JPWO2008072666A1 - Illuminated input device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an illumination input device that is inexpensive, has excellent durability, consumes less power, and can illuminate an illumination portion with an arbitrary color. A wiring board on which a required wiring pattern including a fixed contact of a pushbutton switch is formed, a metal dome as a movable contact of the pushbutton switch, a cover sheet for fixing the metal dome, and a light source. In an illuminated input device having a light emitting diode 4 and a light guide plate 5 that has a through hole 5a for housing a metal dome, guides incident light from the light emitting diode 4 in a plane direction, and emits the light into the through hole 5a. The colored portion 11 is formed in the metal dome fixing portion 3 a of the cover sheet 3, and the white light emitted in the through hole 5 a is reflected by the colored portion 11, so that the illumination mark 8 a formed on the key top 8 is externally connected. To radiate. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an illuminating input device provided in a mobile phone or the like, and more particularly to a means for causing a required illuminating unit to shine in an arbitrary color.

  Conventionally, as an illumination input device provided in a mobile phone or the like, as shown in FIG. 4, a printed circuit board 101 on which a required wiring pattern including a fixed electrode 101a of a pushbutton switch is formed, and one surface of the printed circuit board 101 are provided. A push button switch comprising a light guide plate 102 arranged, a plurality of light emitting diodes 103 arranged on the side of the light guide plate 102, and a dome-shaped metal spring housed in a switch window hole 104 provided in the light guide plate 102. The movable electrode 105 includes a key sheet 107 having a protrusion 106 formed on a portion facing the movable electrode 105, and a translucent key top 108 provided on a portion corresponding to the protrusion 106 on the outer surface of the key sheet 107. Are known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  According to this illumination type input device, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 103 is guided to the vicinity of the key top 108 by the light guide plate 102 and is emitted in the switch window hole 104. Therefore, the key sheet 107 and the key top 108 are The operation surface of the key top 108 can be illuminated by the transmitted light.

  By the way, in this kind of illumination type input device, in order to improve the operability of the key top and to enhance the beauty of the illumination unit, it is required to make the illumination unit shine in an arbitrary color.

As a means to illuminate the illumination part in any color,
(A) A method of forming a colored portion on the surface of the key top, guiding white light emitted from a white light emitting diode as a light source to the colored portion and transmitting the colored portion, and causing the colored portion to shine in the color of the colored portion,
(B) A method of using a light emitting diode that emits light of a required color as a light source, guiding the light emitted from the light emitting diode to the surface of the key top and transmitting it, and making the key top shine in the color of the emitted light of the light emitting diode ,
(C) An EL (electroluminescence) element that emits light of a required color is used as a light source, the light emitted from the EL element is guided to the surface of the key top and transmitted, and the key top is the color of the emitted light from the EL element. How to shine
Can be considered.
JP 2005-268165 A

  However, among the key top colored glitter methods shown in the above (a) to (c), the method of forming a colored portion on the surface of the key top touches the colored portion every time the key top is operated. , The colored part is liable to deteriorate over time and has a disadvantage of poor durability. In order to form a colored portion on the surface of the key top, a required colored layer, a protective layer, a light shielding layer, and a cover layer colored in the appearance color of the key top are formed in this order on the surface of the key top material. Then, it is necessary to go through a complicated process of selectively removing a part of the cover layer and the light shielding layer, for example, by laser processing so as not to damage the colored layer and forming an illuminating portion having a required shape. Therefore, there is also a problem that the cost of a key top and thus a device including the key top becomes high.

  In addition, the method including the light emitting diode that emits light other than the white light of (b) inevitably increases the number of light emitting diodes set, so that the number of parts increases and the cost of the device increases. There is a problem that power consumption increases. In addition, since the color rendering of the illumination unit is limited to the color of the light emitted from the light emitting diode, there is a problem that the range of color selection is narrow.

  Furthermore, the method of (c) including an EL element that emits light other than white light has the same drawbacks as the case of including a light emitting diode that emits light other than white light. Compared to high cost, electromagnetic noise is likely to occur, and there are disadvantages such as low reliability for long-term use. Furthermore, when an EL element is used as a light emitter for an input device, the contact portion is operated from above the EL element. Inevitably, the operation feeling of the key top is deteriorated, and a pressing force is repeatedly applied to the EL element, so that the reliability for long-term use is further lowered.

  The present invention has been made to solve such deficiencies of the prior art, and its purpose is an illumination type that is inexpensive, has excellent durability, has low power consumption, and can illuminate an illumination portion in an arbitrary color. It is to provide an input device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention firstly includes a wiring board on which a required wiring pattern including a fixed contact of a pushbutton switch is formed, a metal dome which is a movable contact of the pushbutton switch, and a metal dome fixing A cover plate, a light source, and a light guide plate that includes a storage portion of the metal dome and guides incident light from the light source in a plane direction and emits the light into the storage portion of the metal dome. A colored portion is formed at a required portion, and the light emitted from the light exit surface of the light guide plate is reflected by the colored portion and radiated in a required direction.

  According to this configuration, since the color rendering of the illumination unit can be changed depending on the color of the coloring unit, it is sufficient to provide only a white light source such as a white light emitting diode as the light source regardless of the color rendering of the illumination unit. Therefore, the light reduction can be reduced as compared with the case where various light emitting diodes or EL elements having different colors of emitted light are used, and the cost and power saving of the apparatus can be reduced. In addition, since the color rendering of the illumination unit can be adjusted by the color of the coloring unit, the color of the light that illuminates the illumination unit can be arbitrarily selected. Therefore, the operability of the key top for operating the push button switch can be improved and the aesthetics of the input device can be improved. Furthermore, since the colored portion is formed on the cover sheet, the finger can not be directly touched to the colored portion, and discoloration or destruction of the colored portion can be prevented. Therefore, the durability of the colored portion and thus the input device can be enhanced.

  Secondly, in the illumination type input device of the first configuration, the present invention is configured such that a plurality of the colored portions having different colors are formed on the cover sheet.

  According to such a configuration, since the light reflected by the respective colored portions having different colors can be emitted to the respective illumination portions, a multicolor illumination input device can be obtained.

  Thirdly, in the illumination type input device of the first configuration, the present invention is configured such that one colored portion is configured by a set of a plurality of material marks.

  According to such a configuration, the color rendering color of the illumination unit can be appropriately adjusted by changing the size, shape, arrangement, and the like of each material mark, so that the color rendering design of the illumination unit can be facilitated.

  Fourthly, according to the present invention, in the illumination type input device having the first configuration, one colored portion is composed of a set of a plurality of material marks, and the color of the material mark constituting the one colored portion is It was configured differently.

  According to such a configuration, the color rendering of the illumination unit can be appropriately adjusted by combining a plurality of material marks having different colors, so that variations in color rendering of the illumination unit can be increased indefinitely.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the illuminated input device of the first configuration, the coloring portion is a portion corresponding to the metal dome fixing portion of the cover sheet, and is formed on a surface that does not fix the metal dome. It was configured as follows.

  According to such a configuration, since the colored portion is formed at a portion corresponding to the metal dome fixing portion of the cover sheet, the illumination portion provided on the key top can be illuminated with an arbitrary color. Further, since the colored portion is formed on the surface of the cover sheet where the metal dome is not fixed, the formation of the colored portion is not limited by the metal dome, and the colored portion can be easily formed.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the illuminated input device of the fifth configuration, the colored portion is not formed at the center of the metal dome fixing portion.

  According to such a configuration, a member such as a key top that presses the central portion of the metal dome does not touch the colored portion, so that the durability of the colored portion, and thus the input device, can be improved.

  Seventhly, in the illumination type input device of the fifth configuration, the present invention is configured such that the metal dome fixing portion is formed in a conical shape, and the coloring portion is formed on the convex surface of the conical portion. .

  According to such a configuration, compared to the case where the metal dome fixing portion is flat, it is easy to irradiate the colored portion with the light emitted from the light guide, so that the color rendering of the illumination portion can be made clear.

  Eighthly, according to the present invention, in the illuminated input device having the first configuration, an end surface of the light guide plate on the metal dome storage portion side is inclined so as to guide light from the light source to the metal dome. It was configured as follows.

  According to such a configuration, light from the light source is less likely to leak directly from the end surface of the light guide plate and more light reflected by the colored portion is emitted than when the end surface is vertical. Can be clarified.

  The illuminated input device of the present invention forms a colored portion at a required portion of the cover sheet, reflects the light emitted from the light exit surface of the light guide plate by the colored portion and emits it in the required direction. Therefore, it is sufficient to provide only a white light source, and the cost and power saving of the apparatus can be reduced. In addition, the color rendering of the illuminating part can be adjusted according to the color of the colored part, so that the color of the light that illuminates the illuminating part can be arbitrarily selected, and the operability of the key top for operating the push button switch is enhanced, and the input The aesthetics of the device can be enhanced. Further, since the colored portion is formed on the cover sheet, the colored portion and thus the durability of the input device can be enhanced.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an illuminated input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part in a state in which the illumination type input device according to the embodiment is combined with a key sheet, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of a cover sheet illustrating the coloring part according to the embodiment, and FIG. It is an expanded sectional view.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the illuminated input device according to the embodiment includes a fixed contact 1a of a pushbutton switch and a wiring board 1 on which a required wiring pattern (not shown) is formed, and a metal dome 2 that is a movable contact of the pushbutton switch. And a cover sheet 3 for fixing the metal dome, a light emitting diode 4 that is a light source, and a through hole 5a that is a storage portion of the metal dome 2, and guides incident light from the light emitting diode 4 in the surface direction. The light guide plate 5 mainly emits light and the light shielding film 6 formed on the upper surface of the light guide plate 5. The illuminated input device of this example is used in combination with a key sheet 7 disposed above the light guide plate 5.

  The wiring board 1 is formed of a light-shielding white material at least on the side in contact with the light guide plate 5 in order to scatter the light emitted from the light emitting diode 4 and improve the uniformity of the light emitted from the through hole 5a. desirable. That is, with such a configuration, light absorption by the wiring board 1 can be suppressed, so that waste of light emitted from the light emitting diode 4 can be suppressed, and the illuminance of each through hole 5a can be increased. As the wiring board 1, one that is entirely formed of a light-shielding white material can be used, or a cover layer made of a light-shielding white material is formed on the surface of the wiring board body formed of a material other than the white light-shielding material. A coated one can also be used. Examples of the light-shielding white material include reinforced plastics based on liquid crystal polymers and polyimides, and rigids such as glass epoxies and low-temperature fired ceramics. In addition, the wiring board 1 can also be made into the single layer structure where a conductor part is formed only in the surface as needed, and can also be made into the multilayer structure where a conductor part is laminated | stacked on multiple layers via an insulating layer. it can.

  The metal dome 2 functions as a movable contact of the pushbutton switch, and is formed by forming a metal plate, for example, a stainless steel plate into a circular bowl shape. On the electrode contact side (inner surface side) of the metal dome 2, gold plating or silver plating is applied as necessary to improve electrical connection with the fixed contact 1 a and to improve wear resistance. It can also be applied.

  The cover sheet 3 is formed with a resin film having excellent elasticity such as polyethylene terephthalate. As the cover sheet material, in order to suppress light leakage from the light guide plate 5 and to effectively use the light emitted from the light emitting diode 4, a white material having a high light reflection effect or a transparent material having a surface subjected to light diffusion treatment A translucent material or a white material is particularly desirable. The metal dome fixing portion 3a of the cover sheet 3 is formed in a circular bowl shape, and the metal dome 2 is housed and fixed therein. As a fixing means for the metal dome 2, since the work is easy and the metal dome 2 can be securely fixed, adhesion is particularly suitable. The periphery of the cover sheet 3 is bonded to the periphery of the wiring board 1.

  A colored portion 11 illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2F is formed on the outer surface of the circular bowl-shaped metal dome fixing portion 3 a formed on the cover sheet 3. As described above, when the colored portion 11 is formed on the outer surface of the metal dome fixing portion 3a, the formation of the colored portion 11 is not restricted by the metal dome 2, so that the colored portion 11 can be easily formed. In addition, the coloring part 11 can be formed by printing ink or a coating material, and can also mix a fluorescent substance with an ink or a coating material.

  The colored portion 11 can be uniformly formed on the entire outer surface of the metal dome fixing portion 3a as shown in FIG. 2 (a), or can be dotted or lined as shown in FIGS. 2 (b) to 2 (f). It can also be composed of a set of a plurality of material marks such as shapes. FIG. 2B shows an example in which a plurality of dot-like material marks made of a single color are formed dispersed in the central portion of the metal dome fixing portion 3a and its peripheral portion, and FIG. 2C shows a plurality of pieces made of a single color. FIG. 2D shows an example in which the dotted material marks are formed only on the peripheral portion of the metal dome fixing portion 3a. FIG. 2D shows a plurality of dotted material marks having a plurality of colors distributed only on the peripheral portion of the metal dome fixing portion 3a. FIG. 2E shows an example in which a plurality of circular material marks having a single color are dispersed only in the peripheral portion of the metal dome fixing portion 3a, and FIG. 2F shows a plurality of single color colors. This circular material mark is formed in a concentric shape centering on the center position of the metal dome fixing portion 3a. As shown in FIGS. 2 (b) to (f), when the colored portion 11 is composed of a set of a plurality of material marks such as dots or lines, it is required by changing the size, shape, arrangement, etc. of each material mark. Since the color rendering color of the illumination portion (in this example, the illumination mark 8a formed on the key top 8) can be adjusted as appropriate, the color rendering design of the illumination portion can be facilitated.

  As shown in FIGS. 2C to 2F, when the colored portion 11 is formed only in the peripheral portion of the metal dome fixing portion 3a, interference between the key top and the colored portion, which will be described later, can be prevented. It is possible to prevent deterioration and destruction over time. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2D, when the colored portion 11 is composed of a set of a plurality of dot-like material marks having different colors, the color rendering of the illumination portion is appropriately adjusted by combining a plurality of material marks having different colors. As a result, it is possible to increase the color rendering variation of the illumination portion infinitely with a small amount of ink.

  In addition, when the some metal dome fixing | fixed part 3a is formed in the cover sheet 3 of 1 sheet, the coloring of the coloring part 11 formed in each metal dome fixing | fixed part 3a can be changed. In this case, a multicolor illuminated input device is obtained.

  As the light source, if the light source includes a plurality of wavelengths, a specific wavelength is absorbed by the colored portion and the color can be converted. However, from the viewpoint of power consumption and miniaturization, a white light emitting diode that emits white light is desirable. The set number and arrangement of the light-emitting diodes 4 are not limited at all, and the required number of light-emitting diodes 4 required to uniformly illuminate the illuminating part is provided. The light emitting diode 4 is disposed with its light exit surface facing a required light incident portion set on the light guide plate 5.

  The light guide plate 5 guides incident light from the light emitting diode 4 in the in-plane direction and emits the light from the through hole 5a. For example, a highly transparent resin material such as acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, and cyclic polyolefin resin, or glass is used. The material is formed into a predetermined shape. The through hole 5 a is for housing the metal dome 2 and the metal dome fixing portion 3 a of the cover sheet 3, and is formed at a position corresponding to the fixed contact 1 a formed on the wiring board 1. The light guide plate 5 is desired to have a small thickness from the viewpoint of reducing the thickness of the input device. However, if the thickness is too thin, it becomes difficult for light from the light source to enter from the incident surface, and the manufacturing difficulty is also low. Therefore, the thickness is preferably 0.1 mm or more, and more preferably 0.4 mm or less. Further, when the plate thickness is 1.2 mm or more, the luminance is not significantly different from that of a plate thickness of 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm. Therefore, the upper limit of the plate thickness is 1.2 mm from the viewpoint of reducing the thickness of the input device. It is desirable.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the end face on the through hole 5 a side of the light guide plate 5 is formed vertically, but the gist of the present invention is not limited to this, and the end face is provided with an inclination to emit light. The light incident from the diode 4 can be guided to the metal dome fixing portion 3a of the cover sheet 3. As a result, the amount of light reflected by the coloring portion 11 provided in the metal dome fixing portion 3a can be increased, and the amount of light leaking directly from the end face of the light guide 5 to the outside can be reduced. Can be clarified.

  The light shielding film 6 prevents light leakage from the light guide plate 5 to effectively use light, and is formed with a metal film such as black paint or aluminum.

  The key sheet 7 is formed of a soft translucent resin material, and the key top 8 and an actuator 9 for pressing the metal dome 2 are integrally formed at a portion corresponding to the opening position of the through hole 5a. ing. A required illumination mark 8 a is formed at the center of the surface of the key top 8. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3, the illumination mark 8a is formed by, for example, laser processing or the like on the light shielding film 10b formed on the surface of the key top 8 and a part of the cover layer 10a formed on the surface of the light shielding film 10b. It is formed by selectively removing by. In addition, as the illumination mark 8a, it is possible to form a character or a figure indicating the type of signal input by pressing the key top 8 on which the illumination mark 8a is formed.

  Hereinafter, a method for assembling the illuminated input device according to this example will be described. First, the wiring board 1 in which the light emitting diode 4 is mounted at a predetermined position, the metal dome 2 is bonded and fixed to the inner surface of the metal dome fixing portion 3a, and the colored portion 11 is formed on the outer surface of the metal dome fixing portion 3a. A sheet 3, a light guide plate 5 having a light shielding film 6 formed on the upper surface, and a key sheet 7 having an illumination mark 8a formed on a key top 8 are prepared. Thereafter, the cover sheet 3 to which the metal dome 2 is bonded and fixed is positioned and bonded to the fixed terminal forming surface of the wiring board 1. Thereby, the fixed terminal 1a and the metal dome 2 formed on the wiring board 1 are arranged to face each other. Next, the light guide plate 5 is positioned and set on the cover sheet 3 with the surface on which the light shielding film 6 is not formed facing the cover sheet 3 side. Thereby, the metal dome 2 and the metal dome fixing part 3 a of the cover sheet 3 are set in the through hole 5 a opened in the light guide plate 5. The light guide plate 5 is fixed to the wiring board 1. As a fixing means between the light guide plate 5 and the wiring board 1, fastening or snap coupling can be used. Thereafter, the key sheet 7 is positioned and set above the light guide plate 5. Thereby, the actuator 9 is set in the through hole 5 a opened in the light guide plate 5.

  Since the illuminated input device of this example is configured as described above, white light emitted from the light emitting diode 4 is propagated in the plane direction through the light guide plate 5 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. The light is emitted into the through hole 5a. The white light emitted into the through hole 5a is reflected by the colored layer 11 formed on the metal dome fixing portion 3a of the cover sheet 3 and converted into colored light. The colored light is emitted to the outside through the key top 8 and the illumination mark 8a formed on the key top 8.

  Thus, the illumination type input device of this example forms the colored part 11 in the metal dome fixing part 3a of the cover sheet 3, and radiates the light reflected by the colored part 11 to the outside through the illumination mark 8a. Therefore, the illumination mark 8a can be displayed in color rendering. In addition, since the illuminated input device of this example only needs to include the white light-emitting diode 4 as a light source, it is possible to reduce the cost and power consumption of the device. In addition, since the color rendering of the illumination mark 8a can be arbitrarily adjusted by the color of the coloring portion 11, the operability of the key top 8 for operating the push button switch can be improved and the aesthetics of the input device can be improved. Furthermore, since the colored part 11 is formed on the cover sheet 3, the colored part 11 is unlikely to deteriorate with time, and the durability of the colored part and thus the input device can be improved. In addition, since the metal dome fixing portion 3a is formed in a circular bowl shape and the colored portion 11 is formed on the convex surface thereof, the white light emitted from the light guide 5 compared to the case where the metal dome fixing portion is flat. It is easy to irradiate the colored portion 11 with light, and the color rendering of the illumination mark 8a can be made clear.

It is principal part sectional drawing of the state which combined the illumination type input device which concerns on embodiment with the key sheet. It is a principal part top view of the cover sheet which illustrates the coloring part which concerns on embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view of a key top. It is a principal part side view of the illumination type input device which concerns on a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wiring board 1a Fixed contact 2 Metal dome 3 Cover sheet 3a Metal dome fixed part 4 Light emitting diode 5 Light guide plate 5a Through-hole 6 Light shielding film 7 Key sheet 8 Key top 8a Illumination mark 9 Actuator

Claims (8)

A wiring board on which a required wiring pattern including a fixed contact of the pushbutton switch is formed, a metal dome that is a movable contact of the pushbutton switch, a cover sheet for fixing the metal dome, a light source, and a storage portion for the metal dome are provided. And a light guide plate that guides incident light from the light source in a plane direction and emits it into the storage portion of the metal dome,
The cover sheet has a colored portion formed at a required portion, and the light emitted from the light exit surface of the light guide plate is reflected by the colored portion and radiated in a required direction. Expression input device.   The illuminated input device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the colored portions having different colors are formed on the cover sheet.   The illuminated input device according to claim 1, wherein one of the colored portions includes a set of a plurality of material marks.   The illuminated input device according to claim 1, wherein one of the colored portions is composed of a set of a plurality of material marks, and the colors of the material marks constituting the one colored portion are different.   2. The illuminated input device according to claim 1, wherein the coloring portion is a portion corresponding to the metal dome fixing portion of the cover sheet, and is formed on a surface on which the metal dome is not fixed.   The illuminated input device according to claim 5, wherein the colored portion is not formed in a central portion of the metal dome fixing portion.   6. The illuminated input device according to claim 5, wherein the metal dome fixing portion is formed in a circular shape, and the colored portion is formed on a convex surface of the circular portion.   2. The illuminated input device according to claim 1, wherein an end surface of the light guide plate on the metal dome storage portion side is inclined so as to guide light from the light source to the metal dome.

Images