WO2010024137A1

WO2010024137A1 - Input device

Info

Publication number: WO2010024137A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/064333
Authority: WO
Inventors: 和貴伊勢; 剛羽山; 尚登下村; 啓志小原; 正巳相原; 直樹伊藤; 英之石田
Original assignee: アルプス電気株式会社
Priority date: 2008-08-28
Filing date: 2009-08-14
Publication date: 2010-03-04
Also published as: JP5211168B2; KR101142389B1; CN102132369A; KR20110038707A; JPWO2010024137A1; CN102132369B

Abstract

Provided is an input device which can generate an appropriate click feeling even when an illumination region is optically separated so as to exclude affects by mutual leak lights. A first illumination region (7A) is separated from a second illumination region (7B) by a light shielding wall (7c). Thus, it is possible to exclude affects given by a leak light of one of the illumination regions to the other illumination region. Moreover, a protrusion (7d) is arranged to press down the apex of a dome (5A) at the center of the light shielding wall (7c). Accordingly, even if the first illumination region (7A) is optically separated from the second illumination region (7B) by the light shielding wall (7c), it is possible to generate an appropriate click feeling.

Description

Input device

The present invention relates to an input device having a dome-shaped switch and an illumination function, and more particularly to an input device in which the surface of the dome-shaped switch is separated into a plurality of illumination areas.

In Patent Document 1, a key top 1 made of a translucent material that protrudes from the surface of a casing of a mobile phone and is pressed by a user, a contact 3 formed on a printed circuit board 2, and a contact 3 provided above the contact 3 is provided in response to the press. An elastic metal dome 4 that electrically connects the contacts, a dome fixing sheet 5 made of an elastic translucent material that fixes the metal dome 4 so as to cover it, and a key backlight 6 provided in the dome fixing sheet 5 In addition, a key button having a rubber sheet 7 made of a translucent material provided with a protrusion (presser) that is provided on the back side of the key top 1 and that presses the central portion of the dome fixing sheet 5 is described.

The key backlight 6 includes a key backlight 6-1 that illuminates the numeric display area of the light shielding unit 8, a key backlight 6-2 that illuminates the kana display area, and a key backlight 6-3 that illuminates the alphabet display area. For example, when the number input mode is set, only the key backlight 6-1 that illuminates the number display area is lit, so that only the numbers necessary for the number input mode are displayed brightly. It is to let you.
JP 2006-60334 A

However, in the configuration shown in Patent Document 1, the key backlight 6 is configured to illuminate the back surface of the key top 6. For example, the light of the key backlight 6-1 that illuminates the numeric display area is received by the adjacent light shielding portions 8. The kana display area and the alphabet display area may leak through the light, and there is a problem that the kana display area and the alphabet display area are lit at the same time due to the leakage light at this time, although not as much as the numeric display area.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an input device that optically separates the illumination areas to be classified and eliminates the influence of mutual leakage light.

The present invention includes a dome-type contact switch including a dome having a conductive portion that is deformable according to a pressing force and is capable of contacting an electrode formed on a substrate, a fixing sheet that fixes the dome on the substrate, In an input device comprising an outer frame formed along the outer edge of the fixed sheet, and a light emitting element placed in the vicinity of the dome,
At least one light shielding wall provided on the surface of the fixed sheet while following the shape of the dome is formed, and a region provided on one side of the light shielding wall and a region provided on the other are the surfaces of the dome. It is characterized by being optically separated above.

In the input device according to the present invention, since the illumination areas on both sides adjacent to the light shielding wall can be reliably separated, it is possible to prevent one illumination area from being affected by the leakage light of the other illumination area. . For this reason, it is possible to reliably turn on and off the characters provided in each illumination area.

In the above, it is preferable that the light shielding wall is integrally formed with the outer frame.
The above means can be integrally formed by an imprint manufacturing method, can ensure a certain molding accuracy, and can reduce the manufacturing cost.

For example, the light shielding wall is formed so as to connect between one outer frame and the other outer frame facing each other on both sides of the dome-shaped switch.

Alternatively, the light shielding wall is formed between one outer frame and the center of the dome facing each other at positions on both sides of the dome type switch.

In the former case, the illumination region can be optically separated, and in the latter case, it is possible to provide an illumination region that is optically separated and a common region that is not separated.

That is, in the present invention, it is possible to form the light shielding wall partially rather than over the entire area of the dome. In this case, a reliable separation effect is exhibited on both sides of the light shielding wall, and the light shielding is performed. In a region without a wall, light from a plurality of light emitting elements can be actively leaked to obtain a color mixing effect.

The light emitting elements are respectively provided in regions optically separated with the light shielding wall interposed therebetween.

In the above, it is preferable that the optically separated region is filled with a transparent or translucent resin to form a light guide.

With the above means, the light emitted from the light emitting element can be efficiently delivered to each illumination region.

Further, the light emitting element that emits a different color for each region may be provided.

In the above configuration, operability can be improved from a visual aspect.
Furthermore, it is preferable that a cut portion formed by cutting a part of the circular dome is provided.

In the above means, it is possible to generate an appropriate click sound and click feeling, so that the operator can recognize that the switch operation has been performed.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the light shielding wall is integrally formed with a protrusion facing the dome.

In the above means, it is possible to properly transmit the pressing force to the dome, so that an appropriate click feeling can be generated in this respect, and the operability can be improved.

In the present invention, it is possible to optically reliably separate the illumination regions arranged adjacent to both sides of the light shielding wall. For this reason, it is possible to prevent one illumination area from being affected by the leakage light of the other illumination area, and it is possible to reliably turn on and off the characters provided in each illumination area.

1 is a perspective view showing an input device as a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 4 is a plan view of the key top showing an example of characters and the like displayed on the key top.

The input device 1 described below is used, for example, as a key input unit on an operation surface of a mobile phone, a remote control device, a portable audio player or a video player, and an operation surface of an electronic device such as a mobile PC. That is, FIGS. 1 to 3 show a part of the key input unit.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the input device 1 is provided with a printed circuit board 2 in the lowest layer in the Z2 direction and a key top 9 in the uppermost layer on the Z1 side.

A ring-shaped electrode 3b is provided on the surface of the printed circuit board 2, and a counter electrode 3a is formed in the center thereof in a state insulated from the ring-shaped electrode 3b. As shown in FIG. 2,

electrode pads

3c and 3d are provided on the printed circuit board 2 and on the X1 side and the X2 side of the counter electrode 3a and the ring electrode 3b, respectively. The

light emitting elements

4A and 4B are respectively connected to electrodes provided on the lower surface. Through

holes

2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d connected to the counter electrode 3a, the ring-shaped electrode 3b, and the

electrode pads

3c and 3d are formed in the printed board 2. The through

holes

2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are filled with a conductive material, and the counter electrode 3a, the ring-shaped electrode 3b, and the

electrode pads

3c, 3d have a plurality of conductive paths wired on the back side of the printed circuit board 2 ( (Not shown) and connected to an external circuit.

A dome-shaped switch 5 having a dome 5A is provided on the ring electrode 3b. At least an inner surface of the dome 5A may be provided with a conductive portion, and the conductive portion may be configured such that the dome 5A itself is formed of a metal metal, or a metal is formed on the inner surface (the concave surface) of the resin dome 5A. The structure in which a layer is formed may be sufficient. The dome 5A is curved in a normal state where no pressing force is applied, and the lower end 5b on the outer peripheral side of the dome 5A is in contact with the ring-shaped electrode 3b. In this state, the inner surface (conductive portion) of the dome 5A and the ring-shaped electrode 3b are in a conductive connection state.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dome 5A shown in the present embodiment has cut

portions

5c, 5c cut so as to be parallel to the X direction on both sides of the X1 and X2 sides. Yes. Details of the

cut portions

5c and 5c will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a fixed sheet 6 made of a flexible resin film having an adhesive layer (not shown) on the lower surface side is attached on the printed circuit board 2. The dome 5 A is fixed on the ring-shaped electrode 3 b of the printed circuit board 2 by the fixing sheet 6. Note that opening

holes

6 a and 6 b are formed on the X 1 and X 2 sides of the fixed sheet 6. The

light emitting elements

4A and 4B are inserted into the

opening holes

6a and 6b, and the light emitting portion provided on the upper end side is located above the

opening holes

6a and 6b. Since the center of the fixing sheet 6 is fixed to the surface of the dome 5 A, the center of the fixing sheet 6 protrudes upward in the Z 1 direction from the surface of the printed circuit board 2.

The outer frame 7 is fixed on the fixed sheet 6. The outer frame 7 is formed of a resin having a light shielding property (or non-transmissive property). Or you may make it have light-shielding property by coating the surface of resin which has a light transmittance, or vapor-depositing a metal film. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer frame 7 has a pair of

long side portions

7a and 7a parallel to the X direction and a pair of short side portions 7b1 and 7b2 parallel to the Y direction. It is fixed so as to surround the surface of the outer edge.

Also, at the center of the outer frame 7 in the X direction, a beam-shaped light shielding wall 7c that connects between one long side portion 7a and the other long side portion 7a is integrally formed. Further, a projection (presser) 7d that protrudes in the Z1 direction is integrally formed at the center of the light shielding wall 7c in the Y direction. The light shielding wall 7 c is fixed to the surface of the light shielding wall 7 c while following the shape of the fixed sheet 6. In the outer frame 7, the center portion having the protrusion 7 d swells upward in the drawing from both side portions having the pair of short side portions 7 b 1 and 7 b 2. The central protrusion 7d protrudes most in the Z1 direction shown in the figure.

In addition, such an outer frame 7 can be integrally formed by an imprint manufacturing method in which a mold is pressed against a resin, so that a certain molding accuracy can be secured and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. it can.

As shown in the X2 side of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a light guide portion 8B is provided in a second illumination region 7B surrounded by a pair of

long side portions

7a and 7a, a short side portion 7b2 and a light shielding wall 7c on all sides. It has been.

The light guide portion 8B is formed by filling and curing a light curable or thermosetting resin having light permeability. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the same light guide unit is also provided in the first illumination region 7A on the X1 side surrounded by the pair of

long side portions

7a, 7a, the short side portion 7b1, and the light shielding wall 7c on the four sides. 8A is provided. The light shielding wall 7c optically separates the first illumination area 7A on the X1 side and the second illumination area 7B on the X2 side.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the resin is filled in the outer frame 7, the

light emitting elements

4A and 4B are embedded in the

light guide portions

8A and 8B after the resin is cured. The refractive index of the resin forming the

light guide portions

8A and 8B is larger than that of air. For this reason, the

light guide parts

8A and 8B function as a core, and the air in contact with the

light guide parts

8A and 8B functions as a cladding. Therefore, the light emitted from the

light emitting elements

4A and 4B can be guided in the

light guide portions

8A and 8B. In addition, by forming a resin film that can be a metal thin film or a clad on the light guide portion side of the fixed sheet 6, a necessary light guide performance can be obtained with respect to the distance between the portions that are desired to emit light from the light source. On the other hand, a light shielding wall 7c having a light shielding property is provided between the light guide 8A and the light guide 8B. Therefore, light does not leak from one of the light guide 8A and the light guide 8B to the other. Further, since the periphery of the

light guide portions

8A and 8B is also surrounded by the outer frame 7 having a light shielding property, the light emitted from the

light emitting elements

4A and 4B does not leak to the outside side beyond the outer frame 7. .

For this reason, for example, by forming a light emitting part with fine irregularities partially on the surface of the

light guide parts

8A and 8B, or by forming white scattering dots on the fixed sheet 6, light is emitted. The light can be emitted toward the upper key input unit, and the key top 9 provided on the key input unit can be illuminated from the back. Thereby, the surface of the key top 9 can be displayed brightly.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 4, in the key top 9 shown in this embodiment, for example, the number “2” is closer to the X2 side than the center line OO and the X1 side is closer to the X1 side than the center line OO. Each of the three alphabets “ABC” is displayed by printing or the like, and these numbers or characters can be selected and input by operating the key top. The numbers and alphabets are not limited to these.

When the light emitting element 4A on the X1 side is turned on, the three letters “ABC” displayed on the X1 side of the key top 9 are illuminated via the light guide part 8A, and when the light emitting element 4B on the X2 side is turned on, the light guiding part. The number “2” displayed on the X2 side of the key top 9 is illuminated via 8B.

At this time, a light-shielding wall 7c having a light-shielding property is provided between the light guide part 8A and the light guide part 8B so as to be optically separated, and light emitted in one region leaks into the other region. There is nothing.

As a result, when the light emitting element 4A on the X1 side is lit, only three characters “ABC” on the X1 side are illuminated, and it is possible to avoid lighting the number “2” on the X2 side. Similarly, when the light emitting element 4B on the X2 side is lit, only the number “2” on the X2 side is illuminated, and it is possible to avoid lighting the three characters “ABC” on the X1 side.

Note that the blinking control of the

light emitting elements

4A and 4B is performed by a control unit of an electronic device in which the input device 1 is mounted.

Next, the switch operation of the input device will be described.
When a pressing force is applied to press the surface of the key top 9 with the finger F, the lower surface of the key top 9 comes into contact with the projection 7d, and therefore the vertex 5a of the dome 5A can be pressed in the Z2 direction via the light shielding wall 7c. .

At this time, the lower end 5b on the outer peripheral side of the dome 5A slides on the ring-shaped electrode 3b in the outer peripheral direction. At the same time, the dome 5 A is deformed, and the inner surface (conductive portion) of the dome 5 A contacts the counter electrode 3 a on the printed circuit board 2. For this reason, the counter electrode 3a and the ring-shaped electrode 3b are conductively connected via the dome 5A, whereby the switch state between the through hole 2a and the through hole 2b can be switched on.

Also, when the finger F is released from the surface of the key top 9 to release the pressing force, the dome 5A is restored to the original state. At this time, since the inner surface (conductive portion) of the dome 5A is separated from the counter electrode 3a on the printed board 2, the switch state between the through hole 2a and the through hole 2b is switched off.

And when the dome 5A switches from the initial state before deformation to the state after deformation, and when returning from the state after deformation to the initial state before deformation, an appropriate click sound and click feeling are generated. This makes it possible for the operator to recognize that the switch operation has been performed.

Here, in the present invention, the

cut portions

5c and 5c are provided on both sides of the dome 5A, and these are formed in parallel to the

long side portions

7a and 7a as a pair forming the outer frame 7.

The

cut portions

5c and 5c are in a state of floating from the printed board 2. Further, the width dimension (width dimension in the Y direction) of the dome 5A can be reduced by the amount of the

cut portions

5c and 5c. For this reason, the distance between the

cut portions

5c and 5c and the

long side portions

7a and 7a of the outer frame 7 facing them can be secured longer than when the

cut portions

5c and 5c are not provided. .

As a result, it is possible to reduce the pressing force required when pressing down the dome 5A, while ensuring a constant click sound and clicking feeling even with a low pressing force, and performing a stable click operation. It becomes possible.

The light shielding wall 7c of the outer frame 7 is formed perpendicular to the

cut portions

5c, 5c of the dome 5A, and is provided on the surface of the fixed sheet so as to pass through the apex 5a of the dome 5A. The protrusion 7d is formed so as to come to a position directly above the vertex 5a of the dome 5A. For this reason, the pressing force of pressing the key top 9 can be efficiently transmitted to the vertex 5a of the dome 5A, and a stable click operation can be performed in this respect as well.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, (A) is a plan view showing a key input unit having a plurality of key tops, and (B) is a key top removed. It is a top view which shows the input device main body of a state. FIG. 5B shows a case where a plurality of input devices 1 are provided on a single printed board, and shows a state in which the key input unit having the uppermost key top is removed.

As shown in FIG. 5A, twelve key tops 9 are arranged in a substantially matrix shape in the key input section. On each key top 9, alphabetical characters and the like are displayed on the X1 side from the center, and numbers and symbols are displayed on the X2 side by printing or the like.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the basic configuration of the input device 1 on the main body side is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a plurality of input devices 1 are formed on a single printed board 2. ing.

However, each input device 1 is different in that it is partially connected and will be described below.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, the printed circuit board 2 has first illumination areas 7A and second illumination areas 7B extending in the Y direction alternately arranged in the X direction.

The adjacent first illumination area 7A on the X1 side and the second illumination area 7B on the X2 side form a set of input portions. In FIG. 5, three sets of input units are provided.

A plurality of dome-shaped switches 5 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the Y direction between the first illumination region 7A and the second illumination region 7B constituting the set of input units.

The outer frame 7 having a light-shielding property is formed along the outer edge of the substantially square printed board 2 (actually, on a fixed sheet attached to the surface of the printed board 2). A frame 7 shields light from the inside and outside of the input device 1. In the outer frame 7, a plurality (three in FIG. 5B) of light shielding walls 7c1 are formed between one side on the Y1 side and the other side on the Y2 side. Each light shielding wall 7c1 is formed in a shape that follows the shape of the dome 5A of the printed circuit board 2 and each dome-type switch 5 and passes over each vertex 5a. The light shielding wall 7c1 optically separates the first illumination region 7A and the second illumination region 7B constituting a set of input portions.

A light shielding wall extending in the Y direction also at a boundary portion where the second illumination area 7B on the X1 side constituting one input part and the first illumination area 7A on the X2 side constituting the other input part are adjacent to each other. 7c2 is provided, and light leakage between them is also prevented.

A light emitting element 4A is provided at the end of the first illumination area 7A on the Y1 side, and a light emitting element 4B is provided at the end of the second illumination area 7B on the Y1 side. The first illuminating area 7A and the second illuminating area 7B are each buried with a light-transmitting resin, whereby

light guide portions

8A and 8B are formed, respectively.

The light guide 8A of the first illumination area 7A faces the alphabet of each key top 9, and the light guide 8B of the second illumination area 7B faces the number of each key top 9. For this reason, when the

light emitting elements

4A, 4A, 4A on the X1 side are turned on, only the

light guide portions

8A, 8A, 8A on the

first illumination regions

7A, 7A, 7A side can emit light. Therefore, it is possible to illuminate all alphabets displayed on the surface of each key top 9 arranged in a line in the vertical direction (Y direction), and it is possible to prevent the numbers from being illuminated.

Similarly, when the

light emitting elements

4B, 4B, and 4B on the X2 side are turned on, only the

light guide portions

8B, 8B, and 8B on the

second illumination regions

7B, 7B, and 7B side can emit light. Therefore, it is possible to illuminate all the numbers and some symbols (*, #) displayed on the surface of each key top 9 arranged in a line in the vertical direction (Y direction), and not to illuminate the alphabet. Can be.

Thus, also in the second embodiment, mutual interference of light between the first illumination region 7A and the second illumination region 7B can be prevented. In the second embodiment, by turning on one light-emitting

element

4A or 4B, a plurality of characters arranged in the vertical (Y) direction in each first illumination region 7A or each second illumination region 7B are displayed. It can be illuminated at the same time. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide the light emitting element 4A or the light emitting element 4B for each number or character, and it is sufficient to provide the light emitting element 4A for each of the first illumination region 7A and the second illumination region 7B. Can be suppressed.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an input device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a plan view showing the surface of the key top, and (B) is an input device main body with the key top removed. FIG.

The basic configuration of the input device main body shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is the same as that in the first embodiment. For this reason, the following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the key top 9 shown in this embodiment is provided with three divided first, second and

third display areas

9a, 9b and 9c. For example, the kana character "ka" is displayed in the first display area 9a, the alphabet "ABC" is displayed in the second display area 9b, and the number "2" is displayed in the third display area 9c. Is displayed. When the key top 9 is formed of a transparent or translucent material, each character or the like can be formed on the front or back surface of the key top 9 by printing or the like. Further, when the key top 9 is formed of a resin or metal that does not have optical transparency, the key top 9 is formed by piercing the character in its shape and covering the pierced portion with a transparent or translucent resin. Yes.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, the main body of the input device 1 is provided with a dome-shaped switch 5 at the center of a substantially square printed board 2. Further, an outer frame 7 formed along the outer edge is formed on the edge of the printed board 2 (actually, on the fixed sheet attached to the surface of the printed board 2). The outer frame 7 shields light from the inside and outside of the input device 1.

The outer frame 7 is integrally formed with a light shielding wall 7c extending linearly from one edge of the outer frame 7 (the edge on the Y1 side in FIG. 6) toward the center. The input device 1 is divided into a first illumination region 7A on the X1 side and a second illumination region 7B on the X2 side with a light shielding wall 7c interposed therebetween. A light emitting element 4A is provided in the first illumination area 7A, and a light emitting element 4B is provided in the second illumination area 7B.

The first illumination area 7A corresponds to the first display area 9a where the kana character "ka" is displayed, and the second illumination area 7B is the second display area 9b where the alphabet "ABC" is displayed. It corresponds to. A third illumination area 7C on the Y2 side in the figure, which is not provided with the light shielding wall 7c, is a common area and corresponds to the third display area 9c in which the numeral “2” is displayed.

The first illumination region 7A, the second illumination region 7B, and the third illumination region 7C were formed by filling a light curable or thermosetting resin having light permeability and then curing the resin. A light guide is provided.

When the light emitting element 4A is turned on, the light passes through the light guide and spreads to the first illumination area 7A and the third illumination area 7C. Therefore, the kana characters “ka” provided in the first display area 9a and The numeral “2” provided in the third display area 9c can be illuminated at the same time. However, since the first illumination region 7A and the second illumination region 7B are optically separated by the light shielding wall 7c, the light of the light emitting element 4A does not reach the adjacent second illumination region 7B. The alphabet “ABC” displayed in the second display area 9b is not illuminated.

Similarly, when the light emitting element 4B is turned on, the light passes through the light guide and spreads to the second illumination region 7B and the third illumination region 7C, and therefore the alphabet “ABC” provided in the second display region 9b. "And the number" 2 "provided in the third display area 9c can be illuminated at the same time. However, since the light of the light emitting element 4B is optically separated by the light shielding wall 7c and does not reach the adjacent first illumination area 7A, the kana character “ka” displayed in the first display area 9a is illuminated. It will never be done.

Further, when the light emitting element 4A and the light emitting element 4B are turned on simultaneously, the light of the light emitting element 4A is in the first illumination area 7A and the third illumination area 7C, and the light of the light emitting element 4B is in the second illumination area 7B and the second illumination area 7B. 3 illuminating areas 7C spread simultaneously. For this reason, not only the kana character “ka” provided in the first display area 9a and the alphabet “ABC” displayed in the second display area 9b, but also the numbers provided in the third display area 9c. "2" can be illuminated at the same time. That is, all characters displayed on the key top 9 are illuminated.

Thus, when either the light emitting element 4A or the light emitting element 4B is turned on, the numeral “2” provided in the third display area 9c can always be illuminated. For this reason, a frequently used character or number is formed on the key top 9 so that the third display area 9c comes, so that a frequently used character or the like is always illuminated. be able to. Thereby, it becomes possible to set it as the electronic device provided with the input device 1 with high operativity.

Further, the light emitting element 4A and the light emitting element 4B may have different emission colors. That is, the light emitting element 4A is an LED that emits first light (for example, red), and the light emitting element 4B is an LED that emits second light (for example, green).

Then, when the light emitting element 4A is turned on, the kana character “ka” provided in the first display area 9a and the kana number “2” provided in the third display area 9c are changed to the first light (red). Light). When the light emitting element 4B is turned on, the alphabet “ABC” provided in the second display area 9b and the number “2” provided in the third display area 9c are changed to the second light (green light). ).

Further, when the light emitting element 4A and the light emitting element 4B are turned on at the same time, the kana character "ka" provided in the first display area 9a is converted into the second display area 9b by the first light (red light). The alphabet “ABC” provided on the second display can be illuminated by the second light (green light), and the number “2” provided in the third display area 9c, which is a common area, It is possible to illuminate with the third light (yellow light) generated by the additive color mixture of the first light (red light) and the second light (green light).

As described above, when the light emitting element 4A and the light emitting element 4B are caused to emit light simultaneously, it is possible to illuminate characters and the like provided in the first, second, and

third display areas

9a, 9b, and 9c with different colors, It becomes possible to improve the designability and operability of the input device 1.

In the above embodiment, the dome 5A has been described by showing the configuration in which the

cut portions

5c and 5c cut so as to be parallel to the X direction are formed on both sides of the X1 and X2 sides. It is not limited to this.

7A and 7B are plan views showing other configuration examples of the dome, in which FIG. 7A shows a case where cut portions are formed at four locations, FIG. 7B shows a case where cut portions are formed at three locations, and FIG. And the number of light shielding walls does not match.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the

cut portions

5c, 5c, 5c, and 5c may be formed at four locations, or the

cut portions

5c and 5c at three locations as shown in FIG. 7B. The structure which forms 5c and 5c may be sufficient. In any case, a configuration in which the light shielding wall 7c and the cut portion 5c are arranged so as to be perpendicular to each other is preferable.

This makes it possible to reduce the pressing force required when pressing down the dome 5A, while ensuring that the pressing force is applied to the apex of the dome 5A. Therefore, a constant click sound and click feeling can be secured even with a low pressing force, and a stable click operation can be performed.

As shown in FIG. 7C, the number of cut portions 5c (four) and the number of light shielding walls 7c (one) may not necessarily match, but at least one or more light shielding walls. 7c is preferably provided.

The perspective view which shows the input device as the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. Sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. A plan view of the key top showing an example of characters etc. displayed on the key top; It is a top view which shows the input device as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (A) is a top view which shows the key input part which has several keytops, (B) is the input of the state which removed the keytops A plan view showing the apparatus main body, It is a top view of the input device which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, (A) is a top view which shows the surface of a keytop, (B) is a top view which shows the input device main body of a state which removed the keytop , It is a top view which shows the other structural example of a dome, (A) when a cut part is formed in four places, (B) is a case where a cut part is formed in three places, (C) is a cut part and a light-shielding wall. If the number of

1 Input device 2 Printed circuit board (board)

3a Counter electrode

3b Ring electrodes

4A and 4B Light emitting element 5 Dome type switch 5A Dome 5c Cut part 6 Fixed sheet 7 Outer frame 7c, 7c1, 7c2 Light shielding wall 7d Protrusion (pushing element)
7A 1st illumination area 7B

2nd illumination area

8A, 8B Light guide part 9 Key top 9a 1st display area 9b 2nd display area 9c 3rd display area

Claims

A dome-type contact switch having a dome having a conductive portion deformable according to the pressing force and capable of contacting an electrode formed on the substrate, a fixing sheet for fixing the dome on the substrate, and an outer edge of the fixing sheet In an input device comprising an outer frame formed along a light emitting element placed in the vicinity of the dome,
At least one light shielding wall provided on the surface of the fixed sheet while following the shape of the dome is formed, and a region provided on one side of the light shielding wall and a region provided on the other are the surfaces of the dome. An input device that is optically separated above.
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding wall is formed integrally with the outer frame.
The input device according to claim 2, wherein a projection facing the dome is integrally formed on the light shielding wall.
The input device according to claim 3, wherein the optically separated region is filled with a transparent or translucent resin to form a light guide.
The input device according to claim 4, wherein a cut portion formed by cutting a part of the circular dome is provided.
The input device according to claim 4, wherein the light shielding wall is formed so as to connect between one outer frame and the other outer frame facing each other on both sides of the dome-shaped switch.
The input device according to claim 4, wherein the light shielding wall is formed between one outer frame and the center of the dome facing each other at positions on both sides of the dome type switch.
The input device according to claim 4, wherein the light emitting elements are respectively provided in optically separated regions across the light shielding wall.
The input device according to claim 8, wherein the light emitting element that emits a different color for each region is provided.
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding wall is formed so as to connect between one outer frame and the other outer frame facing each other on both sides of the dome-shaped switch.
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding wall is formed between one outer frame and the center of the dome facing each other on both sides of the dome type switch.
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting elements are respectively provided in optically separated regions across the light shielding wall.
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the optically separated region is filled with a transparent or translucent resin to form a light guide.
The input device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the light emitting element that emits a different color for each region is provided.
The input device according to claim 1, wherein a cut portion formed by cutting a part of the circular dome is provided.
The input device according to claim 1, wherein a projection facing the dome is integrally formed on the light shielding wall.