JP3610428B2 - Front side structure of instruments - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a front side structure of instruments, and more particularly to an improvement of a front side structure in instruments such as a process controller.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an instrument such as a process controller, a display unit for displaying a target value SV, a measured value PV from a control target, and other operation states is arranged on the front surface, while setting of the target value SV and switching of the operation are performed. It is necessary to arrange a plurality of switches for performing etc.
[0003]
Conventionally, in this type of instrument, a configuration in which a liquid crystal 7-segment LCD is arranged as a display and a plurality of push button switches is arranged as a switch is very common.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-mentioned front side structure of the instruments, it is necessary to arrange both the display and a plurality of switches, and since a push button switch is used as a switch, there is a limit to downsizing this switch. Under the recent demand for miniaturization of electronic devices, it has been an obstacle to further miniaturization as a whole.
[0005]
Moreover, when the front area is restricted to a narrow area for commercialization, it is necessary to arrange a plurality of push button switches in the narrow area, and it is difficult to increase the size of the 7-segment LCD, making it difficult to see the display. .
[0006]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem. In the instruments, it is possible to arrange a display space and a plurality of switches as wide as possible in a limited narrow front area, simplifying the configuration and The purpose is to provide the front side structure of instruments that can achieve price reduction .
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides a front case frame of instruments, a flexible insulating front sheet that covers the front case frame from the front side, and a part of the front sheet. A conductive portion formed on the back side of the projecting convex portion and a pair of electrodes formed on the sheet substrate disposed inside the front sheet and facing the conductive portion with a slight gap therebetween. A plurality of touch switch units arranged at the end of the front sheet, wherein the conductive unit contacts the electrode by pressing deformation of the convex part, and at least a plurality of touch switch units arranged on the back side of the front sheet A transmissive display board having a 7-segment character, and a chip-like light emitting element disposed on the back side of the transmissive display board at a distance from the transmissive display board and corresponding to the 7-segment character. It has and a road substrate.
[0008]
Moreover, in the present invention, one light emitting element arranged on the circuit board is arranged in each 7-segment character area and each adjacent 7-segment character area.
Further, in the present invention, the light emitting elements arranged on the circuit board are preferably arranged in a dusty manner.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4 are a sectional view and an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the front side structure of the instrument according to the present invention. 2 to 4 are drawn in a partially overlapping state.
[0010]
1 to 4, the front case frame 1 of the instrument is molded from a synthetic resin into a rectangular cylindrical frame shape, and has a stepped portion 3 having a large diameter on the front side on the outer periphery. Opposing locking pieces 5 extend rearward on the back side. Reference numeral 7 in FIG. 1 is a connecting portion that integrally connects the locking pieces 5 together with the main body of the front case frame 1.
[0011]
A flexible front sheet 9 made of an insulating synthetic resin is affixed to the front case frame 1 from the front side to close the hollow portion 11 of the front case frame 1.
[0012]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the front sheet 9 has a rectangular shape slightly smaller in diameter than the front case frame 1, and has a convex portion 15 that forms a touch-type switch portion (membrane switch) 13 described later. Are formed at predetermined intervals along the lower long side in a horizontally placed state.
[0013]
The convex portion 15 is projected so as to partially bulge the front sheet 9, and a conductive portion 17 mainly composed of carbon or the like is formed on the back surface of the convex portion 15. The convex portion 15 can be formed in a small circle or ellipse such as several mm to 8 mm.
[0014]
On the back side of the convex portion 15, a long and thin sheet substrate 19 is horizontally placed so as to be interposed between the front case frame body 1 and is received in contact with a contact plate 21 formed on the front case frame body 1. ing.
[0015]
The sheet substrate 19 is made of a flexible insulating synthetic resin, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a pair of electrodes 23 is formed in a region facing each conductive portion 17, and a circuit (not shown) is formed. A pattern is derived from the deriving unit 25, and a plurality of touch-type switch units 13 are formed. Reference numeral 27 in FIG. 6 is a spacer and is not necessary in some cases.
[0016]
The lead-out portion 25 is bent into an L shape and is connected to the main body substrate 55 from below the connector 47 described later.
[0017]
Further, in the front case frame 1, the contact plate 21 occupies 20 to 30% of the lower part when viewed from the front side, and the remaining 70 to 80% are the hollow part 11. The corresponding front sheet 9 is transparent or translucent.
[0018]
In FIG. 1, for ease of understanding, the front sheet 9 and the sheet substrate 19 with the electrodes 23 are illustrated with a certain degree of thickness, but actually, they are extremely thin compared to the front case frame 1.
[0019]
The front case frame 1 is fitted with a rectangular display 29 having a plurality of 7-segment characters in a rectangular shape, between the opposing locking pieces 5 and the connecting portions 7, and from the back side of the front case frame 1. These are arranged so as to be vertically placed so as to be in contact with the back surface side of the contact plate 21.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the display 29 has a 4-digit large 7-segment character 31 and a lower 4-digit 7-segment character 33 on the right shoulder of this lowest digit. It is a transmissive (translucent) type liquid crystal display panel having a display unit 35, and a 4-digit large 7-segment character 31 occupies an area of approximately 70 to 80% in the horizontal direction, and the remaining area is a small 4-digit 7-segment. The character 33 and the dot-shaped display part 35 occupy.
[0021]
The front case frame 1 has a substantially same outer shape as that of the display device 29 to diffuse light, and a transmissive diffusion plate 37 is fitted from the back side of the front case frame 1 so as to be in contact with the back surface of the display device 29. An auxiliary frame 39 having substantially the same outer shape as that of the display device 29 is fitted on the back surface of the display device 29 and is in contact with the back surface of the diffusion plate 37.
[0022]
The auxiliary frame 39 has a thickness for keeping a predetermined distance between a plurality of light emitting elements 43 formed on a circuit board 41 to be described later and the display 29. A region corresponding to the character 33 and the dot-shaped display portion 35 is a hollow portion 45. In the figure, reference numeral 47 denotes a connector.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the circuit board 41 is fitted into the front case frame 1 from the back side, and the locking protrusion 49 protruding from the front case frame 1 is locked in the locking hole 51 of the locking piece 5. Has been fixed.
[0024]
On this circuit board 41, semiconductor-type chip-like light emitting elements 43 are dispersedly arranged corresponding to the areas of the seven-segment characters 31 and 33 and the dot-like display portion 35 of the display 29. A drive circuit (not shown) and the like for driving the are formed.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 7, the light emitting element 43 has a large 7-segment character 31, one in the position surrounded by the lower or upper 4 segments of the 7-segment element, and the upper half between the adjacent 7-segment characters 31. Alternatively, they are arranged at a ratio of one in the lower half region, and are arranged in a scattered manner.
[0026]
In the small 7-segment character 33, two light-emitting elements 43 are arranged, and in the dot-shaped display portion 35, two light-emitting elements 43 are arranged corresponding to this region. The corresponding 7-segment characters 31 and 33 and the dot-shaped display part 35 can be irradiated from the back side through the diffusion plate 37 from the hollow part 45 of the auxiliary frame 39.
[0027]
A connector 53 is formed on the back side of the circuit board 41. By inserting the connector 53 into a connector 57 formed on the main body board 55, the main body board 55 and the circuit board 41 are mechanically and electrically connected. ing.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 4, the main body substrate 55 is fitted into the main body case 59 and fixed by an appropriate means.
[0029]
The main body case 59 is fitted into the front case frame 1 so as to cover the locking piece 5 and the connecting portion 7 and is locked and fixed to a locking portion 61 formed on the outer periphery. Reference numeral 63 in FIG. 4 denotes an auxiliary board.
[0030]
The front side structure of the instrument configured as described above is such that a flexible front sheet 9 made of an insulating synthetic resin is pasted on the front side of the front case frame 1 so that the hollow portion 11 of the front case frame 1 is attached. The convex portion 15 that bulges is formed on the lower side of the front sheet 9 and the conductive portion 17 is formed on the back surface of the convex portion 15, while the convex portion 15 corresponds to the convex portion 15 on the back surface side of the front sheet 9. A sheet substrate 19 is arranged at a position where the electrode substrate 23 is provided, and a pair of electrodes 23 facing the conductive portion 17 are provided on the sheet substrate 19 to form a plurality of touch-type switch portions 13. The transparent display 29 having the 7-segment characters and the like, the auxiliary frame 39, and the circuit board 41 are inserted, and the circuit board 41 emits a chip-like light emission at a position corresponding to the 7-segment characters 31 and 33 of the display 29, etc. Dispersing element 43 It was constructed by location.
[0031]
Therefore, unlike the push button switch, the touch-type switch unit 13 can be miniaturized to an extent that does not hinder the operation, and is useful for reducing the front side area. The display 29 can be directed to the display area, and the display 29 can be arranged larger than the switch unit 13.
[0032]
Therefore, there is an advantage that a large and easy-to-see display device 29 can be arranged and a small switch that can be operated can be arranged even if the front area is restricted to be narrow when commercialized.
[0033]
By the way, it is possible to arrange a liquid crystal display panel measuring 35 mm wide x 8 mm long in the front area of 48 mm wide x 24 mm long and four switch parts 13 having a height of about 4 mm in the horizontal direction. The waterproof effect was also good.
[0034]
In addition, the light emitting element 43 arranged on the circuit board 41 as the light source of the display device 29 is a large 7 segment character 31, one 7 segment element and one adjacent 7 segment at a position surrounded by the lower or upper 4 elements. Since the characters 31 are arranged in a distributed manner in the upper or lower region at a ratio of one, it is possible to secure a display that does not hinder visual observation even with a small number of light emitting elements 43, simplifying the configuration and reducing the price. Was achieved.
[0035]
Of course, it is possible to secure a certain display state even if the light emitting element 43 is arranged at a ratio of 1 for each 7-segment character 31 and 1 for each 7-segment character 31 without specifying the position of the light-emitting element 43. Thus, it becomes possible to display brightly when the dust is dispersed and arranged.
[0036]
For example, if one light-emitting element 43 is arranged at a position corresponding to the upper and lower central portions of each 7-segment character 31, a display effect can be obtained to some extent although display unevenness slightly occurs.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, since the present invention is configured by combining a touch-type switch with a transmissive display, it is possible to make the switch extremely small as compared with a push button switch, and the use arrangement of a large display can be reduced. It becomes possible.
Moreover, there is an advantage that even when the instrument is in a narrow space with a limited front area, it is possible to arrange a small switch that does not hinder the operation while ensuring as much display space as possible.
Since one light-emitting element arranged on the circuit board is arranged in each 7-segment character area and each adjacent 7-segment character area, the number of light-emitting elements can be reduced, and the structure can be reduced . There is an advantage that simplification can be achieved.
In addition, the configuration in which the light emitting elements arranged on the circuit board are shifted in the form of a dot has an advantage that the display unevenness of the display can be suppressed by a small number of light emitting elements and visibility can be ensured.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a front side structure of instruments according to the present invention.
2 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the front side structure of FIG. 1; FIG.
3 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the front side structure of FIG. 1; FIG.
4 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the front side structure of FIG. 1; FIG.
5 is an exploded perspective view showing a front sheet and a sheet substrate in FIG. 1. FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view showing the switch portion of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an arrangement relationship between 7-segment characters of the display device according to the present invention and light emitting elements as the light source.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Front case frame 3 Step part 5 Locking piece 7 Connection part 9 Front sheet 11, 45 Hollow part 13 Switch part (membrane switch)
15 convex portion 17 conductive portion 19 sheet substrate 21 contact plate 23 electrode 25 lead-out portion 27 spacer 29 indicator 31, 33 7 segment character 35 dot-shaped display portion 37 diffusion plate 39 auxiliary frame 41 circuit substrate 43 light emitting element 47 connector 49 Locking projection 51 Locking hole 53, 57 Connector 55 Main board 59 Main body case 61 Locking part 63 Auxiliary board

Claims (2)

The front case frame of the instrument,
A flexible insulating front sheet that covers the front case frame from the front side;
A conductive part formed on the back side of the convex part that partially protrudes the front sheet, and a pair formed on a sheet substrate disposed inside the front sheet and facing the conductive part with a slight gap therebetween. A plurality of touch switch units that are arranged at an end of the front sheet and operate by contacting the electrodes by the pressing deformation of the convex portions;
A transmissive display board disposed on the back side of the front sheet and having at least a plurality of 7-segment characters;
A circuit board having a chip-like light emitting element arranged on the back side of the transmissive display board at a distance from it and corresponding to the 7-segment characters;
Comprising
One of the light emitting elements arranged on the circuit board is arranged in each of the 7-segment character areas and each of the adjacent 7-segment character areas . The front side structure of an instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the light emitting elements arranged on the circuit board are arranged in a dusty manner .

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