JPH07335076A - Knob illumination mechanism for rotary switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the number of parts items of a light emitting body, and to reduce the man-hours of assembly so as to reduce the cost by illuminating a switching direction display unit and an operating position display unit with one illuminating light. CONSTITUTION:A knob 1 of a rotary switch has a switching direction display unit 1a. A first photoconductive body 2 is provided in the knob 1, and inserted into a needle 4. The needle 4 is turned on the basis of the coaxial operation of the knob 1, and provided with a second photoconductive body 7 for leading the light of the illuminating light 6 to a face plate 5. The face plate 5 has an operating position display unit 5a for showing each position of the knob 1. The illuminating light 6 illuminates the switching direction display unit 1a and the operating position display unit 5a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotary switch knob illumination mechanism having a switching direction display section and an operating position display section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of technique, for example, there is a technique disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-176744. In this technique, the light emitter comprises an illumination light for knob illumination, an illumination light for switch switching position display, and several switch activation display light emitting diodes installed at respective operating positions.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has a complicated structure because of the large number of light emitters.
The number of parts and the number of assembling steps are large, which causes a cost increase.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has a knob having a switching direction display portion and a turning operation based on the turning operation of the knob. In the rotary switch including a movable element and an illumination lamp that illuminates the switching direction display section, a nameplate having an operating position display section indicating each position of the knob, and a first optical conductor provided in the knob. And a second light guide which is inserted into the mover and guides the light of the illuminating lamp to the nameplate, so that the second light guide is linked with the movement of the knob, and one light emitter is used. It is possible to illuminate each position and reduce the number of parts and man-hours for assembly.

Further, according to the present invention, the illumination lamp is composed of one light emitting body for illuminating the switching direction display portion and the operating position display portion, and is arranged substantially on the axis of the rotating movable element. , To reduce the number of light emitters.

Further, according to the present invention, in the vicinity of the periphery of the rotating knob, the nameplate on which the operating position indicating portion for indicating each position of the knob is arranged, and the through hole corresponding to each position of the operating position indicating portion are formed. One light-emitting body is provided by disposing a case provided with a nameplate fixed thereto and a second light conductor rotatably adjoining the light exit surface of the illuminating lamp at a lower portion of the through hole. The position of the operating position display section is clearly illuminated.

Further, according to the present invention, one end of the second optical conductor is arranged in the shaft cylinder portion of the mover or in the illumination lamp housing portion, and the other end is adjacent to a lower portion of the operating position display portion of the nameplate. Thus, the operating position display section is illuminated clearly.

Further, according to the present invention, the mover has an illumination lamp housing portion surrounding the illumination lamp, a shaft tube portion on which the first light guide and the knob are mounted, and the periphery of the shaft tube portion or the illumination lamp housing portion. And a light guide mounting portion on which the second light guide is mounted, and prevents the light from leaking from the illumination lamp and guides the light to the nameplate.

According to the present invention, the light conductor mounting portion is disposed adjacent to and opposite to the light conductor insertion hole communicating with the shaft tube portion or the illumination lamp housing portion and the arc-shaped light shielding wall provided in the case. The light guide insertion groove simplifies the work of assembling the second light guide and prevents light from leaking from the illumination lamp.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 1 is a rotary rotary knob, which integrally forms a switching direction display portion 1a made of a semitransparent member in a light-shielding material. Knob 1 is the first
The optical conductor 2 is provided inside and is fixed to the mover 4 via the case 3. The switching direction display portion 1a is exposed on the surface of the knob 1 in a substantially linear shape. The first light guide 2 is made of a transparent material such as acrylic resin, has a protrusion 2a at its lower end, and the protrusion 2a is inserted into the open end of the shaft cylinder portion 4a of the mover 4.

The case 3 is made of a light-shielding material and has a knob 1
The nameplate 5 is inserted in the vicinity of. The case 3 has through holes 3a and 3b for transmitting the light of the illumination lamp 6. The through hole 3a is composed of a plurality of holes arranged in a circular arc shape around the shaft hole 3c that axially supports the shaft cylinder portion 4a, and is formed in conformity with the operating position display portion 5a of the nameplate 5. . Through hole 3b
Is a hole for transmitting the light of the illumination lamp 6 in the switch function display portion 5b of the nameplate 5. The light shielding wall 3d is a wall that hangs from the inner ceiling surface of the case 3 and is adjacent to the light guide insertion groove 4g of the mover 4, and has an arc shape centered on the axis of the shaft tube portion 4a.

The mover 4 is formed of a light-shielding material, and rotates about the shaft tube portion 4a. The mover 4 is provided with the first light conductor 2 and the shaft tube portion 4a on which the knob 1 is mounted, and an illumination lamp housing portion 4 which is connected to the shaft tube portion 4a and surrounds the illumination lamp 6.
b, a light conductor mounting portion 4c arranged around the shaft cylinder portion 4a and mounted with the second light conductor 7, and a detent portion 4d with which a detent member 8 biased by a spring 9 abuts. The movable contact 10 is biased by the spring 11. The mover 4 is provided with hemispherical convex portions 4h at four corners of the lower surface in order to reduce frictional resistance with the substrate 13 and improve operability.

The shaft tube portion 4a has a first optical conductor 2 inserted into the opening end thereof, and a claw (not shown) for locking the knob 1 on the outside of the opening end and a rotation preventing groove 4c. is doing. The illuminating lamp storage section 4b is a box-shaped space which is continuously provided on one end side of the shaft tube section 4a and is connected to the light guide insertion hole 4f into which the second light guide 7 is inserted. The light guide attachment portion 4c is a portion into which the L-shaped second light guide 7 is inserted and is composed of a light guide insertion hole 4f and a light guide insertion groove 4g.

The moderation portion 4d is formed by continuously forming moderation peaks at the tip of an arcuate projecting piece centered on the axis of the shaft cylinder portion 4a. The light guide insertion hole 4f is a hole which is communicated from the side surface of the mover 4 into the shaft tube portion 4a or the illumination lamp housing portion 4b and into which one half of the L-shaped second light guide 7 is inserted. The light conductor insertion hole 4f forms a cylindrical body with the arc-shaped light shielding wall 3d formed in the case 3 to prevent light leakage of the light of the illuminating lamp 6 that passes through the second light conductor 7. Is. The light guide insertion groove 4g is formed from the opening end of the light guide insertion hole 4f toward the upper through hole 3a, and is U-shaped or U-shaped. The tip of the light guide insertion groove 4g is adjacent to the inner ceiling surface of the case 3.

The nameplate 5 is provided adjacent to the periphery of the knob 1 and fixed to the upper surface of the case 3 with an adhesive or the like. The nameplate 5 has an operating position display section 5a and a switch function display section 5b.
The operating position display portion 5a is composed of dots, lines, numbers, characters, marks, etc., which represent the operating position of the knob 1. The operation position display portion 5a is a semi-transparent body in which the OFF position 5c, the first position 5d, and the like are arranged in an arc shape in the vicinity of the rotating knob 1. The operating position display section 5
When the illuminating lamp 6 is turned on, “a” performs display illumination with light from one illuminating lamp 6.

The switch function display portion 5b is a mark showing the switch function of the rotary switch, and is made of a semitransparent material. When the function display section illumination lamp 12 is turned on, the switch function display section 5b performs display illumination with the light of the function display section illumination lamp 12.

Illumination lamp 6 and illumination lamp 12 for function display section
Is a light emitting device such as a light emitting diode or an incandescent light bulb. For example, when a lighting switch (not shown) is turned on,
Both the illumination lamp 6 and the function display illumination lamp 12 are turned on. The illuminating lamp 6 penetrates the insertion hole 13a of the substrate 13 and is attached to the terminal 15a of the pole board 14, and at the same time, the illuminating lamp housing section 4 is provided.
Place in b. The function display illumination lamp 12 includes a substrate 13
It is inserted into the terminal 15b of the pole board 14 through the notch 13b and is placed in the space formed by the inner wall of the case 3 and the light shielding wall 3d.

The second light guide 7 is L-shaped and is made of a transparent material such as acrylic resin. The second light guide 7 is inserted into the light guide mounting portion 4c and rotates together with the mover 4. Then, the light exit surface 7c moves in a circular arc shape on the lower surface of the operating position display portion 5a. In the second light guide 7, the reflecting portion 7a at one end is arranged above the illuminating lamp 6 in the mover 4, the light exit surface 7c at the other end is adjacent to the lower portion of the through hole 3a, and the reflecting portion is formed at the center. A reflection surface 7b that reflects the light from 7a to the through hole 3a is formed.

The reflecting portion 7a of the second light guide 7 may be arranged substantially at the center of the shaft tube portion 4a or in the illumination lamp housing portion 4b. The shape of the second optical conductor 7 may be J-shaped or V-shaped, and is not particularly limited. The second light guide 7
May be formed of an optical fiber or the like. In this case, the light guide insertion hole 4f and the light guide insertion groove 4g are formed in conformity with the shape of the second light guide 7.

The moderation member 8 is made of a steel ball or a pin, is urged by a spring 9 inserted in a blind hole (not shown) formed in the case 3, and is pressed against the moderation portion 4d. The movable contact 10 is biased by a spring 11 inserted in the mover 4 and is in pressure contact with a substrate 13 having a fixed contact (not shown). The board 13 is soldered and fixed to the terminal 15c protruding from the upper surface of the pole board 14, and has an insertion hole 13a and a cutout 13b. The pole board 14 is engaged with the open end of the case 3 and has terminals 15a, 15b, 15c projectingly provided on the upper and lower surfaces thereof.

The present invention is configured as described above, and the operation will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. For example, knob 1
Is in the OFF position 5c as shown in FIG. 2,
The rotary switch is off. The illumination lamp 6 and the function display illumination lamp 12 are turned on at the same time when a lighting switch (not shown) is turned on.

The light emitted from the illuminating lamp 6 passes from the inside of the illuminating lamp housing portion 4b to the inside of the shaft tube portion 4a, the first light guide 2, and goes out of the knob 1 from the switching direction display portion 1a. The knob 1 illuminates the entire switching direction display unit 1a and illuminates that the knob 1 is in the OFF position 5c directional position. Then, the switching direction display unit 1a clearly displays the position of the knob 1 in the dark by illuminating it so that the knob can be easily operated.

The knob 1, the first optical conductor 2, the second optical conductor 7, and the movable contact 10 are all fixed to the mover 4, and the shaft cylinder portion 4 is provided.
It rotates integrally around the axis of a. The shaft cylinder portion 4a
Serves as a connecting member for fixing the knob 1 to the mover 4, a holding member for fixing the first light guide 2, and a light guide member for guiding the light of the illumination lamp 6 to the switching direction display portion 1a. .
That is, the knob 1 includes the rotation prevention groove 4 at the tip of the shaft tube portion 4a.
It is fitted to e. The first light guide 2 is inserted into the open end of the shaft tube portion 4a. The light of the illuminating lamp 6 passes from the inside of the illuminating lamp housing portion 4b of the mover 4 made of a light shielding material to the inside of the shaft tube portion 4a,
Enter the light guide 2.

The illuminating lamp 6 is provided so as to project from the upper surface of the substrate 13, and the knob 1 is covered by the illuminating lamp housing portion 4b of the mover 4 fitted to one opening end of the shaft tube portion 4a. So
It is possible to prevent light from leaking and to illuminate the switching direction display portion 1a clearly.

The light emitted from the illuminating lamp 6 enters the second light guide 7 from the inside of the illuminating lamp housing portion 4b, and enters the reflecting portion 7b.
a and the reflection surface 7b, and the OFF position 5 of the operating position display portion 5a from the light exit surface 7c through the through hole 3a.
Go out of the nameplate 5 from c. OFF position 5c of nameplate 5
Is illuminated and the knob 1 is in the OFF position 5c.
It can be confirmed that it is in the operating position. The illuminating lamp 6 can illuminate the switching direction display portion 1a and the operating position display portion 5a of the knob 1 with one light emitting body, and can reduce the number of parts of the light emitting body and the number of assembling steps, thereby reducing the cost.

The L-shaped second optical conductor 7 has one side inserted into the optical conductor insertion hole 4f of the movable element 4 and the other side inserted into the optical conductor insertion groove 4g, and the light shielding wall 3d. Adjacent. As a result, the second light guide 7 is equivalent to that provided inside the tubular body, light leakage from the illumination lamp 6 is prevented, and the operating position display portion 5a clearly illuminates. Further, the second optical conductor 7 can be attached to the mover 4 simply by fitting it into the optical conductor insertion hole 4f and the optical conductor insertion groove 4g, and no locking means is required and it is easy to assemble.

Since the second light guide 7 rotatably adjoins the light exit surface 7c of the illumination lamp 6 directly below the through hole 3a, the light emitted from the exit surface 7c enters the through hole 3a. A peripheral portion of the light exit surface 7c is covered with the light guide insertion groove 4g and the light shielding wall 3d. Then, the case 3 has the nameplate 5 fixed thereto, and the OFF position 5c of the operating position display portion 5a and the first position.
Through hole 3a matching each position such as position 5d
Since the through hole 3a is provided, the light of the illumination lamp 6 can be directed, and only the OFF position 5c of the operating position display portion 5a can be clearly illuminated.

The function display section illumination lamp 12 lights up together with the illumination lamp 6 and illuminates the upper switch function display section 5b. As a result, the switch function display portion 5b indicating the function of the switch illuminates and displays.

Next, when the knob 1 is rotated to the first position 5d, the knob 1 and the switching direction display portion 1a,
The mover 4, the second optical conductor 7, and the movable contact 10 rotate to turn on the rotary switch and set the first position 5d. The second light guide 7 includes the shaft tube portion 4a.
The light exit surface 7c is turned off by rotating about the axis of
It moves from just below the position 5c to just below the first position 5d. Then, the illuminating lamp 6 illuminates and displays only the first position 5d of the nameplate 5 above the light exit surface 7c,
It can be confirmed that the rotary switch is set to the first position 5d and is operating. That is, the illuminating lamp 6 is one illuminator for night illumination and one for illuminating the knob 1.
It also has a function for an indicator.

The second optical conductor 7 is inserted into the movable element 4 so that it rotates together with the movable element 4 and the knob 1. Lighting 6
Is arranged almost on the axis of the rotating movable element 4, and the reflecting portion 7a at one end of the second light guide 7 is arranged in the shaft cylinder portion 4a above the illumination lamp 6 or in the illumination lamp housing portion 4b. . As a result, the knob 1 is operated so that the light exit surface 7c of the second light guide 7 can be operated.
Even if the vehicle moves a long distance, the light of the illumination lamp 6 can be collected by the reflecting portion 7a and guided to the operating position display portion 5a. Therefore, the switching direction display unit 1a and the operating position display unit 5
It is possible to reduce the number of the illumination lamps 6 that illuminate a and a to one.

[0031]

The present invention has the following effects. (1) According to the present invention, a nameplate having an operation position display portion indicating each position of a knob, a first optical conductor provided in the knob, and a light of an illumination lamp for illuminating the knob, which is attached to the mover. Since the second light guide is linked to the movement of the knob, it is possible to illuminate the operating position and each position of the display unit with one light emitter, and the number of parts It is possible to reduce the man-hours required and the cost. (2) The illuminating lamp according to the present invention is composed of one light-emitting body that illuminates the switching direction display section and the operating position display section, and is arranged almost on the axis of the rotating movable element. It is possible to illuminate and display the switching direction and operating position of the knob with the light emitter, and reduce the number of parts such as the light emitter and the number of assembling steps. (3) According to the present invention, in the vicinity of the periphery of the rotating knob, the name plate in which the operating position display section indicating each position of the knob is arranged, and the through hole which corresponds to each position of the operating position display section are formed. In addition, a case to which a nameplate is fixed and a second optical conductor that rotatably adjoins the light exit surface of the illuminating lamp are provided in the lower portion of the through hole. The position of the display can be illuminated clearly. (4) The second light guide of the present invention emits light by arranging one end in the axial tube portion of the mover or in the illumination lamp storage portion and the other end adjacent to the lower portion of the operating position display portion of the nameplate. It can reduce the number of bodies and contribute to cost reduction. Since the second light guide is provided on the mover, the second light guide can rotate together with the knob to clearly illuminate the position of the operation position display section. The second light guide also prevents light from leaking from the illuminating lamp that passes through the second light guide. (5) The mover of the present invention is provided with an illumination lamp housing portion that surrounds an illumination lamp, a shaft tube portion on which the first light guide and the knob are mounted, and the shaft tube portion or the periphery of the illumination lamp housing portion. A light guide mounting part having a second light guide mounted thereon to prevent light from leaking from an illumination lamp, guide the light to a nameplate, and reduce the number of parts and cost. You can (6) The light conductor mounting portion of the present invention is a light conductor insertion hole that is adjacent to and opposes a light conductor insertion hole that communicates with a shaft cylinder portion or an illumination lamp housing portion and an arc-shaped light shielding wall provided in a case. Since the groove is used, the work of assembling the second light guide is simplified, and the light of the illumination lamp is prevented from leaking from the second light guide.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is a bottom view of a case from which the pole board is detached.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Knob 1a Switching direction display part 2 First light conductor 3 Case 4 Mover 4a Shaft cylinder part 4b Lighting lamp storage part 4c Light conductor mounting part 4d Moderation part 4f Light conductor insertion hole 4g Light conductor insertion groove 5 Name plate 5a Operating position display Part 6 Lighting 7 Second light guide

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A rotary switch comprising: a knob having a switching direction display section, a mover that rotates based on a rotating operation of the knob, and an illumination lamp that illuminates the switching direction display section. A name plate having an operating position indicating portion indicating each position, a first optical conductor provided in the knob, and a second optical conductor inserted into the mover and guiding light of the illumination lamp to the name plate. A knob illumination mechanism for a rotary switch, characterized by including. 2. The illuminating lamp is composed of one light emitting body that illuminates the switching direction display section and the operating position display section, and is arranged substantially on the axis of the movable element that rotates. The knob lighting mechanism of the rotary switch according to claim 1. 3. A name plate having an operating position display section for indicating each position of the knob and a through hole corresponding to each position of the operating position display section are provided near the periphery of the rotating knob. And a second light guide rotatably adjoining a light exit surface of the illumination lamp at a lower portion of the through hole, the case having a name plate fixed thereto. Rotary switch knob lighting mechanism. 4. The second light guide is arranged such that one end thereof is arranged in a shaft cylinder portion of the mover or in the illumination lamp housing portion, and the other end is adjacent to a lower portion of an operating position display portion of a nameplate. The knob lighting mechanism of the rotary switch according to claim 1. 5. The mover is provided with an illumination lamp housing portion enclosing an illumination lamp, a shaft tube portion on which the first light guide and the knob are mounted, and a periphery of the shaft tube portion or the illumination lamp housing portion. Set up
The knob illumination mechanism for a rotary switch according to claim 1, further comprising a light conductor mounting portion on which the second light conductor is mounted. 6. The light conductor mounting portion is arranged adjacent to and opposite to a light conductor insertion hole communicating with the shaft cylinder portion or the illumination lamp housing portion and an arc-shaped light shielding wall provided in the case. The knob illumination mechanism for a rotary switch according to claim 5, wherein the knob illumination mechanism comprises a conductor insertion groove.