JP4657445B2 - Push button switch - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pushbutton switch used for an electronic device, a portable device, a remote controller, and the like. More specifically, a key top made of a translucent synthetic resin is provided on the surface side of a flexible keypad. The present invention relates to a push button switch provided.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, pushbutton switches used in electronic devices, portable devices, in-vehicle switches, remote controls, etc., are attached to a substrate such as a circuit board in a device case, and the keypad is pressed to bend the keypad. Thus, the circuit is opened and closed so as to perform a switching function. As such a push button switch, a push button switch in which a key top made of a translucent synthetic resin is provided on the surface side of a flexible keypad is widely used from the viewpoint of visibility, decorativeness, etc. In many cases, a display layer is provided by printing letters, numbers, symbols, patterns or the like on the front or back surface of the key top.
[0003]
In recent years, the design and color tone of pushbutton switches have been diversified. For example, regarding colors, there are various colors such as achromatic colors such as black and gray and chromatic colors such as red, blue and yellow. Moreover, in recent mobile phones, mobile terminal devices, remote controls for various home appliances, card remote controllers and various keyboards, there are pushbutton switches that have a beautiful metallic color tone such as high-quality gold and silver with excellent aesthetics. Particularly popular in the market.
[0004]
As a pushbutton switch exhibiting such a metallic color tone with a specular feeling, an inorganic thin film layer such as aluminum or chromium is provided on the front or back surface of a translucent synthetic resin key top using a vacuum deposition method or a sputtering method. Are widely known. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a push button switch 31 provided by attaching a key top 34 with a translucent adhesive 35 on the surface side of a flexible keypad 33. The key top 34 in the pushbutton switch 31 is provided with a display layer 39 by printing a pattern 40 such as characters on the back surface 36a of the key top body 36 made of a translucent resin, and an inorganic substance on the back surface 39a of the display layer 39. The thin film layer 38 is provided.
[0005]
On the other hand, an illumination function is required for a push button switch or the like used for a mobile phone or the like because of its usage. In response to such demands, conventionally, a pushbutton switch in which a key top is made of a light-transmitting synthetic resin and an illumination function such as an LED or EL is added to the back side of the key top is added. Is realized. There are also diversified illumination formats for this pushbutton switch, for example, a character illumination type in which characters such as characters on the display layer are illuminated at the time of illumination, and an entire illumination type in which the entire display layer is illuminated at the time of illumination. The full illumination type illumination format is popular in the market.
[0006]
With the recent diversification of various product designs and colors, it is expected to realize pushbutton switches that have new functions and can display a variety of designs. There has been an increasing demand for providing an illumination function to the push button switch to be presented.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional pushbutton switch 31 having a mirror-like metallic color tone, even if an illuminator (not shown) is provided on the back side of the key top 34, the irradiated light is reflected by the inorganic thin film layer 38. Therefore, the illumination function could not be provided.
[0008]
In addition, since the display layer 39 is formed on the surface side of the inorganic thin film layer 38, the characters 40 and the like of the display layer 39 are visually recognized regardless of whether the display layer 39 is illuminated or not illuminated. It becomes. For this reason, it has been impossible to realize the push button switch 31 having a new function such as the appearance of a pattern 40 such as a different character when illuminated and when not illuminated and capable of displaying various designs.
[0009]
Furthermore, since the inorganic thin film layer 38 made of aluminum or chromium exhibits a silver-white metallic color tone, it is not a push button switch 31 that exhibits a variety of chromatic metallic colors.
[0010]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pushbutton switch that exhibits a metallic color tone with a specular feeling and can have an illumination function. Another object of the present invention is to provide a push button switch that has a new function in which symbols such as different characters appear when illuminated and when not illuminated, and can display various designs and colors.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a pushbutton switch in which a key top is provided on the surface side of a flexible keypad, and the key top is formed of a translucent synthetic material. on the front surface side of the key top body made of resin, the with the visible light transmittance is provided 10 to 45% of the inorganic thin layer is provided with a colored layer having a light-transmitting property on the surface side of the inorganic thin film layer By providing a display layer on the back side of the key top body , outside light is reflected by the inorganic thin film layer and provided on the display layer when not illuminated by an illuminator disposed on the back side of the keypad. The symbol is not visually recognized, and the symbol is visually recognized when illuminated by the illuminator.
[0012]
The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, the design provided in the display layer has translucency .
[0013]
<Action>
Push button switch of the present invention, the front surface side of the key top body made of a transparent synthetic resin forming the key top, with inorganic thin film layer having both a reflection function of the optical and the transmission function is provided, the key top main body A display layer is provided on the back side.
[0014]
By configuring in this way, when not illuminated (when viewing external light), the external light is reflected by the inorganic thin film layer, and the key top exhibiting a metallic color tone with a specular feeling is visually recognized. On the other hand, at the time of illumination, light irradiated from an illuminator or the like is partially shielded by the display layer and then passes through the inorganic thin film layer. It will be clearly visible.
[0015]
Thereby, while exhibiting a metallic color tone with a specular feeling, it can be a push button switch that can be equipped with an illumination function, and a new function that a pattern such as different characters appears at the time of illumination and non-illumination is expressed, A variety of designs and colors can be displayed.
[0016]
Further, on the surface side of the inorganic thin film layer, a colored layer that is provided. When a colored layer is provided on the surface side of the inorganic thin film layer, it is possible to easily achieve a metallic color tone with a chromatic mirror and to display a variety of color tones.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described in detail.
(First implementation form)
The push button switch described in the present embodiment is a push button switch as a reference example. As shown in FIG. 1, the push button switch 11 of the present embodiment has a key top 14 as a pressing portion adhered to a surface 13 a of a flexible keypad 13 with a translucent adhesive 15. It has a provided configuration. The key top 14 includes a key top body 16 made of a translucent synthetic resin, a colored layer 17, an inorganic thin film layer 18 having a visible light transmittance of 10 to 45%, and a display layer 19.
[0018]
The push button switch 11 is attached to the body 12 to be mounted, and is configured such that when the key top 14 is pressed, the key pad 13 is bent to perform the switch function.
[0019]
<Keypad>
The keypad 13 is composed of a rubber-like elastic body, whereby the keypad 13 has flexibility as a whole.
[0020]
The rubber-like elastic body constituting the keypad 13 is not particularly limited, and all rubber-like elastic bodies that exhibit elastic characteristics when the key top 14 is pressed to activate the switch function are preferably used. Can do.
[0021]
Specific examples of the rubber-like elastic body include silicone rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, chloroprene rubber, urethane rubber, isoprene rubber, and thermoplastic elastomer.
[0022]
<Key Top>
The key top 14 is provided with a colored layer 17 on the back surface 16a of the key top body 16 made of a translucent synthetic resin, and the inorganic thin film layer 18 having a visible light transmittance of 10 to 45% on the back surface 17a of the colored layer 17. However, the display layer 19 is further provided on the back surface 18 a of the inorganic thin film layer 18. Therefore, the display layer 19 is provided on the back surface side of the inorganic thin film layer 18, and the colored layer 17 is provided on the front surface side of the inorganic thin film layer 18.
[0023]
<Key top body>
The translucent synthetic resin constituting the key top body 16 is not particularly limited, and a known synthetic resin such as a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin can be suitably used. From this point of view, a thermoplastic resin that is easy to be injection-molded is preferably used.
[0024]
Specific examples of the thermoplastic resin having translucency include polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polystyrene resin, polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, and polyamide resin.
[0025]
<Colored layer>
On the back surface 16a of the key top body 16, a colored layer 17 having translucency is provided by applying or printing ink, paint, or the like.
[0026]
The material of the ink or paint constituting the colored layer 17 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of adhesion, acrylic resin, vinyl chloride resin, vinyl acetate resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer. It is preferable to use a light-transmitting ink or paint such as resin, urethane resin, vinyl resin, polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, or epoxy resin. Further, the cured form is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected and used. However, a thermosetting type or an ultraviolet curable type is preferable because it is simple.
[0027]
The color of the colored layer 17 is not particularly limited, and may be a known color such as white, gray, yellow, orange, red, green, blue, purple, regardless of achromatic or chromatic color. All are applicable.
[0028]
<Inorganic thin film layer>
On the back surface 17a of the colored layer 17, an inorganic thin film layer 18 having a mirror-like metallic color tone having both a light reflection function and a transmission function is provided by forming a thin film of a metal or a compound.
[0029]
The material constituting the inorganic thin film layer 18 is not particularly limited as long as it is a metal or a compound exhibiting a metallic color tone having a specular feeling. However, in consideration of cost and the like, metals such as aluminum and chromium are preferable.
[0030]
The visible light transmittance of the inorganic thin film layer 18 is preferably 10 to 45%. When the visible light transmittance of the inorganic thin film layer 18 is 10 to 45%, it has both a reflection function for external light and a transmission function for irradiation light of an illuminator (not shown) attached to the back side of the key top 14. Can do. On the other hand, when the visible light transmittance is less than 10%, the light transmittance is poor, and it becomes difficult to visually recognize characters, symbols, and the like of the display layer 19, and when the visible light transmittance exceeds 45%, the mirror feeling is poor.
[0031]
The visible light transmittance is measured using a spectrophotometer such as an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer and depends on the material, refractive index, color tone, and the like of the inorganic thin film layer 18. Visible light is an electromagnetic wave in a wavelength region that is perceived as light by human eyes. Although there are individual differences, the lower limit of the wavelength region is 360 to 400 nm, and the upper limit is about 760 to 830 nm. Gives different color sensations depending on the wavelength.
[0032]
The method for forming the inorganic thin film layer 18 is not particularly limited. For example, a physical vapor deposition method such as a vacuum vapor deposition method, an ion plating method, a sputtering method, or a chemical vapor deposition method using a thermal / plasma chemical reaction. A known thin film forming method such as an electroplating method or an electroplating method can be suitably used. Also, a hot stamping method in which the inorganic thin film layer 18 is formed on another film or the like by a physical vapor deposition method and then thermally transferred to the key top body 16 can be applied.
[0033]
The film thickness of the inorganic thin film layer 18 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 500 nm in order to have both a light reflection function and a light transmission function. When the film thickness is thinner than 1 nm, the reflection function is poor, and when it is thicker than 500 nm, the transmission function is poor.
[0034]
<Display layer>
On the back surface 18a of the inorganic thin film layer 18, by applying or printing ink, paint or the like on the surface to be adhered, the pattern 20 such as letters, numbers, symbols or designs is drawn and drawn in a letter shape or a superimposed letter shape. A display layer 19 is provided.
[0035]
The method for forming the display layer 19 is not particularly limited. For example, a light-transmitting ink or the like is placed on a part of the adherend surface to draw a character, or the adherent surface is covered with a light-shielding ink or the like. After printing, it can be formed by etching into a predetermined shape using a laser marker or the like and drawing in a letter shape.
[0036]
In order to improve the fixability, adhesion, bleeding, color development, etc. of inks and paints, etc., it is modified by forming various known coating layers on the adherend surface in advance or applying various known surface treatments. It may be what you did.
[0037]
The operational effects achieved by the first embodiment will be described below.
(1) Visible light transmittance of 10 to 45% is provided on the back side of the key top body 16 made of a translucent resin, which has a function of reflecting external light and a function of transmitting irradiated light by an illuminator (not shown). The inorganic thin film layer 18 was provided. As a result, it is possible to realize the push button switch 11 that exhibits a metallic color tone having a specular feeling and can have an illumination function.
[0038]
(2) The display layer 19 is provided on the back surface side of the inorganic thin film layer 18, and the colored layer 17 is provided on the front surface side of the inorganic thin film layer 18. If comprised in this way, in the time of non-lighting, external light will be reflected by the inorganic thin film layer 18, and the keytop 14 which exhibits the metallic color tone with a mirror surface will be visually recognized. On the other hand, at the time of illumination, since light irradiated from an illuminator (not shown) or the like is partially shielded by the display layer 19 and then passes through the inorganic thin film layer 18, a pattern such as characters and symbols that are not visible at the time of non-illumination. 20 will be clearly recognized by the difference in contrast. Therefore, it is possible to realize a push button switch 11 that has a metallic color tone with a mirror feeling and can be provided with an illumination function, and develops a new function in which symbols 20 such as different characters appear when illuminated and when not illuminated. Various designs and colors can be displayed.
[0039]
(3) A colored layer 17 having translucency was formed on the surface side of the inorganic thin film layer 18. As a result, the color tone of the key top 14 can be easily changed to a metallic color tone having a chromatic specular feeling, and various color tones can be displayed.
[0040]
(4) Since the key top body 16 exists on the outermost surface, the wear of the inorganic thin film layer 18 can be prevented and the durability can be improved.
(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the color layer 17, the inorganic thin film layer 18 and the display layer 19 provided on the key top body 16 are the same as those in the first embodiment except for the configuration. Is omitted.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the inorganic thin film layer 18 is provided on the surface 16 b of the key top body 16, and the colored layer 17 is provided on the surface 18 b of the inorganic thin film layer 18. The display layer 19 is provided by drawing the pattern 20 on the back surface 16a of the main body 16 and drawing it in a character shape or a superimposed character shape. Therefore, also in this embodiment, the display layer 19 is provided on the back surface side of the inorganic thin film layer 18, and the colored layer 17 is provided on the front surface side of the inorganic thin film layer 18.
[0042]
Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the above (2) and (3), the following effects are exhibited.
(5) On the surface side of the key top body 16 made of a translucent resin, the visible light transmittance is 10 to 45%, which has both a reflection function for external light and a transmission function for irradiation light by an illuminator (not shown). The inorganic thin film layer 18 was used. As a result, it is possible to realize the push button switch 11 that exhibits a metallic color tone having a specular feeling and can have an illumination function.
[0043]
(6) Since the colored layer 17 is present on the outermost surface, wear of the inorganic thin film layer 18 can be prevented and durability can be improved.
[0044]
【Example】
Hereinafter, although each said embodiment is described more concretely, giving an Example, these do not restrict | limit the scope of the present invention at all.
[0045]
( Reference Example 1)
The key top body 16 was injection molded with an injection molding machine using a polycarbonate resin, which is a light-transmitting thermoplastic resin, as the light-transmitting synthetic resin. After the foreign matter is removed by degreasing the back surface 16a of the obtained key top 16 body with ethanol, a blue acrylic resin ink having translucency is screen printed so as to cover the entire back surface 16a of the key top body 16 Then, it was sufficiently dried to form a blue colored layer 17 having translucency.
[0046]
Next, an inorganic thin film layer 18 was formed by transferring an aluminum-deposited foil having a visible light transmittance of 17 to 30% to the back surface 17a of the formed colored layer 17 using a hot stamp method. Further, a white acrylic resin-based ink is screen-printed so as to cover the entire back surface 18a of the formed inorganic thin film layer 18, and a pattern 20 is screen-printed using a black acrylic resin-based ink on the printed surface. A display layer 19 was formed.
[0047]
And the keytop main body 16 in which the colored layer 17, the inorganic thin film layer 18, and the display layer 19 were formed as described above was punched into a predetermined shape, thereby producing the keytop 14. The obtained key top 14 and a keypad 13 made of silicone rubber as a flexible rubber-like elastic body are bonded and integrated using a translucent adhesive 15, and as shown in FIG. A push button switch 11 was obtained.
[0048]
When the push button switch 11 is not illuminated, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the entire surface exhibits a metallic color tone with a blue specular feeling. 2), the entire top surface of the key top 14 is illuminated, and the black pattern 20 is clearly visible due to the difference in contrast, as shown in FIG. 2 (b).
[0049]
(Example 2)
The key top body 16 is injection-molded by the same method as in Reference Example 1, and the surface 16b of the obtained key top body 16 is degreased with ethanol to remove foreign matter, and then the key top is formed using a hot stamp method. An inorganic thin film layer 18 similar to that in Reference Example 1 was formed on the surface 16 b of the main body 16. Next, a yellow acrylic resin-based paint having translucency was applied to the surface 18b of the formed inorganic thin film layer 18 and sufficiently dried to form a yellow colored layer 17 having translucency.
[0050]
Further, a pattern 20 is formed on a part of the back surface 16a of the key top body 16 by silk screen printing with a light-transmitting red acrylic resin-based ink, and the formed pattern 20 and the back surface 16a of the key top body 16 are formed. A display layer 19 was formed by silk screen printing with a white acrylic resin-based ink so as to cover the entire surface.
[0051]
And the keytop main body 16 in which the colored layer 17, the inorganic thin film layer 18, and the display layer 19 were formed as described above was punched into a predetermined shape, thereby producing the keytop 14. The obtained key top 14 and a keypad 13 made of a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer as a flexible rubber-like elastic body are bonded and integrated using a translucent adhesive 15, and FIG. A push button switch 11 as shown in FIG.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 4A, the push button switch 11 exhibits a metallic color tone with a golden mirror surface as shown in FIG. 4 (a). 4), the entire top surface of the key top 14 is illuminated and the red pattern 20 is clearly visible due to the difference in contrast.
[0053]
(Example of change)
The above embodiments may be modified as follows.
-The key top body 16 is made of a chromatic color transparent synthetic resin. By configuring in this way, the key top body 16 acts as the colored layer 17 described above, so that it is not necessary to separately provide the colored layer 17 and the configuration can be simplified.
[0054]
Hereinafter, the technical idea grasped from the embodiment, the examples, and the modified examples will be described.
(A) said key top, with inorganic thin film layer is provided on the back surface side of the key top body, der Ru push button switch which display layer on the back side of the inorganic thin film layer is provided.
[0055]
(B) the key top, with inorganic thin film layer provided on the surface side of the key top body, der Ru push button switch which display layer on the back side of the inorganic thin film layer is provided.
[0056]
(C) the key top, with inorganic thin film layer provided on the surface side of the key top body, der Ru push button switch which display layer is provided on the back side of the key top body.
[0057]
(D) the colored layer, der Ru push button switch that is provided on the surface side of the key top body.
[0058]
(E) the colored layer, der Ru push button switch that is provided on the back side of the key top body.
[0059]
(F) push button switch said key top ing than chromatic light-transmitting synthetic resin. By comprising in this way, since a keytop itself acts as a colored layer mentioned above, it is not necessary to provide a colored layer separately and can further simplify a structure.
[0060]
(G) on the back side of the key top, push button switch illuminator is that is attached. As a result, it is possible to easily provide an illumination function and to display a variety of designs and color tones with a new function in which symbols such as different characters appear when illuminated and when not illuminated. .
[0061]
(H) film thickness of the inorganic thin film layer, push button switches Ru 1~500nm der. By comprising in this way, it can be set as the inorganic thin film layer which has the reflection function of light, and the transmission function.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, the pushbutton switch of the present invention is provided with an inorganic thin film layer having both a light reflection function and a transmission function on the surface side of the key top body , and a display layer on the back side of the key top body. Since the configuration is provided, it is possible to provide a pushbutton switch that exhibits a metallic color tone with a specular feeling and can have an illumination function. Further, it is possible to provide a push button switch that has a new function in which different characters and the like appear when illuminated and when not illuminated, and can display various designs and colors.
[0063]
Also, by providing a colored layer on the surface side of the inorganic thin film layer, it is possible to provide a push button switch that can easily provide a metallic color tone with a chromatic mirror and can display various color tones. Can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a pushbutton switch according to a first embodiment.
2A is a plan view of the key top when the pushbutton switch of the first embodiment is not illuminated; FIG. 2B is a plan view of the keytop when the pushbutton switch of the first embodiment is illuminated;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a push button switch according to a second embodiment.
4A is a plan view of a key top when the pushbutton switch of the second embodiment is not illuminated, and FIG. 4B is a plan view of the keytop when the pushbutton switch of the second embodiment is illuminated.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional push button switch.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Pushbutton switch, 12 ... To-be-attached body, 13 ... Keypad, 14 ... Key top, 15 ... Translucent adhesive agent, 16 ... Key top main body, 17 ... Colored layer, 18 ... Inorganic thin film layer, 19 ... Display layer , 20 ... design.

Claims (2)

A pushbutton switch provided with a key top on the surface side of a flexible keypad,
Said key top, on the front surface side of the key top body made of a transparent synthetic resin, becomes in a visible light transmittance is provided 10 to 45% of the inorganic thin film layer, the light-transmitting front surface side of the inorganic thin film layer By providing a colored layer having a property and providing a display layer on the back side of the key top body , outside light is reflected by the inorganic thin film layer when not illuminated by an illuminator disposed on the back side of the keypad. The push button switch is configured such that the symbol provided on the display layer is not visually recognized and the symbol is visually recognized when illuminated by the illuminator. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein a pattern provided on the display layer has translucency .

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