Patent ID: 7091434
Filing Date: 2006-08-15
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A dial switch disposed on a control panel, the dial switch comprising: a case covering the control panel, the case being made of a non-transparent material and having an opening; an ornamental prism having a plate portion and a cylindrical portion formed on a front surface of the plate portion, the plate portion having a center hole, the cylindrical portion being inserted into the opening of the case; a colored layer formed on a rear surface of the plate portion; a light-source disposed behind the colored layer; a printed circuit board on which the light source is supported, electric power being supplied to the light source from the printed circuit board; a rotary switch supported on the printed circuit board, the rotary switch having a shaft extending through the center hole of the plate portion to a front side of the case; and a dial knob connected to the shaft so that the shaft being rotated by rotating the dial knob, wherein: the colored layer covers substantially an entire area of the rear surface of the plate portion, so that light is led from the light source to a front surface of the case through the colored layer and the cylindrical portion of the ornamental prism.