JPH089859Y2 - Illuminated keyboard switch - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Industrial application field" The present invention provides a light guide translucent plate having a transmissive switch push button mounted on the upper surface of a membrane keyboard switch through a light reflecting layer, and Manufacture in which the operation display sheet mounted on the light guide light-transmitting plate can be efficiently and uniformly illuminated by appropriately diffusely reflecting the light source light emitted from the end of the light guide light-transmitting plate to the plane illumination light. The present invention relates to an illuminated keyboard switch which is easy and has high operability and durability.

"Prior art" A function to illuminate the operation surface from the inside of the keyboard switch so that the switch operation can be reliably performed in a dark room or at night in a thin film type keyboard switch using various plastic sheets. There is an extremely high demand for self-illuminating or illuminated keyboard switches equipped with.

The basic structure of such a keyboard switch having an illumination function is such that a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode or a lamp is assembled in association with the fixed contact pattern of each key switch or its vicinity or the upper part of the contact pattern. Illumination structure such as EL panel or plasma light emitting plate on the base member that has individual illumination structure for each key, or is installed separately above or below the membrane keyboard switch body or where a fixed contact pattern is to be formed. The operation panel front illuminating structure that employs a plate is roughly classified, and the former structure is, for example, Syokai 55-079030,
JP-A-56-159934, JP-A-57-172615, JP-A-59
-134331 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-9122, and examples of the latter structure include, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 52-086674, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-9122, and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-9122. Kaisho 60
-037123 and each of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-6223 can be mentioned. Among these prior examples, in the invention of Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Sho 60-037123, which has a full-illuminated structure of the operation panel,
It discloses a structure in which a light guide plate is installed on the lower surface of a transparent film type keyboard switch for flatly illuminating the end irradiation light in the direction of the operation panel surface. A structure in which a light guide plate equipped with a translucent push button for pressing the membrane keyboard switch via the click operation plate is mounted on the upper part of the membrane keyboard switch body, and only the top of the exposed translucent push button is internally illuminated. Is disclosed.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] In such a conventional illuminated membrane keyboard switch having an individual illumination structure for each key, an increase in the number of parts due to the arrangement of individual light emitting elements and a power supply circuit therefor Inevitably, the cost is high due to an increase in the number of assembling steps, and there is a problem in terms of durability of the illumination operation. On the other hand, with the latter operation panel full surface illumination structure, it is possible to construct an illumination structure that is advantageous and has high durability both in terms of structure and assembly, but the light emitting plate itself required to obtain a sufficient amount of illumination is expensive. Since it is necessary to configure each constituent member of the membrane type keyboard switch including both contact point patterns and the routing wiring pattern therefor by a transparent member, it is difficult to suitably meet the demand for an inexpensive illuminated membrane type keyboard switch. There is a face.

In the invention of Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-037123, which is equipped with a transparent light guide plate for illuminating the edge irradiation light in the direction of the operation panel surface, the member corresponding to the light emitting plate, which is the above-mentioned difficulty, can be constructed at low cost.

However, it is necessary to set the irradiation light amount at the edge of the light guide plate to a considerably high level by adopting the backside illumination method of the transparent film type keyboard switch. Therefore, a light source such as a light emitting diode to be installed at the end of the light guide plate is installed. It is unavoidable to increase the number and its wiring means and to make it complicated when mounting it on equipment, etc.In addition, in order to improve the operability of this type of membrane keyboard switch, it is necessary to provide a mechanism to give a click feeling to each key. Is also difficult. On the other hand, in the device of Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-6223, the light guide plate is arranged on the upper surface of the membrane type keyboard switch body at this point, so it is possible to provide a click function, but for that reason, Due to the structure in which a click operation plate that also has a reflection function is installed on the top surface of the membrane keyboard switch body, the click feeling and the actual on / off operation of the switch may not match, and due to the exposed structure of the top of the push button, There is another problem in terms of durability due to the intrusion of other dust, and since light is collected by the peripheral piece of the click part, the light receiving property is highly impaired.

"Means for Solving the Problem" The present invention adopts an inexpensive conventional structure that does not require the membrane keyboard switch body to be transparent, and uniformly irradiates the light from the end on the upper surface of the membrane keyboard switch body. A light-transmitting transparent plate for light guide that can efficiently diffuse diffusely reflected light is installed, and a transparent switch push button is attached to the relevant part of the keyboard switch operation area on this transparent plate. By arranging the operation display sheet with the required design on top,
(EN) Provided is an illuminated keyboard switch having a simple and low-cost mechanism for illuminating the operation panel front face while ensuring good switch operability.

Therefore, according to the illuminated keyboard switch of the present invention, a membrane keyboard in which an insulating base sheet having a required number of fixed contact patterns and a flexible insulating sheet are arranged to face each other with a required switch operation gap therebetween. In the switch, a light guide translucent plate disposed on the flexible insulating sheet through a light reflection layer that can be formed by roughening, and a corresponding position of the switch operation gap of the translucent plate. It is configured such that it includes a transparent switch push button mounted in a through hole formed in the switch, and an operation display sheet provided on the switch push button and the upper surface of the light transmitting plate. It is also possible to install a click metal plate for detecting the opening / closing operation of the switch while reversing / returning depending on the application / release of the operating force. The light-transmitting plate can be formed of a transparent light-guiding member such as a transparent glass plate or a resin plate, and the light-reflecting layer can be appropriately formed on one surface thereof or the like.

[Embodiment] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the illustrated embodiment. In the drawings, reference numerals 1 to 4 represent respective members constituting a click-type membrane keyboard switch body, On the insulating base sheet 1 made of a plastic film or the like, a required fixed contact pattern 1A such as a comb type is arbitrarily formed by etching means for the copper foil and the like together with the routing wiring pattern. It is arranged to face the flexible insulating sheet 2 through an insulating spacer 3 having a through hole in order to provide a switch operation gap 3A in the formation area, and a dome shape is provided in the switch operation gap 3A to give a click feeling during operation. A metal plate 4 for click formed in an optimal shape is provided, and it can be reversed / returned in response to application / release of an operation force performed via a switch push button described later. It has configured click type membrane keyboard switch body capable of sensing the opening and closing operation of the switch. On the flexible insulating sheet 2 of the main body of the click film type keyboard switch, a highly transparent light guide made of a transparent glass plate or an acrylic resin plate or the like for irradiating light emitted from a light source from the end in a plane direction. Is equipped with a transparent plate 5,
A transparent switch push button 6 is vertically movably mounted on a transparent plate 5B formed at a position corresponding to the switch operation gap 3A of the transparent plate 5, and the switch push button 6 has a columnar shape at the center of its lower surface. The working projection 6A is provided, and the working projection 6A is properly applied to the top of the clicking metal plate 4 through the flexible insulating sheet 2 so that the clicking metal plate 4 can be reliably inverted. To function.

On the surface of the light guide translucent plate 5 in contact with the flexible insulating sheet 2, there is formed a rough surface portion 5A for irregular reflection which functions as a light reflection layer for efficiently converting the end irradiation light into flat irradiation light. However, the light reflecting layer as the rough surface portion 5A can be provided in the flexible insulating sheet 2, and as a means for improving the reflection efficiency, a white paint or the like is applied to the rough surface portion 5A. Alternatively, it is also preferable to configure the flexible insulating sheet 2 with a white sheet member. Reference numeral 7 denotes a transmissive operation display sheet provided on the upper surfaces of the light guide translucent plate 5 and the switch push button 6 and displaying a desired design, and an operation display portion at a position corresponding to the position of the switch push button 6. Proper embossing of 7A is optional. Reference numeral 8 denotes a light source such as a lamp as an end irradiation light which is arranged adjacent to the end of the light guide translucent plate 5.

The rough surface portion 5A for irregular reflection includes regular or irregular undulations or crystal cut portions formed on at least one surface of the light guide translucent plate 5 by a chemical or mechanical means, and the translucent plate surface. Alternatively, it can be optimally configured by attaching a particulate member having good light reflection efficiency to the upper surface of the flexible insulating sheet.

The above-mentioned membrane keyboard switch main body does not need to be configured transparently for each component such as the fixed contact pattern 1A including the click metal plate 4, and can be constructed as cheap as possible according to the conventional structure.

Since the light source 8 as the end input irradiation light is arranged adjacent to the end of the translucent plate 5, the translucent plate 5 with the switch push button 6 and the operation display sheet 7 attached to the membrane keyboard switch body is screwed. It can be easily processed by a clamp means or a holder that also serves as a mount for the light source 8.

According to the above-mentioned structure, the edge irradiation light from the light source 8 introduced from the edge of the light guide translucent plate 5 is the rough surface portion 5A for the light reflection layer, the transparent switch push button 6 and the respective portions of the working protrusion 6A thereof. In this case, suitable diffuse reflection is generated, and the entire surface of the operation display sheet 7 is uniformly illuminated from the inside by these diffuse reflection lights.

Therefore, it becomes easy to selectively identify each operation display unit 7A on the operation display sheet 7 surface, and the operation display unit 7A thus identified can be identified.
It is possible to reliably achieve the on / off operation of the membrane keyboard switch with a click feeling according to the structure shown in the figure via the switch push button 6 according to the application / release of the pressing force to / from. In such a switch operation, the action projection 6A of the transparent switch push button 6 is not limited to the central portion of the operation display portion 7A corresponding to the upper surface of the push button 6A, but when a pressing force is applied to the end portion thereof. However, since this is applied to the optimum position of the switch, the input operation error, which is a problem in the case of this type of membrane keyboard switch, is satisfactorily reduced, while the operating projection 6A is provided with the diffuse reflection light in the presence of the push button body. Combined with a suitable light condensing function, it effectively contributes to the illumination effect on the operation display unit 7A,
Therefore, it is possible to improve the selection operability by the illumination function of the entire operation panel and to ensure the switch input operation process.

"Effect of Device" As described above, the illuminated keyboard switch according to the present invention is a light guide translucent plate having a transmissive switch push button mounted on the upper surface portion of the membrane keyboard switch through a light reflection layer. It is possible to easily manufacture the entire operation panel illumination structure having extremely high illumination efficiency by appropriately diffusing the edge input irradiation light from the light source arranged adjacent to the edge of the operation panel and minimizing the attenuation of transmitted light with respect to the operation display sheet.

The operation panel full-face illumination structure, which includes a light-transmitting light-transmitting plate and a transparent switch push button, is mounted on the top surface of the click-type keyboard switch body, so that it can be turned on in the membrane keyboard switch without being restricted by the illumination mechanism.・ A click function that matches the off action can be added arbitrarily, and therefore,
They can face each other with high flexibility in specifications.

Since the light guide translucent plate also functions as a protection function for the membrane keyboard switch body in cooperation with the operation display sheet on the surface, it is possible to suitably prevent damage or damage to the membrane keyboard switch body due to unexpected external pressure or the like. Since the operation display sheet has a surface-sealed structure, intrusion of fluid such as water and intrusion of other dust can be prevented and stable operation reliability can be ensured.

By mounting the illuminating structure on the front surface of the operation panel and the transparent switch push button, the switch input operation can be surely processed by significantly improving both the selective identification of the operation display unit and the switch operability.

Combined with the structure that the end light source for input irradiation is adjacent to the end of the light guide transmissive plate and can be collectively installed, it is easy to manufacture and assemble, and the mounting process for equipment is also easy. It

Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly functional and practical illuminated membrane keyboard switch with excellent reliability and durability at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of an illuminated keyboard switch in which a membrane type keyboard switch body is provided with a click function according to an embodiment of the present invention to form an entire operation panel illumination structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Insulation base sheet 1A: Fixed contact pattern 2: Flexible insulation sheet 3: Insulation spacer 3A: Switch operation gap 4: Metal plate for click 5: Light guide plate for light guide 5A: Rough surface part for diffuse reflection 5B: Push button mounting Through hole 6: Switch push button 6A: Working protrusion 7: Operation display sheet 7A: Operation display section 8: Edge irradiation light source

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Osamu Inoue 757 Tenhoki, Kukizaki-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki Nihon Mektron Co., Ltd. Minami-Ibaraki Plant (56) Reference JP-A-52-149376 (JP, A) Sho 61-6223 (JP, U) Actually opened Sho 61-138135 (JP, U)

Claims (7)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An insulating base sheet on which a required number of fixed contact patterns are formed and a flexible insulating sheet are arranged opposite to each other with a required switch operation gap therebetween, and an operating force is applied in the switch operation gap. In a click type membrane keyboard switch equipped with a click metal plate for detecting the opening / closing operation by reversing / returning in response to the release and detecting the opening / closing operation. A light guide translucent plate arranged via a light reflection layer, a transmissive switch push button mounted in a through hole formed at a corresponding position of the switch operation gap of the light guide translucent plate, and the switch. A push button and an operation display sheet provided on the upper surface of the light guide transmissive plate, and the light reflection layer is composed of a rough surface portion for irregular reflection formed on the lower surface of the light guide transmissive plate. Illuminated keyboard switch. 2. The illuminated keyboard switch according to claim 1, wherein the rough surface portion for irregular reflection is constituted by regular or irregular undulations or crystal cuts formed by chemical or mechanical means. 3. The illuminated keyboard switch according to claim 1, wherein the rough surface portion for irregular reflection is formed by an adhesion treatment of a particulate member having a good light reflection efficiency. 4. The illuminated keyboard switch according to claim 1, wherein the rough surface portion for diffuse reflection has a white paint on the surface of the rough surface portion. 5. An insulating base sheet on which a required number of fixed contact patterns are formed and a flexible insulating sheet are arranged to face each other with a required switch operation gap, and an operating force is applied in the switch operation gap. In a click type membrane keyboard switch equipped with a click metal plate for detecting the opening / closing operation by reversing / returning in response to the release and detecting the opening / closing operation. A light guide translucent plate arranged via a light reflection layer, a transmissive switch push button mounted in a through hole formed at a corresponding position of the switch operation gap of the light guide translucent plate, and the switch. Illumination characterized by comprising a push button and an operation display sheet arranged on the upper surface of the light guide transmissive plate, and the light reflecting layer is formed by a rough surface portion for irregular reflection formed on the upper surface of the flexible insulating sheet. Keyboard switch. 6. The illuminated keyboard switch according to claim 5, wherein the irregular reflection rough surface portion is formed by attaching a particulate member having a good light reflection efficiency to the upper surface of the flexible insulating sheet. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch push button is provided with an action protrusion at the center of the lower surface of the switch push button for exerting an operation pressure on the click type membrane keyboard switch and for condensing diffused reflected light. The illuminated keyboard switch according to item 1.