JP2004158233A - Lighted push-button switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighted push-button switch that is used for the operating part of automobiles and various electronic equipments in which uniform lighting without unevenness can be obtained. <P>SOLUTION: In the lighted push-button switch, a reflecting layer 15 of bright color which reflects the light of a light-emitting element 14 in the right and left side of a push switch 3 is formed on the wiring board 12 below the push button 11. Since the push button 11 is lighted from the back not only by the light of the light-emitting element 14, but also by the reflecting light from the reflecting layer 15, the uniform lighting without unevenness can be obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an illuminated push-button switch used for an operation unit of an automobile or various electronic devices.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, as the functions and diversification of automobiles and various electronic devices have advanced and diversified, these operation units have illuminations for illuminating operation push buttons so that their positions can be confirmed and identified even when the surroundings are dark. Along with the use of many pushbutton switches, there is a need for a switch that can provide brighter and more uniform illumination.
[0003]
Such a conventional illuminated push button switch will be described with reference to FIG.
[0004]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional illuminated push button switch. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a plurality of push buttons made of a dark colored insulating resin, and exposed on the upper surface and side surfaces in the shape of characters, symbols, patterns, and the like. An illuminating portion 1A that is transparent or milky white and has a light transmission property is provided.
[0005]
Reference numeral 2 denotes a wiring board disposed below the push button 1. A plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the wiring board 2, and the upper surface protrudes from the center of the lower surface of the push button 1. A plurality of push switches 3 for performing an electrical contact and separation when the operation shaft 3A is pressed by the pressing portion 1B are mounted to form switch contacts.
[0006]
Reference numeral 4 denotes a light-emitting element such as a top-emitting light-emitting diode, which is mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 2 on the left and right sides of the push switch 3 and connected to the wiring pattern of the wiring board 2 in the same manner as the push switch 3.
[0007]
Reference numeral 5 denotes a cover made of an insulating resin that covers the push button 1 and the wiring board 2, and a plurality of push buttons 1 protrude from an opening hole on the upper surface of the cover 5 so as to be movable up and down to constitute an illuminated push button switch.
[0008]
In the above configuration, when the predetermined push button 1 is pressed downward, the push switch 3 in which the operating shaft 3A is pressed by the pressing portion 1B electrically contacts and separates, and this signal is transmitted from a plurality of wiring patterns to the electronic circuit of the device. (Not shown).
[0009]
Also, when a voltage is applied to the light emitting element 4 from the electronic circuit of the device, the upper surface of the light emitting element 4 emits light, and this light illuminates the push button 1 from behind. The configuration is such that characters and the like on the illumination unit 1A can be visually recognized.
[0010]
As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
[0011]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-62-15713
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional illuminated pushbutton switch, the pushbutton 1 is illuminated by the light emitting elements 4 arranged on the left and right of the push switch 3 below the center of the pushbutton 1. However, there is a problem in that the light is dark and uneven illumination is apt to occur, making it difficult to provide uniform illumination.
[0013]
The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated push-button switch capable of providing uniform illumination without unevenness.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is to form an illuminated push button switch by forming a light-colored reflection layer that reflects light of a light emitting element on the upper surface of a wiring board below the push button, and comprises an illuminated push button switch. Since the light-colored reflective layer formed near the center reflects the light of the light emitting element and the push button is illuminated from behind by this reflected light, it is possible to obtain an illuminated push button switch capable of uniform illumination without unevenness. Has the effect of being able to.
[0016]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a cover for holding the push button movably up and down is provided, and the cover is provided with a hollow cylindrical protruding portion that protrudes upward. It guides the outer circumference or inner circumference of the push button, and prevents the light from the light emitting element from being diffused by the projecting portion of the cover, so that the light can be concentrated on the push button, so that the push button can be illuminated more brightly.
[0017]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the reflection layer has a light storing property, and the push button can be illuminated even when the light emitting element is turned off, so that the position of the push button can be easily confirmed. Has an action.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.
[0019]
The same components as those described in the section of the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be simplified.
[0020]
(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an illuminated push-button switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the switch. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a plurality of dark-colored insulating resin such as ABS, polycarbonate, and acrylic. The push button is provided with a translucent or milky white light-transmissive illuminating portion 11A that is exposed in a shape such as a character, a symbol, or a pattern on the upper surface or the side surface.
[0021]
Reference numeral 12 denotes a wiring board made of glass-filled epoxy or paper phenol disposed below the push button 11. A plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the wiring board 12, and The operating shaft 3A is pressed by a pressing portion 11B protruding from the center of the lower surface of the push button 11, and a plurality of push switches 3 for electrically connecting and disconnecting are mounted to form switch contacts.
[0022]
Reference numeral 14 denotes a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode that emits side light. The light-emitting element 14 is mounted on the upper surfaces of the wiring boards 12 on the left and right sides of the push switch 3 so that the light-emitting surface 14A on the side faces the direction of the push switch 3. Are connected to the wiring pattern of the wiring board 12.
[0023]
Further, on the upper surface of the wiring board 12 below the push button 11 between the left and right light emitting elements 14 and the push switch 3, the light of the light emitting elements 14 is reflected, such as white or light gray in which a pigment is dispersed in epoxy or polyester. A light reflective layer 15 is formed.
[0024]
Reference numeral 16 denotes a cover made of an insulating resin for holding the push button 11 movably up and down. The cover 16 is provided with a hollow cylindrical protrusion 16A protruding upward, and the inner periphery of the push button 11 is provided by the protrusion 16A. Are guided to form an illuminated push button switch.
[0025]
In the above configuration, when a predetermined push button 11 is pressed downward, the push switch 3 in which the operating shaft 3A is pressed by the pressing portion 11B electrically contacts and separates, and this signal is transmitted from a plurality of wiring patterns to the electronic circuit of the device. (Not shown).
[0026]
When a voltage is applied to the light-emitting element 14 from the electronic circuit of the device, the light-emitting surface 14A on the side surface emits light, and this light directly illuminates the push button 11 from behind, and the light-colored reflective layer on the upper surface of the wiring board 12 The reflected light also illuminates the push button 11 from behind.
[0027]
Then, these lights pass through the hollow cylindrical protrusion 16 </ b> A protruding above the cover 16, do not diffuse so much in other directions, concentrate on the rear of the push button 11, and illuminate the push button 11.
[0028]
Therefore, the illuminating portion 11A of the push button 11 is illuminated with uniform brightness without unevenness due to the difference in the position of the left and right and the central portion, and even when the surroundings are dark, the position of the push button 11 can be confirmed and characters such as characters of the illuminating portion 11A can be used. It is configured so that it can be easily viewed.
[0029]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the light-colored reflection layer 15 that reflects the light of the light-emitting element 14 is formed on the upper surface of the wiring board 12 below the push button 11, so that the direct light from the light-emitting element 14 can be reduced. In addition, since the push button 11 is also illuminated from behind by the reflected light from the reflective layer 15, it is possible to obtain an illuminated push button switch capable of uniform illumination without unevenness.
[0030]
Then, a cover 16 for holding the push button 11 so as to be vertically movable is provided, and a hollow cylindrical projecting portion 16A projecting upward is provided on the cover 16, and the outer or inner periphery of the push button 11 is guided by the projecting portion 16A. This prevents the light from the light emitting element 14 from being diffused and allows the light to be concentrated on the push button 11, so that the push button 11 can be illuminated more brightly.
[0031]
Further, by dispersing zinc oxide or the like in the reflective layer 15 and making the reflective layer 15 luminous, even if the light emitting element 14 is turned off, the light is weaker than the light emission. , The position of the push button 11 can be easily confirmed.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that an illuminated push button switch capable of performing uniform illumination without unevenness can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an illuminated push button switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the illuminated push button switch. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional illuminated push button switch.
3 Push Switch 3A Operation Axis 11 Push Button 11A Illumination Unit 11B Press Unit 12 Wiring Board 14 Light Emitting Element 14A Light Emitting Surface 15 Reflective Layer 16 Cover 16A Projection

Claims (3)

A push button in which a light-transmitting illuminating portion is formed on the upper surface or a side surface, a wiring board disposed below the push button, and a plurality of electrical contacts formed on the wiring board and electrically connected and separated by a pressing operation of the push button. An illuminated push button switch comprising a switch contact and a light emitting element mounted on the wiring board, wherein a light-colored reflection layer for reflecting light of the light emitting element is formed on an upper surface of the wiring board below the push button. 2. The illuminated type according to claim 1, further comprising a cover for holding the push button movably up and down, and a hollow cylindrical protrusion protruding upwardly provided on the cover, and the outer or inner periphery of the push button is guided by the protrusion. Push button switch. 2. The illuminated push button switch according to claim 1, wherein the reflection layer has a luminous property.

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