JP2004362924A - Operation panel switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation switch with reduction of the number of parts and thickness and lead-freeing realized. <P>SOLUTION: The operation panel switch is composed of three kinds of components of a base plate 20, operation buttons 30, and a front panel 40. A circuit pattern is printed on the surface of the base plate 20. The operation button 30 is composed of a base resin, transparent letter/figure parts 33 indicated on an operating surface of the base resin, and an elastic body for restoration set at a rear face of the base resin. The front panel 40 having operation button windows 42 in which the operation buttons 30 are fitted, is put on the base plate 20 in a state that the operation buttons 30 are fitted in the operation button windows 42. Accordingly, the operation buttons 30 are to be held by cooperation of the base plate 20 and the front panel 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement in an operation panel switch, particularly, an operation panel switch used when operating an electric device or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The structure of a conventional operation panel switch will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a conventional operation panel switch, and FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a vertical cross section of the conventional operation panel switch illustrated in FIG.
[0003]
A conventional operation panel switch has, for example, a cover member 1 that forms a part of an electronic device housing, and the cover member 1 is formed integrally with an operation panel 2 using an elastic synthetic resin. . The operation panel 2 is provided with a plurality of key tops 9 via bridges 10. The bridge 10 has a cantilever structure in which one end is continuous with the edge of the opening 13, and the key top 9 is continuously formed in the other end. As shown in detail in FIG. 6, a plurality of bosses 2 a are provided upright on the back surface of the operation panel 2, and a switch board 4 is fixed to these bosses 2 a by screws 5. On the other hand, a plurality of switches 6 are fixedly installed on the switch board 4, and an operation unit 7 of these switches 6 is installed at a position facing a projection 8 provided on the back surface of the key top 9.
[0004]
In such a configuration, when the key top 9 is pressed, the bridge 10 elastically bends, and the protrusion 8 presses the operating portion 7, thereby switching the switch 6 on and off. When the key top 9 is released, the key top 9 returns due to the elastic return of the bridge 10 (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-120859
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional operation panel switch has the following problems. That is,
(1) Because of the structure in which the plurality of switches 6 are fixedly installed on the switch substrate 4, it is difficult to reduce the thickness.
(2) The number of parts is large, and assembling man-hours are required.
(3) Lead-free is difficult because soldering is required.
That is.
[0007]
First, regarding the thinning shown in (1), especially when the surface shape of the operation panel switch is a curved surface, it is only possible to adjust the length of the protrusion 8 provided on the back surface of the key top 9. As a result, the thickness of the operation panel switch itself must be increased. Therefore, it is very difficult to design an operation panel switch according to the environment of the installation location, and the conventional operation panel switch has a limited degree of freedom in design.
[0008]
Regarding the number of parts shown in (2), it is difficult to further reduce the number of parts with the structure of the conventional operation panel switch even if a currently known molding technique is used. In addition, the large number of parts leads to an increase in the number of assembling steps, which increases the manufacturing cost.
[0009]
Furthermore, in order to fix and install the plurality of switches 6 on the switch substrate 4, soldering work is required as shown in (3), and it has been difficult to realize lead-free in response to environmental problems.
[0010]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is a new type capable of realizing thinning, a reduction in the number of parts, and lead-free, which were difficult to implement with conventional operation panel switches. It is an object to provide an operation panel switch.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the problems described above, an operation panel switch according to the present invention includes a base plate having a switch contact formed on a plate surface by printing a circuit pattern on the plate surface, and a switch contact and separation with the switch contact. An operation panel switch, comprising: an operation button operably installed; and an operation button window that fits the operation button, and a front panel that sandwiches the operation button in cooperation with the base plate. Is composed of at least a base resin having a conductive layer on the back surface, a transparent character / graphic portion appearing on the operation surface of the base resin, and a return elastic body installed on the back surface of the base resin, When an external pressing force is applied to the operation surface of the base resin, the return elastic body is deformed, so that the conductive layer and the switch are deformed. Pitch contacts make contact, and performs the switching operation.
[0012]
Also, another operation panel switch according to the present invention is a base plate having switch contacts formed on a plate surface by insert-molding a pet sheet having switch contacts formed thereon by printing a circuit pattern on the plate surface, An operation panel switch having an operation button installed to be able to contact and separate from the switch contact, an operation button window into which the operation button is fitted, and a front panel that sandwiches the operation button in cooperation with the base plate. The operation button includes a base resin having at least a conductive layer on the back surface, a transparent character / graphic portion appearing on the operation surface of the base resin, and a return elastic member installed on the back surface of the base resin. And an elastic body for returning when an external pressing force is applied to the operation surface of the base resin. There the switch contacts and the conductive layer is in contact by deforming, and performs the switching operation.
[0013]
In the operation panel switch according to the present invention, the operation button is characterized in that a base resin, a character / graphic portion, and a return elastic body are formed as a single component by composite molding.
[0014]
In the operation panel switch according to the present invention, an illumination light-emitting unit is provided near the switch contact, and the illumination light-emitting unit emits light in response to a switching operation, thereby turning on / off the character / graphic unit. It is characterized by performing a blinking operation.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the operation panel switch according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the operation panel switch according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of an operation button 30 of the operation panel switch according to the present embodiment.
[0016]
The operation panel switch according to the present invention is composed of three types of components: a base plate 20, operation buttons 30, and a front panel 40.
[0017]
The circuit pattern is printed on the surface of the base plate 20, and the operation panel switch is configured to transmit a command by an electric signal to an electric device (not shown). The circuit pattern can be printed on the plate surface by using MID (Molded interconnect device) technology. The MID is obtained by providing a wiring pattern on a three-dimensional resin molded product, and thus, the integration and integration of the electric component and the mechanical component, which has been difficult in the past, can be realized. A switch contact 21 and a resistor 22 are formed in a circuit pattern printed by such MID technology. In the present embodiment, both the switch contact 21 and the resistor 22 are formed by carbon printing. The circuit pattern is provided with an illumination light emitting unit 23 for EL (electroluminescence) illumination, and can illuminate the operation buttons 30 and the indicator lens 41.
[0018]
The operation button 30 includes a base resin 31, a transparent character / graphic portion 33 appearing on the operation surface of the base resin 31, and a return elastic body 32 provided on the back surface of the base resin 31. The base resin 31 has a structure having a conductive layer on at least the back surface thereof. The base resin 31 is provided at a position facing the switch contact 21, and when the switch resin 21 comes into contact with the switch contact 21, the two switch contacts 21 conduct. As a result, an ON or OFF state hold circuit (not shown) performs switch inversion holding. As a result, an electric signal can be transmitted to a control device (not shown) connected to the operation panel switch, and on / off switching of the electric device and the like can be performed. The structure of the base resin 31 may be formed entirely of a conductive resin, or may be formed of a conductive resin, a conductive metal, or the like only on the back surface in contact with the switch contact 21.
[0019]
The character / graphic portion 33 is formed of a transparent (for example, transparent) resin, and the lighting / light emitting portion 23 emits light in response to a switching operation, so that the character / graphic portion 33 is turned on / off / blinks. Will be done.
[0020]
The return elastic body 32 provided on the back surface of the base resin 31 is formed of a material having elasticity such as silicone rubber. As shown in FIG. 2, when the base resin 31 receives a pressing force in the direction of the arrow (Y), the return elastic body 32 is deformed, and the conductive layer of the base resin 31 comes into contact with the switch contact 21 to perform a switching operation. Will be. Any material may be used for the return elastic body 32 as long as it has a restoring force for returning the base resin 31 to its original position when the base resin 31 is released from the pressing force indicated by the arrow (Y). May be adopted. For example, when rubber having a strong elastic force is used for the return elastic body 32, the base resin 31 can be brought into contact with the switch contact 21 by bending around the return elastic body 32 as a fulcrum. Alternatively, when a porous material having a small elastic force, such as a sponge, is used for the return elastic body 32, the return elastic body 32 is crushed, so that the base resin 31 and the switch contact 21 can come into contact with each other. The shape and arrangement method of the return elastic body 32 are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and any condition considering the size of the base resin 31, the installation environment, and the like can be adopted.
[0021]
Further, the operation button 30 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the base resin 31, the character / graphic portion 33, and the return elastic body 32 are formed as one component by composite molding. For example, the operation button 30 exemplified in the present embodiment is manufactured by using a three-color molding technique, and is formed by integrally molding resin and silicone rubber into one part. It also contributes to cost reduction.
[0022]
Next, the front panel 40 has an operation button window 42 into which the operation button 30 is fitted, and is installed on the base plate 20 with the operation button 30 fitted into the operation button window 42. That is, the operation panel switch is formed when the base plate 20 and the front panel 40 cooperate to sandwich the operation button 30. With such a configuration, the operation button 30 can be connected to and separated from the switch contact 21. The front panel 40 is also formed by a three-color molding technique, and an indicator lens 41, a name sheet transparent part 43, and a name sheet black part 44, which are attached to the panel body, are made into one part. In this embodiment, the indicator lens 41 and the name sheet transparent portion 43 are formed of a transmissive (for example, transparent) resin, and the name sheet black portion 44 is formed of an impermeable resin (for example, black). Is formed. Therefore, the indicator lens 41 and the name sheet transparent portion 43 are, like the character / graphic portion 33 formed on the operation button 30, illuminated by the illumination light emitting portion 23 in accordance with the switching operation, so that the character / graphic portion 33 is formed. Lighting, turning off, and blinking are performed.
[0023]
As described above, the operation panel switch according to the present embodiment includes three types of components, that is, the base plate 20, the operation buttons 30, and the front panel 40 by using a three-color molding technique or the like. Further, from the method of fixing and installing the plurality of switches 6 on the switch substrate 4 as exemplified in the prior art, the adoption of the operation button 30 using the switch contact 21 formed by circuit pattern printing and the elastic body 32 for return is adopted. In addition, the operation panel switch, which is impossible with the operation panel switch as described in the related art, can be realized in any of a thin operation panel switch, a reduced number of parts, and a lead-free operation. Therefore, according to the operation panel switch in the present embodiment, it is also possible to manufacture an operation panel switch having a curved shape as illustrated in FIG. In other words, the degree of freedom in design can be increased while maintaining the thickness, the number of parts, and the lead-free, so that it can be applied to any installation environment.
[0024]
From the above points, it is preferable that the operation panel switch according to the present embodiment be used as, for example, an operation panel switch for operating an audio device or an air conditioner installed in a vehicle cabin. In the case of automobiles, thinning of parts and reduction of the number of parts are required in order to secure space in the passenger compartment and improve fuel efficiency. However, using the operation panel switch according to the present embodiment will solve such problems. Can be. Further, since an operation panel switch having a shape corresponding to any curved surface can be manufactured, it is possible to provide an operation panel switch excellent in design. Of course, the operation panel switch according to the present embodiment is not limited to those for automobiles, but can be used for home electric appliances such as coolers, equipment operation panels in factories, and the like.
[0025]
Next, an operation panel switch according to another embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a view showing an operation panel switch according to another embodiment, and shows a cross section of an operation button 30 portion. Note that members that are the same as or similar to the members described in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0026]
In the operation panel switch according to the above-described embodiment, the case where the switch pattern 21 is formed by printing a circuit pattern on the base plate 20 has been described. As another embodiment instead of the method of printing a circuit pattern on the base plate 20, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a pet sheet 50 on which switch contacts are formed is insert-molded on the plate surface, as shown in FIG. . The switch contact is formed on the pet sheet 50 by printing a circuit pattern, and the same function as when a circuit pattern is printed on the base plate 20 to form a switch contact or the like can be exhibited. .
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the operation panel switch having a completely new structure proposed by the present invention, it is possible to achieve a reduction in thickness, a reduction in the number of parts, and a lead-free operation, which are difficult to implement with conventional operation panel switches.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an operation panel switch according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of an operation button portion of an operation panel switch according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining various examples in which the operation panel switch according to the present embodiment can be realized, and illustrates an operation panel switch having a curved surface shape;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation panel switch according to another embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a conventional operation panel switch.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a longitudinal section of the conventional operation panel switch exemplified in FIG. 5;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 cover member, 2 operation panel, 2a boss, 4 switch board, 5 screw, 6 switch, 7 operation section, 8 protrusion, 9 key top, 10 bridge, 13 opening, 20 base plate, 21 switch contact, 22 resistance, 23 Light-emitting part for illumination, 30 operation buttons, 31 base resin, 32 elastic body for return, 33 character / graphic part, 40 front panel, 41 indicator lens, 42 operation button window, 43 name sheet transparent part, 44 name sheet black part , 50 pet sheets.

Claims (4)

By printing a circuit pattern on the plate surface, a base plate with switch contacts formed on the plate surface,
An operation button that is installed to be able to contact and separate from the switch contact;
A front panel having an operation button window into which the operation button is fitted, and holding the operation button in cooperation with the base plate;
An operation panel switch having
The operation button is
At least a base resin having a conductive layer on the back surface,
A transparent character / graphic part appearing on the operation surface of the base resin,
A return elastic body installed on the back surface of the base resin,
Consisting of
When receiving an external pressing force on the operation surface of the base resin, the return elastic body is deformed to contact the conductive layer and the switch contact, thereby performing a switching operation. switch. A base plate having switch contacts formed on the plate surface by insert-molding a pet sheet having switch contacts formed thereon by printing a circuit pattern on the plate surface,
An operation button that is installed to be able to contact and separate from the switch contact;
A front panel having an operation button window into which the operation button is fitted, and holding the operation button in cooperation with the base plate;
An operation panel switch having
The operation button is
At least a base resin having a conductive layer on the back surface,
A transparent character / graphic part appearing on the operation surface of the base resin,
A return elastic body installed on the back surface of the base resin,
Consisting of
When receiving an external pressing force on the operation surface of the base resin, the return elastic body is deformed to contact the conductive layer and the switch contact, thereby performing a switching operation. switch. The operation panel switch according to claim 1 or 2,
The operation panel switch, wherein the operation button is formed by integrating a base resin, a character / graphic portion, and a return elastic body into one component by composite molding. The operation panel switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An illumination light emitting unit is installed near the switch contact,
An operation panel switch, wherein the lighting / light-emitting unit emits light in response to a switching operation to perform lighting / turning-off / flashing operations of the character / graphic unit.

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