Switching device

Abstract

To make a lighting window of an operation handle more uniformly emit light.SOLUTION: A switch device comprises: a device main body; an operation handle 3; a light source; a first light path 10; and a second light path 11. The operation handle 3 includes a lighting window 35 in a first operation part 3R. The light source is fixed to the device main body. The first light path 10 is fixed to the device main body, makes the light from the light source inject thereon to guide the light. The second light path 11 is fixed to the operation handle 3. The second light path 11 includes an incidence surface 11d and an emission surface 11e. An axis passing through a center of the lighting window 35 is a first center axis L6, an axis passing through the center of the emission surface 11e and parallel to the first center axis L6 is a second center axis L7, and a direction where an intensity distribution P2 of emission light in the emission surface 11e is deviated from the center of the emission surface 11e is a first direction. The first center axis L6 is arranged on the side closer to a first direction than the second center axis L7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a switch device, and more particularly to a switch device having an operating handle. [Background technology]

[0002] The switch (switch device) described in Patent Document 1 includes an operating handle, a display unit (lighting window), a light source (light source), a housing (device body), and a light collecting unit (second light transmission path). The operating handle is supported on the housing so as to be able to swing. The light source is fixed to the back side of the operating handle. The display unit is provided on the front part of the operating handle. The light collecting unit guides light from the light source to the display unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-151402 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the switch described in Patent Document 1, the light-collecting portion is bent midway along the light-guiding direction. Therefore, the light guided through the light-collecting portion is collected in an area shifted from the center on the light-emitting surface of the light-collecting portion. As a result, the display portion of the operating handle is not uniformly illuminated by the light from the light source.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present disclosure has an object to provide a switch device that can more uniformly illuminate the illumination window of an operating handle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A switch device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a device body, an operating handle, a contact circuit, a light source, a first light-transmitting path, and a second light-transmitting path. The operating handle has a first operating section and a second operating section and is disposed so as to be displaceable relative to the device body. When the first operating section and the second operating section are operated, the first operating section and the second operating section are displaced in different directions. The operating handle has an illuminated window in the first operating section. The contact circuit switches between an open state and a closed state in response to displacement of the operating handle. The light source is fixed to the device body. The first light-transmitting path is fixed to the device body and receives and guides light from the light source. The second light-transmitting path is fixed to the operating handle. The second light-transmitting path includes a light-transmitting path body, a fixing section, and a lens section. The light-transmitting path body has an incident surface and an exit surface. The incident surface receives light emitted from the first light-transmitting path. The exit surface emits light incident on the entrance surface to the lighting window. The light-transmitting path main body is curved so that the entrance surface is shifted in the direction opposite to the first direction from the exit surface. The fixing portion is connected to the exit surface of the light-transmitting path main body and is fixed to the back surface of the operating handle so as to overlap with the lighting window. The lens portion is fixed to the fixing portion and arranged inside the lighting window. An axis passing through the center of the lighting window is defined as a first central axis, an axis passing through the center of the exit surface and parallel to the first central axis is defined as a second central axis, and a direction in which a first intensity distribution of the exit light on the exit surface is shifted from the center of the exit surface is defined as the first direction. The first central axis is the same axis as the central axis of the lens portion. The first central axis is arranged closer to the first direction than the second central axis. The direction in which the first intensity distribution is shifted from the center of the exit surface is the direction in which the center of a central region in the first intensity distribution, which is brighter than an outer peripheral region, is shifted from the center of the exit surface. The exit surface of the light-emitting window has a second intensity distribution of emitted light. The second intensity distribution has a bright region and a dark region that is darker than the bright region. The bright region is located in the center of the exit surface of the light-emitting window, and the dark region is located on the outer periphery of the bright region on the exit surface of the light-emitting window. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The switch device according to the present disclosure has an effect of being able to more uniformly illuminate the illumination window of the operating handle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a switch device according to an embodiment, seen from the front side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the switch device as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A1-A1 in FIG. 1 when the right operating unit is lifted. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A1-A1 in FIG. 1 when the right operating unit is pressed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the switch device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a cover of the switch device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the switch device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the operating handle of the switch device as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view showing a first light transmitting path of the switch device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second light transmitting path of the switch device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state in which the second light transmitting path of the switch device is fixed to an operating handle. [Figure 12] 12A and 12B are side views showing how the light from the first light source is guided through the light transmitting path. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are side views showing how the light from the second light source is guided through the light transmitting path. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the distance between the central axis of the lighting window and the central axis of the exit surface of the second light transmitting path, and the intensity distribution of the exit light of the light window. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Embodiment) (overview) The switch device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the up / down, left / right, and front / rear directions of the switch device 1 are defined as the directions indicated by the up / down, left / right, and front / rear arrows shown in FIG. 1. These arrows are merely provided to assist in the description and do not have any substance. Furthermore, the above-mentioned definitions of directions are not intended to limit the manner in which the switch device 1 of this embodiment can be used.

[0010] The switch device 1 of this embodiment is a seesaw-type (also called a tumbler-type or rocker-type) switch device for switching the operating state of an electrical device to be operated. The switch device 1 is applicable, for example, to a switch device attached to an indoor wall surface for switching on and off a lighting fixture (electrical device) installed indoors.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the switch device 1 includes a device main body 2 and an operating handle 3. The device main body 2 is a portion that houses circuit components including open / close contacts. The operating handle 3 is a portion that is operated by a user, and is, for example, a seesaw-type operating handle, and is disposed on the front surface 22j (opposing surface) of the device main body 2. In other words, the operating handle 3 is disposed in front of the device main body 2. The operating handle 3 has an operating section 3L (second operating section) and an operating section 3R (first operating section) on both the left and right sides. One of the operating sections 3L, 3R on the left and right sides of the operating handle 3 (for example, the right operating section 3R) is provided with an illumination window 35 for emitting light outside the operating section 3R.

[0012] More specifically, the lighting window 35 is provided on, for example, the front surface 3g of the operating part 3R, and a light-transmitting lens 91a is provided in the lighting window 35. This allows the light emitted from the lighting window 35 to illuminate a wide area in front of the operating handle.

[0013] Furthermore, a plurality of (for example, four) wiring holes 22k into which wires from the electric device to be operated are inserted are provided on the rear surface 21b of the device body 2. By inserting the wires from the electric device to be operated into the wiring holes 22k, the electric device to be operated and the switch device 1 are electrically connected.

[0014] This switch device 1 performs a seesaw operation in which, when one of the operating units 3L, 3R on both sides of the operating handle 3 is pressed, the other is raised (i.e., when the operating units 3L, 3R are operated, the operating units 3L, 3R are displaced in different directions). By alternately pressing the operating units 3L, 3R on both sides of the operating handle 3, the open / close contacts in the device body 2 are alternately opened and closed. At this time, the lighting window 35 is always lit, or the lighting window 35 is switched on and off depending on whether the operating unit 3R is pressed or raised.

[0015] In this switch device 1, a light source is provided in the device body 2. Then, light from the light source is guided to the lighting window 35 by a first light-transmitting path 10 fixed to the device body 2 and a second light-transmitting path 11 fixed to the operating handle 3, and is emitted from the lighting window 35. This causes the lighting window 35 to emit light.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 3, this switch device 1 is characterized by including light-shielding portions 22i, 36. This prevents light emitted from the first light-transmitting path 10 from leaking outside the switch device 1. This switch device 1 is also characterized in that the central axis of the lighting window 35 and the central axis of the light-emitting surface of the second light-transmitting path 11 are misaligned from each other. This allows the lighting window 35 to emit light more uniformly. These features will be described in detail below.

[0017] (Detailed explanation) As shown in FIG. 5, the switch device 1 includes a device body 2, an operating handle 3, a contact device 4 (contact circuit), a light source unit 5, a reversing handle 6, a reversing spring 7, a conversion spring 8, and a light transmitting path 9.

[0018] (Device body 2) As shown in FIG. 5, the device 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, and light transmission path 9).

[0019] The device main body 2 has a body 21 and a cover 22 .

[0020] The body 21 is a rectangular box-like shape with an open front. The body 21 houses the contact device 4 and the light source unit 5. The cover 22 is a component that supports the operating handle 3 so that it can be moved (displaced), and is attached to the front side of the body 21. The cover 22 is a rectangular frame-like shape with an opening 22c. The body 21 and the cover 22 are made of synthetic resin.

[0021] The body 21 has a plurality of (for example, four) protrusions 21a (see Figures 1 and 2). The protrusions 21a are provided on both side surfaces of the body 21 in the short direction (vertical direction) and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the body 21. The cover 22 has a plurality of (for example, four) tongues 22a. The tongues 22a extend rearward from the rear end edge of the cover 22. The tongues 22a have holes 22b. The body 21 and the cover 22 are assembled together by fitting the holes 22b of the tongues 22a into the protrusions 21a (see Figure 1).

[0022] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the cover 22 has the above-mentioned opening 22c, a fixing portion 22d, a pair of bearing protrusions 22f, a pair of bearing recesses 22h, a first light-shielding portion 22i, and an accommodating recess 22q.

[0023] The opening 22c is where the reversing handle 6 is disposed. The opening 22c penetrates the cover 22 in the front-to-back direction (front-to-back direction). The opening 22c has, for example, a rectangular shape. The opening 22c is provided, for example, in the center of the cover 22 in the longitudinal direction.

[0024] The fixing portion 22e is a portion that fixes the first light-transmitting path 10. The fixing portion 22e protrudes from an inner surface 22m of the opening 22c into the interior of the opening 22c. The inner surface 22m is the inner surface of the inner circumferential surface of the opening 22c on one side (for example, the right side) in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the cover front surface 22j. The fixing portion 22e protrudes from the center of the opening 22c into the interior of the opening 22c in the longitudinal direction of the cover front surface 22j.

[0025] The fixing portion 22e is, for example, in the shape of a rectangular box, and is open on its back surface (rear surface) and on its protruding end surface. The fixing portion 22e has a pair of fixing holes 22n, which are portions onto which a pair of fixing protrusions 10g of the first light transmitting path 10 are hooked. The pair of fixing holes 22n are provided in the side walls of the fixing portion 22e on both sides in the short direction (vertical direction) of the cover front surface 22j. The pair of fixing holes 22n penetrate the side walls in the thickness direction (vertical direction).

[0026] Fixed portion 22e accommodates first light transmitting path 10 through an opening on the back surface of fixed portion 22e. The exit surface of first light transmitting path 10 is exposed from an opening on the end surface of fixed portion 22e.

[0027] The pair of bearing protrusions 22f protrude forward from, for example, the center in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of both side edges in the short side direction (up-down direction) of the cover front surface 22j. A bearing hole 22g into which a pair of shaft protrusions 32 of the operating handle 3 is inserted is formed on each opposing surface of the pair of bearing protrusions 22f. Each of the pair of bearing holes 22g penetrates the bearing protrusion 22f in the thickness direction (up-down direction). Each of the pair of bearing holes 22g is a substantially pentagonal hole with a triangular front portion and a rectangular rear portion.

[0028] The pair of bearing recesses 22h are portions into which the pair of shaft protrusions 32 of the reversing handle 6 are inserted. The pair of bearing recesses 22h are provided as recesses in the center of the longitudinal direction on the inner surfaces on both sides in the short direction of the opening 22c. The pair of bearing recesses 22h are open on the back surface (rear surface) of the cover 22. Each of the pair of bearing recesses 22h has, for example, a substantially triangular shape when viewed from the front from the short direction (up-down direction) of the opening 22c.

[0029] The first light-shielding portion 22i is a member that blocks at least a portion of the light emitted from the exit surface of the first light-transmitting path 10. The first light-shielding portion 22i is a member that blocks at least a portion of the light emitted (leakage light) from the side surface of the second light-transmitting path 11. The first light-shielding portion 22i is, for example, plate-shaped. The first light-shielding portion 22i protrudes from, for example, an edge portion 22p of the opening 22c on the cover front surface 22j (opposing surface) in a direction approaching the operating handle 3 (i.e., forward). The cover front surface 22j is the opposing surface that faces the operating handle 3. The edge portion 22p is an edge portion of the periphery of the opening 22c that faces the fixing portion 22e in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the cover front surface 22j. The first light-shielding portion 22i is formed, for example, over the entire longitudinal direction (up-down direction) of the edge portion 22p of the opening 22c.

[0030] The accommodation recess 22q is a portion that accommodates the second light-shielding portion 36 of the operating handle 3 when the operating portion 3R on the light window 35 side of the operating handle 3 is pressed down. The accommodation recess 22q is recessed and provided on the cover front surface 22j outside the first light-shielding portion 22i in the left-right direction. The accommodation recess 22q is provided, for example, along the first light-shielding portion 22i over the entire longitudinal direction (up-down direction) of the first light-shielding portion 22i.

[0031] (Contact device 4) The contact device 4 includes an open / close contact for switching the operating state (on and off) of the electrical device to be operated, and an external connection terminal for connecting to wiring from the electrical device to be operated. More specifically, the contact device 4 includes terminal plates 41 to 43, a support plate 44, a switch 45, and a locking spring 46, as shown in FIG.

[0032] Each of the terminal plates 41 to 43 is a portion that electrically connects to wiring from an electrical device to be operated. The terminal plates 41 and 42 are housed at one end (e.g., the left end) in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the body 21. The terminal plate 43 is housed at the other end (e.g., the right end) in the longitudinal direction of the body 21. The terminal plates 41 and 42 are provided with fixed contacts 41a and 42b. A switch 45 is disposed between the fixed contacts 41a and 42b. Each of the terminal plates 41 and 42 houses one locking spring 46, and the terminal plate 43 houses two locking springs 46.

[0033] 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 switch 45 is housed in the longitudinal center of the body 21. The lower end of the switch 45 abuts against the support plate 44. The switch 45 can swing on the support plate 44 with its lower end as a fulcrum.

[0034] The switch 45 is, for example, plate-shaped. A groove 45c is provided at the front end of the switch 45, into which the periphery of a cylindrical portion 62 (described later) of the reversing handle 6 fits. The switch 45 has movable contacts 45a and 45b on both main surfaces. The movable contact 45a and the fixed contact 41a form one open / close contact, and the movable contact 45b and the fixed contact 41b form another open / close contact. As the switch 45 swings, the two open / close contacts alternate between a closed state and an open state. These two open / close contacts form the open / close contacts.

[0035] In this embodiment, as will be described later, when the operating handle 3 performs a seesaw motion, the reversing handle 6 performs a seesaw motion, and when the reversing handle 6 performs a seesaw motion, the switch 45 swings, and the above-mentioned two switch contacts are switched between a closed state and an open state. Therefore, the contact device 4 switches between an open state and a closed state in response to the motion of the operating handle.

[0036] Such a switch device in which two on-off 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 and lower floors of a staircase and can be used as a switch device for switching on and off a common lighting fixture that illuminates the staircase. In this embodiment, the switch device 1 is a three-way switch, but is not limited to a three-way switch.

[0037] Wiring holes 22k (see FIG. 2) are provided on the rear wall of the body 21 at locations corresponding to the four locking springs 46. When electric wires are inserted into the body 21 through the wiring holes 22k, the ends of the electric wires are clamped between the locking springs 46 and the terminal plates 41, 42, and 43. This electrically connects the ends of the electric wires to the terminal plates 41 to 43. These terminal plates 41 to 43 constitute the external connection terminals.

[0038] (Light source unit 5) As shown in FIG. 7, the light source unit 5 includes a circuit board 52 and two light sources (a first light source 51a and a second light source 51b).

[0039] The two light sources 51a, 51b are light sources that emit light to be emitted from the lighting window 35. The two light sources 51a, 51b emit light of different colors (e.g., red light and white light). The first light source 51a is a light source for the position indication function and emits, for example, white light. The second light source 51b is a light source for the pilot function and emits, for example, red light. The two light sources 51a, 51b are, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The two light sources 51a, 51b are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the body 21 on the front surface of the circuit board 52. The two light sources 51a, 51b are arranged behind the operating handle 3 in the device main body 2. More specifically, the two light sources 51a, 51b are arranged behind the operating section 3L of the operating handle 3 (i.e., the operating section not provided with the lighting window 35) in the device main body 2. In other words, the two light sources 51a and 51b are arranged in a portion of the device body 2 that faces the operation unit 3L.

[0040] In this way, the light sources 51a, 51b and the lighted window 35 are arranged on opposite sides to each other in the left-right direction (i.e., the direction in which the two operating units 3L, 3R are aligned). This makes it possible to ensure a sufficient distance between the light sources 51a, 51b and the lighted window 35. This makes it possible to suppress changes in the brightness of the lighted window 35 in response to the operation of the operating handle 3.

[0041] The first light source 51a is always lit regardless of whether the open / close contact of the contact device 4 is energized or not (i.e., regardless of whether the target electric appliance is operating or not). The second light source 51b is switched on and off depending on whether the open / close contact of the contact device 4 is energized or not (i.e., depending on whether the target electric appliance is operating or not). Specifically, the second light source 51b is turned off when the open / close contact of the contact device 4 is energized (i.e., when the target electric appliance is operating), and is turned on when the open / close contact of the contact device 4 is not energized (i.e., when the target electric appliance is not operating).

[0042] The light source unit 5 is accommodated above the terminal boards 41, 42 at one end (for example, the left end) in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the body 21. That is, the two light sources 51a, 51b are accommodated on one end (left end) side in the longitudinal direction of the body 21 and are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the body 21.

[0043] (Reverse handle 6) The reversing handle 6 is a handle that opens and closes the open / close contacts of the contact device 4 according to the operating state of the operating handle 3. As shown in FIG.

[0044] The reversing handle body 61 has a bottom portion 61a, two side wall portions 61b, a plurality of (for example, two) fitting protrusions 61c, a pair of shaft protrusions 61d, and a pair of hook protrusions 61e.

[0045] The bottom 61a is rectangular plate-shaped. The two side wall portions 61b are each rectangular plate-shaped. The two side wall portions 61b protrude forward from both upper and lower edges of the bottom 61a. The two fitting protrusions 61c are protrusions for fixing the conversion spring 8. One fitting protrusion 61c is provided at the center of each of the two side wall portions 61b. The pair of shaft protrusions 61d are portions that are swingably supported in 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 an apex angle at its front end. The pair of shaft protrusions 61d are provided so as to protrude from the outer surfaces of each of the pair of side wall portions 61b. The pair of hooking protrusions 61e are portions that hook onto the hook pieces 83 of the conversion spring 8. One hooking protrusion 61e is provided on each of the outer surfaces of the two side wall portions 61b.

[0046] The cylindrical portion 62 is a portion that houses the reversing spring 7. The cylindrical portion 62 is provided so as to protrude rearward from the rear surface of the reversing handle main body 61. The rear peripheral edge of the cylindrical portion 62 is caught in a groove 45c (see FIG. 7) at the front end of the opening / closing element 45. In this state, the reversing spring 7, which is made of a coil spring, is held between the cylindrical portion 62 and the opening / closing element 45.

[0047] The reversing handle 6 is placed in the opening 22c of the cover 22 (see FIG. 3). In this state, a pair of shaft protrusions 61d of the reversing handle 6 are inserted into a pair of bearing recesses 22h of the cover 22. This allows the reversing handle 6 to swing relative to the cover 22 (i.e., to perform a seesaw motion) around the front ends of the pair of shaft protrusions 61d as fulcrums. The swinging of the reversing handle 6 reverses the direction of the spring force acting on the switch 45 from the reversing spring 7, and one of the movable contacts 45a, 45b comes into contact with the fixed contacts 41a, 42b corresponding to the movable contacts 45a, 45b. In other words, the terminal board 43 electrically connected to the switch 45 is selectively connected to one of the two terminal boards 41, 42.

[0048] (Operating handle 3) The operating handle 3 performs a seesaw motion (operation) in response to operation by the operator. The operating handle 3 is shaped like a shallow box with an open rear surface. As shown in FIG. 8, the operating handle 3 has an operating handle main body 31, a pair of shaft protrusions 32, a plurality of (e.g., four) contact portions 33, a plurality of (e.g., two) fixing protrusions 34, an illumination window 35, and a second light-blocking portion 36.

[0049] The operating handle body 31 has a main wall portion 31a and a peripheral wall portion 31b. The main wall portion 31a is, for example, a rectangular plate-like portion. The main wall portion 31a is curved in a substantially V-shape along a center line L3 (see FIG. 5). As a result, portions of the main wall portion 31a on both sides of the center line L3 are inclined so as to protrude forward. The center line L3 extends in the short direction (up-down direction) of the main wall portion 31a from the center of the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the main wall portion 31a. The peripheral wall portion 31b rises from the entire outer periphery of the main wall portion 31a to the rear of the main wall portion 31a. The peripheral wall portion 31b is configured by an upper wall portion 31c, a lower wall portion 31d, a left wall portion 31e, and a right wall portion 31f that are integrally connected in an annular shape. The upper wall portion 31c and the lower wall portion 31d are curved in a substantially V-shape in accordance with the substantially V-shape of the main wall portion 31a. The outer surface of the main wall portion 31a forms the front surface 3g of the operating handle 3.

[0050] In this embodiment, the front surface of the main wall portion 31a constitutes the front surface 3g of the operating handle 3. Furthermore, the portions on both the left and right sides of the center line L3 of the operating handle body 31 constitute the operating units 3L, 3R on both sides of the operating handle 3. The two operating units 3L, 3R are aligned in the left-right direction. That is, the direction in which the two operating units 3L, 3R are aligned (arrangement direction) is the left-right direction.

[0051] The pair of shaft protrusions 32 are supported by a pair of bearing holes 22g of the cover 22. The pair of shaft protrusions 32 are provided so as to protrude from the inner surfaces on both the upper and lower sides of the operating handle body 31. Each of the pair of shaft protrusions 32 has a substantially triangular shape with its front end as the vertex.

[0052] With the pair of shaft protrusions 32 inserted into the pair of bearing holes 22g of the cover 22, the operating handle 3 can swing (i.e., can perform a seesaw movement) relative to the cover 22, with the front ends of the shaft protrusions 32 as fulcrums. In this state, the operating handle 3 is disposed on the front surface 22j of the device body (see FIG. 1). More specifically, the operating handle 3 is disposed in front of the reversing handle 6 so as to cover the entire opening 22c of the cover 22.

[0053] The four contact portions 33 are portions that come into contact with the conversion spring 8. The four contact portions 33 protrude rearward from the rear surface of the operating handle body 31 (i.e., the rear surface of the main wall portion 31a). The four contact portions 33 are provided, for example, near four corners on the rear surface of the operating handle body 31. Of the four contact portions 33, the two upper left and right contact portions 33a, 33b form a pair of contact portions, and the two lower left and right contact portions 33a, 33b form a pair of contact portions.

[0054] The two fixing protrusions 34 are portions that fix the second light transmitting path 11. The two fixing protrusions 34 are inserted into fixing holes 11f of the second light transmitting path 11. The two fixing protrusions 34 protrude rearward from the back surface of the operating handle main body 31. The two fixing protrusions 24 are arranged, for example, on both the upper and lower sides of the lighting window 35.

[0055] The lighting window 35 is a portion through which light from the light sources 51a, 51b is emitted, and is, for example, a circular window. The lighting window 35 emits light by emitting light from the light sources 51a, 51b. The lighting window 35 is provided in one of the left and right regions (for example, the right region) on the front surface of the main wall portion 31a (i.e., the front surface 3g of the operating handle 3). In other words, the lighting window 35 is provided in front of one of the operating portions 3L, 3R on both sides of the operating handle 3 (for example, the right operating portion 3R).

[0056] The second light-shielding portion 36 is a portion that blocks at least a portion of the light emitted from the exit surface of the first light-transmitting path 10 on the device body 2 side. The second light-shielding portion 36 is also a member that blocks at least a portion of the light emitted (leakage light) from the side surface of the second light-transmitting path 11. The second light-shielding portion 36 protrudes from one end (right wall portion 31f) of the operation handle 3 in the left-right direction in a direction approaching the device body 2. More specifically, the second light-shielding portion 36 protrudes rearward (i.e., toward the device body 2) from the rear end of the right wall portion 31f of the operation handle 3. The second light-shielding portion 36 is provided at the center of the right wall portion 31f in the longitudinal direction (up-down direction). The second light-shielding portion 36 is in the shape of a rectangular plate.

[0057] (Conversion spring 8) 5, the conversion spring 8 is a component that transmits the operation of the operating handle 3 to the reversing handle 6. The conversion spring 8 is disposed between the operating handle 3 and the reversing handle 6, and is fixed to the reversing handle 6, for example, and is in elastic contact with the operating handle 3.

[0058] The conversion spring 8 has a pair of spring bodies 81 , a pair of connecting pieces 82 , and a pair of hooking pieces 83 .

[0059] The pair of spring bodies 81 each extend in the left-right direction and are arranged side by side one above the other. The pair of spring bodies 81 correspond one-to-one to the two side wall portions 61b of the reversing handle 6 and to the two pairs of upper and lower contact portions 33 of the operating handle 3. Each of the pair of spring bodies 81 has a through hole 81f and a pair of elastic pieces 81d, 81e. The through hole 81f penetrates the center of the spring body 81 in the longitudinal direction. The fitting protrusion 61c of the corresponding side wall portion 61b of the reversing handle 6 fits into the through hole 81f. The pair of elastic pieces 81d, 81e are portions that come into contact with the corresponding pair of contact portions 33a, 33b of the operating handle 3. The pair of elastic pieces 81d, 81e are bent in a V shape at both ends of the spring body 81 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) so as to protrude forward.

[0060] One connecting piece 82 connects the left ends of the pair of spring bodies 81, and the other connecting piece 82 connects the right ends of the pair of spring bodies 81. The pair of hooking pieces 83 are portions that hook onto the hooking protrusions 61e of the corresponding side wall portions 61b of the reversing handle 6. The hooking pieces 83 protrude rearward from one end of the spring body 81 in the width direction (for example, the end facing the other spring body 81).

[0061] When the conversion spring 8 is fixed to the reversing handle 6, the pair of spring bodies 81 are disposed on the front end surfaces of the two side wall portions 61b of the reversing handle 6. In this state, the through holes 81f of the pair of spring bodies 81 fit into the fitting protrusions 61c of the two side wall portions 61b. In addition, the pair of hook pieces 83 are hooked onto the hook protrusions 61e of the two side wall portions 61b of the reversing handle 6 and fixed.

[0062] Furthermore, when the conversion spring 8 is fixed to the reversing handle 6, the four elastic pieces 81d, 81e elastically contact the four contact portions 33a, 33b of the operating handle 3. More specifically, the pair of left and right elastic pieces 81d, 81e of the upper spring body 81 elastically contact the pair of left and right contact portions 33a, 33b on the upper side of the operating handle 3. Then, the pair of left and right elastic pieces 81d, 81e of the lower spring body 81 elastically contact the pair of left and right contact portions 33a, 33b on the lower side of the operating handle 3.

[0063] (Transparent path 9) The light transmitting path 9 guides light from the light sources 51a and 51b to the illumination window 35 of the operating handle 3. The light transmitting path 9 has a first light transmitting path 10 and a second light transmitting path 11. The first light transmitting path 10 is fixed to the device body 2. The second light transmitting path 11 is fixed to the operating handle 3.

[0064] (1st transmission path 10) The first light transmitting path 10 is a member that receives the light emitted from the two light sources 51a and 51b and guides the light to the incident surface of the second light transmitting path 11. The first light transmitting path 10 is an optical member (for example, a prism) made of a transparent member.

[0065] 9, the first light transmitting path 10 has a shape that extends in one direction (for example, to the right front). The first light transmitting path 10 has two incident surfaces (first incident surface 10a and second incident surface 10b), one exit surface 10c, and three reflecting surfaces (first reflecting surface 10d, second reflecting surface 10e, and third reflecting surface 10f).

[0066] The first incident surface 10a is disposed in front of the first light source 51a and receives light from the first light source 51a. The second incident surface 10b is disposed in front of the second light source 51b and receives light from the second light source 51b. The first incident surface 10a is, for example, a convex surface, and the second incident surface 10b is, for example, a flat surface. A first optical axis L4 of the first incident surface 10a and a second optical axis L5 of the second incident surface 10b are parallel to the front-to-rear direction.

[0067] The two incident surfaces 10a, 10b are arranged at one end in the longitudinal direction (for example, the left end) on one of the front and rear side surfaces (rear surfaces) of the first light transmitting path 10. The one of the front and rear side surfaces is one of a pair of side surfaces (rear surfaces) along the longitudinal direction of the first light transmitting path 10. The second incident surface 10b is arranged on the right side (on the exit surface 10c side) of the first incident surface 10a. The second incident surface 10b is arranged further forward than the first incident surface 10a.

[0068] The exit surface 10c emits the light guided through the first light transmitting path 10 toward the incident surface 11d of the second light transmitting path 11. The exit surface 10c is disposed on the end surface on the other side (right side) in the longitudinal direction of the first light transmitting path 10. The exit surface 10c is disposed so as to face the incident surface 11d of the second light transmitting path 1110.

[0069] The first reflecting surface 10d is disposed on the other front and rear side surfaces (front surfaces) of the first light transmitting path 10 so as to face the incident surfaces 10a and 10b in the direction of the optical axes L4 and L5 of the incident surfaces 10a and 10b. The first reflecting surface 10d is inclined with respect to the optical axes L4 and L5 so as to become more distant from the incident surfaces 10a and 10b as it moves from one side (left side) to the other side (right side) in the longitudinal direction of the first light transmitting path 10. The second reflecting surface 10e is disposed on one side (rear surface) of the first light transmitting path 10, in a portion between the second incident surface 10b and the exit surface 10c. The third reflecting surface 10f is disposed on the other side (front surface) of the first light transmitting path 10, in a portion between the first reflecting surface 10d and the exit surface 10c. The third reflecting surface 10f faces the second reflecting surface 10e in the direction of the optical axes L4 and L5 of the incident surfaces 10a and 10b. The distance between the third reflecting surface 10f and the second reflecting surface 10e may become smaller toward the exit surface 10c side.

[0070] The first light transmitting path 10 has a pair of fixing protrusions 10g and a pair of positioning ribs 10h. The pair of fixing protrusions 10g are portions that are hooked into fixing holes 22n of the fixing portion 22e of the cover 22. The pair of fixing protrusions 10g are provided on both upper and lower side surfaces of the first light transmitting path 10, for example, at the center in the longitudinal direction. The pair of positioning ribs 10h are portions that fit into predetermined grooves in the fixing portion 22e of the cover 22. The pair of positioning ribs 10h are provided on both upper and lower side surfaces of the first light transmitting path 10, for example, at one end side (left side) in the longitudinal direction.

[0071] The first light transmitting path 10 is accommodated inside the fixing portion 22e through an opening on the rear surface of the fixing portion 22e (see FIG. 3). In this accommodated state, a pair of fixing protrusions 10g of the first light transmitting path 10 are caught in a pair of fixing holes 22n of the fixing portion 22e, and a pair of positioning ribs of the first light transmitting path 10 are fitted into a predetermined pair of grooves of the fixing portion 22e. As a result, the first light transmitting path 10 is positioned and fixed inside the fixing portion 22e.

[0072] In this accommodated state, the first incident surface 10a and the second incident surface 10b of the first light transmitting path 10 are respectively disposed in front of the first light source 51a and the second light source 51b of the light source unit 5. The exit surface 10c of the first light transmitting path 10 is exposed from the end surface opening of the fixing portion 22e and faces the incident surface 11d of the second light transmitting path 11. As a result, the light from the light sources 51a and 51b that is incident on the two incident surfaces 10a and 10b is guided inside the first light transmitting path 10 while being reflected by the first and second reflecting surfaces 10d to 10f, and is emitted from the exit surface 10c toward the incident surface 11d of the second light transmitting path 11.

[0073] In addition, in this accommodated state, the fixing portion 22e covers the front side and both the top and bottom sides of the first light transmitting path 10. This prevents the light incident on the two incident surfaces 10a and 10b from being emitted (i.e., leaking) from the front side and both the top and bottom sides of the first light transmitting path 10. This prevents the light incident on the two incident surfaces 10a and 10b from leaking to the outside of the switch device 1 from between the cover 22 and the operating handle 3 (particularly between the cover 22 and the left operating portion 3L).

[0074] (Second light transmission path 11) The second light-transmitting path 11 is a member that guides the light emitted from the exit surface 10c of the first light-transmitting path 10 to the lighted window 35 of the operating handle 3. The second light-transmitting path 11 is an optical member (for example, a prism) made of a transparent member.

[0075] 10 and 11, the second light-transmitting path 11 has a light-transmitting path main body 11a, a fixed portion 11b, and a lens portion 11c (lens). The second light-transmitting path 11 is integrally formed from a transparent member. Note that the lens portion 11c may be formed separately from the light-transmitting path main body 11a and the fixed portion 11b.

[0076] The light-transmitting path main body 11a is a portion that guides the light emitted from the exit surface 10c of the first light-transmitting path 10 to the lighting window 35 of the operating handle 3. The light-transmitting path main body 11a has an incident surface 11d and an exit surface 11e. The incident surface 11d is a surface onto which the light emitted from the exit surface 10c of the first light-transmitting path 10 is incident. The incident surface 11d faces the exit surface 10c of the first light-transmitting path 10. The exit surface 11e is a surface from which the light guided through the light-transmitting path main body 11a exits. The exit surface 11e faces the back surface (rear surface) of the lighting window 35 via the fixing portion 11b.

[0077] Light transmitting path main body 11a curves forward from incident surface 11d toward exit surface 11e. That is, incident surface 11d is disposed to the left of exit surface 11e (i.e., on the first light transmitting path 10 side). In this embodiment, as will be described later, the intensity distribution of the emitted light at exit surface 11e is shifted to the right (in a first direction) from the center of exit surface 11e. Therefore, the left side (i.e., on the first light transmitting path side) is, in other words, the side opposite to the direction (first direction) in which the intensity distribution is shifted.

[0078] In this manner, in this embodiment, the light-transmitting path main body 11a is curved so that the incident surface 11d is positioned to the left of the exit surface 11e in the second light-transmitting path 11, but the light-transmitting path main body 11a may also be bent so that the incident surface 11d is positioned to the left of the exit surface 11e.

[0079] The fixed portion 11b is a portion that fixes the second light-transmitting path 11 to the back surface of the operating handle 3 (more specifically, the back surface of the operating portion 3R on the lighting window 35 side). The fixed portion 11b is, for example, in the shape of a rectangular plate. The emission surface 11e of the light-transmitting path main body 11a is connected to the back surface of the fixed portion 11b. The fixed portion 11b has two fixing holes 11f through which the two fixing protrusions 34 of the operating handle 3 pass. The two fixing holes 11f are arranged on both the top and bottom sides of the lens portion 11c on the front surface of the fixed portion 11b. The thickness of the fixed portion 11b (the distance between the front surface and the rear surface) increases, for example, from the left side to the right side.

[0080] The lens portion 11c is an optical part that is disposed inside the lighting window 35 of the operating handle 3 and diffuses the light emitted from the lighting window 35. The lens portion 11c is connected to the front surface of the fixed portion 11b. The front surface (front side surface) 11g of the lens portion 11c is concave. This allows the light emitted from the lighting window 35 to be diffused over a wide range.

[0081] When the second light-transmitting path 11 is fixed to the back surface of the operating handle 3, the two fixing protrusions 34 of the operating handle 3 are inserted into the two fixing holes 11f of the fixing portion 11b. In this state, the tips of the two fixing protrusions 34 are melted and crushed, and expanded into a disk shape. As a result, the fixing protrusions 34 cannot be removed from the fixing holes 11f, and the fixing portion 11b is fixed to the back surface of the operating handle 3. In other words, the second light-transmitting path 11 is fixed to the back surface of the operating handle 3.

[0082] In this fixed state, the lens portion 11c is disposed inside the lighting window 35 of the operating handle 3. Furthermore, because the light-transmitting path main body 11a is curved along the length direction, the incident surface 11d side of the light-transmitting path main body 11a is disposed to the left of the exit surface 11e. The incident surface 11d faces the exit surface 10c of the first light-transmitting path 10. As a result, the second light-transmitting path 11 receives light emitted from the exit surface 10c of the first light-transmitting path 10 through the incident surface 11d, guides the light, and emits it from the exit surface 11e to the lighting window 35 via the fixed portion 11b.

[0083] More specifically, in response to pressing down and lifting up of the operation unit 3R on the right side (on the lighting window 35 side) of the operating handle 3, the second light-transmitting path 11 is displaced relative to the first light-transmitting path 10. However, in either case where the right-side operation unit 3R is pressed down or lifted up, the incident surface 11d of the second light-transmitting path 11 faces the exit surface 10c of the first light-transmitting path 10. Therefore, as long as the light sources 51a and 51b emit light, the light from the light sources 51a and 51b is emitted from the lighting window 35 in either case.

[0084] Furthermore, in a fixed state in which the second light transmitting path 11 is fixed to the rear surface of the operating handle 3, the first central axis L6 of the lighting window 35 is disposed to the right (first direction) of the second central axis L7 of the exit surface 11e (see FIG. 11). In this embodiment, in the second light transmitting path 11, the incident surface 11d is shifted to the left of the exit surface 11e, and the rightward direction (first direction) is, in other words, the opposite direction to the direction in which the incident surface 11d is shifted (leftward). Here, the first central axis L6 is an axis passing through the center of the lighting window 35. The first central axis L6 is the same axis as the central axis of the lens portion 11c. The second central axis L7 is an axis passing through the center of the exit surface 11e of the second light transmitting path 11 and is parallel to the first central axis L6.

[0085] In this way, by arranging the first center axis L6 to the right of the second center axis L7, the lighting window 35 can emit light more uniformly for reasons that will be described later.

[0086] (Light guided by the light transmission path 9) 12A to 13B, the manner in which light is guided by light-transmitting path 9 will be described.

[0087] First, with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, how the light-transmitting path 9 guides the light emitted from the first light source 51a will be described.

[0088] When the operation section 3L on the right side of the operation handle 3 is pressed (see FIG. 12A), some of the light emitted from the first light source 51a (for example, light beams C1 to C3) enters the first light transmitting path 10 from the first incident surface 10a, is guided while being reflected inside the first light transmitting path 10, and is emitted from the exit surface 10c. Then, each of the light beams C1 to C3 enters the second light transmitting path 11 from the incident surface 11d, is guided while being reflected along the curved surface 11h on the convex side of the second light transmitting path 11, and is emitted from the front surface 11g of the lens section 11c (i.e., the front surface of the lighting window 35).

[0089] When the right operation unit 3L of the operation handle 3 is lifted (see FIG. 12B), some of the light emitted from the first light source 51a (for example, light beams C2 and C3) enters the first light transmitting path 10 from the incident surface 10a, is reflected and guided inside the first light transmitting path 10, and is emitted from the exit surface 10c. Then, each of the light beams C2 and C3 enters the second light transmitting path 11 from the incident surface 11d, is reflected and guided along the curved surface 11h on the convex side of the second light transmitting path 11, and is emitted from the front surface 11g of the lens portion 11c. Furthermore, some of the light emitted from the first light source 51a (for example, light beam C1) enters the first light transmitting path 10 from the incident surface 10a, is reflected and guided inside the first light transmitting path 10, and is emitted from the exit surface 10c. Then, the light C1 propagates toward the outside of the switch device 1 without being incident on the incident surface of the second light transmitting path 11.

[0090] In the case of Figure 12A, as in the case of Figure 12B, some of the light from the first light source 51a may include light that, after emitting from the exit surface 10c of the first light-transmitting path 10, propagates outside the switch device 1 without entering the entrance surface 11d of the second light-transmitting path 11.

[0091] Next, with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B, how the light-transmitting path 9 guides the light emitted from the second light source 51b will be described.

[0092] When the operation section 3L on the right side of the operation handle 3 is pressed (see FIG. 13A), some of the light emitted from the second light source 51b (for example, light beams C4 to C6) enter the first light transmitting path 10 from the second incident surface 10b, are reflected and guided inside the first light transmitting path 10, and are emitted from the exit surface 10c. Then, each of the light beams C4 to C6 enters the second light transmitting path 11 from the incident surface 11d, is reflected and guided along the curved surface 11h on the convex side of the second light transmitting path 11, and is emitted from the front surface of the lens section 11c.

[0093] When the right operation unit 3L of the operation handle 3 is lifted (see FIG. 13B), some of the light emitted from the second light source 51b (for example, light beams C4 and C6) enters the first light transmitting path 10 from the second incident surface 10b, is reflected and guided inside the first light transmitting path 10, and is emitted from the exit surface 10c. Then, each of the light beams C4 and C6 enters the second light transmitting path 11 from the incident surface 11d, is reflected and guided along the curved surface 11h on the convex side of the second light transmitting path 11, and is emitted from the front surface 11g of the lens portion 11c. Furthermore, some of the light emitted from the second light source 51b (for example, light beam C5) enters the first light transmitting path 10 from the second incident surface 10b, is reflected and guided inside the first light transmitting path 10, and is emitted from the exit surface 10c. Then, the light C5 propagates toward the outside of the switch device 1 without being incident on the incident surface 11d of the second light transmitting path 11.

[0094] In the case of Figure 13A, as in the case of Figure 13B, some of the light from the second light source 51b may include light that, after emitting from the exit surface 10c of the first light-transmitting path 10, propagates outside the switch device 1 without entering the entrance surface 11d of the second light-transmitting path 11.

[0095] In this way, some of the emitted light from the light sources 51a and 51b (for example, light C1 in FIG. 12B and light C5 in FIG. 13B) propagates from the exit surface 10c of the first light-transmitting path 10 to the entrance surface 11d of the second light-transmitting path 11 to the outside of the switch device 1. As will be described later, this light C1 and C5 is blocked by the first light-shielding portion 22i and the second light-shielding portion 36, and is prevented from leaking outside the switch device 1.

[0096] Furthermore, when some of the light emitted from light sources 51a and 51b (for example, light beams C1 to C3 in FIG. 12A and light beams C4 to C6 in FIG. 13A) is guided through second light transmitting path 11, it is guided while being reflected by curved surface 11h on the convex side inside second light transmitting path 11. Therefore, when each of light beams C1 to C6 passes through exit surface 11e of second light transmitting path 11, it is concentrated to the right of the center on exit surface 11e (i.e., toward curved surface 11h (first direction)). That is, on exit surface 11e, the intensity distribution of the emitted light is shifted to the right of the center of exit surface 11e.

[0097] In the above intensity distribution (first intensity distribution), the central region of the intensity distribution is bright, and the peripheral region of the intensity distribution is darker than the central region. That is, the above intensity distribution has a central region inside the peripheral region that is brighter than the peripheral region. Here, the above phrase "on the exit surface 11e, the intensity distribution of the emitted light is shifted to the right from the center of the exit surface 11e" means that the center of the central region (bright region) of the intensity distribution is shifted to the right from the center of the exit surface 11e.

[0098] Therefore, in this switch device 1, the first central axis L6 of the lighting window 35 is positioned to the right (first direction) of the second central axis L7 of the exit surface 11e of the second light-transmitting path 11 (see FIG. 10). Here, the first direction is the direction in which the intensity distribution of the light emitted from the exit surface 11e of the second light-transmitting path 11 is shifted from the center of the exit surface 11e (more specifically, the direction in which the center of the central region, which is brighter than the peripheral region in the intensity distribution, is shifted from the center of the exit surface 11e). As a result, when viewed from the direction of the first central axis L6 (or the front direction), the central region (i.e., the bright region) of the intensity distribution is positioned approximately in the center of the front surface of the lighting window 35 (i.e., the front surface 11g of the lens portion 11c). This allows the lighting window 35 to emit light more uniformly.

[0099] (Range of distance R1 between two central axes L6 and L7) 10, the distance between the two central axes L6 and L7 is defined as distance R1. The diameter of the exit surface 11e of the second light transmitting path 11 is defined as diameter R2. The ratio of the distance R1 to the diameter R2 is defined as ratio W1 (=R1 / R2). The diameter R2 is, for example, 2.0 mm.

[0100] In the following description, the intensity distribution of the emitted light at the exit surface 11e of the second light transmitting path 11 will be referred to as a first intensity distribution P1 (see FIG. 10). The intensity distribution of the emitted light at the front surface (exit surface) of the lighting window 35 of the operating handle 3 will be referred to as a second intensity distribution P2 (see FIG. 10). Because the front surface of the lighting window 35 is the same as the front surface 11g of the lens portion 11c, the second intensity distribution P2 is also the intensity distribution of the emitted light at the front surface 11g of the lens portion 11c. The second intensity distribution P2 is the first intensity distribution P1 reflected on the front surface of the lighting window 35 when the front surface of the lighting window 35 is viewed from the direction of the first central axis L6.

[0101] Therefore, the second intensity distribution P2 has a bright region E1 and a dark region E2 (see FIG. 14), and these bright region E1 and dark region E2 correspond to the bright region and dark region of the first intensity distribution P1, respectively. Note that the bright region E1 of the second intensity distribution P2 is a relatively bright region in the second intensity distribution P2, and the dark region E2 of the second intensity distribution P2 is a region in the second intensity distribution P2 that is relatively brighter than the bright region E1. Furthermore, the bright region of the first intensity distribution P1 is a relatively bright region where the emitted light is concentrated on the exit surface 11e of the second light-transmitting path 11. The dark region of the first intensity distribution P1 is a region darker than the bright region of the first intensity distribution P1.

[0102] Fig. 14 shows the second intensity distribution P2 when the interval R1 is changed in 0.2 mm increments from 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm. That is, as described above, the first intensity distribution P1 is distributed so as to be shifted to the right (in the first direction) from the center on the exit surface 11e of the second light-transmitting path 11. To match this shift, the first central axis L6 is changed in 0.2 mm increments from a position shifted 0.2 mm to a position shifted 1.0 mm to the right (in the first direction) from the second central axis L7, resulting in the second intensity distribution P2 shown in Fig. 14.

[0103] As shown in Fig. 14, when the interval R1 is 0.2 mm or 1.0 mm, it can be seen that the bright region E1 of the second intensity distribution P2 is greatly deviated from the center of the front surface of the lighting window 35 (i.e., the front surface 11g of the lens unit 11c). In this case, it can be seen that the front surface of the lighting window 35 does not emit light uniformly. On the other hand, when the interval R1 is 0.4 mm, 0.6 mm or 0.8 mm, it can be seen that the bright region E1 of the second intensity distribution P2 is approximately arranged at the center of the front surface of the lighting window 35 (i.e., the front surface 11g of the lens unit 11c). In this case, it can be seen that the front surface of the lighting window 35 emits light almost uniformly.

[0104] Note that in the state where the operation unit 3R on the right side (the lighting window 35 side) is lifted, the front surface of the lighting window 35 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. Therefore, it is desirable that the bright region E1 on the front surface of the lighting window 35 is slightly shifted to the left from the center of the lighting window 35. Thereby, when the lighting window 35 is viewed from the front, the bright region E1 appears to be arranged more centrally on the front surface of the lighting window 35.

[0105] From the above, in order to make the front surface of the lighting window 35 (i.e., the front surface 11g of the lens unit 11c) emit light more uniformly, it is desirable to set the interval R1 within the range of 0.2 mm < R1 < 1.0 mm (i.e., the ratio W1 is 0.1 < W1 < 0.5). Preferably, it is desirable to set the interval R1 within the range of 0.4 mm ≤ R1 ≤ 0.8 mm (i.e., the ratio W1 is 0.2 ≤ W1 ≤ 0.4). More preferably, it is desirable to set the interval R1 within the range of 0.5 mm ≤ R1 ≤ 0.7 mm (i.e., the ratio W1 is 0.25 ≤ W1 ≤ 0.35).

[0106] (Operation of the switch device 1) Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the operations of the light transmission path 9 and the light shielding portions 22i, 36 of the switch device 1 will be described.

[0107] When the operation unit 3R on the right side (on the side of the lighted window 35) of the operation handle 3 is pressed down (see FIG. 4), the operation unit 3L on the left side is raised. In this state, the second light-transmitting path 11 and the second light-blocking portion 36 are moved downward in conjunction with the right-side operation unit 3R. As a result, the incident surface 11d of the second light-transmitting path 11 faces the exit surface 10c of the first light-transmitting path 10. In this state, when the light sources 51a and 51b emit light, the light from the light sources 51a and 51b is guided through the first light-transmitting path 10 and the second light-transmitting path 11 and is emitted from the light-transmitting window 35 of the operation handle 3.

[0108] Furthermore, as described above, when the second light-shielding part 36 is moved downward in conjunction with the right-side operation part 3R, it is disposed within the accommodation recess 22q of the device body 2. In this state, the front half of the first light-shielding part 22i overlaps with almost the entire second light-shielding part 36 in the left-right direction (the direction in which the two operation parts 3L, 3R are aligned). As a result, the gap between the right end part (right wall part 31f) of the right-side operation part 3R and the front surface 22j of the device body 2 is almost completely blocked by the first light-shielding part 22i and the second light-shielding part 36.

[0109] As a result, for example, light C8 leaking from the curved surface 11h on the convex side of the second light transmitting path 11 is blocked by the first light blocking portion 22i and the second light blocking portion 36. This prevents the light C8 from leaking outside the switch device 1. In this case, the light C8 is blocked by the double walls of the first light blocking portion 22i and the second light blocking portion 36, and is therefore almost completely blocked.

[0110] Furthermore, light C9 leaking from surfaces of the first light transmitting path 10 other than the exit surface 10c (excluding the rear surface) is blocked by the fixing portion 22e that covers the first light transmitting path 10. This prevents light C9 from leaking to the outside of the switch device 1 from a gap between the left end (left wall portion 31e) of the left operation unit 3L and the front surface 22j of the device body 2.

[0111] When the left operation section 3L of the operation handle 3 is pressed down (see FIG. 3), the right operation section 3R is raised. In this state, the second light-transmitting path 11 and the second light-blocking section 36 are moved to a raised position in conjunction with the right operation section 3R. Even in this position, the incident surface 11d of the second light-transmitting path 11 faces the exit surface 10c of the first light-transmitting path 10. In this state, when the light sources 51a and 51b emit light, the light from the light sources 51a and 51b is guided through the first light-transmitting path 10 and the second light-transmitting path 11 and is emitted from the illumination window 35 of the operation handle 3.

[0112] Furthermore, as described above, even when the second shading portion 36 is positioned in a raised position in conjunction with the right-side operating portion 3R, the first shading portion 22i and the second shading portion 36 close the gap between the right end (right wall portion 31f) of the right-side operating portion and the front surface 22j of the device main body 2.

[0113] As a result, light C11 that leaks out of the light emitted from the first light transmitting path 10 without entering the incident surface 11d of the second light transmitting path 11, and light C10 that leaks from the curved surface 11h on the convex side of the second light transmitting path 11, are blocked by the first light blocking portion 22i and the second light blocking portion 36. This prevents the light C10 and C11 from leaking outside the switch device 1.

[0114] In this case as well, light C9 leaking from surfaces (excluding the rear surface) of the first light transmitting path 10 other than the exit surface 10c is blocked by the fixing portion 22e covering the first light transmitting path 10. This prevents light C9 from leaking outside the switch device 1 from a gap between the left end (left wall portion 31e) of the left operation unit 3L and the front surface 22j of the device body 2.

[0115] Next, the lighting operation (position display function and pilot function) of the switch device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0116] In this switch device 1, the first light source 51a (for example, a white light source) is always lit. As a result, light (for example, white light) from the first light source 51a is always guided through the first light transmitting path 10 and the second light transmitting path 11 and is emitted from the lighted window 35 of the operating handle 3. As a result, the lighted window 35 always emits, for example, white light, regardless of the operation of the operating handle 3. This light emission makes it possible to easily visually recognize the position of the operating handle 3 even in the dark (position display function).

[0117] On the other hand, in this switch device 1, the second light source 51b (for example, a red light source) is switched on and off depending on whether the target electric device is operating or not. For example, the second light source 51b is turned off when the target electric device is operating, and is turned on when the target electric device is not operating.

[0118] As a result, when the electrical device to be operated is in operation, the second light source 51b is turned off, and therefore, even if the operating handle 3 is operated, no light from the second light source 51b is emitted from the lighting window 35 of the operating handle. In other words, the lighting window 35 does not emit light. On the other hand, when the electrical device to be operated is stopped, the second light source 51b is turned on, and therefore, when the operating handle 3 is operated and the operating part 3R on the right side of the operating handle 3 is lifted, light (e.g., red light) from the second light source 51b is emitted from the lighting window 35 of the operating handle 3. In other words, the lighting window 35 emits red light. This light emission makes it possible to easily see the part of the operating handle 3 that is used to operate the electrical device to be operated, even in the dark (pilot function).

[0119] In this embodiment, since the pilot function and the position display function are performed together, in this case, red light from the pilot function and white light from the position display function are emitted from the lighting window 35.

[0120] (Major effects) As described above, the switch device 1 according to this embodiment includes the device body 2, the operating handle 3, the contact circuit 4, the light sources 51a and 51b, the first light-transmitting path 10, and the second light-transmitting path 11. The operating handle 3 has a first operating portion 3R and a second operating portion 3L and is disposed so as to be displaceable relative to the device body 2. When the first operating portion 3R and the second operating portion 3L are operated, the first operating portion 3R and the second operating portion 3L are displaced in different directions. The operating handle 3 has an illuminated window 35 in the first operating portion 3R. The contact circuit 4 switches between an open state and a closed state in response to the displacement of the operating handle 3. The light sources 51a and 51b are fixed to the device body 2. The first light-transmitting path 10 is fixed to the device body 2 and receives and guides light from the light sources 51a and 51b. The second light transmitting path 11 is fixed to the operating handle 3 and guides the light emitted from the first light transmitting path 10 to the lighting window 35.

[0121] According to this configuration, since the first light-transmitting path 10 and the second light-transmitting path 11 are provided, the light from the light sources 51a and 51b can be guided from the device main body 2 to the lighting window 35 of the operating handle 3 by fixing the light sources 51a and 51b to the device main body 2.

[0122] The second light transmitting path 11 has an incident surface 11d and an exit surface 11e. The incident surface 11d receives the exiting light from the first light transmitting path 10. The exit surface 11e emits the light incident on the incident surface 11d to the lighting window 35. An axis passing through the center of the lighting window 35 is defined as a first central axis L6, and an axis passing through the center of the exit surface 11e and parallel to the first central axis L6 is defined as a second central axis L2. The direction in which the first intensity distribution P1 of the exiting light on the exit surface 11e is shifted from the center of the exit surface 11e is defined as a first direction. The first central axis L6 is positioned closer to the first direction than the second central axis L7.

[0123] According to this configuration, the first central axis L6 is disposed closer to the first direction than the second central axis L7 (i.e., on the side of the exit surface 11e in the direction in which the intensity distribution P2 of the emitted light is shifted from the center of the exit surface 11e). Therefore, the light from the light sources 51a and 51b can illuminate the illumination window 35 of the operating handle 3 more uniformly.

[0124] (Variation) In the above embodiment, the case where two light sources 51a and 51b are provided is exemplified, but only one of the two light sources 51a and 51b may be provided.

[0125] (summary) As is clear from the above-described embodiment and modifications, the following aspects can be taken into account.

[0126] The switch device (1) of the first aspect includes a device body (2), an operating handle (3), a contact circuit (4), light sources (51a, 51b), a first light-transmitting path (10), and a second light-transmitting path (11). The operating handle (3) has a first operating portion (3R) and a second operating portion (3L) and is disposed so as to be displaceable relative to the device body (2). When the first operating portion (3R) and the second operating portion (3L) are operated, the first operating portion (3R) and the second operating portion (3L) are displaced in mutually different directions. The operating handle (3) has an illumination window (35) in the first operating portion (3R). The contact circuit (4) switches between an open state and a closed state in response to the displacement of the operating handle (3). The light sources (51a, 51b) are fixed to the device body (2). The first light transmitting path (10) is fixed to the device body (2) and receives and guides light from the light sources (51a, 51b). The second light transmitting path (11) is fixed to the operating handle (3). The second light transmitting path (11) has an incident surface (11d) and an exit surface (11e). The incident surface (11d) receives the exit light from the first light transmitting path (10). The exit surface (11e) emits the light incident on the incident surface (11d) to the lighting window (35). An axis passing through the center of the lighting window (35) is defined as a first central axis (L6), and an axis passing through the center of the exit surface (11e) and parallel to the first central axis (L6) is defined as a second central axis (L7). The direction in which the first intensity distribution (P1) of the emitted light on the exit surface (11e) is shifted from the center of the exit surface (11e) is defined as a first direction (e.g., rightward). The first central axis (L6) is disposed closer to the first direction than the second central axis (L7).

[0127] According to this configuration, the first central axis (L6) is disposed closer to the first direction than the second central axis (L7) (i.e., on the side of the exit surface (11e) in the direction in which the first intensity distribution (P1) of the emitted light is shifted from the center of the exit surface (11e)). This allows the light from the light sources (51a, 51b) to illuminate the illumination window (35) of the operating handle (3) more uniformly.

[0128] In the switch device (1) of the second aspect, in the first aspect, the direction in which the first intensity component (P1) is shifted from the center of the exit surface (11e) is the direction in which the center of the central region, which is brighter than the peripheral region in the first intensity distribution (P1), is shifted from the center of the exit surface (11e).

[0129] According to this configuration, the first central axis (L6) is disposed closer to the first direction than the second central axis (L7) (i.e., on the side of the exit surface (11e) in the direction in which the center of the central region that is brighter than the peripheral region in the first intensity distribution (P1) of the emitted light is shifted from the center of the exit surface (11e). This allows the light from the light sources (51a, 51b) to illuminate the illumination window (35) of the operating handle (3) more uniformly.

[0130] In the switch device (1) of the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the exit surface (front surface) of the lighting window (35) has a second intensity distribution (P2) of the emitted light. The second intensity distribution (P2) has a bright bright region (E1) and a dark region (E2) darker than the bright region (E1). The bright region (E1) is located in the center of the exit surface of the lighting window (35). The dark region (E2) is located on the outer periphery of the bright region (E1) on the exit surface of the lighting window (35).

[0131] This configuration allows the lighting window (35) to emit light more uniformly.

[0132] The switch device (1) of the fourth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, and when viewed from the direction of the first central axis (L6), the incident surface (11d) is arranged on the side opposite to the first direction (for example, on the left side) of the exit surface (11e).

[0133] According to this configuration, when the incident surface (11d) is arranged on the side opposite to the first direction with respect to the emission surface (11e), in the above intensity distribution (P2), it may shift from the center toward the first direction side (for example, the right side) on the emission surface (11e). Therefore, in the above state, the first central axis (L6) is arranged on the first direction side (that is, the side opposite to the incident surface (11d)) with respect to the second central axis (L7). Thereby, the lighting window (35) of the operation handle (3) can be made to emit light more uniformly by the light of the light sources (51a, 51b).

[0134] The switch device (1) of the fifth aspect includes a lens (11c) arranged in the lighting window (35) in any one of the first to fourth aspects. The front surface (11g) of the lens (11c) is a concave surface.

[0135] According to this configuration, the emitted light from the lighting window (35) can be diffused over a wide range.

[0136] In the switch device (1) of the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the distance between the first central axis (L6) and the second central axis (L7) is R1, the diameter of the emission surface (11e) is R2, and the ratio of the diameter R2 to the distance R1 is W1. R1 satisfies the relationship of 0.1 < W1 < 0.5.

[0137] According to this configuration, the lighting window (35) of the operation handle (3) can be made to emit light more uniformly by the light of the light sources (51a, 51b).

[0138] The switch device (1) of the seventh aspect is such that, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the second light transmission path (11) is curved from the incident surface (11d) toward the emission surface (11e).

[0139] According to this configuration, when the second light transmission path (11) has a curved shape, the lighting window (35) of the operation handle (3) can be made to emit light more uniformly by the light of the light sources (51a, 51b).

[0140] In the switch device (1) of the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the light sources (51a, 51b) are arranged in the device body (2) behind one of the operation parts (3L, 3R) on both sides that does not have a lighting window (35) (for example, 3L).

[0141] This configuration ensures a sufficient distance between the light sources (51a, 51b) and the lighting window (35), thereby suppressing changes in brightness of the lighting window (35) caused by operation of the operating handle (3). That is, the brightness of the lighting window (35) can be kept more uniform in response to operation of the operating handle (3). [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 1 Switching device 2. Device body 3 Operating handle 3R operation section (1st operation section) 3L operation section (second operation section) 4 Contact device (contact circuit) 11c lens 11d Incidence plane 11e Output surface 11g Front (front surface) 22i 1st light shielding part 22j Front (opposite side) 31f Right wall (end) 35 Lighted Window 36 Second light blocking section 51a 1st light source (light source) 51b 2nd light source (light source) E1 bright area E2 dark region L6 1st center axis L7 2nd center axis P1 1st intensity distribution P2 2nd intensity distribution R1 interval R2 diameter

Claims

1. A device body, an operating handle having a first operating portion and a second operating portion, disposed displaceably relative to the device body, the first operating portion and the second operating portion displacing in mutually different directions when the first operating portion and the second operating portion are operated, and the first operating portion having an illuminated window; a contact circuit that switches between an open state and a closed state in response to a displacement of the operating handle; a light source fixed to the device body; a first light transmitting path fixed to the device body, through which light from the light source is incident and guided; a second light transmitting path fixed to the operating handle; the second light transmitting path has a light transmitting path main body, a fixing portion, and a lens portion, The light-transmitting path body is an incident surface onto which the light emitted from the first light transmitting path is incident; an exit surface that outputs the light incident on the entrance surface to the lighting window, the light-transmitting path body is curved such that the incident surface is shifted in a direction opposite to the first direction relative to the exit surface, the fixing portion is connected to the light exit surface of the light-transmitting path main body and is fixed to a rear surface of the operating handle so as to overlap with the lighting window, the lens portion is fixed to the fixing portion and disposed inside the lighting window, an axis passing through the center of the lighting window is defined as a first central axis, an axis passing through the center of the light exit surface and parallel to the first central axis is defined as a second central axis, and a direction in which a first intensity distribution of the emitted light on the light exit surface is shifted from the center of the light exit surface is defined as the first direction; the first central axis is the same as the central axis of the lens portion, the first central axis is disposed closer to the first direction than the second central axis, the direction in which the first intensity distribution is shifted from the center of the light exit surface is a direction in which a center of a central region that is brighter than an outer peripheral region in the first intensity distribution is shifted from the center of the light exit surface, an exit surface of the lighting window having a second intensity distribution of emitted light; the second intensity distribution has a bright region and a dark region that is darker than the bright region, The bright region is disposed at the center of the light exit surface of the light-on window, and the dark region is disposed on the outer periphery of the bright region on the light exit surface of the light-on window. Switch device.

2. When viewed from the direction of the first central axis, the incident surface of the light-transmitting path main body is disposed on a side opposite to the first direction with respect to the exit surface of the light-transmitting path main body. The switch device according to claim 1 .

3. The lens portion is disposed in the lighting window, The front surface of the lens portion is a concave surface. The switch device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. where R1 is the distance between the first central axis and the second central axis, R2 is the diameter of the exit surface of the light-transmitting path body, and W1 is the ratio of the diameter R2 to the distance R1, R1 satisfies the relationship 0.1<W1<0.

5. The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The light source is disposed in the device body on the rear side of one of the first operation unit and the second operation unit that does not have the lighting window. The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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