DESCRIPTION

TITLE OF THIS INVENTION : DIMMER

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to dimmer.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The dimmer to adjust the dimming level of a luminaire, for example, has ever been suggested in Japan published application No. 2001-150981 (hereinafter, document 1). The dimmer comprises a variable resistor of rotary type, a dimming control circuit for generating a duty signal of a duty ratio based on a resistance value of the variable resistor, and a signal output circuit, which outputs a dimming signal in accordance with the duty signal from the dimming control circuit, to the dimmer. Additionally, the dimmer has a rotatable dimming knob, which is attached to the variable resistor, within the prescribed range. The resistance value of variable resistor is adjusted by handling the dimming knob, and the dimming signal in accordance with the resistance value is output to the dimmer. For example, when the dimming knob is turned to one rotation terminal which becomes minimal resistance value of the variable resistor, the dimming signal defined the dimming level as 0% is output to the dimmer, andan illuminant of luminaire turns off a light by he dimming signal.

[0003] Additionally, the dimmer is also suggested, wherein the dimmer is configured to turn on / off the luminaire by a switch distinguished with the dimming knob. In the dimmer, the illuminant of luminaire turns on a light at minimal dimming level without turning off even if the dimming knob is turned to one rotation terminal becoming minimal resistance value of the luminaire and turns off a light by converting to the state of off by the change-over switch.

[0004] As aforementioned dimmer of document 1, in a mechanism that the luminaire is turned off a light by the dimming knob, there is a thing internal a micro switch for turning on / off the luminaire, too. In this case, the micro switch is configured to convert so as to turn on / off by a boss of the dimming knob.

Specifically when the micro switch is converted to the sate of "on", the illuminant of luminaire turns off a light.

[0005] On the other hand, in latter dimmer, since the switch, which is distinguished with the dimming knob, for converting to the state of on / off is provided, the dimming knob has a different form because of no boss in the dimming'' knob. Additionally, in two kinds of the above dimmers, these cases attached the dimming knob have different form each other because of the different form of dimming knob. Therefore, in the producing two kinds of the above dimmers, there is a necessary of preparing two kinds of metal die for each the dimming knobs and cases, and there is a problem that the costs of the producing increase in accordance with above reason.

DISCLOSURE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problem and purposes to suggest a dimmer which enable to decrease the cost of the producing by using a case and a dimming control part in common.

[0007] A dimmer of the present invention comprises; a variable resistor of rotary type, a dimming controller unit, a dimming operation part, a case, wherein said dimming controller unit controls a dimming level of an illumination load in accordance with resistance value of said variable resistor, wherein said dimming operation part is attached to a rotation axis of said variable resistor and changes resistance value of said variable resistor in accordance with a rotation operation, wherein said case is configured to house at least said variable resistor and said dimming controller unit, wherein a lever part is configured to contact with an operator of a change-over switch sifting a state of turning on / off of said illumination load when rotating to prescribed position together with said rotation axis in accordance with a rotation of said dimming operation part and to turn off said illumination load, wherein said lever part is formed detachably along said rotation axis.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, a rib is preferably provided to an inside of said lever part so as to run on a boss part of said lever part in a state that said lever part contacts with said change-over switch. [0009] A dimmer of the present invention has an effect to enable decreasing the costs of the producing by the common using of the dimming control part and case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a exploded perspective view representing an example of dimmer in the present embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows a front view of dimmer in the resent embodiment, and

FIG. 2B shows another front view in the resent embodiment.

FIG. 3A shows a cross-section view of dimmer in the present embodiment, and FIG. 3B shows a diagrammatic perspective view left out a part of dimmer in the state that a front body is dismounted from a case of dimmer in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4A shows a diagrammatic perspective view from front side of the front body of case in dimmer of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4B shows a diagrammatic perspective view from back side of the front body of the case in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5A shows a diagrammatic perspective view from front side of lever part in dimmer of the present embodiment, and FIG. 5B shows a diagrammatic perspective view from front side of lever part in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a block chart of dimmer in the present embodiment.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of dimmer in the present invention is explained by referring to drawings.

[0012] FIG. 6 roughly shows a block chart of dimmer A of the present embodiment. The dimmer A comprises connecting terminals T1 and T2, full-wave rectifier DB1, a switching element Q1, a dimming controller unit 101, a zero-cross detector unit 102, a dimming level setting unit 103, a dimming floor setting unit 104, a light-emitting part 105, and a memory unit 106, wherein the connecting terminals T1 and T2 are connected with an external circuit.

[0013] As the external circuit, a series circuit comprising a commercial alternator 100 and an illumination load 200 such as LED (light-emitting diode) light bulb is exemplified. The series circuit is connected between the connecting terminals T1 and T2. Additionally, the connecting terminals T1 and T2 are connected with alternate current input terminals of the full-wave rectifier DB1, respectively. [0014] The full-wave rectifier DB1 converts an alternating voltage to a direct voltage by the full-wave rectifying the alternating voltage output from the connecting terminal T1 and T2. The switching element Q1 is connected between direct-current terminals of full-wave rectifier DB1, wherein the switching element Q1 is exemplified as thyristor (SCR).

[0015] the zero-cross detector unit 102 detects a zero-cross signal of the alternator voltage by determining high or low between a voltage V1 after the full-wave rectification in the full-wave rectifier DB1 and a prescribed threshold value. A signal level of a signal S1 output from the zero-cross detector unit 102 is defined as low level (L) when the voltage V1 is lower than the threshold value or is defined as high level (H) when the voltage V1 is higher than the threshold value.

[0016] The dimming level setting unit 103 is provided for setting the dimming level of the illumination load 200, and the dimming level setting unit 103 comprises a variable resistor 70 and a change-over switch 71, wherein variable resistor 70 is configured so that a resistance value changes according to rotational position of operator (rotation axis 70a), and the change-over switch 71 is configured to switch the turning on / off of the illumination load 200. When a user moves the operator to the off position, the change-over switch 71, for example, shifts from the state of off to the state of on, and the dimming controller unit 101 switches the switching element Q1 to the state of off and turns off the illumination load 200. Additionally, when the user moves the operator from an off position to an intended rotational position, the change-over switch 71 shifts from the state of on to the state of off, the dimming controller unit 101 turns on the illumination load 200. Moreover, the dimming controller unit 101 controls a power supplying to the illumination load 200 based on the resistance value of variable resistor 70 and turns on the illumination load 200 in the dimming level in accordance with the rotational position.

[0017] The dimming floor setting unit 104 is provided to set the electricity supplying to the illumination load 200 in the floor of dimming range of the illumination load 200.

[0018] The dimming controller unit 101 switches the switching element Q1 to the on state when a time goes from a point that output S1 of the zero-cross detector unit 102 reverses from low level to high level, wherein the time relates to the dimming level set by the dimming level setting unit 103. Additionally, the switching element Q1 is configured to run in the on state until the dimming controller unit 101 is input a next zero-cross signal. Consequently, since a phase angle of voltage V2 supplied to the illumination load 200 is set up while a supply power to the illumination load 200 is setup, the illumination load 200 turns on a light by the dimming level being set. Herein, when a phase angle of conduction increases, the supply power to the illumination load 200 increases, and a light output of illumination load 200 becomes light. Additionally, the time means a term that the switching element Q1 conducts in half cycle of the alternator.

[0019] The light-emitting part 105 has, for example, a luminescent diode 72 (see FIG. 1). Moreover, the light-emitting part 105 is provided so that emission of the light-emitting part 105 is seen from out side of the dimmer A. Additionally, a lighting state of light-emitting part 105 is controlled by the dimming controller unit. Herein, the lighting state is, for example, selected at least one state of a turning on, a blinking, and a turning off, the lighting state may become to combine the states of the turning on, the blinking, and the turning off.

[0020] The memory unit 106 has a non-volatile memory, and the memory unit 106 memories the supply power in floor of the dimming range being set by the dimming floor setting unit 104.

[0021] Further, the structure of dimmer A will be explained by referring to FIGs. 1 to 5. Additionally, if there is no permission in below explanation, each left, right, up, and down direction indicated in FIG. 2A is defined as the direction of the dimming A, and near side and depths side in vertical direction with page space of FIG. 2A is defined as the front side and back side of the dimmer A.

[0022] The dimmer A mainly comprises a case 1 and a cover 3, wherein the cover 3 is attached to the case 1 so as to cover a front surface of the case 1.

[0023] The case 1 is formed as a box-shape by contacting a back body 11 with a front body 10. Herein, the back body 11 is formed as a box-shape so that a front end of back body 11 is opened, and the front body 10 is formed as a box-shape so that a back end of front body 10 is opened. In this case, the back body 11 is preferably formed of synthetic resin, and the front body 10 is preferably formed of synthetic resin. Both an upper surface and an under surface of front body 10 have at least one of stopper piece 12. Herein, two stopper pieces 12 for each the upper surface and under surface of front body 10 are provided in the present embodiment. The stopper pieces 12 is provided so as to protrude from the upper surface and the under surface of back end of the front body 10, respectively. Additionally, a upper surface and a under surface of the back body 11 have bosses 13, respectively, wherein each bosses 13 is provided at position corresponding to a hole 12a of each stopper pieces. The front body 10 is covered the front side of back body 11 so as to close open ends of front body 10 and back body 11 each other, and the hole 12a of each stopper pieces and the bosses 13 are latched together.

Consequently, the back body 11 and the front body 10 are connected, and the case 1 is formed.

[0024] Additionally, the case 1 is configured to be attached to a metal attachment frame 2 standardized for mounting appliance, and the case 1 is formed so as to have the so-called module dimension. Herein, the case 1 is preferably formed so as to have two module dimensions. Specifically, one module dimension means the scale that three mounting appliances are aligned and attached in the attachment frame 2, and two module dimensions means the scale in the case that two mounting appliances having one module dimension are aligned in up and down direction.

[0025] An inside of the case 1 is configured to house connecting terminals T1 and T2, the full-wave rectifier DB1, the switching element Q1, the zero-cross detector unit 102, the dimming level setting unit 103, the dimming floor setting unit 104, the light-emitting part 105, the base plates 7 and 9 mounted circuit components, and an insulation sheet 8 (see FIG. 6). Wherein the circuit component preferably comprises the memory unit 106, and the insulation sheet is preferably configured to insulate between the base plates 7 and 9. In the example represented in FIG. 1, on or over the front surface of base plate 7, for example, the variable resistor 70, the change-over switch 71, the luminescent diode 72, and a push button switch 73 are mounted. Wherein the variable resistor 70 and change-over switch 71 construct the dimming level setting unit 103, the luminescent diode 72 constructs the light-emitting part 105, and the push button switch 73 constructs the dimming floor setting unit 104. Moreover, the number of the push button switch 73 is preferably two push button switches 73. Additionally, on or over the back surface of base plate 9, a rapid connectable terminal device is mounted (not shown). Herein the rapid connectable terminal device constructs the connecting terminals T1 and T2.

[0026] Additionally, the inside of case 1 is configured to house a lever part 6. The lever part 6 is configured to shift the change-over switch 71 to the state of on / off. Moreover, the lever part 6 has a wheel lever body 60 as shown in FIGs. 5A and 5B, the center of lever body 60 has a penetrated hole 61. The penetrated hole 61 is formed so that the shape of cross-section in horizontal direction become semicircular shaped, and the rotation axis 70a of variable resistor 70 is inserted into the penetrated hole 61. Additionally, the front surface of lever body 60 has a first boss part 63, wherein the boss part 63 is formed as trigonal shape, and the boss part 63 is formed so as to protrude to front side. In this case, the front surface of lever tody 60 is represented as upper surface in FIG. 5A. The back surface of lever body 60 has a second boss part 62, wherein the boss part 62 is formed so as to protrude to back side. In this case, the back surface of lever body 60 is represented as upper surface in FIG. 5B. a first terminal side in rotational direction of the boss part 62 has a slope 62a, wherein the slope 62a is provided so that the boss level to back side reduces gradually. When the slope 62a contacts with the operator 71a of change-over switch 71, the change-over switch 71 shifts to the state of on. Additionally, the lever part 6 is configured to be detachable in a direction of the rotation axis 70a of variable resistor 70. As the dimmer A represented in FIG. 2A, the lever part 6 is formed detachably if no need.

[0027] As shown in FIGs. 4A and 4B, the front body 10 constructs a front part of the case 1, and both upper and under surface of the front body 10 have concave channels 19, respectively. The concave channels 19 is located in both sides of left and right of front end edge of each upper and under surface of the front body 10. Additionally, the front surface of front body 10 has a cylindrical salient, and the center of cylindrical salient is provided an opened part 17a. wherein the opened part 17a is formed as circular form. Additionally, a rotating handle (a dimming operation part) 34 is attached rotatably so as to cover the salient 17. Wherein the rotating handle 34 is formed as disc-like shape, and the rotating handle 34 is configured to connect with the rotation axis 70a of variable resistor 70. The front surface of rotating handle 34 has a channel 34a (see FIG. 2A). Wherein, the channel 34a becomes a marker of setting position. Moreover, a right angle of the front surface of front body 10 has a concave part 10a, and the concave part 10a is formed so as to get dented to back side in comparison with other parts. Moreover, the concave part 10a has penetrated holes 10b, and each penetrated holes 10b is formed so that a push button 73a of the push button switch 73 passes. In this case, the concave part 10a preferably has two penetrated holes 10b. Specifically, two push buttons 73a is preferably configured to pass through the two penetrated holes 10b, respectively. Additionally, a under terminal part of the front body 10 has an optical guiding part 18, and the optical guiding part 18 is configured to output the emission of light-emitting part 105 (luminescent diode 72) to outside. Herein, the light-emitting part 105 is housed in the inside of the case 1. The back surface of salient 17 of front body 10 has a rib 17b, wherein the rib 17b is formed so as to protrude to back side (see FIG. 4B). When the rotating handle 34 rotates and moves to the off position, the boss part 63 of lever part 6 become to run on the rib 17b (see FIG. 3A). Herein, the rotational direction of rotating handle 34 is exemplified as counterclockwise. In this case, since a boss part 62 of the lever part 6 contacts with the operator 71a of change-over switch 71, the change-over switch 71 becomes to shift to the state of "on". Consequently, the illumination load 200 becomes to turn off a light.

[0028] The back body 11 constructs the back part of case 1, and a back surface of the back body 11 is opened and has a wire penetrated hole and a tool insertion hole (not shown). The wire penetrated hole is configured to insert a wire into the case 1, and the tool insertion hole is provided so as to neighbor upon the wire penetrated hole. In this case, number of the wire penetrated hole and tool insertion hole is preferably two wire penetrated holes and two tool insertion holes, respectively. Additionally, the inside of case 1 houses the rapid connectable terminal device (not shown), and the rapid connectable terminal device is configured to connect with the wire inserted from each wire penetrated hole. The connecting terminals T1 and T2 are constructed by the rapid connectable terminal devices, respectively. Moreover, when a catenulate spring of the rapid connectable terminal device is pushed by a top of tool inserted from the tool insertion hole in the direction that the catenulate spring detaches from the wire, it is possible to detached the wire easy from the rapid connectable terminal device. Additionally, since the rapid connectable terminal device is generally known, its specific explanations are abbreviated.

[0029] Additionally, the cover 3 is attached to a front side of the case 1 detachably. The cover 3 is formed in the shape of rectangular plate. In this case, The cover 3 is preferably formed of synthetic resin. The cover 3 has an opened circular hole 31 at the center of the cover 3 so as to pass the rotating handle 34. Additionally, the cover 3 has an opened long hole 32 at the underside of the circular hole 31 so as to pass a lamp cover 33. A back surface of the cover 3 has multiple stopper pieces 10, and the stopper pieces 10 are formed so as to protrude from the position corresponding to both upper and under side surfaces to the back side (not shown). When the stopper pieces and concave channels 19 are latched together so as to be supported each other, the cover 3 is attached to the case 1. Moreover, an indication representing the rotation range of rotating handle 34 is provided on the front surface of cover 3 by a process such as printing. As shown in FIG. 2A, A smaller dot D1 represents a floor position of the dimming range, and a larger dot D2 represents a maximal position of the dimming range. An arc-like line L1 connecting between the dots D1 and D2 represents the rotatable range of rotating handle 34. Furthermore, a sign such as "OFF" representing the off position of the power switch is provided at the right side of the smaller dot Q1. On the other hand, a sign of "Turn off by switching" is preferably indicated at underside of the smaller dot D1.

[0030] Additionally, the front body constructs the front part of case 1, and the right side surface of front body 10 has a stopper hook 14 (see FIG. 4A). Wherein the stopper hook 14 is provided so that the stopper hook 14 and the hole 23 provided to the side piece 21 of attachment frame 2 are latched together. The stopper hook 14 is preferably formed at upper side of right side surface, the side piece 21 is preferably formed at right side of the attachment frame 2, and the stopper hook 14 is preferably provided as one group of stopper hooks 14. Additionally, the above one group of stopper hooks 14, for example, consists of two stopper hooks 14. Moreover, the left side surface of front body 10 has the stopper hook 14 (see FIG. 4B). Wherein the stopper hook 14 is provided so that the stopper hook 14 and the hole 23 provided to the side piece 21 of attachment frame 2 are latched together. The side piece 21 is preferably formed at right side of the attachment frame 2, the stopper hook 14 is preferably provided as one group of stopper hooks 14, two groups of stopper hooks 14 is preferably provided to the left side surface of front body 10, the two groups of stopper hooks 14 is preferably formed so as to line up in upper and under direction. Additionally, the above one group of stopper hooks 14, for example, consists of two stopper hooks 14. In this case, since the stopper hook 14 and the hole 23 corresponding to the stopper hook 14 are latched together, the case 1 is attached to the attachment frame 2. In this state, the entire front surface of case 1 protrudes from the window hole 20 of attachment frame 2 to the front side. Further, in the right side surface of front body 10, slits 15 opened to back terminal side are provided to upper and under side of a part having the stopper hook 14 (see FIG. 4A),and a boss piece 16 being positioned between one pair of slits 15 becomes to have flexibility in right and left direction. When the boss piece 16 is bent to inside by pushing the boss 16a provided to the back terminal part of boss piece 16, the stopper hook 14 becomes to detach from the hole 23. Consequently, it is possible to detach the case 1 from the attachment frame 2. Additionally, the long hole 25 is provided to the frame side 22 of attachment frame 2 in order to fix the attachment frame 2 to the building surface by a screw. Moreover, upper and under frame sides 22 have a hooking hole 26 and a circular hole 27. The hooking hole 26 is configured to be hooked by a metal tool (not shown). The metal tool is used for fixing the attachment frame 2 to the building material such as panel material. The circular hole 27 is provided so that the screw passes through the attachment frame 2, wherein the screw is used for fixing the attachment frame 2 to the building material directly. Consequently, it is possible to attach the attachment frame 2 to the building surface by the method of attaching described above, wherein the method can be selected easy in accordance with the attachment position of the building surface. Further, a screw hole provided to upper and under sides 22 is used when a plate frame (not shown) which is shaped to rectangle and provided to the front side is attached.

[0031] In this case, the case 1 having two module dimensions is attached in the attachment frame 2. When a gap of one case 1 is formed, a blank cover 4 is attached to the plate frame so as to cover the gap because the window hole of the plate frame is not covered completely (see FIG. 2A).

[0032] The dimmer in the present embodiment has constructions described above and is carried out on a building surface as in below. When a contractor brings the case 1 close to the attachment frame 2 from the back side of attachment frame 2 and fixes each stopper hook 14 of both left side and right side of the case 1 to the holes 23 provided to both side pieces 21 of the attachment frame 2, respectively. And then the contractor pulls out the wire provided at back side of the building surface (not shown) from an attachment hole (not shown) provided to the building surface to the front side of the building surface. The wire removed a cover of the top side is inserted to the wire penetrated hole and is connected with the rapid connectable terminal device. The contractor houses the excess wire connected with the dimmer A in the attachment hole and fixes the frame to the building surface in the state that the back part of case 1 is provided to the attachment hole. Additionally, when the contractor fixes the stopper piece (not shown) of cover 3 to the concave channel 19 of front body 22, the cover 3 becomes to be attached to the front side of case 1. Therefore, a plate frame (not shown) and decorative plate (not shown) are attached to the front side of attachment frame 2, the work of attaching the dimmer A is completed.

[0033] In the construction completion state, since the front surface of case 1 is covered by the cover 3, the push button 73a of push button switch 73 constructing the dimming floor setting unit 104 is configured not to be controlled by the contractor. Additionally, the rotating handle 34 and lamp cover 33 exposes from the circular hole 31 and long hole 34 of cover 3, respectively. Consequently, it is possible to control the rotating handle 34 even if the cover 3 is attached to the case 1, and the emission of light-emitting part 105 becomes able to be cognized through the lamp cover 33.

[0034] When the user rotates the rotating handle 34 in a counterclockwise and moves the channel 34 to the position of "OFF", the operator 71a of change-over switch 71a is pressed by the boss part 62 of lever part 6, and the change-over switch 71 shifts form the state of off to the state of on. In this case, the boss part 63 of lever part 6 becomes to run on the rib 17b of front body 10 (see FIG. 3A), and the strength added at rotating the rotating handle becomes to increase. Consequently, it is possible for the user to cognize the shifting the change-over switch 71 to the state of on. The dimming controller unit 101 shifts and keeps the switching element Q1 to the state of on continuously and shuts out the power supply to the illumination load 200. Consequently, the illumination load 200 becomes to be turned off a light..

[0035] Further, when the user rotates the rotating handle 34 in a clockwise rotation and moves the channel 34a to prescribed position between the dots D1 and D2, the contacting state of the boss part 62 of lever part 6 and the operator 71a of change-over switch 71 is awaked, and the change-over switch 71 shifts from the state of on to the state of off. In this case, the dimming controller unit 101 turns on the illumination load 200 while the dimming controller unit 101 dims and turns on the illumination load 200 by the dimming level according to the rotational position of rotating handle 34. For example, the dimming controller unit 101 applies the constant voltage to the series circuit constructed by the variable resistor 70 and a fixed resistor and detects the both side voltage of variable resistor 70. Consequently, the resistance value of variable resistor 70 becomes to be detected. Additionally, the dimming controller unit 101 conducts the switching element Q1 when time according to the rotational position of rotating handle 34 passes from the point that the output signal S1 of zero-cross detector unit 102 reverses from high level to low level. Herein, the rotational position of rotating handle 34 is meant in other calling as the resistance value of variable resistor 70. Then, the dimming controller unit 101 keeps the switching element Q1 in the state of "ON" until the zero-cross signal of alternator is detected, and the conducting phase angle of switching element Q1 is determined in accordance with the rotational position of rotating handle 34. Consequently, the illumination load 200 is dimmed.

[0036] Additionally, FIG. 2A shows a front view of other example of the dimmer A. In the dimmer A of FIG. 2A, since the rotating handle 34 is rotated by the position of "OFF", it is possible to turn off the illumination load 200. Moreover, in the dimmer A of FIG. 2B, it is possible to turn off the luminaire 200 by a switching device 5 for turning on / off a light distinguished from the rotating handle 34. Additionally, in the dimmer A of FIG. 2A, the change-over switch 71 and the lever part 6 shifting the change-over switch 71 to the state of on / off are provided. However, in the dimmer A of FIG. 2B, above change-over switch 71 and lever part 6 are not needed. Herein, the other constructions than above change-over switch 71 and lever part 6 are same with things of the dimmer of FIG. 2A. Therefore, the specific explanations are skipped by addition of the same signs with constructions of the dimmer described above.

[0037] The dimmer mainly comprises the case 1 and the cover 3, wherein the case 1 houses the base plates 7 and 9 in the inside, and the cover 3 is attached to the case 1 so as to cover the front surface of case 1. The case 1 is formed so as to have two module dimensions. The case 1 is attached at two attachment positions of the up side of attachment frame 2, and a switching device 5 is attached at the remained one attachment position, wherein the switching device 5 is formed so as to have one module dimension. The switching device 5 has a control handle 50, wherein the control handle 50 is provided to the front surface side of switching device 5, and the control handle 50 is formed as rectangular plate. The control handle 50 is formed so that a first terminal side in width direction is fixed and so that a second terminal side in width direction can move to front and back directions. When the control handle is controlled by pushing in front and back direction, the switching device 5 is shifted to the state of on / off. The switching device 5 has a light-emitting part 51, wherein the light-emitting part 51 is formed so as to represent the working state of switching device 5, and the light-emitting part 51 is provided to the position of left side of the switching device 5. For example, when the switching device 5 shifts to the state of "ON", the light-emitting part 51 turns off. Additionally, when the switching device 5 shifts to the state of off, the light-emitting part 51 turns on. Therefore, since the lighting state of light-emitting part 51 becomes to be cognized, the running state of switching device 5 can be seen, and the position of switching device 5 can be found by a light of the light-emitting part 51 in the night term turned off lights. Herein, the lighting state of light-emitting part 51 means the state of turning on or off of the light-emitting part 51, and the running state of switching device 5 means the state of on or off running of the switching device 5.

[0038] Since the running of the dimmer A is mainly similar to the dimmer of FIG. 2A except the point that the illumination load 200 is shifted to the state of turning on / off by the pushing control of control handle 50, the specific explanation of the running of the dimmer A in the present embodiment is skipped.

[0039] As the dimmer A of FIG. 2A, when the illumination load 200 is turned off by the rotating handle 6, the lever part 6 is attached to the rotation axis 70a of variable resistor 70. Additionally, the change-over switch 71 can be provided and applied so that the state of on / off is shifted by the lever part 6. Moreover, as the dimmer A of FIG. 2B, when the illumination load 200 is turned off by the switching device 5, the lever part 6 and change-over switch 71 are not needed. Moreover, the rotating handle 34 and the case 1 attached the rotating handle 34 can be used in common. Specifically, one die for each rotating handle 34 and case 1 becomes to be prepared. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost in comparison to the case that dies corresponding to each parts are prepared.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the rib 17b is provided to the front body 10 of case 1 so that the boss part 63 of lever part 6 runs on the rib 17b. However, the rib may be provided to the back body if there is the rib in the inside of case 1. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited by the explanation of the present embodiment.

Claims

1. A dimmer comprising;

a variable resistor of rotary type, a dimming controller unit, a dimming operation part, a case, wherein said dimming controller unit controls a dimming level of an illumination load in accordance with resistance value of said variable resistor, wherein said dimming operation part is attached to a rotation axis of said variable resistor and changes resistance value of said variable resistor in accordance with a rotation operation, wherein said case is configured to house at least said variable resistor and said dimming controller unit, wherein a lever part is configured to contact with an operator of a change-over switch sifting a state of turning on / off of said illumination load when rotating to prescribed position together with said rotation axis in accordance with a rotation of said dimming operation part and to turn off said illumination load, wherein said lever part is formed detachably along said rotation axis.

2. The dimmer according to claim 1, wherein a rib is provided to an inside of said lever part so as to run on a boss part of said lever part in a state that said lever part contacts with said change-over switch.