JP2002203443A - El sheet, and switch using it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance productivity, reduce cost, surely switch a contact, and enhance reliability. SOLUTION: An EL sheet and a switch using the EL sheet are formed by arranging an EL element 7 in the periphery of a conductive contact 9 and forming a back plate layer 5 with the same material as the conductive contact 9 by printing. Therefore, the EL sheet with higher productivity and lower cost than the existing EL sheet can be provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an EL sheet used for an illuminated switch and a switch using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional E-type switch used in an illuminated switch
The structure of the L sheet will be described with reference to FIG. And a diaphragm portion 31b protruding upward and capable of performing a reversing operation.

A transparent electrode layer 32 formed by vapor deposition on the entire lower surface of the film 31, a phosphor layer 33 printed and formed on the transparent electrode layer 32 except for the diaphragm portion 31b, and a phosphor layer 33 33, a back electrode layer 35 made of silver or the like printed on the dielectric layer 34, and an insulating resist printed on the back electrode layer 35. And an EL element 37.

[0004] A movable contact 39 made of carbon or the like is provided on the transparent electrode layer 32 located inside the diaphragm portion 31 b via an insulating layer 38.
9 is in a state of being insulated from the transparent electrode layer 32. With such a configuration, the conventional EL sheet E2 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the EL sheet E2 is adhered by an adhesive 42 on a printed circuit board 41 provided with a pair of fixed contacts 40 to form an illuminated switch S2. I have. A key top 44 made of a translucent material is attached to the film 31 of the switch S2 by an adhesive 43.

In the switch S2 having such a configuration, when an AC voltage is applied between the transparent electrode layer 32 and the back electrode layer 35, the phosphor layer 33 emits light, and this light is transmitted through the film 31. When guided by the key tops 44, the key tops 44 become illuminated, and when the illuminated key tops 44 are pressed, the diaphragm portion 31b is pressed to perform a reversing operation. Then, the movable contact 39 becomes the fixed contact 40
When the key top 44 is released from being pressed, the diaphragm 31b returns to its original state by itself, and the movable contact 39 separates from the fixed contact 40 and turns off.
Becomes Thus, the operation of the switch S2 is performed.

[0007]

In the conventional EL sheet and switch, since the movable contact 39 and the back electrode layer 35 are formed of different materials, they must be printed in different steps.
There is a problem that productivity is low and costs increase. In addition, the movable contact 39 requires the insulating layer 38 to insulate it from the transparent electrode layer 32. Therefore, a step of forming the insulating layer 38 is required, and there is a problem that productivity is low and cost is high. . Furthermore, since the movable contact 39 is formed only of carbon, there is a problem that the conduction resistance between the pair of fixed contacts 40 increases.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an EL sheet which has high productivity, is inexpensive, has reliable contact switching, and has high reliability, and a switch using the EL sheet.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a conductive contact is formed on one surface of a flexible, light-transmitting and insulating film, and one surface of the film is provided. E comprising a transparent electrode layer, a phosphor layer, a dielectric layer, a back electrode layer, and an insulating resist layer sequentially formed in
An L element is provided, the EL element is provided around the conductive contact, and the conductive contact and the back electrode layer are formed by printing using the same material.

As a second solution, the film protrudes in a direction opposite to the side on which the EL element is provided,
It has a diaphragm portion that can be reversed by a pressing operation, and the conductive contact is provided inside the diaphragm portion. As a third solution, the conductive contact and the back electrode layer are formed by printing carbon paste. As a fourth solution, the conductive contact is formed on a conductive layer made of the same material as the transparent electrode layer.

As a fifth solution, the transparent electrode layer formed on one surface of the film has a deletion portion, and the deletion portion is provided around the conductive layer so that the conductive layer is formed. At the same time, the conductive layer and the transparent electrode layer were in a non-conductive state. As a sixth solution, a separator covering the conductive contact is adhered to the lower surface of the insulating resist layer.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a conductive contact is formed on one surface of a flexible, light-transmitting and insulating film, and a transparent electrode layer and a phosphor are sequentially formed on one surface of the film. And an EL element comprising a layer, a dielectric layer, a back electrode layer, and an insulating resist layer. The EL element is provided around the conductive contact, and the conductive contact is made of the same material as the transparent electrode layer. Formed on the conductive layer.

As an eighth solution, the film protrudes in a direction opposite to the side on which the EL element is provided,
It has a diaphragm portion that can be reversed by a pressing operation, and the conductive contact is provided inside the diaphragm portion. As a ninth solution, the conductive contact is formed by printing carbon paste. As a tenth solution, the transparent electrode layer formed on one surface of the film has a deletion portion, and the deletion portion is provided around the conductive layer to form the conductive layer. The conductive layer and the transparent electrode layer are in a non-conductive state.

As an eleventh solution, the above E
The printed circuit board has an L sheet and is provided with a fixed contact. On the printed board, the EL sheet is arranged with the conductive contact facing the fixed contact. As a twelfth solution, the EL sheet is adhered to the printed circuit board by a double-sided adhesive sheet provided on the lower surface of the EL sheet.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings of an EL sheet of the present invention and a switch using the same, FIG. 1 shows an E sheet of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the L sheet, FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the EL sheet of the present invention, with a separator removed, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the switch of the present invention.

Next, the structure of an EL sheet used in the illuminated switch of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.
Has a flat portion 1a and a diaphragm portion 1b which is formed by embossing the flat portion 1a and which is dome-shaped and capable of reversing and protruding upward. Note that the diaphragm portion 1b may be omitted as necessary.

The transparent electrode layer (ITO) 2 is made of indium tin oxide, and is formed on one surface (lower surface) of the film 1 excluding the diaphragm 1b by vapor deposition or the like. On the transparent electrode layer 2 (the lower surface in FIG. 1), a paste in which zinc sulfide phosphor powder is dispersed in a transparent binder resin such as cyanotyl pullulan or a fluororesin is printed and formed. A dielectric layer 4 is formed on the phosphor layer 3 by printing a paste in which barium titanate is dispersed in a transparent binder resin such as a fluororesin.

A back electrode layer 5 is formed on the dielectric layer 4 by printing using a carbon paste, and a vinyl chloride resin is formed on the back electrode layer 5 by printing. To form a transparent electrode layer 2, a phosphor layer 3, a dielectric layer 4,
An EL element (electroluminescent element) 7 is constituted by the back electrode layer 5 and the insulating resist layer 6.

Further, a conductive layer 8 made of the same material as the transparent electrode layer 2 is formed inside the diaphragm 1b by a deleted portion 2a of the transparent electrode layer 2 formed in a ring shape along the outer periphery of the diaphragm 1b. A conductive contact 9 made of the same material (carbon) as the back electrode layer 5 is formed so as to cover the conductive layer 8 with the conductive layer 8 as a base. Then, the conductive layer 8 and the conductive contact 9 are in a non-conductive state with the transparent electrode layer 2 by the deleted portion 2a.

Here, a method of manufacturing the EL element 7 will be described. First, a film 1 having a flat surface is prepared, and a transparent electrode layer 2 is formed on one surface (lower surface) of the film 1. Thereafter, an etching process is performed to form a deleted portion 2a in a portion corresponding to an outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm portion 1b, and a conductive layer 8 in a non-conductive state with the transparent electrode layer 2 is formed.

Next, a phosphor layer 3 is formed on the transparent electrode layer 2 except for the portion that becomes the diaphragm portion 1b, and then a dielectric layer 4 is formed on the phosphor layer 3, and further, A carbon paste is simultaneously printed on the dielectric layer 4 and the conductive layer 8 to simultaneously form the back electrode layer 5 and the conductive contact 9. Next, after forming the insulating resist layer 6 on the back electrode layer 5, embossing is performed on a portion to be the diaphragm portion 1b to form the upwardly projecting diaphragm portion 1b. Complete.

A double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 10 is adhered to the lower surface of the insulating resist layer 6. Is affixed. The separator 11 is made of a release-treated polyester film or peeled paper, and can be easily peeled off while leaving the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 10 on the insulating resist layer 6 side. With such a configuration, the EL sheet E1 of the present invention is formed.

Next, the EL sheet E of the present invention as described above.
3, the EL sheet E1 is provided on an insulating printed circuit board 13 provided with a pair of fixed contacts 12 with the separator 11 peeled off, as shown in FIG. The illuminated switch S1 is formed by being adhered by the adhesive sheet 10. And
When the EL sheet E1 is stuck, the conductive contacts 9 are in a state of facing the pair of fixed contacts 12.

The key top 14 is made of translucent milky white silicone rubber having translucency. The key top 14 has an operating portion 14b having a projection 14a at a lower portion, and a connecting portion 14c connecting the operating portions 14b. Have. The key top 14 is attached to the EL sheet E1 by appropriate means with the protrusion 14a positioned on the diaphragm 1b.

In the switch S1 having such a configuration, when an AC voltage is applied between the transparent electrode layer 2 and the back electrode layer 5, the phosphor layer 3 emits light.
The operation unit 14b is illuminated by the key top 14 via the, and when the illuminated operation unit 14b is pressed, the diaphragm unit 1b is pressed to perform a reversing operation. Then, the conductive contact 9 comes into contact with the fixed contact 12 and turns on.
When the pressing of the operating portion 14b is released, the diaphragm portion 1b self-returns to the original state, and the conductive contacts 9
Is off from the fixed contact 12. Thus, the operation of the switch S1 is performed.

In the above embodiment, the film 1
In the above description, the diaphragm 1b provided in the above-described embodiment performs the reversing operation to switch the contacts. May be performed. Further, a non-adhesive portion is provided on the double-sided adhesive sheet 10 so that air can enter and exit the diaphragm portion 1b. The air in the diaphragm portion 1b may be allowed to enter and exit from the non-adhesive portion.

[0027]

According to the EL sheet of the present invention, the EL element 7 is disposed around the conductive contact 9 and the conductive contact 9 and the back electrode layer 5 are formed by printing with the same material. Thus, an inexpensive EL sheet with good productivity can be provided.

The film 1 has a diaphragm portion 1b which protrudes in the direction opposite to the side on which the EL element 7 is provided and which can be inverted by a pressing operation.
Since the conductive contact 9 is provided inside b, the conventional insulating layer is unnecessary and the productivity is good, and since there is no insulating layer, the reversing operation of the diaphragm portion 1b is good, and a good operability can be obtained. .

Further, since the conductive contact 9 and the back electrode layer 5 are formed by printing carbon paste, there is no need to worry about corrosion such as sulfide, and an inexpensive one can be obtained.

Further, since the conductive contact 9 is formed on the conductive layer 8 made of the same material as the transparent electrode layer 2, even when carbon is used for the conductive contact 9, the reliability of conduction to the fixed contact 12 is improved. It is high, and the electric resistance value at the time of ON can be reduced.

Further, the transparent electrode layer 2 formed on one surface of the film 1 has a deletion portion 2a. The deletion portion 2a is provided around the conductive layer 8 to form the conductive layer 8,
Since the conductive layer 8 and the transparent electrode layer 2 are in a non-conductive state,
The insulation between the conductive layer 8 and the transparent electrode layer 2 is simple, and
Compared with the conventional case in which the transparent electrode layer is provided over the entire diaphragm portion 1b, the inversion operation of the diaphragm portion 1b is improved, and a device having good operability is obtained.

Further, since the separator 11 covering the conductive contact 9 is attached to the lower surface of the insulating resist layer 6, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from entering the diaphragm 1b during the transportation of the EL sheet E1. When assembling the switch, the separator 11 is peeled off, and the EL sheet E1 is attached to the printed circuit board 13 by the double-sided adhesive sheet 10.
Can be adhered to the device, and a product having good assemblability can be obtained.

In addition, a conductive contact 9 is formed on one surface of a flexible, translucent insulating film 1, and a transparent electrode layer 2, a phosphor layer 3, and a dielectric layer are sequentially formed on one surface of the film 1. An EL element 7 including a body layer 4, a back electrode layer 5, and an insulating resist layer 6 is provided. The EL element 7 is disposed around the conductive contact 9, and the conductive contact 9 is made of the same material as the transparent electrode layer 2. Since the conductive contact 8 is formed on the conductive layer 8, even when carbon is used for the conductive contact 9, the reliability of conduction to the fixed contact 12 is high, and the electric resistance at ON can be reduced.

The film 1 has a diaphragm portion 1b which protrudes in the direction opposite to the side on which the EL element 7 is provided and which can be reversed by a pressing operation.
Since the conductive contact 9 is provided inside b, the conventional insulating layer is unnecessary and the productivity is good, and since there is no insulating layer, the reversing operation of the diaphragm portion 1b is good, and a good operability can be obtained. .

Further, since the conductive contact 9 is formed by printing carbon paste, there is no need to worry about corrosion such as sulfurization, and an inexpensive one can be obtained.

The transparent electrode layer 2 formed on one surface of the film 1 has a cutout 2a. The cutout 2a is provided around the conductive layer 8 to form the conductive layer 8.
Since the conductive layer 8 and the transparent electrode layer 2 are in a non-conductive state,
The insulation between the conductive layer 8 and the transparent electrode layer 2 is simple, and
Compared with the conventional case in which the transparent electrode layer is provided over the entire diaphragm portion 1b, the inversion operation of the diaphragm portion 1b is improved, and a device having good operability is obtained.

A printed circuit board 13 having an EL sheet E1 and a fixed contact 12 is provided. On the printed circuit board 13, the EL sheet E1 is provided with the conductive contact 9 facing the fixed contact 12. Because of this arrangement, it is possible to provide a highly reliable switch that has good productivity, is inexpensive, has reliable contact switching, and is more reliable than conventional ones.

Further, since the EL sheet E1 was adhered to the printed circuit board 13 by the double-sided adhesive sheet 10 provided on the lower surface of the EL sheet E1, the EL sheet E1 was peeled off the separator 11, and the EL sheet E1 May be attached to the printed circuit board 13, and a product having good assemblability can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of an EL sheet according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the EL sheet according to the present invention, with a separator removed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of the switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a conventional EL sheet.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a conventional switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Film 1a Plate part 1b Diaphragm part 2 Transparent electrode layer 2a Deletion part 3 Phosphor layer 4 Dielectric layer 5 Back electrode layer 6 Insulation resist layer 7 EL element 8 Conductive layer 9 Conductive contact 10 Double-sided adhesive sheet 11 Separator E1 EL sheet DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Fixed contact 13 Printed circuit board 14 Key top 14a Projection 14b Operation part 14c Connection part S1 switch

Claims (12)

[Claims] An electroconductive contact is formed on one surface of a flexible, translucent and insulating film, and a transparent electrode layer, a phosphor layer, a dielectric layer, and a back surface are sequentially formed on one surface of the film. An EL element comprising an electrode layer and an insulating resist layer, wherein the EL element is disposed around the conductive contact, and the conductive contact and the back electrode layer are formed by printing with the same material. EL sheet. 2. The film according to claim 1, further comprising a diaphragm protruding in a direction opposite to a side on which the EL element is provided, the diaphragm being reversible by a pressing operation, and the conductive contact being provided inside the diaphragm. The EL sheet according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The EL sheet according to claim 1, wherein the conductive contact and the back electrode layer are formed by printing a carbon paste. 4. The EL sheet according to claim 1, wherein the conductive contact is formed on a conductive layer made of the same material as the transparent electrode layer. 5. The transparent electrode layer formed on one surface of the film has a cut portion, and the cut portion is provided around the conductive layer to form the conductive layer and to form the conductive layer. The EL sheet according to claim 4, wherein the non-conductive state is established between the transparent electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer. 6. The EL sheet according to claim 1, wherein a separator covering the conductive contact is attached to a lower surface of the insulating resist layer. 7. A conductive contact is formed on one surface of a flexible light-transmitting and insulating film, and a transparent electrode layer, a phosphor layer, a dielectric layer, and a back surface are sequentially formed on one surface of the film. An EL element comprising an electrode layer and an insulating resist layer, wherein the EL element is disposed around the conductive contact, and the conductive contact is formed on a conductive layer made of the same material as the transparent electrode layer. An EL sheet characterized by being made. 8. The film has a diaphragm protruding in a direction opposite to the side on which the EL element is provided, the diaphragm being reversible by a pressing operation, and the conductive contact being provided inside the diaphragm. The EL sheet according to claim 7, characterized in that: 9. The EL sheet according to claim 7, wherein the conductive contact is formed by printing a carbon paste. 10. The transparent electrode layer formed on one surface of the film has a cut portion, and the cut portion is provided around the conductive layer to form the conductive layer and to form the conductive layer. The EL sheet according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the transparent electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer are in a non-conductive state. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is a control unit.
And a printed circuit board having fixed contacts provided thereon. The printed circuit board includes:
A switch, wherein the EL sheet is arranged in a state where the conductive contact faces the fixed contact. 12. The switch according to claim 11, wherein the EL sheet is adhered to the printed circuit board by a double-sided adhesive sheet provided on a lower surface of the EL sheet.