JP2006261021A - Key switch and mobile terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key switch with which an input operation can be facilitated. <P>SOLUTION: The key switch is provided with a key top 31 supported so as to slide along a notch 26 of a lower casing 13 and capable of depression in a direction orthogonal to the notch 26, a fixed contact 46 fixed opposite to the notch 26 in the lower casing 13, and a movable contact 40 arranged between the key top 31 and the fixed contact 46 and to contact the fixed contact 46 by depressing of the key top 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a key switch having a structure suitable for a mobile terminal device, and a mobile terminal device including the key switch.

In a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, the key switch is arranged in accordance with standard hand characteristics. However, a user who uses a mobile terminal device actually has various hand characteristics, and there is no key switch at an easy-to-operate position due to the characteristics of these hands, which makes the operation inconvenient. There is. Also, some users may find the operation inconvenient because there is no key switch at the desired position. With respect to these problems, Patent Document 1 proposes a portable terminal device in which an entire input unit on which a plurality of key switches are arranged can be slid in a parallel direction or a rotation direction.
JP 2004-112758 A (FIG. 1 etc.)

  In the portable terminal device of Patent Document 1, the user can easily perform an input operation by sliding the input unit to a desired position. However, depending on the user, even if the input unit can be slid to a desired position, the operation may be inconvenient depending on the positional relationship of the individual key switches. For example, when operating a mobile terminal device with one hand, a child with a small hand feels it difficult to reach the key switch at the edge of the input unit, and an adult with a large hand cannot operate the key switch because it is too close. You may feel inconvenient.

  In view of the above, the present invention is a key switch adopting a configuration different from the portable terminal device of Patent Document 1, and includes a key switch that can easily perform an input operation, and such a key switch. It aims at providing a portable terminal device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a key switch according to the present invention includes a key top that is slidably supported along an opening of a casing and can be pressed in a direction orthogonal to the opening, and faces the opening inside the casing. And a fixed contact disposed between the key top and the fixed contact, and a movable contact that is pressed by pressing the key top to contact the fixed contact.

  A portable terminal device according to the present invention includes the key switch according to the present invention.

  According to the key switch of the present invention, the key top is supported so as to be slidable along the opening of the housing, thereby realizing a key switch capable of adjusting the position. The user can easily perform an input operation of the key switch by sliding the key switch to a desired position according to the characteristics and preferences of the hand.

  In a preferred embodiment of the key switch of the present invention, the fixed contact extends over substantially the entire range in the sliding direction of the key top. A configuration in which input is possible in almost the entire range in the sliding direction of the key top is realized.

  In the above embodiment, the movable contact may be supported by a movable support that slides with the slide of the key top and is pressed by pressing the key top. In this case, preferably, the movable contact is an elastic member that urges the movable support body in a direction away from the fixed contact, and the key switch is simplified by integrally configuring the movable contact and the elastic member. Can be configured. The movable contact can be constituted by a leaf spring, for example.

  In the above embodiment, instead of the configuration described above, the movable contact extends substantially over the entire range of the key top in the sliding direction and is fixedly supported together with the fixed contact, and a part of the movable contact Can be configured to be pressed by pressing the key top to come into contact with the fixed contact. In this case, it is preferable that the key top includes an elastic member that is elastically deformed by being pressed against a support base that supports the fixed contact when the key top is pressed. With the key top depressed, the key top can be urged away from the fixed contact. It is also a preferred aspect that the movable contact is made of an elastic member such as a leaf spring and the key top is urged away from the fixed contact.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the mobile terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The mobile terminal device 10 is configured as a mobile phone terminal, and includes a lower casing 13 on which an input key unit 28 including a plurality of key switches 11, a microphone 12 and the like are mounted, a liquid crystal display 14, and a speaker 15 and the like. And an upper housing 16. The lower housing 13 and the upper housing 16 have a folding position where the lower housing 13 and the upper housing 16 are in close contact with each other by the hinge structure 17 formed at one edge thereof, and the lower housing 13. And the upper housing 16 are connected to each other so as to be rotatable between a deployment position where the upper housing 16 is deployed almost horizontally.

  The lower housing 13 is formed continuously with a front casing 20 formed continuously on a part of the front surface 18 and the side surface 19 of the lower housing and a rear surface 21 and a part of the side surface 19 of the lower housing. The rear casing 22 is provided. The key switch 11 is disposed on the front surface 18 of the lower housing, and is disposed on the front key switch 23 including a power key, an on-hook key, a letter / numeric key, and the like, and one side surface 19 of the lower housing. And side key switches 24 and 25 for performing input corresponding to various functions of the mobile terminal device 10.

  The front key switch 23 is disposed in a notch in the front casing 20. Of the front key switch 23, the key indicated by reference numeral 23a can be pressed vertically and horizontally with respect to the housing surface, and the other keys can be pressed vertically with respect to the housing surface. It is installed. The side key switches 24 and 25 engage with notches 26 and 27 in which adjacent portions of the front casing 20 and the back casing 22 are notched in a stripe shape, and are slidable along the notches 26 and 27. .

  FIG. 2 shows a cross section seen along the II-II direction of FIG. Inside the lower housing 13, a printed board 30 is disposed near the back casing 22. The side key switch 24 is partially exposed to the outside of the side surface 22 of the lower housing and is movable in a direction perpendicular to the side surface 22, and a fixing unit 32 fixed on the printed circuit board 30. And a relay unit (movable support) 33 that is disposed between the key top 31 and the fixed unit 32 and relays the pressing force of the key top 31 to the fixed unit 32 side.

  The key top 31 has a first recess 34 that engages with the notch 26. The first recess 34 has a width larger than the thickness of the lower housing 13, and a gap 35 is formed between the first recess 34 and the lower housing 13. The key top 31 also has a second recess 36 in which a surface 31 a facing the inside of the lower housing 13 is cut out in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the relay unit 33 is accommodated in the second recess 36. A pusher 37 is fixed to the bottom surface 36a of the second recess. The pusher 37 has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape with the bottom surface 36a as a base.

  The relay unit 33 has a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, a unit housing 38 having a hollow inside, a movable contact 40 connected to a notch 39 on a surface 38b of the unit housing facing the fixed unit 32, and a key top. And a push rod 42 inserted into the inside of the unit housing 38 through a notch 41 in the surface 38 a of the unit housing facing the housing 31. The unit housing 38 is fixed in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction of the key top 31 by the second recess 36 of the key top.

  The movable contact 40 forms a part of a cylindrical shape, and is formed to extend in a direction perpendicular to the cross section, that is, in the sliding direction of the key top 31. The movable contact 40 is made of a metal leaf spring, and is fixed to the unit housing 38 so as to generate a click feeling by turning over the cylindrical shape when pressed, and to generate a restoring force that returns to the original shape by deformation. Yes.

  The push rod 42 has a T-shaped cross-sectional shape, and includes a flat portion 43 that contacts the pusher 37 and a shaft portion 44 that extends from the flat portion 43 through the notch 41 to the inside of the unit housing 38. . The end portion of the shaft portion 44 is in contact with the surface of the movable contact 40, and when the key top 31 is not depressed, between the side surface 22 of the lower housing and the first recess 34, and between the flat portion 43 and the unit housing. Clearances 35 and 45 are respectively formed between the body surface 38a.

  The fixing unit 32 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a longitudinal direction in the sliding direction of the key top 31. A pair of fixed contacts 46 are disposed on the surface 32 a of the fixed unit facing the relay unit 33 so as to face the movable contact 40.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the key top, the relay unit, and the fixed unit. FIG. 2 shows a cross section viewed along the direction II-II in FIG. The pair of fixed contacts 46 extend parallel to each other in a rail shape in the sliding direction of the key top 31. Further, the key top 31 extends in a distance range in which the key top 31 slides. Inside the fixed unit 32, wiring 47 for connecting the pair of fixed contacts 46 and the wiring of the printed circuit board 30 is disposed.

  The movable contact 40 and the fixed contact 46 constitute a switch. When the movable contact 40 having conductivity contacts the pair of fixed contacts 46, the switch is closed.

  FIG. 4 shows a state where the key top is pressed. When an external force is applied to the key top 31 in the direction of the arrow 48, the key top 31, the pusher 37, and the push bar 42 are integrally pushed down toward the fixed unit 32, and the end of the push bar 42 is moved to the movable contact 40. Press down on the face. As a result, the movable contact 40 is deformed substantially flat, and the movable contact 40 contacts the pair of fixed contacts 46. When the electric signal reaches the wiring of the printed circuit board 30 via the wiring 47, the input of the side key switch 24 is detected. Further, when the movable contact 40 is deformed, a force is generated in a direction away from the fixed contact 46 by the restoring force of the movable contact 40, and when the application of the external force is stopped, the original state shown in FIG. 2 is restored.

  According to the mobile terminal device of the present embodiment, the pair of fixed contacts 46 extend in the sliding direction of the key top 31 and the movable contact 40 is slid integrally with the key top 31 so that the slidable side surface is provided. The key switch 24 can be realized. Further, the movable contact 40 has a shape that forms a part of a cylindrical shape surrounding the fixed contact 46 and extends in the sliding direction of the key top 31, so that the movable contact 40 is in a state where the key top 31 is pressed. Can be restored to its original shape. Furthermore, by forming the movable contact 40 with a metal plate spring, a click feeling can be generated when the key top 31 is pressed.

  The user moves the side key switch 24 relative to the other key switches 11 by sliding the side key switch 24 to a desired position according to the characteristics and preferences of the hand, and operates the key switch 11. Can be performed more easily.

  The movable contact 40 is not limited to a metal plate as long as it has a leaf spring function, and an insulating sheet such as a resin sheet can also be used. When an insulating sheet is used, a conductive film is formed on the surface of the insulating sheet facing the fixed contact 46. Further, the switch is not limited to the configuration shown in the present embodiment, and may be disposed inside the fixed unit 32 in the vicinity of the fixed contact 46 shown in FIG. In this case, the switch is closed by the pressure when the leaf spring contacts the surface of the fixed unit 32.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the mobile terminal device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The mobile terminal device 50 is configured as a mobile phone terminal. In the mobile terminal device 50, a notch 51 that is cut out in a stripe shape in the left-right direction of the lower casing 13 is formed in the front casing 20, and a specific front key switch is formed. 52 is slidably engaged in the extending direction of the notch 51.

  FIG. 6 shows a cross section seen along the VI-VI direction of FIG. In the figure, portions having the same configuration as the portable terminal device shown in FIG. In the mobile terminal device 50, the fixed unit 32 is not disposed, and the key top 31 and the relay unit 33 are disposed to face the surface of the printed circuit board 30. In the relay unit 33, the movable contact 40 is connected to the inner surface 38c of the unit housing with the notch 39 therebetween.

  A rectangular parallelepiped rail 53 extending in the sliding direction of the key top 31 is disposed on the printed circuit board 30 and is engaged with the notch 39 of the unit housing 38. On the surface of the rail 53, a pair of fixed contacts 46 are arranged in parallel to each other along the sliding direction of the key top 31. Inside the rail 53, wiring (not shown) for connecting the pair of fixed contacts 46 and the wiring of the printed circuit board 30 is provided.

  FIG. 7 shows a state where the key top is pressed. When an external force is applied to the key top 31 in the direction of the arrow 54, the key top 31, the pusher 37, and the push rod 42 are integrally pushed down toward the printed circuit board 30, and the end of the push rod 42 has the movable contact 40. Press down on the surface. As a result, the movable contact 40 is deformed substantially flat, and the movable contact 40 contacts the pair of fixed contacts 46. When the electric signal reaches the wiring of the printed circuit board 30 via the wiring inside the rail 53, the input of the front key switch 52 is detected.

  According to the mobile terminal device of the present embodiment, the relative position between the movable contact 40 and the fixed contact 46 can be set more accurately by disposing the rail 53 that engages with the notch 39 of the unit housing 38. I can do it.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the mobile terminal device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, portions having the same configuration as the portable terminal device shown in FIG. In the mobile terminal device 60, a movable contact 61 having a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the movable contact 40 shown in FIG. 2 is fixed to the surface 32a of the fixed unit. An elastic member 62 is disposed between the key top 31 and the fixed unit 32 instead of the relay unit 33. The elastic member 62 has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape and is accommodated in the second recess 36 of the key top. In addition, it is made of rubber and generates a restoring force that returns to its original shape by deformation.

  The keytop pusher 37 is inserted into the notch 63 of the elastic member surface 62 a facing the keytop 31, and the end of the pusher 37 abuts against the surface of the movable contact 61. Further, the surface 62a of the elastic member contacts the bottom surface 36a of the second recess of the key top, and the end portion of the elastic member 62 contacts the surface 32a of the fixed unit. When the key top 31 is not pressed, a gap 35 is formed between the side surface 22 of the lower housing and the first recess 34.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the key top, the elastic member, and the fixed unit in the mobile terminal device of FIG. FIG. 8 shows a cross section viewed along the VIII-VIII direction in FIG. The movable contact 61 covers the entire pair of fixed contacts 46 and extends within a distance range in which the key top 31 slides. The elastic member 62 is formed with a notch 65 at the end portion 64 in the sliding direction of the key top 31 to avoid the movable contact 61.

  FIG. 10 shows a state where the key top is pressed. When an external force is applied to the key top 31 in the direction of the arrow 48, the key top 31 is pushed down toward the fixed unit 32, and the vicinity of the end of the elastic member 62 is deformed. At the same time, the surface of the movable contact 61 is pushed down by the pusher 37. As a result, the movable contact 61 is deformed substantially flat and comes into contact with the pair of fixed contacts 46. Further, when the movable contact 61 and the elastic member 62 are deformed, a force is generated in a direction away from the fixed contact 46 by the restoring force of the movable contact 61 and the elastic member 62, and the application of the external force is stopped as shown in FIG. Return to the state.

  According to the mobile terminal device of the present embodiment, the movable contact 61 extends in the distance range in which the key top 31 slides, and covers the pair of fixed contacts 46 and is fixed to the fixed unit 32, so that the side surface is slidable. The key switch 24 can be realized. In addition, the structure in which the pusher 37 is in direct contact with the surface of the movable contact 61 can simplify the structure of the key switch and reduce the cost as compared with the key switch of the first embodiment. Further, the elastic member 62 is disposed between the key top 31 and the fixed unit 32, so that a strong force can be obtained in a direction away from the fixed contact 46 while the key top 31 is pressed.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiment. However, the key switch and the mobile terminal device according to the present invention are not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment. Key switches and portable terminal devices that have been modified and changed as described above are also included in the scope of the present invention.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the portable terminal device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section seen along the II-II direction of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the side key switch of FIG. 1, a relay unit, and a fixed unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the state by which the side key switch was pushed about the portable terminal device of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the portable terminal device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section seen along the VI-VI direction of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state by which the front key switch was pressed down about the portable terminal device of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the portable terminal device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the side key switch of FIG. 8, an elastic member, and a fixing unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the state by which the side key switch was pushed about the portable terminal device of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10, 50, 60: Mobile terminal device 11: Key switch 12: Microphone 13: Lower casing 14: Liquid crystal display 15: Speaker 16: Upper casing 17: Hinge structure 18: Front 19 (of the lower casing): Side 20 (of lower casing): Front casing 21: Rear casing (of lower casing) 22: Rear casing 23, 23a: Front key switch 24, 25: Side key switch 26, 27: Notch 28: Input key Portion 30: Printed circuit board 31: Key top 31a: (Key top) surface 32: Fixed unit 32a: (Fixed unit) surface 33: Relay unit 34: First recess 35 (Key top) 36: (Key Second recess 36a: (bottom of second recess) bottom surface 37: pusher 38: unit housing 38a: (unit housing) surface 38b: (unit housing) surface 38c: Inner surface 39 of unit housing: Notch 40: Movable contact 41: Notch 42: Push bar 43: Flat part 44: Shaft part 45: Gap 46: Fixed contact 47: Wiring 48: Pushing direction 51: Notch 52: Front key switch 53: Rail 54: Pushing direction 61: Movable contact 62: Elastic member 62a: Surface (of elastic member) 63: Notch 64 (of elastic member) End 65 (of elastic member) 65: (of elastic member) ) Notch

Claims (8)

  A key top that is slidably supported along the opening of the housing and can be pressed in a direction orthogonal to the opening, a fixed contact that is fixed inside the housing to face the opening, the key top, and the fixed contact And a movable contact that is pressed by pressing the key top and contacts the fixed contact.   The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the fixed contact extends over substantially the entire range in the sliding direction of the key top.   The key switch according to claim 2, wherein the movable contact is supported by a movable support that slides together with the slide of the key top and is pressed by pressing the key top.   The key switch according to claim 3, wherein the movable contact is an elastic member that biases the movable support body in a direction away from the fixed contact.   The key switch according to claim 4, wherein the movable contact is a leaf spring.   The movable contact extends substantially over the entire range of the key top in the sliding direction, and is fixedly supported together with the fixed contact, and a part of the movable contact is pushed down by pressing the key top and fixed. The key switch according to claim 2, wherein the key switch contacts the contact.   The key switch according to claim 6, wherein the key top includes an elastic member that is elastically deformed by being pressed against a support base that supports the fixed contact when the key top is pressed.   A portable terminal device comprising the key switch according to claim 1.

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