JP2016103327A - Switch button structure and switch device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switch button structure and a switch device using the same, capable of reducing metal mold cost and assembly cost of switch buttons for key switches having large variations.SOLUTION: The structure of a switch button includes a plurality of mark parts 10 (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) and a plurality of core parts 20 (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d), respectively associated with the plurality of mark parts 10, connected by hinge parts 25 in a manner relatively capable of flexural deformation (elastic deformation). The plurality of mark parts 10 are fixed to the plurality of cores parts 20, respectively, so as to configure an integral formation of the mark parts 10 with the core parts 20. As depicted in Fig. 1, the integral formation of the mark parts 10 with the core parts 20 produces a switch button structure having a formed switch button (switch button array) 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch button structure and a switch device using the switch button structure.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a portable device that is a switch device including operation buttons for locking and unlocking a door of a vehicle (for example, Patent Document 1). The portable device rotatably supports a key head of a mechanical key that protrudes while rotating from the case. The portable device is housed inside the case and has a plurality of lock buttons, unlock buttons, and the like on the upper surface of the case. It has an operation button. By operating these operation buttons, signals can be transmitted from the transmitting unit of the wireless unit housed in the case to the receiving unit on the vehicle side, and operations such as locking and unlocking the door of the vehicle can be performed. It is said that.

  In addition, it has a convex button part to be pressed, and a pressing protrusion for pressing the switch penetrates the key part provided on the surface opposite to the button part and the pressing protrusion of the key part. There has been proposed a portable information terminal composed of a flat plate-like support component that has been punched into a hole and bent by a pressing operation using a contact point with the case as a fulcrum (for example, Patent Document 2). This portable information terminal includes a key device and a key device that can be reduced in size and cost by reducing mold costs by integrally molding a key component and a support component by two-color molding using different materials. It is said that a portable information terminal can be provided.

JP 2007-255014 A JP 2008-251696 A

  However, when a plurality of operation buttons are arranged and the display mark of the button differs depending on the operation content, for example, it is necessary to newly install a die for each mark specification. That is, since the switch button is produced by two-color molding or insert molding, it is necessary to newly install a die every time the mark is different. Even if each switch button is connected by a hinge to reduce the assembly cost, it is necessary to newly install a die for each variation. For this reason, there has been a problem that the mold cost and the assembling cost of the switch button of the key switch with abundant variations are required.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a switch button structure and a switch device using the switch button structure that can reduce the mold cost and assembly cost of switch buttons of a key switch with abundant variations.

[1] In order to achieve the above object, a plurality of mark portions, and a plurality of core portions respectively corresponding to the plurality of mark portions and connected so as to be relatively deformable by a hinge portion, Provided is a switch button structure in which a plurality of mark portions are fixed to the plurality of core portions, respectively, and the mark portion and the core portion are integrally formed.

[2] The switch button structure may be characterized in that the mark portion and the core portion are integrated by insert molding.

[3] The switch button structure according to [1] or [2], wherein at least some of the plurality of mark portions are displayed with different marks.

[4] The switch button structure according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the hinge portion is formed integrally with a part of the core portion from the same material. There may be.

[5] In order to achieve the above object, the switch device has a switch button structure according to any one of the above [1] to [4], and has a switch portion that is switched by operating the core portion. I will provide a.

  According to the switch button structure of the present invention and the switch device using the switch button structure, it is possible to reduce the mold cost and assembly cost of switch buttons of abundant variations.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a top plan view of the switch button structure and the switch device using the switch button structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. is there. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the mark portion and the core portion before fixing, and FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D show variations according to the marks formed on the mark portion and the fixing method. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a process of forming a switch button of a key switch by a method of fixing and integrating the mark portion and the core portion by insert molding, and FIG. 4B shows the mark portion and the core. It is a figure which shows the process of forming the switch button of a key switch by the method of fixing a part by adhesion | attachment etc. FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing that the switch button is formed by integrating the mark portion and the core portion, and FIG. 5B shows the mark attached to the key switch in FIG. 4A. It is a figure which shows that a switch button is formed by integration of a mark part and a core part when it differs from a thing.

(Embodiment of the present invention)
(Switch button structure, switch device configuration)
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a top plan view of the switch button structure and the switch device using the switch button structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG.

  The switch button structure according to the embodiment of the present invention corresponds to each of the plurality of mark portions 10 (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) and the plurality of mark portions 10, and is relatively deformed by the hinge portion 25 (elasticity). A plurality of core portions 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D) connected to each other, and the plurality of mark portions 10 are fixed to the plurality of core portions 20, respectively. 20 is formed integrally. As shown in FIG. 1, a switch button (switch button array) 30 in which the mark portion 10 and the core portion 20 are integrated is formed.

  Further, the switch device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the switch button structure described above, and the tact switch 40 (40A, 40A, 20A, 20C, 20D) is operated by the operation of the core unit 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D). 40B, 40C, 40D).

  Hereinafter, the switch device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a switch device 30 in which a switch button 30 including a mark portion and a core portion includes four buttons as shown in FIG. As will be described, the number of buttons is not limited to this, and may be any form that includes two or more buttons.

(Mark part 10)
The mark portion 10 (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) is formed by printing a mark on an acrylic plate (PMMA). In the mark part 10 (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D), different marks are displayed on the surface by printing or the like. Note that the mark portion may be formed of another resin material, or may be a metal plate or the like.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the mark portion 10 includes a door LOCK, UNLOCK, TRUNK, PANIC, PBD (power back door), PSD-R (power slide door-right), PSD-L (power slide). Marks such as doors (left), characters, designs, etc. are displayed by printing. The switch device 1 is selected from various numbers of buttons, button arrangements, and function assignments to the buttons depending on vehicle types, grades, and the like. Thereby, it is necessary to change the mark part 10 for every variation, and to produce a switch apparatus. As will be described later, the mark portion 10 is subjected to printing of a mark or the like on the front surface or the back surface, and full printing of the mark and the background.

(Core part 20)
The core parts 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) are respectively formed by a core body part 21, a lower surface protruding part 22, a locking part 23, and a hinge part 25, and the core parts 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D are respectively formed. As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge portions 25A, 25B, 25C, and 25D are connected by a hinge connecting portion 25E. That is, the core part 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) is relatively connected by the hinge part 25.

  The core portion 20 is integrally formed of a resin material such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PC (polycarbonate), PP (polypropylene), and the like. Therefore, the core part 20 is configured to be relatively connected by the hinge part 25 so as to be able to bend and deform (elastically deform).

(Switch button 30)
The switch button 30 fixes the mark part 10 (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) described above to the core part 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D), respectively, and integrates the mark part 10 and the core part 20 together. The switch button structure is formed. In addition, the method of fixing the mark part 10 (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) to the core part 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 0D) includes fixing methods such as insert molding and adhesion as described later.

(Overall configuration of switch device 1))
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the switch device 1 includes the above-described switch button 30 housed in a casing formed by an upper case 101 and a lower case 102. In this case (upper case 101, lower case 102), a tact switch 40 and the like that are turned on and off by being pressed by the core portion 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) are accommodated.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the switch button 30 includes four buttons. In this embodiment, the upper button is the door LOCK, the door UNLOCK, the TRUNK open, and the PANIC button.

  By the on / off operation of the tact switch 40, communication with the vehicle side is performed by a control circuit and a transmission circuit (not shown) housed in the housing. Although the tact switch 40 is not shown, four tact switches corresponding to the core portions 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the switch device 1 has an outer case formed of an upper case 101 and a lower case 102. A switch button 30, a tact switch 40, a key plate 50, and the like are accommodated therein.

  The lower case 102 is provided with a support portion 110 inside, and a substrate (circuit board) 111 is placed on the upper surface of the support portion 110. On the substrate 111, a tact switch 40 is mounted corresponding to each of the core portions 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D. Each tact switch 40 is positioned and mounted so as to be turned on and off by being pressed by the lower surface protruding portions 22 of the core portions 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D.

  The core part 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) is fitted and attached to the opening 101a of the upper case 101 so as to be vertically movable. The locking portion 23 of the core portion 20 is configured such that its upward movement is restricted by the upper portion 23a coming into contact with the stopper portion 101b of the opening portion 101a. Although not shown, the hinge 25 is similarly configured such that the upper portion 25a is restricted from moving upward.

  The core portion 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) includes mark portions 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D with the respective marks on the core portions 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D, and is connected by a hinge portion 25. It is integrated. The core portion 20 can be bent and deformed (elastically deformed) downward by the hinge portions 25A, 25B, 25C, and 25D when the respective core portions 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D are pressed by the operator. . Thereby, by pushing down each core part 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, the lower surface protrusion part 22 corresponding to each moves below, and each tact switch 40 can be turned on / off.

  A cover 112 that covers the tact switch 40 and the substrate 111 is attached to the lower side of the core body 21. The cover 112 is formed as a rubber dome from, for example, chloroprene rubber, silicon rubber or the like, and urges the core main body 21 upward. In addition, it also has a waterproof function for preventing intrusion of liquid or the like from the outside of the housing. Although not shown in the figure, the inside covered with the cover 112 can accommodate a circuit module, a battery, or the like that requires waterproofness.

  When the switch device 1 is used as a portable device for a vehicle, the key plate 50 is accommodated in the casing as an emergency key on the assumption that the communication means cannot be used due to battery exhaustion. When the battery runs out, the key plate 50 can be taken out to unlock the vehicle door, start the engine, and the like.

  FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the mark portion and the core portion before fixing, and FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D show variations according to the marks formed on the mark portion and the fixing method.

  Fig.3 (a) shows the case where the mark part 10 and the core part 20 are integrally molded by insert molding. A mark 11 is printed on the lower surface 10b of the acrylic plate of the mark portion 10 by printing. Since the mark part 10 is formed of transparent acrylic, the mark 11 can be visually recognized from the transparent surface of the mark part 10 and is excellent in design and durability. In a state where the lower surface 10b of the mark portion 10 and the upper surface 20a of the core portion 20 are in contact, the mark portion 10 is fixed to the core portion 20 by insert molding.

  FIG. 3B shows a case where the mark part 10 is fixed to the core part 20 by bonding and integrated. A mark 11 and background printing 12 are applied to the lower surface 10 b of the acrylic plate of the mark portion 10. Similarly, since the mark part 10 is formed of transparent acrylic, the mark 11 and the background print 12 can be visually recognized from the transparent surface of the mark part 10, and the design is excellent and the durability is excellent. In a state where the lower surface 10b of the mark part 10 and the upper surface 20a of the core part 20 are in contact, the mark part 10 is fixed to the core part 20 by bonding and integrated. In addition, it is not restricted to adhesion | attachment, The fixing method by an adhesive material etc. may be used.

  FIG.3 (c) shows the case where the mark part 10 and the core part 20 are integrally molded by insert molding. A mark 11 is printed on the upper surface 10a of the mark portion 10 by printing. Since the mark 11 is formed on the upper surface 10a of the mark portion 10, the material of the mark portion 10 is not limited to the resin plate, and for example, a metal plate or the like can be used. In a state where the lower surface 10b of the mark portion 10 and the upper surface 20a of the core portion 20 are in contact, the mark portion 10 is fixed to the core portion 20 by insert molding.

  FIG. 3D shows a case where the mark portion 10 is fixed to the core portion 20 by bonding and integrated. A mark 11 and a background print 12 are applied to the upper surface 10a of the mark portion 10 by printing. Similarly, since the mark 11 is formed on the upper surface 10a of the mark portion 10, the material of the mark portion 10 is not limited to the resin plate, and for example, a metal plate or the like can be used. In a state where the lower surface 10b of the mark part 10 and the upper surface 20a of the core part 20 are in contact, the mark part 10 is fixed to the core part 20 by bonding and integrated. In addition, it is not restricted to adhesion | attachment, The fixing method by an adhesive material etc. may be used.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a process of forming a switch button of a key switch by a method of fixing and integrating the mark portion and the core portion by insert molding, and FIG. 4B shows the mark portion and the core. It is a figure which shows the process of forming the switch button of a key switch by the method of fixing a part by adhesion | attachment etc. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, first, the mark portion 10 is formed. In the mark portion 10, an acrylic plate (PMMA) is formed in a predetermined shape (P101). Next, a mark or the like as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D is formed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the mark portion 10 by printing (P102). The mark portion 10 on which a predetermined mark or the like is formed is set in a mold with a predetermined arrangement (P103). The core part 20 integrated with the mark part 10 is formed by resin insert molding (P104). Since the hinge part 25 is also formed from the same material as the core part 20 by resin insert molding, each core part 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) is connected so as to be relatively deformable and deformed, and a predetermined mark is given. The switch button 30 of the key switch is formed (P105).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, first, the mark portion 10 is formed. As for the mark part 10, an acrylic board (PMMA) is formed in a predetermined shape (P201). Next, marks or the like as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D are formed on the upper surface or lower surface of the mark portion 10 by printing (P202). Since the hinge part 25 is also formed of the same material as the core part 20 by injection molding, the core part 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) in which each core part is connected so as to be relatively deformable and deformable is formed. (P203). The mark portion 10 on which a predetermined mark or the like is formed is fixed to the core portion 20 with a predetermined arrangement by bonding or the like (P204). Thereby, each core part 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) is connected so as to be relatively deformable, and a switch button 30 of a key switch with a predetermined mark is formed (P205).

  FIG. 5A is a diagram showing that the switch button is formed by integrating the mark portion and the core portion, and FIG. 5B shows the mark attached to the key switch in FIG. 4A. It is a figure which shows that a switch button is formed by integration of a mark part and a core part when it differs from a thing.

  The mark portion 10 shown in FIG. 5A includes a mark portion 10A printed with a door LOCK mark, a mark portion 10B printed with a door UNLOCK mark, a mark portion 10C printed with a TRUNK open mark, and a PANIC. This is a mark portion 10D on which a mark is printed.

  Each said mark part 10 is fixed to the core part 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) by the method shown in FIG. 4A or 4B. Accordingly, the mark portion 10A on which the door LOCK mark is printed, the mark portion 10B on which the door UNLOCK mark is printed, the mark portion 10C on which the TRUNK open mark is printed, and the mark portion 10D on which the PANIC mark is printed. Switch buttons 30 arranged in order are formed. Further, by incorporating this switch button 30 into the casing, the switch device (portable device) shown in FIG. 1 and the like is formed.

  On the other hand, the mark portion 10 shown in FIG. 5B includes a mark portion 10A on which a door LOCK mark is printed, a mark portion 10B on which a door UNLOCK mark is printed, and a PSD-R (power sliding door-right) mark. The printed mark portion 10E and the mark portion 10F on which a PSD-L (power slide door-left) mark is printed.

  Each said mark part 10 is fixed to the core part 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) by the method shown in FIG. 4A or 4B. As a result, the mark portion 10A on which the door LOCK mark is printed, the mark portion 10B on which the door UNLOCK mark is printed, the mark portion 10E on which the PSD-R (power sliding door-right) mark is printed, and the PSD- A switch button 31 is formed in which mark portions 10F printed with an L (power slide door-left) mark are arranged in order. Further, by incorporating this switch button 31 into the casing, the switch device (portable device) shown in FIG. 1 and the like is formed.

  As can be seen from the above description, since the core portion 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) is shared, it can be shared regardless of the variation of the mark portion 10. Therefore, a desired switch button can be formed by fixing the mark part 10 to which a necessary mark, character, pattern, etc. are attached to the core part 20 shared by a predetermined arrangement.

  By incorporating this switch button into the housing, a switch device (portable device) in which switches are arranged with a desired mark can be formed.

(Effect of the embodiment of the present invention)
According to the switch button structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the switch button is formed by fixing the mark part 10 having different marks to the common core part 20, the switch button of the key switch with abundant variations. The mold cost and assembly cost can be reduced. In particular, even when various button numbers, button arrangements, and function assignments to buttons are set depending on the vehicle type, grade, etc., it is possible to cope by changing only the mark portion 10 and switch button molds. Costs and assembly costs can be greatly reduced. In addition, by incorporating switch buttons with different variations into the housing, switch devices (portable devices) with different variations are possible.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is only an example and does not limit the invention which concerns on a claim. These novel embodiments and modifications thereof can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. . In addition, not all the combinations of features described in these embodiments are essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Switch apparatus 10 (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) ... Mark part 11 ... Mark, 12 ... Background printing 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) ... Core part 21 ... Core main-body part, 22 ... Undersurface protrusion part, 23 ... locking part,
25A, 25B, 25C, 25D ... hinge portion 25E ... hinge connecting portion 30, 31 ... switch button 40 ... tact switch 50 ... key plate 101 ... upper case, 102 ... lower case, 110 ... support portion, 111 ... substrate, 112 ... cover

Claims (5)

A plurality of mark portions;
A plurality of core portions respectively corresponding to the plurality of mark portions and coupled to be relatively deformable by a hinge portion;
The switch button structure, wherein the plurality of mark portions are fixed to the plurality of core portions, respectively, and the mark portions and the core portion are integrally formed.   The switch button structure according to claim 1, wherein the mark portion and the core portion are integrated by insert molding.   The switch button structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least some of the plurality of mark portions are displayed with different marks.   The switch button structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hinge portion is formed integrally with a part of the core portion from the same material. The switch button structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A switch device comprising a switch portion that is operated by an operation of the core portion.

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