JP3420158B2 - Operation button holding structure and electronic device having the holding structure - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure for holding operation buttons of electronic equipment in a housing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As has been seen in recent years in the rapid spread of mobile phones, their multi-functionality, and the mobilization of computers, the demands for miniaturization and low cost of information-related electronic equipment are increasing.

Due to the high-density integration of semiconductor devices, the mounting board has become smaller, and active elements such as switches have become smaller and can be mounted on the mounting board. On the other hand, when a switch is operated by a human, the size of the human finger does not change, and it is difficult to downsize the operation button. In the past, switches with built-in operation buttons were attached to the housing and connected to the mounting board by wiring.However, to simplify the process, the operation buttons and switches were separated, and the operation buttons were installed on the housing. Mounting, mounting a switch with a small pressing part on the mounting board, arranging the pressing part close to the operation button of the housing, and physically transmitting the pressing of the operation button to the pressing part of the switch The structure in which the operations are performed has come into use.

FIG. 12 is a schematic partial sectional view showing the relationship between a detachable switch of an electronic device and an operation button which has been conventionally used, and FIG. 13 is a schematic portion showing a mounting state of the operation button in a housing. It is a perspective view. The housing of the electronic device includes an upper case 401 and a lower case 402, and the operation buttons 40
3 is inserted from the inside of the lower case 402 into the hole 423 of the lower case 402 so that the operation surface 435 is on the outside, and is locked to the lower case 402 by the flange 432. On the back surface of the operation button 403, an elastically deformable bent arm 431 having a U-shaped portion 436 protruding in the direction of the flange 432 in the central portion is provided in parallel with the bottom surface, and the U-shaped portion 436 is formed on the lower case 402. The third convex portion 421 protruding upward from the bottom surface is brought into contact with and engaged. Further, the pressing portion 4 of the switch 441 is provided at the center of the back surface of the operation button 403.
The 1st convex part 434 for pressing 41a is provided.

The switch 441 is mounted on the printed board 442, and the printed board 442 is fixed to the lower case 402 so that the pressing portion 441a of the switch 441 is close to the first convex portion 434 of the operation button 403. When the operation button 403 is pressed from the outside, the operation button 403 moves forward due to the bending of the arm 431, and the first convex portion 434 presses the pressing portion 441a of the switch 441 to cause the switch 4 to move.
41 is operated.

[0006]

In the conventional separation type switch and operation button shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the operation button 403 is held on the lower case 402 by the arm 431. Since the operation button 403 has a large rattling because it is performed only at one location of the convex portion 421 of No. 3, there is a demand for reliable holding of the operation button.

Further, it is desirable that the pressing force of the operation button is adjusted to the strength or weakness of the pressing force of the operation button that matches the target user and the button function, and it is required to have a structure that can be easily adjusted.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an operation button holding structure in which the operation buttons are securely held and the strength of the operation button pressing force can be adjusted, and an electronic device provided with the operation button holding structure.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An operation button holding structure of the present invention is a structure for holding an operation button in an electronic device casing for physically operating a switch mounted on a board inside an electronic device from the outside. However , the operation buttons are
The operation surface is not located outside the case in the hole on the side of the case that is fixed.
It is inserted from the inside of the case so that it is on the side, and it is opposite to the operation surface.
It is locked to the inner surface of the case with a flange provided on the side
Switch on the side of the flange opposite to the operating side.
First convex portion for pressing the pressure portion, provided on the upper left and right sides
The second convex part and the fixing parts on the lower left and right sides
Vertical part that extends vertically from the part to the flange and its vertical
From each tip of the arm to the tip of another vertical arm
A flat part whose central part extends in a U shape toward the flange surface.
An elastically deformable locking member formed from the row arm
The bottom of the case has two bullets that come into contact with the second protrusion.
The retaining member that is elastically deformable and the U-shaped locking member are locked
And a fixing member .

[0010] The second convex portion of the operation button as the first to the width of the side surface of the top portion which contacts the holding member widest, have a wedge-shaped side of a shrinking width toward the bottom face direction of the case Often, the holding member that comes into contact with the second convex portion of the operation button is divided into a plurality of pieces, and the second convex portion of the operation button is divided into a plurality of predetermined holding members of the plurality of holding members. You may have the contact surface which contacts.

In another aspect, the operation button is inserted from the inside of the case into the hole on the side surface of the case to which the substrate of the housing is fixed so that the operation surface is outside the case, and is provided on the opposite side of the operation surface. The flange is engaged with the inner surface of the case, and the surface opposite to the operation surface of the flange has a first convex portion for pressing the pressing portion of the switch, and second convex portions provided on the left and right sides above. , And a vertical arm portion that has fixing portions on the lower left and right sides and extends vertically from the fixing portion to the flange, and extends from each tip of the vertical arm portion to the tip of another vertical arm portion, and the central portion faces the flange surface. An elastically deformable locking member formed of a parallel arm projecting in a U-shape is provided, and a fixing member for locking the U-shape of the locking member is formed on the bottom surface of the case. Contact the case with the lid of the case and the second protrusion Two elastically deformable retaining member is formed that.

The electronic apparatus of the present invention is equipped with any one of the operation button holding structures described above, and may be portable.

In the operation button holding structure of the present invention, since the operation button is held in the lower case by the contact of the U-shaped portion of the lower arm and the two convex portions on both sides of the upper portion in total of three points,
There is no rattling of the operation button, and the operation button can move smoothly in the pressing direction when the operation button is pressed.

When it is desired to increase the pressing force of the operation button, the rib that contacts the convex portion of the operation button is made thicker,
On the contrary, if you want to weaken the pressing force of the operation button, you can make the pressing force of the operation button that matches the target user or the operation button function by reducing the thickness of the rib. If necessary, by changing each elasticity value and selecting and combining the appropriate operation buttons from the multiple operation buttons with convex parts that differ in the number of contact with the rib, the target user or operation button function was matched. It can be the pressing force of the operation button.

Further, by making the convex portion of the operation button into a wedge shape, the stroke in the pressing direction of the operation button can be limited.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a portable electronic device having an operation button holding structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the vicinity of an operation button in a lower case of the portable electronic device of FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the operation button central portion AA cross section in the vicinity of the operation button of the portable electronic device of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a BB cross section in the second convex portion near the operation button of the portable electronic device.

The portable electronic device having the operation button holding structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking a portable information terminal having a liquid crystal screen as an example, but the portable electronic device is limited to the portable information terminal having a liquid crystal screen. Instead, it can be applied to various portable electronic devices and even non-portable electronic devices.

The portable electronic device has an upper case 1 and a lower case 2 formed by molding as a housing, and the upper case 1 is provided with a liquid crystal display section 4. On the side surface of the lower case 2 of the portable electronic device, a molded operation button 3 is arranged. The operation button 3 is the hole 23 of the lower case 2.
The operation surface 35 is inserted from the inside so that the operation surface 35 is outside the lower case 2, and is locked to the lower case 2 by the flange 32. A recess is provided around the operation button 3 on the outer side of the lower case 2 so that the user can easily press it.

The operation button 3 is a small U-shaped portion provided in a central portion of a bent U-shaped arm 31 which is parallel to the bottom surface of the lower case 2 and elastically deformable so as to project toward the operation surface 35. The inner surface of the center of 36 contacts and engages with the third convex portion 21 provided on the bottom surface of the lower case 2. Further, the operation button 3 is elastically deformable in that two second convex portions 33 on the left and right are provided at predetermined positions on the surface opposite to the operation surface 35 of the flange 32 and are provided at predetermined positions on the lower case 2. The two ribs 22 are in contact with and engaged with the tip portions of the ribs 22. Therefore, the operation button 3 has a U-shaped portion 36 and two second convex portions 33.
The flange 32 is held by the lower case 2 by a total of three points of contact, so that the flange 32 is closely fixed to the inner surface of the lower case 2 without rattling.

In FIG. 3, the switch 41 is a printed circuit board 42.
The printed board 42 is mounted at a predetermined position above and is held at a predetermined position by the third convex portion 21 formed on the bottom surface of the lower case 2. On the other hand, the operation button 3 is fitted into the hole 23 provided in the lower case, the operation surface 35 is arranged on the side surface of the lower case, and the switch 41 is provided on the surface opposite to the operation surface 35.
Of the cross shape so as to be adjacent to and face the pressing portion 41a of
Is provided with a convex portion 34.

In FIG. 4, the second convex portion 33 of the operation button 3 is 2
Touching near the top of one rib 22 and operating button 3
The flange 32 is firmly fixed to the inner surface around the hole 23 of the lower case without rattling.

Next, the operation of the operation button holding structure of the portable electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 5 is a schematic partial perspective view of the vicinity of the operation button in the lower case of the portable electronic device when the operation button of FIG. 2 is pressed, and FIG. 6 is a portable electronic device when the operation button of FIG. 3 is pressed. It is a typical fragmentary sectional view of the operation button center AA section near the operation button of a device.

When the operation surface 35 is pushed down in FIG. 5, the operation button 3 is operated with the third convex portion 21 on the bottom surface of the lower case 2 as a fulcrum.
The arms 31 on both sides of the U-shaped portion 36 are elastically deformed, and the operation button 3 moves in the pressing direction, so that the first convex portion 34 as shown in FIG.
Pushes the pressing portion 41a of the switch 41.

At the same time, by pressing the operation button 3 in FIG.
The two second convex portions 33 elastically deform the rib 22 so that the rib 22 applies a predetermined reaction force to the operation button 3.

When it is desired to increase the pressing force of the operation button, the rib 22 can be made thicker to increase the reaction force, and conversely, when the operation button pressing force can be made weaker, the rib 22 can be made thinner. As a result, the reaction force can be reduced and the strength of the pressing force of the operation button can be adjusted.

Further, since the operation button 3 is held in the lower case by the contact of the U-shaped portion 36 and the two second convex portions 33 at a total of three points, rattling when the operation button 3 is pressed is suppressed. It can move smoothly in the pressing direction.

Next, a portable electronic device having an operation button holding structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 7 is a schematic partial perspective view of the vicinity of the operation button in the lower case of the portable electronic device of the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a lower case of the portable electronic device when the operation button of FIG. 7 is pressed. FIG. 3 is a schematic partial perspective view in the vicinity of an operation button inside.

In the first embodiment, the second protrusion 33 is a protrusion that presses only the tip of the rib 22, but in the second embodiment, the second protrusion 133 is the tip of the rib 122. The portion corresponding to the portion has the thickest thickness, and has a wedge shape in which the thickness becomes thinner toward the bottom of the lower case 102. The rest of the configuration and operation are the same as in the first embodiment, so description will be omitted.

In the second embodiment, the operation button 103
7 is similar to that of the first embodiment in a state where is not pressed, but when the operation button 103 is pressed, a position in which the second convex portion 133 presses the rib 122 as shown in FIG. Is gradually lowered, and further pressing of the operation button 103 is prevented in a state where the vicinity of the wedge-shaped tip is in contact. The wedge-shaped second protrusion 133 is formed so that the vicinity of the wedge-shaped tip is in contact with the rib 122 at the position where the switch pressing portion is pressed and the switch is operated, so that the switch is pushed by pushing the operation button too much. The adverse effect of can be prevented.

Next, a portable electronic device having an operation button holding structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a schematic partial perspective view of the vicinity of the operation button in the lower case of the portable electronic device of the third embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a lower case of the portable electronic device when the operation button of FIG. 9 is pressed. FIG. 3 is a schematic partial perspective view in the vicinity of an operation button inside.

In the first and second embodiments, ribs 22 and 1 are used.
The number of the ribs 22 is one on each of the left and right sides, but in the third embodiment, each of the left and right ribs 222 is divided into two. The rest of the configuration and operation are the same as in the first embodiment, so description will be omitted. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the second convex portion 233 corresponds to one rib 222 on each of the left and right sides, and therefore resistance to pressing of the operation button 203 is small. Here, if the width of the second convex portion 233 is widened so that the second convex portion 233 corresponds to the two ribs 222 on the left and right respectively, the second convex portion 233 pushes the two ribs 222. The resistance against the pressing of the button 203 becomes large.

If the lower case is manufactured to have the same shape and a plurality of second convex portions 233 of the operation button 203 having different shapes are prepared, the strength of the pressing force can be adjusted by selecting the operation button 203 at a low cost. Can be done at.

The left and right two ribs 222 in FIGS. 9 and 10 are not limited to two ribs, and the two ribs 222 do not have the same shape but have different elasticity values, so that a wide range of pressing force can be obtained. The strength of can be adjusted at low cost.

Next, a portable electronic device having an operation button holding structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the second convex portion near the operation button of the mobile electronic device according to the fourth embodiment.

In the first, second and third embodiments,
The ribs 22, 122, 222 were provided on the lower cases 2, 12, 22, but in the fourth embodiment, the ribs 312 are provided on the upper case 301. The rest of the configuration and operation are the same as in the first embodiment, so description will be omitted. Even in such a structure, the same function as that of the first and third embodiments can be obtained, and therefore any one may be selected for the convenience of manufacturing.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the operation button is held in the lower case by the contact of the U-shaped portion of the lower arm and the two convex portions on both upper sides in total, the operation button is operated. There is no rattling of the buttons, and when the operation button is pressed, the operation button can move smoothly in the pressing direction, and an operation button with good usability can be provided.

Further, when it is desired to increase the pressing force of the operation button, the thickness of the rib contacting the convex portion of the operation button should be increased,
On the contrary, if you want to weaken the pressing force of the operation button, you can make the pressing force of the operation button that matches the target user or the operation button function by reducing the thickness of the rib. If necessary, change each elasticity value, and select an appropriate operation button from multiple operation buttons that have convex parts with different numbers of contact with the ribs and combine them to match the target user or the operation button function. There is an effect that the pressing force of can be used.

Further, since the convex portion of the operation button is formed in a wedge shape, the stroke in the pressing direction of the operation button can be limited, so that there is an effect that excessive pressing of the switch can be avoided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a portable electronic device including an operation button holding structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic partial perspective view in the vicinity of operation buttons in the lower case of the portable electronic device of FIG.

3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an operation button central portion AA cross section in the vicinity of an operation button of the portable electronic device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a BB cross section in the second convex portion near the operation button of the mobile electronic device in FIG.

5 is a schematic partial perspective view of the vicinity of the operation button in the lower case of the portable electronic device when the operation button of FIG. 2 is pressed.

6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the operation button center AA cross section near the operation button of the portable electronic device when the operation button of FIG. 3 is pressed.

FIG. 7 is a schematic partial perspective view in the vicinity of operation buttons in the lower case of the mobile electronic device according to the second embodiment.

8 is a schematic partial perspective view of the vicinity of the operation button in the lower case of the portable electronic device when the operation button of FIG. 7 is pressed.

FIG. 9 is a schematic partial perspective view in the vicinity of operation buttons in the lower case of the mobile electronic device of the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic partial perspective view of the vicinity of the operation button in the lower case of the portable electronic device when the operation button in FIG. 9 is pressed.

FIG. 11 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a second convex portion near an operation button of the mobile electronic device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a relationship between a detachable switch of an electronic device and an operation button which are conventionally used.

FIG. 13 is a schematic partial perspective view showing how the operation buttons are attached to the housing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 upper case 2, 102, 202, 302, 402 Lower case 3, 103, 203, 303, 403 Operation buttons 21, 121, 221, 421 Third convex portion 22, 122, 222, 312 ribs 23, 323, 423 holes 31, 131, 231, 331, 431 Arm 32, 132, 232, 332, 432 Flange 33, 133, 233, 333 Second convex portion 34, 134. 234, 434 First convex portion 35, 335, 435 Operation surface 36, 136, 236, 436 U-shaped part 41,441 switch 41a, 441a Pressing part 42, 342, 442 Printed circuit board

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-8-129927 (JP, A) Actually open 3-97977 (JP, U) Actually open 63-82329 (JP, U) Actually open 58- 81622 (JP, U) Actual Kaihei 5-11254 (JP, U) Actual Kohei 3-39880 (JP, Y2) Utility model registration 2505827 (JP, Y2) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01H 13/00-13/76 H01H 21/00 330 H01H 3/12

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A switch mounted on a substrate inside an electronic device.
Button for physically operating the switch from the outside.
A holding structure for a child device housing, wherein the operation button is inserted from inside the case such that the operation surface is on the outside of the case in a hole on a side surface of the case to which a board of the housing is fixed. A flange provided on the opposite side to the inner surface of the case, and a first convex portion for pressing the pressing portion of the switch on the surface opposite to the operating surface of the flange. A second convex portion, and a vertical arm portion that has fixing portions on the lower left and right sides and extends vertically from the fixing portion to the flange, and a central portion that extends from each tip of the vertical arm portion toward the tip of another vertical arm portion. Is provided with an elastically deformable locking member formed of a parallel arm portion projecting in a U-shape toward the flange surface, and two bottom convex portions of the case that are in contact with the second convex portion. The elastically deformable holding member and the U-shape of the locking member <br/> operation button holding structure characterized in that a fixing member for sealing is formed. 2. The second convex portion of the operation button has a wedge-shaped side surface whose maximum width is the width of the side surface of the top that first comes into contact with the holding member, and whose width decreases toward the bottom surface of the case.
The operation button holding structure according to claim 1 . 3. The holding member that comes into contact with the second convex portion of the operation button is divided into a plurality of pieces, and the second convex portion of the operation button is divided into a plurality of predetermined one or more pieces of the holding member. The operation button holding structure according to claim 1 , wherein the operation button holding structure has a contact surface that comes into contact with the held holding member. 4. A switch mounted on a substrate inside an electronic device.
Button for physically operating the switch from the outside.
A holding structure for a child device housing, wherein the operation button is inserted from inside the case such that the operation surface is on the outside of the case in a hole on a side surface of the case to which a board of the housing is fixed. A flange provided on the opposite side to the inner surface of the case, and a first convex portion for pressing the pressing portion of the switch on the surface opposite to the operating surface of the flange. A second convex portion, and a vertical arm portion that has fixing portions on the lower left and right sides and extends vertically from the fixing portion to the flange, and a central portion that extends from each tip of the vertical arm portion toward the tip of another vertical arm portion. Includes an elastically deformable locking member formed of a parallel arm portion protruding in a U shape toward the flange surface, and locking the U shape of the locking member on the bottom surface of the case. A case in which a fixing member is formed and is engaged with the case. Operation button holding structure characterized in that two elastically deformable retaining member in contact with the second protrusion on the lid is formed. 5. An electronic apparatus including operation buttons holding structure as claimed in any one of claims 4. 6. The electronic device according to claim 5 , wherein the electronic device is portable.