JP2013030340A - Button pad and electronic apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance waterproofness at the button part of an electronic apparatus used outdoors.SOLUTION: In the button pad composed of an elastic member and from which one or a plurality of buttons are projecting, two lines of annular ribs 40, 50 are provided on the circumference of buttons 32, 33. In an electronic apparatus where a button pad 30 from which one or a plurality of buttons are projecting are attached between the housing 20 and a switch substrate 70, the button pad 30 has at least two lines of annular ribs 40, 50 on the circumference of the buttons 32, 33, and each rib 40, 50 is arranged to adhere to the inner surface of the housing 20.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device such as a display device used outdoors, and more specifically to a waterproof structure of a button portion provided on a housing.

In recent years, digital signage monitors used outdoors have become widespread. These monitors have heat and waterproofing measures to withstand outdoor placement.
(For example, refer to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP 2008-277957 A JP 2009-296105 A JP 2007-123103 A

There is a demand for a display device that may be used outdoors, such as a display device used at home or the like, in which a button is provided on the housing, and operations such as channel change and volume adjustment are performed using this button. However, since there is a possibility that the button portion may be flooded into the housing, it is required to improve the waterproofness of the button portion.
Therefore, in Patent Document 3, the button is surrounded by a single annular rib, and the rib is brought into contact with the housing to prevent moisture from entering.
However, since the button moves up and down during operation, there may be a streak-like groove on the rib, and there is a risk that moisture may enter from the groove.

  An object of the present invention is to improve the waterproofness of a button portion of an electronic device used outdoors.

The button pad of the present invention is
In a button pad made of an elastic member and projecting one or more buttons,
At least two annular ribs are provided on the periphery of the button.

Further, the electronic device of the present invention is an electronic device in which a button pad having one or more buttons protruding is attached between a housing and a switch board.
The button pad has at least two annular ribs on the peripheral edge of the button, and is arranged so that each rib is in close contact with the inner surface of the casing.

When the button pad of the present invention is attached to the housing of an electronic device, the plurality of annular ribs are in close contact with the inner surface of the housing. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent moisture from entering from the outside as much as possible.
Even if moisture enters beyond the inner rib near the button, the moisture accumulates between the inner and outer ribs and evaporates over time, thus maintaining the waterproofness inside the electronic device. be able to.

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention can be applied. FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear view of the protruding part of the button. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the button pad of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the button pad of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the button pad of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a left side view of the button pad of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. FIG. 9 is a right side view of the button pad of the present invention. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the waterproof structure of the housing portion and the cover for connecting the external connection wiring. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of an electronic device to which the waterproof structure of FIG. 11 is attached.

An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the button pad (30) of the present invention is applied to the liquid crystal display device (10) as an electronic device will be described, but the electronic device is not limited to the liquid crystal display device (10).

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid crystal display device (10). As shown in the figure, the liquid crystal display device (10) surrounds a liquid crystal unit (12) having a liquid crystal display panel on the front surface and an electronic component unit (14) for performing various controls of the liquid crystal unit (12) by a housing (20). Configured.

  The housing (20) includes a front glass panel (22) that covers a liquid crystal display panel (not shown), and a side casing (24) having a rectangular cross section that covers the side surfaces of the liquid crystal unit (12) and the electronic component unit (14). It is composed of a rear panel (26) that closes the side casing (24) from the back side, and the glass panel (22) and the side casing (24), and the side casing (24) and the rear panel (26) sandwich the packing (28), respectively. It is connected in a state, and the inside of the housing (20) is kept waterproof. In the illustrated liquid crystal display device (10), the side casing (24) and the rear panel (26) are made of an aluminum alloy.

  An operation unit using the push buttons (32) and (33) is provided on the upper right of the rear panel (26).

  2 and 3 show enlarged buttons (32) and (33) protruding from the rear panel (26). As shown in FIG. 3, the button pad (30) is disposed on the inner surface side of the rear panel (26), and the buttons (32) and (33) formed on the button pad (30) are disposed on the rear panel (26). The plurality of button openings (27) and (27) are formed.

  The button pad (30) is formed by molding an elastic member such as rubber. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 10, the button pad (30) includes a flat button support plate (31) and a plurality of buttons (32) (32) protruding from the top surface of the button support plate (31). 33), and a plurality of ribs (40) (50) are formed around each button (32) (33). In the illustrated embodiment, the ribs (40) and (50) are two.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the buttons (32) and (33) are formed thicker than the button support plate (31), and the buttons (32) and (33) are formed of the button support plate. The buttons (32) and (33) are connected to (31) by thin-walled portions (34) and (34) that allow vertical movement.
Corresponding operations are attached to the top surfaces of the buttons (32) and (33) by printing or the like.

A protrusion (35) for operating the push-down switch (72) of the switch board (70) shown in FIG. 3 is provided on the bottom surface of the button (32).
In FIG. 3, no protrusion is formed on the rightmost button (33).

On the button support plate (31), annular first ribs (40) and (40) are provided so as to surround the buttons (32) and (33). On the outer periphery of each first rib (40) (40), a second rib (50) (50) is projected from the outer periphery.
The illustrated second ribs (50), (50) surround the outer edge of the button support plate (31) and are provided so as to partition the adjacent first ribs (40), (40).

  The first rib (40) and the second rib (50) are lower in height than the buttons (32) and (33), and the first rib (40) and the second rib (50) are formed at substantially the same height. The

  By providing the first ribs 40 and 40 surrounding the buttons 32 and 33 and further providing the second ribs 50 and 50 surrounding the first ribs 40 and 40 as described above. The first groove (38) between the button (32) (33) and the first rib (40) (40), and between the first rib (40) (40) and the second rib (50) (50), A second groove (39) is formed.

One or more positioning protrusions (37) and (37) are formed on the bottom surface of the button support plate (31).
In this embodiment, the positioning projections (37) and (37) are provided at two locations as shown in FIGS. In order to prevent the button support plate (31) from being bent by the positioning protrusions (37) and (37), the positioning protrusions (37) and (37) are provided with the first rib (40) and the second rib. It is formed so as to be located on the back side of (50).

  The button pad (30) having the above-described configuration is attached so that the buttons (32) and (33) project from the button openings (27) and (27) of the rear panel (26) constituting the casing (20).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the button pad (30) aligns the buttons (32) and (33) with the button openings (27) and (27), and the first rib (40) (40) and the second rib ( 50) and (50) are arranged so as to be in close contact with the inner surface side of the rear panel (26), and are attached to the rear panel (26) by being pressed from the bottom surface by the presser plate (60).

  The presser plate (60) has a plurality of openings (in accordance with the positions of the buttons (32) and (33)) so as not to obstruct the course of the buttons (32) and (33) when the buttons (32) and (33) are pressed. 62) and (62) are opened, and positioning holes (64) and (64) into which the positioning projections (37) and (37) of the button pad (30) are fitted are opened.

The first rib (40) and the second rib (50) are firmly attached to the inner surface of the rear panel (26) by fixing the button pad (30) with the rear panel (26) and the holding plate (60). It becomes.
The presser plate (60) can be attached to the rear panel (26) by screws or the like.

  A switch board (70) provided with switches (72) and (72) operated by the respective buttons (32) and (33) is disposed on the inner surface side of the presser plate (60). The switch board (70) has a push-type switch (72) (72) at a position facing the protrusion (35) of the button (32) or the button (33), and the button (32) (33) is pressed down. Thus, the switches (72) and (72) are operated, and the liquid crystal display device (10) can be operated.

According to the liquid crystal display device (10) equipped with the button pad (30) having the above configuration, the outer periphery of the buttons (32) and (33) is surrounded by the first rib (40) and the second rib (50), The first rib (40) and the second rib (50) are in close contact with the rear panel (26). Therefore, even if moisture enters from between the buttons (32) and (33) and the button openings (27) and (27), the penetrated moisture cannot exceed the first rib (40), and the button ( 32) It will accumulate in the 1st groove | channel (38) formed between (33) and the 1st rib (40). For this reason, the penetration | invasion of the water | moisture content to the inside of a housing (20) is blocked | prevented.
The moisture accumulated in the first groove (38) evaporates over time.

  The first rib (40) is bent or a streak-like groove is formed because the button (32) (33) is pressed too hard, and moisture passes over the first rib (40). Even if it penetrates, since the second rib (50) is provided in close contact with the rear panel (26), the second rib (50) prevents moisture from entering the housing (20). In addition, the water | moisture content exceeding the 1st rib (40) accumulates in the 2nd groove | channel (39) formed between the 1st rib (40) and the 2nd rib (50), and evaporates etc. with time.

  According to the button pad (30) of the present invention, by providing a plurality of ribs (40), (50) on the outer periphery of the buttons (32), (33), moisture penetrates into the housing (20). And an electronic device equipped with the same can prevent malfunction due to moisture intrusion.

The shape of the button pad (30), the number of buttons (32) and (33), the shape of the ribs (40) and (50), etc. are examples, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible.
For example, in the above, the second rib (50) surrounds the outer edge of the button support plate (31) and is provided so as to partition the adjacent first ribs (40) (40). It may be provided only so as to surround the outer edge of (31), or it may be an annular rib surrounding each of the first ribs (40).

  Further, the electronic apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the liquid crystal display device (10), and the position where the button pad (30) is arranged is not limited to the rear panel (26). .

  In the above, the buttons (32) and (33) pressed by the operation are waterproofed by the plurality of ribs (40) and (50) (hereinafter referred to as the first structure). Furthermore, in the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the second structure made of different waterproof structure is applied to the connection portion of the external connection wiring to the liquid crystal display device (10), thereby achieving effective waterproofing. Equipment can be provided. As shown in FIG. 1, this waterproof structure can be provided below the buttons (32) and (33) described above.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the rear panel (26) is provided with a recess (100) having a connection portion (not shown) for connecting the external connection wiring, and the storage portion (100 ) Has a cover (140) that can be attached and removed by screws (150). As the connection portion, a connector terminal such as a socket can be exemplified, and in the illustrated embodiment, the connection portion is provided at a position of reference numerals (101a) (101b) (101c) (101d). The reason why the connector terminals are provided on the plurality of inner surfaces of the housing part (100) is to arrange various connector terminals in a space-saving manner.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the housing part (100) is a resin casing that fits into a hole (29) formed in the rear panel (26) and has a peripheral edge higher than the rear panel (26). Having a peripheral wall (102). The peripheral wall (102) has a plurality of screw holes (104) for fixing the cover (140) with screws (150).

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the peripheral wall (102) is a rectangular frame, and one side is formed wider than the other. A plurality of first grooves (110) and (112) through which the external connection wiring (160) (see FIG. 5) is inserted are formed on one side (hereinafter referred to as “wiring passage surface (106)”) that is formed wide. Is formed. In the illustrated embodiment, one side on the lower side in the vertical direction is a wiring passage surface (106), and the first grooves (110) and (112) extend along the vertical direction on the wiring passage surface (106). Is formed.

  The first grooves (110) and (112) have a substantially semicircular cross section, and can have a plurality of types of groove widths according to the thickness of the external connection wiring (160) to be connected. For example, in FIG. 11, the first groove (110) closer to the center is wider than the outer first groove (112).

  At both ends of each of the first grooves (110) and (112), wiring pressing protrusions (114) and (114) are provided so as to extend from both sides toward the cover (140). The wire retainer protrusions (114) (114) can be formed in a rib shape, and the height of the wire retainer protrusions (114) (114) is the same as the cover (140) when the cover (140) is attached. It is desirable to have a slight gap between them.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the wiring passage surface (106) of the peripheral wall (102) is provided with a second groove (120) that crosses the first grooves (110) and (112). A first seal member (122) such as urethane is fitted into the second groove (120) so as to protrude from the second groove (120), and the cover (140) is closed with the cover (140) closed. The second seal member (147), which will be described later, is brought into contact with the first groove (110) (112) so as to prevent entry of water, dust and the like from the first groove (110) (112).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the peripheral wall (102) is provided with an annular third groove (130) that goes around the peripheral wall (102). The third groove (130), the first groove (110) (112), and the second groove (120) are formed deeper, and the wiring passage surface (106) is recessed to overlap the second groove (120). Has been. An annular third seal member (132) is fitted in the third groove (130).

  The third groove (130) is fitted with a later-described rib (145) projecting from the cover (140), and the tip of the rib (145) presses the third seal member (132). Intrusion of water or dust into the housing part (100) is prevented.

The housing part (100) having the above configuration is closed by a cover (140) as shown in FIGS.
The cover (140) includes a flat top plate (142) that covers the housing portion (100), and a horizontal wall (173) that projects from the periphery of the top plate (142) toward the rear panel (26).
The top plate (142) is formed with a screw hole (146) for fixing the cover (140) to the peripheral wall (102) of the housing portion (30) with a screw (150).

  The lateral wall (173) is provided so as to cover the outer side surface of the peripheral wall (102) of the housing part (100), and the lateral wall (173) facing the first groove (110) (112) is recessed, Recesses (144) and (144) are formed to communicate the one groove (110) (112) with the outside. The recesses (144) and (144) have a substantially semicircular shape, and are combined with the semicircular first grooves (110) and (112) to form a substantially circular shape, through which the external connection wiring (160) is inserted. Form.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a second seal member is provided on the inner surface side of the top plate (142) at a position where it abuts on the first seal member (122) fitted in the second groove (120) of the peripheral wall (102). (147) is deployed. The second seal member (147) can be made of urethane or the like, and is fitted between opposed standing walls (148) and (148) projecting from the inner surface side of the top plate (142).

  Further, a rib (145) is provided on the top plate (142) so as to contact the third seal member (132) fitted in the third groove (130). In the illustrated embodiment, the third seal member (132) of the third groove (130) partially overlaps the second seal member (147), so that the rib (145) is the second seal member (147). Is protruding along the exposed path.

  By fixing the cover (140) to the housing part (100) with a screw (150), the first groove (110) (112) and the recess (144) form a substantially circular opening as viewed from the outside, and the first The space formed between the top plate (72) and the first grooves (110) and (112) is closed by the sealing member (122) and the second sealing member (147) coming into close contact with each other. Further, the rib (145) is fitted into the third groove (130), and the tip of the rib (145) is tightly closed to the third seal member (132) and closed. Thereby, the accommodating part (100) is prevented from entering water, dust, and the like from the outside.

However, with the cover (140) removed from the housing (100), the external connection wiring (160) such as a power cord, an antenna cord, and a connection cord with an external device is connected. External connection wiring (160) is indicated by reference numerals (101a) (101b) (101c) (101d)
It is connected to the connector terminal provided at the position.
After the external connection wiring (160) is connected to the connector terminal, the external connection wiring (160) is drawn out through the first grooves (110) and (112). Here, in order to guide the external connection wiring (160) to the first grooves (110) and (112), it is necessary to bend the external connection wiring (160). Further, the external connection wiring (160) may be twisted during the connection. The external connection wiring 160 bent and twisted in this way repels bending and twisting due to its flexibility. Accordingly, it is difficult to guide the first groove (110) (112) well, but in the present invention, the wiring holding protrusions (114) (114) are formed at both ends of the first groove (110) (112). Since both ends of the first grooves (110) and (112) are deepened by the wiring pressing protrusions (114) and (114), the external connection wiring (160) is successfully guided to the desired first grooves (110) and (112). The external connection wiring (160) once fitted in the first grooves (110) and (112) can hardly jump out and come off from the first grooves (110) and (112) by the wiring pressing protrusions (114) and (114). can do.

  Since the external connection wiring (160) can maintain a stable fit in the first groove (110) (112), the external connection wiring (160) can be held down even when the cover (140) is screwed (150). The cover (140) can be easily attached.

  By fastening the cover (140) with the screw (150), as shown in FIG. 12, the external connection wiring (160) has an opening formed by the first groove (110) (112) and the corresponding recess (144). Through the first seal member (122) and the second seal member (147) without any gap. Therefore, water and dust do not enter the housing part (100) through the first grooves (110) and (112). Further, since the external connection wiring (160) extending from the housing portion (100) is sandwiched between the first seal member (122) and the second seal member (147), even if it is pulled by some force, the connector terminal The connection will not fall out and the connection stability can be secured.

  The first seal member (122) and the second seal member (147) are in direct contact with each other in the portion where the external connection wiring (160) is not inserted, and the rib (145) of the cover (140) is in other portions. ) Fits into the third groove (130) and comes into close contact with the third seal member (132), so that entry of water or dust into the housing part (100) can be prevented as much as possible. It is possible to prevent the malfunction of the electronic device as a cause.

  As described above, by applying the first structure, which is the waterproof structure of the buttons (32), (33) pressed by the operation, and the second structure, which is a different waterproof structure, to the connection part of the external connection wiring to the electronic device. Thus, waterproofing of electronic devices can be achieved more effectively.

  That is, in the liquid crystal display device (10), the connector terminal for the external connection wiring (160) is housed in a substantially sealed structure case by the second structure, while waterproofing is achieved. The buttons (32) and (33) that must be exposed to the outside are waterproofed with a simple configuration.

  The present invention is useful as an electronic device that is used outdoors and has improved waterproofness of a button portion.

(10) Liquid crystal display device
(20) Housing
(26) Rear panel
(27) Button opening
(30) Button pad
(31) Button support plate
(32) button
(33) button
(34) Thin part
(35) Protrusion (for switch operation)
(36) Positioning protrusion
(40) 1st rib
(50) Second rib
(70) Switch board
(72) Switch

Claims (3)

In a button pad made of an elastic member and projecting one or more buttons,
A button pad comprising at least two annular ribs on a peripheral edge of the button. In an electronic device in which a button pad with one or more buttons protruding is attached between a housing and a switch board,
The button pad has at least two annular ribs on the periphery of the button, and each rib is arranged so as to be in close contact with the inner surface of the casing. A display device used outdoors,
A first structure having a button provided on the housing part;
A second structure for waterproofing the connecting portion of the wiring,
The first structure is a structure in which a button pad from which a button protrudes is attached between a casing and a switch board, and the button pad has at least two annular ribs on a peripheral edge of the button. ,
The second structure includes an accommodating portion that accommodates a connecting portion that connects a wiring recessed in the peripheral surface of the housing.
A display device characterized by that.

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