JPH0454328B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Summary] The present invention operates a switch circuit formed on the surface of a printed board by pressing a key button part of a rubber switch through a key top part formed on a transparent or translucent elastic surface cover. In a closed key switch structure, the light emitted from the light emitter on the printed board is transmitted to the outside only through the light transmitting part for displaying key functions on the front convex part that forms the key top part of the front cover and the side wall surface of the front convex part. By making the key top part appear on the front side of the front cover, the outline of the key top part can be displayed clearly and three-dimensionally even at night or in a dark place, and key functions such as numbers, symbols, and letters can be displayed from the key top part. The light-transmitting section for display is large and can be displayed brightly.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a key switch structure incorporated in communication equipment, such as a telephone, a portable wireless device, etc., and more specifically, a rubber switch having a plurality of key button portions for closing a switch circuit formed on the surface of a printed board; This invention relates to an improvement in a key switch structure that includes a light emitter disposed at a proper location on a printed board and a transparent or translucent elastic surface cover that covers a key button portion of a rubber switch.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, telephones, portable radios, etc. have been equipped with a printed board with switch circuits arranged on its surface, a rubber switch with a plurality of key buttons on the surface of the printed board for closing the switch circuit, and a rubber switch key. A key switch structure is used with a resilient surface cover covering the button.

In this type of key switch structure, the key buttons of the rubber switch are pressed through the front cover, so it is necessary to form a key top part on the front side of the front cover that corresponds to the arrangement position of each key button part. It is necessary to add numbers, symbols, letters, etc. to represent the function of the key button section. Furthermore, the outline of each key top, numbers, symbols,
Key function display parts such as letters must be clearly visible even at night.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a conventional key switch structure of this type. Referring to these figures, switch circuits (not shown) are arranged on the surface of a printed board 2 supported by a casing 1, and light emitters such as light emitting diodes are placed at appropriate locations on the printed board 2. 3 are arranged. A rubber switch 4 having a plurality of key button portions 4a for closing a switch circuit on the surface of the printed board 2 is disposed on the printed board 2. Each key button portion 4a of the rubber switch 4 is located within a through hole 5a provided in a light guide block 5 made of transparent plastic. A surface cover 6 made of transparent or semi-transparent rubber is disposed on the upper surface of the light guide block 5, and the key button portion 4a of the rubber switch 4 is covered with the surface cover 6.

A plurality of flat recessed surfaces 6a shaped like key tops are provided on the front side of the front cover 6 so as to be positioned above each key button 4a. On the other hand, the back side of the front cover 6 is formed flat, and the back side of each recessed surface 6a has a border 7 for making the outline of the key top part clear, and a border part 7 for displaying key functions such as numbers, symbols, and letters. The light transmitting part 8 is printed by light transmitting silk screen printing, and other parts other than the border part 7 on the back side of the front cover 6 and the light transmitting part 8 for displaying key functions such as numbers, symbols, characters, etc. 9
Has a light-blocking silk screen print. Since the front cover is made of transparent or translucent rubber, the colors of the border 7, key function display section 8, and other parts 9 can be seen from the front side of the front cover 6, as shown in FIG. Can be done.

When this type of key switch structure is used at night, etc., the light emitted from the light emitter 3 is dispersed by the light guide block 4 and illuminates the back surface of the front cover 6. At this time, since the degree of light transmission is different between the border 7 and key function display light transmitting part 8 printed on the back side of the front cover 6 and the base part 9, the border 7 of the front cover 6 and the key function display The light transmitting portion 8 appears brighter than the other portions 9.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In the conventional key switch structure mentioned above,
On the back side of the recessed surface 6a formed on the front side of the front cover 6, a border 7 is printed to clarify the outline of the key top, so numbers, symbols,
The space for printing the light-transmitting area 8 for displaying key functions such as characters is limited, and the light-transmitting area 8 for displaying key functions such as numbers, symbols, and characters becomes smaller, making it difficult for light to pass through and making it dark. ,the result,
A problem has arisen in that the key function display light transmitting section 8 becomes difficult to read.

In addition, at night, etc., the unevenness on the front side of the front cover 6 becomes invisible, and the border part 7 printed on the flat back side of the front cover 6 and the light transmitting part 8 for displaying key functions such as numbers, symbols, and letters are visible. This had the disadvantage that the three-dimensional effect of each keytop part could not be obtained because it only appeared as a two-dimensional pattern.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the outline of the key top formed on the front side of the front cover can be clearly and three-dimensionally displayed even at night or in a dark place, and numbers, symbols, characters, etc. can be displayed from the key top. An object of the present invention is to provide a key switch structure capable of displaying a large and bright light transmitting part for displaying key functions.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention comprises a printed board with a switch circuit pattern arranged on its surface, a light emitting body disposed at an appropriate position on the printed board, and a plurality of key buttons on the surface of the printed board for closing the switch circuit. In a key switch structure comprising a rubber switch and a transparent or translucent elastic surface cover covering the rubber switch, a plurality of convex portions shaped like key top portions are located on the top side of each key button portion on the front side of the surface cover. A concave part is provided on the back side of each convex part,
The top surface of each protrusion on the front side of the front cover is provided with a light-transmitting part with numbers, symbols, letters, etc. representing the function of the corresponding key button part, and the base part of the top surface of the front-side protrusion other than the light-transmitting part is provided. and a key switch structure characterized in that the back surface of the valley bottom between the front convex portions has a light-shielding property.

[Effect]

In the key switch structure according to the present invention, the side wall surface of the front convex portion and the inner surface of the rear concave portion of the transparent or translucent elastic surface cover are kept in a light-transmitting state, so that the light emitted from the light emitter can be transmitted through numbers and symbols. It can pass through the light-transmitting part for displaying key functions such as characters and exit to the outside, and it can also go out through the space between the side wall surface of the recessed part on the back side and the side wall surface of the convex part on the front side of the front cover. can. On the other hand, since the other parts other than the light-transmitting part on the top surface of the front convex part of the front cover and the back side of the bottom of the valley between the front convex parts are light-shielding, the light emitted from the light emitter will pass through the front cover. The key function display light transmitting section and the side wall surface of the front convex section are the only way to exit the light. Therefore, at night, etc., when the light emitter is turned on, the side walls of the front convex parts of the front cover shaped like the key top part are brightly displayed, and the outline of the top surface of each convex part is clearly displayed. , each convex part will be displayed three-dimensionally, and there is no need to provide borders etc. on the top surface of each convex part of the front cover, and the entire space of the top surface can be used effectively to display numbers and symbols. Since the light transmitting portion for displaying key functions such as characters can be enlarged, the light transmitting portion for displaying key functions can be displayed large and brightly. Furthermore, by changing the height of the front side convex part of the front cover, the area of the side wall surface of the front side convex part can be increased or decreased. The area around the key top can be sufficiently bright.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a telephone handset. First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, switch circuits (not shown) are arrayed on the surface of a printed board 12 supported by the casing 11 of the handset, and switch circuits (not shown) are arranged at appropriate locations on the printed board 12. A light emitting body 13 such as a light emitting diode is provided.

The rubber switch 14 has a plurality of key buttons 1 on the surface of the printed board 12 for closing a switch circuit.
4a and a seat section 14 that supports each key button section 14a.
The seat portion 14b of the rubber switch 14 is disposed on the printing board 12. A metal piece 14c is provided on the lower surface of the rubber switch 14a.

A light guiding block 15 made of transparent plastic is disposed on the sheet portion 14b of the rubber switch 14, and each key button portion 14a of the rubber switch 14 is provided with a light guide block 15 made of transparent plastic.
is located in the through hole 15a provided in the light guide block 15 and projects above it.

An elastic surface cover 16 made of transparent or semi-transparent rubber is disposed on the upper surface of the light guiding block 15. This surface cover 16 serves to protect the key button portion 14a of the rubber switch 14 and to seal the opening 11a of the casing 11 to keep the interior waterproof.

A plurality of convex portions 16a forming key top portions are formed on the front side of the front cover 16 so as to be located above each key button portion 14a. Front cover 1
A recess 16b is formed on the back side of each front side convex portion 16a of 6.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the top surface of each convex portion 16a on the front side of the front cover 16 has a corresponding key button portion 14.
A light-transmissive part 17 for displaying key functions such as numbers, symbols, and characters representing the function of a is formed by light-transmissive sulk screen printing, and the top of the front convex part 16a other than the light-transmissive part 17 for displaying key functions is The bottom portion 18 of the surface and the back surface 19 of the bottom of the valley between the front convex portion 16a
(See FIGS. 1 and 3) are each printed with a light-shielding silk screen. In the case of this embodiment, the key function display light transmitting portion 17 on the top surface of the front convex portion 16a of the front cover 16 and the bottom portion 1
Since the surface of 8 is frequently touched by fingers, it is preferable to apply an additional protective coating to the silk screen printed surface.

In the key switch structure having the above configuration, the surface cover 16 is closed during the day or in a bright place.
The colors of the key function display light transmitting portion 17 and the base portion 18 on the top surface of the front convex portion 16a can be directly seen from the front side of the front cover 16. On the other hand, the color of the back surface 19 at the bottom of the valley between the front convex portions 16a of the front cover 16 passes through the transparent and semi-transparent front cover 16 and appears on the front surface.

When using the receiver at night or in a dark place, the light emitter 13 is turned on. The light emitted from the light emitter 13 is dispersed by the light guide block 15 and illuminates the entire back side of the front cover 16 with substantially uniform brightness. At this time, the light can pass through the light transmitting section 17 for displaying key functions such as numbers, symbols, characters, etc., as shown by arrow A in FIG. 1, and exit to the outside. As shown in
It can pass through between the side wall surface of the back side concave portion 16b and the side wall surface of the front side convex portion 16a of No. 6 and exit to the outside. On the other hand, since the bottom part 18 of the top surface of the front convex part 16a of the front cover 16 other than the key function display light transmitting part 18 and the back surface 19 of the bottom of the valley between the front convex part 16a have a light-shielding property, the light-emitting body 13 The light emitted from the front cover 16 exits only through the key function display light transmitting section 17 of the front cover 16 and the side wall surface of the front convex section 16a.

Therefore, at night, etc., when the light emitter 13 is turned on, the side walls of the front convex portions 16a of the front cover 16 shaped like a key top portion are displayed brightly, as shown in FIG. The contours of the top surfaces of the projections 16a are clearly displayed, and each convex portion 16a is displayed three-dimensionally.

Further, there is no need to provide a border or the like on the top surface of each convex portion 16a of the front cover 16, and the entire space of the top surface can be effectively used to display the light transmitting portion 17 for displaying key functions such as numbers, symbols, and characters. Since it can be formed large, the key function display light transmitting section 17 can be displayed large and brightly.

Furthermore, by changing the height of the front protrusion 16a of the front cover 16, the area of the side wall surface of the front protrusion 16a can be increased or decreased, so that the area of the top surface of the front protrusion 16a can be reduced. This makes it easy to provide sufficient brightness around the key top.

In the above embodiment, as can be easily seen from FIGS. 1 and 3, the front convex portion 1 of the front cover 16 is
Since the side wall surface of the convex portion 6a is inclined toward the top surface, the side wall surface of the convex portion 16a appears wide and bright even when the front convex portion 16a of the front cover is viewed from the front. Generally, the front side convex portion 16a of the front cover 16 is often viewed from an oblique direction, so even if the side wall surface of each convex portion 16a is formed perpendicular to the top surface, the side wall portion of each convex portion 16a is is visible from the front side.

Although the illustrated embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes may be made to, for example, the number and contour shape of the front side convex portions 16a of the front cover 16. Appropriate numbers, symbols, characters, etc. can be selected as the key function display light transmitting portion 17 formed on the top surface of each convex portion 16a as necessary.
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the light transmitting portion 17 of the front cover 16 is formed by silk screen printing, and the other portion 18 of the front convex portion 16a of the front cover 16 and the back surface 19 are each formed with light blocking silk screen printing. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the light transmitting portion 17 and the side wall portion of the front convex portion 16a of the front cover 16 may be formed of a light transmitting material. death,
Similar effects can also be obtained by integrally forming the other parts with a light-shielding material.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the light emitted from the light emitting body can be emitted to the outside from the side wall surface of the front convex part of the transparent or translucent elastic surface cover, so that it can be used at night. By lighting the light emitter, it is possible to brightly display the side wall of the front convex part of the front cover shaped like the key top part, clearly displaying the outline of the top surface of each convex part, and to clearly display the outline of the top surface of each convex part. can be displayed three-dimensionally. In addition, there is no need to provide a border or the like on the top surface of each convex portion of the front cover, and the entire space on the top surface can be effectively utilized to enlarge the light-transmitting portion for displaying key functions such as numbers, symbols, and letters. Therefore, the key function display light transmitting section can be displayed large and brightly. Furthermore, by changing the height of the front side convex part of the front cover, the area of the side wall surface of the front side convex part can be increased or decreased. This allows for sufficient brightness around the key top. Therefore,
The outline of the key top formed on the front side of the front cover can be displayed clearly and three-dimensionally even at night or in a dark place, and the key top also has a light-transmitting area for displaying key functions such as numbers, symbols, and letters. It becomes possible to provide a key switch structure that can display large and bright images.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line - in FIG. 2 of a key switch structure showing an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of essential parts of the key switch structure shown in FIG. 1;
3 is a cross-sectional view of the key switch structure shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line - - in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main part of the key switch structure shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line in FIG. 6, showing a conventional key switch structure, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of a main part of the key switch structure shown in FIG. 5. In the figure, 12 is a printed board, 13 is a light emitter, 14 is a rubber switch, 14a is a key button, 1
Reference numeral 6 indicates an elastic surface cover, 16a indicates a convex portion, 16b indicates a concave portion, 17 indicates a light transmitting portion for displaying key functions on the top surface of the convex portion, 18 indicates a base portion of the top surface of the convex portion, and 19 indicates the back surface. .

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A printed board 12 with switch circuit patterns arranged on its surface, a light emitting body 13 disposed at an appropriate position on the printed board, and a plurality of light emitters for closing the switch circuit on the surface of the printed board. A rubber switch 14 having a key button portion 14a, and a transparent or translucent elastic surface cover 16 that covers the key button portion of the rubber switch.
In the key switch structure, a plurality of convex portions 16a forming a key top portion are provided on the front side of the front cover 16 so as to be positioned above each key button portion 14a, and a concave portion is provided on the back side of each convex portion 16a. 16b, and on the top surface of each convex part 16a on the front side of the front cover 16, a light transmitting part 17 with numbers, symbols, characters, etc. representing the function of the corresponding key button part is provided, and the front convex part other than the light transmitting part 17 A key switch structure characterized in that a bottom portion 18 of the top surface of the portion 16a and a back surface 19 of the valley bottom between the front convex portions are made light-shielding.