JP2001076590A - Fitting structure for switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fitting structure for a switch capable of visually appealing for the presence of the switch, having improved operability, and capable of preventing the entrance of moisture. SOLUTION: The adhesion section 34 of a rubber sheet 3 is stuck to the adhesion section 22 of a stick key 2, the base section 35 of a waterproof rib 31 is depressed to a printed board 5 by the press section 34 of a light guide plate 4, and a circular closed space surrounding a switch 1 is formed with the stick key 2 and the printed board 5. The light guide plate 4 comprises a plate section 41, an adhesion section 42, a light guide section 43, and a press section 44. The light guide section 43 forms a light passage guiding the incident light from an LED. The press section 44 is grounded on the waterproof rib 31 of the rubber sheet 3 to press the waterproof rib 31 to the printed board 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a switch mounting structure which is operated, for example, by tilting or pressing an operation unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional example of a three-dimensional switch mounting structure in which a contact key is turned on and off by tilting and pressing a stick key as an operation unit. The mounting structure is a printed circuit board 5
A stick key 2 having a frusto-conical shape is attached to a shaft 11 above the three-dimensional switch 1 mounted thereon by press-fitting or the like, and a case 7 is disposed above the stick key 2 with a space therebetween. Is attached. The case 7 is disposed such that the stick key 2 faces the outside of the case 7 through a circular opening 71 provided in the case 7. An annular decorative plate 4 a is attached to the upper surface around the opening 71 with a double-sided tape 8 so as to face the outside of the case 7. When the stick key 2 is tilted and pressed from outside the case 7, the shaft 11 is tilted and pressed, and the three-dimensional switch 1 is operated.

[0003]

The above-described conventional mounting structure has the following problems. First, although it is possible to show that the stick key 2 can be operated in the three-dimensional direction, the three-dimensional switch 1 and the decorative plate 4 are not designed to shine, so that they lack an effect of visually appealing. Secondly, when such an attachment structure is provided in, for example, a mobile phone, the stick key 2 is used in a dark place.
Because it is difficult to see the position of
It is necessary to predict the position of the stick key 2 by illuminating the keys and the display unit around the stick key 2 and perform the operation, and the operability is not sufficiently considered. Third, a clearance required for operation is provided between the stick key 2 and the opening 71 of the case 7, and the periphery of the three-dimensional switch 1 and the connection between the three-dimensional switch 1 and the printed circuit board 5 are provided. Since the terminal portion to be used is not particularly waterproofed, it may cause a failure due to infiltration of water or, in the worst case, due to corrosion or the like.
The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to visually appeal the presence of a switch, to improve operability, and to prevent intrusion of moisture. An object of the present invention is to provide a switch mounting structure that can be used.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has a switch body and a shaft protruding upward from the switch body, and is configured to operate when the shaft is tilted or pressed. In the switch mounting structure, the switch main body is mounted on a holding member, and an operation member for operating the shaft portion is mounted on an upper portion of the shaft portion, between the operation member and the holding member. A flexible sealing member is provided so as to surround the switch body and the shaft portion so as to form an annular sealed space therein, and to cover above the switch at a distance from the holding member. A case is provided, and an opening is formed at a portion of the case facing the switch so that an upper portion of the operation member faces outside of the case.

[0005] Therefore, the switch body and the shaft are accommodated in a sealed space formed by a flexible sealing member. Therefore, even if a liquid such as water enters the inside of the case through the opening of the case, Liquid is prevented from entering the switch body and between the switch body and the holding member. In addition, when a light guide member for guiding light is provided around the operation member, and a light source for inputting light to the light guide member is provided, the presence or absence of the switch is visually determined by the light around the operation member or the operation member. And operability can be improved.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a switch mounting structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a switch mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the switch mounting structure of the embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the remaining part of the structure. 1 to 3, the same components as those of the conventional switch mounting structure are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The switch mounting structure according to the present embodiment includes a three-dimensional switch 1 (corresponding to a switch in the claims), a stick key 2 (corresponding to an operation member in the claims), and a rubber sheet 3 ( The light guide plate 4 (corresponding to the light guide member in the claims), the printed circuit board 5 (corresponding to the holding member in the claims), the LEDs 61, 62 (corresponding to the sealing member in the claims). , A case 7, and a double-sided tape 8.

The three-dimensional switch 1 includes a shaft 11 (corresponding to a shaft part in the claims), a terminal 12, and a main body 13.
(Equivalent to the switch body in the claims) and positioning bosses 14 and 15. Shaft 11
Are projecting upward from the center of the upper surface of the rectangular plate-shaped main body 13 having a thickness, so that the tilting operation in four directions in the front-rear and left-right directions and the push operation along the axial direction are performed. It is configured.

The terminal 12 is provided so as to protrude outward from a side surface of the main body 13, is connected to a switch contact provided inside the main body 13, and is connected to a connection portion of the printed circuit board 5 by soldering. It is fixed. The positioning bosses 14 and 15 are provided so as to protrude downward from the lower surface of the main body 13, and the three-dimensional switch 1 is positioned by fitting into positioning boss holes 54 and 55 provided in the printed circuit board 5. It has become.
The three-dimensional switch 1 is configured such that the switch contact inside the main body 13 is opened and closed by tilting operation and push operation of the shaft 11. LED61, 6
2 is installed on the printed circuit board 5 and is configured to emit light by a current supplied through the printed circuit board 5.

The stick key 2 has a frusto-conical shape,
A hole 21 into which the shaft 11 of the three-dimensional switch 1 is press-fitted is provided at the lower center, and an annularly formed adhesive portion 22 for bonding to the rubber sheet 3 is provided at the lower peripheral portion. A circular operation portion 23 for performing an operation with a finger is formed at an upper portion, and a blindfold function is provided at a peripheral portion of the upper portion so that the inside of the electronic device covered by the case 7 cannot be seen from the exterior. Is provided. The stick key 2 is provided for operating the three-dimensional switch 1 as described later.

The rubber sheet 3 has an annular waterproof rib 31 (corresponding to an annular first attachment portion in the claims) and a printed board 5 on the lower surface side of the waterproof rib 31.
A concave portion 32 provided so as to be recessed in the thickness direction of the waterproof rib 31 corresponding to the LEDs 6 and 7, and an annular shape which is connected to the inner peripheral edge of the waterproof rib 31 and deforms following the operation of the stick key 2. A bellows portion 33 (corresponding to an intermediate wall portion in the claims) and a ring-shaped bonding portion 34 connected to the upper edge of the bellows portion 33 and bonding to the stick key 2 (the ring-shaped first ring in the claims) And a base portion 35 which is a portion of the waterproof rib 31 grounded to the printed circuit board 5. A through hole 34 </ b> A through which the shaft 11 of the three-dimensional switch 1 is inserted
Is provided.

The rubber sheet 3 has a bonding portion 34 bonded to the bonding portion 22 of the stick key 2, and a base portion 35 of the waterproof rib 31 on the printed circuit board 5.
When pressed by the pressing portion 34, an annular closed space surrounding the switch 1 is formed together with the stick key 2 and the printed circuit board 5.

The light guide plate 4 has an annular shape and has a ring-shaped plate portion 41 (corresponding to an external portion in the claims) which is exposed on the external surface of the electronic device. A bonding portion 42 bonded and fixed to a lower portion of an edge of the opening 71 of the case 7;
A cylindrical wall-shaped light guide 43 whose upper part is connected to the inner periphery of
It is composed of a ring-shaped holding portion 44 extending radially outward from the lower part of the light guide 43. The inner peripheral edge of the external part 41 is an opening part 41 for the stick key 2 to face the outside of the case 7.
A is formed. The light guide unit 43 includes an LED 61 described later.
, And 62 to form a light path for guiding the light incident from the outside to the exterior part 41. The pressing portion 44 is provided on the upper surface of the waterproof rib 31 of the rubber sheet 3 (that is, the base portion 35).
(The opposite surface of the printed circuit board 5) and presses the waterproof rib 31 against the printed circuit board 5.

The terminal 1 of the switch 1 is provided on the printed circuit board 5.
2 is provided with a connection portion (not shown) to which the switch 2 is connected and fixed by soldering.
Boss holes 54 and 55 for fitting 5 are provided. Further, the printed circuit board 5 is provided with a LE at a position corresponding to the concave portion 32 provided in the base portion 35 of the rubber sheet 4.
D <b> 61 and D <b> 62 are provided, and light is emitted when a current is supplied to the LEDs 61 and 62 via the conductive pattern of the printed board 5.

The case 7 is arranged such that the stick key 2 faces the outside of the case 7 through a circular opening 71 provided in the case 7 as in the conventional case. Case 7
A counterbore 71 </ b> A that is recessed in the thickness direction of the case 7 in order to facilitate the tilting operation and the pressing operation of the operating portion 23 of the stick key 2 is formed on the outer edge of the opening 71 on the outer surface of the case 7. An annular bonding portion 72 bonded to the bonding portion 42 of the light guide plate 4 and the double-sided tape 8 is provided below the edge of the opening 71.

The material of the stick key 2 is LED
In consideration of the illumination of 61 and 62, painting for improving the design, etc., among the thermoplastic resins, a polycarbonate resin or an acrylic resin which can be transparent or colored and translucent is preferable. As a material for the rubber sheet, milky white silicone rubber having a hardness of about 60 ° and generally used in recent years as a rubber sheet for keys is preferable. As a material of the light guide plate, a transparent acrylic resin or a polycarbonate resin is preferable in consideration of decoration such as illumination and printing.

Next, a method of assembling the switch mounting structure according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. First, the bonding portion 22 of the stick key 2
Then, the bonding portion 34 of the rubber sheet 3 is bonded using a positioning jig or the like, and is pre-processed as a key sheet assembly section 9 in which the stick key 2 and the rubber sheet 3 are integrated.

On the other hand, LEDs 61 and 62 are connected to the printed board 5 at predetermined positions by soldering or the like. The three-dimensional switch 1 is also connected to a predetermined position on the printed circuit board 5 by soldering or the like. At this time, the three-dimensional switch 1 can be accurately positioned by positioning the positioning bosses 14 and 15 into the positioning boss holes 54 and 55 of the printed circuit board 5. Then, the shaft 11 of the three-dimensional switch 1 is attached to the hole 21 of the stick key 2 by press-fitting or the like with the through-hole 34A of the rubber sheet 3 inserted. As a result, the printed board unit 100 is integrally formed by combining the three-dimensional switch 1 and the key sheet assembling unit 9.

The light guide plate 4 is attached to the bonding portion 42 of the case 7 via the double-sided tape 8 via the double-sided tape 8, and the external portion 41 faces outward through the opening 71 of the case 7. Fixed. As a result, the light guide plate 4 and the case 7 are adhered and fixed by the double-sided tape 8, whereby the case unit 101 is integrally formed.

Then, the printed circuit board unit 100 is fixed to the case unit 101. That is, the portion of the stick key 2 corresponds to the opening 4 of the external portion 41 of the light guide plate 4.
1A, the printed circuit board 5 is pressed against the case 7 in a state where the pressing portion 44 of the light guide plate 4 presses the waterproof rib portion 31 of the rubber sheet 3 toward the printed circuit board 5. And fix it. Then, a cover (not shown) is attached to the outer surface of the case 7 to complete the electronic device. In this state, the three-dimensional switch 1 can be operated by tilting and pressing the operation unit 23 of the stick key 2.

Next, the operation and effect of the switch mounting structure thus constructed will be described in detail with reference to FIG. A portion of the waterproof rib portion 31 of the rubber sheet 3 near the LEDs 61 and 62 is pressed by the pressing portion 44 of the light guide plate 4. For this reason, the light of the LEDs 61 and 62 is directly incident on the holding portion 44 of the light guide plate 4 via the waterproof rib portion 31 of the rubber sheet 3. And this light
The light passes through the light guide 43 of the rubber sheet 4 and further passes through the adhesive 42
The light reaches the external part 41 via the. As a result, the external portion 41 facing the outside of the cover is illuminated, and the external surface of the electronic device can be illuminated. At this time, LED6
In order to guide the light of Nos. 1 and 62 to the exterior part 41 as efficiently as possible, the outer surfaces of the pressing part 44, the light guiding part 43, and the bonding part 42 of the light guiding plate 4 are provided with embossings aiming at light diffusion, It is effective to apply a reflection sheet (not shown), perform mirror printing, mirror coating, or the like.

Further, in order to prevent the light source constituted by the LEDs 61 and 62 from being seen from the outside of the apparatus in the shape of an eyeball, white printing is performed on the surface of the exterior portion 41 facing the printed circuit board 5 to diffuse the light. Alternatively, black printing may be performed for blindfolding.

As described above, by using the light guide plate 4, L
By making the path of the light of ED61, 62,
The light condensing function works, and the external part 41 can be made to shine brighter. Further, the stick key 2 can be illuminated by the light of the external part 41. Therefore,
If the stick key 2 is formed of a translucent material, for example, L
When the direct light from the EDs 61 and 62 and the light from the external part 41 enter the stick key 2, the stick key 2 itself can be illuminated brightly, and the design of the electronic device can be improved.

Further, at the holding portion 44 of the light guide plate 4,
Since the waterproof ribs 31 of the rubber sheet 3 are compressed in the thickness direction and crushed to seal the space between the printed board 5 and the rubber sheet 3, the rubber sheet 3, the stick key 2, the printed board 5, Thus, a closed space for housing the switch 1 is formed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from entering the three-dimensional switch 1 and prevent a failure caused by corrosion or the like due to water entering the terminal 12 or the main body 13 of the three-dimensional switch 1.

The bonding portion 42 of the light guide plate 4 has an annular bonding portion 72 whose upper surface is provided on the lower surface side of the case 7.
Is fixed with a double-sided tape 8. Therefore, the light guide plate 4 is bonded by the repulsive force generated in the thickness direction by the waterproof rib portion 31 generated by pressing the waterproof rib portion 31 of the rubber sheet 3 toward the printed circuit board 5 by the pressing portion 44 of the light guide plate 4. The portion 42 and the bonding portion 72 of the case 7 receive a force in a direction in which they are pressed against each other. Also, the flange portion 2 of the stick key 2
4 is excessively tilted, and the exterior portion 4 of the light guide plate 4
Even if a force acting in the upward direction is applied in contact with 1,
The bonding portion 42 of the light guide plate 4 and the bonding portion 72 of the case 7 receive forces in directions pressed against each other. Therefore, the adhesive portion 42 of the light guide plate 4 and the adhesive portion 72 of the case 7 are prevented from peeling off.

In the structure in which the rib for pressing the waterproof rib portion 31 of the rubber sheet 3 toward the printed circuit board 5 is provided on the case 7 side, the ribs of the above-mentioned rib are formed so as to prevent sinks which may cause a problem in appearance of the case 7. The height and thickness must be reduced as much as possible, and it is often difficult to ensure sufficient strength. However, in the present embodiment, the rubber sheet 3 is formed using the light guide plate 4 which is a separate component from the case 7.
Since the waterproof rib portion 31 is suppressed toward the printed circuit board 5, there is an advantage that a sufficient thickness and size can be secured.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. A first effect is that the design of electronic equipment can be improved by illumination.
The reason for this is that, in the case of mobile phones and the like, the keys are illuminated brightly for switch operation in a dark place. That is, by illuminating the stick key and the portion around the stick key, the point portion of the mobile phone can be effectively appealed. The second effect is that operability is improved by illuminating the stick key or its surroundings. The reason is that when the switch is operated in a dark place, the position of the stick key can be easily visually recognized and operated by illuminating the stick key and a portion around the stick key. A third effect is that a waterproof structure can be provided, and the failure rate can be reduced. The reason for this is that it prevents moisture from entering the three-dimensional switch part due to use during light rain, operation of the switch with wet hands, and sweat of the fingers during operation, preventing the printed circuit board or three-dimensional switch from being used. This is because the failure rate due to corrosion or the like can be reduced. A fourth effect is that the external appearance of the case, that is, the external appearance and the moldability can be improved. The reason is that the rubber sheet is pressed against the printed circuit board by a light guide plate that is a separate component from the case, and the waterproof function is realized, so it is necessary to form long ribs etc. on the case to hold the rubber sheet. Absent. Therefore, there is no need to install long ribs on the case, which simplifies the injection molding mold structure of the housing of the electronic device,
Improves moldability, eliminates appearance defects such as sink marks, and uses a separate component such as a light guide plate, so there is no need to worry about the appearance of the case, sufficient thickness and size This is because strength, shape, and the like can be secured.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, the rubber sheet 3 is formed only around the three-dimensional switch 1. However, the rubber sheet 3 may be integrated with a rubber sheet of another key such as a numeric keypad normally installed in a mobile phone or the like. If there is no problem in mounting, the stick key 2 and the rubber sheet 3 need not be bonded, and the light guide plate 4 and the case 7 may not be bonded and fixed. The rubber sheet 3 is
It is only necessary that the stick key 2 has such flexibility that the stick key 2 can be deformed following the movement of the stick key 2, and does not necessarily need to have a bellows shape. Further, the number and position of the LEDs and the number and position of the concave portions of the rubber sheet 3 are not limited to those in the present embodiment, and are arbitrary. Further, the positions of the waterproof ribs 31 and the shape of the light guide plate 4 are not limited to the present embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, the three-way tilting operation and the pushing operation are performed.
The switch mounting structure of the present invention can be applied to a switch similar to this, a switch operated only by a push operation, or a switch operated by tilting operation only in one direction. Is applicable.

[0029]

According to the present invention, there is provided a switch mounting structure having a switch main body and a shaft protruding upward from the switch main body, wherein the switch is configured to operate when the shaft is tilted or pressed. In the above, the switch body is mounted on a holding member, an operation member for operating the shaft portion is mounted on an upper portion of the shaft portion, and the switch body is provided between the operation member and the holding member. A flexible sealing member is provided so as to surround the shaft portion and form an annular sealed space therein, and a case is arranged to cover above the switch at a distance from the holding member. Established
An opening is formed in a portion of the case facing the switch so that an upper portion of the operation member faces the outside of the case.

Therefore, the switch body and the shaft are accommodated in a sealed space formed by a flexible sealing member. Therefore, even if a liquid such as water enters the inside of the case through the opening of the case, Liquid is prevented from entering the switch body and between the switch body and the holding member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the switch and the contact between the switch and the holding member from being corroded. In addition, when a light guide member for guiding light is provided around the operation member, and a light source for inputting light to the light guide member is provided, the presence or absence of the switch is visually determined by the light around the operation member or the operation member. And operability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a switch mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the switch mounting structure of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a remaining portion of the switch mounting structure in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional example of a mounting structure of a three-dimensional switch in which a contact key is turned on / off by tilting and pressing a stick key, which is an operation unit, to operate the stick key.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... 3D switch, 2 ... Stick key, 3 ...
Rubber sheet, 4 light guide plate, 5 printed circuit board, 61, 62 LED, 7 case, 71 opening.

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A switch mounting structure comprising a switch main body and a shaft projecting upward from the switch main body, wherein the switch is configured to operate by tilting or pressing the shaft. The main body is mounted on a holding member, and an operation member for operating the shaft portion is mounted on an upper portion of the shaft portion. The switch body and the shaft portion between the operation member and the holding member are attached. A flexible sealing member is provided so as to surround the periphery and form an annular sealed space therein, and a case is provided so as to cover above the switch at a distance from the holding member, A switch mounting structure, wherein an opening is formed at a portion of the case facing the switch so that an upper portion of the operation member faces the outside of the case. 2. The sealing member includes an annular first attachment portion attached to a lower portion of the operation member without a gap, and an annular second attachment portion attached to the holding member without a gap. , The first
2. The switch mounting structure according to claim 1, further comprising an annular intermediate wall portion that connects the mounting portion and the second mounting portion without any gap. 3. The switch mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate wall portion of the sealing member is formed in a bellows shape so as to follow a tilting operation or a pressing operation of the operation member. 4. The switch according to claim 1, further comprising a light guide member for guiding light around the operation member, and a light source for entering light into the light guide member. Mounting structure. 5. A light guide member for guiding light around the operation member, and a light source for inputting light to the light guide member is provided, wherein the light guide member includes an external portion, a pressing portion, a light guide portion, And the outer portion is configured to be located at a position facing the outside of the case via the opening, and the pressing portion is configured to connect the second attachment portion of the sealing member to the holding member. The light guide section is configured to connect between the external appearance section and the holding section, and the second attachment section of the sealing member is attached to the holding member by the holding section. The switch mounting structure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the portion is formed by pressing the second mounting portion toward the holding member. 6. The light source is provided in the vicinity of the holding portion of the light guide member so as to make light incident on the holding portion, and the light guide member transmits light incident from the holding portion to the light guide portion. The switch mounting structure according to claim 5, wherein the switch mounting structure is configured to be guided to the external part via a second member. 7. The sealing member is made of a light-transmitting material, and a concave portion is formed in a portion of the sealing member facing the holding member of the second mounting portion, the concave portion being recessed in the thickness direction of the second mounting portion. The light source is configured to be accommodated in the concave portion with the second mounting portion of the sealing member attached to the holding member, and the light source is configured to receive the light from the light source to the pressing portion of the light guide member. The switch mounting structure according to claim 6, wherein light is incident through the second mounting portion of the sealing member. 8. The light guide member is configured such that the external portion is attached to an edge of the opening, and the light guide member is
The pressing portion is configured to hold the second mounting portion of the sealing member while pressing the second mounting portion toward the holding member in a state where the appearance portion is attached to an edge of the opening. The switch mounting structure according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein: 9. The switch mounting structure according to claim 4, wherein said light source comprises an LED. 10. The light guide member according to claim 4, wherein a textured surface or a reflection surface is formed at an outer surface of the light guide member to promote diffusion of light. Switch mounting structure. 11. The switch mounting structure according to claim 10, wherein the formation of the reflection surface on the outer surface of the light guide member is performed by attaching a reflection sheet, performing mirror printing, or coating mirror. 12. The switch mounting structure according to claim 4, wherein the light guide member is made of a transparent acrylic resin or a polycarbonate resin. 13. The switch mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the operation member is formed of a transparent member or a translucent member. 14. The switch mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein said operation member is made of a polycarbonate resin or an acrylic resin. 15. The switch mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is made of milky white silicone rubber. 16. The switch mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is a printed circuit board.