Abstract: A control button for controlling operation a machine including: an attachment member for attaching the control button to the machine; a display member including an electronic display module; an operational mode display controller for controlling display of operational modes of the machine upon the electronic display module, the operational mode display controller being operably connected with the electronic display module so that, in response to the operational mode display controller, the electronic display module is configured to display a plurality of operational modes of the machine; and an operational mode selector for controlling selection of one of the operational modes of the machine when one of the operational modes are displayed on the electronic display module, the operational mode selector being configured for movement between at least a first position and a second position to actuate selection of the operational mode displayed on the electronic display module.

Abstract: A dual-illumination unit that combines one or more visible LEDs and one or more IR LEDs in the same unit. The LEDs are mounted to circuit boards resembling a standard lightbulb shape, supported by a housing, the housing encapsulating electronic components controlling the LEDs and configured to be connected to standard OEM fusebox power. The unit also includes an adapter ring, removably coupled to the housing and configured to secure the unit to an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) headlight assembly of an associated vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and a rotary switch received within the housing. The rotary switch includes a circuit board, a disk, a connecting shaft, and a pneumatic component. The connecting shaft protrudes from a central axis of the disk and connects to the circuit board. The pneumatic component is electrically coupled to the circuit board and includes an air chamber and a connecting rod. The connecting rod and the piston move together along the axis of the air chamber. The piston and the air chamber cooperatively define a sealed space. A circumference of the disk includes a number of protrusions. An engaging groove is defined between each two adjacent protrusions. A distance between a central axis of the disk and an inner wall of each engaging groove is different. The connecting rod selectively engages with a corresponding one of the engaging grooves.

Abstract: An operator control apparatus for a domestic appliance includes a carrier plate and an operator control element which is rotatably arranged on the carrier plate for setting an operating condition of the domestic appliance. The operator control element includes a front cap having a first transparent region and a second transparent region which is separate from the first transparent region. A light guide extends into the front cap to guide light from a light source such as to illuminate the first transparent region with a first light intensity of the light which is coupled out of the light guide, and to illuminate the second transparent region with a second light intensity of the light which is coupled out of the light guide, with the second light intensity of the light being different from the first light intensity.

Abstract: A movement member which reciprocates includes a thick portion and a thin portion, a bearing portion formed in the thick portion is slidingly supported by the guide shaft, and a sliding portion formed in the thin portion is slidingly guided by the sliding guide portion. Power of the motor is transmitted to a pinion gear via a speed reduction gear and a speed reduction mechanism inside a gear box, and a movement reaction force is applied from the pinion gear to the rack portion. Since the rack portion is positioned on an axis Os, a force is effectively applied to the movement member by the power from the motor.

Abstract: A control knob for controlling operation of a machine, the control knob including: an attachment member configured for attaching the control knob to a surface of the machine so that the control knob is operably connectable with the machine to control operation thereof; a display member comprising an electronic display module disposed thereon; an operational mode display controller for controlling display of operational modes of the machine upon the electronic display module, said operational mode display controller being configured for rotational movement around the electronic display module amongst a plurality of rotational positions, said operational mode display controller being operably connected with the electronic display module such that, responsive to the rotational movement of the operational mode display controller amongst the plurality of rotational positions, the electronic display module is configured to display a plurality of operational modes of the machine corresponding to the plurality of rot

Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus is described. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a rotary control. The laundry treatment apparatus further includes a lighting surface that includes a plurality of first parts that have a first translucence, where a first set of the first parts that are located at lower positions of the circumference have shorter arc lengths than a second set of the first parts that are located at upper positions of the circumference.

Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus includes control panel body that defines an opening with a circular perimeter and a diameter. The laundry treating apparatus further includes at least one light source. The laundry treating apparatus further includes a rotary knob that is configured to manipulate a rotary switch and that has an outer circumferential surface that is spaced apart from the circular perimeter of the opening to define a clearance between the rotary knob and the control panel body. The laundry treating apparatus includes further a knob decorative member that is located between the rotary knob and the circular perimeter of the opening. The laundry treating apparatus further includes a window that includes a light transmission portion through which light emitted from the at least one light source passes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology relate to safety knobs. An example automatic locking knob assembly includes a knob, a base, an adapter, and a locking sub-assembly. The locking sub-assembly is configured to automatically lock the knob into place when a valve stem of a stove is in an off position. The locking sub-assembly also allows for controlled rotation of the valve stem of the stove by actuation of buttons associated with the knob.

Abstract: A single knob for controlling at least an audio input signal to produce up to fourteen distinct results, plus one quiescent state, through axial translational states corresponding to: the knob being translationally biased out, pushed in, or pushed in and held; and rotational states corresponding to: rotationally biased to a first position, turned clockwise, turned clockwise and held, turned counterclockwise, and turned clockwise and held, and combinations of those translational and rotational states. The single knob controller can be linked to a Bluetooth device for controlling such device. Some applications include automotive electronics and audio systems generally.

Abstract: A relay and a method for indicating a relay failure may be provided, whereby the relay comprises a switch assembly capable of providing a trigger signal based on a switching status; an energisation element capable of energisation to affect the switch assembly; and a light indication for indicating a switching status of the switch assembly.

Abstract: A device for coupling to a connector on an ear cup of a headset includes a mating connector corresponding to the connector of the headset. The mating connector includes a crossover conductor coupled to a first and a second terminal within the mating connector. One or more accessory circuits is provided by the device, including a lamp configured to direct light onto a surface external to the device or a position detection circuit usable to adjust three-dimensional audio signals to account for the direction the user is looking.

Abstract: A panel for a domestic appliance having a rotary switch, the rotary switch having a rotary element, a latching ring, at least one latching element and a rotation axis about which the rotary element rotates relative to the latching ring, wherein the latching ring has at least one latching lug on its inner face, said latching lug projecting radially toward the center the latching ring, wherein the latching element is held on the rotary element and is prestressed radially outward against the inner face of the latching ring, wherein the rotary element and the latching ring are arranged along the rotation axis, and wherein the latching ring is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the panel. A corresponding domestic appliance having a panel is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electric switch assembly comprises a circuit board; a light source mounted on the circuit board; a thumbwheel knob rotatably mounted on the circuit board; a transparent surface that moves with the thumbwheel knob and on which a symbol is applied or formed; and a light guide for directing light from the light source to the transparent surface to illuminate the symbol.

Abstract: An operation unit for a vehicle air conditioner includes a display device, a setting input portion of a control parameter of the air conditioner other than a set temperature, an obtaining portion configured to obtain a present set value of the control parameter, and an operating state identification portion configured to identify whether an air-conditioning operating state is in a plurality of predetermined operating states of the air conditioner. In the operation unit, a moving pattern of a pointer of the display device is changed according to the operating state of the air conditioner. For example, a pointer operation control portion can be configured to control an operation of a pointer driving motor such that the pointer moves on a dial of the display device at different moving speeds according to the air-conditioning operating state.

Abstract: A display device includes, within a panel formed of a front panel 11 and a rear panel 12, a switchboard 80 disposed in proximity to the front panel 11; a display board 20 disposed in proximity to the rear panel 12; a display 40 disposed between the switch board 80 and the display board 20; a switch mounting section 20a formed by protruding laterally at least a portion of the display board 20 from the display 40; a rotary switch 70 attached to the switch mounting section 20a; and an operation knob 90 attached to a shaft of the rotary switch 70 extended through the switch board 80 and the front panel 11.

Abstract: An electric switch assembly comprises a circuit board; a light source mounted on the circuit board; a thumbwheel knob rotatably mounted on the circuit board; a transparent surface that moves with the thumbwheel knob and on which a symbol is applied or formed; and a light guide for directing light from the light source to the transparent surface to illuminate the symbol.

Abstract: An encoder with a tri-color LED includes an insulating base, five terminals, a conductive elastic piece, a tri-color LED assembly, an encoder substrate assembly, a conductive wiper assembly, and an insulated light shaft. The five terminals and the insulating base are formed integrally. The conductive elastic piece is received in a receiving chamber of the insulating base. The tri-color LED assembly is disposed in the receiving chamber. The encoder substrate assembly covers on both the conductive elastic piece and the tri-color LED assembly. The conductive wiper assembly is received in the encoder substrate assembly. The insulated light shaft passes through a through hole of the conductive wiper assembly and a through hole of the encoder substrate assembly. Thereby, through voltage variation of an independent tri-color LED loop, color mixing can be controlled, and that to combine the same with the encoder a function of lighting and marking can be achieved.

Abstract: An electric switch for use on multiple-use operating elements in commercial vehicles has an operating part that performs a rotational movement around a limited angle and can be actuated directly by a solid body outside the switch, and having a support housing and an adjustment wheel having the operating part. In order to enable a safe usability in the dark, the operating part is constructed in an illuminated manner dependent on the operating position.

Abstract: An encoder with a tri-color LED includes an insulating base, five terminals, a conductive elastic piece, a tri-color LED assembly, an encoder substrate assembly, a conductive wiper assembly, and an insulated light shaft. The five terminals and the insulating base are formed integrally. The conductive elastic piece is received in a receiving chamber of the insulating base. The tri-color LED assembly is disposed in the receiving chamber. The encoder substrate assembly covers on both the conductive elastic piece and the tri-color LED assembly. The conductive wiper assembly is received in the encoder substrate assembly. The insulated light shaft passes through a through hole of the conductive wiper assembly and a through hole of the encoder substrate assembly. Thereby, through voltage variation of an independent tri-color LED loop, color mixing can be controlled, and that to combine the same with the encoder a function of lighting and marking can be achieved.

Abstract: A shaft of a rotary switch, for example, useful as a control for an appliance, such as a washing machine, incorporates an LED at the end of the shaft and projecting light laterally from the shaft to provide an indication of the rotary position of the corresponding knob with respect to printed indicia on a console. The LED may be powered by slip rings incorporated into the rotary switch and communicating directly with line power as controlled by the limiting resistor and the shaft may include a controlled breakage feature providing LED conductors that are recessed within the shaft in the event of shaft breakage to reduce the chance of operator contact with line voltage.

Abstract: A rotary knob includes a knob main body body provided in a peripheral wall section with a slit, a light guide member that is fitted into the slit and includes a light emitting section and a pressure member for preventing a relative movement between the knob main body and the light guide member. The light emitting section includes a display portion that is fitted into the slit and an exposed surface and latching projections disposed inside the display portion in a radial direction and protrude outward from both sides of the slit in a width direction. The peripheral wall section includes a pair of slit peripheral edges that define the slit, and holding portions that are provided inside the slit peripheral edges and pinch the latching projections between the holding portions and the slit peripheral edges from both sides in the radial direction of the peripheral wall section.

Abstract: A control assembly for interlocked sockets includes a rotary breaker which is actuated by a knob and is mounted on a supporting structure. The control assembly includes a visual indication means which has the purpose of highlighting the open/closed state of the rotary breaker as a consequence of rotations of the knob.

Abstract: A rotary knob including: a knob main body having a peripheral wall that has a recess on an inner peripheral surface; a light guide member including a light guide section, a restriction section, and a light emitting surface in sequence; and a decorative member including an engagement section and a ring-like section that covers a front end of the peripheral wall. The recess is defined by a pair of opposed surfaces and a bottom surface. The light guide section is fitted into a space between the opposed surfaces. The restriction section includes a contact portion that protrudes contacts the peripheral wall. When the ring-like section contacts with the restriction section, the decorative member prevents the light guide member from moving. The peripheral wall includes a holding portion that pinches the light guide section in cooperation with the bottom surface.

Abstract: An operating device for an electrical appliance with a control panel has a control element for operation through rotary actuation arranged in the control panel, said control element being disposed and mounted in a receptacle behind the control panel. The receptacle has light-conducting and/or light transmitting material in the manner of a light guide, and is illuminated through an LED at a posterior end facing away from the control panel and with light apertures provided at another anterior end on the control panel around the control element extending forwardly beyond the control panel.

Abstract: A control device for an electrical appliance has as an operating unit comprising a rotary knob having an electrical display. The rotary knob is mounted on a rotary shaft connected to a switching device for rotary operation, wherein the rotary shaft comprises a material readily conducting magnetic field lines. An inductive energy supply is provided for the electrical display, wherein a secondary winding is arranged inside the rotary knob whose winding plane is passed through by the rotary shaft and the magnetic field lines of a primary winding. The primary winding is arranged behind the cover of the electrical appliance, and a winding plane of the primary winding is passed through by the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A rotary knob is for operating a motor vehicle by rotation of the rotary knob, the rotary knob having an at least partially transparent display layer which rotates along in response to an angular movement of the rotary knob, and a controllable light source for displaying changeable information on the display layer.

Abstract: A switch includes a substrate including a main body and a cylindrical portion protruding upright from the main body and defining a transverse groove in the outer surface thereof, a light emitter fixed on the cylindrical portion to receive light beams from the light emitter and produce three electrical outputs respectively, and a dial member including a cylindrical dial and two arms protruding upright from the cylindrical dial and forming two engagement portions on the inner surfaces thereof respectively. The engagement portions are engaged in the groove so that the cylindrical dial is rotatable to a number of orientations in which the produced electrical outputs are coded into a number of different switch signals by selectively blocking the radiated light beams using the two arms.

Abstract: A dial controller includes a dial, a displacement converter for converting a rotational displacement caused by a rotation operation of the dial to an axial displacement of the dial along a rotation axis of the dial, and a displacement detector for detecting and outputting information on a rotation angle of the dial based on a detection result of the axial displacement of the dial.

Abstract: A light directing structure for instruction switches includes an instruction switch, a control element coupled on the perimeter of the instruction switch that is made from a light directing material and has an installation opening to hold the instruction switch, and a circuit board which is electrically connected to the instruction switch and has at least one lighting element to emit light to the control element to enable the control element to generate uniform illumination.

Abstract: A light directing structure for instruction switches includes an instruction switch, a control element coupled on the perimeter of the instruction switch that is made from a light directing material and has an installation opening to hold the instruction switch, and a circuit board which is electrically connected to the instruction switch and has at least one lighting element to emit light to the control element to enable the control element to generate uniform illumination.

Abstract: A lighted pushbutton switch assembly has a printed circuit board in the bottom of a housing, with an LED mounted on the board. A switch operating plunger at the top rotates a ratchet and electrical contact member whenever the plunger is depressed. The contact member engages conductive paths on the top of the PC board and moves from path to path as it is rotated to change the state of the switch. A transparent light pipe over the LED transmits light through the plunger. The light pipe fits through the ratchet and is rotated by the ratchet to rotate the electrical contact member.

Abstract: A master light switch for a ground vehicle includes an actuator rotatably mounted to a housing. A switching contact is axially movably mounted to the actuator to rotate with the actuator. A plurality of circuit contacts faces the switching contact wherein different circuit contacts are electrically connectable by the switching contact depending on the rotary position of the actuator. A spring element urges the switching contact axially towards the circuit contacts to make contact between the switching contact and a circuit contact. A lift-and-set formation is arranged between the housing and the switching contact to axially displace the switching contact from a circuit contact during rotary movement of the actuator and to release the switching contact at a defined rotary position of the actuator to be axially urged by the spring element to axially move to make electrical contact between the switching contact and a circuit contact.

Abstract: A luminous material comprising a rubber, glass or plastics material matrix. A luminescent material is dispersed throughout the matrix, and a colorant dispersed throughout the matrix. The colourant gives the matrix a colour when it is observed under substantially white light, and the colourant allowing substantial transmission of light emitted by the luminous material.

Abstract: To modify an electrical switching and/or setting element (1) with a rotary switch (4) as handle, in such a way that it can be used in a broader range of applications, particularly with feedback in the form of information issued to the operator, it is proposed to arrange, in the rotary switch (4), an optical display device (8) for displaying at least two different symbols.

Abstract: An all-color light control switch that is used by an operator for free adjustment or control of a light emitting diode lamp set; using multiple sets of commands for light variations stored in a non-volatile memory unit in a microprocessor on the circuit board, and by switching a rotational encoder and a coaxial press knob, the operator can control the brightness and different colors of light variations of an LED lamp; special designed light guide member guides and mixes multiple-color LED light sources on the circuit and displays them on a panel.

Abstract: Control, comprising a knob (12a) with a prism (20) that has an axial part (22) located centrally in the knob, with a symbol display surface (28) at an external end (30) of the knob, and a part (24) arranged at an angle to the central part for receiving incident light from a symbol illuminated by a light source (34), which symbol is on a stationary disc element (32) located at an end of the knob (12a) facing away from the external end (30) and concentric with this, in order to be able to display different symbols by optical projection towards the symbol display surface (28) depending upon the rotational position of the knob (12a).

Abstract: An illuminated knob assembly includes a base. The base includes an annular track on an upper base surface of the base. A PC board is disposed in the track. The PC board includes a plurality of light sources disposed on an upper board surface of the board. A light transmitting plate is positioned over the PC board so as to transmit light therethrough from the light sources. A bezel is fitted over the light transmitting plate and includes gradated openings corresponding to different conditions of operation. The openings permit light to pass therethrough from the light transmitting plate and a knob is disposed adjacent the bezel. The knob includes a light pointer configured to receive and transmit light from the light transmitting plate.

Abstract: A control knob for controlling an underlying signal is disclosed. The control knob includes a clear radial portion which serves as an indicator on the knob. The radial portion receives light from a multi-color LED which is housed within a clear shaft of a potentiometer which rotates in concert with the control knob and controls the level of the underlying signal. The multi-color LED emits light of a color which is dependent upon the level of the underlying signal being controlled by the control knob.

Abstract: Light projected from a light source is reflected to a pointer side by a reflecting portion in such a state that a dial is rotated to a FOOT position position. Due to this, since light projected from the light source can be emitted to the pointer by bypassing an inside air/outside air changing over switch, the pointer can be illuminated sufficiently without disturbance by the inside air/outside air changing over switch. Moreover, since the reflecting portion is formed by bending partially a predetermined conductor plate 58 which constitutes a switch circuit, the necessity of a reflector is obviated which would otherwise be necessary exclusively to reflect light projected from the light source to the pointer side. Due to this, since the number of components is reduced, both the production costs and the number of assembling manhours are reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an appliance control knob incorporating a microprocessor and a status display built into the control knob housing. Such a control knob gives the appliance a clean and uncluttered appearance, and allows a user of the appliance both to control the appliance, for example by adjusting the oven temperature setpoint, and to be informed of the status of the appliance, for example the actual oven temperature, in a way that is easy to understand and to use.

Abstract: An electronic instrument has a rotary switch with an extending shaft, a light source proximate to the shaft, and a knob attached to the shaft. The knob has a body with a rear face, an opposed front face, and side surfaces extending between the faces. The rear face defines a bore sized to receive a free end of the shaft. The body has a light-transmissive portion extending from a first surface portion of the rear face surrounding the bore, such that light from the light source enters the light transmissive portion regardless of the rotary position of the knob. The light-transmissive portion of the body extends to a window in the side surface or the front face.

Abstract: A dial switch disposed on a front surface of a control panel is surrounded by a colored ring which is visible from a front side of the control panel. Behind the front surface of the control panel, an ornamental prism made of a transparent material and a light source are disposed. A colored layer is formed on the rear surface of the ornamental prism so that a ring surrounding the dial switch is visible as a colored ring. The colored ring is visible through the transparent ornamental prism at the daytime and is visible by illumination of the light source in the nighttime. Since no light leaks bypassing the colored layer, the ring is perfectly colored. Since only the flat rear surface of the ornamental prism is covered with the colored layer, the ornamental prism can be manufactured in a simple process.

Abstract: In a rotary electric component, an annular thin faceplate disposed around a rotary knob is provided with an illuminated display portion inner and outer circumferential portions of the rear surface of the faceplate are bonded and fixed to a holder, and the rotary knob and the display portion is assembled in cutout of a front panel. A large-diameter annular portion of the holder adhering to the outer circumferential portion of the faceplate protrudes forward farther than a small-diameter annular portion adhering to the inner circumferential portion. A protruding portion of the front panel extending around the circumferential edge of the cutout presses a region near the outer circumferential portion of the faceplate. As a result, the inner circumferential portion of the faceplate is reliably compressed against the holder a small-diameter annular portion).

Abstract: A safety electric switch in which a safety plate is insertable through a button into an actuating member to lock the actuating member to the button for enabling the actuating member to be moved with the button to switch on/off the electric circuit.

Abstract: A pushbutton switch mechanism has board 28 incorporating an electronic circuit thereon, metal sheet contact 26 disposed on board 28, a light-transmissive pushbutton disposed in an opening defined in a casing of the electronic device for being pressed from outside, the light-transmissive pushbutton having outer key top 22 and presser 25 formed with rubber sheet 24 for contacting metal sheet contact 26, and light-emitting elements 27 disposed on board 28 around presser 25 for applying light to a side surface of the presser 25. Presser 25 has a conical shape having an upper surface as a bottom surface substantially aligned with a lower surface of key top 22 and a vertex for contacting metal sheet contact 26. Light emitted from light-emitting elements 27 is applied to the entire side surface of presser 25.

Abstract: A rotary knob, particularly an illuminant rotary knob, provides function selection and execution through single-handed operation. The invention includes a light transparent light guide to couple with a compiling controller to facilitate user operations. A plurality of illuminant elements are located around the compiling controller to project light through the light guide to give the rotary knob an illuminant effect.

Abstract: There is provided a swing type multi-way switch in which light irradiated from a light source built therein sufficiently illuminates substantially all over the rear surface of an operation knob. The switch comprises: a box-like operation knob; a square frame-shaped holder disposed in the inside of the operation knob; a case having an outer square tube-like member and an inner square tube-like member coaxially formed; and a base plate on which a light source and a plurality of switch elements are to be mounted. The operation knob is rotatably supported by the holder disposed in the inside of the operation knob, and the holder is rotatably supported by the inner square tube-like member of the case by a second axis for rotating movement orthogonal to the axis for rotating movement of the operation knob.

Abstract: An EL element includes plural light transmitting front-electrodes forming plural lines by wiring and plural back-electrodes forming plural lines by further wiring. The front-electrodes are angled relative to the back-electrodes and a light-emitting layer is disposed between the front-electrodes and the back-electrodes. The EL element combined with a controller works as a lighting unit, which controls light emission at any place, so that a variety of lighting is realized by the lighting unit.

Abstract: A setting device includes a rotating actuator, a switch, an illuminated index display on which a value which is manually set at the rotating actuator is assigned to the rotating actuator and, by actuating the switch, the manual setting at the rotating actuator can be overridden. To improve the display of the setting device, a light device is provided in addition to the rotating actuator. The switch, aside from its actual switching function, is constructed for switching over between the illumination of the index display and the operation of the light device. The illumination of the index display is activated when the rotating actuator is a manual mode, and the light device is activated when a different mode is set by the actuation of the switch.