JP2010129502A - Movable contact element, and switch using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a movable contact element mainly used for operations of various kinds of electronic equipment and a switch using the same, reduced in the number of constitutional components and the cost, and reliable in operation. <P>SOLUTION: The almost dome-shaped movable contact 5 made from a conductive metal thin sheet is bonded under light emitting parts 22 of a light guide sheet 24 in which the plurality of light emitting parts 22 are formed on a base material 21 with an adhesive layer 23 and the adhesive layer 23 is shaped into an almost circular arc form to bond the movable contact 5 directly to a lower surface of the base material 21 of the light guide sheet 24. Thus, the number of constitutional components can be reduced, assembly can be facilitated and the reversing operation of the movable contact 5 is not obstructed by the adhesive layer 23, which can provide the movable contact element 27 allowing the reliable operation with favorable click touch and the switch using the same. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

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 is an increasing number of devices that illuminate parts, and there is a demand for movable contact bodies and switches used in these devices that can be operated inexpensively and reliably.

  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. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional switch. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 1 denotes a light-transmitting film-like base material, and a plurality of uneven light emitting portions 2 are provided at predetermined positions on the lower surface of the base material 1. Thus, the light guide sheet 3 is formed.

  4 is a light-transmitting film-like base sheet, and 5 is a substantially dome-shaped movable contact made of a conductive metal thin plate. A predetermined portion of the outer periphery of the base sheet 4 is attached to the lower surface of the light guide sheet 3 by an adhesive 4A. At the same time, a plurality of movable contacts 5 are attached to the lower surface of the base sheet 4 below the light emitting unit 2 to constitute a movable contact body 6.

  Reference numeral 7 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 8A on the upper surface and a substantially horseshoe-shaped or substantially ring-shaped outer fixed surrounding the same. A plurality of fixed contacts 8 formed from the contacts 8B are provided.

  Further, 9 is a spacer in which a plurality of through holes are formed on the outer periphery of the fixed contact 8, and the movable contact 6 is formed on the upper surface of the wiring board 7 by the adhesives 9A and 9B applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the spacer 9. The outer periphery of the movable contact 5 is placed on the outer fixed contact 8B, and the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 5 is pasted so as to face the central fixed contact 8A with a predetermined gap.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode. A plurality of light-emitting elements 10 are mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 7 on the side of the light guide sheet 3 and are arranged with the light-emitting surface facing the end surface of the base material 1.

  Further, 11 is a light-transmitting film-like display sheet, and a predetermined portion of the light-shielding portion 11A 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 11B. The display unit 11B is disposed above the light emitting unit 2 of the light guide sheet 3 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 8A, outer fixed contacts 8B, and a plurality of light emitting elements 10 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 11B of the display sheet 11 is pressed downward, the light guide sheet 3 and the base sheet 4 are bent and the substantially dome-shaped central portion of the movable contact 5 is pressed, and a predetermined pressing force is applied. Is applied, the movable contact 5 is elastically reversed downward with a click feeling, and the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 5 comes into contact with the central fixed contact 8A, whereby the central fixed contact 8A and the outer fixed contact 8B are moved to the movable contact 5 It will be in the state electrically connected via.

  When the pressing force to the display sheet 11 is released, the movable contact 5 is elastically reversed upward by the elastic restoring force, the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 5 is separated from the central fixed contact 8A, and the central fixed contact 8A and the outer fixed contact are separated. 8B is in an electrically disconnected state.

  Then, according to the electrical contact / separation of the fixed contact 8, each function of the device is switched, and when power is supplied from the electronic circuit of the device to the light emitting device 10, the plurality of light emitting devices 10 are The light is emitted, the light enters the light guide sheet 3 from the end face, and travels inward while reflecting inside the base material 1.

  Further, the light is diffused and reflected by the plurality of light emitting units 2 on the lower surface of the base material 1 to illuminate the display unit 11B of the upper display sheet 11 from below, and the plurality of display units 11B are illuminated. Even when the surroundings are dark, the display of characters, symbols, and the like on the display unit 11B can be identified, and the operation can be easily performed.

  That is, by pressing the display sheet 11, the upper surface of the light guide sheet 3 is pressed, the movable contact 5 is elastically inverted to electrically connect and separate the fixed contact 8, and the light from the light emitting element 10 is guided from the end face. It was configured to illuminate the plurality of display portions 11B of the display sheet 11 by introducing the light into the sheet 3 and causing the light emitting portions 2 to emit light.

As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
JP 2007-87749 A

  However, in the conventional movable contact body 6 and the switch, the base sheet 4 having the plurality of movable contacts 5 attached to the lower surface is further attached to the lower surface of the light guide sheet 3 with the adhesive 4A. However, there is a problem that it takes time to assemble and becomes expensive.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to provide a movable contact body that has a small number of components, is easy to assemble and is inexpensive, and a switch using the same.

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

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a movable contact made of a conductive metal thin plate is pasted by an adhesive layer below a light emitting portion of a light guide sheet having a plurality of light emitting portions formed on a base material. The movable contact body is configured, and since the movable contact is directly attached to the lower surface of the base material of the light guide sheet, the number of components is reduced, and an easy and inexpensive movable contact body can be obtained even when assembled. It has the action.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is formed in a substantially arc shape or dot shape, the adhesive layer is formed in a substantially arc shape or dot shape, Since the inversion operation of the movable contact is not hindered by the adhesive layer, there is an effect that a reliable operation can be performed with a good click feeling.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the movable contact body according to the first aspect is attached to the upper surface of a wiring board having a fixed contact facing the movable contact on the upper surface to constitute a switch. It has the effect that it is possible to realize an inexpensive switch that is small in number and easy to assemble.

  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 with a small number of components, which is inexpensive and reliable in operation, and a switch using the same.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described 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 1)
The invention according to the first to third aspects of the present invention will be described with reference to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a movable contact body according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the movable contact body. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a film having flexibility such as polyurethane, silicone, and styrene. A light-transmitting base material, and a plurality of light emitting portions 22 such as polyester and epoxy, such as white and milky white, are formed in dots at a predetermined position on the lower surface of the base 21 by printing or the like.

  A plurality of adhesive layers 23 such as acrylic and silicone are formed by printing or the like on the lower surface of the base material 21 below these light emitting portions 22 and are connected in a substantially arc shape and in a substantially band shape and face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. Thus, the light guide sheet 24 is configured.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a movable contact made of a conductive metal thin plate such as a copper alloy or steel. The plurality of movable contacts 5 are attached to the lower surface of the light-emitting portion 22 of the light guide sheet 24 by a plurality of adhesive layers 23. .

  Furthermore, 25 is a film-like spacer such as polyethylene terephthalate, and a plurality of through holes are formed on the outer periphery of the movable contact 5, and a predetermined portion on the outer periphery of the upper surface is affixed to the lower surface of the light guide sheet 24 by an adhesive 25A. Is coated with an adhesive 25B such as acrylic or silicone.

  Reference numeral 26 denotes a film-like separator such as polyethylene terephthalate, which is affixed so as to cover the entire lower surface of the light guide sheet 24, and is movable so that dust and the like do not adhere to the lower surface of the movable contact 5 during storage and transportation. A contact body 27 is configured.

  That is, since the plurality of movable contacts 5 are directly attached to the lower surface of the base material 21 of the light guide sheet 24 by a plurality of substantially arc-shaped adhesive layers 23 facing the light emitting portion 22 with a predetermined gap therebetween, A base sheet or the like for attaching the movable contact 5 is not required, the number of components is reduced, and the movable contact body 27 can be obtained easily and easily by assembling.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a switch using such a movable contact body 27. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 7 denotes a film-like wiring such as polyethylene terephthalate or polycarbonate, or a plate-like 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 8A and an approximately horseshoe shape surrounding the center fixed contact 8A by copper or carbon on the upper surface. A plurality of fixed contacts 8 formed from a substantially ring-shaped outer fixed contact 8B are provided.

  Then, the movable contact body 27 having the separator 26 peeled off from the upper surface of the wiring board 7 is placed on the outer fixed contact 8B by the adhesive 25B on the lower surface of the spacer 25, so that the outer periphery of each movable contact 5 is The center of the lower surface is pasted so as to face the center fixed contact 8A with a predetermined gap.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode. A plurality of light-emitting elements 10 are mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 7 on the side of the light guide sheet 24 and are arranged with the light-emitting surface facing the end surface of the base material 21.

  Furthermore, 11 is a light-transmitting film-like display sheet, and a predetermined portion of the light-shielding portion 11A formed by printing or the like on the lower surface is cut out into a shape such as a character or a symbol to form a plurality of display portions 11B. The display unit 11B is disposed above the light emitting unit 22 of the light guide sheet 24 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 8A, outer fixed contacts 8B, and a plurality of light emitting elements 10 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 11B of the display sheet 11 is pressed downward, the light guide sheet 24 is bent, the substantially dome-shaped central portion of the movable contact 5 is pressed, and a predetermined pressing force is applied. The movable contact 5 is elastically inverted downward with a click feeling, and the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 5 comes into contact with the central fixed contact 8A, whereby the central fixed contact 8A and the outer fixed contact 8B are electrically connected via the movable contact 5. Connected state.

  When the pressing force to the display sheet 11 is released, the movable contact 5 is elastically reversed upward by the elastic restoring force, the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 5 is separated from the central fixed contact 8A, and the central fixed contact 8A and the outer fixed contact are separated. 8B is in an electrically disconnected state.

  Then, according to the electrical contact / separation of the fixed contact 8, each function of the device is switched, and when power is supplied from the electronic circuit of the device to the light emitting device 10, the plurality of light emitting devices 10 are The light is emitted, the light enters the light guide sheet 24 from the end face, and proceeds inward while reflecting the inside of the base material 21.

  Further, the light is diffused and reflected by the plurality of light emitting units 22 on the lower surface of the base material 21, and the display unit 11B of the upper display sheet 11 is illuminated from below, and the plurality of display units 11B are illuminated. Even when the surroundings are dark, the display of characters, symbols, and the like on the display unit 11B can be identified, and the operation can be easily performed.

  That is, by pressing the display sheet 11, the upper surface of the light guide sheet 24 is pressed, the movable contact 5 is elastically inverted to electrically connect and separate the fixed contact 8, and the light from the light emitting element 10 is guided from the end face. The plurality of display units 11B of the display sheet 11 are illuminated by being introduced into the sheet 24 and causing the plurality of light emitting units 22 to emit light.

  When the upper surface of the light guide sheet 24 is pressed in this way, a plurality of substantially arc-shaped adhesive layers 23 are formed on the light emitting portion 22 so as to face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. Since the adhesive layer 23 does not hinder the reversing operation of the movable contact 5, a good click feeling can be obtained.

  That is, the entire upper surface of the movable contact 5 is not covered with the adhesive and attached to the lower surface of the base material 21, but the movable contact 5 is made of the plurality of substantially arc-shaped adhesive layers 23 with a predetermined gap therebetween. 21, the central portion of the movable contact 5 is not attached to the lower surface of the base material 21, and the light guide sheet 24 is interposed between the central portion of the movable contact 5 and the lower surface of the base material 21. A slight gap is formed to allow air to enter and exit from the outside.

  Therefore, when the upper surface of the light guide sheet 24 is pressed and the movable contact 5 is reversed, the reverse operation of the movable contact 5 is not impaired by the adhesive layer 23, and the movable contact 5 is accompanied with a good click feeling. Is reversed so that reliable electrical contact with the fixed contact 8 can be performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the movable contact 5 made of a conductive metal thin plate is bonded under the light emitting portion 22 of the light guide sheet 24 in which the plurality of light emitting portions 22 are formed on the base material 21. Since the movable contact 5 is directly affixed to the lower surface of the base material 21 of the light guide sheet 24 by forming the adhesive layer 23 in a substantially arc shape, the number of components is reduced and the assembly can be performed. Since it is easy to perform and the reversing operation of the movable contact 5 is not hindered by the adhesive layer 23, it is possible to obtain a movable contact 27 that can be reliably operated with a good click feeling, and a switch using the movable contact 27. It can be done.

  In the above description, the configuration in which a plurality of substantially arc-shaped adhesive layers 23 with a predetermined gap are provided in the light emitting portion 22 has been described. However, the adhesive layer 23 has a longer arc-shaped, substantially horseshoe-shaped shape. The same effect as described above can be obtained even when each movable contact 5 is attached to the lower surface of the base material 21 by this single adhesive layer 23.

(Embodiment 2)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described using the second embodiment.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part of the structure same as the structure of Embodiment 1, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  4 is a cross-sectional view of the movable contact body according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the movable contact body. In FIG. The plurality of light emitting portions 22 are formed in a dot shape, as in the first embodiment, but a plurality of adhesive layers 23A such as acrylic and silicone are printed on the lower surface of these light emitting portions 22. Thus, the light guide sheet 24A is formed in a dot shape with a gap therebetween.

  A plurality of substantially dome-shaped movable contacts 5 are attached to the lower surface of the light emitting portion 22 of the light guide sheet 24A by the plurality of adhesive layers 23A, and a plurality of through holes are formed on the outer periphery of the movable contacts 5. A predetermined portion on the outer periphery of the upper surface of the spacer 25 is attached to the lower surface of the light guide sheet 24A with an adhesive 25A, and an adhesive 25B such as acrylic or silicone is applied and formed on the lower surface of the spacer 25 in the first embodiment. It is the same as the case of.

  A separator 26 is affixed to the lower surface of the light guide sheet 24 so as to cover the entire lower surface of the light guide sheet 24A. It is configured.

  That is, since the plurality of movable contacts 5 are directly affixed to the lower surface of the base material 21 of the light guide sheet 24A by the plurality of adhesive layers 23A formed in a dot shape with a gap in the light emitting portion 22, 5 A base sheet for sticking or the like is not required, the number of components is reduced, and it is easy to assemble and an inexpensive movable contact body 27A can be obtained.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a switch using such a movable contact body 27A. In FIG. 6, the movable contact body 27A with the separator 26 peeled off is formed on the upper surface of the wiring board 7 on which a plurality of wiring patterns are formed. The outer periphery of each movable contact 5 is placed on the outer fixed contact 8B of the plurality of fixed contacts 8 by the adhesive 25B on the lower surface of the spacer 25, and the center of the lower surface of the movable contact 5 is fixed to the central fixed contact 8A. It is the same as in the case of Embodiment 1 that it is pasted so as to face each other with a gap.

  A plurality of light emitting elements 10 are mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 7 on the side of the light guide sheet 24A, and each light emitting element 10 is disposed with the light emitting surface facing the end surface of the base material 21. A plurality of display portions 11B cut out in the shape of characters, symbols, and the like are arranged above the light emitting portion 22 of the light guide sheet 24A to constitute a switch.

  Further, as in the case of the first embodiment, the switch configured in this manner is mounted on the operation surface of an electronic device such as a mobile phone, and a plurality of central fixed contacts 8A, outer fixed contacts 8B, and a plurality of The light emitting element 10 is connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) of the device via a wiring pattern or the like.

  In the above configuration, when the predetermined display portion 11B of the display sheet 11 is pressed downward or the pressing force is released, the light guide sheet 24A is bent to press the substantially dome-shaped central portion of the movable contact 5, and the movable contact 5 is pressed. As shown in the first embodiment, the central fixed contact 8A and the outer fixed contact 8B are electrically connected or disconnected via the movable contact 5 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Each function of the device is switched.

  Further, when power is supplied to the light emitting element 10 from the electronic circuit of the device, the plurality of light emitting elements 10 emit light, and this light enters the light guide sheet 24A from the end surface and reflects inside the base material 21. Even if the surroundings are dark by proceeding inward, this light is diffused and reflected by the plurality of light emitting units 22 on the lower surface of the base material 21 and illuminates the display unit 11B of the upper display sheet 11 from below. The display of characters, symbols and the like on the display unit 11B can be identified, and the operation can be easily performed.

  That is, as in the case of the first embodiment, by pressing the display sheet 11, the upper surface of the light guide sheet 24A is pressed, the movable contact 5 is elastically inverted, and the fixed contact 8 is electrically connected and separated. The light of the light emitting element 10 is introduced into the light guide sheet 24 </ b> A from the end face, and the light emitting units 22 emit light to illuminate the plurality of display units 11 </ b> B of the display sheet 11.

  And when pressing the upper surface of the light guide sheet 24A in this way, a plurality of dot-shaped adhesive layers 23A are formed on the lower surface of the light emitting portion 22, and thereby the movable contact 5 is stuck on the lower surface of the base material 21, The adhesive layer 23A does not hinder the reversing operation of the movable contact 5, and a good click feeling can be obtained.

  That is, since the movable contact 5 is affixed to the lower surface of the base material 21 by the adhesive layer 23A formed in a dot shape with a gap, the movable contact 5 is partially affixed in a dot shape rather than the entire upper surface. A slight gap is formed between the upper surface of the movable contact 5 and the lower surface of the base material 21 so that the outside of the light guide sheet 24A and air can enter and exit.

  Therefore, when the movable contact 5 is reversed by pressing the upper surface of the light guide sheet 24A, the reversal operation of the movable contact 5 is not impaired by the adhesive layer 23A, and the movable contact 5 is accompanied with a good click feeling. Is reversed so that reliable electrical contact with the fixed contact 8 can be performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the movable contact 5 made of a conductive metal thin plate is bonded to the lower portion of the light guide portion 24A of the light guide sheet 24A in which the plurality of light emitting portions 22 are formed on the base material 21. Since the movable contact 5 is directly attached to the lower surface of the base material 21 of the light guide sheet 24A by forming the adhesive layer 23A in a dot shape while being attached by the layer 23A, the number of components is reduced and it is easy to assemble. In addition, since the reversing operation of the movable contact 5 is not hindered by the adhesive layer 23A, it is possible to obtain a movable contact body 27A that can be reliably operated with a good click feeling and a switch using the same. Is.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the plurality of light emitting portions 22 are formed by printing on the lower surface of the base material 21 of the light guide sheet 24 or 24A above the movable contact 5 has been described. It is possible to implement the present invention even when the portion 22 is formed. In addition to printing, the uneven light emitting portion 22 can be formed by various methods such as sticking, laser processing, press processing, and molding processing. It is.

  The movable contact body and the switch using the same according to the present invention have a small number of components, can be obtained inexpensively and reliably operated, and are mainly useful for operation of various electronic devices.

Sectional drawing of the movable contact body by the 1st Embodiment of this invention Plan view Cross section of the switch Sectional drawing of the movable contact body by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention Plan view Cross section of the switch Cross section of conventional switch

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Movable contact 7 Wiring board 8 Fixed contact 8A Center fixed contact 8B Outer fixed contact 10 Light emitting element 11 Display sheet 11A Light-shielding part 11B Display part 21 Base material 22 Light emitting part 23, 23A Adhesive layer 24, 24A Light guide sheet 25 Spacer 25A, 25B Adhesive 26 Separator 27, 27A Movable contact body

Claims (3)

A movable contact body comprising a light guide sheet having a plurality of light emitting portions formed on a film-like substrate, and a movable contact made of a conductive metal thin plate attached to the lower portion of the light emitting portion by an adhesive layer. The movable contact body according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is formed in a substantially arc shape or a dot shape. 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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