JPH08161960A - Illuminating thin keyboard - Google Patents
Illuminating thin keyboardInfo
- Publication number
- JPH08161960A JPH08161960A JP6300809A JP30080994A JPH08161960A JP H08161960 A JPH08161960 A JP H08161960A JP 6300809 A JP6300809 A JP 6300809A JP 30080994 A JP30080994 A JP 30080994A JP H08161960 A JPH08161960 A JP H08161960A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- light
- light guide
- slit
- housing
- key top
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Landscapes
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【産業上の利用分野】この発明は例えばノート型パーソ
ナルコンピュータに利用することができる照光式薄型キ
ィーボードに関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an illuminated thin key board that can be used in, for example, a notebook personal computer.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】従来よりノート型パーソナルコンピュー
タのように小型機器に用いられるキィーボードは小型化
のために薄型化されている。このため例えば英数入力と
カナ入力の切換え或いはその他の切換えを行う機能切換
キィーに、その切換モードを表示するために照光機能を
内蔵した例は少ない。2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a key board used for a small device such as a notebook personal computer has been thinned for downsizing. For this reason, for example, there are few examples in which a function switching key for switching between alphanumeric input and kana input or other switching has an illumination function for displaying the switching mode.
【０００３】また仮に照光機能を内蔵させたとしても、
薄型化のために光が外部に洩れ、隣接するキィートップ
の側面を照明してしまう等の不都合がある。図３に従来
の照光式薄型キィーボードの構造を示す。図中１はキィ
ーボードを構成するハウジング、２はキィーボードを構
成する底面板、３はこの底面板２とハウジング１との間
に支持された配線板を示す。この配線板３は一般に可撓
性シートを貼り合わせて構成され、その貼り合わせた面
にスイッチを構成する接点が設けられ、この接点をキィ
ートップ４で押下操作される復帰用ゴム５に形成された
突起５Ａによって押圧することにより接点信号を発生さ
せる構造とされる。Even if the illumination function is built in,
Due to the thinness, light leaks to the outside and illuminates the side surface of the adjacent key top. FIG. 3 shows the structure of a conventional illuminated thin key board. In the figure, 1 is a housing which constitutes a key board, 2 is a bottom plate which constitutes the key board, and 3 is a wiring board which is supported between the bottom plate 2 and the housing 1. This wiring board 3 is generally constructed by laminating flexible sheets, and a contact point which constitutes a switch is provided on the pasted surface, and this contact point is formed on the restoring rubber 5 which is pressed by the key top 4. The contact signal is generated by pressing the protrusion 5A.
【０００４】キィートップ４には窓が形成され、この窓
に光透過性樹脂材からなる導光体６が埋め込まれる。導
光体６の裏面と対向してハウジング１に孔ＨＯＬが形成
され、孔ＨＯＬの真下の位置に発光素子７が配線板３上
に実装される。発光素子７を発光させるか否かにより導
光体６の裏面に光を照射させ、導光体６を光らせるか、
暗くさせるかによって切換状態を表示させている。A window is formed in the key top 4, and a light guide 6 made of a light transmissive resin material is embedded in the window. A hole HOL is formed in the housing 1 so as to face the back surface of the light guide 6, and the light emitting element 7 is mounted on the wiring board 3 at a position directly below the hole HOL. Whether the light guide element 6 is illuminated by irradiating the back surface of the light guide body 6 with light depending on whether or not the light emitting element 7 emits light,
The switching status is displayed depending on whether it is dark or not.
【０００５】なお、キィートップ４は図４に示すように
爪４Ａを有し、この爪４Ａがハウジング１に形成した孔
に係合して抜け止めされている。The key top 4 has a claw 4A as shown in FIG. 4, and the claw 4A is engaged with a hole formed in the housing 1 to prevent the key top 4 from coming off.
【０００６】[0006]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】従来の照光機能付キィ
ーボードではキィートップ４に埋め込んだ導光体６は薄
型化するために下向きに突出させることなくキィートッ
プ４の裏面に沿わせて配置し、受光面積を大きく採り、
導光体６を明るく光らせるように工夫しているが、必ず
しも明るく光らない欠点がある。In the conventional key board with an illumination function, the light guide 6 embedded in the key top 4 is arranged along the back surface of the key top 4 without being projected downward in order to make it thinner. , Taking a large light receiving area,
Although the light guide body 6 is devised so as to shine brightly, there is a drawback that it does not always shine brightly.
【０００７】またキィーボードの薄型化のためにボード
面１と底面板２との間の間隔を小さくするから、発光素
子７が孔ＨＯＬに接近し、これがために、発光素子７の
光は孔ＨＯＬから広い範囲に照射される。この結果、キ
ィートップ４とハウジング１との間の間隔から光が洩
れ、隣接するキィートップの側面に光が当たり、他のキ
ィートップを照明してしまう不都合が生じる。Further, since the distance between the board surface 1 and the bottom plate 2 is reduced to make the key board thinner, the light emitting element 7 approaches the hole HOL, which causes the light of the light emitting element 7 to be a hole. Irradiates a wide range from the HOL. As a result, light leaks from the gap between the keytop 4 and the housing 1, and the light hits the side surface of the adjacent keytop, illuminating another keytop.
【０００８】この発明の目的は、導光体６を明るく光ら
せることができ、しかも他のキィートップに光が洩れる
ことのない照光式薄型キィーボードを提供しようとする
ものである。An object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated thin key board which can make the light guide 6 shine brightly and which does not leak light to other key tops.
【０００９】[0009]
【課題を解決するための手段】この発明では導光体を下
方に延長させ、導光体と発光素子との間の距離を小さく
すると共に、ハウジングに形成する孔をキィートップの
最寄りの側縁と平行するスリット状とし、スリットを通
すことにより光を直進性のよい光に集束させ、この集束
された光を導光体の端面にほぼ垂直に入射させる構成と
したものである。According to the present invention, the light guide is extended downward to reduce the distance between the light guide and the light emitting element, and the hole formed in the housing is provided with a side edge closest to the key top. It is configured such that it has a slit shape parallel to the above, and that the light is focused into light having a good straightness by passing through the slit, and the focused light is made to enter the end face of the light guide substantially vertically.
【００１０】この発明では更に、スリットの側縁にキィ
ートップの突出側に突出させて壁を形成し、この壁の形
成によって光が他のキィートップ側に洩れない構造とし
た点も提案するものである。この発明の構成によれば、
発光素子から出射した光はハウジングに形成したスリッ
トを通過することにより直進する光だけに絞られる。こ
の結果、キィートップの裏面に配置した導光体の端面に
垂直に光を入射させることができる。更にこの発明では
導光体を下向きに突出延長させたから、導光体に入射す
る光の量を多くすることができる。よって導光体の表面
側を明るく光らせることができる。The present invention further proposes that a wall is formed at the side edge of the slit so as to project to the protruding side of the keytop, and the wall is formed so that light does not leak to other keytops. Is. According to the configuration of the present invention,
The light emitted from the light emitting element passes through the slit formed in the housing and is thus limited to only the light that travels straight. As a result, it is possible to make light enter perpendicularly to the end surface of the light guide disposed on the back surface of the key top. Further, in the present invention, since the light guide body is extended so as to project downward, the amount of light incident on the light guide body can be increased. Therefore, the front surface side of the light guide can be brightly illuminated.
【００１１】更に、発光素子から出射された光はスリッ
トにより直進する光に集束させたから、外部に洩れる光
の量を少なくすることができる。特にスリットに沿って
壁を形成することにより、外部に洩れる光の量を更に少
なくすることができる利点が得られる。Further, since the light emitted from the light emitting element is focused by the slit into the light which goes straight, the amount of light leaking to the outside can be reduced. In particular, forming the wall along the slit has an advantage that the amount of light leaking to the outside can be further reduced.
【００１２】[0012]
【実施例】図１にこの発明の一実施例を示す。図３と対
応する部分には同一符号を付して示す。この発明ではキ
ィートップ４に埋め込む導光体６を下向きに突出延長さ
せる。この突出量はキィートップ４の周縁より下側に突
出しない程度に選定する。ハウジング１にはスリット８
を形成する。このスリット８は図２に示すようにキィー
トップ４の最寄りの側縁４Ｂに沿って、キィートップ４
の幅に近い程度に長く形成する。スリット８の下側に光
源７を配置する。この例では角形の発光部を持つ発光ダ
イオードを用いた場合を示す。キィートップ４の表側に
露出する導光体６の形状は例えばスリット８の形状に近
い横長形状とされる。FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. Portions corresponding to those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals. In the present invention, the light guide 6 embedded in the key top 4 is extended downward by projecting. This protrusion amount is selected so that it does not protrude below the peripheral edge of the key top 4. Slits 8 in housing 1
To form. As shown in FIG. 2, the slit 8 is formed along the side edge 4B of the key top 4 which is the closest to the key top 4.
It is formed as long as it is close to the width. The light source 7 is arranged below the slit 8. In this example, a light emitting diode having a prismatic light emitting portion is used. The shape of the light guide 6 exposed on the front side of the key top 4 is, for example, a horizontally long shape close to the shape of the slit 8.
【００１３】この発明では更に、スリット８の側縁に沿
って壁９を形成する。この壁９の形成位置はスリット８
からキィートップ４の最寄りの側縁４Ｂに近い側の縁に
沿って形成する。なお、導光体６に例えばアルミの粉末
のような拡散材を混入して成形することにより、導光体
６の全体を均一の明るさで光らせることができる。In the present invention, the wall 9 is further formed along the side edge of the slit 8. The position where this wall 9 is formed is the slit 8
From the key top 4 is formed along the edge on the side closer to the nearest side edge 4B. It should be noted that, by mixing the light guide body 6 with a diffusing material such as aluminum powder and molding the light guide body 6, the entire light guide body 6 can be made to shine with uniform brightness.
【００１４】[0014]
【発明の効果】上述したこの発明の構成によれば、導光
体６を下向きに突出延長したから導光体６の下端と光源
７との間の間隔Ｌを短くすることができる。この結果、
導光体６に入射する光の量を多くすることができる。更
に、ハウジング１にスリット８を形成したから、発光素
子７から出射した光はスリット８で直進する光に制限さ
れる。これにより、光は外部に拡散することなく直進し
て導光体６に入射することができる。光が導光体６の端
面にほぼ垂直に入射するとき、導光体６に最も効率よく
光が取り込まれる。従って、これらの作用によって導光
体６を明るく光らせることができる。According to the above-described structure of the present invention, since the light guide 6 is projected and extended downward, the distance L between the lower end of the light guide 6 and the light source 7 can be shortened. As a result,
The amount of light incident on the light guide 6 can be increased. Further, since the slit 8 is formed in the housing 1, the light emitted from the light emitting element 7 is limited to the light which goes straight through the slit 8. As a result, the light can go straight to the light guide 6 without being diffused to the outside. When the light is incident on the end surface of the light guide 6 substantially perpendicularly, the light is most efficiently taken into the light guide 6. Therefore, the light guide 6 can be made to shine brightly by these actions.
【００１５】更に、スリット８によって直進する光に制
限したから、光がキィートップ４の外側に洩れ難くな
る。特に壁９を形成することにより、壁９によって光を
遮るから光がキィートップ４の外側に洩れる量を大きく
制限することができ、他のキィートップを照明するよう
な現象を抑えることができる。Further, since the light which travels straight is limited by the slit 8, it becomes difficult for the light to leak to the outside of the key top 4. In particular, by forming the wall 9, the light is blocked by the wall 9, so that the amount of light leaking to the outside of the keytop 4 can be greatly limited, and the phenomenon of illuminating another keytop can be suppressed.
【図１】この発明の一実施例を示す断面図。FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
【図２】この発明の要部の構造を説明するための平面
図。FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining the structure of the main part of the present invention.
【図３】従来の技術を説明するための断面図。FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a conventional technique.
【図４】キィートップの構造を説明するための断面図。FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of the key top.
１ ハウジング ２ 底面板 ３ 配線板 ４ キィートップ ５ 復帰用ゴム ６ 導光体 ７ 発光素子 ８ スリット ９ 壁 1 Housing 2 Bottom Plate 3 Wiring Board 4 Key Top 5 Rubber for Restoration 6 Light Guide 7 Light Emitting Element 8 Slit 9 Wall
Claims (2)
キィートップと、上記ハウジングの下部に設けられた配
線板と、この配線板に装着され上記キィートップの操作
によって接点信号を発信するスイッチとによって構成さ
れるキィーボードにおいて、 Ｂ．上記キィートップの一部の面に形成された孔に埋め
込まれ、上記ハウジングに向かって延長形成された導光
体と、 Ｃ．この導光体の下端と対向して上記ハウジングに形成
したスリットと、 Ｅ．このスリットの位置と対向する上記配線板の位置に
実装された発光素子と、 によって構成したことを特徴とする照光式薄型キィーボ
ード。1. A. First Embodiment In a key board including a key top supported so as to be freely pushed into a housing, a wiring board provided at a lower portion of the housing, and a switch mounted on the wiring board and transmitting a contact signal by operating the key top, , B. A light guide body that is embedded in a hole formed in a part of the surface of the key top and extends toward the housing; A slit formed in the housing facing the lower end of the light guide, E. An illuminated thin key board comprising a light emitting element mounted at a position of the wiring board facing the position of the slit.
りの側縁に近い側の辺に沿って上記キィートップの突出
方向に突出した壁を形成したことを特徴とする請求項１
記載の照光式薄型キィーボート。2. A wall projecting in a projecting direction of the key top is formed along a side of the slit near a side edge closest to the key top.
Illuminated thin key boat described.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP30080994A JP3257305B2 (en) | 1994-12-05 | 1994-12-05 | Illuminated thin key board |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP30080994A JP3257305B2 (en) | 1994-12-05 | 1994-12-05 | Illuminated thin key board |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH08161960A true JPH08161960A (en) | 1996-06-21 |
| JP3257305B2 JP3257305B2 (en) | 2002-02-18 |
Family
ID=17889369
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP30080994A Expired - Fee Related JP3257305B2 (en) | 1994-12-05 | 1994-12-05 | Illuminated thin key board |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3257305B2 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2007280780A (en) * | 2006-04-07 | 2007-10-25 | Calsonic Kansei Corp | Push type switch |
| CN101789320A (en) * | 2010-03-12 | 2010-07-28 | 上海向隆电子科技有限公司 | Key device with variable luminous intensity |
| JP2011124157A (en) * | 2009-12-11 | 2011-06-23 | Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd | Installation structure of light-emitting element in keyboard device |
| CN103903894A (en) * | 2014-03-19 | 2014-07-02 | 淮安达方电子有限公司 | Keyboard |
-
1994
- 1994-12-05 JP JP30080994A patent/JP3257305B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2007280780A (en) * | 2006-04-07 | 2007-10-25 | Calsonic Kansei Corp | Push type switch |
| JP2011124157A (en) * | 2009-12-11 | 2011-06-23 | Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd | Installation structure of light-emitting element in keyboard device |
| CN101789320A (en) * | 2010-03-12 | 2010-07-28 | 上海向隆电子科技有限公司 | Key device with variable luminous intensity |
| CN103903894A (en) * | 2014-03-19 | 2014-07-02 | 淮安达方电子有限公司 | Keyboard |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP3257305B2 (en) | 2002-02-18 |
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