JP2005228569A - Key switch and portable electronic equipment using this - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key switch in which a switch circuit can be switched by surely pressing metal contact even if there are variations in pressing positions on the key top, and provide a portable electronic equipment using this. <P>SOLUTION: In the key top 4 of the key switch 1, a switch pressing part 4b is formed on one end part side of an operation part 4a, and furthermore, a cantilever supporting part 4d is formed on the other end part side of the operation part 4a and the key top 4 is cantilevered by a key top supporting part 3 to become rotatable, and a display member 10 is arranged and installed via a transparent switch sheet 5 in which the switch circuit part is formed at the lower part of the key top 4, and the switch circuit part 6 is formed at the switch sheet 5 in a position facing the switch pressing part 4b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a key switch suitable for use in a portable electronic device such as a cellular phone, and a portable electronic device using the key switch.

A conventional key switch and a portable electronic device using the same will be described with reference to Patent Document 1. A conventional key switch 51 has a column-shaped and transparent key top 52 as shown in FIG. Protruding portions 52b, 52c, 52d, and 52e project from the side surfaces of the operation portion 52a of the top 52, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 6, the protrusions 52 b to 52 e are formed so that adjacent protrusions 52 b and 52 d or 52 c and 52 e are staggered when the key tops 52 are arranged adjacent to each other. Yes.
Further, the protruding portions 52b to 52e are formed to protrude downward from the bottom surface of the operation portion 52a by a predetermined dimension, and a convex portion (not shown) capable of pressing and operating a metal contact 54 described later is formed on the lower end surface.

A switch circuit board 53 is disposed below the key top 52. The switch circuit board 53 has an opening 53a slightly larger than the operation part 52a at a position facing the operation part 52a. A liquid crystal display device (not shown) under the switch circuit board 53 can be expected from the opening 53a.
Further, on the switch circuit board 53, two metal contacts 54 each having a dome shape made of metal are disposed in the vicinity of the inner wall around the opening 53a.

Further, a contact film (not shown) having a movable contact (not shown) is disposed under the metal contact 54, and a fixed contact (not shown) is formed on the lower side facing the movable contact. A switch circuit board 53 is configured by arranging a board (not shown).
In the key top 52, the convex portion formed on the lower end surface of each of the protruding portions 52b to 52e is located at the dome-shaped top portion of the metal contact 54 on one side adjacent to each other around the opening portion 53a. Is supported substantially vertically.

A liquid crystal display device (not shown) having a liquid crystal display element is disposed below the switch circuit board 53, and an image formed on the liquid crystal display element is recognized through the opening 53a and the operation unit 52a. It is possible.
When the key top 52 in the raised position is lowered by pressing the operating portion 52a with an operator's finger or the like, the metal on the one side adjacent to each other around the opening 53a is caused by the respective protruding portions 52b to 52e. The dome-shaped top of the contact 54 is pressed.
That is, the top of the four metal contacts 54 is pressed by the pressing operation of the key top 52.

As a result, the top of the metal contact 54 is inverted, the lower contact film is pressed, the movable contact comes into contact with the fixed contact portion, and the switch circuit is switched. By switching the switch circuit, a desired image is formed on the liquid crystal display element, and this image can be recognized by the operator through the opening 53a and the operation unit 52a.
Further, when the pressing of the key top 52 is released, the dome-shaped initial state is automatically restored by the restoring force that the metal contact 54 has. As a result, the key top 52 is pushed up to return to the initial raised position.
Such a key switch 51 is used in a portable electronic device (not shown) such as a cellular phone.
JP 2003-303526 A

However, in the conventional key switch 51, it is difficult to reverse the four metal contacts 54 at the same time because the position where the operation portion 52a is pressed varies and the key top 52 does not descend vertically and is inclined. There is a possibility that the switch circuits cannot be switched at the same time, and an image cannot be formed on the liquid crystal display element.
The present invention solves the problems as described above, and even if there is variation in the pressing position of the key top, a key switch that can reliably switch the switch circuit by pressing the metal contact and a portable electronic device using the key switch The purpose is to provide.

As a first means for solving the above problem, a key switch of the present invention includes a plurality of transparent key tops having an operation unit capable of pressing operation, and a plurality of key top supports capable of supporting the plurality of key tops. And a switch circuit portion formed on the lower surface side of each of the plurality of key tops, wherein the key top has a switch pressing portion formed on one end side of the operation portion, and the operation A cantilever support portion is formed on the other end side of the key portion, and the key top is supported by the key top support portion on the other end side, and the switch pressing on the one end side is supported by the key top support portion. The part is rotatable,
A transparent switch sheet having the switch circuit portion formed at a position facing the switch pressing portion is disposed under the key top, and the switch circuit of the switch circuit portion is cut under the switch sheet. A display member capable of forming an image by being replaced is provided,
The switch circuit of the switch circuit unit is switched by the switch pressing unit that presses the operation unit and rotates around the cantilever support unit, and an image is formed on the display member, or the display unit The formed image can be switched.

  Further, as a second solving means for solving the above-mentioned problem, the operation portion of the key top is formed with the switch pressing portion projecting outward from one end side, and on the other end side. The cantilever support portion is formed on the outside.

  As a third means for solving the above-mentioned problem, the switch circuit unit includes a movable contact disposed at a position facing the tip of the switch pressing unit and a predetermined gap with the movable contact. And a pair of fixed contacts formed on the switch sheet so as to be insulated from each other, and when the operation portion of the key top is pressed, the movable contact is electrically connected to the pair of fixed contacts. The circuit is switched.

  Further, as a fourth means for solving the above-mentioned problem, the movable contact is made of a metal contact in which an elastically deformable metal plate is formed in a dome shape, and the metal contact is the tip of the switch pressing portion. When the portion is pressed and reversed, the contact with the pair of fixed contacts is conducted.

  Further, as a fifth solving means for solving the above problem, the display member is a liquid crystal display device, and when the key top is pressed to switch the switch circuit, an image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device. It is formed, and this image is visible through the transparent key top.

  Further, as a sixth solving means for solving the above-mentioned problem, a portable electronic device of the present invention includes a main display unit and an input unit including the key switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, When the key top is pressed, the switch pressing portion on the one end side rotates with the cantilever supporting portion on the other end side as a fulcrum to switch the switch circuit, and the image is displayed on the display member. Or an image formed on the display member can be switched.

In the lower part of the key top of the key switch of the present invention, a transparent switch sheet in which a switch circuit part is formed at a position facing the switch pressing part is disposed. Below the switch sheet, the switch circuit of the switch circuit part is provided. A display member capable of forming an image by switching is provided, and the switch circuit of the switch circuit unit is switched by the switch pressing unit that rotates by pressing the operation unit of the key top and pivoting on the cantilever support unit. Since the image is formed on the display member or the image displayed on the display unit can be switched, the switch circuit of the key top that is cantilevered is securely rotated to ensure the switch circuit. Can be switched.
An image can be formed on the display member, or the formed image can be switched and selected reliably.

  In addition, since the switch pressing portion protrudes outward from the one end portion side and the cantilever support portion is formed outside the other end portion, the key top operation portion has a surface area of the operation portion. The image formed on the display member can be displayed in a large size.

  The switch circuit section includes a movable contact disposed at a position facing the tip of the switch pressing section, and a pair of fixed contacts formed to be insulated from the switch seat with a predetermined gap from the movable contact. When the keytop operation part is pressed, the pair of fixed contacts are connected to each other and the switch circuit is switched, so that the switch circuit can be switched with a single movable contact. Can be reduced.

  In addition, the movable contact consists of a metal contact in which an elastically deformable metal plate is formed in a dome shape. This metal contact comes into contact with a pair of fixed contacts by pressing and reversing the tip of the switch pressing part. As a result, the metal contact directly contacts the fixed contact. Therefore, the switch circuit can be reliably switched with a small number of parts.

  The display member is made of a liquid crystal display device. When the key top is pressed and the switch circuit is switched, an image is formed on the liquid crystal display device, and the image can be visually recognized through the transparent key top. Therefore, the image can be easily selected by switching the image formed on the display unit by pressing the key top.

  Further, in the portable electronic device using the key switch of the present invention, when the key top is pressed, the switch pressing portion on the one end side rotates with the cantilever support portion on the other end side as a fulcrum. Since the switch circuit is switched and an image is formed on the display unit or the image formed on the display unit can be switched, it is easy to select an image that can be viewed through the key top, and the portable electronic device has excellent operability. Can provide.

Hereinafter, a key switch and a form electronic apparatus using the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a key switch of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view thereof, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part for explaining a switch circuit section according to the present invention, and FIG. It is the schematic of the portable electronic device using this key switch.

First, the key switch 1 of the present invention has a plate-like shape made of a resin material or the like at the top, and a cover 2 having a size corresponding to, for example, an input unit 13 of a mobile phone 11 described later is disposed. The cover 2 is formed with a plurality of key top support portions 3 that can support a plurality of key tops 4 described later at a predetermined pitch.
The key top support portion 3 is formed with a circular through hole 3a, and a clearance groove 3b having a predetermined width dimension and depth dimension is formed on the lower surface side of the cover 2 on the one end side of the through hole 3a in the illustrated rear side. Is formed in a horizontally long shape in the illustrated depth direction.
Further, on the lower surface side of the cover 2 and on the other end side of the through hole 3a on the near side in the figure, a support part 3c made of a square cavity is formed in a vertically long shape on the left and right in the figure.

In addition, a key top 4 made of a transparent thermoplastic resin such as polycarbonate is disposed at the lower part of the cover 2, and the key top 4 has a circular operation portion that can be fitted into the through hole 3 a of the cover 2. 4a is formed.
The circular operation portion 4a is formed with a switch pressing portion 4b that can be positioned in the escape groove 3b of the cover 2, and this switch pressing portion 4b is outward from one end side of the operation portion 4a on the back side in the figure. , And projecting in a horizontally long shape with a predetermined length.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a substantially arc-shaped convex portion 4c is formed on the lower surface near the tip of the switch pressing portion 4b.

Further, the operation portion 4a is formed with a cylindrical cantilever support portion 4d that is vertically long in the left-right direction in the figure on the outside on the other end side on the near side in the figure.
In the key top 4, the cantilever support portion 4d is supported by the support portion 3c of the cover 2, the switch pressing portion 4b is positioned in the escape groove 3b, and the operation portion 4a is fitted in the through hole 3a. It is like that.
The operation portion 4a fitted in the through hole 3a has an upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of the cover 2, and is rotatable downward with the cantilever support portion 4d as a fulcrum.

In addition, a switch sheet 5 made of a transparent FPC (flexible substrate) is disposed below the key top 4, and the switch sheet 5 has a switch circuit at a position facing the convex portion 4c of the switch pressing portion 4b. Part 6 is formed.
The switch circuit section 6 has a metal contact 7 that is a movable contact formed by forming a metal plate such as SUS that can be elastically deformed into a dome shape. The metal contact 7 has a transparent upper surface as shown in FIG. It is covered with a film sheet 8, and this film sheet 8 is bonded to the switch sheet 5 and supported by the switch sheet 5 so that it can be reversed.

A first fixed contact 5a is formed on the switch sheet 5 facing the dome-shaped ceiling surface on the inner surface of the metal contact 7 with a predetermined gap, and the first fixed contact 5a is fixed outside the first fixed contact 5a. A substantially annular second fixed contact 5b that is insulated from the contact 5a at a predetermined interval is formed by printing or the like to constitute the switch circuit 6.
The metal contact 7, which is the movable contact, has an outer peripheral portion placed on the second fixed contact 5 b and an upper surface covered with the film sheet 8 and supported.

Further, on the switch sheet 5 at a position facing the cantilever support portion 4d formed on the other end side of the key top 4, projections 9 and 9 having a predetermined height capable of supporting the cantilever support portion 4d are provided with an adhesive. It is fixed with etc. The key top 4 is cantilevered by placing both end portions of a vertically long cantilever support portion 4 d fitted to the support portion 3 c of the cover 2 on the protrusions 9, 9.
In the key top 4 in which the cantilever support portion 4d is cantilevered by the support portion 3c and the protrusion 9, the convex portion 4c of the switch pressing portion 4b is positioned on the metal contact 7 as shown in FIG. In addition, the operation portion 4a is located in the through hole 3a.

When the operation portion 4a is pressed with the operator's finger or the like, the switch pressing portion 4b side is lowered with the cantilever support portion 4d as a fulcrum, and the convex portion 4c presses the top of the metal contact 7.
Then, the metal contact 7 is inverted, the inner surface of the dome-shaped top is brought into contact with the first fixed contact 5a, and the first and second fixed contacts 5a and 5b are brought into conduction.
That is, when the operation portion 4a of the key top 4 is pressed, the metal contact 7 which is a movable contact is electrically connected to the pair of first and second fixed contacts 5a and 5b.
As a result, a switch circuit (not shown) of the switch circuit unit 6 is switched.
Further, when the pressing force that has been pressing the key top 4 is released, the metal contact 7 automatically returns to its original dome shape by its own elastic force, and the key top 4 is pushed up to the upper initial state.

A display member 10 made of a liquid crystal display device is disposed below the switch sheet 5. When the key top 4 is pressed to switch the switch circuit, images such as numbers or symbols are displayed on the display member 10. Is to be formed. This image is visible from above via the transparent key top 4.
In such a key switch 1 of the present invention, even if the pressing position of the operation portion 4a of the key top 4 varies, the key top 4 is reliably rotated and the metal contact 7 is formed by the convex portion 4c of the switch operation portion 4b. Can be reversed to switch the switch circuit.
Therefore, the switch circuit can be switched reliably regardless of the pressing position of the operation unit 4a.

The portable electronic device of the present invention using the key switch 1 having such a configuration will be described with a mobile phone 11 as shown in FIG. 4, for example. The mobile phone 11 includes a main display unit 12 including a liquid crystal display device and the like. And an input unit 13 formed of a key switch 1 having a plurality of key tops 4.
The input unit 13 has a cover 2 attached to a case (not shown) in a state where the key tops 4 are respectively supported by a plurality of key top support units 3.
And, for example, by pressing the key top 4 located in the uppermost row in the right column in the figure, it is possible to input the power ON / OFF, and pressing the key top 4 located in the uppermost row in the center row. Various functions (for example, opening a telephone number list) can be switched, and by pressing the key top 4 located in the uppermost row in the left column in the figure, it becomes possible to turn on / off the call. ing.

An image having a shape corresponding to each function is formed on the display member 10 at a position corresponding to each key top 4, and the image formed on the display member 10 is a transparent switch sheet. 5 and visible through the film sheet 8 and the key top 4 from above.
On the key tops 4 in the second and subsequent lines, when the power is turned on, for example, a symbol displayed first is a number such as 0 to 9 in which a telephone number or the like can be input.

After the number is displayed on the key tops 4 in the second and subsequent rows after the power is turned on, the key tops 4 located on the top row in the center column are pressed to switch the functions, for example, to change the numbers. Thus, it is possible to switch to an image corresponding to mail creation, mail transmission, mail reception, and the like.
In addition, by giving a lens effect to the operation unit 4a of the key top 4, it is possible to display an image visually recognized from the operation unit 4a so as to be easy to see.

Such a mobile phone 11 can switch the display of the main display unit 12 by pressing the key top 4 in the portion where the image corresponding to the desired function is displayed, and is displayed on the main display unit 12. Rather than scrolling a plurality of functions and selecting a desired function, a more reliable selection can be made.
In the key switch 1 of the present invention, the switch pressing portion 4b and the cantilever support portion 4d are formed outside the operation portion 4a, and the metal contact 7 is disposed on the switch sheet 5 outside the portion where the operation portion 4a faces. Therefore, a large image corresponding to the entire surface of the display unit 4a can be displayed on the display member 10 and the visibility can be improved.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the key switch of this invention. It is a side view of FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing explaining the switch circuit part concerning this invention. It is the schematic of the portable electronic device using the key switch of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the conventional key switch. It is a top view of the conventional key switch.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key switch 2 Cover 3 Key top support part 3a Through-hole 3b Escape groove 3c Support part 4 Key top 4a Operation part 4b Switch press part 4c Convex part 4d Cantilever support part 5 Switch seat 5a 1st fixed contact 5b 2nd fixed contact 6 Switch circuit section 7 Metal contact 8 Film sheet 9 Projection section 10 Display member 11 Mobile phone 12 Maine display section 13 Input section

Claims (6)

A plurality of transparent key tops having an operation portion capable of pressing operation, a cover having a plurality of key top support portions capable of supporting the plurality of key tops, and a switch circuit formed on the lower surface side of the plurality of key tops, respectively. A switch pressing portion is formed on one end portion side of the operation portion, and a cantilever support portion is formed on the other end portion side of the operation portion. The key top support part on the other end side is cantilevered on the key top support part, and the switch pressing part on the one end part side is rotatable.
A transparent switch sheet having the switch circuit portion formed at a position facing the switch pressing portion is disposed under the key top, and the switch circuit of the switch circuit portion is cut under the switch sheet. A display member capable of forming an image by being replaced is provided,
The switch circuit of the switch circuit unit is switched by the switch pressing unit that presses the operation unit and rotates around the cantilever support unit, and an image is formed on the display member, or the display unit A key switch characterized in that the formed image can be switched.   The operation part of the key top is characterized in that the switch pressing part protrudes outward from one end part side and the cantilever support part is formed outside the other end part side. The key switch according to claim 1.   The switch circuit portion includes a movable contact disposed at a position facing the tip of the switch pressing portion, and a pair of fixed contacts formed with a predetermined gap from the movable contact and insulated from the switch seat. 3. The switch circuit according to claim 1, wherein when the operation portion of the key top is pressed and operated, the pair of fixed contacts are electrically connected to each other and the switch circuit is switched. Key switch.   The movable contact is formed of a metal contact in which an elastically deformable metal plate is formed in a dome shape, and the metal contact is pressed by the tip of the switch pressing portion and reversed so that the pair of fixed contacts The key switch according to claim 3, wherein the key switch is brought into contact with and conductive.   The display member includes a liquid crystal display device. When the key top is pressed and the switch circuit is switched, an image is formed on the liquid crystal display device, and the image can be visually recognized through the transparent key top. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the key switch is configured as follows. A main display section and an input section comprising the key switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the key top is operated to be pressed, the key top has a cantilever support section on the other end side. The switch pressing portion on one end side rotates as a fulcrum and the switch circuit is switched to form an image on the display member or to switch an image formed on the display member. Portable electronic devices using key switches.

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