Communications: electrical – Visual indication
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-11
2003-02-25
Tweel, John (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Visual indication
C340S870030, C340S870030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06525667
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an operation indicator device, more particularly to an operation indicator device in which a plurality of panel units are placed, and the panel unit used in the operation indicator device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART
In a plant, a machine tool and the like used is an operation indicator device to which a push button for operation, an indicator lamp for displaying the condition and the like are mounted. Such a typical operation indicator device consists of a selector switch for switching between a manual operation and an automatic operation and the like, a push-button switch used as an starting switch and the like, an LED indicator used as a counter, a timer and the like and a liquid crystal display for indicating the condition and the like of a plant and the like all of which are mounted on a mount panel. Thus, with panel devices such as switches and display devices mounted on an operation indicator device, concentrated operation, management and the like of the plant and the like can be performed.
The above typical operation indicator device, however, has the following problem. With more advanced and complicated technologies of the plant of the like, in recent operations, indications and the like become more complicated and diversified. Therefore, there arises a necessity for mounting various kinds of panel devices of various sizes on the operation indicator device. As a result, there is no unity among the various kinds of panel devices on the operation indicator device, and that gives not only a complicated appearance but also a possibility of deterioration in operability and viewability. Further, for later addition of panel devices, the operation indicator device has a poor area efficiency, being unable to allocate more space for addition of panel devices and so on.
In other words, the operation panel as it stands can not respond to the needs of market, i.e., “standardization”, and further can not sufficiently respond to “interconnection savings”, “labor savings (less labor needed for fabricating and the like)”, “open net” or “safety”.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
<Objects of The Invention>
The present invention is intended to solve the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an operation indicator device with uniformity of panel units and excellent area efficiency.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an operation indicator device which allows a reduced depth and a simpler manufacturing process therefor, with uniformity in size and shape of used panel units and excellent area efficiency.
<Constitution and Action of The Invention>
The present invention is directed to an operation indicator device for performing at least one of control and management of a predetermined external apparatus. According to the present invention, the operation indicator device comprises: a plurality of panel units (
24
a
to
24
f,
34
a
to
34
f,
60
,
70
,
84
a
to
84
g,
88
,
122
,
132
,
152
,
160
,
200
,
210
,
220
, U, U
1
to U
7
) each having a polygonal surface (S,
192
) whose side is substantially perpendicular to its adjacent side and has a size being substantially an integral multiple of a predetermined reference size (L), the plurality of panel units being placed adjacently to one another so that a whole surface (AS) consisting of all the surfaces of the plurality of panel units should have a predetermined polygonal shape, the polygonal shape of the whole surface having a side which is substantially perpendicular to its adjacent side and has a size being substantially an integral multiple of the predetermined reference size (L): and combining means (
22
,
32
,
82
,
90
,
92
,
94
,
124
,
126
,
128
,
136
,
156
,
162
,
174
,
641
,
645
,
647
) for combining the plurality of panel units.
Since this gives unify among the panel units, it is possible to place a plurality of panel units orderly without any clearance. That improves operability and viewability. Further, it becomes easier to allocate space for addition of panel units. In short, it is possible to achieve an operation indicator device with unify among the panel units and higher area efficiency.
Preferably, the surface of each of the panel units is rectangular.
That allows easier fabricating, storage and conveyance of the panel units. It becomes easier to obtain a desired polygonal operation indicator device by combination of the panel units. Further, when the panel units are individually mounted on a mount member, it becomes easier to provide a mounting hole since the mounting hole to be provided in the mount member can be rectangular.
Preferably, the whole surface of the plurality of panel units combined with one another is rectangular.
It thereby becomes possible to achieve an operation indicator device with better uniformity and area efficiency on the whole. Storage and conveyance of the whole operation indicator device become easier. Further, when the combined plural panel units are collectively mounted on the mount member, an operation for providing a mounting hole becomes easier since a mounting hold to be provided on the mount member can be rectangular.
Preferably, the combining means comprises a mount member (
22
,
32
) on which each of the plurality of panel units is mounted.
With this, when another panel unit is additionally provided, the panel unit can be easily added by, for example, additionally providing a mounting hole in the mount member.
Preferably, the combining means comprises a combining unit for combining the plurality of panel units with one another to constitute a panel unit combination body; and a mount member (
82
,
128
) on which the panel unit combination body is mounted.
For example, when a mounting hole is provided in the mount member, the hole can be provided with simple operation since only one large hole for mount has to be provided. Further, the kinds and positional relation of the panel units to be combined are freely selected only if the combination can be fitted to the mount member. Therefore, without changing the mount member, the kinds and positional relation of the panel units can be changed.
Preferably, the combining means comprises an engagement portion (
124
) provided in each of the plurality of panel units, and the plurality of panel units are combined with one another by the medium of the engagement portion.
Since this allows the combined panel units to be handled as a unit, storage, conveyance and mounting operation become easier.
Preferably, the combining means comprises a plurality of unit frames (
90
) for holding the plurality of panel units, and the plurality of panel units are combined with one another by combining the plurality of unit frames.
Since this allows the combined panel units to be handled as a unit, storage, conveyance and mounting operation become easier. Further, even after the panel units combined with one another are mounted on the mount member, the panel unit can be taken out by removing the panel unit held by the unit frame from the unit frame. That allows easy maintenance, check, exchange and change of the panel unit.
Preferably, the operation indicator device further comprises a sealing member (
100
) for sealing a clearance between the surfaces of the plurality of panel units in a fluid-tight manner, the sealing member is formed by removing part of a two-dimensional grid, and the two-dimensional grid has a grid pitch substantially corresponding to the reference size.
With this, if the sealing member of a predetermined size having the grid portion is prepared, the sealing member adaptable to the operation indicator devices of various combinations can be obtained by removing an unnecessary grid portion in accordance with the kind and positional relation of the panel units which are constituents.
Preferably, at least one of the plurality of panel units comprises an interunit communication unit (
134
,
154
) for making communication among the plurality of panel units.
This makes it possible to make easy communication between
Dohi Masao
Fujii Masaaki
Fujita Toshihiro
Hosorogi Takao
Ishino Shinichi
IDEC Izumi Corporation
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
Tweel John
LandOfFree
Operation indicator device and panel unit does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Operation indicator device and panel unit, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Operation indicator device and panel unit will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3116970