JP4708751B2 - Illuminated keypad - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an illuminated keypad for a pushbutton switch used for portable information terminals such as a mobile phone and a PDA, various home / card remote controllers, electronic / electrical devices such as various keyboards, and the like.

  In recent years, electronic and electrical devices used for personal use have been reduced in size and thickness, and various additional functions have been installed to pursue convenience. For example, the mobile phone 1 shown in FIG. 11 has not only a telephone call function as a telephone but also auxiliary functions such as a mail function, an Internet connection function, and a photographing function, and an effort is made to inspire consumers to purchase. ing. However, in order to increase the sales of products, it is important to have a unique and innovative design that takes into account the characteristics of products owned by individuals, as well as the richness of these functions. For this reason, not only diversification of functions as electronic / electrical devices but also diversification of designs are progressing.

  That is, not only the design of the casing 1a of the device of the mobile phone 1, but also the key top for a push button switch (hereinafter referred to as “key top”) 2 that forms the surface portion of the mobile phone 1, There is a competition for design that differentiates the product, and the key top 2 in metallic or pearl style and the key top 2 that changes in color depending on the viewing angle have been put on the market. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-197063 (Patent Document 1) discloses a resin key top in which a metallic luster layer is formed by laminating a number of metal foil pieces on the surface of the resin key top to form a metallic luster. Is described.

On the other hand, as the key top 2, there is known an illuminated key top 2 that emits light from the inside of the mobile phone 1 and illuminates the key top 2. However, although the illuminated key top 2 has a function of illuminating and displaying the display unit 3 such as characters and symbols brightly, there is only a key top 2 in which the periphery of the display unit 3 shines in color on the design. No illuminated key tops have been developed that stimulate the consumer's taste that would be interesting when illuminated.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-197063

  The present invention has been made based on the above background. The purpose is to obtain an illuminated keypad with an illuminated key top that creates new added value based on illumination.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a key by illuminating an illumination light source having a translucent resin key top on the surface of a base sheet made of a translucent rubber-like elastic body and facing the back surface of the base sheet. An illuminated keypad that illuminates the top has a border layer colored and formed at the lower edge of the resin key top.

  The bottom edge of the resin key top means the bottom edge when it is on the bottom surface of the resin key top, and the bottom corner of the periphery when it is around the resin key top. It includes both the case of only one of the lower corners and the case of meaning both. The peripheral surface of the resin key top is a surface parallel to the pressing operation direction of the resin key top, and means the remaining surface excluding the top surface and the bottom surface of the resin key top.

  That is, a so-called illuminated keypad has a border layer colored on the lower edge of the resin key top, so that when not illuminated, the color of the colored layer applied to the bottom and surface of the resin key top can be seen. When there is no colored layer, the color of the part other than the border layer such as the background color of the base sheet can be seen. On the other hand, when illuminated, the resin key top appears to be the color of the border layer. Therefore, it is possible to change the color of the resin key top between non-illuminated and illuminated, so that an illuminated keypad with a resin key top that is different between non-illuminated and illuminated Can do.

  In this way, the color of the resin key top appears different between illuminated and non-illuminated. The non-illuminated border layer colored on the bottom edge of the resin key top is completely visible from the key top surface. In the case of illumination, the light hitting the border layer is visually recognized by light emitted from the illumination light source provided inside the device. This is probably because of this.

  In the present invention, the resin key top can be a key top with a flange. If it is a key top with a flange, the flange will be hidden behind the frame of the equipment housing and will not be visible. If an edge layer is provided on this flange part, it should be an illuminated keypad with no edge layer visible when not illuminated. Can do.

  And it can have a border layer in the bottom edge of the resin key top among the lower end edges of the resin key top. The work of forming the border layer on the bottom edge is easy, and the illumination keypad has a high precision and good quality for the border layer formation.

  In addition, an edge layer may be provided at the lower corner of the peripheral surface of the resin key top among the lower edges of the resin key top. In particular, in the case of a resin key top without a flange, if the edge layer is formed on the bottom edge of the resin key top, the entire bottom surface of the resin key top is visible even in the case of non-illumination. End up. However, if an edge layer is formed not at the bottom edge but at the lower corner of the peripheral surface, the edge layer is less visible and has an advantage that it is not noticeable.

  Furthermore, it is possible to have an edging layer connected from the bottom edge of the resin key top to the lower corner of the peripheral surface of the resin key top among the lower edge of the resin key top. In the manufacturing process, the border layer is formed on the bottom edge of the bottom surface of the resin key top, and the border layer is formed on the bottom edge of the bottom surface of the resin key top. This can be performed simultaneously with the formation of the film, and can be a product with a high yield and a low price.

  The border layer may be formed by continuously forming the lower end edge of the resin key top in an annular shape, and may be formed by intermittently forming the lower end edge of the resin key top although being annular. If the light source is continuous in an annular shape, the illuminating layer at the lower edge is always exposed to light regardless of where the illuminating light source is located, so that a stable illuminating color can be obtained. Moreover, if it is cyclic | annular, but it shall be intermittent, the light from an illumination light source is not reduced, but the brightness | luminance at the time of illumination can be maintained high.

  If the border layer is translucent, a decrease in the amount of light transmitted can be suppressed, and the entire key top can be illuminated as the border layer color during illumination.

  In the present invention, a base sheet is provided with a plurality of resin key tops, and the border layer having a desired color defined for each resin key top is selected and provided for each resin key top. be able to.

  Since the base sheet has a plurality of resin key tops and the border layer having a desired color defined for each resin key top is selected and provided for each resin key top, the entire resin key top is designed as a whole. It is possible to perform illumination with a high degree of unity. For example, if each color constituting the rainbow is provided step by step as the color of the border layer for each resin key top, the rainbow color can be illuminated from the entire resin key top during illumination, and a rainbow can be imaged. . Further, if the color of the border layer is gradually reduced for each resin key top, gradation can be expressed from the entire resin key top.

  According to the illuminated keypad of the present invention, the color of the resin key top can be changed between non-illuminated and illuminated. The provided illuminated keypad can be obtained.

  In addition, according to the illuminated keypad of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an illuminated keypad having a resin keytop that expresses a coherent taste as a whole due to the difference in color of the individual resin keytops.

  An illuminated keypad according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a plan view of an illuminated keypad 11, which is used in the mobile phone 1 as shown in FIG. The illuminated keypad 11 includes a plurality of resin key tops that are exposed from the casing 1a of the mobile phone 1 and that receive a pressing operation. That is, one central key top 12 for inputting a direction in the upper, lower, left, and right directions at the upper center, four small resin key tops 13 on the left and right sides thereof, and five rows in the vertical direction. And 15 medium-sized resin key tops 14 each having three rows. These resin key tops 12, 13, and 14 are fixed to a base sheet 15 made of a rubber-like elastic body with a translucent adhesive or the like. That is, the illumination type keypad 11 is composed of a plurality of resin key tops 12, 13, 14 and a base sheet 15.

  Of the plurality of resin key tops 12, 13, and 14 provided in the illuminated keypad 11 of the present invention, the resin key top that functions as the illuminated key top is a medium-sized resin key top 14, and the central key top 12 Alternatively, the four small key tops 13 are non-illuminated key tops whose surfaces are plated.

  As a raw material for the resin key top 14, a thermoplastic resin such as polycarbonate, acrylic or ABS, a thermosetting resin such as epoxy or silicone, or a translucent resin such as an ultraviolet curable resin is used. These resins are preferable in terms of moldability and easy decoration after molding. Other resin key tops 12 and 13 can also be molded from these resins, but need not be translucent.

  FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of one resin key top 14. As shown in FIG. 2C, a display portion 3 representing characters, symbols, patterns, and the like is formed on the bottom surface (back surface) 14 a of the resin key top 14. The display unit 3 can be formed by screen printing, tampo printing, transfer of a transfer foil provided with a metal thin film, or the like. It may be formed by. For example, black number “1” can be provided by printing black ink by screen printing. Thereby, when not illuminated, the black numeral “1” can be seen in the background of the ground color of the base sheet 15. Further, the peripheral part of the display unit 3 may be colored. If the numeral “1” is black and the peripheral part is white, a black numeral can be seen on a white background. In addition, the printing ink used for the display part 3 and its peripheral part may be translucent or non-translucent, and can be determined by the design or in relation to the border layer described later.

  2A shows a partially enlarged view of the resin key top 14 shown in FIG. 2B. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, an annular ring is formed on the edge of the bottom surface edge 14b, which is the lower edge of the resin key top 14. A continuous colored layer is provided as the border layer 16. The border layer 16 can be formed by screen printing, tampo printing, or the like, and it is preferable to use an ink having a desired translucent color. This is because a light transmission path can be secured and a decrease in brightness during illumination can be minimized. Here, the resin key top 14 is a resin key top having a flange 17, and an edge layer 16 is formed on the bottom surface 17 a of the flange 17. That is, the border layer 16 is provided on the bottom surface 17a of the flange 17, but is not provided on the entire bottom surface 14a of the resin key top 14, so the portion where the border layer 16 is provided and the other resin key tops. The bottom surface 14a has a different color. The border layer 16 may be formed by printing in the shape of the border layer 16, but the ink to be used as the border layer 16 is printed on the entire bottom surface 14 a of the resin key top 14 and later the bottom surface thereof. The central portion of 14a may be formed by providing a colored layer of another color or the like so that the border layer 16 is exposed as a result.

  The base sheet 15 is formed as a flat thin-walled sheet by a translucent rubber-like elastic body such as silicone rubber, for example, but a portion of the printed circuit board 4 that presses the disc spring 6 has a downward protrusion as a pusher 15a. Is provided. The base sheet 15 can be formed by general molding using a molding die.

  The resin key top 14 and the base sheet 15 can be fixed to each other with a translucent adhesive, but are fitted together by a fitting groove formed in the resin key top 14 and the base sheet 15 in advance. May be joined.

  When the illuminated keypad 11 formed in this way is incorporated in the cellular phone 1, it is used by being placed on the printed circuit board 4 as shown in FIG. The printed circuit board 4 has a plurality of chip LEDs 5 serving as illumination light sources, a metal disc spring 6 that is buckled by a pressing operation to generate a click feeling, and is electrically connected by contact with the disc spring 6 to provide a switching function. The fixed contact 7 to be made is provided. When the illuminated key top 14 is pressed, the fixed contact 7 is pressed and becomes conductive, thereby performing a switch function.

  When the illumination type keypad 11 does not light the chip LED 5, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 4A, the light transmitted through or reflected on the border layer 16 is not visually recognized. Therefore, the background color of the base sheet 15 is used as the background color. The number “1” forming the display unit 3 is visually recognized at the center. On the other hand, when the chip LED 5 is turned on, as shown in FIG. 4B, the light emitted from the chip LED 5 is seen through the border layer 16. Even in the case of the non-light-transmitting border layer 16, the light incident from the peripheral surface of the key top 14 and reflected by the border layer 16 is visually recognized (not shown). Therefore, for example, if the red border layer 16 is used, the black number “1” is visually recognized under the red background. Therefore, a red color that could not be seen at all in the case of non-illumination appears when illuminated, and an illuminated keypad 11 having a different taste due to illumination can be obtained.

Second Embodiment The illuminated keypad 21 according to the second embodiment uses a resin key top 24 as shown in FIG. 5 instead of the resin key top 14 used in the first embodiment. The resin key top 24 is different from the resin key top 14 in that an edge layer 26 connected to the side surface 27b of the flange 27 is provided from the bottom surface edge 24b. The resin key top 24 in the second embodiment and the resin key top 14 in the first embodiment are the same except for the shape of the border layer.

  The border layer 26 can be formed in the same manner as the border layer 16 shown in the first embodiment. For example, without providing a coloring process on the side surface 27 b of the flange 27, the ink wraps around the side surface 27 b of the flange 27 by printing on the bottom surface edge 24 b so that the ink protrudes from the bottom surface edge 24 b of the resin key top 24. Thus, the border layer 26 can be formed. Also, the side surface 27b of the flange 27 can be colored separately from the coloring step for the bottom edge 24b of the resin key top 24.

  In the resin key top 24 according to the present embodiment, the border layer 26 is provided on the bottom surface 27a of the flange 27 which is the bottom surface edge 24b of the resin key top 24 and the side surface 27b of the flange 27 which is the lower peripheral corner of the resin key top 24. It is possible to illuminate with the color of the border layer 26 during illumination.

Third Embodiment An illuminated keypad 31 according to a third embodiment uses a resin key top 34 as shown in FIG. 6 instead of the resin key top 14 used in the first embodiment. In the resin key top 14, the bottom edge 14a is provided with an annular continuous border layer 16. However, in the resin key top 34, as shown in FIG. 6C, the bottom edge 34b has an annular but intermittent border. A layer 36 is provided. The resin key top 34 in the third embodiment and the resin key top 14 in the first embodiment are the same except for the shape of the border layer.

  The resin key top 34 in the present embodiment has the border layer 36 intermittently provided on the bottom surface 37a of the flange 37, which is the bottom surface edge 34b of the resin key top 34. However, the illumination can be illuminated with the color of the border layer 36 during illumination. it can.

Fourth Embodiment An illuminated keypad 41 according to the fourth embodiment uses a resin key top 44 as shown in FIG. 7 instead of the resin key top 34 used in the third embodiment. The resin key top 44 is different from the resin key top 34 in that an edge layer 46 that connects the bottom edge 44b of the resin key top 44 to the side surface 47b of the flange 47 is provided. The resin key top 44 in the fourth embodiment and the resin key top 34 in the third embodiment are the same except for the shape of the border layer. Also in this case, it is possible to illuminate with the color of the border layer 46 at the time of illumination.

Fifth Embodiment The illuminated keypad 51 according to the fifth embodiment is different from the resin key tops 14, 24, 34, 44 with flanges in the previous embodiments, and the resin key top 54 without flanges. It is different in that is used. As shown in FIG. 8, the resin key top 54 without the flange is provided with an edge layer 56 on the peripheral surface 54c and at the lower corner 54d.

  In the present embodiment, the resin key top 54 is provided with the border layer 56 at the lower peripheral corner 54d as the lower edge of the resin key top 54. Therefore, although it depends on the design of the mobile phone 1, the border layer 56 is almost non-illuminated. Since it is not visually recognized, the number “1” can be seen in the background color of the base sheet 15, and the number “1” can be seen in the background color illuminated with the color of the border layer 56 at the time of illumination.

Sixth Embodiment The illuminated keypad 61 according to the sixth embodiment also uses a resin key top 64 without a flange, as in the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the difference from the resin key top 54 of the fifth embodiment is that the border layer 66 is provided on the bottom surface edge 64 b of the resin key top 64. The other configuration is the same as that of the illuminated keypad 21 in the fifth embodiment.

  In the resin key top 64 according to the present embodiment, since the border layer 66 is provided on the bottom surface edge 64b as the lower edge of the resin key top 64, the border layer 66 borders the background color of the base sheet 15 when not illuminated. The number “1” as the display unit 3 is visually recognized inside. On the other hand, at the time of illumination, it is visually recognized that the number “1” can be seen while the entire background is illuminated by the color of the border layer 56. In this embodiment, the border layer 66 is not completely invisible when not illuminated, but the resin key top 64 looks like the color of the bottom surface 64a of the resin key top 64 when not illuminated, and the color of the coating layer 66 when illuminated. It is the same as the other embodiments in that it is visible and the color looks different between non-illuminated and illuminated.

Seventh Embodiment : The illuminated keypad 71 according to the seventh embodiment may use any of the resin key tops 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64 used in the first to sixth embodiments. However, as shown in FIG. 10, among the medium-sized resin key tops 74, three resin key tops 74a located in the first row and three resin key tops 74b located in the second row are similarly arranged in three rows. The resin key tops 74c for the eyes, the resin key tops 74d for the fourth line, the resin key tops 74e for the fifth line, and the border layers 16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66 are provided so that the colors are different for each line. Has been given. As a result, the color of the border layer is changed to 1-5 rows of resin, for example, the first row is red, the second row is yellow, the third row is green, the fourth row is blue, and the fifth row is purple. A rainbow can be expressed by the key top 74, or a gradation can be expressed by sequentially changing the intensity of the color with the same hue from the first line to the fifth line. By doing so, the resin key top 74 of 5 rows and 3 columns is visually recognized as the same color when not illuminated, but the illuminated keypad 71 can be seen as a rainbow color or gradation when illuminated.

Modifications of Embodiments In the above-described embodiments, the following modifications are possible.

  It is also possible to provide a colored layer around characters, symbols, etc. forming the display unit 3 on the bottom surfaces 14a, 24a, 34a, 44a, 54a, 64a of the resin key tops 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64. It is. This colored layer has a different color from the border layers 16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66 provided on the lower end edge of the resin key top, so that the background color of the display unit 3 is not colored when the background color is not illuminated. The resin key top looks like the color of the border layer when illuminated. When the border layers 16, 26, 36, 46, 56, and 66 are non-transparent colored layers, it is necessary that light strikes the border layer from portions other than the border layer and the reflected light is visually recognized. Therefore, the colored layer provided on the bottom surface of the resin key top is preferably a light-transmitting layer.

  Although the medium-sized resin key tops 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64 are illuminated key tops, the other resin key tops 12, 13 can also be illuminated. Further, the number and shape of each resin key top are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately changed.

It is a top view of the illumination type keypad of this invention. It is the resin key top used for the illumination type keypad in one Embodiment of this invention, FIG. 2B is the sectional drawing, FIG. 2C is a bottom view, FIG. 2A shows the elements on larger scale of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the mobile telephone provided with the illumination type keypad corresponded in the SA-SA line cross section of FIG. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams showing the progress of light in the illuminated keypad of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows a non-illuminated state, and FIG. It is the resin key top used for the illumination type keypad in another embodiment of this invention, FIG. 5B shows the sectional drawing, FIG. 5C shows a bottom view, FIG. 5A shows the elements on larger scale of FIG. FIG. 6B is a sectional view, FIG. 6C is a bottom view, and FIG. 6A is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 6B, showing a resin key top used in an illuminated keypad in still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line SA-SA in FIG. 1. It is the resin key top used for the illumination type keypad in another embodiment of this invention, FIG. 7B is the sectional drawing, FIG. 7C is a bottom view, FIG. 7A shows the elements on larger scale of FIG. FIG. 8B is a sectional view, FIG. 8C is a bottom view, and FIG. 8A is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 8B, showing a resin key top used in an illuminated keypad according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9B is a sectional view, FIG. 9C is a bottom view, and FIG. 9A is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 9B, showing a resin key top used for an illuminated keypad in still another embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the illumination type keypad in another embodiment of this invention. It is an external view of a mobile phone.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile phone 1a Case 2 Key top 3 Display part 4 Printed circuit board 5 Chip LED
6 Disc spring 7 Fixed contact 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71 Illuminated keypad 12, 13, 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64, 74 Resin key top 14a, 24a, 34a, 44a , 54a, 64a, 74a Bottom surface 14b, 24b, 34b, 44b, 54b, 64b, 74b Bottom edge 14c, 24c, 34c, 44c, 54c, 64c, 74c Peripheral surface 74d Lower corner 15 Base sheet 15a Pusher 16, 26, 36 , 46, 56, 66, 76 Border layer 17, 27, 37, 47, 57 Flange 17a, 27a, 37a, 47a, 57a (Flange) bottom surface

Claims (12)

On the surface of the base sheet formed of a translucent rubber-like elastic material, provided with a resin key top of the translucent, the illumination type key pad resin key top is illuminated by emission of the irradiation light source for exposing the back surface of the base sheet,
An illumination type keypad having a translucent border layer colored and formed at the lower end edge of the resin key top along the outer periphery of the resin key top.   The illuminated keypad according to claim 1, wherein the resin keytop is a keytop with a flange.   The illuminated keypad according to claim 1, wherein the border layer is provided on a bottom edge of the resin key top as a lower end edge of the resin key top.   The illumination type keypad according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the border layer is provided at a lower corner of a peripheral surface of the resin key top as a lower end edge of the resin key top.   The illuminated keypad according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the border layer connected from the bottom edge of the resin keytop to the lower corner of the peripheral surface of the resin keytop.   The illuminated keypad according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the border layer is formed by continuously forming a lower end edge of the resin key top in an annular shape.   The illumination type keypad according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the border layer is formed by intermittently forming the lower end edge of the resin key top in an annular shape. Comprising a plurality of resin key tops to the base sheet, the border layer having a desired color as defined in each individual resin key top, any claims 1 to 7 which is provided by selecting each said resin key top An illuminated keypad according to item 1. The border layer of the same color is provided for each resin key top adjacent in one predetermined direction of either the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, and is different for each resin key top adjacent in a predetermined other direction of either the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. The illuminated keypad according to claim 8 , wherein the border layer of color is provided. The illuminated keypad according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a colored layer having a color different from that of the border layer is provided on the bottom surface of the resin key top in addition to the border layer. A keypad having a translucent resin key top on the surface of a base sheet made of a translucent rubber-like elastic body, an illumination light source for illuminating the resin key top facing the back surface of the base sheet, and a printed circuit board In an illuminated pushbutton switch in which the resin key top is illuminated by light emitted from the illumination light source,
The keypad is the illuminated keypad according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
An illumination type push button switch, wherein the illumination light source is provided at a position off from directly below the resin key top, and light from the illumination light source is transmitted through the resin key top border layer through the resin key top. A keypad having a translucent resin key top on the surface of a base sheet made of a translucent rubber-like elastic body, an illumination light source for illuminating the resin key top facing the back surface of the base sheet, a printed circuit board, A mobile phone having an illuminated pushbutton switch that illuminates a resin key top by light emission of the illumination source
The top surface of the resin key top is exposed from the casing of the mobile phone,
A cellular phone, wherein the keypad is the illuminated keypad according to any one of claims 1 to 10 .

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