EP0981144A1 - Steuretaste mit integrierter Beleuchtung und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung - Google Patents

Steuretaste mit integrierter Beleuchtung und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0981144A1
EP0981144A1 EP99401950A EP99401950A EP0981144A1 EP 0981144 A1 EP0981144 A1 EP 0981144A1 EP 99401950 A EP99401950 A EP 99401950A EP 99401950 A EP99401950 A EP 99401950A EP 0981144 A1 EP0981144 A1 EP 0981144A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
film
layer
lighting
support
control part
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99401950A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Joel Lemarchand
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.)
Qwertec
Original Assignee
Qwertec
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 Qwertec filed Critical Qwertec
Publication of EP0981144A1 publication Critical patent/EP0981144A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/023—Light-emitting indicators
    • 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
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
    • H01H2219/018—Electroluminescent panel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/036—Light emitting elements
    • H01H2219/04—Attachments; Connections

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a control key as found therein. especially in keyboards, such as mobile phones, and more particularly a control button with integrated lighting comprising a support and control part in relief, supporting at least one indication character, and means for lighting the indication character.
  • a control button with integrated lighting comprising a support and control part in relief, supporting at least one indication character, and means for lighting the indication character.
  • the support part can be molded translucent, apply a layer of semi-transparent paint and a opaque layer of paint and finally reveal the indication character for example by laser engraving.
  • thermoplastic film on which, at using opaque ink and semi-transparent ink, we screen-print the indication character.
  • diodes are most often used electroluminescent (LED) which have the disadvantage of consuming a lot of electrical energy and, therefore, decrease the autonomy of the mobile phone battery, to use this example again.
  • LED electroluminescent
  • the present invention proposes to provide lighting for a touch of controls, using an electroluminescent layer, efficiently and space-saving.
  • the invention relates to a control button with integrated lighting.
  • a control button with integrated lighting comprising a support and control part in relief, supporting the less an indication character, and means for illuminating the character indication comprising an electroluminescent lighting layer, characterized by the fact that the lighting layer extends into the bottom of the support and control part and is extended laterally either by electrical contacts, either by electrical connection tracks.
  • the lighting layer because it extends into the bottom of the part support, is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the indication character which severely limits lighting losses.
  • the side extensions of the lighting layer by electrical contacts or by tracks conductive, provide electrical power to the lighting layer, without increasing the size of the button.
  • the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a key such than the one defined above, in which we take a film on which we serigraphy at least one indication character and the said film is stamped to form the support and control part in relief, characterized by the fact we have inside the stamped part a layer of lighting electroluminescent.
  • the lighting layer on an area of said film, intended to form the bottom of the stamped part, and the lighting layer is extended laterally by electrical conductors.
  • the control key 50 belongs to a mobile telephone keypad having a plurality of other keys analogues. For the sake of clarity, only the key 50 will now be described.
  • the key 50 comprises a support and control part 1, in relief, separated from a substrate 30.
  • the support and control part 1 consists of a part stamped in a transparent thermoplastic film 20, extending on one side 33 of the substrate 30, in a plane generally parallel to the substrate 30, at a determined distance of it.
  • the control support part 1 has an open recess 3 on the side of the substrate 30 and a bottom 2.
  • An indicative character, in this case a number, is screen printed on the bottom 2, inside the recess 3, in ink semi-transparent, here white, with an opaque ink background, here black.
  • the recess 3 contains an actuating element 4, integral with the part support and control 1, provided with a support finger 5 projecting out of the recess 3 and intended to cooperate with a contact dome 41, or actuation, elastically deformable.
  • the support and control part 1 is generally mobile perpendicular to the plane in which the substrate 30 extends, between a rest position and a control position, explained below.
  • the substrate 30 is a thermoplastic film supporting tracks conductive, not shown, and, on side 33, another thermoplastic film 40 in which the contact dome 41 is stamped.
  • the contact 41 consists of a conductive contact pad and contact 31 includes two portions of conductive contact track connected to tracks conductive of the substrate 30 but not interconnected.
  • the support finger 5 In the rest position, the support finger 5 is in contact with the top of the dome 41 and the two electrical contacts 42, 31 are spaced from one another.
  • a user of the mobile phone In order to dial the screen-printed number on key 50, a user of the mobile phone must press on the support and control part 1, using a finger, moving it from its rest position to its position of ordered.
  • the support finger 5 In the control position, the support finger 5 pushes in and deforms the dome 41, by its free end, and the two electrical contacts 42, 31 come into contact with each other.
  • the contact pad 42 then connects between them the two track portions of contact 31, which generates a signal electric control to dial the number printed on the key 40.
  • the support part 1 and the dome of contact 41 After removal of the user's finger, the support part 1 and the dome of contact 41 return to the rest position, by elastic return.
  • the thicknesses of the successive layers 6, 7, 8, 9 are here substantially equal to ten, twenty, thirty and twenty micrometers, respectively.
  • the lighting layer 10 therefore comprises two conductive layers 6, 9 in look at each other and separated from each other by the dielectric layer 7 and the phosphorescent layer 8. These two conductive layers 6, 9 make capacitor armature and each extend laterally by a conductive track 13, 12 for connection to an electrical supply, not shown, extending from the bottom 2 on the inner side walls of the support and control part 1 and, outside this part 1, at back of the film 20.
  • the “back” of the film 20 designates the side of this film which is not visible at the user, disposed on the side of the substrate 30.
  • armatures 6 and 9 In operation, when armatures 6 and 9 are supplied electrically, they create an electric field between them, as in a capacitor. Under the action of this field, the phosphorescent layer 8 emits light that illuminates the screen-printed indication character on the button 50.
  • control key 50 After the structural description of the control key 50, its method of manufacture will now be described.
  • thermoplastic film 20 On the back of the film 20, we imprint the indication character in semi-transparent ink white, on an area intended to constitute the background 2, and a background, in ink opaque black.
  • an ink deposition is carried out successively, by screen printing transparent conductive, a deposit of a dielectric substance, a deposit phosphorus ink, carbon deposit and varnish deposit sealing, in order to deposit the electroluminescent lighting layer 10 with its waterproof coating 11.
  • the frames 6 and 9 are made to extend laterally (the ink deposit conductive and carbon deposition), beyond the area intended to form the bottom 2, - in order to extend the lighting layer 10 laterally by means of electrical conductors, the conductive tracks 13 and 12, which are connected electrically to the power supply.
  • the film 20 is then stamped to give it the shape of the support part. and control 1, so that the lighting layer 10 extends over the bottom 2 of the stamped part 1. It will be emphasized that, during stamping, we folds the conductive tracks 12, 13, but not the lighting layer 10.
  • a material is injected into it translucent thermoplastic to form the actuating element 4.
  • Film 40 is stretched against film 30 and these two films are joined together by bonding, by positioning the electrical contacts 31, 42 facing one of the other.
  • the film 20 is fixed to the assembly of the two films 30, 40, by positioning the stamped part 1 in line with the dome 41 and interposing between the film 20 and the set of two films 30, 40 of sticky pads, not shown, forming spacers, intended to hold the support and control part 1 away from substrate 30.
  • a second embodiment of the control key differs from the above description only by what will now be described.
  • the elements of this second embodiment bear the references of the corresponding elements of the first embodiment described above, incremented by one hundred.
  • the control key comprises a support and control part 101, in relief, separated from a substrate.
  • the support and control part 101 stamped in a film transparent thermoplastic 120, supports an indicative character and contains an actuator 104.
  • thermoplastic film 114 of substantially equal dimensions to those of the bottom 102 of the support and control part 101, and supporting, on one side, an electroluminescent lighting layer 110, is added to inside the support and control part 101, in the immediate vicinity of the bottom 102.
  • the lighting layer 110 is turned towards the bottom 102.
  • a film strip 115 laterally extends the portion of film 114 and supports conductive tracks 112, 113 for connection to an electrical supply, themselves laterally extending the lighting layer 110.
  • This film strip 115 extends from the bottom 102 against the side walls inside of the support part 101 and, outside this part 101, against the back of the film 120.
  • thermoplastic film 120 On which we print, by silkscreen, the indication character in semi-transparent ink and a background in opaque ink.
  • thermoplastic film on which we deposit the layer 110, on one side, by screen printing.
  • the portion of film 114 supporting the layer is cut out. lighting 110, substantially to the dimensions of the bottom 102 of the part support 101, with an extension, the film strip 115, supporting the conductive tracks 112, 113.
  • the portion of film 114 is placed, with its extension 115, against the back of the film 120, placing the lighting layer 110 against an area intended to form the inner face of the bottom 102. Then we stamp simultaneously the film 120 and the portion of film 114 with its extension 115 in order to form the support and control part 101.
  • the conductive tracks 112, 113 are folded (but not the layer 110) and the lighting layer 110 is reported inside the stamped part 101, against bottom 102.
  • a third embodiment of the key does not differ from the first embodiment described only by what will now be described. Through for the sake of clarity, the elements of this third embodiment bear the references of the corresponding elements of the first formed of achievement, incremented by two hundred.
  • the control key comprises a support and control part 201, in relief, separated from a substrate.
  • the support and control part 201 stamped in a film transparent thermoplastic 220, supports an indicative character and contains an actuator 204.
  • An electroluminescent lighting layer 210 is disposed inside of the support and control part 201, on the bottom 202 thereof.
  • Two electrical contacts 212, 213 extend the layer laterally 210. These two electrical contacts 212, 213 consist respectively in a deposit of conductive ink and in a deposit of carbon. Each contact 212, 213 laterally extends one of the reinforcements of the lighting layer 210, and extends over an area of the interior side wall of the support and control part 201.
  • a contact recovery film 214 for connection to an electrical supply, is attached to the back of the film 220 (on the substrate side).
  • This film 214 includes strips of film 217, supporting conductive tracks 215, 216 of contact recovery, with two contact recovery tabs 218, 219 each supporting the terminal part of a conductive track 215, 216.
  • the tabs 218, 219 are folded and extend, partly free end, against the inner side wall of the support and control part 201, the end portions of the contact recovery tracks 215, 216 being in electrical contact with electrical contacts 212, 213, respectively.
  • thermoplastic support film 220 On which we prints, by screen printing, the indication character in semi-transparent ink and a background in opaque ink.
  • the layer is deposited 210 lighting by screen printing. We reinforce the reinforcements laterally of this lighting layer 210 in order to extend it laterally by electrical conductors, electrical contacts 212, 213.
  • thermoplastic film on which we print the tracks contact recovery conductors 215, 216.
  • the contact recovery film 214 is placed against the back of the film 220, in turning the conductive tracks 215, 216 towards the film 220 and putting in contact the free end parts of the contact recovery tabs 218, 219 with the electrical contacts 212, 213. Then we stamp simultaneously the contact recovery film 214 and the film 220 in order to form the part support 201, by folding the tabs 218, 219, but not the lighting layer 210. Finally, the contact recovery tracks 215, 216 are connected to the power supply. electric.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Switches (AREA)
EP99401950A 1998-08-18 1999-07-30 Steuretaste mit integrierter Beleuchtung und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung Withdrawn EP0981144A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9810498A FR2782571B1 (fr) 1998-08-18 1998-08-18 Touche de commande a eclairage integre, et procede de fabrication de ladite touche
FR9810498 1998-08-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0981144A1 true EP0981144A1 (de) 2000-02-23

Family

ID=9529741

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99401950A Withdrawn EP0981144A1 (de) 1998-08-18 1999-07-30 Steuretaste mit integrierter Beleuchtung und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US6416196B1 (de)
EP (1) EP0981144A1 (de)
JP (1) JP2000067682A (de)
CA (1) CA2280401A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2782571B1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1265261A2 (de) * 2001-05-22 2002-12-11 Youeal Electronics Co., Ltd. Tastatur für Mobiltelefon mit elektrolumineszentem Bauteil
EP1398808A4 (de) * 2001-05-25 2005-03-16 Shinetsu Polymer Co Element für einen tastschalter und verfahren zu seiner herstellung

Families Citing this family (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6824288B2 (en) * 2000-06-08 2004-11-30 Rick D. Prindle Method and apparatus for illuminating a keypad
TWI294308B (de) 2000-11-15 2008-03-11 Daicel Chem
US7090368B2 (en) * 2002-04-26 2006-08-15 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Key for use in low light conditions
US7073916B2 (en) * 2002-04-29 2006-07-11 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Key for use in low light conditions
US7379720B2 (en) * 2003-02-20 2008-05-27 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Keypad lighting using polymer light emitting devices
JP2006351264A (ja) * 2005-06-14 2006-12-28 Alps Electric Co Ltd 電子機能素子モジュール、および前記電子機能素子モジュールを備えた入力装置、ならびに前記入力装置を備えた電子機器。
JP2007005223A (ja) * 2005-06-27 2007-01-11 Shin Etsu Polymer Co Ltd 押釦スイッチ用カバー部材
US7278750B2 (en) * 2005-07-28 2007-10-09 Sondyo Computer Co., Ltd. LED keyboard of a notebook computer
KR20070054825A (ko) * 2005-11-24 2007-05-30 엘지이노텍 주식회사 Ｌｅｄ를 이용한 조명 장치
US7935903B2 (en) * 2006-08-08 2011-05-03 Crest Electronics Inc. Visibly enhanced caregiver call device
US20080191904A1 (en) * 2007-02-12 2008-08-14 Kai-Jie Tsao Method For Manufacturing Thin Keypad Assembly And Such Assembly
US9247611B2 (en) 2009-06-01 2016-01-26 Apple Inc. Light source with light sensor
US8451146B2 (en) * 2010-06-11 2013-05-28 Apple Inc. Legend highlighting
US9275810B2 (en) 2010-07-19 2016-03-01 Apple Inc. Keyboard illumination
US8378857B2 (en) 2010-07-19 2013-02-19 Apple Inc. Illumination of input device
TWI413996B (zh) * 2011-03-31 2013-11-01 Inventec Corp 按鍵及應用其之可攜式電子裝置
US20150022995A1 (en) * 2013-06-12 2015-01-22 Rohinni, LLC Keyboard backlighting with deposited light-generating sources
ES2952036T3 (es) 2013-06-12 2023-10-26 Rohinni Inc Teclado de retroiluminación con fuentes generadoras de luz depositadas
CN108770368B (zh) 2016-01-15 2022-04-12 罗茵尼公司 透过设备上的罩盖进行背光照明的设备和方法
CN114966945B (zh) 2016-04-13 2024-08-06 塔科图特科有限责任公司 具有嵌入光源的照明多层结构

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2613902A1 (de) * 1975-06-30 1977-01-13 Ngk Spark Plug Co Elektrolumineszenzelement
EP0134979A2 (de) * 1983-09-20 1985-03-27 Timex Corporation Elektrolumineszente Folientastatur
US4806908A (en) * 1987-05-14 1989-02-21 Astronics Corporation Low profile backlighted keyboard
EP0847066A2 (de) * 1996-12-05 1998-06-10 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Schalter mit Leuchtanzeige und sein Herstellungsverfahren

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2082661A5 (de) 1970-03-23 1971-12-10 Comp Generale Electricite
US3934242A (en) * 1973-11-05 1976-01-20 Chevron Research Company Alphanumeric display means for computer-linked typewriter consoles using a matrix array of liquid-crystal devices
US5510782A (en) * 1992-08-03 1996-04-23 Itt Corporation Back lit keypad
KR960003475U (ko) * 1994-06-08 1996-01-22 라이팅 리모트콘트롤
US5797482A (en) * 1996-11-25 1998-08-25 Metro-Mark, Inc. Electroluminescent keypad
US5876106A (en) * 1997-09-04 1999-03-02 Cts Corporation Illuminated controller

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2613902A1 (de) * 1975-06-30 1977-01-13 Ngk Spark Plug Co Elektrolumineszenzelement
EP0134979A2 (de) * 1983-09-20 1985-03-27 Timex Corporation Elektrolumineszente Folientastatur
US4806908A (en) * 1987-05-14 1989-02-21 Astronics Corporation Low profile backlighted keyboard
EP0847066A2 (de) * 1996-12-05 1998-06-10 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Schalter mit Leuchtanzeige und sein Herstellungsverfahren

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1265261A2 (de) * 2001-05-22 2002-12-11 Youeal Electronics Co., Ltd. Tastatur für Mobiltelefon mit elektrolumineszentem Bauteil
EP1265261A3 (de) * 2001-05-22 2003-04-23 Youeal Electronics Co., Ltd. Tastatur für Mobiltelefon mit elektrolumineszentem Bauteil
US7027036B2 (en) 2001-05-22 2006-04-11 Youeal Electronics Co., Ltd. Keypad for mobile phone
EP1398808A4 (de) * 2001-05-25 2005-03-16 Shinetsu Polymer Co Element für einen tastschalter und verfahren zu seiner herstellung
US6936783B2 (en) * 2001-05-25 2005-08-30 Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd. Push-button switch member and manufacturing method of same
US6984799B2 (en) 2001-05-25 2006-01-10 Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd. Push-button switch member and manufacturing method of same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6416196B1 (en) 2002-07-09
JP2000067682A (ja) 2000-03-03
CA2280401A1 (fr) 2000-02-18
FR2782571A1 (fr) 2000-02-25
FR2782571B1 (fr) 2000-10-06

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