EP0899762B1 - Beleuchteter Tastschalter - Google Patents

Beleuchteter Tastschalter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0899762B1
EP0899762B1 EP98306438A EP98306438A EP0899762B1 EP 0899762 B1 EP0899762 B1 EP 0899762B1 EP 98306438 A EP98306438 A EP 98306438A EP 98306438 A EP98306438 A EP 98306438A EP 0899762 B1 EP0899762 B1 EP 0899762B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
light
key
sheet
sheet layer
tops
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP98306438A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0899762A1 (de
Inventor
Kazuyoshi Kagawa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Taisei Purasu Co Ltd
Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Alps Electric Co Ltd
Taisei Purasu Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Alps Electric Co Ltd, Taisei Purasu Co Ltd filed Critical Alps Electric Co Ltd
Publication of EP0899762A1 publication Critical patent/EP0899762A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0899762B1 publication Critical patent/EP0899762B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2209/00—Layers
    • H01H2209/002—Materials
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2209/00—Layers
    • H01H2209/014—Layers composed of different layers; Lubricant in between
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
    • H01H2219/014—LED
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/054—Optical elements
    • H01H2219/056—Diffuser; Uneven surface
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/002—Actuators integral with membrane
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/05—Force concentrator; Actuating dimple

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an illuminated pushbutton switch capable of illuminating key-tops in darkness, and which is suitable for various kinds of electronic apparatuses, such as mobile telephones.
  • a conventional configuration is that in which a switching layer such as a membrane switch having a clicking means and a key-sheet layer wherein acrylic key-tops are bonded on the surface of a silicone rubber are formed in order on a circuit board on which are placed LEDs, connectors, and so forth. Further, a display portion indicating an operation code for the key-tops is printed and formed on the bottom of the acrylic key-top. That is, in an operation panel wherein a plurality of these conventional illuminated pushbutton switches are disposed, when a user pushes a desired key-top, the silicone rubber around the key-top is deformed to push and to actuate the membrane switch underneath with a clicking feeling.
  • each operation code is illuminated at the bottom surface of each colorless and clear key-top.
  • the problem with such a conventional technique described above lies in the difficulty of achieving a reduced thickness design of the apparatus which has recently been required for mobile telephones, etc., because the silicone rubber having a sufficient thickness for diffusing the light and the switching layer such as a folded membrane switch are formed between the key-tops and the circuit board. Furthermore, in this conventional technique, it is also necessary to increase the number of LEDs to sufficiently illuminate the key-tops, because the light which is emitted from the LED to the silicone rubber through the opening of the switching layer is not effectively utilized, being blocked by portions of the switching layer. That is, many LEDs are required as light sources and, further the cost of the silicone rubber is comparatively high. Because of mounting costs of the parts, the structure according to the above conventional technique has been unable to achieve a reduction in the cost of the switch.
  • an illuminated pushbutton according to claim 1.
  • the first sheet layer may be formed of a light-transmissive sheet such as a PET film and light-transmissive key-tops such as an acrylic resin integrated on the surface of the light-transmissive sheet by means of a bonding or an outsert forming technique and so forth.
  • a light-transmissive sheet such as a PET film
  • light-transmissive key-tops such as an acrylic resin integrated on the surface of the light-transmissive sheet by means of a bonding or an outsert forming technique and so forth.
  • the display portions may be printed and formed at the corresponding positions either on the bottom or top surfaces of the key-tops or on the front or rear surfaces of the sheet of the first sheet layer.
  • the second sheet layer functioning as a light diffusing sheet, may diffuse light by using a sheet having a matte finished surface or made from a milky-white material.
  • the projections may be formed by swelling the sheet of the second sheet layer by embossing, etc. It is preferable, however, for maintaining the hardness and height required for the projection, to form the projection after printing an epoxy resin or the like on both surfaces of the sheet.
  • the second sheet layer covers the surface of the circuit board as well as the aforementioned configuration, an exposed space of an electric circuit of the board can be enclosed so that a dust and waterproof structure may be realized cheaply.
  • Fig. 1 shows an assembly view of a group of the pushbutton switches in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled switch group shown in Fig. 1.
  • the illuminated pushbutton switch group shown in Fig. 1 and 2 is used as an operating panel for a mobile telephone.
  • This pushbutton switches group is generally formed by a first sheet layer 3 comprising a PET film 2 on which a plurality of key-tops 1 which are colorless, or clear and colored and made from an acrylic resin are bonded to form a matrix.
  • a second sheet layer 6 comprising a PET film 4 having a matte finished surface and having, on both surfaces of the film, a plurality of projections 5 which are colorless, or clear and colored.
  • a circuit board 9 on which are placed a plurality of LEDs 7, a plurality of tactile switches 8, connectors (not shown) and so forth which are fixed by soldering.
  • the display portion 10, however, may be formed either on the front or rear surface of the PET film 2 or on the top surface of the key-top, as long as the display portion 10 corresponds to the location where the key-top 1 is located.
  • This embodiment shows that each key-top 1 is bonded on the PET film 2.
  • a plurality of key-tops may be injection-molded on the PET film utilizing an outsert forming technique.
  • the second sheet layer 6 is disposed opposing to the rear surface of the PET film 2 of the first sheet layer 3.
  • Each projection 5 is located to correspond to the center of each key-top 1.
  • the material of the projection 5 is an epoxy resin and the adopted forming method for the PET film 2 is print-potting. Similar projections may be formed by screen printing or embossing.
  • the circuit board 9 is disposed opposing to the rear surface of the PET film 4 of the second sheet layer 6.
  • Each projection 5 projected from the rear surface of the film 4 is located opposing to the center of the top-side of each tactile switch 8 such that a desired tactile switch 8 can be actuated by pressing the projection 5 over the switch.
  • the first sheet layer 3, the second sheet layer 6 and the circuit board 9, as shown in Fig. 2, are combined in one piece utilizing a framework 11 made from a soft elastomer or a synthetic resin harder than the elastomer.
  • the PET film 2 of the first sheet layer 3 is bonded to the framework 11 by coating an adhesive on the periphery of only the rear surface of the PET film 2, while the PET film 4 of the second sheet layer 6 is coated with an adhesive on the entire periphery of both surfaces thereof so as to be bonded to and fixed to both the framework 11 and the circuit board 9.
  • the key-top when a user pushes a desired key-top, the key-top in turn pushes the projection 5 underneath. After the key-top descends as low as a predetermined stroke, the corresponding tactile switch 8 is pressed and actuated with a clicking feeling. At this time, the portions of the PET films 2, 4 deflect. However, if the pressing force is released, the PET films release the deflection with a good restoring force to return quickly the key-top 1 and projections 5 from their depressed positions to their original heights.
  • the PET film 4 for diffusing light can be illuminated from the rear surface thereof by the light emitted from a plurality of LEDs 7 which are placed in the regions on the circuit board 9 where the tactile switches 8 are not located. Therefore, if each LED 7 is turned on in the dark, the light diffused by the PET film 4 illuminates the PET film 2 almost uniformly over its entire surface. This results in uniform and high brightness illumination of the display portion 10 such as numerals and characters printed on the bottom side of each colorless, or clear and colored key-top. Accordingly, the user can clearly visually recognize each display portion 10.
  • the illuminated pushbutton switch group is combined by the framework 11 in one piece. Since the PET film 4 of the second sheet layer 6, on the entire periphery of both surfaces thereof, is bonded to and fixed to both the framework 11 and the circuit board 9, the circuit board 9 not only can be fixed to the framework 11 through the PET film 4 but also an exposed space 12 of an electric circuit on the circuit board 9 can be enclosed by the PET film 4 so that a reliable dust and water resistant structure can be realized.
  • the PET films 2,4 are used as sheet materials in the first and second sheet layers.
  • Other sheet materials may be used, as long as they are cheap, thin, and with a good restoring force in the normal direction.
  • any material other than an acrylic resin may form the key-top 1 as long as it is light-transmissive, corresponding to being colorless, or clear and colored.
  • the present invention is embodied as described above and has effects as will be described.
  • an illuminated pushbutton switch comprises a first sheet layer having a light-transmissive sheet and light-transmissive key-tops integrated with one surface of the light-transmissive sheet, the first sheet layer further having display portions provided at locations where the key-tops are located; a second sheet layer including a diffusing and light-transmissive sheet having projections on both surfaces, the second sheet layer further being disposed opposing to the other surface of the light-transmissive sheet of the first sheet layer; and a circuit board on which are placed light sources which emit light to the second sheet layer from the opposite surface of the first sheet layer and switching devices which are actuated by pushing forces from the key-tops, wherein the projections are located corresponding to the locations of the key-tops and the switching devices, then cheap and thin films such as a PET film can be used for sheet materials of the first and second sheet layers to provide a less expensive illuminated pushbutton switch suitable for reducing its thickness.
  • the second sheet layer is formed so as to cover the surface of the circuit board, an exposed space of an electric circuit on the circuit board can be enclosed so that a dust and water resistant structure can be realized cheaply.

Claims (2)

  1. Leuchtdruckknopfschalter, aufweisend:
    eine erste Flächengebilde-Schicht (3) mit einem lichtdurchlässigen Flächengebilde (2) und lichtdurchlässigen Tasten-Oberteilen (1), welche in einer Oberfläche des lichtdurchlässigen Flächengebildes integriert sind, wobei die erste Flächengebilde-Schicht außerdem darauf vorgesehene Anzeigebereiche an den Stellen hat, an denen die Tasten-Oberteile lokalisiert sind; eine Platine (9), welche Licht ausstrahlende Lichtquellen (7) und Schaltvorrichtungen (8) trägt, welche durch drückende Kräfte von den Tasten-Oberteilen betätigt werden, gekennzeichnet durch
    eine zweite Flächengebilde-Schicht (6), welche zwischen der Platine und der ersten Flächengebilde-Schicht vorgesehen ist und welche ein streuendes, lichtdurchlässiges Flächengebilde (4) mit Vorsprüngen aufweist, wobei die zweite Flächengebilde-Schicht außerdem gegenüber der anderen Oberfläche des lichtdurchlässigen Flächengebildes der ersten Flächengebilde-Schicht angeordnet ist und Licht von der Lichtquelle aufnimmt und wobei die Vorsprünge mit den Stellen der Tasten-Oberteile und den Schaltvorrichtungen korrespondierend angeordnet sind, wobei die Vorsprünge auf beiden Oberflächen des streuenden, lichtdurchlässigen Flächengebildes der zweiten Flächengebilde-Schicht gedruckt und gebildet sind.
  2. Leuchtdruckknopfschalter nach Anspruch 1 , wobei die zweite Flächengebilde-Schicht eine Oberfläche der Platine bedeckt.
EP98306438A 1997-08-28 1998-08-12 Beleuchteter Tastschalter Expired - Lifetime EP0899762B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP9232670A JPH1173837A (ja) 1997-08-28 1997-08-28 照光式押釦スイッチ
JP232670/97 1997-08-28
JP23267097 1997-08-28

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0899762A1 EP0899762A1 (de) 1999-03-03
EP0899762B1 true EP0899762B1 (de) 2004-05-06

Family

ID=16942963

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98306438A Expired - Lifetime EP0899762B1 (de) 1997-08-28 1998-08-12 Beleuchteter Tastschalter

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0899762B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH1173837A (de)
KR (1) KR100324786B1 (de)
CN (1) CN1155033C (de)
DE (1) DE69823596T2 (de)
TW (1) TW388897B (de)

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2346587A (en) * 2000-01-06 2000-08-16 Parmeader Shinh Keyboard with a strip of LEDs placed between each row of keys thereof
FI108582B (fi) 2000-05-02 2002-02-15 Nokia Corp Näppäimistön valaisujärjestely, joka mahdollistaa näppäinten muuttuvan ja yksilöllisen valaisemisen, sekä menetelmä sen käyttämiseksi
EP1324362A3 (de) * 2001-12-18 2005-04-06 Polymatech Co., Ltd. Folienintegrierte Drucktaste
JP4473538B2 (ja) * 2003-04-11 2010-06-02 ポリマテック株式会社 キーシート
EP2270825B1 (de) * 2005-05-19 2012-07-04 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Tastatur und Tastaturanordnung
JP4646748B2 (ja) * 2005-09-06 2011-03-09 三洋電機株式会社 照明付キーパネル
KR100702210B1 (ko) * 2005-12-27 2007-04-03 화남전자 주식회사 오염물 유입을 최소화하는 키패드
KR100754686B1 (ko) 2006-03-28 2007-09-03 삼성전자주식회사 키패드 어셈블리
KR100749118B1 (ko) 2006-11-06 2007-08-13 (주)아토콘 발광 키패드
KR100851657B1 (ko) * 2006-12-26 2008-08-13 주식회사 두성테크 액추에이터를 갖는 도파시트를 구비한 키 패널
ITTO20070264A1 (it) * 2007-04-16 2008-10-17 Pasquale Cacchio Tastiera e processo di realizzazione relativo
WO2009009923A1 (fr) * 2007-07-16 2009-01-22 Dongguan Memtech Electronic Products Co., Ltd Plaque guide de lumière et son clavier appliqué
JP2012059487A (ja) * 2010-09-08 2012-03-22 Fujitsu Toshiba Mobile Communications Ltd キーパネルユニットおよび該キーパネルユニット搭載の電子機器
CN104125672B (zh) * 2013-04-24 2016-10-12 浙江嘉熙光电设备制造有限公司 一种一体化薄膜式大功率led芯片的集成结构的生产方法

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE8916139U1 (de) * 1989-05-12 1994-02-24 Mettler Toledo Albstadt Gmbh Preisrechnende elektronische Waage
US5577267A (en) * 1992-10-26 1996-11-19 Motorola, Inc. Assembly for visually indicating signals generated by an electrical circuit and light-diffusing interface apparatus therefor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR100324786B1 (ko) 2002-05-09
KR19990023949A (ko) 1999-03-25
CN1210350A (zh) 1999-03-10
JPH1173837A (ja) 1999-03-16
DE69823596D1 (de) 2004-06-09
DE69823596T2 (de) 2005-04-07
CN1155033C (zh) 2004-06-23
TW388897B (en) 2000-05-01
EP0899762A1 (de) 1999-03-03

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