Input device having illuminating function

Abstract

An input device having an illumination function includes a wiring board 1 having a predetermined wiring pattern thereon containing a fixed contact point 1a, a light-emitting diode 2, a planar light-guide plate 5 for guiding emission light from the light-emitting diode 2 in a direction along a surface, a metal dome 6 serving as a movable contact, and a cover sheet 8 having an actuator 7 thereon to be used to press the metal dome 6. The wiring board 1 is manufactured of a white translucent material. The planar light-guide plate 5 includes a plurality of prism grooves 11 arranged in stripes on the surface thereof, and on a predetermined portion thereof a through-hole 14 for housing the metal dome. An air layer 16 is arranged between the prism bearing surface of the planar light-guide plate 5 and the cover sheet 8. The metal dome 6 reflects the emission light directed within the through-hole, toward the side of the cover sheet 8.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an input device with an illuminating function included in a mobile phone, etc., and particularly relates to a mechanism for uniformly illuminating the entire input device with a small number of light sources. Background technique [0002] Conventionally, as an input device with an illuminating function in a mobile phone, such as Figure 9 As shown, the following device is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1), which has: a printed circuit board 101 formed with a desired wiring pattern; A light guide part 102 on one surface of the substrate 101; a plurality of light emitting diodes 103 arranged on the side of the light guide part 102; a dome-shaped metal spring contact 105 as a movable contact of a button switch, the dome Shaped metal spring contact 105 is accommodated in the cavity (through hole) 104 that is offered on the light guide member 102; On the part opposite to dome shape metal spring contact 105, the...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] However, in the input device with illumination function of the above-mentioned disclosed example, a plurality of cavities (through holes) 104 for accommodating the dome-shaped metal spring contacts 105 are opened on the light guide member 102. The emitted light is uniformly guided over a wide range, and in order to uniformly illuminate all the button parts 108, a plurality (six in the disclosed example) of light emitting diodes is required.

Therefore, there are problems to be solved as follows: the number of parts and the number of assembly man-hours increase to increase the manufacturing cost of the device; the size of the device is increased; and the power consumption is large.

However, the cost of EL components is high, it is easy to generate electromagnetic noise, and the reliability of long-term use is low

In addition, since the contact part is operated from above the EL element, there is a problem that the operating feeling of the button part 108 is deteriorated, and the EL element is more likely to wear out.

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