JP4409201B2 - Directional operation key device and portable terminal device having the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a direction operation key device having a plurality of direction operation keys arranged in a circumferential direction, and a mobile terminal device including the direction operation key device and a mobile terminal device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a direction operation key device that can be pressed in a plurality of directions provided in a mobile terminal device, a plurality of diaphragm switches formed in a circumferential direction on a circuit board surface, and an elastic material such as silicon rubber facing each diaphragm switch Some have a plurality of pusher portions (projections) formed on the back surface of a key sheet made of a body and a circular key top (pressing portion) provided on the surface of the key sheet (for example, Patent Document 1). reference.).
When one end of the peripheral edge portion of the key top is pushed down with a finger, the key top is inclined and the key sheet positioned immediately below the one end of the key top is elastically deformed. And the pusher part located in the elastic deformation part of a key sheet presses a predetermined diaphragm switch, and a diaphragm switch turns on.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-101957
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional direction operation key device, since the diaphragm switch is arranged on the radially inner side of the key top, when the number of diaphragm switches is increased in the circumferential direction, diaphragms adjacent in the circumferential direction are arranged. The pitch between switches is shortened. For this reason, when the predetermined pusher portion is pushed down and the predetermined diaphragm switch is pressed, the movement amount of the other pusher portion adjacent to the pusher portion becomes substantially equal to the movement amount of the predetermined pusher portion. And there existed a problem that the other diaphragm switch adjacent to a predetermined diaphragm switch was accidentally pressed simultaneously by these other pusher parts.
Therefore, in the portable terminal device equipped with the above conventional direction operation key device, the desired diaphragm switch is not pushed, other diaphragm switches are pushed, or malfunction occurs, or a function contrary to the user's intention is activated, there was to Rutoitta inconvenience or to the unpleasant thought to the user.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides a direction operation key device capable of preventing an erroneous operation even when the number of diaphragm switches arranged in the circumferential direction increases, and a portable terminal device including the same. The purpose is to do.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means.
The invention according to claim 1 is provided in the housing and has a plurality of switch elements arranged in the circumferential direction, and a key sheet made of an elastic body having a plurality of protrusions arranged to face each switch element, A direction operation key provided on each protrusion and provided on the surface of the key sheet, and provided in the casing and arranged in a circumferential direction, and opposed to each switch element. A plurality of protrusions and a direction operation key provided on each protrusion, wherein the direction operation key is exposed to the outside from an opening formed in the housing; And a flange portion provided radially outward from the peripheral edge of the pressing portion, the plurality of switch elements and protrusions are disposed below the flange portion, and the housing includes the housing Place the flange part in a place facing the flange part. Possible stepped portions have a, and the flange portion and the step portion is in a state where the press portion is not pressed, it has a gap between the flange upper surface and the inner surface of the stepped portion, the press When the portion is pressed, the outermost end of the flange portion is in contact with the inner surface of the stepped portion .
In the present invention, the phrase “a plurality of switch elements are arranged in the circumferential direction” means a state in which a plurality of switches are arranged on the circumference of a virtual circle.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the direction operation key device according to the first aspect and the display unit are provided in a case, and the direction operation is performed from an opening provided on a surface substantially orthogonal to the thickness direction of the case. The portable terminal device is configured such that the pressing portion of the key device is exposed to the outside.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first casing provided with the direction operation key device according to the first aspect and the second casing provided with the display unit can be arranged to be superposed, In addition, the first and second casings are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around a reference axis along the overlapping direction, and are provided on a surface substantially orthogonal to the thickness direction of the first casing. The pressing portion of the direction operation key device is exposed outwardly from the opening, and the display surface of the display unit is exposed outwardly on a surface substantially orthogonal to the thickness direction of the second casing. A portable terminal device is configured.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 to 4 show one embodiment according to the present invention, and the embodiment described here is a case where the present invention is applied to a mobile phone. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cellular phone (mobile terminal device) 1 according to this embodiment includes a first casing 2 and a first casing 2 that can be overlapped in the thickness direction of the first casing 2. 2 and a connecting means 5 for connecting the two casings 2 and 3 so as to be openable and closable by rotating (AB direction) about a reference axis L1 extending in the thickness direction. Yes. The connecting means 5 is arranged so as to connect the end portions 2b and 3b (hereinafter referred to as the base end portions 2b and 3b) of the two casings 2 and 3, respectively.
[0011]
On one surface 2 a that is substantially orthogonal to the thickness direction of the first housing 2, there is provided an operation section 7 that includes a plurality of pressable operation keys. Further, a microphone portion 9 is provided at the front end portion 2c of the first housing 2 located on the opposite side of the base end portion 2b in the surface 2a. The operation unit 7 and the microphone unit 9 are covered with the second casing 3 in a state where the first and second casings 2 and 3 are overlapped and closed.
A display surface of the display unit 11 that displays various types of information is provided on the surface 3a of the second housing 3 that faces in substantially the same direction as the surface 2a of the first housing 2. In addition, a speaker portion 13 is provided on the front end portion (the other end portion) 3c of the second casing 3 located on the opposite side of the base end portion 3b in the surface 3a. The display unit 11 and the speaker unit 13 are exposed to the outside regardless of whether the two casings 2 and 3 are opened or closed.
[0012]
The operation unit 7 provided in the first housing 2 has a plurality of operation key devices 15 capable of pressing each one of a call key, an end call key, a numeric keypad, and the like, and a substantially circular appearance. A direction operation key device 17 that can be pressed in the eight directions around the center is provided.
As shown in FIG. 3, the direction operation key device 17 includes a total of nine diaphragm switches (switch elements) 21, 22 arranged on the surface 19 a of the circuit board 19 located inside the first housing 2, A plate-like key sheet 23 disposed opposite to the surface 19 a of the circuit board 19 and a key top portion (direction operation key) 25 disposed on the surface 23 a of the key sheet 23 are provided. The circuit board 19 is provided with electronic components (not shown) for controlling various functions such as a call function, a mail function, an Internet function, and a game function.
[0013]
The diaphragm switches 21 and 22 are electrically connected to the above-described electronic components via the circuit board 19. In addition, the eight diaphragm switches 22 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction with the one diaphragm switch 21 as the center.
The key sheet 23 is formed of an elastic body such as elastically deformable silicon rubber, and includes one protrusion 27 protruding from the back surface 23 b toward the circuit board 19 and eight protrusions 28. The protrusions 27 are disposed to face the diaphragm switch 21 located at the center, and the eight protrusions 28 are disposed to face the diaphragm switches 22 arranged in the circumferential direction.
[0014]
The key top portion 25 includes a substantially cylindrical first pressing member 29 and a substantially annular second pressing member 31.
The first pressing member 29 is arranged on the surface 23a of the key sheet 23 so as to be positioned immediately above the diaphragm switch 21 and the projection 27 located at the center, and the upper end 29a thereof is the first casing 2. It is inserted into a through hole 31a formed at the center of the second pressing member 31 so as to be exposed to the outside from the surface 2a. Further, a flange portion 29c extending radially outward from the peripheral edge portion is formed at the lower end portion 29b in the axial direction of the first pressing member 29 so that the first pressing member 29 does not come out of the through hole 31a. It is like that.
[0015]
The second pressing member 31 is inserted into the circular opening 2d that opens on the surface 2a of the first housing 2, and is exposed to the outside, and the radius extends from the periphery of the pressing portion 33 to the entire circumference. And a flange portion 35 formed to extend outward in the direction.
The flange portion 35 has a diameter larger than that of the opening 2d of the first housing 2, and the second pressing member 31 is prevented from coming out of the opening 2d.
The eight diaphragm switches 22 and the protrusions 28 described above are arranged immediately below the flange portion 35. Therefore, so that it is possible to eight diaphragm switch 22 as compared to the case that will be distribution directly below the pressing portion 33, formed wider pitch between the diaphragm switch 22 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.
In addition, a step portion 2f that can accommodate the flange portion 35 is formed on the inner surface 2e of the first housing 2 that faces the flange portion 35, and the step portion 2f allows the first housing 2 to be The two pressing members 31 can be easily positioned.
[0016]
A method of using the mobile phone 1 configured as described above will be described.
When the cellular phone 1 is carried in a bag or a pocket of clothes, the two casings 2 and 3 are overlapped and closed as shown in FIG. Further, when the mobile phone 1 is used from this state, as shown in FIG. 1, the second housing 3 is rotated 180 ° with respect to the first housing 2 around the reference axis L1. Then, the two casings 2 and 3 are opened to each other.
[0017]
In this state, for example, when making a call, the operation unit 7 is operated, and the call is started through the microphone unit 9 and the speaker unit 13.
For example, in a function for displaying various information on the display unit 11 such as a mail function, an internet function, a game function, etc., when selecting various information such as moving the cursor displayed on the display unit 11 and scrolling the screen. The direction operation key device 17 is operated while visually recognizing the display unit 11. That is, for example, when the screen displayed on the display unit 11 is scrolled to the right, the region of the second pressing member 31 located on the right side of the first pressing member 29 is fingered as shown in FIG. Press down with.
[0018]
During the pressing operation, the second pressing member 31 is inclined, and the key sheet 23 positioned immediately below the flange portion 35 to be pressed down is elastically deformed. Along with this elastic deformation, the predetermined projection 28 presses the diaphragm switch 22 located immediately below, and the diaphragm switch 22 is turned on. Thereby, the screen scroll in the right direction displayed on the display unit 11 by the electronic components mounted on the circuit board 19 is executed.
Note that the pitch between the predetermined protrusion 28 and the other protrusions 28 adjacent to the predetermined protrusion 28 is wide, and even if the second protrusion 31 is inclined and the predetermined protrusion 28 is pushed down, Since the amount of movement of the other adjacent protrusions 28 is small, the other adjacent diaphragm switches 22 are not accidentally pressed simultaneously.
[0019]
As described above, according to the mobile phone 1, the diaphragm switch 22 and the protrusion 28 are disposed directly below the flange portion 35 that expands radially outward from the peripheral portion of the pressing portion 33, thereby causing the circumferential direction. The pitch between the diaphragm switches 22 adjacent to each other can be increased. Therefore, even when the number of diaphragm switches 22 arranged in the circumferential direction is increased, it is possible to prevent other adjacent diaphragm switches 22 from being accidentally pressed when pressing a predetermined diaphragm switch 22.
[0020]
Further, since it is not necessary to enlarge the diameter of the pressing portion 33 exposed to the outside of the first housing 2 in accordance with the arrangement of the diaphragm switches 22 arranged in the circumferential direction, it corresponds to each diaphragm switch 22. The pressing positions of the pressing unit 33 can be arranged close to each other. Therefore, the amount of finger movement when operating the direction operation key device 17 can be reduced, and the operability of the mobile phone 1 can be improved.
Further, since the pressing portion 33 exposed to the outside of the first housing 2 can be formed small, the space between the direction operation key device 17 and the plurality of operation key devices 15 arranged adjacent thereto is increased in appearance. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the direction operation key device 17 and the operation key device 15 from being erroneously operated simultaneously.
In addition, since the pressing portion 33 exposed to the outside of the first housing 2 can be formed small, the direction operation key device 17 does not stand out remarkably, and a good appearance design can be maintained.
[0021]
In the above embodiment, the diaphragm switch 21 located at the center is provided. However, the diaphragm switch 21 may not be provided. At this time, since the first pressing member 29 for pressing the diaphragm switch 21 is not required, the second pressing member 31 may be formed in a substantially disk shape without the through hole 31a.
In addition, although eight diaphragm switches 22 are arranged in the circumferential direction, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least four diaphragm switches may be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In the case where only four diaphragm switches 22 are arranged in the circumferential direction, the size of the pressing portion 33 exposed outward from the surface 2a of the first housing 2 can be further reduced.
[0022]
Further, the planar shape of the key top portion 25 is not limited to a circular shape, but can take various shapes such as a rectangular shape in accordance with the arrangement position of the diaphragm switch 22, and a flange. The part 35 does not necessarily have to be formed over the entire periphery of the peripheral part of the pressing part 33, and may partially extend to the diaphragm switch 22.
In the present embodiment, the diaphragm switches 21 and 22 are used as the switch elements. However, any switch that can be used for the operation key device may be used.
[0023]
Furthermore, it is not limited to the mobile phone 1, and any portable terminal device such as a PDA or a notebook personal computer may be used as long as the two casings can be connected to each other by a connecting means and can be opened and closed. In addition, the mobile terminal device is not limited to having two housings, and may be configured from, for example, one housing provided with the direction key of the present embodiment. Furthermore, the direction operation key device 17 is not limited to the one provided in the portable terminal, and may be provided in various electronic devices such as a stationary personal computer.
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the switch element and the protrusion are arranged in the circumferential direction directly below the flange portion extending radially outward from the peripheral portion of the pressing portion. The pitch between adjacent switch elements can be increased, and even if the number of switch elements arranged in the circumferential direction is increased, other adjacent switch elements are prevented from being accidentally pressed when pressing a predetermined switch element. it can.
Further, since it is not necessary to increase the diameter of the pressing portion exposed to the outside of the casing, the pressing positions of the pressing portion can be brought close to each other, so that the operability of the direction operation key device can be improved.
[0025]
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2 and Claim 3, the operativity of a portable terminal device can be aimed at by providing a direction operation key apparatus in a portable terminal device. In addition, since the pressing portion exposed to the outside of the housing can be formed small, a mobile terminal device having a good appearance design can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which first and second housings of a mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention are opened.
2 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the first and second housings are mutually closed in the mobile phone of FIG.
3 shows direction operation keys in the cellular phone shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3A is an enlarged plan view, and FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.
4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state where an outer peripheral edge of a second pressing member is pressed down in the mobile phone of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Mobile phone (mobile terminal device)
2 1st housing | casing 2a surface 2d Opening part 3 2nd housing | casing 3a surface 17 Direction operation key apparatus 22 Diaphragm switch (switch element)
25 Key top part (direction operation key)
28 Protruding part 33 Pressing part 35 Flange part L1 First axis (reference axis)

Claims (3)

A plurality of switch elements provided in the casing and arranged in the circumferential direction, a plurality of protrusions arranged to face each switch element, a key sheet made of an elastic body, and provided on each protrusion, A direction operation key arranged on the surface of the key sheet,
The direction operation key includes a pressing portion exposed outward from an opening formed in the casing, and a flange portion disposed inside the casing and provided radially outward from a peripheral edge of the pressing portion. And
The plurality of switch elements and protrusions are disposed below the flange portion,
Wherein the housing, at a position opposite to the flange portion, possess can accommodate a stepped portion of the flange portion,
The flange portion and the stepped portion have a gap between the upper surface of the flange portion and the inner surface of the stepped portion when the pressing portion is not pressed, and in a state where the pressed portion is pressed, The direction operation key device, wherein an outermost end of the flange portion is in contact with an inner surface of the stepped portion . The direction operation key device according to claim 1 and a display unit are provided in a housing,
A portable terminal device, wherein a pressing portion of the direction operation key device is exposed to the outside through an opening provided on a surface substantially orthogonal to the thickness direction of the casing. A first axis provided with the direction operation key device according to claim 1 and a second case provided with a display section can be arranged to be superposed, and a reference axis along the superposition direction The first and second casings are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around each other,
The pressing portion of the direction operation key device is exposed outwardly from an opening provided on a surface substantially orthogonal to the thickness direction of the first casing, and substantially in the thickness direction of the second casing. A portable terminal device characterized in that a display surface of the display unit is exposed to the outside on an orthogonal surface.

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