transmissive member of the extension member <NUM> may be formed so as to be engaged with a shape of a distal end (distal end on the negative side in the z direction) in an emission direction of the light emitting unit <NUM> of the light transmissive member <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. In this case, the actuator <NUM> and the extension member <NUM> are easily attached and detached, and are easily integrated. <FIG> shows a state in which the light guided through the actuator <NUM> and the extension member <NUM> is emitted from a light emitting unit <NUM> of the light transmissive member of the extension member <NUM>.

In this manner, the extension member <NUM> can efficiently receive, guide, and emit the light emitted from the actuator <NUM> to the extension member <NUM>. Therefore, even when it is difficult for the checker who checks the light of the actuator <NUM> from the outside of the door-equipped apparatus <NUM> to check the light of the extension member <NUM>, the checker can easily check the light. Therefore, it is easy to check the light based on the light of the actuator regardless of the thickness of the fixed frame <NUM> or the movable frame <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing a modification configuration example of the safety switch <NUM>.

In the safety switch <NUM>, the first light source <NUM> may not be provided inside the housing <NUM> of the sensor main body <NUM>, and a first light source 213Amay be provided outside the housing <NUM>. In this case, without the light transmissive member <NUM> inside the housing <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>, the light may be guided from the outside of the housing <NUM> toward a side opposite to the sensor main body <NUM>, and the light may be emitted by a light emitting unit 273A emitting light. Even in this case, the actuator <NUM> can emit the light in accordance with the light from the sensor main body <NUM>. It should be noted that the light emitting unit 273A may not necessarily be a light transmissive member as long as it can emit the light by receiving the light from the sensor main body <NUM>.

It should be noted that, as described above, when the first light sources <NUM> are provided inside the housing <NUM> of the sensor main body <NUM> and the light transmissive member <NUM> is provided inside the housing <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> to emit the light from the sensor main body <NUM> from the light emitting unit <NUM>, the light can be transmitted inside the actuator <NUM>. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the first light source 213A outside the housing <NUM> of the sensor main body <NUM> so as to pass through the outside of the housing <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. Therefore, the sensor main body <NUM> is reduced in size, and thus the entire safety switch <NUM> is reduced in size. This is also effective when there is no sufficient space for providing the first light source 213A outside the housing <NUM> of the sensor main body <NUM>.

As described above, according to the safety switch <NUM>, the sensor main body <NUM> can project the light from the light projection unit toward the actuator <NUM> via the first light projecting port <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> can further emit the light toward the outside of the safety switch <NUM> based on the light from the sensor main body <NUM>. Therefore, even when the safety switch <NUM> is disposed on the rear surfaces of the fixed frame <NUM> and the movable frame <NUM> and the light of the sensor main body <NUM> is not seen from the checker, the display of the detection result can be visually recognized from the outside of the door-equipped apparatus <NUM> via the actuator <NUM>. This is because, for example, the actuator <NUM> is disposed below the sensor main body <NUM> in the vertical direction and easily protrudes from the rear surface of the frame. Further, for example, even when there are a large number of doors <NUM>, it is possible to easily grasp which door <NUM> is abnormal (for example, the door <NUM> is opened) by checking the light of the actuator <NUM>.

Although the door <NUM> is originally advantageous in displaying the opening state as the abnormality, the door <NUM> is also advantageous in displaying that the door <NUM> is in the closed state (safe state) as follows.

When the door <NUM> is closed, for example, when the display indicating the closed state of the door <NUM> is not performed (turned off), the checker cannot grasp whether the display is not performed because the door <NUM> is closed or the display is not performed because the safety switch <NUM> is in failure. When the display is not performed due to the failure, if the checker does not immediately know that the display is not performed due to the failure, the checker recognizes that the safety switch <NUM> is in failure, which means the safety switch does not function. Therefore, even when the door <NUM> is in the closed state, the display indicating that the door <NUM> is in the closed state is performed, and the display is visually recognized by the checker, whereby it is possible to maintain a state in which it is possible to confirm that the function of the safety switch is performed. As described above, even when the door <NUM> is in the closed state, the safety switch <NUM> can notify the checker that the door <NUM> is in the closed state in distinction from the failure because the display thereof can be visually recognized from a wider range.

Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and it is also understood that the various changes and modifications belong to the technical scope of the invention. In addition, the respective components in the above-described embodiments may be optionally combined within a range not departing from the scope of the present invention.

The above-described embodiment describes that in the door-equipped apparatus <NUM>, the manufacturing apparatus main body is surrounded by the doors <NUM>, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, lockers (for example, delivery lockers) may be disposed instead of the manufacturing apparatus main body. Further, the doors <NUM> may simply surround a predetermined space. That is, the door-equipped apparatus <NUM> may simply partition the space.

In the above embodiment, in <FIG>, the plurality of doors <NUM> are provided so as to surround the manufacturing apparatus main body, the door-equipped apparatus <NUM> is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the plurality of doors <NUM> may be arranged in one direction, and the door-equipped apparatus <NUM> may be formed in a linear shape.

In the above-described embodiment, shapes of the light emitting units <NUM> and <NUM> may have, for example, a prism shape, a wave shape, a spherical shape, or a planar shape. The light emitting units <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed of frosted glass or the like.

In the above embodiment, the processor may be physically configured in any manner. When a programmable processor is used, processing contents can be changed by changing a program, and thus a degree of freedom in designing the processor can be increased. The processor may be configured with one semiconductor chip, or may be physically configured with a plurality of semiconductor chips. When the processor is configured with a plurality of semiconductor chips, controls in the embodiment described above may be respectively implemented by different semiconductor chips. In this case, it can be considered that one processor is configured with the plurality of semiconductor chips. The processor may be configured with a semiconductor chip and a member (such as a capacitor) having a different function. One semiconductor chip may be configured to implement a function of the processor and another function. A plurality of processors may be implemented by one processor.

As described above, in the above embodiment, the safety switch <NUM> includes the sensor main body <NUM> and the actuator <NUM>. When the actuator <NUM> is disposed at a predetermined position with respect to sensor main body <NUM>, the sensor main body <NUM> includes the detection unit (for example, the coil <NUM>) that detects the actuator <NUM> and the light projection unit (for example, the first light sources <NUM>) that projects the light according to the detection result of the detection unit. The actuator <NUM> includes the light emitting units <NUM> and 273A that emit the visible light in response to reception of the light projected by the light projection unit.

Accordingly, in the safety switch <NUM>, the sensor main body <NUM> can project the light from the light projection unit toward the actuator <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> can further emit the light toward the outside of the safety switch <NUM> based on the light from the sensor main body <NUM>. Therefore, even when the safety switch <NUM> is disposed on the rear surfaces of the fixed frame <NUM> and the movable frame <NUM>, the checker can visually recognize the display of the detection result by the safety switch <NUM> from the front surface of the door <NUM> (the outside of the door-equipped apparatus <NUM>) via the actuator <NUM>. Therefore, the safety switch <NUM> can improve the visibility of the display of the detection result of the abnormality detected by the safety switch <NUM>.

Since the actuator <NUM> emits the light based on the light from the sensor main body <NUM>, a light source is not necessary on the actuator <NUM> side, and thus it is not necessary to connect a power supply line to the actuator <NUM>. Therefore, even when the actuator <NUM> is attached to the movable frame <NUM>, the actuator <NUM> can be easily provided.

The light projection unit may project the light through the facing surface (for example, a surface of the first light projection port <NUM>) facing the actuator <NUM>.

Accordingly, the safety switch <NUM> can expand the region of the light of the light projection source by the light projection unit projecting the light via the facing surface facing the actuator. For example, instead of providing the light source outside the housing <NUM> of the sensor main body <NUM>, the plurality of first light sources <NUM> are arranged so as to correspond to the facing surface, and thus it is possible to expand the region of the light of the light projection source. Further, since the light projection unit projects the light via the facing surface of the actuator, the light from the sensor main body <NUM> can be transmitted to the actuator <NUM> with high efficiency, and display efficiency is improved. Therefore, the visibility of the safety switch <NUM> is improved.

Further, the light projection unit may project the visible light. The light emitting unit <NUM> may be formed of the light transmissive member <NUM>.

Accordingly, the actuator <NUM> can emit the light with the simple configuration. Since the light is transmitted by the light transmissive member <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>, for example, it is not necessary to provide a configuration for guiding the light from the sensor main body <NUM> outside the housing <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>, which leads to miniaturization of the actuator <NUM>.

The light emitting unit <NUM> may have the outer peripheral surface 273a and the inner peripheral surface 273b. The outer peripheral surface <NUM> a, on the outer side of the inner peripheral surface 273b, may face the outside of the actuator on the non-facing side that is a side opposite to the sensor main body <NUM>. The inner peripheral surface 273b, on the inner side of the outer peripheral surface 273a, may face the outside of the actuator on the non-facing side. The diameter of the outer peripheral surface 273a may be reduced from the facing side facing the sensor main body <NUM> toward the non-facing side.

Accordingly, when the actuator <NUM> receives the light from the sensor main body <NUM> and emits the light toward the side opposite to the sensor main body <NUM>, the actuator <NUM> can expand and diffuse the range in the direction in which the light travels due to refraction or the like on the outer peripheral surface 273a. Therefore, the range in which the light emitted from the actuator <NUM> can be visually recognized is widened, and the checker can easily see the light of the actuator <NUM> from various angles.

The light emitting unit <NUM> may have the outer peripheral surface 273a and the inner peripheral surface 273b. The outer peripheral surface <NUM> a, on the outer side of the inner peripheral surface 273b, may face the outside of the actuator on the non-facing side that is a side opposite to the sensor main body <NUM>. The inner peripheral surface 273b, on the inner side of the outer peripheral surface 273a, may face the outside of the actuator on the non-facing side. The diameter of the inner peripheral surface 273b may increase from the facing side facing the sensor main body <NUM> toward the non-facing side.

Accordingly, when the actuator <NUM> receives the light from the sensor main body <NUM> and emits the light toward the side opposite to the sensor main body <NUM>, the light is easily diffused in the direction of the center line c1 of the actuator <NUM> due to the refraction or the like on the inner peripheral surface 273b. Therefore, the intensity of the diffused light is improved, and the diffused light can be transmitted by a long distance in the direction of the center line c1 of the actuator <NUM>. Therefore, the checker can easily see the light of the actuator <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> may include the light guiding unit <NUM> which is formed of the light transmissive member <NUM> and guides the light from the sensor main body <NUM> to the light emitting unit <NUM>, and the non-light-transmissive member (for example, the housing <NUM>) which surrounds the outer periphery of the light guiding unit <NUM>.

Accordingly, the actuator <NUM> can prevent leakage of the light from the light projection unit to the outside of the actuator through the light transmissive member <NUM> inside the actuator. Therefore, the actuator <NUM> can prevent the attenuation of the light emitted by the light emitting unit <NUM>, and can improve the visibility of the light of the actuator.

The light projection unit may include a plurality of display lamps. The actuator <NUM> may include the wireless transmission unit (for example, the RFID tag <NUM>) that faces the sensor main body <NUM> and transmits the predetermined signal. The detection unit may be disposed to face the wireless transmission unit and receive the predetermined signal. In the sensor main body <NUM>, the plurality of display lamps may be disposed at symmetrical positions with respect to the detection unit.

Accordingly, in the sensor main body <NUM>, since the plurality of display lamps are disposed at the symmetrical positions with respect to the detection unit, the light projected by the light projection unit can be uniformly transmitted to the actuator <NUM>. Therefore, the actuator <NUM> can uniformly emit the light and can symmetrically emit the light to the outside of the actuator. Therefore, the checker can easily see the light emitted from the actuator <NUM>.

The light emitting unit <NUM> may include a reflection surface (for example, the inner peripheral surface 273b) on which the light from the light projection unit is reflected in a direction (for example, the x direction) perpendicular to the arrangement direction (for example, the z direction) of the sensor main body <NUM> and the actuator <NUM>, and an emission surface (for example, the outer peripheral surface 273a) on which the light reflected by the reflection surface is emitted to the outside of the actuator.

Accordingly, the actuator <NUM> can change the traveling direction of the light from the sensor main body <NUM> using the reflection, and can diffuse the light in a wider range. Therefore, the checker can visually recognize the light from a wider range.

The end portion of the light emitting unit <NUM> on a side opposite to the sensor main body <NUM> may protrude from an end portion of the non-light-transmissive member on a side opposite to the sensor main body <NUM>.

Accordingly, since the light emitting unit <NUM> is present so as to protrude from the non-light-transmissive member (for example, the housing <NUM>), for example, even when the actuator is disposed on the rear surface of the movable frame <NUM>, the checker can easily see the door <NUM> from the front side.

The safety switch <NUM> may further include the extension member <NUM> attachable to and detachable from the actuator <NUM>. The extension member <NUM> may guide and emit the light emitted by the actuator <NUM>.

Accordingly, the extension member <NUM> can extend a transmission distance of the light emitted by the actuator <NUM>. Therefore, for example, even when the actuator <NUM> is provided on the movable frame <NUM> which is long along the arrangement direction (z direction) of the actuator <NUM> and the sensor main body <NUM>, or when the sensor main body <NUM> is provided on the fixed frame <NUM> which is long in this direction, it is easy for the checker to visually recognize the light emitted by the actuator <NUM>.

The door-equipped apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment includes the door <NUM> and the safety switch <NUM>. The door <NUM> includes the fixed frame <NUM>, the movable frame <NUM>, and the door main body <NUM>. The sensor main body <NUM> of the safety switch <NUM> is provided on the fixed frame <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> of the safety switch <NUM> is provided on the movable frame <NUM>.

Accordingly, even when the sensor main body <NUM> and the actuator <NUM> are disposed on the rear surfaces of the fixed frame <NUM> and the movable frame <NUM>, the door-equipped apparatus <NUM> can cause the display of the detection result by the safety switch <NUM> to be visually recognized from the front surface of the door <NUM> (the outside of the door-equipped apparatus <NUM>) via the actuator <NUM>. Therefore, the door-equipped apparatus <NUM> can improve the visibility of the display of the detection result of the abnormality detected by the safety switch <NUM>.

Further, at least a part of the light emitting unit <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> may be disposed so as to protrude from the end portion of the movable frame <NUM> on the side opposite to the fixed frame <NUM>.

Accordingly, even when the actuator <NUM> is disposed on the rear surface of the movable frame <NUM>, the door-equipped apparatus <NUM> can reliably check a light emitting position in the actuator <NUM> from the front surface side of the door-equipped apparatus <NUM>.

The present disclosure is based on <CIT>.

Claim 1:
A safety switch (<NUM>) comprising:
a sensor main body (<NUM>); and
an actuator (<NUM>),
wherein the sensor main body (<NUM>) comprises:
a detection unit (<NUM>) configured to detect the actuator (<NUM>) when the actuator (<NUM>) is disposed at a predetermined position with respect to the sensor main body (<NUM>); and
a light projection unit (<NUM>) configured to project light in accordance with a detection result of the detection unit (<NUM>), and
wherein the actuator (<NUM>) comprises:
a light emitting unit (<NUM>) configured to emit visible light in response to reception of the light projected by the light projection unit (<NUM>), the light emitting unit (<NUM>) being formed of a light transmissive member (<NUM>),
wherein the actuator (<NUM>) comprises:
a light guiding unit (<NUM>) formed of the light transmissive member (<NUM>) and configured to guide the light from the sensor main body (<NUM>) to the light emitting unit (<NUM>); and
a non-light-transmissive member (<NUM>) surrounding an outer periphery of the light guiding unit (<NUM>),
wherein the light emitting unit (<NUM>) has an outer peripheral surface (273a) and an inner peripheral surface (273b),
wherein the outer peripheral surface (273a) faces, on an outer side of the inner peripheral surface (273b), an outside of the actuator (<NUM>) on a non-facing side that is a side opposite to the sensor main body (<NUM>),
wherein the inner peripheral surface, on an inner side of the outer peripheral surface (273a), faces the outside of the actuator (<NUM>) on the non-facing side,
wherein a diameter of the outer peripheral surface (273a) is reduced from a facing side facing the sensor main body (<NUM>) toward the non-facing side so as to spread and diffuse the light through the light guiding unit (<NUM>), and/or
a diameter of the inner peripheral surface (273b) increases from the facing side facing the sensor main body (<NUM>) toward the non-facing side so as to diffuse the light guided through the light guiding unit (<NUM>) in a center line (c1) of the actuator (<NUM>).