JP2005050785A - Lighting device for control - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that previously two or more light emitting sources are necessary, and that there are an arrangement limitation and designing constraint in arranging the light emitting source such as a light emitting diode at such a position as to lengthen a distance from the light emitting source to an illumination part visible at the root of an operation knob. <P>SOLUTION: This device is constituted so that one light emitting source such as the light emitting diode 7 in the operation knob 1 is arranged on the front face of a light guide piece 9 or in a bearing 1D of the operation knob 1, that a light beam from the light emitting source 7 is once irradiated in the operation knob 1, and that reflected light and indirect light which are reflected irregularly in the operation knob 1 are received by the light guide piece 9 which is arranged on the rear face of the operation knob 1 and has a transmissive/diffusing function, guided to the outer peripheral part, and are made to be illuminated on the rear face of the operation knob 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device for an operation unit of an electronic device such as an audio device or a communication device.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional light ring device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic front view showing a base of the conventional light ring device and a light emitting diode mounted thereon.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the light ring device 30 has a cylindrical shape. The device 30 has nine chambers 31 defined by three inclined triangular surfaces 31A at equal intervals. Is formed. The apex 32 of the triangular surface 31 </ b> A of the chamber 31 is located at the outermost position of the triangular surface 31 </ b> A located at the center and at the outermost peripheral position inside the light ring device 30. The tip of each light-emitting diode 33 is arranged so as to face substantially the apex 32 of the triangular surface. As shown in FIG. 12, when each triangular surface 31A is viewed from the back, ridges 34 and valleys 35 that extend linearly are formed at equal intervals. Each of the chambers 31 functions as a light receiving surface that receives light from the corresponding light emitting diode 33, and sufficiently diffuses the light from the light emitting diode 33 and guides it into the upper portion 36 of the light ring device 30. Next, the light guided into the upper portion 36 is introduced into the ring portion 37 and is configured to be viewed by the user.
Japanese Patent No. 2815986

  In such an illuminating device, in order to make the ring part 37 emit light uniformly, two or more light emitting sources are required. In addition, since it is necessary to increase the distance from the light source to the ring-shaped illumination visible part of the operation knob, when placing the light source inside the operation knob, there are restrictions on the placement and design of each part. It was big.

  The present invention minimizes the shadow between the bearing part of the operation knob or button and the operation part fitted to the bearing part, for example, the shaft part of the volume, and the light source is located in front of the light guide piece in the operation knob. It is possible to arrange and configure the parts in the minimum range without lengthening the axis of the operation part by arranging it at the position of the operation part or the shaft part of the operation part, reducing the restrictions on the parts arrangement and design, and the illumination brightness The purpose of the present invention is to provide a high-quality lighting device for an operation unit that suppresses the difference in illumination and illumination unevenness.

  In order to solve this problem, the illumination device for an operation unit according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured such that a light emission source is provided at an upper position of a bearing portion of an operation knob, and light from the light emission source is transmitted between the operation knob and the panel. A light guide piece that transmits and diffuses and illuminates the back surface of the operation knob is arranged.

  With the configuration as described above, the light from the light source is reflected and diffused from the outer periphery of the opening of the operation knob by the light guide piece, thereby indirectly increasing the distance from the light source to the outer periphery of the knob as the illuminated part. At the same time, it is possible to obtain an effect of performing uniform illumination on the illuminated part by the diffusion effect due to reflection.

  Further, according to the present invention, by providing the light source at the upper position of the bearing of the operation knob, even in a single light source, the light from the light source is reflected and diffused by the light guide piece on the back of the operation knob, and the light is uniformized. Has the effect of uniformly illuminating the illuminated part, and also has the effect of making the slight unevenness of light emission inconspicuous.

In the first invention, the present invention is characterized in that at least one of the shaft portion of the operation component and the bearing of the operation knob fitted to the shaft portion is a transparent material.
With the above configuration, the present invention allows light from a light source disposed at a position offset from the center of the shaft to pass through the shaft part of the operation component and the bearing of the operation knob, so that the shadow of the shaft can be minimized. The light is reflected and diffused by the light guide piece at the opening of the operation knob, and the uniformed light is further uniformly illuminated.

  Further, in the lighting device for an operation part according to the second aspect of the present invention, the shaft part of the operation part and the bearing part of the operation knob are made of a transparent material, and either the shaft part of these operation parts or the bearing part of the operation knob is selected. A light emitting source is provided inside one of the light guide pieces, and a light guide piece for transmitting and diffusing light from the light emitting source to illuminate the back surface of the operation knob is disposed between the operation knob and the panel.

  With the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to arrange and configure the parts in the minimum range without lengthening the axis of the operation parts, reduce the parts placement and design restrictions, and suppress differences in illumination brightness and illumination unevenness. it can.

  In the first and second aspects of the present invention, at least one of the inner wall surface of the operation knob and the panel surface of the back surface of the light guide piece is a reflective surface. Furthermore, a part or all of the back surface of the light guide piece is used as a reflection surface, and the outer peripheral edge portion of the front surface of the light guide piece is used as an irradiation surface processed with a diffuse reflection surface (mat).

By the reflection surface as described above, light from the light source can be efficiently reflected to the light guide piece side, and attenuation of light from the light source can be suppressed.
In the first and second aspects of the invention, the light receiving surface of the light guide piece that receives light from the light source faces the inside of the operation knob, and the light transmitted through and diffused through the light guide piece is forward of the light guide piece. The irradiating surface for irradiating is positioned on the outer peripheral edge of the operation knob.

In the first and second inventions, the operation knob is provided with a through hole, and transmitted or diffused light is emitted from the through hole.
In the first and second inventions, a recess is formed on the panel surface to which the operation component is attached, and a light guide piece is disposed in the recess.

  As described above, the present invention can effectively reflect and diffuse the light from the light source regardless of the cross-sectional shape of the operation knob, and can uniformly illuminate the object to be illuminated.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the illumination device for an operation unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an operation unit illumination device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the operation unit illumination device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. The partial cross section perspective view of the illuminating device for operation parts in the 1st Example of this invention is shown.

  1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes an operation knob. The operation knob 1 has a cup shape with an outer peripheral portion 1B provided on the outer peripheral edge of a disc-shaped front plate 1A. A cylindrical bearing portion 1D extending in the direction of the opening 1C on the back side of the operation knob 1 is formed at the center of the back surface of the front plate 1A. The operation knob 1 is manufactured as a molded product of synthetic resin, but the material is not necessarily limited to synthetic resin. The bearing portion 1D is preferably made of a transparent material, but the other portions (the front plate 1A and the outer peripheral portion 1B) of the operation knob 1 excluding the bearing portion 1D are not transparent.

  Reference numeral 2 denotes a panel, which is fixed to the printed wiring board 5 with fixing screws 4 through the legs 3. A circular recess 2A is formed in the panel 2, a boss 2B is formed in the center of the back plate 2a of the recess 2A, and an operation component 6 is attached to the boss hole 2b of the boss 2B. In this embodiment, a case where a volume (hereinafter referred to as VR) is provided as the operation component 6 will be described. Of course, the operation component 6 is not limited to the volume, and operation of a variable capacitor, a push button type switch, or the like. It may be a part, and the type of the part is not limited.

  The shaft portion 6A of the VR 6 is inserted into the cylindrical bearing portion 1D of the operation knob 1, and is configured so that the shaft portion 6A can be rotated by the operation knob 1 to operate the VR 6. The shaft portion 6A of the VR 6 is preferably made of a transparent material such as polycarbonate. By manufacturing at least one of the bearing portion 1D and the shaft portion 6A of the VR 6 with a transparent material such as polycarbonate, light from a light emitting source (light emitting diode) 7 described later can be transmitted. , Light attenuation can be reduced. The rear end of the VR 6 is attached on the printed wiring board 5 and connected to the wiring on the board 5.

  The light emitting diode 7 is supported at the tip of the rectangular holder 8, and enters the operation knob 1 from the through hole 2C formed in the back plate 2a of the panel 2 above the VR 6 and the hole 9D of the light guide piece 9. Is arranged. The light emitting diode 7 is positioned above the bearing portion 1D of the operation knob 1 and is disposed so as to irradiate the inner surface of the operation knob 1. The rear end of the holder 8 of the light emitting diode 7 is fixed to the printed wiring board 5 above the VR 6. In addition, although the said Example demonstrated the case where a light emitting diode was used as a light emission part, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to a light emitting diode.

  A light guide piece 9 made of a translucent material is provided in the recess 2A of the panel 2 facing the opening 1C of the operation knob 1. The light guide piece 9 is made of an acrylic resin, and light emitted from the light emitting diode 7 is transmitted and diffused through the resin. The light guide piece 9 is formed in a circular shape so as to fit into the recess 2 </ b> A of the panel 2. The inner peripheral part 9A of the light guide piece 9 is formed thicker than the outer peripheral part 9B, and the thick part of the inner peripheral part 9A is located inside the operation knob 1 when viewed from the front. The outer peripheral portion 9 </ b> B is located on the outer peripheral portion of the operation knob 1. The front surface of the inner peripheral portion 9 </ b> A of the light guide piece 9 faces the inner side of the operation knob 1, and serves as a light receiving surface 9 a that receives light from the light emitting diode 7. The outer peripheral edge 9b of the outer peripheral portion 9B of the light guide piece 9 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral portion 1B of the operation knob 1 and irradiates the front surface of the light guide piece 9 with the light transmitted and diffused through the light guide piece 9 Play the role of 9c. The irradiation surface 9c is preferably matted. In addition, although the material of the light guide piece 9 was acrylic resin, it is not limited to this, Other translucent material may be used.

  A hole 9D for projecting the shaft portion 6A of the VR 6 and the holder 8 of the light emitting diode 7 to the operation knob 1 side is formed in the center portion of the light guide piece 9. Further, on the back side of the inner peripheral portion 9A of the light guide piece 9, a first reflecting surface 9E for reflecting light from the light receiving surface 9a outward is formed. The reflecting surface 9E has an inclination angle of 45 ° with respect to the axis of the bearing portion 1D in order to reflect the light from the light receiving surface 9a to the outside of the diameter of the light guide piece 9. Further, a second reflecting surface 9F is formed on the back surface side of the outer peripheral portion 9B of the light guide piece 9, and the light reflected from the first reflecting surface 9E is reflected to the irradiation surface 9c side. The second reflecting surface 9F has an inclination angle of 50 °. The first reflecting surface 9E and the second reflecting surface 9F may be processed into mirror surfaces. Moreover, you may process all the back sides of the light guide piece 9 into a mirror surface. However, it is not always necessary to process these surfaces into mirror surfaces. Although the reflection surfaces 9E and 9F are inclined at 45 ° and 50 °, in order to obtain an effective reflection / light guide depending on the position / size of the illumination surface 9c of the light emitting diode 7, The inclination angle is not limited to the above. Further, it is preferable that at least one of the inner wall surface of the operation knob 1 and the panel 2 surface on the back surface of the light guide piece is mirror-finished to be a reflecting surface.

  The operation of the illumination device for an operation unit configured as described above will be described below. First, a part of the light emitted from the light emitting diode 7 is directly directed to the opening 1 </ b> C on the back side of the operation knob 1. A part of the light is reflected by the front plate 1A of the operation knob 1 and the inner wall of the outer peripheral part 1B as shown by the illumination reflected light α, and a part of the light passes through the bearing part 1D and the shaft part 6A made of a transparent material. Pass through the opening 1C on the back side of the operation knob 1. The light toward the opening 1C enters the light guide piece 9 from the light receiving surface 9a, is reflected by the first reflecting surface 9E and the second reflecting surface 9F, and is irradiated from the irradiation surface 9c side. A part of the light is reflected and diffused in the light guide piece 9 made of a translucent material and is irradiated from the irradiation surface 9c side. In this way, the ring-shaped illumination visible portion (irradiation surface 9c) of the light guide piece 9 uniformly illuminates the operation knob 1 from the back surface.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the light from the point light source of the light emitting diode 7 is reflected and diffused in the outer peripheral direction from the opening 1C on the back side of the operation knob 1, so that the operation knob which is the illuminated part from the light source. The distance to the outer peripheral portion of 1 is indirectly increased, and at the same time, uniform illumination can be obtained on the illuminated portion by the diffusion effect due to the reflection in the light guide piece 9.

  Further, by providing the light emitting diode 7 on the upper part of the bearing portion 1D of the operation knob 1, it is possible to give an impression that the light guide piece 9 emits light uniformly to the person who has seen the operation portion. That is, if only one light emitting diode 7 is provided on the operation knob 1, the portion of the light guide piece 9 near the light emitting diode 7 is brighter and becomes darker as it is farther away. Therefore, when the light emitting diode 7 is provided on the upper part of the bearing part 1D of the operation knob 1, the upper part of the light guide piece 9 is brighter and the lower part is darker than that. However, since indoor lighting is generally emitted from the upper part of the electronic device, humans have a fixed idea that the upper part of the operation knob 1 is bright and the lower part is dark due to shadows. Therefore, actually, even if the upper part of the light guide piece 9 is bright and the lower part is dark, the person who looks at the operation unit has the illusion that the light guide piece 9 emits light uniformly. Therefore, it is advantageous to provide the light-emitting diode 7 on the bearing 1D of the operation knob 1.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows a side sectional view of the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 shows a partial sectional view of the second embodiment. 4 and 5, in addition to the first embodiment, the operation knob illumination of the first embodiment is provided except that a reflective case 10 having a truncated cone shape is provided inside the operation knob 1. Since it is the same as the apparatus, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings, and the details are omitted. The reflecting case 10 is a part made of synthetic resin with the inner surface of a truncated cone shaped plate as a reflecting surface. The inclined surface 10a of the truncated conical reflecting case 10 can effectively reflect and diffuse the light of the light emitting diode 7 toward the opening 1C of the operation knob 1 as shown by the illumination reflected light beam β. The reflection case 10 does not have to be in the shape of a truncated cone as described above, and may be any shape that reflects light toward the opening 1C of the operation knob 1. In addition, although the material of the reflective case 10 is a synthetic resin, it is not limited to this, and a material having another reflective surface, for example, a metal plate may be used.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is an effect that the light from the light source can be effectively reflected and diffused regardless of the cross-sectional shape of the operation knob 1, and the illuminated portion can be illuminated uniformly. Become.

6 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 shows a side sectional view of the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 shows a partial sectional perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention. The figure is shown.
In the third embodiment, the operation knob 1 and the printed wiring board 5 are substantially the same as the operation unit illumination device of the first embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, the shaft portion 26A of the VR 26 is different from the first embodiment. The shaft portion 26A is made of a transparent material such as polycarbonate or a transmissive / diffusing material, and a recess 26B is formed on the substrate 5 side in order to fit the light emitting diode 7 therein. The light emitting diode 7 is fitted in the concave portion 26B of the shaft portion 26A of the VR 26.

  The shaft portion 26A protrudes outwardly from a through hole 22c formed in the back plate 22a of the concave portion of the panel 22 and a central hole 29D formed in the light guide piece 29, and the bearing portion 1D of the operation knob 1 is formed. It is mated.

  The light guide piece 29 disposed between the operation knob 1 and the back plate 22a of the panel 22 is slightly different in shape from the light guide piece of the first embodiment, but basically the first light guide piece as described later. This is the same as the operation of the light guide piece 9 of the embodiment.

  The operation of the illumination device for an operation unit configured as described above will be described below. First, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 7 passes through the transparent material or the shaft portion 26A of the VR 26 having a transmission / diffusion function, and a part of the light is directly reflected and diffused in the light guide piece 29 and forward from the irradiation surface 29c. Is irradiated. A part of the light is reflected by the inner wall of the operation knob 1 and directed toward the opening 1C of the operation knob 1 as indicated by the illumination reflected light α. Thereafter, the light is reflected and diffused in the light guide piece 29 having a transmission / diffusion function, and irradiated forward from the irradiation surface 29c. In this way, the ring-shaped illumination visible portion (irradiation surface 29c) is uniformly illuminated by the light emitted from the light emitting diode 7.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the light from the light emitting diode 7 is reflected and diffused from the opening 1C of the operation knob 1 to indirectly increase the distance from the light source 7 to the outer periphery of the knob 1 as the illuminated part. At the same time, the illuminated portion 29C can be illuminated uniformly by the diffusion effect due to reflection. Further, by arranging the light emitting source 7 in the concave portion 26B of the VR 26 having a transparent material or a transmission / diffusion function, it is possible to arrange and configure components in a minimum range.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a partial sectional perspective view of the fourth embodiment.
In the fourth embodiment, the panel 22, the VR 26, the printed wiring board 5, and the light guide piece 29 are the same as those of the lighting device for operation unit of the third embodiment, and therefore the same reference numerals are used for the details. Is omitted. In the fourth embodiment, the operation knob 21 is different from the third embodiment. The front plate 21A of the operation knob 21 is formed with three serial through holes 21E, and a bearing portion 21D of the operation knob 21 made of a transmissive / diffusing material such as acrylic resin is fitted inside the operation knob 21. This bearing portion 21D has a cylinder portion 21F into which the tip portion of the shaft portion 26A of the VR 26 is fitted at the center portion, and a cylindrical main body portion 21G having a bottom is closely fitted in the operation knob. In the through hole 21E formed in the front plate 21A, a convex portion made of a transmission / diffusion material formed on the front side of the bearing portion 21D is fitted. In addition, although the three through holes 21E are arranged in series, the present invention is not limited to this, and the position and quantity may be arbitrary.

  In the operation unit illumination device configured as described above, the light from one light source of the light emitting diode 7 passes through the shaft portion 26A of the VR 26 and has a transmission / diffusion function, as in the third embodiment. The light directly enters the bearing portion 21D of the knob 21 or once exits the shaft portion 26A and passes through the space inside the operation knob 21 and enters the bearing portion 21D of the operation knob 21. Part of the light incident on the bearing portion 21 </ b> D of the operation knob 21 having a transmission / diffusion function directly goes out of the knob 21 from the through hole 21 </ b> E of the operation knob 21. Further, part of the light once irradiated inside the direct operation knob 21 is radiated from the through hole 21E of the front plate 21A by reflected / indirect light while being irregularly reflected. In this embodiment, light is irradiated from the outer peripheral edge of the light guide piece 29 in the same manner as in the previous embodiment.

  In the third and fourth embodiments, the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface may be processed into mirror surfaces. Moreover, you may process all the back sides of a light guide piece into a mirror surface. In addition, it is preferable that at least one of the inner wall surface of the operation knob and the panel surface on the back surface of the light guide piece is mirror-finished to obtain a reflecting surface.

With the above configuration, light is also emitted from the front plate 21 </ b> A of the operation knob 21. Moreover, the illumination can be performed more effectively as indicated by the reflected illumination beam β.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is an effect that the light from the light source can be effectively reflected and diffused regardless of the cross-sectional shape of the operation knob 21, and the illuminated portion can be illuminated uniformly.

  The present invention is an illumination device for an operation unit of an electric device such as an audio device or a communication device, and reflects and diffuses light from a light source to uniformly illuminate the operation unit of the operation knob.

The perspective view of the illuminating device by 1st Example of this invention. Side surface sectional drawing of the illuminating device by 1st Example of this invention. 1 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a lighting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Side surface sectional drawing of the illuminating device by 2nd Example of this invention. Partial sectional perspective view of a lighting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view of the illuminating device by the 3rd Example of this invention. Side surface sectional drawing of the illuminating device by the 3rd Example of this invention. Partial sectional perspective view of a lighting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Side surface sectional drawing of the illuminating device by the 4th Example of this invention. Partial sectional perspective view of a lighting device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Schematic side sectional view of a conventional lighting device AA line sectional view of FIG. Schematic front view of a conventional lighting device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operation knob 2 ... Panel 2A ... Recessed part 6 ... Operation part
6A: Shaft 7: Light emitting source 1D: Bearing 9: Light guide piece 9C: Irradiation surface 26: Operation part
26A ... Shaft 22A ... Recess 29 ... Light guide piece 29C ... Irradiation surface 21 ... Operation knob

Claims (9)

An operation part is provided on a panel of an electronic device, an operation knob is attached to the operation part, and an illumination device for an operation unit that illuminates the back surface of the operation knob with light from a built-in light source,
A light emitting source is provided at an upper position of a bearing portion of an operation knob, and a light guide piece that transmits and diffuses light from the light emission source to illuminate the back of the operation knob is disposed between the operation knob and the panel. A lighting device for an operation unit. 2. The operating unit illumination device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a shaft portion of the operation component and a bearing portion of an operation knob fitted to the shaft portion is made of a transparent material. An operation part is provided on a panel of an electronic device, an operation knob is attached to the operation part, and an illumination device for an operation unit that illuminates the back surface of the operation knob with light from a built-in light source,
The shaft part of the operation part and the bearing part of the operation knob are made of a transparent material, and a light emission source is provided inside one of the shaft part of the operation part and the bearing part of the operation knob, and the operation knob and the panel A light guide piece for transmitting and diffusing light from the light emitting source to illuminate the back surface of the operation knob is disposed therebetween. 4. The operating unit illumination device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of an inner wall surface of the operation knob and a panel surface of the back surface of the light guide piece is a reflective surface. The light receiving surface of the light guide piece that receives light from the light source faces the inside of the operation knob, and the irradiation surface that irradiates the light transmitted through and diffused through the light guide piece to the front of the light guide piece is on the outer periphery of the operation knob. 4. The operating unit illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit illumination device is positioned. 6. The operating unit illumination device according to claim 5, wherein a part or all of the back surface of the light guide piece is a reflective surface, and an outer peripheral edge portion of the front surface of the light guide piece is a matted irradiation surface. 4. The operating unit illumination device according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion is formed on the panel surface to which the operation component is attached, and a light guide piece is disposed in the concave portion. 4. The operating unit illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the operating knob is provided with a through hole, and light transmitted or diffused is emitted from the through hole. 4. The operation unit illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the operation knob is an operation button.

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