JP3744799B2 - Illumination structure of rotary switch - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an illumination structure of a rotary switch, particularly a rotary switch that needs to illuminate both a central fixed portion and a rotating knob that rotates around the rotary portion, and that can illuminate both with a single light source. The present invention relates to an improvement of a lighting structure of a switch.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a plurality of switches, indicator lamps, and the like are arranged on an operation display unit (operation panel) of an electronic device. For example, in a temperature conditioner (air conditioner) mounted on an automobile, a plurality of selection switches such as a switch for selecting an air outlet supplied to the passenger compartment and a switch for switching a control mode are densely arranged. When a plurality of switches are required in this way, for example, when a push switch is used, switches are required as many as the number of selection items, which increases the necessary space and increases the number of parts and the number of assembly steps. It is not preferable.
[0003]
Therefore, a rotary switch has been conventionally used as a switch for realizing a selection operation of a plurality of items with a single switch. Note that the rotary switch also includes a volume switch using a variable resistor used when a desired control value is selected from continuous control values such as temperature setting. An example of the surface shape of the rotary switch 100 is shown in FIG. In the case of a general rotary switch 100, a plurality of selection items 102a to 102c (in the case of FIG. 2A, for example, three representative items are displayed numerically) on a fixed display unit 102 arranged in the center. A display bar 102d or the like indicating the space between the items is arranged, and a rotatable knob 104 is arranged around the display bar 102d. The rotation knob 104 is provided with a pointer display portion 104a illuminated by a built-in LED or the like, and the rotation knob 104 is rotated to change the pointer display portion 104a to a desired selection item 102a to 102c or a display bar 102d. By selecting one of these, it is possible to select a function (in this case, temperature selection) meaning the selection items 102a to 102c or the display bar 102d.
[0004]
FIG. 2B shows a schematic structure of a conventional rotary switch 100. A part of the design plate 106 constituting the fixed display portion 102 is formed of a transparent resin for illuminating the selection items 102a to 102c, the display bar 102d, and the like, but is formed of a colored resin or the like as a whole. . A movable contact 108 is fixed to the rotation knob 104 disposed around the fixed display unit 102 and is in contact with a fixed contact 112 fixed to the substrate 110. For example, when a terminal on the movable contact 108 comes into contact with a predetermined contact among a plurality of terminals formed on the fixed contact 112, a circuit including the terminal is closed and desired temperature control can be performed. . Similarly, in a volume switch using a variable resistor, the temperature of the variable resistor on the substrate 110 is changed by rotating the rotary knob 104 so that desired temperature control can be performed.
[0005]
A bulb 114 is fixed to the substrate 110 as a light source for illuminating the design plate 106 of the fixed display unit 102, and illumination of the selection items 102a to 102c, the display bar 102d, and the like is performed. On the other hand, as described above, the rotation knob 104 is formed with the pointer display portion 104a. Therefore, the LED 116 and the light guide lens 118 as a light source for illuminating the pointer display portion 104a are built in the rotation knob 104. ing. As the rotary knob 104 rotates, the pointer moves around the fixed display unit 102 so that the pointer display unit 104a can always be illuminated. That is, when the rotary knob 104 is rotated and the pointer display portion 104a that is lit is aligned with a desired display item, for example, the display item 102b of “25” indicating the set temperature 25 ° C. in FIG. 108 contacts the corresponding fixed contact 112, and a signal for controlling to a set temperature of 25 ° C. is generated. 2B, the retainer 120 that supports the design plate 106 is configured to be depressible, and the push switch 122 disposed on the substrate 110 can be operated. For example, a switch for full-auto control of an air conditioner 2 shows an example of a composite structure of the rotary switch 100 and the push switch 122 that constitutes the above.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the conventional rotary switch 100 is configured as described above, a light source (bulb 114) for the fixed display unit 102 and a light source (LED 116) for the pointer display unit 104a are required, and the number of components and the component cost are required. Has the problem of increasing. In particular, the fixed display unit 102 and the pointer display unit 104a are normally kept in an illumination state when the apparatus power is on (except when each illumination is used as a special display means such as an alarm) Neither of them is selectively lit or point reduction control is not performed. Providing a separate light source during such use is inefficient.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and when performing illumination required for a rotary switch, a rotary switch that can be illuminated in the same manner as before by using a single light source. An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting structure.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides the fixed display in a rotary switch that includes a fixed display section and a rotary knob that rotates around the fixed display section and performs input switching based on the rotation angle of the rotary knob. And an illumination structure for illuminating the pointer display unit provided on the rotating knob, the illumination light source disposed on the back side of the fixed display unit, and the light from the illumination light source, A light guide that leads to both the display area formed in the fixed display part and the selection area where the pointer display part that moves in accordance with the operation of the rotary knob is located, and the light guide is at the apex part. The mortar shape having a through-hole is formed, and the inner surface side of the wall portion forming the mortar shape is used as a central light guide for guiding light to the display area of the fixed display portion. A side light guide that guides light to the area The illumination light source is characterized in that it is arranged on the apex portion of the light guide.
[0009]
According to this configuration, the illumination of the fixed display portion and the illumination of the pointer display portion can be performed simultaneously with a single light source, and the light from the single light source can be efficiently guided over a wide range. It is possible to efficiently guide and illuminate a wide range of display area defined by the central light guide, and to reliably guide light from the light source to the selected area guided by the side light guide.
[0014]
In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, in the above configuration, the side light guide is provided only at a position corresponding to a position of a display mark on the fixed display portion indicated by the pointer display portion. It is characterized by.
[0015]
Here, when the display marks are separately provided at predetermined intervals, the side light guides are separately arranged at positions corresponding to the display marks. In addition, when the display mark is formed continuously (for example, in a band shape) or separated and arranged at a slight interval, a band-shaped side light guide path is formed so as to cover the start end portion to the end portion of the display mark. May be.
[0016]
According to this configuration, it is possible to surely distinguish the brightness and darkness between the part to be illuminated from which the pointer display unit moves and the other part, and light leakage countermeasures can be easily taken.
[0017]
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described configuration, the surface of the side light guide that faces the illumination light source is processed to be concave.
[0018]
According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably and satisfactorily make light incident on the side light guide, and the pointer display unit can be sufficiently illuminated.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) of the illumination structure of the rotary switch of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment as well, a case where a rotary switch is used as a temperature control selection switch will be described.
[0020]
FIG. 1A is a front view of a rotary switch 10 to which this embodiment is applied. The rotary switch 10 in appearance is the same as the conventional rotary switch 100 shown in FIG. 2A, and has a fixed display part (design plate) 12 in the center, and a representative temperature on the fixed display part 12. Display marks such as display items 12a to 12c (for example, three) to be shown and a display bar 12d showing the temperature therebetween are formed of a transparent resin or the like. A rotatable knob 14 is disposed around the fixed display unit 12, and a rotation position of the rotary knob 14 relative to the fixed display unit 12 is set at a predetermined position on the front surface of the rotary knob 14. A pointer display unit 16 for indicating is arranged.
[0021]
FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the rotary switch 10. In the present embodiment, the fixed display portion 12 is supported by a retainer 18 that is two-color molded with a colored material such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin and a transparent material such as polycarbonate. This retainer 18 forms a light guide in this embodiment. The basic shape of the retainer 18 has a hollow conical shape, that is, a mortar shape, and supports the fixed display portion 12 on the bottom surface side. On the other hand, the apex side has a through hole 18a, and a bulb 22 as an illumination light source fixed to the substrate 20 is located facing the through hole 18a. The retainer 18 is fixed to the substrate 20 and has, for example, a claw 18b as a fixing means on the bottom surface side, and the fixed display unit 12 is supported by the claw 18b. It is fixed to 20 well.
[0022]
A fixed contact 24 which is a switch body of the rotary switch 10 is fixed to the substrate 20. On the fixed contact 24, a plurality of contacts (not shown) for closing a circuit for performing control corresponding to each of the selection items 12a to 12c and the display bar 12d are formed. Further, a movable contact 26 connected and fixed to the rotating knob 14 is disposed in contact with the fixed contact 24. On the movable contact 26, a terminal (not shown) is formed for conducting between predetermined terminals on the fixed contact 24. As shown in the prior art, a volume switch using a variable resistor may be adopted as the rotary switch. In any case, by rotating the rotation knob 14, the contact state of the movable contact 26 with respect to the fixed contact 24 can be changed, and a desired control state can be selected.
[0023]
The characteristic matter of this embodiment is that the illumination of the fixed display unit 12 and the display of the pointer display unit 16 of the rotary knob 14 are performed with a single light source.
[0024]
As described above, the retainer 18 is a resin part formed by two-color molding, and its shape is a mortar shape. The range is defined by the claw 18 b formed on the bottom surface side of the retainer 18, that is, the inner peripheral side of the wall portion forming the mortar shape becomes the central light guide path 28 that guides light from the bulb 22 to the fixed display portion 12. In FIG. 1B, the light from the bulb 22 is guided to almost the entire back surface of the fixed display portion 12, that is, the display area. The mortar-shaped inner wall surface of the retainer 18 forming the central light guide 28 can sufficiently guide the light from the bulb 22 to the display region even when the material of the material such as ABS or polycarbonate formed by two colors is exposed as it is. However, in order to perform more efficient and bright illumination, it is desirable to perform mirror finishing (such as coating of a reflecting member) on the inner wall surface.
[0025]
As described above, it is possible to efficiently guide the light of the bulb 22 and perform the back illumination of the fixed display portion 12 over a wide range of display area defined by the mortar-shaped central light guide path 28. That is, the fixed display unit that displays almost the entire back surface of the fixed display unit 12 with substantially uniform brightness through the selection items 12a to 12c and the display bar 12d formed of a transparent material. 12 can be obtained.
[0026]
On the other hand, as described above, a part or all of the inside (meat portion) of the wall portion forming the mortar shape of the retainer 18 constitutes the side light guide path 30 for guiding the light from the bulb 22 to the pointer display portion 16. is doing. As shown in FIG. 1B, concave processing is performed on the side light guide 30 on the bulb 22 side, that is, on the through hole 18 a side of the retainer 18, and light from the bulb 22 is transmitted to the side light guide 30. It is desirable to have a structure that efficiently enters the inside.
[0027]
In the case of this embodiment, the arrangement of the selection items 12a to 12c and the display bar 12d displayed on the fixed display unit 12 is approximately 270 ° along the outer periphery thereof. Therefore, the movement range of the pointer display portion 16 of the rotary knob 14 is also sufficient at about 270 °. That is, the part using the polycarbonate which becomes the side light guide path 30 for guiding light at the time of two-color molding is also a part corresponding to the arrangement of the selection items 12a to 12c and the display bar 12d. In the case of a structure in which movable parts are combined, such as the rotary switch 10, there is a possibility that a gap may occur depending on the molding accuracy and combination accuracy of the component parts, but the configuration does not guide light to unnecessary parts as in this embodiment. By doing so, it becomes possible to reliably distinguish between the lighted part and the other part where the pointer display unit 16 moves and the part to be illuminated, and it is easy to take measures against light leakage from around the rotary knob 14 Can be done. If the accuracy of each component can be adjusted to prevent light leakage, light leakage can be allowed within a predetermined range, or conversely, light is actively leaked over the entire circumference of the fixed display unit 12 and fixed. For example, when the design effect of illuminating the periphery of the display unit 12 in a ring shape is obtained, the entire wall portion forming the mortar shape of the retainer 18 may be formed as the side light guide path 30.
[0028]
As described above, by forming the side light guide path 30 that guides the light from the bulb 22 to the pointer display unit 16, the light from the bulb 22 can be reliably guided to the selection region for illuminating the pointer display unit 16. it can. And even if the rotation knob 14 rotates to arbitrary positions, the illumination of the pointer display part 16 can always be performed in the same state. Further, it is not necessary to incorporate an illumination light source such as an LED in the rotating knob 14, the rotating knob 14 can be reduced in size and weight, and the operability and assembly of the rotating knob 14 can be improved. Easy to do.
[0029]
In addition, although the light which passes the side part light-guide path 30 hardly leaks to the outer peripheral side of the retainer 18, you may give a light-shielding process to the outer peripheral side as needed.
[0030]
Moreover, in this embodiment, although the example which forms the side part light-guide path 30 in a part of retainer 18 by performing two-color molding is shown, the retainer main-body part which supports the fixed display part 12, and the side The partial light guide path 30 may be formed separately and combined with each other. In addition, in the case where an intermittent item selection is performed by moving the pointer display unit 16, a pointer corresponding to a portion where the selection items 12a to 12c and the display bar 12d exist is necessary for the retainer 18 constituting the central light guide path 28. The transparent member that forms the side light guide path 30 may be individually arranged only at the movement position of the display unit 16.
[0031]
Thus, by forming the central light guide path 28 and the side light guide path 30, it becomes possible to simultaneously supply light from the single bulb 22 to both the fixed display section 12 and the rotary knob 14. , It is possible to perform illumination similar to the conventional structure that used an illumination light source for each illumination site with a single illumination light source, without compromising the illumination function, the number of parts and assembly man-hours It is possible to perform the same illumination as before while reducing the above.
[0032]
In this embodiment, the rotary switch 10 is used to set the temperature of the air conditioner. However, the application is not limited to this, and a switch structure that requires illumination of the fixed part and assertion of the rotating part at the same time is used. The present invention can be applied to various types of rotary switches, can be easily applied to rotary switches of other devices (for example, equipment and home appliances), and the same effects as those of the present embodiment can be obtained. Further, in the present embodiment, the shape of the retainer 18 serving as a light guide as to Rihachi shape, widely spread by the shape of the central light guiding path 28 extending light from a single valve 22 to bowl shape, the fixed display unit Although the 12 display areas are efficiently and uniformly illuminated, the shape can be appropriately determined as long as the light of the single bulb 22 can be efficiently guided to the fixed display unit 12 and the pointer display unit 16. Even if it is changed, the same effect can be obtained.
[0033]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 2B, the light guide body of the present embodiment (as shown in FIG. 2B) is configured as a combined rotary / pressing type in which a push switch disposed on the substrate 20 is operated by pressing the fixed display unit 12. (Retainer) structure is applicable, and the same effect can be obtained.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to simultaneously supply light from a single illumination light source to both the fixed display unit and the rotary knob, without reducing the illumination function, It is possible to illuminate the entire necessary part of a good rotary switch while reducing the number of parts and the number of assembly steps.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A and 1B are a front view and a schematic structural diagram for explaining an illumination structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are a front view and a schematic structural diagram for explaining a conventional illumination structure. FIGS.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Rotary switch, 12 Fixed display part, 12a-12c Selection item, 12d Display bar, 14 Rotation knob, 16 Pointer display part, 18 Retainer, 18a Through hole, 20 Substrate, 22 Bulb (light source), 24 Fixed contact, 26 Movable contacts, 28 central light guide, 30 side light guide.

Claims (3)

Including a fixed display and a rotating knob that rotates around the fixed display;
An illumination structure for illuminating the fixed display unit and a pointer display unit provided on the rotary knob in a rotary switch that performs input switching based on a rotation angle of the rotary knob,
An illumination light source disposed on the back side of the fixed display unit;
And a light guide for guiding light from the illumination light source, both of said formed on the fixed display unit is a display area, selection area pointer display unit for moving along with the operation of the rotating knob is located ,
The light guide has a mortar shape having a through hole at the apex,
The inner side of the wall forming the mortar shape is a central light guide that guides light to the display area of the fixed display,
The inside of the wall forming the mortar shape is a side light guide that guides light to the selected area of the pointer display part,
The illumination structure, wherein the illumination light source is disposed at a vertex of the light guide . The structure of claim 1, wherein
The side light guide path is provided only at a position corresponding to the position of the display mark on the fixed display section indicated by the pointer display section.
Lighting structure characterized by The structure of claim 1 or claim 2,
The surface of the side light guide that faces the illumination light source is concavely processed.

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