JP2001057483A - Front-panel structure for electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a versatile front-panel structure for electronic apparatuses in which different functions can be arranged at a same position. SOLUTION: This front panel 10 is a resin molded product machined by metal molding, and has a structure in which either a switch part or an indicator part can be arbitrarily selected for a same position. Namely, for use as a switch, a partial oblique view and a partial cross-sectional view are shown in figure (a) and for use as an indicator, a partial oblique view and a partial cross-sectional view are shown in figure (b). For use as a switch, a dent 12 is used as exposed, while for use as an indicator, a light guide 30 is inserted in the dent 12. By selecting a part that fits the light guide and that is to be mounted on a printed board 20, a same position on the front panel can be used both for a switch and for an indicator.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a front panel structure of an electronic device, and more specifically, to a front panel structure of a general-purpose electronic device in which electronic devices having different functions can share a front panel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, even with electronic devices of the same model,
In many cases, a plurality of lineups are prepared in order to precisely respond to user needs. In the case of models with different versions, even if the appearance is almost the same, there are small differences such as the installation of the switch in the front panel in one version and the indicator in the other version. is there.

[0003]

However, in the case where parts of different functions are attached to the front panel even if they are of the same model, the front panel formed by one mold can be used. Did not. For this reason, conventionally, dies corresponding to the number of versions have been prepared, and the function names of parts to be attached have been described for each. As described above, since the front panel was not versatile, the production cost was high, and it was not possible to flexibly cope with not only the difference in the version but also a change in the specification. An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem of the related art and to provide a front panel structure of an electronic device with excellent versatility in which different functions can be arranged at the same location on the front panel.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a front panel structure of an electronic device in which a printed circuit board on which various components are mounted is built in a housing. A depression of a predetermined shape that is recessed one step is formed. A hole is formed in this recess at a position facing the first component or the second component attached to the printed circuit board. When the first function is realized by attaching the first component, the depression is used as it is. On the other hand, when the second function is realized by attaching the second component, a guide is attached to the depression. In this way, it is possible to provide different functions at the same location on the same front panel, and any of these functions can be arbitrarily selected according to the application.

Further, according to the present invention, in a front panel structure of an electronic device in which a printed circuit board on which various components are mounted is housed in a housing, a recess having a predetermined shape is formed on the front panel by one step from the surface. As well as
A hole is drilled in it. The printed circuit board includes a switch mounting portion for mounting a switch and an indicator mounting portion for mounting an indicator, and a hole is formed so as to face a switch or an indicator mounted on the printed circuit board. When the switch is mounted on the switch mounting portion, the depression is used as it is, and when the light emitting element is mounted as an indicator on the indicator mounting portion, the light guide is mounted on the depression. As described above, it is possible to provide both the function of the switch unit and the function of the indicator unit at the same place on the same front panel, and any one of these can be arbitrarily selected.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the front panel structure of an electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, there are shown a partial perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a front panel structure of an electronic device in which a printed circuit board on which various components according to the present invention are mounted in a housing.

In the front panel structure shown in FIG. 1, the front panel 10 is a resin molded product formed by die processing, and can have either a switch portion or an indicator structure in the same place. It has become. That is, FIG. 1A is a partial perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view when used as a switch unit, and FIG.
(B) shows a partial perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view when the same place is used as an indicator.

As shown in the partial perspective view on the left side of FIG. 1A, the front panel structure according to the present embodiment has a rectangular recess 12 which is recessed one step from the surface, and has a circular shape slightly below the left and right center. Hole 14 is formed. Also, on the surface of the depression 12, "SWITC" which is a display of a function name is displayed.
The character “H” is formed as the engraved character 16. When used as a switch unit, the front panel 10 is used as it is. When used as a switch,
As shown in the partial sectional view on the right side of (a), a switch 22 such as a tact switch is mounted on the printed circuit board 20 inside the housing.

The switch 22 has a drive unit 22a for turning on and off. When the switch 22 is mounted on the printed circuit board 20, the drive unit 22a is arranged at a position facing the hole 14. When the switch 22 is turned on / off, a rod or the like having a smaller diameter than the hole 14 is inserted into the hole 14 and the drive unit 22a is pressed. In addition, since the funnel-shaped taper process 14a is given around the front surface of the hole 14, the switch operation can be performed easily.

On the other hand, when used as an indicator,
As shown in a partial perspective view on the left side of FIG. This light guide is called "LAM
The light guide is formed of a resin material having a function name such as “P” written above. When used as an indicator, a light emitting element 40 such as a light emitting diode (LED) is attached to the printed circuit board 20. The light emitting element 40 includes a light emitting unit 40 a, which is disposed at a position facing the hole 14, similarly to the driving unit 22 a of the switch 22. Since the front surface and the rear surface of the hole 14 are respectively subjected to the funnel-shaped taper treatments 14a and 14b, the light diffusion efficiency of the light emitting element 40 can be improved.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the light guide 30 is fitted into the hole 12. As shown in FIG. The surface of the depression 12 is flat so that the light guide 30 can be easily attached, and the light guide 30 is fixed by applying an adhesive or the like thereto. The light guide 30 is printed on the mounting surface (back surface) to make the engraved characters 16 invisible. The light guide 30 is also provided with a circular medium print 30 a at a position facing the hole 14. Medium printing 3
By applying 0a, light diffusion of the light emitting element can be effectively performed. In FIG. 2, the function name of the light guide 30 is “POWER”, and thus the function names of all indicators can be displayed according to the application.

In FIG. 3, the surface of the depression 52 of the front panel 50 is not engraved but is provided with a convex character 56 to indicate "RESE".
An embodiment in which the letter "T" is described is shown. As described above, when the function name is described by the convex character 56, a step 54 having a height equal to or greater than the height of the convex character 56 is formed around the depression 52. By providing the step 54 in this way and attaching the display guide 30 thereto with an adhesive or the like, the convex character 5
Even in the case of 6, stable mounting can be performed.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the printed circuit board 20 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the printed circuit board 20 has four switch through holes 20a.
And two light emitting element through holes 20b. Thus, by preparing the through holes and the patterns of both the switch and the light emitting element on the printed circuit board 20, the printed circuit board 20 can cope with any case. When components such as a switch and a light emitting element are surface-mounted on the printed circuit board 20, these components may be mounted by lands instead of through holes.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which the hole 14 of the front panel 10 is used as a connector insertion port. The only difference from FIG. 1 is that the engraved character 17 is “GPS”, which is the function name of the connector, and the rest is exactly the same. Therefore, if the function name can be changed later, it can be used as, for example, a connector in addition to a switch or an indicator.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which a resin key is mounted on the front panel so that the switch can be turned on / off by operating the key. The structural difference between the front panel 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the front panel 60 shown in FIG. 6 is that two mounting openings 66a and 66b are formed on the front panel 60 so that the resin key 70 can move back and forth. It is in the point.

The resin key 70 is in the form of a semi-cylindrical bulb having a smaller outer dimension so as to be able to move back and forth in the recess 12, and has a function name "POWE" on the front surface.
R "is written. Also, on the back of the resin key 70,
A rod-shaped projection 72 inserted into the hole 14 to turn on / off the switch 22 (see FIG. 1A) disposed on the printed circuit board 20, and mounting members 74a, 74a fitted into the mounting openings 66a, 66b. 74b is provided.

The mounting members 74a and 74b are provided with a resin key 70.
A hook-shaped locking portion as shown in the figure is formed at the tip of the device to prevent the device from falling off after mounting. An elastic material 76 such as a cushion is attached around the resin key 70 in contact with the surface of the depression 12. The resin key 70 is always urged forward by the elastic material 76. After the resin key 70 is attached, when the key is pressed, the tip of the protruding portion 72 comes into contact with the driving portion 22a of the switch 22 (see FIG. 1), and the switch is turned ON / OFF.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, parts having different functions such as switches or indicators can be attached to the same location on the front panel processed and formed by one mold. Therefore, it is possible to provide a front panel that is highly versatile and has great merit in terms of cost without deteriorating the aesthetic appearance. It should be noted that the embodiment described here is for describing the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and can be modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Modifications are included in the scope of the present invention.

[0019]

As described above, according to the front panel structure of the electronic device according to the present invention, even if it is necessary to attach a component having a different function to the same location on the front panel due to a difference in the model version, etc. It is possible to respond flexibly. Therefore, it is possible to provide a front panel structure of an electronic device that is highly versatile and has great merit in terms of cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a front panel structure of an electronic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a display guide is attached to the front panel according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing another embodiment of the front panel structure of the electronic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the structure of the printed circuit board according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a printed circuit board according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view when applied to a connector.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing another embodiment of the front panel structure of the electronic device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 50, 60 Front panel 12 Depression 14 Hole 16 Engraved character 20 Printed circuit board 22 Switch 30 Light guide 40 Light emitting element 70 Resin key

Claims (10)

[Claims] In a front panel structure of an electronic device in which a printed circuit board on which various components are mounted is housed in a housing, a recess having a predetermined shape is formed in the front panel, the recess being one step lower than the surface. A hole is formed at a position facing the first component or the second component attached to the printed circuit board, and when the first function is implemented by attaching the first component, the recess is left as it is. In the case where the second part is mounted and the second function is realized by attaching a guide to the recess, it is possible to provide different functions in the same place on the same front panel, A front panel structure of an electronic device, wherein any one of these functions can be arbitrarily selected according to a use. 2. The front panel structure according to claim 1, wherein said first component is a switch, said second component is an indicator which is a light emitting element, and said printed circuit board is a switch mounting portion for mounting a switch. And an indicator mounting portion for mounting the indicator. 3. The front panel structure of an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first component is a connector. 4. The front panel structure according to claim 1, wherein the second component is a switch, the guide mounted in the recess is an operation key having a predetermined thickness, and operates back and forth after mounting. A front panel structure of an electronic device, comprising a biasing means as possible. 5. The front panel structure according to claim 1, wherein an engraved character indicating the function of the first component is written in the recess, and a character indicating the function of the second component is written in the guide. A front panel structure of an electronic device, wherein the notation of the engraved character is hidden. 6. The front panel structure according to claim 1, wherein a convex character indicating the function of the first component is written in the recess, and a step having a height equal to or higher than the protrusion of the convex character is provided around the concave portion. The guide is formed with a letter indicating the function of the second part, and the guide is attached to a step formed around the depression to hide the notation of the engraved character. Equipment front panel structure. 7. A front panel structure of an electronic device in which a printed circuit board on which various components are mounted is built in a housing, wherein the front panel is formed with a recess having a predetermined shape which is recessed one step from the surface. A hole is formed in the printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board includes a switch mounting part for mounting a switch, and an indicator mounting part for mounting an indicator, and the hole is formed so as to face the switch or the indicator mounted on the printed circuit board. When a switch is mounted on the switch mounting portion, the depression is used as it is, and when a light emitting element is mounted on the indicator mounting portion as the indicator, a light guide is provided in the depression. By wearing it,
A front panel structure of an electronic device, wherein both functions of a switch section and an indicator section can be provided at the same place on the same front panel, and any one of them can be arbitrarily selected. 8. The front panel structure according to claim 7, wherein an engraved character indicating the function of the switch is written in the recess, and a character indicating the function of the indicator is written in the light guide. A front panel structure of an electronic device, wherein a guide hides the notation of the engraved character, and a portion facing the light emitting element is formed with a diffusion portion for diffusing light of the light emitting element. 9. The front panel structure according to claim 7, wherein a convex character indicating the function of the switch is written in the recess, and a step having a height corresponding to a protrusion of the convex character is formed around the concave. Characters indicating the function of the indicator are written on the light guide, and the light guide is attached to a step formed around the depression to hide the notation of the engraved character, and at a position facing the light emitting element Is a front panel structure of an electronic device, wherein a diffusion portion for diffusing light of the light emitting element is formed. 10. The front panel structure according to claim 7, wherein a periphery of the hole formed in the front panel is provided to improve light diffusion efficiency of the light emitting element.
A front panel structure of an electronic device, which is formed in a tapered shape.