JPH0470724B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an illuminated switch panel in which a light-transmitting switch knob can be illuminated from the back side with a light source lamp.

[Prior Art] FIG. 5 shows a side sectional view of an operation panel of a conventional automobile air conditioner, which is an example of an illuminated switch panel. Its front appearance is almost the same as that of FIG. 2, which is a front view of the illuminated switch panel according to the present invention.

On the top surface 1A of the box-shaped switch panel case 1, two groups of switch knobs made of translucent plastic are arranged in a grid pattern so as to fit into mounting holes provided on the top surface. On the bottom surface 1B of the case 1, three groups of electrical contacts are arranged in a positional relationship facing each switch knob 2, and a translucent structure is used to transmit the pressing force applied to the switch knob 2 to the electrical contacts 3. A rod 4 is interposed between these two.

A plurality of light source lamps 5 for illuminating the 2 groups of switch knobs are attached to the bottom surface 1B of the case, and the light emitted from the lamps 5 passes between the lamps and the bottom end 4B of each translucent rod 4. Following the inside of the light guide plate 30 as a bridging optical path,
It is configured to reach the bottom end 4B of each translucent rod 4, penetrate into the translucent rod 4, and illuminate the entire surface of each switch knob 2 located in contact with the top end surface thereof.

Further, each switch knob 2 is provided with a lighting window 2A for indicating that the switch is in the on state, and an illumination lens 8 is attached to fit into this window. Each illumination lens 8 is illuminated by a light emitting diode 10 as an individual light source. Reference numeral 31 denotes a wiring board on which these groups of diodes are attached, and is assembled in the illustrated position within the case 1.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The illuminated switch panel having the above-mentioned configuration uses light from the light source lamp 5 to illuminate the location of each of the two groups of switch knobs at night. illuminated. At this time, if the two groups of switch knobs arranged on the surface of the switch board are not all illuminated with uniform illuminance, local brightness and darkness will occur on the surface of the switch board, making it extremely unsightly. In order to eliminate this inconvenience, the bottom end of each translucent rod 4 should be This involves a considerable amount of trouble in terms of both design and production, such as individually changing the alignment direction of the light refracting prism to be formed and the shape and dimensions of each rod, and devising the shape design of the light guide plate 30. .

Another possibility is to integrate the four groups of translucent rods and the light guide plate 30, but in that case as well, it would be quite difficult to design the shape of the optical path, and a mechanism for individually pressing the three groups of electrical contacts would have to be created separately. It becomes necessary to provide a By adopting such a complicated optical path configuration, the amount of light reaching each switch knob 2 is also reduced, so the number of light source lamps 5 must also be increased.

An object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated switch panel that can simplify the optical path configuration from the light source lamp 5 to each switch knob 2.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the illuminated switch board according to the present invention includes: (a) a box-shaped switch board case; (b) electrical contacts disposed on the bottom of the case;
A plurality of sets of push-on switches each including a translucent switch knob disposed on the top surface of the case, and a translucent rod that transmits the pressing movement of the knob to the electrical contact, and C the translucent rod. A partition plate is provided in the middle of the case parallel to the bottom surface of the case, and a light source group for individually projecting light to the switch knob group is provided with a hole for insertion of the switch knob group. , d, comprising at least one illumination lamp provided on the bottom of the case to illuminate the bottom end portion of the group of translucent rods, each facing the partition plate and the bottom of the case; Among the surfaces, a configuration is adopted in which at least the partition surface is a light reflecting surface.

[Operations and Effects of the Invention] In the illuminated switch board having the above configuration, a portion of the light emitted from the illumination lamp directly enters the bottom end portion of each translucent rod. Since the inner wall surface of the case forms a light reflecting surface, the remaining light is reflected without being absorbed even if it hits this wall surface. A portion of the reflected light impinges on the bottom end of another translucent rod located in its path. Furthermore, the remaining light repeatedly collides with the inner wall surface of the case and is repeatedly reflected diffusely, and during that time, the light emitted from the light source lamp is almost equally incident on all of the translucent rods due to the diffused reflection effect. . The light incident on the bottom end of each rod reaches its top end surface in the same manner as a conventional illuminated switch panel, and evenly illuminates each switch knob.

Therefore, the illuminated switch panel according to the present invention can significantly simplify the structure of the light guide path from the illumination lamp to each switch knob compared to the conventional illuminated switch panel, and can also uniformly distribute each switch knob group. The light can be illuminated with a high illumination intensity, and the efficiency of using light energy can be sufficiently increased.

[Example] The configuration of the present invention will be specifically described below based on an example shown in the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show an example of an operation panel for an air conditioner for an automobile, and its general structure includes a top wall surface 1A, a bottom wall surface 1B, and a side wall surface 1.
a box-shaped switch board case 1 comprising C;
An electrical contact 3 disposed on the bottom wall surface 1B of the case, a translucent switch knob 2 disposed so as to fit into the top wall surface 1A, and a translucent rod sandwiched between these two 2 and 3. 4, and 10 groups of light emitting diodes as light sources that individually illuminate each switch knob 2 to indicate that each switch is turned on. The main components are a wiring board 6 attached thereto, and a switch knob illumination lamp 5 attached to the case bottom wall 1B, and the back side of the wiring board 6 forms a light reflecting surface.

The switch board case 1 is made of hard synthetic resin, etc., and the top wall surface 1A has a group of knob embedding holes 1D for embedding two groups of switch knobs in a grid pattern or any other arrangement. ing.

Case bottom wall surface 1B that serves as a wiring board
There is a hole 1D for embedding the knob towards the inside of the case.
In this embodiment, a group of rubber switches, which are a type of keyboard switch, is installed while maintaining a positional relationship facing the groups, and at least one, in this case two, electrical contacts 3 are installed in the gap between these groups of switches.
The lighting lamps 5 are assembled in an appropriate arrangement. Although the lamp 5 uses a light bulb with a power consumption of 1.5W, other light sources may be used.

The translucent switch knobs 2 are made of semi-transparent synthetic resin and have a rectangular cap shape in plan view, and markings indicating the functions of each switch knob 2 are attached to the pressing surface, and markings are placed on the switch knob itself. Color coded. In addition, a lighting window 2A is provided on the top of the pressing surface so that you can visually confirm when the switch is turned on, and a light emitting diode is installed as a light source for individual lighting into this window. 1
The light emitted from 0 passes through the illumination lens 8 and illuminates the lighting window 2A. The light emitted from each light emitting diode 10 is covered by a light-shielding tube 9 so as to illuminate only a specific lighting window 2A located opposite the light-emitting diode 10, and this light-shielding tube 9 has a cap shape at its tip. The switch knob 2 is fitted therein, and serves as a member for guiding minute forward and backward movements of the switch knob 2, and also serves as a member for attaching the illumination lens 8.

Between the back side of the translucent switch knob 2 and the electrical contact 3, there is a prismatic translucent rod 4 made of transparent acrylic resin, as shown in the figure, for transmitting the pressing force applied to the switch knob 2 to the electrical contact 3. I have intervened in a similar manner. At the bottom end of the light-incidence side of the translucent rod 4, which also serves as a path for the light emitted from the illumination lamp 5, there is a prism for refracting the light irradiated by the lamp 5 toward the top end of the light emission side. 4A is formed. The top end on the light emitting side is given a tapered shape so that light can be emitted over the entire surface of the switch knob 2 as much as possible.

The partition plate 6 for attaching the 10 groups of light-emitting diodes is made of a white hard synthetic resin with high light reflectivity, and has a group of hollow holes 6A for inserting and supporting the 4 groups of translucent rods, and a group of hollow holes 6A for inserting and supporting the 4 groups of light-emitting rods. A mounting base portion 6B group for the 10 groups of diodes is provided. In this embodiment, the periphery of the partition plate 6 has a case bottom wall surface 1.
A light reflecting peripheral wall body 7 is formed integrally with the base plate 6 so as to surround the illumination lamp 5 attached to the base plate 6. The surface of the base 6 may be painted white even if the material itself is not white. As shown in the figure, the base 6 is disposed approximately in the middle of the case 1 so as to be parallel to the bottom surface of the case, and is fixed to the case 1 using screws 15.

The switch panel case 1 has an operating section for adjusting the temperature of the air blown from the air conditioner installed in the upper part of the panel surface, and 11 is a knob for setting the vehicle room temperature;
A is a guide groove of the knob 11, and 12 is a temperature display panel, which is illuminated by light from a lamp 13 transmitted through a light guide rod 14.

In Figure 2, to explain the functions of each of the 11 switch knobs arranged on the switch panel surface, the four in the upper row are all for switching the blowout mode of conditioned air, and the ventilation mode is changed sequentially from the left side. , bi-level, heat, and defrost modes can be set. All four in the middle row are for switching the blowing capacity of the blower, and L _p , M-L _p , M-Hi, and Hi can be selected in order from the left side. From the left side, the three controls are for stopping the blower, turning on/off the cooling operation, and operating the rear window defrost.

There are electrical contacts 3 on the back side of the switch board case 1.
Amplifier cases 20 and 21 containing amplifiers (not shown) for processing on-off signals from the group are attached.

FIG. 4 shows how the switch panel of the above embodiment is incorporated into the driver's seat instrument panel of an automobile. A is the driver's seat, B is the steering wheel, C is the instrument panel,
D is a conditioned air outlet, and E is a panel for assembling a radio or the like.

The mechanism in which the two groups of translucent switch knobs disposed on the front side of the switch panel are illuminated more evenly and brightly by a smaller number of illumination lamps 5 has already been explained.

In the above embodiment, the light irradiation surface of the partition plate 6 is finished in white to give it light reflectivity, but this light irradiation surface is coated with aluminum or other metal by vapor deposition, sputtering, chemical plating, etc. If a coating layer is formed or a metal foil is attached, the diffused reflection effect of light can be further enhanced.

Furthermore, by providing the inside of the bottom wall surface 1B of the switch panel case 1 with light reflectivity similar to that of the partition plate 6, it is possible to prevent light that hits this surface from being absorbed. , the effects of the present invention are further improved. And the light reflecting peripheral wall plate 7 and the case bottom wall 1B
If necessary, light can be scattered more effectively by providing a sloped or curved surface instead of a mere vertical or horizontal surface.

In the above embodiment, an illuminated switch panel is used as an operation panel for an automobile air conditioner, but it can of course also be used as an operation panel for various devices and equipment whose operation is controlled through electronic circuits.
In that case, the shape and dimensions of the main components of the illuminated switch panel can be changed in various ways without impairing the effects of the present invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 4 show an example of an operation panel for an automobile air conditioner, with Figure 1 being a side sectional view, Figure 2 being a front view, Figure 3 being an exploded view, and Figure 4 being an exploded view. 1 is a sketch diagram depicting the installation situation of the operation panel of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the operation panel of a conventional automobile air conditioner. In the figure, 1...Switch panel case, 1A...Case top part, 1B...Case bottom part, 2...Translucent switch knob, 3...Electrical contact, 4...Translucent rod, 5...Lighting Lamp, 6...Inner partition plate, 7
...A peripheral wall for light reflection.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1 (a) a box-shaped switch board case; (b) an electrical contact disposed on the bottom of the case; a translucent switch knob disposed on the top of the case;
and (c) a plurality of sets of push-on switches each including a combination of translucent rods that transmit the pressing movement of the knob to the electrical contacts; (c) holes for insertion of the translucent rod group are provided, and the switch knob group (d) a partition plate provided in the middle of the case parallel to the bottom surface of the case; at least one illumination lamp that illuminates the bottom end portion of the group of light rods, and at least one of the opposing surfaces of the middle partition plate and the bottom surface of the case, An illuminated switch board characterized by having a light reflecting surface. 2. The illuminated switch board according to claim 1, wherein the light reflecting surface is a white surface. 3. The illuminated switch board according to claim 1, wherein the light reflecting surface is a mirror surface. 4. The illumination according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the partition plate is provided with a light reflecting peripheral wall surrounding the illumination lamp at its peripheral edge. Expression switch board. 5. The illuminated switch board according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a light refraction prism is formed on the bottom end side of the translucent rod.