JPH0430735Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a pushbutton switch device with a display section, and particularly to an improvement in the light guiding mechanism to the display section.

[Prior Art] Various types of equipment, such as audio equipment or air conditioners, use push-button switch devices to switch their operating states. The push-button switch devices include a light-emitting display near the switch button. Push-button switch devices with a display are widely used, and the display allows the operator to recognize the position of the switch button or the operating state of the switch device.

For example, in modern vehicles, various push button switch devices with display parts are used to switch the mode, air flow rate, or temperature of various in-vehicle devices, especially the air conditioner in the passenger compartment. It is possible to easily recognize the positions of switch buttons of various on-vehicle devices and their operation states even while driving.

FIG. 3 shows such a conventional push button switch device with a display section.

The device shown in FIG.
A display panel 16 made of a translucent material is provided at the tip of the switch button 14, and an indicator 18 is disposed below the switch button 14.

A board 2 to which the switch 12 is fixed
A lamp 22 and an LED holder 24 are fixed on the LED.

Here, the lamp 22 is the light entrance part 2 of the light guiding element 26.
6a, and the light output portion 26b of the light guide element 26 faces the inner surface of the display panel 16.

In addition, the LED holder 24 is provided at the tip thereof.
LED 28 is located close to indicator 18.

Since the push button switch device with a display according to the illustrated example is configured as described above, when the surroundings of the switch device are dark, such as at night, the lamp 22
By lighting up the display panel 16 through the light guide element 26, the position of the switch button 14 is clarified.

Further, when the switch button 14 is inserted, the LED 28 is turned on by switching the switch 12, and the indicator 18 is made to emit light.

Therefore, the operator can always know the position of the switch button and its operating state.

However, in the case of such a switch device,
Both lamp 22 and LED 28 are required,
Moreover, in order to assemble the LED holder 24 and the like, it is necessary to fix the LED holder 24 and the like onto the board 20, which raises the problem of increased parts cost and assembly cost.

Furthermore, on the board 20, as mentioned above, an LED is provided.
In order to position and fix the LED holder 28, it is necessary to install the LED holder 24, resulting in a loss of space on the board 20 and problems such as adding restrictions to printed wiring.

For this reason, a push button switch device with a display as shown in FIG. 4 has been developed (Japanese Patent Publication No. 35529/1983).

Note that parts corresponding to those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted.

As is clear from the figure, the device according to the illustrated example includes a slider 30 provided on the back surface of the display panel 16 of the switch button 14, and a light guide element 26 and a slider 30.
A filter 32 is provided between 0 and 0.

The filter 32 is formed in an inverted L-shape, one wing consisting of a neutral density filter section 32a, and the other wing formed in a bifurcated shape, and the joint portion of each wing section 32a, 32b is rotatably supported. There is.

When the switch button 14 is in the reset state, the attenuation filter section 32a is interposed between the light guide element 26 and the slider 30, and the amount of light emitted from the display panel 16 is in a low state.

On the other hand, when the switch button 14 is pressed, the filter 32 rotates in the direction of the arrow I, and the forked wing section 32b is inserted between the light guide element 26 and the slider 30 instead of the attenuation filter section 32a.

Therefore, the operator of the switch device can recognize the operating state of the switch button 14 based on the brightness of the display panel 16.

Moreover, it is possible to identify the switch button position and the operating state of the switch button using only the lamp 22, which has the advantage of simplifying the device and reducing costs.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Problems of the Prior Art However, even with such an improved push button switch device with a display section, the tongue piece 30a at the tip of the slider 30 and the rotary filter 32 cannot be pulled together. There was a risk that it would hang up and prevent smooth operation.

Moreover, since the operating state of the switch button 14 is determined based on the amount of light emitted from the display panel 16 regardless of whether it is daytime or nighttime, there is a problem in that the lamp 22 is consumed in a short period of time.

Furthermore, when the switch button 14 is not operated,
Since the light intensity is reduced by the attenuation filter section 32a, there also arises a problem that it becomes difficult to identify the display panel 16, that is, the switch button 14.

Purpose of the invention The present invention was devised in view of the problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to provide a push button switch device with a display section that has a simple configuration and is easy to operate.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the push button switch device with a display unit according to the present invention includes a switch button which is inserted into and disposed in a housing so as to be able to move in and out of the housing, and which controls on/off of the switch. , a display panel made of a transparent material provided at the tip of the switch button, and an indicator provided near the switch button to display the on/off state of the switch.

Racks are formed on both sides of the bottom of the switch button.

Further, the device includes a lamp that can be turned on and off, a drum having gears formed on the circumference at both ends thereof, a rotating shaft formed at both ends of the drum and pivotally supported by the housing, and a lamp for lighting the indicator. A light guiding opening that allows light to enter, a reflecting part that reflects the light that enters through the light guiding opening, a colored transmitting part that outputs the light reflected by the reflecting part, and a non-light transmitting part that blocks light. It has an indicator display switching mechanism.

In the indicator switching mechanism, when the switch button is not pushed in, the non-transparent part faces the indicator, and when the switch button is inserted, the rack and gear engage and cooperate, so that the colored transparent part faces the indicator. On the other hand, when the lamp is turned on, light from the lamp is guided to the light guiding opening, reflected by the reflecting part, and then emitted from the indicator via the colored transparent part.

Further, the device includes a light guiding element capable of guiding light from the lamp to the light guiding opening of the display panel and display switching mechanism.

[Function] Since the pushbutton device with a display unit according to the present invention has the above-described means, the lamp is turned off when the area around the switch device is bright, such as during the daytime. When the switch button is operated in and out in this state, the portion of the indicator display switching mechanism facing the inner end of the indicator housing becomes a colored translucent portion, making it possible to recognize the operating state of the switch button.

That is, when the surroundings of the switch device are bright, the position of the switch button can be easily recognized, but the operation state of the switch button is difficult to discern, especially when the push stroke is small.

However, according to the switch device according to the present invention, the part of the display switching mechanism facing the indicator becomes a colored translucent part, so the operator can easily recognize the operating state of the switch button by the display color of the indicator. Become.

On the other hand, when the surroundings of the switch device are dark, such as at night, the operator of the switch device turns on the lamp.

Then, the illumination light guided from the lamp through the light guide element illuminates the display panel provided at the tip of the switch button, and the operator can accurately recognize the position of the switch button from the display panel in the light emitting state. I can do it.

Further, a part of the light passing through the light guide element is guided to the display switching mechanism. Here, at least when the switch button is in a predetermined operating state, for example, in a pressed state, the illumination light is guided to the colored light-transmitting part via the light guiding opening and the reflecting part of the display switching mechanism.

Therefore, the indicator emits light of a predetermined color depending on the colored state of the colored transparent portion of the display switching mechanism, and the operator can easily recognize the control state of the switch button.

As described above, according to the push button switch device with a display unit according to the present invention, the light source for the indicator and the display panel that respectively display the switch button position and the switch button operation state can be used as one, and the device configuration is simplified. becomes.

Also, the lamp does not need to be lit all the time.
This has the advantage that the lamp life is improved, the display panel illumination state when the lamp is turned on is always constant regardless of the operating state of the switch button, and visibility is also improved.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a push button switch device with a display section according to an embodiment of the present invention, and portions corresponding to those in FIG.

A characteristic feature of the present invention is that a display switching mechanism for switching the display state of the indicator is provided, and for this purpose, in this embodiment, the first
As is clear from Figure A, the indicator 118
The display switching rotary body 15 is located close to the inner end of the housing.
0 is placed.

The display switching rotary body 150 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape, as shown in a perspective view in FIG.
2a and 152b are formed. Gears 1 are provided on the circumference of both ends of the drum 154 of the rotating body 150.
56a and 156b are formed to engage with latches 158a and 158b provided on both sides of the bottom of switch button 114 shown in FIG. 2A. Also, drum 1
A light guiding opening 159 is formed in the upper part of the drum 154, and a flat plate portion on the back surface of the drum 154 constitutes a reflecting part 160.

Note that the rotating body 150 is made of a light-transmitting material, and its surface is colored in an arbitrary color to constitute a colored light-transmitting portion 162 . Further, a black non-transparent portion 160 is formed near the light guide opening 159 of the drum 154.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1A, the light guide element 12
6 is a light emitting surface 126b toward the display panel 116;
and the light emitting surface 1 facing downward of the switch button 114.
26c is provided.

Note that the light guide element 126 is connected to the switch button 114.
The switch button 114 is fitted inside the switch button 114.
An opening 166 is formed below the light guide element 126 so that the light emitted from the light emitting surface 126c of the light guide element 126 is not blocked.

The pushbutton switch device with a display unit according to this embodiment is roughly constructed as described above, and then shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
The effect will be explained based on the following.

First, in the state shown in FIG. 1A, that is, the switch button 114 is not pressed, the display switching rotary body 1
50 is positioned substantially perpendicularly to the rear surface of the reflective portion 160, and a black non-transparent portion 164 faces the indicator 118.

Therefore, not only when the lamp 122 is not lit during the daytime, but also when the lamp 122 is lit at night, the light emitting surface 12 of the light guide element 126
The light emitted from 6c is not reflected by the reflection section 160, and the indicator 118 maintains the black display state.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
68 to switch rod 112a of switch 112.
is pushed in, and a predetermined circuit switching of the switch 112 is performed.

At the same time, the rotating body 150 rotates due to the engagement of the rack 158 provided on the bottom surface of the switch button 114 and the gear 156 provided on the drum 154, and the indicator 118 has a colored transparent section 16.
2 will be facing each other.

As a result, when the lamp 122 is not lit, the indicator 118 displays the color of the colored transparent portion 162. Further, when the lamp 122 is lit, the light L from the lamp 122 is reflected by the reflective surface 126d provided on the light guide element 126 and exits from the light output surface 126c. And rotating body 1
Light enters the rotating body 150 through the light guiding opening 159 of 50, is reflected by the reflecting section 160, and is reflected by the colored transparent section 1.
Light is emitted from the indicator 118 via 62.

Therefore, the indicator 118 is the colored transparent part 16
Two colors will be displayed by emitting light.

As explained above, according to the switch device according to the present embodiment, when the lamp 122 is not lit, the indicator 118 is turned off by the switch button 11.
A predetermined color is displayed depending on the operation state of step 4. Further, when the lamp 122 is lit, the display panel 116 is illuminated to reveal the switch button position, and the indicator 118 is illuminated in a predetermined color to accurately display the switch button switching state.

In addition, in this embodiment, switch button 1
14, the indicator 118 is black or non-luminous in the non-operating state; however, the indicator 118 is not limited to this; for example, the indicator 118 may be displayed in a different color or emit light even in the non-operating state than in the operating state. It is.

Further, the colored light-transmitting portion 162 can be made in various colors such as orange and green, and can also be made colorless and transparent.

[Effects of the invention] As explained above, according to the push button switch device with a display section according to the present invention, a display switching mechanism is provided in which the colored transparent section faces the indicator when the switch button is in a predetermined operation state. Therefore, only one lamp is required to illuminate the display panel and indicator of the switch button, and if the lamp is lit only when necessary, the operator can accurately recognize the position and operation status of the switch button.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a push button switch device with a display unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the switch button and display switching mechanism of the switch device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional push button switch device with a display section, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of another conventional push button switch device with a display section. 10,110...Housing, 12,112...
...Switch, 14,114...Switch button,
16,116...display panel, 18,118...
Indicator, 22, 122...Lamp, 150
...Display switching rotary body (display switching mechanism), 159...
...Light guide opening, 160...Reflection part, 162...Colored light-transmitting part.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] A switch button that is inserted into and removed from a housing and controls the on/off of the switch, a display panel made of a transparent material and provided at the tip of the switch button, and a vicinity of the switch button. An indicator made of a translucent material, which is installed in the switch button and displays the on/off state of the switch, and a push button switch device with a display section, wherein racks are formed on both sides of the bottom of the switch button, and the device furthermore, a lamp that can be turned on and off, a drum having gears formed on the circumference at both ends thereof,
A rotating shaft formed at both ends of the drum and pivotally supported by the housing, a light guide opening into which light for lighting the indicator can enter, and a reflection part which reflects the light entering from the light guide opening. and a colored transparent part that directs light reflected by the reflective part, and a non-transparent part that blocks light, and when the switch button is not inserted, the non-transparent part faces the indicator, and when the switch button is inserted, the non-transparent part faces the indicator. When the rack and gear mesh and cooperate, a colored transparent part faces the indicator, and furthermore, when the lamp is lit, light from the lamp is guided to the light guide opening and reflected by the reflective part, and then the colored transparent part is formed. A display unit comprising: an indicator display switching mechanism through which light is emitted from the indicator; and a light guiding element capable of guiding light from the lamp to the display panel and the light guiding opening of the display switching mechanism. Push button switch device.