Illumination – Illuminated scale or dial – Edge illuminated modifier or light rod/pipe
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-14
2001-01-23
Tso, Laura K. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Illuminated scale or dial
Edge illuminated modifier or light rod/pipe
C362S023000, C362S030000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176589
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dial operation device having a structure for informing an operator of a rotational position of a knob dial when a plurality of display sections provided in the knob dial are selectively illuminated.
2. Technical Background
FIG. 7
is a view showing a conventional structure of the above dial operation device. In this structure, a knob base
2
is fixed onto a printed circuit board
1
. A knob dial
3
is attached onto an outer circumferential surface of this knob base
2
. This knob dial
3
is provided with a plurality of linear light paths
3
a.
In the knob dial
3
, there are provided a plurality of display sections
4
arranged at one end portion of each light path
3
a,
and these display sections
4
transmit light.
On the printed wiring board
1
, there are provided a plurality of light sources
5
which are located on a rotational locus of the display section
4
. When the knob dial
3
is rotated for operation along an outer circumferential surface of the knob base
2
, electricity is supplied to a predetermined light source
5
according to a rotational position of the knob dial
3
, so that light can be supplied to a predetermined display section
4
via a predetermined light path
3
a.
Then, the predetermined display section
4
is illuminated. When a plurality of marks
2
a
on the knob base
2
are selectively indicated, a rotational condition of the knob dial
3
is conveyed to an operator.
However, the following problems may be encountered in the above conventional structure. When the knob dial
3
is set at an intermediate position at which the display section
4
and the light source
5
are not opposed to each other, a beam of projection light sent from the light source
5
is intercepted by the knob dial
3
. Therefore, no light is supplied to the display section
4
. Therefore, light can not be supplied to the display sections
4
in the middle of rotation of the knob dial
3
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide a dial operation device capable of illuminating a display section to the utmost even in the middle of rotation of the knob dial.
A dial operation device described in claim
1
comprises a knob dial to be rotated for operation; a plurality of display sections capable of transmitting light, arranged in the knob dial; a plurality of light sources arranged on rotational loci of the plurality of display sections; a control unit for selectively turning on a light source in the plurality of light sources according to a rotational position of the knob dial; and a plurality of light paths for supplying light, which has been projected by the light sources, to the display sections, arranged in the knob dial, wherein these light paths are formed into a substantial sector-shape, the width of which is extended from the light exit to the light entrance.
According to the above means, the light path is formed into a substantial sector-shape, and width of the light path is extended from the light exit to the light entrance. Due to the above structure, even if the knob dial is set at an intermediate position, a beam of projection light sent from the light source is projected into the light entrance except for an instant at which a wall section located between the light paths is opposed to the light source. Therefore, the beam of light can be supplied to the display section via the light path, so that the display section can be illuminated to the utmost.
In the dial operation device described in claim
1
, the control unit operates in such a manner that when the knob dial starts being rotated, a light source corresponding to the next rotational position is turned on while a light source corresponding to the rotational position of the dial knob remains on.
According to the above means, when the knob dial starts being rotated, a light source corresponding to the rotational position of the knob dial is turned on, and a light source corresponding to the next rotational position of the knob dial is turned on. Therefore, a beam of projection light sent from the light source corresponding to the next rotational position is supplied to the display section via the light path. Accordingly, the display section corresponding to the next rotational position of the knob dial is illuminated, and a rotational direction of the knob dial is conveyed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4761715 (1988-08-01), Brooks
patent: 5171080 (1992-12-01), Bathurst
patent: 3808 770 A1 (1989-09-01), None
patent: 42-15711 (1967-09-01), None
patent: 53-24474 (1978-03-01), None
patent: 61-103829 (1986-07-01), None
patent: 3-24232 (1991-03-01), None
Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
Morgan & Lewis & Bockius, LLP
Tso Laura K.
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