Integrated light transfer structure for providing halo and end illumination for a control switch assembly

• US 6,565,223 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2001
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Rickel, Erik Steven, Liao, Shangshyan S.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S.
• Application Number:
  US09/769,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20020097569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 362/26, 362/27, 362/30, 362/31, 362/555, 362/100, 362/84, 362/85, 362/331, 362/394, 362/800, 200/310, 200/312, 200/313, 200/314, 200/316, 200/317, 116/286, 116/287, 116/288
• US Class Current: 362/26
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/105 comprising arrangements for illumination
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/025 Light-emitting indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/0622 only an illuminated ring around keys

Abstract

An illuminated control assembly which comprises a light guide having a an outer illumination section and an end illumination section. The assembly also comprises at least one outer light conducting leg and at least one end light conducting leg. Each leg has a light receiving portion proximate to light source and distanced from the illumination sections. Each leg also has a light delivering portion, wherein the light delivering portion of the outer light conducting leg is in light communication with the outer illumination section and the light delivering portion of the end light conducting leg is in light communication with the end illumination section. The assembly also comprises a control member having a light duct. The control member is connected to an input receiver and the control member is in light communication with the end illumination section wherein light from the end illumination section is transmitted through the light duct.

Claims

1. An illuminated control assembly comprising:

a light guide comprising an outer illumination section and an end illumination section integral with the outer illumination section;

at least one outer light conducting leg having a light receiving portion and a light delivering portion, said light delivering portion being in light communication with the outer illumination section and said light receiving portion being proximate to a light source distanced from the outer illumination section;

at least one end light conducting leg having a light receiving portion and a light delivering portion, said light delivering portion being in light communication with the end illumination section, said light receiving portion being proximate to a light source and distanced from the end illumination section;

a control member having a light duct, said control member being linked to an input receiver and being mounted in light communication with said end illumination section of said light guide member such that light from the end illumination section is transmitted through said light duct.

2. The illuminated control assembly of claim 1, wherein said light guide does not move in response to movement of the control member.

3. The illuminated control assembly of claim 1, wherein the control member is continuously rotable.

4. The illuminated control assembly of claim 1, wherein said light guide comprises two end light conducting legs.

5. The illuminated control assembly of claim 1, wherein said light guide comprises two outer light conducting legs.

6. The illuminated control assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.

7. A light guide comprising:

an outer illumination section having a plurality of light conducting legs extending therefrom, each of said legs having a light receiving portion and a light delivering portion, said light delivering portions being integral with said outer illumination section and said light receiving portions being distanced from the outer illumination section and having light receiving faces defined on said light receiving portions; and

an end illumination section integral with the outer illumination section, said end illumination section having a plurality of light conducting legs extending therefrom, each of said legs having a light receiving portion and a light delivering portion, said light delivering portions being integral with the end illumination section and said light receiving portions being distanced from the end illumination section and having light receiving faces defined on said light receiving portions.

8. The light guide of claim 7 wherein said legs being positionable adjacent to a light source.

9. The light guide of claim 8 wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.

10. The light guide of claim 7 wherein said outer illumination section comprises light conducting legs.

11. The light guide of claim 7 wherein said end illumination section comprises two light conducting legs.

12. An illuminated control assembly comprising:

a light guide comprising an end illumination section and at least one light conducting leg having a light receiving portion and a light delivering portion, said light receiving portion being proximate to a light source and distanced from the light delivering portion, said end illumination section and light delivering portion being in light communication, said light guide further comprising an outer illumination section and at least one light conducting leg having a light receiving portion and a light delivering portion, said light receiving portion being proximate to a light source and distanced from the light delivering portion, said outer illumination section and light delivering portion being in light communication; and

a rotatable control member having a light duct, said control member being rotatably mounted axially over the end illumination section of said light guide member in light communication with said light guide member such that light from the end illumination section is transmitted through said light duct;

wherein said rotatable control member is continuously rotatable about said end illumination section of said light guide member.