Indicator for vehicle transmission shift operating device, and vehicle transmission shift operating device

The indicator comprises: a light-emitting member capable of emitting light, wherein the light-emitting member has a segment with a shape corresponding to an outline of a gate groove; a face panel disposed in opposed relation to the light-emitting member, and adapted, during the light-emitting of the light-emitting member, to allow light having the shape corresponding to the outline of the gate groove to be transmitted therethrough; and a cover member disposed just above the face panel, and formed with an opening which surrounds a position where the light transmitted through the face panel appears on an outer surface of the face panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an indicator for a vehicle transmission shift operating device, and a vehicle transmission shift operating device.

2. Background Art

Heretofore, there has been known a vehicle transmission shift operating device constructed as disclosed in JP 2007-307950A. This vehicle transmission shift operating device comprises a gate member (not illustrated) attached to a base50, and an operating lever51adapted to be manually moved in a tilting manner along a step-shaped gate groove formed in the gate member, as illustrated inFIG. 11. The transmission shift operating device is designed to allow a driver to manually move the operating lever51in a tilting manner in a front-rear (longitudinal) direction and a right-left (lateral) direction, thereby shifting a non-illustrated transmission.

The transmission shift operating device has a face panel52provided with a plurality of translucent indicating sections52afor indicating respective ranges (P, R, N, D and M ranges). When the operating lever51is set at a position corresponding to one of the indicating sections52a, a corresponding one of a plurality of illuminating lamps disposed on a back side of the face panel52is activated to emit light, so that the indicating section52ais illuminated.

Further, the face panel52is formed with an elongate insertion hole52bhaving a shape analogous to and generally wider than the gate groove formed in the gate member. Based on the shape of the elongate insertion hole52b, a driver can ascertain an operation direction and/or an operation position of the operating lever51.

However, the elongate insertion hole52bof the face panel52has a shape which appears concave with respect to a surface of the face panel52, and places an important only on functionality, i.e., it is relatively large in width W and depth D. Thus, there is a problem of poor aesthetic appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problem.

Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide an indicator for a vehicle transmission shift operating device, which is capable of preventing an elongate insertion hole appearing concave from being formed in a face panel, thereby enhancing aesthetic appearance.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an indicator for a vehicle transmission shift operating device comprising a gate member formed with a gate groove which allows an operating lever shaft to pass therethrough. The indicator comprises: a light-emitting member capable of emitting light, wherein the light-emitting member has a segment with a shape corresponding to an outline of the gate groove; and a face panel disposed in opposed relation to the light-emitting member, and adapted, during the light-emitting of the light-emitting member, to allow light having the shape corresponding to the outline of the gate groove to be transmitted therethrough.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, the present invention will now be described in detail based on an embodiment thereof.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a vehicle transmission shift operating device1according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein an aftermentioned face panel9is illustrated in a state when an aftermentioned light-emitting member11is deactivated to stop light-emitting (unlighted).FIG. 2is a perspective view of the vehicle transmission shift operating device1, wherein the face panel9is illustrated in a state when the light-emitting member11is activated to emit light (lighted).

FIG. 3is a perspective view of the vehicle transmission shift operating device1, wherein an aftermentioned indicator is removed therefrom.FIG. 4is an exploded perspective view of the indicator. InFIGS. 1 to 4, the operating device1is illustrated in a state when an operating lever shaft3is manually moved to a position of an aftermentioned parking (P) range.

FIG. 5Ais a side view of the vehicle transmission shift operating device1, andFIG. 5Bis a top plan view of the vehicle transmission shift operating device1, wherein the face panel9is illustrated in the state when the light-emitting member11is deactivated to stop light-emitting (unlighted).FIG. 6Ais a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line VIA-VIA inFIG. 5A, andFIG. 6Bis a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line VIB-VIB inFIG. 5B. InFIGS. 5A to 6B, the operating device1is illustrated in a state when the operating lever shaft3is placed in a position of an aftermentioned drive (D) range.

The vehicle transmission shift operating device1is a shift operating device for an automatic transmission (AT) vehicle, and provided with a three-dimensional base2composed of a die-casting product or a synthetic resin product. Although various mechanism components and electric components for transmission shift operation are attached to the base2, illustration of any component other than mechanism components necessary for the following explanation is omitted.

The operating lever shaft3has a base end provided with a spherical-shaped base portion (not specifically illustrated). The operating lever shaft3is supported by the base2through the base portion. An operator (driver) can grip a knob4attached to an upper end of the operating lever shaft3and manually move an operating lever having the operating lever shaft3and the knob4, in a tilting manner in a front-rear (longitudinal) direction and a right-left (lateral) direction. During this operation, the operating lever shaft3is tilted in such a manner as to be swingingly moved about the base portion.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, a gate member5is attached to a top portion of the base2. The gate member5is fixed to the base2. The gate member5has a gate groove5cformed in a shape like a hole penetrating through the gate member5in a thickness direction thereof. The operating lever shaft3is installed to pass through the gate groove5c. The gate groove5cis adapted to guide the operating lever shaft3while restricting a tilting direction of the operating lever shaft3in the front-rear direction and the right-left direction. The gate groove5chas a shift operation gate groove5aand a manual operation gate groove5b. The shift operation gate groove5ais formed to extend over respective positions of a parking (P) range, a reverse (R) range, a neutral (N) range, a drive (D) range and a manual (M) range, while bending in the right-left direction or the front-rear direction in a stepped shape. The manual operation gate groove5bis formed to extend from the position of the manual (M) range in the front-rear direction.

When the operating lever is manually moved by an operator, and the operating lever shaft3is moved in a tilting manner, the vehicle transmission shift operating device1is operable to shift the transmission in a manner corresponding to a respective one of the P, R, N, D and M ranges.

The vehicle transmission shift operating device1is provided with an indicator for indicating thereon the gate groove as a pattern so as to allow an operator to recognize an operation direction of the operating lever. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the indicator comprises a cover member8, a face panel9, a set plate10, a light-emitting member11, and a concealing member12. These components are arranged in this order in a downward direction.

The cover member8is composed of an opaque member made of a synthetic resin. The cover member8is generally formed as a quadrangular frame-like member having an upwardly convex curved shape with an opening8ain a central portion thereof. This opening8ahas a size capable of surrounding a luminous area which appears on an outer surface of the face panel9in respective shapes of aftermentioned gate grooves11a,11band character-shaped convex portions11c, as a result of light transmitted through the face panel9when the gate grooves11a,11band character-shaped convex portions11cemit light. The cover member8is attached, for example, to the base2through a non-illustrated member, and held by the base2.

The face panel9is composed of a plate-shaped member made of a synthetic resin which is not completely transparent but has a light transparency enough to allow light from a light emitter or the like to be transmitted therethrough, and formed in a shape curved in the front-rear direction and the right-left direction in an upwardly convex manner. The face panel9has a smooth, patternless outer surface. The term “not completely transparent” here specifically means an opaque or translucent property, i.e., a light transparency enough to completely or almost completely prevent an internal mechanism of the operating device1from being seen through the face panel9not only during a lighted state as described later but also during an unlighted state. For example, such an opaque or translucent property can be obtained by coloring with silver.

The face panel9is formed with a through-hole9awhich allows the operating lever shaft3to pass therethrough. The face panel9has a shape and a size greater than those of the opening8aof the cover member8, in the front-rear direction and the right-left direction. Therefore, even when the face panel9is moved in an approximately horizontal direction and in the front-rear direction and the right-left direction, in conjunction with a tilting movement of the operating lever shaft3, the face panel9can maintain a state in which it closes the opening8aof the cover member8from therebelow. When the operating lever shaft3is a round shaft, the through-hole9ais preferably formed as a round through-hole. On the other hand, when the operating lever shaft3is an angular shaft, the through-hole9ais preferably formed as an angular through-hole. In other words, it is preferable that the operating lever shaft3has a shape which can minimize a gap with respect to the operating lever shaft3.

The set plate10is composed of an opaque, plate-shaped member made of a synthetic resin. The set plate10is formed in a shape curved in the front-rear direction and the right-left direction in an upwardly convex manner. That is, the face panel9is formed in a shape corresponding to the set plate10, and adapted to be movable along an upper surface of the set plate10. The face panel9is disposed between the upper surface of the set plate10and a lower surface of the cover member8, and the set plate10is configured in a shape and a size enough to be capable of guiding the movement of the face panel9.

The set plate10is formed with a gate groove10aand a manual operation gate groove10beach similar to a respective one of the shift operation gate groove5aand the manual operation gate groove5bof the gate member5. More specifically, each of the gate groove10aand the manual operation gate groove10bhas a shape slightly enlarged in similar relation with respect to a respective one of the shift operation gate groove5aand the manual operation gate groove5b. The set plate10has seven through-holes10cwhich are provided on a right side of the gate grooves10a,10b(right side when viewed in a front direction), and formed in five character shapes “P”, “R”, “N”, “D”, “M” representing respective ones of the ranges, a character shape “+” representing shift-up, and a character shape “−” representing shift-down. Each of the gate groove10a, the manual operation gate groove10band the through-holes10cis formed to penetrate the set plate10in its thickness direction.

The set plate10and the cover member8are disposed to define therebetween a gap T for allowing the face panel9to be moved in the front-rear direction and the right-left direction. Thus, the face panel9is movably held between the cover member8and the set plate10, while being sandwiched between the cover member8and the set plate10. The operating lever shaft3is installed to pass through the through-hole9aof the face panel9, so that the face panel9is free of a risk of dropping out from the gap T between the cover member8and the set plate10. The set plate10may be attached to the cover member8at a position which does not hinder the face panel9from being moved in the front-rear direction and the right-left direction.

The light-emitting member11is composed of a member formed using a light-guidable transparent synthetic resin, and has a frame-shaped segment with an opening serving as a gate groove11aand a manual operation gate groove11b. Each of the gate groove11aand the manual operation gate groove11bhas a shape similar to a respective one of the shift operation gate groove5aand the manual operation gate groove5bof the gate member5, and enlarged in similar relation with respect to a respective one of the shift operation gate groove5aand the manual operation gate groove5b, to an extent enough to prevent a contact with the operating lever shaft3. That is, an outer peripheral outline portion of the gate groove11aand the manual operation gate groove11bhas a shape corresponding to an outline of the shift operation gate groove5aand the manual operation gate groove5bof the gate member5. The operating lever shaft3is installed to pass through any of the gate groove11aand the manual operation gate groove11b.

The light-emitting member11also has a plate-shaped segment which is provided on a right side of the frame-shaped segment, and formed with seven convex portions11chaving five character shapes “P”, “R”, “N”, “D”, “M” representing respective ones of the ranges, and two character shapes “+”, “−” representing shift-up and shift-down, respectively.

Further, the light-emitting member11is provided with a box segment11dwhich houses an illuminating lamp15(seeFIG. 6A) for allowing the outer peripheral outline portion of the gate grooves11a,11band the convex portions11cto emit light when it is lighted. The illuminating lamp15is illustrated as an example of a light source.

The frame-shaped segment serving as the outer peripheral outline portion of the gate groove11aand the manual operation gate groove11bin the light-emitting member11is fitted into the gate grooves10a,10bof the set plate10from therebelow (seeFIGS. 6A and 6B). The character-shaped convex portions11cof the light-emitting member11are fitted into respective ones of the through-holes10cof the set plate10from therebelow. In this way, the light-emitting member11is integrated with the set plate10. The outer peripheral outline portion of the gate grooves11a,11band the character-shaped convex portions11cof the light-emitting member11are not covered by the set plate10. Thus, when the lamp15is lighted to cause the light-emitting member11to emit light, the outer peripheral outline portion of the gate grooves11a,11band the character-shaped convex portions11cof the light-emitting member11can be visually recognized as respective shapes thereof, from above the face panel9. The indicator may be configured such that a color of light to be emitted from the light-emitting member11can be switched between different colors such as yellow, red, blue and green, by a user himself/herself.

The concealing member12is composed of an opaque, plate-shaped member made of a synthetic resin. The concealing member12is formed in a shape curved in the front-rear direction in an upwardly convex manner. The concealing member12is formed with an elongate through-hole12awhich is elongated in the right-left direction and which allows the operating lever shaft3to pass therethrough.

Referring toFIG. 6A, the concealing member12is supported with respect to the set plate10in a manner slidable in the front-rear direction, by a pair of rail groove portions10dformed on a lower surface of the set plate10at positions on right and left sides thereof to extend in the front-rear direction. The concealing member12is configured to have a length capable of closing the opening8aof the cover member8and the gate grooves11a,11bfrom therebelow, even when the concealing member12is moved in an approximately horizontal direction and in the front-rear direction, in conjunction with a tilting movement of the operating lever shaft3in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, when the operating lever shaft3is manually moved in a tilting manner in the right-left direction, the operating lever shaft3is moved within the elongate through-hole12a. Thus, the tilting movement of the operating lever shaft3can be released, so that the concealing member12is not moved in interlocking relation with the operating lever shaft3. In addition, the operating lever shaft3is installed to pass through the elongate through-hole12aof the concealing member12, so that the concealing member12is free of a risk of dropping out from the rail groove portions10d.

In assembling of the vehicle transmission shift operating device1configured as above, the light-emitting member11is attached to the set plate10. Then, the face panel9is disposed between the cover member8and the set plate10having the light-emitting member11integrated therewith, and the concealing member12is inserted in the rail groove portions10dof the set plate10. In this way, a unitized indicator can be obtained. Further, the gate member5is attached to the top portion of the base2, and the indicator is fixed onto the base2. Then, after the operating lever shaft3is installed to pass through the through-holes12a,10a,9aof the unitized indicator, the knob4is attached to the upper end of the operating lever shaft3, thereby completing the assembling.

The light-emitting member11is disposed just above the gate member5together with the set plate10. Thus, when the lamp15is lighted, each of the outer peripheral outline portion of the gate grooves11a,11band the character-shaped convex portions11cemits light in conformity to a shape thereof.

The face panel9disposed just above the light-emitting member11covers the light-emitting member11. Thus, during light-emitting of the light-emitting member11, the face panel9allows light having the shape of the outer peripheral outline portion of the gate grooves11a,11band light having the shape of each of the character-shaped convex portions11cto be transmitted therethrough.

Light with the shape of the outer peripheral outline portion of the gate grooves11a,11band light with the shape of each of the convex portions11c, each transmitted through the face panel during the light-emitting, can be visually recognized from the opening8aof the cover member8disposed just above the face panel9.

In the above indicator structure of the vehicle transmission shift operating device1, the face panel9is devoid of the concave, stepped-shaped, elongate insertion hole as described in the Background Art, although it is formed with the through-hole9awhich allows the operating lever shaft3to pass therethrough. Thus, the face panel9is generally configured to have a smooth and patternless surface, as illustrated inFIG. 1.

For example, when the light-emitting member11is activated to emit light (lighted) during a period (e.g., ACC or ON) other than during turn-off of an ignition switch of an engine, light having a shape of the outer peripheral outline portion of the gate grooves11a,11b, and light having a shape of each of the character-shaped convex portions11care transmitted through the face panel9. Thus, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the shape of the outer peripheral outline portion of the gate grooves11a,11b, and the shape of each of the character-shaped convex portions11cappear on the smooth surface of the face panel9in the form of a luminous pattern.

A driver can ascertain an operation direction of the operating lever shaft3by looking at the luminous pattern of the shapes of the outer peripheral outline portion of the gate grooves11a,11band the character-shaped convex portions11c.

Then, for example, when the light-emitting member11is deactivated to stop light-emitting (unlighted), the luminous pattern of the shapes of the outer peripheral outline portion of the gate grooves11a,11band the character-shaped convex portions11cdisappears from the face panel9. Thus, the face panel9is returned to the original patternless surface.

As above, there is no need to form, in the face panel9, the concave, stepped-shaped, elongate insertion hole large in width and depth, as described in the Background Art, so that it becomes possible to improve aesthetic appearance.

The light-emitting member11may be configured to be controlled in interlocking relation with an operation of an ignition switch in such a manner that it is lighted during a period (e.g., ACC or ON) other than during turn-off of the ignition switch, whereas it is unlighted during the turn-off of the ignition switch. In this case, the light-emitting member11can be automatically lighted and unlighted in interlocking relation with the operation of the ignition switch.

Further, the light-emitting member11is held by the set plate10, and the concealing member12is attached to a lower side of the set plate10to cover the opening of the light-emitting member11from therebelow. This makes it possible to completely or almost completely prevent an internal mechanism of the operating device1from being seen through the face panel9, during a lighted state of the light-emitting member11. Thus, the aesthetic appearance is also improved in this respect.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the concealing member12is slidably supported by the rail groove portions10dof the set plate10. For example, as one alternative, a configuration may be employed in which a stretchable rubber plate formed with a round hole which allows the operating lever shaft3to pass therethrough is attached to the lower surface of the set plate10to conceal the internal mechanism without hindering the movement of the operating lever shaft3, by utilizing stretchability of the rubber plate. As another alternative, a configuration may be employed in which bendable long brush bristle-like elements are attached to the lower surface of the set plate10to conceal the internal mechanism without hindering the movement of the operating lever shaft3, by utilizing bendability of the bristle-like elements.

The light-emitting member11in the above embodiment is prepared by forming a light guiding member (made, for example, of a transparent acrylic material) in a gate groove shape, and adapted to allow light from the illuminating lamp15to be transmitted through the gate groove-shaped member, and emit the transmitted light. Thus, the light-emitting member11can convert light from the illuminating lamp15into light having a gate groove shape or the like, and emit the converted light. In addition, the light guiding member may be made of a synthetic resin such as transparent acrylic resin, so that the light-emitting member11can be formed at a low cost even if it has a complicated gate groove shape.

The light-emitting member11is not limited to the type formed using a light guiding member. For example, as one alternative, the light-emitting member11may be composed of a large number of LEDs (light-emitting diodes). In this case, the light-emitting members are arranged along an outer peripheral outline portion of the gate grooves10a,10band an outer peripheral outline portion of each of the through-holes10c.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bare perspective views partially illustrating a vehicle transmission shift operating device1according to a first modified embodiment. InFIG. 7A, the face panel9is illustrated in a state when a light-emitting member11is deactivated to stop light-emitting (unlighted). InFIG. 7B, the face panel9is illustrated in a state when the light-emitting member11is activated to emit light (lighted).

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, a region of the face panel9corresponding to an outer peripheral outline sub-portion of the gate groove11abecomes luminous in a stepped shape. Differently, in the first modified embodiment illustrated inFIG. 7B, a region of the face panel9corresponding to an outer peripheral outline sub-portion of a gate groove11a′ becomes luminous in a linear shape. The present invention can be applied to a vehicle transmission shift operating device having such a linear-shaped gate groove11a′.

FIGS. 8A and 8Bare perspective views partially illustrating a vehicle transmission shift operating device according to a second modified embodiment. InFIG. 8A, the face panel9is illustrated in a state when a light-emitting member11is deactivated to stop light-emitting (unlighted). InFIG. 8B, the face panel9is illustrated in a state when the light-emitting member11is activated to emit light (lighted).

The gate grooves11a,11a′ illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 7Bare designed for an automatic transmission (AT) vehicle. Differently, a gate groove11a″ illustrated inFIG. 8Bis designed for a manual transmission (MT) vehicle. The present invention can be applied to a vehicle transmission shift operating device having such a gate groove11a″ for a manual transmission (MT) vehicle.

FIG. 9is an exploded perspective view of an indicator section for a vehicle transmission shift operating device according to a third modified embodiment. A difference between the third modified embodiment and the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4is that a face panel9in the third modified embodiment is formed in approximately the same shape as that of the concealing member12. Further, the face panel9is slidably supported in the front-rear direction by a pair of rail groove portions (not illustrated) formed at a position above the rail groove portions10dfor the concealing member12. Furthermore, the face panel9is formed with an elongate through-hole9bwhich is elongated in the right-left direction, in the same manner as that of the concealing member12.

In the indicator configured as above, the face panel9and the concealing member12are assembled to the set plate10in such a manner that they are movably guided in the front-rear direction by the pair of rail groove portions10dand the pair of rail groove portions (not illustrated) of the face panel9, respectively.

FIGS. 10A to 10Dillustrate an example of modification of the concealing member12.FIG. 10Ais an exploded perspective view of a modified concealing member12, andFIGS. 10B to 10Dare top plan views for explaining states when the modified concealing member12is moved.

The modified concealing member12comprises an upper member12A having the same shape as that of the concealing member12in the above embodiment, and an approximately semicircular-shaped lower member12B prepared separately from the upper member12A. The lower member12B is formed with a round hole12d, and a shaft portion12bformed on a lower surface of the upper member12A is fitted into the round hole12d. In this way, the lower member12B is supported by the upper member12A turnably in both of the right and left directions about the shaft portion12b. The lower member12B is formed with a U-shaped elongate through-hole12cin a shape of cutout at a position corresponding to an elongate through-hole12aof the upper member12A.

The operating lever shaft3is installed to pass through the elongate through-hole12aof the upper member12A and the elongate through-hole12cof the lower member12B.

When the operating lever shaft3is located in an intermediate position in the right-left direction, the lower member12B is placed in a neutral position in the right-left direction, as illustrated inFIG. 10C. Then, when the operating lever shaft3is moved in the left direction, the lower member12B is inclined leftwardly from the neutral position along with the movement of the operating lever shaft3, as illustrated inFIG. 10B. On the other hand, when the operating lever shaft3is moved in the right direction, the lower member12B is inclined rightwardly from the neutral position along with the movement of the operating lever shaft3, as illustrated inFIG. 10D.

As above, the modified concealing member12is composed of two components consisting of the upper member12A and the lower member12B. In this case, when the operating lever shaft3is tilted in the right-left direction along the elongate through-hole12aof the upper member12A (concealing member12), the posture of the lower member12B is changed so as to cover the elongate through-hole12a. Thus, it becomes possible to prevent the internal mechanism from being seen through the face panel9during in the lighted state of the light-emitting member11.

The structure composed of two components consisting of the upper member12A and the lower member12B may also be applied to the face panel9illustrated inFIG. 9. This makes it possible to completely or almost completely prevent the internal mechanism from being seen through the elongate through-hole9b, irrespective of whether the light-emitting member is in the lighted state or in the unlighted state.

Outline of Embodiments

The above embodiments will be outlined below.

(1) An indicator according to one of the above embodiments is designed for a vehicle transmission shift operating device comprising a gate member formed with a gate groove which allows an operating lever shaft to pass therethrough. The indicator comprises: a light-emitting member capable of emitting light, wherein the light-emitting member has a segment with a shape corresponding to an outline of the gate groove; and a face panel disposed in opposed relation to the light-emitting member, and adapted, during the light-emitting of the light-emitting member, to allow light having the shape corresponding to the outline of the gate groove to be transmitted therethrough.

In this indicator, the face panel is devoid of the concave, stepped-shaped, elongate insertion hole as described in the Background Art. Thus, the entire outer surface of the face panel is formed as a smooth, patternless surface.

For example, when the light-emitting member is activated to emit light (lighted) during a period (e.g., ACC or ON) other than during turn-off of an ignition switch of an engine, light having an outline shape of the gate groove is emitted, and transmitted through the face panel. Thus, the outline shape of the gate groove appears on the smooth patternless outer surface of the face panel in the form of a luminous pattern.

A driver can ascertain an operation direction of the operating lever shaft by looking at the luminous pattern of the outline shape of the gate groove.

Then, for example, when the light-emitting member is deactivated to stop light-emitting (unlighted) by turning off the ignition switch of the engine, the luminous pattern of the outline shape of the gate groove disappears from the face panel. Thus, the face panel is returned to the original patternless outer surface.

As above, there is no need to form, in the face panel, the concave, stepped-shaped, elongate insertion hole large in width and depth, as described in the Background Art, so that it becomes possible to improve aesthetic appearance.

(2) Preferably, in the above indicator, the light-emitting member is disposed just above the gate member, and the face panel is disposed just above the light-emitting member to cover the light-emitting member, and formed with a through-hole which allows the operating lever shaft to pass therethrough, so that it is movable together with the operating lever shaft, wherein the indicator further comprises a cover member disposed just above the face panel and formed with an opening which surrounds a position where the light transmitted through the face panel appears on an outer surface of the face panel.

The face panel is devoid of the concave, stepped-shaped, elongate insertion hole as described in the Background Art, although it is formed with the through-hole which allows the operating lever shaft to pass therethrough. Thus, the face panel is generally configured to have a smooth, patternless surface.

For example, when the light-emitting member is activated to emit light (lighted) during a period (e.g., ACC or ON) other than during turn-off of an ignition switch of an engine, light having an outline shape of the gate groove is emitted, and transmitted through the face panel. Thus, the outline shape of the gate groove appears on the smooth patternless outer surface of the face panel in the form of a luminous pattern.

A driver can ascertain an operation direction of the operating lever shaft by looking at the luminous pattern of the outline shape of the gate groove.

Then, for example, when the light-emitting member is deactivated to stop light-emitting (unlighted) by turning off the ignition switch of the engine, the luminous pattern of the outline shape of the gate groove disappears from the face panel. Thus, the face panel is returned to the original patternless outer surface.

As above, there is no need to form, in the face panel, the concave, stepped-shaped, elongate insertion hole large in width and depth, as described in the Background Art, so that it becomes possible to improve aesthetic appearance.

(3) Preferably, the light-emitting member is adapted to be controlled in interlocking relation with an operation of an ignition switch in such a manner that it is lighted during a period other than during turn-off of the ignition switch, whereas it is unlighted during the turn-off of the ignition switch.

In this embodiment, the light-emitting member can be automatically lighted and unlighted in interlocking relation with the operation of the ignition switch.

(4) Preferably, the above indicator further comprises: a set plate attached to a base to support the light-emitting member; and a concealing member disposed just below the set plate to cover a lower side of the light-emitting member.

In this embodiment, it becomes possible to completely or almost completely prevent an internal mechanism of the operating device from being seen through the face panel, even during a lighted state of the light-emitting member. Thus, the aesthetic appearance is also improved in this respect.

(5) Preferably, the light-emitting member is formed using a light guiding member, and adapted to allow light from a light source to be transmitted therethrough, and emit the transmitted light.

In this embodiment, the light-emitting member is adapted to allow light from the light source to be transmitted therethrough, so that it can emit light having an outline shape of the gate groove. In addition, the light guiding member may be made of a synthetic resin such as transparent acrylic resin, so that the light-emitting member can be formed at a low cost even if it has a complicated gate groove shape.

(6) Preferably, the set plate has a rail groove portion, and each of the face panel and the concealing member is adapted to be movably guided in a front-rear direction by the rail groove portion, and formed with a through-hole which allows the operating lever shaft to pass therethrough, wherein the through-hole is formed as an elongate hole which is elongated in a right-left direction.

In this embodiment, each of the face panel and the concealing member is assembled to the set plate in such a manner that it is movably guided in the front-rear direction by the rail groove portion.

(7) A vehicle transmission shift operating device comprises: a base to which a gate member having a gate groove is fixed; an operating lever having an operating lever shaft installed to pass through the gate groove; and an indicator held by the base. The indicator includes: a light-emitting member capable of emitting light, wherein the light-emitting member has a segment with a shape corresponding to an outline of the gate groove; and a face panel disposed in opposed relation to the light-emitting member, and adapted, during the light-emitting of the light-emitting member, to allow light having the shape corresponding to the outline of the gate groove to be transmitted therethrough.

(8) An indicator for a vehicle transmission shift operating device comprising a base, a gate member formed with a gate groove and fixed to the base, and an operating lever having an operating lever shaft installed to pass through the gate groove of the gate member. The indicator comprises: a light-emitting member capable of emitting light, wherein the light-emitting member is disposed just above the gate member and having a segment with a shape corresponding to an outline of the gate groove; a face panel disposed just above the light-emitting member to cover the light-emitting member, and formed with a through-hole which allows the operating lever shaft to pass therethrough, so that it is movable together with the operating lever shaft, wherein the face panel is formed using a member which is not completely transparent but has a light transparency allowing light having the shape corresponding to the outline of the gate groove to be transmitted therethrough during the light-emitting of the light-emitting member; and a cover member disposed just above the face panel, and formed with an opening which surrounds a position where the light transmitted through the face panel appears on an outer surface of the face panel.

This application is based on Japanese Patent application No. 2012-031457 filed in Japan Patent Office on Feb. 16, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.