WO1993008581A1

WO1993008581A1 - Automotive switch assembly with centrally illuminated knob

Info

Publication number: WO1993008581A1
Application number: PCT/US1992/009144
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark R. Fernald; Mark Hayhoe; Gregory R. Szewczyk
Original assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
Priority date: 1991-10-25
Filing date: 1992-10-22
Publication date: 1993-04-29

Abstract

An automotive switch assembly with a centrally illuminated knob having switch frame (12) for supporting switch circuitry (18), an actuator member (22) interconnected for actuating the switch circuitry and having an outer face (24) adapted for displaying switch indicia, and a light conducting element (42) for conducting light from a light source (46) through the actuator member to the outer face of the actuator member.

Description

AUTOMOTIVE SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITH CENTRALLY ILLUMINATED KNOB

Technical Field

This invention relates to an automotive electrical switch and more particularly to a centrally illuminated switch actuator knob having particular utility in rotary switches.

Background and summary of the invention

Rotary switches and particularly rotary, push-pull switches are widely used in the automobile industry. A common example of such a switch is a headlight switch which controls the vehicle headlights and parking lights responsive to push-pull movement of the actuator knob and also controls the interior dome light and the intensity of instrument panel illumination by angular rotation of the actuator knob.

It is common for the actuator knob of an automotive electrical switch to bear various switch indicia to indicate the switching functio (s) controlled by the switch. For example, such switch indicia includes recognized symbols for fog lights, headlights, etc. 1

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It is desirable to provide illuminated indicia in the form of an indicator light on the actuation knob to conspicuously indicate when a specific function is actuated, as for example, when the fog lights have been 5 actuated. It is also desirable in some applications to provide illuminated indicia in the form of symbols, graphics, etc. on the actuator knob for easy identification by the operator.

It is a primary objec of the present invention to T_ provide a new and improved electrical switch assembly with illuminated switch indicia on the actuator knob.

Another object of the invention is to provide an illumination subassembly which achieves illumination of an individual symbol or indicator on the knob 15 independent of other indicia on the knob or flood lighting thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an illumination subassembly for switch knobs which is space efficient and durable in use.

20 A. further object of the invention is to provide such an illumination subassembly which is cost efficient to manufacture and cost efficient and convenient to service.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an illumination subassembly which can be utilized in a wide variety of switches including rotary, push- pull switches.

Accordingly, it has been found that the foregoing and related objects and advantages can be obtained in a automotive electrical switch assembly having a switch frame supporting switch circuitry, an actuator knob mounted for movement between at least first and second positions with an outer face adapted for displaying switch indicia. A light conducting element extends through the actuator knob to the outer face for conducting light from a remote light source to the oute face to provide illuminated switch indicia or an indicator light thereon.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuator knob is mounted to a control shaft which is rotatably mounted t the switch frame and the light conductive element comprises a fiber optic strand extending axially throug the control shaft and knob to conduct light from a ligh emitting diode light source mounted on the switch frame to the face of the actuator knob to provide an illuminated indicator.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded, broken away view of an automotive switch assembly with an illuminated knob indicator according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the knob of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a broken away view similar to Fig. 2 with the optical fiber and terminal end piece mounted in the knob.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of the control shaft of Fig. 1 without the optical fiber.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Although specific forms of the present invention have been selected for illustration in the drawings, and the following description is drawn in specific terms for the purpose of describing these forms of the invention, the description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

Referring to Fig. 1, an automotive switch assembly is shown in the form of a multi-function modular electrical switch 12. The switch 12 generally comprises a frame or housing 14, a circuit board 16 with a plurality of conductor traces 18 formed thereon, a control shaft 20 with an actuator knob 22, and one or more contactor members (not shown) for contacting and electrically connecting predetermined pairs of conductor traces 18. The conductor traces terminate in a connector (not shown) on the exterior of the switch frame for connection to a wire harness.

The control shaft 20 is mounted within recesses 24, 26 in frame 14 to permit angular rotation of shaft 20 and limited axial movement for push-pull operation. The contactor members are connected to the control shaft such that rotation of the control shaft drives the contactor members across the conductor traces along a predetermined path so as to interconnect pairs of conductor traces in a predetermined pattern to provide the desired switching operation at the exterior connector. For purposes of the present invention, the switching action and related structure of switch 12^" need not be described in further detail.

The illumination subassembly of the present invention generally comprises a light source 46 remote from the actuator knob 22, a colored indicator insert 44 mounted in the outer surface of knob 22, and a light conducting element 42 extending through the control shaft 20 and knob 22 so as to conduct light from the light source 46 to the indicator insert 44 to thereby provide an illuminated indicator on the outer surface of knob 22.

The control shaft 20 has an outer end 28 for securing the knob 22 and an inner end 30. A bore 32 extends through the center of the shaft 20 along the axis of rotation between the ends 28, 30.

The knob 22 has an outer face 34 and an oppositely disposed inner end section 36. A bore 38 extends through the center of knob 22 along its axis of rotation from the outer face 38 to the inner end 36 with an enlarged counterbore section 40 at the inner end 36. The counterbore section 40 is configured for friction- fit mounting of the outer end 28 of control shaft 20. When knob 22 is mounted to the control shaft 20, the shaft bore 32 is generally aligned with the knob bore 38 to mount the light conducting element.

The light conducting element 42 is preferably an optical fiber strand. The optical fiber 42 is friction- fit mounted within bores 32, 38 so as to extend from the inner end 30 of control shaft 20, through the control shaft 20 and through the knob 22 so as to terminate adjoining an indicator or lens element 44. The indicator element 44 is formed of distinctly colored, light conducting material and is friction-fit mounted within the opening of bore 38 so as to project slightly outwardly from outer face 34 to provide an ornamental or aesthetically pleasing appearance on the outer face of the knob. Alternately, the light conducting element may be made of acrylic rod stock. Other types of light conducting material which would facilitate conduction of light from the light source to the outer face of the control knob may also be utilized.

The light source is preferably a light emitting diode 46 mounted within a support bracket 48 so as to be immediately adjacent the inner end of the optical fiber 42. Preferably, the support bracket 48 is integrally formed with the frame 14 so as to form an enclosure to receive the end 30 of control shaft 20. The LED is activated when a predetermined switch function is actuated, e.g. _r when the fog lights are actuated. Light from the LED is received by the inner end of the optical fiber and conducted through the shaft 20 and knob 22 so as to illuminate the indicator element 44. As can be appreciated, the optical fiber 42 remains aligned with the LED 46 to illuminate the indicator element 44 during rotational movement of the knob 22 and during push-pull actuation. Alternate light sources such as incandescent bulbs may also be utilized.

In the illustrated embodiment, the illumination subassembly provides a knob-mounted indicator light for a specifically designated switch function such as fog light actuation. Alternately, switch indicia in the form of symbols may be mounted over the indicator element 44 so as to be illuminated when the LED is actuated.

While the illumination assembly of the present invention has been described in terms of a multi- function modular switch, it is to be understood that the present invention may be utilized in a wide variety of rotary and other types of electrical switches having movable actuator knobs or buttons. As can be seen, a rotary, push-pull switch assembly with illuminated switch indica on the actuator knob has been described. The illumination subassembly achieves illumination of a central graphic or indicator on the knob independent of indicia on the knob or the flood lighting thereof. Further, the illumination subassembly has a minimum of components and is space efficient and durable in use as well as cost efficient to manufacture and service.

^As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications and adaptations of the structure above described will become readily apparent without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. An automotive electrical switch assembly comprising a switch frame supporting switch circuitry, an actuator member interconnected for actuating the switch circuitry, said actuator member being mounted for movement between at least first and second positions and having an outer face adapted for displaying switch indicia, and a light conducting element for conducting light from a light source to the outer face of said actuator member to provide luminous .switch indicia, said conducting element having first and second ends and extending through said actuator member with said first end disposed adjacent said outer face so as to provide luminous switch indicia and said second end adapted to receive light from a light source.

2. The device of Claim 1 wherein said actuator member comprises a knob mounted for rotational movement for rotary switch actuation.

3. The device of Claim 2 wherein said knob is mounted for axial movement for push-pull switch acutation.

4. The device of Claim 2 wherein said knob has a bore to mount said light conducting element and an indicator element for illumination by the light conducting member is mounted in said bore at said outer face of said knob, said light conducting element being mounted in said bore so that said first end is disposed adjacent said indicator element to illuminate said indicator element with light from said light conducting element.

5. The device of Claim 2 wherein said knob has a bore to mount said light conducting element and switch indicia is positioned on said outer face of said knob for illumination by light from said light conducting element.

6. The device of Claim 1 wherein: a control shaft is rotably mounted to said frame, said shaft having inner and outer ends, said acuator member comprises a knob mounted to the outer end of said shaft and having an outer face for displaying switch indicia, and said light conducting element extends through said shaft and said knob with said first end of said light conducting element being disposed adjacent said outer face of said knob and said second end being disposed at said inner end of said shaft.

7. The device of Claim 6 wherein said light conducting element comprises an optical fiber.

8. The device of Claim 7 comprising a light emitting diode light source mounted adjacent the second end of said optical fiber.

9. The device of Claim 6 wherein said light conducting element comprises an acrylic rod.

10. The device of Claim 6 wherein said shaft has a bore extending axially therethrough between said inner and outer ends for mounting said light conducting element; and said knob has a bore extending axially therethrough -for mounting said light conducting element.

11. The device of Claim 10 wherein said bore of said shaft extends along the axis of rotation of said shaft.

12. The device of Claim 11 wherein said bore of said knob extends along the axis of rotation of said knob.

13. The device of Claim 1 wherein said light conducting element comprises and optical fiber.

14. The device of Claim 1 wherein said light conducting element comprises acrylic rod.

15. The device of Claim 1 comprising a light source aligned with said second end of said light conducting element.

16. The device of Claim 15 wherein said light source is an LED.

17. An actuator knob subassembly for use in an electrical switch assembly comprising a control shaft configured for actuating electrical switch circuitry, said shaft having inner and outer ends and a bore extending axially therethrough between said inner and outer ends for mounting a light conducting element, and an actuator knob configured for mounting to said outer end of said control shaft, said knob having an outer face adapted for displaying switch indicia, an inner end section mounting to said control shaft and a bore extending between said inner end section and said outer _Tc face for mounting a light conducting element extending from said control shaft.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein said knob is configured for friction-fit mounting to said control shaft.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein said knob is mounted to said control knob and a light conducting element for conducting light from a light source to the outer face of said knob extends from said inner end of

5 said control shaft through said bore of said control shaft and said bore of said knob to said outer surface.

20. The device of claim 19 further comprising an indicator element for illumination by the light conducting member, said indicator element being mounted in said bore of said knob at said outer face.

21. The device of claim 19 wherein said light conducting element comprises an optical fiber.