JPS6344899Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to an illuminated keyboard switch used in an operating section of a computer or the like.

Illuminated keyboard switches of this type are known in various configurations; one example is a light bulb attached to a printed circuit board having switch contacts, into which the light bulb fits or the light from the bulb is transmitted. Some devices have a knob with a light-emitting hole, and when the knob is pressed, a switch contact is turned on and a predetermined signal is sent. However, due to the fact that the light bulb is attached to the circuit board, there is a distance from the top of the knob, and the light is emitted through the hole in the knob, so not only does the illumination intensity become significantly darker, but also when the knob is pressed. There is a difference in illuminance when there is no light, and the uniformity of the light is lost. Furthermore, not only is it troublesome to connect the lead wires when installing the light source, but the lead wires or cords have to be handled in relation to the contacts in the part where the knob moves, making the structure extremely complicated. There is.
In addition to ensuring safety regarding the handling of these lead wires and cords, a large space must be taken up to accommodate the knobs and light bulbs for maintenance and inspection, which goes against the trend of miniaturizing the equipment to which these are attached.

The present invention was developed in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an illuminated keyboard switch that is simple in construction and allows for easy handling of lead wires or cords.

Next, the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the illustrated embodiment. Reference numeral 1 denotes an outer case of the keyboard, and a plurality of operating knobs 2 are arranged in an orderly manner on the outer case. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this knob is made of an insulating material such as synthetic rubber or synthetic resin, has a flange 3 on the base side, and has a light emitting diode, etc. in the center along the axis of the knob. A hole 2a into which a light source 4 consisting of
is provided, and slits 2 are provided on both sides communicating with the hole.
b, 2c are formed, and the lead wires 5, 6 of the light source are fitted into these slits, and these lead wires are arranged in an exposed state on the upper surface of the flange portion 3. In this case, a recess 3 is formed on the lower surface of the flange portion 3.
a, 3b are provided, and the lead wires 5, 6 are bent from the top surface of the flange portion along the side surface, and their ends 5
a, 6a are folded into the recesses 3a, 3b to stabilize them. Note that the light source 4 is fixed inside the knob 2 by a holder 2d, and a portion thereof is exposed on the top surface.

A lighting-side printed circuit board 7 is disposed inside the outer case 1, and lighting contacts 8 and 9 are arranged on the printed circuit board, and conductive rubber 1 is further disposed on these contacts.
6 is attached to the conductive rubber, and the lead wires 5 and 6 are configured to come into contact with this conductive rubber. This conductive rubber, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,
A hole 17 into which a knob is inserted is provided in the center, and numerous conductors 18 are arranged in the direction between the two opposing printed circuit boards.These conductors are exposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the conductive rubber, and That is, it is possible to conduct electricity in the direction between the two opposing printed circuit boards. A key-side printed circuit board 10 is disposed at an appropriate distance from the illumination-side printed circuit board 7, and key contacts 11 and 12 are disposed on the printed circuit board.

A plate-shaped click rubber 13 is disposed between the illumination side printed circuit board 7 and the key side printed circuit board 10, and a chevron-shaped support portion 14 is formed on the click rubber in correspondence with the mounting position of the knob. One or more supporting parts are provided depending on the number of knobs to be attached, and the base of the knob 2 described above is stably attached to the top of the supporting part 14 by, for example, adhesive means. and chevron support part 1
4, a conductive rubber block 15 is attached to the inside thereof, that is, at a position corresponding to the key contacts 11 and 12,
The conductive rubber block 15 serves as the key contacts 11 and 12.
This causes a short circuit.

In the illuminated keyboard switch configured in this way, when knob 2 is pressed during operation,
The chevron-shaped support portion 14 of the click rubber 13 is compressed and the knob is lowered, and the conductive rubber block 15 contacts the key contacts 11 and 12, causing a short circuit, so that a signal is inputted via the key contacts 11 and 12. Ru. This input signal causes a predetermined operation and energizes the lighting contacts 8 and 9, and when the pressure on the knob 2 is released and the knob returns upward due to the restoring force of the support part 14 made of click rubber, the conductive rubber 16 and the lead wires 5, 6 come into contact, and the lead wires and the illumination contacts 8, 9 become electrically connected, so that the light source 4 lights up and the operating state can be visually confirmed. Note that in the pressed state, the knob 2 is hidden by the finger, so it is not necessary to display the knob 2 by lighting it. Further, when the operation is completed and the lighting display is no longer necessary, the energization to the lighting contacts is canceled by another signal and the light is turned off.

As explained above, the illuminated keyboard switch according to the present invention has a structure in which a light source is attached to the knob, the lead wire of the light source is exposed on the flange of the knob, and this lead wire contacts the lighting contact via the conductive rubber. Therefore, not only does lead wire processing become unnecessary and the entire device can be made smaller, but also the light source can be easily attached, and since the knob is held or contacted elastically, operation noise is muffled and the touch feeling is good.

Furthermore, since the light source is attached to the knob, the light source and the knob move up and down together when operated, and the brightness remains constant even when the light is turned on in the normal position or the pressed position, which is an excellent effect.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a side view showing a part of the illuminated keyboard switch according to the present invention in cross section, Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the same part, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the knob, and Fig. 4 is a conductive A perspective view of the rubber, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the conductive rubber. 1... Outer case, 2... Knob, 3... Flange section, 4... Light source, 5, 6... Lead wire, 7...
Lighting side printed circuit board, 8, 9...Lighting contact, 1
0... Key side printed circuit board, 11, 12... Key contact, 13... Click rubber, 14... Chevron-shaped support part, 15... Conductive rubber block, 16... Conductive rubber, 17... Hole, 18... conductor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A lighting-side printed circuit board equipped with lighting contacts and a key-side printed circuit board equipped with key contacts are arranged oppositely at an appropriate distance, and a conductor is attached to the lighting contacts in the direction between the two opposing printed circuit boards. A click rubber having a chevron-shaped support part is disposed between the two printed circuit boards, and a knob with a flange part that penetrates the lighting side printed board and has a light source inside is provided in the support part. In the illuminated keyboard switch, in which a conductive rubber block is arranged on the lower side of the support part so as to come into contact with the key contact, the knob is provided with a hole in the center along the axis, and is communicated with the hole. A slit is formed on both side walls, a light source such as a light emitting diode is inserted into the hole, and the lead wire of the light source is inserted into the slit to be exposed on the upper surface of the flange of the knob. An illuminated keyboard switch characterized by a structure in which the ends are folded and folded into recesses provided on the lower surface of the flange.