EL sheet diaphragm and a switch using the same

Claim 2

An EL sheet diaphragm comprising a diffusion type EL sheet having a diaphragm portion exhibiting a dome shape and a flange supporting portion disposed about the outer circumference of said diffusion type EL sheet, said diffusion type EL sheet comprising: a transparent film having an upper surface and a lower surface, a transparent electrode layer formed on said lower surface of said transparent film, a light emitting layer formed on said transparent electrode layer, a dielectric layer formed on said light emitting layer, a rear electrode layer formed on said dielectric layer, and an insulating layer formed on said rear electrode layer, said diffusion type EL sheet emitting light from at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) the entire area of said EL sheet, (ii) the diaphragm portion only, and (iii) the entire area of said diaphragm portion and an area surrounding said diaphragm portion of said upper surface of said transparent film, said diffusion type EL sheet bowing outwardly in an at-rest state such that said upper surface of said transparent film exhibits a convex shape, said diffusion type EL sheet bowing inwardly when depressed for operation such that said upper surface of said transparent film exhibits a concave shape.

Claim 3

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 1, wherein said transparent electrode layer is formed by printing and drying a paste which is prepared by dispersing conductive powders that have a visible light transmittance in an insulating resin, or in a resin solution containing an insulating resin.

Claim 4

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 2, wherein a binder resin used for said light emitting layer and said dielectric layer is selected from vinylidene fluoride rubber, vinylidene fluoride copolymer rubber, a resin prepared by blending cyanated pullulan and cyanated polyvinyl alcohol, or a resin prepared by blending cyanated cellulose and cyanated polyvinyl alcohol.

Claim 5

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 3, wherein said transparent film comprises polyethylene terephthalate, and said diaphragm portion is molded by heating said EL sheet comprising said transparent film to 70° to 180° C., or heating a mold for said diaphragm portion to 70° to 180° C.

Claim 6

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 4, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 7

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 3, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 8

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 2, wherein said transparent film comprises polyethylene terephthalate, and said diaphragm portion is molded by heating said EL sheet comprising said transparent film to 70° to 180° C., or heating a mold for said diaphragm portion to 70° to 180° C.

Claim 9

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 7, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 10

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 2, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 11

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 1, wherein a binder resin used for said light emitting layer and said dielectric layer is selected from a vinylidene fluoride rubber, vinylidene fluoride copolymer rubber, a resin prepared by blending cyanated pullulan and cyanated polyvinyl alcohol, or a resin prepared by blending cyanated cellulose and cyanated polyvinyl alcohol.

Claim 12

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 10, wherein said transparent film comprises polyethylene terephthalate, and said diaphragm portion is molded by heating said EL sheet comprising said transparent film to 70° to 180° C., or heating a mold for said diaphragm portion to 70° to 180° C.

Claim 13

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 11, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 14

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 10, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 15

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 1, wherein said transparent film comprises polyethylene terephthalate, and said diaphragm portion is molded by heating said EL sheet comprising said transparent film to 70° to 180° C., or heating a mold for said diaphragm portion to 70° to 180° C.

Claim 16

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 14, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 17

An EL sheet diaphragm of claim 1, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 18

A switch comprising an EL sheet diaphragm including a diffusion type EL sheet having a diaphragm portion exhibiting a dome shape and a flange supporting portion disposed about the outer circumference of said diffusion type EL sheet, said diffusion type EL sheet comprising: a transparent film having an upper surface and a lower surface, a transparent electrode layer formed on said lower surface of said transparent film, a light emitting layer formed on said transparent electrode layer, a dielectric layer formed on said light emitting layer, a rear electrode layer formed on said dielectric layer, and an insulating layer formed on said rear electrode layer, said diffusion type EL sheet emitting light from at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) the entire area of said EL sheet, (ii) the diaphragm portion only, and (iii) the entire area of said diaphragm portion and an area surrounding said diaphragm portion of said upper surface of said transparent film, said diffusion type EL sheet bowing outwardly in an at-rest state such that said upper surface of said transparent film exhibits a convex shape, said diffusion type EL sheet bowing inwardly when depressed for operation such that said upper surface of said transparent film exhibits a concave shape, said switch further comprising a membrane switch disposed below said EL sheet diaphragm, said membrane switch being contacted by said EL sheet diaphragm when said EL sheet diaphragm is depressed.

Claim 19

A switch comprising an EL sheet diaphragm including a diffusion type EL sheet having a diaphragm portion exhibiting a dome shape and a flange supporting portion disposed about the outer circumference of said diffusion type EL sheet, said diffusion type EL sheet comprising: a transparent film having an upper surface and a lower surface, a transparent electrode layer formed on said lower surface of said transparent film, a light emitting layer formed on said transparent electrode layer, a dielectric layer formed on said light emitting layer, a rear electrode layer formed on said dielectric layer, and an insulating layer formed on said rear electrode layer, said diffusion type EL sheet emitting light from at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) the entire area of said EL sheet, (ii) the diaphragm portion only, and (iii) the entire area of said diaphragm portion and an area surrounding said diaphragm portion of said upper surface of said transparent film, said diffusion type EL sheet bowing outwardly in an at-rest state such that said upper surface of said transparent film exhibits a convex shape, said diffusion type EL sheet bowing inwardly when depressed for operation such that said upper surface of said transparent film exhibits a concave shape, said switch further comprising a membrane switch disposed below said EL sheet diaphragm, said membrane switch being contacted by said EL sheet diaphragm when said EL sheet diaphragm is depressed.

Claim 20

A switch according to claim 17, wherein said transparent film comprises polyethylene terephthalate, and said diaphragm portion is molded by heating said EL sheet comprising said transparent film to 70° to 180° C., or heating a mold for said diaphragm portion to 70° to 180° C.

Claim 21

A switch according to claim 18, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 22

A switch according to claim 17, wherein said transparent electrode layer is formed by printing and drying a paste which is prepared by dispersing conductive powders that have a visible light transmittance in an insulating resin or in a resin solution containing an insulating resin.

Claim 23

A switch according to claim 20, wherein said transparent film comprises polyethylene terephthalate, and said diaphragm portion is molded by heating said EL sheet comprising said transparent film to 70° to 180° C., or heating a mold for said diaphragm portion to 70° to 180° C.

Claim 24

A switch according to claim 21, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 25

A switch according to claim 20, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 26

A switch according to claim 17, wherein a binder resin used for said light emitting layer and said dielectric layer is selected from a vinylidene fluoride rubber, vinylidene fluoride copolymer rubber, a resin prepared by blending cyanated pullulan and cyanated polyvinyl alcohol, or a resin prepared by blending cyanated cellulose and cyanated polyvinyl alcohol.

Claim 27

A switch according to claim 24, wherein said transparent film comprises polyethylene terephthalate, and said diaphragm portion is molded by heating said EL sheet comprising said transparent film to 70° to 180° C., or heating a mold for said diaphragm portion to 70° to 180° C.

Claim 28

A switch according to claim 25, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 29

A switch according to claim 24, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 30

A switch according to claim 17, wherein said transparent electrode layer is formed by printing and drying a paste which is prepared by dispersing conductive powders that have a visible light transmittance in an insulating resin, or in a resin solution containing an insulating resin and wherein a binder resin used for said light emitting layer and said dielectric layer is selected from vinylidene fluoride rubber, vinylidene fluoride copolymer rubber, a resin prepared by blending cyanated pullulan and cyanated polyvinyl alcohol, or a resin prepared by blending cyanated cellulose and cyanated polyvinyl alcohol.

Claim 31

A switch according to claim 28, wherein said transparent film comprises polyethylene terephthalate, and said diaphragm portion is molded by heating said EL sheet comprising said transparent film to 70° to 180° C., or heating a mold for said diaphragm portion to 70° to 180° C.

Claim 32

A switch according to claim 29, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 33

A switch according to claim 28, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 34

A switch according to claim 17, wherein at least one color of light is emitted from said light emitting layer of said EL sheet, and said transparent film is colored, a color paint is applied to said transparent film, or a color film is placed on a convex surface of said EL sheet diaphragm so that said color of light emitted by said EL sheet is at least partly changed.

Claim 35

A switch comprising an EL sheet diaphragm including a diffusion type EL sheet having a diaphragm portion exhibiting a dome shape and a flange supporting portion disposed about the outer circumference of said diffusion type EL sheet, said diffusion type EL sheet comprising: a transparent film having an upper surface and a lower surface, a transparent electrode layer formed on said lower surface of said transparent film, a light emitting layer formed on said transparent electrode layer, a dielectric layer formed on said light emitting layer, a rear electrode layer formed on said dielectric layer, an insulating layer formed on said rear electrode layer, and an upper electrode formed on said insulating layer, said diffusion type EL sheet emitting light from at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) the entire area of said EL sheet, (ii) the diaphragm portion only, and (iii) the entire area of said diaphragm portion and an area surrounding said diaphragm portion of said upper surface of said transparent film, said diffusion type EL sheet bowing outwardly in an at-rest state such that said upper surface of said transparent film exhibits a convex shape, said diffusion type EL sheet bowing inwardly when depressed for operation such that said upper surface of said transparent film exhibits a concave shape, said switch further comprising an insulating base film disposed below said EL sheet diaphragm, said insulating base film having a base electrode disposed thereon, said upper electrode and said base electrode contacting one another when said EL sheet diaphragm is depressed.

Claim 36

A switch comprising an EL sheet diaphragm including a diffusion type EL sheet having a diaphragm portion exhibiting a dome shape and a flange supporting portion disposed about the outer circumference of said diffusion type EL sheet, said diffusion type EL sheet comprising: a transparent film having an upper surface and a lower surface, a transparent electrode layer formed on said lower surface of said transparent film, a light emitting layer formed on said transparent electrode layer, a dielectric layer formed on said light emitting layer, a rear electrode layer formed on said dielectric layer, an insulating layer formed on said rear electrode layer, and an upper electrode formed on said insulating layer, said diffusion type EL sheet emitting light from at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) the entire area of said EL sheet, (ii) the diaphragm portion only, and (iii) the entire area of said diaphragm portion and an area surrounding said diaphragm portion of said upper surface of said transparent film, said diffusion type EL sheet bowing outwardly in an at-rest state such that said upper surface of said transparent film exhibits a convex shape, said diffusion type EL sheet bowing inwardly when depressed for operation such that said upper surface of said transparent film exhibits a concave shape, said switch further comprising an insulating base film disposed below said EL sheet diaphragm, said insulating base film having a base electrode disposed thereon, said upper electrode and said base electrode contacting one another when said EL sheet diaphragm is depressed.

Claim 37

A switch according to claim 33, wherein said transparent electrode layer is formed by printing and drying a paste which is prepared by dispersing conductive powders that have a visible light transmittance in an insulating resin or in a resin solution containing an insulating resin.

Claim 38

A switch according to claim 34, wherein said transparent film comprises polyethylene terephthalate, and said diaphragm portion is molded by heating said EL sheet comprising said transparent film to 70° to 180° C., or heating a mold for said diaphragm portion to 70° to 180° C.

Claim 39

A switch according to claim 33, wherein a binder resin used for said light emitting layer and said dielectric layer is selected from a vinylidene fluoride rubber, vinylidene fluoride copolymer rubber, a resin prepared by blending cyanated pullulan and cyanated polyvinyl alcohol, or a resin prepared by blending cyanated cellulose and cyanated polyvinyl alcohol.

Claim 40

A switch according to claim 36, wherein said transparent film comprises polyethylene terephthalate, and said diaphragm portion is molded by heating said EL sheet comprising said transparent film to 70° to 180° C., or heating a mold for said diaphragm portion to 70° to 180° C.

Claim 41

A switch according to claim 33, wherein said transparent electrode layer is formed by printing and drying a paste which is prepared by dispersing conductive powders that have a visible light transmittance in an insulating resin, or in a resin solution containing an insulating resin and wherein a binder resin used for said light emitting layer and said dielectric layer is selected from vinylidene fluoride rubber, vinylidene fluoride copolymer rubber, a resin prepared by blending cyanated pullulan and cyanated polyvinyl alcohol, or a resin prepared by blending cyanated cellulose and cyanated polyvinyl alcohol.

Claim 42

A switch according to claim 38, wherein said transparent film comprises polyethylene terephthalate, and said diaphragm portion is molded by heating said EL sheet comprising said transparent film to 70° to 180° C., or heating a mold for said diaphragm portion to 70° to 180° C.

Claim 43

A switch according to claim 33, wherein said transparent film comprises polyethylene terephthalate, and said diaphragm portion is molded by heating said EL sheet comprising said transparent film to 70° to 180° C., or heating a mold for said diaphragm portion to 70° to 180° C.