JP2007220349A - Lighting switch unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting switch unit for brightly illuminating the whole of a keytop and having a waterproofing function. <P>SOLUTION: An LED 21 and a switch 22 are mounted on the top surface of a substrate 2 and a lead wire 23 is led from the bottom surface. The substrate 2 is held between a cap 3 of resin and a pressing frame 4 and a joint surface is sealed with resin. A pressing piece 5 formed of translucent resin is placed in the pressing frame 4 and a bank part 4d of the pressing frame 4 is covered by a rubber 6 formed of translucent elastic member unified with a keytop 7 in advance. A cover 8 is put on the rubber 6 so that the keytop 7 projects through a central hole 8a and are combined with the cap 3 by making a hole 8c to engage with a hook 3b of the cap 3. The lead wire 23 led to a rear side is led around to the front side along an outer wall of a lighting switch unit 1 while being engaged with an alligator mouth-shaped part 8d. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination switch unit used in automobiles, vending machines, audio, home appliances, portable terminals and the like.

Conventionally, a technique for shining the key top of a push button switch has been filed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-095252 A (FIG. 1, paragraph numbers 0018 to 0027) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-155584 (FIG. 9, paragraph numbers 0057 to 0063)

  However, the thing of patent document 1 is worn out and easily leaks because the packing part slides. Since the dome switch portion cannot be realized unless it is a transparent member, the life of the switch portion is short. There are many difficulties such as difficulty in adjusting the pressing load and click operation of the switch. In the device described in Patent Document 2, when a key top is pressed, foreign matters such as dust are likely to enter from the surrounding gaps, and thus return failure is likely to occur. In addition, since the waterproof structure is realized by sandwiching the key sheet between the button case and the support member, the unit becomes very large and water and dust are likely to enter. There are also difficulties in parts warping, dimensional management, handling, and the like. As described above, the illumination switch of the existing application is large in size and incomplete with respect to the intrusion of water from around the key top portion, and once the water enters, there is a problem that a plurality of switches become defective. It was.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a highly reliable waterproof illumination switch unit.

  The means of the present invention for achieving the above-described object includes a substrate, a light source and a switch disposed on the substrate, a bottom plate member on which the substrate is placed, and the substrate sandwiched between the bottom plate member. A frame-shaped member, an oscillating member made of a translucent material for pressing the switch disposed inside the frame-shaped member, and an umbrella shape made of a translucent elastic material covering the frame-shaped member The frame-shaped member is sandwiched between the member, a key top made of a light-transmitting material fixed to the umbrella-shaped member, and a center hole through which the key top is inserted, and the bottom plate member. The frame member and the bottom plate member are resin-sealed around the substrate. The exterior member engages with the bottom plate member.

  The light source is a light emitting diode.

  The swing member has a convex portion near one side of the lower surface, and swings using a ridge line on the other side of the lower surface as a fulcrum.

  Further, the exterior member and the bottom plate member are combined in a snap-fit manner.

  In addition, a ridge portion is provided on the inner wall surface of the umbrella-shaped member.

  Further, a plurality of lead wires are drawn out to the side of the exterior member from the wiring pattern of the substrate, and the lead wires drawn out are grouped on one side of the exterior member.

  According to the present invention, a substrate, a light source and a switch disposed on the substrate, a bottom plate member on which the substrate is placed, a frame-like member that holds the substrate between the bottom plate member, and the frame An oscillating member made of a translucent material for pressing the switch disposed inside the oscillating member, an umbrella-like member made of a translucent elastic material placed on the frame-like member, and an umbrella-like member A key top made of a translucent material that is fixed, and an exterior member that has a center hole through which the key top is inserted and that holds the frame member between the key plate and engages the bottom plate member The frame-shaped member and the bottom plate member are resin-sealed around the substrate, so that a compact and bright illumination can be achieved, and a highly reliable waterproof type excellent in design. We were able to provide an illuminated switch unit.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An illuminated switch that is the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an illumination switch unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the illumination switch unit. FIG. 3 is a side view of the same. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the AA cross section of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the BB cross section of FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the illumination switch unit.

  1 to 6, reference numeral 1 denotes an illumination switch unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 2 denotes a substrate made of resin or ceramic printed on both sides, and 21 denotes a white light emitting diode package (hereinafter abbreviated as LED) as a light source mounted on a wiring pattern in the center of the upper surface of the substrate 2. Yes. Reference numeral 22 denotes a switch mounted on the wiring pattern on the side of the LED 21. Reference numeral 23 denotes a lead wire in which one end is soldered to the wiring pattern on the lower surface of the substrate 2. The two lead wires 23 are connected to the terminals of the LED 21 via the wiring pattern, and the other two wires are connected to the terminals of the switch 22. Both of the lead wires 23 drawn to the side of the substrate 2 are illuminated switches. The unit 1 is pulled out to the front side.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a cap as a bottom plate member which is a resin molded part. A concave portion is formed on the upper surface side of the cap 3, and ribs 3 a for placing the substrate 2 are formed vertically and horizontally in the concave portion. On both side surfaces of the cap 3 on the short side, hooks 3b serving as locking portions are formed at two locations. On the upper surfaces of both side walls on the long side of the cap 3, two grooves 3c each having a semicircular cross section that is orthogonal to the side walls are formed. Reference numeral 4 denotes a presser frame as a frame-shaped member that is a resin molded part. The frame 4b has an opening 4a inside, and the frame 4b has a step 4c on the lower surface side in which the substrate 2 can be accommodated. Part 4d stands up. Two grooves 4e each having a semicircular cross section extending from both side surfaces to the opening 4a are formed on the lower surface of the frame portion 4b so as to be orthogonal to both side surfaces on the long side. The holding frame 4 is joined to the cap 3 with an epoxy-based sealing resin. At this time, the groove 4e is combined with the groove 3c of the cap 3 to form a through hole through which the lead wire 23 is inserted.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a push piece as a swinging member, which is a translucent resin molded part. The planar shape is substantially rectangular, the center is a chevron, and the center on the lower surface side has a recess that allows the LED 21 to escape. The vicinity of one short side on the lower surface side is a slope that goes down toward the ridge 5a. A convex portion 5b is formed near the other short side on the lower surface side. The push piece 5 is placed in the bank portion 4 d of the holding frame 4, the ridge 5 a rides on the upper surface of the frame portion 4 b of the holding frame 4, and the convex portion 5 b rides on the switch 22. Reference numeral 6 denotes a rubber as an umbrella-like member made of a translucent elastic member, and has a flange portion 6a protruding from the upper surface and projecting inward. On the inner side of the skirt 6 b that is the side surface of the rubber 6, a protruding portion 6 c is formed so as to protrude, and the protruding portion 6 c is strongly compressed when the skirt 6 b is fitted to the bank portion 4 d of the holding frame 4.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a key top made of a hard translucent resin. The key top 7 has a groove 7 a at the peripheral edge on the lower surface side. The flange 6a of the rubber 6 is engaged with the groove 7a, and the key top 7 is fixed to the rubber 6 and integrated. Reference numeral 8 denotes a cover as an exterior member of the illumination switch unit 1. The cover 8 which is a resin molded part has a shape in which a top plate having a center hole 8a and a substantially cylindrical side wall are connected. Both side walls 8b on the short side are extended downward, and in this extension part, there are two locking holes 8c and locking hooks 8d protruding outward from the side wall surface on the long side. Is formed. The cover 8 is put on the rubber 6, and a part of the key top 7 and the flange portion 6a of the rubber 6 protrude from the center hole 8a, and the hook 3b of the cap 3 is engaged with the four holes 8c in a snap-fit manner. It is integrated with the cap 3.

  Next, an assembly method of the illumination switch unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the LED 21 and the switch 22 are mounted on a predetermined wiring pattern on the upper surface of the substrate 2 and soldered. Next, the lead wire 23 is soldered to the wiring pattern on the lower surface of the substrate 2. Next, after the sealing resin is applied on the outer wall of the cap 3, the substrate 2 is placed, and the holding frame 4 in which the sealing resin is applied to the lower surface of the frame portion 4b from above is placed on each lead wire 23. Cover the grooves 3c and 4e while inserting them.

  After placing the pressing piece 5 in the pressing frame 4, the groove 6 a of the key top 7 and the flange portion 6 a of the rubber 6 are engaged in advance and the rubber 6 integrated with the key top 7 is put on the pressing frame 4. The skirt 6b and the bank portion 4d are fitted. Next, the cover 8 is put on the rubber 6, and the hole 8 c is engaged with the hook 3 b of the cap 3 to be combined with the cap 3. The lead wire 23 drawn out to the back side is engaged with the shed 8d and drawn to the front side along the outer wall of the illumination switch unit 1, and then the sealing resin is cured by heating or the like to complete the illumination switch unit 1. .

  Next, the operation of the illumination switch unit 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. When the lead wire 23 is energized, the LED 21 emits light. The light emitted from the LED 21 enters the key top 7 from the push piece 5 via the rubber 6 and illuminates the entire key top 7 brightly. Therefore, the position of the switch can be recognized even in the dark. When the key top 7 is guided by light and pressed with a finger, the rubber 6 bends and pushes the pushing piece 5, so that the pushing piece 5 swings around the ridge 5a and the convex portion 5b is pushed down. As a result, the switch 22 is turned on, and the circuit becomes active through the lead wire 23 connected thereto. When the finger is released from the key top 7, the key top 7 returns to the original position by the restoring force of the rubber 6 and the switch 22.

  Next, the effect of the illumination switch unit 1 which is embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. Since the thickness of each component can be minimized, the illumination switch unit 1 can be configured to be thin and small. Further, it is possible to provide an illumination switch unit having a design that is rich in design in that the key top 7 is small and the point light source of the LED 21 is diffused and uniformly illuminated. Since the skirt 6b of the rubber 6 is sandwiched between the bank portion 4d of the holding frame 4 and the skirt 6b of the cover 8 and the protruding portion 6c is compressed, the skirt 6b is in close contact with the bank portion 4d. There is no infiltration. Further, since the holding frame 4 and the cap 3 are resin-sealed at the joint around the substrate 2, moisture does not enter through this gap. In this way, waterproofing is achieved at the stationary part, so that the waterproof structure of the illumination switch unit 1 is highly reliable. Since the key top 7 is made of hard resin and the flange portion 6a of the rubber 6 is engaged with the groove 7a provided in the peripheral portion, the key top 7 is hardly damaged and the key top 7 is easily displaced up and down. It has become. Further, the switch 22 can be reliably operated regardless of the position of the key top 7 by the swinging action of the push piece 5. Therefore, the reliability of the switch operation is high. Since the push piece 5 and the rubber 6 that are directly above the LED 21 are translucent members and are thin, and the LED 21 is disposed very close to the key top 7, the key top 7 is made uniform with little light attenuation. Brightly illuminated. Accordingly, there is little luminance unevenness and visibility can be improved.

  In addition, since the lead wires 23 are gathered on one side of the illumination switch unit 1, when the illumination switch unit 1 is mounted on various devices, it can be mounted with a minimum area. Moreover, although white LED which is a light source is expensive, it is economical because only one LED needs to be used. Since the LED 21 and the switch 22 can be easily replaced with ones having appropriate specifications, the user's request can be met immediately. In addition, the main parts of the illumination switch unit 1 can be manufactured at low cost by a resin molding technique, and the cover 8 and the cap 3 are snap-fit coupled, so that the number of assembling steps is not required and the cost can be reduced.

  Note that the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiment described above. For example, the light source is not limited to a white LED, but may be another single color, or a multi-color LED element (for example, R, G, B elements) may be packaged in one package. In that case, the emission color can be changed according to the purpose. Further, it can be further brightened by mounting a plurality of packages. The light source is not limited to the LED, but may be a lamp.

  Since the illuminated switch unit of the present invention can recognize the key position even in the dark and has a waterproof structure, it can be applied to, for example, all switches on the outer periphery of an automobile. In addition, it can be widely applied to in-vehicle devices, home appliances, entrance doors, etc.

It is a top view of the illumination switch unit which is an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the illumination switch unit which is an embodiment of the invention. It is a side view of the illumination switch unit which is an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the AA cross section of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the BB cross section of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the illumination switch unit which is embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Illuminated switch unit 2 Board | substrate 3 Cap 4 Holding frame 5 Pushing piece 6 Rubber 6c Projection part 7 Key top 7a Groove 8 Cover 21 LED
22 Switch 23 Lead wire

Claims (6)

  A substrate, a light source and a switch disposed on the substrate, a bottom plate member on which the substrate is placed, a frame member that sandwiches the substrate between the bottom plate member, and an inside of the frame member. An oscillating member made of a translucent material for pressing the provided switch, an umbrella-like member made of a translucent elastic material placed on the frame-like member, and a translucent member fixed to the umbrella-like member A key top made of a material and an exterior member having a center hole through which the key top is inserted and sandwiching the frame member between the key plate and engaging with the bottom plate member; The illumination switch unit, wherein the frame member and the bottom plate member are resin-sealed around the substrate.   The illumination switch unit according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.   3. The illumination switch unit according to claim 1, wherein the swinging member has a convex portion near one side of the lower surface and swings using a ridge line on the other side of the lower surface as a fulcrum.   The illumination switch unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the exterior member and the bottom plate member are combined in a snap-fit manner.   The illumination switch unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a protrusion is provided on an inner wall surface of the umbrella-shaped member. A plurality of lead wires are drawn out to the side of the exterior member from the wiring pattern of the substrate, and the lead wires drawn out are collected on one side of the exterior member. The illumination switch unit according to any one of Items 5 to 6.

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