Patent Application
20150213976
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a switch unit and a game machine, and particularly to the water-proof structure and the light partition structure of a push-button switch unit and a game machine equipped with the same.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, there has been a game machine called a slot machine. In a slot machine, a plurality of reels on each of which a plurality of types of symbols are displayed are spun. Then, a winning combination (“yaku”) is determined on the basis of a matching pattern of symbols that are displayed when the reels are stopped and the matched symbols, and a prize is given according to the determined winning combination and the number of bets.
Further, operations such as the setting of the number of bets and the spinning of the reels have been performed by pressing a button. More specifically, a player presses a bet button with his/her hand to determine the number of bets as many times as the number of bets to be set, and presses a reel spinning button with his/her hand to start the spin of the reels. The reels are automatically stopped by the control of the machine.
In the meantime, a slot machine is placed, for example, in a casino. In a casino, not only slot machines manufactured by a single game machine manufacturer, but also slot machines manufactured by various game machine manufacturers are placed. A player selects a slot machine that suits his/her preference from slot machines manufactured by various game machine manufacturers, and plays the selected one. Therefore, each casino takes the business strategy to ensure superiority to its competitors by placing slot machines that are popular to players. Therefore, each game machine manufacturer makes efforts to provide slot machines that can attract the attention of players.
For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-111137 (published on Apr. 28, 2005) discloses a slot machine as a game machine that is provided with a display part including a touch panel. In this slot machine, a character and a numeric keypad are displayed on the display part, and the setting of the number of bets and the start of spin of reels are performed by using the touch panel.
Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-149700 (published on Jun. 15, 2006) discloses a slot machine in which an operating switch is arranged in an inclined surface in view of an easy pressing operation.
However, in the conventional switch unit and the conventional game machine, when liquid such as drinking water is dropped onto the operating switch during playing a game, the liquid that has entered the inside of the switch unit may get hard. As a result, a contact is fixed and an image becomes difficult to view. Therefore, the water-proof structure of the contact may be required.
Further, in order to achieve superiority in an operating switch of a slot machine to products of competitors, an operating switch that performs a light emitting presentation around a button as an appeal other than display has been developed.
Therefore, when performing such a light emitting presentation, the water-proof structure for the light source may also be required.
One or more embodiments of the present invention provides a switch unit and a game machine that have an appropriate water-proof structure for a contact and a light source when a light emitting presentation is performed around an operating button by the light source.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a switch unit includes: a display part configured to display an image in at least one input area; a substrate provided above the display part, the substrate comprising a contact and at least one substrate opening configured to allow the image in the at least one input area to be viewed from above; an operating button case configured to cover the substrate, the operating button case comprising at least one button case opening; and at least one operating button having translucency, the at least one operating button being configured to be freely pressed down through the at least one button case opening of the operating button case and cause conduction of the contact by being pressed down. The switch unit further includes light sources mounted on the substrate, the light sources being configured to illuminate an area surrounding the at least one operating button, and a light transmissive water-proof sheet made of an elastic member, the light transmissive water-proof sheet being provided between the display part and the at least one operating button to cover the substrate and comprising at least one sheet opening formed thereon at a position facing the at least one input area. In the switch unit, the light transmissive water-proof sheet includes: a contact conducting portion configured to face and come into contact with the contact of the substrate to cause conduction of the contact by pressing down the at least one operating button; a down portion configured to cover a circumference of the substrate; and a light transmitting portion formed on a top surface thereof, the light transmitting portion configured to transmit light from the light sources therethrough.
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the switch unit includes: a display part configured to display an image in at least one input area; a substrate provided above the display part, the substrate comprising a contact and at least one substrate opening configured to allow the image in the at least one input area to be viewed from above; an operating button case configured to cover the substrate, the operating button case comprising at least one button case opening; and at least one operating button having translucency, the at least one operating button being configured to be freely pressed down through the at least one button case opening of the operating button case and cause conduction of the contact by being pressed down.
In such a switch unit, the operating button case has the button case opening through which the operating button passes so as to be freely pressed down. The button case opening is formed at a position corresponding to the input area of the display part. Therefore, when liquid such as drinking water is spilled onto the switch unit, the liquid flows through a gap between the button case opening and the operating button. As a result, the liquid may enter the contact of the substrate located below the operating button case. Further, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, since the substrate is further equipped with the light sources which illuminate the area surrounding the operating button, the water-proof structure for the light sources is also required.
Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the switch unit further includes a light transmissive water-proof sheet made of an elastic member, the light transmissive water-proof sheet being provided between the display part and the at least one operating button to cover the substrate and comprising at least one sheet opening formed thereon at a position facing the at least one input area. In the switch unit, the light transmissive water-proof sheet includes: a contact conducting portion configured to face and come into contact with the contact of the substrate to cause conduction of the contact by pressing down the at least one operating button; a down portion configured to cover a circumference of the substrate; and a light transmitting portion formed on a top surface thereof, the light transmitting portion configured to transmit light from the light sources therethrough.
As a result, the contact and the light sources are provided in the substrate, and the substrate is sealed by the surface of the light transmissive water-proof sheet and the down portion which covers the circumference of the substrate. In this case, since the light transmissive water-proof sheet is made of an elastic member, the lower end of the down portion of the light transmissive water-proof sheet can be closely attached to the display part.
Therefore, even if liquid flows through a gap between the button case opening and the operating button, after the liquid reaches the light transmissive water-proof sheet, the liquid flows along the surface of the down portion on the sheet opening side, and then drops onto the display part. As a result, the contact and the light sources do not get wet.
Further, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light transmitting portion which transmits light from the light sources therethrough is formed on the top surface of the light transmissive water-proof sheet. Therefore, the light emitting presentation by the light sources can be ensured.
Therefore, it may be possible to provide the switch unit that has an appropriate water-proof structure for the contact and the light sources when a light emitting presentation is performed around the operating button by the light sources.
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light transmissive water-proof sheet includes one kind of colored elastic member. Further, a part of the light transmissive water-proof sheet other than the light transmitting portion is formed as a light blocking portion configured to block light from the light sources. Furthermore, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light transmitting portion is thinner than the light blocking portion.
That is, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a part of light transmissive water-proof sheet, the part being required for the light emitting presentation, transmit light therethrough, but the other part block light.
Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light transmissive water-proof sheet includes one kind of colored elastic member. Further, a part of the light transmissive water-proof sheet other than the light transmitting portion is formed as a light blocking portion configured to block light from the light sources. That is, the light transmissive water-proof sheet is made of an elastic member such as rubber. In such an elastic member, the absorbance of light is proportional to the thickness and the color thereof. Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light transmitting portion of the light transmissive water-proof sheet is made thinner than the light blocking portion thereof, and the light transmissive water-proof sheet has a color.
As a result, the part required for the light emitting presentation is ensured by the thin light transmitting portion and light blocking in the other part is appropriately ensured by the light blocking portion thicker than the light transmitting portion by virtue of the thickness and the color of the one kind of light transmissive water-proof sheet.
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light transmissive water-proof sheet includes colored silicone rubber having an absorption coefficient of four to seven.
Accordingly, the part required for the light emitting presentation is ensured by the thin light transmitting portion and light blocking in the other part is appropriately ensured by the light blocking portion thicker than the light transmitting portion by virtue of the thickness and the gray color having an absorption coefficient of four to seven of the one kind of silicone rubber which is easily available.
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light transmissive water-proof sheet includes a light blocking partition configured to block light between adjacent ones of the light sources and formed of the light blocking portion.
That is, in a switch unit which performs a light emitting presentation around operating buttons by the light sources, if light around an operating button enters another operating button that is adjacent thereto, an appeal made by the light emission becomes difficult to recognize.
Accordingly, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light transmissive water-proof sheet includes a light blocking partition configured to block light between adjacent ones of the light sources and formed of the light blocking portion. Therefore, it may be possible to prevent light from light sources around an operating button from entering the presentation performed around another operating button adjacent thereto through the inside of the transmissive water-proof sheet by virtue of the light blocking partition formed of the light blocking portion.
As a result, it may be possible to provide the switch unit that has a light partition structure that prevents light in an operating button from leaking to another operating button adjacent thereto.
Further, the light blocking partition is formed of the light blocking portion, and formed on substantially the center of the thin light transmitting portion which is formed on the surface of the transmissive water-proof sheet. Therefore, the light blocking partition has a function as a thick rib. As a result, it may be possible to prevent the light transmitting portion having a thin film thickness from warping to thereby prevent dropped liquid from staying thereon.
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a light diffusion frame configured to be fitted around the at least one operating button and direct light from the light sources along the circumference of the at least one operating button are provided in the at least one button case opening of the operating button case.
Accordingly, it may be possible to allow light from a point light source such as an LED to illuminate the area surrounding the operating button along the sides thereof. Therefore, even light from a point light source can be represented as linear light.
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a game machine is provided with a switch unit according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
Therefore, it may be possible to provide the game machine that is provided with the switch unit that has an appropriate water-proof structure for the contact and the light sources when a light emitting presentation is performed around the operating button by the light sources.
As described above, the switch unit of one or more embodiments of the present invention includes light sources mounted on the substrate, the light sources being configured to illuminate an area surrounding the at least one operating button, and a light transmissive water-proof sheet made of an elastic member, the light transmissive water-proof sheet being provided between the display part and the at least one operating button to cover the substrate and comprising at least one sheet opening formed thereon at a position facing the at least one input area. The light transmissive water-proof sheet includes: a contact conducting portion configured to face and come into contact with the contact of the substrate to cause conduction of the contact by pressing down the at least one operating button; a down portion configured to cover a circumference of the substrate; and a light transmitting portion formed on a top surface thereof, the light transmitting portion configured to transmit light from the light sources therethrough.
Further, the game machine of one or more embodiments of the present invention is provided with a switch unit according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
Therefore, it may be possible to provide the switch unit and the game machine that have an appropriate water-proof structure for the contact and the light sources when a light emitting presentation is performed around the operating button by the light sources.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to
A switch unit used in a game machine such as a so-called slot machine will be described below. However, the present invention is not limited to a slot machine. That is, one or more embodiments of the present invention may be applied to any devices that operate by receiving an operation by a user through a switch unit. For example, a game machine according to one or more embodiments of the present invention can also be applied to a card game machine such as a poker game machine and a mah-jong game machine.
First, a slot machine as a game machine that is provided with a switch unit according to one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
A plurality of reels are displayed on the display monitor 2. The reels can be spun by an operation by a player. According to symbols indicated on the stopped reels, a winning combination (“yaku”) is determined. Then, a prize is given according to the determined winning combination. In the display of the reels, equivalents of the reels may be displayed on a display screen such as a liquid crystal display. Alternatively, the reels themselves may be arranged on the display monitor 2.
The switch unit 10 receives an operation by a player. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the switch unit 10 receives operations such as an operation for specifying the number of bets and an operation for spinning the reels when a player plays the slot machine 1. In the slot machine 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the start of spin of the reels is performed by pressing a reel spinning button 3 which is separately provided on the side of the switch unit 10.
A detailed configuration of the switch unit 10 will be described with reference to
The switch unit 10 can be separated from the slot machine 1 as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The display unit 11 has a liquid crystal display (LCD) 11a, an LCD case 11b which holds the LCD 11a from the bottom thereof, and a translucent protection sheet 11c which covers the entire surface of the LCD 11a to protect the LCD 11a. The LCD 11a is a liquid crystal display device, and displays a predetermined image such as a picture and character on positions that can be visually recognized through transparent operating buttons which will be described later, that is, input areas.
The bracket 12 is a support plate for integrating the display unit 11 and the button unit 20 with each other as described above. The bracket 12 has bracket openings 12a which are formed at positions corresponding to the positions of the respective operating buttons, that is, the positions corresponding to the respective display areas of the LCD 11a.
The button unit 20 has the plurality of transparent operating buttons 23 and light guide frame bodies 22 as light diffusion frames which are provided around the respective operating buttons 23 and perform display from the LCDs as light sources. By pressing down an operating button 23, the button unit 20 serves as a switch of an input area corresponding to a display below the operating button 23 in the LCD 11a. Further, a cover (not shown) which covers an operating button case 21 with the operating buttons 23 exposed therefrom can be provided over the button unit 20.
Specifically, as illustrated in
The operating button case 21 is formed of, for example, a black plastic or the like. Further, the operating button case 21 has the same number of button case openings 21a as the number of the operating buttons 23 at positions corresponding to the positions of the respective operating buttons 23. The positions of the button case openings 21a correspond to the respective input areas of the LCD 11a. Accordingly, the operating buttons 23 protrude above the operating button case 21 through the button case openings 21a, and are loosely fitted so as to be freely pressed down. Above, an example in which the number of the provided operating buttons 23 is eleven is described. However, the number of operating buttons 23 is not limited thereto. The number of operating buttons 23 may be less or more than eleven, or may also be one.
The operating button 23 is made of a translucent rectangular parallelepiped member such as transparent plastic. The operating button 23 has a push button 23a, contact pressing portions 23b which protrude from lower two corners of the push button 23a, and support/fixation portions 23c which protrude from the other lower two corners of the push button 23a.
Each of four side walls of the push button 23a which is made of a rectangular parallelepiped member is formed into an inclined surface that widens outwardly toward the bottom. The inclined surface is inclined at an angle of, for example, 10 to 20° with respect to a vertical surface so as to form an obtuse angle downward. This prevents a display on a side wall WS located on the far side with respect to a payer from becoming difficult to view due to light reflected by the side wall WS. The inclination of the push button 23a on the side wall is not necessarily formed on each of the four side walls thereof, and only required to be formed on at least one side wall located on the far side with respect to a player.
As illustrated in
Further, the rubber sheet 24 has projections 24b which are provided at positions corresponding to the positions of the respective contact pressing portions 23b of the operating buttons 23. As illustrated in
The contact pressing portions 23b of the operating buttons 23 are in contact with the respective projections 24b of the rubber sheet 24. When an operating button 23 is pressed down, a contact pressing portion 23b of the operating button 23 compresses the corresponding projection 24b of the rubber sheet 24. As a result, the projection 24b comes into contact with the electrode terminals 25b, 25b thereacross, which causes conduction between the electrode terminals 25b, 25b, and serves as switching on.
At this point, since the projection 24b of the rubber sheet 24 has elasticity, the projection 24b presses back the contact pressing portion 23b of the operating button 23 after being compressed. Accordingly, a pressing feeling of the operating button 23 can be provided, and the operating button 23 serves as a push button. In the above configuration, the rubber sheet 24 covers at least the electrode terminals 25b, 25b of the PCB 25 by the projections 24b.
Further, as described above, the operating button 23 illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As described above, the PCB 25 has the electrode terminals 25b, 25b as contacts which are provided at positions directly below the contact pressing portions 23b of the operating buttons 23 shown in
Further, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in
The LEDs 25c perform presentation of light emitted from the LEDs 25c on the areas surrounding the respective operating buttons 23. However, each of the LEDs 25c is a point light source, and therefore cannot disperse light into a long linear shape.
Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light guide frame bodies 22 illustrated in
As described above, according to the configuration of the switch unit 10, the rubber sheet 24, the operating button case 21, and the operating buttons 23 are provided above the PCB 25. The rubber sheet 24 covers the electrode terminals 25b, 25b, and has the sheet openings 24a at positions corresponding to the respective input areas of the LCD 11a. The operating button case 21 is provided above the rubber sheet 24, and has the button case openings 21a at positions corresponding to the respective input areas of the LCD 11a. Each of the operating buttons 23 has the translucent push button 23a and at least one contact pressing portion 23b which laterally protrudes from the lower end of the push button 23a. The push button 23a is loosely fitted with respect to the corresponding button case opening 21a and the corresponding sheet opening 24a so as to be freely pressed down. Each of the operating buttons 23 causes conduction of electrode terminals 25b, 25b of the PCB 25 by allowing the carbon electrode 24d to come into contact with the electrode terminals 25b, 25b by the contact pressing portion 23b by a press-down operation of the push button 23a toward the input area.
Therefore, since a pressing operation to the PCB 25 is performed through the physical operating button 23, an intuitive operational feeling and a click feeling can be obtained by pressing down the operating button 23.
As a result, a switching on operation can be performed by a physical action as pressing down the operating button 23. Therefore, it is not necessary to visually confirm as to whether the operation has been completed in each operation. Accordingly, a switch unit 10 that can provide a speed feeling and a quick feeling can be provided.
Further, the switch unit 10 can illuminate the areas surrounding the respective operating buttons 23 by the LED 25c and display various pieces of information (characters, pictures, etc.) on the top surfaces of the operating buttons 23 while maintaining an operational feeling and a quick feeling like a push button. As a result, the switch unit 10 can provide a user interface that attracts customers while maintaining the advantages of a push-button switch unit.
In other words, in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to give an operational feeling that cannot be provided by a touch panel to a player. In addition, it is possible to provide the switch unit 10 that is attractive to a player by displaying an image displayed on the LCD 11a on each of the operating buttons 23 and illuminating the areas surrounding the respective operating buttons 23.
Further, in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light guide frame bodies 22 which are fitted around the respective operating buttons 23 and direct light from the LEDs 25c along the circumferences of the operating buttons 23 are provided in the button case openings 21a of the operating button case 21. Accordingly, the light guide frame bodies 22 allow light from point light sources such as the LEDs 25c to direct the areas surrounding the respective operating buttons 23 along the sides thereof. Therefore, even light from a point light source such as the LED 25c can be represented as linear light.
In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the operating button case 21 has the button case openings 21a with which the respective operating buttons 23 are loosely fitted so as to be freely pressed down. The button case openings 21a are formed at positions corresponding to the respective input areas of the LCD 11a.
Therefore, as illustrated in
Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 made of an elastic member is provided between the LCD 11a and the operating buttons 23. The rubber sheet 24 has the sheet openings 24a with which the respective operating buttons 23 are loosely fitted so as to be freely pressed down, the carbon electrodes 24d which are provided so as to face and come into contact with the electrode terminals 25b, 25b of the PCB 25 to cause conduction of the electrode terminals 25b, 25b by pressing down the operating buttons 23, the down portion 24e which covers the circumference of the PCB 25, and the light transmitting portion 24f (described later) which is formed on the top surface of the rubber sheet 24 to transmit light from the LEDs 25c therethrough.
Accordingly, the electrode terminals 25b, 25b and the LEDs 25c are provided in the PCB 25, and the PCB 25 is sealed by the surface of the rubber sheet 24 and the down portion 24e which covers the circumference of the PCB 25. In this case, since the rubber sheet 24 is made of an elastic member such as silicone rubber, the lower end of the down portion 24e of the rubber sheet 24 can be closely attached to the LCD 11a.
Therefore, even if liquid flows through a gap between the button case opening 21a and the operating button 23, after the liquid reaches the rubber sheet 24, the liquid flows along the surface of the down portion 24e on the rubber opening side, and then drops onto the protection sheet 11c provided over the LCD 11a as illustrated in
Therefore, the switch unit 10 that has an appropriate water-proof structure for the carbon electrodes 24d, the electrode terminals 25b, 25b, and the LEDs 25c when a light emitting presentation is performed around the operating buttons 23 by the LEDs 25c.
As illustrated in
Therefore, the liquid W that has been spilled onto the switch unit 10 does not stay on the top surface of the protection sheet 11c for a long time.
Further, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the liquid storage container 5 can be provided with a drain cock 6 which communicates with the outside of the casing 4 of the slot machine 1 on which the switch unit 10 is placed. As a result, the liquid W stored in the liquid storage container 5 can be easily taken out therefrom on the outside of the slot machine 1.
Further, the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention has a structure that can be easily taken apart and cleaned even when the liquid W stays inside thereof. In other words, the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention has an easily maintainable structure in which even when an image of the LCD 11a is made difficult to see due to the dropped liquid W, the liquid W can be easily wiped off.
In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light guide frame bodies 22 are provided around the respective operating buttons 23, and the LEDs 25c are provided below the light guide frame bodies 22 with the rubber sheet 24 interposed therebetween. Therefore, in such a switch unit 10 which performs a light emitting presentation around the operating buttons 23 by the LEDs 25c, if light around an operating button 23 enters another operating button 23 that is adjacent thereto, an appeal made by the light emission becomes difficult to recognize.
Hereinbelow, the light partition structure of the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to
In one or more embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in
Next, the light partition structure of the rubber sheet 24 will be described below.
As illustrated in
Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in
Further, as illustrated in
Further, as illustrated in
Therefore, it is possible to provide the switch unit 10 that has a light partition structure that prevents light in an operating button 23 from leaking to another operating button 23 adjacent thereto.
As illustrated in
Further, the thickness At of the light transmitting portion 24f of the rubber sheet 24 is set at 0.3 mm. In this manner, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, a water-proof and presentation light transmitting function of the surface above the LEDs 25c is achieved. In addition, in order to achieve a function of preventing the leakage of light between adjacent LEDs 25c, 25c, the thickness of the light transmitting portion 24f and the thickness of the light blocking partition 24g are made different from each other.
With regard to the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, a principle of having the above configuration will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
Aλ=−log (I1/I0)=αcl˜0.434αL
Herein, for example, when the medium is translucent white silicone rubber, the absorption coefficient α is 1.4. In this case, when the thickness of the silicone rubber is set at, for example, 0.3 mm, the light path length L is 0.3 mm. Therefore, the absorbance Aλ(0.3) is Aλ(0.3)=0.434×1.4×0.3. Further, a transmittance T (0.3) is T(0.3)=exp (−Aλ(0.3))=0.8326=83.3%.
On the other hand, when the thickness of the translucent white silicone rubber is set at, for example, 0.9 mm, the light path length L is 0.9 mm. Therefore, a transmittance T(0.9) is T(0.9)=exp (−Aλ(0.9))=0.5772=57.7%.
Therefore, transmittance T(0.3):transmittance T(0.9)=83.3:57.7=1.4:1 (Equation 1)
On the other hand, when the medium is gray silicone rubber, the absorption coefficient α is 7.0. In this case, when the thickness of the gray silicone rubber is set at, for example, 0.3 mm, the light path length L is 0.3 mm. Therefore, the absorbance Aλ(0.3) is Aλ(0.3)=0.434×7.0×0.3. The transmittance T(0.3) is T(0.3)=exp (−Aλ(0.3))=0.4001=40.0%.
Further, when the thickness of the gray silicone rubber is set at, for example, 0.9 mm, the light path length L is 0.9 mm. Therefore, the transmittance T(0.9) is T(0.9)=exp (−Aλ(0.9))=0.0641=6.4%.
Therefore, transmittance T(0.3):transmittance T(0.9)=40.0:6.4=6.3:1 (Equation 2)
As a result, judging from Equation 1, it is understood that, by changing the thickness from 0.3 mm to 0.9 mm in the translucent white silicone rubber, there arises a difference of 1.4 times between the transmittance T(0.3) and the transmittance T(0.9).
Further, when the silicone rubber has a gray color, it is understood from Equation 2 that, by changing the thickness from 0.3 mm to 0.9 mm, the difference between the transmittance T(0.3) and the transmittance T(0.9) can be expanded to 6.3 times.
From the above fact, it would appear that, when the rubber sheet 24 which is made of silicone rubber is used, a difference between light transmission and light blocking can be more easily made when gray silicone rubber is used than when translucent white silicone rubber is used.
When gray silicone rubber is used, gray includes various levels of gray within colors darker than white as well as lighter than black. Therefore, while the thickness of the light transmitting portion 24f was fixed at 0.3 mm and the thickness of the light blocking portion was fixed at 0.9 mm, a level of gray was examined with respect to light gray, medium gray, and dark gray. That is, the absorption coefficient was changed.
As a result, as illustrated in
Therefore, when the difference between the thickness of the light transmitting portion 24f and the thickness of the light blocking portion is set at three times, the absorption coefficient according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is four to seven and, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, is around seven. That is, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the silicone rubber has a gray color within the range from light gray having a transmittance factor of three up to medium gray having a transmittance factor of five.
Next, the thickness of the light transmitting portion 24f and the thickness of the light blocking portion will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
On the other hand, the difference in the thicknesses exceeds seven times, a change in the absorption coefficient becomes small. Therefore, an appropriate range of the difference between the thickness of the light transmitting portion 24f and the thickness of the light blocking portion is three to seven times. By selecting the absorption coefficient according to the thicknesses, it is possible to select an optimal combination of the layout and the light emission.
As described above, the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention is provided with: the display unit 11 which displays an image in at least one input area; the PCB 25 provided above the display unit 11, the PCB 25 having the electrode terminals 25b, 25b and the PCB opening 25a which allows the image in the input area of the display unit 11 to be viewed from above; the operating button case 21 which has the at least one button case opening 21a and covers the PCB 25; and the at least one translucent operating button 23 which is provided so as to be freely pressed down through the button case opening 21a of the operating button case 21 and causes conduction of the electrode terminals 25b, 25b by being pressed down. Further, the PCB 25 is further equipped with the LEDs 25c which illuminate an area surrounding the operating button 23. Furthermore, the rubber sheet 24 made of an elastic member is provided between the display unit 11 and the operating button 23 to cover the PCB 25. The rubber sheet 24 has the sheet opening 24a at a position facing the input area. The rubber sheet 24 is provided with the carbon electrodes 24d which are provided so as to face and come into contact with the electrode terminals 25b, 25b of the PCB 25 to cause conduction of the electrode terminals 25b, 25b by pressing down the operating button 23, the down portion 24e which covers the circumference of the PCB 25, and the light transmitting portion 24f which is formed on the top surface of the rubber sheet 24 to transmit light from the LEDs 25c therethrough.
Accordingly, the electrode terminals 25b, 25b and the LEDs 25c are provided in the PCB 25, and the PCB 25 is sealed by the surface of the rubber sheet 24 and the down portion 24e which covers the circumference of the PCB 25. In this case, since the rubber sheet 24 is made of an elastic member, the lower end of the down portion 24e of the rubber sheet 24 can be closely attached to the display unit 11.
Therefore, even if liquid flows through a gap between the button case opening 21a and the operating button 23, after the liquid reaches the rubber sheet 24, the liquid flows along the surface of the down portion 24e on the side of the sheet opening 24a, and then drops onto the protection sheet 11c of the display unit 11. As a result, the electrode terminals 25b, 25b and the LEDs 25c do not get wet.
Further, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 is provided with the light transmitting portion 24f which is formed on the top surface thereof to transmit light from the LEDs 25c therethrough. Therefore, the light emitting presentation by the LEDs 25c is ensured.
Therefore, the switch unit 10 that has an appropriate water-proof structure for the electrode terminals 25b, 25b and the LEDs 25c when a light emitting presentation is performed around the operating button 23 by the LEDs 25c.
Further, in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 is made of one kind of elastic member having a color, for example, a gray color. In addition, a part of the rubber sheet 24 other than the light transmitting portions 24f is formed as the light blocking portion which blocks light from the LEDs 25c. Further, the light transmitting portion 24f is thinner than the light blocking portion.
Further, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a part of the rubber sheet 24, the part being required for the light emitting presentation, transmits light therethrough, but the other part blocks light.
Therefore, in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 is made of one kind of elastic member having a color, for example, a gray color. In addition, a part of the rubber sheet 24 other than the light transmitting portions 24f is formed as the light blocking portion which blocks light from the LEDs 25c. Further, the light transmitting portion 24f is thinner than the light blocking portion.
As a result, the part required for the light emitting presentation is ensured by the thin light transmitting portion 24f and light blocking in the other part is appropriately ensured by the light blocking portion thicker than the light transmitting portion 24f by virtue of the thickness and the color of the one kind of rubber sheet 24.
That is, the rubber sheet 24 is made of, for example, an elastic member such as rubber. In such an elastic member, the absorbance of light is proportional to the thickness and the color thereof. Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light transmitting portion 24f of the rubber sheet 24 is made thinner than the light blocking portion thereof, and the rubber sheet 24 has a color such as gray.
As a result, the part required for the light emitting presentation is ensured by the thin light transmitting portion 24f and light blocking in the other part is appropriately ensured by virtue of the light blocking portion thicker than the light transmitting portion 24f by the thickness and the color of the one kind of rubber sheet 24.
Further, in the switch unit 10 one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 is made of silicone rubber having a color such as gray and an absorption coefficient of four to seven. Accordingly, the part required for the light emitting presentation is ensured by the thin light transmitting portion 24f and light blocking in the other part is appropriately ensured by the light blocking portion thicker than the light transmitting portion 24f by virtue of the thickness and the gray color having an absorption coefficient of four to seven of the one kind of silicone rubber which is easily available.
Further, in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 is provided with the light blocking partition 24g which is formed of the light blocking portion to block light between adjacent LEDs 25c in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention. That is, in such a switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention which performs a light emitting presentation around the operating buttons 23 by the LEDs 25c, if light around an operating button 23 enters another operating button 23 that is adjacent thereto, an appeal made by the light emission becomes difficult to recognize.
Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 is provided with the light blocking partition 24g which is formed of the light blocking portion to block light between adjacent LEDs 25c in one or more embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent light from LEDs 25c around an operating button 23 from entering the presentation performed around another operating button 23 adjacent thereto through the inside of the rubber sheet 24 by virtue of the light blocking partition 24g formed of the light blocking portion.
Therefore, it is possible to provide the switch unit 10 that has a light partition structure that prevents light in an operating button 23 from leaking to another operating button 23 adjacent thereto.
Further, the light blocking partition 24g is formed of the light blocking portion, and formed on substantially the center of the thin light transmitting portion 24f which is formed on the surface of the rubber sheet 24. Therefore, the light blocking partition 24g has a function as a thick rib. As a result, it is possible to prevent the light transmitting portion 24f having a thin film thickness from warping to thereby prevent dropped liquid from staying thereon.
Further, the slot machine 1 of one or more embodiments of the present invention is provided with the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention.
Therefore, it is possible to provide the slot machine 1 that is provided with the switch unit 10 that has an appropriate water-proof structure for the electrode terminals 25b, 25b and the LEDs 25c when a light emitting presentation is performed around the operating button 23 by the LEDs 25c.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention defined in the accompanying claims. The technical scope of the present invention also includes an embodiment that is obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed above.
One or more embodiments of the present invention relates to a switch unit that has a display part having an improved operational feeling and a game machine equipped with the same. One or more embodiments of the present invention can be applied to a switch unit that has an input part above a display part such as an LCD. The game machine can be applied not only to a slot machine, but also to a poker game machine, a mah-jong game machine, a card game machine and the like.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.
