Panel and touchpad

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10133371-B2
Application number	US-201615352015-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 15, 2016
Priority date	Nov 30, 2015
Publication date	Nov 20, 2018
Grant date	Nov 20, 2018

Abstract

A panel includes a light-transmissive main body including an upper portion and a plurality of side portions contiguous with the upper portion, a recess being formed at a border between an inner surface of the upper portion and an inner surface of at least one of the plurality of side portions, and a light-blocking part formed in the recess and on an inner surface of the main body except a design part that transmits light, the light-blocking part being configured to block light.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A panel, comprising:
a light-transmissive main body comprising an upper portion and a plurality of side portions contiguous with the upper portion,
a recess being formed at a border between an inner surface of the upper portion and an inner surface of at least one of the plurality of side portions; and
a light-blocking part having a portion formed within the recess and a portion formed on an inner surface of the main body, the light-blocking part being configured to block light except for a design part included within the portion formed on the inner surface of the main body that transmits light,
wherein the recess increases the thickness of the light blocking part at the border between the inner surface of the upper portion and the inner surface of at least one of the plurality of side portions.

2. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the recess is formed in a portion of the border including the border closest to a light source part configured to output light.

3. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein in the recess the upper portion and the side portions are thinner than those in a position other than the recess.

4. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the portion of the light-blocking part within the recess fills the recess such that the recess blocks light.

5. A touchpad, comprising: a panel comprising:
a light-transmissive main body comprising an upper portion and a plurality of side portions contiguous with the upper portion,
a recess being formed at a border between an inner surface of the upper portion and an inner surface of at least one of the plurality of side portions; and
a light-blocking part having a portion formed within the recess and a portion formed on an inner surface of the main body, the light-blocking part being configured to block light except for a design part included within the portion formed on the inner surface of the main body that transmits light;
a detector configured to detect a touch operation made on a front surface of the upper portion;
a substrate disposed on an inner side of the panel,
the detector being disposed on the substrate; and a light source part disposed on the substrate in a periphery of the detector, the light source part being configured to output light,
wherein the recess increases the thickness of the light blocking part at the border between the inner surface of the upper portion and the inner surface of at least one of the plurality of side portions.

6. The touchpad according to claim 5 , further comprising a light guide disposed between the upper portion and the substrate, the light guide being configured to guide light output from the light source part to illuminate the upper portion.

7. The touchpad according to claim 6 , wherein the recess is formed in a portion of the border including the border closest to the light source part.

8. The touchpad according to claim 5 , wherein the recess is formed in a portion of the border including the border closest to the light source part.

9. The touchpad according to claim 5 , wherein in the recess the upper portion and the side portions are thinner than those in a position other than the recess.

10. The panel according to claim 5 , wherein the portion of the light-blocking part within the recess fills the recess such that the recess blocks light.

11. A method for forming a panel comprising a light-transmissive main body comprising an upper portion and a plurality of side portions contiguous with the upper portion, a recess being formed at a border between an inner surface of the upper portion and an inner surface of at least one of the plurality of side portions; and a light-blocking part including a design part, wherein all of the light-blocking part is configured to block light except for the design part, comprising the steps of:
applying a portion of the light-blocking part that includes the design part over an inner surface of the main body, and
filling the recess with the light-blocking part such that the recess blocks light,
wherein the recess increases the thickness of the light blocking part at the border where the light-blocking part is applied.

Assignees

• Tokai Rika Co Ltd

Inventors

• Fujimoto Takeshi

Classifications

• H01H13/83

  characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements · CPC title

• H01H9/182

  Illumination of the symbols or distinguishing marks (H01H9/181 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01H2003/0293

  with an integrated touch switch · CPC title

• H01H9/18

  Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks · CPC title

• H01H2239/074

  Actuation by finger touch · CPC title