Switch device

Abstract

To provide a switching device in which an operation handle can be arranged to a center of a body even if a rotational shaft of an inversion handle is deviated to a direction orthogonal to the rotational shaft from a center of the body in view of a front surface of the operation handle.SOLUTION: A switching device 1 comprises: an operation handle 3; a contact point circuit 4; an inverse handle 6; and a conversion spring 8. The operation handle 3 can perform a seesaw operation as a center of a first rotational shaft L1 by an operation of an operator. The contact point circuit 4 is switched to an open state and a close state in accordance with an operation of the operation handle 3. The inverse handle 6 controls the contact point circuit 4 by operating a second rotational shaft L2 that is different from the first rotational shaft L1 as a center in accordance with the operation of the operation handle 3. The first rotational shaft L1 and the second rotational shaft L2 are deviated to a direction orthogonal to the second rotational shaft L2 each other in view of a front surface of the operation handle 3. The conversion spring 8 is arranged to between the operation handle 3 and the inverse handle 6, and transmits the operation of the operation handle 3 to the inverse handle 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a switch device, and more particularly to a switch device provided with an operation handle.

Background Art

[0002] The switch (switch device) described in Patent Document 1 includes an operation handle, a display unit (first light emitting unit), and a light emitting source (light source). The operation handle is supported so as to be swingable. The light emitting source is disposed on the rear side of the operation handle and emits light in response to the swinging operation of the operation handle. The display unit is provided on the front surface portion of the operation handle and emits light to the front side of the operation handle through the light from the light emitting source.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a switch device capable of disposing an operation handle at the center of a body even when the rotation axis of an inversion handle is displaced from the center of the body in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis when viewed from the front of the operation handle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A switch device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an operation handle, a contact circuit, a reverse handle, and a conversion spring. The operation handle is capable of a seesaw operation about a first rotation axis by an operation of an operator. The contact circuit switches between an open state and a closed state according to the operation of the operation handle. The reverse handle controls the contact circuit by operating about a second rotation axis different from the first rotation axis according to the operation of the operation handle. The conversion spring is disposed between the operation handle and the reverse handle, and transmits the operation of the operation handle to the reverse handle. The operation handle has a front surface portion and a side surface portion. The first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are displaced from each other in a direction orthogonal to the second rotation axis when viewed from the front of the operation handle.

Effect of the Invention

[0006] The switch device according to the present disclosure has an effect that the operation handle can be disposed at the center of the body even when the rotation axis of the reverse handle is displaced from the center of the body in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis when viewed from the front of the operation handle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Embodiment 1) (Overview) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 14, the switch device 1 of the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the up-down, left-right, and front-back directions of the switch device 1 are defined and described using the up-down, left-right, and front-back arrows shown in FIG. 1. These arrows are merely described for the purpose of assisting the explanation and do not have an entity. Also, the definition of the above directions is not intended to limit the usage form of the switch device 1 of the present embodiment.

[0009] The switch device 1 of the present embodiment is a seesaw-type (also referred to as a tumbler type or a rocker type) switch device for switching the operating state of a load to be operated. The switch device 1 can be applied, for example, as a switch device attached to an indoor wall surface for switching on and off an indoor lighting fixture (load).

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the switch device 1 has a housing 2 in which circuit components including open / close contacts are accommodated. A seesaw-type operation handle 3 is provided on the front surface 22j of the housing 2. On both operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3, a pair of light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R are provided on both sides.

[0011] More specifically, each light-transmitting window 31L, 31R is provided over the edge and side surface 3s on the side surface 3s side of the front surface part 3g of each operation part 3L, 3R, and each light-transmitting window 31L, 31R is provided with a light-emitting part 91a capable of emitting light. Each light-emitting part 91a is provided over the edge and side surface 3s on the side surface 3s side of the front surface part 3g of each operation part 3L, 3R. Thereby, the operation handle 3 can cause the front surface part 3g and the side surface 3s of each operation part 3L, 3R to emit light by the light emitted from each light-transmitting window 31L, 31R (that is, the light emitted from each light-emitting part 91a). Note that the entire front surface part 3g of each operation part 3L, 3R constitutes the front surface part 3t of the operation handle 3. The side surfaces 3s of each operation part 3L, 3R constitute the left side surface 3e and the right side surface 3f of the operation handle 3, respectively. When not distinguishing between the left and right side surfaces 3e, 3e of the operation handle 3, it is described as the side surface 3s.

[0012] On the rear surface 21b of the body 2, a plurality (for example, four) of wiring holes 22k into which external wiring is inserted are provided. By inserting the external wiring into the wiring holes 22k, the wiring is electrically connected to the circuit components inside the body 2.

[0013] When either one of the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3 of this switch device 1 is pressed, the other one rises, performing a seesaw operation. By alternately pressing the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3, the opening and closing of the opening and closing contacts inside the body 2 are alternately performed. At this time, in this switch device 1, among the pair of light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R, only the light-transmitting window provided on the rising side of the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3 emits light.

[0014] (Detailed description) As shown in FIGS. 5 to 13, in addition to the above-described body 2 and operation handle 3, the switch device 1 includes a contact device 4 (contact circuit), a light source unit 5, a reversing handle 6, a reversing spring 7, a conversion spring 8, a light guide member 9, a pair of light-shielding parts 10L and 10R (see FIG. 8), and a prism 11.

[0015] The body 2 is an outer shell that houses the components of the switch device 1 (operation handle 3, contact device 4, light source unit 5, reversing handle 6, reversing spring 7, conversion spring 8, light guide member 9, and prism 11). The body 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped box-like synthetic resin body 21 with an open front surface, and a synthetic resin cover 22 formed in a rectangular frame shape having an opening 22c and coupled to the front side of the body 2.

[0016] The body 21 has a plurality (for example, four) of assembly protrusions 21a (see FIG. 6). The plurality of assembly protrusions 21a are provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the body 21 on both outer side surfaces in the short side direction (vertical direction) of the body 21. An assembly tongue piece 22a extends rearward from the rear edge of the cover 22 (see FIG. 7). By fitting the assembly hole 22b provided in the assembly tongue piece 22a and the assembly protrusion 21a together, the body 21 and the cover 22 are coupled to each other (see FIG. 1).

[0017] As shown in FIG. 7, the opening 22c of the cover 22 has a first opening 22d and a second opening 22e. The first opening 22d is an opening where the reversing handle 6 is disposed, and is, for example, rectangular. The first opening 22d is provided at a position shifted from the center in the longitudinal direction of the cover 22 to one side (for example, the right side) in the longitudinal direction of the cover 22. The second opening 22c is an opening where the prism 11 is disposed, and is a rectangular opening smaller than the first opening 22d. The second opening 22c is provided on the left side of the first opening 22d (that is, the side opposite to the side in the direction in which the first opening 22d is shifted). The first opening 22d and the second opening 22c are connected to each other to constitute one opening 22c.

[0018] The cover 22 has a pair of bearing projecting pieces 22f, a pair of bearing recesses 22h, and a pair of fitting recesses 22i.

[0019] The pair of bearing projecting pieces 22f are on both side edges in the short side direction (vertical direction) on the front surface 22j of the cover 22, and project forward from the center in the longitudinal direction (left - right direction). Bearing holes 22g into which a pair of shaft projections 32 (described later) of the operation handle 3 are inserted are formed on the opposing surfaces of each of the pair of bearing projecting pieces 22f. That is, the pair of bearing holes 22g are arranged at the center in the longitudinal direction of the cover 22 and penetrate in the vertical direction. Each of the pair of bearing holes 22g is a substantially pentagonal hole with a triangular front part and a rectangular rear part.

[0020] The pair of bearing recesses 22h are parts into which a pair of shaft projections 32 (described later) of the reversing handle 6 are inserted. The pair of bearing recesses 22h are provided in a concave shape at the center in the longitudinal direction of the inner surfaces on both sides in the short side direction of the first opening 22d of the cover 22. Each of the pair of bearing recesses 22h is, for example, a substantially triangular recess when viewed from the front in the vertical direction.

[0021] The pair of fitting recesses 22i are the portions where the pair of fitting protrusions 16 (to be described later) of the prism 11 are fitted. The pair of fitting recesses 22i are provided in a concave shape on the inner surfaces on both sides in the short-side direction of the second opening 22e. Each of the pair of fitting recesses 22i is, for example, a rectangular recess when viewed from the front in the vertical direction.

[0022] The body 21 houses the contact device 4 and the light source unit 5 (see FIG. 6).

[0023] The contact device 4 includes an open / close contact for switching the operating state (operation and stop) of the load to be operated, and an external connection terminal for connecting to external wiring. As shown in FIG. 6, the contact device 4 includes terminal plates 41 to 43, a support plate 44, an opener 45, and a locking spring 46.

[0024] The terminal plates 41 to 43 are respectively portions for electrically connecting to external wiring. The terminal plates 41 and 42 are housed at one end (for example, the left end) in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the body 21. The terminal plate 43 is housed at the other end (for example, the right end) in the longitudinal direction of the body 21. Fixed contacts 41a and 42b are provided on the terminal plates 41 and 42. The opener 45 is disposed between the fixed contacts 41a and 42b. One locking spring 46 is housed in each of the terminal plates 41 and 42, and two locking springs 46 are housed in the terminal plate 43.

[0025] The support plate 44 is disposed at the center of the bottom surface of the body 21 and is electrically connected to the terminal plate 43. The opener 45 is housed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the body 21. The lower end of the opener 45 abuts on the support plate 44. The opener 45 can swing on the support plate 44 with its lower end as a fulcrum.

[0026] The switch 45 is, for example, plate-shaped. A groove 45c into which the periphery of a later-described cylindrical portion 62 of the reversing handle 6 fits is provided at the front end portion of the switch 45. The switch 45 has movable contacts 45a and 45b (see FIG. 3) on the main surfaces on both sides respectively. One opening / closing contact is constituted by the movable contact 45a and the fixed contact 41a, and one opening / closing contact is constituted by the movable contact 45b and the fixed contact 41b. When the switch 45 swings, the closed state and the open state of the two opening / closing contacts are alternately switched. These two opening / closing contacts constitute the above-described opening / closing contacts.

[0027] In the present embodiment, as will be described later, when the operation handle 3 performs a seesaw operation, the reversing handle 6 performs a seesaw operation. When the reversing handle 6 performs a seesaw operation, the switch 45 swings, and the above two opening / closing contacts are switched between the closed state and the open state. Therefore, the contact device 4 switches between the open state and the closed state according to the operation of the operator.

[0028] Note that such a switch device in which two opening / closing contacts are alternately switched by a common switch 45 is called a three-way switch. This three-way switch is provided, for example, on the upper floor and the lower floor of a staircase, and can be used as a switch device for switching on and off a common lighting fixture that illuminates the staircase. Note that in the present embodiment, the switch device 1 is a three-way switch, but is not limited to a three-way switch.

[0029] At positions corresponding to the respective four locking springs 46 on the rear wall of the body 21, wire insertion holes 22k (see FIG. 2) are provided. By inserting a wire into the body 21 through the wire insertion hole 22k, the tip of the wire is sandwiched between the locking spring 46 and the terminal plates 41, 42, and 43. Thereby, the tip of the wire is electrically connected to the terminal plates 41 to 43. These terminal plates 41 to 43 constitute the above-described external connection terminals.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, the light source unit 5 includes a circuit board 52, two light sources 51a (first light source) and a light source 51b (second light source).

[0031] The two light sources 51a and 51b are light sources that emit light from a pair of translucent windows 31L and 31R. The two light sources 51a and 51b emit light of mutually different light colors (for example, red light and white light). The light source 51a is a light source for position display function and emits, for example, white light. The light source 51b is a light source for pilot function and emits, for example, red light. The two light sources 51a and 51b are, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The two light sources 51a and 51b are provided on the front surface of the circuit board 52 in a state of being arranged in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the body 21. The two light sources 51a and 51b are arranged on the rear side of the operation handle 3.

[0032] The light source 51a is always lit regardless of the energization and non-energization between the closed contacts in the contact device 4 (that is, regardless of the operation and stop of the load to be operated). The light source 51b is switched between lighting and extinguishing according to the energization and non-energization between the closed contacts in the contact device 4 (that is, according to the operation and stop of the load to be operated). Specifically, the light source 51b is extinguished when the closed contacts are in an energized state (that is, when the load is operating), and is lit when the closed contacts are in a non-energized state (that is, when the load is stopped).

[0033] The light source unit 5 is housed above the terminal plates 41 and 42 at one end (for example, the left end) in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) inside the body 21. That is, the two light sources 51a and 51b are housed on the one end (left end) side in the longitudinal direction inside the body 21 and are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the body 21.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 9, the reversing handle 6 is a handle that opens and closes the opening and closing contacts of the contact device 4 according to the operating state of the operating handle 3. The reversing handle 6 has a reversing handle body 61 and a cylindrical portion 62.

[0035] The reverse handle body 61 has a bottom portion 61a, two side wall portions 61b, a plurality (for example, four) of fitting protrusions 61c, and a pair of shaft protrusions 61d. The bottom portion 61a is in the shape of a rectangular plate. Each of the two side wall portions 61b is in the shape of a rectangular plate. The two side wall portions 61b protrude forward from the upper and lower edge portions of the bottom portion 61a. The four fitting protrusions 61c are protrusions for fixing the conversion spring 8. Each of the four fitting protrusions 61c is, for example, in the shape of a column. The four fitting protrusions 61c are provided in two each on each of the two side wall portions 61b. The two fitting protrusions 61c provided on each side wall portion 61b are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction (left - right direction) of the front surface of the side wall portion 61b. The pair of shaft protrusions 61d is a portion that is swingably supported by a pair of bearing recesses 22h of the cover 22. Each of the pair of shaft protrusions 61d is, for example, in the shape of a triangular prism with the front end being the apex angle. The pair of shaft protrusions 61d is provided so as to protrude from the outer surface of each of the pair of side wall portions 61b.

[0036] The cylindrical portion 62 is a portion for accommodating the reverse spring 7. The cylindrical portion 62 is provided so as to protrude rearward from the rear surface of the reverse handle body 61 (that is, the rear surface of the bottom portion 61a). The rear peripheral edge of the cylindrical portion 62 is caught by the groove 45c (see FIG. 6) at the front end portion of the opener 45. In this state, a reverse spring 7 made of a coil spring is held between the cylindrical portion 62 and the opener 45.

[0037] The reverse handle 6 is disposed within the first opening 22d of the cover 22 (see FIG. 4). In this state, the pair of shaft protrusions 61d of the reverse handle 6 is inserted into the pair of bearing recesses 22h of the cover 22. Thereby, the reverse handle 6 can swing with respect to the cover 22 with the front ends of the pair of shaft protrusions 61d as a fulcrum. That is, the reverse handle 6 can swing (that is, can perform a seesaw operation) about a rotation axis (second rotation axis) L2 passing through the front ends of the pair of shaft protrusions 61d. By the swinging of the reverse handle 6, the direction of the spring force acting on the opener 45 from the reverse spring 7 is reversed, and one of the movable contacts 45a, 45b comes into contact with the fixed contacts 41a, 42b corresponding to the movable contacts 45a, 45b. That is, the terminal plate 43 electrically connected to the opener 45 is alternatively connected to either one of the two terminal plates 41, 42.

[0038] The operation handle 3 is a part that receives the operation of the operator and performs a seesaw motion (operation) according to the operation of the operator. The operation handle 3 has a shallow-bottom box shape with an open back surface. As shown in FIG. 8, the operation handle 3 includes an operation handle main body 31, a pair of shaft protrusions 32, four contact portions 33, and a fixing protrusion 34.

[0039] The operation handle main body 31 has a main wall portion 31a and a peripheral wall portion 31b. The main wall portion 31a is in the shape of a rectangular plate. The main wall portion 31a is bent in a substantially V shape along the center line L3 (see FIG. 5). As a result, the portions on both sides of the center line L3 in the main wall portion 31a are inclined so as to protrude forward. The center line L3 extends in the short side direction (vertical direction) of the main wall portion 31a at the center in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the main wall portion 31a. The peripheral wall portion 31b rises from the entire outer peripheral edge of the main wall portion 31a to the rear of the main wall portion 31a. The peripheral wall portion 31b is formed by integrally connecting an upper wall portion 31c, a lower wall portion 31d, a left wall portion 31e, and a right wall portion 31f in an annular shape. The upper wall portion 31c and the lower wall portion 31d are bent in a substantially V shape according to the substantially V-shaped bend of the main wall portion 31a.

[0040] The outer surface of the main wall portion 31a constitutes the front surface portion 3g of the operation handle 3. In the present embodiment, the outer surface of the main wall portion 31a (that is, the front surface portion 3g) constitutes the main surface of the outer surface of the operation handle 3. The outer surface of each of the left wall portion 31e and the right wall portion 31f constitutes the side surface portions 3s (3e, 3f) on both left and right sides of the operation handle 3, and the outer surface of each of the upper wall portion 31c and the lower wall portion 31d constitutes the side surface portions on both upper and lower sides of the operation handle 3. The side surface portions 3s on both left and right sides of the operation handle 3 are side surface portions that intersect the front surface portion 3g. The side surface portions on both upper and lower sides of the operation handle 3 are side surface portions that intersect both the front surface portion 3g and the side surface portions 3s.

[0041] The operation handle body 31 has a pair of light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R. The pair of light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R are parts that emit light from the light sources 51a and 51b. The pair of light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R emit light by emitting the light from the light sources 51a and 51b. The pair of light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R are provided in the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle body 31 so as to penetrate the inside and outside of the operation handle body 31. The operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle body 31 are the left and right parts obtained by bisecting the operation handle body 31 with the center line L2. Note that the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle body 31 constitute the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3.

[0042] More specifically, the pair of light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R are provided over the edge parts and side face parts 3s of the front face parts 3g of the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle body 31. The light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R are, for example, rectangular. Even more specifically, the light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R have a first window part 311 and a second window part 312. The first window part 311 is provided at the edge part of the front face part 3g of the operation parts 3L and 3R, and the second window part 312 is provided at the side face part 3s of the operation parts 3L and 3R. The first window part 311 and the second window part 312 are each, for example, rectangular. The first window part 311 and the second window part 312 are integrated to form one light-transmitting window.

[0043] The pair of shaft protrusions 32 are parts supported by the pair of bearing holes 22g of the cover 22. The pair of shaft protrusions 32 are provided so as to protrude from the inner side faces on the upper and lower sides of the operation handle body 31 (that is, the inner side faces of the upper wall part 31c and the lower wall part 31d respectively). The pair of shaft protrusions 32 are provided at the center of the rear edge of the inner side faces on the upper and lower sides of the operation handle body 31. Each of the pair of shaft protrusions 32 has a substantially triangular shape with the front end as the apex.

[0044] In a state where the pair of shaft protrusions 32 are inserted into the pair of bearing holes 22g of the cover 22, the operation handle 3 can swing (i.e., can perform a seesaw operation) with respect to the cover 22 with the front ends of the shaft protrusions 32 as fulcrums. That is, the operation handle 3 can swing (i.e., can perform a seesaw operation) about a rotation axis L1 (first rotation axis) passing through the front ends of the pair of shaft protrusions 32. The rotation axes L1 and L2 extend in the vertical direction and are parallel to each other, but are rotation axes that do not coincide with each other. In a state where the operation handle 3 is swingably supported by the cover 22, the operation handle 3 is disposed at the center of the front surface of the cover 22 so as to cover the entire opening 22c of the cover 22 (see FIG. 1). In this state, the operation handle 3 is disposed in front of the reverse handle 6.

[0045] The four contact portions 33 are portions where the conversion spring 88 contacts. The four contact portions 33 are provided so as to protrude rearward from the back surface of the operation handle body 31 (i.e., the back surface of the main wall portion 31a). The back surface of the operation handle body 31 is a surface facing the reverse handle 6. The four contact portions 33 extend along the longitudinal direction (left - right direction) of the operation handle body 31. The tip portions in the protruding direction of each contact portion 33 (hereinafter simply referred to as "the tip portions of the contact portions 33") contact the conversion spring 88. The four contact portions 33 are provided, for example, in the vicinity of the four corner portions of the back surface of the operation handle body 31. Among the four contact portions 33, the upper left and right two contact portions 33a and 33b constitute a pair of contact portions, and the lower left and right two contact portions 33a and 33b constitute a pair of contact portions.

[0046] Of the four contact portions 33, the left contact portion 33a (first contact portion) and the right contact portion 33b (second contact portion) have different undulating shapes. The left contact portion 33a and the right contact portion 33b are provided on both the left and right sides of the rotation axis L1 of the operation handle 3. The undulating shape is the shape of the tip of the contact portion 33 (i.e., the end on the side of the conversion spring 88) when the contact portion 33 is viewed from the side. In the present embodiment, the tip of the left contact portion 33a is inclined (undulated) substantially linearly along the longitudinal direction of the contact portion 33a, for example, and is farther from the back surface of the operation handle body 31 toward the left side. The tip of the right contact portion 33b is inclined (undulated) in a curved shape (e.g., substantially parabolic shape) along the longitudinal direction of the contact portion 33b, for example, and approaches the back surface of the operation handle body 31 toward the right side.

[0047] The fixing projection 34 is a portion where the light guide member 9 is fixed. The fixing projection 34 is provided so as to project from the center of the back surface of the operation handle body 31.

[0048] The pair of light-shielding portions 10L, 10R (light-transmission control mechanism) is a portion that shields the light emitted from the prism 11 to the pair of light-transmission windows 31L, 31R according to the operating state of the operation handle 3. The pair of light-shielding portions 10L, 10R corresponds to the pair of light-transmission windows 31L, 31R and shields the light emitted from the prism 11 to the corresponding light-transmission window 31L, 31R. The pair of light-shielding portions 10L, 10R is provided so as to project from the back surface of the operation handle body 31. The pair of light-shielding portions 10L, 10R is arranged on both sides of the center in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) on the back surface of the operation handle body 31. The pair of light-shielding portions 10L, 10R extends along the short-side direction (up-down direction) on the back surface of the operation handle body 31.

[0049] The conversion spring 8 is a component that transmits the operation of the operation handle 3 to the reverse handle 6. The conversion spring 8 is disposed between the operation handle 3 and the reverse handle 6, and is fixed to the reverse handle 6 and elastically contacts the operation handle 3, for example (see FIG. 3).

[0050] As shown in Fig. 10, the conversion spring 8 has a pair of spring bodies 81 and a pair of connecting pieces 82. The pair of spring bodies 81 each extend in the left - right direction and are arranged vertically side by side. The left ends of the pair of spring bodies 81 are connected by one connecting piece 82, and the right ends of the pair of spring bodies 81 are connected by the other connecting piece 82. The pair of spring bodies 81 are formed to be mirror - symmetric (i.e., vertically symmetric) with respect to each other. The pair of spring bodies 81 correspond one - to - one to the two side wall portions 61b of the reversing handle 6 and also correspond one - to - one to the upper and lower two pairs of contact portions 33 of the operation handle 3.

[0051] Each of the pair of spring bodies 81 has a substrate portion 81a, a fixing piece 81b, a positioning piece 81c, and a pair of elastic pieces 81d, 81e (the first elastic piece and the second elastic piece). That is, the conversion spring 8 has a pair of substrate portions 81a, a pair of fixing pieces 81b, a pair of positioning pieces 81c, and two pairs of elastic pieces 81d.

[0052] The substrate portion 81a is a flat plate extending in the left - right direction. The fixing piece 81b protrudes outward in the width direction (up - down direction) from one end (for example, the end facing the other spring body 81) of the substrate portion 81a in the lateral width direction. The fixing piece 81b has a through - hole 8f penetrating in the thickness direction (front - rear direction). One of the pair of fitting protrusions 61c of the corresponding side wall portion 61b of the reversing handle 6 fits into the through - hole 8f. The positioning piece 81c is a portion that contacts the side surface (for example, the outer surface) of the corresponding side wall portion 61b of the reversing handle 6. The positioning piece 81c protrudes rearward from one end of the substrate portion 81a in the lateral width direction (for example, the end facing the other spring body 81). In this embodiment, the positioning piece 81c protrudes rearward from both the left and right sides of the fixing piece 81b, and the two protruding portions extend in the left - right direction and are connected to each other.

[0053] The pair of elastic pieces 81d and 81e are the parts that contact the corresponding pair of contact parts 33a and 33b on the operation handle 3. The pair of elastic pieces 81d and 81e extend in the longitudinal direction (left - right direction) from both ends of the substrate part 81a in the longitudinal direction (left - right direction), and are bent, for example, in an inverted V - shape so as to protrude forward. The left ends of the elastic pieces 81d on the left side of the pair of spring bodies 81 are connected by one connecting piece 82, and the right ends of the elastic pieces 81e on the right side of the pair of spring bodies 81 are connected by the other connecting piece 82. The pair of connecting pieces 82 are in a strip shape extending vertically.

[0054] In a state where the conversion spring 8 is fixed to the reverse handle 6 (see FIG. 3), the pair of positioning pieces 81c contact the outer surfaces of the two side wall parts 61b of the reverse handle 6. Also, the through - holes 81f of the pair of fixing pieces 81b are fitted to one (for example, the left - hand side) of the pair of fitting protrusions 61c of each of the two side wall parts 61b. By the above - mentioned contact and fitting, the relative position of the conversion spring 8 with respect to the reverse handle 6 in the vertical, horizontal, and left - right directions is fixed. Also, the pair of elastic pieces 81d and 81e are located on both the left and right sides of the rotation axis L2 of the reverse handle 6.

[0055] In this embodiment, the reverse handle 6 is arranged slightly offset to the right with respect to the operation handle 3. For this reason, in order to cancel out the offset, the conversion spring 8 is fitted to the left - hand side fitting protrusion 61c of the two left - and - right fitting protrusions 61c. Thereby, the conversion spring 8 is fixed slightly offset to the left with respect to the reverse handle 6.

[0056] Also, in a state where the conversion spring 8 is fixed to the reverse handle 6, the four elastic pieces 81d and 81e elastically contact the four contact parts 33a and 33b of the operation handle 3 (see FIG. 3). More specifically, the pair of left - and - right elastic pieces 81d and 81e of the upper spring body 81 elastically contact the pair of left - and - right upper contact parts 33a and 33b of the operation handle 3. And the pair of left - and - right elastic pieces 81d and 81e of the lower spring body 81 elastically contact the pair of left - and - right lower contact parts 33a and 33b of the operation handle 3.

[0057] The light guide member 9 is a member that guides the light emitted from the prism 11 to the pair of light transmissive windows 31L and 31R up to the pair of light transmissive windows 31L and 31R. The light guide member 9 is fixed to the back surface of the operation handle 3 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the light guide member 9 has a pair of prisms 91L and 91R (light transmissive members), a pair of connecting portions 92, and a fixing piece 93. The light guide member 9 is integrally formed of a resin member having light transmissivity (for example, polycarbonate resin or acrylic resin).

[0058] Each of the pair of prisms 91L and 91R is a member that guides the light emitted from the prism 11 to the pair of light transmissive windows 31L and 31R up to the pair of light transmissive windows 31L and 31R. The pair of prisms 91L and 91R corresponds one-to-one with the pair of light transmissive windows 31L and 31R. Each of the pair of prisms 91L and 91R has a fitting portion 91a and a prism main body 91b (light guide portion).

[0059] The fitting portion 91a is a portion that fits into the corresponding light transmissive windows 31L and 31R, and is a plate shape substantially the same in shape and size as the opposing light transmissive windows 31L and 31R. The fitting portion 91a constitutes the above-described light emitting portion 91a. More specifically, the fitting portion 91a (light emitting portion) has a first fitting portion 91e (first light emitting portion) and a second fitting portion 91f (second light emitting portion). The first fitting portion 91e is a portion that fits into the first window portion 311 of the light transmissive windows 31L and 31R, and is a rectangular plate shape substantially the same in shape and size as the first window portion 311. The second fitting portion 91f is a portion that fits into the second window portion 312 of the light transmissive windows 31L and 31R, and is a rectangular plate shape substantially the same in shape and size as the second window portion 312. The outer main surface of the first fitting portion 91e faces the front side, and the outer main surface of the second fitting portion 91f faces the outer side in the left-right direction. The second fitting portion 91f protrudes from the outer end portion in the left-right direction of the first fitting portion 91e to the back side of the first fitting portion 91e. The first fitting portion 91e is provided at each of the first window portions 311 on both the left and right sides of the front surface portion 3t of the operation handle 3, and transmits the light from the prism 11 (that is, the light from the light sources 51a and 51b) and emits it to the outside of the operation handle 3. The second fitting portion 91f is provided at each of the second window portions 312 on both the left and right side surface portions 3s of the operation handle 3, and transmits the light from the prism 11 and emits it to the outside of the operation handle 3.

[0060] The prism body 91b is in the shape of a substantially trapezoidal flat plate in a plan view from the front-rear direction. The prism body 91b guides the light from the prism 11 (i.e., the light from the light sources 51a and 51b) to the fitting portion 91a. The prism body 91b is disposed on the rear side of the operation handle 3. The prism body 91b has a narrow-width end face 91c with a relatively narrow width in the vertical direction and a wide-width end face 91d with a relatively wide width in the vertical direction. The prism body 91b gradually widens from the narrow-width end face 91c toward the wide-width end face 91d. The prism body 91b is curved toward the front side of the prism body 91b on the way from the narrow-width end face 91c to the wide-width end face 91d. That is, the prism body 91b has a curved portion 91h that curves forward on the way from the narrow-width end face 91c to the wide-width end face 91d. The portion of the prism body 91b on the narrow-width end face 91c side extends substantially in the left-right direction, and the portion of the prism body 91b on the wide-width end face 91d side extends forward. The wide-width end face 91d faces the front side, and the narrow-width end face 91c faces the inner side in the left-right direction. The portion of the prism body 91b on the wide-width end face 91d side is connected to the back surface of the fitting portion 91a. More specifically, the wide-width end face 91d of the prism body 91b is connected to the back surface of the first fitting portion 91e, and the lateral sides 91i on the outer side in the left-right direction of the portion of the prism body 91b on the wide-width end face 91d side are connected to the back surface of the second fitting portion 91f.

[0061] In these prisms 91L and 91R, the narrow-width end face 91c of the prism body 91b serves as the incident surface 95, and the outer surfaces of the fitting portion 91a (i.e., the outer main surfaces 91j of the first fitting portion 91e and 91k of the second fitting portion 91f) serve as the exit surface 96. The incident surface 95 is a surface for taking in external light into the prisms 91L and 91R, and the exit surface 96 is a surface for emitting the light propagating within the prisms 91L and 91R to the outside. Since the exit surface 96 faces the front side and the outer sides in the left-right direction, the front side and the outer sides in the left-right direction of the operation handle 3 can be illuminated by the light emitted from the exit surface 96.

[0062] The prisms 91L and 91R have recesses 91m (see Fig. 11B). The recesses 91m are formed so as to be recessed toward the inside of the prisms 91L and 91R on the rear surfaces of the prisms 91L and 91R (more specifically, on the rear surface of the prism main body 91b). Note that the rear surfaces of the prisms 91L and 91R are an example of the outer surfaces of the prisms 91L and 91R.

[0063] The recess 91m is provided between the prism main body 91b and the second fitting portion 91f on the rear surfaces of the prisms 91L and 91R. The side surface of the recess 91m on the incident surface 95 side functions as a reflecting surface 91n. The reflecting surface 91n reflects the light C1 propagating from the incident surface 95 side inside the prism main body 91b, and distributes and guides it to the side of the first fitting portion 91e and the side of the second fitting portion 91f. The reflecting surface 91n is curved, for example, in an arc shape from the opening side to the bottom side of the recess 91m. The reflecting surface 91n is formed by the outer surface of the curved portion 91h of the prism main body 91b. The recess 91m (particularly the reflecting surface 91n) can evenly distribute the light C1 propagating from the incident surface 95 side inside the prism main body 91b to the side of the first fitting portion 91e and the side of the second fitting portion 91f.

[0064] Hereinafter, the incident surface 95 and the exit surface 96 of the left prism 91L may be described as the incident surface 95L and the exit surface 96L, respectively. The incident surface 95 and the exit surface 96 of the right prism 91R may be described as the incident surface 95R and the exit surface 96R, respectively.

[0065] Both end portions in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the fitting portion 91a protrude from both sides in the lateral width direction (vertical direction) of the prism main body 91b. The upper end portions of the fitting portions 91a of the respective prisms 91L and 91R are connected to each other via one connecting portion 92, and the lower end portions of the fitting portions 91a of the respective prisms 91L and 91R are connected to each other via the other connecting portion 92. In this state, the incident surfaces 95L and 95R of the pair of prisms 91L and 91R face the inside in the facing direction (left - right direction) of the pair of prisms 91L and 91R. And, the emission surfaces 96L and 96R of the pair of prisms 91L and 91R face the outside and the front side in the facing direction of the pair of prisms 91L and 91R. Each of the prisms 91L and 91R has the incident surface 95 positioned behind the emission surface 96.

[0066] The fixing piece 93 is substantially rod - shaped and is provided so as to straddle the central portion of each of the pair of connecting portions 92. The fixing piece 93 has a fitting hole 93a. The fitting hole 93a is a hole into which the fixing projection 34 of the operation handle 3 fits.

[0067] The light - guiding member 9 is fixed to the back surface of the operation handle 3 so as to be housed inside the operation handle 3. In this fixed state, as shown in FIG. 4, the pair of fitting portions 91a fit into the pair of light - transmitting windows 31L and 31R. Also, the fixing piece 93 contacts the back surface of the operation handle 3, and the fixing projection 34 of the operation handle 3 fits into the fitting hole 93a of the fixing piece 93. Thereby, the light - guiding member 9 is fixed to the back surface of the operation handle 3. Also, in this fixed state, the incident surfaces 95L and 95R of each of the pair of prisms 91L and 91R are arranged to face each other with a space therebetween in the longitudinal direction (left - right direction) of the operation handle 3 at the center of the back surface of the operation handle 3. And, the incident surfaces 95L and 95R of each of the pair of prisms 91L and 91R are arranged adjacent (rear side) to the tips of the pair of light - shielding portions 10L and 10R. The light - guiding member 9, by being fixed to the operation handle 3, operates integrally with the operation handle 3.

[0068] The prism 11 is a member that branches the light from the light sources 51a and 51b into two respectively, and emits the branched light toward a pair of light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R respectively. The prism 11 selectively guides the light from the light sources 51a and 51b to one of the prisms 91L and 91R on both sides according to the seesaw operation of the operation handle 3. As shown in FIG. 12, the prism 11 has a prism main body 12 and two branching paths 13 and 14. The prism 11 also has two incident surfaces 11a and 11b, and two exit surfaces 11L and 11R.

[0069] The prism main body 12 receives the light from the light sources 51a and 51b, and guides the incident light to the two branching paths 13 and 14. The prism main body 12 has a first light guide portion 121 and a second light guide portion 122. The two incident surfaces 11a and 11b are formed on one end surface of the first light guide portion 121. The incident surface 11b is disposed on the right side of the incident surface 11a (adjacent to the side where the second light guide portion 122 extends). The first light guide portion 121 extends in an oblique direction (for example, the front right oblique direction) with respect to the optical axes L4 and L5 of the incident surfaces 11a and 11b. The optical axes L4 and L5 of the incident surfaces 11a and 11b are in the same direction as each other, and extend, for example, in the front-rear direction. The second light guide portion 122 extends from one end portion (for example, the right end portion) of the first light guide portion 121 in a direction perpendicular (left-right direction) to the optical axes L4 and L5 of the incident surfaces 11a and 11b. The two branching paths 13 and 14 protrude from one end portion of the second light guide portion 122 (that is, the end portion on the side opposite to the first light guide portion 121 side, for example, the right end portion) to the side opposite to the side (rear side) of the incident surfaces 11a and 11b (front side). In this embodiment, the optical axes L4 and L5 of the incident surfaces 11a and 11b coincide with the optical axes of the light sources (the light sources 51a and 51b in this embodiment) that emit light to the incident surfaces 11a and 11b. Hereinafter, the optical axes L4 and L5 will also be described as the optical axes of the light sources 51a and 51b.

[0070] The first light guide portion 121 has a left side surface 121a (first reflection surface) and a right side surface 121b (second reflection surface). The left side surface 121a and the right side surface 121b are side surfaces adjacent to both sides of the one end surface provided with the incident surfaces 11a, 11b. The left side surface 121a is inclined 45 degrees to the right with respect to the optical axes L4, L5 of the incident surfaces 11a, 11b and overlaps the one end surface in the directions of the optical axes L4, L5. The right side surface 121b is a surface parallel to the left side surface 121a and does not overlap the one end surface in the directions of the optical axes L4, L5.

[0071] The second light guide portion 122 has a right side surface 122a (third reflection surface). The right side surface 122a is a side surface on the side opposite to the side connected to the first light guide portion 121 in the second light guide portion 122. The right side surface 122a is a surface parallel to the left side surface 121a of the first light guide portion 121 and is inclined 45 degrees to the right with respect to the optical axes L4, L5 of the incident surfaces 11a, 11b. The right side surface 122a overlaps the left side surface 121a of the first light guide portion 121a in the left-right direction (the direction in which the second light guide portion 122 extends) orthogonal to the optical axes L4, L5. The right side surface 122a is arranged to face the proximal ends (connection surfaces with the second light guide portion 122) of the two branch paths 13, 14 in the directions of the optical axes L4, L5.

[0072] The two branch paths 13, 14 are integrally formed with the prism body 12, branch the light propagating through the prism body 12 into two, and emit the respectively branched light to the outside from the emission surfaces 11L, 11R. The two branch paths 13, 14 protrude from one end portion (right end portion) of the second light guide portion 122 to the side opposite to the side (rear side) of the incident surfaces 11a, 11b (front side). The two branch paths 13, 14 are arranged side by side in the direction in which the second light guide portion 122 extends (left-right direction) and are inclined outward in the opposite direction (left-right direction) of each other. The two branch paths 13, 14 correspond one-to-one to a pair of light-transmitting windows 31L, 31R.

[0073] The two emission surfaces 11L and 11R are formed by one end surface of each of the two branching paths 13 and 14. Each emission surface 11L, 11R is, for example, a plane. The normal lines of the two emission surfaces 11L, 11R face substantially opposite directions to each other. The normal lines of the two emission surfaces 11L, 11R generally face the directions of the corresponding light-transmitting windows 31L, 31R. The two branching paths 13 and 14 have opposing side surfaces 13a and 14a. The opposing side surfaces 13a and 14a are side surfaces that face each other in the two branching paths 13 and 14. The opposing side surfaces 13a and 14a of the branching paths 13 and 14 face the emission surfaces 11L and 11R provided in the respective branching paths, and are inclined with respect to the optical axes L4 and L5 of the incident surfaces 11a and 11b. This inclination is such that the light emitted from the emission surfaces 11L and 11R is inclined at an angle at which it is generally emitted in the direction of the corresponding light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R.

[0074] The incident surface 11a receives light from the first light source 51a. The incident surface 11b receives light from the second light source 51b. The two incident surfaces 11a and 11b are arranged side by side in the direction in which the second light guide portion 122 extends (left-right direction). The two incident surfaces 11a and 11b are, for example, semi-convex lens-shaped, but may be plane lens-shaped. The two incident surfaces 11a and 11b are arranged offset from each other in the directions of the optical axes L4 and L5, but may not be offset from each other.

[0075] The prism body 12 has a slit 15. The slit 15 constitutes a reflecting surface that reflects light propagating within the prism body 12. The slit 15 is a thin flat plate-shaped through-hole that penetrates the prism body 12 in the thickness direction (up-down direction). The slit 15 is provided at the connecting portion between the first light guide portion 121 and the second light guide portion 122. In other words, the slit 15 is arranged between the two side surfaces 121a and 121b in the directions of the optical axes L3 and L4, and is arranged between the two side surfaces 121a and 122a in the left-right direction orthogonal to the optical axes L3 and L4. The slit 15 is parallel to each of the side surfaces 121a, 121b, and 122a, and is inclined 45 degrees to the right with respect to the optical axes L4 and L5 of the incident surfaces 11a and 11b.

[0076] The prism 11 further has a pair of fitting protrusions 16. The pair of fitting protrusions 16 are provided so as to protrude from the main surfaces on both the upper and lower sides of the prism 11 (more specifically, for example, the second light guide portion 122). The pair of fitting protrusions 16 fit into a pair of fitting recesses 22i of the prism 11. Thereby, the prism 11 is fixed to the container body 2 (more specifically, the second opening 22e of the cover 22).

[0077] In this fixed state, as shown in FIG. 4, the two branch paths 13, 14 of the prism 11 protrude from the approximate center of the cover 22 to the front side of the cover 22. Note that the right side portion of the second light guide portion 122 of the prism 11 is disposed between the two side wall portions 61b of the inversion handle 6. Further, the prism body 12 of the prism 11 extends from the approximate center of the cover 22 to the left rear diagonal of the cover 22. More specifically, the second light guide portion 122 of the prism 11 is disposed along the front surface of the cover 22, and the first light guide portion 121 of the prism 11 extends to the left rear diagonal of the cover 22. Then, the two incident surfaces 11a, 11b of the prism 11 are respectively disposed in front of the two light sources 51a, 51b of the light source unit 5.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 13, the manner of light propagation within the prism 11 will be described.

[0079] In this prism 11, the light C1 emitted forward from the first light source 51a passes through the incident surface 11a, is reflected by the left side surface 121a, and propagates rightward. Then, the light C1 is reflected by the right side surface 121b and propagates forward. At this time, among the light C1 propagating forward, the left light C1a propagates forward without being reflected by the slit 15 and is reflected by the left side surface 121a. Then, the light C1a propagates forward while repeating reflections between the left side surface 121a and the slit 15, and when it propagates to the front side of the slit 15, it propagates rightward by reflection on the left side surface 121a and enters a region R1 in front of the central position P1 of the right side surface 122a. Then, the light C1a is reflected forward by the right side surface 122a and propagates into the right branch path 14. Then, the light C1a propagates while being reflected within the right branch path 14 and is emitted from the emission surface 11R toward the right light transmission window 31R.

[0080] On the other hand, the right light C1b among the above-mentioned light C1 is reflected by the slit 15 and propagates rightward, and enters the rearward region R2 at the central position of the right side surface 122a. That is, the light C1b enters a region R2 different from the region R1. Then, the light C1b is reflected forward by the right side surface 122a and propagates into the left branch path 13. Then, the light C1b propagates while being reflected within the left branch path 13 and is emitted from the emission surface 11L toward the left light-transmitting window 31L. Note that the central position P1 of the right side surface 122a is a position where a line L6 drawn parallel to the optical axes L3 and L4 from the boundary point P2 between the two branch paths 13 and 14 intersects.

[0081] In this way, the light C1 from the first light source 51a propagates within the prism 11, is approximately evenly branched into two within the prism 11, and is emitted from the two emission surfaces 11L and 11R.

[0082] Also, as shown in FIG. 14, in this prism 11, the left light C2a among the light C2 emitted forward from the second light source 51b passes through the incident surface 11b, is reflected by the left side surface 121a, and propagates rightward. Then, the light C2a enters the rear region R3 of the right side surface 122a, is reflected forward by the right side surface 122a, and propagates into the left branch path 13. Note that the light C2a enters a region R3 different from the regions R1 and R2. Then, the light C2a propagates while being reflected within the left branch path 13 and is emitted from the emission surface 11L toward the left light-transmitting window 31L.

[0083] Of the light C2 from the second light source 51b, the right light C2b is propagated forward and reflected by the left side surface 121a. The light C2b is propagated forward while repeating reflections between the left side surface 121a and the slit 15, and when it is propagated to the front side of the slit 15, it is propagated rightward by reflection on the left side surface 121a and enters the front region R4 of the right side surface 122a. That is, the light C2b enters a region R4 different from the regions R1 to R3. Then, the light C2b is reflected forward by the right side surface 122a and propagated into the right branch path 14. Then, the light C2b is propagated while being reflected in the right branch path 14 and is emitted from the emission surface 11R toward the right light transmission window 31R.

[0084] In this way, the light C2 from the second light source 51b is propagated in the prism 11, branched into two substantially equally in the prism 11, and emitted from the two emission surfaces 11L and 11R.

[0085] When the lights C1 and C2 from the light sources 51a and 51b are simultaneously incident on the prism 11, it is in a state where the propagation of the light C1 in FIG. 13 and the propagation of the light C2 in FIG. 14 are superimposed. Then, the lights C1 and C2 from the two light sources 51a and 51b are each branched into two substantially equally and emitted from the two emission surfaces 11L and 11R. That is, with one prism 11, the lights C1 and C2 from the two light sources 51a and 51b arranged shifted left and right with respect to each other can be each branched into two substantially equally and emitted from the two emission surfaces 11L and 11R. In this case, the lights C1a, C1b, C2a, and C2b enter different regions R1 to R4 from each other and are reflected by the branch paths 13 and 14.

[0086] In this prism 11, among the inner surfaces of the prism body 12, the surfaces where light is reflected (the right side surfaces 121b and 122a, the left side surface 121a, and the slit 15) are inclined at 45 degrees on the same side (for example, the right side) with respect to the optical axes L4 and L5 of the incident surfaces 11a and 11b.

[0087] In this switch device 1, the light sources 51a and 51b are arranged to be shifted to the left from the center in the left - right direction (longitudinal direction) in the body 21. However, by using the prism 11, the light from the light sources 51a and 51b can be branched into two substantially equally and emitted from the two emission surfaces 11L and 11R.

[0088] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the operation of the switch device 1 (the operations of the operation handle 3 and the inversion handle 6) will be described.

[0089] When either one of the operation portions 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3 (for example, the left - hand operation portion 3L) is pressed (operated), the operation handle 3 rotates about the rotation axis L1 (see FIG. 8), and the other (for example, the right - hand operation portion 3R) is lifted forward from the front surface 22j of the cover 22. In this state, the conversion spring 8 elastically supports the operation handle 3 so as to maintain this operation state of the operation handle 3.

[0090] At this time, the operating force when one of the operation handles 3 is pressed is transmitted to the inversion handle 6 via the conversion spring 8. At this time, the four elastic pieces 81e and 81d of the conversion spring 8 elastically contact the corresponding contact portions 33 of the operation handle 3. In this contact state, the four elastic pieces 81e and 81d receive the above - mentioned operating force while sliding along the longitudinal direction of the contact portion 33 on the corresponding contact portion 33 according to the operation of the operation handle 3, and transmit it to the inversion handle 6. Thereby, the above - mentioned operating force is smoothly transmitted from the operation handle 3 to the inversion handle 6. That is, the inversion handle 6 smoothly rotates about the rotation axis L2 (see FIG. 9) according to the operation of the operation handle 3. In this case, the right - hand operation portion among the operation portions 3L and 3R on both the left and right sides of the inversion handle 6 (that is, the portion on the same side as the pressed - down operation portion of the operation handle 3) is pressed by the conversion spring 8 and rotates about the rotation axis L2. By this rotation, the open - close contacts of the contact device 4 are switched.

[0091] In addition, in this switch device 1, the rotation axis L2 of the reverse handle 6 is displaced to the right with respect to the rotation axis L1 of the operation handle 3. Therefore, the timing at which the reverse handle 6 operates in response to the operation of the operation handle 3 may be different between when the operation portion 3L on the left side of the operation handle 3 is pressed and when the operation portion 3R on the right side of the operation handle 3 is pressed. Specifically, in this case (when the rotation axis L2 is displaced to the right with respect to the rotation axis L1), the timing is slower when the operation portion 3L on the left side of the operation handle 3 is pressed than when the operation portion 3R on the right side of the operation handle 3 is pressed.

[0092] On the other hand, in this switch device 1, among the four contact portions 33 of the operation handle 3, the undulating shapes of the left contact portion 33a and the right contact portion 33b are made different from each other. Specifically, the undulating shape of the right contact portion 33b is made curved so that the operating force is difficult to transmit, and the undulating shape of the left contact portion 33a is made linear so that the operating force is easily transmitted. As a result, the reverse handle 6 operates at the same timing regardless of whether the operation portion 3L or 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3 is pressed. As a result, the operating feeling is the same regardless of whether the operation portion 3L or 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3 is pressed.

[0093] As described above, in this switch device 1, the operation handle 3 and the reverse handle 6 can operate around separate rotation axes L1 and L2, and the operation of the operation handle 3 is transmitted to the reverse handle 6 by the conversion spring 8. Therefore, by adjusting the way the conversion spring 8 contacts each of the handles 3 and 6, the operations (for example, the rotation angle and the rotation speed) of each of the handles 3 and 6 can be adjusted independently. Further, by making the rotation angle of the reverse handle 6 smaller than the rotation angle of the operation handle 3, the space of the reverse handle 6 in the container 2 can be reduced, and the degree of freedom in the layout of each component can be improved.

[0094] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the operations of the pair of light-shielding portions 10L and 10R and the pair of prisms 91L and 91R of the switch device 1 will be described.

[0095] In this switch device 1, when either one of the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3 (for example, the left operation part 3L) is pressed, the other one (for example, the right operation part 3R) is lifted forward from the front surface 22j of the cover 22. In response to the movement of the operation handle 3, a pair of light-shielding parts 10L and 10R and a pair of prisms 91L and 91R provided on the operation handle 3 are displaced relative to the prism 11 (more specifically, two emission surfaces 11L and 11R).

[0096] More specifically, among the pair of light-shielding parts 10L and 10R, the light-shielding part 10R provided on the lifted side (the right operation part 3R) of the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3 is displaced to a position that does not block the front of the corresponding emission surface 11R of the prism 11 (for example, a position shifted forward from the emission surface 11R). As a result, the emitted light from the corresponding emission surface 11R of the prism 11 is not blocked by the light-shielding part 10R and is emitted toward the corresponding light-transmitting window 31R. On the other hand, the light-shielding part 10L provided on the pressed side (for example, the left operation part 3L) of the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3 is displaced to a position that blocks the front of the corresponding emission surface 11L of the prism 11 (for example, the front position of the emission surface 11L). As a result, the emitted light from the corresponding emission surface 11L of the prism 11 is blocked by the light-shielding part 10L and is not emitted toward the corresponding light-transmitting window 31L.

[0097] Also, among the pair of prisms 91L and 91R, the prism 91R provided on the raised side (for example, the right operation part 3R) of the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3 is displaced to the front position of the corresponding emission surface 11R of the prism 11 (that is, the position where the light emitted from the emission surface 11R can enter from the incident surface 95R). Thereby, the light emitted from the emission surface 11R of the prism 11 enters the incident surface 95R of the prism 91R and is emitted from the emission surface 96R. That is, the light emitted from the emission surface 11R of the prism 11 is emitted from the light transmission window 31R. On the other hand, the prism 91L provided on the depressed side (for example, the left operation part 3L) of the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3 is displaced to a position deviated, for example, rearward from the front of the corresponding emission surface 11L of the prism 11 (that is, the position where the light emitted from the emission surface 11L cannot enter from the incident surface 95L). Thereby, the light emitted from the emission surface 11L of the prism 11 does not enter the incident surface 95L of the prism 91L and is not emitted from the corresponding light transmission window 31L.

[0098] As a result, among the pair of light transmission windows 31L and 31R, the light from the light sources 51a and 51b is emitted from the light transmission window 31R on the raised side (for example, the right operation part 3R) of the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3. By this emitted light, the front part 3g and the side part 3s of the raised operation part (for example, the right operation part 3R) emit light. The light from the light sources 51a and 51b is not emitted from the light transmission window 31L on the depressed side (for example, the left operation part 3L). The front part 3g and the side part 3s of the depressed operation part (for example, the left operation part 3L) do not emit light.

[0099] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the lighting operation (position display function and pilot function) of the switch device 1 will be described.

[0100] In this switch device 1, the light source 51a (for example, a white light source) is constantly lit. As a result, the light from the light source 51a (for example, white light) constantly enters the incident surface 11a of the prism 11 and is emitted from the two emission surfaces 11L and 11R of the prism 11. As a result, the light from the light source 51a is emitted only from the raised light-transmitting window among the light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R on both sides of the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3. That is, when the operation handle 3 is operated and either one of the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3 is raised, the raised light-transmitting window 31L or 31R always emits light, for example, white light. Thereby, the position of the operation handle 3 can be easily visually recognized even in the dark by this light emission (position display function).

[0101] On the other hand, in this switch device 1, the light source 51b (for example, a red light source) is switched between lighting and extinguishing according to the operation and stop of the load to be operated. For example, the light source 51b is extinguished when the load to be operated is in operation, and is lit when the load to be operated is stopped.

[0102] Accordingly, when the load to be operated is in operation, the light source 51b is turned off. Therefore, even if the operation handle 3 is operated and one of the operation portions 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3 is lifted, no light from the light source 51b is emitted from the lifted light-transmitting window 31L or 31R. That is, the lifted light-transmitting window 31L or 31R does not emit light. On the other hand, when the load to be operated is stopped, the light source 51b is turned on. Therefore, when the operation handle 3 is operated and one of the operation portions 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3 is lifted, light (e.g., red light) from the light source 51b is emitted from the lifted light-transmitting window 31L or 31R. That is, the lifted light-transmitting window 31L or 31R emits light in red light. Thus, due to the light emission, it is possible to easily visually recognize the portion for operating the load to be operated on the operation handle 3 even in the dark (pilot function). In this embodiment, since the pilot function and the position display function are implemented together, in this case, red light by the pilot function and white light by the position display function are emitted from the light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R.

[0103] (Main effects) As described above, the switch device 1 according to the present embodiment includes an operation handle 3, a contact device 4 (contact circuit), light sources 51a and 51b, and prisms 91L and 91R (light-transmitting members). The operation handle 3 is operable by an operator's operation. The contact device 4 switches between an open state and a closed state according to the operation of the operation handle 3. The light sources 51a and 51b are disposed on the rear side of the operation handle 3. The prisms 91L and 91R are provided on the operation handle 3. The operation handle 3 has a front surface portion 3t and a side surface portion 3s. The prisms 91L and 91R have a first fitting portion 91e (first light-emitting portion) and a second fitting portion 91f (second light-emitting portion). The first fitting portion 91e is provided on the front surface portion 3t of the operation handle 3 and transmits light from the light sources 51a and 51b and emits it to the outside (e.g., the front side) of the operation handle 3. The second fitting portion 91f is provided on the side surface portion 3s of the operation handle 3 and transmits light from the light sources 51a and 51b and emits it to the outside (e.g., the side surface side) of the operation handle 3.

[0104] According to this configuration, the front surface portion 3t and the side surface portion 3s of the operation handle 3 can be made to emit light. By making the side surface portion 3s emit light, the emission of light from the operation handle 3 can be visually recognized also from the side of the operation handle 3. Further, by making the side surface portion 3s emit light, it is possible to suppress light from the operation handle 3 from directly entering the eyes when viewed from the front side of the operation handle 3.

[0105] (Modification example) Next, a modification example of the above-described embodiment will be described. The following modification examples may be implemented in combination.

[0106] (Modification example 1) In the above-described embodiment, the first window portion 311 and the second window portion 312 of the light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R are integrated to form one light-transmitting window. Also, the first fitting portion 91e (first light-emitting portion) and the second fitting portion 91f (second light-emitting portion) of the fitting portion 91a (light-emitting portion) are integrated to form one light-transmitting window. However, as shown in FIG. 15, the first window portion 311 and the second window portion 312 may be formed separately, and the first fitting portion 91e and the second fitting portion 91f may also be formed separately.

[0107] (Modification example 2) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, further, a third window portion 313 may be provided at the edge of the side surface portions 3v (third side surface portions) on both the upper and lower sides of the operation handle 3, and a third fitting portion 91p may be provided in the third window portion 313. In this case, the light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R have the first window portion 311, the second window portion 312, and the third window portion 313. In this case, the fitting portion 91a (light-emitting portion) has the first fitting portion 91e (first light-emitting portion), the second fitting portion 91f (second light-emitting portion), and the third fitting portion 91p (third light-emitting portion). Note that the side surface portions 3v on both the upper and lower sides of the operation handle 3 intersect both the front surface portion 3t and the side surface portions 3s of the operation handle 3. The front surface portion 3t and the side surface portions 3s intersect each other. The third fitting portion 91p is connected to the prism main bodies 9b of the prisms 91L and 91R and can emit light in the same manner as the first fitting portion 91e and the second fitting portion 91f. That is, in this case, light can be emitted from the left and right edges of the front surface portion 3t of the operation handle 3, the left and right side surface portions 3s (3e, 3f), and the left and right edges of the side surface portions 3v on both the upper and lower sides.

[0108] Note that the upper side surface portion 3v of the operation handle 3 is constituted by the upper side surface portions 3u of the left and right operation portions 3L and 3R, and the lower side surface portion 3v of the operation handle 3 is constituted by the lower side surface portions 3u of the left and right operation portions 3L and 3R. The third window portion 313 may be provided at at least a part of the side surface portion 3v of the operation handle 3.

[0109] In this modification, as shown in FIG. 16, the first window portion 311, the second window portion 312, and the third window portion 313 are formed separately, and the first fitting portion 91e, the second fitting portion 91g, and the third fitting portion 91p are also formed separately.

[0110] However, as shown in FIG. 17, the first window portion 311, the second window portion 312, and the third window portion 313 may be integrated to form one light-transmitting window 31L, 31R, and the first fitting portion 91e, the second fitting portion 91f, and the third fitting portion 91p may also be integrated to form one fitting portion 91a. In the example of FIG. 17, the light-transmitting windows 31L, 31R are formed on the entire end faces on both the left and right sides of the operation handle 3. The fitting portion 91a of the prisms 91L, 91R is in the shape of a hexahedral box, and four of the six faces are composed of the first fitting portion 91e, the second fitting portion 91f, and the third fitting portions 91p on both the upper and lower sides, and the remaining two faces (the lower face and the inner face in the left-right direction) are open. Of the two open faces of the fitting portion 91a, the inner face in the left-right direction is mated with the light-transmitting windows 31L, 31R, and the fitting portion 91a is provided at both the left and right ends of the operation handle 3 so that the lower face is adjacent to the lower face of the operation handle 3.

[0111] (Modification Example 3) As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the switch device 1 of this modification example further includes a panel member 200 in modification example 1, and the front surface 200a of the panel member 200 is illuminated by the light C1 emitted from the second window portion 312 of the side surface portion 3s of the operation handle 3.

[0112] The panel member 200 is, for example, a design panel and is plate-shaped with an opening 200b. The panel member 200 is arranged so as to expose the operation handle 3 from the opening 200b and cover the outer periphery of the operation handle 3 (that is, the front surface of the cover 22). The side surface portions 3s of the raised operation portions 3L, 3R of the operation handle 3 are arranged in front of the front surface 100a of the panel member 200.

[0113] In this modification, the prism main bodies 91b (light guiding portions) of the prisms 91L and 91R are branched for each of the first fitting portion 91e (first light emitting portion) and the second fitting portion 91f (second light emitting portion). More specifically, the prism main body 91b has a first branch path 91r and a second branch path 91s, and one end of each of the first branch path 91r and the second branch path 91s is connected to the back surface of each of the first fitting portion 91e and the second fitting portion 91f, respectively. The other end side portions of the first branch path 91r and the second branch path 91s are bundled together to form a common light guiding path. The end surface of the common light guiding path constitutes the incident surface 95.

[0114] The prisms 91L and 91R have recesses 91m. The recess 91m is formed so as to be recessed toward the inside of the second branch path 91s on the rear surface of the prism main body 91b (more specifically, the rear surface of the second branch path 91s). The side surface on the incident surface 95 side of the recess 91m functions as a reflecting surface 91n. The reflecting surface 91n is curved, for example, in an arc shape from the opening side to the bottom side of the recess 91m. Note that the rear surface of the prism main body 91b is an example of the outer surface of the prism main body 91b.

[0115] The reflecting surface 91n reflects the light C1 propagating from the incident surface 95 side inside the second branch path 91s. Thereby, when the light C1 is emitted from the second fitting portion 91f to the outside, the reflecting surface 91n causes the light C1 to be emitted obliquely rearward from the second fitting portion 91f (that is, toward the peripheral region W1 of the front surface 200a of the panel member 200). Thereby, the front surface 200a of the panel member 200 can be illuminated by the light C1. Note that the peripheral region W1 is the peripheral region of the side surface portion 3s of the raised operation portions 3L and 3R on the front surface 200a of the panel member 200.

[0116] In this way, since the prisms 91L and 91R have the recesses 91m, the front surface 200a of the panel member 200 can be effectively illuminated by the light C1 emitted from the second window portion 312 of the side surface portion 3s of the operation handle 3.

[0117] In addition, in this modified example, at least a part (for example, the peripheral region W1) of the front surface 200a of the panel member 200 may be subjected to embossing (for example, minute unevenness). By the embossing, the reflected light of the light C1 irradiated on the front surface 200a of the panel member 200 can be made into light that is gentle on the eyes with reduced glare.

[0118] (Modified Example 4) In the above embodiment, the case where the light from the common light sources 51a and 51b is distributed to the operation parts 3L and 3R on both the left and right sides by the prisms 11, 91L, and 91R was exemplified. However, as shown in FIG. 19, instead of distributing the light from the light sources 51a and 51b to the operation parts 3L and 3R on both sides using the prisms 11, 91L, and 91R, light sources 51c may be provided for each of the operation parts 3L and 3R on both the left and right sides. In this case, each light source 51c is arranged, for example, on the rear side of the corresponding operation part 3L or 3R. Further, each light source 51c may be controlled such that the light source 51c corresponding to the lifted operation part (for example, 3R) of the operation handle 3 emits light, and the light source 51c corresponding to the depressed operation part (for example, 3L) is turned off.

[0119] (Modified Example 5) In the above embodiment, window parts (the first window part 311 and the second window part 312) are provided on both the front surface part 3t and the side surface part 3s of the operation handle 3 so that light can be emitted from both window parts 311 and 312. However, as shown in FIG. 20, a window part 311 may be provided only on the front surface part 3t of the front surface part 3t and the side surface part 3s of the operation handle 3, and light may be emitted only from the window part 311 of the front surface part 3t.

[0120] In this case, the fitting part 91a (light emission part) of the prisms 91L and 91R has only the first fitting part 91e (first light emission part) among the first fitting part 91e (first light emission part) and the second fitting part 91f (second light emission part). The prism main bodies 91b (light guide parts) of the prisms 91L and 91R are curved forward and are connected only to the back surface of the first fitting part 91e.

[0121] More specifically, the prism body 91b has a curved portion 91h that curves forward on the way from the incident surface 95 to the exit surface 96. The portion of the prism body 91b on the incident surface 95 side extends substantially in the left - right direction, and the portion of the prism body 91b on the exit surface 96 side extends forward. The light C2 propagating from the incident surface 95 side inside the prism body 91b is reflected by the outer surface of the curved portion 91h and guided to the exit surface 96 side.

[0122] According to this modification, only the front portion 3t of the operation handle 3 among the front portion 3t and the side portion 3s can emit light.

[0123] (Modification 6) In this modification, as shown in FIG. 21, in the modification 3 including the panel member 200, a window portion 312 is provided only in the side portion 3s among the front portion 3t and the side portion 3s of the operation handle 3, and the light C3 can be emitted only from the window portion 312 of the side portion 3s. In this case, the fitting portion 91a (light - emitting portion) of the prisms 91L, 91R has only the second fitting portion 91f among the first fitting portion 91e (first light - emitting portion) and the second fitting portion 91f (second light - emitting portion). That is, the prism body 91b extends substantially in the left - right direction. The prism bodies 91b (light - guiding portions) of the prisms 91L, 91R have only the second branch path 91s among the first branch path 91r and the second branch path 91s and are connected only to the back surface of the second fitting portion 91f. That is, the prism body 91b extends substantially in the left - right direction.

[0124] In this case as well, the prisms 91L and 91R (light-transmitting members) also have recesses 91m, similar to Modification 3. The side surface of the recess 91m on the incident surface 95 side functions as a reflecting surface 91n. Thus, similar to Modification 3, when the light C3 exits the second fitting portion 91f to the outside by the reflecting surface 91n, the light C3 is emitted obliquely rearward from the second fitting portion 91f (that is, toward the peripheral region W1 (see FIG. 18B) of the front surface 200a of the panel member 200). Thereby, the front surface 200a of the panel member 200 can be illuminated by the light C3. Note that the peripheral region W1 is the peripheral region of the side surfaces 3s of the raised operation portions 3L and 3R on the front surface 200a of the panel member 200. In this case, for example, about 50% of the light C3 emitted from the second fitting portion 91f may illuminate the front surface 200a of the panel member 200.

[0125] Also in this modification, similar to Modification 3, since the prisms 91L and 91R have the recesses 91m, the front surface 200a of the panel member 200 can be effectively illuminated by the light C3 emitted from the second window portion 312 of the side surface 3s of the operation handle 3.

[0126] (Modification 7) In the above-described embodiment, at least one of the surfaces of the first fitting portion 91e (first light-emitting portion) and the second fitting portion 91f (second light-emitting portion) of the operation handle 3 may be subjected to embossing (for example, minute irregularities). Thereby, the light emitted from the first fitting portion 91e and the second fitting portion 91f can be made into light that is gentle to the eyes with reduced glare by the embossing.

[0127] (Modification 8) In the above-described embodiment, when the load of the operation target is in operation, the light source 51b is turned off, and when the load of the operation target is stopped, the light source 51b is turned on. However, conversely, when the load of the operation target is in operation, the light source 51b may be turned on, and when the load of the operation target is stopped, the light source 51b may be turned off. In this case, only when the load of the operation target is in operation, among the pair of light-transmitting windows 31L and 31R, the raised light-transmitting window of the operation portions 3L and 3R on both sides of the operation handle 3 emits light.

[0128] (Modification Example 9) In the above embodiment, instead of being fixed to the cover 22 (i.e., the instrument body 2), the prism 11 may be fixed to the operation handle 3. Further, instead of being fixed to the operation handle 3, the light guide member 9 (i.e., the pair of prisms 91L, 91R) may be fixed to the cover 22. The pair of light-shielding portions 10L, 10R may be fixed to the cover 22 instead of being fixed to the operation handle 3. Further, instead of being fixed to the reverse handle 6 and elastically contacting the operation handle 3, the conversion spring 8 may be fixed to the operation handle 3 and elastically contact the reverse handle 6.

[0129] (Modification Example 10) In the above embodiment, as an example of the light transmission control mechanism, a pair of light-shielding portions 10L, 10R and the light guide member 9 (the pair of prisms 91L, 91R) are exemplified. The light transmission control mechanism is a mechanism that emits the light guided by the prism 11 from only one of the pair of light transmission windows 31L, 31R according to the operating state of the operation handle 3. In the above embodiment, one or both of the pair of light-shielding portions 10L, 10R and the light guide member 9 may be omitted.

[0130] (Modification Example 11) In the above embodiment, the light source 51b switches between lighting and extinguishing according to the conduction and non-conduction between the closed open contacts, but may switch between lighting and extinguishing according to the operating state of the operation handle 3 (i.e., which of the operation portions 3L, 3R on both sides is being pressed).

[0131] (Other Modification Examples) In the above embodiment, the operation handle 3 is a seesaw switch, but it may be a piano switch or a push button switch.

[0132] (Summary) The switch device (1) according to the first aspect includes an operation handle (3), a contact circuit (4), light sources (51a, 51b), and light-transmitting members (91L, 91R). The operation handle (3) is operable by an operator's operation. The contact circuit (4) switches between an open state and a closed state according to the operation of the operation handle (3). The light sources (51a, 51b) are disposed on the rear side of the operation handle (3). The light-transmitting members (91L, 91R) are provided on the operation handle (3). The operation handle (3) has a front surface portion (3t) and side surface portions (3s). The light-transmitting members (91L, 91R) have a first light-emitting portion (91e) and a second light-emitting portion (91f). The first light-emitting portion (91e) is provided on the front surface portion (3t) of the operation handle (3), transmits the light from the light sources (51a, 51b), and emits the light to the outside of the operation handle (3). The second light-emitting portion (91f) is provided on the side surface portions (3s) of the operation handle (3), transmits the light from the light sources (51a, 51b), and emits the light to the outside of the operation handle (3).

[0133] According to this configuration, the front surface portion (3t) and the side surface portions (3s) of the operation handle (3) can be made to emit light. By making the side surface portions (3s) emit light, the light emission of the operation handle (3) can be visually recognized also from the side of the operation handle (3). Further, by making the side surface portions (3s) emit light, it is possible to suppress the light from the operation handle (3) from directly entering the eyes when viewed from the front side of the operation handle (3).

[0134] In the switch device (1) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the light-transmitting members (91L, 91R) have a light guide portion (91b) that guides the light from the light sources (51a, 51b) to the first light-emitting portion (91e) and the second light-emitting portion (91f).

[0135] According to this configuration, the light guide portion (91b) can guide the light from the light sources (51a, 51b) to the first light-emitting portion (91e) and the second light-emitting portion (91f) while suppressing light loss.

[0136] In the switch device (1) according to the third aspect, in the second aspect, the light-transmitting members (91L, 91R) have recesses (91m) that are recessed toward the inside of the light guide portion (91b) on the outer surface of the light guide portion (91b). The light propagating inside the light guide portion (91b) is guided to the side of the first light-emitting portion (91e) or the side of the second light-emitting portion (91f) by being reflected by the recess (91m).

[0137] According to this configuration, the recess (91m) can evenly distribute the light propagating inside the light guide portion (91b) to the first light-emitting portion (91e) and the second light-emitting portion (91f).

[0138] The switch device (1) according to the fourth aspect includes, in the first aspect, a panel member (200) that covers the outer periphery of the operation handle (3). The front surface (200a) of the panel member (200) is illuminated by the light emitted from the second light-emitting portion (91f).

[0139] According to this configuration, the light emitted from the second light-emitting portion (91f) can not only cause the side surface portion (3s) of the operation handle (3) to emit light, but also illuminate the front surface (200a) of the panel member (200). As a result, a wider range can be illuminated by the light emitted from the operation handle (3).

[0140] The switch device (1) according to the fifth aspect includes, in the fourth aspect, the light-transmitting members (91L, 91R) having a light guide portion (91b). The light guide portion (91b) guides the light from the light sources (51a, 51b) to the first light-emitting portion (91e) and the second light-emitting portion (91f). The light guide portion (91b) has a recess (91m) that is recessed toward the inside of the light guide portion (91b) on the outer surface of the light guide portion (91b). The light propagating inside the light guide portion (91b) is reflected by the recess (91m) and then emitted toward the side of the front surface (200a) of the panel member (200) when it exits from the second light-emitting portion (91f).

[0141] According to this configuration, the recess (91m) can effectively illuminate the front surface (200a) of the panel member (200) with the light emitted from the second light emitting portion (91f) (i.e., the light emitted from the side surface portion (3s) of the operation handle (3)).

[0142] In the switch device (1) of the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the first light emitting portion (91e) and the second light emitting portion (91f) are integrated to form one light emitting portion.

[0143] According to this configuration, the first light emitting portion (91e) and the second light emitting portion (91f) can be configured as one light emitting portion.

[0144] In the switch device (1) of the seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the side surface portion (3s) is the first side surface portion (3s). The operation handle (3) has a second side surface portion (3v). The second side surface portion (3v) intersects both the front surface portion (3t) and the first side surface portion (3s). The light transmitting members (91L, 91R) have a third light emitting portion (91p). The third light emitting portion (91p) is provided on the second side surface portion (3v) of the operation handle (3), transmits the light from the light sources (51a, 51b), and emits the light to the outside of the operation handle (3).

[0145] According to this configuration, in the operation handle (3), not only the front surface portion (3t) and the first side surface portion (3s) but also the second side surface portion (3v) can emit light.

[0146] In the switch device (1) of the eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, the first light emitting portion (91e), the second light emitting portion (91f), and the third light emitting portion (91p) are integrated to form one light emitting portion.

[0147] According to this configuration, the first light emitting portion (91e), the second light emitting portion (91f), and the third light emitting portion (91p) can be configured as one light emitting portion.

[0148] In the switch device (1) according to the ninth aspect, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, when one of the operation parts (3L, 3R) on both sides of the operation handle (3) is pressed, the other performs a seesaw operation of rising. Light-transmitting members (91L, 91R) are provided on each of the operation parts (3L, 3R) on both sides. The switch device (1) includes a prism (11). The prism (11) selectively guides the light from the light sources (51a, 51b) to one of the two light-transmitting members (91L, 91R) provided on the operation parts (3L, 3R) on both sides according to the seesaw operation of the operation handle (3).

[0149] According to this configuration, it can be applied to the seesaw operation type operation handle (3). In that case, according to the seesaw operation of the operation handle (3), one of the operation parts (3L, 3R) on both sides of the operation handle (3) can be selectively made to emit light.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0150] 1 Switch device 3 Operation handle 3t Front part 3s, 3e, 3f Side parts (side parts, first side parts) 3v Side part (second side part) 4 Contact device (contact circuit) 11 Prism 51a, 51b Light sources 91b Prism main body (light guiding part) 91e First fitting part (first light emitting part) 91f Second fitting part (second light emitting part) 91L, 91R Prisms (light-transmitting members) 91m Concave part 91p Third fitting part (third light emitting part) 200 Panel member 200a Front surface

Claims

1. An operation handle that can perform a seesaw motion about a first rotation axis by an operator's operation, A contact circuit that switches between an open state and a closed state in response to the operation of the operation handle, An inversion handle that controls the contact circuit by operating about a second rotation axis different from the first rotation axis in response to the operation of the operation handle, A conversion spring disposed between the operation handle and the inversion handle, and transmitting the operation of the operation handle to the inversion handle, Comprising, The operation handle has a front surface portion and a side surface portion, The first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are offset from each other in a direction orthogonal to the second rotation axis when viewed from the front of the operation handle, A switch device.

2. The operation handle performs a seesaw motion in which when one of the operation portions on both sides is pressed, the other is lifted, A light-transmitting member is provided on each of the operation portions on both sides, In response to the seesaw motion of the operation handle, a prism that selectively guides light from a light source disposed behind the operation handle to one of the two light-transmitting members provided on the operation portions on both sides is provided, The switch device according to claim 1.

3. A light-transmitting member provided on the operation handle, A panel member covering the outer periphery of the operation handle, and comprising, The light-transmitting member is, A first light-emitting portion provided on the front surface portion of the operation handle, transmitting light from a light source disposed behind the operation handle, and emitting the light to the outside of the operation handle, A second light-emitting portion provided on the side surface portion of the operation handle, transmitting light from the light source, and emitting the light to the outside of the operation handle, The light-transmitting member is, Disposed behind the operation handle, and having a light guide portion that guides light from the light source to the first light-emitting portion and the second light-emitting portion, The front surface of the panel member is illuminated by the light emitted from the second light-emitting portion, The switch device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first light-emitting portion and the second light-emitting portion are integrated to form one light-emitting portion, The switch device according to claim 3.

5. Taking the side surface portion as a first side surface portion, The operation handle has a second side surface portion that intersects both the front surface portion and the side surface portion, The light-transmitting member is provided on the second side surface portion of the operation handle, and has a third light-emitting portion that transmits light from the light source and emits the light to the outside of the operation handle, The switch device according to claim 3.

6. The first light emitting unit, the second light emitting unit, and the third light emitting unit are integrated to form one light emitting unit. The switch device according to claim 5.

Images