JP3208402B2 - Light-emitting switch - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a push-button switch or a seat switch which is used for various OA equipments and the like, in order to display the operation of the switch. The present invention relates to an improvement of a switch for illuminating a display such as a character or a picture displayed on the display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art This type of switch is conventionally known as an illuminated switch.
A push button switch having a push button for pushing down a movable contact facing a fixed contact on a wiring board or a sheet switch having an actuator pushing down a movable contact facing a fixed contact on a wiring board via a flexible surface sheet. It has a form, and the illuminating means is incorporated so as to illuminate a display such as a character or a picture displayed on a push button or a top sheet.

A conventional illuminating means used for a push button switch is, for example, disposed in a recess of the push button independently of the push button so as not to interfere with the depression of the push button, and electrically connected to the wiring board. It consists of an illuminating lamp that is mechanically mounted (for example,
No. 411791). Further, the illumination means of the prior art used for the sheet switch is, for example, an illumination unit which is arranged in a non-light-transmitting partition between actuators of adjacent switches independently of the actuator of the sheet switch and attached to the wiring board. It consists of a lamp (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-33923).

As described above, in any of the illuminated switches, the illuminated lamp is provided independently of the push button or the actuator, so that the light emitted from the illuminated lamp is displayed on the push button or the surface sheet. It is not possible to evenly illuminate the display of characters or pictures that have been set, so that the visibility of the operation display of the switch is low, and space is required to incorporate the illuminating lamp. There was a drawback to do.

On the other hand, other prior art illuminated pushbuttons
The switch has a built-in surface emitting device inside the push button,
(See Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 59-158231).
Illuminated pushbutton switches can be either pushbuttons or surface seals.
Evenly illuminate the table itself such as characters or patterns displayed on the screen
It is possible to, operating display visibility of the switch
To improve the size and size of the entire switch.
The above disadvantages are avoided.

[0006]

However, this illuminated press
The button switch is connected to the switch terminal of the switch function section.
The light emitting element terminal of the surface light emitting function is derived and
It is configured in an independent form, so
Must be mechanically mounted on the board and electrically wired
Installation on the wiring board is troublesome
Above, the disadvantage that the mounted components of the wiring board become large in the mounted state
was there.

An object of the present invention is to provide a display such as a character or a picture.
Evenly and directly emit light to clearly see the switch operation display
In a state where it can be
It is easy to assemble and assemble.
To provide a light emitting switch.

[0008]

A first object of the present invention is to provide a push button on a cover and a character or picture displayed on the push button so as to push down a movable contact facing a fixed contact on a wiring board. Light-emitting means for emitting light so as to illuminate a display body, etc., and the light-emitting means comprises a chip-type light-emitting element electrically connected and mounted on a conductive thin plate. It is formed by molding with a plastic resin so that only the lead pieces are exposed and the chip type light emitting element is buried , and it is provided at intervals on the wiring board
Into the cover so that it protrudes through the opening of the cover
The present invention provides a light-emitting switch , wherein the chip-type light-emitting element is electrically connected to the wiring board by slidably engaging a lead piece with a circuit terminal on the wiring board. is there.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an actuator for pushing down a movable contact facing a fixed contact on a wiring board, a flexible topsheet provided so as to be able to push down this actuator, and this topsheet. Light emitting means for emitting light so as to illuminate a display body such as a character or a picture displayed on the light emitting means, the light emitting means comprising a chip type light emitting element electrically connected and mounted on a conductive thin plate; Is formed by molding a plastic resin so that only the lead pieces of this conductive thin plate are exposed and the chip type light emitting element is buried, and the chip type light emitting element slides the lead pieces to the circuit terminals on the wiring board. It is an object of the present invention to provide a light-emitting switch which is freely engaged and electrically connected to a wiring board.

[0010]

As described above, when the light-emitting means is formed of a chip-type light-emitting element and this chip-type light-emitting element is formed so as to be embedded in a push button or an actuator, a character displayed on the push button or the topsheet is displayed. Since the display body such as the display and the pattern is uniformly and directly illuminated, the operation display of the switch can be clearly recognized.

Further , the chip type light emitting element is electrically connected.
Only the conductive thin plate lead pieces
Push the chip type light emitting element and the conductive thin plate with the push button or
It is formed to be embedded in the actuator
With such a push button or actuator and this
Depressed by push button or actuator
The movable contact and the wiring board and its cover or flexible surface
Just by placing it in the space between the seat and the light-emitting push button
Button with the conductive pattern of the wiring board
Assembled on the printed circuit board
There is an advantage that it is easy to assemble and the whole is downsized.

[0012]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a light emitting switch according to the present invention; FIG.
It is shown applied to a zero-type light emitting switch. The plurality of push button switches 10 are connected to the wiring board 1.
2 and a cover 16 provided on the wiring board 12 via an insulating rubber plate 30 of a movable contact to be described later, one switch button 10 is shown in FIG. ing.

Each push button switch 10 is connected to the wiring board 1
A push button 24 that pushes down the movable contact 22 facing the fixed contact 20 on the top 2 and a light emitting unit 28 that emits light so as to illuminate a display 26 such as a character or a picture displayed on the push button 24 are provided. The movable contact 22 is a conductive member integrally formed on the inner surface of the top plate portion 34 of the cup-shaped insulating rubber portion 35 having the top plate portion 34 continuously formed from the insulating rubber plate 30 via the thin conical portion 32. Rubber plate 22A
Consists of In the illustrated embodiment, the insulating rubber plate 30
A plurality of cup-shaped insulating rubber portions 35 including a conical portion 32 and a top plate portion 34 are integrally formed. A fixed contact (not shown) is formed on a predetermined position of the conductive pattern on the wiring board 12, and the insulating substrate 30 is electrically and mechanically connected to another position of the conductive pattern. Installed. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 14 denotes an insulating substrate 30.
The reference numeral 16c designates a hole in which the lead piece 38 of the chip type light emitting element 46 to be described later is located.
2 shows an air escape groove.

The light emitting means 28 comprises a chip type light emitting element 40 which is electrically connected and mounted on a conductive thin plate 36. The chip type light emitting element (LED) 40 is integrally embedded in the push button 24. It is provided. In the embodiment shown, the chip-type light-emitting element 40 is in the form of two terminals, so that the conductive thin plate 36 has two lead pieces 38 connected to these two terminals, respectively.

The push button 24 exposes only the two lead pieces 38 of the conductive thin plate 36 to expose the chip type light emitting element 4.
It is formed by molding with a plastic resin so that 0 is embedded. The chip-type light emitting element 40 slidably engages the lead piece 38 with a predetermined circuit terminal of the conductive pattern on the wiring board 12 through the hole 14 of the insulating rubber plate 30 and
Are electrically connected to the conductive pattern. Therefore, the push button 24 is formed integrally with the light emitting means 28, and the push button 24 having the light emitting means 28 integrally is provided on the cover 1.
6 is disposed in the cover 16 so as to protrude through the opening 16a.

In the illustrated embodiment, the two lead pieces 38 are made of leaf springs, and the leaf pieces 38 of the leaf springs are formed in the cover 16 as shown in FIG.
Formed on the conductive pattern of the wiring board 12 through the
The terminal is slidably engaged with the terminal and connected to the wiring on the wiring board 12. The push button 24 is raised and lowered by the elasticity of the lead piece 38 of the leaf spring.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the push button 24
A light-transmitting resin portion 42 in which the chip type light emitting element 40 is embedded so that the display body 26 is formed on the upper surface;
And a non-light-transmitting resin portion 44 that covers the light-transmitting resin portion 42 so that the light-transmitting portion is exposed.

Next, the push button 2 having the light emitting means 28
4 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, as shown in FIG. 2, a conductive thin plate is stamped or etched to form a lead frame 50. The lead frame 50 has a lattice-shaped carrier portion 5.
2 and a plurality of connecting portions to which the chip type light emitting element 40 for the light emitting means is to be connected, in the case shown, a pair of soldering portions 54
And the lead piece 38 is integrally formed so as to extend from these connection portions 54. The lead frame 50 is conveyed to various steps described later by a sprocket (not shown) of the conveying means meshing with the aperture 52a.

During the transportation of the lead frame 50,
First, as shown in FIG. 3, a cream solder 54a is provided on a pair of soldering portions 54 in order to mount the chip type light emitting element 40. While further transporting the lead frame 50, the chip type light emitting element 40 is attached to the pair of soldering portions 54 so as to be electrically connected by soldering as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows one push button forming portion to which the chip type light emitting element 40 is attached in this way.

Next, the chip type light emitting element 40 is formed together with the lead frame 50 forming the conductive thin plate 36 in the state of FIG.
Is injected into a metal mold for injection molding, injection molding is performed with a plastic resin so that only the lead piece 38 protrudes and the chip type light emitting element 40 is buried, and as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG.
Form 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the translucent resin part 42 forming the display body 26 and the non-translucent resin part 44 covering the translucent resin part 42 except for the display body 26 are separately formed twice. Molded separately.

Finally, the carrier portion 52 of the lead frame 50 is cut off to complete the push button 24 integrated with the light emitting means 28, as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the push button 24 is incorporated in the switch panel 18 together with the cup-shaped insulating rubber portion 35 having the movable contact 22, thereby completing the light emitting switch 10.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention which is substantially the same as the light emitting switch 10 of FIG. In this embodiment, the push button 24 is
The display 26 is formed from a translucent resin, and is formed by printing the upper surface of the push button 24 with a non-translucent printing ink.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a light-emitting switch in the form of a sheet switch.
A dome-shaped movable contact 122 facing a fixed contact (not shown) on the actuator 12, an actuator 124 that pushes down the dome-shaped movable contact 122,
4 and a flexible topsheet 116 provided in engagement with the actuator 124 so as to depress it. The flexible topsheet 116 is attached to the wiring board 112 via an insulating spacer 114 and also serves as a cover for the switch panel 118.

In the illustrated embodiment, a display 126 such as a character or a picture to be illuminated by the light emitting means 128 is provided.
Non-light-transmitting film 1 provided on light-transmitting top sheet 116
27 is formed of a translucent portion 127a such as a character or a picture formed by extracting a part of the part 27. The top sheet 116 is formed of a translucent material, and the display body 126 is printed with a non-translucent ink. It may be formed.

The light emitting means 128 comprises a chip type light emitting element 140 electrically connected and mounted on a conductive thin plate 136, like the switch of FIG.
24 is formed by molding a light-transmitting plastic resin so that only the lead pieces 138 of the conductive thin plate 136 are exposed and the chip-type light emitting elements 140 are embedded. As can be seen from FIG. 11, the chip type light emitting element 140 is
8 is engaged with the circuit terminals on the wiring board 112 so that the wiring board 1
12 are electrically connected.

The actuator 124 used in the light emitting switch 110 of this embodiment is the light emitting switch 1 shown in FIG.
It can be formed by a method substantially similar to that of the push button 24 used for 0. That is, as shown in FIGS.
The lead frame 50 is formed by stamping or etching the conductive thin plate. This lead frame 50
Has a carrier portion 52, a plurality of connecting portions 54 formed integrally with the carrier portion 52, to which the chip-type light emitting element 140 for light emitting means is to be connected, and a lead piece 138 extending from these connecting portions 54.

The lead frame 50 is attached to the connection portion 54 so as to be electrically connected to the chip type light emitting element 140 while being transported by hooking the sprocket onto the aperture 52a of the carrier portion 52. Then, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the actuator 124 is made of a transparent plastic resin so that the chip type light emitting element 140 is embedded.
Is injection molded. Finally, as shown in FIG. 14, the carrier portion 52 of the lead frame 50 is cut off,
The light emitting switch 110 is completed by forming the actuator 124 integrated with the switch 8 and incorporating the actuator 124 into the switch panel 118.

In the above embodiment, the case where the chip type light emitting elements 40 and 140 of two terminals (one color type) are used is described. However, a chip having two or more colors and a multicolor type having three or more terminals is used. In this case, the connecting portion 54 of the lead frame 50 and the lead piece 3 can be used.
The number of 8, 138 is provided according to the number of terminals of the chip type light emitting device.

[0029]

According to the present invention, as described above, the light emitting means is formed of a chip type light emitting element, and the chip type light emitting element is formed so as to be embedded in the push button or the actuator. since the push button or the display body such as characters or figures displayed on the surface sheet can be illuminated uniformly and directly, but can clearly recognize the operation display of the switch, the chip type light emitting element is conductive
Conductive thin plate lead pieces attached by air connection
Exposing only the chip type light emitting element and conductive thin plate
Formed to be embedded in a button or actuator
Because you have such a push button or actuator
Data and this pushbutton or actuator
The movable contact that is depressed is connected to the wiring board and its cover or
Is placed only in the space between the flexible surface sheet and
The optical push button switch is shared with the conductive pattern on the circuit board.
Assembled on the wiring board,
It is easy to assemble on a printed circuit board,
There is a point.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a push-button light emitting switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of a lead frame used in the method of manufacturing a light emitting switch of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a part of a state where cream solder is provided on the lead frame shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a state where a chip type light emitting element is mounted on the lead frame shown in FIG. 3;

5 is a plan view of a portion of the lead frame shown in FIG. 4 having one chip-type light emitting element.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state where a push button is formed so as to bury the chip-type light emitting device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a state where a push button is formed so as to bury the chip-type light emitting device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state where a carrier portion of the lead frame is cut off from the push buttons of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the push button of FIG. 8;

10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the light-emitting switch shown in FIG. 1 in which a push button is modified.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a sheet-type light-emitting switch according to the present invention.

12 is a plan view immediately after molding in a process of forming an actuator used in the light emitting switch of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view immediately after molding in a process of forming an actuator used in the light emitting switch of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the actuator of FIGS. 12 and 13 in which a carrier portion of a lead frame is cut away.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 push button type light emitting switch 12 wiring board 14 hole of insulating rubber plate 16 cover 18 switch panel 20 fixed contact 22 movable contact 24 push button 26 display 28 light emitting means 30 insulating rubber plate 32 thin conical part 34 top plate 36 conductive thin plate 38 lead piece 40 chip type light emitting element 42 light transmitting resin part 44 non light transmitting resin part 50 lead frame 52 carrier part 52a aperture 54 soldering part 110 sheet type light emitting switch 112 wiring board 114 insulating spacer 116 Flexible surface sheet 118 Switch panel 122 Movable contact 124 Actuator 126 Display 127 Non- light- transmitting film 127a Light- transmitting part 128 Light-emitting means 136 Conductive thin plate 138 Lead piece 140 Chip-type light-emitting element

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-62-234816 (JP, A) JP-A-60-238889 (JP, A) JP-A-2-195614 (JP, A) JP-A 64-64 60930 (JP, A) Fully open 1984-158231 (JP, U) Fully open 58-34332 (JP, U) Fully open 62-76434 (JP, U) Fully open 61-131020 (JP, U) JP-B-2-34126 (JP, B2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01H 13/02 H01H 11/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A light emitting device comprising: a push button for pushing down a movable contact facing a fixed contact on a wiring board; and a light emitting means for emitting light so as to illuminate a display such as a character or a picture displayed on the push button. Consists of a chip-type light-emitting element that is electrically connected and mounted on a conductive thin plate,
The push button is formed by molding with a plastic resin so as to bury the chip type light emitting element by exposing only the lead piece of the conductive thin plate, and is provided at intervals on the wiring board.
Cover so as to protrude through the opening of the cover
Disposed within, the chip-type light emitting element, light-emitting type, characterized by being electrically connected to the lead pieces to slidably engage the circuit board to the circuit terminals on the wiring substrate switch. 2. An actuator for pushing down a movable contact opposite to a fixed contact on a wiring board, a flexible top sheet provided so as to be able to push down the actuator, and a character or picture displayed on the top sheet. Light emitting means for emitting light so as to illuminate a display body, wherein the light emitting means comprises a chip type light emitting element electrically connected and mounted on a conductive thin plate, and the actuator comprises a lead of the conductive thin plate. The chip type light emitting element is formed by molding with a plastic resin so that only the piece is exposed and the chip type light emitting element is buried, and the chip type light emitting element slidably engages the lead piece with a circuit terminal on the wiring board. A light-emitting switch electrically connected to the wiring board by a switch.