Knob switch with light guides with different shift positions

Abstract

The present invention provides a knob switch (100) with a light guide having different shift positions. The knob switch (100) comprises a knob head (101), a fixed seat (112), a cam (116), and a slider (120). The knob head (101) comprises an indicator block (103). A light guide rod (105) is provided at the bottom of the indicator block (103) in the axial direction. The indicator block (103) further comprises a light guide reflecting structure. The light guide reflecting structure comprises a light-emitting top surface (1137) corresponding to the top of the knob head (101), a light-incident bottom surface (1131) opposite the top surface, a light-emitting side surface (1133) corresponding to the outer surface of the knob head (101), and a light-emitting The light guide reflecting structure has an inner surface (1135) facing the light side surface (1133), and left and right side surfaces corresponding to the left and right sides of the knob head (101). The inner surface of the light guide reflecting structure has a main reflective slope (1032) for initially reflecting light from the light guiding rod (105). The light guide reflecting structure further has a hollow hole (1034) for secondarily reflecting at least a portion of the light reflected through the main reflective slope (1032) so that light entering the light guide reflecting structure through the light guiding rod (105) is emitted from the light emitting top surface (1137) and the light emitting side surface (1133).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a knob switch, and more particularly to a knob switch with a light guide having different shift positions. [Background technology]

[0002] There are many kinds of electric switches on the market today, one of which is the knob switch. Most knob switches are fixed in design, only related to a specific rotation shift position, and are inflexible, which cannot fully meet many specific usage situations in smart manufacturing. Meanwhile, in order to facilitate on-site observation by users, illuminable knob switches have appeared on the market. The illuminating effect of a conventional illuminating knob switch is generally a single-point local illumination, which is disadvantageous for users to observe the electric switch from all directions and multiple angles. One of the prior arts that has recently appeared relates to a knob switch with an operating shank that can be uniformly illuminated by an internal light source. In this patent solution, a plastic light guide part is accommodated in the rotating shank, and the light output surface of the light guide part has a first segment and a second segment facing different directions. In order to guide the light from the cone-shaped light guide to the first segment and the second segment, the light guide part is provided with two different reflective surfaces in the form of grooves. Although such a configuration allows uniform light output in multiple directions, the manufacture of the light guide components (especially the manufacture of the two grooves to form the precise shapes and positioning) is relatively complicated.

[0003] There is a need for a knob with a light guide that has a simpler and more reliable configuration. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a knob switch comprising: a knob head; a fixed seat provided below the knob head and through which at least a portion of the bottom of the knob head can pass; a cam located at the bottom of the fixed seat and engaging with and connecting to the bottom of the knob head so as to enable it to rotate under the control of the knob head, the cam having at least one protruding control curved surface formed on its side; and a slider coaxial with the cam and having slopes of different heights provided along the edge of the slider. Here, when the cam rotates, the control surface of the cam presses the inclined surface of the slider to slide the slider in the axial direction toward the bottom of the knob switch, the knob head has an indication block, a light guiding column in the axial direction is provided at the bottom of the indication block, and the indication block further has a light guide reflection structure, the light guide reflection structure has a light exit top surface corresponding to the top of the knob head, a light input bottom surface opposite the top surface, a light exit side surface corresponding to the outer side surface of the knob head, an inner side surface opposite the light exit side surface, and left and right side surfaces corresponding to the left and right sides of the knob head, the inner side surface of the light guide reflection structure has a main reflection slope for initially reflecting light from the light guiding column, and the light guide reflection structure further has a hollow hole for secondarily reflecting at least a portion of the light reflected via the main reflection slope so that light incident on the light guide reflection structure through the light guiding column is emitted from the light exit top surface and the light exit side surface.

[0005] In the above-mentioned knob switch, the positions of the main reflective inclined surface and the light guiding rod are set so that the light incident from the light guiding rod is at least partially reflected by the main reflective inclined surface and then propagates generally toward the light exiting side surface.

[0006] In the above-mentioned knob switch, the hollow hole does not reflect the light incident from the light-guiding column, but secondarily reflects the light reflected by the main reflecting slope, and the secondarily reflected light is configured to propagate generally toward the light-emitting top surface.

[0007] In the above-mentioned knob switch, the hollow hole is elliptical, and the major axis of the ellipse forms an acute angle with the horizontal direction.

[0008] In the above-mentioned knob switch, the inner surface of the light guide reflective structure further includes an auxiliary reflective slope closer to the light output top surface than the main reflective slope, and a horizontal transition section and a vertical transition section are provided between the main reflective slope and the auxiliary reflective slope.

[0009] In the above-mentioned knob switch, a pit arrangement is provided at the point where the horizontal transition section and the vertical transition section of the light guide reflective arrangement meet.

[0010] In the above-mentioned knob switch, the concave direction of the pit structure faces the light output side.

[0011] In the above-mentioned knob switch, the auxiliary reflective slope is used to further disperse the light traveling straight from the light guiding rod.

[0012] In the above-mentioned knob switch, the pit configuration is used to further disperse the straight light from the light guiding columns.

[0013] In the above-mentioned knob switch, the knob head further includes a mask that engages with the indication block, and the indication block and the mask are attached via a connection mechanism.

[0014] In the above-mentioned knob switch, the knob switch further comprises a rotating shank, an upper barb is provided at the bottom of the mask, an upper barb is provided at the bottom of the support block, and the rotating shank comprises a lower barb that hooks the upper barb of the mask and the upper barb of the support block, and is used to attach the rotating shank together with the mask and the support block.

[0015] The present invention further relates to a knob switch, which includes a knob head, a fixed seat provided under the knob head and through which at least a part of the bottom of the knob head can pass, a cam located at the bottom of the fixed seat and engaged with the bottom of the knob head so as to be rotatable under the control of the knob head, the cam having at least one protruding control curved surface formed on a side surface, a slider that is coaxial with the cam and has slopes of different heights along the edge of the slider, and when the cam rotates, the control curved surface of the cam presses the slope of the slider to slide the slider in the axial direction toward the bottom of the knob switch, and a slider return spring for providing the slider with a restoring elastic force in the axial direction. Here, the cam has a plurality of replaceable types, and the slider has a plurality of replaceable types. Thus, when only the slider and the cam are replaced, different shift position types are realized by the structural engagement of the fixed seat, the cam, and the slider, and at least one of a self-locking function and a self-resetting function is provided.

[0016] In the above-mentioned knob switch, the slider comprises a slider with a lamp or a slider without a lamp, and when the slider is a slider with a lamp, the slider with a lamp has a hollow structure that allows light to pass through, and when the slider is a slider without a lamp, the bottom of the slider without a lamp is provided with a connected support bar.

[0017] In the above-mentioned knob switch, the slider has at least one of the following various control slopes: a self-locking ramp having a groove at its top that can support a lower edge of the control surface of the cam so that the self-locking can be maintained after the rotational force applied to the knob is removed; and A self-resetting ramp having a bump at its apex and a height set so that when the control surface of the cam reaches the apex of the ramp, further rotation of the cam is limited by the bump at the apex of the self-resetting ramp, causing the cam to reverse and reset after the rotational force applied to the knob is removed.

[0018] In the above knob switch, the slider has at least two control ramps, which are the same type of control ramps or a combination of a self-locking ramp and a self-resetting ramp, or the slider is configured by combining two slider parts, one of which has a self-locking ramp and the other of which has a self-resetting ramp.

[0019] In the above-described knob switch, an angle-limiting stopper is provided on the inside of the fixed seat, and a boss is provided on the top edge of the cam, and engagement between the angle-limiting stopper and the boss defines the angle limit within which the cam can rotate.

[0020] In the above-mentioned knob switch, the control surface of the cam can define the angular limit to which the cam can rotate by the limit position to which the cam can move along the self-resetting ramp.

[0021] In the above-mentioned knob switch, if the slider has a self-locking slope, when the knob is rotated from the zero position so that the control surface of the cam contacts the self-locking slope of the slider, the control surface of the cam presses down on the self-locking slope and moves downward, and when the boss of the cam abuts against an angle-limiting stopper inside the fixed seat and is blocked, the knob reaches a first rotation angle, and at this time, the lower end of the control surface of the cam is retained in the groove at the top of the self-locking slope, and self-locking at the first rotation angle position of the knob is achieved. When the slider has a self-reset slope, a longitudinal strip is further provided on the outer surface of the self-reset slope, and a groove is provided on the inner side of the sleeve, the longitudinal strip is fitted into the groove in the sleeve, and when the knob is rotated so that the control surface of the cam contacts the self-reset slope of the slider, the control surface of the cam presses down the self-reset slope and moves downward, at this time, the spring is compressed, and when the control surface of the cam reaches the top of the self-reset slope, the bump at the top of the self-reset slope prevents the control surface of the cam from further rotating and exceeding the top of the self-reset slope, at this time, the longitudinal strip moves to the bottom of the groove to restrict the self-reset slope from continuing to descend and restrict the cam from continuing to rotate, thereby achieving a second rotation angle, and after the rotation force applied to the knob is removed, the longitudinal strip moves away from the bottom of the groove of the sleeve due to the restoring force of the spring, and the cam rotates backward from the second rotation angle to reset.

[0022] In the above-mentioned knob switch, the bottom of the knob head is provided with a convex shape, and the inside of the cam is provided with a groove, and when installed, the convex shape of the bottom of the knob head can be engaged with the groove in the cam to prevent reverse assembly, the side of the knob head is provided with a hole structure, and the inside of the cam is provided with a barb, and the hole structure of the knob head can be hooked back onto the barb of the cam to prevent relative vertical movement between the knob head and the cam.

[0023] In the above-mentioned knob switch, the knob head is provided with a light-transmitting indicator block, a light guiding column is provided in the axial direction at the lower part of the indicator block, and the indicator block further includes a light guide reflecting structure that primarily reflects light incident on the light guide reflecting structure via the light guiding column, secondarily reflects a portion of the primarily reflected light, and emits the reflected light from the light-emitting top surface and the light-emitting side surface.

[0024] In order to further explain the embodiments of the present invention, a more specific description of the embodiments of the present invention will be provided with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show only typical embodiments of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

[0025] In addition, the accompanying drawings show only the main connection relationships of each component, rather than all connection relationships, and the parts and connections in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to actual scale. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a knob switch according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a partially assembled knob switch according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. 13 is a detailed view of two replacement cams according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a slider according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the top of a knob switch according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom of a knob switch according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3C] FIG. 2 is a detailed exploded view of the top of a knob switch according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3D] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the top of an illuminated knob switch and a schematic diagram of the path of light propagation according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3E] 4 is another detailed exploded view of the upper part of the knob switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3F] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slider and sleeve according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] 1 is a schematic diagram of an assembled knob switch in one rotation mode and its rotation angle according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4B] 13 is a schematic diagram of an assembled knob switch in another rotation mode and its rotation angle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4C] 13 is a schematic diagram of an assembled knob switch in yet another rotation mode and its rotation angle according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given with reference to the drawings. The attached drawings exemplarily show specific embodiments capable of implementing the claimed subject matter. It should be understood that the following specific embodiments are intended to specifically describe typical examples for the purpose of explanation, but should not be understood as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can appropriately modify and adjust the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter claimed by the present invention, provided that they fully understand the spirit of the invention.

[0028] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of each of the described embodiments. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the various described embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0029] The terms "first," "second," and the like in the specification and claims of this application do not imply any order, number, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different parts. An embodiment is an exemplary implementation or example. References herein to "an embodiment," "one embodiment," "several embodiments," "various embodiments," or "other embodiments" mean that a particular feature, configuration, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least some embodiments of the technology, but not necessarily in all embodiments. Various occurrences of "an embodiment," "one embodiment," or "several embodiments" do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. An element or aspect from one embodiment can be combined with an element or aspect of another embodiment.

[0030] FIG 1 is an exploded view of a knob switch 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG 2A-2C show an exploded view and detailed views of some components of a partially assembled knob switch 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG 1 and FIG 2A-2C, the knob switch 100 may include a rotating head 101. In one example, the rotating head 101 includes one or more of the following elements: Mask 102, an indication block 103 that can be attached together with the mask 102 and has a light guide reflection structure therein, where light emitted from the upper and side of the indication block 103 (e.g., the direction of the light rays shown by the arrows in FIG. 3D ) is used to indicate that the knob switch 200 should turn on the lamp, and a light guiding pole 105 is provided below the indication block 103, where in one non-limiting example, the light guiding pole 105 may be integrally formed with the indication block 103, and in another non-limiting example, the indication block 103 where the light guiding pole 105 is an independent part that is detachable from the indication block 103; a waterproof support block O-ring 104 fitted onto the light guide 105; and A rotating shank 106 that engages and connects with the mask 102 and the support block 103 to form the complete rotating head 101 .

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2A, the entire bottom of the knob head 101 may have a convex shape 1044, which in one example may be generally semi-cylindrical or may be other shapes. This convex shape 1044 may fit into a groove 1168 on the inside of the cam 116 described below, and reverse assembly may be prevented by checking the orientation during installation. If the convex shape 1044 is semi-cylindrical, the groove in the cam 116 may be a semi-cylindrical groove that matches the convex shape 1044 to receive and match the convex shape 1044. A coupling mechanism 1046 may be provided on the side of the bottom of the knob head 101. In one example, the coupling mechanism 1046 is a holed configuration, such as a square hole. The square hole 1046 may cooperate with a barb 1166 of the cam 116 described below to properly attach them, as shown in FIG. 3A. For example, the slotted formation 1046 can deform and hook back onto the barb 1166 of the cam 116 to prevent relative up and down movement between the knob head 101 and the cam 116 .

[0032] One aspect of the present invention is embodied as a unique light guide reflection configuration of the indication block 103. As shown in FIG. 3D, there is light propagating at the bottom of the knob head 101, and the light may be transmitted upward through the light guide pole 105 along the arrow direction, and the light propagating from the light guide pole 105 is reflected and uniformized by the light guide reflection configuration of the indication block 103, so that the outgoing light propagating through the upper and side of the indication block 103 becomes uniform. In one non-limiting example, the light source may be a lamp-equipped module provided under the knob switch. In one example of the present invention, in relation to FIG. 3D and FIG. 3E, the light guide reflection configuration of the indication block 103 may have one or more of the following features: The light guide reflection structure of the support block 103 has a generally hexahedral shape, and has a light-emitting top surface 1137 (located at the top of the knob head), a light-incoming bottom surface 1131 (the surface with the light guide rod) facing the light-emitting top surface, a light-emitting side surface 1133 (facing the outside of the knob head), an inner surface 1135 facing the light-emitting side surface, and a left side surface and a right side surface corresponding to the left and right sides of the knob head. Here, the inner surface 1135 has two slopes, which are the lower main reflection slope 1032 and the upper auxiliary reflection slope 1038 (closer to the light-emitting top surface), respectively, and the inner surface 1135 further has a horizontal transition section 1136 and a vertical transition section 1138 located between the two reflection slopes. Here, the light incident in the axial direction from the light guiding rod 105 is at least partially reflected by the main reflection slope 1032, and after being reflected by the main reflection slope 1032, it is emitted toward the light-emitting side surface 1133 as shown by the arrow f2 in FIG. 3D. In addition, a hollow hole 1034 is provided in the light guide reflection structure of the indication block 103, and the hollow hole 1034 may be, for example, elliptical, and the major axis of the ellipse forms an acute angle with the horizontal direction. As shown in the example of FIG. 3D, the hollow hole 1034 deviates from the incident path of the light guiding rod 105, so it does not reflect the light incident from the light guiding rod 105. However, the light reflected by the main reflection slope 1032 is generated with a direction f2, and a part of the light with a direction f2 passes through the hollow hole 1034 and is further reflected into the light with a direction f1 and emitted toward the light-emitting top surface 1137. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3D, a pit (groove) structure 1036 is provided at the intersection of the horizontal transition section 1136 and the vertical transition section 1138 on the inner side surface 1135, and the concave direction of the pit structure 1036 may face the light-emitting side surface 1133. The pit structure 1036 and the auxiliary reflective slope 1038 can both further disperse the light source bright spot on the upper part of the light guide rod, softening the visual light source. More specifically, by providing the pit structure 1036 and the auxiliary reflective slope 1038, the straight light can be blocked, and the light transmitted from the support block can be made more uniform, and therefore more beautiful.Therefore, the present invention realizes light uniformity by utilizing the hollow hole 1034 in the light guide reflection structure of the support block, the main reflection slope 1032 on the inner surface, the pit structure 1036, and the auxiliary reflection slope 1038. Such a light guide reflection structure realizes a good uniform light-emitting effect, and also reduces the cost and complexity of material usage and process manufacturing. Also, it should be understood that in the above embodiment, the auxiliary reflection slope 1038 and the pit structure 1036 are optional structures.

[0033] The support block 103 is provided with structural features to facilitate attachment. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, the support block 103 is provided with a groove configuration 1031 and a protruding coupling configuration 1033. During the attachment process, the right-angled barb configuration 1022 on the mask 102 is pressed into the groove configuration 1031 in the support block 103, and the coupling mechanism 1033 on the support block 103 is inserted into the feature 1024 in the mask 102 to attach, thereby restricting the relative vertical movement of the mask 102 and the support block 103. If the light guiding rod 105 is a detachable single piece, the light guiding rod 105 is pressed into a knob hole at the bottom of the support block 103. The barb 1026 of the mask 102 and the barb 1035 of the support block 103 simultaneously hook onto the lower barb 1062 of the shank 106 (as shown in FIG. 3C and FIG. 3D).

[0034] The knob switch may include a panel frame 108. The panel frame 108 may have a screw thread inside to mate with the screw thread around the fixed seat 112. Other available methods may also be used to connect the panel frame 108 to the fixed seat 112. Furthermore, the bottom of the rotating head 101 may penetrate the fixed seat 112 so as to be attached with the cam 116 described below so that the rotation of the rotating head promotes the rotation of the cam 116 described below. As shown in FIG. 2A, the inside of the fixed seat 112 may be provided with one or more configurations, such as the intermediate angle limiting stopper 1126 and the groove 1128 in FIG. 2A. In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the fixed seat 112 may include at least two angle limiting stoppers 1126 and four grooves 1128 provided opposite each other.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, to achieve a waterproof function, a knob seal ring 110 may be provided under the knob head 101. The seal ring 110 may be a V-shaped seal ring, and may be fitted tightly to the knob head 101 in various ways.

[0036] The knob switch 100 may further include a cam 116. In one embodiment of the present invention, the cam 116 may be located below the fixed seat 112 and may be provided concentrically with the fixed seat 112. Also, as described above, the cam 116 may be in close contact with the bottom of the rotating head 101 (through the fixed seat 112).

[0037] The cam 116 may include one or more bosses 1162. The bosses 1162 cooperate with the angle limiting stops 1126 inside the fixed seat 112 to define the angle limits within which the cam 116 can rotate. In one embodiment of the present invention, the cam 116 may include two bosses 1162. In a further embodiment, the bosses 1162 may be provided opposite each other along the edge of the cam 116 (as shown in the cross-sectional views of Figures 4A to 4C). The bosses 1162 of the cam 116 do not overlap with the angle limiting stops 1126 of the fixed seat 112, but are located between the two angle limiting stops 1126. As shown in relation to Figure 2B, the bosses 1162', 1162'' may extend at different lengths along the edge of the cam 116 to achieve different shift position limiting functions. In addition, a control curved surface 1164 is formed on the side of the cam 116. In one example, the cam 116 may have two control curved surfaces 1164. In one embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the cam 116 may be closely connected to the bottom of the rotating head 101 via an additional coupling mechanism so that the cam 116 can be positioned relative to the rotating head 101 and rotate under the control of the rotating head 101. For example, the convex shape 1044 at the bottom of the rotating head 101 can be inserted into the groove 1168 of the cam 116. In an example where the convex shape 1044 is semi-cylindrical, the groove 1168 of the cam 116 may be a semi-cylindrical groove that receives and matches the semi-cylindrical shape. Other suitable shapes can also be used to assemble the rotating head 101 and the cam 116. Furthermore, when the rotating head 101 and the cam 116 are mounted with the mounting shape, they can be aligned with a mark 1266 on the sleeve (e.g., a triangular mark shown in FIG. 2A) to indicate the zero position of the knob switch.

[0038] As one non-limiting example, FIG. 1 shows a knob switch cam 116 having, for example, three shift positions (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4A, a zero position, a 60° left rotation, and a 45° right rotation), the left cam 116 in FIG. 2B shows a knob switch cam having, for example, two shift positions (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4C, a 45° left and a 45° right position), and the right cam 116 in FIG. 2B shows a knob switch cam having two shift positions that can correspond, for example, to the rotation angles of FIG. 4B.

[0039] The knob switch 100 may further include a slider 120. The slider 120 may be coaxial with the cam 116. The slider 120 may include a slope 1204 (FIG. 3B) that is set to have different heights along the edge of the slider 120. When the cam 116 rotates, the control curved surface 1164 of the cam 116 presses the slope 1204 of the slider 120 to slide the slider 120 axially toward the bottom of the knob switch 100. The knob switch 100 may include a slider return spring 124 for providing an axial restoring elastic force to the movement of the slider 120. For example, with reference to FIG. 3B, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control surface 1164 of the cam 116 can be placed on the ramp 1204 of the slider 120, and when the control surface 1164 of the cam 116 rotates due to the actuation of the knob, it can push down on the ramp 1204 and move the entire slider 120 downward accordingly.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, slider 120 is provided with at least one of the following various control slopes: a self-locking ramp on half 120-1 of slider 120 having a groove 1209 at its top that can support a lower edge of control surface 1164 of cam 116 to maintain self-locking after the rotational force applied to the knob is removed; and A self-locking ramp on half 120-1 of slider 120, which may have a bump and the height of the self-resetting ramp is set so that when the control surface 1164 of cam 116 reaches the top of the ramp, further rotation of cam 116 is limited by the bump at the top of the self-resetting ramp, causing it to reverse and reset after the rotational force applied to the knob is removed.

[0041] The slider 120 according to the invention may have at least two control ramps (in which case the slider may be an integrally formed slider), which may be of the same type (as shown in FIG. 2C, both ramps are self-locking ramps forming a self-locking slider) or may be a combination of self-locking ramps and self-resetting ramps. The slider 120 may be constructed by combining two slider parts, one 120-1 of which has a self-locking ramp and the other 120-2 has a self-resetting ramp. The limit position where the control curved surface 1164 of the cam 116 can move along the self-resetting ramp (blocked by the bump at the top of the self-resetting ramp) can define the angular limit where the cam 116 can rotate. Furthermore, the outer surface of the ramp of the slider 120 may have a longitudinal stripe 1206. The longitudinal strip can fit into a groove 1267 in the inner wall of the sleeve 126. At the angle limit position of the self-resetting ramp, the longitudinal strip 1206 can move into a bottom surface 1269 of the groove 1267, which limits the slider 120 and the self-resetting ramp from continuing to descend, and therefore the cam 116 from continuing to rotate.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the slider 120 has a self-locking slope, when the knob head 101 is rotated from the zero position so that the control curved surface 1164 of the cam 116 contacts the self-locking slope of the slider 120, the control curved surface 1164 of the cam 116 presses the self-locking slope downward, and when the boss 1162 of the cam 116 abuts against the angle-limiting stopper 1126 on the inside of the fixed base 112 and is blocked, the knob reaches a first rotation angle, at which time the lower end of the control curved surface 1164 of the cam 116 is engaged in the groove 1209 at the top of the self-locking slope, thereby realizing self-locking at the first rotation angle position of the knob.

[0043] In the case where the slider has a self-resetting slope, when the knob head 101 is rotated and the control curved surface 1164 of the cam 116 contacts the self-resetting slope of the slider 120, the control curved surface 1164 of the cam 116 presses the self-resetting slope and moves downward, and at this time, the spring 124 is compressed. When the control curved surface 1164 of the cam 116 reaches the top of the self-resetting slope, the bump at the top of the self-resetting slope is caused by the control curved surface 1164 of the cam 116 rotating further. This prevents the self-reset slope from going beyond the top, at which point the vertical bar 1206 moves to the bottom surface 1269 of the groove 1267, restricting the self-reset slope from continuing to descend and restricting the cam 116 from continuing to rotate, thereby achieving the second rotation angle, and when the rotational force applied to the knob is removed, the restoring force of the spring 124 causes the vertical bar 1206 to move away from the bottom surface 1269 of the groove 1267 in the sleeve 126, and the cam 116 rotates back from the second rotation angle to reset.

[0044] In an example where there is a lamped module below the knob switch, the slider can be accordingly a lamped slider, and the lamped slider can be a hollow configuration (as in FIG. 2A) that allows light to pass through. In an example where there is no lamped module below the knob switch, the slider can be accordingly a lampless slider, and the lampless slider can be other configurations without the hollow configuration that allows light to pass through. For example, the bottom of the lampless slider can be connected with a support bar, and the support bar can be, for example, a bottom shape of two semicircular configurations (as shown in the bottom of the slider 120 in FIG. 3F), or a bottom shape of a cross configuration (not shown).

[0045] The knob switch 100 may further include a fixed seat O-ring 125 (usable for a fixed seat), a rubber washer 128, and a fastening ring 130. As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, during the installation process, the slider return spring 124 is fitted from the bottom of the slider 120, and the slider return spring 124 is prevented from jumping out by the barb 1208 of the slider 120, and after the vertical ribs 1206 on the surface of the slider 120 are aligned with the grooves 1267 on the inner wall of the sleeve 126, the barb 1208 of the slider 120 is pressed to be fastened to the grooves 1264 of the sleeve 126. The control surface of the cam 116 can be placed on the flat surface 1202 of the slider 120 shown in Figure 3B during the initial assembly process. As described above, if the slider 120 is made up of two separate sliders, this method can be used to separately assemble the two separate sliders. If the slider 120 is integrally molded, the entire slider 120 can be attached integrally using the same assembly principle.

[0046] As described above, the sleeve 126 may have a mark 1266 that is a triangular groove, and the triangular groove 126 on the sleeve 126 can be used as a reference for an initial position where a rotation to the left is a left rotation and a rotation to the right is a right rotation. In addition, the above-mentioned four grooves 1128 of the fixed seat 112, for example, are attached correspondingly to the boss 1268 of the sleeve 126 (which may be four accordingly, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 ) to limit the rotation of the fixed seat 112.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned cam 116 is provided in a plurality of replaceable types, and the slider 120 is also provided in a plurality of replaceable types. Therefore, when only the slider 120 and the cam 116 are replaced, different shift position types are realized by the structural engagement of the fixed seat 112, the cam 116, and the slider 120, and at least one of a self-locking function and a self-resetting function is provided.

[0048] 4A, 4B, and 4C are schematic diagrams of assembled knob switches and their rotation angles in a three rotation shift position variety according to one embodiment of the present invention. As one non-limiting example, FIG. 4A shows a knob switch having three shift positions and having a left self-lock and a right self-reset, where the leftmost knob schematic and the cross-sectional view below in FIG. 4A may correspond to a 60 degree left rotation of the knob, the middle knob schematic and the cross-sectional view below in FIG. 4A may correspond to a zero position, and the rightmost knob schematic and the cross-sectional view below in FIG. 4B may correspond to a 45 degree right rotation. Also, as one non-limiting example, FIG. 4B shows a knob switch having two shift positions and having a right self-lock, where the leftmost knob schematic and the cross-sectional view below in FIG. 4B may correspond to a zero position, and the rightmost knob schematic and the cross-sectional view below in FIG. 4B may correspond to a 60 degree right rotation. Also, as one non-limiting example, Fig. 4C shows a knob switch having two shift positions and a left-right self-lock, where the schematic diagram of the knob on the left side of Fig. 4C and the cross-sectional view below it may correspond to a 45 degree left rotation of the knob, and the schematic diagram of the knob on the right side of Fig. 4C and the cross-sectional view below it may correspond to a 45 degree right rotation. It is understood that the above left-right relationships are exemplary and relative, and these relative directions can be adjusted without departing from the design concept of the present invention.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4A, the slider 120 in FIG. 4A may be a slider 120 that combines self-locking and self-resetting ramps, or may be a combination of two slider components, one with a self-locking ramp and the other with a self-resetting ramp.

[0050] When the boss (1162) of the cam is located in the middle of the angle limiting stopper 1126 of the fixed seat, the knob switch is in the zero position. When the knob is rotated in one direction by a first angle (for example, 60 degrees left in FIG. 4A ) and the control curved surface 1164 of the cam 116 contacts the self-locking slope of the slider 120, the control curved surface 1164 of the cam 116 pushes down the self-locking slope and moves downward, and when the boss 1162 of the cam 116 contacts and blocks the angle limiting stopper 1126 inside the fixed seat 112, the knob is at a first rotation angle (for example, 60 degrees), at which time the lower end of the control curved surface 1164 of the cam 116 is caught in the groove 1209 at the top of the self-locking slope, realizing self-locking at the first rotation angle position of the knob.

[0051] When the knob is rotated in the opposite direction a second angle (e.g., 45 degrees to the right in FIG. 4A ), the control surface 1164 of the cam 116 is brought into contact with the self-reset slope of the slider 120, the control surface 1164 of the cam 116 pushes down the self-reset slope and moves downward, and when the control surface 1164 of the cam 116 reaches the top of the self-reset slope, the bump at the top of the self-reset slope prevents the control surface 1164 of the cam 116 from rotating further and going beyond the top of the self-reset slope, and at this time the vertical stripe 1206 also moves to the bottom surface 1269 of the groove 1267, restricting the self-reset slope from continuing to descend and restricting the cam 116 from continuing to rotate, realizing rotation up to a second rotation angle (e.g., 45 degrees to the right in FIG. 3A ).

[0052] After the rotational force applied to the knob switch is removed, the restoring force of the spring 124 moves the vertical bar 1206 away from the bottom surface 1269 of the groove 1267 in the sleeve 126, and the cam 116 rotates backward from the second rotation angle to reset and return to the zero position.

[0053] In the case shown in FIG. 4A (where there are three shift positions and the slider has a self-resetting ramp and a self-locking ramp), the cam 116 may have two control curved surfaces 1164. These two control curved surfaces 1164 may be set relatively close to each other, for example, as shown in FIG. 2A. In one embodiment, the pitch between the two control curved surfaces 1164 in FIG. 3A may be set to be, for example, on the same side as the control curved surface 1164, so that when one control curved surface 1164 presses down one ramp of the slider (for example, the self-locking ramp or the self-resetting ramp), the other control curved surface 1164 (for example, FIG. 2A) does not press down at least the other ramp (for example, the self-resetting ramp or the self-locking ramp).

[0054] In the example of Fig. 4B, two shift positions are realized: a zero position and a right 60 degree rotation. Specifically, the boss (1162) at the top of the cam 116 is set to have a length extending around the edge of the top of the cam 116, so that when the two bosses (1162) at the top of the cam 116 abut against the two angle limiting stoppers (1126) at the bottom of the fixed seat, respectively, the knob switch is in the zero position, and when the two bosses (1162) at the top of the cam move in opposite directions relative to the two angle limiting stoppers (1126) at the bottom of the fixed seat, at this time the two control curved surfaces 1164 of the cam are respectively fastened to the grooves 1209 of the two self-locking sliders, so that the knob switch is at the third rotation angle (60 degrees in this embodiment), and self-locking is realized.

[0055] In the example of FIG. 4C, two shift positions are realized: 45 degrees left and 45 degrees right. The boss (1162) at the top of the cam 116 is set to have a length extending around the top edge of the cam 116, so that when the boss (1162) at the top of the cam 116 abuts against the two angle limiting stoppers (1126) at the bottom of the fixed base 112, the control curved surface 1164 is in the recess formed by the two self-locking slopes, and the knob switch 100 is at a fourth rotation angle (e.g., 45 degrees), and when the two bosses (1162) at the top of the cam move in opposite directions and abut against the two angle limiting stoppers (1126) at the bottom of the fixed base, the two control curved surfaces 1164 of the cam 116 are respectively retained in the grooves 1209 at the top of the two self-locking slopes, and the knob switch 100 is at a fourth rotation angle (e.g., 45 degrees) along the opposite direction, and self-locking is realized.

[0056] In the case shown in Figures 4B and 4C (with two shift positions and the slider having a self-locking ramp), the cam 116 may have one control surface 1164. In one preferred embodiment, the cam 116 may have two control surfaces to maintain balance during rotation. When the cam 116 has two control surfaces, the two control surfaces may be positioned relative to one another (as shown in Figures 2C and 2D) to better maintain balance when the cam rotates to push against the slider ramp.

[0057] It is understood that the above angles are examples only and not limitations, and that other angles of rotation can be established without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and thus, other angle settings are within the scope of this application.

[0058] It should be understood that the knob switch 100 shown in the above embodiment is only one embodiment of the knob switch of the present invention. The knob switch of the present invention does not necessarily have to include all the components shown in the figures, or only all the components shown in the figures. It is conceivable that the knob switch of the present invention may include more or fewer components as long as it can achieve the corresponding function.

Claims

1. Knob head and a fixing seat provided below the knob head and through which at least a portion of a bottom of the knob head can pass; a cam located at the bottom of the fixed seat and engaging and connecting with the bottom of the knob head so as to be rotatable under the control of the knob head, the cam having at least one convex control curved surface formed on a side surface; a slider that is coaxial with the cam, has slopes of different heights along its edge, and when the cam rotates, a control curved surface of the cam presses the slope of the slider to slide the slider along the axial direction toward the bottom of the knob switch; The knob head includes an indication block, and a light guide column is provided at a lower portion of the indication block in an axial direction; The support block further includes a light guide reflection structure, the light guide reflection structure including a light-emitting top surface corresponding to the top of the knob head, a light-entering bottom surface opposite the top surface, a light-emitting side surface corresponding to an outer surface of the knob head, an inner surface opposite the light-emitting side surface, and a left side surface and a right side surface corresponding to the left and right sides of the knob head; A knob switch in which an inner surface of the light guide reflection structure has a main reflection slope for initially reflecting light from the light guiding rod, and the light guide reflection structure further has a hollow hole for secondarily reflecting at least a portion of the light reflected through the main reflection slope so that light incident on the light guide reflection structure through the light guiding rod is emitted from the light exit top surface and the light exit side surface.

2. The knob switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the positions of the main reflective inclined surface and the light guiding rod are set so that light incident from the light guiding rod is at least partially reflected by the main reflective inclined surface and then propagates generally toward the light exiting side surface.

3. The knob switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the hollow hole does not reflect light incident from the light guiding rod, but secondarily reflects the light reflected by the main reflecting slope, so that the secondarily reflected light propagates generally toward the light emitting top surface.

4. 2. The knob switch according to claim 1, wherein the hollow hole is elliptical, and a major axis of the ellipse forms an acute angle with the horizontal direction.

5. The knob switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface of the light guide reflection structure further includes an auxiliary reflection slope closer to the light output top surface than the main reflection slope, and a horizontal transition section and a vertical transition section are provided between the main reflection slope and the auxiliary reflection slope.

6. 6. The knob switch of claim 5, wherein a pit structure is provided at the interface between the horizontal transition section and the vertical transition section of the light guide reflective structure.

7. The knob switch according to claim 6, wherein the recessed direction of the pit configuration faces the light output side.

8. 6. The knob switch according to claim 5, wherein the auxiliary reflective slope is used to further disperse the light traveling in a straight line from the light guiding rod.

9. 8. The knob switch according to claim 6, wherein the pit configuration is used to further disperse the light traveling in a straight line from the light guiding column.

10. The knob switch according to claim 1 , wherein the knob head further comprises a mask that engages with the indication block, the indication block and the mask being combined via a connection mechanism.

11. The knob switch of claim 10, further comprising a rotating shank, the bottom of the mask having an upper barb, the lower part of the indication block having an upper barb, and the rotating shank having a lower barb that hooks the upper barb of the mask and the upper barb of the indication block, for attaching the rotating shank together with the mask and the indication block.

12. Knob head and a fixing seat provided below the knob head and through which at least a portion of a bottom of the knob head can pass; a cam located at the bottom of the fixed seat and engaging and connecting with the bottom of the knob head so as to be rotatable under the control of the knob head, the cam having at least one convex control curved surface formed on a side surface; a slider that is coaxial with the cam and has slopes of different heights along its edge, and when the cam rotates, a control curved surface of the cam presses against the slope of the slider to slide the slider in the axial direction toward the bottom of the knob switch; a slider return spring for providing an axial restoring elastic force to the slider; The cam has a plurality of replaceable types, and the slider has a plurality of replaceable types. When only the slider and the cam are replaced, different shift position types are realized by structurally fitting the fixed seat, the cam, and the slider, and at least one of a self-locking function and a self-resetting function is provided; The knob head is provided with a light-transmitting indicator block, and a light guiding column is provided in the axial direction at the bottom of the indicator block. The indicator block further includes a light guide reflection structure that primarily reflects light incident on the light guide reflection structure via the light guiding column, secondarily reflects a portion of the primarily reflected light, and emits the reflected light from the light-emitting top surface and the light-emitting side surface.

13. The slider includes: A slider with or without a lamp is provided. When the slider is a slider with a lamp, the slider with a lamp has a hollow structure through which light can pass; The knob switch of claim 12, wherein when the slider is a ramp-less slider, a bottom of the ramp-less slider is provided with a support bar connected thereto.

14. The slider includes: a self-locking ramp having a groove at its top capable of supporting a lower edge of the control curved surface of the cam so as to maintain the self-locking after the rotational force applied to the knob is removed; a self-resetting ramp having a bump at its apex, the height of which is set such that when the control surface of the cam reaches the apex of the ramp, further rotation of the cam is limited by the bump at the apex of the self-resetting ramp, causing the cam to rotate back and reset after the rotational force applied to the knob is removed; 13. The knob switch of claim 12, further comprising at least one of:

15. The slider has at least two control ramps, and the at least two control ramps are the same type of control ramps or a combination of a self-locking ramp and a self-resetting ramp; or 15. The knob switch of claim 14, wherein the slider is comprised of two slider parts, one of which has a self-locking ramp and the other of which has a self-resetting ramp, assembled together.

16. The knob switch according to claim 14, characterized in that an angle limiting stopper is provided on the inside of the fixed seat, and a boss is provided on the top edge of the cam, and the engagement between the angle limiting stopper and the boss defines the angle limit within which the cam can rotate.

17. 15. The knob switch according to claim 14, wherein the control surface of the cam can limit an angle limit to which the cam can rotate by a limit position to which the cam can move along a self-resetting ramp.

18. When the slider has a self-locking slope, When the knob is rotated from the zero position so that the control curved surface of the cam contacts the self-locking slope of the slider, the control curved surface of the cam pushes down the self-locking slope and moves downward, and when the boss of the cam abuts against an angle limiting stopper inside the fixed seat and is blocked, the knob reaches a first rotation angle, and at this time, the lower end of the control curved surface of the cam is caught in a groove at the top of the self-locking slope, and self-locking at the first rotation angle position of the knob is achieved, If the slider has a self-resetting ramp, The outer surface of the self-resetting bevel further includes a longitudinal rib, and the inner surface of the sleeve includes a groove, and the longitudinal rib is fitted into the groove in the sleeve; When the knob is rotated so that the control surface of the cam contacts the self-resetting slope of the slider, the control surface of the cam pushes down the self-resetting slope and moves downward, at which time the spring is compressed; When the control surface of the cam reaches the top of the self-resetting slope, the bump at the top of the self-resetting slope prevents the control surface of the cam from further rotating and passing the top of the self-resetting slope, and at this time, the vertical stripe moves to the bottom of the groove to restrict the self-resetting slope from continuing to descend and restrict the cam from continuing to rotate, thereby achieving a second rotation angle; The knob switch according to claim 17, characterized in that after the rotational force applied to the knob is removed, the vertical stripe moves away from the bottom surface of the groove in the sleeve due to the restoring force of the spring, and the cam rotates in the reverse direction from the second rotation angle to reset.

19. The bottom of the knob head is provided with a convex shape, and the inside of the cam is provided with a groove, and during assembly, the convex shape of the bottom of the knob head can be locked into the groove in the cam to prevent reverse assembly; 13. The knob switch of claim 12, wherein the knob head has a holed structure on a side thereof and the cam has a barb on an inner side thereof, and the holed structure of the knob head can be back-hung onto the barb of the cam to prevent relative vertical movement between the knob head and the cam.

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