Illuminated operational device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9835789-B2
Application number	US-201514880507-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 12, 2015
Priority date	Oct 12, 2015
Publication date	Dec 5, 2017
Grant date	Dec 5, 2017

Abstract

An operational element receives manipulation and moves relative to a base. A light source emits light. A visor is extended from the base and is located on an upper side of the light source.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An operational device comprising:
a base;
an operational element configured to receive manipulation and movable relative to the base;
a light source configured to emit light; and
a visor extended from the base and located on an upper side of the light source, wherein the visor has a reflective surface faced to the light source.

2. The operational device of claim 1 , wherein
the base forms a dent recessed inward behind the visor, and
the visor is opposed to the light source through the dent.

3. The operational device of claim 1 , wherein
the visor forms an opening opposed to a lateral surface of the operational element.

4. The operational device of claim 3 , wherein
the opening is in one of a trapezoidal shape, a semicircular shape, and a semioval shape.

5. The operational device of claim 1 , wherein
the visor includes a center plate portion and a side plate portions, and
the center plate portion is interposed between the side plate portions and inclined relative to the side plate portions.

6. The operational device of claim 1 , wherein
the light source is a screen of a display device configured to create indication on the screen.

7. The operational device of claim 6 , wherein
the screen surrounds the operational element.

8. The operational device of claim 6 , wherein
the screen is configured to indicate a symbol, and
the visor is configured to reflect the symbol and to project the symbol on a lateral surface of the operational element.

9. The operational device of claim 1 , wherein
the light source includes a light conductor being non-opaque and located behind the visor, and
the light conductor is configured to conduct light and to emit the light toward the visor.

10. The operational device of claim 1 , wherein
the operational element includes an inner light conductor being non-opaque, and
the inner light conductor is configured to conduct light from a lateral surface of the inner light conductor to a top surface of the inner light conductor.

11. The operational device of claim 10 , wherein
the inner light conductor includes a tubular portion, a tapered portion, and a disc portion, which are integrated with each other,
the tapered portion connects the tubular portion with the disc portion,
the tapered portion has a tapered inner surface, and
the inner light conductor is configured to conduct light from a lateral surface of the disc portion and to reflect the light on the tapered inner surface toward a top surface of the tubular portion.

12. The operational device of claim 10 , wherein
the operational element has a sidewall having a plurality of grooves, and
at least one of the grooves has a reflective surface.

13. The operational device of claim 1 , wherein
the operational element is a knob rotational relative to the base.

14. The operational device of claim 1 , wherein
the operational element is a lever configured to be inclined relative to the base.

Assignees

• Denso Int America Inc
• Denso Corp

Inventors

• Arceo Marc
• Horvath Cary
• Webb Gareth

Classifications

• G06F3/0362 Primary

  with detection of one-dimensional [1D] translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts · CPC title

• G02B6/0068 Primary

  Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources · CPC title

• G06F3/0354

  with detection of two-dimensional [2D] relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks · CPC title