JP2005339876A - Operation panel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To aim at simplification and downsizing of a structure of an operation panel, while preventing damage of a switch on a printed board constituting the operation panel. <P>SOLUTION: Of the operation panel 7 provided with a key top 22 movably mounted on a panel main body 19, a base part 23 pressed down by interlocking with pressing of the key top 22, and a tact switch 20 with its button 20b pushed into the base part 23 for electric conduction, the base part 23 is provided with a contacting part 23a in contact with the button 20b to press it in, and a rib part 26a set in protrusion from the contacting part 23b in a direction in which the button 20b is pressed in. The rib part 26a comes in contact with a part other than the button 20b of the tact switch 20, and regulates the key top 22 from being pressed by more than a stroke of the button 20b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation panel, and more particularly to a configuration of an operation panel that prevents breakage of a switch pressed by a key operation of the operation panel.

  In general, in an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, and a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions including these, an operation panel for an operator to operate these apparatuses is provided on the front surface or the upper surface of the apparatus main body. ing. The operation panel is formed with a plurality of key groups, a liquid crystal panel, and the like as operation means for switching and setting functions of the apparatus main body.

  The key structure of the key group of such an operation panel is usually a tact switch disposed on the substrate in conjunction with the key top pressed by an operator or the like when the key top movably mounted on the panel body is pressed by an operator or the like. Etc. are configured to be pushed in. Among the keys constituting the key group, in particular, the start key and the like are frequently operated by the operator. Therefore, if it is configured to push the button of the switch simply in conjunction with the operation of the key top, if the key top is pressed more than necessary, the force on the key top will directly push the button and the switch will Sometimes it was damaged.

From such a viewpoint, for example, a configuration of an operation panel as described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.
As shown in FIG. 8, the operation panel 107 includes a panel main body 119, a key top 122 integrally connected to the panel main body 119 by an elastic member 125, and the key top 122. , And a protruding piece 123 that pushes down the switch 120 (button 120a) on the printed circuit board 121 disposed below. When the key top 122 is pushed down more than necessary, the abutment member abuts against the printed circuit board 121 and restricts the switch 120 (button 120b) of the printed circuit board 121 from being pushed down more than necessary by the protrusion 123. 126 (see Patent Document 1).
That is, the operation panel 107 is provided with a contact member 126 for preventing the switch 120 from being pushed down more than necessary, thereby restricting the stroke so that the switch 120 is not pushed down more than necessary. The switch 120 is prevented from being damaged.
JP 9-172263 A

  The operation panel described in Patent Document 1 is configured such that a contact member is disposed on the key top and the contact member is directly contacted on the printed circuit board, and the key top is pressed. Then, the abutting member abuts on the printed circuit board, and the stroke of the button interlocked with the operation of the key top can be regulated. If the stroke of the button is regulated by the contact member, it is possible to surely prevent the switch from being damaged.

  However, in order to regulate the stroke of the button, it is necessary to extend the contact member from the key top so as to be positioned in the vicinity of the upper surface of the printed circuit board. That is, it is necessary to configure the abutting member from the vicinity of the panel main body to the upper surface of the printed circuit board, which complicates the configuration of each key and increases the manufacturing cost. Also, when installing switches that correspond to each key, it was necessary to secure a space on the printed circuit board, so each key could not be placed close together, and the operation panel was made compact. And it was difficult to simplify.

  Therefore, the present invention relates to an operation panel that solves the above-described conventional problems, and simplifies and compacts the configuration of the operation panel while preventing damage to the switch disposed on the operation panel with a simple configuration. The purpose is to plan.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, means for solving the problem will be described.

  That is, in claim 1, a key top that is movably mounted on the panel body, a base portion that is pressed in conjunction with the pressing of the key top, and a switch that is energized when a button is pushed into the base portion. The base portion includes a contact portion that pushes the button in contact with the button, and a rib portion that protrudes in a direction in which the button is pushed from the contact portion. Is in contact with the switch to restrict the key top from being pressed beyond the stroke of the button.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the protrusion length of the rib portion from the contact portion is the stroke position of the button when the base portion is pushed in until the switch is energized. It is configured to be shorter than the length of.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the rib portion is formed by chamfering the inner wall on the abutting portion side so that the button and the abutting portion of the switch abut on the base portion. It is a guide.

  As effects of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  Since it is set as the structure shown in Claim 1, the key top can be prevented from being pushed too much, and damage to the switch can be prevented. In particular, since the rib portion is brought into direct contact with the switch, it is not necessary to separately provide a new member for regulating the stroke of the switch (button), and the operation panel can be made compact and simplified.

  With the configuration shown in claim 2, it is possible to effectively prevent the switch from being damaged without the button being pushed in more than necessary. Further, since the protruding length of the rib portion is short, the operation panel can be easily assembled and disassembled.

  According to the structure shown in claim 3, even if the base portion tilts or shakes with respect to the switch, the abutting portion can be surely brought into contact with the button of the switch, resulting in malfunction or damage of the switch. Can be prevented.

Next, embodiments of the invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a multi-function peripheral equipped with an operation panel according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the operation panel, FIG. 3 is a side view of the operation panel, and FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the key top and base portion of the start key of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a side view showing the state of key operation of the operation panel, and FIG. 7 is a start key as another embodiment. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a conventional operation panel.
In the following, a multifunction machine 1 having a facsimile function and a copy function of a copying machine will be described as an image forming apparatus having an operation panel 7 according to the present invention. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to a simple facsimile machine or a copying machine.

First, the overall configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function device 1 includes a recording unit 2, a reading unit 3, a recording device 4, an automatic document feeder 8, an operation panel 7, and the like. A reading unit 3 is disposed above the recording unit 2, and the recording unit 2 includes a recording device 4 and a paper feed cassette 5 that are respectively installed inside and below, and supplies the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 5 to the recording device 4. The paper is discharged from the recording paper discharge tray after it has been printed.

  The reading unit 3 stores a reading device (not shown) for reading the contents of a document or the like in the reading case 6, and scans the document placed on the upper surface of the reading case 6 by the reading device, thereby The image information is read. On the other hand, an automatic document feeder 8 that automatically feeds a document is attached to one end of the reading case 6, and the document placed on the document supply tray 9 is one sheet by the automatic document feeder 8. The paper is picked up one by one and conveyed to one end of the upper surface of the reading case 6, and the content is read by the stationary reading device and then discharged to the document discharge tray 10. As described above, the reading unit 3 is used as a flat bed type image scanner that scans a reading device and reads a stationary document, and also a sheet feed type scanner that performs reading while feeding the document while fixing the position of the reading device. It is comprised so that it can be used as.

  The operation panel 7 is disposed on one side of the reading case 6, and by operating a key group 11 (start key 12, stop key 13, etc.) as an operation means, function switching and setting of the multifunction device 1 are performed. Is to do. Specifically, the content of the original is read, the transmission destination when the read content is transmitted by facsimile is set, and the received content and the read content are recorded by the recording device 4. . Details will be described later.

  In the above configuration, for example, when a document placed on the automatic document feeder 8 is faxed, the document is placed on the document supply tray 9, and the documents are separated one by one at the paper feed port. Then, the image is taken into the automatic document feeder 8 and is read out from the discharge port after the image information of the document is read by the reading device on the apparatus main body side, and is stacked on the document discharge tray 10. Then, the read image information is converted into an electric signal and transmitted to the other party through a telephone line. In addition, it is possible to convert a signal from the fax machine on the other side into image information, and to form and output an image on paper stored inside the apparatus.

Next, the configuration of the operation panel 7 according to the present invention will be described in detail below.
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 7 is provided with a key group 11, a liquid crystal panel 17, and the like as operation means for switching functions and setting of the apparatus main body. Specifically, a start key 12 that is operated when an original image is read and copied onto recording paper, or facsimile transmission of the original content is started, and a stop key 13 that is operated when these operations are stopped halfway. A numeric keypad 14 that is operated when dialing a facsimile transmission destination, a cursor key 15 that selects and determines various settings of the multifunction device 1 and operation contents, a facsimile transmission destination and a series of frequently used operation procedures. A plurality of keys 16, 16... That can be registered in advance and can perform various operations that require one-touch facsimile transmission and a plurality of key inputs, and a liquid crystal display that displays the operating state and setting state of the multifunction device 1. A panel 17 and the like are provided. In addition, a plurality of key panels 18, 18,... Are stacked on the keys 16, 16. The key panels 18, 18,... Are means for changing the assignment function of the keys 16, 16,.

  The arrangement configuration of the keys and the like of the operation panel 7 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and various configurations can be adopted. Further, a key (start key 12 or the like) may have a plurality of functions. In such a case, the number of buttons and switches constituting the operation panel 7 can be reduced, and the operation panel can be configured more compactly.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the operation panel 7 has a printed circuit board 21 provided with tact switches 20, 20... Between the panel body 19 and the printed board 21, the key group 11 and the like are arranged. The panel body 19 has openings 19a, 19a,..., And the key tops (key tops 22 and the like) of the keys constituting the key group 11 protrude from the openings 19a and are movable. It is installed as possible.

  The following mainly describes the configuration of the start key 12 in the key group 11 described above. The start key 12 is operated when the original image is read and copied onto a recording sheet, or facsimile transmission of the original content is started. Therefore, the start key 12 is frequently operated and the tact switch 20 is likely to be damaged. is there. However, the key structure is not limited to this, and can naturally be applied to other keys (stop key 13 and the like) constituting the key group 11.

  The start key 12 includes a key top 22, a base portion 23, a frame portion 24, an elastic member 25, and the like. The key top 22 is formed to have a certain thickness in the vertical direction formed in a circular shape in plan view and a convex shape in side view, and protrudes from the opening 19a opened in the panel body 19 as described above. . In addition, the key top 22 is connected to a horizontal frame 24a of a frame portion 24 described later via an elastic member 25. The base portion 23 is a substantially columnar member that is suspended directly below the central portion of the key top 22, and is configured such that a lower end portion (contact portion 23a) presses a button 20b of a tact switch 20 described later. Has been. Details of the base 23 will be described later.

  The frame unit 24 is composed of a horizontal frame 24a, vertical frames 24b, 24. The horizontal frame 24a is formed so that the long plate-like members are connected in an annular shape so as to have a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and the mounting holes 24c, 24c for attaching the start key 12 to the panel body 19 (in this embodiment). 3 places) are drilled at substantially equal intervals in the vertical direction along the lower edge. The key top 22 is mounted via an elastic member 25 projecting from the inner wall of the horizontal frame 24a so as to be positioned at the approximate center of the horizontal frame 24a. Further, the vertical frames 24b, 24b... (5 in this embodiment) are formed of a long plate-like member, and are suspended from the lower edge portion of the horizontal frame 24a.

  The elastic member 25 will be described in detail. The elastic member 25 is configured by a leaf spring or the like made of a resin having an elastic force curved in an arc shape. One end of the elastic member 25 is connected to the inner wall of the horizontal frame 24 a, extends from the connecting portion so as to follow the shape of the outer peripheral edge of the key top 22, and the other end is connected to the side wall of the key top 22. The Two elastic members 25 are attached at positions that are point-symmetric with respect to the substantially center line of the key top 22, and the key top 22 is fixed to the horizontal frame 24a so that the relative position cannot be changed. The key top 22 is mounted so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the frame portion 24 when the elastic member 25 is elastically deformed. Then, after the key top 22 is pressed downward from the mounting position to a position where the tact switch 20 is energized, when the pressure is released, the key top 22 is returned to the original position by the biasing force. (See FIG. 6).

  The upper edge of the horizontal frame 24a abuts the lower surface of the panel main body 19, and the frame 24 is fixed to the panel main body 19 with screws through the mounting holes 24c, 24c. The printed circuit board 21 is screwed and fixed to a rib (not shown) protruding below the panel body 19. In a state where the printed board 21 is attached to the panel main body 19, the lower end of the vertical frame 24 b of the frame portion 24 abuts on the upper surface of the printed board 21. With this configuration, the start key 12 can be positioned and attached between the panel body 19 and the printed board 21, and the operability of the start key 12 on the operation panel 7 is improved. Further, since the start key 12 is detachably provided to the panel body 19, for example, even if the elastic member 25 is damaged, the start key 12 can be easily replaced.

Here, the base portion 23 will be described in detail below.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the base portion 23 is configured to be positioned vertically above the tact switch 20 disposed on the printed circuit board 21 in a state where the start key 12 is mounted on the panel body 19. ing. The tact switch 20 is configured such that the button 20b is slidably attached to the switch body 20a and energized when the button 20b is pushed into the switch body 20a. A contact portion 23a is formed at the lower end of the base portion 23, and the contact portion 23a pushes the button 20b into the switch body 20a while contacting the button 20b. The contact portion 23a is configured to slightly touch the button 20b of the tact switch 20 or have a slight gap when the start key 12 is normally attached to the panel body 19.

  The base portion 23 has a rib portion 26a protruding downward from the contact portion 23a, that is, in a direction in which the button 20b of the tact switch 20 is pushed into the switch body 20a. Specifically, the rib portion 26a has lower end portions of long plate portions 26, 26 (four in this embodiment) radially arranged along the side wall of the base portion 23 at substantially equal intervals. It is formed in the part. As shown in FIG. 5, the rib portion 26 a has an end portion of the base portion 23 that is longer than the length L 1 from the axial center point C to the outer edge portion of the abutting portion 23 a, so that the rib portion 26 a The length L2 to the inner edge is larger (L2> L1). And since the rib part 26a is formed so that it may not contact the button 20b, the contact part 23a can press the button 20b, without being interrupted by this rib part 26a. The rib portion 26a is formed so that the lower surface thereof is positioned on the same plane in a side view. When the key top 22 is pressed, the lower surface of the rib portion 26a is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the switch body 20a. Touch.

  In the state where the key operation is not performed on the start key 12, the contact portion 23a of the base portion 23 is located directly above the button 20b of the tact switch 20 and is in contact with the button 20b or with a slight gap. (See FIG. 6A). When the key top 22 is pressed downward from above, the key top 22 and the base portion 23 are integrally pressed downward against the urging force of the elastic member 25. Then, the base portion 23 gradually pushes the button 20b into the switch body 20a while being in contact with the contact portion 23a, and the tact switch 20 is energized.

  Since the base portion 23 is configured such that the rib portion 26a protrudes downward from the contact portion 23a, when the key top 22 is further pressed from the above state, the lower surface of the rib portion 26a becomes the upper surface of the switch body 20a. It abuts on parts other than the button 20b. When the rib portion 26a comes into contact with the switch body 20a, the button 20b is not pushed further by the contact portion 23a even if the key top 22 is pressed further (see FIG. 6B).

  As described above, the start key 12 pushes the key top 22 to push in the button 20b and energize the tact switch 20, while exceeding the stroke until the button 20b is completely pushed into the switch body 20a. The rib 26a is in contact with the upper surface of the tact switch 20 so that the key top 22 cannot be pressed any more so as not to be pressed. Here, the stroke of the button 20b is the amount (length) of pushing of the button 20b pushed into the switch body 20a.

  Even if the operator presses the start key 12 for more than the stroke of the button 20b, the key top 22 is configured not to be pushed beyond the stroke of the button 20b, thereby preventing the key top 22 from being pushed too much. Thus, damage to the tact switch 20 can be prevented. In particular, the rib portion 26a protrudes from the end portion of the base portion 23, and the base portion 23 (rib portion 26a) is brought into direct contact with the tact switch 20 (switch main body 20a). The key structure and the operation panel 7 can be made compact and simple.

  In particular, the base portion 23 (the contact portion 23a and the rib portion 26a) has a protruding length L3 in which the rib portion 26a protrudes downward from the plane of the contact portion 23a in a side view, and the tact switch 20 is energized from the contact portion 23a. Until the button 20b is pushed, it is formed so as to be shorter than the length to the stroke position. The stroke position of the button 20b is a relative position of the button 20b in the tact switch 20 when the button 20b is pushed into the switch body 20a. Since the contact portion 23a and the button 20b contact each other through the contact surface, the length from the contact portion 23a to the stroke position of the button 20b can be compared with the protruding length of the rib portion 26a.

  By constituting in this way, if at least the stroke of the button 20b until energization is secured, the tact switch 20 can be switched by a key operation, and the button 20b is not pushed into the switch body 20a more than necessary, Damage to the tact switch 20 can be effectively prevented. Further, the protruding length L3 of the rib portion 26a is slightly smaller than the length between the panel main body 19 and the printed circuit board 21 and the length in the longitudinal direction of the base section 23. The rib portion 26a does not hinder the attachment / detachment, and the operation panel 7 can be easily assembled and disassembled.

  The rib portion 26a has a chamfered portion 26b formed by chamfering the inner wall on the contact portion 23a side. The chamfered portion 26b is configured to guide the base portion 23 along the chamfered shape and abut the button 20b of the tact switch 20 and the abutting portion 23a. The base part 23 (contact part 23a) is configured to press the button 20b from above the tact switch 20 as described above. Since the key top 22 is connected to the frame portion 24 via an elastic body in a somewhat unstable state, the base portion 23 provided on the key top 22 is also positioned relative to the tact switch 20. Is unstable due to tilting or shaking. Therefore, by providing the chamfered portion 26b on the rib portion 26a and guiding the base portion 23 along the chamfered portion 26b, the abutting portion 23a of the base portion 23 can be reliably brought into contact with the button 20b of the tact switch 20. .

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the chamfered portion 26 b is configured such that the side wall on the abutting portion 23 a side of the rib portion 26 a, that is, the side wall on the axial center side of the base portion 23 faces downward. Chamfered so as to spread in the radial direction. Even if the key top 22 is pressed while either the base part 23 or the button 20b is tilted or shaken, the button 20b comes into contact with the chamfered part 26b of the rib part 26a, and the base part 23 and the button 20b are The base portion 23 is guided along the shape of the chamfered portion 26b so as to be positioned on substantially the same axis. Eventually, the contact portion 23a and the button 20b contact each other, and the button 20b is pushed into the switch body 20a.

  By providing the chamfered portion 20b in this manner, the rib portion 26a is provided so as to protrude from the abutting portion 23a to simplify the key structure, and the button 20b of the tact switch 20 is surely pushed in, so that malfunction or Damage to the tact switch 20 can be prevented. Further, by chamfering a part of the rib portion 26a as the chamfered portion 26b as a member for guiding the base portion 23, it is easy to form and reduce the number of parts.

Next, another embodiment of the rib portion 26a will be described below.
The configuration of the rib portion 26a is not limited to that described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in the base portion 23 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, the lower surface portion is recessed in a substantially circular shape in plan view to form the contact portion 23a, and the outer edge portion (the contact portion 12a as the contact portion 12a). A portion other than the recessed portion) may be formed as the rib portion 26a. In such a case, as compared with the case where the long plate portion 26 is provided in the base portion 23 as described above, the start key 12 can be easily processed and formed. Further, since the contact area when the rib part 26a contacts the upper surface of the switch main body 20a of the tact switch 20 is increased, the contact part 23a is securely attached to the button 20b even if the base part 23 is inclined or displaced. The stroke amount of the button 20b can be reliably regulated, and the tact switch 20 can be effectively prevented from being damaged.

  Each member such as the key top 22, the base portion 23, the frame portion 24, the elastic member 25, and the rib portion 26a constituting the start key 12 is preferably formed integrally with resin. By forming in this way, processing and molding are facilitated, so that the same parts can be easily mass-produced and the manufacturing cost can be limited.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a multifunction machine including an operation panel according to the present invention. The top view of an operation panel. The side view of an operation panel. The perspective view of the start key as one Example. The bottom view of the key top and base part of the start key of FIG. The side view showing the state of key operation of an operation panel. The bottom view of the key top and base part of the start key as another Example. The partial expansion perspective view of the conventional operation panel.

Explanation of symbols

7 Operation panel 12 Start key 19 Panel body 19
20 tact switch 20a switch body 20b button 21 printed circuit board 23 base part 23a contact part 24 frame part 25 elastic member 26 long plate part 26a rib part 26b chamfered part

Claims (3)

In an operation panel comprising a key top that is movably mounted on the panel body, a base portion that is pressed in conjunction with the pressing of the key top, and a switch that is energized when a button is pushed into the base portion.
The base portion includes a contact portion that pushes the button while being in contact with the button, and a rib portion that protrudes in a direction in which the button is pushed from the corresponding contact portion, and the rib portion contacts the switch, An operation panel that restricts the key top from being pressed more than the stroke of the button.   The base portion is configured so that the protruding length of the rib portion from the contact portion is shorter than the length from the corresponding contact portion to the stroke position of the button when pushed until the switch is energized. The operation panel according to claim 1.   The said rib part guides the said base part so that the inner wall by the side of the said contact part is chamfered, and the button and contact part of the said switch contact | abut. The operation panel described in 1.