JP2005317374A - Push-button device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a push-button device capable of improving visibility of a push-button part. <P>SOLUTION: The push-button device 20 having a first light-emitting element 232 as a light source and a push-button part 27, which is pushing operation capably arranged and transmits the light from the first light-emitting element 232, is provided with a light scattering means which scatters the light from the first light-emitting element 232 and forms scattering light and emits scattered light from the push-button part 27. It is preferable that this light scattering means is provided with a lens part 28 in which a plurality of straight line shape grooves extending along the mutually different directions are formed in parallel on the incident face 281 and the light emitting face 282 of the light from the first light-emitting element 232. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a push button device, and more particularly to a push button device used for selecting a product in, for example, a vending machine.

  In general, on the front panel of the vending machine, product sample display shelves are provided in a plurality of stages along the vertical direction, and push button devices are provided corresponding to the respective product sample shelves.

  As a push button device, one having a light emitting element and a push button portion is known. The light-emitting element is, for example, a chip-type light-emitting diode (LED) or the like, and is used as a light source. The push button portion is composed of a lens portion having light transmittance as a main part, and is arranged corresponding to each product sample in such a manner as to appear on the front panel of the vending machine. When the push button is pressed from the front side and pressed with a packing or the like between the push button unit and the circuit board on which the light emitting element and the switch are mounted on the front surface, the push button unit It is provided in a mode of inputting a switch.

  In such a push button device, the light emitting element is caused to emit light when money exceeding a predetermined threshold is inserted into the vending machine. Thereafter, when the push button portion corresponding to the product sample selected by the user is pressed, the push button portion is pushed to input a switch of the circuit board. As a result, in the vending machine, the product corresponding to the selected product sample is paid out and the product is sold (for example, Patent Document 1).

No. 7-18112

  However, in the pushbutton device proposed in Patent Document 1 and the like, the light emitted from the light-emitting diode used as the light-emitting element is strong, so that the light transmitted through the lens portion, which is the main part of the pushbutton portion, is also generated. It will be highly straight. Therefore, it is required to improve the visibility of the push button part.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a push button device that can improve the visibility of a push button portion.

  In order to achieve the above object, a push button device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a light emitting element that serves as a light source, a push button portion that is disposed so as to be able to be pushed and transmits light from the light emitting element. And a light scattering means for scattering light from the light emitting element to form scattered light and emitting the scattered light from the push button portion.

  The push button device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the push button device according to the first aspect, wherein the light scattering means includes a plurality of light beams extending along different directions on the light incident surface and the light emitting surface from the light emitting element. It is characterized by comprising a lens portion in which straight groove portions are formed in parallel.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the push button device according to the second aspect, wherein the lens portion is formed along a direction in which grooves formed on the entrance surface and the exit surface are orthogonal to each other. It is characterized by being.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the push button device according to the first aspect, wherein the light scattering means includes a plurality of light extending from the light incident surface and the light emitting surface along different directions. A first lens part in which linear groove parts are formed in parallel; a second lens part in which the push button part is formed and a groove part in a form radially extending on the light incident surface from the first lens part is formed; It is provided with.

  The push button device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the push button device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the first lens portion is formed along a direction in which grooves formed on the incident surface and the emission surface are orthogonal to each other. It is characterized by that.

  A push button device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, a display unit for performing a predetermined display is provided separately from the push button unit. To do.

  According to the push button device according to the present invention, the light scattering means scatters the light from the light emitting element to form the scattered light, and the scattered light is emitted from the push button portion, so that the push button portion can be illuminated with the scattered light. As a result, the visibility of the push button portion can be improved.

  Exemplary embodiments of a push button device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, it is assumed that the push button device according to the present invention is applied to a vending machine.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vending machine to which a push button device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, a vending machine 1 includes a main body cabinet 2. The main body cabinet 2 is formed as a rectangular heat-insulating housing whose front surface is open. Although not clearly shown in the figure, inside the main body cabinet 2, a plurality of product storage boxes partitioned by a heat insulating partition plate are arranged side by side. These merchandise containers are for accommodating merchandise such as canned drinks and plastic bottled drinks at a desired temperature. Each product storage is provided with a product storage rack for storing products, and at the lower part thereof, the internal atmosphere of the product storage is cooled or heated and stored in the product storage rack. A cooling / heating unit is provided for storing the product in a refrigerated or refrigerated state.

  The vending machine 1 is provided with a door at one side edge of the main body cabinet 2. The door body is for opening and closing the front opening of the main body cabinet 2, and includes an inner door (not shown) and an outer door 3. The inner door has a size sufficient to cover the front surface of the product storage provided in the main body cabinet 2.

  The outer door 3 has a size sufficient to cover the front opening of the main body cabinet 2. A display chamber 5 whose front surface is covered with a transparent plate 4 is provided in the upper area of the outer door 3. Further, a display stand 6 is attached to a portion that is inside the display chamber 5. The display stand 6 has a plurality of product samples 7 (12 in the present embodiment) arranged in a row on the left and right, corresponding to the products stored in the product storage. The display stand 6 displays the storage state (cooling or heating) of the product stored in the cabinet. The display on the display stand 6 can be seen through the transparent plate 4 together with the product sample 7 from the front of the vending machine 1 when the outer door 3 is closed with respect to the main body cabinet 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the display stand 6 in the present embodiment has a plurality of stages (three stages) in the vertical direction. In addition, on the front surface of the outer door 3, known ones such as a coin insertion slot 8, a bill insertion slot 9, a change return slot 10, a money return lever 11, a display unit 12, and a product outlet 13 are provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the transparent plate 4 covering the display chamber 5 is provided with a push button device 20 at a position in front of each display stand 6.

  2 and 3 show a push button device applied to the vending machine shown in FIG. 1, that is, a push button device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view. FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view. 2 and 3, the push button device 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a base 21 and a cover 22 constituting a casing.

  The base 21 constitutes a rear casing of the push button device 20. The base 21 is a rectangular plate-shaped body, and a storage recess 211 is provided on the front surface thereof. Further, the base 21 is provided with an endless groove 212 along the outer periphery thereof. The base 21 is fixed to a predetermined portion of the outer door 3 by fastening the rear surface side with a fastening member (not shown) such as a screw.

  The cover 22 constitutes a front casing of the push button device 20. The cover 22 has a front plate portion 221 formed by bulging in an arc shape toward the front, and left and right side plate portions 222, and forms a storage space S between the base 21. In the storage space S, the substrate 23, the housing 24, the packing 25, the film 26, and the push button portion 27 are stored. The cover 22 has a push button hole 223 formed in the front plate portion 221. The cover 22 is fixed to the base 21 by welding or the like, and constitutes a casing together with the base 21 as described above.

  The substrate 23 is a rectangular plate-like body that fits into the storage recess 211 of the base 21. A switch portion 231, a first light emitting element 232, a second light emitting element 233, and an integrated circuit 234 are mounted on the front surface of the substrate 23. The switch part 231 is configured by a tact switch that generates an operational feeling when activated. Two switch portions 231 are provided corresponding to one push button portion 27.

  The first light emitting element 232 constitutes the light source of the push button device 20, and is composed of, for example, two chip-type light emitting diodes (LEDs) having different colors. In the present embodiment, there are two light emitting diodes of blue and orange arranged side by side in the vertical direction.

  The second light emitting element 233 is constituted by, for example, two chip type light emitting diodes having different colors. In this embodiment, the light emitting diodes of two colors of red and orange are arranged in the vertical direction.

  The integrated circuit 234 is connected to each of the switch unit 231, the first light emitting element 232, and the second light emitting element 233, and is connected to a main controller (not shown) of the vending machine 1. The integrated circuit 234 emits the light emitting diodes of the first light emitting element 232 and the second light emitting element 233 based on a command from the main controller, and sends an input signal of the switch unit 231 to the main controller.

  The housing 24 has an elliptical shape, and is disposed on the light emission side (front side) of the first light emitting element 232 and the second light emitting element 233. The housing 24 has a lens holding part 241 and a reflection part 242.

  The lens holding part 241 is for holding the elliptical lens part 28, and is provided in the passage region of the emitted light of the two light emitting diodes of the first light emitting element 232. More specifically, the lens holding unit 241 holds the lens unit 28 in such a manner that the light from the first light emitting element 232 reaches the central portion. The lens portion 28 held by the lens holding portion 241 is formed of a light transmitting material, and as shown in FIG. 4, the light incident surface (rear surface) 281 and the emission surface (front surface) from the first light emitting element 232 are shown. ) 282, a plurality of linear grooves 283 are formed in parallel. More specifically, the plurality of grooves 283 formed on the entrance surface 281 and the exit surface 282 are formed along directions orthogonal to each other. Here, as an example, the groove portion 283 formed in the incident surface 281 is formed along a direction inclined 45 degrees clockwise from one surface of the median surface 284 of the lens portion 28, and is emitted. The groove 283 formed in the surface 282 is formed along a direction inclined 135 degrees clockwise from the one surface, but is not limited to this angle, and visibility and aesthetics are improved. Any angle that can be improved is acceptable. Here, the form of the groove 283 formed in each of the incident surface 281 and the exit surface 282 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the cross section is V-shaped.

  The reflection part 242 has a concave shape that opens forward, and is provided on the side of the lens holding part 241. The reflection part 242 is for reflecting the emitted light from each light emitting diode of the 2nd light emitting element 233, and is provided one each, ie, two, corresponding to each light emitting diode. Each of the reflecting portions 242 has a passage hole 242a through which light emitted from the light emitting diode of the second light emitting element 233 passes, and a light reflecting surface 242b that gradually expands in a rectangular shape forward from the passage hole 242a. Have.

  The packing 25 is made of an elastic member such as silicone rubber, and is formed in a rectangular shape. An endless insertion portion 251 that can be inserted into the groove-like portion 212 of the base 21 is provided on the outer periphery of the packing 25. On the front surface of the packing 25, an oval storage portion 252 into which the housing 24 is inserted is projected, and an operation portion 253 having flexibility and elasticity is provided around the storage portion 252. . On the rear surface of the packing 25, operation protrusions 254 are provided at positions facing the respective switch portions 231 of the substrate 23. When the cover 22 is fixed in close contact with the base 21, the packing 25 is accommodated by inserting the insertion portion 251 into the groove-like portion 212 so that the substrate 23 and the housing 24 are watertight with the base 21. To do.

  The film 26 is a plate-like body made of a light transmitting material, and has an elliptical shape so as to cover the front surface of the storage portion 252 of the packing 25. As shown in FIG. 5, the film 26 has a letter 26 with a high light transmittance on a portion 26 a facing the front side of each reflecting portion 242 of the housing 24. This character is “sold out” corresponding to one (upper side) reflecting portion 242 and “under preparation” corresponding to the other (lower side) reflecting portion 242.

  The push button portion 27 is made of a light transmissive material, and includes an operation portion 271 and a collar portion 272 as shown in FIG. The operation unit 271 has an elliptical shape and is disposed in a manner protruding forward. The operation portion 271 is inserted into the storage portion 252 of the film 26 or the packing 25 and is exposed to the front of the front plate portion 221 through the push button hole 223 of the cover 22. The operation portion 271 is formed with an elliptical lens portion 271 a at a portion facing the lens holding portion 241 of the housing 24, that is, the lens portion 28 held by the lens holding portion 241. In other words, the lens portion 271 a is formed in such a manner that the central portion corresponds to the first light emitting element 232. The collar portion 272 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the operation portion 271 and plays a role of preventing the push button portion 27 from coming out of the push button hole 223. The rear side of the flange portion 272 faces each switch portion 231 of the substrate 23 through the operation protrusion 254 of the packing 25. The push button portion 27 is provided so that it can be pushed backward when pressed from the front due to the bending and elasticity of the operating portion 253 of the packing 25.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the push button portion 27 is provided corresponding to each product sample 7 placed on the display base 6. In the present embodiment, a unit is formed in which six push button portions 27 are arranged side by side in the left and right rows. It is. Note that the push button device 20 is not limited to forming a unit in which the six push button portions 27 are arranged in parallel, and may form a unit in which, for example, four push button portions 27 are arranged in parallel.

  Next, the operation of the push button device 20 having the above configuration will be described including the sales operation of the vending machine 1. The vending machine 1 determines whether the coin is inserted from the coin insertion slot 8, and if the coin is a genuine coin, the vending machine 1 further recognizes the inserted amount. The vending machine 1 determines whether the bill is inserted from the bill insertion slot 9, and if the bill is a genuine bill, the vending machine 1 further recognizes the inserted amount. The amount of coins or banknotes is displayed on the display unit 12.

  The push button device 20 pushes the push button unit 27 when the amount of money inserted into the plane is an amount necessary for selling goods, that is, when the amount of money inserted exceeds a predetermined threshold. Enable the operation. That is, for the push button unit 27 corresponding to the product sample 7 of the product that can be sold, the input from the switch unit 231 facing the push button unit 27 is validated. At the same time, the push button device 20 causes the first light emitting element 232 corresponding to the push button portion 27 to emit light for the push button portion 27 corresponding to the product sample 7 of the product that can be sold. At this time, in the first light emitting element 232, for example, when a product corresponding to the push button portion 27 is in a cooled storage state, a blue light emitting diode is caused to emit light, while a product corresponding to the push button portion 27 is in a warm storage state. In this case, an orange light emitting diode is caused to emit light.

  The light emitted from the light emitting diode of the first light emitting element 232 has straightness and reaches the incident surface 281 of the lens unit 28 held by the lens holding unit 241 of the housing 24. As described above, since the lens portion 28 has the plurality of grooves 283 formed on the incident surface 281 and the exit surface 282, the light reaching the incident surface 281 of the lens portion 28 is diffusely reflected and scattered. And become scattered light. The scattered light is emitted from the exit surface 282 of the lens unit 28 and passes through the packing 25, the film 26, and the lens unit 271a (push button unit 27). As a result, the push button unit 27 is illuminated forward and is clearly shown. . In other words, the lens unit 28 diffuses and reflects the light having straightness from the first light emitting element 232 to form scattered light, and emits the scattered light from the push button unit 27 (lens unit 271a).

  As described above, when the push button portion 27 clearly indicated by the scattered light is pressed from the front to perform a push operation, the switch portion 231 is activated to send an input signal to the main controller. In the vending machine 1, the product of the product sample 7 corresponding to the push button portion 27 that is pushed by the input signal is carried out to the product take-out port 13 and paid out. At the same time, in the push button device 20, the light emission of the light emitting diode of the first light emitting element 232 is stopped by the input signal of the switch unit 231.

  By the way, when the stock of the product stored in the vending machine 1 is exhausted, the push button device 20 uses the second light emission corresponding to the push button portion 27 for the push button portion 27 corresponding to the product sample 7 of the product out of stock. The element 233 is caused to emit light. More specifically, the second light emitting element 233 causes, for example, a red light emitting diode to emit light. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the characters “sold out” applied to the film 26 are clearly displayed in red on the push button portion 27.

  On the other hand, when the out-of-stock items are replenished in the vending machine 1, the push button device 20 uses the second light emitting element 233 corresponding to the push button portion 27 for the push button portion 27 corresponding to the product sample 7 of the replenished product. To emit light. More specifically, the second light emitting element 233 causes, for example, an orange light emitting diode to emit light. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the characters “in preparation” applied to the film 26 are clearly displayed in orange on the push button portion 27. “Preparing” means that the product stored in the vending machine 1 is being cooled or heated.

  In addition, when the characters “sold out” or “in preparation” are clearly indicated, the push button device 20 can display the character even if the amount of money inserted in the vending machine 1 is the amount required for the sale of the product. Is invalidated. That is, since the push button unit 27 corresponds to the product sample 7 of the product that cannot be sold, the signal from the switch unit 231 facing the push button unit 27 is invalidated. At the same time, the push button device 20 stops the light emission of the first light emitting element 232 of the push button portion 27 for the push button portion 27 corresponding to the product sample 7 of the product that cannot be sold.

  According to the pushbutton device 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention as described above, the lens unit 28 diffuses the light having straightness from the first light emitting element 232 that is a light source to form scattered light, Since the scattered light is emitted from the push button portion 27 (lens portion 271a), the visibility of the push button portion 27 can be improved. In particular, since the entrance surface 281 of the lens portion 28 and the groove portion 283 of the exit surface 282 are formed along directions orthogonal to each other, the scattered light is regularly diffused, and the appearance is excellent. Further, the groove portion 283 of the incident surface 281 is formed along a direction inclined 45 degrees clockwise from one surface of the median surface 284 of the lens portion 28, and the groove portion 283 of the exit surface 282 is the one. By being formed along a direction inclined by 135 degrees in the clockwise direction from the surface of the light, the scattered light is diffused in a manner in which the light emitted from the first light emitting element 232 is emitted concentrically, In particular, visibility and aesthetics can be made excellent.

<Embodiment 2>
The pushbutton device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the description of the push button device according to the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to those having the same configuration as the push button device 20 according to the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The push button device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied to the vending machine 1 in the same manner as the push button device 20 according to the first embodiment, and is between the base 21 and the cover 22 constituting the casing. In the storage space S, the substrate 23, the housing 24, the packing 25, the film 26 and the push button portion 37 are stored. That is, the push button device according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration except for the push button device 20 and the push button portion 37 according to the first embodiment.

  The push button portion 37 is made of a light transmissive material and includes an operation portion 371 and a collar portion 372 as shown in FIG. The operation part 371 has an elliptical shape and is arranged in a manner protruding forward. The operation portion 371 is inserted into the storage portion 252 of the film 26 or the packing 25 and is exposed to the front of the front plate portion 221 through the push button hole 223 of the cover 22. The operation unit 371 has an elliptical lens unit (second lens unit) facing the lens holding unit 241 of the housing 24, that is, the lens unit (first lens unit) 28 held by the lens holding unit 241. 371a is formed. That is, the lens portion 371 a is formed in such a manner that the central portion corresponds to the first light emitting element 232. On the incident surface (rear surface) of the lens portion 371a, a groove portion 373 is formed so as to expand radially from the central portion. The collar portion 372 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the operation portion 371 and plays a role of preventing the push button portion 37 from being removed from the push button hole 223. The rear side of the flange portion 372 faces each switch portion 231 of the substrate 23 via the operation protrusion 254 of the packing 25. The push button portion 37 is provided so as to be capable of being pushed backward when pressed from the front by the bending and elasticity of the operating portion 253 of the packing 25. The push button portion 37 is provided corresponding to each product sample 7 placed on the display base 6, similarly to the push button portion 27 of the push button device 20 according to the first embodiment.

  In the above push button device, when the scattered light formed by the lens portion 28 reaches the incident surface of the lens portion 371a of the push button portion 37 via the packing 25, it is further diffusely reflected because the groove portion 373 is formed on the incident surface. As a result, secondary scattered light is formed. As a result, the push button portion 37 is illuminated forward by the secondary scattered light and is clearly shown.

  Therefore, according to the pushbutton device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the lens unit 28 diffuses the light having straightness from the first light emitting element 232 that is the light source to form scattered light, and the scattered light. Since the lens part 371a that has entered the light forms and emits secondary scattered light, the visibility of the push button part 37 can be further improved. In addition, since the groove 373 on the incident surface of the lens portion 371a is formed so as to expand radially, the scattered light is diffused and the aesthetic appearance is excellent.

<Embodiment 3>
FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view showing a push button device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to what has the same structure as the pushbutton apparatus 20 which concerns on the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, and the description is abbreviate | omitted. In FIG. 10, a push button device 40 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention includes a substrate 23, a housing 44, a packing 45, a storage space (not shown) between a base 21 and a cover 22 constituting a casing. The reflecting member 46, the push button portion 47, and the inner cover 48 are accommodated.

  The housing 44 has an elliptical shape and is disposed on the light emission side (front side) of the first light emitting element 232. The housing 44 is for holding the elliptical lens portion 28. More specifically, the housing 44 holds the lens portion 28 in such a manner that the light from the first light emitting element 232 reaches the central portion. The lens portion 28 held by the housing 44 is formed of a light transmitting material, and has a plurality of linear shapes on the light incident surface (rear surface) 281 and the light exit surface (front surface) 282 from the first light emitting element 232. Groove portions 283 are formed in parallel. More specifically, the plurality of grooves 283 formed on the entrance surface 281 and the exit surface 282 are formed along directions orthogonal to each other. Here, as an example, the groove portion 283 formed in the incident surface 281 is formed along a direction inclined 45 degrees clockwise from one surface of the median surface 284 of the lens portion 28, and is emitted. The groove 283 formed in the surface 282 is formed along a direction inclined 135 degrees clockwise from the one surface, but is not limited to this angle, and visibility and aesthetics are improved. Any angle that can be improved is acceptable. Here, the form of the groove 283 formed in each of the incident surface 281 and the exit surface 282 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the cross section is V-shaped.

  The packing 45 is made of an elastic member such as silicone rubber, and is formed in a rectangular shape. An endless insertion portion 451 that can be inserted into the groove-like portion 212 of the base 21 is provided on the outer periphery of the packing 45. On the front surface of the packing 45, an oval storage portion 452 for inserting the housing 44 is projected, and an operation portion 453 having flexibility and elasticity is provided around the storage portion 452. is there. On the rear surface of the packing 45, operation protrusions 454 are provided at positions facing the respective switch portions 231 of the substrate 23. When the cover 22 is fixed in close contact with the base 21, the packing 45 is housed in such a manner that the substrate 23 and the housing 44 are watertight between the base 21 and the insertion portion 451 are pressed into the groove-shaped portion 212. To do.

  The reflection member 46 has a reflection window portion 461 having a concave shape that opens forward, and the reflection window portion 461 is located on the front surface side of the packing 45 in a manner in which the reflection window portion 461 is located in a light passage region from the second light emitting element 233. Is provided. The reflection window portion 461 is for reflecting the light emitted from each light emitting diode of the second light emitting element 233, and is provided one for each light emitting diode, that is, two. Each of the reflection window portions 461 has a passage hole 461a through which light emitted from the light emitting diode of the second light emitting element 233 passes, and the light reflection surface 461b gradually expands in a rectangular shape from the passage hole 461a to the front. have.

  The push button portion 47 is made of a light transmissive material and includes an operation portion 471 and a collar portion 472. The operation part 471 has an elliptical shape and is arranged in a manner protruding forward. The operation portion 471 is inserted into the storage portion 452 of the packing 45 and passes through the through hole 482 of the inner cover 48 and the push button hole 223 of the cover 22 and is exposed in front of the front plate portion 221. The operation portion 471 is formed with an elliptical lens portion 471a at a portion facing the housing 44 (lens portion 28). That is, the lens portion 471 a is formed in such a manner that the central portion corresponds to the first light emitting element 232. On the incident surface (rear surface) of the lens portion 471a, a groove portion 473 is formed so as to expand radially from the central portion. The collar portion 472 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the operation portion 471 and plays a role of preventing the push button portion 47 from coming out of the push button hole 223. The rear side of the flange portion 472 faces each switch portion 231 of the substrate 23 via the operation protrusion 454 of the packing 45. The push button portion 47 is provided so that it can be pushed backward when pressed from the front due to the bending and elasticity of the operating portion 453 of the packing 45.

  The inner cover 48 is a plate-like body made of a light transmitting material, and includes an elliptical exposed portion 481. The exposed portion 481 is a portion that is exposed from the push button hole 223 of the cover 22, and includes a through hole 482 and a display portion 483. The through hole 482 has a size that allows the operation portion 471 in the push button portion 47 to pass therethrough and has an elliptical shape slightly larger than the operation portion 471. The display portion 483 is provided with a letter with a high light transmittance at a portion facing the front side of the reflection window portion 461 of the reflection member 46. This character is “sold out” corresponding to one (upper side) reflection window part 461 and “under preparation” corresponding to the other (lower side) reflection window part 461.

  That is, the push button device 40 according to the third embodiment of the present invention has a configuration in which the push button unit 27 of the push button device 20 according to the first embodiment also transmits light from the second light emitting element 233, more specifically, “ While the characters “sold out” or “in preparation” are also displayed, as shown in FIG. 11, the push button portion 47 transmits only the light from the first light emitting element 232, more specifically, “ This is a separate display of “sold out” or “in preparation”.

  Even in such a configuration, the lens portion 28 held by the housing 44 diffusely reflects the light incident from the first light emitting element 232 to form scattered light and emits the scattered light from the push button portion 47. The visibility of 47 can be improved. Particularly, a plurality of linear grooves 283 are formed on the entrance surface 281 and the exit surface 282 of the lens portion 28 along directions orthogonal to each other, so that scattered light is regularly diffused and excellent in aesthetics. become. Further, the groove portion 283 of the incident surface 281 is formed along a direction inclined 45 degrees clockwise from one surface of the median surface 284 of the lens portion 28, and the groove portion 283 of the exit surface 282 is formed on the one surface. Since the scattered light is diffused in a concentric manner of the light emitted from the first light emitting element 232, the visibility and aesthetics are particularly improved. The property can be made excellent.

It is the front view which showed the vending machine to which the pushbutton apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention was applied. It is a disassembled perspective view of the pushbutton device applied to the vending machine shown in FIG. It is a plane sectional view of a pushbutton device applied to the vending machine shown in FIG. It is a front view of the lens part which comprises the pushbutton apparatus shown in FIG. It is a front view of the film which comprises the pushbutton apparatus shown in FIG. It is a front view of the pushbutton part which comprises the pushbutton apparatus shown in FIG. It is the front view which showed the case where the 2nd light emitting element which comprises the pushbutton apparatus shown in FIG. 2 was light-emitted. It is the front view which showed the case where the 2nd light emitting element which comprises the pushbutton apparatus shown in FIG. 2 was light-emitted. It is a front view of the pushbutton part which comprises the pushbutton apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a plane sectional view of the pushbutton device concerning Embodiment 3 of the present invention. It is the front view which showed the display pattern of the pushbutton apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

20, 40 Pushbutton device 21 Base 211 Storage recess 212 Grooved portion 22 Cover 221 Front plate portion 222 Side plate portion 223 Pushbutton hole 23 Substrate 231 Switch portion 232 First light emitting element 233 Second light emitting element 234 Integrated circuit 24 Housing 241 Lens holding portion 242 Reflection unit 25 Packing 251 Insertion unit 252 Storage unit 253 Actuation unit 254 Operation protrusion 26 Film 27, 37, 47 Push button unit 271 Operation unit 272 Gutter 271a Lens unit 28 Lens unit 281 Incident surface 282 Ejection surface 283 Groove portion 284 Middle surface S284 Storage space

Claims (6)

A light emitting element as a light source;
In a push button device that is disposed so as to be able to be pushed and includes a push button portion for transmitting light from the light emitting element,
A push button device comprising light scattering means for scattering light from the light emitting element to form scattered light and emitting the scattered light from the push button portion. The light scattering means is
2. The lens unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a lens unit in which a plurality of linear grooves extending in different directions are formed in parallel on an incident surface and an exit surface of light from the light emitting element. Push button device.   3. The push button device according to claim 2, wherein the lens portion is formed along a direction in which grooves formed in the incident surface and the exit surface are orthogonal to each other. The light scattering means is
A first lens portion in which a plurality of linear grooves extending in different directions are formed in parallel on the light incident surface and the light emitting surface from the light emitting element;
2. The push button device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second lens portion configured to form the push button portion and formed with a groove portion that radially expands on a light incident surface from the first lens portion. .   5. The push button device according to claim 4, wherein the first lens portion is formed by grooves formed in the incident surface and the exit surface along directions orthogonal to each other.   The push button device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a display unit for performing predetermined display separately from the push button unit.

Images