FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a light display assembly. In particular, the light display assembly is incorporated into a push button unit that emits light for indicating state of operation of the device or for decorative purpose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic devices are commonly equipped with light display assembly for decorative or functional purposes. One important function of light display assembly is to indicate the state of operation of the device that can be regulated manually or automatically. Thus, light display assemblies are often incorporated into push buttons that are generally employed in electronic devices for manually controlling operation of switches of the devices, whether they are intended for actuating, stopping or changing mode of operation of the device. The switches are used for making or breaking connections of an electric circuit within the device. With a surface adapted for receiving a force, especially applied by a human finger for operating the switch, push buttons are incorporated with pusher elements with resilient properties for returning the button from a pushed state to an un-pushed state.

A commonly seen push button is the elevator button for controlling operation of the elevator. CN2298231Y introduces an elevator button that comprises a button body, which upon being pressed, contacts a switch of an electric circuit for operating the switch. The push mechanism is facilitated by a spring. With a plurality of holes formed around a ring structure that surrounds the elevator button, light is dispersed through each hole that is emitted from a light source designated for each hole. However, uniformity of light dispersed around the ring structure is not attainable by this elevator button as it only focuses on transmitting light through certain spots of the ring structure where the holes are formed.

A different push button disclosed in US5039832A is an illuminated touch button which has a button element located within and surrounded by a light ring element with an array of light emitting diodes. The light ring element includes a series of individual chambers positioned substantially over each light emitting diode in the array. In order to evenly transmit light to the open end of the ring where the button element is positioned, each chamber is equipped with a set of three light-receiving triangulated surfaces with a series of edges that act to diffuse the illumination of the light emitting diodes. Although a combination of the chamber and the edges produces a uniform light distribution in the light ring element, this button requires multiple light sources and the formation of the triangulated surfaces of the chamber to achieve even light dispersion.

Accordingly, drawbacks of existing light display assemblies and push buttons including those described above are targeted to be solved by the present invention disclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One object of the invention is to provide a light display panel of a device to provide a visual indication of the state of operation of the device or serve decorative purpose.

Another object of the invention is to produce uniform light dispersion on the light display panel by one or more light sources.

Still another object of the invention is to prevent undesired light dispersion on portions of the device, especially around the light display panel.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a push button unit that can be incorporated with the light display panel.

Further another object of the invention is to provide a smooth pressing feeling for the user when manipulating the push button unit.

At least one of the preceding aspects is met, in whole or in part, by the present invention, in which the embodiment of the present invention describes a light display assembly comprising at least one light source; and a light display panel allowing dispersion of light from the light source and illumination of at least peripheral portion of the light display panel, characterized in that the light display panel is made mainly of a light diffusing material such that the light display panel is translucent.

In a preferred embodiment, the light source is positioned before the light display panel with respect to light transmitting direction.

The light source and light display panel can both be aligned at a substantially similar center axis.

Optionally, more than one light source is respectively disposed around the peripheral portion of the light display panel at a substantially equal distance between each other.

Further in the preferred embodiment, the light display assembly comprises a housing for accommodating the light source that is in a light-absorbing colour.

Additionally, a panel cover is disposed after the light display panel, with respect to light transmitting direction from the light source. The panel cover is formed with at least one opening exposing the peripheral portion of the light display panel. It is also preferred that the light display panel further comprises a light absorbing means having a first light absorbing layer attached to inner surface of the panel cover. The light absorbing means is formed with at least one opening exposing the peripheral portion of the light display panel.

Preferably, the light absorbing means is in a dark colour.

The peripheral portion of the light display panel is preferred to be in a ring shape.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a push button unit of a device that comprises a switch; a pusher panel including a resiliently operable pusher element, which, when manipulated, operates the switch; and a light display assembly including at least one light source; and a light display panel having an opening exposing at least a portion of the pusher element, whereby the pusher panel is disposed in between the light display panel and the light source, the light display panel allows dispersion of light from the light source and illumination of at least peripheral portion of the light display panel defining the boundary of the pusher element, wherein the switch can be operated by the pusher element without interfering with the light source.

Preferably, the pusher element, light source and light display panel are aligned at a substantially similar center axis.

Optionally, more than one light source is respectively disposed around the peripheral portion of the light display panel at a substantially equal distance between each other, while the pusher element and light display panel are aligned at a substantially similar center axis. Preferably, the pusher panel is made of a transparent material, whereas the light display panel is made mainly of a light diffusing material such that the light display panel is translucent.

It is preferred that the pusher element is hinged onto a frame portion by one or more hinging elements.

In a preferred embodiment, the pusher element is resiliently hinged to execute an off center operation of the switch with respect to the center axis when the pusher element is manipulated.

It is preferred that the switch is positioned behind an unhinged portion of the pusher element.

In addition, the push button unit comprises a housing for accommodating the light source and the switch.

The housing is preferred to be in a light-absorbing colour.

According to a preferred embodiment, the push button unit further comprises a panel cover disposed after the light display panel, with respect to light transmitting direction from the light source. The panel cover is formed with at least an opening for exposing the peripheral portion of the light display panel and the pusher element.

It is further preferred that the push button unit comprises a button cover for covering the pusher element.

Based on a preferred embodiment, the push button unit also comprises a light absorbing means including a first light absorbing layer attached to inner surface of the panel cover, and a second light absorbing layer attached to inner surface of the button cover. The light absorbing means is formed with at least one opening for exposing peripheral portion of the light display panel.

In a preferred embodiment, the peripheral portion of the light display panel is in a ring shape.

The device is preferred to be an air conditioning unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a front view of a device having a push button unit incorporated with a light display assembly.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the push button unit.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the housing of the push button unit.

Figure 4 shows a front view of the pusher panel.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the pusher panel.

Figure 6 shows a front view of the light display panel.

Figure 7 shows a side view of the light display panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For a better understanding of the invention, preferred embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings will be described in detail.

The present invention relates to a light display assembly which can be incorporated into a push button unit of a device (200) for providing visual indication of operation state of the device (200) or for achieving decorative purpose of the device (200). The push button unit is manipulatable for operating a switch (122) that belongs to an electric circuit within the device (200). The device (200) can be any electronic device such as an air conditioning unit. With the push button unit, operation of the device (200) for carrying out functions including actuating, stopping or changing mode of operation can be controlled. It should be noted that the term‘manipulate’ and its derivatives used herein refer to any actions applied onto the push button unit for operating the switch (122), that in turn, regulates operation of the device (200). The action which involves exertion of force onto the push button unit includes, but not limited to pressing, depressing, hitting, punching and mashing which shall hereby be collectively referred to as‘pushing’ .

Figure 1 presents an example of the present invention which incorporates the light display assembly as part of the push button unit for providing visual indication of the state of operation of the device (200) or for decorative purpose. Operation of the device (200) can be controlled automatically or manually. In an example of a manually controlled device (200) through the use of a switch (122), when the switch (122) is activated, the light display panel (140) emits a light of a first colour, or when the switch (122) is deactivated, the light display panel (140) stops emitting light or emits a light of a second colour.

It should, however, be noted that the light display assembly can function independently without being associated with the push button unit. Such light display assembly comprises at least one light source (121), and a light display panel (140) which permits dispersion of light from the light source (121) and illumination of at least peripheral portion (142) of the light display panel (140). There is no involvement of any push button unit related components in such light display panel (140) including a pusher panel (130) having a pusher element (132), button cover (170) and switch (122) that shah be introduced hereinafter.

With reference to Figure 2, an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. A light source (121) is accommodated within a housing (110) where light emitted from the light source (121) is allowed to transmit from the housing (110). Figure 3 shows an example of the housing (110). Light emitting diode is applied as the light source (121). For preventing undesired light dispersion, the housing (110) is fabricated with a material of light-absorbing colour, in particular dark colour for absorbing light and preventing light to be directed to other parts which may result in shadow, especially when the device has a white-coloured casing.

A resiliently operable pusher element (132) that is part of the pusher panel (130) is responsible for conducting the pushing mechanism of the push button unit. When the pusher element (132) is manipulated, the switch (122) that is also accommodated within the housing (110) is operated. More particularly, upon receiving the force exerted thereon, the pusher element (132) is brought to be in contact with the switch (122) to control operation of the switch (122). As the pusher element (132) is resiliently operable, the pusher element (132) is capable of returning to its un-pushed state upon contacting the switch (122). A preferred embodiment of the pusher element (132) shown in Figure 4 is hinged to a frame portion (134) through one or more hinging elements (133). The pusher element (132), preferably round in shape provides a surface for the action to be performed thereon to receive the force. When force is applied onto the pusher element (132), the portion of the pusher element (132) that is not hinged is moved towards the switch (122) that is positioned behind the unhinged portion of the pusher element (132), in particular behind the free end of the pusher element (132). Hence, a projected member (136) can be incorporated on back surface of the pusher element (132) that corresponds to the position of the switch (122) for being in contact with the switch (122) when the force is exerted onto the pusher element (132) as depicted in Figure 5. In addition, the switch (122) is positioned adjacent to the light source (121). Preferably, the switch (122) is also accommodated within the housing (110).

The hinging elements (133) are arranged and formed in a way to provide resilient characteristics for enabling smooth pushing feeling when exerting force onto the pusher element (132). Preferably, the hinging element (133) joins the frame portion (134) and pusher element (132). Gaps are formed in between the hinging elements (133), and/or in between the hinging element (133) and the frame portion (134), and/or in between the hinging element (133) and the pusher element (132).

On the other hand, the frame portion (134) acts as a periphery that surrounds the pusher element (132) and hinging elements (133). It is preferred that the pusher panel (130) is made of a transparent material that allows direct light transmission from the light source (121) for maximizing light transfer and prevent shadow of the hinging element (133) to be displayed.

A light display panel (140) as depicted in Figure 6 and 7 is disposed after the pusher element (132) with respect to light transmitting direction. The light display panel (140) allows dispersion of light from the light source (121) and illumination of at least peripheral portion (142) of the light display panel (140) defining the boundary of the pusher element (132), that is, the light display panel (140) has a peripheral portion (142) that surrounds the pusher element (132) and an opening (143) surrounded by the peripheral portion (142) for exposing the pusher element (132). Preferably, the peripheral portion (142) is in a ring shape. In a preferred embodiment, the light display panel (140) is made mainly of a light diffusing material for scattering light to promote transmission of diffused and soft light beam, instead of bright light beam spots. The use of light diffusing material causes the light display panel (140) to be translucent. Other than the positioning of light source (121) as described above, another factor that contributes to uniform light dispersion is the translucency of the light display panel (140). The degree of translucency required to attain uniform light dispersion depends on the structure of the light source (121) as well as distance between the light source (121) and the light display panel (140).

A panel cover (160) that can be part of the casing of the device (200) is disposed after the light display panel (140) with respect to the light transmitting direction from the light source (121), with at least one opening (161) for exposing the peripheral portion (142) of the light display panel (140) and the pusher element (132). The peripheral portion (142) of the light display panel (140) is fitted around inner boundary surface of the opening (161). Further, the present invention can comprise a button cover (170) for covering the pusher element (132) such that only the peripheral portion (142) of the light display panel (140) that emits light is presented at the external surface of the device (200). The button cover (170) represents the outer appearance of the push button unit for the user to manipulate for operating the switch (122). The push button could act as an ON/OFF button whereby the user can push the button cover (170) to actuate or stop operation of the device (200). It is preferred that the panel cover (160) and the button cover (170) are in a colour that matches with the casing. For instance, a white-coloured casing would match with a white-coloured panel cover (160) and button cover (170).

To prevent undesired dispersion of light, a light absorbing means (150) is disposed before the panel cover (160), with respect to light transmitting direction from the light source (121). The light absorbing means (150) that includes a first light absorbing layer (l50a) is attached to inner surface of the panel cover (160), and a second light absorbing layer (l50b) that is attached to the inner surface of the button cover (170), in which the light-absorbing means (150) is formed with at least one opening (151) for exposing the peripheral portion (142) of the light display panel (140). Thus, the opening (151) of the light absorbing means (150) follows substantially the shape of the peripheral portion (142) of the light display panel (140). The light absorbing means (150) can be an adhesive sheet or paint in dark colour due to the colour’s light absorbing characteristics.

It should be noted that the number of light sources (121) is not limited. The light source (121) is positioned before the light display panel (140) with respect to light transmitting direction. One of the factors that contribute to even light distribution is the positioning of the light source (121). Preferably, the pusher element (132), the light source (121) and the light display panel (140), particularly the peripheral portion (142), are aligned at a substantially similar center axis for uniform light dispersion on the light display panel (140). Thus, the button cover (170) that covers the pusher element (132) is also aligned at the same center axis. Optionally, when there is more than one light source (121), the light sources (121) are respectively disposed around the peripheral portion (142) of the light display panel (140) at a substantially equal distance between each other while the pusher element (132) and the light display panel (140) are aligned at the same center axis. In order to prevent the operation of the switch (122) from interfering with the light source (121), the pusher element (132) is resiliently hinged to execute an off center operation of the switch (122) with respect to the center axis when the pusher element (132) is manipulated. Thus, the switch (122) is positioned at a different axis from the light source (121), in particular behind the unhinged position of the pusher element (132).

Although the description above contains many specifications, it is understood that the embodiments of the preferred form are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention and it may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.