JP4383463B2 - Illuminated switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illuminated type switch device capable of effectively using emission light from an LED and improving illuminance of a lightening part. <P>SOLUTION: A light guide body 1A is equipped with a base 2 having a light entrance part 1 on an underside, four light guide parts 3 branching from the base and arranged and divided at even intervals at 90 degrees, V-shaped grooves 4 formed at a tip part of each light guide part 3, and eight light irradiating parts 5 formed on opposite faces of the V-shaped grooves 4. For the light entrance part 1, a convex surface 6 for condensing diffusion light emitted from an LED 14 and a concave surface 7 for preventing a leak of the diffusion light are formed. The light entrance part 1 is directed toward a light-emitting face side of the LED 14, and the light irradiating part 5 is directed toward an operating knob 15 side. The four light guide parts 3 formed on the light guide body 1A, are arranged between each of arm parts structuring pushing members 18, and each of illuminated parts 15b formed on the operation knob 15 is illuminated by light from two directions emitted from the two light guide parts 3 arranged on its both sides. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination type switch device including a light guide that guides light emitted from a light source to a required illumination unit.

  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 illumination unit 104 a for pressing the push switch 102, a push switch 102, Illumination provided with 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 emitted light 106 of the LED 103 to the illumination unit 104a. A switch device of the type is known.

  The light guide 107 includes a light incident part 111 that receives the emitted light 106 of the LED 103, and a light emitting part 112 that irradiates the illuminated part 104a formed on the operation knob 104 with the emitted light 106 from the LED 103. The light incident part 111 is formed with a convex surface 113 for correcting upward the emitted light 106 of the LED 103 which is diffused light.

  Since the illumination type switching device according to the conventional example includes the light guide body 107, the emitted light 106 of the LED 101 can be efficiently guided to the illumination section 104a, and the illumination section as compared with the case where the light guide body 107 is not provided. The illuminance of 104a can be increased. Further, since the convex surface 113 is formed on the light incident portion 111 of the light guide 107, the emitted light 106 of the LED 101 which is diffused light can be efficiently corrected upward on the side where the light emitting portion 112 is disposed. Therefore, the illuminance of the illumination unit 104a can be increased.

  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 part 111 is configured with only the convex surface 113, as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to introduce the outer peripheral part (the hatched part in FIG. 10) of the outgoing light 106 into the light guide 107 without omission. In practice, this is difficult and there is room for improvement.

  That is, increasing 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 is that the convex surface 113 interferes with the light emitting surface of the LED 103 as shown by a broken line in FIG. Because it becomes easier, it is virtually impossible. 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. Since the light incident portion 111 of the light guide 107 is increased in size, other inconveniences such as limitation of the setting space for the push switch 102 and the actuator 105 arise, and the practicality is still poor.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a technical problem, and the object thereof is to enable effective use of light emitted from the LED without interference with the LED and enlargement of the light guide. An object of the present invention is to provide an illumination type switch device provided with a light guide that can further increase the illuminance of an illumination unit.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention firstly, a case, a wiring board provided in the case, a push switch and a light source mounted on the wiring board, and attached to the case, In an illumination type switch device comprising: an operation knob with an illumination unit that pushes the push switch directly or via another member; and a light guide that guides light from the light source to the illumination unit. While forming a plurality of illuminating portions, as the light guide, one base portion having a light incident portion that receives light from the light source, a plurality of light guide portions branched from the base portion, and each of the light guide portions A light source including a V-shaped groove formed at a tip portion and a plurality of light-emitting portions that irradiate light reflected by two surfaces constituting the V-shaped groove toward the operation knob. Is the inner periphery of the light incident part And the concave portions formed on the outer peripheral portion of the convex surface, the light emitting portions are disposed at intermediate positions of the light illuminating portions, and the light illuminating portions are disposed on both sides thereof. It was set as the structure illuminated by the light from two directions emitted from the two said light emission parts.

  As described above, when the convex surface and the concave surface 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 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 without effectively interfering with the light source and increasing the size of the light guide. Illuminance can be increased. In addition, if a plurality of light guides are branched from one light incident part and a light output part is formed at the tip of the light guide part, a plurality of light illumination parts can be illuminated with one light source. The number can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the illumination type switch device provided with the light guide can be reduced. Further, when a V-shaped groove is formed at the front end of the light guide section, and the light from the light incident section is reflected in different directions by the two surfaces constituting the V-shaped groove, the number of the light guide sections is changed to the light guide body. Since the number of light paths emitted from the light source can be halved, the configuration of the light guide can be simplified, and application to an illuminated switch device or the like can be facilitated. In addition, if light is irradiated in one direction from the light guide to one illuminating unit, uneven illumination of the illuminating unit can be prevented, so that the visibility and operability of the illuminating switch device are improved. Can do.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the illuminated switch device having the first configuration, the pressing force of the push switch and the operation knob is applied to a portion facing each illumination unit formed on the operation knob. An actuator for transmitting to the push switch is provided.

  According to this configuration, since the position of the illumination unit and the operation direction of the operation knob can be matched, the operability of the illumination type switch device can be improved.

  Since the illumination type switch device of the present invention forms a convex surface and a concave surface in the light incident portion of the light guide, the light emitted from the light source can be effectively used, and the illuminance of the illumination portion can be increased. . In addition, since a plurality of light guides are branched from one light incident part, and a light output part is formed at the tip part of each light guide part, a plurality of light illumination parts can be illuminated with one light source. It is possible to reduce the cost of the illuminated switch device due to the decrease. Furthermore, a V-shaped groove is formed at the tip of the light guide, and the light from the light incident part is reflected in different directions by the two surfaces constituting the V-shaped groove, thus simplifying the structure of the light guide. Can be planned. In addition, since light in two directions is emitted from the light guide to one illumination unit, uneven illumination of the illumination unit can be prevented, and the visibility and operability of the illumination type switch device can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a light guide according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. 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 side, and FIG. 3 is a light output of the light guide according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a path of light transmitted through the light guide according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the light guide 1 </ b> A of this example has a cylindrical base portion 2 having a light incident portion 1 on the lower surface, and is branched from the base portion and arranged equally at intervals of 90 degrees. 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 output parts 5 formed on the opposing surface of the V-shaped groove 4. ing. The light guide 1A can be manufactured using an arbitrary translucent material having predetermined optical characteristics and mechanical characteristics, but is excellent in optical characteristics and mechanical characteristics and can be manufactured at low cost. For example, it is particularly preferable to produce by injection molding a resin material such as acrylic resin.

  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 portion 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 formed to a value that allows the light guide 1A to be disposed close to the light source P and corrects the light incident on the convex surface 6 in the vertical upward direction. Further, the outer diameter d of the convex surface 6 is an irradiation range of diffused light emitted from the light source P when the light source P is disposed 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. The diameter is smaller than s. On the other hand, the outer diameter D of the concave surface 7 is formed to have a diameter larger than the irradiation range s of the diffused light so that the diffused light emitted from the light source P enters the light guide 1A without omission. The concave surface 7 allows the diffused light emitted from the light source P to enter perpendicularly, prevents reflection of the light on the concave surface 7 and efficiently enters 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, it is preferable to form a conical surface that approximates a spherical surface. Is also possible.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the light guide unit 3 includes a first reflection surface 8 that reflects light incident from the concave surface 7 in a vertically upward direction, and light reflected by the first reflection surface 8 outside the horizontal plane. A second reflecting surface 9 that reflects in the direction and a third reflecting surface 10 that reflects light reflected by the second reflecting surface 9 in the vertical upward direction (the direction of the V-shaped groove 4) are formed.

  Next, the operation of the light guide 1A according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  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 incident on the convex surface 6 is converted into substantially parallel light and reaches the second reflecting surface 9, and the light incident on the concave surface 7 is reflected by the first reflecting surface 8 and reaches the second reflecting surface 9. The light reaching the second reflecting surface 9 is sequentially reflected by the second reflecting surface 9 and the third reflecting surface 10, and the path is changed in the vertical upward direction. The light reflected by the third reflecting surface 10 and whose path is changed in the vertical upward direction is reflected by two surfaces constituting the V-shaped groove 4 to change the path and is emitted from the light emitting unit 5 in different directions. The Therefore, light is emitted from the four light guides 3 in a total of eight directions from the light guide 1A of this example.

  In the light guide body 1A of this example, the convex surface 6 and the concave surface 7 are formed on the light incident portion 1, so that the outer peripheral portion of the light emitted from the light source P can be incident on the concave surface 7, and the convex surface 6 can be enlarged. 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 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 enlargement of the light guide.

  Further, in the light guide 1A of this example, the four light guides 3 are branched from one light incident part 1, and the light output part 5 is formed at the tip of the light guide 3. Therefore, one light source P A plurality of illumination units can be illuminated, the number of light sources P mounted can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of an illumination type switch device or the like provided with the light guide 1A can be reduced.

  In addition, the light guide 1 </ b> A of the present example forms a V-shaped groove 4 at the distal end portion of the light guide unit 3, and directs light from the light incident unit 1 in different directions on the two surfaces constituting the V-shaped groove 4. Since the light is reflected, the number of the conductor portions 3 can be reduced to half of the number of light paths emitted from the light guide 1A, and the configuration of the light guide can be simplified. Can be easily applied.

  Next, an embodiment of an illuminated switch device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination type switch device according to the embodiment, FIG. 7 is a perspective view with the cover of the illumination type switch device according to the embodiment removed, and FIG. 8 is an operation of the illumination type switch device according to the embodiment. It is the top view which removed the knob.

  As shown in these drawings, the illuminated switch device of this example includes a case 11, a wiring board 12 provided in the case 11, four push switches 13 and one LED ( Light source) 14, an operation knob 15 that is attached to the case 11 and that pushes the push switch 13, and is interposed between the push switch 13 and the operation knob 15, and transmits the pressing force of the operation knob 15 to the push switch 13. It is mainly comprised from the rod-shaped actuator 16 to perform and the light guide 1A which concerns on the said embodiment.

  The push switch 13 includes a click rubber 17 placed on the wiring board 12, a movable contact (not shown) formed in the convex portion 17 a of the click rubber 17, and a fixed (not shown) patterned on the wiring board 12. The protrusions 17a of the click rubber 17 are equally formed on the wiring board 12 at intervals of 90 degrees.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the LED 14 is disposed 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 corresponding to the LED setting portion of the click rubber 17, so that light emitted from the LED 14 can be transmitted.

  The operation knob 15 is formed in a cap shape. On the operation surface 15a, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, arrow-shaped illumination portions 15b indicating the operation direction of the push switch 13 are arranged at intervals of 90 degrees. Are formed in minutes. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, a cross-shaped pressing member 18 for transmitting the pressing force of the operating knob 15 to the actuator 16 is formed inside the operating knob 15. The pressing member 18 is fixed to the operation knob 15 such that each arm portion formed in a cross shape coincides with the formation position of the illumination portion 15b.

  The operation knob 15 can be swung only in the XY directions displayed by the illumination unit 15b in a state in which each arm portion formed on the pressing member 18 is aligned with the arrangement position of the actuator 16. It is attached to the case 11. Note that the technique of attaching the operation knob 15 so as to be swingable only in the X-Y direction is a well-known matter and is not the gist of the present invention, so the description thereof is omitted.

  The light guide 1 </ b> A is held vertically in the case 11 with the light incident portion 1 facing the light exit surface side of the LED 14 and the light exit 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 arm parts constituting the pressing member 18. Therefore, each illumination part 15b formed in the operation knob 15 is illuminated by light from two directions emitted from the two light guide parts 3 arranged on both sides thereof.

  The illuminated switch device according to the present embodiment includes a light incident part 1 that receives light from the LED 14, and a light output part 5 that irradiates light from the LED 14 to the illumination part 15 b 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 exiting from the LED 14 is performed. The outer peripheral part of the incident light can be incident on the concave surface 7, and the light emitted from the LED 14 can be introduced into the light guide 1A without leakage without increasing the diameter of the convex surface 6 or increasing the curvature of the convex surface 6. Therefore, it is possible to increase the effective use of light emitted from the LED 14 and thus 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.

  In addition, the illumination type switch device according to the present embodiment forms four illumination portions 15b on the operation knob 15 and a plurality of light emission portions 5 on the light guide 1A, and each light emission portion 5 is associated with each illumination portion 15b. Therefore, it is possible to provide a setting space for the push switch 13 and the actuator 16 at a portion facing each illumination unit 15b, and to match the position of the illumination unit 15b with the operation direction of the operation knob 15. Therefore, the operability of the illumination type switch device can be improved.

  In addition, since the illumination type switch device according to the present embodiment irradiates each illumination unit 15b with light in two directions from the light guide 1A, it is possible to prevent uneven illumination of the illumination unit 15b, and the illumination type switch device. The visibility and operability can be improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the pressing force of the operation knob 15 is transmitted to the push switch 13 via the actuator 16, but the actuator 16 is omitted by forming an operation portion that reaches the actuator 16 in the operation knob 15. You can also

It is a front view of the light guide which concerns on the example of embodiment. It is the bottom view seen from the light-incident part side of the light guide which concerns on the example of embodiment. It is the top view seen from the light emission part side of the light guide which concerns on the example of embodiment. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the path | route of the light which permeate | transmits the light guide which concerns on the example of embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the illumination type switch apparatus which concerns on the example of embodiment. It is the perspective view which removed the cover of the illumination type switch apparatus which concerns on the example of embodiment. It is the top view which removed the operation knob of the illumination type switch apparatus which concerns on the example of embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the illumination type switch apparatus which concerns on a prior art example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the problem of the illumination type switch apparatus which concerns on a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A Light guide 1 Light entrance part 2 Base part 3 Light guide part 4 V-shaped groove 5 Light exit part 6 Convex surface 7 Concave surface 11 Case 12 Wiring board 13 Push switch 14 LED (light source)
15 Operation knob 16 Actuator

Claims (2)

A case, a wiring board provided in the case, a push switch and a light source mounted on the wiring board, and an illumination unit that is attached to the case and presses the push switch directly or via another member In an illuminating switch device comprising an operation knob with a light guide that guides light from the light source to the illuminating unit,
A plurality of illumination parts are formed on the operation knob, and as the light guide, one base part having a light incident part that receives light from the light source, a plurality of light guide parts branched from the base part, and Use is provided with a V-shaped groove formed at the tip of the light guide section and a plurality of light-emitting sections that irradiate the light reflected by the two surfaces constituting the V-shaped groove toward the operation knob. ,
The light incident portion includes a convex surface formed on an inner peripheral portion of the light incident portion and a concave surface formed on an outer peripheral portion of the convex surface, and each light emitting portion is disposed at an intermediate position between the respective illumination portions. The illumination type switch device is characterized in that each illumination unit is illuminated by light from two directions emitted from the two light emission units arranged on both sides thereof.   2. The illumination type according to claim 1, wherein an actuator for transmitting a push force of the push switch and the operation knob to the push switch is provided at a portion facing each illumination portion formed on the operation knob. Switch device.

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