Operation switch

Details Operation switch Operation switch

1999-09-01

2001-03-27

Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)

Electricity: circuit makers and breakers

Electric switch details

Indicators

C200S0050EA, C200S313000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06207913

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an operation switch used in an audio reproducing device, an air conditioner or the like which are disposed within a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an example, the operation switch for the air conditioner is classified into the following three systems.
As shown in
FIG. 6
, the first system is arranged in a manner that push-type switch knobs
100
,
101
,
102
,
103
,
104
and
105
each having a display portion M and an indicator N are disposed in correspondence with a plurality of function portions, respectively. In this system, the display portions M are disposed above switch elements (not shown) for selecting the function portions, respectively. When one of the switch knobs
100
etc. is pushed, the corresponding indicator N is lightened so as to make an operator possible to determine whether or not the corresponding function is operated or not. An air flow rate is adjusted by a not-shown switch knob.
As shown in
FIG. 7
, the second system is arranged in a manner so as to select the functions (modes) and adjust an air flow rate that there are disposed a display portion
110
for selectively displaying a plurality of functions and two switch knobs, that is, a push-type switch knob
111
for switching the modes and a seesaw type switch knob
112
for adjusting an air flow rate, in the example of this figure. Thus, in this system, the display content of the display portion
110
changes every time the push-type switch knob
111
is pushed. For example, every time the push-type switch knob
111
is pushed, the displayed content changes in an order of {circle around (1)}→{circle around (2)}→{circle around (3)}→{circle around (4)}→{circle around (1)}. Further, when the right side or the left side of the seesaw type switch knob
112
is pushed, the corresponding one of plural indicators N
1
, N
2
and N
3
provided at the upper portion of the seesaw type switch knob is lightened.
As shown in
FIG. 8
, the third system is arranged in a manner that there are disposed a display portion
120
for selectively displaying a plurality of functions and an air flow rate, a push-type switch knob
121
for switching modes and a seesaw type switch knob
122
for adjusting an air flow rate. Thus, in this system, the display content of the display portion
120
changes every time the corresponding one of the switch knobs is pushed. To be more concrete, in this system, the display content
120
a
of the display portion
120
changes every time the push-type switch knob
121
is pushed, whilst when the right side or the left side of the seesaw type switch knob
122
is pushed, the adjusted air flow rate is displayed.
However, each of the aforesaid systems has the following problems.
In the first system, since the switch knobs each having the display portion corresponding to the associated one of the functions are required to be provided for the respective functions, the area occupied by the switch knobs becomes large at the time of arranging them. Thus, the sizes of the respective switch knobs are likely restricted. As a result, there arises a problem that the operability of the operation switch is degraded in the case where the sizes of the respective switch knobs are required to be small in accordance with the increase of the functions, for example.
In each of the second and third systems, since the display portion is required to be provided separately from the switch knobs, there arises a problem that the operation switch requires a large space due to the provision of the space for the display portions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been performed in order to solve such conventional problems and hence an object of the present invention is to provide an operation switch which can secure the good operability and a sufficient area for a display portion even if the space for the operation switch is small.
In order to achieve the aforesaid object, an operation switch according to the present invention is arranged in a manner that one or at least two switch knobs each for selecting one of related plural functions is provided, and a display portion for displaying the one of related plural functions selected by the corresponding switch knob is provided for each of the switch knobs.
According to such a configuration, when one of the switch knobs is operated, the desired function relating to the switch knob thus operated can be selected among the plural functions and also the selected function can be displayed at the switch knob thus operated. Accordingly, it is possible to secure the good operability and a sufficient area for a display portion even if the space for the operation switch is small.
The operation switch according to the present invention may be arranged in a manner that the related plural functions are changed sequentially in a predetermined order each time the switch knob is subjected to a constant operation.
The operation switch according to the present invention is preferably arranged in a manner that a switch element for selecting the related plural functions is provided on a rear surface side of each of the switch knobs.
The operation switch according to the present invention may be arranged in a manner that the display portion has a plurality of rooms provided within the switch knob, light sources respectively provided in the plurality of rooms and function displays respectively being clearly visible by turning the light sources on, and the display portion is arranged in a manner that, when the switch knob is operated, a desired one of the light sources is turned on to display the one of the related plural functions selected by the operation of the switch knob.
According to such an arrangement, when the desired light source is turned on in response to the operation of the push knob, mainly the corresponding room is brightened by the light source thereby to clearly indicate the function display relating to the room. Accordingly, the function selected by the operation of the switch knob can be confirmed with high visibility.
The operation switch according to the present invention is preferably arranged in a manner that the function displays are formed on a transparent or semitransparent plate. Further, the operation switch according to the present invention is preferably arranged in a manner that the function displays are formed on the plate in a manner of paint omitting display and the plate is subjected to light diffusion painting.
The operation switch according to the present invention may be arranged in a manner that the switch knob is formed by a push knob which selects one of the plural functions when being pushed.
The present disclosure relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese patent application No. Hei. 11-22763 (filed on Jan. 29, 1999) which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirely.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4454399 (1984-06-01), Suzuki
patent: 5432684 (1995-07-01), Fye et al.
patent: 5464955 (1995-11-01), Cole
patent: 5861589 (1999-01-01), Sato et al.
patent: 6087601 (2000-07-01), Callender et al.
patent: 197 25 140 A1 (1997-12-01), None
patent: 2 699 871 A1 (1994-07-01), None
patent: 2 760 213 A1 (1998-09-01), None
patent: WO 96/30255 (1996-10-01), None

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