JP5104299B2 - Electronic device having illumination structure - Google Patents

Electronic device having illumination structure Download PDF

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JP5104299B2
JP5104299B2 JP2007337696A JP2007337696A JP5104299B2 JP 5104299 B2 JP5104299 B2 JP 5104299B2 JP 2007337696 A JP2007337696 A JP 2007337696A JP 2007337696 A JP2007337696 A JP 2007337696A JP 5104299 B2 JP5104299 B2 JP 5104299B2
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annular frame
ribs
light
led
operation plate
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JP2009158392A (en
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大輔 宇水
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JVCKenwood Corp
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Description

本発明は、例えばカー・ナビゲーション装置、オーディオ機器等の電子機器の外装パネルに装備されて電飾効果を発揮するイルミネーション構造の改良に関し、特にプリント基板上に配置したLEDからの光が障害物に遮られることによってフロントパネルに設けた線状透光部に陰影を形成することを防止できるイルミネーション構造を有する電子機器に関する。   The present invention relates to an improvement in an illumination structure that is mounted on an exterior panel of an electronic device such as a car navigation device or an audio device and exhibits an electric decoration effect, and in particular, light from an LED disposed on a printed circuit board becomes an obstacle. The present invention relates to an electronic device having an illumination structure that can prevent a shade from being formed on a linear light-transmitting portion provided on a front panel by being blocked.

カー・ナビゲーション装置やオーディオ機器等のフロントパネルには、LCDディスプレイと共に、ユーザが操作するための各種スイッチ類が設けられる。
図6(a)、(b)は本出願人が創案したフロントパネル(未公知)の分解斜視図、操作板が有る場合の正面図と操作板がない場合の正面図の比較図、及び外装パネルの一部構成を示す拡大図であり、フロントパネルは、外装パネル100と、外装パネル100に組み付けられるプリント基板120と、から概略構成されており、装置本体Aの前面に取付けられる。
矩形環状の外装パネル100は、図示しないLCDディスプレイをはめ込む大口径の開口部102と、前面を押圧することにより後方へ向けて弾性変形する複数のシート状の操作キー(以下、シートキーと言う)103、及び各シートキー103に沿って形成された線状透光部104を備えた細長い操作板101と、操作板101の外周縁を支持する細長い環状枠体105とを下辺に備える。操作板101は、線状透光部104、その他必要に応じてシートキー103の近傍に形成される透光部を除いた部位に遮光塗料が塗布されている。
A front panel of a car navigation device or an audio device is provided with various switches for the user to operate together with the LCD display.
6 (a) and 6 (b) are exploded perspective views of a front panel (unknown) created by the present applicant, a front view with an operation plate and a comparison view with a front view without an operation plate, and an exterior FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a part of the configuration of the panel. The front panel is schematically configured from an exterior panel 100 and a printed board 120 assembled to the exterior panel 100, and is attached to the front surface of the apparatus main body A.
A rectangular annular exterior panel 100 includes a large-diameter opening 102 into which an LCD display (not shown) is fitted, and a plurality of sheet-like operation keys (hereinafter referred to as sheet keys) that are elastically deformed backward by pressing the front surface. 103 and an elongated operation plate 101 having a linear light transmitting portion 104 formed along each sheet key 103 and an elongated annular frame 105 supporting the outer peripheral edge of the operation plate 101 are provided on the lower side. The operation plate 101 is coated with light-shielding paint on portions other than the linear light-transmitting portion 104 and other light-transmitting portions formed in the vicinity of the sheet key 103 as necessary.

更に、環状枠体105の内部空所105aには、長手方向に沿って間隔をおいて複数の縦長のリブ110が配置されている。リブ110は、環状枠体105を補強するために必須であるばかりでなく、操作板101の後面を環状枠体105の前面と接着固定する際の糊代を確保するためにできるだけ前方に位置している必要がある。
プリント基板120は、環状枠体105の後面側からその内部に配置されて内部空所105a内から前面を露出させると共に、各シートキー103と対応する前面位置にタクトスイッチ121を有し、且つ各リブ110を回避した前面位置にLED122を備えている。LED122からの光は操作板101の後面に照射されることにより線状透光部104から前方へ照射される。タクトスイッチ121は、シートキー103を押圧して変形させたときに前面に設けたスイッチ片が押圧されてオンするように構成されている。
Furthermore, a plurality of vertically long ribs 110 are arranged in the inner space 105a of the annular frame 105 at intervals along the longitudinal direction. The rib 110 is not only indispensable for reinforcing the annular frame 105, but is positioned as far forward as possible in order to secure an adhesive margin when the rear surface of the operation plate 101 is bonded and fixed to the front surface of the annular frame 105. Need to be.
The printed circuit board 120 is disposed inside the annular frame 105 from the rear surface side to expose the front surface from the inside space 105a, and has a tact switch 121 at a front surface position corresponding to each sheet key 103, and The LED 122 is provided at a front position avoiding the rib 110. Light from the LED 122 is irradiated forward from the linear light transmitting portion 104 by being irradiated on the rear surface of the operation plate 101. The tact switch 121 is configured such that when the sheet key 103 is pressed and deformed, a switch piece provided on the front surface is pressed and turned on.

図6(c)に示すように各リブ110を回避した位置にLED122が配置されているが、リブ110は環状フレーム111の長辺間に跨って差し渡された細幅帯状の部材であり、LED122の配置をいかに工夫してもLEDからの光を遮光して陰影を形成するため、線状透光部104から出射される光により形成されるイルミネーションが部分的に輝度のバラツキを有した状態となり、部分的に寸断された破線状のイルミネーションとなる。LEDの個数を増大することによりリブの陰影を低減することは不可能ではないが、コストや、プリント基板上の配置スペースの制限により、LED個数の増大には限界がある。
各LED122からの出射光を線状透光部104の長手方向全長に亘ってむらなく拡散させるためには、拡散効果が高い厚肉の樹脂製拡散板を操作板101とLED122との間に介在させることが有効ではあるが、フロントパネルに対する薄型化の要請が強い現状においては、厚肉の拡散板を介在させることは難しい。更に、操作板の後方に拡散板を配置した場合にはシートキーを介してタクトスイッチ121を押圧することが不可能になる。
As shown in FIG.6 (c), although LED122 is arrange | positioned in the position which avoided each rib 110, the rib 110 is a narrow strip | belt-shaped member spanned between the long sides of the cyclic | annular flame | frame 111, No matter how the arrangement of the LED 122 is devised, the illumination formed by the light emitted from the linear translucent portion 104 has a partial variation in brightness in order to shield the light from the LED and form a shadow. Thus, the illumination is broken in broken lines. Although it is not impossible to reduce the shadow of the ribs by increasing the number of LEDs, there is a limit to the increase in the number of LEDs due to the cost and limitation of the arrangement space on the printed circuit board.
In order to uniformly diffuse the emitted light from each LED 122 over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the linear light transmitting portion 104, a thick resin diffusion plate having a high diffusion effect is interposed between the operation plate 101 and the LED 122. Although it is effective, it is difficult to interpose a thick diffuser plate in the present situation where there is a strong demand for thinning the front panel. Further, when a diffusion plate is disposed behind the operation plate, it is impossible to press the tact switch 121 via the sheet key.

特許文献1及び2には夫々少ない光源で多数の操作部材等を照光するための照光装置が開示されているが、厚肉の樹脂製拡散板を用いることなく、しかもリブ等の障害物による陰影を投影させることなく線状の透光部全体を均一に照光するための構造は一切開示されていない。
なお、このようなイルミネーションのための構造において発生する輝度バラツキの問題は、カー・ナビゲーション装置、オーディオ機器のフロントパネルのみならず、各種電子機器、機械装置類の外装パネルに装備されるイルミネーション構造においても同様に発生する問題である。
特開平08−63111号公報 特開2001−155575公報
Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose an illumination device for illuminating a large number of operation members and the like with a small number of light sources, but without using a thick resin diffuser plate and shadows due to obstacles such as ribs. No structure is disclosed for uniformly illuminating the entire linear light-transmitting part without projecting the light.
In addition, the problem of luminance variation that occurs in such an illumination structure is not only in the front panel of car navigation devices and audio equipment, but also in the illumination structure installed in the exterior panels of various electronic devices and mechanical devices. Is a similar problem.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-63111 JP 2001-155575 A

以上のようにカー・ナビゲーション装置、オーディオ機器を始めとした各種電子機器、機械装置類の外装パネルに装備されるイルミネーションのための従来構造において、LEDを備えたプリント基板を保持する環状枠体に設けた補強用のリブがLEDからの光を遮光して前方に位置する操作板に設けた透光部からのイルミネーション光に輝度バラツキをもたらすという問題があった。
本発明は上記従来の事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、カー・ナビゲーション装置を始めとした各種機器類の外装パネルに電飾効果を発揮させるために、プリント基板上に支持したLEDからの光を前方に配置した操作パネルに設けた透光部から出射させる場合に、LEDの近傍且つ前方に配置されたリブ等の障害物が陰影を形成して、透光部からの出射光の輝度の均一性を低下させる不具合を効果的に防止することができるイルミネーション構造を有する電子機器を提供することを目的としている。
As described above, in the conventional structure for illumination that is mounted on the exterior panels of car navigation devices, audio devices, and other electronic devices, and mechanical devices, the annular frame that holds the printed circuit board with LEDs is used. There is a problem in that the provided reinforcing rib blocks the light from the LED and causes luminance variation in the illumination light from the light transmitting portion provided on the operation plate located in front.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances. In order to exert an electrical decoration effect on exterior panels of various devices such as a car navigation device, light from an LED supported on a printed circuit board is provided. When the light is emitted from the translucent part provided on the operation panel arranged in the front, obstacles such as ribs arranged in the vicinity of the LED and in front form a shadow, and the luminance of the emitted light from the translucent part is reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device having an illumination structure that can effectively prevent a problem of lowering uniformity.

上記目的を達成するため、請求項1の発明に係るイルミネーション構造を有する電子機器は、線状透光部を備えた細長い操作板、前記操作板の外周縁を支持する細長い環状枠体、該環状枠体の内部空所の長手方向に沿って間隔をおいて配置された複数本のリブを備えた外装パネルと、前記環状枠体の後面側から該環状枠体の内部に配置されて前記内部空所内から前面を露出させると共に、前記各リブを回避した前面位置にLEDを備えたプリント基板と、を備え、前記各リブは、前記環状枠体の対向する長辺間に跨って配置され、且つ少なくとも前記線状透光部と対面する部位に後方へ退避した退避部を備え、前記LEDは、前記退避部を介して前記線状透光部に光を照射することを特徴とする。
プリント基板上に配置したLEDと線状透光部との間にリブ等の障害物がある場合には、LEDの配置、個数をいかに工夫してもリブに起因した陰影が線状透光部に投影されて輝度バラツキが発生する。本発明では、LEDからの出射光がリブと干渉することを防止するためにリブに退避部を設けた。
In order to achieve the above object, an electronic apparatus having an illumination structure according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an elongated operation plate having a linear light transmitting portion, an elongated annular frame that supports the outer peripheral edge of the operation plate, and the annular shape. An exterior panel having a plurality of ribs arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the internal space of the frame body, and the interior of the annular frame body arranged from the rear surface side of the annular frame body The front surface is exposed from the inside of the void, and the printed circuit board is provided with LEDs at the front surface position avoiding the ribs, and the ribs are disposed across the opposing long sides of the annular frame, In addition, at least a portion that faces the linear light transmitting portion includes a retracting portion that retracts backward, and the LED emits light to the linear light transmitting portion via the retracting portion.
If there is an obstacle such as a rib between the LED placed on the printed circuit board and the linear translucent part, the shadow caused by the rib will be displayed regardless of how the LED is arranged and the number is devised. The brightness variation occurs due to the projection. In the present invention, in order to prevent the light emitted from the LED from interfering with the rib, a retracting portion is provided on the rib.

請求項2の発明は、前面を押圧することにより後方へ弾性変形する複数のシート状の操作キー、及び前記シート状の操作キーの外周縁の少なくとも一部に沿って形成される線状透光部を備えた細長い操作板、前記操作板の外周縁を支持する細長い環状枠体、該環状枠体の内部空所の長手方向に沿って間隔をおいて配置された複数本のリブを備えた外装パネルと、前記環状枠体の後面側から該環状枠体の内部に配置されて前記内部空所内から前面を露出させると共に、前記シート状の操作キーと対応する位置にスイッチを有し、且つ前記各リブを回避した前面位置にLEDを備えたプリント基板と、を備え、前記各リブは、前記環状枠体の対向する長辺間に跨って配置され、且つ少なくとも前記線状透光部と対面する部位に後方へ退避した退避部を備え、前記LEDは、前記退避部を介して前記線状透光部に光を照射することを特徴とする。
線状透光部を形成した操作板にシートキーが設けられている場合にはシートキーが押圧された時の圧力がタクトスイッチやプリント基板に悪影響を与える虞があるために、リブを比較的短い間隔で配置する必要が生じるが、リブの本数が増えたからといってLED数を増やすことはできないため、LED数を必要最少数に抑えながらリブが照光の障害となることを防ぐ必要がある。本発明ではこのような不具合を解消することができる。
請求項3の発明は、請求項1、又は2において、前記リブは、クランク形状を有していることを特徴とする。
請求項4の発明は、請求項2において、前記リブ間の間隔は、前記シートスイッチを押圧する指先の幅に相当する1.3〜1.5cmの範囲に設定されていることを特徴とする。
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of sheet-like operation keys that are elastically deformed backward by pressing the front surface, and a linear light transmission formed along at least a part of the outer peripheral edge of the sheet-like operation keys. An elongated operation plate having a portion, an elongated annular frame supporting the outer peripheral edge of the operation plate, and a plurality of ribs arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the internal space of the annular frame An exterior panel, and is disposed inside the annular frame body from the rear surface side of the annular frame body to expose the front surface from the interior space, and has a switch at a position corresponding to the sheet-like operation key; and A printed circuit board provided with LEDs at a front surface position avoiding the ribs, and the ribs are disposed across the opposing long sides of the annular frame, and at least the linear light-transmitting portion. Retreating back to the facing part Wherein the LED is characterized by irradiating light to the linear transparent portion through said retracting portion.
If a sheet key is provided on the operation plate on which the linear light-transmitting portion is formed, the pressure when the sheet key is pressed may adversely affect the tact switch and the printed circuit board. Although it is necessary to arrange them at short intervals, it is not possible to increase the number of LEDs just because the number of ribs is increased. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the ribs from becoming an obstacle to illumination while keeping the number of LEDs to a minimum number. . In the present invention, such a problem can be solved.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the rib has a crank shape.
The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in claim 2, the interval between the ribs is set in a range of 1.3 to 1.5 cm corresponding to the width of a fingertip pressing the sheet switch. To do.

以上のように本発明によれば、カー・ナビゲーション装置を始めとした各種機器類の外装パネルに電飾効果を発揮させるために、プリント基板上に支持したLEDからの光を前方に配置した操作板に設けた透光部から出射させる場合に、LEDの近傍且つ前方に配置されたリブ等の障害物が陰影を形成して、透光部からの出射光の輝度の均一性を低下させる不具合を効果的に防止することができる。
外装パネルの薄型化により、拡散性能の高い樹脂製の拡散板をLEDと操作板との間に配置することが難しくなる一方で、操作板やLEDを支持する枠体に設けたリブがLEDの前方に配置されるので、LEDからの光がリブに遮蔽されて線状透光部に陰影を投影する。特に、線状の透光部は細幅のリブからの陰影によってもその線形状の連続性が阻害されて寸断された状況が容易に目視確認できるので、イルミネーション効果、美観を損ねる要因となる。
本発明では、LEDからの光の障害となるリブの一部を退避させて照光の妨げとならないように構成したものである。
As described above, according to the present invention, an operation in which light from an LED supported on a printed circuit board is arranged in front in order to exert an electric decoration effect on an exterior panel of various devices such as a car navigation device. When emitting light from the translucent part provided on the plate, obstacles such as ribs arranged in the vicinity of the LED and in front form a shadow to reduce the uniformity of the brightness of the emitted light from the translucent part Can be effectively prevented.
Thinning the exterior panel makes it difficult to arrange a diffusion plate made of resin with high diffusion performance between the LED and the operation plate, while the ribs provided on the operation plate and the frame supporting the LED are made of LED. Since it arrange | positions ahead, the light from LED is shielded by the rib and a shadow is projected on a linear translucent part. In particular, since the linear translucent portion is easily visually confirmed by the shading from the thin ribs, the linear shape of the linear translucent portion is obstructed, which is a factor that impairs the illumination effect and aesthetics.
In the present invention, a part of the rib that obstructs the light from the LED is withdrawn so that the illumination is not hindered.

以下、本発明を図面に示した実施の形態により詳細に説明する。
図1(a)及び(b)は本発明の一実施形態に係るイルミネーション構造を備えたフロントパネルの分解斜視図、及び要部拡大斜視図であり、図2は外装パネルの正面図であり、図3はプリント基板を組み込んだ外装パネルの正面図であり、図4(a)は図3のA−A断面図、(b)はB−B断面図、(c)はC−C断面図であり、図5はプリント基板前面の構成を示す図である。
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.
1 (a) and 1 (b) are an exploded perspective view and an enlarged perspective view of a main panel having an illumination structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of an exterior panel. 3 is a front view of an exterior panel incorporating a printed circuit board, FIG. 4 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the front surface of the printed circuit board.

本発明のイルミネーション構造Iを適用可能な外装部材の一例としてのフロントパネル1は、例えばカー・ナビゲーション装置を構成しており、各種機械部品、電気部品を収容したカー・ナビゲーション装置本体Aの前面開口に装着される。
フロントパネル1は、外装パネル2と、操作板10と、プリント基板30と、から概略構成されている。
矩形環状の外装パネル2は、図示しないLCDディスプレイを収容する大きな開口径の窓3を備え、下辺には細長い矩形の環状枠体4が配置されている。環状枠体4の前面の支持面4aには、薄い樹脂板から成る操作板10が接着されている。
環状枠体4の形状に合わせた細長い形状を有した操作板10の前面上には、前面を押圧することにより後方へ向けて弾性変形する複数のシートキー11、及び各シートキー11に沿って横方向に連続形成された長尺の線状透光部12を備えている。シートキー11は操作板面を部分的に前方へ突出させた凸部から成り、後方へ押し込まれることにより後方へ変位してプリント基板上の対応する位置に配置したタクトスイッチ31の前面と接してこれをオンさせる。線状透光部12は、図3、図5に示すようにシートキー11を回避した操作板面に任意の屈曲線を描くように形成された透光材から構成されている。例えば、操作板の基材自体を透光材料から構成し、線状透光部12、その他の透光部のみを残して基材面全体に遮光塗料を塗布することにより透光部を形成する。線状透光部12以外の透光部としては、例えばシートキー11の直近の操作板面に設けたキーフィーチャーを挙げることができ、キーフィーチャーを光らせることにより暗所でもスイッチの位置、種類が判別できるようになる。
なお、必要に応じて操作板10の背面に図示しない透光性の光拡散薄膜を印刷形成(塗布)してLEDからの光を操作板に沿って拡散させ、均一化するように構成する。この光拡散薄膜は印刷形成されるためフロントパネルの薄肉化を妨げる要因とならない一方で、従来技術において説明した厚肉の樹脂製拡散板よりは拡散性能が格段に落ちるものである。
A front panel 1 as an example of an exterior member to which the illumination structure I of the present invention can be applied constitutes, for example, a car navigation device, and a front opening of a car navigation device main body A that houses various mechanical parts and electrical parts. It is attached to.
The front panel 1 is schematically configured from an exterior panel 2, an operation plate 10, and a printed circuit board 30.
The rectangular annular exterior panel 2 includes a window 3 having a large opening for accommodating an LCD display (not shown), and an elongated rectangular annular frame 4 is disposed on the lower side. An operation plate 10 made of a thin resin plate is bonded to the support surface 4 a on the front surface of the annular frame 4.
On the front surface of the operation plate 10 having an elongated shape that matches the shape of the annular frame 4, a plurality of sheet keys 11 that are elastically deformed backward by pressing the front surface, and along the respective sheet keys 11 A long linear light-transmitting portion 12 continuously formed in the lateral direction is provided. The sheet key 11 is composed of a convex portion that partially protrudes the operation plate surface forward, and is displaced rearward by being pushed rearward to contact the front surface of the tact switch 31 disposed at a corresponding position on the printed circuit board. Turn this on. The linear translucent part 12 is comprised from the translucent material formed so that an arbitrary bending line might be drawn on the operation-plate surface which avoided the sheet key 11, as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. For example, the base material itself of the operation plate is made of a light-transmitting material, and the light-transmitting portion is formed by applying a light-shielding paint to the entire surface of the base material leaving only the linear light-transmitting portion 12 and other light-transmitting portions. . Examples of the light-transmitting portions other than the linear light-transmitting portion 12 include a key feature provided on the operation plate surface closest to the sheet key 11, and the position and type of the switch can be changed even in a dark place by illuminating the key feature. It becomes possible to distinguish.
If necessary, a light-transmitting light diffusing thin film (not shown) is printed (applied) on the back surface of the operation plate 10 to diffuse the light from the LED along the operation plate and make it uniform. Since this light diffusion thin film is formed by printing, it does not hinder the thinning of the front panel, but the diffusion performance is much lower than that of the thick resin diffusion plate described in the prior art.

図4(b)(c)に示すように環状枠体4はその前面の支持面4aに操作板10の背面外周部を接着固定することにより支持している。
環状枠体4の内部空所4b内には、その長手方向に沿って間隔をおいて複数の縦長のリブ20が配置されている。
リブ20は、環状枠体4の対向する上下の長辺間に跨って固定配置された細長い樹脂部材であり、環状枠体4を補強するために必須であるばかりでなく、操作板10の後面側を環状枠体の前面と接着固定する際の糊代を確保するために前方に突出している突出部位(操作板の背面と接触可能な部位)20aが必要である。更に、環状枠体4内における各リブ20の配置箇所は、操作板10面に設けたシートキー11がリブ間の中間位置にくるように選定され、リブ間の間隔は操作者の指先がシートキー11を押圧する際の指先の接触幅に相当するように、例えば1.3〜1.5cm程度に設定する。このようにリブ間の間隔を指先の接触幅程度に狭く設定しておくことにより、指先により操作板のシートキー11を必要以上に強く、且つ深く押し込むことが阻止できる。即ち、強く、且つ深くシートキーを押そうとした場合に、シートキーがリブに当たって所定位置以上は押し込めないため、タクトスイッチ31をオンさせるのに必要とされる以上の強い力で押圧されることにより操作板10が変形したり、プリント基板が過剰な力で押圧されてダメージを受けることがなくなる。
As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the annular frame 4 is supported by bonding and fixing the outer peripheral portion of the back surface of the operation plate 10 to the support surface 4a on the front surface thereof.
In the internal space 4b of the annular frame 4, a plurality of vertically long ribs 20 are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction thereof.
The rib 20 is an elongated resin member that is fixedly disposed across the opposing upper and lower long sides of the annular frame 4, and is not only essential for reinforcing the annular frame 4, but also the rear surface of the operation plate 10. In order to secure an adhesive margin when the side is bonded and fixed to the front surface of the annular frame body, a protruding portion (a portion that can come into contact with the back surface of the operation plate) 20a is required. Further, the location of the ribs 20 in the annular frame 4 is selected so that the sheet key 11 provided on the operation plate 10 is positioned at an intermediate position between the ribs. For example, it is set to about 1.3 to 1.5 cm so as to correspond to the contact width of the fingertip when the key 11 is pressed. In this way, by setting the interval between the ribs to be as narrow as the contact width of the fingertip, it is possible to prevent the sheet key 11 of the operation plate from being pushed more strongly and deeply than necessary by the fingertip. That is, when the user presses the sheet key strongly and deeply, the sheet key hits the rib and cannot be pushed beyond a predetermined position, so that the sheet key is pressed with a force stronger than necessary to turn on the tact switch 31. As a result, the operation plate 10 is not deformed, and the printed circuit board is not damaged by being pressed with an excessive force.

プリント基板30は、環状枠体4の後面側からその内部に配置されて内部空所4b内から前面を露出させると共に、各シートキー11と対応する前面位置にタクトスイッチ31を有し、且つ各リブ20を回避した前面位置にLED32を備えている。LED32からの出射光は操作板10の後面に所定範囲に亘って照射されることにより線状透光部12から前方へ照射される。タクトスイッチ31は、シートキー11を押圧して変形させたときに前面に設けたスイッチ片が押圧されてオンするように構成されている。
本発明の特徴的な構成は、各リブ20の形状が単なる直線状ではなく、LED32からの出射光を遮光しないように屈曲した形状(クランク形状)に構成されている点にある。即ち、本発明のリブ20は、少なくとも線状透光部12と対面する高さ部位にプリント基板前面側(後方)に退避した退避部20bを備えている。LED32は、退避部20bを介して線状透光部12に光を照射するため、リブ20の存在を原因とした線状透光部12からの出射光の輝度バラツキが解消されることとなる。
The printed circuit board 30 is arranged inside the annular frame 4 from the rear surface side to expose the front surface from the inside space 4b, and has a tact switch 31 at a front surface position corresponding to each sheet key 11, and each The LED 32 is provided at the front surface position avoiding the rib 20. Light emitted from the LED 32 is irradiated forward from the linear light transmitting portion 12 by being irradiated on the rear surface of the operation plate 10 over a predetermined range. The tact switch 31 is configured such that when the sheet key 11 is pressed and deformed, a switch piece provided on the front surface is pressed and turned on.
The characteristic configuration of the present invention is that the shape of each rib 20 is not a simple linear shape but is a bent shape (crank shape) so as not to block the light emitted from the LED 32. That is, the rib 20 of the present invention includes a retracting portion 20b that is retracted to the front side (rear side) of the printed circuit board at least at a height portion facing the linear light transmitting portion 12. Since the LED 32 irradiates the linear light transmitting portion 12 with light through the retracting portion 20b, the luminance variation of the emitted light from the linear light transmitting portion 12 due to the presence of the rib 20 is eliminated. .

図5に基づいて線状透光部とリブの形状との関係を説明すると、リブ20は線状透光部12と対面する部位が部分的に後方に退避したクランク形状となるか、或いは全体的に後方に退避した形状となっている。図5中のD−D断面で示す部位においては、線状透光部12がプリント基板30の下辺に沿って水平に配置されているためにリブ20のハッチングで示す下半分が後方へ退避した退避部20bとなっている。また、E−Eで示した位置では線状透光部12が水平ではなく傾斜しているため、この部分に対応するリブ20は全体的に後方へ退避したフラットな形状となっている。更に、F−F断面で示す部位は、線状透光部12がプリント基板30の上辺に沿って水平に配置されているためにリブ20の破線で示す上半分が後方へ退避した退避部20bとなっている。
退避部20bは、近傍に位置するLEDからの出射光が前方に位置する線状透光部の特定部位に対して照射されることを妨げないように必要距離だけ後方へ退避させる。
リブ20の後方へ退避していない部位20aは、操作板10の背面と接触する位置関係にあるため、接着剤を用いて両者を接合することができる。
The relationship between the linear translucent part and the shape of the rib will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The rib 20 has a crank shape in which a part facing the linear translucent part 12 is partially retracted rearward or as a whole. Therefore, the shape is retracted backward. In the part shown by the DD cross section in FIG. 5, since the linear translucent part 12 is arrange | positioned horizontally along the lower side of the printed circuit board 30, the lower half shown with the hatching of the rib 20 retracted back. It is a retreat unit 20b. Further, at the position indicated by EE, the linear light transmitting portion 12 is inclined rather than horizontal, so that the rib 20 corresponding to this portion has a flat shape that is retracted rearward as a whole. Furthermore, the part shown by the FF cross section is a retracting part 20b in which the upper half shown by a broken line of the rib 20 is retracted rearward because the linear translucent part 12 is disposed horizontally along the upper side of the printed circuit board 30. It has become.
The retracting portion 20b retracts backward by a necessary distance so as not to prevent the emitted light from the LED located in the vicinity from being irradiated to the specific portion of the linear light transmitting portion positioned in the front.
Since the part 20a not retracted to the rear of the rib 20 is in a positional relationship in contact with the back surface of the operation plate 10, both can be joined using an adhesive.

本発明は、シートキー11が存在しない外装パネルに本発明を適用してもよい。
線状透光部12を形成した操作板10にシートキー11が設けられている場合にはシートキーが押圧された時の圧力がタクトスイッチやプリント基板に悪影響を与える虞があるために、リブ20を比較的短い間隔で多数本配置する必要が生じるが、リブの本数が増えたからといってLED数を増やすことはできない。従って、LED数を必要最少数に抑えながらリブが照光の障害となってイルミネーション効果を低下させる不具合を解消する必要が生じる。本発明では、LEDの出射光の障害となるリブの特定部位のみを後方に退避させることにより不具合を解消することができる。
The present invention may be applied to an exterior panel in which the sheet key 11 does not exist.
When the sheet key 11 is provided on the operation plate 10 on which the linear light-transmitting portion 12 is formed, the pressure when the sheet key is pressed may adversely affect the tact switch and the printed circuit board. Although it is necessary to arrange a large number of 20 at relatively short intervals, the number of LEDs cannot be increased just because the number of ribs has increased. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate the problem that the rib becomes an obstacle to illumination and reduces the illumination effect while suppressing the number of LEDs to the minimum necessary number. In the present invention, it is possible to solve the problem by retracting only a specific portion of the rib that becomes an obstacle to the emitted light of the LED backward.

以上のように本発明によれば、外装パネルに設けた細長い線状の透光部からの発光により電飾効果を発揮させるために、プリント基板上に支持したLEDからの光を前方に配置した操作板に設けた線状透光部から出射させる場合に、LEDの近傍且つ前方に配置されたリブ等の障害物が陰影を形成して、透光部からの出射光の輝度の均一性を低下させる不具合を効果的に防止することができる。
外装パネルの薄型化により、拡散性能の高い樹脂製の拡散板をLEDと操作板との間に配置することが難しくなる一方で、操作板やLEDを支持する枠体に設けたリブがLEDの前方に配置されるので、LEDからの光がリブに遮蔽されて線状透光部に陰影を投影する。特に、線状の透光部は細幅のリブからの陰影によってもその線形状の連続性が阻害されて寸断された状況が容易に目視確認できるので、イルミネーション効果、美観を損ねる要因となる。本発明では、構造の複雑化、部品点数の増大を招くことなく、このような不具合を解消することができる。
なお、本発明のイルミネーション構造Iは、フロントパネル等に設ける操作板を配置するための開口のみならず、あらゆる照光箇所に適用することができる。
また、本発明のイルミネーション構造Iは、カー・ナビゲーション装置、オーディオ機器のフロントパネルのみならず、各種電子機器、機械装置類のパネル、ボード、外装板等に配置される電飾部分、照光部分に適用することができる。
As described above, according to the present invention, the light from the LED supported on the printed circuit board is disposed in front in order to exhibit the electric decoration effect by light emission from the elongated linear light-transmitting portion provided on the exterior panel. When the light is emitted from the linear light-transmitting part provided on the operation plate, obstacles such as ribs arranged in the vicinity of the LED and in front form a shadow so that the brightness of the light emitted from the light-transmitting part is uniform. The trouble to reduce can be prevented effectively.
Thinning the exterior panel makes it difficult to arrange a diffusion plate made of resin with high diffusion performance between the LED and the operation plate, while the ribs provided on the operation plate and the frame supporting the LED are made of LED. Since it arrange | positions ahead, the light from LED is shielded by the rib and a shadow is projected on a linear translucent part. In particular, since the linear translucent portion is easily visually confirmed by the shading from the thin ribs, the linear shape of the linear translucent portion is obstructed, which is a factor that impairs the illumination effect and aesthetics. In the present invention, such inconveniences can be solved without causing a complicated structure and an increase in the number of parts.
The illumination structure I of the present invention can be applied not only to an opening for arranging an operation plate provided on a front panel or the like, but also to any illumination location.
In addition, the illumination structure I of the present invention is used not only for front panels of car navigation devices and audio devices, but also for electric parts and illumination parts arranged on panels, boards, exterior panels, etc. of various electronic devices and mechanical devices. Can be applied.

(a)及び(b)は本発明の一実施形態に係るイルミネーション構造を備えたフロントパネルの分解斜視図、及び要部拡大斜視図である。(A) And (b) is an exploded perspective view of a front panel provided with the illumination structure concerning one embodiment of the present invention, and an important section expansion perspective view. 外装パネルの正面図である。It is a front view of an exterior panel. プリント基板を組み込んだ外装パネルの正面図である。It is a front view of the exterior panel incorporating a printed circuit board. (a)は図3中のA−A断面図、(b)はB−B断面図、(c)はC−C断面図である。(A) is AA sectional drawing in FIG. 3, (b) is BB sectional drawing, (c) is CC sectional drawing. プリント基板前面と線状透光部とリブの形状との関係を説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the relationship between a printed circuit board front surface, a linear translucent part, and the shape of a rib. (a)、(b)及び(c)は本出願人が創案したフロントパネル(未公知)の分解斜視図、操作板が有る場合の正面図と操作板がない場合の正面図の比較図、及び外装パネルの一部構成を示す拡大図である。(A), (b) and (c) are exploded perspective views of a front panel (unknown) created by the present applicant, a front view with an operation plate, and a comparison view of a front view with no operation plate, It is an enlarged view which shows a partial structure of an exterior panel.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

1 フロントパネル、2 外装パネル、3 窓、4 環状枠体、4a 支持面、4b 内部空所、10 操作板、11 シートキー、12 線状透光部、20 リブ、20a 突出部位、20b 退避部、30 プリント基板、31 タクトスイッチ、32 LED DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Front panel, 2 exterior panel, 3 window, 4 annular frame, 4a support surface, 4b internal space, 10 operation board, 11 sheet key, 12 linear translucent part, 20 rib, 20a protrusion part, 20b retracting part , 30 Printed circuit board, 31 Tactile switch, 32 LED

Claims (4)

線状透光部を備えた細長い操作板、前記操作板の外周縁を支持する細長い環状枠体、該環状枠体の内部空所の長手方向に沿って間隔をおいて配置された複数本のリブを備えた外装パネルと、
前記環状枠体の後面側から該環状枠体の内部に配置されて前記内部空所内から前面を露出させると共に、前記各リブを回避した前面位置にLEDを備えたプリント基板と、
を備え、
前記各リブは、前記環状枠体の対向する長辺間に跨って配置され、且つ少なくとも前記線状透光部と対面する部位に後方へ退避した退避部を備え、
前記LEDは、前記退避部を介して前記線状透光部に光を照射することを特徴とするイルミネーション構造を有する電子機器。
A long and narrow operation plate having a linear light-transmitting portion, a long and narrow annular frame that supports the outer peripheral edge of the operation plate, and a plurality of tubes arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the internal space of the annular frame An exterior panel with ribs;
A printed circuit board that is disposed inside the annular frame body from the rear surface side of the annular frame body to expose the front surface from within the internal space, and includes LEDs at the front surface position avoiding the ribs;
With
Each of the ribs is disposed across the opposing long sides of the annular frame, and includes a retracting portion that is retracted backward at least in a portion facing the linear light transmitting portion,
The LED irradiates light to the linear light transmitting part through the retracting part. An electronic apparatus having an illumination structure, wherein the LED is irradiated with light.
前面を押圧することにより後方へ弾性変形する複数のシート状の操作キー、及び前記シート状の操作キーの外周縁の少なくとも一部に沿って形成される線状透光部を備えた細長い操作板、前記操作板の外周縁を支持する細長い環状枠体、該環状枠体の内部空所の長手方向に沿って間隔をおいて配置された複数本のリブを備えた外装パネルと、
前記環状枠体の後面側から該環状枠体の内部に配置されて前記内部空所内から前面を露出させると共に、前記シート状の操作キーと対応する位置にスイッチを有し、且つ前記各リブを回避した前面位置にLEDを備えたプリント基板と、
を備え、
前記各リブは、前記環状枠体の対向する長辺間に跨って配置され、且つ少なくとも前記線状透光部と対面する部位に後方へ退避した退避部を備え、
前記LEDは、前記退避部を介して前記線状透光部に光を照射することを特徴とするイルミネーション構造を有する電子機器。
A plurality of sheet-like operation keys that are elastically deformed backward by pressing the front surface, and an elongated operation plate having a linear light-transmitting portion formed along at least a part of the outer peripheral edge of the sheet-like operation keys An exterior panel including a plurality of ribs arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the inner space of the annular frame, and an elongated annular frame that supports the outer peripheral edge of the operation plate;
It is arranged inside the annular frame body from the rear surface side of the annular frame body, exposes the front surface from the inside space, has a switch at a position corresponding to the sheet-like operation key, and each rib A printed circuit board with LEDs at the avoided front position;
With
Each of the ribs is disposed across the opposing long sides of the annular frame, and includes a retracting portion that is retracted backward at least in a portion facing the linear light transmitting portion,
The LED irradiates light to the linear light transmitting part through the retracting part. An electronic apparatus having an illumination structure, wherein the LED is irradiated with light.
前記リブは、クランク形状を有していることを特徴とする請求項1、又は2に記載のイルミネーション構造を有する電子機器。   The electronic device having an illumination structure according to claim 1, wherein the rib has a crank shape. 前記リブ間の間隔は、前記シートスイッチを押圧する指先の幅に相当する1.3〜1.5cmの範囲に設定されていることを特徴とする請求項2に記載のイルミネーション構造を有する電子機器。 3. The electron having an illumination structure according to claim 2, wherein an interval between the ribs is set in a range of 1.3 to 1.5 cm corresponding to a width of a fingertip pressing the sheet switch. machine.
JP2007337696A 2007-12-27 2007-12-27 Electronic device having illumination structure Expired - Fee Related JP5104299B2 (en)

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JPS60189928U (en) * 1984-05-28 1985-12-16 アルプス電気株式会社 push button device
JP3341231B2 (en) * 1995-12-26 2002-11-05 帝国通信工業株式会社 Illuminated switch mechanism
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