JP2001351461A - Push button structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a push button structure which can be pushed on in a small stroke, and can be miniaturized. SOLUTION: A key switch structure 10a as the push button structure is equipped with an electric contact board 12 equipped on a switch substrate 11, a projection section 13 equipped so as to come into contact with the electric contact board 12, and an operation key 5 made of rubber which is fixed to the projection section 13 and is pushed by a hand. The hardness of the projection section 13 is higher than the hardness of the operation key 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a push button structure, and more particularly to a push button structure used for a portable telephone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A portable telephone is provided with a push button which is pressed by a human hand to input information. The structure of the push button will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a conventional portable telephone. Referring to FIG. 4, a conventional mobile phone 1 b has an outer case 2. An antenna 40 and an outer case 2
The display panel 4 and operation keys 9 are mounted.

[0004] The antenna 40 is attached to the tip of the outer case 2. Most of the antenna 40 is housed in the outer case 2 and is extended so as to protrude from the outer case 2 when using the mobile phone 1b.

[0005] The display panel 4 is arranged at the center of the outer case 2. The display panel 4 is composed of liquid crystal, and displays characters received by the mobile phone 1b, data transmitted by the mobile phone 1b, and the like.

The operation key 9 is a member for inputting information to a main body circuit provided in the mobile phone 1b, and a person can input information by manually pressing the operation key 9.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a cross section taken along line VV in FIG. Referring to FIG. 5, a key switch structure 20 as a push button is provided on the surface of the mobile phone. The key switch structure 20 includes the switch substrate 11
, An electric contact plate 12, a protrusion 14c, and an operation key 9. An electric contact plate 12 made of an arched metal plate is provided on a thin switch substrate 11. Both ends of the electric contact plate 12 are fixed to the switch substrate 11, and a central portion of the electric contact plate 12 is provided so as to be separated upward from the switch substrate 11.

The projection 14c is provided so as to contact the electrical contact plate 12. The protrusion 14c is made of rubber, and is formed to extend from the operation key 9 toward the electric contact plate 12. The protrusion 14c is formed integrally with the rubber base 14. The rubber base 14 is formed to extend above the switch board 11. The thickness of the rubber base 14 is thinner than the thickness of the protrusion 14c,
Has high flexibility.

The outer case 2 is provided on the rubber base 14. The outer case 2 is made of plastic and is formed so as to surround the rubber base 14 and the switch board 11. A hole 2a is formed on the surface of the outer case 2, and an operation key 9 is fitted into the hole 2a. The operation keys 9 are made of resin, and the rubber base 14
And the hardness which is higher than the rubber which comprises the protrusion part 14c. Operation keys 9 are attached to the rubber base 14 and the protrusions 14c.
Is fixed.

[0010]

The problem which occurs in the conventional push button structure will be described below.

In the key switch structure 20, when a person presses the operation key 9 by hand, this pressure is transmitted to the electric contact plate 12 via the operation key 9 and the protrusion 14c. As a result, the electric contact plate 12 is deformed downward, and the electric contact plate 12 comes into contact with the switch board 11 to turn on the electric contact. Thereby, information is input. Since the protrusion 14c is made of rubber, which is the same material as the rubber base 14, when the pressure from the operation key 9 is received, the protrusion 14c is likely to bend and deform. Therefore, the stroke when pressing the operation key 9 becomes long. When the hardness of the rubber constituting the protrusion 14c is increased, the deflection of the rubber is reduced, and the stroke at the time of operation is reduced. However, the hardness of the rubber constituting the rubber base 14 also increases. As a result, the operation becomes heavy, which is inconvenient for repeated pressing.

Therefore, the conventional key switch structure 20
In order to avoid a heavy operation, a rubber having a certain degree of flexibility was used as the rubber constituting the protruding portion 14c. As a result, the protruding portion 14c is easily bent,
There is a problem that the stroke when pushing down is long.

Further, in order to improve the operability, the operation key 9 is required to protrude from the outer case 2 in a relatively large amount, so that it is difficult to make the device thinner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a push button structure which can be pressed with a small stroke and which can be downsized. .

[0015]

According to the present invention, there is provided a push button structure comprising: an electric contact provided on a substrate; a pressure transmitting member provided to contact the electric contact; A rubber pressing member pressed by a human hand. The hardness of the pressure transmitting member is higher than the hardness of the pressing member.

[0016] In the push button structure thus configured, the hardness of the pressure transmitting member is high, so that the bending of the pressure transmitting member when the pressure transmitting member is pressed can be reduced. Therefore, even if the pressing member is pressed with a small stroke, the bending of the pressure transmitting member is small, so that the electric contact can be reliably pushed down. Since the pressing can be performed with a small stroke, the protrusion amount of the pressing member can be reduced.
Therefore, the push button structure can be downsized.

Further, since the information input member is made of rubber,
The hand does not slip at the time of pressing, and the pressing is further facilitated.

Preferably, the pressing member includes a projection corresponding to the plurality of keys. The pressure transmitting member includes legs corresponding to the plurality of protrusions.

Preferably, the pressure transmitting member is made of resin. A push button structure according to another aspect of the present invention includes an electric contact provided on a substrate, a convex portion for transmitting pressure to the electric contact, a pressing member pressed by a human hand, A rubber film disposed so as to be interposed between the member and the member. The hardness of the pressing member is higher than the hardness of the rubber film.

In the push button structure configured as described above, since the hardness of the convex portion of the pressing member is higher than the hardness of the rubber film, the bending of the convex portion can be reduced even when the pressing member is pressed. Can be. Therefore, even if the pressing member is pressed with a small stroke, the pressure is reliably transmitted to the electric contact. Further, since the rubber film is provided between the electric contact and the pressure transmitting member, deterioration of the electric contact can be prevented.
Further, since the pressing can be performed with a small stroke, the protrusion amount of the pressing member can be reduced. Therefore, the push button structure can be downsized.

[0021] Preferably, the pressing member is made of resin.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portable telephone having a push button structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile phone 1 a has an outer case 2. The outer case 2 has an antenna 40
, A display panel 4 and operation keys 5 are attached.

The antenna 40 is attached to the tip of the outer case 2. Most of the antenna 40 is housed in the outer case 2 and is extended so as to protrude from the outer case 2 when using the mobile phone 1b.

The display panel 4 is arranged at the center of the outer case 2. The display panel 4 is composed of liquid crystal, and displays characters received by the mobile phone 1b, data transmitted by the mobile phone 1b, and the like.

The operation key 5 is a member for inputting information to a main body circuit provided in the mobile phone 1b, and can be input by a person pressing the operation key 5 by hand.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a cross section taken along the line II-II in FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, a key switch structure 10a as a push button structure includes a switch substrate 1
An electrical contact plate 12 as an electrical contact provided on 1;
It has a protrusion 13 as a pressure transmitting member provided to be in contact with the electric contact plate 12 and an operation key 5 as a rubber pressing member fixed to the protrusion 13 and pressed by a human hand. The hardness of the protrusion 13 is higher than the hardness of the operation key 5.

The switch substrate 11 has a thin plate shape, and a plurality of electric contact plates 12 are arranged on the surface thereof in a grid pattern. In FIG. 2, one electric contact plate 1
Only two are shown. An arch-shaped electric contact plate 12 is provided on the surface of the switch substrate 11. Both ends of the electric contact plate 12 are fixed to the switch board 11, and the center is provided so as to be separated upward from the switch board 11. The switch is turned on when the central portion of the electrical contact plate 12 is pressed and comes into contact with the switch substrate 11. The electrical contact plate 12 is bent and comes into contact with the switch substrate 11 to exhibit its function, and is therefore made of a flexible metal plate.

The protrusion 13 is provided so as to contact the electric contact plate 12. The protrusion 13 is in contact with the electrical contact plate 12, but is not fixed to the electrical contact plate 12. The protrusion 13 has a truncated conical shape, and its diameter decreases as it approaches the electrical contact plate 12. The shape of the protruding portion 13 does not necessarily have to be a truncated cone, but may be a column or a prism. The protrusion 13 is made of a hard material such as polycarbonate (PC), methacrylic resin (PMMA),
Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid resin (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene resin (AS), polystyrene resin (P
S), a resin-based material such as polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT), or a metal material such as aluminum or magnesium.

An operation key 5 is provided on the protrusion 13. The operation key 5 is fixed to the protrusion 13 with an adhesive or the like. The operation key 5 has an elliptical shape, and both its major axis and minor axis are larger than the diameter of the protruding portion 13. The operation keys 5 are made of rubber. As this rubber, for example, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, ethylene / propylene / diene terpolymer rubber (EPDM) and the like can be used. The operation key 5 is formed integrally with the rubber base 14. A plurality of operation keys 5 are provided on the surface of the rubber base 14, and the operation keys 5 are connected by the rubber base 14. Therefore, a plurality of operation keys 5 are arranged on a thin film-like rubber base 14 in a grid pattern. Although the rubber base 14 and the operation keys 5 are formed integrally, they may be formed of different rubbers. Alternatively, the operation keys 5 may be made of rubber, and the rubber base 14 may be made of a soft resin such as polyurethane. The operation keys 5 are configured as protrusions corresponding to the respective keys. A projection 13 is provided as a leg corresponding to the projection.

The outer case 2 is provided so as to cover the rubber base 14, the electric contact plate 12, and the switch substrate 11. The outer case 2 is provided with a hole 2a, and the operation key 5 is fitted into the hole 2a. Operation key 5
Is provided in the hole 2 a, and the other portion is provided so as to protrude from the outer case 2.

The operation key 5 faces the electric contact plate 12 with the protrusion 13 interposed. That is, the protrusion 13 is provided between the operation key 5 and the electric contact plate 12. The hardness of the protrusion 13 is higher than the hardness of the operation key 5.

The key switch structure 1 configured as described above
At 0a, when the operation key 5 is pressed by a human hand, the pressure reaches the electrical contact plate 12 through the operation key 5 and the protrusion 13. This pressure causes the electrical contact plate 12 to bend downward. As a result, the switch is turned on when the central portion of the electrical contact plate 12 comes into contact with the switch substrate 11.

The key switch structure 1 configured as described above
0a, first, since the hardness of the projection 13 is higher than the hardness of the operation key 5, the operation key 5 is pressed and the projection 13
When the pressure is applied to the projection 13, the bending generated in the protrusion 13 is reduced. As a result, the operation key 5
The switch can be turned on even if is pressed. Further, even if the hardness of the rubber constituting the rubber base 14 and the operation keys 5 is reduced, the hardness of the protrusion 13 is not affected at all. Therefore, even if the hardness of the rubber constituting the rubber base 14 and the operation keys 5 is reduced, the pressing stroke does not increase, and the hardness of the rubber can be reduced. As a result, the switch can be turned on with a light force. As described above, if the operation is light, the person does not get tired even when the operation key 5 is repeatedly pressed. The outer case 2 can be pressed with a smaller stroke.
The portion of the operation key 5 protruding from the main body can be reduced. As a result, the size of the key switch structure 10a and the mobile phone 1a can be reduced.

Further, since the operation keys 5 are made of rubber, the hand does not slip when a person presses the operation keys 5, so that the operation keys 5 can be surely pressed.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a push button structure according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG.
Referring to FIG. 1, a key switch structure 10b as a push button structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes an electric contact plate 12 as an electric contact provided on a switch substrate 11.
And a projection 8a for transmitting pressure to the electric contact plate 12,
The electronic device includes an operation key 8 as a pressing member pressed by a human hand, and a rubber film 14b disposed so as to be interposed between the electric contact plate 12 and the operation key 8. The hardness of the pressing member is higher than the hardness of the rubber film.

An electric contact plate 12 is provided on a switch substrate 11. The electric contact plate 12 has an arch shape, and its end is fixed to the switch board 11 and its center is provided to be separated from the switch board 11. Rubber film 1
4b is provided so as to contact the electrical contact plate 12. The rubber film 14b is in contact with the electric contact plate 12 but is not fixed to the electric contact plate 12. The rubber film 14b is formed integrally with the rubber base 14. Although the rubber base 14 and the rubber film 14b are formed integrally, they may be formed of different rubbers. Further, the rubber film 14b may be made of rubber, and the rubber base 14 may be made of a soft resin such as polyurethane.

The rubber base 14 and the rubber film 14b are continuous. The thicknesses of the rubber base 14 and the rubber film 14b are substantially equal. The rubber film 14b is formed so that the rubber base 14 is depressed, and a concave portion 14a is provided inside the rubber film 14b. The concave portion has a truncated conical shape and is tapered. Further, as the rubber forming the rubber film 14b, the same rubber as the rubber forming the rubber base 14 can be used.

Operation keys 8 are provided on the rubber base 14. The operation key 8 has a convex portion 8a, and the convex portion 8a is inserted into a concave portion 14a formed by the rubber film 14b. The operation key 8 and the projection 8a are both made of a hard material. As this hard material, polycarbonate (P
C), resin materials such as methacrylic resin (PMMA), alkylbenzene sulfonic acid resin (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene resin (AS), polystyrene resin (PS), polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT), and aluminum, magnesium, etc. Metallic materials can be used. The projection 8a is tapered, and the diameter of the projection 8a is smaller than the diameter of the operation key 8. The outer case 2 is provided so as to cover the rubber base 14 and the switch board 11. The outer case 2 has a hole 2a, and an operation key 8 is provided so as to be fitted into the hole 2a. Operation keys 8
Is provided in the hole 2a, and the other portion is provided so as to protrude from the hole 2a.

The key switch structure 1 configured as described above
At 0b, when the operation key 8 is pressed by a human hand, the pressure reaches the electric contact plate 12 through the operation key 8 and the projection 8a. This pressure causes the electrical contact plate 12 to bend downward. As a result, the switch is turned on when the central portion of the electrical contact plate 12 comes into contact with the switch substrate 11.

The key switch structure 1 configured as described above
In the case of 0b, first, since the hardness of the convex portion 8a is higher than the hardness of the operation key 8, even when the operation key 8 is pressed and pressure is applied to the convex portion 8a, the bending generated in the convex portion 8a is reduced. As a result, the switch can be turned on even if the operation key 8 is pressed with a small stroke. Further, even if the hardness of the rubber forming the rubber base 14 and the rubber film 14b is reduced, the hardness of the projection 8a is not affected at all.
Therefore, even if the hardness of the rubber forming the rubber base 14 and the rubber film 14b is reduced, the pressing stroke does not increase, so that the hardness of the rubber can be reduced.
As a result, the switch can be turned on with a light force. As described above, if the operation is light, the person does not get tired even when the operation key 8 is repeatedly pressed. Since the operation key 8 can be pressed with a smaller stroke, the portion of the operation key 8 protruding from the outer case 2 can be reduced.
As a result, the size of the key switch structure 10b and the mobile phone can be reduced.

Further, since the rubber film 14b is provided between the electric contact plate 12 and the projection 8a, the electric contact plate 12
Degradation can be prevented.

Although the present invention has been described above, the embodiment shown here can be variously modified. First, in this embodiment, an example in which the push button structure of the present invention is applied to a mobile phone has been described, but the push button structure may be used for other mobile information terminals.

As the rubber used in the present invention, it is particularly preferable to use a rubber that does not generate gas.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[0046]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a push button structure which can be pressed with a small stroke and can be downsized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a mobile phone having a push button structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a cross section viewed along the line II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a push button structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a conventional mobile phone.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cross section viewed along a line VV in FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

5, 8 operation keys, 10a, 10b key switch structure, 11 substrate, 12 electrical contact plates, 14b rubber film.

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Claims (5)

[Claims] An electric contact provided on a substrate; a pressure transmitting member provided to contact the electric contact; and a rubber pressing member fixed to the pressure transmitting member and pressed by a human hand. The push button structure, wherein the hardness of the pressure transmitting member is higher than the hardness of the pressing member. 2. The push button structure according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member includes a projection corresponding to a plurality of keys, and the pressure transmitting member includes a leg corresponding to the plurality of projections. 3. The push button structure according to claim 1, wherein the pressure transmitting member is made of resin. 4. An electric contact provided on a substrate, a pressing member including a convex portion for transmitting pressure to the electric contact, and being pressed by a human hand, and being interposed between the electric contact and the pressing member. And a rubber film arranged so as to perform, the hardness of the pressing member is higher than the hardness of the rubber film,
Push button structure. 5. The pressing member according to claim 4, wherein the pressing member is made of resin.
Push button structure described in 1.