JP2018120694A - Illumination type switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illuminated switch which has a simple structure, is excellent in dustproofness and waterproofness, can efficiently illuminate, and does not apply an unnecessary force to a light source. An illuminated switch 10 includes an LED 14, a substrate 16, a base 18, a top plate 20, a movable contact 22, a pusher 32, and a frame 34. The LED 14 is provided on the central portion of the top plate 20. The pusher 32 is provided around the LED 14 so as to press on the central portion of the top plate 20. The substrate 16 is provided with a first fixed contact 24 on the upper surface. The base 18 is provided on the substrate 16. The top plate 20 is provided on the base 18 so as to shield the accommodation space R of the first fixed contact 24 and the movable contact 22 from the outside air. When the pusher 32 is pressed from above, the top portion 22a of the movable contact 22 is pressed, and the movable contact 22 is elastically deformed downward to come into contact with the first fixed contact 24. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an illuminated switch that can efficiently use light from a light source.

  A light source is provided at the center of the substrate, a fixed contact is provided around the light source, and a dome-shaped movable contact piece having a projection with an irradiation hole formed at the center is provided above the substrate. There is known an illuminated switch in which light is irradiated upward in the center (Patent Document 1). However, in the illumination type switch described in Patent Document 1, the light from the light source is irradiated only in the upward direction, and the surrounding light is blocked by the movable contact piece, so that the illumination efficiency is poor. Further, in this illuminated switch, the contact portion between the fixed contact and the movable contact piece is not airtight, and there is a risk of causing contact failure due to dust, moisture, or the like.

  An illumination type push switch in which a light emitting element is provided above a movable contact is also known (Patent Document 2). However, as can be seen from FIG. 2 of Patent Document 2, the push switch described in Patent Document 2 has weaker illumination in the obliquely upward direction than illumination in the directly upward direction. Further, since the movable contact and the fixed contact are not placed in the airtight space, the dustproof property and the waterproof property are inferior. Furthermore, in order for the movable contact to contact the fixed contact with certainty, it is necessary to devise the arrangement and shape of the insulating arm provided on the push button and the connecting portion connecting the push button and the frame.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-230858 JP-A-5-135651

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an illuminated switch that has a simple structure, is excellent in dust resistance and waterproofness, can be efficiently illuminated, and does not apply unnecessary force to the light source. Objective.

  The illuminated switch of the present invention is provided on the substrate so as to face the fixed contact with the fixed contact on the upper surface, and comes into contact with the fixed contact by being elastically deformed downward when the top portion is pressed from above. An elastic conductor plate, a top plate that is flexible at least in the center, and is provided so as to block the stationary contact and the accommodation space of the elastic conductor plate from outside air; and a light source provided on the center portion of the top plate; A pusher that is provided around the light source so as to press on the center of the top plate, and a frame that restricts the movement of the pusher so that the pusher moves up and down within a predetermined range. have.

  In the illumination type switch of the present invention, the pusher may have translucency and may cover the light source. In the illuminated switch of the present invention, a hole through which the light source is exposed may be provided in the center of the pusher, and the side surface of the hole may reflect light emitted from the light source upward. In the illuminated switch of the present invention, an annular base that secures the accommodation space together with the top plate may be further provided between the substrate and the top plate.

  In the illuminated switch of the present invention, the wiring for supplying power to the light source is electrically connected to the outer surface of the substrate via the upper surface of the top plate, the outer surface of the top plate, and the outer surface of the base. Preferably it is. In the illuminated switch of the present invention, it is preferable that a pressing member is further provided on the top of the elastic conductor plate. In the illuminated switch of the present invention, it is preferable that the top plate is composed of a double-sided FPC or a single-sided FPC having a conductor layer on the bottom surface, and the pressing member is formed by the conductor layer on the bottom surface of the top plate.

  In the illuminated switch of the present invention, it is preferable that the top plate is composed of a double-sided FPC, and a wiring for supplying power to the light source is formed by a conductor layer on the top surface of the top plate. In the illuminated switch of the present invention, it is preferable that a press receiving portion pressed by the pusher is further formed by the conductor layer on the top surface of the top plate. In the illuminated switch of the present invention, a plurality of press receiving portions are formed, and an extending portion that connects at least two of the plurality of press receiving portions at the center of the top plate is further formed by a conductor layer on the top surface of the top plate. Preferably it is.

  In the illuminated switch of the present invention, the fixed contact and the movable contact are provided in an airtight space and are excellent in dustproof and waterproof properties, so that contact failure between both contacts due to dust and water can be suppressed. In the illuminated switch of the present invention, the pusher provided on the light source on the top plate has a hole having a translucent property or a side surface that reflects upward the light emitted from the light source. Because it is provided, it can be illuminated efficiently. In the illumination type switch of the present invention, since the pusher presses the periphery of the light source, unnecessary force is not applied to the light source.

The cross-sectional schematic diagram of the illumination type switch which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The cross-sectional schematic diagram at the time of operation of the illumination type switch which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The top surface schematic diagram (a) and bottom surface schematic diagram (b) of the top plate of the illumination type switch which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The exploded schematic diagram of the illumination type switch which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The cross-sectional schematic diagram of the illumination type switch which concerns on the modification of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an illuminated switch of the present invention will be described based on embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings schematically show the illuminated switch, the components of the illuminated switch, and the peripheral members of the illuminated switch. The actual dimensions and size ratios of these are the dimensions and dimension ratios on the drawings. Does not necessarily match. Unless otherwise specified, for the sake of convenience, in this specification, directions such as “up”, “top”, “down”, and “bottom” are represented on the basis of the direction of the illuminated switch shown in FIG. In addition, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted suitably and the same code | symbol may be provided to the same member.

  FIG. 1 shows a cross section of an illuminated switch 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a cross section when the illuminated switch 10 is operated. The illuminated switch 10 is mounted on a circuit board that is a component of the electronic device, and performs operations and input / output of the electronic device. The illuminated switch 10 is provided with an LED 14 as a light source on a hollow plate-shaped housing 12. The bottom surface of the housing 12 is a flat rectangle, and the top surface is a convex rectangle. In addition, the shape of the housing | casing 12 is not specifically limited. The illuminated switch 10 includes an LED 14, a substrate 16, a base 18, a top plate 20, a movable contact 22 that is an elastic conductor plate, a pusher 32, and a frame 34. The substrate 12 is composed of the substrate 16, the base 18, and the top plate 20.

  The LED 14 is provided on the central portion of the top plate 20. In the present embodiment, the top plate 20 is composed of a double-sided FPC, and the wiring 21 for supplying power to the LEDs 14 is formed by the conductor layer on the top surface of the top plate 20. Note that FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) is a member obtained by bonding a flexible insulating thin film such as polyimide and a conductive thin film such as metal foil. A member in which a conductive thin film is pasted on both sides of an insulating thin film is a double-sided FPC, and a member in which a conductive thin film is pasted on one side of an insulating thin film is a single-sided FPC. In the present embodiment, the wiring 21 is formed by the conductor layer on the top surface of the top plate 20, but instead of this, a conductive wire for supplying power to the LED 14 may be provided on the top plate.

  In this embodiment, since the top plate 20 is composed of a double-sided FPC, the entire top plate 20 is flexible. However, at least the central portion of the top plate 20, that is, at least the portion on which the LED 14 is mounted and the pusher 32. It suffices if the portion to be pressed is flexible. As shown in FIG. 1, the wiring 21 for supplying power to the LEDs 14 includes a conductor layer 20 a formed on the outer surface of the top plate 20 and a conductor formed on the outer surface of the base 18 from the upper surface of the top plate 20. It is electrically connected to the conductor layer 16a formed on the outer surface of the substrate 16 via the layer 18a. The conductor layers 16a, 18a, and 20a are formed, for example, by plating or resin insert molding.

  In the present embodiment, the conductor layer 16 a formed on the outer surface of the substrate 16 extends to the lower surface of the substrate 16. For this reason, when the illuminated switch 10 is mounted on the circuit board of the electronic device, the LED 14 can be reliably supplied with power from the circuit board. The lighting and extinguishing of the LED 14 may be synchronized with the operation of the illumination switch 10 or may be performed independently of the operation of the illumination switch 10.

  The base 18 is an annular member for securing the accommodation space R together with the top plate 20 and is made of an insulator such as resin. The base 18 is provided between the substrate 16 and the top plate 20. The base 18 is bonded onto the substrate 16 with an anisotropic conductive adhesive 28. The conductive adhesive 28 is an adhesive that conducts in the vertical direction and adheres so as to insulate in the surface direction. Therefore, the conductor layer 18 a on the outer surface of the base 18 is electrically connected to the conductor layer 16 a on the outer surface of the substrate 16. Similarly, the top plate 20 is bonded to the base 18 with an anisotropic conductive adhesive 28, and the conductor layer 20a and the conductor layer 18a are electrically connected.

  A first fixed contact 24 and a second fixed contact 26 are provided on the upper surface of the substrate 16. The movable contact 22 is a metal plate having a dome shape, and is provided on the substrate 16 so as to face the first fixed contact 24 at the center and so that the edge is in contact with the second fixed contact 26. The movable contact 22 is elastically deformed downward when the top portion 22 a is pressed from above, and contacts the first fixed contact 24.

  The movable contact 22, the first fixed contact 24, and the second fixed contact 26 are provided in the accommodation space R in the housing 12. The storage space R is blocked from the outside air so that dust and the like do not enter. That is, the accommodation space R is sealed by the substrate 16, the base 18, and the top plate 20. The top plate 20 may be provided on the substrate 16 so that the accommodation space R is sealed without providing the base 18.

  The pusher 32 covers the LED 14 so that a gap is formed. The pusher 32 has translucency. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in light intensity caused by covering the LED 14 with the pusher 32. Further, the pusher 32 is provided around the LED 14 so as to press the center portion of the top plate. For this reason, when the illuminated switch 10 is operated, unnecessary force is not applied to the LED 14. In the present embodiment, the pusher 32 is made of a translucent resin. The illumination of the illumination switch 10 may be optically controlled by using a pusher 32 having a lens function.

  The frame 34 is bonded onto the top plate 20 and regulates the movement of the pusher 32 so that the pusher 32 moves up and down within a predetermined range. As shown in FIG. 2, when the pusher 32 is pushed downward along the inner wall of the frame body 34 and the top plate 20 is pushed downward from above, the top portion 22a of the movable contact 22 is also pushed downward from above. The center of the movable contact 22 is elastically deformed downward and contacts the first fixed contact 24. At this time, the first fixed contact 24 and the second fixed contact 26 are brought into conduction through the movable contact 22, and the illumination type switch 10 is activated. If the predetermined electrical circuit of the circuit board on which the illuminated switch 10 is mounted is closed when the movable contact 22 comes into contact with the first fixed contact 24, the second fixed contact 26 is provided. It does not have to be.

  When the pressing to the top portion 22a from above is released, as shown in FIG. 1, the movable contact 22 is restored to a dome shape, and the first fixed contact 24 and the second fixed contact 26 become non-conductive. The illuminated switch 10 may be turned on and off according to the conduction and non-conduction of the first fixed contact 24 and the second fixed contact 26, or the first fixed contact 24 and the second fixed contact. It is also possible to repeat the ON state by the conduction of 26 and the OFF state by the next conduction after becoming non-conductive once.

  The illuminated switch 10 is preferably provided with a pressing member on the top 22 a of the movable contact 22. This is because by providing the pressing member, when the pusher 32 is pressed downward, the pressing force is efficiently transmitted to the top portion 22a of the movable contact 22 via the top plate 20 and the pressing member. When the top plate 20 is composed of a double-sided FPC or a single-sided FPC having a conductor layer on the bottom surface, the pressing member can be formed with the conductor layer on the bottom surface by an etching process or the like. If the pressing member is formed of the conductor layer on the lower surface, the pressing member can be easily provided on the top portion 22 a of the movable contact 22.

  FIG. 3A shows the top surface of the top plate 20. FIG. 3B shows the bottom surface of the top plate 20. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the illuminated switch 10. In this embodiment, since the top plate 20 is composed of a double-sided FPC, the top plate 20 has flexibility to be elastically deformed in the vertical direction. The top plate 20 includes a wiring 21 for supplying power to the LED 14 and a pressing member 30 that presses the top 22 a of the movable contact 22. Thus, since the wiring 21 and the pressing member 30 are formed on the top plate 20, the number of parts of the illuminated switch 10 can be reduced, and the cost of the illuminated switch 10 can be reduced and the yield in mass production can be improved. Become.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, the pressure receiving portion 36 that is pressed by the pusher 32, that is, in contact with the pusher 36, is connected to the wiring 21 by the conductor layer on the top surface of the top plate 20. It is formed separately. A plurality of press receiving portions 36 are formed, and an extending portion 38 that connects at least two press receiving portions 36 at the center of the top plate 20 is formed by a conductor layer on the top surface of the top plate 20. In the present embodiment, the four press receiving portions 36 are connected at the center of the top plate 20 by the cross-shaped extending portion 38.

  For this reason, when the pressing receiving portion 36 is pressed by the pusher 32, the pressing force is transmitted to the center of the top plate 20 via the extending portion 38, and further, the pressing member 30 at the center of the lower surface of the top plate 20 is efficient. Communicate well. Therefore, the illuminated switch 10 is easy to operate. Even when the press receiving portion 36 is pressed while the pusher 32 is inclined, the pressing force is transmitted from the pressed press receiving portion 36 to the center of the top plate 20, and the pressing force is efficiently transmitted to the pressing member 30. It is transmitted. In addition, it is not necessary for all the press receiving parts 36 to be connected at the center of the top plate 20, and for example, only a pair of opposed pressure receiving parts 36 may be connected at the center of the top plate 20.

  FIG. 5 shows an illuminated switch 40 according to a modification of the present invention. In the illuminated switch 40, a hole 42a through which the LED 14 is exposed is provided in the center of the pusher 42. The side surface 42b of the hole 42a reflects light emitted from the LED 14 upward. For this reason, as shown by the arrow of the light beam in FIG. 5, the illuminated switch 10 can be illuminated efficiently. By appropriately setting the material of the side surface 42b of the pusher 42 and the shape of the hole 42, the light emitted from the LED 14 can be reflected upward. In this modification, the side surface 42b is a flat slope, and becomes wider as the opening of the hole 42a goes upward. Instead of this flat slope, the side surface may be a curved surface convex downward.

10 Illuminated switch 12 Housing 14 LED
16 Substrate 16a Conductor Layer 18 Base 18a Conductor Layer 20 Top Plate 20a Conductor Layer 21 Wiring 22 Movable Contact 22a Top 24 First Fixed Contact 26 Second Fixed Contact 28 Conductive Adhesive 30 Press Member 32 Pusher 34 Frame 36 Press Receiving part 38 Extending part 40 Illuminated switch 42 Pusher 42a Hole 42b Side surface R of the hole Accommodation space

Claims (10)

A substrate with fixed contacts on the top surface;
An elastic conductor plate that is provided on the substrate so as to face the fixed contact and elastically deforms downward when the top portion is pressed from above and contacts the fixed contact;
A top plate that is flexible at least in the middle, and is provided so as to shut off the accommodation space of the fixed contact and the elastic conductor plate from outside air;
A light source provided on the central portion of the top plate;
A pusher provided around the light source to press on the central portion of the top plate;
A frame body that restricts movement of the pusher so that the pusher moves up and down within a predetermined range;
Illuminated switch. In claim 1,
An illuminated switch in which the pusher has translucency and covers the light source. In claim 1,
A hole through which the light source is exposed is provided at the center of the pusher,
An illuminated switch in which a side surface of the hole reflects light emitted from the light source upward. In any one of Claim 1 to 3,
The illumination type switch which further has the cyclic | annular base which secures the said accommodation space with the said top plate between the said board | substrate and the said top plate. In claim 4,
An illumination type in which wiring for supplying power to the light source is electrically connected to the outer surface of the substrate via the upper surface of the top plate, the outer surface of the top plate, and the outer surface of the base. switch. In any one of Claim 1 to 5,
An illuminated switch further comprising a pressing member on the top of the elastic conductor plate. In claim 6,
The top plate is composed of a double-sided FPC or a single-sided FPC having a conductor layer on the bottom surface,
An illuminated switch in which the pressing member is formed by a conductor layer on a lower surface of the top plate. In any one of Claim 1 to 7,
The top plate is composed of a double-sided FPC,
An illuminated switch in which a wiring for supplying power to the light source is formed by a conductor layer on an upper surface of the top plate. In claim 8,
An illuminated switch in which a press receiving portion pressed by the pusher is further formed by a conductor layer on an upper surface of the top plate. In claim 9,
A plurality of the pressure receiving portions are formed,
An illuminated switch in which an extending portion that connects at least two of the plurality of press receiving portions at the center of the top plate is further formed by a conductor layer on the top surface of the top plate.

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