JP2007073445A - Key operation part and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key operation part having superior operability in which the border between adjacent key tops can be seen and visually confirmed even in a dark place. <P>SOLUTION: This is the key operation part 5 provided with a light source 22 and the key top 60 arranged in front of the light source. Since a transmission part 70 of light irradiated from the light source is installed on the key top 60 along the border with either one of other adjacent key tops 60, the border between the adjacent key tops 60 can be recognized visually even in the dark place by the light transmitted through the transmission part 70, and the key operation part 5 can be made to have the superior operability. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a key operation unit and an electronic apparatus provided with the key operation unit.

As a key input device for electronic devices, especially for small electronic devices such as mobile phones, a large key top area is used to improve operability, and a cross that partitions adjacent key tops into a case (panel) Some are not provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-190849 A

  By the way, such LED for illumination of a key has been arrange | positioned between keys avoiding the center position of each key in which a switch is arrange | positioned so that it may not become obstructive when pressing a key top.

  However, when the illumination LED is provided between the keys, there is a problem that the gap between the key tops becomes brighter as it is closer to the illumination LED, and becomes darker as it is away from the illumination LED, resulting in uneven brightness.

  On the other hand, if a light shielding material that shields the direct light of the LED for illumination is provided in the gap between the key tops, the brightness unevenness can be reduced, but the gap between the key tops becomes dark. There was a problem that it was difficult to identify the boundary.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a key operation unit with good operability capable of visually recognizing a boundary with an adjacent key top even in a dark place, and an electronic apparatus provided with such a key operation unit.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 includes a light source and a key top arranged in front of the light source, and the key top has a transmission part for light emitted from the light source. Is provided along a boundary with any other adjacent key top.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the transmission part of the light emitted from the light source is provided along the boundary with any other key top adjacent to the key top, the transmission part is transmitted through the transmission part. By using the light, the boundary between adjacent key tops can be visually recognized even in a dark place, and a key operation unit with good operability can be obtained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the key operation unit according to the first aspect, wherein the key top is made of a light-transmitting material, a symbol portion attached to each key top, and other adjacent parts. An opaque coating is applied to the front surface except for a portion along a boundary with any key top.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the light incident from the rear surface of the key top made of a light-transmitting material is adjacent to the symbol portion attached to each key top that is not opaque-painted, and adjacent to the key top. Since it is emitted from the part along the boundary with any other key top, it can be used as a character-topped key top, and the boundary between adjacent key tops can be seen even in a dark place, A key operation unit with good operability can be obtained.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the key operation unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a light scattering key rubber is provided between the light source and the key top. To do.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, since the light scattering key rubber is provided between the light source and the key top, even when a light source having high directivity is used, the light is scattered by the key rubber. To the key top, and the key top can have a uniform luminance distribution.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device provided with the key operation unit, the key operation unit includes a light source and a key top arranged in front of the light source. The transmission part of the light irradiated from the light source is provided along the boundary with one of the other adjacent key tops.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the transmission part of the light emitted from the light source is provided along the boundary with any other key top adjacent to the key top, the transmission part is transmitted through the transmission part. By using the light, the boundary between adjacent key tops can be visually recognized even in a dark place, and an electronic device with high operability of the key operation unit can be obtained.

  Invention of Claim 5 is the electronic device of Claim 4, Comprising: As for the said electronic device, the main body in which the key operation part was provided in the front surface, the cover body in which the display part was provided in the front surface, The upper end of the main body includes a hinge portion that connects the lower end of the lid body, and the lower end portion of the front surface of the key top is provided with an inclined portion that is inclined forward and upward to rear and downward. The transmission part is provided in the part.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the lower end portion of the front surface of the key top is provided with the inclined portion that is inclined forward and upward from the rear and downward, and the transmission portion is provided on the inclined portion. Therefore, when the display unit is directly opposed to the user of the electronic device, the inclined portion is directly opposed to the user of the electronic device, and the visibility of the key top boundary can be improved.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the key top is made of a light-transmitting material, a symbol portion attached to each key top, and other adjacent parts. An opaque coating is applied to the front surface except for a portion along the boundary with any of the key tops.

  According to invention of Claim 6, the light which injected from the back surface of the keytop which consists of a light-transmitting material is the symbol part attached to each keytop to which the opaque coating is not given, and adjoining Since it is emitted from the part along the boundary with any other key top, it can be used as a character-topped key top, and the boundary between adjacent key tops can be seen even in a dark place, An electronic device with high operability of the key operation unit can be obtained.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the electronic apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a light scattering key rubber is provided between the light source and the key top. It is characterized by that.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the light scattering key rubber is provided between the light source and the key top, even when a light source having high directivity is used, the light is scattered by the key rubber. To the key top, and the key top can have a uniform luminance distribution.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the electronic device provided with the key operation part with which the operativity which can visually recognize the boundary with the adjacent key top even in a dark place, and such a key operation part was provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mobile phone 1 as an embodiment of the electronic apparatus of the present invention. The cellular phone 1 rotates a main body 2 provided with a key operation unit 5 on the front side, a lid 3 provided with a display unit 6 on the front side, a lower main body 2 and an upper lid 3. It consists of a hinge part 4 that can be connected. Therefore, the mobile phone 1 can close the main body 2 and the lid 3 so that the key operation unit 5 and the display unit 6 face each other. Further, the mobile phone 1 can open the main body 2 and the lid 3 so as to have a “<” shape when viewed from the side. That is, when the front surface of the lid 3 is directed forward, the main body 2 is disposed so as to be inclined such that the lower end portion is forward of the upper end portion.

  2 is an exploded perspective view of the main body 2, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. The main body 2 is schematically configured from a front case 7, a rear case 9, a unit assembly 10 including a circuit board and the like, and a keypad 30.

  The front case 7 and the rear case 9 are combined to form the housing of the main body 2. The front case 7 is provided with an opening 8 for exposing the key top 60 of the keypad 30. That is, a key top 601 for cursor keys, a key top 602 for decision keys, a key top 603 for function keys (four), a key top 604 (15) for telephone keys such as off-hook keys, on-hook keys, and numeric keys. All of these are exposed from the opening 8. It should be noted that the frame-shaped member 605 provided so as to surround the key top 601 for the cursor key lifts the opposite corner when the corner of the key top 601 for the cursor key is pressed. It is a floating prevention plate provided in order to prevent.

The unit assembly 10 generally includes a circuit board 11, a main frame 12, and a key board 20.
The circuit board 11 is provided with a main processor, a memory, a modem, a power supply IC, an antenna, a memory card slot, an IF connector, an earphone connector, and the like.

  The main frame 12 is made of, for example, an Mg alloy or the like, and increases the strength of the main body, and also functions as an electrical ground or an electromagnetic wave shield (noise shield). One or more recesses are formed on the rear side of the main frame 12, and the circuit board 11 is provided on the rear side so that the main processor, memory, modem, power supply IC, etc. are stored in the recesses. It has been.

  The front side surface of the main frame 12 is a flat surface. On the flat surface, a key substrate 20 is provided, and a shield form 13 that contacts the key frame 50 of the keypad 30 is provided. The shield foam 13 is obtained by winding a conductive cloth around the outer periphery of the central sponge portion, and this conductive cloth is bonded to the main frame 12 by a conductive adhesive and is electrically connected to the main frame 12.

The key board 20 is provided with a plurality of thin pressing switches 21 each having a movable contact and a fixed contact such as a dome switch. For example, a flexible wiring board having a plurality of dome plate portions to be movable contacts. And a flexible printed circuit board with multiple fixed contacts
A single flexible wiring board is folded so that a plurality of dome plate portions that are movable contacts are formed in one region and a plurality of fixed contacts are formed in the other region, and the dome plate portion and the fixed contact are opposed to each other. It is formed by folding.

  The key board 20 corresponds to five switches 21a corresponding to the cursor key and the decision key of the keypad 30, four switches 21b corresponding to the function keys, and telephone keys such as an off-hook key, an on-hook key, and a numeric keypad. 3 horizontal x 5 vertical switches 21c and illumination LEDs 22 are provided. The LED 22 for illumination is provided between the switches 21, and the key frame 50 mentioned later is arrange | positioned facing.

  A light-reflective film is formed on the front surface of the key substrate 20 except for the portion where the illumination LEDs 22 are provided. Here, as the light-reflective film, for example, white coating can be cited.

  The keypad 30 includes a key rubber 40 overlaid on the key substrate 20, and a key frame 50 and a key top 60 overlaid thereon.

The key rubber 40 is made of an elastic material having a translucent light scattering property. The key rubber 40 includes five button portions 41a corresponding to the cursor key and the decision key, four button portions 41b corresponding to the function keys, and horizontal keys corresponding to telephone keys such as an off-hook key, an on-hook key, and a numeric keypad. 3 × 5 buttons 41c are provided. The button part 41 is formed in a shape protruding to the front side, and its front surface is flat.
A projection 42 (see FIG. 3) is provided at the center of the rear surface of the button 41. The position of the protrusion 42 corresponds to the switch 21 on the key board 20.

  The key frame 50 is made of a stainless steel plate, and is provided with insertion holes 51 through which the button portions 41 of the key rubber 40 are inserted. Since the stainless steel plate is thin and has high rigidity, the thickness of the keypad 30 can be reduced.

  The key frame 50 is disposed to face the illumination LED 22, functions as a light shielding material that prevents direct light emitted from the illumination LED 22 from leaking through the gap between the key tops 60, and reflects the direct light to irradiate the key substrate 20. It also functions as a reflective material.

  A contact portion 52 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the key frame 50 at a position corresponding to the shield form 13 provided on the main frame 12. The key frame 50 is conductive, and the abutment portion 52 abuts the conductive cloth of the shield foam 13 so that the main frame 12 and the key frame 50 are electrically connected. Therefore, the potential of the key frame 50 becomes the ground. Therefore, the key frame 50 also functions as an antistatic material.

  The key top 60 is attached by adhering to the front surface of the button part 41 inserted through the insertion hole 51. The key top 60 is made of a transparent material (resin or the like), and its front surface is painted. By this painting, symbols are written on the key tops 60 in blank letters. Here, the symbols include numbers, letters or figures.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal top 3 vertical 5 key tops 604 corresponding to telephone keys such as off-hook keys, on-hook keys, numeric keys, and the like are provided along the lower end portion of the front side. An inclined portion 61 that is inclined rearward and downward from above is provided. The inclined portion 61 is provided so as to be substantially parallel to the display portion 6 of the lid when the main body 2 and the lid 3 are opened.

The coating on the front surface of the key top 604 is formed as a symbol portion and the inclined portion 61 as a transmission portion 70 that transmits light, and the other portions are formed so as not to transmit light.
Specifically, for example, first, a coating 62 that transmits light is applied to the front surface of the key top 604. Next, an opaque paint 63 such as metal plating is applied to the symbol portion and the portion excluding the inclined portion 61. Note that the coating 62 that transmits light may have a property of transmitting light of a specific wavelength. Further, the coating 62 that transmits light may be omitted.

Next, a procedure for assembling the keypad 30 to the main body 2 will be described.
First, the key frame 50 is superimposed on the front surface of the key rubber 40, and the button part 41 is inserted through the insertion hole 51. Next, the key top 60 is adhered and attached to the front surface of the button portion 41, and the keypad 30 is assembled. The frame-shaped member 605 for preventing the key top 601 for the cursor key from being lifted is engaged with a locking protrusion formed on the lower end side of the outer peripheral surface of the cursor key key top 601 on the upper end side of the opening. A stop projection is provided, and a projection reaching the recess 43 formed in the front surface of the key rubber 40 through the through hole 53 formed in the key frame 50 is provided on the lower surface side. 605 is bonded to the key rubber 40 in the recess 43.

  Thereafter, the assembled keypad 30 is used to form the through hole 54 formed in the corner of the key frame 50 and the through hole 44 formed in the corner of the key rubber 40 to form the opening 8 of the front case 7. It is attached to the inner surface of the front case 7 by being inserted into a positioning pin protruding from the lower surface of the peripheral edge. As a result, the key top 60 is exposed from the opening 8 of the front case 7. Finally, the front case 7 to which the keypad 30 is attached, the unit assembly 10 on which the key substrate 20 is placed on the upper surface, and the rear case 9 are combined.

  As described above, the keypad 30 and the unit assembly 10 are assembled to the main body 2. In this state, the protrusion 42 of the key rubber 40 is positioned on the front surface of the unit assembly 10 so as to contact the switch 21 of the key board 20, and the contact portion 52 formed on the key frame 50 is also a main frame. 12 abuts on the shield form 13 attached to 12.

  Next, the optical path of the illumination light in the key operation unit 5 will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the illumination LED 22 is turned on, the illumination light enters the key rubber 40. The illumination light incident on the key rubber 40 is scattered in the key rubber 40. Part of the scattered illumination light passes through the key rubber 40 and is reflected by the rear surface of the key frame 50, further reflected by the front surface of the key substrate 20, and enters the key top 604 from the rear surface. A part of the light is scattered in the key rubber 40 and irradiated on the front surface of the key substrate 20, further reflected on the front surface of the key substrate 20, and incident on the key top 604 from the rear surface. A part of the illumination light scattered in the key rubber 40 enters the key top 604 from the rear surface.

Illumination light that has entered the key top 604 from various optical paths is reflected at the portion where the opaque coating 63 is applied on the front surface of the key top 604 or at the interface with the key rubber 40, and the opaque coating on the front surface of the key top 604. The light is emitted to the front of the key operation unit 5 from a portion where 63 is not applied, that is, a portion of a symbol indicated by a blank character, and the transmission portion 70 such as the inclined portion 61.
Since the symbol portion is provided on the front surface of the key top 604, illumination light is emitted forward from the symbol portion.

  On the other hand, since the inclined portion 61 is inclined forward and backward from the upper side and downward, illumination light is emitted from the inclined portion 61 forward and downward. Since the user of the cellular phone 1 often looks at the key operation unit 5 from the front and the lower side of the main body 2, the illumination light is emitted from the inclined portion 61 toward the front and the lower side, so that the boundary of the numeric keypad can be obtained even in a dark place. Can be visually recognized, and operability can be improved.

  A part of the illumination light is reflected between the rear surface of the key top 60 and the front surface of the key frame 50, and is emitted to the front of the key operation unit 5 through a gap between the adjacent key tops 60. Thereby, the brightness | luminance of the key operation part 5 can be raised.

  In the above embodiment, the cellular phone 1 has been described as an example. However, in addition to this, a notebook personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), an electronic notebook, a portable radio, and other key tops. The present invention may be applied to an electronic device having the key operation unit 5 in which are arranged.

It is a perspective view which shows the mobile telephone 1 as embodiment of the electronic device of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the main body 2 of the mobile telephone 1 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

1 Mobile phone (electronic equipment)
2 Main body 3 Lid 5 Key operation unit 6 Display unit 22 LED for illumination (light source)
40 Key rubber 60 Key top 61 Inclined part 63 Opaque coating 70 Transmission part

Claims (7)

A light source and a key top arranged in front of the light source,
The key operation unit, wherein the key top is provided with a transmission part of light emitted from the light source along a boundary with any other adjacent key top. The key top is made of a light transmissive material,
2. An opaque paint is applied to the front surface except for a symbol portion attached to each key top and a portion along a boundary with any other adjacent key top. Key operation section as described.   The key operation unit according to claim 1, wherein a light scattering key rubber is provided between the light source and the key top. In an electronic device provided with a key operation unit,
The key operation unit includes a light source and a key top arranged in front of the light source,
An electronic apparatus, wherein the key top is provided with a transmission portion of light emitted from the light source along a boundary with any other adjacent key top. The electronic device comprises a main body provided with a key operation part on the front surface, a lid provided with a display part on the front surface, and a hinge part connecting the lower end of the cover body to the upper end of the main body,
5. The lower end portion of the front surface of the key top is provided with an inclined portion that is inclined from the front and the upper side to the rear and the lower side, and the transmission portion is provided on the inclined portion. The electronic device described. The key top is made of a light transmissive material,
An opaque paint is applied to the front surface except for a symbol portion attached to each key top and a portion along a boundary with any other adjacent key top. 5. The electronic device according to 5.   The electronic apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a light scattering key rubber is provided between the light source and the key top.

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