JP2004047338A

JP2004047338A - Key device

Info

Publication number: JP2004047338A
Application number: JP2002204987A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Toshiaki Saito; 斎藤　利昭
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2002-07-15
Filing date: 2002-07-15
Publication date: 2004-02-12

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key device to realize reduction of erroneous operations of a peripheral operation part by facilitating recognition of operational position of the peripheral operation part corresponding to a center key button. <P>SOLUTION: This is provided with a multi-directional switch 2 having a plurality of direction switch parts 21 at the peripheral part and a multi-directional key button 3 in which a plurality of peripheral operation parts 30 to 35 to operate the direction switch part 21 are installed so as to respectively correspond to the direction switches 21. The peripheral operation parts 30 to 35 are provided with a key device in which a shape is different in accordance with positions to be installed on the multi-directional key button 3, and for example, because feelings of operation transferred to a finger are different in four directional positions and slanting position, key operations with fewer errors become possible. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、中心キーボタンのほか、上下左右位置または斜め位置で操作可能な多方向スイッチを押圧する複数のキー凸部を一体に有する多方向キーボタンを備えたキー装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、中央のほか、上下左右位置または斜め位置で操作する複数のキー操作部を有する多方向キーボタンを用いたキー装置としては、実開平０７−４１９２８号公報に記載されているように、中央の押しボタンの周囲に８つの周辺操作部を設けて、中央の押しボタンとは全く独立に操作できるものが開示されている。この周辺操作部は、形状が同一の凸形状とするか、またはどの方向の周辺操作部も特異な形状を持たせずにキー操作時に動作する表示部の画面遷移等により周辺操作部の操作位置を認識するという構成がとられている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記従来のキー装置においては、上下左右位置または斜め位置で操作する複数の周辺操作部のそれぞれを操作する場合、周辺操作部の形状が同一のため、上下左右位置と斜め位置とで明確な操作感の違いが得られず、近接した位置の周辺操作部を操作したときに、誤操作が発生し易く、その結果、キー操作のやり直しなどが発生するという問題があった。
【０００４】
本発明は、上記従来の問題を解決するためになされたもので、目で見ずとも中心キーボタンに対する周辺操作部の操作位置の認識を容易にして、周辺操作部の誤操作の減少を図るキー装置を提供するものである。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明におけるキー装置は、複数の方向入力部を有する多方向入力手段と、前記方向入力部のそれぞれに対応する操作部を表面に設けた多方向操作手段とを備え、前記操作部は位置により異なる形状を有するという構成を有している。この構成により、例えば、上下左右位置と斜め位置とで指に伝わる操作感が異なるため、誤操作の少ないキー操作が可能である。
【０００６】
本発明におけるキー装置は、前記操作部が位置により、高さの異なる凸形状に形成されるという構成を有している。この構成により、例えば、上下左右位置と斜め位置とで指に伝わる凹凸感が異なるため、誤操作の少ないキー操作が可能である。
【０００７】
本発明におけるキー装置は、前記操作部が位置により、長さの異なる凸形状に形成されるという構成を有している。この構成により、例えば、上下左右位置と斜め位置とで指に伝わる押圧面積感が異なるため、誤操作の少ないキー操作が可能である。
【０００８】
本発明におけるキー装置は、前記操作部が位置により、鋭角または鈍角な凸形状に形成されるという構成を有している。この構成により、例えば、上下左右位置と斜め位置とで指に伝わる鋭角感が異なるため、誤操作の少ないキー操作が可能である。
【０００９】
本発明におけるキー装置は、前記操作部が位置により、表面粗さの異なるシボで形成される押圧操作部であるという構成を有している。この構成により、例えば、上下左右位置と斜め位置とで指に伝わる表面粗さ感が異なるため、誤操作の少ないキー操作が可能である。
【００１０】
本発明におけるキー装置は、複数の方向入力部を有する多方向入力手段と、前記方向入力部のそれぞれに対応する操作部を表面に設けた多方向操作手段とを備え、前記操作部は位置により材質が異なるという構成を有している。この構成により、例えば、上下左右位置と斜め位置とで指に伝わる材質感が異なるため、誤操作の少ないキー操作が可能である。
【００１１】
本発明におけるキー装置は、前記操作部が位置により、樹脂またはゴムの２色成形により構成されるという構成を有している。この構成により、多方向キーボタンに配置される周辺操作部を上下左右位置と斜め位置とにより容易に異なる材質にすることが可能である。
【００１２】
本発明におけるキー装置は、前記操作部が位置により、樹脂またはゴムを前記多方向操作手段に接着による一体化で構成するという構成を有している。この構成により、２色成形に対応出来ない金型構造においても、周辺操作部を上下左右位置と斜め位置とで異なる材質にすることが容易に可能である。
【００１３】
本発明におけるキー装置は、前記操作部が、材質の違いにより、高さの異なる凸形状に形成されるという構成を有している。この構成により、例えば、上下左右位置と斜め位置とで指に伝わる材質感と凹凸感が異なるため、更に誤操作の少ないキー操作が可能である。
【００１４】
本発明におけるキー装置は、前記操作部が、材質の違いにより、長さの異なる凸形状に形成されるという構成を有している。この構成により、例えば、上下左右位置と斜め位置とで指に伝わる材質感と操作面積感が異なるため、更に誤操作の少ないキー操作が可能である。
【００１５】
本発明におけるキー装置は、前記操作部が、材質の違いにより、鋭角または鈍角な凸形状に形成されるという構成を有している。この構成により、例えば、上下左右位置と斜め位置とで指に伝わる材質感と鋭角感が異なるため、更に誤操作の少ないキー操作が可能である。
【００１６】
本発明におけるキー装置は、複数の方向入力部を有する多方向入力手段と、前記方向入力部のそれぞれに対応する操作部を設けた多方向操作手段とを備え、前記操作部は配置位置により潰れ量が異なる凸状の弾性体で構成されるという構成を有している。この構成により、例えば、上下左右位置と斜め位置とで指に伝わる押圧荷重に対する押圧ストロークの関係が異なるため、誤操作の少ないキー操作が可能である。
【００１７】
本発明におけるキー装置は、前記弾性体が、位置により、硬度が異なるゴム材料で構成されるという構成を有している。この構成により、例えば、上下左右位置と斜め位置とで押圧荷重に対する押圧ストロークに差異を設けて、誤操作の少ないキー操作が可能である。
【００１８】
本発明におけるキー装置は、前記弾性体が、位置により、高さの異なる凸形状に形成されるという構成を有している。この構成により、例えば、上下左右位置と斜め位置とで押圧荷重に対する押圧ストロークに差異を設けて、誤操作の少ないキー操作が可能である。
【００１９】
本発明におけるキー装置は、前記弾性体が、位置により、鋭角または鈍角な凸形状に形成されるという構成を有している。この構成により、例えば、上下左右位置と斜め位置とで押圧荷重に対する押圧ストロークに差異を設けて、誤操作の少ないキー操作が可能である。
【００２０】
本発明における携帯端末機器は、請求項１ないし請求項１５のいずれかに記載のキー装置を備えるという構成を有している。この構成により、簡単な構造で誤操作の少ないキーボタンを有する携帯端末機器を提供することが可能である。
【００２１】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、添付図面に基づき、本発明の第１ないし第３の実施の形態を詳細に説明する。
まず、図１のキー装置の分解斜視図、図２の多方向スイッチの正面図、図３ないし図６の多方向キーボタンの斜視図を参照して、本発明の第１の実施の形態におけるキー装置について説明する。
【００２２】
まず、図１に示す本実施の形態のキー装置は、プリント基板１の上に設けられ中心スイッチ部２２の周囲に方向スイッチ部２１を有する多方向スイッチ２と、多方向スイッチ２の上部に設けられ複数の周辺操作部３０〜３５が円周上にかつ放射形状に設けられた多方向キーボタン３と、多方向キーボタン３の中央に配置された中心キーボタン５と、多方向スイッチ２と多方向キーボタン３との間に設けられ周辺操作部３０〜３５に復元力を与えるゴム製キーパット４とが備えられる。そして、多方向スイッチ２、多方向キーボタン３、ゴム製キーパット４、中心キーボタン５は、プリント基板１とカバー６との間に挟みこまれるように構成される。なお、ゴム製キーパット４は、他の材料、例えば、ソフトなプラスチック製のものでもよい。
【００２３】
図２において、プリント基板１上に実装された多方向スイッチ２の各方向スイッチ部２１は、多方向キーボタン３の各周辺操作部３０〜３５を押すことにより、ゴム製キーパット４を介して対応する多方向スイッチ２の方向スイッチ部２１が押されることになり、円周上の８個所の位置（多方向スイッチ２の円周上の位置）が検出され電気的に接続状態となり、プリント基板１上の回路を駆動して表示部等に押圧位置の表示が行われる構成とされる。ここで、表示部についての詳細は省略するが携帯機器に備えられている液晶表示部等が該当する。
【００２４】
尚、この多方向スイッチ２については、本実施の形態のように、複数の方向スイッチ部２１が１つの多方向スイッチ２上に一体に形成される一体型スイッチに限定されるものではなく、８個所の接点パターンを基板上に配置しカーボン接点で接触する構造や、８個所の金属ダイヤフラムを基板上に配置して接触する構造なども含まれる。また、この方向検出位置の数については必ずしも８個所に限定されるものではない。多方向スイッチ２の中心にある中心スイッチ部２２は、中心キーボタン５を押すことにより、ゴム製キーパット４を介して押され電気的に接続状態となり、プリント基板１上の回路を駆動してコマンド確定等の機能が行われるよう構成される。
【００２５】
次に、図３ないし図６を参照して、本発明の第１の実施の形態におけるキー装置の多方向キーボタンについて説明する。
図３において、多方向キーボタン３上には、中央部を除く周辺部、すなわち、中央部の上下左右位置に凸形状からなる周辺操作部３０と、斜め位置に凸形状からなる周辺操作部３１とが設けられる。なお、上下左右位置の周辺操作部３０は斜め位置の周辺操作部３１に比べ、高さが低い凸形状とされる。
また、多方向キーボタン３と周辺操作部３０〜３５との一体化については、２色成形による手法と接着による手法とがあげられる。
【００２６】
また、図４に示す多方向キーボタン３上に設けた上下左右位置の周辺操作部３２は斜め位置の周辺操作部３３に比べ、長さが長い凸形状とされる。
また、図５に示す多方向キーボタン３上に設けた上下左右位置の周辺操作部３４は斜め位置の周辺操作部３５に比べ、鈍角な凸形状とされる。
【００２７】
図６に示す多方向キーボタン３上には、周辺操作部３０〜３５の代わりに、比較的細かい凹凸からなるシボにより形成された押圧操作するための押圧操作部３６、３７が設けられる。上下左右位置の押圧操作部３６の表面はなし地シボもしくは細密なシボとされ、斜め位置の押圧操作部３７は荒いシボとされる。
【００２８】
上記のように構成したことにより、本実施の形態では、上下左右位置の周辺操作部３０、３２、３４および上下左右位置の押圧操作部３６と斜め位置の周辺操作部３１、３３、３５および斜め位置の押圧操作部３７の形状の違いにより、押したときの操作感の違いを明確に出来るため、押圧操作時における誤操作の削減可能なキー装置を提供することができる。
なお、周辺操作部３０、３２、３４および押圧操作部３６の形状と周辺操作部３１、３３、３５および押圧操作部３７の形状が、上記と逆の構成にしても同様の効果が得られる。
【００２９】
次に、図１ないし図７を参照して、本発明の第２の実施の形態におけるキー装置の多方向キーボタンについて説明する。
図７に示す多方向キーボタン３は、上下左右位置の周辺操作部３８と斜め位置の周辺操作部３９とを異なる材料で構成する。例えば、上下左右位置の周辺操作部３８を樹脂で構成し、斜め位置の周辺操作部３９をゴム材料で構成する。なお、上下左右位置の周辺操作部３８をゴム材料で構成し、斜め位置の周辺操作部３９を樹脂で構成してもよい。
また、多方向キーボタン３と周辺操作部３８、３９との一体化については、２色成形による手法と接着による手法とがあげられる。更に、上下左右位置の周辺操作部３８と斜め位置の周辺操作部３９の形状については、図３から図６に示したものと同様の差異を上下左右位置の周辺操作部３８と斜め位置の周辺操作部３９とに施すことが出来る。
【００３０】
上記のように構成したことにより、本実施の形態では、上下左右位置の周辺操作部３８と斜め位置の周辺操作部３９の材質の違いによる操作感の違いから、どの周辺操作部３８かまたは周辺操作部３９を押圧したかを明確に出来ることにより、押圧操作時における周辺操作部３８または周辺操作部３９の誤操作を削減可能なキー装置を提供することが出来る。
【００３１】
次に、図１ないし図７を参照して、本発明の第３の実施の形態におけるキー装置の多方向キーボタンについて説明する。
本実施の形態では、図７に示す多方向キーボタン３を、上下左右位置の周辺操作部３８と斜め位置の周辺操作部３９とを硬度の異なるゴム材料で構成する。例えば、上下左右位置の周辺操作部３８を硬度の高いゴム材料で構成し、斜め位置の周辺操作部３９を硬度の低いゴム材料で構成する。なお、上下左右位置の周辺操作部３８を硬度の低いゴム材料で構成し、斜め位置の周辺操作部３９を硬度の高いゴム材料で構成してもよい。
また、多方向キーボタン３と周辺操作部３８、３９との一体化については、２色成形による手法と接着による手法とがあげられる。更に、上下左右位置の周辺操作部３８と斜め位置の周辺操作部３９の形状については、図３から図６に示したものと同様の差異を上下左右位置の周辺操作部３８と斜め位置の周辺操作部３９とに施すことが出来る。
【００３２】
上記のように構成したことにより、本実施の形態では、上下左右位置の周辺操作部３８と斜め位置の周辺操作部３９の潰れ量の違いによる操作感の違いから、どの周辺操作部３８かまたは周辺操作部３９を押圧したかを明確に出来ることにより、押圧操作時における周辺操作部３およびは周辺操作部３９の誤操作を削減可能なキー装置を提供することが出来る。
本発明の実施の形態では、以上説明したように、多方向キーボタン３に小さな周辺操作部３０〜３９を設けたのみにより、少スペースで十分な操作感の差異が得られるキー装置を提供することができる。
【００３３】
【発明の効果】
本発明におけるキー装置は、上記のように構成され、特に、上下左右位置の周辺操作部と斜め位置の周辺操作部の形状および材質の違いから押したときの操作感が異なることにより、押圧した周辺操作部を目で見ずともその正誤が明白となるため、誤操作を削減することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施の形態におけるキー装置の構成を示す分解斜視図、
【図２】本発明の第１の実施の形態におけるキー装置に用いる多方向スイッチの正面図、
【図３】本発明の第１の実施の形態におけるキー装置に用いる多方向キーボタンの構成を示す斜視図、
【図４】本発明の第１の実施の形態におけるキー装置に用いる他の多方向キーボタンの構成を示す斜視図、
【図５】本発明の第１の実施の形態におけるキー装置に用いる他の多方向キーボタンの構成を示す斜視図、
【図６】本発明の第１の実施の形態におけるキー装置に用いる更に他の多方向キーボタンの構成を示す斜視図、
【図７】本発明の第１および第２の実施の形態におけるキー装置に用いる多方向キーボタンの構成を示す斜視図。
【符号の説明】
１　　プリント基板
２　　多方向スイッチ
２１　方向スイッチ部
２２　中心スイッチ部
３　　多方向キーボタン
３０、３１、３２、３３、３４、３５、３８、３９　周辺操作部
３６、３７　押圧操作部
４　　ゴム製キーパット
５　　中心キーボタン
６　　カバー[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a key device including a multi-directional key button integrally having a plurality of key protrusions for pressing a multi-directional switch operable at up, down, left, right, or oblique positions, in addition to a center key button.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a key device using a multidirectional key button having a plurality of key operation units operated at up, down, left, right, or oblique positions in addition to the center, as described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 07-41928, There is disclosed a device in which eight peripheral operation units are provided around the push button and can be operated completely independently of the center push button. The peripheral operation unit has the same convex shape, or the peripheral operation unit in any direction does not have a peculiar shape, and the operation position of the peripheral operation unit is changed by a screen transition of a display unit operated at the time of key operation. Is recognized.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional key device, when each of a plurality of peripheral operation units operated at the up, down, left, right, or diagonal positions is operated, the shape of the peripheral operation units is the same, so that the up, down, left, right, and diagonal positions are clearly defined. Therefore, there is a problem that when a peripheral operation unit at a close position is operated, an erroneous operation is likely to occur, and as a result, a key operation is repeated.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problem, and a key for easily recognizing an operation position of a peripheral operation unit with respect to a center key button without looking at the eyes and reducing erroneous operation of the peripheral operation unit. An apparatus is provided.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The key device according to the present invention includes a multi-directional input unit having a plurality of direction input units, and a multi-directional operation unit provided on a surface with an operation unit corresponding to each of the direction input units. It has a configuration of having different shapes. According to this configuration, for example, the operational feeling transmitted to the finger is different between the upper, lower, left, and right positions and the oblique position, so that key operation with less erroneous operation is possible.
[0006]
The key device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the operation unit is formed in a convex shape having different heights depending on the position. With this configuration, for example, a sense of unevenness transmitted to the finger is different between the upper, lower, left, and right positions and the oblique position, so that a key operation with less erroneous operation is possible.
[0007]
The key device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the operation unit is formed in a convex shape having a different length depending on a position. With this configuration, for example, the sense of pressing area transmitted to the finger is different between the upper, lower, left, and right positions and the oblique position, so that key operation with less erroneous operation is possible.
[0008]
The key device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the operating portion is formed in an acute or obtuse convex shape depending on the position. With this configuration, for example, the sharpness transmitted to the finger is different between the upper, lower, left, and right positions and the oblique position, so that key operation with less erroneous operation is possible.
[0009]
The key device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the operation unit is a pressing operation unit formed of a grain having a different surface roughness depending on a position. With this configuration, for example, the sense of surface roughness transmitted to the finger is different between the upper, lower, left, and right positions and the oblique position, so that key operation with less erroneous operation is possible.
[0010]
The key device according to the present invention includes a multi-directional input unit having a plurality of direction input units, and a multi-directional operation unit provided on a surface with an operation unit corresponding to each of the direction input units. It has a configuration in which the materials are different. With this configuration, for example, the material feeling transmitted to the finger is different between the upper, lower, left, and right positions and the oblique position, so that key operation with less erroneous operation is possible.
[0011]
The key device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the operation unit is formed by two-color molding of resin or rubber depending on the position. With this configuration, it is possible to easily make different materials for the peripheral operation unit arranged on the multi-directional key button depending on the up / down / left / right position and the oblique position.
[0012]
The key device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the operation unit is integrally formed by bonding a resin or a rubber to the multidirectional operation unit depending on a position. With this configuration, even in a mold structure that cannot cope with two-color molding, it is easily possible to use different materials for the peripheral operation unit at the upper, lower, left, and right positions and the oblique position.
[0013]
The key device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the operation unit is formed in a convex shape having a different height due to a difference in material. With this configuration, for example, the sense of material transmitted to the finger and the sense of unevenness transmitted to the finger are different between the upper, lower, left, and right positions, and the oblique position.
[0014]
The key device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the operation unit is formed in a convex shape having a different length due to a difference in material. With this configuration, for example, the sense of material transmitted to the finger and the sense of operation area transmitted to the finger are different between the upper, lower, left, and right positions, and the oblique position.
[0015]
The key device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the operating portion is formed in an acute or obtuse convex shape depending on the material. With this configuration, for example, the sense of material transmitted to the finger and the sense of acute angle are different between the upper, lower, left, and right positions and the oblique position, so that key operation with less erroneous operation is possible.
[0016]
The key device according to the present invention includes a multi-directional input unit having a plurality of direction input units, and a multi-directional operation unit having an operation unit corresponding to each of the direction input units, and the operation unit is collapsed depending on an arrangement position. It has a configuration in which it is composed of convex elastic bodies having different amounts. With this configuration, for example, the relationship between the pressing load transmitted to the finger and the pressing stroke is different between the upper, lower, left, and right positions and the oblique position, so that key operation with less erroneous operation is possible.
[0017]
The key device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the elastic body is made of a rubber material having different hardness depending on the position. With this configuration, for example, a key stroke with less erroneous operation can be performed by providing a difference in the pressing stroke for the pressing load between the upper, lower, left, and right positions and the oblique position.
[0018]
The key device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the elastic body is formed in a convex shape having a different height depending on a position. With this configuration, for example, a key stroke with less erroneous operation can be performed by providing a difference in the pressing stroke for the pressing load between the upper, lower, left, and right positions and the oblique position.
[0019]
The key device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the elastic body is formed in an acute or obtuse convex shape depending on a position. With this configuration, for example, a key stroke with less erroneous operation can be performed by providing a difference in the pressing stroke for the pressing load between the upper, lower, left, and right positions and the oblique position.
[0020]
A portable terminal device according to the present invention has a configuration including the key device according to any one of claims 1 to 15. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a portable terminal device having a simple structure and key buttons with few erroneous operations.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, referring to the exploded perspective view of the key device of FIG. 1, the front view of the multi-directional switch of FIG. 2, and the perspective views of the multi-directional key button of FIGS. 3 to 6, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The key device will be described.
[0022]
First, the key device of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is provided on a printed circuit board 1 and has a multi-directional switch 2 having a direction switch portion 21 around a central switch portion 22 and a multi-directional switch 2 provided above the multi-directional switch 2. A plurality of peripheral operation units 30 to 35 are provided on the circumference and in a radial shape; a multi-directional key button 3 disposed at the center of the multi-directional key button 3; A rubber keypad 4 is provided between the multi-directional key button 3 and provides a restoring force to the peripheral operation units 30 to 35. The multidirectional switch 2, the multidirectional key button 3, the rubber keypad 4, and the center key button 5 are configured to be sandwiched between the printed circuit board 1 and the cover 6. The rubber keypad 4 may be made of another material, for example, a soft plastic.
[0023]
In FIG. 2, each direction switch unit 21 of the multidirectional switch 2 mounted on the printed circuit board 1 responds via the rubber keypad 4 by pressing each peripheral operation unit 30 to 35 of the multidirectional key button 3. The direction switch unit 21 of the multi-directional switch 2 is pressed, and eight positions on the circumference (positions on the circumference of the multi-directional switch 2) are detected and electrically connected, and the printed circuit board 1 is turned on. The above circuit is driven to display the pressed position on the display unit or the like. Here, although details of the display unit are omitted, a liquid crystal display unit or the like provided in the portable device corresponds thereto.
[0024]
Note that the multidirectional switch 2 is not limited to an integrated switch in which a plurality of direction switch units 21 are integrally formed on one multidirectional switch 2 as in the present embodiment. It also includes a structure in which contact patterns at points are arranged on a substrate and make contact with carbon contacts, and a structure in which eight metal diaphragms are arranged on a substrate to make contact. Further, the number of the direction detection positions is not necessarily limited to eight. By pressing the center key button 5, the center switch section 22 at the center of the multi-directional switch 2 is pressed via the rubber keypad 4 to be in an electrically connected state, and drives a circuit on the printed circuit board 1 to execute a command. It is configured to perform a function such as confirmation.
[0025]
Next, a multi-directional key button of the key device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 3, on the multi-directional key button 3, a peripheral operation unit 30 having a convex shape at a peripheral portion except a central portion, that is, a peripheral operation unit 31 having a convex shape at the upper, lower, left and right positions of the central portion, and a peripheral operation unit 31 having a convex shape at an oblique position Are provided. The peripheral operation unit 30 at the upper, lower, left, and right positions has a convex shape having a lower height than the peripheral operation unit 31 at the oblique position.
The integration of the multidirectional key button 3 and the peripheral operation units 30 to 35 includes a two-color molding method and a bonding method.
[0026]
Further, the peripheral operation units 32 provided on the multi-directional key button 3 shown in FIG. 4 at the up, down, left, and right positions have a longer convex shape than the peripheral operation unit 33 at the oblique position.
Further, the peripheral operation units 34 provided on the multi-directional key button 3 shown in FIG. 5 at the up, down, left, and right positions have a more obtuse convex shape than the peripheral operation unit 35 at the oblique position.
[0027]
On the multi-directional key button 3 shown in FIG. 6, instead of the peripheral operation units 30 to 35, there are provided pressing operation units 36 and 37 for performing a pressing operation formed by a grain having relatively fine irregularities. The surface of the pressing operation unit 36 at the top, bottom, left and right positions is a plain grain or a fine grain, and the pressing operation unit 37 at an oblique position is a rough grain.
[0028]
With the above-described configuration, in the present embodiment, the peripheral operation units 30, 32, and 34 at the up, down, left, and right positions, the pressing operation unit 36 at the up, down, left, and right positions, and the peripheral operation units 31, 33, 35 at the oblique positions, and the oblique position Since the difference in the operational feeling when pressed can be clarified by the difference in the shape of the position pressing operation portion 37, it is possible to provide a key device that can reduce erroneous operations during the pressing operation.
The same effect can be obtained even if the shapes of the peripheral operation units 30, 32, 34 and the pressing operation unit 36 and the shapes of the peripheral operation units 31, 33, 35 and the pressing operation unit 37 are reversed.
[0029]
Next, a multidirectional key button of a key device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the multi-directional key button 3 shown in FIG. 7, the peripheral operation unit 38 at the up, down, left, and right positions and the peripheral operation unit 39 at the oblique position are made of different materials. For example, the peripheral operation unit 38 at the upper, lower, left and right positions is made of resin, and the peripheral operation unit 39 at the oblique position is made of a rubber material. Note that the peripheral operation units 38 at the up, down, left, and right positions may be made of a rubber material, and the peripheral operation units 39 at the oblique positions may be made of a resin.
The integration of the multi-directional key button 3 with the peripheral operation units 38 and 39 includes a two-color molding method and a bonding method. Further, regarding the shapes of the peripheral operation unit 38 at the up, down, left, and right positions and the peripheral operation unit 39 at the oblique position, differences similar to those shown in FIGS. It can be applied to the operation unit 39.
[0030]
With the above-described configuration, in the present embodiment, which peripheral operation unit 38 or peripheral operation unit 38 is different from the operational feeling due to the difference in the material of the peripheral operation unit 38 at the up, down, left, and right positions and the peripheral operation unit 39 at the oblique position. By being able to clearly determine whether the operation unit 39 has been pressed, it is possible to provide a key device that can reduce erroneous operations of the peripheral operation unit 38 or the peripheral operation unit 39 during the pressing operation.
[0031]
Next, a multidirectional key button of a key device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the present embodiment, the multi-directional key button 3 shown in FIG. 7 is configured such that the peripheral operation unit 38 at the up, down, left, and right positions and the peripheral operation unit 39 at the oblique position are made of rubber materials having different hardnesses. For example, the peripheral operation units 38 at the upper, lower, left and right positions are made of a rubber material having high hardness, and the peripheral operation units 39 at the oblique positions are made of a rubber material having low hardness. Note that the peripheral operation units 38 at the up, down, left, and right positions may be made of a low-hardness rubber material, and the peripheral operation units 39 at the oblique positions may be made of a high-hardness rubber material.
The integration of the multi-directional key button 3 with the peripheral operation units 38 and 39 includes a two-color molding method and a bonding method. Further, regarding the shapes of the peripheral operation unit 38 at the up, down, left, and right positions and the peripheral operation unit 39 at the oblique position, differences similar to those shown in FIGS. It can be applied to the operation unit 39.
[0032]
With the above-described configuration, in the present embodiment, which peripheral operation unit 38 or which peripheral operation unit 38 has a difference in operation feeling due to a difference in the amount of collapse between the peripheral operation unit 38 at the up, down, left, and right positions and the peripheral operation unit 39 at the oblique position. By being able to clarify whether the peripheral operation unit 39 has been pressed, it is possible to provide a key device that can reduce erroneous operations of the peripheral operation unit 3 and the peripheral operation unit 39 during the pressing operation.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, as described above, a key device is provided in which only a small peripheral operation unit 30 to 39 is provided on the multidirectional key button 3 and a sufficient difference in operation feeling can be obtained in a small space. be able to.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
The key device according to the present invention is configured as described above, and in particular, is pressed due to a difference in the operational feeling when pressed due to the difference in shape and material of the peripheral operation unit at the up, down, left, and right positions and the peripheral operation unit at the oblique position. Since the correctness is clear even if the peripheral operation unit is not visually observed, erroneous operations can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a key device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of a multi-directional switch used in the key device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a multidirectional key button used in the key device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of another multidirectional key button used for the key device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of another multi-directional key button used for the key device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of still another multidirectional key button used in the key device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a multi-directional key button used in the key device according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printed circuit board 2 Multidirectional switch 21 Directional switch part 22 Central switch part 3 Multidirectional key buttons 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39 Peripheral operation parts 36, 37 Press operation part 4 Rubber keypad 5 Center Key button 6 cover

Claims

A multi-directional input unit having a plurality of direction input units; and a multi-directional operation unit having an operation unit corresponding to each of the direction input units on a surface thereof, wherein the operation unit has a different shape depending on a position. And key device.

2. The key device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is formed in a convex shape having a different height depending on a position.

The key device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is formed in a convex shape having a different length depending on a position.

The key device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is formed in an acute or obtuse convex shape depending on a position.

The key device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is a pressing operation unit formed by a grain having a different surface roughness depending on a position.

Multidirectional input means having a plurality of direction input units, and multidirectional operation means provided on the surface with an operation unit corresponding to each of the direction input units, wherein the operation unit is different in material depending on the position, Key device to do.

7. The key device according to claim 6, wherein the operation unit is formed by two-color molding of resin or rubber depending on a position.

7. The key device according to claim 6, wherein the operation unit is formed by integrating resin or rubber into the multi-directional operation unit by bonding depending on a position.

9. The key device according to claim 6, wherein the operation unit is formed in a convex shape having a different height depending on a material.

The key device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the operation unit is formed in a convex shape having a different length depending on a material.

The key device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the operation unit is formed in an acute or obtuse convex shape depending on a difference in material.

A multi-directional input unit having a plurality of direction input units; and a multi-directional operation unit having an operation unit corresponding to each of the direction input units. A key device comprising a body.

13. The key device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic body is made of a rubber material having a different hardness depending on a position.

The key device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic body is formed in a convex shape having a different height depending on a position.

The key device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic body is formed in an acute or obtuse convex shape depending on a position.

A mobile terminal device comprising the key device according to claim 1.