JP3095212U - Electronic device key - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) An electronic device capable of reducing the volume of an electronic product without causing a phenomenon of interference with a case of the electronic device, deforming when touching the case, smoothing a cursor key pressing operation, and reducing the volume of the electronic product. Key offer. A cursor key is installed in an opening of a case of an electronic device, at least a part of which is exposed outside the case from the opening, and a cursor key housed in the case and coupled to the cursor key. When
A key reading device for generating a direction signal corresponding to the pressing direction of the cursor key. The cursor key is composed of a main body and an outer edge installed around the periphery of the main body. In addition, the main body of the cursor key is formed of a hard material, and the outer edge of the cursor key is formed of a soft material.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Technical field to which the device belongs]

  The present invention relates to a key of an electronic device, and in particular, it is formed of various kinds of materials, Regarding the structure of the key that can prevent work.

[0002]

[Prior art]

  The development of the electronic industry is extremely rapid, especially for 3C electronic products (computers, communication products , Including consumer electronic devices) are among the most prominent among them Due to profitability, modern people cannot help using 3C products. And the market mechanic Zum also develops products with different functions, values and volumes according to different consumer demands. And offers consumers different choices. For example, commonly used in processes and workplaces A desktop computer (PC) for data processing, drafting, and Internet is used. Also, when the user uses the computer when going out Can not carry a heavy desktop computer and is therefore Consider purchasing as a tool to use a notebook computer. Notebook computers are more expensive than desktop computers and use batteries continuously There is a problem that the capacity is insufficient and it is difficult to upgrade its operation and deployment. is doing. In addition, some people say that notebook computers are too heavy. The personal digital assistant (PDA) was born to avoid it. It is the structure of the computer And a relatively simple operating system (eg Palm, W in (registered trademark) CE's two major operating systems) It has functions such as online, document processing, and recording of personal data. The convenient volume, weight (can be stored in a pocket), and price are convenient. By nature, the trend to be accepted by a specific technology group and dominate the market is There is something to note. Such mobile information terminals will be further improved to To achieve the purpose of personalization, which is convenient to use.

[0003]   1 and 2 show a car to which a general portable information terminal or other electronic device is applied. Shows Solky 12, which is used to control the cursor on the display screen. A slight strain gauge 143 is provided around the cursor rod 142, When the sol rod 142 is pushed, the strain gauge 143 receives pressure and receives an electronic signal. Occurs, and achieves the purpose of moving the cursor in one of the four directions of up, down, left, and right. To do. A switch 145 is provided below the cursor rod 142 to move the main body 122. By pressing, the cursor rod 142 is pressed against the switch 145 and input The function of can be achieved. The cursor key 12 is an electronic switch 14 and it Is installed on the surface of the substrate 144 that is electrically connected, and the user can use the cursor keys By pressing 12, the electronic switch 14 can be indirectly controlled. Only When applying such a well-known cursor key 12, the outer edge 124 below it is hard. Since it is formed of a high quality material, the vertical and horizontal directions of the main body 122 of the cursor key 12 When is pressed, the outer edge 124 of the cursor key 12 collides with the case 10 ( See FIG. 2). Therefore, the user may feel that the key operation is not smooth, Or a malfunction is caused. In addition, the outer edge 124 is also formed inside the case 10. Interfering with other circuit devices (not shown), affecting the operation of internal circuit devices. There is a risk that Therefore, at the time of design, the cursor key 112 and the opening side of the case 10 Keep a considerable distance on the edges to prevent the above-mentioned collision or interference phenomenon. There must be. However, there are no modern personal digital assistants or other electronic devices. Again, in the situation of pursuing goals of lightness, thinness, smallness, cursor key 12 and case 1 Keeping the distance too large at 0 makes the volume of the electronic device long, wide or thick. It has a bad effect such as squeezing, and in appearance, the gap reduces aesthetics and values, These are the results that electronic device designers never met. Therefore, the cursor key 12 and the case There is a need to improve the structure of 10 to achieve the standards of modern design electronic devices.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

  In order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention provides a kind of electronic device key. The main purpose is to do. It is the book in the structure of the key of the electronic device The body is made of a hard material, and the outer edges of the body extending from the four edges are made of a soft material. , This causes the phenomenon of interference with the case when using this cursor key. It shall be the key of the electronic device that was kept out.

[0005]   Another object of the present invention is to form the outer edge extended from the cursor keys with a soft material. By making it, it is provided with stretchability and flexibility, which allows the electronic device When touching the mouse, the deformation effect is generated and the operation of pressing the cursor key is performed smoothly. To do so.

[0006]   A third object of the present invention is to form the outer edge extended from the cursor key with a soft material. The low interference characteristics of the case and it, and the distance between this cursor key and the case To reduce the volume of the electronic product.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a key of an electronic device, the electronic device includes a case, An opening is provided in the case, and the key is   Installed in the opening, at least a part of which is exposed to the outside of the case from the opening. Cursor keys,   When the cursor key is pressed while being housed in the case, pressing the cursor key A key reading device that generates a direction signal corresponding to the pressure direction,   The cursor key is composed of a main body and outer edges installed on four sides of the main body. The main body is made of a hard material, and the outer edge of the cursor key is made of a soft material. It is used as a key of an electronic device.   According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the key of the electronic device according to the first aspect, the cursor key is used. The main body and the outer edge are formed by injection molding method of two different materials. It is used as a key for electronic devices.   According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the key of the electronic device according to the first aspect, the key reading is performed. The electronic device key is characterized in that the device is fixed inside the case by a screwing method. -   According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the key of the electronic device according to the first aspect, the key reading is performed. Keys for electronic devices, characterized in that the device is fixed inside the case by an adhesive method. -   According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the key of the electronic device according to the first aspect, the cursor key is used. The outer edge of is installed on the four circumferences of the main body and is stretched outward, It is used as a key for electronic devices.   According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the key of the electronic device according to the fifth aspect, the cursor key is used. The key of the electronic device is characterized in that the outer edge of is located inside the case. .   According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in a key of an electronic device, the key is provided on a main body and four circumferences of the main body. Composed of installed outer edge, the body is made of hard material, the outer edge is made of soft material The key of the electronic device is characterized by being formed.   According to the invention of claim 8, in the key of the electronic device according to claim 7, the keys are the same. Formed by two injection moldings of different materials in the flow, the body is made of hard material A key of an electronic device, characterized in that its outer edge is made of a soft material. is doing.   The invention of claim 9 provides a key of an electronic device, wherein the electronic device is   A case with an opening,   It is installed in the opening and at least a part is exposed from the opening to the outside of the case. Cursor key,   It is housed in the case, and when the cursor key is pressed, the cursor key is pressed. A key reading device that outputs a direction signal corresponding to the pressure direction,   At least, the cursor keys are provided on the main body and the outer edges installed on the four circumferences of the main body. That the body is made of a hard material and the outer edge is made of a soft material. Characteristically, it is used as a key of the electronic device.   According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in the key of the electronic device according to the ninth aspect, the cursor key is pressed. The outer edge of the body is installed on the four circumferences of the main body and is extended outward. , As the key of the electronic device.   The invention of claim 11 provides a key of the electronic device according to claim 10, wherein a cursor is provided. Used as a key for electronic devices, characterized in that the outer edge of the key is located inside the case. It   According to the invention of claim 12, in the key of the electronic device according to claim 9, the electronic device is It is used as a key of an electronic device, which is characterized as a portable information terminal.

[0008]

[Embodiment of device]

  The present invention provides a kind of electronic device key, which is located in the opening of the electronic device case. Mounted on the cursor key and at least a part of which is exposed outside the case through the opening. And the cursor key that is housed in the case and is coupled to the cursor key. A key that generates a direction signal corresponding to the pressing direction of the cursor key when is pressed It has a reading device. Among them, the cursor key is It is composed of outer edges that are installed on four laps. Also, the cursor key body is made of hard material The outer edge of the cursor key is made of a soft material.

[0009]

【Example】

  FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional disassembly of a case, a key and an electronic switch of an electronic device to which the present invention is applied. It is a figure. Case 2 of electronic device (In this embodiment, a mobile information terminal is used as an embodiment. ), The accommodation hole 22 is formed in an appropriate portion of the case 2, and the accommodation hole 2 A storage chamber 24 is provided on each of the two sides of 2, and at least one storage chamber 24 is provided in the storage chamber 24. A key (not shown) is attached to allow the user to operate the electronic device. . A coupling mechanism (not shown) for connecting the electronic switch 4 to the substrate 44 on the back of the accommodation hole 22. , And the coupling mechanism is screwed, glued or ultrasonically bonded as necessary. The cursor key 3 and the electronic switch 4 are designed to fit in the housing hole 22 of the case 2. It is accommodated in the accommodation space between the plates 44. The electronic switch 4 is the top, bottom, left and right And the cursor keys 3 are used to control operations such as input and The cursor key 3 is installed on a surface, and the body 32 of the cursor key 3 is structurally made of a hard material (for example, Made of hard plastic or metal) and stretched from the four sides of the body 32 The outer edge 34 is extensible and is made of a soft material, for example, which is deformed by receiving a force. It is made of rubber or other soft plastic. Of this cursor key Manufacturing involves injection molding two different materials in the same flow, which allows the body to be hardened. Made of a soft material and its outer edge made of a soft material. The user can use the To press the key 3 and indirectly control the electronic switch 4. , The body 32 is obsessively made of hard material, which makes it a cursor rod. Is closely associated with. If the main body 32 is too soft, the control will be poor and effective -The sol rod cannot be swung, resulting in a poor structural design. The outer edge is It must be made of soft material, which effectively makes cursor keys 3 and case 2 Can prevent the interference phenomenon from occurring.

[0010]   FIG. 4 is an operation display of the soft key structure applied to the direction keys of the electronic device of the present invention. It is a figure. Among them, the cursor key 3 moves the cursor on the electronic device display screen. It is used to control and move up, down, left and right in four directions. When -3 is pressed, the function of input command is generated. In the figure, the user presses the cursor key 3 When pushing in the left direction of the, the outer edge 34 on the left side inclines downward and The outer edge 34 of the right side simultaneously moves upward, and the outer edge 34 on the right side thereof collides with the case 2 on the right side. Since the outer edge 34 is formed of a soft material at the time of collision, the stress generated by the case 2 is generated. It bends downward in response to this, but the main body of the cursor key 3 continues to tilt to the left. And complete a smooth operation. Moreover, the user releases the cursor key 3 to stop the force. When stopped, the cursor key 3 is quickly moved by the action of the outer edge provided in the opposite direction. Restores the original position, and thus the hard material on the cursor keys, as is known in the art. The occurrence of collision with the case and interference with the internal circuit device caused by use In order to prevent elephants, it is necessary to make the volume of the electronic device large, large and thick. Solve the disadvantages.

[0011]   Besides, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer edge structure of the cursor key 3 is shown in FIG. It is not limited to the part indicated by reference numeral 34, and as shown in FIG. In the part of No. 32, the part close to the case 2 can also be made of a soft material, as shown in FIG. The outer edge 54 shown can be formed. This allows the main body 52 of the key to It has only the central part. The structure of the key shown in FIG. 5 also belongs to the scope of the present invention.

[0012]

[Effect of device]   From the description of FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the present invention has the following improved functions. Light   1. The structure of the cursor keys of the electronic device is such that the main body is made of a hard material, and By forming the outer edge extending from the four circumferences of the main body with a soft material, the cursor keys When using, it is assumed that the interference phenomenon with the case does not occur.   2. By applying the soft material to the outer edge extended from the cursor keys, And makes it stretchable and flexible so that it contacts the case of the electronic device. When you do this, the operation of pressing the cursor key by deforming the outer edge becomes smooth. I'm sorry.   3. The outer edge stretched from the cursor key is formed by applying a soft material, Applying the low interference characteristics of the case and other internal circuit devices, the cursor keys and keys Reduce the distance between the source and other internal circuit devices, which The volume can be reduced.

[0013]   Collectively, the structural features and each embodiment of the present invention are described in detail, and The present invention has sufficient practicability and inventive step in terms of purpose and function, and is extremely industrial. It has a utility value, and the structure of the present invention has never existed before. The present invention has the requirements for utility model registration.

[0014]   The above embodiments do not limit the scope of implementation of the present invention, but are based on the present invention. Any modifications or alterations in details that can be made are within the scope of the claims of the present invention. And

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a relative position structure of a cursor key and a case of a known electronic device.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an operation structure in which a cursor key and a case of a known electronic device cause interference.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional exploded structural view of a case, a key and an electronic switch of the electronic device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an operation operation in which a soft material structure is applied to an electronic device cursor key of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional exploded structural view of a case, a key and an electronic switch of another type of electronic device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2, 10 cases 3, 12 Cursor keys 4,14 Electronic switch 13 openings 22 Housing hole 24 accommodation groove 32, 122 body 34,124 outer edge 42, 142 Cursor rod 44, 144 strain gauge 46,146 switch 48,148 substrate

Claims (12)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A key of an electronic device, wherein the electronic device comprises a case, an opening is provided in the case, the key is installed in the opening, and at least a part of the key is exposed to the outside of the case from the opening part. A cursor reader and a key reading device which is housed in the case and generates a direction signal corresponding to a pressing direction of the cursor key when the cursor key is pressed; A key for an electronic device, characterized in that it is composed of outer edges provided on four sides of the body, the body is made of a hard material, and the outer edges of the cursor keys are made of a soft material. 2. The key of the electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the main body and the outer edge of the cursor key are formed by two different injection molding methods of different materials. 3. The key of the electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the key reading device is fixed inside the case by a screwing method. 4. The key of the electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the key reading device is fixed inside the case by an adhesive method. 5. The key of the electronic device according to claim 1, wherein an outer edge of the cursor key is installed on four circumferences of the main body and extends outward. 6. The key of the electronic device according to claim 5, wherein an outer edge of the cursor key is located inside the case. 7. A key of an electronic device, wherein the key is composed of a main body and an outer edge installed on four sides of the main body, the main body is made of a hard material, and the outer edge is made of a soft material. And the key of the electronic device. 8. A key for an electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the key is formed by injection molding two different materials in the same flow, the body is formed of a hard material, and the outer edge of the key is formed of a soft material. A key of an electronic device, which is formed by. 9. A key of an electronic device, wherein the electronic device has a case having an opening, a cursor key installed in the opening and at least a part of which is exposed to the outside of the case from the case, A key reading device which is housed in a case and outputs a direction signal corresponding to a pressing direction of the cursor key when the cursor key is pressed; A key for an electronic device, characterized in that it is composed of an outer edge, the body is made of a hard material, and the outer edge is made of a soft material. 10. The key of the electronic device according to claim 9, wherein an outer edge of the cursor key is installed on four circumferences of the main body and extends outward. 11. The electronic device key according to claim 10, wherein an outer edge of the cursor key is located inside the case. 12. The electronic device key according to claim 9, wherein the electronic device is a personal digital assistant.