JP2000231846A - Switch device and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To integrate an EL element and a leaf spring switch element, reduce the number of components of a switch operation part, and reduce the number of manufacturing steps and the configuration area. The switch device has an EL element forming part and a leaf spring switch element forming part formed on the same surface of an insulating transparent base material, and the insulating transparent base material is bent at a bending part to form a contact. This is a switch structure in which the pattern layers 7 and 8 face each other substantially in parallel. Insulating transparent substrate 1
When a load is applied to the outer surface of the EL device, the EL element constituting portion 20 and the insulating transparent substrate 1 bend, and the contact pattern layer 7 and the contact pattern layer 8 come into contact with each other to conduct. Then, a voltage is applied from the EL element driving circuit to the electrode layer of the EL element constituting portion, and the EL element is driven.
The element emits light, and the switch operation unit emits light.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switch device used for a switch operation unit or the like provided with a panel for operation buttons of various electronic devices, and more particularly, to an integrated EL (electroluminescence) element for a backlight. The present invention relates to a switch device having a simplified leaf spring switch structure and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of electronic equipment such as communication equipment, video equipment, and audio equipment having a liquid crystal display panel using a liquid crystal display element and an operation panel provided with a panel switch for operation buttons have been developed. A backlight for illuminating the liquid crystal display unit and the switch operation unit from the back side is provided, so that the displayed characters or the characters on the switches can be easily recognized even when the surroundings are dark. In particular, mobile phones, wireless calling (pager)
In such mobile communication devices, a backlight device is indispensable in order to ensure visibility of a switch operation unit or the like in various use environments.

[0003] As a backlight of the switch operation section,
A thin and surface-emitting EL element is used, and a combination of an EL element and a leaf spring switch is used as a switch device having a backlight. FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of a conventional switch device with a backlight. The switch device with a backlight includes an EL element and a leaf spring switch element, and includes an EL element body 10,
A spring switch component main body 11 is provided adjacent to the EL element main body 10 substantially in parallel.

The EL element main body 10 is composed of a base and a layer constituting the EL element.
A transparent electrode layer 2 formed by printing or applying a predetermined pattern on the insulating transparent substrate 1 and a light emitting layer formed by printing or applying a predetermined pattern on the transparent electrode layer 2 3, a dielectric layer 4 formed on the light emitting layer 3 by printing or applying a predetermined pattern, and a back electrode formed on the dielectric layer 4 by printing or applying a predetermined pattern. Layer 5 and an insulating coat layer 6 formed on the back electrode layer 5 by printing or coating in a predetermined pattern.
And

The leaf spring switch element main body 11 is composed of a base material and a layer constituting the leaf spring switch element, and has a predetermined pattern on the base materials 12 and 13 of the leaf spring switch. And contact pattern layers 7 and 8 which are contacts of a leaf spring switch element formed by printing or coating. This leaf spring switch element has a switch structure in which two contact pattern layers face each other substantially in parallel, for example, when a switch button of a switch operation unit is pressed and a load is applied to the switch device with backlight, The two contact pattern layers contact each other,
The contact pattern layer is made conductive.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which a load is applied to a conventional switch device with a backlight. In the switch device with the backlight, when the switch button of the switch operation unit is pressed, a load is applied to the outer surface of the insulating transparent substrate 1 as indicated by an arrow in the drawing. As a result, the EL element body 10
Further, the base material 12 of the leaf spring switch element main body 11 bends, the contact pattern layer 7 comes into contact with the contact pattern layer 8, and the two contact pattern layers 7, 8 conduct. By the conduction of the contact pattern layers 7, 8, power is supplied to a drive circuit (not shown) for driving the EL element body 10, and the transparent electrode layer 2 and the back electrode layer, which are two electrode layers constituting the EL element. 5, a voltage is applied, and the EL element emits light, so that the switch operation unit can emit light.

[0007]

However, the above-described conventional switch device with a backlight requires two components, an EL element and a leaf spring switch element, and the number of components constituting the switch operation section is high. Increases,
The number of component manufacturing steps and the configuration area are increased.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and comprises a structure in which layers constituting an EL element and a leaf spring switch element are formed on the same insulating base material, and a leaf spring switch in which the EL element is integrated. An object of the present invention is to provide a switch device and a method for manufacturing the same, which can reduce the number of components constituting a switch operation unit by forming a structure, and reduce the number of manufacturing steps and the configuration area of the component. I do.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for forming an EL element and a leaf spring switch on a same surface of an insulating transparent substrate. Is formed.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in claim 1, the switch structure is formed by bending the insulating transparent base materials so as to face each other.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the EL element constituting section includes a transparent electrode layer in which a predetermined pattern is formed on an insulating transparent base material of the EL element; A light emitting layer having a predetermined pattern formed on the layer,
A dielectric layer having a predetermined pattern formed on the light emitting layer; a back electrode layer having a predetermined pattern formed on the dielectric layer; and an insulating coat having a predetermined pattern formed on the back electrode layer. And one or more layers.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the leaf spring switch element forming section has a first contact pattern layer formed in a predetermined pattern on the EL element forming section; And a second contact pattern layer formed in a predetermined pattern on the insulating transparent substrate on which the component is not formed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the insulating transparent substrate has a bent portion between the EL element constituting portion and the contact pattern layer formed on the insulating transparent substrate. By folding the insulating transparent base material at the bent portion, the switch device allows the respective contact points of the two contact pattern layers respectively formed on the EL element constituent part and the insulating transparent base material to be substantially parallel to each other. And a switch structure facing the switch.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the EL element constituting section has flexibility, and bends when a force is applied from the outside to be a leaf spring switch element constituting section. The two contact pattern layers are in contact with each other.

[0015] Further, a method invention according to claim 7 of the present application is as follows.
After forming the EL element constituent part and the leaf spring switch element constituent part on the same surface of the insulating transparent base material, the insulating transparent base material is bent and opposed to each other so that the switch device has a switch structure. It is characterized by:

In the switch device according to the first, third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the EL element forming section and the leaf spring switch element forming section are formed on the same surface of the insulating transparent substrate, and the EL element and the leaf spring switch are formed. A structure in which the element is integrated is formed. With this integrated structure, the number of components constituting the switch operation unit is reduced, and the number of manufacturing steps of the components can be reduced.

Further, in the switch device according to the second and fifth aspects and the method for manufacturing the switch device according to the seventh aspect, the insulating transparent base material is a contact pattern formed on the EL element constituent part and the insulating transparent base material. It has a fold between the layers. At this bent portion, the insulating transparent base material is bent EL
By forming a leaf spring switch structure in which the elements are integrated, it is possible to reduce the configuration area of the switch operation unit.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The switch device according to the present embodiment includes various electronic devices such as a communication device, a video device, and an audio device, particularly, a mobile phone, and a wireless calling (pager).
The present invention is applied as a backlight device provided in a switch operation unit of a mobile communication device such as the one described above and ensuring visibility of the switch operation unit in various use environments.

1 and 2 are schematic sectional views showing the configuration of a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which an insulating transparent base material is bent to form a switch structure. FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which each layer of the EL element and the leaf spring switch element is formed.

The switch device of this embodiment has a structure in which the bases of the EL element and the leaf spring switch element are the same, and the EL element and the leaf spring switch element are integrated. A substrate 1 and an EL element component 20 formed on one surface of the insulating transparent substrate 1
And an EL element component 2 on the insulating transparent substrate 1.
0 and a switch component forming unit 21 formed on the same plane.

The EL element constituting section 20 is composed of layers constituting an EL element, and includes a transparent electrode layer 2 formed on an insulating transparent substrate 1 by printing or coating in a predetermined pattern, A light emitting layer 3 formed by printing or applying a predetermined pattern on the light emitting layer 2; a dielectric layer 4 formed by printing or applying a predetermined pattern on the light emitting layer 3;
A back electrode layer 5 formed by printing or applying a predetermined pattern on the dielectric layer 4, and an insulating coat layer 6 formed by printing or applying a predetermined pattern on the back electrode layer 5 And

The switch component forming section 21 is made of a layer forming a leaf spring switch element, and includes a contact pattern 7 formed by printing or coating a predetermined pattern on the insulating coat layer 6 and an insulating transparent base material. 1 has a contact pattern 8 formed by printing or applying a predetermined pattern on the same surface as the EL element constituting portion.

Further, the insulating transparent substrate 1 has a bent portion 9 between the EL element constituting portion 20 and the contact pattern layer 8. As shown in FIG. 2, the switch device of the present embodiment forms a layer constituting an EL element and a leaf spring switch element on one surface of a flat insulating transparent base material, By bending at the bending portion 9 as shown in FIG. 1, a switch structure in which the contact pattern layers 7, 8 face each other substantially in parallel is formed. Here, the insulating transparent substrate is flexible and has a sufficient length to form a switch structure.

With this switch structure, for example, when a switch button of a switch operation section is pressed and a load is applied to the switch device, the EL element constituting section bends, and the two contact pattern layers can be brought into contact with each other to conduct. .

FIG. 3 shows a state in which a load is applied to the switch device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the switch device, when the switch button of the switch operation unit is pressed, a load is applied to the outer surface of the insulating transparent substrate 1 (the surface opposite to the side on which the EL element component is formed), as indicated by the arrow in the drawing. . As a result, the EL element constituting portion 20 and the insulating transparent base material 1 in the portion where the load is applied bend, and the contact pattern layers 7, 8 contact each other to conduct. As a result, power is supplied to a drive circuit (not shown) for driving the EL element constituting section, and a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode layer and the back electrode layer, which are the two electrode layers constituting the EL element, so that EL is applied. The element emits light, and the switch operation unit can emit light. In addition, a plurality of contact points may be provided. One of the contact switches is connected to one electrode of the EL element, and the other of the contact switch is connected to the power supply of the other electrode of the EL element.
A configuration in which a drive voltage is applied to two electrodes of the L element may be adopted. In addition, a configuration may be employed in which light emission of the EL element is turned on and off independently of the switch. further,
The control circuit controls the driving circuit of the EL element according to the on / off state of at least one switch, whereby the E
A configuration in which the L element emits light may be employed.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the switch device, the layer constituting the EL element and the layer constituting the leaf spring switch element are formed on the same surface of the insulating transparent substrate. By folding the insulating transparent base material at the bent portion of the insulating transparent base material to form a leaf spring switch structure in which the EL element is integrated, the number of parts constituting the switch operation part is reduced, and the production of the component parts is reduced. The number of steps and the configuration area can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a configuration of a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where a load is applied to the switch device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration example of a conventional switch device with a backlight.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a state where a load is applied to a conventional switch device with a backlight.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Insulating transparent base material 2 Transparent electrode layer 3 Light emitting layer 4 Dielectric layer 5 Back electrode layer 6 Insulating coat layer 7, 8 Contact pattern layer 9 Bending part 10 EL element main body 11 Leaf spring switch Element main body 12, 13 Leaf spring switch Element substrate 20 EL element component 21 Leaf spring switch element component

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hideo Haga 3-1, Tsunashimahigashi, 4-chome, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa F-term (reference) in Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. 3K007 AB18 BA07 BB07 CA06 5G006 AA01 BB07 CD06 FB14 FB29 FB30 JA01 JB06 5G023 AA12 CA06 CA50 5G052 AA24 BB01 BB10 JA02 JA08 JB08

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A switch device wherein an EL element component and a leaf spring switch element component are formed on the same surface of an insulating transparent substrate. 2. The switch structure according to claim 1, wherein the insulating transparent base material is bent to face each other to form a switch structure.
3. The switch device according to claim 1. 3. An EL device comprising: a transparent electrode layer having a predetermined pattern formed on the insulating transparent substrate of the EL device; and a light emitting layer having a predetermined pattern formed on the transparent electrode layer. And a dielectric layer having a predetermined pattern formed on the light emitting layer, a back electrode layer having a predetermined pattern formed on the dielectric layer, and a predetermined pattern formed on the back electrode layer. The switch device according to claim 1, further comprising one or more insulating coat layers. 4. A leaf spring switch element forming part includes: a first contact pattern layer formed in a predetermined pattern on the EL element forming part; and the insulating transparent layer having no EL element forming part formed thereon. The switch device according to claim 1, further comprising a second contact pattern layer formed in a predetermined pattern on the base material. 5. The insulating transparent base material has a bent portion between the EL element constituting portion and a contact pattern layer formed on the insulating transparent base material, and the insulating transparent base material at the bent portion. By bending the base material, the switch device is configured such that the respective contacts of the two contact pattern layers respectively formed on the EL element constituent part and the insulating transparent base material are substantially parallel to each other. The switch device according to claim 2, wherein the switch device has a structure. 6. The EL element constituting section has flexibility, and bends when an external force is applied to make contact between the two contact pattern layers of the leaf spring switch element constituting section. The switch device according to claim 5, wherein 7. After the EL element component and the leaf spring switch element component are formed on the same surface of the insulative transparent substrate, the insulative transparent substrate is bent and opposed to each other, so that the switch device is provided. A method for manufacturing a switch device, wherein the switch device has a switch structure.