JP5556279B2 - Switch device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch device used mainly for operations of automobile sound and air conditioning equipment.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, illumination type switch devices equipped with various operation bodies for illuminating display are arranged on a front panel portion and a steering wheel portion in a vehicle interior, and various electronic devices such as audio and air conditioners are operated by these. is increasing.

  Such a conventional switch device will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG.

  These drawings are partially enlarged in size for easy understanding of the configuration.

  4 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional switch device, and FIG. 5 is a plan view. In FIG. 4, 1 is a case made of insulating resin, 2 is a substantially box-shaped operating body made of insulating resin, A hollow cylinder portion 1A protruding upward is provided, and an operating body 2 is mounted on the outer periphery of the hollow cylinder portion 1A so as to be movable up and down.

  The operation body 2 is covered with a non-translucent portion 2B of black or the like on the outer top surface and side surfaces, and a light transmissive translucent portion 2A is formed on the inner side by two-color molding or the like. A display portion 2C in which the translucent portion 2A is exposed in a predetermined shape such as a pattern is formed.

  In general, as shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 2C of the operation body 2 has a translucent part 2A formed from the lower surface of the non-translucent part 2B to the upper surface with substantially the same width, and the upper surface of the non-transparent part 2A. Is exposed.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a wiring board on which a plurality of conductive patterns (not shown) are formed on the upper and lower surfaces. A push switch 4 is mounted on the upper surface, and the operation portion 4A of the push switch 4 is moved downward from the lower surface of the operation body 2. The pressing part 2D protruding to the abuts.

  Further, on the side of the push switch 4, a light emitting element 5 such as a light emitting diode is disposed at a substantially lower position in the center of the display portion 2 </ b> C, and the upper surface of the wiring board 3 on which the push switch 4 and the light emitting element 5 are mounted is provided. The switch device is configured by covering the case 1 and the cover 6 covering the lower surface of the wiring board 3.

  Such a switch device is mounted on a front panel portion or a steering wheel portion in a vehicle interior, and a push switch 4, a light emitting element 5 and the like are connected to various electronic devices such as an audio and an air conditioner, an automobile, etc. via a wiring board 3. Are electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not shown).

  In the above configuration, when the operating body 2 is pressed downward, the pressing portion 2D presses the operating portion 4A, and the push switch 4 is electrically connected / disconnected. For example, the audio volume, the temperature of the air conditioner, etc. Switching takes place.

  Further, when the surroundings are dark at night or the like, the light emitting element 5 emits light, and this light illuminates the translucent part 2A from the lower surface of the operation body 2, and the display part 2C in the shape of characters, symbols, patterns, etc. illuminates. Therefore, even when the surroundings are dark, it is possible to display the display unit 2C and confirm the position of the operation tool 2, and to identify and operate the operation tool 2.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the illuminated portions A1, A2, A3, and A4 of the display portion 2C with the transparent portion 2A exposed on the upper surface are provided so as to be surrounded by the opaque portions B1, B2, and B3. Therefore, the brightness of the display unit 2C is likely to be uneven.

  In other words, the light from the light emitting element 5 is illuminated brightly without being blocked by the non-light-transmitting part B2, while the lighted part A2 in the upward direction is illuminated brightly, while the lighted parts A1 and A3 are obliquely upward with respect to the light emitting element 5. , A4 is blocked by the left end of the opaque portion B1, the right end of the opaque portion B2, and the right end of the opaque portion B3 and partially darkened. It may occur or the display itself may be difficult to visually recognize.

  In order to prevent such uneven brightness and achieve uniform illumination, for example, it is necessary to dispose a plurality of light emitting elements 5 below the display unit 2C according to the range of the display unit 2C, which is expensive. There was a possibility of becoming.

  As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

JP 2005-317236 A

  However, in the above conventional switch device, the light from the light emitting element 5 is blocked by the opaque portion 2B around the display portion 2C with respect to the display portion 2C that is separated obliquely upward from the light emitting element 5. There is a problem that the brightness of the entire display unit 2C is likely to be uneven, such as a shadow on the unit 2C or insufficient light irradiation, which may make it difficult to visually recognize the display.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive switch device in which the brightness of the display unit is uniform and the illumination is uniform and the display is easily visible.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the operating body provided with the display unit in which the translucent part is exposed in a predetermined shape from the non-translucent part, the translucent part around the display part is directed from the outside to the inside. In addition to providing a sloping portion that narrows, a concave portion or a convex portion is formed on the lower surface of the display portion, and the predetermined shape is a groove portion formed on the outer edge portion of the display portion, and the display portion is obliquely spaced upward from the light emitting element. On the other hand, the light from the light emitting element is easily irradiated on the upper surface of the display portion by the inclined portion, and the light from the light emitting element is diffused or condensed upward by the concave portion or the convex portion formed on the lower surface of the display portion. In addition, the brightness of the display portion is uniform and uniform illumination with a small number of light emitting elements, and the display can be easily seen and an inexpensive switch device can be obtained.
Further, by forming a groove on the outer edge of the display unit, when the operating body is molded by two-color molding, a rib projecting downward from the lower surface of the upper mold comes into contact with the groove of the outer edge of the display unit. Since the insulating resin of the opaque part such as black filled around the display part is shielded so as not to enter the display part, burrs from the opaque part may occur up to the groove part. However, since there is no burr in the display portion, there is an effect that a display portion having good appearance can be formed without display of characters, symbols, pictures and the like.

The invention of claim 2 is the invention of claim 1 wherein, the groove formed in the outer edge portion of the display unit, which has a flat bottom surface depression in a side view substantially U-shaped, with the claim 1 Has the same effect.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that it is possible to realize an inexpensive switch device that is easy to visually recognize a display with uniform illumination with no unevenness in brightness of the display unit.

Sectional drawing of the switch apparatus by one embodiment of this invention Plan view Sectional view showing the operating body manufacturing method Sectional view of a conventional switch device Plan view

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  These drawings are partially enlarged in size for easy understanding of the configuration.

  Further, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those described in the background art section, and the detailed description will be simplified.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, in which 1 is a case made of an insulating resin such as polyoxymethylene or ABS, and 12 is a substantially box-like shape. The case 1 is provided with a hollow cylinder portion 1A protruding upward, and an operation body 12 is mounted on the outer periphery of the hollow cylinder portion 1A so as to be movable up and down.

  The operation body 12 has an outer top surface and a side surface that are black and the like, and is covered with an opaque resin 12B made of an insulating resin such as polycarbonate or ABS. 12A is formed by two-color molding or the like, and a display portion 12C in which the translucent portion 12A is exposed in a predetermined shape such as letters, symbols, and patterns is provided on the upper surface.

  The substantially planar upper surface of the display portion 12C protrudes outward from the upper surface of the opaque portion 12B, and groove portions 12H that are recessed in a substantially U-shape are formed on both outer edge portions of the display portion 12C. Yes.

  Further, the opaque portion 12B that is in close contact with the periphery of the transparent portion 12A that forms the display portion 12C is usually formed with a thickness of about 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm, and is inclined so as to narrow from the outside toward the inside. Each of the inclined portions 12D is provided such that the inclination thereof increases as the distance from the lower light emitting element 5 to be described later increases in the left-right or front-rear direction.

  That is, the light-impermeable portion 12B around the display portion 12C is formed in a substantially inverted trapezoidal shape whose inside is narrower with respect to the outside, while the light-transmitting portion 12A constituting the display portion 12C is a substantially platform whose inside is expanded with respect to the outside. It is formed into a shape.

  Further, a substantially curved concave portion 12E that is recessed upward is formed on the lower surface of the light transmitting portion 12A below the display portion 12C that is separated from the light emitting element 5 in the left-right direction.

  When manufacturing such an operation body 12 by two-color molding, first, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3A, a light-transmitting insulating resin is placed in the lower mold 21A and the upper mold 21B. Filling and forming a substantially box-shaped translucent portion 12A having a display portion 12C and an inclined portion 12D on the upper surface at the lower opening, and a concave portion 12E and a pressing portion 12F described later on the lower surface.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the upper mold 22B is pressed against the lower mold 22A on which the translucent part 12A is mounted, and an opaque resin such as black is placed outside the translucent part 12A. By the two-color filling to be filled, the light transmitting part 12B is formed so as to cover the periphery of the display part 12C and the other outside of the light transmitting part 12A, and the operation body 12 is completed.

  At this time, the ribs 22C protruding downward from the lower surface of the upper mold 22B come into contact with the grooves 12H at the outer edge of the display unit 12C, and the black or other opaque portion 12B filled around the display unit 12C. The insulating resin is shielded so as not to enter the display portion 12C.

  Accordingly, burrs from the opaque portion 12B may occur up to the groove portion 12H, but no burrs are generated on the display portion 12C, so that the display of characters, symbols, designs, etc. is not lacking and the display is good-looking. The part 12C can be formed.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a wiring board having a plurality of conductive patterns (not shown) formed on the upper and lower surfaces. A push switch 4 as a switch contact is mounted on the upper surface substantially at the center. The pressing portion 12F protruding downward from the lower surface of the operating body 12 is in contact.

  Further, on the side of the push switch 4, a light emitting element 5 such as a light emitting diode is disposed at a substantially lower position in the center of the display unit 12 </ b> C, and the upper surface of the wiring board 3 on which the push switch 4 and the light emitting element 5 are mounted is provided. The switch device is configured by covering the case 1 and the cover 6 covering the lower surface of the wiring board 3.

  Such a switch device is mounted on a front panel portion or a steering wheel portion in a vehicle interior, and a push switch 4, a light emitting element 5 and the like are connected to various electronic devices such as an audio and an air conditioner, an automobile, etc. via a wiring board 3. Are electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not shown).

  In the above configuration, when the operating body 12 is pressed downward, the pressing portion 12F presses the operating portion 4A, and the push switch 4 is electrically connected and separated. For example, the audio volume, the temperature of the air conditioner, etc. Switching takes place.

  Further, when the surroundings are dark, such as at night, the light emitting element 5 emits light, and this light illuminates the entire translucent part 12A from the lower surface of the operation body 12, so that the display part 12C having a shape such as a character, a symbol, a pattern, etc. Since it is illuminated, even when the surroundings are dark, it is possible to display the display unit 12C and confirm the position of the operating tool 2, and to identify and operate the operating tool 12.

  When the display unit 12C is illuminated by the light of the light emitting element 5, the light-impermeable portion 12B around the display unit 12C is formed with the inclined portion 12D that narrows from the outside to the inside, so that the light is impermeable. The light portion 12B is less likely to be blocked by the light portion 12B, and the display portion 12C, which is further obliquely upward from the light emitting element 5 and is not sufficiently irradiated with light, is inclined by the substantially curved concave portion 12E below. The light irradiated on the display unit 12 is refracted and diffused like a concave lens and is surely applied to every corner of the display unit 12C, so that the brightness of the entire display unit 12C can be uniform and uniform illumination can be achieved. .

  Further, since the upper surface of the display unit 12C is formed so as to protrude from the opaque portion 12B, for example, when the display of the switch device mounted at a position away from the driver is viewed from an oblique direction, the protruding surface unit 12C is formed. Since it is illuminated, the display is easy to see and identify.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the opaque portion 12B around the display portion 12C of the operating body 12 is provided with the inclined portion 12D that narrows from the outside toward the inside, and on the lower surface of the transparent portion 12A of the display portion 12C. By forming the concave portion 12E, the light from the light emitting element 5 is not easily blocked by the inclined portion 12D with respect to the display portion 12C that is obliquely separated from the light emitting element 5, and the upper surface of the display portion 12C is easily irradiated. Since the light from the light emitting element 5 is diffused upward by the concave portion 12E formed on the lower surface of the display portion 12C, the brightness of the display portion 12C is uniform and uniform illumination, and the display portion 12C is easily visible. An inexpensive switch device can be obtained.

  Further, by projecting the upper surface of the display portion 12C from the upper surface of the opaque portion 12B, the upper surface of the display portion 12C protruding from the upper surface of the opaque portion 12B is illuminated even when the operating body 12 is viewed from an oblique direction. The display unit 12C can be made easier to visually recognize.

  In the above description, it has been described that the concave portion 12E is provided on the lower surface of the light transmitting portion 12A of the display portion 12C. However, from the arrangement of the display portion and the positional relationship with the light emitting element, a convex portion is provided to transmit light. For example, the light may be condensed and condensed on a predetermined display unit.

  In the above description, the upper surface of the display unit 12C has been described as having a substantially planar shape. However, it may be configured to have a substantially curved convex shape or a concave shape so that various illuminations are possible.

  The switch device according to the present invention is a switch device used for the operation of various electronic devices of an automobile, which can realize a low-cost display device that can be visually recognized with uniform illumination with no unevenness in brightness of the display unit. Etc. are useful.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 3 Wiring board 4 Push switch 4A Operation part 5 Light emitting element 6 Cover 12 Operation body 12A Light transmission part 12B Light transmission part 12C Display part 12D Inclination part 12E Recessed part 12F Press part 12H Groove part 21A, 22A Lower mold | type 21B, 22B Upper mold

Claims (2)

An operation body having a substantially box shape, the outer side being covered with a light-impermeable portion and a light-transmitting portion provided on the inner side, the light-transmitting portion being provided with a display portion exposed in a predetermined shape from the light-impermeable portion, and the operation A switch contact that is electrically connected and separated by movement of the body and a light emitting element that illuminates the operation body from the lower surface on the inside, and an inclined portion that narrows inward from the outside to the light-impermeable portion around the display portion the provided with concave portion or to form a convex portion on the display lower surface, wherein the predetermined shape is a switch device, characterized in that obtained by forming a groove in the outer edge portion of the display unit. 2. The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the groove formed in the outer edge portion of the display portion is substantially U-shaped in a side view and has a flat bottom surface .

Images