JP2004017723A - Lighting system of engine switch of automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting system of an engine switch of an automobile which has a less number of parts, is small in thickness, is easy to mount, and requires a small mounting space. <P>SOLUTION: The lighting system comprises an opaque ring member 11 interposed on a front surface outer peripheral part of the engine switch 10 so as to expose a front surface 10a of the engine switch 10, a transparent ring member 12 engaged with a ring shaped recessed groove 11b formed on a front surface 11a of the opaque ring member 11, and a light emitting body 13 provided so that a part of the transparent ring member 12 receives light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement in a lighting device for an engine switch of an automobile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional general engine switch mounted on an instrument panel portion of an automobile, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a state where a lighting device is mounted on the engine switch and mounted on the instrument panel portion, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view before mounting a lighting device on an engine switch.
[0003]
As is well known, the engine switch 1 has a position Lock at which a key can be inserted into and removed from an insertion port 2 of a key (not shown), and a position at which a key inserted into the insertion port 2 can listen to radio / audio while the engine is stopped. Acc, the position ON while the engine is rotating, and the position START where the engine is started can be turned. When starting the engine, turn the key to the ON position, and then turn the key to the START position and release the key when the engine starts. When the key is released, the key automatically returns to the ON position. The instrument panel section is divided into a metal instrument (not shown) for attaching instruments and various switches, and a trim instrument 3a made of a synthetic resin integrally molded product to be put on the instrument.
[0004]
The engine switch 1 is attached to the metal instrument of the instrument panel section 3 and the front end of the engine switch 1 is fitted into a hole 3c of a hole decoration member 3b attached to an opening of the trim instrument 3a. The trim instrument 3a is attached.
In order to attach the lighting device to the engine switch 1, as shown in FIG. 8, a front surface 1a of the engine switch 1 is exposed and a transparent tubular member (for example, made of a transparent synthetic resin such as acrylic) 4 is covered. The transparent cylindrical member 4 is configured so that light incident from a part thereof exits (emits) from the ring-shaped tip surface 4b of the cylindrical portion 4a. The light receiving piece 4c is formed so that light enters the cylindrical portion 4a. Further, a lamp housing 5 formed of an opaque material is put around the transparent cylindrical member 4. When the lamp housing 5 is put on, the light-emitting body 6 such as a bead ball or a light-emitting diode provided at one place faces the light-receiving piece 4c formed at one place of the transparent cylindrical member 4, and the light of the light-emitting body 6 is emitted. It is configured such that the light enters the light receiving piece 4c and the ring-shaped tip surface 4b of the transparent cylindrical member 4 emits light.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional illumination device for an engine switch as described above, the number of components increases, such as a transparent tubular member 4 to cover the engine switch 1 and a tubular lamp housing 5 to cover the transparent tubular member 4. In addition, there is a problem that each component has a large thickness in a direction along the cylinder axis, and a large mounting space is required.
[0006]
In addition, since the clearance between the outer periphery of the front surface of the engine switch 1 and the hole decoration member 3b attached to the circular opening formed in the trim instrument 3a (see FIG. 7) of the instrument panel section 3 is small, the transparent cylinder The wall thickness of the cylindrical portion 4a of the member 4 must be reduced, so that the amount of light passing therethrough is reduced, and the ring-shaped light emission is darkened. Also, light is input into the cylindrical portion 4a with the luminous body 6 of the lamp housing 5 facing the light receiving piece 4c formed at one position of the cylindrical portion 4a of the transparent cylindrical member 4, and the light is refracted by 90 degrees. When the ring-shaped tip surface 4b emits light, there is a problem that the light emission becomes dark.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device for an engine switch of an automobile which eliminates such a problem.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes an opaque ring member 11 interposed on an outer peripheral portion of the front surface of the engine switch 10 so that the front surface 10a of the engine switch 10 is exposed, and the opaque ring member. The transparent ring member 12 is fitted into a ring-shaped groove 11b formed on the front surface 11a of the light-receiving member 11 and a light-emitting body 13 provided on a part of the transparent ring member 12 so as to receive light. It is a lighting device for an engine switch of an automobile.
[0008]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the opaque ring member 11 interposed on the outer peripheral portion of the front surface of the engine switch 10 so that the front surface 10a of the engine switch 10 is exposed, and the front surface 11a of the opaque ring member 11 is formed. And a ring-shaped EL element 14 fitted in the ring-shaped concave groove 11b.
[0009]
With such a configuration, the opaque ring member 11 of the lighting device of the present invention attached to the circular opening 15a of the trim instrument 15 in the instrument panel portion of the automobile is attached to the front surface of the engine switch 10 which is attached in advance. It can be easily fitted and mounted so that 10a is exposed.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a lighting device for an engine switch of a vehicle according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a state before the lighting device of the present invention is mounted on an engine switch, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view thereof, and FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of a part X in FIG. is there. FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a state in which the lighting device of the present invention is mounted on a front end of an engine switch mounted on a metal instrument in an instrument panel of an automobile.
[0011]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention includes an opaque ring member 11 made of, for example, an opaque synthetic resin interposed on the outer peripheral portion of the front surface of the engine switch 10 so that the front surface 10a of the engine switch 10 is exposed. A transparent ring member 12 made of, for example, a polycarbonate resin fitted in a ring-shaped concave groove 11b formed in a front surface 11a of the opaque ring member 11, and a part of the transparent ring member 12 provided to receive light. This is a lighting device for an engine switch of an automobile, which is composed of a light emitting body 13 such as a light emitting diode for emitting blue light. It is to be noted that a desired luminescent color can be obtained by using an integrated body of light emitting diodes of three primary colors of red, blue and green as the light emitting body 13 and changing the intensity of each light emission.
[0012]
Further, since the light from the light emitting body 13 is made to directly enter from a part of the transparent ring member 12, the light emission on the surface 12a of the transparent ring member 12 is enhanced. Further, as shown in FIG. 1C, the transparent ring member 12 is formed with a large number of fine irregularities 12b such that light in the transparent ring member 12 is refracted on the surface 12a. Although the irregularities 12b are formed on the back surface of the transparent ring member 12 in this embodiment, they may be formed on the surface.
[0013]
In order to mount the engine switch lighting device configured as described above to the engine switch, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the trim panel 15 of the synthetic resin integrally molded product in the instrument panel portion. The recessed ring portion 11d of the opaque ring member 11 of the lighting device configured as described above is fitted into the perforated circular opening 15a as shown in FIGS. It is attached to the trim instrument 15 and placed. Then, the inside of the ring 11c of the opaque ring member 11 of the illuminating device is connected to the engine switch 10 so that the front surface 10a of the engine switch 10 attached to a metal instrument (not shown) of the instrument panel in advance is exposed. By fitting the front end, the trim instrument 15 is attached as shown in FIGS. Then, the lead wire (harness) 13a of the light emitting body 13 is connected to a power supply line that is energized when the door is opened, for example. By doing so, when the door is opened, the area around the engine switch 10 is illuminated in a ring shape, so that the key can be easily inserted into the insertion port 10b of the engine switch 10.
[0014]
FIG. 3 (a) is a perspective view of a lighting device for an engine switch according to the second aspect of the invention, and FIG. 3 (b) is an enlarged sectional view of a portion Y in FIG. 3 (a). Was fitted in an opaque ring member 11 interposed on the outer peripheral portion of the front surface of the engine switch 10 so that the front surface of the engine switch 10 was exposed, and a ring-shaped groove 11b formed on the front surface of the opaque ring member. This is a lighting device for an engine switch of an automobile, which is constituted by the ring-shaped EL element 14.
[0015]
In the ring-shaped EL element 14, a ring-shaped opaque electrode 14a is provided on the bottom surface of the ring-shaped concave groove 11b, and a well-known ring-shaped EL material 14b is provided thereon. A ring-shaped transparent electrode 14c is provided, and a transparent plate 14d such as a ring-shaped transparent synthetic resin for protecting the transparent electrode is provided on the ring-shaped transparent electrode 14c. A lead terminal 14e is connected to each of the ring-shaped transparent electrodes 14c, and a predetermined voltage is applied between the lead terminals 14e, so that the ring-shaped EL element 14 emits light.
[0016]
Also in the engine switch lighting device according to the second aspect, the circular opening 15a formed in the trim panel 15 of the synthetic resin integrally molded product in the instrument panel portion, similarly to the invention according to the first aspect, The concave ring portion 11d of the opaque ring member 11 of the lighting device configured as described above is fitted, and the lighting device is attached to the trim instrument 15 in advance and placed. Then, the front end of the engine switch 10 is fitted into the ring 11c of the opaque ring member 11 of the lighting device so that the front surface 10a of the engine switch 10 mounted in advance is exposed. , FIG. 2 and FIG.
[0017]
【The invention's effect】
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an opaque ring member interposed on an outer peripheral portion of a front surface of an engine switch so that a front surface of the engine switch is exposed, and a ring-shaped groove formed on a front surface of the opaque ring member. The number of parts is reduced by using a transparent ring member fitted to the illuminating device for an engine switch of an automobile, comprising a luminous body provided to receive light at a part of the transparent ring member, and There is an advantage that the thickness of the lighting device is reduced, the mounting thereof is easy, and the mounting space may be small.
[0018]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an opaque ring member interposed on the outer peripheral portion of the front surface of the engine switch so that the front surface of the engine switch is exposed, and a ring-shaped groove formed on the front surface of the opaque ring member. By providing a lighting device for an engine switch of a vehicle constituted by the fitted ring-shaped EL element, the same effect as the invention according to claim 1 can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A is a perspective view showing a state before a lighting device of the present invention is attached to an engine switch, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view thereof, and FIG. 1C is a sectional view of a portion X in FIG. It is an enlarged view.
FIG. 2 is a detailed view showing a state in which the lighting device of the present invention is mounted on a front end of an engine switch mounted on an instrument panel of a vehicle.
FIG. 3 (a) is a perspective view of a lighting device for an engine switch according to the second aspect of the present invention, and FIG. 3 (b) is an enlarged sectional view of a portion Y in FIG. 3 (a). FIG. 2 is a view showing an instrument panel of an automobile to which an engine switch provided with the lighting device of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view showing an instrument panel of the automobile with an engine switch removed.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional general engine switch mounted on an instrument panel of an automobile.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where the lighting device is mounted on the engine switch and mounted on the instrument panel.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a state before the lighting device is mounted on the engine switch.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 engine switch 10a front surface 10b insertion opening 11 opaque ring member 11a front surface 11b ring-shaped concave groove 11c inside ring 11d concave ring portion 12 transparent ring member 12a front surface 12b unevenness 13 light emitting body 13a lead wire 14 ring-shaped EL element 14a opaque electrode 14b EL material 14c Transparent electrode 14d Transparent plate 14e Lead terminal 15 Trim instrument 15a Circular opening

Claims (2)

An opaque ring member interposed on the outer periphery of the front surface of the engine switch so that the front surface of the engine switch is exposed; a transparent ring member fitted in a ring-shaped groove formed on the front surface of the opaque ring member; An illuminating device for an engine switch of an automobile, comprising: a light emitting body provided on a part of a transparent ring member so as to receive light. An opaque ring member interposed on the outer periphery of the front surface of the engine switch so that the front surface of the engine switch is exposed, and a ring-shaped EL element fitted in a ring-shaped groove formed on the front surface of the opaque ring member. A lighting device for an engine switch of an automobile, wherein the lighting device is configured.

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