Illumination display switching device

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to an illumination display switching device, and more particularly, to an illumination display switching device that improves visibility by illuminating from a backside a display design such as letter, symbol, or figure, which is formed on a switch knob for operating a push button-type switch.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an illumination display switching device of the present invention, which is seen from an arrow I-I direction in FIG. 3.

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment, which is seen from an arrow II-II direction in FIG. 3.

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of an interior light to which the first embodiment is applied.

#Hereinafter, an illumination display switching device of the present invention will be exemplified with reference to embodiments.

#A first embodiment of the illumination display switching device of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The first embodiment is applied to an illumination display switching device 2 of an interior light 1 shown in FIG. 3. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be applied to any illumination display switching device, irrespective of uses thereof, insomuch as it is an illumination display switching device that improves the visibility by illuminating from a backside a display design part such as letter, symbol, or figure, which is formed on a switch knob operating a push button-type switch. In FIG. 3, the interior light 1 includes a bezel 4 having a backside on which a housing 3 accommodating therein illumination lights (for example, right and left illumination lights) (not shown) and a wiring board is attached, and a lens 5 that is mounted on a surface-side of the bezel 4. A left switch knob 6 and a right switch knob 7 of the illumination display switching device 2 are mounted in openings 8 formed on the bezel 4. Since the switch knob 6 and the switch knob 7 are symmetrically formed, this embodiment is described by taking the illumination display switching device 2 of the switch knob 6 as example.

#As shown in FIG. 1, a board 13 having a push button-type switch 11 and a light source 12 mounted thereon is accommodated in the housing 3. In the meantime, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view seen from an arrow I-I direction of FIG. 3. In FIG. 1, the switch knob 6 having a cap shape is supported to the bezel 4 so that it can be slid in an operation direction (upper-lower direction in FIG. 1) of the push button-type switch 11, above the push button-type switch 11 and the light source 12. A display operation part 15 to be pushed of the switch knob 6 is exposed to be flush with an outer surface of the bezel 4 and a display design part such as letter, symbol, or figure is formed on the display operation part 15. In the first embodiment, the display design part is formed by embedding an illumination mark 15a from a surface to a backside of the display operation part 15 with a light-transmitting resin, as shown in FIG. 3. A non-display design part 15b except for the illumination mark 15a of the display operation part 15 surrounds the illumination mark 15a and is molded with an opaque resin.