JP2017033657A - Operation device and image forming apparatus including the operation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation device comprising a key part 21 that is pressed to be operated by a user and a pressing type switch 16 that is provided on a substrate 15, and ensure a sufficient amount of pressing force of the key part 21 on the switch 16 even when a user presses the key part 21 on the opposite side of the switch 16.SOLUTION: An operation device comprises: a contact part 22 that is connected to a key part 21 to be in contact with a pressing target surface of a switch 16; an arm part 23 that is connected to a peripheral part of the key part 21 when seen from a pressing surface of the key part 21; a support part 24 that supports the key part 21 via the arm part 23; and a light emitting part 30 that is arranged below the key part 21 and emits light to light the key part 21. A connection part of the arm part 23 and key part 21 is located on the opposite side of the switch 16 with respect to the center part of the key part 21 when the key part 21 is seen from its pressing surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an operating device and an image forming apparatus including the operating device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an operation device that includes a push-type switch provided on a substrate and a key portion arranged to cover the switch (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this operation device, the key portion is supported by the frame member via the elastic arm member. When the key part is pressed with a finger by the user, the elastic arm member is deformed and the key part is pressed, and when the user releases the finger from the key part, the key part is returned to the original position by the restoring force of the elastic arm member. It comes to return.

  In this type of operation device, a technique has been proposed in which a key portion is illuminated by providing a light emitting portion such as an LED directly under the key portion. According to this, even when the light is turned off, the user can easily recognize the location of the key portion and press the key portion.

JP 2013-127895 A

  However, in the operation device in which the light emitting unit is arranged immediately below the key unit as described above, a space for arranging the switch cannot be secured immediately below the key unit, so that the switch is separated from the central part of the key unit. In many cases, they are placed at different positions.

  In this case, for example, when the pressed part of the key part by the user is opposite to the switch side with respect to the central part of the key part, a sufficient amount of downward movement is secured in the switch side part of the key part. Can not do it. As a result, there is a problem in that the amount of pressing of the switch by the key portion is insufficient, and a click feeling when the user presses the key portion (switch) cannot be obtained sufficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the object of the present invention is to reduce the pressing amount of the switch by the key portion even when the pressing portion of the key portion by the user is opposite to the switch side. It is to ensure sufficiently and, in turn, to ensure a sufficient click feeling when the user presses the key portion.

  An operating device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a key portion that is manually pressed, a press-type switch provided on a substrate, and a contact that is connected to the key portion and contacts a pressed surface of the switch. A contact portion, an elastic arm portion coupled to a peripheral portion of the key portion as viewed from the pressing surface side of the key portion, a support portion for supporting the key portion via the elastic arm portion, and the key portion And a light emitting portion that is disposed on the lower side and emits light to illuminate the key portion. And the connection position of the elastic arm part and the key part is located on the side opposite to the side where the switch is located with respect to the central part of the key part when the key part is viewed from the pressing surface side. doing.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes the operation device.

  According to the present invention, even when the user presses the key part on the side opposite to the switch side, a sufficient amount of pressing of the switch is ensured, so that when the user presses the key part, Sufficient feeling can be secured.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus including an operation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an image reading unit and an operation unit fixed to the image reading unit. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the return key in an enlarged manner. FIG. 5 is a view in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing another embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

<Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a multifunction peripheral (MFP), and includes an image forming apparatus main body 2 and an operation unit 10. The image forming apparatus main body 2 includes a paper feeding unit 3, an image reading unit 4, an image forming unit 5, a fixing unit 6, and a paper discharge unit 7. The paper feed unit 3 is a cassette paper feed unit or a manual feed tray that supplies paper to the image forming unit 5. The image reading unit 4 reads a document as an image. In the operation unit 10, various operations of the image forming apparatus 1 are performed by the user. Although not shown, the image forming unit 5 includes a photosensitive drum and a charger, a developing device, a transfer roller, and the like disposed around the photosensitive drum. The image forming unit 5 transfers the toner image onto the sheet supplied from the sheet feeding unit 3 based on the image data read by the image reading unit 4 and the image data transmitted from the external terminal. The fixing unit 6 includes a fixing roller and a pressure roller (both not shown) that are pressed against each other and rotate, and fix the image (toner image) transferred to the sheet by the image forming unit 5 on the sheet. The paper discharge unit 5 receives the paper after image formation supplied from the fixing unit 6.

  The operation unit 10 has a plurality of operation keys for executing various functions of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 10 receives an operation signal of each operation key by the user, and causes the image forming apparatus main body 2 to perform a predetermined image forming operation according to the received operation signal.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 10 includes a flat hollow operation case 11 that opens upward, an operation panel 12 that closes the upper side of the operation case 11, and a plurality of operation keys. In the following description, the left side and the right side mean the left side and the right side when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front side (that is, the side on which the operation panel 12 is located).

  The operation case 11 and the operation panel 12 have a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction in plan view. The plurality of operation keys are exposed to the outside from the upper surface of the operation panel 12 and can be pressed. The plurality of keys are largely divided into a key group 13a including a numeric keypad for inputting numerical values, a key group 13b including a return key 20 described later, and a key group 13c including character keys for inputting characters such as alphabets. Separated.

  A substrate 15 is accommodated in the operation case 11. Push-type switches 16 (see FIG. 3) are arranged at positions corresponding to the plurality of keys on the substrate 15, respectively. When each key is pressed by the user, the switch 16 (see FIG. 3) corresponding to each key is pressed accordingly, and the switch 16 is switched from OFF to ON. The on / off signal of the switch 16 is transmitted to a controller (not shown) connected to the substrate 15. The controller recognizes a user request to the image forming apparatus 1 based on a signal from each switch 16 transmitted through the substrate 15 and executes a predetermined process according to the recognized request.

  The return key 20 is a key for returning the image forming apparatus 1 from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. The normal mode is a mode in which power is supplied to all devices necessary for the printing operation in the image forming apparatus 1. On the other hand, the energy saving mode is a mode in which power is supplied only to the substrate 15 in the operation panel 12, for example. In the normal mode, the image forming apparatus 1 automatically switches the operation mode from the normal mode to the energy saving mode when no key operation by the user is detected for a predetermined time. When the image forming apparatus 1 detects that the return key 20 is operated by the user in the energy saving mode, the image forming apparatus 1 returns from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. The return key 20 emits light by light from a light emitting unit 30 described later. Thereby, the user can easily recognize the position of the return key 20 even in the room after the lights are turned off. The light emitting unit 30 is configured by, for example, an LED.

  The return key 20 is provided at a position corresponding to the switch 16 mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 15. The switch 16 is a push-type switch that is switched on and off by a stroke up and down. The upper surface of the switch 16 functions as a pressed surface. The “push-type switch” is not limited to a type that moves up and down, but may be a switch that is switched on and off by a seesaw operation, for example.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the return key 20 is an integrally molded product made of a translucent resin. The return key 20 includes a key portion 21 pressed by a user's finger (manually), a contact portion 22 that contacts the switch 16, a pair of arm portions 23 connected to the key portion 21, and the pair of arms. It has the support part 24 which supports the key part 21 via the part 23. FIG.

  The key portion 21 has a cylindrical cup shape that opens downward. The upper surface of the key part 21 functions as a pressing surface that is pressed by the user's finger. The light emitting unit 30 is provided directly below the key part 21 (below the central part of the key part 21 when the key part 21 is viewed from above).

  A first plate-like piece 21a that protrudes radially outward is formed at the switch-side end portion of the peripheral surface of the key portion 21, and a radially outer side is formed at the end portion of the peripheral surface opposite to the switch side. The 2nd plate-shaped piece 21b which protrudes in is formed. The second plate-like piece 21b is located 180 degrees opposite to the first plate-like piece 21a with the axis of the key body 20 interposed therebetween. The second plate-like piece 21 b functions as a retaining piece that prevents the key portion 21 from coming out upward from the key hole portion of the operation panel 12.

  The contact portion 22 is formed on the lower surface of the first plate-like piece 21a. The contact portion 22 is a columnar body having a cross-shaped cross section that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the first plate-like piece 21a. The lower end surface of the contact portion 22 is in contact with the upper surface of the switch 16. The lower end surface of the contact portion 22 is flat in the present embodiment, and is in surface contact with the upper surface (pressed surface) of the switch 16.

  The pair of arm portions 23 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a straight line L (see FIG. 5) passing through the switch 16 and extending in the left-right direction when viewed from the upper side (the pressing surface side of the key portion 21).

  Each arm part 23 has the 1st linear part 23a, the curved part 23b, and the 2nd linear part 23c, respectively. The first straight portion 23a extends in a direction orthogonal to the straight line L when viewed from above. The base end portion of the first straight portion 23 a is connected to the peripheral portion of the key portion 21. Here, the connection position of the first linear portion 23a and the key portion 21 is located on the opposite side to the switch side (hereinafter referred to as the anti-switch side) with respect to the central portion of the key portion 21 as viewed from above. The curved portion 23b extends in an arc shape along the peripheral surface of the key portion 21 from the distal end portion of the first straight portion 23a toward the switch 16 side. The curved portion 23b is connected to the support portion 24 via the second straight portion 23c. Thus, the key portion 21 is cantilevered by the support portion 24 via the arm portion 23.

  The support portion 24 includes a vertical plate portion 24a, a pair of cylindrical portions 24b, a protruding portion 24c, and a pin insertion hole 24d. The vertical plate portion 24a has a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction and in the vertical direction. The left end portion of the arm portion 23 is fixed to the right side surface of the vertical plate portion 24a. A protruding portion 24c is formed on the left side surface of the vertical plate portion 24a so as to protrude in a semi-cylindrical shape toward the left side. The projecting portion 24c is formed with a pin insertion hole 24d penetrating in the vertical direction. The key portion 21 is positioned by fitting the pin insertion hole 24d with a pin (not shown) protruding from the upper surface of the substrate 15. The pair of cylindrical portions 24b are connected to the lower end surface of the vertical plate portion 24a. The pair of cylindrical portions 24b extend in the vertical direction and are spaced from each other in the front-rear direction. The lower end surface of each cylindrical portion 24 b is in contact with the upper surface of the substrate 15.

  Three leg portions 25 a to 25 c extending in the vertical direction are connected to the lower end surface of the key portion 21. The three leg portions 25 include two leg portions 25a and 25b opposed to each other in the front-rear direction across the center when the key portion 21 is viewed from above (see FIG. 5), and the anti-switch side of the key portion 21. The leg portion 25c is located at the end portion. In a non-pressed state where the key portion 21 is not pressed, a gap is formed between the lower end surfaces of the three leg portions 25 a to 25 c and the substrate 15. The three leg portions 25a to 25c function as restricting portions for restricting the downward movement amount of the key portion 21 by contacting the substrate 15 when the key portion 21 is pressed.

  When the key portion 21 of the return key 20 is pressed downward by the user, the pair of arm portions 23 bend downward with the connection portion with the support portion 24 as a fulcrum. As a result, the key part 21 sinks downward. As a result, the contact portion 22 connected to the key portion 21 sinks downward together with the key portion 21, so that the switch 16 is pressed by the contact portion 22. As a result, the switch 16 is switched from OFF to ON. At this time, the user can feel a click feeling by feeling the reaction force from the switch 16 with a finger.

  By the way, when the light emitting unit 30 is arranged directly under the key unit 21 as described above, a sufficient space for the switch arrangement cannot be secured directly under the key unit 21, so that the switch 16 is connected to the key unit 21. It arrange | positions in the position away from the center part of (refer FIG. 3).

  In this case, for example, when the user presses the key portion 21 at the central portion of the key portion 21 or the switch side with respect to the central portion 21, when the user presses the key portion 21, the contact portion 22. As a result, the switch 16 is fully pressed. Therefore, the user can sufficiently obtain a click feeling.

  However, when the user presses the key portion 21 on the opposite side of the central portion of the key portion 21, a sufficient amount of downward movement can be secured in the switch side portion of the key portion 21. Can not. As a result, the pressing amount of the switch 16 by the contact portion 22 is insufficient, and there is a possibility that the click feeling when the user presses the key portion 21 cannot be sufficiently obtained.

  On the other hand, in the said embodiment, when the connection position of a pair of arm part 23 and the key part 21 sees the key part 21 from the upper side (when the key part 21 is seen from the press surface side). It is located on the side opposite to the switch with respect to the center.

  According to this configuration, even if the user 21 presses the side opposite to the central portion of the key portion 21, the key portion 21 tilts toward the switch 16 with the connection position with the arm portion 23 as a fulcrum. As a result, the contact portion 22 connected to the key portion 21 is positively pressed against the switch 16, so that the switch 16 can be sufficiently pressed by the contact portion 22. Therefore, even if the pressed portion of the key portion 21 by the user 21 is biased to the anti-switch side, the user can sufficiently feel the reaction force from the switch 16 with the finger and obtain a click feeling.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the pair of arm portions 23 includes first linear portions 23 a that extend in a direction perpendicular to the straight line L when viewed from the pressing surface side of the key portion 21 and are connected to the peripheral edge portion of the key portion 21. Have. And the connection position of this 1st linear part 23a and the key part 21 is located in the anti-switch rather than the center part of the key part 21. FIG.

  Accordingly, when the user 21 presses the side opposite to the switch than the central portion of the key portion 21, the key portion 21 can be reliably tilted toward the switch 16 with the first straight portion 23a of the arm portion 23 as a fulcrum.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the leg portion 25c that contacts the substrate 15 when the pressing surface of the key portion 21 is pressed by the user is formed at the end of the key portion 21 on the side opposite to the switch.

  According to this, for example, when the pressed position of the key part 21 by the user is on the side opposite to the switch than the connection position of the key part 21 with the arm part 23 (first straight part 23a), the key part 21 is in the first straight line. If the portion 23 a is used as a fulcrum to tilt toward the opposite side of the switch, the tilt is restricted by the leg portion 25 c coming into contact with the substrate 15. Then, by restricting the tilt, the pressing force acting on the key portion 21 moves to the switch side, and this time, the key portion 21 tilts to the switch 16 side with the first straight portion 23a as a fulcrum. As a result, the contact portion 22 connected to the key portion 21 is positively pressed against the switch 16. Therefore, even when the user presses the key portion 21 on the side opposite to the switch side than the connection position of the key portion 21 with the arm portion 23, the user can surely obtain the click feeling.

<< Other embodiments >>
In the above embodiment, the lower end surface of the contact portion 22 is formed in a flat surface shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. The contact surface with the switch may be formed in a spherical shape. By doing so, the pressing force acting on the switch 16 from the contact portion 22 can be equalized regardless of which side the key portion 21 tilts about the first straight portion 23a of the arm portion 23 as a fulcrum. . Therefore, the user can always obtain a constant click feeling regardless of whether the pressed portion of the key portion 21 is on the switch side or the non-switch side with respect to the central portion.

  In the above-described embodiment, the width H of the first straight portion 23a serving as a fulcrum when the key portion 21 is tilted in the arm portion 23 is made smaller than the width h of the curved portion 23b and the width h of the second straight portion 23c. May be. Thereby, since the key part 21 becomes easy to tilt around the 1st linear part 23a, the effect of the said embodiment can be acquired much more reliably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the connection structure of the key part 21 and the arm part 23 is applied to the return key 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to, for example, a start key or a numeric keypad. Good.

  In the said embodiment, although the said key part 21 is formed circularly seeing from the upper side, it is not restricted to this, For example, a rectangular shape may be sufficient.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for the operating device and the image forming apparatus including the operating device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Operation part (operation apparatus)
15 Substrate 21 Key part 21a First plate-shaped piece
21b 2nd plate-shaped piece 22 Contact part 23 Arm part 23a First straight part 23b Curved part 23c Second straight part 24 Support part 25c Leg part 30 Light emitting part

Claims (5)

A key that is manually pressed,
A push-type switch provided on the substrate;
A contact portion connected to the key portion and contacting a pressed surface of the switch;
An arm portion connected to a peripheral portion of the key portion as seen from the pressing surface side of the key portion;
A support part for supporting the key part via the arm part;
A light emitting part disposed below the key part and emitting the light to emit the key part;
The connecting position of the arm part and the key part is located on the opposite side to the side where the switch is located with respect to the central part of the key part when the key part is viewed from the pressing surface side. , Operating device. The operating device according to claim 1,
A pair of the arm parts are provided,
The pair of arm portions are arranged symmetrically with respect to a straight line passing through the switch as viewed from the pressing surface side of the key portion,
Each of the pair of arm portions has a linear arm portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the straight line when viewed from the pressing surface side of the key portion and connected to a peripheral edge portion of the key portion. The operating device according to claim 1 or 2,
An operating device, wherein a leg portion that contacts the substrate when a pressing surface of the key portion is pressed by a user is formed at an end portion of the key portion opposite to the side where the switch is located. The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The operating device, wherein a contact surface of the contact portion with the switch is formed in a spherical shape.   An image forming apparatus comprising the operation device according to claim 1.

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