JP4502271B2 - Operation knob structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation knob structure in which an operation knob body having an operation portion that is operated to be pushed is attached to an attachment portion by exposing the operation portion from an opening of a panel body of an electronic device or the like.

  Conventionally, an operation knob body structure (press key structure) has been proposed in which an operation knob body (key top body) is attached to a main body of an electronic device or the like so that the operation portion (key top) is exposed from the opening of the panel. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Specifically, a key top portion (operation portion) where a push operation is performed, a support frame body, and two elastic portions extending from the edge of the key top portion facing the support frame body to the support frame body are combined. A key top body (operation knob body) is formed by integral molding with resin. Then, the column portion protruding from the support frame is fitted into the recess formed in the main body panel, so that the key top portion is positioned so as to be exposed from the opening (key top hole) of the main body panel, and the key top body is Installed on the panel.

In such an operation knob body structure (pressing key structure), when the key top portion is pushed, the two elastic portions bend and the key top portion swings inward of the main body panel about the support frame body. Move. When the pressing on the key top portion is stopped, the two bent elastic portions are restored to the original state, and the key top portion returns to the original position.
Japanese Patent No. 3166978

  In the conventional operation knob body structure (pressing key structure) as described above, the amount of bending of the two elastic bodies is uniform when the pressing position of the key top part (operation part) is shifted from the central part to either the left or right. The key top part tends to tilt in the left-right direction. Further, since the balance of the bending amounts of the two elastic bodies greatly depends on the pressing position of the key top portion, the feeling of pressing changes depending on the pressing position of the key top portion. As described above, in the conventional operation knob body structure (press key structure), it is difficult to stably operate the operation part (key top part). This tendency becomes more prominent as the key top part (operation part) becomes larger.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and provides an operation knob structure capable of operating the operation unit more stably.

  The operation knob structure according to the present invention is configured to expose an operation knob body having an operation portion to be pushed and a flange portion integrally formed around the operation portion from an opening of the panel body. The operation knob structure further includes a hinge portion formed on an upper end edge of the flange portion, and a fixing portion protruding from a substantially central portion of the hinge portion. The hinge portion is located at each of both side end portions thereof, and has a movable portion formed with a first support protrusion on a surface opposite to the surface facing the panel body, A support member that sandwiches and supports the fixed portion of the operation knob body, and a receiving member that receives the movable support portion in contact with a first support protrusion formed at each movable portion of the hinge portion. It becomes the composition which has.

  With such a configuration, the fixing portion protruding from the substantially central portion of the hinge portion formed along the upper end edge of the flange portion in the operation knob body is fixed and supported by the support member of the mounting portion, and both sides of the hinge portion. Since the first support protrusion formed on the movable portion of the end is in contact with the receiving member of the mounting portion, when the operation portion of the operation knob body protruding from the opening of the panel body is pushed, The parts that continue from the substantially central part of the hinge part following the fixed part fixedly supported by the support member to the both side ends thereof are twisted, and the movable parts located at the both side ends of the hinge part come into contact with the receiving member. The first support protrusion is pivoted about the fulcrum. As a result, the operation portion swings inward of the panel body with the hinge portion as an axis with a sense of resistance due to the repulsive force of the twist. When the pushing operation on the operation portion is stopped, the torsion of the portion continuing from the substantially central portion of the hinge portion to the both end portions thereof returns to the original, and each movable portion located at the both end portions of the hinge portion is the first. It rotates in the direction opposite to the above rotation with the support protrusion as a fulcrum. As a result, the operation portion returns to the original state exposed from the opening of the panel body by swinging and returning with the hinge portion as an axis.

  Moreover, the operation knob structure which concerns on this invention WHEREIN: The said fixing | fixed part can be set as the structure which protrudes toward the said panel body and the opposite side from the said hinge part.

  With such a configuration, the fixing portion extending inward of the panel body from the substantially central portion of the hinge portion is fixedly supported by the support member of the mounting portion, so that the operation portion is pushed inward of the panel body. When the operation is performed, the pressing force can be more reliably received by the support member via the substantially central portion of the hinge portion, and the operation portion can operate more stably.

  Further, in the operation knob structure according to the present invention, each movable portion of the hinge portion may be configured to have a second support protrusion that abuts against the panel body on a surface facing the panel body.

  With such a configuration, the movable parts located at both end portions of the hinge portion are sandwiched between the receiving member that contacts the first support projection and the panel body that contacts the second support projection. When the movable part rotates about the first support protrusion, the entire surface facing the panel body of the movable part does not slide on the panel body, but the second support protrusion is the panel. Since it comes to slide on the surface, the friction between the hinge part and the movable part can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the operation knob structure according to the present invention, the first support protrusion may have a curved surface that is in contact with the receiving member.

  With such a configuration, each movable part formed at both end portions of the hinge portion can smoothly rotate with the first support protrusion as a fulcrum.

  In the operation knob structure according to the present invention, the first support protrusion may be configured such that a surface that contacts the receiving member is a spherical surface.

  Furthermore, in the operation knob structure according to the present invention, the receiving member may have a recess into which the first support protrusion is fitted.

  With such a configuration, since the first support protrusion fits into the recess of the receiving member, the movable parts formed on the both end portions of the hinge part can rotate more reliably using the first support protrusion as a fulcrum. To be able to move.

  Furthermore, in the operation knob structure according to the present invention, the concave portion may have a curved concave surface that matches the curved surface of the first support protrusion.

  With such a configuration, the movable portions formed at both end portions of the hinge portion can be rotated more smoothly with the first support projection portion fitted into the recess of the receiving member as a fulcrum.

  According to the operation knob structure according to the present invention, when the operation portion is pushed, there are portions that extend from the substantially central portion of the hinge portion following the fixed portion fixedly supported by the support member to each of both side end portions thereof. As the torsional and the movable parts located at both end portions of the hinge part pivot about the first support protrusions that contact the receiving member, the push operation position in the operation part is shifted from the central part. Even if it is shifted to the left or right, it is possible to prevent the operation unit from tilting to the left or right. In addition, even if the push operation position in the operation unit changes variously, the operation unit can be prevented from tilting to the left and right, so that the torsion at the portion that continues from the substantially central portion of the hinge portion to the both end portions is stabilized. As a result, the operation unit can be operated more stably.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The operation knob body applied to the operation knob structure according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIGS. 1 is a perspective view (a) showing the front side of the operation knob body and a perspective view (b) showing the back side (b), FIG. 2 is a side view showing the operation knob body, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the knob body, and FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the operation knob body.

  1 to 4, the operation knob body 100 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin such as ABS resin, and has a structure in which a flange portion 11 is formed around the operation portion 10 that is pushed. A hinge portion 20 is formed along the upper edge of the flange portion 11. The hinge portion 20 includes a base portion 21 located substantially at the center thereof, movable portions 23a and 23b located at both end portions thereof, and a twisted portion 22a extending from the base portion 21 to the movable portions 23a and 23b located at both end portions thereof. 22b. The movable parts 23a and 23b formed at both end parts of the hinge part 20 are integrally connected to the flange part 11, and the lower end edge of the base part 21 and the subsequent twisted parts 22a and 22b and the upper end edge of the flange part 11 A long hole 30 penetrating in the front and back direction is formed between the two.

  A fixing portion 24 is formed from the base portion 21 of the hinge portion 20 so as to protrude toward the back side direction of the operation knob body 100 (the direction opposite to the panel body 200 disposed on the surface side of the operation knob body 100 as will be described later). ing. The fixing portion 24 has a frame shape, and a hole 25 is formed at the center thereof. The fixing portion 24 has a claw portion 26 located in the hole 25, and the claw portion 26 is cantilevered at a portion facing the base portion 21 of the hinge portion 20 of the fixing portion 24 and above the fixing portion 24. Protruding.

  First support projections 27a and 27b are formed on the back side of the movable parts 23a and 23b of the hinge portion 20, and second support projections 28a and 28b are formed on the front side. Each of the first support protrusions 27a and 27b has a shape in which the lower end portion C1 is curved and rises up to the upper end surface of the movable portions 23a and 23b, and each of the second support protrusions 28a and 28b is The shape is substantially hemispherical (see FIG. 2).

  A boss 40 that presses a tact switch (not shown) installed behind the operation knob body 100 is formed at a predetermined position at the lower end of the flange portion 11 on the back side of the operation knob body 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the operation knob body 100 having the structure as described above is attached to an attachment portion 300 provided in the apparatus main body to which the panel body 200 is attached. 5 is a perspective view showing the main part of the attachment portion 300 and the operation knob body 100 attached to the attachment portion 300. FIG. 6 shows the operation knob body 100 attached to the attachment portion 300. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along a straight line L1 in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the straight line L2 in FIG.

  5 to 7, the attachment portion 300 includes a support member 50 and two receiving members 61a and 61b. The support member 50 has a block shape, and is formed with slits 51 that open to the front end surface and both side surfaces thereof, and a stop hole 52 that penetrates from the slit 51 to the upper surface. The vertical width of the slit 51 matches the thickness of the fixing portion 24 protruding from the base portion 21 of the hinge portion 20 described above, and the depth in the depth direction is equal to or longer than the protruding length of the fixing portion 24 from the base portion 21. Is a predetermined value. The support member 50 and the two receiving members 61 a and 61 b are such that the support member 50 corresponds to the fixed portion 24 of the operation knob body 100, and the two receiving members 61 a and 61 b are movable parts 23 a in the hinge portion 20 of the operation knob body 100. 23b is arranged corresponding to 23b. (Although not shown, the receiving members 61a and 61b are actually integrally molded as a part of the mounting portion 300.) And the fixing portion 24 of the operation knob body 100 is The claw portion 26 is fitted into the slit 51 until the claw portion 26 is fitted into the stop hole 52 of the support member 50 and locked. In this manner, with the claw portion 26 of the fixing portion 24 locked in the stop hole 52 of the support member 50, the fixing portion 24 is sandwiched and supported by the upper side and the lower side of the slit 51 of the support member 50 ( 6), the first support protrusions 27a and 27b formed on the movable parts 23a and 23b of the operation knob body 100 abut against the receiving members 61a and 61b (see FIG. 7, while FIG. The first support protrusion 27a is shown, but the same applies to the other first support protrusion 27b).

  As described above, the panel body 200 is disposed on the surface side of the operation knob body 100 attached to the attachment section 300, and the operation section 10 of the operation knob body 100 is exposed from the opening 210 of the panel body 200. As shown in FIG. 6, a rib 201 is formed on the back surface of the panel body 200 so as to face the base 21 of the hinge part 20 in the operation knob body 100, and the rib 201 abuts on the base 21 of the hinge part 20. ing. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the second support protrusions 28a and 28b formed on the movable parts 23a and 23b of the hinge part 20 in the operation knob body 100 are in contact with the back surface of the panel body 200 (note that FIG. 7 shows one of the second support projections 28a, but the same applies to the other second support projection 28b).

  As described above, the operation knob body 100 attached to the attachment portion 300 operates as follows.

  When the operation unit 10 exposed from the opening 210 of the panel body 200 is pushed inwardly in the panel body 200 (direction A shown in FIGS. 6 and 7), the fixing unit 24 is fixedly supported by the support member 50. Since the first support protrusions 27a and 27b of the movable parts 23a and 23b located at both end portions of the hinge part 20 are received by the receiving members 61a and 61b, the hinge part 20 corresponding to the fixed part 24 is provided. Each torsion part 22a, 22b (refer FIG. 1, FIG. 4) following the both ends of the hinge part 20 from the base 21 is twisted, and each movable part 23a, 23b is a receiving member 61a, as shown in FIG. The first support protrusions 27a and 27b that come into contact with 61b are pivoted. As a result, the operation portion 10 of the operation knob body 100 swings inward of the panel body 200 around the hinge portion 20 with a sense of resistance due to the repulsive force of the torsional portions 22a and 22b (FIGS. 6 and 7). (See dashed line). Accordingly, the boss 40 protruding from the back surface of the operation knob body 100 presses a tact switch (not shown) installed behind the operation knob body 100.

  When the pushing operation of the operation part 10 is stopped, the twists of the twisted parts 22a and 22b of the hinge part 20 are restored, and the movable parts 23a and 23b located at both end portions of the hinge part 20 are the first. The support protrusions 27a and 27b are used as fulcrums to rotate in the direction opposite to the rotation. As a result, the operation portion 10 of the operation knob body 100 returns to the original state exposed from the opening 210 of the panel body 200 by swinging and returning with the hinge portion 20 as an axis.

  According to the operation knob structure as described above, when the operation unit 10 is pushed inward of the panel body 200, the torsion parts 22a and 22b extending from the base part 21 of the hinge part 20 to both side ends thereof are twisted. Since the movable parts 23a and 23b located at both end portions of the hinge part 20 are rotated about the first support protrusions 27a and 27b that are in contact with the receiving members 61a and 61b. Even if the pushing operation position at 10 is shifted from the center to the left and right, the operation unit 10 does not tilt to the left and right. In addition, since the operation unit 10 does not tilt left and right even if the push operation position in the operation unit 10 changes variously, it is possible to stabilize the torsion at the twisted portions 22a and 22b of the hinge unit 20, and as a result, The operation unit 10 can be stably operated.

  Further, the fixing portion 24 of the operation knob body 100 is fixedly supported by the support member 50, and the base portion 21 of the hinge portion 20 from which the fixing portion 24 protrudes is pressed by the rib 201 of the panel body 200. By adjusting the length of the rib 201, the torsional force generated at the torsional parts 22a and 22b continuing from the base 21 of the hinge part 20 can be adjusted. That is, by adjusting the length of the rib 201, a desired push operation feeling can be easily obtained.

  The fixing portion 24 protrudes in the direction opposite to the panel 200 from the base portion 21 of the hinge portion 20, but may be protruded from the base portion 21 along the surface of the panel body 200. In this case, the support member 50 is disposed so that the slit 51 is along the surface of the panel body 200. However, when the fixing portion 24 is formed so as to extend from the base portion 21 of the hinge portion 20 in the opposite direction to the panel body 200, that is, inward of the panel body 200 as in the above-described example, the operation portion 10 is provided in the panel body 200. Since the pressing force can be reliably received by the support member 50 via the base portion 21 of the hinge portion 20 when being pushed inwardly, the operation portion 10 can be operated more stably. become.

  In addition, since the second support protrusions 28a and 28b formed on the surface side of the movable parts 23a and 23b located at both end portions of the hinge part 20 are in contact with the panel body 200, as described above, When the movable parts 23a and 23b rotate with the first support protrusions 27a and 27b as fulcrums, the sliding portions between the movable parts 23a and 23b and the panel body 200 become the second support protrusions 28a and 28b. Limited. For this reason, it becomes possible to reduce the friction between the rotating parts 23 a and 23 b that rotate and the panel body 200.

  Further, when the movable parts 23a and 23b located at both end parts of the hinge part 20 are rotated, as shown in FIG. 7, the curved lower end part C1 of the first support protrusions 27a and 27b is the receiving member 61a. , 61b is slid on the abutting surface, so that the fulcrum of each movable part 23a, 23b can be rotated more smoothly.

  The first support protrusions 27a and 27b described above can also be formed as shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, each first support protrusion is indicated by reference numeral 27, each movable part of the hinge part 20 is indicated by reference numeral 23, and the receiving member is indicated by reference numeral 61. ing.

In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the first support protrusion 27 is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape C2. Thereby, each movable part 23 in the hinge part 20 can be rotated more smoothly with the first support protrusion 27 as a fulcrum. In the example shown in FIG. 8B, the first support protrusion 27 formed in a substantially hemispherical shape C <b> 2 is fitted in the rectangular recess 65 formed in the receiving member 61. With such a configuration, the first support protrusion 27 is not displaced when each movable part 23 rotates, and a more reliable fulcrum rotation of each movable part 23 becomes possible. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 8C, the first support protrusion 27 formed in a substantially hemispherical shape C <b> 2 is fitted in the spherical recess 66 formed in the receiving member 61. With such a configuration, when each movable part 23 is rotated, the first support protrusion 27 is not displaced, and the movable part 23 can be pivoted more reliably. The fulcrum can be rotated more smoothly.
In the above-described embodiment, the movable parts 23a and 23b formed at both end portions of the hinge part 20 are integrally connected to the flange part 11, and the lower ends of the base part 21 and the subsequent twisted parts 22a and 22b. Although the long hole 30 penetrating in the front and back direction is formed between the edge and the upper end edge of the flange portion 11 (see FIGS. 1, 3 to 5), the base portion 21, without forming the long hole 30, The two twisted portions 22a and 22b and the both movable portions 23a and 23b may be configured to be integrated with the upper end edge of the flange portion 11.

  The mounting structure of the operation knob body according to the present invention has an effect that the operation section can be operated more stably, and the operation knob body having the operation section to be pushed is used as a panel body of an electronic device or the like. This is useful as an operation knob structure in which the operation portion is exposed from the opening and attached to the attachment portion.

It is the perspective view (a) which shows the front side of the operation knob body applied to the operation knob structure which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the perspective view (b) which shows the back side. It is a side view which shows an operation knob body. It is a front view which shows an operation knob body. It is a rear view which shows an operation knob body. It is a perspective view which shows the operation knob body of the state attached to the principal part and attachment part of an attachment part. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section in the straight line L1 in FIG. 4 of the operation knob body of the state attached to the attaching part. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section in the straight line L2 in FIG. 4 of the operation knob body in the state attached to the attaching part. Another shape example (a) of the first support protrusion, another structure example (b) of the receiving member that receives the first support protrusion, and still another structure of the receiving member that receives the first support protrusion It is a figure which shows the example (c).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Operation part 11 Flange part 20 Hinge part 21 Base part 22a, 22b Twist part 23a, 23b Movable part 24 Fixed part 25 Stop hole 26 Claw part 27a, 27b 1st support projection part 28a, 28b 2nd support projection part 30 Length Hole 40 Pressing part

Claims (7)

An operation in which an operation knob body having an operation portion to be pushed and a flange portion integrally formed around the operation portion is attached to the attachment portion by exposing the operation portion from the opening of the panel body. A knob structure,
The operation knob body further includes a hinge portion formed along an upper edge of the flange portion, and a fixing portion protruding from a substantially central portion of the hinge portion,
The hinge portion is located at each of both side end portions thereof, and has a movable portion in which a first support protrusion is formed on a surface opposite to the surface facing the panel body,
The mounting portion includes a support member that fixes and supports the operation knob body by sandwiching the fixing portion;
An operation knob structure comprising: a receiving member that contacts the first support protrusion formed at each movable portion of the hinge portion and receives the movable support portion.   The operation knob structure according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion protrudes from the hinge portion toward the opposite side of the panel body.   3. The operation knob structure according to claim 1, wherein each movable portion of the hinge portion has a second support projection that abuts against the panel body on a surface facing the panel body. 4.   The operation knob structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a surface of the first support projection portion that contacts the receiving member is a curved surface.   The operation knob structure according to claim 4, wherein the first support protrusion has a spherical surface in contact with the receiving member.   The operation knob structure according to claim 4 or 2, wherein the receiving member has a recess into which the first support protrusion is fitted. The operation knob structure according to claim 6, wherein the concave portion has a curved concave surface that matches a curved surface of the first support protrusion.

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