Switch device

Abstract

This switch device (1) includes: a glass layer (10); a clear layer (20) disposed on a lower surface (10b) side of the glass layer (10); a print film (30) disposed on a lower surface side of the clear layer (20); and a switch (60) disposed on a lower surface side of the print film (30). The thickness of the glass layer (10) is 20-150 μm, and the thickness of the clear layer (20) is 600-1500 μm. When the glass layer (10) is pressed, the glass layer (10), the clear layer (20), and the print film (30) are elastically deformed, and conduction and non-conduction of the switch (60) are switched.

Description

Switching device

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch device.

[0002] A known switch device includes a glass layer and a switch disposed on the underside of the glass layer, the glass layer being 20 μm to 150 μm thick. The switch has multiple contacts, including one that moves up and down. When the glass layer is pressed, the glass layer elastically deforms, switching the multiple contacts between conductive and non-conductive. In such a switch device, the glass layer must be thinned to approximately 100 μm in thickness in order to be elastically deformed. As a result, the glass layer loses its presence and a sense of depth is diminished.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-166480

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a switch device in which the presence of a glass layer is improved.

[0005] A switch device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a glass layer, a clear layer disposed on the underside of the glass layer, a printed film disposed on the underside of the clear layer, and a switch disposed on the underside of the printed film, wherein the thickness of the glass layer is 20 μm or more and 150 μm or less, and the thickness of the clear layer is 600 μm or more and 1500 μm or less, and when the glass layer is pressed, the glass layer, the clear layer, and the printed film elastically deform, causing the switch to switch between conductive and non-conductive states.

[0006] According to the disclosed technology, it is possible to provide a switch device in which the presence of the glass layer is improved.

[0007] It is a cross-sectional view illustrating the switch device according to the first embodiment. It is a plan view of the printed film shown in FIG. It is a diagram explaining the operation of the switch device according to the first embodiment. It is a diagram explaining examples and comparative examples.

[0008] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following describes the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted.

[0009] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a switch device according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the switch device 1 includes a glass layer 10, a clear layer 20, a printed film 30, a bonding layer 40, a support portion 50, and a switch 60.

[0010] The components of the switch device 1 will be described below.

[0011] [Glass Layer] The glass layer 10 has an upper surface 10a and a lower surface 10b opposite to the upper surface 10a. The upper surface 10a is a single continuous surface. The lower surface 10b is also a single continuous surface. The upper surface 10a side of the glass layer 10 forms the outermost surface of the switch device 1. The glass layer 10 preferably has high surface durability as determined by a pencil hardness test of 9H or higher and excellent dimensional stability.

[0012] The glass layer 10 is not particularly limited, and an appropriate glass layer can be adopted depending on the purpose. The glass layer 10 can be classified by composition, for example, soda-lime glass, borate glass, aluminosilicate glass, quartz glass, etc. Furthermore, the glass layer 10 can be classified by alkali component, for example, alkali-free glass or low-alkali glass. The alkali metal component (e.g., Na) of the glass can be used. ２ O.K. ２ O, Li ２ The content of O) is preferably 15% by weight or less, and more preferably 10% by weight or less.

[0013] Considering the surface hardness, airtightness, and corrosion resistance of glass, the thickness of the glass layer 10 is preferably 20 μm or more. Furthermore, because the glass layer 10 needs to have film-like flexibility and durability against repeated use, the thickness of the glass layer 10 is preferably 150 μm or less. The thickness of the glass layer 10 is more preferably 30 μm to 120 μm, and particularly preferably 50 μm to 100 μm.

[0014] The glass layer 10 preferably has a light transmittance of 85% or more at a wavelength of 550 nm. The glass layer 10 preferably has a refractive index of 1.4 to 1.65 at a wavelength of 550 nm. The glass layer 10 preferably has a density of 2.3 g / cm ３ ~3.0 g / cm３ and more preferably 2.3 g / cm ３ ~2.7g / cm ３ is.

[0015] The method for forming the glass layer 10 is not particularly limited, and an appropriate method can be adopted depending on the purpose. Typically, the glass layer 10 can be produced by melting a mixture containing a main raw material such as silica or alumina, an antifoaming agent such as mirabilite or antimony oxide, and a reducing agent such as carbon at a temperature of approximately 1400°C to 1600°C, forming it into a thin plate, and then cooling it. Examples of methods for forming the glass layer 10 include the slot downdraw method, the fusion method, and the float method. The glass layer formed into a plate shape by these methods may be chemically polished with a solvent such as hydrofluoric acid, as necessary, to make it thinner or to improve smoothness.

[0016] The glass layer 10 may be made of tempered glass. The tempered glass may be chemically tempered glass or thermally tempered glass, but chemically tempered glass having a compressive stress layer is easier to manufacture than thermally tempered glass. When the glass layer 10 is made of tempered glass, it is preferable that the compressive stress be 600 MPa or more.

[0017] Chemical strengthening refers to the process of replacing ions near the surface of a glass sheet with ions with a larger ionic radius. This ion exchange creates a compressive stress layer on the surface of the glass sheet, resulting in chemically strengthened glass. The glass composition in the compressive stress layer is different from the glass composition inside the glass.

[0018] In chemically strengthened glass, the glass plate before strengthening can be, for example, soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, aluminoborosilicate glass, etc. Soda-lime glass or soda-silicate glass is preferred, and soda-lime glass is more preferred, in that the depth of the compressive stress layer does not become too large more than necessary.

[0019] Ion exchange can be performed, for example, by substituting Li ions on the surface of the glass plate with Na ions and / or K ions. Alternatively, Na ions on the surface of the glass plate may be substituting K ions. By such ion exchange, a compressive stress layer is formed on the surface of the glass plate.

[0020] In the case of substituting Na ions with K ions, for example, a glass plate containing sodium may be brought into contact with an inorganic molten salt containing potassium nitrate. ２ CO ３ , Na ２ CO ３ , KHCO ３ , NaHCO ３ It is preferable that the solution contains at least one salt selected from the group consisting of KOH and NaOH.

[0021] A functional layer such as an antifouling layer, an anti-reflection layer, a conductive layer, a reflective layer, or a decorative layer may be provided on the upper surface 10a and / or the lower surface 10b of the glass layer 10. Braille may also be provided on the upper surface 10a of the glass layer 10. In the switch device according to this embodiment, the glass layer 10 is located on the outermost surface. Here, "the glass layer 10 is located on the outermost surface" means that the glass layer 10 is substantially located on the outermost surface. Even if an additional layer such as that described above is provided, this embodiment expresses the glass layer 10 as being located on the outermost surface.

[0022] [Clear Layer] The clear layer 20 is disposed on the lower surface 10b side of the glass layer 10. The clear layer 20 is a layer necessary for improving the presence of the glass layer 10 and providing a sense of depth when the switch device 1 is viewed from above. From the viewpoint of improving the presence of the glass layer 10 and providing a good sense of depth, the clear layer 20 is preferably 600 μm or more and 1500 μm or less. The clear layer 20 is flexible.

[0023] The clear layer 20 preferably includes a transparent adhesive layer. The clear layer 20 may be composed of, for example, only a transparent adhesive layer. The clear layer 20 may have a laminated structure of a transparent resin layer and a transparent adhesive layer. In this case, the transparent resin layer is disposed on the glass layer 10 side. The transparent resin layer may have a laminated structure of a plurality of resin layers.

[0024] When the clear layer 20 has a laminated structure of a transparent resin layer and a transparent adhesive layer, it is preferable that the thickness of the highly flexible transparent adhesive layer be thicker than that of the transparent resin layer, from the viewpoint of maintaining flexibility while improving the presence of the glass layer and providing a good sense of depth. The thickness of the transparent resin layer can be, for example, 50 μm or more and 150 μm or less. The thickness of the transparent adhesive layer can be, for example, 5 times or more the thickness of the transparent resin layer.

[0025] Examples of materials for the transparent resin layer that constitutes the clear layer 20 include polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate resins and polyethylene naphthalate resins, cycloolefin resins such as norbornene resins, polyethersulfone resins, polycarbonate resins, acrylic resins, polyolefin resins, polyimide resins, polyamide resins, polyimideamide resins, polyarylate resins, polysulfone resins, polyetherimide resins, urethane resins, etc. Examples of materials for the transparent adhesive layer that constitutes the clear layer 20 include OCA (optically transparent adhesive).

[0026] The clear layer 20 also has the function of improving the durability of the glass layer 10. Specifically, when the glass layer 10 and the clear layer 20 are laminated together, the clear layer 20 suppresses excessive deformation of the glass layer 10, which has the effect of suppressing cracking of the glass layer 10, and also realizes an appropriate amount of deformation, thereby improving the durability of the glass layer 10 when it is repeatedly elastically deformed. The amount of deformation of the glass layer 10 can be controlled by changing the thickness of the clear layer 20.

[0027] [Printed Film] The printed film 30 is disposed on the lower surface side of the clear layer 20. The printed film 30 is flexible. From the viewpoint of flexibility, the thickness of the printed film 30 can be, for example, 50 μm or more and 150 μm or less. In this case, the printed surface of the printed film 30 may be on the upper or lower surface of the film. However, if it is on the lower surface, the printed film 30 must be transparent, and there is no problem as long as it is made of the same material as the clear layer 20. If it is desired to further add the effect of a clear layer with a similar configuration, the printed surface is naturally disposed on the lower surface.

[0028] The printed film 30 is a film on which a pictorial symbol related to the operation of the switch 60 is printed in a position overlapping the switch 60 when viewed from the upper surface 10a of the glass layer 10 so that the symbol is visible. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a printed film. In the example of FIG. 2, the word "STOP" is printed on the surface of a resin film or the like. The word "STOP" can be clearly seen from the upper surface 10a of the glass layer 10 through the glass layer 10 and the clear layer 20. From the viewpoint of visibility, the visible light transmittance of the glass layer 10 and the clear layer 20 is preferably 80% or more. The visible light transmittance can be measured in accordance with JIS K7361-1.

[0029] [Bonding Layer] The bonding layer 40 bonds the printing film 30 and the support part 50. Any pressure-sensitive adhesive or adhesive can be used as the bonding layer 40. The thickness of the bonding layer 40 can be, for example, 5 μm or more and 20 mm or less.

[0030] In this specification, a pressure-sensitive adhesive refers to a layer that has adhesive properties at room temperature and adheres to an adherend with light pressure. Therefore, even when an adherend that has been stuck to the pressure-sensitive adhesive is peeled off, the pressure-sensitive adhesive retains practical adhesive strength. On the other hand, an adhesive refers to a layer that can bond substances by being interposed between them. Therefore, when an adherend that has been stuck to the adhesive is peeled off, the adhesive loses practical adhesive strength.

[0031] Examples of the adhesive include adhesives having a base polymer such as an acrylic polymer, a silicone polymer, a polyester, a polyurethane, a polyamide, a polyether, a fluorine-based polymer, or a rubber-based polymer.

[0032] Examples of adhesives include polyester adhesives, polyurethane adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol adhesives, and epoxy adhesives. If the adhesive is a thermosetting adhesive, it can exhibit peel resistance by being heated and cured (solidified). If the adhesive is a photocurable adhesive such as an ultraviolet curable adhesive, it can exhibit peel resistance by being cured by irradiating it with light such as ultraviolet light. If the adhesive is a moisture curable adhesive, it can be cured by reacting with moisture in the air, and can therefore exhibit peel resistance by being left to stand.

[0033] [Supporting Section] The supporting section 50 has, for example, a rectangular shape in a plan view. The supporting section 50 may have a shape other than a rectangular shape in a plan view. The supporting section 50 can be made of, for example, resin or metal.

[0034] The support portion 50 has an opening 50x and supports the glass layer 10 and the clear coat 20 outside the opening 50x. The opening 50x is, for example, circular in plan view. In the example of FIG. 1 , the opening 50x is a recess that opens on the upper surface side (glass layer 10 side) of the support portion 50. In the example of FIG. 1 , the opening 50x exposes the lower surface of the printed film 30. Note that the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 shows a cross section cut along a plane that passes through the center of the opening 50x and is perpendicular to the upper surface of the support portion 50.

[0035] The support portion 50 may have a plurality of openings 50x spaced apart from one another. The plurality of openings 50x may be arranged, for example, in a matrix in plan view. A switch 60 may be disposed in each of the openings 50x. Furthermore, one glass layer 10, clear layer 20, and printed film 30 may be disposed so as to cover the plurality of openings 50x. The opening diameter of the opening 50x is preferably 25 mm or greater. An opening diameter of 25 mm or greater makes it easier for the glass layer 10 and the clear layer 20 to deform toward the switch 60.

[0036] [Switch] The switch 60 is disposed on the underside of the printed film 30. The switch 60 is a switch that detects a physical change when pressed. At least a portion of the switch 60 is disposed inside the opening 50x of the support part 50. Operating the switch 60 provides a clicking sensation. In the example of FIG. 1 , the switch 60 is a tactile switch that is disposed so that a movable part faces the underside of the printed film 30.

[0037] The switch 60 is not limited to a tactile switch, and may be any switch that provides a clicking sensation, such as a membrane switch. When the switch 60 is a membrane switch, two sheets are arranged opposite each other to form a space that serves as an opening, and two terminals are arranged facing each other above and below within the opening. In other words, when the switch 60 is a membrane switch, a member that constitutes the switch serves as a support, and part of the member that constitutes the switch (two terminals) is arranged within the opening of the support.

[0038] 1, a gap is provided between the lower surface of the printed film 30 and the movable portion of the switch 60, but this gap need not be provided. It is preferable that the switch device 1 has a gap large enough to prevent the switch 60 from interfering with the flatness of the glass layer 10 and the clear layer 20.

[0039] 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the switch device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in the switch device 1, when the glass layer 10 is pressed in the direction of the arrow, the glass layer 10, the clear layer 20, and the printed film 30 elastically deform to press the movable portion of the switch 60, switching the switch 60 between conductive and non-conductive states. When the pressing of the glass layer 10 is stopped, the glass layer 10, the clear layer 20, the printed film 30, and the switch 60 return to the state shown in FIG. 1.

[0040] A member that can move up and down independently of the glass layer 10 and the clear layer 20 may be sandwiched between the switch 60 and the underside of the printed film 30. This member is supported by the support part 50 in a state that allows it to move up and down, for example, via a spring or the like. When the glass layer 10 is pressed, the glass layer 10, the clear layer 20, and the printed film 30 elastically deform to press this member, thereby switching the switch between conductive and non-conductive states.

[0041] Examples and Comparative Examples Examples and comparative examples will be specifically described below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0042] [Example 1] A support having a tactile switch arranged in an opening was prepared, and a printed film, a clear layer, and a glass layer were laminated on the support via a bonding layer to produce a switch device having a structure shown in Figure 1 and measuring 10 cm square in plan view.

[0043] The glass layer used a 50 μm thick glass film (OA-10 manufactured by Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.). The clear layer used a laminate of a 600 μm thick transparent resin layer and a transparent adhesive layer. The transparent resin layer used a 100 μm thick PET film (Cosmoshine A4160 manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.). The transparent adhesive layer used an OCA with a thickness of 500 μm. The bonding layer used an epoxy adhesive.

[0044] (Evaluation 1: Pressing Feeling) In the fabricated switch device, the glass layer was pressed to evaluate whether the switch could be pressed in. If the switch could be pressed in (if the switch switched between conductive and non-conductive), it was marked with ○, and if it could not be pressed in (if the switch did not switch between conductive and non-conductive), it was marked with ×.

[0045] (Evaluation 2: Surface Hardness) The pencil hardness of the produced switch device was measured in accordance with the pencil hardness test of JIS K 5600-5-4:1999 (with a load of 500 g). The pencil hardness, in order from softest to softest, was 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB, F, H, 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H, 6H, 7H, 8H, and 9H. Here, a pencil hardness of 9H or more was rated as ○, and a pencil hardness of less than 9H was rated as ×.

[0046] (Evaluation 3: Sense of depth) In the manufactured switch device, the characters printed on the printing film were visually observed from the glass layer side, and the presence or absence of a sense of depth was evaluated sensorily. For the sense of depth, 20 men and women were randomly selected and asked to confirm the presence or absence of depth. When 10 or more people answered that they felt depth, it was marked with ○, and when 9 or less people answered that they felt depth, it was marked with ×.

[0047] [Example 2] A switch device was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a laminate of a transparent resin layer and a transparent adhesive layer having a thickness of 1100 μm was used as the clear layer, and evaluations were performed in the same manner as in Example 1. The thickness of the transparent resin layer was 100 μm, and the thickness of the transparent adhesive layer was 1000 μm.

[0048] Example 3 A switch device was produced in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the thickness of the glass layer was set to 100 μm, and the same evaluation as in Example 2 was carried out.

[0049] [Example 4] A switch device was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the thickness of the glass layer was 100 μm and only a transparent adhesive layer having a thickness of 1500 μm was used as the clear layer, and evaluations were performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0050] [Comparative Example 1] A switch device was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the thickness of the glass layer was 100 μm and a laminate of a transparent resin layer and a transparent adhesive layer having a thickness of 150 μm was used as the clear layer, and evaluations were performed in the same manner as in Example 1. The thickness of the transparent resin layer was 100 μm, and the thickness of the transparent adhesive layer was 50 μm.

[0051] Comparative Example 2 A switch device was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the thickness of the glass layer was 100 μm and an acrylic plate with a thickness of 900 μm was used as the clear layer, and evaluations were performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0052] [Comparative Example 3] A switch device was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a laminate of a transparent resin layer and a transparent adhesive layer having a thickness of 1000 μm was used as the clear layer instead of using a glass layer, and the same evaluation was performed as in Example 1. The thickness of the transparent resin layer was 100 μm, and the thickness of the transparent adhesive layer was 900 μm.

[0053] [Evaluation Results] The results of the Examples and Comparative Examples are summarized in FIG.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, when the glass layer was included and the thickness of the clear layer was 600 μm or more and 1500 μm or less, the touch feeling, surface hardness, and sense of depth were all rated as good.

[0055] In contrast, when the clear layer was thin, as in Comparative Example 1, the push feeling and surface hardness were rated as good, but the sense of depth was rated as bad. In other words, in order to improve the presence of the glass layer and obtain a good sense of depth, a relatively thick clear layer such as those shown in Examples 1 to 4 is necessary.

[0056] Furthermore, it was found that when the clear layer is made of only a relatively thick resin, as in Comparative Example 2, flexibility is reduced, resulting in a poor pressing feeling. In other words, it is preferable that the clear layer includes a relatively soft transparent adhesive layer such as OCA.

[0057] Furthermore, in the case of Comparative Example 3 where no glass layer was provided, the outermost surface of the switch device was a clear layer, and the required surface hardness could not be obtained. In other words, the presence of a glass layer is essential.

[0058] Thus, it was found that in order to obtain good evaluation results in all of the pressing feel, surface hardness, and sense of depth, it is sufficient to provide a clear layer below the glass layer and to make the thickness of the clear layer 600 μm or more and 1500 μm or less.

[0059] It is also preferable that the clear layer be made of only OCA or a combination of a relatively thin resin and a relatively thick OCA.

[0060] Furthermore, when Example 2 and Example 3 are compared, it can be said that the thickness of the glass layer does not significantly affect the evaluation of the pressing feeling, surface hardness, and sense of depth at least in the range of 50 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0061] Although the preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0062] In addition to the above embodiments, the following supplementary notes are further disclosed. (Supplementary Note 1) A switch device comprising: a glass layer; a clear layer disposed on the underside of the glass layer; a printed film disposed on the underside of the clear layer; and a switch disposed on the underside of the printed film, wherein the thickness of the glass layer is 20 μm or more and 150 μm or less; and the thickness of the clear layer is 600 μm or more and 1500 μm or less; and when the glass layer is pressed, the glass layer, the resin layer, and the printed film elastically deform, switching the switch between conductive and non-conductive states. (Supplementary Note 2) The switch device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the clear layer includes a transparent adhesive layer. (Supplementary Note 3) The switch device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the clear layer has a laminated structure of a transparent resin layer and a transparent adhesive layer, and wherein the transparent resin layer is disposed on the glass layer side. (Supplementary Note 4) The switch device according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the transparent adhesive layer is thicker than the transparent resin layer. (Supplementary Note 5) The switch device according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the thickness of the transparent adhesive layer is 5 times or more the thickness of the transparent resin layer. (Supplementary Note 6) The switch device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 3 to 5, wherein the thickness of the transparent resin layer is 50 μm or more and 150 μm or less. (Supplementary Note 7) The switch device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, wherein the thickness of the glass layer is 50 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0063] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-055967, filed on March 29, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0064] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Switch device 10 Glass layer 10a Upper surface 10b Lower surface 20 Clear layer 30 Printed film 40 Bonding layer 50 Support portion 50x Opening 60 Switch

Claims

1. A switch device comprising: a glass layer; a clear layer disposed on the underside of the glass layer; a printed film disposed on the underside of the clear layer; and a switch disposed on the underside of the printed film, wherein the thickness of the glass layer is 20 μm or more and 150 μm or less; and the thickness of the clear layer is 600 μm or more and 1500 μm or less; and when the glass layer is pressed, the glass layer, the clear layer, and the printed film elastically deform, switching the switch between conductive and non-conductive states.

2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the clear layer includes a transparent adhesive layer.

3. The switch device according to claim 2, wherein the clear layer has a laminated structure of a transparent resin layer and a transparent adhesive layer, and the transparent resin layer is disposed on the glass layer side.

4. The switch device according to claim 3, wherein the transparent adhesive layer is thicker than the transparent resin layer.

5. The switch device according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of the transparent adhesive layer is at least five times the thickness of the transparent resin layer.

6. The switch device according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the transparent resin layer is 50 μm or more and 150 μm or less.

7. A switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the thickness of the glass layer is 50 µm or more and 100 µm or less.

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