JP2010244794A - Movable contact body and switch using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a movable contact body used mainly for operation of various electronic devices and a switch using the same, which are inexpensive and capable of various illuminations.
A base sheet 11 having a movable contact 2 affixed to a lower surface is formed in a light color, and a diffusion layer 13 and a plurality of openings 14A are provided on a lower surface of a base material 12 disposed above the base sheet 11. By forming the layer 14 in an overlapping manner, the light of the light emitting element 6 can be reflected between the reflective layer 14 and the base sheet 11, and the plurality of display portions 7B can be illuminated with a small number of light emitting elements 6. In addition, it is possible to obtain a movable contact body 17 that can be easily assembled and can be illuminated at low cost, and a switch using the movable contact body 17.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a movable contact body mainly used for operation of various electronic devices and a switch using the same.

  In recent years, various electronic devices, particularly mobile terminal devices such as mobile phones, are operated by emitting light emitting diodes or EL elements so that push buttons and display sheets can be easily identified and operated even when the surroundings are dark. There are an increasing number of parts that illuminate parts, and there is a demand for movable contact bodies and switches used in these devices that can illuminate variously at low cost.

  Such a conventional movable contact body and switch will be described with reference to FIG.

  In addition, in this drawing, in order to make the configuration easy to understand, the dimensions are partially enlarged.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional switch, in which 1 is a film-like base sheet, 2 is a substantially dome-shaped movable contact made of a conductive metal thin plate, and a plurality of movable contacts 2 are adhesives (not shown). The movable contact body 3 is configured by being attached to the lower surface of the base sheet 1.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a wiring board having a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) formed on the upper and lower surfaces, and a substantially circular central fixed contact 5A on the upper surface and a substantially horseshoe-shaped or substantially ring-shaped outer fixed surrounding the same. A plurality of fixed contacts 5 formed from the contacts 5B are provided.

  The movable contact body 3 is placed on the upper surface of the wiring board 4, the outer periphery of each movable contact 2 is placed on the outer fixed contact 5B, and the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 2 is spaced from the central fixed contact 5A by a predetermined gap. , Are affixed to face each other.

  Further, 6 is a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode, and a plurality of light emitting elements 6 are mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 4 between the fixed contacts 5 and are arranged with the light emitting surface facing the upper surface.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a light-transmitting film-like display sheet. A predetermined portion of the light-shielding portion 7A formed on the lower surface by printing or the like is cut out into a shape such as a character or a symbol to form a plurality of display portions 7B. Yes.

  And this display sheet 7 is affixed on the upper surface of the movable contact body 3 with the spacer 8 by which the adhesive layer (not shown) was formed in the upper or lower surface or one side, and the switch was comprised.

  Further, the switch configured as described above is mounted on the operation surface of an electronic device such as a mobile phone, and the plurality of central fixed contacts 5A, the outer fixed contacts 5B, and the plurality of light emitting elements 6 are connected via a wiring pattern or the like. , Connected to the electronic circuit (not shown) of the device.

  In the above configuration, when the predetermined display portion 7B of the display sheet 7 is pressed downward, the display sheet 7 and the base sheet 1 below this bend, and the substantially dome-shaped central portion of the movable contact 2 is pressed, When the pressing force is applied, the movable contact 2 is elastically reversed downward with a click feeling, and the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 2 comes into contact with the central fixed contact 5A, whereby the central fixed contact 5A and the outer fixed contact 5B are It is in a state of being electrically connected via the movable contact 2.

  Further, when the pressing force to the display sheet 7 is released, the movable contact 2 is elastically reversed upward by the elastic restoring force, the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 2 is separated from the central fixed contact 5A, and the central fixed contact 5A and the outer fixed contact are separated. 5B is in an electrically disconnected state.

  When various functions of the device are switched according to the electrical contact / separation of the fixed contact 5 as described above, and when power is supplied from the electronic circuit of the device to the light emitting element 6, the plurality of light emitting elements 6 are switched. Is emitted, and this light illuminates the display portion 7B of the upper display sheet 7 from below, and the plurality of display portions 7B are illuminated, so that even if the surroundings are dark, characters, symbols, etc. of the display portion 7B The display can be identified and the operation can be easily performed.

  That is, by pressing the display sheet 7, the upper surface of the base sheet 1 is pressed, the movable contact 2 is elastically reversed to electrically connect and separate the fixed contact 5, and the light emitting element 6 emits light. It was comprised so that the some display part 7B of the display sheet 7 might be illuminated.

  As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

JP 2007-109664 A

  However, in the conventional movable contact body 3 and the switch, a plurality of light emitting elements 6 provided between the fixed contacts 5 are caused to emit light, and the plurality of display portions 7B of the display sheet 7 are illuminated by this light. Therefore, many light emitting elements 6 are required, the number of parts used increases and the cost becomes high, and there is a problem that it takes time to assemble.

  An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a movable contact body that can reduce the number of light-emitting elements and can be illuminated at low cost and a switch using the movable contact body.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a base sheet having a movable contact affixed to the lower surface is formed in a light color, and a diffusion layer and a plurality of openings are provided on the lower surface of the base material disposed above the base sheet. The movable contact body is configured by overlapping the formed reflective layers, and the light of the light emitting element is reflected between the reflective layer and the base sheet, and the plurality of movable contact bodies are illuminated with a small number of light emitting elements. Therefore, the number of parts used can be reduced, and it is possible to obtain a movable contact body that can be easily assembled and can be illuminated at low cost.

  The invention according to claim 2 is a low-cost switch in which the movable contact body according to claim 1 is affixed to the upper surface of the wiring board on which the fixed contact facing the movable contact is formed. It has an effect that a switch capable of various illuminations can be realized.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that it is possible to realize a movable contact body that is inexpensive and capable of various illumination and a switch using the movable contact body.

Sectional drawing of the movable contact body by one embodiment of this invention Plan view Cross section of the switch Sectional view Partial sectional view of the same Cross section of conventional switch

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

  These drawings are partially enlarged in size for easy understanding of the configuration.

  Further, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those described in the background art section, and the detailed description will be simplified.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a movable contact body according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a film-like base sheet such as polyethylene terephthalate. The pigment powder such as titanium oxide dispersed in is colored in a bright color such as white or milky white.

  Reference numeral 2 denotes a movable contact made of a conductive metal thin plate such as a copper alloy or steel. The plurality of movable contacts 2 are attached to the lower surface of the base sheet 11 with an adhesive (not shown). A substantially rectangular through hole 11 </ b> A is provided at a predetermined position of the base sheet 11 between the movable contacts 2.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a film-like flexible light-transmitting base material such as polyurethane, silicone, styrene, etc., which is disposed above the base sheet 11 and is printed on the lower surface of the base material 12 by printing or the like. A thin white or milky white diffusion layer having a thickness of about 10 to 30 μm, in which resin particles such as formaldehyde, melamine, and acrylic are dispersed in a light transmissive insulating resin such as epoxy and having a particle size of about 0.1 to 5 μm. 13 is formed.

  Further, a reflective layer 14 having a thickness of about 2 to 20 μm in which powders such as aluminum and silver are dispersed in an insulating resin such as polyester and epoxy is formed on the lower surface of the diffusion layer 13 by printing or the like. At the same time, the reflective layer 14 is provided with a plurality of hole-shaped openings 14A having a diameter of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm with the diffusion layer 13 exposed at predetermined intervals.

  Further, the plurality of openings 14A are sparse with a small number in the vicinity immediately above the through hole 11A of the base sheet 11, and the number of openings 14A increases as the distance from the through hole 11A increases. 13 is formed so that the exposed area is large.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a spacer made of an insulating resin such as polyester or epoxy, and the base 12 is made of a base sheet 11 by an adhesive layer (not shown) such as acrylic or rubber applied and formed on the upper and lower surfaces or one surface of the spacer 15. It is affixed on the upper surface with a gap of 0.2 to 0.8 mm.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a film-like separator such as polyethylene terephthalate, which is attached so as to cover the entire lower surface of the base sheet 11 so that dust or the like does not adhere to the lower surface of the movable contact 2 during storage and transportation. A body 17 is constructed.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a switch using such a movable contact member 17. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 4 denotes a film wiring such as polyethylene terephthalate or polycarbonate, or a plate wiring such as paper phenol or glass-filled epoxy. A plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate by copper or the like, and a substantially circular central fixed contact 5A and an approximately horseshoe shape surrounding the center fixed contact 5A by copper or carbon on the upper surface. A plurality of fixed contacts 5 formed from a substantially ring-shaped outer fixed contact 5B are provided.

  The movable contact body 17 having the separator 16 peeled off from the upper surface of the wiring board 4 is placed on the outer fixed contact 5B at the outer periphery of each movable contact 2, and the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 2 is predetermined with the central fixed contact 5A. Affixed so as to face each other with a gap in between.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode, which is mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 4 through the through hole 11A of the base sheet 11 between the movable contacts 2, and is disposed with the light emitting surface facing the upper surface.

  Furthermore, 7 is a light-transmitting film-like display sheet, and a predetermined portion of the light-shielding portion 7A formed on the lower surface by printing or the like is cut out into a shape such as a character or a symbol to form a plurality of display portions 7B. The display unit 7B is disposed above the plurality of movable contacts 2 to form a switch.

  The switch configured as described above is mounted on the operation surface of an electronic device such as a mobile phone, and a plurality of center fixed contacts 5A, outer fixed contacts 5B, and a plurality of light emitting elements 6 are connected via a wiring pattern or the like. , Connected to the electronic circuit (not shown) of the device.

  In the above configuration, when a predetermined display portion 7B of the display sheet 7 is pressed downward, the display sheet 7 and the base material 12 are bent and come into contact with the lower base sheet 11 so that the movable contact 2 has a substantially dome-shaped center. When the portion is pressed and a predetermined pressing force is applied, the movable contact 2 is elastically inverted downward with a click feeling, and the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 2 comes into contact with the center fixed contact 5A. And the outer fixed contact 5B are electrically connected through the movable contact 2.

  Further, when the pressing force to the display sheet 7 is released, the movable contact 2 is elastically reversed upward by the elastic restoring force, the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 2 is separated from the central fixed contact 5A, and the central fixed contact 5A and the outer fixed contact are separated. 5B is in an electrically disconnected state.

  When various functions of the device are switched according to the electrical contact / separation of the fixed contact 5 as described above, and when power is supplied from the electronic circuit of the device to the light emitting element 6, the plurality of light emitting elements 6 are switched. As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 4A, the light is reflected between the reflective layer 14 on the lower surface of the base material 12 and the upper surface of the light-colored base sheet 11 to the right and left. move on.

  Further, the reflected light enters the diffusion layer 13 from the opening 14A, is diffused by the diffusion layer 13, and illuminates the display portion 7B of the upper display sheet 7 from below, so that a plurality of light emitting elements 6 and the vicinity thereof are illuminated. By illuminating the display unit 7B, even when the surroundings are dark, the display of characters, symbols, and the like on the display unit 7B can be identified and the operation can be easily performed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the light of the light emitting element 6 also travels to a place away from the light emitting element 6 while being reflected between the reflective layer 14 and the upper surface of the base sheet 11, and this reflected light is opened. The light is incident on the diffusion layer 13 from 14A and diffused, and the upper display portion 7B is illuminated from below.

  Note that the light brightness of the light-emitting element 6 decreases as the light is reflected between the reflective layer 14 and the base sheet 11, but a large number of the light is emitted from the lower surface of the base material 12 at a location away from the light-emitting element 6. An opening 14A is provided, and the light is incident on the diffusion layer 13 through the many openings 14A and is illuminated by the diffused light. Therefore, the display portion 7B at a position slightly away from the light emitting element 6 is also used in the light emitting element 6. It is illuminated with brightness that is almost the same as that of the nearby display portion 7B.

  That is, by pressing the display sheet 7, the upper surface of the movable contact 2 is pressed through the base material 12 and the base sheet 11, and the movable contact 2 is elastically reversed to electrically connect and separate the fixed contact 5. The light emitting element 6 is caused to emit light, and the plurality of display portions 7B of the display sheet 7 are illuminated by this light.

  At this time, the base sheet 11 is colored and formed, and the diffusion layer 13 and the reflective layer 14 provided with a plurality of openings 14A are overlapped on the lower surface of the base material 12 disposed above. Since the light emitted from the light emitting elements 6 is reflected between the reflective layer 14 and the base sheet 11 and proceeds to the right or left to illuminate the plurality of display portions 7B, a small number of light emitting elements 6 are used. The plurality of display units 7B can be illuminated.

  That is, the light of the light emitting element 6 is reflected between the reflective layer 14 and the base sheet 11, and the reflected light is incident on the diffusion layer 13 through the plurality of openings 14 </ b> A and diffused by the diffusion layer 13 to display the upper display. By illuminating the portion 7B, the single light emitting element 6 can illuminate the display portion 7B in a distant place in addition to the display portion 7B in the vicinity thereof, so that the number of components used is reduced. It is easy to assemble, and is configured to be inexpensive and capable of various illuminations.

  Further, the number of openings 14A is small in the vicinity of the light emitting element 6, that is, in the vicinity of directly above the through hole 11A of the base sheet 11, and the number of openings 14A increases as the distance from the light emitting element 6 increases. By increasing the area, the display portion 7B located slightly away from the light emitting element 6 can be illuminated with brightness almost the same as the display portion 7B in the vicinity of the light emitting element 6.

  As described above, the resin particles dispersed in the diffusion layer 13 can have a particle size of about 0.1 to 5 μm. However, if the particle size is too small, light diffusion is caused. If the size is too large, light is blocked and the color of emitted light becomes dark. Therefore, it is better to use a material having a particle size of 0.4 to 1.5 μm, which is slightly larger than the visible light wavelength of 0.4 to 0.8 μm. preferable.

  In addition, the present invention can be implemented even if the reflective layer 14 is formed in a light color such as white or milky white by using an insulating resin in which pigment powder is dispersed in the same manner as the base sheet 11. By forming the resin such as aluminum or silver dispersed in the resin, the reflective layer 14 can have a higher reflectance.

  Furthermore, in the above description, the configuration in which the display sheet 7 is stacked on the base material 12 to form a switch has been described. However, as shown in the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 7B is formed, the diffusion layer 13 and the reflective layer 14 and the opening 14A are provided on top of each other, and the display unit 7B is integrally formed on the base member 12, so that the total number of components can be reduced and movable. The contact body can be made simpler and cheaper.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the base sheet 11 with the movable contact 2 attached to the lower surface is formed in a light color, and the diffusion layer 13 and the plurality of openings are formed on the lower surface of the base material 12 disposed above the base sheet 11. By reflecting and forming the reflective layer 14 provided with the portion 14A, the light of the light emitting element 6 is reflected between the reflective layer 14 and the base sheet 11, and the plurality of display portions 7B are illuminated with a small number of light emitting elements 6. Therefore, the number of parts used can be reduced, and the movable contact body 17 that can be easily assembled and can be illuminated at low cost and a switch using the movable contact body 17 can be obtained.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the diffusion layer 13 is formed on the lower surface of the substrate 12 and the reflection layer 14 provided with the hole-like opening 14A is formed on the diffusion layer 13 has been described. The present invention can also be implemented with a configuration in which a plurality of openings 14A are provided by exposing the diffusion layer 13 between them to form a plurality of openings 14A.

  The movable contact body and the switch using the same according to the present invention are inexpensive and capable of various illuminations, and are mainly useful for operation of various electronic devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Movable contact 4 Wiring board 5 Fixed contact 5A Center fixed contact 5B Outer fixed contact 6 Light emitting element 7 Display sheet 7A Light-shielding part 7B Display part 11 Base sheet 11A Through-hole 12 Base material 13 Diffusion layer 14 Reflective layer 14A Opening part 15 Spacer 16 Separator 17 Movable contact body

Claims (2)

A film-shaped base sheet, a plurality of substantially dome-shaped movable contacts affixed to the lower surface of the film-shaped base sheet, and a film-shaped and light-transmitting substrate disposed above the base sheet. A movable contact body that is formed by overlapping and forming a reflection layer provided with a diffusion layer and a plurality of openings on the lower surface of the substrate. A switch in which the movable contact body according to claim 1 is affixed to the upper surface of a wiring board in which a fixed contact opposite to the movable contact is formed on the upper surface.

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