JP2007048618A - Illuminated switch mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illuminated switch mechanism capable of easily preventing light leak in a simple structure at gaps around a keytop. <P>SOLUTION: The illuminated switch mechanism 1-1 is provided with a keytop plate 10 mounting keytops 20-1 to 8 with translucency on a rubber-like elastic plate with flexibility and translucency, a top case 70 with keytop exposure parts 71-1 to 6 arranged on a top face side of the keytop plate 10 exposing the keytops 20-1 to 8, a flexible switch substrate 50 arranged at an underside of the keytop plate 10, and a lower case 90. A switch 53 and a light-emitting element 55 are mounted on the flexible switch substrate 50. A shielding layer 35 is formed on the rubber-like elastic plate 30 directly seen from outside the top case 70 inside the keytop exposure parts 71-1 to 6 of the top case 70. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination type switch mechanism suitable for illuminating a key top attached to a portable device or the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an illumination type switch mechanism having a structure in which key tops for performing various operations are arranged in a substantially matrix shape is installed in an operation unit of various electronic devices such as mobile phones. In this type of illuminated switch mechanism, the upper surface of a key top plate formed by attaching a key top having translucency in a substantially matrix arrangement on a rubber elastic plate having translucency is a case (exterior case). Covers and exposes the top surface of the key top from the exposed portion of the key top consisting of an opening provided in the case, and on the other hand, a switch corresponding to each key top is installed on the back side of the rubber-like elastic plate and a light emitting element is installed. ing. When the desired key top is pressed, the switch immediately below it is turned on. On the other hand, when the light emitting element is turned on, the key top is illuminated through the rubber-like elastic plate from the lower surface side of the key top plate.

  By the way, in the illumination type switch mechanism, because of its decoration, it is housed in a gap formed between the outer periphery of the key top and the inner periphery of the key top exposed portion of the case exposing the key top, or in one key top exposed portion. There is a case where it is required to prevent light from the light emitting element from leaking from a gap portion generated between a plurality of key tops. For example, the case is made of a light-impermeable material and the surface of the key top is covered with a light-impermeable light-shielding layer, and a cut-out shape portion (including characters, symbols, etc.) where no light-shielding layer is provided in the light-shielding layer In the case of the illumination type switch mechanism which is provided and illuminates only the key-top shaped part brightly, only the key-top shaped part can be clearly displayed without illuminating the entire case surface and the key top surface. And if there is a gap in the outer peripheral part of the key top, this gap will also be brightly lit, so there is a demand to avoid lighting this gap part.

Conventionally, however, light leakage from the light emitting element is caused by a gap between the outer periphery of the key top and the inner periphery of the key top exposed portion of the case, or a gap portion formed between a plurality of key tops stored in one key top exposed portion. Could not be prevented with a simple structure.
JP-A-7-169361

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated switch mechanism that can easily prevent light leakage in a gap around a key top with a simple structure.

  The invention described in claim 1 includes a key top plate in which a key top having translucency is mounted on a rubber-like elastic plate having flexibility and translucency, and an upper surface of the key top plate. A case having a key top exposed part that exposes the key top, a light emitting element that is installed on the lower surface side of the key top plate and illuminates the key top plate, and a lower surface side of the key top plate In an illuminated switch mechanism comprising a switch that is installed and pressed by each of the key tops, a shielding member is provided on the rubber-like elastic plate that is directly visible from the outside of the case within the key top exposed portion of the case It is in the illumination type switch mechanism characterized by this.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is characterized in that the shielding member is a shielding layer formed on the rubber-like elastic plate or a shielding sheet attached to the rubber-like elastic plate. It is in the illumination type switch mechanism.

  In the invention according to claim 3 of the present application, a plurality of key tops are installed in the exposed portion of the key top, and a rubber-like elastic plate that is directly visible from the outside of the case through a gap formed between the plurality of key tops. The illumination type switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the shielding member is provided.

  The invention according to claim 4 of the present invention is a rubber-like elastic plate that is directly visible from the outside of the case in a gap formed between the outer periphery of the key top and the inner periphery of the key top exposed portion where the key top is installed. The illumination type switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the shielding member is provided.

  In the invention according to claim 5 of the present application, the key top is provided with a light shielding portion that limits a range of a key top surface illuminated through the key top, and the color of the light shielding portion, The illumination type switch mechanism according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the color of the shielding member is the same color.

  In the invention according to claim 6 of the present invention, at least the shielding member is exposed in the gap between the inner periphery of the key top exposed portion of the case and the outer periphery of the key top. The illumination type according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein a shielding collar portion that protrudes from the outer periphery of the key top toward the inner periphery of the key top exposed portion of the case is formed. In the switch mechanism.

  The invention according to claim 7 of the present application is characterized in that a light scattering member for scattering light is formed at a position directly above the light emitting element of the rubber-like elastic plate. The illumination type switch mechanism according to any one of the above.

  According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the light leakage from the portion of the rubber-like elastic plate that can be directly seen from the outside of the case inside the key top exposed portion of the case, that is, the gap around the key top is easily eliminated by the shielding member. And it can prevent reliably. The shielding member can easily and reliably prevent the color of the surface of the rubber-like elastic plate itself from being exposed.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the light leakage from the gaps generated between the plurality of key tops installed in the key top exposed portion can be easily and reliably prevented by the shielding member. The shielding member can easily and reliably prevent the color of the surface of the rubber-like elastic plate itself from being exposed.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, light leakage from the gap generated between the key top and the key top exposed portion can be easily and reliably prevented by the shielding member. The shielding member can easily and reliably prevent the color of the surface of the rubber-like elastic plate itself from being exposed.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the color of the light shielding portion provided on the key top and the color of the shielding member are the same color, the gap between the key tops or between the key top and the key top exposed portion becomes inconspicuous. , Aesthetics improve.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the light leakage from the gap between the key top exposed portion and the key top can be reliably prevented by the shielding collar portion provided on the key top. The shielding collar can easily and reliably prevent the color of the surface of the rubber elastic plate itself from being exposed.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the light emitted from the light emitting element is scattered, and each key top mounted on the rubber-like elastic plate can be illuminated uniformly.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an illumination type switch mechanism 1-1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the illumination type switch mechanism 1-1 includes a switch board (hereinafter referred to as “flexible switch board” in this embodiment) 50 installed on the lower surface side of the key top plate 10 as a case (hereinafter referred to as “upper”). It is configured to be accommodated between 70 and the lower case 90. Each component will be described below.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the exploded key top plate 10 and the flexible switch substrate 50. As shown in the figure, the key top plate 10 is configured by attaching a plurality of key tops 20 (20-1 to 8) on a rubber-like elastic plate 30. One key top 20-1 has a disk shape and is configured to project a shielding collar portion 21 (hereinafter referred to as a “collar portion” in this embodiment) from the outer peripheral lower portion outward. The four key tops 20-2, 3, 4, and 5 are formed in a flat plate shape that is bent in a substantially arc shape, and are arranged in a substantially ring shape at a position surrounding the key top 20-1, and are adjacent to each other two by two. Installed. The pair of key tops 20-2, 3 and the pair of key tops 20-4, 5 installed adjacent to each other are the entire lower portions of the other sides except the sides forming the gaps S1, S2 adjacent to each other ( That is, a thin plate-like collar portion 21 is projected outward from the three sides. The key top 20-6 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape, and the key tops 20-7 and 8 both have a substantially trapezoidal flat plate shape, and any of the key tops 20-6, 7, and 8 has a lower portion of the entire outer periphery thereof. A thin plate-shaped collar portion 21 is projected from the outside toward the outside. That is, the key tops 20-1 to 8 that are not provided with the collar portion 21 are the portions of the sides of the key tops 20-2, 3 and the key tops 20-4, 5 that are disposed adjacent to each other. Only. The reason why the collar portion 21 is not provided in the opposite side portions is that between the opposite sides of the key tops 20-2, 3 and the key tops 20-4, 5 for design or miniaturization. This is because the gaps S1 and S2 are narrow, there is no space for providing the flange portion 21, and the upper case 70 cannot be disposed between the gaps S1 and S2. From another point of view, each of the collar portions 21 of the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 has an inner periphery of the key top exposed portions 71-1 to 7-6 of the upper case 70. It is installed so as to enter the lower surface side of the inner periphery of the top exposed portion 71, but the key top exposed portion 71 has a gap between the opposing sides of the key tops 20-2 and 3 and the key tops 20-4 and 5. This is because the inner periphery, that is, the upper case 70 itself does not exist. In this embodiment, each of the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 is a translucent (that is, transparent or translucent) synthetic resin (in this embodiment, polycarbonate resin is used. It is a molded product of various synthetic resins, and a light-shielding portion (hereinafter referred to as “in this embodiment,“ the upper surface including the flange portion 21 and the entire outer peripheral side surface including the flange portion 21) excluding the lower surface thereof. 23), and a cut-out portion 25 such as a cut-out character is provided at a predetermined position of the light-blocking layer 23. More specifically, the structure of each of the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 will be described using the key top 20-2. As shown in FIG. 5 (AA sectional view of FIG. 4), the key top 20-2 is at least as shown in FIG. A color layer 27 that transmits light is formed by spray printing or the like on the upper surface of a light-transmitting synthetic resin key top 20-2 including a portion that forms the punched-out shape portion 25, and then the key top 20-2 A light shielding layer 23 that does not transmit light is formed by spray printing or the like on the entire surface of the key top 20-2 excluding the lower surface (the upper surface of the key top including the flange portion 21 and the entire outer peripheral side surface of the key top including the flange portion 21), and then laser Manufacture is performed by removing only the light-shielding layer 23 in the portion that becomes the punched-out portion 25 by means such as trimming. In this embodiment, blue, white, or the like is used as the color of the color layer 27, and black is used as the color of the light shielding layer 23. Therefore, when these key tops 20-1 to 8-8 are illuminated from the lower surface side, only the portion of the punched shape portion 25 can be illuminated brightly. The color illuminated at that time is the color of the color layer 27. In other words, the light shielding layer 23 is provided so as to limit the range of the surface of the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 that is illuminated through the key tops 20-1 to 8. Since each of these key tops 20-1 to 8-8 is attached to the rubber-like elastic plate 30 by adhesion or the like, the lower surface of each key top 20-1 to 8 (surface facing the rubber-like elastic plate 30) is planar. Is formed.

  3 is a perspective view of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 as viewed from the back surface (lower surface) side of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rubber-like elastic plate 30 is made of a material having rubber-like elasticity and translucency (that is, transparent or translucent) (in this embodiment, translucent gray silicon rubber). However, other various materials may be used) and formed into a substantially rectangular flat plate shape. An outer peripheral protrusion 31 that protrudes downward in a band shape is provided on the outer peripheral lower surface of the rubber elastic plate 30, and on the back side of the rubber elastic plate 30 where the key tops 20-1 to 8 are attached. Each is provided with a pressing portion 33 protruding in a columnar shape. Here, on the back side of the position where the key top 20-1 of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 is attached, four pressing portions 33 are provided at equal intervals so as to press the key top 20-1 in four directions. One pressing portion 33 is provided on the back side of the position where the other key tops 20-2 to 8 are attached. On the other hand, the gap S1 between the pair of adjacent key tops 20-2, 3 on the upper surface (the surface on the side where the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 are attached) of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 and the pair of key tops 20- Shielding members (hereinafter referred to as “shielding layers” in this embodiment) 35 are provided on the surfaces at the positions of the gaps S2 of 4 and 5, respectively. The shielding layer 35 is formed in a rectangular shape by silk printing or the like at a position in the gaps S1 and S2 on the upper surface of the rubber elastic plate 30. In this embodiment, the color of the shielding layer 35 is the same color (that is, black) as the color of the light shielding layer 23 of each of the key tops 20-1 to 8. Further, a light scattering member (hereinafter referred to as “light scattering layer” in this embodiment) 37 that scatters light is formed at a position immediately above each light emitting element 55 described below on the upper surface of the rubber-like elastic plate 30. That is, the light scattering layer 37 is formed by printing a light-impermeable paint in a substantially oval shape by silk printing or the like at a position directly above each light emitting element 55 described below on the upper surface of the rubber elastic plate 30. Yes. The color of the light scattering layer 37 is preferably a color that does not transmit light but hardly absorbs light, and in this embodiment, white is used. Of course, the colors of the shielding layer 35 and the light-scattering layer 37 are not limited to those of the above-described embodiment, and may be configured in various other colors, and a method for forming them uses various forming methods other than silk printing. May be. Further, instead of the shielding layer 35, a shielding sheet may be used as a shielding member, and the shielding sheet may be attached to the rubber-like elastic plate 30 or the like. The color of the shielding sheet is the same as the color of the shielding layer 35. Further, instead of the light scattering layer 37, a light scattering sheet may be used as a light scattering member, and the light scattering sheet may be attached to the rubber-like elastic plate 30 or the like. The color of the light scattering sheet is the same as the color of the light scattering layer 37.

  The flexible switch substrate 50 is an upper surface (rubber) made of a synthetic resin film having flexibility (in this embodiment, a polyimide film is used, but other various thermosetting or thermoplastic synthetic resin films may be used). Switch 53 is provided at a predetermined position (position facing each pressing portion 33 of the rubber-like elastic plate 30) on the surface of the elastic elastic plate 30 side, and each light scattering of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 is scattered. Each of the light emitting elements 55 is installed at a position facing the layer 37). The flexible switch substrate 50 is formed in a rectangular shape whose outer dimension is slightly smaller than the outer shape of the rubber-like elastic plate 30. The switch 53 is configured by attaching an inversion plate 53a formed by forming an elastic metal plate in a dome shape on a switch pattern (not shown) formed on the upper surface of the substrate 51, and the light emitting element 55 is a chip type. The terminal is connected and fixed to a circuit pattern (not shown) formed in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the upper case 70 is formed by molding a non-transparent synthetic resin into a rectangular flat plate shape that is slightly larger than the outer dimensions of the key top plate 10, and each of the key tops 20-1 to 20-1. 8 is provided with key top exposed portions 71 (71-1 to 6) each having an opening that exposes the entire upper surface of each of the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 excluding the collar portion 21. From the outer peripheral lower surface, a protruding portion 73 is provided that protrudes downward in a band shape (to the rubber-like elastic plate 30 side). A plurality of (two) key tops 20-2, 3 are installed in one key top exposed portion 71-2, and a plurality of (two) key tops 20 are disposed in one key top exposed portion 71-3. -4 and 5 are installed.

  The lower case 90 is formed by molding a non-translucent synthetic resin into a rectangular flat plate shape having substantially the same outer dimensions as the upper case 70, and is formed in a strip shape upward (rubber-like elastic) from the outer peripheral upper surface. By providing a protruding portion 91 that protrudes toward the plate 30 side, a storage portion 93 is formed inside thereof.

  The illumination type switch mechanism 1-1 is assembled by installing the key top plate 10 and the flexible switch board 50 on the lower surface side of the upper case 70, and further arranging the lower case 90 on the lower surface side thereof. It is carried out by fixing the space between 90 at a position not shown. Thereby, the illumination type switch mechanism 1-1 shown in FIG. 4 is completed. At this time, the upper surfaces of the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 are exactly exposed in the key top exposed portions 71-1 to 7-6 of the upper case 70. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. As can be seen from the key top 20-2 shown in the figure, the collar portion 21 provided on each of the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 is a key of the upper case 70 from the outer periphery of each of the key tops 20-1 to 8. Projecting toward the inner periphery of the top exposed portions 71-1 to 7-5, the upper surface of each collar portion 21 faces the lower surface of the upper case 70. Further, the plurality of key tops 20-2, 3 and 20-4, 5 installed in the key top exposed portions 71-2, 3 are, as can be seen from the key tops 20-2, 3 shown in FIG. For the gaps S1 and S2 between the opposing sides, a shield layer 35 is provided on the surface of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 exposed in the gaps S1 and S2 instead of providing the collar portion 21. Further, a reversal plate 53a of the switch 53 of the flexible switch substrate 50 is installed at a position facing each pressing portion 33 of the rubber-like elastic plate 30, and at a position directly below each light scattering layer 37 of the rubber-like elastic plate 30. Each light emitting element 55 of the flexible switch substrate 50 is installed. Further, the outer peripheral protruding portion 31 of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 is sandwiched between the upper and lower cases 70 and 90, and seals the space around the flexible switch substrate 50 that is an electrical functional portion.

  In the illumination type switch mechanism 1-1 configured as described above, if any one of the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 (any one of the four directions for the key top 20-1) is pressed, it is directly below that. The pressing portion 33 positioned presses the switch 53 facing it, reverses the reversing plate 53a and turns on the switch, and at the same time, a click feeling is generated. When the pressing is released, the reverse plate 53a automatically returns to its original shape, the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 are pushed up to the original position, and the switch 53 is turned off.

  On the other hand, when the light emitting elements 55 (normally all the light emitting elements 55) emit light, the light emitted from each light emitting element 55 passes through the rubber-like elastic plate 30 toward the key tops 20-1 to 8-8. The light irradiated right above cannot pass through the light scattering layer 37 directly above the light emitting element 55 but is scattered by the light scattering layer 37 around the light scattering layer 37. In other words, since the light emitted directly above the light emitting element 55 is the strongest light, if there is no light scattering layer 37, only the portion of the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 that is close to the light emitting elements 20-1 to 8-8. Brightly illuminated and light unevenness occurs. Therefore, in this embodiment, the light scattering layer 37 is provided directly above each light emitting element 55 to scatter the strongest light to the other part of the rubber elastic plate 30 so that the key tops 20-1 to 8 are made uniform. It was made to illuminate uniformly. In other words, the light transmitted from the rubber-like elastic plate 30 to the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 passes through the transparent key tops 20-1 to 20-8, and the respective key tops 20-1 from the respective punched-out portions 25. Are irradiated to the outside of ˜8, and the portions of the respective cutout shape portions 25 are uniformly illuminated. On the other hand, part of the light transmitted through the rubber-like elastic plate 30 is removed from the gap between the outer periphery of the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 and the inner periphery of the key top exposed portions 71-1 to 6 of the upper case 70. Trying to get out. However, in this embodiment, the collar portion 21 reaches the lower surface side of the upper case 70 in all the gaps between the outer periphery of the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 and the inner periphery of the key top exposed portions 71-1 to 7-6. Since the light shielding layer 23 is provided on the outer peripheral side surface and the collar portion 21 of the key tops 20-1 to 8-8, light entering the gap is shielded, and light leaks from the gap. There is no. Further, for the gaps S1 and S2 where the collar portion 21 is not provided, the shielding layer 35 is provided on the rubber elastic plate 30 exposed in the gaps S1 and S2. Although the rubber-like elastic plate 30 can be seen directly from the outside of the case 70 in the key top exposed portions 71-2, 3, light does not leak into the gaps S1, S2. At the same time, the color of the shielding layer 35 can prevent the surface color of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 itself from being exposed, and a desired color can be obtained. From the above, the light emitted from the light emitting element 55 is the gap between the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 and the key top exposed portions 71-1 to 71-6, the gap S1 between the key tops 20-2 and 3, and the key. There is no leakage from the gap S2 between the tops 20-4 and 5, and only the punched portion 25 can be effectively illuminated. At the same time, the color at the position of each gap can be the color of the light shielding layer 23 or the color of the shielding layer 35.

  That is, in this embodiment, the key top plate 10 in which the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 having light transmissivity are attached to the rubber-like elastic plate 30 having flexibility and light transmissivity, and the key tops. An upper case 70 having key top exposed portions 71-1 to 6-6 that are installed on the upper surface side of the plate 10 and expose the key tops 20-1 to 8-8, and a key top plate 10 that is installed on the lower surface side of the key top plate 10 In an illumination type switch mechanism 1-1 comprising a light emitting element 55 that illuminates the light and a switch 53 that is installed on the lower surface side of the key top plate 10 and pressed by the key tops 20-1 to 8-8. The structure which formed the shielding layer 35 in the rubber-like elastic board 30 directly visible from the upper surface side of the upper case 70 in 70 keytop exposed parts 71-1-6 is disclosed. In this embodiment, a plurality of key tops 20-2, 3 (or 20-4, 5) are installed in the key top exposed portion 71-2 (or 3). A configuration in which the shielding layer 35 is formed on the rubber-like elastic plate 30 that is directly visible from the upper surface side of the upper case 70 in the gap S1 (or S2) generated between −2, 3 (or 20-4, 5). Is disclosed. In this embodiment, the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 are provided with a light shielding layer 23 that limits the range of the surface of the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 that are illuminated through the key tops 20-1 to 8. A configuration in which the color of the light shielding layer 23 and the color of the shielding layer 35 are the same color (black) is disclosed. In this embodiment, at least the shielding layer 35 is provided directly below the gap between the inner periphery of the key top exposed portions 71-1 to 6-6 of the upper case 70 and the outer periphery of the key tops 20-1 to 8. The shielding collar portion 21 that protrudes from the outer periphery of the key tops 20-1 to 8-8 toward the inner periphery of the key top exposed portions 71-1 to 7-1 of the upper case 70 is formed at a portion other than the portion where the key tops 20-1 to 8 are formed. A configuration is disclosed. In this embodiment, a configuration in which a light scattering layer 37 that scatters light is formed at a position directly above the light emitting element 55 of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 is disclosed.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view (a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to FIG. 5) of an illumination type switch mechanism 1-2 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the illumination type switch mechanism 1-2 shown in the figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as those in the illumination type switch mechanism 1-1 shown in FIGS. Note that matters other than those described below are the same as those of the illumination type switch mechanism 1-1. In this embodiment, the difference from the above embodiment is that the key top 20-2 is located at the key top exposed portion 71-2 in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the upper case 70, and therefore the vicinity of the outer periphery of the upper case 70 of the key top 20-2. The collar part 21 cannot be provided in the part. Accordingly, by omitting the collar portion 21, the shielding is provided on the surface of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 exposed in the gap S3 portion formed between the outer periphery of the key top 20-2 and the inner periphery of the key top exposed portion 71-2. It is only the point which provided the shielding member (henceforth a "shielding layer" in this embodiment) 35-2 same as the layer 35. FIG. That is, the shielding layer 35-2 is formed not only on the gap between the key tops, but also on the surface of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 exposed in the gap formed between the key top and the key top exposed portion as necessary. Thus, even if the collar portion 21 is not provided (even if it cannot be provided), light leakage from the gap can be easily prevented. At the same time, the color of the surface of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 in the gap S3 can be made the color of the shielding layer 35-2. That is, in this embodiment (the embodiment of FIG. 7 is also the same), the outer periphery of the keytop 20-2 (20) and the keytop exposed portion 71-2 (where the keytop 20-2 (20) is installed) 71), a configuration in which the shielding layer 35-2 (35-3) is formed in the rubber-like elastic plate 30 that is directly visible from the upper surface side of the upper case 70 in a gap formed between the inner periphery and the inner periphery of 71) is disclosed. Yes.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of an illumination type switch mechanism 1-3 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In the illumination type switch mechanism 1-3 shown in the figure, the same or corresponding parts as those in the illumination type switch mechanism 1-1 shown in FIGS. Note that matters other than those described below are the same as those of the illumination type switch mechanism 1-1. In this embodiment, there is one key top 20 installed in the key top exposed portion 71 of the upper case 70, and even if the collar portion 21 is not provided (or provided) on the entire outer periphery of the key top 20. Even when the surface of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 is directly visible from the gap S4 of the entire outer periphery, the shielding layer 35 is ring-shaped on the surface of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 exposed in the gap S4. By providing the same shielding member 35-3 (hereinafter referred to as “shielding layer” in this embodiment), light leakage from the gap S4 can be easily prevented. At the same time, the color of the surface of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 in the gap S4 can be made the color of the shielding layer 35-3. In addition, it is the same as that of the shielding layer 35 of the said embodiment that you may attach a shielding sheet as a shielding member instead of these shielding layers 35-2 and 35-3.

  Each of the key tops 20 (20-1 to 8) used in each of the above embodiments is composed of only one type of molding resin, but in the present invention, key tops having various structures can be used. For example, a key top 20A having a structure in which a synthetic resin film 203 is attached to the upper surface of a key top body 201 made of molded resin as shown in FIG. 8 (a), or made of molded resin as shown in FIG. 8 (b). A key top 20B having a structure in which a synthetic resin film 205 is attached to the lower surface of the key top main body 201 may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8C, the synthetic resin film is formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the key top main body 201 made of molded resin. A key top 20C having a structure in which 203 and 205 are attached may be used. Here, in the case of the key top 20A, for example, the light shielding layer 23 and the cutout shape portion 25 are provided on the surface of the synthetic resin film 203, in the case of the key top 20B, for example, the surface of the synthetic resin film 205, and in the case of the key top 20C, for example, Both synthetic resin films 203 and 205 are provided on the surface. The light shielding layer 23 may be provided on the front or back surface of the synthetic resin films 203 and 205, or may be provided on both surfaces. Further, as shown in FIG. 8D, the key top used in the present invention may be constituted by a key top 20D formed by integrating a plurality of synthetic resins by two-material molding or the like. The illustrated key top 20D is configured by vertically penetrating the center of a non-translucent synthetic resin 207 made of a non-translucent synthetic resin and attaching a column-shaped translucent part 208 made of a synthetic resin having translucency. Yes. In the case of the key top 20 </ b> D, the opaque portion 207 is a light shielding portion corresponding to the light shielding layer 23, and the light transmitting portion 208 corresponds to the punched shape portion 25.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims and the specification and drawings. Is possible. It should be noted that any shape, structure, and material not directly described in the specification and drawings are within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention as long as the effects and advantages of the present invention are exhibited. For example, the shape of the shielding layer 35 can be variously modified, and the color thereof can be variously changed. The same color as that of the light shielding layer 23 is not necessarily used. The shielding layer 35 has a function of improving the design in addition to the function of preventing light leakage around the key top. That is, it may not be preferable in design that the color (for example, gray) of the rubber-like elastic plate 30 is visible from the outside of the upper case 70. In such a case, by providing the shielding layer 35 having a desired color, The color of the gap around the key top can be changed to a desired color.

  Further, for example, the shape and structure of the key top 20, the arrangement state of the key top 20 on the key top plate 10, the shape and structure of the collar portion 21, the shape and structure of the case 70, the shape and structure of the key top exposed portion 71, the light emitting element Needless to say, the arrangement position of 55 and the structure of the switch 53 can be variously changed. Instead of the flexible switch substrate 50, a switch substrate formed using a hard substrate may be used. The collar portion 21 may be provided at least in a gap other than the shielding layer 35 exposed. Therefore, a part of the collar portion 21 is placed over the portion where the shielding layer 35 is provided. Also good.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the illumination type switch mechanism 1-1. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a key top plate 10 and a flexible switch substrate 50. FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the rubber-like elastic board 30 from the back surface side. It is a perspective view of the illumination type switch mechanism 1-1. It is an AA schematic sectional drawing of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the illumination type switch mechanism 1-2. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the illumination type switch mechanism 1-3. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the keytops 20A, B, C, D of other various structures.

Explanation of symbols

1-1 Illuminated Switch Mechanism 10 Key Top Plate 20 (20-1 to 8) Key Top 21 Collar (Shielding Collar)
23 Light-shielding layer (light-shielding part)
25 Cutout portion 27 Color layers S1, S2 Gap 30 Rubber elastic plate 33 Pressing portion 35 Shielding layer (shielding member)
37 Light scattering layer (light scattering member)
50 Flexible switch board (switch board)
53 Switch 55 Light Emitting Element 70 Upper Case (Case)
71 (71-1 to 6) Key top exposed portion 90 Lower case 1-2 Illuminated switch mechanism S3 Gap 35-2 Shielding layer (shielding member)
1-3 Illuminated switch mechanism S4 Gap 35-3 Shielding layer (shielding member)
20A, 20B, 20C, 20D Keytop 207 Non-translucent part (light-shielding part)
208 Translucent part (extracted part)

Claims (7)

A key top plate formed by attaching a translucent key top on a rubber-like elastic plate having flexibility and translucency;
A case that is installed on the upper surface side of the key top plate and has a key top exposed portion that exposes the key top;
A light emitting element installed on the lower surface side of the key top plate and illuminating the key top plate;
A switch installed on the lower surface side of the key top plate and pressed by each key top;
In the illumination type switch mechanism comprising:
An illumination type switch mechanism characterized in that a shielding member is provided on a rubber-like elastic plate that is directly visible from the outside of the case within the key top exposed portion of the case.   2. The illumination type switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the shielding member is a shielding layer formed on the rubber-like elastic plate or a shielding sheet attached to the rubber-like elastic plate.   A plurality of key tops are installed in the exposed portion of the key top, and the shielding member is provided on a rubber-like elastic plate that is directly visible from the outside of the case in a gap generated between the plurality of key tops. The illumination type switch mechanism according to claim 1 or 2.   The shielding member is provided on a rubber-like elastic plate that is directly visible from the outside of the case in a gap formed between the outer periphery of the key top and the inner periphery of the key top exposed portion where the key top is installed. The illumination type switch mechanism according to claim 1, 2, or 3.   The key top is provided with a light shielding portion for limiting a range of the key top surface illuminated through the key top, and the color of the light shielding portion and the color of the shielding member are the same color. The illumination type switch mechanism according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4.   In the gap between the inner periphery of the key top exposed portion of the case and the outer periphery of the key top, at least the shielding member is exposed, the key top of the case from the outer periphery of the key top 6. The illumination type switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a shielding collar portion protruding toward an inner periphery of the exposed portion is formed.   7. The illuminated switch according to claim 1, wherein a light scattering member for scattering light is formed at a position directly above the light emitting element of the rubber-like elastic plate. mechanism.

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