JPH11224556A - Push-button switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To impart a new function and to improve the appearance or design property by forming a key top part by a polymer material containing a fluorescent material, and providing an ultraviolet ray source on the back part thereof to make it emit a light while optionally changing the tone. SOLUTION: A rubber-made key pad part 1 is formed of a silicone rubber including a movable operating part. A character or mark is printed by a print ink on the reverse side of a key top part 2 molded of a resin containing a fluorescent material to form a print layer 3, and it is adhered to the key pad part 1 through an adhesive layer 4. The key top part 2 can be obtained, for example, by kneading 0.02 pts.wt. of an organic fluorescent material to 100 pts.wt. of a polycarbonate resin followed by injection molding. An ultraviolet ray light source 5 is provided on the back part of the key top part 2, whereby a push-button switch is provided. When the ultraviolet ray source 5 is lighted, the key top part 2 is momentarily changed from colorless to ultraviolet, and momentarily returned to colorless when it is extinguished.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a push button switch for electric equipment, precision equipment, portable telephones, automobiles and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a push button switch which has a function of emitting light by changing a color tone arbitrarily using a fluorescent material and an ultraviolet light source, and which is excellent in aesthetic appearance and design.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electric equipment, precision equipment, mobile phones,
There are many types of push button switches used for an input unit of an automobile or the like as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and are made of a material such as resin, rubber, and thermoplastic elastomer. Also,
Many of the keypad portions 11 or the key top portions 12 of the push button switches are provided with characters or symbols 13 by printing or painting. A light-emitting element 15 such as an LED (light-emitting diode), a fluorescent tube, or an EL (electroluminescence) is attached to the back of the key-top portion 12 made of a translucent material and illuminated. Some are identified by displaying operations and functions.

In recent years, there has been a remarkable demand for a push-button switch to be provided with a plurality of functions, and on the other hand, to be fashionable, in which aesthetic appearance and design are different. Therefore, a method has been adopted in which a plurality of light sources such as LEDs of different colors are attached to the back of the key to change the illuminating color according to the purpose.

[0004]

However, the method of arranging a plurality of light sources of a plurality of different color tones has a problem in terms of space for assembling components and a problem in cost.

On the other hand, it is conceivable to simply use an ink or material containing a fluorescent material for the push button switch. According to this, the color tone can be changed or light can be emitted by ultraviolet irradiation of an ultraviolet lamp or the like in an external environment. However, such a configuration cannot provide a function of changing the color to an arbitrary color to emit light when necessary, and it is impossible to provide a push button switch with a new function, aesthetic appearance, and design.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the key top portion is formed of a material containing a fluorescent material, and an ultraviolet light source is attached to the back of the key top portion, so that the color tone can be arbitrarily adjusted. It is intended to make it possible to change and emit light. As a result, it is possible to provide a push button switch which is provided with a new function and is excellent in aesthetics and design. Further, it is not necessary to dispose a large number of light sources, and the problem of space and the problem of cost can be solved.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the present invention, a key top portion is formed of a polymer material containing a fluorescent material, and an ultraviolet light source is attached to the back of the key top portion to form a push button switch.

According to the present invention, letters or symbols are printed on the key top portion with an ink containing a fluorescent material, and an ultraviolet light source is attached to the back of the key top portion to form a push button switch.

Further, in the present invention, a film-like material containing a fluorescent material in advance or a fluorescent material containing a fluorescent material is provided on the back surface of the key top portion, instead of the above-described structure in which the polymer material is molded or the ink to be printed or painted is contained. The ink to be printed is sandwiched between film-like objects printed on the entire surface or part of the film, a fluorescent material layer is laminated with an adhesive, etc., or a fluorescent material layer formed by vapor deposition or sputtering on the back of the key top part Then, an ultraviolet light source is attached to the rear part of the key top part to form a push button switch.

Further, according to the present invention, an ultraviolet absorbing layer is formed on the surface of the key top portion to form a push button switch.

According to the present invention, the color tone of the key top portion can be arbitrarily changed by turning on and off the ultraviolet light source to emit light.
In addition, the formation of an ultraviolet absorbing layer blocks ultraviolet light from the external environment, such as an ultraviolet lamp, to prevent the fluorescent material from changing its color due to outside light and emitting light. As a result, the color tone can only be obtained by turning on and off the ultraviolet light source attached to the rear part. Is changed so that light can be emitted.

The fluorescent material used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and known organic fluorescent materials and inorganic fluorescent materials are used.

As organic fluorescent materials, rhodamine B,
Rhodamine 6G, Azosol Brilliant Yellow 6
G, fluorescein dye, pyronin dye, xanthene dye, eosin dye and the like.

Examples of the inorganic fluorescent material include metal sulfides and metal oxides such as zinc sulfide, zinc cadmium sulfide, and strontium sulfide. Examples include zinc sulfide to which a metal such as copper or silver is added as an activator, and inorganic fluorescent materials such as phosphorescent pigments and phosphorescent luminous paints.

The polymer material used for the key top portion and the keypad portion is not particularly limited. Usable are ordinary plastics, rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers, thermosetting resins and photocurable resins using liquid or solid raw materials, and the like. Although it depends on the structure and thickness of the constituent members, when the thickness is large, a polymer material having excellent transparency is preferable.

Specifically, ethylene α-olefin copolymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, polymethylpentene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl Fluoropolymers such as alcohol, polyvinyl acetal, polyvinylidene fluoride and polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile, styrene acrylonitrile copolymer, ABS resin, polyphenylene ether and modified PPE Resins, aliphatic and aromatic polyamides, polyimides, polyamideimides,
Polymethacrylic acid esters such as polymethacrylic acid and its methyl ester, polyacrylic acids, polycarbonate, polyphenylene sulfide, polysulfone,
Thermoplastic resins such as polyethersulfone, polyether nitrile, polyether ketone, polyketone, liquid crystal polymer, silicone resin, ionomer, etc. and their crosslinked products, styrene butadiene or styrene isoprene block copolymers and their hydrogenated polymers and styrene heat Thermoplastic elastomers such as thermoplastic elastomers, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, vinyl chloride-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, and polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomers and their crosslinked products, natural rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene Rubber, styrene butadiene copolymer rubber, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, chlorinated polyethylene,
Vulcanized rubbers such as chlorosulfonated polyethylene, butyl rubber and halogenated butyl rubber, fluorine rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, etc., epoxy resins, phenol resins, unsaturated polyester resins, and the like. Further, a polymer alloy composed of a plurality of polymer materials selected from these polymer materials may be used, or a known additive such as a plasticizer or a stabilizer may be blended.

The molding methods include injection molding using a mold, compression molding, vacuum molding, transfer molding, potting molding of a liquid material, compression molding using sheets and films, vacuum molding, air pressure molding, and the like. Also, there is no particular limitation such as mounting a film embossed in advance in a mold and inserting a thermoplastic resin by insert injection molding.

The composition and type of the base ink used in the ink containing the fluorescent material of the present invention are not limited. The above-described fluorescent material can be blended with a known commercially available urethane-based, acrylic-based, silicone-based, ester-based, or PVC-based media ink, or a commercially available fluorescent material-containing ink can be used. Printing method,
For the painting method, screen printing, gravure printing,
Known methods such as pad printing and spray coating can be employed.

The content of these fluorescent materials is not particularly limited, but is 0.001 to 20 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polymer material to be molded, and 100 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the ink to be printed or painted. Preferably, the fluorescent material is contained in the range of 0.001 to 20 parts by weight. If the content of the fluorescent material is less than 0.001 part by weight, the purpose may not be achieved because the color tone change is small. If the content is more than 20 parts by weight, the color tone of the fluorescent material itself may be too strong, which is economically disadvantageous. Therefore, a more preferable content of the fluorescent material is 0.005 to 10 parts by weight,
More preferably, it is in the range of 0.01 part by weight to 5 parts by weight.

The fluorescent material used in the present invention and the key top portion and the sheet-like material constituting the push button switch using the fluorescent material are not limited to one kind. By configuring a plurality of fluorescent materials, key top portions, film-like materials, and the like, it is possible to realize a change in emission color tone of two or more colors.

The ultraviolet light source attached to the back of the push button switch according to the present invention may be an ordinary straight tube, curved tube black lamp, cold cathode black lamp, small bean ball type or mercury lamp type black lamp which emits an ultraviolet wavelength, Ultraviolet LEDs and the like can be used. When the entire push button switch is formed in a small size, for example, an ultra-compact cold cathode black lamp having a tube diameter of 1 to 3 mm or an ultraviolet LED is particularly suitable. The emission color of the fluorescent material can be arbitrarily changed by the on / off operation of the ultraviolet light source. Further, by using at least two types of fluorescent materials having different emission colors depending on the wavelength and providing light sources having different corresponding wavelengths, further advanced functions can be provided. A structure in which a light guide plate and the like are combined may be used.

Further, as for the ultraviolet absorbing layer formed on the surface of the key top portion, there are known inks and paints containing known ultraviolet absorbing agents, dyes, pigments, etc., as long as the color tone change of the fluorescent material is not impaired. Films, sheets,
What is necessary is just to select a molding material and material. The thickness of the layer can also be determined according to the actual configuration. Also,
The shape of the molded product may be used instead of the layer shape.

The types of push-button switches of the present invention include, in addition to single-key push-button switches, connected keyboard switches, sheet switches, panel switches, and the like.

Regarding the shape, a push button switch in which the back surface of the molded key top portion is adhered to a rubber or thermoplastic elastomer key pad, and a sheet-like membrane in which a push button and a click spring are arranged under the sheet. It can be applied to switches. When the back surface of the molded key top portion is bonded to a key pad made of rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer, there is an advantage that the key top portion does not shift or fall off.

For applications, home appliances, audio equipment, video equipment, switches for lighting, machine tools and measuring instruments, computers, calculators, mobile phones, air conditioners and audio in automobiles, pushbutton switches for car navigation systems, etc. It can be used in a wide range of fields.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the push button switch according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0027]

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows an example of a push button switch according to the present invention.

The keypad 1 is formed of silicone rubber including a movable operation part. Key Top 2 is injection-molded with a compound obtained by kneading 0.02 parts by weight of an organic fluorescent material (Lumogen F Violet 570 by BASF Japan) as a fluorescent material with 100 parts by weight of a polycarbonate resin (Panlite manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Limited). I got it. Key top 2
The characters and symbols 3 were screen-printed with the printing ink on the back surface of the keypad 1 and then bonded to the keypad 1 with the adhesive 4. An ultraviolet light source 5 (a BLB lamp having a 2.7 mm tube diameter and a 30 mm length, manufactured by Hyvec Co., Ltd.) was attached to the back of the key top 2 to obtain a push button switch of the present invention.

When the ultraviolet light source 5 was turned on, the key top portion 2 instantly emitted light from colorless to purple, and when turned off, the key top portion 2 immediately returned to the original colorless state.

[0030]

Embodiment 2 FIG. 2 shows an example of the push button switch according to the second, fourth, and fifth aspects of the present invention.

The keypad 1 is made of silicone rubber including a movable operation part. The key top 6 was injection-molded with polycarbonate (Iupilon, manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Ltd.). After providing a printing layer 7 on which characters and symbols are screen-printed with a fluorescent material ink (Lumilight Yusei Paint R manufactured by Shinloich Co., Ltd.) and a luminous paint (Shinloich Co., Ltd.) on the back surface of the keytop 6, the adhesive 4 is used. Keypad 1
And glued. The UV light source 5
(A BLB lamp having a tube diameter of 2.7 mm and a length of 30 mm, manufactured by Hibeck Co., Ltd.) was obtained to obtain a push button switch of the present invention.

When the ultraviolet light source 5 was turned on, the portion of the character / symbol printing portion 7 where the fluorescent material ink was printed emitted light from colorless to red, and the portion where the luminous paint was printed emitted light yellow green to green.

[0033]

Third Embodiment FIG. 3 shows an example of a push button switch according to the second and sixth aspects of the present invention.

The keypad 1 is made of silicone rubber including a movable operation part. 100% by weight of silicone medium ink is applied to the upper surface of keypad 1 with fluorescent material (Chemicolor B manufactured by Tokyo Intelligent Network Co., Ltd.)
L pink) 1 part by weight of fluorescent material ink,
A printing layer 7 on which the symbols were screen-printed was provided. Further, a urethane-based paint containing an ultraviolet absorber was applied on the entire surface to provide a urethane-based coating layer 8. On the back of the keypad 1, an ultraviolet light source 5 (2.7 m in diameter, manufactured by Hivec Co., Ltd.)
m, a 30 mm long BLB lamp) to obtain a push button switch of the present invention. When the ultraviolet light source 5 was turned on, the character / symbol printing unit 7 instantaneously emitted from colorless to pink, and when turned off, returned to the original colorless instantly. On the other hand, no change in color tone or light emission was observed upon irradiation with ultraviolet light from the outside.

[0035]

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 4 shows an example of the push button switch according to the first and sixth aspects of the present invention.

The keypad 9 is made of a polyester elastomer (Gleek manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.).
100 parts by weight and an organic fluorescent material (BAS
0.02 to Lumogen F Violet 570)
Injection molding was carried out using a compound containing parts by weight. After the characters and symbols were screen-printed on the key top portion with a normal urethane-based ink, a urethane-based paint containing an ultraviolet absorber was applied to the entire surface to form a urethane-based coating layer 8.
An ultraviolet light source 5 (a BLB lamp having a tube diameter of 2.7 mm and a length of 30 mm, manufactured by Hyvec Co., Ltd.) was attached to the back of the key top to obtain a push button switch of the present invention.

When the ultraviolet light source 5 was turned on, the entire keypad 9 instantaneously emitted light from colorless to purple, and when turned off, the keypad 9 immediately returned to the original colorless state. On the other hand, no change in color tone or light emission was observed upon irradiation with ultraviolet light from the outside.

[0038]

Fifth Embodiment FIG. 5 shows an example of the push button switch according to the third, fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention.

The keypad 1 is made of silicone rubber including a movable operation part. Key Top 6 is polycarbonate containing an ultraviolet absorber (made by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.)
Was injection molded. On the back surface of the keytop 6, a polycarbonate film layer 10 in which characters and symbols are screen-printed with an inorganic fluorescent material ink (Lumilight Yusei Paint Y manufactured by Shinloych Co., Ltd.) is punched and bonded with a double-sided tape. 4 and bonded to the keypad 1. An ultraviolet LED light source 11 was attached to the back of the key top to obtain a push button switch of the present invention.

When the ultraviolet LED light source 11 was turned on, the character / symbol printing unit 10 instantaneously emitted from colorless to yellow, and when turned off, returned to the original colorless instantly. On the other hand, no change in color tone or light emission was observed upon irradiation with ultraviolet light from the outside.

[0041]

As described above, according to the push button switch of the present invention, when the ultraviolet light source attached to the back of the key top portion is irradiated, the member made of the material containing the fluorescent material changes from the original color tone to another. It emits light in any color tone. Further, the configuration is simple and there is no problem in space. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a push-button switch that provides new functionality utilizing color tone change and light emission, and is also excellent in aesthetics and design.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a push button switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a push button switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a push button switch according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a push button switch according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a push button switch according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional push button switch.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a conventional push button switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Keypad part made of rubber 2 Keytop part molded with resin containing fluorescent material 3 Printed layer on which characters and symbols are printed 4 Adhesive layer 5 Ultraviolet light source 6 Keytop part molded with resin containing ultraviolet absorbent 7 Printing layer on which characters and symbols are printed with an ink containing a fluorescent material 8 Urethane-based coating layer containing an ultraviolet absorber 9 Keypad portion molded with a thermoplastic elastomer containing a fluorescent material 10 Film containing a fluorescent material 11 Ultraviolet LED light source 12 Key top made of resin 13 Characters and symbols 14 Adhesive layer 15 LED light source

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 17, 1998

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0027

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0027]

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is claim 1, shows an example of the present invention a push button switch according to claim 6.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0030

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0030]

Embodiment 2 FIG. 2 shows an example of the push button switch according to the second, fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0033

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0033]

Third Embodiment FIG. 3 shows an example of a push button switch according to the second and seventh aspects of the present invention.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0035

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0035]

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 4 shows an example of the push button switch according to the first and seventh aspects of the present invention.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0038

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0038]

Fifth Embodiment FIG. 5 shows an example of the push button switch according to the third, sixth and seventh aspects of the present invention.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A key top portion is formed of a polymer material containing a fluorescent material, and an ultraviolet light source is attached to a back surface thereof. The key top portion can arbitrarily change color tone and emit light. A push button switch characterized by the following. 2. A character or a symbol is provided on the key top portion.
A push button switch which is printed with an ink containing a fluorescent material and has an ultraviolet light source attached to a back surface thereof, which can arbitrarily change the color tone and light emission of characters or symbols. 3. A push button, wherein a fluorescent material layer is laminated on a key top portion, and an ultraviolet light source is attached to a back portion thereof, wherein the key top portion can arbitrarily change color tone and emit light. switch. 4. The push button switch according to claim 2, wherein the key top portion is formed of a polymer material containing a fluorescent material. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescent material is a phosphorescent pigment.
The push button switch according to 2, 3, or 4. 6. The push button switch according to claim 1, wherein a rubber pad is adhered to a back surface of the key top portion. 7. The push-button switch according to claim 1, wherein an ultraviolet absorbing layer is formed on a surface of the key top portion.