JP2008186674A

JP2008186674A - Switching movable contact unit, and switch device using it

Info

Publication number: JP2008186674A
Application number: JP2007018077A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Mitsuru Saito; 充斎藤; Hisaya Iwama; 尚也岩間
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-01-29
Filing date: 2007-01-29
Publication date: 2008-08-14

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switching movable contact unit excellent in assembling workability, capable of reducing manufacturing cost and power consumption, capable of suppressing light leakage and excellent in illumination quality, and provide a switching device using such a switching movable contact unit. <P>SOLUTION: By making a light-emitting part 2a of an LED 2 mounted on a substrate 1 opposed to a light incident part 6c of a flexible light guide plate 6, light of the LED 2 introduced into the light guide plate 6 is made to be projected to the bottom faces of operation keys 3 via an illuminating part 6b of the light guide plate 6. The flexible light guide plate 6 is laminated on a flexible sheet 9 of a sheet member 5 with contacts, and a plurality of movable contacts 10 are arranged and installed at the lower face side of the flexible sheet 9 and arranged in opposition to a group of fixed contacts 7 in a manner of freely contacting with and separating from the group of the fixed contacts. Between the flexible sheet 9 and the substrate 1, spacer plates 11 are disposed which are set to have the thickness approximately equal to the height dimension of the movable contacts 10, and the movable contacts 10 are housed in through-holes 12 thereof. The movable contacts 10 are pressed and driven by the operation keys 3 via the flexible light guide plate 6 and the flexible sheet 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、複数の操作キーによって個別に押圧駆動される複数のスイッチ素子を備えた照光機能付きのスイッチ装置に組み込まれるスイッチ用可動接点ユニットと、かかるスイッチ用可動接点ユニットを用いたスイッチ装置とに関する。 The present invention relates to a movable contact unit for a switch incorporated in a switch device with an illumination function including a plurality of switch elements that are individually pressed and driven by a plurality of operation keys, and a switch device using such a movable contact unit for a switch. About.

例えば携帯電話器などの入力部では、複数のスイッチ素子を個別に押圧駆動するための操作キー群が暗所においても視認できると使い勝手が良くなるため、操作キー群に底面側から光を投射することによって該操作キー群の文字や記号等を照光させるようにした照光装置が組み込まれることが多い。このような照光機能付きのスイッチ装置の従来例としては、スイッチ素子群が配設された基板上で操作キー群の各底面の近傍にＬＥＤ等の光源を実装するという構造のものが広く知られているが、かかる従来構造では、基板上に多くの光源を実装しなければならないため、製造コストおよび消費電力が増大してしまうという不具合があった。 For example, in an input unit such as a cellular phone, if an operation key group for individually pressing and driving a plurality of switch elements can be visually recognized even in a dark place, light is projected from the bottom side to the operation key group. Accordingly, an illumination device is often incorporated which illuminates characters, symbols, and the like of the operation key group. As a conventional example of such a switch device with an illumination function, a structure in which a light source such as an LED is mounted in the vicinity of each bottom surface of the operation key group on a substrate on which the switch element group is disposed is widely known. However, in such a conventional structure, since many light sources have to be mounted on the substrate, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost and power consumption increase.

また、このような不具合を解消するために、可撓性を有する透光性樹脂からなる導光板の一辺端部に光源を取り付け、該導光板をスイッチ素子群を覆うように基板上に載置して、該基板に光源を接続させることによって、各操作キーが導光板を介して各スイッチ素子の可動接点を固定接点に向けて押圧駆動できるようにすると共に、一辺端部から導入した光源の光を導光板の照光部で屈折させて操作キー群の底面に投射するようにした照光機能付きのスイッチ装置が従来より提案されている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。このように一辺端部から光源の光が導入できる可撓性の導光板を用いると、光源の数を大幅に低減できるため製造コストおよび消費電力を低減することができる。
特開２００１−１６７６５５号公報（第３−４頁、図２） In order to solve such problems, a light source is attached to one end of a light guide plate made of a flexible translucent resin, and the light guide plate is placed on the substrate so as to cover the switch element group. Then, by connecting the light source to the substrate, each operation key can be driven to push the movable contact of each switch element toward the fixed contact via the light guide plate, and the light source introduced from one side end can be driven. Conventionally, a switch device with an illumination function has been proposed in which light is refracted by an illumination portion of a light guide plate and projected onto the bottom surface of an operation key group (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When a flexible light guide plate capable of introducing light from the light source from one side end portion is used as described above, the number of light sources can be greatly reduced, so that manufacturing cost and power consumption can be reduced.
JP 2001-167655 A (page 3-4, FIG. 2)

しかしながら特許文献１に開示された従来提案では、基板上に複数の可動接点を分散して配設する作業や、可撓性の導光板の一辺端部に光源を取り付ける作業が煩雑であり、該導光板を基板上に載置させる際にも、光源を基板と電気的に接続させるための煩雑な作業が必要となるため、組立作業性が悪いという問題があった。 However, in the conventional proposal disclosed in Patent Document 1, the work of dispersing and arranging a plurality of movable contacts on a substrate and the work of attaching a light source to one end of a flexible light guide plate are complicated. Even when the light guide plate is placed on the substrate, a complicated operation for electrically connecting the light source to the substrate is required, and there is a problem that the assembling workability is poor.

そこで本発明者らは、組立作業性を改善するために、複数の可動接点を可撓性シートの一面に保持してなる接点付きのシート部材を基板上に載置することによって、可動接点群が一括して基板上に組み込めるようにすると共に、該可撓性シート上に積層した可撓性の導光板の側端面に該基板上に実装した光源の光を入射させるという構造のスイッチ装置について検討した。しかし、可動接点として好適なドーム状板ばねを可撓性シートの一面に分散して配設した場合、基板上に載置した可撓性シートは各可動接点の存する領域が盛り上がるため、可撓性シート上に可撓性の導光板を積層すると該導光板にも同様の盛り上がり（湾曲部分）が生じてしまい、その結果、導光板内を進む光が湾曲部分で外部へ漏れやすくなって導光ロスが生じ、光源から遠い操作キーが十分な光量で照光できなくなるという新たな問題の発生することが判明した。 In order to improve the assembly workability, the inventors have mounted a movable contact group by placing a sheet member with a contact formed by holding a plurality of movable contacts on one surface of a flexible sheet. A switch device having a structure in which light from a light source mounted on a substrate is incident on a side end surface of a flexible light guide plate laminated on the flexible sheet. investigated. However, when a dome-shaped leaf spring suitable as a movable contact is distributed and arranged on one surface of the flexible sheet, the flexible sheet placed on the substrate rises in the area where each movable contact exists. When a flexible light guide plate is laminated on a conductive sheet, the same bulge (curved portion) is also generated on the light guide plate. As a result, light traveling inside the light guide plate is likely to leak to the outside through the curved portion. It has been found that a new problem arises that light loss occurs and the operation keys far from the light source cannot be illuminated with a sufficient amount of light.

本発明は、このような従来技術の実情に鑑みてなされたもので、その第１の目的は、組立作業性が良好で製造コストおよび消費電力を低減できると共に、光漏れを抑制できて照光品位が良好なスイッチ用可動接点ユニットを提供することにある。また、本発明の第２の目的は、かかるスイッチ用可動接点ユニットを用いたスイッチ装置を提供することにある。 The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art as described above. The first object of the present invention is that the assembly workability is good and the manufacturing cost and power consumption can be reduced. Is to provide a movable contact unit for a switch. A second object of the present invention is to provide a switch device using such a switch movable contact unit.

上記の第１の目的を達成するため、本発明のスイッチ用可動接点ユニットは、光源と複数の固定接点が配設された基板上にこれら固定接点群を覆って載置されると共に、前記基板側と逆側の面を複数の操作キーの底面に対向させるスイッチ用可動接点ユニットであって、反転可能なドーム状板ばねからなる複数の可動接点を可撓性シートの一面側に配設して、これら可動接点群が前記固定接点群と接離可能に対向するように前記基板上に配置される接点付きシート部材と、前記可動接点群を個別に収容するための複数の透孔を有して厚さ寸法が該可動接点の高さ寸法と略同等であると共に、前記可撓性シートと前記基板との間に配置されるスペーサと、前記可撓性シートの他面側に積層されて一部を前記光源からの光が入射される入光部となし、かつ前記操作キー群の底面を臨む複数箇所に照光部を設けた可撓性導光板とを備えており、前記操作キーが前記可撓性導光板と前記可撓性シートを介して前記可動接点を押圧駆動することによって該可動接点が対応する前記固定接点に接触するようになし、かつ前記入光部から前記可撓性導光板内へ導入された前記光源の光が前記照光部を介して前記操作キーの底面に投射されるように構成した。 In order to achieve the first object described above, the switch movable contact unit of the present invention is placed on a substrate on which a light source and a plurality of fixed contacts are disposed so as to cover these fixed contact groups, and the substrate. A movable contact unit for a switch having a surface opposite to a side opposite to a bottom surface of a plurality of operation keys, wherein a plurality of movable contacts made of a reversible dome-shaped leaf spring are arranged on one surface side of a flexible sheet. The movable contact group has a contact-attached sheet member disposed on the substrate so that the movable contact group faces the fixed contact group so as to be contactable and separable, and a plurality of through holes for individually accommodating the movable contact group. The thickness dimension is substantially the same as the height dimension of the movable contact, and the spacer is disposed between the flexible sheet and the substrate, and is laminated on the other side of the flexible sheet. Part of the light becomes a light incident part where light from the light source is incident. And a flexible light guide plate provided with illumination portions at a plurality of locations facing the bottom surface of the operation key group, and the operation key is movable through the flexible light guide plate and the flexible sheet. By pressing the contact, the movable contact comes into contact with the corresponding fixed contact, and the light of the light source introduced from the light incident part into the flexible light guide plate passes through the illumination part. And projected onto the bottom surface of the operation key.

このように構成されたスイッチ用可動接点ユニットでは、可撓性導光板を用いているため、光源の数を大幅に減らすことができて製造コストおよび消費電力を低減できる。また、光源を基板に実装すれば良いので、光源を可撓性導光板に取り付けた後に基板に接続していた構造に比べると組立作業性が良好となる。しかも、可撓性シートに保持された複数の可動接点を一括して基板上に配置させることができると共に、可撓性導光板を可動接点群に対して高い位置精度で配置させることが容易なため、組立作業性は極めて良好となる。さらに、可動接点を収容する透孔を有するスペーサが可撓性シートと基板との間に配置され、このスペーサの厚みが可動接点の高さ寸法と略同等であることから、可撓性シートが可動接点上でも盛り上がらずに基板と略平行に配置されて、この可撓性シート上の可撓性導光板も基板と略平行な平板状に配置されることになり、それゆえ可撓性導光板内を進む光が不所望領域で外部へ漏れにくくなる。 Since the switch movable contact unit configured as described above uses a flexible light guide plate, the number of light sources can be greatly reduced, and the manufacturing cost and power consumption can be reduced. In addition, since the light source may be mounted on the substrate, the assembly workability is improved as compared with the structure in which the light source is attached to the flexible light guide plate and then connected to the substrate. In addition, a plurality of movable contacts held on the flexible sheet can be collectively arranged on the substrate, and the flexible light guide plate can be easily arranged with high positional accuracy with respect to the movable contact group. Therefore, the assembly workability is extremely good. Further, a spacer having a through hole for accommodating the movable contact is disposed between the flexible sheet and the substrate, and the thickness of the spacer is substantially equal to the height of the movable contact. The flexible light guide plate on the flexible sheet is also arranged in a flat plate shape substantially parallel to the substrate without being raised even on the movable contact. Light traveling through the optical plate is less likely to leak outside in an undesired region.

上記のスイッチ用可動接点ユニットにおいて、スペーサの透孔の内壁面と該透孔に収容される可動接点の周縁部との間に隙間が存していると、透孔内での可動接点の反転動作が阻害されなくなると共に、透孔内に押圧操作時の可撓性シートの撓みスペースを確保しやすくなるため、信頼性を高めることができる。この場合において、透孔の平面形状を該透孔に収容される可動接点の平面形状と異ならせることにより、隙間が不均一となるようにしてあると、押圧操作時の可撓性シートの撓みスペースを確保しつつ透孔全体の平面的な大きさを抑制できるため、信頼性を損なわずに高密度実装が行えるようになる。 In the movable contact unit for a switch described above, if there is a gap between the inner wall surface of the through hole of the spacer and the peripheral edge of the movable contact accommodated in the through hole, the movable contact is reversed in the through hole. Since the operation is not hindered and it becomes easy to secure a bending space of the flexible sheet during the pressing operation in the through hole, the reliability can be improved. In this case, if the gap is non-uniform by making the planar shape of the through hole different from the planar shape of the movable contact accommodated in the through hole, the flexible sheet bends during the pressing operation. Since the planar size of the entire through-hole can be suppressed while ensuring space, high-density mounting can be performed without impairing reliability.

また、上記のスイッチ用可動接点ユニットにおいて、可撓性シートの一面側にスペーサが固定されて他面側に可撓性導光板が固定されていると、可撓性シートに可動接点群を配設してなる接点付きシート部材とスペーサおよび可撓性導光板とを一体品として取り扱えるため、保管や運搬が容易となる。 In the switch movable contact unit described above, when the spacer is fixed on one side of the flexible sheet and the flexible light guide plate is fixed on the other side, the movable contact group is arranged on the flexible sheet. Since the sheet member with contacts, the spacer, and the flexible light guide plate can be handled as an integrated product, storage and transportation are facilitated.

上記の第２の目的を達成するため、本発明のスイッチ装置は、基板上に実装された光源と、前記基板に設けられた複数の固定接点と、反転可能なドーム状板ばねからなる複数の可動接点を可撓性シートの一面側に配設して、これら可動接点群が前記固定接点群と接離可能に対向するように前記基板上に配置される接点付きシート部材と、前記可動接点群を個別に収容するための複数の透孔を有して厚さ寸法が該可動接点の高さ寸法と略同等であると共に、前記可撓性シートと前記基板との間に配置されるスペーサと、前記可撓性シートの他面側に積層されて一部を前記光源からの光が入射される入光部となし、かつ前記操作キー群の底面を臨む複数箇所に照光部を設けた可撓性導光板と、この可撓性導光板と前記可撓性シートを介して前記可動接点群を個別に押圧駆動するための複数の操作キーとを備え、前記入光部から前記可撓性導光板内へ導入された前記光源の光が前記照光部を介して前記操作キーの底面に投射されるように構成した。 In order to achieve the second object, a switch device according to the present invention includes a light source mounted on a substrate, a plurality of fixed contacts provided on the substrate, and a plurality of dome-shaped leaf springs that can be reversed. A movable contact is disposed on one surface side of the flexible sheet, and the movable contact group is disposed on the substrate so that the movable contact group faces the fixed contact group in a detachable manner, and the movable contact A spacer having a plurality of through holes for individually accommodating groups and having a thickness dimension substantially equal to a height dimension of the movable contact and disposed between the flexible sheet and the substrate And a light incident part on which the light from the light source is incident partially laminated on the other surface side of the flexible sheet, and provided with illumination parts at a plurality of locations facing the bottom surface of the operation key group A flexible light guide plate, and the flexible light guide plate and the flexible sheet through the flexible sheet. A plurality of operation keys for individually pressing and driving the contact group, and the light of the light source introduced into the flexible light guide plate from the light incident part via the illumination part. Configured to be projected on.

このように構成されたスイッチ装置では、可撓性導光板を用いているため光源の数を大幅に減らすことができ、製造コストおよび消費電力を低減することができる。また、光源を基板に実装すれば良いので、光源を可撓性導光板に取り付けた後に基板に接続していた構造に比べると組立作業性が良好となる。しかも、このスイッチ装置は接点付きシート部材を用いており、可撓性シートに保持された複数の可動接点を一括して基板上に配置させることができるため、組立作業性は極めて良好となる。さらに、可動接点を収容する透孔を有するスペーサが可撓性シートと基板との間に配置され、このスペーサの厚みが可動接点の高さ寸法と略同等であることから、可撓性シートが可動接点上でも盛り上がらずに基板と略平行に配置されて、この可撓性シート上の可撓性導光板も基板と略平行な平板状に配置されることになり、それゆえ可撓性導光板内を進む光が不所望領域で外部へ漏れにくくなる。 In the switch device configured as described above, since the flexible light guide plate is used, the number of light sources can be greatly reduced, and the manufacturing cost and power consumption can be reduced. In addition, since the light source may be mounted on the substrate, the assembly workability is improved as compared with the structure in which the light source is attached to the flexible light guide plate and then connected to the substrate. In addition, this switch device uses a sheet member with contacts, and a plurality of movable contacts held by the flexible sheet can be collectively arranged on the substrate, so that the assembly workability is extremely good. Further, a spacer having a through hole for accommodating the movable contact is disposed between the flexible sheet and the substrate, and the thickness of the spacer is substantially equal to the height of the movable contact. The flexible light guide plate on the flexible sheet is also arranged in a flat plate shape substantially parallel to the substrate without being raised even on the movable contact. Light traveling through the optical plate is less likely to leak outside in an undesired region.

上記のスイッチ装置において、スペーサの透孔の内壁面と該透孔に収容される可動接点の周縁部との間に隙間が存していると、透孔内での可動接点の反転動作が阻害されなくなり、かつ押圧操作時に透孔内に可撓性シートの撓みスペースを確保しやすくなるため、信頼性を高めることができる。この場合において、透孔の平面形状を該透孔に収容される可動接点の平面形状と異ならせることにより、隙間が不均一となるようにしてあると、押圧操作時の可撓性シートの撓みスペースを確保しつつ透孔全体の平面的な大きさを抑制できるため、信頼性を損なわずに高密度実装が行えるようになる。 In the above switch device, if there is a gap between the inner wall surface of the through hole of the spacer and the peripheral edge of the movable contact accommodated in the through hole, the reversing operation of the movable contact in the through hole is obstructed. In addition, since it becomes easy to secure a bending space of the flexible sheet in the through hole during the pressing operation, the reliability can be improved. In this case, if the gap is non-uniform by making the planar shape of the through hole different from the planar shape of the movable contact accommodated in the through hole, the flexible sheet bends during the pressing operation. Since the planar size of the entire through-hole can be suppressed while ensuring space, high-density mounting can be performed without impairing reliability.

本発明のスイッチ用可動接点ユニットは、可撓性導光板を用いているため、光源の数を大幅に減らすことができて製造コストおよび消費電力を低減できる。また、光源を基板に実装すれば良いので、光源を可撓性導光板に取り付けた後に基板に接続していた構造に比べると組立作業性が良好となる。しかも、可撓性シートに保持された複数の可動接点を一括して基板上に配置させることができると共に、可撓性導光板を可動接点群に対して高い位置精度で配置させることが容易なため、組立作業性は極めて良好となる。さらに、可動接点を収容する透孔を有するスペーサが可撓性シートと基板との間に配置され、このスペーサの厚みが可動接点の高さ寸法と略同等であることから、可撓性シートが可動接点上でも盛り上がらずに基板と略平行に配置されて、この可撓性シート上の可撓性導光板も基板と略平行な平板状に配置されることになり、それゆえ可撓性導光板内を進む光が不所望領域で外部へ漏れにくくなって、光源から遠い操作キーでも十分な光量で照光可能な高品位な照光が実現できる。 Since the movable contact unit for a switch of the present invention uses a flexible light guide plate, the number of light sources can be greatly reduced, and the manufacturing cost and power consumption can be reduced. In addition, since the light source may be mounted on the substrate, the assembly workability is improved as compared with the structure in which the light source is attached to the flexible light guide plate and then connected to the substrate. In addition, a plurality of movable contacts held on the flexible sheet can be collectively arranged on the substrate, and the flexible light guide plate can be easily arranged with high positional accuracy with respect to the movable contact group. Therefore, the assembly workability is extremely good. Further, a spacer having a through hole for accommodating the movable contact is disposed between the flexible sheet and the substrate, and the thickness of the spacer is substantially equal to the height of the movable contact. The flexible light guide plate on the flexible sheet is also arranged in a flat plate shape substantially parallel to the substrate without being raised even on the movable contact. Light traveling through the optical plate is less likely to leak outside in an undesired region, and high-quality illumination that can be illuminated with a sufficient amount of light even with an operation key far from the light source can be realized.

また、本発明のスイッチ装置は、可撓性導光板を用いているため、光源の数を大幅に減らすことができて製造コストおよび消費電力を低減できる。また、光源を基板に実装すれば良いので、光源を可撓性導光板に取り付けた後に基板に接続していた構造に比べると組立作業性が良好となる。しかも、このスイッチ装置は接点付きシート部材を用いており、可撓性シートに保持された複数の可動接点を一括して基板上に配置させることができるため、組立作業性は極めて良好となる。さらに、可動接点を収容する透孔を有するスペーサが可撓性シートと基板との間に配置され、このスペーサの厚みが可動接点の高さ寸法と略同等であることから、可撓性シートが可動接点上でも盛り上がらずに基板と略平行に配置されて、この可撓性シート上の可撓性導光板も基板と略平行な平板状に配置されることになり、それゆえ可撓性導光板内を進む光が不所望領域で外部へ漏れにくくなって、光源から遠い操作キーでも十分な光量で照光可能な高品位な照光を実現できる。 Further, since the switch device of the present invention uses a flexible light guide plate, the number of light sources can be greatly reduced, and the manufacturing cost and power consumption can be reduced. In addition, since the light source may be mounted on the substrate, the assembly workability is improved as compared with the structure in which the light source is attached to the flexible light guide plate and then connected to the substrate. In addition, this switch device uses a sheet member with contacts, and a plurality of movable contacts held by the flexible sheet can be collectively arranged on the substrate, so that the assembly workability is extremely good. Further, a spacer having a through hole for accommodating the movable contact is disposed between the flexible sheet and the substrate, and the thickness of the spacer is substantially equal to the height of the movable contact. The flexible light guide plate on the flexible sheet is also arranged in a flat plate shape substantially parallel to the substrate without being raised even on the movable contact. Light traveling through the optical plate is less likely to leak outside in an undesired region, and high-quality illumination that can be illuminated with a sufficient amount of light even with an operation key far from the light source can be realized.

発明の実施の形態を図面を参照して説明すると、図１は本発明の実施形態例に係るスイッチ装置を蓋ケースを省略して示す平面図、図２は該スイッチ装置の要部断面図、図３は該スイッチ装置に用いられる可動接点ユニットの要部断面図、図４は該可動接点ユニットを構成する接点付きシート部材の裏面図である。 FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention with a lid case omitted, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the switch device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a movable contact unit used in the switch device, and FIG. 4 is a rear view of a sheet member with a contact constituting the movable contact unit.

これらの図に示すスイッチ装置は、ＬＥＤ２が実装された基板１と、蓋ケース４の開口４ａに配置された複数の操作キー３と、基板１上に載置された接点付きシート部材５と、この接点付きシート部材５上に積層された可撓性導光板６とによって主に構成されており、接点付きシート部材５と可撓性導光板６は予め積層状態で一体化されて可動接点ユニット１５として取り扱われる。基板１の上面には各操作キー３の下方に固定接点７やコモン接点８が配設されており、両接点７，８は電気的に非導通となるように所定の間隔を存して露出している。また、この基板１には、固定接点７やコモン接点８から導出された図示せぬ配線パターンやスルーホール等が設けられている。ＬＥＤ２は、各操作キー３を暗所で照光させるための光源である。このＬＥＤ２の発光部２ａは可撓性導光板６の一辺端に沿う側端面６ａの中央部に近接状態で対向しており、発光部２ａから出射されて可撓性導光板６内へ導入された光が、該導光板６の照光部６ｂを介して操作キー３の底面へ投射されるようになっている。 The switch device shown in these drawings includes a substrate 1 on which the LED 2 is mounted, a plurality of operation keys 3 disposed in the opening 4a of the lid case 4, a sheet member 5 with a contact placed on the substrate 1, It is mainly comprised by the flexible light-guide plate 6 laminated | stacked on this sheet | seat member 5 with a contact, and the sheet | seat member 5 with a contact and the flexible light-guide plate 6 are integrated previously in the lamination | stacking state, and are a movable contact unit. 15 is handled. A fixed contact 7 and a common contact 8 are provided below the operation keys 3 on the upper surface of the substrate 1, and both the contacts 7 and 8 are exposed at a predetermined interval so as to be electrically non-conductive. is doing. Further, the substrate 1 is provided with a wiring pattern, a through hole, etc. (not shown) derived from the fixed contact 7 and the common contact 8. The LED 2 is a light source for illuminating each operation key 3 in a dark place. The light emitting portion 2a of the LED 2 faces the central portion of the side end surface 6a along one side edge of the flexible light guide plate 6 in a close state, and is emitted from the light emitting portion 2a and introduced into the flexible light guide plate 6. The light is projected onto the bottom surface of the operation key 3 through the illumination part 6 b of the light guide plate 6.

可動接点ユニット１５の接点付きシート部材５は、ＰＥＴ（ポリエチレンテレフタレート）等の透光性樹脂からなる可撓性シート９と、この可撓性シート９の下面に配設された複数の可動接点１０と、可動接点１０群の存しない領域で可撓性シート９の下面に貼着された合成樹脂製のスペーサ板１１とによって構成される。各可動接点１０は反転時にクリック感を生起する金属製のドーム状板ばねからなり、これら可動接点１０群が可撓性シート９の下面の所定位置に接着固定されている。スペーサ板１１には、可動接点１０群を個別に収容するための複数の透孔１２が穿設されている。図４に示すように、各透孔１２は平面視形状が可動接点１０とは異形な略平行四辺形で、かつ可動接点１０よりも若干大きく形成されている。そのため、各透孔１２の内壁面と、そこに収容される可動接点１０の周縁部との間には、不均一な隙間１２ａが存する。このスペーサ板１１の表裏両面には粘着層１１ａ，１１ｂ（図３参照）が設けられており、粘着層１１ａによってスペーサ板１１が可撓性シート９に貼着されていると共に、粘着層１１ｂによって接点付きシート部材５が基板１に貼着されるようになっている。また、このスペーサ板１１は全体の厚さ寸法が可動接点１０の高さ寸法と同等に設定されているため、可撓性シート９は可動接点１０上でも盛り上がらずに基板１と略平行に配置されることになり、それゆえ可撓性シート９上の可撓性導光板６も基板１と略平行な平板状に配置されることになる。 The sheet member 5 with a contact of the movable contact unit 15 includes a flexible sheet 9 made of a translucent resin such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and a plurality of movable contacts 10 disposed on the lower surface of the flexible sheet 9. And a synthetic resin spacer plate 11 adhered to the lower surface of the flexible sheet 9 in an area where the movable contact group 10 does not exist. Each movable contact 10 is made of a metal dome-shaped leaf spring that generates a click feeling when reversed, and these movable contacts 10 are bonded and fixed at predetermined positions on the lower surface of the flexible sheet 9. The spacer plate 11 has a plurality of through holes 12 for individually accommodating the movable contact 10 group. As shown in FIG. 4, each through hole 12 has a substantially parallelogram shape that is different from the movable contact 10 in plan view, and is slightly larger than the movable contact 10. Therefore, a non-uniform gap 12a exists between the inner wall surface of each through hole 12 and the peripheral edge portion of the movable contact 10 accommodated therein. Adhesive layers 11a and 11b (see FIG. 3) are provided on both front and back surfaces of the spacer plate 11. The spacer plate 11 is adhered to the flexible sheet 9 by the adhesive layer 11a, and the adhesive layer 11b A sheet member 5 with a contact is attached to the substrate 1. Further, since the overall thickness dimension of the spacer plate 11 is set to be equal to the height dimension of the movable contact 10, the flexible sheet 9 is arranged substantially parallel to the substrate 1 without being raised on the movable contact 10. Therefore, the flexible light guide plate 6 on the flexible sheet 9 is also arranged in a flat plate shape substantially parallel to the substrate 1.

この接点付きシート部材５は、可動接点１０群が固定接点７群と接離可能に対向するように基板１上に配置されて、スペーサ板１１の粘着層１１ｂによって該基板１に固定されている。こうして接点付きシート部材５を基板１上に位置決めして固定すると、図２に示すように、可動接点１０の周縁部がコモン接点８に当接して常時導通すると共に、可動接点１０の中央部が固定接点７と接離可能に対向する。ただし、可動接点ユニット１５の保管時や運搬時にはスペーサ板１１の粘着層１１ｂに図示せぬ剥離テープを貼着しておき、接点付きシート部材５を基板１に固定する段階で該剥離テープを剥がして粘着層１１ｂを露出させる。なお、接点付きシート部材５には基板１に対する取付位置を規定するための図示せぬ位置決め孔が２箇所に形成されており、これら位置決め孔を基準として可動接点１０群が配設されている。 The contact-attached sheet member 5 is arranged on the substrate 1 so that the movable contact group 10 faces the fixed contact group 7 so as to be able to contact and separate, and is fixed to the substrate 1 by the adhesive layer 11 b of the spacer plate 11. . When the contact-attached sheet member 5 is positioned and fixed on the substrate 1 in this way, as shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral portion of the movable contact 10 comes into contact with the common contact 8 and is always conductive, and the central portion of the movable contact 10 is It faces the fixed contact 7 so as to be able to contact and separate. However, when the movable contact unit 15 is stored or transported, a release tape (not shown) is attached to the adhesive layer 11b of the spacer plate 11, and the release tape is peeled off at the stage of fixing the sheet member 5 with contact to the substrate 1. To expose the adhesive layer 11b. In addition, the sheet member 5 with contacts is formed with two positioning holes (not shown) for defining the mounting position with respect to the substrate 1, and a group of movable contacts 10 is arranged with reference to these positioning holes.

可動接点ユニット１５の可撓性導光板６は、例えばウレタンやシリコンなどの透光性に優れた可撓性材料をシート状に成形したものであり、接点付きシート部材５の可撓性シート９の上面に積層状態で一体化されている。可撓性導光板６の上面には、操作キー３の底面と対向する箇所に、該導光板６内を進む光を屈折させて上方へ投射するための照光部６ｂが設けられている。また、可撓性導光板６の側端面６ａの中央部はＬＥＤ２からの光が入射される入光部６ｃとなっている。図１に示すように、可撓性導光板６の四隅と入光部６ｃ近傍の２箇所は取付部６ｄとなっており、これら取付部６ｄは可撓性シート９の上面に接着剤を用いて固定されている。つまり、可撓性導光板６は可撓性シート９を介して間接的に基板１に固定されている。ただし、取付部６ｄが可撓性シート９に例えば熱圧着やレーザ溶着、超音波溶着される部位であっても良い。また、可撓性導光板６と接点付きシート部材５には対応する２箇所に、基板１に対する取付位置を規定するための位置決め孔６ｆ（接点付きシート部材５の位置決め孔は図示せず）が形成されている。これら位置決め孔６ｆを基準として可撓性導光板６は基板１上に実装されるため、取付部６ｄはＬＥＤ２からの光の出射角度の範囲内にかからないように設定される。 The flexible light guide plate 6 of the movable contact unit 15 is formed by molding a flexible material having excellent translucency such as urethane or silicon into a sheet shape, and the flexible sheet 9 of the sheet member 5 with contacts. Are integrated in a laminated state on the upper surface. On the upper surface of the flexible light guide plate 6, an illumination unit 6 b for refracting the light traveling through the light guide plate 6 and projecting it upward is provided at a position facing the bottom surface of the operation key 3. The central portion of the side end surface 6a of the flexible light guide plate 6 is a light incident portion 6c into which light from the LED 2 is incident. As shown in FIG. 1, the four corners of the flexible light guide plate 6 and two places near the light incident portion 6 c are attachment portions 6 d, and these attachment portions 6 d use an adhesive on the upper surface of the flexible sheet 9. Is fixed. That is, the flexible light guide plate 6 is indirectly fixed to the substrate 1 via the flexible sheet 9. However, the attachment portion 6d may be a portion where the flexible sheet 9 is subjected to, for example, thermocompression bonding, laser welding, or ultrasonic welding. Further, there are two positioning holes 6f (positioning holes of the sheet member 5 with contacts are not shown) for defining the mounting position with respect to the substrate 1 at two locations corresponding to the flexible light guide plate 6 and the sheet member 5 with contacts. Is formed. Since the flexible light guide plate 6 is mounted on the substrate 1 with the positioning holes 6f as a reference, the mounting portion 6d is set so as not to fall within the range of the light emission angle from the LED 2.

なお、接点付きシート部材５に固定されていない可撓性導光板６を基板１に直接固定することも可能である。すなわち、接点付きシート部材５を基板１へ組み付けた後に可撓性導光板６を可撓性シート９上に積層して、該導光板６の可撓性シート９上からせり出している部分を接着剤を用いて基板１に直接固定しても良い。また、スペーサ板１１だけを先に基板１上に固定しておき、可動接点１０群を配設した可撓性シート９をこのスペーサ板１１上に積層して一体化することも可能である。ただし、可撓性シート９の一面側にスペーサ板１１が固定されて他面側に可撓性導光板６が固定されている可動接点ユニット１５を予め製造しておくと、保管や運搬が容易となる。さらに、可撓性導光板６に設けた収納孔にＬＥＤ２を配置させてその光を照光部６ｂへ導くようにすることも可能であり、この場合は該収納孔の内壁面が入光部６ｃとなる。 It is also possible to directly fix the flexible light guide plate 6 that is not fixed to the sheet member with contacts 5 to the substrate 1. That is, the flexible light guide plate 6 is laminated on the flexible sheet 9 after the sheet member 5 with contacts is assembled to the substrate 1, and the portion protruding from the flexible sheet 9 of the light guide plate 6 is bonded. You may fix directly to the board | substrate 1 using an agent. Alternatively, only the spacer plate 11 may be fixed on the substrate 1 first, and the flexible sheet 9 provided with the movable contact 10 group may be laminated on the spacer plate 11 to be integrated. However, if the movable contact unit 15 in which the spacer plate 11 is fixed on one surface side of the flexible sheet 9 and the flexible light guide plate 6 is fixed on the other surface side is manufactured in advance, storage and transportation are easy. It becomes. Further, it is possible to arrange the LED 2 in a storage hole provided in the flexible light guide plate 6 and guide the light to the illumination part 6b. In this case, the inner wall surface of the storage hole is the light incident part 6c. It becomes.

操作キー３は、基板１上に載置された可撓性導光板６の照光部６ｂ上に昇降可能に搭載されており、蓋ケース４によって抜け止めがなされている。図示していないが、操作キー３の上面には文字や記号等が印刷された発光部が設けられており、この発光部が底面側から投射される照光部６ｂの光によって発光するようになっている。 The operation key 3 is mounted on the illuminating portion 6 b of the flexible light guide plate 6 placed on the substrate 1 so as to be movable up and down, and is prevented from being removed by the lid case 4. Although not shown, a light emitting portion on which characters, symbols, and the like are printed is provided on the upper surface of the operation key 3, and the light emitting portion emits light by the light of the illumination portion 6b projected from the bottom surface side. ing.

次に、このように構成されたスイッチ装置の動作について説明する。ユーザが所望の操作キー３を下方へ押し込むと、可撓性導光板６と可撓性シート９を介して可動接点１０が押圧駆動されるため、操作キー３が所定ストローク下降した時点で、可動接点１０の中央部が反転して固定接点７に当接する。その結果、可動接点１０を介して固定接点７とコモン接点８とが導通されるためスイッチオン状態に切り替わる。また、可動接点１０の反転時にクリック感が生起されるため、このクリック感によってユーザは押圧操作が確実に行われたことを感得することができる。なお、操作キー３に対する押圧操作力が除去されると、可動接点１０は自らの弾性で元のドーム形状に復帰し、可撓性導光板６と可撓性シート９も撓みが解消されるため、操作キー３は初期位置まで押し上げられる。 Next, the operation of the switch device configured as described above will be described. When the user presses the desired operation key 3 downward, the movable contact 10 is pressed and driven through the flexible light guide plate 6 and the flexible sheet 9, so that when the operation key 3 is lowered by a predetermined stroke, it is movable. The central portion of the contact 10 is reversed and contacts the fixed contact 7. As a result, the fixed contact 7 and the common contact 8 are brought into conduction through the movable contact 10, so that the switch is switched on. In addition, since a click feeling is generated when the movable contact 10 is reversed, the user can feel that the pressing operation has been reliably performed by the click feeling. When the pressing operation force on the operation key 3 is removed, the movable contact 10 returns to its original dome shape by its own elasticity, and the flexible light guide plate 6 and the flexible sheet 9 are also eliminated from bending. The operation key 3 is pushed up to the initial position.

上記の如く本実施形態例にあっては、光源であるＬＥＤ２を基板１上に実装して、このＬＥＤ２の発光部２ａを可撓性導光板６の側端面６ａに対向させているため、可撓性導光板６の各照光部６ｂから各操作キー３の底面へ向けて効率良く光を投射することができる。それゆえ、光源の数を大幅に減らすことができて製造コストや消費電力を低減できるのみならず、光源を可撓性導光板に取り付けた後に基板に接続していた構造に比べると組立作業性が良好となる。 As described above, in this embodiment, the LED 2 as the light source is mounted on the substrate 1 and the light emitting portion 2a of the LED 2 is opposed to the side end face 6a of the flexible light guide plate 6. Light can be efficiently projected from each illumination portion 6 b of the flexible light guide plate 6 toward the bottom surface of each operation key 3. Therefore, not only can the number of light sources be greatly reduced to reduce the manufacturing cost and power consumption, but also the assembly workability compared to the structure in which the light sources are connected to the substrate after being attached to the flexible light guide plate. Becomes better.

また、本実施形態例にあっては、可撓性シート９の下面側に可動接点１０群を配設した接点付きシート部材５を用い、この接点付きシート部材５上に可撓性導光板６を積層状態で一体化させて可動接点ユニット１５となしているため、基板１上に可動接点１０群を一括して配置させることができると共に、可撓性導光板６を可動接点１０群に対して高い位置精度で配置させることが容易であり、それゆえ組立作業性が極めて良好となる。しかも、接点付きシート部材５のスペーサ板１１には剥離シートが剥離可能に貼着される粘着層１１ｂが設けられているので、保管時や運搬時には接点付きシート部材５に剥離シートを貼着させておき、基板１上へ組み付ける際に剥離シートを剥がして接点付きシート部材５を該基板１に固定させれば良い。それゆえ、この可動接点ユニット１５は取扱い性が極めて良好で、保管や運搬に適している。 Further, in this embodiment, the sheet member 5 with contacts in which the movable contact 10 group is disposed on the lower surface side of the flexible sheet 9 is used, and the flexible light guide plate 6 is provided on the sheet member 5 with contacts. Are integrated in a stacked state to form the movable contact unit 15, so that the group of movable contacts 10 can be collectively disposed on the substrate 1, and the flexible light guide plate 6 can be disposed with respect to the group of movable contacts 10. Therefore, it is easy to arrange with high positional accuracy, and therefore the assembly workability is very good. Moreover, the spacer plate 11 of the sheet member with contact 5 is provided with an adhesive layer 11b on which the release sheet is detachably attached, so that the release sheet is attached to the sheet member with contact 5 during storage or transportation. The sheet member 5 with a contact point may be fixed to the substrate 1 by peeling the release sheet when assembled on the substrate 1. Therefore, the movable contact unit 15 is very easy to handle and is suitable for storage and transportation.

また、本実施形態例にあっては、可動接点１０の収容用透孔１２を有するスペーサ板１１が可撓性シート９と基板１との間に配置され、このスペーサ板１１の厚みが可動接点１０の高さ寸法と同等であることから、可撓性シート９が可動接点１０上でも盛り上がらずに基板１と略平行に配置されて、この可撓性シート９上の可撓性導光板６も基板１と略平行な平板状に配置されている。そのため、可撓性導光板６内を進むＬＥＤ２の光が不所望領域で外部へ漏れにくくなって導光ロスが大幅に低減し、ＬＥＤ２から遠い操作キー３でも十分な光量で照光できるようになり、スイッチ装置全体の照光ムラが少ない高品位な照光を実現できる。 In this embodiment, the spacer plate 11 having the accommodating through hole 12 for the movable contact 10 is disposed between the flexible sheet 9 and the substrate 1, and the thickness of the spacer plate 11 is determined by the movable contact. 10, the flexible sheet 9 is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the substrate 1 without being raised on the movable contact 10, and the flexible light guide plate 6 on the flexible sheet 9. Are also arranged in a flat plate shape substantially parallel to the substrate 1. Therefore, the light of the LED 2 traveling in the flexible light guide plate 6 is less likely to leak to the outside in an undesired region, and the light guide loss is greatly reduced. The operation key 3 far from the LED 2 can be illuminated with a sufficient amount of light. Therefore, it is possible to realize high-quality illumination with little illumination unevenness of the entire switch device.

また、本実施形態例で用いたスペーサ板１１は、その透孔１２が可動接点１０よりも若干大きく、透孔１２の内壁面とそこに収容される可動接点１０の周縁部との間に隙間１２ａが生じるようにしてあるため、透孔１２内での可動接点１０の反転動作が阻害されず、かつ押圧操作時に透孔１２内に可撓性シート９の撓みスペースが確保しやすくなって、信頼性が高まっている。しかも、このスペーサ板１１は透孔１２の平面形状を可動接点１０の平面形状と異形にして、隙間１２ａが不均一となるようにしてあるため、押圧操作時の可撓性シート９の撓みスペースを確保しつつ透孔１２全体の平面的な大きさが抑制されており、それゆえ信頼性を損なわずに高密度実装が行えるようになっている。 In addition, the spacer plate 11 used in this embodiment example has a through hole 12 slightly larger than the movable contact 10, and a gap between the inner wall surface of the through hole 12 and the peripheral portion of the movable contact 10 accommodated therein. 12a is generated, so that the reversing operation of the movable contact 10 in the through hole 12 is not hindered, and it is easy to secure the bending space of the flexible sheet 9 in the through hole 12 during the pressing operation. Reliability is increasing. In addition, since the spacer plate 11 has a planar shape of the through-hole 12 different from that of the movable contact 10 so that the gap 12a is non-uniform, the bending space of the flexible sheet 9 at the time of the pressing operation. As a result, the planar size of the entire through-hole 12 is suppressed while ensuring high-density mounting. Therefore, high-density mounting can be performed without impairing reliability.

また、本実施形態例にあっては、可撓性導光板６と接点付きシート部材５に基板１に対する取付位置を規定するための位置決め孔６ｆ等が形成されているため、実装時に位置決め孔６ｆ等に図示せぬ位置決めピンを挿通させることにより、基板１に対して可撓性導光板６と接点付きシート部材５を容易かつ高精度に組み付けることができる。 In the present embodiment, the positioning holes 6f and the like for defining the mounting position with respect to the substrate 1 are formed in the flexible light guide plate 6 and the sheet member 5 with contacts. By inserting a positioning pin (not shown) into the substrate 1, the flexible light guide plate 6 and the sheet member 5 with a contact can be easily and accurately assembled to the substrate 1.

本発明の実施形態例に係るスイッチ装置を蓋ケースを省略して示す平面図である。It is a top view which abbreviate | omits a cover case and shows the switch apparatus which concerns on the embodiment of this invention. 図１に示すスイッチ装置の要部断面図である。It is principal part sectional drawing of the switch apparatus shown in FIG. 図１に示すスイッチ装置に用いられる可動接点ユニットの要部断面図である。It is principal part sectional drawing of the movable contact unit used for the switch apparatus shown in FIG. 該可動接点ユニットを構成する接点付きシート部材の裏面図である。It is a reverse view of the sheet member with a contact which comprises this movable contact unit.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１基板
２ＬＥＤ（光源）
２ａ発光部
３操作キー
４蓋ケース
５接点付きシート部材
６可撓性導光板
６ｂ照光部
６ｃ入光部
７固定接点
８コモン接点
９可撓性シート
１０可動接点
１１スペーサ板
１１ａ，１１ｂ粘着層
１２透孔
１２ａ隙間
１５可動接点ユニット 1 substrate 2 LED (light source)
2a Light emitting part 3 Operation key 4 Cover case 5 Sheet member 6 with contact 6 Flexible light guide plate 6b Illumination part 6c Light incident part 7 Fixed contact 8 Common contact 9 Flexible sheet 10 Movable contact 11 Spacer plate 11a, 11b Adhesive layer 12 Through hole 12a Clearance 15 Movable contact unit

Claims

光源と複数の固定接点が配設された基板上にこれら固定接点群を覆って載置されると共に、前記基板側と逆側の面を複数の操作キーの底面に対向させるスイッチ用可動接点ユニットであって、
反転可能なドーム状板ばねからなる複数の可動接点を可撓性シートの一面側に配設して、これら可動接点群が前記固定接点群と接離可能に対向するように前記基板上に配置される接点付きシート部材と、前記可動接点群を個別に収容するための複数の透孔を有して厚さ寸法が該可動接点の高さ寸法と略同等であると共に、前記可撓性シートと前記基板との間に配置されるスペーサと、前記可撓性シートの他面側に積層されて一部を前記光源からの光が入射される入光部となし、かつ前記操作キー群の底面を臨む複数箇所に照光部を設けた可撓性導光板とを備えており、
前記操作キーが前記可撓性導光板と前記可撓性シートを介して前記可動接点を押圧駆動することによって該可動接点が対応する前記固定接点に接触するようになし、かつ前記入光部から前記可撓性導光板内へ導入された前記光源の光が前記照光部を介して前記操作キーの底面に投射されるように構成したことを特徴とするスイッチ用可動接点ユニット。 A movable contact unit for a switch, which is placed on a substrate on which a light source and a plurality of fixed contacts are disposed so as to cover these fixed contact groups, and whose surface opposite to the substrate is opposed to the bottom surfaces of a plurality of operation keys. Because
A plurality of movable contact points made of dome-shaped leaf springs that can be reversed are arranged on one surface side of the flexible sheet, and these movable contact groups are arranged on the substrate so as to face the fixed contact groups so as to be able to contact and separate. A sheet member with a contact, and a plurality of through holes for individually accommodating the movable contact group, the thickness dimension being substantially the same as the height dimension of the movable contact, and the flexible sheet And a spacer disposed between the substrate and the substrate, a part of the flexible sheet laminated on the other side of the flexible sheet, and a part of the light incident portion into which light from the light source is incident, and the operation key group A flexible light guide plate provided with an illumination portion at a plurality of locations facing the bottom surface,
The operation key presses the movable contact via the flexible light guide plate and the flexible sheet so that the movable contact comes into contact with the corresponding fixed contact, and from the light incident portion. The switch movable contact unit characterized in that the light of the light source introduced into the flexible light guide plate is projected onto the bottom surface of the operation key via the illumination unit.

請求項１の記載において、前記スペーサの前記透孔の内壁面と該透孔に収容される前記可動接点の周縁部との間に隙間が存していることを特徴とするスイッチ用可動接点ユニット。 2. The movable contact unit for a switch according to claim 1, wherein a gap exists between an inner wall surface of the through hole of the spacer and a peripheral portion of the movable contact accommodated in the through hole. .

請求項２の記載において、前記透孔の平面形状を該透孔に収容される前記可動接点の平面形状と異ならせたことを特徴とするスイッチ用可動接点ユニット。 The switch movable contact unit according to claim 2, wherein the planar shape of the through hole is different from the planar shape of the movable contact accommodated in the through hole.

請求項１〜３のいずれか１項の記載において、前記可撓性シートの一面側に前記スペーサが固定されて他面側に前記可撓性導光板が固定されていることを特徴とするスイッチ用可動接点ユニット。 The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the spacer is fixed to one surface side of the flexible sheet and the flexible light guide plate is fixed to the other surface side. Movable contact unit.

基板上に実装された光源と、前記基板に設けられた複数の固定接点と、反転可能なドーム状板ばねからなる複数の可動接点を可撓性シートの一面側に配設して、これら可動接点群が前記固定接点群と接離可能に対向するように前記基板上に配置される接点付きシート部材と、前記可動接点群を個別に収容するための複数の透孔を有して厚さ寸法が該可動接点の高さ寸法と略同等であると共に、前記可撓性シートと前記基板との間に配置されるスペーサと、前記可撓性シートの他面側に積層されて一部を前記光源からの光が入射される入光部となし、かつ前記操作キー群の底面を臨む複数箇所に照光部を設けた可撓性導光板と、この可撓性導光板と前記可撓性シートを介して前記可動接点群を個別に押圧駆動するための複数の操作キーとを備え、
前記入光部から前記可撓性導光板内へ導入された前記光源の光が前記照光部を介して前記操作キーの底面に投射されるように構成したことを特徴とするスイッチ装置。 A light source mounted on a substrate, a plurality of fixed contacts provided on the substrate, and a plurality of movable contacts made of a reversible dome-shaped leaf spring are arranged on one side of the flexible sheet, and these movable A sheet member with a contact disposed on the substrate so that the contact group faces the fixed contact group in a detachable manner, and has a plurality of through holes for individually accommodating the movable contact group. The dimension is substantially the same as the height dimension of the movable contact, a spacer disposed between the flexible sheet and the substrate, and a portion laminated on the other side of the flexible sheet. A flexible light guide plate having a light incident portion into which light from the light source is incident and having illumination portions provided at a plurality of locations facing the bottom surface of the operation key group, and the flexible light guide plate and the flexible A plurality of operation keys for individually pressing and driving the movable contact group through a sheet.
The switch device, wherein the light of the light source introduced into the flexible light guide plate from the light incident portion is projected onto the bottom surface of the operation key through the illumination portion.

請求項５の記載において、前記スペーサの前記透孔の内壁面と該透孔に収容される前記可動接点の周縁部との間に隙間が存していることを特徴とするスイッチ装置。 6. The switch device according to claim 5, wherein a gap exists between an inner wall surface of the through hole of the spacer and a peripheral portion of the movable contact accommodated in the through hole.

請求項６の記載において、前記透孔の平面形状を該透孔に収容される前記可動接点の平面形状と異ならせたことを特徴とするスイッチ装置。 7. The switch device according to claim 6, wherein a planar shape of the through hole is different from a planar shape of the movable contact accommodated in the through hole.