JPH04101320U - illuminated panel switch - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To improve brightness, reduce the number of parts, and prevent noise in backlit panel switches. [Structure] The joint section 22 is made of synthetic resin integrally with the movable pressing section 23 and extends to the vicinity of the light emitting source 14, and the light from the light emitting source is guided through the path section to the pressing section. Light is emitted from the operation surface 24 of the pressing section. Alternatively, the light may be emitted from the surface of the path portion.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to an illuminated panel switch. Improvements to backlight-illuminated panel switches, which are often used in communication and measurement equipment. It is related to.

0002

[Conventional technology]

Conventional backlit type panel switches generally have a structure as shown in Figure 6. It has a structure. In other words, the light emitted from the chip LED on the printed circuit board PK is guided After propagating through the transparent part of the body DK and dispersing into the space inside the panel, the key made of transparent material The light enters the top KT and illuminates from its convex surface. Click on this key top It has both the function of pressing and the function of a display key. Also, user-side If desired, cover the top surface of the key top with a surface sheet and print an appropriate design on it. Some did.

0003

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

However, with this conventional structure, the light that enters the light guide is first sent to the panel. This is because the light diverges into the inner space and enters the key top, which is another light guide. It has the following drawbacks: (1) The propagation efficiency of light is The brightness of the key tops is insufficient. (2) The number of parts increases, increasing parts costs and assembly costs. (3) Noise (resonant sound) due to vibration caused by the collision between the key top and the light guide occurs. (4) Since key tops are used, it is necessary to position them, and the overall It is difficult to make the structure thinner. Therefore, the challenges of this invention are to make it thinner, reduce the number of parts, and improve light propagation efficiency. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an illuminated panel switch.

0004

[Means to solve the problem]

According to the present invention, a movable operation section, a return means for returning the position of the operation section, an illuminated panel switch including a light guiding means for guiding light from a light emitting source toward the operating section; In the above, the light guide means is made of synthetic resin integrally with the operation section and is connected to the light emitting device. The light guide section has a light guide section that extends to the vicinity of the light source, and the light guide section directs the light from the light emitting source to the operation section. An illuminated panel switch is obtained, which is characterized in that it can lead up to.

[0005]

【Example】

1, 2, and 3 show an illuminated panel switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. vinegar. In this panel switch, a spacer 19 is placed on the printed circuit board 12. The membrane sheet 11 is installed horizontally. This membrane sheet 1 On the upper side of 1, a click board 13 is attached to the panel switch key via double-sided tape 17. The number of pieces corresponding to the number is joined. This click board 13 will slide onto your fingertip when pressed. It is intended to provide a touch sensation and is made of springy material and/or structure. There is. In other words, in the illustrated example, the central portion has a shape that is convex upward. ing. Further, a predetermined number of LED chips 14 are placed at predetermined positions on the printed circuit board 12. Fixed. The above configuration is virtually the same as that of a conventional panel switch. Ru.

[0006] Next, a plate-shaped light guide 20 is attached to the upper side of this click board 13. This guiding light The body 20 is made of a synthetic resin material with good light transmittance, such as allyl resin. ing. As shown in FIG. 4, this light guide 20 includes an LED chip on a printed circuit board 12. A notch 21 is formed at a position corresponding to the hole 14 to match its shape.

[0007] Also, as is clear from Figures 1 and 4, openings corresponding to the positions of each switch At the same time, this light guide 20 has a pressing part 2 as an operating part located approximately in the center of the opening. 3 and a belt-shaped joint section 22 as a light guide section that connects this to other parts in a cantilevered manner. It has an integrated structure. Of these, the pressing part 23 is in constant contact with the top of the lower click board 13. It is shaped and arranged so that you can touch it. Note that the pressing part 23 is not necessarily as shown in the figure. It does not need to be circular like this, in short, it does not need to be in constant contact with the top of the click board 13. Any shape is acceptable.

[0008] A top sheet 15 is bonded to the upper side of the light guide 20 with double-sided tape 18. . This top sheet 15 is made of a translucent material, and has letters as appropriate depending on the purpose of use. It is decorated with designs such as paintings and paintings.

[0009] When the top sheet 15 is pressed from the outside, the operating force is applied to the surface of the pressing part 23, that is, the operating force It acts on the surface 24. As a result, the light guide 20 deforms and clicks as shown in FIG. Press the board 13. When the pressing force acting on the click plate 13 increases beyond a predetermined value, The click board 13 deforms downward to form a convex surface and connects to the contact point on the printed circuit board 12. Contact. As a result, an electric circuit is closed. On the other hand, when the operating force is released, the The shape of the back plate 13 is restored and separated from the contact points on the printed circuit board 12. As a result, The electrical circuit is opened. That is, the contact points on the click board 13 and the printed circuit board 12 are Together, they perform the same function as a switch. Note that a normal switch may be used instead of the click board 13.

0010 The light emitted from the LED chip 14 enters the light guide 20 and passes through the joint section 22. The light is guided to the pressing part 23 and emitted from the operation surface 24 to illuminate the top sheet 15 from the back side. vinegar. As a result, the design of the top sheet 15 is illuminated. Note that instead of the operation surface 24, the surface 25 of the joint section 22 following the operation surface 24 may be used. Alternatively, the light may be emitted from both the operation surface 24 and the surface 25. It is also possible to make it shoot.

[0011]

[Effect of the idea]

As explained above, according to the present invention, light passes through space only a small amount during propagation. This improves propagation efficiency and makes the switch brighter. Also, the propagation of light can be Since this is done using a light guide, it not only reduces the number of parts, but also eliminates collisions between parts. There is no vibration caused by friction, and the overall structure can be made thinner.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an illuminated panel switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the illuminated panel switch of FIG. 1 in an exploded state.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of other parts of the illuminated panel switch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a light guide included in the illuminated panel switch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view showing the illuminated panel switch of FIG. 1 in an operating state.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of an example of a conventional illuminated panel switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Membrane sheet 12 Printed circuit board 13 Click board 14 LED chip 15 Top sheet 20 Light guide 22 Joint section 23 Pressing part 24 Operation surface 25 Surface

Claims (3)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An illuminated panel switch comprising a movable operation part, a return means for returning the position of the operation part, and a light guide means for guiding light from a light emitting source toward the operation part. The means has a light guiding part made of synthetic resin integrally with the operating part and extending to the vicinity of the light emitting source, and the light guiding part guides the light from the light emitting source to the operating part. An illuminated panel switch featuring 2. The illuminated type according to claim 1, wherein the operating section has an operating surface that receives an operating force, and the operating section emits the light guided by the light guiding section from the operating surface. panel switch. 3. The illuminated panel switch according to claim 1, wherein the light guiding section has a surface continuous to the operation surface, and the surface allows the light guided by the light guiding section to be emitted. .