JP2011165417A - Light guide sheet and movable contact using this - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light guide sheet mainly used for an operation of various electronic equipment and a movable contact body using the same, wherein dispersion in luminescence is prevented, and uniform illumination can be obtained. <P>SOLUTION: A concavo-convex diffusion part 12 is provided in the vicinity of a predetermined light-emitting part 2, for instance, at a left end part of a base material 1 in the vicinity of a light-emitting part 2C formed at a site separated from a light-emitting element 9. Since, with this, the light-emitting part 2C or the like separated from the light-emitting element 9 can be made to emit light brightly by diffuse reflection of light leaked from an end surface of the base material 1, a plurality of light-emitting parts 2 can be made to emit light without unevenness, and therefore, a light guide sheet 13 capable of illuminating in equal brightness as well as a movable contact 16 using the same can be obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a light guide sheet mainly used for operation of various electronic devices and a movable contact body using the same.

  In recent years, various electronic devices, particularly mobile terminal devices such as mobile phones and electronic cameras, emit light emitting diodes and EL elements so that push buttons and display sheets can be easily identified and operated even when the surroundings are dark. Accordingly, there is an increasing number of devices that illuminate the operation unit, and there is a demand for movable contact bodies and switches used in these devices that are easy to use and can perform various types of illumination.

  Such conventional light guide sheet and movable contact body will be described with reference to FIGS.

  These drawings are partially enlarged in size for easy understanding of the configuration.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional switch, and FIG. 5 is a plan view. In FIG. 4, 1 is a light-transmitting film-like base material. A plurality of light emitting units 2, for example, light emitting units 2A, 2B, and 2C are provided.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a film-like base sheet, and 5 denotes a substantially dome-shaped movable contact made of a conductive metal thin plate. A predetermined portion of the outer periphery of the base sheet 4 is attached to the lower surface of the light guide sheet 3 with an adhesive (not shown). At the same time, a plurality of movable contacts 5 are attached to the lower surface of the base sheet 4 below the light emitting unit 2 to constitute a movable contact body 6.

  Further, reference numeral 7 denotes a wiring board having a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) formed on the upper and lower surfaces, and a substantially circular central fixed contact 8A on the upper surface and a substantially horseshoe-shaped or ring-shaped outer fixed surrounding the central fixed contact 8A. A plurality of fixed contacts 8 formed from the contacts 8B are provided.

  The movable contact body 6 is placed on the upper surface of the wiring board 7. The outer periphery of each movable contact 5 is placed on the outer fixed contact 8B, and the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 5 is spaced from the central fixed contact 8A by a predetermined gap. , Are affixed to face each other.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode. A plurality of light-emitting elements 9 are mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 7 on the side of the light guide sheet 3 and are arranged, for example, with the light-emitting surface facing the right end surface of the substrate 1. Yes.

  Furthermore, 10 is a light-transmitting film-like display sheet, and a predetermined portion of the coating portion 10A formed on the lower surface by printing or the like is cut out into a shape such as characters and symbols to form a plurality of display portions 10B. The display unit 10B is disposed above the light emitting unit 2 of the light guide sheet 3 to form a switch.

  The switch configured as described above is mounted on the operation surface of an electronic device such as a mobile phone, and a plurality of center fixed contacts 8A, outer fixed contacts 8B, and a plurality of light emitting elements 9 are connected via a wiring pattern or the like. , Connected to the electronic circuit (not shown) of the device.

  In the above configuration, when the predetermined display portion 10B of the display sheet 10 is pressed downward, the light guide sheet 3 and the base sheet 4 below are bent and the substantially dome-shaped central portion of the movable contact 5 is pressed to When the pressing force is applied, the movable contact 5 is elastically reversed downward with a click feeling, and the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 5 comes into contact with the central fixed contact 8A, whereby the central fixed contact 8A and the outer fixed contact 8B are It is in a state of being electrically connected via the movable contact 5.

  Further, when the pressing force to the display sheet 10 is released, the movable contact 5 is elastically reversed upward by the elastic restoring force, the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 5 is separated from the central fixed contact 8A, and the central fixed contact 8A and the outer fixed contact are separated. 8B is in an electrically disconnected state.

  When various functions of the device are switched according to the electrical contact / separation of the fixed contact 8 as described above, and when power is supplied from the electronic circuit of the device to the light emitting device 9, a plurality of light emitting devices 9 are provided. Is emitted, and this light enters the light guide sheet 3 from the right end surface, for example, and proceeds to the left while reflecting inside the substrate 1.

  Further, this light is diffused and reflected by the plurality of light emitting portions 2A and 2B on the lower surface of the base material 1, and the display portion 10B of the upper display sheet 10 is illuminated from below, and the plurality of display portions 10B are illuminated. Thus, even when the surroundings are dark, the display of characters, symbols, and the like on the display unit 10B can be identified, and the operation can be easily performed.

  That is, by pressing the display sheet 10, the upper surface of the light guide sheet 3 is pressed, the movable contact 5 is elastically reversed to electrically connect and separate the fixed contact 8, and light from the light emitting element 9 is guided from the end face. It is configured to illuminate the plurality of display units 10B of the display sheet 10 by introducing the light into the sheet 3 and causing the plurality of light emitting units 2 to emit light.

  In addition, when light is emitted by emitting light from a plurality of light emitting units 2, for example, the light emitting units 2A, 2B, and 2C, with one light emitting element 9, as long as the shape and number of the concave and convex portions of the light emitting unit 2 are the same, The light emitting portion 2A formed near the light emitting element 9 emits light brightly, but the light emitting portion 2C at a distant place becomes darker than this, and also passes through the base material 1 from the left end surface of the base material 1. Light leakage occurs.

  For this reason, in practice, a black tape or the like is attached to the left end surface of the base material 1 to prevent light leakage, and the shape and number of the concave and convex portions of the light emitting portions 2A and 2C and the like are formed differently. The light-emitting unit 2 is adjusted so as to emit light with uniform brightness.

  As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

JP 2009-187925 A

  However, in the above-described conventional movable contact body 6 and switch, adjustment is performed by changing the uneven shape and the number of the plurality of light emitting portions 2 that emit light by one light emitting element 9. There is a problem that the light emitting portions 2C and the like of the light emitting portions are darkened, and the brightness of the plurality of light emitting portions 2 is likely to vary.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to provide a light guide sheet capable of preventing unevenness in brightness and capable of uniform illumination, and a movable contact body using the same.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a light guide sheet is configured by providing an uneven diffusion portion in the vicinity of a predetermined light emitting portion, and is formed, for example, at a location away from the light emitting element. A diffuser is provided at the end of the base material near the light emitting part, and the light that leaks from the end face of the base material is diffusely reflected by this diffuser, so that the light emitting part away from the light emitting element can emit light brightly. There is an effect that a light guide sheet can be obtained that emits light with no variation and can be illuminated with uniform brightness.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a movable contact body is configured by mounting a substantially dome-shaped movable contact made of a conductive metal thin plate on the lower surface of the light emitting portion of the light guide sheet according to the first aspect. Therefore, it is possible to realize a switch capable of preventing unevenness of the illumination and uniform illumination.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that a light guide sheet that can be illuminated with uniform brightness and a movable contact body using the light guide sheet can be realized.

Sectional drawing of the movable contact body by one embodiment of this invention Plan view Cross section of the switch Cross section of conventional switch Plan view

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  These drawings are partially enlarged in size for easy understanding of the configuration.

  Further, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those described in the background art section, and the detailed description will be simplified.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a movable contact body according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof. In the figure, 1 is a film and has flexibility such as polyurethane, silicone, styrene, and polycarbonate. A light-transmitting base material, and a plurality of light emitting parts 2 such as polyester and epoxy, such as white and milky white, such as light emitting parts 2A, 2B, 2C, etc. are printed at predetermined positions on the lower surface of the base 1 Etc. are formed in a dot shape.

  Further, in the vicinity of the predetermined light emitting unit 2, for example, the left end portion of the lower surface of the base material 1 in the vicinity of the light emitting unit 2 </ b> C formed on the left side of the base material 1, a plurality of diffusion parts having the same uneven shape as the light emitting unit 2 are provided. 12 are provided in a dot shape by printing or the like, and the light guide sheet 13 is configured.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a flexible film-like base sheet such as polyethylene terephthalate or polycarbonate, and 5 denotes a movable contact made of a conductive metal thin plate such as copper alloy or steel having a substantially dome shape. A plurality of movable contacts 5 are affixed to the lower surface of the base sheet 4 below the light emitting unit 2 while being affixed to the lower surface of the light guide sheet 13 by an adhesive 14 such as acrylic or silicone.

  Further, 15 is a film-like separator such as polyethylene terephthalate, which is affixed so as to cover the entire lower surface of the base sheet 4 so that dust or the like does not adhere to the lower surface of the movable contact 5 during storage and transportation. A body 16 is constructed.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a switch using such a movable contact body 16. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 7 denotes a film-like wiring such as polyethylene terephthalate or polycarbonate, or a plate-like wiring such as paper phenol or glass-filled epoxy. A plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate by copper or the like, and a substantially circular central fixed contact 8A and an approximately horseshoe shape surrounding the center fixed contact 8A by copper or carbon on the upper surface. Or the some fixed contact 8 formed from the substantially ring-shaped outer side fixed contact 8B is provided.

  The movable contact body 16 having the separator 15 peeled off from the upper surface of the wiring board 7 is placed on the outer fixed contact 8B on the outer periphery of each movable contact 5, and the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 5 is predetermined with the central fixed contact 8A. Affixed so as to face each other with a gap in between.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode. A plurality of light-emitting elements 9 are mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 7 on the side of the light guide sheet 13, for example, arranged with the light-emitting surface facing the right end surface of the substrate 1. Yes.

  Furthermore, 10 is a light-transmitting film-like display sheet, and a predetermined portion of the coating portion 10A formed on the lower surface by printing or the like is cut out into a shape such as characters and symbols to form a plurality of display portions 10B. The display unit 10B is disposed above the light emitting unit 2 of the light guide sheet 13 to form a switch.

  The switch configured as described above is mounted on the operation surface of an electronic device such as a mobile phone, and a plurality of center fixed contacts 8A, outer fixed contacts 8B, and a plurality of light emitting elements 9 are connected via a wiring pattern or the like. , Connected to the electronic circuit (not shown) of the device.

  In the above configuration, when the predetermined display portion 10B of the display sheet 10 is pressed downward, the light guide sheet 13 and the base sheet 4 below are bent and the substantially dome-shaped central portion of the movable contact 5 is pressed, and the predetermined portion When the pressing force is applied, the movable contact 5 is elastically reversed downward with a click feeling, and the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 5 comes into contact with the central fixed contact 8A, whereby the central fixed contact 8A and the outer fixed contact 8B are It is in a state of being electrically connected via the movable contact 5.

  Further, when the pressing force to the display sheet 10 is released, the movable contact 5 is elastically reversed upward by the elastic restoring force, the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 5 is separated from the central fixed contact 8A, and the central fixed contact 8A and the outer fixed contact are separated. 8B is in an electrically disconnected state.

  When various functions of the device are switched according to the electrical contact / separation of the fixed contact 8 as described above, and when power is supplied from the electronic circuit of the device to the light emitting device 9, a plurality of light emitting devices 9 are provided. Is emitted, and this light enters the light guide sheet 13 from the right end surface, for example, and proceeds to the left while reflecting in the substrate 1.

  Further, this light is diffused and reflected by the plurality of light emitting portions 2A and 2B on the lower surface of the base material 1, and the display portion 10B of the upper display sheet 10 is illuminated from below, and the plurality of display portions 10B are illuminated. Thus, even when the surroundings are dark, the display of characters, symbols, and the like on the display unit 10B can be identified, and the operation can be easily performed.

  That is, by pressing the display sheet 10, the upper surface of the light guide sheet 13 is pressed, the movable contact 5 is elastically inverted to electrically connect and separate the fixed contact 8, and the light from the light emitting element 9 is guided from the end face. The plurality of display units 10B of the display sheet 10 are illuminated by being introduced into the sheet 13 and causing the plurality of light emitting units 2 to emit light.

  At this time, since the uneven diffusion portion 12 is formed on the left end portion of the lower surface of the base material 1 in the vicinity of the light emitting portion 2C, which is formed on the left side of the base material 1 and farthest from the light emitting element 9, Light from the light-emitting element 9 that attempts to leak outward through the base material 1 is diffusely reflected by the diffusion portion 12 and partly leaks outward from the left end surface of the base material 1, but part of the light is emitted from the base material 1. The inside is reflected to the right, and the light emitting unit 2C emits light.

  That is, among the plurality of light emitting units 2 that emit light from one light emitting element 9, the light emitting unit 2 </ b> C farthest from the light emitting element 9 should emit darker than the light emitting unit 2 </ b> A in the vicinity of the light emitting element 9. The light emitting part 2C emits light brightly by the diffusion part 12.

  That is, by providing the diffusing portion 12 at the left end of the base material 1 in the vicinity of the light emitting portion 2C formed at a location away from the light emitting element 9, the light leaking from the end face of the base material 1 is diffusely reflected thereby. The light emitting unit 2C away from the light source is also configured to emit light brightly.

  Therefore, the adjustment for changing the shape and number of the uneven portions such as the light emitting portions 2A and 2C so that the plurality of light emitting portions 2 emit light with equal brightness can be performed relatively easily. The light emitting section 2 emits light with no variation and can be illuminated with uniform brightness.

  Furthermore, since the light from the light emitting element 9 is diffusely reflected by the diffusing section 12, light leaking from the left end surface of the base material 1 is reduced, so that it is not necessary to attach a black tape or the like to the left end surface of the base material 1. It is also possible to form a switch at low cost.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the diffusing portion 12 is formed only at the left end portion of the lower surface of the base material 1 in the vicinity of the light emitting portion 2C formed on the left side is described, but the interval between the light emitting portions 2A, 2B, and 2C Depending on the shape and the like, a diffusing unit 12 is also provided in the vicinity of the light emitting unit 2A close to the light emitting element 9 and the light emitting unit 2B formed in the middle so that there is no variation and illumination is performed with uniform brightness. It may be.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the left end portion of the base 1 in the vicinity of the light emitting unit 2C formed in the vicinity of the predetermined light emitting unit 2, for example, in a place away from the light emitting element 9, or the light emission formed in the middle. Since the uneven diffusion portion 12 is provided in the vicinity of the portion 2B and the like, and the light leaking from the end face of the base material 1 is diffusely reflected, the light emitting portion 2C and the like away from the light emitting element 9 can also emit light brightly. Thus, it is possible to obtain the light guide sheet 13 that can emit light with uniform brightness by causing the plurality of light emitting portions 2 to emit light and the movable contact body 16 using the light guide sheet 13.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the plurality of light emitting portions 2 and the diffusing portions 12 having the concavo-convex shape are formed by printing on the lower surface of the base material 1 is described, but the plurality of light emitting portions 2 and the diffusing portions 12 are formed on the upper surface of the base material 1. The present invention can be carried out even with a configuration provided with the light emitting portion 2 and the diffusing portion 12 by various methods such as sticking, inkjet, laser processing, press processing, molding processing, etc. in addition to printing. Is possible.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the base sheet 4 with the plurality of movable contacts 5 attached to the lower surface is attached to the lower surface of the light guide sheet 13 has been described. However, the base sheet 4 is eliminated and the lower surface of the light guide sheet 13 is removed. If the plurality of movable contacts 5 are directly pasted, the total number of components can be reduced, and the movable contact body 16 and the switch can be formed more simply and inexpensively.

  The light guide sheet according to the present invention and the movable contact body using the light guide sheet are capable of preventing unevenness in brightness and capable of uniform illumination, and are mainly useful for operation of various electronic devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base material 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Light emission part 4 Base sheet 5 Movable contact 7 Wiring board 8 Fixed contact 8A Center fixed contact 8B Outer fixed contact 9, 9A, 9B Light emitting element 10 Display sheet 10A Paint part 10B Display part 12 Diffusion Part 13 Light guide sheet 14 Adhesive 15 Separator 16 Movable contact body

Claims (2)

A light guide sheet comprising a film-like base material and a plurality of uneven light emitting portions formed on the base material, wherein an uneven diffusion portion is provided in the vicinity of the predetermined light emitting portion. A movable contact body having a substantially dome-shaped movable contact made of a conductive metal thin plate attached to the lower surface of the light emitting portion of the light guide sheet according to claim 1.

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