JP4897555B2 - Operation switch cover member and operation switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cover member for an operation switch that can detect a contact operation on a surface operation unit as a change in capacitance and has an appearance having a metallic luster, and an operation switch using the cover member for the operation switch. .

  Conventionally, there are many known operation switches configured such that a contact operation performed by bringing a finger close, in contact, or sliding is input to an internal circuit and various processes are executed. Yes. As such an operation switch, a switch that detects a contact operation as a change in capacitance has been proposed as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

  This operation switch has a surface operation unit with an operation surface on which the contact operation is performed on the surface, and detects a change in the amount of electrostatic capacitance by a contact operation on the operation surface at a position corresponding to the operation surface inside the surface operation unit. A possible capacitance detector is provided. In the capacitance detection unit, a large number of detectors having normal conductivity are arranged in a state of being separated from each other. When a contact operation is locally performed on the operation surface of the surface operation unit, the electrostatic capacity detected by the detector corresponding to the position where the contact operation is performed becomes the electrostatic capacity detected by the detectors at other positions. The contact operation is detected by changing so as to be different from the capacity.

By the way, in various operation switches, various decorative layers are provided so as to be visually recognized from the surface in order to impart design properties. As this decorative layer, for example, there is a layer having a metallic luster. The decorative layer having a metallic luster is formed using, for example, metal plating.
JP 2006-185190 A

  However, when such a decorative layer having a metallic luster is provided on the surface operation portion of the operation switch cover member, it has been clarified that the detection accuracy of the contact operation on the surface operation portion is likely to be lowered.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when a large number of detectors 63 of the capacitance detection unit 62 are arranged under the surface operation unit 61, a contact operation is performed with the finger 65 on the operation surface 61 a of the surface operation unit 61. When this is done, a change in capacitance is detected at each detector 63. At that time, the capacitance detected by the detector 63 at the position where the finger 65 is in contact with the detector 63 at other positions changes so as to be different from the capacitance detected by the detector 63 at another position.

  However, as shown in FIG. 9, when a decorative layer 66 such as metal plating having a metallic luster is continuously provided on the surface operation unit 61, the decorative layer 66 has conductivity, and thus the finger 65. The capacitance of the detector 63 at the position where the contact is made and the capacitance of the detector 63 at other positions change in the same way. For this reason, the detection accuracy of the contact operation is likely to decrease.

  Therefore, the operation switch cover member that detects the contact operation as a change in capacitance has a problem that it is difficult to give the surface operation portion an appearance having a metallic luster.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cover member for an operation switch that can detect a contact operation with respect to the surface operation unit as a change in capacitance and has a metallic gloss appearance that is continuous with the surface operation unit. Another object is to provide an operation switch using such an operation switch cover member.

The operation switch cover member according to claim 1, which solves the above-described problem, is disposed on a surface operation unit having an operation surface on which a contact operation and a pressing operation are performed, and on the surface opposite to the operation surface of the surface operation unit An operation switch cover member comprising: a capacitance detection unit capable of detecting a contact operation on the surface operation unit as a change in capacitance; and a pressing operation unit operable by a pressing operation on the surface operation unit. The capacitance detection unit has a configuration in which a plurality of detectors each formed of a conductive coating layer formed of a conductive polymer ink is formed on a base film, and the plurality of detectors are The surface manipulation unit includes a decorative layer having a metallic luster formed continuously between positions corresponding to the plurality of detectors , and is arranged at different positions in a plan view. The decoration layer is metal Fine particles or pieces, or the aggregate, have a large number arranged structures apart from each other, in contact operation to the decorative layer, the detection of the position corresponding to the site where the contact operation is performed It is characterized in that it has conductivity to such an extent that a change in capacitance detected by a child can be detected differently from a change in capacitance detected by the detector at another position .

  The operation switch cover member according to a second aspect is characterized in that, in addition to the configuration according to the first aspect, the decorative layer is made of only a metal.

  In addition to the structure of Claim 1 or 2, the cover member for operation switches of Claim 3 is light transmission lower than the said decoration layer between the said decoration layer and the said electrostatic capacitance detection part. A light shielding layer having a rate is provided.

  In addition to the structure of Claim 1 or 2, the cover member for operation switches of Claim 4 has an illumination part which can illuminate the said decoration layer from the back side.

  The cover member for an operation switch according to claim 5 has a light shielding layer between the decorative layer and the capacitance detection unit in addition to the configuration according to claim 4, and the light shielding layer has a predetermined thickness. A punching opening is provided.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the operation switch cover member, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the surface operation portion and the capacitance detection portion are integrally joined. It is characterized by.

The operation switch according to claim 7 is a position where the operation switch cover member according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is mounted, and is opposed to the surface operation unit and the capacitance detection unit. The operation switch is provided with a base portion, and an elastic dome having an elastically deformable hollow three-dimensional shape is provided on one of the pressing portion of the base portion and the operation switch cover member. an elastic dome pressable plunger provided opposite to said resilient dome, by which the operating surface of the cover member for the operation switch is pressed, the plunger is formed the elastic dome to be elastically deformable It is characterized by that.

According to the invention described in claim 1, decorative layer with metallic luster, a discontinuous island-like structure of fine metal (i.e., metal fine particles or pieces, or the aggregate thereof, spaced apart from each other have a large number arranged structures) and, because it has a predetermined conductivity, when the local contact operation on surface operation part, and the change in capacitance detected by the part of the detection element It is possible to differentiate the change in capacitance detected by other detectors, and to provide a decorative layer having a metallic luster continuously between positions corresponding to a plurality of detectors of the capacitance detector Even if it is provided, the contact operation can be detected. As a result, it is possible to provide an operation switch cover member that can detect a contact operation with respect to the surface operation unit as a change in capacitance and has a metallic gloss appearance that is continuous with the surface operation unit.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the decorative layer having a metallic luster is made of only metal, it is easy to obtain a uniform metallic luster and an excellent appearance quality can be obtained.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, since the light-shielding layer having a light transmittance lower than that of the decorative layer is provided between the decorative layer having a metallic luster and the capacitance detection unit, the decorative layer is provided. Even if the internal shielding property by the layer is low, the inside can be surely shielded, and it is easy to ensure excellent appearance quality by the decorative layer.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the decoration layer having a metallic luster has an illumination part that can be illuminated from the back side, the light transmitted through the decoration layer when the decoration layer is illuminated by the illumination part. Can be radiated to the outside, and the design can be improved.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since the light-shielding layer is provided between the decorative layer having a metallic luster and the capacitance detection unit, and the light-shielding layer is provided with a predetermined opening, Light from the illuminating part can be extracted and emitted in the shape of the opening, and it is easier to improve design.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the surface operation part and the capacitance detection part are integrally joined, it is easy to form the cover member for the operation switch thin, and the contact operation to the surface operation part Can be detected by a capacitance detection unit arranged close to the surface operation unit, and the detection accuracy of the contact operation can be easily ensured.

  According to the operation switch of claim 7, since the operation switch cover member according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is mounted, the operation is provided with a decorative layer having a metallic luster. Since the contact operation can be detected by the surface, and the operation surface is pressed, the plunger is configured to be able to elastically deform the elastic dome, so that the pressing operation can be performed. Therefore, a decorative layer having a metallic luster can be provided on the surface operation portion that performs the pressing operation and the contact operation, and an operation switch with excellent appearance quality can be obtained.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment 1]

  1 to 5 show an operation switch using the operation switch cover member of the first embodiment.

The operation switch according to the first embodiment is used for a mobile phone. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the casing 10 having the opening 10 a and the operation disposed in the opening 10 a of the casing 10 are used. An operation panel 11 serving as a switch cover member, and a substrate 21 serving as a base body disposed in the casing 10 so as to be spaced apart from the operation panel 11 are provided.

  On the operation panel 11, a contact pressing operation unit 12 as a surface operation unit capable of performing a contact operation and a pressing operation is exposed to the outside and arranged in part. The contact pressing operation unit 12 includes one central key 13 as a hard operation piece and a direction key 14 as a hard operation piece arranged so as to surround the center key 13. Many parts of the operation panel 11 other than the contact pressing operation part 12 are provided with a number of pressing operation parts 15 that can be pressed.

  A sheet-like capacitance detection unit 17 that can detect a contact operation with respect to the center key 13 and the direction key 14 as a change in capacitance is disposed inside the housing 10 of the contact pressing operation unit 12. The center key 13, the direction key 14, and the capacitance detection unit 17 are integrally joined to and supported by the elastic sheet 19.

  The elastic sheet 19 of the operation panel 11 includes a peripheral edge 19a that is fixed between the edge of the opening 10a of the housing 10 and the substrate 21, and an opening in which the contact pressing operation part 12 is disposed from the peripheral edge 19a. 10b, a bulging portion 19b having a top surface 19d as a support surface, a hollow portion 19c formed inside the casing 10 of the bulging portion 19b, and a central key 13 of the hollow portion 19c. A plunger 19e is provided at a position corresponding to the direction key 14 as an operating portion of the pressing operation portion that is formed to protrude toward the pressing deformation portion 23 described later.

  Such an elastic sheet 19 enables the center key 13 and the direction key 14 supported by the bulging portion 19b and the capacitance detecting portion 17 to be pressed, and further elastically moves them to the surface side of the housing 10. It is made of a material having elasticity in order to be urged by and to allow repeated pressing deformation.

  Examples of the elastic material constituting the elastic sheet 19 include silicone rubber, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, etc., and these can be used alone or in combination. A transparent material capable of transmission is preferred. In the first embodiment, a molded product in which a silicone rubber layer and a polyurethane layer are laminated and integrated is used. Thereby, even if it is formed to be thin, it is difficult for cuts or the like to occur, and it is easy to ensure durability against repeated deformation and the like.

  Next, the capacitance detection unit 17 of the operation panel 11 is formed in a sheet shape, and is adhered to the flat top surface 19 d of the bulging portion 19 b of the elastic sheet 19 with a double-sided tape 20.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the capacitance detection unit 17 includes a resin film 17c as a base film, a detection portion 17a as a large number of detectors, and lead wires 17b connected to the detection portions 17a. It has a configuration formed by a conductive coating layer. Each detection site | part 17a is mutually isolated and arrange | positioned in the different position in planar view.

  In the conductive coating layer of the first embodiment, a plurality of fan-shaped detection portions 17a are formed in the radial direction in a size from the substantially central portion of the center key 13 to the outer peripheral edge of the direction key 14, respectively. The detection portions 17a are arranged in a circular shape and are not connected to each other. Here, a plurality of detection portions 17a are arranged at positions corresponding to the center keys 13 and the direction keys 14, respectively. Note that the lead wires 17b extend from the arc-shaped end edges of the respective detection portions 17a, and all the lead wires 17b are converged at one place and are extended and connected to a circuit (not shown).

  The resin film 17c constituting the electrostatic capacitance detection unit 17 has transparency capable of transmitting light and has a rigidity capable of forming a conductive coating layer. It is flexible enough to be deformed without pressing.

  The conductive coating layer constituting the detection site 17a and the lead wire 17b preferably has sufficient conductivity in order to improve the detection accuracy during the contact operation. Here, since the electrostatic capacitance detection part 17 is arrange | positioned directly under the center key 13 and the direction key 14, if resistance value is 4000 ohms / square or less, it can be used, for example. Moreover, since it receives local deformation | transformation repeatedly at the time of pressing operation, what has the softness | flexibility with respect to a deformation | transformation is preferable. When the conductive coating layer is carried on another member such as the resin film 17c as in the first embodiment, it is not necessary to retain the shape, so that it is possible to obtain flexibility by forming it thinner. It is.

  Such a conductive film can be formed with a conductive ink such as carbon ink or silver-based ink. Further, as a transparent ink, an ink such as indium tin oxide or a conductive polymer is used. It is also possible to form. The use of ink having transparency is preferable because it does not hinder illumination from the inside, and the design flexibility can be improved when the translucent display unit 16 is provided in the contact pressing operation unit 12.

  In the case where the detection site 17a and the lead wire 17b are formed using conductive polymer ink, formation by printing is desirable, and for example, screen printing, inkjet, or the like can be used.

  Further, instead of such a printed layer, for example, a conductive metal layer such as indium tin oxide may be deposited and etched into a predetermined shape, and the conductive coating layer may be formed by other methods.

  Next, the center key 13 and the direction key 14 of the operation panel 11 are molded separately from hard resin or the like, and are provided on the top sheet 11b of the operation panel 11 as shown in FIG. It is disposed in the opening 11 a and is bonded to the surface of the capacitance detection unit 17 by a double-sided tape 18.

  Each surface of the center key 13 and the direction key 14 is a pressing operation surface that can be independently displaced, and the entire surface overlapping with each pressing operation surface is a continuous contact operation surface. Each of the keys 13 and 14 has a metallic luster, and a contact operation on the contact operation surface can be detected by the capacitance detection unit 17 disposed on the back side.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the center key 13 and the direction key 14 cover the main body portion 41 made of a molded body and the contact pressing surface side and the side surface side of the main body portion 41 so as to obtain metallic luster. A surface coating portion 42 and a light shielding layer 43 covering the back side of the main body portion 41 are provided.

  The main body 41 is made of a material that can detect a change in capacitance by the capacitance detection unit 17 during a contact operation. In the first embodiment, the main body 41 is made of a resin such as polycarbonate that can transmit light.

  The surface coating portion 42 is laminated on the surface of the main body portion 41 via the base layer 44 and has a metallic gloss, and is laminated on the entire surface of the decoration layer 45 via the transparent buffer layer 46. And a transparent protective coating layer 47.

  The decorative layer 45 of the surface coating portion 42 is a layer for imparting a metallic luster to the central key 13 and the direction key 14, and is a continuous layer having a metallic luster macroscopically. Has an island-like structure in which fine metals are discontinuous. This discontinuous island-shaped structure of fine metal is a structure in which a large number of fine particles or pieces of metal or aggregates thereof are arranged apart from each other. In this structure, there are a plurality of continuous portions, but at least the resistance value is larger than that of the continuous metal layer.

  As such a decoration layer 45, in the contact operation performed locally with respect to the continuous decoration layer 45, the electrostatic capacitance detected by the detection site | part 17a of the position corresponding to the site | part in which the contact operation was performed. It is necessary that the electrical conductivity be such that the change can be detected so as to be different from the change in capacitance detected by the detection site 17a at another position.

If the conductivity of the decorative layer 45 is set to a resistance value of 1 × 10 ⁸ Ω or more that can be regarded as a so-called insulation resistance value, it is possible to reliably detect a change in capacitance due to a contact operation at each detection portion 17a. It is particularly preferable.

  Moreover, since this decoration layer 45 is a layer for ensuring appearance quality, it needs to be a layer that has excellent metallic luster and can conceal the inside. Therefore, the light transmittance in the visible light region of the decorative layer 45 is preferably 60% or less, more preferably 10% or less. If the transmittance of light in the visible light region is 60% or less, it is easy to obtain an internal shielding effect by the decorative layer 45, and a design property having a metallic luster is imparted to the contact pressing operation portion 12 by the decorative layer 45. Because it can.

  As the decorative layer 45 having such an island-like structure in which fine metals are discontinuous, a discontinuous metal adhesion film in which fine metals are discontinuously adhered to the underlayer 44 or the transparent buffer layer 46, or a metal powder is used. A metal powder mixed film dispersed in a matrix can be used.

  Examples of the discontinuous metal adhesion film include vapor deposition films and sputtering films of various metals. The metal may be any metal that can be vapor-deposited or sputtered, such as In, Sn, and Al. Of these, In and Sn are preferred because they are easy to reduce conductivity and at the same time easily reduce light transmission, and In is particularly preferred because of good durability against ultraviolet rays. .

  In such a discontinuous metal adhesion film, it is necessary to adjust the thickness of the film to be formed. If the thickness of the film is too thick, the metal becomes a continuous film, which is not preferable because the conductivity becomes too high. On the other hand, if the thickness is too thin, the gap between the attached fine metals becomes large. This is not preferable because the permeability of the film becomes too high. In that case, it is preferable to adjust the thickness according to the metal to be used. For example, in the case of In, Sn, etc., the thickness may be 10 to 50 nm.

  Examples of the metal powder mixed film include films formed of metallic paints or printing inks containing various metal powders. In these, since the metal powder is dispersed in a matrix such as an insulating resin, it is possible to form a low conductive film by adjusting the metal content. As the metal powder of the metal powder mixed film, for example, Al or the like can be used. The particle size, blending ratio, and the like can be appropriately selected as long as a uniform film can be formed and desired conductivity and light transmittance in the visible light region can be obtained.

  Among these decorative layers 45, a discontinuous metal adhesion film made of only metal is particularly suitable because uniform metal luster can be obtained and appearance quality is easily improved.

  Next, the transparent protective coat layer 47 of the surface coating portion 42 is a layer for protecting the decorative layer 45 and imparting durability such as wear resistance. Since the decorative layer 45 is a thin film, the wearability is remarkably low. If it is exposed, deterioration such as peeling easily occurs. Therefore, by covering the entire surface of the decorative layer 45 with the transparent protective coat layer 47, durability such as wear resistance against a pressing operation or a contact operation is imparted. As such a transparent protective coat layer 47, any material can be used as long as it has transparency that allows the metallic luster of the interior decoration layer 45 to be visually recognized from the outside and has durability. It may be made of an ultraviolet curable acrylic paint or the like.

  The underlayer 44 and the transparent buffer layer 46 ensure the bonding strength between the main body portion 41 and the decorative layer 45 or between the decorative layer 45 and the transparent protective coat layer 47, and the decorative layer 45. This is a layer for preventing corrosion of the steel.

  On the other hand, the light shielding layer 43 that covers the back side of the main body 41 is a layer that assists the shielding of the interior of the decorative layer 45. In the first embodiment, the light irradiated from the inside is further shielded. It has become a possible layer. Here, an extraction opening 48 extracted by various designs such as characters and figures is provided in a part of the light shielding layer 43, and light of a predetermined shape is obtained by illuminating the center key 13 and the direction key 14 from the back side. Is a translucent display portion 16 that is radiated from the surface side.

  In the operation panel 11 of the first embodiment, the center key 13 and the direction key 14 as described above are integrally joined to the capacitance detection unit 17 and the elastic sheet 19.

  Next, the operation switch substrate 21 is made of a hard resin plate and has a structure capable of preventing deformation when the center key 13 and each direction key 14 or the pressing operation portion 15 are pressed. The substrate 21 is provided with a circuit (not shown), connected to the lead wire 17b of the capacitance detection unit 17, and a change in capacitance detected by the touch operation of the center key 13 and the direction key 14 is input. In addition to being configured to be processable, it is configured to be able to process input by pressing the center key 13 and the direction key 14, and to be able to process input by pressing operation from the pressing operation unit 15.

  In each of the portions of the substrate 21 that face the center key 13 and the direction keys 14, a pressing deformation portion 23 is disposed so as to face each plunger portion 19 e of the elastic sheet 19. The pressing deformation portion 23 includes an elastic dome formed in a hollow three-dimensional shape. When the center key 13 and each direction key 14 are pressed, the plunger portion 19e is displaced, so that the plunger portion 19e is pressed. It is configured to be elastically deformed.

  Examples of the elastic dome include a resin dome such as PET and a metal dome. In the first embodiment, a metal dome 27 made of a thin metal that can be elastically deformed is provided, and the metal dome 27 is arranged on the substrate 21 so as to protrude toward the keys 13 and 14. It is fixed to the surface of the substrate 21 by being covered from the convex side by a metal dome fixing sheet 24 made of a flexible resin that can be attached to the substrate.

  In the metal dome 27, there is provided a conduction contact portion 25 for connecting and disconnecting a circuit provided on the substrate 21, and the pressing deformation portion 23 is pressed by the pressing operation of the center key 13 and the direction key 14, whereby the metal The inner surface of the dome 27 is in contact with each other and the conductive contact portions 25 are connected.

  The substrate 21 is provided with a light emitting unit 26 made of LED at a position in the casing 10 that is spaced apart from the central key 13 and the direction key 14 in the surface direction. Light from the light emitting unit 26 is transmitted to the central key 13. And the light guide 22 for guiding to the part which opposes each direction key 14 is partially fixed with the adhesive agent etc. on the metal dome fixing sheet | seat 24, and the illumination part is comprised.

  Therefore, in the pressing deformation portion 23, the distal end of each plunger portion 19 e of the elastic sheet 19 is disposed in contact with the convex surface of the metal dome 27 via the metal dome fixing sheet 24 and the light guide 22.

  Next, a method for using the operation switch having such a configuration will be described.

  When the switch operation is not performed in the contact pressing operation unit 12, while the light emitting unit 26 does not emit light, the metallic key gloss by the decoration layer 45 is visually recognized from the outside by the center key 13 and the direction key 14, respectively. At this time, since the inside of the operation switch is shielded by the decorative layer 45, it is not visually recognized from the outside.

  Further, when the light emitting unit 26 emits light, the light is guided by the light guide 22 to irradiate the center key 13 and the direction key 14 from the back side. Then, at the same time as the light is blocked by the light blocking layer 43, the light enters the main body 41 from the opening 48 and further passes through the decorative layer 45 and is emitted to the outside. Therefore, light corresponding to the extraction opening 48 is visually recognized from the outside of the center key 13 and the direction key 14.

  And in order to perform switch operation in the contact press operation part 12, first, an instantaneous contact operation is performed by making a finger | toe contact on the center key 13 or the direction key 14. FIG. Then, the capacitance detection unit 17 detects a change in capacitance. Next, if necessary, if a further touch operation is performed by moving the finger on the center key 13 or the direction key 14, a change in capacitance is detected, and various selections or changes are made from the difference from the initial value. Is implemented.

  In these contact operations, as shown in FIG. 5, the decoration layer 45 provided on the surface coating portion 42 of the center key 13 or the direction key 14 has a discontinuous island-like structure of fine metal, and is electrically conductive. Therefore, when the finger 65 is brought into contact with a part of the operation surface of the center key 13 or the direction key 14 and the contact operation is performed on the transparent protective coating layer 47, the key 65 is placed under the keys 13 and 14. The change in electrostatic capacitance caused by the finger 65 is detected at the detection site 17a corresponding to the site where the finger 65 is brought into contact among the many detection sites 17a arranged. At this time, no change in capacitance is detected at the detection site 17a other than the detection site 17a corresponding to the site with which the finger 65 is brought into contact. Thereby, the position and direction on the contact pressing operation part 12 can be identified.

  Thereafter, when a pressing operation is performed by pressing one of the center key 13 or the direction key 14 with a finger, the elastic body sheet 19 is deformed, so that the capacitance detecting unit 17 together with the center key 13 or the direction key 14 is deformed. And the bulging part 19b descend | falls and the press deformation | transformation part 23 is pressed by the plunger part 19e. Then, by deforming the metal dome 27 together with the light guide 22 and the metal dome fixing sheet 24, the conduction contact portion 25 is conducted in a state where a feeling of clicking operation is obtained.

  By this pressing operation, various processing and desired processing combined with the above-described contact operation are executed. Note that the distance during this pressing operation is fine, and the pressing operation is performed in a short time. In this way, the desired switch operation is completed.

  According to the operation switch as described above, since the decoration layer 45 has a discontinuous island-like structure of fine metal, conductivity between positions corresponding to the plurality of detection sites 17a is low. The change in capacitance detected at the detection site 17a of the part can be made different from the change in capacitance detected at the other detection site 17a, and the contact operation can be detected. Therefore, the decoration layer 45 can be continuously provided between the positions corresponding to the plurality of detection parts 17a of the capacitance detection unit 17, and the central key 13 and the direction key 14 have an excellent appearance with metallic luster. It is possible to grant.

  Moreover, in this operation switch, since the light shielding layer 43 which has the light transmittance lower than the decoration layer 45 is provided between the decoration layer 45 and the electrostatic capacitance detection part 17, the inside by the decoration layer 45 is provided. Even if the shielding property is low, the inside can be surely shielded, and excellent appearance quality by the decorative layer 45 can be obtained.

  Further, in this operation switch, since the center key 13 and the direction key 14 and the capacitance detecting unit 17 are integrally joined, the operation panel 11 can be easily formed thin, and the pressing operation can be easily performed. Since the contact operation with respect to the key 13 and the direction key 14 can be detected by the electrostatic capacitance detection unit 17 disposed in proximity, it is easy to ensure the detection accuracy of the contact operation.

In Embodiment 1 described above, the light shielding layer 43 is provided on the back side of the center key 13 and the direction key 14 to ensure the internal concealment. However, if the concealment of the decorative layer 45 is sufficient, the light is blocked. The layer 43 may not be provided. Further, instead of providing the light shielding layer 43, or while providing the light shielding layer 43, the main body 41 itself can be colored to improve the concealment.
[Embodiment 2]

  FIG. 6 shows the operation switch of the second embodiment.

  In the operation switch according to the second embodiment, the operation panel 11 serving as the operation switch cover member includes one film key 30 integrally provided with the contact pressing operation unit 12, and a substrate as a base portion of the film key 30. The capacitance detection unit 17 is laminated on the 21 side, and the film key 30 and the capacitance detection unit 17 are integrally bonded to and supported by the elastic sheet 19.

  The film key 30 includes a main body film 31 formed by a thin polycarbonate film so as to be deformable. On the surface side and side surface side of the main body film 31, there are a surface coating portion 32 that covers the entire surface so as to have a metallic luster, and a light shielding layer 35 that covers the back side of the main body film 31.

  Although the detailed illustration of the surface coating portion 32 of the film key 30 is omitted, like the first embodiment, the decoration having a metallic luster laminated on the surface of the main body film 31 through the underlayer 44 is provided. The layer 45 and the transparent protective coat layer 47 laminated | stacked on the whole surface of the decoration layer 45 through the transparent buffer layer 46 are provided.

  In the second embodiment, the contact pressing operation unit 12 is displayed on the decorative layer 45 by printing or the like, and the contact pressing operation unit 12 has the same shape as the center key 13 and the direction key 14 in FIG. It is partitioned by a diagram.

  The light shielding layer 35 of the film key 30 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the translucent display portion 16 is formed by providing a predetermined shape of the opening 48.

  In the second embodiment, the light guide 22 is not provided, and the light emitting unit 26 made of LEDs is provided at a plurality of positions on the substrate 21, so that an illumination unit that illuminates the back side of the operation panel 11 is provided. It is configured.

  Others are the same as in the first embodiment.

  The operation switch having such a configuration can be used similarly to the operation switch of the first embodiment.

And according to the above operation switches, since the decoration layer 45 has the discontinuous island-like structure of the fine metal as in the first embodiment, the electrical conduction between the positions corresponding to the plurality of detection sites 17a. Can be lowered. Therefore, when a contact operation is locally performed on the contact pressing operation unit 12, a change in capacitance detected at some detection sites 17a and a change in capacitance detected at other detection sites 17a. Even if the decoration layer 45 is provided continuously between the positions corresponding to the plurality of detection portions 17a of the capacitance detection unit 17, the contact operation can be detected. . As a result, an appearance having a metallic gloss can be imparted to the entire surface of the operation panel 11.
[Embodiment 3]

  FIG. 7 shows the operation switch of the third embodiment.

  In the operation switch of the third embodiment, the operation panel 11 that is a cover member for the operation switch includes the film key 30 and the capacitance detection unit 17 similar to those of the second embodiment. The operation panel 11 is not provided with the elastic sheet 19, and a flexible flexible printed circuit board 51 is laminated and integrated on the film key 30 and the capacitance detection unit 17.

  A conductive contact portion 25 is provided on the surface of the flexible printed circuit board 51 opposite to the capacitance detecting portion 17, and a metal dome 27 that is elastically deformable in the vicinity of the conductive contact portion 25 protrudes downward. It is arranged to be.

  On the other hand, at the position facing the film key 30 and the capacitance detection unit 17 apart from each other, the bottom 10b of the housing 10 as a base unit is disposed. A plunger portion 10c capable of pressing the metal dome 27 is fixedly provided at a position facing the metal dome 27 of the bottom portion 10b.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  Even the operation switch having such a configuration can be used in the same manner as in the second embodiment, and a contact operation on the contact pressing operation unit 12 is detected as a change in capacitance by the capacitance detection unit 17. Is possible. In addition, the conductive contact portions 25 are connected by the metal dome 27 disposed on the operation panel 11 being pressed by the plunger portion 10c of the housing 10 and elastically deformed by a pressing operation on the contact pressing operation portion 12. Is possible.

  Therefore, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained, and an appearance having a metallic luster can be imparted to the entire surface of the operation panel 11.

  Examples will be described below.

  [Examples 1 to 3]

  On one surface of a 0.4 mm thick sheet made of polycarbonate, a sputtering film made of In is used as a decorative layer having metallic luster of 5 nm (Example 1), 10 nm (Example 2), and 40 nm (Example). The surface operation part was produced with the thickness of 3). A capacitance detection unit having eight detectors spaced apart from each other in a plan view is stacked on the side where the decorative layer of the surface operation unit is not provided, and the capacitance is detected by each detector. The sample of the cover member for operation switches was manufactured so as to be configured.

  A sensor test and an appearance test were performed using the obtained samples.

  In the sensor test, a finger is brought into contact with a position on the surface operation unit corresponding to one of the plurality of detectors, and the capacitance detected by the detector at the finger contact position and the other detectors are detected. Evaluation was made by comparing the difference with the detected capacitance. In the evaluation, it can be used that the difference can be regarded as equivalent compared with the reference sample of the cover member for the operation switch prepared in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 3 without providing a decorative layer, although it is somewhat inferior △, and the thing whose grade is so small that it cannot be used is marked with ×.

  In the appearance test, the case where the metallic tone was not obtained at all and the base was easily visible was marked with x, and the case where the sufficient metallic tone was not obtained and the ground was visible under external light was marked as △. What was obtained and the foundation | substrate was not visually recognized was evaluated as (circle).

The obtained results are shown in Table 1.
[Comparative Example 1]

  The same operation as in Examples 1 to 3 was performed except that the thickness of the sputtering film made of In was set to 80 nm.

The obtained results are shown in Table 1.

As apparent from the results in Table 1, in Comparative Example 1 of the In sputtering film having a film thickness of 80 nm, a film having high conductivity was formed instead of the discontinuous island structure of In, and thus the appearance test was excellent. However, it could not be used as an operation switch cover member. On the other hand, in Examples 1-3, since the decorating layer which has a discontinuous island structure was obtained, all were usable as a cover member for operation switches. However, in Example 1, the film thickness was small and the appearance was slightly inferior compared to Examples 2 and 3.
[Examples 4 to 7 and Comparative Examples 2 to 4]

  A sample of the cover member for the operation switch was manufactured in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 3 except that a decorative layer having various metallic luster as shown in Table 2 was provided. In addition, the thickness of each decoration layer manufactured the thing of the maximum value, the minimum value, and the median value in the range of Table 2.

  About the obtained sample, while performing the sensor test similar to Examples 1-3, the external appearance and concealment property were evaluated. Those produced with multiple thicknesses were evaluated by selecting the worst results.

  In addition, with respect to the appearance having a metallic luster obtained when each decorative layer is formed to be sufficiently thick, the appearance that can be regarded as equivalent is ○, the color tone is different, and the metallic luster is easily deteriorated ( (Thinning), the back and the like were evaluated as Δ, and those not recognized as metallic luster and those with large unevenness were evaluated as ×.

  Concealability was evaluated as ◯ when the interior was not completely visible due to external light, Δ when the interior was slightly visually recognized, and x when the interior was easily visually recognized.

The obtained results are shown in Table 2.

  As is clear from the above Examples and Comparative Examples, in the In or Sn sputtering layer or vapor deposition layer, when the thickness is 50 nm or less, a continuous layer is not formed, and a decorative layer having a discontinuous island structure is obtained. And can be used as a cover member for an operation switch. In Examples 4 and 5, when the film thickness was thin, the inside could be seen through with external light. Further, in Example 5, there was a case where the appearance was slightly inferior because of easy discoloration under environmental conditions such as ultraviolet rays.

  In the case of Al, the glossiness was low and the whitish color was in Example 6 and the appearance was inferior. In Example 7, since it was not suitable for the front surface, it was printed on the back surface side, but it became a back and the appearance was easy to be inferior. Moreover, since it forms by screen printing, it cannot apply, for example when a sheet | seat has uneven | corrugated shape.

  Furthermore, in the case of Al sputtering layer or vapor deposition layer, when the thickness exceeds 20 nm, it becomes a continuous layer, and a decorative layer having a discontinuous island structure cannot be obtained. It could not be used as a cover member. In addition, when the thickness was 20 nm or less, the inside was easily seen through with external light.

  In addition, a decorative layer having a discontinuous island structure was not obtained by plating, and as in Comparative Example 4, it could not be used as an operation switch cover member.

It is a front view of the operation switch of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. 1 of the same Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a front view which shows the electrostatic capacitance detection part of the same Embodiment 1. It is sectional drawing of the center key and direction key of the same Embodiment 1. It is a figure which shows typically operation of the cover member for operation switches of the same Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the operation switch of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the operation switch of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically operation of the conventional cover member for operation switches. It is a figure which shows typically operation at the time of providing the decoration layer which has a metallic luster in the conventional cover member for operation switches.

Explanation of symbols

10 Housing (base part)
10c Plunger part (plunger)
11 Operation panel (operation switch cover member)
11a Opening part 12 Contact pressing operation part (surface operation part)
13 Center key 14 Direction key 15 Press operation part 16 Translucent display part 17 Capacitance detection part 17a Detection part (detector)
17c Resin film (base film)
19 Elastic sheet (pressing action part)
19e Plunger part (plunger)
21 Substrate (base part)
23 pressure deformation part 25 conduction contact part 26 light emitting part 27 metal dome (elastic dome)
30 Film Key 41 Main Body 42 Surface Coating 43 Light-shielding Layer 45 Decorating Layer
51 Flexible printed circuit board (pressing action part)

Claims (7)

A surface operation unit having an operation surface on which a contact operation and a pressing operation are performed, and the surface operation unit are arranged on the side opposite to the operation surface, and the contact operation on the surface operation unit can be detected as a change in capacitance. A cover member for an operation switch including a capacitance detecting unit and a pressing operation unit operable by a pressing operation on the surface operation unit ,
The capacitance detection unit has a configuration in which a plurality of detectors each formed of a conductive coating layer formed of a conductive polymer ink is formed on a base film, and the plurality of detectors are viewed in a plan view. In different positions at a distance from each other ,
The surface manipulation unit includes a decorative layer having a metallic luster formed continuously between positions corresponding to the plurality of detectors, the decorative layer is a fine metal particle or piece, or the aggregate, have a large number arranged structures apart from each other, in contact operation to the decorative layer, the electrostatic capacitance detected by the detectors of the position corresponding to the site where the contact operation is performed The switch member for operation switches is characterized in that it has a degree of conductivity that can be detected so that the change in the voltage is different from the change in capacitance detected by the detector at another position .   The operation switch cover member according to claim 1, wherein the decorative layer is made of only metal.   The operation switch according to claim 1, further comprising: a light shielding layer having a light transmittance lower than that of the decoration layer between the decoration layer and the capacitance detection unit. Cover member.   The operation switch cover member according to claim 1, further comprising an illuminating portion that illuminates the decorative layer from the back side.   5. The operation switch cover member according to claim 4, further comprising: a light shielding layer between the decorative layer and the capacitance detection unit, wherein the light shielding layer is provided with a predetermined opening. .   6. The operation switch cover member according to claim 1, wherein the surface operation unit and the capacitance detection unit are integrally joined. An operation switch having the base member at a position facing the surface operation unit and the capacitance detection unit, wherein the operation switch cover member according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is mounted. ,
An elastic dome having an elastically deformable hollow three-dimensional shape is provided on one of the pressing operation portions of the base portion and the operation switch cover member , and on the other side, a plunger capable of pressing the elastic dome includes the elastic dome. An operation switch, wherein the plunger is configured so that the elastic dome can be elastically deformed by pressing the operation surface of the operation switch cover member.

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