JP2003263167A - Operation panel unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively fabricate an operation panel unit of an illuminated type having a plurality of operating elements and to prevent the light by lighting of light emitting elements from leaking to the operators exclusive of the corresponding operating elements. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of the operator 21 disposed in correspondence to portions 6a corresponding to the operating elements of an operation panel section 6 are integrally configured by connecting at least one-side ends thereof as oscillation hinges 21b to a common base end 22. At least a lower part 22a of the common base end 22 distant from the operation panel section 6 is formed as a segment of ≤30% in transmittancy and the segments exclusive thereof are formed of translucent materials. All of the common base end 22 and a plurality of the operators 21 are integrally two-color molded by resins. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation panel unit provided with a plurality of operators, and particularly used for an operation panel section of various electronic devices such as an electronic musical instrument, which sets various functions by operation and The present invention relates to an operation panel unit including a large number of illuminated operation elements that also serve to display a setting state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an operation panel of an electronic musical instrument such as an electronic organ and a portable keyboard is provided with a large number of operators for selectively setting various functions by operating switches and the like. Is provided with a light source by a light emitting element such as an LED corresponding to each operator, and when the operator is operated to set a function, the corresponding light source is turned on so that the operator is illuminated brightly. Illuminated controls are also widely used. By using such an illumination type operator, it is not necessary to separately provide a display lamp or the like, so that a large number of operators can be provided in a narrow space, and there is an advantage that the operation state is obvious and easy to understand.

[0003]

However, the illumination type operators provided in the operation panel portion of the conventional electronic musical instrument and the like are provided individually and independently, and light is shielded between adjacent operators. Since it is also necessary to provide parts and members, it takes a lot of time to assemble them, and it is difficult to manage the parts of each operator. Therefore, it is conceivable that a plurality of operators are connected and integrally formed, as is seen in the operators of non-illuminated switches. However, the illuminated operation element needs to be formed of a translucent material so that the light from the light emitting element can be transmitted, and if a plurality of operation elements are integrally formed with the translucent material, the light emitted by the lighting of the light emitting element is compatible. There is a problem that not only the operating element to be operated but also other operating elements adjacent to the operating element are leaked, and a plurality of operating elements are simultaneously illuminated.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem. Even if a plurality of illumination type operating elements are connected and integrally formed, an operation corresponding to the light emitted by the light emitting element corresponds to the operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an illuminated operation panel unit which is easy to assemble and compact so as not to leak to anything other than a child.

[0005]

An operator panel panel unit according to the present invention is provided in correspondence with an operation panel section and an operator corresponding section of the operation panel section, and is operated to set a predetermined function. A plurality of light-transmitting members, function setting means provided below each of the operators, a light-emitting element disposed below each operator toward the operator, and an operation unit. It is an operation panel unit having a board provided below the child and having a light emitting element attached to the operator side. In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, each of the plurality of manipulators has at least one end as a swing hinge, and is integrally configured by being connected by a common base end connected to the swing hinge. In the common base end portion, at least a predetermined portion near the substrate has a light transmittance (light transmittance) of 30% or less, and the other portions are made of a light-transmitting material, and the common base end portion is It is characterized in that all of the plurality of operators are integrally molded with resin in two colors.

It is best to set the light transmittance of the predetermined portion to 0%, but the light transmittance increases at the boundary between the predetermined portion and the other portions. This boundary zone may or may not be included in the predetermined portion. In short, it is sufficient to reduce the light transmittance of a predetermined portion so that the light does not wrap around. The plurality of operators may be arranged on both sides of the common base end portion with their positions displaced from each other in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, it is desirable to configure as follows. The common base end portion is provided with a V-groove-shaped recess along the longitudinal direction from the far side to the near side of the substrate, and the operation panel portion projects from the lower surface of the common base end portion. Opaque inserted in the recess (transmission is 30%
A pressing member (below) is provided. With this configuration, by pressing the common base end portion to the substrate by the pressing member inserted in the recess, the operator assembly, which is a connecting body of the plurality of operators, can be positioned and temporarily fixed, and By the opaque pressing member and the predetermined portion of the common base end portion having a light transmittance of 30% or less near the substrate, it is possible to reliably prevent the light from wrapping around to the adjacent operator. The common base end portion may be formed almost entirely with a material that does not transmit light or has low light transmittance.

If the concave portion of the common base end portion is formed up to at least the two-color molded partition line and the pressing member of the operation panel portion is inserted at least up to the partition line, the effect of preventing light from wrapping around is obtained. Can be further ensured. Further, by providing a narrow portion (such as a V-shaped groove) having a width narrower than that of the other portion between adjacent operators at the common base end, no light is emitted adjacent to the operator which is emitting light. It is possible to enhance the effect of preventing light from wrapping around the operator. By providing the narrow portion between adjacent operators on the same side of the common base end portion, the common base short portion can be cut off at the narrow portion,
It is possible to efficiently manufacture the manipulators having different numbers of connections.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a portable keyboard to which the operation panel unit according to the present invention is applied, with a part thereof being cut away. The housing of this portable keyboard is composed of an upper case 1 and a lower case 2, a keyboard unit 3 is disposed on the front side of the upper case 1, and a display unit 4 having a liquid crystal display 4a at the center of the upper surface is provided. A speaker grill 5 having speakers 5a and 5b attached at both ends in the longitudinal direction is provided with an operation panel unit 6 between the display unit 4 and the speaker grill 5. The operation panel unit 6 is provided with the operation panel unit 10 according to the present invention.
There, an operation section that also serves as an illumination section for a large number of operators is arranged so as to slightly project from the panel upper surface. Reference numerals 7 and 8 denote other operator groups.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the operation panel unit 6 which constitutes the operation panel unit 10. 1 is a further enlarged sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 3 excluding the operation panel portion, and FIG.
3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of only the operation panel portion taken along the line BB in FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main portion showing the relationship between a part of the operator assembly, the substrate, and the tact switch.

First, in FIG. 3, a large number of manipulator corresponding parts 6a having rectangular openings and manipulator corresponding parts 6b having circular openings are arranged in a row on the operation panel portion 6, and each operator 21, The prismatic operation portions 21a, 41a of 41 and the respective operation elements 31 cylindrical operation portion 31a are loosely fitted, and each slightly protrude from the panel upper surface of the operation panel portion 6 so that they can be pressed. These operators 21, 31, 4
1 also functions as a light guide, and its operation parts 21a, 31a, 41
a also serves as an illumination unit. The manipulators 21 are arranged in a large number (7 in the front side and 5 in the rear side in the illustrated example) on both sides of the common strip-shaped common base portion 22 having a thickness D1 with their positions shifted in the longitudinal direction. There is. Each of the operators 21 is connected to the common base end portion 22 by a swing hinge 21b clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, and all the operators 21 are connected to the common base end portion 2.
They are connected by 2 and are integrally formed to form an operator assembly 20.

A large number of manipulators 31 are provided on one side of a common base end portion 32 in the shape of an elongated strip having a thickness D1 at regular intervals (6 in the figure).
It is arranged. Each of the operators 31 is connected to a common base end portion 32 by a swing hinge 31b clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, and all the operators 31 are connected by the common base end portion 32 to be integrally formed. It is formed and constitutes the operator assembly 30. The operator 41 is a single operator, and is connected to the base end portion 42 by a swing hinge 41b.

The structure of the manipulator assemblies 20 and 30 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 6. Each operating element 21 is provided with a switch driving portion 21c at a lower portion on the side opposite to the swing hinge 21b with respect to the operating portion 21a. The upper portion of the plurality of operators 21 and the common base end portion 22 connecting the same to the operation panel portion 6 are formed of milky white silicone rubber that is a translucent material, and the operation panel of the common base end portion 22. Lower part 2 far from part 6
Only 2a is formed of carbon-containing black silicone rubber, and the entire operator assembly 20 is integrally molded in two colors with silicone rubber that is a resin.

The lower portion 22a need not be the lower half in the exact sense, but may be close to half the height of the common proximal end. And it is desirable that it is opaque so as to have a light shielding property, but if the light transmittance is 30% or less, there is no practical problem. A plurality of V-groove-shaped recesses 22 are formed in the common base end portion 22 at a slight interval along the lengthwise direction (see FIG. 3) so as to extend from the side closer to the operation panel portion 6a to the side farther from the operation panel portion 6a.
b is formed. The recess 22b is formed by the common base end 22
Is formed to a partition line (indicated by P in FIGS. 1 and 4) which is a boundary between at least a white portion and a black portion, preferably at a depth larger than that.

The operator assembly 30 is also formed in the same manner as the operator assembly 20. That is, each operating element 31 is provided with a switch driving portion 31c at a lower portion on the side opposite to the swing hinge 31b with respect to the operating portion 31a. The upper part of each of the plurality of operators 31 and the common base end portion 32 connecting them, which is close to the operation panel portion 6, is formed of milky white silicone rubber which is a translucent material, and the substrate 11 of the common base end portion 32 is formed. Only the lower portion 32a close to is formed of black silicone rubber containing carbon, and the entire operator assembly 30 is integrally molded in two colors with silicone rubber which is a resin. The height and light transmittance of the lower portion 32a are the same as those of the manipulator assembly 20. The common base end portion 32 is also provided with a plurality of V-groove-shaped recesses 32b from the side closer to the operation panel section 6 to the side farther away from the operation panel section 6 at a slight interval along the longitudinal direction thereof (see FIG. 3). Is forming. The recess 32b is also formed to a depth of at least the partition line P, which is the boundary between the white portion and the black portion of the common base end portion 32, and preferably more than that.

A substrate 11 having a large number of tact switches 12 and light emitting diodes (LEDs) 13 corresponding to the operators 21 and 31 is provided below the operator assemblies 20 and 30. In this board 11, a board mounting screw 15 is screwed from the lower side of the board 11 into a plurality of board mounting bosses 6c projecting downward from the lower surface of the operation panel section 6 through screw holes provided in the board 11. It is attached to the operation panel unit 6 substantially in parallel. Wiring patterns to the tact switch 12 and the LED 13 are formed on this substrate. The tact switch 12 is arranged below the switch driving portions 21c and 31c of the operating elements 21 and 32, respectively, and is turned on / off by pressing the operating elements 21 and 32 to set / cancel predetermined functions. It is a function setting means.

The LED 13 is provided below the operating portions 21a and 31a of the operating elements 21 and 32, respectively.
It is a light emitting element (light source) arranged toward the 1a side, and emits light (lights) when the tact switch 12 is turned on, and the light causes the operating portions 21a and 31a of the operating elements 21 and 31 to operate.
Is illuminated to indicate that a predetermined function has been set. At this time, the lower portions 22a, 3 of the common base end portions 22, 32
Since 2a is formed of black silicone rubber or the like having a low light transmittance, it is possible to considerably prevent the light emitted by the LED 13 from passing through the common base ends 22 and 32 to the other operating elements 21 and 31 adjacent thereto. You can

In this embodiment, the operation panel section 6 is also provided.
A plurality of tongue-shaped pressing members 6d that fit into the recesses 22b and 32b formed in the common base end portions 22 and 32 of the operator assemblies 20 and 30 are integrally formed from the lower surface of the operation panel unit. At the time of assembling 10, the pressing members 6d are inserted into the recesses of the common base portions 22 and 32 up to at least the two-color molded partition, and the lower portions 22a and 32a thereof are pressed against the substrate 11. In each manipulator assembly 20, 30, the manipulators 21a, 31a of the manipulators 21, 31 are fitted in the manipulator corresponding parts 6a, 6b of the manipulating panel part 6, respectively, and the recesses of the common base end parts 22, 32 are formed. The pressing members 6d are inserted into the respective 22b and 32b, and the tips a (see FIG. 5) press the tips b (see FIG. 4) of the recesses of the lower portions 22a and 32a against the substrate 11. As a result, the operator assemblies 20, 30 are temporarily fixed. The pressing member 6d also functions as a light blocking member.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the operator assemblies 20 and 30 adjacent to the lower surface of the operation panel 6 and between the operators 21 and respectively. So as to partition between the controls 31
A large number of light shielding walls 6e extending to the vicinity of the substrate 11 are formed. The light shielding wall 6e is formed integrally with the operation panel portion 6 by an opaque resin together with the board mounting boss 6c and the pressing member 6d. This resin also preferably has a low light transmittance, but even if it is not completely opaque, there is no practical problem as long as the light transmittance is 30% or less. The lower edge 6f (see FIG. 5) of the escape portion where the light shielding wall 6e straddles the common base end portions 22 and 32 is
When the pressing member 6d is inserted into the recess 22b or 32b of the common base end 22 or 32, it comes into contact with the upper surface of the common base end 22 or 32.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the operators 21 and 21 adjacent to the common base end portion 22 of the operator assembly 20.
In between, V for connecting the concave portion 22b and the front surface from the upper surface side
A groove-shaped notch 22c is formed, and a connecting piece 6g (see FIG. 5) for connecting the holding member 6d and the light shielding wall is also inserted therein to form a T-shaped holding portion together with the holding member 6d. The common base end portion 22 is surely pressed against the substrate 11 and is also positioned in the longitudinal direction. According to this embodiment, the operators 21, 31, which constitute the operation panel unit 10,
Reference numeral 41 denotes a lower portion 22a or 32 made of black silicone rubber of the common base end portion 22 or 32 between adjacent operators.
Since a, a holding member 6d made of an opaque resin, and a light-shielding wall 6e are provided, when any one of the LEDs 13 emits light, the light wraps around to other operators than the corresponding upper operator. Can be reliably prevented.

Therefore, the operation sections other than the operation section operated on the operation panel section 6 are not brightly illuminated by the wraparound of light, and only the operation section having the function set by the operation is illuminated brightly. You can specify it. Moreover, since a large number of operators 21 or 31 are connected to each other by the common base end portions 22 or 32 and integrally molded to form the operator assembly 20 or 30, respectively, the positioning and assembly can be performed very easily. You can The parts management is also much easier than managing each operator individually. As shown in FIG. 3, the manipulator assembly 20 has a plurality of manipulators 21 arranged on both sides of the common base end portion 22 in a staggered manner with their positions displaced in the longitudinal direction. Operators 21 that can be raised and that are on both sides of the common base end 22
Since the LEDs 13 on both sides are not opposed to each other, the distance between the LEDs 13 on both sides is slightly increased, so that the effect of preventing light from wrapping around can be enhanced. It also has the effect of increasing the rigidity of the operator assembly.

[Other Embodiments] Next, as another embodiment of the present invention, an example in which a part of the above-described embodiment is modified will be described with reference to FIGS. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 has almost the same configuration as the operation panel unit as the above-described embodiment, but a tact switch is not provided for some of the operators and is used for function setting. The only difference is not. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part corresponding to FIG. 1, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The operator assembly 20 'of the operation panel unit 10' has the same structure as the operator assembly 20 in the above-mentioned embodiment, but one or more of the many operators 20 are provided. , A simple optical conductor (dummy operator) 23 that does not function as an operator
Has become. The optical conductor 23 has the same shape as the operating element 21, and is connected to the common base end portion 22 by the same swing hinge 23b as the swing hinge 21b of the operating element 20, and drives the operating portion 21a of the operating element 20 and switches. A portion corresponding to the portion 21c is composed of an illuminated portion 23a and a supported portion 23c.

A light conductor pressing member mounting piece 6h is formed on the lower surface of the operation panel portion 6 so as to extend downward. The light conductor pressing member 16 is fixed to the lower end of the light conductor pressing member mounting piece 16h by a set screw 17 to cover the light conductor 23. The support portion 23c is supported from below. The light conductor holding member attachment piece 6h also has a light blocking function for preventing light leakage. The light guide pressing member 16 is the substrate 11
It may be arranged at. The LED 13 provided on the substrate 11 is provided below the illuminated portion 23a of the light guide 23.
Are arranged, and the illumination section 23a is illuminated by the light emission. The illumination condition of the illumination unit 23a matches when the function set by the multiple operation of the tact switch 12 by another operator 21 or the combined operation of the plurality of tact switches 12 is displayed, and the light is turned on or blinked. To do. Such a thing also becomes an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a part of another example of the operator assembly used in the operation panel unit according to the present invention. This manipulator assembly 30 'is shown in FIG.
Since the configuration is substantially the same as that of the operator assembly 30 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, parts corresponding to those are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. This manipulator assembly 3
0'is different from the operator assembly 30 described above.
The point is that a narrow portion 32c having a width smaller than the width D1 of the other portion is provided between the operators 31 adjacent to each other on the same side of the common base end portion 32. The narrow portion 32c can be provided by forming V-grooves on both surfaces of the common base end portion 32 along the height direction thereof. Of course, the V at the time of integral molding
Grooves can also be formed. With this configuration, it is possible to enhance the effect of preventing light from wrapping around the common base end portion 32 between the adjacent operators 31. Further, the strip-shaped common base end portion 32 can be easily cut at the narrow portion 32c, and the operator assembly having different numbers of connected operators can be efficiently manufactured.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an operator assembly used in still another embodiment of the present invention. The manipulator assembly 50 has a different shape from the manipulator assemblies described above. Each operator 51 of the operator assembly 50 has a rectangular planar shape, and thin swinging hinges 51b and 51b are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the operator 51 so that they are connected to the common base end 52. There is.

The common base end portion 52 is a frame-shaped member in which a large number of rectangular operation element accommodating portions 52a for individually accommodating the respective operation elements 51 are arranged in a row. The operating elements 51, which are made of a substantially opaque material having a ratio of 30% or less and are accommodated in the operating element accommodating portions 52a, are made of a translucent material such as milky-white silicone rubber, and are integrated as a whole. Two colors are molded. Therefore, the common base end portion 52 is provided with vertical and horizontal channels 53 that allow the operators 51 to communicate with each other at the swing hinge 51b.
The transparent material can be poured into each operator molding portion of the mold through the 3. In this example, resin gates are prepared in two places. There is a gap between both side surfaces of each operator 51 in the longitudinal direction and the common base end portion 52.
By pressing from above, the swing hinges 51 at both ends
It is possible to bend b and push it down. Although not shown in the drawings, the operation part is provided in the upper part of each operator 51, and the switch drive part and the LED corresponding part are provided in the lower part, which is different from the case of the above-described embodiment. It is the same.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the milky white silicone rubber and the black silicone rubber are used as the molding material of the operator assembly. However, the molding material is not limited to this, and is of the same quality as a transparent material having elasticity. A resin having a low light transmittance (substantially opaque) may be used as long as it is a resin that can be molded in two colors. The manipulator has at least one end as a swing hinge.
Both ends may be swing hinges as in the example shown in FIG.
The operation panel section is not limited to the black resin, and a resin colored with an arbitrary pigment such as pink or yellow can be used. Also,
Any colored resin may be used as the translucent resin. The non-translucent part may have a high concentration of the color pigment. The function setting means is not limited to the tact switch, and may be another switch, an analog sensor such as a pressure sensor, or a photo sensor. The light emitting element is not limited to the LED, and other light emitting elements such as a miniature lamp may be used. Further, the operation panel unit according to the present invention is not limited to the operation panel of the electronic musical instrument, and can be similarly used for the operation panel of various electronic devices using the illuminated operator.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of illumination type operators can be connected and integrally formed, and the operators other than the operators to which the light emitted by the light emitting element corresponds. Therefore, only the operation part of the operator having the function set is illuminated brightly, and the operation parts of the other operators adjacent to it are not illuminated weakly. Then, the illumination type operation panel unit which is easy to assemble and compact can be realized at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a portable keyboard to which an operation panel unit according to the present invention has been applied, with a part thereof being cut away.

3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the operation panel unit 6 shown in FIG. 2, which constitutes an operation panel unit 10. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 3 except for an operation panel section.

5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of only the operation panel section taken along the line BB in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part showing a relationship between a part of an operator assembly, a substrate, and a tact switch.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an essential part corresponding to FIG. 1, showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a part of an operator assembly used in still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view of an operator assembly used in still another embodiment of the present invention at a swing hinge position.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Upper case, 2 ... Lower case, 3 ... Keyboard unit, 4 ...
Display section, 5 ... Speaker grill, 6 ... Operation panel section, 6a, 6b: Operator corresponding section, 6c ... Board mounting boss, 6d ... Holding member, 6e ... Shading wall, 6f ... Relief section, 6
g ... connecting piece, 6h ... light conductor holding member attaching piece, 10,1
0 '... Operation panel unit, 11: Board, 12: Tact switch, 13: Light emitting diode (LED), 15 ... Board mounting screw, 16 ... Optical conductor pressing member, 17 ... Set screw,
20, 20 ', 30, 30' ... Operator assembly, 2
1, 31, 41 ... Operator, 21a, 31a, 41a ... Operation part, 21b, 31b, 41b ... Swing hinge, 21c,
31c ... Switch drive part, 22, 32 ... Common base end part, 2
2a, 32a: lower part of common base end, 22b, 32b: V
Groove-shaped recess, 22c ... Notch, 23 ... Optical conductor (dummy operator), 23a ... Illuminating section, 23b ... Swing hinge, 23
c ... Supported part, 50 ... Manipulator assembly, 51 ... Manipulator, 51b ... Swing hinge, 52 ... Common base end part, 52a ...
Operator housing, 53 ... Channel

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An operation panel section, an operation element which is arranged corresponding to an operation element corresponding section of the operation panel section, and which is made of a plurality of translucent materials which are operated to set predetermined functions, respectively. A function setting means provided below each operator, a light-emitting element provided below each operator toward the operator side, and provided below the operator and provided on the operator side. An operation panel unit having a substrate to which the light emitting element is attached, wherein each of the plurality of operators has at least one end as a swing hinge and is connected by a common base end portion connected to the swing hinge. In the common base end portion, at least a predetermined portion near the substrate is a portion having a light transmittance of 30% or less, and the other portion is made of a light transmitting material. Part and all of the controls Operation panel unit, characterized in that it has been formed two colors together by fat. 2. The operation panel unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of operators are arranged on both sides of the common base end portion with their positions displaced from each other in the longitudinal direction.