JPH11185558A - Switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switch device to be mounted on a vehicle, capable of improving the efficiency of illuminating an operation knob. SOLUTION: Part of a connection 7 to connect an operation knob 4 to switches 5, 6 is formed from light guiding members including a lens 12, a rod lens 13 and the like, and a lens 10 is provided between the connection 7 and a lamp 8 to guide light projected from the lamp 8 to the lens 12 and the rod lens 13. In this way, light projected from the lamp 8 efficiently illuminates the mark portion 4a and the pointer portion 4b of the operation knob 4 via the lens 10, the lens 12 and the rod lens 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switch device used for adjusting the air flow of an air conditioner for a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a switch device, for example, there is a switch device for adjusting the on / off of a vehicle-mounted air conditioner and an air flow rate.
An illumination function is provided for illuminating the operation knob in conjunction with the operation of the light switch so that the position can be visually checked even during night driving or the like. FIGS. 6A and 6B
1 shows a front view and a cross-sectional view of a conventional switch device. The switch device 101 is mounted on a control panel 102 and controls a volume switch 103 for adjusting the air volume of an in-vehicle air conditioner; an operation knob 105 connected to the volume switch 103 via a shaft 104; 2 for illuminating the 105 mark section 105a
And two light emitting elements 106. Shaft 104
Is formed of a transparent member, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 106 passes through the shaft 104 to illuminate the mark 105 a of the operation knob 105.

[0003]

However, in the switch device 101 having the above structure, the effective angle 107 of the light used to illuminate the mark portion 105a is narrow, so that the illumination efficiency is low and the operation knob 105 Mark part 105
There is a problem that it is difficult to obtain sufficient brightness with respect to a, and there is a limit in improving the illumination performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has a light guiding function in a connecting portion connecting between an operation knob and a switching mechanism to improve illumination efficiency. It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch device capable of illuminating an operation knob with sufficient brightness.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an external case, a switching mechanism housed in the external case, an operation knob provided outside the external case, and an operation knob. It is configured to transmit the movement of the knob to the switching mechanism, and includes a connecting portion for operating the switching mechanism in accordance with the operation of the operation knob, and a light projecting means provided in the outer case for illuminating the operation knob. In the switch device, a part of the connecting portion is formed of a light-guiding member, and the light emitted from the light projecting device is transmitted between the connecting portion and the light projecting device. A light guide for guiding to the member is provided, and the light projected from the light projecting means illuminates the operation knob through the light guide and the light guide member of the connecting portion.

In this configuration, part of the light projected from the light projecting means enters the light guide, is guided by the light guide, and enters the light guide member of the connecting portion. Next, the light incident on the light guide member is guided by the light guide member, and illuminates the operation knob from inside the switch device. As described above, since the connecting portion has the light guiding function and the light guide is provided between the connecting portion and the light projecting device, the illumination efficiency can be improved, and the light emitting power of the light projecting device can be improved. The operation knob can be illuminated with sufficient brightness without using a large object.

Further, the present invention provides an external case, a switching mechanism accommodated in the external case, an operation knob provided outside the external case, and a movement of the operation knob transmitted to the switching mechanism. In a switch device configured and configured to include a connecting portion that operates a switching mechanism in accordance with the operation of the operation knob, and a light projecting unit provided in the outer case to illuminate the operation knob, a part of the connecting portion is A light-guiding member, and a reflecting member for introducing the light emitted from the light-emitting unit to the light-guiding member of the connecting unit, and the light emitted from the light-emitting unit is reflected by the reflecting member. Thus, the operation knob is illuminated by being introduced into the light guide member of the connecting portion.

In this configuration, a part of the light projected from the light projecting means is reflected by the reflection member of the connecting portion and enters the light guide member. Next, the light incident on the light guide member is guided by the light guide member, and illuminates the operation knob from inside the switch device. As described above, since the connecting portion has the light guiding function and the reflecting member is provided, the illumination efficiency can be improved, and the same operation as described above can be obtained.

Further, in the present invention, the light projecting means comprises at least two or more light emitting elements, and the light is projected from the light emitting element by forming a part of the connecting portion with a light shielding member. Each light may illuminate a different area of the operating knob.

[0010] In this configuration, light emitted from each light emitting element and incident on the light guide member of the connecting portion via the light guide or the like is blocked by the light shield member, and different regions of the operation knob are provided. To illuminate. Thus, for example, when the light projecting means is formed of light emitting elements that emit light of different colors, it is possible to illuminate different regions on different areas of the operation knob.

Further, according to the present invention, the light guide member of the connecting portion is
The light guide member may have a slope for reflecting light passing through the light guide member, and the slope may collect light to illuminate the operation knob.

In this configuration, the light projected from the light projecting means and incident on the light guide member of the connecting portion via the light guide or the like is reflected on the slope and illuminates the operation knob. Accordingly, light leakage is reduced, and the operation knob can be more efficiently illuminated.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1A is a front view of a switch device of an on-vehicle air conditioner according to the present embodiment, FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2) is a sectional view taken along the line CC, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device. The switch device 1 has a switching function for switching an ON / OFF state of an automatic temperature setting mode (hereinafter, referred to as an auto mode) of a vehicle-mounted air conditioner, and an air volume adjustment function for adjusting a volume of the air volume of the air conditioner. It is mounted on the control panel 2. The switch device 1 includes a case 3 (external case), an operation knob 4 provided outside the case 3 and rotated or / and pressed by a user, a rotary switch 5 and a push button housed in the case 3. Shape switch 6 (switching function), connecting portion 7 for operating switches 5 and 6 in accordance with operation of operation knob 4, lamp 8 for emitting white light for illuminating operation knob 4, and emitting amber color L
ED 9 (light emitting means, light emitting element), lamp 8 and connecting portion 7
And a lens 10 (light guide) provided between them.

The operation knob 4 is made of a translucent material, and has a surface covered or painted with a black resin except for a mark portion 4a and a pointer portion 4b to be described later. Is configured. By rotating the operation knob 4, the air volume of the air conditioner can be adjusted.
By pressing the operation knob 4, the ON / OFF state of the automatic mode of the air conditioner can be switched. A mark 4a and a pointer 4b are provided on the surface of the operation knob 4.
Is provided.

The connecting portion 7 is formed of a light-guiding member except for a part thereof. The connecting portion 7 illuminates the mark portion 4a of the operation knob 4 and the pointer portion 4b of the operation knob 4. Lens 13 and lens 12 and rod lens 13
A light-shielding plate 14 (light-shielding member) that shields light between the control knob 4 and a slider 15 made of a light-transmitting material that transmits the rotational force and pressing force of the operation knob 4 to the rotary switch 5 and the push-button switch 6; Rotary knob 5a of rotary switch 5
And a holder 17 for connecting the slider 15 and the bracket 16 to each other. Outer peripheral surface 1 of lens 12
Reference numeral 2a denotes an inclined surface which collects light by the outer peripheral surface 12a and illuminates the mark 4a of the operation knob 4. It is desirable that the lens 12 and the rod-shaped lens 13 are formed of a transparent resin (for example, acryl) having a good transparency. The operation knob 4, the slider 15, and the lens 10 are desirably formed of a transparent resin (for example, polycarbonate) having excellent transparency, heat resistance, impact resistance, and the like.

The rotary switch 5, the push button type switch 6, the lamp 8 and the LED 9 are mounted on a substrate 19. The rotary switch 5 has a function of adjusting the air volume for adjusting the air volume of the air conditioner. The rotary force of the operation knob 4 can be transmitted to the rotary knob 5 a via the slider 15, the holder 17, and the bracket 16. ing. Further, the push button type switch 6 has a function of switching an auto mode. When the slider 15 slides with respect to the holder 17 in accordance with the pressing operation of the operation knob 4, the pressing force from the operation knob 4 is pressed. Can be transmitted. The slider 15 and the holder 17 are
The holder 17 slides at the key groove 17a (FIG. 2).

The mark portion 4a provided on the operation knob 4 is illuminated white from the inside by turning on a lamp 9 in conjunction with the ON operation of a light switch (not shown) during night driving. When the auto mode is turned on by pressing the operation knob 4, the lamp 8 and the LED 9 are illuminated to be colored in amber by the lighting of the lamp 8 and the LED 9. The pointer portion 4b is for indicating the air volume of the air conditioner, and like the mark portion 4a, is illuminated white by turning on the lamp 9 in conjunction with the ON operation of the light switch during night driving. I have.

The operation of the switch device 1 having the above configuration will be described. When the light switch is operated during night driving, the lamp 8 is turned on in conjunction with this operation. Part of the white light emitted from the lamp 8 is incident on the incident end face 10a of the lens 10, and is guided inside the lens 10,
The light is reflected and emitted at a right angle at the emission end face 10b. The light emitted from the lens 10 is incident on the lens 12 and the rod-shaped lens 13 through the slider 15 of the connecting portion 7. The light incident on the lens 12 has an outer peripheral surface 12a.
Are totally reflected on the inclined surface and are condensed on the center side to illuminate the mark portion 4a. The light incident on the rod-shaped lens 13 is guided inside the rod-shaped lens 13 to illuminate the pointer 4b. As a result, the mark portion 4a and the pointer portion 4b are illuminated in white, and have a nighttime illumination function. Also,
When the operation knob 4 is pressed to turn on the auto mode, the pressing force is transmitted to the push button switch 6 via the slider 15. This push button switch 6
In conjunction with the ON operation of the LED, the LED 9 is turned on, amber light is incident on the lens 12 through the slider 15 of the connecting portion 7, and the mark portion 4a is illuminated in amber. In this way, the mark portion 4a can be colored and illuminated with a color different from that at nighttime illumination, so that the mark portion 4a has an indicator function in addition to the nighttime illumination function. At this time, the lens 12 and the rod-shaped lens 13 are
6, the amber light emitted from the LED 9 does not enter the rod-shaped lens 13.

As described above, in the switch device 1 according to the present embodiment, the connecting portion 7 is constituted by the light-guiding member such as the lens 12, the rod-shaped lens 13, the slider 15, and the like. Of the light projected from the lamp 8, a large amount of light is emitted from the operation knob 4.
Can be used for the illumination of the lighting device, and the illumination efficiency can be improved. Therefore, without increasing the number of lamps 8 or LEDs 9 or increasing the emission power of the lamps 8 or LEDs 9, the mark portion 4a and the pointer portion 4b of the operation knob 4 can be used.
, And it is possible to brightly illuminate both areas 4a and 4b of the operation knob 4. The lens 12 illuminating the mark portion 4a has white light from the lamp 8 and L
Since the configuration is such that the amber light from the ED 9 can enter, the mark portion 4a has two functions of a nighttime illumination function and an indicator function.

Further, by separating the functional parts such as the connecting part 7 from the operation knob 4, the moldability is improved, so that the appearance quality can be stabilized. Further, since the light guide path for each region of the operation knob 4 is blocked by the light shielding plate 14, even when a plurality of illumination units are present in the operation knob 4, such as the mark unit 4a and the pointer unit 4b.
Lighting of different colors and different brightness can be performed on each area.

The assembly of the switch device 1 having the above configuration is performed in the following order. First, the holder 17 and the slider 15 are combined.
Then, the lens 12, the light shielding plate 14, and the rod-shaped lens 13 are press-fitted in this order, and the knob 1 is fitted into the slider 15. Next, the metal fitting 16 is press-fitted into the holder 17, and in this state, the metal fitting 16 may be fitted to the rotary knob 5 a of the rotary switch 5.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 (a) is a front view of a switch device according to a second embodiment, FIG. 3 (b) is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 3 (a), and FIG. 3 (c). Is the EE of (a)
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus. In these figures, the same numbers as those described above indicate the same members. In the switch device 1, the white light emitted from the lamp 8 is transmitted through a lens 27 to a component shaft 22 made of a light-guiding member.
The light is incident on the lens portions 24 and 25 of the (connecting portion) and illuminates the mark portion 26a and the pointer portion 26b of the operation knob 26. Here, the lens 27 is used in place of the lens 10 of the first embodiment, and includes a light incident end surface 27 a extending to a position close to the lamp 8 and the component shaft 22.
And a light-emitting end face 27b for emitting light while facing from the rear. The amber light emitted from the LED 9 is incident on the lens part 24 of the component shaft 22 and illuminates the mark part 26 a of the operation knob 26.
Thereby, similarly to the switch device 1 shown in FIG. 1 described above, the mark portion 26a is colored and illuminated in white and amber. The pointer 26b is illuminated white by the lamp 8.

The switch device 1 employs a switch 21 having both a function as a rotary switch and a function as a push-button switch as a switching mechanism, thereby reducing the number of components. Also, the component shaft 22 connecting the operation knob 26 and the switch 21 is illuminated with the fitting portion 23 to the fitting 16, the lens portion 24 illuminating the mark portion 26 a of the operation knob 26, and the pointer portion 26 b of the operation knob 26. The lens 12, the bar-shaped lens 13, and the slider 1 according to the first embodiment are constituted by the lens unit 25 and the lens unit 25.
5. The component shaft 22 has the function of the holder 8. Further, the mark portion 26a of the operation knob 26 is formed of a translucent material (such as white polycarbonate resin), and the other portions are formed of black resin (for example, ABS resin: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer). The light shielding plate 28 of the first embodiment is formed by forming the light shielding wall 28 by integral molding with the operation knob 26.
The function 4 is provided to the operation knob 26. in this way,
By making the switch 21, the component shaft 22, and the operation knob 26 multifunctional, the number of components can be reduced and the manufacturing cost of the switch device 1 can be reduced.

FIG. 5A is a front view of a switch device according to a modification of the second embodiment, and FIG. 5B is an FF of FIG.
It is a line sectional view. In the switch device of this modified example,
What is different from the above is that the lens 10 or the lens 27 is omitted, and the component shaft 30 (connecting portion) made of a light-guiding member is integrated.
The point is that reflecting walls 30a and 30b (reflecting members) are provided obliquely on the outer peripheral surface. The reflecting walls 30a reflect the white light projected from the lamp 8 so as to guide the light into the component shaft 30, and the reflecting wall 30b reflects the light guided inside into the mark portion of the operation knob 26. It reflects so as to illuminate the pointer 26a and the pointer 26b. Also, the mark portion 26a
Like the switch device 1 of FIG. 4 described above, an LED (not shown)
Is illuminated by being colored amber.

As described above, by providing the reflecting wall 30a on the component shaft 30, the lens 27 provided between the lamp 8 and the component shaft 22 in FIG. 3 described above can be omitted. Thus, the cost of the switch device 1 can be reduced. Further, the effective angle 31 of the light emitted from the lamp 8 is larger than before, and a large amount of light emitted from the lamp 8 is used for illuminating the operation knob 26, so that the illumination efficiency is improved. Also, the reflection wall 30b
Is provided, light leakage is reduced, so that illumination efficiency can be further improved. Furthermore,
The reflecting wall 30a is provided as close to the lamp 8 as possible at the lower end of the component shaft 30, and the reflecting wall 30b is provided at the upper end side of the component shaft 30, and both face each other with the material of the component shaft 30 interposed therebetween. It is provided in a posture to perform. Thereby, the light from the lamp 8 can be used effectively.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the switch device that illuminates two places of the mark part and the pointer part of the operation knob is shown, but three or more areas in the operation knob may be illuminated. .

[0027]

As described above, according to the switch device of the present invention, a part of the connecting portion for connecting the operation knob and the switching mechanism is constituted by the light guide member, and the connecting portion and the light projecting means are provided. And a light guide for guiding the light projected from the light projecting means to the light guide member of the connecting part, and the light projected from the light projecting means is provided between the light guide and the connecting part. Since the operation knob is illuminated via the light guide member, the illumination efficiency of the switch device can be improved, and the operation knob can be sufficiently illuminated without using a light emitting unit having a large emission power. It is possible to illuminate with brightness.

Further, according to the present invention, a part of the connecting portion for operating the switching mechanism in accordance with the operation of the operation knob is constituted by a light-guiding member, and the light emitted from the light emitting means is emitted. A reflection member for introducing the light guide member of the connecting portion is provided, and light emitted from the light projecting means is guided by the reflection member to the light guide member of the connection portion to illuminate the operation knob. Therefore, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

Further, the light projecting means is composed of two or more light emitting elements, and a part of the connecting portion is formed of a light shielding member, and each light projected from the light emitting element illuminates a different area of the operation knob. Therefore, for example, when the light projecting means is composed of light emitting elements that emit light of different colors, it is possible to illuminate different areas of the operation knob with different colors and different brightness. It becomes possible.

Further, the light guide member of the connecting portion has a slope, and by collecting light by the slope to illuminate the operation knob, light leakage is reduced and the operation knob can be more efficiently illuminated. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a front view of a switch device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.
(C) is a sectional view taken along line CC of (a).

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device.

3A is a front view of a switch device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG.
(C) is a sectional view taken along line EE of (a).

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device.

FIG. 5A is a front view of a switch device according to a modification of the second embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along line FF.

FIG. 6A is a front view of a conventional switch device, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Switch device 3 Case (outer case) 4, 26 Operation knob 4a, 26a Mark part 4b, 26b Pointer part 5 Rotary switch (switching mechanism) 6 Push button type switch (switching mechanism) 7 Connecting part 8 Lamp (light emitting means, 9 Light-emitting element 9 LED (light-emitting means, light-emitting element) 10 Light guide 12 Lens (light-guiding member) 12a Outer peripheral surface (slope) 13 Bar-shaped lens (light-guiding member) 14 Light-shielding plate (light-shielding member) 15 Slider (Light guide member) 21 Switch (switching mechanism) 22 Component shaft (connecting portion) 30 Component shaft (connecting portion) 30a Reflective wall (reflective member) 30b Reflective wall (slope)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takahiro Sakakino 10 Okayama Todocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An external case, a switching mechanism housed in the external case, an operation knob provided outside the external case, and a movement of the operation knob transmitted to the switching mechanism. A connecting portion that operates a switching mechanism in accordance with the operation of the operation knob;
In a switch device provided in the outer case and configured to emit light for illuminating the operation knob, a part of the connecting portion is formed of a light guide member, and the connecting portion and the A light guide for guiding the light emitted from the light projecting means to the light guide member of the connecting portion between the light emitting means and the light projecting means; A switch device, wherein the operation knob is illuminated via a light guide and a light guide member of the connecting portion. 2. An external case, a switching mechanism housed in the external case, an operation knob provided outside the external case, and a movement of the operation knob transmitted to the switching mechanism. A connecting portion that operates a switching mechanism in accordance with the operation of the operation knob;
In a switch device provided in the outer case and configured to emit light for illuminating the operation knob, a part of the connection portion is configured by a light-guiding member; A reflecting member for introducing the projected light into the light guiding member of the connecting portion; and the light projected from the light projecting means is guided by the reflecting member to the light guiding member of the connecting portion. A switch device for illuminating the operation knob. 3. The light projecting means comprises at least two or more light emitting elements, and a part of the connecting portion is constituted by a light shielding member.
The switch device according to claim 1, wherein each light emitted from the light emitting element illuminates a different area of the operation knob. 4. The light guide member of the connecting portion has a slope for reflecting light passing through the light guide member, and the slope collects light to illuminate the operation knob. The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein