JP2008235021A - Input module and portable equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input module and a portable equipment with a space reduced for arranging light-emitting elements, and emitting light of a plurality of colors. <P>SOLUTION: The input module 10, for a portable equipment, is provided with: an input detecting element detecting an input; a light guide plate 16 arranged to be overlapped with the input detecting element; and a light source supplying light to the light guide plate 16. The light source contains multi-color light-emitting elements. At least one of the multi-color light-emitting elements is desired to be arranged at a corner part of the light guide plate 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input module and a portable device, for example, an input module and a portable device including a multicolor light emitting element.

  Conventionally, portable devices such as mobile phones are known. In these portable devices, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-324240 (Patent Document 1), an input unit including an input key for a user to input information necessary for the portable device is formed. Has been. In these input units, input keys constituting the input unit are made to emit light for the convenience of input operation at night.

In Patent Document 1, as an input module constituting the input unit, a light guide plate, a film disposed on the light guide plate, on which a plurality of input keys are formed, and an end face of the light guide plate are disposed. A light-emitting element as a light source and a dome switch arranged in a region overlapping with an input key on the lower side of the light guide plate, and a reflection pattern for reflecting light toward the input key on the light guide plate are disclosed. Has been.
JP 2006-324240 A

  In the input module of Patent Document 1, when light colors are selected and supplied to the light guide plate, it is necessary to arrange light emitting elements corresponding to the number of colors to be supplied. In this case, a space for arranging the respective light emitting elements is required in the input module. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the size of the input module. Furthermore, securing a space necessary for arranging the light emitting elements imposes design and structural constraints.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input module and a portable device that emit light of a plurality of colors by reducing a space for arranging light emitting elements. Is to provide.

  An input module of the present invention is an input module for a portable device, and includes an input detection element that detects an input, a light guide plate that is arranged to overlap the input detection element, and a light source that supplies light to the light guide plate. The light source includes a multicolor light emitting element.

  According to the input module of the present invention, since a multicolor light emitting element is included as a light source, a plurality of single color light emitting elements corresponding to the number of colors to be emitted are arranged by arranging one multicolor light emitting element. Compared to the above, the number of light emitting elements smaller than the number of colors to be emitted can be arranged to save the space for arranging the light emitting elements, and the illumination color can be selected to emit light.

  In the input module, preferably, at least one of the multicolor light emitting elements is disposed at a corner of the light guide plate. By arranging at the corners, light can be supplied to a wide area of the light guide plate. Therefore, the space for arranging the light emitting element can be further reduced.

  The portable device of the present invention includes the input module. According to the portable device of the present invention, the space for arranging the light emitting elements can be reduced, so that the size can be reduced and the degree of freedom in design and structure can be increased.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an input module and a portable device that emit light of a plurality of colors by reducing the space for arranging the light emitting elements.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing Embodiment 1 of a mobile phone as a mobile device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an input module that constitutes the input unit of the mobile phone shown in FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view taken along line III-III in FIG. A mobile phone 1 and an input module 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 1 according to the present invention includes an input unit 4 and a display unit 3 connected to the input unit 4 via a hinge unit 5. The input unit 4 and the display unit 3 can be opened and closed by rotating about the hinge unit 5 as a rotation center. The display unit 3 is provided with a display device 6 using a liquid crystal display device (LCD). A speaker 8 is installed above the display device 6 of the display unit 3 (the end of the display unit 3 opposite to the side where the hinge unit 5 is located when viewed from the display device 6).

  The input unit 4 has a plurality of input keys 7 for inputting symbols such as telephone numbers and alphabets. A microphone 9 is installed at the end of the input unit 4 opposite to the side connected to the hinge unit 5.

  In the input unit 4 described above, as shown in FIG. 2, an input module 10 provided with a plurality of input keys 7 is arranged inside the casing. That is, the input unit 4 includes a housing in which a plurality of openings from which the input keys 7 are exposed is formed, and an input module 10 as shown in FIG. 2 installed inside the housing. In the opening described above, the input key 7 of the input module 10 is exposed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the input module 10 includes a substrate 12, a metal dome switch 13 as an input detection element formed on the substrate 12, a protective film 14 formed on the metal dome switch 13, It includes an LED 15 as a light source, a light guide plate 16, and a rubber sheet 17 on which input keys 7 are formed.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of metal dome switches 13 are installed on the upper surface of the substrate 12. The metal dome switch 13 is installed in an area directly below the input key 7 shown in FIG. 2 (an area overlapping the area where the input key 7 is located).

  The protective film 14 is formed so as to cover the upper surfaces of the metal dome switch 13 and the substrate 12. Any material can be used as the material of the protective film 14.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the LED 15 is installed at a position facing the light receiving end face 21 of the light guide plate 16. At least one of the LEDs 15 is a multicolor light emitting element. That is, when one LED 15 is arranged, the LED 15 is a multicolor light emitting element. When a plurality of LEDs 15 are arranged, all of them may be multicolor light emitting elements, or one or more multicolor light emitting elements. A color light emitting element and a monochromatic light emitting element may be included. In addition, it is preferable that all the LEDs 15 to be arranged are multicolor light emitting elements from the viewpoint of forming a region for emitting light in multiple colors and reducing the arrangement space of the LEDs 15.

  Note that the multicolor light emitting element means an element that emits two or more colors, for example, three RGB LEDs (light emitting diodes) that emit three colors of red, green, and blue. It is preferable to use it. When the LED 15 as a multicolor light emitting element is used, for example, it is possible to selectively emit seven colors with one LED 15.

  The LED 15 has a light emitting surface 25 on its side surface, and is a so-called side light emitting element. The LED 15 is installed so that the light emitting surface 25 of the LED 15 faces the light receiving end surface 21.

  The light guide plate 16 is disposed on the protective film 14. As a material of the light guide plate 16, any material can be used as long as it is a translucent material. For example, a polycarbonate resin, an acrylic resin, a cycloolefin resin, and the like can be used. The thickness of the light guide plate 16 is preferably a thickness that facilitates transmission of stress due to input by the input key 7 and is effective for transmitting light, and may be, for example, 0.02 mm to 1.0 mm. The planar shape of the light guide plate 16 is a substantially rectangular shape in which a partially protruding portion is formed as shown in FIG. The shape of the light guide plate 16 is not particularly limited to the substantially rectangular shape shown in FIG.

  In addition, in the light guide plate 16, as shown in FIG. 3, a portion located below the input key 7 has a reflection portion that becomes a light emitting region, and, for example, dots 19 that are a plurality of protrusions are formed. The dots 19 as a reflection pattern for irregularly reflecting light are formed on the back surface side of the light guide plate 16 (surface on the side facing the metal dome switch 13). The dots 19 are formed in a region overlapping with the input key 7. Such dots 19 can be formed by a printing method or a press.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the rubber sheet 17 is disposed on the LED 15 and the light guide plate 16. The rubber sheet 17 is formed with an input key 7 whose surface has, for example, a convex shape. A convex portion 18 is formed on the back side of the input key 7 (the surface on the rubber sheet 17 facing the light guide plate 16). The convex portion 18 is formed to reliably transmit the pressing force to the metal dome switch 13 when the user of the cellular phone presses the input key 7. A good click feeling can be obtained by forming such a convex part 18.

  The light guide plate 16 and the rubber sheet 17 are not particularly limited to being disposed so as to cover almost the entire region of the substrate 12 as shown in FIG. For example, the light guide plate 16 and the rubber sheet 17 may be arranged so as to cover a part of the surface of the substrate 12, and input keys having different structures may be arranged in other parts. Further, for example, all the input keys 7 of the input module 10 may be formed on the rubber sheet 17, and the light guide plate 16 having the same size as the rubber sheet 17 may be disposed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the input module 10 according to the present invention, the light source includes the LED 15 as a multicolor light emitting element. Thereby, by arranging the LED 15 as one multicolor light emitting element, compared to the case of arranging a plurality of single color light emitting elements corresponding to the number of colors to be emitted for one multicolor light emitting element, In the multicolor light-emitting element, it is possible to omit the space for disposing the number of LEDs 15 (for example, n-1) smaller than the number of colors to be emitted (for example, n), and select the illumination color to emit light. Therefore, the input module 10 can be reduced in size, and the degree of freedom in design and structure can be increased.

  Further, since the number of LEDs 15 as the light source can be reduced, the number of parts constituting the input module 10 can be reduced. Therefore, cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since a single LED 15 can emit multiple colors as compared with the case where single-color light emitting elements corresponding to the number of colors to be emitted are arranged, uneven color of light supplied to the light guide plate 16 is reduced. it can.

  Furthermore, by combining the LED 15 as the multicolor light emitting element and the light guide plate 16, even if the number of LEDs 15 including the multicolor light emitting element is reduced, a wide area for supplying light can be secured and the input module 10 can be made thin. Can be achieved.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing Embodiment 2 of the input module according to the present invention. A second embodiment of the input module according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the input module 10 in the second embodiment basically has the same structure as the input module 10 in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but one LED 15 It differs only in that is placed.

  Specifically, in the input module 10 according to the second embodiment, the LEDs 15 as the multicolor light emitting elements are arranged at the corners of the light guide plate 16. In addition, the corner | angular part of the light-guide plate 16 means the position where the input key 7 which supplies light within the radiation angle of LED15 enters most.

  Moreover, it is preferable that LED15 is arrange | positioned in the area | region facing the corner | angular part of the light-guide plate 16 in the input module 10, respectively. In the light guide plate 16, the end face of the corner facing the LED 15 is a light receiving end face 21 extending in parallel with the light emitting face 25 of the LED 15, as shown in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the substrate 12 is not provided with a space for disposing the LED 15 at a position protruding from one side of the outer periphery of the light guide plate 16.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the input module 10 according to the present invention, the LEDs 15 as the multicolor light emitting elements are arranged at the corners of the light guide plate 16. Therefore, light can be supplied to a wide area of the light guide plate, and the space for disposing the LEDs 15 can be further reduced.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing Embodiment 3 of the input module according to the present invention. A third embodiment of the input module according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the input module 10 in the third embodiment basically has the same structure as the input module 10 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. It differs only in that at least one of the elements is arranged at a corner of the light guide plate 16.

  Specifically, in the input module 10 according to the third embodiment, the LEDs 15 as the multicolor light emitting elements are arranged at the corners of the light guide plate 16. Note that at least one of the LEDs 15 may be a multicolor light emitting element, and the LED 15 as the multicolor light emitting element is disposed at a corner of the light guide plate 16.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the two LEDs 15 are preferably arranged in different directions as viewed from the center of the light guide plate 16 (at positions facing different corners of the light guide plate 16). From another viewpoint, when a line segment extending in a direction perpendicular to the light emitting surface 25 of the LED 15 is considered, it is preferable that the LEDs 15 are arranged so that the line segments of the two LEDs 15 intersect each other. In this case, it is more preferable that the LED 15 is arranged so that the line segment of the LED 15 intersects at a substantially central portion of the light guide plate 16. Further, from another point of view, when the light emitting direction of the LED 15 is defined as the light emitting direction of the LED 15 with respect to the light emitted from the light emitting surface 25 of the LED 15, the light emitting directions of the two LEDs 15 intersect each other. It is preferable that they are arranged as described above. Further, it is preferable that the LED 15 is arranged so that the light emission direction is directed toward the center of the light guide plate 16.

  In this way, in the light guide plate 16, another one LED 15 is surely placed in a region where light emitted from one LED 15 does not reach (for example, a region opposite to the LED 15 when viewed from the region overlapping the input key 7). The light emitted from can be supplied. For this reason, the area | region where the intensity | strength of the light which arrived from LED15 becomes weak can be decreased, and the uniformity of the intensity | strength of light can be improved about the whole surface of the light-guide plate 16 as a result.

  In addition, the LEDs 15 may be arranged in the vicinity of the center of two adjacent sides on the outer periphery of the light guide plate 16 having a substantially quadrangular planar shape (not shown). More specifically, each LED 15 is disposed so as to face the end surface of the light guide plate 16 at the center of the outer peripheral side of the light guide plate 16. And in the light-guide plate 16, the light-receiving end surface 21 is formed in the end surface (center part of an outer peripheral side) facing LED15. The light receiving end surface 21 is a portion facing the LED 15, and the planar shape thereof is a curved surface (a state of being recessed toward the central portion of the light guide plate 16).

  Further, the angle between the two LEDs 15 viewed from the center of the light guide plate 16 may be arbitrarily adjusted by moving the position of the light receiving end face 21 along the outer peripheral side of the light guide plate 16.

  In FIG. 5, two LEDs 15 are installed on the substrate 12 in FIG. 5, but the number of LEDs 15 is not limited to two and may be three or more. In this case, it is preferable to arrange the plurality of LEDs 15 so that the plurality of LEDs 15 are positioned in different directions when viewed from the center of the light guide plate 16.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment of the input module 10 according to the present invention, the LED 15 as one or more multicolor light emitting elements is disposed at the corner of the light guide plate 16. Therefore, light can be supplied to a wide area of the light guide plate 16 and light emitted from the LEDs 15 can be efficiently taken into the light guide plate 16.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 6 is a partial plan view schematically showing Embodiment 4 of the input module according to the present invention. A fourth embodiment of the input module according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the input module 10 in the fourth embodiment basically has the same structure as the input module 10 in the third embodiment shown in FIG. It differs only in that the shape of the input key 7 is different.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the rubber sheet 17 of the input module 10 is formed in a state where the input keys 7 each having a rectangular shape are aligned, and other input keys whose planar shape is an elliptical shape. 7 is formed at the end of the rubber sheet 17. For this reason, the rubber sheet 17 and the light guide plate 16 have a planar shape in which the central portion of one side of the quadrangle bulges outward in a semicircular shape.

  Further, a hole 22 for inserting the LED 15 is formed in an adjacent corner portion of the light guide plate 16. The LED 15 is disposed in a state where the LED 15 is inserted into the hole 22. In this case, since the inner peripheral side surface of the hole 22 which is the end surface of the light guide plate 16 is positioned so as to surround the periphery of the LED 15, the light emitted from the LED 15 can be efficiently introduced into the light guide plate 16. Note that the number of the holes 22 may be one or plural.

  In the light guide plate 16, an opening (not shown) may be formed in a region on the metal dome switch. In this case, the distance between the metal dome switch and the light guide plate 16 can be reduced, and the metal dome switch and a part of the protective film can be inserted into the opening. Therefore, the thickness of the input module 10 (height from the back surface of the substrate to the top surface of the input key 7 in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate) is made smaller than that of the input module 10 shown in FIGS. Can do.

  In addition, if one or more multicolor light emitting elements are arrange | positioned, arrangement | positioning of LED15 will not be specifically limited to the said Embodiment 1-4. Further, the multicolor light emitting element is not limited to the LED, and an LD (Laser Diode) that emits light in multiple colors may be used. In addition, the light guide plate 16 and the rubber sheet are not limited to the shapes of the first to fourth embodiments, and may have any shape.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the input module 10 according to the present invention, a space for disposing the LEDs 15 is reduced regardless of the shapes of the light guide plate 16 and the rubber sheet 17, and a plurality of colors can be obtained. Can emit light.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above-described embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing Embodiment 1 of a mobile phone as a mobile device according to the present invention. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows the input module which comprises the input part of the mobile telephone shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows Embodiment 2 of the input module according to this invention. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows Embodiment 3 of the input module according to this invention. It is a partial plane schematic diagram which shows Embodiment 4 of the input module according to this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile phone, 3 Display part, 4 Input part, 5 Hinge part, 6 Display apparatus, 7 Input key, 8 Speaker, 9 Microphone, 10 Input module, 12 Board | substrate, 13 Metal dome switch, 14 Protective film, 15 LED, 16 Light guide plate, 17 rubber sheet, 18 convex portion, 19 dots, 21 light receiving end face, 22 holes, 25 light emitting surface.

Claims (3)

An input module for a portable device,
An input detection element for detecting input;
A light guide plate arranged to overlap the input detection element;
A light source for supplying light to the light guide plate,
The light source includes an input module including a multicolor light emitting element.   The input module according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the multicolor light emitting elements is disposed at a corner of the light guide plate.   A portable device comprising the input module according to claim 1.

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