JP2001143557A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus having button switch mechanism in which the number of parts can be reduced by unnecessitating the use of a coil spring, and can accomplish improvement of assemblability and durability. SOLUTION: This electronic apparatus includes a button switch that comprises an annular spring 11 having spring function to be connected through a first mating portion 10 opposing to an inner circumference of a button switch body, a mounting frame 13 being connected to an outer circumference of the annular spring 11 through a second mating portion 12 across perpendicularly to the first mating portion 10, a supporting frame 14 for securing the mounting frame 13, a supporting shaft being protruded from a central portion of an inner surface of a button switch body 6 and combined with a shaft portion 15 in the supporting frame 14 to hold movably the button switch body 6, four operating legs 8a to 8d being protruded from inner surface of an inner circumference of a button switch body 6, and a circuit board 18 having four tact switches 19 which is selectively actuated at the operating legs 8a to 8d as the button switch body 6 is inclined and pressingly operated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is provided with a button switch mechanism in which, by pressing an outer peripheral portion of an operation button, the operation button is tilted in a pressed direction so that a selected switch is operated. For electronic devices, in detail, by integrally molding the return spring function to the original position when the operation button is released by pressing the operation button,
The number of parts can be reduced, and the assemblability of operation buttons can be improved.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 10 and 11 show an example of such a conventional button switch mechanism. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a button switch body and a coil spring serving as a return spring. FIG. 11 shows an assembled state of the button switch. It is sectional drawing.

A support frame 32 on which a button switch body 31 constituting a key top is mounted is a front panel 3.
3 and the circuit board 34. A boss shaft 34 having a concave portion 34a at the distal end is projected from the support frame 32, and a distal end portion of a fulcrum shaft 35 suspended from the center of the rear surface of the button switch body 31 is engaged with the concave portion 34a of the boss shaft 34. The button switch body 31 is swingably held about a fulcrum shaft 35 as a fulcrum.

The button switch main body 31 has four operation legs 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d on the outer periphery of the rear surface thereof. Each operation leg 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d has a through hole formed in the support frame 32. 32a, and the operating legs 36a, 3
The tips of 6b, 36c and 36d are opposed to the four tact switches 37 mounted on the circuit board 34 in close proximity. A coil spring 38 is mounted between the button switch body 31 and the support frame 32 in a compressed state. Thereby, the button switch body 31
Receives the urging force pushed up by the spring force of the coil spring 38, but the operating legs 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d
The upper ends 36e, 36f, 36g, and 36h of the button switch abut on the ribs 33a on the back surface of the front panel 33, and the button switch body 31 is held in a state of being exposed from the opening window 39 of the front panel 33.

According to the above-described button switch mechanism, the button switch body 31 is pressed by pressing the outer peripheral portions of the left and right portions or the upper and lower portions of the button switch body 31 against the spring force of the coil spring 38 so that the fulcrum shaft 35 is pressed. With the fulcrum as a fulcrum, the operation leg is inclined in the pressed direction, and the operation leg on the inclined side turns on the corresponding tact switch 37. When the pressing operation of the button switch body 31 is released, the button switch body 31 returns to the original horizontal position by the restoring force of the coil spring 38, and the tact switch 3
7 is turned off.

[0006]

By the way, in the button switch mechanism constructed as described above, using the tact switch 37, the feeling of the switch operation is good and stable, so that the foreign matter such as dust can be prevented from entering. Excellent for. Further, it is excellent in that it is inexpensive compared to a switch structure using a four-way toggle switch.

However, the above-described button switch mechanism requires a coil spring 38 in addition to the button switch body 31. For this reason, in the procedure for assembling the button switch body 31 to the front panel 33, the support frame 32 is assembled to the button switch body 31 with the coil spring 38 interposed therebetween on the front panel 33 side, and the back of the support frame 32 Since the coil spring 38 must be assembled while compressing it, there is a problem that the assembling workability is poor and the working cost is high.

In such a structure, the coil spring 3
Since the button switch 8 is always in a compressed state, stress is applied to the entire button switch formed of a plastic molded product, and this deforms due to aging, high temperature and high humidity environment, and the durability of the button switch is reduced. It may decrease. In order to enhance the durability, it is necessary to strengthen the structure of each component member, but this is not preferable because it increases the cost and weight.

Further, when the button switch has four directions or the like, the feeling of the switch operation in each direction cannot be changed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a button switch mechanism capable of reducing the number of parts by eliminating the need for a coil spring and improving assemblability and durability. It is an object to obtain an electronic device provided with.

[0011]

To achieve the above object, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention comprises a button switch body,
An annular spring portion having a spring function to be connected to the outer peripheral side of the button switch main body portion via the first connecting portion;
A button switch mechanism including an attachment portion connected to the outside of the annular spring portion via a second connecting portion, and a frame portion supporting the attachment portion is provided.

With this configuration, by pressing the outer peripheral portion of the button switch main body, the annular spring portion is bent and deformed, and the tilt switch is turned on in the direction in which the button switch main body is pressed. When the pressing operation of the button switch body is released, the bending deformation of the annular spring part is restored, the button switch body returns to the original horizontal position, and the switch is turned off.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking a button switch having a four-way switch function as an example.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an audio device. Reference numeral 1 denotes a four-way button switch mechanism. The audio device includes a CD deck 2, a double cassette deck 3, a direct touch editor 4, and a volume knob 5.
Etc. are provided.

FIGS. 2 to 5 show the configuration of the button switch mechanism 1, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the separated state of each component of the button switch mechanism, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the button switch body, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main body viewed from the back side.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the button switch mechanism in an assembled state.

Four markers 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are displayed on the upper and lower portions and the left and right portions of the outer peripheral portion of the button switch body 6 as a key top. Four operation legs 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d are formed at positions corresponding to the respective markers 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d so as to protrude from the outer peripheral portion of the back surface. A fulcrum shaft 9 for swingably supporting the button switch main body 6 is formed so as to protrude from the center of the back surface of the button switch main body 1.

On the other hand, the outer periphery of the button switch body 6 is connected to the upper and lower operating legs 8a, 8c at positions corresponding to the operation legs 8a, 8c by two first connecting portions 10, 10 so as to form a leaf spring-like ring. A spring 11 is provided. And
The mounting frame 13 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the annular spring 11 at a position perpendicular to the first connecting portions 10, 10, that is, at a position corresponding to the operating legs 8 b, 8 d in the left-right direction via the two second connecting portions 12, 12. Is provided. One side of the mounting frame 13 is integrally connected, and a plurality of mounting holes 13 a are provided at appropriate positions of the mounting frame 13. The above-described button switch body 6, annular spring 11, and mounting frame 13 are integrally formed of a plastic material.

The above-described button switch body 6 is supported by a support frame 14. A shaft portion 15 having a concave support portion 15a is formed at the tip of the support frame 14 so as to protrude therefrom. The fulcrum shaft 9 of the button switch body 6 is swingably engaged with the support portion 15a. At this time, each of the operation legs 8a to 8d of the button switch body 6 is connected to each of the holes 1 formed in the support frame 14.
6 penetrated. The button switch body 6 is screw-fixed to the mounting frame 13 to the mounting portion 14a of the support frame 14 by the mounting hole 13a.

A plurality of bosses 17 protruding from the back surface of the support frame 14 are supported by a circuit board 18. Tact switches 19 are attached to the circuit board 18 at positions where the tips of the four operating legs 8a to 8d face each other.

The button switch mechanism 1 constructed as described above
The procedure for installing the button switch corresponding to the opening window 21 of the front panel 20 is as follows.
And are integrated. Next, after positioning the mounting frame 13 of the button switch body 6 to which the support frame 14 is attached to the plurality of rib portions 22 from the back surface of the front panel 20, the circuit board 18 is positioned from the back side of the support frame 14.
And fixing the circuit board 18 to the front panel 20 with screws (not shown) to complete the mounting of the button switch mechanism 1. This button switch mechanism 1
In the mounting state of, the top portion of the button switch body 6 projects from the opening window 21 (see FIG. 5).

The button operation of the button switch mechanism 1 described above functions as follows. In FIG. 5, when a rightward marker 7 b of the button switch body 6 is pressed, for example, two first
The annular spring 11 integrally connected via the connecting portions 10 and 10 is flexed and deformed, and the fulcrum shaft 9 of the button switch body 6 is supported by the support portion 15a of the shaft portion 15 formed so as to protrude from the support frame 14. Tilt in the direction pressed as a fulcrum. As a result, the pressed marker 7 of the button switch body 6
b, the operation leg 8b is positioned at a position corresponding to the operation leg 8b.
The tact switch 19 corresponding to b is turned on.

When the pressing operation of the marker 7b of the button switch main body 6 is released, the annular spring 11 is restored to the original shape, and the button switch main body 6 is returned to the horizontal position before being pressed, and the operation leg is moved. 8b is retracted, separated from the tact switch 19, and turned off.

That is, the button switch main body 6 selectively presses any one of the markers 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d so that the annular spring 11 bends and deforms in the direction in which the button switch main body 6 is pressed. Tilt, each marker 7
operating legs 8a, 8b, 8 corresponding to a, 7b, 7c, 7d
Each of the tact switches 19 can be selectively operated by c and 8d.

As described above, according to the button switch mechanism 1 of the present invention, the function of returning to the pressing operation of the button switch main body 6 can be enabled by the spring function of the annular spring 11 integrally formed with the button switch main body 6. Therefore, the conventional coil spring is not required, and the number of components can be reduced. In addition, since the button switch body 6 is a spring-integrated type, the durability of the button switch mechanism is improved without aging, and the assembling can be easily performed with good workability.

Here, examples of some other embodiments of the button switch mechanism according to the present invention will be described below, and the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the button switch body 6. FIG. In this example, a part of the annular spring 11, for example, the first
An extension portion 23 is formed at a portion of each of the annular springs 11 between the connecting portion 10 and the second connecting portion 12 and has the same thickness as that of the annular spring 11 and is integrally detoured outward in a U-shape. . In this example, the shape of the mounting frame 13 is the extension 2
It is squared so as not to come into contact with 3.

With this configuration, the spring strength of the annular spring portion 11 can be made flexible, and the feeling operation at the time of pressing the button switch body 6 can be further softened. In addition, as another means for softening the feeling operation of the button switch main body 6, the feeling operation may be softened by partially reducing the spring width of the annular spring 11 other than forming the extension portion 23. It is possible.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the button switch body 6. FIG. In this example, the annular spring 11 is formed in a quadrangular shape, and two opposing sides of the first connecting portions 10 and 10 are formed in annular spring portions 11a and 11a having a small spring thickness.
Two opposing sides on the sides 2 and 12 are formed in annular spring portions 11b and 11b having a large spring thickness.

With such a structure, the spring strength of the annular spring 11 can be made different,
Thus, the feeling of the switch operation can be changed depending on the direction in which the button switch body 6 is pressed.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the button switch mechanism. In this example, an extended fulcrum shaft 24 is provided instead of the fulcrum shaft 9 protruding from the center of the back surface of the button switch body 6, and a fulcrum portion 24 a formed at the tip of the fulcrum shaft 24 is inserted into a fulcrum hole 18 a formed in the circuit board 18. They are swingably engaged.

With this configuration, the button switch body 6 can swing and tilt the fulcrum shaft 24 about the fulcrum portion 24a at the time of the pressing operation, whereby the support frame 14 can be omitted. The number of parts can be reduced. In this case, the button switch body 6 has a mounting frame (not shown) on the front panel 2.
The screw is fixed to 0.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the button switch mechanism. In this example, a fifth operating leg 8e is extended instead of the fulcrum shaft 9 protruding from the center of the back surface of the button switch body 6. A tact switch 19a is attached to the circuit board 18 corresponding to the tip of the operating leg 8e.
In this case, the gap between the operation leg 8e and the touch switch 19a is made closer to the gap between the surrounding four operation legs and the touch switch.

With this configuration, the central portion of the button switch 6 is pressed vertically to operate,
The entire annular spring 11 bends and deforms, and the fifth operating leg 8e can be turned on by the central operating leg 8e.
In this case, the four surrounding operating legs are also pressed down, but the respective tact switches are not pressed.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and various implementations are possible without departing from the gist thereof.

In this embodiment, the case where the annular spring 11 is a flat plate member has been described. However, the annular spring 11 may be formed of a thin wire-like member.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, four tactile switches 19 are selectively operated by four operation legs 8a to 8d arranged around the button switch main body 6, respectively. Although the case of a switch has been described, the present invention is also widely applicable to button switches of two or more directions and a plurality of directions.

[0037]

As described above, the electronic device according to the present invention has a button switch main body and an annular shape having a spring function which is connected to the outer peripheral side of the button switch main body via the first connecting portion. By providing a button switch mechanism including a spring portion and an attachment portion that is connected to the outside of the annular spring portion via the second connecting portion, the conventional coil spring is unnecessary, and the number of parts is reduced. Can be reduced. In addition, the durability of the button switch mechanism is improved without aging, and the assembling can be easily performed with good workability, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, the provision of the detour extension in a part of the annular spring portion makes it possible to make the spring strength of the annular spring portion flexible, and to further soften the feeling operation when pressing the button switch body. can do.

Further, since the spring strength of the annular spring portion is partially changed, the feeling of the switch operation can be changed depending on the direction in which the button switch body is pressed.

Further, since the tip of the fulcrum shaft is supported in a shaft hole formed in the substrate to hold the button switch body in a swingable manner, the support frame for holding the button switch body is omitted. The number of parts can be reduced.

Further, another operation leg is protruded from the center of the button switch body in place of the fulcrum shaft, and another key switch arranged on the substrate can be operated by pressing the center of the button switch body. By doing so, more key switches can be operated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic device including a button switch mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the button switch mechanism according to the present invention in a separated state.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a button switch main body.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the button switch body as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the button switch mechanism in an assembled state.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of the button switch body.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of still another embodiment of the button switch body.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the button switch mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of still another embodiment of the button switch mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a button switch body and a coil spring of a conventional button switch mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a conventional button switch mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 button switch mechanism, 6 button switch body, 7
a to 7d: marker, 8a to 8d: operating leg, 8e: central operating leg, 9: fulcrum shaft, 10: first connecting portion, 11: annular spring, 11a: thin annular spring portion, 11b: thickness Annular spring portion, 12 ... second connecting portion, 13 ... mounting frame, 14 ... support frame, 15 ... shaft portion, 15a ... support portion, 18 ... circuit board, 18a ... fulcrum hole, 19 ... tact switch, 19a: center tact switch, 20: front panel, 21: open window, 23: extension, 24: fulcrum shaft, 24a: fulcrum

Claims (5)

[Claims] An electronic device comprising a button switch mechanism configured to push an outer peripheral portion of an operation button to tilt in a direction in which the operation button is pressed and to operate a selected switch among a plurality of switches. The device has a button switch main body and a spring function provided on the outer peripheral side of the button switch main body and connected to the button switch main body via at least two first connecting portions. A thin annular spring portion, provided at an outer peripheral side of the annular spring portion, and connected to the annular spring portion via a second connecting portion at at least two points orthogonal to the first connecting portion. A mounting portion, a frame body portion for fixing the mounting portion, and a button body protruding from a rear center portion of the button switch body portion,
A fulcrum shaft that is engaged with a shaft portion of the frame body portion to swingably hold the button switch body portion, and a plurality of operation legs projecting from an outer peripheral surface of the button switch body portion, A plurality of key switches that are disposed on the substrate so as to face the respective distal ends of the operation legs, and are selectively operated via the operation legs when the button switch body is tilted and pressed. An electronic device comprising a button switch mechanism. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a button switch mechanism provided with a detour extension in a part of said annular spring portion to make the spring strength of said annular spring portion flexible. Electronic equipment. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the annular spring portion includes a button switch mechanism configured to change a pressing strength of the button switch body by partially varying a spring strength. Electronic equipment characterized by the above. 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the fulcrum shaft has a tip end supported by a shaft hole formed in the substrate to hold the button switch main body in a swingable manner. An electronic device comprising a switch mechanism. 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein another operation leg is protruded from the center of the button switch main body in place of the fulcrum shaft, and a central portion of the button switch main body is pressed. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a button switch mechanism for operating another key switch disposed on the substrate according to (1).