# US 2021/0241982 A1 · Switch apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0241982 A1 - Document ID: US20210241982A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/140,651 - Filed: 2021-01-04 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2020-02-04 - Assignees: DENSO TEN Limited - Applicants: DENSO TEN Limited - Inventors: Syohhei YOSHII - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210241982A1 ## CPC - H01H 13/023: {Light-emitting indicators (for multi-layer switches H01H13/83)} - H01H 13/04: Cases; Covers - H01H 13/14: Operating parts, e.g. push-button - H01H 13/83: characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements - H01H 23/025: {Light-emitting indicators} - H01H 2013/026: {with two or more independent lighting elements located inside the push button switch that illuminate separate zones of push buttons} - H01H 2219/06: Reflector - H01H 2219/062: Light conductor - H01H 2219/064: Optical isolation of switch sites - H01H 2221/016: Lever; Rocker - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## Abstract A switch apparatus according to one embodiment includes an operation portion, a surface film and a light source. The operation portion has an elongated shape with first and second opposite ends in a longitudinal direction of the operation portion, receives a pressing operation of a user at least at one of the first and second ends, and is translucent. The surface film is formed on a surface of the operation portion and is translucent. The light source is arranged on a back-surface side of the operation portion and emits light toward the at least one of the first and second ends. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A switch apparatus comprising: an operation portion that has an elongated shape with first and second opposite ends in a longitudinal direction of the operation portion, receives a pressing operation of a user at least at one of the first and second ends, and is translucent; a surface film that is formed on a surface of the operation portion and is translucent; and a first light source that is arranged on a back-surface side of the operation portion and emits light toward the at least one of the first and second ends. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The switch apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation portion is configured to receive the pressing operation at both of the first and second ends, and a plurality of the first light sources are respectively arranged on the back-surface sides of both of the first and second ends of the operation portion and emit the light toward both of the first and second ends. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The switch apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the operation portion is configured to selectively receive the pressing operation at both of the first and second ends. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The switch apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a light shield that is arranged on the back-surface side of the operation portion and shields the light emitted from the first light source from reaching a central portion of the operation portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The switch apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a light guide that is arranged between the operation portion and the first light source and guides the light emitted from the first light source to the operation portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The switch apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface film is a half-mirror film. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The switch apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a light source controller that controls an operation mode of the first light source according to an operation content corresponding to the pressing operation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The switch apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the light source controller controls brightness of the first light source according to the operation content corresponding to the pressing operation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The switch apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the operation portion is configured to receive the pressing operation at both of the first and second ends, and the light source controller controls such that the operation mode of the first light source is differentiated between one of the first and second ends at which the operation corresponding to the pressing operation is valid and the other of the first and second ends at which the operation corresponding to the pressing operation is invalid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The switch apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second light source that is arranged on a back-surface side of a central portion of the operation portion in the longitudinal direction and emits the light toward the central portion, wherein the operation portion is configured to receive the pressing operation at the central portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The switch apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a light source controller that controls such that at least one of operation modes of the first light source and the second light source is differentiated between when an operation corresponding to the pressing operation is valid and when the operation corresponding to the pressing operation is invalid in the central portion of the operation portion. ### Claim 12 An in-vehicle apparatus that includes a switch apparatus, wherein the switch apparatus includes: an operation portion that has an elongated shape with first and second opposite ends in a longitudinal direction of the operation portion, receives a pressing operation of a user at least at one of the first and second ends, and is translucent; a surface film that is formed on a surface of the operation portion and is translucent; and a light source that is arranged on a back-surface side of the operation portion and emits light toward the at least one of the first and second ends.