JP2000311552A - Operating unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce irregularity in illumination. SOLUTION: This operating unit is equipped with turn switches 1 to 3 each having a turning shaft 11, (21), (31) and controlling the operational status of an on-vehicle air conditioner according to the turning positions of the turning shafts 11, (21), (31), operating knobs 8 coupled to the turning shafts 11, (21), (31) and each having a translucent index part 81 formed thereon, a case body 72 having opening parts corresponding to the operating knobs 8 and covering the front side of the turn switches 1 to 3, a circuit board 5 disposed on the back side of the case body 72 and electrically connected to the turn switches 1 to 3, light sources 4 mounted on the circuit board 5 and transmittedly illuminating the index parts 81 from behind, and light guide bodies 9 for guiding the light from the light sources 4 through the opening parts 722 to the index parts 81. The light guide bodies 9 are fixed to the case body 72.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation unit for controlling and setting various devices, and more particularly to a lighting structure of an operation unit including a rotary switch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an operation unit of this kind has been frequently used as a control device of, for example, an air conditioner for an automobile, and the air conditioner is rotated by operating an operation knob connected to a rotation shaft of a rotation switch. It can control the operation status such as turning on / off the machine, switching the air outlet, setting the temperature, and setting the air volume.

The operating knob has an index portion at a desired position for indicating a turning position. By turning the indicating portion, the operating state of the air conditioner according to the turning position of the operating knob can be confirmed. It has become.

In such an operation unit, an illumination function is added so that the operation knob (index portion) can be checked even at night. Specifically, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-1933
As shown in JP-A-99-99, a light source is arranged behind a front member composed of a panel body, a light guide is fixed to an operation knob, and the indicator is illuminated by light guided through the light guide. For this reason, there is known an indicator that efficiently illuminates the indicator.

[0005]

However, in such a structure in which the light guide is fixed to the operation knob, the light guide is also rotated in accordance with the rotation of the operation knob. Irregularities tend to occur in the illumination of the indicator part. In particular, as described in the above publication, in a structure having a light receiving part facing a light source at a predetermined part of the light guide, the distance between the light receiving part and the light source is adjusted by turning the operation knob. Since it varies depending on the moving position, illumination unevenness tends to occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a main object of the present invention to provide an operation unit which is less likely to cause illumination unevenness when illuminating an indicator of an operation knob through a light guide.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a rotary switch having a rotary shaft for controlling an operation state of a predetermined device in accordance with a rotary position of the rotary shaft; An operation knob connected to the rotation shaft and having a light-transmitting indicator formed thereon, and a front member including a panel body or a case body having an opening corresponding to the operation knob and covering a front side of the rotation switch A circuit board disposed behind the front member and electrically connected to the rotation switch; a light source mounted on the circuit board and configured to transmit and illuminate the indicator from behind; A light guide for guiding the indicator through the portion, and the light guide is fixed to the front member.

Further, according to the present invention, the light guide comprises a cylindrical body extending around the rotation axis in an arc shape along the rotation orbit of the index portion, and is opposed to the operation knob at a predetermined interval. It is characterized by being arranged.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the front member includes a tubular portion surrounding the opening and extending in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, and the light guide is inserted and fixed in the tubular portion. And

Further, the present invention is characterized in that an outer peripheral portion of the light guide has an engaging portion which is engaged with a proper position of the front member.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the light guide comprises an arc-shaped cylinder which is divided into a substantially C-shape through a notch.

According to the present invention, there is provided a rotary switch having a rotary shaft for controlling an operation state of a predetermined device in accordance with a rotary position of the rotary shaft, and a light-transmitting indicator connected to the rotary shaft. An operation knob having an opening formed therein, a front member comprising a panel body or a case body having an opening corresponding to the operation knob and covering the front side of the rotary switch; and the rear member being disposed behind the front member. A circuit board electrically connected to the rotation switch;
A light source mounted on the circuit board to transmit and illuminate the indicator from behind, and a light guide that guides light from the light source to the indicator through the opening, wherein the light guide includes the front member and the light guide. It is characterized in that it is sandwiched and fixed between a circuit board.

Further, according to the present invention, the light guide has a receiving portion formed in contact with the circuit board and protruding in the plate surface direction, and the front member corresponding to the receiving portion is provided on the circuit board side. An extended portion is formed, and the light guide is fixed by sandwiching the receiving portion between the extended portion and the substrate.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the receiving portion has a recess for holding the extension.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a first cylindrical portion in which the light guide extends around the rotary shaft in an arc shape along the rotary trajectory of the index portion, and is continuous from the first cylindrical portion. A second tubular portion extending toward the circuit board and having a diameter larger than the tubular portion,
The receiving portion is formed in the second cylindrical portion.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that an outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion is larger than an inner diameter of an opening of the front member.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment in which an operating unit according to the present invention is applied to a control device of a vehicle air conditioner, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an assembled state of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the second housing in section, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view when the light guide in FIG. 5 is viewed from the direction of arrow C.

In FIG. 1, a control device (operating unit) includes a circuit board 5 on which each of the rotary switches 1 to 3 and the light source 4 are mounted, and accommodates the circuit board 5 and supports a panel 6 on the front (driver) side. Case body (front member) 7, an operation knob 8 connected to a rotation shaft of the switch body 3, which will be described later, and arranged on the front side of the panel 6, and a light guide for illuminating an index portion of the operation knob 8, which will be described later. The panel 6 is exposed so as to expose a required portion of the panel 6 including the body 9 and the operation knob 8.
And a decorative frame P formed of a frame body covering the periphery of the frame.

The rotary switches 1 to 3 are a first rotary switch 1 comprising an operation switch for selecting ON / OFF of an air conditioner, an operation mode (automatic / manual), and air volume setting in manual operation; A second rotary switch 2 consisting of a temperature switch for setting the temperature of the air conditioner; and a third rotary switch 3 consisting of a changeover switch for setting the air-conditioning air outlet.
Each of the rotary switches has a well-known rotary switch having rotating shafts 11, 21 and 31. The driver operates the rotating shafts 11, 21 and 31 through the operation knob 8 to change the operating state of the air conditioner as described above. You can control it.

In this embodiment, each of the rotary switches 1 to 3 is used.
Are directly arranged on the circuit board 5 for electrical connection as described above, but they may be provided separately from the circuit board 5, and thus each of the rotary switches 1 to 3 is separated from the circuit board 5, In this case, the rotary switches 1 to 3 may be fixed to a second case body to be described later, and may be electrically connected to the circuit board 5 using, for example, an electric cord.

The light source 4 is formed of a light emitting diode which is small and emits less heat than an incandescent bulb. A plurality of the light sources 4 are arranged around each of the rotary switches 1 to 3. The indicator section is illuminated with transmitted light from behind.

The panel 6 is formed by printing a light-transmitting mark 62 and a light-shielding ground color portion 63 on a substrate made of a synthetic resin thin plate having an opening 61, and in this case, the inner diameter of the opening 61. Is smaller than the outer diameter of the operation knob 8 and is sized so as to be able to pass through a protruding cylindrical portion formed in a second housing, which will be described later.
The rotation switch 31 is formed around the opening 61 corresponding to the operation setting position of each of the rotation switches 1 to 3 (the rotation position of a later-described index portion of the operation knob 8).

The case body 7 is made of, for example, a white or milky synthetic resin material, is formed to have light reflectivity, and includes a first case body 71 comprising a rear case opened to the front (driver) side, and a rear case. A second case body (front member) 72, which is a front case that opens to the side (opposite to the driver), is formed in two parts and accommodates the circuit board 5 and supports the panel 6 from behind as described above. is there.

The second case body 72 has a bottom wall 721 supporting the panel 6 and a pivot shaft 1 of pivot switches 1-3.
An opening 722 that exposes the first, second, and 31, a slit 723 that is formed in a “C” shape so as to surround the first opening 722, and a rotation shaft 1 that surrounds the opening 722.
A cylindrical portion 724 extending in the axial direction of 1, 21, 31 is formed.

The opening 722 has a size corresponding to that of the operation knob 8.
And the rotating shafts 11, 21 and 31 are formed in such a size that the light guide 9 can be inserted.
3 is formed so as to transmit light from the light source 4 reaching this portion corresponding to the mark 62 of the panel 6, and the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 724 can be inserted into the opening 61 of the panel 6 and operated. It is formed smaller than the outer diameter of the knob 8.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the cylindrical portion 724 extends to the first knob 724a extending toward the operation knob 8 with respect to the bottom wall portion 721 and to the rotary switches 1 to 3 side. A second cylindrical portion 724b.
The ends of b are the shaft supports 12, 2 of the rotating shafts 11, 21, 31.
2 and 32, through holes 7 for positioning and supporting them
25 is provided.

In this case, the second tubular portion 724b has a semi-cylindrical overall structure so that light from the light source 4 can be taken in and guided to the operation knob 8 through the tubular portion 724a. A slit opening 724c is formed so that an engagement portion described later of the light body 9 can engage with an engaged portion 721a formed at the bottom wall portion 721.

The bottom wall 721 has a slit 723.
The light source 4 extends from the outer edge of the
A reflector 727 is formed to reflect and guide light from the light source to the opening 722 and the slit 723 side.

The reflector section 727 includes an arc-shaped frame (surrounding wall) surrounding the rotary switches 1 to 3 including the light source 4, and uses each part of the light-reflective second housing 72 for each rotary section. A plurality of switches are formed for each of the switches 1 to 3.

When the rotary switches 1 to 3 are separated from the circuit board 5, the rotary shafts 11, 21, 31 and the shaft supports 12, 22, 32 are inserted through the through holes 725 of the support plate 726, for example. The nuts may be fastened and fixed. At this time, the shaft supports 12, 22, 32 are formed with threads for screwing with the nuts, and are provided so as to rotatably support the rotating shafts 11, 21, 31. Just do it.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation knob 8 is provided by two-color molding of a light-transmitting synthetic resin serving as the index portion 81 and a light-shielding synthetic resin forming portions other than the index portion 81. The index portion 81 is formed so as to be able to be transmitted and illuminated from behind with light from the light source 4 that enters through the cylindrical protrusion 724.

The indicator 81 indicates the mark 62 on the panel 6 in accordance with the turning operation of the operation knob 8, whereby the operating state (selection / setting state) of the air conditioner through the operation knob 8 is changed by the driver. Can be checked.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6, the light guide 9 is formed in an arc shape along the rotation trajectory of the index portion 81 and surrounds the rotation shafts 11, 21 and 31. It consists of a transparent synthetic resin cylinder having an incomplete cylindrical shape that is cut in a “C” shape at the notch 91 extending in the axial direction,
A hook-shaped engaging portion 92 that engages with an engaged portion 721a formed at a bottom wall portion 721 that is continuous with the cylindrical portion 724 is formed on the outer periphery thereof. Is formed on the index portion 81 to be illuminated.

The light guide 9 thus configured is inserted into the cylindrical portion 724 from the front side of the second case body 72,
By engaging the engaging portion 92 with the engaged portion 721a,
It is fixed to the second case body and is opposed to the operation knob 8 at a predetermined interval. At this time, the light guide 9 is prevented from coming off toward the circuit board 5 by abutting the rear end face of the light guide 9 on the support plate 726.

The light guide 9 inserted and fixed in the second case body 72 guides the light from the light source 4 to the operation knob 8 through the opening 722 to transmit and illuminate the indicator 81.

When the light guide 9 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 724, the outer diameter of the light guide 9 is small due to the action of the notch 91 formed therein, and the light guide 9 has a cylindrical shape even when the light guide 9 has the engaging portion 92 protruding from the side surface. It is formed so as to be able to be inserted into the part 724, and assembling workability is enhanced.

As described above, in this embodiment, the rotating shaft 1
Rotating switches 1 to 3 which control the operating state of the vehicle air conditioner in accordance with the rotating positions of the rotating shafts 11, 21 and 31; , An operation knob 8 having a light-transmitting index portion 81 formed thereon, and an opening 722 corresponding to the operation knob 8.
Case body 72 that covers the front side of
A circuit board 5 which is disposed on the rear side of the circuit board and is electrically connected to the rotary switches 1 to 3;
And a light guide 9 for guiding the light from the light source 4 to the index portion 81 through the opening 722, and the light guide 9 is fixed to the case body 72 to operate the light source 4. Lighting unevenness according to the turning position of the knob 8 can be less likely to occur, and special processing and complicated shapes for suppressing the lighting unevenness can be achieved as compared with the conventional structure in which the light guide 9 is fixed to the operation knob 8. It is not necessary, and the structure of the light guide can be simplified.

Further, in this embodiment, the light guide 9 is provided with the indicator 81.
The indicator 81 is formed by a cylindrical body extending in a circular arc shape along the rotation orbit and surrounding the rotation shafts 11, 21, 31, and disposed opposite to the operation knob 8 at a predetermined interval. Efficient lighting according to the orbit can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the case body 72 has a cylindrical portion 724 surrounding the opening 722 and extending in the axial direction of the rotating shafts 11, 21, 31. The light guide 9 is mounted on the cylindrical portion 724. By inserting and fixing, the light guide 9 can be stably held in the case body 72, and the cylindrical portion 724 functions as a guide portion when the light guide 9 is inserted, so that the assembling workability is improved. be able to.

Further, in this embodiment, the light guide 9 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 724 by providing the outer periphery of the light guide 9 with an engaging portion which engages with the engaged portion 721a of the case body 72. It is possible to assemble the case body 72 only by doing so, and it is possible to enhance workability.

In this embodiment, the light guide 9 is notched 91
, It is possible to improve the assembling workability by forming an arc-shaped cylindrical body divided into a “C” shape.

In this embodiment, the case where the front member is formed of the second case body 72 has been described, but the panel 6 may have the function as the front member instead of the case body 72, The panel 72 and the panel 6 may be formed as an integral part.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention in which the light guide 9 is clamped and fixed between the case body 72 and the circuit board 5, and FIG. Sectional view of the main part,
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the light guide.

That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, in the case body 72, the first and second cylindrical portions 724a and 724b constituting the cylindrical portion
Open in the axial direction.

The light guide 9 extends in a circular arc along the rotation path of the index portion 81 so as to surround the rotation shaft 11, and has a first cylindrical portion whose end is opposed to the operation knob 8 at a predetermined interval. 9a,
The first cylindrical portion 9a includes a second cylindrical portion 9b extending toward the circuit board 5 so as to surround the rotary switch 1 continuously and having a diameter larger than that of the first cylindrical portion 9a.

The second cylindrical portion 9b has a light receiving section 94 at a position facing the light source 4 on the end side thereof.
The light introduced from the first cylindrical portion 9a is provided to be able to reflect and guide the introduced light through the reflecting portions 95 and 96 to the first cylindrical portion 9a.

In the second cylindrical portion 9b, three receiving portions 97 projecting in the direction of the plate surface so as to abut on the circuit board 5 are formed at equal intervals, and a case body 72 corresponding to these receiving portions 97 is formed.
An extension 728 extending from the bottom wall portion 721 to the circuit board 5 side is formed at the location, and the light guide 9 is fixed by sandwiching the receiving portion 97 between the extension 728 and the circuit board 5.

At this time, a recess 98 formed by a pair of opposing walls opened to the extension 728 side is formed in each receiving portion 97, and the extension 98 is guided by the recess 98 to the position of the receiving portion 97. In addition, the extension 728 can be held at the position of the receiving portion 97. The extension portion 728 may be formed in accordance with the number of the receiving portions 97 or may be formed in a continuous peripheral wall shape so as to surround the light guide 9.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the rotating shaft 11,
Rotating switches 1 to 3 having operating shafts 11, 21 and 31 for controlling the operating state of the in-vehicle air conditioner in accordance with the rotating positions of the rotating shafts 11, 21 and 31; Operating knob 8 having a light-transmitting indicator 81 formed therein, and an opening 722 corresponding to the operating knob 8;
Body 72 covering the front side of the case body, a circuit board 5 disposed behind the case body 72 and electrically connected to the rotary switches 1 to 3, and an indicator 81 mounted on the circuit board 5 and transmitted through the back from the back. A light source 4 for illuminating and a light guide 9 for guiding light from the light source 4 to the index portion 81 through the opening 722 are provided, and the light guide 9 is sandwiched and fixed between the case body 72 and the circuit board 5. As a result, similarly to the above-described first embodiment, it is possible to make it difficult to cause illumination unevenness in accordance with the rotational position of the operation knob 8, and to reduce the illumination unevenness as compared with the conventional structure in which the light guide 9 is fixed to the operation knob 8. The structure of the light guide can be simplified without requiring special processing or complicated shape for suppressing the light.

In this embodiment, the light guide 9 has a receiving portion 97 which is in contact with the circuit board 5 and protrudes in the plate surface direction.
An extension 728 extending toward the circuit board 5 is formed at 72 places of the case body corresponding to the receiving portion 97.
The receiving part 97 is sandwiched between the receiving part 97 and the circuit board 5. At this time, the concave part 98 for holding the extension part 728 is formed at the position of the receiving part 97.
28 can be inserted and guided, assembling workability can be enhanced, the extension 728 can be held at the position of the receiving portion 97, and the light guide 9 can be stably fixed on the circuit board 5.

In this embodiment, the light guide 9 is provided with the indicator 81.
A first cylindrical portion 9a extending in an arc shape along the rotation orbit around the rotating shaft 11, and extending from the first cylindrical portion 9a to the circuit board 5 side continuously, from the first cylindrical portion 9a. Second diameter
When the outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 9b is larger than the inner diameter of the opening 722 of the case body 72, the mounting structure of the light guide 9 can be made advantageous.

In this embodiment, the case where the front member is formed of the second case body 72 is shown.
Instead of the case body 72, the panel 6 may have a function as a front member, or the case body 72 and the panel 6 may be formed as an integral part.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a rotary switch which has a rotary shaft and controls the operation state of a predetermined device in accordance with the rotary position of the rotary shaft, and is connected to the rotary shaft. An operation knob having a light-transmitting indicator formed thereon, a front member comprising a panel or a case having an opening corresponding to the operation knob and covering the front side of the rotary switch; A circuit board disposed on the side and electrically connected to the rotary switch, a light source mounted on the circuit board and transmitting and illuminating the indicator from behind, and guiding light from the light source to the indicator through the opening. A light guide is provided, and the light guide is fixed to the front member, whereby it is possible to provide an operation unit in which illumination unevenness is less likely to occur.

Further, the light guide comprises a cylindrical body extending in an arc along the rotation path of the index portion and surrounding the rotation shaft, and is arranged to face the operation knob at a predetermined interval. Thereby, the lighting efficiency can be increased.

The front member includes a tubular portion surrounding the opening and extending in the axial direction of the rotation shaft. The light guide is inserted into and fixed to the tubular portion. It can be fixed stably.

Further, by providing the outer peripheral portion of the light guide with an engaging portion which engages with the proper position of the front member, the assembling workability can be improved.

Further, the light guide is formed of an arc-shaped cylinder which is cut into a substantially C-shape through the cutout, so that the assembling workability can be improved.

According to the present invention, there is further provided a rotary switch having a rotary shaft for controlling an operation state of a predetermined device in accordance with a rotary position of the rotary shaft, and a light-transmitting indicator connected to the rotary shaft. An operation knob having an opening formed therein, a front member comprising a panel body or a case body having an opening corresponding to the operation knob and covering the front side of the rotary switch; and the rear member being disposed behind the front member. A circuit board electrically connected to the rotation switch;
A light source mounted on the circuit board to transmit and illuminate the indicator from behind, and a light guide that guides light from the light source to the indicator through the opening, wherein the light guide includes the front member and the light guide. By being sandwiched and fixed between the circuit board and the circuit board, it is possible to provide an operation unit in which illumination unevenness hardly occurs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a case where a control unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied to a control device of a vehicle air conditioner.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an assembled state of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an essential part exploded perspective view showing a part of a second housing in a cross section.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the light guide shown in FIG. 5 when viewed from the direction of arrow C;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an essential part showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a single light guide of FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-3 rotation switch 4 light source 5 circuit board 6 panel 7 case body 71, 72 first and second case body 8 operation knob 9 light guide body 11, 21, 31 rotation axis 81 indicator section 722 opening

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A rotary switch having a rotary shaft and controlling an operation state of a predetermined device in accordance with a rotary position of the rotary shaft, and a translucent indicator portion connected to the rotary shaft. Operating knob, a front member comprising a panel body or a case body having an opening corresponding to the operating knob and covering the front side of the rotary switch, and the rotary switch disposed behind the front member. A circuit board electrically connected to the light source, and a light source mounted on the circuit board and transmitting and illuminating the indicator from behind,
A light guide that guides light from the light source to the indicator through the opening, wherein the light guide is fixed to the front member. 2. The light guide comprises a cylindrical body extending in an arc shape along the rotation orbit of the index portion and surrounding the rotation shaft, and is arranged to face the operation knob at a predetermined interval. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The light guide according to claim 1, wherein the front member includes a tubular portion surrounding the opening and extending in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, and the light guide is inserted and fixed in the tubular portion. Item 2. The operation unit according to Item 2. 4. An outer peripheral portion of the light guide has an engaging portion which is engaged with an appropriate position of the front member.
The operating unit as described. 5. The operation unit according to claim 4, wherein the light guide comprises an arc-shaped cylinder divided into a substantially C-shape through a notch. 6. A rotary switch having a rotary shaft for controlling an operation state of a predetermined device in accordance with a rotary position of the rotary shaft, and a translucent indicator connected to the rotary shaft. Operating knob, a front member comprising a panel body or a case body having an opening corresponding to the operating knob and covering the front side of the rotary switch, and the rotary switch disposed behind the front member. A circuit board electrically connected to the light source, and a light source mounted on the circuit board and transmitting and illuminating the indicator from behind,
An operation unit, comprising: a light guide that guides light from the light source to the indicator through the opening, wherein the light guide is sandwiched and fixed between the front member and the circuit board. 7. The light guide has a receiving portion formed in contact with the circuit board and protruding in the plate surface direction, and an extension extending toward the circuit board at the front member corresponding to the receiving portion. 7. The operation unit according to claim 6, wherein the light guide is fixed by sandwiching the receiving portion between the extension portion and the substrate. 8. The operating unit according to claim 7, wherein the receiving portion includes a concave portion for holding the extension. 9. A first cylindrical portion in which the light guide extends around the rotation axis along a rotation trajectory of the index portion, and a first cylindrical portion continuously extends from the first cylindrical portion toward the circuit board. 9. The operation unit according to claim 6, further comprising a second cylindrical portion extending and having a diameter larger than that of the cylindrical portion, wherein the receiving portion is formed in the second cylindrical portion. 10. An outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion is larger than an inner diameter of an opening of the front member.
The operating unit as described.