JP2010033894A - Panel device and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a panel device capable of lessening inclination of an operation button even if a long or large-sized operation button is used. <P>SOLUTION: The panel device includes a base section 25 mounted on a button fixing section 23 of an electronic board 21, a flexible support arm 27 extended from the base section 25, a connection section 29 projecting from the support arm 27 to a direction intersecting an extending direction of the support arm 27, and the operation button 11 connected with the connection section 29. A projected section 33 in contact with a fixing surface 31 is arranged on at least a pointed head section of the support arm 27. An amount of inclination of the operation button 11 can be regulated in spite of flexibility of the support arm 27 since the projected section 33 arranged on at least the pointed head section of the support arm 27 is in contact with the fixing surface 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a panel device for an operation panel that performs a pressing operation of an operation button using a bending deformation of a support arm extending from a base portion, and a recording apparatus to which the panel device is applied.

  As a panel device applied to the operation panel, a configuration in which a support arm that can be bent and deformed from a button fixing position is extended in a cantilever shape, and an operation button is provided at the tip of the support arm is often employed. However, in the case of a large operation button having a long operation button in the extending direction of the support arm, the inclination of the operation button increases in the long direction and the appearance of the operation panel is impaired. There arises a problem that a stable click operation cannot be secured depending on the pressed position of the button.

In addition, when the inclination of the operation button is increased, the button window provided on the panel body must be enlarged to widen the gap between the button window and the operation button so as not to hinder the movement of the operation button. Therefore, a key device described in Patent Document 1 below is provided. That is, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a key device that increases the rigidity of a support arm by supporting such a long or large operation button with two support arms and reduces the inclination of the operation button. It is disclosed.
JP 2006-216287 A

  However, if the rigidity of the support arm is increased, the flexibility of the support arm is weakened, and the freedom of movement of the support arm is lost. In addition, the operability of the operation button is deteriorated due to the large pressing force of the operation button necessary for securing the bending amount of the support arm.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a panel device capable of reducing the inclination of an operation button even when a long or large operation button is used, and a recording apparatus including the panel device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a panel device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a base portion attached to a button fixing portion of an electronic board, a flexible support arm extending from the base portion, A connecting portion projecting from the support arm in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the supporting arm; and an operation button connected to the connecting portion, and at least a tip portion of the supporting arm has a protrusion contacting the fixed surface. A part is provided.

  According to this aspect, since the convex portion provided at least at the tip of the support arm is in contact with the fixed surface, the tilt amount of the operation button is restricted even if the support arm is flexible. Therefore, even when a long or large operation button is used, the inclination of the operation button can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the panel device according to the first aspect, a proximal end portion of the support arm is provided with a bending portion.
According to this aspect, since a support arm is provided with the said curved part, since a bending deformation | transformation becomes smooth, the click feeling of an operation button improves and is stabilized.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the panel device according to the first aspect or the second aspect, one support arm is provided for one operation button, and one of the operation buttons is provided. It is provided along the side part.
According to this aspect, since the operation button is only supported by one long supporting arm having flexibility, a good click feeling of the operation button is maintained as it is.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the panel device according to the first aspect or the second aspect, one support arm is provided for one operation button, and one of the operation buttons is provided. Extending along the side surface and the other side surface portion connected to the one side surface portion, the direction is changed, and the convex portion is provided at the tip portion of the support arm and the portion where the direction changes. It is characterized by being.
According to this aspect, twisting of the support arm around the longitudinal direction of the support arm can be prevented, so that the operation button can be prevented from tilting in the width direction.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the panel device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the connection portions are respectively provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the support arm. Two operation buttons are supported by the support arm.
According to this aspect, the number of support arms can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which a support arm is provided for each operation button. Therefore, it contributes to the light weight and size reduction of the panel device, and the operation buttons can be arranged in a narrow space.

  A panel device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is connected to a base portion attached to a button fixing portion of an electronic board, a flexible support arm extending from the base portion, and a distal end portion of the support arm. And a flexible other support arm extending from the operation button, and at least a tip portion of the other support arm is provided with a convex portion that abuts a fixed surface. It is a feature.

  According to this aspect, the inclination amount of the operation button is restricted by the convex portion provided at least at the tip of the other support arm contacting the fixed surface. Therefore, even when a long or large operation button is used, the inclination of the operation button can be reduced.

  A recording apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a recording apparatus comprising: a panel device having an operation button; and an electronic board having a switch that is operated by a pressing operation of the operation button. The panel device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

  According to this aspect, there can be provided a recording apparatus that can achieve the same operations and effects as the first to sixth aspects, can easily position the operation button with respect to the button window, and has an excellent appearance quality of the operation panel. It becomes possible to

  Hereinafter, a panel device according to the present invention and a recording apparatus including the panel device will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. First, the inkjet printer 1 is taken up as the best mode for carrying out the recording apparatus of the present invention, and the outline of the overall configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an ink jet printer. The ink jet printer 1 is a so-called multi-function machine having a scanner unit 2A at the top and a printer unit 2B at the bottom, and is an external component of a rectangular housing-like recording apparatus main body configured with a relatively flat surface. A housing 3 is provided.

  As an example of the housing 3, a panel device 13 for inputting operation commands and setting items necessary for operations for executing various operations relating to execution of recording and image reading, and a memory card, etc. A media insertion port 7 for external media and a rotary discharge stacker 9 for stacking recording materials after recording are provided.

  The panel device 13 includes an operation button 11 for inputting operation commands for executing various operations and setting items necessary for the operation, and a panel body 17 having a button window 15 for receiving the operation buttons 11. The switch 19 of the electronic board 21 is turned on and off by pressing the operation button 11.

  Next, the structure and operation of the panel device 13 according to the present invention applied to the ink jet printer 1 configured as described above will be specifically described based on each of the first to fifth embodiments. .

[Example 1]
2 is an enlarged front view showing a part of the panel device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of main parts of the panel device according to the first embodiment.

  The panel device 13 </ b> A according to the first embodiment includes a base portion 25 attached to the button attachment portion 23 of the electronic substrate 21, a flexible support arm 27 extending from the base portion 25, and an intermediate portion of the support arm 27. A flexible connection portion 29 extending inward in the horizontal direction intersecting the support arm 27 and an operation button 11 connected to the distal end portion 29b of the connection portion 29 are provided, and the support is further described as a characteristic configuration of the present invention. A convex portion 33 that protrudes downward is formed at the distal end portion 27 b of the arm 27.

  The base portion 25 is a rib-like member having a thickness and rigidity formed by injection molding. Bosses 35, 35 are provided at appropriate positions of the base body 25, and the base parts 25 and the operation buttons 11 are positioned at the button mounting portion 23 of the electronic board 21 at the center of the bosses 35, 35. Positioning holes 37, 37 are provided.

  The support arm 27 is a thin and long straight rod-like member connected to the upper portion of the base portion 25. The support arm 27 is injection-molded integrally with the base portion 25, and is basically a cantilever-like member that bends and deforms with a base end portion 27a connected to the base portion 25 as a fulcrum. The support arm 27 is configured by one arm that extends linearly along the one side surface 51 of the operation button 11.

  Two connecting portions 29 are provided in the middle portion of the support arm 27 at an appropriate interval, and are thin and short straight rod-like members similar to the first support arm 27. The connection portion 29 is a cantilever-like member that is injection-molded integrally with the base portion 25 and the support arm 27 and has a base end portion 29 a connected to the support arm 27 as a fulcrum. The operation button 11 is a cap-shaped member having an open bottom surface, and a flange portion 39 that projects horizontally outward is provided around the lower edge. Note that the outer shape of the flange portion 39 is formed larger than the button window 15 formed in the panel main body 17 and prevents excessive projection of the operation button 11 from the button window 15.

  Further, the left and right corner portions on the front end side of the flange portion 39 are provided with rod-like destruction prevention projections 41, 41 projecting downward. The destruction prevention protrusion 41 is formed slightly shorter than the length of the boss 35 so that a gap S is formed between the destruction prevention protrusion 41 and the fixed surface 31 on the upper surface of the electronic substrate 21 provided below. In addition, the inclination of the operation button 11 is allowed in the range of the gap S, and further inclination of the operation button 11 leading to destruction is prevented. Further, the upper surface of the top surface portion 43 of the operation button 11 is a pressing surface that the user directly presses with a finger, and the pressing force 45 extends downward from the center of the lower surface of the top surface portion 43. Is transmitted to the switch 19 on the electronic board 21.

The convex portion 33 is a rectangular bar-like member having substantially the same length as the boss 35, and the bottom surface 33 a of the convex portion 33 is always in contact with the fixed surface 31 on the upper surface of the electronic substrate 21. Accordingly, the support arm 27 is structurally a cantilever as described above, but the base end portion 27a and the convex portion are substantially formed by the action of the convex portion 33 contacting the fixed surface 31. It acts as a doubly-supported beam having a connection part 47 with 33 as a fulcrum, and prevents the operation button 11 from being excessively tilted.
The bottom surface 33a of the convex portion 33 is curved in an arc shape, and the frictional force with the fixed surface 31 is reduced to enable the support arm 27 to be smoothly bent and deformed.

  And according to the panel apparatus 13 which concerns on Example 1 comprised in this way, the favorable click feeling of the operation button 11 can be maintained by the thin support arm 27, and the inclination of the operation button 11 by presence of the convex part 33 is demonstrated. Can be adapted to long or large operation buttons 11. Further, the decrease in the inclination of the operation button 11 facilitates the positioning of the operation button 11 with respect to the button window 15, and the appearance quality of the panel device 13A is improved.

[Example 2]
FIG. 5 is a main part front view showing a panel device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a main part perspective view showing the panel device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of the panel device showing a modification of the second embodiment in which the forming direction of the flexible portion is changed.

  The panel device 13B according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the panel device 13A according to the first embodiment, and only the shape of the base end portion 27a of the support arm 27 is the same as that of the panel device 13A according to the first embodiment. It is different. In other words, in the panel device 13B according to the second embodiment, the base end portion 27a of the support arm 27 is provided with a flexible bending portion 49 that facilitates the bending deformation of the support arm 27.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the flexible bending portion 49 includes a horizontal bending portion 49 </ b> H that is curved so as to hit a wave in the horizontal direction, and a wave in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 7. It is possible to employ a vertical bending portion 49V having a curved shape so as to hit. The horizontal bending portion 49H mainly smoothes the bending deformation of the support arm 27 in the horizontal direction, and the vertical bending portion 49V mainly smoothes the bending deformation of the support arm 27 in the vertical direction.

  Even when the panel device 13B according to the second embodiment is employed, the same operation and effect as the panel device 13A according to the first embodiment can be obtained, and the first support frame 27 can be smoothly bent. The click feeling when the operation button 11 is pressed is improved by the deformation.

[Example 3]
FIG. 8 is a main part front view showing a panel device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a main part perspective view showing the panel device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part showing a modification of the third embodiment in which the shape of the tip of the support arm is different.

  The panel device 13C according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the panel device 13A according to the first embodiment, and is different from the panel device 13A according to the first embodiment only in the shape of the distal end portion 27b of the support arm 27. is doing. That is, in the panel device 13C according to the third embodiment, after the support arm 27 extends along the one side surface 51 of the operation button 11, the end surface 53 side of the operation button 11 connected to the one side surface 51 is provided. It is constituted by one arm extended and formed in a bent or curved state so as to go around.

  The convex portion 33 is formed by extending the tip 27b of the support arm 27 and a region near the bending start point 55 (FIG. 8) to the bending start point 57 (FIG. 10) where the bending or bending starts. There are two places. 8 and 9 show the support arm 27 having a shape in which the distal end portion 27b of the support arm 27 is bent at the bending start point 55, and in FIG. 10, the distal end portion 27b of the support arm 27 gradually moves from the bending start point 57. A curved support arm 27 is shown.

  Even when such a panel device 13C according to the third embodiment is employed, the same operation and effect as the panel device 13A according to the first embodiment can be obtained, and the flexible bending deformation of the support arm 27 remains as it is. Thus, twisting around the longitudinal direction of the support arm 27 can be prevented.

[Example 4]
FIG. 11 is a main part front view showing a panel device according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a main part perspective view showing the panel device according to the fourth embodiment.

  The panel device 13D according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the panel device 13A according to the first embodiment, and supports a plurality of operation buttons 11 and 11 with respect to a single support arm 27. This point is different from the panel device 13A according to the first embodiment. That is, in the panel device 13D according to the fourth embodiment, a total of four connection portions 29 and 29 are provided on the left and right sides of the support arm 27, and the two operation buttons 11 and 11 are supported by one support arm 27. Has been.

  Even when the panel device 13D according to the fourth embodiment is employed, the same operations and effects as those of the panel device 13A according to the first embodiment can be obtained. The panel device 13D is provided at the distal end portion 27b of the support arm 27. Since the bending amount of the support arm 27 is regulated by the convex portion 33, even if the two operation buttons 11 and 11 are supported on the same support arm 27, the two operation buttons 11 and 11 are independently provided. The operation can be performed without affecting the other operation buttons 11. Further, the reduction in the number of support arms 27 can reduce the weight and size of the panel device 13D.

[Example 5]
FIG. 13 is a front view of a main part showing a panel device according to the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a main part showing the panel device according to the fifth embodiment.

  The panel device 13E according to the fifth embodiment includes, in addition to the configuration of the panel device 13A according to the first embodiment, another flexible short support arm 59 extending from the operation button 11, and the convex portion 33 is formed as described above. The configuration is different from the panel device 13A according to the first embodiment in that it is provided at the distal end portion 59b of the other support arm 59.

  Even when the panel device 13E according to the fifth embodiment is employed, the same operations and effects as those of the panel device 13A according to the first embodiment can be achieved.

[Other embodiments]
The panel device 13 according to the present invention and the recording apparatus 1 provided with the panel device 13 are based on the configuration as described above, but the partial configuration is changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course, it is possible to omit or omit them.

  For example, the connecting portion 29 is not limited to the middle portion of the support arm 27 but can be provided at the distal end portion 27b. The number of the connecting portions 29 is not limited to two and may be one, or three or more. It is also possible. Further, the installation location of the convex portion 33 is not limited to the tip portion 27 b of the support arm 27, and may be an intermediate portion, and can be installed on the connection portion 27 and the operation button 11. Moreover, the convex part 33 is not restricted to providing only in one place, It is possible to provide in several places.

  In addition, the fixing surface 31 with which the bottom surface 33a of the convex portion 33 abuts is not limited to the upper surface of the electronic substrate 21, but is fixed to the upper surface of the support member 61 as shown in FIG. It is possible to set various surfaces provided in the state. The panel device 13 of the present invention is not limited to the panel device of the ink jet printer 1, but is used for the panel device 13 of other recording devices including laser printers, facsimile machines, and copying machines, and the panel devices 13 of other various electronic devices. It is possible to apply.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an inkjet printer. The front view which expands and shows a part of panel apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. Sectional drawing in the AA line in FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a panel device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The front view which shows the panel apparatus which concerns on Example 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a panel device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modification of the panel device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a panel device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a panel device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modification of the panel device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a panel device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a panel device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a panel device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a panel device according to a fifth embodiment. The sectional side view which shows the panel apparatus which concerns on another Example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet printer (recording apparatus), 2A scanner part, 2B printer part, 3 housing, 7 Media insertion slot, 9 Ejection stacker, 11 Operation button, 13 Panel apparatus, 15 Button window, 17 Panel main body, 19 Switch, 21 Electronics Substrate, 23 button attachment site, 25 base portion, 27 support arm, 27a proximal end, 27b distal end, 29 connecting portion, 29a proximal end, 29b distal end, 31 fixing surface, 33 convex portion, 33a bottom surface, 35 boss , 37 Positioning hole, 39 Flange part, 41 Destruction prevention protrusion, 43 Top surface part, 45 Press rod, 47 Connection part, 49 Flexible curve part, 51 One side part, 53 End surface part, 55 Bending start point, 57 Curve Starting point, 59 third support arm, 59b tip, 61 support member, S gap

Claims (7)

A base part to be attached to the button fixing part of the electronic board;
A flexible support arm extending from the base portion;
A connecting portion protruding from the support arm in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the support arm;
An operation button connected to the connection unit,
2. A panel device according to claim 1, wherein at least a tip of the support arm is provided with a convex portion that comes into contact with a fixed surface. The panel device according to claim 1,
A panel device, wherein a base end portion of the support arm is provided with a bending portion. The panel device according to claim 1 or 2,
One support arm is provided for each of the operation buttons, and is provided along a side surface of the operation button. The panel device according to claim 1 or 2,
One support arm is provided for each of the operation buttons, and is extended in a direction so as to extend along one side surface portion of the operation button and the other side surface portion connected to the one side surface portion. And
The said convex part is provided in the site | part from which the direction part and the front-end | tip part of the said support arm change, The panel apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In the panel apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3,
The connection unit is provided on each side of the support arm in the longitudinal direction, and two operation buttons are supported by one support arm. A base part to be attached to the button fixing part of the electronic board;
A flexible support arm extending from the base portion;
An operation button connected to the tip of the support arm;
A flexible other support arm extending from the operation button,
The panel device according to claim 1, wherein at least a tip portion of the other support arm is provided with a convex portion that comes into contact with the fixed surface. A panel device having operation buttons;
An electronic substrate having a switch that operates by a pressing operation of the operation button,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the panel device is the panel device according to claim 1.

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