JP4371895B2 - Key switch structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a key switch structure used in an electronic device such as a mobile phone, and more particularly to a structure suitable for a directional key switch.

  Electronic devices such as cellular phones are equipped with four-way keys with push button switches arranged at four positions, up, down, left, and right, and directional key switch devices that execute desired signal processing by operating these four-way keys. (See Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In this direction key switch device, for example, four push button switches are arranged at a position occupying a corner of a quadrilateral on a switch board, and a keypad located thereon and the four push buttons located above the keypad are arranged. A directional key base covering the button switch and a casing provided with an opening for projecting the directional key base to the outside. By pressing any one of the four push button switches from the directional key base The push button switch at the pressed position is turned on, and predetermined signal processing is executed.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional configuration example of such a directional key switch. When the switch substrate 9 is fixed and pressed to the switch substrate 9 with a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) sheet 8 with adhesive glue, A metal dome 11 that realizes conduction by allowing the center to contact a contact wired on the substrate 9 and allows a predetermined input is disposed corresponding to each switch contact, and the illumination LED 14 of each key is appropriately set. It is arranged at the position.

  On the other hand, the direction key 2 for performing a pressing operation on the metal dome 11 is bonded and fixed to a rubber sheet 4 disposed between the housing 1 and the PET sheet 8, and a key flange 13 provided around the direction key 2. The upper surface of the housing 1 is disposed so as to overlap with the lower surface of the opening provided at a predetermined position of the housing 1 with a certain gap 15. The rubber sheet 4 is provided on the surface facing the PET sheet 8 so as to be positioned at the center of the direction key 2 in order to tilt the direction key 2 when the direction key 2 is pressed. The protrusion 5 and the pusher 6 provided on the circumference centering on the protrusion 5 for pressing the metal dome 11 are provided.

  The key flange 13 provided around the direction key 2 is provided for the purpose of preventing light from the illumination LED 14 from leaking from the gap between the opening of the housing 1 and the direction key 2. In addition, a gap 15 is formed between the upper surface of the key flange 13 and the lower surface of the opening of the housing 1 to allow the direction key 2 to tilt with the protrusion 5 as a fulcrum when the direction key 2 is pressed. .

JP 2003-45290 A JP 2003-272485 A

  Since the direction key 2 is fixed to the rubber sheet 4 and a certain gap 15 is provided between the key flange 13 provided around the direction key 2 and the opening of the housing 1, When the telephone is provided with the direction key 2, when the casing 1 vibrates due to the speaker sound at the time of incoming call or the operation of the vibrator, the vibration is transmitted to the direction key 2 through the rubber sheet 4, and the key flange 13 and the casing The opening of 1 may come into contact with vibration, and a tingling sound may be generated from the direction key 2, which may give the user a discomfort.

  In order to prevent the occurrence of such a rattling noise, as shown in FIG. 10, the surface under the key of the rubber sheet 4 is raised by one step from the reference surface, and this step is pressed by the casing 1 when assembled. There has been proposed a configuration (FIG. 10 a) in which the flange 13 is pressed against the housing 1 and a gap is provided between the protrusion 5 and the substrate 9 and between the metal dome 11 and the pusher 6. According to this configuration, it is effective for the noise of the key, but since there is a gap between the protrusion 5 and the substrate 9 when the direction key is tilted, the fulcrum of the key changes depending on where the key is pressed, and the operational feeling is not good. It is stable. Also, since the key stroke is larger than the metal dome stroke, the responsiveness is dull and the fingers are easily tired. Furthermore, when the amount of protrusion of the key from the housing cannot be taken sufficiently, the key sinks from the housing, and there is also a problem that the belly of the finger is difficult to press against the corner of the hole of the housing (FIG. 10d).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, there is a configuration in which the flange of the key 2 is deleted. This may be used for non-circular directional keys with different key flange movement ranges in each direction, but the LED 2 is generated from the flickering sound of the key 2 and the gap between the key 2 and the opening of the housing 1. In order to prevent light leakage, it was necessary to perform light-shielding printing on the rubber sheet 4.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to secure a light-shielding property in an electronic device such as a mobile phone having a direction key, and without damaging the operation feeling of the direction key, An object of the present invention is to provide a means for preventing flickering sounds such as direction keys generated due to the operation of a speaker.

  The present invention provides a plurality of push button switches arranged on a switch board so as to occupy a polygonal corner set on the switch board, and a fulcrum is set at the center of the polygon to accommodate the switch board. A direction key configured to be capable of depressing the plurality of push button switches by tilting about the fulcrum with respect to an operation of a pressing portion arranged to protrude from an opening of the housing, and the one side having the direction key In the direction key switch structure of an electronic device, comprising: a rubber sheet disposed such that a direction key is adhered and fixed, and a protrusion serving as a fulcrum for tilting the direction key on the other surface is in contact with the switch board; The tilt of the directional key is allowed around the fulcrum set between the upper surface of the key flange provided around the key and the lower surface around the opening of the housing. The gap, characterized in that by interposing a cushion member.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of push button switches arranged on the switch board so as to occupy a polygonal corner set on the switch board, and a fulcrum are set at the center of the polygon, A direction key configured to be capable of depressing the plurality of push button switches by tilting about the fulcrum with respect to an operation of a pressing portion disposed so as to protrude from an opening of a housing that houses the switch board; A direction key for an electronic device comprising: a rubber sheet, wherein the direction key is adhered and fixed to one surface, and a protrusion serving as a fulcrum for tilting the direction key is in contact with the switch board on the other surface In the switch structure, the directional key is allowed to tilt around the fulcrum between the upper surface of the key flange provided around the directional key and the lower surface of the opening of the housing. To the periphery of the key flange or the opening, the direction key, wherein the key flange inclined is formed of a soft material that deforms when a contact with the lower surface of the opening.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, the push button switch is operated by an operation of a push button switch arranged on the switch board and a push part arranged so as to protrude from an opening of a housing accommodating the switch board. In a directional key switch structure of an electronic device, comprising: a key configured to be depressable; and a rubber sheet having the other surface bonded to and fixed to the other surface and abutted against the push button switch. A cushion member is interposed between the upper surface of the key flange provided around the opening and the lower surface around the opening of the housing.

  According to the present invention, in a device having a direction key, for example, a mobile phone, the direction key always inclines with a protrusion at the center thereof as a fulcrum, so that the operational feeling is stabilized and further provided between the key flange and the casing. By using a cushion or a soft material, it is possible to prevent the noise of the keys generated due to the vibration or speaker sound.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a mobile phone to which a directional key switch structure of the present invention is applied and a front view showing a pusher arrangement on a rubber sheet, and FIG. 2 is a mobile phone showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the telephone, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the direction key switch structure of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the direction key switch of the present embodiment is operated. The configuration and operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  In this embodiment, the mobile phone is configured such that a first casing provided with a key operation unit, a microphone, and the like and a second casing provided with a display unit, a speaker, and the like can be folded by a hinge unit. The direction key 2 is disposed on the front case 1 of the first casing together with the numeric keypad 3 and the like. Note that the present invention can also be applied to an electronic device such as a mobile phone having a single housing without a folding hinge mechanism.

  The first casing is composed of a front case 1 and a rear cover 10, and the front case 1 is provided with openings for projecting the direction key 2, the numeric keypad 3, etc. to the outside of the casing. The rubber sheet 4 to which the numeric keypad 3 and the like are bonded and fixed is disposed so as to face the inner surface of the front case 1 so that the pressing surfaces of the direction key 2 and the numeric keypad 3 slightly protrude from the opening of the front case 1. Held in a state. In addition, the switch substrate 9 is connected to the contact point wired to the substrate 9 when it is fixed and pressed to the substrate 9 by the PET sheet 8 with adhesive glue, thereby realizing conduction and enabling a predetermined input. A metal dome 11 is arranged corresponding to each switch contact.

  The pressing position of the direction key 2 and the arrangement position of the numeric keypad 3 and the like correspond to the positions of the respective metal domes 11, and on the lower surface of the rubber sheet 4, that is, on the side facing the PET sheet 8, the direction key 2 or A projecting pusher 6 that depresses the corresponding metal dome 11 when the numeric key 3 is pressed, and a direction serving as a fulcrum when the pressing operation is performed on the direction key 2 located at the center of the direction key 2 A protrusion 5 for tilting the key 2 is provided.

  On the substrate 9, the illumination LEDs 14 of the respective keys are arranged at appropriate positions, and the key flange 13 provided around the direction key 2 is arranged so that the light of the illumination LEDs 14 is directed in the direction of the opening of the front case 1. Prevents leakage from the gap of key 2.

  A cushion 7 is affixed to the inner peripheral surface of the opening for projecting the directional key 2 among the openings provided in the front case 1. The cushion 7 is made of a soft material such as urethane foam. The cushion 7 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the key flange 13 of the direction key 2 to suppress the periphery of the direction key 2 from the upper side. It is configured not to directly contact the inner surface of the opening.

  The pushers 6 provided on the direction key 2 are arranged so as to occupy corners of a polygon (in the embodiment, a square) centering on the protrusion 5, and as shown in FIG. When the pusher position is depressed in the direction of the arrow, the direction key 2 starts to tilt with the protrusion 5 as a fulcrum, and the key flange 13 located on the opposite side of the depressed position starts crushing the cushion 7. When pressed further, the metal dome 11 comes into contact with the switch contact on the substrate 9 and the conduction is realized so that the direction key 2 cannot be pushed any more. However, the cushion 7 is thicker than the movement range of the key flange 13, and foamed urethane, etc. Since it is a soft material, the operation of the direction key 2 is hardly hindered.

  Further, when the direction key 2 is not operated, the key flange 13 is pressed against the cushion 7 by the rubber seat 4, so that even when the casing vibrates due to the operation of the vibrator or the sound of the speaker at the time of incoming to the mobile phone. Since the vibration is absorbed by the cushion 7 and is not transmitted to the direction key 2, it is possible to prevent a rattling sound generated when the direction key 2 and the front case 1 come into contact with each other.

  In the embodiment, the cushion 7 is affixed to the inner surface around the opening from which the direction key 2 of the front case 1 protrudes. However, the same effect can be obtained by affixing the cushion 7 to the upper surface side of the key flange 13. Can be obtained.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a directional key switch structure showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state where a position indicated by an arrow is pressed.

  In the present embodiment, instead of the cushion 7 in the first embodiment, a cushion portion 15 using a soft material such as rubber or elastomer is integrally formed with the housing (front case) 1. Also in this embodiment, when the specific pusher position of the direction key 2 is pressed in the direction of the arrow, the direction key 2 starts to tilt with the protrusion 5 as a fulcrum, and the key flange 13 located on the opposite side to the pressed position. Begins to crush the cushion portion 15. When pressed further, the metal dome 11 comes into contact with the switch contact on the substrate 9 and the conduction is realized so that the direction key 2 cannot be pushed any more. However, the cushion portion 15 is made of a soft material thicker than the moving range of the key flange 13. It is configured and hardly disturbs the operation of the direction key 2.

Further, when the direction key 2 is not operated, the key flange 13 is pressed against the cushion portion 15 by the rubber sheet 12 , so that the casing vibrates due to the operation of the vibrator or the sound of the speaker at the time of incoming to the mobile phone. However, since the vibration is absorbed by the cushion portion 15 and is not transmitted to the direction key 2, it is possible to prevent a rattling sound generated when the direction key 2 and the front case 1 come into contact with each other.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the directional key switch structure showing the third embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state where a position indicated by an arrow is pressed.

  In this embodiment, the cushion part 16 using soft materials, such as rubber | gum and an elastomer in 2nd Embodiment, is the structure integrally formed with the key flange 13. FIG. Also in this embodiment, the same effect as the second embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the directional key switch structure showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state where a position indicated by an arrow is pressed.

In the present embodiment, the opening of the housing (front case) 1 from which the direction key 2 protrudes is formed by rubberizing the side surface of the direction key 2 and the side surface of the opening facing the key flange 13 and the flange portion protruding from the side surface. The cushion portion 17 is made of a soft material such as rubber or elastomer and is integrally formed with the housing 1. In the case of the present embodiment, when a specific pusher position of the direction key 2 is pressed in the direction of the arrow, the direction key 2 starts to tilt with the protrusion 5 as a fulcrum, and the key flange 13 located on the opposite side to the pressed position. As a result, the cushion portion 17 is deformed and pushed up. When pressed further, the metal dome 11 comes into contact with the switch contact on the substrate 9 and the conduction is realized so that the direction key 2 cannot be pushed any more. However, the allowable deformation amount of the cushion portion 17 is larger than the movement range of the key flange 13. It is formed large, and it hardly disturbs the operation of the direction key 2.

When the direction key 2 is not operated, the key flange 13 is pressed against the cushion portion 17 by the rubber sheet 12 , so that the casing vibrates due to the operation of the vibrator or the sound of the speaker when the mobile phone is received. However, since the vibration is absorbed by the cushion portion 17 and is not transmitted to the direction key 2, no tingling sound is generated by the direction key 2.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the directional key switch structure showing the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state where the position of the arrow is pressed.

In the present embodiment, the key flange provided on the periphery of the direction key facing the opening of the housing 1 and on the peripheral side surface of the direction key 2 is integrated as a cushion portion 18 using a soft material such as rubber or elastomer. It has a molded configuration. In the case of this embodiment, when the specific pusher position of the direction key 2 is pressed in the direction of the arrow, the direction key 2 starts to tilt with the protrusion 5 as a fulcrum, and the cushion portion 18 located on the opposite side to the pressed position. The flange portion is deformed and pushed downward. When pressed further, the metal dome 11 comes into contact with the switch contact on the substrate 9 and the conduction is realized and the direction key 2 cannot be pushed any more. However, the allowable deformation amount of the cushion portion 18 is from the movement range as the key flange. It is formed large, and it hardly disturbs the operation of the direction key 2.

When the direction key 2 is not operated, the upper surface of the key flange formed by the cushion portion 18 is pressed against the lower surface of the opening of the housing (front case) 1 by the rubber sheet 12 , so Even if the case vibrates due to the operation of the vibrator or the sound of the speaker at the time of incoming call, the vibration is absorbed by the cushion portion 18 and is not transmitted to the direction key 2, so that no tingling sound is generated by the direction key 2.

  Further, in each of the embodiments described above, the direction key switch 2 is the object, but the flange portion of the numeric keypad 3 and the like configured such that the key moves only up and down, and the lower part around the opening of the housing 1 from which the numeric key projects. The cushion member 7 of the present invention may be interposed between the two. For example, in a cellular phone or the like, when the housing 1 vibrates due to the ringing of a vibrator when receiving an incoming call, and the vibration causes a flickering sound when the flange portion of the numeric keypad 3 and the lower portion around the opening of the housing 1 come into contact with each other. By interposing the cushion member 7 between the flange portion of the numeric keypad 3 and the lower part of the periphery of the opening of the housing 1 from which the numeric key protrudes, it is possible to suppress the rattling noise of the numeric keypad 3.

It is a front view of the mobile phone to which the present invention is applied and a front view showing the arrangement of the pushers on the rubber sheet. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mobile phone showing a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the direction key switch structure of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation state of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the direction key switch structure which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the direction key switch structure which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the direction key switch structure which shows the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the direction key switch structure which shows the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the direction key switch structure which shows a prior art example. It is sectional drawing of the direction key switch structure which shows the other example of the past. It is sectional drawing of the direction key switch structure which shows the other another example of the past.

Explanation of symbols

1 Case (front case)
2 direction keys 3 Numeric keypad 4 and 12 Rubber sheet 5 Protrusion 6 Pusher 7 Cushion member 8 Adhesive paste PET sheet 9 Switch board 10 Rear cover 11 Metal dome 13 Key flange 14 LED
15, 16 Cushion part using soft material 17 Periphery of opening integrally formed with soft material 18 Key flange part integrally formed with soft material

Claims (2)

A plurality of push button switches arranged on the switch board so as to occupy a polygonal corner set on the switch board, and a fulcrum set at the center of the polygon, and an opening of a housing for housing the switch board A direction key configured to be able to press the plurality of push button switches by tilting around the fulcrum with respect to an operation of a pressing portion arranged to protrude from the portion, and the direction key is bonded to one surface A rubber sheet that is fixed so that a projection serving as a fulcrum for tilting the direction key on the other surface is in contact with the switch board, and light for key illumination is provided between the direction key and the opening of the housing. In a direction key switch structure of an electronic device provided with a key flange provided on a peripheral side surface of the direction key in order to prevent leakage from the gap,
The side surface of the directional key facing the opening of the housing and the key flange are formed of a soft material, and the key flange made of the soft material is formed by the rubber sheet when the directional key is not operated. the upper surface is pressed against the opening lower surface of the housing, an electronic apparatus according to modified wherein Rukoto to allow the inclination of the direction keys around the fulcrum when the direction key is operated Directional key switch structure. A cellular phone comprising the key switch structure according to claim 1.

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