ILLUMINATION TYPE KEY SHEET AND PUSH BUTTON SWITCH

• US 20110226595A1
• Filed: 11/25/2009
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Polymatech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Polymatech Company Limited
• Inventors: Arai, Masami, Kimura, Tohru
• Application Number:
  US13/131,075
• Publication Number:
  US 20110226595A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/314
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/039 Selective or different modes of illumination
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/06 Reflector
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/064 Optical isolation of switch sites

Abstract

The present invention provides a technique that can divide and illuminate display elements juxtaposed in one key top for each use function. Areas divided by the dividing portions of the attenuation means in the projection surface of the key top can be respectively illuminated by backlights from different LEDs, so each divided area can be individually controlled and illuminated. Therefore, it is possible to realize a key sheet in which display elements juxtaposed in one key top are divided for each use function and illuminated.

Claims

1. An illumination type key sheet which includes a base sheet formed of a light guiding sheet and light-transparent key tops firmly fixed to an operation surface side of the base sheet and in which a display element showing an operation function of a key top can be illuminated by backlight,

wherein the base sheet is a light guiding sheet which includes a light guiding means for transmitting light and an attenuation means for attenuating or reflecting light and in which the attenuation means divides the light guiding means into a plurality of illumination areas for transmitting light, and

a plurality of display elements showing a plurality of operation functions included in one key top are illuminated from an illumination area corresponding to each display element.

2. The illumination type key sheet according to claim 1, wherein the attenuation means divides a key top according to a plurality of illumination areas and the attenuation means divides the illumination area along a light emitting direction from a light source.

3. The illumination type key sheet according to claim 1, wherein a transparent resin film is provided on the operation surface side of the base sheet.

4. The illumination type key sheet according to claim 1, wherein a blindfold portion covering the attenuation means is provided on the operation surface side of the base sheet.

5. The illumination type key sheet according to claim 1, wherein a light color layer is provided between the light guiding means and the attenuation means.

6. The illumination type key sheet according to claim 1, wherein a resin film is provided between the light guiding means and the attenuation means.

7. A push button switch comprising:

an illumination type key sheet which includes a base sheet formed of a light guiding sheet and light-transparent key top firmly fixed to an operation surface side of the base sheet and in which a display element showing an operation function of a key top can be illuminated by backlight; and

a circuit board including a plurality of internal light sources,

wherein the base sheet is a light guiding sheet which includes a light guiding means for transmitting light and an attenuation means for attenuating or reflecting light and in which the attenuation means divides the light guiding means into a plurality of illumination areas for transmitting light, and

a plurality of display elements showing a plurality of operation functions included in one key top are illuminated from an illumination area corresponding to each display element.