Lamp strip structure of steering wheel switch, steering wheel switch and steering wheel

Abstract

The invention provides a lamp strip structure of a steering wheel switch, the steering wheel switch and a steering wheel. The steering wheel switch comprises a switch body, the lamp strip structure comprises a shading shell arranged on the switch body, the shading shell comprises a plurality of independent light source containing cavities, the tops of the light source containing cavities are open, and through holes are formed in the bottoms of the light source containing cavities; the printed circuit board is provided with a plurality of light sources in different colors and a control assembly used for controlling the light sources, and the light sources in different colors penetrate through the through holes in the bottoms of the different light source containing cavities to be arranged in the corresponding containing cavities; the light guide cover is arranged on the shading shell in a covering mode, and a light transmitting area is formed at the top of the light guide cover so as to transmit light emitted by the light source. The steering wheel switch can display lamplight of various colors at the same time, and light mixing is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automobile component design, and in particular to a light strip structure of a steering wheel switch, a steering wheel switch and a steering wheel. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous advancement of automobile manufacturing, more and more functions are being integrated into steering wheels. For example, many steering wheels incorporate light strips to provide functions such as fill lighting and warnings. However, existing light strips are unable to display multiple colors without light mixing, making it difficult for drivers to distinguish the indicators represented by the lights. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention provides a light strip structure of a steering wheel switch, a steering wheel switch and a steering wheel, so as to enable the steering wheel switch to display lights of multiple colors simultaneously without light mixing.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a light strip structure for a steering wheel switch, wherein the steering wheel switch includes a switch body, and the light strip structure includes:

[0006] A light-shielding housing is provided on the switch body, the light-shielding housing includes a plurality of independent light source accommodating cavities, the light source accommodating cavities are open at the top and provided with through holes at the bottom;

[0007] A printed circuit board, on which are disposed a plurality of light sources of different colors and a control assembly for controlling each of the light sources, wherein the light sources of different colors are disposed in the corresponding accommodating cavities through through holes in the bottoms of the different light source accommodating cavities;

[0008] A light guide cover is provided on the light shielding housing, and a light-transmitting area is formed on the top of the light guide cover to transmit the light emitted by the light source.

[0009] Furthermore, the light guide cover includes a light guide plate and a light shielding layer coated on the light guide plate, and the light-transmitting area is formed by removing a portion of the light shielding layer on the light guide plate.

[0010] Furthermore, the light-transmitting area extends along an extension direction of the light guide cover.

[0011] Furthermore, the top lower surface of the light-transmitting area is formed into a plane;

[0012] Alternatively, the top lower surface of the light-transmitting area is formed to include a plurality of concave curved surfaces extending along the extension direction, and the concave curved surfaces are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the light source accommodating cavities;

[0013] Alternatively, the top lower surface of the light-transmitting area is formed to include a plurality of inwardly concave triangular inclined surfaces extending along the extension direction, and the inwardly concave triangular inclined surfaces are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the light source accommodating cavities;

[0014] Alternatively, the top lower surface of the light-transmitting area is formed to include a plurality of concave triangular inclined surfaces extending along the extension direction, the concave triangular inclined surfaces are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the light source accommodating cavity, and multiple step surfaces are formed on the concave triangular inclined surfaces.

[0015] Furthermore, the light strip structure further includes a circuit board housing, and the printed circuit board is installed in the circuit board housing.

[0016] Furthermore, the light-shielding housing and the light guide cover are in a straight line or L-shaped strip.

[0017] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides a steering wheel switch, which includes a switch body and the light strip structure as described above.

[0018] In a third aspect, the present invention further provides a steering wheel, comprising the steering wheel switch as described above.

[0019] Furthermore, the steering wheel includes a pair of steering wheel switches, and the pair of steering wheel switches are configured to be located on the left and right sides of the rotation axis of the steering wheel in the initial state of the steering wheel;

[0020] In each of the steering wheel switches, the light strip structure is located on the left side, right side, upper side and / or lower side of the switch body.

[0021] Furthermore, in the steering wheel switch on the left side, the light strip structure is located on the right side or upper side of the switch body, or is located on both the right side and upper side of the switch body, or is located on both the left side and lower side of the switch body;

[0022] In the steering wheel switch on the right side, the light strip structure is located on the left side or upper side of the switch body, or on both the left side and upper side of the switch body, or on both the right side and lower side of the switch body.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0024] The present invention provides a light-shielding shell, which includes multiple independent light source accommodating cavities, and light sources of different colors are arranged in corresponding accommodating cavities, so that light sources of different colors can be divided into zones, avoiding the phenomenon of light emitted by light sources of different colors in the steering wheel switch mixing and crossing each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the steering wheel in the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the light strip structure in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of the light strip structure in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3B Schematic diagram of the structure of the light guide cover in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of the light strip structure in Example 2 of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4B Schematic diagram of the structure of the light guide cover in Example 2 of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the light strip structure in Example 3 of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5B Schematic diagram of the structure of the light guide cover in Example 3 of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of the light strip structure in Example 4 of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 6B Schematic diagram of the structure of the light guide cover in Example 4 of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 7A This is a schematic diagram of a first installation method of the left light strip structure in Example 6 of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7B This is a schematic diagram of a second installation method of the left light strip structure in Example 6 of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 7C Schematic diagram of a third installation method of the left light strip structure in Example 6 of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 7D Schematic diagram of the fourth installation method of the left light strip structure in Example 6 of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 7E This is a schematic diagram of a fifth installation method of the left light strip structure in Example 6 of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 8A This is a schematic diagram of a first installation method of the right light strip structure in Example 6 of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 8BSchematic diagram of the second installation method of the right light strip structure in Example 6 of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 8C Schematic diagram of a third installation method of the right light strip structure in Example 6 of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 8D Schematic diagram of a fourth installation method of the right light strip structure in Example 6 of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 8E This is a schematic diagram of the fifth installation method of the right light strip structure in Example 6 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0046] The terms used in this disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "the," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, the steering wheel according to the present invention has a circular rim 100 and at least one spoke extending from the rim 100 toward the inner side (i.e., the rotation axis side). The figure shows three spokes, namely a first spoke 200A, a second spoke 200B, and a third spoke 200C. The first spoke 200A extends from the left side of the rim 100 toward the right side, the second spoke 200B extends from the right side of the rim 100 toward the left side, and the third spoke 200C extends from the lower side of the rim 100 toward the upper side. They are connected to each other at the center of the steering wheel.

[0048] See again Figure 1 As shown, a steering wheel switch 300 may be further provided on the first spoke 200 and / or the second spoke 200 , and the switch body of the steering wheel switch 300 may be integrated with operating controls such as a button 4 and / or an operating panel 5 .

[0049] Example 1

[0050] This embodiment provides a light strip structure for a steering wheel switch, such as Figure 2 、 3A -3B, the light strip structure mainly includes a light-shielding shell 3, a printed circuit board 7 and a light guide cover 1. Among them, the light-shielding shell 3 is arranged on the switch body of the steering wheel switch 300, and the light-shielding shell 3 includes a plurality of independent light source accommodating cavities 31 (three are shown as examples in the figure, and different light source accommodating cavities 31 are separated by partitions 8). The top of each light source accommodating cavity 31 is open and a through hole is provided at the bottom. A plurality of light sources 6 of different colors (three light sources of different colors are shown as examples in the figure) and a control component (not shown) for controlling each light source 6 are provided on the printed circuit board 7, and the light sources 6 of different colors are arranged in the corresponding light source accommodating cavities 31 through the through holes at the bottom of different light source accommodating cavities 31. The light guide cover 1 is covered on the light-shielding shell 3 and matches the shape of the light-shielding shell 3. A light-transmitting area 2 is formed on the top of the light guide cover 1 to transmit the light emitted by each light source 6.

[0051] Since the light-shielding shell 3 of this embodiment includes multiple independent light source accommodating cavities 31, and light sources 6 of different colors are arranged in the corresponding light source accommodating cavities 31, the light sources 6 of different colors can be divided into zones, thereby avoiding the phenomenon of light emitted by light sources 6 of different colors in the steering wheel switch mixing and light leakage.

[0052] In one embodiment, the light guide cover 1 specifically includes a light guide plate (not shown) and a light shielding layer (not shown) uniformly coated on the surface of the light guide plate. The light guide plate can be implemented as a PC (Polycarbonate) diffuser to ensure uniform light transmission. The light shielding layer can be formed on the surface of the light guide plate by spray painting or laser engraving. For example, UV coating can be used to prevent material degradation after exposure to ultraviolet light.

[0053] In one practicable manner, the light-transmitting area 2 is formed by removing part of the light-shielding layer on the light guide plate, for example, by removing the light-shielding layer by laser engraving, so as to expose the light guide plate in the corresponding area to allow light to pass through.

[0054] In one practicable manner, the light-shielding housing 3 is preferably made of POM (polyoxymethylene resin) material, which has the characteristics of high hardness and high wear resistance.

[0055] In one practicable manner, the sidewalls of each light source accommodating cavity 31 are preferably formed in milky white to minimize light absorption and increase light brightness.

[0056] In one practicable manner, the distance d between the side wall of each light source accommodating cavity 31 and the top of the light guide cover 1 (see Figure 3A ) is preferably in the range of 10mm-100mm.

[0057] In one practicable manner, the light sources 6 are arranged on the printed circuit board 7 so as to provide a uniform light distribution.

[0058] In one embodiment, the light shielding housing 3 and the light guide cover 1 are both in a straight line or L-shaped strip shape, and the light-transmitting area 2 extends along the extension direction of the light guide cover 1. Figures 7A-7C In the examples shown in FIG8A-8C, the light shielding housing 3, the light guide cover 1, and the light-transmitting area 2 all extend along a straight line; Figure 7D and 8D In the example shown, the light shielding housing 3, the light guide cover 1, and the light-transmitting area 2 all extend in an L shape. It should be understood that the light strip structure is not limited to a straight line or an L-shaped strip, and can be designed into other shapes according to actual needs, and this embodiment does not impose any limitation on this.

[0059] In one practicable manner, refer again to Figure 2 As shown, the light strip structure further includes a circuit board housing 9 with an opening at the bottom, so that the printed circuit board 7 can be installed in the circuit board housing 9 , thereby protecting the printed circuit board 7 .

[0060] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the printed circuit board 7 also houses a control assembly (not shown) for controlling the various operating controls of the steering wheel switch 300. The circuit board housing 9 is generally rectangular, with a stepped top. The lower side of this stepped surface forms the bottom of the light-shielding housing 3, while the higher side of this stepped surface is used to house the various operating controls of the switch body. Preferably, each light source 6 is positioned adjacent to at least one edge of the printed circuit board 7, and accordingly, the light strip structure is positioned on at least one side of the switch body.

[0061] As an example but not limitation, the light guide cover 1 is configured to be flush with the face shields of each operating control (the face shields are preferably made of PC-ABS material) so that the steering wheel switch 300 has a consistent and complete appearance.

[0062] In one practicable manner, the light source 6 is preferably implemented using an LED lamp. For example, Figure 2 The three light sources 6 in the embodiment can be set as RGB (red, green and blue) LED lights. It should be understood that this embodiment does not impose any restrictions on the color and number of LED lights, and each light source accommodating cavity 31 can be provided with one LED light, or two or more LED lights of the same color. For example, Figure 2 The light source accommodating cavities 31 on both sides respectively accommodate LED lamps of different colors, and the light source accommodating cavity 31 in the middle accommodates an LED lamp of another color.

[0063] As an example but not limitation, the light guide cover 1 and the light shielding housing 3 can be connected by a snap connection. Figure 2As shown, a buckle 32 is provided on the side wall of the light shielding housing 3, and a locking hole 11 is provided on the light guide cover 1 to cooperate with the buckle 32. When installing the light guide cover 1, as long as the buckle 32 is inserted into the corresponding locking hole 11, the light guide cover 1 can be installed quickly and stably.

[0064] exist Figure 3A and 3B In the example shown, the upper and lower surfaces of the top of the light guide cover 1 are both formed as planes, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Since the light-transmitting area 2 is formed along the extension direction of the light guide cover 1, the upper and lower surfaces of the top of the light-transmitting area 2 are also planes.

[0065] Example 2

[0066] like Figure 4A and 4B As shown, this embodiment differs from Example 1 in that the top surface of the light guide 1 is flat, while the bottom surface comprises multiple concave curved surfaces extending along the extension direction of the light guide 1. The same applies to the light-transmitting area 2. Each concave curved surface corresponds to a light source accommodating cavity 31, and the most concave point of the concave curved surface corresponds to the position of the light source 6 within the corresponding light source accommodating cavity 31. Compared to Example 1, this embodiment achieves more uniform light transmission across the light-transmitting area 2.

[0067] Example 3

[0068] like Figure 5A and 5B As shown, this embodiment differs from Example 1 in that the top surface of the light guide 1 is flat, while the bottom surface is formed into multiple inwardly concave triangular slopes extending along the extension direction of the light guide 1. The same applies to the light-transmitting area 2. Each inwardly concave triangular slope corresponds to a light source accommodating cavity 31, and the most concave point of the inwardly concave triangular slope corresponds to the position of the light source within the corresponding light source accommodating cavity 31. Compared to Example 1, this embodiment achieves more uniform light transmission across the light-transmitting area 2.

[0069] Example 4

[0070] like Figure 6A and 6B As shown, this embodiment differs from Example 1 in that the top surface of the light guide 1 is flat, while the bottom surface is formed into a plurality of inwardly concave triangular slopes extending along the extension direction of the light guide 1. These inwardly concave triangular slopes are also formed with multiple steps, and the same is true for the light-transmitting area 2. Each inwardly concave triangular slope corresponds to a light source accommodating cavity 31, and the most concave point of the inwardly concave triangular slope corresponds to the position of the light source 6 within the corresponding light source accommodating cavity 31. Compared to Example 1, this embodiment achieves more uniform light transmission across the light-transmitting area 2.

[0071] Example 5

[0072] This embodiment provides a steering wheel switch 300, which includes a switch body and a light strip structure as provided in embodiment 1, wherein Figure 7A and 8A As shown, operating controls such as buttons 4 and / or operating panel 5 can be integrated on the switch body.

[0073] Example 6

[0074] This embodiment provides a steering wheel, which includes the steering wheel switch 300 provided in Embodiment 2.

[0075] like Figure 1 As shown, the steering wheel of this embodiment includes a pair of steering wheel switches 300, which are configured to be located on the left and right sides of the steering wheel shaft in the initial state (i.e., neutral state) of the steering wheel. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the steering wheel has three spokes, with a first spoke 200A on the left, a second spoke 200B on the right, and a third spoke 200C on the lower side, and a pair of steering wheel switches 300 are respectively mounted on the first spoke 200A on the left and the second spoke 200B on the right.

[0076] As an example and not a limitation, for the left steering wheel switch 300, the light strip structure can be located on the right side of the switch body (e.g. Figure 7A As shown), it can also be located on the upper side of the switch body (as shown Figure 7B ), or can be located on both the right and upper sides of the switch body (as shown Figure 7C and 7D Of course, this embodiment does not impose any restrictions on the specific installation position of the light strip structure. For the left steering wheel switch 300, the light strip structure can be located on the left, right, upper and / or lower side of the switch body. For example, Figure 7E In the example shown, the light strip structure is located on both the left side and the bottom side of the switch body.

[0077] Specifically in Figure 7C In the example shown, a linear light strip structure is provided on the right side and the upper side of the switch body, respectively, wherein the two light strip structures can share the same printed circuit board 7 .

[0078] Specifically in Figure 7D In the example shown, the same L-shaped light strip structure is provided on the right and upper sides of the switch body, wherein one side of the L-shaped light strip structure extends along the upper side of the switch body, and the other side extends along the right side of the switch body.

[0079] Specifically in Figure 7EIn the example shown, the same L-shaped light strip structure is provided on the left and lower sides of the switch body, wherein one side of the L-shaped light strip structure extends along the lower side of the switch body, and the other side extends along the left side of the switch body.

[0080] As an example and not a limitation, for the right steering wheel switch 300, the light strip structure can be located on the left side of the switch body (e.g. Figure 8A As shown), it can also be located on the upper side of the switch body (as shown Figure 8B ), or can be located on both the left and top sides of the switch body (as shown Figure 8C and 8D Of course, this embodiment does not impose any restrictions on the specific installation position of the light strip structure. For the right steering wheel switch 300, the light strip structure can be located on the left, right, upper and / or lower side of the switch body. For example, Figure 8E In the example shown, the light strip structure is located on both the right side and the bottom side of the switch body.

[0081] Specifically in Figure 8C In the example shown, a linear light strip structure is provided on the left side and the upper side of the switch body, respectively, wherein the two light strip structures can share the same printed circuit board 7 .

[0082] exist Figure 8D In the example shown, the same L-shaped light strip structure is provided on the left and upper sides of the switch body, wherein one side of the L-shaped light strip structure extends along the upper side of the switch body, and the other side extends along the left side of the switch body.

[0083] Specifically in Figure 8E In the example shown, the same L-shaped light strip structure is provided on the right and lower sides of the switch body, wherein one side of the L-shaped light strip structure extends along the lower side of the switch body, and the other side extends along the right side of the switch body.

[0084] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these are merely illustrative and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, and such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A light strip structure of a steering wheel switch, the steering wheel switch comprising a switch body, characterized in that: The light strip structure comprises: A light shielding housing is arranged on the switch body, the light shielding housing comprises a plurality of independent light source accommodating cavities, the light source accommodating cavities are open at the top and provided with through holes at the bottom; A printed circuit board, on which a plurality of light sources of different colors and a control component for controlling each of the light sources are arranged, wherein the light sources of different colors are arranged in the corresponding accommodating cavities through through holes at the bottom of different light source accommodating cavities; A light guide cover is disposed on the light shielding housing, and a light-transmitting area is formed on the top of the light guide cover to transmit the light emitted by the light source.

2. The light strip structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light guide cover includes a light guide plate and a light shielding layer coated on the light guide plate, and the light-transmitting area is formed by removing a portion of the light shielding layer on the light guide plate.

3. The light strip structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light-transmitting area extends along an extending direction of the light guide cover.

4. The light strip structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The top lower surface of the light-transmitting area is formed into a plane; Alternatively, the top lower surface of the light-transmitting area is formed to include a plurality of concave curved surfaces extending along the extension direction, and the concave curved surfaces are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the light source accommodating cavities; Alternatively, the top lower surface of the light-transmitting area is formed to include a plurality of inwardly concave triangular inclined surfaces extending along the extension direction, and the inwardly concave triangular inclined surfaces are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the light source accommodating cavities; Alternatively, the top lower surface of the light-transmitting area is formed to include a plurality of concave triangular inclined surfaces extending along the extension direction, the concave triangular inclined surfaces are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the light source accommodating cavity, and a plurality of step surfaces are formed on the concave triangular inclined surfaces.

5. The light strip structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The light strip structure further comprises a circuit board housing, and the printed circuit board is installed in the circuit board housing.

6. The light strip structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The light shielding shell and the light guide cover are in a straight line or L-shaped strip.

7. A steering wheel switch, characterized in that: The steering wheel switch comprises a switch body and a light strip structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A steering wheel, characterized in that: The steering wheel comprises a steering wheel switch as claimed in claim 7 above.

9. The steering wheel according to claim 8, characterized in that: The steering wheel includes a pair of steering wheel switches, and the pair of steering wheel switches are configured to be located on the left and right sides of the rotation axis of the steering wheel in the initial state of the steering wheel; In each of the steering wheel switches, the light strip structure is located on the left side, right side, upper side and / or lower side of the switch body.

10. The steering wheel according to claim 9, characterized in that In the steering wheel switch on the left side, the light strip structure is located on the right side or the upper side of the switch body, or is located on the right side and the upper side of the switch body at the same time, or is located on the left side and the lower side of the switch body at the same time; In the steering wheel switch on the right side, the light strip structure is located on the left side or upper side of the switch body, or is located on the left side and upper side of the switch body at the same time, or is located on the right side and lower side of the switch body at the same time.

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