JP4708892B2 - Illumination device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination device used in various electronic devices such as portable information terminals such as mobile phones, PDAs, and portable music players, and AV equipment.

In various electronic devices such as portable information terminals and AV devices, display elements such as letters, numbers, figures, symbols, and patterns are so-called backlights for the purpose of improving operational convenience and design in a dark place. Many of them are equipped with an illuminating device that is illuminated by a light source. The illuminated pushbutton switch 1 shown in FIG. 12 is an example. The illuminated pushbutton switch 1 includes an illuminated key sheet 2. The illuminated key sheet 2 includes a base sheet 3 made of a translucent rubber-like elastic body and a key top 4 made of a translucent hard resin, both of which are made of a translucent adhesive not shown. It is fixed. On the bottom surface of the key top 4, a display layer 5 and a base layer 6 covering the display layer 5 are formed as shown in FIG. The display layer 5 displays the display element, and is formed of, for example, a print layer or a coating layer. Similarly, the underlayer 6 is formed of a printing layer or a coating layer. When the light source 8 such as an LED element mounted on the substrate 7 emits light, the light passes through the translucent base sheet 3 and reaches the bottom surface of the key top 4, and the key top 4 is brightly illuminated from the bottom surface side. Let As a result, the operator can recognize the characters and the like displayed on the key tops 4 even in a dark place and perform the key operation correctly (Patent Document 1).
In addition to the character illumination type as described above, there is a character illumination type that forms the display element as a display layer formed in a letter shape and forms a base layer that fills the letter character portion.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-174820 JP-A-5-83347

  By the way, differentiation of various electronic devices such as portable information terminals and AV devices is not sufficient by itself although the function is important, and the demand level from the market is also high for the design appearing in the appearance. The existing designs using the character display layer 5 and the base layer 6 have a great number of achievements so far, and as long as they are followed, it is very difficult to exceed the same aesthetic impression. In other words, it cannot be said that the design provides a design value that sufficiently differentiates the design of the illuminated key sheet. This is a problem that applies not only to the illumination type key sheet, but also to the illumination display in the case of a portable information terminal or other parts, for example, where higher design is required.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the prior art as described above. Its purpose is to realize a new and innovative illumination design.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as the following illumination device.

  The illumination device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a main body member made of a translucent material having display elements of at least one of letters, numbers, figures, symbols, and patterns, and the display elements are arranged on a substrate. An illumination device that illuminates with light from a light source is formed in a groove shape corresponding to the display element on the bottom surface of the main body member facing the substrate, and reflects the light transmitted through the inside of the main body member toward the top surface of the main body member. And a light shielding portion that blocks at least transmission of the light from the light reflecting groove to the inside of the main body member.

  An illumination device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a key top made of a light-transmitting material having display elements of at least one of letters, numbers, figures, symbols, and patterns, and the light source disposed on the substrate by the display elements A light reflection groove that is formed in a groove shape corresponding to the display element on the bottom surface of the key top and reflects light transmitted through the inside of the key top toward the top surface of the key top. And a light shielding portion that blocks transmission of the light from the light reflection groove to the inside of the key top.

  In the first and second illumination devices, light from the light source enters the inside of the main body or key top made of a translucent material from a portion other than the light reflection groove shielded by the light shielding portion. The incident light is reflected toward the top surface of the main body or the key top by a light reflecting groove having a shape corresponding to a display element such as letters and numbers. For this reason, it is possible to realize a novel and novel illumination design that has never been seen so that the light reflection groove, that is, the display element is reflected and illuminated. More specifically, the illumination display by the reflection illumination action of the light reflection groove can be explained as follows.

  Here, a key top will be described as an example. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a visual effect at the time of illumination by forming various light reflecting grooves g1 to g4 in key tops k1 to k4 made of a translucent resin. The left side of each drawing shows the cross-sectional shape of the key tops k1 to k4, and the right side shows the shape in plan view.

  The light reflection groove g1 in the partial diagram (A) has a trapezoidal cross section having a side surface s1 having an inclination angle θ1 of 45 degrees and a bottom surface s2 serving as a groove bottom. In this case, the light from the side of the key top k1 is reflected on the side surface s1, but is not reflected on the bottom surface s2. The visual effect thus obtained is a design in which the side surface s1 (hatched portion in the drawing) of the light reflection groove g1 is reflected and illuminated in a planar shape so as to surround the bottom surface s2.

  The light reflection groove g2 in the partial diagram (B) has a triangular cross section with only the side surface s1 having an inclination angle of 45 degrees. In this case, the light from the side of the key top k2 is reflected by each side surface s1. Therefore, the obtained visual effect is a design in which the side surface s1 (hatched portion in the drawing) of the light reflection groove g2 is reflected and illuminated in a planar shape.

  The light reflection groove g3 in the partial diagram (C) has a curved surface s3 having a semi-circular cross section, and both ends thereof have the same curved surface s3. In this case, of the light from the side of the key top k3, only the light that reaches the curved surface s3 and its peripheral portion in the direction of 45 degrees obliquely with respect to the center of the semi-circular curved surface s3 is the key. Reflected to the top of the top k3. Therefore, the visual effect obtained is a design in which the contour shape of the light reflection groove g3 is reflected and illuminated linearly.

  The light reflection groove g4 in the partial diagram (D) is obtained by forming the side surface s1 in the partial diagram (B) as a fine uneven surface s4. In this case, a visual effect similar to that of frosted glass can be obtained. That is, the light striking the concavo-convex surface s4 is diffused, and the eyes are reflected and illuminated with a feeling of being blurred in a planar shape.

  As the depth of the light reflection grooves g1 to g4 as described above becomes shallower, the width of the light reflection region R becomes narrower and the light is reflected and illuminated linearly. On the other hand, the deeper the light, the wider the width of the light reflection region R, and the reflected light is planarly illuminated.

  Specifically, when the display element represented by the light reflection groove itself is one of letters, numbers, figures, and symbols, the display element can be clearly defined if the light reflection groove has a depth of 0.05 mm or more. Can be illuminated.

  In addition, when the display element represented by the light reflection groove is a pattern such as a line pattern, the pattern can be clearly illuminated by setting the light reflection groove to a depth of 0.001 mm or more.

  Further, as described above, when the light reflection groove is not formed as a letter, number, figure, or symbol, but is formed as an outline shape of the character or the like, the light reflection groove is formed in the same manner as in the case of the pattern. If the reflection groove has a depth of 0.001 mm or more, it is possible to perform illumination display with the contour shape of those display elements.

  The illuminating device of the present invention realizes an illuminating design by various light reflecting grooves as described above and combinations thereof.

  And the above light reflection groove | channel can be formed by the method by a metal mold | die shaping | molding, the method of slicing and applying a blade, and the laser processing.

  According to the first and second illumination devices having inverted V-shaped cross-sections in which the opposite side surfaces of the light reflection grooves are inclined inward, the reflected illumination with which the light reflection grooves stand out is possible. The term “inverted V shape” as used herein is not a term meaning only a strict inverted V shape in which the groove bottom forms an acute angle. The cross-section arc shape as described above, the cross-section inverted U-shape having a rounded corner at the bottom of the groove, and the cross-section inverted trapezoid having a surface at the bottom of the groove are also included.

  According to the first and second illumination devices in which the side surface of the light reflection groove is a fine uneven surface, the fine uneven surface can diffuse light and illuminate the side surface of the light reflection groove as a whole. It is.

  According to the first and second illumination devices in which the depth of the light reflection groove is 0.001 mm or more, reflection illumination in which the light reflection groove stands out is possible. Further, according to the illumination device in which the depth of the light reflection groove is 0.05 mm or more, the light is reflected at a plurality of positions extending in the depth direction on the side surface of the light reflection groove, and the light reflection groove appears three-dimensionally in appearance. A visual effect with a deep depth can be realized.

  According to the first and second illumination devices using the light shielding layer provided on the bottom surface of the main body member or key top excluding the light reflecting groove as a light shielding portion, the light from the bottom surface of the main body member or key top is shielded laterally. It is possible to illuminate so that the reflected illumination of the light reflecting groove based on the light from the light stands out.

  The light shielding layer includes both a case where it is provided on the entire bottom surface of the main body member and the key top and a case where it is partially provided. In addition, the “light-shielding layer” in the present specification and claims can be realized by, for example, a printing layer, a coating layer, a plating layer, a sticking tape or the like formed by ink, paint, plating, tape or the like. Further, the term “light shielding” as used in the present specification and claims includes not only a light shielding property that does not transmit any light but also a material that transmits light to the extent that the reflected illumination by the light reflecting groove is not impaired. It is.

  A support member for supporting the main body member is provided between the main body member and the substrate, and the first illumination device having the light shielding portion made of a light shielding material as the support member and a base on which the key top is placed According to the second illuminating device including the sheet and using the light shielding portion as the base sheet made of the light shielding material, the light from the bottom surface of the main body member or the key top is shielded and the light based on the light from the side is used. It is possible to illuminate the reflection groove so that the reflected illumination is conspicuous.

  The first illumination device having a support member for supporting the main body member between the main body member and the substrate and having a light shielding portion as a light shielding layer provided on the support member, and a base sheet on which the key top is placed According to the second illumination device having the light shielding portion as the light shielding layer provided on the base sheet, the light source of the light source mainly from the side thereof is provided, as in the case of providing the light shielding layer on the main body member or the key top. Light can be reliably introduced.

  According to the second illumination device, comprising a contact member for placing the key top, wherein the light shielding portion is the contact member of the substrate that substantially closes the opening of the light reflecting groove in a contact state with the bottom surface of the key top. In this case, since the contact member can be used not only as an input switch but also as a light shielding portion, the number of members can be reduced.

  According to the first illumination device including a light guide member that guides the light from the side to the inside of the main body member, and the second illumination device including a light guide member that guides the light from the side of the key top to the inside. For example, since the light from the light source can be guided to the inside of the main body member or the key top with high efficiency through the light guide member, the brightness of the reflected illumination by the light reflection groove is increased.

  The light guide member is provided with a light reflecting recess for reflecting the light transmitted through the inside of the light guide member toward the side of the main body member, and the light guide member transmits the inside of the light guide member. According to the second illumination device provided with the light reflecting recess for reflecting the light toward the side of the key top, the light of the light source is deflected to the side of the main body or the key top by the light reflecting recess of the light guide member. Therefore, the brightness of reflected illumination by the light reflecting groove is increased.

  According to the first and second illumination devices in which the light guide member is formed with the light reflection layer that reflects the light to the inside of the light guide member, the light can be confined and reflected inside the light guide member. The brightness of reflected illumination by the reflection groove is increased.

  According to the first and second illumination devices having the light guide member as a housing of the device, the housing can be used as the light guide member, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the light guide member is disposed inside the housing. Even when there is no installation space, it is possible to cope with it, and the device itself can be made thin.

  According to the illumination device of the present invention, it is possible to realize a novel and novel illumination design in which the display element is illuminated by the reflected illumination of the light reflecting groove. Therefore, the illumination design can be differentiated from other products as a design feature of various electronic devices such as portable information terminals and AV devices.

  Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the structure which is common in each embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and duplication description is abbreviate | omitted.

First Embodiment [FIG. 1 (A), FIG. 2, FIG. 3] :
The illumination device 10 of the first embodiment includes a key top 11 (main body member), a substrate 12, a light source 13 composed of LED elements, a disc spring contact switch (contact member) 14, and a casing 15 such as a portable information terminal. .

  The key top 11 is made of translucent hard resin. A light reflecting groove 16 is formed in the bottom surface of the key top 11 at 11a. The light reflecting groove 16 includes a side surface 16a and a bottom surface 16b. The side surface 16a is formed with an inward inclination angle θ1 (see FIG. 1A) of 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal. The depth from the opening side of the light reflecting groove 16 to the bottom surface 16b is set to 0.05 mm or more. A light shielding layer 17 is formed on the bottom surface 11a excluding the light reflecting groove 16. The light shielding layer 17 can be formed of a printing layer, a coating layer, a plating layer, or a sticking tape using ink, paint, plating, tape, or the like. The number of layers, such as a printing layer, which forms the light shielding layer 17 may be single or plural. For example, the light-shielding layer 17 may be formed by directly forming a warm-colored print layer that looks good on the bottom surface 11a and forming a light-shielding dark-colored print layer below the warm-color print layer. The light shielding layer 17 may be a composite layer of different types of layers such as a printing layer and a coating layer, or a printing layer and an adhesive tape.

  A light source 13 and a metal disc spring contact switch 14 are mounted on the substrate 12. The disc spring contact switch 14 of this embodiment is formed in a dome shape, and a flat portion 14a is formed on the top thereof. The key top 11 is placed on the flat portion 14a, and the opening end of the light reflection groove 16 is closed so that the light from the light source 13 does not directly enter the light reflection groove 16. Therefore, the “light-shielding portion” of the present embodiment includes the light-shielding layer 17 and the disc spring contact switch 14. If the disc spring contact switch 14 is made of metal, light may enter the light reflecting groove 16 due to reflection of metallic luster, but a dark-colored tape is affixed to the disc spring contact switch 14 This problem can be solved by eliminating the metallic luster.

  The casing 15 is light-shielding and is made of a hard material such as metal or hard resin. The casing 15 is formed with an operation opening 15a through which the key top 11 is exposed. At the four corners of the operation opening 15a, prisms 15b projecting from the back surface of the housing 15 toward the substrate 12 are formed. A retaining portion 15c that engages with the flange 11b of the key top 11 is formed on the distal end side of each prism 15b.

  Operations and effects of the illumination device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  Light from the light source 13 enters the inside of the key top 11 from the side of the key top 11 made of translucent hard resin. At this time, since the light shielding layer 17 is formed on the bottom surface 11a of the key top 11 except for the light reflecting groove 16, light does not enter from the bottom surface 11a. Further, since the light reflecting groove 16 is closed by the disc spring contact switch 14, light does not enter from there. For this reason, light from the side enters the key top 11.

  The light that has entered the interior reaches the side surface 16 a of the light reflecting groove 16. At this time, the inner side (translucent hard resin) and the outer side (air) with the side surface 16a of the light reflecting groove 16 as a boundary are medium boundaries having different refractive indexes, and a predetermined amount of light depending on the incident angle is keyed on the side surface 16a. Reflected toward the top surface 11c of the top 11. For this reason, as in FIG. 1A, the side surface 16a of the light reflection groove 16 is reflected and illuminated so that a novel and novel illumination design that has never been achieved can be realized.

  The depth of the light reflecting groove 16 is 0.05 mm or more. Therefore, the light is reflected at a plurality of locations in the depth direction on the side surface 16a of the light reflecting groove 16, and the visual effect is obtained such that the light reflecting groove 16 appears three-dimensionally. Therefore, the light can be reflected and illuminated three-dimensionally so that the light reflection groove 16 stands out.

  The light reflecting groove 16 is closed by a disc spring contact switch 14 and is thereby substantially shielded from light. Accordingly, the disc spring contact switch 14 can be used not only for the switch but also for shielding the light reflecting groove 16, and the number of members can be reduced.

Second Embodiment [FIG. 1 (B), FIG. 4] :
The illumination device 20 of the second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The illumination device 20 includes a key top (main body member) 11, a base sheet (support member) 21, a substrate 12, a light source 13 composed of LED elements, a disc spring contact switch (contact member) 22, and a casing 15 such as a portable information terminal. ing. Among these, the key top 11, the light shielding layer 17 of the key top 11, and the base sheet 21 constitute an illuminated key sheet.

  The difference from the illumination device 20 of the first embodiment is that the cross-sectional shape of the light reflecting groove 23 of the key top 11, the base sheet 21 for fixing the key top 11, and the disc spring contact without the flat portion 14 a described above. The shape of the switch 22 is the same as in the first embodiment, with the remaining configuration and the actions and effects based on it.

  The light reflecting groove 23 has a triangular cross-section having opposing side surfaces 23a. In the case of such a light reflection groove 23, the light is reflected and illuminated in a planar shape on each side surface 23a as in FIG. 1B.

  The base sheet 21 is formed of a translucent rubber-like elastic body. As the rubber-like elastic body, silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or the like can be used. Although the base sheet 21 itself is translucent, a through hole 21 a is formed at a position corresponding to the light source 13. Light from the light source 13 can enter the inside of the key top 11 from the side through the through hole 21a. A base 21b is formed on the base sheet 21, and the key top 11 is fixed to the base sheet 21 with an adhesive not shown. The base sheet 21 is formed with the same base 21b at a plurality of locations, and the key top 11 is fixed to each base 21b.

  According to the illumination device 20 of the second embodiment as described above, since the base sheet 21 for fixing the key top 11 is provided in addition to exhibiting the same operation and effect as the first embodiment, a plurality of keys are provided. It can be conveniently handled as an illuminated key sheet with a top 11. Further, it is possible to realize an illumination design such that the side surface 23a of the light reflection groove 23 having a triangular cross section is reflected and illuminated in a planar shape.

Third Embodiment [FIG. 1B, FIG. 5] :
The illumination device 30 of the third embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment. The illumination device 30 includes a key top (main body member) 11, a base sheet (support member) 21, a substrate 12, a light source 13 including LED elements, a disc spring contact switch (contact member) 22, and a casing 15 such as a portable information terminal. ing. The key top 11, the base sheet 21, and the light shielding layer 31 formed on the base sheet 21 constitute an illuminated key sheet.

  The difference from the illumination device 20 of the second embodiment is that the light shielding layer 31 is formed on the base sheet 21, and the remaining configuration and the action and effect based on it are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  The light shielding layer 31 is formed on the upper surface of the base 21 b of the base sheet 21. In the second embodiment, since the light shielding layer 17 is formed on the bottom surface 11 a of the key top 11, the light shielding layer 17 is not formed on the light reflecting groove 16. However, if the light shielding layer 31 is formed on the base sheet 21, the entire bottom surface 11a of the key top 11 can be covered. For this reason, the illumination device 30 of the present embodiment can take in a larger amount of light from the side of the key top 11 than the illumination device 20 of the second embodiment, and can further enhance the outstanding three-dimensional reflected illumination. It can be realized with high brightness.

  As described in the first embodiment, the light shielding layer 31 can be formed as a single layer, the same kind of multiple layers, or a different kind of composite layers. This is the same in this embodiment, but a colored layer may be provided on the bottom surface 11a of the key top 11 in addition to the light shielding layer 31 of the base sheet 21.

Fourth Embodiment [FIG. 1D, FIG. 6]
The illumination device 40 of the fourth embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment. The illumination device 40 includes a key top (main body member) 11, a base sheet (support member) 41, a substrate 12, a light source 13 composed of LED elements, a disc spring contact switch (contact member) 22, and a casing 15 such as a portable information terminal. ing. The key top 11 and the base sheet 41 constitute an illuminated key sheet.

  The difference from the illumination device 30 of the third embodiment is that the light shielding layer 31 is formed on the base 21b of the base sheet 21 in the third embodiment, whereas the base sheet 41 itself is made of light shielding rubber in the present embodiment. The side surface 23a of the light reflecting groove 23 of the third embodiment is a smooth surface, whereas the side surface 42a of the light reflecting groove 42 is formed as a fine uneven surface in this embodiment. Is a point. The remaining configuration and the actions / effects based thereon are the same as in the third embodiment.

  The base sheet 41 is formed of a rubber-like elastic body having a light shielding property. For this reason, the light shielding layer 17 of the key top 11 in the second embodiment and the light shielding layer 31 of the base sheet 21 in the third embodiment are unnecessary, and there is an advantage that the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced. Further, since the base sheet 41 itself is light-shielding, a through hole 41 a is formed through the position corresponding to the light source 13. Therefore, light from the light source 13 enters the surface side of the base sheet 41a through the through hole 41a, and is then guided to the inside of the key top 11.

  The light entering the key top 11 is reflected by the side surface 42a of the light reflecting groove 42, but the side surface 42a is formed as a fine uneven surface. For this reason, as in FIG. 1D, the light is diffused by the fine uneven surface, and the side surface 42a is reflected and illuminated with the feeling that the entire surface 42a is blurred. Therefore, unlike the first to third embodiments in which the light reflection groove 42 is conspicuously reflected and illuminated three-dimensionally, in this embodiment, the side surface 42a is totally soft and three-dimensionally reflected and illuminated. In other words, the light reflection groove 42 has a characteristic that it is softly and three-dimensionally reflected and illuminated in a shape substantially coincident with the shape in plan view of the side surfaces 42a facing each other. The uneven surface shape of the light reflecting groove 42 of the present embodiment may be applied to other embodiments.

Fifth Embodiment [FIG. 1 (C), FIG. 7] :
The illumination device 50 of the fifth embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment. The illumination device 50 includes a key top (main body member) 11, a base sheet (support member) 21, a substrate 12, a light source 13 composed of LED elements, a disc spring contact switch (contact member) 22, and a casing 15 such as a portable information terminal. ing. The key top 11, the light shielding layer 17 on the bottom surface 11a of the key top 11, the base sheet 21, and the colored layer 51 on the base 21b of the base sheet 21 constitute an illuminated key sheet.

  The difference from the illumination device 20 of the second embodiment is that the light reflection groove 23 in the second embodiment has a triangular cross section, whereas the light reflection groove 52 of the present embodiment has a semicircular cross section. In the second embodiment, the light shielding layer 17 is formed on the key top 11, whereas in this embodiment, not only the light shielding layer 17 is formed on the key top 11, but also the colored layer 51 is formed on the base sheet 21. Is a point. The remaining configuration and the actions and effects based on it are the same as in the second embodiment.

  The light reflection groove 52 of this embodiment has a semicircular cross section. Therefore, similarly to FIG. 1C, it is possible to realize an illumination design in which the contour shape of the light reflection groove 52 is reflected and illuminated linearly.

  Since the colored layer 51 is formed on the base sheet 21, the color of the colored layer 51 appears on the outer side of the light reflecting groove 52 representing a display element such as a character. Therefore, the operator can visually recognize the display element formed by the colored layer 51 in the depths of the key top 11 when not illuminated, and visually recognize the display element so that the outline shape of the light reflection groove 52 is reflected linearly and floats when illuminated. can do. That is, the illumination device 50 of the present embodiment is characterized in that the same display elements such as characters, numbers, figures, symbols, etc. can be visually recognized in different display modes when not illuminated and when illuminated.

Sixth Embodiment [FIG. 1B, FIG. 8] :
The illumination device 60 of the sixth embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment. The illumination device 60 includes a key top (main body member) 11, a base sheet (support member) 21, a substrate 12, a light source 13 including LED elements, a disc spring contact switch (contact member) 22, and a casing 61 such as a portable information terminal. ing. The key top 11, the base sheet 21, and the light shielding layer 31 formed on the base sheet 21 constitute an illuminated key sheet.

  The difference from the illumination device 30 of the third embodiment is a housing 61, and the remaining configuration and the actions and effects based on it are the same as those of the third embodiment.

  The casing 61 is made of a transparent material such as polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, cycloolefin polymer, silicone rubber, glass, and has a function as a light guide plate. That is, the light from the light source 13 passes through the base sheet 21 made of a translucent rubber-like elastic body and enters the housing 61. The casing 61 is formed with a light reflecting layer 62 made of a metal thin film and a protective layer 63 for preventing damage and peeling thereof, and the light is reflected by the light reflecting layer 62 to be guided to the key top 11. The Rukoto. Therefore, in the illumination device 60 of the present embodiment, the light from the light source 13 can be efficiently guided to the key top 11 through the thickness of the casing 61 that also functions as a light guide plate. It has a feature that the brightness by 23 reflected illumination can be increased.

  Further, since the housing 61 has a function as a light guide plate, a dedicated light guide plate is not required, and the number of components can be reduced. Even if it is not possible to secure a space for installing a dedicated light guide plate inside the housing 61, the housing 61 can function as a light guide plate, so that the housing 61 and the device itself can be made thinner. There is a feature that can be.

Seventh Embodiment [FIG. 1B, FIG. 9] :
The illumination device 70 of the seventh embodiment is a modification of the sixth embodiment. The illumination device 70 includes a key top (main body member) 11, a base sheet (support member) 21, a substrate 12, a light source 13 composed of LED elements, a disc spring contact switch (contact member) 22, a casing 71 such as a portable information terminal, a lead A light plate 72 is provided. The key top 11, the base sheet 21, and the light shielding layer 31 of the base sheet 21 constitute an illuminated key sheet.

  In the illumination device 60 of the sixth embodiment, the housing 61 also serves as the light guide plate, but in the illumination device 70 of the present embodiment, the housing 71 and the light guide plate 72 are provided as separate members. The remaining configuration and the operations / effects based thereon are the same as in the sixth embodiment.

  The light guide plate 72 of the present embodiment has a light reflecting recess 72a formed on the surface thereof. The light reflecting recess 72a deflects the light emitted upward from the light source 13 below the light top to the side of the key top 11. Therefore, the light from the light source 13 is distributed radially around the light reflecting recess 72a. Therefore, the illuminating device 60 is characterized in that light can be efficiently guided to each key top 11 and the luminance by reflection illumination at the light reflecting groove 23 of each key top 11 can be increased.

Eighth Embodiment [FIG. 1 (C), FIG. 10]:
The eighth embodiment is an example of an illumination device having a display element on a panel that protects a liquid crystal display device of a mobile phone, for example. That is, the illumination device 80 of the present embodiment includes a panel (main body member) 81, a light guide plate 82, a substrate 83, a light source 13 composed of LED elements, a casing (light shielding portion) 84, and a liquid crystal display device 85.

  The panel 81 is made of a transparent hard resin. On top of that, the English letter “Mobile” is given as a display element. In the present embodiment, this English character is constituted by the light reflecting groove 86. The light reflecting groove 86 is the same as the light reflecting groove g3 in FIG.

  In the illumination device 80 of the present embodiment, light from the light source 13 is guided to the panel 81 through the light guide plate 82 made of translucent hard resin. As a result, the light guided to the panel 81 is reflected and illuminated in the light reflecting groove 86, and is illuminated and displayed so that the English character “Mobile” is lifted. Since the light reflection groove 86 faces the housing 84 made of a light shielding material, the light from the light source 13 is prevented from entering directly from the light reflection groove 86. The illumination device 80 of the present embodiment has a feature that a novel and novel illumination design that has never been achieved can be realized even for components such as the panel 81.

Modification of each embodiment:
The configuration characteristic of each embodiment can be applied to other embodiments to be configured as an illumination device.
Further, the light shielding layer 17 of the key top 11 and the light shielding layer 31 of the base sheet 21 are entirely formed with respect to the bottom surface 11a of the key top 11 other than the light reflection grooves 16, 23 and 52 in the embodiment, and the base sheet 21. An example of forming the entire surface of the pedestal 21b is shown. However, when the light reflecting groove is configured so that it can be reflected and illuminated even if light enters the key top 11 from obliquely below, the bottom surface 11a of the key top 11 is not completely shielded, It may be partially shielded from light.

Explanatory drawing which shows typically the illumination effect of the light reflection groove | channel of this invention. Explanatory drawing of the illumination device by 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the illuminating device by 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the illuminating device by 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the illuminating device by 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the illumination device by 4th Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the illumination device by 5th Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the illumination device by 6th Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the illuminating device by 7th Embodiment. The external view of a mobile telephone provided with the illuminating device by 8th Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the illumination device by 8th Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the illumination type pushbutton switch by a prior art example. FIG. 13 is an enlarged explanatory view of the key top shown in FIG. 12, where a part (A) is a sectional view and a part (B) is a plan view.

Explanation of symbols

10 Illumination device (first embodiment)
11 Key top (main body)
11a Bottom
11b Flange
11c Top surface
12 Board
13 Light source
14 Disc spring contact switch
14a Flat part (shading part)
15 housing
15a Operation opening
15b prism
15c retaining part
16 Light reflection groove
16a side
16b Bottom
17 Light shielding layer (light shielding part)
20 Illumination device (second embodiment)
21 Base sheet (support member)
21a Through hole
21b pedestal
22 Disc spring contact switch
23 Light reflection groove
23a side
30 Illumination device (Third embodiment)
31 Light shielding layer (light shielding part)
40 Illumination device (fourth embodiment)
41 Base sheet (support member, shading part)
41a through hole
42 Light reflection groove
42a Side surface (concave / convex surface)
50 Illumination device (fifth embodiment)
51 Colored layer
52 Light reflection groove
60 Illumination device (sixth embodiment)
61 Housing (light guide member)
62 Light reflecting layer
63 Protective layer
70 Illumination device (seventh embodiment)
71 Enclosure
72 Light guide plate (light guide member)
72a Light reflecting recess
80 Illumination device (8th embodiment)
81 Panel (main body member)
82 Light guide plate (light guide member)
83 PCB
84 Enclosure (shading part)
85 Liquid crystal display
86 Light reflection groove

Claims (18)

In an illuminating device comprising a main body member made of a translucent material having display elements of at least one of letters, numbers, figures, symbols, and patterns, and the display elements are illuminated by light from a light source disposed on a substrate,
A light reflecting groove that is formed in a groove shape corresponding to the display element on the bottom surface of the main body member facing the substrate, and reflects the light transmitted through the inside of the main body member toward the top surface of the main body member;
Illumination and comprising: a light shielding unit that shield the light of the light incident from the body member bottom surface, including a light reflecting groove, the device. The illumination device according to claim 1, further comprising a support member that supports the main body member between the main body member and the substrate, wherein the light shielding portion is the support member formed of a light shielding material. The illumination device according to claim 1, further comprising a support member that supports the main body member between the main body member and the substrate, wherein the light shielding portion is a light shielding layer provided on the support member. The illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a light guide member that guides the light from a side of the main body member to the inside. The illumination device according to claim 4, wherein the light guide member is provided with a light reflection concave portion that reflects the light transmitted through the inside of the light guide member toward a side of the main body member. In an illuminating device comprising a key top made of a translucent material having display elements of at least one of letters, numbers, figures, symbols, and patterns, and the display elements are illuminated by light from a light source disposed on a substrate,
A light reflecting groove that is formed in a groove shape corresponding to the display element on the bottom surface of the key top, and reflects light transmitted through the inside of the key top toward the top surface of the key top;
Illumination and comprising: a light shielding unit that shield the light of the light incident from the key top bottom surface including a light reflecting groove, the device. The illumination device according to claim 6 , further comprising a base sheet on which the key top is placed, wherein the light shielding portion is the base sheet made of a light shielding material. The illumination device according to claim 6 , further comprising a base sheet on which the key top is placed, wherein the light shielding portion is a light shielding layer provided on the base sheet. The illumination device according to claim 6 , further comprising a contact member on which the key top is placed, wherein the light shielding portion is the contact member of the substrate that substantially closes the opening of the light reflecting groove in a contact state with the bottom surface of the key top. The illumination device according to claim 6, further comprising a light guide member that guides the light from a side of the key top to the inside. The illumination device according to claim 10, wherein the light guide member is provided with a light reflecting recess that reflects the light transmitted through the inside of the light guide member toward a side of the key top. The illumination device according to claim 4, wherein a light reflection layer that reflects the light into the light guide member is formed on the light guide member. The illumination device according to claim 4, wherein the light guide member is a housing of the device. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light reflection groove has a trapezoidal cross section. The illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a shape of the light reflection groove is a curved surface having a semi-circular cross section. The illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , wherein the opposing side surface of the light reflecting groove has an inverted V-shaped cross section inclined inward. The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein a side surface of the light reflection groove is a fine uneven surface. The illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 17 , wherein a depth of the light reflection groove is 0.001 mm or more.

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