Push button illumination structure and in-vehicle device equipped with the same

Abstract

A push button illumination structure (BK), and a vehicle-mounted apparatus (91) provided with the same, comprise: a transparent light emitting base portion (321); and a button main body portion (31) which includes a fixing leg portion (3F1) for elastically supporting the light emitting base portion (321), a push-in pillar (312) for pressing a switch (3), and a frame-shaped light shielding wall portion (35) formed projecting toward the opposite side to the light emitting base portion (321), the button main body portion (31) being integrated with the light emitting base portion (321). The light shielding wall portion (35) is formed in a position corresponding to an outer shape of the light emitting base portion (321) in a plan view. The configuration is such that light emitted from a light source (52) disposed inward of the light shielding wall portion (35) in a plan view is reflected by inner surfaces (35a1, 35d1) of the light shielding wall portion (35).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation button illumination structure and an in-vehicle device including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique for applying a light-shielding tape to a part of a light source in order to prevent light leakage in an illumination structure for keys of an electronic device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-289059 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a push button illumination structure that fully illuminates the push part of a push button switch, if light-shielding tape is applied to necessary areas as described in Patent Document 1 to prevent unnecessary light leakage, the following problems may occur.

[0005] That is, the number of parts increases, and manufacturing is not easy for small push button switches used in in-vehicle devices, which can lead to increased costs and reduced productivity. Also, even a slight misalignment in the application position of the light-shielding tape can cause uneven lighting of the button, which can be seen, resulting in a decrease in quality.

[0006] Therefore, the problem to be solved by this embodiment relates to a push button illumination structure that suppresses cost increases, has good productivity, and provides high-quality button illumination, and to an in-vehicle device equipped with the same.

[0007] A push button illumination structure according to one embodiment includes a light-transmitting base that is a portion that an operator presses down, a fixed leg that elastically supports the light-emitting base, a push-in column that presses a switch, and a button body that is integrally molded with the light-emitting base. The fixed leg and the push-in column are formed at a position corresponding to the outer shape of the light-emitting base inside the fixed leg and the push-in column in a plan view. This push button illumination structure is configured so that light emitted from a light source located inside the push-in column is reflected by the inner surface of the push-in column in the plan view.

[0008] a light source disposed in an area on the substrate surrounded by the light-shielding wall in a plan view; a light source disposed in the area on the substrate side of the light-emitting base; a frame-shaped light-shielding wall that protrudes from the substrate-side surface of the button body toward the substrate and is formed at a position corresponding to the outer shape of the light-emitting base in a plan view; a fixing leg that extends outside the light-shielding wall of the button body and is supported by the housing and elastically allows the button body to move toward the substrate; a push-in pillar that stands outside the light-shielding wall of the button body toward the substrate and abuts against the substrate to operate the switch; and a light source disposed in an area on the substrate surrounded by the light-shielding wall in a plan view. This push button lighting structure is configured so that light emitted from the light source toward the gap between the light-emitting base and the housing is reflected by the inner surface of the light-shielding wall portion and changes its direction of travel to a direction other than the direction toward the gap, thereby illuminating a portion of the button main body.

[0009] According to a further embodiment, an in-vehicle device includes a box-shaped housing mounted on a vehicle, an image display unit arranged to be exposed through an opening in the front of the housing, and an operation unit having a plurality of push buttons arranged on a frame portion outside the opening of the housing. At least one of the plurality of push buttons on the operation unit is an illuminated push button. The push button illumination structure for the illuminated push button is the push button illumination structure according to the one embodiment or the other embodiment.

[0010] The push button illumination structure and the in-vehicle device equipped with the same configured as above suppresses cost increases, improves productivity, and provides high-quality button illumination. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of an in-vehicle device 91 which is an example of an in-vehicle device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a push button illumination structure BK, which is an example of the push button illumination structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the push button 3. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S4-S4 in FIG. 1, for explaining the lighting operation of the push button lighting structure BK. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a first cross-sectional view for explaining the illumination operation of the push button illumination structure BKA of the comparative example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S6-S6 in FIG. 1, for explaining the lighting operation of the push button lighting structure BK. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a second cross-sectional view for explaining the illumination operation of the push button illumination structure BKA of the comparative example. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is a front view showing the illumination mode of the push button illumination structure BK. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a front view showing the illumination mode in the push button illumination structure BKA of the comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The push button illumination structure and the in-vehicle device including the same according to the embodiment will be described using a push button illumination structure BK of an example and an in-vehicle device 91 including the same. The in-vehicle device 91 of the example is a car navigation device.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a front view of an in-vehicle device 91, which is an example of an in-vehicle device according to this embodiment. The in-vehicle device 91 is a so-called 2DIN wide-size car navigation device that is mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle such as an automobile. For ease of explanation, the up, down, left, and right directions are defined by the directions of the arrows in FIG. 1. The front side of the paper in FIG. 1 is the front side, and the back side of the paper is the rear side.

[0014] The in-vehicle device 91 comprises a housing 1, an image display unit 2, and an operation unit 3G. The housing 1 is shaped like a six-sided box and has an opening 14 in the center of the front portion. The front portion having the opening 14 is formed in a frame shape so that the image display unit 2 is exposed inside the opening 14. The operation unit 3G is disposed in the portion that forms the frame on the right outer side of the opening 14. The operation unit 3G has a plurality of push buttons 3a to 3c, 3d to 3f aligned in the vertical direction.

[0015] The push button 3, located in the vertical center of the operation unit 3G, has a portion to be pressed with a finger (the portion that the operator presses) exposed as a rectangular button decoration 32 in front view. The button decoration 32 is smaller in the left-right direction than the other push buttons 3a to 3c and 3d to 3f. However, the button decoration 32 is designed so that the edges 11 and 12 of the housing 1 extend to the left and right sides of the push button 3, respectively, to emphasize the push button 3.

[0016] 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the operation unit 3G as seen from the front diagonally downward right side. In FIG. 2, the push buttons 3a to 3c and the push buttons 3d to 3f are not shown, and only the push button 3 is shown.

[0017] The operation unit 3G has a substrate 5, switches 51a to 51c, 51, 51d to 51f mounted on the front surface of the substrate 5, and a plurality of light-emitting elements 52 as a light source. In this embodiment, the switches 51a to 51c, 51, 51d to 51f are tactile switches.

[0018] The switches 51a to 51c, 51, 51d to 51f are mounted at positions corresponding to the push buttons 3a to 3c, 3, 3d to 3f, respectively. In this example, there are four light-emitting elements 52. The light-emitting elements 52 are mounted spaced apart from one another at positions corresponding to the vertices of a rectangle within the button decorative portion 32 on the substrate 5 in front view.

[0019] The push button 3 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a push button illumination structure BK including the push button 3, as seen from the upper right rear diagonal. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the S4-S4 line in Fig. 1 to explain the illumination operation of the push button illumination structure BK.

[0020] The push button 3 is a button that is pressed down to close the contacts of the switch 51, and includes a button body 31 and a button decoration 32.

[0021] The button main body 31 is made of a milky white resin. The button decorative part 32 is made of a colored (e.g., blue) resin that is light-transmitting. An example of a resin that can be used for the button main body 31 is PC (polycarbonate resin). An example of a resin that can be used for the button decorative part 32 is PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate resin). The button main body 31 and the button decorative part 32 are integrally molded. Specifically, the button main body 31 and the button decorative part 32 are integrally formed by, for example, two-color molding.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the button main body 31 has a rectangular flat base 311, restricting legs 313, 314, a side wall 319, a first fixing leg 3F1 and a second fixing leg 3F2, a push-in column 312, and a light-shielding wall 35.

[0023] The restricting legs 313 and 314 are plate-shaped portions that extend rearward from the lower right corner and upper right corner of the base 311, respectively.

[0024] The side wall 319 is a wall that rises rearward from the left edge of the base 311. The rear end of the side wall 319 is located forward of the rear end of the restriction legs 313 and 314.

[0025] The first fixed leg portion 3F1 is formed to extend further downward from the rear end portion below the side wall portion 319. The first fixed leg portion 3F1 has a leg portion 315 that extends straight downward, and a fixed leg portion 316 that extends rearward from the tip end of the leg portion 315.

[0026] The second fixed leg 3F2 is formed to extend further upward from the upper rear end of the side wall 319. The second fixed leg 3F2 has a leg 317 that extends straight upward, and a fixed leg 318 that extends rearward from the tip of the leg 317.

[0027] Fixed legs 316 and 318, which are tip portions, are supported by having their bases engage with grooves 111 formed in edge 11 of housing 1. In this state, fixed legs 316 and 318 are sandwiched and disposed between housing 1 and board 5. In more detail, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bases of fixed legs 316 and 318 engage with grooves 111, so that vertical and horizontal movement of button body 31 relative to housing 1 in its natural state is restricted.

[0028] In this state, the rear ends of the fixing legs 316, 318 come into contact with the board 5, so that the rearward movement of the button body 31 relative to the housing 1 in its natural state is restricted.

[0029] The push-in column 312 is erected facing rearward in the center in the vertical direction near the right edge of the base 311. As shown in Fig. 2, the push-in column 312 is a member that pushes in the contacts of the switch 51, and is formed so that its cross section is T-shaped and has high rigidity.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, the push-in column 312 is disposed in a natural state with its tip facing the top surface of the switch 51 (the upper surface in FIG. 4) at a predetermined distance Ha forward.

[0031] Meanwhile, the tips of the restricting legs 313 (not shown in FIG. 4) and 314 are positioned a predetermined distance Hb forward from the upper surface (the upper surface in FIG. 4) of the substrate 5. Here, the distance Hb is set as the distance Ha plus the push-in margin Ha2 (Hb = Ha + Ha2) so that the switch 51 can be pushed in up to the push-in margin Ha2, which exceeds the push-in amount Ha1 required for the switch 51 to operate. This allows the tip of the restricting leg 313 or 314 to come into contact with the substrate 5, preventing the push-in column 312 from being pushed in too far against the switch 51, even when the operator pushes in up to the push-in margin Ha2, exceeding the push-in amount Ha1.

[0032] In the above-described push button 3, the first fixed leg 3F1 and the second fixed leg 3F2 are elastically deformed favorably regardless of the position of the base 311 that is pressed. This elastic deformation of the first fixed leg 3F1 and the second fixed leg 3F2 allows the base 311 to move closer to the board 5. This movement causes the pressing post 312 to press and push the switch 51.

[0033] 2 and 4, the button decorative part 32 is a part that is exposed from the housing 1 and to which a force toward the board 5 can be applied by a finger. The button decorative part 32 has a rectangular plate-shaped light-emitting base 321 and flange parts 322, 323 that extend from a position lower than the light-emitting base 321. Here, the flange part 322 extends leftward from the left edge part 321a of the light-emitting base 321. The flange part 323 extends rightward from the right edge part 321b of the light-emitting base 321. No flange parts are provided on the upper and lower edges of the button decorative part 32.

[0034] 4 and 6, the button main body 31 has a rectangular frame-shaped light-shielding wall 35 protruding rearward at positions corresponding to the left and right edges 321a, 321b and the top and bottom edges 321c, 321d of the light-emitting base 321 on the rear surface 311a of the base 311 facing the substrate 5. The light-shielding wall 35 is a frame-shaped wall protruding toward the rear surface of the light-emitting base 321 of the button main body 31. In other words, the rear surface 311a of the base 311 facing the substrate 5 on which the light-shielding wall 35 is formed is the surface of the base 311 opposite (the lower side in FIG. 4) to the side on which the light-emitting base 321 is arranged (the upper side in FIG. 4).

[0035] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the light-shielding wall portion 35 has a light-shielding wall portion 35a located at a position corresponding to the edge portion 321a and a light-shielding wall portion 35b located at a position corresponding to the edge portion 321b. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 6, the light-shielding wall portion 35 has a light-shielding wall portion 35c located at a position corresponding to the edge portion 321c and a light-shielding wall portion 35d located at a position corresponding to the edge portion 321d. In other words, the light-shielding wall portion 35 is formed at a position corresponding to the outer shape of the light-emitting base 321.

[0036] The four light emitting elements 52 are arranged on the substrate 5 at positions inside the light shielding wall 35 in front view (plan view) and closer to the light shielding wall 35 than the center position of the light emitting base 321.

[0037] 4, of the light emitted from the light emitting element 52, light L1 that directly reaches the rear surface 311a of the base 311 is incident on the rear surface 311a at an incident angle θb. Here, the rear surface 311a is a surface that faces the substrate 5 in parallel, and the incident angle θb is sufficiently larger than the critical angle α at which light is totally reflected by the rear surface 311a.

[0038] Therefore, the light L1 is incident on the base 311 without being substantially reflected. Then, the light L1 enters the light emitting base 321 of the button decorative part 32 from the button main body 31 as it is. Then, the light L1 is emitted from the front surface of the light emitting base 321 to the outside as illumination light L1a.

[0039] As a result, the light emitting base 321 appears to be emitting light in the color of the button decorative part 32 from the outside.

[0040] The critical angle α is determined by the refractive index of the material. For example, if the button body 31 is made of PC (polycarbonate), the typical refractive index of PC is 1.585, so the critical angle α is calculated from the formula sinα / sin90°=1 / 1.585, which is α=39.1°.

[0041] Next, the left-right walls of the light-shielding wall portion 35 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Here, the gap between the left edge 321a of the light-emitting base 321 and the edge 11 of the housing 1 is referred to as gap GpL. Also, the gap between the right edge 321b of the light-emitting base 321 and the edge 12 of the housing 1 is referred to as gap GpR.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the light L2 emitted from the light emitting element 52 in the direction of the gap GpL directly reaches the inner surface 35a1 of the light blocking wall portion 35a close to the light emitting element 52.

[0043] Because the inner surface 35a1 is a surface extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate 5, the incident angle θa of the light L2 with respect to the inner surface 35a1 is sufficiently smaller than the critical angle α. Therefore, the light L2 is totally reflected by the inner surface 35a1 and travels as reflected light L2a toward the rear surface 311a of the base 311. That is, the light L2 is reflected by the inner surface 35a1 of the light-shielding wall 35 and changes its traveling direction to a direction other than the direction toward the gap GpL, and then irradiates the rear surface 311a of the base 311 of the button main body 31 as reflected light L2a. That is, the light L2 is reflected by the inner surface 35a1 and changes its traveling direction to be irradiated toward a portion other than the gap GpL.

[0044] For this reason, no light escapes from the light emitting element 52 to the outside through the gap GpL between the left edge 321a of the light emitting base 321 and the edge 11 of the housing 1. Therefore, the area along the gap GpL is visually recognized as a dark area from the outside. The same applies to the gap GpR between the right edge 321b of the light emitting base 321 and the edge 12 of the housing 1.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the path of light in a push button illumination structure BKA that uses a button body 131 without the light-shielding wall portions 35 in the left and right directions instead of the button body 31 in FIG.

[0046] 5, light L2p emitted from the light-emitting element 52 toward the gap GpL on the left side directly reaches the rear surface 1311a of the base 1311 corresponding to the base 311 because there is no light-shielding wall 35. The incident angle of the light L2p with respect to the rear surface 1311a is an incident angle θd that is larger than the critical angle α, so the light L2p enters the inside of the base 1311. Then, the light L2p passes through the flange 1322 of the button decorative part 132 and is emitted to the outside from the gap GpL as peripheral leakage light L2p1 of the light-emitting base 1321. The same applies to the case where light emitted from the light-emitting element 52 passes through the flange 1323 on the right side of the button decorative part 132 and is emitted to the outside from the gap GpR.

[0047] As a result, the peripheral leakage light L2p1 is visually recognized as left and right leakage light leaking outside the left and right edges of the light emitting base 1321. This peripheral leakage light L2p1 becomes blue light, which is the color of the button decorative part 132, by passing through the flange 1322. As a result, the outline of the light emitting base 1321 becomes unclear, and the illumination quality of the button is impaired.

[0048] Next, the vertical light-shielding wall portion 35 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the light L3 emitted from the light emitting element 52 toward the gap GpB directly reaches the inner surface 35d1 of the light blocking wall portion 35d that is close to the light emitting element 52.

[0050] Since the inner surface 35d1 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate 5, the incident angle θc of the light L3 with respect to the inner surface 35d1 is sufficiently smaller than the critical angle α. That is, the light L3 is totally reflected by the inner surface 35d1 and travels as reflected light L3a toward the rear surface 311a of the base 311.

[0051] For this reason, no light is emitted from the light emitting element 52 and escapes to the outside through the gap GpB between the lower edge 321d of the light emitting base 321 and the lower edge 11 of the housing 1. Therefore, the area along the gap GpB is visually recognized as a dark area from the outside. The same applies to the gap GpT between the upper edge 321c of the light emitting base 321 and the upper edge 11 of the housing 1.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the path of light in a push button illumination structure BKA that uses a button body 131 without a light-shielding wall portion 35 instead of the button body 31 of FIG.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 7, light L4p emitted from the light-emitting element 52 toward the gap GpB reaches the rear surface 1311a of the base 1311 directly because there is no light-shielding wall 35. The angle of incidence of the light L4p with respect to the rear surface 1311a is an incident angle θd that is larger than the critical angle α. Therefore, the light L4p enters the inside of the button main body 131. Then, because there are no flanges on the upper and lower edges of the light-emitting base 1321, the light L4p passes through the button main body 131 and is emitted to the outside from the gap GpB. That is, the light L4p is emitted as light L4p1 that leaks above and below the light-emitting base 1321. The same applies to the upper gap GpT.

[0054] As a result, leaked light L4p1 is visible outside the upper and lower edges of the light emitting base 1321. The light emitting base 1321 is not interposed between the gaps GpB and GpT and the light emitting element 52. Therefore, the upper and lower leaked light L4p1 is bright light that is not blue but is the color (milky white) of the button main body 131, significantly impairing the illumination quality of the button.

[0055] 8A is a front view showing the light-emitting state of the push button illumination structure BK using the button main body 31 having the light-shielding wall 35 described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6. The light-emitting base 321 in the button decorative part 32 emits light with a clear outline (gray part), maintaining high illumination quality of the button.

[0056] FIG. 8B is a front view showing the light-emitting state of the push button illumination structure BKA using the button main body 131 without the light-shielding wall 35 described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7. The outlines of the left and right edges of the light-emitting base 1321 of the button decorative part 132 are unclear due to the peripheral leakage light L2p1 (the edges are gray). A high-brightness light-emitting area BL, different from the light-emitting base 1321, is visible outside the upper and lower edges of the light-emitting base 1321 of the button decorative part 132. This impairs the quality of the button illumination. The light-emitting area BL is shown as the darkest area in FIG. 8B.

[0057] As described above, the push button illumination structure BK of the embodiment does not require a light-shielding member and the work of attaching it, thereby suppressing cost increases. Furthermore, the push button illumination structure BK has good productivity because the light-shielding wall portion 35 is formed integrally with the button body portion 31. Furthermore, the push button illumination structure BK has high-quality illumination because the light-emitting base portion 321 of the button decorative portion 32 emits light clearly.

[0058] The embodiment described above in detail is not limited to the configuration, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0059] The shape of the light-shielding wall portion 35 and the inclination angles of the inner surfaces 35a1 to 35d1 may be set appropriately according to the critical angle based on the refractive index of the resin that forms the light-shielding wall portion 35.

[0060] In other words, the shape of the light-shielding wall portion 35 and the position of the light-emitting element 52 are set so that for light traveling from the light-emitting element 52 to the gaps GpL, GpR, GpB, and GpT, approximately θa, θc<(α=39.1°)<θb, θd.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0062] The entire contents of Patent Application No. 2022-037901 (filing date: March 11, 2022) are incorporated herein by reference. [Industrial Applicability]

[0063] It is possible to provide a push button illumination structure that suppresses cost increases, has good productivity, and provides high-quality button illumination, and an in-vehicle device equipped with the same. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 chassis 11,12 Edge 111 Groove 14 Openings 2 Image display section 3G control unit 3, 3a~3f push buttons 3F1 1st fixed leg 3F2 2nd fixed leg 31, Button body 311, base 311a rear 312 Push-in Pillar 313,314, Regulating legs 315,317, arm 316,318 Fixed legs 319 Side wall 32 Button decoration 321 Light Base 321a,321b,321c,321d Edge 322,323 Flange 35,35a~35d Shade wall part 35a1, 35d1 Inner surface 5 Substrate 51, 51a~51f Switch 52 Light-emitting element 91 In-vehicle equipment (car navigation devices) BK push button lighting structure BL luminous area GpL, GpR, GpB, GpT gap Ha,Hb distance Ha1 Push-in amount Ha2 Push-in margin L1, L2 light L1a illumination light L2a reflected light θa~θd incident angle α critical angle

Claims

1. a light-emitting base portion having optical transparency, which is a portion that is pressed by an operator; a button body that is integrally molded with the light emitting base and includes a fixing leg that elastically supports the light emitting base, a push-in column that presses a switch, and a frame-shaped light-shielding wall that protrudes from the back side of the light emitting base; Equipped with the light-shielding wall portion is formed at a position corresponding to the outer shape of the light-emitting base portion inside the fixing leg portion and the push-in column in a plan view, A push button illumination structure configured such that light emitted from a light source disposed inside the light-shielding wall portion in the plan view is reflected by the inner surface of the light-shielding wall portion.

2. 2. The push button illumination structure according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the light-shielding wall portion is formed so that the angle of incidence of light emitted from the light source is smaller than a critical angle determined by the material of the button body portion.

3. The device comprises: a box-shaped housing to be attached to a vehicle; an image display unit disposed so as to be exposed at an opening on the front surface of the housing; and an operation unit having a plurality of push buttons disposed on a frame portion of the housing that is outside the opening, 3. An in-vehicle device, wherein at least one of the plurality of push buttons of the operating unit is an illuminated push button, and the push button illumination structure for the illuminated push button is the push button illumination structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a housing having an opening in which a push button is disposed; a substrate disposed inside the housing so as to face the opening; a switch disposed on the substrate; a light-emitting base that is disposed in the opening and is exposed from the housing and has optical transparency; a button body portion that is located on the substrate side of the light emitting base, is integrated with the light emitting base, and has optical transparency; a frame-shaped light-shielding wall portion that protrudes from a surface of the button body that faces the substrate toward the substrate and is formed at a position corresponding to an outer shape of the light-emitting base in a plan view; a fixing leg portion that extends outward from the light-shielding wall portion of the button body and is supported by the housing, and elastically allows the button body to move toward the board; a push-in pillar that is provided on the outer side of the light-shielding wall portion of the button body portion and faces the board, and that operates the switch by abutting against the board; a light source disposed in an area on the substrate surrounded by the light-shielding wall portion in a plan view; Equipped with A push button lighting structure in which light emitted from the light source toward the gap between the light-emitting base and the housing is reflected by the inner surface of the light-shielding wall portion, changing its direction of travel to a direction other than the direction toward the gap, thereby illuminating a portion of the button main body.

5. 5. The push button illumination structure according to claim 4, wherein the inner surface of the light-shielding wall is formed so that the angle of incidence of light emitted from the light source is smaller than a critical angle determined by the material of the button body.

6. The device comprises: a box-shaped housing to be attached to a vehicle; an image display unit disposed so as to be exposed at an opening on the front surface of the housing; and an operation unit having a plurality of push buttons disposed on a frame portion of the housing that is outside the opening, 6. An in-vehicle device, wherein at least one of the plurality of push buttons of the operating unit is an illuminated push button, and the push button illumination structure for the illuminated push button is the push button illumination structure according to claim 4 or 5.

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