Operation input device

Abstract

This operation input device comprises: a case; an operation knob that has a translucent cylindrical base part and that can be operated by pushing; a display panel that is disposed inwardly of the base part and that comprises a translucent design display part; a slider that is provided to the inside of the case so as to be capable of moving integrally with the push-operated operation knob; a light guide that has a columnar part provided to the inside of the slider, a flat plate part provided so as to face the display panel, and a curved surface part connecting the upper end part of the columnar part and the inner peripheral part of the flat plate part; and a light source that is provided so as to face the lower end surface of the columnar part of the light guide, wherein the flat plate part of the light guide has an irradiation surface for irradiating the design display part of the display panel with light and an outer peripheral irradiation surface for irradiating the inner peripheral surface of the base part with light, and the base part has an outer peripheral surface for irradiating a space outside of the base part with the light incident on the inner peripheral surface thereof from the outer peripheral irradiation surface of the flat plate part of the light guide.

Description

Operation input device

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation input device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a technique for illuminating a design display portion of a knob and a knob dial ring provided on a side surface of the knob by guiding light emitted from a light source provided on a substrate through a light guide ring in a dial-type switch.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-97713

[0004] However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, light emitted from a light source is guided to the knob dial ring via the light guide ring and a slider, so the knob dial ring cannot be illuminated efficiently.

[0005] An operation input device according to an embodiment comprises: a case; an operation knob provided on the case, having a translucent cylindrical base, and being push-operable; a display panel arranged inside the base and including a translucent design display portion; a slider provided inside the case so as to be movable integrally with a push-operated operation knob; a light guide body having a columnar portion provided inside the slider, a flat plate portion provided to face the display panel, and a curved surface portion connecting an upper end portion of the columnar portion and an inner peripheral portion of the flat plate portion; and a light source provided opposite to a lower end surface of the columnar portion of the light guide body, wherein the flat plate portion of the light guide body has an irradiation surface that irradiates light toward the design display portion of the display panel, and an outer peripheral irradiation surface that irradiates light toward an inner peripheral surface of the base, and the base has an outer peripheral surface that irradiates light entering the inner peripheral surface from the outer peripheral irradiation surface of the flat plate portion of the light guide body to a space outside the base.

[0006] According to the operation input device of an embodiment, an annular space along an outer periphery of the operation knob and the design display portion provided inside the operation knob can be efficiently illuminated.

[0007] External perspective view of operation input device according to one embodiment; Cross-sectional view of operation input device according to one embodiment; Diagram showing light propagation path in operation input device according to one embodiment

[0008] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, in the following description, the X-axis direction in the drawings will be considered the front-to-back direction, the Y-axis direction will be considered the left-to-right direction, and the Z-axis direction will be considered the up-and-down direction. However, the positive X-axis direction will be considered the front direction, the positive Y-axis direction the right direction, and the positive Z-axis direction the up direction. These indicate the relative positional relationships within the device and do not limit the installation or operation direction of the device. Any device with equivalent relative positional relationships within the device, even if installed or operated in a different direction, is included within the scope of the present invention.

[0009] (Overview of the Operation Input Device 100) Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment. The operation input device 100 shown in Figure 1 is a device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. As shown in Figure 1, the operation input device 100 includes an operation knob 130 that protrudes upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) from an upper cover 112 that closes the upper part of the main body portion 111 of the case 110.

[0010] The operating knob 130 has a cylindrical outer shape and allows the operator to rotate it around the axis of the virtual rotation axis AX (an example of a "virtual axis extending in the vertical direction"), push it downward (negative Z-axis direction), and move it laterally left and right (Y-axis direction).

[0011] When the operator rotates, pushes, or moves the operation knob 130, the operation input device 100 can output a control signal corresponding to the rotation, push, or lateral movement operation to the control target devices (e.g., audio system, car navigation system, air conditioner, electronic shifter, etc.) provided in the vehicle.

[0012] Furthermore, the operation input device 100 has a transparent cover panel 135 on the top surface of the operation knob 130, and a display panel 140 with a design display unit 143A inside the operation knob 130. As a result, the design displayed by the design display unit 143A can be viewed from above (in the positive Z-axis direction) through the cover panel 135.

[0013] Furthermore, the operation input device 100 has an illumination function, which allows the design display section 143A, the annular space S1 along the outer circumference of the operation knob 130, and the upper surface 140A of the display panel 140 to be illuminated.

[0014] (Configuration of the operation input device 100) Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the operation input device 100 comprises a case 110, an operation knob 130, a display panel 140, a rotator 150, a slider 160, a light guide 170, a substrate 180, and a drive member 190.

[0015] The case 110 is a hollow, resin-made, container-shaped component. The case 110 houses and supports other components of the operation input device 100. In this embodiment, as an example, the case 110 is configured to have a main body 111, an upper cover 112, and a lower cover 113.

[0016] The main body 111 is a cylindrical member having an upper opening and a lower opening. The upper cover 112 is a resin, lid-shaped member that is attached to the upper part of the main body 111 to close the upper opening of the main body 111. The upper cover 112 has a circular opening 112A formed in it, centered on a virtual rotation axis AX, when viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction). The lower cover 113 is a resin, lid-shaped member that is attached to the lower part of the main body 111 to close the lower opening of the main body 111.

[0017] The operating knob 130 is provided protruding upward (towards the positive Z-axis) from the opening 112A of the upper cover 112, and is a component that can be rotated, pushed, and moved laterally by the operator. The operating knob 130 has a base portion 131, a gripping operating portion 132, and a cover panel 135.

[0018] The base portion 131 is positioned to penetrate the opening 112A of the upper cover 112 and is a generally cylindrical member made of a translucent resin material. The upper part of the base portion 131 is positioned inside the gripping operation portion 132 and is fixed to the gripping operation portion 132. The lower part of the base portion 131 is positioned inside the opening 112A of the upper cover 112. The lower part of the base portion 131 is fixed to the upper end of the rotator 150 by a snap-fit ​​structure. As a result, the base portion 131 can rotate, move up and down, and move laterally together with the rotator 150. In this embodiment, a translucent white resin is used as the material for the base portion 131. As a result, the base portion 131 of the operating knob 130 has light-diffusing properties, and the base portion 131 emits light uniformly. However, the base portion 131 is not limited to this and may be made of a material other than white resin, as long as it is at least translucent. Furthermore, the base portion 131 may be designed to adjust its light diffusion properties and color tone according to the specifications of the light emission state.

[0019] The gripping operation part 132 is an example of an "outer cylindrical part," and is a generally cylindrical member made of resin material, provided on the outside of the base part 131. The gripping operation part 132 is fixed to the outer circumference of the base part 131. As a result, the gripping operation part 132 can rotate, move up and down, and move laterally together with the base part 131. The outer gripping surface 132A of the gripping operation part 132 has a constant width in the vertical direction and is gripped by the fingers of the operator's hand during operation.

[0020] The cover panel 135 is a disc-shaped member provided inside the upper opening of the gripping operation section 132, and it closes the upper opening of the gripping operation section 132. The cover panel 135 is made of resin or glass and is translucent. As a result, the cover panel 135 transmits the design displayed by the design display section 143A of the display panel 140 (i.e., transmitted light having a predetermined design shape that has passed through the display panel 140), allowing the operator to view the design from above the cover panel 135 (in the positive Z-axis direction). The cover panel 135 is also fixed to the gripping operation section 132. As a result, the cover panel 135 can be pressed by the operator and can move up and down and rotate together with the base 131 and the gripping operation section 132.

[0021] The display panel 140 is located inside the upper opening of the base 131 of the operating knob 130 and below the cover panel 135 (negative Z-axis side). The display panel 140 is composed of a light-shielding panel 141 and a light-transmitting panel 143.

[0022] The light-shielding panel 141 is a disc-shaped component made of resin that has light-shielding properties. The light-shielding panel 141 has an opening 141A that opens in a predetermined design shape when viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction) in a plan view. The design display portion 143A of the light-transmitting panel 143 is fitted into the opening 141A from below. As a result, the light-shielding panel 141 can expose the design display portion 143A of the light-transmitting panel 143 so that it can be seen from above (positive Z-axis direction) of the light-shielding panel 141.

[0023] The light-transmitting panel 143 is a disc-shaped, resin-made member that is light-transmitting and is installed on top of the light-shielding panel 141. The light-transmitting panel 143 has a design display section 143A that protrudes upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) from the upper surface of the light-transmitting panel 143 and has a predetermined design shape when viewed from above (in the positive Z-axis direction). The design display section 143A is fitted into an opening 141A of the light-shielding panel 141, which has the same shape as the design display section 143A. As a result, the design display section 143A can emit transmitted light (i.e., transmitted light with a predetermined design shape) that has passed through the design display section 143A upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) above the light-shielding panel 141. In this embodiment, a light-transmitting white resin is used as the material for the light-transmitting panel 143. As a result, the translucent panel 143 has a light-diffusing design display section 143A, and the design display section 143A emits light uniformly.

[0024] The rotator 150 is a generally cylindrical member with its center on the virtual rotation axis AX. The rotator 150 is rotatable within the case 110 around the axis of the virtual rotation axis AX in response to the operator's rotation of the operating knob 130. The upper end of the rotator 150 is fixed to the base 131 of the operating knob 130. As a result, the rotator 150 can rotate, move up and down, and move laterally in conjunction with the operating knob 130.

[0025] The slider 160 is a cylindrical resin component located inside the rotator 150. The slider 160 is connected to the operating knob 130. As a result, the slider 160 is positioned to move integrally with the operating knob 130 in the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the virtual rotation axis AX in response to the operator's push operation of the operating knob 130.

[0026] Specifically, the slider 160 is engaged with a bearing 151 provided inside the cylinder of the rotator 150 so that the rotator 150 can be rotated independently of the slider 160, and the rotator 150 can be moved up and down together with the slider 160. Therefore, when the operating knob 130 is pushed, the slider 160 moves up and down together with the operating knob 130 and the rotator 150. On the other hand, the slider 160 does not rotate even when the operating knob 130 is rotated.

[0027] The light guide 170 directs the light emitted by the LED 181, which is provided on the substrate 180, to the display panel 140, the annular space S1 below the gripping operation part 132 of the operation knob 130 (the annular space S1 along the gripping operation part 132), and the upper surface 140A of the display panel 140.

[0028] Specifically, the light guide 170 has a columnar portion 171 and a flat plate portion 172. The light guide 170 is made of a transparent resin material that is light-transmitting, and the columnar portion 171 and the flat plate portion 172 are integrally formed.

[0029] The columnar portion 171 has a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The columnar portion 171 is inserted inside the slider 160. The lower end surface 171A of the columnar portion 171 faces the LED 181. The lower end surface 171A of the columnar portion 171 is the incident surface of the light emitted by the LED 181. Note that the columnar portion 171 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may also be a polygonal columnar shape.

[0030] The flat plate portion 172 has a horizontal disc shape. The flat plate portion 172 is connected to the upper end of the columnar portion 171 via a curved surface portion 173A (see Figure 3), which is greatly curved in the outer diameter direction and will be described later, at the center of the flat plate portion 172. That is, the upper end surface of the columnar portion 171 is connected to the lower end surface of the curved surface portion 173A, and the inner circumference of the flat plate portion 172 is connected to the outer circumference of the curved surface portion 173A. The flat plate portion 172 is provided inside the base portion 131 of the operating knob 130 and below the display panel 140 (negative Z-axis side), facing the display panel 140.

[0031] Details of the light propagation path in the light guide 170 and the base 131 of the operating knob 130 will be described later with reference to Figure 3.

[0032] The substrate 180 is a flat, plate-shaped resin component located inside the case 110, below the rotator 150 and the light guide 170 (negative Z-axis side). An LED 181 (an example of a "light source") is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 180 at a position opposite to the lower end surface 171A of the columnar portion 171 of the light guide 170. A pair of left and right push switches 182 are provided on the upper surface of the substrate 180 at a position opposite to the lower end surfaces of a pair of left and right push rods 192 for detecting the lateral movement of the operation knob 130. Furthermore, a rotation detection means (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 180 for detecting the rotation of the operation knob 130 by detecting the rotation of the rotator 150. In addition, a push switch (not shown) is provided in the center of the upper surface of the substrate 180, which detects a push operation when pressed down by the lower surface of the drive member 190.

[0033] The drive member 190 is a resin component having a cylindrical shape with a larger diameter than the slider 160. The drive member 190 is installed inside the case 110 so as to be movable in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). The slider 160 is inserted through the cylinder of the drive member 190. This allows the slider 160 to be moved vertically within the cylinder of the drive member 190. In addition, this allows the drive member 190 to move laterally in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) together with the slider 160. The drive member 190 has a pair of left and right protrusions 191 that protrude in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). The protrusions 191 have a pressing surface 191A which is an inclined surface that is tilted downward. A rod-shaped push rod 192 extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is provided below the pressing surface 191A. The pressing surface 191A is in contact with the upper end of the push rod 192. Furthermore, the lower end surface of the push rod 192 is in contact with the push switch 182 provided on the substrate 180.

[0034] When the operating knob 130 is moved laterally in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), the drive member 190 moves laterally in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) together with the slider 160, and the pressing surface 191A on the direction of movement side pushes down the push rod 192 on the direction of movement side. At this time, the push rod 192 presses against the push switch 182, and the push switch 182 detects the lateral movement operation of the operating knob 130.

[0035] (Light propagation path in the operation input device 100) Figure 3 is a diagram showing the light propagation path in the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment. In Figure 3, the thick arrows indicate the light propagation path in the light guide 170 and the base 131 of the operation knob 130.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the columnar portion 171 of the light guide 170 is provided in a straight line in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) passing through the inside of the through hole 160A of the slider 160.

[0037] As a result, in the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment, the light emitted from the LED 181 does not pass through the slider 160, thus suppressing the reduction in light intensity caused by the slider 160. Therefore, according to the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment, the light emitted from the LED 181 can be efficiently guided to the design display unit 143A and the space S1 via the columnar portion 171 and the flat portion 172 of the light guide 170.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the upper end surface of the columnar portion 171 of the light guide 170 (i.e., the connection surface with 173A, which will be described later) is located directly below the design display portion 143A of the display panel 140.

[0039] As a result, the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment can efficiently guide the light emitted from the LED 181 to the design display unit 143A via the columnar portion 171 and the flat portion 172 of the light guide 170.

[0040] In one embodiment of the operation input device 100, the light guide 170 is held by the slider 160.

[0041] Accordingly, the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment does not require another member (such as the case 110) to be provided with a holding mechanism for the light guide 170, and can simplify the holding mechanism for the light guide 170.

[0042] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the flat plate portion 172 of the light guide 170 has a disk shape that extends radially from the upper end of the columnar portion 171, and is provided on the lower side (the negative Z-axis side) of the display panel 140 so as to face the display panel 140.

[0043] Accordingly, in the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment, the flat plate portion 172 of the light guide 170 forms a light guide path that propagates from the central portion of the flat plate portion 172 so as to spread radially inside the flat plate portion 172.

[0044] Therefore, the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment can save the installation space of the flat plate portion 172, and can efficiently irradiate light onto the display panel 140 and the base 131 of the operation knob 130 while allowing the light incident from the columnar portion 171 to propagate so as to spread radially inside the flat plate portion 172 by means of the flat plate portion 172.

[0045] Specifically, the flat plate portion 172 of the light guide 170 has: an irradiation surface 172A that faces the display panel 140 and irradiates light onto the display panel 140; and an outer peripheral irradiation surface 172B that faces the inner peripheral surface 131A of the base 131 of the operation knob 130 and irradiates light onto the inner peripheral surface 131A.

[0046] Further, the base 131 of the operation knob 130 has an annular shape surrounding the flat plate portion 172 of the light guide 170, and has: an inner peripheral surface 131A that faces the outer peripheral irradiation surface 172B of the flat plate portion 172 of the light guide 170 and receives the light irradiated from the outer peripheral irradiation surface 172B; and an outer peripheral surface 131B that is exposed to the annular space S1 outside the base 131 and irradiates light into the space S1.

[0047] Accordingly, the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment allows light to propagate so as to spread in the radial direction inside the flat plate portion 172 of the light guide 170, while efficiently irradiating the display panel 140 with light from the irradiation surface 172A of the flat plate portion 172, and can efficiently irradiate the inner peripheral surface 131A of the base 131 of the operation knob 130 with light from the outer peripheral irradiation surface 172B of the flat plate portion 172.

[0048] Then, the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment can efficiently irradiate the space S1 with light incident from the inner peripheral surface 131A of the base 131 from the outer peripheral surface 131B of the base 131 by means of the base 131 of the operation knob 130.

[0049] Here, in the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment, the light-transmitting panel 143 of the display panel 140 has light-transmitting properties, includes the light-transmitting panel 143 formed using a white resin, and the light-transmitting panel 143 is provided to face the flat plate portion 172 of the light guide 170.

[0050] Accordingly, in the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment, the light-transmitting panel 143 has light diffusibility, and part of the light irradiated from the flat plate portion 172 of the light guide 170 to the light-transmitting panel 143 can be returned to the inside of the flat plate portion 172 of the light guide 170. Therefore, the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment can increase the light amount of light emitted from the outer peripheral irradiation surface 172B of the flat plate portion 172.

[0051] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment has a hole 173 drilled at a predetermined depth from the irradiation surface 172A of the flat plate portion 172 facing the display panel 140 (that is, the upper surface of the light guide 170) toward the lower side (Z-axis negative direction) to an intermediate position of the columnar portion 171 at the center of the light guide 170 (on the virtual rotation axis AX).

[0052] Accordingly, the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment can enhance the directivity of light upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) inside the columnar portion 171 of the light guide 170, and thus can efficiently propagate light upward (in the positive Z-axis direction).

[0053] Here, the hole 173 has a shape in which the inner diameter gradually increases toward the upward direction (positive Z-axis direction).

[0054] As a result, the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment can increase the directivity of light upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) inside the columnar portion 171 of the light guide 170, and thus efficiently propagate light upward (in the positive Z-axis direction).

[0055] Furthermore, the upper end of the columnar portion 171 and the inner circumference of the flat plate portion 172 are connected by a curved portion 173A that has a curved shape that is greatly curved in the outer diameter direction.

[0056] As a result, in one embodiment of the operation input device 100, the light propagating inside the columnar portion 171 of the light guide body 170 strikes the curved portion 173A, thereby separating some of the light into light that propagates radially inside the flat portion 172.

[0057] Furthermore, the outer circumferential surface 131B of the base 131 of the operating knob 130 is an inclined surface that is tilted upward (in the negative Z-axis direction) at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

[0058] As a result, the base 131 of the operating knob 130 can separate the light incident on the inner circumferential surface 131A at the outer circumferential surface 131B into light emitted from the outer circumferential surface 131B and traveling in the radial direction (positive Z-axis direction), and light propagating upward (positive Z-axis direction) inside the base 131.

[0059] The base 131 of the operating knob 130 is provided on the upper side (positive Z-axis side) of the outer peripheral surface 131B, facing the outer peripheral surface 131B, and has a reflective surface 131C (an example of a second reflective surface) that is inclined downward (negative Z-axis direction) at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. The reflective surface 131C is provided radially outward from the display panel 140 and above the upper surface 140A of the display panel 140 (positive Z-axis side).

[0060] As a result, the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment can indirectly illuminate the upper surface 140A of the display panel 140, which is provided on the inner diameter side of the base 131, by reflecting the light reflected by the outer peripheral surface 131B of the base 131 of the operation knob 130 and propagating upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) inside the base 131 in the inner diameter direction by the reflective surface 131C. Furthermore, the illumination effect can be enhanced by illuminating the space between the cover panel 135 and the upper surface 140A.

[0061] Furthermore, the gripping portion 132 of the operating knob 130 has a reflective surface 132B (an example of a first reflective surface) facing the base 131, located radially outward or diagonally upward when viewed from the position of the inner circumferential surface 131A of the base 131 into which light from the outer peripheral illumination surface 172B of the flat plate portion 172 is incident.

[0062] As a result, the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment can reflect the light emitted from the base 131 of the operation knob 130 towards the space S1 side by the reflective surface 132B, thereby indirectly illuminating the space S1. The inclination angle of the reflective surface 132B toward the negative Z-axis direction is adjusted to match the position of the space S1 to be illuminated.

[0063] Although not shown in the illustration, the operation input device 100 is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 180, facing the lower end of the slider 160, and has a push detection switch that detects a push operation by detecting the downward movement of the slider 160 caused by a push operation. Since the columnar portion 171 of the light guide 170 is held in the through hole 160A of the slider 160, the lower end of the slider 160 and the lower end of the light guide 170 are close together. Therefore, a part of the push detection switch provided facing the lower end of the slider 160 faces the lower end of the columnar portion 171, and there is a risk of interference with the lower end of the columnar portion 171. For this reason, the lower end of the columnar portion 171 of the light guide 170 has a cutout to avoid interference with the push detection switch.

[0064] As a result, the operation input device 100 according to one embodiment can have a thinner slider 160, thereby improving the space efficiency within the case 110.

[0065] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims.

[0066] For example, in the operation input device 100 of the embodiment, the rotator 150 may be omitted. In this case, for example, the base 131 of the operation knob 130 may be extended downward and the base 131 may be engaged with the bearing 151.

[0067] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-054502, filed on 27 March 2025, and the entire contents of said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0068] 100 Operation input device 110 Case 111 Main body 112 Upper cover 112A Opening 113 Lower cover 130 Operation knob 131 Base 131A Inner surface 131B Outer surface 131C Reflective surface (second reflective surface) 132 Gripping operation part 132A Outer gripping surface 132B Reflective surface (first reflective surface) 135 Cover panel 140 Display panel 140A Top surface 141 Light-shielding panel 141A Opening 143 Light-transmitting panel 143A Design display part 150 Rotator 151 Bearing 160 Slider 160A Through hole 170 Light guide 171 Columnar part 171A Lower end surface 172 Flat plate part 172A Irradiation surface 172B Outer peripheral illumination surface 173 Hole 173A Curved surface 180 Substrate 181 LED 182 Push switch 190 Drive member 191 Protruding part 191A Pressing surface 192 Push rod AX Virtual rotation axis (virtual axis) S1 Space

Claims

1. An operation input device comprising: a case; an operation knob provided in the case and having a translucent cylindrical base that can be pushed; a display panel disposed inside the base and having a translucent design display section; a slider provided inside the case so as to be movable integrally with the operation knob when pushed; a light guide having a columnar portion provided inside the slider, a flat plate portion provided so as to face the display panel, and a curved surface portion connecting the upper end of the columnar portion and the inner circumference of the flat plate portion; and a light source provided facing the lower end surface of the columnar portion of the light guide, wherein the flat plate portion of the light guide has an illumination surface that irradiates light onto the design display section of the display panel and an outer illumination surface that irradiates light onto the inner circumference of the base; and the base has an outer surface that irradiates light incident from the outer illumination surface of the flat plate portion of the light guide onto the space outside the base.

2. The operation input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the light guide is held by the slider.

3. The operation input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flat plate portion of the light guide body forms a light guide path that propagates from the connection surface with the curved surface portion, spreading radially outward through the interior of the flat plate portion.

4. The operation input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the display panel is made of white resin and has a translucent panel equipped with the design display portion, and the translucent panel is provided facing the flat plate portion of the light guide.

5. The operation input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the operation knob has a first reflective surface that reflects light incident on the base toward the space.

6. The operation input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation knob has a second reflective surface, and the second reflective surface reflects the light incident on the base, thereby illuminating the upper surface of the display panel.

7. The operation input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the operation knob is movable laterally in a direction intersecting the direction in which it is pushed, and the slider is provided to be movable integrally with the operation knob which is moved laterally.

8. The operation input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light guide has a hole drilled to a predetermined depth from the upper surface facing the display panel downwards to an intermediate position of the columnar portion.

9. The operation input device according to claim 8, characterized in that the hole portion has a shape in which the inner diameter gradually increases toward the top.

10. The operation input device according to claim 8, characterized in that the light guide has a relief portion at the lower part facing the push detection switch for detecting the push operation, to avoid interference with the push detection switch.

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