Illuminated input device

Abstract

This illuminated input device comprises: a case; a sheet-like operation member which is provided on an upper surface of the case and has a pressing operation region including a display design; a translucent movable body which is provided below the pressing operation region inside the case so as to be movable downward in response to a pressing operation on the pressing operation region; and a light source which is provided below the movable body. The illuminated input device further comprises a suppression part which is provided below the operation member and outside the movable body so as to face the operation member with a first gap therebetween, and which suppresses leakage of light emitted by the light source from the first gap. The suppression part has a plurality of recesses which have a shape recessed downward and are arranged side by side in a direction away from the movable body.

Description

Illuminated Input Device

[0001] The present invention relates to an illuminated input device.

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of applying a light-shielding paint to a tapered surface of a locking hole in a side wall of a key top made of a light-transmissive material, for the purpose of preventing light leakage from the locking hole in the side wall of the key top.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-206944

[0004] However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the target operating member is limited to key tops, and cannot be applied to sheet-shaped operating members. Therefore, it is impossible to suppress light leakage from the gap along the edge of the sheet-shaped operating member.

[0005] An illuminated input device according to one embodiment comprises: a case; a sheet-shaped operating member provided on an upper surface of the case and having a pressing operation area including a display design; a translucent movable body provided below the pressing operation area inside the case so as to be movable downward in accordance with a pressing operation on the pressing operation area; and a light source provided below the movable body. The illuminated input device further comprises a suppressing portion provided on the lower side of the operating member and outside the movable body, facing the operating member via a first gap, for suppressing leakage of light emitted by the light source from the first gap, and the suppressing portion has a downwardly recessed shape and includes a plurality of recessed portions arranged side by side in a direction away from the movable body.

[0006] According to the illuminated input device of one embodiment, light leakage from the gap along the edge of the sheet-shaped operating member can be suppressed.

[0007] External perspective view of an illuminated input device according to one embodiment; cross-sectional view of an illuminated input device according to one embodiment; partially enlarged external perspective view of an illuminated input device according to one embodiment (with a cover sheet not shown); partially enlarged cross-sectional view of an illuminated input device according to one embodiment

[0008] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, in the following description, the X-axis direction in the drawings will be considered the front-to-back direction, the Y-axis direction will be considered the left-to-right direction, and the Z-axis direction will be considered the up-and-down direction. However, the positive X-axis direction will be considered the front direction, the positive Y-axis direction the right direction, and the positive Z-axis direction the up direction. These indicate the relative positional relationships within the device and do not limit the installation or operation direction of the device. Any device with equivalent relative positional relationships within the device, even if installed or operated in a different direction, is included within the scope of the present invention.

[0009] (Overview of Illuminated Input Device 100) Figure 1 is an external perspective view of an illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment. The illuminated input device 100 shown in Figure 1 is a device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the illuminated input device 100 has a panel 112 on the upper part of the main body 111. The panel 112 has a shape in which the central part 112A of the upper surface is recessed compared to the peripheral part 112B of the upper surface. The illuminated input device 100 has a slider 160 that can move up and down within an opening in the central part 112A of the panel 112, and above the slider is a flexible, horizontal sheet-like cover sheet 130 that covers the entire central part 112A.

[0011] The cover sheet 130 has a pressing operation area 131 including a display design 131A near the right edge 130A (positive Y-axis side). The pressing operation area 131 flexes downward (negative Z-axis direction) when pressed by an operator, thereby pressing the push switch 182 (see Figures 2 and 4) via the slider 160 (see Figures 2 to 4).

[0012] When the operator presses the press operation area 131 of the illuminated input device 100, it can output a control signal corresponding to the press operation to the control target device (e.g., audio system, car navigation system, air conditioner, electronic shifter, etc.) provided in the vehicle.

[0013] Furthermore, the illuminated input device 100 has an illumination function, which allows the display design 131A of the pressing operation area 131 to be illuminated.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, in the cover sheet 130, the roughly rectangular frame-shaped area 132 surrounding the pressing operation area 131 has a portion area 132B corresponding to one side along the edge 130A on the positive Y-axis side of the cover sheet 130, and other portions 132A corresponding to the other three sides. The other portions 132A are adhered to the upper surface of the central portion 112A of the panel 112 by double-sided tape. The portions 132B are not adhered to the upper surface of the central portion 112A of the panel 112.

[0015] A portion of the cover sheet 130, specifically area 132B, is not bonded; that is, the portion of the cover sheet 130 between the pressing operation area 131 and the edge 130A on the positive Y-axis side of the cover sheet 130 is not bonded. Furthermore, below the portion of area 132B (negative Z-axis side), there is a first gap D1 (see Figure 4) between this portion and a restraining portion 114 (see Figure 4) formed as part of the central portion 112A facing that portion. As a result, in one embodiment of the illuminated input device 100, the pressing operation area 131 is easily deflected downward (negative Z-axis direction) when pressed. Also, when not pressed, the cover sheet 130 is held in place by the other bonded portion 132A so as not to sag in the unbonded portion 132B. Note that in this example, the entire portion 132B is not bonded, but it is also acceptable for only a portion of 132B to be unbonded. In other words, it is sufficient that the area that is not bonded from the pressing operation area 131 to the edge of the cover sheet 130 (the edge portion 130A on the positive Y-axis side) is connected. This increases the degree of freedom of deformation of the sheet, making it easier for the pressing operation area 131 to bend downward. Also, although the suppression portion 114 is formed as part of the central portion 112A of the panel 112 here, it may be formed as a separate component from the panel 112.

[0016] (Configuration of Illuminated Input Device 100) Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the illuminated input device 100 comprises a case 110, a cover sheet 130, a slider 160, and a substrate 180.

[0017] The case 110 is a hollow, resin-made, container-shaped component. The case 110 houses and supports other components of the illuminated input device 100. In this embodiment, as an example, the case 110 is configured to include a main body 111, a panel 112, and a cover 113.

[0018] The main body portion 111 is a box-shaped member having an upper opening and a lower opening. In the main body portion 111, an opening 111A is formed on the lower side (negative Z-axis side) of the pressing operation area 131 of the cover sheet 130, penetrating the main body portion 111 in the vertical direction.

[0019] Panel 112 is a resin, lid-shaped member attached to the upper part of the main body 111. As described above, panel 112 has a central part 112A and a peripheral part 112B.

[0020] The cover 113 is a resin, lid-shaped member that is attached to the lower part of the main body 111 to close the lower opening of the main body 111.

[0021] The cover sheet 130 is an example of an "operating member". The cover sheet 130 is a flexible, resin-based, sheet-like member. The cover sheet 130 is placed on top of the central portion 112A of the panel 112, thereby covering the entire central portion 112A of the panel 112. As described above, the cover sheet 130 has a pressing operation area 131 including a display design 131A near the right edge 130A (positive Y-axis side).

[0022] In the cover sheet 130, the display design 131A is translucent, while the parts other than the display design 131A are not translucent. As a result, the cover sheet 130 allows light irradiated from the slider 160 onto the pressing operation area 131 to pass through the display design 131A, causing the display design 131A to emit light and allowing the operator to see the display design 131A from above the cover sheet 130 (in the positive Z-axis direction).

[0023] Because the cover sheet 130 is flexible, when an operator applies pressure to the pressing area 131, the pressing area 131 bends downward, allowing the slider 160 to be pressed by the pressing area 131.

[0024] The slider 160 is an example of a "movable body". The slider 160 is a columnar member that is held to move vertically (in the Z-axis direction) inside the case 110. Specifically, the slider 160 is provided to move vertically within an opening 111A formed on the lower side (negative Z-axis side) of the pressing operation area 131 of the cover sheet 130 in the main body portion 111 of the case 110. The lower surface of the slider 160 faces the push switch 182 provided on the substrate 180. As a result, when the pressing operation area 131 is pressed by the operator, the slider 160 moves downward (negative Z-axis direction) by being pressed by the pressing operation area 131, and can press the push switch 182.

[0025] The slider 160 is made of a transparent resin material that is translucent, and is therefore translucent. The upper surface of the slider 160 faces the display design 131A on the press operation area 131 of the cover sheet 130. The lower surface of the slider 160 faces the LED 181 provided on the substrate 180. As a result, the slider 160 can illuminate the display design 131A by guiding the light emitted by the LED 181 to the display design 131A.

[0026] The circuit board 180 is a flat, plate-shaped component made of resin, installed horizontally inside the main body 111 of the case 110. On the upper surface of the circuit board 180, an LED 181 (an example of a "light source") and a push switch 182 are provided at a position facing the lower surface of the slider 160.

[0027] (Configuration of the suppression unit 114) Figure 3 is a partially enlarged external perspective view of an illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment (with the cover sheet 130 omitted from the illustration). Figure 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the main body portion 111 of the case 110, an opening 111A is formed on the lower side (negative Z-axis side) of the pressing operation area 131 of the cover sheet 130. A slider 160 is provided within the opening 111A so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0029] Furthermore, the illuminated input device 100 has a restraining portion 114 located below the cover sheet 130 and outside the slider 160 (positive Y-axis side). The cover sheet 130 and the restraining portion 114 are not bonded to each other, and there is a first gap D1 between the cover sheet 130 and the restraining portion 114. This makes the pressing operation area 131 more flexible downwards.

[0030] The suppression portion 114 has a shape that is recessed downward (negative Z-axis direction) and has a plurality of recesses 114A arranged in parallel in the direction away from the slider 160 (positive Y-axis direction). As a result, the suppression portion 114 can suppress the leakage of light emitted by the LED 181 from the first gap D1.

[0031] Specifically, the light generated from the LED 181 propagates inside the slider 160 and irradiates the pressing operation area 131. At this time, there is a risk that some of the light propagating inside the slider 160 may leak out into the first gap D1 located outside the slider 160 (positive Y-axis side).

[0032] Here, as shown in Figure 4, a second gap D2 is formed between the edge 130A on the positive Y-axis side of the cover sheet 130 and the wall surface 112C between the central part 112A and the peripheral part 112B of the panel 112. The second gap D2 is connected to the first gap D1. Therefore, light leaking from the slider 160 into the first gap D1 may further leak out from the first gap D1 through the second gap D2 to the outside (above the second gap D2), and may be visible to the operator.

[0033] Therefore, in one embodiment of the illuminated input device 100, a suppression section 114 having a plurality of recesses 114A is provided on the lower side (negative Z-axis side) of the first gap D1. This allows light leaking from the slider 160 into the first gap D1 to be attenuated by repeatedly reflecting and propagating within the plurality of recesses 114A. Thus, in one embodiment of the illuminated input device 100, light leaking into the first gap D1 can be prevented from leaking to the outside (above the second gap D2) through the second gap D2 (an example of a "gap along the edge of the operating member"). Here, if the wall surface of the recesses 114A is made of a material with low reflectivity, light leakage is more easily suppressed.

[0034] In particular, in the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment, since the suppression unit 114 has a plurality of recesses 114A, a portion of the light that leaks from the slider 160 into the first gap D1 and does not enter the first recess 114A can be made to enter the second and subsequent recesses 114A and attenuated within those recesses 114A. Therefore, the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment can enhance the effect of light leakage to the outside.

[0035] In this embodiment, as an example, the suppression portion 114 has three rows of recesses 114A arranged in parallel in the direction away from the slider 160 (positive Y-axis direction). Furthermore, each of the three rows of recesses 114A is groove-shaped and extends in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) with a constant left-to-right width (width in the Y-axis direction). However, the number of recesses 114A and the shape of the recesses 114A are not limited to these.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example, the suppression portion 114 is formed integrally with the panel 112. However, it is not limited to this, and the suppression portion 114 may be formed integrally with other members or may be a standalone member.

[0037] Furthermore, in the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment, the operating member (cover sheet 130) is a flexible resin sheet-like member.

[0038] Thus, the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment can achieve an operating member that has high operability for pressing operations and can suppress light leakage from a gap facing the edge of the operating member.

[0039] Further, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment, the recessed portion 114A is in the form of a groove extending in a direction (X-axis direction) intersecting the direction away from the slider 160 (positive Y-axis direction).

[0040] Accordingly, in the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment, the size of the inner wall surface of the recessed portion 114A facing the traveling direction (positive Y-axis direction) of light leaked from the slider 160 can be increased, thereby making it easier for the light leaked from the slider 160 to enter the recessed portion 114A.

[0041] Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment, the depth of the recessed portion 114A is larger than the opening width of the recessed portion 114A in the direction away from the slider 160 (positive Y-axis direction).

[0042] Accordingly, the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment allows the light leaked from the slider 160 to efficiently enter the recessed portion 114A, and can increase the number of reflections of the light within the recessed portion 114A.

[0043] Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment, on the wall surface 115 facing the plurality of recessed portions 114A, the upper end portion of at least a part of the wall surface 115 has an inclined surface shape or a curved surface shape (curved surface shape in the example shown in FIG. 4).

[0044] Accordingly, the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment allows the light leaked from the slider 160 to efficiently enter the recessed portion 114A. In the present embodiment, the upper end portions of all the wall surfaces 115 are formed into a curved surface shape (or an inclined surface shape), but the effect can still be obtained even if the upper end portion of only one wall surface 115 is formed into a curved surface shape or an inclined surface shape.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, in the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment, the upper end portion of the wall surface 116 facing the slider 160 has an inclined surface shape or a curved surface shape (curved surface shape in the example shown in FIG. 4).

[0046] Accordingly, the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment can suppress leakage of light leaked from the slider 160 into the first gap D1.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment has a second gap D2 along the edge 130A of the cover sheet 130, and the first gap D1 is connected to the outside via the second gap D2.

[0048] Accordingly, the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment can suppress leakage of light leaked from the slider 160 to the outside via the first gap D1 and the second gap D2, and also makes it easier for the pressing operation area to bend when pressed.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, in the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment, the LED 181 is provided below the suppressing portion 114.

[0050] Accordingly, the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment can reflect the light leaked from the slider 160 at an acute angle with respect to the lower surface of the cover sheet 130, thereby allowing the light leaked from the slider 160 to efficiently enter the recess 114A.

[0051] Note that in the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment, the recess 114A may be in the shape of a triangular groove in which at least the surface facing the slider 160 is inclined.

[0052] Accordingly, in the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment, the inner wall surface of the recess 114A has an inclined surface facing the slider 160 side (Y-axis negative side), and the inclined surface can reflect the light that has entered the recess 114A in a direction back to the slider 160.

[0053] Furthermore, in the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment, the total opening area of ​​the plurality of recesses 114A may be 30% or more of the area of ​​the upper surface of the suppression unit 114.

[0054] As a result, the illuminated input device 100 according to one embodiment can efficiently direct the light leaking from the slider 160 into the recess 114A.

[0055] Furthermore, the gap between the upper end of the recess 114A furthest from the slider 160 and the operating member may be set to be smaller than the gap between the upper end of the closest recess 114A and the operating member.

[0056] This lowers the upper end of the recess 114A on the side closer to the slider 160, making it easier to flex the operating member while suppressing light leakage.

[0057] Furthermore, at least some of the multiple recesses 114A may have a through-hole on the bottom surface, either partially or entirely.

[0058] As a result, some of the light that enters the recess 114A escapes downwards, reducing the amount of light returning to the first gap D1 and thus reducing the amount of light propagating to the second gap D2.

[0059] Furthermore, the multiple wall surfaces 115 facing the multiple recesses 114A may have a height that gradually increases in the direction away from the slider 160 (positive Y-axis direction).

[0060] As a result, in one embodiment of the illuminated input device 100, the light leaking from the slider 160 can be more easily directed into the recess 114A by the wall surface 115 as it moves further away from the slider 160.

[0061] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims.

[0062] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-054503, filed on 27 March 2025, and the entire contents of said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0063] 100 Illuminated input device 110 Case 111 Main body 111A Opening 112 Panel 112A Central part 112B Peripheral part 112C Wall surface 113 Cover 114 Retaining part 114A Recess 115 Wall surface 116 Wall surface 130 Cover sheet (operating member) 130A Edge 131 Press operation area 131A Display design 132 Frame-shaped area 132A Other part area 132B Part area 160 Slider (movable body) 180 Substrate 181 LED (light source) 182 Push switch D1 First gap D2 Second gap

Claims

1. An illuminated input device comprising: a case; a sheet-like operating member provided on the upper surface of the case and having a pressing operation area including a display design; a light-transmitting movable body provided inside the case below the pressing operation area and movable downward in accordance with the pressing operation of the pressing operation area; and a light source provided below the movable body, wherein the device further comprises a suppression part provided below the operating member and outside the movable body, facing the operating member via a first gap, and suppressing the leakage of light emitted from the light source through the first gap, the suppression part having a shape that is recessed downward and having a plurality of recesses arranged in a direction away from the movable body.

2. The illuminated input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating member is a flexible resin sheet-like member.

3. The illuminated input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess is groove-shaped and extends in a direction intersecting the direction away from the movable body.

4. The illuminated input device according to claim 3, characterized in that the depth of the recess is greater than the opening width of the recess in the direction away from the movable body.

5. The illuminated input device according to claim 3, characterized in that, in the wall surface facing the plurality of recesses, at least one of the upper ends of the wall surface has an inclined surface shape or a curved surface shape.

6. The illuminated input device according to claim 3, characterized in that the upper end of the wall surface facing the movable body has an inclined surface or a curved surface.

7. The illuminated input device according to claim 3, characterized in that the recess is triangular groove-shaped with at least one surface facing the movable body side being inclined.

8. The illuminated input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the total opening area of ​​the plurality of recesses is 30% or more of the area of ​​the upper surface of the suppression portion.

9. The illuminated input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a second gap along the edge of the operating member, and the first gap is connected to the outside through the second gap.

10. The illuminated input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the operating member has a portion of the area surrounding the pressing operation area bonded to it, and another portion of the area surrounding the pressing operation area not bonded to it, and the first gap is formed by the portion of the operating member not being bonded to it.

11. The illuminated input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light source is provided below the suppression unit.

12. The illuminated input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the gap between the upper end of the recess furthest from the movable body and the operating member is smaller than the gap between the upper end of the recess closest to the operating member.

13. The illuminated input device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of recesses has a through hole in part or all of its bottom surface.

14. The illuminated input device according to claim 3, characterized in that the height of the top of the multiple wall surfaces facing the multiple recesses gradually increases in the direction away from the movable body.

Images