IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,014,330
Granted Patent B2
US 7,014,330 · App. 10/726,407 · Granted Mar 21, 2006

Lighted switch device

Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,014,330
App. No.
10/726,407
Granted
Mar 21, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A lighted switch device includes one rotary knob (first operating knob); first to fourth push knobs (second operating knobs); a case; a switch element and a light-emitting diode (light source), which are accommodated in the case; and an annular light conductor for transmitting exiting light from the light-emitting diode to the outer peripheral portion of the rotary knob. Plate-shaped light-shielding members are disposed at the first and third push knobs, and recesses for inserting ends of the light-shielding members are formed in portions of the second and fourth push knobs opposing their respective light-shielding members.

Claims (32)

1. A lighted switch device comprising:

a first operating knob;

a plurality of second operating knobs comprising a pair of adjacent second operating knobs and disposed around the first operating knob;

a case having a front plate for mounting the first operating knob and the plurality of second operating knobs;

a light source accommodated in the case;

a light conductor for transmitting exiting light from the light source to an outer peripheral portion of the first operating knob; and

a light-shielding member, which is disposed at one of the pair of adjacent second operating knobs and which protrudes in a gap disposed between the pair of adjacent second operating knobs, for preventing light from leaking into the gap from the light conductor.

2. A lighted switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the other of the pair of second operating knobs has a recess for inserting an end of the light-shielding member.

3. A lighted switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the first operating knob is a rotary knob, and wherein the plurality of second operating knobs are push knobs.

4. A lighted switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the light-shielding member concentrically surrounds the light conductor and has openings between the plurality of second operating knobs.

5. A lighted switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second operating knobs substantially completely surround the first operating knob.

6. A lighted switch device according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of second operating knobs are disposed such that the light-shielding member is disposed at each second operating knob and protrudes in the gap disposed between adjacent second operating knobs.

7. A lighted switch device according to claim 6 , wherein the light-shielding member concentrically surrounds the light conductor and has openings between the plurality of second operating knobs.

8. A lighted switch device according to claim 7 , wherein edges of the plurality of second operating knobs match a curvature of the first operating knob.

9. A lighted switch device according to claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of second operating knobs has a recess in which an end of the light-shielding member is disposed.

10. A lighted switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the light-shielding member is separate from the case.

11. A lighted switch device according to claim 10 , wherein the light-shielding member overlaps the case in a thickness direction of the first operating knob.

12. A lighted switch device according to claim 10 , wherein the light-shielding member does not overlap the case in a radial direction of the first operating knob.

13. A lighted switch device according to claim 2 , wherein the end of the light-shielding member in the recess overlaps the light-shielding member at the other of the pair of second operating knobs in a radial direction of the first operating switch.

14. A lighted switch device according to claim 2 , wherein at least three sides of the end of the light-shielding member in the recess is surrounded by the recess.

15. A lighted switch device according to claim 2 , wherein the light-shielding member on the other of the pair of second operating knobs is disposed on at least two sides of the recess.

16. A lighted switch device comprising:

a first operating knob;

a plurality of adjacent second operating knobs disposed around the first operating knob, the adjacent second operating knobs disposed such that a gap is present between the adjacent second operating knobs;

a case having a front plate in which the first operating knob and the plurality of second operating knobs are mounted;

a light source accommodated in the case;

a light conductor through which light from the light source is transmitted to an outer peripheral portion of the first operating knob; and

a light-shielding member disposed at the adjacent second operating knobs and extending across the gap, the light-shielding member separate from the case.

17. A lighted switch device according to claim 16 , wherein an end of the light-shielding member protrudes into a recess formed in each of the adjacent second operating knobs.

18. A lighted switch device according to claim 17 , wherein the light-shielding member at the adjacent second operating knobs and protruding into the recess overlap such that the light-shielding member substantially completely surrounds the first operating knob in a radial direction of the first operating knob.

19. A lighted switch device according to claim 16 , wherein the light-shielding member is disposed at edges of the second operating knobs that match a curvature of the first operating knob.

20. A lighted switch device according to claim 16 , wherein the light-shielding member that protrudes in the recess does not contact the light-shielding member at the second operating knob containing the recess along an edge of the second operating knob containing the recess.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 2, 2003
From: YOKOYAMA, TATSUYA; TADA, KAZUHIRO
To: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 014767/0452 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2002-351296 · Dec 3, 2002 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20040109304A1 · Jun 10, 2004