JP2006318848A - Attachable and detachable type mounting component and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to remove only a specific attachable and detachable type component from a mounting surface selectively with the state that the mounting surface is attached in the main part of an apparatus as it is. <P>SOLUTION: When the attachable and detachable type component is inserted and attached in the aperture of the mounting surface from the front surface side, the oblique surface of a locking pawl formed so that it may project outwards from the side face of a main housing is brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the aperture to deflect to the inside of the main housing. The attachable and detachable type component has the locking structure for preventing the main housing from being separated in the direction of the front surface, with the locking pawl restoring the original state when it is released from contact with the inner wall surface of the aperture. A sufficient clearance to release the component-installing state on the mounting surface by a tool tip being inserted inside the main housing from the front side of the mounting surface, hooking exterior side of the locking pawl and making it deflect inside the main housing, is added at least in one side of the locking pawl. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  One aspect of the invention relates to a detachable attachment component that is attached to the opening of the attachment surface from the front side. One embodiment of the present invention relates to an electronic apparatus in which a detachable attachment component is attached from the surface side of an attachment surface.

Many content data and program data are handled on a daily basis at content production sites and output sites. For example, a content production site handles a large amount of material data when editing. Also, for example, at the content output site, a large number of live data is switched and output in addition to the produced program data.
In general, an operation panel on which a large number of switches are arranged is used for these operations. The number of switches arranged is as large as several hundred.
For this reason, a mechanism for easily confirming the operation state (ON / OFF) is mounted on these switches. For example, there is a mechanism in which the button surface is lit when in the on state.

JP-A-2005-85506

High operability and reliability (durability) are required for switches used in these operations. However, since the usage environment is harsh, the smooth movement of the switch may be impaired during long-term operation.
In such a case, it is necessary to replace the corresponding switch part. The applicant has proposed a switch component having a structure capable of making this replacement work more efficient than before. That is, a structure is adopted in which the switch component to be replaced is completely separated from the board side on which the electrical component is mounted.
The switch component of this structure is composed only of mechanical drive components and does not include electrical components. That is, there is no electrical wiring for connecting the switch component and the board side. Therefore, when replacing the switch parts, only the corresponding switch parts need be removed from the operation panel.

However, in order to remove the switch component proposed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to remove the control panel from the apparatus body and release the latching claws of the switch component from the back side of the control panel. This means that all switches must be deactivated in order to replace one switch component.
Further, it is general that considerable effort is required to disassemble and assemble the finished product.
For this reason, it is required for the user and the maintenance service provider to be able to replace the switch parts with simpler work.

The inventors pay attention to the above technical problems and propose a detachable attachment component composed of the following members.
In this case, when the detachable mounting part is inserted and attached to the opening of the mounting surface from the front side, the slope of the locking claw formed so as to protrude outward from the side surface of the main body case hits the inner wall surface of the opening. It is assumed that it has a locking structure that contacts and bends inside the main body case and restores the original state when it does not contact the inner wall surface of the opening and prevents the main body case from coming off in the surface direction.
In the detachable mounting part having this locking structure, the tool tip inserted from the front side of the mounting surface to the inside of the main body case hooks the outer surface of the locking claw and bends to the inner side of the main body case. A sufficient gap is formed on at least one of the side surfaces of the locking claw to release the.

  By adopting this structure, it is possible to insert a tool into the main body case from the surface side of the mounting surface and remove only a specific detachable mounting part from the surface side of the mounting surface.

Hereinafter, the example of the form of the detachable attachment part and operation panel which employ | adopt the technical method which concerns on invention is demonstrated.
In addition, the well-known or well-known technique of the said technical field is applied to the part which is not illustrated or described in particular in this specification.
Moreover, the form example demonstrated below is one form example of invention, Comprising: It is not limited to these.

(A) Control panel (operation panel)
FIG. 1 shows an example of a control panel of a live switcher. FIG. 1 corresponds to the operation surface of the control panel 1. On the control panel 1, operation buttons 3 are arranged in a number of stages. By operating these operation buttons 3, it is possible to switch connection signals, turn on / off various functions, switch modes, and the like.
FIG. 2 shows the surface structure of the control panel 1 with the operation buttons 3 removed. The operation button 3 is inserted from the surface side into an opening 5 formed on the panel surface of the control panel 1 and is mechanically locked (locked).

(B) Operation Button FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion where one operation button 3 is attached. The operation button 3 is composed of a plurality of plastic parts.
The operation button 3 includes a key top 31 and a main body case 33. The key top 31 is detachably attached to the end portion on the surface side of the main body case 33. In the case of this embodiment, the mounting claw 311 is arranged so as to face the two side surfaces of the key top 31.
The key top 31 has a substantially square appearance when viewed from the front side 1 of the control panel. The operation surface of the key top 31 is provided with a recess so that the operation is easy.

The key top (button operation surface) 31 is formed of a transparent material, and is configured so that the operation status can be visually confirmed by turning on / off and changing the emission color that are confirmed through the key top 31. Yes.
In the case of this embodiment, the operation button 3 is constituted only by a driving mechanism, and the electronic component is mounted on the printed wiring board 7. That is, the operation button 3 is completely separated from the electric circuit, and the light confirmed through the key top 31 is guided from a light emitting element (not shown) mounted on the printed wiring board 7.

For example, two types of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) having different emission colors are used as the light emitting elements. In addition, the number and arrangement position of the light emitting elements assigned to one operation button 3 are arbitrary. In this embodiment, six light emitting elements are arranged for one operation button 3.
A method in which light output from each light emitting element is guided to the key top 31 through a light guide tube arranged inside the main body case 33 is adopted. A diffusion plate is disposed inside the key top 31. By disposing the diffusion plate, the key tops 31 can be evenly illuminated.

Note that a detection element for detecting an operation on the operation button 3 is mounted on the printed wiring board 7. The main body case 33 incorporates a movable mechanism that transmits the movement of the button operation. The detection element described above detects the on / off of the operation button 3 by detecting the movement of the movable mechanism. The detection result is given to a control circuit that controls light emission of the light emitting element.
In the case of this embodiment, a non-contact type sensor is used as the detection element. For example, a transmissive photosensor is disposed in which a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are opposed to each other with a movable range of a light shielding plate as a movable mechanism interposed therebetween.

In the case of this embodiment, when the operation button 3 is not pressed down, the light shielding plate blocks the light of the light emitting unit, and the light receiving unit does not detect the light.
On the other hand, when the operation button 3 is depressed, the light receiving unit detects the light from the light emitting unit.
The detection element may be not only a transmission type photosensor but also a reflection type photosensor, an electromagnetic induction type or electrostatic type non-contact sensor, a contact type sensor using metal or rubber as a contact point, or the like. .

FIG. 4 shows the structure of the operation button 3. As described with reference to FIG. 3, the operation button 3 includes the key top 31 and the main body case 33.
The main body case 33 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape. The outer diameter dimension of the main body case 33 is determined based on the opening 5 of the control panel 1. That is, the outer diameter dimension of the main body case 33 is set to a value slightly smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the opening 5. On the other hand, the upper edge portion 331 of the main body case 33 is formed to have a value larger than that of the opening 5. The upper end outer edge portion 331 functions as a stopper that prevents the main body case 33 from falling into the control panel 1.

Four locking claws 333 are formed on the side surface of the main body case 33. Four locking claws 333 are formed on each of two opposing surfaces of the four side surfaces constituting the main body case 33.
Each locking claw 333 is fixed to the side surface at one end, while the other end is completely separated from the main body case 33 by a gap formed so as to surround the outer periphery.
Moreover, the latching claw 333 is attached so that the protrusion amount with respect to the side surface increases in the direction from the fixed end to the free end. That is, the locking claw 333 is attached obliquely downward with respect to the insertion direction of the main body case 33.

Due to this structure, when the main body case 33 is inserted into the opening 5, the outer inclined surface of the locking claw 333 is in contact with the inner wall surface of the opening 5, and is bent to the inner side of the main body case 33 due to the stress.
When the main body case 33 is inserted until it reaches the specified position, the outer inclined surface of the locking claw 333 comes out of contact with the inner wall surface of the opening 5. At this time, the locking claw 333 restores the positional relationship before insertion by its elastic restoring force. That is, the locking claw 333 is opened outward from the side surface of the main body case 33 by a restoring force. At this time, the control panel 1 is sandwiched between the upper end outer edge portion 331 and the locking claw 333 from both sides. Thereby, the main body case 33 is locked to the control panel 1.

That is, the upper end outer edge portion 331 prevents the main body case 33 from falling inside the control panel 1 and at the same time prevents the main body case 33 from being removed in the surface direction of the control panel 1 by the locking claws 333. To do.
Therefore, in order to release this locked state, the locking claw 333 may be deformed inside the main body case 33 to release the state in contact with the back surface of the control panel 1.
In the previous structure, it was necessary to remove the control panel 1 from the apparatus main body and expose the back surface for the release operation.
In this embodiment, a wide gap 335 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the locking claw 333 so that the main body case 33 can be removed while the control panel 1 is attached to the apparatus main body.

FIG. 5 shows a dimensional relationship between the locking claw 333 and the gap 335. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the locking claw 333. In the case of this embodiment, the lateral width of the locking claw 333 is 1 mm. At this time, the gap 335 located inside the main body case 33 is formed to 0.7 mm, and the gap 335 located outside the main body case 33 is formed to 1.2 mm. Moreover, the clearance gap 335 located above the latching claw 333 is formed in 0.7 mm.
In this embodiment, a wide gap 335 located outside the main body case 33 is secured. Thereby, the operator can easily insert the jig from the inside of the main body case 33. If the jig can be inserted, the locking claw 333 can be pulled inside the main body case 33 while the control panel 1 is attached to the apparatus main body. As a result, the locked state of the main body case 33 with respect to the control panel 1 can be released.

In addition, the main body case 33 incorporates components that operate according to the movement of the button operation. For example, the mechanism proposed by the applicant in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-85506 can be employed.
In this embodiment, a movable mechanism that converts a button operation into a rotational motion of the light shielding plate 335 is mounted. This movable mechanism will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows the dependency relationship of the movable mechanism when the key top 31 is not pushed down. FIG. 7 shows the dependency relationship of the movable mechanism in a state where the key top is pressed down. 6 and 7 also show a diffusion plate 313 disposed inside the key top 31. FIG.

The movable mechanism includes a movable body 41, a light guide component 43, a compression coil spring 45, a torsion coil spring 47, a fixed component 49, and a rotating body 51.
The movable body 41 is a component that moves up and down in response to an operation on the key top 31. The movable body 41 moves in the vertical direction along the guide. A protrusion that forms a control rod 411 is provided on a part of the lower end of the movable body 41.
The control rod 411 is a component that transmits a force to push down the key top 31 to one end of the rotating body 51. Here, the rotating body 51 is a component that rotates around a rotating shaft 511 fitted in the shaft hole of the fixed component 49.

The length of the arm of the rotating body 51 with respect to the rotating shaft 511 is asymmetric. The control rod 411 is disposed so as to face the end 513 of the short arm. The control rod 411 operates to push down the end portion 513 when the key top 31 is pushed down. By this depression, the end (shading plate) 337 of the long arm is pushed up in the opposite direction (FIG. 7).
Since the length of the arm is asymmetric, the shift amount of the long arm is enlarged relative to the shift amount of the short arm.
The compression coil spring 45 and the torsion coil spring 47 are parts for restoring the key top 31 and the rotating body 51 whose positions have changed as a result of the pressing operation to their original positions. Among these, the compression coil spring 45 is contracted when the key top 31 is pressed down, and is expanded to the original state when the key top 31 is released. At this time, the movable body 41 is pushed up to the original position by the compression coil spring 45.

Further, when the key top 31 is pushed down, the torsion coil spring 47 comes into contact with the long arm of the rotating body 51 and twists, and when the key top 31 has no pushing force, it returns to its original position. At this time, the long arm of the rotating body 51 is rotated downward by the torsion coil spring 47, so that the light shielding plate 337 again blocks light.
When the light shielding plate 337 is lifted (FIG. 7), the photosensor 53 detects light. On the other hand, when the light shielding plate 337 is lowered (FIG. 6), light input to the photosensor 53 is blocked. The photosensor 53 is mounted on the printed wiring board 7. In addition, two types of LEDs 551 and 553 are mounted on the printed wiring board 7. The LED 551 emits green light. The LED 553 emits red light.

(C) Removal Operation Removal of the main body case 33 from the control panel 1 starts from the state shown in FIG.
First, the operator removes the key top 31 from the surface side of the control panel 1. That is, the control panel 1 removes the key top 31 to be replaced while being fixed to the apparatus main body. FIG. 8 shows a state where the key top 31 is removed. The diffusion plate 313 is also removed together with the key top 31. A tool is used as needed to remove the locking claw 311.

Next, the operator inserts the tip of the removal jig 61 from the surface side of the control panel 1 into the inside of the main body case 33.
FIG. 9 shows the positional relationship between the main body case 33 and the removal jig 61 at the time of insertion. FIG. 10 shows a detailed configuration of the removal jig 61. The removal jig 61 is made of a metal plate. For example, the thickness of the main body 611 is 0.5 mm. In this embodiment, the basic shape of the main body 611 is an obtuse angle V-shape, and two L-shaped hooking claws 613 are formed at both tip portions. The length of the hooking claw 613 is 0.5 mm.
Accordingly, the total length of the hooking claws 613 and the plate thickness is 1 mm. This length is shorter than the widest gap of 1.2 mm among the gaps 335 arranged on the outer periphery of the locking claws 333 of the main body case 33.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 11, the hooking claw 613 of the removal jig 61 can be inserted into the gap 335 from the inside of the main body case 33.
FIG. 12 shows a state where the removal jig 61 is inserted into the gap 335 of the main body case 33 as seen from another direction.
In this state, the removal jig 61 is operated so that the hooking nail 613 having a length of 0.5 mm is hooked on the locking nail 333 and pulled inside the main body case 33. If the outer inclined surface of the locking claw 333 can be pulled out until it contacts the inner wall surface of the opening 5, the locked state can be released.
This operation is repeated for the other three locking claws 333.

If the locked state between the main body case 33 and the control panel 1 can be released, the main body case 33 may be pulled out to the front side of the control panel 1.
FIG. 13 shows a state in which the main body case 33 is pulled out from the control panel 1. FIG. 14 shows a state where the main body case 33 is completely removed from the control panel 1.
Thus, if the main body case 33 according to the embodiment is used, the operation button 3 can be removed without removing the control panel 1 from the main body device.
In addition, what is necessary is just to insert the operation button 3 (FIG. 4) with a favorable movable state into the part which removed the operation button 3 from the surface side of the control panel 1 anew. The replacement work can be completed with only this work.

(D) Effect By adopting the main body case 33 in which the gap 335 in the outer peripheral portion of the locking claw 333 is formed wide, the operation button 3 can be easily replaced even at the site of use.
For this reason, the removal operation | work and assembly operation | work of the control panel 1 which were conventionally required can be made unnecessary. Further, since the operation button 3 is a non-contact type switch incorporating only a movable mechanism, it is not necessary to electrically connect to or remove from the printed wiring board. As a result, the working time can be greatly shortened. This can save maintenance service costs.

This reduction in work time and cost leads to a reduction in the burden on the user side and is expected to improve customer satisfaction.
Further, since the disassembly work of the switcher is unnecessary, it is possible to eliminate the occurrence of secondary defects during the recovery and repair of the switcher from the use site. For this reason, the reliability of the switcher can be further improved.
Of course, since the main body case 33 includes only a movable structure, the unit price can be reduced as compared with a main body case on which electric parts are mounted.

In the case of the operation button 3 having the structure according to the embodiment, as long as there is no defect in the printed wiring board, only the operation button 3 that has been confirmed to be defective can be replaced.
This leads to eliminating the need for service on a board basis. Therefore, the stock of service boards can be reduced.
In addition, since the replacement operation of the operation buttons 3 is simplified, it is possible to realize a specification based on the periodic replacement of the operation buttons that are frequently used.

(E) Other Embodiments (a) In the embodiment described above, the width of the gap 335 formed in the main body case 33 is set to be asymmetric. That is, the gap 335 located outside the main body case was set to 1.2 mm, and the gap 335 located inside was set to 0.7 mm.
However, the gap 335 located on the inner side may be set wider than the gap 335 located on the outer side. When the disposition positions of the locking claws 33 are in the vicinity of the four corners of the main body case 33, the removal jig 61 can be easily inserted by providing a wide gap inside the main body case 33.
Further, the widths of the gap 335 located inside and the gap 335 located outside may be set to be the same. Of course, the width should be unified to the wider one. In this case, it is possible to freely select the gap 335 at a position where the operator can easily work, so that improvement in work efficiency can be expected.

(B) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the width of the gap 335 assuming the insertion of the removal jig 61 is 1.2 mm and the width of the removal jig 61 is 1 mm has been described.
However, the dimensional relationship is not limited to this, and the dimensional relationship is not limited to this as long as the removal jig 61 can be inserted and a sufficient gap 335 can be secured for releasing the mounting state of the locking claw 333 with respect to the control panel 1. If the gap 335 is made wider, the removal jig 61 can be inserted more easily and the working efficiency can be improved. On the other hand, the gap 335 can be further narrowed. The plate thickness of the removal jig 61 is desirably thinner.

(C) In the embodiment described above, the case where the removal jig 61 is inserted in the wider one of the gaps 335 arranged on both sides of the locking claw 333 has been described.
However, as long as the tip of the removal jig 61 can be inserted, the tip of the removal jig 61 may be inserted into a relatively narrow gap.
(D) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the removal jig 61 having the form shown in FIG. 10 is used has been described.
However, instead of such a dedicated tool (removal jig), a screwdriver with a minus tip may be used to release the locking state of the locking claw 333.

(E) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the removal jig 61 having the form shown in FIG. 10 is used has been described.
However, other types of removal jigs may be used. In particular, in the embodiment, the locked state can be released at only one place at a time, but a removal jig that can release the locked state at a plurality of places at a time may be used.

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 show examples of removal jigs 71 and 81 that can release the locked state at two places at once. The removal jigs 71 and 81 are both tweezers. The difference between the removal jigs 71 and 81 is the direction of the handle part at the time of work.
The detaching jig 71 is used in a state where the handle portion stands with respect to the control panel surface. On the other hand, the removal jig 81 is used in a state where the handle portion is laid parallel to the control panel surface.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a removal jig 91 that can release the locked state at four locations at once. The removal jig 91 is also a tweezers type. The removal jig 91 is used so that the handle portion stands against the control panel surface.
All the removal jigs are made of a metal plate. However, only the hooking claw portion may be formed of a metal material, and the handle portion may be formed of a flexible part (for example, plastic).

(F) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the locking claw 333 is molded integrally with the main body case 33 has been described.
However, the locking claw 333 is a metal part and may be attached to the main body case 33. Further, the locking claw 333 may be realized as a mechanical locking mechanism. In any case, as in the case of the embodiment, any device may be used as long as a tool (removal jig) can be inserted from the inside of the main body case 33 to release the locked state.

(G) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the main body case as the detachable attachment part has a rectangular cylindrical shape has been described.
However, as long as the basic shape of the main body case is cylindrical, the cross section may be circular or polygonal.
(H) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the gap 335 on both sides is set to 1.2 mm and 0.7 mm when the lateral width of the locking claw 333 is 1 mm has been described.
However, the relationship between the lateral width of the locking claw 333 and the gap is not limited to this. For example, the gap may satisfy at least a relationship of 1/2 or more of the lateral width of the locking claw. In this case, even if the thickness of the member constituting the removal jig is taken into consideration, the hooking claws necessary for pulling the locking claws 333 to the inside of the main body case 33 can be secured.

(I) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the light guide component 43 that guides the light generated by the printed wiring board 7 to the key top 31 is mounted inside the operation button 3 has been described.
However, a configuration in which light is not guided to the key top 31 may be used.
(J) In the above-described embodiment, the structure of the main body case has been described so that the operation buttons constituting the business switcher can be easily replaced.
However, the detachable attachment parts are not limited to the operation buttons. A similar structure can be adopted as long as it is a part that can be detachably attached to the mounting surface such as an operation lever or handle by a mechanical locking relationship.

(K) In the above-described embodiment, the operation panel of the business switcher has been described as an example.
However, the operation panel can be applied to other broadcasting station systems such as an editing device and a special effect device, and can also be applied to household electronic devices and electrical appliances.
(L) Various modifications can be considered for the above-described embodiments within the scope of the gist of the invention. Various modifications and application examples created based on the description of the present specification are also conceivable.

It is a figure which shows the example of a usage pattern of a live switcher. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the control panel surface for live switchers. It is a figure explaining the attachment state of an operation button. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of an operation button. It is a figure which shows the dimension of the clearance gap provided in the circumference | surroundings of a latching claw. It is a figure explaining the internal structure of an operation button (normal time). It is a figure explaining the internal structure of an operation button (at the time of pushing) It is a figure explaining the state which removed the key top. It is a figure explaining the insertion operation | work of a removal jig | tool. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a removal jig | tool. It is a figure which shows the state which inserted the removal jig | tool into the clearance gap. It is a figure which shows the state which inserted the removal jig | tool into the clearance gap. It is a figure explaining a mode that the main body case from which the latching state with the control panel was cancelled | released from the control panel surface. It is a figure explaining a mode that the main body case was pulled out from the control panel surface. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of a removal jig | tool. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of a removal jig | tool. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of a removal jig | tool.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control panel 3 Operation button 5 Opening 7 Printed wiring board 33 Main body case 333 Locking claw 335 Clearance 61, 71, 81, 91 Removal jig

Claims (5)

When inserting and attaching to the opening of the mounting surface from the surface side, the slope of the locking claw formed so as to protrude outward from the side surface of the main body case is in contact with the inner wall surface of the opening and bends inside the main body case. A detachable mounting part having a locking structure that restores the original state and prevents the main body case from coming off in the surface direction when it does not contact the inner wall surface of the opening,
A tool tip formed on at least one of the side surfaces of the locking claw and inserted inside the main body case from the front side of the mounting surface hooks the outer surface of the locking claw and bends to the inner side of the main body case to A detachable mounting part characterized by having a sufficient gap to release the mounted state. In the detachable attachment component according to claim 1,
The said clearance gap is 1/2 or more of the horizontal width which a latching claw has. The detachable attachment component characterized by the above-mentioned. The detachable attachment component according to claim 1 is:
A detachable mounting part, which is a component part of a push button type switch having a built-in movable mechanism for transmitting a button operation movement to a sensor mounted on a substrate surface. An operation surface with an opening for a push button switch,
A wiring board on which a sensor for detecting a push button operation in a non-contact manner is disposed;
When inserting and attaching to the opening arranged on the operation surface from the surface side, the inclined surface of the locking claw formed so as to protrude outward from the side surface of the main body case comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the opening to be inside the main body case. It is formed on at least one of a side surface of the locking claw and a locking structure that restores the original state when the bent and does not contact the inner wall surface of the opening and prevents the main body case from coming off in the surface direction. Detachable mounting with a sufficient clearance to release the mounting state on the mounting surface, with the tip of the tool inserted from the front side inside the main body case hooking the outer surface of the locking claw to bend the inner surface of the main body case Parts,
An electronic device comprising: a button top part that is detachably attached to the detachable attachment part. The electronic device according to claim 4 is used in a broadcasting station system.

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