JP2000251574A - Push switch structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve visibility by reducing parallax of switch indication on a light transmittable switch body on a display. SOLUTION: In a push switch structure in which light transmittable switch bodies 2 are arranged facing an indication surface of a display 4, a light- transmittable elastic body 3 having a refraction factor higher than that of air is tightly placed between the display 4 and the switch bodies 2. The elastic body 3 may have adhesiveness. One elastic body 3 is arranged corresponding to the plurality of switch bodies 2. The elastic body 3 may dividedly arranged corresponding to respective switch bodies 2 arranged in parallel.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a push switch structure having improved visibility by reducing the parallax of a switch display in a light transmitting switch body on a display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows a conventional push switch structure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-198176.

In this structure, a key switch body (switch body) 31 made of a synthetic resin is opposed to a display surface of a display (liquid crystal display device) 30 in order to select or adjust a device such as a radio or audio of an automobile. The key switch body 31 is arranged so that the display on the display 30 can be transmitted through the transparent portion 32 of the key switch body 31.

A display 30 is arranged behind the key switch main body 31 at a certain interval. Gap 3 between key switch body 31 and display 30
Numeral 3 is necessary to stroke the key switch body. The display 30 is fixed to a control board 34, and a tact switch (micro switch) 35 is provided on the control board 34 adjacent to the display 30.

[0005] At one end of the key switch body 31, a projection 36 for pressing the tact switch is provided on the back surface of the key switch body 31. The protrusion 36 is the tact switch 3
5 is located. The tact switch 35 has a spring member (not shown) inside, and restores the key switch main body 31 by the reaction force of the spring member. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 37 denotes a cassette insertion opening of the front cover 38.

When the key switch body 31 is pressed, the tact switch 35 is pressed by the projection 36 to turn on.
For example, the mode is switched from the radio reception mode to the cassette mode, the mode switching is detected by the control circuit, the display characters on the display 34 are changed, and the display characters are visually recognized by the driver or the passenger via the transparent portion 32 of the key switch body 31. You.

A plurality of key switch bodies 31 are arranged in parallel. For example, in radio display, "1" to "5", "A"
"M / FM" is displayed as "SKI" on the cassette display.
Characters such as "P", "REP", and "TAPE" are displayed on each key switch body 31. By changing the characters displayed on the display 30, multiple switch displays can be provided.

In this example, the transparent portion 32 of the key switch body 31 is set small, but the key switch body 31
In some cases, the entire or most of the operation unit is formed of a transmissive (translucent) resin. Further, instead of the key switch body (switch body) 31, a switch body (not shown) of a seesaw type or the like or a push button type switch body with a large stroke (not shown) may be used.

[0009]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, as shown in a schematic diagram in FIG. 7, a driver or a passenger views the display of the key switch body 31 from an oblique direction (for example, the angle θ direction). (When the switch for the car is usually seen from the oblique direction), the display 3
The optical axis 40 from 0 passes through the gap (air layer) 33 between the key switch main body 31 and the display 30 at an angle of θ ₄ , enters the key switch main body 31, and is inherently refracted by the material of the key switch main body 31. refracted as the angle theta ₅ at a rate (refracted in a direction of narrowing the disparity L _2), is emitted again into the air, is received in the eye of the driver or passenger at an angle _{θ 6 (θ 6 = θ 4} ) However, when the optical axis 40 passes through the air layer 33, the parallax L ₂ is enlarged, and a blind spot of the display 30 is generated around the key switch body 31. The effective area of the display unit of the main body 31 is reduced, the size of the display characters and the display symbols is limited, and the size of the key switch main body 31 has to be increased in order to secure the size of the display characters and the display symbols. Profitable It had caused the problem, such as.
This problem is particularly remarkable in a switch having a large switch stroke, for example, a hazard lamp switch.

Further, since the tact switch 35 (FIG. 6) incorporates a spring member for restoring the key switch main body 31, the tact switch 35 becomes large and a large internal space for the tact switch 35 is required. In addition, in order to secure the stroke of the tact switch 35, the gap (air layer) 33 between the display 30 and the key switch body 31 must be set large.
There is a problem that the above-described parallax L ₂ (FIG. 7) becomes larger.

Further, due to the temperature difference between the front side and the back side of the key switch main body 31, the inner surface of the key switch main body 31 becomes cloudy and the visibility of the display deteriorates. Water droplets intrude through the gap,
There is also a problem that it adheres to the display surface of the display 30, penetrates into the inside of the display 30, has an adverse effect, and causes the inner surface of the key switch body 31 to be fogged.

In view of the above, the present invention reduces parallax caused by an air layer between a switch body and a display, reduces blind spots on the display side, and makes displayed characters and symbols large and easy to see. Alternatively, the switch body is prevented from being enlarged, and the internal space due to the spring for restoring the tact switch (contact portion) and the parallax due to an increase in the switch stroke are prevented from being increased. It is an object of the present invention to provide a push switch structure capable of preventing intrusion of water or the like.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a push switch structure in which a light transmissive switch body is disposed so as to face a display surface of a display. A light-transmitting elastic body having a refractive index higher than that of air is disposed in close contact with the space (claim 1). It is also effective that the elastic body has adhesiveness (claim 2). It is also effective that one elastic body is arranged corresponding to the plurality of switch bodies (claim 3). Also,
It is also effective that the elastic body is divided and arranged corresponding to the switch bodies arranged in parallel (claim 4).

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show one embodiment of a push switch structure according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a front cover made of a synthetic resin, 2 is a key switch body (switch body) made of a transparent synthetic resin, and 3 is a characteristic portion of the present structure. An elastic body such as a gel-like substance or a rubber-like article (silicone rubber) having a light-transmitting (light-transmitting) property and a waterproof (water-repellent) property and a large refractive index. A display 5 such as a device) or an EL (electromagnetic light emitting device) indicates a control board. Silicone rubber has tackiness.

The front cover 1 is composed of a front wall 6 and a frame wall 7, and the front wall 6 has an opening 8 for exposing an operation section 9 of the key switch body 2. The display 4, the control board 5, and the like can be stored inside the frame wall 7.

The key switch body 2 includes a substantially rectangular operating portion 9, a hinge portion 13 formed at one end of the operating portion 9,
The control board 5 is provided with flange-shaped stop walls 14 and 15 protrudingly formed at one end and the other end of the operation unit 9 and the stop wall 15 at the other end.
And a contact pressing portion 16 protruding toward the side.

The hinge portion 13 includes a support piece 11 vertically protruding from both sides of one end face of the operation section 9 and a hinge shaft 12 connecting the pair of support pieces 11. Stop wall 14 at one end
The stop wall 15 on the other end side is formed to protrude long, and the back surfaces of the stop walls 14 and 15 are located on the same plane as the back surface of the operation unit 9.

As shown in FIG. 2, the contact pressing portion 16 is
A first bent portion 17 bent at right angles from the first bent portion 17
And a second bent portion 18 which is bent at a right angle from and positioned parallel to the control board 5, and a hemispherical projection 19 formed on the second bent portion 18. The protrusion 19 contacts the knob 21 of the tact switch 20 on the control board 5 side.

A plurality of key switch bodies 2 are arranged side by side or in close proximity to each other. The display on the display 4 is transmitted through the operation unit 9 of the key switch body 2.
The operation unit 9 is located slightly protruding forward from the opening 8 of the front cover 1 as shown in FIG.

The elastic body 3 such as silicone gel or silicone rubber is formed to be colorless and transparent, and allows the display on the display 4 to pass through the key switch body 2 as it is. Assuming that the refractive index of air is 1, the refractive index of the elastic body 3 is about 1.5 or slightly smaller, and is much larger than the refractive index of air.

As shown in FIG. 1, the elastic body 3 is formed in a rectangular shape having a certain thickness. The width of the elastic body 3 is the same as the width of the display 4 in the longitudinal direction, and is set to be equal to or slightly longer than the total width of the plurality of parallel key switch bodies 2. The vertical width of the elastic body 3 is set slightly longer than the length of the back surface of the operation section 9 of the key switch body 2 (the length from the hinge section 13 to the contact pressing section 16), and as shown in FIG. And the contact pressing portion 16
And a gap 22 for bending exists. Front cover 1
On the back side of the front wall 6, a hinge receiving portion 23 for engaging the hinge shaft 11 is formed so as to protrude. Hinge receiving part 23
Is composed of a pair of flexible nail pieces.

For example, the elastic body 3 is assembled on the display surface 4a of the display 4 in advance, and the key switch body 2 is assembled together with the front cover 1 on the display 4 side. The back surface of the operation unit 9 of each key switch body 2 closely adheres to the surface of the elastic body 3 without any gap. Alternatively, the elastic body 3 may be assembled on the back surface of each key switch body 2 in advance.

The thickness of the elastic body 3 is appropriately set according to the stroke of the key switch body 2. For example, in the case of a switch for blinking a hazard lamp, the switch is set thick and a sufficient switch stroke is secured. It is preferable that the elastic body 3 is completely adhered to the display surface 4a of the display 4 and the front of the frame portion 24 (FIG. 1), and it is preferable that the elastic body 3 is soft so as not to hinder the operation feeling of the key switch body 2. .

The display 4 is connected and fixed to a control board 5. A contact section (in this example, a tact switch (micro switch) 20 is used) is connected and fixed to the control board 5 near one end of the display 4, and the display on the display 4 changes variously by pressing the tact switch 20. I do.

Instead of the tactile switch 20, a compact metal contact or a rubber contact (not shown) can be used as a contact portion, thereby saving space in the internal structure. In this example, the tactile switch 20 is used to enhance a click feeling (a sense of moderation) at the time of operation.

In the assembled state (switch module) of the components shown in FIG. 2, the light-transmitting elastic body 3 is formed on the back surface of the operation unit 9 of the key switch body 2 and the display surface 4a of the display 4.
And are located in close contact. Thereby, the space between the key switch body 2 and the display 4 is waterproofed, and the elastic body 3 is in close contact with the inner surface of the operation section 9 and the display surface 4a of the display 4 to prevent fogging. In particular, in the case of the elastic body 3 having adhesiveness such as silicone oil, the effect is remarkable.

The key switch body 2 is supported so as to be rotatable about a hinge shaft 11 as a fulcrum. The operation unit 9 projects outside from the opening 8 of the front cover 1. Contact pressing part 1
The protrusion 19 of 6 is in contact with the tip of the knob 21 of the tact switch 20. The key switch body 2 is urged in the opposite direction by the elastic body 3 so that the surfaces of the respective stop walls 14 and 15 are pressed against the back surface of the front wall 6 of the front cover 1.

When the key switch body 2 is pressed as shown in FIG. 3, the elastic body 3 is crushed and deformed within the elastic limit, and the projection 19 of the contact pressing portion 16 is moved to the knob 21 of the tact switch 20.
Press (FIG. 2) to turn on the contacts. The thickness of the elastic body 3 is set so that the elastic body 3 is crushed within the elastic limit. The elastic body 3 is deformed into a substantially wedge-shaped cross section in response to the rotation operation of the single-supported key switch body 2. The crushed portion of the elastic body 3 is mainly a contact pressing portion 16 of the key switch body 2.
Swells into the side space 22.

When the pressing operation of the key switch body 2 is stopped, the elastic body 3 is restored to its original thickness and shape while being in close contact with the back surface of the key switch body 2 by its own elastic force. The key switch body 2 returns to the original position by the restoring force of the elastic body 3 even if the restoring spring member is not used inside the tact switch 20 or the spring member has an extremely weak force. Therefore, instead of the tactile switch 20, a contact member (not shown) having no elastic force for returning the key switch body 2 can be used.

In the above embodiment, a plurality of key switch bodies and a rectangular elastic body corresponding thereto are used. However, only one key switch body is provided, and the elastic body has a substantially square shape corresponding thereto. It may be formed.

FIG. 4 shows a state where the driver or passenger looks at the switch display in FIG. In this example, the description will be made assuming that the switch display is viewed from the 45 ° position (θ = 45 °).

The optical axis 25 from the display 4 is directly incident on the elastic body 3 without passing through the air layer, and due to the high refractive index of the elastic body 3, a large refraction angle θ ₁ (in the case of silicone gel, θ ₁ is about 59.7 °), that is, the light travels through the elastic body 3 in a direction to reduce the parallax L ₁ , enters the key switch body 2 from the elastic body 3 without passing through the air layer, and has the same refraction angle θ ₂ (key switch The body is PMMA (methacrylic resin)
, Θ ₂ is about 61.7 °, and in the case of PC (polycarbonate), θ ₂ is about 63.5 °), and proceeds in a direction to reduce the parallax L _1, and is emitted into the air at an angle θ ₃ of 45 °. hand,
It is received by the eyes of the driver or passenger.

As described above, since the display on the display 4 is directly incident on the elastic body 3 having a high refractive index without passing through the air layer, the parallax L ₁ is reduced, and the display on the display 4 over a wide range can be viewed. become able to. Thereby, the blind spot of the display 4 in the peripheral portion of the key switch main body 2 is reduced, the effective area of the display unit of the key switch main body 2 with respect to the display 4 is enlarged, and it is possible to display the display characters and display symbols in a large size. . If the size of the displayed characters and symbols is the same as before, the key switch body 2
Can be reduced in size. These effects are remarkable especially in a hazard lamp switch having a large switch stroke.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the push switch structure according to the present invention. The same parts as those in the previous example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

This structure has an elasticity similar to that of the previous example.
Sex 3 (3₁~ 3_Four) To each key switch body 2 (2₁~
2_Four). Each elastic body 3₁~
3_FourIs the key switch body (switch body) 2₁~ 2_Four
The size is set to be the same as the size of the back surface of. Each elastic body
3₁~ 3_FourIs the key switch body 2₁~ 2_FourAre mutually
They are as close as they are at the boundary 26. Each key
Switch body 2₁~ 2 _FourAre placed with a gap
Is the elastic body 3₁~ 3_FourAlso has a similar gap at the boundary 26
And located.

[0037] Each elastic member 3 ₁ to 3 ₄ are assembled in close contact with the back surface of the key switch body ₂₁ to ₂₄ in advance for example,
Each key switch body 2 is attached to the front cover 1 as shown in FIG.
In a state assembled with the 21 _{to 24,} by assembling the front cover 1 to the display 4 side, the elastic member 3 ₁ to 3 ₄
Adhere to the display surface 4a of the display 4. Or,
Display surface 4a of the elastic body 3 ₁ to 3 ₄ to advance the display 4
Allowed to close contact with, and then the key switch body ₂₁ to ₂₄
Can be assembled integrally with the front cover 1 on the display 4 side. If each elastic member 3 ₁ to 3 ₄ has adhesiveness, each elastic member 3 ₁ to 3 ₄ when assembled is easily disengaged from the key switch body ₂₁ to ₂₄ and the display 4, easy to work It is.

According to the present embodiment, since the elastic member 3 ₁ to 3 ₄ was split (separate) for each key switch body, upon depression of one key switch body, for example, pressing a key switch body 2 ₂ If the elastic body 2 that only the elastic body 3 ₂ corresponding to the key switch body 2 ₂ collapses deformed, adjacent
₁ and 2 ₃ are not affected by the elastic body 3 ₂ , are not dragged and bent, and a gap is generated between the key switch bodies 2 ₁ and 2 ₃ and the elastic bodies 3 ₁ and 3 _3. There is no. Thereby, expansion intrusion or parallax such as water and dust when the key switch body 2 ₂ operation is more reliably prevented. Further, since the force to deform the elastic member 2 _1, 2 ₃ next is not needed, the operation force of the key switch body 2 ₂ is kept low.

The switch body in the push switch structure of the present invention is not limited to the single-support type key switch body 2 described above, but may be a seesaw type or a round or square push button type having a large stroke. And the like are also included. In short, the structure of this example is applicable to all push switch structures having a space (gap) required for a pressing operation between the switch body and the display.

[0040]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the display on the display is directly incident on the elastic body having a high refractive index without passing through the air layer. In this case, the parallax is reduced, the blind spot of the display is reduced, and a wide range of the display can be viewed. As a result, the effective area of the display unit of the switch body with respect to the display is enlarged, and the display characters and display symbols can be displayed in a large size. The size of the switch body can be reduced if the size of the display characters and the display symbols is the same as that of the related art.

Since the elastic body acts as a spring to perform or assist the return operation of the switch body, the spring member of the existing tact switch can be omitted or reduced in size, and the internal structure can be made compact.・ Space saving. In addition, since the elastic body is in close contact with the switch body and the display and eliminates a gap between the two, fogging of the inner surface of the switch body and fogging of the display surface of the display due to a temperature difference are prevented, and visibility is improved, Water and dust are prevented from entering the inside of the switch body and the display surface of the display, and the performance and visibility of the display are ensured.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the adhesive elastic body is in close contact with the switch body and the display, the inner surface of the switch body and the display surface of the display due to the temperature difference are fogged. Is more reliably prevented, and visibility is improved. Further, the adhesive elastic body adheres to the switch body or the display and is hard to come off, so that the assembling property is improved. According to the third aspect of the present invention, since one elastic body is in close contact with the back surfaces of the plurality of switch bodies, there is no gap between the display and the waterproof body.
The dust resistance is improved, and the elastic body and the switch body can be easily attached to the display. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since each elastic body is independently bent and deformed in response to the pressing operation of each switch main body, when a certain switch main body is pressed, the adjacent elastic body is dragged. No deformation occurs between the switch body and the elastic body, so that the expansion of parallax is reliably prevented, the waterproof and dustproof properties are further improved, and the operating force of the switch body is further improved. And the operability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of a push switch structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an assembled state of a push switch structure.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where a key switch main body is pressed.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a refraction state of display light in a push switch structure.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment of the push switch structure.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional state of refraction of display light.

[Explanation of symbols]

2, 2 _{1 to} 2 ₄ key switch body (switch body) 3, 3 _{1 to} 3 ₄ elastic body 4 display

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Toshio Kobayashi 1500 Onjuku, Susono-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture F-term (reference) 5G006 DD05 JF02 5G019 AM55 CP02 JJ02 JJ09 SK20 5G025 AA19 BA05 BA09 CA03 EA03 5G052 AA21 AA40 BB10 JA02 JB13 JC20

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A push switch structure in which a light transmissive switch main body is disposed facing a display surface of a display, wherein a light transmissive elastic body having a higher refractive index than air is provided between the display and the switch main body. A push switch structure characterized in that they are arranged in close contact with each other. 2. The push switch structure according to claim 1, wherein said elastic body has adhesiveness. 3. The push switch structure according to claim 1, wherein one elastic body is arranged corresponding to the plurality of switch bodies. 4. The push switch structure according to claim 1, wherein said elastic body is divided and arranged corresponding to each switch body arranged in parallel.