JPS6215713A - Keyboard lighting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a keyboard illumination device using electroluminescence.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many keyboard lighting devices of this type have used a small number of light sources to illuminate a plurality of key buttons.

Figures 4 (5) and 4 (B) are structural diagrams showing an example of a conventional keyboard, where 7 is a key top sheet, 8 is a key top sheet, and 8 is a key top sheet.
is a button frame, 9 is a key button, IO is an elastic metal plate (diaphragm) with an arcuate cross section, and when pressure is applied near the center of the convex part, it changes to a concave shape, and the switch board makes contact with two contacts, 11 is a perforated plate for determining the position of the switch board; 12 is a printed circuit board facing the switch board and has switch terminals and external lead terminals; 13 is a light emitting diode (LED); and 8a is a board of the frame 8. One part is a reflective part that guides the light from the LED to the key button.

In the above configuration, the key top sheet 7 is pressed to deform the diaphragm 10 to perform a switch operation, while the L
Light emission from the ED 13 has been introduced into a plurality of key buttons 9 through a reflective portion 8a of a part of the frame 8 to provide illumination.

Problems that the investigation aims to solve However, because the conventional keyboard lighting device described above directs light from a small number of light sources to a large number of key buttons on the keyboard, buttons that are close to the light source are bright and buttons that are far away are dark. It had the disadvantage of causing uneven light, and the disadvantage of making the keyboard part thicker because the light source and top sheet were separated to make the light uniform.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide a thin keyboard illumination device that is capable of uniformly illuminating each key button.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a thin plate (1) between the key button and the printed circuit board, and presses the keyboard through the hole in the EL thin plate to press the button on the printed circuit board. The switch is configured to perform switch operations such as shorting the contacts, and to illuminate the key button by emitting light from the EL.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the characters of each key can be illuminated with uniform brightness, and the device can be made thinner than the conventional device.

Embodiment FIGS. 1(5) and 2(B) and FIG. 2 show an embodiment of the present invention. In Figures 1 (A) and (B), 1 is a key top (sheet) made of flexible translucent plastic or, for example, translucent rubber (silicone rubber, etc.).
1.1 is the key name display part (key button) printed on sheet 1, and 1.2 is the light shielding part, which is printed on key top 1 or shielded from light by masking paint, etc., and is made integrally with the key button. ing. 2 is an electroluminescent (EL) thin film sheet, and 4 is an arcuate elastic metal plate (diaphragm) that constitutes a pattern circuit of switch contacts 4a and 4b.
This is a printed circuit board with soldered.

In Figure 2, 2 is electroluminescence (EL).
), in order to make it easier to press the diaphragm 3, a round hole 2a is provided in the part corresponding to the switch part, D) d (D:
EL hole diameter, d: diaphragm diameter). 10 is an EL power supply terminal, 11 is a key button pull-out terminal, and shows the state of the lower part of the key buttons with 3 columns x 4 columns = 12.

Next, the operation will be explained using FIG. 1 (5) and FIG. 2. Now, the EL 2 emits fluorescent light when voltage is supplied to the power supply terminal 10, and the letters and symbols on the key buttons are irradiated from inside or diffusely reflected by the light shielding part 1.2. Figures 1 and 2
In the figure, when you apply acupressure in the direction of the arrow, key button 1
．． 1 is pushed down, pushing down the diaphragm 3 and shorting the switch contacts 4a and 4b. Now key button′
When 8' is pressed, the signal from terminal 11 B is sent to terminal F.
, and if you press the '*' mark, the signal from terminal 11 C appears at terminal G. These signals are configured to be converted into number codes by a CPU (not shown here).

Note that FIG. 3 shows a case in which the carbon material 5 is simultaneously molded or printed directly under the key button without using the diaphragm 3.

In addition, a triangular protrusion 6C is provided on the key button holding portion 6a of the housing case 6 and the rib 6b between the key buttons, and a concave portion of the same shape is provided on the opposing key button 1a, so that the light emitted from the EL Dissemination may be assisted.

In this example, the hole corresponding to the EL switch part is a round hole, but
The hole is not necessarily limited to a round hole, but may be a square hole, for example.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above embodiments, the present invention has the following effects.

1) Since the entire surface of the keyboard is covered with electroluminescence, all buttons can be uniformly illuminated from inside, and unlike conventional keyboards, there are no hard-to-see buttons.

2) By using electroluminescence (for example, the thickness of the flexible type is IIIm), and the structure using a diaphragm and a key sheet, it can be made thin and bright because there is no need for LEDs or their light reflection parts.

3) Furthermore, if carbon is used for the contacts, costs can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 (5) and (B) are diagrams showing the configuration of a keyboard illumination device in an embodiment of the present invention. (5) is a top view, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, and Figure 2 is a diagram showing the structure of a keyboard illumination device in an embodiment of the present invention. An exploded view of a key switch, FIG. 3 shows a keyboard in another embodiment: key top, 2 thin film sheet, 2a round hole, 3...
Diaphragm, 4...Printed circuit board, 10...Power terminal. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person!
Kied Schiff 2 years old Kang Schiff za... L6 Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plurality of switches provided on a printed circuit board, an electroluminescent thin plate provided on the printed circuit board including a plurality of holes for operating the switches, and an electroluminescent thin plate provided above the thin plate corresponding to the plurality of switches. , a keyboard equipped with a plurality of key buttons integrally molded from a translucent material, and when the key buttons are pressed, a switch is operated, and the electroluminescent thin plate is made to emit light to illuminate the keyboard. Keyboard lighting device made to work.