JPH04355016A - Lighting button device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent limitation from being received to a structure and design of a key top due to providing a lamp for exclusive use as a conventional light source of a lighting button by providing a light source of, for instance, non- radiative flat plate display (representated by liquid crystal display) so that it can be utilized as the light source of the lighting button. CONSTITUTION:A lighting key top 11, light source (back light)15 provided behind a display panel, printed board 14 providing a hole 14a in a position of connecting a lighting position of the above-mentioned key top 11 to the light source 15 and a light conductor 12 provided on an space route of connecting the lighting position of the key top 11 to the light source 15 are provided.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an illuminated button device provided on the casing of a non-luminous flat panel display (typically a liquid crystal display).

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, liquid crystal displays have been widely used as display devices for portable television receivers, portable computers, and in-vehicle audio-visual equipment.
As an input device for transmitting user operations, buttons or switches are placed around the display to reduce its size. The buttons are equipped with transparent plastic windows and cut-out letters that allow light to pass through, and by illuminating the buttons with a light source such as a light emitting diode or lamp from behind the buttons, they can be operated even in the dark, or the status of the device can be determined. is now possible.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which a conventional illuminated button is mounted on a printed circuit board, and will be explained below based on the drawing.
1 is the key top, transparent (or colored) in the center
It has portions. 2 is a lamp provided inside the key top 1; 3 is a switch; these lamp 2 and switch 3 are provided on a printed circuit board 4. Note that the mechanism for supporting the key top 1 is omitted in the drawing.

0004

However, the conventional configuration described above has a problem in that the structure and design of the key top 1 are restricted by the arrangement position of the lamp 2, which is a light source.

[0005] The present invention solves these problems by, for example, making it possible to use the light source of a non-luminous flat display (typically a liquid crystal display) as a light source for an illuminated button, thereby replacing it with a conventional light source for an illuminated button. The purpose of the present invention is to avoid restrictions on the structure and design of key tops due to the provision of dedicated lamps.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides an illumination key top, a transmitted illumination light source provided behind a display panel, and a light source and light source for the key top. This device includes a printed circuit board with holes provided at connecting positions, and a light guide provided on a spatial path connecting the key top illumination position and the light source.

[0007]

[Function] With this configuration, the light source dedicated to the key top can be eliminated, and the degree of freedom in the configuration and design of the key top is improved.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. To explain the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, 11 is a key top, and 12 is a transparent light guide attached to the center of the key top 11 so as to protrude inward from the key top 11. The tip of 12 is switch 1
It faces a light source (backlight) 15 that penetrates through a hole 14a of a printed circuit board 14 to which 3 is attached and illuminates the flat display from behind. Note that the end surface of the light guide 12 at the center of the key top 11 is flush with the outer surface of the key top 11. Therefore, the position of the end surface of the light guide 12 flush with the outer surface of the key top 11 serves as an illumination window.

In the above configuration, the light from the light source 15 enters from the end face of the light guide 12 on the tip side, passes through the inside of the light guide 12, and reaches the user's eyes from above the key top 11. When the key top 11 is pressed, the protrusion 11a provided on the key top 11 pushes the switch 13,
The switch operation is transmitted to the printed circuit board 14. Light guide 12
is attached to key top 11, and key top 1
Although it moves downward by the same distance as 1, there is no change in its ability to transmit light. Incidentally, the gap between the light guide 12 and the light source 15 is set larger than the above-mentioned moving distance in order to avoid collision between the two.

Next, referring to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the difference from the first embodiment is that the light guide 12 and the light source 1 are different from the first embodiment.
By providing an electronic shutter 16 between the light guide 12 and the light guide 12, and controlling the amount of light entering from the end face of the light guide 12, it is possible to turn on/off the illumination and control the light. Since the electronic shutter 16 can be realized with a liquid crystal display, it is possible to integrate the electronic shutter 16 and the display.

[0011]

As described above, according to the present invention, a hole is formed in the key top for illumination, the transmitted illumination light source provided behind the display panel, and the hole at the position connecting the illumination position of the key top and the light source. By providing a light guide on the spatial path connecting the installed printed circuit board, the illuminated position of the key top, and the light source,
Cost reduction can be achieved by eliminating a dedicated light source (lamp) for illuminating the key tops, and there are no restrictions on the structure or design of the key tops.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an illuminated button device in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an illuminated button device in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an illuminated button device in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Key top 12 Light guide 13 Switch 14 Printed circuit board 14a hole 15 Light source 16 Electronic shutter

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A key top for illumination, a transmitted illumination light source provided behind a display panel, a printed circuit board having a hole at a position connecting the illumination position of the key top and the light source, and illumination of the key top. An illuminated button device comprising a light guide provided on a spatial path connecting a position and a light source.