Illuminated knob

• US 7,195,363 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2005
• Issued: 03/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation (Nidec Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Horoho, David R, Kemp, Matthew L, Farris, Brad A
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tsidulko; Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/050,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20060171136A1
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 362/23, 362/24, 362/100, 200/310, 200/313, 200/314, 200/317
• US Class Current: 362/23
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices

Abstract

An illuminated knob is provided. The knob includes a light source attached to a carrier assembly that is attached to the knob such that the light source is positioned within the interior of the knob. The carrier assembly provides an electrical connection between the light source and a base assembly such that when the knob is operated, the contact wipers maintain the electrical connection with the base assembly.

Claims

1. An illuminated knob comprising:

a housing with an interior;

a carrier assembly attached to said housing;

a light source positioned within said interior, and attached to said carrier assembly; and

a base assembly that receives said housing;

wherein during operation of said knob said carrier assembly is movable relative to the base assembly and maintains an electrical connection between said light source and said base assembly and wherein said light source illuminates said knob.

2. The illuminated knob of claim 1 wherein said carrier assembly comprises:

a printed circuit board configured to receive said light source;

a receiver bracket configured to receive said printed circuit board; and

at least one contact wiper connected to said printed circuit board;

wherein said at least one contact wiper maintains contact with said base assembly throughout operation of said knob.

3. The illuminated knob of claim 2 wherein said base assembly comprises at least one conductive trace configured to maintain contact with said at least one contact wiper throughout operation of said knob.

4. The illuminated knob of claim 3 wherein said base assembly further comprises at least one aperture for receiving at least one arm of said housing.

5. The illuminated knob of claim 4 wherein said housing comprises an exterior sidewall with a slot for receiving said light source.

6. The illuminated knob of claim 5 wherein said exterior sidewall comprises a recessed collar with an aperture for receiving an arm of said carrier assembly such that an outer edge of said carrier assembly is substantially flush with an outer edge of said exterior sidewall.

7. The illuminated knob of claim 6 wherein said housing further comprises a window and wherein said light source is positioned directly beneath said window.

8. The illuminated knob of claim 7 wherein said interior further comprises one of a light transmitting pipe, a light directing tube, or a light directing channel, that directs light from said light source to said window.

9. The illuminated knob of claim 4 wherein said carrier assembly attaches to said interior.

10. The illuminated knob of claim 1 wherein said light source comprises one of a light emitting diode or a light bulb.

11. The illuminated knob of claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a window and said window comprises one of an aperture, a translucent material, a jewel, or a light pipe.

12. An illuminated knob comprising:

a housing with an interior;

a base assembly that receives said housing;

a light source; and

means for positioning said light source within said interior being movable relative to said base assembly during operation of said knob, to maintain an electrical connection between said light source and said base assembly;

wherein said light source illuminates said knob.

13. The illuminated knob of claim 12 wherein said means for positioning said light source within said interior is configured to attach to an exterior sidewall of said housing.

14. The illuminated knob of claim 13 wherein said an outer edge of said means for positioning said light source within said interior is substantially flush with an outer edge of said exterior sidewall.

15. A carrier assembly for an illuminated knob of the type comprising a moveable housing and a base, said carrier assembly comprising:

a printed circuit board for receiving a light source;

a bracket that receives said printed circuit board and positions said light source within an interior of the housing; and

at least one electrical contact disposed adjacent to the base, said contact maintaining an electrical connection between said printed circuit board and the base as the housing moves during operation of the knob.

16. The carrier assembly for an illuminated knob of claim 15 wherein said receiver bracket further comprises at least one arm for attaching said receiver bracket to at least one aperture of said housing.

17. The carrier assembly for an illuminated knob of claim 16 wherein an outer edge of said receiver bracket is substantially flush with an outer edge of said housing.

18. A carrier assembly for an illuminated knob of the type comprising a housing and a base, said carrier assembly comprising:

a light source;

a printed circuit board operable to retain said light source;

a bracket operable to retain said printed circuit board, said bracket configured to be received in the housing of the knob such that an outer edge of said bracket is substantially flush with an outer edge of the housing; and

at least one contact operable to maintain an electrical connection between said printed circuit board and the base during operation of the knob.

19. The carrier assembly for an illuminated knob of claim 18, wherein said receiver bracket further comprises at least one arm for attaching said receiver bracket to at least one aperture of said housing.