DESCRIPTION
`
`ILLUMINATION SWITCH DEVICE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of the PCT International Application No.
`
`PCT/JP2017/014333 filed on April 6, 2017, which claims the benefit of foreign
`
`priority of Japanese patent application No. 2016-164758 filed on August 15,
`
`2016, the contents all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`10
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`15
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`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001]
`
`The present
`
`invention relates to an illumination switch device
`
`including: a plurality of indicator
`
`lenses; a plurality of light emitters
`
`respectively disposed opposite one ends of the indicator lenses; and a push
`
`button and a holder in which the indicator lenses and the light emitters are
`
`accommodated.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`20
`
`[0002]
`
`An indicator-equipped,
`
`lighted push button switch disclosed in, for
`
`example, PTL 1 has been known as a conventional illumination switch device.
`
`In this push button switch, an operating knob is accommodated in an opening
`
`of a housing. A slider and a partition plate are joined to the operating knob.
`
`25
`
`An indicator lens is disposed in the operating knob to guide light to a lighted
`
`indicator part. The indicator lens has a distal end inserted into a hole of the
`
`operating knob. The indicator lens also has a proximal end inserted between
`
`1
`
`
`
`ILLUMINATION SWITCH DEVICE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of the PCT International Application No.
`
`PCT/JP2017/014333 filed on April 6, 2017, which claims the benefit of foreign
`
`priority of Japanese patent application No. 2016-164758 filed on August 15,
`
`2016, the contents all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001]
`
`The present
`
`invention relates to an illumination switch device
`
`including: a plurality of indicator
`
`lenses; a plurality of light emitters
`
`respectively disposed opposite one ends of the indicator lenses; and a push
`
`button and a holder in which the indicator lenses and the light emitters are
`
`accommodated.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`20
`
`[0002]
`
`An indicator-equipped,
`
`lighted push button switch disclosed in, for
`
`example, PTL 1 has been known as a conventional illumination switch device.
`
`In this push button switch, an operating knob is accommodated in an opening
`
`of a housing. A slider and a partition plate are joined to the operating knob.
`
`25
`
`An indicator lens is disposed in the operating knob to guide light to a lighted
`
`indicator part. The indicator lens has a distal end inserted into a hole of the
`
`operating knob. The indicator lens also has a proximal end inserted between
`
`1
`
`
`
`the slider and the partition plate. A light emitting diode is disposed opposite a
`
`rear end face of the indicator lens at a position between the slider and the
`
`partition plate. A light blocking wall is also disposed. The slider and the
`
`partition plate are interposed between the light blocking wall and a peripheral
`
`face of a holder holding the light emitting diode.
`
`Citation List
`
`Patent Literature
`
`[0003]
`
`PTL 11 Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. H11-162280
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`10
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0004]
`
`The present invention provides an illumination switch device that
`
`prevents unintentional light leakage and achieves size reduction.
`
`15
`
`[0005]
`
`An illumination switch device according to an aspect of the present
`
`invention includes a push button, a plurality of indicator lenses, a holder, a
`
`detector, a plurality of light emitters, and a base. The push button has an
`
`20
`
`25
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`internal space and an opening. Each indicator lens has a columnar shape.
`
`The indicator lenses are juxtaposed in the internal space of the push button.
`
`The holder holds the push button such that the push button is movable in a
`
`longitudinal direction of each indicator
`
`lens.
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`The detector detects a
`
`displacement of the push button in the longitudinal direction. The light
`
`emitters are respectively disposed opposite one ends of the indicator lenses in
`
`the longitudinal direction. The base is made of an opaque resin, and covers
`
`side faces of the indicator lenses while being in tight contact with the side
`
`faces. The base is integrated with the indicator lenses.
`
`2
`
`
`
`[0006]
`
`According to this exemplary embodiment, no clearance is defined
`
`between the base and each indicator lens.
`
`This exemplary embodiment
`
`therefore prevents unintentional leakage of light from each light emitter
`
`through such a clearance, and achieves size reduction of the illumination
`
`switch device.
`
`[0007]
`
`In the illumination switch device, the one end of each indicator lens
`
`may have a width-narrowed portion.
`
`Each width-narrowed portion is
`
`10
`
`narrower than a portion except the width-narrowed portion in a width as seen
`
`in a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of each indicator lens.
`
`The base may cover the side faces in the width-narrowed portions. The
`
`illumination switch device may further include a light blocking wall disposed
`
`between adjoining two of the light emitters. The light blocking wall has one
`
`15
`
`end located beside the width-narrowed portions.
`
`[0008]
`
`According to this exemplary embodiment, the light blocking wall is
`
`located between adjoining two of the width-narrowed portions. This exemplary
`
`embodiment
`
`therefore decreases a distance between adjoining two of the
`
`20
`
`indicator lenses, and achieves size reduction of the illumination switch device.
`
`[0009]
`
`In the illumination switch device,
`
`the indicator lenses may define
`
`adjoining two spaces filled with the base.
`
`[0010]
`
`25
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`According to this exemplary embodiment, the base bonds the plurality
`
`of indicator lenses together. This exemplary embodiment therefore eliminates
`
`the necessity of work to mount the plurality of indicator lenses to the base,
`
`3
`
`
`
`which is excellent in working efficiency.
`
`[001fl
`
`The present invention provides an illumination switch device that
`
`prevents unintentional light leakage and achieves size reduction.
`
`[0012]
`
`The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention wi]l
`
`become apparent
`
`from the following detailed description of a preferred
`
`exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.
`
`10
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`[0013]
`
`FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective View of an illumination switch device
`
`according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
`
`FIG. 2 is a sectional View of the illumination switch device illustrated
`
`15
`
`in FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 3A is a schematic sectional view of a base.
`
`FIG. 3B is a schematic sectional view of an indicator unit that includes
`
`the base in FIG. 3A and an indicator lens each formed by double molding.
`
`20
`
`DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0014]
`
`Prior to a description on an exemplary embodiment of the present
`
`invention, a brief description will be given of the related art.
`
`In the push
`
`button switch disclosed in PTL 1, the indicator lens and the slider are partially
`
`25
`
`engaged with each other; however, no connection is established between the
`
`indicator lens and the partition plate. Therefore, a minute gap is inevitably
`
`created between the indicator lens and each of the slider and the partition
`
`4
`
`
`
`plate. This clearance occasionally causes light from the light emitting diode to
`
`leak out of the push button switch through the hole in the operating knob.
`
`[0015]
`
`Another push button switch includes a plurality of indicator lenses
`
`that are juxtaposed. This push button switch is upsized due to a plurality of
`
`clearances between the indicator lenses and each of a slider and a partition
`
`plate.
`
`[0016]
`
`Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of an exemplary
`
`10
`
`15
`
`embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.
`
`In the
`
`following description, identical or corresponding elements depicted in all the
`
`drawings are denoted with identical reference marks; therefore, the duplicate
`
`description thereof will not be given here. For the sake of description, an
`
`upper side corresponds to a side closer to a push button than a casing is, and a
`
`lower side corresponds to a side closer to the casing than the push button is.
`
`In addition, a direction from the lower side to the upper side is referred to as a
`
`perpendicular direction. However, an illumination switch device may be
`
`installed in any orientation. For example, the push button is not necessarily
`
`located above the casing.
`
`20
`
`[0017]
`
`(First exemplary embodiment)
`
`With reference to FIG.
`
`1,
`
`first, a description will be given of
`
`illumination switch device 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment.
`
`Illumination switch device 10 is a push button switch in which display part 21
`
`25
`
`and indication part 22 are lighted to display and indicate, for example, an
`
`operating state of an apparatus such as a seat heater or an air conditioning
`
`system. Illumination switch device 10 includes push button 20, indicator unit
`
`5
`
`
`
`30, casing 40, and printed circuit board 50.
`
`[0018]
`
`Push button 20 is a component to be operated by a user, and has an
`
`internal space and an opening. For example, push button 20 has a box shape
`
`and includes sidewall 20a having a tubular shape, and upper wall 20b covering
`
`one of openings of sidewall 20a. Display part 21 and one or more (three in this
`
`exemplary embodiment) indication parts 22 are disposed on upper wall 20b.
`
`Display part 21 displays a design indicative of an operation such as PUSH or a
`
`function of the apparatus.
`
`Indication parts 22 indicate operating states of the
`
`10
`
`apparatus, such as ON/OFF states or an operative one of a plurality of stages.
`
`Sidewall 20a has one or more lock holes 200 for fixing push button 20 to
`
`indicator unit 30.
`
`[0019]
`
`Indicator unit 30 is disposed in the internal space of push button 20.
`
`15
`
`Indicator unit 30 includes
`
`a plurality (e.g.,
`
`three in this exemplary
`
`embodiment) of indicator lenses 31.
`
`Indicator unit 30 also includes base 32.
`
`Three indicator lenses 31 each have a columnar shape.
`
`In addition, three
`
`indicator lenses 31 are light guide parts configured to respectively guide light
`
`from a plurality of light emitters 51 on printed circuit board 50 into indication
`
`20
`
`parts 22 of push button 20.
`
`In this exemplary embodiment, three indicator
`
`lenses 31 are juxtaposed in push button 20.
`
`In this exemplary embodiment,
`
`specifically, three indicator lenses 31 are arranged such that their longer axes
`
`(longitudinal axes) are parallel with one another and are present within the
`
`same plane. Three indicator lenses 31 include first indicator lens 311, second
`
`25
`
`indicator lens 312, and third indicator lens 313. Second indicator lens 312 is
`
`disposed between first indicator lens 311 and third indicator lens 313 in a
`
`juxtaposition direction of three indicator lenses 31. The juxtaposition direction
`
`6
`
`
`
`used in this exemplary embodiment refers to a direction perpendicular to the
`
`longer axes of three indicator lenses 31 in a plane where the longer axes of
`
`three indicator lenses 31 parallel with one another are present.
`
`It should be
`
`noted that first indicator lens 311, second indicator lens 312, and third
`
`indicator lens 313 are collectively referred to as indicator lenses 31 as long as
`
`they are not necessarily distinguished from one another.
`
`[0020]
`
`Base 32 holds the plurality of indicator lenses 31 and blocks light to
`
`indicator lenses 31. Base 32 covers side faces of indicator lenses 31 while
`
`10
`
`being in tight contact with the side faces.
`
`In addition, base 32 is integrated
`
`with indicator lenses 31 such that a space between indicator lenses 31 is filled
`
`with base 32. Specifically, base 32 and indicator lenses 31 are formed by
`
`double molding. This configuration enables enhanced tight contact of base 32
`
`with the plurality of indicator lenses 3 1.
`
`15
`
`[0021]
`
`Casing 40 serves as a foundation for push button 20, and includes main
`
`body 41 and holder 42. Main body 41 has, for example, a flat plate shape, and
`
`holder 42 is disposed on an upper face of main body 41. Holder 42 holds push
`
`button 20 such that push button 20 is movable in a longitudinal direction of
`
`20
`
`each indicator
`
`lens 31 (i.e., a heightwise direction in this exemplary
`
`embodiment). For example, holder 42 has a tubular shape. Holder 42 has an
`
`upper open end and a lower open end.
`
`[0022]
`
`Printed circuit board 50 includes electronic circuits (not illustrated).
`
`25
`
`Printed circuit board 50 has a plate shape, and electronic components such as
`
`light emitters 51 and switch 52 are mounted on a surface of printed circuit
`
`board 50. The electronic components are interconnected by a wiring pattern.
`
`7
`
`
`
`Light emitters 51 are light sources configured to respectively light indication
`
`parts 22. The plurality (three in this exemplary embodiment) of light emitters
`
`51 are respectively disposed opposite one ends of indicator lenses 31 in the
`
`longitudinal direction.
`
`Switch 52 is a detector configured to detect a
`
`displacement of push button 20 in the longitudinal direction. Switch 52 is
`
`configured to open and close the electronic circuits to which light emitters 51
`
`are connected. For example, switch 52 is disposed opposite a protrusion (not
`
`illustrated) on a lower end of push button 20. When a user operates push
`
`button 20, the protrusion pushes switch 52, so that switch 52 opens or closes
`
`10
`
`the electronic circuits.
`
`[0023]
`
`With reference to FIG. 2, next, a specific description will be given of the
`
`respective elements. Upper wall 20b of push button 20 has a plurality (three
`
`in this exemplary embodiment) of holes 23. Holes 23 extend from an outer
`
`15
`
`surface to an inner surface of upper wall 20b. Sidewall 20a of push button 20
`
`partially or entirely has groove 24. Groove 24 is formed upward from a lower
`
`face of sidewall 20a so as to extend in the heightwise direction.
`
`[0024]
`
`Push button 20 has, for example, a double-layer structure, that is,
`
`20
`
`includes first layer 25 and second layer 26. First layer 25 is located outside
`
`second layer 26. First layer 25 constitutes the outer surface of push button 20,
`
`and second layer 26 constitutes the inner surface of push button 20.
`
`Alternatively, second layer 26 may constitute a part of the outer surface of
`
`push button 20.
`
`25
`
`[0025]
`
`First layer 25 includes first sidewall 25a and first upper wall 25b.
`
`Second layer 26 includes second sidewall 26a and second upper wall 26b. First
`
`8
`
`
`
`upper wall 25b is superimposed on second upper wall 26b, so that first upper
`
`wall 25b and second upper wall 26b constitute upper wall 20b of push button
`
`20. First sidewall 25a covers an outer periphery of second sidewall 26a, so
`
`that first sidewall 25a and second sidewall 26a constitute sidewall 20a of push
`
`button 20. However, first sidewall 25a may partially cover the outer periphery
`
`of second sidewall 26a.
`
`[0026]
`
`First layer 25 is made of a light transmissive material. Examples of
`
`the
`
`light
`
`transmissive material may include white
`
`resins
`
`such as
`
`polycarbonate. Upper wall 20b of first layer 25 has a surface coated with black
`
`surface coat 27 except display part 21 (see FIG. 1), for example. Thus, display
`
`part 21 displays, for example, PUSH on the outer surface of push button 20.
`
`[0027]
`
`Second layer 26 is made of an opaque material. Examples of the
`
`opaque material may include black resins such as polycarbonate.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`[0028]
`
`Indicator lenses 31 are each made of a light transmissive material.
`
`Examples of the light transmissive material may include transparent resins
`
`and approximately transparent resins such as acryl resin and polycarbonate.
`
`20
`
`Indicator lenses 31 are juxtaposed and spaced apart from one another such
`
`that the longer axes extend in parallel with one another.
`
`Indicator lenses 31
`
`extend in the heightwise direction. In other words, the longer axes of indicator
`
`lenses 31 are oriented in the heightwise direction.
`
`Indicator lenses 31 each
`
`include upper portion 31a, lower portion 310, and middle portion 31b between
`
`25
`
`upper portion 3 1a and lower portion 31c.
`
`[0029]
`
`Upper portions 31a each have a columnar shape such as a prismatic
`
`9
`
`
`
`shape or a cylindrical shape, and are inserted into holes 23 of push button 20.
`
`Upper portions 31a have upper faces protruding from holes 23 to function as
`
`indication parts 22. Upper portions 31a are narrower in width than middle
`
`portions 31b in the juxtaposition direction. Alternatively, upper portions 31a
`
`may be equal in width to middle portions 31b in the juxtaposition direction. In
`
`addition, upper portions 31a are equal in width to or narrower in width than
`
`middle portions 31b in a direction orthogonal to the juxtaposition direction and
`
`the longer-axis direction. Moreover, the width of each upper portion 31a in the
`
`juxtaposition direction may gradually increase downward for ease of release
`
`from a die in manufacturing indicator unit 30.
`
`In addition, the width of each
`
`upper portion 31a in the direction orthogonal to the juxtaposition direction and
`
`the longer-axis direction may gradually increase downward for ease of release
`
`from a die in manufacturing indicator unit 30.
`
`[0030]
`
`Lower portions 31c are each a width-narrowed portion of which the
`
`width is narrowed in the juxtaposition direction. Lower portions 31c each have
`
`a columnar shape such as a prismatic shape or a cylindrical shape. Lower
`
`portions 31c are dented from middle portions 31b in the juxtaposition direction.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`In other words, lower portions 31c are narrower in width than middle portions
`
`20
`
`31b (i.e., portions except lower portions 31c) in the juxtaposition direction.
`
`These dents are created to increase a distance between adjoining two of lower
`
`portions 310.
`
`[0031]
`
`More specifically,
`
`lower portions 31c each have a first dent and a
`
`25
`
`second dent located opposite the first dent so as to face a corresponding one of
`
`lower portions 31c in the juxtaposition direction. Of the two dents, the first
`
`dent faces indicator lens 31 adjoining thereto.
`
`If the second dent faces no
`
`10
`
`
`
`indicator lens 31, the first dent is dented greater than the second dent. In this
`
`case, lower portions 31c are respectively located away from indicator lenses 31
`
`adjoining thereto in the juxtaposition direction, so that the distance between
`
`adjoining two of lower portions 31c increases. The longer axes of lower
`
`portions 310 are each located to be distanced from indicator lens 31 adjoining
`
`thereto, with respect
`
`to the longer axes of middle portions 31b in the
`
`juxtaposition direction. For example, the longer axes of lower portions 31c are
`
`aligned with the longer axes of upper portions 31a.
`
`It should be noted that
`
`each dent may face indicator lens 31 adjoining thereto, with members
`
`including base 32 and light blocking wall 43 interposed between each dent and
`
`adjoining indicator lens 31.
`
`[0032]
`
`In each of first indicator lens 311 and third indicator lens 313, the first
`
`dent faces second indicator lens 312 while the second dent faces no indicator
`
`lens 31.
`
`In this case, the first dent facing second indicator lens 312 is deeper
`
`in depth than the second dent. This configuration thus increases a distance
`
`between first indicator lens 311 and second indicator lens 312 and a distance
`
`between third indicator lens 313 and second indicator lens 312.
`
`[0033]
`
`The two dents respectively facing indicator lenses 31 adjoining thereto
`
`are equal in depth to each other. In this case, lower portion 310 is located at a
`
`center of middle portion 31b in the juxtaposition direction. The axis of lower
`
`portion 31c is aligned with the axis of middle portion 31b and the axis of upper
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`portion 31a in the juxtaposition direction, for example.
`
`25
`
`[0034]
`
`In, for example, second indicator lens 312, the first dent faces first
`
`indicator lens 311, and the second end faces third indicator lens 313.
`
`In this
`
`11
`
`
`
`case, the first dent facing first indicator lens 311 is equal in depth to the
`
`second dent facing third indicator lens 313.
`
`[0035]
`
`Lower portions 310 are equal in width to or narrower in width than
`
`middle portions 31b in the direction orthogonal to the juxtaposition direction
`
`and the longer-axis direction. Moreover, the width of each lower portion 310 in
`
`the juxtaposition direction may gradually decrease downward for ease of
`
`release from a die in manufacturing indicator unit 30.
`
`In addition, the width
`
`of each lower portion 310 in the direction orthogonal to the juxtaposition
`
`direction and the longer-axis direction may gradually decrease downward for
`
`ease of release from a die in manufacturing indicator unit 30.
`
`[0036]
`
`Middle portions 31b each have a columnar shape such as a prismatic
`
`shape or a cylindrical shape, and extend in the direction orthogonal to the
`
`juxtaposition direction and the longer-axis direction so as to be longer than
`
`upper portions 31a and lower portions 31c in the heightwise direction.
`
`Moreover, the width of each middle portion 31b in the juxtaposition direction
`
`may gradually decrease downward for ease of release from a die in
`
`manufacturing indicator unit 30. In addition, the width of each middle portion
`
`31b in the direction orthogonal to the juxtaposition direction and the longer-
`
`axis direction may gradually decrease downward for ease of release from a die
`
`in manufacturing indicator unit 30.
`
`[0037]
`
`Base 32 is made of an opaque material. Examples of the opaque
`
`material may include black resins such as ABS resin. Base 32 has a
`
`rectangular parallelepiped shape. Base 32 has on its side face one or more
`
`engagement projections 32a that are fitted into the internal space of push
`
`12
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`
`
`button 20. At this time, base 32 is fixed to push button 20 in such a manner
`
`that engagement projections 32a are engaged with corresponding lock holes
`
`200 of push button 20. It should be noted that base 32 may have any shape in
`
`addition to a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In addition to the engagement
`
`of engagement projections 32a with lock holes 20c, base 32 may be fixed to
`
`push button 20 by any known bonding method such as engagement using
`
`snap fitting, press fitting, or an adhesive.
`
`[0038]
`
`A gap is created between the side face of base 32 and sidewall 20a of
`
`push button 20. This gap is connected to groove 24 in sidewall 20a of push
`
`button 20. Apart of the gap functions as groove 24. Thus, indicator unit 30 is
`
`surrounded with groove 24.
`
`[0039]
`
`The plurality (three in this exemplary embodiment) of indicator lenses
`
`31 are disposed in base 32, and the side faces of indicator lenses 31 are covered
`
`with base 32.
`
`Indicator lenses 31 are integrated with base 32 such that no
`
`clearance is defined between each indicator lens 31 and base 32.
`
`[0040]
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Upper portions 31a of indicator lenses 31 protrude upward from an
`
`20
`
`upper face of base 32. Lower portions 31c of indicator lenses 31 partially
`
`protrude downward from a lower face of base 32. Alternatively, the lower
`
`portions 310 may have lower faces made flush with the lower face of base 32
`
`without partially protruding downward from the lower face of base 32.
`
`[0041]
`
`25
`
`Base 32 has one or more (two in this exemplary embodiment) recesses
`
`33. Each recess 33 is recessed upward from the lower face of base 32, and is
`
`disposed between adjoining two of indicator lenses 31. Recesses 33 have
`
`13
`
`
`
`bottoms located below upper ends of lower portions 31c and lower ends of
`
`middle portions 31b in indicator lenses 31. Thus, recesses 33 located below
`
`middle portions 31b are each located between adjoining two of lower portions
`
`31c.
`
`[0042]
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Casing 40 is disposed on printed circuit board 50. Holder 42 of casing
`
`40 is a tubular wall extending in the heightwise direction. Holder 42 is
`
`inserted into groove 24 in sidewall 20a of push button 20. Holder 42 is also
`
`inserted into groove 24 between base 32 and sidewall 20a of push button 20.
`
`Thus, push button 20 is held by holder 42. In addition, groove 24 slides along
`
`holder 42, so that push button 20 is movable relative to holder 42 in the
`
`heightwise direction. Indicator unit 30 is accommodated in a space defined by
`
`push button 20 and holder 42.
`
`[0043]
`
`Casing 40 is provided with light blocking walls 43 each disposed
`
`between adjoining two of light emitters 51. Light blocking walls 43 prevent
`
`light from light emitters 51 disposed opposite the lower faces of indicator
`
`lenses 31, from entering different indicator lenses 31. Light blocking walls 43
`
`extend upward from printed circuit board 50, and are inserted into recesses 33
`
`20
`
`of base 32.
`
`[0044]
`
`The height of each light blocking wall 43 is set such that base 32 and
`
`light blocking walls 43, which always surround recesses 33, overlap each other
`
`as seen in the juxtaposition direction, irrespective of the heightwise movement
`
`25
`
`of push button 20. Thus, light blocking walls 43 have upper ends (distal ends)
`
`located beside lower portions 31c (width-narrowed portions) and located
`
`between upper and lower ends of lower portions 310 (width-narrowed portions).
`
`14
`
`
`
`[0045]
`
`Light emitters 51 are, for example, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and
`
`are disposed to face the lower faces of indicator lenses 31. Each light blocking
`
`wall 43 is disposed between adjoining two of indicator lenses 31. Light
`
`blocking walls 43 have lower ends that are in contact with printed circuit
`
`board 50. Thus, each light blocking wall 43 and base 32 interrupt between
`
`adjoining two of light emitters 51.
`
`[0046]
`
`With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, next, a description will be given of
`
`a method for manufacturing indicator unit 30. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, first,
`
`base 32 having three through holes 62a is formed by, for example, resin
`
`molding such as injection molding using an opaque resin. Next, indicator
`
`lenses 31 are formed in through holes 62a of base 32 such that upper portions
`
`31a and lower portions 31c respectively protrude from through holes 62a, by
`
`double molding using a light
`
`transmissive resin.
`
`Thus, base 32 covers
`
`indicator lenses 31 such that a clearance between adjoining two of indicator
`
`lenses 31 is filled with base 32.
`
`[0047]
`
`As described above, when base 32 and indicator lenses 31 are formed
`
`by double molding, indicator unit 30 in which base 32 is integrated with
`
`indicator lenses 31 is formed. Thus, no clearance is defined between base 32
`
`and the side face of each indicator lens 31 covered with base 32.
`
`[0048]
`
`Next, a description will be given of the use of illumination switch
`
`device 10. When a user pushes push button 20, push button 20 moves
`
`downward while being held by holder 42. With this downward movement, the
`
`protrusion of push button 20 pushes switch 52, so that switch 52 opens or
`
`15
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`
`
`closes the electronic circuits. Thus, light emitter 51 connected to a closed one
`
`of the electronic circuits emits light. This light enters the lower face of a
`
`corresponding one of indicator lenses 31, passes through indicator lens 31 from
`
`lower portion 310 to upper portion 31a via middle portion 31b, and then goes
`
`out of the upper face of indicator lens 31. Thus, a corresponding one of
`
`indication parts 22 is lighted.
`
`[0049]
`
`10
`
`15
`
`As described above, according to illumination switch device 10, light
`
`blocking walls 43 are disposed between light emitters 51 and the lower faces of
`
`indicator lenses 31 in the perpendicular direction. Light blocking walls 43
`
`overlap base 32 as seen in the juxtaposition direction.
`
`Therefore,
`
`light
`
`blocking walls 43 prevent light emitted from light emitters 51, from entering
`
`neighboring indicator lenses 31.
`
`[0050]
`
`In addition, since no clearance is defined between base 32 and each
`
`indicator lens 31, light guided to each indicator lens 31 never leaks through
`
`such a clearance. This configuration eliminates the following measures for
`
`blocking light leaking through a clearance. Specifically, it is unnecessary to
`
`make upper portions 31a smaller in size than middle portions 31b in the
`
`20
`
`direction orthogonal
`
`to the heightwise direction (i.e.,
`
`the juxtaposition
`
`direction as well as the direction orthogonal to the juxtaposition direction and
`
`the longer-axis direction), to dispose each upper portion 31a at the center of
`
`corresponding middle portion 31b, and to close a clearance with upper wall 20b
`
`of push button 20. Therefore, the size and position of each upper portion 31a
`
`25
`
`in push button 20 are set freely within a range of corresponding middle portion
`
`31b.
`
`[0051]
`
`16
`
`
`
`Base 32 covers the side faces of indicator lenses 31 while being in tight
`
`contact with the side faces.
`
`In addition, base 32 is integrated with indicator
`
`lenses 31. Therefore, no clearance is defined between base 32 and each
`
`indicator lens 31, which leads to size reduction of indicator unit 30, in turn,
`
`illumination switch device 10.
`
`[0052]
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`Since no clearance is defined between base 32 and each indicator lens
`
`31,
`
`the height of each light blocking wall 43 is made lower. Thus,
`
`the
`
`thickness of each light blocking wall 43 in the juxtaposition direction is made
`
`smaller, which also leads to size reduction of indicator unit 30,
`
`in turn,
`
`illumination switch device 10.
`
`[0053]
`
`In addition, base 32 covers indicator lenses 31 such that a clearance
`
`between adjoining two of indicator lenses 31 is filled with base 32. This
`
`configuration eliminates the necessity of covering members for covering
`
`indicator lenses 31 and also eliminates the necessity of a distance between
`
`adjoining two of the covering members, which also leads to size reduction of
`
`indicator unit 30, in turn, illumination switch device 10.
`
`[0054]
`
`In addition, lower portion 31c of each indicator lens 31 is provided as a
`
`width-narrowed portion, and each light blocking wall 43 is inserted in
`
`corresponding recess 33 between adjoining two of lower portions 31c. This
`
`configuration therefore enables a decreased distance between adjoining two of
`
`indicator lenses 31, which also leads to size reduction of indicator unit 30, in
`
`25
`
`turn, illumination switch device 10.
`
`[0055]
`
`In addition, the plurality of indicator lenses 31 are simultaneously
`
`1’7
`
`
`
`formed by double molding, and indicator unit 30 including base 32 integrated
`
`with the plurality of indicator lenses 3 1 is also formed by double molding. This
`
`configuration therefore eliminates the necessity of work to mount the plurality
`
`of indicator lenses 3 1 to base 32, which is excellent in working efficiency.
`
`[0056]
`
`It is apparent from the foregoing description that those skilled in the
`
`art will conceive various modifications and other exemplary embodiments on
`
`the present
`
`invention.
`
`It
`
`is accordingly understood that
`
`the foregoing
`
`description is merely interpreted as being illustrative and is given for the
`
`10
`
`purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the
`
`present invention.
`
`It is therefore possible to substantially change the details
`
`of at least one of the structure and function of the present invention without
`
`departing from the spirit of the present invention.
`
`15
`
`INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
`
`[0057]
`
`An illumination switch device according to the present invention is
`
`useful
`
`as,
`
`for
`
`example,
`
`an illumination switch device
`
`that prevents
`
`unintentional light leakage and achieves size reduction.
`
`20
`
`REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0058]
`
`10
`
`20
`
`illumination switch device
`
`push button
`
`25
`
`20a
`
`sidewall
`
`20b
`
`upper wall
`
`200
`
`lock hole
`
`18
`
`
`
`21
`
`22
`
`23
`
`24
`
`25
`
`display part
`
`indication part
`
`hole
`
`groove
`
`first layer
`
`25a
`
`first sidewall
`
`25b
`
`26
`
`first upper wall
`
`second layer
`
`26a
`
`second sidewall
`
`10
`
`26b
`
`second upper wall
`
`27
`
`30
`
`31
`
`31a
`
`31b
`
`31c
`
`15
`
`surface coat
`
`indicator unit
`
`indicator lens (plurality of indicator lenses)
`
`upper portion
`
`middle portion
`
`lower portion (width-narrowed portion)
`
`311
`
`first indicator lens
`
`312
`
`second indicator lens
`
`313
`
`third indicator lens
`
`20
`
`32
`
`base
`
`32a
`
`engagement projection
`
`25
`
`33
`
`40
`
`41
`
`42
`
`43
`
`50
`
`recess
`
`casing
`
`main body
`
`holder
`
`light blocking wall
`
`printed circuit board
`
`19
`
`
`
`51
`
`52
`
`light emitter (plurality of fight emitters)
`
`switch (detector)
`
`6221
`
`through hole
`
`20
`
`
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