CA1316006C - Operating key switch unit - Google Patents
Operating key switch unitInfo
- Publication number
- CA1316006C CA1316006C CA000588831A CA588831A CA1316006C CA 1316006 C CA1316006 C CA 1316006C CA 000588831 A CA000588831 A CA 000588831A CA 588831 A CA588831 A CA 588831A CA 1316006 C CA1316006 C CA 1316006C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- contactor
- key switch
- case
- switch unit
- operating key
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2223/00—Casings
- H01H2223/002—Casings sealed
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
- H01H2229/034—Positioning of layers
Landscapes
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The operating key switch unit according to the present invention includes a plurality of key switch buttons exposed from the front of a waterproof case and a panel switch integrally formed using an elastic material and mounted with bolts between the waterproof case and a printed circuit board. It is further provided with one contactor projecting in the key switch button operating direction annularly in a surrounding relation to the key switch buttons, and the other annular contactor formed integrally with the panel switch and in contact with the one contactor throughout the overall circumference at all times.
The operating key switch unit according to the present invention includes a plurality of key switch buttons exposed from the front of a waterproof case and a panel switch integrally formed using an elastic material and mounted with bolts between the waterproof case and a printed circuit board. It is further provided with one contactor projecting in the key switch button operating direction annularly in a surrounding relation to the key switch buttons, and the other annular contactor formed integrally with the panel switch and in contact with the one contactor throughout the overall circumference at all times.
Description
OPERATING KEY SWITCH UNIT
The present invention relates to an operating key switch unit having a waterproof case with an electric circuit enclosed therein, and a plurality of key switch buttons for external operation exposed from the front of the case.
A conventional key switch unit will be described in detail hereinbelow~
The present invention has been accomplished for overcoming the problems of conventional key switch units and it is the object thereoE to provide an operating key switch unit having a sure waterproof structure not requiring an increase in the number of panel switch fixing bolts.
The operating key switch unit according to the present ln~ention is provided with one contactor projecting from the inner surface of the front of the case substantially in the ; 15 same direction as the key switch button operating direction and disposed annularly in a surrounding relation to the key switch buttons, and the other, annular contactor formed integrally with the panel switch and in contact with the said ~ one contactor throughout the~overall circumference at all ; 20 times.
Thus, in the present invention, since one contactor and the other contactor are in contact with each other at all times, there 1s not fear of the invasion of water to the ~ 3 ~ 6 exterior of the panel switch, namely, the interior of the case, even when the panel switch is deformed upon depression of a key switch button.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a conventional key switch unit;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line II-II of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a front view of a panel switch;
Fig. 5 is a side view, in longitudinal section, showing an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a front view of a panel switch;
Fig. 8 is a right-hand side view of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a side view, in longitudinal section, showing another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 10 i~ a partially enlarged view of Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a front view of a panel switch; and Fig. 12 is a right-hand side view of Fig. 11.
A conventional operating key switch unit will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the switch unit;
Fig. 2 is a sectiona] view taken on line II-II of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 2; and ~ig. 4 is a front view of a panel switch. ~n these figures, the reference numeral 1 denotes a waterproof case molded from a i;; ~ " !
~316~
resin; numeral 2 denotes a display opening formed in the front indicated at la of the case l; numeral 3 denotes a button hole formed in a plural number (twelve in the drawings) in the front la of the case; numeral 4 denotes a printed circuit board mounted in the case 1 using bolts 5; and numeral 6 denotes a display portion inserted in the display opening 2 between a front-side surface 4a of the printed circuit board 4 and the case front la. Numeral 7 denotes a panel switch inserted between the front-side surface 4a of the printed circuit board 4 and the case front la, and key switch buttons 8 for external operation exposed respectively from the button holes 3 are formed integrally with the panel switch 7 using an elastic material. Numeral 9 denotes an electroconductive contact of each key switch button 8 integral with the panel switch 7, the electroconductive contact 9 being provided in a recess 7a. Numeral ~0 denotes a contact printed on the front-side surface 4a of the printed circuit board 4 in an opposed relation to each electroconductive contact 9. Numeral 11 denotes an electronic part mounted on a back-side surface 4b of the printed circuit board 4.
The operational of the conventional key switch unit of the above constxuction will now be explained. The panel switch 7 is put on the printed circuit board 4 having the electronic part 11 and fixed to the case 1 with bolts 5, As a 6~''~` ;'''~''i'' 1316~
result, the key switch buttons 8 of the panel switch 7 are exposed fro~ the button holes 3 of the case so that they can be operated from the exterior.
The contacts 10 on the printed circuit board 4 and the electroconductive contacts 9 of the panel switch 7 jointly form a switch structure. Both contacts g and lo are normally not in contact with each other as shown in Fig. 3, but when a key switch button 8 is depressed, the panel switch 7 is deformed through the associated recess 7a, so that both contacts are in contact with each other and as a result the contents of operation are displayed on the display portion 6.
According to the conventional operation key switch unit described above, the panel switch 7 is integrally formed using an elastic material and it is sandwiched between the front-lS side surface 4a of the printed circuit board 4 and the innersurface of the case front la, to thereby prevent the invasion ; of water from the button holes 3 to the exterior of the panel switch 7, namely the interior of the case 1, through a surrounding contact portion 7b of the panel switch 7.
However, the surrounding contact portion 7b of the panel switch 7 is held by a contact pressure induced by only the urging force of the bolts 5, so when the panel switch 7 is deformed in response to depression of a key switch button 8, there occurs a change in contact pressure of the surrounding contact portion 7b, that lS, a uniform contact pressure is not ; .
1316~6 obtained, resulting in that water enters the interior of the case l through the surrounding contact portion 7b, thus causing the contacts 9, 10 and the electronic part 11 to be corroded. Further, if the mounting pitch of the bolts 5 is made smaller to increase the contact pressure of the panel switch 7, the resulting increase in the number of bolts 5 causes an increase in time required for the assembling operation, thus leading to increase of cost.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 8. Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a front view of a panel switch; and Fig. 8 is a right-hand side view of Fig. 7. In these figures, portions which are the same as or equivalent to those of the foregoing conventional switch unit are indicated by the same reference numerals. In these figures reference numeral 7A denotes a panel switch integrally formed using an elastic material; numeral 12 denotes a convex portion formed on the inner surface of a case front la. The convex portion 12 extends annularly along the marginal portion of the panel switch 7A. Numeral 13 denotes a concave groove formed annularly in the marginal portion of the panel switch 7A, in which groove lS fitted the convex portion 12.
Thus, the convex portion ~2 of the case front la and the concave groove 13 of the panel switch 7A are fitted together. This is advantageous in that even when the panel :: ~
. , ~ , .
131fiO~
switGh 7A is deformed upon depression of a key switch button 8, there will be no change in con-tact pressure between the convex portion 12 and the concave groove 13 because both are in contact with each other in the same direction as the operating direction. Therefore, there is no fear of the invasion of water to the exterior of the panel switch 7A, namely, the interior of the case 1.
Although in the above embodiment the convex portion 12 and the concave groove 13 serve as one contactor and the other contactor, respectively, they may be reversed.
Now, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 12. Fig. 9 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5; Fig. 10 ls a partially enlarged view of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a frbnt view of a panel switch; and Fig. 12 is a right-hand side view of Fig. 11, in which figures portions which are the same as or equivalent to those in the previous embodiment are indica*ed by the same ~; reference numerals and~will not be~explained here. In these figures, the numeral 7B denotes a panel switch integrally formed using an elastic material, and numeral 12A denotes a convex portion formed on the inner surface of the case front la, the convex portion 12A being located annularly :
surrounding the outer periphery of the panel switch 7B and in contact with a front-side surface 4a of the printed circuit :
board 4. Numeral 14 denotes a rib formed annularly on the outer periphery of the panel swi~ch 7B and in contact with the lnner peripheral surface of the convex portion 12A.
b ~316~
Although in this embodiment the convex portion 12A and the rib 14 serve as one and the other contactor, respectively, they may be reversed.
::
:
.
The present invention relates to an operating key switch unit having a waterproof case with an electric circuit enclosed therein, and a plurality of key switch buttons for external operation exposed from the front of the case.
A conventional key switch unit will be described in detail hereinbelow~
The present invention has been accomplished for overcoming the problems of conventional key switch units and it is the object thereoE to provide an operating key switch unit having a sure waterproof structure not requiring an increase in the number of panel switch fixing bolts.
The operating key switch unit according to the present ln~ention is provided with one contactor projecting from the inner surface of the front of the case substantially in the ; 15 same direction as the key switch button operating direction and disposed annularly in a surrounding relation to the key switch buttons, and the other, annular contactor formed integrally with the panel switch and in contact with the said ~ one contactor throughout the~overall circumference at all ; 20 times.
Thus, in the present invention, since one contactor and the other contactor are in contact with each other at all times, there 1s not fear of the invasion of water to the ~ 3 ~ 6 exterior of the panel switch, namely, the interior of the case, even when the panel switch is deformed upon depression of a key switch button.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a conventional key switch unit;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line II-II of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a front view of a panel switch;
Fig. 5 is a side view, in longitudinal section, showing an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a front view of a panel switch;
Fig. 8 is a right-hand side view of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a side view, in longitudinal section, showing another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 10 i~ a partially enlarged view of Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a front view of a panel switch; and Fig. 12 is a right-hand side view of Fig. 11.
A conventional operating key switch unit will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the switch unit;
Fig. 2 is a sectiona] view taken on line II-II of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 2; and ~ig. 4 is a front view of a panel switch. ~n these figures, the reference numeral 1 denotes a waterproof case molded from a i;; ~ " !
~316~
resin; numeral 2 denotes a display opening formed in the front indicated at la of the case l; numeral 3 denotes a button hole formed in a plural number (twelve in the drawings) in the front la of the case; numeral 4 denotes a printed circuit board mounted in the case 1 using bolts 5; and numeral 6 denotes a display portion inserted in the display opening 2 between a front-side surface 4a of the printed circuit board 4 and the case front la. Numeral 7 denotes a panel switch inserted between the front-side surface 4a of the printed circuit board 4 and the case front la, and key switch buttons 8 for external operation exposed respectively from the button holes 3 are formed integrally with the panel switch 7 using an elastic material. Numeral 9 denotes an electroconductive contact of each key switch button 8 integral with the panel switch 7, the electroconductive contact 9 being provided in a recess 7a. Numeral ~0 denotes a contact printed on the front-side surface 4a of the printed circuit board 4 in an opposed relation to each electroconductive contact 9. Numeral 11 denotes an electronic part mounted on a back-side surface 4b of the printed circuit board 4.
The operational of the conventional key switch unit of the above constxuction will now be explained. The panel switch 7 is put on the printed circuit board 4 having the electronic part 11 and fixed to the case 1 with bolts 5, As a 6~''~` ;'''~''i'' 1316~
result, the key switch buttons 8 of the panel switch 7 are exposed fro~ the button holes 3 of the case so that they can be operated from the exterior.
The contacts 10 on the printed circuit board 4 and the electroconductive contacts 9 of the panel switch 7 jointly form a switch structure. Both contacts g and lo are normally not in contact with each other as shown in Fig. 3, but when a key switch button 8 is depressed, the panel switch 7 is deformed through the associated recess 7a, so that both contacts are in contact with each other and as a result the contents of operation are displayed on the display portion 6.
According to the conventional operation key switch unit described above, the panel switch 7 is integrally formed using an elastic material and it is sandwiched between the front-lS side surface 4a of the printed circuit board 4 and the innersurface of the case front la, to thereby prevent the invasion ; of water from the button holes 3 to the exterior of the panel switch 7, namely the interior of the case 1, through a surrounding contact portion 7b of the panel switch 7.
However, the surrounding contact portion 7b of the panel switch 7 is held by a contact pressure induced by only the urging force of the bolts 5, so when the panel switch 7 is deformed in response to depression of a key switch button 8, there occurs a change in contact pressure of the surrounding contact portion 7b, that lS, a uniform contact pressure is not ; .
1316~6 obtained, resulting in that water enters the interior of the case l through the surrounding contact portion 7b, thus causing the contacts 9, 10 and the electronic part 11 to be corroded. Further, if the mounting pitch of the bolts 5 is made smaller to increase the contact pressure of the panel switch 7, the resulting increase in the number of bolts 5 causes an increase in time required for the assembling operation, thus leading to increase of cost.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 8. Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a front view of a panel switch; and Fig. 8 is a right-hand side view of Fig. 7. In these figures, portions which are the same as or equivalent to those of the foregoing conventional switch unit are indicated by the same reference numerals. In these figures reference numeral 7A denotes a panel switch integrally formed using an elastic material; numeral 12 denotes a convex portion formed on the inner surface of a case front la. The convex portion 12 extends annularly along the marginal portion of the panel switch 7A. Numeral 13 denotes a concave groove formed annularly in the marginal portion of the panel switch 7A, in which groove lS fitted the convex portion 12.
Thus, the convex portion ~2 of the case front la and the concave groove 13 of the panel switch 7A are fitted together. This is advantageous in that even when the panel :: ~
. , ~ , .
131fiO~
switGh 7A is deformed upon depression of a key switch button 8, there will be no change in con-tact pressure between the convex portion 12 and the concave groove 13 because both are in contact with each other in the same direction as the operating direction. Therefore, there is no fear of the invasion of water to the exterior of the panel switch 7A, namely, the interior of the case 1.
Although in the above embodiment the convex portion 12 and the concave groove 13 serve as one contactor and the other contactor, respectively, they may be reversed.
Now, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 12. Fig. 9 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5; Fig. 10 ls a partially enlarged view of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a frbnt view of a panel switch; and Fig. 12 is a right-hand side view of Fig. 11, in which figures portions which are the same as or equivalent to those in the previous embodiment are indica*ed by the same ~; reference numerals and~will not be~explained here. In these figures, the numeral 7B denotes a panel switch integrally formed using an elastic material, and numeral 12A denotes a convex portion formed on the inner surface of the case front la, the convex portion 12A being located annularly :
surrounding the outer periphery of the panel switch 7B and in contact with a front-side surface 4a of the printed circuit :
board 4. Numeral 14 denotes a rib formed annularly on the outer periphery of the panel swi~ch 7B and in contact with the lnner peripheral surface of the convex portion 12A.
b ~316~
Although in this embodiment the convex portion 12A and the rib 14 serve as one and the other contactor, respectively, they may be reversed.
::
:
.
Claims (5)
1. In an operating key switch unit wherein an electric circuit is enclosed in a waterproof case and a plurality of key switch buttons for external operation are exposed from the front of the case, said operating key switch unit having a printed circuit board mounted in said case with bolts to partition the interior of the case into a front side and a back side, with contacts being formed on the front-side board surface which contacts are opposed to electroconductive contacts of said key switch but-tons, and with electronic parts being mounted on the back-side board surface, and also having a panel. switch with which are integrally formed said key switch buttons using an elastic material and which is inserted between the front-side surface of said printed circuit board and the inner surface of the front of said case, the improvement character-ized by further having one contactor projecting from the inner surface of the front of said case substantially in the same direction as the operating direction of said key switch buttons and disposed annularly in a surrounding relation to the key switch buttons, and the other annular contactor formed integrally with said panel switch and in contact with said one contactor throughout the overall circumference at all times.
2. An operating key switch unit according to Claim 1, wherein said one contactor is formed convexly, while said the other contactor is formed as a concave groove engaged with said convex-shaped one contactor.
3. An operating key switch unit according to Claim 1, wherein said one contactor is formed as a concave groove, while said the other contactor is formed with a convex portion engaged with said concave groove.
4. An operating key switch unit according to Claim 1, wherein said one contactor is formed as a convex portion the tip end of which reaches the front-side surface of said printed circuit board, while said the other contactor is formed as a rib which is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of said one contactor.
5. An operating key switch unit according to Claim 1, wherein said one contactor is formed as a rib, while said the other contactor is formed as a convex portion which outer peripheral surface is in contact with said rib.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP63145165A JPH0738288B2 (en) | 1988-06-13 | 1988-06-13 | Operation key switch device |
| JP145165/88 | 1988-06-13 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1316006C true CA1316006C (en) | 1993-04-13 |
Family
ID=15378933
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000588831A Expired - Fee Related CA1316006C (en) | 1988-06-13 | 1989-01-20 | Operating key switch unit |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH0738288B2 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU618061B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1316006C (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2219691B (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH0427530U (en) * | 1990-06-29 | 1992-03-04 | ||
| US5219067A (en) * | 1992-02-04 | 1993-06-15 | Trimble Navigation Limited | Keyboard pad structure for electronic devices |
| US5475192A (en) * | 1993-03-15 | 1995-12-12 | Teikoku Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd. | Keytop sheet for push-button switches |
| US5704467A (en) * | 1993-04-20 | 1998-01-06 | Keymat Technology Limited | Keypads |
| FR2712408B1 (en) * | 1993-11-12 | 1996-02-16 | Jaeger | Keyboard for controlling an electric or electronic system, in particular for an anti-theft system for a motor vehicle. |
| DE10022707C2 (en) * | 2000-05-10 | 2002-05-02 | Siemens Ag | Mobile phone with a keypad |
| JP3887778B2 (en) * | 2002-09-09 | 2007-02-28 | 三菱電機株式会社 | refrigerator |
| US8160657B2 (en) * | 2009-07-24 | 2012-04-17 | Harris Corporation | Mobile wireless communications device with elastomeric sealing membrane covering switch and related methods |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS4916773U (en) * | 1972-05-17 | 1974-02-13 | ||
| JPS58115027U (en) * | 1982-02-01 | 1983-08-05 | サンアロ−株式会社 | push button panel |
| JPS6032215A (en) * | 1983-07-30 | 1985-02-19 | カシオ計算機株式会社 | Key switch structure |
| AT381814B (en) * | 1985-06-14 | 1986-12-10 | Siemens Ag Oesterreich | KEY DIALING BLOCK |
| JPS6276446U (en) * | 1985-10-31 | 1987-05-16 | ||
| JPH01115128U (en) * | 1988-01-29 | 1989-08-02 | ||
| JPH01168920U (en) * | 1988-05-18 | 1989-11-29 |
-
1988
- 1988-06-13 JP JP63145165A patent/JPH0738288B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1989
- 1989-01-19 GB GB8901123A patent/GB2219691B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-01-20 CA CA000588831A patent/CA1316006C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-01-24 AU AU28734/89A patent/AU618061B2/en not_active Ceased
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH0738288B2 (en) | 1995-04-26 |
| GB8901123D0 (en) | 1989-03-15 |
| AU2873489A (en) | 1989-12-14 |
| GB2219691B (en) | 1992-09-02 |
| GB2219691A (en) | 1989-12-13 |
| AU618061B2 (en) | 1991-12-12 |
| JPH01313820A (en) | 1989-12-19 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |