JP2008251364A - Cover member for operation switch and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cover member for an operation switch capable of making intense light easily emit from a surface operation section while preventing light emission at a section other than a translucent display section for a long period. <P>SOLUTION: The cover member for an operation switch comprises a light-illuminated sheet 10 emitted from a designated emitting surface zone 15 by guiding light of a light source 13 through a sheet-shaped inner portion, and a surface operation section 41 arranged by touching on the emitting surface zone 15 of the light-illuminated sheet 10 and switching operated from the surface side. The surface operation section 41 is the cover member for an operation switch having the translucent display section 45 constituted to be viewable from the surface side by transmitting the light from the emitting surface zone 15, and the light-illuminated sheet 10 has a sheet-shaped core layer 21 where light is guided. The surface of the core layer 21 is covered by a clad layer 23 at the zone other than the emitting surface zone 15, and the light is guided in the core layer 21 while the light is reflected by the clad layer 23. The surface operation section 41 and core layer 21 are connected with each other at the emitting surface zone 15 via an easy-emitting section 22 having a refractive index greater than that of the clad layer 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation switch cover member using an illumination sheet in which light from a light source is guided through a sheet-like interior and radiated from a predetermined position, and a manufacturing method thereof.

  In recent years, an illumination sheet configured such that light from a light source is guided through a sheet-like interior and emitted in a predetermined region has been proposed in various fields.

  For example, Patent Document 1 below proposes a light guide plate used for a backlight or the like of a liquid crystal panel, which receives light from a light source on a side surface and uniformly emits light on the entire surface. Here, the light guide plate is formed of a flexible member, light scattering portions are provided at a plurality of positions of the light guide plate, and light guided along the light guide plate by the light scattering portions is emitted from the surface. I am doing so. In such a light guide plate, if the light scattering portion is provided not at the entire light guide plate but only at a specific position, it is possible to intensify the light only at that portion.

Further, for example, in Patent Document 2 below, an operation switch cover member using such an illumination sheet is proposed, and a reflection pattern for reflecting a part of light spreading in the light guide plate to the key button side. By providing at least one, a keypad is configured. Here, light spreading in the light guide plate is locally emitted by the reflection pattern, so that light is emitted from the key buttons. In the region where the reflection pattern is not provided, the light spreading in the light guide plate is not emitted to the outside by totally reflecting the light at the boundary with the air layer.
JP 2004-200093 A JP 2006-323843 A

  However, in these operation switch cover members using an illumination sheet such as a light guide plate, if damage such as scratches occurs on the surface of the illumination sheet or dust or the like adheres to the surface of the illumination sheet, light is guided at that portion. Therefore, the amount of emitted light is likely to increase outside the predetermined radiation surface area where the light is emitted. On the other hand, if the surface of the illumination sheet is covered with a protective layer or the like in order to prevent damage or adhesion of dust or the like, the light emitted from the radiation surface area is reduced.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation switch cover member that can easily emit strong light from the surface operation unit while preventing light emission from other than the translucent display unit for a long period of time. Another object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method capable of easily manufacturing a simple operation switch cover member.

  The operation switch cover member according to claim 1, which solves the above-described problem, is an illumination sheet in which light from a light source is guided through a sheet-like interior and emitted from a predetermined radiation surface area, and the illumination sheet A surface operation unit that is arranged in contact with the radiation surface region and is operated from the surface side, and the surface operation unit is configured so that light from the radiation surface region is transmitted and visible from the surface side. In the operation switch cover member having the translucent display portion, the illumination sheet includes a sheet-like core layer through which the light is guided, and the surface of the core layer is a cladding layer in a region other than the radiation surface region. And the light is guided by the core layer while being reflected by the cladding layer, and an opening having a shape corresponding to the radiation surface region is formed in the radiation surface region, In the mouth, characterized in that said surface operating portion and the core layer are connected via an easy-emitting portion having the cladding layer is larger than the refractive index.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the operation switch cover member, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the easy-radiation portion includes a protrusion formed integrally with the core layer and made of the same material. .

  The cover member for an operation switch according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in addition to the configuration according to claim 1, the easy-radiation part is formed of a protrusion formed integrally with the surface operation part. To do.

  The method for manufacturing a cover member for an operation switch according to claim 4 is the method for manufacturing a cover member for an operation switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the clad layer for forming the clad layer is provided. A flowable material capable of forming the core layer or the surface operation portion by providing an opening at a position corresponding to the radiation surface region of the forming sheet and fixing the opening on one surface of the cladding layer forming sheet. And the inside of the opening is filled and the flowable material is fixed, thereby forming the core layer or the surface operation portion in close contact with the cladding layer forming sheet, and the core in the opening. The easy-radiation part integral with the layer or the surface operation part is formed.

  In addition to the structure of Claim 4, the manufacturing method of the cover member for operation switches of Claim 5 obstruct | occluded the said opening part of the said sheet | seat for clad layer formation with one of the said surface operation part or the said core layer. In the state, the fluid resin capable of forming the other is filled and fixed.

  According to the operation switch cover member of the first aspect, in the region other than the radiation surface region, the surface of the sheet-like core layer through which light is guided is covered with the clad layer. It is easy to prevent the occurrence of irregular reflection and absorption of light due to the occurrence of light and foreign matters such as dust. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light guided in the core layer from being emitted and attenuated for a long period of time.

  On the other hand, in the radiation surface region, the surface operation part and the core layer are connected via an easy radiation part having a refractive index larger than that of the cladding layer, so that compared with the case of emitting light through the cladding layer, Light guided in the layer is likely to enter the surface operation unit through the easy radiation unit, and more intense light can be easily emitted from the surface operation unit.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide an operation switch cover member capable of emitting strong light from the surface operation unit while preventing light emission from other than the translucent display unit for a long period of time.

  According to the cover member for an operation switch according to claim 2, since the easy-radiation part is composed of a projection part formed of the same material integrally with the core layer, the light guided to the easy-radiation part is guided in the core layer. All can be made incident on the easy radiation part. Therefore, strong light can be supplied and emitted from the surface operation unit.

  According to the operation switch cover member of the third aspect, since the easy radiation portion is formed of a protrusion formed integrally with the surface operation portion and made of the same material, the light guided in the core layer toward the easy radiation portion. Can be directly supplied to the surface operation unit. Therefore, strong light can be supplied and emitted from the surface operation unit.

  According to the method for manufacturing the operation switch cover member according to claim 4, after the opening is formed in the cladding layer forming sheet, the flowable material is attached to one surface of the cladding layer forming sheet and the opening is opened. Since the core layer or the surface manipulation part and the easy radiation part are formed, the core layer or the surface manipulation part and the easy radiation part can be formed at the same time, and the production is easy. It is possible to reliably prevent an interface from being formed between the surface operation portion and the easy radiation portion, and it is easy to increase the light emitted from the surface operation portion of the obtained operation switch cover member.

  According to the method for manufacturing a cover member for an operation switch according to claim 5, a fluid resin capable of forming the other in a state where the opening of the clad layer forming sheet is closed by one of the surface operation portion or the core layer. Since it is filled and fixed, it is easy to make the easy radiation part and the surface operation part or the core layer closely contact each other, and it is possible to prevent an air layer or the like from being formed between the easy radiation part and the surface operation part. Further, the light emitted from the surface operation portion of the obtained operation switch cover member can be easily strengthened.

[Embodiment 1]

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 3 show an example in which an operation switch cover member is used in a mobile phone.

  This cellular phone includes a housing 30 having an opening 30 a, an operation panel 31 as an operation switch cover member disposed in the opening 30 a of the housing 30, and an operation panel 31 that is separated from the inside of the housing 30. And a light source 13 such as an LED which is fixed to the base portion 32 and supplies light to the operation panel 31.

  Specifically, the base portion 32 is provided with a substrate 33, and contact terminals 37 connected to a circuit (not shown) and spaced apart from each other are provided at predetermined positions of the substrate 33. A metal dome 47 is provided for separating and connecting the terminals 37 and for providing an operational feeling during a pressing operation. The metal dome 47 and the substrate 33 are covered with an elastically deformable sheet 48, so that the switch dome can be operated. A pressing deformation portion 39 that is elastically deformed is formed.

  The substrate 33 is made of a hard printed board, a flexible printed board, or the like, and is fixedly attached to the housing 30. A large number of circuits (not shown) are provided on the substrate 33, and contact terminals 37 are provided at positions corresponding to the pressing operation unit 35.

  Further, the metal dome 47 is disposed at a position corresponding to each switch position and has an elastic dome shape having a hollow solid shape that can be elastically deformed. The metal dome 47 protrudes on the substrate 33 toward the operation panel 31 side. It is arranged to become.

  The metal dome 47 is always in contact with one of the contact terminals 37 at the periphery, and is disposed in a state of being separated from the other contact terminal 37 at the center, and is pressed by a plunger portion 43a described later, whereby the metal dome 47 The contact terminals 37 are connected to each other.

  On the other hand, the operation panel 31 is provided with a plurality of pressing operation portions 35 arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions for performing a pressing operation as a switch operation from the front side. The operation panel 31 includes a key sheet 41 as a surface operation unit having an operation surface 31a of the pressing operation unit 35, the illumination sheet 10 according to the first embodiment capable of irradiating the key sheet 41 from the back side, and the pressing operation unit 35. A plunger sheet 43 that can press the pressing deformation portion 39 by a pressing operation is stacked and joined in order from above.

  The illumination sheet 10 emits light from the radiation surface areas 15 provided at a plurality of positions corresponding to the pressing operation portions 35 of the operation panel 31 by supplying light from the light source 13 in the surface direction. is there. The illumination sheet 10 includes a sheet-like core layer 21 for guiding light inside, and a clad layer 23 that covers one surface of the core layer 21. The core layer 21 and the clad layer 23 include They are in close contact and are joined together.

  In the radiation surface region 15, an opening 25 is provided in the cladding layer 23, and an easy radiation part 22 in which light is easily emitted is disposed in the opening 25. The easy radiation portion 22 is provided on the entire inside of the opening 25.

  The core layer 21 of the illumination sheet 10 is a layer that has transparency and guides light by transmitting light in the surface direction. The core layer 21 preferably has a total light transmittance of 80% or more of light in the visible light region. This is because the higher the transmittance is, the more the attenuation of the guided light can be suppressed.

  The refractive index of the core layer 21 is preferably as high as possible, for example, 1.3 or more. This is because the range of selection of materials that can be used as the clad layer 23 described later can be expanded.

  The core layer 21 preferably has flexibility. This is because the degree of freedom of arrangement and use is improved, for example, the illumination sheet can be easily deformed and arranged.

  As a material constituting such a core layer 21, for example, a resin such as silicone, polyurethane, or polycarbonate, an elastomer, or the like can be used.

  The thickness of the core layer 21 can be appropriately selected according to the use of the core layer 21 and the like, but it is preferable that the core layer 21 be formed as thin as possible within a range in which desired luminance can be secured in the radiation surface region 15. However, the area of the incident surface on which the light from the light source 13 is incident facing the light source 13 needs to be at least 50% or more of the area of the light emitting surface on the opposite side of the light source 13.

  The surface of the core layer 21 on the cladding layer 23 side is preferably a mirror surface. If it is a mirror surface, it can suppress that the light guided is irregularly reflected by the interface of the core layer 21 and the clad layer 23, and light is radiated | emitted from the core layer 21 in parts other than the radiation | emission surface area | region 15, light guide performance is improved. This is because it can be improved.

  This mirror surface is a state in which the surface roughness is kept small. For example, when the core layer 21 is molded using a mold, the mirror surface can be produced by suppressing the surface roughness of the mold surface to be small. As the surface roughness of the mold surface, for example, an arithmetic average roughness (Ra) measured by a three-dimensional shape measuring device or the like is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 0.5 μm.

  The surface of the core layer 21 on the substrate 33 side is also preferably a mirror surface like the surface on the cladding layer 23 side. This is because it is easy to improve the light guiding performance.

  The clad layer 23 of the illumination sheet 10 is a layer laminated and integrated on at least one surface of the core layer 21, and the light in the core layer 21 is reflected at the interface between the core layer 21 and the core layer 21. It is a layer that guides the inside.

  The clad layer 23 needs to be at least smaller than the refractive index of the core layer 21, and is preferably smaller than the refractive index of the core layer 21 by 0.1% or more, and particularly preferably smaller than 1%. Is preferred. This is because as the refractive index of the cladding layer 23 increases, the conditions for total reflection of light guided through the core layer 21 become narrower and the light guide performance decreases.

  The clad layer 23 may be less transparent than the core layer 21. This is because, since the surface of the core layer 21 is a mirror surface, the light guided in the core layer 21 can be sufficiently reflected at the interface with the cladding layer 23, and the influence on the reflection conditions of the guided light is small.

  In the case of the clad layer 23 having transparency, light leaking from the core layer 21 may be emitted as weak light from a part or the whole of the clad layer 23. In that case, design may be imparted by intentionally radiating the leaked light, and in order to reflect the leaked light to a part or all of the outer surface of the cladding layer 23 except the radiation surface region 15. It may be shielded by providing a reflective coating such as a metal or a light shielding coating. When the reflective coating is provided, light leaked from the core layer 21 can be supplied to the core layer 21 again.

  Furthermore, the cladding layer 23 preferably has flexibility. This is because the degree of freedom of arrangement and use is improved, for example, the illumination sheet can be easily deformed and arranged.

  The material constituting the clad layer 23 is required to be a material that can be laminated and integrated with the core layer 21 without interposing other materials such as an adhesive. Specifically, fluororesins such as polytetrafluoroethylene, other resins, elastomers, and the like can be used. A material that can reduce the apparent refractive index by holding air in the porous space, such as silica, may be used.

  The thickness of the clad layer 23 is preferably as thin as possible within a range in which a protective function capable of preventing damage such as scratches from the outside can be secured on the mirror surface of the core layer 21. This is because the clad layer 23 is a layer used to reflect light guided in the core layer 21 at the interface with the core layer 21, and thus the thickness is less affected.

  The easily radiating portion 22 of the illumination sheet 10 is for facilitating the light guided in the core layer 21 to be radiated to the outside, and is disposed in the entire opening portion 25 including the opening portion of the cladding layer 23. Yes.

  Like the core layer 21, the easy radiation portion 22 is made of a material having a high total light transmittance of light in the visible light region, and needs to have a refractive index higher than that of the cladding layer 23. This is because the condition of total reflection of light toward the surface side in the core layer 21 is relaxed from the cladding layer 23 so that the light guided in the core layer 21 is easily emitted from the surface of the core layer 21.

  The refractive index of the easy radiation portion 22 can be selected as appropriate within a range of refractive index larger than that of the cladding layer 23. If the refractive index of the easy radiation part 22 is equal to or higher than the refractive index of the core layer 21, it is preferable that all the light traveling from the core layer 21 toward the easy radiation part 22 can be incident on the easy radiation part 22.

  The material constituting the easy radiation part 22 can be selected as appropriate, but in the first embodiment, it is integrally formed of the same material as the core layer 21, and a part of the core layer 21 is formed. Are formed as protruding protrusions. This is particularly suitable because an interface is not formed between the core layer 21 and the easy radiation part 22.

  Next, the key sheet 41 of the operation panel 31 is made of a hard resin sheet formed in a flat plate shape by a resin that can transmit light and is elastically deformable, such as polycarbonate and PET. In this embodiment, the key sheet 41 has a strength that can hold the shape of the operation panel 31 and can be pressed.

  The key sheet 41 is provided with an operation surface 31a on the surface exposed from the opening 30a of the housing 30, and is formed of a printing layer capable of blocking light on the surface opposite to the operation surface 31a. A light shielding layer 41a is provided. At a predetermined position of the pressing operation unit 35 or the like, the light-transmitting display unit 45 that can transmit light by removing the light-shielding layer 41a in various shapes such as characters and diagrams, that is, without the light-shielding layer 41a. The light transmitted through the translucent display unit 45 is visible from the surface side of the operation panel 31. Here, the translucent display part 45 is provided with a colored translucent decorative print layer so that the translucent light is colored.

  This key sheet 41 is preferably connected in direct contact with the easy radiation portion 22 provided in the radiation surface area 15 of the illumination sheet 10 without interposing an adhesive means such as an adhesive or a double-sided tape. . This is for suppressing attenuation of light emitted from the easy radiation portion 22 of the illumination sheet 10 and incident on the key sheet 41. On the other hand, the surface of the cladding layer 23 of the illumination sheet 10 may be bonded to the key sheet 41 using an adhesive means.

  The key sheet 41 preferably has a high refractive index. When the core layer 21 and the easy-radiation part 22 are made of the same material, it is preferable that the refractive index be at least greater than that of the cladding layer 23. This is because when the key sheet 41 has a refractive index equal to or lower than that of the cladding layer 23, it is difficult to emit light at the interface between the easy radiation portion 22 and the key sheet 41. In particular, if the refractive index of the key sheet 41 is greater than or equal to the core layer 21, reflection of light from the easy radiation part 22 side can be prevented at the interface between the easy radiation part 22 and the key sheet 41.

  Next, the plunger sheet 43 of the operation panel 31 has a flat sheet shape portion 43b having a size including the press operation portions 35 at a plurality of positions of the key sheet 41, and a surface facing the pressing deformation portion 39 of the sheet shape portion 43b. And a plurality of plunger portions 43a projecting at positions corresponding to the pressing operation portion 35.

  The plunger sheet 43 is formed from polyurethane, polyester, polycarbonate, acrylic alone or a composite thereof, silicone rubber, or the like. The plunger sheet 43 may be directly adhered and joined to the surface of the core layer 21 without using an adhesive means such as an adhesive or a double-sided tape as in the first embodiment. In this case, if a plunger sheet 43 having a smaller refractive index than that of the core layer 21 is used, the same light guiding function as that of the cladding layer 23 can be obtained.

  The sheet-shaped portion 43b of the plunger sheet 43 is formed as thin as possible in order to form the operation panel 31 as thin as possible, and in order to make it difficult to inhibit the elastic deformation of the key sheet 41, It is softly formed. Elastic deformation may be facilitated by providing slits (slits) in the plunger sheet 43.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light source 13 is provided at a different arrangement position from the radiation surface region 15, and a light source arrangement hole 29 is provided in the plunger sheet 43 and the core layer 21. A light source 13 such as is accommodated inside. In the vicinity of the arrangement position of the light source 13, a light shielding layer 27 that shields light from the light source 13 is provided on the surface of the cladding layer 23.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light shielding layer 27 is a layer that prevents light from the light source 13 from passing through the cladding layer 23 and being directly emitted to the outside, and is disposed immediately above and around the light source 13. , It is required not to exist in the radiation surface area 15. The light-shielding layer 27 is disposed until the incident angle is such that the light supplied from the light source 13 to the core layer 21 can be substantially totally reflected when the light reaches the interface between the core layer 21 and the cladding layer 23. It is preferable to arrange so as to cover the range.

  The light shielding layer 27 is made of an opaque layer that can reliably shield light, and is preferably one that can be deformed together with the cladding layer 23. The light shielding layer 27 may be opaque and have a reflection effect. The light shielding layer 27 may be directly bonded to the clad layer 23 by printing or the like, but may be bonded via another layer such as an adhesive or a double-sided adhesive tape. This is because there is no influence on the light guided in the core layer 21 because it does not directly contact the core layer 21.

  As such a light shielding layer 27, for example, a resin such as silicone, polyurethane, or polycarbonate, an elastomer, a metal such as stainless steel, or aluminum can be used. The thickness of the light shielding layer 27 is preferably as thin as possible within a range where sufficient light shielding properties can be obtained.

  In such a cellular phone, when the light source 13 fixed to the substrate 33 is caused to emit light, the light is emitted from the point light source in all directions within the light source arrangement hole 29 of the core layer 21 and is incident on the illumination sheet 10. Light incident in a direction that substantially intersects the surface direction of the core layer 21 passes through the core layer 21 and the cladding layer 23, reaches the light shielding layer 27, and is shielded from light. Light incident under conditions that allow reflection along the surface direction of the core layer 21 is guided through the inside of the sheet-like core layer 21 while being reflected by the cladding layer 23.

  When the light guided by the core layer 21 reaches the easy radiation part 22, it enters the easy radiation part 22 having a refractive index larger than that of the cladding layer 23. Even the light reflected at the interface with the cladding layer 23 can enter the easy radiation portion 22. This light is further emitted to the key sheet 41 side from the interface between the easy radiation part 22 and the key sheet 41, passes through the translucent display part 45, and is visually recognized from the surface side of the key sheet 41. Of the light guided by the core layer 21, the light that is not incident on the easy radiation part 22 is further guided in the core layer 21, reaches the other radiation easy part 22, and is emitted from the key sheet 41 in the same manner. The

  In order to perform the pressing operation, a part of the plurality of pressing operation portions 35 of the operation panel 31 is pressed from the operation surface 31 a side of the key sheet 41. Then, the operation panel 31 is elastically deformed by the elasticity of the key sheet 41, the plunger portion 43a of the plunger sheet 43 is lowered, and the pressing deformation portion 39 is pressed by the plunger portion 43a. Then, the metal dome 47 is elastically deformed together with the illuminating sheet 10, and the contact terminal 37 is electrically connected by the metal dome 47 in a state where a feeling of clicking operation is obtained, and various processes are executed.

  According to the operation panel 31 of the mobile phone as described above, since the surface of the sheet-like core layer 21 through which light is guided is covered with the cladding layer 23, the surface of the core layer 21 is damaged, It is possible to prevent irregular reflection and absorption of light due to the attachment of various foreign matters such as dust and adhesive. Therefore, it is possible to prevent light guided in the core layer 21 from being emitted and attenuated in a region other than the radiation surface region 15 for a long period of time.

  On the other hand, in the radiation surface region 15, since the key sheet 41 and the core layer 21 are connected via the easy radiation part 22 having a refractive index larger than that of the cladding layer 23, light is emitted through the cladding layer 23. Compared to the case, the light guided in the core layer 21 can be easily incident on the key sheet 41 through the easy radiation portion 22. That is, the light guided in the core layer 21 is more easily reflected as the refractive index of the layer adjacent to the core layer 21 is lower than the refractive index of the core layer 21. If it has, it can be made easier to emit light with less reflection than the cladding layer 23. Therefore, it is possible to make the light incident on the key sheet 41 via the easy radiation part 22 and to radiate stronger light from the translucent display part 45 of the key sheet 41.

  In particular, in the first embodiment, the easy radiation part 22 is formed of a protrusion formed integrally with the core layer 21 and made of the same material. Therefore, all the light guided in the core layer 21 and directed to the easy radiation part 22 is easy. It is possible to enter the radiation portion 22. Therefore, strong light can be supplied and emitted from the key sheet 41.

  Therefore, with such an operation panel 31, it is possible to emit strong light from the translucent display portion 45 of the key sheet 41 while preventing light emission in a region other than the radiation surface region 15 for a long period of time.

  Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the operation panel 31 of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment will be described.

  First, a cladding layer forming sheet for forming the cladding layer 23 is prepared in advance so that the surface becomes a mirror surface. An opening 25 is formed in the clad layer forming sheet at a position corresponding to the radiation surface region 15.

  Then, the key sheet 41 prepared in advance is bonded to one surface of the clad layer forming sheet, and the opening 25 is closed by the key sheet 41.

  In this state, a fluid material for forming the core layer 21 is attached to the other surface of the clad layer forming sheet by coating or the like, and the fluid material is filled into the opening 25. This fluid material is a material having a deformable form such as a liquid or a viscous material, and can constitute the core layer 21 and the easy radiation part 22 as described above by fixing such as curing or solidification. State thermoplastic resin, uncured curable resin, and the like.

  When the flowable material is adhered, it is preferable that the surface of the flowable material on the side opposite to the clad layer forming sheet is formed as uniformly as possible, for example, on a mirror surface using a mold.

  Thereafter, by fixing the fluid material, the core layer 21 in a state of being in close contact with the clad layer forming sheet is formed, and the easy radiation portion 22 integrated with the core layer 21 is formed in the entire opening 25.

  Further, a pre-formed plunger sheet 43 is joined to the surface of the core layer 21 opposite to the clad layer forming sheet. In addition, after making fluid resin adhere to the sheet | seat for clad layer formation, after laminating | stacking the plunger sheet | seat 43 shape | molded beforehand on the surface of fluid resin and fixing, it is a core in the state which joined the plunger sheet | seat 43 It is also possible to form the layer 21. Thereby, the operation panel 31 can be manufactured.

  When the operation panel 31 is manufactured as described above, after the opening 25 is formed in the clad layer forming sheet, a fluid material is attached to one surface of the clad layer forming sheet and the opening 25 is filled. Since the core layer 21 and the easy radiation part 22 are formed by fixing the core layer 21 and the easy radiation part 22, the core layer 21 and the easy radiation part 22 can be formed at the same time. An interface is surely prevented from being formed between the light source 22 and the light emitted easily.

  In addition, since the flowable resin is filled and fixed in the opening 25 in a state in which the opening 25 of the cladding layer forming sheet is closed by the key sheet 41, the surface of the easy radiation portion 22 can be easily attached to the key sheet 41. It is possible to prevent the formation of an air layer or the like between the easily radiating portion 22 and the key sheet 41, and to increase the light emitted from the operation panel 31 obtained. Can do.

  The first embodiment can be appropriately changed within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the first embodiment, the example in which the clad layer 23 is provided on one surface of the core layer 21 has been described, but the clad layer 23 may be provided on both surfaces of the core layer 21. In this case, since the plunger sheet 43 does not directly contact the core layer 21, it can be bonded using an adhesive means.

  Moreover, although the example which provided the press operation part 35 which can be pressed on the operation panel 31 was demonstrated in the said Embodiment 1, a contact operation may be performed without pressing.

  Furthermore, in the above description, the easily radiating portion 22 is integrally formed of the same material as that of the core layer 21. However, the easily radiating portion 22 may be formed of a material different from that of the core layer 21.

  Moreover, although the example which consists of a hard resin sheet was demonstrated as the key sheet | seat 41 above, the through-hole was provided as the translucent display part 45 in the flat thin sheet | seat which consists of metals, such as stainless steel, for example, this penetration It may be made of other materials such as a composite material sheet in which a translucent resin is sealed in the holes.

  Furthermore, in the above description, the plunger sheet 43 is formed separately from the core layer 21, but the plunger portion 43 a can be formed integrally with the core layer 21.

In the above description, when the operation panel 31 is manufactured, the core layer 21 is formed from the fluid material using the clad layer forming sheet and the key sheet 41 that are formed in advance. You may make it form a key sheet | seat with a property material.
[Embodiment 2]

  4 and 5 show the second embodiment.

  Unlike the first embodiment, the cellular phone according to the second embodiment is not provided with the operation panel 31 and instead serves as a cover member for an operation switch having a large number of push buttons 49 as a surface operation section. A push button sheet 51 is provided. The push button sheet 51 is covered with a hard casing 30 from the upper surface side, and each push button 49 is exposed from a plurality of button openings 30b provided in the casing 30, and is arranged so as to be pressed. . On the other hand, in the base portion 32, the upper surfaces of the substrate 33 and the metal dome 47 are covered with a metal dome fixing sheet 48.

  The push button sheet 51 of this cellular phone includes an illumination sheet 10, a push button 49 is joined to each of a large number of radiation surface areas 15 on one surface of the illumination sheet 10, and a plunger sheet 43 is joined to the other surface. Yes.

  Each push button 49 is provided with a flange portion 49a on the illuminating sheet 10 side, and an easy radiation portion 52 is integrally provided as a projection protruding from the flange portion 49a to the illuminating sheet 10 side. Each push button 49 is fixed to the illuminating sheet 10 with the easily radiating portion 52 disposed in the opening 25 of the illuminating sheet 10 and the flange portion 49 a in contact with the surface of the cladding layer 23. Here, the end surface of the easy-radiation part 52 is in close contact with and bonded to the core layer 21. Further, the entire end face of the easy-radiation part 52 is a translucent display part.

  In this push button sheet 51, the push button sheet 51 is placed on the upper surface while the flange portion 49 a of the push button 49 is accommodated in the enlarged diameter portion 30 c provided on the substrate 33 side of the button opening 30 b of the housing 30. It is supported by the housing 30 from the side. Note that the upper surface of the illumination sheet 10 where the push button 49 is not disposed is covered with the housing 30.

  A plunger sheet 43 similar to that of the first embodiment is joined to the illumination sheet 10 on the substrate 33 side without interposing an adhesive means.

  Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Even such a mobile phone is strong from the translucent display portion 45 of the push button sheet 51 while preventing light emission in a region other than the radiation surface region 15 for a long period of time as in the first embodiment. It is possible to emit light.

  Here, since the easy radiation part 52 consists of the protrusion part integrally formed with the push button 49 with the same material, the light which is guided in the core layer 21 and goes to the easy radiation part 52 is supplied to the push button 49 directly. Is possible. Therefore, strong light can be supplied and emitted by the push button 49.

In addition, since the illumination sheet 10 and the push button 49 are arranged and supported in the housing 30, the sheet shape portion 43b of the illumination sheet 10 and the plunger sheet 43 can be formed thinly and flexibly. In addition, the operability during the pressing operation of the push button 49 can be improved, and a clear click feeling with the metal dome 47 can be easily obtained.
[Embodiment 3]

  6 and 7 show the third embodiment.

  In this mobile phone, an operation panel 55 different from that in the first embodiment is provided in the opening 30 a of the housing 30. The operation panel 55 includes a key sheet 56 having a plurality of operation surfaces 55a on the front surface side, and the illumination sheet 10 and the plunger sheet 43 are joined to the substrate 33 side of the key sheet 56 without using an adhesive means. .

  The key sheet 56 of the operation panel 55 is made of a hard resin sheet formed in a flat plate shape by a resin that can transmit light such as polycarbonate and PET and is elastically deformable, and can sufficiently hold the shape of the operation panel 55. In addition, it is strong enough to be pressed and elastically deformed. In the key sheet 56, as shown in FIG. 6, a large number of operation surfaces 55a are partitioned by through slits 57 formed in three directions in a substantially U shape.

  The illumination sheet 10 of the operation panel 55 is configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, but the cladding layer 23 is formed of an elastomer or a soft resin, and a part of the cladding layer 23 is a key sheet 56. The through slit 57 is sealed.

  Further, in the operation panel 55, the core layer 21 and the clad layer 23 of the illumination sheet 10 and the plunger sheet 43 are formed sufficiently softer than the key sheet 56, and the illumination sheet 10 and the plunger sheet 43 are composed of the key sheet 56. It is supported by.

  Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Even in the mobile phone having such an operation panel 55, the light-transmitting display portion of the key sheet 56 is prevented while preventing light emission in a region other than the radiation surface region 15 for a long period of time as in the first embodiment. It is possible to emit strong light from 45.

  Moreover, in this cellular phone, each operation surface 55a is partitioned by the through slit 57, and the inside of the through slit 57 is sealed by the soft clad layer 23, so that each operation surface 55a is elastically deformed during the pressing operation. In addition, it is difficult to affect the adjacent operation surface 55a, such as deformation, when a part of the operation surface 55a is pressed. Therefore, the operability during the pressing operation can be improved, and a clear click operation feeling can be easily obtained. At the same time, since the through slit 57 is sealed by the clad layer 23, it is possible to prevent dust and moisture from entering through the through slit 57.

It is a fragmentary top view of the mobile telephone provided with the cover member for operation switches of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. 4 of the same Embodiment 1. FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG. 1 of the Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a fragmentary top view of the mobile telephone provided with the cover member for operation switches of Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 4 of the mobile phone according to the second embodiment. It is a fragmentary top view of the mobile telephone provided with the cover member for operation switches of Embodiment 3 of this invention. FIG. 7 is a DD cross-sectional view of the mobile phone according to Embodiment 3 in FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Illumination sheet 13 Light source 15 Radiation surface area 21 Core layer 22 Easy radiation part 23 Cladding layer 25 Opening part 30 Housing | casing 31 Operation panel 33 Substrate 35 Press operation part 39 Press deformation part 41 Key sheet 43 Plunger sheet 45 Translucent display part 47 Metal dome

Claims (5)

Light from the light source is guided through the inside of the sheet and is radiated from a predetermined radiating surface area, and is placed in contact with the radiating surface area of the illuminating sheet, and a switch operation is performed from the surface side. An operation switch cover member having a translucent display part configured to be visible from the surface side through which light from the radiation surface region is transmitted.
The illumination sheet includes a sheet-like core layer through which the light is guided,
In a region other than the radiation surface region, the surface of the core layer is covered with a cladding layer, and the light is guided in the core layer while being reflected by the cladding layer,
In the radiation surface region, an opening having a shape corresponding to the radiation surface region is formed, and in the opening, an easy radiation portion in which the surface operation portion and the core layer have a refractive index larger than that of the cladding layer. An operation switch cover member characterized by being connected via a switch.   2. The operation switch cover member according to claim 1, wherein the easily radiating portion includes a protruding portion formed of the same material integrally with the core layer.   2. The operation switch cover member according to claim 1, wherein the easily radiating portion includes a protruding portion formed of the same material integrally with the surface operation portion. It is a manufacturing method of the cover member for operation switches as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3.
An opening is provided at a position corresponding to the radiation surface region of the clad layer forming sheet for forming the clad layer,
On one surface of the clad layer forming sheet, a fluid material capable of forming the core layer or the surface operation part is adhered by being fixed and filled in the opening.
By immobilizing the flowable material, the core layer or the surface manipulation unit in close contact with the clad layer forming sheet is formed, and the easy integration integral with the core layer or the surface manipulation unit in the opening. The manufacturing method of the cover member for operation switches characterized by forming a radiation | emission part.   2. The fluidizing resin capable of forming the other is filled and fixed in a state where the opening of the clad layer forming sheet is closed by one of the surface operation portion or the core layer. 5. A method for producing the operation switch cover member according to 4.

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