JP2004199005A - Light guide and lighting switch device provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light guide which effectively utilizes the emitted light from an LED to raise the illuminance of an illuminated part and to provide a lighting switch device provided with the same. <P>SOLUTION: A light guide 1A comprises; a cylindrical base part 2 having a light entrance part 1 on the lower surface; four light guide parts 3 which are branched from the base part 2 and are arranged at equal intervals of 90°; V-shaped grooves 4 formed in front end parts of respective light guide parts 3; and eight light exit parts 5 in total which are formed on opposite surfaces of the V-shaped grooves 4. A convex 6 for condensing the diffusing light emitted from an LED 14 and a concave 7 for preventing leakage of diffusing light emitted from the LED 14 are formed in the light entrance part 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a light guide that guides light emitted from a light source to a required illuminating unit, and an illuminated switch device including the light guide.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 9, a push switch 102 and an LED (light source) 103 mounted on a wiring board 101, an operation knob 104 having an illuminating unit 104a for pressing the push switch 102, and a push switch 102 An illuminator including an actuator 105 interposed between the operation knob 104 and transmitting the pressing force of the operation knob 104 to the push switch 102, and a light guide 107 for guiding the emission light 106 of the LED 103 to the illumination unit 104a. Switch devices of the type are known.
[0003]
The light guide 107 has a light input unit 111 that receives the output light 106 of the LED 103, and a light output unit 112 that irradiates the output light 106 from the LED 101 to an illumination unit 104a formed on the operation knob 104, The light incident portion 111 has a convex surface 113 for upwardly correcting the outgoing light 106 of the LED 101, which is diffused light.
[0004]
Since the illuminated switch device according to the conventional example includes the light guide 107, the emitted light 106 of the LED 101 can be efficiently guided to the illuminating unit 104a, and the illuminating unit is compared with a case without the light guide 107. The illuminance of 104a can be increased. In addition, since the convex surface 113 is formed on the light incident portion 111 of the light guide 107, the outgoing light 106 of the LED 101, which is the diffused light, can be efficiently corrected upward, that is, on the side where the light emitting portion 112 is provided. Accordingly, the illuminance of the illumination unit 104a can be increased.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in order to eliminate the waste of the emitted light 106 and further increase the illuminance of the illumination unit 104a, it is necessary to introduce the emitted light 106 from the LED 103 into the light guide 107 without leakage. Since the light incident portion 111 is constituted only by the convex surface 113, as shown in FIG. 10, the outer peripheral portion (the hatched portion in FIG. 10) of the outgoing light 106 can be introduced into the light guide 107 without leakage. It was difficult in practice, and there was room for improvement in this regard.
[0006]
That is, to increase the diameter D of the convex surface 113 while keeping the curvature (focal length) of the convex surface 113 the same as that of the conventional product, the convex surface 113 interferes with the light emitting surface of the LED 101 as shown by a broken line in FIG. It is practically impossible because it becomes easier. On the other hand, if the curvature (focal length) of the convex surface 113 is increased and the convex surface 113 is set at a position separated from the light emitting surface of the LED 101, such inconvenience can be solved. However, as shown by a dashed line in FIG. In addition, since the light-entering portion 111 of the light guide 107 becomes large, other inconveniences such as a limitation on a setting space of the push switch 102 and the actuator 105 occur, which is also poor in practicality.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such a technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to effectively use light emitted from an LED without interfering with the LED or enlarging the light guide. An object of the present invention is to provide a light guide capable of further increasing the illuminance of an illuminating section, and to provide an illuminated switch device including such a light guide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention, in order to solve the above-described problems, with respect to the light guide, includes a light incident portion that receives light from the light source, and a light exit portion that irradiates the light from the light source to the illuminating portion, wherein the light incident portion is And a convex surface formed on the inner peripheral portion of the light incident portion and a concave surface formed on the outer peripheral portion of the convex surface.
[0009]
As described above, when the convex and concave surfaces are formed in the light incident portion of the light guide, the outer peripheral portion of the light emitted from the light source can be made incident on the concave surface, so that the convex surface has a large diameter or the convex surface has a large curvature. The light emitted from the light source can be introduced into the light guide without leakage, preventing interference with the light source and enlargement of the light guide. Illuminance can be increased.
[0010]
Further, in the light guide having the above-described configuration, the plurality of light guides may be branched from one light input part, and the light output part may be formed at the tip of the light guide.
[0011]
As described above, when a plurality of light guide sections are branched from one light input section and a light output section is formed at the tip of the light guide section, the plurality of light sections can be illuminated by one light source. Can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of an illuminated switch device or the like provided with the light guide can be reduced.
[0012]
Further, according to the present invention, in the light guide having the above-described configuration, a V-shaped groove is formed at a tip portion of the light guide, and light from the light-entering portion is directed in different directions on two surfaces forming the V-shaped groove. To reflect light.
[0013]
As described above, the V-shaped groove is formed at the tip of the light guide, and the light from the light incident portion is reflected in different directions by the two surfaces constituting the V-shaped groove. Since the number of optical paths emitted from the optical body can be reduced to half, the configuration of the light guide can be simplified, and application to an illuminated switch device or the like can be facilitated.
[0014]
Further, the present invention is configured such that in the light guide having the above-mentioned configuration, the concave surface has a spherical surface.
[0015]
As described above, when the concave surface of the light guide is formed of a spherical surface, light emitted from the light source can be perpendicularly incident on the concave surface, so that reflection of light on the concave surface can be prevented, and light emitted from the light source can be prevented. Can be eliminated.
[0016]
Further, according to the present invention, in the light guide having the above-described configuration, the concave surface has a conical surface.
[0017]
As described above, when the concave surface of the light guide is formed of a conical surface, the configuration of the light guide can be simplified, so that the manufacturing cost of the light guide, and eventually the illuminated switch device to which the light guide is applied, is reduced. be able to.
[0018]
On the other hand, the present invention relates to an illuminated switch device, in order to solve the above-described problems, a case, a wiring board provided in the case, a push switch and a light source mounted on the wiring board, and the case. And an operation knob with an illuminating unit for pressing the push switch directly or via another member, and a light guide for guiding light from the light source to the illuminating unit, and the light guide A light incident portion that receives light from the light source, and a light emitting portion that irradiates the light from the light source to the illuminating portion, wherein the light incident portion is formed on an inner peripheral portion of the light incident portion. A configuration including a convex surface and a concave surface formed on an outer peripheral portion of the convex surface is used.
[0019]
As described above, in the illuminated switch device, the light input unit that receives the light from the light source, and the light output unit that irradiates the light from the light source to the illuminator formed on the operation knob, the light input unit is provided with the light input unit. When a light guide composed of a convex surface formed on the inner peripheral portion of the light incident portion and a concave surface formed on the outer peripheral portion of the convex surface is used, the outer peripheral portion of the light emitted from the light source can be made incident on the concave surface. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source can be introduced into the light guide without leaking without increasing the diameter of the convex surface or increasing the curvature of the convex surface, while preventing interference with the light source and enlargement of the light guide, It is possible to effectively use the light emitted from the light source, and to increase the illuminance of the illumination unit.
[0020]
Further, the present invention provides the illuminated switch device having the above-described configuration, wherein a plurality of illuminating portions are formed on the operation knob, and a plurality of illuminating portions are formed on the light guide, and the illuminating portions are connected to the respective illuminating portions. In the middle position of
[0021]
In this way, when a plurality of illuminating portions are formed on the operation knob and a plurality of light emitting portions are formed on the light guide, and each light emitting portion is arranged at an intermediate position between the respective illuminating portions, it is pushed to a portion facing each illuminating portion. Since a setting space for a switch, an actuator, and the like can be provided, the position of the illuminating unit and the operating direction of the operation knob can be matched, and the operability of the illuminated switch device can be improved.
[0022]
Further, in the illuminated switch device having the above-described configuration, the present invention is configured such that one illuminating portion is irradiated with light in two directions from the light guide.
[0023]
As described above, when one illuminating portion is irradiated with light in two directions from the light guide, uneven illumination of the illuminating portion can be prevented, so that the visibility and operability of the illuminated switch device are improved. be able to.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a light guide according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a front view of a light guide according to the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the light guide according to the embodiment as viewed from the light incident portion side, and FIG. 3 is light emission of the light guide according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a path of light passing through the light guide according to the embodiment.
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the light guide 1 </ b> A of the present example is a cylindrical base 2 having a light incident portion 1 on a lower surface, and is branched from the base and is equally divided at 90 ° intervals. It is mainly composed of four light guides 3, a V-shaped groove 4 formed at the tip of each light guide 3, and a total of eight light-emitting portions 5 formed on the facing surface of the V-shaped groove 4. ing. The light guide 1A can be manufactured using any translucent material having predetermined optical and mechanical properties. However, since the light guide 1A is excellent in optical and mechanical properties and can be manufactured at low cost, For example, it is particularly preferable to manufacture by injection molding a resin material such as an acrylic resin.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the light incident portion 1 includes a convex surface 6 disposed on the inner peripheral portion of the lower surface of the base 2 and a concave surface 7 formed on the outer peripheral portion of the convex surface 6. The convex surface 6 is formed in a spherical shape, and its curvature r is set to a value that allows the light guide 1A to be arranged close to the light source P and that can correct the light incident on the convex surface 6 in a vertically upward direction. The outer diameter d of the convex surface 6 is determined by the irradiation range of the diffused light emitted from the light source P when the light source P is arranged at the focal position of the convex surface 6 in order to reduce the size of the base 2 and thus the light guide 1A. It is formed to have a smaller diameter than s. On the other hand, the outer diameter D of the concave surface 7 is formed to be larger than the irradiation range s of the diffused light in order to allow the diffused light emitted from the light source P to enter the light guide 1A without leakage. The concave surface 7 is provided with the light source P at the center in order to make the diffused light emitted from the light source P perpendicularly incident and to prevent the reflection of the light on the concave surface 7 so that the light is efficiently incident on the light guide 1A. However, in order to simplify the mold shape to facilitate the manufacture of the light guide 1A and to reduce the cost of the light guide 1A, the light guide 1A should be formed in a conical surface approximate to a spherical surface. Is also possible.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 5, the light guide section 3 includes a first reflection surface 8 that reflects light incident from the concave surface 7 in a vertically upward direction, and a light reflected by the first reflection surface 8 that is out of the horizontal direction. A second reflecting surface 9 that reflects in the direction of direction and a third reflecting surface 10 that reflects light reflected by the second reflecting surface 9 in a vertically upward direction (the direction of the V-shaped groove 4) are formed.
[0028]
Next, the operation of the light guide 1A according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0029]
The light emitted from the light source P is incident on the convex surface 6 and the concave surface 7 formed in the light incident portion 1. The light that has entered the convex surface 6 is converted into substantially parallel light and reaches the second reflecting surface 9, and the light that has entered the concave surface 7 is reflected by the first reflecting surface 8 and reaches the second reflecting surface 9. The light that has reached the second reflection surface 9 is sequentially reflected by the second reflection surface 9 and the third reflection surface 10, and the path is changed in a vertically upward direction. The light reflected by the third reflection surface 10 and having its path changed in the vertical upward direction is reflected by the two surfaces constituting the V-shaped groove 4 to change the path, and is emitted from the light emitting unit 5 in different directions. You. Therefore, light is emitted from the light guide 1 </ b> A of this example in a total of eight directions from the four light guides 3.
[0030]
In the light guide 1A of this example, since the convex surface 6 and the concave surface 7 are formed in the light incident portion 1, the outer peripheral portion of the light emitted from the light source P can be incident on the concave surface 7, and the diameter of the convex surface 6 can be increased. The light emitted from the light source P can be introduced into the light guide 1A without leakage without increasing the curvature of the convex surface 6. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the light emitted from the light source P and to increase the illuminance of the illumination unit while preventing interference with the light source P and an increase in the size of the light guide.
[0031]
Further, in the light guide 1A of this example, four light guides 3 are branched from one light input part 1, and the light output part 5 is formed at the tip of the light guide 3, so that one light source P A plurality of illuminating units can be illuminated, the number of mounted light sources P can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of an illuminated switch device or the like provided with the light guide 1A can be reduced.
[0032]
Further, the light guide 1A of the present example has a V-shaped groove 4 formed at the tip of the light guide portion 3, and the light from the light incident portion 1 is directed in different directions on the two surfaces constituting the V-shaped groove 4. Since the light is reflected, the number of the conductors 3 can be reduced to half of the number of the optical paths emitted from the light guide 1A, and the configuration of the light guide can be simplified. Can be easily applied.
[0033]
The light guide 1A of the present invention is characterized in that a convex surface 6 and a concave surface 7 formed on an outer peripheral portion of the convex surface 6 are formed in the light incident portion 1, and other portions are not described. Regardless of the above embodiment, it can be arbitrarily configured.
[0034]
For example, the light guide 1 </ b> A according to the embodiment has four light guides 3, but the number of light guides 3 is not limited to this, and may be any number equal to or more than one. be able to.
[0035]
Further, in the light guide 1A according to the embodiment, the V-shaped groove 4 is formed at the tip of each light guide 3, but the shape of the tip of the light guide 3 is not limited to this. Instead, the light can have any shape in consideration of the emission direction.
[0036]
Next, an embodiment of an illuminated switch device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 is a sectional view of the illuminated switch device according to the embodiment, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the illuminated switch device according to the embodiment with a cover removed, and FIG. 8 is an operation of the illuminated switch device according to the embodiment. It is the top view from which the knob was removed.
[0037]
As shown in these drawings, the illuminated switch device of the present example includes a case 11, a wiring board 12 provided in the case 11, four push switches 13 mounted on the wiring board 12, and one LED ( A light source 14, an operation knob 15 attached to the case 11 and pressing the push switch 13, and opened between the push switch 13 and the operation knob 15 to transmit the pressing force of the operation knob 15 to the push switch 13. It mainly includes a rod-shaped actuator 16 and the light guide 1A according to the embodiment.
[0038]
The push switch 13 includes a click rubber 17 placed on the wiring board 12, a movable contact (not shown) formed in a convex portion 17 a of the click rubber 17, and a fixed not-shown pattern formed on the wiring board 12. The protrusions 17a of the click rubber 17 are equally formed on the wiring board 12 at 90-degree intervals.
[0039]
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the LED 14 is arranged at the center of the four convex portions 17 a formed on the click rubber 17. A thin portion 17b is formed in a portion of the click rubber 17 corresponding to the LED setting portion, so that light emitted from the LED 14 can be transmitted.
[0040]
The operation knob 15 is formed in a cap shape. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an arrow-shaped illuminating portion 15b indicating the operation direction of the push switch 13 is provided on the operation surface 15a at intervals of 90 degrees. Is formed in minutes. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, a cross-shaped pressing member 18 for transmitting the pressing force of the operation knob 15 to the actuator 16 is formed inside the operation knob 15. The pressing member 18 is fixed to the operation knob 15 such that the arms formed in a cross shape match the positions where the illuminating portions 15b are formed.
[0041]
The operation knob 15 is configured to be able to swing only in the X-Y direction indicated by the illumination unit 15b in a state where the respective arms formed on the pressing member 18 are aligned with the positions where the actuators 16 are provided. It is attached to the case 11. The technique for mounting the operation knob 15 so as to be able to swing only in the X-Y directions is a well-known matter and is not the gist of the present invention, so that the description is omitted.
[0042]
The light guide 1 </ b> A is held vertically in the case 11 with the light incident portion 1 facing the light emitting surface side of the LED 14 and the light emitting portion 5 facing the operation knob 15 side. As shown in FIG. 8, the four light guides 3 formed on the light guide 1 </ b> A are arranged between the arms forming the pressing member 18. Therefore, each of the illuminating portions 15b formed on the operation knob 15 is illuminated with light from two directions emitted from the two light guiding portions 3 arranged on both sides thereof.
[0043]
The illuminated switch device according to the present embodiment includes a light input unit 1 that receives light from the LED 14, and a light output unit 5 that irradiates the light from the LED 14 to an illuminator 15b formed on the operation knob 15. Since the light portion 1 uses the light guide 1A including the convex surface 6 formed on the inner peripheral portion of the light incident portion 1 and the concave surface 7 formed on the outer peripheral portion of the convex surface 6, the light from the LED 14 is emitted. The outer peripheral portion of the emitted light can be made incident on the concave surface 7, and the light emitted from the LED 14 can be introduced into the light guide 1A without leaking without increasing the diameter of the convex surface 6 or increasing the curvature of the convex surface 6. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the light emitted from the LED 14 and further increase the illuminance of the illumination unit 15b while preventing interference with the LED 14 and an increase in the size of the light guide 1A.
[0044]
Further, the illuminated switch device according to the present embodiment has four illuminating portions 15b formed on the operation knob 15 and a plurality of light emitting portions 5 formed on the light guide 1A. , A setting space for the push switch 13 and the actuator 16 can be provided in a portion facing each of the illuminating portions 15b, and the position of the illuminating portion 15b and the operation direction of the operation knob 15 can be matched. Thus, the operability of the illuminated switch device can be improved.
[0045]
Further, the illuminated switch device according to the present embodiment irradiates each of the illuminating portions 15b with light in two directions from the light guide 1A, so that uneven illumination of the illuminating portions 15b can be prevented, and the illuminated switch device can be prevented. Can have good visibility and operability.
[0046]
In the above-described embodiment, the pressing force of the operation knob 15 is transmitted to the push switch 13 via the actuator 16. However, the actuator 16 is omitted by forming an operation unit corresponding to the actuator 16 on the operation knob 15. You can also.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the convex portion and the concave portion are formed in the light-entering portion of the light guide, the outer peripheral portion of the light emitted from the light source can be made incident on the concave surface, and the convex surface has a large diameter. The light emitted from the light source can be introduced into the light guide without leakage without increasing the curvature of the convex surface. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the light emitted from the light source and to increase the illuminance of the illumination unit while preventing interference with the light source and an increase in the size of the light guide.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a light guide according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the light guide according to the embodiment as viewed from the light incident portion side.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the light guide according to the embodiment, as viewed from the light emitting portion side.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a path of light transmitted through the light guide according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an illuminated switch device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the illuminated switch device according to the embodiment with a cover removed.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the illuminated switch device according to the embodiment with the operation knob removed.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an illuminated switch device according to a conventional example.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a disadvantage of an illuminated switch device according to a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1A Light guide 1 Light entrance 2 Base 3 Light guide 4 V-shaped groove 5 Light exit 6 Convex surface 7 Concave surface 11 Case 12 Wiring board 13 Push switch 14 LED (light source)
15 Operation knob 16 Actuator

Claims (8)

A light incident portion for receiving light from the light source, and a light emitting portion for irradiating the illumination portion with light from the light source, wherein the light incident portion has a convex surface formed on an inner peripheral portion of the light incident portion, and the convex surface And a concave surface formed on an outer peripheral portion of the light guide. 2. The light guide according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of light guides are branched from one light input unit, and the light output unit is formed at an end of the light guide. 3. The V-shaped groove is formed at the tip of the light guide section, and the light from the light input section is reflected in different directions on two surfaces constituting the V-shaped groove. Light guide. The light guide according to claim 1, wherein the concave surface is a spherical surface. The light guide according to claim 1, wherein the concave surface has a conical surface. A case, a wiring board provided in the case, a push switch and a light source mounted on the wiring board, and an illuminating unit attached to the case and pressing the push switch directly or via another member. With an operation knob, and a light guide that guides light from the light source to the illuminator, as a light guide, a light input unit that receives light from the light source, and the illuminator from the light source. And a light-emitting portion for irradiating the light, wherein the light-entering portion includes a convex surface formed on an inner peripheral portion of the light-entering portion, and a concave surface formed on an outer peripheral portion of the convex surface. An illuminated switch device comprising: 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of light emitting portions are formed on the operation knob, a plurality of light emitting portions are formed on the light guide, and each of the light emitting portions is disposed at an intermediate position between the respective light emitting portions. An illuminated switch device according to claim 1. The illuminated switch device according to claim 7, wherein one illuminating portion is irradiated with light in two directions from the light guide.

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