Patent ID: 8367956

Claim:
An electric switch ( 1 ) provided on a multiple-use operating element like a joystick in the commercial vehicles sector, comprising: a support housing ( 4 ), the support housing ( 4 ) having a central coaxial support axle ( 15 ), the support housing ( 4 ) also carrying a printed circuit board ( 7 ), particularly an SMD-equipped printed circuit board ( 7 ), which in turn carries illumination means ( 8 ) and; an actuating wheel ( 5 ), the actuating wheel ( 5 ) being mounted on the support axle ( 15 ), whereby a wheel cover ( 11 ) is fixed on the actuating wheel ( 5 ) and wherein an optical waveguide ( 6 ) is provided and held between wheel cover ( 11 ) and actuating wheel ( 5 ), whereby actuating wheel ( 5 ) and wheel cover ( 11 ) forming an operating part ( 3 ) of the switch ( 1 ); wherein the switch ( 1 ) is operational with one finger, particularly a thumb, of an operator's hand having gripped the joystick; and wherein the optical waveguide ( 6 ) has a spatial large light collection section ( 22 ) being shaped in a manner of a cylinder jacket section and a single discharge end ( 21 ), whereby the light collection section ( 22 ) covers the illumination means ( 8 ) in a mounted stage, such that even large rotational movements still lead to it being possible to collect, guide and emit light at the discharge end ( 21 ) and whereby the discharge end ( 21 ) ends in an opening of the wheel cover ( 11 ) such that the operating part ( 3 ) is illuminated in different colors depending on the switching status of the switch ( 1 ).