JPH11149843A - Switch structure of remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably fix a case and improve the withstand voltage to static electricity at low cost by fitting case ribs projected in the case with a plurality of rubber ribs projected toward the case side and formed in the flat part of the peripheral part of the key rubber, having a conductive part and keeping a long creepage distance from a key top to a circuit substrate. SOLUTION: Each key top 2 is made to project out of a key hole 9 of a case 8, and case ribs 14 are fitted between two rubber ribs 4 formed in a flat part 19 in the peripheral part of a key rubber 3 to fix the key top 2. The contact point 12 of the circuit substrate 11 and the conductive part 10 of the key rubber 3 are electrically short-circuited, by being brought into contact with each other due to shrinkage of a film 7 by pushing the key top 2 and turned back to original positions, due to the restoring force of the membrane 7 by stopping the pushing of the key top 2. The creepage distance 13 from the key top 2 to the circuit substrate 11 becomes long due to the rubber ribs 4 and the static electricity applied to the key top 2 is lowered, and mis-operation of the circuit substrate 11 and destruction of part are prevented. Consequently, the reliability of this switch is improved without increasing the number of part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote controller for operating various electric devices, and more particularly, to a structure of an operation switch unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a switch structure of a conventional remote controller, there is a switch structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-154189. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of this type of remote controller. In the figure, 1 is a remote controller, 2 is a key top touched by a finger, 3
Is a key rubber made of an insulating elastic member such as silicon rubber, and a plurality of key tops 2 are integrally formed. 9
Is a key hole provided in the upper case 16, and the upper case 16 and the key rubber 3 are arranged so that the key top 2 protrudes from the key hole 9. Reference numeral 11 denotes a circuit board, and a key top 2
A plurality of contact points 12 are provided so as to face the position. 15 is an electric wire which is a wiring for connecting to various electric devices, 1
7 is a lower case. As shown in the figure, key rubber 3
Between the upper case 16 and the lower case 17
And the circuit board 11.

The switch structure will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the switch structure, and particularly shows a part including the periphery of the key rubber 3. In the drawing, reference numeral 7 denotes a film provided around each of the key tops 2 and connects the key tops 2 to the flat portion of the key rubber 3, and reference numeral 8 denotes a case, which is the same as the upper case 16 in FIG. Reference numeral 10 denotes a conductive portion provided on the circuit board 11 on the back side of the key top 2, and is configured to face the contact 12 of the circuit board 11. 1
3 is a creepage distance from the key top 2 to the circuit board 11;
Reference numeral 4 denotes a case rib, and reference numeral 18 denotes a peripheral end flat portion of the key rubber 3.

The key tops 2 are projected from the key holes 9 of the case 8, and the case ribs 14 press the peripheral flat surface portion 18 of the key rubber 3 against the circuit board 11 while the case ribs 14 are pressed.
Is fixed by screws or the like. Thereby, the contact 12 of the circuit board 11 and the conductive portion 10 of the key rubber 3 are fixed so as to face each other. When a person presses the key top 2 from the case 8 side during operation, the conductive portion 10 formed on the bottom surface of the key top 2 comes into contact with the contact 12 and causes an electric short circuit. This signal is transmitted from the electric wire 15 to various electric devices.

In the switch structure shown in FIG. 11, a convex rubber rib 4 is provided on the side of the case 8 on the peripheral flat portion 19 of the key rubber 3, and is combined with the case rib 14 and the rubber rib 4 so as to be locked. 2 is secured.

[0006]

The switch structure of a conventional remote controller is configured as described above.
To make such a remote controller at low cost has the following problems. When a person operates the key top 2 of the remote controller, static electricity charged on the human body or the like is transmitted from the surface of the key rubber 3 to the air along the periphery by touching the key top 2 with a finger. In some cases, discharge was caused between the substrate 11. When the circuit board 11 is discharged, a remote malfunction may occur in which an erroneous signal is transmitted to an electric device.
There is a danger of destroying the element mounted in No. 1. In addition, the electric discharge may cause the electric equipment connected to the electric wire 15 to be destroyed, for example, an indoor unit for air conditioning.

The magnitude F of the electrostatic force acting on the two charged bodies is
Assuming that the respective charges are Q1 and Q2 and the distance between the two charges is r, it is expressed as Expression (1). F Ｑ Q1 · Q2 / (ε · r ² ) (1) Here, ε is a relative dielectric constant specific to a substance (medium) where the electrostatic force works.

As is apparent from equation (1), if the distance between the two charged bodies, that is, the distance between the fingertip and the circuit board 11, is large, the electrostatic force F becomes small, and the discharge becomes difficult to occur.
Here, the distance between the fingertip and the circuit board 11 will be described. The relative permittivity ε is approximately 1 in air, and 2 to 2 in rubber.
3.5, 5.7-6.8 for pottery, 5.4- for glass
9.9, and the electrostatic force F in the air is the largest.
For this reason, it is considered that electric discharge is transmitted through the air from the fingertip to the circuit board 11. That is, in FIG. 10, the creepage of the portion of the key top 2 touched by the fingertip-> the gap between the key hole 9 and the key top 2-> the shortest linear distance in the space between the key top 2 and the case rib 14-> the key rubber 3 Reaches the circuit board 11 through the surface of the flat portion 18. This is the creepage distance 13
Called. The switch structure of FIG. 11 is slightly longer than the structure of FIG.

However, on the other hand, it is desired to reduce the cost and size of the remote controller. To manufacture the remote controller at a low cost, the entire key rubber 3 is made smaller to reduce the amount of rubber, and the size of the mold is made smaller. It is necessary.
For this reason, the lower the cost, the lower the height of the key top 2 and the lower the flat end portion 1 of the key rubber.
8 and the length of the peripheral flat portion 19 of the key rubber tends to be shortened. That is, as the cost and size of the remote controller are reduced, the key top 2 moves to the circuit board 11.
Therefore, there is a problem that the electrostatic discharge easily occurs due to the short creepage distance 13.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is possible to reduce the size and the size of a remote controller without increasing the size of an insulating elastic member. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a highly reliable switch structure of a remote controller that can improve electrostatic withstand voltage. It is another object of the present invention to obtain a switch structure of a remote controller that can securely fix a key rubber and a case.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a switch structure of a remote controller is provided on a circuit board having a plurality of contacts, a plurality of key tops protruding from a plane portion, and a back side of each of the key tops. A key rubber having a conductive portion opposed to each of the contact points, and a remote controller including a case having a key hole into which the key top is inserted, and being fixed via a space and a plane portion of the key rubber. At least two or more rubber ribs juxtaposed along the peripheral edge of the key rubber so as to protrude to the side, and a case rib protruding from the case and fitted between the rubber ribs.

The switch structure of the remote controller according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a circuit board having a plurality of contacts, a plurality of key tops protruding from a plane portion, and each of the contacts provided on the back side of each of the key tops. A key rubber having a conductive portion opposed to the key rubber, and a case having a key hole into which each of the key tops is inserted, and a case fixed through a space and a plane portion of the key rubber. And a plurality of case ribs protruding from the case and holding the rubber ribs.

Further, the switch structure of the remote controller according to the third invention has a key rubber having a flat portion outside the rubber rib.

The switch structure of the remote controller according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a case provided with a case rib fitted in a space between the rubber rib and a keytop connected thereto.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, the switch structure of the remote controller according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general remote controller, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a key rubber according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an enlarged part of a switch structure according to the present embodiment. ,
The part including the periphery of the key rubber is shown.

In the figure, 1 is a remote controller,
Reference numeral 2 denotes a key top touched by a finger, and 3 denotes a sheet made of an insulating elastic member such as silicon rubber or soft urethane. A plurality of key tops 2 are integrally formed, and are referred to as a key rubber herein. Reference numeral 4 denotes two rubber ribs juxtaposed along the periphery of the key rubber 3, 5 denotes a flat portion around the protruding key top 2, 7 denotes a key hole provided around each of the key tops 2 and the key top 2 and the flat portion 5 and is formed in a skirt shape along the outer shape of the key top 2 protruding from the key top peripheral flat portion 5. 8
Is a case, which is the same as the upper case 16 in FIG. Reference numeral 9 denotes a key hole provided in the upper case 16 so that the key top 2 projects from the key hole 9.
And the key rubber 3 are provided. Reference numeral 10 denotes a conductive portion provided on the circuit board 11 side, which is the back side of the keytop 2, and is formed by, for example, carbon printing at a position facing the contact 12 of the circuit board 11. Reference numeral 11 denotes a circuit board on which a plurality of contacts 12 are provided so as to face the position of the key top 2. Reference numeral 13 denotes a creepage distance from the key top 2 to the circuit board 11, and reference numeral 14 denotes a case rib provided on the case 8, which protrudes toward the key rubber 3 so as to fit with the rubber rib 4. 15 is an electric wire which is a wiring for connecting to various electric devices, 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes an upper case, and reference numeral 18 denotes a peripheral end flat portion of the key rubber 3. Reference numeral 19 denotes a peripheral flat portion of the key rubber. Although the lower case is omitted in the figure, the circuit board 11 and the key rubber 3 are sandwiched between the upper case 16 and the lower case.

The key tops 2 are projected from the key holes 9 of the case 8, respectively, and the case ribs 14 are fixed so as to fit between the two rubber ribs 4 provided on the peripheral flat portion 19 of the key rubber 3. Thereby, the contact 12 of the circuit board 11
And the conductive portion 10 of the key rubber 3 are fixed to face each other. When a person presses the key top 2 from the case 8 side during operation, the entire key top 2 is lowered, and the skirt-shaped membrane 7 is pressed.
Shrinks. Then, the contact 12 formed on the circuit board 11 by carbon printing or the like and the conductive portion 10 on the back side of the key top 2 come into contact with each other, causing an electrical short circuit. This signal is transmitted from the electric wire 15 to various electric devices. When the key top 2 stops being pressed, it returns to its original position due to the restoring force of the skirt-like film 7.

In the present embodiment, when static electricity is applied to the key top 2 made of an insulator, the creepage distance 13 when an electrostatic discharge occurs is as shown in FIG. That is, the creepage of the portion of the key top 2 touched by the fingertip → the gap between the key hole 9 and the key top 2 → the creepage of the case 8 → the air between the key rib 4 and the case rib 14 → the outer rubber rib 4 It reaches the circuit board 11 through the shortest linear distance connecting the periphery of the key rubber 3.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the case ribs 14 formed on the case 8 and the rubber ribs 4 formed on the key ribs 3 are fitted in an uneven manner. By extending 18, the creepage distance 13 is extended. Therefore, FIG.
The creepage distance 13 is longer than that of the conventional example shown in FIG. Since the electrostatic force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, since the creepage distance 13 is long, the electrostatic force can be minimized. Accordingly, malfunction of the remote controller due to static electricity can be prevented, and destruction of elements mounted on the circuit board 11 can be prevented, so that a highly reliable switch structure of the remote controller can be obtained. In addition, since it can be formed only by performing additional processing on the conventional components, the electrostatic resistance can be improved at low cost without increasing the number of components.

Further, in this embodiment, two convex rubber ribs 4 are provided on the case 8 side in the peripheral flat portion 19 of the key rubber 3, and the case rib 1 is provided in a space between the rubber ribs 4.
4, the case 8 and the key rubber 3 are securely fixed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral end flat portion 18 of the key rubber is further provided continuously outside the outer rubber rib 4, but as shown in FIG. Without this, a switch structure having a longer creepage distance than the conventional creepage distance can be configured. In addition, the key top 2 can be securely fixed.

Although two rubber ribs 4 are arranged side by side to surround the key rubber 3 doubly, three or more rubber ribs 4 may be arranged side by side.

Embodiment 2 FIG. Hereinafter, the switch structure of the remote controller according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the switch structure according to the present embodiment, and shows a portion including a peripheral portion of the key rubber. In the present embodiment, one rubber rib 4 is provided on the entire circumference so as to protrude toward the case 8 along the peripheral edge of the key rubber 3. The two case ribs 14 are provided so as to protrude toward the key rubber 3 of the case 8, and the rubber ribs 4 are held by the case ribs 14.

In this embodiment, when static electricity is applied to the key top 2 made of an insulator, the creepage distance 13 when an electrostatic discharge occurs is as shown in FIG. In other words, the creepage of the portion of the key top 2 touched by the fingertip-> the gap between the key hole 9 and the key top 2-> the shortest linear distance in the space between the key top 2 and the case rib 14-> the key rib 4 and the case rib 14 The air in between-> passes along the surface of the peripheral end flat portion 18 of the key rubber 3 to reach the circuit board 11.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the case ribs 14 and the rubber ribs 4 formed on the case 8 are fitted in an uneven manner, and further, the peripheral end flat portion 18 is extended continuously with the rubber ribs 4 so that the creepage distance 13 is increased. Is stretching. Therefore, as compared with the conventional example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the creepage distance 13 is longer, so that the electrostatic force can be minimized. Accordingly, malfunction of the remote controller due to static electricity can be prevented, and destruction of elements mounted on the circuit board 11 can be prevented, so that a highly reliable switch structure of the remote controller can be obtained.

In this embodiment, two convex case ribs 14 are provided on the case 8 on the side of the key rubber 3 and the rubber ribs 4 are fitted in the spaces between the case ribs 14. 3 is secured.

The one shown in FIG. 5 is provided with one rubber rib 4 and two case ribs 14 for sandwiching the rubber rib. However, as shown in FIG. Further, the creepage distance 13 can be increased. That is, the creepage distance 13 can be increased by the amount that (the shortest linear distance in the space between the key top 2 and the case rib 14) becomes (the creepage distance of the case 8). Further, the effect that the key top 2 can be securely fixed is further improved.

Embodiment 3 Hereinafter, the switch structure of the remote controller according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the switch structure according to the present embodiment, and shows a portion including a peripheral portion of the key rubber. In this embodiment, a case rib 14 is provided also in a space between the key top 2 and the rubber rib 4 so as to fit in this space.

In this embodiment, when static electricity is applied to the key top 2 made of an insulator, the creepage distance 13 when an electrostatic discharge occurs is as shown in FIG. That is, the surface of the key top 2 touched by the fingertip-> the gap between the key hole 9 and the key top 2-> the air between the key rubber 3 and the case rib 14-> connects the outer rubber rib 4 and the periphery of the key rubber 3. It reaches the circuit board 11 through the shortest straight distance.

The case ribs 14 and the rubber ribs 4 formed on the case 8 are fitted into the case 8 in an uneven manner, and the space between the key tops 2 and the rubber ribs 4 is also formed so as to pass along the surface of the key rubber 3. 13 is stretched. Since the creepage distance 13 is long as described above, the electrostatic force can be minimized, so that malfunction of the remote controller due to static electricity can be prevented, and elements mounted on the circuit board 11 can be prevented from being destroyed. And a switch structure of the remote controller having a high reliability can be obtained.

Also in this embodiment, two convex rubber ribs 4 are provided on the case 8 side in the peripheral flat portion 19 of the key rubber 3, and the case rib 1 is provided in the space between the rubber ribs 4.
4, the case 8 and the key rubber 3 are securely fixed.

In the present embodiment, what fits into the space between the key top 2 and the rubber rib 4 is not the entire space around the key top 2 but the portion that is continuous with the peripheral edge of the key rubber 3. . For this reason, there is almost no obstacle to the operation in which the skirt-shaped film 7 expands and contracts when the key top 2 is pressed with a finger.

In the first to third embodiments,
The rubber ribs 4 are provided around the entire periphery of the key rubber 3, and the case ribs 14 are provided correspondingly. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rubber ribs 4 may be provided on a part of the key rib 3 along the periphery. . In particular, in the case where the remote controller is provided in a part, if it is provided in a portion where the distance between the key top 2 and the circuit board 11 is short in the structure of the remote controller, the electrostatic resistance can be effectively improved. Also, if a fitting portion is provided along the peripheral edge at the corner of the circumference of the key rubber 3, it takes time and effort to fit when assembling. A device such as a rounded configuration may be used.

Further, the numbers of the rubber ribs 4 and the case ribs 14 are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment.
In view of the above point and the point of securely fixing, it is preferable that both of them are large. However, the larger the number is, the larger the size of the remote controller becomes, and the more time is required for assembling, so that the rubber rib 4 and the case rib 1 are kept without increasing the length of the peripheral flat portion 19 of the rubber rib.
4 may be formed. For example, by providing two case ribs 14 each, the electrostatic resistance can be sufficiently improved, and the case 8 and the key rubber 3 can be securely fixed. In addition,
When the number of the rubber ribs 4 and the number of the case ribs 14 are the same, the creeping distance 13 can be made longer when the rubber ribs 4 are fitted so that the rubber ribs 4 are located outside in consideration of the creeping distance 13.

Since the electrostatic force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, the creepage distance from the keytop 2 to the circuit board 11 is 1
Even if 3 is slightly longer, the effect of reducing the electrostatic force can be obtained to some extent. Therefore, the rubber rib 4 and the case rib 14 according to the first to third embodiments are used.
Is merely a convex shape. However, as shown in FIG. 8, irregularities may be formed on the side portions to further stabilize when fitted together. In this case, the creeping surface also follows the irregularities, and the creepage distance 13 is accordingly increased. The key rubber 3 is an elastic member, and the rubber ribs 4 are deformed and restored with flexibility during assembly, so that the unevenness on the side surface can be smoothly fitted.

In the first to third embodiments, when the metallic rubber is plated on the key rubber 3 side of the case 8 or the case 8 itself is mixed with a metal material and molded, static electricity is generated from the key top 2. It becomes easy to discharge along the case 8. Therefore, the circuit board 11 can be more reliably protected from static electricity.

[0037]

As described above, according to the first aspect, a circuit board having a plurality of contacts, a plurality of key tops protruding from a flat portion, and each of the contacts provided on the back side of each of the key tops are provided. A key rubber having a conductive portion opposed to the key bar, and a case having a key hole into which the key top is inserted, and a case fixed via a space and a plane portion of the key rubber, and protruding toward the case. As described above, at least two or more rubber ribs juxtaposed along the periphery of the key rubber and a case rib protruding from the case and fitted between the rubber ribs are provided, so that the electrostatic withstand strength can be improved, and the key rubber can be improved. Can be obtained.

Further, according to the second invention, a circuit board having a plurality of contacts, a plurality of key tops protruding from a plane portion, and a conductive portion provided on the back side of each of the key tops and facing each of the contacts. A key rubber having
In a remote controller having a key hole into which each of the key tops is inserted, and a case fixed through a space and a plane portion of the key rubber, the key rubber is provided on the case side along a peripheral edge thereof. By providing a rubber rib and a plurality of case ribs protruding from the case and sandwiching the rubber rib, it is possible to obtain a switch structure of a remote controller that can improve the electrostatic resistance and reliably fix the key rubber.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the key rubber has the flat portion outside the rubber rib,
Further, it is possible to obtain a switch structure of a remote controller capable of improving the electrostatic resistance.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the case is provided with the case rib which fits into the space between the rubber rib and the key top connected thereto, the switch of the remote controller can further improve the electrostatic resistance. Structure can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a remote controller according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a key rubber according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a switch structure according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a switch structure according to another example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing a switch structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a switch structure according to another example of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view showing a switch structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing a switch structure according to another example of the first to third embodiments.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional remote controller in an exploded manner.

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view showing a switch structure of a conventional remote controller.

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view showing another example of the switch structure of the conventional remote controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Remote controller, 2 key tops, 3 key rubbers, 4 rubber ribs, 5 key tops surrounding flat area,
7 membrane, 8 case, 9 key hole, 10 conductive part, 11
Circuit board, 12 contacts, 13 creepage distance, 14 case rib, 15 wires, 16 upper case, 17 lower case,
18 Key rubber peripheral flat part, 19 key rubber peripheral flat part.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A circuit board having a plurality of contacts, a plurality of key tops protruding from a plane portion, and a key rubber provided on a back side of each of the key tops and having a conductive portion facing each of the contacts, and the key tops In a remote controller having a key hole to be inserted and a case fixed through a space and a plane portion of the key rubber, the key rubber is arranged side by side along the periphery of the key rubber so as to protrude toward the case side. At least 2
A switch structure for a remote controller, comprising: at least one rubber rib; and a case rib protruding from the case and fitted between the rubber ribs. 2. A circuit board having a plurality of contacts, a plurality of key tops protruding from a plane portion, and a key rubber provided on a back side of each of the key tops and having a conductive portion facing each of the contacts, and the key tops A remote controller having a key hole into which each is inserted and a case fixed via a plane portion and the space of the key rubber, a rubber rib protruding from the case side along the periphery of the key rubber, A switch structure for a remote controller, comprising: a plurality of case ribs protruding from the case and holding the rubber rib. 3. The switch structure according to claim 1, wherein the key rubber has a flat portion outside the rubber rib. 4. The remote controller switch according to claim 1, wherein the case has a case rib fitted in a space between the rubber rib and a key top connected to the rubber rib. Construction.