Lighted Switch Apparatus with Light-Guiding Member

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lighted switch apparatuses face challenges in maintaining sufficient illumination intensity and structural integrity, leading to increased manufacturing costs and potential light leakage, especially when trying to illuminate indicators in dark environments without compromising the switch's functionality or appearance.

Innovation Solution

A lighted switch apparatus with a casing that includes a movable operating knob featuring a light-guiding member with reflecting portions, a shaft portion, and second reflecting portions that direct light to indicators, supported by a light source integrated on the operating knob, and light-shielding portions formed through two-color molding to prevent light leakage and ensure consistent illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a light source is provided in the switch apparatus to illuminate indicators in dark environments, then visibility and ease of operation are improved, but light leakage and inconsistent illumination may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindicator illuminationVSAvoidillumination consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A light-guiding member is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the indicators. This member guides and directs the light from the light source to illuminate the indicators consistently while preventing light leakage to other areas, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing sufficient illumination and maintaining illumination consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light-guiding member is designed with specific light-transmitting and light-blocking regions to control light distribution locally. The portion facing the light source allows light transmission to illuminate indicators, while other portions block light to prevent leakage, achieving localized light control that maintains both illumination intensity and consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the opening in the casing is enlarged to allow operating knob movement, then ease of operation is improved, but foreign material penetration and structural integrity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknob movementVSAvoidforeign material penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible seal member is introduced to close the opening in the casing. This seal member allows the operating knob to move in and out while maintaining a tight seal that prevents foreign material penetration, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and protection against harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Illumination intensity

If multiple components are assembled to achieve light guidance and prevention, then illumination quality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindicator illumination qualityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light-guiding member is integrated with the operating knob as a single unified component rather than separate parts. This merging reduces the number of components and assembly steps while maintaining the light guidance function, thereby resolving the contradiction between illumination quality and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light-guiding member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from the light source to illuminate indicators, prevents light leakage to other areas, and is integrated with the operating knob structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, lowering device complexity while maintaining illumination quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures consistent and uniform illumination of indicators, reduces the risk of light leakage, and maintains a compact structure, preventing foreign material penetration while allowing for efficient operation in dark environments without increasing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a light-guiding member 203 for guiding light to the operating knob 202

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

light-shielding portions formed through two-color molding to prevent light leakage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS7488909B2Lighted switch apparatus

Publication Date: 2009.02.10 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD

AI summary

A lighted switch apparatus includes a casing (upper case) that has an opening; an operating part that is movable and has at least a pair of indicators; and a light source that is disposed in the casing (the upper case and a lower case). In this case, the operating knob includes a shaft portion (light-guiding member) composed of a light-guiding member having one end, which is inserted into the opening of the casing to be positioned in the casing and is disposed to face the light source, a knob light guiding part (operating part) having reflecting portions that are provided below the indicators of the operating part and reflects light from the other end of the shaft portion positioned outside of the casing to the indicators, and second reflecting portions that reflect and lead the light from the other end of the shaft portion to the knob light guiding part.