Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Tomoki Sakamoto

Kiyotaka Matsuura

Hiroshi Nakamoto

Yasuyuki Sakamoto

Ryosuke Tamaki

The present invention is configured so that one light emission source such as a light emitting diode is placed inside an operation knob in front of a light guiding piece or in a bearing of the operation knob. A light beam from the light emission source is emitted to the interior of the operation knob. A reflected indirect light irregularly reflected inside the operation knob is received by the light guiding piece located at a rear surface of the operation knob. The light guiding piece has a transmission and diffusion function. The light is then guided toward an outer periphery to illuminate the rear surface of the operation knob.

Illuminating apparatus for operating section

A display apparatus according to the present invention includes a transmission type of fluorescent display lamp (FL)on which a pattern layer is not masked. The rear and front spaces of the transmission type FLare defined by frames. On each frameis attached an illumination display member, such as a light guide plateor a transmission sheet, so that illumination displays are provided at both front and rear sides of the FLby a light emitting sourcesuch as an LED, fluorescent lamp and so on. Thus, a greater three-dimensional visual effect (depth perception) can be obtained. Further, by utilizing spaces in the front and the rear of the transmission type FL, a wider representation and functional display through a microcomputer control can be performed. Use of the light emitting sourcelowers cost in comparison with the conventional biplanar type of FL.

Growing community of inventors

Katano, Japan

Tomoki Sakamoto