JP4674801B2 - Operation button mounting structure in electronic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure for attaching an operation button to a predetermined panel body such as a front panel unit in an electronic device such as an in-vehicle audio device.

  Conventionally, a structure for mounting an operation button unit on a front decorative panel in an in-vehicle audio device has been proposed (see, for example, FIG. 5 in Patent Document 1). This includes a plate-like operation knob that is operated to be pushed and hinge portions that extend on both sides of the operation knob. The hinge portion is bent by the pushing operation of the operation knob, and the operation knob swings. The operation button unit configured as described above is attached to the front decorative panel of the in-vehicle audio device with the operation knob exposed from the opening. Specifically, the fixing portion formed along the hinge portion is fixed by being sandwiched between the back surface of the front decorative panel and the light guide, and the operation knob swings as the hinge is bent by the pressing operation of the operation knob. It is supposed to be.

With the operation button attached to the front decorative panel in such a structure, when the operator pushes the operation knob by a predetermined amount (by pushing operation), the hinge portion is bent and the operation knob swings inside the front decorative panel. The projection formed on the back surface of the operation knob pushes the stem of the switch element disposed on the back surface side of the front decorative panel. Moreover, if the pressing force on the operation knob is removed, the operation knob that has been swung inside the front decorative panel is swung in the opposite direction by returning the bent hinge part to the original position, and returned to the original position. The protrusion formed on the back surface of the operation knob is separated from the stem of the switch element. In this way, the switch element is turned on and off depending on whether or not the operation knob is pushed.
JP-A-9-320394

  When the operation button unit that swings the operation knob by deformation of the hinge part such as the bending of the hinge part as described above is attached to the panel body such as the front decorative panel, the hinge part that is easily deformed. Since the portion (fixed portion) formed subsequent to is fixed, the hinge portion may be bent into an undesired shape depending on the shape of the fixed portion and the fixing method. Usually, the operation knob is restricted from being pushed out of the panel body by the peripheral edge of the opening of the panel body. Therefore, when the operation button unit is attached to the panel body, the operation knob is bent by the hinge portion. May tilt to the inside of the panel body. If the operation knob is tilted to the inside of the front panel body in this way, a switch element that should be disposed on the back side of the operation knob interferes with the operation knob, and there is a situation in which the switch element cannot be disposed appropriately. obtain.

  As described above, when the operation knob (operation button unit) is tilted inward of the panel body, a slight gap is generated between the operation button unit and the panel body. For this reason, when vibration is applied to the device, the operation button unit slightly vibrates, and the flange around the operation knob of the operation button unit that slightly vibrates may repeatedly hit the panel body to generate abnormal noise called a rattle. .

  In order to prevent such a phenomenon, for example, a structure has been proposed in which a biasing member such as a thin leaf spring is separately disposed on the back side of the flange portion of the operation button unit so that the flange portion is pressed against the panel body. ing. However, since components such as a switch element are arranged on the back side of the operation button unit, it is difficult to secure a space for arranging the urging member. Moreover, it is not preferable to secure such a space from the viewpoint of thinning the device in the depth direction.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and reliably prevents the deformable hinge portion from bending and tilting the operation knob to the inside of the panel body without providing a separate member on the back side of the operation knob. The present invention provides an operation button mounting structure in an electronic device that can be used.

An operation button mounting structure in an electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation knob that performs a push operation and hinge portions that extend on both sides of the operation knob, and the hinge portion is moved by the push operation of the operation knob. An operation button unit that is twisted so that the operation knob swings is attached to a predetermined panel body in an electronic device by exposing the operation knob from an opening, and is provided on the predetermined panel body, A support member formed with a groove part into which the end part is fitted, and a pressing member that presses an end part of the hinge part fitted into the groove part from the opening side of the groove part, and the groove part of the support member is A bottomed groove recessed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pushing operation direction of the operation knob, and a first contact portion between the first surface facing the bottom surface of the groove portion at the end of the hinge portion and the bottom surface, The presser foot at the end of the hinge A first surface, a second surface of the end of the hinge portion such that a second contact portion between the second surface facing the pressing surface of the material and the pressing surface is positioned on the pressing operation surface side of the operation knob; The bottom surface of the groove and the pressing surface of the pressing member are formed.

  With such a configuration, the end portion of the hinge portion is fitted into the groove portion of the support member provided in the predetermined panel body, and the operation is performed in a state where the end portion of the hinge portion is pressed from the opening side of the groove portion by the pressing member. A button unit is attached to the predetermined panel body. At this time, the pressing force by the pressing member acts on the second surface of the end of the hinge portion from the pressing surface of the pressing member via the second contact portion, and the reaction force of the pressing force by the pressing member is It acts on the 1st surface of the edge part of a hinge part from the bottom face of the groove part in a supporting member via a 1st contact site | part. Since the second contact part where the pressing force by the pressing member acts is located closer to the push operation surface side of the operation knob than the first contact part where the reaction force from the bottom surface of the groove acts, the end of the hinge part Torque is generated in the direction of swinging the operation knob outward of the push operation surface. The operation knob is urged toward the outside of the push operation surface by the torque.

  Further, the operation button mounting structure in the electronic device according to the present invention is configured such that the clearance between the bottom surface and the first surface of the end of the hinge portion is increased by inclining the bottom surface of the groove portion in the support member. It can be set as the structure which became gradually small toward the reverse side of the said pushing operation surface of an operation knob.

  With such a configuration, the clearance between the bottom surface of the groove portion of the support member and the first surface of the end portion of the hinge portion facing the bottom surface gradually decreases in the direction opposite to the push operation surface of the operation knob. The bottom surface and the first surface come into contact with each other to form a first contact portion. As a result, the first contact portion can be formed further away from the push operation surface of the operation knob. From the bottom surface of the groove portion of the support member to the first surface of the end portion of the hinge portion via the first contact portion. The reaction force acting is greatly reflected by the torque generated at the end of the hinge portion.

  Further, the operation button mounting structure in the electronic device according to the present invention is configured such that the first surface of the end portion of the hinge portion is inclined to form a space between the bottom surface and the first surface of the end portion of the hinge portion. The clearance may be gradually reduced toward the opposite side of the push operation surface of the operation knob.

  With this configuration, as described above, the clearance between the bottom surface of the groove portion of the support member and the first surface of the end portion of the hinge portion facing the bottom surface is opposite to the push operation surface of the operation knob. The surface gradually decreases toward the surface, and the bottom surface and the first surface come into contact with each other to form a first contact portion. As a result, the first contact portion can be formed further away from the push operation surface of the operation knob. From the bottom surface of the groove portion of the support member to the first surface of the end portion of the hinge portion via the first contact portion. The reaction force acting is greatly reflected by the torque generated at the end of the hinge portion.

  Further, the operation button mounting structure in the electronic device according to the present invention is such that the second surface of the pressing member and the second end portion of the hinge portion are inclined by inclining the second surface of the end portion of the hinge portion. A clearance between the operation knob and the surface can be gradually reduced toward the push operation surface of the operation knob.

  With such a configuration, the clearance between the pressing surface of the pressing member and the first surface at the end of the hinge portion facing the pressing surface gradually decreases toward the pressing operation surface of the operation knob, and the presser The surface and the second surface are in contact with each other to form a second contact portion. Accordingly, the second contact portion can be formed closer to the pressing operation surface of the operation knob, and acts on the second surface of the end portion of the hinge portion from the pressing surface of the pressing member via the second contact portion. The pressing force is greatly reflected by the torque generated at the end of the hinge portion.

  Furthermore, the operation button mounting structure in the electronic apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that the pressing surface of the pressing member and the second surface at the end of the hinge portion are inclined by inclining the pressing surface of the pressing member. The clearance can be gradually reduced toward the push operation surface of the operation knob.

  With this configuration, as described above, the clearance between the pressing surface of the pressing member and the first surface of the end of the hinge portion facing the pressing surface is directed toward the pressing operation surface of the operation knob. It becomes small gradually and the pressing surface and the second surface come into contact with each other to form a second contact portion. Accordingly, the second contact portion can be formed closer to the pressing operation surface of the operation knob, and acts on the second surface of the end portion of the hinge portion from the pressing surface of the pressing member via the second contact portion. The pressing force is greatly reflected by the torque generated at the end of the hinge portion.

  According to the operation button mounting structure in the electronic device according to the present invention, the second contact portion where the pressing force by the pressing member acts is more control knob than the first contact portion where the reaction force from the bottom surface of the groove portion acts on the support member. Is located on the side of the push operation surface, torque is generated in the direction of swinging the operation knob outward of the push operation surface at the end of the hinge, and the operation knob is pushed by the torque. As the operation button unit is attached to the predetermined panel body, the hinge part that is easily deformed is bent and the operation knob is tilted to the inside of the panel body. This can be reliably prevented without providing a biasing member separately.

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

  An operation button mounting structure in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to, for example, an operation button mounting structure in an in-vehicle audio device. This in-vehicle audio apparatus has a front panel unit 100 as shown in FIG. The front panel unit 100 has a structure in which a display panel (for example, an LCD panel) 11 is fitted in a panel frame 12 in which various operation buttons and the like are arranged. As shown in FIG. 2, the panel frame 12 is fixedly bonded to the panel body 10, and from an opening 101 formed at a predetermined bonding portion between the panel frame 12 and the panel body 10 on the lower end surface of the front panel unit 100. The operation knob 21 of the operation button unit 20 as shown in FIG. 3 is exposed. Although not shown, the front panel unit 100 is provided on the front surface of the in-vehicle audio device main body so as to be freely opened and closed, and the operation knob 21 is a drive mechanism for closing the front panel unit 100 in an open state. This is for operating a switch for activating.

  The operation button unit 20 shown in FIG. 3 is formed of a synthetic resin such as ABS resin. A flange portion 22 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the operation knob 21, and the operation knob 21 extends from the flange portion 22 on one end side of the operation knob 21. The hinge portions 23 a and 23 b are formed so as to extend on both sides of the 21. Protrusions 24a and 24b projecting toward the push operation surface 21a of the operation knob 21 are formed at the ends of the hinge portions 23a and 23b.

  A structure for attaching the operation button unit 20 to the panel frame 12 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a notch 13 that forms part of the opening 101 (see FIG. 2) in the front panel unit 100 described above is formed inside the lower wall of the panel frame 12. Support members 14a and 14b are formed at predetermined left and right portions of the peripheral portion of the. With the flange 22 of the operation button unit 20 along the peripheral edge of the notch 13, the hinges 23 a and 23 b are fitted into the support members 14 a and 14 b, and the component mounting unit 50 is fitted and fixed to the lower part of the panel frame 12. As a result, the hinge portions 23 a and 23 b are fixed by the support members 14 a and 14 b and the operation button unit pressing portion 50 a of the component mounting unit 50. Further, the specific structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 is a front view showing a relative positional relationship between the operation button unit pressing portion 50a and the operation button unit 20. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the operation button unit pressing portion 50a, the operation button unit 20, and the support member 14a. , 14b, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a fixing structure of the end of the hinge part 23a of the operation button unit 20. As shown in FIG.

  In these drawings, a groove 15 is formed in each support member 14a, 14b, and the end of each hinge 23a, 23b of the operation button unit 20 is fitted in the groove 15 of the corresponding support member 14a, 14b. (See FIG. 6). The operation button pressing portion 50a has hinge pressing portions 51a and 51b formed at a distance corresponding to the distance between the ends of the hinge portions 23a and 23b of the operation button unit 20 (FIGS. 5 and 6). reference). As described above, by fitting and fixing the component mounting unit 50 to the lower portion of the panel frame body 12, the hinge pressing portions 51a and 51b of the hinge portions 23a and 23b fitted into the corresponding groove portions 15 of the support members 14a and 14b. The end is pressed from the opening side of the groove 15 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). As a result, the operation button unit 20 is attached to the panel frame 12 with the end portions of the hinge portions 23a and 23b fixed by the corresponding hinge pressing members 51a and 51b and the corresponding groove portions 15 of the support members 14a and 14b. It is done.

  On the back side of the operation button unit 20, a tact switch 31 mounted on the substrate 30 is disposed as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 7, an operation protrusion 25 is formed on the surface (back surface) opposite to the push operation surface 21 a of the operation knob 21, and the switch knob 31 a of the tact switch 31 and the operation button unit 20 The operation protrusion 25 is opposed to the operation protrusion 25 with a slight gap.

  The fixing structure of the end portion of the hinge portion 23a by the groove portion 15 of the support member 14a and the hinge pressing member 51a is the same as the fixing structure of the end portion of the hinge portion 23b by the groove portion 15 of the supporting member 14b and the hinge pressing member 51b. Therefore, hereinafter, the fixing structure of the end portion of the hinge portion 23a by the groove portion 15 of the support member 14a and the hinge pressing member 51a will be described in more detail.

  As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 8, the protrusion 24a formed at the end of the hinge 23a abuts against the inner surface of the groove 15 in the support member 14a, and the end of the hinge 23a is securely fitted into the groove 15. It is in a combined state. The clearance between the first surface 231 at the end of the hinge portion 23 a facing the bottom surface 150 of the groove portion 15 in the support member 14 a and the bottom surface 150 of the groove portion 15 is directed to the opposite side of the push operation surface 21 a of the operation knob 21. The bottom surface 150 of the groove portion 15 is inclined so as to become gradually smaller. Thereby, the part Pa (hereinafter, referred to as a first contact part) where the first surface 231 at the end of the hinge part 23a and the bottom surface 150 of the groove part 15 in the support member 14a are further away from the pushing operation surface 21a of the operation knob 21. Touch at.

  Further, the clearance between the second surface 232 at the end of the hinge portion 23a facing the pressing surface 510 of the hinge pressing member 51a and the pressing surface 510 is gradually decreased toward the pressing operation surface 21a of the operation knob 21. The 2nd surface 232 of the edge part of the hinge part 23a inclines so that it may become. As a result, the second surface 232 at the end of the hinge portion 23a and the pressing surface 510 of the hinge pressing member 51a come into contact with each other at a portion Pb (hereinafter referred to as a second contact portion) closer to the pressing operation surface 21a of the operation knob 21. To do. The second contact site Pb is located closer to the push operation surface 21a of the operation knob 21 than the first contact site Pa.

  In the mounting structure of the operation button unit 20 as described above, the pressing force by the hinge pressing member 51a acts on the second surface 232 at the end of the hinge portion 23a from the pressing surface 510 via the second contact portion Pb. Further, the reaction force of the pressing force by the hinge pressing member 51a acts on the first surface 231 at the end of the hinge portion 23a from the bottom surface 150 of the groove portion 15 in the support member 14a via the first contact portion Pa. The second contact part Pb on which the pressing force by the hinge pressing member 51a acts is located closer to the pushing operation surface 21a side of the operation knob 21 than the first contact part Pa on which the reaction force from the bottom surface 150 of the groove 15 acts. Therefore, torque is generated at the end portion of the hinge portion 23a in a direction in which the operation knob 21 is swung outward from the pushing operation surface 21a. The operation knob 21 is urged toward the outside of the push operation surface 21a by the torque.

  Since the operation button unit 20 is attached to the panel frame 12 in a state where the operation knob 21 is urged toward the outside of the push operation surface 21a in this way, it is easily deformed when the front panel unit 100 is assembled. The operating knob 21 supported by the hinge portions 23a and 23b is tilted inward, and the operating protrusion 25 formed on the back surface of the operating knob 21 does not interfere with the switch knob 31a of the tact switch 31, and the tact switch 31 is operated. It is possible to prevent a situation in which proper arrangement is not possible.

  In addition, as a result of the operation knob 21 being urged toward the outer side of the push operation surface 21a, the flange portion 22 around the operation knob 21 is always pressed against the back surface of the panel frame 12, so that It is possible to prevent the occurrence of rattle noise due to the slight vibration of the operation button unit 20 due to the vibration of the electronic device (vehicle audio device).

  As described above, in the in-vehicle audio device having the structure in which the operation button unit 20 is attached to the panel frame body 12, when the push operation surface 21 a of the operation knob 21 is pushed, the hinge portions 23 a and 23 b are twisted and the operation knob 21 is moved. The operation protrusion 25 formed on the back surface of the operation knob 21 pushes the switch knob 31 a of the tact switch 31. When the switch knob 31a of the tact switch 31 is pressed (ON operation), the closing operation of the front panel unit 100 is started. When the pressing operation of the pressing operation surface 21 of the operation knob 21 is stopped, the force when the hinges 23a and 23b return torsion and the torque generated in the hinges 23a and 23b are combined. Thus, the operation knob 21 immediately returns to the original position (see FIG. 2) where it is properly exposed from the opening 101 of the front panel unit 100.

  The first surface 231 and second surface 232 of the hinge portion 23a (23b), the bottom surface 150 of the groove portion 15 in the support member 14a (14b), and the pressing surface 510 of the hinge pressing member 51a (51b) are as shown in FIG. It may be formed.

  In this case, the hinge portion 23a is such that the clearance between the bottom surface 150 of the groove portion 15 and the first surface 231 at the end of the hinge portion 23a gradually decreases toward the opposite side of the push operation surface 21a of the operation knob 21. The first surface 231 at the end of the is inclined. In addition, the pressing surface 510 is formed so that the clearance between the pressing surface 510 of the hinge pressing member 51a and the second surface 232 at the end of the hinge portion 23a gradually decreases toward the pressing operation surface 21a of the operation knob 21. Inclined. Accordingly, as in the case shown in FIG. 8, the first contact portion Pa between the first surface 231 at the end of the hinge portion 23 a and the bottom surface 150 of the groove portion 15 in the support member 14 a is the push operation surface 21 a of the operation knob 21. The second contact site Pb between the second surface 232 at the end of the hinge portion 23a and the pressing surface 510 of the hinge pressing member 51a is closer to the pressing operation surface 21a of the operation knob 21. That is, the second contact site Pb is positioned closer to the push operation surface 21a of the operation knob 21 than the first contact site Pa, and torque is generated in the hinge portion 23a as in the case of FIG. The operation knob 21 is urged toward the outside of the push operation surface 21a by the torque. As a result, the same effect as the fixing structure shown in FIG. 8 can be obtained.

  If the second contact part Pb is located closer to the push operation surface 21 of the operation knob 21 than the first contact part Pa, the first surface 231 and the second surface 232 of the hinge portion 23a (23b). The bottom surface 150 of the groove 15 in the support member 14a (14b) and the pressing surface 510 of the hinge pressing member 51a (51b) can be arbitrarily formed. However, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the one where the space | interval along the outer direction (inward direction) of the pushing operation surface 21 of the operation knob 21 of the said 1st contact site | part Pa and 2nd contact site | part Pc is larger. This is preferable in that the torque generated in the hinge portion 23a (23b) is further increased, and the urging force for directing the operation knob 21 to the outside of the push operation surface 21 is increased.

  As described above, the operation button mounting structure in the electronic apparatus according to the present invention has a separate urging member on the back side of the operation knob so that the easily deformable hinge portion is bent and the operation knob is tilted to the inside of the panel body. This is advantageous in that it can be reliably prevented without being provided, and is useful as a structure for attaching an operation button to a predetermined panel body such as a front panel unit in an electronic device such as an in-vehicle audio device.

It is a front view of the front panel unit of the vehicle-mounted audio apparatus with which the operation button unit should be attached by the operation button attachment structure in the electronic device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the lower end surface of the front panel unit shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of an operation button unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a panel frame, an operation button unit, and a component attachment unit. It is a front view which shows the relative positional relationship of an operation button unit press part and an operation button unit. It is a perspective view which shows the relative positional relationship of an operation button unit pressing part, an operation button unit, and a supporting member. It is sectional drawing which shows the fixation structure of the hinge part edge part of an operation button unit. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the fixing structure of the hinge part edge part of an operation button unit. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the other fixing structure of the hinge part edge part of an operation button unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Panel main body 11 Display panel 12 Panel frame 14a, 14b Support member 15 Groove part 20 Operation button unit 21 Operation knob 22 Flange part 23a, 23b Hinge part 24a, 24b Protrusion part 25 Operation protrusion 30 Board | substrate 31 Tact switch 31a Switch knob 50 Parts Mounting unit 50a Operation button unit pressing portion 51a, 51b Hinge pressing member 100 Front panel unit 101 Opening 150 Bottom surface 231 First surface 232 Second surface 510 Pressing surface

Claims (5)

An operation having an operation knob to be pushed and a hinge portion extending on both sides of the operation knob, wherein the hinge is twisted by the pushing operation of the operation knob and the operation knob is swung. The button unit is attached to a predetermined panel body in an electronic device by exposing the operation knob from an opening,
A support member provided in the predetermined panel body and formed with a groove portion into which an end portion of the hinge portion is fitted;
A pressing member that holds the end of the hinge part fitted in the groove part from the opening side of the groove part,
The groove portion of the support member is a bottomed groove that is recessed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the pushing operation direction of the operation knob,
From the first contact portion between the bottom surface of the groove portion at the end of the hinge portion and the bottom surface, the second surface and the presser of the end portion of the hinge portion facing the pressing surface of the pressing member. The first surface, the second surface, the bottom surface of the groove, and the pressing surface of the pressing member are formed so that the second contact portion with the surface is positioned on the pressing operation surface side of the operating knob. An operation button mounting structure in an electronic device. By tilting the bottom surface of the groove portion in the support member, the clearance between the bottom surface and the first surface of the end portion of the hinge portion is gradually directed toward the opposite side of the push operation surface of the operation knob. 2. The operation button mounting structure in an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation button is attached to the electronic device. By tilting the first surface of the end portion of the hinge portion, the clearance between the bottom surface and the first surface of the end portion of the hinge portion is set to the opposite side of the push operation surface of the operation knob. 2. The operation button mounting structure for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation button is gradually reduced toward the electronic device.   By tilting the second surface of the end portion of the hinge portion, the clearance between the press surface of the pressing member and the second surface of the end portion of the hinge portion is set to the push operation of the operation knob. 4. The operation button mounting structure for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation button is gradually reduced toward the surface.   By tilting the pressing surface of the pressing member, the clearance between the pressing surface of the pressing member and the second surface of the end of the hinge portion is directed toward the pressing operation surface of the operation knob. 4. The operation button mounting structure in an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation button is gradually reduced.

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