JPH024970B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an illuminated push button switch with an illuminating function, which is used, for example, to input program settings for a VTR, for a channel selector for an audio device, for inputting a program for a copying machine, etc. Regarding push button switches.

Description of Prior Art Conventionally, as this type of push button switch, the first
The items shown in Figures 3 to 3 were found. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a conventional illuminated pushbutton switch will be described first, and problems with the conventional switch will be explained.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a conventional illuminated push button switch. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional switch of FIG. 1. Furthermore, Figure 3 shows the first
This is a side view of the conventional switch shown in the figure, with the outside partially cut away so that its internal structure can be seen. In addition, in FIGS. 1 to 3, the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals.

Referring to each figure, the push button switch consists of a switch mechanism 1, a lamp holder 2 attached to the side of the switch mechanism 1, and a button unit 3 combined on the upper surfaces of the switch mechanism 1 and lamp holder 2. . An actuator 12 for opening and closing contacts is provided on the upper surface of the switch mechanism 1, and lead terminals extend below the switch mechanism 1.

Lamp holder 2 is used as a light source.
It is for holding LED4. When the LED 4 is attached to the lamp holder 2, the lead terminal 41 of the LED 4 extends below the lamp holder 2. Further, a claw 21 is protruded from the upper part of the front side of the lamp holder 2. This claw 21 supports a button unit 3, which will be described later.

The button unit 3 includes a pressing part 31 and a supporting part 32.
including. A hole 33 is formed in the center of the upper surface of the support portion 32 . This hole 33 is for passing the light of the LED 4 to the outside. In addition, button unit 3
A stopper 35 protrudes from the lower side of the center. This stopper 35 is for preventing the pressing part 31 from pushing the actuator 12 too much when the pressing part 31 is pressed to open or close the switch.

In the above-described configuration, the push button switch is configured such that, for example, when the pressing part 31 is pressed and the contact is closed by the actuator 12, a signal flows to the lead terminal and the LED 4 lights up.
The light was emitted upward from the hole 33 of the button unit 3, indicating the on state of the switch.

However, in an illuminated push button switch having such a configuration, (1) visibility is poor because it uses point illumination using LEDs. (2) Character display cannot be illuminated due to point illumination. (3) Inventory management is difficult because it is necessary to distinguish models by LED color and manage inventory.
It had various drawbacks, such as poor LED display colors.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an illuminated push button switch with high visibility, surface emission, and many display variations.

Structure of the Invention The illuminated push button switch according to the present invention includes a base member having an engaging means at one end, a switch unit provided on the base member, a light source attached to the base member on the side of the switch unit, and a base member. and a button unit that can be rotatably engaged with the engaging means of the button unit. The switch unit has contacts and actuator means for opening and closing the contacts. The button unit is configured to press the actuator means when pressed from the outside, and the light source is turned on or off in response to the actuator means being pressed to indicate the switching state. .

The button unit includes a case member, and the case member has a storage portion that can store the light guide member, and an opening for exposing to the outside at least one surface of the light guide member stored in the storage portion. has.

The light source is arranged so that its emitted light is transmitted through the light guide member, and when the light source is turned on, the exposed surface of the light guide member in the button unit lights up.

The above-mentioned objects and features of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4. Moreover, FIG. 6 is a side view of one embodiment of FIG. 4, and the outside is partially cut away so that the internal structure can be seen. Identical parts in FIGS. 4 to 6 are designated by the same reference numerals.

Referring to each figure, illuminated push button switch 20
0 is composed of a switch mechanism 1, a lamp holder 2, and a button unit 5, as in the conventional example. The most distinctive feature of this embodiment is the button unit 5. That is, with particular reference to the exploded perspective view of FIG. 5, the button unit 5 includes a light-guiding transparent body 57 and a color filter 53 disposed on the upper main surface of the light-guiding transparent body 57. Translucent body 5
7 and a frame 52 that covers the color filter 53 from the outside.

A hole 571 penetrating vertically is formed at approximately the end of the light-guiding transparent body 57 . A small lamp 6 is inserted into this hole 571 as described later. By arranging the lamp 6 in contact with the transparent body 57 in this way, light can effectively travel through the transparent body. Note that the lamp 6 and the light-transmitting body 57 are simply the light-transmitting body 57, for example.
A lamp may be provided so as to be in contact with the end surface of the
A concave portion may be formed in the end surface of the transparent body 57, and the lamp 6 may be brought into contact with the concave portion.

Further, a reflective film is formed on the lower surface 57a of the light-guiding transparent body 57.

The color filter 53 is disposed in close contact with the upper main surface of the light-guiding transparent body 57. This color filter 53 is transparent to red light or blue light, for example. In other words, it has the property of allowing only light of a specific wavelength to pass through. The periphery of the color filter 53 is lowered by one step, and a flange 531 is formed. When covered with the frame 52, the central convex portion of the color filter 53 is located at the opening 56 of the frame 52.
The upper surface of the button unit 5 is designed to be flat when the button unit 5 is engaged immediately.

A tongue piece 54 is formed at the lower part of the front side of the frame 52 as in the conventional example, and this tongue piece 54 fits with the claw 21 of the lamp holder 2, and the button unit 5 is rotated using this fitting point as a fulcrum. Rotate.

The small lamp 6 inserted into the hole 571 formed in the light-transmitting body 57 is preferably inserted so that the filament 62 of the small lamp 6 is located in the center of the hole 57. That is, the filament 62 of the lamp 6 is positioned approximately at the center of the vertical thickness of the light-guiding transparent body 57. By doing this, the lamp 6
The light is transmitted through the light-guiding transparent body 57 more effectively.

A lead wire 61 of the small lamp 6 is connected to a lamp conductor piece 63 by, for example, solder. A lamp terminal 64 extends below the lamp conductor piece 63. This lamp terminal 64 protrudes downward from the hole 23 formed in the inner bottom surface of the button holder 2. In addition, in FIG. 5, a protrusion 22 formed inside the lamp holder 2 is a protrusion for positioning the lamp.

Next, referring mainly to FIG. 6, the operation of this embodiment, particularly the principle of surface illumination, will be explained.
When the button unit 5 is pressed from above, the button unit 5 rotates downward about the fulcrum (the part where the claw 21 of the lamp holder 2 and the tongue piece 54 of the button unit 5 fit together). As a result, the actuator 1 comes into contact with the lower surface 57a of the button unit 5.
2' is pressed and the contacts in the switch mechanism 1 are closed, for example.

The lamp 6 is turned on by closing or turning on the switch mechanism. Lighting of the lamp upon turning on the switch can be achieved, for example, by appropriately connecting the lamp terminal 64 and the lead terminal 11 with an external circuit.

When the lamp 6 is turned on, the light emitted by the lamp 6 is transmitted through the light-guiding transparent body 57 as shown by an arrow 65. The light 65 is reflected by the light-guiding transparent body 57 and the inner surface 52a or inner upper surface 52b of the frame 52, or by a reflective film formed on the lower surface 57a of the light-guiding transparent body 57. Filter 5
3 and is radiated to the outside. As a result, the entire surface of the color filter 53 on the top surface of the button unit 5 shines in a specific color.

Furthermore, by replacing only the color filter 53, it is possible to create an image illumination switch that emits light of many colors. That is, since a small lamp is used, the wavelength range of the emitted light is widely distributed, and by preparing various colors for the color filter, it is possible to illuminate with a specific color. Further, since push button switches with various illumination colors can be made by replacing only the color filter, the configuration can be made at low cost. Furthermore, by making the color filter replaceable, inventory management of this push button switch becomes easier.

Note that the area around the light-guiding transparent body into which the lamp 6 is inserted is covered by the frame 52, so the light from the lamp 6 cannot be seen directly, and most of the light is effectively transmitted through the light-guiding transparent body 57. Conveys the inside.

Furthermore, if the lower surface 57a of the light-guiding transparent body 57 is roughened (textured), the light reflected on this lower surface 57a will be diffusely reflected and transmitted through the light-guiding transparent body 57, resulting in more uniform light emission. You can get a face.

Next, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the switch mechanism 1 included in the embodiment of FIG. 6. The switch mechanism 1 will be briefly explained with reference to FIG. A recess 15 is formed in the thin base 1, and a contact 16 is provided at the center of the recess 15. A movable reversible leaf spring 1 is installed in this recess 15.
51 are combined. The movable reversible leaf spring 151 is
Also called a Peco board, it is a board whose central part curves upward or downward in a click-like manner around the circumferential surface when its central surface is pressurized.

A movable reversible leaf spring 15 is installed in the recess 15 of the base 10.
1 is inserted, the actuator 152 is placed on it, the press plate 156 is fitted onto it, and the caulking projection 14 is caulked and fixed.

Note that there is a dovetail groove 13 on one side of the base 10.
is formed, and by fitting a dovetail (not shown) provided on the side surface of the lamp holder 2 into this dovetail groove 13, the switch mechanism 1 and the lamp holder 2 are engaged and fixed. There is. Illuminated pushbutton switch 200 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5
can also be obtained by removing the lamp holder 2 and button unit 3 from the conventional push button switch 100 and combining the color filter 2 with a small lamp attached thereto and the button unit 5 into the switch mechanism 1. Further, the LED 4 of the conventional push button switch 100 may be replaced with a small lamp 6, and the button unit 3 may be replaced with a button unit 5. If there is an existing switch mechanism 1, a surface-illuminated push button switch can be obtained.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing another embodiment of the invention. The feature of Fig. 8 is that the color filter 5
3 is a color filter consisting of a combination of a plurality of colors, and characters are drawn on the surface of the color filter using the combination of the plurality of colors. In this embodiment, "SIGNAL HIGH" is configured in a different color from other parts, and letters are drawn, but it is not limited to letters, and may be, for example, a symbol. Or color filter 5
By inserting a transparent film on which numbers, letters, symbols, etc. are printed between the light-guiding transparent body 57 (FIG. 5), a light-emitting surface on which characters and symbols can be expressed can be obtained. In other words, characters and codes stand out when illuminated.

Furthermore, as an application of this invention, it can be used as a built-in switch in a flat keyboard switch using a film panel, allowing surface illumination instead of point illumination as in the conventional case, and making it possible to design panels with a wide variety of designs.

In the above configuration, the lamp lighting circuit is configured to light up in response to the opening and closing of the switch by an external circuit. For example, a small printed circuit board is provided in the switch mechanism 1, and the switch contacts are connected to Of course, opening/closing and lamp lighting can also be linked.

Effects of the Invention As described above, in the present invention, at least a portion of the surface of the push button is illuminated, so that a surface-illuminated push button switch with high visibility can be obtained.

Furthermore, a surface-illuminated push button switch can be easily obtained using an existing switch unit.

Furthermore, by preparing a wide variety of light guiding members to be housed in the button unit so that they can be used depending on the place of use, many display variations can be provided.

Considering a push button switch whose display mode is fixed and the display contents cannot be changed, in order to perform various displays, push button switches must be manufactured and kept in stock for each display mode. With the surface-illuminated push button switch according to the invention, the display mode can be changed simply by changing the light-guiding member, and there is no need to separate inventory of parts other than the light-guiding member for each display mode. ,
Inventory management is facilitated, and illuminated push button switches can be provided at low cost.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a conventional illuminated push button switch. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional switch of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view of the conventional switch shown in FIG. 1, with the outside partially cut away to show its internal structure. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, with the outside partially cut away so that the internal structure can be seen. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the switch mechanism included in the embodiment of FIG. 4. FIG. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. In the figure, 1 is a switch mechanism, 12 and 12' are actuators, 2 is a lamp holder, 3 and 5 are button units, 52 is a frame, 53 is a color filter, 57 is a transparent body for light guide, 6 is a small lamp,
62 indicates a filament.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A base member having an engaging means at one end, a switch unit provided on the base member and having a contact and an actuator means for opening and closing the contact, and the base on a side of the switch unit. a light source mounted on a member; a button unit rotatably engageable with the engagement means of the base member for pressing the actuator means; , an illuminated push button switch in which the light source turns on or off to indicate a switching state, wherein the button unit has a light guide member; and a storage part that can detachably store the light guide member, and and a case member provided with an opening for exposing at least one surface of the light guide member housed in the storage part, and the light source is configured to allow the light emitted from the light guide member to pass through the light guide member. 1. An illuminated push button switch, characterized in that the exposed surface of the light guiding member of the button unit is illuminated. 2. The illuminated push button switch according to claim 1, wherein the light guide member includes a color filter that passes only light of a predetermined wavelength. 3. The illuminated push button switch according to claim 2, wherein the color filter is a combination of a plurality of color filter sections that pass light of a predetermined wavelength. 4. Claim 1, wherein the light source is a small lamp with a filament.
The illuminated push button switch according to any one of Items 1 to 3. 5. Any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light-guiding member has an end in which a recess is formed, and the light source is disposed in the recess. Illuminated pushbutton switch as described in . 6. The case member according to claim 5, wherein the case member covers a part of the light guide member so that the light source disposed in the recess is not directly visible from the outside. Illuminated push button switch. 7. Claim 1, wherein the light guide member has a reflective film formed on at least a surface on which light enters the light guide member from the light source and a surface other than the exposed surface. 7. The illuminated push button switch according to any one of items 6 to 6. 8. The base member includes a light source holder for holding the light source, and the light source holder is removably engageable with the switch unit.
An illuminated push button switch according to any one of claims 1 to 7.